Chapter 15: A Jump Backwards
Stargate Command
12:55 P.M
Mitchell and Teal'c helped the Russian back up onto her feet. After thanking them, Alexeyeva proceeded down the ramp to catch up with someone she needed to talk to. Williams was glaring at the ZPM in her hands, feeling unsure of something.
"Are you ok?" Alexeyeva asked the Canadian once more.
Williams shrugged, not taking her eyes off the alien power core.
"I think I need to get some sleep, ma'am," She replied to the Russian.
The Lieutenant Colonel nodded, understanding what her subordinate was going through. Mitchell and the others had also gone down the ramp.
General Carter entered the gate room as the blast door retracted open.
"Colonel," She said to Mitchell. "What happened?"
Mitchell didn't say anything at first, in an attempt to delay long enough to come up with a decent answer.
"We got ambushed on the way out," He finally told her. "Don't know who they were but most likely they were Alliance,"
Carter was taken aback.
"Alliance?" She asked. "How the hell did they know about your mission?"
"They probably didn't, General," Alexeyeva replied, entering the conversation. "They must have discovered the Temple ruins on that world on their own,"
"The Alliance defiantly seems to know what they are doing," Witkowski replied, joining the conversation as well.
"They knew exactly where the temple was and when to strike; they nearly took the Zero Point Module we recovered."
"Wait…" Cater replied, eyeing the Canadian. "You found a ZPM?"
"Yes ma'am," Witkowski replied, pointing to Williams. "And one of the bastards nearly shot her point blank,"
Carter immediately became concerned with the Major's previous statement. She understood a soldier's psyche. Eying Williams' stillness, Carter became grim. She faced the others whom were facing her in turn.
"I want a full debrief in an hour," She said.
"Got it, Sam," Mitchell replied, saluting, before leading SG-1 out of the room.
SG-26 followed but Carter stopped Alexeyeva as the Russian's team left.
"I'm worried about Private Williams," The General said to the Lieutenant Colonel.
"No more than I, General Carter," The Russian replied. "I think someone should go talk to her,"
"Exactly what I was thinking," Carter replied as the two exited the room. "Maybe Teal'c might be able to help,"
The Russian raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"What can he do?" She asked.
"The man went through a lot in the past fifteen years, he knows what he's doing," Carter replied.
The two entered the control room, stopping behind the dialing computer.
"I'll speak with the man personally," Alexeyeva replied. "But I don't think Private Williams' fear would hold on to her for much longer,"
"It never hurts to ask anyway," Carter replied.
The clock on a wall changed hands as time went by. It's been a long while since the debriefing was discussed and the reports filed. Now Alexeyeva stood before a phone on the wall. The Russian blankly stared at the phone as people traversed the hallway, some eyeing her as they walked by. She finally dug into her navy blue SGC uniform jacket pocket and pulled out a note. A note she kept from her weapons shipment. After unfolding the paper, Alexeyeva came face to face with the note once more. This time, however, she flipped the paper and found a number. This would lead her to a call with someone she promised to speak with again. Picking up the receiver, Alexeyeva dialed the number and patiently waited as she heard rings in her ear. The rings stopped and a voice answered the call.
"Hello?" It asked.
"I kept my promise, didn't I?" The Russian replied.
On the other end, a man stopped in his tracks. He took a deep breath, looking around the hall where he stood.
"Damn it Natasha," He spoke into his cell phone. "Where have you been? It's been a month since you called,"
Natasha leaned her shoulder against the wall.
"I'm sorry, Igor," She replied. "But a lot has happened, a lot that I have learned,"
The man on the other side scoffed.
"What is that supposed to mean?" He asked.
"I can't explain," The woman replied, knowing that her call was probably monitored by the American Air Force.
"For god's sake, Natasha!" The man nearly yelled. "What…"
He paused, trying to calm himself down.
"Sorry for lashing out like that,"
Natasha smiled a bit.
"Don't be," She replied. "If you were in my position, I too would have gone a bit mad,"
"Yeah," The man chuckled. "Since I'm no longer SVR, I sorta feel naked without all the information at my fingertips."
"You have a good job working for your Aerospace Company," Natasha replied. "You don't need to go back,"
"True, but," The man added. "Most of our products are going to the Americans and I have a feeling that whatever it is…you're part of it,"
"There's no need to dig," Natasha spoke into the phone. "I'm fine and I think it's best for you to not get yourself entangled in all this,"
"Like you were when that Spetsnaz team of yours got into a fight because you were with them,"
What was supposed to be a half-humored joke shot through Alexeyeva like a bullet.
Lowering her phone slightly, her eyes fixed into the wall in front of her, Natasha's mind going back to something that she was hoping to not have to remember.
Four Years Earlier
South Ossetia, Georgian-Russian Border, Earth
She was the only woman on that plane, a plane that held some of Russia's elite forces. Only a previous month was a thirty-year-old Major Natasha Alexeyeva accepted to be part of Spetsnaz, a controversial decision that haunted the woman in question. From graduation up until take off, years apart, that woman only served to protect her country from domestic threats and attacks. That morning she was about to embark on a mission beyond her nation's borders. It was the final day of the 'South Ossetia War' between the nations of Georgia and the Russian Federation. Of course, at the time, no one on that plane realized that it was going to be the last day of direct fighting. It wouldn't matter as much as it would for ordinary soldiers, as it did for the nine Special Forces operatives. Due to the fact that Alexeyeva was part of that team; they would only complete one objective then go home. It would also be the only time Alexeyeva saw combat beyond the borders of her homeland.
On the plane, on their way to their drop point, everyone glared at the newcomer every now and again. To keep herself away from the growing disdain against her from her teammates, Alexeyeva pulled out a photo from her vest. Through her oxygen mask, she smiled to herself. The photo, as Natasha looked, showed herself holding her year-old daughter at her first birthday. Two months later, Alexeyeva found herself crossing a border in a transnational conflict. Out of nowhere, someone slapped their hand against Alexeyeva's, forcing her to drop the photo.
"What the hell!" She yelled through the radio.
One of her teammates, Sergeant Vasili Ivashov, chuckled.
"What's with you and that photo?" He asked with a smug look on his face, his voice heard through her earpiece. Alexeyeva shoved the man back, irritated.
"None of your damn business," She replied.
Another man, Junior Sergeant Sergei Balashov, stepped into the confrontation, placing his hand in front of Ivashov in hopes of stopping further fighting.
"Back off," Balashov cut it. "Leave the lady alone,"
The others also stood up, in hopes of being ready to fight one another if need be, over the presence of a woman, of all things.
The Second in Command, Lieutenant Colonel Roman Antipov, got into the crowd.
"Everyone," He yelled through the radio. "Just sit down and prepare to drop…no one is going to fight one another just because some 'woman' is in our midst,"
"Understood, Podpolkovnik," Ivashov replied, taking a seat along with the others.
He wasn't going to allow the matter to drop, despite being told to do so. Balashov, as an afterthought, picked up the photo and returned it to the Major.
"What's her name?" He asked, curious.
"Liya," Alexeyeva replied, somewhat hesitantly. "She turned one recently,"
A moment later, the commander of the unit, Colonel Mikhail Volkov, stepped into the rear chamber of the plane.
"Gentlemen…lady," He began. "I'm sure you all know why we are here,"
He made his way to the back of the plane.
"An arms dealer who goes by the codename 'Mistletoe' has been reported to be selling weapons to the Georgian government, who in turn are supplying their men."
The Colonel walked forward, giving his briefing as if it were to be a memorable speech.
"We are not here to kill him, only capture and arrest, the Kremlin will prosecute him accordingly,"
He then turned to the woman, whom was paying attention the entire time.
"God only knows how someone like you got into this position," He told her. "In my opinion, this isn't a job for the likes of you and that is an honest opinion,"
Alexeyeva looked down, a bit shameful, yet she understood.
"But your presence is an experiment and one I'm willing to allow," The Colonel went on. "Despite the fact that you should be home, taking care of your daughter,"
The Colonel was looking at the others now. "I don't understand why everyone is on edge because of the Major, she is the reason we only have to do this one thing before we can go home,"
"But we can do more if not for her," Warrant Officer Boris Vitsin called out.
The Colonel shook his head.
"It's too late to point fingers as we are already at a crossroads," He added.
"Five minutes to drop point," The pilot's voice boomed over the loud speaker.
The Colonel nodded, returning to the end of the plane.
"Everyone, check someone's oxygen supply," He spoke loudly.
Alexeyeva and the others stood up, checking for any equipment faults.
"Major Alexeyeva, Sergeant Glazkov, help me with the beacon," The Colonel radioed the two. "Warrant Officer Zhukov, get the platform down."
The other man nodded, hitting the control panel to open the back door.
"On a count of three, we go, understand," The Colonel asked the two soldiers beside him.
"Yes Sir!" The two replied, nodding.
Glazkov looked over to his left and found Alexeyeva, seeming worried.
"Nervous?" He asked her.
The Major nodded slightly.
"A bit, Sergeant," She replied.
"The beacon is broadcasting five by five," The Colonel said to the two.
"Team's oxygen levels are green," Antipov added, checking his wrist computer.
"Set your height scales to 530 meters," The Colonel said to his team. "There is no wind today, so we won't have to worry about being blown off course,"
"Ten seconds to drop!" Antipov said through the radio.
Alexeyeva held onto the beacon with dear life, to which had amused Glazkov.
"Just follow the Polkóvnik, Major," He told her.
"GO, GO, GO!" The Colonel yelled, as he and his two subordinates, leading the charge out through the back of the plane.
Glazkov and Alexeyeva helped the Colonel push the beacon out and soon they found themselves falling and the sun beaming its rays directly into the Major's eyes.
4 Years Later
Stargate Command, Colorado, USA
"Natasha,"
Alexeyeva heard Igor say through the phone.
"Are you there?"
Alexeyeva shook her head as she left her trance.
"Yes, I'm still here,"
"Look, I'm glad you called and maybe I don't know where you are now or what you are doing…but at least know that I'm here whenever you want to talk,"
"That is good to know," Natasha replied. "I'll be sure to talk to you again as soon as I can,"
"You sound tense, did something happen?" Alexeyeva froze once more, thinking back to when Williams was nearly killed.
"A…" She tried to speak. "Someone almost died today and it's been traumatizing for them,"
"I see," The man replied, sighing. "I'm sure that you can help him or her,"
"I hope so," Natasha commented.
Mitchell turned a corner and found the Russian speaking on the phone.
"Hey Ruski!" He called out to her.
The Lieutenant Colonel, caught off guard, quickly clamped the microphone on the phone with her hand. She spun her head around to see the Colonel raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Colonel?" She asked, keeping her hand over the microphone.
"Jackson wants to speak with you about the coordinates you found,"
"Tell him I'll be there in a moment," Alexeyeva replied, nodding.
Mitchell shrugged, unsure of how to take the Russian's response.
"Alright, Ruski, see ya there," He replied, going back the way he came.
Alexeyeva returned to her conversation once the Colonel was gone.
"I need to go," She told the man on the other end.
"I understand, talk to you soon," The man replied.
"See you later," Natasha said, before she hanged the phone back up.
Taking a deep breath, Alexeyeva turned to where Mitchell once stood, and had gone after the Colonel.
Upon entering Daniel Jackson's lab, on sub-level 18, Alexeyeva was nearly taken aback. The collection of artifacts and relics surprised the Russian with the vast number and variety. Books were littered on the table and shelves that hugged the walls. It became a wonder as to how the archeologist was able to keep track of everything in that small room of his. Sitting at the table, Jackson and Vala were going over the pictures, the ones that the Russian took while they were at the temple, from the laptop. Mitchell stood near-by watching the images appear and then disappear.
"Have you found anything of interest, Doctor?" Alexeyeva asked, joining Daniel at the computer.
The archeologist sipped coffee from his mug before he began.
"Something…" He spoke.
Turning the laptop towards the Russian, Daniel pointed at the inscriptions on the wall.
"The dialects written on those walls are of Old East Slavic," He began.
The Russian stopped him, however.
"Last I heard," She replied. "Old Russian is a dead language,"
"You'd be correct," Daniel continued. "Check this out,"
He pointed to the screen for the Russian to see.
"Before what we think was the time when the Ancients came to P3E-610," Daniel added. "Guess what the indigenous population looked like,"
Another picture appeared on screen. One that Alexeyeva was only mildly familiar with.
"What Slavic people from the middle ages appeared as," She said, examining the inscriptions. "15th Century perhaps,"
Mitchell, surprised by the Russian's intellect, asked about how she knew all this when she only had a major in Bio-Chemistry.
"I noticed some of my sister's books about things like these," The Russian replied. "I decided to read some of them,"
"Didn't think they'd come in handy, did ya?" Mitchell asked.
The Russian shook her head.
"Maybe we can find some valuable technology," Vala commented. "Or treasure we can salvage,"
Daniel could only shake his head.
"But it doesn't make any sense," He added. "The Gou'ald left at around 3000 B.C. so now way they could have taken anyone from any Slavic speaking region during the 15th century."
"Perhaps these 'Ancients' took some of the Russian people," Alexeyeva commented.
"I don't think so," Daniel replied.
"How can you be sure?"
"I'd think I know," The archeologist answered, referring to the time he ascended.
"Maybe we can ask these Slavic people who were taken when we find them," Vala added.
"Don't get too self assured of yourself," Alexeyeva replied to the alien. "We don't know where these people had gone off to,"
At that point, Daniel's face lit up.
"That's where your last picture comes in, Colonel," He interrupted the Russian's exit.
The Russian returned to the laptop that laid before the archeologist.
"The one about the wall, Doctor?" She asked.
"Those were gate coordinates, Ruski," Mitchell replied for Jackson.
"That's what they were?" The Russian asked.
"If the people of P3E-610 have gone there and haven't left," Daniel explained. "We can find them and find out what happened…if they survived,"
"But it wouldn't be like they just simply died…would it?" The Russian asked.
Daniel shrugged, unsure of the answer.
"Whatever the case, Ruski," Mitchell cut in. "We should get a move on and get there before the Alliance gets smart and heads out as well,"
Alexeyeva shook her head.
"Nyet, Colonel Mitchell," She replied.
Mitchell leaned forward, wide-eyed, and shocked by what he just heard.
"Excuse me?" He asked, somewhat disgusted.
"You heard me Colonel," The Russian replied again. "If what Doctor Jackson says about their being Slavic mythology involved, then you'll need me and my team,"
She took one step forward, pointing her left index finger at the Colonel.
"Right now, one of my own is in a hard place and I won't have her replaced…so until she recovers, we don't make our move,"
"So that's it?" Mitchell asked, eyebrow raised. "You're just going to allow the Alliance get a head start,"
The Russian backed away, scoffing.
"If we're lucky and this is just a small set-back for Williams…the Lucian Alliance will not be able to get to this new world before we do," She replied.
With a simple spin on her heel, Alexeyeva walked out the lab.
"Have Doctor Jackson look into some of the mythology until then," She said over her shoulder. "It never hurts to have another expert."
Mitchell scoffed and shook his head.
"You hear that, Jackson?" He asked the archeologist.
"She thinks she knows everything,"
Daniel only shrugged.
"There isn't a whole extensive history on Slavic myth," He replied. "She might actually know more than I."
"Oh that's just crazy talk, Daniel," Vala replied. "No one is better than you."