Chapter 2
**Chapter 2: First Contact**
**Orbit Above Earth – Deep Space K-13 and the Starfleet Fleet**
The USS *Valiant*, Buffy’s heavily refitted Federation-class dreadnought, hung in geosynchronous orbit over North America. The Excelsior-class starship under her command, bristling with Andorian-modified weaponry, flanked it. Willow’s sleek Vulcan warship, upgraded to modern Starfleet standards, held position in perfect formation. And at the heart of it all, looming like a silent guardian, was Deep Space K-13, a fully operational Starfleet station of unknown origin.
Inside the command center of Deep Space K-13, Admiral Giles stared at the fleet display in disbelief. The station's automated systems had activated upon his arrival, responding to him as if he had always been its rightful commander. Yet, unlike the others, Giles had no immediate recollection of his station’s history. His mind struggled to reconcile his memories as a Watcher with those of a Starfleet admiral.
“Status report,” he ordered, slipping effortlessly into his assumed role.
“Admiral,” an ensign at the sensor station called, “we are detecting an incoming signal from Earth. It's coming from a military installation beneath Cheyenne Mountain.”
Giles frowned. “Open a channel.”
**Cheyenne Mountain Complex – SGC Command Center**
General George Hammond stood over the main console of Stargate Command, watching the satellite feeds that had suddenly lit up with anomalies. Moments ago, multiple massive unknown objects had appeared in orbit, dwarfing any known Earth vessels. The sight of the massive space station alone was enough to send alarm bells ringing.
“This is General Hammond of the United States Air Force, commanding officer of Stargate Command,” he spoke into the secure channel, addressing the unknown vessels. “Identify yourselves immediately.”
There was a moment of silence before a response came through.
“This is Admiral Rupert Giles of the United Federation of Planets. We mean you no harm.”
The words left Hammond momentarily stunned. The *United Federation of Planets*? That was science fiction. And yet, here they were.
“Admiral Giles,” Hammond said carefully, exchanging a glance with Colonel Jack O’Neill, who stood beside him. “Your fleet appeared out of nowhere. We would appreciate an explanation.”
Back aboard K-13, Giles hesitated. “I… believe that is a complicated matter, General. However, I assure you that our presence here is not hostile.”
Jack O’Neill raised an eyebrow at the exchange. “Well, that’s comforting. Though you’ll forgive us if we’re a little nervous about a fully armed space station and multiple heavily armed ships hanging over our planet.”
Hammond nodded. “Perhaps we should meet in person.”
Giles considered this. “That would be advisable. I will arrange transport.”
**USS Valiant – Captain Xander Harris’s Ready Room**
Xander sat at his desk, still adjusting to the dual memories fighting for dominance in his head. One moment, he was Xander Harris, an average high schooler in Sunnydale. The next, he was Captain Xander Harris of the USS *Valiant*, a seasoned Starfleet officer. His ship, an upgraded Federation-class dreadnought, was bristling with the most advanced *First Contact*-era weaponry available, making it one of the most powerful ships in the fleet.
The comm panel on his desk chirped. “Harris here.”
Buffy’s voice came through. “We’ve got incoming. The SGC wants to meet.”
Xander smirked. “The *Stargate* folks? This just keeps getting weirder.”
Willow chimed in from her station. “It’s a logical course of action. The sudden appearance of our fleet would understandably concern them.”
Buffy sighed. “Well, let’s hope they don’t freak out too much when we beam down.”
**Cheyenne Mountain – SGC Conference Room**
Minutes later, a shimmering transporter beam deposited Xander, Buffy, Willow, and Giles into the conference room at the SGC. The sudden appearance of uniformed Starfleet officers caused a stir among the gathered military personnel, but General Hammond, ever the professional, kept his expression neutral.
Jack O’Neill, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, clearly unimpressed. “Well, that’s a new way to make an entrance.”
Giles stepped forward. “General Hammond, Colonel O’Neill, my name is Admiral Rupert Giles. This is Captain Xander Harris of the USS *Valiant*, Captain Buffy Summers of the USS *Protector*, and Captain Willow Rosenberg of the *Surok*.”
Hammond nodded, assessing the group. “You claim to represent the United Federation of Planets?”
Xander rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, about that… It’s kind of complicated.”
Buffy crossed her arms. “Short version? We weren’t Starfleet yesterday. Something… changed.”
O’Neill raised an eyebrow. “You *weren’t* Starfleet?”
Willow folded her hands behind her back in a Vulcan manner. “We believe we were affected by an advanced transdimensional event. Our current reality is the result of that event.”
Hammond frowned. “Transdimensional?”
Giles sighed. “Magic. It was magic.”
O’Neill blinked. “Oh, well, that makes *so* much more sense.”
Buffy smirked. “You’d be surprised how often that happens.”
Hammond exhaled slowly. “So, you’re telling me that you were all regular people, and now you’re highly trained Starfleet officers commanding a fleet of advanced warships?”
Xander grinned. “Pretty much.”
O’Neill shook his head. “You know, I’ve heard some weird stories before, but this one might take the cake.”
Hammond leaned forward. “Regardless of how you came to be here, you now represent an advanced extraterrestrial power. That’s going to have serious implications for Earth’s security.”
Willow nodded. “That is why cooperation would be logical.”
O’Neill chuckled. “So what, you guys want to join the SGC?”
Buffy smirked. “More like, we figure out how we fit into this new reality before anyone gets trigger-happy.”
Giles placed a hand on the table. “General, we are not your enemies. However, we cannot ignore the responsibility that comes with our new roles. The Federation stands for peace, exploration, and the protection of life.”
Hammond considered this. “And what happens if another power—say, an alien one—decides to challenge that?”
Before anyone could answer, a technician rushed into the room. “Sir! NORAD just detected an incoming fleet—unidentified ships heading straight for Earth.”
Hammond turned to the Starfleet officers. “I don’t suppose you’d happen to know anything about this?”
Xander frowned and tapped his communicator. “Harris to *Valiant*, report.”
The voice of his tactical officer came through. “Sir, we’re detecting multiple Goa’uld motherships inbound. Based on energy signatures, it’s Apophis’s fleet.”
Willow raised an eyebrow. “Interesting timing.”
Buffy cracked her knuckles. “Looks like we’re about to make one hell of a first impression.”
**To Be Continued...**