CHAPTER 15
Admiral A.J. Chedwiggen was sitting at his office going over paperwork as usual when there was a knock at his door.
"Come."
Lieutenant Jennifer Coats walked in. "Sir there's a General George Hammond on the phone wanting to talk to you. He says it's a matter of national security. Line one."
"National security?" he mumbled as he took off his glasses.
"Yes sir."
"Thanks Lieutenant. Dismissed." he said picking up the phone. "Admiral Chedwiggen here."
"This is General Hammond. I have a delicate situation that needs special attention. Because of the classification of this problem, this will have to be done in person. A man under my command needs judicial help and has personally asked for a Commander Harmmond Rabb. Now I know you probably have other pressing matters, but this is much more important."
"Commander Rabb has a major work load on him right now. How important is it?"
"National security important. I can call the President of the United States if I have to."
"Can I ask to what it's pertaining?"
"The Kinsey assassination."
"That important." A.J. said dropping his pen. "Alright then. I'll be accompanying Commander Rabb. Where and when?"
"As soon as possible Admiral. I'll have a escort waiting for you at Peterson Air Force base near Colorado Springs. Be prepared for a possibly long stay." Hammond said before saying goodbye.
"Damn." A.J. said as he slowly put the phone down. "Coats!"
The door opened promptly as she walked in.
"Yes sir?"
"Get Colonel Mackenzie and Commander Rabb in here. Quickly Coats."
"Is something wrong sir?"
"I can't discuss it Lieutenant and nor should I have to. Dismissed!"
"Yes sir." she said saluting then walking out.
Harm and Sarah were discussing a case in the board room when Coates came in.
"My client was on the ship according to her alibi." Harm said.
"Your client was seen by several witnesses inside that bar on that night in question. C'mon Harm, unfortunately, it's not unusual for other officers to lie for their fellow shipmates." Sarah said not backing down as she crossed her arms.
"Sir, Ma'am." Coates said entering. "The Admiral wants to see you both right away."
"Thanks Lieutenant." they said packing there stuff up. She nodded and walked off.
"We'll discuss this later."
"Right."
A few minutes later she opened the door letting them in.
"You wanted to see us." Harm said.
"I just got a call from a General in Colorado. He has specifically requested that Commander Rabb come out to help with a…..problem. Before you ask, it's concerning the Kinsey assassination. That's all he could tell me. Colonel, you're going to be in charge while I'm gone. Considering he said it could be sometime for this to work out, schedule everything until further notice. Something tells me this is going to be a long trial." he said as he continued to grab a few things for his briefcase.
"Why are you going sir?" Sarah asked.
"Because something doesn't feel right Colonel. Now Commander get ready and meet me at the airport. You've got one hour. Dismissed."
"Aye aye sir."
Several hours later, and a semi long briefing to Agent Todd, she was sitting outside his cell with a small desk and luckily, a comfy chair. She was looking at a folder, still unopened.
Ford had been watching her for about twenty minutes since she came in when he decided to speak. He was laying on the bunk with his hands behind his head.
"Shocking news huh? Knowing there's life out on other planets and that some of them are trying to destroy the Earth."
"And I thought working for the President was hard enough. This is….."
"Impossible. I know." Seeing her still sitting in the same position, Ford got up and placed his arms on the door bars.
"Coping with knowing life is out there is enough to make me wonder."
"I know someone who wouldn't be surprised but thrilled to know that life is out there. Actually they already know it exist, just no one really believes him."
"Who?" she asked out of curiosity.
"A FBI agent that I'm truly surprised exist. Agent Fox Mulder. God I'd love to bring him here just to see the look on his face. His partner would finally, truly believe he isn't nuts."
"I've heard about that FBI agent. He's considered a nuisance and by some a crack pot, but he's been right all along apparently."
"Oh yeah." Ford going back to the bed. He was about to sit down when there was a knock at the door. Ford turned to see Carter come in.
"Hey Sam."
"I came to see if you needed anything before I went home for the night?"
"Yeah. I heard that there might be a mission scheduled for SG-1 and it was for somewhere on Earth."
"How did you hear that?"
Ford shrugged and told her to go on.
"I can't tell you that."
"Why not? Were you ordered not to?" he asked confused.
"Well….no." she said blinking in thought.
"Then I don't see the problem. Besides, when I get out of this.." he said waving a hand around. "I'll find out anyway."
"The plan is to go get an few artifacts that belong to the Goa'uld that were on their way here by plane. The plane was high jacked and crashed. Someone else managed to come along later and take all the artifacts to their home in Britain. We have to get them from her before she finds out what they really are." Carter said. She noticed Ford's face change when she said 'her'.
"What?"
"You said her……oh boy…" he said rubbing his forehead and shaking his head. "Umm….it wouldn't happen to be a two gun totting, long single braided hair, combat boots, archeologist …"
"Yeah that fit's the description. Here name is Lara Croft. She's a world famous explorer and arch.."
"I know who she is." Ford said rubbing the bridge of his nose. "No wonder the game store clerks looked at me funny." he mumbled loud enough for only Carter to hear.
"How do you know her?" Carter asked partly jealous. Todd was listening to whole time from her seat. She had a tape recorder going, per orders.
"I don't know her as to being in person, but personally I know her." Seeing Carter looked extremely confused and slightly more jealous. "Oxymoron if I ever heard one."
"Yeah, I'd say. That makes no sense, but go on."
"You have to postpone the mission. You go to her house and try to get those artifacts by force, she will kill you or die in the attempt. She's had her house broken into enough times that she really doesn't take kindly to home invasion. Plus, she'd be expecting someone to come for those things. Trust me Sam. I haven't let you down before have I?"
"No. I'll tell the General what you said, but I doubt he'll change his mind."
"Have him and the rest of SG-1 come down and I'll give them a better explanation in the morning. You too. Right now it's late and I'm getting tired."
"So am I. I'll see you in the morning."
As she walked out, "Hey Sam. Sorry we never got to finish the motorcycle."
"Maybe later we will. Got more done on it than I've been able to in some time. Thanks." she said walking out.
"You really like her." Todd said getting up.
"It's obvious huh. I don't care."
"Alright now son, you're being transferred to a room for the night while Agent Todd has a room adjacent to yours in the interest of cooperation. You'll be able to stay there tomorrow as well when the officers from JAG show up." Hammond said walking in moments later.
"That works out better for me. Thanks General. I need to go anyway."
Hammond nodded and told the guard to open the cell. As he fumbled with his keys and lock and then dropped the keys, twice, Ford got impatient quickly. Ford told the guy to stand back and as soon as he did Ford forcefully opened the door. It stayed on the hinges but the locking mechanism came off the door. Hammond began to speak, but Ford beat him to it.
"Sorry sir, but natures really calling." Ford said stepping out quickly. "I'll fix it later."
The next morning Ford was being brought to the briefing room, escorted so to keep with regulations of NCIS and other laws. Melissa was on his mind strongly for some reason. He brushed it off thinking it was just something strange. Since Ford said he'd completely cooperate they didn't handcuff him. Not like he had anywhere to go anyway, or could go. As they approached the briefing room the gate activated.
"Off word activation!"
The alarms going off made people become more alert, but that was common.
"What does that mean?" a familiar to Ford voice said as they neared the briefing room.
"It's nothing to be concerned about Commander. Ignore it for the time being." Hammond said getting up to leave.
"Understood sir." Harmmond Rabb said as Ford walked in.
The guards with him walked out as Hammond nodded them away. Admiral Chedwiggen was standing next to him.
"Admiral, this is unexpected. Nice to see you sir." Ford said sitting at the end of the table. "Commander." Melissa's name kept popping into his head.
Why are you thinking about her? Attractive she is, but she said she's….mated with someone else I think was the words.
I don't know Herc, just keeps popping up from some reason.
"I'll be right back." Hammond said heading for the control room. Ford could hear the gate activating as the two JAG officers sat down.
"What is this place?" Harmmond asked mostly thinking aloud.
"A highly classified military installation. What have you been told so far?" Ford asked leaning on the table. Melissa……Melissa……
What the hell is going on? Why am I thinking about her?
I think that Nirriti did something to us before we made it to her chamber and killed her. I think.
"The only thing I was told is that you requested me to be your lawyer and that you where the one that killed Senator Kinsey." Harmmond said.
"That's what I thought. This is not going to be a good day." Ford said rubbing his face. His head was beginning to hurt and growing in intensity. Melissa……Melissa……
I can see by your memories of these people and the other laws that you know that you could get the death penalty for this. Worse case scenario as you say. What would happen to me?
Well, if it comes to the worst case, which I seriously doubt, the Tok'ra would be called in to get you a new host and……and ……why am I thinking about Melissa so strongly.
Ford was saying to Hercules when O'Neill came in with the rest of SG-1 minus Daniel. Hammond came in as Jack said Daniel came back because he forgot something. Ford was rubbing his head as they sat down. The pain was increasing, intensely.
There is a foreign object attached to your brain stem. I don't know what it is. It might be something that Nirriti placed there. Hercules was saying to him as Ford kept rubbing his head and tried to get up.
"Get Janet…" Ford managed to say as he fell out of his chair. He was grabbing his head and groaning in pain.
Hammond left quickly going for a phone as Carter and O'Neill picked up Ford from the floor.
"Ford what's wrong?!" Carter asked.
"Let's get him to the infirmary!" O'Neill said yelling to Teal'c to give him a hand.
Everyone came to the infirmary, including the two JAG officers. Hammond was even there with them.
"Ford, can you hear me?!" Janet said as she shined a light in his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm still here." Ford said feeling the pain leaving. "What the hell caused that…"
"Has anyone else complained of this pain or anything similar Doctor?" Hammond asked as she checked his temperature.
"Melissa came back with Daniel and started complaining about the same thing. It got so bad for her she passed out. I still haven't figured out what caused it." she said writing on a chart then checking Ford's pulse which was racing some.
There was a groan from someone behind a dark curtain. "Are you going to be okay for a moment?" she asked Ford.
"Yeah. Whatever it was has gone." he said thinking clearly again.
Janet walked over and went behind the dark curtain. They could hear her talking but not loud enough to make out what she was saying.
"There's something attached to my brain stem." Ford muttered as he sat up.
"What happened son?" Hammond asked.
"I was just sitting there at the table when I started thinking about Melissa more. Her name kept flashing through my mind and then my head began hurting. It kept hurting till we got here."
"You said something is attached to your brain stem?" Rabb asked sounding confused.
"Hercules told me." he said shaking his head slowly. "It felt like my nerves and brain were on fire General. Forgive my bluntness, but I'd rather get shot in the groin than go through that again."
"Ouch." Jack said cringing. "That's bad."
"No kidding. I had a root canal once that felt like a walk in the park compared to what just happened."
Janet came back out as Rabb asked him who Hercules was.
"We're going to have to tell them now General." Jack said.
"I was planning on giving them a run down when Doctor Jackson returned." Hammond said.
"What's going on?" Daniel asked coming in with a big bag in his hand. Jack figured it was books. He was right.
"Hey Daniel. Heard you forgot something." Ford said shaking his head..
"Yeah I needed a few books and notes."
"You have something Doctor?" Hammond asked seeing she was waiting.
"I heard what Ford said and it's almost the same thing Melissa said. She came back with Daniel when she kept thinking about Ford. When she came through the gate, she began having severe head pain. Whatever was causing the pain has subsided."
"Gentlemen, come with me please and we'll give you a brief run down of what you need to know while our Doctor tries to figure out what's going on." Hammond said leading the two JAG officer's out. "Keep me apprised Doctor."
"Yes sir." she said. After they and SG-1 left, minus Ford, she asked Ford about the what Hercules said.
"There is an unknown mechanical device attached to his brain stem. I have not been able to make Ford's body to reject it and have known about it just recently. I am at a loss as to why I could not…sense it before. Whatever it is, caused the pain he was experiencing. It is causing chemical disturbances in his brain, but to what extent, I haven't figured out. It has not caused any effects on me. I have reason to believe it was placed their somehow by Nirriti." Hercules said taking over momentarily. Ford took back over when Janet said she wanted to do a MRI.
"I think you should check Melissa out as well." he said getting up.
"I'll check her I'm done with you. You said Nirriti?" she said helping him. As they approached the door, Mel cried out on pain as did Ford.
"What the he…aaaaaaaaaa!!!!" Ford cried out as he fell to his knees grabbing his head again. Janet helped him off the floor quickly and onto the bed. As he sat down the pain went away.
"What the hell was that?!!" he yelled to no one.
Janet was about to check him out when he told her to look after Melissa first. Janet nodded and went over pulling the curtain back now that the JAG officers were gone. Ford heard Melissa mutter a few choice words that even made him flinch some.
I have a haunting suspicion I know what happened.
"So do I." Ford muttered. " If I start to fall get me back to the bed." he said to one of Janet's nurses.
"Did you say something Ford?" Janet asked turning around.
"Yeah. Watch her. I have a…idea what's going on." he said getting up.
The nurse stayed near the bed waiting to see what he was going to do. He inched toward the door slowly, a foot at a time. He mentally counted the feet he was apart from Melissa as he moved. At twenty five feet, he felt a slightly buzz in his head, like when you know a headache is coming if you don't do something about it soon. He looked up seeing Mel was rubbing her temples.
"Okay the moment of truth. I apologize ahead of time is this hurts."
"What are you doing?" Mel asked not understanding.
"I think I got it now. If she has something on her brain stem like you do, then that would be the connection to why this is happening." Janet said as she was turning back to Mel. "You just said you head started feeling funny."
"Yeah. Still does."
"So does mine." Ford said. The nurse was standing next to him. "I'm going to take one step back." he said.
The instant he did the pain came quickly. Between Hercules taking over and the nurse he was back at the bed. Melissa almost passed out again.
"Okay….lets not do that again." Ford muttered loudly.
"I agree." Mel said angrily. "What the hell's going on?"
"I don't know yet. I want to take a few scans to see what it is. Will you let me do that?"
"I trust you judgment. The sooner we figure this out the better." she said getting out of the bed. Ford followed along closely as they left for the MRI room.
"Several other of our kind that was captured on Nirriti's ship seem to be having head pain as well. I came to get help seeing as we haven't found out what is going on. We've lost two of them already to whatever it is that is causing this." she said as they walked.
A couple of hours later they were all assembled in the briefing room. All of SG-1 was there along with Doctor Fraiser, Melissa, and the two JAG officers. Anise came at Hammond's request to see if she could help in any way. Jacob unfortunately was attending to business with the Tok'ra so he couldn't make it.
"What have you found out Doctor?" Hammond asked.
"Both of them have a unknown device on there brain stems and surgical work would be fatal. Anise tried a few things but we couldn't get rid of them. How they got there and why they are there we don't know. Hercules said it might be something Nirriti did but there is nothing I can come up with to confirm or deny that." Janet said.
"If Nirriti is behind this, we better keep security up. What is this device doing?" Jack asked.
"If we get more than twenty five feet from each other causes massive head pain. Too far could be fatal." Ford muttered.
"Unfortunately it would be fatal. When Mel came in to the infirmary, her body was beginning to shut down. Her heart beat was so high that if Ford hadn't came in when he did, she'd probably be dead. There's no medication that they can use to counteract this and no way I can come up with to remove them. If I try to remove it, there's a high probability that I would do more harm than good." Janet said.
"So you're both stuck together until we find a way to get rid of these devices?" Carter asked. Ford could hear a slight tone of jealousy in her voice.
"Luckily we're friends or this would be very unpleasant." Ford said.
"So what do I do?" Mel asked. "It's nice here, but it's not home. And being confined to this base for a long period of time isn't appealing."
She was wearing a three piece suit which was red. A lot like the one she was wearing when they first met her, but being red this time. She didn't have the zat gun with her this time either.
"Unfortunately we still have a problem with Ford. With Anise's help, we have determined that he is responsible for the death of Senator Kinsey and Army Lieutenant Francis Porter. What I need to know is what legally needs to be done." Hammond said looking at the JAG officers. "With this new development, he can't leave the base for a trial."
"Considering this is a classified area and I doubt there is enough people that know enough about this place to make a jury, I say we try and settle this here unless you want to go to trial." Harm said.
"Go to trial? I'm guilty! Sure I was brainwashed, but considering that I hated the man to begin with, that would really blow the case. I don't know what to do. I can't be placed in jail since I know more than I should including a few of your CIA operations that you did. The death penalty is an option, but I don't want to go there."
"The death penalty might be the only option." A.J. stated.
"That would be ill advised gentlemen. Other than because Ford did not do it intentionally but also because evidence shows if either one of them dies, there is a high possibility that the other will die to." Janet said.
"I admit I could care less about Kinsey. His family, assuming someone like him had one, probably are being reimburse by the government."
"He has a wife." Harm said.
"That's a surprise. What about Francis?"
"He left behind a wife and two children."
"Damn. Unfortunately the most I can do is give them money." Ford said rubbing his face in frustration.
"If it weren't for your circumstances, you'd be in a court room with the death penalty being just about your only option." A.J. said. "Going to court is out of the question seeing as the classification here. How much can you give them?"
"A million. Tax free. Maybe more."
"I suggest that we keep this incident classified. The story she was told can stay the same and we'll give her the money saying it's because of his service or some other story." Harm said. "When can you have the money?"
"We can have it to you within the morning. If that's all there is to be done?" Hammond said.
"If there are any other legal problems we will contact you." A.J. said getting up.
They shook hands and said that this was the weirdest and most memorable experience that they ever had. They also knew that everything was classified. It was also the shortest case they had too.
"Thanks for your help Commander." Ford said shaking his hand.
"I'm glad I was able to resolve it, for once without a court battle. I'm not going to ask about how you know about my CIA adventures." Rabb said.
"A little too much to shoulder as it is huh?"
"Way too much." he said putting his hat on. Hammond had a guard escort them out and then they sat back down again.
"We have another problem on our hands." Hammond started saying.
"One moment if I may General?"
When he nodded, Ford asked about what was happening if someone was looking for Maybourne and his cronies.
"After you first said that you met Maybourne those few days ago, a search team was set up and began looking for him immediately. So far, we haven't located him. When Maybourne is involved, something usually is up." Hammond said. "Now the other problem we have at the moment involves certain artifacts that have been stolen that were being shipped here for study. The plane that was bringing them was high jacked and crashed. Someone else we haven't figured out yet, took the artifacts then they were all later taken by a Lara Croft. At this moment they are still at her mansion in England."
"Did you say Lara Croft?" Daniel asked.
"Yes he did Daniel. Sir, despite my circumstances, I need to be on this mission." Ford said.
"Why?" Jack asked.
"I'm guessing you didn't tell him yet?"
"What you said last night, no. Hadn't gotten around to it." Carter said.
"Okay, well, the reason why Colonel is because I know her. I know her more than anyone on this planet. If she was being profiled, I'd be the one you'd want to call."
"How is that possible? She only stays home long enough to find another adventure to go off on." Daniel said. "You haven't even left the country to be able to see her in person."
"This must have something to do with you being from another universe." Carter said. "You muttered something about a game."
"Right. As stupid as this is going to sound, in my universe, she was a game icon. A few comics and books, but mostly a lot of games."
"What sort of games?" Jack asked.
"I do not understand. What do you mean by games Ford Primus?" Teal'c asked.
"Didn't I just ask that?" Jack said looking around the table. They ignored him though.
"You should have heard of the Playstation system by now. Actually, I think you own one Jack."
"I do."
"Anyway, there were eight different adventures she had that came to that system. A couple came to the Gameboy system as well."
"What sort of adventures?" Daniel asked. He seemed more intrigued than the others.
"Well the first adventure she had was based on finding a lost scion that came from Atlantis. Their was an alien race that…."
"I'm not familiar with that adventure. No one has found Atlantis yet. Certainly not her." Daniel said. "I'm hoping I find it first."
"Okay, maybe that one she didn't do here. The second one involved the Dagger of Xian."
"She did find that! I think it's on display at a museum in England still." Daniel said.
"Good. Now I'm not sounding crazy hopefully. Third or part two of two, was something to do with a lost Artifact. Something to with ancient meteor and the legendary Hand of Rathmore."
"Heard about that. Keep going?" Daniel said. Everyone was continuing to listen.
"Her third adventure had something that started in India and ended in Area 51 from what I remember. I'm having trouble remembering a lot about that one. It was one of the tougher ones. Part four dealt with something with Werner Von Croy. She had a few other exploits that were called the chronicles of Lara Croft. I never finished that one."
"I heard about her being in Area 51. Not many who get in there like she did ever get out." O'Neill said. "Luckily she never found anything we ever found."
"I know that she supposedly died but didn't. Found that out when they brought her back in what they called the Angel of Darkness. She was framed for murder and chased many places. I had so much trouble with that one. I couldn't even make cheats for it. And I'm a great computer hacker. That game I played on the computer instead of the Playstation."
"She was able to exonerate herself. Now she's got whatever those objects were that were coming here." Daniel said.
"Look on the bright side. At least we know where they are and who has them instead of some wacko or other person we might not ever find."
"Good point." Jack said.
"What else can you tell us about her adventures or other things that might help us understand her?" Hammond asked.
Ford spent a good part of the hour telling them about her other two adventures, which were movies where he came from, and more about her game adventures. The area's, enemies, and the things she picked up. He left out how the gamers placed ammo and other items around to help her. He didn't elaborate on what she was finding in the second movie.
"She hates when military forces or uninvited guest come to her house. More than likely, we go there, she'll shoot first ask questions later. She may be one person, but I'd lay odds that one of us would be seriously injured or killed. Besides that, if we killed her, we'd be in serious trouble. It'd be like killing a actor like Tom Cruise or something."
"Some of those things would have benefited scholars and other museum's if she didn't have to use them. She lectured once about how everything seemed to be a puzzle in her many adventures." Daniel said. "Considering what he knows, I suggest we let him come along General."
"Let me think about this. Tomorrow will be the day that you leave. Get some rest and I'll inform you of what you'll be doing then. Dismissed." he said letting them go.
"General if I may have a moment." Melissa said. "I need to go back and inform my uncle what has happened. When I left, I didn't leave much of a message behind of what I was going for."
"Alright. I'll have the gate dial up in a few moments. I assume that you're going Ford."
"Yeah. I don't mind and don't have much choice. I need a change of pace and fresh air anyway."
"Since Colonel O'Neill and the others have left, tell them before you go. Get back here soon, if you can. If not, call home and let us know." he said walking away to his office.
"Anything you need to bring with you before we go?" Ford asked.
"No. I have everything I can think of."
"Let's find O'Neill then we can go."
As they asked around seeing they heard he was in his office, Daniel came running up.
"I heard you hadn't left yet. I'm going back to continue helping and then I'll come home in the morning and go to England with you all. Assuming you get to go there anyway." he said adjusting his glasses.
"That works for me. We were going to inform Jack that we were leaving."
"He figured that. So if you leave now he won't notice."
"Good then. Glad to know he thought ahead."
After Daniel got his stuff they left through the gate. Melissa's glider was still parked where they left it and they took off. When they left the SGC, it was round about noontime. On her planet, the suns were still shining but she told them it was close to sleep time.
"How do you think your Uncle will take this situation we are in." Ford asked. Daniel was sitting in the back looking at something on his laptop.
"If you're wondering if he might get mad or something, don't worry. I know it's not your fault. My mind reading ability has told me you all were lost as I was. Hopefully your General will let us go to that, what area of you planet was it?"
"England. Beautiful country, not the best though."
She nodded before continued, "I would like to see the rest of Earth. To the place on the planet my kind came from."
"From what I remember, foxes are in England. Anthropology wasn't my field though."
"Anthropology?"
"Study of animals. That's just the basic term. Depending on what you do after that the name changes."
The rest of the ride was in silence. Once they got to town, Daniel went off with the another bunch that was headed back to the newly, or was once newly found lab. Ford followed her into the mansion. Draco kept quiet and completely still, or so Ford saw, as she told him what had happened.
"So it's nothing life threatening if you are together then?" When they nodded he continued. "So you plan on seeing more of Earth then until this is resolved I take it?"
"We are going to try." she said.
"Even if it takes years, hopefully not, I can't stay on the base forever. Eventually I would be allowed off base so she'd be able to see things then. I'd almost guarantee that she'll see Earth tomorrow."
"Well then. Good luck and let us know how it goes, when you can. Take what you'll need and well see you later." he said getting up to give her a hug. Zhaneel gave her one as well and then they left. Draco told Ford to take care of her before they left though.
Mel said she wanted to get a few things to bring, even though Ford said they'd provide anything she might need. She did allow Ford to come into her room to watch her pack. It was a simple room, dresser, mirror, small closet, bed, window, and a coat rack. Nothing fancy. If it weren't for the color and metal, it'd look like it came from a old west show. She grabbed a few pictures, some clothes, a book, and a old pocket watch. It looked rusty.
"This has been handed down through my family for many years. It worked once. According to the story behind it, it was a gift from your ancestor. We don't know when it gave out and never tried to fix it." she said holding in her hands for him to see. It died at 5:26 from what Ford read. "It was never on our time anyway."
"We have people that can more than likely fix it. Stuff that antique a lot of people like to try and make run again. I might be able to."
"We can try." she said putting in a small pouch and placing it in a suitcase. The suitcase looked worn out, but kept in the best condition possible.
"Nice room."
"Better looking than the rooms at the your base."
"That's true. When it was built, they needed a interior decorator."
"I'm ready." she said picking up her hat. Ford noticed it was the only hat she had and despite the many years old the clothes had to be, they looked really good still.
"Just curious, but ah, how do you keep your clothes looking so good?"
"Some machine does it all. Best way to put it is, a molecular cleaning or something like that. It wasn't something I really looked into understanding."
Ford nodded dropping the subject. The ride back was uneventful and quite. She had someone accompany them to the gate so they could return the glider in case it was needed elsewhere. Ford somehow fell asleep on the way back. She was able to wake him easily though, or so she thought. Hercules had to tell him in his dream that Mel was trying to wake him.
"Sorry, must have dozed off." he said stretching.
She shook her head and grabbed her suitcase. Ford had offered to carry it earlier, but she said she wanted to do it. Ford dialed home and put the GDO code through. Hammond was waiting as usual on the other side as they came through.
"How did it go?" he said then seeing her with a suitcase. "I guess that mean everything's going to be okay."
"Her Uncle didn't mind. He trust us." Ford said.
"That's good to hear. We'll do everything we can to make it a comfortable stay until this situation is resolved."
"Thank you General. I know you are trying your best. I'm thinking of it as a…vacation as Ford described it could be."
"As much as it I'd like to say you should stay here on the base, your better off going with them tomorrow. I've read some of the reports we have on Miss Croft and a lot of what you said she has done. Unlike Doctor Jackson who can figure out most ruins SG-1 or any SG team find, you have better knowledge of what might happen. She has military training and a diplomatic incident is the last thing we need considering what we are going for."
"Thanks General."
"You're dismissed until tomorrow then." he said turning to leave. "Oh, I almost forgot. Agent Gibbs and his branch sent back your equipment and other things they confiscated from your home. They put them in your garage. After you told me about the altercation at your home, I made a few phone calls. Your house should be fixed by now."
"Thanks General. I was wondering when I'd have time to fix that. Saved me some trouble. About my equipment, umm…do I send someone off base to get it?"
"Normally I'd say no in this situation, but it appears that the rouge N.I.D. tried to find that secretly locked place of yours. I want you to go and get those objects and bring them back here for the time being. You're the only one that can open it since it requires your presence." Hammond said. He nodded to Mel then left.
"Well, let's get you to your room then we can take off."
As they approached the room she was in once before, Carter came up behind them.
"I heard General Hammond said your going tomorrow. I'm glad to hear it. I came to tell you I had someone from the base here go get your car. I figured that since you didn't know how long you'd be staying here until you two's problem gets resolved…"
"I completely spaced that." Ford said smacking his head. "Thanks Carter. I owe you one."
"Don't worry about. You helped me with my bike so were even."
"That works. Just call if there's any trouble with it."
"We're having a early dinner in the cafeteria if you want to join us. O'Neill figured since we were leaving here straight to the airport, it'd be easier if we just all stayed the night at the SGC." she said.
"Sure, we'll be along in a moment." Ford said. Carter nodded then left.
"I'm more hungry than tired. I'll just put this in here and then we can go eat. After that we can figure out the sleeping arrangements." Mel said as her stomach growled. She walked into the room setting the bag down.
"So am I. That short nap gave me enough energy to stay awake almost all night. Besides, you'll be able to see what our world looks like when we go to my house for my stuff. Even better, you'll see a my vehicle. It can't fly, but it's still fast." he was saying as they left.
Do you plan on driving like you did before?
What makes you think I would?
You like to show off.
I do not!!!
You can't fool me. I can see your memories. You show off sometimes without thinking. Besides the other car your working on will require some of those fancy driving techniques.
Ford didn't respond to that.
