"Ah, Commander Harris," Professor Arturo greeted, "I believe we've figured out our various coordinates, except your precise home coordinates, of which there seem to be five possibilities." Alexander looked at the numbers.
"I think those are the worlds just before meeting you, and leaving the SGC," Harris considered, "As well as what we thought might be ours."
Twenty Minutes Later
"…and so, it looks like if we gave you timers, you could go home," Alexander Harris told the gathered complement, "Though I'd prefer to get us back to the SGC first, that way if they aren't, you could head back and at least be in a world that is already starting to use portal technology. Your choice in this…"
"So, that means we still have to eat more of Doyle's Irish Venison Stew?" Beckett considered, mock-sighing, "I guess we'll manage anyway."
The group considered tings for a few minutes, but in the end only Logan felt like leaving immediately, the others liking the back up in case things didn't work out. Carefully screening what she was taking, she surprised them.
"I know I'm…goal-oriented and out for myself…but thanks for the fairness. And, uh, good luck." And she opened her way home and jumped.
"Now that she's gone, I'd like to ask a favor from you all," Alexander voiced, receiving encouraging noises, "I'd like to head back through these other coordinates and just quietly check up on them before heading to the SGC…"
"Alright, Commander Harris," Conrad Bennish, "You're the dude got us outta the 'magg camp, I don't have a prob with it…I might just stay on at this SGC place if it looks like they fund research."
Checking the status of the worlds in question had uplifted the spirits of the Sunnydalers, and given everybody a chance at learning more about the 'magg technology at their disposal.
The Ishites were still doing well, and the Hammerites making their way through life.
"What are you going to do with this craft, Commander?" Arturo asked as they prepared to transition to the SGC-Caprica line.
"Trade it to the SGC and Colonials for help with the Ishites, and maybe a few of whatever new models they come up with after studying it."
"Timers?"
"Yeah, I think we'll try to establish weekly contacts, Dawn loves Caprica, and I think Tara also likes it a lot. Willow and Joyce really want the security of what they know, so it shouldn't be too hard."
They, like the others, braced themselves as they left one dimension…but seemed to come under fire from a rocket fired upward at near point-blank range. The stabilizers bucked and wavered as they reached the next world, the rough ride a great strain on their nerves and the ship itself as they emerged, not in their planned location, but within yards of a sea cliff.
Quick maneuvering minimized the skidding along the rock to a minimum, quick thinking on everyone's part keeping them alive even if the ship might have difficulty in flying very far in the future. Capricorn One bounced on the ground, tore up a few trees, then half-buried itself in the quiet section of a very large park.
"Everybody okay?" Joyce called out.
"Madam, I believe that isn't quite the word I would use, but we are well enough," Arturo smiled, picking himself up. He looked out the view screen, "We seem to be south of San Francisco, this park is one we used a couple of times sliding."
The group found they had indeed arrived back in the SGC universe, surprising the denizens of the park as the Sliding Slayerettes emerged, and moved to the asphalt. Joyce pulled out a cell phone and called the SGC, explaining the situation to General Hammond and given him their initial address.
"He said he'd send SG-1 back out to us by tomorrow, and he'll check with the White House for treaty negotiations for the Ishites, Xander," Joyce told the others, "Is everything we brought through with us secure Alexander?"
"Seems to be, Joyce," the young man confirmed, "The bullion didn't crush the twinkies or other important supplies."
"So where should we go?" Doyle asked as he came up to the window, "I'm fancying food other than the venison stew we had before we left."
"Hey Wills," Alexander spoke into the walkie-talkie, "Can you hook the pay phone into your laptop and find us an IHOP or something? Thanks."
The day in an undevastated reality proved to be a nice change of pace; while time period-wise the group hadn't been away that long, the difference in the way people carried themselves here was much lighter than of those struggling to get on with lives.
Landmarks were visited, rooms rented at the Saint Francis, and a little exploration found only Wade had an alternate self in this world.
Master Bra'tac, Colonel Apollo, Paul Davis and SG-1 met the Slayerette Sliders, who Dawn insisted were the Xanderettes, for breakfast and headed back to the main suite to discuss matters.
"So what's this about giving us a whole other Earth, Al?" Jack asked with a smile.
"Give nothin' old man, you'll pay through the nose this time," Xander Harris returned with a smile of his own, "But seriously, Joyce outlined it for Hammond, are you interested?"
"Let me see…okay?" the colonel smarted back.
"The main concern is that the local inhabitants not be done out of their legacy, even if they don't have a clue…" Xander replied, turning pleasant but serious, "If you weren't so important as a team, I'd suggest that SG-1 be placed in charge, and the Free Jaffa and a few Colonial Warriors be brought in to honorably ensure things went well. Call it a Beta Site in case of Goa'uld or Kromagg attack, the resources are plentiful, and a decrepit but extant set of cities and facilities are in place. A unique fixer-upper."
"You would give the Jaffa a home and entrust the safety of these people to us AlexanderHarris?" Bra'tac asked in quiet disbelief.
"An ultimate refuge from the Goa'uld where your families can grow while you help these other cousins of yours achieve a destiny they have yet to envision?" Xander went on in his self-mocking Methos style, "I can think of few others who epitomize both Capability and Shared Need that will ensure that the Tau'ri of O'Neill's Earth will adhere to agreements."
Bra'tac's eyes widened at the possibility, especially when Alexander continued, "So as we know him, I'll ask that Major Davis become a civilian, and with Bratac and a Colonial nominee, form a three-person governorship for a ten-year tenure. But the…Ishites…should be able to choose two Elders in whatever manner they choose. And should the government not allow it, I think General Hammond himself should be able to fill in until we can find someone."
"I-I don't' know about me being involved," Paul Davis waved off, "I'm fairly happy in my job…"
"Which isn't all that dissimilar except you are in charge," Alexander pointed out, "You'll also be able to help support the war against the Goa'uld even if a different administration takes over at some point."
"Um, I suppose…"
"Excellent MajorDavis, you and Hammond of Texas are both choices we understand," Bra'tac smiled, then offered his arm in a warrior's handshake with Xander, "And the Free Jaffa will always remember this chance you've given us, AlexanderHarris, and we shall do what we can to assist those Ishites whose care you've given us."
"The thanks is mine," Harris replied, "I have an immediate and prior responsibility to my family, and am glad you're here to help. And the fact that your people are also starting new should give the Ishites a better chance of keeping who they are."