Chapter 35: Loyalty

Sam sighed as she read yet another report from her offworld teams. No matter how hard she tried to focus on what she was reading she could not prevent her mind from wondering to her second in command and the problems that he now presented. There was only so long she could stall her report to stargate command. Not wanting to consider the possible ramifications that her eventual report was going to have on John's career, and more importantly his life, Sam tried to file that thought under bridges yet to cross.

She was saved the trouble as an incoming wormhole was announced. A veteran of the stargate programme, Sam tensed at the announcement; you never knew what the next wormhole would bring. Glancing briefly at the clock on her wall she relaxed very slightly as she realised it was a scheduled dial-in. even so, she did not return to her work until she heard the announcement that an IDC had been received, without all the radio chatter that generally accompanied a team under fire.

Knowing that if she was needed someone would come and fetch her or contact her through the radio, she once more turned to clearing the huge pile of paperwork that had built up during the day.

Several minutes later a grinning Lorne knocked respectfully on her door before entering. "I think we can safely deem that planet friendly now." He told her sincerely. "With any hope once they familiarise themselves with their new technology they will be good allies to have."

"That's good to hear Major" Sam told him, grinning for what felt like the first time in years.

"What's more;" he added, unconsciously rubbing what had been his bad shoulder "we found the source of the shrapnel"

Sam raised her eyebrows at that; she had had her suspicions but they had been unable to prove with any certainty exactly what had caused the explosions of shrapnel.

"Yeah" Lorne continued, seeing the look on her face "It turns out that the villagers were watching our escape and when they saw that the robots could be destroyed they decided to fight back, it was just unfortunate that we were within the blast radius. Whatever they used really packed a punch though; there was hardly any evidence of the robots left." Seeing the troubled look on Sam's face Lorne asked "If I may ma'am, what's bothering you?" he had an idea but he wanted it confirmed before he continued.

"My report to the SGC" Sam admitted knowing that she shouldn't really be telling him this. "I cant hold it off anymore, despite everybody's general conduct being faultless I cant help but worry about how the IOA is going to react to Colonel Sheppard's current condition… I've just finished reading Jennifer's report and there is no way to remove those devices in his back without paralysing or possibly killing him. I mean, alien monitoring devices and the ability to heal physical injuries, the IOA had removed people from duty for FAR less…"

Lorne had confirmed his suspicions "I don't think you should worry so much, there's nothing you can do about the IOA's opinions but you have to send that report or we risk losing you as well. Colonel Sheppard is an integral part of this base, perhaps even more so now, you can ask anybody in this city, military or civilian, and they will tell you the same thing. If the IOA did decide to remove the colonel from duty they would probably have a mutiny on their hands… add that to your report."

Sam smiled tiredly at the emboldened Major "thanks Evan I appreciate that" returning to a business-like tone she continued "Don't you have a post-mission check-up to attend Major?"

Lorne stood to attention before turning on his heel to leave. At the same time Sam went back to her paperwork, intensely missing the simplicity of being part of SG-1.

***

Lorne walked into the infirmary, quiet by normal standards, and headed towards the area specially reserved for post-mission checks. Sheppard still hadn't been moved into the main infirmary but as he walked past the door to the intensive care unit he saw the rest of Sheppard's team sprawled in various states of waiting while the man himself slept.

Dr Albright was waiting for him as he joined his team in waiting for Ferranti's team to be cleared.

When it came his turn to be checked out Lorne sat on the bed and asked "How's the colonel doing?"

Albright set about checking Lorne's breathing before saying "Colonel Sheppard's health has deteriorated slightly. For some reason some of the wounds that we thought were healing very well have re-opened. Dr Keller can't find any reason for this. I did posit the idea that the colonel had gone for one of his famed jaunts, but if he has we can't find any evidence of it…"

Lorne groaned, allowing Albright to continue his examination, perhaps Sheppard's recovery wasn't going to be as quick as everyone had hoped.