Luthra and Associates
Phoenix, Arizona
2:30 PM UTC
In Phoenix, its approximately 2:30pm UTC-7, and the sun is shining brightly overhead. The sky is a pristine shade of blue, with just a few scattered clouds. The air is warm and dry, carrying a slight breeze that rustles the leaves of the palm trees lining the street. The office building where Luthra and Associates is located stands tall, reflecting the sun's rays with its sleek, modern design. The matter transporter hub across the street is busy with people coming and going, each dressed in their attire as they step on the transporter pad, place their palm on the console to identified who they are in the Tau'ri Federation DOT records and financial system, and vanish in a flash of light before reappearing at their intended destination. It would only cost them 2.50 credits to transport anywhere in the world that's a member with the Tau'ri Federation.
As Grant 'Jack' Hayes, the attorney for Luthra and Associates, approaches the entrance of the building, he takes a deep breath, adjusting his black suit and tie.
"Good morning sir." The security guard said. The security guard is a African American male in his early forties, wearing a black suit and tie. He's been working here for quite some time and is very attentive to his job.
"Morning Dimitri." Jack responded with a nod. "Looks like it's going to be another busy day." He walked past the security desk and headed towards the elevators. The lobby was filled with the sound of chatter from the other employees, some of whom were already on their way to work after a short lunch break. Jack pressed the button for the elevator and waited, checking his watch impatiently. He always preferred taking the stairs, but today was different. He had an important meeting with a client in less than an hour, and time was of the essence.
The elevator hasn't been replace with a transporter chamber as of yet, so Jack waited patiently for it to arrive. As he leaned against the wall, he couldn't help but glance up at the security camera mounted on the ceiling. He wondered if Dimitri was watching him, or if there were others monitoring the feed as well. It made him feel a little uneasy, but he quickly pushed the thought aside.
He held his smart phone in his hands to check for missed calls or messages, and as he scrolled through his emails, he misses several messages from his wife, Nancy. She's been trying to reach him since this morning, but he had been in several meetings in Japan, London and Paris. He wondered what could be so important for her to contact him now. He quickly replied to her messages, promising to call her as soon as he gets a chance.
As the elevator doors slid open, he stepped inside and pressed the button for the 30th floor, where his office was located. The elevator car was modern and spacious, with a sleek design that mirrored the rest of the building. As it ascended, Jack couldn't help but feel a slight sense of unease about the situation with his wife. Him being in Arizona and Nancy in D.C was unusual in itself, as they usually tried to avoid being apart for long periods of time. Thank God for transporter technology, he thought. It made long-distance travel a breeze.
When the elevator finally arrived at the 30th floor, Jack exited and walked down the hall to his office. The floor-to-ceiling windows on one wall offered a breathtaking view of the Phoenix skyline, while the other walls were adorned with tasteful artwork and photos of his family. His office itself was spacious and well-lit, with a large desk made of rich mahogany. Behind the desk, there was a leather chair and a computer terminal, connected to the Tau'ri Federation network. A internet connection speed of 10 gigabytes per second, granted him access to all the information he needed.
He approaches the window, drawn to the view, and thinks about how much he loves the city. Even after all these years, the sight of the towering buildings and the sprawling desert beyond never ceases to amaze him. As he stares out at the skyline down on the streets. No cars. Just people walking. It's eerily quiet, almost like the world has come to a standstill. A chill runs down his spine as he realizes that something is very wrong.
Meanwhile In the lobby, a man donned in a black trench coat, carrying a black bonded leather briefcase about 12.88 in dimension. What he is carrying is not in the briefcase but the ring that he is wearing on his right index finger. The ring is black in color with a red glowing gem in the center. As he walks up to the security desk, he activated the ring, the ring transform into a miniature weapon that's design for assassins hired by the Goa'uld. He points his finger at the security guards, shooting several short burst of energy, instantly killing them. He walks past the security desk, and proceed to take the elevator to the 30th floor.
Back in Jack's office, the silence outside his window has started to unnerve him. He turns away from the view, taking a deep breath to calm his racing thoughts. He reaches for his phone again, this time dialing his wife's number. It rings several times before going to voicemail. "Nancy, Hey, I can't wait to be in paris with you tonight. I'm sorry I missed your calls, been a busy morning with other clients. I'll see you soon, alright? Love you. Bye." He hangs up.
The elevator to the 30th floor open with a soft ding as the man steps out, pointing his laser ring weapon and firing at the partners and associate attorney of the law firm. They didn't stand a chance against the laser as the energy weapon went through their bodies like butter. The assassin continues to walk down the hall, his laser ring weapon at the ready, until he reaches Grant's office. He didn't need to knock on the door, instead shoots it, the door exploded from the force of the laser, sending debris flying everywhere.
"Grant Hayes?" the assassin calls out as he steps into the office. The room is a mess, debris and papers scattered everywhere.
"Yes, that's me." Grant Hayes looks up from the debris on his desk, startled, his hands trembling slightly as he tries to regain his composure. The assassin's black trench coat and the ominous red glowing gem in his ring only serve to heighten the sense of danger in the room.
"You are a hard man to find." the assassin says as he steps closer to Grant. "There's a bounty on your head and I am about to collect it."
Grant Hayes swallows hard, his heart racing. He knows there's no point in trying to fight back, not against someone like this. All he can do is try to buy some time. "Wait," he manages to croak. "bounty? I don't understand."
The assassin laughs, a cold and humorless sound. "You don't need to understand, All who is associated and family members with Tau'ri Federation Security Director Nancy Hayes, Major Melissa Sumner, are marked for death. You are just another name on my list."
"By who?" Grant asks, his voice cracking slightly. He knows the answer, but he needs the assassin to confirm it.
"Ba'al." The assassin replies as he points his fingers at Grant's legs. "It is time for you to die." Before Grant can react, the assassin fires his laser ring weapon, the beam slicing through the air and connecting with Grant's legs.
The attorney screams in pain as the energy weapon cuts through flesh and bone, leaving nothing but charred remains behind. The laser cauterizes the wound, preventing any further blood loss. He drops to the floor, writhing in agony,
The assassin opens the briefcase and removes a small device and placing it on the desk. As he sets the timer for 5 minutes, he knelt down to Grant who is still on the floor, shaking and in pain.
"How much he's paying you." Grant gasps out between ragged breaths. "I have money. I can give you money." The assassin chuckles darkly and stands up.
"It's not about the money." the assassin replies coldly as he turns away from Grant. "Ba'al wants the Tau'ri Federation to leave him alone."
As the timer on the device counts down, the assassin begins to methodically search through the debris on the floor. He finds a few personal items that might be of interest to Ba'al, such as a family photo of Grant and his parents, which he recognized as the President of the Tau'ri Federation. He also finds a leather-bound journal, which he decides to pocket for further inspection. Satisfied with his findings, the assassin turns his attention back to Grant.
"Time's up," he says, his voice devoid of emotion. With a click, the laser ring weapon reappears on his finger. "Now you die." As he got up, the assassin fires a single shot at the ceiling, causing a shower of plaster and debris to rain down upon Grant. The assassin walks casually out of the office, leaving Grant to suffer.
As the time count down to zero, a bright flash of light followed by a deafening explosion rocked the room. The ceiling collapsed, burying Grant under a mountain of debris and sending shockwaves through the building. The entire building exploded as a giant mushroom cloud of dust and smoke engulfed the area, turning the sky into a hellish shade of red. The ground shook violently as the force of the explosion ripped through the city, leveling buildings and sending shockwaves across the 3 mile radius.
Wailea Beach, Hawaii
11:30 AM Local Time
Meanwhile, in Hawaii, Amy Vandenberg and Cameron Mitchel are enjoying a romantic lunch on the Wailea Beach. She smiles at Cameron, feeling a sense of contentment she's never experienced before. She is wearing a two piece bikini that perfectly accentuates her curves, and her long, blond hair is tied up in a messy bun. Cameron, on the other hand, is wearing a pair of blue swim trunks that hug his toned legs, and he has a light sheen of sweat from playing volleyball earlier.
Although it's been several years since her divorce, she never thought she'd find love again. But here she is, with a man who treats her like a queen, and who genuinely seems to care for her. Before the stargate program became public knowledge, there's a hint what the Colonel Cameron Mitchell does for a living. Saving the planet from alien threats was just a part of it, and he always kept a close eye on her. He knew about her past, her struggles, and he understood her better than anyone. That's why he was always there for her when she needed him, even though they never crossed paths until now.
"Where are we going for dinner?" Amy asks with a playful smile, taking a sip of her champagne.
Cameron looks at her with a smile and says, "Well, I was thinking we could go to this little place I know where we can make love."
Amy blushes and giggles, "You're such a dirty old man, Cameron." She teases him, but there's a sparkle in her eye that gives away how much she's enjoying the idea. "But seriously, where is this place?"
Cameron grins, leaning in closer to her. "It's a little secret hideaway. You'll have to trust me." He takes her hand and squeezes it gently. "Its a place that I discovered during my time with SG1."
Amy's eyes widen with curiosity and excitement. "Really? Where would that be?"
Before he responds, he and Amy are enveloped by a bright light and disappears from the beach, reappearing in the command center of the space station that's under his command. The men and women in uniform are busy at their stations, monitoring the situation on Earth, the lights on the station are dimmed and the klaxon are blaring.
"What the hell?" Cameron and Amy said in unison.
"General Mitchell sir," Chief Harriman salutes as he sees them appear. "Sorry beaming you out of your honeymoon."
"Chief, report." Cameron says with authority, taking in the situation.
Amy went towards the holographic projection of news station; she is in disbelief. D.C and Phoenix has been destroyed by a nuclear blast.
"Sir, about an hour ago, Washington D.C and Phoenix Arizona were hit with a massive nuclear explosion. Sensors detected naquada signatures. The explosion was massive, registering a 10.9 on the Richter scale."
"Was it the Lucian Alliance?" Cameron asks.
The chief shakes his head. "No, sir."
"Its the Trust." said a voice, it was none other than Nancy Hayes, the director of the Federation Security. She looked sad, worried and angry at the same time. "They killed my husband."
Cameron frowned. "What do you mean, the Trust?" He asked, turning to face her.
"Federation Security been raiding Trust safe house all over the world and a few off worlds." Nancy explained. "We found a lot of information on their computers and a list of military officers and government officials they managed to brainwash." Nancy took a deep breath before continuing. "One of Ba'al clone have apprehended guised as a news director."
Cameron's face darken. "And Ba'al is alive?"
Nancy nodded. "Yes, sir. Ba'al is alive, and he's been busy. He's been kidnapping people in key position to become za'tarc."
Cameron turned to Amy, who seem to be occupied by watching the newscast of the current event. "Chief Harriman, beam the President, Vice President and members of the Security Council to undisclosed location." He ordered.
"That won't be necessary General." Nancy said. "Ba'al only going after the people who's involved in the raid and their close family." She said as she transferred the data from her MTI gauntlet to his.
"Who would that be?" Cameron asked, looking over the data.
"The people involved in the raid are mostly from Federation Security, but also a few high-ranking military officers." Nancy explained as tears ran down her face when she saw her husband face is being displayed on the newscast.