Confirming Carter2 Daedalus01
Ten Days Later
0920 Hours
“Daedalus to Atlantis, request permission to dock on
the East Pier.”
“Negative, Daedalus.” The Ops tech replied. “Move to three
diameters out, maintain station keeping, and await further instructions.”
“Please confirm Atlantis.”
“Affirmative. Confirm three diameters, and await
instructions.”
“Atlantis shields are up, colonel.” Marks said as he
looked over his instruments. “Sir, there are three separate shields in place, and
I’m reading multiple ZPM’s around the city. Three in the
“So she’s expecting a fight, and wants us to know
that she’s got power to burn.”
Interior-Kitchen
0930 Hours
“Now what?” Carter asked as she looked around the
table. “Do we let him sit and stew, or bring him down and listen to what he has
to say?”
She looked at Samuels. “You’re on Andi. What’s he
going to do?”
“He won’t engage us. He knows he can’t get at us
through the shields, we have him outgunned anyway. But he also knows we won’t
fire on him except as a last resort.” Samuels said as she tabbed down through
her files. “I need you to give me your impressions of him.” She said, looking
back and forth between Carter and Sheppard. “You’ve worked with him, tell me
what you think of him. All I have are his files, and mission reports. I need
human input before I can give you a read.”
“He’s stiff, strictly by the book running his
command.” Sheppard said. “But he’s a good tactician, and knows when to step
outside the box to win a fight.”
“Third in his class at the Air Force Academy, so
that’s not surprising.” Samuels said, nodding. “He rose quickly through the
ranks. A combination of combat duty, good duty assignments, and political
skills. There’s not blemish on his record. If there’s a complaint about him,
it’s that he’s too perfect. He’s got a godfather somewhere too, but I can’t
tell you who it is.”
She turned to Carter. “Sam? You’ve dealt with him as
equals. What do you think?”
“He’s an honorable man, and he won’t like this
anymore than we do. But I think Landry had a reason for sending
“Are you thinking Landry is sending us help?” He
asked.
“Yeah. Ellis would have opened with an ultimatum.”
She said. She looked at Samuels. “You’ll have to meet the man, Andi. Then tell
me what you think.” She turned to Sheppard. “Bring him down, but on an outer
pier, away from the city, and walk him in.”
0945 Hours
“Atlantis to Daedalus, reduce orbit to maximum
beaming range. Transport Daedalus commander, unarmed, to coordinates provided,
and resume station keeping at three diameters.”
“Acknowledged Atlantis.”
He looked over at two people standing in front of the
bridge windows. “Let’s get this over with.” He said as he stood up and headed
for the door.
Exterior-Southwest Pier, Outer Marker
0950 Hours
The glare of an Asgard beam flared, then faded, and
three people materialized. The marines snapped to, weapons trained on them.
“Stand down.” Sheppard said as he came out of the
jumper parked nearby.
Sheppard stepped over and held out his hand. “You’re
supposed to be unarmed, colonel.”
“It’s not loaded,”
Sheppard ejected the magazine, and dropped it in his
pocket, then worked the slide. He handed it back to
Interior-Living Room
0955 Hours
Sheppard parked the jumper just outside the doors of
tower fifty-eight and led them inside. Two of the marines followed them into
the elevator. They changed elevators on thirty-one, and when the doors opened,
one of the marines stayed by the doors, the other followed them into the living
room.
“Daniel!” Sam yelled, running over and throwing her
arms around him. She looked over his shoulder, then held out her hand. “Vala,
it’s nice to see you again!”
She stepped back, and turned to
“I’m sorry, Steven, but I want to make introductions
first, then to speak to Daniel.” She said.
She turned, taking
She let go of his hand and moved over to stand beside
Tammy. “Daniel, Vala, This is Tammy Ford. My girlfriend.” She said, turning and
smiling warmly at her. “Everyone, this is Daniel Jackson, and Vala Mal Doran.
They’re family, so make them feel like it.”
“I’m also her nurse, don’t let her fool you.” Tammy
said as she held out her hand. She glanced over at
“Would someone get Col. Caldwell something to drink?
I need to speak to Daniel.” She said as she walked toward her office, still
holding Tammy’s hand.
Daniel followed her, signaling Vala to come along.
Interior-Office
1010 Hours
Tammy closed the door behind them as they went into
the office, while Sam went behind her desk, picked up a pad and started writing
quickly. “We weren’t expecting you,” She said as she looked up and handed the
pad to Tammy. “So bear with us for a minute.”
Tammy looked at the pad, then looked over at
“What can we expect from
“We’ll explain everything later, Daniel. I promise.
Right now, I just need you to answer the questions.” Carter said, staring at
him intently.
“Tell her, Daniel.” Vala said quietly.
“Gen Landry sent me a message through Teal’c. He was
on Earth, but returned to Chulak at Landry’s request.” Daniel said. “That was
the day you resigned. I think he already suspected that the IOA would try to
pull something.
“This outpost, was it equipped to use a ZPM? I don’t
care if it has one.” Carter asked, making notes on her laptop.
“Yes it is. It has ZPM’s, but they’re depleted.” He
said, glancing over at Tammy. She was typing on an ancient terminal as she
listened.
“We have our gateway into the Milky Way galaxy. We
don’t need Earth now.” Carter said, looking over at Tammy.
“You read, write, and speak ancient? How did you...”
“I learned it about a week ago, she only reads and
writes it.” She said, grinning over at Carter.
“Tell me about
Vala laughed, and Tammy grinned at her.
“Ancient Girl. I like that.” Vala said. “It sounds
like one of Mitchell’s comic book heroes.”
“He has orders to demand your surrender, and take you
if he can. Or kill you if he can’t.”
There was a silence, then
“Get Sheppard...no, don’t.” She stood up and came
around the desk. “There’s no point in putting this off. Let’s go talk to
Interior-Kitchen
1025 Hours
It took a few minutes to get everyone situated around
the table. Carter was at her usual place at the head of the table, and
“What are your intentions, Steven.” Carter asked,
getting right to the point.
“My orders first,” He said, taking an envelope from
his pocket, and sliding it down the table.
Andi picked it up and opened it, pulled out a single
sheet of paper and glanced at it, then sat it on the table in front of Carter.
“Don’t touch it.” She said, glancing at
“It’s not poisoned.” He said, beginning to look
irritated.
Carter read the orders quickly, then looked up at
him. “Like I said the first time, Steven. What are your intentions?”
“I’m surrendering my ship, and offering my services,
colonel, in whatever capacity you might see fit.” He said as she stood up and
took his weapon, sitting it on the table. “I’d like to ask that any members of
my crew that wish to return to Earth, be allowed to.”
“That was about what I was expecting.” Samuels said
to no one in particular.
Carter held out her hand, and
She let go of his hand, and sat back down.
“This whole situation makes me want to vomit,
colonel.”
“That’s how we felt, Steven. We are acting in self
defense. I’m glad you understand that.” She smiled as she looked around the
table. “But it’s doctor, not colonel.”
“Your highness,” Samuels muttered, getting her a
glare from Carter.
“Actually, no colonel.”
He began to smile as he glanced over at Sheppard. “As
soon as Dr. Keller declares you fit for duty, you would still be the legitimate
commander of the Atlantis expedition. Col. Sheppard on the other hand, has been
charged with mutiny, and I have orders to shoot him on sight.”
“So they want to have their cake and eat it too.
Typical.” Samuels said. “The American government will support her if she
resumes command?”
“I have no information on that Dr. Samuels. All I
know is that Col. Carter is still on active duty. The orders you saw came from
the IOA, not the Pentagon.”
“This doesn’t really change anything. We proceed as
planned. Andi, I’ll need to speak to you and Daniel privately when we’re done
here.” Carter said. She looked down the table at
“No, Ellis is running silent, and has not responded
to any of my attempts to contact him.” He replied. “I’m pretty sure we can
expect him in the next few days.”
Carter nodded. “Jennifer...”
“Already on it. All I have to do is print it out and
sign it.” Keller said. “I’ll need two witnesses, preferably someone not charged
with a capital crime.” She said, poking Sheppard in the ribs with her elbow.
“Steven, go back to the Daedalus.” Carter told him.
“We’ll bring you down on the east pier. Once you’ve landed, beam all cargo and
all but essential personnel off the ship, and prepare for inspection. Give us a
couple of hours to get ready down here.”
“Yes m...”
“Don’t call her maam.” Keller said in a stage
whisper. “It makes her feel old.”
“It does not! Well, okay, maybe it does.” Carter
grinned. “But someone said I came across as a school marm, and that’s what the
word reminds me of. Colonel, doctor, Sam...just not that.”
Carter nodded, and he stepped out the door.
“John.” She said quietly. “Drop him off where you
picked him up, and make sure you’re back inside the shield before you call Ops
to approve beaming. Take your escort with you. All of them.”
Sheppard nodded, and went out the door after
Carter turned back to the group still seated at the
table. “Jennifer, get your paperwork together, and bring me anything you need
me to sign. We’ll transmit it when we return the Daedalus crew. Daniel, Andi,
let’s go into my office.” She looked down the table at Vala as she stood up.
“Tammy and Teyla, why don’t you show Vala around, and see if you can find her a
nice souvenir?”
Interior-Office
1050 Hours
“Tell us about that ancient outpost on P43C972,
Daniel.” Carter said as she leaned back in her chair. “Do you know the gate
address?”
“Does it have shields? You might not know, if it
doesn’t have power. What kind of buildings does it have, and what kind of
personnel are there?”
“It has a Pegasus style gate, the first one I’ve ever
seen in the Milky Way galaxy, so it must have been a late addition. It’s fairly
large, more than thirty surface buildings, and a substructure underlying the
central area, five hundred meters on a side, extending twelve stories down.
There’s no one there, Vala and I went in with an SG team. The planet is
uninhabited.”
“Andi?” Carter said.
“We have access to another Atlantis style city, Dr.
Jackson.”
“Daniel.”
“Thank you, Daniel. I’m Andi.”
She brought up an image on her tablet, and turned it
toward him.
“This is
“We’re in the process of establishing relations with
the local population, providing them with food, medicines, and tools. This is
our second step in winning hearts and minds. The first step has already been
taken by Col. Sheppard and his team, when they defended the locals against
their oppressors in the central tower, the only part of the city being used.”
She scrolled down through her notes.
“The cities ZPM is depleted, and the family no longer
has use of the cities systems, drones, that they were using to control the
populace. They are using edged and projectile weapons at the moment. Col.
Sheppard also has good relations with the head of the ruling family, we
confirmed that when we sent him back last week to inspect the city.”
She brought up another image on the tablet, and
handed it to him. “Scroll through those, and tell me what you think.”
She sat back as he flipped through a dozen images
“These are production and manufacturing facilities.
These are in that city? You’ve confirmed it?” He asked.
“Those are in Atlantis, but yes, we’ve confirmed that
there are similar facilities in
“Part of my proposal to the IOA was to establish
trade within the Pegasus galaxy, and export Pegasus products to the Milky Way,
by way of Earth. That was going to be the main thrust of my operations.” Carter
said, leaning forward in her chair. “I gave them a full outline of that part of
the plan. Thank god I didn’t tell them anything about the rest of it.”
“And you’re going to negotiate with these people to
use the production capacity of the city? How does the Milky Way outpost figure
in?”
“No, I’m going to evict them, and take the city.
They’re squatters anyway.” Carter said lightly. “Then we’re going to train the
locals to help in repairing the city, then operate the equipment to mass
produce ancient, Pegasus, and bootleg Earth products, and market them
throughout the Pegasus and Milky Way galaxies. We’re going to need your outpost
for that.”
“So you’re going to trade one set of masters for
another, uprooting these people and putting them to work in your factories...”
“Oh, get off your high horse Daniel! You see how
people live in the Milky Way galaxy, and it’s been worse here in Pegasus. Much
worse.” Carter said, her face coloring. “Show him the pictures, Andi. I’m
talking about moving these people into the city, Daniel. Into crew quarters and
apartments near where they’ll be working, feeding them, training them, and
trying to improve their quality of life.”
She paused and took a breath. “I want to do something
about how these people live, no one else seems to want to. I want to setup
pools of doctors, teachers, engineers, people that can go out into both
galaxies and help get these societies going, to improve the quality of life for
everyone. Don’t you think that they deserve electricity, clean water, access to
medicine or a good education?”
There were tears running down her cheeks now.
“If you think that’s so wrong, I’ll call Sheppard and
have him take you over and throw your ass through the gate right now, so you
can maintain your high moral standards, and never accomplish goddamned thing.”
“Sam.” Andi said.
Andi stood up, opened the door and called out.
“Tammy, I need you!”
“No, she’s right.”
“You’re going to need to wait for that answer,
Daniel.” She went around the desk and led Sam out from behind it.
Tammy came running through the door, and Andi stepped
behind Carter, getting out of her way.
“Sam? Are you okay? Look at me.” Tammy said, holding
her arms gently as she examined her quickly.
“Fine...” Carter said softly, burying her head in her
shoulder, crying freely now.
Tammy scooped her up, and went out the door. “Andi, take
Daniel into the kitchen, Teyla, Jenn and Vala are in there. Explain to Daniel,
then come talk to me.” She disappeared around a corner.
“Come on, Daniel. We need to talk.” Andi said,
leading him out the door.
Interior-Kitchen
1115 Hours
“Jenn, would you get Daniel something to drink?” She
said, handing her her tablet. “I have copies of some
of Sam’s notes on here in a folder named ‘theplan’. Bring it up and show it to
him, I’ll be right back.”
She turned and went down the hall and over to Sam’s
bedroom. Tammy and Sam were lying on the bed, and Andi knelt on the end of it,
looking at them.
“She’s fine,” Tammy said, stroking Carter’s hair and
back gently. “She’s upset that he would think something like that about her.
We’ll be out in a few minutes, I just want to let her calm down a little.”
“I...I’m sorry, Andi.” Sam said quietly, turning to
look at her. “And thank you.”
“I’ll tell them you’ll be with us in a bit, Sam.”
Andi said as she moved toward the door. She stopped and looked back. “You have
nothing to be sorry about, Sam. I was proud of you. You did good.”
When she got back to the kitchen, Andi went right to
the cabinet and got a glass, filled it with ice, and got two cokes from the
fridge before she sat down. She saw that
“Sam’s fine, and they’ll be with us in a few minutes,
Tammy just wants to let her calm down, then check her out.” She said as she
looked around the table. “How far have you gotten, Daniel?”
“I’m just skimming, but this is amazing.” He said,
looking up at her. “She’s been begging the IOA to do something to improve
quality of life since she took over here, and there are notes before that about
wanting to setup electrical, sewer and water, and education systems in the
Milky Way galaxy. They kept shooting her down, but she just kept coming back at
them with new ideas.” He shook his head, took off his glasses and rubbed his
eyes. “And I never even noticed.”
“It’s okay, Daniel.” Vala said lightly, putting her
hand on his shoulder. “Samantha knows you’re clueless about anything except
your silly old relics.”
Andi and Jennifer burst out laughing, and Teyla
smiled broadly.
She turned to Jennifer. “Does that Tammy woman always
move that quickly? I think she jumped over the table, but I’m not sure. I heard
someone call, and she was gone.”
Jennifer nodded. “It’s not a good idea to get in
Tammy’s way if she thinks Sam is in trouble.”
Daniel sat the tablet down and looked at Andi. “Tammy
told you to explain. What did she mean?”
“Several things, I’ll start with what just happened.
Forgive me, I’ll be going into shrink mode.” She said, reaching out and taking
the tablet. She changed screens, tabbed through till she found the notes she
was looking for, then looked up at him. “You are part of a very small group of
people, along with Teal’c, Mitchell, Vala, and a few others here on Atlantis
that she considers friends, and who’s opinions she values. Jack O’Neill used to
be in that group, but Sam has emotionally distanced herself from him.”
“That’s understandable.” He nodded.
“When you questioned her motives, implying that she
was acting in her own self interest, and that’s what you did, I was there, you
tore at the basic foundation of your friendship. She expected you to understand
her motives, her desire to do good, since you’re one of her oldest friends. Now
she’s forced to examine that relationship, to try to discover if that
underlying foundation is still secure.”
“Our friendship is fine, Andi. Quit being so damned
analytical.” Carter said as she stepped into the room. She went over to the
cabinet and took out two glasses, handing one to Tammy. “Daniel, I’m sorry. I
didn’t give you enough information. You...”
“No, Andi is right. I don’t like having my face
rubbed in it like that, but I should have asked questions instead of making
accusations.”
“I’m going to consider that kissing and making up.
Give me that.” Tammy said, taking the glass from Carter’s hand. “Sit down, I’ll
get your drink.”
She pushed her toward the chair, then got ice and two
cokes, sitting them on the table in front of her. She stood behind Sam’s chair,
her hands massaging her shoulders gently.
“Vala and Daniel, are you going to be staying with
us, or will you be returning to Earth, or the Milky Way?” She asked.
“I’d like to stay, I like it here.” Vala said. “I’ve
missed you Samantha. I’ve never felt that way about anyone before.”
“I was planning on staying.” Daniel said. “I’ve been
wanting to explore this place for years, but Jack would never let me. And now
there’s two of them.”
Carter reached up and took Tammy’s hand, pulling her
around so she could take her seat beside her. She let her get settled, then
took her hand again.
“Are you Samantha’s lover?” Vala asked Tammy.
“Vala!” Daniel said, glaring at her.
“Yes, Vala. She is.” Carter smiled at her. She looked
over at Tammy and said, “She’s the most important person in the world to me.”
“Good. Because she loves you very much.” Vala said,
looking around the kitchen. “I like her. Can we get something to eat? I’m starving.”
“I’ll take care of that.” Andi said as she stood up.
She looked over at Teyla. “Teyla, would you help me? I think some Athosian
dishes might be just the thing to bring this family together.”
Teyla smiled, standing up and pushing her chair under
the table. “I would enjoy cooking with you, Andi. But you must promise to teach
me how to make...italian food? I am told it is most delicious.”
“I have leftovers you can try.” She turned and looked
at Keller. “Jennifer, call Sheppard and tell him lunch is at thirteen hundred.”
“You can explore all you want Daniel.” Carter told
him after Andi and Teyla had left. “But I’m going to need you to take a team to
that Milky Way outpost at some point. There’s no hurry, that won’t be for a few
months.”
“We won’t be able to get back without a ZPM.”
“You’ll be taking some with you.” She told him, “And
bringing the depleted ones back, so I can charge them up.”
“Charge them up? You can do that?”
She looked at Carter, who grinned and motioned for
her to proceed.
“We have a teaching machine, several actually. I used
it to learn the ancient language when my ancient gene was activated recently.”
She paused, looking down at the table, then back up at him. “I used it again to
learn how to use another machine to diagnose Sam, when she had an incident.”
“We don’t need to go into what that was.” Keller
said. “But while we’re on the subject, you need to know that Sam is changing.
None of the changes have been harmful yet, but the way they occur can be
disabling for her, and frightening for the people around her. She also needs
periodic stimulation to keep her hormone and endorphin levels in a certain
range. If either falls below a threshold, her behavior will change, and she may
go into shock. Do you understand so far?”
“Yes.” Vala said, glancing at Carter.
Daniel nodded.
“If she collapses, exhibits unusual behavior, or does
anything that causes you concern, The first word out of your mouth, as loud as
you can say it, is Tammy, or Tammy, I need you. Then move out of the way so she
can get to her.”
“And she’ll jump over the table like she did
earlier?” Vala asked. “I want to see her do that again.”
“Daniel, will you trade places with Vala? I like
her.” Tammy laughed, reaching around him to take her hand.
“Can we talk about what you’ve been doing here, and
what else is going on?” He asked as he stood up and let Vala slide over into
his chair. “Did you learn how to charge ZPM’s from an ancient machine too?”
Carter and Tammy looked at each other, and Jennifer
said, “I know, write it down.” and started typing out notes on her tablet.
“I figured it out about a month before all this
began. You can get details on my condition from Andi and Jennifer.” Carter told
him. “I refined, then combined McKay’s Space Time Matter bridge research with
everything else I could find, including swapping emails with Jeannie Miller.
Who is much smarter, and much easier to get along with than her brother, let me
tell you.”
She took a sip of her drink. “I did one live test the
day before I resigned, running this building off the bridge for several hours.
Then, later in the evening the day I resigned, we charged the first ZPM. We’ve
done four more since. So now we have one for each of the outer piers, and three
for the
“The IOA doesn’t know what we’ve done yet. I was
going to give them fully charged ZPM’s. I just wasn’t going to tell them how I
did it.” She shook her head and she smiled at him. “Their own shortsightedness
will cost them dearly. I’ll never give them one now.”
“We’ve also put everyone with the ancient gene
through the teaching machine, so we have almost seven hundred people that
understand ancient in the city.” Tammy said, then leaned over and whispered something
to Vala, making her grin.
Sam glared at her, then spoke to Daniel. “We have
three hundred people going through the database, translating the manuals on all
the machines we plan on using. We haven’t figured out if we can safely use the
teaching machine on someone without the gene, and I’m not willing to risk it
unless I have too.”
She turned to Keller. “Jenn, would you tell John that
lunch is at thirteen hundred, to have Ops extend the platform off the east pier
and have Daedalus land there at fourteen hundred, and have all personnel and
supplies offloaded by fifteen hundred. We’ll begin inspections at seventeen
hundred, I want everything off that platform before we begin.”
She turned back to Daniel. “I’m glad you’re staying.
I’ve missed both of you. You’ll be staying here with me. Well, not here, but in
this building. We have an open suite on forty two, or if you want separate
quarters, we can go down to forty-one.”
“I’d like to stay with you, Daniel.” Vala said. “I’ll
be good, I promise.”
“Forty-two it is. I need to set you up with access
codes for the elevator and the porter so you can get in and out. I’ll be right
back.”
“If she gets on your nerves, Daniel, she can stay
with me. I have a spare bedroom.” Tammy said, smiling at Vala.
“Do you have room in your bed?” Vala asked.
Interior-Dr. Jackson’s Suite
1225 Hours
After Carter coded the door for them, they went
inside and looked around. Daniel stood at the door, gaping at the opulence of
their surroundings, while Vala ran from room to room, with Tammy hot on her
heels, laughing and giggling like a pairs of schoolgirls.
“This is a city view. Jennifer’s across the hall, and
she wanted the ocean view.” Carter said as she led him across to the windows.”
“Oh my god!” He breathed as he took in the view of
the city. He had a clear view of the central section, and part of the north
pier.
“I’m sorry, but there’s no balcony. I’ll get someone
to take you around in a jumper, or you can just explore from ground level. Do
you still have your STID?”
He nodded, still looking out over the city.
“Good. If you get lost, or want to know how to get
somewhere, just call the
Vala came running up, throwing her arms around
Daniel, laying her head against his back. “Come look at our bed, Daniel! It’s
huge!”
Daniel blushed, looking at Carter out of the corner
of his eye.
“Good for you, Vala.” She said. “I knew it was going
to happen eventually, even if he didn’t.”
“Come look.” Vala said, taking his hand and dragging
him across the living room.
Tammy came up behind Sam and slipped her arms around
her waist, laying her head on her shoulder. “I really like Vala. Is Daniel
always such a stick in the mud?
“Yeah, but he’s a really nice guy, smart as hell, and
he’s good in a fight now. You should have seen him when we first started.”
“So you telling me all this cuz you want me to date
him?” Tammy asked. “He’s really not my type, and I think Vala could probably
kick my ass if I tried.”
“I would too, lover.” Vala said from behind her,
putting her hands on Tammy’s hips, then sliding them up to cup her tits. “Just
like Sam will kick my ass when I make a move on you!”
“Get your hands off her tits, Vala. Or I’ll kick your
ass right now!”
“Vala!” Daniel shouted from the bedroom. “You said
you wanted to show me the bed! So come show it to me!”
“Ooooohhh, girlfriend! Sounds like he wants a test
ride!” Tammy laughed, leaning her head back so she could see Vala.
“Be right back.” Vala said, kissing her on the cheek.
“This should only take a couple of minutes.”
Interior-Dr. Samuels Suite
1310 Hours
Sounds of laugher filled Andi’s kitchen as they sat
around the table passing plates of food around. Jennifer had made Sheppard
shower and change into casual Atlantian clothes, and had thrown his uniform
into the cleaner in her suite.
“I passed your instructions on to
“I don’t know the man, but we spent five days with
him, and he seemed genuinely angry every time you were mentioned.” Daniel said
around a mouthful of food. “Which happened several times a day, until he
finally told his staff to just hold everything till the end of the day, and
give it to him then.”
“He wasn’t angry at you Samantha.” Vala said. “But
what’s being done to you. When he told us that he had been ordered to capture,
or kill you, he was almost purple with rage. Part of it was knowing that if
they’re willing to do that to you, they’ll be just as willing to do it to him.
But I honestly think he likes you, or at least respects you.”
“Excuse me, but this is a meal, not a business
meeting.” Andi said as she sat an empty dish on the counter and heaped a large
portion of an Athosian offering from another onto her plate. “If you insist on
talking business, please take it in the living room.”
“Jennifer was right, Andi. This lasagna is
wonderful.” Teyla said, wiping her plate with a piece of bread. “Much better
than what they call lasagna in the mess hall. I do not think they are the same
thing.” She held out her plate. “May I have some more please?”
“Is John your lover, Jennifer?” Vala asked, looking
down the table at her.
“Vala!” Daniel said, rolling his eyes.
Vala turned and looked at him. “Well, she’s been
doting on him since they sat down, and I think they’re doing something
und...Owwww!” She stopped and looked under the table, then glared at Daniel.
“She says he’s got a big one.” Tammy whispered as she
leaned over and speared a meatball from Vala’s plate.
“Really?” She said, looking down the table at
Sheppard. She turned and looked at Tammy. “I like medium ones myself. I’m not
as sore the next morning.”
Jennifer choked, and Teyla patted her on the back,
while Sheppard looked back and forth between the women.
“Daniel is a wonderful lover, he’s so imaginative!
And he holds me after. I like that the best.”
“Tammy is the best lover I’ve ever had.” Carter said,
looking at her, as she squeezed her hand. “The day I met her was the best day
of my life.”
“No it wasn’t.” Tammy said. “It was a terrible day
for you. But I know what you mean, and I feel the same way.”
“I don’t think I ever really saw you happy, before
today Sam.” Daniel said quietly. “I’m happy for you, because you look so
relaxed, comfortable, and just satisfied with life.”
“I am Daniel. I think I’ve...how do they say it?
Released my burden?” Carter said. “If not, I’ve at least accepted what’s
happening, but in a good way. I’m surrounded by people that I care about, and
that care about me. We have a cause worth the effort, and very little standing
in our way. Life is good.”
“Well, put a little of that burden back in your
pocket. I’m not ready for you to ascend on me yet.” Tammy said quietly.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to wait till
you’re ready to come with me.”
She looked at Daniel. “Can we do that? Ascend
together?”
“I saw a whole group ascend at the same time.”
Sheppard said. “Teyla was there, she saw it too.”
“Yes, a group of almost twenty people ascended all at
once.” Teyla said, looking at John, then at Sam. “One of them, a most
attractive young woman, wanted John to accompany her, so I think what you ask
is possible.”
“I think what’s she’s asking about is after.”
Exterior-East Pier, Landing Platform
1400 Hours
The shield on the east pier retracted, and a section
of the outer dock detached itself, and moved under it’s own power away from the
city, trailing thick cables behind it. When it was two miles out, it stopped,
and stabilizer bars extended from three sides.
“Permission to dock granted, Daedalus.” The Ops tech
said quietly as he worked the controls on his station. “Landing platform is
clear, awaiting your arrival.”
“Acknowledge, Atlantis.”
“Yes sir. It’s bigger than it looks, it’s three
hundred meters on a side.” Marks said as he engaged the engines and started
moving them into the atmosphere. “I’ll put us down right in the middle. That
will give us room to unload on all sides.”
“Make it so.”
Shortly after Daedalus had landed, Marks turned to
“I expected that. She doesn’t miss a trick, does she?
Move us, Marks.”
Interior-Kitchen
1440 Hours
Sheppard was seething as he stood at the floor to
ceiling windows in the kitchen. Carter had refused to let him pilot a jumper in
the offloading operation. She had ordered him to direct operations from the
Daedalus had begun offloading, and materials were
beginning to pile up in rows along one edge of the platform. On the same end of
the platform, but directly opposite it, personnel were appearing. Two Atlantis
jumpers were broadcasting orders by loudspeaker for them to form up by units,
and await instructions.
“Ops, this is Sheppard. Ask them how much longer they
need.”
“We just did, colonel. They say they’re at 80
percent, and then need ten minutes on stores, three on personnel. We told them
to advise as each completes.”
“Copy. As soon as personnel are clear, bring in the
jumpers to scan, then offload them. Keep me advised”
“Yes sir.”
“John, Tammy and I are going to go down to thirty-one
for a few minutes.” Carter said as she got up from the table. “I’ll have comms,
but not be on. Page if you need me. We’ll be back in fifteen.”
“Okay.” he said, not taking his eyes of the platform.
Interior-Floor One Thirty-One
1450 Hours
“It’s a small, dark green pendant, maybe three inches
long, and an inch and a half wide.” Maybe a little bigger.” Carter told Tammy.
“There’s a design down the center that lights up when it’s powered. Look
around, there has to be at least one in all this shit.”
They were dumping boxes onto the floor and skimming
through the piles. Tammy opened a small box and looked inside. She pulled out a
small object and held it out to Carter.
“Is this it?” She asked, holding it out to her.
“That looks like the pictures I’ve seen. It must not
be powered up.” Carter said. “We need to go look at the database, and see what
makes this lil sucker tick.”
“I’ve got a box of ‘em. Two, no, three layers of six,
so eighteen.” Tammy told her, holding up the box.
“Let’s get upstairs. They’re no use to us like this.”
Interior-Kitchen
1505 Hours
“John.”
Sheppard turned around and saw Carter holding a small
object out to him.
He took it, and turned it over in his hand.
“This is one of those personal shields. We haven’t
had much luck with these.”
“That’s because no one bothered to read the manual.
Tammy and I just did.” Carter said. “We found a box of them. We’re going to
issue them to senior staff later.”
“Put it on, under your shirt, it’ll stick to your
skin.” She said. “No point in being obvious about it.”
He opened two buttons on his shirt, held the pendant
to his chest, then let it go. It started to glow, and stayed in place, so he
buttoned his shirt back up.
“Test it, but go easy.” He told her. “If it’s
working, you could hurt yourself.”
Carter stepped back, and swung the flat of her hand
against his upper arm. A pale green glow formed between her hand and his shirt.
She tried poking him in the chest with her fingers with the same effect.
“Come over to the table.” She said. “Put your hand
out flat on it.”
She picked up a spoon in her fist, and brought the
blunt end down on the back of his hand. She did it several more times,
increasing the force with every blow. She grinned up at him.
“So far so good.” She said. “Run your finger over the
center, where it’s lit.”
He opened the top button of his shirt, and moved his
finger over the light. It went out, and the pendant fell into his hand.
Carter reached up, gripped his ear between her
fingers and twisted.
“Ooowwww!”
“Okay, we can turn it on and off. And we know they
work. I doubt if they’ll stand up to a nuke, but anything less than that, and
you should be okay.” She said as she stepped over to the window.
Two jumpers were parked in front of a warehouse, and
people were moving out of them, into the building. The jumpers lifted of, and
were quickly replace by two more. On the platform, another jumper made a pass
over the material stacked on the dock, then hovered, and crews attached cargo
nets to hooks on the bottom. It lifted away, and was replaced by another. The
platform was cleared in less than half a dozen more passes.
“Go talk to them, John.” She said quietly as she
watched. “The officers first, then the enlisted. Tell them what’s happening,
show them Landry’s message, and
Sheppard nodded, and started for the door.
“John?”
“Yes.” He said as he stopped in the doorway.
“Don’t forget to turn that thing on.”
He smiled and nodded, and went to increase their
forces.
Interior-Warehouse Sixty-Two
1525 Hours
“All officers form up at the far end of the building,
on Col. Sheppard.” Lt. Crown shouted, “Step lively, we have alot to get done,
and not much time to get it done in!”
People broke away from the crowd milling around in
the warehouse and jogged over to where Sheppard was sitting on a table by the
open doors on the other end of the warehouse.
Crown turned to face the rest of the group. “Form up
by units in columns of four, five meter spread between groups. Medical
personnel will be around to check you, and water will be passed out in a few
minutes. Stand easy, but stay with your unit.”
“Form up by units.” Sheppard told the approaching
officers. He waited till they had all come up, and formed themselves into three
groups. “Commanding officers follow me. Lorne.”
He walked out of the warehouse and stood with his
back to the door. Maj. Lorne and three officers followed him.
“I’m John Sheppard, commander of the military detachment
on Atlantis.” He said as he shook hands with each man. “This is my second in
command, Maj. Lorne.” He looked at them for a moment, then said. “What are you
doing here?”
One of the marines, a colonel, stepped forward and
lifted the back of his shirt up, pulled out a folder wrapped in plastic, and
handed it to him.
Sheppard took the folder and flipped through the
documents quickly. He handed the folder to Lorne as he spoke.
“Do these orders cover all of you, or do you have
separate orders?” He asked the other two. The other marine, a major, nodded.
The special forces officer, another major said, “I
have conflicting orders sir. My original orders from the Pentagon are to assist
Atlantis personnel in securing the base. My men and I came from Earth, and gated
out to be picked up by the Daedalus. I received orders two days ago from the
IOA instructing me to remove you, Col. Carter and her senior staff, and return
the base to IOA control.”
Sheppard nodded, then stepped away from the group,
looking over at Lorne.
“Lorne...shoot me.” He said.
“Sir?” Lorne asked, staring at him.
“It’s okay, Evan. Just do it.”
Lorne nodded, drew his side arm, and fired a round at
Sheppard’s chest. A green field grew around Sheppard, then faded as the bullet
ricocheted away with the loud whine.
He stepped back over to the group, looking passed
them at their junior officers.
“Col. Carter and her staff are all equipped with
personal shields like this one. We also outnumber you. Consider you mission for
the IOA a failure. You should follow your original orders.”
“That was my plan sir.” The major said, trying not to
smile.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to talk
to your men, and offer them the choice of joining the Atlantis expedition, or being
returned to Earth, at the earliest opportunity. You all have the same option.”
He looked at the three men. “You’re all welcome to join us, but no one will be
ordered or compelled to stay. We only want people that want to be here.”
“I’m in.” the special forces major said, reaching up
and lifting his collar. He slipped a small memory card from a sleeve underneath
it, and handed it to Sheppard.
Sheppard shook his head, looking over at Lorne.
“Didn’t we search any of these guys?”
“Only for weapons and electronics, sir.” Lorne said
with a shrug.
“Okay, get coveralls, slippers and pallets in here.
We’ll be bedding them down in here for the night. Show them Landry’s message,
make the offer, and move anyone that wants to return to Earth to another
building. I’ll be back, I need to update the colonel.”
He looked at the major. “Is this coded or clear?”
“I don’t know sir, I didn’t look.”
Sheppard nodded as he walked across the warehouse
toward the jumpers.
Interior-Kitchen
1600 Hours
“Landry’s under arrest by order of the IAO, so the
Pentagon made it house arrest. There’s a company of SEALS guarding him. It
looks more like protective custody to me.” Sheppard said as he read through a
file.
He had copied the memory card and mailed the contents
to the senior staff. They were all going through it, each of them going through
a different section.
“There’s a letter from the President here.” Jennifer
said. “File 25394b.”
Everyone found and opened the file. Carter laughed as
she read it.
“He’s ordering us to secure the city, proceed with
our plan to establish trade in the Pegasus galaxy, and advise when we’re ready
to begin trade with the Milky Way, specifically, Earth.” She said as she read
though it.
“Are we going to tell them we don’t work for them
anymore?” Sheppard asked.
“Yes.” Samuels said. “But we send them a gift first.
Do you have an inventory of what was offloaded from Daedalus?”
“Looks like two million rounds of ammunition,
shoulder fired missiles, claymores, a couple tons of C4. And a thousand
Zatguns. They’re still going through it.”
“They sent us Zats? This is like Christmas.” Carter
said. “I’ll send Daniel and Vala over to check them later, just to make sure
they haven’t been doctored. If they turn out to be good, I want them
distributed to senior staff, your officers and NCOs’. We’ll decide on the rest
later.”
She looked over at Samuels. “What kind of gift?”
“Drones. And a ZPM.” Andi said.
“No. No way am I giving them a ZPM, Andi.” Carter
said angrily. “Not after they sent people to KILL me! Think of something else.”
“It has to be a ZPM, Sam. Or we won’t get back what I
want.” Samuels said calmly.
“And what do they have that’s worth a ZPM? And just
say it, don’t make me work for it.”
“More ZPM’s. We tell them we want their depleted
ZPM’s, and will trade five for one. We really only want three for one, but we
need to give them some wiggle room.”
“Sheppard?”
“I think it’s smart. We build good will, and if they
ever figure out that we can charge them, they’ll want to try it. And they can’t
if they don’t have any dead ones.” He said. He looked over at Samuels. “Is that
what you’re thinking doc?”
Samuels nodded. “Mensa, huh? I’m glad you’re on our
side too, John.” She looked over at Sam. “You had thirty, and used five. I need
three more, plus the gift. As near as I can tell from the reports I’ve been
through, They have at least ten depleted ones, maybe a few more, and two with a
partial charge. One at the SCG, and one in
“We need to get Daniel and a team into to that
outpost. If not today, then tomorrow. That’s going to drain our manpower,
because I’m going to want to staff it, and have people start going through it.
I want that place locked down before someone at the SGC, or even worse, the
IOA, sees a report on it.” She looked between Carter and Sheppard. “I’d say
thirty mixed troops and ten techs should do it. We can send less if we can find
matching skills among your guys, John.”
“Okay. I still don’t like it, but when you put it
that way, I can’t say no.” Carter said. “What if Daniel can’t get back? What do
we do then? We’ve stranded those people there.”
“He’ll be able to get back. That outpost is at the
edge of the Milky Way, and it’s considerably closer to Atlantis than Earth is.
Dialing an eight symbol address won’t be a problem. We’ve already discussed
that. He thinks there’s shields too, but if there aren’t, we can fix that.”
“So you’re talking about establishing trade with them
now, and not waiting until we’re setup here in Pegasus” Jennifer asked.
“On a very limited basis, at least with Earth.”
Samuels said. “The other part of Daniel’s mission will be to reach out to
Teal’c.” She grinned at Carter. “Feel like having another old friend over for
dinner?”
“I’d love that, but there’s more. Let’s hear it.”
“The
“I know, I was there, remember?” Carter said wryly.
“Ahhhh, a little detail like that isn’t going to
escape my notice, I assure you.” Andi grinned. “When he tells them that
Samantha Carter of SG-1 needs their help, scouring the galaxy for ZPM’s, and
will soon begin trade with them from the Pegasus galaxy, His status may change
from living legend, to...I don’t know. What’s better than living legend?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Carter said. She turned and
looked at Tammy. “You’ve been quiet so far. What do you think?”
“Andi is making sense, to a point. But if we start
trading stuff back and forth, they send to the Alpha site, not here. We don’t
need it anymore.” Tammy said. “We found a dozen shield generators in a
warehouse over on the north pier, which is why she’s not worried about the
outpost having shields. We can put one on the Alpha site gate just as easy.”
“I like that.” Andi said, making a note on her
tablet. “I’ll get a team on that. Should take less than forty-eight hours. We
don’t have to staff it at first. We can put up a beacon that activates when the
gate opens, broadcasting a warning signal back through the event horizon, and
notifies us at the same time.”
“I agree that we need to reach out to Teal’c, but I’m
not so sure about welcoming the
“I hadn’t considered that aspect, Tammy. But I think
you may be right. Teal’c is well connected throughout the Milky Way, and even
the IOA has to listen to him if they want to maintain peaceful relations with
the
“I’m not using my friend as a messenger boy.” Carter
said
“That’s not what I’m suggesting. If he offered his
services as an intermediary, to help resolve the difficulties between us and
the IOA, I think they’d go for it. He is after all, familiar with all the
parties involved, and the
“The
“They will be after Sam asks him if the High Council
will make him ambassador to her court,” Samuels said, looking at Carter.
“Change your title to Foreign Minister, intelligence
services will fall under your purview. But for now, let’s put the intrigue on
the back burner.” Carter said.
“John, tell Ops to have
She rubbed her face with her hands, then looked at
them again.
“Are you okay?” Andi asked. “You look a little worn.”
“I’m fine, I just feel like I need a shower after
this.” Sam grinned, then looked at Sheppard again. “Put the crew up in the
She looked back and forth between Tammy and Andi.
“Who’s cooking? I’m going to invite
“I have grills I can put over the burners.” Tammy
said. “I can do the steaks and the bread if Andi can do the starches and
veggies. Same group that was at lunch, plus one?”
“Yeah, then we can move into the living room and talk
business after we eat.” She grinned at Andi.
She looked back at Sheppard. “Bring
“I can do that.” Sheppard grinned. “He’s not a bad guy,
and he’s lightened up alot toward me since that Goa’uld thing.”
“Then we’re done.” She said, standing up and moving
toward the door. “I’d like dinner at nineteen hundred. I’m going to go down and
spend some time with my guests. I have my comms, and will give it to Daniel, so
he can call if we need anything.”
Interior-Dr. Jackson’s Suite
1720 Hours
“Daniel? Vala? Anyone home?” She called.
“Just a minute!” Valla called.
She came out of the bedroom a moment later, wearing a
long sleeved black sheath dress that clung to every curve. She posed, smiling
broadly.
“What do you think? Isn’t this just divine?” She
asked. “I can’t find any shoes that fit though, they’re all too big!”
“No, go get a pair. And you look fantastic in that
dress!” Sam said, watching Vala run into the other room.
“Is someone out there?” She heard Daniel say.
“Yes, Samantha is visiting.” Vala said. “Now get
dressed, and bring your shoes!”
She came running back a moment later, holding a pair
of shiny black flats. She held them out and Sam took them, then waved her
toward a chair.
Kneeling in front of Vala, she slipped the shoe onto
her foot.
“See? It’s too big!”
“Give it a second. Just watch.”
“Wh...oh my!” Vala said as she watched the shoe begin
to shrink around her foot, the sole thickening slightly. She dropped her foot,
and slipped the other shoe on, watching gleefully as it molded itself to her
foot as well.
“Hi, Sam.” Daniel said as he came out of the bedroom.
He was wearing a pair of loose black slacks, and a shiny green shirt. He had a
pair of black cloth shoes in his hand. “Vala, I can’t wear these. They’re too
big. Where are my other shoes, the ones I wore in today?”
“Yes you can! They shrink to fit, see?” She held out
her foot, tipping it back and forth so he could see.
Daniel leaned against the back of the couch and
slipped one of the shoes on. His eyes widened as it started contracting around
his foot, then he shrugged and pulled the other one on.
“I need to go down to thirty-one.” Sam said. “Would
you like to go with me? I can show you some of the other floors too if you
want.”
She handed him her comm unit. “I told Tammy I’d give
you that. It’s on, so if you need to, you can call for help. I want to get you
comms, that’s why I want to go downstairs. But I’d like to show you something
else first.”
She led them out to the elevator, and they dropped to
the ground floor. Sam led them outside to a small park. The ocean spread out
before them as far as the eye could see, and off to one side, they could make
out the platform with the Daedalus sitting on it.
“Tammy and I come down here sometimes. At night, the
lights from the suites shine on the water. It’s very romantic.” She said,
smiling wistfully.
She turned and faced them. “Why did Landry send you?
Do you have any messages, or other information?” She walked over to a bench,
and Vala came over to sit beside her.
“He didn’t say much, and what he did say was very
cryptic.” Daniel told her, shaking his head. “He wanted me out of the Milky
Way. I think he was afraid that someone would use me as a wedge against you.
Both of us.”
She nodded. “Sheppard got the orders the marines were
given, they were sent as reinforcements. The special forces commander gave him
a data chip loaded with plans and orders. There’s even a letter from the President.
It looks like the Americans are going to support us. Or they believe that I’ll
give them the city, or let them use it.”
“What are you going to do?” He asked.
“Speed up some plans, put others on hold, but mostly
proceed on the current schedule.” She said, looking up at him. “I need you to
take a team to your outpost tomorrow. We’ll send ZPM’s with you. Andi said that
you felt you could get back if the station was powered?”
“Yes, dialing Pegasus won’t be a problem.” He
answered. “But why so soon?”
“Andi’s afraid that someone with the SGC or the IOA
might see a report, and send someone. We want to get that station powered up,
check and see if the shields work, and if not, get some installed. On both the
station and the gate.”
“We need to lock that station down, and get people
working on the systems. We’re talking about a crew of thirty or so, military
and technical people. Sorry, but we don’t have an archeologist that I know of,
and I need you to come right back. Come to think of it, you really don’t have
to go, but there’s something else I need you to do while you’re there.”
“I can learn more here about the ancients than I can
there. Just have your people document and photograph everything. What’s this
other thing you need me to do?”
“Reach out to Teal’c, and invite him to dinner.”
Daniel grinned. “You know, if you had asked me to
guess, that would not have been one of my choices.”
“Andi again, but I would like to see him.” Carter
told him. “She wants to have him act as an intermediary between us and the IOA.
He’d be safe, he knows both parties, it’s a smart move. She also wants to
broach the subject of trade with the
“She’s right, the IOA would never touch him. And the
“She’s looking for a foothold and an ally there. They
are the best choice.”
Daniel jumped, then reached in his pocket and pulled
out Sam’s comm unit. He held it out to her, but she shook her head. He put it on
and said, “Hello?”
“Daniel? Where’s Sam?” Tammy asked. “Is she okay? I
haven’t heard from her.”
“She’s fine Tammy. She’s talking to Vala.”
“Where are you? I’m in your suite.”
“We’re at a little park outside. Sam said you like to
come here together. She’s right you know, it is very romantic.”
Sam smiled, wrapping her arms around herself, giving
him an air hug.
There was a pause. then Tammy said. “Tell her
everyone is here, and dinner is going to be a little early. So you need to head
upstairs soon.”
“We will, don’t worry. She’s having a good time, but
she misses you. She’s coming now, would you like to...”
“No, just come up soon.” She said, and closed the
channel.
“She said dinner is going to be early, and we need to
head upstairs.” He told Sam.
“That’s fine. I’m sorry all I talked about was
business.” She turned to Vala. “I want to spend some time with you Vala. I’ve
missed you so much.” She said putting her arm around her and hugging her.
“There will be time, Samantha. You don’t know what a
relief it is to be in a clean, civilized place for a change, instead of some
decrepit old ruins, no showers, and a slit trench to pee in.”
“I remember.” Sam laughed as she stood up. “And I
don’t miss that at all!”
Interior-Living Room
1810 Hours
Jennifer, John, Teyla and Caldwell were standing in
the living room talking when Sam walked in with Daniel and Vala. Sam smiled as
she walked over.
“Don’t you two look dashing.” She said.
Sheppard and Caldwell were both wearing loose black
slacks and black cloth shoes. Sheppard had on a soft gray shirt with full
sleeves, while
“Steven is most handsome this evening.” Teyla said.
“This is much more becoming on him than his usual attire.”
Jennifer was in her white wraparound dress again, and
Teyla wore an identical one in blue. Both had delicate floral prints.
“Daniel, Vala, come join us, I need to steal John and
Steven away from their ladies.”
She took both men by the arm, and led them toward the
hall leading to the kitchen.
“Would you gentlemen go take over the grilling duties
please? Tammy and I need to dress for dinner, so we’re not outshined by the
competition!” she laughed. “Ask her to join me in the bedroom, if you’d be so
kind?”
“Of course.”
Sam turned and ran lightly toward her bedroom. “Be
with you soon.” She called over her shoulder.
Tammy came into the bedroom, and saw her standing in
front of the closet beside the bed. She went up and stood beside her as Sam
slid clothes back and forth on the rail.
“Help me find something to wear. Everyone else looks
so nice.” Sam said as she looked at Tammy. She turned and stepped into her
arms, kissing her lightly, then more hungrily.
Tammy responded eagerly and they fell backwards onto
the bed. Pawing at each others gowns, they rolled over, deeper into the bed,
their hands roaming all over each other as they kissed.
“Oh, excuse me.” Daniel said as he stepped into the
room. He backpedaled quickly, then said. “Sheppard asked me to tell you that
dinner will be ready in five minutes.”
“Thank you, Daniel.” Tammy laughed, pushing Sam away
so she could get off the bed. “We’ll be right out.”
She rolled in the other direction across the bed,
then got up and opened the other closet. “I found this the other day, and was
going to show it to you, but we got sidetracked.” She held up a short,
sleeveless black dress. “I think you’d look fantastic in this.”
“Oh, Tammy.” Sam said as she came around the bed,
taking it from her. “That’s beautiful.”
She looked at her. “What are you going to wear?”
Tammy reached into the closet and pulled something
down. She held it in front of her as she went into the bathroom. “Get dressed
and brush your hair, I’ll be right out.” She said as she closed the door behind
her.
Sam pulled her gown over her head and tossed it on
the bed. Her sports bra and panties followed. She slid the dress over her head,
shaking and shimmying as she pulled it down over her body. She stepped over in
front of the mirror on the inside of the closet door and made a few minor
adjustments, then picked up a brush and ran it through her hair.
“You look lovely.” She heard Tammy say behind her.
She turned around, gasping when she saw her.
Tammy was wearing a pair of pleated black slacks, her
upper body bare under a black vest. The vest was unbuttoned halfway and her
breasts forced the sides of it apart. She’d slicked her hair back, and had a
hint of lipstick on.
“Wow! You look so...butch! I like it!” Sam said,
going over and wrapping her arms around her. She leaned back, forcing her hips
forward, grinding her crotch against Tammy’s. “You wanna just tell everyone to
come back in a couple hours, and we...”
“Huh uh.” Tammy said, leaning forward to kiss her.
Sam wrapped her arms around her neck, letting her tongue dart lightly into her
mouth. Tammy drew away and smiled at her. “No, I want to go show off my woman.
And show these people who wears the pants in this family!”
“Samantha?” Teyla called from the door. “John says
you must to come to dinner now.”
“We’re com...we’re on our way Teyla.” Tammy said.
Interior-Kitchen
1830 Hours
“Oh...my...gawd!” Jennifer said as they walked into
the room
“Wow!” Sheppard and Caldwell said at the same time.
“Excuse me. I’m just going to shoot myself now.” Andi
said. “For god’s sake! How am I suppose to compete with that?”
“I don’t know, I think I look better than both of
them.” Vala said.
“I do...aarrrghh!” Daniel grunted.
“No, Daniel.” Vala said lightly. “The proper answer
is, Oh Vala, you’re the most beautiful woman in the universe!”
“Vala, be nice!” Sam laughed. “Let go of Daniel’s
ba...whatever you’re squeezing.”
Tammy came around and held her chair, and Sam slipped
into it, smoothing her dress under her.
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight. Andi,
Tammy, Steven, John, the food looks delicious. First, let me say that there are
no ranks, no titles tonight. We’re on a first name basis please. And in
deference to Andi, no business at the dinner table.”
Smiles and laughter greeted her remarks, and Andi
beamed as she looked around.
Sam looked around the table. “We’re taking the first
steps in what I hope is a productive journey. And pray that we all live up to
each others expectations.” She smiled at them happily. “John, Steven, if you’d
pour the wine on your sides of the table please? Everyone else, grab a dish and
start passing them around!”
Sheppard and Caldwell moved around the table pouring
the wine, then left the bottles at the foot on each side. Jennifer and Teyla
had been loading their plates while they were up, and when
“Good lord!” He said, “There’s more calories on this
plate than I eat in a week!”
“A man in a position of authority needs to eat well,
Steven.” Teyla said as she scooped a spoonful of green beans onto his plate,
then put a much smaller portion on her own, and passed the dish across the
table to John.
“And a woman in a position of authority?” He asked.
“Must remain desirable enough to a attract a man in
an equal, or greater a position, to secure her own.”
“You have nothing to fear there Teyla.”
“Thank you, Steven.” Teyla said, taking a bite of her
steak. Her other hand was out of sight under the table.
Daniel launched into a story about an archeological
dig on a remote world, but Vala and Sam kept throwing in comments about no
showers, slit trenches, and the lack of toilet paper in SGC ration packs. He
gave up, and Vala recounted the story of their first trip to Atlantis, and
their encounter with the ascended ancient, Ganos Lal.
That made Teyla remark about Sheppard’s penchant for
attracting ascended women, which earned her a look and a kick under the table
from Jennifer.
After a while, people began pushing their plates away
and sitting back, rubbing their bellies in satisfaction. Sheppard and Caldwell
were keeping everyone’s wine glasses full, and a row of empty bottles was
growing at the foot of the table.
Sam pushed back from the table and stood up.
“Friends, that was a delightful meal. The best I can remember in quite a
while.” She said. “Let’s adjourn to the living room where we can stretch out
and relax. And if you don’t mind, I’d like to save talk of business till the
morning. Why spoil such a wonderful evening.”
“Here, here.”
Interior-Living Room
1945 Hours
“The report I read said that you’re undergoing
physical modifications. Strength, agility, hearing. You have a nose filter in
too.”
“No, I have to wear ear plugs, and the nose filter
sometimes, but nothing too bad.” She said as she walked around and pulled the
coffee table out away from him. “Get down on the floor. Which hand do you use?”
She asked, kneeling on the other side, propping her elbow on the table, holding
her hand up, fingers spread.
He jerked his hand to the side suddenly, and her hand
moved an inch toward the table. She looked at him steadily as she recovered,
then pressed his arm down in one smooth, easy motion, showing no signs of
strain.
“Not bad.” She said. “You lasted longer than some of
John’s marines.” She grinned at him.
“Showoff.” Tammy said as she came out of the kitchen.
“Does anyone want more wine? Or maybe something stronger?” She handed
“Come up to the gym tomorrow Steven. You can workout
and spar with us.” Sam said as she sat on the floor, crossing her legs under
her. “After weeks on that ship, it’ll do you good to work up a sweat.”
“I’d like that, Sam.”
“Samantha and Tammy are most vigorous when they
exercise.” Teyla said, holding out her hand and helping him to his feet.
“Perhaps something less strenuous until you work up to their level. I would not
advise sparring with them, however.”
“We won’t hurt him, Teyla.” Tammy said as she came
back into the room. She had a bottle of tequila in one hand, and a tray of
glasses in the other. She sat the tray down and started pouring shots, moving
from glass to glass.
She sat the bottle down and picked up two glasses,
handing one to Sam. She lifted her glass in salute, and tossed it back. Holding
out her hand, she smiled at Sam.
“Dance with me.” She said, helping her up, then
leading her out into an open space as their hands came together. She looked at
Teyla as she took her in her arms, leading as they began to dance slowly. “Why
don’t you show Steven the rest of the house, Teyla? He might enjoy some of the
views.”
“I’d like that.”
“Thank you, no.” She said. “I have had too much wine
as it is. Let me show you the view of the city. It is very beautiful at night.”
She led him across the room, and they disappeared through a doorway.
Interior-Living Room
2100 Hours
The lights were dimmed, and a slow jazz tune was
playing softly in the background. Sam had her arms draped loosely over Tammy’s
shoulders, while Tammy held her hips, guiding her through the steps of a samba.
Jennifer and John were dancing in place, her arms around his neck as she kissed
him passionately.
“Aren’t you going to dance with Vala, Daniel?” Andi
asked.
“I don’t dance.” Vala said. “Can we go home Daniel? I
want to do that too. But I want to be lying down so I can be comfortable.”
“Stay, Vala. Please?” Sam said, her forehead resting
on Tammy’s. “Tammy is a wonderful dancer. She can teach you if you want. It’s
fun.”
She glanced around, then looked back at Vala.
“What happened to Steven? He was here a minute ago.”
She said.
“Teyla wanted to show him the view of the city.” Andi
said with a smile.
“The only room with a view of the city is th....ohhhhhh.”
“Shut up and kiss me.” Tammy whispered.
“Yes maam.” Sam said, letting her lips brush over
hers.
Interior-Bedroom
2120 Hours
“Aaaaahhhhh.” Teyla moaned. She raised her head,
staring down between her legs. “N...no one has every done it like this before,
Steven! Ohhhhhh! Yesssssss!”
She had her hands on the back of his head as she
rocked her hips up his face. Her thick bush scrubbed his face as his tongue
lashed out, darting up inside her, then dragging up the length of her fur lined
slit. He was making loud slurping noises as he ate her out eagerly.
Her eyes rolled up in her head, and she gasped as her
orgasm burst over her. He began licking her even more furiously, his hands
sliding under her ass to lift her off the bed, drinking from her drooling pussy
like it was a hairy goblet.
Teyla let go of his head, and pawed at his back and
shoulders, trying to get him to move up over her.
“Please Steven! I need you in me!” She pleaded.
“Yeesssss! Take me, Steven!” She cried out happily,
her eyes wide, staring up into his as her heels dug into his asscheeks, urging,
then forcing him deeper inside her. She threw her arms around his neck,
writhing under him, her hips arching up at his again and again.
“Ohhhh god! Noooooo.”
“Yes, Steven! Yes! Fill me! Ohhhh...Ohhhh...yes!” She
moaned as he filled her with his seed.
His hips jerked as her thrust into her frantically,
whimpering into her neck. His body spasmed and he stiffened, the full length of
his shaft buried inside her.
“So good. Ohhhh, so so
good, Steven.” She whispered as she held him tightly again her. She stroked him
gently. “Shhhh, rest. That’s right. Let me feel you on me...in me...yes...”
She held him, caressing him and whispering to him
until he caught his breath and raised up over her. She took his face in her
hands and kissed him, then smiled.
“Roll over, Steven.” She said as she pushed him off
to one side.
She shrugged her dress off her shoulders, pushing it
aside, then laid her head on his chest, turning her face down, kissing his skin
gently. Her hand drifted between his legs. She cupped his balls, smiling as she
felt them beginning to swell slowly in her hand. She moved her hand up,
wrapping her hand around the head of his cock, working it in her fingers,
making him grunt and jerk.
Moving slowly down the length of his body, she
settled next to his leg, her head resting on his hip. She watched her hand work
lazily over the limp snake of his prick, then purred as she felt it start to
stiffen again under her fingers.
She slid over his leg, getting between them and
stretching out, her face inches from his loins. She inhaled the heady perfume
of their union, then lifted his cock, kissing it softly on the tip.
He raised up on his elbows. “I’ll last longer next
time.” He said as he looked down at her.
“Yes, you will.” She said as she took him into her
mouth, and began sucking lightly.
Interior-Living Room
2130 Hours
“Did you hear that?” Vala asked, looking around.
“Hear what?” Tammy asked, her hands moving slowly over
Sam’s hips as she moved her leg between hers and began rubbing it lightly up
and down.
“Mmmmmmmm.” Sam moaned, pressing herself harder
against Tammy’s firm thigh.
“No, that wasn’t it, it was louder, and higher
pitched.” Vala said. “I think it came from over there.” She pointed at the
doorway beside the porter.
“It’s the birds.” Tammy said, her hands moving down
to cup the cheeks of Sam’s ass, lifting her higher on her leg. “They fly around
the upper floors. That must have been their mating call you heard. Isn’t that
right, Andi.”
“Um, yes. that could have been the well filled
Athosian warbler. Their mating call can be quite loud. Or so I’ve heard.” Andi
said.
“If you say so.” Vala said, sitting back on the couch
with Daniel. “But I could have sworn that was Teyla in the bedroom with Col.
Caldwell.”
Interior-Living Room
2150 Hours
“Make love to me.” Sam whispered to Tammy as they
danced.
They were really just grinding against each other
now, as they swayed to the music.
“I am.” Tammy purred, her hands roaming over the firm
cheeks of Sam’s ass.
“Take me to bed.” Sam said softly, her fingers
playing with the buttons on Tammy’s vest. She slipped the highest button in and
out of it’s hole, then left it loose, moving down to the next one.
“I want it as bad as you do.” Tammy said, “But we
have guests.”
“They won’t care.”
Andi stood up from the couch. “Thank you for a
wonderful evening, Sam. but I think I’m going home. There’s a pipe downstairs
with my name on it.” She said. She turned to Vala and Daniel. “I have this nice
little Athosian herb called Tuumpor that’s very pleasant. Would you like to try
it?”
“Maybe tomorrow?” Vala said as she pulled Daniel to
his feet, then pulled him toward the porter. “Goodnight Samantha. We’ll see you
tomorrow.” She pushed
“Should I?” Andi said, nodding at Sheppard and
Keller. “They’ve been at it almost an hour. But then, so have you.” She shook
her head and walked toward the elevator.
“We’ll take care of it.” Tammy said as she released
Sam, pushing her away gently. “Go get naked.” She said softly as she opened the
buttons on her vest.
Sam ran into the bedroom and pulled her dress over
her head. She gathered up her clothes from the bed and took them into the
bathroom, stuffing them into the cleaner. She ran back into the bedroom, dove
onto the bed, grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her. She slid her hand down between
her body and the pillow, and started masturbating as she waited for Tammy.
Tammy walked over behind Sheppard, wrapping her arms
around his waist, and pressing her breasts into his back.
“Take her home, John. And spend the night making
slow, sweet love to her.” She whispered in his ear.
She ran her hand down over the front of his pants,
squeezing the thick shaft of his cock. “Mmmmmm, she wasn’t kidding. Sir John’s
packing a two handed broadsword.”
Jennifer pulled away, looking at her over his shoulder.
“Tammy...”
“Just telling him to go give you what you need Jenn,
and getting him ready for you.”
She stepped back, putting her hands on his shoulders.
She pushed him toward the elevator.
“Go. We’ll see you at breakfast in the morning. But
feel free to sleep in.” She told them.
She watched them walk to the elevator, then moved to
the doorway next to the porter. She stepped inside and smiled as she saw Teyla
straddling
“We’re going to bed Teyla.” she said, leaning against
the wall. “Stay the night. We’ll see you in the morning.”
Caldwell turned and looked at her, his eyes going
wide when he saw her standing bare breasted by the door. He smiled, then turned
back to Teyla, putting his hands on her hips and starting to stroke harder.
Teyla threw her head back, her hands coming up to cup
her breasts, squeezing them against her chest. She started riding him faster,
matching his pace. She rolled her head to the side and looked at Tammy.
“Th...thank you Ta...Tammy. Go...good...oh so good!”
She moaned, collapsing on
Tammy went back into the living room, slipping her
vest off and letting it fall to the floor behind her as she stepped into the
bedroom. She opened the button on her slacks, and they slipped down onto her
hips as she walked. The zipper loosened, and as she approached the bed, they
fell around her feet. She stepped out of them and slipped up into the bed,
moving on her elbows and knees.
Her hand brushed Sam’s leg, and she pushed it to one
side, rolling her over onto her back. Sam pushed the pillow away as she felt
Tammy moving between her legs. She reached down, wrapping her fingers in her
hair as she pulled her face against her loins.
“Mmmmm, what took you so long?” She purred.
Ends