SOOO sorry, it's been a busy week at work!
Janet paced the small confines of Hammond's office while Daniel and Teal'c were seated in the chairs in front of the desk; Jack leaned against the closed door while Selmak stood by the window with the markings of the planets that looked out onto the briefing room. No one said a word as Hammond sat on the phone with the President.
"Yes Sir … Yes, they're here now … No Sir, I don't think so." Hammond looked up to the group as he listened to the President give his final orders. "Thank you Mr. President," Hammond said before hanging up the phone. He took a moment before speaking, trying to gather his thoughts. "If this goes to hell you all violated direct orders. You'll face severe reprimand and possibly jail time. If it's a success Colonel O'Neill will be the only one who is accused of violating orders. Am I understood?"
"You betcha'," Jack offered. "We never had this conversation and anyone who goes is at risk of losing their life and then facing prosecution if they do survive. I'm still going." The group of people silently agreed and with a simple nod Hammond dismissed them.
Janet and Jack were the first one out of the office and the walked side by side on their way to the Iso room. There Jack made a show of announcing that SG-1 had orders to take Sam back to Ba'al's planet. Janet had the medical team get her ready for transport while the others headed off to the locker rooms to prepare for their sort-of-sanctioned-mission. As they made their way towards the armory the group was surprised to see the commanding officers of SG teams 3, 4, 6, 8, 10,12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 22 and 23, the only SG teams still on Earth.
"Colonel," Major Tram greeted as he handed weapons to SG-1.
"Major, what's going on?"
"Just volunteering for a mission. Word has it that if it goes off without a hitch you're the only one who gets blamed. Figure we need to help bring SG-1 out of the fire again," Major Fitz offered.
"And if we fail we could all go to prison," Daniel offered.
"Yup," Colonel Andrews agreed. "That's why we quietly asked our teams if anyone wanted to volunteer and explained the risks. Everyone stepped up. Besides, you need some medically trained personnel to help Doc Frasier and some extra hands in case the Jaffa don't hold up their end of this bargain. So, let's get going."
SG-1 walked into the gate room to find Janet looking over the transport pod that held Sam and every single member of the other SG teams ready and waiting. Mal'tec was standing stoically on the sidelines while two members of SG-13 held their weapons on him. Taking it all in Jack patted Selmak's shoulder before looking up at the control room. Walter was the only one there and he looked like he was bored.
"Yo, Walter. Dial the gate, will ya?"
"Sir," Walter asked as he offered a smile.
Smart man, he knew what was going on. Hammond probably told him to play stupid and play along. "I don't know where the General's at but I got the okay to get Carter some help. As you can see we're ready to go."
"Uh, does General Hammond know you're leaving now? I would expect him to be here for this."
"Look Walter, we really don't have time to waste. Carter's in some serious trouble so just dial up Ba'al's planet, will you?"
"Uh, yes Sir." Walter smiled brightly and offered Hammond's usual godspeed as the Gate came to life. The other SG teams led the way through leaving SG-1 behind with the task of carrying Sam through. Jack looked back up at the control room and was rewarded with the sight of Hammond standing there, seeing them off. Quickly the group picked up Sam and walked through the Gate.