CHAPTER 74

EPISODE………………..COLLATERAL DAMAGE

"Hey Walter, is the Prometheus still in orbit?" Ford asked walking up and sitting down in the chair next to him.

"I believe so General. Is there a problem?"

"No. Just need them to check out a planet. It's safe and uninhabited, but I need some additional information on it before I continue with something. Sending a team won't help because this project needs a planetary scan."

"I'll contact them right away."

Moments later he reported he had contact.

"General, what can we do for you today?"

"I'm having some information being sent to the computers, right now." he said typing in the necessary codes and such after placing a CD in the drive. "Unless you have other important plan I don't know about, I need you to follow the information provided in the upload being sent to you."

"One moment General." the Colonel said as he read the basics. "Hmm. Shouldn't be a problem, unless there is planetary interference with the needed scans. If there anything at the SGC we need to take with, or anyone?"

"No. Not unless someone on board thinks they need something. Carter can't go in case anyone ask and neither can I."

"I'll let them appropriate departments know General. We'll should be able to leave in three hours time. After that, we'll be back in one week."

"Thank Colonel." he said signing off.

One week later, after sending the Prometheus out, they came back with very promising results. The day after.

"Walter, she still up there?"

"Um, can you be more specific General?" he asked unsure of what Ford meant.

"Up there, you know. In space. Prometheus."

"Oh. Yes General."

"You thought I meant, being underground. No." he said as Walter nodded.

"I'll get them right away."

"General. Is there a problem with the results? Or is this a social call?"

"Little of both you could say. I need to take this information and a few other things to D.C., personally. Will you be in orbit long enough for me to get transported there for about an hour or so, then beam be back here?"

"Sure General, not problem at all. You want us to do it now?"

"Not ready yet. I'll have Walter call you back Colonel. Thanks again."

He informed the team he was going to be gone for a hour or so and he'd be right back, so he left Mitchell in charge since Reynolds was off word.

Ford came into the Gate Control room with a briefcase and in full uniform, plus his coat as always.

"I'm ready Colonel." Ford said after having Walter call the Prometheus back.

"Be in D.C. in a few seconds General. Good luck with whatever it is."

"Thanks."

Half an hour later, he was sitting with the appropriation committee and a few other department heads. They looked over his proposal and talked in hushed tones.

"Did anyone else in the SGC come up with this idea, or is it all your own?" one of the men asked.

"It's all mine. Which is why I had this particular planet picked out. It has a very large amount of a certain mixture of…chemicals and other things that can be made to create something, I would personally like to see made on the planet. This thing I would like to see created would also help with the testing of other technologies, such as planes for instance. Though it can take off quickly, runway's are still needed for the X-302's. Though it doesn't need a long runways, those Daedalus class ships are rather huge and need a big parking spot, not to mention making them on Earth isn't easy to hide very well. And, part of my personal funds would help in this."

"So, personal reasons were the main reason you wished to submit this proposal. Not for everything else it states." the man said not happily.

"No, well yes in some ways. Look." he said getting up from behind the table. The area they were talking in might as well have been a large court room. Lots of seats behind the two large tables on either side, with the committee members and other departments heads behind a large bench, kinda like a judge had, just much, much longer. He walked around in front of it and paced back and forth talking.

"I know that we are currently making things on this planet, that if the press got hold of, and released, there would be troubles on a global scale. So, if we could establish a base off world, which has a totally functioning Stargate, with a completely new address just like the Alpha site, we could build fly, blow up and do whatever on that planet without any press being around. No real need for secrecy, looking over shoulders for leaks or such. Whoever would be sent to this planet, which has been scouted by the Prometheus, are going to be safe. The climate is nice, good ground for growing food if they wish, fresh water in many places. Plenty of open spaces, such as the place I indicated where the research base could be built. Flight time to the planet is less than a week depending on how long it takes to drop off everything. I know this project would be long term, but the benefits would be worth it. Small items being built could still be made here on Earth, bigger things, such as the ships could be built there without scrutiny of the media. The planet has some nice metals in it and a few other things, including a few places with naquada. Not much, but enough to do research purposes."

"What is this, personal reason?" another person asked.

"I want a road built."

"A road?" a few people asked perplexed and confused.

"General Carter is known very well, by a few people, for his tendencies to break the posted speed limit because he thinks it's funny." a man that was part of the team that went up to the ship when Thor brought all that gold. "He wants a road built where he can drive his stupid car at high speeds without endangering others, am I correct, General?"

"That stupid car, as you put it, is the fastest thing on wheels, and I've never topped out the speed, so yes. I want a road built to test it out. Whether this road is built or not is not up to me. I just said it would be nice to see. That mixture of chemicals and such that I spoke of is everything needed to create asphalt and concrete. Lots of it. And since this planet, which is almost twice the size of Earth, and has enough of that stuff to create a large road that could circle this planet a good five times, I figured it wouldn't be much of a problem to built. Got to go out and explore anyway. Not to mention needing access to those areas where we need to mine for precious metals and such. Besides, making a road isn't that hard. All I ask is for a long straight road. Nothing fancy."

"How long are we talking here? A couple hundred miles?"

"A thousand if possible. I have the years to wait till it is done."

"A thousand miles?!" more than a few people exclaimed.

"Look at it this way. This planet is on the verge of over population. In ten years, they say there will be something like another billion or more people added to the current population. There's a good chance, by then, the world will know that we are out there, and we'll need to start colonizing other planets. With that road way built along with others along it, you'll already be on your way to making it possible for real estate placement along those routes. You people need to start thinking long term here. The Earth will only sustain us for so long, then that's it. Eventually, we won't be able to feed everyone, much less have room for anyone. Money will only go so far and then it won't be worth anything."

"You've made your point General." the head of the group said. "Your proposal will be looked into. It is something we will have to look at very soon, for future sake as you pointed out. As for your, road, that will be taken into advisement."

"Thank you. Now, I must get back to the base. Oh, if you do follow this through, on the proposal, you might to find out if the other governments want to send their own people too. We don't need a international crisis because we didn't tell them something. Already got enough trouble with the Russians."

"That will be taken under advisement as well."

Back at the base, Sam entered his office as he was putting the briefcase in the corner.

"Nice idea. Glad I got to read the proposal. Just sorry I wasn't part of its planning. What did they say?"

"Under advisement." he said sitting on the edge. "But I think the Prometheus will be doing a lot of transport work very soon. As for what I wanted, not sure."

"The Autobahn wasn't enough for you?" she said with a smile.

"I told you it was a lot of fun. It just wasn't far enough. Now, had I been able to do so, say, back just after the war and such, before the large cities came in, making speed limits start, then yeah. Then it would have been enough. I just got to keep hoping they'll build it anyway."

"Speed freak." she said standing up.

"You're one too."

"Only in the air maybe. On the ground, I only go so fast. Remember, I don't heal like you do."

"I know." he said sadly. "I really wish it was possible for us to spend forever, together."

"Never know. Maybe there is something out there that will expand human life. We just haven't found it yet. I can't see us being together, forever, mostly because I know what it's like to age, while you never really notice it." she said as he snorted lightly. "But that doesn't mean I wouldn't welcome the idea of the possibility."

The next day, in some senses……………..

Mitchell awoke, still remembering some strange memories, about a woman he took home, made out with, looking around the house, and something that made him wonder, because it was a little horrific. He turned over slowly blinking as light came through some windows. He looked at his hands seeing dried blood on them and remembered the dream or memories of beating some woman up. He slowly got up and turned to his side, still stuck on the strange memories as he heard banging on a door and people yelling. A group of people came in, held him to the ground and tied his hands behind his back.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Colonel Mitchell?" some man he couldn't see asked.

"Yeah. What happened?"

"Bring him."

He was hauled to his feet and took down a hallway, past a table into the kitchen area that lead to an open dinning room. The man that was speaking to him pointed at the kitchen floor as Mitchell was released to go look. On the floor was a woman, with blood around her head and a strange black object, that could have been a little or small statue with blood on it just off to her right. She was fairly good looking and had brunette hair that was more than shoulder length.

"Oh my god." he muttered.

"Colonel Mitchell, I am placing you under arrest for the murder of Doctor Reya Varrick."

24 hours earlier.

Mitchell was sitting in a chair, with a few wires that had blue glowing attachments on each side of his face. One on each side of his temple, just by his eye and one just under his jaw line. The small room around the chair was lit up with glowing walls. The chair had blue padding with metal panels and ports under the entire chair. A large computer panel with what looked like buttons and a few other unknown panels where just behind the head rest where the wires connected to the chair.

Outside this small corner was a room with a large computer. The rest of the room was mostly made up of computer panels built into the walls, with glowing panels and lights. A few screens were around in different areas. Two men sat at it looking at brain waves and other results as it was scanning Mitchell's brain. The computer was extremely large and had a huge console. One either side of the main console was a large see through screen with lots of lines, like a circuit board. In the middle between the two glass panels, which looked like circuit boards was a few smaller screen that showed different lines and graphs about the person in the chair. The rest of SG-1, minus Ford, was watching as Mitchell went through the process as part of a demonstration. Teal'c stood with his hands behind his back, Carter with her hands intertwined in front of her and Daniel with his arms crossed.

Mitchell was having a memory, someone else's memory, for the purpose of showing what it could do. He was having the memory of one of the scientist at the computer, a memory involving a Doctor Reya Varrick and some night they spent together at her house in celebration of her being the new leader of a project. The current project she was currently on dealing with the Stargate.

He sat up as the memory stopped.

"Wow."

"Colonel…" a woman behind him asked. "How do you feel?"

He turned in the chair to look at her as he placed a arm on the back rest.

"That's just weird." he said with a smile. "I was having a conversation with you, it was about a year ago. But we just met yesterday."

"I was the one, who had a conversation with Doctor Varrick." a tall, late forties, blonde haired man said as he walked up a few steps closer to the chair. "What you experienced, was my memory."

"That's amazing." Daniel said obviously amazed.

"Oh believe me Doctor Jackson, this is just the beginning." the man said turning to him briefly.

"The memory, was copied from the emissaries mind," Varrick said as she removed the wires from Mitchell's head. "And spliced into yours. Once there, we incorporated it into your consciousness, like a transplant organ becoming part of a new body."

"I could swear I was there."

Mitchell got up once the wires were removed and walked back to the team quickly.

"I don't really know what we were talking about, but we were talking."

"Of course, that was just a small demonstration, but we are still trying to perfect the process. But we believe, that eventually, the device will become a valuable educational tool." she said standing next to the emissary.

"Imagine, your most brilliant surgeons and engineers, instantaneously transferring the full memory of their education and experiences to young students. You could conceivably cut their training time in half from years to a matter of weeks."

"And you say that you adapted this technology from a Goa'uld memory device?" Carter asked.

"That's correct." Varrick said.

"Um, if you don't mind our asking, where did you get your hands on one of those?" Daniel asked.

Varrick started to talk when the emissary spoke.

"This planet has been under the protection of the Asguard for many generations. But it was originally occupied by the Goa'uld. That device was discovered by our archeologist over a hundred years ago. But it wasn't until recently that our understanding of the technology advanced to the point where we could create the memory transfer. It was Doctor Varrick, that made the final break through."

"The emissary is exaggerating." she said blushing slightly. "I was just the last in a long line of scientist working on the project."

"The last is the one who gets it right." Mitchell said.

She laughed very lightly and looked away. Carter and Daniel looked at Mitchell.

"What?"

"Thank you for your demonstration. We must report back and give our report." Carter said.

They nodded and had someone help them back to the gate seeing as they were pretty deep in the facility.

"I think Ford will want to try that device."

"Why do you think that?"

"Ford's been mentioning something about memories he…basically doesn't recognize." she said as they walked up to the gate.

"What if we don't come back?" Mitchell asked.

"I do not think that will happen Colonel Mitchell." Teal'c stated.

"I don't think that either." Carter said with a smile. "Ford's definitely going to want to come here."

"What is it you all know that you're not telling me?" Mitchell asked. They never answered him though.

After the post op in the infirmary, they were in the briefing room giving Ford a run down a few hours later. Sam gave him the jist of some of the stuff they learned and he had to make a few phones calls. He would have went with the first time, but Reynolds wasn't back from his mission. At the time anyway.

"The Galarans haven't perfected the memory implant technology to the point where it would have wide spread applications." Carter said sitting off to his right. "But from Colonel Mitchell's experience, it sounds like they are well on their way."

"Cool."

"Very cool General."

"If they succeed in this endeavor, it could artificially accelerate their advancement in technology." Daniel said.

"I think that's the point." Mitchell said.

"I'm saying it could be dangerous." Daniel said.

"Used wrongly, yes. Such as weapon research to bomb neighbors, as in countries and such. But the medical and certain other fields isn't a bad idea. If done properly." Ford said.

"Well, with the Asguard doing a lot of rebuilding, and research into that metal. They haven't had a lot of time to do a lot of protecting." she said. "The Galarans think they need to play catch up."

"Figures. I bet other planets are doing the same that were under the protection treaty. Haven't heard from Thor and them lately too. Hopefully everything is doing okay. Did these people ask for anything from us?"

"Actually they did." Daniel said.

"I believe they are wishing to agree to diplomatic talks because of the lack of protection." Teal'c said. "They are undoubtedly aware of our success against the Goa'uld."

"Opening of trade in particular." Daniel said.

"Sounds like a good idea. Did they, ah, make any special request, to which I might not have to guess much?"

"Well, at the current moment, they have no interstellar capabilities." she said.

"And I thought you were going to say weapons."

"They may want that, but mostly, they want help with their current hyperdrive technology development. They've been working with no success for quite some time." she said.

"So, I'm going to guess he showed the memory device to….say, a olive branch gesture of goodwill to give us in exchange for helping them with interstellar capabilities?"

"Yeah, that about sums it up, though I think the emissary was not telling us everything." Daniel said.

"Not all negotiations ever all complete truths. But this idea for the memory thing got the Joint Chiefs all rallied up. They'd like to use it to train pilots in a matter of days instead of weeks or months. Not a bad idea really, in some cases. So, let's set up another meeting, since I've been authorized to try to get them to share it, and I'll get Reynolds to take over while we are gone."

"Well, we actually don't have to set up a meeting. We've been invited back for a reception as guest for honoring the scientist who developed the implant technology." she said.

"Alright." Ford said smiling. "Things like this that make me proud of this team and to be a member of it."

"Heard there is going to be dancing." Mitchell said.

"This is getting better." Ford said giving Carter a wink as he stood.

"Oh, you haven't heard the best news yet." she said smiling brightly.

"I thought we were going to let him see that part of the surprise." Mitchell said.

"No. If he sees it, then we might loose him for awhile. In this case, he'll know about it and still will do his job, and then maybe get to see them later."

"Out with it Colonels. What are you hiding?" he asked eyeing them suspiciously.

"I want you to guess." she said.

"Teal'c, please tell me what it is?"

"The have automobiles."

"YES!"

That night, on top of a large hill with lots of small building around and a very large, but shallow pool for looks, was where the reception was held. It was a party goers thing. A few small trees in several places, none near each other. A few tables were around with drink and small foods. Some waiters walked around. A few small benches, made of rock, but rounded were under the trees. Lights were on, lighting up the place rather well so everyone could see everything. Music played in the background. Some lights were in under the water and had a lily like flowers floating in them. A few strange sculptures that were a frosty glass were around the place, in a variety of colors. They kinda had a almost funnel shape to them. A lot of people were mingling around, talking, eating, some actually dancing. SG-1 didn't bring their weapons and even Ford left all his behind, except what was in his coat, such as the blades in his arms and the hidden CZ-75.

"Check that out, even on a alien world, a wallflower." Mitchell said as he and Doctor Varrick walked past the pool and some people. They were talking and mingling together as the rest of SG-1 was talking to other people as a group.

"Doctor Amaro. He's worked on the project for many years." she said as they walked past the doctor who seemed very intent on looking at his drink as he stood by the edge of the pool.

"He doesn't look like he's enjoying the party." Mitchell said as they both past by the rest of his team, several feet away, who were talking to the emissary.

"You know how it is with scientist. You spend so much time in a lab, I think that's where you feel most comfortable."

"In your case, I find that hard to believe."

"Are you suggesting that I don't work as hard as my colleagues?" she asked stopping and turning to him.

"No, no, god, no. That was suppose to be a compliment. Colonel Carter is a scientist as is the General, but they sometimes don't act like it. You kinda remind me of them in some ways."

"Guess I'll have to take your word for it."

The rest of SG-1 was talking to the emissary. They each had a drink in their hands, in small cups. Teal'c had water. Daniel was told to only have one drink because it was alcohol and they knew how Daniel got when intoxicated. Sam was restricted to one, so she didn't make a scene, just in case and Ford only had one seeing as it was a little stronger than wine, but he felt he could tolerate it. As for Mitchell, he said he could handle stuff like that pretty well, so he was restricted to knowing his limit.

"No, it's not that I don't appreciate the potential of the technology. It's just that we are talking about your memory here." Daniel said. "It's fundamental to your identity. If you can't trust it, you're lost."

"Your memory is already less objective than you think it is Doctor Jackson." the emissary said.

"Well, he's got a point. Just ask any cop who had to take eye witness testimony." she said. "Ford, you were a cop once. What do you think?"

"Yes General. I'd like to know your thoughts."

"For that application, it would do good for getting rid of criminals faster. Finding out who did what and who's lying and such. If it was closely monitored, it would be worth it. There'd certainly be less drawn out trails."

"See, that's exactly what I mean Doctor Jackson. The principle right there makes it worth while." the emissary said.

"Yeah, but there is a big difference between getting a license's plate wrong and not knowing if the four years you spent in college ever happened." Daniel said.

"Yes, but that would not be the case, because everyone receiving the treatment would be aware of what they were getting."

"So long as the technology is not abused." Teal'c said.

"Well, that's a risk with all new technologies."

"Yes, but with this sort of technology. I think it warrants extremely accurate watchfulness. Any mistake could totally ruin anyone who uses it. So just closely watching it wouldn't be enough. Scrupulous and meticulous watch on this technology is what is needed before and during any uses. That's my opinion." Ford said.

"That is a agreeable statement General. Close watch is something that is taken place during every use. But a closer watch to make sure thing don't go wrong and more people who know how it works and what to look for if things start to go wrong would help the advancement of this technology and help in keeping things from going wrong even less."

"As long as it is never abused, as Teal'c said, and kept a close eye on, as I said, I agree with continuing on keeping with this technology."

"I'm glad you see the wisdom in our work General. If you'll excuse me. There are some people I need to speak too."

Mitchell and Varrick were still talking when another man, one of the guys that ran the computer for the memory machine walked up interrupting them.

"Reya." the man said with a serious tone.

"Doctor Marell. This is Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell."

"We have to talk."

"Excuse me." she said following him away leaving a perplexed Mitchell who wondered why the man looked so concerned and upset about something.

"Having fun Mitchell?" Ford asked as they all walked up.

"Yeah." he said lightly. "But I don't think that diplomacy is my thing."

"So that's what you're doing." Daniel said.

"What?" Mitchell said as Ford barely suppressed a chuckle.

"Oh come on Mitchell. You're practically hanging off her arm." Ford said quietly.

"I am not." he said seeing Sam's smile, Teal'c's and the other two as well. "General."

"Don't worry about protocol right now Mitchell. We're here to have fun, mingle and do whatever diplomacy we can. Just remember the rules about being off world and such hmm." he said finishing his drink as did Daniel who looked away at Mitchell's glare.

Marell gave a piece of folded up paper to her. She instantly looked worried plus upset as she began looking around. She found who she was looking for off to her left and started walking away quickly, to which SG-1 noticed.

"Reya, wait." Marell began saying.

"Why wasn't I informed of this?" she asked a little loudly to the emissary as he was talking to two other people.

"Excuse me." he said pulling her aside. "What?"

"You moved up the test schedule, and you selected a group of volunteers. When did this happen?" she asked still being a little loud about it, just enough only those paying attention would hear, such as another scientist who was watching and Ford.

"We've been very impressed with your progress. We thought it was time to take your research to the next level." he said as she crossed her arms in anger. "You should take it as a compliment."

"I noticed all the test subjects are military officers. How should I take that?"

"This is still a classified operation." he said with a small warning tone.

"You gave me your personal assurance that this project would remain under civilian control."

"And it has. The military is simply making their contribution."

"I've seen what those 'contributions' can lead too!"

Daniel and the rest of SG-1 heard this more.

"You've been following the conversation haven't you?" Carter asked quietly in her drink.

"Yes. Typical stuff like at the base. Civilian controlled operation being pushed by military might."

"Oh." the three said as Teal'c nodded.

"You are overreacting, and in any case, this is hardly the place to discuss this sort of thing." the emissary said as SG-1 spoke quietly to each other.

"This conversation isn't over." she said stalking away.

"I'll be back." Mitchell said walking away.

"Be careful Mitchell. You Daniel and Teal'c may or may not stay the night here, but me and Sam are going home for the night and will be back tomorrow. I'd rather not come back to any trouble you got into by accident or otherwise."

"I understand." he said with a nod as he rushed off. He caught up with her as she entered one of the small houses and was heading for the door. "Reya, wait up."

She stopped and turned to him slowly.

"I heard only part of that, what was it all about?"

"You heard huh? Bet a lot of people did. I should have seen this coming." she said placing her hands on her hips. "They are going to take the project away from me."

"Sounds familiar, but why?" he asked crossing his arms. "You're the one that figured the whole thing out."

"Which means they no longer need me. I know where this is coming from. It's the General Staff. They want to control the technology without any interference from civilian scientist." she said with obvious anger and upset tone as she waved her arms around. "I swore I wouldn't let that happen."

Mitchell kept quiet watching her as she thought then gave him a strange look.

"Why am I telling you all of this? You're a military officer yourself. If you get your hands on this technology, you'll end up doing the same thing on your planet." she said then turned away in some disgust.

"Hey, I'm not a big fan of the misuse of technology on any planet. Besides that, my commanding officer, General Carter actually has a problem with people who think that way and would probably side with you in a heartbeat. He's military, but has…we'll say more love for the civilian help that those that have a military status. Except for his wife of course. The point is, I think I may be able to help you, or we I should say."

"We?"

"Me and my team."

"How?" she asked stepping in front of him

"Well, obviously your government is keen on forming a relationship with mine. That gives us some leverage."

"You'd use your influence to help me?"

"I, or we could try."

"Well," she said with a smile as she looked back at the crowd of people. "I really don't want to go back out there."

He looked out there seeing the people mingling as usual and saw the team glancing at him slightly.

"Maybe you could take me home. It's not far. I don't like to walk home at night."

"Really?"

She snorted lightly.

"Don't they have crime on your planet?"

"Oh yeah." he said following her to the door as the emissary was walking toward them with two cups. The emissary walked away with a not so happy face as they left.

"I hope he doesn't get in trouble." Ford muttered as he took Carter's cup and his, placing them on a waiter's tray as the guy came by. "You guys can go talk or whatever."

"You two are going home already?" Daniel asked.

"I thought you wanted to see one or some of their vehicles?" she asked.

"No, we aren't going home, unless you want to Sam. As for their vehicles, I'm going to look at them tomorrow."

"I'm fine with staying awhile."

"Good." he said removing his coat and setting it on a bench near them. He put his arm out, elbow first. "Mrs. Carter, would you care to dance?"

"I would love to." she said taking his arm as they walked out near the water where other people were dancing.

"I really envy that." Daniel muttered as they began dancing.

"I believe that one day, you will find another woman to love again Doctor Jackson." Teal'c said.

"Thanks Teal'c. Hopefully it will be sooner than later." he said finishing his cup.

Mitchell closed the large glass door as she walked to the wall nearby and turned on the lights.

"Oh, wow." he said as she moved to a small bar in a hallway near the front door. "Don't move."

He looked around as she sat on the mini bar. He walked up slowly looking.

"The night the emissary told you, you were being put in charge of the project. He came here, right?"
"That's right." she said with a small laugh.

"This is weird. I know I have never been here before, but I recognize this place."

"Then you know where the drinks are." she said getting up and walking away. "Help yourself and pour me one too."

The bar was against the wall with three shelves and a large mirror behind it. Strange glasses were on the top and second shelf. Some of the glasses were something you could even find on Earth. The bottom shelf had a variety of different bottle filled with different drinks. On the ends of the top of the bar, near the drinks were a couple of yellow frosted balls that gave off light. A strange and unknown small black statue that was about a foot high and less that a 3 inches thick stood on the counter.

Mitchell smiled as he turned and pulled a couple of large and thin goblet glasses. He pulled the top off a very big bottle, smelled it and then poured drinks. She came back into the room and leaned against the kitchen counter as he handed her the drink.

"It's impressive. Do all government scientist live like this?" he asked looking at the large couch that was in front of a built into the wall fire place, a gas type one from the looks of it, that was current running.

"The success of the project has brought me a few privileges." she said setting her drink aside. "Sometimes I feel a little guilty. Most of my colleagues from when I was in the academy don't even live so well."

"Well, I'm sure you deserve it." he said toasting her.

She took a small drink while he took a big one.

"Wow." he said making her laugh. "That doesn't pull any punches, does it?"

She was still laughing lightly as he walked up and placed his drink on the counter near hers.

"After the day I just had, that's the whole point." she said as he opened his jacket.

"So, you live here on your own?" he asked walking past her as he glanced around.

"Why do you ask?" she asked as he stood against the counter on her right.

"Well, it's a big place." he said as he turned to him and stepped a little closer. "I don't know. Just….just curious I guess."

"Oh, I thought that was your clever way of asking if I was married." she said standing in front of him, touching his shirt. She was ready to get all over him and he knew it.

"I'm not that clever." he said not stopping her as she moved very close.

"Well, the answer is I'm not married. I live alone." she said with her face inches from his. "I was married for awhile but the job got in the way."

"That much I understand."

"Then we're not that much different after all."

There was little if any communication as they began to make out. She had her arms around his neck.

"We shouldn't do this." he said looking down after a few moments.

"You wouldn't have come here if you didn't want to." she said then went right back to kissing him. He slipped his arms around her.

"Hmm. I didn't say I didn't want to."

The next morning, he awoke on the floor in her house. Ford and Carter came back to the planet, after Daniel had to come get them. Ford was so looking forward to the memory device and seeing their vehicle industry, but with the news they just got, it would have to wait. The team was escorted to a large room, lined with large open shelves along the walls that had various small objects and a couple of books, a couple of black couches with metals frames and a small glass table in front of the couches. A potted plant was on the table. The emissary had a large desk, covered with different objects including some sort of light on a pole. Behind the desk was a nice chair and a few flags along with some ribbon thing and a couple of hanging plants. Two metal chairs were in front of the desk. There was a few other plant in the room, even some by the mini bar that they past upon entering the room, off to their left.

"What's this that we hear about Colonel Mitchell and some crime?" Ford asked as he was the first to enter the room. The guard that brought them stayed by the door as the rest filed in.

"He's been taken into custody." the emissary said as they followed him to his desk. He went behind it and messed with some stuff on the desk.

"Why?" she asked.

"He killed Doctor Varrick."

"What?" Ford exclaimed. "That's not possible. I don't even see a motive. They were practically ready to…um. I could tell they had a lot of attraction for each other last night and Mitchell isn't someone who would do something like this. What sort of evidence do you have to support this theory?"

"When we found him his blood alcohol level was extremely high. I suspect is was some un-premeditated crime of passion. We know they left the party together."

"We knew that too." Ford said crossing his arms. "What about evidence?"

"We found her blood on his hands, and his fingerprints on the weapon. Most importantly, he confessed."

"Say what?" Ford asked with shock and confusion that was even on the rest of the teams face.

"I said…."

"Sorry. That was a rhetorical question emissary. Can we see him or talk to him?"

"Yes." the emissary said as he motioned for the guard to escort them.

Mitchell was, minus his uniform coat, sitting in a jail cell, very similar to the ones back on Earth. He was sitting on a small bench that wasn't against the wall and looking down at the ground. His hands were chained. A guard stood behind the team against the wall as they walked in.

"I refuse to believe that he did this. It's not possible." Ford said as they walked up to the cage. "Mitchell, what happened? We leave one night, I tell you to be careful and now they say you brutally murdered that lady. Doesn't fit what I've learned about you."

"I did it." he muttered quietly.

Ford leaned against the cage as Sam grabbed the bars.

"I don't think you did it Colonel. Neither does the rest of us." he said as they nodded.

"Cam, what happened?" she asked gently.

"I don't know really. The whole night is just a blur." he said as he remembered the scene playing in his head as he saw himself chasing her around the house and attacking her in the kitchen. "I just remember feeling this insane anger, and I don't know why."

The all saw him look up at them and it looked like he had possibly been crying.

"I picked up this statue, and I hit her with it."

He took a moment before going on, mostly because the memory was so strong.

"She was lying there helpless and, I, ah……"

"It wasn't you, okay." Daniel said. "I agree with Ford. Something is wrong. These people can implant memories."

"Yeah, I've been trying to tell myself the same thing all morning." he said barely holding back tears.

"Someone has wanted her dead for sometime now, I think. And when they saw you Mitchell, go home with her, they found an opportunity to kill her and frame you. And they did it by using the memory altering machine."

"Theory is sound. Why are…this is police reasoning kicking in huh?" Daniel asked.

"Hell, after last night's spat with the emissary. I should have noticed sooner that something might be happening."

"This theory would have to narrow down the people who could do it." Carter said.

"Yes. But why would anyone want her dead? Was it for credit for the accomplishments on the project or because she scorned someone is the question, or is there another reason, such as hate for her not loving someone in particular. Like someone who was jealous of her leaving with Mitchell."

"All good points." Daniel said.

"This doesn't help me from seeing her face, the terror and seeing myself bludgeon her to death." Mitchell said. "What if everything I told you, that happened here yesterday, was a false memory."

"Well, that would depend on what you told us that happened around us." Ford said.

"The emissary would like to speak to the prisoner." a man said walking up.

"Not without us present." Ford said getting off the cage wall.

The man nodded and opened the door bringing Mitchell out. They all went back to the emissary's office. A group of men were standing off to the left of SG-1. Mitchell was on their far right near them with a guard nearby.

"We need to talk about this so called evidence you have against Colonel Mitchell." Carter said.

"I want to see it as well if it's possible." Ford said.

"That won't be necessary." the emissary said as he walked past them to stand in front of Mitchell. "Colonel Mitchell is free to return to Earth."

"What?" both Ford and Mitchell said.

"I'm trying to convince the Cabinet to maintain your diplomatic status. I may not succeed."

"Wait a minute. If they think I'm guilty, why are they letting me go?" Mitchell asked with the same confusion that was on the rest of SG-1's face. The emissary went back and stood behind his desk.

"Because it is in the best interest of interplanetary diplomatic relations to put this behind us as quickly and quietly as possible."

"Ah. I see where this is going. If your government were to keep him here for trial and he was tried in some way our government didn't like, then any sort of trade agreements would probably not ever happen." Ford said.

"Yes, that's the best way of putting it." the emissary said.

"Hence the need for a scapegoat that could get away."

"I'm sorry." the emissary said.

"I'll put it another way. Someone wanted the now unfortunately late Doctor Varrick out of the way. Why, we don't know yet. Any number of reasons could be there. This person or persons may or may not have saw the somewhat loud conversation that you and her had before she left with Mitchell, to which this person or person's saw as well. That provided opportunity to get rid of her, and the means for there to be no questions asked if Mitchell were to be allowed to go home, because of his diplomatic status. Since Mitchell isn't capable of such a crime, and he says he remembers doing it though a lot of it was a blur, that leads to only one conclusion. He was in that memory machine, and was manipulated by someone who knows how to work it. Hence what I said about there needing to be a more scrupulous watch on it and its use. If that had been taking place, we wouldn't be in this predicament right now. So someone that works on that project is the real murderer."

"That may be true and probably is, but there is little we can do. Colonel Mitchell should be grateful that he is able to walk away. With the current evidence he would be convicted of this crime."

"I should be grateful to walk away with this memory stuck in my head." Mitchell growled out as he walked up to the desk. His hands were still tied behind his back.

"All right, if you agree to close the matter, we can have the memory removed from your mind and a more pleasant memory, on an uneventful evening put into its place."

"Just like that. We forget anything ever happened."

"Precisely. On the other hand, if you insist on a full investigation, I won't be able to protect you. If the evidence continues to point to you, then you will be convicted of this crime and the punishment for murder is death."

Sam started forward but Ford stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

"Can you give us a minute alone please?" Ford asked.

The emissary nodded and the group of men off to their left walked over to the doorway as SG-1 walked over to huddle up as it were.

"Cameron, we need to be careful here. We don't know how their legal system works." she said quietly.

"I'm leaving this up to you Mitchell. We can get your memory worked on and go home. And then depending on what you think, would depend on what I tell the Joint Chiefs. Personally, I think we should find out who got into your head."

"So do I General. I need to find out for myself."

"Are you sure about this Mitchell?" Daniel asked.

"I can't leave it like this. It wouldn't be right."

They turned back to the emissary who walked over.

"We've decided to see this through. It wouldn't look good to our people if Mitchell were to go home, even if this memory of something he never really did was taken away. The very fact you suggested to cover it up wouldn't look good to certain higher ups on our planet." Ford said. "Or me."

"Very well. But if it points to him really doing it, what then?"

"Then I will abide by your laws." Mitchell said.

A plan was put into action for the investigation. Daniel and Teal'c would look over the evidence while the Carter's would watch as Doctor Marell searched Mitchell's mind to see if the memory he had was implanted. Since Mitchell was extremely tired, stressed and needing food, they were going to check him out in a few hours. Since the evidence was being collected and complied for the other two to see, and despite some reservations that Carter had, she was going to allow Ford to try sitting in the chair to let him look through his own memories better. The two were led into the room with a couple of guards. The two scientist behind the computer came around as they walked in.

"Doctor Marell and Doctor Amuro will conduct the analysis on Colonel Mitchell when he comes here after resting. They will conduct the test on your General as well. If there is anything else you require…."

"As a matter of fact there is." she said turning to him as the scientist started getting the chair ready as Ford went to it and gave a small explanation why he wanted to do it. "We would like to conduct our own test on the blood sample you took from Colonel Mitchell. To corroborate the results."

"I will see to it."

"Please give the sample to Doctor Jackson and he'll take it back to our planet."

He nodded and left. She walked over and stood outside the small enclosure as one of the scientist stepped out and went back to the computer. Ford's coat was on the floor near her against the wall. They first did a memory recall of recent and some past events before helping him going back to his farthest memory, which took a bit of time. Ten minutes worth.

"These are some pretty interesting readings." Marell said.

The man agreed with a nod. She turned from watching them for a moment to see Ford's face was fidgeting.

"Is he okay?"

"The memories he is reliving must be upsetting. Perhaps a loss of someone or something. We can't see memories like opening a drawer and reading a file. Brain activity is extremely fluid, for everyone. Patterns shift and mutate. One memory color's another." Marell said.

"That's why you have to be so careful not to cause a graft. You don't want to cause to many inconsistencies." Amuro said.

"You can ask him what he is seeing if you wish." Marell said.

"Ford, what do you see?" she asked stepping closer.

"Some unfamiliar walls. A couple of consoles with Ancient language on them.…."

He sat up suddenly startling everyone.

"Whoa. So that's where my twenty years went. Damn. I didn't know I was that old." he said then rubbed his forehead. "I'm done now."

"What'd you see?" she asked again as Marell removed the wires.

"One word. Atlantis. I'll explain later." he muttered quietly.

"Daniel's going to want to hear this I take it?"

"Daniel's probably going to flip out."

Though she did bug him a few times, he didn't say anything other than the fact he was still going over everything in his mind. Mitchell came in later followed by two guards, and was still in the dark blue prisoner outfit. Marell told the guards he didn't want them in the room, so they stayed just outside. Ford and Carter stayed to watch and see as Mitchell sat in the chair.

"You fellas sure you want to be left alone with me?" Mitchell asked as Amuro placed the wires on him.

"Doctor Varrick was our colleague. If we thought for one minute that you killed her, then we wouldn't be helping you." Amuro said.

"Any idea on who might have or a group perhaps? I heard her mention something about the military getting involved in this project the night before she died and her saying something about not wanting it to happen." Ford said.

"True. She was going to do everything in her power to oppose the militarization of the project, so they got rid of her." Marell said.

"Very possible. Has happened on our planet, still does sometimes. Any proof yet?"

"No." Marell said as sat at the computer.

"Why frame me then?"

"They assumed you'd claim diplomatic immunity." Amuro said. "And therefore no prosecution would be necessary. The whole thing was to be swept under the carpet."

"Perfect cover up. Your government lets Mitchell go, as good will toward future trade relations. They hope and believe we'll accept the diplomatic part and not do any investigations. Leave it as it is and go on."

The two nodded.

"They assumed wrong." Mitchell said.

"And for that we are grateful." Marell said.

"Can you prove the memory is false?" she asked.

"Unfortunately, Doctor Varrick was the most qualified to do this work." Amuro said.

"You were able to help me remember…some very old memories, so I have no doubt you'll find the truth."

"Thank you General. I only hope we can do what you say." Marell said.

He started the computer and the screens came on.

"All right Colonel, we need to establish a base line. What I've done is identify a series of key memories from your childhood." Marell said turning the chair to face him. "These are seminal moments. They stand out like sign post, and they influence everything that came after them. I'm going to activate one now."

Mitchell leaned back and closed his eyes as Amuro kept watch behind the chair. He relived a memory of his father being in a V.A. hospital after a accident.

"This computer reminds me of one I've seen before." Ford muttered quietly as Mitchell was reliving a memory.

"It does?" she said giving it a quick glance. "It does seem like something I've seen before too."

"What do you see Cam?" Ford asked. "Hopefully something pleasant."

"Not really. I'm in a V.A. hospital sitting on a bench against the wall. My father was in a accident."

"He was a test pilot if I remember right." she said.

"Yeah." Mitchell said. "I walked in and saw him on the bed. He lost his knees and everything below that. It was the first time I saw him after the crash. Scared the hell out of me to see him like that. Somehow, he made it seem like everything was going to be okay."

"We're moving into a related memory now." Marell said hitting a few buttons.

(A.U. For those of you who have seen this episode, you should have noticed that in this part, for a brief moment, Mitchell was back in his uniform and then the next scene with him had him back in the prison outfit. But in this story, obviously, that doesn't happen.)

"It's a couple months later. We're watching the launch of the first space shuttle. I ah, can't be much more than ten years old."

His father told him if they could reach space, then the least he could do was walk again. The memory faded away as Amuro started taking the wires off.

"Well done Colonel." Amuro said.

He sat up and rubbed his temple.

"So, what's next?"

"With this data, we should precisely be able to calibrate the equipment, and then comes the hard part."

"We'll need to rerun through the memories of the murder." Amuro said as he finished removing the leads. "We may have to do it several times."

"Great." he muttered.

Daniel and Teal'c walked into the emissaries office and the guard that brought them went back outside.

"Teal'c, Doctor Jackson. What can I do for you?" he asked standing up from his desk.

"We've got a problem. This data file is suppose to contain all the materials pertaining to the murder investigation." he said holding up a clear plastic chip. "Large sections of Doctor Varrick's personal records have been deleted."

The emissary took the chip and looked at it.

"Well, she was involved in many of our most top secret projects. The deletions were made in the interest of national security, but I'm sure there is nothing missing in the material that has any bearing on the investigation."

"How are we to be certain?" Teal'c asked.

"Because I'm telling you."

Daniel took the data chip back and they left.

Mitchell relived the night that he and the doctor spent together. More than once.

"We must be missing something." Amuro said from where he was working on the computer.

"We've been through it three times." Marell said.

"What's the problem?" she asked turning to them.

"Maybe we should run another diagnostic." Amuro said.

"It's not going to change the results!" Marell stated forcefully as he pointed at the screens.

"Guys. Can you fill us in here?" Ford asked waving a hand between there faces.

"I need some air." Marell said leaving quickly.

"What's going on?"

"So far we can't find any evidence that the memory is false. According to the results, Colonel Mitchell really did murder Doctor Varrick." Amuro said.

"That's just not possible." Ford said shaking his head. "Something is being overlooked."

"I can't think of what it could be General. I would like to believe you, but everything points to it being Colonel Mitchell."

"I'm going to go get Doctor Marell back in here." she said walking out as he nodded.

Marell was just outside the room, in the hallway looking frustrated and furious when she came out.

"Doctor Marell, you have to continue with the analysis, please. You know he didn't do this." she said with a pleading tone.

"That's not what the machine says." he said forcefully as he looked at her sternly.

"Look, I know Doctor Varrick was your friend…"

"She was more than that Colonel…" he said quickly then looked back at the room before staring ahead again. "She was my wife."

Carter's eyebrows rose slightly as she realized his problem with the situation.

"We've been separated for two years. Guess I was still hoping there might be a…." he said then shut up quickly. He turned to her with extreme sadness in his eyes and anger. "I can't help you."

Walter came back from the infirmary and handed over a folder to Colonel Reynolds. It had information about the results of Colonel Mitchell's blood sample. He had Walter dial the planet and the folder was sent through. Ford looked it over with Sam.

"Someone stunned him. Which means they would have been passed out in bed together, supposedly. For all this to happen and he not be awake. This would explain why he doesn't remember anything past…the memory implanted about beating her to death."

"You almost said it like he did it."

"Almost. I wouldn't have meant it anyway. Let's go show the emissary."

The emissary looked it over while SG-1, minus Mitchell stood by waiting.

"This is hardly proof of Colonel Mitchell's innocence."

"Wow. On Earth, you have to prove guilt." Daniel said.

"Daniel." Ford warned.

"Sorry."

"I'll admit, it's enough to suggest to them that the investigation should continue…"

"Should continue? You're going to stop it?" Ford asked. "Why?"

"Doctor Marell has expressed his reluctance to help you any further with this investigation."

"I can understand why because of his relationship with her. Considering the amount of help he put in so far despite knowing the possible outcome….." Ford said trailing off. "Can we try talking to him?"

He nodded and closed the folder.

All of SG-1 was in the room as the two scientist worked on the chair.

"I'm sorry about Reya." Mitchell said as he stood outside the enclosure as Amuro worked on the chair. Marell walked past Mitchell and went to the chair. "She told me she was married, but she didn't tell me it was you."

"Would it have made any difference?" he asked sarcastically.

"I didn't kill her." Mitchell said after a moment.

"Even if I wanted to help you, there is nothing more that I can do."

"Why not?" she asked.

"Well, as you know, we used Colonel Mitchell's own memories to establish a comparative standard. And normally that should have been enough to identify any false readings, but we were unable to do so, which means either the memory is genuine or, that the transfer was so expertly done that the ordinary methods of detecting it are useless." Amuro said.

"What other methods are there?" Teal'c asked.

"Well, the only way would to be compare what happened the other night with a genuine memory of similar content and emotional resonance, so unless Colonel Mitchell has a habit of, killing innocent people." Marell said making Amuro glare at him. "We're out of options."

Ford muttered something under his breath that made the team glance at him, but Sam was sure he said, it was a good thing he was not in this predicament.

"I may have what you need." Mitchell said making everyone look at him. He looked at the team then walked to the chair. "Hook me up."

Marell got the computer ready as Amuro hooked up the wires. They started going over the data as Mitchell remembered a terrible memory.

"There it is." Marell said pointing.

"What are we looking at?" Daniel asked.

Amuro turned to them as Marell kept going over the data.

"The emotional resonance pattern of this memory, is very similar to that of Doctor Varrick's murder."

"I have an idea of which memory he might be reliving." Ford muttered.

"How?"

"I've seen his record. SOP for every new officer or person that works at the SGC." Ford said quietly. "General duties."

"Oh, right. Care to…" Daniel asked quietly.

"If he wants to tell us, he will. But doubtful. One of those memories you don't want to remember."

"Oh." Daniel said nodding slowly.

"His heart rate just shot up, breathing is shallow." Amuro said.

Mitchell continued to relive a memory of where he was flying in the Middle East, in a F-16. His mission was to blow up a caravan that had some person they were after. The intel was wrong and he blew up a convoy of innocent refugees. A memory that haunted him every day. They could see he was straining in the chair, sweating and having a lot of trouble with reliving whatever memory it was.

He sat up quickly and rubbed his head. Carter walked in and took the wires off as he rubbed his eyes.

"Please tell me you got what you need?" he asked with a slightly choked voice.

"We're analyzing the results now. Just give us a few moments." Marell said with less conviction in his voice. He sounded like he did when they started the investigation.

"Mitchell, when this is over and we're back home. I'm ordering you to go home or go somewhere and take a few days off." Ford said taking the wires off the other side of Mitchell's head.

"Deal." he muttered quietly as he got up and then sat on the edge of the lit up floor.

"You okay?" Carter asked sitting next to him with a hand on his back.

"No." he said fighting back tears.

"It worked. The new data indicates that the memory of Reya's murder was implanted." Marell said with a smile on his face as he turned with Amuro to see them.

Ford walked past the two sitting Colonels.

"Good. So, now how do we find out who really killed her?"

"I'm not leaving until we find out." Mitchell said, to no one really.

"We'll have to have Colonel Mitchell relive the night of Doctor Varrick's murder. Now that we know the memory is a implanted, we just need to look for anomalies. Things the brain is just unable to deal with because of inconstancies with the graft." Marell said getting up from the computer.

"Come on Mitchell, let's get this nightmare for you over with." Ford said helping him to his feet. "Unless you want to wait awhile. But knowing you, you probably won't wait."

"Yeah. The sooner it's over, the better." he muttered sitting in the chair. The two scientist started setting the wires up again and getting the chair ready.

"Any idea on how long he'll have to do this and how hard it might be to find the anomaly?" Ford asked as he and Sam walked away from the chair.

"There is no way of knowing." Amuro said. "What we are looking for is going to be very difficult in detecting."

"Usually it will show up somewhere in the beginning or the end of the memory." Marell said.

"So, your saying some sort of small detail will be out of place, because he hasn't seen anything big with all the times he's already been through this?"

"That would be a distinct possibility." Marell said.

"So, if I just give every detail of this horrible nightmare as the General pointed it out to be, a better glance, I should see some mistake, blip or other problem that should point out what we're looking for?" Mitchell asked and then answered before they could say anything. "Okay. Shouldn't be a problem."

He leaned back into the chair, closed his eyes and let the horrible memory come yet again. He sat up on a number of occasions, having come out of the memory every time. He kept saying he wanted it to continue and so they kept going. The two scientist complained to each other after doing the scan over a dozen times. Marell kept at it, sensing he was close. Amuro got up and asked how Mitchell was doing. Daniel and Teal'c stood by with the other two just watching.

"Other than emotional trauma, and what looks like physical fatigue and stress, he's holding up." Ford said. "He's not a quitter."

"I've got something." Marell said suddenly as a screen finally showed a anomaly. "You see it?"

"Yes." Amuro said as he walked up with them all to see the screen.

Marell told Mitchell to watch for the anomaly as he reset the memory back to the point where the computer was saying there was the problem.

"I'm in the house. I'm walking down the hallway. Whoa, I've lost it. Take it back."

"Just a minute." Marell said.

Mitchell watched in the memory as he walked down the hallway and looked at the mirror where the bar was, before picking up the small statue. The reflection was distorted, but he didn't get a great view.

"Stop!" he said quickly. "Can you run it again, maybe slow it down a little?"

The memory went by slowly, showing him looking in the mirror, but it wasn't his face in the uniform that was his showing.

"I see my face. My reflection in the mirror. But the reflection is blurry."

"It's the anomaly. If the reflection in the mirror is not your own, it will come out blurred." Marell said.

"Can you clean it up?"

"I think so." Marell said working the panel.

Mitchell watched as the scene played out slowly, and the reflection came into view. Once he saw who it really was in the reflection, he sat up quickly and looked at Marell. They all turned to look at Mitchell.

"Who was it Colonel?"

"It was him." Mitchell said pointing at Marell.

"That would sound right and be explainable as jealous rage of a love from an ex-husband but he's done everything to help find the killer. And he didn't try to hinder us at all." Ford said.

"That's right, it couldn't be him." Amuro said.
"It's him General. I saw a perfectly clear reflection of his face."

"What if he doesn't know?" Carter asked.

"What? You're saying he killed her and then implanted the memory inside Colonel Mitchell?" Amuro said.

"What if he did?" both Carter's asked.

"Is that possible?" Mitchell asked.

"Theoretically yes, but…" Amuro began.

"This is insane." Marell said standing up quickly. "I loved her!"

"But she left you, didn't she. And you never got over it." Mitchell said.

Marell didn't say anything.

"And then you saw me leave the party with her."

"It's impossible." Marell said not believing it.

"There's one way to find out…." Amuro began.

"Check his memories for anomalies about that night." Ford said.

"Yes." Amuro said. "If he did it, then a different memory would be there and that's where the anomaly would show up. We can check the same way we did with Colonel Mitchell."

"Go ahead." Marell said with eagerness. "But you won't find anything."

"We found out he had two memories. One from the night of the murder and one from several nights before." Amuro said as he and SG-1 stood in the office of the emissary. "Except no two memories are exactly the same. It's like a signature. When they're identical, that's when you know they've been forged. As far as he knows, he was in bed sleeping the whole time."

"He didn't just want to fool us, he wanted to fool himself." Carter said.

"He killed her in jealously and then regretted it. The guilt was too great and he used Mitchell to rid himself of the memory." Ford said.

"And that's what did him in." Mitchell said.

The emissary nodded and agreed to still have Mitchell's memory repaired.

Amuro was working on the back of the chairs controls while Mitchell was in the chair getting the memory of her death erased. Both Carter's stood by watching. Mitchell had mentioned it felt good to be back in his clothes again before getting back in the chair.

"We're done." Amuro said as Mitchell sat up.

"Doing better Mitchell?"

"Yeah, a little General."

"I've erased the implants. You should no longer have the memory of killing Doctor Varrick in your mind." Amuro said as he removed the wires on the left and Carter did so on the right. "All of your genuine memories should be intact."

"I still remember her. Thanks."

They all looked up as the emissary and Doctor Marell walked into the room. Marell walked up to them all as the emissary stayed back.

"Doctor Amuro. You must be the visitors from Earth." he said shaking their hands, Ford's last.

"Yeah, we are." Ford said eyeing the man skeptically.

"Are you all right?" Amuro asked.

"Well, no. Obviously you heard what happened to Reya."

They all eyed him like maybe something was going to happen.

"To be honest, I still can't believe she's really gone." Marell said sadly. "But I, I talked it over with the emissary and we both agreed the best thing I do now, is get back to work."

They all glanced at the emissary then back at Marell.

"It was nice to meet you." he said with the sadness of Reya's death in his voice. He turned and walked away. Amuro followed along quickly as the emissary walked up. The two scientist started working on the computer behind them.

"What the hell…." Mitchell began.

"You altered his memories?" Ford said more than asked quietly.

"We had to. His expertise with this technology is needed."

"So what the hell did you do to him?"

"He thinks she died in an accident. And he'll continue to think that for the rest of his life." the emissary said quietly.

"So he's getting away with murder?" Carter asked.

"And that's suppose to be okay?" Mitchell asked standing up slowly.

"The memory of him killing her can't be recovered. For the good of the project, this is the way things are going to be. Doctor Varrick would have understood that."

"Let's go." Ford said tapping Mitchell arm to get his attention more.

They left quickly and got the other two.

"Somehow, I serious doubt Doctor Varrick would approve of this." Ford muttered as soon as they stepped into the SGC.

"Welcome home SG-1."

"Thanks Walter." they all said as they headed for the infirmary.

"I agree with you General."

"It was obvious with that conversation you had with her, she didn't like the military taking control of the project."

"We've seen the problems that come with that taking place here on this planet." Carter said. "Sometimes good happens, sometimes not."

"Let's get the infirmary over, reports done by tomorrow night if possible and this mission filed away as quickly as possible. I'd hate to think of what else they'd use that technology for. Such as criminal rehabilitation in the wrong way."

"What about what happened to you and your memories?" Daniel asked. "Sam said something about you wanting to tell me something."

"Yeah. You'll all hear it after the infirmary. We can talk, at our house. I don't want the information told to everyone here yet."

After the infirmary, they all went to get other work done to finish out the day. Ford finished what he could of his paperwork and did his report quickly. They all actually finished it quickly, surprisingly. He read them all and was a little shocked at Mitchell's report, though not surprised. He was there when Mitchell had to relive all those memories and saw the emotions clearly on the man's face as it happened. Mitchell was still at his locker getting his self into his normal clothes and ready to leave to go to the Carter's house when Ford walked in and leaned against a locker down from Mitchell's.

"Your ah, report, it was an interesting read."

"Sorry about all those words."

"I was there so I have a good idea of how hard it was to relive a particular memory I'm pretty sure you had to go through for helping claim your innocence."

"Yeah, pretty bad." he muttered still looking in the locker.

"The other's know, I know what you were reliving. They even asked me if I knew and I said that only you could tell them what it was. Had to read your file and…well, SOP and everything."

"I almost resigning my commission."

"I'm glad you didn't Cameron. Other than you're needed here and make a great leader for SG-1, if you had quit back then, SG-1 might not be here and the planet would be under Goa'uld control. I'll see you at our house."

"Thanks General."

Ford gently put a hand on Mitchell's shoulder.

"If it helps any, there's not a day that goes by that I don't hate myself for having to take innocent lives. In my case, it was a very large community of people. If you ever need to talk about it, or anything like that. I just wanted you to know that I can sympathize with what you're going through."

"A small convoy of three trucks compared to a whole community. That's not easy to deal with is it General?"

"No." Ford said sadly as he looked at the ground. Thankfully no one else was in the locker room anymore. "That was just one incident in my record that I'm ashamed of. One of these days, I may tell you all the story, maybe."

"Thanks again."

Ford turned and started out the door.

"Just out of curiosity, that wasn't the time you used a nuke was it?" he asked looking at his locker again.

"Yeah, yeah it was. And it didn't involve a plane. Can hide the damned things in suitcases now." Ford said before walking off.

Mitchell shook his head sadly and looked at the picture of him and his father that was on the inside of the locker door. He remembered a time they talked after the bombing he did to the refugee convoy. His father stated he was more like his old man instead of growing up like his mother. His dad didn't think it was possible for Mitchell to quit the Air Force and he was right.

They were all sitting in the living room. Sam and Ford were sitting on the love seat while Teal'c and Daniel had the couch. Mitchell was in one of the chairs. Sam was drinking coffee while holding Sally. Daniel and Mitchell each had beers, while Teal'c had some orange juice.

"Okay. How should I start this?" Ford said rubbing his head with one hand.

"In the beginning helps." Daniel said. "Or maybe in your case, saying a long, long time ago, in….."

"Ha, ha, ha." Ford said dryly. "Cute Daniel. Not. Um, we all know how old Atlantis really is. We also know that though I was born naturally, that my parents….experimented on themselves, in some senses of the terms to not only have a child that they would love and nurture, all those things that come from raising a family, but also to have a child that would be able to help fight against the Wraith with better results than they were having way back then. Ever since we've been getting information from Atlantis, I've been having what I thought was dreams about me walking around Atlantis and such. But they are memories. I was on Atlantis, in the Pegasus galaxy."

"Wait a minute…"

"Questions after I'm done Daniel." Ford said holding up a hand. "If I was on Atlantis right now, I could prove it. The research done on my parents and me is on the Northern pier. Doctor Weir has reported that they have came across some doors in the city that they haven't been able to open. Some they managed to later and there are still some areas of the city they have yet to explore. One of those areas is that place. Now they may or may not get in. Something tells me that only a select group of people were allowed in that room and seeing as all those people are gone, except me, that room will not open unless I open it. Other than being a research room, it was were I grew up for twenty years. The room was our home. Had the beds and everything."

"Twenty years. You remember anything technological that might help us?" Carter blurted out.

Daniel actually looked upset when Ford answered her question and not his, which he never got out.

"Bits and pieces. Mostly stuff I already know. Which is probably why I grasped the concept and everything you told me about the gate system so quickly back then. Explains why I know so much about time travel too. I was there and helped create the time ship, at least with the plans and design. Didn't get to work on the ship itself unfortunately. What was your question Daniel?"

"If you were on Atlantis back then, why is it you look so young now? What….I…"

"I don't know the answer to that really. For some reason, I'm a little vague on the details. Something about some technology to access a different part or different universe. Whatever it was succeeded because I grew up, again. Don't understand that though or why I had to grow up all over again. Parents kept telling me I had to act younger and not my real age. Didn't understand it for awhile. Explains why I was walking again before I was one and talking in complex sentences around the age of one. Makes sense now why I never went to public school either."

He stopped and laughed lightly.

"What?" Carter asked.

"I just realized something. Sad in many ways, other than the fact I'm in many ways actually millions of years old considering we left Atlantis a very long time ago, I'm the only surviving person from Atlantis. Which means the city belongs to me. Kinda like a rightful heir thing."

Daniel chocked on his beer and Mitchell laughed lightly.

"I can see the logic in the idea, but…." Mitchell began.

"Getting the higher ups and who knows how many other's to believe it, much less allow it would be a miracle." Daniel said.

"Yep. Good luck in convincing Doctor Weir of giving it up." Carter said.

"I said it was mine, not that I could run the whole thing. Besides, I could shut the whole city down if I sat in the chair."

"A fail safe?" Mitchell asked.

"No. Call it…..the owner recognition system for lack of better term. If I ever sit in the chair, the system will never respond to anyone else, unless one of the former Atlantians descend, until I or they give control back." Ford stated sitting back and crossing his arms. "Ingenious system really. Keep other's from taking control and such."

The other's looked at him, wondering if he was being serious.

"Now that I think about it, it does explain why I was able to make a more than effective system in the General Lee. So that no one can drive him accept those I authorize." he said in wonder then had a crooked smile. "Hmm. Guess I won't have to worry about Sally trying to take the car and run off somewhere like some teenagers do."

"What if she steals mine?"

"We'll put the same sort of system in. Make her earn the privilege to drive. Like I had to once."

"You had to earn the right to drive?" Mitchell asked.

"I was ten and wanted to see what the thrill was. So I had to prove I knew what to do by trying out a simulator a dozen times. Got everything right in more ways than one and have had a license ever since."

"Damn. That's no fair. I had to wait till I was older." Mitchell said.

"I learned a little early, before I was eighteen. Being in a different country and all, you know." Daniel said.

"I knew all the basics, but still had to wait and learn at 16." Carter grumbled out.

"Unfortunately for Teal'c, he had to wait till he came to this planet." Ford said.

"Indeed." he said with a nod, then smiled with a tilt of his head. "I learned how to operate a Goa'uld death glider before I was twenty."

Ford laughed knowing that Teal'c said that to rub it in all their faces.

"Oh now that's just cold." Mitchell said. "I had to go through a whole program of stuff before I could fly."

Teal'c only had that small smile, but Ford suspected he was laughing on the inside.

"Well, that's about all I really remember. I remember family moments and other things that I call small and insignificant, mostly because they have no relevance or could be any help to us. If we were at Atlantis though, I could try a few things. Makes me wonder how the chair in Antarctica would treat me? Hopefully we'll never have to explore that venue. Though considering that chair was part of the Atlantis system..."

"I'm guessing you don't have anything cooked do you?" Daniel asked as his stomach grumbled.

"No. Don't feel like cooking anyway, so don't ask. I figured on ordering pizza and then going to bed early."

"You guys can all stay. At least till eleven." she said then smiled wickedly. "After that, we'll have K-9 force you out."

They laughed knowing she was kidding. The pizza came pretty early, seeing as the guy or gal who came to this particular house always got a big tip. They talked some more about different things and all went home for the night. Ford and Sam put Sally to bed and then after the shower went to bed.