"I said, get the hell up."
Jonas startled awake to what felt like an earthquake. He barely got his eyes open when his cot was unceremoniously knocked over, dropping the Kelownan to the hard ground. He rolled over to find Major Aldritch looming threateningly over him.
"Get your lazy ass out of bed, Quinn, it's your watch."
Jonas frowned. One of the things that made him different from Earth-born humans was his internal clock. He pulled himself to his feet, wondering if something in the atmosphere of this planet had thrown him off. As he wearily pulled on his jacket, he checked his chronometer. Seeing that it was barely midnight just left him confused. The planet had a 25-hour day-night cycle, so there were at least five hours before dawn.
Leaving his tent, he found Aldritch standing by the campfire, which had burned low. Seeing Jonas' eyes on him, the major made a point of pouring an almost full pot of coffee over the embers, drowning the fire out. Jonas wondered if the man's intent was to rob him of the coffee or the fire. Either way, Jonas didn't much care. Coffee was off limits to him, the caffeine playing havoc with his intestines. And the night wasn't cold enough to be unbearable.
Quietly, in case the other members of SG4 were light sleepers, Jonas said, "I thought you said I had the dog watch."
Aldritch stared with cold menace. "You do. Midnight to seven."
Jonas' breath caught in his throat. A seven-hour watch after only four hours of sleep meant that he'd be working tired. Not that he couldn't do it, but it was just another bit of persecution that he didn't need.
Aldritch stood waiting. Deciding not to push, Jonas said simply, "Yes, sir."
Aldritch narrowed his eyes, "I catch you sleeping on duty, I'll kick the crap out of you."
"Yes sir." Jonas kept his tone mild. Aldritch stared for a moment more, before turning away in disgust.
Jonas watched the man stalk to his tent. Sighing, he pulled his 9mm, and checked that it was loaded. Deciding his first move was a perimeter check, he walked to the edge of the plateau. Scanning the darkness with all of his senses alert, Jonas moved quietly through the night.