Previously…
"Miss Lehane, before we can talk about anything else; I'd like to ask you a question" asked the General as Willow gave Faith a toothy grin, "How'd you like a job working with us?"
Faith's Quarters, NID HQ
"Wait.. what?" said Faith surprised as she looked between Willow and the General. She really thought that this was it for her, that she would be going to prison for what Buffy and the others had done to Willow during the whole Slayer Council fiasco. Instead, they were offering her a job.
"Well" said the General as he and Willow sat down, "after a discussion with Captain Rosenberg earlier today, it's been agreed that you be read into what she's been doing for the past few years and be offered a place at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex working for NORAD"
Willow reached into the bag she was carrying and took out a folder and handed it to Faith.
"Miss Lehane, this folder contains a Non-Disclosure Agreement" said the General, "you are required to read through it and then you can sign it. It basically says that should you reveal any of the information that we are about to tell or show you today to anyone, you'll be charged with treason and put into a maximum security prison for the rest of your natural life"
"So what happens if I don't sign the Non-Disclosure Agreement?" asked Faith
"Then this job offer is off the table and you'd be spending one year in a minimum security facility for the confinement of Captain Rosenberg" said the General as he continued before he could be interrupted by Faith, "the Captain told us in her report that you were reluctant to do what you did and while I understand you were following orders, it doesn't excuse the fact that she was tasered by you and then held against her will"
"Faith" said Willow softly, "I know you were very conflicted about doing what you did at the Council, I could feel it; and you have no idea how sorry I am about what I did to you in return, especially breaking your ankle. But what we're offering you is a brand new life, you can finally be your own person, a job that would be helping millions of people and I gotta tell you, the pay's not bad either"
"What do I have to do?" asked Faith looking at Willow, "for the job I mean"
"You need to sign that NDA first, Faith" said Willow smiling,, "and then I'd have to show you. You won't get the same impact if I simply told you about it. But believe me, it beats your wildest dreams; it'll be an adventure of a lifetime"
"What?" said Faith sarcastically, "looking at stars and planets?"
"Kinda" said Willow smiling, "sign it and you'll see. Plus I bet you're wondering how I got my voice back right?"
"Well yea" said Faith
"Look" said Willow, "we can answer all your questions after you sign the NDA, there are some specific ones I can answer tomorrow but there are some we can answer today"
"Miss Lehane" said the General, "the people who work at Cheyenne Mountain has a deep bond to each other that goes beyond family ties. We can offer you a place that is stable, and where you'll be well looked after"
"With the occasional need to go overseas" said Willow smiling
"Exactly" said the General
Willow: "Faith, Angel is a few doors down with Cordelia and because of his enhanced hearing; we can't really tell you the confidential parts today. But trust me; it's worth accepting this job even before you hear about it. I guarantee it."
"Angel's here?" said Faith
"Yes" replied Willow
"The NID will be starting a new program to battle supernatural threats with Cordelia Chase and Angel" said the General
"What if I want to go with Angel?" asked Faith
Willow looked at General O'Neill before turning back to Faith, "you'll still have to spend one year in minimum security prison before you can join them, if that's what you want" said Willow
"So you're forcing me to choose between prison time and working for you guys?" said Faith, "how's that different from what Buffy asked me to do, Willow? I'm still being forced to do something I'm not even sure of"
"We're asking you to be a part of something greater than yourself" said the General, "and to have faith in Willow"
"Please Faith" said Willow as she looked back up, "I'm asking you to trust me. I feel like I've lost my friends these past few days. All I'm asking is for you to trust me; what I'll show you tomorrow is important and I know its something you'll want to be a part off. After I show you what it is I do, then you'll understand the need for the secrecy we have all been operating under"
"It's not that I don't trust you Red" said Faith sighing, "it's just that I've had enough of people forcing me to do stuff I don't wanna do"
"Believe me when I say that this is something you'll want to do" said Willow
"If I don't like it" said Faith as she stared at Willow, "you're treating me to an expensive dinner"
"What?" said Willow smiling, "that's it?"
"For now" smiled Faith as she looked at Willow
"Ahem! Hello….." said the General as he waved his arms around, "I'm right here, you know"
"Sorry Sir" said Willow as she smiled at the General
"Can I at least get a pen?" asked Faith
"Here" said the General as he handed her a pen to sign the paper work
"Alright I'm done" said Faith smiling, "so what can you tell me"
"Well, first of all congratulations" said the General, "your security clearance just went up a few levels"
"Cool" said Faith, "and?"
"Faith" said Willow, "what do you know about my leaving Sunnydale?"
"Just what B told me" said Faith as she referred to Buffy, "you simply got up and left Sunnydale by bus for parts unknown. Then you called Xander the next day from Colorado Springs and told him you'd be moving there"
"Well" said Willow, "that's partly true, except the 'how' part"
"What do you mean?" asked Faith confused
"I made a wish to get out of Sunnydale, Faith" said Willow, "that night Buffy and the others were mad at me for a spell I did that went very, very wrong. So I made a wishing spell to go somewhere where I'd be needed with people who would actually care for me and my wellbeing. And the next thing I knew, I ended up in a meeting room inside Cheyenne Mountain"
"I tell you" said the General smiling, "that day I actually thought I'd get a heart attack when I saw a red headed girl lying on top of the conference table"
"I'm sorry Sir" said Willow smiling, "I'll try not to do that again"
"So that's what really happened" said Faith to herself before looking up at Willow, "and the others don't know?"
"No, and they can't know" said Willow, "that's one of the reasons why my file after the day I left has been categorized as Presidential Eyes Only; the other reason is because of my abilities"
"You mean your magic?" asked Faith
"I only did a modified locator spell one time last year I think it was" said Willow as she recalled the modified spell she had to use to locate Major Carter on the Prometheus, "since then, I haven't used any magic"
"So the powers you used at the Council HQ?" asked Faith
"New" said Willow, "I guess. I've been using it for some time now"
"Against….?" Asked Faith looking for more information
"I can't tell you now" said Willow
Willow: "Angel's still here"
"Your file is also the same as Red's here" said the General, "Only the President will have access to it"
"That's cool" replied Faith
"Tomorrow we'll be going off to Nevada" said Willow
"Las Vegas?" asked Faith as she sat up excitedly
"Nope, we're going to Nellis Air Force Base" said Willow, "Something I wanna show you"
"Miss Lehane" said the General
"If I'm gonna work for you" said Faith looking at the General, "Just call me Faith will you. Miss Lehane makes me seem old"
"Alright, Faith" said the General, "your paperwork will be rushed by tonight and then you'll be able to leave with Captain Rosenberg tomorrow morning"
"Red" whispered the General as he turned to face Willow, "we should get going if we want to meet with Cassie"
"Of course Sir" replied Willow, "with your permission, may I have a few minutes alone with Faith?"
"Sure" said the General, "I'll be right outside", then he looked at Faith, "Welcome aboard Faith"
"Thanks" said Faith as the General got up and left, leaving Willow alone with her
"So" said Willow
"So…." Replied Faith, "working together huh?"
"Yep" said Willow as she started to lightly tap her finger on the table
"Thank you" said Faith to a surprised Willow
"What for?" she replied
"For going to bat for me" said Faith, "not many people would do that for someone with my history"
"Have you even seen mine?" said Willow smiling, "but seriously though, I hope that someday you'll be able to tell me everything about your past"
"It'll take time Red" said Faith quietly
"I'll wait" replied Willow as she slowly got up, "You should get some sleep. We'll have a long day tomorrow"
"You're leaving now?" asked Faith
"Yea, I'm meeting my ex-roomamte for dinner with the General" said Willow
"Oh that reminds me" said Faith, "where am I gonna live?"
"You'll be with me" said Willow, "I mean staying with me. I have a two bedroom apartment, unless you wanna stay by yourself. If you're more comfortable that way then I can understand it"
"Nah" said Faith, "it would be fun staying with you. It would actually be nice to catch up now that you're able to tell me everything"
"Definitely" replied Willow
"I guess I'll see you early tomorrow morning?" asked Faith
"Yeah" said Willow "I'll be here by 0800hrs, I mean eight in the morning"
"I know what 0800hrs mean Red" said Faith smiling
"Alright" said Willow, "I'll pick you up tomorrow for an amazing day. Trust me, you'll like it so much that you'll never wanna leave. I know I don't"
"Very well" replied Faith, "see you tomorrow then"
Willow slowly turned around and walked out of the room. Before she closed the door, she gave a small wave at Faith. Once the door closed, she turned around and saw Giles, Buffy, Dawn, Xander, Tara and Joshua heading into the conference room where Cordelia, Angel and Agent Reed were seated.
Xander noticing Willow looking at them, stopped and gave his oldest friend a small smile before going into the room. Willow returned the smile before she turned around and walked towards General O'Neill who was waiting at the elevators.
Just as the elevator doors closed, Willow heard Buffy loudly shout "What?!". Willow made no effort to open the doors again to see what was going on, she and the General had dinner plans with Cassie and she didn't want to spoil her mood by checking up on what Buffy would be complaining about.
"I can always talk to her and the others tomorrow" thought Willow to herself.
"Thank you Sir" said Willow to a surprised General O'Neill
"For what?" he asked
"Trusting me about Faith.. helping me to get a meeting with the President so that I could plead my friends' cases…. Basically, I'd like to thank you for everything you, the SGC and SG1 have done for me since I met you guys" said Willow
"There's nothing to thank us for Red" said the General, "You've grown a lot since the first time you appeared at the SGC. You're no longer the nervous girl who fell onto a desk, you're now a strong and confident young woman who routinely goes to other planets and helps people. What more could someone ask for? Carter, Daniel and Teal'c are especially proud of you"
"Thanks Sir" said Willow smiling as they reached the lobby and went out to meet up with Cassie
NID Headquarters, the next morning, 0700hrs
"Good morning Malcolm" said Willow as she got out of the elevator
"Good morning Willow" replied Agent Barret, "You're here early"
"Yeah, I wanted to talk to Buffy and the others first before leaving with Faith" said Willow, "speaking of whom, I take it all her paperwork is complete?"
"Yes" replied Agent Barret, "You just have to sign some paperwork completing the transfer of Faith Lehane to your custody"
"Cool" said Willow, "Malcolm, how's Agent Reed? I know about the NID's past so I just wanted to ask if Agent Reed is part of that particular past. If you know what I mean?"
"Willow" said Agent Barret, "I trained him myself so he shouldn't be a problem. He's just too excited about having to deal with Vampires and super humans now. Trust me, Mr. Woolsey and I have done everything we can to clean up the NID, the rogue agents have either gone underground or in jail. With this new organization under an independent oversight committee, I don't see the same problems that plagued the previous version of the NID"
"I'm really hoping that's the case Malcolm" said Willow, "and I'm really hoping this new endeavour is highly successful. The SGC already has its hands full with what's out there, I don't think we could also handle the supernatural threats over here"
"Like General O'Neill must have told you, they will be completely separate organizations" said Agent Barret, "They won't know the existence of the SGC or Homeworld Security. Not yet anyway, at least until the President and the IOA authorizes full disclosure to the world"
"Any inside knowledge on when that may happen?" asked Willow smiling
"Our security clearance isn't that high, Willow" laughed the Agent
"Ah well, had to try" smiled Willow, "So can I talk to Buffy, Dawn, Xander, Giles and Tara together?"
"Are you sure about that?" asked Agent Barret
"Yeah, I need to say goodbye before I leave for Nellis and then Colorado" said Willow, "plus I need to know what Dawn's response would be to my offer. Hopefully she'll accept it"
"How about you wait in the conference room?" said Agent Barret, "I'll bring them to you"
"Thanks Malcolm" said Willow as she walked towards the conference room from yesterday
She waited inside the conference room for thirty minutes before she heard the door opening and Buffy, Dawn, Xander, Tara and Giles come into the room. Willow could feel a chill in the air as Dawn and Buffy glared at her with their arms folded across their chests, Tara just seemed to stay in one corner of the room as Giles walked over to Buffy and held on to her shoulders, while Xander walked up to Willow and simply stared.
Willow: "Hi guys"
"Wills" said Xander as he took a few steps towards her closing the gap between them. The next thing Willow knew, she was being given a tight hug from Xander. She was in shock for a few seconds before she returned his hug.
"I'm so sorry Wills" whispered Xander into Willow's ear
Willow: "So am I, Xander"
Xander slowly stepped back from the hug as he wiped his eye, "Look at me, I think something must have gotten into my eye" he joked
Willow smiled and looked at Buffy and Dawn
Willow: "Morning Buffy… Dawn, Giles, Tara"
"What do you want Willow" said Buffy
Willow: "I'm leaving for Colorado with Faith today. I just wanted to see you before I left and I wanted to ask Dawn if she thought about my offer"
"What offer?" asked Buffy surprised as she looked at Dawn
Willow looked over at Dawn in surprise
Willow: "You didn't tell her?"
"It doesn't matter" Dawn replied, "I'm not taking it anyway"
"What's the offer, Willow" asked Xander
"Xander!" shouted Dawn, "I don't want anything she offers"
"Willow" repeated Xander, "what's the offer?"
Willow: "You know about your sentences right?"
"Yeah" said Xander, "We found out last night after you left. Buffy was shocked, as was I when we found out how lenient the sentences were. I mean even if we have to spend a couple of years in jail and the rest on probation working at the new department in Sunnydale under the NID, I actually thought that we'd be spending life in prison. But that Major Davis guy said that we were extremely lucky to get such light sentences"
"It was incredibly light" said Giles, "You had something to do with that didn't you?"
Willow: "It doesn't matter Giles"
"Willow" said Tara as she walked up behind Dawn, "What was it you were saying about Dawn?"
Willow: "Well, I knew beforehand about the sentence that Dawn received; my offer for her, and its already approved by the President should she decide to take it, is that she stays with me in Colorado Springs and finishes off her education during the entire five years of Buffy's sentence. In return, she won't ever see the inside of a jail cell but she'll be able to visit Buffy twice a week for a few hours as long as she stays in minimum security. In return, Buffy will be transferred to a minimum security lock up in Colorado so that Dawn can visit her easily; and Buffy can consult with the NID and the Bureau of Paranormal Investigation and Research through a secure and encrypted video line. And after her jail sentence is completed and her probation period starts, Dawn can visit her in Sunnydale during the weekends while Buffy works with the BPIR"
"I already told you I don't want your deal Willow" said Dawn
"Take it Dawn" said Buffy as she looked sadly at her sister
"But…." Said Dawn before she was interrupted by Xander
"You have to take it Dawn" said Xander and Tara
"Dawn" said Giles, "it seems like a very generous offer. It would be in your best interest to take it"
Willow walked over to the window while they argued over the offer that Willow had made Dawn.
"You won't be in jail Dawn" said Buffy as her voice started to break, "I can't have my baby sister going to jail. Just take the offer, please"
"No" said Dawn, "I don't wanna be alone. I'd rather spend time in jail with you than with her" Dawn said as she pointed at Willow
"Dawn" said Xander, "you won't be alone. Willow will take care of you"
"No" said Dawn, "I'm an adult now and I can take care of myself and I'm making the decision to go to jail with you guys"
"Please don't do this Dawn" pleaded Buffy, "I'm begging you"
"Dawn" said Xander, "You'll be able to see Buffy every week, and then after all our sentences are completed, we'll be together again and hopefully we can start healing these wounds" he continued as he looked at Willow
Willow nodded in agreement.
Willow: "It will take time Xander"
Willow then looked at Dawn
Willow: "Dawnie, I'll be completely honest with you. There will be times I'll be busy with work and sometimes I'll be away for days at a time. But make no mistake, I'll take care of everything you need and you'll have some freedom about where you can go in Colorado Springs and who you can be friends with. I work with some of the smartest people on the planet and maybe I could help you get an internship with them. I know how much you like languages; one of the people I work with is one of the best linguists I know and he always needs help in translating obscure languages. Make no mistake though, I'll have rules you need to follow, but you'll be able to finish your education and then get some work experience. Then, if you so wish, you can move permanently back to Sunnydale after Buffy's entire five year sentence is completed"
"I told you not to call me Dawnie anymore Willow" said Dawn
Willow closed her eyes and breathed in deeply
Willow: "Why don't you, Buffy and Xander decide yourselves what you wanna do. I should go talk with Tara and Giles. I'll come back for your decision before Faith and I have to leave"
"Alright Willow" said Xander before Willow moved to another corner of the room with Giles and Tara
"Willow" said Giles, "I really don't know what to say"
Willow: "It doesn't matter Giles. Are you ok? I think I pushed you onto the wall quite hard"
"Yes" said Giles, "I just had some slight bruises"
Willow: "Tara… Giles, just work with these guys during your probationary periods. All I ask is that you work hard and keep your heads down and maybe eventually the President will be able to give you guys a pardon. This is new for everyone, just give it a chance"
"We don't really have a choice Willow" said Giles
Willow: "Like I said Giles, maybe if everything goes well, you'll also be pardoned from deportation but Faith and I need to go now, I'll really miss you guys"
"I'm sorry for how all of this turned out Willow" said Tara
Willow nodded and turned back to Xander and the others.
Willow: "Buffy, can I have a word with you? I just remembered something you said when you visited me in Colorado Springs"
Buffy silently asked Xander to look after Dawn as she and Willow walked over to the wndow away from everyone.
"What do you want Willow?" asked Buffy but she could see a hint of anger in Willow's eyes
Willow: "Why did you lie to me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about" said Buffy as she folded her arms across her chest
Willow: "Oh please Buff, when you came to visit me in Colorado Springs with your whole crying act. You told me that something really bad had happened and that Spike and Anya had been killed. The night my team came to rescue me, the ones who were at the dorms said that they saw a platinum haired British guy who was guarding the girls. And the only one I know who's like that is Spike. So my question is, are they really dead? I mean I know Spike is technically dead, but Anya…. Are they alive or just simply gone from the Council?"
"I don't have to answer to you Willow" said Buffy as she turned around and started to walk away before Willow quickly but softly held on to Buffy's arm
Willow: "Buffy, it's important. If you want this project to be successful, give Agent Reed information on where he could find Anya and Spike. They'll be useful to the new organization. And I really hate how things have gone between us the last few days"
"It wouldn't have come to this if you had just told me what I wanted to know" said Buffy softly with her back still turned to Willow, "now if you would kindly excuse me, I have to convince my little sister to stay with you so that she can stay out of jail"
Willow: "We've offered Faith a civilian job Buffy. She'll also be staying with me, so Dawn can have someone to complain about me with everyday if she too decides to stay with me. I promise that either me, Faith or someone else will bring Dawn to visit you"
Buffy just gave a slight nod and walked back to her boyfriend and little sister.
Willow just stood by the window for a few more minutes before she saw that Dawn had seemed to have made a decision.
Willow: "So Dawn, what do you say to my offer?"
Nellis Air Force Base, 1350hrs
"Alrighty Faith" said Willow as she and the brunette Slayer exited the transport plane they took from Andrews Air Force base, "Welcome to Nellis Air Force Base"
"Yaaay" said Faith sarcastically, "come on, Red. What's so special about this place that you couldn't tell me last night at the NID or on the way in the flight?"
"Faith" said Willow as walked towards one of the hangers, "Everything you will see or hear about today is covered under the NDA you signed last night and its classified under section 11-C-9 of the National Security Act. So the whole treason and prison for the rest of your life still stands if any information about this or what else you see or hear gets out"
"Ok" said Faith, "so we're in an Air Force Base in Nevada which apparently is very secretive"
"Ever heard of the Groom Lake Facility?" asked Willow smiling
"Nope" said Faith shaking her head
"Come on" said Willow as they walked past one of the hangers towards a small building, "we need to put our flight suits on here"
"Wait a second" said Faith as she stopped just before Willow opened the door, "What do you mean flight suits?"
"Well" said Willow smiling, "I'll be taking you up on one of the most advanced fighters we have. Trust me, you'll love it"
"Must be one hell of a special plane" said Faith as she crossed the threshold into the women's locker room.
"Oh it is" said Willow as she changed into a flight suit and helped Faith get one for herself, "I'm just glad I've been trained to fly the thing by my Commanding Officer"
"So that General O'Neill guy trained you?" asked Faith
"Well, back then he was a Colonel" said Willow, "but yea, he trained me on flying the thing"
"That's neat" said Faith as she changed into the flight suit she received from Willow, "But you still haven't told me what's so special about this place, other than this special plane I mean"
"Faith Lehane" said Willow smiling as Faith zipped up the front of her flight suit and grabbed a helmet, "Welcome to Area 51"
"No way!" exclaimed Faith as they left the locker room and walked towards the hanger, "you're putting me on right? It's a big joke right?"
"Hey Jen" shouted Willow to the young and short blonde haired girl who was walking towards them in her own flight suit.
"Hi Willow" said Captain Jennifer Hailey, "I heard you're taking her up today as well"
"Yup" replied Willow with a smile, "Oh this is Faith Lehane, the one who's going up with me"
"Trust me" said Hailey as she looked at Faith, "it's an experience, you'll never forget it"
"Oh, Jen" said Willow smiling, "Faith doesn't believe where we are, mind confirming for her?"
"Sure" said Hailey as she turned to face Faith, "Miss Lehane, my name is Captain Jennifer Hailey and I'd like to welcome you to Area 51"
Willow and Hailey couldn't help but smile at the perfect impression of a gold fish that Faith was making.
"Anyway Willow" said Hailey, "she's all fuelled up and ready to go. Since it's just a training flight, she's unarmed"
"That's fine" said Willow, "see you on base"
"Yep" said Hailey as she turned back to Faith, "Nice to meet you, have fun"
"Uh….. yeah…. Sure…." Said Faith as she stared at Willow, "Area 51? You mean I'm standing in THE Area 51?"
"Yep" said Willow smiling, "come on Faith, she's ready for take off"
"Willow" said Faith, "what the hell have you been up to"
"You'll find out, my friend" smiled Willow as Faith walked beside her into the hanger when she gasped at the sight in front of her.
"Beautiful isn't she" said Willow smiling, "This is one of the Air Forces' F-302's. This is one of Earth's space-worthy fighter-interceptors"
"Woah" said Faith as she approached the sleek looking plane, "This is out of this world"
"Technically you're right" said Willow
"Huh" said Faith confused as she continued staring at the F-302
"The F-302, although entirely human built, has had many of its systems retro engineered from alien technology" said Willow grinning as Faith looked back at her in surprise
"Wa…. Wait… you just said aliens didn't you? You're joking right? Aliens as in from Mars? Green skinned Aliens from Mars?" said Faith as she mumbled
"Well" said Willow smiling, "Actually they're more like the Roswell grey aliens in those cheesy science fiction movies, I've actually met a couple of them… nice people, wicked smart too"
"No! Freaking! Way!" shouted Faith as everyone in the hanger suddenly stopped working, "You're joking right?"
"Nope" said Willow, "Come on, let's get in and I'll show you another wonderful sight"
"Good afternoon Captain" said one of the technicians working in the hanger, "she's been fully fuelled and ready to take off"
"Thanks Doc" said Willow as she put her hand on the shoulder of a stunned Faith and guided her up the stairs to the cockpit.
"You'll be sitting behind me" said Willow to a nervous looking Faith, "nothing to be nervous about, Faith. I'll be right here. If you don't feel comfortable in going for a joyride, we can go to Colorado right now and show you what I really do"
"No" said Faith, "I'm just stunned"
"This is the first time I've seen you stunned" smiled Willow
"I've got a feeling this will occur more times today right?" asked Faith
"Oh Yeah" replied Willow as she got into the pilot's seat and powered all the systems just as two technicians came up that stairs and tightly strapped the both of them down into their seats.
"Umm… Captain" said one of the technicians
"Yes?" asked Willow
"General O'Neill asked us to designate this flight as Slayer-One" he replied
Willow and Faith smiled at the call sign for the training flight as the technician closed and locked the canopy of the F-302.
"That General guy's a joker isn't he" said Faith smiling
All Willow could do was smile.
"Faith, you ready?" asked Willow, "last chance to bail out"
"Hell yeah" said Faith, "I'm ready"
A few minutes later, after receiving clearance from Nellis Control, Willow taxied the F-302 to the designated runway and waited for clearance to take off.
"So where are we going?" asked Faith
"Up" said Willow cryptically as she pointed up to the sky, "Let's just say you need to put your oxygen mask on now"
"Up?" asked Faith as she put her mask on, "Up as in? Wait… you don't mean?"
"Remember I said this was a SPACE worthy fighter-interceptor?" said Willow smiling
"Oh…. OH!" said Faith as she finally figured out where they were going off to, "is it too late to apply for air miles?"
"You'd have to ask the General about that" laughed Willow
"Control to Slayer-One, you have clearance for take off. Godspeed" said a voice on the radio
"Copy that Control" replied Willow as she turned her head back towards Faith, "You ok, Faith?"
"Yea" said Faith
"Don't worry, this things got inertial dampeners so we wont be feeling too much of the G-Forces" said Willow
"That's good to know Red" said Faith, "let's go then shall we"
"We shall" said Willow as she ignited the thrusters and took off in a steep climb
"Control" said Willow, "I'm at mach two….. mach four…. mach five….. mach six…. Igniting rocket booster for orbital flight"
"This is fun, Willow" said Faith as she looked out the side of the canopy and saw the curvature of the Earth in the distance get smaller and smaller until there was just blackness all around them.
"Control, I've achieved orbital flight" said Willow
"Copy that Slayer-One, you'll be transferred to SATCOM Four for communications with Control and Prometheus"
"Thank you Control, I confirm SATCOM Four for communications" replied Willow
"Faith" said Willow, "look up"
Faith looked up and saw that they were flying upside down, "Woah" she said as she saw the entirety of the North American continent from the cockpit.
"Willow" said Faith, "I don't know what to say… this is simply… wow"
"See I told you" said Willow, "there's something else I wanna show you Faith"
Faith could see the F-302 rotate until the Earth was below them before Willow pulled up and went out a bit further out into space.
"Faith" said Willow, "Check out your three o'clock"
Faith turned her head to her right and saw huge chucks of debris, some looked surprisingly like gold pyramids that have been shattered and others the size of two to four story buildings.
"What the hell?" exclaimed Faith
"A few months back" said Willow as she flew through the debris, "there was an attempted attack on Earth"
"What?!" shouted Faith
"Did you watch something on the news about the Nimitz Battle Group?" asked Willow
"Yeah, they said there was a freak meteor storm that wiped the entire Battle Group out" said Faith
"No it wasn't" said Willow
"You don't mean?" replied Faith surprised as she looked back at the destroyed spaceships
"Yeah" said Willow sadly, "they bombarded and destroyed the Battle Group from space just to see if we had any advanced weapons. The frightening thing Faith, is that they used only one mother ship to do it"
"No way" said Faith
"I was on another ship in another part of the galaxy when it happened" said Willow, "we only found out what happened once the battle was over"
"You were on another ship?" said Faith in surprise, "How many ships do we have?"
"It was an alien vessel" said Willow, "one we procured from the enemy"
"Faith" continued Willow, "I know there is a war being fought in Sunnydale. Us against the supernatural beings that want to kill us and drink our blood, or possess us, or try to break the Hellmouth so that other unspeakable things can come and kill us"
"You were there when Buffy came to Sunnydale and started slaying" said Faith, "you know what the stakes are"
"Yes I know" said Willow, "and I thought that was all that mattered on Earth until I appeared in Cheyenne Mountain. Then I learnt that there are things out of this world; literally out of this world, that could destroy this entire planet at the touch of a button. The debris of ships you see outside, they were led by a very powerful bad guy; he even used a very powerful weapon to wipe out an entire people on a planet called Abydos. They were our allies but all of them are gone now"
"We're in a war Faith" continued Willow
"So you want me to fight?" said Faith softly, "Do you want me to be a weapon? One you just point and shoot at your enemies? Do you see yourself as a weapon?"
"No I don't see you as a weapon and I don't see myself as a weapon" said Willow, "the people I am working with don't see me as a weapon either, they see me as a young woman. And they'll see you the same way too. It's a really nice place to belong Faith. All I've wanted was to belong somewhere and I found a place, I think you'll find you belong here too"
"I also know what it's like to kill people" continued Willow as Faith looked on in surprise, "I know what it does to a person because I've killed people. But I've also had people to help me go through the aftermath and the guilt of taking lives, even if they are the lives of the enemy"
"Kinda hard to believe that you of all people would kill, Red" said Faith softly
"I've killed to protect my people, my friends and my planet, Faith" and "I've also seen someone I and my teammates care about die"
"I'm sorry" said Faith
"It was happened off-world" continued Willow as she recalled the death of Dr. Frasier, "it was a friend's mother who died. She was a doctor who had gone off world to help a wounded Airman. I and a few others covered her while she went over to him. I remember clearly that he didn't want to die because his wife was due to have a baby within a week or so. But he convinced my teammate to make a 'goodbye' video for his wife, just in case, while the doctor was trying to stop the bleeding and help him"
"Willow" said Faith
"She asked me to hold on to the wound so that it would stop bleeding while she got some bandages to keep it under control. It was touch and go for a while but she managed to get him stabilized" continued Willow as tears started forming in her eyes, "only once he was stabilized did I have a feeling that we were being watched by one of the enemy soldiers, a person who hated us just because…. Anyway, I started to fire my weapon at him followed by the rest of the Airmen and my teammate who was there. The asshole who tried to ambush us died, but just as he fell he somehow managed to get off one, just one very lucky shot. The orange energy pulse went right past me, did you know it missed me by a few inches, but instead it hit the doctor right in the chest. I tried to used magic or whatever powers I had at the time to heal her but she was already dead. She died instantly after getting hit by the blast. Then I lost control"
"What do you mean?" asked Faith
"I killed every person on the enemy side who was in close proximity to me, Faith" said Willow, "each and every one of them was killed by me. But one of my teammates helped me to come back to my senses and we collected the doctor's body and took her back home"
"I'm sorry Willow" said Faith sadly as she lightly squeezed her shoulder
"For a while I blamed myself for her dying, I thought I should have tried pushing my healing powers harder but eventually I learnt that there was nothing I could do. She died instantly during a war, and that's something that can't be helped. The whole base has had to move forward but we still keep her in our memories and hearts" said Willow
"Being a part of what I do Faith, you'll see that we're so small in the grand scheme of things" continued Willow, "The galaxy is so big, there are races that would want to destroy us or enslave us, but we also have allies. Can you imagine Faith; one of the oldest and most powerful races in the galaxy sees us as their allies? Well technically, they have their home world in another galaxy but they still protect planets in this one. The people I'm working with now have helped to save from their enemies, and in return they've helped us to protect ourselves. But the public can't know about all of this yet. Can you imagine what would happen Faith?"
"I see riots, fear mongering by unscrupulous people, people who think it's their right to go to another planet and take their resources for themselves" said Faith to herself
"Even worse, they take the technology and use it against their own people or for the subjugation of others, or they steal off world technology that they have no idea about and then try to use it with disastrous consequences" said Willow
"Willow" said Faith, "You still haven't explained how you travel to all these planets? By ship? Also you never told me how you got your voice back"
"Oh" said Willow, "My immediate superior officer used an alien healing device on my throat. As for the rest, that's the final place on the itenary we're going to" said Willow as she perked up, "I'm just waiting to show you…. Aha… there she is"
Willow had turned a sharp left back towards Earth as she called back to Faith, "take a look at your left Faith, what do you see?"
"You've got to be kidding me!" said Faith who was stunned for the second time in one day as she looked at the huge object that was simply hanging in space.
"Faith Lehane" said Willow smiling, "Meet the Prometheus, Earth's first interstellar battle cruiser"
"Slayer-One to Prometheus Control" said Willow over the radio, "This is Captain Rosenberg"
"This is Colonel Pendergast of the USAF Prometheus, please verify authorization code"
"Authorization code is Rosenberg-Alpha-One" said Willow
"What can we do for you Captain" said the Colonel
"Requesting permission for a quick fly-by of your beautiful ship Sir" said Willow smiling as Faith simply stared at the spaceship outside the F-302.
"Request granted Captain" said the Colonel
"Thank you Sir" replied Willow, "We'll be quick, I know you're ready to go on a mission Sir"
Willow slowly flew by the large battle cruiser as Faith stared in awe at the Prometheus.
"Have you served aboard it?" asked Faith
"No" said Willow, "Not yet"
"But if this is the only ship Earth has, then how do you travel to other planets?" asked Faith
"It's time I showed you Faith" said Willow as she broke off manoeuvres and slowed down before turning the F-302 at a considerable distance away from the Prometheus.
"Slayer-One to Prometheus Control, thanks for letting us have a fly-by Colonel" said Willow
"Prometheus Control acknowledges" said the Colonel, "Glad to be of service"
"Good journey Sir" said Willow as the Prometheus' engines fired and she started to move away from Earth.
"You gotta watch this Faith" said Willow
Faith and Willow looked on as a hyperspace window opened and the ship slipped through and disappeared.
"What was that?" asked Faith
"That" said Willow, "Was a hyperspace window forming to let the ship in. It's a form of faster-than-light travel. They're travelling to a planet called Tollana searching for survivors after it was bombed from space by the same race who tried to do the same thing to us"
"Willow" said Faith, "what you're a part of is amazing and I think I get why what you do is such a secret"
"Wanna head back?" asked Willow, "I still have to show you the thing that started this all"
"Let's go" said Faith
"Slayer-One to Nellis Control, we're coming home" said Willow as she set a course back to Nellis Air Force Base
"Control acknowledges Slayer-One"
"Once we get back, we need to take a flight from the base to Petersons in Colorado" said Willow
"Cheyenne Mountain?" asked Faith
"Yup" said Willow, "then have some dinner and also I need some help moving to a new apartment"
"Why're you moving?" asked Faith, "I can live somewhere else if you want"
"Dawn will be staying with us" said Willow
"Really?" asked Faith surprised
"Buffy managed to convince her to take a deal where she would stay with me for the whole of Buffy's five year sentence. I mean she does get visitation privileges since Buffy's in minimum security in Colorado" said Willow
"That's cool" said Faith as they re-entered the atmosphere and Willow switched to the air breathing jets, "Anyway, yeah I'll help you move"
"I'll get my team to help too" said Willow smiling, "All I need to get is some beer, pizza, coffee, the Simpsons DVD's and Donuts to convince them"
"Next stop, Colorado Springs" said Faith smiling as the F-302 sped all the way to Nellis Air Force Base.
Peterson AFB, 1700hrs
"Welcome to Colorado, Faith" said Willow as they got out of the transport plane and headed towards the Air Force jeep that was waiting for them on the tarmac.
"So this is the place where the real stuff happens, huh?" asked Faith as she looked at Willow, "you know I still can't believe the stuff you showed me, it's just so cool; it's beyond description"
"Didn't I say that you'll like it" said Willow as she and Faith got onto the back of the jeep
"Alright lieutenant" said Willow, "We're ready, thanks for the pickup"
"No problem ma'am, General O'Neill's orders" said the young lieutenant who was driving the jeep.
"Wow" said Faith
"What?" replied Willow
"You're special" laughed Faith, "to have a waiting jeep to take you back to your mysterious base"
"Nah" said Willow laughing
"How long of a drive is it from here to Cheyenne Mountain?" asked Faith
"It's about 30 minutes or so from the base" said WIllow
"Do they know about my part in what happened to you?" asked Faith suddenly
"Yes" replied Willow, "the General already briefed the team I'm a part of about your history with me"
"I see" said Faith
"Tell me about your team?" asked Faith as she turned and looked at Willow
"They're the best people you'll ever meet" said Willow, "my immediate superior is Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter, possibly the smartest person on the planet and a national treasure; Dr. Daniel Jackson, the smartest linguist I know and a person I used to have a crush on the first time I appeared at the Mountain; and then there's Teal'c"
"Teal'c?" asked Faith
"Yep" said Willow smiling, "He's a warrior with a noble heart and, let's just say he's not from around here"
"You mean…" asked Faith as her eyes opened wide and she pointed up towards the sky
"Yep" said Willow, "but you'll have ask him yourself if you want to know more about him. It's not fun if I give away all the surprises now is it?"
"So what will I be doing?" asked Faith
"Maybe training the new recruits" said Willow, "and you'll have the opportunity to go off-world. Mostly depends on what the General feels would be more appropriate"
"The General's not on this team of yours?" asked Faith
"He led the team for seven years" said Willow, "now he's the Commanding Officer of the entire base. Since then, he's given command to Colonel Carter"
"Nice" said Faith as she leaned back and relax as the fresh mountain air just blew by her
Stargate Command, Cheyenne Mountain Complex, 1750hrs
After Willow and Faith cleared through the security gate, the jeep took them all the way into the mountain until it reached the primary elevator shaft.
"So this is NORAD, huh" said Faith as she got out of the jeep and headed towards the entrance where she could see the elevator, and off to the side there was a small desk with an Airman who asked for her ID and to sign in. After she completed the sign in process Willow led her into the elevator and pressed the button to go eleven floors down.
"We're going down eleven levels" said Willow to a confused Faith when she noticed that the elevator was going down instead of up.
"Where are we going?" asked Faith
"Well" said Willow, "I don't really work at or for NORAD. The whole Deep Space Radar Telemetry thing is just a cover which, by the way, you'll be using as well"
"So you don't work at NORAD but the place you work is in the same Mountain" said Faith to herself
"Yep, come on. We get off here" said Willow as they got off at the eleventh floor and walked towards another elevator where there was another Airman waiting behind a desk.
"Hi Sergeant" said Willow
"Evening Captain" said the Sergeant, "I need you to sign yourself and your guest in as well"
"Sure" said Willow as she signed herself and Faith in.
"Captain, here's the guests pass for Miss Lehane" said the Sergeant, "courtesy of General O'Neill"
After everything was done, the sergeant opened the elevator doors for Willow and Faith and they walked in as the doors shut behind them. Willow then took her ID and slid in into a slot before pressing the button for the twenty seventh floor. She then took out her card back out and smiled at a still surprised Faith.
"How deep into the mountain are we going?" she asked
"About a thousand meters" said Willow, "the place we're going to is known in some circles, especially by the politicians in congress who are in the know about this place, as Area 52"
"You're joking?" said Faith
"Nope" smiled Willow as the doors opened and they walked out into a corridor with pipes that ran along the ceiling and curved walls, "actually, we prefer to call this place Stargate Command"
TBC