Title: Nothing Ventured
Fandom: Stargate
Rating: PG
Pairing: None
Feedback: blinks innocently
Disclaimer: Nina's mine. That's it.
Archive: At my site when I finally resurrect the thing.
Summary: He prefers to pick his own people but...
Author's Note: For the Replacements Challenge atinfoocchallenge. Children of The Gods AU Scene. Thanks to infoangelsgracie for reading it over first.
"Nothing Ventured"
by M.
"There's just one thing."
The new General's words made Jack stop in his tracks and wince. Turning back, he tried to judge by the look on Hammond's face just how bad this 'one thing' was going to be. Analysis said? Doozie. Serious doozie. "Yes, Sir?" He asked warily, wanting nothing more than to forget whatever it was and just go conduct his briefing. "What thing, Sir?"
"Well, you're aware that this facility is jointly run and administered by both our government and..."
"Sir..." Jack interrupted as politely as possible despite wanting to throw his hands up and say things one did not say in front of a general in the United States Air Force. "Please, please, do not tell me what you're about to tell me."
"I'm afraid I have no choice, Colonel. The Canadian government had a quite understandable fit when they were briefed on your original mission. They couldn't do much about that one however, this time, they have given their full support - full meaning financial as well - to future missions with one caveat. An officer on the flagship team." Hammond glanced at the clock. "Major Bianco should be arriving now."
"Sir, with all due respect to this Major whoever's abilities, I prefer to pick my own team." His subordinate argued with as even tone he could manage, trying his best to hide the frustration at having someone fobbed off on him.
"I'm aware of that, Colonel, however in this particular instance, you don't have a choice. This is an order, not a suggestion. I can assure you we're getting a seasoned combat veteran who's spent the last ten years working peacekeeping missions in the UN." The General elaborated, returning to his desk to retrieve a file marked with the insignia of the Canadian Air Force which he then handed to O'Neill. "I had an opportunity earlier to take a glance at the Major's file...Impressive."
"Impressive in the sense he's been to all the right places and kissed all the right ass?" Jack questioned, leafing through it as he and Hammond emerged out into the briefing room where Kawalsky, Ferretti and the other personnel waited.
"Non." A lightly accented voice interjected from the far door. "Impressive in the sense she's been to all the worst places and still sane...well," stepping into the light, the tall brunette smiled bitterly, "that last might be somewhat disputed but..." She shrugged. "I'm not so concerned." Snapping to attention, she greeted them. "Major Nina Bianco, reporting for duty."
"Major. Welcome." General Hammond smiled politely and gestured to a seat. "Please."
"Thank you." She agreed briskly but remained standing, pointedly ignoring the amused looks that passed between Ferretti and Kawalsky. Focusing her gaze on her new commanding officer, she added, "My apologies for..." She paused and then shrugged, "being foisted on you. Political appointments..." Her mouth twisted in distaste.
"We're not complaining." Kawalsky interjected with a smug grin. "Trust me."
The Canadian woman slanted a look his way, gauging and assessing, before commenting, "You will."
General Hammond smiled faintly at the exchange then looked to O'Neill, who'd been watching his team members with bemusement. "Let's get started shall we, Colonel?"
"Thank you, Sir." He nodded and glanced down at the files before him before taking in the length of the table and the personnel sitting around it. Just like old times. Except different. "For those of you on your first trip through the Gate, you should know what to expect..."
As he'd expected, the Major didn't miss the flick of his eyes in her direction. She sat forward, folding her hands together on the table, meeting his gaze with a challenge in her own. "I did have a chance to review the information General Hammond sent ahead on my way here. From your own account, sir, I'm aware it will," she permitted a wry smile, "be quite the experience."
Kawalsky and Ferretti both snorted and Jack sent them a look which, typically, did no good.
"I think what the Colonel was trying to say," Kawalsky piped in without missing a beat, "is have you ever pulled out of a simulated bombing run in an F-16 at 8-plus Gs?"
"Non." Bianco shook her head. After a pause, wherein the two men sitting across from her shared a smug grin, she added, "I have done similar, however, in an CF-18. I imagine it will be worse than that?"
The grins on the men's faces faded, replaced by identical expressions of surprise, and Kawalsky nodded reluctantly, not wanting to cede the upper hand. "Way worse."
Not willing to go down without a fight, Ferretti put in, "By the time you get to the other side, you're frozen stiff. Just like you've been through a blizzard. Naked."
Nonplused, the Canadian woman sat back and smiled wryly again. "Which, I think, would be quite understandable after having your molecules disassembled, transmitted through a wormhole and reassembled on the other side. After reading that part," she let her smile widen slightly, some of the severity in her features lessening, "I'm surprised one doesn't promptly collapse. Must be a bitch." As soon as the words were out, she looked to the General with an expression of apology. "Sorry, Sir."
Hammond chuckled, clearly having enjoyed the exchange. "Forgiven, Major." He looked to Jack who rolled his eyes expressively.
"I thought Jackson was a pain." He muttered, sotto voce. "You three done or..."
"Quite."
"Yessir." Ferretti and Kawalsky chorused, torn between satisfaction at the Major's response and aggravation. Jack could tell at a glance that those three were gonna be trouble. Once they added Jackson to the mix...it was quite possible he'd come back very insane.
Ah well, nothing ventured...
"Well then, children, if you are," Jack sat down again. "Let's try this again, shall we?"
Finis