The members of SG1 get some well-deserved recognition!

This story is set soon after Nemesis and Small Victories (seasons 3/4 bridge), and there are very slight spoilers for those two episodes. My timing does not conform strictly to airdates of episodes.

This takes place in the same 'altered reality' as my story Runaway Star. It is set about three months earlier and it's completely unnecessary to read RS in order to understand this one. (But, of course I'd love it if you did!)

There are several characters of my own creation who have major roles in this story.

This story is completely written, and I will try to post a chapter each day. We have a blizzard (to quote the weather folks) headed our way, and if power outages are an issue it may slow me down.

I hope you enjoy!

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ROSE GARDEN

Part I: Stargate Command; The Announcement

Thursday afternoon

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Colonel Jack O'Neill asked as he appeared in the open door of General George Hammond's office.

Hammond looked up from his work. "I do, Colonel. You and your team."

"Shall I get them, General?"

"I've already sent for them, Jack. Come have a seat. We'll just wait until they get here."

"Yes, sir." O'Neill came into the office and sat in one of the chairs facing the General's desk, curious and restless.

Major Samantha Carter was the next to arrive about a minute later, with Teal'c practically on her heels. Hammond gestured the Major to the other visitor's chair, and Teal'c took up a parade rest position behind the two. The General returned his attention to the papers on his desk, as they waited for Daniel Jackson.

After another minute, O'Neill began to fidget. Carter folded her hands in her lap and watched the Colonel out of the corner of her eye. Teal'c remained motionless, staring into the middle distance.

Three minutes passed, and Hammond continued to focus on his work. O'Neill appeared ready to jump out of his chair. Carter was holding back a smile. Teal'c had not moved.

At five minutes, O'Neill stood up. "I'll go get him, sir."

"Sit down, Jack. He'll be here." Hammond nodded toward the chair, and Jack sat.

At seven minutes, when it seemed as if the Colonel was ready to self-destruct, Dr. Daniel Jackson appeared in the door, slightly breathless.

"Daniel," O'Neill hissed. "What took you so long?"

"My lab is ten floors up, Jack. And the elevator was tied up."

"Eight!" Jack snapped.

"What?"

"It's eight floors! And Carter made it down in a timely fashion!"

"A timely fashion?" Daniel echoed in bemusement. "Did you just say 'a timely fashion'?"

"I was in the control room, sir," Carter pointed out.

"That's beside the point," O'Neill insisted.

"He said 'a timely fashion,' didn't he, Teal'c?"

"Indeed he did, DanielJackson."

The Colonel turned to glare at the two of them.

General Hammond cleared his throat and balefully regarded his flagship team. Or was it a kindergarten class? Sometimes he was hard put to tell the difference. "All right, people. You're here, that's what counts."

"Yes, sir," Carter was quick to reply. O'Neill shot her the kind of look the teacher's pet might get from the class screw-up.

"SG1, you need to prepare for a special...ah... mission," Hammond said. "We will be leaving here this evening—about ten hours from now."

"'We', sir?" O'Neill asked, puzzled. "You're going with us through the gate?"

"No, Colonel, we're not going through the Stargate," Hammond said. "We're going to Washington, DC. Our flight leaves at 1800."

SG1 exchanged surprised looks.

"Why are we going to Washington, sir?" O'Neill asked at last. "If you don't mind telling us?"

"Oh, I don't mind at all," Hammond said. "In fact, I'm very pleased to inform you that the President has invited you to come to the White House so that he can present you all with very special medals in recognition of your heroic actions dealing with the replicator threat in the incident of the infested Russian sub. Of course the citation won't say anything about aliens and spaceships and such. The ceremony will be in the Rose Garden." He looked around at the four stunned faces—well, three faces... Teal'c's expression did not change. "This is an order directly from your Commander-in-Chief, folks. Not negotiable. And bring your best duds."

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