Warnings and disclaimer in chapter 1.
Enjoy.
"There was no sign of Major Carter in the Sanctuary," Cam reported to the group assembled in the briefing room. It had been several hours since the incident in the infirmary. In order to deflate the situation before it exploded, Hammond had ordered Healer Vash taken to a VIP room. The alien had gone without incident, for which the General was thankful.
The incident had left more questions than answers though, and soon the entire base was talking about the lost Major. As Vash said, Colonel O'Neill had woken up with no permanent damage that Janet could detect. Hammond immediately called a meeting with the former members of SG-1, Dr. Fraiser, and the current CO of SG-1.
"Did you get a good look at everybody?" Daniel asked.
"No. There were hundreds of people there, spread throughout the Sanctuary," Cam admitted, "and that was just the people outside the buildings. There were even more people indoors."
"Did you get a sense these people were being held against their will?" Hammond asked.
"Not at all Sir," he answered immediately. "In fact, many of them appeared glad to be there."
"She's obviously been brainwashed Sir," Jack finally spoke up. "We need to get her out of there now."
"I didn't get a sense of any maliciousness from the Healers," Cam told Jack. "If it is her, they might not even know she's being held against her will."
"Maybe it's time we ask the Healer," Hammond said. He turned to face a nearby airman. "Airman, escort Healer Vash to the briefing room." The man nodded and hurried away. Hammond turned back to the assembled group. "I trust there will be no more outbursts."
"Yes Sir," Jack said, sinking a little in his chair. A few minutes later the airman returned with Healer Vash in tow. Hammond motioned for the alien to have a seat.
"Thank you for cooperating with us Healer Vash," Hammond started. "I would like to get to the bottom of this as quickly and as peacefully as possible."
"As would I," Vash added. "However your people have made a mistake."
"How so?" Daniel asked.
"You believe Kianna is from your world. That is not possible."
"Our DNA tests say she is," Daniel told him.
"Yes, Doctor Warner explained DNA and showed me the comparisons. They are very similar, but they can't be from the same person."
"Why is that?" Hammond asked.
"Kianna's homeworld is Birona, the eighth planet in the system," Vash told the assembled group. "She can't be the woman you think she is."
"There's an easy way to resolve this," Jack suddenly spoke up. "Take us to Sam and we'll ask her ourselves." Vash shook his head solemnly.
"That would be impossible. Kianna has already returned home. She left the Sanctuary shortly after I did."
"What's the address?" Jack demanded.
"Birona does not have a Stargate," Vash replied. He slowly looked around the room. "The Sanctuary is a place of healing. A place of peace. We would never hold anyone against their will." He stopped for a moment before continuing. "Am I being held prisoner?"
"No," Hammond reassured him, "however I would appreciate your continue cooperation as we search for Major Carter."
"I would still very much like to stay and learn of your world," Vash said sincerely, the hope clearly on his face.
"You're very calm," Jack suddenly said, "considering what I'm going to do to you if I find out you hurt on hair on her head."
"Then my safety is assured, for I have never harmed Kianna in any way." He looked back to the General. "May I be allowed to continue with Dr. Warner?"
"Of course," Hammond replied after a few minutes, "but I must insist you be accompanied at all times." Vash nodded, accepting the arrangement. "Dr. Jackson, please escort Healer Vash to the infirmary." Daniel nodded and rose to his feet. Vash followed him but paused at the doorway.
"I must warn you General. If you return to my planet with any harmful intentions the others will know. They will defend themselves." Vash then proceeded to follow Daniel out of the briefing room. An uncomfortable silence followed the two men as they entered the elevator. When the door shut, Daniel turned to the alien.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course you can."
"How can you be so sure Kianna isn't Sam?" he asked.
"I have known Kianna for many years." Vash paused as if trying to find the right words to explain to Daniel. "When Kianna first came to the sanctuary, I was the only one able to help her. During this time, I developed strong feelings for her."
"You love her," Daniel interjected.
"I did," Vash admitted, "but it was clear her heart belonged to another. As I helped her and she prepared to leave, I found a little part of my heart leaving as well. When she returned, I found my heart soaring." He sighed. "It was soon obvious she did not return to be with me as I had naively hoped."
"She was sick again," Daniel guessed.
"Yes. Her illness had returned. Over the next few years she has become a regular at the Sanctuary. Every few cycles her illness returns as does she. While my feelings have not abated, we have developed a deep friendship. I would know if she were hiding anything this extreme." The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Daniel gestured to the open door and the two men slowly walked to the infirmary. "Daniel, I can feel your pain at the loss of your friend. I sympathize with your loss, but I will not allow your grief to ruin the life of another." They reached the doorway and paused, turning to face each other.
"I understand what you're saying, and I admire the length you will go to protect those you care about, but I wonder if you will consider this." He waited until he received an approving nod from the alien. "What if I'm right and that is Sam, and the reason you can't sense any deception in her is because she is unaware any deception has taken place. What if Sam is being held prisoner and isn't even aware of it?"
Healer Vash thought about this for a few minutes. "That would be most disturbing. The lengths one must go to maintain such a deception would be astronomical."
"Yes it would be," Daniel turned his head, looking into the infirmary. "Dr. Warner is waiting for you." With that Daniel walked away.
General Hammond watched as Daniel led Healer Vash back to the infirmary. He turned to face the other men in the room.
"I do not sense any deception," Teal'c said, speaking up for the first time.
"Someone's lying," Jack said, his anger momentarily leaving him. "If it's not the Healers…" Hammond looked at Colonel Mitchell.
"Colonel, can I assume they don't have any kind of record keeping system at all?"
"That would be correct Sir," Cam nodded. "They always felt that records compromised the privacy of their visitors."
"If we're assuming that the psychos are ignorant, who kidnapped Sam?" Jack asked as Daniel came back.
"Who else would have anything to gain from her kidnapping?" Hammond asked.
"There's the planet Vash said she comes from," Daniel told them. "Maybe they're using her."
"They did say they would arrange for us to meet the other planets in the system," Cam mentioned. "Maybe we should go meet the neighbors."
"Agreed. Colonel, prepare your team to ship out tomorrow morning," Hammond ordered. "Proceed with the original mission of assessing the potential of allies with these people; just keep an ear to the ground for anything suspicious that might be going on."
"Yes Sir," Cam responded.
"Permission to join SG-1 Sir?" Jack asked a second before Daniel could open his mouth.
"Denied," Hammond replied. "That applies to you as well Dr. Jackson."
"General," Jack protested.
"We need people with calm heads right now Colonel. Colonel Mitchell and his team will do the initial investigation of the situation. We will discuss where to go from there based on their findings. Are we clear?" He waited until all three men nodded their understanding. "Rest assured Jack, if the time comes for a rescue mission, you will be on that team."
"Understood Sir," Jack replied.
"Dr. Jackson," Hammond started, turning toward the archeologist. "I would like you to spend some time with Healer Vash, get a feel for their society. I would like to know how they would react if we did need to go in and extract Major Carter." Daniel nodded and Hammond turned his attention to Teal'c. "I can't order you to do anything son," he started.
"If you would permit," Teal'c interrupted, "I would like to remain at Stargate Command until this situation is resolved.
"We would be honored Teal'c," Hammond answered. "Dismissed."
"Who is this person we are trying to find?" Vala asked as she leaned casually on the railing of the ramp leading to the wormhole.
"Are you kidding," Bailey asked incredulously. "Major Carter is a legend here."
"When she was on SG-1, they took out tons of system lords," Roberts added.
"Saved the world at least as many times as we have," Bailey told her.
"Then there was that time she blew up a sun," Jorgensen added to the list. "Took out most of Apophis's fleet with a single swoop."
"She did that?" Vala asked with a new sense of wonder. "Tanith told everyone he sabotaged the fleet."
"You don't think any snakehead is going to admit he was bested by us lowly humans do you," Cam asked.
"Well no," Vala admitted, "but I didn't think the Tau'ri had that kind of technology."
"We don't," Bailey told her, "but Major Carter could always make it happen."
"What happened to her," Vala asked, intrigued by this woman.
"She died," Cam said, "or at least everyone thought she did. SG-1 was on a mission to help a race called the Creillon. There was an offworld incident involving Major Carter and she was executed. Her death led to the eventual breakdown of the original SG-1."
"Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson are still affected by it," Roberts told her. "That's why they don't go offworld anymore."
"That's enough." Cam ordered as he looked up to the control room window. Jack and Teal'c were watching the wormhole intensely, while Daniel was watching as Vash communicated to the other Healers about the situation they found themselves in. Finally Vash nodded to General Hammond and got up and left the control room.
"SG-1. You have a go," Hammond ordered.
"Yes sir. SG-1, move out." Cam led his team through the Stargate. Healer Koln was waiting for him on the other side. "Healer," Cam acknowledged as he exited the gate.
"Welcome back to the Sanctuary, Colonel Mitchell."
"Healer Vash explained the situation?" Cam asked.
"He did," Healer Koln agreed. "And as Healer Vash explained, there is no duplicity in the Sanctuary." He began leading the team toward the Sanctuary. "May I talk to you in private Colonel?" Koln asked cryptically when they reached the Sanctuary.
"Of course," Cam quickly agreed, sensing a change in the mood of the Healer. He followed Koln into his office. "You think we might be on to something here," Cam stated once they were alone.
"There is no duplicity in the Sanctuary," he repeated. "It is one of the shortcomings of our gift. Even if a member of the Sanctuary wished to behave in such a manner, the other members would know and stop them. There is no privacy for the Monks."
"So you're not concerned about the other Healers," Cam concluded, "but you are concerned about someone."
"Our history is one of violence," Koln reiterated. "When the Goa'uld first disappeared, many wars broke out amongst the planets. Only recently has there been any semblance of peace."
"So they don't play well with others?" Cam surmised.
"In a manner of speaking," Koln admitted. "I know nobody at the Sanctuary would condone what you have described. I am not so sure the other planets are as noble. Tread carefully Colonel."
"Thanks for the warning," Cam told him. "We'll be discreet."
Koln nodded. "One more thing Colonel. If you do find what you are looking for, if we are indeed helping any sort of conspiracy…"
"We'll let you know," Cam interrupted.
"Thank you," Koln replied softly. "Now, let us start meeting our neighbors."
Hammond sighed as he looked out his office window. SG-1 had left over a week ago, and soon after Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c had taken over his briefing room. He tried to get them to vacate the room, reminding them of their own work, but they had simply brought their work to the table. He doubted they were making much headway, but then looking at his own stack of barely touched paperwork, he admitted to himself he wasn't doing much better. Looking at the clock he was relieved to see SG-1 should be returning home anytime. As if on cue, the Stargate started spinning. "Incoming wormhole," Walter shouted out as Hammond stood up. He left his office and went down the stairs to the control room. Unsurprisingly the three men were already there.
"Sir," Jack acknowledged from his position at Walter's shoulder.
"Colonel," Hammond responded before turning to Walter. "Sergeant?"
"Receiving SG-1's IDC sir," he answered after a minute.
"Open the iris," he ordered. Walter placed his hand on the scanner and the metal barrier retracted. The men watched with baited breath as the team emerged from the wormhole. Mitchell looked up and saw the men waiting in the control room and immediately headed for the briefing room, his team quickly following his lead.
"Report," Hammond ordered when everyone was in their seats.
"Roberts," Cam motioned. Captain Roberts nodded and began rifling through his pack. Turning back to the General, Cam started giving his report. "Healer Koln took us around to the various planets in the system. For the most part there is trading potential that we can explore."
"But," Jack asked.
"There is one planet that didn't sit right. They took us on a brief tour of their facilities and we saw this. Roberts?"
"Ready Sir." Roberts had pulled out his camcorder and found a particular spot. He quickly plugged the camcorder into the TV and started the footage. It showed what appeared to be a laboratory. Their host was explaining the function when the camera zoomed in on a very familiar face. She was working in an office when she suddenly looked up and stared right into the camera. Roberts stopped the recording, leaving the Sam's face on the screen.
"That's all we saw," Cam explained after a few minutes of silence. "Viceroy Loka finished the tour and sent us on our way. We kept our eyes open for any other sign of her, but we got nothing."
"What is your sense of these people?" Hammond asked.
"They're definitely hiding something sir," Cam answered.
"What of the other planets?" Hammond asked, unable to ignore such a potential resource.
"Pretty straightforward sir," Cam replied. "They're willing to open negotiations."
"And the Sanctuary?" Hammond asked. "Are they going to interfere?"
"I don't think so sir." Cam answered. "Koln seemed genuinely concerned about the possibility of duplicity. As long as we can validate our findings, I don't think he will give us any grief."
"I see," Hammond muttered under his breath. He had been thinking of this next move all week, and now that the time was here he was still undecided. He had been torn about what SG-1 would find, or more importantly who they would find. He half hoped his premier team would come back empty handed. It would be so much simpler to write this off as a horrendous coincidence. But on the other hand, he knew he would jump at the chance to restore any member of his command that had been lost.
Officially, his orders were to go for the Naquadah, and realistically, he knew how important such an abundant supply of the mineral could be for the Stargate Program, but how would his former front line team deal with being so close to Sam and not being able to save her. But then, could he live with himself if he turned a blind eye?
"Major Bailey," he announced a few minutes later, "I'm giving you temporary command of SG-1. Work with SG-9 and SG-11. Continue negotiations on all the planets of the Coalition save Birona."
"Understood Sir," he replied, barely managing to hide his shock.
"Colonel O'Neill," he continued, "prepare a team to go through the Stargate."
"Yes," Jack shouted satisfactorily.
"A small, non tactile team," Hammond quickly clarified seeing the look in Jack's eye. "Colonel Mitchell will be part of that team. Your mission will be negotiations on Birona."
"And if we find someone who isn't supposed to be there?" Jack asked intently.
"We don't leave our people behind." Hammond stood followed by the rest of the room. "Colonels, can I have a word in my office? The rest of you are dismissed." Hammond quickly retreated to his office, wanting a few minutes to gather his thoughts. He heard the briefing room slowly empty and a two pairs of boots slowly making their way to his door. He gestured them in, motioning to close the door as they passed.
"General?" Jack asked.
"You know this is all still circumstantial. It may not be Sam," Hammond cautioned, unwilling to let them relive the hell they went through when she first died.
"It's pretty damn convincing circumstantial, Sir."
"Jack, I need to know that you can maintain focus on this mission. We need to find the truth about the situation before we make any rash decisions."
"Understood Sir," Jack said, clenching his jaw together.
"Which is why I am assigning Colonel Mitchell to this mission," Hammond continued. "If at any time your judgment seems clouded, I am ordering Colonel Mitchell to take command." The two men looked at each other, sizing each other up before turning back to the General. "Is that understood?" Hammond asked.
"Yes Sir," the two men answered.
"Then prepare your team," Hammond ordered. "Dismissed."