CHAPTER 101

EPISODE………….BOUNTY

Since the attack on the Odyssey, the SGC was doing a lot of reconnaissance on the Lucian Alliance. With help from some of the Jaffa, they were able to find out a lot about their shipping lanes and some other info. Plus, using the T.A.R.D.I.S. helped since he was able to pop into one of the Al'kesh's that was on their second run. While the others were stealing and setting bombs, he stole all the data he could on the ship since the T.A.R.D.I.S. had very impressive, not to mention advanced sensors, scanning abilities and computer infiltration skills. He then made the cargo containers break free from each other and the ship, to ensure that the ship got away. Seeing as supplies were important to the Lucian Alliance operations, smuggling and the shipping of the, funky corn, Stargate Command and several other people on the hill decided it best to upset their operations and if possible, shut them down to prevent another attack on the operations of the SGC and its people. This was not SG-1's first, operation, against the shipping lanes. A few times, they were even able to take a few things from the cargo containers they blew up. Such as several large quantities of Naquada, both refined and unrefined. Plus some strange flat rectangular things that kinda looked like stick cookies, or so they reminded Ford of, that Vala stated was money on other planets. They even got some weapons occasionally, such as zats, some staff weapons. Bunch of guns and ammo occasionally.

The cargo units, usually consisting of four large contained units just a bit bigger than a cargo ship, but flatter, were connected by energy beams that separated them like train cars. An Al'kesh bomber was the lead train car pulling these units along. Today, they were off on another run at another ship shipping containers again. Mitchell ringed into the first cargo container, kneeling down with his gun at ready.

"I'm in." he stated.

He got up and looked around with the light on his gun and opened a few crates.

"Oh, here's a find. Prepare for transport General."

He pushed a crate of weapon grade Naquada into the ring and then stepped back telling him to do it. As it was ringed out, he turned to other crates looking around again. One crate had silver bags in it, which he was pretty sure held the funky corn. Just to be sure, he cut the bag open anyway.

"Well, what have we here. Sam, our intel was good. We've got ourselves a space train full of evil Orville Redenbacher."

"Roger that." she said as Ford was laughing in the background.

In the cargo container behind the one Mitchell was in, Sam ringed in next. A quick check showed there was no Naquada on her scanner.

"Damn. Other than possibly some weapons, no Naquada here. I'm setting my bombs now." she said digging into the bag at her side.

As she was placing the bomb onto a crate, a thin red light crossed the whole room. She looked up as it passed over her and everything else again.

"They are scanning us." she said.

"Let's make this quick." Mitchell said.

"Hurry and toss them around if you have to. I don't want any of you their if they decided to drop the cargo and attack it." Ford said over their coms.

"I'm hurrying." Daniel said from the cargo container behind hers. "And done."

"As am I." Teal'c stated from the last container.

He backed up into the ring and said he was ready. Ford ringed him back and then Daniel followed by Sam.

"Mitchell…"

"I'm still placing one last bomb General." he said activating the unit.

He turned as the ring transport activated and four guys from the Al'kesh ringed in, weapons at ready.

"Crap." he said getting down behind some crates as he fired, and so did they, also taking cover.

One guy went down as the other three managed to hide quickly.

"I'm in a bit of trouble here!" he reported as he fired.

"Oh great." Carter muttered as she followed Ford to the ring room. "Don't get killed. You're very heavy to drag in that coat."

"I know my love." he said cupping her face before stepping in. "Cam, help is on the way."

"Negative. There is no time." he reported back as he kept firing.

"Good thing I out rank you." Ford said as he nodded after pulling his pistols. "And never say there is no time to a Time Lord."

Mitchell was firing rapidly as his clip was running out. He stopped as the rings came down dropping off Ford. Several dozen rounds slammed into his back as he ducked his head.

"Don't move!" Mitchell yelled as he took aim and fired at one guy quickly.

The other two kept firing as their team mate went down. Ford turned around as one guy was trying to reload. He shot both of them, but got grazed in the head by a round making him drop to his knees as Mitchell ran up.

"Hit it Sam!" Mitchell yelled.

They both were ringed out quickly.

"Thanks Sam." they both said as they got off the floor.

"Vala, get us out of here!" Carter yelled as she looked at her watch.

The cargo ship they were in, de-cloaked and they flew off quickly, going into hyperspace as the cargo containers detonated, taking the Al'kesh with them.

"You got shot." she said.

"I didn't move fast enough to avoid his aim. He was only several feet from me." Ford said while wiping blood away. "I stayed in the ring just in case, as you wanted."

"I'll give you that." she said crossing her arms.

"So General, as much as I would really like to have those brownies as my prize for winning the bet on this." Mitchell said lightly kicking the crate with Naquada. "I think I'll just have some roast beef, hash browns…."

"I've really got to talk to Walter about the betting pool…"

On a mothership, orbiting a planet somewhere deep in space, far from anywhere the SGC had really been, if at all, was Netan. He and three other men were looking at something on a table when one of his other men walked in.

"Netan."

He looked up from the table and walked over as the three men looked at what was probably a map of space controlled by the Lucian Alliance.

"Another transport has been hit near Rolland. We've lost four containers worth of Kassa, the Naquada, weapons. Everything, including the Al'kesh escorting them."

"SG-1." Netan muttered in a low growl.

"It's the fifth transport they hit. We still have no idea how they are gaining their information on our shipping routes. Our supply of Kassa is getting dangerously low."

"This isn't about Kassa." he growled. "This is about them trying to make me look weak. I can't allow them to interfere with our operations any longer. Put the word out. As of this moment, I'm placing a bounty on their heads. All of them, dead. Particularly this General character. Captured alive if possible."

"Yes Netan." the man said walking off.

Ford was back to driving a normal General Lee again seeing as his supped up and technologically advanced version, like K.I.T.T., was in the shop in the T.A.R.D.I.S. He was currently doing, major modifications and such. Adding a few things, and had been for over a month now. He missed quite a few of the abilities the car had, but feeling an original 69 Dodge Charger, with no modifications was something to be admired. There was no power steering for one thing. The only draw back, he had to buy gas again.

That last raid on the shipping containers went very well, despite getting grazed. The Naquada was a added bonus, some of it going into the T.A.R.D.I.S. Which was usually used for various things, such as keeping power going to the large house they all had. With everything they had on the property, inside and out, it took two Naquada generators to keep everything running.

It was very nice outside, a bit cloudy but good weather. Unfortunately, they were inside working so they were not able to enjoy it. Mitchell was in his blue BDU's and walking through the halls. He stopped at a corner turning around as Vala, in green BDU's, followed him.

"Another successful mission completed." she said happily.

"Yeah, it was."

"Goodness knows, we've all earned a nice break from the routine…" she said as he turned and started going back the original direction he was going.

"The answer is no." he said as she kept following, practically bouncing on her heels at the same time.

"You don't know what I am going to ask you."

"Oh, yes I do."

"All righty then. I have a better idea of what you are facing than you might think. I've done research."

"Oh god." he said rubbing his nose as she walked around him near elevator 25.

"Traditionally, these events entail bringing together of large groups of people, all with a common bond in the past, but nothing really common in the present." she said as he turned to her. "Everybody evaluates each other's lot in life, generally by virtue of a combination of material worth and the attractiveness of one's date, spouse, or life partner."

"Pretty much right."

"Let me go as your partner."

"No! No!" he said real quickly as he shook his hands.

"Please?! It'll be fun, I promise!"

"No! No! It is a high school reunion, not a swank party. Besides, you will be bored out of your mind!"

"Don't you dare talk to me about boredom. Everybody else here has a life! Sam, off at a conference with the General. And she at least has a sex life, while I can't even get Daniel's attention." she said waving her hands.

Mitchell grumbled as she kept going.

"Daniel in a museum somewhere with his parents, doing research. Teal'c is off world. I think from what I understand, with his girlfriend."

"I heard it was some Jaffa."

"Whatever! The point is, I have nothing to do. Sparring might appeal to Ford every so often, but me and Kate don't find it all that interesting. Besides.." she said crossing her arms. "She's also off base doing something else for the next few days. Other than our Immortality, we have little else in common. Ford would have liked to take me, but he wasn't allowed. Something to do with the fact I wouldn't be able to pull off being a scientist very well. Plus the fact I would get bored easily."

"Vala, it is Kansas."

"Don't make me beg." she whined.

"You already are."

When she got on her knees, he gave up and hoped that his giving in wouldn't come back and bite him in the ass.

About a block away from the conference that the two were attending, was the T.A.R.D.I.S. He landed in an alley nearby where no one saw them land. Plus, they had nothing to worry about. Whatever the system was really called, he was unsure, mostly because they hadn't looked it up. So, it was dubbed the, S.E.P. system. Which basically was, Someone Else's Problem. They would see the T.A.R.D.I.S., but they wouldn't think much about it being there, even as out of place as it was, looking at it as, someone else's problem. They watched the first episode of Torchwood and Jack Harkness explained something similar concerning the way they exited Torchwood on the street and no one noticed.

K-9 was back with Sally, helping her learn her schoolwork. She wasn't five yet, but she was well above her age in grade. The couple was still wondering about sending her to public school or not. She could already defend herself, though being small. One day, while the two were working out, she decided to join them, still at the age of two something. Though they didn't notice until they were finished an hour later. Most of the time now, she joined either of them or both when they exercised and sparred. Just learning the moves mostly. A few test later showed she was above average in strength for her age. She could throw a five pound weight several feet easily, proving she got her fathers strength. Thankfully K-9 was made of metal and had that M.B.S. chemical sprayed on him, or else he would have been in trouble from all the hugging she did to him sometimes. So far, she had only broke off one ear once. Ford didn't want her to go to public school, other than because he never went, but because she would stand out. Sam felt she should go, to gain friends and learn to be more social. It was still a couple years away till her fifth birthday, so they were still talking about it. Seeing as Ford really couldn't say no to Sam, they were telling her things that, if she ended up going to school, she could never talk about. Such as K-9, their job, and her real condition. Her intelligence, let it shine. But don't rub it in others face. Help those that don't understand and always be nice. Even though Sally had learned several moves from Ford, stuff even idiots could pull on the average person, she had a very kind heart and said hi to many people they came across in stores. However, she knew not to talk to strangers if neither parent was around.

Ford was in a General Lee orange, three piece suit. She saw it, shook her head and walked out, not even trying to bother with arguing. It clashed with his black coat, but he didn't change even after she said he sort of looked like a pimp. Other than getting some looks by many people, no one said anything. Probably because of the stars on his shoulders and the name tag that said General Carter. She thought his rank was the reason no one said anything and he felt is was because, even though it also effected him, as Jack called it, a geek convention. Sam however, was in a black dress jacket, her rings on like his, plus the diamond earrings that matched and necklace. A black wavy skirt that ended past her knees and a blue blouse. No stockings, but black high heels with fake diamond insets. He would have bought the real versions, but she was afraid of losing a gem or two. Lee was standing by them, in a gray suit and tie as a brown haired woman in a white with blue pin striped dress shirt and tight black dress pants walked up with a tray that had small glasses of wine. Lee said thanks as he took one. The other two declined and she walked off to the many other guest around them without even batting a eye at his outfit.

"Doesn't it bother you two come to these conferences to present new technology, and actually add flaws, and we are pretending we know less than we really do?" Lee asked. "Wait, this is your first isn't it General?"

"It is. I don't mind it too much though. Get to see other ideas and perspectives of other people. Maybe even see some people who should be working with us. Though I have to admit, I'd rather be at home." he said glancing around at different things and people. "This is rather boring."

"Same here. All we have to do, is present a few things, make them fail, and then go home." she muttered. "I'd rather them send someone else…"

"Like me?" Lee asked.

"Well, we really should get volunteers. Considering the work we really do, we shouldn't have to be here." she said. "It's something that has to be done though. Make it look like there is a process of development."

"Oh sure, that is easy for you two." Lee said. "You're presenting the Chimera. It's practically a fully functioning Asguard hologram system. I get stuck with the plasma cannon that supposedly shorts out at the drop of a hat."

"I thought we were all working on the same stuff? Why wasn't I informed of the change?" Ford asked as he twisted the end of the cane into the floor. "I wanted to look at that. Hell, I asked to be put in charge of that project. I'm guessing that Rally wasn't involved at all since she never brought it up."

"I forgot to inform you Lee. Sorry about that." she said. "Ford insist on helping with the cannon."

"Oh great." he said happily. "Your profession is weapons to begin with. I'm surprised they didn't give you the project when you asked."

"Probably because I might make it work in front of everyone. I am involved in other projects at the moment too. Probably thought my proverbial plate was full."

"That, makes sense." Lee said taking a drink and then looking over his shoulder at something Ford noticed. "Hmm. Are they looking at you or me?"

He raised his hands showing his finger and then pointed at Sam. The two girls shook their heads and pointed at Lee. Even though the ladies were pretty, the event they were all in, was as Jack put it more than once, a place for geeks to show off their knowledge. These ladies were part of the geeks, even though they had looks.

"Ah. If you two will excuse me." Lee said walking off. "I'm off to mingle."

He grabbed a couple more drinks and handed them to the ladies who were ecstatic to be talking to him.

"Should I be jealous?"

"I don't see why. They didn't look at me. Besides, you're the best minded and more beautiful looking woman in here." he said pulling her close with a one armed hug and a smile.

"Flattery will get you everywhere." she said as they walked off.

"I don't know anyone here. Do you?"

"Other than Bill, not that I see. Anyone you want to talk to?"

"No. How about we just check out our projects, that way, we can get that out of the way quicker so we can leave sooner. This place is really boring."

"You read my mind." she said smiling.

"A plasma cannon. I've heard about it, but never seen it yet. Probably going to look stupid in design, one of the reasons I wanted in on it…."

They did look at the cannon, which Ford did think the design sucked, and after giving it and their project a quick check, they left to go eat at a more, private place in town. He got the normal General Lee from the T.A.R.D.I.S. and they drove there to eat and then drove back to the conference building.

Driving a rental car, Mitchell was headed out to his parents house and Vala was with him. The scenery was a lot like watching a Superman movie.

"I can't wait to meet your parents." Vala said as they drove down the highway.

"Yeah, just don't embarrass me."

"I would never embarrass you."

As they were talking, Mitchell passed by a large sign, which read, Town of Auburn. Shawnee County, Kansas. Under that sign was a white one that had the words, Welcome back! George Washington Grads.

The house was surrounded by wheat fields and little else as they drove up. Though the house was in better condition, the vehicles were newer, plus a small shed off to the right of the house by a white picket fence. And also, no dog. A short concrete walkway went up straight through the lawn to the front door steps. On the left side, if you left the house, was a row of blooming flowers of several varieties. The house was two stories and red with white windows. To the left of the house was a row of some fruit tree that wasn't currently in bloom. In front of the tree next to the house, on the lawn, was a few low to the ground wooden chairs and a table with flowers on it. Sort of like lounge chairs, but made of wood.

A picnic table was by the flowers next to the walkway where Mitchell and Vala were sitting with his parents on the other side, a couple hours later, talking and eating. His mother was a really good cook, but he wasn't going to tell her, he had better made by Ford.

"This is really good." Vala said. "Incredible."

"Yes is it." Mitchell said.

"You think she'd never eaten pie before."

"Ford is a really great cook, but he rarely makes pies. Usually cakes and lots of other things." Vala said taking another bite.

"Who?" his mother asked.

"My commanding officer mom. He's, different. Since he took over, well actually, well before that. He's now one of the chefs there along with being the base commander."

"Wow. That's unusual. A lot has changed since I was in the service." his father said. "Oh, Cam. I forgot to tell you, Darrell called. Something about you helping set up tomorrow. I left the number on the counter."

"In that case, I better give him a call. I'll be right back." he said setting his drink down and leaving.

"So, Vala." he said.

"Yes." she said licking her finger.

"Cam says you work in payroll on the base."

"Yes, I am very good with money." she said.

"It is a important skill. Somebody has to take care of the bills."

"Yes, and Cameron's so terrible with finances, so." Vala said.

"Well, then…" his mother said as Cam's father gave Vala a strange look she didn't see. "I take it you two are quite…um…"

"Serious?" the father asked.

"Um….no. We just work together. I admit, he is very attractive, but, I have my eyes on someone else at work. We're all part of a team unit." Vala said motioning with her hands in a circle. "I'm just, unable to be with any of my family at the moment so he brought me along so I wasn't left out."

"Oh. Where is your family?" the mother asked.

"I'd…rather not talk about it."

"Okay." the father said as Cam came back out.

"What did I miss?" he asked picking his cup up.

"I told them how much of an item we are." Vala said. "We plan on marrying soon."

Mitchell nearly chocked on what he was drinking.

"She's kidding you son." his father said with a chuckle.

"Very funny Vala." he said wiping his shirt and face.

"It got your parents to laugh."

Daniel, in a black T-shirt and black jeans, was looking at many books at the museum and taking notes in his laptop. Guards and other people looking around were going about their business as he was working. His parents helped with what they could before going off to do some sight seeing of their own. Last he knew, they were looking in the Egyptian area, which didn't surprise him. He got up with his note pad and walked over to a bookshelf nearby. He then set the notebook down and pulled a book off.

"Doing some research?" a young Asian looking woman on the other side asked.

"Yes." he said looking at the book in his hand and then staring at her. "Hi."

She smiled brightly at him, and he felt that there was a hidden intent behind the smile. Something akin to being asked to go home with her sort of intent. However, that thought quickly went away because his mind was current on something else, and as some people had said, once Daniel had unfortunately lost Sha're, he also lost his ability to see when a woman wanted him. Vala excluded.

"I'm looking for any Aramaic translations of pre-Judeo-Pagan hymns, hopefully in lithograph form." he said closing his eyes as he thought. "Am I in the right section?"

She still smiled at him as she put her hands together on the open shelf on her side.

"You don't work here do you?"

She shook her head still smiling.

"It's okay. Maybe if we look together." she suggested more than nicely.

"No, it is okay. I'll ask at the inquiry desk. They probably have it locked up in their rare item archives."

She only kept the smile and watched him.

"Um, thank you." he said turning away taking his notepad with him.

Out in space, a cargo ship uncloaked heading for Earth, not caring that a satellite could possibly see it at any moment, much less that it was probably being detected by the advanced systems they had, such as the Odyssey, and the T.A.R.D.I.S. very few people knew existed. The Odyssey didn't pick the ship incoming. However, the T.A.R.D.I.S. did, but seeing as no one was inside her at the moment, she could only take the information and keep it on the screen at it was tracked. Because the cargo ship didn't have any seriously dangerous cargo, the T.A.R.D.I.S. only scanned and tracked it, deeming it not a threat. Inside the cargo ship, there was a couple of alien bounty hunters. No one that anyone in the SGC had ever seen before or came across. They were humanoid, but rather ugly and hard to describe. Their skin looked slimy for one thing. The pilot turned to his other partner and he kept flying.

"Activate the scanners."

"I'm only picking up four signals. One of them must be off world."

"Well find that one later." the pilot said.

They both jerked as the ship was attacked from behind.

"We're under attack! The shields are at zero!" the other guy said.

"Initiate hyperdrive!" the pilot yelled.

They never made it away as another cargo ship blew them away and then continued towards Earth.

"Sorry boys. I don't like competition." a human looking man said from the pilot chair of the other ship as he activated the cloak.

"Here's some extra towels. The spare bedroom is all made up." Cam's mother said as she handed them over to Vala.

Mitchell was standing beside her with the stairs leading to the upper part of the house behind them both.

"All right. Great, where you do want me to sleep?" Mitchell asked.

"You could sleep with me." Vala suggested.

He gave her a hard look.

"Not like that Mitchell. Not everything I say has to be misconstrued. Besides, I'm saving myself for Daniel."

"Right, I'll be on the couch." he said grabbing one of the towels and walking away.

"Your loss."

Teal'c did see Ishta for a few hours before having to go talk to the Council that had been created again. He, along with another Jaffa were walking through the woods on a very nice planet as they came up to the Stargate.

"I can only hope that you'll reconsider, and accept the seat the Council's offering you." Cha'ra said.

"You have been speaking to Bra'tak." Teal'c said as they stopped by the DHD.

"He only asked that I voice the opinion of any clear-minded Jaffa. The reformation of our government cannot occur without help…."

He stopped as Teal'c raised a hand slowly, listening to the noises around him. The other guy also listened hearing something wrong.

"Down!" Teal'c yelled.

They both dropped behind the DHD, taking cover as several dozen quick blast of energy rounds, similar to that of a staff weapon came flying by them where they had been standing. About four trees, very similar to fur trees on Earth, were cut down in the blast. Since they were not very tall, the two Jaffa had nothing to worry about falling on them. It did destroy the peaceful and pretty scenery though. The both got up quickly and fired off several rounds from their staff weapons in retaliation. After several more shots, they stopped seeing they were not being fired back at.

"Are you injured?" Teal'c asked as he kept staring and slowly lowered his staff weapon.

"No." he said looking at Teal'c as he lowered his weapon. "But you are."

Teal'c looked down at his left side seeing it bleeding through his robe. He was sure the weapon didn't cause him serious injury and that it wasn't as powerful as a staff blast, otherwise he would be in more serious pain and probably dead. The both left quickly heading back to the camp nearby a area surrounded by small cliffs. It would more than likely be a quarry area back on Earth. Teal'c and a few other Jaffa were in a large tent as his wound was being treated. He was going to live, however, the hit he took was a grazing shot that left a big cut in his side. Just another scar. Cha'ra came back in as he was still being tended to.

"The men guarding the gate report no activity. It is possible, whoever attacked us, left by cloaked cargo ship."

"Or perhaps, they are still here, waiting for the opportunity to finish the job." Teal'c stated as he thought a moment. "Put out word that I did indeed survive the attack, however, that I am gravely injured."

The man bowed as he understood and left.

Back on Earth, inside a large gymnasium, people were setting up things for the party that night. Mitchell was at a table talking to an old friend about times in the past. Vala was standing there listening, but rather lost. Mitchell was in blue jeans and a gray T-shirt. His friend in the same, but with a brown shirt. Vala, went Daisy Duke, literally. The blue shorts gave little for the imagination and the blue shirt was very low cut, just covering her breast.

"So Mr. Armstrong, he walks into the classroom, and he sees his car, the whole car, just sitting in the middle of the room." Mitchell said as he and his friend laughed. "It's got this fresh coat of wax. It's looking all brand new."

"We all thought he was going to drop dead from heart failure right there on that floor." his friend said still laughing with Mitchell.

"And then what happened?" Vala asked.

Darrell was confused.

"Well, that's it. I mean, we had to take the car back out and put it all back together again, but…"

"If I understand this correctly, you had to completely disassemble and then reassemble this automobile, not only once, but twice?"

"Yeah, I guess. Yeah." he said laughing with Mitchell again.

"Look Vala…um. Let's say we took the Generals car, and managed to figure out how to take it all apart, without blowing ourselves up. And stuck it all in, the briefing room." he said quickly catching himself from saying gate room. "What do you think his reaction would be if he came to work seeing his precious car all over that room? Nothing is broken or damaged, just it's all disassembled."

"I think he'd be rather pissed off. Why would…"

"It's a prank." Mitchell said. "He wouldn't really have any idea who did it, not unless he did serious scans and such."
"Oh. I can see why it would be funny then. We could do it to Sam's car."

"Having the General pissed off I can deal with. Her, I think she'd kill us. That was a wedding present no one touches. And doing something like that to a vintage Mustang…"

"Hey Cam…"

"Yeah." he said looking at Darrell who had turned away from him. "What's wrong?"

"5:00 dude."

He turned a moment and then turned back quickly.

"Oh Lord." he muttered scared.

"What?" Vala asked.

"That is…"

"I know who it is." Mitchell said quietly.

"She's coming over here."

"Why are you whispering like that? What's going on?" Vala asked.

A very beautiful long blonde haired woman set some flowers on the table behind them and then walked up. She had a blue, sleeveless shirt on that had a somewhat deep V type neck. Plus a flowery dress.

"Cameron Mitchell, right? Amy…" she said as she started to introduce herself.

Mitchell, at that point, was willing to go out and take on a army of pissed off Jaffa than have to talk to this lady. He started to get up only to fall out of his chair as it folded up.

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

"No, it's okay. I'm fine." he said getting up embarrassed.

"Amy…" she said trying again.

"Vandenberg. Yes." he said shaking her hand. "Yes, the name definitely rings a bell."

"I just saw you over here and thought I'd say hi." she said smiling. "Been a long time."

He opened his mouth to say something, but he was totally tongue tied.

"Yeah, it has." he said slowly.

Vala gave Mitchell's friend a look and he glanced at Mitchell.

"Oh, you remember my friend Darrell, right?"

"Hey, home room, tenth grade." he said shaking her hand as she looked confused.

"Right!" she said remembering.

"How are you doing?"

"Good!"

"Good to see you."

"Good." she said turning back to Mitchell.

Mitchell was so messed up.

"Hi, I'm Vala Mal Doran." she said sticking out her hand. "I'm a friend of his. I came with as a sort of date."

"Oh. Okay." she said confused.

"We, um….just work together." Mitchell said fidgeting.

"Well, it was really nice seeing you…" she said then shaking her head quickly. "Meeting you again."

He could only nod his head.

"Okay, I'm going back to helping now. I'll see you later tonight."

"Yeah, I'll be here." he said waving at the table.

She smiled and then walked off.

"Smooth man."

"Darrell?"

"She is looking back, and she looks good."

"Oh my god." Mitchell said as he sank into his chair.

"Well, well, well." Vala said as she circled him to his left side. "Someone likes you."

"No, she's just nice." Mitchell said as he noticed Darrell checking out Vala's butt, which was sitting right next to his arm on the table. "And, she's probably on the welcoming committee or something."

"Hmm. I seriously doubt that."

Darrell looked away clearing his throat and trying not to think about what he could see next to him.

"Darrell?"

"Yes." he said thinking she had noticed him looking.

"What do people do around here for fun?"

"For fun? Um…" he said looking at Mitchell and then back at her smiling face.

Daniel had went out to eat with his parents and then came back to finish his work. His parents went back to the hotel to, do something. Probably sleep he figured, or at least hoped. He had his worn and fading leather jacket on now and was currently working on the information he needed again after returning. The guard for the place walked past his area again going off to patrol the next section on his list, briefly giving Daniel a glance. He looked at a book then his laptop a moment before writing on his notepad again. A creaking noise caught his attention and he looked up to see that woman sitting on the table in front of him. She had a zipped up leather jacket on and leather pants. Plus that smile again.

"Hello again."

"Hello." he asked more confused as to why she was there.

She laughed lightly and fingered a book.

"I've been watching you lately. You really enjoy this kind of work, don't you?"

"You've been watching me?"

"Um, well…" she said embarrassed. "It's kind of hard not to. You are very attractive."

He put his notebook down and then glanced around. No one was in there and he was really unsure about the situation.

"Um, so, what's going on?"

"Um, I as thinking we could go somewhere. Alone. Together." she said with a suggestive tone.

Daniel had heard this sort of tone from Sam a few times when she didn't know anyone was around while talking to Ford. He had to admit, it had been quite awhile since he had any female companionship, but something told him this was really beyond strange and coincidental. He also knew he was a talk on the base between some of the ladies who would like to get together with him, but none had ever asked. And Vala was excluded.

"Wow. Um, you know, I'm not really the most impulsive person. Flattering as your offer is, I'm going to say no." he said seeing her look dejected for a moment before it turned into a more angry look.

"Have it your way then."

He lifted the thick book in front of him just in time as the small ring weapon in her finger, the same one that Vala used on his arm back when she tried to steal the Prometheus, was fired at him. He quickly tossed the burning book at her and started running. She ducked and fired hitting a old dewy decimal file system against the wall as he dropped to the ground and then ran away quickly. He kept running and ran down a open alley, only to stop near a street as she beamed in behind him on a side walk.

"Stop, or I start killing people." she stated as she pointed a hand at a woman and her baby stroller.

He looked at the frightful woman and raised his hands.

"Good." she said aiming at him and walking out into the street. "You should have taken my first offer Doctor Jackson. It would have been far less…."

Daniel dropped his hands and cringed only after a large Greyhound bus plowed into her. It stopped quickly and he walked over to find her still under it.

"I wonder what Ford would say if he was here?" he muttered as the driver was calling for the authorities. Then he looked at her hand that was within his reach. "Hmm, I probably should take this."

"She was human, but not from Earth." Landry said on the phone down in the gate control room. "Weapons were based on Goa'uld design. We need to figure out how she got here."

"Well sir, my guess would be a cloaked cargo ship." Carter said.

They were both in a private room and he had his Sonic Screwdriver out making a white noise effect. It however, did not effect the T.A.R.D.I.S. phone she was on that was on speaker phone.

"Daniel did call us after calling you sir. It sounds like she wanted him for something off world possibly." Ford said as he thought. "Not surprising given his experience and knowledge."

"Doctor Jackson is the translator in the group and the best on Earth we have. She may have needed him to translate something like you think. It may have been something else entirely as well. We may never know. That is, if we don't find her ship. Do you think that, object of yours can find it for us?"

"Well, if it is cloaked as it should be, we'd only need to…" she said and then stopped.

"We could find it." Ford said seeing she wasn't sure how to say time travel without saying it. Plus she pointed at her watch and made certain gestures that he understood. "We'll finish this quickly and get back to you. What about Daniel though? And his parents?"

"He informed them and thankfully they were at the hotel. A team had been sent to assist him with his investigation as we speak."

"We can come back and help.."

"Negative on that you two. We can handle things here." he said as Walter looked at him from his station. "I have a feeling you both will be of more value where you are."

"But this is boring. We have to fake looking impressed with a lot of these projects." Ford whined. "We could do so much to enhance or upgrade some of this stuff, but our hands our tied."

"Sorry, but you have to stay. Landry out."

They walked out and came down to find Lee talking to a group of people. Ford was out there earlier helping, but had to come back to her when they go the call.

"Dreams if science fiction into science reality. This one, in particular, remains elusive." Lee said to the military people and others out in the chairs. "Ladies and gentleman. Welcome to the future."

"You did make sure…" she began asking.

Lee and him had worked on it, mostly because Ford wanted to check it out. Lee had told him what they needed to do to make it look like it was a failed project. Unfortunately, Ford wasn't really listening and ended up doing something else when Lee wasn't looking. Lee activated the very strange looking plasma cannon, which did not look much like a gun in any regards. What was suppose to happen, was it was suppose to short out and spark. What was really suppose to happen, it was suppose to burn a hole through the multi colored target a couple feet away. What did happen, was the weapon powered up with a loud hum as he pushed a couple buttons, and then it fired and blew the target away. Lee jumped back as the recoil made the weapon fall on the ground and smoke.

Several people got up, especially as both Carter's came out quickly to the astonished Lee.

"That wasn't suppose to happen. What did you do General?" Lee asked quietly.

Ford didn't say anything as he was getting glared at by Sam. The demonstration was a completely success and totally failure.

"Everyone, that wasn't part of the demonstration that was suppose to happen." she said getting up quickly. "The system overloaded and created a massive charge which…well…"

A few people in the crowd started talking about military applications. Ford quickly held up the smoking device, which was actually still fully functional. But they weren't going to say that. It just needed a new power supply and a couple adjustments. He waved a hand back and forth blowing the smoke away as he examined it more closely.

"That was rather fascinating. It wasn't suppose to do that. This gun may never work again. Bum-mer. Sure, it did a very nice job of taking out the target and burning the wall behind it. A rather deep burn. Anyway, the gun also backfired. So, anyone who thinks that this should go into mass production and on a bigger scale are complete idiots. The bigger the weapon, bigger the overload. We are just lucky it didn't blow up in our faces. Understand?" Ford asked everyone who started nodding. "Good. We'll get back to you on when it is functioning properly. Assuming we can repair this and find what went wrong."

They quickly went back behind the curtain and he dropped it onto a table shaking his hands.

"Damn, that is hot." he said pulling his Sonic Screwdriver out. "Now what went wrong with you, hmm?"

"How bad it is?" Lee asked as he was looking it over.

"Power supply is totally spent. It basically did a full charge blast. Should have been more powerful though. Thankfully it wasn't. Other than the power pack, it also burned out the emitter and fried the capacitor. Just replace those few parts and I'll fix the mistake I did."

"What did you do?" she asked.

"The idea, for when it did work, was for it to be able to fire a more precise shot without as much energy. I must have used the wrong setting in this." he said waving the Sonic device. "And ended up doing the exact reverse. Used all the power, but not as big a blast, causing internal damage from the overload."

"Nice job." she said sarcastically. "On the bright side, you managed to make them all think the weapon is a bad idea. Which was what we wanted to go for anyway."

"I was rather proud of that. Spur of the moment thinking mostly. Though I'd rather be gloating over the fact the weapon really works."

"You would."

Mitchell was back at his house and walking around outside talking on his cell phone. Ford had fixed the teams phones so that they could call from anywhere, at anytime, at any place. And get reception, just like Rose Tyler and the companion that was current with the Doctor on TV, Martha Jones.

"It's not that urgent Colonel. I just wanted to fill you in on what happened with Doctor Jackson."

"He's alright though?"

"Just fine. Back to doing whatever research he was working on in the museum as far I heard last."

"That's good to hear. At least he is in good spirits." Mitchell said as he heard a gun shot behind him.

"Was that a gun shot Colonel?"

"One of my friends is having fun with Vala. Shooting cans."

"Oh. Any problems with her yet?"

"Nothing serious sir. However, if there us cause for any concerns on your end, we can come back right away."

"Not necessary son. It sounds like you are having fun so, just stay there and enjoy it while you can. Never know when something serious may interrupt it."

"Yeah, me and Daisy, we are living it large."

"Daisy?"

"I'll explain later sir. Mitchell out."

Vala fired knocking another can off the bales of hay several dozen feet away as Darrell whooped at her shot.

"So, tell me about this girl back at the school."

"Who, Amy?" Darrell asked as Vala looked at Mitchell, in hopes he would say something.

"Yeah."

"Oh, Cam always had a thing for her."

"Really?" she said not looking away from Mitchell.

"Guy could've had any girl he wanted in the whole school, but every time she walked by, he'd start stammering like an idiot."

"No."

"Yes."

"Did they ever…."

"No. Never had to courage to ask her out."

"That's it really surprising. Seeing as what we do."

"Flying a plane isn't the same as asking a girl out." Darrell said. "Anyway, she ended up marrying some corporate dude and moving to Texas."

He aimed and shot only to miss.

"Damn!"

She aimed and knocked another can off.

"What department did you say you worked in again?"

"Accounts. Receivables." she said taking aim. "The General we work for however loves to play with guns, and teaches others for the fun of it."

"Plays with guns?" Darrell asked as she shot another can off.

"Not play really. He does everything by the book and serious." Mitchell said quickly while fibbing slightly. "It's a hobby he trains to others who are willing to learn. Believes in that self defense for everyone, but helps those women who…."

"Rather have someone else save them instead of themselves?" Darrell asked.

"Yeah, that sort of thing."

A man was standing up for the same people that was shown the failed plasma cannon, introducing the two who were about to come out. Part of which listed her awards outside the Air Force and a few other personal achievements. Ford had none so, nothing was listed. Lee was back stage doing the finishing touches on the plasma gun as they were getting ready with their experiment. Up above the people in the chairs below, a man was walking in the rafters with a large case. As the two were still being introduced, he got down and opened the case to build a gun.

"Please welcome to the stage, General Ford Carter and Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter."

They both walked up the glass podium as they were being applauded.

"Thank you." they said together.

She was happy to at least see he left his cane back behind the curtain.

"As most of you may recall, three years ago I went on network television in order to dispel the erroneous charge that the Air Force was covering up the existence of alien life in our galaxy." she said looking at the very large plasma screen that was showing the people and Asguard from the scene with Alec Colsen those years ago. "While I was on screen dispelling what you see, he was off screen because he was very camera shy."

"Ouch." he muttered seeing her smile as many laughed. "I've gotten over it. Otherwise I wouldn't be out here."

"The point is, we both were working on the project that we are both about to show. Following up on the technology you saw those two years ago." she said as the man continued to build the alien sniper rifle. "We have several new features which dramatically enhance its effectiveness."

"We are talking about the Chimera Optics Projection System." Ford said into the mike as the man above took her at her aim. "The whole idea is basically based on the Star Trek holodeck idea incase any of you hadn't already figured that out. Let's face it, a lot of technology is being developed based on a lot of the things Star Trek and other sci-fi shows use or used. Personally, I'd like to see a light saber, but…"

Several people chuckled but most nodded.

"Unfortunately, we are far from having the holodeck sort of system yet. However, as you'll soon see, further research and development has provided longer range and better verisimilitude and more control over the image projection since Chimeras introduction as a prototype three years ago." she said.

There was a burst of energy that went through her and into the white curtain behind her. Their image on the stage fluctuated as they looked around and then behind them. Ford moved and his image disappeared. Hers shortly after she moved as well.

"What the hell was that?" Lee asked getting down.

"Someone just took a shot at me." she said worried as she was looking around and staying next to Ford.

"Good thing for this." he said patting the Chimera device. "You stay here while I…"

"You fire that gun in here, we'll all go permanently deaf or worse." she said taking his gun from him. "This is basically an auditorium."

The gun man was looking around in his scope for his targets, but didn't see anything.

"I see him." Lee said looking through the hole in the curtain. "Holy crap."

"Lee, does the X-699 work?" she asked.

"Yeah, he fixed it. Might still have a bit of a kick though."

The people in their chairs were looking around, wondering what was happening. Ford stepped out of the curtain, his coat closed and pointed his cane at the rafters.

"Hey!" he shouted as he went to go off the stage after the man.

Several people looked up as the man fired hitting Ford dead in the chest. Several people screamed and started running as Carter came out, took aim and fired. The cannon did have a kick to it that she didn't expect, but she kept herself from falling down as Ford was getting off his knees. The gunman was hit and blasted back into the brick wall behind him hard enough that if the shot hadn't had killed him, then the impact from his head hitting the wall and leaving a small blood trail did. What few people that had ran came back in and started cheering with everyone else as she lowered the gun and noticed him brushing his coat off.

"That ass burned my suit."

"I guess now we have to admit the cannon actually works." Lee muttered through a smile as they kept clapping.

"I'm going…"

"Yeah. Before anyone sees it." she said as he took off to get the gun from the dead alien.

He found it before anyone else got up there and was able to keep everyone away by showing his, other I.D.

"Love that physic paper." he said figuring out rather quickly how to take the weapon apart and putting it back into its case. "Not a bad looking gun. This should keep me and Rally really intrigued for awhile."

The authorities came along shortly after he got out to the General and placed it in the back seat. Carter was watching from the doorway outside with a few of the local police that were asking questions as they waited for him to come over and give a statement. People from the SGC and from the N.I.D. were on their way to take over, but had yet to arrive. Once Ford closed the door and locked it, he heard a noise the General shouldn't have made. A long beep. Instead of running away or taking cover like he should have done, he turned around only for everything to go black as the car erupted into a massive explosion that almost totally destroyed the car. Carter ran past the police before they could stop her and made it to him quickly. He was dead, other than because he wasn't breathing, but the burnt orange piece of metal sticking out of his forehead was a good indication. Before they arrived, she quickly removed the metal and tossed it at the burning car. They arrived as his body was finishing up healing his injuries and he started breathing again.

"Ma'am…"

"I am not moving until our people get here." she stated forcefully as he held his head in her lap. "Once I know he is okay, I'll get up."

They only backed off because the N.I.D. showed up and told them to back off moments later.

It was night time on the planet and the various Jaffa were doing different things before going to bed for the night, or Kel'no'reeming, though the few it was. Teal'c was laying alone in a tent, looking like he was fighting for his life. There was no human technologies there hooked up to him, just a slightly bloodied bandage over his wound that wrapped around his body. No Jaffa were outside guarding the tent and the door was open for anyone to see inside. A man in a heavy greenish brown robe that had a hood walked up and looked inside, then back and forth before going in. He walked up to Teal'c quickly seeing he was bandaged and a blanket covering his waist and hands. As he stood beside the bed, he looked at the doorway as he pulled a knife. Teal'c pulled the zat from under the blanket he was holding and fired while the man was still surprised. Three staff wielded Jaffa entered as the man fell to the ground unconscious and Teal'c sat up.

"He's Jaffa." Cha'ra said.

"I do not believe so." Teal'c stated as he rubbed away an ink stained insignia off the mans forehead.

There was a party going on at the high school reunion. A DJ was playing music as he also messed with a few vinyl records with his hands. Multi colored lights flashed across the whole gymnasium as people danced, mingled or talked. Several multi colored spot lights also pointed at different areas plus a few mirror globes flashed as well.

"Do you have any Journey?" a man asked.

The DJ nodded.

"Awesome!" the man said as walking away as a record was removed and replaced.

Vala had already signed in and was placing a sticky name tag to her black shoulder spaghetti dress as Mitchell was signing in. He had on a blue undershirt with a black tie and a black suit.

"Cameron? Hey, welcome back!" a lady said as she walked up noticing him.

"Jackie! Hey!" he said waving.

"And, Vala?" she asked pronouncing it wrong.

"Vala." Vala said.

"Vala. Okay." she said nodding. "Um, I can't remember, but did you go to G.W.?"

"Oh, I didn't attend school." she said as Mitchell walked up behind her with his name tag now on. "As much as I was sold as a domestic servant to a weapons smuggler named Fierneze."

Jackie nodded, more or less thinking Vala was crazy or something worse.

"After I killed him and won my freedom, I considered my education more or less complete." she said continuing to look around at things with a smile.

Jackie was quite sure Vala was nuts or really dangerous. Either way, the look on her face was evident she wanted to be away from Vala.

"Well, um, it was sure nice to meet you." she said uneasily, then nodded at Mitchell who nodded back as she walked off quickly.

"Maybe…." Mitchell said as he pulled her along. "We should keep chat like that to a minimum. Hmm?"

They both now stood in front of a photographer and had a large stuffed bee mascot between them.

"Smile."

Vala didn't know why, but smiled anyway as the picture was taken. Mitchell had a forced smile on his face and she had a more confused smile.

Outside, a guy in a white button up T-shirt, plus a open light green dress coat and brown pants walked from his car going to the high school. He pulled a breath freshener from his pocket and started to spray it into his mouth when a energy blast knocked him down. The setting was so low, that's all it did. He looked up as a, strange alien stood over him. A guy that looked like that Jup character that Mitchell once encountered.

"Oh, God! Oh, God! Please, don't hurt me! Please, don't hurt me!" the man cried out in fear.

The alien pointed his gun and fired, stunning him only. He knelt down and used a device over his body and then put it to his own, changing his appearance to look like the unconscious man before he moved it out of sight.

Inside, everything was still going on. Mitchell was seated at a table next to some guy he once knew while Vala was seated next to him. They were drinking something that came from the refreshments table and was possibly spiked. The man, obviously a geek at one time that only grew into a businessman, was talking to her as Mitchell was looking around a bit bored.

"So you got, like, 11 different policies you can buy." he said as she nodded. "You got your basic four, of course, house, fire, boat, car."

"Wait, let me get this straight. If he buys one of your policies, and…." she said rolling her hand. "Names me as he beneficiary, I would collect all the money in the event of his untimely death?"

"You got it."

She placed her empty cup before Mitchell who gave her a brief look before getting up.

"Tell me more." she said eagerly as she ate some small thing off the plate nearby.

"Well, let me tell you Vala…."

At the entrance to the gym, the alien/man from outside came in and the lady placed a name tag on his coat.

It was now dark outside and people were still showing up. A bald man in a black suit was walking away from his car when another man, the man from earlier in space who blew the cargo ship away walked up.

"Hello there."

"Hi, can I help you?" the bald man asked as he fixed his tie.

"As a matter of act, you can." he said looking at himself a moment. "You suit looks like it's just about my size."

"So?"

A very quick uppercut knocked the man out. The bounty hunter dragged the man away quickly and changed.

Mitchell put more punch into her drink and then added a bit of alcohol from a bottle. Amy came walking up behind him in a flowery type dress that left from above her breast up showing. It had spaghetti straps and was very tight around her chest, accenting certain parts.

"Nice suit."

He turned seeing her and the outfit. And it stunned him. So much in fact, he could only think of one thing to say.

"Wow."

She smiled and did a little curtsy as she waved at her outfit.

"Look at you." he said setting the drink aside.

"I don't quite know…" she said waving her name tag. "Where to put this."

"Oh, that. Oh." he said taking it. "That's 'cause you don't need that."

It went flying off somewhere as he gave it a hard flick of his wrist.

"So, where's your date?"

"Date?" he asked confused as she nodded. "You mean Vala? No, she's not a date at all. In fact, she is over there plotting my death with Gary Walesco."

Amy laughed.

"She seems nice. You sure you two aren't…."

"No. No, no, no. We just work together. That's as far as I think it will ever go. She is interested in a friend of mine and I have no interest in her other than a friend."

"Ah."

"So, where is your other half?"

"On Maui, with his girlfriend most likely." she said with a small laugh. "Ted and I got divorced over a year and a half ago. I moved back to Topeka last year."

"I'm, sorry to hear that."

"Oh, don't be. I'm not." she said with a tone that suggested, good riddance.

"You look exactly the same." he said with amazement and wonder.

"I'm surprised you even remember what I looked like back then." she said surprised he even noticed.

"Are you kidding?"

"No." she said shaking her head.

"What? You had to know I had a major-league crush on you, right?"

"No." she said pushing in his chest gently.

"Yes! Yes. I had your entire scheduled and memorized so I'd be in the right place when I got out of class." he said seeing her smile and chuckle as she looked down shaking her head. "And that sounds creepy now that I say it out loud."

"No. Not really. How come you never said anything?" she said giggling.

"I was 16." he said shrugging, not noticing a man in a greenish jacket watching them and slowly getting closer. "And you were always hooked up with some other guy, and let's be honest about it, you were way, way out of my league."

She shook her head and had an astonished and are you stupid look on her face.

"God. I can't believe I just told you that." he said feeling embarrassed as he rubbed his face with one hand.

"Okay, now it is my turn."

"Might help me not feel so bad and embarrassed." he said as she laughed a moment.

"For starters, I saw ever football game you ever played in." she said caught him off guard. "I can name ever class we shared together. I even broke up with Bobby Haversham, hoping you would ask me out to the senior prom."

Mitchell was rather shocked to hear that as she poked him in the chest. Not to mention his hormones were going a little haywire. He had the biggest crush on this girl before and still did, and she was touching him.

"But you never did." she said poking one last time. "I guess you can say I haven't quite forgiven you for that yet."

He opened his mouth to say something and even started forward when his cell phone rang.

"This better be important or else it goes in the punch bowl." he said pulling it out. "Mitchell."

"Colonel, this is General Landry."

"Oh man." he muttered looking at his cell. "I'm truly sorry Amy. I have to take this. Even off duty, you can still get called."

"I'll be waiting." she said as he walked off.

"General?"

Mitchell walked past the greenish jacket man, who was actually the alien in disguise. He started to follow Mitchell out into the hallway when some man walked up hysterically talking to him, thinking he was the real Phil.

"Colonel, both Carter's were attacked as was Teal'c." Landry said as he walked down the hall. "We have reason to believe that you are also in danger."

"What happened?"

"Teal'c was attacked off world, though he got his attacker. Colonel Carter was attacked while she was talking about the experiment with the Chimera system. She ended up having to use the plasma cannon to defend herself, unfortunately, everyone there saw it truly functions."

"And the General?"

"He's been brought back to base. Who ever is after SG-1 managed to place a very sophisticated bomb on his car and it went off while he was right next to it. Carter said that she had to remove a large piece of metal from his head. Thankfully, no one noticed and he healed up shortly before people arrived to notice. Unfortunately, he has yet to wake up and is not responding to any stimulus."

While Mitchell was getting talked to, Darrell signed in and got his name tag. He looked around but didn't see Mitchell, however, he did see Vala and she was looking at a Class of 1987 poster that had all the people who graduated and was sent invitations for the current party.

Mitchell was still getting an update as he walked through the hallway. He and Landry were in the middle of talking about possibly capturing the guy or gal that was probably already here. If he left, whoever was here might try to take a hostage or worse to make him return. Or attack his family if said attackers already knew that much. He was talking quietly and didn't notice being followed or the gun being pointed at him. The other bounty hunter pulled the gun away and slammed the greenish suited guys face into the wall a few times, knocking him out for sure. He pulled him back into a storeroom nearby and then vaporized him. Taking the gun, he went off in search of Mitchell.

"Well, if it isn't the prettiest girl at the party."

Vala stood up quickly to find Darrell, in a grayish brown suit behind her.

"Hi." she said with a smile.

"Hi." he said doing the same.

"Have you seen Mitchell? I can't find him anywhere."

"Mitchell? Wow, you two are on a last name basis, huh?"

"Military thing."

"Oh right. Well, last I saw, he was talking to Amy Vandenburg." he said pointing a direction.

"Oh, the one…" she said waving a hand.

"Yeah, yeah. I think they slunk off together." he said laughing.

"Perfect." she said laughing, but not funnily.

"Yeah. Um, would you ah," he said digging into his coat. "Like a little refreshment?"

She waved her cup showing it was empty.

"Moonshine." he said waving the drinking flask.

"I've heard of it. Ford once stated he wanted to try it, but I never really found out what it was other than some drink." she said confused.

"This is it." he said as she understood and grabbed him by the tie dragging him off.

"Well sir, it would work. I'd rather not…" he said stopping near a corner as a alien gun was pointed at him by a human looking man.

"You're a little hard to find around here when you keep moving."

"I'm going to guess we didn't go to school together did we?"

"Name's Ventrell. I'm here to collect the price on your head."

"So you're the bounty hunter that is after me. I'm honored."

"Actually, you are just the bait." he said poking the gun into his chest and taking the phone with his other hand.

Mitchell kept his hands in the air as Ventrell talked.

"General, I want you and your team…."

"Who is this?"

"That is not important General…"

"Um, can I make a suggestion?" Mitchell said. "If you are looking for the General, General, as to General Carter. That isn't him."

"This is General Hank Landry. I am General Carter's superior officer."

"I don't care who you are. I want General Carter and the rest of SG-1, here. I give you ten minutes. Otherwise, trouble starts." he said hanging up the phone as Landry started saying something.

"All of SG-1?" Mitchell asked as his phone was tossed to him.

"There is a very big prize on your heads. And I intend to collect no matter what it takes."

"Teal'c isn't even on this planet."

"Oh, they'll be here, especially after that time limit I gave them. I know you people have Asguard beaming technology on those ships up there. Now, if you don't want to see people die, I suggest you keep quiet and no one will get hurt. Now move."

"We have one other problem…" he said as they started walking.

"If the famous General tries anything, I will kill lots of people to prove my point. Even if it includes Colonel Carter or any of the rest of the team."

"He won't be a problem, because he ain't coming."

"He will…."

"He can't. Another bounty hunter got to him and Colonel Carter. She was safe from the blast when his car was destroyed. He wasn't and for some unknown reason, he still hasn't woken up."

"I already know he is capable of healing rapidly so that excuse…." he said poking Mitchell in the back.

"Having a large piece of metal stuck in your forehead and then yanked out apparently causes trouble on some level. If they bring him, highly unlikely, he won't be doing anything except laying around."

"Then you better hope he wakes up soon."

Back at the base, SG-1 was back together, however, Ford was still totally and completely unresponsive. No stimuli was waking him at all and his eyes were moving rapidly like he was in some sort of nightmare he wouldn't wake from. Lam was doing different test, but so far, nothing conclusive. Seeing as they had a time limit, Landry was sending them the others. Carter knew how to use the T.A.R.D.I.S. and rather well, especially with K-9's help. She flew it back to the base and used it to find a hidden cloaked ship, which found it very easily.

"Unfortunately, the Odyssey is not available for transport. However, that cargo ship is ready to take you there right away." Landry said as the other three members of SG-1, in their black off world outfits, minus the back packs, followed him through the hallways.

"Do we know how the assassins have been able to target us so precisely?" Teal'c asked.

"I think so. During our last mission, we were hit by what we thought was a scanning beam. Turns out it was a little more sophisticated than that." Carter said as they stopped at elevator 25. "We were tagged. Except Ford, but seeing as he usually is always at my side, they were probably thinking he'd be right with me as he was. Anyway, we are emitting low levels of a particularly exotic form of radiation. That is what they are tracking. Now, the good news is, it has a limited half life so it should wear off in a couple of days. We could get it down very quickly in the T.A.R.D.I.S., but that takes about five to ten minutes per person in, whatever that medical object was in there. The name eludes me at the moment."

"You can do that later. Right now, Mitchell doesn't have a couple of days."

"We'll get them both sir." Daniel said.

"Good luck." Landry said as they entered the elevator.

Back at the party, Darrell and Vala were in the auditorium, that had seats like at a theater. He was in one chair while she had her legs draped across his. The dress was riding up very high and any higher, he would see her panties, unless she was wearing those red things again that Daniel saw, she could also not be wearing anything too. They were both a little drunk, more him than her. She tossed back another swig as he rubbed her leg.

"Wow. You know, I think Mitchell is crazy for not picking you up."

"Hmm."

"I mean, come on. God, look at you. You are a beautiful woman, you have a keen mind, you shoot like a Special Forces sniper."

"True, all true." she said nodding.

"But…" he said looking at the flask as she removed her name tag. "You can be a little scary you know."

She looked at him as she tried to flick the tag away.

"I mean, to the kind of guy that would be intimidated, by a woman who is successful and brilliant like you are."

"Hmm."

"But you know what?" he said leaning a little closer.

"What?"

"I'm not one of those guys."

He leaned in to kiss her and she placed a finger on his lips.

"Darrell?"

"Hmm." he said around her finger.

"There is something I think I am suppose to tell you now."

"What?" he asked as she removed her finger.

"I'm married."

"Ah. You're kidding." he said backing up and leaning his head back into the chair.

"No."

He let out a dejected sigh.

"It's something I don't like to talk about much." she said placing her name tag over his mouth. "He's a religious zealot, bent on total domination of everyone in this galaxy."

He was confused as he pulled the name tag off.

"So, you're separated?"

Amy was standing and waiting for him to show back up as others danced. She looked at the hallways seeing him walk back in.

"There you are." she said happily as he stopped a couple feet away with another dark suited man next to him. "I thought you deserted me."

"Hey." he said monotonously.

"You okay?" she asked seeing he wasn't very happy like before.

Ventrell looked at him as Mitchell gave him a glance.

"I'm fine." he said with the same enthusiasm.

"Who's your friend?"

"Odia Ventrell, at your service." he said shaking her hand before kissing it.

"Hello."

"I'm a friend of the Colonels."

She nodded and then gave Mitchell a look.

"You still owe me a dance."

"Don't keep the lady waiting, Colonel. You won't get another chance."

She looked at Ventrell noticing Mitchell didn't seem to want to be here anymore. Mitchell took her hand anyway and lead her onto the floor as he unbuttoned his coat. They started dancing as he kept glancing around.

"I think Vala walked off with Darrell."

"Great."

"You know what I like. Now that we are older, and hopefully wiser, we can say how we really feel. There is none of that awful tension that used to hang in the air when we were young."

"Yeah, I'm glad that is gone." he said glancing around.

Vala and Darrell were coming back down the hallway when she noticed Ventrell. She quickly pulled Darrell behind the open door.

"Oh, I like this."

"Oh, shut up." she said then looked out past the door. "That's Odia Ventrell in there."

"Who?" he said trying to look.

"No!"

He was confused as he was quickly pulled from looking.

"Bounty hunter. He's obviously here looking for me."

"Okay, no more liquor for you tonight, all right?" he said gently grabbing her arms that was holding him against the door.

"What? Oh, don't be ridiculous. That stuff barely affects me." she said feeling a little insulted by the drink. She started going down feeling his body. "Have you got any weapons on you?"

"No!"

"Damn. If only Ford was here. We'll have to improvise."

He looked at her more confused and worried than ever before.

Mitchell kept looking around as they danced and she really knew something was wrong.

"Hey, if you don't want to do this…."

"No. It's not that.." he said as he backed away. "It's just, complicated."

"You don't have to say anything. I get the message. It is Vala."

"No." he said noticing that Ventrell was looking at them. So he pulled her close to make it look like they were kissing. "It's not what you think. Right now, I need you to slap me, then get out of here."

She started to look at him funny when many people turned to a loud voice.

"Dave 'The Man' Nelson! It's Darrell!" he said loudly making Ventrell look at him as Darrell slapped him on the arm. "How are you doing man?!"

Ventrell was surprised for a moment as the man hugged him. He pushed him off gently with a smile.

"Sorry, you are confusing me with someone else."

"What?"

"Darrell, get the hell out of here." Mitchell said stepping in front of Amy.

"Oh, like I'm going to listen to you, huh?" he said pointing. "Making time with another girl, while you leave your girlfriend high and dry. Well, thank god I stepped up huh Dave? Thank god."

Ventrell grabbed Darrell's hand off his shoulder and twisted it, bringing Darrell to his knees in pain.

"Touch me again, and I will kill you."

"Dave, you changed dude!"

He pulled his aching arm back holding it as it was let go. Ventrell slide a arm band down his left arm and started pushing button as Mitchell watched. Darrell got up and looked behind Ventrell as Vala tossed some heavy metal vase. Most if not everyone noticed at it bounced off a shield. He turned around as she smiled and waved lightly. The back hand upper cut knocked her unto a nearby table and nearly knocked her out. That got everyone's attention, especially after Ventrell pulled the gun out and pointed it at Mitchell who tried to rush him.

"Get back." Ventrell said as several women cried out and then everyone screamed and tried to leave.

He pushed another button and all the doors closed up, locking everyone in. The people pounded on the door trying to get out, but stopped as he fired the gun into the air putting a small hole in the ceiling. They crouched down to the ground in fear as he spoke. That is everyone but Vala who was getting up, some knocked out man in a chair, Darrell, and Mitchell with Amy still behind him.

"Your attention please. Exiting this room is now impossible. Every door has been magnetically sealed shut." he shouted before turning back to Mitchell and then Vala. "Vala Mal Doran. This is my lucky day. Go over there with him."

She rubbed her jaw as she walked over to Mitchell.

"Netan is offering a bonus for anyone who bags you."

"Sorry, that didn't go well." Vala said to Mitchell.

"Oh, it is worse than you think. Thanks to your little stunt. I start killing people. Besides, the time is up."

"You don't have to do this." Mitchell said.

"First rule of hostage taking, always back up your threats. So, who is it going to be?" he said turning. "The trouble maker?"

Darrell cringed but didn't little else as the energy weapon was pointed at his head and everyone else behind him got lower to the ground.

"Or the girlfriend?"

"Cameron!" Amy cried out getting directly behind him.

"Choose Colonel, or they both die." he said pointing it at Mitchell.

"Now Ventrell, you always were such a coward." Vala said getting in front of him.

"I guess we start with you."

She sighed as the gun was aimed at her chest.

"This is Colonel Carter of SG-1." came over the speaker. "Once all the hostages have been released, we are willing to beam in."

"Negative." he said into his armband. "You and SG-1 beam in first, unarmed. And then I'll let everyone go. And that better include the General."

"Give us a moment."

"Your time is up Colonel. If you don't beam down right now…."

"In case you have forgotten Ventrell, he is unconscious." Mitchell said. "And if they did bring him along, then it takes a few moments to move someone that heavy."

"He shouldn't be unconscious then."

"One of your bounty hunter buddies blew his car up, while he was next to it. How do you expect him to walk away from that so easily?"

A whine noise made everyone look as three people and one body on the floor suddenly showed up in a bright light. Teal'c stood there with his hands behind his back, Daniel with his hands in front of him and Carter with hers by her side. All without any weapons or other items on. Ford however, was on the floor. In a black three piece suit, no watch, no rings, no guns, and no belts or other items on him at all. His outfit was rather damaged, and he had a few cuts and bruises on his face and hands. The others didn't move but Carter looked around. Everyone was surprised to see actual transporter technology in use. Mitchell just shook his head, not only in disappointment, but in anger and because of the look he saw Amy giving him.

"Over there, please." Ventrell said waving his gun.

"Why not them come over here?" Daniel asked. "Moving him again is a major back ache. Even without that heavy coat, he weighs a ton."

He looked down seeing the General on the floor and then waved at Mitchell and Vala to move.

"Now, all of you turn around. You, lady, move or die."

Amy quickly backed off getting far away as Ventrell walked up to them slowly, the General only inches from his feet.

"You all turn around."

"So, what is your end game Ventrell? You know we're not just going to let you walk out of here." Mitchell said.

"Never planned on it." Ventrell said looking up as he pushed a button on his armband.

Rings came down through the ceiling making people cry out again as they dropped down around the group. They then went back up, however, Carter, Teal'c, Daniel and the General didn't leave. Teal'c and Carter moved forward only to suddenly vanish. Everyone was in shock as they watched the body on the floor vanish and then Daniel wave at them all a moment later.

"It's okay, you're all safe now." he said before also vanishing.

Ventrell looked around as they ringed up only to find Mitchell and Vala in front of him. He turned to find two PC-90's pointed at him. One from Carter and one from Teal'c.

"Hello." Carter said.

Mitchell took the energy gun away as Daniel told the people they were safe and then shut off the Chimera device.

"Wow, how did you do that? And where is the General?" Vala asked and then noticing hand ties. "Oh! Allow me!"

"We located this vessel in a field several miles from here." Teal'c stated as Vala tied Ventrell's hands.

"We found another one earlier and used it to get here and take yours." Daniel said.

"Seeing as you wanted us all together, it was highly doubtful you would just land the ship and make us all get in." Carter said. "We were in the process of trying to override the command code when it took off, coming here and dropping the rings down into the school."

"That's right. You, brought us, to you." Daniel said seeing the look on Ventrell face.

"After that, it was a simple matter of using the Chimera device. With the help of K-9, who I believe has finally broke through your codes, he provided a quick holographic body of the General for you to believe was there, like us."

"So he is really not here?" Vala asked.

"No, he's back at the base right, still unconscious?" Mitchell asked looking at the others.

"No updates yet." Carter said sadly. "We know he can heal very well, but maybe getting that piece of his car blow into his head screwed a few things up. Which I hope and pray isn't the case. Anyway, he'll recover at some point. You however, lost."

"No pay day for you." Mitchell said patting his back. "You might have gotten us if you had gotten us off world or somewhere all together."

"Probably. Won't matter now. I didn't get you, but it doesn't mean others won't try. There is a very big bounty on your heads. Including hers." he said jerking his head at Vala.

"You could just get a bigger payday somewhere else." Mitchell suggested.

"What are you talking about? This planet doesn't deal with the currency on other planets and you sure as hell don't have enough Naquada to buy me off."

"Well, you see…" Mitchell said looking at the gun as he walked a couple feet from in front of Ventrell. "I've had some experience recently with dealing with the Lucian Alliance. I know for a fact that some of Netan's seconds are starting to question his leadership. After this little fiasco, it is only going to get worse."

"Indeed." Teal'c stated. "With his failure to eliminate us yet again, he will only appear weaker than before."

"And who knows how mad Ford will be when he wakes up. That was his favorite car." Daniel said. "He might decide to declare open war on a lot of people out there. He does have a very powerful and, Ancient ship. Capable of many things. Who knows what destruction he might bring with it."

"Might even destroy the Lucian Alliance." Mitchell said. "But not before finding out a lot about the people out there they deal with."

"What's your point?" Ventrell asked.

"What if you were to take his place? Think of it this way, you take over and leave us alone, we leave you alone. And we can keep the General off your back."

Ventrell thought the idea had extreme merit.

Back on Netan's ship, that was still in orbit of some planet, Netan was current looking out the large window at the planet and space. He turned to look out the open doorway as he heard explosions and gun fire. A couple people in the hallway ran by and then there was more gun fire. Netan watched as one of the bounty hunters he hired came in and pointed his dart looking weapon at him. He couldn't do anything except glare in anger. The bounty hunter died quickly as he was shot in the back though.

"Well done." Netan said as he rubbing his chest as Ventrell walked in. "You saved my life. You will be richly rewarded."

"I know I will. But not for saving you."

Netan's anger came back and he could only glare as Ventrell pointed his gun at him.

"SG-1 made me a offer that I couldn't refuse. Your job."

Bang.

Back on Earth, Vala was thanking Mitchell's parents for their time and speaking to her and such while Mitchell was talking to Amy near a couple stacks of hay. Mitchell's mom gave her some pie for the road, which she was very grateful for.

"We probably should get moving. We do have a plane to catch." she said thanking them again. "Cameron! We need to get going."

"I forgot to tell her we aren't taking the plane." he muttered as he turned around. "Go wait in the car!"

"We're going to miss our plane!"

"I'll explain in a few minutes!" he said turning back to Amy.

"I have to be honest with you Cam, I don't know what to make of all of this." Amy said as Vala went to the car. "Those Air Force people who made us sign all those papers were really scary. I'm not sure if I am allow to think about what happened let alone, talk about it."

"I wish you could have seen and spoke to my General, not seen his hologram on the ground. Despite appearances, he's very friendly and would have been more nicer about making you sign."

"I would have to sign anyway?"

"No choice. I wouldn't talk about it with anyone though. There's never any proof and we always get rid of it or hide it before it becomes public. Plus there is always the deniability thing the military will always do. However, if you want to call me…"

She laughed lightly.

"I might do that. Can you say anything about what happened the other night?"

He opened his mouth and then closed it.

"Hmm. Thought so. I know this much. That man was trying to kill you and your friends."

"Yeah, we managed to talk him into a new deal. One that really will benefit us."

"What is your real job, Colonel?"

"Something that has to be done, constantly. I can try to talk to the General about possibly bringing you more into the loop, but, it may take awhile. Beyond that, I can't say anything more."

"It is aliens and no where near like the movies portray isn't it?"

He shook his head.

"I can't tell anyone, but you. Everyone would think I'm nuts if I said anything and you'd get in trouble if I did, and I don't want that. It can't hurt. Just between us. No details needed. I promise to keep quiet."

"I hope I don't pay for this later. Yeah, there is aliens. Not like the movies. I can't say anything…."

"I understand. I'm not surprised by it. If there has to be anybody other there protecting us," she said with a certain smile. "From things we're not allowed to know about, I'm glad it is someone like you."

"Thanks Amy. Makes the job more worth while."

"Does this help too?" she asked as it started out as a small kiss turning into a deep one.

Vala was watching and after a minute, honked the horn.

"I'll talk to my superior officer. He is a very understanding guy so, I'm pretty sure we could even get you a tour of what we really do. If not, Colorado Springs isn't that far away and you could come just to see me."

"Call me when you learn something."

He got into the car and gave her a look.

"What, I gave you a minute after you started sucking lips."

"We weren't, sucking lips. It's called kissing, there is a difference." he said as they pulled out of the driveway. "Where did you even come up with that?"

"Heard it on TV. Anyway, we have to hurry or we'll miss the plane and I don't want to be blamed for us being late."

"Carter is picking us up in the T.A.R.D.I.S. after we drop this rental off."

"I thought the ship couldn't run without him being there in it."

"Only to certain points she said. She can't make it leave the planet otherwise the ship will kill her, as preprogrammed into all T.A.R.D.I.S.'s. I don't understand, but is has something to do with….um.." he said fishing a paper from his pocket.

"You wrote it down?"

"I want to ask him about it. Sam was rather lost too. Ah, the Symbiotic Print. Safety feature so the T.A.R.D.I.S. can only be used by Time Lords and not stolen. She can travel around the planet, but that is it. No traveling anywhere else or any time periods either."

"What happens if she tried? Besides death?"

"She said something about a episode with the Colin Baker as Doctor Who explaining what it really meant. Anyway, we do need to get back quickly. The General is still unresponsive as I was last told. I only hope and pray he is alright."

They had just gotten back to base after letting the bounty hunter, that had almost captured them, go. He was given a better offer and took it. From what they learned later, this guy was now head of the Lucian Alliance and currently was leaving the Tauri alone. Ford, who couldn't go with them because he was in the infirmary when they left, was still there when they got back. Carter had just gotten back with Mitchell and Vala and the T.A.R.D.I.S. went back to the mansion as pre-programmed after they left.

"Why's he still in the infirmary?" Carter asked as they met Lam at the door.

"He's getting dressed, or was." she said as they all walked in and up to the bed that had a curtain around it. "He just woke up several minutes ago."

"Is anything wrong with him?" Daniel asked.

"Yes." she said worried.

She pulled it back and they saw him sitting on the bed. He had his BDU'S on instead of a suit, and his coat was laying on the bed open along with his guns. He was currently looking at something in his hand, which had a necklace chain hanging over the side.

"General…." Mitchell began.

"Can any of you tell me what Omega is?" Ford asked not looking up from the objects in his hand.

Carter started on some scientific explanation which lasted three seconds before she stopped and tried to ask him what was going on. Daniel started in on the Greek symbol and other things about it. Ford waved them off with his other hand saying never mind.

"He asked me the same thing too. I didn't get it either." Lam said.

"I got a couple of questions. Well, more than a couple." he said looking at them curiously.

"Why did we not wait till you woke up before going after the guy?" Daniel asked crossing his arms.

"Um, no." Ford said with a confused look. "I don't know what you mean by that to begin with. Anyway, one, where is General Westmore?"

Now they were confused.

"The only General I know, or did know was a General West that was dealing with the Stargate program back when it was starting." Carter said. "But I've never heard of a Westmore? Is he Army?"

"Hmm. No. Former Navy Seal."

"The Navy has Admirals…" Mitchell began.

"Okay." he said looking back at his hand. "Next questions. Where's all my other weapons and where did another one of my guns come from? Also, I know this is the T.A.R.D.I.S. key so we can get back to it later. This strange ring thing here, what is it?"

They started to open their mouths to answer or ask him what was going on, but stopped when his next questions came.

"But I guess the most important questions I should be asking is, where am I, how did I get here and who the hell are you people?"