Chapter 9
He ran.
He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, huffing and puffing he sprinted to the elevator, dashing through the doors that where closing before thudding loudly and painfully into the other side of the car. Using the momentum he re-bounded in the direction of the now closed doors hitting the number of the cafeteria level, before retreating to the corner of the carriage and stood waiting patiently as the elevator ascended. He glanced around the empty carriage, his inside writhed desperately as he ran the latest piece of information his ears had been privileged to, shaking from head to toe he could barely wait to reach the busiest place under the mountain and reveal the gossip to anyone and everyone. And he would tell it with confidence because no one would refuse the tale of the latest development of the mountains star couple.
He silently cursed the fact that he had not ran in to anyone on the way to the elevator, this momentous information was swelling in his chest like a bubble, making it hard to breathe; the feel of pride and importance almost as restricting as the adrenaline that currently coursed through his veins. But his thoughts were cut short with the cheery way that the elevator doors sprung apart, and he was off again.
He darted through the grey corridors, following the lines on the floor to make sure he was going in the right direction in this maze of corridors and blast doors. Streaking past the odd technician, in a desperate hurry to reach his goal and tell as many people as he could he called to them all and said 'Follow me!'
And with out question they fell into step behind him.
In the 90 seconds it took to reach the smell of the citrus chicken and red jell-o, a trail of 8 people followed him into the room filled with the afternoon shift getting coffee after a hard days work and the evening shift getting something to eat before the work began. The room was officially full and every head turned with the burst of a man through the doors.
Silence descended.
Every eye still rested on the man as he leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table, his breath hitching in whoops and coughs.
'What happened to him?' asked a member of SG-7.
'I dunno, I just saw him running like mad through the corridors and he said to follow him.' replied a technician.
He held up his index finger indicating for a few more moments before he explained himself.
His breathing more stable he began to speak but only in short bursts.
'I was only level…24 outside Major…Carter's lab and … Jackson, Frasier and Colonel… O'Neill was there.'
He paused for longer this time, the effort required speaking but one sentence draining him.
The rest of the room where quickly losing interest in the man before them, some already returning to their coffees and meals with whispered chatter.
The murmurs of their conversations growing until the usual din returned.
'WAIT!' He shouted, gaining the reluctant attention and quiet of the room once more.
'They were arguing about something, rules, and then Frasier said that two of the top military officers under this mountain are breaking the frat rules! Carter and O'Neill are breaking the frat rules!' he said triumphant and happy, ridding himself of his burden.
The saying all hell broke loose would be an understatement if it was used to describe the next thirty seconds, and let's face it these people knew what hell was.
There where many cheers and shouts erupting from the people that had just found out this miraculous news. And soon it shrunk to a buzzing chatter and Walter Harriman stepped up with Siler at his side.
'People,' said Walter, 'Please stand by while we check this information.' he placed one of his small hands on the shoulder of the still worn out man who had brought this information to him, 'Until such time is deemed fit by me and a group of elected others, no bets on S.1 will be paid out. This shouldn't take to long. Thank you.' He said in quiet but commanding tone finalising his address to his many colleagues and customers.
He turned to Siler and murmured, 'Security room, level 8, go and clear it and we will be up in a few moments.'
And with that Siler did as he was told and dashed off in the direction of the elevator.
Meanwhile, Walter took the man who had brought the news to the population of the SGC outside and down one of the corridors. The mess hall doors swung shut changing the tone and volume of the jovial chatter of the SGC personnel. They stopped abruptly and Walter turned to a man he'd never spoken to before but known by face.
'Are you sure that there is something going on between Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter?'
'I'm sure that Frasier and Jackson think so.'