Chapter 2: The Request "You see many angles. That's very good for a Ventrue. It will serve you well and help you serve the clan."

Sage was shoving on her shoulder. "Get up Fledgling, it's a new day, you don't want to sleep the morning away do you?"

Sam kept her eyes closed. No, its day – I should sleep. She reached up and closed the coffin.

Wait – Sam's mind started to clear up, she was lying in her bed, her face smothered in the pillows. Why the hell was she being pushed to get up?

Sam rolled over opening her eyes into slits. CASANDRA! Sam bolted up shocking Cassie. The college student jumped back. "Wow, calm down there."

Sam blinked, she was in her bed, in her room and Cassandra was there – suddenly the nights activities came back to her. Sam had rushed to clean out the fridge of all her blood bags and stowed the cooler in the garage. Then she had tried to get ready for bed but was unable to sleep – only partly due to Cassandra's lingering smell around the living room. Vampires didn't sleep at night, or at least Sam couldn't. No matter how hard she tried or how tired she was she would be stuck with the restlessness till about 4 A.M. Sam had finally been able to close her eyes.

But now she was awake.

Cassandra was here from school. Sam became aware of the loud BUZZ that was repeating itself. The alarm clock. Cassie must have come in because of the noise and I wasn't getting up. Sam reasoned through what must have happened. In the mean time Cassie turned off the clock. "7:00 am. A bit late for you isn't it?" she asked Sam.

"Uh, no, I have weekends off, most of the time." Sam blinked away the sleep from her eyes.

Sam's room was dark, but to her it was just fine. She had bought heavy drapes to keep out the sun per Liam's suggestion. It was when Cassie was going to reach for one that Sam jumped out of bed. "NO!" she saw the shock in Cassie's face. "I mean…uh, sorry it's been a stressful week."

"Yeah," Cassie said idly. She was staring at Sam. Carter stepped away back to her bed letting the dark room give her some insulation from Cassie's attention. Why was this so hard? "You know you never called," Cassie finally said.

Sam sat on her bed. Her head hung low and her tossed hair falling around her shoulders. "I…I know." Carter knew what Cassie was talking about. Someone would have told her. The General at the least would have made a call to tell Cassandra that something had happened to her.

Officially the IOA and NID had recorded the "George Hammond" to have suffered an attack by what was believed to be remnants of the TRUST. Carter had been recorded as MIA. A week later she had turned up in a hospital after coming out of a coma with no memory of what had happened. The NID and Air-Force and IOA had debriefed her but ultimately she had told them nothing. Sam had spent days going in and out of hospitals and briefings. It shamed her to admit but the thought of picking up a phone and calling anyone had never even crossed her mind.

"I'm sorry. I should have." Sam said.

"Why didn't you?" Cassie came around and sat next to Carter on the bed. Her hand rested on Carter's bare shoulder. Sam flinched for a second then felt the sensation of the warm soft flesh against her own. She looked up to stare into Cassandra's face. How could she not know? How does anyone not see what has happened to me? How can she even be this close? So much has changed.

Sam licked her lips. "Honestly, I don't know. I guess I just needed time – time to recover from what happened."

"What did happen?" There was genuine concern in her voice. Sam could tell.

"I can't talk about it, Cassie." Sam said. It hurt but she kept speaking. "It's classified."

The two of them just sat there for a few minutes. Sam took comfort in the young woman just being there. It was nice to be near a warm body. To be with someone who knows her. Knew her. Sam had to correct herself. No one knows me anymore. I don't even know what I am.

Sam was the one to finally pull away. "Hey," she gave a smile. "Why don't we go get something to eat?"

"Sure," Cassie said. She seemed to feel a bit better. She's grown up a lot.

"Great," Sam said and smiled a bit awkwardly. "Well, I'll go get dressed."

"Me to," Cassie said casually and headed for the door.

Sam got up and went to the window. With one hand she slowly moved a bit of the heavy drape back letting light come through. It danced on her fingers for a second then "sssss" Carter snapped her hand back. The tops of three of her fingers were red as if they had been heavily sunburned. Sam turned and headed towards her closet. Opening the door she saw herself in the full length mirror.

Sam allowed herself to be guided by this person to a car. Once she was inside he moved to the driver side and started the engine. "Here," He handed her a bottle from the bag. "That will help."

Samantha didn't reach to take the bottle. She knew what was in it…not consciously but instinctually. She could smell it.

He put the bottle into the cup holder. The car started to move. Sam was able to see the road rise up through the tinted glass. After a while she turned and looked at the driver. Sage, that was his name right? "Where are we going?"

The young man – and he did look young, couldn't be more than 27, defiantly not 30, didn't respond. His eyes were hidden behind the dark sunglasses. Sam didn't push. She didn't have the strength to resist anymore.

"That's another mistake." Sage spoke up suddenly. Sam turned back to look at him. He wasn't even paying attention to her…well his face was forward but who knew where his eyes were looking behind those dark glasses.

"What?" Sam said confused.

"Giving up. You asked a question that I didn't answer. But instead of pressing or trying to figure it out on your own you just gave up." He clarified.

Sam was shocked. What was he expecting from her? She had been violated, her crew and friends murdered…and now people were telling her she was a vampire. Sun light had nearly killed her. What could he expect? The absurdity ignited her anger. This bastard was –

"That's better," He spoke again. His voice never changed pitch. "Hold onto that feeling but be mindful. It is easy too loose control. If you had been Brujah I would have just put you in the trunk instead of risking you going into Frenzy."

"What are you talking about?" Sam blurted. Was this guy insane? He wanted her to get angry – what was a Brujah?

"The Brujah are a clan of Kindred; one of the original thirteen." Then he turned to her this time a bit of intensity crept into his voice. "You're not Brujah are you?"

"What – I don't know; what clans?" Sam was confused.

Sage seemed to accept that answer turning back to watch the road just as he had been a moment ago. "You're not Brujah. It just occurred to me that maybe the Prince's people were wrong about identifying your clan. It happens sometimes."

"There are clans of vampires – like families?"

Sage nodded his head. "Yes, many, and even more bloodlines. Some are part of the Camarilla and others have joined with the Sabbat. Even more are unallied with either side. That is something you will have to learn about. You'll also have to pick up the rules of the Sect and your place in Cainite society."

Sam blinked. Her eyes fell from Sage to the bottle in the cup-holder. Her mouth suddenly went wet…slowly she reached to take it and felt it in her hand. It was cold. She looked up at Sage but he wasn't paying attention. Sam twisted the already broken cap and instantly smelled the metallic fume. She felt something push through from the top of her mouth and then she had to have the liquid.

She set the empty bottle back forgetting to redo the cap. The cold taste was both refreshing and revolting at the same time. If that was possible. I just drank blood, she shuttered to herself.

She was in her own world now. She looked at the empty bottle and felt the taste in her mouth. She couldn't help but her tongue ran over two foreign objects that were longer than they should have been. Sam reached for the sun-visor and pulled it down showing the mirror – Vampires weren't supposed to have reflections. Or at least they shouldn't.

Sam saw her face, or what had become of her face in the small reflective lens. Her hand smacked the visor back up. She couldn't believe it. But she did believe it. God help her she believed it.

"What am I?" Sam finally asked staring into her lap. "What is all this. Hadrian had said some things but I wasn't…I wasn't paying attention. I need –"Sam couldn't finish the sentence. What did she need? She had no idea. She was an officer in the United States Air-Force; it was her job to have an idea, to make the plans.

"Ventrue," Sage spoke drawing her attention again. "Your clan is Ventrue."

By the time Cassandra Fraiser came down the stairs Sam was in the kitchen finishing off a bottle of what looked like cool-aid. "Hey, ready to go?" Sam asked swallowing.

"Yeah, it's a beautiful day, you're wearing that?" Cassie pointed. Sam looked down. She was wearing faded jeans, a baggy gray hoody and a baseball cap. Her sunglasses were already on.

"Yeah," Sam said. "What's wrong with the way I look?" Sam looked down at herself than at Cassandra. The college girl was wearing tight short-short denim shorts, a spaghetti strap yellow top and a denim jacket. Sam inwardly groaned at how tan Cassie was.

"Uh'hu," Cassie said and turned a knowing glance towards the door. "Where do you want to go?"

"Figured we grab breakfast and then see how we feel. Maybe grab a movie if you want." Sam said.

Cassandra opened the front door. Sunlight filled in making Sam squint even behind her dark sunglasses. She took her keys and walked with Cassie to her car. "On second thought, why don't you drive." Sam said.

To Sam's relief she was withstanding the morning pretty well. Maybe because I drank last night and this morning, she thought to herself. She normally resisted feeding at all. The idea of drinking blood was still so…it was inhuman. But the rational part of Sam's mind couldn't help but bring to light the fact that there seemed to be obvious advantage to doing it. To giving in.

Cassandra chose breakfast at Denny's surprising Sam. She hadn't eaten at one of those in years. Going inside was an experience as well. Instantly Sam was assaulted by smells, food, batter, and the sounds of a hundred things happening at once. Cassandra led the way as the hostess sat them at a booth, thankfully not by a window. They sat opposite one another better able to talk.

Cassandra ordered the Belgian waffles while Sam just got a tomato juice.

"Sure that's all for you?" the waitress asked.

"Yeah, thanks." Sam said.

Cassie gave Sam a smile. It was a bit sheepish. "Sorry for getting you up. I know you'd rather be asleep."

"No, no, what gave you that idea?" Sam asked trying to shrug off how tired she was really feeling. Now that it had been brought up Sam realized how her shoulders were sagging and her eyes were drooping behind the dark glasses.

"I should have realized. You work all week at…" Cassandra stopped before saying Stargate Command. "You work hard all week and besides it's a Saturday morning, that's a sleep in day." She smiled. The uncomfortable conversation earlier seemed to have passed.

Sam smiled. "Well you can let me catch a nap later. I'm just happy to spend time with you." She placed her hand over Cassie's and again felt its warmth.

"Bur, Sam, your hands are freezing." Cassie commented offhandedly.

But it was really just another reminder to Samantha Carter. Quickly she removed her hand and tried to change the subject. "So how is school going?"

Cassandra shrugged. "Overall it's okay. Junior year is a bit more intense than I would have expected. I'm a Fine Arts major now."

"Oh when did that happen?"

Last semester actually. I was trying the English but, honestly, the Russian novelists really pissed me off. Also I hate the idea that the Professors keep asking us our opinions on what the stories mean. Why for goodness sake can't someone just write a story for, I don't know, money?" Cassie sounded sarcastic. Sam could relate to that, she wasn't big into English Lit either.

The next hour breezed by surprisingly. Sam forgot about being a vampire, about all the horrible things that had happened to her crew. For just an hour she was herself again and spending time with a young woman she deeply cared for.

Sam found out just how much she had missed the younger girl's presence in her life. The bond they had had was always something important to Sam. Ever since she had help bring Cassandra back from the girl's home world where the Goa'uld had killed everyone the girl had ever known. There had been this bond.

Janet Fraiser, a good friend of Sam's had taken Cassandra in and to no one's real surprise adopted her. After Janet's death Sam had been obligated and more than willing to try and help fill in the supportive role that Cassandra had needed. Fortunately Cassie had already been mostly grown up by that point.

It was really nice. Just that, really nice to sit and talk with the girl who now was a young woman. When did that happen?

Breakfast went buy with no real event. They talked which was really nice. Cassandra regaled about college and how her teachers were boring or crazy. Her roommate's romantic interests and Cassie did drop that she had been seeing a senior but broke it off when he caught him with another girl. Sam was happy to listen while she sipped at her tomato juice.

Cassie offered some of her waffles but Sam politely refused. She never was hungry…for food anyway. But she was still able to eat…thank god. According to Liam Sage, most Kindred couldn't eat or drink anything other than blood. If they did they would have to vomit it back up to purge their bodies of it. A handful could drink, and even fewer could eat. No one knew why this was. Figured it made sense since dead people shouldn't eat or drink…or walk and have fangs or attack starships for that matter.

Sam was lucky. It made things a bit easier still being able to eat real food, even if it was only a little at any given time. That first week Liam had kept a bottle of Jameson's whisky around. Sam hadn't been able to get drunk but she tried. Liam even shared a glass…apparently he could drink but he never ate.

"…And then he said,"

Sam was listening intently. But then her cell rang. Cassie stopped and let Sam grab it to answer. She fished her cellular phone out of her hoody pocket. The name on the screen was "POC". Sam didn't know anyone by that acronym. She answered and held the phone to her ear. "Samantha Carter."

"Good morning Colonel Carter, this is Vivian Black, Mr. Alexander Hadrian's assistant. I am sorry for the inconvenience, Ma'am, I know it is still morning." The Prince's assistant? Was she a vampire, one of those ghouls, did she know? "I am calling to let you know that Mr. Hadrian would like to see you at the Batiatus Gym and Fight Club on Sixth Street. Noon would be the preferred time."

Sam was confused. Hadrian was the Prince of the Kindred in Colorado Springs and Denver. She remembered their first meeting but he'd never called her before. What was this about? What should she do? She should say 'no thanks', make an excuse…Sam looked at Cassandra. No if I make something up they might find out about Cassie then…"Uh, yeah, can you text me the address?"

"Of course, Ma'am. Again I am sorry for calling you this early in the day." Vivian hung up.

Sam closed the phone and looked at her clock display…it was already 10:00. How long had they been sitting talking? Sam then turned looking out the wide glass windows into the bright fully sunlit saturated day…could she even leave now?

Sam excused herself from the booth and went to the bathroom. She hid inside a stall and redialed her phone. It rang once, twice then to her relief someone answered. "Hm, Hello, Fledgling." A tired male voice came over the ear piece.

"Sage, I just got a call from, Hadrian. He wants me to come meet him."

Sage grunted – well of course he had probably been asleep. "Say that again."

"I just got a call from Hadrian's assistant, a Vivian Black, she claimed to be Alexander Hadrian's assistant and she said he wants to meet with me in two hours."

The other end of the line was quiet, not even the sound of breathing. Sam was about to ask if Sage was still there when his voice came back over the line much clearer and alert now. "Your Prince called for a meeting. I suggest you go."

"Sage, I –" How much can I tell him? "I'm not at home. But why is he calling me? I thought I was just supposed to stay put and keep quiet about all this…" Samantha stopped before saying anything about Kindred in a public restroom. She knew how to keep her mouth shut about classified information.

Again the line was quiet. When Sage spoke again he was speaking very slowly as if she should have known better. It wasn't sarcasm but at the same time there was something in his voice that was just as bad. "Fledgling, the Prince wants to speak with you. His assistant didn't call me. I don't know what he wants to talk about. You need to go and find out what he wants."

"He is not my Prince, I never agreed to be part of the Camarilla. I am keeping my mouth shut, no one knows anything. I –"

"Samantha Carter," the use of her full name always seemed to make Sam do a double take. "You had to know it wasn't that simple. You are one of us now. Loyalty to your human institution is all well and good but it is meaningless now. Go talk to your Prince, and whatever he tells you to do, do it. If you do not than you will die; and you won't be getting back up this time. There is nothing else, no middle road, no other choices."

Sam wanted to argue. Of course she had a choice – she had to have a choice she… I really must have been stupid to think I could just live my life. What was I thinking? "I can't help with –" just then the sounds of people entering the restroom echoed off the small bathroom walls. Sam stopped talking before saying something she shouldn't.

"Samantha," Sage's voice was lighter almost inquisitive, "you said you weren't at home; where are you?"

"I'm…having breakfast at Denny's." She tried to make it sound like nothing all that big. Don't give him a reason to think something suspicious was going on. "I had a craving."

"Are you contemplating suicide?" Sage asked as if it was the most reasonable thing to think of. He was really serious.

"NO!" Sam stated surprised by the question.

"So you had a craving –"

"Got to go…" Sam cut the call. She leaned against the stall and let out a breath she didn't remember taking. Then she just rested there not breathing or anything. Damn, what am I going to do? She thought to herself. What else could she do, she was going to go see the Prince.

Sam had surprised Cassandra by saying she had to go into work suddenly. It was the best excuse she could have come up with. It meant she would have to go home and change and was also the best way to get Cassandra back home without too many questions.

Once she had gotten into her grey green uniform she grabbed another bottle of blood from the garage cooler and headed out chugging the bottle's contents down as she got behind the wheel. The address was plugged into her GPS and she was back on the road. According to the small computer she would be there just before noon, but still cutting it close.

The driving was by far the hardest. Sam often had to drive during the day but then she had always tried to do it early in the morning before the sun was so high. Another thing that Sage had never explained was that the longer the day went on the weaker kindred became. Even deep under NORAD Sam was always aware of how around lunch she felt the most woozy and often took a nap or something in her office. Never made any sense since the sun could never reach her.

Sam's car was also not outfitted with tinted UV filtering windows. During the full drive and the hours before when she had been with Cassandra Sam was trying to in no better words repel the sun from her by a force of will. Fortitude – at least that was what Liam called it was a power that could help sustain a kindred through sun exposure, at least basically. That was the one power Sam had been able to pick up almost instinctively. And now she was trying to push it to the limit by maintaining a continual willful focus on staying strong and not burning up. And it was costing her. Even now, she was hungry again…

"You have arrived at your destination" the female voice from the small computer sounded off. Sam pulled into a parking lot to a old looking building that stood apart from the strip mall on the other side of the parking lot. Most gyms that Sam knew of were part of strip malls and for that matter newer. Was it some kind of boxing gym? Those short moments of questioning took Sam's attention away from drawing on her power and suddenly she felt the exposed skin on her cheeks and chin growing hot. Sam turned her face to the ground and ran for the door. There was a sizzling sound by the time she reached the door to the old building. Thank god it was open. She rushed inside.

Once the doors closed behind her Sam felt better. MUCH BETTER…Slowly she kept from falling to her knees but didn't stand straight right away. It was such a relief to feel the heat disappear from her skin and –

"You, Carter?" a male voice said.

Sam's head shot up. One of the military looking men in a black polo shirt was standing in the nearest door. "You're Carter right?" he asked again.

Sam didn't answer right away. She was entranced; not by his highly developed body and arms or his stanch military barring it was the THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP of his heart, he was alive.

The man reached to his belt, Sam saw the large hand gun in its holster. "Yeah, I'm Carter," She said quickly. The man looked suspicious. Sam tried to think. "I got a call, be her at twelve from a Mrs. Vivian Black."

The man – the very much alive man, seemed to relax. With a gesture of his head he motioned for her to follow him. Sam did but carefully.

As they walked down the hall Carter noticed that the building might have looked old on the outside but inside there seemed to be some rather modern renovations. Everything was solid and there was a smell of pine air fresheners. Soon the man led her to a open area were Sam had expected a boxing ring but instead was a depression full of sand.

Sam blinked. Looking around she saw half a dozen men also in black polo shirts. Some had small automatic weapons, and other just hand guns. They were patrolling the sides looking down into the pit from time to time then back around. No doubt, security – the same security Hadrian had had when she first met him. Speaking of Alexander Hadrian, Samantha looked around for him and spotted the man sitting in the bleachers to one side.

Sam risked leaving her escort to approach "the Prince of the City". No one stopped her so it must have been allowed. She walked around the pit which had two men half naked sparing with bare hands and feet. And they were going at it. Sweat was making the sand stick to them as they beat down on one another. Sam could smell them. Their pungent odder was formidable and made her wrinkle her nose.

Sam got closer to the Prince and saw he was relaxing against the bleacher step behind him. He was dressed in a gray three piece suit and what Sam could see were very expensive shoes. His attention was on the fight in the pit. She wasn't sure if she should stand at attention or not. Liam never talked protocol with her…there was a lot of things he never did maybe she should ask.

Without any warning Hadrian's hand was outstretched and gave a snap of his fingers. The two combatants stopped and stood away from each other. "Markus, Jerry, go get something to drink," he said. The two men nodded their heads and spat blood into the sand. Then they shambled away. Sam watched this. So what was the point of that?

"Thank you for coming, Colonel." Hadrian spoke up. Sam spun back to face him.

She didn't know what to say so she stayed quiet and tried to look respectful. Just see what he wants, Sam. Maybe it isn't a big deal.

"Do you watch competitive sports?" he surprised her by asking.

Sam looked back at the empty arena and shrugged, "Not really." Do I call him, Sir? "I don't watch a lot of TV."

"Probably a good thing," The man was completely at ease; the exact opposite of Sam. "I had to learn to watch them myself. Back before the dark ages it was the arena, then jousts, and now football and this MMA. Personally I never got the point unless you are playing or are wagering money but they make good small talk." Taking another look at her, "Did I call you away from work? I was sure you would have weekends off."

Sam shrugged, she didn't want to lie and risk getting caught in it. "It was a good way to leave the house, Sir."

Hadrian nodded. He straightened up. "So how is life treating you so far? Any problems adjusting?"

Sam blinked, was he just trying to check up on her? Why? "Well, I'm doing as well as I think can be expected." Hadrian moved over to let her sit down on one of the bleachers by his feet. Sam did but it made it a bit awkward to look over her shoulder up at him. He was watching her intently. "I do a lot of meetings and things, so nothing too bad."

"But it isn't your dream job?" Hadrian asked a small smile coming across his lips.

Sam smiled back letting down her guard just a bit. "No, not really. Being an XO is kind of – dull, compared to what I used to do."

"I'm sure, Captain of a starship must have been a dream come true." Hadrian confirmed. "Believe it or not, but I've been wondering if I might ever try it…you know somewhere down the line, two maybe three hundred years." Sam didn't know what to say. Again she kept quiet. "But managerial occupations are necessary if anything is to be done. That's the burden of our clan I'm afraid."

He saw the look on Sam's face. "Ventrue, have almost always been the leaders of the Kindred. Even before the sects when we were spread out clan nests battling in Jihad." His eyes stared off a bit. "Those were dark days. Nothing even remote to stability. Clans were making alliances with others and then breaking them, back stabbing was rampant. The only good thing about those days was our numbers were so low that you knew all the players. Quality over quantity. It was considered better for a clan to embrace one worthy human than twenty rabble and send them to fight."

Shaking off what must have been a memory Sam wondered just how old Hadrian must be. The comment about down the line stuck with her. "…you know somewhere down the line, two maybe three hundred years." What would that be like to live so long that those numbers could be so casually tossed about? Sam had met beings that lived centuries at any given time but she never thought about the expanse of what that meant till it could be applied to her.

"But I digress," he went on. "What I meant to say was that the Ventrue have always taken pride in stepping up to do whatever it needed to be done. In the best interest of the Kindred as a whole. Unfortunately that sometimes meaning stepping away from the front lines and becoming a paper pusher."

"Couldn't agree more, Sir." Sam said to show she was paying attention.

"Good. I'm glad you understand the need to act on the behalf of all." He looked to the side and made a waving gesture. Suddenly Sam saw a man that hadn't been there before, at least she didn't know he had been there come around from the opposite side of the arena and approach them. He looked like a young Brad Pit – no it was a young Brad Pit. The young man was dressed in business casual and a blue blazer. He nodded to her and gave a deep bow to Hadrian. Hadrian offered his hand, Sam noticed the pinky ring with a green stone set in it. Brad Pit took the hand and then bent his head to give the ring a light kiss. It was very Godfather. "Thank you for coming, Juan."

"Sire, always pleased to be of service," Brad/Juan said giving another slight bow. He looked at Sam. "And this is Lady Carter?"

"Colonel, Juan. Women are afforded military rank remember." Hadrian said casually.

"Colonel, allow me to introduce Juan Durand, of clan Noferatu. He and his child, James." Hadrian looked around. "Where is James?"

"Your Majesty, James is exercising Obfuscate. He is still not versed enough to throw up masks." Durand said. He didn't sound French.

"Oh, I see. Well he can drop his cloak now," Hadrian raised his voice a bit just to make sure this James character could hear. At that second right next to Samantha's right a short, hunched, grey skinned thing appeared out of nowhere. Sam jumped. "James, Colonel Samantha Carter," Hadrian introduced.

Sam looked down at the creature, and that was what it was. It was grey and deformed, like it had been twisted but instead of being lumpy it was skin and bones. A kind of narrow rat like face turned up to her and Sam was looking into two gruesome eyes. One was yellow with a narrow slit like a cats, the other was all too human. "Hello, Ma'am." It spoke and its voice was a little raspy but very understandable. Oh my god, could this thing have been a human being?

Sam didn't reply right away. But then she felt ashamed. Sage had told her about Nosferatu. A clan of the Kindred. They were supposed to be smart, and very dangerous but also were misshapen and deformed. Something about the bloodline and a curse, not that she believed in curses. They were people – humans once, like her and she just reacted like this person was a monster.

She wanted to say something but James' eyes drooped and his head went downcast. It was so 'human'. All she could do was turn back to the Prince. He was staring at her but then turned back to Juan. "The Colonel will make it possible for the two of you to set up the security measures we were talking about. I trust I don't have to worry about your effectiveness of course."

"Of course," Juan said. At the same moment his entire body changed, this time Sam didn't flinch. Juan was a tall, narrow framed being with jagged limbs and a pinched face. Both eyes were glowing yellow. And one of his pointed ears was missing about half of itself. He had rings in his nose and lower lips as well. "We will not be noticed by the Military. Provided…the Colonel, is able to provide adequate cover." His voice was deep and throaty. There was a clear intent that he didn't think she could do it. Sam was still thinking do what.

"I'm sorry but security measures for what?" Sam had to interrupt. Whatever was going on she did not like it. "I'm a few steps behind here."

"Colonel, these two gentlemen are going to install a more formidable security system within the SGC." Hadrian said as if it were obvious. "Why else would they need your help?"

Sam was stunned. "What. You want to do what?" Her voice jumped an octave higher. "I can't let vampires into the SGC and – "

"Vampires," Juan took a step back from Sam as if she were suddenly something disgusting. "You throw around that word like it's a curse. We are Kindred, just like you, Colonel!"

Sam normally wouldn't try to offend anyone. But this was stupid. She wasn't going to let un-cleared personnel come into the SGC for any reason. But then it hit her, Liam was visiting her in the SGC all the time, two or three times a week. She wasn't reporting him. She couldn't. And now she was stating she couldn't let these two in…

"Will you two please excuse me and the Colonel." Hadrian spoke calmly. James moved away smoothly but Juan seemed to have to limp on uneven legs. Sam watched them go then they just vanished. Sam had seen similar things before but often she knew how but this was just…

"They do that," Hadrian drew her attention. "First time seeing a Nosferatu? You get used to them." He got up off the bleacher and came down to the ground. He buttoned his jacket and started walking. Sam had no choice but to follow. She knew this. Any military cadet that ever pissed of a superior knew this, the walk of shame. Leading another person around to nowhere specific to show dominance. She was just surprised that she was doing it again as a Colonel in the United State's Air-Force. Hadrian suddenly stopped and turned around. "Why are you walking behind me?"

Sam was surprised, "Uh, because you started walking and…"

"Let me guess some military dominance game they play with cadets or privets?" He didn't wait for Sam to answer. He turned to face her. He didn't sound angry, not even a little. It was conversational. "Trust me, Colonel, if I want you at my back I will tell you to follow me, and if I want to show my dominance…" he looked her up and down, "there will be no question who is in charge. I don't play silly games that mortals use to try and pretend they have real power."

Sam wasn't sure but there was a snub against humans in that comment. Hadrian motioned for her to come to his side. Sam did and then he resumed his walk around the arena. "That's better, more comfortable for me."

He headed over to a soda machine in one of the far corners. "You can drink right? I like the red power drinks myself." He didn't bother putting money in. Just hit the button and a bottle came out. He opened it and Sam smelled blood. Hadrian smiled. "Something I do for the young ones. Something that makes them feel a bit more human." He took a sip.

Sam was starting to get antsy. "Um, your Majesty." Hadrian looked attentive. "I'm sorry but you want to do something that I am sworn never to do. I can't."

Hadrian nodded. "I understand. You are a good officer. But think about it this way. Liam has been able to get in and out of the SGC without incident. Ghouls of ours have been able to gain low level access. The SGC is already compromised. What I want to do is make it more secure from people like us. Because, Samantha, It is alright if I call you by your given name?" Sam nodded. "Samantha, your institution is already compromised. That's a fact. And if we can get in and out without difficulty so can the Sabbat. They may be on mass nothing but monsters, but I assure you they have clever people too. Their agents are very good. What I am telling you to do is going to help protect the humans. Make their security stronger."

"And at the same time give you a foothold," Sam countered.

Hadrian smiled and nodded. "You see many angles. That's very good for a Ventrue. It will serve you well and help you serve the clan. Yes, Cameras will be emplaced and the feed will monitored by Kindred."

"See I can't do that." Sam insisted.

"You won't do that," Hadrian replied. "There is a difference." He stared at her. His eyes were so intense. "What has Liam told you of the Sabbat? Of the war; how we fight it."

"He gave me a basic history lesson." Sam said, "The Camarilla came together to protect the race against the Inquisition. A movement of younger vampires didn't want to be servants to the elders so they rebelled. When the Camarilla beat them there was a reconciliation but two major clans chose to stay apart and became the Sabbat."

"And did he tell you what the Sabbat do?" Hadrian asked. "Did he tell you what they do to humans?"

Sam nodded. "He said that the Tzimisce torture people and mutilate them. That they have some kind of power that can do horrible things to a person or vampire." She thought more about it. "They embrace the beast and forsake human values and institutions etc. Kind of the opposite of the Camarilla."

"Close," Hadrian said. "That's a nice cliff notes version. Liam probably has it planned to show you the reality but till then let me educate you." His voice was no longer kind and patient. There was a earnest anger behind it. "The Sabbat do far worse than just torture. They mutilate the body and work living flesh into monsters to serve them. Or make living taboos of the gruesome lives they lead. Living furniture…children, women, men it makes no difference. They want to be lords over humanity in the open and humans nothing more than cattle to be bred and abused at their leisure."

He didn't finish. "Right now, Colonel, the Sabbat have control over the entire east coast excluding a Tremere Chantry in Washington and Manhattan. They have spread across the east and mid west. And are taking over the South without much difficulty. We are losing ground. The Sabbat have amassed an army in New Mexico and are already surrounding the southern border of this state. They want the Stargate, and they have the means to take it. And I promise you, what happened aboard the "George Hammond" will look like a sunny day picnic compared to what they will do to NORAD and the SGC."

He paused to make sure that sunk in. "Samantha, I am not going to let that happen. I will use all my power to make it so that they do not get their hands on that technology. And if you stand in my way you will be cast aside." Hadrian then backed away from her giving a little breathing room between them. "So you see it's in everyone's best interest for you to cooperate with my wishes."

"Can't there be another way. I could tell the General we need to upgrade security or –"

"No you can't. The kind of security measures it will take to even slow down a kindred would be illegal by American law. A honorable man like Hank wouldn't go for it." Hank, does he know General Landry? "Besides, how would you convince them there was a security flaw? Even were we to prove it, then there would be endless bureaucracy and then the Pentagon would have to be called in. Once that happens the Sabbat would be alerted. They have control over that part of the country – they know everything the government does. Then we would also have to find an intermediary to act on our behalf. In other words, Colonel, there isn't time, and there isn't money to go through all that."

"The Nosferatu can get in and out without trouble. But they can't work without someone noticing the labor. I need you to find some way to make a cover for them."

Sam didn't respond right away. He made a good argument. It made so much sense but it was also a betrayal. No, she could not do it. "Sir, I'm sorry but I can't do that. I know I can't stop you or Liam but – I can't help break the secrecy of the SGC. I won't."

Hadrian looked at her for a long moment. She took another sip of his drink – his blood then spoke, "I'm disappointed. But I shouldn't be surprised." He faced off with her. "I meant what I said. This is more important that one kindred life." That apparently was all he felt like he needed to say. Then he turned around and walked away. Sam just stood there watching him. Was he dismissed? When nothing more happened she decided it was best just to walk away why she could. As she headed for the door she realized how tired she was really feeling.

Note: Hey, this was shorter than I wanted. I wanted to do it all from Sam's point of view but I think to show the full story I'm going to have to add other Chracters and see how they see the world of Darkness and what they are thinking. Working on the next chapter.

If you are confused please write me. Thanks to all the reviewers and those that offered up VTM info, some of it was very helpful. And any writing points or directions you want to see let me know. I have a plan for this story. Which is different from any other I have writen, there is a direction. What makes it slow is first capturing the feeling of hardship and confusion that I think is at the core of VTM. But also the violance in action and emotion. This is also a stargate story and I want to keep that aspect there as well so its a slow process.

So if there is anything I can do to make this story more reader friendly please let me know. For example, it was sugested that I make all memory clips in Italic. But if that doesn't work for the majority or I need to do a whole chapter just with back story I will. Whatever it takes. Again I'm trying to move the story forward but there is a lot of rich background that I might miss so I can always go back.

Thanks, read and review.