TITLE: WHEN THE WORLD HALTS - Chapter 7
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.
"Harry, Harry, Harry. Took you long enough to get here." O'Neill took a seat at the table, Lou took one that would let him shoot Maybourne if he tried anything. An order he had already given to the security teams.
Taking in the new atmosphere in the SGC and Jack's new rank, "So, Jack, where's Hammond? He finally retire?"
Smirking, "I'm seeing 4-stars, General. That's quite a jump from Colonel. How'd that happen?"
With a remorseless look in his eyes, "A traitor, Maybourne, and I expect you to find out who it is."
Confused, "A traitor?"
At Jack's nod, he traced a pattern on the table with his finger, one that Jack knew, "Why me? Why not somebody you trust?"
Staring at him, "We don't have time to find someone with your...skills. According to our estimates Earth's going to be attacked by Heru'ur in about a week. Hammond's been taken prisoner along with a couple of SG teams. Someone sold the Earth out, Harry. You find this person and bring him to me."
Truly shocked, Harry stared at him, "A week. Life is going to end as we know it in a week?"
Jack leaned back in his chair, "Harry, its already changing and we're not going anywhere,.
Pinning him with a icy glare, "And you are going to help us stay that way."
Harry watched him, thinking and figuring things out. Harry was brilliant, twisted, but brilliant. "You were supposed to be captured, not Hammond."
O'Neill nodded.
Continuing, "You're next. But you're harder to get because the Asguard, for some unknown reason, like and protect you."
O'Neill's eyes turned even more glacial and Harry backed off. This was a pissing contest he knew he wasn't going to win. "But you're still next on the target list."
Harry leaned back, smirking, "You want me to protect you, again."
Lou gritted his teeth and glared at Maybourne.
O'Neill had leaned forward, putting his arms on the table and said in a deadly voice, "Maybourne, this isn't about me, its about Earth. If you're thinking that this won't effect you, you're wrong. I'd bet you'd be a tasty morsel for the Go'ald. Your knowledge would make you highly...desirable. These are the Go'ald, Harry. They don't ask, they take and take very painfully. You'd have no control, Harry, none at all."
With a smirk of his own, O'Neill continued, "You'd be sitting in a corner of your own brain screaming for centuries, Harry."
'Shit.' Taking one last shot, "Know that from experience, eh, Jack?"
O'Neill shrugged and waited.
'Shit.' Harry inhaled, then let it out. "Goddamn it, Jack." He was furious at the bastard or bastards that did this to Earth and ultimately to him.
He bit out, "Fine, I'll work for you, General O'Neill. But I'll report to you alone."
Frowning, "You'll report to me, but also to anyone I tell you."
Staring at him, Harry finally nodded. "Alright." He was actually afraid of O'Neill. 'Where the hell did this person come from?'
O'Neill nodded after a few moments, "Alright." He pulled a disk from his pocket and tossed it across the table to him.
"That's what I know. Start now." Harry picked up the disk and nodded.
O'Neill stood up, with Lou and Harry getting up with him. "Lou, find Harry a room. I'm going back to bed."
Lou nodded, "Yes, sir."
After O'Neill left, Lou and Harry stood there looking at each other.
Ferretti got in Maybourne's face, "Don't betray him or us. If you do, I'll kill you. Just to make sure you understand how serious I am, I've passed the word to have you killed. So even if I'm dead someone else will do it. You got that?"
Staring at Harry nodded, "Ferretti, I've got no desire to be a host to some Go'ald, and I will catch the son-of-a-bitch that sold us out."
Ferretti didn't believe him, "Why?"
With a very cynical look, "I'm not patriotic, at least not in your view, but to give us to those snakes scares the shit out of me and pisses me off. I don't care if the West does it to the East or vice versa, but not this way. And I will drag that son-of-a-bitch to O'Neill on his knees."
O'NEILL' S QUARTERS
As promised, he quietly walked back in his quarters. Frazier's pills had taken care of his headache, but he was exhausted. After stopping to look at Carter for a moment, who was sleeping soundly, he collapsed on his bed.
Carter's alarm clock rung and she quickly shut it off. She heard Jack move around, then settle back down. She didn't know what time he had gotten in last night, she hadn't heard him return.
Very quietly she gathered up her gear and went into the bathroom. Ten minutes later she came out, then after a moment she walked over to his bed. She shook her heard in gentle amusement when she discovered that he hadn't changed from his BDUs. Just fell asleep on his bed. With a soft smile, she turned and left the room. A small grin crossed his face as he went back to sleep.
At 0625 O'Neill strolled out of his quarters, and he, with his guards, made their way to the Control Room. Grabbing a cup of coffee, he went in to watch the departure of SG-1. Major Steve Kaplan, of SG-9, was the Officer on Duty.
"Morning, Kaplan. How's everything going?"
"Good morning, General. Not bad, sir. SG-1 and the SAS soldiers are ready to go." Kaplan watched O'Neill stare out the window. "SG-11 is gearing up in the locker room now."
Sgt Davis had already dialed up the Alpha site and everyone was waiting for the final 'go'. Carter was talking with a UK Major and everyone else was standing around them.
Teal'c looked up at the window and nodded, "O'Neill." Everyone else stopped talking and looked up at him.
With a smile in his eyes, "Morning, everyone. Major Carter, ready to depart?" He looked over at Daniel with a quick nod.
Carter smiled at him, "Yes, sir. Major Garver and I were going over the last minute details."
"Davis?" O'Neill took a sip of coffee.
Sergeant Davis checked the MALP one more time, "Yes, sir. Everything looks fine."
"Alright, SG-1, you have a go. Major Garver, learn from them."
"Yes, sir." Sam nodded at Teal'c and he led off with some of the SAS following him, Daniel and his group followed him, and then Sam and MAJ Garver saluted and went through the gate with the rest of SAS troops.
Kaplan stood next to O'Neill, "Hard to send them off on their own, sir?"
Nodding, "Yeah, hated it the past, hate it today." Taking another sip of coffee, "Let me know when SG-11 is ready to go."
"Yes, sir."
Turning around, O'Neill found himself looking at Wo'tac. "Good Morning, Wo'tac."
Nodding, "O'Neill."
"I'm going to my office, then breakfast after SG-11 departs."
Wo'tac nodded. Sighing to himself, O'Neill walked into his office thinking about what happened last night.
The night before Bra'tac had stopped by with Wo'tac, Teal'c following them in. "O'Neill, Teal'c has requested some Jaffa to guard your person."
O'Neill nodded, "Yeah, that's what he said he would do." Nodding at Wo'tac with his head, "Wo'tac will be staying here with us?"
Staring hard at O'Neill, drilling holes in him, Wo'tac answered, "Yes. Do you have a problem with that, human?"
Sitting back in his chair, O'Neill studied him. Teal'c and Bra'tac studied O'Neill. He had to pass this test. "Not with a Jaffa whose not going to try to kill me or takeover Earth."
Standing up, "I'm not concerned about the abilities of a Jaffa with a missing leg, Wo'tac. I expect you to fight better now than before. I expect you give your life, if you need to. I expect you to give your word as a free Jaffa to continue the fight against the Go'ald."
Wo'tac stared hard at him. Bra'tac and Teal'c nodded in approval.
"O'Neill of the Tau'ri, I lost my leg fighting Go'ald, maybe not when you were a child, but close enough. I am still one of the best fighters there is in the Jaffa."
He walked closer to O'Neill, staring eye to eye with him, "I have heard of O'Neill of the Tau'ri. He is the enemy you do not want. The destroyer of Go'ald. Friend of the Asguard. The price on his head is high."
O'Neill nodded.
Wo'tac continued, "I have heard Bra'tac talk of you. Upstart, he calls you."
O'Neill glanced over at Bra'tac, who shrugged.
"He also calls you honorable and worthy to be a Jaffa."
More silence as Wo'tac studied him, "I will protect O'Neill of the Tau'ri. Slayer of Gods and Friend of Gods."
Teal'c inhaled sharply at that comment. O'Neill looked at him, questioningly. But Teal'c had turned to look at Bra'tac. Bra'tac studied O'Neill with a look of obsidian.
Bra'tac finally nodded. "It is right that the Free Jaffa protect the Slayer of Gods and the Friend of Gods." Teal'c nodded in respect.
Squinting at them, O'Neill asked with trepidation, "What?"
Teal'c answered, "O'Neill, there is an old story told to each generation of Jaffa. It says that it would fall upon the honor of the Jaffa to protect he who would destroy the known gods and be a friend of the old gods. He would come from the world of the first, from whom we all had arisen."
O'Neill started to speak, then stopped. 'What the hell am I supposed to say to that?'
Finally, "I accept the protection of the Free Jaffa."
Turning to look at Bra'tac - catching him by surprise, "I expect the Free Jaffa to fulfill these duties, Master Bra'tac."
Bra'tac studied him, then nodded. "Of course, O'Neill. The Free Jaffa will fight beside the Tau'ri and guard the Destroyer."
Sighing to himself, "Thank you, Bra'tac." With that they all left, except Teal'c.
He plopped down into his chair, "Teal'c, what the hell was that?" He dropped his head against the back of the chair, "Destroyer of Gods?"
Shaking his head, "Geezh - me? I'm only human, Teal'c. I'm nothing special."
Teal'c contemplated the man slouched in the chair before him, "O'Neill, we are not saying you are a god, but the destroyer and friend of gods." He continued to study him, "What Wo'tac said has crossed my mind several times."
He walked closer to O'Neill, "You are not a god, but you are different than the others. You know pain so deep as to be soul stealing. You know joy equally as deep to bring unending happiness. You are a warrior who will not stop until you are dead with a weapon in your hands. You will not be deterred in your mission to save your world, but will not fail to take into consideration the worlds of others."
O'Neill had closed his eyes when he thought about the lizards. Teal'c knew what O'Neill was thinking and continued, "Yet, even that would not deter you from your promise. You have honor, much honor, O'Neill. I believe that is why Thor considers you his friend, and why the Tollan are afraid of you."
O'Neill shook his head, disagreeing.
Tilting his head in query, "Why, O'Neill, if the Asguard resemble those aliens who had abducted humans for testing, do you consider Thor a friend? Do you see something of yourself in him? Do you disregard his size as a danger?"
A flash of light and Thor was present. They both looked at O'Neill. Thor spoke, "I, too, have heard the stories of the Jaffa and have wondered at the resemblance to you. I have also wondered at how readily you accepted my species, General. Why did you?"
Sighing, "Guys..." Taking another breath, "Alright, I'll say this once, but never again, and I'll deny I've ever said it."
He gestured with his hand futilely, "I've always been able to trust my instincts about people...beings. When I saw Teal'c and what he did, even as First Prime to Apophis, I knew that I could trust him and be friends with him. I've never been disappointed." He traded a long, look with Teal'c, who finally nodded in acceptance.
O'Neill turned to look at Thor, "Even though it wasn't you I met first, I didn't feel threatened by the Asguard. But I also didn't feel friendship with them." He studied Thor, "Yet, when I met you, I did. When I met you, I trusted you. Its something deep inside me, something I've honed over the years and trusted. I consider you my friend. Someone I can trust."
Thor nodded after a moment, "I, too, felt friendship for you when we met. While the Asguard have many friendships with other non-Asguard species, I do not have any as strong as I feel for you. It is very strange, but not unwanted.
Thor blinked and O'Neill grinned. Thor looked up at Teal'c, who nodded at him.
O'Neill sighed then looked at his alien friends. "Thanks, guys." They nodded. Thor disappeared and Teal'c went to stand outside the door.
BACK TO THE PRESENT
RING RING
"O'Neill."
Nodding, "Okay Kaplan. Here's a mission change. Get SG-2 saddled up with some SEALS. Send SG-3 to replace SG-1 at the Alpha site with the SAS. Put some of SEALS on SG-1. I want them here for a mission briefing in 60 minutes." Another nod, "And the time to start sending through the troops to the Alpha site with SG-5?"
Frowning, "Get Zembowske in my office in 15."
O'Neill continued to frown as he put down the phone, thinking about he had to do next. Sighing, he touched the device on his wrist.
"Thor? Would it be possible for me to come up there for a few minutes?" A flash and he was gone. Another flash and Wo'tac joined him.
Zembowske stood outside O'Neill's door exactly 15 minutes after he was told to be there. There was a flash of light he could see come under the door frame. Wo'tac stepped out the door and tilted his head to the office and Zembowske went in.
O'Neill stared at him for a minute, "Sit. Major, what's going on with moving out to the Alpha site?"
Shaking his head, he'd been expecting this, "Sir, its all the equipment that the Japanese want to take through. They say they need it."
"What do you say?"
"General, they do need some of it, but not all. We've got a lot stashed there already. I've tried to explain that, but they haven't seen it yet, so they're concerned they're gonna get cut off. They know that they're responsible for building the Alpha site to be ready in case anything goes wrong. The Australians are ready to go and so are the Special Forces and Para-rescuers. They've already paired down to what they can carry."
Stretching his neck, "Okay, put everything out into the northern fields that the engineers really gotta have. Everything else leave it where it is. You guys are going through today at 1200."
'Shit!' Shocked, "Yes, sir. Will do."
O'Neill could see everything running through Zembowske's mind that he needed to get done.
"Zach, be ready."
Standing up, he saluted, "Yes, sir."
Looking at his clock, he found he had 30 minutes before briefing SG-1 and SG-2. He called Jacob on his Teltac. After that he called Thor again. Then the President. Time sure passes when you're having fun.
Wo'tac opened the door. "O'Neill, it is time."
CONTINUED IN CHAP 8
"Harry, Harry, Harry. Took you long enough to get here." O'Neill took a seat at the table, Lou took one that would let him shoot Maybourne if he tried anything. An order he had already given to the security teams.
Taking in the new atmosphere in the SGC and Jack's new rank, "So, Jack, where's Hammond? He finally retire?"
Smirking, "I'm seeing 4-stars, General. That's quite a jump from Colonel. How'd that happen?"
With a remorseless look in his eyes, "A traitor, Maybourne, and I expect you to find out who it is."
Confused, "A traitor?"
At Jack's nod, he traced a pattern on the table with his finger, one that Jack knew, "Why me? Why not somebody you trust?"
Staring at him, "We don't have time to find someone with your...skills. According to our estimates Earth's going to be attacked by Heru'ur in about a week. Hammond's been taken prisoner along with a couple of SG teams. Someone sold the Earth out, Harry. You find this person and bring him to me."
Truly shocked, Harry stared at him, "A week. Life is going to end as we know it in a week?"
Jack leaned back in his chair, "Harry, its already changing and we're not going anywhere,.
Pinning him with a icy glare, "And you are going to help us stay that way."
Harry watched him, thinking and figuring things out. Harry was brilliant, twisted, but brilliant. "You were supposed to be captured, not Hammond."
O'Neill nodded.
Continuing, "You're next. But you're harder to get because the Asguard, for some unknown reason, like and protect you."
O'Neill's eyes turned even more glacial and Harry backed off. This was a pissing contest he knew he wasn't going to win. "But you're still next on the target list."
Harry leaned back, smirking, "You want me to protect you, again."
Lou gritted his teeth and glared at Maybourne.
O'Neill had leaned forward, putting his arms on the table and said in a deadly voice, "Maybourne, this isn't about me, its about Earth. If you're thinking that this won't effect you, you're wrong. I'd bet you'd be a tasty morsel for the Go'ald. Your knowledge would make you highly...desirable. These are the Go'ald, Harry. They don't ask, they take and take very painfully. You'd have no control, Harry, none at all."
With a smirk of his own, O'Neill continued, "You'd be sitting in a corner of your own brain screaming for centuries, Harry."
'Shit.' Taking one last shot, "Know that from experience, eh, Jack?"
O'Neill shrugged and waited.
'Shit.' Harry inhaled, then let it out. "Goddamn it, Jack." He was furious at the bastard or bastards that did this to Earth and ultimately to him.
He bit out, "Fine, I'll work for you, General O'Neill. But I'll report to you alone."
Frowning, "You'll report to me, but also to anyone I tell you."
Staring at him, Harry finally nodded. "Alright." He was actually afraid of O'Neill. 'Where the hell did this person come from?'
O'Neill nodded after a few moments, "Alright." He pulled a disk from his pocket and tossed it across the table to him.
"That's what I know. Start now." Harry picked up the disk and nodded.
O'Neill stood up, with Lou and Harry getting up with him. "Lou, find Harry a room. I'm going back to bed."
Lou nodded, "Yes, sir."
After O'Neill left, Lou and Harry stood there looking at each other.
Ferretti got in Maybourne's face, "Don't betray him or us. If you do, I'll kill you. Just to make sure you understand how serious I am, I've passed the word to have you killed. So even if I'm dead someone else will do it. You got that?"
Staring at Harry nodded, "Ferretti, I've got no desire to be a host to some Go'ald, and I will catch the son-of-a-bitch that sold us out."
Ferretti didn't believe him, "Why?"
With a very cynical look, "I'm not patriotic, at least not in your view, but to give us to those snakes scares the shit out of me and pisses me off. I don't care if the West does it to the East or vice versa, but not this way. And I will drag that son-of-a-bitch to O'Neill on his knees."
O'NEILL' S QUARTERS
As promised, he quietly walked back in his quarters. Frazier's pills had taken care of his headache, but he was exhausted. After stopping to look at Carter for a moment, who was sleeping soundly, he collapsed on his bed.
Carter's alarm clock rung and she quickly shut it off. She heard Jack move around, then settle back down. She didn't know what time he had gotten in last night, she hadn't heard him return.
Very quietly she gathered up her gear and went into the bathroom. Ten minutes later she came out, then after a moment she walked over to his bed. She shook her heard in gentle amusement when she discovered that he hadn't changed from his BDUs. Just fell asleep on his bed. With a soft smile, she turned and left the room. A small grin crossed his face as he went back to sleep.
At 0625 O'Neill strolled out of his quarters, and he, with his guards, made their way to the Control Room. Grabbing a cup of coffee, he went in to watch the departure of SG-1. Major Steve Kaplan, of SG-9, was the Officer on Duty.
"Morning, Kaplan. How's everything going?"
"Good morning, General. Not bad, sir. SG-1 and the SAS soldiers are ready to go." Kaplan watched O'Neill stare out the window. "SG-11 is gearing up in the locker room now."
Sgt Davis had already dialed up the Alpha site and everyone was waiting for the final 'go'. Carter was talking with a UK Major and everyone else was standing around them.
Teal'c looked up at the window and nodded, "O'Neill." Everyone else stopped talking and looked up at him.
With a smile in his eyes, "Morning, everyone. Major Carter, ready to depart?" He looked over at Daniel with a quick nod.
Carter smiled at him, "Yes, sir. Major Garver and I were going over the last minute details."
"Davis?" O'Neill took a sip of coffee.
Sergeant Davis checked the MALP one more time, "Yes, sir. Everything looks fine."
"Alright, SG-1, you have a go. Major Garver, learn from them."
"Yes, sir." Sam nodded at Teal'c and he led off with some of the SAS following him, Daniel and his group followed him, and then Sam and MAJ Garver saluted and went through the gate with the rest of SAS troops.
Kaplan stood next to O'Neill, "Hard to send them off on their own, sir?"
Nodding, "Yeah, hated it the past, hate it today." Taking another sip of coffee, "Let me know when SG-11 is ready to go."
"Yes, sir."
Turning around, O'Neill found himself looking at Wo'tac. "Good Morning, Wo'tac."
Nodding, "O'Neill."
"I'm going to my office, then breakfast after SG-11 departs."
Wo'tac nodded. Sighing to himself, O'Neill walked into his office thinking about what happened last night.
The night before Bra'tac had stopped by with Wo'tac, Teal'c following them in. "O'Neill, Teal'c has requested some Jaffa to guard your person."
O'Neill nodded, "Yeah, that's what he said he would do." Nodding at Wo'tac with his head, "Wo'tac will be staying here with us?"
Staring hard at O'Neill, drilling holes in him, Wo'tac answered, "Yes. Do you have a problem with that, human?"
Sitting back in his chair, O'Neill studied him. Teal'c and Bra'tac studied O'Neill. He had to pass this test. "Not with a Jaffa whose not going to try to kill me or takeover Earth."
Standing up, "I'm not concerned about the abilities of a Jaffa with a missing leg, Wo'tac. I expect you to fight better now than before. I expect you give your life, if you need to. I expect you to give your word as a free Jaffa to continue the fight against the Go'ald."
Wo'tac stared hard at him. Bra'tac and Teal'c nodded in approval.
"O'Neill of the Tau'ri, I lost my leg fighting Go'ald, maybe not when you were a child, but close enough. I am still one of the best fighters there is in the Jaffa."
He walked closer to O'Neill, staring eye to eye with him, "I have heard of O'Neill of the Tau'ri. He is the enemy you do not want. The destroyer of Go'ald. Friend of the Asguard. The price on his head is high."
O'Neill nodded.
Wo'tac continued, "I have heard Bra'tac talk of you. Upstart, he calls you."
O'Neill glanced over at Bra'tac, who shrugged.
"He also calls you honorable and worthy to be a Jaffa."
More silence as Wo'tac studied him, "I will protect O'Neill of the Tau'ri. Slayer of Gods and Friend of Gods."
Teal'c inhaled sharply at that comment. O'Neill looked at him, questioningly. But Teal'c had turned to look at Bra'tac. Bra'tac studied O'Neill with a look of obsidian.
Bra'tac finally nodded. "It is right that the Free Jaffa protect the Slayer of Gods and the Friend of Gods." Teal'c nodded in respect.
Squinting at them, O'Neill asked with trepidation, "What?"
Teal'c answered, "O'Neill, there is an old story told to each generation of Jaffa. It says that it would fall upon the honor of the Jaffa to protect he who would destroy the known gods and be a friend of the old gods. He would come from the world of the first, from whom we all had arisen."
O'Neill started to speak, then stopped. 'What the hell am I supposed to say to that?'
Finally, "I accept the protection of the Free Jaffa."
Turning to look at Bra'tac - catching him by surprise, "I expect the Free Jaffa to fulfill these duties, Master Bra'tac."
Bra'tac studied him, then nodded. "Of course, O'Neill. The Free Jaffa will fight beside the Tau'ri and guard the Destroyer."
Sighing to himself, "Thank you, Bra'tac." With that they all left, except Teal'c.
He plopped down into his chair, "Teal'c, what the hell was that?" He dropped his head against the back of the chair, "Destroyer of Gods?"
Shaking his head, "Geezh - me? I'm only human, Teal'c. I'm nothing special."
Teal'c contemplated the man slouched in the chair before him, "O'Neill, we are not saying you are a god, but the destroyer and friend of gods." He continued to study him, "What Wo'tac said has crossed my mind several times."
He walked closer to O'Neill, "You are not a god, but you are different than the others. You know pain so deep as to be soul stealing. You know joy equally as deep to bring unending happiness. You are a warrior who will not stop until you are dead with a weapon in your hands. You will not be deterred in your mission to save your world, but will not fail to take into consideration the worlds of others."
O'Neill had closed his eyes when he thought about the lizards. Teal'c knew what O'Neill was thinking and continued, "Yet, even that would not deter you from your promise. You have honor, much honor, O'Neill. I believe that is why Thor considers you his friend, and why the Tollan are afraid of you."
O'Neill shook his head, disagreeing.
Tilting his head in query, "Why, O'Neill, if the Asguard resemble those aliens who had abducted humans for testing, do you consider Thor a friend? Do you see something of yourself in him? Do you disregard his size as a danger?"
A flash of light and Thor was present. They both looked at O'Neill. Thor spoke, "I, too, have heard the stories of the Jaffa and have wondered at the resemblance to you. I have also wondered at how readily you accepted my species, General. Why did you?"
Sighing, "Guys..." Taking another breath, "Alright, I'll say this once, but never again, and I'll deny I've ever said it."
He gestured with his hand futilely, "I've always been able to trust my instincts about people...beings. When I saw Teal'c and what he did, even as First Prime to Apophis, I knew that I could trust him and be friends with him. I've never been disappointed." He traded a long, look with Teal'c, who finally nodded in acceptance.
O'Neill turned to look at Thor, "Even though it wasn't you I met first, I didn't feel threatened by the Asguard. But I also didn't feel friendship with them." He studied Thor, "Yet, when I met you, I did. When I met you, I trusted you. Its something deep inside me, something I've honed over the years and trusted. I consider you my friend. Someone I can trust."
Thor nodded after a moment, "I, too, felt friendship for you when we met. While the Asguard have many friendships with other non-Asguard species, I do not have any as strong as I feel for you. It is very strange, but not unwanted.
Thor blinked and O'Neill grinned. Thor looked up at Teal'c, who nodded at him.
O'Neill sighed then looked at his alien friends. "Thanks, guys." They nodded. Thor disappeared and Teal'c went to stand outside the door.
BACK TO THE PRESENT
RING RING
"O'Neill."
Nodding, "Okay Kaplan. Here's a mission change. Get SG-2 saddled up with some SEALS. Send SG-3 to replace SG-1 at the Alpha site with the SAS. Put some of SEALS on SG-1. I want them here for a mission briefing in 60 minutes." Another nod, "And the time to start sending through the troops to the Alpha site with SG-5?"
Frowning, "Get Zembowske in my office in 15."
O'Neill continued to frown as he put down the phone, thinking about he had to do next. Sighing, he touched the device on his wrist.
"Thor? Would it be possible for me to come up there for a few minutes?" A flash and he was gone. Another flash and Wo'tac joined him.
Zembowske stood outside O'Neill's door exactly 15 minutes after he was told to be there. There was a flash of light he could see come under the door frame. Wo'tac stepped out the door and tilted his head to the office and Zembowske went in.
O'Neill stared at him for a minute, "Sit. Major, what's going on with moving out to the Alpha site?"
Shaking his head, he'd been expecting this, "Sir, its all the equipment that the Japanese want to take through. They say they need it."
"What do you say?"
"General, they do need some of it, but not all. We've got a lot stashed there already. I've tried to explain that, but they haven't seen it yet, so they're concerned they're gonna get cut off. They know that they're responsible for building the Alpha site to be ready in case anything goes wrong. The Australians are ready to go and so are the Special Forces and Para-rescuers. They've already paired down to what they can carry."
Stretching his neck, "Okay, put everything out into the northern fields that the engineers really gotta have. Everything else leave it where it is. You guys are going through today at 1200."
'Shit!' Shocked, "Yes, sir. Will do."
O'Neill could see everything running through Zembowske's mind that he needed to get done.
"Zach, be ready."
Standing up, he saluted, "Yes, sir."
Looking at his clock, he found he had 30 minutes before briefing SG-1 and SG-2. He called Jacob on his Teltac. After that he called Thor again. Then the President. Time sure passes when you're having fun.
Wo'tac opened the door. "O'Neill, it is time."
CONTINUED IN CHAP 8