Author's Note: Whew! I think I created a fanfic monster here. This story will dwarf Part One of F:TLS at this rate.

For those who have been waiting, I am sorry but here's chapter 11 and 12 to reward your patience. Also, please remember, feedback is always appreciated. ;-)


Chapter Eleven: Far From Normal

Aboard Moya, Chiana was sitting rather dejectedly on her bed while she stared out the view port at the strung line of the ragtag Colonial fleet. Outside in the corridor, she heard the gentle hum of Rygel's hover throne approaching before it stopped at her open door.

There you are, The ex-Dominar called to her. Commander Adama has invited us over to a ship called the Rising Star to enjoy their hospitality. Are you coming?

She sighed, feeling glad that someone had finally come along. Chiana was starting to grow tired of sitting alone. She whispered. They won't be coming back.

Rygel moved into her room, saying. What do you mean, they won't be coming back? Of course they will! We are talking about Talyn, the meanest Leviathan that ever lived.

Chiana shook her head. No, I mean John and Aeryn. After they deal with Scorpius, they'll be going with the Colonials.

Rygel could see that Chiana was softly crying. He tried to say something to comfort the young Nebari. Don't be ridiculous. John would never leave Aeryn. And, do you think that she'd be caught dead living amongst a fleet of humans?

Nice try, Chiana shook her head. But I saw Aeryn when she returned to Moya to pick up a few of her belongings before she headed off on Talyn. Captain Apollo offered her a chance to fly on a mission with them. Aeryn was so thrilled... She's already had begun to fit in over there, Rygel. John now has an entire fleet of humans to be with and Aeryn has a shot at a military life again. Best of all, they'll still be together. They're so lucky...

Rygel observed that something more was going on with Chiana. You're worried about yourself, too?

Chiana nodded sorrowfully. Yes, I mean... You're planning to return to your home planet and try to regain your throne. D'Argo is ready to leave and make his way home too, and Jool...well, who cares about Jool. All the while, I have nothing to fall back on. No home, or family. I have nothing going for me.

Of course you do. Rygel reassured her, moving closer to Chiana.

Name one thing! she wailed.

Rygel pondered for a moment.

What was the saying that John used every now and then? He thought. Ah...

Well, you still have your health. he said.

With a tear stained face, Chiana glared at him briefly, but then managed to laugh. She leaned over and gave Rygel a hug. He in turn wrapped his little arms around her as far as they would reach.

You're always welcome to come with me, he offered.

Thank you, Rygel. Thanks for caring... Chiana pulled away to study him. She gave him a serious yet half playful stare. But I'm not going to become one of your wives, so forget it.

Well, you can't blame a Dominar for trying, Rygel said with a sly smile.

***

The last thing Carter could remember feeling was Scorpius' presence taking root in her mind like icy cancerous tendrils. Probing and forcing his way in despite all of her efforts to keep him out. She could feel his essence pouring in through her failing defences, and in that moment, Carter knew what true evil was. All this time she'd thought that the Goa'uld was the epitome of evil, but they were like playful children when compared to Scorpius.

His malevolent thoughts swept over her like a dark chilling wave, threatening to overwhelm and even to corrupt her very being. Carter felt like she was drowning, unable to turn away or escape, all she could do was to await the eventual end.

Then she woke up...

Inside her lab at SGC.

She was at her desk, apparently having fallen asleep there. Bewildered, Carter glanced around. It wouldn't be the first time that she had lain her head down at her desk to catch a much needed catnap.

Then came the big question... That couldn't have been simply a bad dream? Could it?

God, I hope so! Carter prayed.

Still, if Scorpius were putting illusions in her head, she had to be careful. He could be trying to manipulate her into revealing information that he could use.

First she checked around in her lab. A quick search showed everything was in place, as it should have been. Including that awful romance novel that she'd dumped in her bottom left hand desk drawer and never bothered to finish reading. She'd even taken the time to read the entire next chapter only to discover that it was even worse than the one before.

Everything looked and felt real enough.

Carter checked her watch; it was 5:08 PM, April 3rd. One day before their mission to P3X 727.

This is too weird!

She went to the door, stuck her head out, and observed a few base personnel going about their regular duties.

Sure looks normal, but lets put it to the test.

She walked back to her desk, fished out the local phone directory and looked up a number. Carter then reached for the phone and, using her security clearance to make an outside call, she dialled up the phone number.

Hi! Domino's Pizza? This is Major Samantha Carter. I'd like to order an extra large pizza with everything on it, and could you have it delivered to Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Yes, the military installation. And there will be a $100 tip if it's delivered on time. Thanks. Bye!

Carter hung up the phone with a shrug while muttering to herself. Well, that seemed real.

She left her lab and took an elevator up to the personnel quarters level and stopped when she found the door she was looking for. Carter stared at the door plaque for a long moment.

LT. JENNIFER HAILEY

Finally, Carter knocked on the door and a second later, a voice on the other side answered.

Come in.

Stepping through the door, Carter found Hailey, at her desk, typing behind her lap top computer. She looked up and smiled as Carter closed the door behind her.

Hey, Major. All set for P3X 727 tomorrow?

Seeing her friend sitting there, alive and well filled Carter with overwhelming emotion, however, she refused to buy into this until she conducted a few more tests.

Carter snapped loudly. Stand at attention, Lieutenant!

Slightly startled, Hailey immediately obeyed and stood at attention.

Walking over to Hailey, Carter kept her voice firm. Turn and face me.

When she turned towards Carter, the Major then said. Lieutenant, I want you to hit me.

Hailey was now more than a little surprised.

I said, I want you to hit me as hard as you can, Carter demanded.

Hailey managed to laugh, apparently thinking that this was a joke that Carter was playing. Oh, you must have just seen the movie Fight Club with Brad Pitt.

This is no laughing matter Lieutenant, Carter snarled angrily, causing Hailey to stop laughing and to take the taller woman more seriously.

I order you to hit me!!

Without waiting another second, Hailey jabbed her fist squarely into Carter's stomach with everything that she had. Since she was unprepared, the impact caused Carter to cry out as she doubled over and fell to the floor gasping to catch her breath.

Hailey was kneeling by Carter, worried about her superior officer and friend. Are you okay?

That felt very real. Carter managed to wheeze out. That's good...

Major, what is going on?

Carter stared at the young woman and smiled before suddenly hugging her tightly. Hailey was deeply confused as she awkwardly returned Carter's embrace.

Uh, Major? I love you too, but this could be inappropriate and might start some rumours going if someone should suddenly come in and see us like this. What's going on?

Carter pulled back, keeping her hands on Hailey's shoulders, tears welling in her eyes. Hailey was alive and if so, that means Teal'c was safe too.

Nothing. I just... I had a bad dream. A really bad dream. I'm fine now. Carter answered softly.

That must have been some nightmare. Hailey commented sympathetically.

You have no idea, Carter answered.

***

Freya brought their shuttle into a high orbit around the planet Tobin. This gave SG-1 their first chance to see a real Peacekeeper warship for the first time. Seeing it on Tok'ra recording discs was one thing, but actually seeing it first hand was an entirely different matter.

Now that's what I call a ship! O'Neill said in awe from the co-pilot's seat. Ah... Freya, the cloak is working properly, right?

Yes, Colonel O'Neill, Freya reassured him again. The cloak is running perfectly and at full power.

Hailey was hunched over the back of Freya's pilot's chair, trying to get a good look at the incoming sensor data on the Peacekeeper vessel. Her jaw almost dropped open.

It's over 2.5 kilometres in length and weighs in at 110,000,000 metric tons!! Now I know why it's called a Command Carrier.

It is indeed an impressive vessel, Teal'c commented as he watched the huge dreadnought slowly orbiting the planet it was guarding.

With ships like that, I can see now how the Peacekeepers are winning against the System Lords, Daniel added.

Freya blinked before Anise took control to speak to SG-1. The Peacekeeper Command Carrier is the largest class of war vessel they have. It takes four Goa'uld Motherships to successfully engage one Command Carrier.

Okay, so it's a ship that only Darth Vader could love, O'Neill said.

Anise checked her console. I have only gained limited scans on the Peacekeeper base on the surface. I may have to move in closer.

Daniel said in surprise. That Carrier is sitting right on top of that base in a geosynchronous orbit.

The cloak should keep us hidden.

O'Neill pointed at Anise, almost berating her. Hey! There's that word again.

Anise looked confused when Hailey whispered to her. O'Neill likes it if you sound a little more confident. He hates the word, should.

Anise nodded then looked over to O'Neill. What do you want me to
say?


I don't know...that maybe our chances are better than good? O'Neill
suggested.

But our chances are actually less than good, came Anise's puzzled reply.

O'Neill frowned and sat back in his co-pilot seat, sighing. Some people are just too pragmatic for their own good. Now I feel much better. Let's move in closer then.

It looked like a risky operation to O'Neill, but the sooner they finish snooping about, inspecting the Peacekeeper's defences, the sooner they could see if it is possible to rescue Carter. And besides, this whole mission was already insanely risky as it was. What difference could a little more make?

O'Neill just hoped that Sam was still safe. Unfortunately, the way that Anise described this Scorpius character and what he was capable of doing to prisoners, especially to women...

O'Neill forced himself to stop. It was better if he didn't think about it.

***

On Talyn, they had finally reached the launch point. In the Leviathan's hangar, Crais was standing with Apollo giving him last minute instructions. Apollo listened to Crais intently. The Leviathan Captain had been extremely helpful in giving them useful tactical information about the Peacekeepers.

Just remember, standard Peacekeeper procedure is to have Marauders patrol the outer rim of the solar system. These will have sensor arrays to scan for approaching vessels and they won't be well armed.

Apollo nodded to Crais. But if they see us, they'll raise the alarm.

Crais replied. With Officer Sun with you, you should have a greater chance of success since she was a Prowler pilot herself. She knows their patrol pattern just as well as I do.

By that time, Crichton, Aeryn, Starbuck and Sheba had just entered the hangar area. Crais turned as they approached and he was slightly taken aback seeing Aeryn wearing one of their brown Colonial uniforms. He stared at her for a long moment, but said nothing.

Starbuck clasped his hands together and said, Well, kids, we'd better get this show on the road.

Crais said before looking back to Apollo. Success Captain, to you and your people.

Thank you Captain, for all of your help, Apollo said as he extended his hand to Crais. After pausing for a moment, Crais placed his hand into Apollo's and the two shook.

We'll be waiting for your return, Crais replied as he turned to leave, nodding his head to the others as he passed them.

Crichton looked amazed. I think that was the closest that I have seen Crais come to having an emotional outburst. He then glanced to Aeryn and the others thoughtfully. Well, like Crais said, we'll be waiting for you right here. Just don't bring any uninvited friends back with you.

Starbuck smirked as he and Apollo started walking to their Vipers. If we do, they most certainly won't be friendly.

Crichton shook his head. No, what I meant was... Oh, never mind. Good luck.

Aeryn went up to Crichton and gave him a quick kiss. Be seeing you soon.

I'm counting on it. Crichton smiled back as he watched her turn and walk towards her Viper.

We'll be back before you know it, Sheba said before Crichton reached for her arm, stopping her from following Aeryn.

Surprised, Sheba looked at Crichton and their eyes met. His eyes silently pleaded with the Colonial warrior. Please, look after her.

Sheba understood, and nodded to him. She then turned away to follow Aeryn and the others.

***

Samantha Carter walked into the SGC main conference room where she found General Hammond, Colonel O'Neill, Doctor Jackson and Teal'c seated about the conference table, all waiting for her.

Sorry I'm late, Carter apologized. What's going on?

You'll love this, O'Neill said sardonically, as Carter took a seat next to him. We've got a bigwig from the Pentagon paying us a visit.

Carter asked worriedly. Every time some high level official shows up at the SGC, some disaster was always quick to follow.

Just a routine inspection of the facility, General Hammond said. The higher ups want to see how we're doing things and whether we can do it better.

In other words. We're going to have someone looking over our shoulders for the next few days just searching for an excuse to trim our budget, Daniel added.

Pencil pushing bean counters sticking their noses into SGC operations again, Carter thought. Another sign that everything appeared to be normal, as it was with Lt. Hailey. Yet a part of her remained on guard.

O'Neill leaned over to her and whispered, Where were you?

With Lt. Hailey, Carter whispered back.

Ah... discussing some complicated technical stuff I bet.

No, just girl talk.

Girl talk? That piqued O'Neill's interest. About what?

Carter wasn't about to tell the Colonel (real or not) that she spent the last hour privately talking to Hailey about her nightmare'. So she made something up.

We were talking about whether you wear boxers or briefs. As soon as she said it, Carter's eyes widened.

Where the hell did that came from?!

She and O'Neill did tease a lot and even lightly flirted with one another occasionally, but she'd never said something that blatantly suggestive to him before.

O'Neill himself appeared to be taken back by Carter's statement, but he eventually seemed to settle for being amused. I just knew that you two couldn't just sit together all day only talking about work. In case you're wondering, forget it. That information is between me and my Happy Face underwear.

Carter started to giggle like a schoolgirl and for the life of her, she couldn't stop. Everyone about the table was staring at her dumbfounded, as her giggling grew louder.

Hammond looked at her confused. Are you okay?

Carter had to struggle to speak between snickers. I'm... fine, sir. Its just... hehehe... I had a mental image of O'Neill wearing... hehehe... Happy Face underwear.

Hammond looked at O'Neill for an answer, considering that he'd heard the two of them whispering to one another moments before. O'Neill held his hands up, more than slightly embarrassed.

I have no idea what's going on, sir. However, the topic of underwear did come up in our conservation.

Suddenly, Carter went from the giggles into full out laughter. O'Neill looked at her bewildered.

Major, are you on the happy pill or something?

No sir, Carter had tears of laughter running down her face. I haven't acted like this since...

An eerie feeling came over her and she instantly stopped laughing. She hadn't acted like that since Scorpius had put her in the Aurora chair. It did something to her...sapped her self-control. No. That can't be it.

It was a bad, horrible dream.

It had to be.

Oh, God. Please let it have been a dream.

It's not a dream, Major Carter.

The voice was like nails across a chalkboard in the way it made the hairs on the back of Carter's neck stand up on end and her skin crawl. There, standing in the doorway of the conference room was Scorpius... Wearing a dark three piece suit and carrying a black leather briefcase.

He gave her a sinister smile. It's all in your head....and so am I.

In that instant, Carter did something that was very unnatural and out of character for her.

She screamed.