Part I, Chapter IV

April 15th, 2002

Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Colorado Springs

James Potter and his wife Lily stared in shock as their portkey landed outside Cheyenne Mountain. The obviously-military nature of the complex was... concerning... to them. They had known that he worked for the United States Air Force, a confusing fact in and of itself, but why would "Deep Space Radar Telemetry" warrant such a well-defended compound? And, even worse, why did it look like the security measures were more to keep people in than out? They both gripped their emergency portkeys tightly.

As they approached the mountain, they were stopped three times, at different checkpoints. Finally, they got inside, where they were escorted into an elevator past a truly immense metal door, and their trip into the depths of the facility began.

"You're the people meeting Captain Potter," their escort said. It was not a question.

"We are," James agreed.

"I've known Harry for three years now, and never once have I seen him as pale as when he walked out of the room having just been told you were coming to meet with him. What did you people do to make one of the bravest men I know look like he'd just seen a ghost?" When Lily opened her mouth to speak, he continued, "No, don't answer. I'm not sure I want to know. I'd likely be arrested for assault if I found out. But whatever it was, I don't think you can undo."

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence in the elevator car. Thankfully, the elevator came to a stop at last.

When they stepped out, their escort ushered them into a second elevator, nodding at a man with a gold symbol on his forehead. "Teal'c," he said. "There been any trouble?"

"There has not, Colonel O'Neill." The man turned his gaze on Lily and James for a moment, then looked away. If he had noticed the resemblance to Harry, he did not give any indication.

"Alright, thanks for the lookout, T," O'Neill said with a grin. "Tell the kid his one o'clock is here, will you?"

"Very well, Colonel O'Neill," Teal'c said. He walked into the hallway, and the elevator doors closed.

This time, the elevator stopped above the bottom of the shaft, on a level labeled "Sub-Level 27." Colonel O'Neill guided them to a room with a large red and black table dominating the space. There was a window, why the muggles would put one in they couldn't imagine, but it was covered with a metal blast shield, obscuring whatever view it might have had.

The symbol on the wall appeared to be the project's crest, and they had seen it throughout the facility as they were being led to this room, on patches and on various documents people were carrying. The symbol featured a grey 'V' capped with a semi-circle, with a triangle inside its borders. Super-imposed over this image was a gold carat with the letters "SGC" above it. What was this place? Was it some secret research facility? If so, what were they studying? If not, what could possibly be going on here, and how did Harry get involved?

"Sit down," O'Neill commanded. "Captain Potter will be down shortly." With that, he departed.

After what seemed an eternity, the doors opened again, and their son entered the room. He stood tall, his posture that of a veteran of war. If it hadn't been the muggle Air Force they were dealing with, they might have suspected polyjuice, but as it was, they could only wonder how Deep Space Radar Telemetry turned teenage boys into combat veterans.

"I don't want to deal with you two," Harry said coldly, "so get to the point. Why should I come back? I assume that's what you're here for, as you haven't tried to capture or kill me yet."

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