January 17, 2005 – Colorado Springs, CO

It was General O'Neill's first day in charge of the SGC. After his return with Thor, he realized that he was left with quite a bit in his brain from the Ancient download. Among the leftovers was knowledge of where to find and how to use various pieces of Ancient technology. This led him to make a decision. After a very brief speech, he went on to lay out a new direction for the program.

"The mandate for this program has always been to locate technologies and weapons capable of defending Earth, and while we will continue that, we are going to focus our efforts on Ancient technologies. Everything will be business as usual, just that new recon missions will come from a new list of planets. Planets that we know were at one time inhabited by the Ancients. I'm here if anyone has questions. Thank you."

As Jack headed back to his office, he was cut off by Daniel.

"Jack."

"Daniel," Jack said as he kept walking.

"Jack!"

"Daniel!" He started walking faster.

"Jaaaack."

"Ok, what Daniel?" Jack stopped and turned around.

"Ancients inhabited all of these planets? Do you know how exciting this is?"

"Daniel, it was my call. Of course I know. I'll explain more in your briefing at 1100. Now can I go take a leak?"

"Fine, see you then."

After trying to make a dent in the massive pile of paperwork that appeared in his box, he looked up and saw SG-1 in the briefing room. He looked at his watch, 1100 on the dot, so he strolled in there.

"Ok, campers, let's talk about P5D-992."

"Actually, sir, I wanted to request that we return to P3C-128. Since we are going to be more focused on Ancient technologies, that planet did have Ancient writings on it, and I'm convinced there is a device there that is causing the changes in the planet's ionosphere."

"Colonel, that was your last mission, correct? Standard recon?"

"Yes, sir."

"The text didn't mention a device. What makes you think there is one there?"

She looked surprised that he knew all about the previous mission already.

It's his first day for cryin'… Stop!

"The anomalies in the planet's ionosphere don't appear to be natural to me."

"Daniel, what do you think?"

"Well, Jack, she's the expert on this sort of thing. I read the same text you did. I have no idea."

"Teal'c, Mitchell, any objections?" They shook their heads in the negative.

"Risk assessment?"

"Minimal, sir. We saw no signs of habitation or recent visitors," Mitchell replied.

"Sir, if a device is causing this, it could be calibrated for military uses, such as disrupting communications, or even protecting us from energy weapons coming from orbit."

"Assuming futzing with the ionosphere is the device's purpose. So Carter, this is what, a gut feeling?"

She looked at his blank eyes, wondering what he was thinking. The last time he had a gut feeling she shot him down ruthlessly and spat in his face for years, while she ruined his life and her own. She knew that she would absolutely deserve for him to shoot her down right now.

"Ok, go eat lunch, get checked out, and gear up. You'll ship out at 1400. Dismissed."

Sam was shocked for a moment, and then left with the others.

He's a better person than you are. I wouldn't have gone with your gut there, and I am you.

...

Jack went back to his office replaying their briefing. He quite enjoyed making Sam sweat a bit. Yeah, he knew he was a bastard. When it came to dealing with people, Sam had never been very worthy of his trust, and now he knew better than to ever give it to her again. But when it came to doohickeys and ionospheres and what not, he learned long ago to trust her gut.

He sat down just as the red phone rang.

"O'Neill."

"Jack."

"Mr. President, what can I do for you?"

"How's the first day back going for you?"

"Peachy, sir. I never knew just how much I loved paperwork until it was gone for four years."

Hayes laughed. "I'm sure. Listen, Jack, I wanted to tell you those two Aschen that are still on the loose, we might have located them."

"Oh?"

"In China."

"That's just great," Jack muttered.

"We are still trying to confirm their location and plans, but I'm just giving you a heads up in case a mission comes up soon."

"I appreciate it, sir."

"Get back to work, Jack. I'll talk to you soon."

"Yes, sir. O'Neill out."

Jack leaned back and scrubbed his hand over his face. He was not looking forward to that mission.

…

Jack worked his way back into the game, and things went fairly smoothly. The next day, he called in SG-2 for their next mission brief.

"Well, good morning, sirrrrrr," Vala purred at him.

Ferretti stood back and smirked. "At least you don't have to deal with her out there anymore, Jack, General, whatever."

"Yes, Lou. I only have to deal with her at home now."

"Hey!" Vala was affronted. Then in a seductive voice, "You know, you could always make that a much more enjoyable experience."

Hailey snorted at the briefing with their two-star CO. She hadn't officially been in the military as long as most people at the SGC, but knew enough to know that this was anything but typical.

Getting back to business, Jack told them about P9A-333 where the Aschen had made contact, but never had the chance to follow up. The mission was to nose around and make sure none of them stayed behind to cause problems.

"We're back to typical rules of engagement, Wilkins. Don't bring me back anyone's head."

"Hey, how am I supposed to have my fun? I don't have all of these ladies throwing themselves at me like you do."

Hailey giggled again.

"Something funny, Captain?" Jack shot her a half-hearted glare.

"No, sir." She gave him a big smile and winked at him.

"For cryin' out loud. Alright, gang, you ship out at 1300. Dismissed."

...

Jack sat there at the table after everyone left. The briefing managed to make him miss joining them in the field. He was pleased his team still gave him hell like they did before. The last thing he wanted to see was Ferretti, Wilkins, and Hailey being kiss-ass officers in his two-star presence.

My team? Well, that's what they are, I suppose. Or were. It's been a long time since SG-1 was my team. Now, I have no team. But if something critical comes up that I need done, I know which team I would entrust to get it done or back me up, and it's not SG-1.

Eventually, SG-2 returned with no news and no Aschen. SG-1 also came back, Carter with the device she thought she would find. It was a device Jack didn't know much about. Luckily, he knew how to turn it off, as it started screwing with wireless transmissions in the area surrounding the mountain. He left it with Carter for study, and moved on to the next team. Being the General really wasn't all it was cracked up to be.