It didn't take long for the President to make up his mind. Alexander got a call from the SGC the next morning asking that he return.
"Johnathan, I want you to come with me. You're our expert on Alteran programming anyway and we might as well run actual tests while we're using it. Who knows, we may be able to use the information in other useful ways."
"It doesn't hurt to try." Johnathan agreed.
"In the meantime, Oz and I will get our new employees started." Corda said.
"Drones." Oz said.
"That's right, Oz needs to start studying the drones too, because the Altimah is running low on them. And we need to make sure the outpost's drones can be resupplied as well. Eventually Earth's going to want to outfit their ships with them too." Alexander said.
"The SGC has a good number of pulse pistols and personal shield emitters. It's time to start making some for the expedition as well." Corda added.
"And I will get started on researching the origin of the Slayer." Giles put in.
"Gunn and I are headed back to L.A." Faith said. "We'll be in a position to let you know right away if the weapon works."
"And I have class." Buffy said. "I need to get going, I don't want to be late."
"I can do some online searching for you, Rupert." Jenny said.
"That would be helpful, especially since I won't go near that dread machine of yours."
With a laugh, everyone scattered to their appointed tasks. Alexander launched the Altimah into orbit.
"Eventually everyone will be able to travel this easily and conveniently." Johnathan joked, as they completed their scan of Earth's energy frequency and headed to the SGC.
"At the rate Earth humans are advancing technologically? Yes." Alexander agreed, as he set the Altimah down in her spot and the two of them headed for the checkpoint.
"Hi, Carter." Alexander said, as soon as he saw her. "The President okay using the weapon on the vampires?"
"Yes, he did, but we've got another problem. McKay has disappeared from his holding cell."
"What do you mean, disappeared?" Alexander demanded to know.
"I mean the cameras at the jail he was being held at pending trial, were shut off, a guard was paid off and McKay is no longer in the cell. The guard was found dead this morning."
"Someone is covering their tracks."
"Yes. McKay originally was brought into the Program by the NID. Its possible they or this group calling themselves the Trust, decided he could still be of use to them. He does know alot about Alteran tech."
"The Altimah Project is the only company currently authorized to produce any. In the U.S. that is. You said the Trust may have international business people involved in it."
"And other countries leaders are now aware of the existence of aliens. The Stargate remains in U. S. custody and we're the only ones able to use it, but we're also the only ones fighting the Gou'ald."
"It won't take other countries long to catch up, especially with McKay helping. Damn, I should have just shot him. Heat of the moment, emotional distress. Temporary insanity. I probably wouldn't even have served any time."
"And you also wouldn't have a baby on the way."
"Point taken. He has a subcutaneous transmitter."
"Already tried to find it, it's not signalling anymore."
"He could be anywhere on Earth. Until we get a lead, there's little we can do."
"Then all we can do is go ahead with dealing with the vampires." Johnathan said.
"I'll get my equipment, I want to run tests while you're doing it." Carter said.
"Which is why Johnathan is here, so he can also run tests."
"Hopefully something will go right today." Carter wished, as she headed to her lab to get her equipment.
"Murphy! Carter, Murphy!" Jack yelled after her.
"Murphy can bite my ass. I am not in the mood to tolerate his shenanigans!" She yelled back.
"Considering she once blew up a sun and took out an alien armada, I would think Murphy would think twice about upsetting Samantha Carter." Alexander observed.
Soon Alexander, Johnathan and Carter were ready to head to Dakara. Jack ordered the Stargate dialed and they stepped though.
"Can you tell Bra'tec we're here?" Alexander asked one of the Jaffa stationed at the gate. He nodded and sent one of his men to find Bra'tec.
"You have returned, my friend." Bra'tec greeted him.
"We want to run some tests on the weapon. We're planning a test fire on a barren moon we've moved a gate to. The Altimah is in orbit around the moon and will record any activity." Alexander hated lying in general, but lying to a friend? That bothered him even more. But the President was adamant, he did not want anyone to know.
"I'll need your people clear of the gate. Johnathan will dial the address, he's wearing one of our shield emitters. We'll only to do one test fire today. We'll study the readings and go from there."
"I will move my people into the temple complex. That should be well out of your way."
"That's should be good. I don't want any of them getting hurt. Carter will monitor from inside the chamber, Johnathan will monitor as the wave goes through the gate and the Altimah will monitor on the moon. Let's get this done."
For once Murphy must have thought he'd caused enough mischief, because their 'test' fire went just that quickly and easily. Alexander was able to aim it though the gate and Johnathan was well enough out of the way. Once the Stargate had shut done after the wave had dissipated, the three returned to Earth to see the results of the weapon's use.