Disclaimer – I don't own anything that you recognise.

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"Are you sure about this, O'Neill?" General Hammond asked, for what felt like the thousandth time since SG1 had come back from what was fast becoming referred to as Planet Gundam. Although Teal'c insisted on calling it Earth Prime (Jack had made a mental note to cut down on Teal'c exposure to Star Trek).

"Look, General," Jack sighed, "They're good kids. A little too keen to rush into things… But given the loyalty to each other, and the fact that they have recently fought two wars, I'd say that wasn't too surprising. We've had worse first meetings."

"I really think we could benefit from an alliance with them." Sam agreed, "At the very least they have space capacity. The ability to produce viable, fully-functional, almost self-sustaining satellites. That is something we cannot pass the opportunity to obtain up, sir. I mean the required power supply indicates solar panel efficiency far beyond our current abilities. Then there are the other requirements, such as the gravity. Sir, we cannot pass this up!"

"If it helps," Daniel came in, "They were apologetic. They sort of reminded me of a couple of kids on my street, when they apologized for breaking my window with their ball."

"This alliance will be beneficial." Teal'c spoke up, "I also promised HeeroYuy a rematch."

"Face it, General," Jack laughed, "Teal'c wants his spar. Daniel wants to go peer at their rocks. Carter's salivating at their technology. This is a good idea."

"And you, Jack?" Hammond pressed.

"I'm thinking that if a kid can produce enough explosives to blow his way through the Iris, and yet doesn't attack we don't have much to fear from them." Jack pointed out. "And we can't send anyone else. The planet wants the initial negotiations to be with someone they know. And they say they trust us."

"Alright." Hammond nodded, "But be careful."

"Will do, General." Jack grinned.

"Dial the 'Gate, Walter." Hammond conceded.

"Chevron one encoded," Walter declared, "Chevron two encoded. Chevron three encoded. Chevron four encoded. Chevron five encoded. Chevron six encoded. Chevron seven locked."

"SG1, you have a go." Hammond instructed.

"See ya, General." Jack declared as he stepped through the 'Gate.

On the other side of the 'Gate the Maganacs were waiting for SG1, along with Trowa and Quatre.

"Colonel O'Neill," Quatre smiled, "Major Carter. Daniel. Teal'c. It is nice to see you again."

"And we you, QuatreWinner." Teal'c nodded.

"Where are the other three?" Jack asked, looking around as if expecting them to leap out of the sand dunes.

"Heero and Wufei are keeping an eye on Duo," Quatre shrugged, "He's in the R&D lab again."

"Stopping him from causing chaos?" Daniel queried.

"Not the sort you mean." Quatre grinned, "Duo is probably terrifying the scientists with his blatant disregard for the laws of physics. What's he trying to do this time, Trowa?"

"His toy." Trowa replied.

"Oh yes," Quatre nodded, "The one thing that no one apart from Duo thinks will work. And he's been working on for years."

"Why doesn't he give up?" Sam frowned.

"Because he's too stubborn." Quatre stated, "He keeps on saying it'll work. He also keeps on getting distracted by side projects. Though it occasionally turns out something else useful."

"So where are we going?" Daniel queried.

"The Sanq Kingdom." Trowa answered.

"The political capital of the Sphere." Quatre elaborated, "The ESUN has its headquarters there. They're our main political body. Any negotiations will have to be done by them."

"Will we be dealing with them directly?" Sam asked.

"Sort of." Quatre shrugged, "The plan is that you'll discuss general terms with a representative. They will negotiate as far as they can with their authority… Then talk to the rest of the ESUN members, for further authority. As Duo would say, 'going backwards and forwards until you're sick and tired and just give in to what they want'. But it should be fair. Though I can't promise quick."

"We know how the game is played." Jack laughed, "And we can play. Even if I don't particularly like the game."

"Who does?" Trowa snorted.

"I do." Quatre protested, "I kind of like verbally sparring with someone, particularly when I can force them into a corner."

"And I bet you're good at it." Jack smiled.

"He is." Trowa smirked slightly.

"But I'm not part of the ESUN governing body." Quatre stated, "So while you're staying with me, I have no real part in the negotiations. I'm just your host."

"Master Quatre." Rashid called out, "If we don't want to miss our departure time…"

"Of course, Rashid." Quatre nodded, "Well then, shall we be going?"

SG1 were ushered towards a car, which took off at a decent pace towards what they assumed would be an airport. Trowa and Quatre were sitting with SG1, while Rashid was driving.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Quatre pulled a bag off the floor of the car, before rummaging through it, "Wufei gave me this for you, Daniel. He said it was the best historical reference book around for detailing ancient civilisations. I'm afraid I can't comment in that area. I'm no scholar."

Quatre handed over the book to a wide-eyed Daniel as he looked at the size of the tome.

"Remind me to thank him." Daniel murmured, even as he opened the book and started to read it.

"You know he won't emerge from there until he needs food or coffee, right?" Jack asked.

"Then it's a good thing that negotiations don't start until tomorrow, then, isn't it?" Quatre smiled, "The book is for Daniel to keep. An apology of sorts for holding him prisoner twice."

"It's appreciated." Jack stated, "And I'm sure Danny-boy would say so too… If he wasn't engrossed in it."

"He's a bit like Duo." Quatre laughed, "Once he gets involved in something that interests him… He doesn't emerge."

"Unless someone drags him out." Trowa reminded.

"True." Quatre nodded, "I still have the scratches from last time. He… Wasn't exactly coherent."

"Nor were you, last week." Trowa pointed out.

"I'm not that bad." Quatre quickly countered.

"Yes," Trowa smirked, "You are."

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To be honest, Jack and Sam had been expecting a commercial plane. With seats in either first class, business class or the equivalent thereof.

However there was a private jet waiting for them instead. There were no Customs Checks or Passports Check… The group was ushered straight on.

"I thought we had a scheduled flight?" Sam asked.

"Not exactly," Quatre smiled, "But I believe that if you file a flight plan, you should do everything in your power to stick to your departure time. It's only polite."

Daniel had barely noticed the transition to the plane, only adjusting slightly as Jack steered him aboard. And only looked away from the book long enough to do his seat-belt up. He completely trusted the other members of SG1 to protect him… Or was it that he didn't sense any threat from the boys? Jack wasn't sure.

"Nice and steady, please Ahmad." Quatre called out to the pilot.

"Yes, Master Quatre." Ahmad replied cheerfully.

"This is Ground Control to Winner Three-Zero." A voice came over the radio, "You are cleared for take-off on Runway Seven."

"This is Winner Three-Zero to Ground Control," Ahmad remarked, "I thought we weren't due for take-off for another ten minutes."

"Ground Control to Winner Three-Zero, there was a free space, so we bumped you up. Pass our regards to the Kid."

"Will do, thank you Ground Control." Ahmad's grin was audible in his voice.

It was a smooth take-off.

"Will there be an opportunity for HeeroYuy and myself to spar?" Teal'c inquired.

"Absolutely." Quatre nodded, "He's been looking forward to it."

"He has also expressed an interest in perhaps learning your style." Trowa added.

"Though that is up to you." Quatre acknowledged.

"How long did Duo sleep for?" Jack asked.

"Oh," Quatre asked, "He completely crashed. Didn't wake up for nearly sixteen hours."

"He still wants a Zat." Trowa put in.

"I brought him one," Jack grinned, "And an extra one for Commander Une to decide what to do with."

"I am curious about your weapon, Teal'c." Quatre turned to the Jaffa, "From what little we saw of it, it is a very effective weapon, if a little unwieldy. Particularly for those of us of shorter stature of with less upper-body strength."

"ColonelO'Neill describes it as 'Weapon of Terror'," Teal'c replied, "Used more to intimidate rather than to kill. Although it can kill."

"Much like the Gundams were used initially." Quatre nodded in understanding, "The idea was that the word itself would cause fear… Because no one alive had ever seen a Gundam."

"They were that good?" Sam blinked.

"That was the reputation." Trowa smiled.

"And in War a reputation is a powerful thing." Jack comprehended, "Some things don't change no matter what planet you're on."

"True enough." Quatre nodded, "Could you tell us about your world? I must confess to being slightly curious, particularly about your political system and climate."

It would only be later that Jack would realize that Duo wasn't the only skilled interrogator among the Gundam Boys, who could fool him. A fact that Daniel could have warned him about, if he had not been engrossed in his book.

Sam would realize not long after, along with Teal'c, the level of skill in negotiation that Quatre had shown; learning a great deal, while seeming to reveal just as much, but only actually showing a few of the cards in his hand.

Trowa sat through the conversation, occasionally inserting comments. He was, however, predominately silent, as was his wont. A small smile gracing his face. He knew that Quatre could no more stop gathering information that he could stop breathing.

After all the art of negotiation is to learn as much about your opponent as possible, while revealing as little as possible about yourself. Know yourself and know your opponent. Words Quatre tried to live by.

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They got off the plane in Sanq.

"Very medieval." Sam noted looking around, "All the castles."

"Sanq is a very old Kingdom," Quatre nodded, "It was decided to keep as much of the History intact as possible. There are more modern areas of Sanq. However Sanq still hold very much to its roots."

"Admirable." Sam stated, "Where are we headed?"

"We're taking the car to Winner Industries' local offices." Quatre smiled, "Heero, Duo and Wufei are there. And I'm sure that Heero and Wufei must be getting bored by now. As entertaining as Duo can be… When he's tinkering it's not very interesting for most people… And exasperating for all scientists."

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Okay, I don't know when the next chapter of this will be posted. I'm only posting this one now as a Christmas Present to all readers.

I would also like you to understand a few things:

1. This story will have a slower start and build up to the action… But the action will come.

2. I will update the next chapter when I update it. Unfortunately while I have plenty of inspiration for this story, it's all bitty. I've got plenty of scenes done for later on. But am still working on the beginning.

However I hope this is a good start for all of my readers.

Merry Christmas (or Yuletide festival of your choosing) and a Prosperous New Year.

Now, excuse me, I'm going to go hack my lungs out… I told my family I didn't want their colds… But did they listen? No! I've got rattling in my chest. And a cough that won't go away, sounds like I'm trying to loose a lung every time I cough. And I cough if I move.

So I'm going to bed. And tomorrow I'm going to try and get some cough mixture to get rid of all the mucus in my lungs.