Yay! My third story.
Please note this chapter is going to be immensely boring for anyone who's watched CotG, as it is practically an edited and embellished version of the beginning of that episode. Sorry, but it IS necessary, you'll see why later. This whole story will follow the basic lines of CotG, in fact, so, lots of spoilers. HOWEVER, there are some clues in here as to what is different about Jack – quite a few, in fact. See if you can find them. The third chapter will hopefully be the start of the major differences to the story.
Updates will happen, but could be(will be!) sporadic, to say the least, as I have exams, and am also extremely lazy. I will finish it, though. Promise.
Disclaimer: Don't own it, though the plot changes are mine. I'd quite like it if you didn't sue me, and so would you, as I have no money.
Hope you enjoy, I'll keep writing it anyway, 'cos it's fun, but reviews will cheer, if not speed me up. Let me know of any mistakes in spelling, grammar etc.
Oh, and flames will be ignored, basically. Feel free to waste your time.
Anyway, enough of my blabbering, here it is…
He frowned as he heard the car pull up below. He waited for a second, listening, then sighed as he heard the distinctive sharp tap of military issue dress shoes marching towards his front door. Damn. They probably were here for him, then. Maybe they wouldn't find him. After all, he WAS on the roof – what kind of person would bother to search up there in the middle of the night?
"Sir. There's a ladder over here."
Well, that answered that question. Evidently, this guy had never heard of letting sleeping dogs lie. Or in this case, awake and irked ex-military colonels. He leaned back in his chair and grumbled "what do you want?" to the man who had just appeared over the edge of the ladder to his den. To give him credit, the man didn't even pause, simply asking "Colonel Jack O'Neill?" in the brisk, impersonal tones he had long ago come to associate with the military.
Jack didn't bother turning around as he replied "retired", sipping at his beer, relishing the cool taste. The other man ignored his response. "I'm Major Samuels. Air Force". Jack didn't bother replying. Anybody who came to visit at three in the morning couldn't expect him to be polite. He waited for the major to continue.
"I'm under orders to bring you to General Hammond, sir. I'm his executive officer." There was a touch of pride in the man's voice, but Jack replied as bluntly as ever, "Hammond? Never heard of him." The major paused for a second. Was that irritation? Jack wondered.
"He replaced General West. He says it's important. Has to do with the Stargate. Sir." Jack wasn't really surprised. He'd known from the minute he heard the car pull up outside his house that his peaceful retirement was once again to be intruded on by the air force. How annoying when they interrupted his…sitting time. He couldn't help being curious, though - maybe there was news on Skaara. Or Daniel. Fumbling around the table at his side, he located and slipped on his glasses, zipped up his jacket and gestured with his hand for the major to precede him down the steps.
"Red team number 9 to Sub-Level 2, red shaft 24." The intercom blared it's instructions to the entire base, causing Jack to wince as the sound grated his ears. In the year he'd been away form the base, he'd forgotten quite how irritating the stupid loudspeakers were. Was it absolutely necessary for every announcer to impersonate his first Drill Sergeant? Handing back the signing in form with a rueful grin at the soldier on duty, he followed Sergeant whatsisname into the second elevator, interrupting his explanation with a dry "I've been here before".
They waited in silence as the elevator made its gradual descent to the lowest level of the base, where Jack discovered Samuels waiting to escort him to the new General. Defiantly not bothering with correct military procedure in the presence of a senior officer, he merely raised an eyebrow as Samuels yet again referred to him as "Colonel Jack O'Neill" in his introductions, lazily adding "retired", just to make a point.
He could hear the disapproval in Hammond's voice as he was inspected, "I can see that." The tone changed slightly, an attempt to put him off his guard. Jack mentally snorted. He hadn't let his guard down since he was eight years old. He briefly thought about childishly replying "I can't" but the General continued, "Me, I'm on my last tour; time to start getting my thoughts together. Maybe write a book. You ever think about writing a book about your exploits in the line of duty?"
Figuring that he'd better reply – it didn't do to piss off a General too much on your first meeting, Jack quipped "Thought about it. But then I'd have to shoot anyone who actually read it." Judging by the lack of reaction from his audience, they were obviously not attuned to the O'Neill brand of humour. Wonderful. Just to be sure, he added "That's a joke, sir. Most of my work for the past ten years has been classified." Was it him or was the atmosphere in here tenser than that time he'd ended up in the woman's changing room by accident? The military correctness was rolling towards him in waves. He'd definitely pissed someone off. The General was speaking again; "Yes, of course". There was a slight pause, before Jack bit the bullet. "Major Samuels mentioned something about the Stargate?" Jack was seriously wondering what this was about now; totally oblivious to the glare the General was giving him, as he replied curtly "Down to business. I can do that." Rising, he strode from the room. "This way."
The infirmary was just as Jack remembered it. The same sounds, the same smells – just like every other hospital on the planet. Apart from the very dead body he was currently examining, running his hands over the man's armour, prodding at his tattoo. This guy was the real deal alright. He stepped back in disgust as he felt the give in the man's stomach denoting what the doctor had called his 'symbiote pouch'.
"They're not human", the Doctor, Warner, informed him helpfully. "Ya think?" Jack rolled his eyes. Jeez, talk about stating the obvious. What kind of human had a snake in their belly? More importantly, "How'd it get here?". Hammond frowned, but replied "These people - or aliens, whatever you want to call them - came through, killed four of my people and kidnapped another using advanced weapons." Jack's head snapped up. "Weapons, Sir?"
He soon had one of the 'advanced weapons' in his grasp. He recognised it instantly, his hands almost automatically twisting it into firing mode, producing the 'schlooping' sound he had hoped never to hear again. Frowning, he handed it back, turning to the General as the bald man stated wryly "Seen one of those before, I take it?"
Sarcasm forgotten, Jack answered immediately. "Yes, sir." After a pause, he added "There were no creatures like this on Abydos, General. Those people were human. From Earth. Ra brought 'em there thousands of years ago. But… I think some of his guards had tattoos like our guy here. I didn't get the opportunity to check personally, but some of the boys mentioned it later…dunno if it's the same though…" He trailed off as the General cleared his throat. "I know all about that, Colonel. But your report said this "Ra" was in fact some kind of alien that lived inside a human body. That his eyes glowed?" Jack raised an eyebrow, not bothering to reply after the snub. His head jerked up when he heard the next question, though. "Are you sure he's dead, Colonel?" Jack smirked. One minute the guy had "read the reports", and the next he was asking him questions? His reply was laced with dark humour. "Unless he can survive a tactical nuclear warhead blowing up in his face, positive. Why?" The General ignored his irritation, answering sternly "These people - or whatever they are - were guarding another man who retreated back through the Stargate. I got a good look at his eyes, Colonel. They glowed." And that, thought Jack wryly, says it all.
So, that's the first chapter. Sorry it's short, there will hopefully be more soon. What did you think? Let me know! Oh, and check out my group and web page and stuff, it's all in my incredibly boring profile…
Aqua Mage
