Gathering New and Old Friends
"Let me get this straight." Major-General Hammond huffed. "You're telling me there are humans on this planet that are, to some extent, immortal?"
"No sir," Jim Dawson replied. He was a bit tired, as the last week had been very hectic. Sitting in a chair in General Hammond's office, sipping on his coffee he stated, "They ARE immortal. The only way that an one of them can be killed; however, is to have his or her head cut off. That is why they only fight each other with swords."
"Ok, I can accept that." General Hammond replied to Jim's surprise. "The things I've seen here at the SGC and in my people's reports ... well, let's just say I have an open mind when it comes to the incredible. Also, you and you're people have some serious connections just to get into my office. But, what I do not understand is just what you and these four Immortals want with the SGC?"
"Wellll," Jim hemmed, somewhat taken aback by the General's reaction. "I, uh, that is, we, um, The Watcher's Council is aware of the Stargate program. It has recently come to our attention that there might be Immortals on other planets due to this alien species using humans as slaves."
General Hammond's eyes lit up in understanding. He remarked, "And this 'Watcher's Council' does what exactly?"
"Basically, we catalogue the Immortals and we ... watch them." Jim demurred.
"Mr. Dawson." General Hammond silkily said while leaning forward and lightly clasping his hands, "I am familiar with secrets. I have one of the highest security clearances in this man's Air Force. If need be I will make such a ruckus about this Council that I will not only learn what I need to know, but your Watcher's Council WILL be brought to light!"
His mouth suddenly dry Jim Dawson tried to swallow. He was surprised by this man's steel will. Jim realized that he had severely underestimated Major-General Hammond. In the ensuing silence Duncan stepped crisply into the office dressed in the uniform of the British Armed Forces.
Snapping to attention Major Duncan barked out, "Permission to speak, sir!" At Major-General Hammond's nod Duncan stated, "Begging the General's pardon, sir, but I can explain the situation."
Jim breathed a sigh of relief as the General nodded to Duncan. He started sweating when the General added, "At ease. This had better be a very good explanation son, or you will all be spending a few hundred years in Leavenworth!"
Duncan relaxed to the 'At Ease' position with his hands clasped behind his back. Meeting the General's steady gaze he stated, "Yes sir! This will be a very good explanation sir. Basically, we Immortals fight each other to the death in order to absorb the other's energy. This energy has been termed as the 'Quickening'. At some point in time all the Immortals will feel a 'pulling' to gather in a land where we will fight each other until only one is left. That one will then claim 'The Prize'."
Duncan sighed. He shamefully said, "It has come to our attention lately that there is no 'Prize'. An Immortal by the name of Iblis poisoned the minds of his fellow Immortals bringing about this charade. We have been searching for traces of this Immortal and have found ... very little."
At Duncan's pause General Hammond stepped in with, "So, the five of you are hoping to find this Iblis off world? And if you find him, what then?"
"Actually General, I do not hope to find him, just some evidence to his existence. As for the four of us Immortals? What we hope to do, sir, is to get the necessary proof to prove to other Immortal's that the prize they seek is an illusion, a lie. We will wish to carry our swords but only to defend ourselves against any other Immortals. Unfortunately it is still a going concern. Also General Hammond, we have lived for a very long time. We know that our experience will be beneficial in the defense of our planet against the Goa'uld."
Major-General Hammond's eyes flicked from one man to another. Nodding his head he stated his decision, "I agree, your experience could only benefit us." Meeting Jim's eyes he stated, "Mr. Dawson, talk to your people and make the necessary arrangements. I would like to place you in our research department and put the four Immortals as their own SG team. In the meantime I would like to do a meet and greet with your people and SG-1."
Raising an eyebrow Duncan inquired, "You want SG-1 to evaluate us?"
"Of course, since you will be under my Command. I need to know my people's limits and capabilities. I can recognize a military man and I see that in you Major MacLeod and in Mr. Methos. As for Mr. Ryan and Ms. LeFevre I'm not so sure."
Jim informed him, "Richie is a good kid, his age is actual in that he just recently 'Quicken'ed to Immortality. Amanda has had a ... varied life. Her experience will come in handy but she is not what one would call 'Military Material'. With her life's knowledge we can probably work up a Doctorate of some kind."
"She is very good with electronics." Duncan interjected "And explosives."
"Very good, gentlemen. I will expect the paperwork by the end of the day." Stated Hammond. Standing, every inch the General he ordered, "In the meantime, introduce me to everyone please."
Richie was bored. Very bored.
He began pacing the conference room stopping every now and then in front of the only window in there. "Great view." He quipped not really being able to see anything due to the blast door covering it. "I think I can see my house from here! Man, I'm beginning to think this was a bad idea."
Methos sat at the conference table, his fingers steepled in front of him. Teasingly, a smile playing at the edges of his mouth, he queried, "What's the matter Richie. Having second thoughts?"
"Naw. You know me man. I've never liked waiting." Richie responded while returning to pacing the room.
"I am with him, Methos." Amanda stated without looking up from examining the security system, "But I really do think this was a mistake."
"Will you two relax?" Methos said spreading his hands out. "Everything will wor-" He never got to finish. Methos stood up hurriedly when Major-General Hammond entered the conference room followed closely by Duncan and Jim Dawson.
Jim stepped up to the General's side. He introduced each of the remaining Immortals. Shaking the General's hand Methos could see the iron will that this man had carefully wrapped in velvet.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance General Hammond." Methos stated very carefully and succinctly.
Amanda stepped up and, in a hushed voice, asked, "George? Is that you George?"
Major-General George Hammond slowly turned towards her. Pale as if he had seen a ghost he whispered softly, "Bridgette."
Amanda stepped up and hugged him saying, "Oh George, it's so good to see you again. It's been, what, almost 30 years?"
"Yes, Bridgette." General Hammond said, clearing his throat. "Is it really you? Tell me something that only you and I would know."
Amanda leaned forward and mischievously whispered into the Generals ear. He listened, half smiled and then blushed!
She pulled away, smiling, and cocked her hips to one side. He said, "It HAS been a long time, Bridgette. It is good to see you again. You let me believe you were dead."
"I know." She demurred with a wicked smile. "But I had to in order to protect my secret and start a new identity. Of course, that pretense is no longer needed."
General Hammond huffed and stepped back. He finally tore his gaze away from Amanda and shook hands with Richie asking, "Well young man. What do you think of all this?"
"Well, I gotta admit General ..." Richie started out hesitantly. His gaze locked with the General's and he realized that this man demanded truth. "I'm a little nervous about this and I don't like the Military Mindset that much. But I will tell you this, sir. I respect those in the military that are there for the right reasons. They are the honorable ones. They are doing it right."
"Hear, hear son. I agree." Said General Hammond whole-heartedly. "Well people, welcome to the SGC. Mr. Methos, I presume that you've had past military experience?"
Methos nodded in a negative and responded, "I have had several Doctorates in my 'past lives' however."
"So, Major Macleod." General Hammond stated facing Duncan. "You are the only one in this room with Military experience? May I presume that you've served in the U.S. Air force at one time or another?"
"He sure did." Colonel Jack O'Neill said from the doorway. Startled, the General faced Colonel O'Neill and ordered, "Colonel, would you care to explain yourself?"
"Hey Jack, long time no see." Duncan said guardedly.
"I had to leave you behind." Jack said as he drew face to face with Duncan. "Of course, you held a gun to my head so I didn't really have a choice."
After a moments silence the two old warriors burst out laughing and with a "good to see ya" and a "you too ya old dog" they gave each other a hug.
"Colonel!" General Hammond practically shouted.
"Oh, Sorry. General Hammond, I'd like you to meet Major Sean Macleod. Otherwise known as 'Mac' to his friends and enemies." Facing Duncan he queried, "So, what's the real story? And why do you look so young."
Before Duncan could reply Major-General Hammond stated, "Colonel O'Neill. We'll get into that in a moment. Right now we have other concerns."
Over the next few hours identities were hammered out, briefings were held, and four Immortals and one Watcher started a new chapter in their lives. The months passed as months do.