Chapter 27 – End of Innocence
Jack stood at the base of the steel ramp and gazed up at the Stargate. It was as much a part of him and his history as anything else in his life. It had seen him through the depths of his sorrow at losing his son to the pinnacle of happiness when he had finally married Samantha Carter close to fifteen years ago now. The cold, imposing structure seemed to have a life of its own, and that life was now about to undergo an upheaval that was unlikely to be matched in its twenty plus years here beneath the mountains of Colorado: an upheaval that would send the very lives of the people who had lived beneath its shadow for so long into a tailspin.
He heard the heavy steel door slide open and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Daniel enter the room. The younger man came over to him and stood at his side, quietly contemplating the gate just as Jack was. Finally, he muttered, "I can't believe this is about to happen. After all these years and all the threats from various government agencies, it's really going to happen."
Jack stole a glance at Daniel before looking forward once again. "Yeah, well, you knew it had to happen sometime. Frankly, I'm surprised that it's taken this long," he replied with an edge to his words.
Daniel turned to look directly at Jack. "How's Sam taking the news?" he asked, his concern etched clearly on his face. He's hadn't really had a chance to talk with her in the few days since the news broke.
Jack met his gaze fully this time, his unease mirroring that of Daniel's. "Aside from the fact that she's running around trying to prepare reports for every God-damned subcommittee within the Federal government, she's just fine," he growled out. Then he took a deep breath and raked a hand through his hair. "Concerned about the munchkins though, and what effect all this could have on them," he admitted much less forcefully. Daniel nodded his head in understanding, for not only was he frantically writing reports and preparing, but both he and Janet had the same concerns for their children.
Both men turned to look at the gate again, their thoughts on their wives and children. Jack heard Daniel sigh next to him, then ask, "Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Jack? It seems…I don't know, rather extreme, doesn't it?"
Once again, Jack turned to fully face the man next to him. "Daniel, you most of all know how things will transpire once this goes down. The media frenzy will be nothing short of a three ring circus. Journalists will be crawling all over the place like sharks on a feeding frenzy. And they won't stop short of questioning the people who have worked on base; they'll go to friends, families and neighbors to try and get the inside scoop. I don't want my kids to be a part of that; do you?" His eyebrows rose questioningly as he waited for Daniel's reply.
Sighing, Daniel responded, "No, I guess not. I just wish there was some other way than demolecularizing our children and sending them light years away from home."
Jack winced at the terminology then clapped Daniel on the back. "It's not like we're sending them to some unknown place, Daniel. You know Teal'c and Istha will keep a close eye on them, not to mention Cassie and Brian. And I'm not planning on staying away for more than a few days at a time," he stated firmly. "I couldn't keep Sam away from Chulak if I tried," he added with a wry grin.
Daniel smiled slightly and nodded his agreement at Jack's words. Although Jack was overtly protective of his children, Sam was just as protective of them and would do anything within the realm of possibility to keep them safe. Though neither man liked the idea of what they had to do, it was the best thing for their children right now. They both turned when they heard a familiar voice coming from the control room. "Ambassador. Dr. Jackson. You're families are waiting for you in the General's office." Jack waved his hand at Walter then indicated with his hand that Daniel should precede him out of the gate room. As he reached the metal doors, Jack turned once more and looked at the Stargate, standing serenely before him. It had never let him down before, always bringing him and those he cared most about back safely. He hoped to God it didn't let him down now.
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Daniel walked ahead of Jack into General Landry's office. Nicky ran to him as soon as he stepped into the door, his eyes alight with excitement. "Are we really going to stay with Uncle T, daddy? Mommy sayed he lives far, far away and Gracie tolded me we'll be there in a minute. How can we get there so fast?" The little boy looked up at his father with expectation. Daniel put a hand on the six year old's shoulder and looked over at his wife. Janet tried to smile at him, but her eyes were filled with worry. Next to her stood nine year old Katie Rose, her green eyes a mirror of the trepidation he saw in Janet's. Giving both of them a reassuring smile, he turned his attention back to Nicky.
"Yes, Nicky. You're going to see Uncle Teal'c in just a while. But I need you to calm down, OK? The grown-ups have a lot to talk about first."
Nicky's face fell slightly but he readily obeyed his father's words.
Jack didn't miss the conversation between Daniel and Nicky, but his eyes were for his family only. Sam sat in a chair across from General Landry, her face a mask of professionalism but her body language betraying her worry. She held Maddie loosely on her lap, one arm running gently up and down the little girl's back. JJ stood next to his mother, taking a protective pose that reminded Jack of himself. At thirteen, JJ was well on his way to becoming the strong, caring individual that they knew he would one day be. Grace stood next to JJ, her face showing a myriad of emotions from fear, to excitement, to nervousness. Jack knew well how she was feeling…all except the excitement part, he reminded himself ruefully. There was nothing exciting about this for him.
As soon as she saw her father, Grace left JJ's side and came over to him. Much like Nicky had done, she grasped her father's hand and looked up at him expectantly. Unlike the little boy, however, she didn't say a word, just looked at him for answers to questions she couldn't quite voice.
Jack sighed, then put his arm around her, drawing her close. "It's going to be all right, Princess. I promise." He looked up and his eyes locked with Sam's. Silently, he promised his wife the same thing. As their gazes locked, both of them thought back to the announcement a few days earlier that had brought them to this place and this decision.
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They had been called into the SGC three days earlier for an important announcement. Upon entering the briefing room, Jack and Sam had been surprised at the sheer number of people in the room. From leaders of SG teams to medical officers; from technicians to liaison officers, the room was wall to wall people…all with similar looks of concern on their faces. When General Landry had entered the room, his face a mask of anger and frustration, they had all quieted without a word from him.
General Landry had looked around the room, a feeling of deep aggravation showing in his eyes. Without a lengthy preamble, he had gotten down to business. "I have been informed by the President and the Joint Chiefs that the rumors that have been circulating for the past two months are indeed true. The Stargate is slated to go public one week from today."
Amidst the gasps of surprise and disbelief in the room, Jack had locked gazes with his friend Hank Landry, begging his with his eyes to tell him this wasn't true. Hank shook his head minutely in his direction, a look of regret on his face, before he proceeded to brief everyone present on what was to occur. On Friday evening, April 21st, the President of the United Stated would hold a news conference and divulge the secret that lay within Cheyenne Mountain. Files would be made public and the mountain would be open to a certain number of journalists who would be given security clearance. Although everything about the SGC would not be divulged straight away, everyone in the room knew that it was the end of an era. And while they had more questions than answers, General Landry made certain they understood one thing; with or without their cooperation, this was about to happen. And he much preferred to have everyone's cooperation rather than their animosity.
The General handed out assignments to all those present and informed those people who were team leaders to pass on the appropriate information to their teams. Amidst the quiet discussions that ensued after this announcement, General Landry held up his hands for quiet. When everyone complied, he stated firmly, "Things are going to change around here, people. I know you realize that. But for now, things go on as usual. This is still a highly classified facility. Except for family members, no one should be informed of anything that happens underneath the mountain until after the President's announcement, is that clear?"
There was a general consensus of heads nodding and murmurs of agreement. Daniel raised his hand, "Um, General. You said aside from family members. Does that mean that family members are now clear to know about the Stargate program?" He looked at Janet, who looked back at him with concern. While most of their family knew about the program since Cassie and her fiancé both worked at the SGC, their younger children did not. He wondered if now was the time to tell them what mommy and daddy really did for a living, before it became public knowledge.
General Landry interrupted his thoughts. "That is correct, Dr. Jackson. The President understands that you might wish to inform family members before everything hits the fan, so to speak." He scowled at his own words before continuing. "That is why, under your own recognizance, you are free to inform immediate family only about the true workings within the SGC. Within reason of course," he hastened to add as he saw a few more hands shoot up. "Walter will hand out folders to each of you outlining what can and can not be divulged at this time. Please read it over carefully before signing the contract. I expect everyone under my command and within this mountain to abide by the dictates set forth in this document."
When all of the paperwork had been passed out, the General softened his voice as he looked around the room full of people that he felt responsible for. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I know this is a shock to all of you and that the next few months are going to be trying for all involved." His eyes roved across Jack, Sam, Daniel and Janet and the other few personnel who had children. "I strongly encourage those of you with young children to make arrangements to remove them from the area before all of this becomes public knowledge. I have a feeling that not only each one of you, but anyone associated with you, will be a target for the media. If you need some extra time to arrange things, don't hesitate to ask." He looked around the room at each and every person there, before concluding. "I will do my utmost to protect the integrity of this institution. I know I can count on each of you to do the same. Dismissed." General Landry exited the room and quietly closed the door of his office, where he picked up the red phone and immediately placed a call to the President, informing him that his people had been told of the upcoming changes.
Stunned silence reigned for a few moments before all hell broke loose. A great cacophony of noise burst forth from the normally staid personnel of the SGC. Jack took Sam by the arm and steered her from the room, Daniel and Janet following in their wake. The four of them reconvened in Jack and Sam's on base quarters, where they talked for hours about the outcome of the announcement by General Landry. All of them were concerned with how this would affect not only themselves, but their children as well. It was decided that they would follow the General's suggestion and get the children out of the line of fire.
Knowing that even were they to send the children out to Mark in California or to Jack's cousin in Minnesota, they wouldn't escape the incessant attention of the media, Jack suggested sending them to Chulak. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Sam, Daniel and Janet had looked at him in astonishment.
"What? They'll be safe there with T," he tried to defend himself. Though his good friend could often be found on Dakara as well as other Jaffa occupied planets, he made his permanent home on Chulak and was there now, enjoying spending time with his family…especially his new twin grandsons.
Sam had put her hand on his arm. "I know they will, Jack, it's just…well, I never thought you would suggest sending our children through the Stargate…voluntarily, that is." She winced slightly at the words even as he narrowed his eyes on her.
"Yeah," Daniel added. "Especially after what happened when JJ was a baby."
Jack turned his scowl on Daniel. "That was entirely different, and you know it. This time, they are going somewhere that I know is safe, and they'll be with someone I trust with my life. And theirs," he added forcefully.
"I agree, Jack," Sam stated quietly, though her eyes were filled with sadness at the thought of having to send her children away. "It makes the most sense."
Janet's eyes clouded with worry. "But to send them so far away!"
Daniel put his arm around her in comfort. "It's only for a little while, Jan, and I'm sure the General will let us go back and forth every day if need be."
Sam grimaced slightly. "Well, maybe not everyday, Daniel. It costs a lot of money to activate the gate, and with the scrutiny we're sure to be under, well…" She didn't finish her sentence but she didn't need to.
"I just don't know if I can do that, Daniel," Janet pleaded. She stood up and began to pace. "Nicky's only six years old! How is he going to feel, going to another planet on his own! And how are we going to explain all this to the children!"
Jack stood and walked over to the doctor. Taking her hands in his, he looked down at her with a calmness he wasn't sure he was feeling. "Listen Doc, if I know Nicky, and I think I do 'cause he's just like Maddie, he'll think this is all a grand adventure. If it'll make you feel better, we'll send Cassie and Brian along with the kids. They can help Teal'c and Ishta keep an eye on them."
Janet looked up at him. Blinking back the tears that threatened, she nodded her head. "I…I think I'd feel a lot better if Cassie went along, Jack. Thank you."
Jack gave her a slight grin. "No problem. That's what I'm here for; solving the big problems." His comment released a bit of the tension in the room, but it returned quickly with Daniel's next words.
"So, what do we tell the kids, Jack? JJ won't be any trouble as he already knows about the Stargate, but what about the others?" Daniel crossed his arms and waiting expectantly for Jack's answer.
Jack went back and sat down on the couch, pulling Sam down next to him. "Any ideas Colonel Carter?"
Taking a deep breath, Sam replied, "I think we tell Maddie and Nicky as little as possible at first. Just that there's a big ring under the mountain that can take us to other planets and that we've all traveled through it many times. Then we answer what questions we can. Grace and Katie will be a little more difficult," she amended thoughtfully.
Jack snorted, "Ya think? Those two are going to be in a real tizzy when they find out JJ has known about this for several years." He looked thoughtfully at Daniel. "Do you think they'll even believe us at first?"
Daniel shot a look at Janet, then looked back at Jack. "Uhm, yes actually, I do. I heard Katie and Grace talking not long ago, Jack. They both figured there was something going on at work other than what we told them. Especially since Cassie started working here and has had to become more secretive. They're bright kids, Jack. And we've never lied to them so I don't think they'll have trouble believing what we tell them."
Sam chuckled softly. When Jack looked at her in question, she replied, "I was just thinking about their reaction to learning that Teal'c is really an alien. Grace has been intrigued about his rather unique tattoo since she could talk. Now I guess we can finally tell her the whole truth."
Jack smiled back, then looked up at Daniel and Janet. "So, I guess it's settled then. I'll talk to Landry and get his permission to send them to Chulak. You contact T, Daniel, and let him know what's going on. I'm sure he'll have no trouble taking the kids. Janet, you and Sam run this by Cassie and Brian and see what they think." Jack got to his feet, then pulled Sam up after him. "I suggest we talk to our children tonight and prepare them for what's going to happen. I want them out of sight before the week is out," he stated with firmness. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Even though they all hated the idea of sending the kids off world, they knew it was the best thing for them.
That very evening, after Maddie had been put to bed, Jack and Sam had sat down with JJ and Grace. In a calm, gentle tone, Jack explained to Grace about the Stargate and what really happened underneath the mountain. Just as Sam had predicted, she was more upset by the fact that her brother had known about this several years ago than the fact that such a thing actually existed. Her eyes had flashed a familiar look of irritation as she got to her feet. With hands planted firmly on her slim hips, she flung back her long brown hair and stated in an accusatory tone, "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? Can't you trust me too?" The irritation in her voice quickly turned to hurt as she stood looking at her parents.
Sighing, Jack pulled her into his lap. Though she was now eleven and much too old to sit in her father's lap, Grace didn't fight him. She just settled in and leaned against his chest. "Princess, this had nothing to do with not trusting you. It's a big secret, one that JJ has had to keep for over three years. And it hasn't been easy, has it son?" JJ shook his head slowly, giving Grace an apologetic look in the process. "Another reason we didn't tell you, Grace, is that…well…it's dangerous. You remember when those men tried to grab JJ at the park?" When she nodded, Jack continued, "They wanted him because of the Stargate, sweetheart. No other reason. I didn't want to put you or Maddie in any more danger than we had already put JJ in. Do you understand?"
Slowly, Grace nodded her head against his chest. "But I still wish I would have known," she complained softly. Jack brushed a kiss against her head.
"Well, you know now, OK?"
Grace leaned back and gave him a slight grin. "OK, Dad." The initial shock and surprise quickly wore off and Grace was full of questions. Her intense interest in the physiology of the human body caused her to ask questions about the gate's effects on the body that even Sam had trouble answering. By the end of the evening, both Sam and Jack were mentally and emotionally exhausted. They fell into bed well after midnight, each of them too tired to do anything other than give each other a quick peck on the cheek.
Explaining to Maddie the following evening had been a heck of a lot simpler. After a brief discussion explaining the Stargate and where the children would be going in a few days, the little girl had looked at her parents, then at Grace and JJ, and muttered, "Cool. Can Poppy come with us too?"
Jack had rolled his eyes at that comment. Maddie wouldn't go anywhere without Poppy. "Not this time, pumpkin. We'll see if she can stay with the Martins. Do you have any more questions?" He ran his hand wearily across his face. Knowing Maddie, she'd come up with something and Jack was more than ready for an early night. She didn't disappoint him.
Cocking her head to the side, Maddie inquired, "You said we're going to see Uncle Teal'c right?"
"Yep," Jack replied.
"And he lives on another planet, right?" she persisted.
Jack cast a glance at Sam. Hadn't they just gone over this with her? "Yeah," he drawled out slowly.
"So that means he's an alien. A real alien from outer space!" she exclaimed, her blue eyes lighting with excitement as she bounced on the couch.
"I don't think Uncle Teal'c wants to be called an alien, Maddie," JJ stated with a hint of exasperation thrown his sister's way. Why did she have to act like such a baby sometimes, he thought to himself.
"But he is, right mom?" the little girl insisted.
"Well technically yes, I guess so, Maddie," Sam replied, wondering where this was going.
Maddie stood up, barely able to contain herself. "We talked about aliens in science last week. Mrs. Marcus tolded us there were no such things as aliens, but now I know there are! Can I bring Uncle Teal'c in for sharing?" She looked back and forth at her parents with wide eyes. "Please?"
Jack closed his eyes and sighed while Sam bit back a smile. "Um, I don't think that will be such a great idea just yet, sweetheart. Maybe…sometime."
"I would have the best sharing in the whole class if I could do that!" She stopped mid-skip around the room and looked back at her father. "Doesn't aliens have lots of eyes, daddy?" She wrinkled her forehead. "I can't 'member if I sawed more than two on Uncle T."
"No, Maddie," Jack stated with another sigh while Grace and JJ dissolved into giggles. "Your Uncle definitely does not have more than two eyes." He didn't have the heart to tell her that once, a long time ago, her Uncle Teal'c had had a snake in his stomach. That might give even his stalwart youngest child nightmares.
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Jack was brought out of his reverie by the voice of General Landry. Cassie had just entered the room, her fiancé Brian Lambert right behind her. "Dr. Frasier," he addressed the young woman, casting a quick glance at the elder Dr. Frasier. He still couldn't get used to having two of them on base. "Would you and Dr. Lambert be so kind as to take the children into the other room for a few moments? We have a few things to discuss before this…expedition…gets under way."
"Yes, sir," Cassie replied, then took Nicky by the hand. "Come on everyone. I want to show you a few games that we're going to take along. Uncle Teal'c loves games!" her eyes lit with amusement as she cast a glance at Jack. They both fondly recalled his propensity to stick with a video game until he had it mastered. Maddie hopped off of Sam's lap and quickly took up Cassie's other hand. Katie took Brian's proffered hand, the older children following at a more sedate pace. Grace cast one last look at her father before she followed her older cousin into the other room.
When the door had closed quietly behind them, General Landry got right to the point. "I just want to make certain you all understand what we are about to do here." Four pairs of eyes looked at him with all the seriousness that the occasion warranted. "We are about to send your children through the Stargate to another planet. Never have we sent the children of any base personnel off-world. Well, except for that one time." He gave Jack a look, then resumed speaking. "They will remain on Chulak until such a time as you deem it is safe for them to return. While you may accompany the children to Chulak, you are to return with a few hours time. You will be able to contact your children by radio each day, but we will only be able to send one of you every few days to check up on them. Is that understood?"
General Landry had gone over all of this with Jack beforehand and explained the why's and wherefore's to him. Jack had in turn told the others, so his news was no surprise to any of them. Speaking for the group, Jack replied, "Yes, sir. We understand." When Landry gave him a long look, Jack added, "It's for the best, Hank. We know that."
Giving each of them a calculated look, the General finally nodded his head. "All right then. Let's get this show on the road, shall we? You have all the gear the children will need for the next few weeks?"
Sam got to her feet, trying to maintain her professionalism even as her heart thudded loudly in her chest. "Yes, sir. Everything is down in the gate room and ready to go."
Landry gave her a gentle smile. "All right, Colonel. Let's go show those kids of yours what the Stargate looks like." He led the way out of the room, trusting that they would follow in his wake. Jack guided Sam out in front of him, place a reassuring hand on the small of her back. Daniel took Janet's hand in his and led her into the briefing room.
The children were crowded around Cassie, watching as she demonstrated a game on the newest hand-held game console. When the adults entered the room, all of the children looked up, their expressions full of eagerly expectant. They all knew that the time had come to see this wondrous contraption their parents had been telling them about.
General Landry moved over toward all five children, then stopped and cleared his throat. "You all understand what is about to happen, correct?" Five heads nodded in unison. He smiled at them, then continued. "I'm sure your parents have told you what to expect when you go through the gate, and that you'll be meeting up with Teal'c on the other side. I know you've already seen it, JJ, but how about the rest of us take a gander at the gate, OK?"
JJ smiled at the General while the other children murmured words of agreement. Walking over to the window that looked over the gate room, General Landry pressed a button and the metal plate that covered the window rose. The children gathered around the General, eyes wide and voices gasping loudly at the sight below them.
Janet, Daniel, Sam and Jack stood behind their children, indulgent smiles temporarily taking the place of the worry that had been there moments ago. Watching their children's reactions was like seeing the gate again for the first time themselves.
"It's so big!" Grace declared with wonder. "How did they ever get it into that room?"
General Landry chuckled. "You'll have to ask your mother that question, young lady."
"I see lots of triangles!" declared Nicky. "What does they do?"
Daniel answered this time. "They light up when the gate is dialed, Nicky. It helps us know when the address is completed."
Katie turned to her father, her enthusiasm slightly more subdued than that of the others. "Daddy? Is it going to hurt when we go through?"
Janet got to her knees in front of the little girl and took her in her arms. "Oh, baby, no. It doesn't hurt at all. It just feels a little cold and your tummy will tickle, just like when daddy takes you on a fast ride at the amusement park."
"You're coming with us, aren't you mommy?" she asked with a wavering voice.
Janet smiled. "Of course, sweetheart. We all are." She put on a brave face for her daughter. "We can't let all of you have all the fun now, can we? Besides, we all want to see your Uncle Teal'c as well."
JJ looked down at his young cousin, his face showing his concern for her fear. "It's going to be OK, Katie. I went through when I was just a baby. Nothing happened to me." He looked over at his parents, then added, "Right?" with just enough uncertainty that they knew he wasn't quite convinced of the safety of the trip himself.
Sam went and put her arm around him. "Right, JJ. You were just fine. Your dad, Daniel, Uncle Teal'c and I have been through that gate hundreds of times and we're all absolutely normal."
Daniel couldn't resist. "Well, almost all of us." He gave Jack a smirk and ducked out of the way when a hand came flying toward the back of his head.
The comment and Jack's reaction helped ease some of the tension in the room. As did Maddie's next words. "Mommy tolded me we goes really fast through the gate. I like going fast!" she exclaimed importantly." Then, as a thought occurred to her, she asked, "Can I wear my roller blades? That would be really cool!"
Jack groaned out loud. His youngest daughter's need for speed seemed to surpass his wife's, and that thought made him nervous as hell. In fact, lately she had taken to watching NASCAR racing on television and announced to all of them that "I'm going to be in the Indy 500 when I am all growed up." There wasn't a doubt in Jack's mind that she would do just that. He cleared his throat. "We will be walking through the gate, Madelyn. All of us," he stressed.
Maddie heaved a quiet sigh, then mumbled, "It would have been fun, I bet."
General Landry laughed out loud at that. "I'll make sure I'm no longer in command of this facility when that one decides to join up, Ambassador," he indicated with a nod of his head the little blond girl who had a slight pout on her face.
"If she lives that long," Jack muttered to himself, throwing Sam an accusatory look as if their daughter's temperament was all her fault. Sam gave him an innocent smile in return.
Just then, Walter poked his head in the door. "We're all set, General. SG-10 is ready to transport the Carter-O'Neill and Frasier-Jackson families and their belongings to Chulak."
"Very good, Walter." He turned to the group and looked at them carefully, letting his gaze linger on the children. Quietly, he said, "Well, I guess it's time for all of you to head out. But first," he waved Cassie over.
Smiling brightly, Cassie crossed to the group, a large box held in her arms. She placed it on the floor, then stepped back. General Landry bent over and opened the box. Standing to his full height, he announced, "I can't let my newest team head out without the proper attire, so…" He pulled a small, green jacket from the box and held it up. "I'll need you to put on your new uniforms." Jack and Sam shared a surprised glance, which quickly turned to grins of amusement as they saw what he held in his hands.
The General turned to JJ first. "Jonathon Jacob Carter O'Neill, since you are the oldest, you will be the leader of the newly formed SG-0. It is your duty to watch out for the younger members of your team while you are on Chulak. Do you think you can uphold this important duty?"
JJ grinned at the General, played along and threw him a salute. "Sir! Yes, Sir!" Landry grinned at him, then handed over the jacket. JJ shrugged his lanky arms into the sleeves, then looked proudly at his parents. Jack grinned at him and shook his head, wondering at his old friend Hank Landry. He knew without a doubt that this gesture would go a long way toward making the children feel important as well as make them more comfortable about the whole adventure.
Hank turned to Grace, holding up a jacket in her size. "Grace Aeryn Carter-O'Neill, you will be JJ's second in command. It will be your duty to help your brother watch out for the younger ones."
She smiled up at him. "I will, Sir. Thank you."
The rest of the jackets were doled out to Katie, Nicky and Maddie. Katie was given the important job of keeping track of her brother and, being the aspiring writer that she was, taking note of any questions or observations any of the children might have for their parents when they got into contact with them.
Maddie tugged on her own green jacket, gently fingering the SG-0 patch on the sleeve, before turning to pull on General Landry's sleeve. "What's my special job, General?" Her blue eyes looked imploringly into his.
Hank had not thought of specific jobs for the two younger ones, so looked to Jack and Sam for help. Sam walked over and got to her knees in front of the girl. "Your job is very important, Maddie. You are to listen very carefully to everything Uncle Teal'c and Ishta tell you to do." When Maddie's face began to fall, Sam quickly added, "And, to learn all you can about the games the children play on Chulak. I think it will be very important for us to be able to tell other children when you come back, don't you?"
Maddie smiled brightly, then flung her arms around her mother's neck. "Yes, mommy. I will do my best job! And maybe I can teach them some of our games, too!" Sam smiled, then held the little girl tightly, forcing back the tears that threatened.
From behind her, Nicky spoke loudly, "And I will be Maddie's 'sistent!" he stated importantly.
General Landry smiled down at the boy. "That's just what I was about to say young man." Nicky smiled up at the General. Then Landry clapped his hands. "All right, people. Team SG-0 report to the gate room; ready to depart on your first mission." The children, feeling the importance of his words, followed him out the door and down the stairs to the gate room. Their parents followed at a more sedate pace; none of them overly eager for their children to step through the Stargate for the first time.
Down in the large room that housed the massive gate, SG-10 stood quietly waiting beside a FRED loaded down with supplies. When the General came into the room, followed by the children and their parents, they all straightened to attention.
"At ease," Landry quickly told them, before turning back to the children. "I know I don't need to tell you how important it is that you listen carefully to your parents and do everything they tell you when going through the gate." The five children nodded solemnly in agreement, their earlier enthusiasm slightly tempered now that they were actually in the gate room. Nicky took a step back and put his hand in his father's, holding on tight. "Very good," Landry continued. Looking behind the children at Jack, he nodded at him. "I'll leave the rest of this in your very capable hands, Jack." Glancing around at all of them, he quietly stated, "God speed," then left the room to watch their departure from the control room.
Jack took a deep breath, squeezed Sam's hand, then walked in front of the children. Pulling out his old green cap, he placed it on his head and took a moment to adjust it. Being back in his familiar BDU's after such a long absence was rather comforting, even considering the circumstances that led to his putting them on. "OK munchkins," he started. "Do you remember what we told you about what would happen when the gate opened?"
The older three nodded their heads and Grace spoke up. "Yes, daddy. A big bluish foamy thing will shoot out and make a loud noise. You said it looks kind of like water when it goes back in. But as long as we stay back, it won't hurt us."
Jack smiled at her and nodded his head. "That's right princess. We'll all stand back here until Uncle Walter," he shot a smirk up at the technician, who flushed with pride at the moniker, "Tells us we're clear to go through. Any questions?" he looked expectantly at the small group in front of him.
"Will…will Uncle Teal'c be on the other side waiting for us?" Katie asked, blinking back her tears and looking back and forth between her mother and her Uncle.
Janet put her hand on Katie's shoulder. "Yes, honey, he'll be there. Along with Ish'ta, Ryac, and maybe even Master Bratac."
Maddie swung her head around. "Master Bratac is really old, isn't he?" she asked with wonder. She'd recalled her Uncle Teal'c mention once that the man was close to two hundred! When she'd shared that at school, no one had believed her. Maddie had been adamant that she was telling the truth, persisting so much in the genuineness of her words that she had earned herself a quick trip to the principal's office for her efforts.
Daniel chuckled. Although she was the spitting image of Sam, Maddie seemed to have inherited the diplomatic skills of her father. Jack cleared his throat. "Uh, yes he is Maddie. But don't tell him that, OK?"
"Ok, daddy," she smiled at him, glad to have that particular information cleared up in her favor.
JJ, who had been relatively quiet up to this point, asked a question that had been bothering him for a while. "Dad? We will be coming back home, won't we?" His brows furrowed with worry as he awaited his father's answer. While he understood the necessity of them leaving for a while, he couldn't fathom the idea of never returning to his own home, friends and school.
Jack came to stand next to his son, placing his hand gently on the boy's shoulder. "Of course you will, son. This is just for a little while, until things die down around here."
"Why can't you and mom stay with us there?" he prodded.
Jack sighed and looked to Sam for help. "We'd love to JJ, more than anything. But we're all needed here for the time being," Sam explained patiently. "Daniel and I know the most about how the gate actually works so we'll need to be here to explain it. Since your dad is an ambassador to an alien race, his presence will help dispel people's fears that all alien life forms we meet are dangerous. And Aunt Janet knows so much about what's happened on other planets regarding new medicines and viruses that the President wants her here as well." She brushed her hand through her son's brown hair and looked intently into his eyes. "We'll come as often as we can to check up on all of you, and we'll check in every day by radio, OK?"
JJ's blue eyes met those of his mother's and he nodded in understanding and acceptance. He knew his parents would never willingly abandon them and that this was as hard for them as for their children. He forced himself to smile up at her. "We'll be fine, Mom. I won't let anything happen to Grace or Maddie. I promise."
Sam smiled at him, then pulled him close for a hug. "I know you won't, sweetheart," she whispered into the top of his head.
From above, General Landry spoke into the microphone. "We're ready up here, Jack."
Jack looked around his little group once more, then locked eyes with Daniel. When the younger man gave him a nod, Jack looked back up. "Ready when you are, Sir," he called, then, taking Maddie's hand in his left and Grace's in his right, he turned to face the gate. Daniel picked Nicky up and held him close while Janet took Katie's hand firmly in her own. Quietly, they all waited for the gate to begin dialing.
"Uh, just a second, Ambassador." Jack turned to look at the leader of SG-10, Colonel James Fairmont. "My team and I…well," he grinned at Jack. "We can't have SG-0 going off world without hats, now can we sir?" From his pack, Colonel Fairmont dug out five small green hats. Three baseball style hats similar to Jack's were handed out to the O'Neill children; two Boonie hats given to the Jacksons.
Jack grinned as he took in the other man's actions and the hats that each child received. "Good choice, Fairmont," he chuckled lightly.
Colonel Fairmont smiled back. "Thank you, sir." The children placed their hats on their heads and grinned at each other.
The loud noise of the gate brought everyone's attention back to the gate. Grace and JJ, who stood between his sister and his mother, shared a look as the chevrons began to light up. They had spent the night in JJ's bedroom, talking quietly until the wee hours of the morning. Both had wondered at the idea of stepping through a large ring and traveling to another planet. It seemed like a fantasy, not reality, and both were experiencing a mixture of feelings. That their parents had been doing this very same thing since before they were born eased their minds somewhat. Now, looking up at both parents, the children felt a strong sense of pride and awe at what their parents had done for so many years.
When the seventh chevron locked, Jack tightened his grip on the girls' hands just before the loud, bright Kawoosh flared toward them. He heard both Grace and Maddie gasp and take an involuntary step backwards even as their eyes widened in amazement at the sight before them. He smiled when he heard their simultaneous utterances of, "Sweet!"
Next to him, Nicky buried his head in Daniel's shoulder, proving to all that the brave, excited child was still just a child after all. Katie's green eyes were also wide with wonder and the tears that had been lurking quickly dried up as she took in the marvelous site before her.
JJ's reaction wasn't quite so startled as the others, for he had seen the gate activated when he was ten. But this was the first time he had seen it up close, so he too was taken in by the sight. Turning to his mother, he said, "It's even better up close, mom. Is the event horizon highly ionized? It must be in order to show the fluctuations in the event horizon so clearly."
Sam smiled down at her son. "Yes, JJ. It is." She shot a glance at Jack over the top of her son's head. Jack rolled his eyes a bit and shook his head, but Sam could see the pride glowing in his eyes.
Once the gate settled into a shimmering pool of blue, General Landry's voice came over the PA to them. "You're clear to go, Jack. See you back here in a few hours."
Jack turned slightly and nodded at the General before tightening his grip on his daughter's hands. "Everybody ready?" He looked over at Sam, then at Daniel and Janet. When they all nodded back at him, he took a deep breath and forced a lightness to his voice and a smile on his face that he didn't quite feel. "Ok, then. Off to see the wizard."
He began to lead Grace and Maddie up the ramp, carefully gauging their reactions. While they looked a bit wary, neither child wore a look of fear, which was a great relief to Jack. From behind him, he heard Nicky say, "Daddy? Who's the wizard? I thought we were going to see Uncle Teal'c?"
