A Langaran Military Facility
When two cultures that are completely alien to one another meet, traditionally some form of conflict arises. Joyce's education and experience told him that. That potential conflict could take many forms, whether religious, societal, economic or out of absolute self-interest. During their training, potential SG team operators were required to read accounts of the early European experiences in the New World. The resulting conflicts, due to many different factors, weighed on the minds of the policy makers who helped guide SGC operations. Mistakes had been made during other missions and if the US military did anything right, it was learning from missteps. Earth and the United States needed allies and friends, even the Langarans.
Since arriving three days earlier, SG-19 and SG-29 had been spending their days receiving classroom briefings from Langaran officers. Like all military briefings, there was a certain amount of boredom involved. But the Langarans were friendly and very accommodating. The briefings covered a basic overview of Langaran military structure and training. The Langarans seemed quite intent on proving to their Tau'ri guests that they were capable and professional, no matter how technologically behind they were. Joyce sensed a sort of wounded pride among the Langarans, along with residual distrust among the three former rival nations. Ambassador Howe would have his hands full with that issue. Joyce didn't envy him.
During the evening hours, the visitors from Earth were guests at receptions, one of which was hosted by the Joint Ruling Council, Langara's highest political body. They were peppered with questions about life on Earth and the status of other cultures in the universe. Joyce actually surprised himself by enjoying the attention and answering the many questions. He was not a patient person by nature, but put his best foot forward. He found it hilarious trying to explain baseball and his devotion to his beloved Boston Red Sox to a Langaran officer named Major Kel Markam, a Terranian by birth..
"So, you say that the followers of this club are called "Red Sox Nation"? Is it religious or political in nature?" Major Markam appeared slightly confused.
It took a fair amount of self-control for Joyce not to laugh, but he managed. "No it's more fraternal in nature. Sports for many humans act as a pleasant and healthy diversion from the stress of daily life. We find it can also teach many valuable lessons to our youth."
"Interesting. What do you think of us so far, Sergeant?"
Joyce hadn't prepared himself for such a direct question so soon in the mission, but managed an answer. "Sir, you seem to have an interesting culture. I'm very excited to explore it further." Let's hope that sounded good to him…
"I think with time, Sergeant, Earth will find us valuable allies and friends."
"I have little doubt that that will be the case. Hopefully, you'll get to see Earth in the near future. I think you'd like it very much." I'm getting better at this cocktail party banter…
SGC
Cheyenne Mountain AS, CO
Colonel Glyndon loved his job, but it could be a monumental headache. This was turning into one of those mornings. Being Director of Intelligence at the SGC was important, never more so than now. Glyndon looked at the reports from his teams working with the Jaffa and felt like reaching for Maalox. The SGC had eight teams currently operating with the Jaffa Rebels. They were having some success. The Jaffa were some of the best soldiers Glyndon had ever encountered, but they were a prideful lot. In this case, some Jaffa were going on a raid in Goa'uld-occupied areas. They had goaded an Army Special Forces operator from one of the SG teams into going along. The raid got botched and the SF troop had taken a full staff shot to the head, instantly decapitating him.
This is goddamn bullshit… They expected to lose people, but not on botched raids.
Someone had to tell the General. "I'm not going alone," he muttered. It wasn't that he was afraid of giving bad news to superiors but this also belonged to the Operations Section. Glyndon picked up his phone and called the Director of Operations, Colonel Henson.
"Bill, its Jerry. Did you see the report about Captain Bellucci? Good, you want to go see the Boss? Okay, I'll meet you there."
15 minutes later…
"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! I DON"T KNOW WHO WAS DUMMER, THE JAFFA OR BELLUCCI!
"Yes sir." This was the first time Glyndon had seen the ugly Jack O'Neill. It wasn't the highlight of his day so far.
O'Neill looked directly to Col. Henson. "Bill, get word to our guys that they're not to go on raids without your permission, got that?"
"Yes sir."
O'Neill turned to Teal'c and looked him straight in the eye. "T, go to your folks and dial them down. If they feel like testing someone's manhood, they can try me. I'll pull those teams so quick, it'll make their heads spins."
"Do not worry O'Neill, I will speak with them."
What a way to run a railroad…
Langara
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the M-16A2 rifle. It is a gas-operated weapon that discharges a 5.56 millimeter round. Its maximum effective range is 800 meters…" Joyce and his fellow members of SG-19 had begun the familiarization course. The Langarans proved to be quick studies. Joyce was impressed with their ability to quickly absorb knowledge and to ask plenty of questions.
As part of their familiarization, Joyce and his teammates were exposed to Langaran weaponry. What he saw was ok but not exactly overwhelming. The standard Langaran rifle was similar to a World War I-era Springfield 1903 bolt action type. A good rifle in its day but not now, against waves of fired-up Jaffa infantry or a Kull warrior. The government was feeling out the US about a technology transfer agreement. But that was above Joyce's pay grade. All he knew was that a rifle had one purpose. Apparently, so did the Langarans.
"Sergeant, how effective is it against a Jaffa?" The officer asking had fought Anubis' soldiers during their abortive invasion.
"It will penetrate their light armor, and of course a head shot will also do the deed."
The Langarans simply nodded. Joyce recognized the look. They wanted a rematch on their terms.
Oh boy…
An unnamed, far off world
The Tok'ra agent knew he had to get the information to his superiors. He had been undercover for long enough to gather critical data. He normally wouldn't have risked his position or his life for a non-Tok'ra purpose, but he believed in the alliance with the Tau'ri. This currently put him among the minority in his ranks. Many felt the Tau'ri were too impetuous and above all else, dangerous. He couldn't count how often he heard others speak of the Tau'ri as simpleton vassals.
Now he was running for his life. The information he carried was more important than the petty differences between Tok'ra, Tau'ri and Rebel Jaffa. Quite simply, it could be the end of them all…