Chapter 12 : The Scourge

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN BASE - SGC - GENERAL LANDRY'S OFFICE

"Excuse me? Jack, you want them to baby-sit oils?"

"I won't have to remind you how important this visit is, Hank." Jack was pacing in front of his desk, the handset in one hand. "Besides, entrusting SG1 with this visit is like telling the Commission that we value their visit. Offering them the guided tour escorted by our star team... The President agrees, this visit should go well. I know Hank, SG1 is not going to be thrilled but ..."

"I can already hear Mitchell grumbling..." Hank sighed, rolling his eyes. "Alright Jack, I'll go intercept them, they're leaving on a mission in a few minutes."

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN BASE - SGC - BRIEFING ROOM

"That is a most unusual request." Teal'c commented wisely. She did not react immediately. How could she not make the connection? She knew that it was him who was behind this last minute mission. That last minute order from the Pentagon, she knew it was him. How could she not think that he had used his influence to keep them out of the line of fire? She didn't say a word for the rest of the briefing, seething inside. Of course, under ordinary circumstances, she would have been happy to visit the Gamma site facility and be briefed on the progress of their research. But when she was sure that Jack was using his influence to keep her away from a potentially dangerous mission, it was anger that overrode scientific curiosity.

(...)

CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN BASE - SGC - BRIEFING ROOM

"While you were gone, we received reports that two more planets had been hit by these bugs. R&D are working on solutions to target these insects without harming other plant and animal life." Landry takes a deep breath and stands up. "I thought I'd lost you there." Carter and Mitchell stand up with him, as is military protocol. "Nice to have you back." He looks at them sympathetically, then exits the room.

"So! Are we, uh, still doing movie night?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah, why not?" Samantha exclaimed.

"Yeah, I've already picked something out!"

"Old School?" Teal'c asks.

"Starship Troopers." Cameron replied.

"Is it humorous?" Teal'C asked.

"Is it ever." Mitchell replied, deadpan.

COLORADO SPRINGS - DANIEL JACKSON'S APARTMENT - ROOF TERRACE

"Sam, we're about to start the movie, the popcorn is almost ready!" Cameron's voice came to her from inside the apartment. She put her hand on the phone's earpiece to answer as she shouted.

"I'll be there in two minutes." Movie night at Daniel's or Jack's house had long been an SG1 tradition that Cameron had been keen to continue. He claimed that Teal'c's movie culture needed to be fleshed out. For Cameron, it was unthinkable that "Old School" would be the best movie of all time in the eyes of the Jaffa. Cameron, taking over from Jack, insisted on showing him classic science fiction as if a Jaffa would find the concept of "science fiction" revolutionary. She had isolated herself to take this phone call. The rooftop terrace of Daniel's apartment, duplexed from his loft, was the perfect place to have a conversation away from prying ears. "You can't do that, Jack. Keeping SG1 out of exploration missions because you want to preserve me ! I'm a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force, need I remind you? I will not tolerate you..."

"And I'm Brigadier General, Sam. I didn't think it's necessary to consult with you in deciding to assign SG1 a mission to protect 'VIPs' for the brass of the oversight committee. It had nothing to do with you..." His voice was drier than he would have liked. "You'd know that if you'd agreed to let us talk since..."

"There is nothing to say, the situation has not changed. The rules are clear and stirring ... " It was difficult for her to compartmentalize her feelings like this but, she had suffered too much when he had pushed her away. She did not want to suffer again. She had to protect herself from ... from him and his patriotism that came before her feelings.

"Screw the rules" She stood speechless at this more than unexpected exit.

"Excuse me?" Her astonishment could probably be heard in his voice. Jack sighed, and she heard him move, she even heard the sound of his hand fumbling with her hair.

"I don't want to have this conversation over the phone, Samantha. I'm stuck in Washington until the end of the month. I want us to talk face to face."

"Jack, I..."

"Samantha Carter ?" The military gasped and turned around, a few steps away from her stood Teal'c, as impassive as usual.

"Teal'c!" Carter's surprise was complete, you would have thought that nine years on the field side by side would have taught her to no longer be surprised by the Jaffa's discretion.

"Cameron Mitchell insists that you be present for the opening scene of the film." She watched Teal'c's face, trying to figure out what he had heard and how long he had been there.

"I... I'll... I'll be right there." She stammered. The Jaffa bowed his head and turned on his heels. She could no longer hear a sound from the other side of the line. "I'll have to leave you." She blushed like a schoolgirl caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"By the end of the month, Samantha. Not a day longer, I promise." And he hung up.

When she returned to the apartment, she was greeted by a slightly tipsy Daniel and a Cameron who had already eaten his popcorn. The Jaffa seemed impassive to her, installed in his favorite armchair in front of Daniel's big screen.

"Ah Samantha! We saved a seat for you." The archaeologist exclaimed, patting the free seat between him and Cameron. No one seemed to notice the scientist's confusion, except perhaps the Jaffa who, in the dark, stared at her with slight concern.