Disclaimer: The characters used within this are mostly the property of others. I have a few originals, but the vast majority are not original. A few well known names may be used, but everything here is fiction. This is for entertainment only and not for profit.
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Araiansu – Chapter 7
Sam stopped by her former teachers office with Ranma in tow.
"It is good to see you Sam. I am still sad that you had to resign from the air force."
"It is good to see you too General. I'm also sad about having to retire." She turned to look at Cadet Haley who was standing at attention.
Haley said, "Your the ones with the ship!" Then realizing she spoke when she should not have shut her mouth.
"At ease cadet," came from her teacher.
"Why are you here?" the Cadet asked.
Sam said, "Some people believe you are brilliant."
Haley smiled a hesitant smile.
Sam continued, "Other people believe you should be kicked out of the academy."
"What, I…"
"Don't waste time. We are here as a favor. You have a real chance here. I don't need you to prove you're smart. You have proved that. You have to prove that you are more than just your brain."
She seemed to be fighting a desire to rant. She finally settled on, "I understand. What would you have me do?"
Ranma asked, "Is there a sparring yard, or simply an empty room?"
"You want to spar?" she asked surprised.
Ranma said, "Not exactly."
Sam's teacher said, "Sure, there is a group there at the moment, but I would bet they could be persuaded to take a break."
Ranma and the others walked into the gymnasium. Seeing an officer, everyone stopped sparring and faced them.
The General said, "I hope you don't mind the pause, but we were hoping to use this area."
All the cadets stood at attention.
Ranma scanned the crowd. His eyes suddenly lit up when he saw someone in the back. He said, "You in the back. Tall with light brown hair."
"Me sir?"
"Yes, your name?"
"Makoto sir."
"Would you care to help with today's work?"
"Yes sir."
Ranma grinned. He then turned to Haley and said, "I would like you two to spar."
"But she is the best in the academy!" exclaimed Haley.
"I know," he said.
"How could you know that?"
"You are an expert in your area. I am in mine." He turned to Makoto, "Have you taught?"
"A little. I give some lessons at night."
"Then you have no problems adjusting your speed and skill to match your opponent?"
"I won't say I have no problems, but I think I've done alright."
"Good. I think first Sam and I will spar. Sam, take this seriously. Haley, watch Sam. She does not have the experience I have, but she does understand how to apply the skills she has very well."
They heard, "A recording is in progress."
Sam said, "Halt the recording, or I will order the device destroyed." One of the cadets pressed a button and put the phone in their pocket.
"The recording has stopped."
Sam said, "Okay everyone against the walls. I assume this is no energy attacks and no ki boosting."
Ranma said, "No, you can internally ki boost. No external attacks. No movements that cause either of us to get within six feet of the crowd. I'm the only one who will be injured today, and I know when to protect myself."
"You sure?" Sam asked.
He shrugged. "I won't get better if I don't push myself."
They bowed to each other and suddenly they were a blur, except Sam was literally one place then another place. Kicks, punches, rolls, and dodges flowed from one to the other. Ranma used a lot of Tai-chi to redirect Sam's attacks, rather than facing their strength head on without ki reinforcement.
Sam made extensive use of physics to enhance her attacks or to increase the damage Ranma took. Every attack she took was careful to make the most use of her stature and leverage to inflict maximum damage. Even so, he continually redirected the energy reducing each attack, bleeding off the energy in a spin. She kept on the attack, choosing and controlling the direction of the attack and using her current advantage for all it was worth.
Ranma said, "Let's take it up a notch. Balls?"
Several balls were thrown into the ring. Ranma would dodge. Sam would throw, kick, or knock balls, not directly into Ranma but where they sometimes bounced off two walls before coming at the back of his head. He ducked most, but took a few. The acrobatics continued for several minutes until Ranma said, "That is probably enough."
Makoto said, "Geeze, you didn't have to show us up that badly did you." Then realizing what she said, added, "Sorry."
Ranma winced as he walked over to a seat. He turned to Haley and asked, "What did you see?"
"Well she used every trick of physics she could think of to beat the crap out of you. That plus the speed up thing you do, and her thinking about ten moves in advance should have finished anyone. Could she have won?"
"Probably not," Sam admittedly. "If it was real combat, Ranma could have probably killed me, even without his ki."
"That's insane," Cadet Haley said, "Your the same age, aren't you?"
"Actually," Sam said, "I'm older. Don't ask."
Ranma asked, "Do you think you can do that? Not to that level of course, but use your intelligence to cover for some of your physical weakness."
"I don't know. Maybe? I'm willing to try," Haley said.
"Then by all means. Makoto, your test is to teach Haley. Haley, your test is to learn. Begin."
Their sparing was much slower. Haley would try to use textbook skills and Makoto would slip just above, or just below them, until Haley tightened up her blocking. Then she tried modified sweeps that were slow, but not quite textbook. Haley stepped back. This continued for over a half an hour until Haley's focus started to slip and more attacks got through.
Ranma said, "Focus. The lessons you learn in sparing are what will save you one day. If you fail to learn lessons like keeping your focus when your exhausted, then that too will probably have consequences one day."
Haley's focus and determination sharpened. They continued for another ten minutes until Ranma said, "Enough. Both pass. Makoto, you have a place in the EDF, if you want it."
"I don't know what to say."
Sam said, "There is nothing to say. You earned it."
General Kerrigan said wryly, "Must you try to poach the best ones?"
Ranma turned to Haley, "You also passed my test. If you are willing to join up. You have to get released from here, and you have to swear not to smuggle back technology but to focus on the mission of the EDF which is defending Earth."
The General said, "You passed my test as well, so it is your choice really."
Haley nodded soberly.
Ranma said to everyone, "Learning the Art is not about these things. The art is not just about the time you spend sparring. You need to make everything about getting better at the art." He jumped up onto the top of a long horizontal bar used for rope climbing and just stood there.
He said, "I practiced balance every change I got when I was young, and I still do. I'm not using any tricks. This is just balance." He walked backwards. "Again, just balance, and feeling where you are with your feet. If you are doing it for real, make sure you can land safely one way or another."
He then focused back on Makoto. "Want to learn another trick?"
"Sure."
"Can I get a bottle of water?" The instructor tossed him one. He poured a bit over his arm. Instantly he became a woman. Several people stepped back. Makoto and Haley weren't among them. "The change is because ones ki is influenced by many factors. It is easier for a woman to teach a woman to use ki. It is not a showstopper, merely easier."
Ranma formed a soft ball of glowing white ki in her hands. "Place your hands near it, but do not touch. I am doing my best to mimic the feel of your own ki. It is not quite the same. Everyone's ki is different, but feel it in your mind and try to understand.
She held out her hands over Ranma's.
"It is warm."
"No, it isn't," Ranma said. "I'm allowing no emotions to taint it. Look again. Feel again."
"No, your right, it isn't, but wait. I'm not feeling that. I'm sensing my own ki? Really? I can't believe this!"
Ranma smiled and let her ball fade away. She said, "It is a little easier to see oneself when one has a mirror and you were very close. I sensed that when I came in. Remember what you felt. It won't be easy to do again without help, but perhaps you will manage it."
"I'll try."
"Sam you want to show her as well, to give her a separate reference?"
"Sure."
Sam held out her hands. The same soft white light formed in them. Makoto smiled when she brought her hands near.
The instructor asked, "Care to teach more?"
Ranma said, "We are kind of busy."
Sam's light vanished. She turned to Haley. "So what do you think?"
"Can I go see the spaceship?"
"That depends," Sam said.
"Can I count on you to buckle down and do all of your work here?"
"Yes, you can."
Sam turned to her former teacher. He shrugged. Sam said to Haley, "You have passed the test, and we welcome your application to the EDF. I however, am not willing to make a special exception to bring you with us at this time."
"I understand." She stepped back quietly.
Sam turned to Makoto, "Would you like to go?"
"Me, but I'm not nearly as smart as Cadet Haley."
Sam turned to her teacher. "What is your honest assessment of Cadet Makoto?"
"Cadet Makoto has trouble with some of the technical areas. As an orphan she has had a hard life, and has worked hard for her place here. Her teaching of fellow cadets has been noted and she is likely to be slated for the command track should she be able to bring up her grades in the technical areas to match. I would have no objections with her having a field trip."
Haley said, "I could help you, maybe if you could help me with fighting?"
Makoto smiled and nodded.
Sam asked, "Does anyone else have an objection?"
One stockier girl stood up, "No, we are just glad. She spends so much time helping us and she is not the only one that has trouble with some of the science."
Haley said, "I'll help everyone, if you'll have me." She swallowed. "Perhaps I should learn more here before a final decision is made."
Sam nodded thoughtfully. "I have no regrets to my service, though I understand that for some sometimes it doesn't work out as well. My CO was under pressure to do some things I can't discuss here. He thankfully did his job and shielded us when he could so we could do our jobs. I am not trying to talk anyone out of a career in the Air Force. On the contrary, our country desperately needs good men and women of honor and skill to defend it and lead it. The Air Force is one place. The EDF is another. You have my thanks for all your efforts, now and in the future."
The same stocky girl said, "And you have ours. We know a little, based on your broadcasts of the president about what you did before and now." She turned to the General. "Permission to salute the EDF leader."
"Of course."
She did so, as did everyone else. Sam and Ranma saluted back.
Sam said absently. "I suppose we will have to establish new ranks soon, but for now, Makoto, shall we go back to the General's office?"
Haley looked at them. Her teacher said, "You are dismissed to normal duties Cadet." She nodded and walked away with the others.
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They met back in his office. Sam closed the door behind them.
"It is good to see you back Sam. The legend that will no doubt be stirred up because of today… I just hope you don't cost me that entire class."
Sam smiled and shrugged.
"Now what did you need to speak of?"
"Makoto said she has trouble learning. You further said she had a rough childhood. I am offering to try to check if there are any medical issues with her on Liberator."
"You mean some of it could be because I'm sick?"
Ranma said, "Maybe. I had considerable damage that the Asgard eventually healed. The choice is yours. Even if you have no problems well I wasn't the best at learning the science, even with Sam teaching me. Perhaps I could show you how I learn?"
Makoto brightened.
Sam asked, "The main thing, is while Makoto should be old enough to make her own choice. I didn't want to do so without your approval sir. She is your student."
"I have no objections. I trust you Sam," said the General.
"Do you wish to go with us? We will be gone likely a week, possibly more. The process may be a bit scary. Makoto may appreciate having someone who at least knows her with her. Of course if there is nothing wrong with her it won't take long."
"I would be honored. Give me a bit to arrange for my absence."
Sam said, "The other reason I'm making the offer is to slightly increase the number of people with some knowledge of space. That is never a bad thing."
"And I thought you were recruiting?" mused the General.
Sam's cheeks pinked.
Ranma asked, "Both are you are willing in principle to keep our secrets within reason and all that?"
Makoto said, "Of course."
The General said, "I will. I can't refuse a direct order other than to resign, but I understand the Asgard's reasoning and will use my own judgment."
Sam glanced at Ranma who nodded minutely. She said, "That is fine. Ultimately we are people, and we aren't going to give you access to the science anyway."
He nodded.
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Sasaki Yoshimura the Japanese Prime Minister met them in the cafeteria on the Liberator where they all beamed to.
Sasaki said, "Extra guests?"
Sam said, "I collect strays. Mr. Prime Minister, this is my former academy teacher. Prime Minister Yoshimura may I introduce you to General Kerrigan of the Air Force Academy."
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
Kerrigan shook the prime minister's hand. "I am glad to meet you as well."
"And is this the cadet General Hammond told us about?"
"No," Sam said. "She passed her test and may apply, but I was disinclined to also reward her on top of that."
"That is fair," agreed the Prime Minister, "But then who is this young woman? She almost looks like she came from my country."
The General said, "You would be fortunate if she did. She is a credit to her class."
"I see. Well then it is good to meet you Ms…"
"Makoto Quinn. I'm Cadet Makoto Quinn."
Sam said, "We are going to break orbit for the asteroid belt, but one of the reasons I volunteered to bring her here was to check to see if some of the problems she had learning were possibly medical. Shall we go?"
Makoto seemed hesitant. Ranma, still in female form said, "Come on. It will be fine."
She walked hesitantly behind them. When they arrived Ranma said, "You go on ahead to the bridge Sam. I'll stay and maybe teach her a couple things to keep her mind off the weirdness."
The Prime Minister looked between them all. Sam said, "Mr. Prime Minister you can come with me or stay here."
"I seldom get the opportunity just to talk to new people, and I can't imagine I would have that on the bridge. Is it truly okay if I stay here?"
"Sure."
Ranma said, "If all three of you are willing to keep quiet about these things, you can also use them if you want."
The General asked, "What do they do?"
"They basically fix or regenerate anything that needs repaired. Foreign contaminates are removed. If there are no problems it will do nothing. If there are extensive problems it will regenerate any tissue necessary to repair them. It will not make you younger, though you may feel younger. I also don't need to tell you but these are going to be EDF only. We realize people will find out about them sooner or later and can't avoid that, but hope it is later. Sam plans to release some medical knowledge, though that is going to take time and review."
The prime minister asked, "You are sure it is safe?"
Ranma said, "I have been in it many times."
"Could I give my place to my wife?" asked the Prime Minister.
"No," Ranma said. "If she is sick and we can reasonably do something, we are willing to try but that would be later. Right now I can tell we are already moving away from Earth."
"How do they work?"
"You lay down in the obvious places and you relax and let the technology do its job. If you can resist moving it will be quicker and possibly do a better job, but most people can't, and it takes time to prepare yourself mentally for being not able to move. You can also ask to be put to sleep, though the choice is yours."
"It would do a better job if I was sleeping?" asked Fushida.
"Somewhat yes, but it is unlikely to matter."
"Can I watch someone else go first?"
Ranma grinned. "Sure, well if we have a volunteer. Are you willing Makoto?"
"I can stay awake, but still?"
Ranma nodded. "You were on the threshold of controlling your ki. Once you are inside focus on being heard outside without moving your lips. It is tricky to learn, but the table can connect to your own bio energy so it is good practice. If you do manage to figure out the interface you can do more. You can also just talk if you need to."
Makoto laid down on the nearest table still clad in her white uniform. A bubble of energy surrounded her.
Ranma said, "Just relax."
Makoto remained really still.
Ranma looked at the other two who seemed worried. "Can you reassure these two?"
"Tryiiing toooo," echoed from the speakers without her lips moving.
"Excellent," Ranma said. "Now perhaps you can answer a question from the General here so they don't think we killed you."
The general asked, "Makoto, what was the last essay you wrote for me?"
"Ggggg Forces innnn Fighter jetts."
Ranma asked, "Zen. How is she?"
"Patient Makoto Quinn is in relatively good health, though shows considerable signs of malnutrition as well as minor lead poisoning. Other trace heavy metals are present. These factors have causes a twenty eight percent drop in maximum brain efficiency. All problems will be rectified in approximately twenty seven hours."
"That long huh," Ranma added.
Zen replied, "Removal of contaminates is a simple process. Careful regeneration of neural tissue so no experience is lost, and where possible, all lost experience that is recoverable is recovered is time consuming."
"Thanks Zen. Keep me posted."
The General got in his own bed. Sasaki got in another.
Ranma said, "Makoto, I want you to focus on your ki. There is no need to move. Just relax and be aware of your own body and your own energy. Don't try to control it. You don't yet have the knowledge and just recognizing it for what it is and leaving it alone is enough for now."
"Hard to focus," said the speakers more clearly.
"I know. When the Asgard healed me I was probably in a similar state. It is normal. I'm not going anywhere."
"Could you tell me a story?" asked Makoto.
"Sure, why not. I'll tell you about myself. I know Sam has heard all my stories before, but since I have a captive audience I suppose I can tell you. In truth I hope that someday the EDF can live on its own…"
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On the bridge Zen stated, "Liberator is within scanning range of the asteroid belt."
Sam looked up from her station. "Jenna you are in command. You know the job."
Jenna said, "Avon, do you have a candidate for us?"
"There are several. The better question is, do we just grab the best one in our tractor beam, do we cut up a larger one for a slightly better haul, or… "
Villa said, "Don't keep us waiting…"
"Do we tow a bunch of nice ones into an orbit which will bring them close to but not impact Earth. I figure we can get one near Earth every couple of months with some planning."
Sam looked up. "You are sure about your calculations?
"I am."
Jenna asked, "Your not going to recommend a course of action?"
"What course of action makes the most sense?" asked her mother.
Jenna said, "Well given that we are likely to be busy, getting the raw materials where we might be able to let Earth do the rest seems a good idea. We could probably bring create some thrusters and they could... No, that doesn't work. They would annihilate a vast amount of ground when they impacted. Guidance is not enough."
Dana said, "A drone ship could be built to cut them up and ferry individual blocks down to Earth."
Jenna asked, "Zen can you confirm that analysis."
"Analysis is confirmed. Completion of such a ship would, however, take considerable time, and possibly use technologies that are currently not permitted to be shared."
Sam asked, "What are your other options? What are our resources?"
Jenna asked, "Will Jack O'Neil and Teal'c please report to the bridge."
Sam nodded.
Jack appeared a few minutes later with Teal'c and Daniel following. "What's up?"
"Jack, do you think a Goa'uld cargo ship could be used to carry a bunch of asteroid fragments down to the Earth?"
Jack turned to Teal'c.
Teal'c said, "That is a very frequent use of Goa'uld cargo ships, though generally rings are setup to move material more quickly."
"What's going on kids?" asked Jack.
Jenna said, "Avon has a plan where we send a bunch of valuable asteroids near Earth. That is easy enough. We are trying to figure out a way to get the to the planet without us ferrying every single one."
Jack said, "Well I could talk to the General. Perhaps the Tok'ra are willing to help."
Sam smiled softly. "I would like to see Dad and there is a marriage overdue."
Jack asked, "Shall I?"
"Please," asked Sam.
"Sure thing."
"So, Avon, why don't we find a room and call some people up."
"Sure,"
Jenna said, "Avon, can you send me your plan for now? I want to get started. If they don't agree we will move them."
"Sure thing. It should be on your station now."
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"Let me see if I get this straight. Your proposing we ask our allies for help borrowing a cargo ship or setting up rings or?"
Jack shrugged. "If we want the minerals then we might as well do our part. The less rules we have to bend the less chance we have of upsetting the Asgard. Besides, this is a chance to work on our own solutions. Also, I think Sam would really like to see her father."
"I'll do what I can. You do know we are going to have to send some of these resources to other parts of the world. That was the deal."
Jack shrugged.
"I'll make some calls. For now I would suggest you proceed."
"They already are."
"Good. Hammond out."
Jack and Avon walked back to the bridge.
Jack said, "Hammond is looking into it. Out of curiosity, couldn't we just beam it all down?"
Sam said, "Asgard transporters are power intensive. Transporting people is fine, but this is a lot of material. I'd rather not risk cutting into the lifespan of our equipment if I can help it. It's interesting that Goa'uld rings are used." She turned to Teal'c, "Are you sure about the rings?"
Teal'c said, "I am. Goa'uld transport beams are slow and can be intercepted and blocked far more easily. They are also have some small risk in usage, at least if you don't have a symbiote to repair the damage. They are just better for something like this when you don't actually care. I have no idea as to their energy cost."
"Cool. Perhaps my dad can help setup a set."
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General Hammond reformed the meeting he interrupted, except this time every head of state attended, except the President of the US who was represented by his Vice President and the Prime Minister of Japan was represented by his second in command. Also represented there was the head of Nasa.
"I'll called everyone to this teleconference to discuss the material salvaging operation. They plan, unless we disagree, to set a bunch of asteroids on a course near Earth. I'm hoping we can get some of our allies to help us get the material safely to the ground."
The vice president asked, "Are they willing to do this? Are we burning a favor without a good enough reason or?"
"I think so, though we do have to ask. Sam's father is a host to one of the Tok'ra. He had cancer. Selmak saved his life and he saved hers."
The Chinese leader asked through his interpreter, "Where will the ore land?"
General Hammond said, "We need to discuss with the Tok'ra. If need be we will land it somewhere central and then load it on ships. Ideally I would hope we could land some in different areas but we need to find out. Does anyone have any ideas that would allow us to land such masses on our own?"
The head of Nasa said, "Spacecraft can be controlled during entry because we design them to be controllable. They are shaped to be controlled, with thrusters in the correct locations to accomplish that control. Random chunks of rock in space are another matter entirely, particularly when that shape may change as it enters the atmosphere. Frankly, I wouldn't trust anything we could come up with, unless we collected a small enough sample and brought it back inside a rocket and probably not then. The expense would far exceed the value of any materials contained. The danger of causalities if we randomly manage to tilt asteroids towards Earth would be high."
The vice president asked, "What would you need to make such a trip not insane?"
He shrugged. "I of course know of the Goa'uld technology you get from time to time. We would need to be able to build our own cargo ships. I have looked at all the research your team, and particularly Sam Carter created. There are a lot of interesting theories in the pipeline. We will get there, but we aren't there yet."
General Hammond asked, "Are there any objections with approaching our allies to help land this material? We have a lot of catching up to do, both to prevent the worst parts of global warming and second to reach the point where we can defend ourselves. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate what Sam is doing, and if it took a deal with the Asgard to keep their tech out of our hands to get what we need to defend ourselves, then I for one am glad they made it, but that doesn't mean we can rest. I figure these kinds of missions will help us learn what we need to learn, so we had better get to it and do our part."
"Agreed," said the leader of China through a translator. "We will do whatever we can to help." The others also rapidly agreed.
Before they left the Chinese leader asked, "When will the fool go away? He is wasting time and needlessly causing division."
The vice president said, "We know. The justice department is working. Our system of government doesn't allow us to influence it. The problem is he now has his followers believing all this is a hoax and it is all an elaborate ruse. It is absolutely insane, because we have had recordings where he forgets and admits he is what he is, but it doesn't cost him any followers. Seeing him 24/7 is helping, but not remotely as fast as you would think it would."
The Chinese leader said, "Ask them to fly their ship over one of his events."
"It is worth a try. I'm not sure they want to get that involved, but I will suggest it."
The Chinese leader nodded at her words.
The VP asked, "What about you. Do you have any plans for the North Korean mess?"
"Plans yes. Completed plans no. We are working on it and hope to begin this year. They have been a useful buffer zone, but they also represent an awful wasted resource."
She nodded.
General Hammond looked around at the people on the screen. "It sounds like we are done here. I volunteer my group to coordinate this mission. It doesn't sound like there is any shortage of material, so as long as we can do our part we should solve a lot of problems over time."
"Agreed," came from most everyone in the virtual room.
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After they separated the Vice President contacted General Hammond again.
"Is there something else?" he asked.
"No, I just wanted to verify that you know that the Chinese government isn't really the good guys here either."
"We know, but they are more practical than most, and for now that is probably enough, particularly if they do have a plan that eventually brings North Korea to some level of stability. I may not like the outcome, but I do not believe there is any outcome there that is going to end better."
"Your probably right. Very well. If you need us, just call. We are available twenty four seven."
"Will do."
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Selmak approached Garshaw in her private room.
"I know why you are here."
He nodded, accepting that she knew.
"Do you really believe we should be devoting so many limited resources to helping them?"
"Jacob does. I am willing to see how this goes. They apparently now have an Asgard built warship. That will attract Goa'uld attention, once they find out. Right now the remaining system lords do not appear to be organized enough to stop them."
"Very well I will approve bringing the two mining ships and their use for a reasonable amount of time. I recall they have rather slow hyperdrives. They will take months for the journey will they not? Who will go with you?"
"You are correct, but fortunately our latest location for them is closer to the Earth than most. It will take about a month. They are setting asteroids on a course towards their planet. As for help, Anise has volunteered. She is hoping that she can learn something. We know the Asgard have put sensible restrictions on my daughter and her team, but Anise believes they will be less with a Tok'ra."
"That is always to be determined. Still, it is worth a try. What about Martouf and Lantash?"
"They still mourn Jolinar's loss and were shocked to learn that my daughter was married. They said that they will think on it and possibly come via the Stargate."
"It is not unexpected I suppose. What of Jacob?"
Selmak bowed his head.
Jacob said, "I was hoping to get someone else to fly the other shuttle, so I could go via the Stargate. A lot has happened to my daughter and I want to be there."
Garshaw bowed her head.
Yosuf said, "We would go if we were not needed here, and Garshaw regrets not being able to send more people with you. I was wondering, if perhaps the Tauri might have a solution? They have the manpower we lack."
"That is a good idea. I will ask. Teal'c could probably fly a cargo ship with a bit of training, and they would probably jump at the chance to learn. Anise will be annoyed, but well such is life."
"Indeed," commented Yosuf.
In the end it was agreed for Teal'c, Cameron Mitchell, and Rodney McKay to go in place of Selmak. The first two wanted to learn to fly the cargo ship. The third wanted to take it apart, though contented himself with mostly bugging Anise.
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Ranma pulled Sam into a hug before kissing her softly. "Your ready. Go see your dad."
"Sure. Hold the fort for me."
"Always."
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Sam beamed right into the SGC conference room. "Hey dad."
"Hey kiddo. I hear you have had a hard time."
Sam ran across the room and pulled her dad into a tight hug. "It has been so long since I've seen you dad. There is so much I'd wanted to ask you; to talk with you about." She stepped back.
He looked at her carefully. "I'm here now kiddo. I hear I have grand kids."
"You do. They are awesome dad. They truly are."
"And a son in law?" he said in a lower tone.
Sam rolled her eyes. "He is awesome too dad. You don't have to give him the third degree. It was better if one of us stayed onboard the ship."
"Ah, and Selmak and I had such a fun meeting planned out. I suppose we shall have to save it."
Sam rolled her eyes even as her lips twitched in a smile. "Did I mention he is probably the strongest martial artist in existence and took on hundreds of replicators at once without a serious injury?"
"Hmm, that may make it a bit more complicated, but I'm sure I'll think of something."
"I thought you were coming in on a cargo ship, and then I heard Teal'c, Cameron, and McKay were going in your place."
"I asked George nicely for some time with my daughter."
"I'm glad. Now do you want to watch us Ferry down the biggest of the asteroids?"
"Sure. Perhaps we should ask George if he would like to come?"
div align="center"
-oOo-
/div
Sam took her station. She said, "Jenna you are relieved. I want Ranma in control of the flight in case anyone tries something."
"Sure mom." They swapped stations.
"Cally, I want you monitoring that tether beam. Keep us posted. Avon, make sure that thing that is totally not really close to an AI, and totally won't make Thor mad at us is monitoring as well. Everyone else do the same. We are going to be slightly vulnerable landing this rock. I don't actually expect betrayal, but I'm also not going to let them catch us napping."
General Hammond asked, "Do you have any reason to expect the Chinese government to attempt anything? I know they won the bid for the largest chunk."
"Suspect the government? Probably not. They stand to make too much money. I was thinking something on the level of morons with rocket launchers or somehow someone arranging a level of stupid that gets a lot of innocents killed. They would be no threat to the ship, but if a lot of people were injured and they could blame it on us..."
General Hammond nodded.
Jacob bowed. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Sam said, "Could you and the general pick a headset and monitor local media? Zen should be able to manage the translations."
"Of course," added her father.
General Hammond said, "I'd be happy to help."
They took their stations and were soon monitoring the local Chinese television stations.
Sam asked, "Go no go time. Jenna."
"Go."
"Cally."
"Go."
"Avon"
"I would prefer an additional fifteen minutes to stabilize the model. I would also suggest we be a little late to perhaps throw off any plans that might be in place."
"Understood. I'll finish the list and we will hold. Anyone is welcome to change their mind in the meantime."
"Villa"
"If something happens and we need to use the medical bay, someone should be there. I can go."
"Approved. Contact us if you have further concerns. Daniel, Jack, would you mind heading down there as well, assuming you have no objections to the plan?"
"Works for me."
"Jack, in the event Cally is forced to beam someone up for healing your word is the final one down there."
"Understood Carter and I'm good with the plan."
Daniel said, "I'm also good with it."
"Dana."
"Go."
"General Hammond."
"They are speculating that we are slightly behind our scheduled start time, but nothing of obvious concern. Go when ready."
"Selmak and Dad."
Selmak asked, "Have you determined the minimum safe time you can deactivate your tether beam without harming anyone?"
Ranma said, "Yes, I have that in the flight plan. We believe we will be able to teleport most out of the way if we need to pull the tether early, but it is a very big asteroid."
"Then I am a go."
Sam said, "Holding for Avon's final word. Zen send a message that we are busy with last minute checks and will proceed once they are complete."
Zen said, "They respond asking for when we will begin."
"Tell them some of the checks are complex and can take a variable amount of time."
"Confirmed."
George said, "I knew you were ready for a promotion Sam."
They waited twelve more minutes.
Avon said, "The simulation shows that the most likely interference vector are the two passenger jets that are still within the ability to intercept our landing. They will continue to be within that window for another four minutes."
"Then we wait," agreed Sam.
Avon said, "One of the jets made an odd turn as if to turn around… Still monitoring."
"Good work Avon. Make sure you capture every detail you can. I want a list of everyone on board that jet, and anything that can be used to track down what was going on. It may be nothing.."
"Already collecting. The jet is now turning. They are the last and there is a minute and a half until they are clear of being able to intercept us."
"Confirm when they are clear for thirty seconds. I'm spinning up four reactors. We have a lot of weight to haul."
Two more minutes passed. "We are clear. Recommend a go."
"Liberator begin operation."
Ranma said "Positioning the ship to tow the lithium asteroid. This thing is ten times bigger than the ship, so hold onto your hats."
The ship smoothly maneuvered into position.
Cally said, "I'm engaging an additional reactor for some additional safety margin."
Sam said, "Engage the tether beam when ready."
"Engaging." The ship let out a low howl as energy systems designed to move the ship across a universe instead focused on a quite different task.
Sam said, "Subspace fields are forming as expected. Apparent mass of the asteroid is reducing. Reduction stopped. Apparent mass is now approximately double Liberator's. Zen final check."
"Task is within designed parameters. Recommend one hour ten minute engine rest period after mission completion."
"Understood. Cally, confirm tether."
"Tether is holding fine."
"Take us down Ranma, nice and gently."
Ranma brought the larger asteroid slowly into the atmosphere and then used it as an anchor as he applied thrust away from the planet to slow their descent.
Twenty minutes into their journey Avon said, "There is an unscheduled passenger liner on an intercept course. It has two hundred and four people onboard. It took off almost as soon as we started coming in. It will reach us in twenty minutes."
"Damn," cursed Sam. "Zen get me the Chinese president now."
"You are online."
"What is the problem?" asked the translator.
Sam said, "My ship is detecting an unscheduled passenger flight heading for us. It is flight " She looked down at her display, " 347. We can beam the captain and crew somewhere else, but request you make someone available to land the plane. We have less than twenty minutes."
"Understood. We will get back with you shortly."
Less than five minutes later the translator spoke again, "Flight 735 just got in and is empty save for a flight crew. Can you put the passengers and captain of the rogue plane in that plane and the pilots of that plane in the rogue plane."
"Yes. Do it."
Two minutes later Sam said, "All transports complete."
One minute later, "We have a connection with the pilot. They are turning and will be landing shortly."
"Confirmed. Thank you for your help. Liberator out."
Sam turned to the others. "Any problems?"
Avon said, "Nothing current. There is surprisingly little information on the passengers on that airplane."
George said, "That would be bad."
"Not our problem," said Sam. "Ranma?"
"Engines are in the warm range, but it is not yet a concern."
"Cally?"
"Tether is holding well. Asteroid stability is holding, though there are some stress lines detected. It will probably break up in several pieces when we let go, but that is within operation limits."
"Zen?"
"The operation is proceeding normally. There is an estimated twenty four more minutes before asteroid release, and and additional thirty minutes after that till we regain orbit using the planned flight path."
Selmak said, "The press are congregating around the airplane, though the police are telling them that no questions will be answered at this time as it is a matter of national security. The press are being told to leave and are leaving."
"Yah, that is China for you," mused Sam. "Do we still have nothing for people, motive, anything?"
Dana said, "I was able to get an ID of one passenger after cross referencing our transport records against a google image search. I'll send it to your station."
"Your kidding me. Your saying the some of the liar's followers hijacked an aircraft and were thinking of using it as a bomb?"
Dana said, "I can't prove that from the search. It could be a false trail."
"Continue your efforts. Avon assist her if you can."
"No need," Avon said.
"You have found something?"
"I took her idea and ran with it. There are ties all over the place. They also had way too much fuel for their established flight plan."
Sam turned to George. "You should probably brief the joint chiefs." She turned back to Avon and Dana, "Send what info you can send that they can independently verify. Tell them we are sending the same to the Chinese government in one hour. We can't take sides here and they are going to come to the same conclusion. Make sure our previous suspect plane is also included and that it is only a guess, not proven."
"I should have stayed in bed," complained the General, though he quickly made the call through the headset.
Twenty minutes later they were almost to the surface. Cally said, "I'm going to power down the tether slowly. Just keep us in the same position."
Her father said, "Will do."
Four minutes after that Cally said, "Tether is fully disengaged. Asteroid is stable and resting. I'm sending my latest stability analysis of the asteroid to the Chinese government."
Ranma said, "Getting us out of here."
He powered up the engines slowly, and then once they hit a thousand feet poured on the power. They reached space twenty minutes later. Ranma said, "Zen, please put us in a geostationary orbit above the asteroid. Set the speed to allow the engines to recover."
"Confirmed."
Sam let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "That could have gone so much worse. Excellent job Avon, Dana, Everyone. Our shields would have held, but everyone on that plane would still be dead, and possibly others nearby."
Selmak said, "Despite Jacob's best attempts I still do not understand Earth politics."
"Neither do the rest of us," Jack said, as he came through the door. "Turned out not to need us huh?"
Sam said, "It could have easily turned out we did."
"We know. Good work."
Jenna said, "We are getting a communications request from China. They know we can translate on the fly."
The Chinese president said, "Our thanks for uncovering the plot. Do you have any wishes with regards to the prisoners?"
Sam said, "I can't. I'm sorry. A piece of me wants to say to let the US government handle it. That is not my job. If our suspicions are correct they could have easily killed themselves and others. We would have been okay, but there is a chance they'd have disrupted the tether, which could have killed countless if it occurred when we were high enough up."
"So you have no recommendation."
Sam paused for thought for almost a minute. Finally she said, "I think we both agree that this appears to be an extremely serious crime, but that the US itself was not responsible."
The Chinese president gave her a nod.
"How you deal with serious crimes is beyond the scope of the EDF."
The Chinese president gave her a small smile. Then he said, "You have an American General on your ship."
"General Hammond is here as a friend. He is not in charge."
He nodded.
"We thank you for your prompt handling of the situation."
"And for yours. You did get the stability survey?"
"We did, and will of course take all necessary precautions."
"Then I wish you the best."
"I have a request."
Sam asked, "How can we help?"
"In our rapid development much pollution was created. I wish to send one of our experts in the area to your crew to learn what can be learned. They will swear whatever oath they need to swear if they can help China. The information would of course also be made available to the rest of the world.
Sam looked around, glancing briefly at each of their eyes, and slightly longer at Ranma. "I believe something can be arranged. Please send information of several candidates and we will look through them."
Daniel said, "Pardon,"
"Daniel Jackson," responded the Chinese President.
"Pardon for the interruption, but one of the key areas that may slow down some of this is you need to be able to read Asgard, since scientific information doesn't translate well, at least not through automated systems. You may want to recommend an additional someone to help learn the language, or maybe a scientists who already understands several."
"I will see that it is done. Thank you once again Liberator."
The screen went blank.
"Well," George said, "Other than the Joint Chiefs freaking out, and the liar insisting we save the patriots, that went well."
Jack asked, "Wait, he found out already? How?"
Selmak said, "Unfortunately they had communication devices. No one thought to disable them. They were transmitting their arrests before they were confiscated."
Jack said, "Well that is just great."
Sam said, "Ranma Dad. Dad Ranma. Oh and Dad, kids. We should have probably introduced everyone before."
Jack said, "You guys could probably take a break, take the family out for pizza and stuff."
Ranma turned to Sam. She asked, "Any preferences?"
Ranma grinned. "I've already found the best Okonomiyaki place that I've been wanting to try."
Sam asked, "Zen, can you send a message to Siler and ask if he is available for a shift?"
"He answers that he is."
"Beam him up." He appeared on the bridge.
"Siler, General, Jack, Daniel, you guys good keeping the lights on while we go out to eat?"
"I am."
"Of course Sam."
"Always."
"Sure, why not. I'm still working on Asgard for dummies anyway."
Sam smiled.
"Want us to bring you back anything?"
"Sure. You pick." The others said the same.
They were soon relaxing in Japan.
div align="center"
-oOo-
/div
"This is Dan Smith. Today the Liberator brought in enough lithium rich ore to provide the entire world supply for several years and they did it while defusing a possibly tragic situation involving the hijacking of a passenger airliner by US nationals. Stay with us as we cover the story like no one else can."
As the broadcasting light went out Dan let out a breath. "Someone please tell me that the insanity is starting to break?"
Andy said, "Unfortunately while the insanity does appear to be breaking, the more extreme elements are not doing well. They really don't like them showing their leader in an unflattering light."
"Do we know what the Chinese will do with them?"
"I don't think they know yet. From what little my contact told me the Liberator basically said it wasn't their problem, and, to be fair, it isn't. They stole a Chinese jet on Chinese sovereign territory and attempted to use it for terrorism. It seems to be approaching religious fervor."
"What a mess."
-oOo-
After they had eat Sam asked, "Hey Ranma, want to see if the Tendos even exist here?"
Ranma looked up at her in surprise. "Huh?"
"I know you probably still did care that they were okay, even if you didn't and don't want to marry any of them."
"They aren't the same."
"But you still want to see?"
Ranma glanced around at his family and wife's father. He said, "I'd like to make sure Kasumi is okay, if she exists here, but I'm not sure we should risk.."
Dana rolled her eyes. "You act like we are fragile or something. The odds are they are not even martial artists, let alone of our caliber."
The others agreed.
Ranma turned towards Jacob.
"Hey, I have no objection, though your going to have to fill me in sometime."
Sam said, "Kasumi Tendo was like a mother to Ranma. It wasn't right. She wasn't much older than him. She should have been going to college or living her life, not playing mother to her two younger sisters and her unstable father."
"Ah. Well Let's go. Selmak is fascinated. Confused, but fascinated"
Sam said, "I took the liberty of finding their address."
Ranma nodded, unsurprised.
They took the long way and spent an hour walking to their destination. "It's here," Ranma said softly. "I'd have thought the city would have swallowed it, but even here it is here, though there is no sign."
"Sign?" Sam asked.
"It used to say to fight owner in savage combat use rear entrance."
They were surprised when an older man answered the door. He looked fit and healthy, unlike the Soun Tendo he knew who seemed far more sedentary.
The man said in halting English, "Pardon. You were asking about sign? I took it down years back."
Ranma said in Japanese, "Hello, My Name is Ranma Carter. This is my wife Sam, her father Jacob, and my children Jenna, Cally, Villa, Avon, and Dana."
"It is good to meet you. Did you perhaps. No, you did not come here for martial arts lessons, unless perhaps for Jacob was it?"
Jacob replied, "You have a most talented eye. How do you tell?"
"It is hard to explain. There is a feel dedicated martial artists get when they face each other. All of you have it except you. Now what can I do for you all?"
Ranma asked, "Do you know a Genma Saotome?"
"Can't say as I do."
"Or perhaps a Happosai?"
"Nope, though I think I've heard the name. He died quite some time ago I think."
"You may find this hard to believe, but I do not come from this world. I came from a world where my reprobate father engaged me to a mess of people, one of which was your youngest daughter."
Soun's face got hard. "I have only one daughter. Kimiko died in child birth."
Ranma said, "I do not mean to upset you, and I assure you I love my wife and want no other."
Soun relaxed a bit.
"Father? We have guests. Why have you not invited them for tea," asked his daughter in Japanese.
Soun sighed. "My daughter is correct. Please come in and be welcome to our home."
"Actually," Ranma said. "Could we go into the dojo?"
Soun looked at him for a moment and then nodded.
As soon as they got in Kasumi started to leave.
Ranma said softly, "Please stay."
"But I need to get refreshments."
Sam said, "Please stay. We are fine. We have just eat."
Kasumi said, "If you wish." She perked up. "Wait, your from the ship."
"Yes we are."
Ranma asked, "Kasumi, would you please listen to my story?"
"Of course." She sat down carefully and gave him her full attention, her poise impeccable.
"Before I begin, I am curious. You are the daughter of a martial arts master. I can tell you have an art of sorts, but it is more homemaking. Why have you not learned the art?"
"Oh I couldn't do that. Father could not keep up with all the students. Why there are several coming soon."
Ranma asked in English, "Jacob, Selmak, Dana could you three go distract for a bit? I'm sure Dana can keep the attention of a few martial artist students, and well I'm sure Jacob can keep Dana from going too overboard."
Dana smiled, promising no such thing.
"Sure thing Ranma. How long do you think you are going to need?"
"An hour maybe two? You should be able to ask the ship if you need anything."
Kasumi asked, "Why are you being so insistent?"
"I am not from this world. I am from what is commonly called a parallel world. In my world Happosai did not die. In my world Soun Tendo and Genma Saotome were the pervert's students and I was Genma and Nodoka Saotome's child."
Soun said, "You said your name was Carter."
"I took my wife's name, for my own had too much dishonor associated with it."
"Are we really supposed to believe this?" asked Soun.
"I can probably perform your entire school of martial arts as well as you can from memory."
"Do it then."
Ranma sighed, and then perked up. He asked, "Could you do me a favor Kasumi?"
"What do you wish?"
"Would you please humor me and pretend to be my student? I do not ask anything of you after today other than to pursue your dreams, but for now can you pretend?"
Soun looked on confusion and more than a little hope.
Ranma held out a hand to her as he ever so slowly walked her through the foundational kata of the Tendo Ryu. After her second time he asked, "Feel like giving it a try?"
"Okay."
They all watched as she did it perfectly.
Soun had tears in his eyes.
"Another?" asked Ranma.
"Sure."
He spent close to three hours teaching her before she completed the introductory set of kata to the Tendo Ryu. Dana and Jacob returned after the first hour and stood and watched.
Kasumi was radiant when she finished, even if she was lightly covered with sweat. "Oh my. That was fun."
Her father said hopefully, "Does that mean you will finally let me teach you?"
"Please."
Ranma asked, "Is there anything else I can do to help you? The woman I knew as Kasumi helped me much over the time I stayed with her family. I know you are not her, but I still want to help. If you need money for college or …"
"Could I go into space? Could I sign up?"
"If you wish, but you should know that space is dangerous. The kinds of enemies we fight. I don't think all of us will come home one day. We will do our best, but the danger is real."
"I know. I just didn't want to…." She looked at her father nervously.
"Do not hesitate for my sake. I knew you were unhappy. I just didn't know what I could do about it."
Ranma said, "You would also be welcome. We would need instructors as well. We aren't ready yet, but in time."
"No, I will remain here with the Dojo."
Ranma nodded.
Soun asked, "May I ask what happened to my students?"
Dana said, "I gave them a lesson out front away from the house. They loved it."
Soun asked, "You gave a lesson huh? Could you show me, just so I know what you taught."
Jacob said dryly, "She taught them how to figure out the best place to place their ears to try to listen to a conversation within the dojo, and she wasn't that far away from the building. I'm actually surprised it worked."
Amused, Sam said, "That was my trick. A steady controlled stream of ki can help sound waves carry through objects. She was the one making it work."
Soun said, "I shall have to practice and see if I can manage the trick."
Ranma asked surprised, "So you can manifest your ki?"
"Internally yes, not to your obvious level, but yes."
"Dana, I assume you remember the lessons I gave you on accessing your ki. Do you think you could show Mr. Tendo. The match isn't ideal, but as she started this…"
"Sure."
She sat down in front of the older man and held out her hands. Off white light formed in it and seemed to swirl softly until it shifted to pure white. She said, "I've not perfected neutral ki. Sometimes it takes me a bit. Hold your hands over mine and look for your ki, then draw it towards my own. Use my energy as a beacon."
They all watched breathless as Mr. Tendo tried for one minute after another before finally the softest blueish white tint form. He sagged in on himself afterward.
"Congratulations Mr. Tendo. You have taken your first step into a larger world. Make sure to practice. It will be difficult without a guide, but now that you have done it once…"
He nodded content.
"Once we are ready I will return and if either or both still want to be a part then you will be welcome."
Kasumi rushed over to Ranma and hugged before realizing what she was doing backed away, only to be enfolded by Sam gently and then let go.
Ranma said, "Before I go, to two aspiring martial artists I show a glimpse of what is possible. So who not named Dana wants to show off something?"
Cally suddenly floated into the air, before standing on the ceiling then walking down the wall and back where she was.
"I can do that?" gasped Kasumi.
Ranma nodded. "It will take time. Perhaps, I can help you just a little more on your journey." He pulled a small bottle of water out of nowhere. Kasumi gasped at the trick. He then poured it over himself, becoming a her.
Kasumi said, "That was real."
Ranma said, "Yes, and my ki shifts with it, somewhat at least. Now stand across from me and lend me your hands."
She did so. Ranma took her hands into her own so that their arms were straight out from their bodies. She then concentrated as ki started to run visibly over the outside of Ranma and over Kasumi's skin.
"Concentrate," Ranma said. "You have to resonate your ki at a particular frequency to be forced away from a certain point. The point I'm using is right below the center of your mass. I can do most of it, but it is your body. You have to help."
They watched breathlessly as Kasumi concentrated, as the ki Ranma was giving off was pulled into her body and controlled and then suddenly she stepped into the air. It was only for a few seconds before it ended and she stepped back to the ground.
"That was incredible!" she said.
"I'm glad you liked it. There is a chance that exposure to so much of my ki will leave you feeling under the weather tomorrow. It should pass by the end of tomorrow. If it doesn't we will give you a phone number you can reach us."
Soun asked, "Are you sure that is all?"
Sam said, "She will be fine. I've fumbled with our kids more than a few times and they all came out normal, well except Avon."
"Hey!'
Sam's lips turned up into a small grin. "Avon still needs a lot of practice to fly better. He spends most of his time with computers."
"Those computers just saved us from a serious incident."
"True, but you still need to learn more."
"I suppose."
Jack's voice appeared in the air, "You campers about done yet? Hammond needs to get back to the mountain."
"Sure Jack. We will be right up."
Ranma said, "Goodbye Kasumi. Mr. Tendo."
The others said goodbye and they vanished in motes of light.
Her father said, "I will get pen and paper. We must write it all down!"
Kasumi's laughter was like bells before she walked over to the small shrine and knelt down.
"Hello mother. I met the strangest people today. I learned the art and I flew. You would be so proud of me mother. I am going to take our legacy to the stars. Please keep watching over us." She bowed again and stood up as her father returned.
-oOo-
Author's Note: Is an offshoot of a political group committing acts of terrorism plausible? Yes. We aren't there yet, but the world is certainly rife with examples, and don't forget that many of them hear that the other side is quite literally the enemy trying to destroy their way of life on a daily basis. The only thing I'd possible see arguable here, is the speed they acted, and perhaps how they got in the cockpit, which is not shown.
On another side note, the portrayal of China in this is not meant to mean I approve. I do not, though I do recognize they are good at sometimes getting things done that others fail at. I also recognize that most of the people there are just that people. Either way, the people in the story have to pick their battles, and China is at least stable, even if they don't approve of how it is stable.