Chapter 20: Briefings & Revelations
1800hrs: SGC BRIEFING ROOM…. General Hammond took his seat at the head of the table. He then looked around at the various faces staring back at him. Major Carter was sitting in Jacks seat. Beside her was Teal'c. Agent Johnson & Agent Barret sat to his left along with Colonel Harry Maybourne. Doctor Frasier had yet to arrive because she was attending to the injured members of SG1. The other people in attendance were leaders of SG teams that had been a part of the operation. Walter was passing out briefing packets as the general began to speak.
"I'd like to thank you for a job well done in the capture of Osiris. Dr. Jackson and Sergeant Nantz were injured but will recover fully thanks to the quick response of SG4." George informed everyone. All present gave the leaders of the Russian team a nod of approval. "We're all painfully aware that Colonel O'Neill was shot with a poisoned bullet. Dr. Frasier will brief us once she is done with her rounds." He said looking around the room then continued. "We have solid intelligence that rogue NID are behind the attempt on the colonel's life. The file in front of you contains pictures and brief rundown of the two believed responsible, CSPD Detective Pete Shanahan and Jessie Bell." George said then looked over at his goddaughter.
Sam felt her anger building up. She wanted to just tear the pictures in two and scream. Tamping down her anger once again Sam focused on the general. "Jessie Bell works as an Audio/Visual Security Specialist for Colson Industries. Shanahan is currently a senior detective." He paused once more watching everyone look through the information before them. "They were to be apprehended and questioned. The local watch commander, a Lt Smith, let the pair leave and didn't inform FBI Agent Johnson. His argument was that they didn't enter." George could feel the anger in the room. Lt. Smith had better watch out. "He also stated that Shanahan had spent the night at Ms Bell's house. Both Shanahan and Bell boarded a flight for Las Vegas at 0630hrs this morning. The FBI has teams on the ground searching for them now." the general finished taking a drink of water.
Major Carter was looking over the information closely. Things started to come together sharply with this added information. Pete was always discretely interrogating her. He asked her many times about AREA 51. Pete's interest in aliens and related subjects was passionate. There was one wall in his apartment dedicated to the subject. It ranged from books, video documentaries and models. Sam hated being in his apartment for that very reason. It bothered her that she couldn't correct the falsies' outside of work. Sam knew one day that the Star Gate program would be reviled. At that time Daniel and she would finally be free to correct the lies and misunderstandings.
"Major Carter, did you find any helpful information on Shanahan's cloned files?" George asked bringing Sam out of her thoughts. "Yes Sir, I found a couple leads and corroborating evidence." the major replied back. "If everyone will turn to page 6 I'll explain my findings." Sam stood up grasping the laser pointer. The light dimmed enough for her presentation. "Shanahan is an avid UFO believer. He has commonly dispersed information of UFO's and Aliens on his laptop." She paused then continued. "Detective Shanahan somehow got a hold of classified footage of the Prometheus as seen here." she reported as the video screen played a blurry but recognizable earth ship. "The following footage is of various other ships." Sam reported as the video played. The video showed Thor's ship disintegrating in earth's atmosphere then the Ha'tak that SG1 crashed in the ocean. Both the Asgard and Goa'uld ships had the same video quality as the Prometheus.
"I did a complete web search for the previous and related videos. I found only one web site that had them: UFO's & Aliens: What Governments aren't Telling Us." Sam paused to let the information sink in. "I believe this is where he got the video footage." Agent Barret and Harry recognized the site. Both men kept their faces neutral as not let on what they knew. "The site is run by French man by the name of Alphonse Declare. He's 34yrs old professional computer programmer. His stated goal is total disclosure by all governments." Seeing that no one had question she pressed on despite her worry. "Mr. Declare gets his information through others around the world. Who he gets the classified information from will have to be investigated. The good news is that he seems to discount legitimate footage while crediting less than convincing videos. Pete Shanahan's internet history shows that he follows the site religiously."
Sam motioned for the lights to return to normal sitting down. She took a big drink of water before continuing. "The only other files I found were incomplete dossiers on SG1 and General Hammond. On a side note Pete had several pictures of Jessie Bell, she's quiet photogenic." Sam added the last part without thinking.
Janet chooses to enter at that time looking wore out. "Sorry for my lateness Sir, I had to walk Siler's wife through a bandage procedure." she said taking an offered seat from Maybourne. "That's alright doctor. Go ahead with your update on the injured members of SG1." the general prompted. "SSgt. Nantz can be released tomorrow morning. I'm putting him on inactive duty for 4-6 weeks. Dr. Jackson will need to have physical therapy due to his injuries. He won't be ready for active duty for at least 8 weeks. However Dr. Jackson will be able to continue his other duties Monday morning." the CMO paused before continuing.
Janet took a drink of sweet tea dreading her news on Colonel O'Neill. Sam was biting her bottom lip in worry again. She was grateful of the news of her teammates. Last time she saw Jack was two hours ago. He wasn't in any visible pain, just pale looking. Teal'c noticed Major Carter's distress. He discreetly squeezed her hand while watching and listening to Dr. Frasier. Sam looked over at Teal'c then back at Janet feeling a wave of reassurance coming from him.
Janet looked around the room stopping on her friend. "Colonel O'Neill's condition hasn't changed since the emergency surgery. The antidote isn't counter acting the poison, just holding it at bay for now. I estimate that the colonel has 44 hours before his main organs totally fail." She informed the assembled people. "We're going to work around the clock to get the proper antidote. Doctor Chase disagreed with me about the usage of the antidote. He stated that we shouldn't use it so I over ruled him." Janet paused taking another drink to avoid Sam's sad look. "Doctor Chase also disagreed with me for placing the colonel on life support. This is very uncharacteristic of him. I've gave orders that Doctor Chase wasn't allowed to treat the colonel, precautionary of course." she finished preparing herself for any questions that might be asked.
"Doctor Frasier, would the healing device that the Tok'ra use help?" Major Zoe Washburn asked leaning forward. "I can't say one way or the other. It wouldn't hurt to try." Janet replied remembering her conversation with the general.
Zoe looked at her CO, Malcolm Reynolds. They had a quick yet silent conversation which he lost. George watched the two smiling. SG25 was much like SG1 but different. Lt. Colonel Reynolds and Major Wash acted much like Jack & Sam. The only difference was they weren't in love. George knew what was coming next so he waited patiently. "Permission to lead my team in an attempt to locate the Tok'ra." Reynolds asked despite his hatred for sandy planets. They couldn't hunt down Pete Shanahan that fell to the FBI. Boredom was a bad thing for them. Violence often ensued in those times.
Before the general could give permission Teal'c asked to accompany SG25. "Lt. Colonel Reynolds, Teal'c. You'll depart after this briefing. Make contact reminding them that they owe us one. If that don't work locate Jacob." he ordered. "INDEED General Hammond, the Tok'ra owes the tau'ri many favors. I shall implore them to help...or else!" Teal'c said.
Everyone in the room knew that he considered SG1 family, the colonel being a brother. Anyone that harmed his 'family' would pay a steep price. "I request permission to join as well Sir!" Sam requested with hope. George knew his outright refusal to let his goddaughter to go to wouldn't go over well. He had very good reasons for her not to go. "Not this time Major, I need you here so you can continue your work." he said. "Sir, I can finish that when we come back with the Tok'ra." Sam said with a hint of desperation.
She needed to do something to help bring Jack back to her. "Sorry Major. I need you here on base to continue your duties. Teal'c and SG25 can contact the tok'ra."The general replied. Sam was about to protest but thought better of it by the look on her godfathers face. It was the same look that her father used when the discussion was over. "I understand Sir." George sighed internally grateful that she got the message. "I'll also send SG3 to contact Thor at Crimea. If we fail to find the tok'ra or they absolutely refuse we'll need a backup plan. Honestly I'd prefer Thor. He's more likely to help than any of our allies.
"Doctor Frasier, what the status of Miss Gardner?" he asked getting back on track. "Sara Gardner didn't suffer any physical injuries although she'll need to talk to Dr. McKenzie. She's very confused and scared justly so. Miss Gardner is asking to talk to Dr. Jackson. He's agreed to talk to her once you've given the okay sir." the doctor answered back. "I have a couple of SF's guarding her currently." she added.
"Very wise Doctor Frasier. What did you and Colonel Maybourne find out." the general asked changing gears. Agent Barrett looked over at Maybourne seeking agreement. Finding it he started. "Major Carter, The website you discovered: UFO's & Aliens: What Governments Aren't Telling Us is an ex-NID website used to gather and dismiss information." he said. Everyone in the room was completely caught off guard. "You mean to tell me that the NID promoted such nonsense!" George boomed out in anger. "It figures! Leave it to the feds to mess things up." Sam said glaring at the two men. Maybourne looked away to avoid the death glare. Barret held his ground.
"I told you long ago that it was a bad idea." Harry told Malcolm. Ignoring his fellow agent's remark he moved on. "The purpose of the site was to gather intelligence on factual sightings then debunk them. The persons reporting the sightings would be investigated then dealt with if needed. I many cases they were just people in the wrong place at the wrong time." he paused taking a drink letting the information sink in. "The sight also allowed NID agents to talk secretly." Barret explained.
Harry chose to speak at this point. "Alphonse Declare went rogue 8 months ago. I have been trying to locate him through various ways. The website has been allowed to operate as means to find him." He explained. The general's glare softened a little but not much. "Is that the extent of your involvement in this mess colonel?" he asked sternly. Harry looked at Sam ignoring her glare. "My other responsibilities were to ferreting out rogue agents. I used the website to locate these agents." He said looking around the room. "The next step was to gather them in one location then spring the trap." Harry informed everyone with a smug look. It was as if he expected an award or something Sam thought to herself. The general gave Harry a pointed stare causing him to drop his smugness. "Colonel O'Neill assisted me in uncovering the plot to gather alien technology. Jack was the only one aware of my loyalties other than Agent Barrett." He added for clarification.
Taking a drink Harry decided to move on. "The local contact for Pete Shanahan and Jessie Bell was Jeffery Rollins. I tracked him to Colorado Springs via the website." he paused looking at Major Carter then continued. "Jeffery Rollins received orders to discredit you Major Carter. The orders were mentioned very cryptically." he said sincerely. "Once in town I immediately contacted Jack. We would meet at prearranged locations mostly. Our last meeting was compromised by a murder scene." Harry paused letting this sink in. "Rollins killed young female jogger for the fun of it. We had to meet at his house as a backup."
The entire room was shocked to say the least. What Maybourne just told them was almost unbelievable. Colonel Reynolds of SG3 chimed in "So you didn't go rouge." He asked just to clarify. Harry just smiled "Crossed my mind but the one man I fear in this world kept me in check." he replied. "The one thing I regret is that I was unable to warn Jack." He said in angry but quieter voice. "Jeffery Rollins kept me from doing so. He's dead now due to his arrogance." Harry continued without a hint of regret. "Is Jeffery Rollins related to Major Jennifer Rollins?" asked Sam. "To my knowledge they aren't major but I could be wrong." TBC