The fluorescent lights of the briefing room buzzed softly, casting a sterile glow over the stacks of papers spread across the table. Captain Samantha Carter sat with her elbows on the table, her fingers massaging her temples as she stared at the seemingly endless list of potential recruits. Beside her, Colonel Jack O’Neill leaned back in his chair, his boots propped up on the edge of the table, a look of mild exasperation on his face.

  “Fifty teams,” Jack said, breaking the silence. “Fifty. That’s, what, two hundred people? More? And we’re supposed to vet every single one of them?”

  Carter sighed, flipping through another folder. “Two hundred and fifty, sir. Five per team. And that’s just the initial wave. The Pentagon wants us ready to expand further if needed.”

  Jack groaned, letting his head fall back against the chair. “Yeah, because nothing says ‘covert interstellar operations’ like a small army marching through the Stargate.”

  Carter couldn’t help but smile, despite the overwhelming task ahead. “It’s not just about numbers, Colonel. We need the right people. Scientists, linguists, soldiers—people who can handle the unknown. Not everyone can walk through that gate and keep their cool.”

  Jack raised an eyebrow. “You saying I’m not cool, Carter?”

  “You’re the exception, sir,” she replied dryly, earning a smirk from Jack.

  The door slid open, and General George Hammond stepped into the room, his expression as stoic as ever. He carried a folder under one arm and a steaming cup of coffee in the other. “How’s the recruiting coming along?” he asked, though the mountain of paperwork on the table likely gave him his answer.

  “Slow,” Jack said, gesturing to the stacks. “And by slow, I mean glacial. You sure we can’t just draft people? ‘Hey, you! Congratulations, you’re now part of the most classified program on Earth. Don’t ask questions.’”

  Hammond chuckled, setting his coffee down on the table. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way, Colonel. This program is too important to cut corners. We need the best of the best.”

  Carter nodded, her expression serious. “We’re doing our best, General. But it’s not just about qualifications. We need people who can adapt to the unexpected. People like…” She hesitated, glancing at Jack.

  “Daniel,” Jack finished for her, his tone more thoughtful than usual. “You’re thinking we should bring him back in.”

  Carter nodded. “He was instrumental in defeating Ra. His knowledge of ancient cultures and languages could be invaluable. And let’s face it, he’s one of the few people who truly understands what we’re dealing with.”

  Hammond folded his arms, considering the suggestion. “Dr. Jackson left the program for a reason. He wanted to focus on his academic work. Are we sure he’d even want to come back?”

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  Jack shrugged. “Danny’s a curious guy. Tell him there’s a big, shiny Stargate waiting for him, and he’ll come running. Besides, he’s probably bored out of his mind teaching undergrads about pottery shards.”

  Carter smiled faintly. “He might need some convincing, but I think he’d be willing. Especially if we emphasize how much we need him.”

  Hammond nodded slowly. “All right. I’ll reach out to him. But for now, let’s focus on the recruits we do have. We can’t afford to fall behind schedule.”

  Hammond led Carter and Jack through the winding corridors of the SGC bunker. The air grew cooler as they descended deeper into the facility, the hum of machinery growing louder with each step. Finally, they reached the Stargate chamber, where the massive ring stood dormant, its surface gleaming under the harsh lights.

  Hammond stopped a few feet from the gate, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed up at it. “Impressive, isn’t it?” he said, his voice tinged with awe. “A device capable of connecting worlds, and it’s been sitting right under our noses for who knows how long.”

  Jack stepped forward, running a hand along the smooth surface of the gate. “Yeah, and it’s damn near indestructible. I’ve seen this thing take a beating and keep on ticking. Makes you wonder what kind of civilization could build something like this.”

  Carter crossed her arms, her eyes scanning the intricate symbols etched into the gate’s inner ring. “A civilization far more advanced than ours,” she said quietly. “And we’re just scratching the surface of what they were capable of.”

  Hammond nodded, his expression serious. “That’s why this program is so important. We’re not just exploring new worlds—we’re learning from them. And we need to be ready for whatever we find out there.”

  Jack turned to face Hammond, his usual sarcasm replaced by a rare moment of sincerity. “We’ll get it done, General. Fifty teams, a hundred teams—whatever it takes. We’ll make sure Earth is ready.”

  Hammond smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. “I know you will, Colonel. That’s why I put my faith in this team.”

  As they stood there, the Stargate looming silently before them, Carter felt a surge of determination. The road ahead would be long and fraught with challenges, but they had faced the unknown before—and they would do it again.

  Carter sat at her desk, staring at the phone in her hand. She had drafted a dozen different ways to ask Daniel to come back, but none of them felt right. Finally, she dialed his number, her heart pounding as the phone rang.

  “Hello?” Daniel’s voice came through the line, warm and familiar.

  “Daniel, it’s Sam,” she said, trying to keep her tone light. “How’s the academic life treating you?”

  There was a pause, and then Daniel laughed. “Sam? Wow, it’s been a while. Academic life is… well, it’s academic. Lots of papers, lots of grading. Why do you ask?”

  Carter took a deep breath. “We need your help, Daniel. The Stargate program is expanding, and we’re forming new teams. Your expertise could make all the difference.”

  There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Finally, Daniel spoke, his voice quiet but firm. “Sam, I left for a reason. I needed to step back, to focus on something… normal.”

  “I know,” Carter said softly. “But this is bigger than any of us. We’re on the brink of something incredible, and we need you. Earth needs you.”

  Another pause, and then Daniel sighed. “Let me think about it, okay? I’ll call you back.”

  Carter smiled, relief flooding through her. “That’s all I can ask. Thanks, Daniel.”

  As she hung up the phone, she felt a renewed sense of hope. With Daniel back on the team, they would be one step closer to facing whatever lay beyond the Stargate.