Just a tiny bit this time. Don't worry - I've asked Jackie for more. - Flatkatsi
Supporting Rumors - Part 78
Major Christy reported to the briefing room as ordered and Jack signaled him over to the small computer desk he'd had set up by the window.
"Sir?"
"I'm sure General Landry has informed you that my aide will be going out with your party Major.
"Yes, sir."
Jack continued. "However Major Hutchinson will not be returning with you. He has his orders – you have yours. Any questions?"
If the officer was surprised, he hid it well. He knew Jack, he had served under him at the SGC and Jack knew that he would follow the order.
"Understood, sir. Will the Major require any assistance?"
"Negative. The Major will depart soon after your arrival on the planet – alone." Jack looked down at the gate room. "Your team looks ready Major, you may join them."
"Sir." Christy stood briefly to attention before leaving the briefing room. Jack looked out the window. The gate room was gradually filling with people. He spotted Daniel moving amongst the refugees and felt a momentary flutter of concern. Shit- if Daniel spotted Maybourne… He barely managed to hold back a loud sigh of relief when his friend finished his farewells to the villagers and left the room.
There was the sound of footsteps and Jack turned as Hank appeared at the top of the stairs. "Sorry, there was a problem at the labs that couldn't wait." He came to stand beside Jack.
"Labs?" Jack couldn't help being concerned.
"Nothing to worry about," offered Landry quickly, obviously assuming Jack was worried about his wife. "If there's nothing you need, perhaps you'll excuse me for a short while?"
Nodding, Jack returned his attention to the computer, his fingers moving deftly over the keyboard, pausing briefly as the chevrons locked into place and the bright circle below him spewed forth its liquid light. For a few seconds he was entranced – it just never got old for him.
The SG team began shepherding the refugees through the stabilized wormhole and Jack continued to watch, his fingers stilled on the keyboard. At long last, the last of the refugees were through and Maybourne began his ascent up the ramp with the rear party. He reached the top and half turned, his face in darkness under the helmet he wore and lifted his hand in a quirky salute before disappearing into the rippling light.
The wormhole closed down and the iris began to close.
Shaking himself out of his stupor, Jack quickly began typing again, not stopping as Hank came back into the room.
"What time is your aide due back, Jack?" asked Landry, stepping closer.
Jack's fingers continued to flash over the keyboard, until, with a flourish, he hit one last key, finally facing Hank.
"What aide?"
Landry's puzzled expression lasted for a count of seven. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
Landry stood glaring, his arms folded in front of his chest.
"You sent a man through that gate – why, who was he?"
"There is nothing in the records, no evidence of anything except that I visited here today."
Hank opened his mouth, obviously about to speak, then stopped and glanced towards the desk before, with a look of sudden comprehension, he glared at his fellow general. "What did you do to the computers?"
Jack stared at Landry for half a beat. He knew the man, knew his integrity – and that was the reason he had recommended him as his replacement. This was the moment his plan could fall apart, taking him down with it, but the risk had been worth it – Harry should already be safely back in the arms of his many wives.
He kept his voice as calm and as firm as possible. "There is nothing to see here today and you can make that an official order."
"And if I don't like that order?"
"If you feel that you would be complying with an illegal order then you know what to do. Trust me, Hank, these are my orders and my responsibility." Whatever happened, Jack had been careful to not implicate anyone else. His career might be over, but no way was he prepared to ruin someone else's.
Hank stared at him, his expression carefully neutral. "I'll choose the trust, Jack. That I'm certain there'll be absolutely no evidence to back up any objections I might have has nothing to do with that decision. There's one hell of a mess out there at the moment and I don't want the SGC caught up in anything. What you said earlier …"
"That's gonna happen, but there is no way in hell he'll be taking the SGC down with him. Like I said ... there's nothing to see here, nothing."
xoxoxoxoxoxo
TBC
