This was not really an easy chapter to write - it's such a staging post for the rest of the story! I needed to get everyone where I wanted them... Thanks again for all the reviews; I'm really enjoying writing this and the reviews feed my muse ambrosia. Just to reiterate - the characters are not mine, and I'm grateful for the chance to play with them.

The SGC

Despite being 2100 hours the briefing room was crowded. Sam had given up the Big Chair with alacrity, and was sitting between Jack and Daniel, a pile of files in front of her. Hank was back in his usual place, and Cam and Teal'c were leaning back in their chairs. Various other SG team leaders were taking up the other spots. It was standing room only.

As General Landry wryly remarked, opportunities for excitement had been a bit thin on the ground since the end of the Ori War. Everyone wanted in on the action this little spat promised.

Once the meeting had been called to order, Carter was able to present what was known about the ships.

"They are definitely Lucian Alliance vessels. They haven't told us if they are still operating under that name, but it seems obvious that, whatever they are calling themselves, they are still trafficking in kassa."

She paged through the file in front of her, and passed out a blueprint. Jack took it, studied it intently, then shook his head in mock bewilderment and passed it on. Sam gave him a tolerant smile.

"These were the specs some years ago. There is nothing external to the ships we saw to suggest that major structural modifications have taken place."

Cam, twiddling a pen between his fingers, spoke up.

"As you all know, we've had some experience with these guys - they're tricky. It would be dangerous to underestimate them." He shot a warning glance around the room, and the atmosphere sobered.

"We have no way of knowing what weapons upgrades they may have made to their ships since we last saw them." He jabbed at the blueprint, which had landed up in front of him.

"It would be good to think that they are just a nuisance we can deal with easily, but truth is, we need to be aware that there might be a reason they are so confident we can't stop them."

There was silence throughout the room. Sam's lips were pressed tightly together, and she'd dropped her eyes. The gleam of unshed tears was just visible, and it was clear she was thinking of Colonel Emerson, murdered in front of her on the Odyssey.

Landry spoke first.

"Thank you, Colonels." He looked around. "If no-one disagrees, I think we should proceed as follows. Colonel Carter, you and Dr Jackson will proceed in the Hammond to Luna Base Alpha as scheduled. Atlantis is, I think, sufficient protection for Earth."

Daniel raised a hand. "Uh, General, the Lucian Alliance aren't aware Atlantis is back on Earth. It's not much of a deterrent if they don't know it's there." He coughed apologetically, but Landry was smiling.

"A good point. Well noted, Dr Jackson. I'm relying on the Ancient device in the Arctic being a deterrent; however, if they choose to ignore that, then they'll get a terrible shock when Atlantis shows its hand."

He sighed. "Although, with the amount of paperwork that will generate, I'd rather avoid the need, if at all possible." He and Jack shared a look of perfect understanding.

"Right, moving on," he glanced at his notes. "Teal'c, you are due offworld tomorrow morning - could you let the Free Jaffa know about this threat? If the Alliance are here, they may well be orbiting other worlds too, and it is possible the Jaffa may run into them."

Teal'c inclined his head. "I will indeed, General Landry. Might I also request that Colonel Mitchell accompany me? His experience with the Lucian Alliance will provide valuable insight for the High Council."

He didn't say it, but it was generally understood that, since his experience with the Sodan, Cameron was the SGC's's liaison of choice in all matters dealing with the Jaffa Nation. Landry and Cam both nodded, and Cam gave Teal'c a thumbs up.

"Well people, there's not much we can do until this lot actually show their hand. Let's get on with our business, and take it as it comes." He placed his hands on the table, preparatory to standing up."I'll be back in Washington, briefing the President. Jack? Are you flying back with me?"

"Actually, Hank," glancing round to his old team mates on either side of him, "I'm thinking I'll hitch a lift with Carter and Daniel here. I haven't had a chance to see this moon base up close yet."

Mindful of the resignation letter currently in progress round the Pentagon, Landry nodded.

"Well, have fun. Keep on your toes people, and keep the SGC informed of what's going on at all times."

There was a shuffling as chairs were pushed back and water glasses drained.

"Uh, General..?"

It was Daniel who had spoken, and he looked uncomfortable. The exodus from the room halted.

"I didn't get to speak to Vala before she left with the Tokra." He felt rather than saw Sam's look of surprise. Clearing his throat he shuffled the papers in front of him.

"I have some artefacts that might help her. Can you arrange for them to be sent to the Tokra world she's on?"

Landry chuckled. "Would do, son, if I knew where it was. She'll be checking in every three days so I'll make sure they get passed on then."

He paused, regarding Daniel.

"It's funny, I didn't think she'd go for this gig. To my knowledge she's never been on an offworld assignment without you, Dr Jackson."

Every eye in the room turned to Daniel, who visibly squirmed. Hank turned away, breaking the conversation. "Make sure Walter has the tablets, and we'll get them to her. Meeting dismissed."

***

First thing the following morning found Daniel packing up the various artefacts and tablets he'd mentioned. They usually resided, he noted ironically, on the very shelves he had never let her touch. Flowers, chocolates, ancient Goauld stone tablets - who said romance was dead??

He had a feeling Vala would understand the gesture, although just in case he planned on attaching a note. It was this which was delaying his boarding of the spaceship orbiting above them.

So far, the note read:

"Vala,

Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye. Good Luck with the translations - these tablets might be useful. Let me know if you need anything further."

Here, he'd stuck. Something seemed, to his trained linguists eye, to be lacking. How to say what he really wanted to convey? 'I'm sorry... You are important to me... Please come home, let's see if there really is something worth pursuing between us...'

"Come ON Daniel!" Sam, at the door, was impatient. Time was up. Sighing, he shrugged mentally and added two words.

"Your Daniel"

He snatched up the packet of artefacts and his things and rushed after Sam. He'd just have to rely on Vala being smart enough to notice the missing 's'