A/N: Disclaimer, I own nothing, this is just for fun.
A/N: I hope to take the little moments of Carter and O'Neill and write about them. I just love these two characters!
Stargate SG-1: O'Neill and Carter
Episode 1: Children of the Gods
Scene: Mission Briefing
Character POV: Carter
The Sergeant led me down the grey walled tunnel to the briefing room to meet the General and Colonel in charge of the Stargate program. I've known General Hammond for some time since him and my father have served many years together. My father would never believe the possibility of this program or the Stargate's existence. He's always been on me to enter NASA. General Hammond is a great man. I can't wait to begin working under his command.
What has me terrified is meeting the Colonel. His reputation has been one of sly antics and undignified behavior to superior officers. His mission report from the first Abydos mission was as detailed as I would expect from any ranking officer. The nights that I spent reading and re-reading that report should have me well prepared. Why is it that my palms are sweating?
As I neared the briefing room door, I heard voices already talking. Great, I was late.
"Where is Captain Carter?" I heard General Hammond ask.
"Just arriving, Sir," that must be Major Samuels from the Pentagon. I've run into him a few times. Can't say I like him much.
"Carter?" said a strong deep voice.
"I'm assigning Sam Carter to this mission," said General Hammond. I smiled as he used my short name. This was definitely going to be interesting.
"I prefer to put together my own team, Sir," said the voice again.
"Not on this mission, sorry. Carter's our expert on the Stargate," General Hammond finished.
"Where is he transferring from?" the voice asked as I stepped into the doorway.
"She is transferring from the Pentagon," I stated and proceeded into the room. I stood at the end of the table facing the person belonging to the voice standing near his chair as he prepared to give the briefing. "I take it your Colonel O'Neill. Captain Samantha Carter reporting, Sir," I saluted my ranking officer.
As the Colonel just stood there, another officer at the table couldn't help making the first jab at the use of my shortened name. "But of course you go by Sam," said the major sitting next to the Colonel. I glanced to see his name Kawalsky. It quickly registered on my mind that he had been part of the first mission to Abydos.
"You don't have to worry Major. I played with dolls when I was a kid," I shot back.
"G.I. Joe?" Major Kawalsky asked.
"No, Major Matt Mason," I said casually. Of course not everyone knew about that doll. My father encouraged my passion for astronomy.
"Oh… Who?" the Major asked completely flummoxed.
"Major Matt Mason, astronaut doll. Did you have that cool little backpack that made him fly?" asked the other Major to the other side of Kawalsky.
To break up the game show, General Hammond asked to get things moving along. I sat down as the Colonel began.
"Those of you on your first trip through the gate you should be prepared for what to expect…" he began. I couldn't let my chance slip through to prove myself.
I immediately jumped in with my answer to the big question just like in grade school without holding my hand up. "I've practically memorized your report from your first mission. I'd like to think I've been preparing for this all my life." I kept the Colonel's gaze as he began thinking through my words. His not-so-well-hidden smile caused me to flush slightly.
Still feeling confident in his knowledge despite not having any clue about the Matt Mason doll, Kawalsky began anew with his air strikes. "I think what the Colonel is saying is, have you ever pulled out of a simulated bombing run in an F-16 at eight plus Gs?" he asked.
"Yes," I said squarely meeting his challenge. I've been through this with other men ever since I began in the Air Force.
"Well, its way worse than that," Major Kawalsky finished trying to get the last word in.
Major Ferretti was not to be outdone either. He began explaining, "By the time you get to the other side, your frozen stiff like you just been through a blizzard, naked," he smirked and shared a chuckle with Major Kawalsky.
However, neither of these men knew anything about the mechanics of the Stargate. They were only interested in shooting things then blowing them up.
"That is the result of the compression your molecules undergo during the millisecond required for reconstitution," I responded. The glazed over look I received from both Major's confirmed my initial theory on their wishes in life.
The Colonel however, didn't share their bewildered countenance.
"Ah, here we go, another scientist. General, please," the Colonel pleaded with General Hammond seated at the head of the table.
"Theoretical Astrophysicist," I threw back at the Colonel.
He looked at me with his eyebrows raised, "Which means…."
"Which means," began the General, "she is smarter than you are Colonel. Especially in matters related to the Stargate." I couldn't help but feel pleased at the General's sanction of my abilities. As he stated to me on the phone when he asked me to join the next Stargate mission, he has followed my career closely in admiration. He was as close to a surrogate father as I've ever had.
"Colonel, I was studying the gate technology for two years before Daniel Jackson made it work and before you both went through. I should have gone through then. Sir, you and your men might as well accept the fact that I am going through this time," I finished confidently.
"Doctor, I wouldn't get my hopes up…"
"It is appropriate," I interrupted the Colonel, "to refer to a person by their rank, not their salutation. You should call me Captain, not Doctor."
"Captain Carter's assignment to this unit is not an option, its an order," affirmed the General.
I continued still feeling irate at the Colonel's discounted address, "I'm an Air Force officer just like you are Colonel. And just because my reproductive organs are on the inside," I spat, "doesn't mean that I can't handle whatever you can handle." I waited for his response which in most cases causes the men in the room to puff out their chests and check their zippers. Instead, the Colonel sat down to patiently discuss the differences.
"Oh, this has nothing to do with you being a woman. I like women," he wiggled his eyebrows. "I've just got a little problem with scientists."
"Colonel, I've logged over 100 hours in enemy airspace during the Gulf War. Is that tough enough for you? Or, are we going to have to arm wrestle?" I taunted with my own raise.
The not-so-hidden smile was back on the Colonel's face and my own flush was beginning to show. Never before had standing up to another officer in a show of who was more tough been so fun.
Our challenging stares were cut short by Major Samuel's interference. "I hate to throw a damper on your enthusiasm, but I still say the safest, most logical way to deal with this is to bury the Stargate just like the ancient Egyptians did. Make it impossible for the aliens to return. It's the only way to eliminate the threat." He spoke with assurance that his opinion would be highly valued.
"Except, it won't work," stated Colonel O'Neill.
"It worked before," said General Hammond.
"They know what we are now. They know how for we've come. We're a threat to THEM. They've got ships, General. Ra had one as big as the great pyramids. They don't need the Stargate to get here. They could do it the old fashioned way. Now, with all due respect to mister glass-is-half-empty over here, don't you think we should use the Stargate to do a little reconnaissance before they decide to come back. Again..." the Colonel let the last word hang over the room. I couldn't help but smile as I saw in action the Colonels unwillingness to just go with the flow. He has seen these aliens, he has battled them. He wasn't going to let some bureaucrat stand in his way to do his job.
"I'll give you exactly 24 hours to either return or send a message through," the General began. "No Kleenex boxes, please. Otherwise, we'll have assumed the worst and send a bomb through." We all stood as the General did and saluted as he retired from the room.
"Understood," said the Colonel as he looked again in my direction. This was definitely going to be a tremendous boost to my career. What I wasn't expecting was that it would also be the hardest in keeping my own personal thoughts down in regards to a certain foolish-grinning Colonel. I felt again that slight flush as he again let go of that smile that quickly brought forward my own. This is going to be a dangerous mission indeed.
A/N: Chapter Update - I think I found my editing mistakes with Kawalsky's and Matt Mason's names; I also looked up the spelling on GateWorld. Thanks much to CharlieBlue1977 and BlueViking77 for the helpful edits.