Silent Screams In The Night Chapter 7
Jack was on his second bottle of Guinness when Scott waved him up to the bar. About damn time he thought, I'm starving. He waved back to Scott, tipped his chair forward and stood up. Ouch, his knees weren't getting any younger. Where was a damned sarcophagus when you needed one? As Jack approached the bar his cell rang again. He pulled it from his pocket and checked the caller id. It was Hammond, he definitely had to answer it. He held his phone up so Scott could see it, then put it to his ear.
"O'Neill."
"Jack, I've been called to the Pentagon. You're going to have to come back and assume command." Jack frowned in annoyance.
"You really want me to leave Maybourne here alone Sir?" Hammond snorted his answer.
"Not really my first choice colonel, but I have to leave the base. That means you need to be here." Jack quickly considered his options.
"Actually sir, I may have someone that can help out. I have a friend that helped me get Daniel back from Nicaragua, his name's Burke. He just loves to help out. The crazier the mission the better he likes it. He tends to get bored easily. I'll give Carter a call and get things rolling. When do you leave sir?"
I have a flight out in an hour. Colonel Reynolds will be in command until you get back. You need to hop a flight back ASAP. Sergeant Harriman will call with your flight information."
"Yes sir, have a good flight. Oh, and say hi to the President for me sir." Hammond snorted into the phone.
"Just try to keep Maybourne under control colonel. And this Burke, are you sure about him?" Jack winced.
"Yes sir. I'll call Carter as soon as we disconnect."
"I'll be in touch colonel. Take care of my base." And Hammond hung up. Jack closed his phone and hurried up to the bar.
"Sorry Scott. I couldn't ignore that call."
"No problem Jack. I just phoned in your other order. Sorry it took so long, they're really busy tonight." Jack handed over the cash for his order.
"Nothing you can do about it." Jack collected his food and went back to his table. Flipping open his phone he hit speed dial for Carter.
xxx
As soon as he disconnected with Carter he started in on his supper. He had a little time to kill, might as well eat his now lukewarm dinner. Jack took a spoonful of soup and smiled in appreciation. It was really good. His phone beeped again and Jack rolled his eyes is disgust.
"What!"
"Jack, what's taking so long with my dinner? How am I supposed to accomplish our mission if you don't feed me?"
"Maybourne, you are a giant pain in my ass. I'm still waiting for your order. The kitchen's busy tonight. Now stop your whining, I'll be there as soon as I can. And there's been a change in plans. I've been recalled to the mountain." Jack could picture a gleeful Maybourne on the other end of the call.
"Really Jack? That's a shame. I know how much you wanted to be in on the take down."
"Cut it Maybourne," Jack growled. "I know you think you're off your leash. But you should really know better by now. I just put in a call to Carter. She's going to line up a hop for me, and a leash holder for you."
"Jack, I'm hurt. Why do I get the feeling you don't trust me? And after all we've been through together."
"So not helping your cause any Maybourne. Let's count the times you've shot me, shall we? Now hang up so I can drink my beer in peace." Harry laughed into the phone.
"You're awfully grumpy without Carter Jack. When are you going to get smart and do something about her." Harry taunted.
"Shut up Maybourne…" Jack growled into the phone. "Just do what we're paying you to, and quit talking while you're behind." Jack snapped his phone shut disconnecting the call. One of these days Harry, you're going to go too far. Hell, the man had made a career of going too far.
xxx
Sam was doing a search on her computer when Daniel strolled into her lab. Daniel walked up beside her and peered at the screen.
"Daniel, do you know anything about a man called Burke? The colonel asked me to track him down and make arrangements for him to baby sit Maybourne." Daniel rocked back on his heels. Oh yeah, he remembered Burke. He figured Bill did too!
"Yeah, he's a CIA agent that helped Jack track down Bill and me in Nicaragua. Burke and Jack have a history. Kinda reminded me of the thing with Cromwell." Sam looked at Daniel with concern clearly written on her face.
"Daniel, why would he ask for Burke if there's bad blood between them? Cromwell died." Daniel shook his head negatively.
"No, Jack and Burke came to an understanding. I don't really know what it was, but they parted on good terms. And Burke saved all our asses." Sam turned back to her laptop and began typing again.
"Okay, well, I have a contact number here. Guess I better get on it. General Hammond is leaving for Washington and he asked me to track this guy down. Walter will make the plane reservations and such. But I'm supposed to make first contact with Burke bring him up to speed." Daniel pushed his glasses back up his nose.
"Yeah well, good luck with that. Have you ever noticed that Jack has very unusual…" Daniel made air quotes, "friends? I mean, even here at the SGC." Sam just gave Daniel a well duh! look. Daniel raised his hands to ward off any comments.
"Point made. I'll just leave you to it then. Track me down when you finish up. I want you to look at something in my lab." Sam smiled.
"Sure, it'll be nice to get back to business as usual. Pretty weird huh?"
"No comment Sam. See you later." Sam turned back to her laptop as Daniel left her lab. Cool, she had a hit on Burke. Whoa! Daniel was right. Burke's checkered past was very interesting. Sill, if the colonel trusted him, that was good enough for her. Sam jotted down contact information and walked to her wall phone. She hoped Burke was home.
xxx
Jack walked back to the room with Harry's dinner. He figured Hammond was on his way to Peterson by now. Carter had called, and Burke was on his way. He wasn't sure he had made the right call on Burke. But he figured he could give as good as he got with Maybourne. They were petty evenly matched. Both were good at thinking outside the box. Jack snorted, way outside the box. Jack tried juggling parcels and gave up and kicked the door of their room. A few minutes later Maybourne cracked the door open. He opened the door wider and snatched the food from Jack's hands.
"About time Jack. What, did you have to plant it, grow it, and harvest it before cooking it?" Harry spread the food boxes on the small table. "God I'm starving! What took so long to get a burger?" Jack spread his hands wide and tried to look innocent.
"You got it as soon as I did. What did you turn up while I was gone?" Harry dug into his burger and swallowed a couple of mouthfuls before even trying to answering. He swallowed some fries and took a long pull from his drink.
"It's lining up pretty good. The CO is a jerk, even to me. He reminds me a lot of Kinsey." Jack shivered.
"Eeuuww! Now I have to take a shower. Seriously, the guys that bad?" Even with all of his experiences in the military, Jack was surprised to see a CO that bad in the modern military mindset.
"So, no problem setting up a sting for him and his minions?"
"Nope. I can do it blindfolded."
"Harry, we need to talk about the change in players." Harry watched Jack while he ate. "I told you I have to head back to the mountain. I have a man flying in. His name is Burke. He reports to me. You follow his orders. He's a little nuts, so don't mess with him. He'll laugh while he shoots you. Understand?"
"Yeah Jack, I get the picture. I'm hurt, you don't trust me." Jack couldn't help himself, he clenched his hands and rolled his eyes.
"You'll get over it. I've gotta pack, finish your dinner. You can fill me in between mouthfuls." Harry just grinned. The kind of grin that made you check your pockets and look over your shoulder. Maybe Harry and Burke weren't such a good idea after all.
