ARTHUR'S NOTES:
I finally finished this story and this series. My plot bunny only visited for a short time. The ending is left open on purpose. I will let your imaginations run wild. I would LOVE to read any stories inspired by this AU. Especially if they pick up where this one leaves off.
AU Note:
Vala is alive and in the Milky Way. No Adria. No Orici. My intent was to make the Ori not be all powerful. They are religious nuts. THEY COULD NOT ASCEND. But they could continue to live in ignorance in their galaxy. After a few million years, even the Ori would become an advanced alien race (The Catholic Church set progress back in Europe by centuries - The Dark Ages). The Priors are not all powerful. They have no ascended Ori to back them up. Ori tech is located in their staff. It makes them vulnerable. Like the Goa'uld with a ribbon device and shield. I set the ground work for this and then my plot bunny said 'no'. If you want my notes, PM me on Discord (RoczaDeb or RoczaDeb#5647). You don't have to follow them, just your muse.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
PART 6: BREAKING THE MOLD
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
Italics - Thoughts.
-Italics- Telepathy. Mind-to-Mind speech.
Underline - Written words.
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"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." - Edward Everett Hale
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
EARTH (TAU'RI), USA, CO, COLORADO SPRINGS - AIRPORT: 10 SEP 2006, 6 PM
MSgt Juan Vega stepped off the flight to Colorado Springs with a hint of trepidation. His anxiety only increased when he noticed the Airman waiting for him at the baggage area. He was as clueless now as he was over two weeks ago. His orders stated his transfer was to Peterson AFB, but he would work out of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Deep Space Radar Telemetry. Furthermore, he was assigned to an Air Force Specialty Code that didn't exist: 1X071, and no one in Military Personnel Flight could tell him what was expected of him once he got here. Nor could they tell him how his promotion had been approved out of the usual testing cycle.
Worse, his PCS sponsor, SSgt Jake Bosworth had told him over the phone that all his transfer arrangements were made and not to worry about housing or anything else. The whole thing stank. It was some kind of conspiracy. But to what purpose? Why promote and transfer me from Lackland? The only thing I'm certain of is that it had something to do with the O'Neill kid and the presidential visit.
"MSgt Vega?" the Airman asked, making a bee-line over to him.
"Yes, Sergeant," Vega replied, his TI mask firmly in place.
"I hope you had a pleasant flight, Sir. I have orders to escort you to your quarters and issue you a car from the motor pool. SSgt Bosworth should be back tomorrow. He can escort you through the security protocol," the Airman then smiled, cracking his professional demeanor. "Welcome to the program, Sir."
The program? What program? Veg returned the smile.He just couldn't ignore the young man's enthusiasm. "Thanks. I just wish I knew what this was all about," he said absently as he loaded his bags and gear into the motor pool car.
Vega caught the flash of sadness that crossed the young man's face before his professional face hid it. "You'll understand soon enough, Sir." The Airman was polite, but distant the rest of the trip. That just added to the mystery of this whole PCS.
The Airman stopped at a nice apartment building with its own underground parking garage and doorman. Vega had expected to be taken to billeting and dumped into the substandard housing that usually accompanied transient quarters. This upscale apartment building was completely unexpected.
His escort completely changed demeanor as soon as he spotted the man behind the counter. The man was thin and balding. He had lost an eye somewhere and was walking with a pronounced limp, but he had the stamp of a military man. He stood straight and tall as the Airman hailed him.
"Hey, Lou, I brought you some fresh meat," the young man shouted from almost halfway across the small lobby.
"I can see that. Watkins, right?" the man, Lou, asked with a grin.
"Yes, Sir. This is MSgt Juan Vega, Bosworth's newbie," Watkins explained.
"Boy, show some respect. This 'newbie' as you call him kept O'Neill in line for more than six weeks." Lou glared at Watkins until he looked suitably chastised before he turned to Vega. "I'm sorry. Kids these days… not an ounce of respect for their superiors. I'm Major Lou Ferretti, retired Air Force. I manage the Sanctuary. If you'll put your right hand here," he gestured to a glass plate on the counter top.
Vega complied and was surprised when the plate lit up and scanned his palm and then turned green around the edges. He took a closer look at the high-tech security feature. It was molded perfectly into the counter. The glass face didn't have any scratches. It was impressive. Vega didn't even see the display monitor for the device. He was impressed. It didn't take just a single finger print, but the whole hand. That was next to impossible to duplicate.
"Thanks. Here is your key card. You are in 223. Here are the keys to your car. Your car is parked on level 2. If you have any questions, I'll answer what I can. But I warn you that I can't tell you anything about the program until after your in-briefing tomorrow. Bosworth should be back this afternoon. I'll send him over to your room when he gets in." Lou Ferretti smiled a funny smile before shaking his head. "I just don't see it. I can't see O'Neill sitting still long enough to pass BMT. How'd you do it?" he asked.
"You know the O'Neill kid?" Vega asked suspiciously.
Lou laughed. "Know him? I served under the older version and had to keep my only eye on the younger version when they moved him in here. In fact, I kind of miss him. He moved into the General's old house just before he left for Basic," Lou said with a wisp of whimsy.
"I don't know. I kind of got the impression that he let me be in charge… and then I found out about the commission and the pranks. I still feel like I'm four steps behind. This transfer isn't helping," Vega said. He shook his head and picked up his bags. "I'd better get settled. It was nice meeting you, Major."
"Lou, please. I'm retired already. Let me know if you need anything. I'd recommend Tony's for pizza and Chang's for Chinese," Lou said with a friendly smile.
"Thanks again, Lou," Vega waved at the retired major and moved over to the elevator.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
EARTH (TAU'RI), USA, CO, COLORADO SPRINGS, SGC - BRIEFING ROOM: 11 SEP 2006, 3 PM
The next day was a blur of briefings. Security first and foremost was a long four-hour briefing. It ended with a complete physical. Including some tests that Vega had no idea what they were looking for let alone why. I mean, why did they need a brain scan showing my current brain activity level? I must have lost a pint of blood to their various tests. I just had a damn physical. I had one four months ago.
Finally, after an exhausting morning and a trying afternoon, Vega was waiting to see General Landry. Apparently, the general felt the need to personally greet each and every member under his command. Vega would have been content to wait if it wasn't obvious that this was the same General Landry that had signed Jon O'Neill's orders. It was the first name that Vega recognized from what little information he had of the O'Neill kid.
The general stormed into the conference room from a stairwell on the far side of the Briefing Room. A short Chief was following him closely. "As soon as SG-1 gets Mitchell settled, I want to see them. And no, Mitchell is to go home and stay home. I don't care if he feels fine. Carolyn said he's still recovering from that staff blast. Bar him from base if you need to," Landry shot out his orders.
The two men seemed to breeze past Vega without noticing him. "Yes, Sir. I have those reports for the Joint Chiefs ready on your desk. SG-3's mission briefing is in half an hour, and MSgt Vega is waiting to see you," the Chief stated as they entered the general's office.
"Who?" Landry asked.
"MSgt Vega, from Lackland, Sir," the Chief answered politely. Vega stood in anticipation of the command to enter.
"Oh right, the TI. Now is his..." Landry could be heard rummaging around looking for paperwork.
"Yes, Sir," the Chief interrupted, "on your desk."
The Chief left abruptly as the General sorted through the files on his desk. Finally, holding up the one he was looking for, he approached Vega in the Briefing Room. He held out his hand in greeting. "MSgt Vega, welcome to the Stargate Command," Landry greeted Vega warmly.
"Thank you, General," Vega replied politely.
The general chuckled. "I bet you are just dying to know just what the hell is going on…This is Stargate Command." Landry gave a brief wave at the facility around him. "The Stargate Project came about we finally got the Stargate to work. There's a lot more history... But you will get that at a later briefing. To put it bluntly, you have been recruited into this command to represent Earth while we explore the galaxy. You will be a member of one of our SG Teams."
Vega's face was frozen. What the hell? Explore the GALAXY? How in the hell do we do that? The general paused as Vega allowed his disbelief to show.
Landry chuckled again. "I know. It sounds a bit nuts. But you'll have to trust me on this. I'm just beginning to understand how important this command is in the grand scheme of the galaxy. I've only been in command a few months. This new threat of the Ori… well, they aren't making our job any easier. We need all the help we can get. Now, I'm sure you have questions…" Landry started.
"Yes, Sir," Vega replied, "I just…well, to be honest, Sir. I…"
"Hank, this isn't working out…" a new voice shouted as he stormed into the conference room from the hallway.
Vega stared in amazement as Jon O'Neill, complete with Colonel insignia, strode into the room. He noticed Vega and smiled in welcome. "Hey, Sarge."
General Landry sighed and turned to Jon. "Colonel, you just have to give them time…" Landry started.
"It won't fucking work and you know it," Jon replied as he dropped himself into one of the chairs at the table. "How the hell can I lead these boneheads in a firefight if they don't respect the rank in the safety of the SGC. I look too young. They will never follow my orders. Period. How many damn Marines am I going to have to thrash before you and he realize that."
"Who was it this time?" Landry asked tiredly.
"Does it matter? I appreciate what you both have done for me, but I just won't fit within the normal military structure. Shit gets weird enough around here. There is no way I can lead a conventional SG Team. It's time for another approach," Jon replied as he leaned forward as he stared intently at Landry. "Tau'ri are easy to spot and come from one planet. Earth. But Jaffa and humans are a dime a dozen. Give me time with Master Bra'tac and I can blend with anyone on a dozen different worlds. Perfect cover for covert intelligence gathering. Best part is that my youth will work for me rather than against me."
Vega watched in surprise as the general deflated. "Fine. Write it up. If you can get it past Jack, then the JCS will likely go for it," Landry told him. General Landry sat down wearily in his chair before continuing. "I don't like the idea of you going alone, though. It couldn't hurt to have a whole team of irregulars."
"No, Hank. The Four-Man Team is a trademark of the SGC. If this is going to work, it has to break the mold," Jon stated firmly as he leaned forward.
"What if you get into trouble? Your youth will help you blend, but it will not get you any more credibility out there than here on Earth. SG-1…" Landry replied.
Jon cut him off. "SG-1 is too recognizable and too famous. The Marines are too obviously military and the scientists have the wrong skill-set," Jon stated.
"Reynolds…" General Landry tried to continue.
"…has worked with the Marines for too long. He is married with kids. No. It has to be me and it has to be alone. Trust me," Jon stated firmly.
Hank sighed. "I won't approve of any plan that leaves you out there alone. Find someone… anyone… that can meet your criteria. Then get them past Bra'tac's training. Then I'll sign off on it…IF Jack approves the plan," Landry said firmly.
Jon smiled as he stood up to go when the general stopped him one more time. "Jon…how badly did you hurt my Marine?" Landry asked him.
Jon chuckled. "I didn't hurt him physically at all. Now, I may have crippled his pride, but Marines don't really need that anyway. Once he gets past the public humiliation, he'll be as good as new." Jon gave the general a sloppy salute and breezed out of the office without waiting for dismissal.
Vega heard the general chuckle before turning his full attention back to Vega. "I honestly don't know how he ever became general," Landry said absently.
"Sir?" Vega asked, confused. General? He's a general now? No... He still had a colonel's insignia.
General Landry smiled sadly. "Yeah, that's another long story. Suffice it to say that strange things happen in this place." The general gave another vague gesture to the facility around them. "I've been told that eventually you get used to the strangeness." The general gave Vega a wistful smile, "Teddy Roosevelt said, 'Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing'... This place… this is definitely work worth doing."
General Landry shuffled his paperwork before finding the form he was looking for. "Ah. Here it is. Here is your training schedule. I believe that Sergeant Bosworth is available to answer your questions. If he doesn't know the answer, Chief Harriman most likely knows the answer." The general handed Vega the form.
Vega briefly glanced at it before tucking it into the rest of his acquired homework as a part of his in-processing. Vega rose and waited to be dismissed.
General Landry gave him a considering look. "Is there anything else you need?" Landry asked.
"No, Sir. But…I did have one question, why am I here?" Vega asked, slightly overwhelmed. "I can't think of a single reason why I would be placed in this facility. This program."
The general's look softened with humor. "You are here because you impressed the most powerful man on this planet," Landry said gently.
"The President, Sir?" Vega asked, confused.
"No… Jack O'Neill," Landry said with a grin. Then he dismissed him before returning to his desk.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
EARTH (TAU'RI), USA, CO, COLORADO SPRINGS - SANCTUARY: 11 SEP 2006, 7 PM
Vega was feeling more than a bit overwhelmed. A few of his questions were answered by SSgt Bosworth. Eventually, he had given up on asking questions. Not because he couldn't get answers. Just the answers were overwhelming. Bosworth easily answered his questions... But his answers... They were unbelievable.
Vega eventually had lapsed into a passive listener mode. Bosworth had collected Vega in the Briefing Room. Then he proceeded to give Vega the Grand Tour of the facility. He narrating each step with a new story about the history of the SGC and some of the strange things that had happened in its halls.
Vega was having a hard time believing that anything the man said wasn't a complete fabrication. It all sounded made up. Right out of some science fiction story. He had barely digested the fact that aliens were real, when he was introduced to Nyan.
Nyan was an alien refugee that had been adopted by the Archaeology Department. Nyan wasn't the only alien in the facility. Bosworth had gone out of his way to introduce him to several of the new residents of Earth as he gave Vega the full tour of the installation.
Bosworth spent extra time explaining the medical screening and quarantining procedures for off world travel. He relayed several past scenarios that had nearly allowed alien viruses to escape the SGC. During his explanation, Vega saw the respect and pride the young man had for the infirmary staff. On the plus side, now Vega knew why they had taken all those medical tests at the beginning of the day. They wanted a baseline to compare against.
Vega finished the tour and eventually made his way back to the surface. He found himself wandering his fully-furnished apartment. He was in a state of shock. It finally occurred to him that Lou Ferretti might be able to help him get his bearings. Lou said he could answer questions after my in-briefing. Well, I've been briefed.
Vega wandered down to the main lobby and smiled in greeting at the retired Major. "Hey, Lou," he greeted, still looking lost.
Lou returned his greeting with a wide smile. "I was wondering when you would hunt me down," he said smiling.
"Really?" Vega asked off-guard. He was expecting me? I'm that predicable?
"Yeah, it's not often that the program drags someone in who is completely clueless. Usually, you have someone vouch for you. After you are vetted, your buddy gets to break the news to you gently. You, my friend, are the talk of the mountain," Lou said with a broad grin.
Vega gave a short laugh. "I doubt that. I haven't done anything special," he said softly.
"On the contrary, you got, not one, but two O'Neills to vouch for you. O'Neill rarely vouches for anyone... then they usually end up saving the world once or twice. His word carries a lot of weight with all the right people," Lou gave Vega a serious nod.
Vega let out a disappointed sigh. "Why is that? Why me? I barely met the man in Texas and now he is putting me in a position that… quite frankly… I'm afraid I'll fail at it. Then General Landry says that he is more important than the President and... I just don't get it," Vega finished quietly huffing out his frustration.
Lou grinned. "You got some spirit, I'll give you that," Lou said. He gave the room a quick glance around the lobby before yelling, "Cassie-girl, watch the front. You can do your homework at the desk." Lou turned back to Vega, "Let's take this to my office. We can talk freely there."
Vega watched as a young woman took charge of the desk and gave him a slight frown before focusing on her books. Vega thought she looked vaguely familiar but dismissed it as he followed Lou back to a small office off the lobby.
Once the door was firmly closed behind him, Lou took his seat and gave out a sigh of contentment. "Ah… much better. Now, before you begin, I have full security clearance." Lou pulled out his SGC badge with his access level marked on it. "You can tell me anything that happens in the mountain. It is a part of my job to make sure you guys are looked after. Sometimes, a man just needs a friend, not a shrink," Lou paused, letting his words sink in.
"The Sanctuary was established after Dr. Jackson died and then came back… either the second or third time… it's hard to keep it straight with him any more… But 'The Colonel' was tired of all the paperwork that went with coming back to life. He petitioned for all the single SG Team members to have a place where they could live and not worry about bills, lawns, and nosy neighbors. If you are gone on a mission for months at a time, your stuff will still be here when you return. It's not mandatory to live here, but most of 'em like not having to deal with clueless neighbors."
"Clueless?" Vega asked quietly with a hint of a grin. His head was still spinning with the news that Dr. Jackson had died... Multiple times... And come back... The man looked perfectly normal in Texas.
Lou returned the smile. "Yeah, you know the kind neighbor. The old lady that badgers you about finding a wife and doing something important with your life… or worse, a fellow Airman that keeps insisting that you need to get out of Deep Space Radar Telemetry if you want to go anywhere in the Air Force. They try to make you feel bad because they believe the lie that is our cover. Worse yet, you can't straighten them out. You can't tell them how many times you have died or nearly died to save them from being enslaved by alien hostiles.
Vega's eyes widened as Lou referenced dying for the planet as a fairly common occurrence. That others had died and come back and many had nearly died.
"But here..." Lou said with a wave around him. "...all the residents are just like you. They all have clearance. They all understand exactly how it feels to keep the biggest secret in the world."
A loud knock at the door interrupted them. "Uncle Lou, can you come out. The Russians are getting out of hand," Cassie called through the door.
Lou immediately stood up. "Sorry, I'll be right back," he said as he limped out to the front desk. He left the door open.
Vega wandered over to the open door and watched. Several large, drunken men with very Slavic accents had been harassing the girl at the counter. But they immediately backed away when the much shorter Lou limped over.
"We were just… talking to the young lady… she is very beautiful. We are very lonely so far from the homeland," the spokesman stuttered in apology for the group.
"The young lady is also the goddaughter of Jack O'Neill," Lou started with menace in his voice.
Vega didn't know how the easy-going man had changed so easily. His words had a visible effect on the Russians. They all paled and the one in the back looked around fearfully as if the general would suddenly appear to smite him.
"…and SG-1 considers her to be family. Personally, I'm thrilled that she has adopted me as her uncle. If she tells me that you lot so much as frowned in her direction, I'll have you on a plane back to Siberia so quickly your head will spin, capisce?" he asked with menace.
"Da," the spokesman said to Lou while nodding vigorously. He turned back to the girl. "Ve are sorry for our boorish behavior. Please accept our sincerest apologies." His comrades all endorsed his words with strong nods of their heads.
"Fine," the girl said with elegant acceptance. "...but if this is how you have been treating American girls, it's no wonder why you can't get a date." She broke into a conspiratorial grin. "Let me explain a few things about American girls…"
The Russians leaned in to listen to the girl as she explained how to woo the all-American Girl. Lou nodded and left as soon as he was sure the Russians would behave themselves. Lou limped back into the office and closed the door behind him. "Now, where were we?" Lou asked.
"Um…are they…?" Vega asked.
"In the program?" Lou said with a sly grin. "Yup. Fresh from the motherland too. The SGC is an international effort. Believe it or not, the Russians have been our biggest supporters."
"Huh," Vega replied noncommittally.
"Now," Lou stated, "I believe that your first questions were 'why me?' and 'just who the hell does Jack O'Neill think he is?" he said with a smile.
Vega chuckled at Lou's phrasing. "Yes. That is a good place to start. I really don't like being behind the power curve."
"The easiest way to answer the first is to answer the second. Jack O'Neill led the first mission to another world. And with the help of Dr. Daniel Jackson and his trusty side-kicks Ferretti..." Lou tapped his chest, "...and Kowalski, he saved the world. That was a little over 10 years ago."
Vega coughed his surprise. "Ten years?" he asked.
"Yup. We met our first alien and then killed him. Found out about humans being enslaved on another planet and led a revolution… It just sort of escalated from there. The Goa'uld declared war on us. We fought back. We killed some. We saved some. We lost some. We made enemies. We made friends." Lou chuckled, "I lost my eye on another planet, although ol' doc Frasier was able to save my life… Through it all, General Hammond maintained the fort here at home while Colonel Jack O'Neill led us out into the galaxy."
"No one was more surprised than Jack when the President tapped him to take Hammond's place as the base commander. But we little guys couldn't have been happier. We knew that Jack had our back with the politicians. That allowed us to do what we do best," Lou gave him a considering look.
"To summarize, General Jack O'Neill is known far and wide across the galaxy as the leader of the Tau'ri. He is the chosen representative to the Asgard, a very advanced alien race. He advises the President on how to best protect the entire planet from predation by advanced alien races. He sets policy that affects our efforts across two galaxies. That little scenario you were involved in... That was an attack against Jack. That Ba'al clone could care less about the American President. But give him an O'Neill and…" Lou stopped himself before his angry rant could continue.
"Sorry, but Ba'al is a sore subject for most of the SGC on a good day. Now the bastard is making Xerox copies…" Lou stopped again. "Anyway, Jack is important. He is seldom wrong when it comes to dealing with aliens and people in general. If he likes you, you will go far. If he doesn't like you, the SGC will follow. You will disappear back into the military machine. But if he takes an interest in you… now that's something special."
"But why me? I've seen the man for maybe five minutes tops. What could I have possibly done to catch his attention?" Vega asked in exasperation.
Lou gave him another sly grin. "That's where you're wrong. You see, Jon O'Neill is Jack O'Neill… specifically, Jon is Jack's clone," he said casually.
"What?!" Vega exclaimed. Clones? But… Clones can't be real. Wait. He said something about Ba'al being a clone.
Lou chuckled. "It's a long story and it involves the Asgard. See they have always liked Jack. We didn't know why until they started talking about him being more 'evolved' than the rest of us poor humans. Well, one day, one of their scientists decides to try cloning him. He kidnapped Jack and replaced him with a defective clone. Long story short, Jack is returned, the scientist is apprehended, and Jon is dying. Jack convinced the Asgard to fix Jon and they did. But then Jon doesn't know what to do with himself. He looks 15 years old, but he has the memories of a 50-something Colonel."
Vega flashed back to his memory. Jon told me that he was torn quite forcefully from a life of violence. That his choices were taken away. But THIS was his choice. Was he was talking about this? Suddenly finding out he is a clone. This is too weird.
"General Hammond decided to give Jon a few years off to grow up physically. He put a plan into motion that would reactivate Jon's commission on his '21st' birthday. Jon spent a few years in High School before deciding to rejoin the SGC in the Enlisted Corp," Lou said with the hint of a smile.
Lou turned serious. "It wasn't easy for him. He went from active combat status to medically retired in the course of a week. That's when Jack put him up here. They were kind of creeped out by each other back then. But me… I'm just Lou, one of his former team mates. Eventually, Jon found his footing and… well, you've seen him in action. He and Jack found their peace. They make an odd family, but then who doesn't have a bit of odd in their family," Lou said with a smile.
"I… cloned?" Vega asked, stunned. "All the General's memories? Everything?" he asked. That would give Jon all the memories... And nightmares from the general. Damn. No wonder he acted like he had years of experience. He did. Maybe not physically, but mentally.
"Yeah," Lou continued. "That's how the Asgard stay alive. They move their minds to new bodies when the old one is too damaged."
"That… that actually explains the little bit that Jon did actually tell me… about being forcibly removed from a life of combat and death against his will," Vega said quietly. He was quietly reconsidering all the actions that he had observed over the course of Jon's training. Actions that he could only attribute to life experience. Jon was too young to have that life experience. But the general had that life experience. He had those memories. He gave that gift to Jon.
"He told you that?" Lou asked, amazed. "I'm surprised. O'Neill never talks about stuff… like ever." Lou considered a bit more before continuing. "The SGC didn't know what was going on for almost a week. Jon truly thought he was Jack. Jack was missing that entire time. When they finally caught Loki, they had Jack and Jon. Both with the exact same memories."
"Wow, General Landry did say that things got weird around here," Vega said, amazed.
Lou chuckled. "Oh, you have barely begun to touch on the weird things. Have they told you about the life-sucking space vampires that threaten Atlantis yet?" he asked.
"The what?" Vega asked, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Atlantis?" he asked.
"Oh yeah. It's real. We found it in another galaxy. Our current local problem is the Ori. A new kind of false god. They have been sending their Ori Priors around the Milky Way trying to convert worlds. If the world doesn't convert, they kill them off," Lou continued. "Of course, they are invading our galaxy from some other galaxy. They make the whole Goa'uld, 'kneel before your god' thing, seem like child's play."
"I guess, I don't know enough about anyone yet to make a judgment," Vega said, feeling overwhelmed again.
Lou smiled. "And that is why O'Neill chose to vouch for you. You are not judging until you get information. You can evaluate information from a protected position. I can see why he would vouch for you. You will do great in the project."
"You really think so?" Vega asked.
"Positive. Just do what you would do naturally. You will do fine," Lou said with confidence.
"Alright," Vega stated with quiet resolve. "I'll do my best."
"Well, that's all any of us can do," Lou replied easily. With that they stood up and went back out to the front desk where Cassie was still regaling the Russians with advice on how to meet American women.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
EARTH (TAU'RI), USA, CO, COLORADO SPRINGS, SGC - LANDRY'S OFFICE: 12 SEP 2006, 7 AM
Jon stormed into Landry's office with a thin folder the next morning. He tossed it in front of the wary general as his way to introduce both the topic and his agitation at needed to present it in an 'official' manner. Then he stood defiantly at the front of Landry's desk.
Landry raised his eyebrow. "I take this is your proposal, Colonel," Landry commented dryly.
"It is," Jon replied dryly. "You wanted it in written form."
"I did," Landry commented. Then he pulled over the folder and began to read the documents in side.
The project summary was short. It briefly narrated the team, it's purpose, and it's authority. It then listed a number of planets where backup gear and communications equipment would be cached. Jon had even completed requisition forms for the equipment.
"Alright, take a seat," Landry said calmly. He made a gesture to the chair opposite his desk. "If I have to explain this to Jack, I need you to walk me through your reasoning."
"My reasoning," Jon replied. "To the man I was cloned from?" he asked rhetorically.
"Fine," Landry gave him a huff. "Make me understand. You have told me the basics. This folder includes those basics. Now I need your reasoning."
Jon gave another huff in frustration. "That's the part I hate," he moaned.
Landry sat back and regarded Jon. "Jon, you have the experience. You have the knowledge. Hell, you articulate better than I do on this kind of stuff. You KNOW that Jack will get it. You just have to make all those other politicians get it," he told Jon.
"I really don't like those idiots," Jon replied as he sagged in his seat. "Alright. It's hard to define a feeling, but I'll try."
"A feeling?" Landry asked. "You know they won't approve this project based on a feeling."
"Yeah, I know," Jon replied. "But I don't know how else to describe it. My gut is screaming at me... This team needs to be cut off from Earth. They can't be based on Earth or allowed to access Earth."
"Only one team?" Landry asked.
"Initially, yes," Jon replied. "I would be on the first team. In the future, I think that a second or third team may be helpful. But initially, we need to see how viable this operation is. The risk would be great. We will need to determine what kind of training is needed. Who will best fit the parameters to fill the posting. What kind of training they should have BEFORE they are assigned," he said. He paused significantly. "I want to take Vega as my second."
"He's not SpecOps trained," Landry pointed out.
"Exactly," Jon said. "We need to cover all our bases. I already have SpecOps training. I can see threats based on that training. Vega is Security Forces Trained. He can see how best to protect from those threats and how best to infiltrate based on their existing security measures. SpecOps does teach infiltration. It does not teach how to counter infiltration. We can cover each other's gaps and provide cross training."
"Vega has only been at the SGC for a day. Do you think it is wise to take him through a wormhole before he has a chance to adjust to the weirdness of this place?" Landry asked. "I know it took me a lot longer than a day."
"No," Jon replied firmly. "If he is here too long, he will start to act like the rest of the Tau'ri. We can't be Tau'ri out there. That is a threat that I can avoid by taking him BEFORE he has Tau'ri training. Before he gains the Tau'ri world view."
"We have a world view?" Landry asked.
Jon grinned. "Ask Nyan," he replied. "The Tau'ri world view comes from being free our whole lives. From being ignorant of the greater galaxy and its threats. To avoid the Tau'ri mentality, I need to take him away from Earth and get him that information. He needs to hear that information from the Jaffa or former human slaves. A different perspective."
"If feel like we are leaving him ignorant. I don't like that feeling," Landry said with a sigh.
"Hell, the Air Force doesn't like that position," Jon added. "But he will not remain ignorant. I will make sure he has all the information long before we actually start to collect intelligence."
"You will both need support," Landry replied. "I want to make sure you get any back up you need."
"Back up is fine," Jon replied. "The main problem is capture. We know the Goa'uld have the capability to brainwash and program their captives. To make it seem like they were never captured. The technology is out there," he pointed out. "That is the reason this team HAS to be cut off from Earth. This way, they can't RISK the security of Earth."
"Yes," Landry replied with a nod. "We can only assume that the Ori have or gained that technology."
"Precisely," Jon nodded. "That is the purpose of the caches. They will allow the team to make contact with Earth to relay intel without returning to Earth. If one cache is compromised, then there are other caches they can fall back on."
"What about injuries?" Landry asked. "We already know the risk to this team is high. What happens when one of them is injured?" he asked.
"I'm thinking of two options," Jon replied. "First, if they can make it to a cache, they can contact the SGC and relay their need. It will delay treatment, but they should be able to stabilize the injury at the cache."
"That is why I want teams," Landry replied. "I have no doubt that YOU could escape. Maybe even make it to a cache. But anything can happen while you wait... likely while being pursued... at the cache waiting for the medical team to come to you. If you have a second person, your chances will increase." Landry paused. "I've read enough of your old mission reports to know that you survived BECAUSE you had someone to drag your broken, unconscious ass home." He gave Jon a hint of a smile.
Jon sighed. He was getting used to everyone referring to his past as Jack's past. It honestly felt like his past too... even if he was missing those scars now. He had started to accept Jack's past as his own in BMT. "True... But most of those missions... Most of those injuries were a result of one of my damn team members causing the problem at the start. You have Daniel on a team. You KNOW how much trouble he can cause. I just hope that Mitchell is up to minder duties."
Landry chuckled. "He's getting there," he replied.
"For a second option, I'm thinking about using the Free Jaffa," Jon continued after a pause. "I want to involve them from the start. I think that with regular contact, they can help the team. That way, if one of the team is injured, they can go to the Free Jaffa and have them contact Earth."
"Teal'c will be on Earth," Landry said while nodding. "How would the team contact the Free Jaffa?" he asked.
"Dakara," Jon replied. "It's located close enough to the center of the Milky Way to be accessible from anywhere in the galaxy by spaceship. It is heavily fortified. If the team is being pursued, Dakara will deter pursuit. They make regular contact with Earth. Thus anyone tracking wormholes will not know if the team is contacting Earth or the Jaffa are making contact. Then there is the unconscious issue. If the team make it to Dakara, the Jaffa will recognize them and contact Earth for assistance... even if the team can't relay the message to them."
"That is a good back up," Landry nodded. "But it will be political. How do you know that the team will get support from the Free Jaffa?" he asked.
"As long as Bra'tac is alive, they will get support," Jon replied firmly. "He commands too much respect from all the other Jaffa. Same with Teal'c. But if they are not there, the team could run into issues. That's why I want to bring them into this project sooner. To get more Jaffa contacts and support. Most of the Jaffa on Dakara are not politically motivated. They are warriors. Most are honorable. If the team proves themselves to the Jaffa first, the help will be offered. No need to ask."
"You think so?" Landry asked. "My experience with politicians doesn't have them being honorable or providing help. In fact, most of their Council is very vocal against the Tau'ri."
"Their Council," Jon pointed out. "But even their Council is made up of warriors. You have to remember that it took the US two-hundred years to have a politicians evolve into the deceptive, vile creatures they are now. The Jaffa are just starting out. At worst, they carry a small about of slime."
Landry chuckled while shaking his head. "If this is your attitude before you go to Washington, I dread what Jack's opinion is now."
Jon smiled. "Overly blunt and honest," he replied. "Jack likes to scandalize the politicians and the IOA by calling them out... Publicly... In front of their peers. I think he has learned to wield the truth like a weapon."
Landry laughed. "That sounds just like Jack," he chuckled. "I just hope those same politicians don't try to use the truth to hurt him."
"Are you kidding?" Jon replied. "He got to practice on Kinsey from the start. He learned that the best way to shame politicians is to expose the truth, as bluntly and publicly as possible, even if it is just rumors... Politicians require a good image. Generals don't. He could care less what the politicians think of him." Jon sighed. "Besides, he knows that their opinions don't matter. Our allies matter. They PREFER the truth instead of the political lies."
"Our allies? You mean the Asgard?" Landry asked.
"I mean all of them," Jon replied. "The Asgard are just the most powerful. The Nox, the Tollan... when they were around... The Jaffa, other human cultures without the political swamp we have here... The Goa'uld LIED to them for millennia. If we sent our politicians out into the galaxy... Earth would have been wiped from the galaxy very quickly."
"Good point," Landry replied. He had read enough of the old mission reports to see how honesty had been the success of the Tau'ri. Even that rogue NID fiasco hadn't really hurt their credibility in the galaxy. Granted, the Asgard, Nox, and Tollan had insisted they fix their problems... In fact, they insisted that Jack be the one to fix it. Hum.
"Alright," Landry shook his head to get back on task. "That covers how the team will get medical assistance. How will they relay intelligence?" he asked.
"I think that will depend," Jon replied. "The caches will also act as a drop point for physical intelligence. But radio communications equipment will be available for audio intelligence or to notify the SGC that physical intelligence needs to be picked up."
"What about securing the radio?" Landry asked.
"That shouldn't matter," Jon replied. "Radios are short range. The transmission only needs to travel through a Stargate. This side should be secure. To intercept the transmission, a ship would have to be in orbit and focused on the Stargate to intercept the transmission. Because of the potential for the caches to be discovered and raided. I want to keep the radios as insecure as possible. They can't learn to hack our secure transmissions if they have no technology to examine."
"Digital transmission?" Landry asked.
"Incompatible," Jon replied. "That and a reliable power source. Most of the physical intelligence will be stolen from the Ori, Goa'uld, or other species. I'm sure that Carter can figure out how to interface it here at the SGC. I don't want that tech to get out to the Ori or Goa'uld so they can hack our data."
"What about extraction?" Landry asked. "If you have two people, one may get away and coordinate extracting the captured individual."
Jon huffed. "I don't think it should be made a priority. But... Damn. The galaxy is a colossally huge place. IF extraction is possible... Then yes, full military heavy team to complete the extraction with 304 support... But chances are that the bad guys will move the captive to a different planet. Meaning the extraction is unlikely..." he replied with a blank face.
"Unlikely," Landry repeated. "I don't like that... I won't accept it."
Jon smiled at him. "Since it is likely me in that situation, I appreciate that," he said blandly.
"But..." Landry said with a resigned look. "...You will give the order to leave you anyway..."
Jon visibly winced. "Yes," he said. "I know the risks. I know the likelihood of capture. Hell, I know damn well what kind of torture they will employ. I still accept the risk... Like I said, my gut is screaming at me. I need to do this... In all likelihood, I am the best in that kind of situation. I can escape. I will escape."
"Your feeling again," Landry said with a resigned sigh. "Alright, I think I have enough to take this to Jack. But I want trackers on you both. You and whomever you choose to take on this mad adventure. The new trackers don't transmit. They are a passive detection system. The BC-304s have to be looking for it to see it."
"Anything we have will be taken," Jon replied. "If we are lucky, we can keep our watches and tags... But those will mark us as Tau'ri. We can't have them."
"That's fine," Landry replied. "The transmitters are subdermal now. They can strip you naked and you will still have your transmitter."
Jon nodded. "I can accept that," he replied.
"I'll get those transmitters authorized. Once Jack has approve the plan, you can take your second... Vega I assume... to Bra'tac and I will get this equipment sent to these planets. How do you want them marked?" he asked.
"Away from the Gate. Build a rock cairn. Keep it as hidden as possible. Vegetation cover. Hidden from sight. Make a trail to the hiding place using Blair Witch stones," Jon replied as he thought about how best to hide the equipment but allow Jon and Vega to find it.
"Blair Witch stones?" Landry asked in confusion.
"A bunch of rocks... Usually round river stones... That are piled in a column from largest to smallest. Most piles are six to eight stones," Jon replied. "Make the next pile within sight of the first."
Landry was nodding. "Yes," he replied. "That would be a very subtle sign that would easily be overlooked." Landry jotted a few notes down about this discussion. "Now, if you will excuse me, I need to talk to Jack now... Expect to be called back in if he has questions. Assume for now that it is approved."
Jon grinned. "Yes, Sir," he said as he stood and gave Landry a cocky salute before exiting the general's office.
With a tired sigh, Landry reached over and picked up the phone to call Jack.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~
EARTH (TAU'RI), USA, CO, COLORADO SPRINGS, SGC - LANDRY'S OFFICE: 12 SEP 2006, 7:55 AM
Jon was called back into Landry's office by 0730. Landry told him that Jack had approved his plan. Then he told him that Jack had that same bad feeling that Jon had relayed. Jack wanted to get Jon and Vega off Earth as soon as possible.
Landry was still hesitant to send them into danger. But was reassured by both Jack and Jon. Jon told him that they were about to get additional training, not start collecting intelligence.
With his approval, Jon immediately scheduled a wormhole to Dakara through the Control Room. He wanted to have everything in place before Vega was scheduled to arrive a 0800. The sooner he removed him from the influences of Earth, the safer he would be out in the galaxy. For that reason, Jon waited at the elevator bank on the level that was supposed to be on Vega's training schedule.
The elevator dinged and then opened to reveal SSgt Jake Bosworth and MSgt Juan Vega. Jon smiled. "Hey, Sarge, Jake," he greeted them as they exited the elevator.
"Sir," Vega greeted him. He was surprised, but happy to see a familiar face. "What brings you up here today?" he asked.
Jon smiled. "What?" Jon said with a grin. "I can't greet my old TI on his second day? I'm hurt." His hand went to his heart to feign pain in his chest.
Bosworth snorted in amusement.
"No, you can't," Vega replied, smiling back. He had noticed the casual air of the SGC. None of the officers demanded the blatant customs and curtsies that he had seen at some of his bases. SF had been one of the worst squadrons for abuses. The members of that specialty had learned to integrate to a new command by watching the interactions of others. If they didn't know, they were prone to resort to the most formal of interactions.
But the SGC behaved on a completely different level. From the SFs at the gate and check points to every SGC member he had met yet. The closest that Vega could compare it to was a deployed site with little to no customs and curtsies. As a TI, Vega was slightly offended. But as a member of the Air Force, he was relieved. He had often seen how the customs and curtsies frequently replaced respect in his prior units. The SGC demanded respect without the requirements of the customs and curtsies. It was a nice change.
"Well… as it happens... you're right. Your schedule has been changed. It happens. I'm here to get you so we can go off world…" Jon glanced down at his watch. "In an hour," he replied with a grin. "Come on. I'll show you the locker room."
Bosworth suddenly looked at Jon in alarm. "Sir, is that wise?" he asked.
That was another thing Vega had noticed about this command. Anyone could question command decisions without repercussions. Bosworth was just a SSgt. But he had immediately keyed in on a potential threat to the safety of his charge and questioned it with a colonel. The fact that Bosworth felt comfortable enough to question decisions with high-ranking commanders was another good mark for the SGC.
"Of course," Jon replied. "We have training with Master Bra'tac. Landry knows all about it."
"Oh," Bosworth replied in relief. "That's alright then. Bra'tac will take care of you."
"I take it that going off world is unusual this early in a rotation," Vega remarked to Bosworth.
"Well, yeah," Bosworth replied. "You haven't had any of the hazard briefings yet. You don't know how to act, how to respond, history, players… that kind of thing."
"He'll be fine," Jon replied. "Come on, Vega," he said as he pulled him down a different hallway towards the locker room.
When they were alone in the locker room, Jon showed him the duty uniforms to change into and where to store his civilian clothing. But something was bothering Vega... the rush.
"Sir," Vega finally addressed Jon, "Why are we going off-world so quickly?" he asked.
Jon gave him a considering look. He walked around with thinner shielding now than he had in BMT. He couldn't read thoughts, but strong emotions were easy to see. He could tell that Vega was concerned. He had some anxiety about going to face dangers without knowing what and who they were. Jon nodded to himself. He's not hesitant to go. He just wants to know the dangers. Assess the threats.
"Because I need you to be my backup. You have training in observation from a SF perspective. I have infiltration from a SpecOps perspective. Out there… we cannot be identified as Tau'ri… from Earth. If you stay and go through all the training that Bosworth was talking about… you will start to see things as Tau'ri. You will be identified as Tau'ri. That's why all the guys here cannot be my backup. They stand out too much," Jon told him.
Jon's face was blank. But his answers were open. Vega didn't think he was holding anything back. He evaluated the information he had learned. As an SF, Vega knew about cultural marking. How a culture influence how you behaved and acted. SF taught him how to identify it and work with a person's culture to secure an asset or facility.
"You want to get me off world before I become too 'marked' like the others. So I can blend in with the others off world… Does that put me at risk? Not knowing all of the dangers?" Vega asked.
Jon considered his answer. "Yes, it does," he replied. "But Master Bra'tac and I will inform you of most of the known dangers in the galaxy. We really are going to train with Bra'tac. Our destination is Dakara. The stronghold of the Free Jaffa. We will be safe from most of the galactic dangers. But the Free Jaffa don't train the same as the Tau'ri. You don't bear the mark of the Tau'ri. You can see what some of their assumptions are.
"Most of the people out in the galaxy are humans. But they have been enslaved by the Goa'uld for centuries. Earth is one of the few exceptions. Our first problem is that we act like free humans," Jon said. "I can blend in because of my training. Infiltration and integration. You can learn because of your observation skills. Identification and asset protection. You didn't become a TI because you were stupid. Use that."
"Okay," Vega replied. He could see how a culture who was suppressed would behave differently than a free culture. Yes. That would mark a member as being from that culture. Trigger different behaviors in people from other cultures. Even on Earth that was used. Look at the Nazi concentration camps.
Towards the end of the WWII most of the guards had only a single bullet. But even massively outnumbered, they were able to control the people they kept prisoner. He had studied that information when he had achieved his Master's degree in Security Administration. The photo that haunted Vega was one where the guard didn't even have a magazine in his rifle as he stood solitary guard over hundreds of starving survivors behind the fence.
"Who else will be joining us?" Vega asked.
"No one," Jon replied as he turned back to his own locker and continued changing.
"No one?" Vega asked in surprise. "I thought the teams consisted four people?" he asked again.
"Yeah," Jon said. "Usually they are. The SG Teams are predictably four people. If I was an enemy of Earth, I would be looking for spies. I would single out the four people I didn't recognize. Not one or two. Four. With just us, we will be safer."
Vega considered that angle. From a Security perspective it was predictable. It was a serious flaw in the operations of the SGC. "Yeah, that is predictable. They will have to start fluctuating the numbers of their teams. It will make their teams safer," he replied.
"Put that observation up to Landry," Jon replied. "I only told him about my spies angle," he said with a grin. "I told him you would be better at the Security side of things. Asset protection."
"You did?" Vega replied. "Thanks." He wasn't used to being valued for his expertise in securing the assets. Hell, as SF and enlisted, I'm usually not valued at all except as a meat shield.
"Yeah," Jon replied as he finished dressing in an off-world uniform. "I figured that between the two of us, we could determine the security and intel vulnerabilities of our targets. We get that information back to the SGC," Jon replied. "They take action. We move to the next target."
"You think that this Bra'tac will be able to help train us?" Vega asked. He was surprised at the level of thought that Jon had put into this operation.
"Oh definitely," Jon asked. "Master Bra'tac is over 150 years old. He is the former First Prime of Apophis… really dead, false god. He has been all over this galaxy and interacting with the various humans of different worlds. His experience is invaluable."
"False God? First Prime?... I take it that this information would be in those briefings we are skipping," Vega asked as he finished dressing.
"Yes," Jon replied. "Apophis was like Ba'al… the guy that you had to shoot… Master Bra'tac was his First Prime… That is like their most loyal Jaffa general of all of their armies. Their intergalactic space armies," Jon replied as he closed his locker. "Except Bra'tac wasn't loyal. He hated Apophis. He taught Teal'c how to pay lip service to Apophis while trying to save Jaffa lives. Taught him how to command armies."
"Space armies?" Vega let out a huff and shook his head. He closed the locker Jon had indicated he use. "I still need to wrap my head around THAT threat."
"I get that," Jon replied. "That's why I want to get you away from the SGC before it really sinks in. That culture thing."
"Teal'c? Was he the EET observer on Warrior Week?" Vega asked.
"He was," Jon replied with a grin as he led Vega out the locker room. They started to walk to the Infirmary. "Teal'c was named First Prime after Bra'tac. He rebelled against Apophis. Jack's fault. Teal'c started the Rebel Jaffa movement. Eventually enough Goa'uld had died that the Jaffa were free. The Free Jaffa Nation was born. They are about a year old now. That's where we are headed. Dakara. They are just learning about politics. But their Council is a bit more violent than our Congress."
"Our Congress wasn't always less violent," Vega replied as he paced beside Jon. "Our Founding Fathers used to go out on the Congressional Lawn and duel with pistols."
Jon laughed. "Warriors turned into politicians. It's like that now on Dakara."
"You know, I wondered why a civilian was observing Warrior Week," Vega said. "He was obviously a foreign national. I couldn't figure him out."
"Yeah," Jon said. "T had been fighting for the freedom of his people alongside the Tau'ri and Jack for years. But as much of our culture as he had absorbed, he couldn't figure out why the Tau'ri were still free. How our children could be raised with no safety concerns from their government. He expressed interest to see how young Tau'ri learn their battle skill. Landry said Warrior Week would be the best time to observe."
"Children? The Jaffa children are at risk from their... What did you call them... dead, false gods?" Vega asked, stunned.
"Yeah," Jon said as he winced in pain. "Jaffa children were raised to be warriors for their Goa'uld. As soon as they are old enough to hold the basha'ak they trained to fight and die for their Goa'uld."
"Bash uk?" Vega asked as they entered the Infirmary.
"Training Wooden Staff Weapon. You will see one soon. Good morning, Doctor Lam," Jon greeted the small Asian doctor with a huge grin.
"Jon," Carolyn said with wary eyes. She knew enough about Jon to know that he was the clone of Jack. He was her first lesson in looks can be deceiving. "Why are you here?" she asked bluntly.
"Master Sergeant Vega and I are going to Dakara to see Master Bra'tac in... 45 minutes. We both need to complete pre-mission physicals and receive subdermal transmitters," Jon replied with a smile.
Her eyes narrowed. "You aren't on the list for any subdermal transmitters," Carolyn replied frostily.
"We were added just this morning," Jon replied and then glanced down to his watch. "An hour ago. Call Landry," he replied with a grin.
"I will," Carolyn replied. She turned to a nurse. "Get the pre-mission physicals started while I make the call."
"Yes, Doctor," the nurse replied calmly. She had already had the tray with the vials and equipment in place and ready to start. As a veteran of the SGC she preferred the easy medical exams.
"Is she in a mood?" Jon asked the nurse as he exposed his arm.
The nurse smiled at him. "She has been that way since General O'Neill told her that General Landry is taking command," she replied. "She has gotten better."
"That's better?" Jon asked in amazement.
"Yes," the nurse replied.
"I think the good doctor has a small issue with the general," Vega replied with his observations.
"I second your observation, Sergeant," Jon said with a smile at the man.
Doctor Lam stormed back into the main Infirmary with a tray containing the two tracking beacon needles. "Confirmed," she told them. Her dark eyes did not betray her feelings.
"Good," Jon replied. "Can you place it here?" Jon asked as he pointed to his exposed shoulder blade.
Vega replicated his actions. "What is this shot for?" he asked.
"This is your tracking beacon," Carolyn replied. "If you are detained, one of our ships can beam you directly out of their holding cells to the ship."
"Ah," Vega replied. "We have ships? Like spaceships?" he asked in amazement. Then Lou's comment filter through his mind. Ten years. Exploring for ten years.
"We'll go over that," Jon replied casually.
"Briefing thing. Got it," Vega remarked. How much else was he missing by not going to these briefings?
They both finished their physicals and left the infirmary together. At the armory, Jon insisted on only the small, snake like weapon. Zat'ni'katel. Zat. Vega tried not to feel overwhelmed.
Jon waived off all other equipment. The techs tried to insist on the GDO, but Jon replied that they were going to Dakara and Master Bra'tac already had one.
Vega could see the alarm in the eyes of the techs. Apparently, this is a vital piece of technology. A unique piece of technology. A Tau'ri piece of technology. Yeah. We definitely don't want that. Our mission is to be concealed. A Tau'ri piece of tech would label us as Tau'ri. Put us at risk.
Before long they were in the Gate Room. Vega looked up at the observation windows. He could see the Control Room and the windows of the Briefing Room where he had first observed the Stargate. The Stargate started to spin.
"Okay," Jon said as he stood next to him. "First lesson. See the caution tape on the floor?" he asked.
Vega nodded. It was a standard perimeter line painted on the floor. SF usually guarded the Flightline with these painted lines. Most of the Air Force learned to never break those painted lines. It was always a risk. Always a hazard. This one was dotted. An entry to a dangerous area. Solid was no entry.
"That is to indicate the perimeter of the splash. If you are caught in the splash, that part of you will be disintegrated instantly," Jon replied as he shuddered. He could still see those feet from Hadante.
Jon took another cleansing breath and continued. "Travel through the Stargate is wild. Like wild roller coaster wild. There is a bunch of technical stuff. Basically, when you leave the Stargate, it is at the same velocity and direction you entered it. So just walk in slowly." Jon appraised him calmly. "We will practice other types of entry and exit while we train off world. Next, you will feel ice cold when you exit. This is normal. After a few trips you won't notice any more."
"Cold?" Vega asked.
"Yeah," Jon replied as the next chevron locked. "The cold doesn't last long. A few moments at most. Then you start to adjust to the climate on the other side. Carter said the cold has something to do with the compression of your molecules. Kowalsky said it was like standing in an ice storm naked." His face went pensive. "Carter is great at scientific explanations. Kowalsky was great at the down to Earth stuff."
"Was?" Vega asked. He remembered Lou talking about a Kowalsky from that first mission. He could hear the grief in Jon's voice. Where is Kowalsky now? I know Lou is alive.
"Yeah," Jon replied softly. "He was one of our first casualties."
"Damn," Vega replied softly. A loss without a resurrection.
The Stargate splashed to life. Vega was startled by the sight. It was sudden and shocking. But when the splash fell back into the event horizon, Vega could see that it was also controlled. The metal ramp was unaffected. The painted line demonstrated the edges of the phenomena. It has have a specified height as well.
Vega nodded as he looked at how the SGC had identified and marked this occasional threat. How that threat was communicated to the SGC members in the most simple manner.
"SGI-1, you have a go. Good luck," the PA announced with Landry's voice.
Jon looked up at the Control Room. "SGI? What about SGZ? Like plan Z?" he asked the air.
"For now, SGI-1," Landry replied through the PA with a chuckle. "But I'll forward your suggestion to General O'Neill. I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it."
Jon started Vega up the ramp. "Key the zombie jokes," he said to the PA.
Vega paused at the event horizon. Jon pulled up next to him.
"It doesn't hurt," Jon told him. "Just breath-out then enter. Instinct will force to breath-in when you exit."
"Breath-out. No pain," Vega repeated. Then he breathed out and stepped into the event horizon.
Jon smiled and followed him.
~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~AU~