Xander sat in the silence of the ship contemplating the decisions he had just made. He had told the other members of SG-1 the freakiness that had occurred after he had awoken in the clutches of the Jaffa guards. He stared out the front view port, reflecting in the silence granted these past few hours. At first he had thought that perhaps he had made the wrong decision. It wouldn't be the first time he second-guessed a decision he made. But the more he reflected on it, and the more he reflected on the people that comprised his teammates, he began to feel better about the choices he made.

He almost had to snort to himself. It felt as though he was the person that was most wigged out by what had happened. Granted, he had been the person that this had happened too. But Carter and Dr. Jackson seemed to be fascinated, and utterly glued, to the small Ancient devises they were currently trying to operate. Colonel O'Neill seemed to be relaxing in his co-pilot seat, seemingly bored out of his mind. Though, Xander did catch a furtive glance thrown his way every now and again. And, had he been paying closer attention, he would have seen similar glances coming from both Sam and Daniel. Teal'c had opted to return to the back of the ship, and had been characteristically quiet throughout most of the flight.

He had finally arrived to the conclusion that these people would indeed step up to the plate for him, when Colonel O'Neill broke him from his musings with a quick tap to his shoulder. He threw a curious expression towards O'Neill.

"What?"

O'Neill simply grinned at him, while nodding his head forward and slightly to the right. Xander's eyes became increasingly wide. He had been so caught up in his personal thoughts that he hadn't noticed what he was approaching. They were quickly approaching what could only be described as a moon. And there were more than one. The one that they were quickly approaching on their right was large. The surface that was facing them looked to be of a dark red color. But as they began to pass the moon it was easy to see how the color bled into a deep violet color. At one point, it was difficult to describe where the change occurred.

There was another moon off in the distance. While no discernable features could be made at such a distance, it seemed to consist of a plethora of colors, and was only half the mass of the moon they were currently passing by.

Sam could be heard taking a deep breath in appreciation of the scenery outside the view port. Straight ahead of them was the planet, and hopefully their way back to Earth. The way the light hit the atmosphere caused a kaleidoscope of colors to dance in their view. It was a good thing that this ship could seemingly pilot itself, the scene was simply hypnotic.

Once they broke through the atmosphere, and could make out the details of the planet, they were quick to notice the trees, and grass. There were large bodies of water in sight as well. Sam noted that this was a good thing, as it noted the distinct possibility of having an environment suitable for them to breathe in, should the need arise.

Xander muttered something to the likes of, 'Don't ever take anything for granted.' Just seconds later a small word was flashing green in the bottom corner of the screen. Dr Jackson read it, then consulted the notes he had available. After a few moments he smiled up at his teammates.

"It reads, 'Conditions Optimal.'"

Jack looked at him archly.

"Yea, but optimal for what?"

Daniel shook his head. "Jack, so far this craft has been able to cater, or respond, to anything that comes from Xander's mind. Wouldn't it stand to reason that it's responding to his reply to Sam's statement?"

Jack just looked over at Xander. "Do you think you can get this thing to tell us where on the planet the Stargate is?"

Before Xander could even answer a new display was on the screen. There was a symbol that clearly looked like a miniature Stargate with an overhead view of the terrain. Xander shook his head.

"I sure hope there aren't any bad guys near the gate."

The map of the area zoomed outward. A multitude of small yellow dots began to fill certain parts of the map. Almost all of them were well away from the symbol representing the Stargate. There was a bright smile on Jack's face while both Carter and Dr. Jackson let out identical groans simultaneously.

When both Colonel O'Neill and Xander shot them confused, and somewhat apprehensive glances, they glanced at each other before showing the display to their Ancient Devices. Xander looked somewhat shocked to find a smaller representation of the map currently adorning the front view port, yellow dots and all. He seriously hadn't meant to do that.

Jack smiled and grabbed the one Daniel had been using. "Oh Yea!"

Daniel, Sam, and Xander looked at him curiously while he simply compared the two maps together. Jack then stared intently at the main screen and pointed to a small clearing in the middle of a forested area. There were a few life signs off in the distance, not an immediate threat.

"Land there."

Xander looked unsure. "Um, OK. But, do you mind if I ask you why?"

Jack looked at him. "No, I don't mind."

Xander waited for an answer, but none seemed to be forthcoming. He shook his head and sighed. "Why?"

Jack smirked at him. "To do a little recon. And we've been traveling for hours." He looked at each of them. "I really do have to go to the bathroom." That got a laugh, or snicker from the rest of the group.

They quickly made their way to the clearing and Xander was able to make a very smooth landing. Just as they landed Teal'c came to the front of the ship. All eyes came to rest on him as he merely lifted a sculpted eyebrow at his teammates.

"Are we there yet?"

Jack shot him a mild glare, which quickly became a smirk. Both Carter and Dr. Jackson were trying, and failing, to contain their snickers. Xander, on the other hand, had fallen out of his seat from laughing so hard.

Jack mumbled something unintelligible as he walked past the Jaffa. He made his way towards the back as the door slid open. He barely glanced back as he thanked Xander, who was still getting off of the floor.

Colonel O'Neill had taken but a few steps, when he suddenly came to a dead stop. He turned a quick 180 and stood with mouth agape at what he saw. Nothing. Nothing was what he saw. With very slow and deliberate steps, he carefully walked back the way he came with an outstretched hand. After just a couple of short paces he came in contact with the hull of the ship. He slowly felt his way along the back of the ship, and stared wide eye at the picture in front if him,

It was like someone had ripped a door in the fabric of space they were in. On each side of the frame was a picture perfect view of the outside scenery. But inside the door, he could make out everything in the ship, including its passengers who were staring at him strangely.

He motioned for Carter to come to him. She was quick to comply. He took half a step into the ship while directing her outside and a few paces away.

When she was a certain distance away he told her to turn around and to tell him if there was anything wrong with this picture. She turned around and stopped in mid motion. It was weird only seeing half of her CO's body, and somewhat infuriating to see the smirk on his face.

"Let me guess. I'm only half the man I used to be?"

She nodded to him. "We're cloaked, Sir?"

"Apparently." Jack looked inside the ship. "Hey Xander, uncloak the ship."

Xander yelled up to him. "We're cloaked?"

Jack looked at Sam. "Are we still cloaked?" She simply nodded. He looked back at Xander and snapped. "Will you just uncloak the damn thing?"

Before he could even ask, Carter called out. "We're uncloaked sir."

Xander called out. "You didn't have to yell!" There was a few seconds of pause. "Sir."

Jack mumbled an apology. He got cranky when he was tired and had to go to the bathroom. So sue him. He greeted as she returned. He glanced towards the front of the ship.

"Ok, cloak it again."

He could faintly hear Xander say, "Cloak, Uncloak…never a thank you, never a please!" But decided to ignore it. He looked at Carter as he pulled out his Zat.

"I'm going out there. Keep watch here, and don't let me go past you guys." He glanced down at the device that gave him an overview of the terrain, while showing where people were. Without any warning one of the yellow dots became blue.

"Hey what happened?"

Xander came up to them. "My fault, I figured it would be easier to tell you apart from everyone else if you were a different color. The ship just complied."

Jack looked at him for a moment. "Good thinking. I'll be back soon. Don't go anywhere without me."

Xander waved at his retreating form. "Have fun, Sir."

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jack returned about 15 minutes later. He was quick to inform them that the people of this planet seemed to be somewhat primitive as far as their technology went. But they should definitely come back here if they could figure out the address.

As they took off, the outer engines, which had recessed into the ship upon landing, were once again reemerging from the ship. Within a short time the ship had directed itself to the Stargate. Xander had landed the ship just in front of the DHD. All of them stared at the large artifact, hoping that they would be able to communicate with the SGC. Going through the gate without someone opening the iris was something that would not be of the good.

Jack glanced back at Daniel and indicated for him to 'do his thing.' Dr. Jackson approached the DHD built into the ship and glanced down at his own notebook. After a few tentative moments, he dialed the Earth's gate, which quickly connected.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

SGC

"Incoming Wormhole."

As those words were spoken, Klaxons began to blare while troops filled the room armed to the teeth. A few moments after the warning had been given; General Hammond entered the control room.

"We have not received any IDC, Sir."

General Hammond nodded, "Have we had any word from SG-1, or the Tok'ra?"

"No, Sir. After the MALP showed us the heavy encampment of Jaffa near the gate, we haven't heard any word from either."

General Hammond had just sighed, and was about to speak up, when the Sergeant spoke up instead.

"Sir, we have a radio transmission incoming." He hit a few buttons and Jack's voice could be heard over the intercom.

"Oh, come on Xander! This thing has to have something like a radio in it."

Xander's exasperated voice shot back. "How the hell am I supposed to know?"

Hammond and the sergeant looked at each other before The General leaned into the microphone.

"Jack?"

There was a brief pause.

"General?"

Hammond sighed in relief. "Colonel, what is going on here? What happened?"

Another brief pause.

"Oh you know. Same old, same old. We go and look at some rocks, or walls. Get captured by a system lord. Escape, then find our way to a Stargate without a GDO." There was a moment of awkward silence. "So, how was your day?"

Hammond shook his head. "Is everyone with you?"

"Yes Sir. Any chance of letting us in?"

Hammond signaled for the guards below to remain on alert. Once the iris was opened he spoke into the microphone once again.

"Doors open, Colonel. Come on home."

There was a brief ripple in the gate, but seemingly nothing came through. Suddenly Jack's voice came over the intercom once again.

"Thanks General. You can close it up now."

Hammond and the sergeant cast each other a confused glance. The General nodded his head and the sergeant placed his hand on the palm reader. A second later the iris closed over the event horizon. A few moments later, the gate shut down.

Hammond was casting a confused glance around the embarkation room. No one seemed to know what was going on. That was until a ship that was hovering in the air became uncloaked. Weapons were quickly aimed upward. But inside the ship, Colonel O'Neill was smiling and waving to his seemingly irate CO.

Jack glanced over to Xander. "So…perhaps coming in hear cloaked wasn't such a good idea." Xander simply shook his head 'No.'

The General's voice could be heard ordering the men below to clear a space for the ship to land.

As they were waiting for the soldiers to arrange themselves to the ship could settle on the ground, Carter leaned forward with a curious expression on her face.

"So, once you got close enough to the gate, the ship actually aligned itself with the gate and proceeded through the gate?"

Xander shook his head. "Seemed to."

Jack smiled. "All right! Autopilot, I love this ship."

Once the ship was finally settled on the ground, the back door slid open. The members of SG-1 made their way out of the ship as General Hammond made his way into the room.

Hammond gave Colonel O'Neill a furtive glance. "I take it this debriefing is going to be an interesting one."

"Well Sir, that would be a long story. But I'd recommend we start it on our way to see Dr. Frazier. And I'd also recommend that you be the only other person present."

General Hammond cast concerned glances at the individual members of his top SG-Team, before gesturing for them to lead the way.

As Colonel O'Neill passed by his CO, he couldn't help but to cast an inward sigh.

'General Hammond is not going to like this.'