Earth orbit, 2002

The briefing room at full of people as Dylan stood before the podium, "Ok, as you are all aware, we will soon be heading for P4X-639 to investigate the plans by the System Lord Anubis to use the device there to alter the timeline." The holographic display came to life, displaying a star system. "The target planet is 4th from the star, near this asteroid belt, which will give us the opportunity to advance on the planet hopefully unseen. The assault-team will take on of Andromeda's AM9D Ung Tae drop ship's to the planet's surface, and will observe the operation before we decide what to do."

Dylan looked around the room, "The assault-team will consist of the following people: Myself, Tyr, Rommie, and SG-teams 1, 2 and 3. The rest of you will remain onboard the Andromeda, with Beka in command."

Major Ferretti of SG-2 raised a hand, "What's a Ung Tae?"

Andromeda's holographic form appeared next to Dylan, "The AM9D Ung Tae drop ship is a combination armoured personnel carrier, hover-tank and skiff, and is capable of carrying an entire platoon of troops. It is heavily armed and armoured, and should be more than sufficient for our mission. I did want Dylan to take my two Planetary Warfare Bot's with you, but he said that stealth was needed."

Dylan nodded, "I'm sure the twin's will have a chance to play later. Anyway, time we got ready: we slip in five."

"'Join the Air Force' they said. 'See the world' they said. Yet here I am, admittedly in space, but still shifting heavy boxes." O'Neill put the crate down next to an identical one in the Ung Tae's cargo bay, "Surly there is an easier way to do this?"

Andromeda's holographic image appeared in the hatchway, "Why Colonel, I could have provided you with an anti-grav sled. If only you'd asked..."

O'Neill sat on the box, "Look, how many times do I have to apologise? I'm sorry I inferred that as an AI you are any less a person than I am: I meant no offence." He kicked at the box he was sitting on, "What's in these things anyway?"

Andromeda smiled, "Plasma grenades."

"But why can't I come on the mission?" Reese asked as she walked along the corridor next to Rommie, "I promise I won't get in the way or anything."

"I told you already Reese: it's going to be dangerous, and you have no combat experience." Rommie sighed: try as she might, she found it impossible to stay angry with the other AI. "Look, this is just a simple re-con mission. I doubt anything is going to happen. But if it does, we'll need everyone ready to fight. I could upload a complete combat encyclopaedia into your neural net, but that would not be the same as actual experience."

Reese kick at the deck, "You're the only one who likes me: the others treat me like a child. And Colonel O'Neill's angry with me about what happened back at the base. I didn't mean to hurt anyone, honest!"

Rommie smiled, placing an arm around Reese's shoulder, "I know you didn't, and there is nothing for you to be scared of here. I promised to keep you safe, and part of that means you can't go on this mission. You like Harper and Trance don't you? They're staying behind with Beka: I'm sure you'll find something fun to do."

O'Neill had finally gotten his pulse rate under control, and had stopped jumping at every sound after Dylan had reassured him that it was nearly impossible to set a plasma grenade off by accident. He strapped himself into his seat behind the cramped cockpit, trying to relax a little.

Dylan lowered himself into the commander's seat next to the pilot's chair, already occupied by Rommie. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure that Tyr was behind the controls from the drop ship's Anti-Proton Cannon, ready to deal with any hostile aircraft or ground forces. He looked at O'Neill, "Your people all set?"

O'Neill nodded, "Yes, although this is a little different to how we normally do things: I mean, we finally have some firepower behind us."

Dylan laughed, "Relax Colonel: I used to do this for a living. Ok people: let's bring it!"

To Be Continued…