"My fellow Americans…"

Ian glanced up at the TV monitor that was installed in the briefing room and briefly considered turning it off. Hayes had been making several speeches in the last week, and while they'd been fairly good ones, designed to put the American people (and the rest of the world, probably) more at ease about the fact that they all knew they weren't alone in the universe now – and that they definitely weren't the biggest kids on the block when it came to those around them. This speech promised to be a little different, though, he'd been told, and with that in mind he sat still, interrupting the conversation he'd been having with Weir, Sam, Daniel and McKay so they could watch.

"…it is my sad duty to inform you that today I have received – and accepted – the resignation of the Vice President, Robert Kinsey, who is resigning for personal reasons…"

"Couldn't happen to a sleazier person," Ian muttered. Sam nodded her agreement, but didn't take her eyes off the screen.

"…with several recommendations to his credit, I have forwarded the name of General George Hammond to Congress for consideration as the Vice President for the remainder of Robert Kinsey's term. As you all know I'm sure, General Hammond is the man who has led the Stargate Program at Cheyenne Mountain for the last several years, and was paramount in our success at repelling the alien invasion of only a couple of weeks before."

"He's laying it on pretty thick, don't you think?" McKay asked. "I mean, General Hammond wasn't even on any of the ships that-"

"He's done a lot more for Earth than you have," Daniel interrupted, annoyed.

"Shush." Sam told both of them, watching the screen, still. McKay looked like he was going to argue, but wonder of all wonders, he kept his mouth shut and just made an annoying little noise before turning his attention back to the press conference, where the President had been continuing a lengthy detail of all of Hammond's achievements throughout his career.

It was pretty impressive, really, Ian decided, but he knew that after the whole Goa'uld invasion Hammond's career could have pretty much been less than stellar and still he would be accepted by Congress for the position of Vice President. A grateful nation and all that jazz, was what Hayes was counting on.

The screen changed to a still picture of Jack and Sam both standing in their dress blues, with Hammond pinning on the insignia of their new ranks onto their shoulders and collars. A large crowd of military and civilians – pretty much everyone in NORAD and the SGC – were standing there, along with several dignitaries.

"It is also my pleasure to announce to you that earlier this morning, in a private ceremony at Stargate Command, Colonel Jack O'Neill was promoted to the rank of general, and Major Samantha O'Neill was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel…"

Ian glanced over at Sam, who flushed slightly. It made him grin.

"A promotion long overdue," Daniel said.

Ian nodded his agreement, but before he could say anything, Hayes was continuing.

"Also this morning during the same ceremony, Lieutenant Ian Brooks was presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor."

The screen flashed to a still picture of Ian in his dress blues, with Jack pinning the medal on him.

"Someone ought to shove Bregman's camera up his ass," Ian grumbled, earning him a smile from Sam.

"It was better than having the press there, though, you have to admit…"

"True."

Anything was better than that.

"I still don't see why they didn't promote you, Ian," McKay said, frowning at the picture until it changed back over to Hayes. "You did just as much-"

"I just got promoted," Ian interrupted. "I didn't need another."

Christ, he was young to be a lieutenant; he'd have been ridiculously young to be a captain. Besides, he didn't want the added responsibilities that came with the promotion. Bad enough he had the CMH hovering over his head, now.

"This morning I sent a memo to Congress," Hayes continued. "…asking them to form a new joint organization with several other countries of the world, who are all asking their parliaments and congresses for the same thing. The Homeworld Defense Organization will be responsible for protecting our planet from the new dangers that face us. The threat of an alien invasion or other nefarious plot against our world…"

"Nefarious…" Sam murmured. "Good word."

"I prefer wicked myself," Weir said with a smile.

"Or evil," Daniel added.

Ian snorted, amused. Hayes wasn't a bad guy, really, as far as politicians went, but it was still fun to make fun of one when you could. Obviously he wasn't the only one who felt that way.

"…there are several people who would make excellent choices for the head of this new organization, but the other world leaders and I have put forth the name of General Jack O'Neill to be the Director, and we have not as of this moment decided where exactly this new organization will be based – although Cheyenne Mountain and NORAD seem to be the best choice."

"Duh."

Sam smiled.

"Jack told him if he tried to put it anywhere else, he was going to have to find someone else to run it."

"Which would be embarrassing…" Weir said.

"Exactly."

Colorado was home, after all. Not Washington DC.

"With Generals Hammond and O'Neill both leaving the Stargate Command, a leadership void will have to be filled, and we are currently interviewing several well qualified people to take over the position and will inform you when the time comes who will take over the reins there."

"That would be your father?" Weir asked Ian.

"Yeah."

It was so much bullshit that they were interviewing anyone. Hayes wanted his dad because he already knew about the Stargate program – and because his dad was as decorated (which meant acceptable) as anyone in the military. And he was already a general, so he wouldn't have to be promoted like they'd had to promote Jack to make him CO of the HDO.

"Won't it be kind of weird having your dad breathing down your neck all the time?" McKay asked.

Ian shrugged.

"I'm not going to be here, anyways."

Which was good, really, since it would be uncomfortable for them to be working so closely after so much time apart. It would definitely do more harm to their relationship than good.

"Yes, well let's get back to this…" Weir said as Hayes wrapped up his press conference with a question and answer session that none of them were interested in. "I'm pleased to announce that a Scottish doctor has already managed to isolate the Ancient gene. We can start testing potential expedition members within a couple of days…"

"Testing them?" Rodney asked.

"We want to send as many people with the Ancient gene as we can," Sam said.

"I know that."

Already annoyed that he didn't have the gene, McKay was irritated at any reminder of that. It was really going to eat at him to have so many people around him who could use the Ancient technology when he couldn't – although he was by far the brightest of the lot and definitely deserved to be able to use it.

"So we test them." Weir said. "The military personnel will be the easiest, of course, but we're going to want civilians as well – and not just people from here…" Weir said. "The more countries that get involved the better."

"It'll certainly make things more interesting…" Sam said.

Ian scowled. He wasn't really all that keen on letting a bunch of civilians go to Atlantis in the first place – and definitely didn't think they'd make it more interesting. But Weir was right he was willing to admit. They'd need the best and the brightest – especially since neither Sam nor Daniel were coming – and not all the brilliant scientists were in the military.

Bah.