- We are about 400 miles North from our last position. The device I used, tran…

- Transformed us into energy on a subatomic level, and transported between two points, probably superconductors, with storage buffers on both ends, and recreated us at the destination point. – Sam cut in to Helen's sentence – I know. I've been doing it for some time now…

- Oh…

- What interests me, miss Magus…

- It's doctor.

- Doctor, right. What interests me, doctor Magnus, is how do YOU know all that. How did you get here, and what are you doing here?

- Americans… You would like to know everything without sharing anything. – Helen smiled and started to walk. Sam followed her, looking around.

- This is not an answer. Judging from your accent, you are either from Earth, or a descendent of people brought here by Goa'uld or the Ancients.

Magnus laughed, and Sam felt like she was watching a video of her future self.

- I am very much from Earth. Born British and proud of it, major. But the way I got here, and the "here" itself, are so incredible, that I will need a while to explain them. I would also like to hear your story, because I can't think of the reason why would SGC send one operative to a planet without a DHD and leave it without backup or a way to contact home. Unless you do have such a technology. In that case, Virtuans would probably love to know how you managed to overwrite they safety protocols… But all of that can wait, until we're both safe and comfortable in my quarters, if you don't mind.

Sam had about hundred questions right now, mainly because of what Helen just said, but the words stuck in her throat, as they came out of the shadows of the woods, and approached what seemed to be the main gate to the city.

Trees two or three times as big, as the biggest ones Sam saw in the forest created a natural barrier around a valley, growing so high, that their tops were connected, creating a green roof over the city. The trees were the size of a skyscraper, so monumental and strong.

Sam wasn't able to estimate the size of the valley, but it looked like a giant crater created after a big meteorite hit, long time ago.

The city beneath the incredible roof looked quite advanced – lots of solid buildings, a great palace in the very center, shining like a jewel. From their position, one could see eight wide, long streets coming out of the square in front of the palace into all directions of the world, and eight smaller between the big ones. There was no higher building than the palace.

The main street led from south, so from the main gate, where Sam and Helen were standing, to the palace, and further north, up to the mountains behind the valley.

- I… How?...Wh… - Sam couldn't say a word, just stood there, staring.

- Magnificent, isn't it? I know what you're feeling. My reaction was exactly identical… Of course my father told me about it, and I saw drawings and memories of it, but nothing compares to the original.

- What city is that? – Carter finally got her ability to speak back.

- Doctor Carter, I am please to welcome you in Virtua – the capital of Kings, Emperors, Pharaohs and Princes of this Galaxy. City of knowledge, virtue and honor. Home for power, wisdom and justice. Source of civilization, science and progress.

- Please, follow me. I will take you to the city, and I promise to answer all your questions, as soon as we get to my home.

- What race created it? It doesn't look Goa'uld… Ancients ?

- I see you can't wait… Very well then. – Helen was walking towards one of the gigantic trees – No, it's not an Ancients' creation. Th Ancients are the creation of the race that lives in Virtua. All that the Ancients and Goa'uld achieved, they took from Virtuans and used in a very bad way. They existed and were advanced thousands, if not millions of years before Ancients. There are legends in every culture and civilization, mentioning this race, but they're so old and so distorted, that only two things are actually matching the reality. Have you ever heard about Sanguine Vampiris?

- No. Though the words make sense to me – Sanguine could have something to do with blood as in from Italian Sangue which means blood. Vampiris…ehm…Vampire? – Sam looked at Helen suspiciously.

- Very good, major. Just so we're clear, Italian Sangue originated form Latin's sanguis, like the rest of that beautiful language.

- I don't know Latin… Just stationed some time in Italy, and learned few words…But my friend, dr Daniel Jackson, would probably love to talk about that with you. I guess he would die out of excitement, if he saw see this… - Sam felt that painful cramp in her stomach, when she thought about her friends, not sure if they were all right, and frankly, she missed them very much. She noticed Helen watching her with concerned face. Sam swallowed, to chase away the tight knot from her throat. – You were saying?

- Yes… Your guess is correct. Vampires. But not as you probably know them.

- Blood-sucking, pale, scared of garlic and holy water…

Helen laughed shortly, nodding her head.

- Those are the part of the legends made up by scared humans, who didn't understand the power of their rulers and protectors. True parts are their immortality and using blood. But not as food, no. As the way of communicating and the source of their greatness. I will explain it in details sometime later.

- If you wouldn't mind…Cause it sounds…incredible.

- It's indeed is incredible. I'm just surprised you are taking all of this so well…

- Well, as I said…I've been doing it for some time now…Been forward and back in time, seen people raise form the dead more then once… It toughs you up…

Both women approached a tree and only from so close distance, Sam was able to see the hinges and edges of the solid gate, apparently cut right in the tree's trunk.

A man appeared in front of them, and bowed his head. He was very tall, dressed in a suit like Helen's only white and with some distinctions on his epaulets.

Magnus put her right hand on his, touching it gently with her fingertips, and touched her temple, mouth and chest with the left. The man repeat her gesture, and bowed his head again, turning to Sam.

- It's all right, major. This welcoming ritual means, that you are pledging the honesty of your mind, words and heart to the person you are exchanging the greeting with.

Carter repeat the ritual, feeling very awkward.

- My lady – the man spoke, turning to Helen – guard Akaro salutes you with his skill and mind. How can I be of assistance to you, my lady?

- Dear Akaro, I am grateful for your service and protection of the city. I am leading a guest, who seeks help and shelter. I will introduce her to our King, and assure her safety until she will be ready to return home.

Akaro looked at Carter, not revealing any emotions.

- Is your guest a descendent?

- She is.

- Welcome home then, Samantha Carter. You can feel safe and welcome in Virtua, as long as you will remain faithful to your ancestors' laws. – the guard bowed to her, smiling and opened his arms, showing a slit in the gate, slowly getting bigger, and opening the city to them.

Helen looked at her expectantly, and Sam followed her without asking any of the questions she had on the tip of her tongue.

They walked into the city's main street. Helen came up to a monument with a platform on a ground level, and stepped on it, asking Sam to do the same.

The transporting device took them to the close neighborhood of the palace.

It looked even more amazing from this perspective. Delicate, sophisticated bas-reliefs and sculptures were decorating the walls, and plants were creating complicated three -dimensional patterns around it.

- Beautiful… - Sam whispered, more to herself, than to address Helen, but her sigh reminded Carter about her presence and the situation from a few seconds ago.

- Why did you lied right after doing that pledge the honesty thing to the guard?

- I didn't lie. – Helen seemed to be slightly offended.

- You said I am a descendant. Who's descendent? How do you know? How he could know my name? How he could know you are telling the truth?

- Easy. – Helen turned to her, and smiled – He knew I'm telling the truth, and your name for that matter, because he saw it in our minds. The touch of your hands during the welcoming ritual, also serves breaking the barriers between your minds. That's how they do things in here. It's truly ingenious, because without mastering really hard the ability to camouflage your emotions and thoughts, you can't lie or deceive anybody. Virtuans trust each other, and they wouldn't let down your trust by reading your personal thoughts. And as to what I said…- Helen looked at Sam, again with that weird shadow in her eyes - I…I know…Well, you have to have some of the Sanguine Vampiris genes in your DNA, otherwise you wouldn't be able to come through the Stargate. I assume you came through Vertiana, because there is no way of dialing this planet's address.

- Yes, but it was really strange… We were attacked by some…cloud.

- And I can bet, you've heard and felt the most amazing things in your life, while the cloud was around?

- Yes! How did you…?

- That's because you have the gene. Unique physiology allows you to hear properly on that special frequency. It's a safety feature. I assume your friends were knocked down by the sound? – Helen started walking to the palace's main gate.

Sam nodded her head, and followed Magnus.

- I managed to push almost all of them through the wormhole before the cloud reached us…

- Most of them?

- Well…My friend, doc. Janet Frasier… I basically carried her through the event horizon… but when I woke up on the other side, she wasn't there, so I assumed she made it to the SGC.

- Where was the cloud, when you stepped through?

- It hit the gate with some charge just before embracing it, we stepped through it right after that…

- My love! – Very tall, athletic black-haired man, appeared in a delicate green mist in front of them. Honest interest lurked in his big green eyes and his tight, pale lips shaped it to a reserved smile. Dressed in leather, black, high boots, tight black pants and half-thigh long emerald-green tunic, girdled in his waist with wide, silver belt, studded with jewels, with an elegant, slim sword by it, and a simple, yet very beautiful diadem on his head. Undeniably, the King. The King, who just approached Magnus and first kissed her hands, and then her lips in a very passionate way. – I've been informed you had returned from your expedition. Is everything alright?

- Yes, everything is good. We found the creature – Henry is probably transporting it to the University's laboratories right now. We also encountered major doctor Samantha Carter – the man turned his head to her, and looked at her searchingly. She saw the amazement on his face just for a second, and then he smiled again, reaching to her with his hand, clearly expecting her to do the ritual "hello" thing again. This time Sam knew what it is exactly, yet she trusted Helen's words and quickly touched her temple, mouth and chest.

- Samantha Carter, I am honored to welcome you to my realm. I am Virtus, King of Virtuana, ruler to every Sanguin Vampiris. – the king bowed his head to her, looking her straight in the eyes - We've been expecting you, but not so soon… Still, I am glad to inform you, that your companion, one called Janet Frasier, is well treated as a guest in my home. She was found near the palace not so long ago, and as we haven't felt any hostile intentions in her, she was allowed to stay.

- Janet is here ? Thank God… - Sam sighed, relieved – Wait…You said, you've been expecting me?

- Yes. You have already visited us.

Sam raised her eyebrow.

- Virtus, can we wait with all that news, until major Carter rests? She has been through a lot lately, and she has a lot to hear…

- Of course, Helen. Shall we? – Virtus grabbed her hand and reached the other to Sam. Not sure what will happen, again – which seemed to become a custom to her trip, she grasped it and second later she was standing inside the palace. The room had a huge, round bed on a pedestal in the middle, with long stems of flowers very similar to orchids crossing above it and carpet so soft and thick, that feet were collapsing in it.

- I think you will be comfortable here. Your friend has a room across the corridor. Servants will take care of all your needs – the second Virtus said that, a woman appeared by the door and bowed to them slightly. – We will meet again when you are ready. Please, make yourself at home.

- You don't have to tell them what you need. Just perform the ritual of welcoming with your assistant and she will know exactly what to do. – Helen headed for the door with Virtus, but before stepping out of the room she looked at her with a warm smile and a spark of longing in her eyes.

Sam was left alone in the room with her assistant and hundreds of questions in her head.

She just finished scrubbing dirt of her body, taking a long warm bath – first one in a long time, when Suria, her assistant, walked into the bathroom without any warning. Sam dived quickly, covering her naked body under the bubbles, and feeling the annoying blush on her face and neck.

- I made you feel uncomfortable – Suria noticed, smiling surprised – Forgive me, my lady.

- No… You don't have to…hmm – Sam felt really awkward, especially that the other woman was reading her emotions and feelings. After they pledged the honesty to each other, Sam's first thought was to see Janet, but Suria convinced her that bath and rest are a better idea for the moment. Apparently, Janet already made friends with the local doctors, and they were more than happy to share their knowledge with her. Sam had to wait for her to come back to the palace from the Healers Academy, where Frasier was taking part in lectures and experiments.

- I will leave you alone. Your new robes are in the room…

- No, wait. Can you tell me something about this place? Your customs? How should I behave around the King?

- You are doing very well, my lady. We are a very frank and open nation. The King is direct, yet very proper and elegant in his behavior. You don't have to really worry about etiquette yet. You will be taught everything you need in time, my lady.

- I'm not a lady…I mean, I am a woman, but I am not of noble blood… - Carter felt weird when titled "lady".

Suria seemed to be astonished for a second, but she quickly covered it with a smile.

- If that makes you more comfortable, I will call you with the title of your choosing.

- Major is fine. Or just Sam…

- Of course, major. – woman was almost outside the room, when some kind of shadow crossed her face – Your friend is back. If you want to see her now, I will bring your meals to her room. – She turned back to Sam, approached her with a towel, spread it and waited. She knew exactly that Sam wanted to jump out of the water the second she told her Janet is back. Carter quickly stood up and let the other woman cover her body with a delicate and soft towel.

- Thank you – she mumbled abashed.

- I will be waiting in the room, and help you get dressed…No, major, you won't be able to do it by yourself, at least not until I show you how to do it properly. Yes, you will be wearing traditional Vertiana robes. Ones that well educated female warriors are entitled to…that was the King's order.

- Well, I guess when in Rome… - Sam laughed out loud, cause that mind-reading thing was just so… amazingly handy. She didn't even have to ask the question. She regret only that she can't do it herself.

- In time, major. In time…

- Is it not too tight, major? – Suria asked, tightening the material on her back.

- No…I can still breathe, so I think it's ok.

- It fits you very well, major. You have a beautiful body…

- Oh…ehm…Thanks. – Sam looked at her reflection in a huge mirror. Her outfit looked almost identical like Helen's, but on a soft black material, Sam noticed sapphire-blue elements like the epaulettes or buckles and buttons. Stiff, high, leather boots were more comfortable than they looked. For the first time in days Sam's hair were fluffy and fresh again and the golden ends were leaning on the high collar freely. She lost a few kilograms over the last week or so, mainly because of her poor diet and lots of physical exercise. That reminded her of her empty stomach, and the meal Suria promised to bring to Janet's room.

- This way, major. The food is waiting.

They left Sam's room and Suria knocked to the door literary vis-à-vis Sam's.

- Come in! – Carter heard the voice she knew so well, and her heartbeat sped up a little.

The door opened, and the blonde entered, without leaving short, dark-haired figure out of her sight. Frasier was facing the desk, writing something on a piece of paper, and she had no way of seeing who came in.

Sam approached her, and standing right behind her back, leaned forward and whispered to Janet's ear.

- Whatcha writin'?

Frasier budged, turned around quickly and with eyes widened in surprise, practically jumped at Sam, hugging her tightly.

- Sam – she sighed, cuddling her face to Carter's neck – Thank God you're all right!

- Yeah… You look good yourself – Sam smiled, stepped back a little, and looked at Janet. She was also wearing the female-warrior robes, and it only underlined her beautiful shapes.

- What happened? I was sure you were just behind me!

- I don't know exactly myself. Doctor Magnus and the King promised me an explanation later…Now, sorry to be so small-minded, but could we have that wonderful meal Suria promised? I'm starving… I haven't eaten in a day or so…

- Sure – Janet laughed, grabbed her hand and lead her to the already set table.

- So you have already met Helen and Virtus?

- Yup. Doctor Magus pretty much saved my skin in the woods… Some ugly spider-ish monster wanted to eat me…

- Ah! The creature Henry brought today! I studied it no more than an hour ago… It is really ugly…

- I see you like it in here.

- My God, yes! – Janet's eyes lit up with excitement – There is so many incredible things in Virtuana!

- Vampires for starters…

- Right. They are the most interesting, but I wouldn't call them "things"

Janet and Sam sat down, and uncovered silver plates and bowls, filled with the most delicious dishes Carter ever seen. She had no idea where to start.

- You should try this for starters… – Janet pointed at some crème.

Sam reached for it.

- You just tell me what is worth trying the most – Carter started eating the crème with a lot of… enthusiasm.

- You truly look like a hungry soldier right now…

- That's because I am one really hungry soldier… - Sam moved to the next dish pointed out by Janet – So… What have you been up to? How it happened that you landed here before me?

- I remember you carrying me to the gate, and after that, I woke up in this room. When Helen Magnus dropped by the first day, I thought it's some weird alternate reality… You know… the hair and all…

- Imagine my reaction when I looked at her for the first time! Maybe we are in some parallel universe? Because it's just impossible…

- The flash of green light announced arrival of some guest.

- Ladies! How is your meal? – Helen Magnus approached them with a kind smile, and sat down on a free chair.

- It's delicious…Really. The best food I've ever had! – Sam was just finishing a huge steak, so delicate and well spiced, that it actually was melting in her mouth.

Magnus looked at her with a little bit of disapproval, when she noticed that Sam wiped small spots of sauce and meat from around her mouth with her finger.

- I will have to work on your manners, major, before we attend an official meal…

- What's wrong with my manners? – Sam raised her eyebrow, licking some of that tasty dip from her finger.

- THAT is wrong… Even on Earth, Samantha. – Helen took a silky napkin, and passed it to Carter, and her face expression didn't leave any doubt as to how she felt about Sam's action. It also suppressed any denying.

Carter obediently cleaned her mouth and fingers with the serviette, feeling like an 8-year-old.

- Sorry… I was just really hungry…

- It's ok. Just next time, remember about the napkin.

Janet watched that scene, clearly amused.

- So, Helen, how is your new patient?

- It's very interesting! Can you imagine, that the substance in it's venom glands is capable of sustaining a living organism alive but unconscious for nearly as long as its reproductive cycle? Henry and Will found one servant in a cocoon in the creature's nest…He was alive. His disappearing was reported six month ago!

- Holly Hannah! That was that green goo on my uniform?

- Yes, major. – Helen smiled to her – I haven't heard that expression in over 30 years…

- What? Goo?

- No…Holly Hannah. But, back to the creature, I believe we will be able to separate the toxic elements form the sustaining ones, and use it in some way.

- Anesthesiology perhaps? – Janet looked very interested in Helen's words.

- That is exactly what I think. – Magnus took a slim bottle and poured something to a glass in front of her.

- Could we stop geeking out for a second, and at least talk about what happened to the Stargate on P5T 367? – Sam finished eating and leaned back on her chair.

- Two scientists are checking it right now, major. From what I understood, and I am not an expert in that field, the "cloud" as you described it, hadn't accumulated enough energy before releasing the said energy to the gate. Janet told me about the reasons for which you went to the planet in the first place, and we are suspecting that the first, unscheduled charge, which was the result of your scientist's tempering with the control panel in Vertina, must have somehow cause the mechanisms malfunction. I am afraid that because the Stargate wasn't active during the first blast, accumulated energy acted like a very powerful explosive, and that SGC's team and some of the people of Vertina were vaporized.

- What happened to the rest of our team?

- If they went through prior to the overload, then they should be back in the SGC.

- What is that mechanism anyway?

- It's the only way to get to Virtuana through the Stargate. It works kind of like your iris codes… Energy charge accumulated in the cloud are like a unique code. It effects an open wormhole, causing it to jump to Virtuana's gate. It's also a safety feature, because the sounds it makes will knock down every non-vampire, or human who is not expecting it. Vertina is like a guard-city to the panel that controls the cloud, controlled by Vampires. Because you arrived after the explosion of the first charge, you found it uncontrollably hanging around the nearest superconductor, in this case, Stargate. And because the people who are able to control it are most probably dead, it repeated the last command, but gathered not enough energy to fulfill it's function in 100 %. That's why doctor Frasier was sent directly to the city, and you were just thrown near to the gate. There was just not enough energy to send you both here.

- You are making a lot of sense for a "non-expert", doctor Magnus… - some of the puzzles in Sam's head moved to the "solved" drawer. – Do you have ways to contact Earth?

- Of course, doctor…

- How do you know? – Sam asked a little bit more aggressive then she intended to.

- I beg your pardon?

- How do you know I am a doctor? I never told you that, yet you called me a doctor at least twice? And what is it with us looking almost identical?

Helen looked confused for a second. Janet leaned forward, gazing at her expectantly. Magnus took a deep breath and put the glass back on the table, looking straight into Sam's eyes.

- I know your are a doctor of astrophysics, because like Virtus mentioned earlier, you had been here before. Or shall I say, the alternate version of you. Actually, it is you who is alternate here… Doctor major Samatha Carter visited Virtuana some time ago along with doctor Janet Frasier, just like you did now.

Sam stared at Magnus astounded.

- Samantha, you travelled through dimensions. In your reality, on Earth, might have even not met Virtus or learnt about the Stargate Programme yet

- Why then we are not having entropic cascade failure ? – Janet joined the conversation. – If we are existing doubly in this reality, we should suffer from it by now.

- Maybe it's not happening, because you are few galaxies away from your alternate versions, plus, this planet is in a time dilation field…

- What? That's impossible! – Sam couldn't rise her eyebrows any higher.

- Well, you are a living example proving otherwise…Time goes here 100 times faster comparing to Earth.

- Why?

- That is a question to Virtus… Honestly, I have no idea.

- My head hurts… - Sam rubbed her temple – Do you know how to get us back to OUR dimension and OUR timeline?

- Yes. But it will take some time, until we find the proper astronomical conditions to perform this connection…

- How long?

Magnus looked first at Janet and then at Sam.

- About a year.

- May I come in? – soft voice asked from behind the door.

- Sure.

Magnus entered the room, quietly closed them and came closer to the bed, where Sam was lying on her back, trying to process everything she just heard.

- I know it's a lot… But I need to answer another question you asked, and apparently forgot.

Sam pulled herself up, sitting on a bed.

- You asked how do I know you have a vampire ancestors and how is it possible that we are so similar… You are a extremely intelligent woman, Samantha, and I can not lie to you. – Helen sat on a bed next to Carter – The truth is, the fact that Janet is here undermines my explanation, why I knew you are partly vampire…. –she hesitated for a moment, and put her hand on Sam's. – I am kind of your mother, Samantha.

Carter expected a lot weirder endings to this prologue, but not this. She blinked confused

- How can you be KIND OF my mother?

- Well, I am not exactly YOUR mother…I am my dimension's Samantha Carter's mother. But since you are here, and you will learn more about your ancestors' race and your destiny, you have to know.

- I had a mother! She died in a car crash when I was a teenager! – Sam stood up and started to walk around the room.

- She was indeed the only mother you knew…But she didn't give birth to you. Helen Magnus in your reality did.

- And what? Carter's adopted me?

- Oh no! Jacob Carter is your biological father. – Magnus sighed and also stood up. – Shortly after the war in Vietnam, I was helping to save some of the rare species of abnormals in the jungle of Laos…USAF still had few squadrons of fighters dropping by from time to time, and Vietcong would sometimes succeed in shooting down one of the planes… I was once close to the crash site of one of the American fighters, so my team and I saved the pilot and his wingman, and nursed them back to health in our camp…That's how I met lieutenant Jacob Carter… He left as soon as we had an opportunity to contact the air force. When I realized I was pregnant, I found him in the States. I also found out he had a wife and a son. – Helen looked at Sam not sure if she should continue. Carter only clenched her lips, and nodded her head. – He had a family, a stable job, a home…And all I had was a network of Sanctuaries to run, where monsters were wandering the corridors and a lot of heavy duties on which the faith of many lives depended on… We sat down, all three of us – your mother, Jacob and I, and we decided that the best resolution is, to give you a great, loving family and safe home. Your mother forgave your father for cheating on her, and also sworn to me, that she will love you with all her heart. I gave birth to you in States, kissed your head, and gave you into your father's arms… - Helen bit her lip and it was clear she was holding back tears. – That was the last time I touched you, Samantha…

Silence that filled the room was full of tension and anticipation from both sides. Sam wanted Helen either to tell her all this is a bad joke, or explain more. Helen wanted Sam to say something, because she had absolutely no idea what was going on inside her.

- It's impossible… You would have to be like…70 now. And you look no more then, what…40? 45? – Sam looked Helen directly in the eyes, and her gaze was full of anger and disappointment.

- I was going to tell you that next…I have vampire blood in me. I am not aging like a normal human being, but also I am not immortal. Right now, I am 158 years old. – Sam looked at her not really impressed. It's not like she haven't seen anyone over 150…

Helen continued, a little bit abashed by this lack of reaction.

- You are my daughter, so you must have inherited those dominant genes… You are 34 now, and you look no more then 25… I expect your aging to slow down significantly in the next few years…At least that is what is happening in case of this dimension's Samantha Carter….

- You keep in touch with her?

- Yes. Since she was here… We worked things out.

- So basically you are saying, that I am partly a vampire, and I will stop aging at some point?

- Indeed.

- Great… - Sam shook her head, and brushed through her hair with her hand. – I have to think about all that…sorry.

Carter left the room quickly, having no idea how the hell walk out of this building.