Before they could really get into discussing strategies, Mitchell spoke up.
"I'm going to bring Tao in on this, since he needs to know what we're planning."
She reached for the device on her wrist – a device that most of them had always assumed was simply an overly large wristwatch – and pressed a button.
"I'll be right back."
She left the pavilion, and the others watched her go.
"Is she going to go get him?" Weir asked.
"She probably just signaled for him to come and join us," Daniel replied.
"Signaled? Then he must be close by?"
Sam shook her head. While she didn't actually have one of the communication devices that Mitchell wore (Daniel and Jack both did, however), she understood the technology behind them better than anyone else.
"He's probably on one of the Jaffa settled worlds," she said.
"But Doctor Jackson thinks she signaled-"
"The device on her wrist is capable of sending a subspace message to the person it's being sent to. Using similar technology to that of the Stargates."
"Really?" This was from McKay, who hadn't had a lot of experience with Mitchell's technology, and was immediately impressed. "Something that small…?"
Sam nodded, and gestured to the one on Daniel's wrist.
"It's still in the infancy stages, really, but the technology is simply amazing." Eventually she was going to work on it a bit and see how they worked and how it could be adapted to their own uses. There had just been too many other things taking her time, however, once she'd taken over SG-1.
McKay looked like he wanted to ask Daniel to take the device off his wrist so he could check it out, but Sam shook her head.
"It'll only work for Daniel."
"What?"
"The one on his wrist is specifically calibrated to Daniel's DNA. That way no one else can take the device from him and try to send Colonel Mitchell a message pretending to be someone they aren't."
"Why would-"
"In case someone wanted to ambush her," Sheppard said, catching on.
Sam nodded.
"I'll be right back."
They all looked up as Jack got to his feet and headed for the gate. As much as he loved to discuss technology – or listen in on those discussions – he'd much rather go with Melony, even though he hadn't been invited. Besides, it was in his nature to want to see who was coming through the Stargate – especially one that didn't have an iris on it. There was only a slight hesitation, and Teal'c joined him as well. For much the same reason.
Mitchell looked over her shoulder as she stood in front of the Stargate – back far enough that she was safe from the flare of it engaging, but close enough – and saw the two heading for her.
She wasn't surprised to see either of them, really, and smiled a welcome. Jack noticed that her hand wasn't exactly on the butt of her Beretta, but it was closer than normal. She wasn't any fonder of surprises than the two of them were, after all.
"Who all is coming?" Jack asked her, coming over to stand beside her, while Teal'c took a flanking stance on the other side. The way they were standing now, they looked like an honor guard of sorts, and Melony wondered if they'd done that on purpose, even though they hadn't had time to discuss it.
"Just Tao, most likely."
"It is only right that he should be in on the discussion," Teal'c agreed.
Melony nodded, but before she could say anything, the gate started dialing and drew their attention forward. A moment later it engaged, and only a minute after that the very impressive form of Melony's First Prime emerged.
There were the usual greetings, but they didn't last long, and then Mitchell led them back to the pavilion, where the introductions were made. Tao knew Daniel and Sam, but the others were strangers to him, and he nodded a greeting to each as Talon introduced them and told him what position each of them held. The others noticed the change in Mitchell's voice, but aside from a few sideways glances, no one mentioned it.
Teyla had been seated by Teal'c originally. When Tao joined them, the Jaffa automatically chose a spot next to Teal'c. When Mitchell walked over to the front once more, this put her in close proximity, and Teyla couldn't help but shake her head in amazement. This might have gone unnoticed, except for the way she was staring at them – and the fact that she'd paled slightly.
"Teyla?"
Sheppard was the first to speak, but all of them had been looking at her, and she flushed slightly at the attention.
"I cannot believe you do not notice the difference in the area…"
"What do you mean?" Sam asked, curiously.
"The life forces of Teal'c and Colonel Mitchell are potent, especially when the two are standing beside each other like they were earlier. But when Tao joined them, it magnified, and is almost overwhelming."
"So the more that are together, the stronger it gets for you?" McKay asked, curiously.
She nodded.
"And the Wraith sense the life forces, too? Like you and some of your people do?"
"Yes. They are even more sensitive…"
Sam looked at Mitchell and then at Jack.
"If she's that overwhelmed by three, just imagine what it'll be like with 300."
"We've definitely got the right bait," McKay said, smugly.
Mitchell scowled, but didn't correct him. Instead she moved slightly away from Teal'c and Tao, and addressed the entire group.
"Let's make some plans, then. I'm not going to bring in the Jaffa until I know where to send them."