Summary: Sam and Daniel begin to wonder – just how smart is the colonel? Is Jack the genius known only as MacGyver?
Disclaimer: I do not own "Stargate SG-1" the series. I believe it is owned by MGM. No copyright infringement is intended. I do not "MacGyver" (original or remake) and am not sure who does. No disrespect is intended I am merely intrigued by the possibilities.
The Colonel?
Chapter 6
By: visions2share a.k.a. Vi
Pete had made several calls to Cal's office since getting back from his weekend with Mac at the cabin. Unfortunately, he'd had trouble getting through to talk to the man himself and Pete didn't think Cal was getting his oft repeated message of 'we need to talk, call me!' The topic of the needed conversation was way too sensitive to even be hinted at in a message – who knew how many people would see that. Now the question was were his messages being ignored by staff because they didn't seem important or were they being file-thirteen-ed for some more sinister purpose?
After all, there were more than a few people in that building aware the Phoenix Foundation had investigative and security contracts with the government at large and this administration specifically. If the messages were being stopped in an effort to delay or derail the investigation then Mac could be in danger – and their evidence might be as well. Pete decided it was time to call in the big guns – Phoenix charity arm had a deputy director of relief aid that was just the person he needed to talk to.
Pete pressed the intercom button on his phone and spoke to his secretary, "Nancy, please ask the Foundation's charity arm Deputy Director of Relief Aid Allocation, Ms. Chris Douglas, to come see me as soon as possible. And when she gets here, I'll want to see her immediately."
"Yes, sir," came the crisp response and Pete sat back to await her arrival as he knew he'd never manage to concentrate on his other work with this issue hanging over his head.
The Phoenix Foundation Headquarters was a huge building – a towering high rise, north east of LA – far enough away from similar constructions to seem out of place – but better positioned to be secure – surrounded as it was by the Foundation's private property and some of the less secretive, or unclassified, research labs. When Pete Thornton sent for an employee, he often had to wait more than an hour before they made their way to him on the penultimate floor of the HQ Tower – even at a rush the compound was just too massive for a more immediate response. So, Pete was pleasantly surprised when only twenty minutes after speaking to his secretary his office door opened and Chris Douglas let herself in.
"You wanted to see me?" Chris had never been a woman for subtleties – she was of a bottom-line mindset.
"Yes. Please take a seat," Pete gestured her to one of the chairs before his desk.
When she was seated, he held up a single finger in the universal, 'wait' gesture and used his other hand to press the button hidden on the underside of his desk that activated the SCIF mode for his office. As soon as he pressed the button metal shutters slid into place over the windows and doors, the electric lights blinked, his computer shut down, and the lights on his desk phone, showing possible connections, all went dark. They were now cut off from the outside world and completely secure.
Chris watched the office transform with what Pete could only think of as a combination of resolution and relief.
"I take it this isn't about my department's current projects?"
"No."
"Is this about my husband?"
"In a way," Pete offered before clarifying, "today, it's more about your father. I've been leaving messages for him all week but haven't heard back. Frankly, I don't think he's getting them and that worries me."
Chris frowned – she'd been kept separate from the details of the investigation – with her late husband's death being the catalyst – she was deemed to be 'too close' to the investigation.
"Is Mac done with his investigation?" she asked.
Pete nodded, "he's been ready for a while. We'd initially thought the delay was due to bureaucratic fact checking – but now I think maybe it's more malevolent than that."
"I see. What can I do?" Chris was well aware, and Pete knew it, that the ways she could help were limited – as they didn't want to risk the guilty parties being able to claim investigatory interference.
"You can take a vacation. I'm sure your kids are anxious to spend some quality time with their grandparents." Pete raised his eyebrow as he made the suggestion.
"Yes – they always like to visit family. What do you need me to tell my father?"
"I just need you to whisper in his ear, literally, that I HAVE to talk to him. If you can manage, in the same manner, to warn him that I've been trying to get in touch and I think there might be a serious security breach around the investigation – so much the better. I'll stay here waiting for his call," Pete waved one hand in the general direction of his private emergency living quarters.
"It's Friday," Chris commented as she checked her watch, "I'll pick up the kids and arrange for the first available flight out with my Secret Service detail. The kids have been having a little trouble with a bully at school – it isn't any big deal – but will make a nice excuse to take them away for a few days."
"Great! Thank you, Chris!"
Chris shook her head, "no. Thank you. And Mac."
Pete retracted the SCIF protections and Chris slipped out. Now Pete just needed to arrange to have the fridge in his attached living quarters filled before the end of the business day. His secretary kept a standard list – she could send an intern while Pete tried to accomplish a thing or two for other projects.
Pete was dozing on his office couch when the secure video conference alert tone filled the room. Instantly awake – Pete was at his desk and had the office in SCIF mode before the second chime and the call answered before the third.
The secure video conference screen panel lit up and clearly showed the President of the United States in his pajamas.
"Good evening, sir," Pete offered respectfully – despite his almost equally casual appearance.
"Chris tells me we might have a problem?" like father like daughter and equally straight to the point.
"Yes, sir, I've been trying to reach you all week – and we've been ready to close the investigation and bring charges for a couple of months. Have you been receiving your briefings?"
"No. Before Chris told me to call you, I had planned on having her tell you I needed a progress report."
"Sounds like we've definitely got a security problem, sir."
"Sounds like. Fill me in."
It took several hours to bring the President up to speed – and by the time he was, he was also furious. The stalling tactics weren't going to work any longer – starting the next day the President would see that the indictments were finally brought.
Pete watched as the President signed off, with a definite lack of cordiality, to go wake the Attorney General. Despite the abrupt ending of the call, Pete Thornton smiled. It was almost over – first arrests, then trials, and then, when justice was served, Mac would finally be able to stop playing soldier and come home.
Author's Note: I hope this quick trip into the MacGyver world wasn't confusing to anyone. I considered leaving it out but ultimately decided the story suffered without it. I plan to post again tomorrow. Thanks for reading! Stay healthy! Cheers! ~Vi
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