Decommissioned

Thank you all for your reviews. Thanks again to beta dreamer one for keeping me on track.

3. Retrieval

It was hard to leave the brief physical contact; it reminded her of how seldom she actually touched or was touched in that way. Today, she got more contact than she could stand. Dr. Daniel Jackson and Col. Cameron Mitchell were good for a greeting hug, and Teal'c was just one big hug whether he actually touched her or not. But those were far between, and curiously, she didn't know if she could bear for any of them to touch her right now. At times like this, she missed Dr. Janet Fraiser so much.

Whoa, Sam thought. This sexual harassment horror was getting to her. Although she could be pretty sure the Air Force would deal harshly with Newcombe, she had to go the distance and help get the rest of those antiquated misogynists out of the service. Sam was prepared to deal with any repercussions from the general's affiliates; so be it. Already a second mission was underway where similar transgressions against female airmen were reported.

Her skin was cold; it itched. How could they treat them like that, just because they were female? Didn't the threat of Goa'uld domination, Replicator invasions, and foothold incursions make these idiots realize there were more important things to pursue than sex from fellow soldiers? After all she'd seen and done to save this planet, this is what she saved it for?

"Sam?" a voice said close to her. A hand touched her shoulder. Sam whirled around and snatched the offender, neatly securing him in an arm lock. "Hey, ow! Sam, it's me, Daniel!"

"Daniel!" Sam gasped. She released him immediately. She was shocked to see she was already outside in front of the building. Daniel Jackson, her team's archeologist, rubbed his arm and stared at her in disbelief. "You blind-sided me; I'm so sorry, Daniel!"

"It's ok. Landry said you'd been on a mission, and to pick you up here," Daniel said, watching her carefully. "Um, Sam, are you alright?"

Sam was busy controlling her thudding heartbeat. What was wrong with her? It was as if his touch burned. But it was only Daniel. The text message was from Walter at the base, advising her who was picking her up so she was expecting them. She saw Teal'c race from the SUV toward them, and couldn't stop herself from backing away. Teal'c saw her distress and slowed until he stood beside Daniel. Sam gulped in air, and tried to breath normally.

"Col. Carter, do you require assistance?" Teal'c asked. He noted her agitation at Daniel's proximity and at his own approach. He held his position and calmly waited.

"I'm ok, I'm fine... Just give it a minute, guys," Sam gasped out. Well, this won't do, she thought. She resisted the urge to shut her eyes as her vision seemed to double things. After a moment, her head cleared and her breathing slowed enough to walk. She started toward the car, Teal'c following a safe distance in case she collapsed, she figured, and he opened the back seat door. "Thanks. Sorry about that," she murmured, and slid in. She took off her shades and dress cap, laying them on the seat. They pulled off as soon as Daniel buckled into the passenger seat.

"Was your mission successful, Col. Carter?" Teal'c asked when they had driven in silence for some minutes. There was a slight puzzlement in his voice but she had to ignore it. Sam looked up. He was wearing what she thought of as his "Murray" hat to cover the tattoo on his forehead. His eyes were checking on her and the traffic ahead intermittently. Daniel had twisted in his seat to regard her.

"Yes, as planned. Just some loose ends to tie up when we get back to the base," Sam replied. She hadn't been able to confide in them yet. Her "orders" had arrived sealed even to Gen. Landry. Yet Sam had a feeling this was way too sensitive to the SGC for him to be out of the loop completely. She would be glad to debrief them, something she should be cleared to do on her return. Her teammates exchanged glances at her answer and all was quiet until Daniel spoke.

"Must have been…special," Daniel offered innocently. Sam's attention snapped to him. He nearly recoiled, but settled for a questioning look.

"Special. Yeah, you could say that," Sam said. She settled back again and tried to get a grip.

"I know. Sealed orders. If you tell me, you'll have to…break my arm," Daniel replied. Sam stared at him before smiling self-consciously. Daniel smiled, but she missed the troubled look that followed.

By the time they arrived, Sam's head felt wired for explosion. One moment she was Col. Sam Carter ready for duty. The next she thought she was going to burst out of her skin. She began to wonder if being part of Newcombe's interrogation was wise; her emotions were off the scale. Maybe she was too close to this now that she had been his intended victim. When they left the elevator, Sam proceeded to Landry's office while Teal'c and Daniel went to the briefing room to await their summons. She smiled at them as they parted, and received their muted if sincere responses.

As she expected, Landry had been apprised of her activities as soon as Newcombe was in custody. She was surprised to see Major Paul Davis, who stood as she entered. The expressions of incredulity on their faces and their queries of concern for her threatened to upset her carefully restored professional mask. Sam merely assured them she was unharmed, and was ready to proceed. She began from the beginning, where she first learned of the conspiracy, to enlisting a JAG attorney to help set her as a victim and then the activities with Newcombe at the hotel. She let them know how Newcombe selected his victims: they all had higher-ranking SGC and/or military relatives whose reputations could suffer if they refused him.

Sam learned that Major Davis was the contact that JAG worked with, rooting out Newcombe's co-conspirators. Another government ally, Agent Barrett, helped set up the surveillance. Whoa: Malcolm Barrett, from the NID? Sam started. The room had been bugged, and with cameras as well? Their flushed sympathetic faces did little to dim her mortification. She had carried a wired mike hidden in her panel of medals, assured that it was all that was necessary. Damn, how naïve was that!

"It would have been…nice to let me know, sirs," Sam murmured, her head beginning to pound again.

"Sorry, Col. Carter. We had to have indisputable proof it was him making these threats. We thought it would make everything more genuine if you weren't aware of camera locations and all. Um, we will be able to blank out your face, and disguise your name and voice at the preliminaries," Maj. Davis said. At her appalled silence, he added sincerely, "And I'm really sorry it got so physical, Colonel. For what it's worth, you're one helluva fighter."

"I should mention that Agent Barrett wouldn't let anyone else have access to this tape, so he…uh, tended to it himself. Said you deserved backup from someone you trusted. I agreed, as did the President," Landry added, his hand drawing aimless on the desk. The silence drew out. "And I believe there've been some---improvements in your hand to hand. Good work." His eyes met hers without censure.

Sam swallowed and nodded. Oh, boy: videotape. Oh, yeah, he saw that stop-punch and guessed what she meant to do. She reluctantly hoped that Malcolm had her six on this. No good deed, she thought irreverently.

"But first, if you want, we can get the guys up to date. Then you're to report to the infirmary for a check up. Please, no arguments, Carter," Landry said finally. Sam colored again; they must have seen Newcombe mark her.

"Acknowledged, sir. I'm ready to speak with Daniel and Teal'c now."

"I'll come with you," Landry said, nodding to Maj. Davis. Davis picked up the general's phone as they left.

The debriefing with Daniel and Teal'c was much shorter, but by no means easier. These were her teammates of a decade. She couldn't avoid their eyes; they knew her so well, as well as she knew them. Well then, she decided, they knew she would be the same post-mission Sam she always was. She had given them the details in as normal a manner as possible.

"Sam, you could have taken one of us," Daniel said when she concluded. He delayed looking her in the eye at first; when he did look her way, she caught his worry and reproach. She tried to be extra focused on the retelling as she noted his face alternate between horror and anger. Maybe in the future she'd tease him about how large his eyes grew behind his glasses.

"I was wired, Daniel. I had a team of the baddest back-up SF's on the planet. You think I couldn't handle it even then?" Sam asked tersely. Three pairs of eyes locked onto her, questioning.

"You could have told us. We'd have been there for you." Daniel persisted in his soft manner. He radiated concern, but she caught the mildest of hurt in his voice. Oh, damn; he's probably remembering the awful aftermath of Jack's undercover mission a few years back.

"You know it doesn't work that way, Dr. Jackson. Sam had her orders," Landry put in. His nonchalant manner was not reflected in his eyes, Sam noted. His eyes were sharp and saw beneath the surfaces of all of their faces. "Even I wasn't aware of the operation until it was underway."

"I believe Col. Carter handled her mission with extraordinary competence, Daniel Jackson. She has never been afraid of difficult assignments," Teal'c said. Sam swallowed at the compliment. She knew, however, that he was holding back powerful feelings about this; she'd seen it whenever he intended to exact vengeance on a Goa'uld. There in the tension in his jaw, in his hands as they pressed flat into the conference table, leaving imprints she was sure. "I am certain Col. Carter would have enlisted our assistance if she had a choice." It made her wonder what he saw in her eyes and posture.

"Not really the point, is it? This may have been an earth based mission but it's not without danger, General. Sending Sam into the belly of the beast – a high level general who has connections in god knows how many places – "

"Daniel," Sam said firmly, waiting until he quieted. "I chose to do this because I wanted to, and I wanted it done. I seemed to be exactly what he was looking for, and the timing was right. But I know what could happen after and I'm not afraid," she explained. "It's not the first time I was locked in with a lecherous bully, you know." She wasn't feeling especially patient now but it wouldn't do for Daniel or Teal'c to think she couldn't handle a special mission alone.

Another awkward silence as Sam gave back her two teammates look for look. What the hell did they expect, anyway? Hysterics? Hello, Lt. Colonel here, her cold look said to them. When eyes dropped from hers she was sure her message was received.

"Is Col. Carter protected against retaliation, Gen. Landry?" Teal'c asked. He voiced a concern hanging in the air. "Gen. Newcombe will have allies." Teal'c glanced at her briefly, respectfully.

"There won't be any retaliation, Teal'c. No one would dare now that we have proof of the general's treachery," Landry responded. He gave Sam a reassuring nod. "And with his cohorts in custody, I expect there'll be some resignations in the next few days, Sam. And remember, this is the SGC; anything dealing with it will be classified, including Newcombe's removal. Now go on to the infirmary. I'll see you afterward."

They rose after Landry left. Automatically Daniel and Teal'c flanked Sam as they headed to the infirmary.

"Sam, you know I know you can handle yourself," Daniel said before they stepped out of the room. She tried to smile in understanding. "It's just…I hate to think of you going there to confront that, alone. I can't help thinking what if something went wrong, he drugged you, or the mikes didn't work…"

"Perhaps it would have made us feel of use to you, Col. Carter, had we been allowed to make ourselves available in case of difficulties. Yet I am confident that you had the situation under control," Teal'c responded, giving his little bow. Sam nearly lost it at the concern he showed.

They left her! A men-only bash, they said. She fumed, alone in the cluttered, odd-smelling tent. Probably to get stinky drunk and pound their chests in drunken male communion.

"I know guys. With all that's going on it just had to go down this way. I had no options," Sam answered when her thoughts settled again. But she was feeling restless, and at last made the first move to leave the conference room.

Sam felt her nerves ready to howl; she knew the coming confrontation with Newcombe was going to test her deeply, and she needed to keep herself together a little longer. Yet her moods were shifting from moment to moment; keep a grip, she ordered herself. Just a little longer. Teal'c kept his arm abreast of hers and Daniel held her hand on the walk to the infirmary. Sam was very glad for their support. For the moment.

Interrogation

The interrogation of high-ranking officers was not the norm for the SGC. So the interrogation was set in one of the special VIP rooms converted to a holding cell, with surveillance audio and cameras, armed guards and no telephone. Sam arrived at the observation post and looked at her "catch" through the monitor. He prowled the room as if counting each long step in the limited space, turning about and continuing. She stepped closer.

"Turn up the sound, please," she asked the technician. Newcombe was talking to himself, but it sounded as though he was actually speaking to someone. Someone they couldn't see, however. She caught snatches of "said she would...didn't work...said it would work..." Sam looked at her companions. They seemed unimpressed by his rambling. But Sam recalled his strange words during their clash. She turned to Maj. Davis.

"Did you hear that? Don't you remember what he was saying when he attacked me?" Sam asked.

"Actually, you two were pretty close at one point; the sound got garbled. Once we go over the tape we'll clear it up," Davis replied. Sam was almost sure he blushed at the visual recall. "As for this monologue, probably coming unhinged. Or trying to make himself look that way."

"He knows the seriousness of his situation. He declined counsel and Article 32, says he'll cooperate. But he wants you present, Col. Carter, a condition I did NOT accept," Landry said. His lips were pressed in an obstinate line. Something in Sam's face alerted him. "You don't have to so much as breath the same air as that - that lousy SOB of an officer, Carter," Landry said. He already knew it was in vain; he'd been warned about "that look" she got when she needed to have her way. He sighed and nodded. "But not alone, of course. Major Davis and I will be conducting this."

"Of course, sir," Sam replied. She was relieved that she didn't have to argue about it. Maybe she'd rather eat one of Daniel's dead scarabs than be near Newcombe again, but she had to do this now. She turned as she felt Teal'c squeeze her shoulder, and Daniel her hand in support before she left them for the next phase of the mission.

General Newcombe sat at the metal table across from Maj. Davis and Gen. Landry. His expression was unconcerned, even challenging as he faced them. His eyes sought Sam without success; she chose to remain out of his line of sight.

"Come, come. We're officers and gentlemen here, Landry and uh, Maj. Davis, is it? This is all a sandstorm over a bit of tail," Newcombe said conversationally. "Oh, a very classy, high ranking…"

"Can it, Newcombe. We've heard your twisted logic," Landry interrupted. His expression was coldly furious. Maj. Davis couldn't hide his distaste at sitting near the man. "You said you understood the seriousness of the charges. You'd better start acting like it."

"Fraternizing with subordinates? A little pinch and tickle? A little attention is what the ladies craved. I gave it to them. Might have been too much for them to handle, but…"

Sam stood and stepped from the shaded corner to face him across the desk. He recoiled at the sudden appearance and the deadly tension radiating from her.

"You worthless piece of crap. Pinch and tickle? You'll be charged with rape and attempted rape and nothing less," Sam said, leaning across the desk and into his face. Davis tensed, keeping a close watch on her. "You and your low life crew will rot in military prison and that's too good for you in my book."

Newcombe braced himself but when she made no further move toward him, he leaned forward and grinned. His eyes insolently tracked her from face to chest and back.

"We all know I'll never be found guilty by my peers, Carter. Bluster away. I'll come out on top in any trial and you know it. Image is everything here," Newcombe replied. He leaned back again. "I AM the Air Force, for better or worse, and no one is going to bring ME down." He chuckled. "Especially because of whining girl soldiers." The sly words and expression were aimed at Sam, and she moved.

"And so you fully understand your position, your "peers" don't want a thing to do with you." Landry smiled as Newcombe glanced away from Sam. Landry saw Davis anchor her by the wrist, halting her motion. "Don't expect anyone to stand by you after they see the evidence."

"As far as they're concerned, you should be put down, the sooner the better," Davis added. Sam's hand slipped from his as she stood upright again and stared at the general. His face switched as he looked back at her, and the malice there made Davis flinch.

"You think you've won, do you? They told me how to get to you, that I'd finally get my hands on the Untouchable Samantha Carter. Well, you'd have been better off if I had!" The General pushed to his feet. His eyes locked with hers, reminiscent of their earlier meeting but now she was even more defiant.

Sam held her hands out to block Landry and Davis; they'd leapt to their feet with the general. The guard outside stepped closer and had his side arm cocked and trained on him. The tense tableau held until Sam spoke.

"They told you wrong, general. You missed your target; I'm still untouchable," Sam said softly. She raked him with the most contemptible smile she could muster, and felt gratified at his umbrage. "Think about that in your cozy government sponsored cubicle."

"They will never convict me, Carter. I'm a MAN, and that means more than anything a brainy bimbo can do! Look at me! I fought in REAL wars, not these bloodless, bodiless invisible aliens bullshit YOU call a war. We liberated towns, villages, continents! And the women were glad to serve us! Hell, they couldn't wait to get us in bed, uniform and all. But what happened to that gratitude when a returning soldier got home?" Newcombe shouted, his face manic. Sam didn't flinch as he returned her scathing expression. "We got equality," he sneered.

Sam burst into laughter.

"That's it? That's your defense against serial rape? The Leave it to Beaver Defense? Women at home, men go to work?" Sam gasped in wonder. The redder his face grew in anger the harder she laughed. Even Landry and Davis stared at her with uneasy smiles.

"I didn't rape anyone. They consented," Newcombe growled at her.

"Let's not go backward, general. Coercion is not consent." Landry stopped him. He glanced at Sam as she still snickered. "You coerced subordinates into sexual relations with you and that's why you're in this position." Newcombe ignored him to focus on Sam.

"Women like you messed things up. We're men, WE kill for home and country. It's the natural order. I earned my spot on top, Carter. Someone had to show you 'soldiers' you're still not men. So laugh, Carter. You think you've bested me but that only shows you don't know what you really are, an unsatisfied bitch."

The room got silent. Sam's laughter quieted until a frosty smile remained.

"Wrong again, general," Sam replied coldly. "You're alone. None of your cronies can help you. You're screwed. That makes me a very satisfied bitch."

Newcombe bellowed and lifted the metal table, turning it over. He made to charge her. Everyone erupted into a blur of motion angry shouts and warnings. Sam stepped into defensive position only to be blocked by Landry and Davis moving to defend her, yelling for them to get out of her way and the guard lifting his weapon as he repositioned to avoid friendly fire. But all were a half-second behind another determined force.

Suddenly Teal'c stood inside the doorway for just an instant before he pushed past Sam, Landry and Davis. The general hit the back wall with Teal'c's burly hand fastened around his throat. As impressive as his size, the general was no match for Teal'c and his strength. Teal'c gazed at the struggling human with implacable rage. All other movement ceased in surprise.

"I am prepared to administer federal execution on this human," Teal'c announced. He had insisted on waiting nearer than the observation room, secretly hoping for this chance to avenge his teammate. Newcombe's eyes bulged at his helplessness.

"That probably means capital punishment," Daniel's voice explained. Sam turned to see him in the opened door. They all returned to watch the general's useless struggle against the jaffa. "Um, maybe someone should tell Teal'c to stop?" He didn't make a move, however; no one did. Seeing that great bear of a man ready to go at Sam nearly stopped his heart. Teal'c was doing what he wished he could do.

"He deserves nothing less for his dishonorable actions," Teal'c replied. His hand tightened.

"Let. Me. Go! Can't kill me – witnesses!" Newcombe croaked. He couldn't budge the man's arm one bit.

"Witnesses? There are witnesses here?" Daniel asked, pretending to look around.

"Of course not. No one's allowed in here. Not even a security guard," Landry said, looking at the guard.

"Not here, sir. " the soldier chimed in, stepping back into the hall.

Sam backed away. The whole scenario was just too unreal. First his assault, then this incredibly prehistoric view of women… She looked briefly over at Daniel.

Daniel noted her tension in tight fists, rigid jaw; the wildness behind eyes as she stared at the perpetrator she'd brought down. He thought the general slightly more fortunate that Teal'c had him and not Sam.

"Can't kill me…trial!" Newcombe croaked.

"Oh, now there is that, a nice private court martial, " Landry said evenly. He tapped Teal'c lightly on the shoulder, and the Jaffa released his prisoner a few long seconds later. Newcombe slumped to the floor, gagging as he scooted away from Teal'c. At Landry's words, the man grew more anxious. "You see, we're in a state of war, General. And this is the SGC, top secret."

Teal'c hoisted the man back onto the chair and was far from gentle about it. Davis put the table back in place. Newcombe slumped over the table top as he caught his breath.

"Are we done with this show yet, sir?" Sam asked Landry. Her voice was even, without a trace of the emotion she showed minutes ago. She had to turn her back to the man. It was too sickening to look at him anymore.

"Not quite. General, you have some papers to review and, if you're smart, sign. Confessions, your resignation. Oh, that pension? Three quarters goes to your estranged wife," Landry replied. Newcombe sat stiffly, his eyes darting about as if to mark where they all were. The official folder with its said contents was passed to Landry by Daniel, who had agreed to bring them when approved. He placed the open folder in front of the glaring general along with a pen. "It's the best possible ending of a career that should have been sterling, Newcombe. Bear in mind that your court martial is by executive order and will be conducted in a manner that best preserves the secrecy of the Stargate program," Landry remarked with an edge of steel to his words. The man's eyes shifted briefly to Teal'c while he considered.

Newcombe's jaw worked for several moments before his hand jerked toward the pen and began signing. Davis was there to review each document he completed until all were done. He collected the folder and stepped back. The man's eyes were trained on Sam, then swept over Teal'c and Daniel, Davis noted. The look chilled him.

"Now we're done here, Carter. Let's go, people." Landry announced. He spared the disgraced general barely a glance. Silently they all headed for the door. It was when Sam followed the guard to the door that Newcombe spoke again.

"Figured your curiosity would be sharper, Carter," the hoarse voice said behind her. Sam stopped and turned. The man's face was totally devoid of humanity, she would swear later. His eyes had an uncommon gleam to them. The over-confident high ranking officer was diminished to this pitiless felon still in uniform, for now.

"About what, Newcombe? You're neutralized and there's nothing else you have to offer," Sam answered. She tried not to let him take one more piece out of her. When he merely sat there with his demonic smile she turned to leave.

"This was personal, Carter. I waited a long time to serve you your deserts, and I almost had you," the general hissed. "I couldn't believe my luck when my associate dropped your file on me: Got you at last!" A mean grin lit his face before it disappeared. "But the rat bastard gave me up instead." At her continued silence, he went on, "You ruined him. I ordered him a dozen times to just be a man and take you, fair or foul. But somehow you wouldn't be taken, damn it. And then you cut him off, and he was never the same, ever. I groomed him to be an officer, the best. And he was, until you saw him again on that damned planet."

Sam stared at him. He was speaking rapidly but the words were stringing themselves in her mind like slowed time dilation. She heard the guard shuffle at the door but for the moment she was fixed on his words…

"Jonas Hanson," the general growled, "was my great-nephew. I read the mission report: you and SG-1 killed him."

"Col. Carter?" Davis' voice called outside. Sam shook herself but Newcombe wasn't done.

"And this doesn't end it, Carter. I was the least of your problems, and they're catching up with you and O'Neill, and SG-1. Something for you to think about."

Sam was still for only a second before she headed outside. As the guard swiped the lock with his card, she half turned to keep her face away from the others.

"His last remarks are not to be repeated. That's an order."

"Yes, ma'am," the soldier replied, and took his position outside the door. The others waited for her.

"Carter, did he offer up anything more?" Landry asked, his sharp gaze trained on her. Sam took a breath before facing him but kept walking.

"No, sir. Just more crap." She replied and strode past Teal'c and Daniel without looking at them. The bastard had to get one last lying word, she fumed. But damn she hoped it was a lie. How could the JAG have missed that connection? And she was so not going to review her history with Hanson.

Did she really need more reasons to hate this man?

It took all her control to keep from using the guard's gun on him. Another worthless life spared for one who ruined so many others.

As they made their way back to the briefing room, Sam seethed. No one spoke in the elevator but she felt they were all watching her.

Sometimes it sucks being the good guy, she thought.

To be continued.

Love to know what you think, please talk back! And thanks for reading.

(NOTE: Apologies if the short-circuited court martial sequence jars any military readers. I know the procedure is complex and more so for a general of Newcombe's rank and grade. I simplified it lots and hopefully it makes sense in the Stargate universe. ---7LB)