Clash Of The Titans
Hammond knew O'Neill wouldn't like his decision. He wasn't entirely pleased with the concept himself, but when the President made a suggestion, he had to be listened to, no matter how asinine. And, for a change, it wasn't asinine. At least on paper. It was the execution he was concerned about. He looked at the amassed Stargate teams and carefully considered his words.
" I'm glad to see that so many of you were able to attend," he began. In fact, only four of the teams had been unable to get back in time and none of those were likely to have a bad reaction. " As you know, the SGC is constantly growing and evolving…" He glared down the few snickers. " It has always been understood that at some point in the future, the public will need to be informed of exactly what we do. That time isn't yet here, but the President has decided that it is time to start actively recruiting civilians into the project."
Capt. Samantha Carter looked at him quizzically. " General, we've been utilizing civilian researchers for years." Many of the other men and women nodded at that. However, it was clear that O'Neill and Jackson, along with a few others, had an inkling of where he was going.
" That is true, Capt. Carter, we have had civilian research experts going out with teams for some time. However, with rare exception, the SG team personnel are active duty military personnel. The president feels that the first step towards revealing the Stargate to the world at large is to begin establishing civilian SG teams. All of you will be involved, with selection and training. I assure you that our standards will not be compromised in any way. Does anyone have any questions?" There was dead silence. With no small amount of private amusement, Hammond noted that most of the teams were waiting for the members of SG-1 to sound off.
And true to form, Jack O'Neill stepped forward. " I have a question, sir." His expression made it clear what his opinion was, but Hammond nodded anyway. Sometimes it was better to let everyone grumble a bit.
O'Neill smirked. " I was just wondering what the application process was going to look like. The kid that makes my coffee over at Starbucks was looking for something a little more challenging."
Hammond allowed the laughter to go on for a few moments. " Col. O'Neill, if that coffee barrista boy meets our hiring criteria and can qualify for a top secret clearance, then feel free to suggest his name." He was glad O'Neill said it, because he knew it would be the chief concern. " There will be no, I repeat, no drop in quality. Anyone else?" No one spoke up but he was pretty certain that he had not heard the last from SG-1.
Teal'c often wondered how the Tau'ri ever managed to raise themselves up out of the turmoil that passed for what they deemed society. As individuals, he knew they were formidable. Worthy opponents, and clever warriors, their sense of individuality gave them an advantage over the Go'a'ld. And yet, the simplest things often set off hours of angry debate. It no longer surprised him that, while formidable against their enemies, the Tau'ri fought amongst themselves over petty, childish reasons.
From a philosophical standpoint, he understood Colonel O'Neill's objection. While he was himself rather disturbed by the idea of recruiting new teams, there was a necessity for more teams. Teams with different skills. While the military approach was important, he could see the value of adding more people like Daniel Jackson, who often came up with ingenious solutions to the problems the Go'a'ld threw at the Tau'ri.
He also understood that while O'Neill objected to General Hammond's decision, despite all of his complaining, the man would do as ordered. The angry words that he was currently flinging around were just his way of expressing his irritation.
It was very annoying.
"No,"O'Neill said as he slapped down the last file, " Not one of these people are acceptable." It wasn't the first time O'Neill had said it, and judging from the expressions of Carter and Daniel, they were becoming tired and irritated. Teal'c himself was not tired, but irritation was an emotion he was willing to allow himself.
Daniel picked up the large stack of files and began to thumb through them. " Every single one of these people meet the recruitment criteria. They're physically fit, they're all well educated…"
" They all have some firearms training," Carter added helpfully. " Look, Colonel, we have to pick some people to approach. If we reject every single candidate before we even make an offer to any of them, the president is not going to be very happy."
" I am not concerned about his happiness, I'm concerned about the integrity of the project," O'Neill shot back. " Look at this file." He took the file off the top of the stack and slapped it down onto the table the four of them were sitting around, and opened it to the surveillance picture of the candidate. " He looks like he's twelve."
Daniel took the file and looked it over. " He's also a near genius and his theoretical work on wormholes makes him very useful. He has a doctorate in physics, recently attained, but currently unemployed. Likely due to the unorthodox theories he's been publishing." Daniel Jackson smiled. " It's like he's the me of physics."
"Fine, fine, we'll put the pretty boy in the maybe pile." O'Neill turned to Carter. " Why don't we just go around the table and have everyone pick their favorite? It'll be ever so democratic."
"If you say so, sir," Carter replied. Teal'c noticed that she looked relieved. He understood that feeling. O'Neill was done with his protest and now they would be able to pick candidates. She went through the pile and opened a folder. " This would be my first choice. I like the multiple skills he'd bring. And, Colonel, you'll note that he's more handsome than pretty." She grinned.
O'Neill sighed as he looked over the file. " A New York cop. At least he knows how to shoot drug dealers. I'm sure we could teach him to shoot other things."
"Actually, he's quite intelligent, and considered a top investigator. Interestingly, he's considered expert at both forensic science and criminal psychology. Those are skills that could adapt well to Stargate Command." Carter looked at O'Neill expectantly.
"Put him in the offer pile. Teal'c, who is your pick?" O'Neill looked at him with interest. Teal'c supposed it was due to O'Neill's belief that Teal'c was the most like him on the team. Certainly, he did not share the scientific background of Capt. Samantha Carter or Daniel Jackson, but he did understand that when going into battle, one chose one's companions wisely.
" This is my choice," he said simply as he picked the folder out of the pile. Weighing in the skills of the amassed candidates versus the needs a Stargate team had, he felt that he had made the best choice. " My candidate is also an investigator."
" No, Teal'c, she's a spook." O'Neill said with a sigh. He looked at the folder. " She is pretty though."
" That was not a consideration," Teal'c said slowly. " She has an extensive medical background, education in physics, a trained investigator, and appears to have an extensive background in dealing with unique situations similar to our off world encounters."
" Oh yeah, " Carter said after she took a closer look at the file. " She was the ghost hunter… the one in the FBI unit that chases UFOs." She looked at the photo. " She is pretty."
Teal'c closed the file. " Her physical appearance was not a consideration." Though in fact she was quite pleasing for a human woman.
O'Neill took the file. " That leaves me, and I have to be honest, it all seems like six of one, half dozen of another. Anyone want my pick?" At that moment, the Gate alarm blared. They all jumped to their feet.
"Unscheduled offworld gate activation! All personnel to the gate room!"
