SGC, 0900 hours.
Willow and Faith were in the women's locker room changing for their trip to Edina. The both of them already handed an extra set of BDU's to Buffy and Joyce, while Major Hailey gave Kennedy, Cordelia and Tara some sets to wear for their trip through the gate to Gaia, the Nox homeworld. Willow and Faith took off their engagement rings and placed them into their respective lockers before shutting the doors and making sure that they were secure.
"So" said Faith grinning as she sat down on the bench and tied the laces on her boots, "we still on for the wedding?"
"Duh" smiled Willow as she handed Faith her vest, before the redhead put on hers, "I've already talked to General O'Neill, he's insisting on using his cabin. And he said he knows a retired old Air Force buddy of his who's a, and I'm quoting him here, 'rabbi who's cool with same-sex marriages'. But he wants to meet with us next week."
"That settles that then" said Faith, "I've got the invites ready, but you better get General Landry his invite first before the rest are sent out."
"I know, seven more months" said Willow as she sat down next to Faith and started to lace up her boots before she looked at the brunette and asked softly, "have you talked to your mom?"
"No" said Faith as she looked at Willow, "and I don't plan on asking her to come, my life with her was a living nightmare and there's no way she's coming. Besides, from where she is… she'll never be let out."
"I'm not saying she comes" said Willow softly, "maybe just let her know.. you know."
"No" said Faith as she got up and put on her vest, "that bridge has burnt away, I don't plan on rebuilding it."
"Alright" said Willow as she held Faith's hand and squeezed.
"Have you talked to your parents?" asked Faith as the both of them left the locker room and walked down the hallway to the armoury.
"Yea" replied Willow, "they said they'll come sometime next week after they're done with their stuff."
"Where are they this time?" asked Faith as she entered a code into a panel next to the blast door leading to the armoury.
"Dad's in Rome teaching" said Willow, "mom's in Stuttgart, some Child Development conference."
"Ah" said Faith as the blast door slid to one side and the both of them walked in, "sounds fun."
"Very" said Willow as she rolled her eyes, "although, I prefer Paris."
"Really?" grinned Faith as she took a sidearm from the weapons rack, which she put into her holster while Willow grabbed one for herself as well.
"Yeah" replied Willow, "how about we go there, you know for the honeymoon?"
"Ummmm… Paris" said Faith as she waggled her eyebrows at Willow and grinned, "whatever shall we do?"
"I'm thinking we never leave the hotel room?" grinned Willow as she grabbed a P90, which she clipped onto her vest, and some extra magazines.
"Sounds like a challenge" said Faith as she licked her lips, before giving the redhead a massive grin, "but then again, I've never been one to shy away from one."
"Oh God!" said Major Hailey as she walked into the armoury, "you two do realize I can hear you from the hallway?"
"Yep" said Willow, "I sensed you were out there."
"Why you cheat" laughed the Major as she grabbed her weapons, while Faith handed her a Zat, "so, when can I expect an invite?"
"Soon" smiled Willow, "I wanna give the General his invitation first before anyone else."
"Ah" said Major Hailey with a grin.
"Thanks for accompanying Tara and the others to Gaia" said Willow, "I really appreciate it."
"No problem" said the Major, "my team's got the day off, so… yeah. Besides, I haven't met the Nox yet so it's an experience for all of us."
Once the three of them were done, they walked out of the armoury and walked down a few hallways, took the elevator down to level twenty-eight, followed by another few hallways when they reached the Gateroom. Nodding to the SF who was standing at the blast doors, he swiped his card through the scanner and the blast doors slowly opened to reveal two MALP's, one already on the ramp, and another one right behind it. Willow saw Xander, Buffy, Dawn, Joyce and the children in one group; and Tara, Kennedy and Cordelia in another group who were listening to something that Colonel Carter was telling them.
"Hey Will" said Buffy as she looked at the redhead, "kinda packing heat, aren't you?"
"It's standard" said Willow, "any off-world operation, no matter how mundane needs full tactical gear."
"Oh" said Buffy as Walter's voice came over the loudspeaker.
"Major?" said Walter as both Willow and Hailey turned to the technician.
"Yes?" said the both of them together.
"Sorry" replied Walter, "Major Rosenberg, you and your team will be up first."
"Alright, Walter" said Willow, "dial her up."
While Willow went to talk to Colonel Carter, Faith examined the MALP to make sure that they had enough supplies for the three days they would be on Edina. When Willow had asked Joyce why three day, she told the brunette Slayer that the mourning period in Edina was three days. Willow had gotten permission from General Landry to stay on the planet for not more than three days.
"Hey B" said Faith once she was done checking the MALP and walked down to the concrete floor when the Stargate began to dial as the newcomers looked on, "you alright?"
"Yeah" said Buffy as she saw the inner ring stop, and the first chevron light up, before she took a step forward, "so it's really not magic is it?"
"Nope" said Faith as she watched the second chevron light up, "I thought so too, the first time I saw it."
"This is so cool" said Xander as the sixth chevron locked.
"Oh you may want to jump back a bit, Xan-man" said Faith as the seventh chevron locked and the unstable vortex 'kawooshed' towards Xander who promptly jumped back, as did the others.
"Willow" said Colonel Carter as she walked up to the redhead while Faith grabbed the remote control for the MALP and drove it through the gate, "I got your designs for Project Avalon."
"I know part of it is just a theory ma'am" said Willow while she glanced at Walter giving Faith the thumbs up, "but if we can pull it off, then we could have an advantage over the Ori, something we haven't had for so long."
"I agree" said the Colonel, "but I found some sections in the designs that has some flaws and need to be redone."
"I understand ma'am" said Willow as she nodded her head, "I was hoping you could help me with fixing those flaws."
"Of course" said the Colonel, "we can work on it together when you get back."
"Thanks ma'am" said Willow.
"I'll see you soon" replied the Colonel before she squeezed Faith's arm and said goodbye to Joyce and the others.
"Come on, guys" said Willow as she took the lead with Buffy standing next to her as they approached the event horizon of the wormhole.
"Does it hurt?" asked Buffy.
"Nope" said Willow, "just like stepping from one room to another."
"Cool" said Buffy as she turned and looked up at the briefing room window where she saw Giles looking at them, and waved.
"Ready?" said Willow as she reached her hand and held Buffy's in hers.
"Show me what you do" said Buffy as they stepped through the event horizon and stepped, literally, onto another world as the blonde Slayer looked around her in surprise. As they walked onto the trail that was covered by trees, Xander and Dawn, followed by Joyce and the children walked through the Gate.
Willow then walked to the MALP and activated the camera.
"Stargate Command" said Willow as he spoke into the camera, "everything seems to be alright, you can disengage the Gate."
"Copy that, Willow" said Colonel Carter's voice though the speakers on the MALP, "check-in every six hours."
"Copy" said Willow as she set her time on her wristwatch and nodded at Faith to do the same, "next check-in will six hours from now. Rosenberg out."
It was only then that the Stargate disengaged and Willow looked back at Joyce who gave a big smile as she took a deep breath of the air around her. It was equally surprising for Buffy and Xander when they looked up and saw the clear blue skies, as blue as an ocean… without a trace of pollution anywhere.
"Buffy" said Jay as he pulled his sister, "come, I want to show you our house."
"Easy, easy" said Buffy as she was then pulled by Rose who grabbed her other hand and pulled. Soon the Slayer, one of the strongest people on Earth, was being pulled towards an empty village by two children several years younger than her.
"Dawn" said Joyce laughing at Buffy's expression as they pulled her along, "please make sure they don't bully Buffy."
"Oh" said Dawn smirking, "I think I should let them."
"Dawnie" said Joyce.
"Fine" huffed Dawn when she heard Rose shouted her name, "the munchkin's calling me, so I should get going then."
"Yup" said Joyce as Dawn ran towards Buffy and the others.
"Xander" said Joyce as she wrapped her arm around his, "come on, let me show my children and my new son-in-law the place I've been staying for ten years."
"That would be great, Mrs. Summers" said Xander as he walked down the trail with Joyce as Willow packed some gear out of the MALP and put in into a backpack.
"Here are the sleeping bags" said Willow as she handed those to Faith.
Making sure that Xander and Joyce had gone far down the trail, Faith dropped the sleeping bags onto the ground, walked over to Willow and grabbed the back of her head before giving the surprised redhead a kiss. Willow returned the kiss immediately and it took a few seconds for Faith to break it and gave Willow a hug.
"You alright?" asked Willow as she kissed Faith's cheek.
"Yeah" she replied as she stepped back sheepishly and picked up the sleeping bags, "just felt like doing that, we've been so stressed lately that… we haven't really enjoyed much… ya know?"
"I know" said Willow after making sure that the others were far away before she surprised Faith by giving her a deep kiss. "You know" she said as she kissed under Faith's ear, "we could always camp here… or outside Mrs' Summers house on this planet. I brought the tent with me."
"Get it" said Faith as she yelped after Willow bit her neck, "and just so you know, I'll be getting you for that later… well, once the kids… and everyone else is asleep."
"Alright" said a grinning Willow as she crouched down and grabbed the packed tent that was placed in the side compartment of the MALP.
Colonel Carter's Lab, 1700 hours.
Willow and the others had already been gone for more than six hours, and after having both teams on Gaia and Edina check in, the Colonel was ready to go home to Pete and get some sleep. She had to constantly remind herself to rest since she was pregnant, and that's what she wanted to do… just go home and rest. As she packed her computer and locked it into her file cabinet, she thought about Pete. On one hand, she knew that she loved the man… even though Willow and Faith, and and Cassie thought that he wasn't good enough for her; but on the other hand, she couldn't take his constant assaults on the supposedly bad decision to continue working at the SGC.
"He just doesn't understand' the Colonel kept thinking to herself.
"Hey Sam" said Daniel as he walked into her lab, "whatcha doin'?"
"Getting ready to go home" said the Colonel as she grabbed her purse and a briefcase.
"Hey" said Daniel as he took the briefcase from her hand, "I got this."
"Daniel" smiled Colonel Carter, "I may be pregnant, but I can still do all of this."
"I know" said Daniel sheepishly, "but then again, what are friends for. Right?"
"Right" said Daniel as he and the Colonel walked towards the primary elevator landing, "Anya and I were thinking of going out for some dinner, why don't you come with us?"
"I think Pete had his heart set on staying home for dinner" said the Colonel.
"Oh" said Daniel as he pressed the button, "he cooking?"
"No" said the Colonel, "I'm making lasagne tonight."
As Daniel looked at the Colonel in surprise, he noticed Colonel Mitchell and Teal'c walking towards them in their civilian clothes.
"Carter, Jackson" said the Colonel, "how about we visit that new Korean place on Main?"
"Sorry" said Daniel, "Anya said she's cooking something."
"Ask her along" said Colonel Mitchell, "can you believe that Teal'c has never had Korean?"
"Indeed" said Teal'c as he nodded his head.
"Come on" said Colonel Mitchell as he looked at Daniel and then Colonel Carter, "bring Anya and… whatshisname…. Sorry, I don't really know your husband's name."
"Pete" said the Colonel, "and I can't, sorry."
"You'll miss some fine cuisine" said the Colonel as they walked into the elevator together. Just as the doors were closing, however, the klaxons went off, indicating an unscheduled off-world activation.
"There go the plans" said Colonel Mitchell as he and Teal'c ran out of the elevator and headed towards the control room.
"Sam" said Daniel as she exited the elevator as well, "I'll see you tomorrow then, be careful when you drive."
The Colonel nodded her head as she watched Daniel rush out of the elevator and followed Colonel Mitchell and Teal'c. She looked on as the doors were slowly closing before, just before they actually shut, she placed her hand between them and pushed the doors open while stepping out of the elevator.
"Screw going home" said the Colonel to herself as she ran towards the control room.
Once Colonel Mitchell, Teal'c and Daniel arrived at the control room, they were soon joined by Colonel Carter as Daniel looked at her in surprise.
"What's going on?" asked the Colonel as she walked up the stairs.
"Incoming wormhole from Tegalus, ma'am" said Walter.
"Tegalus?" said Colonel Mitchell "isn't that the planet with two post-apocalyptic warring superpowers with deep seeded political differences?"
"Yep" said Daniel.
"Jared Kane is requesting to come thought the Gate, Colonels" said Walter as he looked back at Colonel Carter and Mitchell.
"On radio" said Colonel Mitchell, as he nodded his head towards Daniel.
"Jared?" said Daniel, "this is Daniel, what's going on?"
"Doctor Jackson" said Jared, "I have very little time. I've gained access to the Stargate without my government's authorization. Please allow me to come through. I am alone, and unarmed."
Daniel nodded at Colonel Mitchell that it should be alright to let him through the gate. The Colonel then tapped on Walter's shoulder before telling him to open the iris and lower the shield.
"Jared" said Daniel after the Stargate's protective shields were lowered, "you're safe to come through."
The four members of SG1 then ran over to the Gateroom and met with Kane as he stood at the top of the ramp holding a rifle as the defensive Marines aimed their weapons at him. Colonel Mitchell had told the Marines to stand down, after which they stepped back and Daniel waved Kane to walk down the ramp.
"Jared Kane" said Daniel as he motioned towards Colonel Mitchell, "this is Colonel Cameron Mitchell."
"Nice to meet you" nodded the Colonel.
"How can we help you?" asked Colonel Carter, "your government stopped responding to our communiqués, we thought that maybe…."
"We destroyed ourselves?" asked Kane.
"Well, we were thinking that you no longer wanted our help" said Daniel, "but, yeah, that would do as well."
"No" said Kane, "the Rand Protectorate is still struggling to rebuild and defend itself from the Caledonian Federation."
"Okay, what's so urgent?" asked Daniel.
"A few months ago, a man came through the Stargate" said Kane, "he called himself a Prior of the Ori."
"Here we go" muttered Colonel Mitchell as he looked at Colonel Carter.
"We have encountered these Priors" said Teal'c, "and are well aware of what they are preaching."
"The Prior wasn't just offering us religion, he offered us power" said Kane, "in exchange for our embracing the Ori, he gave our government designs for a weapon that could be launched into orbit. A satellite capable of giving us total domination over the Caledonians."
Upon hearing about this, Colonel Carter looked at Colonel Mitchell and the others with worry etched on her face, before she turned back to Kane and asked him the question she knew everyone was thinking, "Okay, assuming your people intend on building this weapon, how long before it's completed?"
"You don't understand" said Kane as he suddenly looked tired and defeated, "Twenty-four hours ago, a Caledonian military outpost was completely vaporized in a demonstration. The weapon is already operational."
"Oh God" said Colonel Carter, "I'll recall Willow and Faith."
"Do it, Carter" said Colonel Mitchell.
"Wait" said Daniel as he looked at both Colonel's, "before we do anything, maybe we should talk about a diplomatic approach. Find out exactly what's going on. I'd like to think that there's some other way to approach this instead of a military one."
"Jackson" said Colonel Mitchell.
"What's happening is partly our fault" said Daniel, "we should try another way, tell them the truth about the Ori… anything."
"The truth?" asked Kane, clearly confused.
"Fine" said Colonel Mitchell, "briefing room, now."
"Willow and Faith?" asked Colonel Carter.
"We'll tell them what's going on during the next check-in" said Colonel Mitchell, "but ask them to stay put for now. Let's just hope we don't need them to come back this early."
Edina, Joyce's home, the next day, 0800 hours.
Buffy had woken up early and walked down the stairs of Joyce's home on Edina. She smiled at the overall rustic look of the home, and then at both Willow and Faith who were sleeping their sleeping bags on the floor of the living room. Trying her best not to make a sound, she opened the front door and walked out to the front porch. Buffy looked into the distance as the star Edina orbited, it's sun, rose over the horizon and smiled.
"It's so much like Earth" Buffy said to herself, "well, except for that."
Looking higher up, Buffy saw the two moons in the sky and smiled. She walked towards the middle of the village and wondered what it had looked like when it was full of people, and wondered if anyone would be coming here again.
"Maybe they can use this planet for refugees from other planets?" said Buffy to herself as she passed a small building that Joyce said was a school she created with the help of the other townspeople, an endeavour that eventually made her one of the town's elders; something that Buffy and Dawn were extremely proud off. Buffy remembered last night when Willow was standing outside the home with Faith and just looking up into the heavens. She opened her mouth in surprise when she saw stars just poke mark the night sky before she called Dawn outside, who did the exact same thing when she ran and saw the stars.
"You must have seen this too when you go off-world" said Buffy as she looked at her sister last night.
"Yeah" said Dawn, "but not like this, not so many… and not with my family."
As she walked through the town alone, Buffy made it to the graveyard that was only five minutes away from the village proper. She stopped at the gate and thought about the afternoon of the day they arrived in Edina, Joyce had taken them to visit Jaden's grave. Joyce had told Buffy and Dawn that they would have loved him, that he was different in every way from Hank Summers. Joyce had told her older daughters that just before he passed away, Jaden had told her that he hoped that one day she would see Buffy and Dawn again.
Buffy opened the gate and walked to Jaden's grave where she simply stood in respect, and silently thanked the man who had taken care of Joyce for the ten years she was in Edina. As she looked up towards the freshly dug graves in which the SGC medical team had buried the bodies on this particular village, Buffy silently thanked everyone before she turned around and walked towards the gate. She then closed it and walked back towards her mother's home.
As she was walking back, Buffy noticed four people coming towards the entrance to the village. She smiled when she recognized Tara and Kennedy.
"Hey" smiled Buffy as she hugged the witch and her sister Slayer, "I thought you guys were on another planet?"
"Something came up" said Tara as she nodded at Major's Hailey and Satterfield.
"Miss Summers" said Hailey, "where's Major Rosenberg?"
"I think she and Faith are still asleep" said Buffy.
"I'll go wake them up" said Satterfield as Hailey nodded her head.
"What happened?" asked Buffy as she looked at Hailey, "and how come you guys came back here?"
"We were ready to head back to the SGC when Colonel Carter asked me and Satterfield to watch over you guys" said Hailey, "and Tara and Kennedy requested that they come along as well. Satterfield came here a few minutes ago, and we arrived here straight from the Nox planet."
"OK" said Buffy nodding her head, "but why?"
"Hey Jenn" said Willow as she walked out of the home in a tank top and shorts while rubbing her eyes, followed soon by Satterfield with Faith, "what's going on?"
"Dr. Jackson's missing" said Satterfield, "he went to the Rand Protectorate yesterday night, and since then… the SGC hasn't heard a word out of him. He was supposed to check in three hours ago."
"We've sent the Rand government requests to speak to him but they're denying that he's even on the planet" said Hailey as everyone looked on worriedly.
"Colonel Carter sent us as your replacements to watch over Mrs. Summers and the others" said Satterfield, "the both of you need to get ready, the Prometheus with be coming by to pick you guys up before heading to Tegalus."
"Oh" said Buffy as she looked at Willow and Faith who had nodded their heads before running back into the home to change. Buffy then turned back to Hailey and asked if she and the others could help.
"It's better if you guys stay here" said Hailey, "Willow and the others are trained for this, and in this instance, there's no telling what may happen."
"What do you mean?" asked Buffy as Hailey and Satterfield looked at each other, before looking back at Buffy, Tara and Kennedy.
"The Rand Protectorate were given plans for a satellite weapon by a Prior of the Ori" said Hailey as Buffy looked on in surprise, "and as a test, they destroyed a military installation in the neighbouring country of Caledonia."
"Goddess" said Tara, "but that would mean…."
"There is a possibility that if we can't destroy that satellite, then the Rand would have the power to destroy another country" said Hailey, "and that's only if they don't destroy the Prometheus and everyone on it first."
Xander had walked down the stairs when he heard loud sounds from the living room, and saw Faith and Willow putting on their BDU's.
"Hey" said Xander as he wiped his eyes, "what's going on?"
"We've got to get going Xan" said Willow as she handed Faith her sidearm and Zat, "Colonel Carter sent Major Hailey and Satterfield to watch over you guys, along with Kennedy and Tara."
"Will" said Xander softly as he approached her, "what's going on?"
"I'll wait for you outside" said Faith as Willow nodded her head.
"Daniel's missing on another planet" said Willow as she watched Faith walk out the door, "SG1 is going on the Prometheus to get him back."
"I can help you guys" said Xander.
"No, Xan" said Willow as she clipped her P90 onto her vest, "it's too dangerous, they have a weapon that the Ori gave them plans to build. They already destroyed a military base in another country, and they could very well turn that weapon on us."
"Will" said Xander, "I still have the knowledge and memories of soldier guy, I can help. And the both of us have been in so many life and death situations that it's not even funny."
"Xander" said Willow, "I don't know if we'll be coming back. The Prometheus has Asgard shields, the best in the galaxy actually, but so far we haven't gone up against Ori weaponry. It could destroy us if the Rand turn the weapon against us. Faith and I, we trained for situations like this.. we expect to die every time we go out there. And I can't have you die, not when you have a wife and a new family."
"Willow?" said Joyce who was wiping her eyes as she walked down the stairs and then looked at the redhead in her full tactical gear, "where are you going?"
"The Prometheus will swing by Edina to pick us up" said Willow as she approached Joyce after squeezing Xander's arm, "something happened to Daniel, SG1 is going to another planet to get him back. But you wont be alone though…. Tara, Kennedy and Majors Hailey and Satterfield will watch over you guys until you get back in two days."
"Be careful?" said Joyce as she hugged Willow.
"I will" said the redhead, "and watch over yourselves, please tell Jay and Rose I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye."
"I will" said Joyce as she released Willow who then ran out the door. She then looked at the worried look on Xander's face and approached the man, "don't worry about her, Xander. She'll be alright."
"I hope so" said Xander as the both of them walked out of the home, only to find Faith and Willow talking to Hailey and Satterfield. Just then, Willow's radio crackled to life.
"Prometheus to Major Rosenberg" said Colonel Pendergast, "ready to beam you and Miss Lehane on your mark."
"Copy, Prometheus" said Willow as she looked at Faith who nodded her head, "we're ready."
"Stand-by" said Colonel Pendergast.
"Buffy" said Xander as he kissed his wife on the cheek, "I'll be back."
"Wait… what?" said Buffy as she heard a buzzing sound as Xander ran and hugged a surprised Willow just before a white light covered her and Xander together, along with Faith who looked on in shock, "Xander!"
"Damn it, Xander" said Willow as the three of them materialised on the bridge of the Prometheus with Xander immediately looking around surprised, "I told you to stay on the planet with Buffy."
"Major?" asked Colonel Pendergast as he got off his command chair and walked towards them, along with Colonel Mitchell and Teal'c, "who is this?"
"Mr. Harris?" said Colonel Mitchell in surprise, "you're not supposed to be here."
"Xan-man" said Faith, "we need to get you back to the surface, B's gonna be worried sick about you."
"Look, Will" said Xander as he looked at Willow while grabbing to the sides of her shoulders, "I know I can help, let me do something."
"Xan" said Willow as she glanced at the approaching commander of the ship, "where we're going isn't safe, all of us could die. I need you back on the planet, please."
"Colonel" said Xander as he looked at Colonel Pendergast, "I have the memories and knowledge of a soldier, I know this is against protocol but I can help the mission… I know I can."
"Major?" said Colonel Pendergast, "as much as I appreciate his help, I can't have a civilian on my ship… not when we're going to a potential warzone."
"Will" said Xander, "I can't let you do this by yourself."
"Hailey to Prometheus" said the Major's voice, "I've got a worried family down here asking about what happened to Mr. Harris, please respond."
"Please, Will" said Xander, "I know I can help."
"Damn it" said Willow as she looked at Colonel Pendergast and Colonel Mitchell, "sir's, Xander has knowledge in field medicine as well, and…. we may his knowledge in that area."
"Major" said Colonel Mitchell, "if he stays, he's your responsibility."
"I understand, sir" said Willow.
"We don't have time for this" said Colonel Pendergast as he sat on his chair and clicked a button, "Prometheus to Hailey, Mr. Harris will be coming with is to Tegalus."
"Ummmm" said Hailey, "sir, his wife would like to leave a message for him."
"Go ahead" said the Colonel as he looked at Xander.
"Xander" said Buffy's angry voice over the speaker system, "if you die out there, I'll bring you back to life and kill you myself. Is that clear?"
Upon hearing that, the navigator and weapons control officer seated on either side of Colonel Pendergast looked at each other and stifled a laugh. They lowered their heads and smiled when Xander responded to Buffy by saying, "Yes, dear."
"Willow" said Buffy's, "watch over him?"
"Will do" said Willow as she nodded to Colonel Pendergast.
"Prometheus out" said Colonel Pendergast, "get us into hyperspace, best speed."
"Sir" said the navigation officer as she pressed buttons on her console while Xander watched as the ship entered a cloud before it flew through a tunnel of bright blue.
"This is hyperspace" said Willow as she stood next to Xander, "it would get us to Tegalus real fast."
"Cool" said Xander.
"Major" said Colonel Mitchell, "we need to debrief you and Faith…. and I guess Mr. Harris as well."
"Sir" said Willow as she turned around.
"Major Rosenberg" said Teal'c as he approached the redhead and handed her a tube, "Colonel Carter has given us the plans for the satellite, she would like for you to review her notes before we reach Tegalus."
"Of course" said Willow as she opened the top and looked at the contents inside, "maybe the conference room?"
"That's what I was thinking" said Faith smiling.
"Come on" said Colonel Mitchell as he walked down the hallway with Teal'c followed by Faith.
"Come on, Xander" said Willow as she twisted her best friend's ear as she pull him down the hallway.
"Ow..! Will… Ow,…..! hey… I said.. Ow! that hurts" said Xander as Willow twisted his ear even more while pulling him away from the bridge.
Colonel Pendergast and the bridge crew couldn't help but smile at the pain that Willow was inflicting on their stowaway. They just hoped that, unlike the superstitions of sailors long ago, their stowaway would bring them good luck.
Conference Room, Prometheus, sixteen hours later.
Colonel Mitchell had briefed Willow and Faith about what they learnt from Kane, and how the Prior released a virus into the population. He had said that all those who embraced the Ori would be cured, and that the rest would die. The Colonel said that Rand's President Nadal had already wholeheartedly embraced Origin, however the Caledonians were not going to embrace anything that the Rand had already embraced.
Once the briefing was done, Willow opened the tube and took out the schematics that Kane had given SG1. She lay it out on the large table and went through Colonel Carter's notes, while making some observations of her own. She was aware it wouldn't take too long before they reached Tegalus, and that she still had many questions for herself, some very scary questions.
"Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c as he brought in a try of food for the redhead. Willow had insisted on continuing to make her own notes and go through the schematics while the others had their meal.
"Hey" smiled Willow as she looked up at the Jaffa before taking the tray and placing it carefully on the seat next to her, "thanks."
"Indeed" said Teal'c as Willow took a bite off the sandwich and a sip of the coffee, "you have been in this room for over nine hours going through the schematics of the satellite."
"Yeah" said Willow as she leaned over the table and looked at the plans, "Colonel Carter's right, the design is extremely inefficient, especially the capacitors. But it's the things that aren't on the plans that worry me."
"Such as?" asked Teal'c as he stepped forward with an eyebrow raised.
"I'm sure the Ori know that we would have eventually heard about this" said Willow as she looked at the schematics, "so why aren't there any defences built into it? I agree with Colonel Carter that it's a purely offensive weapon, but then again… every offensive weapon needs to have a defence of some sort. The Prior should have know that we wouldn't let a planet keep this type of weapons, we would immediately try to destroy it. So why aren't there any defensive capabilities?"
"Then you do not believe that the weapon could be easily destroyed?" asked Teal'c.
"I agree with the Colonel that these sensors" said Willow as she pointed to some circular designs on the satellite, "these sensors are connected to the targeting systems, and they would be able to detect our approach… but it seems very unlikely that these sensors won't activate some sort of defence. There has to be something, Teal'c…. it's just too easy to go in and destroy the thing… they can't be that arrogant to think that we won't try to destroy it. I mean, look…. There are what seems to be maintenance hatches and everything that we would find on an Earth satellite… but these are Priors, I know that they've put something on here that we won't expect.. maybe a shield.. or a defensive weapon that would prevent our missiles from hitting it."
"But we will not know until it is too late" said Teal'c as he nodded his head.
"Yeah" said Willow as she rubbed her temples and then looked at Teal'c, "I just have a very bad feeling."
"SG1 to the bridge" said Colonel Pendergast, "SG1 to the bridge."
Willow looked at Teal'c before looking at the satellite schematics again. She then followed Teal'c out of the room and met up with Colonel Mitchell who was in a F-302 jumpsuit, Faith and Xander who was with the brunette Slayer as they headed to the bridge.
"Approaching the planet, sir" said Marks.
"Womack" said Colonel Pendergast as SG1 walked onto the bridge, "prepare to lock onto Dr. Jackson's transmitter and beam him out of there."
"Yes, sir" said Womack as she flipped a switch on his console.
It was a few minutes later that Xander looked on as the Prometheus exited hyperspace and approached the planet.
"Dr. Jackson?" asked Colonel Pendergast.
"Sir" said Woman as she looked back confused, "we're not getting a read."
"That can't be" said Colonel Pendergast as Faith ran to a scanning terminal and pressed some buttons.
"She's right" said Faith, "we're not getting him."
"Sensor glitch?" asked Colonel Mitchell.
"Maybe he's deep underground?" asked Willow, "the last time we came here, the Rand had a deep underground bunker as their control center, maybe he's in there."
"You came here before?" asked Xander as he looked at Faith.
"Yeah" said the brunette, "wasn't fun."
"Sir" said Marks, "we have the satellite."
"Something's wrong" said Willow quietly to herself, "it's too easy."
"Willow?" said Xander.
"Major" said Colonel Mitchell, something you want to add?"
"It's too easy, sir" said Willow, "something doesn't feel right."
"Lock onto the target" said Colonel Pendergast.
"This will be perceived as an act of aggression against Rand" said Teal'c.
"Yeah" said Xander, "and isn't that a bad thing? I know it's an evil satellite and all, but still."
"Sir" said Willow, "even if I'm wrong about my feelings, we'd be risking any chance of a negotiation for Daniel's safe return."
"He did ask us to go through our plan to destroy the satellite if we haven't heard from him by now" said Colonel Mitchell.
While the others were talking Womack looked at the display in front of her and her eyes widened before she looked back at Colonel Pendergast, "sir, there's a power build-up in the satellite."
Willow ran over to Womack's station and looked at the visual of the satellite as it changed its position.
"It's attitude is changing, sir" said Willow as she looked on with a worried face at the Colonel, before looking at Xander.
"We're being targeted" said Marks.
"Sound general quarters" said Colonel Pendergast as the bridge lights dimmed and klaxons went off, "Full power to the forward shield generators, and maintain course and speed."
"Xander" said Faith as she pulled him to one side and placed his hand on a console, "whatever happens, hold on to this… do you understand me?"
"Yeah" said Xander.
Colonel Pendergast then leaned forwards and nodded at Womack, "fire."
"Firing missiles" said Womack as everyone watch with bated breath as the missiles flew towards the satellite. Willow was watching Womack's screen as the missiles exploded just before hitting the satellite, and she shook her head before looking back at Colonel Mitchell.
"It hit a shield, sir" said Willow as she turned around, "I recommend we pull back out of the satellite's range. Just in case it…"
"Oh God" said Xander as he saw a beam of light heading straight towards the Prometheus before it hit the shield, the Asgard designed shields, and cut through it and the forward section of the ship like a hot knife through butter.
Xander covered his eyes as sparks flew everywhere around him, but could see from the corner of his eyes as everyone was jolted to one side as the ship suddenly listed to the starboard side. One of the personnel at a forward console was struck in the face by sparks and fell onto the floor. Watching what was happening, Xander and Teal'c covered their eyes as they rushed to help the injured crew member. The both of them brought the injured crewmember near the scanning console while other crew members shouted orders at each other as they tried to regain control.
"Where's the medical kit?" asked Xander as he looked at Teal'c while everyone else was hurrying about. While Teal'c went to one corner of the bridge and pulled out a panel, behind which was a small portable oxygen tank and mask, a defibrillator and a medical kit. Taking out the medical kit, Teal'c rushed over to Xander and handed it to him before the Jaffa went to help the other bridge crew.
"Evasive manoeuvres!" shouted Colonel Pendergast, "full military thrust! Return fire with forward rail guns."
"Sir" said Womack, "Sublight engines aren't responding!"
"Weapons are down! We've lost hull integrity and life support on decks three through seven!" shouted Marks.
"Seal them off!" shouted Colonel Pendergast.
"That blast cut through our shields at full strength!" shouted Colonel Mitchell as he went to the console where Willow was looking at some data.
"I know" said Willow, "I don't even know how that's possible."
"Sensors detect that the weapon is recharging!" shouted Womack.
"We've only got minutes before that thing charges" said Colonel Mitchell as he looked at Willow, "Carter thinks that it would maybe, just maybe, be three minutes at most."
"Hyperdrive status?" asked Colonel Pendergast.
"Hyperdrive's offline!" shouted Faith as she sat at one of the forward consoles, "the hull's too unstable, she's never survive the entry."
"Medical teams reporting four casualties" said Marks, "eight crew members still unaccounted for."
"Faith!" shouted Colonel Pendergast, "take Mr. Harris with you to the infirmary, take whoever else injured you find with you. Get them patched up as much as you can."
"Got it" said Faith as she pulled Xander as they ran through the hallways.
"We can launch the F-302's" said Colonel Mitchell.
"Go" said Colonel Pendergast, "launch blue squadron,,, go."
"Sir" said Willow, "the shield will be active, we'll just be wasting ammo."
"Ok" said Colonel Pendergast, "any suggestions?"
"Sir" said Willow as she looked at Colonel Pendergast, "I have a crazy idea, but we don't have a choice."
"Which is?" said Colonel Mitchell.
"Put me out there" said Willow as she ran over to Colonel Mitchell, "put me out there, I'll try to disable it."
"Sir" said Womack, "two more minutes… the weapon's almost fully charged."
"Sir" said Willow, "we don't have time for the space suit, humans can survive in space unaided for a minute at most. I'll take a portable oxygen canister and put my body under telekinetic pressure so that I can breathe in the oxygen without any ill effects. But I can't hold it for long, maybe three minutes before I have to be beamed in."
"That's the most craziest idea I've ever heard!" shouted Colonel Mitchell as he walked towards Willow, "it's suicide."
'We don't have a choice, Sir! Right now we're wasting time!" shouted Willow as they heard sounds coming from throughout the ship, "that weapon will be charged and, right now, we're dead in the water. I have no idea about what else we can do. We won't have enough time to reroute power to the engines before the next beam hits us. I can at least open one of the maintenance hatches I saw on the plans and use my bio-electric ability to try and melt some circuits from the inside… maybe that would disable the satellite or destroy it. All I have to do is touch a wire, or a circuit board to complete a circuit and do some damage."
"Teal'c!" shouted Colonel Pendergast, "get the Major a portable oxygen tank."
"Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c after he had run back to the panel he opened earlier and grabbed the portable oxygen tank before he ran back to the redhead.
"Thanks" said Willow as she attached the mask to the small tank, before attaching it to her face. She then telekinetically increased the pressure around her body until the mask was planted firmly against her face, with no way for the life giving oxygen to escape.
Willow: "Sir, please beam me as close to the satellite as you can."
"Marks" said Colonel Pendergast as he nodded at Willow, "beam Major Rosenberg, as close to the satellite as possible."
"Sir?" said Marks confused, as he looked at Colonel Pendergast and then at Willow.
"Don't you fucking dare!" shouted Faith as she ran back onto the bridge with Xander in tow and looked at Willow, "what do you think you're doing?"
Willow: "Sir, now!"
"Marks" said Colonel Pendergast, "do it."
"No!" said Faith as she saw Willow beam away before she and Xander ran to the forward viewing window and saw a flash of light near the satellite.
Faith: "Damn it, red!"
Willow: "Sorry Faith, this is the best thing for right now. We take out the satellite, and then we get some breathing room."
Faith: "You come back to me alive… do you hear me? You return to me alive."
Willow: "Yes, dear."
Above Tegalus, near Ori weapons satellite.
Willow was floating in space, her telekinesis holding her body under pressure so that she can still breathe from the oxygen tank, so that her blood doesn't boil in the vacuum of space, so that her body and organs don't swell and so that her lungs don't burst. As she telekinetically grabbed the side of the satellite, she pulled herself slowly until she was through the still active shield.
'Knew it' thought Willow to herself as she slowly moved towards the satellite, 'the field is proportional to the energy being directed at it, I'm too slow to be a threat… YAY!'
As Willow hit the side of the satellite, she knew that she had just under a minute and a half before the next shot was fired. Looking up the side of the area she landed, she jumped towards the handrail. Breathing slowly through the mask that was being kept on her face by the sheer force of her own will, she grabbed the handrail and then, as she was trying to regain her bearings, she felt a shudder along the handrail. Looking up at the Prometheus that was just hanging in space, she looked in wide eyed horror as an orange beam of energy just cut through the center of the forward section of the ship, causing several secondary explosions as the beam cut through.
'No' thought Willow to herself, 'that was too soon, it.. it can't be.. they're depending on me… I….'
Willow: "Faith, can you hear me? Faith? Dammit Faith!"
Willow closed her eyes and then turned to the task at hand, she pulled on the hatch and watched it float away as it came off easily. It was when she looked down that her face reflected her despair.
'There's nothing' thought Willow to herself as she looked closer, 'fuck, the inside controls are sealed, fuck!'
Willow: "Xander, Can you hear me?"
Xander: "Will, where are you? We lost sensors, Faith's injured but alive, I'm heading towards the infirmary with a few others. We're losing atmosphere on five levels."
Willow: "Get them fixed up, I'm trusting you. Colonel Pendergast?"
Pendergast: "Major?"
Willow: "Is the beaming tech still working?"
Pendergast: "Yes, we lost it for awhile, but the ship is in trouble. All of us were wrong."
Willow: "Sir, can you buy me sometime?"
Pendergast: "How long?"
Willow: "A few extra seconds, in the meantime… may I suggest someone getg my body out of here… I really wanna be buried on Earth."
Pendergast: "Wait, what?"
Willow: "It was a pleasure knowing you sir. Please tell Faith I was sorry."
Willow then cut of all communications while she took position right over the opened hatch. She looked at the smooth white surface of the screwed on plate that separated the inside of the satellite from the vacuum of space. Once Willow got herself into position, she closed her eyes and made some metal calculations about how long she'd be alive.. and nothing looked good.
'Ah well' thought Willow to herself once she opened her eyes, 'if I get out of this alive, I'm getting married to Faith at the Academy. Screw everything else… she deserves something spectacular.'
Willow then held on tightly to another hand rail next the open hatch tightly with her left hand, and ripped of the oxygen mask with her right hand and breathed out all the air in her lungs at the same time, 'thirty seconds, only thirty seconds'.
She then transferred the full power of her telekinesis from covering her body, the same telekinesis that had placed it under pressure, and focused it into the muscles, bones and tendons of her right hand as she pulled it back and then smashed it through the metal siding of the satellite. After her now heavily bleeding arm smashed through the plate she pulled out the mangled and useless hand, moved to her right and put her left hand into the hole she created.
'Ten seconds' thought Willow to herself as she put her hand into the hole, grabbed the circuitry and wires inside and released a massive bio-electrical charge that she felt was going through various parts of the guts of the satellite and melting the wires she was holding. She felt the charge she released arcing into the nearby electronics which she hoped would short circuit. The red head then felt dizzy as she lost concentration, and her charge dissipated. Slowly, she could feel her blood boiling as she looked at the frozen balls of blood that came from her mangled and sliced arm. She then smiled as she looked at the Prometheus, with debris floating all around her, hopeful that she succeeded in disabling the satellite. Then slowly her vision clouded over as she released the inside of the ship and floated away.
Bridge, Prometheus, a minute later.
Almost immediately after the second beam tore through the Prometheus, Colonel Lionel Pendergast ordered Colonel Mitchell to lead the evacuation of the ship, in case Willow was unsuccessful in her mission to disable the satellite. He had tried to convince President Nadal that they were no danger to them, that there were injuries and they needed aid. But he wouldn't give a single step to the Earth vessel. So with no other options available to him, Pendergast had ordered the evacuation of the ship.
More than half of the crew had beamed down to Caledonian territory when Marks heard a beeping sound on his display.
"Sir" said Marks, "we've got Major Rosenberg's transmitter again, looks like she's free floating. Sir, her vitals don't look good."
"Beam her immediately into the infirmary" said Colonel Pendergast.
"She's still within the shield, sir" said Marks.
"We have to hope that she was able to put it down" said the Colonel, "do it."
"Yes, sir" said Marks as he pressed a button and looked on at his console in surprise, "beaming successful, sir."
'She must have disabled the shields" said the Colonel with a smile.
"Sir" said one of the nurses in the infirmary, "we have Major Rosenberg, you better get down here sir."
"Marks" said Colonel Pendergast as he got off his chair, "notify Colonel Mitchell, and get our subspace communications back up and contact Stargate Command."
"Yes, sir" said Marks as he glanced at Womack, "are you reading any power fluctuations from the satellite?"
"No" said Womack with a smile.
Underground Command Bunker, Rand Protectorate.
President Nadal had enough of hearing Colonel Pendergast beg for their lives. He had been told that that they had many injured on board, that they were no longer a threat and that they would like to surrender unconditionally. Nadal was having none of that, however he still turned back to face his prisoners; Dr. Daniel Jackson of Earth and Jared Kane, a citizen of Rand… someone the President had accused of treason and collaborating with Caledonian spies. He approached the both of them and told Daniel that he'd save the ship, but only if he told him the truth about the both of them being spies.
"We're not spies" said Daniel, "I came here to convince your people to dismantle this weapon yourselves before any of this became necessary!"
"And why would we want to do that?" asked Nadal.
"I have tried to explain" said an exasperated Daniel, "that the Prior's…."
"Who helped you gain access to the Stargate?" asked Commander Pernaux, Nadal's right hand man who Daniel generally thought would be someone who could understand what he was trying to do as it seemed he was more interested in finding spies than following Origin.
"No one" said Kane.
"You are lying" said President Nadal, "you are part of a spy network helping to supply the Caledonians with classified information!"
"Did you ever think that maybe the Caledonians are being leaked information because not everyone in your country agrees with what you're doing?" said Daniel as he looked at both Nadal and Perneux, "I'm telling you that the Prior's aren't what they seem, that they are lying to you.. and that's the truth… all we came here to do is talk and…."
"Silence" said Nadal as he furiously glared at Daniel, "what happens now… is on your head, you refused to tell me the truth, and now your people will pay for it."
"No don't" said Daniel as he was held back by two soldiers behind him, "Just listen to me before you go murdering defenceless people!"
"We are the ones defending ourselves! Your ship attacked us!" said Nadal furiously before walking back to one of the control stations, "fire the weapon."
Nadal saw the soldier press a button as multiple red lights lit up the console in front of him, "what's going on? What is this?"
"Sir" said the soldier as he looked at all of the lights, "we lost the shields, guidance and communication controls with the satellite. It's charged but we can't fire the weapon."
"What?" said a furious Nadal as he turned to Daniel, "what did your people do?"
"We have no weapons!" said Daniel, "the Colonel begged you for help because the ship is dying, do you think that we would surrender to your mercy just for the fun of it?"
"Commander Pernaux" said President Nadal, "take Dr. Jackson and Jared Kane to the execution range on the surface. Let the people know that we'll have no tolerance for spies among the Rand… go!"
"But sir" said Pernaux, "we haven't given them a trial… there's no evidence that…."
"Commander" said Nadal, "the only way they could have disabled the satellite is if they were in league with the Caledonians, that's the only way that they could have gotten the plans for the weapon."
"Pernaux" said Kane as the soldiers started to pull them away, "you know he's gone insane, he'll kill us all because of his twisted beliefs."
"Get them up to the surface" said Nadal as he looked at Pernaux, "they are standing in the way of us getting on the path of enlightenment, and they proved themselves to be spies for the enemy… do your job."
Pernaux hesitated for just a moment before he followed the soldiers holding on to Daniel and Kane out the command bunker.
Infirmary, Prometheus.
As Colonel Pendergast was jogging through the hallways, he noticed all of the badly damaged portions of his ship… his girl. She was simply lying dead in space, life support was down, the hull gravely damaged for hyperspace travel…. No sublight engines, the weapons disabled. All from two hits from an Ori satellite weapon. He knew that of all people on board, Faith would be the happiest to hear that Willow was back on board, now the question was how badly was she injured, and if her exposure did her any long term harm.
The Colonel turned left and reached the infirmary and upon entering was treated with a sight that he wished he could unsee. One of the doctors was putting Willow, whose one arm was badly damaged and bleeding onto the floor from several cuts and whose other arm, and legs looked extremely swollen. He could also see that her left hand was badly burnt.
"Doctor" said the Colonel as he tried to keep from throwing up, "how is she?"
"She was exposed to the vacuum of space" said the doctor, "she should be alright now that she's under atmosphere, but I'm, more worried about the bleeding. I'm trying to stop it but she'll need blood from our reserves."
"Of course" said the Colonel, "do what you have to. But will she be alright?"
"I am aware of the unique properties of her biology" said the doctor, "once I've gotten the debris out of her arm, I need to reset her ulna and radius bones. They were snapped into two, and once that's done.. her body will begin the healing process. I'd probably give it a day or so for the soft tissue injuries and the swelling to go down, and a few weeks for the broken bones. As for the burn on her left hand, it's already started to heal. I know you beamed down a lot of the medical staff…. And to be honest, I could do with more."
"Colonel Pendergast to the bridge" said Marks over the intercom.
"You got it. Take care of her, doc" said the Colonel before he ran to the bridge where he was told by Marks that Daniel's transmitter just appeared on their scanners. The Colonel told Marks to beam him directly to the bridge. A few seconds later, Daniel appeared on the bridge of the Prometheus in a flash of light.
"Dr. Jackson" said Colonel Pendergast, "welcome back."
"Thanks" said Daniel as he looked around him concerned, "umm.. there's another man next to me on the surface, he should be about a meter to the left of my previous position. Can you beam him up as well, he's Jared Kane, the one who told us about the satellite."
"Sir" said Marks, "I'm not reading any life signs near your previous vicinity.
"Can you confirm?" asked the Colonel.
"Confirmed" said Marks as Daniel ran over to his console, "after we beamed up Dr. Jackson, there was no other life sign."
"Damn" said Daniel, "they killed him."
"Mr. Kane?" asked the Colonel.
"Yes" replied Daniel, "they thought we were spies and were going to execute us. They were ready to shoot when you beamed me up."
"I see" said Colonel Pendergast.
"Are the others alright?" asked Daniel, "Mitchell, Teal'c, Willow, Faith?"
"The rest of SG1, plus two thirds of the crew are in Caledonian territory" said Colonel Pendergast, "I ordered an evacuation in case Major Rosenberg's plan didn't succeed."
"What plan?" asked Daniel, "where is she?"
"Infirmary" said Colonel Pendergast, "she's hurt bad."
"May I?" asked Daniel as he pointed toward the exit from the bridge.
"Go" said the Colonel, "I'll start beaming up medical and the engineering personnel so that we can at least get the life support, communications with the SGC back up, and get sublight engines back."
"Alright" said Daniel as he ran towards the infirmary.
"Womack" said Colonel Pendergast, "contact Colonel Mitchell, tell him and the others to stand by for transport back to the ship. Once life support is at full power, we'll leave this planet to its own devices."
"Yes, sir" said Womack.
"Marks" said Colonel Pendergast, "once we get the SGC inform Colonel Carter that we need the Odyssey to give us a lift, send them a coded databurst once communications have been restored with our situation."
"Yes, sir" said Marks.
The Colonel then got out of his seat and went down to communications to help the crew working there re-establish two way subspace communications with Stargate Command so that everyone, could go home.
TBC.