Just a note: I don't know how Kinsey affects the SGC late in Season 7 and early in Season8 (Whenever Hammond leaves) - All I know is that he's always willing to make the SGC's life miserable whenever possible. I've also only seen episodes from Seasons 1 (whole), 2(whole), 3 (part), 5("Meridian"), 6 (whole), and 8 (like two episodes).

Keeping that in mind, please forgive any inconsistencies I have with the timeline. Also, I don't hate SG-1 (well, duh!), I just wonder how SG-1 would handle being given the shaft. What would happen? Would they get their allies to join forces with them against the American government or would they simply go through the gate and continue their fight with another force? Just food for thought!

Also, thank you for the comment on the inconsistencies with the ranks- that's fixed. Hope it is more enjoyable!

Chapter 2

He walked into a large conference room, already joined by Senator Kinsey, members of the appropriations committee, and the joint chiefs. They all arose when the President arrived.

The new President sat, placing files down in preparation. "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to come and meet with us, General."

George took a deep breath, willing himself to keep cool about the reference to his previous absence.

"It was a pleasure, Mr. President."

"Now, I understand that you are retiring from the Air Force. Am I correct?"

The General nodded solemnly.

"Have you given much thought about your successor?"

Again, the General nodded.

"Sir, the entire staff at the SGC is exceptional, and there are many officers who could take this position, but I think the one who could best serve at this time is Colonel Jonathan O'Neill."

The President sat with his hands on the table, his fingers interlaced, listening intently to the General's suggestion. There was a long pause after General Hammond finished.

George looked at Kinsey, anxiously watching for his reaction. The Senator didn't seem to be surprised, though his did show a bit of irritation at the suggestion. There was something else though. He looked almost smug.

"General, did you really just suggest Colonel O'Neill?"

He nodded. "With my highest recommendation, sir."

The President took a deep breath before opening his files. "General, Colonel O'Neill is not known for his ability to follow orders. Or am I making an incorrect assumption?"

The General swallowed. "Sir, Colonel O'Neill has an amazing insight into what should be done. I would be hard-pressed to find any man that I have served with who was such an effective leader."

The President thought for a few more moments. George couldn't help but steal another glance at Kinsey; the man was looking less and less comfortable with each second.

"General, I'm going to be frank."

George's attention was redirected to the Commander-in-Chief. "Please do, Mr. President."

"General, as far as I can see, Colonel O'Neill is unfit to command because he cannot bring himself to follow orders."

The General took a deep breath. "Mr. President, the only orders that Colonel O'Neill has set aside are the ones that would have a backfire on our world and our program."

Senator Kinsey interjected. "And he has found ways of making life more difficult for those of us who have to follow procedure."

The President raised his hand. "General, while the Senator wants to dismiss SG-1, I simply want you to think of some alternative replacements."

Kinsey stood up. "Mr. President, I have evidence that SG-1 is, in fact, making more hostile relations with people who would be wonderful allies."

The President looked at him, intrigued. "Senator, continue."

George tried not to let his surprise show.

"Simply by having the Jaffa, Teal'c, on their team has caused a few headaches for us here at Washington."

The President raised his hand again. "That would not be a legitimate reason for SG-1 to be dismissed. It sounds like you are accusing the General of incompetence."

That's exactly what he's doing, George thought. If one discredits a witness, you can get away with murder.

"General, I apologize if I offended you."

He nodded, biting back a bitter and sarcastic remark. Calm down, George, if you don't keep your head, you'll play right into his hand, he thought.

"Mr. President, you can see from the notes on the first Stargate mission that instead of fulfilling the mission, Colonel O'Neill blew up the battle ship of the goa'uld, Ra, starting a war that has lasted a little over seven years, and is nowhere near being over."

The President looked at George. "That wasn't in the report. Is it true?"

He nodded, reluctantly. "However, the Senator is bringing up issues that have already been resolved. Besides, by opening up the Stargate, we were bound to have some interaction with the goa'uld."

"Then, we should not have opened up the Stargate."

"Senator, that is not what we are discussing, and if you cannot withhold such obvious contempt for the program, you may leave."

"Mr. President, I apologize. I simply meant that if, as General Hammond suggests, the problem lay with opening the Stargate, and not with Colonel O'Neill, then we must address that. But I will now continue without straying."

"Thank you."

"SG-1 defied orders and gated onto Apophis's ship. . ."

"Senator Kinsey, everything that we were doing on earth didn't help. What did you expect them to do? Watch the world be destroyed by the goa'uld when they could stop them?"

"The point is, General, that in this military, the end does not justify the means! SG-1 should have been brought back to a court-martial, not an award ceremony!"

The President stood up. "That's enough! General Hammond, until I know what to do, I want SG-1 suspended from active duty. And Senator Kinsey, I don't want to hear another word about SG-1 or the Stargate program from you until you hear otherwise. Is that clear?"

The men nodded.

"Oh, and General, I would also appreciate another recommendation for your replacement. That's all."

TBC

Please, please, please, PLEASE, REVIEW! I'm going crazy not knowing what you think. . .