Hiya! Here's another chapter! I know hardly anyone's reading this, but still…this is dedicated to Desert Blossom-by-the-Sea, my only reviewer for the last chapter…

So, I haven't re-read this or anything – feel free to point out any mistakes…

Disclaimer: Don't own it, though the plot changes are mine. I'd quite like it if you didn't sue me, and so would you, as I have no money.

Hope you enjoy, I'll keep writing it anyway, 'cos it's fun, but reviews will cheer, if not speed me up. Let me know of any mistakes in spelling, grammar etc, I haven't got used to the new straightjacket yet!

Oh, and flames will be ignored, basically. Feel free to waste your time.

Anyway, enough of my blabbering, here it is…

Jack turned as he heard the General enter the briefing room, snapping out a sharp salute. There was a short scuffle as the other occupants of the room also noticed the newcomer, and followed Jack's example. Hammond let them hold it for a minute, before sitting down with the words "Take a seat, Gentlemen". There was a pause as they complied, then he turned to Samuels and asked "Where is Captain Carter?".

The major replied immediately, somehow managing to look at attention while seated. "Just arriving, Sir". Jack wondered what would happen if someone told him to relax. Spontaneous combustion, most likely. But this was the first he'd heard of a Captain Carter.

He raised an eyebrow at the General. "Carter?". The older man didn't bat an eyelid as he replied "I'm assigning Sam Carter to this mission." Jack could tell that the man's mind was made up, but then, his mother had always said he was contrary…"I'd prefer to put together my own team, sir". The General answered briskly "Not on this mission, sorry. Carter's our expert on the Stargate." The Colonel sighed. 'Is that one of those experts who spent two years trying to figure out something that took Jackson two weeks?' he thought, but didn't say. Instead, he shuffled his file of notes as he asked "Samuel or Samantha?". He could tell the General was surprised, but he'd found it best never to assume anything. Assumptions got you killed. Or, at the very least, horribly embarrassed. And it didn't hurt that he'd heard the tap of heels in the corridor outside.

Before the General could answer the question, a voice came from the doorway. "Samantha" the young women said as she walked in. She turned to Jack "I take it you're Colonel O'Neill." There was an audible swish as she snapped a salute "Captain Samantha Carter reporting, sir". Kawalsky, lounging in his chair, grinned, saying "But of course, you go by Sam". The Captain turned to him, smiling, but with a dangerous glint in her eyes "You don't have to worry, Major. I played with dolls when I was a kid"

"G.I. Joe?"

"No. Major Matt Mason."

"Oh..." stumped, he leant towards Ferretti "Who?" The other man smirked at his friend. "Major Matt Mason, astronaut doll." Glancing at the Captain, he asked, with just a hint of sarcasm "Did you have that cool little backpack that made him fly?"

This could go on for hours, Jack reflected, amused. The General obviously realised the same thing, though, and hurriedly brought the meeting to order. "Let's get started. Colonel?"

Jack straightened from where he'd been examining his notes, pausing a minute to gather his thoughts. He was aware of Carter taking her seat as he began. "Thank you. Those of you on your first trip through the Stargate, you should be prepared for what to expect." He paused for breath, and was about to continue when the new Captain interrupted "I've practically memorized your report from the first mission. I'd like to think I've been preparing for this all my life". Well, someone's certainly out to prove something, Jack thought, not really surprised. Women in the Air Force were rare, ranking ones even more so. That was no excuse for the attitude, though.

Raising a hand to stop Kawalsky's pending comment; he turned his head towards the woman. "I'm sure that you have, Captain." He deliberately emphasised her rank. "However, you're not the only one for whom this will be their first trip, and I wouldn't like to presume that they've all been so prepared. I'm not sure Lieutenant Mathews even knows how to read," The man in question was an old friend, and Jack knew that he wouldn't take offence. He didn't mean to be harsh to Carter, and he knew the quip would lighten the blow. A thirst to prove oneself was important, but he was in charge, and he didn't need mutiny on a planet God knows how far away. Ignoring the chuckles from his fellow team members, he grinned at the Captains quiet "Sorry, sir", and continued. "As I was saying, the trip through the Stargate has different effects on everybody, the most common one being a deep chill that lasts for about a minute. There are a few other effects, but nothing too bad, though I'd advise not eating just before you go through. Oh, and if you have allergies, I'd advise taking some heavy duty stuff – Dr Jackson didn't stop sneezing for nearly five minutes."

"The effects are a result of the compression your molecules undergo during the millisecond required for reconstitution" Captain Carter informed them. Jack rolled his eyes behind his glasses, groaning.

"Not another scientist…" He really didn't like scientists. They were all so…curious about him. Carter seemed to take offence at his remark, though, immediately correcting him in clipped tones: "Theoretical astrophysicist" Not stopping there, she carried on "Colonel, I was studying the Gate technology for two years before Daniel Jackson made it work and before you both went through. I should have gone through then. But sir, you and your men might as well accept the fact that I am going through this time." Jack was a little taken aback by the small outburst, but started to reply "With all due respect, Doctor…"

"It is appropriate to refer to a person by their rank, not their salutation. Call me 'Captain,' not 'Doctor.'"

The General saw fit to add his own comment here "Captain Carter's assignment to this unit is not an option, it's an order". Jack was getting annoyed. It was like they wanted him to be a sexist pig. Did they really think that he, of all people, would pick on minorities? Keeping his face in a controlled mask, he replied "That's understood, General, and the only problem I have with Captain Carter is her attitude. I wouldn't dream to object to her because of her gender. I think my comments may have been misinterpreted."

There was a slightly uncomfortable silence, broken by Samuels' clipped tones. "I hate to interrupt, but I still say the safest, most logical way to deal with this is to bury the Stargate just like the ancient Egyptians did. Make it impossible for the aliens to return. It's the only way to eliminate the threat." He sat back, as if expecting them to all leap up and agree with him.

Jack snorted. "Except it won't work."

Hammond looked at him, questioning. "It worked before".

Jack was on his terms now. This was his territory. "They know what we are now. They know how far we've come. We're a threat to them. They've got ships, General. Ra had one as big as the Great Pyramids. They don't need the Stargate to get here. They can do it the old-fashioned way. Now with all due respect to Mr. Glass-Is-Half-Empty over here, don't you think we should use the Stargate to do a little reconnaissance before they come back... again?" He ignored the barely audible chuckle form Carter at his comment, keeping his eyes fixed firmly forward, waiting for the General's reply, along with the rest of the room. Hammond glanced at Samuels, then nodded smartly "I'll give you exactly 24 hours to either return or send a message through. No Kleenex boxes, please" He stood, preparing to leave, and the others followed suit. "Hammond waited for absolute quiet before sweeping the room with his gaze as he gave his final comment "Otherwise, we'll assume the worst... and send a bomb through". Jack nodded; he had expected no less. "Understood." He said, saluting the General as he left the room.

Most of the other occupant's trailed after him, leaving Jack to gather his notes into some sort of order. As he was doing so, he could hear Captain Carter's hesitant approach to his seat. "Can I help you with something, Captain?" he asked, not looking up. "Yes, Colonel. I…uh…I wanted to apologise. I…" she paused. A sheet of Jack's notes had slipped out of his grasp, skidding down the table. She picked it up as it came to rest in front of her, making to hand it back, but stopping, hand half outstretched, staring at the paper. "Captain?" Jack questioned, glancing up. "Sir…this is in Braille…" "Of course it is Carter, how else am I going to read it?" "I…what…you're blind?"

Well, that's chapter three. Sorry it went on so long, I got a little carried away. I'll probably go back at some point and thin it out a little. Anyway, what did you think? How many of you guessed? I'd love to know, give me a review, pleeeeeeeeeeease? If anyone's interested, a list of all the clues, as well as Jack's background etc. will be on my yahoo group, the address of which is in my profile.

Review Replies:

Desert Blossom-by-the-Sea: As you've probably figured out by now, you were right! Well done! Sorry about the yucky part with the dead body, but I couldn't figure another way of Jack knowing for himself that it's not human…

As for the box…well, Daniel is a linguist, I figured that if he knew he'd be working with a blind person, he'd teach himself Braille out of interest…he punched holes in the side with a pen or stick, which is why Jack read it out loud – no one else would be able to.

Congrats for being the first person to work it out – cookies to you! You were also my only reviewer for the last chapter, so this chapter is dedicated to you. Thanx.

I hope to update again soon, now that exams are over…

Aqua Mage