Thanks everyone for reading this story so far and especially to dpdp, schatze8210 and djenie for your reviews, glad you are enjoying the ramble.
Part 2 - Leaving the Gate Room
Chapter 8
The man walking down the stairs into the very charged atmosphere of the Gate room, was early thirties, dark haired and wearing a black combat suit with the rip-off arm patches showing he was with the special security detail. Getting to the bottom he stopped and silently saluted General Landry and waited for his attention.
Relieved for their own reasons, it was not Special Agent Gibbs, both Jack and Hank let out very quiet sighs, before Hank took charge by asking briskly. "Colonel Jones is there a problem with SG20 or your elite group?"
Taking stock of the situation and realising why the Gate room had been 'locked down' Colonel Jones immediately reported. "No sir. But Special Agent Gibbs asked me to pass on a message to General O'Neill as I wouldn't let him do it himself." and promptly turned his attention to the child standing in front of the Stargate and without any hesitation added. "Sir, It is confirmed with firm evidence that the new members A and F on the IOA Committee, were the leak and why the Senator tried the kidnapping and then the attempt on your life this morning. Also Richard Woolsey is not involved in anyway so there is no threat to or from Atlantis. With the mountain secure and the extra help from ourselves and Colonel Reynolds, all aspects will be covered immediately and as you wanted.
Agent Gibbs also doubts Atlantis will be required as extra or emergency cover so you can carry out your ceremonial duties as required, and he will fill you in on the outcome of the operation here when you are given permission to return." Seeing General Landry's slight twitch of a smile and the child shrug his shoulders, Colonel Jones addressed them both as he finished his statement. "Sirs. He is in the other communications room linked to his team at Navy Yard and Colonel Reynolds 'upstairs', so will join us for our final briefing as soon as he's finished."
Feeling the ripple of relief that Atlantis was safe and still under their command Jack nodded his acceptance of that order. While also acknowledging having to 'read in' those two new IOA members instead of Paul Davis had unknowingly blown his cover of a low unimportant General to what he really was, to the Senator and hence the kidnapping attempt etc. But that 'reading in' had also lead to his own extra meeting with Gibbs and his team because the downfall of the original IOA pair and the sudden signed up appearance of A and F that hadn't felt right. And, now they had that elusive damning link and evidence that would bring the whole sorry group and the ones in the shadows to justice ... within the next few hours if things went right.
Admiring the hard working NCIS team, regretting he wouldn't be in at the 'kill', and knowing the Gate wouldn't let it come out in Ancient or a childish squeak, Jack came to attention and ordered. "Colonel. None of what you are seeing leaves this room. That includes both teams up there, as well as Gibbs and his team when you meet them. Again, the shutters stay down and he stays up there at all costs. As Reynolds will not beam you out till we have gone through the Gate Gibbs can brief you all as he waits. Walter or General Landry will inform you all when we have arrived on Atlantis.
Your personal brief from me, that can not be countermanded by any one else on or off this planet. Is to keep Gibbs safe at all cost. Then return him to the mountain as soon as the round up is over for a full briefing, medical and safe keeping."
As the Colonel flinched a bit at that command, Hank realised there something deeper going on and exclaimed. "Jack!?"
Immediately turning his attention back to the General, Jack tried to keep any glee out of his voice as he said. "You wanted back up for The Chair while Jon and I are off world. Didn't you."
And failed, because hearing it and seeing Jon breaking into a smile, Hank felt the penny drop … hard … and exclaimed. "You want me to tell Special Agent Jethro Gibbs he's … Ancient!" then added heatedly "He'll not only growl he'll bite!" remembering how the man had only taken a second to adjust to materializing in the Gate room before following the Airman to see to the men in the brig. And had growled at him and Daniel for not only letting Jack off world but obviously losing him when he got back. Hoping his so called friend was just getting payback or breaking the tension in a very serious situation, Hank asked cautiously. "How do you know he is?"
With Jon now chuckling in the background and after a childish grin lit up Jack's face as he remembered the scene. Jack then turned serious and letting his adult voice come through the Gate explained. "We played catch with an Ancient gizomo ball one evening while chatting in his basement. The coloured light in it stayed on when he caught the thing. We said nothing of course. Well, expect we wanted our ball back obviously. And don't worry, none of his team lit it up when they caught it or know who Jon really is. We covered the no lights bit by blaming duff connection or flat battery and made sure it didn't come on when he handed it back to me."
Ignoring Hank's loud sigh and shake of his head, and knowing the General and the Colonel would pick up the necessary information, Jack went back to briefing them. "Do it in private, and if necessary his close team mates and Doctor Mallard are to be told and can stay with him. They can work from here if necessary. Though Ducky might find that a bit difficult. Leon Vance, their boss is already used to the team working for Homeland Security on unexplained and off the book missions, but doesn't know about the programme … must not know about the programme.
Do not under estimate Gibbs's quiet manner, it gets very short and real loud when he's cross as the General obviously found out this morning. He is a first class sniper with true aim, combat trained with a clear mind who doesn't like restrictions or being kept in the dark. If you leave before Hank manages to explain things, then give Gibbs the bare facts about the Gene, the Chair and protecting the planet from an off world attack. And that everything will be confirmed when he gets back to the mountain. As they will get on together Lou can partner Gibbs when in the mountain or at the Chair if it needs to be used."
As Colonel Jones glanced at Hank for confirmation, Lou gave a loud "Yes Sirs." as confirmation he would do it. And General Landry realised it was for real, also Jack had really hated the cover story and isolation the President imposed on him, and curtly ordered. "Do it! And if needs be Jones, get a shadow to keep yourself safe and to help reign the man in. Otherwise it's just between the two of you as we can not have the 'Ancient Gene' bit leaking out." And with a nod of his head, Hank dismissed Colonel Jones to go back up to the briefing room.
With the sound of the Colonel's footsteps going up the stairs, Hank shook his head again as he looked back at Jack with deep respect. And noticing the child was hardly glowing now, guessed the Gate must have taken the power somehow, and added. "What do you need to go, and will it effect the whole Mountain?"
With that confirmation that they would be going, the tension in the room eased and people got back into gear and moved.
While Cam and his group went over to the pile of bags to sort them out and finish gearing up. Teal'c quickly slipped his bag off and strapped the Zat safely on the side of it, just in case things were not quite right in Atlantis, then returned the pack to his back. Daniel, seeing Teal'c start to move across to join the other group, grabbed a relevant book off the pile he'd left on the floor, and clutching the Ancient gizmo to his chest caught up to him and quietly voiced his buzzing thoughts. "If they stored Atlantis under that lake by the waterfall, they could have done it under the sea as well, been close enough to account for the legend of the lost city when they moved out. We've got to study to ….
"Indeed" Teal'c cut in quietly, and as they walked together added. "For some months the O'Neills and ColonelShepard have discussed the thoughts of deep water storage for the Cities as well as other ideas. You would have participated if you had not ignored Jon or had kept in touch when asked. I suggest as we collect our bags that you concentrate on what we have talked about. Especially as you will be paired with ValaMalDoran for this trip and not be able to touch anything in Atlantis expect food and water."
"Teal'c!" Daniel exclaimed in shock, but stopped the rest of his words as they had reached the group. And, Vala MalDoran who was holding his backpack in her hands, had a very serious calculating expression rather than her usual playful bouncy one and exclaimed sharply. "Teal'c?"
Knowing she had heard his last comment, Teal'c's gaze took in both of them and without any sign of guilt he intoned gravely. "You both know it is time to stop playing games and 'be' together. Or as O'Neill has frequently suggested be locked in a ..."
And was stopped by Jack's command across the room to them. "Stop! The bags can be loaded on the hover forcefield when Jon sends it over rather than have them on your backs. I hope there is a bag with a change of clothes for me, my adult ones are already over there."
Seeing a smiling Cam hold up a child's size bag with a familiar favourite cartoon character on the front. Jack huffed, hoping whoever had packed it had just copied the stuff he was wearing, he liked watching the tv show not wearing it, and carried on. "Thanks. We will go through in the order I suggested and at the ready just in case."
Seeing nods of acceptance from the group Jack turned his attention back to Hank, and mentally toned things down so his words wouldn't echo round the room any more added. "Walter has the crib sheet regarding the Chair under lock and key. As long as Gibbs knows who the enemies are the drones will adjust accordingly. He needs Lou there, as he's the most experienced officer and they've worked to the same rules so will have each others trust.
The three at Navy Yard don't know the whole story so will need to be updated, Tony may talk a lot but knows when to keep a confidence and is a very good investigator. The other two are Geeks in their own rights but good to be around so you'll enjoy their company and work. Take Gibbs's advice about Abby, she's upstairs with Doctor Mallard at the moment. She's a bit excitable, loves taking things apart if given the chance, very intelligent so I would say yes. Don't make promises you can't keep or hide how dangerous the situation might be to protect her, she can handle it in her own way.
If everything goes to plan and it's quiet they can have a tour of upstairs, the mountain even Alpha site for an quick show round. All of this stays totally off the Grid, especially the President, even when the all clear is given. Hopefully he'll be too busy dealing with the fallout to ask awkward questions." Then letting his smile reach his eyes added. "You're right, Gibbs and I are two of a kind … growling Alsatians when need be… and don't you forget that."
Taking it all in Hank laughed and added. "Should always remember to be careful what I say around you. They don't sound like the conventional team."
"They are good and that's what counts. SG1 wasn't/isn't either." Then raising his voice via the Gate again, Jack ordered. "Lou. Stay where you are then go with Hank. Walter. Stand clear of the communications unit. Siler. You are in charge of flicking the wall power unit on and off when necessary. The whole area might blackout when we change batteries and/or it links in with our system. After we have gone through and before using it again, do a test run with something that doesn't matter to Alpha Site. Doubt the power bills will be so high in the future. We might even get away with suggesting the batteries came from Atlantis." seeing Hank's smile he paused.
Then knowing he was about to reveal his Ancient power and knowledge Jack added. "I'll open the link to Atlantis and Hank, you'll talk to them from down here. Walter can silently monitor it from up there. They will need to know we are coming straight through rather than stopping at Midway. The batteries first and they are not to touch them as the forcefield will stay up. Then SG1 with guests and Daniel will explain everything as soon as he gets there. I assume you explained we were shut this end?"
Realising that Jack had the power/knowledge to actually open the gate, Hank knew they needed to move things on quickly, and hearing Walter's call "Standing clear and watching" from upstairs, took a breath then admitted. "Yes. Said we were recalibrating the gate and would call them via Midway when it was all clear for use." Seeing Jack's slight smile a the use of that old line, he smiled back then added. "When you are ready."
Jack nodded and turning to Jon ordered. "Lets get it done." which, of course sent the tension in the room back up again.
With each step he took towards the Gate Jack could feel the power and knowledge flooding him in a way it had never done before and knew he had to let it take him over. Glancing at Jon to check he was ready, he knew his clone could feel something as well and nodded. As he did so a hatchway on the Gate's rim just in front of the waiting battery lit up, then the doors opened by sliding back into the framework, leaving a large opening where the old battery rested. The new battery's hover forcefield powered back up and manoeuvred itself closer to the hole. Almost as though it was having a peak in to see what it's new home was like. Disappointingly the old one stayed where it was, and Jack realised they would need help dealing with the transfer. He was too small to do it and Jon would also find it difficult. Turning to call Teal'c over, he saw his brother warrior was already walking towards them.
With great reluctance Teal'c had worked out they would need him, so had started to walk over to them with all his dislike of Ancient technology rippling through him, and for once showing in his normally stoic expression. It didn't help matters that the forcefield around the battery shut down as soon as he stopped beside it, and noted it did at least stay hovering so he wouldn't have to pick it up from ground level.
As he cast a wary eye over the old battery left in place, he heard Jack's quiet comment, "It won't bite" and was glad the Gate kept that between the three of them, and knowing there had to be something else to do, stayed silent and listened to the rest of the child's quiet comments. "I need to rework a couple of crystals so nothing explodes and Jon is the only one who can help me as he is part of me. Take the old battery out and put it to the side were the opening plume will not affect it, then slide the new one in. We'll come back to you before joining the rest of the group to pack and go."
Looking back towards Hank, Jack raised his voice so it sounded through the Gate again and added. "As we are taking the hover base with us the old battery will need to be carried over to the others manually. Lou will then increase the linked forcefield to include it. No one here or from Area 51 is to try pulling it or the handset apart now or in the future, there is enough left in it to destroy the mountain if a mistake is made.
Once the others are in safe storage a hover base can be separated from them and used for moving other goods here in the mountain. It shuts down into a small hard flat baseplate, always lock it in with the others and keep the handset safe, neither will need any maintenance. Jon and I are going to do some alterations in the Gate's rim so nothing gets fried when we start it up again. The console and Gate will link with each other at all times and the security protocol will be the same as before. The whole section might go dark at some point so warn them outside not to go charging around."
Seeing a nod from Hank and knowing Walter would warn everyone outside to have lights at the ready, the O'Neills walked over to the area on the Gate where the scientists had linked it to the power supply and the console in the communications area.
With rising anticipation everyone else watched as a new hatchway area lit up in front of the pair then opened up for them. Saw the pair confer before Jon leant in and did something no one else could see, then saw a repeat performance by the couple before then child/General nodded then called out via the Gate. "Siler, the switch please. Do not flick the power back on till the order is given. Once the power is off Teal'c change the batteries."
With that the tension in the room rippled even higher as Siler flicked the switch, and the whole area went dark … gloomy dark as the forcefields immediately changed from red to white.
Teal'c sighed and then reluctantly started to get the old battery out, expecting it or something to bite him. … As nothing did ... he carried on and put it safe where the opening plume wouldn't touch it. Then he turned his attention to the new one and to his surprise the baseplate and forcefield arms started to adjust and gently tip in the right direction. So all he had to do was to guide the new one into place. Once in there was a loud click of connection and Teal'c stood back and watched warily as the baseplate silently moved away from the hatchway then parked itself by the rim with the narrow forcefield arms tucked in giving off a little light, as though waiting for new instructions.
While that was happening Jon and Jack finished off their work, closed the hatchway and walked back over to Teal'c. It was then the watchers held their collective breaths as Jack disappeared either inside the hatchway where the new battery was or behind the Gate and ramp, they couldn't tell which, but heard Jon's loud exasperated cry. "Forcryingoutloud Jack get back here. I can do that bit!"
There was a short silence before Jack's echoing reply from within the Gate of. "Nope. Way too big." brought a smile to some of the listeners. Though the tension immediately rose as again in the following moments as they could hear a rustling noise and huffs from within, which was followed the exclamation "Got it!" and then a short silence, before to everyone's relief Jack appeared again.
Once all three were clear of the hatchway it closed up as seamlessly as it had before and then Jon's order rang out. "Switch it back on Siler."
Siler did ... and some of the lights in the room flickered on, showing an amusing sight of Jon sat 'elf like' on the baseplate while gently gliding away from the group. And they heard via the Gate Jack's huff of "Show off." and then the added order "Make sure everything is packed neatly and quickly."
Seeing Teal'c start to walk in the same direction as Jon, Jack added quietly. "Wait a moment T." and the whole room was plunged into complete darkness. Because even the light from the forcefields flickered out this time.
There was just a narrow beacon of light coming from the communications unit and Walter's voice calling out across the Gate room. "Computers are down." then after a short tense silence the familiar chunk chunk sound started round them, making him add with some relief. "They are starting to boot up again…. Looking good so far..."
But everyone's attention was diverted again, because one of the orange chevron lights on the Gate clunked and came on. Then slowly and in sequence the others clunked and came on ... but the Gate stayed still and closed. … so no one was gating in. As soon as the sequence was finished the rest of the lights in the room came back on … full power was restored everywhere.
As their eyes adjusted to the bright normal light, everyone looked around as if checking that no one had disappeared in those dark moments. To their relief no one had.
Grinning at the fact he'd not made an ass of himself in parking in the dark or Jack hadn't suddenly mentally applied the breaks as he could have done thereby tipping him off the thing, Jon got off the hovering baseplate and looking at Cam and said firmly. "Shall we?"
Cam nodded and started to load the bags on to the baseplate, which immediately re-activated it's forcefield arms again. This time they were flickering green and yellow while shaping into sides and extra floorspace that would make sure that nothing could fall off in transit or be left behind.
Going to quickly reassure Cassie and help her Jon started to walk round Daniel, but was stopped by the man's quick movement into his path and very rapid exclamation. "I didn't mean to cut you out. If Jack had talked about his past I could..."
Knowing what Daniel could be like in full flow Jon cut in firmly. "Not now Daniel. We can not miss this trip. You need to talk to Jack and Sam first. Ours will come when you've accepted me for who I am. Now, I must see Cassie and reassure her Jack will be all right." seeing the shock ripple across the man's face, Jon knew he had just slipped into Jack's Colonel's tone to get his point across, and shook his head with a slight smile and huffed. "Some things are just in there Daniel. Just like our friendship is." and walked on past hearing Vala's sharp "Daniel! Not now!" hiss to get the man's attention in the background.
He tuned it all out, seeing Cassie and her worried expression as she held out one of the bags they had packed together after Jack's plea for help that morning. Taking it in one hand he then slipped into a brief hug with her saying firmly. "It will be all right."
Cassie broke the hug and stepping back to grab their other bag said quietly. "You're going Ancient as well aren't you, that's why Jack needs you with him, and we might have to stay there."
Jon sighed and keeping her close so no one else could hear them admitted. "Not in the same way as he is, and Atlantis will heal us both. He knows it and I trust him. Lets help pack and get there. If we have to stay they will accept us for who we are and we have each other."
Feeling better about things Cassie nodded and they joined the others packing.
oxoxo
While that was going on Jack with Teal'c by his side walked over to Hank, on reaching him Jack quietly explained. "Once it's sorted itself out it will dial Atlantis. Just talk normally and they will hear it the other side."
With slight awe in his voice Hank asked. "You did this?"
Jack shrugged his shoulders and added. "Sort of switched the service program on and followed it's instructions. It will go back to normal as soon as we are on the other side. As you now have the power source the IOA will not be able to control travel as much as they wanted, but you'll still have to report to them as they will be the public face of the programme eventually."
Then with Teal'c as his shadow Jack turned back to the Gate, reaching it put his hand on the nearest chevron he could and getting the all clear from it, thought about Atlantis and linking to it. As he pulled back from the Gate he could feel his energy going again so walked back to Hank rather than joining the others, who were nearly ready to move into place once the batteries went through. He knew it would be easier to slip in behind the group as they walked up the ramp and silently tucked away his fear that he might lose even more of himself by doing this…
Not surprisingly everyone's attention was drawn to back to the Gate again, because the chevrons started to clunk and light up again. This time the loud rumbling of the Gate's rim spinning and each chevron locked in place as the Atlantis address was indicated. Then as it was completed the magical plume spat out into the room before retreating and becoming that puddle of shimmering blue they would walk through to get there.
Up at his console Walter silently watched, mentally checking off what he'd usually called out realising there was a slight difference in the colour of the puddle this time and couldn't help wondering if it was because an Ancient had dialled it up and/or it had a new battery in it.
Also watching it lock in place and knowing it took longer to get to the Pegasus Galaxy and Atlantis, Hank took a breath and let it out while mentally counting it down. Then seeing Jack's nod Hank announced clearly. "Atlantis this is General Landry of Star Gate Command please come in."
There was a moment of silence then the crisp reply came back. "This is Colonel John Shepard. Glad you are up and running again General. We had a hint of an energy spike from your galaxy earlier on and wondered if that caused your problem. Just in case, Rodney and the others have been running things through the computers and come up with nothing so far. Are you linking through Midway?"
"No. We have our own battery…" Hank stopped and looking down at Jack said quietly. "Definitely been around you too long." before looking back at the Gate again and adding in a raised 'General' toned voice. "With the new ZPM in our gate this transmission is coming straight through. We have three for you which are in a gliding travelling forcefield unit. The hand controller will come through with the people afterwards. They are SG1 old and new with guests Jon O'Neill and Cassandra Frazer for a staying visit. Doctor Jackson will explain what has happened." then ready to head off any outburst from beside him, he added. "Be advised a medical person should be on hand and this visit is completely off the record here and might be wise to keep it that way there."
John's voice almost immediately came back. "Colonel Carter and Richard Woosley have been called. What is the emergency and is General O'Neill there and safe?"
Hank sighed not wanting to answer that question, and seeing the forcefields round the ZPM light up again as the whole thing started to glide quickly towards the wormhole he called out. "The batteries are on their way. General O'Neill will be coming through with the others and I will link with you again when the group can return to earth."
With the batteries disappearing into the blue puddle Cam and the others with the baggage hovering beside them lined up ready follow as soon as the word was given. With a silent glare at Hank rather than a verbal outburst, Jack nodded his goodbye to the General, and with Teal'c beside him started to walk towards the group so he could slip in behind them.
But before they got there Lou walked over to Teal'c and handed him the cameras he'd had with him that morning saying quietly. "Think you and Sam might like to keep them over in Atlantis."
Teal'c took them with a sober nod of his head and a quiet reverent. "Indeed they shall be appreciated, as was your help this morning MajorLouisFerretti" before tucking them into his backpack. Then turning his attention back to Jack and seeing him stumble slightly Teal'c added. "Do you wish some assistance O'Neill?" Getting a glare back from the child/General, Teal'c finished. "In that case O'Neill we should make haste and join the others." which made Lou smile as he walked over to General Landry, as he was sure he could hear a huff in the Jaffa's tone.
Their attention was caught again as Colonel John Shepard's voice came through the Gate with a tone of surprise in it. "They've arrived safely, flashing red and have parked themselves to one side so the group can come through." before turning back to controlled command as he carried on. "Lt Colonel Carter and Richard Woolsey are now here. Doctors Beckett and Keller have been called. Any advice General Landry."
Seeing Vala and Cam were nearly in front of the puddle Hank sighed and added. "Yes stand down any armed officers. SG1, guests and baggage are coming through now and on alert. General O'Neill says Atlantis will deal with their problem. So it might be a case of watch what happens rather than emergency action."
Watching the group start to disappear Hank knew it was out of his hands now, and could feel that ripple of loss and tension he always felt when he sent his teams off world. Then as Teal'c and Jack reached to blue puddle of the Gate, Jack spun round to look at him and gave a perfect salute. Hank returned it and watched the child/General spin back again and then disappear into the blue puddle, and felt tension ripple through him again as the wormhole rippled with multi colours before turning back to it's normal blue.
John Shepard's voice cut through his thoughts as the Colonel told them that Cam and Vala had arrived … and the rest of his message was blotted out by a burst of static and then silence before the Gate closed down and they could see right through the centre again.
With that happening much earlier than either Hank or Lou expected, Lou voiced the thought that was running through his mind. "The Gate opened on Jack's command therefore it would close on it as well. Probably didn't want us to hear Daniel getting dressing down from Sam for..." and managed to stop himself from spilling the beans about Jack and Sam being married.
"True." Hank answered, then questioned quietly as they started to walk towards the stairs knowing he couldn't put off his next meeting. "What was in the cameras that you thought Lt Colonel Carter should see."
Lou glanced around making sure no one was too close and answered. "Jack enjoying being a child. Sir."
With a slight smile Hank nodded then as they started to walk up the stairs commented quietly. "It would have been nice to have seen that." Then added "Lets get this over with and face Gibbs together." and started up the stairs.
Meeting Walter at the top, they all carried on walking towards the General's office, with Hank asking. "Have you informed Reynolds they've gone through yet?"
"Yes sir and Special Agent Gibbs who is in the briefing room with the teams. Before you go in you should know there's been an interesting up grade regarding the Gate Sir."
"Go on." Hank asked wondering what on earth it might be.
With a slight smile Walter reported. "There's no record of the Gate being opened. Also we had visual contact of Atlantis's Gateroom on the computer screen as soon as the Gate made contact. That means the test run General O'Neill suggested should register in as our normal check to Alpha site to make sure it was working correctly, and if we get visual then we can work out how to get a record of it in the computer so we don't lose it. If, of course General O'Neill has not already factored that fact into his alterations to the Gate and it does it this time round."
Wondering how Jack managed to do that Hank suddenly thought of a disadvantage and ordered. "Get Alpha to make sure it's not a two way camera and they can see us, it would make us vulnerable. Though if Jack did the upgrade he would have thought of it and it will save our FREDs getting shot up quite so often." Opening his office door and walking in with Lou just behind him Hank paused then added. "Walter if there's a growling noise from my office in a couple of minutes come in and rescue us..."
And stopped because the briefing room which could be seen from the window in his office, and had been full of officers listening intently to a person they couldn't see, was suddenly engulfed in a very bright light and when it was gone the room was empty of people.
Hank smiled at Lou's quiet. "That's one way of delegating the job Sir."
Then answered. "True. But we'll still have to face him later." before turning back to Walter and ordered. "Check they've arrived upstairs safely and ask Reynolds to report what actions are going to be taken as soon as possible. We need to be kept in the loop, I don't want bodies landing in the Gate Room or the brig without prior knowledge."
Walking over to his desk Hank turned his attention back to Lou and added. "Major. You need to bring me up to date about this morning's trip. Jon's verbal report was like Jack's used to be … short and to the point. So I know there's more and just like everything else around this case it will be off the record."
Lou came to attention and hoping it would buy him more time said smartly. "Sir, I need to deal with joining the old ZPM with the new ones and them in store."
Hank gave him a grave look the ordered. "Go, put them to one side in the Gate room so no one trips over them, we'll need to sort out a storage room later. Then come back grabbing two coffees on the way as our chat will no doubt take us a while."
The only thing Lou could do was to nod and obey the order and hope something else would come up before he returned with the coffee.
oxoxo
If you've read this far, thank you and hope you've enjoyed it.
As always reviews welcomed but not insisted upon.
Sorry folks, my muse and I need to work on the next part of the story and as the holiday period and new year are getting closer way too quickly … not sure when I'll be back.
So if it not till next year have a happy time.
