To Jess, Sam and Daniel sounded more like they were pitching a sci-fi movie of the week then explaining a military operation. But she sat and patiently listened as the two detailed intergalactic travel, alien foes and advanced technology. It was a bit much to swallow.
Eventually, Jess had to interrupt. Her mind was spinning from all the information they'd shared, but there was one glaring question that hadn't been answered.
"Excuse me, Ma'am. There's something I don't understand. Why me? What do I bring to the table that any other pilot doesn't?" Jess was terribly confused on why she would be recalled and brought into a secret operation when there were plenty of young able bodied Air Force officers who would jump at the chance, including pilots already active in the Stargate program.
"My recommendation," Hank was leaning against the door frame to his office. He moved into the room and took a seat at the head of the table.
Sam looked across the table at the younger woman. She'd read up on Jess' file and was surprised at the level of experience that the relatively young 31 year old major had racked up. Then again, graduating from the Air Force Academy coupled with her participation in both the Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns had presented Jess with opportunities unavailable to pilots in more peaceful times.
What was more of an enigma to Sam was the nine months that had been blacked out of Jess' record. Especially since the mysterious time period was immediately followed by an honorable discharge. Even with Sam's connections and high-level security clearance, Jess had secrets.
"Gen. Landry has the utmost faith in your abilities," Sam smiled at Jess.
"The damned bureaucrats cut my budget to a fraction of what it takes to run this program," Hank complained. "Basically, I need people around who I can trust to get the job done no matter what the odds. You've proven you can do that."
Jess nodded her understanding. Sam and Daniel exchanged a look. What did the general know that they didn't?
"We have ships that supplement the SGCs efforts and provide back up for our ground teams when we need it," Daniel chimed in. "That program is where the government is concentrating their resources, meaning there was an opportunity to bring in new recruits. You'll be joining a squadron of F302 fighter jets that operate from an X303 called Prometheus."
"You were hand picked for the assignment," Sam continued. "We have pilots in training, but our new recruits can't match your level of combat experience. Since Prometheus is our flagship, they see the most action and needed a pilot who can hit the ground running."
"I'm counting on you Major," Hank finished the justification for Jess' addition to the operation.
Jess' career with the Stargate program began with three weeks of training at the beta site. There she was fully briefed on the proper tactics, received hands on training for some of the advanced weapons like zats and staff weapons, and spent hours training in 302 fighters.
The time at the beta site flew by, and Jess was amazed at how easily she got back in the saddle. The advanced technology made flying the 302 a breeze, and it wasn't long before she was out maneuvering some of her trainers. Jess had always been a natural, and these sophisticated jets gave her a new found freedom to push her flying skills to the limit.
But learning tactics and regaining her piloting skills were the easy parts. The squadron she was joining had been brought to the site during her second week so the team would have time to train together before returning to active duty. Jess knew that gaining the trust and respect of her teammates would prove a far more difficult process than studying up on protocol.
She was the only female in her squadron, and was replacing a much loved former team member who had been killed in action. That was two strikes against her right out off the bat. Jess knew it would take real mission time together to truly gel, and she had to remind herself to be patient. Still, her quiet resolve and superior piloting skills impressed the other pilots.
The only person she formed an immediate bond with was her co-pilot. He was a tall, lean lieutenant from Texas with the unfortunate moniker Bill Cassidy, who went by the inevitable call sign and nickname Butch.
Butch had a wicked sense of humor and Jess found it hard at first to distinguish when he was being serious and when he was yanking her chain. It didn't take long though before Butch learned Jess could dish it out as well as she could take it. He also quickly discovered that most personal questions were strictly off limits.
At the end of her training Jess was ordered to return to the SGC to sign off on the multitude of paperwork that the military so loved, and put her personal affairs in order before being deployed.
Given that she was the only one returning to the SGC, the beta site base commander asked her to deliver some miscellaneous paperwork to Hank. Jess really didn't mind. It gave her a good excuse to stop by and say hello.
Carrying the files in one hand and her bag with the other, Jess marched up to Hank's office. She found the door open, but could hear two voices inside; Hank's and another that she didn't recognize. Rather than lug the files around, she decided to interrupt. After all, the door was open so it couldn't be too important of a conversation. Shifting her load, Jess managed an awkward knock on the door frame.
"Come," was the hasty one word reply.
"Sir, sorry for the interruption," Jess walked into the office. She put her bag down so she could properly salute her superior officer.
"Major, glad to see you're back. I've been hearing good things about you," Hank was positively glowing.
The other solider hadn't gone unnoticed by Jess. He was sitting in one of the chairs in front of the general's desk. She recognized the SG1 patch on his shoulder that both Sam and Daniel had worn. Based on what she had learned from her team about SG1, it was easy to deduce that this was Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell. The way the other pilots had built him up, she'd been expecting nothing short of Tom Cruise ala Top Gun.
"Sir, Col. Rodgers asked me to deliver these files to you straight away," Jess kept her focus on Hank, but she could feel SG1's leader watching her.
"Thank you Major," Hank took the files and started flipping through them.
"So, Major, do you have a name?" Cam had his own contacts at the beta site and had been getting a steady stream of information on the hot new pilot.
Jess studied him briefly, trying to figure out what he was up to. She wasn't sure what to expect from him, but wasn't one to be intimidated by reputation or rank either.
"O'Connor Sir," Jess pointed to the name patch on the front of her BDUs that was in plain sight.
"What about a first name? Have you got one of those?" Cam was smiling at her, and she found it a bit unnerving.
In her experience, smiling brass usually knew something you didn't. Jess decided that he must be testing her, and chose to push back as much as she could without over stepping the limits of her lesser rank.
"Yes, Sir," Jess accurately answered his exact question with out actually revealing any information. Before Cam could protest, Jess turned her attention back to Hank who was watching the exchange with great interest.
"Sir, will there be anything else?" She quickly asked.
"No, you're dismissed," Hank had been waiting for these two to cross paths.
They had plenty in common, more then either one of them probably realized. Both were excellent pilots, good at heart, ambitious, and head strong. These were traits that had served them well in their military careers, and at times been the key to saving their lives.
Landry guessed the two would either hit it off or kill each other. 'Let the battles begin,' he thought to himself.
"Thank you Sir, Lt. Colonel Mitchell," Jess saluted both officers, calling Cam out by name to prove that even with out an introduction she was fully aware of who she'd been addressing. Then she turned and exited the room.
Hank looked expectantly at Cam.
"What!?" was Cam's only reply.
Jess wandered the halls trying to find the temporary quarters she had been assigned for the overnight stay. She had meetings stacked up, but not until after lunch, so she wanted to get her gear stowed and maybe try and unwind a little first.
As she rounded a corner, she ran smack dab into one very preoccupied archeologist.
"Dr. Jackson! I'm sorry," Jess struggled to keep her balance. Papers had gone flying and were floating gracefully down all over the hallway.
"My fault, I should learn to watch where I'm going," Daniel answered, giving an apologetic smile. "And it's Daniel. Please, call me Daniel."
Jess found herself charmed by Daniel's easy manner. She couldn't help but like the guy. His somewhat geeky persona was a pleasant change from all the testosterone-laden egos she was used to dealing with in the military.
"You're just lucky I forgot my coffee Major," he said giving her one of his patented make the girls melt smiles.
"Jess," Jess responded.
"I'm sorry?" Daniel had started to pick up his papers and didn't follow her point.
"Call me Jess. If I'm going to drop the title, then you're going to drop the rank," she explained.
This time it was Daniel's turn to be charmed.
"That's a deal," he smiled at her.
Between the two of them they made quick work of gathering up Daniel's things. He thanked Jess for her help and lingered hoping to continue the conversation.
"Actually, Daniel," Jess tested the name. "I could use your help if you have a minute."
"Sure, what can I do for you?" Daniel asked, thankful for the excuse to keep talking.
"Give me directions. I'm lost," Jess admitted.
Daniel had a better idea, "Tell you what, follow me back to my office so I can drop these off and I'll give you the full tour."
By the end of the day Jess was exhausted. She didn't think she'd ever signed her name so many times, had such a through medical check-up, or been interviewed by that many people in one afternoon. Now, hidden back in the bunk room, she had a chance to reflect a little on the day.
Daniel had been a huge help and even asked her to join him for lunch. Jess wasn't a fool and picked up on the subtle, and not so subtle, hints Daniel was dropping her way. She'd been careful about any signals she sent in return.
Sure she found him attractive, for Christ sake, she wasn't blind. It's just Jess wasn't interested in complicating her life with romance. Besides she was just starting out in a new command and would be working on and off with Daniel and the rest of SG1. It just made sense to keep things strictly professional.
Jess switched out of her uniform and into her pajamas. She crawled into bed with the book she'd been reading, glad for the solitude that the otherwise unoccupied bunk room offered. She had spent so much time during the day trying to remember names and answering questions that the quiet was a welcome luxury she planed to fully enjoy.
However her body had other ideas and it wasn't long before she nodded off to sleep.
"No! Get your, stop, I'll kill you!" Jess woke up screaming, soaked in sweat. It took her a moment to figure out where she really was and bring her emotions under control.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, and looked at the clock; 0323. Jess sighed. She hadn't had a nightmare since resuming her military duties and had hoped she was finally rid of them. Still experience told her there would be no more sleep tonight.
The images from the dream were lapping at the recesses of her mind and she needed something more than a stark bunk room to shake them. Jess remembered Daniel had shown her a workout facility earlier in the day and decided it would have to do. She dug though her things for a uniform and her PT gear. Once dressed, she headed out for an early morning workout.
After a run and full circuit on the weights, Jess was still wound tight. She saw a heavy bag in the back corner of the room and decided to work it over for awhile. Maybe something a little more violent would help settle her nerves.
With every punch and kick Jess worked out her anger. Silently she pledged that the past would not rule her future. In her mind she repeated the creed she always did on nights like this; she was okay, she was in control, and she could get beyond this. The louder her thoughts got, the harder her hits got. I, jab, am, knee, okay, kick hook cross.
"Whoa, I think its dead," an anonymous voice came from behind her.
Startled by the interruption, Jess spun around, guard up against any potential attack.
"Hey! I give, uncle," Cam held his hands up in the universal sign for surrender.
Jess was breathing heavily and didn't drop her hands immediately, taking a split second for instinct to give way to reason. She connected the dots between where her mind had taken her and where she really was, quickly snapping to attention.
"Sorry Sir, I didn't hear you come in," she apologized.
"I figured that much," Cam watched the soldier, it wasn't normal to be working out at this time of the morning, and from the look of it, she'd been at it for a while. "At ease O'Connor."
Jess walked over to the bench she had left her towel on. She grabbed it and wiped the sweat from her face.
"So I've got an early morning briefing, what's your excuse," Cam handed Jess the bottle of water that had been sitting with her towel. Reluctantly, she took it from him.
"I couldn't sleep Sir. New surroundings and all," Jess hoped the explanation would be enough.
"Ever try warm milk?" Cam tired to lighten the tone of the conversation a little.
"No Sir, I haven't. I'll keep it in mind," Jess was just grateful he wasn't really pushing the issue.
They stood in an awkward silence. Jess was still trying to catch her breath and really didn't know what to say. Truth was she found Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell frustrating. She wasn't entirely sure why either, which just perplexed her all the more.
"I think I've finished up here Sir," Jess decided it wasn't worth trying to force a conversation. She waited to see if Cam gave any sign of wanting the formality of a salute and dismissal, but he just nodded and headed toward the free weights. Satisfied, Jess retreated to the woman's locker room.
One bonus of being a woman at a top secret military facility is you usually didn't have to worry about sharing showers. There just weren't enough women at the SGC to cause traffic jams, and given the still early hour Jess had the whole facility to herself.
She let the hot water wash over her and finally started to feel like a normal human being again. Jess laughed at herself; maybe she should have just tried the shower to begin with.
When she'd finished, she turned the water off and wrapped up in a towel. She had found an empty locker to stow her stuff in and returned to it to get dressed. With her spirit finally quiet, she began running through what she needed to get done for the day.
Sam entered the locker room surprised to hear anyone else. She wanted to get a quick workout in before her 0600 pre-mission briefing and hadn't expected to find any one else up at the early hour.
As Sam walked around the bank of lockers she caught a glimpse of Jess clasping her bra. Down the junior officer's back, starting mid-shoulder blade, was a series of short, horizontal scars. Their symmetry and pattern reminded Sam of a tally, and made it obvious they were purposeful.
Jess felt eyes on her. Very few people had ever seen the scars. Jess made a point to stay covered up. Only her Aunt Maggie had ever had the nerve to ask her about them and found out quickly just how little Jess was willing to share.
There was only one other person that knew what the scars were really all about and he was dead. Jess had seen to that herself.
Sam cleared her throat and tried to stop staring. "Morning, I didn't expect to find anyone else in here." She moved to her own locker and started grabbing the things she needed.
"Morning Ma'am, I'll be done in a minute," Jess finished getting dressed and tied her hair up in a bun.
She gave Sam a quick salute as she gathered up her things and made for the door.
Sam was inclined to just let her go, but decided against it. She might not know the details, but the scars confirmed what she had been suspecting. Jess had been through something horrible in the war, probably even tortured. "Major, hold on a second."
Jess stopped and turned back to the highest ranking female officer in the SGC.
"Listen Jess, there aren't a lot of women in this program, on the ships or here at command," Sam used the major's first name to establish a friendly tenor. "I just wanted to let you know that if you ever need a friend, don't let my rank get in the way."
"Thank you Ma'am, that's good to know." Jess hoped it was true, she could always use a friend.