Into the Fold, part 1

[Akren Garkos]

N.B.: This post takes place following 'Future Tense¡¯, & is set roughly between the episodes 'Ex Deus Machina' & 'Off the Grid'.

Oalf stepped through the Stargate, feeling the soft clomp, clomp of his boots against the hard, unyielding metal of the SGC's boarding ramp as he emerged from the event horizon & into the Embarkation Room.

"Welcome back to the SGC" General Landry smiled, extending a hand to the Tollan/Tok'Ra Ambassidor as he disembarked off the ramp.

"It is always a pleasure to visit Earth & it's peoples" Olaf smiled, returning the handshake with enthuasism. "Colonel's Mitchell & Carter, Teal'c, Jonas Quinn; we are pleased to see you are all well"

"Olaf" Carter replied with a small smile & a slight nod.

"Ambassidor" Daniel nodded.

"How's Atlantis?" Mitchell asked.

"It is. . .vastly different to the SGC, as is the Pegasus Galaxy itself" Olaf replied, his comment as much about the contrasts between the SGC & the Atlantis base, as they were about the stark differences between the Milkyway & Pegasus Galaxies themselves. "Although I am anxeous to return to New Tollana & see my fellows, as I am sure Verak is eager to return to the Tok'Ra"

"I thought your stay here wouldn't be that long?" Jonas asked, slightly confused as to what they had been told & what indeed was supposed to be going on.

"We will not here at the SGC long, that is true; but both Verak & I have issues we must discuss with our respective peoples after we are finished here" Olaf replied, sporting a quite smile, following SG-1 & General Landry as he was shown to the guest qaurters, where he would be staying for his stay at the SGC.

Several hours later, he was interrupted by a knock at the door to his qaurters, setting aside the mission reports & other various scientific & social documents on his desk; getting up to answer the door, opening it to find Joans Quinn standing there.

"Greetings, Jonas" Olaf smiled, "How can I help you?"

"General Landry has asked me to inform you that the Gadmeer delegation shall be arriving shortly" Joans smiled, finding all this contact with new alien species exciting & stimulating.

"Thankyou" Olaf replied, "& Verak thanks you as well"

"May I speak to Verak?" Jonas asked quizically, giving Olaf an interested look.

"Certainly" Olaf nodded, he bowed for a second, raising it a moment later; his eyes glowing with the famailar inner light of one possessed by a symbiote.

"Greetings, Joans Quinn" Verak stated, his voice metallic & resonaning with the sound of symbiote within. "How may I assist you?"

"I was wondering how the Tok'Ra were coping with Queen Egeria's return, & what you think of Altantis?"

"Our beloved Queen Egeria is doing well last I time, I look forward to giving her my report from mine & Olaf's stay in Altantis. It is a very wonderous place, full of marvels of the Ancients"

"And you hope to one day use the secerts of the Ancients to help better your standing in the universe?" Jonas asked.

"Yes, that is one of the many reasons Olaf & I were assigned to the Altantis expidition : to help learn more of their secerts & technology, for the benefit of us all"

"And by 'us all', you mean...?"

"Earth & it's allies, which the Tok'Ra & Tollan form apart - as does Langara & it's peoples" Verak replied, turning the tables on Jonas' questions, making Jonas smile as he realized what Verak was doing.

"Thankyou Verak, you have helped put my mind at ease" Joans smiled, nodding.

"The pleasure is mine" Verak replied, bowing in the way Tok'Ra & Jaffa seemed to do. "And let me assure you Jonas Quinn, that we have only ever held the best interest of our repsective peoples - all our respective peoples - at heart"

Nodding once more, Verak bowed his head, return control of the body to his host; his final words not lost on Jonas, whom got the feeling that casting doubt on Verak & Olaf's motives might not be such a good thing to do in future.

"I apologise if I offended either Verak or yourself" Joans said as Olaf looked about him, regaining his baring after Verak's polite but firm exchange with Joans.

"It is I whom must apologise, Joans; Verak can be quite forceful with his words sometimes, although he has gotten better at framing his opinions better since we were appointed as ambassidors to Alantis" Olaf replied, "Although I agree with Verak in that you have nothing to fear - nor worry about - from us; we are allies, are we not?"

"True" Jonas replied, smiling. "That we are"

Olaf smiled back, & gathering his things, he accompanied Jonas to the control room, where the rest of SG-1 were waiting - along with General Landry - as the Stargate dailed up an in-comming wormhole. Remarking on the armed gaurds in the Embarkation Room below, Olaf stated :

"General; is the heavily-armed security prescence in the gate room really necessary? It seems like overkill considering the technological advancement & peaceful intent of our expected guests"

"The Gadmeer may claim to be peaceful, but I am not taking any chances Ambassidor" General Landry replied, "With the Orii threat bigger than ever, not to mention the likes of the Goa'uuld & the Lucian Alliance & who's known what else roaming around out there; it never hurts to be too careful"

"Let us hope the Gadmeer think so General, for all our sakes" Olaf replied, gathering himself in a stance of composure as the 7th cevron locked into place & the Stargate activated; the irisis sliding over the event horizion as soon as it formed; in order to protect the SGC - & Earth - from any outside threat(s) that may try to attack them through the Stargate.

"Receiving IDC, it's the Gadmeer; Sir" Walter quipped up from the control console.

"Thankyou Walter" General Landry replied, "Let them in" To the units in the embarkation room below via the microphone, he said : "Embarkation Room, stand by"

The iris opened, & the gaurds in the embarkation room stood ready - just in case - as the event horizion shimmered before them. It stayed that way for a few moments before it rippled like a pond that had been hit by a thrown stone, as several lifeforms came through the wormhole from the other side. Standing between two to three metres in height, the three beings standing on the ramp where clad from head to toe what could only be described as armored environmental suits. Three toes & fingers were gloved in clawed gauntlets, with well-armored reverse articulated legs, a bulbeous head & a short tail standing out as notable features - along with the tube-like protrusions connecting the base of their necks to the underneath of their bulbeous cranial plates - marked them as distinctly different & totally alien to the Human eye. In spite of the armor plating & obvious technological superiority of the enviro-suits' design, there was no mistaking the shapes that hide beneath : these visitors from another world were Gadmeer!

[Akren Garkos]

From the one encounter the SGC had had with the Gadmeer civilization - via a genetically engineered interface (some would say 'lifeform'), the SGC knew the Gadmeer where highly evolved, technologically advanced, & quite peaceful. Having fallen prey to a superior military power (which some SGC scientists believed were the rising power of the System Lords, but none could be certain), they stored all they had & all they were in an arc of sorts - genetic samples of lifeforms long dead, history, law, poetry, music, arts, science & more - & set it amongst the stars; searching for the perfect planet on which to start anew.

Eventually they had found such a planet, although the terra-forming had unfortunately begun before it was accerned that the planet was already inhabited by sentient lifeforms : the Encarians, which the SGC had helped relocate to a suitable world after freeing them from the Goa'uuld. Eventually a compromise was found, & the Encarians were returned to their orginal homeworld; with the Gadmeer returning to the world they had begun to terra-form to start their species, their culture anew. It was thought that the Stargate was destoryed in the terra-forming process, but such was not the case; & after they had successfully rebuilt their civilization, they actively sought out the Humans & their allies. Today marked the first offical visit of the Gadmeer people to the world of the Tauri; & delegations from Earth & it's major allies - the Tollan, the Tok'Ra, the Free Jaffa Nation & the Asgard - were eager to finally meet with the Gadmeer, whom all had heard so much about, but never met.

After the Gadmeer stepped SG-6, wearing hazmat suits; following the Gadmeer as they stepped through the decontamination shower rigged over the entry/exit ramp of the Stargate. Seeing that all were safe & accounted for, General Landry signalled for SG-1 - accompanied by Olaf - to make their make into the embarkation room to greet their new guests. The the other delegates arrived through the opposite door on the other side of the room : the Free Jaffa Nation's representatives from the Jaffa High Council, the Asgard delegate teleporting in in typical Asgardian fashion from his ship in high orbit.

Once all were assembled before the ramp, & SG-6 had been dismissed to prepare for debriefing & after-mission duties; the Gadmeer addressed the assembled sentients in their own language : a harsh, grating noise, similar to a grinding axe on metal; mixed in with chirping & flute-like noises. After the assmebled species had gotten over that surprizing auditory experience, the Gadmeer spoke again; in-built translators forming their words into standard Human english all could understand :

"We, the representatives of the Gadmeer people, come humbly before you to offer our thanks & friendship. On behalf of the world of Gasmeria & it's peoples, we extend the claw of peace; in the hopes that our great races - our great nations - may unite as one in the spirit of exploration & understanding"

Daniel stepped forward & offered a reply, typical Daniel-style; on behalf of the SGC & the people of Earth, having been dubbed their offical liason in the proceedings with the Gadmeer :

"We, the people of Earth; bid the Gadmeer people welcome to our world, & extend the hand of friendship in the interests of exploration & understanding"

He then stepped back, as each delegation of the different races comprising Earth's allies stepped forward to offer their greetings to the Gadmeer.

"The Asgard welcome the Gadmeer to the planet Earth, home to our friends & allies, & welcome the opportunity to further the causes of peace, exploration & the exchange of knowledge between our great peoples"

"The Jaffa, too, welcome you the the world of the Tauri; & would like to thankyou for taking this opportunity to further the relations between our respective peoples, in the interests of friendship & peace for us all"

Finally, it was Olaf's turn to step forward. As an ambassidor to Earth & it's allies, both for the Tollan & the Tok'Ra; it fell to him to speak for both the respective races he represented :

"We, the Tollan, graceously & humbly thankyou for your kind words; & bid you welcome. We come in the spirit of kinship & peace, extending the hand of friendship, to further the knowledge, understanding & friendship between our civilizations. Weclome."

Closing his eyes & bowing his head, Olaf relinquishd control of his body to that of his symbiote, Verak; whom in turn spoke on behalf of the Tok'Ra :

"I, Verak of the Tok'Ra, welcome you to the world of the Tau'ri in the prescence of our friends & allies. On behalf Egeria, Queen Mother of the Tok'Ra & our great people, I extend the hand of friendship & understanding between our worlds"

Returning control to his host, the assembled delegations waited & watched as the Gadmeer bowed, & offered their reply :

"We, the representatives of the planet Gasmeria & it's peoples; thankyou for your warm words of welcome & accept your invitations on behalf of your respective peoples"

So saying, & with official formalities behind them, the Gadmeer & the various delegations made their way to the main conference room; where refreshments were served & the delegations mingled & the Gadmeer were shown to their qauters before the start of official proceedings the next day. As the delegates all converged on the coference room once again for the assumption of official talks; the air was thick with anticipation & excitement, & heavy with questions about a race, a people, that up until now; many knew little - if nothing - about.

"How long do you think they'd last outside those self-contained environmental suits of theirs?" Mitchell asked, as SG-1 & General Landry made their way into the briefing room.

"About as long as you or I would last in sulfur dioxide they breathe, or as long as any of would unprotected in the vaccum of space" Carter answered.

"English, please Carter?" Mitchell shot back. He & General O'Neill were very much alike in that they were both had sarcastic senses of humor, & that they both had little patience for techo-babble that was - at least generally speaking - well beyond their normal modus operandi.

"Basically Sam said that we would last very long at all" Daniel said, butting in.

"I'd love to find how their environmental suits work, they seem simple & eligent in comparison what they seem to be able to do with them" Jonas interjected, fascinated & enthused as always when confronted with a new challenge, situation or mystery.

"Let's wait until we get through these talks first, before we go jumping the gun, hey?" General Landry finished off; everyone becomming silent as they took their places around the table.

The Gadmeer, entering last, preferred to stand, their environmental suits not exactly designed for the cramped confines they found themsevles in at present; with so many beings from so many diverse backgrounds all lumped together in one room.

"Greetings" The lead Gadmeer - marked with perculiar symbol on his (her, its'?) helment, possibly a sign of rank of designation of social status? - offered when all where arrnaged properly & comofrtably seated. "We once again thank you all for being to allow us visit your world & discuss the opertunity for peace & exploration between our various races & cultures"

The sentiments were exchanged likewise around the briefing room table as the Gadmeer explained the basics of what most at the table already knew : how they had built their civilization from it's primitive roots to their current level of advancement; how they had fell to a superior military power simply becuase they were a peacable people whom desired nothing more to study the workings of the universe & art & other cultural marvels (curiously, they did not offer the name, or names, of their would-be agressors; something the delegates all took note of for future reference); how they had virtually become extinct, their great Ark-like ship traversing the galaxy in search of a suitable home on which to restart their civilization anew, & how that world had been found, at last, only to find it already inhabited. And of SG-1's involvement in helping find a reasonable & peaceful solution to the crisis, ensuring the Encarins whom had settled on what would later become Gasmeria were returned to their original homeworld, leaving the world to the Gadmeer, enabling both species to survive & prosper.

They then went on to explain about the rebuilding of their world, how the Stargate - presumed destroyed in the terraforming process - had survived entact, how, a after they had finished rebuilding all that was once lost; they had set about exploring the galaxy & getting their bearings, having to adjust to a galaxy they hardly recognized & barely knew. And that, as everyone knew, was when they had contacted the SGC & the people of Earth; wishing to arrange a meeting with the SGC & it's allies, to better understand the bold, new & ever-changing galaxy they now found themselves in, & to offer thanks to SG-1 for helping ensure their peoples' survival. The SGC & it's allies, in turn, had seen this as a great oppertunity to learn from the technologically-advanced Gadmeer & gain a valuable new friend & ally in the fight against the Orii.

"The Gadmeer are very greatful for the help SG-1 & the Humans of Earth have given the Gadmeer in the past, & would like to formally extent the hand of friendship to the people of Earth & it's allies for providing us with invaluable information & insights into the workings of the greater galaxy at large. Much has changed in the millenia we have wandered in the cold of space searching for a new home to re-create our civilization; & we are appericative of the help you have all so graceous given us in our time of need"

"We accept your thanks with gratitude & would like to formally extent the hand of peace between our cultures & our worlds" Daniel replied on behalf of the Human representatives, & at further nudging from General Landry & the rest of SG-1, added : "We would also like to discuss the oppertunity for trade & the exchange of knowledge & cultures between our respective worlds"

"The Gadmeer have already discussed & voted on this issue, & we have found that, as a people as a whole, we are not against this course of action" The leader of the Gadmeer replied, "In fact, we welcome it with open claws, & wish to offer whatever knowledge & resources we can offer in exchange, provided they are not to the deteriment of the Gadmeer people"

At that statement, everyone at the gathering was taken aback : this was more than anyone could of hoped for; & the Gadmeer where practically offering Earth the means to accquire whatever science, knowledge & other considerable resources the Gadmeer might possess. The Free Jaffa delegation, in particular, was quite taken aback, as was Olaf. The Asgard representative simple sat & stared in typical Asgardian fashion, whilst SG-1 & General Landry could only gap at what was truly a monumental offer.

"There would, of course, be restrictions on what we could & could not offer to share with you; as we would need to be sure that you would use the knowledge & resources we give you wisely & for peaceful purposes in the pursuit of learning" The Gadmeer leader added, just to make sure that everyone was clear on the fact that although the Gadmeer where offering them a truly great offer, they also expect strict adherence to truly great responsibilities in using what was given them.

"Now where have we heard that before?" Mitchell muttered, Olaf shooting him a diapproving glare; both he & his symbiote, Verak, irked at having been slighted in such a manner, his comment in direct reference to the Tollan & Tok'Ra both.

"Nice going" Jonas quipped, elbowing Mitchell for saying his comment loud enough for the nearby Olaf/Verak to hear.

Clearing his throat, Daniel looked at his respected team mates & addressed the Gadmeer delegation, looking their leader dead where his eyes where believed to be, & offered his reply in line with both his conscious & his orders :

"In that case, we the people of Earth, accept your truly graceous offer with humility, respect & gratitude. Thankyou"

At those words, it seemed as if the Gadmeer almost smiled at Daniel, even though he wouldn't of been able to tell through the protective environmental suits they had to wear in order to survive outside the sulfur dixoide atmosphere of their homeworld.

"We are most pleased" The leader of the Gadmeer said, nodding, which everyone guessed was the Gadmeer eqviliant of 'You're Welcome!'.

"Nor do we come empty-clawed in regards to the friends of those whom helped save us from oblivion. Obviously you must command great respect & display true friendship in order to have become allies to the people of Earth"

"Actually, they - " Mitchell started, only to be kicked under the table furiously & given death-stares by the rest of SG-1 & the assembled delegates in the briefing room. "Um, never mind; please, continue!"

"As we were saying, we also bring greetings of friendship & thanks from the Gadmeer people to the allies & friends of the people of Earth; along with the following offers of peace & friendship, to better facilitate the bonds of friendship, understanding & peace between our many species, cultures & worlds"

"To the Tollan & the people of New Tollana, we extend the claw of friendship & offer our help in rebuilding your war-ravaged world. We are confident that, by combining our knowledge of terra-forming & your knowledge of phase-shifting & re-ordering matter on the sub-atomic level, that we can help you reclaim & rebuild your civilization unto it's former glory"

"On behalf of myself & the people of New Tollana, we graceously accept your offer with our heartfelt thanks & gratitude" Olaf replied, tears welling up in his eyes at the thought of his homeworld restored after so much devistation had been wrought upon it & it's people at the hands of the now-defeated, once dreaded, rogue System Lord Anubis.

"To the Tok'Ra we offer the exchange of knowledge, technology & information, as well as those candidates amongst the Gadmeer whom might be suitable & willing to partake in symbiosis"

Olaf bowed his head, raising it again a moment later, so that Verak could offer his reply on bhealf of the Tok'Ra :

"On behalf of our Queen, Egeria, & the Tok'Ra; I thank you for your offer & wish to extent the hand of friendship between our two great peoples"

Next, the Gadmeer turned to the Free Jaffa Nation delegation, addressing the group directly, so as there would be no mistaking the offer they where about to make :

"To the proud & strong peoples of the Free Jaffa Nation, overthrowers of their opressors; we salute you. To you we offer our aide in helping to set your fledgling great nation amidst the stars, & to help it prosper. May the friendship between us & our allies blossom in brillant radience of peace & understanding that comes from the bonds of true friendship"

Even Teal'c seemed surprised at the Gadmeer's offer. To help set the Free Jaffa on their path & help establish themselves as an inter-galactic power was something he had never dreamed they would offer; but would the other Jaffa take the golden oppertunity offered them?

"We, the representatives of the Free Jaffa Nation, wish to convey our humbliest respects to your great people. We thank for your offer, & shall take it under advisement. We, in turn, offer the Gadmeer safe passage to our capital world of Dakarra, in the interests of further discussing these matters & strengthening the bonds of friendship between our respective peoples"

How typical, Teal'c thought, At least we have made some progress towards interacting with others on a galactic level. I shall have to keep an close eye on these proceedings in future if our people & our allies are to remain in concordence.

Lastly, the Gadmeer turned to the Asgard representative to make what would perhaps be the most lucrative offer of the day :

"Finally, to the Asgard, we offer our greatest gift : our knowledge of genetics & DNA. It is hoped that, by working together & sharing our expertise, we can solve the mystery that plagues your people which shall allow them to breed normally again. As a race that was almost rendered extinct, we can understand & appreciate the Asgard position; & would like to offer the our full support in helping solve this crisis"

At those words, the Asgard representative's eyes widen beyound what anyone else at the gathering could of thought possible; & if it was possible for an Asgard to look shocked & stunned, the look on the representatives' face would of been just that.

"On behalf of the Asgard High Council, we, the Asgard, understand & accept the Gadmeer offer to help us in our hour of need; & would like to return the favour by extending the had of friendship & peace between our two great peoples"

After everyone had recessed & had time to think & clear their heads - for the Gadmeer were offering them all alot, even if they were asking for alot in return (Mitchell commented they seemed even more knowledge-hungry than Daniel or Jonas, if such a thing were possible) - they gathering met again to hammer out details & discuss another matter of import : the Orii.

"What are these Orii?" One of the Gadmeer - the one on the right, silent, up until nows - asked. "We have not heard of them until now"

At that, everyone frowned & the mood around the table shifted from one of brightness & jovality to that of sobre seriousness & comtemplation.

Daniel - having once been Ascended himself & the only person alive in the Milkyway Galaxy to thusfar actually meet the Orii face-to-fire (making him, for all intents & purposes, an 'expert' on the Orii) - offered the best explaination anyone at the gathering could give :

"The Orii are Ascended beings whom have shed their physical form to live on a high plane of existence as pure energy; one faction of a race, originally called the Alterrans, that long ago split into two ideological camps : The Ancients - the scientists - & the Orii - the religeous fanatics. They come from another galaxy - we are unsure of exactly where yet - & created Humans there to worship them, using their extremely advanced understanding of the universe as praise for obdience & worship. Anyone whom does not worship them is considered evil & must either be coverted or destroyed"

"They do not sound like peace-abiding beings, nor friends of the Gadmeer or our new allies" The leader of the Gadmeer said, seemingly to frown, speaking for everyone present - which was pretty much the mutual feeling of all assembled when it came to the anything to do with the Orii.

"No, they're not" Daniel replied, "And because they now know this galaxy contains Human life - many different kinds of sentient life - they are sending their followers to try & convert the billions, if not trillions of innocent beings whom reside on the worlds throught the Stargate network & beyound. They are leading a crusade, against which we are all ill-equiped to deal with. Their Priors - priests of their religion, 'Origin' - possess abilities beyound those of normal Humans, & are ruthless in their pursuit to convert or punish those whom will not worship the Orii"

"To take away one's free will & right to exist as they choose is no life at all & is not in the interests of peace & friendship" The Gadmeer replied.

"I think we are all[/b] in agreement in regards to this issue" The Asgard representative stated.

"Indeed" Teal'c replied, the Free Jaffa delegates nodding in agreement with him.

"I know we cannot ask you for military support, as you are a peacable people; we never would" Olaf interjected, "But we need to know if we can count on you in others ways, to help us - as friends & allies - to help maintain the freedom & peace of us all - not just the people, races & worlds represented here, but of the entire Milkyway Galaxy if needs be"

"We, the Gadmeer people, have already offered each & every one of you great boons respectively & as a whole" The Gadmeer leader replied, seeming concerned; pausing for a moment to confere with his fellows in the high-pitch, bird-like, almost flute-sounding language of the Gadmeer, before offering up the rest of his reply : "However, we shall consider your offer & shall endevour to lend our support when & where we can"

The unpleasantries out of the way & disposed of, the meeting progressed nicely into the late hours of the evening, where it was ajourned about midnight; leaving the day after for the final hammering out of offical treaties between the Gadmeer & each race/world; giving the Gadmeer some free time to wander about the base & explore, learning as much as they couod about the SGC & it's goings-on. By the time the Gadmeer & the other delegates all left for their respective homeworlds; SG-1 was exhuasted.

"Well done people" General Landry said, proffering a rare smile. "Well done"

"Thankyou, Sir" Mitchell replied, the rest of SG-1 smiling along with him as Olaf entered the gateroom, clothed in his unique style of what passed for 'standard' Tollan dress.

"Going back to Atlantis so soon, Olaf?" Sam asked quizically.

"Not just yet, thankyou Colonel Carter" Olaf replied, "I'm headed back to New Tollana to speak with the Curia & tell everyone the good news, see family & friends, the usual stuff. You're welcome to come & speak to our science teams anytime you wish"

"Not going to take any secrets back from Atlantis, are you?" Mitchell asked, getting foul looks from Sam & Daniel.

"Actually, yes, Colonel Mitchell, I am. The free exchange of technology & knowledge gained from Atlantis & the technology & scientific expertise we provide the SGC & it's allies is apart of the treaty accorded between our repsective peoples" Oalf replied, "And in future, I would appericate it if you weren't so blunt about making your feelings on the issues known so plainly & impolitely as you have done so"

As the Stargate locked onto the co-ordinates for New Tollana & activate with a kwoosh! sound, Olaf walked up the ramp & turned to offer the General his regards; Mitchell asking one final question before he departed from Earth for his homeworld.

"Was that last comment from you, or did Verak tell you to say it?"

"Actually, Colonel Mitchell, it came from me[/i]; if Verak said it, it wouldn't be worded as nice" Oalf replied with a slightly smile, Mitchell giving everyone else a 'what-did-I-do?' look.

"Besides" Olaf added as he turned & made his way towards the event horizion & through the wormhole, "Verak thinks you're a pain in the nik'ta . . ."

And at that, he was gone, the Stargate de-activating before Mitchell could even get another word out.

"What the sweet baby Jesus is a 'nik'ta'?" Mitchell asked as they all turned to leave the embarkation room, the other members of SG-1 - Daniel, Sam, Jonas & Teal'c; whom could all understand (if not speak) Goa'uuld - trying to hide their smiles & chuckling as best they could; but to no avail.

"Sam?" Mitchell asked, Sam shaking her head.

"Joans?" Again, a similar response, accompanied by knowing smiles.

"Jackson?" Mitchell emplored.

"Trust me Mitchell, you don't want to know. . ." Daniel replied, smiling all the way to the elivator.

"Indeed" Teal'c said, keeping pace with the others, leaving Mitchell behind as General Landry made his back to his office; the sole soul in the embarkation room : just a man & his Stargate. Looking about him in confusion, noticing the others had gone, Mitchell asked :

"Um, guys?"