Only a year later Sam had her transfer papers to go back to Stargate command, every day since they had stepped through and gone to a different planet Sam debated whether she had done the right thing or not. Her hearts said yes her head no. Now it seemed that she had another chance to go through the gate at least this time she had her God father as CO of the base she knew he wouldn't give her the same proposition that General West had. Colonel O'Neill on the other hand was included in the bargain so Sam had a good idea of what he would be like, a mini General West. The whole flight over she planned what she was going to say, she would be going through the gate and she wouldn't be taken for a mug again she would get through that gate.
"So where is he transferring from?" She heard the Colonel ask already assuming she was a man. She knew this would be a fine line between proving she could be a useful asset and insubordination but she had to play the game to get through the gate.
"She is transferring from the Pentagon." I said walking in answering Hammonds question for him, I confidently walked over to the empty seat on the table which happened to be opposite to where Colonel O'Neill was sitting
"I take it you're Colonel O'Neill. Captain Samantha Carter reporting, sir." I saluted him, he returned it looking slightly irritated. The man next to him spoke
"But of course you go by Sam." He asked, I laughed having expected it, in the military you had to fit in,
"You don't have to worry, Major. I played with dolls when I was a kid." I commented
"G.I. Joe?" he asked, the favoured one among most of the current tom boys but I was different having always wanted to go to space.
"No. Major Matt Mason." He looked confused he had no idea who that was as he turned to the man next to him I guessed these 2 were 2 of the original members that got to go through the gate so must be either Ferretti or Kawasaki
"Oh... Who?
"Major Matt Mason, astronaut doll. Did you have that cool little backpack that made him fly?" he asked enthusiastically, I smiled maybe I did have one friend or lesser enemy.
"Let's get started. Colonel?" Hammond said sounded fed up of our banter, I sat down
"Thank you. Those of you on your first trip through the Stargate, you should be prepared for what to expect." O'Neill said as a dig at me.
"I've practically memorized your report from the first mission. I'd like to think I've been preparing for this all my life." I retorted
"I think what the Colonel is saying is... have you ever pulled out of a simulated bombing run in an F-16 at 8-plus Gs?" I smiled, remembering that time so well, still it gave me great pleasure to reply
"Yes." Was my simple response, they were all taken aback
"Well... it's way worse than that." The one next to O'Neill said
"By the time you get to the other side, you're frozen stiff like you've just been through a blizzard. Naked." I thought he was decent but now I knew they were all like that but they weren't going to get to me if in doubt techno babble
"That's a result of the compression your molecules undergo during the millisecond required for reconstitution." I said
"Oh, here we go, another scientist. General... please." O'Neill begged
"Theoretical astrophysicist." I informed him if he was going to insult me he could at least get it right
"Which means...?" he asked, I prepared to reply but Hammond jumped in
"It means she is smarter than you are, Colonel. Especially in matters related to the Stargate." He told them, the 2 men chucked until O'Neill shot them a glare.
"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. But sir, you and your men might as well accept the fact that I am going through this time." I said emphasising the men, if I had been male a Y not an X in genes then I would have gone,
"Well, with all due respect, Doctor" O'Neill said trying to devalue my military standing, I knew it was a tactic to get me off the team
"It is appropriate to refer to a person by their rank, not their salutation. Call me "Captain," not "Doctor."" I corrected him,
"Captain Carter's assignment to this unit is not an option, it's an order." Hammond told them,
"I'm an Air Force officer just like you are, Colonel. And just because my reproductive organs are on the inside instead of the outside, doesn't mean I can't handle whatever you can handle." I said, reminding them I had exactly the same training as they did, having done extra course this year so nobody could challenge my place, I was now hand to hand level 3 that was black ops level and had expert marksmanship I was going on this mission.
"Oh, this has nothing to do with you being a woman. I like women. I've just got a little problem with scientists." I knew he liked women, like West had.
"Colonel I 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 asked hoping that he would drop it and see me for the officer I was. As Hammond lead the meeting I watched them closely, trying to work them all out. Firstly I found that Kawasaki was the one next to O'Neill and Ferretti was next to him. O'Neill spent the time looking at me as if judging me, I spent my time staring him down. He wasn't going to get anything from me, and I wanted to make sure where his eyes were wondering. I was surprised they seemed to stay on my face, but we were in the presence of Generals.
I knew one thing this mission would be interesting.