"Hello?"
"Hey Sam it's me"
"Hi Janet"
"I heard the news Sam. I'm so sorry.... Look I know you're not the kind of person who likes to talk about this sort of thing but.... Do you want me to come over?"
"Not tonight Janet, I need time to sort his all out in my head. But thanks anyways. Could you come over tomorrow?"
"Sure I can. You sure you don't need to talk now?"
"Yeah Janet, I'm sure. Look I'll call you tomorrow. I'm fine really. This sort of thing happens all the time you know that. Promotions come and go, we don't always get what we hope to get do we."
"Are you gonna keep telling yourself that in order to make yourself feel better?"
"That and have a few beers which I'm sure will help"
"So you will call tomorrow and we'll talk?"
"I promise Janet. Give me a chance to drown my sorrows"
"Ok Sam, bye"
"Bye Janet, thanks for calling"
Sam replaced the receiver and stared down at it for a moment before looking at the already four empty beer bottles set neatly on her coffee table. She leaned forward and grabbed a fifth, she had the whole of the next day to get over the effects she knew she'd be feeling and she'd be able to talk better with Janet. If she'd talked with Janet then and there she may have said some things she'd later regret about herself and others.
Sighing she grimaced as her hand tightened over the bottle to open it. Her knuckles still hurt and were gaining a nice tinted shade to go with the pain. Glancing at the telephone, she considered for the millionth time phoning him, but the idea was pushed from her mind as quick as it had entered.
'Get over it Sam, you'll have other opportunities'
So, why the hell did she feel like she'd been betrayed almost? That they hadn't had enough faith in her. Of all the names that had been put forward in the running for the six teams which would become the flagship of the alpha site, her name had been in the higher rankings on basis of experience and knowledge. It was an unspoken opinion of most that she would have been chosen to lead one of the two field units being set up.
Sam berated herself inwardly. She of all people should have known not to have gotten high hopes about getting the position, but considering whom she had been up against she could partly justify the upset she was feeling. Of all the names put forward for the leading of the six teams, only four had like herself been with the SGC for eight years. Another two had been part of the SGC for four years, and only one of them as part of a field unit like herself. Two were unknowns who up until they were told of the highly secretive operation hadn't even heard of the SGC program.
Memos had been posted when the teams had been finally drawn up. Each individual would be called at a suitable time to be told whether he or she had gotten the placement. It hadn't been until that very morning Sam had been called to report to Hammond's office at 18:00 for the briefing. Sam smiled to herself, she had very near forgot about the meeting. A new artefact had been brought through by one of the teams the day before and she had the day to carry out certain studies on it before it was taken to area fifty-one.
It wasn't until one of the scientists helping her in the studies had reminded her of the meeting, probably out of their own curiosity, that she had given orders to finish up on some of the tests and have the artefact ready for shipment. She had washed up quickly and reported on the dot, as was her usual habit, never too early, never too late.
Sam covered her face with her hands and groaned softly. Judging by Hammond's quiet, slightly more edgy reserve she should have known from the start. He hadn't even come out and said it straight off, which she wished he had.
~~~~~~~~~
After taking a deep breath she had tapped lightly on the door and after hearing the soft 'enter' call from Hammond, she had proceeded into the office. The General offered the chair opposite for her to sit which she had politely taken.
"How have the tests been coming on the artefact Major?"
"Fine Sir, we're just finishing off some tests and then the artefact will be ready to be packed up. The tests show some promising results, we have the information running through the computer and hopefully it will come up with some information for us to better understand what the device is for. We're assuming for the moment it is like a backup generator for the hartacs the gould use, seeing as it comes from the wreckage of one and is producing a low energy signature."
"Very good, I'll expect a full report when the test are finished"
"Yes Sir"
"Well Major I assume you know why you're here. It has been a long two months for most of us in the final preparations for the base of the Alpha site finally setting up permanent offworld teams. After careful consideration and long hours of talks with all involved we have managed to assemble the teams we feel would best suit the needs we feel necessary to be met in the new arrangements."
At this point Hammond took a breath from his long practised speech to take a sip of water and look at the Major sitting across from him. Hammond felt wretched for what he was about to say and had been in two minds about the final agreement, seeing both sides of the argument involving Carter's position as a leader of one of the teams. He and Jack had spent many hours together and alone deliberating over the decision. Her name had been enthusiastically backed by the other members of the team brought in too decide on the names, but the final decision had come down too himself and O'Neill. They were the ones who had weighed up the pros and cons. Jack owed him more than one for what he was about to say.
"I'm just going to come right out and say it Major. I am sorry to say you are not one of the candidates becoming part of the Alpha site teams. Myself and Colonel O'Neill feel your presence is too valuable to the SGC to have you off-world permanently."
'God the woman is so clever at hiding her feelings, she hasn't even flinched at the news.'
"Please note Major, this has nothing to do with our feeling that you are not leadership material. On the contrary we feel you are more than ready and when a more appropriate position becomes available your name will be at the top of the list of names considered."
He looked over at her, her face hadn't changed. Hammond knew Sam had probably been expecting a different outcome but she knew was too practised in the art of hiding her true feelings to let him of all people see her disappointment.
"Major?" he said softly wondering if she had any questions or anything to say about the situation.
Sam had snapped out of her initial shock and disappointment, to blink once at the General before wondering what on earth too say.
"Sir?"
"Major I realise this has come as a bit of a disappointment"
"No Sir, this things happens all the time. I'm sure you deliberated long and hard, thankyou for at least considering me and thinking I'm ready for the chance. Is that all Sir?"
"Yes Major, that's all."
Sam had stood in a slight daze. The General had also stood but she didn't wait for a formal dismissal. She had given him a staunch attention before making a hasty exit too the door. Opening the door revealed the figure of O'Neill sitting on the edge of the briefing desk, Tealc sat in the chair by him and Daniel was fiddling with the water jug and glasses. Only Jack seemed to manage keeping his eyes on her, so it had been obvious he had told the other two that she hadn't made the promotion. Sam barely acknowledged his presence, walking stiffly past him towards the stairs. She had suddenly felt claustrophobic and nauseous.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam shook her head trying to clear the thoughts away. Tommorow is another day, like Hammond had said, she would be considered in other times. The two unnknown officers along withfour of the already current SGC members had been chosen to lead the six teams. She would have been assigned to the vacancies left by the four vacncies but they had been members of other teams, not leaders of them. And the two unknowns were to be the leaders of the field units. She had found this out when after making her way to her office an airman had brought along the extensive report. She had cast her eyes over the names befoe slipping the file into her top drawer for further study after the weekend. Sam had needed to clear her head and had headed to the locker rooms and then home.
Smiling to herself she made a mental note to apologise to Major Collins, the woman whose locker she had dented and also to the young Lieutentant who she had been a little cold toward. Sighing Samflicked on the TV, hoping somthign would be able to take her mind off things for a while.
"Hey Sam it's me"
"Hi Janet"
"I heard the news Sam. I'm so sorry.... Look I know you're not the kind of person who likes to talk about this sort of thing but.... Do you want me to come over?"
"Not tonight Janet, I need time to sort his all out in my head. But thanks anyways. Could you come over tomorrow?"
"Sure I can. You sure you don't need to talk now?"
"Yeah Janet, I'm sure. Look I'll call you tomorrow. I'm fine really. This sort of thing happens all the time you know that. Promotions come and go, we don't always get what we hope to get do we."
"Are you gonna keep telling yourself that in order to make yourself feel better?"
"That and have a few beers which I'm sure will help"
"So you will call tomorrow and we'll talk?"
"I promise Janet. Give me a chance to drown my sorrows"
"Ok Sam, bye"
"Bye Janet, thanks for calling"
Sam replaced the receiver and stared down at it for a moment before looking at the already four empty beer bottles set neatly on her coffee table. She leaned forward and grabbed a fifth, she had the whole of the next day to get over the effects she knew she'd be feeling and she'd be able to talk better with Janet. If she'd talked with Janet then and there she may have said some things she'd later regret about herself and others.
Sighing she grimaced as her hand tightened over the bottle to open it. Her knuckles still hurt and were gaining a nice tinted shade to go with the pain. Glancing at the telephone, she considered for the millionth time phoning him, but the idea was pushed from her mind as quick as it had entered.
'Get over it Sam, you'll have other opportunities'
So, why the hell did she feel like she'd been betrayed almost? That they hadn't had enough faith in her. Of all the names that had been put forward in the running for the six teams which would become the flagship of the alpha site, her name had been in the higher rankings on basis of experience and knowledge. It was an unspoken opinion of most that she would have been chosen to lead one of the two field units being set up.
Sam berated herself inwardly. She of all people should have known not to have gotten high hopes about getting the position, but considering whom she had been up against she could partly justify the upset she was feeling. Of all the names put forward for the leading of the six teams, only four had like herself been with the SGC for eight years. Another two had been part of the SGC for four years, and only one of them as part of a field unit like herself. Two were unknowns who up until they were told of the highly secretive operation hadn't even heard of the SGC program.
Memos had been posted when the teams had been finally drawn up. Each individual would be called at a suitable time to be told whether he or she had gotten the placement. It hadn't been until that very morning Sam had been called to report to Hammond's office at 18:00 for the briefing. Sam smiled to herself, she had very near forgot about the meeting. A new artefact had been brought through by one of the teams the day before and she had the day to carry out certain studies on it before it was taken to area fifty-one.
It wasn't until one of the scientists helping her in the studies had reminded her of the meeting, probably out of their own curiosity, that she had given orders to finish up on some of the tests and have the artefact ready for shipment. She had washed up quickly and reported on the dot, as was her usual habit, never too early, never too late.
Sam covered her face with her hands and groaned softly. Judging by Hammond's quiet, slightly more edgy reserve she should have known from the start. He hadn't even come out and said it straight off, which she wished he had.
~~~~~~~~~
After taking a deep breath she had tapped lightly on the door and after hearing the soft 'enter' call from Hammond, she had proceeded into the office. The General offered the chair opposite for her to sit which she had politely taken.
"How have the tests been coming on the artefact Major?"
"Fine Sir, we're just finishing off some tests and then the artefact will be ready to be packed up. The tests show some promising results, we have the information running through the computer and hopefully it will come up with some information for us to better understand what the device is for. We're assuming for the moment it is like a backup generator for the hartacs the gould use, seeing as it comes from the wreckage of one and is producing a low energy signature."
"Very good, I'll expect a full report when the test are finished"
"Yes Sir"
"Well Major I assume you know why you're here. It has been a long two months for most of us in the final preparations for the base of the Alpha site finally setting up permanent offworld teams. After careful consideration and long hours of talks with all involved we have managed to assemble the teams we feel would best suit the needs we feel necessary to be met in the new arrangements."
At this point Hammond took a breath from his long practised speech to take a sip of water and look at the Major sitting across from him. Hammond felt wretched for what he was about to say and had been in two minds about the final agreement, seeing both sides of the argument involving Carter's position as a leader of one of the teams. He and Jack had spent many hours together and alone deliberating over the decision. Her name had been enthusiastically backed by the other members of the team brought in too decide on the names, but the final decision had come down too himself and O'Neill. They were the ones who had weighed up the pros and cons. Jack owed him more than one for what he was about to say.
"I'm just going to come right out and say it Major. I am sorry to say you are not one of the candidates becoming part of the Alpha site teams. Myself and Colonel O'Neill feel your presence is too valuable to the SGC to have you off-world permanently."
'God the woman is so clever at hiding her feelings, she hasn't even flinched at the news.'
"Please note Major, this has nothing to do with our feeling that you are not leadership material. On the contrary we feel you are more than ready and when a more appropriate position becomes available your name will be at the top of the list of names considered."
He looked over at her, her face hadn't changed. Hammond knew Sam had probably been expecting a different outcome but she knew was too practised in the art of hiding her true feelings to let him of all people see her disappointment.
"Major?" he said softly wondering if she had any questions or anything to say about the situation.
Sam had snapped out of her initial shock and disappointment, to blink once at the General before wondering what on earth too say.
"Sir?"
"Major I realise this has come as a bit of a disappointment"
"No Sir, this things happens all the time. I'm sure you deliberated long and hard, thankyou for at least considering me and thinking I'm ready for the chance. Is that all Sir?"
"Yes Major, that's all."
Sam had stood in a slight daze. The General had also stood but she didn't wait for a formal dismissal. She had given him a staunch attention before making a hasty exit too the door. Opening the door revealed the figure of O'Neill sitting on the edge of the briefing desk, Tealc sat in the chair by him and Daniel was fiddling with the water jug and glasses. Only Jack seemed to manage keeping his eyes on her, so it had been obvious he had told the other two that she hadn't made the promotion. Sam barely acknowledged his presence, walking stiffly past him towards the stairs. She had suddenly felt claustrophobic and nauseous.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam shook her head trying to clear the thoughts away. Tommorow is another day, like Hammond had said, she would be considered in other times. The two unnknown officers along withfour of the already current SGC members had been chosen to lead the six teams. She would have been assigned to the vacancies left by the four vacncies but they had been members of other teams, not leaders of them. And the two unknowns were to be the leaders of the field units. She had found this out when after making her way to her office an airman had brought along the extensive report. She had cast her eyes over the names befoe slipping the file into her top drawer for further study after the weekend. Sam had needed to clear her head and had headed to the locker rooms and then home.
Smiling to herself she made a mental note to apologise to Major Collins, the woman whose locker she had dented and also to the young Lieutentant who she had been a little cold toward. Sighing Samflicked on the TV, hoping somthign would be able to take her mind off things for a while.
