A/N: Updates will probably continue to be slow for a while, I had the outline up to this point decided, but from here out I have no idea what I'm going to do. Thanx to everyone to continues to review – it definitely keeps me motivated and the comments help me come up with new ideas
Sanity of the Insane
Chapter 12 – First Mission
"I'm bored," Buffy complained, lying on Jack's bed in his office.
It has been two weeks since the Pack showed up at Cheyenne Mountain. Jack had revealed very little about his involvement with the Pack, merely stating that he had been asked by General Craig to 'prepare' the Pack for the assignment to the Stargate Program. Of course, the other members of SG-1 knew he was lying, but General Hammond himself had ordered them not to question Jack nor Buffy any further.
Hammond had contacted all his sources and called in several high placed favours to get information on the Pack and General Craig. No one knew anything about the Pack, but there were some ugly rumours about Craig. The man was extremely patriotic, but that also meant he was willing to do anything -- to anyone – if he felt that it was the best for his country. And if anyone disagreed…they tended to disappear.
And this was the same man he had only a tenuous control over.
What little control he had he exercised – refusing to send them on a mission until Hammond deemed them ready.
Hence, Buffy was bored.
Jack looked at his friend, amused. Ever since she had left Sunnydale, Buffy seemed to have come to a compromise between being 'Buffy' and 'First One'. O'Neill had made his own peace, and for the first time Buffy met the Jack O'Neill he had become with the help of Daniel, and the other members of the SGC. Their battles for the last of the jello had become legendary – as well as their practical jokes.
No one has yet been able to figure out how they had managed to paint the Stargate pink without anyone seeing them. Of course, they denied the whole thing.
But after weeks of not being able to leave the base, Buffy was definitely feeling the Slaying itch. And she wasn't the only one; all the other members of the Pack were bristling. After living completely free for several years, the sudden confinement was fraying on their nerves. Several spontaneous brawls had broken out, resulting in broken bones and lacerations. Fortunately, hidden in the basement as they were, they had managed to avoid a visit to the infirmary. None of them were fond of hospitals.
"What's it like on other planets?" Buffy asked.
"Well, there's trees…lots and lots of trees," Jack mused, partly because it was true, but mostly because he knew it would annoy Buffy.
"Jack!"
Bingo.
Buffy groaned. "If I don't get out of here soon I'm going to go crazy."
Jack opened his mouth, and Buffy abruptly brought her hand up.
"Not a word, Jack, not another word."
Suddenly, the warning klaxons went off and through the intercom they could hear, "Incoming wormhole."
"Ask, and ye shall receive," Buffy quipped, heading out the doorway. Behind her Jack followed, mumbling under his breath.
"In my experience, it's be careful what you wish for."
*****************************************
"Sir, we're receiving the Tok'ra code."
"Open the iris," General responded, leaving the room for the Gateroom. He stood in front of the gate, soon joined by the members of SG-1, as well Buffy and General Craig. Jacob Carter walked through the horizon and walked down the ramp towards the SGC members.
"George, it's good to see you," Jacob said warmly, then raised his eyebrows at the two unfamiliar faces.
"Jacob Carter, this is General Craig and his second-in-command Buffy Summers. They are in charge of some new…additions to the SGC military personnel. General, Ms. Summers, this is Jacob Carter, a member of the Tok'ra and a valuable ally."
The two nodded and the General shook hands. Buffy was eyeing the man warily; even knowing about the Tok'ra from Jack, it was disconcerting to have her 'Slayer senses' go off. It was rare that Buffy encountered something that was non-human but not demonic.
"Jake, you don't call, you don't write," Jack quipped, ignoring the glare from the General.
"I'm afraid we have a dangerous favour to ask of you," Selmak said, Jacob's eyes glowing.
"And when is that not the case?" Jack asked sarcastically, heading towards the briefing room
"It's because you have a terrible personality," Buffy drawled while following.
"Hey, I'm a very loveable guy," Jack protested.
"Which is why you have your own bed in the infirmary," Buffy remark was heard as they left the room. Jacob turned to Hammond.
"New additions?"
Hammond just sighed and gestured for Jacob to proceed.
***********************************
"A Tok'ra operative was sent to the planet, Aerodus, to discover if the rumours that a new weapon had been developed were true. Before we lost communication, the operative confirmed that the Goa'uld, indeed, have developed a new weapon. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to send specific details regarding the weapon, except that it is designed to pierce through shielding technology. The operative was ordered to retrieve the device is possible, but destroy it at all costs. However, we've received reports that Tarmac has failed and was killed. It took over six months to get Tarmac in a position to have access to the device; it would take even longer now that the Goa'uld are aware of possible Tok'ra spies."
"So you want us to get it for you," Jack said.
"Sir, with a device like that we could strengthen Earth's defences considerably," Carter said to the General.
"How, exactly, did you expect for a team to get to the device?" Daniel asked curiously.
"We have a small Goa'uld cargo ship, and before he died Tarmac created a blind spot in their senses that would allow us to land a few miles from the site where the device is kept. It was how we originally planned to get the device off the planet."
"Oh, of course, we'll walk right up to the base and say, 'Hi, we'd like the top secret weapon you're developing, please' and they'll just hand it right over," Jack replied sarcastically.
During this exchange, Buffy glanced at General Craig, her eyes silently asking a question. He gave a sharp nod in response.
"We can do it."
Everyone at the table turned to Buffy in astonishment.
"You can do what?" Daniel asked slowly, hoping she hadn't meant what he thought.
"The Pack can do what you're suggesting, Snakehead."
Jack grinned at the nickname and Jacob's wince. The Tok'ra turned to Hammond in disbelief.
"George, she can't be serious."
Hammond sighed resignedly.
"Hammond, this is why my team was brought on board. If you still have doubts, maybe we should ask the President?" General Craig asked, subtly reminding Hammond that the President was with him on these matters.
"Jack, what do you think? You've spent the most time with the Pack, can they do it?"
Colonel O'Neill thought for a moment, though there really was no question in his mind. His hesitation lying with the fact that he knew that someone was going to die on this mission. Though Jacob hadn't spelt it out, Jack knew the base had to be heavily fortified and if the Tok'ra were
"Yeah, they can do it," he said, keeping steady contact with the General. Though nothing more was said, a wealth of information passed between the two of them. Hammond nodded slowly.
"Okay, Ms. Summers, you're team has a go. I want you and your team to report to the infirmary immediately."
Buffy's wide grin faded.
"Infirmary? Doctors?" she squeaked. Jack grinned wolfishly, and started whistling as they left the briefing room. Jacob just stared in amazement as he watched a sixteen years old girl, complaining about hospitals, went to prepare herself to infiltrate a Goa'uld stronghold.
"George, are you sure about this?" he asked nervously, Selmak quietly agreeing with her host.
Hammond just sighed.
TBC
A/N: I've posted my mother's day poem for my mom on my profile if any of you want to check it out.