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Supporting Rumors - Part 77
Maybourne bitched as he put on the uniform. "I've been a number of things over the years … but a chauffeur?"
"Aide, Harry, you're my god damned aide." Jack sighed. "Do you want to go home or what?"
Maybourne sighed. "Yes, surprisingly enough I do. I wasn't meant to be here this long either and ..."
Jack shook his head. "I'm sorry, Harry."
Maybourne hitched at the creases on his trousers as he sat down. "Hey, it wasn't your fault you got yourself shot."
"But you are here because of me. If I'd died you would probably have been stuck here hiding out for the rest of your life."
"And if it weren't for you, then I wouldn't probably have had a rest of my life in the first place, a very good rest of my life I might add. You didn't need to have the Tok'ra do what they did ... you could have dragged me home to face charges."
Shrugging, Jack swung his chair around, looking out of the bedroom window.
Harry sighed and rose. He stood behind the wheelchair and placed a hand on the man's shoulder, half expecting him to shrug it off, but when he didn't... "I did what I did for my country and yes, I wanted the power, the fame ... some of the fortune, but I wore my uniform with pride, helping protect our world. We're not so far apart Jack, you and I ... never were, never will be. We do what we do to survive and ensure that the Earth survives ... just a little differently that's all. If a man names a price I know you will turn your back. I'll ask how much – that's the difference between us." Maybourne dropped his head, his voice lowered to almost a whisper. "Whatever happens, Jack, no matter how this pans out, I am glad I came."
Jack raised his head a little, the beginning of a smile unmistakable on his face. "Me too, Harry, me too."
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Maybourne checked his rear view mirror casually, before glancing at his companion. "Does Sam know we're coming?"
He saw the uncomfortable expression that flickered briefly over Jack's face.
"Sort of."
"Sort of?"
"I've warned her that she will probably recognize my aide and that my visit is not expected. Landry doesn't know you, that's a bonus."
"You play things pretty close to your chest, Jack, I'll give you that."
"I don't want her any more involved in this than she has to be. If this so much as breathes on her career ..." Jack left the statement unfinished and he turned his head to face the side window, seemingly intent on the passing scenery.
Shrugging, Maybourne turned his attention back to the road. He had gone through his mental checklist for the mission ahead and knew that a hell of a lot was riding on Jack's ability to use his position of command. He couldn't help worrying – although Jack's position was a heady one indeed, his current medical condition and undefined actual status could go against them.
The ID card Jack had given him was good – very – but he didn't ask where Jack got it from. He quelled the urge to laugh again about the name ... Major Kenneth Hutchinson, indeed!
The rest of the journey was made in comparative silence. Harry confessed inwardly that he felt more than a little nervous – things could go belly up pretty damned quickly if he was recognized and he would be arrested on the spot – and it would probably be the end of O'Neill's career as well. He knew the man well enough to realize that Jack wouldn't have given any thought to the possible rewards the whole operation could bring, nor would he have baulked at the dangers involved. If Jack was caught aiding him, under any circumstances ...
Jack directed the car over to the VIP spaces. To Harry's relief, gate security didn't give Maybourne's ID more than a cursory glance, once they saw who was with him that was.
As Harry held the chair in position for Jack, he took a deep breath – round one…
Never before had the corridors seemed so long and so bright – hell, had they turned the lights up especially for today? Harry kept his hat pulled well forward and brandished the clipboard and pen he carried like a weapon. Jack was giving him the full tour spiel, his subtle hand signals pointing out the cameras as they moved, right up until they hit the last security checkpoint.
Maybourne's heart missed a beat when a general he assumed was Landry and a posse of SF's were waiting for them by the security desk. He slowed his pace slightly, letting Jack get a little ahead and drew to a halt a respectful distance away, giving a crisp salute.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Jack's calm demeanor and a ready smile rolled along with him. The General would have had word just who was on his way the moment Jack's car left the outer gate security. He knew the 'welcoming' party would have spooked Maybourne a little – maybe he should have warned him ... nah ... much more fun this way.
"Hank," said Jack, offering his hand to the SGC's CO. Using the General's given name was an indication of the status of the visit, after all, Jack wasn't even in uniform.
"Jack." Landry shook his hand, but his expression was guarded.
"Hank, this is my aide, Major Hutchinson. Major, this is General Landry, Commander of the SGC. Major Hutchinson needs bringing up to speed regarding the program here." Jack drew brief attention to Maybourne, before drawing it away again. "Perhaps we can use the briefing room?"
Landry dismissed the SF's and walked beside Jack, Maybourne keeping pace, but hanging back slightly. The corridors were a hubbub of activity, and more than one person greeted Jack welcomingly, but he didn't pause, just returning their greetings with a brief word and a smile.
It seemed strange to Jack to go the long way round and use the elevator for the briefing room rather than the stairs, but at last they were there.
"You'll need to ask the sergeant to step outside while we talk, Hank." Jack indicted the SF stationed by the door with a nod.
Not hesitating, Landry dismissed the man and then waited while Harry made like the perfect aide and pulled a chair out to make room for Jack's wheelchair so that he could take his customary seat at the head of the briefing room table. Jack ignored the other general's enquiring look, indicating the expanse of glass that looked out over the gate room. "Major, take a look."
Maybourne moved over to stand and look down through the huge window. "Goodness." He cleared his throat and continued to stand as if frozen by the sight of the enormous ring below him.
Jack didn't even try to hide his grin. Landry would just think him amused by the Major seeing the gate for the first time.
"I'm sure you didn't come over just to show Major Hutchinson the gate."
Twisting in his chair, Jack turned back to face Hank, his smile fading. "Well, kinda. Officially, that's the story. Major Hutchinson here needs to assist me on a higher level than previously and will be privy to everything that comes out of the SGC, so I think it's important he understands just what you do here."
Hank Landry drew himself more upright. "Unofficially?"
Jack looked down and tapped the briefing table with his thumbs for a few seconds, before looking back up, his tone becoming serious. "You've seen the news regarding the arrests?"
Landry nodded, but didn't speak.
"There will be more, Hank. There's another imminent arrest in particular that is closer to home. He's been involved with the SGC on and off for the last several months."
If Landry was surprised by this, his face certainly didn't betray him.
"Who?"
"I'm not at liberty to divulge that information, but I need your cooperation."
It took Landry all of two seconds to respond. "What do you need?"
Biting back the sigh of relief that threatened to escape, Jack gave a brief smile of thanks. "I need access to the SGC's computers ASAP."
"I've got seventy-two refugees going back to their home world today, Jack, you couldn't have timed it for a worse moment."
"Really? Are they the ones from that flooded village Sam told me about?" At Hank's nod, Jack continued. "That shouldn't be a problem. In fact, it might be the perfect chance for Hutchinson to get a taste of how going through the gate feels, don't you think? I take it you've got a team or two going with them?"
"Yes, but …"
"Then there's no risk."
"Sir?" Maybourne injected the right amount of apprehension in his voice and swung around from the window.
"Yeah, you can be back in time for dinner."
"I'm not sure sir that I ..."
"Nonsense," replied Jack quickly, "this is an ideal opportunity for you to see exactly what goes on down there ... out there ..." Jack waved his hand dismissively.
"Well ..." Landry hesitated.
"Great, that'll keep him outta my hair for a few hours." Jack dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "He's okay, but needs a little loosening up, bit green yet, one trip through the gate will sort him out. You'd be doing me a favor."
Hank smiled, and Jack breathed a quiet sigh of relief that his friend had taken the bait.
"All right, sir." He rose. "We need to get your man kitted up and I have to get things rolling in the control room, if you'll excuse me ..."
"Great. I would come down and see what's new there, it's been a while, but ..." He indicated the flight of stairs in the corner of the room. "I'll have to give it a miss this time. I can get the ball rolling from the computers here as soon as I help get Hutchinson kitted out." Jack swung his chair back from the table. He moved off briskly, not giving Landry any chance to object. "Major," he called out over his shoulder. "You're with me."
"You can use my office if you need more privacy."
Jack shook his head. "Thanks, but I'd prefer to use one of the ones out here." He rolled over to the observation window and looked down, his voice lowering. "I can see the gate from here." He was embarrassed at the rather wistful tone he could hear in his own voice and spun abruptly, moving towards the elevators. "Come on Hutchinson, let's get you ready."
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Landry watched as Jack and the major disappeared through the open doors of the elevator, and couldn't help smiling as the whining voice of the aide carried…
"Sir ... we don't have to ... I don't think ..."
The poor man had no chance. Not with O'Neill...
xoxoxoxoxoxo
TBC
