TITLE: WHEN THE WORLD HALTS - Chapter 4
AUTHOR: WITEZON
PARING: S/J friendship/romance
RATING: PG-13 or R (depending on how you feel about swearing)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but what my mind thinks up.
SUMMARY: JACK CENTRIC - What happens when the universe is at stake,
Hammond is missing, and everything rests on Colonel O'Neill's shoulders.
ALPHA SITE
"WHOHOO!" Several SEALs grinned as they stepped out of the wormhole.
Stemke looked at Ferretti with a grin, "That was different."
Ferretti grinned back, "E-Ticket ride, huh?" He looked around to make sure his team had taken up standard off-world security protocols. "Now you know why its a good idea to take everyone through to a safe planet first."
Stemke nodded in agreement, then seriously, "Not to mention you're sitting ducks as you walk out."
Ferretti looked around, "CPT Franklin, report!"
"Sir, DHD is in working order. The MALP isn't detecting any life signs in the immediate area. Wassum and Trekle have secured the area and are ready to move out."
Nodding, "Franklin, take point along with..." he looked at Stemke who answered, "Martin, you and your team stay with him."
"Trekle, you and...", Stemke added, "Banazek" - you've got the rear. Everyone else, we're in the middle. Watch everything, people. This may look like Earth, but its not. If you look hard enough, you'll see the differences. Keep in mind that at any time, anyone can come through the Stargate and start shooting at us. Keep your eyes open."
Fifteen minutes later they entered the area where the buildings were being set-up. It was deserted as O'Neill had withdrawn all teams back to the SGC.
"Normally, there's engineers, technicians, and maintenance teams here building the site."
They walked passed more construction, "You'll notice that we walk all the time. We can't get our vehicles through the Stargates."
Stemke nodded, "According to the mission brief, there's nothing here except us and the local animals."
Nodding, "True, at the time of the report. But we learned the hard way that unless we're here all the time, anything or anybody can come in while you're gone. We've lost a lot of good people thinking that way. Its only secured if we stay and even then sometimes not."
They walked on, "SG-1, which is a first contact team, has been hit several times on their way back to the Stargate and they've had to fight their way home. Sometimes we've had to go in on a rescue mission and sometimes they do it. O'Neill's number one rule, you don't leave anyone behind."
"Good rule, but it doesn't seem like you were able to do it with Hammond."
Ferretti got a frozen look on his face, "Captain, Generals O'Neill and Hammond are extremely close and personal friends. But even if they weren't, this would still be quietly killing him." They walked in silence for awhile, looking around them.
Ferretti spoke again, "General O'Neill knows exactly what it's like to be held prisoner by the Go'ald. Him especially, but all his team, have been tortured - more than any other team. It comes with being a first contact team. Hell, I've gotten up close and personal with those damn pain sticks myself. SG-1 got us out."
CLICK CLICK.
In a low voice, "Report."
"Sir, there's something strange up here."
"Head out, take the SEALs assigned to you, but don't let them shoot anyone. Right now, you're SEAL leader B."
"Trekle, you're SEAL leader D Protect our flanks."
CLICK CLICK. They melted into the forest behind them.
"Wassum, you're C, go left."
CLICK CLICK
Ferretti touched Stemke and pointed to the right and the rest of them faded into the forest and slowly crept up to the 'something.'
TWO HOURS LATER - BACK AT THE SGC
O'Neill had just gotten off the phone with the President, telling him what they've found out. Which wasn't much. It rang again, telling him SG-2 were coming back.
He walked into the Control Room and exchanged glances with Quince. SG-2 and the SEALs walked down the ramp.
"Welcome back, SG-2 and SEALs. How was the trip?"
Ferretti grinned, "I think the SEALs found it interesting."
Frowning, "Oh, how so?"
Stemke replied, "We found this really big hole, sir."
O'Neill raised his eyebrows, Ferretti answered, "Yes, sir. It looks like some kind of earthquake hole. We didn't find any evidence of it being caused by a weapon. Its about 6 klicks from the Alpha site. Capt Stemke says he's got some amateur geo-engineers in the next group going through. I thought we'd take some of our engineering gear with us and do some testing."
Nodding, "Alright. Infirmary, food, and saddle up again. You've got an hour."
They all trooped out. Quince looked up at O'Neill, "General, you've got another meeting with the Commanders, the Tok'ra and the Asguard in 30. If you need a quick break or anything now's the time."
"Good idea." Making a quick decision, "Quince, we need to speed up the training. Get SG-10 ready to go 30 minutes after SG-2 goes out again. Send them to P9G-497."
Siler began finding the coordinates and Quince answered, "Yes, sir. Isn't that Thor's Planet?"
"Yeah, Thor confirmed that it should be alright for training. I'm also gonna ask Bra'tac if we could send some teams to the Land of Light."
He thought some more. "Let's get SG-3 and SG-12 back in the action. Work them into the schedule. I want SG-11 going out 30 minutes after SG-1. I'm going to have Stemke put a SEAL on SG-1, so be ready to leave at 0700. You're going to Thor's planet."
Staring at the Stargate, "Work in the para-rescuers into both SG-1 and SG- 11's rotations"
Quince nodded, "Yes, sir." Watching him think, "Anything else, General?"
Exhaling, "Yeah, get with Davis. I want to put the Japanese units at the Alpha Site. Put SG-5 in-charge, but I want it up in running immediately. I also want the Australian unit there for protection, along with a company of Special Forces and some para-rescuers."
Quince slowly nodded with a frown, "Back-up, General?"
With a nod, he continued, "Would you work out a new duty officer roster with all the changes, Mark?"
Quince nodded, "Yes, sir."
As O'Neill and Teal'c left the Control Room, Jack asked, "I wonder what's taking Bra'tac so long, Teal'c?"
"Unknown, O'Neill."
He stepped into his quarters before he remembered that they were occupied. Stopping in the doorway, "Crap.' "Hi, guys. Can I play through?"
Carter immediately stood up, but Jacob remained sitting. "Sure, Jack, no problem. It seems the O'Neill quarters are the same as the Carter quarters. One big, happy family."
Carter glared at her father, then smiled in apology to O'Neill. "Sir, if you need your quarters, we can leave."
Jacob decided to turn the screw one more time, "Oh, Jack, the laundry dropped off your and Sam's uniforms. They're in the closet."
"Dad!" Carter spouted in embarrassment.
O'Neill knew this was Jacob's way of addressing a possible relationship between him and Carter. Putting his key back in his pocket, he nodded, "Thanks, Jacob."
Turning to Sam, "Carter, we're speeding up the off-world training. SG-11 will be going out 30-minutes after SG-1. Get with Stemke and find a SEAL or two for your team."
He walked into the bathroom as Carter acknowledged that. "SG-10 is going out 30 minutes after SG-2 is, so its going to be busy. SG-4 and SG-7 are doing live missions, but the rest of the teams will get put into the schedule to shepherd out the newbies. To include SG-3 and SG-12."
Carter turned to Teal'c once Jack had shut the door. "Teal'c, did SG-2 have anything interesting happen on their mission?"
"They found a really big hole."
Surprised, "What? Not the alpha site?"
"No, approximately 6 kilometers north of it. MajorFerretti believes it is from an earthquake. They are taking back some equipment to run some tests."
They all turned around as Jack came back out. "Carter, Teal'c, can you please wait outside? I want to talk to Jacob for a minute."
Carter paled, but Teal'c nodded. After the door closed, Jacob turned to Jack and found him lounging against the desk.
"So, Jack, what did you want to talk about? My daughter living in your quarters? Her clothes in your closet? Or whether anyone is actually using that cot or not?"
Jack continued to study him and Jacob stared back, waiting. "Jacob, you can tease me all you want about Sam - in my quarters. Once we leave these quarters, don't do it."
He finally nodded, "Okay, I can do that."
Testing him, to see how far he could be pushed, "After all, you currently outrank me. Four-star General and Commander of Earth Forces, that sounds really heady to me."
O'Neill tilted his head to the side, "Jacob, what do you want me to say? I'd rather never have had this whole freakin' thing happen. I'd rather open that door and not find Sam and Teal'c, but General Hammond."
He stood up to his full height, "But that's not the way it is right now. I've got Earth sitting on my shoulders, with Hammond and the SG teams sitting on top of that. We think that they may be in Net'u, but can't confirm it. The Asguard are willing to help to a certain extent and I assume the Tok'ra will, too. Bra'tac hasn't shown up yet and I'm getting worried. I had hoped that Lya would come and maybe the Tollan. So far nothing. If the Earth has got to fight this with just the Asguard and the Tok'ra, then so be it. But I have concerns about how long the Tok'ra will stand by Earth's side. I trust the Asguard more than I do the Tok'ra, by the way."
He stepped closer to Jacob, "You, Major General Carter, are being officially notified that you are on the immediate list for recall."
Staring hard at him, "So, don't go off and hide in any Tok'ra tunnels, General. I may need you to become one of my field commanders." O'Neill hadn't come any closer but Jacob, and Selmak, felt the full weight of his personality crash on them. He'd never done that before.
O'Neill continued, "You need to stop by the Control Room and sign the official documentation acknowledging this notification."
Jacob stared at him, then nodded (quite a bit more respectfully), "General, don't you think I would be better used as part of the Tok'ra? Out in space?"
"Only if the Tok'ra don't turn tail and run when they think the going gets tough. I understand their need for the continuation of their species, hell, we're doing the same thing. But I can't use them if I can't count on them staying and doing what they said they would."
O'Neill sighed, "Selmak, I'm sorry, and I know that you and your hosts are brave and courageous beings. And, God knows, I don't want the Tok'ra to not survive. But if the Tok'ra commit to support and fight along side Earth, then I need to be able to count on that.
Both Jacob and Selmak nodded in acknowledgement at what Jack had said. They also knew that this recall was always a possibility, but very remote.
Selmak continued, I can feel your devotion to your world, as you can feel mine to my species. But we've always trusted O'Neill even though we have used him mercilessly in the past. I agree to stay if he needs us.
Jacob looked up at Jack, "Alright, General, Selmak and I will sign your documentation.
Jack studied him/them. "Thank you, Jacob. Selmak."
He turned to leave, then turned back, "Just for the record Jacob. I love Sam, but whether or not we will ever get together is something that we will decide. And I am NOT using her to 'ease my burden' or anything equally as disgustedly melodramatic."
Jacob got a sad smile on his face, "I know that, Jack, on both counts. I don't know anyone who doesn't - except my daughter. Talk to her for god's sake. Before its too late."
Sighing, Jack dropped his shoulders, "You and Teal'c - yentas." Shaking his head, "Let's go, we've got a meeting."
Jack opened the door as Jacob said, "Yes, sir, General, sir." Standing outside, Sam, Teal'c, Daniel, and Quince heard that.
Carter asked, "Sir?"
Jacob answered before Jack could, "The General called Teal'c and I yentas. I was just agreeing with him."
Quince snorted in amusement and changed it into a cough. "Sorry, sir, something in my throat.'
Teal'c looked at Jacob, "GeneralCarter, what is a yenta?"
Putting his arm around Teal'c's shoulders, "I'll explain it to you later, my friend."
Muttering under his breath, "I know somewhere on my shirt I've got stars, I just know it." Jack walked off and everyone followed in his wake.
CONTINUED IN CHAP 5
ALPHA SITE
"WHOHOO!" Several SEALs grinned as they stepped out of the wormhole.
Stemke looked at Ferretti with a grin, "That was different."
Ferretti grinned back, "E-Ticket ride, huh?" He looked around to make sure his team had taken up standard off-world security protocols. "Now you know why its a good idea to take everyone through to a safe planet first."
Stemke nodded in agreement, then seriously, "Not to mention you're sitting ducks as you walk out."
Ferretti looked around, "CPT Franklin, report!"
"Sir, DHD is in working order. The MALP isn't detecting any life signs in the immediate area. Wassum and Trekle have secured the area and are ready to move out."
Nodding, "Franklin, take point along with..." he looked at Stemke who answered, "Martin, you and your team stay with him."
"Trekle, you and...", Stemke added, "Banazek" - you've got the rear. Everyone else, we're in the middle. Watch everything, people. This may look like Earth, but its not. If you look hard enough, you'll see the differences. Keep in mind that at any time, anyone can come through the Stargate and start shooting at us. Keep your eyes open."
Fifteen minutes later they entered the area where the buildings were being set-up. It was deserted as O'Neill had withdrawn all teams back to the SGC.
"Normally, there's engineers, technicians, and maintenance teams here building the site."
They walked passed more construction, "You'll notice that we walk all the time. We can't get our vehicles through the Stargates."
Stemke nodded, "According to the mission brief, there's nothing here except us and the local animals."
Nodding, "True, at the time of the report. But we learned the hard way that unless we're here all the time, anything or anybody can come in while you're gone. We've lost a lot of good people thinking that way. Its only secured if we stay and even then sometimes not."
They walked on, "SG-1, which is a first contact team, has been hit several times on their way back to the Stargate and they've had to fight their way home. Sometimes we've had to go in on a rescue mission and sometimes they do it. O'Neill's number one rule, you don't leave anyone behind."
"Good rule, but it doesn't seem like you were able to do it with Hammond."
Ferretti got a frozen look on his face, "Captain, Generals O'Neill and Hammond are extremely close and personal friends. But even if they weren't, this would still be quietly killing him." They walked in silence for awhile, looking around them.
Ferretti spoke again, "General O'Neill knows exactly what it's like to be held prisoner by the Go'ald. Him especially, but all his team, have been tortured - more than any other team. It comes with being a first contact team. Hell, I've gotten up close and personal with those damn pain sticks myself. SG-1 got us out."
CLICK CLICK.
In a low voice, "Report."
"Sir, there's something strange up here."
"Head out, take the SEALs assigned to you, but don't let them shoot anyone. Right now, you're SEAL leader B."
"Trekle, you're SEAL leader D Protect our flanks."
CLICK CLICK. They melted into the forest behind them.
"Wassum, you're C, go left."
CLICK CLICK
Ferretti touched Stemke and pointed to the right and the rest of them faded into the forest and slowly crept up to the 'something.'
TWO HOURS LATER - BACK AT THE SGC
O'Neill had just gotten off the phone with the President, telling him what they've found out. Which wasn't much. It rang again, telling him SG-2 were coming back.
He walked into the Control Room and exchanged glances with Quince. SG-2 and the SEALs walked down the ramp.
"Welcome back, SG-2 and SEALs. How was the trip?"
Ferretti grinned, "I think the SEALs found it interesting."
Frowning, "Oh, how so?"
Stemke replied, "We found this really big hole, sir."
O'Neill raised his eyebrows, Ferretti answered, "Yes, sir. It looks like some kind of earthquake hole. We didn't find any evidence of it being caused by a weapon. Its about 6 klicks from the Alpha site. Capt Stemke says he's got some amateur geo-engineers in the next group going through. I thought we'd take some of our engineering gear with us and do some testing."
Nodding, "Alright. Infirmary, food, and saddle up again. You've got an hour."
They all trooped out. Quince looked up at O'Neill, "General, you've got another meeting with the Commanders, the Tok'ra and the Asguard in 30. If you need a quick break or anything now's the time."
"Good idea." Making a quick decision, "Quince, we need to speed up the training. Get SG-10 ready to go 30 minutes after SG-2 goes out again. Send them to P9G-497."
Siler began finding the coordinates and Quince answered, "Yes, sir. Isn't that Thor's Planet?"
"Yeah, Thor confirmed that it should be alright for training. I'm also gonna ask Bra'tac if we could send some teams to the Land of Light."
He thought some more. "Let's get SG-3 and SG-12 back in the action. Work them into the schedule. I want SG-11 going out 30 minutes after SG-1. I'm going to have Stemke put a SEAL on SG-1, so be ready to leave at 0700. You're going to Thor's planet."
Staring at the Stargate, "Work in the para-rescuers into both SG-1 and SG- 11's rotations"
Quince nodded, "Yes, sir." Watching him think, "Anything else, General?"
Exhaling, "Yeah, get with Davis. I want to put the Japanese units at the Alpha Site. Put SG-5 in-charge, but I want it up in running immediately. I also want the Australian unit there for protection, along with a company of Special Forces and some para-rescuers."
Quince slowly nodded with a frown, "Back-up, General?"
With a nod, he continued, "Would you work out a new duty officer roster with all the changes, Mark?"
Quince nodded, "Yes, sir."
As O'Neill and Teal'c left the Control Room, Jack asked, "I wonder what's taking Bra'tac so long, Teal'c?"
"Unknown, O'Neill."
He stepped into his quarters before he remembered that they were occupied. Stopping in the doorway, "Crap.' "Hi, guys. Can I play through?"
Carter immediately stood up, but Jacob remained sitting. "Sure, Jack, no problem. It seems the O'Neill quarters are the same as the Carter quarters. One big, happy family."
Carter glared at her father, then smiled in apology to O'Neill. "Sir, if you need your quarters, we can leave."
Jacob decided to turn the screw one more time, "Oh, Jack, the laundry dropped off your and Sam's uniforms. They're in the closet."
"Dad!" Carter spouted in embarrassment.
O'Neill knew this was Jacob's way of addressing a possible relationship between him and Carter. Putting his key back in his pocket, he nodded, "Thanks, Jacob."
Turning to Sam, "Carter, we're speeding up the off-world training. SG-11 will be going out 30-minutes after SG-1. Get with Stemke and find a SEAL or two for your team."
He walked into the bathroom as Carter acknowledged that. "SG-10 is going out 30 minutes after SG-2 is, so its going to be busy. SG-4 and SG-7 are doing live missions, but the rest of the teams will get put into the schedule to shepherd out the newbies. To include SG-3 and SG-12."
Carter turned to Teal'c once Jack had shut the door. "Teal'c, did SG-2 have anything interesting happen on their mission?"
"They found a really big hole."
Surprised, "What? Not the alpha site?"
"No, approximately 6 kilometers north of it. MajorFerretti believes it is from an earthquake. They are taking back some equipment to run some tests."
They all turned around as Jack came back out. "Carter, Teal'c, can you please wait outside? I want to talk to Jacob for a minute."
Carter paled, but Teal'c nodded. After the door closed, Jacob turned to Jack and found him lounging against the desk.
"So, Jack, what did you want to talk about? My daughter living in your quarters? Her clothes in your closet? Or whether anyone is actually using that cot or not?"
Jack continued to study him and Jacob stared back, waiting. "Jacob, you can tease me all you want about Sam - in my quarters. Once we leave these quarters, don't do it."
He finally nodded, "Okay, I can do that."
Testing him, to see how far he could be pushed, "After all, you currently outrank me. Four-star General and Commander of Earth Forces, that sounds really heady to me."
O'Neill tilted his head to the side, "Jacob, what do you want me to say? I'd rather never have had this whole freakin' thing happen. I'd rather open that door and not find Sam and Teal'c, but General Hammond."
He stood up to his full height, "But that's not the way it is right now. I've got Earth sitting on my shoulders, with Hammond and the SG teams sitting on top of that. We think that they may be in Net'u, but can't confirm it. The Asguard are willing to help to a certain extent and I assume the Tok'ra will, too. Bra'tac hasn't shown up yet and I'm getting worried. I had hoped that Lya would come and maybe the Tollan. So far nothing. If the Earth has got to fight this with just the Asguard and the Tok'ra, then so be it. But I have concerns about how long the Tok'ra will stand by Earth's side. I trust the Asguard more than I do the Tok'ra, by the way."
He stepped closer to Jacob, "You, Major General Carter, are being officially notified that you are on the immediate list for recall."
Staring hard at him, "So, don't go off and hide in any Tok'ra tunnels, General. I may need you to become one of my field commanders." O'Neill hadn't come any closer but Jacob, and Selmak, felt the full weight of his personality crash on them. He'd never done that before.
O'Neill continued, "You need to stop by the Control Room and sign the official documentation acknowledging this notification."
Jacob stared at him, then nodded (quite a bit more respectfully), "General, don't you think I would be better used as part of the Tok'ra? Out in space?"
"Only if the Tok'ra don't turn tail and run when they think the going gets tough. I understand their need for the continuation of their species, hell, we're doing the same thing. But I can't use them if I can't count on them staying and doing what they said they would."
O'Neill sighed, "Selmak, I'm sorry, and I know that you and your hosts are brave and courageous beings. And, God knows, I don't want the Tok'ra to not survive. But if the Tok'ra commit to support and fight along side Earth, then I need to be able to count on that.
Both Jacob and Selmak nodded in acknowledgement at what Jack had said. They also knew that this recall was always a possibility, but very remote.
Selmak continued, I can feel your devotion to your world, as you can feel mine to my species. But we've always trusted O'Neill even though we have used him mercilessly in the past. I agree to stay if he needs us.
Jacob looked up at Jack, "Alright, General, Selmak and I will sign your documentation.
Jack studied him/them. "Thank you, Jacob. Selmak."
He turned to leave, then turned back, "Just for the record Jacob. I love Sam, but whether or not we will ever get together is something that we will decide. And I am NOT using her to 'ease my burden' or anything equally as disgustedly melodramatic."
Jacob got a sad smile on his face, "I know that, Jack, on both counts. I don't know anyone who doesn't - except my daughter. Talk to her for god's sake. Before its too late."
Sighing, Jack dropped his shoulders, "You and Teal'c - yentas." Shaking his head, "Let's go, we've got a meeting."
Jack opened the door as Jacob said, "Yes, sir, General, sir." Standing outside, Sam, Teal'c, Daniel, and Quince heard that.
Carter asked, "Sir?"
Jacob answered before Jack could, "The General called Teal'c and I yentas. I was just agreeing with him."
Quince snorted in amusement and changed it into a cough. "Sorry, sir, something in my throat.'
Teal'c looked at Jacob, "GeneralCarter, what is a yenta?"
Putting his arm around Teal'c's shoulders, "I'll explain it to you later, my friend."
Muttering under his breath, "I know somewhere on my shirt I've got stars, I just know it." Jack walked off and everyone followed in his wake.
CONTINUED IN CHAP 5