Warnings and disclaimer in chapter 1.
Enjoy.
"Are you nervous?" Roberts asked, pulling on his flak jacket.
"Nah," Cam told them from his place by the door.
"But they're the legends," Bailey remarked.
"They're the best," Jorgensen agreed.
"We're the best," Cam countered. "They're just good." A snort from the other side of the room drew his attention. "What?"
"That's not what you were saying yesterday," Vala reminded him from her spot on the bench. "I believe the words you used were scared silly."
"That's not what I said," Cam retorted while the remaining three men smirked and finished gearing up. "I said Teal'c is intimidating. You said scary."
"Either way," she continued as the team left the locker room and made their way to the gate room, "I don't see why I can't go with Major Bailey. He is much more lovable than that Jaffa ever will be." Bailey smirked at the other two.
"First of all, we do not assign missions based on your personal preferences. Secondly, asking you to do diplomacy is about as effective as asking a lion to become a vegetarian." Vala frowned at Cam, then bounded ahead to call the elevator.
"Do you think SG-9 and SG-11 will be this entertaining?" Jorgensen asked while they waited for the elevator.
"Nothing is ever this funny," Bailey commented. The elevator doors opened and the team climbed in. Cam rolled his eyes as they headed to the twenty-eighth floor. The banter continued as the elevator reached the right floor and the team headed to the gate room. SG-9 and 11 were waiting for them. Cam gave a quick nod to the other team commanders. Up in the control room Hammond ordered the gate dialed. The wormhole whooshed into existence and the other teams quickly moved out.
"You'll do fine," Cam told Bailey as he lingered on the ramp.
"Yes Sir," he replied reluctantly.
"Besides," Cam continued as the rest of the team went through, "it's a simple negotiation. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Right," Bailey laughed before turning serious again. "Good luck Sir."
"You too." Bailey gave a quick salute and stepped through, the wormhole shutting down a few seconds later.
"Now what do we do?" Vala asked, from her perch on the railing.
"We get ready for our own mission."
They were eating lunch a few hours later when an angry Jack O'Neill came storming up. "We leave tomorrow morning, 0800 sharp," he barked before storming out of the commissary.
"Charming fellow," Vala remarked sarcastically.
"Well, he's under a lot of stress at the moment," Cam defended him.
"That's still no reason to be rude," a third voice said. Cam and Vala turned to see Dr. Jackson holding a tray. "May I?" he asked, pointing to the empty seat.
"Of course," Vala answered, moving her own tray out of the way. "I don't think we've ever been properly introduce. My name is…"
"Vala Mal Doran," Daniel interjected. "Our resident thief and scoundrel."
"See that Cameron," Vala said smugly, "I have a fan."
"Please don't get her started," Cam complained good-heartedly. Daniel chuckled as he transferred his food from the tray to the table. Turning to the archeologist he asked, "Any idea what the holdup is?"
"The pentagon decided Teal'c needed to pass a psych test before they would let him go on the mission."
"Like they could stop him," Vala snorted. "He'd just have to flex those muscles and everyone would crumble."
"Anyway, ignore Jack. He's just stressed right now. Teal'c is going to take him to the gym and beat up on a punching bag or three. He'll be fine tomorrow."
"That's good to know," Cam said unenthusiastically.
"Anyway," Daniel said as he finished his sandwich, "I'm on my way to talk to Healer Vash. I'm trying to find out as much as I can about the Bironians." He stood and began gathering up his trash. "I look forward to working with you."
"You too, Dr. Jackson," Vala told him seductively.
"Please call me Daniel." Vala giggled as Daniel walked away.
"He's cute," she said, watching him until he left the room.
"Don't start," Cam warned. Vala merely smirked at him as she jumped up and followed the archeologist from the room. "Don't worry about cleaning this up," Cam called after her, "I'll take care of it." Looking back at the trash ridden table he decided this was going to be a very long mission.
The next morning a very somber team gathered together at the base of the stairs in the embarkation room. The base itself seemed much quieter, as if the slightest sound could upset the concentration of the men tasked to retrieve their lost comrade. "Dial the gate," Hammond ordered at eight o'clock on the dot.
The Stargate whirled to life, unusually loud in the stillness of the base. When the wormhole opened the team did not immediately charge through. Instead they turned and looked toward the control room. "Godspeed SG-1." Jack gave a perfect salute to his superior, followed a split second later by Cameron. Only after Hammond returned it did Jack turn and lead his team through the Stargate.
"Welcome to the Sanctuary Sir," Bailey called out as soon as they emerged on the other side.
"What?" Jack asked sarcastically. "No welcoming committee?"
"I'm sorry Sir. Healer Koln extends his apologies for not meeting you in person, but with Healer Vash deciding to spend more time on Earth learning about us they have been a little short handed." Bailey began leading them toward the Sanctuary. "He did say we would try to meet you as soon as he could find some time. In the mean time we are free to move about the Sanctuary."
"Lovely place," Jack remarked giving it a courtesy glance. "Nice trees. Where's the ships?" Bailey smiled.
"Since they only have a limited number of operational ships, all of which are currently being used, I was able to make an arrangement with Healer Koln. We can use any ships we are able to repair while conducting negotiations with the other planets."
"That's my boy!" Cam shouted happily. Bailey blushed with embarrassment but was pleased with the outcome.
"Koln mentioned the possibility of keeping them, especially if negotiations work out and we maintain a diplomatic presence here, but that's something to be negotiated in an official treaty if it ever gets that far."
"One step at a time," Cam told him. "We're not quite to the point of having a permanent presence here."
"Of course Sir," Bailey told them as he led them around the outskirts of the Sanctuary. "But it's fun to dream while the geeks do their stuff and fix the ships."
"Speaking of the ships," Jack interjected impatiently. "How's that coming?"
"Well," Bailey smiled as they turned a corner and got their first glance at the shipyard, "the first one should be just about fixed now."
"Excellent," Jack said as the cargo ship fired up its engines.
"The journey will take approximately one hour," Teal'c said as he piloted the ship off the ground and into the atmosphere.
"Can't we go any faster?" Jack asked, even though they had already left the planet far behind and were currently passing several moons of the Sanctuary.
"Don't tell me you're already bored," Daniel complained. Jack sighed and Vala giggled while Cam rummaged through his pack and pulled out some playing cards. Several games of poker later, Vala was outvoted when she suggested strip poker, even the cards couldn't dampen the excitement felt by the three men. Cam sighed as he looked down at his hand and then looked at the other two men, both who were looking more toward the front windows then their own cards.
"Teal'c," he called out, giving in to the inevitable. "Are we there yet?"
"Shortly Colonel Mitchell," was his response. The game suddenly over, the team climbed up to see the planet they were approaching. Teal'c flew the cargo ship on the course told to them by the Monks and expertly set the ship down on the landing pad. A small group of men was waiting to welcome them.
"Welcome to Birona," their leader told them as soon as they exited their ship. "I am Notte, High Chancellor of Birona. I regret that I was unable to meet with your earlier team, but rest assured I have cleared my schedule for the next few days to fully welcome you and answer any questions you may have."
"Greatly appreciated," Jack replied.
"This is my most trusted advisor, Viceroy Loka," he motioned to the man standing on his right side. The Viceroy gave a small bow of acknowledgement. "He is responsible for running the day to day operations on Birona. Sometimes I wonder if he should be Chancellor so that I may live in peace for just one day." The three men laughed at the joke, with SG-1 looking on in amusement. The Chancellor then motioned to the man on his left. "This is the head of our Science Ward, Minister Joris DeLuan. It is he who will be determining whether you have anything that we would like to trade for."
"I guess we'll be seeing a lot of you then," Jack said as he introduced the rest of his team. Introductions were made and the group moved inside a building. Just as they passed the threshold a fourth man rushed toward the group.
"Chancellor, Chancellor," he kept repeating as he neared them. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but this message was just passed along to me." The Chancellor frowned as he took a piece of paper and quickly read the message.
"You'll have to forgive me, but it appears as though my clear schedule has suddenly become overcrowded." He looked up regrettably at his guests. "I am sorry, but my presence is needed elsewhere. I will rejoin you as soon as I can. In the mean time I'm sure Minister DeLuan will be able to answer any questions you have. I must bid you farewell." He bowed to the group then took off down the corridor, the Viceroy hot on his tail. Joris watched him leave before turning to the group.
"I am sorry about their leaving, but it will allow this visit to be friendlier and less formal if you would like."
"Formal is not something I'm all that good at Minister," Jack agreed. Joris gave a laugh before leading the men down a hallway toward some transports.
"The Chancellor prepared an elegant, gourmet meal for you, but if you would prefer something more homely I invite you all to dine with me at my manor. It is where your accommodations are as well."
"We would be honored Minister," Daniel said.
"Wonderful," beamed Joris. "Please call me Joris. Let me just send a message to have my staff prepare extra. I will give you a tour of our wonderful city and give my staff time to prepare. Hopefully both will finish at the same time." With that done he quickly ushered them inside the waiting transports and they took off through the city.
"That was a wonderful meal Minister," Daniel complimented. The team was spread around a large table in a beautiful dining room. The manor was very spacious and well kept, though not as ostentatious as the team originally thought it would be. What this planet lacked in technology it made up for in art and beauty. Both public buildings and private homes vied to be more beautiful and visually pleasing then the ones before. It was somewhat of a relief to pull up to this modest manor.
"Yes it is a nice change indeed." He poured himself another glass of water before continuing. "If I could be honest with you, this room has not been used for far too long." At their confused looks he explained. "My wife was the one who always insisted on eating in here or entertaining with grand galas. When she died so did this room."
"Is that why there is an empty place setting?" Vala asked. Joris chuckled.
"No, that is for my daughter. She works at the Science Ward. She is usually home long before now, but I suppose something held her up. Normally we enjoy a small dinner in the study or the lounge, but I thought she might enjoy this more traditional setting." Joris finished his water as chimes started sounding in the hallway beyond the door. "The hour grows late. Perhaps you will meet her tomorrow. You must be tired." He stood up and instantly several servants appeared. "My servants will show you to your rooms. While you are my guests you can have free reign of the manor, however I do ask if you wish to leave the manor and enter the city you have someone accompany you. The city can be extremely confusing to newcomers." The team nodded their understanding. "If there is anything else you require, you need simply ask."
"Thank you Minister," Daniel bowed as the team slowly gathered next to the doors. "You are an extremely gracious host. I am sure we will be fine."
"Sleep well," he told them as they left the dining room. He thought lovingly of his own bed as he made his way to his study. With so many things that needed attending too, he decided to get a few of them out of the way before retiring for the night. An hour later he heard the main door open. A few minutes later there was a soft knock on his study door.
"Father?"
"Come in," he told her. She opened the door just as he finished the document he was working on. "You are very late," he told her as she sank into the chair in front of his desk.
"I'm sorry father," she replied, "but there was an incident in the Ward. I meant to tell you I would be delayed, but the time just slipped away from me."
"An incident?" he asked, growing concerned. "Was anybody harmed?" She smiled.
"Nothing like that Father," she reassured him. His concern not only for her but for the people who worked at the Ward was one of the reasons she loved him. "An unidentified file of unknown origin and purpose appeared on the secondary mainframe. I needed to purge the file before the mainframes could be linked again."
"An unknown file?" he repeated. "Was it malicious?"
"It certainly was strange, unique. I have never seen anything like it before." She sighed, running her hands through her hair. "I don't know its intent, whether it was malicious or benign, which is why I needed to completely purge it before linking the mainframes."
"And I assume the purging was successful?"
"I wouldn't have returned if it wasn't." She tiredly smiled at him, which he returned whole-heartedly.
"Are you hungry? I can have something brought up from the kitchen."
"No thank you Father. Tenaan was there." Her eyes darkened briefly. "He made sure I ate then escorted me safely home." Joris's eyes also darkened at the name and his smile slipped ever so slightly.
"He is only concerned about your welfare," he assured her.
"He is too concerned about my welfare," she argued. "Much more than any Helper should be." She sighed loudly, sinking further into the soft cushion of the chair. "He still intends to court me, though I have refuted all his attempts."
"If your work is suffering I can have him reassigned." His smile was gone now, replaced by a penetrating stare as if he could read her soul. She forced herself to hold his gaze as she tried to reassure him.
"He is the best Helper we have, not to mention the only one that can understand my work. Really Father," she said, reluctantly rising from the chair, "I do need him by my side, and we are extremely close friends. I just wish he would stop pushing for more."
"I shall talk to him," he reassured her.
"Thank you Father." She gave him a big smile which was interrupted by a large yawn.
"If Tenaan was kind enough to escort you home, the least I can do is escort you to your bedchamber," he said, standing up. He took the few seconds his back was to her to replace the smile firmly on his face again.
"Father," she admonished, joining him by the door. "I am not a child anymore. I can find my own way to my bedchamber."
"My apologies," he replied as they left the study together. He could tell by the smile on her face she was teasing him. "I hope you will indulge in an old man's fantasy by allowing him to wish his daughter pleasant dreams?"
"Of course Father." They slowed as they approached the first of two doors down a hallway. "Pleasant dreams Father," she said as she entered her bedchamber.
"And to you." He stood there for a few moments after the door shut silently behind her before moving to his own room, whispering as he went. "Pleasant dreams Kianna."