Chapter 34

Episode---Inauguration

In the White House, the new President of the United States was walking to the Oval office. A guy named Stan was walking with him and telling him what was on the agenda that day. He was looking around as he was talked to. Everything was new to him and he already was being loaded down. Getting just outside the oval office, he said hi to some lady named Holly.

"Sir, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is in you office." Stan said.

The new President walked in finding two men in there talking,.

"He knows it's my first day, right?"

"Yes Mr. President."

"Good." he said walking in. "Francis." he said shaking the black guys hand. He was a Army man of high rank. Four stars with a yellow shield insignia on his arm. Slash down the middle of the shield with a horse head picture in the top corner.

"Mr. President." he said shaking it back. The President sat down on the off white yellow couch. "We must talk sir. It's important." Francis said as the President removed his shoes.

"Let me enjoy the moment." he said happily. He walked on the carpet and let his tired feet fell the nice floor.

"Moments over sir." Francis said.

"Right. Stan, thank you. Thank you." he said to the two other people. They nodded and left. Once the door closed he sat down in a chair and Francis sat down in one just across from him.

"Mr. President. I'm here to bring you up to speed on a program we've been running out of Cheyenne Mountain for the past seven years."

"I've already had my top secret briefing."

"Yes Mr. President, but not this." he said handing a folder over. The President took it and started to open it.

"Mr. President, for the past seven years the United States Air Force has been sending team to other planets, by means of an alien device known as the Stargate."

The President laughed.

"That's funny. That's very Funny. My first day. This is a joke, right? I have a great sense of humor, but I didn't know you had one." he said getting up and going to his desk. "Good, were finding out about each other. Now I have to call the ex-president of Togo, and when I'm done, apparently the rest of the world is coming to an end." he said laying the folder on his desk.

"The ex-president of Togo will have to wait sir. This is not a joke." Francis said coming over and being completely serious.

"The United States Air Force has been sending people to other planets..?" he said looking almost shocked.

"Yes sir."

"By means of an alien device?"

"Known as the Stargate."

He sat down in his chair sighing. It was almost more than he could handle.

Vice President Kinsey was in his office getting told his agenda for the day as we walked around his office. He was arguing about some guy about a crime bill with his secretary when the President walked in.

"What the hell were you thinking?! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Ah Sara, would you excuse us for the moment please." Kinsey said excusing her to the door. The President walked more into the room standing in front of Kinsey's desk.

"I take it you've just been briefed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs about our new reality."

"Not only do I find out that our Air Force is engaged in interstellar travel, but I also find out that my running mate knows all about it!" he yelled.

"I was under a special executive gag order."

"Since when?" he yelled.

"A little over six years now."

"That's unbelievable!" Still yelling.

"Mr. President, I know this is a little overwhelming right now, but what you really need to know is that the Stargate is being seriously mismanaged. It's urgent that we act now."

"What are you talking about?" Still yelling but less volume.

"I have desperately tried to maintain some proper control and accountability, but the oversight in some places is completely inadequate." he said waving his hands trying to make a point.

"The military, specifically the personal directly involved in the SGC, need to be replaced, immediately! Now I have several recommendations regarding…"

"Whoa! Bob. Now hold on here!"

"Mr. President. Why do you think I was ordered to keep quiet. This was a deliberate attempt by the military and the previous administration, to drive a wedge between us, because they knew I was going to come after them. We need to stick together on this."

"For gods sakes Bob! Think of the magnitude on this!" he yelled loudly.

"For god's sake is right." he said calmly.

"Oh come on Bob. If you want me to buy into your holier than thou position, you've got to convince me!"

Kinsey just looked at him without an expression.

Later that night, the President was looking over the SGC files.

"Hosted alien dignitaries. Acquired alien technology. Traveled back in time. Did they really blow up a sun?" he said looking through a file.

"As I understand it sir. Yes, they did." Francis said walking around.

"Got to look really good on the old resume hey?"

"Yes sir." he said standing across from the President with his arms crossed. "They've done some pretty amazing things."

"You sound like a fan, Francis?"

"Well, I can't help but appreciate the number of times they have saved this world."

"Some people think this world would not have needed saving if we had left well enough alone."

"Well, you can't deny what's out there sir. The enemy would have come anyway." he said sitting down in a chair. "We need to be prepared. And no matter what anyone says, the people at the SGC have done the best job they could under the circumstances."

"You don't trust the Vice President?" he said tossing the folder aside.

"He obviously has his own agenda."

"I know he tried to shut them down when he was at appropriations."

"Well, frankly I think the Vice President knows as well as anyone else that that is too late. If he didn't six years ago. He certainly does now."

"What does that mean?"

"He clearly doesn't want to shut the gate down now anymore. He wants to control it."

There was a pause.

"There's only one reason he wanted them to give control to the N.I.D." Francis said.

"Because he was about to become chairman of the Intelligence Oversight Committee."

the President said.

"Which would have put the N.I.D. and the Stargate in his back pocket. He had the ambassadors eating out of his hands. It was only because of some extraordinary intervention that it didn't work."

"I wonder why he wants it so badly. I mean other than he believes it's his divine right."

"I don't know sir."

"I mean I know that's not enough. I get this feeling that there is something more to it."

"Yes sir."

"That rouge element at N.I.D. that he took credit for taking down last year?"

"We've never had any proof connecting Senator Kinsey to anything nefarious."

"I'm starting to get a bad feeling where some of that campaign financing came from."

"Mr. President."

"Did I say that out loud?"

The next morning Woolsey was admitted into the Vice Presidents office. He walked in with a brief case.

"Ah. Mr. Woolsey." Kinsey said setting some file down. "I hope my confidence in you has not been misplaced."

"You have my word sir. Once I finish presenting the evidence, the President will have no choice but to follow your recommendation, and clean house at Stargate Command."

Kinsey smiled as he tossed the file onto his desk.

"Sorry to keep you waiting Mr. President, but I was wrapping up a meeting with the Joint Chiefs when I got your message." Francis said as he walked into the Presidents office. Kinsey and Woolsey were sitting on the couch. Files were on the table near the President.

"Francis, I though you might want to sit in on this one." The President said from his chair.

"Thank you sir." he said taking a seat on the couch near the President.

"General. I don't believe you know Mr. Woolsey. For the past several months, he has been with the N.I.D. conducting a thorough investigating into all Stargate personal. I've asked him here to kindly present us with his findings." Kinsey said.

"If this is a discussion about the confidence of those running the SGC, should George Hammond be included?" Francis asked.

"Unfortunately sir, George Hammond is part of the problem." Woolsey said.

"George Hammond is a highly decorated officer, a thirty year veteran with the United States Air Force, and while that might not carry a lot of weight at the N.I.D., it still means something to certain people in this town." Francis said forcefully.

"This isn't a trial General. Though it certainly wouldn't surprise me if it came to that."

"Let's stick to specifics here people." the President said after getting tired of them bickering at each other. "If these people need to be replaced. I want to see evidence."

"Thank you Mr. President. The most recent incident was less than a month ago." he said picking up a folder. "General Hammond ordered an off world rescue operation despite the ample indication that he was sending his people into an ambush. As a result, a very valuable member of Stargate Command was almost killed. Doctor Janet Fraiser."

"Sending your people into potentially dangerous situations is a natural consequence of military commands."

"Maybe so, but ignoring evidence of an enemy trap is at best foolish and at worst criminally negligent." Woolsey said. "General Hammond admits his responsibility. His own report is essentially a confession." he said tossing the file onto the table.

"All that proves is that the man had the guts to prove up to his own mistake." Francis said.

"Unfortunately, in this case mistakes can lead to compromising the entire planet. I have uncovered a mountain of evidence that not only implicates General Hammond and his first line team as well."

"Those people are heroes."

"We have no intention of minimizing the accomplishments of either the General or SG-1. Their respective achievements speak for themselves." Kinsey said. "But intermitted successes cannot excuse ongoing misconduct."

"Over the past seven years, SG-1 has shown an disregard for military authority. They have compromised national security and exercised extremely poor judgment in their duties. Especially lately."

"You should be on my speech writing team." The President said cheerfully. No one thought it was funny. "Come on, cut the crap will ya. As crazy as it sounds, we are all sitting here, talking about people who are fighting aliens, right? Could we please be specific!"

"Yes sir. Let's start with insubordination." Woolsey said picking up a folder. "Approximately five and a half years ago the gate was shut down and the SGC was under orders to suspend all off world travel pending a full review. SG-1 chose to ignore those orders."

"In the process, they managed to head off an invasion." Francis said.

"Nonetheless they were guilty. And by no means was this an isolated incident." he said tossing the folder aside and getting another one.

"They sabotaged a mothership that the Goa'uld would have eventually used to attack Earth." Francis said sitting back into the couch.

"They used the Stargate against the direct order of a superior officer." Woolsey said forcefully.

"You can't hold them accountable for that. Read the damned mission report. The were under the influence of alien technology." Francis said.

"Yes, of course. Which brings us to the alarming frequency which SG-1's members have fallen under alien influences." he said picking up a bundle of folders. "Major Samantha Carter. Implanted with a Goa'uld symbiont. Nearly two years ago, her body became implanted with an alien virus. Daniel Jackson, fell under the influence of alien technology on numerous occasions. Had his body play host with not one but twelve alien psyches simultaneously. Most interestingly of all, apparently died, and therefore evolved into a higher being."

The President looked over at Francis who nodded slightly.

"Teal'c. An alien, former soldier of the Goa'uld. Now processes the full security clearance at our most secret facility."

"He earned that trust." Francis pointed out.

"Yes and that trust nearly cost SG-1 dearly when he rejoined the ranks of the system lord Apophis."

"He had been brain washed by the enemy." Francis said.

"Yes, like his fellow team members he too has shown a vulnerability to alien influences. Which brings us to the team leader, Jack O'Neill."

"Wait, wasn't there another team member?"

"Yes Mr. President, I'm getting to him in a minute. Colonel O'Neill has been infected by alien contagions a half a dozen times, experimented on by extraterrestrials another half a dozen times, had his memories manipulated on numerous occasions. Had an the entire depository of an ancient alien database depository downloaded into his head. Not long after this incident the Colonel began exhibiting…strange behavior. Speaking an alien language, demonstrating super human intellect, turns out he was undergoing a transformation as a result of the knowledge he absorbed." he said setting the folder aside. "Had it not been for the timely intervention of another alien race, he would have been lost to us. And now the last member. Ford Primus. His background is unknown but he showed up just shy of a year ago and has detailed knowledge about the Stargate and everything about it. He is well liked by the personal. He has saved the SG-1 team quite a few times as well as helped save the world. He has detailed knowledge of secrets he shouldn't know about and has a unique understanding in many fields. He works for free since he has in excess of over ten million dollars and has a symbiont inside him currently. How he has obtained this money is unknown. Somehow he has advanced healing that has yet to be determined why even with the best scientific minds checking his blood they have found nothing. He's basically a great unknown. No past and no one we have came across has anywhere near close to his DNA, so no family we can find. He likes working there and has mentioned he wouldn't leave unless truly forced too. He is an enigma."

"How these people keep there sanity is beyond me. I'm having trouble just sitting here listening to it." The President said.

"That Mr. President is exactly my point. How can we trust these individuals to protect our planet after everything they've been through."

"They seem to be handling it very well." The President said.

"But who's to say they are completely free on these influences."

"They are routinely checked and cleared by medical professionals." Francis said.

"We can no longer allow the Pentagon to look the other way. The number of times the members of SG-1 have been compromised should have warranted at least the reconsideration of their off world status, transfers to less decisive positions, at least a couple of sick days for god sake!"

"The first time I learned about this, I couldn't believe what I was hearing." The President said closing his folder and taking his glasses off. "I tired to imagine what these people have been doing for the last seven years. And quiet frankly, I don't think any of us can completely understand what they have been going through. No matter how many files we read." he said gesturing at the growing pile.

"All the more reason for intensive scrutiny. If new protocols and rules of conduct need to be established, this is where it has to start."

The President thought a moment. "What do you say we take a break." he said getting up. Francis and Woolsey left leaving Kinsey still sitting in the chair.

"You can't possibly be taking there side!" he said walking quickly up to the President's desk after they left.

"I need to absorb this Bob." he said holding his glasses.

"We may not have much time! The longer those people…"

"Relax. At the moment all I'm saying is I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt. I need to know more."

"I think you know all you need to know, which is why you're here." he said angrily.

"I'm here Bob because the people of this nation elected me to run this country, not the whole damned galaxy. And this is my office Bob. Not yours. No matter what you may think you did to make this happen, don't ever think for one second, forget that."

"Yes, Mr. President." he said forcing it out.

"Let's take a break."

Kinsey left the office very pissed off.

Back in the same office, everyone was back again after the break. Woolsey was not sitting down this time but standing off to the side next to Kinsey talking to the President who was sitting in a chair in front of his desk.

"According to the military, Stargate Command is our first and best line of defense against potential alien threats against this planet. We should be very, very concerned. Time and again, General Hammond and SG-1 have shown shockingly poor judgment placing themselves, the base and this very planet in jeopardy." he said then walked over grabbing a file.

"The decision to bring back suspected technology, through the gate, has precipitated in a number of crisis situations. For the most part they have been dealt with within the confines of the SGC. However, the effect of a alien device broke containment and found it's way into the civilian population."

"The situation was taken care of. A cover story was created. And the rest of the population was none the wiser." Francis said from his seat. He went back to sitting next to the President.

"Well, I for one, would like to know how many more times we are going to have to clean up for these people." Kinsey said.

"They have a mandate to require off world technology. And that entails necessary risk."

"And how would you define necessary?" Woolsey asked Francis. "Just a few months ago, General Hammond allowed the testing of an unproven computer virus that infected and shut down our entire gate network." he said forcefully. "Leaving us open to a potential planetary assault."

"You can't hold Hammond responsible for that. It was a Goa'uld modification of the virus that caused the problem." Francis said.

"In other words, General Hammond gave the Goa'uld a weapon that they could effectively use against us." Woolsey said.

"Like the President said, you can't even understand what there jobs demand of them." Francis said after a moment.

"Maybe not, but I would like to think that it includes common sense. And the willingness to set aside personal feelings in the heat of battle."

"What are you referring to Woolsey?" The President asked.

"An incident that occurred over three years ago, when General Hammond allowed personal feelings to override gate room protocol. General Hammond's decision to wait for

SG-1 worked out in the end, but I can't help but wonder if he will be so lucky the next time."

There was a pause as Woolsey grabbed a folder and the President and Francis looked at each other.

"The members of SG-1 have similar suspect priorities. And no wonder. Two people that Doctor Jackson had a close personal relationship with has been taken over as Goa'uld host. Teal'c's family and associates among the ranks of the enemy Jaffa have made them an easy target for Goa'uld retaliation, and manipulation. And both Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter had shown a tendency to let interpersonal relationship, cloud their decision making process."

"They have a right to their feelings. Unless your suggesting…..um…some kind of inappropriate thing here." The President said.

"In appropriate yes. Mr. President. That is exactly what he is suggesting." Kinsey said. "It's difficult to come away from these reports with the distinct impression that there is a lot more going on between Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter than simple friendship and respect."

"He trying to draw straws Mr. President." Francis said interrupting.

"Excuse General, but we have proof. There was an incident last year…"

"Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill are in no relationship at all. I can personally say that this is true." Francis said.

"How so General?" The President asked.

"Because, Major Carter has been going out with Ford Primus for most of the months he has been here. O'Neill has no romantic interest in her and if he ever did, he's not going to show it now." Francis said. "I've talked with Ford before and he has admitted to them being close."

"This Ford has no military or armed forces status does he?"

"No Mr. President. I assume you have seen his file he gave us?" Francis said. Very few people actually knew that Ford actually had a service record and they were keeping it secret on purpose. Francis was one of the few. Kinsey only got to see pieces of it.

"I'm still looking over everything else. But seeing as he is not actual military or anything, he can have a relationship."

"Yes sir."

"All right I've heard enough. Thank you gentlemen." The President said. "Thank you Mr. Woolsey."

"Mr. President." he said getting up.

In Kinsey's office late that night he got out a bottle of some alcohol and poured a little in a glass.

"Mr. Woolsey is here to see you sir." he secretary said opening the door.

"Send him in." Kinsey said putting the crystal bottle away.

"Would you like a drink?"

"No. Thank you." he said sitting down.

"That was nice work today Richard, except for that Ford part."

"Really? I had the distinct feeling it didn't go so well."

Kinsey sat back in his chair happily.

"Oh…well. Doesn't matter."

"It doesn't." he asked confused.

"Nah." Kinsey said waving it off. "The President will come around."

"I didn't get that impression Mr. Vice President. In fact it I clearly sensed he was siding with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs."

Kinsey laughed. "Today was a formality. Don't get me wrong. The job you did was vital. The President has to appear to be hearing both sides, considering his position. But, he'll see it my way eventually."

"And if he doesn't?"

Kinsey sighed, a bad sigh. "Things happen." he said taking a drink.

Woolsey sat back in his chair felling like he heard something he shouldn't have.

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"It means you chose the right side. One way or the other I promise you, I'm going to win this one." he said taking another drink. Woolsey swallowed feeling very nervous.

The next morning in the Presidents office he was looking through a file when Francis walked in and stood in front of his desk.

"Mr. President."

"General. I take it you're here to make a case for the defense?"

"I'm not going to get into a point, counterpoint."

"Look, it may very well be that Hammond and SG-1 have done their very best under difficult circumstances. But there's a political aspect to the Vice Presidents position that makes a lot of sense."

"Sir?"

The President stood up removing his glasses.

"A lot of people know about Stargate. We can't keep it a secret forever. And when it comes out, were going to be in for the fight of are lives. We'll need the publics confidence."

"And you think cleaning house now at the SGC shows your in control."

"You disagree?"

"I think there's time for that sir, but for the immediate future, I'm here to let you know what your up against. We need Hammond and SG-1 right now, more than ever."

"Have a seat and fire away."

The President sat down in a chair with Francis sitting opposite in another.

"The System Lords have proven themselves to be formidable adversaries. An yet, despite our obvious disadvantage, we've managed to hold our own. Maybe even taken them down a notch or two. We've been good. But I'm afraid that can change. There's a new Goa'uld in the mix."

"I take it your referring to the one who calls himself Anubis."

"He's more powerful than any of his predecessors. He came to our attention a little over a year ago when he tried destroy Earth with an asteroid then tried to use our own Stargate against us as a weapon. We've thwarted him both times, since then, he's redirected his attention against his rivals, waging a year long war against the Goa'uld."

"Well that's good for us. Let them fight amongst themselves."

"The problem is, when he's through with them, it's only a matter of time before he comes after us. And when he does, we'll be facing a whole new threat."

"A super soldier."

"Not just one. He's got a whole army."

"If that's true, I can't imagine how having SG-1 on the front lines is going to make one damned bit of difference when the time comes."

"Anubis may be incredibly powerful, but he's not invincible. There is a way to take him out."

"How?"

"By finding the lost city."

"Forgive me Francis, but I'm not up to speed. I've only gotten through a third of the files."

"The gate system was built by a very highly advanced race called the Ancients. They died off millions of years ago, but it seems they haven't disappeared completely. They evolved into higher life forms."

"Well, will they help us?"

"No."

"Why the hell not?"

"It's beneath them. The don't want to involve themselves in our affairs."

"So where are you going with this?"

"Last year, SG-1 made an amazing discovery on a planet called Abydos. Hammond and SG-1 are close to finding that lost city. Let them do there jobs sir. Let them save this planet one last time."

The President let out a sigh and got up walking around to his chair at his desk.

"I wish it were that simple." he said still standing.

"I'm not sure what you mean sir?" Francis said standing again.

"The Vice President may be a pain in the ass, but I can't just ignore him."

"You're the Command and Chief. It's your decision."

"True. But if I cross him on this one….well let's just say that I haven't viewed all the angels yet." he said gesturing. "It there anything you haven't told me."

"No sir."

"Then as far as I can tell, Hammond and SG-1 have done an extraordinary job under very difficult circumstances. But in doing so, they've made some mistakes. Made some enemies. And frankly I don't know if I can protect them."

At the Pentagon, at night Woolsey was sitting down in a small room with two chairs. He was in the chair on the right with a small table and a lamp on it. The other chair was next to the table on his right.

"General." he said standing up as Francis walked in.

"Mr. Woolsey. What do you want?"

"I want to warn you. I think the Vice President may be involved in, well just about anything. I believe they may have attempted an assassination at least once before as a means to get what they wanted."

"Do you realize the seriousness of what you just said?"

"Yes." he said pausing. "Look, no matter what you might think of me, I consider myself to be a man of integrity. I took the job with the N.I.D. because I strongly believe in civilian oversight of top secret military operations…"

"Mr. Woolsey."

"I don't have any proof sir. But I'm starting to question the people who I have dedicated my allegiance are as honorable as I hoped."

"You're a resourceful man Woolsey. If you think there is proof out there, find it."

With that Francis left.

At the SGC in Hammonds office, he was filing out a open file on his desk. For once his desk was clear of other folders and files. Then the red phone rang.

"Hammond. Show him in." he said then placed the phone on the hook.

"General." Woolsey said walking in.

"This must be important for you to come all this way." Hammond said closing the file.

"I know you have no reason to trust me General, that's why I had to come here in person."

"Sit down." he said kindly pointing at the chair.

Woolsey did and opened his coat.

"I take great pride in my work General. My job demands meticulous research and above all else impartiality in its execution. My aim is to present an air tight argument. A point of view for consideration by those I serve with no agenda of my own."

"Get to the point." Hammond said impatiently.

"I stand by my case against you and your personal despite what I am about to say to you."

"If you except that to gain my respect."

"Do you recall the assassination attempt on the then Senator Kinsey?"

"Which one?"

"The one with Colonel Jack O'Neill. And later gaining notoriety by bringing those responsible to justice."

"I can only assume your going somewhere with this."

"Let's just say, I recently come to believe that those behind the rogue element of the N.I.D., have not entirely been eliminated. In fact they may be stronger than ever and that Vice President Kinsey may still be tied to them."

"They tried to have him killed and then he tried to take them down. That seems unlikely."

"At the time, something must have made Kinsey a liability. But when the assassination attempt failed the opportunity to propel Senator Kinsey onto the Presidential ticket. That could have been motive enough to be a reconciliation."

"Either way, I'm not surprised by any of this Mr. Woolsey."

"Well, I'm sorry to say that I am. And I want to do something about it if I can."

"Like what?"

"Like present evidence. If there is any. Connecting Kinsey to illegal activity to those involved with the rogue N.I.D."

"What makes you think evidence like that exist?"

"Because your sitting right there."

"I'm sorry?"

"Three years ago you left SGC, supposedly retired. I'm guessing you were blackmailed."

"And?" Hammond said looking at his hands.

"Then you came back. Nothing about that ever made any sense to me. I want to know why, how. You've got something on Kinsey, something I can use."

Woolsey paused letting what he said sink in. Hammond was thinking.

"You've got connections General. You must know what's going down." he said leaning forward.

Hammond tapped his thumb against the top of his desk then reached in his left top drawer pulling out and medium sized yellow envelope. He tossed it on the desk to which Woolsey picked it up and opened it.

"That's not the only copy."

"Why haven't you given this to someone before now?" he asked holding a blue floppy disc.

"Because I didn't know who to trust. I still don't."

Woolsey put it in his inner pocket and got up dropping the empty envelope on his desk then left.

Woolsey was waiting outside the Presidents office that night.

"Yes sir. Right away." the secretary said after picking up the phone when it rang. "He'll see you now."

"Thanks." he said as she opened the door for him.

"Thank you for seeing me Mr. President." he said standing in the middle of the room. The President was at his desk writing on something, probably another file.

"Is there something you wanted to add to your report Mr. Woolsey?"

"Yes sir." he said. The President put his glasses down and sat back in his chair.

"As I'm sure your aware the N.I.D. does not have a spotless record. For several years a group of agents operated from inside its ranks. They were acting on behalf of a cabala of international business interest intent on requiring alien technology for there own profit."

"One could only hope."

"Mr. President?"

"I know there out there Mr. Woolsey. What I was saying is that one could only hope money was there motivation. However I doubt the person who is behind this is short sighted enough given what he must know. In light of the reality of what Stargate presents, are our aspirations beyond financial greed." he said stroking his chin. "Makes one wonder."

"I agree."

"You're here to tell me that the Vice President is still in league with them."

"If these people are as powerful as we both think, it does make one wonder what the Vice President could have offered them for the price on his head."

The President nodded.

"Obviously control of the Stargate program which the White House affords."

"The Vice President brought key financing to your victory campaign." Woolsey said walking up to the desk. "I just hope it didn't come at to high a cost." he said removing the disk and placing it on the desk. Then he turned leaving only to stop near the door.

"I only hope that history shows….that I tried to do the right thing."

"Who's version of history Mr. Woolsey."

He nodded then left.

The President looked at the disk thinking.