Author's Note: May Primus above grant me mercy from the wrath of readers pissed off by my delay in updating. I am SO sorry. Please leave enough of me in one piece to complete this story.

Now that the groveling is out of the way, this chapter might turn out to be more than a little sappy. I apologize for that, but it's necessary to set up future chapters. Please bear with me.

Disclaimer: You get the idea. Don't make me repeat myself.

Cyber Stargate

Chapter 8: Through the Stargate

Samantha "Sam" Carter watched the Stargate shut down, then turned and walked back to where Jazz waited in his vehicle mode. The black and white Porsche had chosen to stay out of sight and sensor range of the MALP (or Maple Unit, as some called it) while Sam contacted the SGC. Now he eased out of hiding, opening a door for her. She climbed into the driver's seat.

"Now what?" he asked.

"Now I go get some sleep so I can stay awake through the political wrangling tomorrow."

Jazz chuckled. "Don't worry about stayin' awake. The big guy has ways of making even the most boring negotiations interesting. He's made a game of pouncing on the smallest of typos and catching politicians off-guard. You'll have no trouble staying awake. Most of the time he doesn't even mean to do what he does. It's just his nature. He's a warrior, so seizing the advantage is instinctive."

Sam chuckled. "He must be a real hit with the politicians in DC."

"Oh, he is."

"I'll bet."

The other three members of SG-1 were waiting for her just outside the section reserved for human and nonhuman visitors. Ultra Rodimus and Magnus were also there. When Sam joined them, Daniel had just begun to pester the Autobot leader about the strange shape on his right forearm.

"What, this?" Ultra Rodimus pulled up the sleeve of his jacket to reveal the alien creature attached to his arm. "It's not a growth. This is Falcon."

"Falcon?"

"He's a skrill, a creature from another reality. His kind were taken from their homeworld and bio-engineered into weapons of great power. They attach themselves to their hosts and draw nutrients from their bodies. Falcon is my partner."

The skrill hissed affirmatively.

Sam yawned hugely. "I don't know about any of you, but I'm exhausted. Which room is mine?"

Magnus opened a door. "Here."

"Thanks." She entered and shut the door behind her.

Teal'c entered the next room. At his request, Spike had brought an armload of candles so that the big Jaffa could meditate.

Ultra Rodimus looked at Jack and Daniel. "You two are in here." He indicated the room across the corridor from Teal'c.

"We're sharing a room?"

The big Autobot grinned. "Blondie, I'm one half of a mated pair. If you think I can't recognize another bonded pair, you're mistaken. You and the colonel share a tight relationship. I can see that quite clearly."

Jack and Daniel exchanged glances. Then they entered the indicated room.

Once inside, out of the public eye, Jack was able to let out all of the emotions he had to hide from the world. He snuck up behind Daniel, wrapping his arms around the younger man. Daniel yipped in surprise.

"You scared the hell out of me."

"Sorry."

After getting SG-1 settled, Magnus returned to his office to finish up some paperwork. Then he headed for the quarters he shared with his mate. He found Ultra Rodimus in the bedroom, unfastening the tie holding his braid.

"Let me." Magnus untied the leather tie, dropped it onto the table, and began to undo the tight braid. Ultra Rodimus relaxed, leaning into his touch.

"You've got something on your mind," Ultra Rodimus murmured, looking at Magnus over his shoulder.

"I was just thinking that some of us should meet up with you at Cheyenne Mountain. We're too big to fit through the Gate, so we'd have to take a shuttle tonight."

"Your thoughts echo mine."

"Not difficult. I have to get going." Magnus passed the hairbrush to Sandstorm, snuck a quick kiss, and headed for the shuttle bay.

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Nine hours later, Sam emerged from the guest room. A passing Autobot showed her the way to the cafeteria. The rest of the team was already there. Teal'c and Daniel were eating while Jack and Spike argued about something she couldn't make out. After grabbing a tray of breakfast, Sam joined them.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Nothing much," Daniel answered, looking up from his scrambled eggs.

"What are they fighting about?"

"Which is the better breakfast food, bacon or Fruit Loops."

Sam snorted into her coffee.

Just as they were finishing their breakfast, Ultra Rodimus made his appearance. He stepped through the door and looked down at them, raising a silver eyebrow.

"We're ready," Jack told him in response to the unspoken question.

The four rode in Ultra Rodimus's cab for the trip to the Stargate. When they were about to open the Gate, Daniel looked up at the young Prime.

"Aren't you a little big for this?"

Ultra Rodimus laughed. "Watch and learn."

With that, he began to shift shape.

When the change was complete, Ultra Rodimus had gone from a huge robot to a six foot, six inch human male. His skin was an odd golden color, his clothing bearing the color and pattern of his armor. As always, he wore his snakeskin jacket and boots. Crossing his arms over his chest, he raised an eyebrow.

"Oh," was all Daniel managed.

After a moment of stunned silence, Daniel managed to get himself back on track. He walked over to the DHD and began entering the coordinate symbols for Earth. Once the Gate had opened, Sam pulled out the GDO and began sending their identification code. Then Jack led the way up the steps to the Gate.

"Where's Magnus?" Sam asked.

"He and a small team left by shuttle last night. They'll meet us in Colorado."

"Oh."

Ultra Rodimus paused for a moment to study the event horizon. Then he shrugged and stepped through.

To be continued...

This was short, I know. It was also weird. But as I said, it's a setup for future chapters, so please bear with me on this. And now, the reviewer responses:

Gromia: Then keep right on reading!

Fenestrae: You have my sympathies for both the exams and the sisters. I know how you feel. And you'll have to wait and see what happens between Ultra Roddy and Kinsey.

Shawn Provoncha: Thanks for the compliment. It gets even better.

Barb: Thank you for letting me know.

Eric: If you mean Colonel O'Neill, then yes.

See you all again next chapter!