Chapter 2

At five thirty three, Jack pulled up to the first security check point. He hadn't hit a single red light on his way to the base, and the highway traffic was relatively light. Jack suspected that it would be this way every morning if he were ever on time. It was a good thing the missions were intentionally scheduled for SG-1 later on in the day. The guard who was also dressed to the hilt in his blues, stood at attention and saluted. Jack was so tickled, he couldn't help himself; he opened the door, and stepped down out of his truck. Looking behind him to see that there were indeed five or six others waiting to get on the base, Jack decided to just do a quick, simple inspection . He returned the young airman's salute, and proceeded to look him up and down, left to right. Then, just as quickly as he had gotten out, Jack climbed back into the truck, and got out his wallet with his I.D. in it to show to the guard. The guard looked down at Jack's I.D. and started to wave him on through.

"You look outstanding there Airman. Make sure the rest of your team looks the same for the inspection, and then you all can change back into your BDU's. I want everyone to see what a fine group we have at the security check points. Pass the word along would you?"

"Yes sir, Colonel." The guard moved back to let Jack pass, and stepped up to the car behind him.

Jack just smiled broadly as he continued on to the next security station on the parking level of Cheyenne. He inspected both guards at the second station, giving them a quick, but thorough visual examination. The two guards were pleased with the results, as Jack nodded at both of them, and continued to swipe his I.D. card in the badge reader. The outer door opened, and Jack told the guards to stand at ease and get back to work. The airmen complied, grateful for having passed the inspection. This was the first dress uniform inspection they had had since either of them had been transferred here. They didn't know what went on down below Cheyenne mountain, but they knew Colonel O'Neill and his staff, and when O'Neill says to do something, it had better get done. Who knew what type of things grew out of the latrines down there.

Jack walked to the third checkpoint, and continued to go through all of the scanning protocols. After he scanned his badge, his palms, and his retinas, he scanned the five guards that were usually present during high traffic times of the day. Jack was in too good of a mood to really find any fault with anyone's uniform. He was just having an ego trip after watching the whole base scramble over the last couple of days to get their uniforms in order. Jack signed in at the fourth and final checkpoint, and headed down to the SGC. The elevator doors opened on level 27 and Jack looked at his watch. 5:55.

What a great day! HE was even EARLY today. He wanted a 0700 muster in the gate room for a command inspection. But he had ordered all of the SG-team leaders to arrive an hour early for their inspections, so that they may assist Jack with the command wide inspection. Sam was going to inspect the females (all nine), so he had told her to come early for her inspection as well. He headed out of the elevator to Hammond's office. There was a type of presence in the air, as Jack passed through the control room for a short cut. Everyone was inspection-ready, or so it seemed, as Jack looked at all of his personnel along the way.

He knocked on the General's door, and before he was even told to enter, Jack just walked right in. Hammond wasn't surprised to see him, only he looked at his watch to check the time.

"Good morning Sir!" Jack smiled his greetings as he strode into Hammond's office to look out into the briefing room. "It looks like they're all here eh?" he said as he crossed his arms in front of him and stood watching the SG-team leaders adjust each other's uniforms in the other room.

"Well hi, Jack. Nice of you to get here so early today! Yes, everyone's ready for you I think. I don't think they were expecting you on time mind you, but at least they are all prepared for the inspection. There's just one thing before you inspect your team leaders."

Jack turned around to question Hammond with raised, Teal'c - like eyebrows. "Sir?"

"Stand at attention Colonel, it's time for your inspection." Hammond said without a smile.

Jack stood where he was, completely caught by surprise. Again he repeated. "Sir?"

"COLONEL O'NEILL! AT ATTENTION THIS INSTANT!" The General barked suddenly and loudly, literally scaring Jack straight......into the attention position. Hammond looked past Jack and into the briefing room where he saw the SG team leaders all turn their heads towards the General's office to see what he was yelling about. Even they couldn't miss the little wink that Hammond gave them as he started to inspect Jack. The team leaders all grinned, and most of the tenseness that had been in the air was erased, as they watched O'Neill get raked over. The General pointed to Jack's tie.

"Sorry Jack, I couldn't resist. You look fine. But you know that spot on your tie? I remember how you got that spot, and it has been years. Why don't you just go and buy a new tie? Oh, and at ease." Hammond smiled broadly this time.

Jack cleared his throat. "Thank you sir. Yes....the tie." He looked down, and began to play with it. "I believe it was the hollandaise sauce from our dinner meeting with the joint commission. But that wasn't that long ago was it? That was only......" Jack stopped to try and remember. And Couldn't.

"See what I mean? Get a new tie Colonel. That's an order, and that counts as a hit on your inspection. And have fun with the rest of the personnel. I think everyone is going to particularly sharp today. Let me know if there are any problems, or if there is anything you need."

"Thank you sir, I think it's going to be a good day!" Jack's good mood was only slightly dulled by the General's lesson in humility. Jack looked again out into the briefing room where the team leaders had lined themselves up, prepared for their own inspections.

"Okay, then you're dismissed. I want the inspection reports from your team leaders, signed by you, by the end of today. Barring there are no unforeseen circumstances."

"Yes sir. Oh. Sir? Have you seen Carter yet this morning?

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