Chapter 21
He sat silently, staring down at the sheet in front of him. It seemed an innocuous thing. A simple intelligence report he'd written up earlier. He had written many such reports recently.
None of them had been nearly as critical as this one. Once he forwarded it on, it would set into motion a series of events that he would not be able to stop. It could literally change everything. The information he was about to provide could cause his people's fortunes to turn for the better. Or it could cause their downfall. Or it could generate almost any result between those two extremes.
He'd thought he would've become used to this sort of thing after doing it for so long, but moments like these still left him quietly frightened. It never ceased to amaze him how events turned on the most innocuous of things, such as a small stack of papers.
He had idly considered not sharing the information at all, but that had never really been anything other than a thought exercise. He had made his choice months ago, and he knew he would see it to it's conclusion. He still decided to take a moment just to ponder the whole thing, to enjoy the calm before the storm.
He shook out of his reverie and chided himself for delaying. There was no point in doing so. He turned to the Tau'ri made computer system on his desk and entered a quick combination from memory. His call was answered almost immediately.
The display illuminated to show Teal'c in his robes of office. He bowed respectfully. "Sa'vel," Teal'c greeted.
"How many of the Councilors are present?" Sa'vel asked.
"I believe they are all here at this time," Teal'c replied. "Is something wrong?"
"No, but a critically important matter for the Council's attention has just come up. I need to call a meeting."
"For what purpose?" Teal'c asked.
"I just received some information from my mole in the Alliance. They're planning a major offensive against both us and the Tau'ri." He held a hand against Teal'c's question. "I don't yet know where or when, other than it will be soon but my mole has also learned how we can obtain that information."
"Teal'c," Sa'vel said, worried, "this is serious. It could cost us the war if we aren't prepared for it. We need to convene the Council immediately."
"Indeed," Teal'c said gravely. "I will make the call."
XXXXXXXXXX
The new hit Homeworld Command like a thunderbolt.
"Yes, Mr. President," O'Neill said into the phone receiver. "We're working on a plan now."
"Are you sure you don't know when and where the attack is coming?" the President asked.
"Not yet, sir," O'Neill said. "But we will soon."
"General, I don't have to tell you how important it is that we maintain secrecy. We cannot afford an open assault on Earth."
O'Neill restrained himself from sighing in frustration. If the program had been made public, that wouldn't even be a concern and the government could get the entire country behind any preparation efforts. That was annoying enough, but what really bothered him was the way the President seemed more concerned about concealment than defending his own country.
"I understand, sir. I will give you an update as soon as we have something else."
"Good luck, General," the President said, hanging up the phone.
O'Neill quickly punched in another call. "Carter," he heard Sam say.
"Sam," O'Neill said. "I forwarded the new intel report to the Hammond. Have you been able to read it yet?"
"Parts of it, sir," she said.
"Good. I am not expecting any trouble just yet, but let's keep our forces in the solar system on higher alert."
"I'll pass the word," Sam said. "You have a plan yet?"
"In general terms, yes," O'Neill said. "Basically, we'll drop in on one of their worlds where they have the intel we need, blast the defenses to rubble, land some Marines, take what we need, and leave. Available forces are spread pretty thin right now, but I think can scare up enough muscle to do it."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Daedalus will be out of the shipyard tomorrow," O'Neill said. "She's got a cloaking device and will be well suited for this mission. I'd also like to borrow one of your destroyer squadrons."
"You got it," Sam said.
"Let's just hope it works," O'Neill replied.
"So, Jack, have you been to your doctor yet?" Sam asked.
"Oh, Sam," O'Neill whined. "I'm too busy. I don't need them poking around, and I'm still a little weirded out by this whole nanites-running-all-through-my-body thing." O'Neill held up placating hand before she could interrupt. She was so worried about him and worried about having a long life together with him that she was pushing for him to get the lifespan extending nanites like she had as soon as possible. It was endearing; he knew she was doing it because she loved him, but now really wasn't a good time. "I'll get it done, Sam, I promise. It's not like I'm gonna die in a week or anything. I'm not that old."
Satisfied, at least for now, she answered, "Alright Jack. I'll leave you alone about it."
"Now, about that destroyer squadron..." Jack said.
"Right. I can give you DesRon 2, the Memphis, the Chicago, the Montpelier, and the Jacksonville."
"Montpelier?" Jack asked, aghast. "Who in the hell names a ship Montpelier?"
"The Navy, apparently," Sam said.
"Did the ship do something to them to make them that mad at it?"
Sam chuckled. "I could always swap in a rowboat for Montpelier if you'd like."
Jack paused, as if in thought. "What's the name of the rowboat?"
Sam laughed openly. "You're impossible."
"I know," Jack said. "I have to run, Sam. Take care. I love you."
"Love you too, Jack."