Okay, I want to start by apologizing for taking so damn long getting this chapter out. I must have re-wrote it 50 times. In the end, I have something that certainly isn't the way I imagined it at first but I think it is the way to go. Again, sorry for the delay. Between re-writes, getting my new car insured and on the road (I got a Nissan 240sx, Rear wheel drive baby!!!) and work this took WWWAAAYYY too long.

Majin Gojira: Not sure what you're referring to with the Author's note but I'll try to avoid adding in extra points, like Faith's last name if that's what you meant. Fair enough point about Tonks, and as for the guns, I am gonna admit, I screwed up. You're right a simple gun should work as long as it has no electronic parts, but I have a way around it, which will be made clear next chapter. Willow may have been able to maintain the spell longer, but if you've never flown aerobatics, you have no idea how taxing continued G force is. Seriously, you are sweating like you just did a big workout after only a few minutes.

Bunny-Butler: Yeah well I was trying to show that Dumbledore is trying to make up for last year to Harry, but you're right that may not have been the best idea.

Ruth: I dunno if I'll have Harry off-world or not, but it's certainly an interesting idea.

Anyways, on with the story!

Chapter 16

Buffy lay on her back listening to the soft pitter-patter of the heavy rain on the metal roof. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was 4:15 local time, and though she wanted to sleep she found she simply couldn't. Her mind was swimming in so many directions at once, processing the training from yesterday, the fact that they were actually halfway across the galaxy from the planet she had been sure she would always call her home, Dawn's reaction to the Stargate, and the information about her new enemies, and the hunt for the new Slayers. And that wasn't even including the dreams.

Buffy didn't know what to make of the dreams. She guessed more than anything they were from exhaustion, but they still confused her. Normally, even when they were cryptic, her Slayer dreams were focused. These were like collages slapped together from different places in times. Sometimes she would see jaffa, other times it would be men clad in black shooting fire or lightning from their hands, and other times it would be things that she didn't even know what to make of. Things like hordes of some kind of bugs she'd never seen before, huge bugs that shone like metal. Buffy tried urgently to focus herself, knowing that she needed to get at least a little sleep. Lt. Haley had warned that training would not be pleasant...

Buffy's eyelids began to droop as she did her best to clear her mind and let the sound of the rain lull her to sleep.

WHAM! Buffy's eyes snapped open as the door of their cabin slammed open.

"Good morning campers! Welcome to a new day!" A voice shouted from the door. Buffy glanced over at the clock, which read 4:30. As the room filled with groans of protest, Lt. Haley pulled a small item from her pocket and pointed it into the room. Buffy's eyes widened in recognition and she covered her ears as the air horn blared loudly into the room, eliminating any chance of sleep with sheer decibel value. "You have three minutes, get dressed and report to the main yard. Do not be late, or you won't be afforded the luxury of sleeping in tomorrow." Haley said before closing the door. Buffy scrambled out of bed and started to pull on a fresh pair of fatigues.

Buffy was miserable. For three hours the Slayers and Scoobies had been running in full gear the heavy rain. She was cold, she was soaking wet, and for the first time in all her training, she was feeling a small strain of exhaustion. Anyone without Slayer abilities had been relieved of their sixty-pound pack after the first hour, and they still looked worse than any of the Slayers. Finally, the ragged group rounded a corner in the road and Buffy's spirits raised as she saw the camp. The group trudged wearily into the main yard and several of the non-slayer recruits dropped to their knees in the mud. Buffy dropped her gear and stretched her tired muscles. She could smell the coffee and eggs coming from the mess, and she ached, along with many of the others, to go get some breakfast.

"Recruits, form up!" Haley shouted. The group formed quickly into a line, and Haley walked back and forth, inspecting every member of the troop. As she went by, Buffy thought she could see the barest hint of a smile on her face. "You all have a half hour to rest up. Go get some breakfast and some dry clothes, then report to the obstacle course at 0800. Dismissed."

The group surged towards the cafeteria, with Buffy leading the charge.

-----------

Willow and Rachel were hanging out in the hangar at Edwards Air Force base where Beatrix had been put, Willow laying back in her chair with a cup of soup in her hands, Rachel hovering over her airplane with a cloth in one hand and a pneumatic wrench in the other, inspecting every part for dirt or damage. After more than twenty minutes of thorough checking, she finally settled down in a seat beside Willow and put her tools on the table in front of her. Rachel had barely spoken since they had finished their aerial duel, probably mulling over a great many things, not the least of which would be her father's death.

"I'm sorry Rachel." Willow said. "I know that doesn't help."

Rachel shook her head. "It wasn't your fault, there was nothing you could have done."

"You're taking this remarkably well." Willow commented. "An awful lot has been dumped on you today."

Rachel nodded. "A couple of weeks ago I find out aliens are attacking the Earth, and now I find out I'm some kind of super human and vampires are real. It's kind of a lot to take in. And what was that thing you did when we were getting chased by the gliders?"

"It was magic, a protection spell to be specific." Willow replied. "I'm kind of a witch."

"So magic is real too?" Rachel asked.

Willow nodded. "Actually there are a few different types of it."

Rachel sighed. "This is, wow. This is insane."

"Rachel I'm only here to inform you." Willow said. "Before, when their was only one Slayer, she was basically forced to fight. Now that there are hundreds, we're giving you the choice."

"Oh I'm going to fight." Rachel said confidently. "If not the vampires at least the Goa'uld. They made it personal, and I'm going to see those bastards pay."

"Miss Cross? Miss Rosenberg?" A voice called from the small door beside the large hangar doors. An air force officer approached them hurriedly. "I'm Major Davis from the SGC. Are both of you alright?"

Willow nodded. "We're both okay, thanks to some impressive piloting by Rachel here."

"I'm sorry?" Davis asked.

"Rachel and I escaped in this plane." Willow explained. "Rachel managed to hold off two death gliders long enough for help to arrive."

"You outran a couple of death gliders in a propeller driven aircraft with no weapons?" Davis asked, clearly impressed. "How long have you been flying?"

"Since I was 14 sir." Rachel replied. "So where do I sign up to fly one of those cool space fighters?"

"Rachel is one of the Slayers." Willow commented. "I imagine they have a higher tolerance to g-forces than most people."

"Well that's not really necessary since the fighters have inertial dampers, but I believe if Ms. Cross is serious we may be able to find a fighter for her." Davis replied.

"Major, what were the casualties?" Willow asked, her tone turning serious.

Major Davis turned somber as well. "We estimate 30,000 dead, 45,000 injured."

Willow and Rachel both inhaled sharply.

"Oh my goddess." Willow said in horror.

Davis nodded. "It was the single worst attack on a non-military target since the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Everyone was right out in the open, there was nowhere for any of them to run."

"Those sadistic bastards!" Rachel said, her anger flaring up. "When can I start killing them?"

"Let's start by getting the two of you back to the SGC." Davis replied. "Ms. Rosenberg, there's a V-22 waiting for you outside. It will take the two of you directly back to the SGC."

"What about my plane?" Rachel asked.

"We can keep it here for now, then later when the heat is off you can move it wherever you like. You two should get going though." Davis answered.

"Aren't you coming?" Willow asked.

Davis shook his head. "I'm going to Washington to meet with the President. Go ahead though, from what I hear Mr. Giles is very anxious to see you safe."

"I can imagine." Willow replied. "Thank you Major." The Major nodded and Willow and Rachel left the hangar and went to the waiting heli-plane.

----------

Jack slumped in his chair. "30,000 dead?!" he asked shrilly.

The holographic image of General Hammond nodded. "There were almost 100,000 people at the race with absolutely no cover. It was a slaughter. The president is preparing his statement now."

"And?" Jack pressed.

"And we believe that he will receive support to go ahead with the space- mounted beam cannon defense system." Hammond replied.

"Think it will actually work?" Jack asked.

"Dr. Felger assures me that all the bugs have been worked out and it is ready for deployment." Hammond assured him.

Jack snorted. "Yeah like his word has ever been good for anything."

"The SGC's science division has recently received help from an outside source than Dr. Jackson put us in touch with, a remarkably brilliant woman by the name of Winnifred Burkle." Hammond replied. "She also assures us that the system will work."

"I don't like this." Jack muttered. "They just killed at least 30,000 humans. And all we're doing is building up our defenses. We need to attack sir." Jack stated. "We need to hit Anubis back."

"Don't let Anubis distract you Colonel." Hammond warned. "You know full well these attacks are distractions while he looks for this Dark Dragon Blade. Besides, we simply don't have the firepower to mount an assault on Anubis."

"Yeah I know." Jack muttered.

Suddenly Hammond looked around. "Colonel we have an incoming wormhole. Report to me tomorrow at this same time."

"Yes sir." Jack replied, taking the rock off his chest.

----------

Buffy and her squad were running the obstacle course when a somber Daniel approached. He waited until the group had finished before relaying the news.

"30,000 dead?" Asked Shannon.

"Wait! Oh God Willow was going to Reno to recruit a new slayer!" Buffy almost shouted.

"It's okay." Daniel assured her. "The SGC assured me that Willow and the Slayer she brought back are both fine. Willow is back at the SGC and already preparing to find another Slayer, and the Slayer she brought back, Rachel Cross, is training to fly with a new F-302 wing."

"Oh thank god!" Buffy exclaimed. She quickly turned serious. "So what are we waiting for? Lets hit Anubis back."

"No." Daniel said firmly. "We don't have the manpower, and you aren't ready yet. You might be great in close fighters but Jaffa will gun you down before you get close. This is a different type of battle Buffy, and I can't, I won't, send you in unprepared."

"But-"

"You are not skipping out on training." Daniel stated, staring Buffy directly in the eyes. "End of discussion. Now restart the course, you have 10 minutes to get all the way through it."

Buffy huffed angrily and took her squad back to the starting gates.

----------

The next two weeks passed very quickly for everyone at Hogwarts. Harry did have a party, but it was a subdued atmosphere. Not only was this Harry's first birthday after the death of his godfather, but the entire world, both muggle and wizard, was grieving with the loss of that many lives.

The SGC coordinated a retaliatory attack on Anubis' base, but it was little more than a prod. Only a single mothership was destroyed.

Meanwhile at the beta site the Slayers and Scoobies continued their rigorous training regimen. After the first week the squads were melded into a single cohesive unit, partially because that was likely how they would work in the field, and partially because certain people had strengths that worked better together. Xander, for example, became the squad sniper. With his new cat-like eyes Xander could see even better than a Slayer, and turned into an excellent marksman. Faith, unsurprisingly, turned out to be the best with demolitions. Buffy quickly turned into an excellent leader, able to see a battle from both sides and anticipate ambushes.

Two weeks after arriving at the beta site the Slayers stood assembled in front of the barracks, barely able to contain their smiles. Daniel walked down the line with Lt. Haley and Teal'c, shaking each team members hand and giving them something. When he came to Buffy, he gave her his most radiant smile and handed her something, then leaned over and gave her a very non-military peck. She gave him a warm smile and looked at the Velcro badge in her hands. It was similar to the one she wore on her BDU jacket, except instead of SG-X it read SG-Slay.

"Congratulations to all of you." Daniel said loudly. "You've all performed better than any of us thought. Not just physically, but mentally."

"All of you picked up a whole new kind of battle faster than we would have thought possible." Lt. Haley added. "You're more than a match for any group of Anubis' jaffa, and even for his super soldiers."

"So what now?" Buffy asked.

"Now we go back to Earth." Daniel replied. "You all have a few days off to see your family or just rest up. After that, just report back to the SGC. Keep in mind you aren't going to be put on station right away. Tough as you are we still can't take on Anubis directly."

The Stargate exploded to life behind them. "That's our cue." Lt. Haley said. "Let's get back to the SGC."

The group filed back to the 'gate and stepped through. Buffy was barely off the ramp back at the SGC when she was tackled by Willow. "Buffy!" Willow squealed. "How was training?"

"Tiring." Buffy replied. "And muddy. But check out these cool new badges we got. We're an official SG group now."

Dawn walked out to the twosome. "So Buffy, I did pretty good in training right?"

Buffy nodded. "Yep, you were great Dawn, but you still have to go to school."

"Oh come on!" Dawn whined.

"You have to go to school." Buffy said sternly, but then she sighed. "I'll make a deal with you. You stop complaining about school and tomorrow we'll go car shopping."

"Really?" Dawn said, all traces of disappointment gone from her face.

Buffy nodded. "Yes, but one more word of complaint about school and it's the bright yellow bus for you."

"I am shutting up right now." Dawn said, practically bouncing with excitement.

Hammond walked up to Buffy. "Congratulations Miss Summers. From what I've heard your group performed exceptionally well."

"Thank you sir." Buffy said, turning and giving the general a new gesture she had learned in training, a salute.

Hammond returned the salute and continued. "As our new group, SG- Slay, you'll act as our special ops team in the war against Anubis. Since your whole group is civilians I can't order you to do anything, but I will ask you to respect the chain of command here. Remember, we've been doing this sort of thing for a number of years now."

"I won't do anything without speaking to you first." Buffy promised. "And if you don't like the idea, I'll ask Daniel before I just go and do it." She smiled. "He knows when it's okay to go against your orders right?"

Hammond chuckled. "He certainly does have experience in the matter. You have the next three days off, assuming there isn't a crisis. Report back to the SGC at 1000 hours Monday."

"Thank you sir." Buffy said, turning to get some new clothes and a well needed shower.

----------

Jack sat down with Harry at the window of the Gryffindor common room. "So school's starting tomorrow. You ready?" He asked.

Harry shrugged. "I'm kind of looking forward to it and kind of not. It will be nice not to be considered a crackpot again, but I like having the place to myself. No crowds, no potions classes, no Malfoy."

"Yeah your friend Ron told me about him. Said he might give me trouble." Jack commented wryly. "Said I should zat him a couple of times."

"You'd be doing us all a favour, trust me." Harry muttered, staring out at the Quidditch pitch. "I'm a little nervous." Harry confessed. "I don't know how people are going to react when they see me. And with Anubis here and Voldemort working with him, it seems like this might be the year that the prophecy comes true, and..."

"You don't know if you can kill someone." Jack finished. "Killing someone is no badge of honour, even someone like Voldemort."

"You kill people all the time, how do you deal with it?" Harry asked.

"Don't think about it much." Jack replied. "I kill because it has to be done, which is what you'll have to do Harry. It sucks I know, but sometimes we have to do things we don't like for the good of everyone. In the words of Uncle Ben, with great power comes great responsibility."

"What?" Harry asked.

"You've never heard of Spiderman?!" Jack exclaimed. "Jeez, what is wrong with British people? I gotta go get some things set up for tomorrow, I'll talk to you later Harry."

"Okay." Harry replied. "Thanks Colonel."

Jack smiled in return. "Don't worry about it Harry, and call me Jack."

End chap 16

I hope you liked the chapter to be honest it wasn't my favourite. And I know some of you may have been looking forward to reading about the training but the fact is I'm at 50,000 words and the school year hasn't started yet, it's time to get this story moving. Anyways thanks for reading and please leave a review!