A/N: No reviews, eh? Didn't like the last chapter, eh? Well try this one on for size!
General George Hammond looked across the table at SG14's commander. "You mean to tell me that in five days they came up with nothing?"
"Not exactly, sir. They just couldn't agree on anything. Dr. Sparkman was convinced that there was a hidden chamber in the temple, but Dr. Kelly said Sparkman was misinterpreting the writing. Dr. March was convinced there was a hidden chamber, but just not in the temple. Dr. Forbes thought the temple was dedicated to music and dancing, and Dr. Weisen thought they were all just jealous because he was smarter than they were. It went like that all week, sir."
Hammond stamped down on his annoyance. "Well, what did Mr. Quinn have to say about it?"
"He didn't say much of anything, sir." Palmer shrugged. "He was kind of off doing his own thing, and he more or less ignored the rest of them."
"That doesn't sound like Jonas." Hammond frowned.
Major Palmer kept his expression neutral and didn't respond. The general realized the man didn't have any more to add. "Very well, Major. Your team is on stand down for the next 72 hours. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."
Hammond watched the marine leave, then picked up his telephone. Dialing an extension, he ordered Colonel O'Neill to report to his office. He didn't like Palmer's report. He'd thrown the SGC's best resources at P9Z-994, and they had utterly failed to produce any positive result.
Upon reflection, he should have known better than to put the five senior archeologists on the same site. The entire department had been seriously floundering since the ascension of Dr. Jackson. He had hoped the site would give the men an opportunity to set aside their egos and work together. Obviously, without Daniel Jackson's unique ability to draw the best from his people, they had simply ignored the greater good to put forward their own limited views.
The bigger letdown, in Hammond's eyes, was Jonas Quinn. The man had an amazing insight and an ability to extrapolate limited data into coherent theory. Hammond had heard, of course, about the confrontation between O'Neill and Carter, but he had believed… hoped… that Jonas would use the opportunity to take a leadership position in the archeology department.
To hear that the man had in essence ignored the chance was a disappointment to Hammond. His head came up at a soft rap on his door. "Come."
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
"Yes, Colonel. Have a seat." Hammond cocked his head at his second-in-command. "Jack, have you been to see Jonas Quinn?"
O'Neill's eyebrows climbed, but his response was mild. "For a few minutes. He's, uh, indisposed."
Hammond smiled a grim little smile. He was well aware of the medical situation. "Did he say anything about P9Z-994?"
"No, sir. I barely had a chance to say howdy before he ran for the can. Why? Is there a problem?"
"You tell me."
Jack's eyes went wary at the general's tone. "What do you mean, sir?"
"Major Palmer says that Jonas ignored the team to do his own thing. Do you know what that would be about?"
O'Neill frowned. "That doesn't sound like Jonas, sir."
"No, it doesn't. I understand you and Major Carter had a discussion concerning Mr. Quinn earlier this week."
Jack's face went from wary to totally expressionless. Hammond held up his hands in a calming motion. "Relax, Colonel. I have no intention in interfering. I just want to understand what is going on."
O'Neill nodded. "So do I, sir. I intend to find out. With your permission?"
The colonel stood up apparently ready to put his words into action. Hammond considered telling the man to go easy, but in the end, simply nodded, trusting Jack to know his own people.
