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My Friend, Danny 

Daniel stood by the elevator on Level Eleven, unable to keep the grin from his face. He’d requested that the guards at the Level One security checkpoint call him when Doctors Loughlin and Watson had arrived. He’d received that phone call fifteen minutes earlier. No doubt Mike and Bernie were busy – filling out the additional temporary visitors’ forms that were required – when the guard had called him.

The doors of the elevator slid open, and he chuckled out loud. Mike and Bernie were both wide-eyed, and they hadn’t even seen anything other than the blast door on the first level, and the cavern that led to the most secret part of the facility. "Welcome to the SGC," Daniel greeted the two jovially. "Thanks, Airman, I’ll take over from here," he said to the young man who had accompanied the two newcomers.

"Yes, sir." The Airman nodded, pressed one of the buttons on the control panel, and the elevator door slid closed.

"Holy shit!" Mike breathed, his eyes going wider at the sight of the second security desk.

"Yeah, it gets better," Daniel said, his grin going all the wider.

"Not sure I can take much more," Bernie admitted. Her cheeks were pale, and she’d never admit aloud how absolutely out of place she was feeling…how awkward she had been feeling since she’d left the hotel.

An early morning call had them waiting in the lobby of the hotel, where an airman had picked them up. In a military jeep. The first stop had been at the ‘pass office’ as he’d called it, to pick up their temporary security passes. Then he’d driven the jeep to a large parking lot, and escorted them to a bus stop. The young man had been polite, and answered their questions regarding the security of the base.

Then…seeing that giant blast door had been overwhelming. Stepping through that huge ‘entry’ led them into what looked like a concrete bunker – with numerous security apparatuses – and three closed doors. The airman had opened one of the doors in that bunker with the swipe of some sort of card; and led them into a rough-hewn cavern. A literal boardwalk led over a dirt floor to a large cement pad where an impressive and very state-of-the-art security desk was located – manned by two uniformed men and two armed guards. After filling out yet more forms, they were led further into the cavern, to a tiled corridor. Two doors, across from each other and both closed, and an obvious elevator door, were all the corridor contained. The elevator itself was larger than what she was accustomed to. The ride itself seemed to last forever.

Bernie had been looking around, unaware that Daniel was watching her. She bit back a sigh when her eyes stopped on the heavily armed guards. A friggin’ secret military complex! I’m in a secret military complex! How in the name of Quetzalcoatl did I wind up here?

"Let’s get you introduced to General Hammond, then I’ll show you the ‘gate room, and the Stargate itself," Daniel said, leading his friends toward the security counter. He placed his hand on the reader, the light beneath his palm changed to from red to green, and the bar that prevented anyone from entering the narrow passage between the counter and the wall rose for him to pass.

"How the hell does this work?" Mike demanded to know, scrutinizing the screen that sat flush on the granite that topped the counter.

"You got a blood test during your introduction yesterday, right?" Unable to pick the pair up from the airport due to a totally unexpected flat tire after taking Casey to lunch, he had intended to meet up with his friends on their initial arrival to the NORAD base above the SGC; a day filled with back-to-back meetings and briefings had prevented him from doing so. The pair had already left for their hotel room by the time he and Casey had been able to get to the NORAD briefing room.

Bernie nodded. "Two vials. And about a thousand forms to sign."

"Yeah, the Air Force loves their paperwork," Daniel smiled. "Part of the reason for the blood test, besides giving the doctors in our medical facilities your blood type, and a sample to test for any hidden diseases, was for this device," he continued, waving toward the screen. "There are capillaries and veins near the surface of the palm of the hand. This device can read your ‘blood’ as easily as I can read a book. Apparently it also scans and remembers your palm print."

"That is some kind of impressive," Mike whistled softly. "Just a guess here, but…that’s not standard military equipment, is it?"

Daniel shook his head. "A gift from a civilization known as the Tegerians. I was able to negotiate a treaty with them. They’re far more advanced technologically than we are. Unlike other more advanced allies, they’re more willing to offer us their knowledge. When we explained the reason for our security, and the fact that a breach of our security could lead to planet-wide panic, they offered this. They use smaller versions of these for the vaults where they keep the most precious possessions of their people."

"Wow," Mike said, staring at the screen. He slowly reached out, put his hand on the glass. Watched with fascination as lights began to move beneath the surface, and then the entire screen turned green. Once again, the bar that blocked the narrow passageway went up.

Bernie followed suit, noting that there was absolutely no sensation at all when the lights moved beneath her palm…just the cool touch of the glass screen. "Do we have to do that every time we come down here?"

"Yep," Daniel confirmed. "You won’t be required to fill out paper work each time you arrive at the checkpoint topside; you’ll have your permanent pass, and that will be scanned. But this will be an every day thing."

"Tight security," Bernie murmured.

"For a very good reason," Daniel replied quietly.

Bernie nodded her understanding. She was grateful when Mike reached out and took her hand. She was feeling completely out of her depth, and not a little intimidated by the presence of so many weapons.

Daniel was leading the way to the elevator when the phone sitting on the desk beside one of the guards began to ring. They could hear the guard answering the call, then the murmur of a short conversation.

"Hey, Doctor Jackson!"

The archaeologist turned around. "Yes?"

"Mrs. J just called up, she said she’ll meet you in the General’s office."

"Thanks," Daniel responded, giving a wave to the guards who stood duty.

"They call Casey ‘Mrs. J’ around here?" Mike asked.

Daniel chuckled. "Yeah. Major Ferretti, you’ll meet him when you take your training trip to uh…your training mission, started it. Even though Casey has told him to call her by her first name, he refuses to do so. He thinks it would be disrespectful. So, all of the other Marines and Security personnel follow suit." Daniel paused, and frowned slightly. "Come to think of it, most of the military personnel around here call Casey ‘Mrs. J’."

Bernie took a last glance at the burly, heavily armed men. "That’s really rather sweet," she said, somewhat taken aback that military men would be so considerate. She was going to have to totally readjust her opinion of the military, she realized.

"We’ll be stopping on level twenty-seven, the ‘gate is on level twenty-eight," Daniel explained, punching the button marked ‘27’.

"What level do you work on?" Mike asked.

"Level eighteen has been designated the archaeological level. Sam and several other scientists have their labs and offices on Level nineteen. We’ve taken over levels thirteen, fourteen and fifteen for storage. I have a packet of information for you, it will explain what each level is used for," Daniel said. "Don’t worry about trying to figure it out all at once, it takes time."

"No doubt," Mike responded.

"For the first couple of days, I’m just going to let you wander level eighteen, you can watch or help, your choice. Tomorrow you’ll start your weapons and self-defense training. It’s not optional," he added, when Bernie raised a finger and opened her mouth. "If the SGC comes under attack, and it has, everyone in the facility needs to be able to help defend it."

"I’m not a soldier," Bernie responded, just a tad coldly.

"No, you’re not. But you might want to have a chat with Beth Meyers-Hammond," Daniel smiled. "She said the same thing when she first arrived. She’s now one of the best sharp-shooters we have!"

"Beth Meyers?" Mike asked, frowning slightly. "Doctor Bethany Meyers, expert on the Celts, both ancient and medieval?"

"That’s her," Daniel confirmed. The elevator had come to a stop, and the doors slid open. "This way."

Mike and Bernie exchanged a glance. They were aware that several prominent archaeologists and anthropologists had suddenly become ‘consultants’ for the military. They’d even heard rumors of scientists from several other disciplines also taking on a ‘consultant’ position for the military. Now they knew exactly where those ‘consultants’ were working.

Bernie took a deep breath. She’d met Doctor Meyers at a seminar. If she was working here, and she had – accepted – the need for… She shook her head mentally. Damned straight she was going to talk to Beth Meyers. She glanced at Daniel. Had he just said ‘Beth Meyers-Hammond’? The name plate above the door they were walking toward screamed out at her: Lieutenant General George Hammond. Seriously? Beth and this general?

Casey was leaning against the wall, just outside of General Hammond’s office. Her face lit up with a smile, her eyes locking on her husband as he approached.

"Think she even sees us?" Mike whispered to Bernie.

"Not yet," she replied, grinning back at him.

"Hey, Handsome!" Casey greeted her husband.

"Hey, Gorgeous."

Casey turned her attention to the two newest additions to the SGC family. "Welcome to the Rabbit Hole!"

"Rabbit Hole?" Bernie frowned.

"Alice in Wonderland," Casey explained. "Or maybe the Matrix…we have a lot of ‘what the hell’ moments around here that would qualify as beyond belief."

"Yeah, I can believe that," Mike said, glancing around nervously.

Casey tapped lightly on the door beside her. A gruff, "Enter" was heard through the wood. She opened the door and stuck her head in. "General Hammond? Are you busy, sir?"

"Casey! What can I do for you?" General Hammond asked warmly. He was, he thought, more than ready for any sort of interruption. If he had to sign one more request form in the next hour, he was going to retire!

"Doctors Mike Loughlin and Bernie Watson are here," Casey explained.

The general rose to his feet as the two newcomers nervously entered his office. It was difficult to keep the smile from his face. The pale faces and wide eyes were typical of any civilian who entered the SGC for the first time. Even trained military personnel were apt to be a bit wide-eyed for the first day or so. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Doctor Loughlin, Doctor Watson. From what Doctor Jackson has told me about you, I’m happy to welcome you to our facility."

Mike and Bernie exchanged uneasy glances. "Uh…tha…yeah…uh…thank you…uh…sir," Mike stuttered

"Yes…um…thank you," Bernie managed to say.

Hammond settled behind his desk. "By now your heads are probably spinning. Just keep in mind that the SGC is the first line of defense in a war that we’re determined to win. We may expect more from you than you’re accustomed, but I have no doubt you’ll fit in well."

"I’ll…er…we’ll do our best. Sir," Mike added, a bit apprehensively. As overwhelmed as he was, he still recognized that he was in a military installation, speaking with the man who was in charge of the entire facility. It seemed…appropriate…to acknowledge that fact.

The general smiled. "That’s all we can ask. Now, I know you want to see the reason for all of this, and then I’m sure Doctor Jackson is eager to get you started. If you have any questions or concerns, please know that my door is always open."

Bernie managed a smile. "Thank you. That’s very kind."

"Casey, I have two new MALP reports, if you have time to go over them now?" Hammond asked.

"I have plenty of time," Casey replied. She wiggled her fingers in a wave as Daniel led the two overwhelmed ‘newbies’ back into the corridor.

Feeling as if he’d entered a bizarre, gray maze, Mike followed his friend through what appeared to be a conference room, down a staircase, through a narrow corridor, then into a large room. The first thing he saw was a huge, round monument. "Stone?" he asked immediately.

"Naquadah," Daniel replied. "Not found on Earth."

"Holy shit!" Bernie breathed.

"I have a folder of information about the ‘gate for you to go through," Daniel informed them.

"So…that thing…you really…through a wormhole…to other planets?" Bernie managed to ask. She felt as if she couldn’t breathe. Instinctively she wrapped her hand around Mike’s wrist, holding tightly, as if he were her sole link to reality…and safety.

"Yep. You’ll be going through it in a few days to finish up your training." Daniel frowned, then shook his head. "That trip will finish up the formal part of your training. You’ll continue to practice hand-to-hand combat techniques, as well as maintain your weapons training."

"Daniel, I am not, nor will I ever, be a soldier," Bernie replied firmly.

"We’re not asking you to be," Daniel replied softly. "The training you’re going to receive is to keep you alive, both here at the SGC, and," he waved a hand toward the silent Stargate, "when you’re out there."

"If I refuse this…training?" Bernie pushed.

Daniel sighed. "You’ll be debriefed, and you’ll never come down here again. The Air Force will monitor you for the rest of your life."

"They’re going to monitor us now, aren’t they?" Mike asked.

Daniel nodded. "I’d like to say no, but chances are, yes, they’ll monitor you. What you’re seeing, what you’re learning about…as much as I’d love for it to go public-"

Bernie shook her head, remembering a conversation in a cave on a mountain side in Washington state. "The public isn’t ready for this."

"Not yet, anyway," Daniel agreed.

"But, someday," Mike said.

"Hopefully we’ll be able to tell the public about the Stargate, and the Stargate program, without it being exposed in a bad way," Daniel said.

Mike and Bernie both looked at the Stargate. They’d learned about the existence of the Stargate just over two years ago. Had struggled to believe it was real, when they bothered to think about it all. Now, looking at the very monument Daniel had told them about…

"Suddenly, I think I’ve very afraid," Bernie admitted softly.

Daniel offered a smile. "It can be scary," he conceded. "But it is so amazing…mind blowing. The good far outweighs the bad."

"Easy for you to say," Bernie retorted. "You’ve been doing this for what…seven years?"

"Something like that," Daniel murmured. It was, he realized, with a bit of surprise, closer to eight years. "Bernie, give it a few days. If you’re still uncomfortable, we’ll talk. If you want to quit, I won’t stop you."

The tall woman turned fully toward the Stargate. "I think," she said thoughtfully, "I just need a bit of time."

It was impossible to hold back his chuckle. "Everyone who comes down here needs time to wrap their minds around everything! Poor Beth, it was about three days after she arrived here that we had a ‘training day’. It made everything she’d been told a bit more ‘real’. I’ll let her tell you about it, but trust me, you’re not the first person to come down here, and want to go screaming back topside."

Bernie managed a weak smile. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Supposed to," Daniel grinned cheekily. "C’mon. Let’s go to level eighteen. You can meet the rest of ‘the crew’, as Casey calls them."

Both Mike and Bernie cast a final glance over their shoulders as they followed Daniel out of the ‘gate room. The huge device stood – silent and cryptic – as the two archaeologists dealt with their feelings of wonder…and fear.

During the elevator ride, Daniel explained that for the moment, four of the seven members of the archaeological ‘crew’ were assigned to SG teams. The others, he explained, went with whatever team was available to escort them to any planets that were deemed important enough, and safe enough, for further investigation after initial discovery.

"Will we be assigned to one of these…teams?" Bernie asked nervously.

Daniel shook his head. "No offense, Bernie, but I’d rather you just do regular archaeological work. SG teams are the first to investigate the planets the dialing systems can connect to. I’d rather not have civilians taking those risks."

"Excuse me, Doctor Jackson," Mike said, his hazel eyes twinkling. "You’re a civilian."

"And it’s by sheer luck that I didn’t get me or the rest of my team killed in the first year or so," Daniel replied. "It’s even luckier that Jack didn’t shoot me…I know he wanted to often enough."

"What about the others?" Bernie asked.

"Nyan, who is from a planet known by the inhabitants as Bedrosia, and Jonas, who’s from a planet and a country there known as Kelowna, are a bit more prepared for what’s out there."

Mike frowned. "You said four…who’s the fourth?"

"Casey."

"Duh. Should have known that," Mike muttered.

"I’m not saying that in the future, things might change, and all of the archaeologists here won’t be assigned to an SG team. For the moment, it’s not necessary, and not really something we want to do," Daniel explained.

"Don’t worry," Bernie said. "I have no intention of joining any teams!"

"Wait until you’ve been off-world a few times," Daniel teased. He opened the door to the commons room. He’d informed Beth the day before of the new arrivals, and his desire to introduce them to the ‘crew’. In what had to be some sort of minor miracle, everyone except for Casey was waiting for them.

Beth had been sitting at the table, working on a list of newly arrived finds, and stood up when Daniel and his friends entered. She glanced at Mike, then her face warmed with recognition when she looked at Bernie. She smiled. "Doctor Watson!"

Bernie’s return smile was automatic. "Doctor Meyers!"

The blush on Beth’s cheeks was endearing. "Meyers-Hammond, now," she confided.

One eyebrow went up. "Not the general here?" Bernie said.

Beth chuckled. "One in the same. George and I were just recently married."

"Congratulations," Bernie offered automatically.

Daniel cleared his throat.

Beth rolled her eyes, although she was still smiling. "Sorry, Daniel. Please, go ahead."

"You’ve been hanging around Casey way too much," Daniel grumped. The others in the room laughed jovially. "Everyone, this is Doctor Mike Loughlin. His field of interest and expertise is Native American tribes. And Doctor Bernie Watson. She’s studied several Polynesian societies, but her major was Central American cultures. She’s built a reputation as an expert on the Aztec civilization."

A flush covered Bernie’s cheeks. In that moment she realized that Daniel had either kept up with her career – which was highly doubtful – or more likely, he’d investigated her credentials before she’d arrived.

Various hellos were offered. Leanna Izett stood from where she’d been sitting on the couch, and introduced herself. "My thesis was on the Malaysian peoples of the Pacific Islands, but I’m really becoming interested in several of the South American civilizations."

"Which culture?" Bernie asked.

"The Inca, mostly," Leanna replied.

"They are fascinating," Bernie agreed.

Daniel pointed toward Adam Warnke. "Doctor Warnke is our resident expert on the Mongols. We could have used him a couple of years ago when we discovered a planet with a group of Mongols living there."

"I’ve read several of your papers," Mike said, offering his hand to the shorter man.

"Probably to help you sleep, right?" Doctor Warnke joked.

"Actually, I was searching for any connection that might have existed between the Mongols and those people who first came to the western United States," Mike replied. "I believe it’s possible the Mongols are direct antecedents of those who immigrated across the Bering Strait."

"Really? You know, I don’t think I’ve ever considered that there might be a connection," Warnke said.

"The Mongols made it all the way to the Pacific, I can’t see a little water stopping them," Mike said. He gave a start when Bernie poked him in the ribs. He smiled sheepishly.

Daniel grinned. "Those two gentlemen," he pointed to where Jonas and Nyan were sitting, "are our bona fide aliens. Jonas Quinn, and Nyan…uh...Nyan Smith."

"You’re human!" Bernie blurted. Her cheeks turned crimson.

Jonas smiled. "Most probably transplanted from Earth by a Goa’uld sometime in the distant past."

Nyan was nodding his head. "My discovery of the Stargate on my planet proved that my people hadn’t originated there. My government was determined to hide that fact from the people."

"Smith?" Mike asked, his eyes wide.

Nyan chuckled. "I needed a surname for my paperwork to become a US citizen. My CO at the Area 51 facility suggested ‘Smith’, as it’s such a common last name that it would be difficult for anyone to actually question any of my identification forms," he explained.

Mike nodded his understanding. "So you’re a citizen?"

Again Nyan nodded. "I thought it might help me get back here to the SGC. Don’t know if it did, but I’d like to think it at least gave my request a bit more consideration."

Turning to Jonas, Mike realized how young the man really was. "Are you a citizen as well?"

"No…not yet. I do plan to become a citizen, if only to be able to-" Jonas broke off quickly, his cheeks flushing red. He hadn’t even talked to Cassie about marriage, although it was certainly on his mind. He wasn’t going to say anything until he’d asked her, and she’d accepted his proposal.

Daniel looked at the young man, then down at the floor, trying to hide his smile. He’d known from talking to Janet during team lunches and breaks that Cassie and Jonas seemed to be getting serious. Obviously Jonas had at least been thinking about marriage. To give the young man time to gather his thoughts, and for the color to leave his cheeks, Daniel looked over at Bernie. He contemplated for a moment before speaking. "Beth, I’d like to you to talk to Bernie…and Mike, about the need for being trained to defend the SGC."

Beth chuckled. "A bit hesitant, are they?"

"A bit," Daniel replied.

"I’m not a soldier!" Bernie declared defensively.

"She sounds just like I did," Beth laughed. She crossed the room, and took the younger woman’s hand, then led her to the now empty sofa. "Please, sit down."

Bernie glanced at Mike, then Daniel, then situated herself beside the older woman.

"I felt exactly the same way you did. I abhor guns. I hate violence. Then one afternoon one of those hideous creatures managed to get her Jaffa into this facility. I’ve never been so afraid in my life," Beth said quietly. "Cam…Doctor Cameron Balinsky-" Beth turned her head for a moment, willing the tears that filled her eyes to go away.

Mike noticed that the mention of this doctor caused all of those in the room to lower their eyes.

"We…Cam was killed on a mission just a few months ago," Daniel said quietly. "He was a member of SG-12 at the time."

Beth nodded. "We have a weapons locker here on our level. Cam handed each of us a pistol, showed us where to hide…and we waited. If those Jaffa had made it to this level, it would have been up to us to get rid of them. Oh, the Marines and Security would no doubt have been on their way here…but in those seconds between the arrival of Jaffa, and our forces, we would have been on our own. I had come to understand, after a ‘training day’, just how real the war that we’re fighting is. I realized the day those Jaffa were running around my home turf that we are the very front line in a war the public knows nothing about. And if we want to keep the public safe and happy, we have to do our jobs better and smarter than the enemy. I still hate violence…I believe that most times there’s a diplomatic way to solve problems. I still abhor guns. But I see them as a tool I must use to help protect my home. So I’ve become as well trained in the use of those tools as possible."

Bernie stared at Beth for a moment. She could see the determination in the woman’s eyes. "I have to admit, all of this is scaring the bejeebers out of me."

Beth patted her companion’s hand. "Working here can be very scary at times. But wait until you’re settling into your sleeping bag on an alien planet, after a day of examining the ruins of some long forgotten civilization – one that has its roots right here on Earth – looking at a sky full of unfamiliar stars. Then all you can do is feel grateful Daniel talked you into coming here!"

Once again easy laughter moved around the room.

"No one, least of all General Hammond, expects us to be ‘military’. That’s what the Marines and Special Forces teams are for. But we have to be able to at least defend ourselves in a worst case scenario," Daniel said quietly. "You learned karate as a form of self defense for being on digs."

"True," Bernie acknowledged, only somewhat grudgingly.

"We’re just going to offer you training to further protect yourself…against bad guys who are definitely out to kill you."

Bernie looked from one face to the next. "Everyone has this training?"

"Yep. Every civilian in the facility," Daniel replied.

The willowy woman straightened her back. If she was going to be part of this strange…this terrifying…this amazing…world, then she had to play by the rules. If that meant training – she glanced at Beth – and if everyone else had that training, then she would be the best darned civilian ‘soldier’ this place had! "When do we start?"

Beth laughed. "Oh, Major Ferretti is going to love you!"

Mike had been watching and listening carefully. Although he hadn’t said anything, he hadn’t been any more willing than Bernie to be forced into some sort of ‘boot camp’. Even with what he had heard, he wondered if being armed was absolutely necessary. Was he supposed to carry a weapon along with his dig kit? He was an archaeologist! If he needed support or protection on a dig, he hired those more capable of doing the job, rather than trying to do so himself. Bernie had learned karate simply to keep the more amorous of guides and co-workers at bay.

"How about taking a look at some newly arrived artifacts?" Daniel suggested.

That’s what I’m here for, Mike thought. Archaeology…not security. Not to be a soldier. He was a scientist, first and foremost. He followed Daniel to another room, and found himself in more familiar territory.

Mike looked at the statuettes and the tablets on the work table. These were almost too familiar! "I thought these were from a…what did you call it? Being on another planet?"

"Off-world," Daniel offered.

"Yeah, that’s it," Mike nodded. "I thought you said these were from an off-world dig."

Daniel grinned. "They are." He reached out for the mission details folder that was on the edge of the table and opened it up. "From a place the dialing computer designated PRX-301."

"Which is where?" Mike asked.

"Beats the hell out of me. I’m sure Walter could tell you what constellation it’s in. He’s a gold mine of information of that sort," Daniel replied.

"These look suspiciously like ‘mother goddess’ figures," Mike said, picking up one of the stone statuettes. It was exactly like the figurines he’d seen during his studies. The head had carvings to represent elaborate braids. The breasts, belly, and thighs were exaggerated in size, and the labia precisely depicted.

"Yes, they do," Daniel agreed. "We’re still waiting on the carbon dating. See where a piece of the leg was broken off? It was still with the figure when she was found, it hadn’t completely separated. That happened when she was removed from the dirt she was buried in. So, we were able to send it off, rather than the entire figurine."

"This is…" Mike’s voice faded. He continued to examine the stone. The back of the figurine still bore the marks of carving. Those marks had been smoothed off the front of the stone. "Wow."

"We see things like this on a regular basis," Daniel said, fully understanding the overwhelming emotions Mike was dealing with. He’d dealt with them himself, the first time he’d stepped through the Stargate. Still felt those emotions when finding something unexpected on a planet far from Earth. "I wish I could say this is why we go through the ‘gate. But at least I can tell you that this has become a larger part of why we go through it."

Mike nodded his head. "Do you figure you…er…we…will we ever defeat these…uh…Goa’uld?"

"We will," Daniel declared. "We get a little closer to that victory every day."

"Then there’s hope that someday people will go through the Stargate specifically for things like this," Mike said, holding up the small figurine.

"Someday," Daniel agreed.

In the level eighteen storage room D, Bernie was finding her own sense of ‘Earth’ and ‘Alien’ being tested. "These are amazing artifacts," she gushed, running her fingers over a large stone relief. "It looks like the Aztec ‘Eagle Woman’. Ix Chel," she said excitedly. "I didn’t know that the archaeologists here did work on Earth as well."

Beth began to chuckle. She’d brought the younger woman to this storage room because of the Aztec-related artifacts that were currently stored there. "We don’t. These weren’t found on Earth."

Bernie’s eyes went wide. She opened her mouth, intending to ask just where else such a piece could possibly come from, the closed it again, not sure she was ready for the answer.

"The artifacts that appear to be Aztec are stored here," Beth said calmly. "They were gathered from three different planets. All three had ruins very much like what we’ve found in Mexico. All of them date within the same time frame as the artifacts located here."

Bernie shook her head slowly. "Aztecs on three other planets?"

"That we’re aware of," Beth confirmed. "Keep in mind that the Goa’uld were taking ‘their people’ far and wide just before Ra was kicked off earth by very angry and rebellious slaves. Daniel theorizes that these Goa’uld had been held in check by Ra, and realizing they could have free reign on other planets, decided to move their followers to places where they could be the most use; for mining, mostly. Gold, silver, gems, ores, naquadah-"

"Naquadah…that’s what the Stargate is made of, right?"

"That’s right. We’ve also learned that almost everything the Ancients built used naquadah in some form. Of course the Goa’uld need it to fuel and build their Pyramid ships," Beth explained.

"Are there any Aztecs still alive out there?" Bernie asked.

"I don’t know," Beth replied honestly. "It’s certainly possible. SG-1 encountered Salish people from Northwest Washington on another planet. Living peacefully, just as their ancestors had lived."

Bernie nodded again. "Daniel told us about that, when he told us about…" She looked around, waved her hand weakly in a circle.

"I know it’s a lot to wrap your mind around," Beth said gently. "I won’t lie to you, there are times I wish I could go running home and never have to hear about the Stargate again. That’s usually when George is refusing to come home because a team is overdue. Overdue and no communication usually means trouble. Captured by a Goa’uld trouble," the older woman confided.

"How do you deal with all of this?"

Beth’s smile lit her face. "Because the chance to see ruins that aren’t as badly damaged or eroded as those here on Earth is incredible. Because going to another planet, finding signs of occupation by a civilization long gone from Earth is absolutely…well, mind-bending."

"Have you found evidence of aliens?"

This time Beth chuckled out loud. "Well, there are the Asgard-"

"Wait…Asgard, as in the Norse gods?" Bernie asked, wide-eyed.

"The very same."

Bernie frowned. "I’m pretty sure Daniel mentioned them, in Wenepo. But I don’t remember him going into much detail about them."

"He was probably too excited about the Salish, and what he’d found there," Beth said.

The frown faded, and a knowing smile replaced it. "I can believe that."

"Well – and this happened early on…I think it was during the second year or so of the program – SG-1 discovered a group of Vikings."

"Vikings?" Bernie’s eyes went wide.

"Yep…honest to goodness Vikings. Apparently the Asgard had moved them to the planet in an attempt to protect them. Daniel hasn’t been able to determine why and Thor hasn’t been the most forthcoming on the issue. The descriptions of the ancient Viking gods are actually based on the holographic projections the Asgard used. Then, General O’Neill’s life was saved by the Asgard. Every story you’ve heard about ‘the Grays’, seems to stem from actual interactions between the Asgard and humans," Beth continued. "Just over a year ago, SG-1 discovered another group of Vikings on a different planet. Their society had been changed a bit, and that was due to a run-in with the Goa’uld. There are the Tollan, a very advance civilization. It seems they can build their own Stargates."

Bernie’s eyes went wide. "Wow!"

Beth nodded. "George gets frustrated with them. We do have a treaty with the Tollans, but while they’re always eager to take any naquadah we can offer, they’re not very keen on giving us much in return. Apparently a bad experience with helping a younger, less advance race has made them almost xenophobic. They’re open to negotiations, but I’ve heard Daniel say he can negotiate with the wall and get more out of the meeting."

"Sounds frustrating," Bernie chuckled.

"That could be the reason that there haven’t been any real ‘negotiations’ with them in some time," Beth grinned. "Let’s see…there are the Nox, every bit as powerful as the Asgard, and the Tollan, if not more so, but absolutely pacifist in their beliefs. Because of their appearance, and the way the majority of them choose to live, Colonel O’Neil refers to them as ‘little forest gnomes’."

Bernie chuckled, remembering the older man’s sense of humor and irreverence.

"The Nox are even less interested in any sort of treaties with the Tau’ri than the Tollan. We do have a treaty with them, but Daniel said it’s little more than the Nox acknowledging our existence."

"How kind of them," Bernie said.

Beth laughed. "They really are an interesting civilization, however. There are at least fifty planets where the SG teams have discovered people who have their roots right here on good old planet Earth."

Bernie looked around the room, at the artifacts that looked so much like those she’d seen in Central America. "How many people were taken from Earth, civilizations we’ve either never heard of, or we’ve not discovered yet?"

"That, my dear, is a very interesting question. One of the biggest mysteries is how so many ‘modern’ cultures managed to be spirited away from the planet. The Goa’uld were tossed out, as Daniel refers to their banishment from Earth, at least ten thousand years ago."

Bernie contemplated this new piece of information. "That’s thousands of years before any real ‘civilization’ that we know about came into existence."

"Exactly. We know the Goa’uld were taking humans from Earth while they were in control here. What we don’t know, is how these ancient, primitive people managed to develop out there," she pointed toward the ceiling, "in the same way they did here."

"I’m not sure that would actually be possible," Bernie replied, frowning slightly.

"There’s also the chance, and I personally believe it to be a more correct theory, that the Asgard moved people from here to various planets in an attempt to make certain that humanity was never completely eradicated by the Goa’uld," Beth replied. "It would make sense, as we know that the Asgard have been studying Earth and humans for almost as long, or perhaps longer, than the Goa’uld were here."

Bernie was stunned. "That’s…wow… So how many different cultures are out there? Will we find every civilization that’s ever existed here on some planet or another out there?"

Beth smiled. "I’m hoping that we’ll be able to answer those questions someday." She glanced at her watch. "It’s nearly eleven-thirty. That’s lunch time around here."

Bernie gave a quizzical look.

"The military personnel have to be here for ‘quarters’ at seven a.m.," Beth explained. "By eleven-thirty, they’re starving."

"Oh, okay. I am a bit hungry. I was too nervous to eat breakfast," the younger archaeologist admitted.

"Let’s get you fed," Beth lead the way into the corridor. "You’ll hear a lot of folks around here complaining about the food. That’s more of a military habit than an actual indictment of the food offered. Once in awhile Major Whitman hits a sour note with something. But for the most part, the commissary has a very nice selection of good food."

"That’s good to know," Bernie murmured. "It’s like a cafeteria, right?"

Beth nodded. "From what I’ve learned, most bases charge for their commissary. Modest prices, but still, payment is required. Here at the SGC, we don’t have to worry about that. Although we do all try to put a bit into the ‘tip jar’. That money goes toward any celebrations or parties that the general holds."

Parties? On a military base? Bernie shook her head mentally. She’d never thought that those words could ever be used together. Her knowledge of the military, she admitted, was sorely limited. What she did know…well, what she had assumed she knew, apparently needed to be totally re-examined…and adjusted to reality.

He moved with the confidence of a trusted advisor through the corridors of the ship. His heart pounded against his ribs. The fear of being discovered was never far from his thoughts.

The Goa’uld sitting on the throne in the pel’tac nodded in acknowledgement of his arrival. "Have you contacted Amaterasu?"

He bowed slightly. "Yes, my Lord. She was indifferent to your request."

"I see."

"I insisted that meeting with you would be most beneficial to her."

The Goa’uld smiled, although the action held no warmth. "Very good."

"She will allow your ship to enter orbit above her home world. She has agreed to speak to you, although not in person."

With a wave of his hand, the Goa’uld signaled his disregard of his enemy’s unwillingness to hold an audience with him. He would deal with that particular problem personally, as soon as his ship was in orbit above the one planet where Amaterasu felt the safest. Another smile, this one cruel. He would be the one to prove to her that her place in the Goa’uld hierarchy was much lower than she believed. And that his…benevolence…was all that would see her survive the coming months. Once again he had plans. Experience had taught him bitter lessons. Lessons that he had learned, and embraced. When he was ready to take the First World, there would be no hesitation. No warning. He would attack, he would conquer, and he would become the greatest Goa’uld in the empire.

Casey was working on level fourteen, taking inventory of the numerous boxes and crates, when Mike and Bernie wandered in. She glanced up, and gave the two a smile. "Learning your way around?"

Mike snorted. "Not even with a map. This place is like a maze!"

"That it is," Casey agreed. "Just keep in mind that this was a missile silo, and that the offices and storerooms we use now were dug out just before the Stargate was brought in. It’s sort of like a boxy circle around the silo. Well, silos. There’s nothing above or below the room where the ring transport is…it was a silo for a smaller missile. Which works well, we don’t have to worry about anything being sliced, diced, or crushed when we use the rings."

"Uh…’rings’?" Bernie asked.

"Oh, yeah…sorry. You don’t know about the rings." Casey paused, and frowned slightly. "I have no clue how they work, you’d have to ask Sam about that. But the ring transport can be used to move from here to either of the ships in orbit."

"Oh," Bernie said. Then her eyes widened. "What? Did you just say…ships?"

Casey grinned. "Yep. Two gen-u-wine space ships, as Ferretti calls them. The Prometheus and the Daedalus. They’re amazing. War ships that are also equipped to do serious scientific studies, and ferry teams back and forth to planets that don’t have ‘gates."

"We have spaceships?" Mike gulped.

"Yes, we do," Casey laughed. "With luck we’ll have another one soon. And, those spaceships each carry a fleet of twenty fighter ships."

"Wow," Bernie breathed.

"Thank goodness we have them," Casey said, all traces of her smile gone. "If things go to hell, those ships will help defend this planet."

"It’s almost too much to take in," Mike admitted.

"Give yourself some time," the seer replied gently. "And remember this: even the men and women who have been part of the SGC from its inception still have days when what they know…what they’ve seen and done…is almost more than they can wrap their minds around. I guess…" She took a deep breath. "I guess we’ve all learned how to compartmentalize things in our minds. It’s the only way to deal with some of the things we’ve experienced. And…there’s as much beauty out there as there is danger."

Mike and Bernie exchanged nervous glances.

"Come with me. There’s something I want to show you," Casey said, her voice soft.

The overwhelmed archaeologists followed their young guide. Watched silently as she called for the elevator. Then stepped in beside her when the lift arrived.

"Tiesha Taylor…Lieutenant Tiesha Taylor," Casey corrected herself as she pressed the button on the panel for the level she wanted, "is an amazing artist and photographer. She takes her own cameral with her on missions, which is really kind of a risky thing to do, but…" the slender seer shrugged her shoulders. "I’m glad she does. She was showing me some of the photos she’s taken. They were so…breathtaking…that I talked to General Hammond about having Tiesha make posters out of them."

"Where are we going?" Mike asked.

"Level twenty-four," Casey replied. "The transporter ring room is there. So is the-" Her breath caught in her throat. "The Memorial Room is on that level as well," she said softly.

"Memorial Room?"

"Where we honor and remember the best of the best, and acknowledge their sacrifices," was the subdued reply.

Again, the two archaeologists exchanged glances.

"There are also classrooms on that level," Casey explained. "Those rooms, and the corridor that leads to them, are where those amazing posters are hanging. It reminds us of the beauty that’s out there."

Mike and Bernie followed the slender seer off the elevator. The corridor turned rather abruptly just a few feet from the doors. Both archaeologists gasped out loud.

The walls of the corridor in which they now found themselves were lined with dozens of framed, poster-sized photographs. Some were of night skies, although several of those star filled skies also had the arcs of nearby planets that filled part of the scene. Others were pastoral in nature; once again, however, there were tell-tale signs that not one of those peaceful valleys, or majestic mountains, or grassy plains were on planet Earth.

"I’ve actually been to this planet," Casey said, stopping in front of one of the photos. "As beautiful as this is, you can’t get the feeling of absolute wonder that it inspires. Looking up and seeing those two planets above your head in that light pink sky, listening to the breezes blow through trees with leaves so red they look as if they’ve been painted, it’s-" She broke off, and shook her head. "There just aren’t words to describe the beauty. The wonder."

"Did you find anything there?" Mike asked, as he examined the photo.

"A very old village. Rather a large one, too," Casey replied. "Daniel theorized that the inhabitants had been taken from somewhere on the eastern side of Africa. Probably from several different cultures. There were indications that at least three distinct groups lived together in the village."

"Taken from Earth by these Goa’uld?" Bernie asked.

Casey nodded. "To be honest, it’s a wonder there were enough humans left to populate the planet, given how many were taken away."

"Why were they taken?" Bernie had turned and was looking at a valley that reminded her very much of the valley she and Mike had encountered during a hike on one of the many Mount Rainer trails.

"For slave labor. For harvesting," Casey said softly.

"Harvesting? You mean they harvested crops?" Mike asked.

Lowering her gaze for a moment, struggling to keep her emotions under control, because thinking about what the Goa’uld did to their human captives enraged and abhorred her, she shook her head. "They harvest the strongest, the smartest, the most…beautiful. As hosts."

"Hosts?" Bernie frowned.

"Goa’uld are symbiotes. They inhabit a human body. The worst part is, that human is alive and aware. They’re just unable to control their body in any way," Casey explained. She wouldn’t say that Daniel had first hand knowledge of that particular terror. If he wanted his friends to know, he could tell them.

"Damn!" Mike hissed.

"The Goa’uld are determined to defeat us, to defeat the humans on planet Earth. We fought off their yoke of slavery about ten thousand years ago or so. They’ve been pissy about that ever since." Casey grinned broadly. "Of course, with SG teams going out there and upsetting the status quo, freeing planet after planet, people after people from Goa’uld tyranny…yeah, they’re getting even more pissed off at us."

Mike and Bernie couldn’t help but smile that the seer’s glee.

"Suddenly, I have this feeling that fighting these damned things is the most important work I could ever do," Mike said somberly.

Casey smiled warmly at him. "It’ll be in the top five, at least,"

"You mentioned a Memorial Room?" Bernie asked. Neither she nor Mike missed the slight paling of Casey’s cheeks.

"This way," was the soft response.

While the room was the same gray as the rest of the facility, and pipes ran across the ceiling and down one corner of the room, it was most definitely a Memorial room. Two large, standing floral arrangements stood in the corners of the room opposite of the door. The newcomers would later learn that one of the Operations Officer’s duties was to see that new arrangements were brought in every few days. The wilted flowers and greenery were composted near one of the warehouses that the Air Force owned. A dozen chairs were arranged in three rows in the middle of the room. In front of those chairs was a table, on which half a dozen votive candles were lit. A box held an assortment of the small candles, waiting to be used. On the walls were framed photographs of smiling faces. Some were professional photos, others were snapshots taken by friends. Notes, flowers, and cards were tucked around each frame.

"These are the heroes who have died for this planet," Casey said softly. Her gaze stopped on the smiling face of Cam Balinsky, and she fought back the gasp of pain that shot through her.

"And the number we lose has dropped to almost nil, thanks to a certain beautiful seer," a voice said from the doorway.

The room’s three occupants turned to see Daniel standing there, hands in his pockets. He noted Casey’s raised eyebrow and shrugged. "Johnson said he saw the three of you heading this way."

"I just wanted Mike and Bernie to see the beauty that’s out there," Casey said. "Tiesha’s photos were the best way to do that."

"I agree," Daniel nodded. "I realize this is overwhelming. Give yourself some time." He was unknowingly echoing his wife’s words. Wouldn’t have been surprised if he had known; they were simpatico…they thought alike. "When you start feeling scared, or frustrated, come down here and just walk the corridors. Look at the photos. Have you seen the photos of the villagers?"

"We hadn’t gotten to that part of the corridor," Casey admitted.

Daniel led the way back toward the elevator, and then further down another long hallway. The photos changed as they turned into the adjoining corridor. Smiling faces, sometimes an individual, sometimes one or two people, three looked to be of entire villages. "These are people we’ve helped. People we’ve taught new farming techniques. Or they’re allowing us to mine on their planet. People who are now free from the Goa’uld, people who are relearning who they are, and becoming the society they were meant to be."

One of the photos was of an old man – his face so wrinkled that his eyes were barely visible, although there was no way to miss his smile – surrounded by half a dozen children, their faces alight with joy. "Who are they?" Bernie asked.

Casey smiled. "Villagers that one of our SG teams helped save. They were hunted by these huge beasts…sort of like a cross between a bear and lion."

"Sounds nasty," Bernie shuddered.

"From what we heard, they were," Daniel agreed. "Casey had a download-" he grinned at the confused look that filled the eyes of his two friends. "Casey had a download while we were examining those caves."

"I remember," Bernie said, nodding. She could still remember the reactions of Daniel’s ‘team’ when his wife had begun babbling, and crying. Seeing what no one else could see.

"Just how does that work?" Mike asked. He was also recalling a warm autumn day on what became the oddest dig on which he’d ever been. He’d been curious then, but what the…seer…had ‘seen’, what she had told them, had changed everything about that ‘simple dig’.

"I get info just dumped into my head," Casey explained. "Sometimes it’s just like looking at photos. Sometimes it’s like a short video. Sometimes there are sounds or smells involved as well. I just call them downloads."

"Gotcha," Mike nodded his understanding.

"Anyway, Casey saw what was happening to these people when she went through the MALP reports for the planet. She told General Hammond to send a team through with, what did you suggest, elephant guns?" Daniel asked, grinning at his wife.

"I suggested elephant guns and bazookas. I think they took a couple of grenade launchers as well. Those came in handy," Casey smiled. "The team used them to blow up the dens those things were living in."

"This is a photo that one of the team members took during the celebration that occurred after those damned things were wiped out…well, wiped out in the area where these people lived. The team stayed for a full week, using a UAV to scan the area for a couple of hundred miles around the village, to make certain none of those things were left close enough to continue hunting them. The team also left a radio and instructions on how to contact us if the villagers need our help at any time," Daniel explained.

"We’re doing more out there than just fighting the Goa’uld," Casey pointed out quietly.

Daniel checked his watch. "Are you hungry by any chance?"

"Now that you mention it, yes. Why?" Bernie asked.

"It’s nearly five. How about Casey and I take you to dinner, then we can take you to your hotel," Daniel replied.

"Sounds nice," Bernie sighed.

Casey linked her arm with the willowy archaeologist’s. "Do you like Mexican food?"

"Yes, I do." Bernie replied.

"Me, too," Mike added playfully.

"Good," Casey said, tossing a mischievous glance over her shoulder. "We’ll take you to José Muldoon’s. They have the best Mexican food in the area."

"That’s an interesting name," Mike noted.

"That it is," Daniel agreed. He led the way to the elevator.

Casey looked at the two newcomers, and gave them a smile. "You just survived your first day at the SGC. As official members. Congratulations."

Bernie smiled in return. "Thanks."

"We’ll celebrate when you’ve survived a full two weeks." Green eyes twinkled with mirth.

"Should we be nervous about this?" Mike asked.

"Ask me that in two weeks," Daniel said, his blue eyes twinkling as well. "If you’re still speaking to me, that is."

In spite of any trepidation the two might have felt, Bernie and Mike managed to chuckle at the obvious teasing. They had survived the first day in a world that very few people knew even existed. The next few days would challenge them in ways they had never dreamed.

It was just after eleven p.m. when Bernie crawled into the hotel bed beside Mike, her hair still damp from her shower.

"So…" Mike started. He reached up an pushed her hair behind her shoulder. "Think we made a mistake?"

Bernie smiled, then snuggled down beside her lover. "I’m not sure yet. It’s all so…so…" She shook her head.

"Yeah. I know what you mean." He shifted slightly, got his arm around her shoulders and held her close to his side. "When Daniel walked down there the first time, he already knew. I mean, maybe he didn’t know for certain, but he suspected. He knew what he’d found."

"I saw the photos he took of that temple in Giza," Bernie said softly.

"He showed them to you?"

"No. Beth Meyers…er…Beth Myers-Hammond showed them to me. She said she wasn’t an expert in Egyptology, but even to her untrained eyes, there was something significant about those hieroglyphs. I’m not trained to read Egyptian hieroglyphs either." She frowned, then took a deep breath. "Mike, there was no other way to explain those glyphs. Over a dozen of them showed some sort of…craft…vehicle…ship…whatever. No other way to interpret those markings. And it showed them above the pyramids, and then on the pyramids. There were dozens of photos, taken all around those glyphs. My guess is that Daniel found the entire story right there. Maybe not about the Goa’uld in particular, but that beings from another world, another planet, came to Earth."

"How come no one else ever found them?" Mike asked, more of himself than his companion.

"It’s an obscure little temple. No one thought it was anything of value," Bernie replied quietly. "You want to know something absolutely disgusting?"

"What?"

"Beth said she has a friend who is an Egyptologist. Not long after she started working at the SGC, she asked her to go to that temple, to look for those glyphs. The entire temple has been destroyed. It’s just a pile of rubble. Beth said she’d bet a years pay and her doctorate that the stones with those glyphs have disappeared."

"Damn!" Mike hissed. "Does Daniel know?"

"Beth said she didn’t know if he was aware of the destruction or not, and she didn’t have the heart to tell him. Her guess is that someone decided to take a look at what he claimed to have found, decided that there was no way that the entire Egyptology discipline could be ‘shamed’ into admitting that the ‘crazy guy’ was right. Nor would anyone in the academic world nor the political world want to admit that we had proof of aliens, and proof they’d been here. So, rather than make that admission, or even try to spin what had found into something else, the proof was destroyed." Bernie heaved a sigh. "It’s not right."

"No," Mike agreed, "it’s not right. And there’s a chance it wasn’t anyone from academia. My guess is that someone from the government, and I’m betting the US government, understood that what one Doctor Daniel Jackson had found could be a severe liability to them. Particularly if word about the Stargate ever leaked out, or another scientist declared finding the same thing as the ‘disgraced Doctor Jackson’…it could bring the whole secret base thing down. I’m betting that it was destroyed on some politician’s order."

"No doubt. I hate politicians."

Mike chuckled. "So do I."

"We should get some sleep. Who knows what we’re going to face tomorrow."

"Right. Do you think we’ve made a mistake?" he asked again, softly.

"I’ll give you an answer when my head stops spinning," Bernie replied.

"Right. Maybe my head will stop spinning long enough for me to figure it out on my own."

Bernie snorted. "I have the feeling it’s going to be awhile before the spinning stops."

"I was afraid you were going to say that."

"Night, honey. Love you."

"Love you, too, Berns. Night."

Neither fell asleep right away. Events of the day, the things they’d seen, all continued to replay over and over. Dreams were filled with images of far away, distant worlds.

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