SG-1/SGA Crossover, No Place Like Home, Chapter 3
No Place Like Home
Chapter 3
See Chapter 1 for summary and disclaimer.
The SGC commissary was pretty full when Cameron Mitchell got in for breakfast. Looking around for a place to sit, he spotted Vala waving at him. She was sitting at a corner table with Daniel, Teyla, Rodney and Sheppard. As he walked over with his tray, Rodney got up.
"Morning, McKay," Mitchell said.
"I need to be in the lab," Rodney said, passing Mitchell with a distracted hand gesture to acknowledge the greeting.
"Don't talk with your mouth full!" Sheppard called after him. McKay ignored him completely, hurrying out of the room, nose already buried in his PDA.
Mitchell sat down at the space Rodney had just vacated. "Hey, guys."
"Allow me to remove that, Colonel Mitchell," Teyla said, with a grimace of apology, picking up Rodney's empty tray and placing it on top of her own.
"Thanks. Please, call me Cameron," he said, with a smile. He looked over at Jackson, who appeared to be his usual early morning self - looking sleepy and nursing an enormous cup of coffee.
"Mornin', sunshine," Mitchell said, grinning. "So, you made any progress with your translations?"
"Yes, actually," Daniel said, "I think we may have cracked the code. Having live access to the information in the Atlantis database was useful. It's going much quicker than I expected."
"Really? We talking solid leads here, by any chance?" The SG-1 leader looked hopeful.
"There's a good chance we'll have something soon," said Daniel, fending off Vala's attempt to steal one of his muffins.
"Is this about the data retrieved from that research lab you discovered?" Sheppard asked, referring to the joint briefing he'd participated in with the other SG team leaders the previous week.
One of the successes from SG-1's mission aboard the Odyssey had been uncovering the remains of a joint Asgard-Ancient research facility in the Ida galaxy. Doctor Jackson had originally found a reference to the location in the Asgard core database that had been downloaded to the Odyssey before the destruction of Orilla.
"Yes, it's been a fascinating exercise, trying to decrypt the information. Apparently, the Asgards and Ancients were surprised by a Replicator attack and forced to abandon the facility. They did program a last minute self destruct to wipe out all their records, but they also had a fail-safe in case anything went wrong; they encrypted all their data using both Asgard and Ancient codes. As it turned out, the self destruct did wipe out all the physical research, but an underground archival facility was left partially intact. The Replicators didn't find the archives, from what we can tell, and we managed to recover several data storage crystals," Daniel explained.
"These Asgard, they were of the same race as the people who abducted Rodney and yourself on your visit to Atlantis last year, were they not?" Teyla asked.
"Well, yes and no: they were of the same species, certainly," Daniel said. "We've barely scratched the surface of the information in the Asgard core in the Odyssey, but from what we've pieced together, it seems the Asgard we encountered in the Pegasus Galaxy were a break-away group who were exiled from the mainstream because of political and ethical differences. One of the things they apparently disagreed on was the issue of using live human subjects in their experiments."
"The guys we knew - much nicer bunch," Mitchell said. "The worst you could say, some of them could be kinda... cranky."
Teyla nodded. "I spoke with Hermiod on several occasions. He was often, as you say, cranky."
"From what I hear, they did save our asses a bunch of times, so definitely good guys, right?" Sheppard said.
"In general, very much so. Though as the proverbial exception that proves the rule, we had a run-in with an Asgard named Loki, once," Daniel pointed out.
"Oh, him. Rogue Asgard scientist, unauthorised secret genetic research on humans, cloned General O'Neill a few years ago, SG-1 caught him, the Asgard High Council put him out of business," Mitchell recited rapidly. When everyone looked at him, he shrugged. "Hey, you know me, I..."
"Read the file," Daniel and Vala finished for him. "He does that," Vala said proudly to Sheppard and Teyla. The latter two were suppressing amused smiles.
"Anyway, back to the information you're pulling out of the research lab data," Mitchell said. He pointed an expectant finger at Daniel. "Any time now, you're going to tell us about the clue you've found about this fantastic Asgard slash Ancient resource that we should go after. Right?"
"Oh, any time now," Daniel said drily. "Of course, it might turn out to be something completely pointless. Remember the alien device we found on P3R-272 that everyone got all excited about? And then it turned out to be an Ancient egg-beater?"
"Or it might be something dangerous, that we could not use, like the Attero device," Teyla said, looking thoughtful.
"The one on M6H-987 that the Travelers helped you blow up," Mitchell said, nodding. "Read that file too," he said in response to Sheppard's surprised look. "Let's think positive here," he went on. "We might get a lead to something that we really need."
"Cameron's right," Vala said. "Not all of Daniel's discoveries are dangerous and potentially a threat to the entire galaxy."
"Thank you for that ringing endorsement, Vala," Daniel said.
"You're welcome, darling." She grabbed his last muffin with a triumphant smile.
"Well, since you're done stealing my breakfast, I've got to get to work," he retorted, getting to his feet.
"Good luck," Mitchell said.
"Well I'm taking Teyla out to experience some of the high points of Earth culture," Vala said, bouncing up and linking arms with the Athosian woman.
"They're going to the mall," Mitchell translated for Sheppard's benefit. "Pedicures, moccachinos, Victoria's Secret."
"Day spa," Vala corrected. "Aromatherapy, massages, and exotic fruit beverages. With a shopping trip to follow, of course."
"Have fun," Sheppard said, smiling.
Vala flashed her pirate grin over her shoulder, which prompted Mitchell to add, "And stay out of trouble!"
"So, what are you doing today?"Sheppard asked.
"I'm due to lecture a new batch of 302 pilots. Then I thought I'd drop in on Sam, see how her research is going, make sure she remembers to eat lunch. You?"
"Landry wants Lorne and me to help set up a flight simulation program for the puddle jumpers. Carson and Doctor Lam have a list of pilots who are viable candidates for the ATA gene therapy, so we may have to set up better on-planet training."
"That's a damn good idea. Listen, Thursday night is usually movie night for us whenever we're on planet. Since Sam doesn't want to go off base, we've got rec room 4 on SL-16 booked. Plenty of space for more - a few of the other SG teams might drop by. I think Teal'c already invited Ronon. The rest of you guys interested?"
"I'll pass the word. Thanks."
"Cool."
*****
It was past 6 pm when Sheppard and Lorne finally got out of the discussion with the scientists working on the puddle jumper flight simulation program. It was interesting enough, and lord knew he appreciated how important it was to have good training programs in place for newbie pilots, but being cooped up in a conference room was not the Colonel's idea of a good time.
He ran into Colonel Mitchell and Doctor Jackson as they emerged from the men's locker room. They were both dressed in sweatpants and muscle tees, and the Colonel was carrying a basketball.
"Hey, Sheppard, Lorne. Jackson and I are heading for our monthly grudge match against Teal'c and Vala. Sam said she's too busy to come, so we could use a cheering squad."
"Thanks, but I was going to get a shower, go check up on Rodney and Zelenka," Sheppard said.
"Winning team gets to pick the movie tonight," Mitchell said. "A little moral support?"
"So what do Teal'c and Vala want to watch?" Lorne asked, with a knowing grin. "I've heard how those matches usually go."
"Oh ye of little faith. I've got a good feeling - today's gonna be our day. Fine, be like that. We'll see you guys in rec room 4 at 1900 Zulu."
Vala was waiting for her team mates at the basketball court, hair tied into a high pony tail and looking supremely content. She was humming a little tune, practically bouncing with energy.
"Hey. Did you have a good time?" Daniel asked, with an indulgent smile.
"Lovely, thank you, darling," Vala said with a brilliant grin. "Teyla agrees that 'girls' day out' is a fine Earth tradition. I wish I could have dragged Samantha away from her research, but she's very obsessed with McKay's zero point energy generation model at the moment."
"Glad you had a good day, princess. But it's going to go a little downhill now. Jackson and I are so going to beat you guys today."
"Really? You're confident, are you? When was the last time you managed to do that, by the way? Oh, that's right - never!" she mocked, hands on hips. "There you are, Muscles!" she added, as Teal'c entered. "Ready to humiliate the boys yet again?"
"My apologies, Vala Mal Doran. I will be unable to participate in today's game, as General Landry has requested my assistance regarding a diplomatic message to be sent to the Jaffa High Council."
Vala pouted. Before she could voice her disappointment, Teal'c went on. "However, I have found someone to take my place."
Cameron and Daniel exchanged hopeful looks. Without Teal'c, their odds would be much better.
"Not that we mind, big guy, but if you're not playing, we'll have to waive the aliens versus earthlings rules," Mitchell pointed out.
"On the contrary, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c said serenely, as his proposed replacement sauntered in, cracking his knuckles and wearing a predatory grin. Vala's face lit up in comprehension and anticipation. "Ronon Dex fully satisfies the criteria for participation."
"He certainly does," Vala purred. "Hello - partner."
Mitchell and Jackson looked at each other. "Oh, crap."
*****
"At least it's not a chick flick," Mitchell said later, leaning over to grab some popcorn from Daniel.
"What was the score?" Sheppard asked, with a sidelong glance of amusement.
"42-26," Vala said brightly. There was a round of mock applause from the room, now filled with various SG team members, a few from the Atlantis teams. Vala nodded regally, accepting the appreciation as her due.
"We kicked butt!" She exchanged a fist bump with Ronon.
"Yeah, we really did," the Satedan agreed.
"I still say using your hair like that is illegal, even by alien rules," Mitchell pretended to grumble. But his hilarity kept breaking through. "We really need to write down those rules. And get a video camera in."
"True. Vala keeps coming up with new and innovative ways to cheat every single time," Daniel said. "We should record those moves for posterity." He wasn't looking particularly upset, though.
"You're just jealous that you're not as imaginative, darling."
"Just watch the movie, Vala," Daniel said. Despite the words, he was sporting a deeply amused smile.
"Yeah, by the way, nice pick, Ronon," Sheppard said.
"Teal'c's idea," Ronon said, leaning back with a lazy grin.
Yeah. Big guns, lots of cool toys, plenty of flying, smart-talking superhero saves the world. What's not to love? Mitchell reflected. Say what you would about the big guy, he could pick 'em. Iron Man was the perfect choice for movie night.
*****