Season 4 Episode 6:
(Conrad decides on leaving Atlantis to be there for his family, but he has one more thing left before he can adapt to a new life.)
John was in his room with a beer, his friend, the one who he fought with for four years now, is going to just leave, he understood why, Conrad has a family, but in his darkest hour, he was there, when Atlantis betrayed him, he was there, when he got tortured by that old guy, he was there.
Conrad and Sam were packing up, Sam was given a transfer to SGC to be in command of the Research team. Conrad was given a transfer to the SGC, but he wasn't sure what it was, all he knew it was from the president himself. So he was curious, but he trusted the president, not as his leader, but as his friend.
Thomas was sitting on the floor. "Daddy, why are we leaving?" he asked with his big blue eyes. Conrad then said: "Daddy wants to be with you from now on, I want to be with you and mommy, we'll pack your things in a minute.".
Thomas eyed the door: "Will we ever see uncle John and aunty Elizabeth again?".
Conrad chuckled. "Of course, we will.". With his bags packed, he was about to leave when his comlink cracked. It was Rodney: "Conrad, we need you down in the gate room, we got a problem.".
Leaving his things, he ran for the gate room.
Arriving he saw the gate room packed with people. Confusion was all over his face. Then, Elizabeth spoke: "Colonel Baird, you were a great member of our expedition, and friend, we will miss you and your family, as a sendoff, we are throwing this party. What do you say?".
Conrad smiled, he had a tear forming in his eye. "Thanks guys. I appreciate it.".
The party was actually enjoyable, John and Conrad had both beers, everyone was giving the blonde marine a send off he'll remember. Thomas and Torren was on a play mat, Teyla was watching them. During the party, people started dancing.
As everyone danced, John and Conrad were watching with their beers. "Thanks, John, for saving my ass all these years.". John chuckled, "Thanks for having my back all this time, especially when Lucius was here.".
Conrad's head fell backwards as he laughed, "Please, that asshole didn't stand a chance.". John laughed as well, "What about that misandrist?". Conrad chuckled, "Yeah, I mistaken her for a feminist. Boy did I get trouble for that.".
John agreed, "Yeah, funny enough, you technically outrank me, how come you never took command?". Conrad shrugged, "I didn't know this galaxy, you did. Out here, rank doesn't matter, it's what you know that counts.".
John nodded, he had too agree. When he arrived as a major, he understood this place better than he thought. Sumner wasn't that bad of a guy, he just didn't had the people skills like John did.
While the two men chat, Teyla walked up to John, "Care to dance, John?". John smiled, "I would be honored.".
As the two went onto the floor, Conrad sighed, "You know, there was a time I couldn't look a woman in the eye.". He stood there for a few minutes, he looked over, Sam was holding Thomas while talking to McKay.
Smiling, the colonel looked towards the gate, it will be the last time he will set foot through it. He'll miss it, but he made his decision, and he was too stubborn to change it, something he got from his dad, thinking back, his dad might've been a system lord, but he could care less, he just wished he shared a resemblance to him, but then again, if he did, he wouldn't had his good looks he had now. He liked the way he looked.
He had a lot more to think of, he remembered the day he enlisted. The recruiter found it weird, he was a mere refugee, one of the last 2 000 South Africans to survive. When Ares attacked his home country, the media covered it with a meteor strike.
Dumb thing is, he believed it!
Until at recruitment, his Drill Sergeant told him about the truth. He was astonished, he decided that he would fight for Earth, he would take out the alien responsible for the destruction of his home.
"I know dad, I need to be sure of my choices.".
Standing there, he felt someone poking his shoulder, looking down, it was one of the refugees from one of the planets, a fifteen year old girl, she was five foot exact. He cursed at himself for being 6'1 foot. "Can I help you?".
The girl smiled, "Would like to dance?". Conrad felt a little unsettled, but he was a nice guy, "Uhmm, I am not much of a dancer, but he is." He pointed to one of the Athosian boys.
The girl went to him and Conrad relaxed. "Damn, close one.".
The next morning, Conrad was in his formal dress uniform. Fixing the collar, he then took a glance at the ranks on his shoulders. The two eagles on his shoulders. He sighed, basic training was easy, but when he took his officer training during his stationing on SG-1, the promotion to First Lieutenant was a surprise, he hoped to keep it quiet. But then again, Uncle Hammond was a pushover when it comes to family.
Sam was in her Air Force uniform. Thomas was dressed in a tiny handmade tuxedo.
He picked up his bags and looked at the window. "I am gonna miss this place.". Sam nodded, "Me too.".
The gate was packed up with everyone, John and Elizabeth stood at front. Earth was dialed and everything was ready. Conrad placed his bags down, and he gave one last final hug to his friends. "Good luck.".
John nodded, "We'll be fine, go live your life.".
Conrad picked up his bags, Sam stood next to him, Thomas resting on her hip. "Tyd om oor te begin." (Time to restart.).
They walked through the gate, and they were greeted by Jack, Hammond, Hayes, Daniel, Teal'c and Janet.
Hammond walked up as he smiled, "Welcome home.". Conrad smiles back. "Thank you uncle.". Jack then said, "So, how was Atlantis?". Conrad chuckles. "Just like home away from home.".
Hayes then said: "Conrad, we have a lot to talk about. Starting with your new assignment.".
Conrad stood at attention, "Sir.". Hayes then pats him on the shoulder, "Relax, it's nothing serious.". Then he smirked, "How do you like the sound of general?".
Conrad frowned in confusion, "Sir?".
Jack then piped in, "Old George is retiring, I have some shoes to fill. That means this place needs a new boss.".
Conrad swallowed what felt like a rock. "Me?".
Sam smirked from behind him. "Come on, Conrad, I am sure you got this.". Conrad shrugged again. "I guess.".
"Great!" Hayes said, "Get everything ready.".
In an hour, everything was prepared.
Hayes stood at the microphone and gave his speech, "Four years ago, Colonel Baird was accidentally sent to the Pegasus Galaxy, where he fought all that was apposed as danger, through the toughest of times, he stood tall, he didn't hesitate once to protect his friends, family, or planet. Therefor," he stood in front of Conrad, "Conrad, it's with great honor, I promote you, to Brigadier General, and new commander of Stargate Command.".
Hammond and Jack then took the eagles from Conrad's uniform off and placed the stars on. Conrad stood tall. He was forty years old and a general! He has no idea how many guys accomplished that, but he was sure he wasn't the first, but he was proud to be part of that group.
The military personnel then stood up and saluted, Conrad saluted back, he will be the first foreigner and Marine to accomplish the role of commander of the base.
And he was proud of it.
After the ceremony, Conrad stood in his new office, he had a great few of the gate, standing at the window, he took his cap off and he placed it on the desk. Walter then knocked on the door. "Sorry to bother you sir, but you have a debriefing with SG-1 about their upcoming mission.".
Conrad smiled, he looked at the three photos on his desk, one was of his wife and son, the second of SG-1 and then last one of the Atlantis team.
"Very well. Let's not keep them waiting.".
He walked in the briefing room and found the team, he looked around, they were the same team from when he left the galaxy. "SG-1, let's get started.".
Later that day, he was standing in the control room, watching as SG-1 prepared to leave for their mission. "SG-1, Godspeed.".
Yeah, he likes being in charge already.