Sorry for the lateness everyone! And don't worry, I am not skipping a week: this is last week's chapter and this week's chapter will be up in a day or two. As a warning in advance, though: the next chapter will contain mild spoilers (depending on your point of view, it could be considered a rather major spoiler, I suppose) for the season 5 opening episode: 'Arthur's Bane'. Chapter 11 is very different to everything in the rest of the story, so it can be skippable if any of you really don't want to be spoiled. Any questions, PM me - it is a rather easily explained spoiler.
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed or faved the story! Betaed by theGlaistig.
Disclaimer: I own neither Stargate: SG1 nor Merlin. Only the plot for this story is mine.
The Scholar
Chapter 10
Wordcount: 882
"And they'll make a full recovery then?" General Hammond asked.
"Yes, they should," Doctor Fraiser answered. "Doctor Jackson obviously sustained the worst of the injuries, but the bullet went straight through his leg and there doesn't seem to be any nerve damage, just some rather nasty electrical burns."
"Good, I'm glad."
General Hammond let out the breath he was holding. For the million and a half time, he wondered whether Doctor Jackson was blessed or cursed. Only he would manage to run into militants during a low-key archaeological expedition in South America and only he would somehow manage to get out of it alive as well.
"Yes, sir, you're certainly not the only one."
The general nodded. He knew very well the chief medical officer was rather fond of her patient. Everyone was.
Their discussion (spoken and unspoken) was interrupted by a knock.
"Enter!" Hammond called out.
The door opened and Sergeant Harriman slid into the room.
"Sorry to interrupt, sir, ma'am," he said as he smartly came to attention.
"At ease, airman," Hammond answered as he eyed the papers the man was holding. "What is it you've got there?"
"Just came in from the Pentagon, sir," Harriman promptly answered even as he moved to the general's desk to hand him the papers.
"Thank you, son."
"You're welcome, sir." He paused, uncertainly for a moment. "Uh, sir?"
The general looked up from skimming the papers he was now holding and looked at the sergeant expectantly.
"Just thought you might want to know there's a new rumour floating around the base. Uh, about Doctor Hunithson."
"Oh?"
Hammond placed the papers down and clasped his hands together on top of them. He knew that, despite his best efforts, he likely didn't look nearly as nonchalant as he was hoping he did. But he could hardly help it. Doctor Hunithson attracted bizarre, unbelievable rumours more than any single person he'd ever encountered – even worse than all of SG1 combined and that took talent. As much he considered it his duty to keep abreast of what was going on and being whispered about around the base, when it came to Doctor Hunithson, it was mostly a hobby.
It was lucky he had such helpful staff, who were more than willing to keep him informed of said rumours.
"Apparently, Doctor Hunithson might not be entirely human."
The general chuckled and exchanged an amused expression with Doctor Fraiser.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, sir. And his eyebrows are an alien parasite. Apparently, there are several members of the biology teams attempting to steal a few of the lashes in order to study them."
How in the world Sergeant Harriman managed to deliver his report with a straight face was a mystery to the general. It was only after Doctor Fraiser's laughter filled the room that he so much as cracked a smile. Hammond chuckled warmly and shook his head.
"I'll take that as a sign that the biology department could use some new plants to study," he said.
"Well, sergeant, I can certainly set your mind at ease," the doctor said once she'd caught her breath. "Doctor Hunithson is absolutely, one hundred percent human. The eyebrows, however, I'm not so sure about."
Her eyes sparkled as she turned to her commanding officer.
"So, you're keeping track of the rumour mill, sir?" she asked.
Hammond shrugged.
"It never hurts to know what your subordinates are talking about."
"No, sir. Particularly when they're so inventive about it. Did you know the marines are convinced that walking stick of his is actually some sort of laser weapon?"
He grinned. "Yes, I've heard that one. Although, my personal favourite is the one where he really is Merlin of Camelot and he's here simply for something interesting to do while waiting for King Arthur to be reborn."
"So you're saying if we see him walking about with a broadsword we'll know the end of the world is upon us?"
The general laughed.
"Something like that. Have you heard the rumour that he and Doctor Jackson are lovers?"
Doctor Fraiser blinked. "No, sir. I don't think I have. That's just..."
She looked like she wasn't sure whether to laugh about it or be outraged on behalf of her friend for being subjected to such a rumour.
Sergeant Harriman cleared his throat.
"Actually, sir, ma'am, rumour has it he started that one himself. As a joke, just to see how many people would believe it."
General Hammond shook his head.
"That man is incredibly odd."
"No kidding, sir," Doctor Fraiser agreed. "I still can't believe Colonel O'Neill decided it'd be a good idea to challenge him to a prank war."
"Yes, I do believe Jack might be in a bit over his head there."
"Hmm, the green hair two weeks ago definitely proved that."
"Green hair?!"
"It was on your day off, sir."
"Damn. I'm sorry I missed that. I'll have to get security to look up some images."
Suddenly the familiar sound of klaxons filled the air. The three of them were out the door only seconds later.
Well, there you have it! See you in a few days with more! Incidentally, the conversation Janet and the general are having at the beginning of the chapter is in reference to events in S7ep11-12 'Evolution'.