Chapter 43
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Cheyenne Mountain had been a hub of activity for the past two years. Some moments were more chaotic than others but it was mostly the most organized considering how much personnel passed through its doors, halls and down its elevators. President Hays was walking down one of it halls and into one of the elevators when he was joined by General Jack O'Neill and Colonel Samantha Carter.
"Good morning Mr. President." Jack greeted.
"Jack you're a general, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Henry."
"Sorry sir, I like to start off my day with all my titles in place." Jack replied.
"Right, anyway what's our agenda look like today?" Henry asked.
"We're on our way to a meeting about a transfer Captain Harmon Rabb Judge Advocate USN and the reactivation of Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie / Rabb Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps which has upset an Admiral Albert Jethro Chegwidden Judge Advocate General of the Navy. It would seem he wants Captain Rabb back because we pulled him away from some ongoing cases and needs to appear in court or the offenders could walk. And he's equally upset about the Lieutenant Colonel's reactivation that left because of the anti-fraternization policies, between officers in the same chain of command." Colonel Carter summarized.
"Those are barbaric rules whose time has passed. This is a new age and very soon will be a new world. I've been working with President Wilson to change those laws before." President Hays announced which made Jack and Sam look at each other with a stunned expression upon their faces. They had been restraining themselves from each other for years. If these laws pass than perhaps they could pursue a relationship that went further than the military.
"Sam what is the latest on the core temperatures. How long do the geo-geeks think we have left?" Henry asked.
"The newest speculations based off of the temperatures say that earth crust displacement will occur in late January to early February of next year." She replied.
"Well Kids here's how we're going to play it…" Henry began.
Half an hour later O'Neill and Carter walked into a briefing room containing the JAG lawyers and the Admiral. O'Neill looked to the Admiral who shook his hand as he introduced himself.
"I've seen your record General. Most of which is blacked out but I've heard stories.' The admiral said.
"All good I hope." Jack said off handedly.
"Black ops are anything but." The admiral replied.
Jack just shrugged.
"However, I haven't heard anything about you since you started working under this mountain. I don't want to see my people disappearing like you did." The admiral stated.
"Do I look invisible to you? Actually it's just the opposite as far as anyone is concerned. As you can see I've been very noticeable and I've risen in rank since being stationed under this mountain. So there is room for advancement. Jack said.
"I'm not sure how you've managed that. What do you people do here anyway?" The admiral asked.
"Deep space telemetry radar sir." Carter replied.
"Riiiight. And that isn't a cover story for something that's probably classified. I must say that I'm not comfortable letting my people go without knowing what their walking into and as I've spoken to them both, I know they didn't have nor do they have the intention of coming here. Couldn't you find some people that were willing?" The Admiral asked.
"Sir it wasn't a matter of finding willing personnel but getting the best for the job." Carter replied.
"And what would the best JAG lawyers be doing in a project that concerns deep space telemetry radar?" The Admiral countered.
"Classified." O'Neill said.
"Then I'll have to go over your heads so that you can't have them and I'll be filing injunctions too for their permanent placement back at our offices. They didn't ask to be here and I need them back in court. You can expect a call from the secretary of the navy."
"Well if you insist on breaking out the big guns then I'll have to do the same."
O'Neill walked to the door and as he opened it he barked a command of "aten-hut!" as Henry Hays walked into the room. The Jag officers couldn't get out of their chairs fast enough as some of the said chairs fell backwards.
"Mr. President this is very unexpected. I can only assume this has something to do with this nations shadow government."
"Very perceptive of you." Hayes replied.
"Is the nation in danger of losing its government anytime soon?"
"It's always a possibility but no more than any other time in the past. But it is why we need the best and they have to be ready for when it does happen. That's why we need Rabb and MacKenzie."
"Sir, Rabb and MacKenzie are desperately needed back in my offices the court cases they were working on were high profile. Without them we may lose; and a hacker with the knowledge to get into the navy systems and retrieve data can sell it to the highest bidder will walk, only to start all over again. As far as Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie , her reactivation was uncalled for. Rabb and MacKenzie are in a relationship. The anti-fraternization policies wouldn't allow them to work together."
"Well, in a progressive move by the acting presidents governing body, those rules will be overturned by the new year."
"Really, I hadn't heard that. But I still can't allow them to leave at this time without a presidential order whether it be from the acting president or you. Will you be signing that order, sir?"
"No, I won't sign an order to make anyone do something they don't want to at this time. Nor will I request an order from the acting president. You seem to have a need for them so; I'm letting them go back with you. But they will be back here by the end of the year to take the job so get your office in order, clear those cases and their work load because come hell or high water they'll be back here or they'll be dishonorably discharged."
Admiral Chegwidden's face was unreadable as he took in the information. He'd be losing two of his best people to a shadow government and never have contact with them again. A government that has little power at the moment because there wasn't an emergency that would activate them. Maybe he could still pull them away.
"I understand sir and thank you for allowing my office the chance to bring these pending cases to a close." The Admiral said
"You people deal with some of the dirtiest bilge water in the business. And I don't want to hear they got off on a technicality on my part. That's why I'm giving you this chance. I'll have my people send yours to the entrance where you can take them home. Dismissed."
"Thank you sir, it's been a privilege to meet you Mr. President." The admiral replied.
The admiral left the briefing room and headed to the entrance to find his people standing at the guard house.
"Sir." Mac greeted.
"Admiral since we were brought to the entrance does this mean you got us transferred back under your command?" Harm asked.
"Yes, it does we're going home. But it's only temporary. I may have damaged an opportunity for both of you. Did you know who you were destined to work for?"
"No sir, but I'd rather pick my placement if possible than to be pulled from the job and home I know, and be plucked away at a crucial moment. One might call it rude."
"This is a job that comes once in a lifetime and could further you careers. I was just in a briefing with President Henry Hayes."
"Sir, are you saying that they wanted us to work for the Shadow government?" Mac asked with wide eyes.
"Yes, you're to be trained in case the shadow government is ever activated and you'll be coming back here at the beginning of the New Year to start that training if that's what you want."
"You mean we have a choice?" Mac asked.
"No, but as long as they aren't active as a government I can file some injunctions and call in a few favors if that's what you want. I'd be very sorry to lose either of you."
"Sir, while it is an honor to be chosen I didn't build a reputation only to hide beneath a mountain vanishing into obscurity. One of the best weapons a lawyer has is his connections within the legal system. I think I speak for both of us when I say we would rather stay where we are." Harm said while Mac nodded in agreement.
"Very well Captain, Colonel, I'll see what I can do." He said with a smile.
Meanwhile, back in the briefing room president Hayes was picking up his folders as he said the O'Neill and Carter.
"Well… you win some you lose some."
"Sir?" Carter asked.
"I went over the admiral's service record and profile. He'll do everything he can to keep his people. He'll keep us buried under mountains of paperwork before he lets them go."
"Is that what we're doing sir? Are we just going to let them go?" O'Neill asked.
"They're not under arrest and at the moment we have no power to demand or enforce their participation. That can only happen when we become the acting government. Besides Rabb's and MacKenzie have some concerning notes in not only their service records but their files from the C.I.A., the K,G.B. and SAVAK. They may be the best but I'm not so sure we should pursue them."
"So what now, sir?" O'Neill inquired.
"We go for the second best. When the time is right I can co-sign an order along with President Wilson under the homeland security act and while the admiral is busy shielding Rabb and MacKenzie we set our sight on Lieutenant Commander Bud Robert and Lieutenant Harriet Sims who are married to each other and also work under Admiral Chegwidden command. It says they have children who are still young so we'll have to accommodate them as well."
"Yes sir, I can have my unit make arrangements. When will you be acquiring them?" Carter asked.
"I was thinking based on when earth crust displacement is to occur that we should send for them around late December." Henry announced.
"Oh, well that will give us plenty of time." Carter replied.
"And it gives the Admiral no time to do anything about it. Truth be told given a choice I'd like to just beam up the whole office when the time comes but the oversight committee will only let us have who they deem fit and that aren't a security risk. When I asked for Rabb and MacKenzie the committee had been reluctant and now I see why so second best will have to do. In any case we're done here Dismiss."
O'Neill and Carter both said, "Yes sir." and they left the room leaving Henry Hayes alone with his dark thoughts about the oversight committee.
/Scene Break/
It was predawn at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. Next to the forbidden forest just out of sight of the castle stood a disillusioned trailer where large amounts of magical creatures were filing in through its doors. Some creatures being aware of why they were there were helping to move the beasts along. Oddly enough the fairies seemed to be the most help. As the last of the creatures were herded into the magically expanded trailer. Standing next to the trailer were Hermione, Willow, Dawn and Firenze the centaur.
Dawn asked. "What's going to keep them from attacking each other as predator and prey?"
"Oh, I put a modified sanctuary enchantment inside the trailer. I got the idea from Cassandra Russell. She modified it for demons, so I consulted her on how to do it with magical creatures and it turned out to be really simple. Willow explained.
"Well, I'm still kind of concerned that portkey travel is going to be too turbulent for the creatures." Dawn said worriedly.
"Well, you needn't be." Hermione replied. With this type of enchantment the inside of the trailer is made bigger on the inside because it's in another dimension. The movement of the outside of the trailer won't translate to the inside at all. None of the creatures will even sense they've moved."
"Oh well, that's a relief." Dawn said.
Just then a team of centaurs arrived. Willow and Dawn were blushing as they saw the females weren't wearing anything to cover their breast as they stood among the males. They soon schooled their facial features as they realized this was just a cultural difference.
"Good morning my friends," Firenze said and turned to the witches. "These are my centaur sisters and brethren. This is the group that has agreed to start a new herd with me. I can only hope that I can live up to the trust they put upon me."
"You're saving their lives; I think that should be enough." Dawn said.
Just then an arrow flew through the air with enough force to penetrate the invisible aluminum door between Dawn and Willow. When they looked back to where the arrow came from they saw a second team of centaurs. The leader hobbled to the front and spoke.
"Firenze, you have violated centaur law."
"Bain! What is the meaning of this? I have violated no law, centaur or otherwise."
"As an outcast you were not to enter our forest nor were you to initiate contact with the herd. "
"I have done neither. I have stayed away from the forest and members of your heard came to me for assistance. They felt you were leading them to a path of destruction and sought me out for guidance."
"Lies, I've done nothing to make any of the herd think that the path I lead them is in anyway dangerous." Bain said defending himself.
"You have ignored the prophecy of the great destruction." Firenze replied
"That prophecy tells of two great and powerful witches, the likes of which centaurs have never seen. They will come to lead the heard to safety. This is a false prophecy as we would never trust humans enough to follow their lead."
"You may not trust any humans but it would seem that some will." Firenze said gesturing to his new herd.
"Most of them are young and foolish and need my strong leadership; the others are imbalanced and need the care of the herd."
"That will not be happening but I can assure you that if it did they would change the minds of the rest of the herd and more of your followers would be leaving in the days to come looking for the witches that would help them to safety. Tell me what led you here. How did you find out about our pilgrimage?"
"We saw that many of the herd became secretive so I planted one whose allegiance is to the loyalty to the herd."
"Damien, grab your brother from your cow of a mother and come forth." One of the male centaurs said.
"Damien grabbed hold of a younger centaur that began to struggle against him."
"No, I will not go. I will not abandon mother nor will I die listening to that mad donkey kisser Bain!" The young centaur shouted.
The closer he got to the other herd the more violent the struggle became until they were half way between the two groups and the older brother had to start defending himself from serious injury. He had never seen his brother react with so much ferocity. In the past the older brother bullied the younger to no end and the younger always submitted to him but now he almost felt that he was fighting for his own life. The older brother felt he may die as the younger was trying to clobber him in the head with his hooves. He was able to grab the younger centaur by the head but was surprised when the boy pulled an arrowhead from the sash he was wearing and sliced his leg deeply. Damien let go of the younger centaur in surprise and in pain.
"Toagar, look what you've done to your brother! How could you do such a thing?"
"It seemed like a good going away present. Since he beat me every day of my life and you let him. I'm going with my mother and the witches of prophecy and you and that mare Bain can watch the forest die around you."
"You will learn respect boy and if your father can't teach you I will." Bain said affronted by the comment about his masculinity. "Besides there are no witches that powerful so you will never find them."
"That is where your wrong buster. We happen to be pretty powerful." Dawn said indicating her and Willow.
Without preamble and quick as a flash Bain pulled an arrow from his quiver and shot it directly between Dawns eyes. The arrow stopped inches from her. Luckily Dawn was standing within the mouth of the trailer. The sanctuary enchantment was doing its job. Oddly Dawn didn't even flinch nor was she afraid. She was just pissed. Dawn stepped away from the trailer. She pulled her wand and waved it in Bain's direction. The centaur were expecting some type of conjured net or stone to be magically flung at them because centaur's were magic resistant and couldn't easily be charmed, jinxed, hexed, or spelled. To their surprise Bain was transfigured into a donkey. This angered the team and they all pulled arrows from their quivers only to turn to the witch to find another in her place. Her red hair blowing in an unfelt wind and her eyes were obsidian black. She raised her hands and two apple trees pulled their root from the ground and began limbering toward the team of centaurs. As the trees approached one of the centaurs had the bright idea to set fire to his arrow and shot it at one of the approaching trees. When this tree caught fire, it moved to the other so it could share its flame. They then continued towards the team. The centaur broke formation to keep away from the burning trees when Willow spoke.
"Go to the centaur camp. Burn it to the ground. Leave nothing in your wake, God speed." She commanded.
It was then the trees showed how fast they could be as they ran through the forest toward the centaur encampment. The centaur and the donkey formally known as Bain had no choice but to follow to save their people and homes.
"Willow you mustn't burn out the centaur from their encampment." Firenze pleaded.
"She won't." Dawn said. "Look over there where the apple trees came from."
All the centaurs of Firenze's new herd looked in that direction to find two in tacked and unburned apple trees.
"It was an elaborate illusion? But I felt heat and smelled smoke?" Firenze realized out loud. "You really are the most powerful witches ever seen."
"Well, I don't know about that but now that the drama is over, let's get you and your friends to the safe land." Willow urged and the centaurs then boarded the trailer.
"What will become of Bain?" Firenze asked Hermione before entering the trailer.
"I'm not sure. Centaurs resist magic especially transfigurations. Dawn shouldn't have been able to do that. But it should only last an hour." Hermione reasoned.
Unknown to Hermione, Dawn and Willow, Dawn's spell was so powerful that Bain stayed a donkey until noon the next day, transforming back in front of everyone in the encampment. If Dawn had put her full power behind the spell the look could have been permanent.
/Scene Break/
Harry, Xander, and twenty slayers sat down for breakfast before another hard day's work. Buffy went through the records of hard working slayers and reassigned five of them to work with Xander not knowing that there were five slayers that Xander was able to sneak by the Guardian Council. Then Willow not knowing what her two friends had done also reassigned ten more. Xander now had a full hard working crew. Harry was unable to help rebuild the bank and cook for everyone too and so had to summon Kreature to help keep everyone fed. After this morning's meal he saw even he was having trouble keeping up so made a mental note to call the other Potter elves from Hogwarts to help.
Not only was there a full crew but there was now enough supplies to keep twenty two people working. Willow Hermione and the slayers were on nightly raids emptying warehouses of everything on their shelves. It baffled police and other law enforcement agencies to no end. It started the first night with Below's home improvement in Washington state, the next night it would be a J-mart in Texas, then it would be a FloorMart* in the state of Maine. Then the First-aid drug store warehouse in Iowa as well as a medical supply warehouse in New Mexico was hit because slayers got hurt a lot. Then Brandings warehouse 'home of skill-men tools' in Pennsylvania was requested by Xander. And so on and so forth but they were really grateful for last night raid on the food stations warehouses of which was responsible for tonight's meal and was sure to be one of many food warehouses to be raided for the upcoming disaster hopefully keeping everyone fed for the next year until they could find or arrange for other food sources.
Xander just began passing the bacon when they felt the air pressure drop.
"We got incoming!" Xander said.
Everyone backed away from the table and ran outside the tent just in time to see a new trailer skid into place next to the other twenty trailers. Harry ran up to it and took out the letter attached to the door where the shipping manifest was usually kept. He scanned the letter to find out what was inside the trailer.
"Everyone, I need to ask that everyone stand away from the trailer as I open it. This is the one we have been waiting for. It contains the magical beasts and creatures from the forbidden forest and will need space until they get their bearings. We don't need them freaking out and charging us. Some are very dangerous but were saved for a reason so we don't need ether you or them hurt or damaged." Harry announced
Xander and the slayer complied and watched from a distance as Harry opened the door. The first to come out were the centaurs.
"Firenze, it's good to see you again." Harry said.
"Well met Harry Potter, it is good to see you as well. As I told Hermione, Willow and Dawn it would be my pleasure to oversee the departing of the creatures from their containment as they look to the centaurs and the authority in the forest."
"Do you think they would charge if some friends could get closer. I know that they have been anxious to see them."
"Keep them twenty yards away and everything should be alright." Firenze said.
"That would put them behind that low wall across the street which would be perfect. Thanks Firenze."
"It has been my pleasure Harry Potter. However, can you tell me in which direction I can send them?"
"Yes, Xander and I scouted that piece of jungle over to the south. The part on our property is only about a mile deep and half a mile wide but the jungle goes farther than that. You'll be taking chances going off the property."
"Hmm, many of us may have to look beyond that."
"We're looking into buying more land beyond that direction soon but if some of the creatures feel they need to find land even further away remember to warn them that there are many predators on this continent." Harry warned.
"I will convey your concerns." Firenze replied.
Just then several more people walked down from the railway station yelling greetings from a distance as they walked toward them.
"Muggel? We must hide!" Said one of the centaurs.
"It's kind of too late for that. They already saw you. Besides I think I know who they are. At least I know the man leading the way. And he's part of our group." Harry said.
As the people came forward some of them slowed as they realized that the Centaurs they saw from a distance weren't some kind of illusion or mechanical toy.
"Hello, Harry isn't it?" One asked.
"Yes, and if I remember right your Mr. Caine."
"Call me Peter. And who's your friend."
"Oh umm Peter Caine this is my friend Firenze. Firenze I'd Like you to meet Peter Caine he's a Shaolin Monk. He and the rest of the monks are here to build their monastery on that hill over there. This city is going to be a mixture of Muggle and magical among others. There will be magical female protectors called slayers of which some are standing across the street Peter and the Monks…"
"Ha, you make us sound like a rock band." Peter chuckled as did the monks.
Harry looked a little embarrassed but continued. "And then there will be Native Americans whose ways mirror your own. I know Centaurs are self-sufficient but once you head into the jungle don't feel you have to stay away. If you need anything just let us know. I like talking to you. I've always thought you were a wise professor."
"We also extend that invitation as well." Peter said.
Just then Oz, Blair, and Jim came down the hill. Oz didn't even break his stride. Jim stopped stunned at what he was seeing as Blair seemed excited.
"Oh man! Real live Centaurs, this is fantastic." Blair announced and then realized how enthusiastic and animated he seemed and began to blush. "Sorry. I'm Blair Sandberg these are my friends Jim Ellison and Daniel Oz Osbourne."
"My name is Firenze leader of the centaurs and this is my second his named Ogamon. We understand that this new community will be host to magical and mundane this will undoubtedly be challenging but has the potential to be fruitful if our people can get along."
"I don't see that as being a problem. The people coming here are pretty much handpicked and open minded." Xander announced.
"Picking and choosing who will live and who will die is one of the great burdens of being a leader. I had to leave many behind. Some because they were as you say closed minded others because we couldn't get to them or were unsure of their allegiance." Firenze replied.
"You have our sympathies." Caine replied.
"So, what brings you here Oz?" Xander asked.
"I'm here to help Blair and Jim." Oz Replied.
"And we're here to help with the magical creatures if needed. We were supposed to help Willow with the loading part but some of the charms around that school were affecting us and we had to leave." Blair said.
"It was my fault. My sentinel abilities make me sensitive to many things. I tried to assure Willow that it wasn't anything I couldn't get used to given the chance. In the end she turned us away anyway for our safety." Jim said
"She was correct in doing so. Many of the creatures are empathic and would have picked up on your agitation. Not something you would want to relay to wild magical creatures." Firenze explained.
"He's right about that. I was able to feel your stress. It was better we left." Oz confirmed.
Jim nodded in recognition.
"Anyway, we're here to start building our monastery. We bought all the stone and tools we'll need for the job and Willow said they would be here when we were ready." Peter told them.
"Yes, there's a trailer her with your name on it." Xander confirmed.
"Only one? There should be several. We had a lot of stuff." Peter wondered.
"The inside of the trailers are magically expanded so everything could be put into one." Harry explained.
"Oh… Okay, that's something I'll be interested in seeing. Where can we find it?" Peter asked.
"It's alongside the one with the magical creatures. You'll have to wait until we unload it before we can get to yours. We don't want to excite the creatures and it would just be too dangerous to let you near it at this time." Harry said.
"We understand. How long do you think it will take to empty?" Peter asked.
"It took hours to load but now that we're here they should be eager to leave. It should only be an hour." Firenze explained.
It was alright with the monks because they were very interested in seeing the creatures themselves.
Everyone stood on the other side of the street and behind the wall as the creatures left the trailer. Harry gave a brief background on each one coming out of the trailer. His audience thought the creatures were ugly, beautiful, gross, strange, and weird but all were thought-provoking. It only took forty-five minutes for the trailer to be emptied and for said creatures to vanish into the jungle much to the disappointment of the slayers as they wanted to see more of them and maybe pet some of them like the unicorns. When it looked like they were all gone one of the slayers ran out from behind the wall to get to the trailer Peter wanted opened only to come face to face with an equally startled hippogriff
"Nicky freeze!" Harry yelled.
Nicky did as he said.
"Take two steps back." He said and she complied.
"Now bow."
"What?" She asked.
"Bow, just do it." He insisted.
She did so and to her surprise the creature bowed back.
Hippogriffs are very proud creatures. By showing proper respect and bowing to them they may find you worthy to be so close. Trust me you don't want to piss off a hippogriff. I've seen one nearly break a student's arm in half.
"So, am I worthy to pet it?" Nicky asked.
"Nicky, with its acknowledgment you should be worthy to ride it if you wish."
This announcement shook her as she asked. "Can I?"
"If you'd like, let me help you up." He said as he approached them and after his own bow he helped Nicky onto the hippogriff back. Nicky seemed very happy.
"I haven't even been on a pony before." She announced.
This caused the Hippogriff to screech so Nicky quickly continued.
"So, I'm ever so honored to be riding on such a majestic creature as this and I'm in no way comparing you to such a lowly animal as a pony." She babbled out.
"Good save Nicky." Harry said with a smirk as he lined up the hippogriff with the main road.
"You didn't say they were sentient."
"That's because it's still out for debate. It's been suggested that they can sense the intent of your words. Now hang on!" He said as he slapped the rump of the creature making it take off at a break neck speed.
"Harry, what the hell do you think you're doing she just said she's never ridden before." Xander said shocked that Harry would do such a thing.
"There's no point riding a slow Hippogriff." Harry said with a smile.
Nicky was yelling for the creature to stop or slow down but it wasn't listening when she noticed they were heading for a brick wall at the end of the street she yelled louder. Then all of the sudden it spread its wings.
"You got to be kidding me." She said too shocked to think of anything else as it began to flap its massive wings a few times and she found herself airborne on the back of a hippogriff flying over the brick wall. As they climbed higher she began yelling again only this time it was in pure joy.
"Oh, if my father could see me now. Go Air Force!" She yelled and laughed.
"Well there goes the work day. Now everyone will want a turn." Xander said. "And I'm next by the way."
She was in the air for five minutes waving to her friends down below and having a great time when she noticed some military looking trucks traveling down a road close to the G.C.'s property.
"Umm. Excuse me Mr. Hippogriff sir." (She really hoped she got the sex right. She didn't want to be bucked off in midair. She really wished she checked before she got on.)" But I think we should land about now because I think my friends will want to know about those trucks down there." Nicky explained hoping it was intelligent enough to understand. Whether it did or not it did what she wanted and they landed where they started.
At Harry's coaching everyone made sure not to rush up to Nicky and the Hippogriff so as not to make the creature violent. Nicky got off and made her way to Xander.
"Hey Xan, there are some military type vehicles coming down a road at the edge of our property. There are three or four roads that could lead them right here should they take them."
"Did they see you?" He asked.
"No, I don't think so. I was parallel to them. And the jungle flora kept me hidden for the most part. They were in covered trucks so I don't know if they were carrying ordinance or men."
"We need more information." Jim said. "We need to see if they'll be headed this way."
Harry turned to Firenze and asked. "Can you get a couple of those Thestrals back here?"
Two minutes later Harry magically created reins around the Thestrals head and handed it over to Jim.
"You want me to ride this thing? Why me?" Jim asked.
"You're the one with the better eye sight." Harry replied.
"I remember you said that they can only be seen by people that witnessed death. If those guys are military then it's safe to say that they've seen death." Jim replied.
"They're also muggles which means they couldn't see them anyway. If it weren't for your abilities heightening your sixth sense you wouldn't see them either. Just as the monks have a heightened consciousness." Harry countered.
"Alright, but they'll still see me." Jim said hoping Harry had an answer for that.
No they won't. Not after I disillusion you." Harry replied.
"Oh wow! That means you're going to make him invisible right? That is so cool! Jim this should be a wild experience for you and you'll be riding a magical creature as well. I only wish I were going too. However I got to wonder how it will affect your senses." Blair said excited for his friend.
"Don't worry I know enough to dial them down when it comes to new experiences." Jim replied.
"Alright then, are you ready?" Harry asked.
"Yeah sure." Jim replied indifferently as he tried to hide his uneasiness.
With that confirmation Harry tapped the top of Jims head with his wand and he disappeared from everyone's view.
"Jim, you're gone. I can't see you." Blair announced.
"Weird… it feels like he broke an egg on top of my head and the yoke is dripping down and covering my body." Jim explained.
Harry mounted the other Thestral and said "That normal. Let's get going. We need to find out what these guys are up to." As he tapped his own head and disappeared.
Jim mounted his Thestral and followed the other that Harry was riding down what was being called 'Main Street' and by the end of the street they were in flight. Jim was surprised with himself that he was taking this so well and didn't even have a grain of anxiety about it as he focused on the mini convoy he could now see below.
They got as close as they dared which was pretty close. They were a few feet away from the back of the trucks when Jim used his hearing and sight to find out what they were up to and where they were going. He disregarded what he heard as they were speaking an African dialect he couldn't understand. But he was able to see plenty. They followed the convoy until they passed every road that could lead them to their friends. They then broke off and circled around to land back on Main Street.
"So what did you find out?" Xander asked.
"They were guerillas not terrorist." Jim announced.
"They are still just as dangerous just different modus operandi. This is why I have the BBC news playing so my girls can hear what kind of dangers are out here." Xander explained."There were four trucks with six to eight men in each carrying old AK-47's and crates of ammunition. I couldn't tell where they were headed because I didn't speak their language." Jim explained.
"As long as they weren't coming here. We may own this land but that won't make any difference to them. The last thing we need is for the military to get a clue about us and what we're doing." Xander warned.
/Scene Break/
Cheyenne Mountain:
President Henry Hayes and General Jack O'Neill were just sitting down to discuss something Hayes felt important enough to mention to his second in command when there was a quick knock on the door.
With a sigh the President said "Come."
Samantha Carter opened the door.
"Sirs, I think you both should see this. I think we may have a big problem."
"I'm all ears." Jack said.
"Go ahead Sam." Henry said.
She quickly sent the information from her tablet to the big monitor in the room.
"This was security footage taken from a bank across the street from one of the food station warehouses in Vermont. The security video within the food station warehouse seemed to be jammed in some way."
The picture showed lights flickering just as food started to float past the main windows before it got so fast that it looked like there was a mini tornado within the store. When it was over it looked like all the stores shelves were empty. Sam stopped the video just as two humanoid figures ran past the window one in a red body suit covered from head to toe and another in yellow. Both were female.
"What kind of technology was that Carter?" Jack asked.
"Unknown sir. I've never seen any kind of transport tech do anything like that. It reminds me of the way a black hole would react but it's obviously not the case. And this isn't the only time it's happened. Whoever they are, they've been raiding many of the Food Station Warehouses in several states as well as hospital supply warehouses, home improvement warehouses, department stores, and brick yards and never in the same state, at least so far."
"So they hit a warehouse in one state and then move to the next state to do their next heist?" Henry asked.
"No sir. I mean some times it happens that way but sometimes they pull a heist in a state across the country. It was only brought to our attention because two of the places they hit were places we staked out to be raided by the transporters on our orbiting ships during the crust displacement."
"Still, that would mean someone is collecting this stuff with a purpose. Whoever they are, they know about the earth's crust." Henry said aloud.
"That was our speculation as well."
"Do we have any idea who they are Carter?" Jack asked.
"Only more speculation I'm afraid sir. We think it could be the darker part of our government. It's the only organization that might have some secret technology we know nothing about but whoever they are would have to have their own ship but with our ships already in orbit up there that would mean they have some form of cloaking technology. If that isn't the case then the question is where are they storing the stuff and how do they plan on taking it with them?"
"How about the costumes can you run down where they came from?" Jack asked.
"I'm afraid not sir. They generic and are sold by costume shops all across the country. Without a lot number or something I'm at a loss of how I could trace them."
"Very well Sam, keep on it and let us know of any more significant developments." Henry said dismissing her.
"Yes sir." She said as she left the room.
Henry turned back to his second in command.
"Now let's get back to why I originally called you to this meeting, Jack."
"Yes sir." Jack responded.
"Everyone on this base is allowed to bring immediate family when the time comes. In some cases where there isn't immediate family they are allowed more distant family member like cousin aunt or uncle provided they can pass the background check." Henry paused looking expectantly at O'Neill.
"Yes sir?" Jack said unsure where he was going with this.
"Why haven't you added Mac to the list?"
O'Neill put a strangle hold on his emotions to cover the shock that someone found out about his long lost relative. At least that's the way he wanted to think of him.
"Sir?"
"Angus MacGyver, your cousin. Why haven't you added him to the list?"
"Sir, I'd first like to thank you for not mentioning this in front of Carter. I've spent my whole SGC career keeping that bit of info from her. If she found out I'm sure she would have asked for me to introduce her to the shlub. Not that he and I had a falling out or anything but even though I've earned what I have and through no fault of his own I always felt inferior to him and I didn't want Carter to see that. However it's kind of a moot issue. I was informed he died two years ago in Africa. It would seem he got in the way of some of the local revolutionaries and was killed. It's been over ten years since I had seen him. I always said I'd meet up with him again and now I guess it too late."
Henry sighed as he looked at the table. "I see. I had wondered if you knew of his passing. He was an interesting man."
"Tell me about it. The man's name became his own verb. Carter even used it years ago when she told me how the science and tech guys MacGyvered our dial home device. But if you knew he was dead why are you asking about him?"
"I was really wondering if you had considered saving his son. You know the photojournalist, the reason he went to Africa."
O'Neill looked at his commander and chief like he grew another head. "Sir, Mac never had any children. He didn't even have a wife let alone a kid that could be old enough to be a photojournalist. Even if he did he would never have been able to work for the phoenix foundation and accept assignments that would send him halfway around the planet away from his kid."
Henry only smiled at him and then said. "Wrong. Mac didn't even know about his son until the kid was already out on his own. His mother Kate Malloy died in China several years before father and son met for the first time. From what I hear he's a lot like his old man. Smart resourceful and can improvise on a moment's notice. My question is, will you be considering saving him or do you and your clone plan on waving goodbye to the last of your family."
"His last name is Malloy you say?" Jack asked a little excited that he wasn't the last of his family.
"Sean Angus Malloy. I hear he likes to be called Sam."
"Damn! He couldn't doge that horrible name." Jack commented. "I'd like to request any information we got on him."
"I thought you might. Oh and by the way Colonel Carter has been well aware of your family since she started at the SGC. She's the one who found the information about Sean Angus. It seems she noticed the family resemblance between you and Mac right off. "
"Damn, I should have known." Jack said with a smirk.
"You didn't know he died when he did. You found out months later but she knew. Her idol had died and you were probably wondering why she had been depressed at the time." Henry said.
"If I remember correctly that was around the time she went to see her brother and his family. You're right I didn't know. I didn't even make the connection." Jack paused before adding. "Sir, I'd like to formally request that I be able to save the last of my family, Sean Angus Malloy who apparently likes to be called Sam."
"Permission granted and I suggest you make contact with him so he'll be less freaked out when he's beamed up to the ship and sees someone who looks similar to his dead father. We don't need the young man dying of a heart attack just after we save him. I'm sure he won't be the only one."
Jack raised an eyebrow in Henrys direction.
"Don't worry we'll have medics standing by at the beam up points."
"Yes sir." Jack said with a smirk.
"Dismissed general."
"Yes sir."
A.N. Hello everyone. The bad news is that my vacation plans have been scraped while I still have a lot of time off. This is 'great new' for you because I decided that I will devote much of that time to finishing this story. My hope is to put a chapter up by the weekends. I hope you enjoy.
A.N. (Reviews can make a story even better.)