Stargate Command
Cheyenne Mountain Air Station, CO
"Where do they think you're going?" The question happened to be the most frequently used query when discussing one's family at the SGC. In this case, the person doing the asking was Dr. Thomas Henchard, the resident scientist assigned to SG-19. Henchard had been recruited to the SGC from the University of Southern California three years earlier. A tall, patrician 42- year old, Henchard was a historian and linguist by training. He would be meeting with various Langaran educators and guest-lecturing at some schools.
"They think I'm going back to Afghanistan." The look on Sergeant Patrick Joyce's face displayed quite accurately how he felt about that little fib. Joyce was actually close to his parents. His father, an assistant high school principal, and his mother, a nurse, were pretty used to Patrick's post-9/11 travels. It didn't make them feel better, but they lived with it. Joyce had just spent the last two weeks back in Massachusetts soaking up the quiet home life before departing for Langara. He had driven the back roads and realized how much he missed a normal life. The new challenges at the SGC were worth it for him though.
"At least it's nicer where we're going. It's somewhat like 1950's America without the Cold War paranoia, at least since the three countries united." The nation of Langara had come about through the uniting of three competing nation-states: the Kelownans, who had controlled the Stargate, the Terranians and the Andarrie. The feud between the three had reverted to open war, which had caused the outnumbered Kelownans to use a Naquadria Bomb. Needless to say, this had caused a definitive shock to all three nations. The revulsion had been palpable and overwhelming. Peace talks had commenced when the planet was visited by something even worse: Anubis. The resulting conflict and narrow escape had pushed peace talks further. Now the nations were joined in a loose confederation and looking to move forward. Hence the desire to ally with Earth and the United States Government.
"Hopefully, they're more gracious than they were last time we dealt with them." This hope was voiced by the third member of SG-19, Major Steve McGann. McGann was an Air Force intelligence officer who had been assigned to the SGC five years earlier. He had extensive experience in off-world operations. He and Joyce would be looking at the Langaran military's training and equipment. "They didn't exactly make a great impression." The conduct of the three groups during the Naquadria crisis had been nothing short of childish. It had gotten so bad that General Hammond and the Pentagon had kicked them off the planet.
Commander Rexford entered the room and got down to business quickly, which was his style. "Okay, where do we stand? Steve?"
"Sir, all our equipment and supplies are catalogued and loaded. We're fully cleared by Medical. Colonel Steinbach says re-supply is coordinated and the Langaran familiarization items are ready as well." McGann was referring to US military equipment that would be shown to the Langarans for possible trade or sale. They would also be displaying civilian items. A follow-up team of scientists would come to work with the Langarans should the mission be successful. SG-19 and its attached personnel were looking at 3-6 months on Langara. All Joyce hoped was that they had a social life.
"Okay, the Langaran rep arrives here tomorrow morning. We depart in the afternoon. I want final checks on all gear tonight. Get some rest and I'll see you in the morning."
Meanwhile…
Interesting was the only word Jack O'Neill could come up with to describe his relationship with the new State Department representative, Ambassador Kathleen Mulhern. Mulhern's job was to act as the SGC's diplomatic face to the representatives of other cultures and races. While not the anti-military type per-se, she was a result of the State Department's peace-at-almost-all-costs crowd. She was also a product of Yale and the Fletcher School and had worked on various international commissions.
"General, I don't see what possible arms sales to the Langarans would accomplish. They're 50 years behind us on the technological front. Better that we establish friendly relationships with them and leave them to their own devices. Look at how arming the Afghans during the 1980's worked out."
Kill me now… Ambassador, if we're going to encourage the Langarans to peacefully trade and explore in this galaxy, they're going to need the means to defend themselves from hostiles, especially the Goa'uld. I remind you that Anubis just recently occupied their capitol and it was only through dramatic effort that he was deterred. I'm not the Lagarans biggest cheerleader by any means, but we also need that Naquada." Oh yeah, and kiss my ass…
Daniel spoke up to preserve the peace, as he was one to do. "Ambassador, I have to agree with Jack on this. I'm the last person who would be a fan of the Langarans but we should offer them the means to defend themselves. At the same time, we can work to strengthen their new government. All of our dealings should point towards that goal."
"I hope your right Dr. Jackson. I think it may come back to bite us. The Naquada isn't worth it."
Kill me now…
The following morning O'Neill found himself standing in the very familiar surroundings of the Embarkation Room in his dress uniform. A red carpet was laid on the ramp leading from the Stargate and a US Air Force Honor Guard was arrayed on both sides. The purpose of all this effort was the arrival of the delegation from Langara. Two Langaran military officers would be visiting Earth to be familiarized with US military training and standards. Also, a civilian delegation would be traveling the planet to learn about the Earth and its cultures. Standing in the room with O'Neill were Ambassadors Mulhern and Howe, Lt. Col. Carter, Daniel and various other SGC personnel. Soon, the gate activated and MSgt Harriman announced, "Sir, IDC received. It's the Langarans."
"Open the iris."
The iris opened and through the wormhole walked approximately 12 Langaran representatives. The look on their faces was priceless, Jack thought.
"On behalf of the President of the United States of America, welcome to Earth. I am Brigadier General Jack O'Neill, commanding officer of Stargate Command. Allow me to introduce Ambassador Kathleen Mulhern of our Department of State…" O'Neill made all the proper introductions. The lead member of the Langaran delegation was a Minister Uri Vossla, a Kelownan by birth.
Minister Vossla expressed the usual thanks and wishes on behalf of his government. He then introduced the members of his delegation. For all of them, it was their first off-world experience. Their facial expressions ranged from neutral to outright fascination. It was actually humorous to partake. After the formal introductions, O'Neill escorted the Langarans to a meeting room for the first in a series of discussions. On the way, O'Neill couldn't help but think:
This had better work out…
A secure military facility
Langara
For Joyce, the feeling of stepping through a Stargate would never become routine. He had just too much intellectual curiosity to let it become some form of habitual occurrence. Maybe for some of the old-timers in the program, like Gen. O'Neill or Lt. Col. Carter, he thought. But when it's your first mission, it's anything but routine. Joyce and the fellow members of his delegation stepped through the gate and found themselves in a military-style bunker that was modeled somewhat on the SGC.
Awaiting them was a delegation of Langaran government and military types. He suddenly realized how the Langarans must have felt. The deja-vu would have been funny if he wasn't so conscious of where he was.
"Welcome to Langara. I am Commander Sy Varan…"