"General, any chance we can get these kids stationed here permanently? Or baring that another of these Protectors Packs?" Colonel O'Neill asked the next day.

"I take it the evaluations are going well, Colonel?" General Hammond asked.

"Oh you could say that sir. We had to move the targets back a considerable distance because of their heightened eyesight, but every one of the Pack members, even Ms. Lehane with her less developed augmentation, could hit within the center spot. Harris is the only one who could hit a moving quarter spot, but the others could still hit a moving target at distance. Even the little redhead, who acted like the gun was a snake about to bite her, could hit a target at a regular distance, not quite within the center and not moving, but still grouped well."

"Indeed, General, they were most impressive. I've spared with all of them and they are quite proficient in a variety of martial arts techniques. I would like to instruct them in Mastaba, the Jaffa art of self defense. I am certain they would do well."

"Mr. Harris can really hit a moving quarter spot at distance?" The General asked.

"Repeatedly, sir. I'd like to meet this Major Rory Harris that trained them, he did damn well. He was very though and covered a wide variety of techniques. They used everything from nerve strikes to wrestling and street brawling techniques. If they weren't controlling themselves, their targets would have been seriously injured, even killed. Their control is that good, sir." O'Neill said.

"That does sound impressive. What about you, Dr. Fraser, what have you learned?" General Hammond directed the question at her.

"I'm getting an idea of where their abilities come from, sir. Jesse and I have talked at length and frankly, it's both impressive and scary. They have thicker muscle fibers, simultaneously denser and more flexible bones, the bones are somewhat larger too. The reason I would be hard pressed to do manual CPR on them, is the enlargement of their bones, makes the rib cage more solid. The spacing between the ribs is smaller than in a normal person. Their heart and lungs are larger too. They can hold their breathe considerably longer than a normal person. Which also gives them greater oxygen delivery to their muscles. I can understand why the procedure is only done on children and teenagers. Their bodies are already in flux. An adult undergoing the procedure, would likely die from the stresses." Came Dr. Fraser's answer.

"So you would not recommend this procedure on an adult, even if we were to learn the specifics of it, Doctor?"

"No sir, I would not, there is far too great a chance of death or permanent disability."

"I'll note that in my report. The President is already aware of the specifics and agrees it's too dangerous to use. Any idea why only a limited number of children could even be considered for this procedure?"

"They may have a predisposition or genetic condition that makes it easier for their bodies to handle the procedure, sir. There are a number of genetic conditions that make the body either more flexible than average or the reverse, less flexible. If they have a way of testing for these conditions, it could explain why they knew these children could handle it."

"And you, Dr. Jackson, what have you found?"

"They fight demons, sir." Came the astonishing answer.

"Excuse me?"

"The things they fight sir, our ancestors labeled them demons. Creatures from Hell. Once I understood what kind of information Willow was looking for, I realized, that's how our ancestors perceived these creatures, as demons. And if they really do eat people, I can see why. The descriptions from the mythology and folklore aren't quite the same as the real things, but you can definitely see a resemblance. No wonder this is being kept Top Secret. There'd be wide spread panic if the world knew things out of mythology had a basis in fact."

"That would explain what I learned about the rifts from Willow. She said they radiate a type of energy that is beneficial to the creatures, but has an odd effect on humans. Certain things that can be damaging to humans. If our ancestors noticed these places where these creatures congregated and bad or odd things happened to people around these areas, they'd get a reputation as a bad place. As our population density increased, the effect became less noticable. By the time we rediscovered it, our science would have a better chance of understanding it."

"And the child? Any idea how to explain her abilities?"

"Mr. Harris might be right, sir. The surrogacy itself may provide the answer. Surrogacy can take three forms. A woman donates an egg and it's combined with a man's sperm and implanted in another woman's uterus. Or a couple can both donate and it's implanted in another woman's uterus. Or a woman allows use of both her egg and uterus. While I have not been given any specifics regarding which methods the Harris' used, I lean toward Faith donating an egg, it being combined with Xander's sperm and implanted in Cordelia. Abigail would then be a combination of Xander and Faith, but there's an exchange of blood and fluids between a mother and child in uterus. Faith's less complete augmentation may actually have acted as a bridge, allowing the abilities to manifest. The circumstances of Abigail's existence are therefore unique and quite possibly, unrepeatable."

"Then why go after her in the first place?"

"Because she's unique, sir. If they can't recreate the circumstances, then studying her may give them insight into how to replicate it artificially. They may feel an army of augmented humans is worth this one child's existence."

A/N Remember they don't know the odd occurrences include Day of the Nightmares and Invisible Marcie.