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Training With SG-1 

Chapter 3

Daniel stood just outside his den, watching his wife for a moment. She was searching online for something… He stepped into the room. Casey didn’t seem to know he was anywhere near.

"Let’s see you deal with this, Jack," she mumbled under her breath.

He’d barely heard her comment. "Looking for something particular?" he asked innocently.

Three windows immediately clicked closed, and she took a breath before replying. "You could have let me know you were there," she said accusingly, while looking damned guilty herself.

He raised an eyebrow. "Just what are you up to?"

"Nothing."

"Uh huh."

"Seriously. Just a little research."

"About?"

Casey sighed. "Just something I was curious about." She tried to block the monitor with her body as she deftly ordered the computer to dump the cache. Then she pretended to 'accidentally' click the computer off. "Crap! Sorry about that."

Sneaky, Case, very sneaky, Daniel thought, watching as the computer rebooted. Now he wouldn't be able to reopen any of the tabs to see what she'd been looking at. A trick she'd picked up from him. Whenever he ordered anything online for her, whether for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, or 'just because', he always cleared the cache and restarted the computer. Otherwise, his computer adept wife would spoil the surprise. "Casey, what are you up to?"

She couldn't hold back the grin she'd been fighting. The information she'd located would make Jack’s head spin. Daniel's too, probably. And it was perfect. Just the way to get back at him for screwing up her plans. "Nothing you need to worry about."

Daniel studied his wife for a moment. Tried to recall any reason she would be unwilling to talk about her search. There wasn’t any reason for her to buy something for him and try to hide it. Her response to his question indicated research, not a purchase. So just what was she up to? In an almost visible flash, it came to him…she’d mentioned something earlier in the day about comeuppance for certain generals who screwed with her plans.

His little blonde hell-cat was still pissy over the rescheduled mission to The Land of Light, which had resulted in her missing a Minoan fertility ceremony she'd been very excited about witnessing. The mission had been rescheduled because of Jack, who'd managed to contract a bad case of poison ivy two days before the mission. The Tegerian 'cure' had made it necessary to reschedule the meeting a second time; the side affects had caused Jack to sport lovely purple skin, and such a strong 'scent' – which at least was perfum-y and not overly offensive – that it was impossible to be near him. Apparently what the general had endured, nor the purple iris she’d put in his office beside a lavender Care Bear, (that particular flower being part of Jack's explanation as to what had happened,) was enough 'payback' for her. "Should Jack be worried about it?" Daniel deadpanned.

She snorted softly. "Oh, probably."

"So what did you buy this time?"

Casey shook her blonde head. "Didn't buy anything."

"Okay."

"Just made a few inquiries with Google."

"I don't think I want to know," Daniel replied seriously.

"Probably not," Casey agreed, her smile even wider.

"What started this search?"

"Teal'c made a query about ducks. Seems he and Janet were feeding the ducks at Grant Park, you know that big pond where the ducks always gather to be fed?"

Daniel nodded. He and Casey had taken leftover or overripe fruit and veggies there a time or two themselves. His wife adamant that the usual ‘bread’ wasn’t good for the water fowl, and that she’d not be party to harming them.

"Well, he was asking Janet about ducks, she told him she didn’t know much about them, so they searched out information about ducks when they got home," Casey continued. "Did you know that female Mallards can prevent an 'undesirable' male from finding the right 'path' to impregnate her?"

"Can't say that I did," Daniel admitted, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Which sort of led to a discussion about sex in the animal kingdom. Did you know pigs can orgasm for an hour?"

"No, I didn't."

"An hour! Goddess, I'd probably keel over dead if I orgasmed that long, considering how intense my orgasms are."

He was openly grinning now. "Complaining?"

"No way!" Casey’s green eyes widened slightly. "I happen to love the way you make love to me."

"I’m pretty fond of the way you make love," he responded, reaching out to run his hand over her back. He smiled when her body arched toward his touch, just the way it always did.

"So, whatever you were looking up-"

"Was about the animal kingdom," Casey said firmly.

"And you're not going to tell me?"

"Why spoil the fun? You'll probably be there when I hit Jack with what I learned."

"Angel, I wouldn't miss it for the world," Daniel replied truthfully.

A A A A A A

Jack had just sat down with his cup of coffee when Casey breezed into the commissary, Daniel following close behind. He watched as she headed straight for the coffee urn. She and Daniel were coffee snobs of the first degree. But first thing in the morning, any caffeine would suffice. Which amused him to no end. "Mornin'," he said amiably, when Daniel dropped onto the chair on the other side of the table.

"Mornin'," Daniel replied. He watched with unmasked adoration as Casey made her way toward them, two mugs of steaming coffee in her hands. "Thanks, babe," he murmured when she handed one of the mugs to him. He blew gently across the top of the liquid before taking a quick sip.

Casey sat down, put her mug on the table in front of her, and crossed her arms. "So, Jack, how are you this morning?"

The tiny hairs on the back of his neck that always warned him of danger started to stand at attention. Jack eyed the young blonde. Radar was the most 'not-a-morning-person' he knew. Even Daniel managed to be more alert when they arrived than she was – and the archaeologist was normally barely awake when he walked into the SGC . Right now, Radar was far too chipper for his comfort. "Fine. Why?"

She smiled innocently. "Just wondering if you're fully recovered from our little adventure. Which we probably could have avoided if we'd been on P3X-797."

Brown eyes narrowed. "Where?"

"Land of Light," Daniel replied, trying desperately not to smile. Whatever Casey had found on the computer the night before, she was about to torment Jack with it.

"I thought you were over that," Jack sulked. It’s been over a week...how long is she going to be pissed about that?

"I have to wait an entire year, and then hope we can get back there for that fertility ceremony. It's supposed to be beautiful," Casey replied. "I'm pretty sure I mentioned that I wanted to see it before you sabotaged the meeting by getting poison ivy."

"Sabo-I didn't sabotage that mission! It was an accident!" Jack declared.

"So you say," Casey sniffed, just before taking a sip of her coffee.

"You said it was important that we helped Pedram…and he’s working to help us now," Jack pointed out.

"I’ll concede that point," Casey nodded affably.

"Besides, aren't you afraid that hanging around ceremonies like that could have…um…unexpected…consequences?" Jack asked. The last he'd heard, Daniel was so virile that Radar didn't dare miss a Depo shot. Could some alien ceremony screw around with her birth control? An unplanned pregnancy could totally screw around with the team dynamic! He was quite certain that during another conversation, almost identical to the one he was now engaged in, he had mentioned that same fact. He was also fairly certain said conversation had been held in the infirmary, when he’d been confined by an extreme case of poison ivy.

Casey barely bit back a giggle. She and Daniel had already discussed any possible repercussions, and they were both comfortable that the Depo shots would continue to protect her from an unwanted, surprise pregnancy. She gave a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders. "Not really."

"Well, maybe you should be. What with Daniel's 'super sperm'-" he smirked at Daniel, waiting for the archaeologist to make his usual, snarky reply.

"Don’t go there, Jack," Daniel growled. Ignored the fact that Jack’s smirk turned to a wide, victorious grin.

"I have faith in the Depo shots I’m taking," Casey said. She waited until Jack had his mug near his lips. "Did you know that a male dolphin can ejaculate sixteen times, during the same love making 'session'?"

Jack barely prevented his mug from dropping to the table. He reached for a napkin to wipe up the few drops that had spilled. How in the hell does that little blonde pain-in-the-butt manage to come up with half the stuff she does? Dolphin sex? "Say what?" he croaked, once the shock had passed.

"Yep, sixteen times. And, each time they ejaculate, they shoot out between fifty and one hundred and fifteen milliliters. That's um…between one and four ounces. Four ounces is a half a cup."

"I know how many ounces are in a cup," Jack growled.

"Well, not only are they full of it, they can shoot it between fifteen and twenty feet. That's because they ejaculate at 40psi," Casey said calmly, sipping her coffee. "I couldn't find psi for human males, but apparently you guys shoot off at about eleven miles per hour."

Jack stuttered for a moment, then turned dazed eyes to Daniel. "How does she know this stuff?"

Daniel shrugged. "She looked it up."

"Why?"

The archaeologist turned to his wife. "Why did you look that up?"

"Because I was curious. Didn't find too much about ducks," Casey replied. She smiled and took another sip of her coffee.

"Ducks?" Jack asked weakly, although he was certain he should probably just keep his mouth shut.

"Yeah, ducks. Teal'c and Janet went out to Grant Park to feed the ducks on Saturday."

"And this led you to look up dolphins and their…uh…" Jack weakly waved his hand in a small circle.

"The ejaculation specifications of a bottle-nosed dolphin?"

"Would you quit saying that!" Jack pleaded, his cheeks red.

"Quit saying what?" Casey asked innocently.

"You know," Jack replied.

"Oh…ejaculation?"

"Yes! Stop!"

"Why? It's a normal function of sexual activity, and-"

"Just stop," Jack begged.

"But-"

Daniel began to chuckle. "Have mercy on him, Angel."

Casey smiled at her husband. Then scowled at her CO…and friend. "Next year, I'd better be able to go to the Land of Light for that ceremony."

"I'll toss you through the 'gate myself," Jack promised. Hog-tied, if need be, he thought, just a tad irritated at being embarrassed by the slender seer.

"Ha ha."

"Are you finished?" Jack asked, one eyebrow raised slightly, his hand moving toward his mug.

"Did you know that pigs orgasm for an hour?"

"Radar!"

"What?"

"Knock it off!"

Casey began to laugh. "Now I’m finished."

"No info on chimpanzees or tigers or lizards?" Daniel asked, casting a glance at Jack, who was glaring at him now.

"Nope. Well, I do know that some snakes damned near strangle each other while they do the deed," the seer replied. "Strangled? Is that the right word? I mean, they're all wrapped around each other, head to head, tail to tail-"

"I will toss you, unarmed, through the 'gate if you don't stop," Jack threatened.

Green eyes twinkled with mirth. "I'm finished." Grinned when Jack rolled his eyes. "Seriously. I'm finished."

"You're sure?"

"Did I tell you about Mallard duck females?"

"Don't want to hear it."

"They can prevent-"

Jack reached across the table, and put his finger against her lips. "I do not want to hear it."

Sam walked up to the table, took in the expressions on the faces of her husband and friends, and burst into laughter. "Okay, what did I miss?"

"Well, I was just-" Casey started.

"Through the wormhole, Jackson. Unarmed," Jack warned.

Casey glanced at her mug and rose to her feet. "I need a refill. Come with me, and I'll tell you all about it." The two blondes walked away from the table, heads together. Casey was gesticulating with one hand. Sam's snort of laughter could be heard throughout the room.

"I'm serious about tossing her through the gate," Jack grumped.

Daniel chuckled. "I know. As long as you toss me through with her."

The older man took a deep breath. Then broke into a wide grin. "I don't know where the hell she gets some of her ideas, but damned if she can't hit a man and knock him down with just a couple of simple comments."

"Very true," Daniel agreed. "I honestly think this was just something spontaneous. I don't think it would have crossed her mind if Janet and Teal'c hadn't been discussing the ducks at Grant Park. Janet called last evening to get one of Casey’s vinaigrette dressing recipes, and they discussed Teal’c’s afternoon at the park. Janet told her about the conversation, and her curiosity got the best of her."

"And then she decided to torment me," Jack finished.

"Well, you gave her the perfect reason to be angry at you," Daniel pointed out.

"I swear to god, Daniel, I had no idea she was that interested in witnessing that ceremony. Hell, she'd probably have taken part if given half the chance," Jack said.

"No doubt," Daniel nodded. The thought made him grin again. Casey had a habit of throwing herself head-first into any situation that captured her attention. A ceremony celebrating life and fertility would be something that she’d enter into with absolute joy. An amazing woman, his wife. So eager to learn about other cultures and to experience those cultures as much as possible. Not unlike his own willingness to try new things and to learn about new societies. His curiosity drove him as much as hers drove her. Simpatico. We think alike, he thought happily.

"Doesn't that scare you?"

The archaeologist grinned. "Not really. She's on the Depo shots, and from what I understand, those shots are the strongest form of birth control available. Well, I think the patch, the one placed just under the skin, is just as strong," he amended.

"I didn't lead Sam into that poison ivy on purpose," Jack continued.

"You may have a hard time convincing Casey of that," Daniel chortled.

Another burst of laughter came from near the coffee urn. Sam glanced over her shoulder, and then began laughing harder.

"That's right, colonel, yuk it up," Jack muttered.

"Will Sam tease you about this?" Daniel asked.

"Without a doubt. Mercilessly. She’s as bad as Radar, sometimes. Makes me wonder why I married her," Jack grumbled.

Daniel chuckled. "Yeah, that would be the whole ‘love’ thing. You love her, she loves you…"

The lopsided grin that his friends were familiar with settled on Jack’s lips. "Yeah, that’s it."

Before Daniel could say more, Teal’c and Janet walked into the commissary. Teal’c headed directly for the table where he sat with Jack, while the petite doctor headed toward the table that held the coffee urn and mugs, in front of which two blondes were still laughing hysterically. Within seconds Janet was glancing over her shoulder and laughing as well.

When it was apparent that Teal’c was about to inquire if he or Space Monkey had any idea what was going on, Jack held up one hand. "Nope. Don’t ask. Not going to discuss it."

Daniel grinned. "Remind me to tell you later."

"I will do so," Teal’c agreed. "Are you aware that SG-1 has a meeting at eight hundred?" His attention was focused on Daniel.

"Haven’t been to my office yet," Daniel admitted. "What’s up? We’re not due to go on any missions this week."

"Remember last week when we all went to O’Malleys?" Jack asked "Sam got a text from Nyan while we were there."

"I remember," Daniel replied. He remembered Nyan well. It had been one of ‘those’ missions, where they’d barely escaped with their lives. They had met a young archaeologist and his assistant. They’d also met a group of people determined to keep the Stargate and the truth about their arrival on the planet a secret from the remainder of the population. The team had spent several hours in electrified cages, while Teal’c had been temporarily blinded and running for his life. Nyan had helped Teal’c, and the two of them had managed to free the rest of SG-1 from their captors.

Teal’c had been insistent that Nyan return to Earth with them. Daniel could fully understand the feeling of having nothing left, nothing to look forward to, nothing but heartache. Nyan had proven his people were wrong, although there was no doubt that those same people had either destroyed, or at least reburied the Stargate in an effort to prevent such information from leaking to the general public. What Nyan had witnessed, what he’d seen, combined with the young man’s insistence on truthfulness, would have seen him imprisoned at the very least, killed at the very worst. He’d had no other choice. Luckily Jack had understood the man’s dilemma, and Nyan had been brought back to the SGC, the team a little worse for wear, but alive and safe.

After the briefing had been finished, and General Hammond had received permission for Nyan to remain on Earth, it had been decided that he could be of assistance at area 51, with cataloguing and even examining the many artifacts returned to earth by the various SG teams. The last Daniel had heard, the Bedrosian was doing well.

"He asked to return to the SGC. Seems he’s interested in joining an SG team," Jack replied.

"Wow," Daniel said, taken off guard.

"We’ve already set precedents, first with Teal’c, then with Jonas," Jack continued.

"Both have proven to be invaluable," Daniel pointed out.

"I agree. Very valuable." He gave a nod of acknowledgement to Teal’c, which was returned in the Jaffa’s usual, regal way.

"So, we’re going to argue to let him come?" Daniel asked.

"No, we’re going to discuss his training for being on an SG team. He’s more than willing to undergo any training we deem necessary," Jack said.

"After what he’s been through, do you really think he needs to go through Ferretti’s boot camp?"

Jack frowned. "That’s one of the things we’re going to discuss. Apparently he’s learned how to handle a 9mil and a P90."

Daniel frowned as well. "Jonas didn’t go through boot camp, at least not that I’m aware."

"No, he didn’t. He worked with you for several months, and participated in our ‘training days’. We sent him out with half a dozen different teams, just to see what he was capable of. We weren’t going to put him on a team permanently until he’d proven he could handle it. Sending him through Ferretti’s ‘boot camp’ never came up," Jack admitted.

"I think being from another planet, another civilization, makes things a bit more ‘real’ for them than the average cadet coming in," Daniel said. "Ferretti’s ‘boot camp’ is more about making what seems like science fiction real than it is to make certain the cadets are up to par with weapons."

"Indeed, Daniel Jackson. While neither Jonas Quinn nor Nyan had dealt directly with the Goa’uld, they were both in situations that were life or death, as a result of knowing about the Chappa’ai. Both have behaved admirably under extreme pressure," Teal’c said.

Jack pointed at Teal’c. "Just what I was thinking, Big Guy."

Daniel gave a slight frown when he realized his wife and her friends were still standing and talking…and laughing…on the other side of the room. "Any idea which team he’d be assigned to?"

"Nope." Jack shrugged. "My guess is we’ll take him on a mission with us, just to see what he can do, and to give him an idea of what to expect. He knows us better than anyone else. Then, we can figure out where he’d fit in best."

"I have heard that Major Ferretti is interested in having Nyan on his team," Teal’c said casually.

"What? I just heard about this yesterday," Jack exclaimed. "How the hell does Ferretti know about it already?"

"I believe Walter Harriman may have mentioned it."

Jack’s eyes lit up. "I knew it! I knew he had a source somewhere near Hammond! There’s no other explanation for how he finds out about what’s going on around here." The general paused, his gaze stopping on Casey. "Well, there is one other way, and if she’s giving him tidbits, I’m gonna nail her ass to the wall."

Daniel snorted. "If she’s giving him ‘tidbits’, it’s to get first shot at making bets on his betting pools."

"How much has she won now, anyway?" Jack asked.

"I dunno, about five hundred total," was the response.

"We should ban her from betting. She has an inside line to info the rest of us don’t have." Jack snorted.

"Jack, it doesn’t work that way, and you know it. Everything Casey has won has been on the up and up. She doesn’t bet if she has even an inkling of how something might turn out."

Jack snorted again, obviously not convinced. He took a final sip of coffee. "It’s almost eight. We should head to the conference room."

Daniel finished off his coffee. "Right."

"Yo! Radar! Colonel! Conference room," Jack called across the room.

Janet fluttered her fingers in a wave, grabbed a mug of coffee, and headed for the door as well. She stopped long enough to blow a kiss toward Teal’c, then disappeared through the swinging doors.

"Napoleon isn’t going to join us?" Jack asked. The doctor had taken to sitting in during briefings with SG-1, after becoming an ‘unofficial’ member during a long, strange weekend filled with family members who seemed to have arrived from nowhere, all at once. Only when her duties prevented her from doing so did she miss a briefing. And, given that SG-1 was usually picked for the most dangerous missions, her input as a physician was often useful. It also helped her to anticipate the circumstances of the team’s return to the mountain facility.

"No," Teal’c replied. "Major Haines is scheduled to have foot surgery this morning. She wishes to be present for the procedure."

Casey scooted around two chairs and a table occupied by three Marines. Wrapped her hand around Daniel’s wrist. "What’s up?"

"An old friend is returning to the SGC," Daniel said. "Someone we met on a mission a few years back. He came to Earth with us because there wasn’t anything left on his planet for him."

"He helped us escape that planet," Sam added.

"Indeed. Without his assistance, we would be dead," Teal’c said.

"Can’t wait to meet him," Casey smiled.

Sam sidled up to Jack. "You know, one of these days, we’re going to have to visit Sea World."

Casey began to giggle. Sam’s chuckle filled the air as well.

"Through the ‘gate, Radar. Unarmed," Jack threatened again.

"Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure." Casey continued to giggle.

The team ambled into the conference room, coffee in hand, chuckling over the joke Sergeant Siler had told them in the elevator.

Nyan rose to his feet as the four people he’d not seen in nearly five years entered the room, behaving as he’d seen them do during his stay at the SGC.

"Nyan, it is good to see you," Teal’c said, reaching across the table to clasp the arm of the man who had saved his life.

"And you, Teal’c, it’s good to see you," Nyan replied, his smile as wide as the Jaffa’s. He turned to the others. "It’s good to see all of you."

Daniel was next to reach the alien archaeologist. "You did a fantastic job at Area 51. Your reports were outstanding."

"Thank you, Daniel," Nyan said. "I’m hoping you’ll have a place for me to work here at the SGC."

"You bet we do," Daniel grinned. He looked down when Casey tugged on his sleeve. "Nyan, I’d like you to meet my wife, Casey."

"Resident Seer," Casey smiled, shaking Nyan’s hand.

"I’ve heard incredible stories about you," Nyan admitted. "Although there were a few scientists in the crypt who don’t believe in psychics."

"Not many people do," the seer said.

"Nyan, glad to have you here," Jack said, taking his turn in shaking the Bedrosian’s hand.

"Thank you, Colonel O’Neill," Nyan said.

Sam chuckled. "It’s General O’Neill now," she said, greeting the team’s old friend. "I’m a Colonel now."

"That’s impressive," Nyan said. "Congratulations."

"I hear congratulations are in order for you as well," Jack said. "Welcome to the United States."

Nyan grinned again. "My friend Detrick thought it might help me get back here."

"Well, he was right," Daniel chuckled. "Although a certain Colonel Johnson certainly put up a fight to keep you."

A flush covered Nyan’s cheeks. "Colonel Johnson is a good man, he’s a well respected and equally liked leader."

Jack nodded. "I’ve met him. He’s one of the good guys."

"Well, we’re glad to have you here," Daniel said. "We have a full archaeology department now, and your skills will be most appreciated."

"I’d like to be on an SG team as well," Nyan said quietly.

"Already on the agenda," Jack assured him. "We’ll take you out on a mission, just to see what you might need to work on…weapons or hand to hand or some such thing."

"Major Ferretti of SG-3 has already requested that you be on his team," Sam told their friend.

The Bedrosian’s face lit up. "Really?"

"Really," Sam confirmed, a wide smile on her face.

General Hammond entered the room. "I see everyone is here. Let’s be seated, shall we?"

Everyone settled around the table. Nyan noticed the difference in the ‘usual’ seating arrangement that had been in place for the few days he’d been at the SGC; the colonel…general…and Daniel had sat on one side of the table, and Sam and Teal’c on the other. Now General O’Neill and Sam…Colonel Carter, were sitting side by side. And…holding hands? Daniel and his beautiful wife were holding hands…they were married, so that wasn’t unexpected. Teal’c sat on the other side of Colonel Carter, while he had chosen to sit next to Daniel. His eyes went back to Jack and Sam.

Teal’c noticed the glances that Nyan had given, the look of surprise on his face when O’Neill had so calmly wrapped his fingers around those of Samantha Carter. Of course he didn’t know! "O’Neill and Samantha Carter were recently wed," he said quietly.

"Oh! Congratulations!" Nyan said.

"Thank you," Sam said, blushing slightly.

Nyan’s eyes widened. "Wait…I thought that it was impossible for the two of you to be together!" He glanced at Teal’c. "When we were in that cave, and you were telling me about your team…your friends…"

"You told him about us?" Jack asked incredulously.

"I was trying to impress on Nyan the importance of saving the three of you. The reasons you should be released from the cages he believed you were being held in. I wanted him to know you as I did…do," Teal’c explained.

"Your devotion to them was what convinced me," Nyan admitted quietly. "Your determination to save them, in spite of the fact that you were blind…even though the logical part of me struggled against becoming involved, I couldn’t let you be captured as well, not knowing that it would doom all of you to permanent imprisonment, or death."

"Well, we’re still grateful that you helped us," Daniel said.

"Indeed," Teal’c agreed.

"As I’m grateful that you allowed me to come here," Nyan said. "But I was under the impression that relationships between military persons was frowned upon."

"It is," Jack said easily. "Thanks to Radar," he nodded at Casey, "those of us here at the SGC were given a bit of leniency. Because we’re literally on the front lines of a war, the brass decided that maybe easing up on some of the rules would be best for the morale around here."

"I see," Nyan replied.

General Hammond cleared his throat, a quiet sound that moved the meeting back to its intended agenda. "Nyan, we’re delighted to have you with us. Doctor Jackson tells me you were the architect of a tracking system that is managing of all of our finds."

"It was just logical," Nyan replied, a slight shrug of his shoulders.

Hammond bit back a smile. Just like all the other men and women involved in the Stargate program. No one seemed to believe their efforts or contributions were ‘special’. Each person was doing their job to the best of their ability. "I’m certain that you’ll be an asset to the Archaeology Department."

"Thank you, sir."

"Major Ferretti has requested that you be assigned to his team. I believe it would be advantageous to have you accompany SG-1 on a mission. You and the team have a working relationship, and they’ll be able to analyze any problems that might arise in any training you have," the general continued, unaware of the fact that he was repeating what the team had already discussed with their newest SGC member.

"I understand, sir," Nyan said.

The general held up a folder. "I’ve just received word from Bra’tac. Ba’al seems to be interested in a remote planet. He’s bragging of the fort he’s building there. It seems he’s well known for booby trapping anything he builds. Nevertheless, we need to know what he has, and what that fort’s capabilities are."

"Do we have the coordinates?" Sam asked.

Hammond nodded. "It’s designated P4N-469."

Sam frowned. "That’s a section of space we really haven’t investigated."

"Has a MALP been sent?" Jack asked.

"About an hour ago. If the planet is habitable, I’d like for SG-1 to leave immediately." Hammond turned his attention the their newly arrived SGC member. "Nyan, I’d like for you to accompany the team. This will give you a chance to learn what happens on missions.

"Yes, sir," Nyan replied.

"Let’s go see what the MALP is showing." General Hammond led the team to the control room. "Walter, are we getting telemetry from the MALP?"

"Yes, sir. Temperature, 22.3 Celsius. Atmosphere, 70 percent nitrogen, 23 percent oxygen, trace amounts of argon, neon, and carbon dioxide," Walter replied.

"A little higher concentration of oxygen," Sam mused.

"Is that good or bad?" Casey asked.

"It’s good…it’s close enough to Earth’s atmosphere that we shouldn’t have any problems," Sam replied.

"Nice, balmy 72 degrees as well," Jack noted. The forecast for Colorado Springs was upper 90s, typical August weather for the Colorado City.

"So the hike won’t be too bad," Casey mused.

"Maybe we could take those new ATVs," Jack said, looking hopefully at Sam.

Sam was busy looking at the images coming through from the MALP. "Sorry, sir. The ‘gate is sitting in the middle of a forest, or at least, that’s what it looks like. It would be difficult at best to maneuver the ATVs there, even though they are four-wheel drive."

Jack heaved a sigh. "Hiking it is, then."

Nyan was standing beside Teal’c. "Is this done for every mission?"

"Indeed. There are four MALPs in use. They are sent to each planet designation that has been selected by the computer. If necessary, drones are sent to fly over the area to give us further information."

The Bedrosian nodded his understanding.

"Well, the planet checks out," Hammond said. He turned to Casey. "Is there anything you can tell me about this planet?"

Casey closed her eyes for a moment. "Sorry, sir. Psychic radar is silent on this one. I’m not feeling anything bad, no warnings coming through."

Hammond nodded. "Very well. General O’Neill, this mission is approved. As always, should Casey sense anything amiss, come home immediately."

"Yes, sir," Jack replied. "Okay, team. Let’s go get geared up."

Ten minutes later SG-1, plus Nyan, were waiting at the bottom of the ramp. The ‘gate was already open. General Hammond was in the control booth. "SG-1, you have a go. Good luck, and Godspeed."

"That’s the word," Jack said. He gave a lazy salute toward the watching general, who smiled in return, then led his team up the ramp and through the event horizon.

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