Glory of God: The True Story of 595
Chapter 7: The New Neighbors
Col. Davis entered the house with both Jack and Sam following closely. Having done this many times before Davis entered the down stairs office. Sam opened a hidden compartment behind their family caricature done during a base Christmas party the previous year. Pressing the button the room became secure from outside surveillance of all kinds. Getting nods from both generals Davis followed protocol. "Colonel Bao (A/N2), three to beam up." The colonel said as they disappeared in a bright light leaving the room empty.
"Welcome aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (A/N1) generals, Col. Davis." Colonel Bian Bao greeted in slightly accented English not surprised that they weren't in uniform. Davis had already informed her of the O'Neill's daughter 6th birthday party. "Thank you Col. Bao, please escort us to the CIC, we don't have time to waste." Jack ordered in full command mode. The crew saluted the generals as they passed knowing full well who they were.
Upon entering the CIC everyone stood at attention saluting the officers then awaited orders. "...at ease everyone, Col. Bao...based on the intelligence Davis told us we might have new neighbors." Jack said approaching the holo-table while Sam set up a localized time dilation field to make their meeting last only 10minutes to the outside world. Colonel Davis watched from Jacks left side wondering who the new player was. A new group seemed to pop up every 6 months or so.
"General O'Neill, 47 minutes ago the FJS (Free Jaffa Ship) Bra'tac detected a space anomaly on the boarders of their territory. They went to investigate finding an unknown ship, a double sided star-fish design." Major Robins, the ships science officer, said pulling up the coordinates and picture of the unknown ship. "How did the FJS Bra'tac initial encounter play out?" asked Samantha noticing that coordinates were on the edge of the alliance territory.
"First contact did not go well and it wasn't because of the Jaffa's normal impatience." Col. Bao answered pulling up footage from the encounter. "Continue colonel...you have our undivided attention." Jack said wondering just who this new player was.
"The commander attempted to hail the unknown ship receiving low yield nuclear missiles in response. They were taken out with long range staff cannon fire taking no damage. After seeing their missiles destroyed they left in a flash of light similar to Asgard beaming technology." This got Sam's attention particularly. "Major, did you double check the Asgard files on space faring groups?" Jack asked wanting to make sure this wasn't an old Asgard enemy coming back to cause problems. "No sir, I triple checked and there are no ships that come close to looking like a double sided star-fish." The science officer replied. "What about their method of FTL travel and power levels?" Sam asked re-watching the moment the ship vanished. "There is no match In the Asgard files. The power levels are low general, same as our Fenrir Class Patrol/Transport (A/N3) ship ma'am. Nor do they have shields." Robins answered waiting for further questions. "Did star-fish have any visible weapon systems?" Jack asked forming a picture in his mind. "No sir, the ship didn't stick around long enough to get more information." He replied waiting for more questions.
"Major, were the Jaffa able to track the ship or intercept any subspace transmissions?" Sam asked intrigued by the ships FTL drive. "Their long rang scanner isn't good as ours. However they were able to record this short data burst." Robins replied playing the transmission. "That sounds similar to AOL dial up for the internet." Jack said with a crooked smile forming on his lips. "That was my first thought as well general. The signal changes though after a pause. Do you have a theory Gen. Carter because I don't have an explanation?" Robins answered looking at Sam. Thinking for a moment she came to a conclusion. "The first part could be ship identification followed by the message. Send all information to the Tau'ri Intelligence Division. I'll get with them Monday to see if what they found out. This new method of FTL is concerning though, we have been working on a similar idea to get past a ships shields." Sam ordered thinking out loud while Jack listened closely.
"How big is the Star-fish shaped in comparison to our ships Robins?" Jack asked a plan forming in his head. "The ships dimensions are 3382ft wide and 869 ft height. This ship dwarfs ours sir yet it appears to have inferior defensive capabilities." Robins informed Jack knowing that the new Dreadnought Space Carrier, at 2146 feet (A/N1) is the biggest ship in the fleet. "I agree Sir; looks like a well placed shot where the two halves join would destroy the ship if they become hostile again." Sam added focused on the unknown ship. Jack smiled loving it when his wife spoke his language.
"Colonel Bao, pull up the 7th Fleet location and current ship compliment." Jack ordered knowing they were patrolling close to Free Jaffa space. "They are 2hrs time away from where the unknown ship was last located, 21 ships strong." Col. Bao reported promptly showing their location on the holo-table. "Contact Major General Mitchell for me, level 4 secure line." He ordered while focused on the ships floating over the table. "What's your plan Sir?" Sam asked turning off the time dilation field. "Send a reinforced scout group to investigate and track down the space fish, let's call it 'Operation: Fishing Expedition'." He answered still focused on the table making Sam smile. Col. Bao motioned to Jack that he was connected. "General O'Neill..." Cameron answered coming to attention over the video link.
"At ease Mitchell, Gen. Carter is sending you a secure data burst right now. I want you to send 5 ships to the location of unknown contact. Send two fast attack ships, two heavy scouts and one Deadalus cruiser (yes I downgraded them). Orders are to track and make contact. The unknowns might become hostile; if so have the scout group act accordingly. Also cooperate with the Free Jaffa given it's in their part of universe." Jack ordered Mitchell. "Yes sir, we'll find them for you. Will there be anything else general?" Mitchell asked already deciding who to send. "Nothing else Mitchell other than I expect all to return safely along with interesting reports for me to read, dismissed general." Mitchell saluted and his image blinked out.
Col. Bao turned to the three officers awaiting further orders for her and the crew. "Col. Bao, activate the 2nd reserve fleet to bolster your forces, have the others go on standby. I don't want any surprise visits given the star-fishes ability to email itself where-ever it wants. Contact Col. Davis immediately if anything suspicious pops up." He ordered hoping that an additional 7 ships would be enough. The other four reserve fleets could deploy within 20 minutes if needed. "Yes sir, I'll get right on it. Shall I escort the three of you to the transporter room sir?" Col. Bao asked before following her orders. "No colonel, we can find our way out." Jack answered getting a curt nod as she left with her officers in tow.
"Jack, what are you thinking?" Sam asked watching him closely. She knew that look, the look he got when playing 3D chess with Daniel. They could play for days on end. "You tell me Sam, why didn't the star-fish stay long enough to fight or say hello there?" Col. Davis stayed quiet because he's seen this type of interaction before and knew not to interrupt. She thought for a minute then answered. "Whoever is on that ship is looking for someone or something? They didn't find it and treated the Jaffa as an annoyance." She answered coming to same conclusion. "Your correct Carter, now the question is who or what they are seeking. Send an alert out fleet wide with all the pertinent data. There are more of these ships out there. We wouldn't just send one and I believe this group wouldn't either." Jack ordered as Sam was already sending out the data. "Col. Davis, I'll get back with you in 3 hours for an update. That is unless something comes up. You can monitor everything from the mountain." Jack added as he ran various outcomes in his mind. "I'll let you know ASAP sir." Col. Davis answered crisply. "Sam, I believe we have a party to return to." He said to his wife as they exited the CIC. "Hopefully we haven't missed much. I want to see Lucy's face when she opens our gifts." Sam replied as they went from command mode to parents in a few steps.
-1412hrs-
JJ held up a Princess Leia poster holding a blaster. Her classmate Sabrina smiled knowing her friend liked judging from the smile. Lucy started opening her last gift from friends when she heard the patio door open. Turning her head she noticed her parent's had returned. Running up to them she hugged both happily.
"That was a short meeting Charlotte, must not have been too serious." Theodore said watching Lucy hug her parents. "Maybe the meeting was simply authorizing or getting update on a mission honey." His wife replied noticing a hint of deep thought on Jacks face similar to her husband. The kinds were he's carrying on a conversation while going over a problem. "Maybe, I'll ask him later if I get a chance." Theodore added. His wife already knew the answer...classified but didn't say anything.
"Just like always Lego, were not gone long." Samantha told her daughter. "I know mommy, I was still worried you'd miss opening your gifts." Lucy replied as they walked back up to the table. Jack took the microphone from Daniel giving him a nod. "Sorry folks, we just had to deal with a wayward communication satellite. The president of Russia will be calling my boss and complaining...again." he said jokingly hiding the true reason for their brief absence. Some people laughed while other took him seriously. "...Russian satellite, believable reason to leave their Childs birthday party. We'll need to watch the news to see if his story is true." Theodore said getting a supportive nod from his wife.
"Lucy, are you ready for the gifts from us?" Sam asked receiving a vigorous nod in return. Jack brought out two medium sized gifts haphazardly wrapped in Sunday comics making everyone laugh. "We all know who butchered that wrapping job." Daniel yelled getting a rise out of Jack. "...at least she has something to read afterwards Space Monkey." Jack yelled back as Lucy ripped apart the gift wrapped present. "...so much for that idea Jack." Daniel retorted back. Sam rolled her eyes at the two man-child antics. "Thank you Daddy, these are the droids I was looking for." Lucy said smiling widely looking at them causing everyone to laugh again. Sam handed her daughter a couple small boxes while JJ showed everyone the 12" R2D2 and C3PO figures that completed her collection of original trilogy heroes.
This time Lucy carefully opened the packages given how nice they were wrapped. "Don't you say a thing Daniel, not one word?" Jack warned jokingly. Janet elbowed her husband reminding him to behave. Lucy opened the box revealing a golden heart shaped necklace. The other box had child safe LEGO ear rings. Lucy didn't know what to say. Instead she looked in awe of the gifts. "Do you like them LEGO?" her mother asked a little worried. "I love them mommy, I can be like you now and wear pretty things." Lucy replied making Sam tear up a bit. "I told you she'd like them Sam." Jack whispered in his wife's ear. "What's wrong mommy, did I make you sad?" Lucy asked confused. "No Lego, you made me happy." Her mother replied taking the necklace Lucy held out to be put on. "We'll leave the ear rings for church tomorrow, ok." Sam told her daughter smiling. "Okay mommy, I can look pretty for Preacher Book tomorrow." She said all happy looking at the heart. Everyone in the crowd listened in on the suddenly private moment smiling or having their heart strings pulled.
JJ looked at his dad who put a hand on his shoulder looking confused. "Why is mom crying Dad?" he asked. "This moment is a stepping stone in their bond as mother and daughter. Like the one we had when you caught your first fish at the cabin on Father's day a couple of years ago." His father explained. "You didn't cry dad. You gave me a high 5 and showed me how to gut and cook the fish." JJ responded remembering that day. "Men and women are wired differently son. You'll understand when you get older JJ." Jack explained further. JJ thought for a minute accepting his father's answer.
Once the moment passed and Sam wiped her tears away Jack picked up the last present putting it on the table. Lucy's eye got big as she had never seen a gift this big. Her bicycle she got for Christmas didn't count as it just had bow on it. "Well, what are you waiting for Lego? Make a mess for me to clean up." JJ said making her giggle. With everyone looking Lucy tore in to the gift anticipation growing each second. Both Jack and Sam had their camera phones at the ready. Leroy and Sara were doing their jobs perfectly capturing the mother daughter moment. Now the big gift Jack told them about, the one they wanted Lucy's reaction captured in full.
Lucy eyes widened at the words partially visible on the box, LEGO: Princes and. Excitement took over revealing the other word...Knight. Lucy didn't notice or care the word KNIGHT was written on brown boxing tape. The box itself had a picture of a castle made of Lego's with a princess in the tower and Knight on a horse looking up. "You found it, just like in the stories. Can we put it together now...please?" Lucy asked with big hopeful eyes as both Sara and Leroy captured the moment. "Not right now, possibly later tonight." Answered Sam getting a full on hug by her daughter. Lucy then jumped into Jack arms hugging him tightly as well. "You're welcome Lego, we love you." Jack told her taking in the love that his daughter was showing.
Janet shed several tears leaning on Daniel taking his hand. "Do you think the boys if we get to adopt them will love us that way Daniel?" she asked with hope. "We will get to adopt them and I'm sure of it Janet." He answered confidently.
Felicia shed some tears as well while sitting next to Teal'C. "Lucy is a lucky kid having two loving parents like them." She said drying her eyes. "Indeed, the O'Neill's have an unbreakable family bond. Those they invite into their family are fortunate." Teal'C replied knowing that first hand. Felicia looked at Murray aka Teal'C figuring out what he meant. "The Jacksons and you are part of that extended family." She guessed. "Indeed we are. Felicia Lexar, you are perceptive and intelligent." She just smiled taking it as high compliment.
AN1: I'm using Star Treks terminology for easy understanding. United Star Ship Ronald Reagan SGC-1980 is an earth designed Achilles class Battleship. The ship is a design of RJB Mallacore.
AN2: Bian is a Vietnamese woman's name meaning 'Women with secrets'. Bao is a last name meaning treasure.
AN3: Fenrir Class is another RJB Mallacore designed ship.
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