A/N: Story alert! Sadly, Real Life is rearing it's ugly head, and soon I will not be able to post chapters. I see two solutions: One, I can stop posting until life settles down in a month or so, or two, I can start posting multiple chapters per day and get the story up quickly. I am opting for option number two, because I hate it when people leave a story hanging. Having so decided, my previous decision to not title my chapters was wrong. I know it is much harder to remember where you left off without a chapter heading. I am therefore going back and titling each chapter. I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. And thank you all for reading!
Dr. Elliot Kelly had been a bully all of his life. The fact that he stood only five foot four, and weighed only 130 pounds made no difference. He had the intellect and the will to rip any who opposed him to shreds. He used his tongue like a whip to flay tender souls. And he liked doing it.
He had been the instigator behind ostracizing the creepy alien Jonas Quinn on the planet. With a bully's sure instinct, he had known just what to do to torment the man. The others probably hadn't picked up on it, but Elliot had gained a sick satisfaction in watching the Kelownan's crumbling concentration over the five days.
As he stalked the corridors of the SGC, Kelly had dismissed the alien from his mind. He was focused on his next victim, Ronald Weisen. He intended to browbeat the older scientist into agreeing with his interpretation of the writings from P9Z-994. Once he had Weisen in line, he'd take on Forbes, then March. Left on his own, Sparkman would cave.
Elliot felt a strong satisfaction. By the end of the week, he intended to be the chair of the SGC's archeology department. He felt a vibration in his pocket, and he pulled out the pager and read the text message.
He frowned. General Hammond was summoning him to a meeting, no doubt to go over the findings from P9Z-994. He'd wanted to get things ordered to his satisfaction before having to present anything to the head of the program.
With an annoyed grunt, he headed for the general's office. He made his way up the metal staircase mentally reviewing what he wanted to say. He was a bit surprised when he found the conference room empty. He had assumed the others had been called also.
With a small predatory smile, he realized he was being given an opportunity to present his theories first. It was an opportunity he intended to make full use of. With growing confidence, he rapped on the general's door, walking in when he heard the command to enter.
Some of that confidence evaporated when he saw SG1's commander, Colonel O'Neill standing there. The man was practically vibrating with tension, and if Elliot hadn't known better, he could have sworn the colonel was barely restraining himself from striking out. Kelly swallowed hard, and looked nervously at General Hammond, who had a hard-eyed glare of his own. "You wanted to see me, General?"
"Have a seat, Doctor," The general's tone was icy. "Colonel, you are dismissed."
"Sir, I'd like to stay and…"
"I said, dismissed."
Elliot slunk to the chair in front of the general's desk, keeping a wary eye on the angry colonel as he left. Feeling a bit lost, he turned to the general, who said, "Doctor Kelly, I've received a disturbing report concerning your actions on P9Z-994."
Elliot's eyes widened, he felt like a kid called to the principal's office, and he didn't like the feeling. Pulling on all of his dignity, with a touch of arrogance he demanded, "Report? What kind of report?"
"Why don't you tell me what happened between you and Mr. Quinn?" Hammond's voice had gone soft, so that Elliot practically had to strain to hear.
With a superior smirk, Elliot responded, "Absolutely nothing, General. I hardly even spoke to the man."
"Are you saying you didn't refuse to work with him?"
"And why should I work with him? Jonas Quinn might think he's God's gift to the SGC, but he isn't. He has no background, no published works, no training…" Elliot trailed off, suddenly realizing his audience.
While he could easily intimidate his staff, and with time, browbeat his colleagues, General Hammond was another matter. Like most bullies, Elliot Kelly was a coward when faced with anyone stronger than he was. Hammond was a powerful presence, like Daniel Jackson had been, and Elliot never had the nerve to cross either man.
Hammond's eyes pierced Kelly like knives. "Mr. Quinn is a valued member of Stargate Command, Doctor. He was assigned to the mission for a reason. Your actions in undermining his position raise serious doubts about your suitability for this facility."
Panicked, Elliot blustered, "My actions? It wasn't my idea! I just went along with it! General, it was all Weisen's idea, not mine!"
"Doctor Kelly, I am not unaware of your antagonistic attitude, and frankly, I don't believe you. In the past, Doctor Jackson was here to monitor and control the worst of your indiscretions. He believed your contributions were worth the disruption and discord that follows in your path. I do not share that belief." Hammond raised his hand to signal someone behind Elliot. "Sergeant? Please escort Dr. Kelly to his car. Doctor, you're fired. We'll have someone clear out your desk for you."
