The ladies walked onto the bridge in the middle of Jackson's briefing around the bridge's tactical table. O'Neill, Waters, LT Cameron (the navigation officer), and Sif (one of the few Asguards left to help teach the use of their technology and the ships Transporter Officer) were listening intently to what Jackson was saying while T'ealc was discussing armaments with the tactical officer. Sam's eyes met Jack's and his eyebrows rose questioningly after seeing the expression on her face that only a close teammate can spot. Sam imperceptibly shook her head no and deliberately started listening to the brief. Jack saw the slight embarrassed look on his subordinates and friends face as the two women came back from the Squadron Briefing Room but when he was waved off from his unasked question he turned his attention back to the business at hand. ". . . We were monitoring the police band and other pertinent signals and we found that Mulder and Skinner are in the same Hospital. Skinner's being kept overnight for observation, it seems that Hotep packed a wallop. Mulder is four flights up at the other end of the complex on the secure ward. Even with Skinner's help we're going to have issues getting to him. The Security Officer was an off duty DC Metro Officer moonlighting trying to get ahead and pay off debt. IA and the F.B.I. Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) are screaming for blood and not just Mulder's. Some of our intercepted signals are showing that OPR is starting an investigation into Agent Scully and recommending the Judiciary Committee launch an investigation into Skinner. Now it's too early into this but this looks like the tactics the Committee used trying to get Gen. Hammond to retire and the rogue NID operations." Scully started at the mention of the Committee, because it reminded her of the Syndicate. Jackson continued, ". . . what was a tough situation before just got complicated. We may need Presidential cover on this one, and all three, Agents Scully and Mulder, and Dir. Skinner could be in very real danger." Scully spoke up at this point. "We've been in danger before, in fact your committee sounds almost like a group called the Syndicate, except every piece of solid evidence Mulder and I have ever gotten our hands on has been debunked, stolen, or destroyed." Jack nodded at that, "Ok kids, let's get the gear together. T you got the Zats. We need a vest for Agent Scully." "I do NOT need a vest." "If you let me finish these vests deflect energy weapons and projectiles 80% better than normal tac vests." "Oh." "Carter set up a transport scenario and monitor to make sure we'll be clear, Daniel stand by. I'm going to use the red phone." Jack walked to the communications room while all the other jobs were completed and Jackson decided that he would take Scully to get a sandwich from the cafeteria as it was getting late and they both were just waiting for things to start happening.
They were just finishing their snack when the intercom sounded with a loud whistle, "SG-1 TO THE BRIDGE." Jackson stood up, "Well looks like we're on." They walked back to the bridge passing the communication room to find Jack yelling into a wireless headset at a real time screen of Leo McGarry. "FOR CRYING OUT LOUD LEO. I NEED TO TALK TO THE PRESIDENT. We need Presidential cover to complete our mission. If we don't get it then we are going to risk this program going public and that's unacceptable at this time." "General, I am not putting this political nightmare in front of the President. For all intents and purposes it was Agent Mulder who killed those people and Agent Spender of the OPR feels he has an open and shut case for treason and terrorism under the provisions of the Patriot Act. If there is nothing else I have a meeting." Scully could not hear Leo's end of the conversation but she could read his lips and what she read, to put it mildly, put her in a foul mood.
The White House
Leo hung his phone up and walked through the adjoining door into the Oval Office. President Bartlett looked up from a pile of papers he was reading and signing. Taking his glasses off, "What's up Leo. Is there an update on our little situation yet?" "Not yet Mr. President, but OPR has put in a request which I have granted to transfer Mulder to GITMO. It is secure and covert and whatever happens after that is deniable." "Dammit Leo. I gave them full reign to get this under control." "You can't be near this, and this needs to be done quietly. So far this operation being run has not been quiet." "Fine, but make sure when he's transferred it's done. I don't want it to come bite us in the ass." "Thank you Mr. President." Leo took his leave.
SS HAMMOND
When he entered the bridge Jack was accosted by Scully. "What's this about trying Mulder for treason? I thought that the President was going to help secure Mulder's release. I also read the name Spender. Agent Spender is dead, BOTH of them. So what is going on?" Jack took the opportunity of her pause to get an answer in. "Leo McGarry has taken it upon himself to shield the President from Hotep's actions. Since the public doesn't know about Hotep they just see another Federal Agent who lost a grip on their senses. This does not mean that we are not going to retrieve him; we just need to be careful doing it. This plan means that instead of waiting for tomorrow morning and visiting hours we are going now. Kiddo's," Jack addressed SG-1 as a whole, "are we good to go?" "Ready here, Sir" "I'm good Jack." "Indeed." "COL we thank you for your hospitality. Request permission to disembark." Permission granted and in the words of the great General Hammond, God speed." Jack nodded to the rest of the ship and led the group to the Asguard beam room. "Carter, is Skinner's floor clear or his room?" "They both will be, Sir. I am sending down an anesthesia canister to clear the floor and I've got salts to wake Skinner if needed." "Alright let's go." The canister is sent and then SG-1 take their place on the pad to go collect one more F.B.I. Agent and one foothold alien in a Mulder suit.