Ace In The Hole
Chapter 27
The last rays of evening sunlight streaming through the windows cast shadows around the empty office as a lone figure comes striding purposefully in slamming the door behind him, he sits at his desk drumming his fingers for a few seconds on it's polished oak surface before he finally picks up the telephone.
"You asked to speak to me Sir"
"Yes sir I have heard"
"Yes I do know"
"No they didn't get approval"
"Yes I understand that sir"
"But you know what It's like out there"
"I understand that... and no I'm not trying to defend what has happened"
"With all due respect sir"
"Yes they are the two ranking officers"
"Yes I understand the rules"
"Like I have said Sir they are..."
"No I'm not trying to defend them Sir... nor do I feel the need too"
"The Vanir Sir"
"Yes"
"Off shoot of the Asgard"
"Yes they are human"
"I don't think that is going too be necessary Sir"
"I really don't think..."
"I'm sure your advisor's have..."
"Do you really think?"
"If you insist... Sir"
"Yes Mr President... I'll get onto that right away"
"Yes Sir...and a good night to you to Sir"
General O'Neill puts the phone down sighs loudly before picking it up again.
"Caroline... could you clear tomorrows engagements I have to go to the SGC first thing in the morning"
[Certainly General... would you like me to arrange the travel details?] Jack lets a small smile form on his lips, he knows that she will have the Apollo or Hammond beam him too the SGC even without asking her to do so... how had he ever coped without a PA in the past he had no idea.
"Sure... meetings 08:00 sharp make sure Landry and SG1 are present"
[I'll get that sorted right away general]
"Any idea what's going on" Mitchell asks taking a seat next to Daniel at the briefing room table.
"Maybe they want too give us a big juicy bonus for freeing those people on P345 YU5" Vala says with a hopeful glint in her eyes.
"I seriously doubt that" Daniel says looking up at the voices approaching "Jack?"
"Daniel..." O'Neill nods to him before acknowledging everyone else with a smile "Its good to see everyone's OK"
"General... General" Cam nods respectfully to O'Neill and Landry as they take their seats.
"SG1 thank you for coming... good work on YU5... well done" Landry says with a smile
"But that's not why we are here?"
"Indeed" Says Teal'c
"Since you have been off world for the past six days, I'm not sure if you have heard the latest gossip from Atlantis but I can tell you that the President has" Landry says sounding suddenly grim.
"Have they been attacked?" Mitchell asks suddenly concerned.
"No... its not that kind of problem... but several things have come up all at once that we need to address... Colonel Mitchell... I want you to take over from Sheppard for two weeks as Commander" O'Neill sighs before continuing "Officially he and his XO are taking two weeks leave... as too why... its in the report... read it!" Mitchell just nods "Their 304s are grounded while they are being refitted so you hopefully shouldn't see much action"
"And the real reason we are going?" Daniel asks knowing Jack all to well.
"I want you to do an evaluation on Sheppard and Lorne... make sure their private life is not interfering with the job" O'Neill sighs.
"Wait are Sheppard and Lorne?" Mitchell asks suddenly shocked.
"No... not as I know of... and to be honest if it were just me I wouldn't give a rat's ass if they were... they are in another galaxy for Christ's sake... I don't care what they do in their own time so long as it isn't stopping them doing their job but the Airforce takes a different line and has rules of conduct that you are there to see are being followed" O'Neill notices Landry's smirk but just roles his eyes "Look the details are in the report... Mitchell is just there to cover for a couple weeks... Teal'c and Vala can soak up the sun and..."
"I'm the spy in the camp... great... you know I'm terrible at this kinda stuff" Daniel shakes his head in annoyance at Jacks obvious amusement.
"Look... I either send you or the IOA steps in and sends someone... and we all know how that will end" all those assembled nod in agreement.
"SG1... you leave for midway in one hour... make sure you all read the report" Landry says rising to his feet with an amused look.
"Off world activation... I'm reading midways IDC" says Chuck looking to Woolsey expectantly.
"Lower the shield" Woolsey says before heading for the gate below to meet SG1.
"Mr Woolsey" Mitchell nods politely as soon as he sees the man is waiting for them.
"Colonel welcome back to Atlantis and I believe congratulations are in order" Woolsey says to a slightly confused Cam.
"Oh... right... thanks" Cam blushes slightly.
"Promotion well deserved" Woolsey says honestly before leading them to the conference room "I am sure you are all up to speed?" Woolsey says taking his seat.
"You mean do we know about Sheppard and Lornes new arrival's?" Mitchell says with a smile.
"Yes... well I have to admit as unusual as the situation is they seem to be adapting too it quickly... I am not sure why the President thought it necessary to have them investigated" Woolsey says with a slight frown.
"I read the report that you sent" Daniel says gaining Woolsey attention.
"I tried to be as thorough as possible so we could avoid this very situation Dr Jackson"
Daniel can't hide the smile that slowly creeping across his face, Woolsey may be the typical bureaucratic busybody type but once you had gained his loyalty he gave it completely, Daniel wondered if Sheppard even knew just how much belief and dedication the man had in him.
"It seems that the IOA thinks you may have lost your objectivity somewhat" Daniel says tactfully "Its easy to get attached to the people we are close to"
"I hardly think that is true" Woolsey huffs but he soon realises he's fooling no one.
"Look Mr Woolsey... to be honest I'm just here to sign off on your report while Mitchell's here to cover... more than anything I would really like too your new Lieutenant if that's aright" Cam looks at his watch then grins at Vala.
"Less than five minutes... pay up lady!" Vala glares at Mitchell then at Daniel.
"You have absolutely no patience Daniel... its almost embarrassing" Daniel merely rolls his eyes at Vala before he to glares at Mitchell.
"A chance to talk to someone that lived through so much history... what did you expect?"
"Least you haven't..."
"Jackson to Lt. Weir"
[Weir here... welcome back to Atlantis doctor]
"Is there any chance we could have a chat" Everyone can clearly hear the man chuckling the other end of the com line.
[I would be honoured... would you like me to come to you in the conference room?]
"Is that OK?"
[Of course... I will join you shortly]
Daniel turns to the rest of his team with a look of glee on his face until Teal'c hold his hand out to Mitchell who drops the money in his hand glumly before marching out.
"Thank you for coming so quickly" Daniel says as the young lieutenant enters the room.
"It is not a problem... I must admit I am surprised it has taken you so long to come and see me" Alex smiles.
"Oh believe me I tried too before now... but up until now there hasn't been a reason too..." Daniel nods for Alex too take a seat before continuing "There are so many things I want to ask you... so many questions you could finally answer" Alex just nods smiling.
"I will answer any and all questions you have doctor... open and honestly so long as you answer any questions I may have" Daniel is thrown slightly off guard.
"What do you want to know?"
"Like you doctor there are many questions on my mind"
"Such as?"
"You would be surprised" Alex smiles
"A chance too learn first hand of the past... well its a dream come true to be honest" Daniel is almost bouncing in his seat
"What has happened in the past is only useful if it is relevant in the present...you know that doctor"
"That is true... but knowing about the past helps us avoid the same mistakes in the future... its informs our choices"
"Or it can cause you to second guess your instincts..." Alex grins at Daniel who just smiles at him in return.
"When a man learns, it is only knowledge... but when knowledge is passed on it becomes..."
"Wisdom" Daniel says with a smile "You talk like some one I once knew"
"Oma?...You forget doctor I have seen the reports... she was a good person... true of heart and spirit" a slight look of sadness washes across Alex's face "She always was to naïve... but even so her punishment was to severe"
"Hey I won't argue with you there" Daniel nods gaining a smile and a lighter look off the young man in front of him.
"What would you like to know?"
"Everything" Daniel grins.
Mitchell enters the mess hall and is instantly surprised at how busy it is, people are chatting away happily Atlantis personnel clearly mixing with Travellers and Athosians even a few genni scattered here and there.
"Certainly changed around here" Mitchell comments out loud
"Is that good or bad?" Vala asks picking up on the possible double meaning.
"I believe the Colonel is referring to the number of outsiders... I have to agree it could complicate matters should any security problems arise"
"You get used to it" The three SG1 members spin around too see Ronon and Teyla behind them smiling.
"Colonel Mitchell it is good to have you all back in Atlantis... I hear you are covering for Colonel Sheppard's leave of absence" Teyla says.
"I'm just here too keep his desk clear ma'am" Mitchell says with a smile, Ronon steps forward and leans into Teal'c slightly to which Teal'c merely raises any eyebrow.
"After lunch wanna come down to the gym... there's a group of travellers I am supposed to be training... I would rather show em how the real men fight" Teal'c merely nods in agreement.
"So how is Sheppard and Lorne dealing?" asks Mitchell with a smile.
"See for yourselves" Teyla points over to a table in the corner by the window where Sheppard and Lorne, Rodney and Jennifer are sat with two young boys, they are clearly amused by something and as they walk closer it soon becomes clear,
"Look kid when you have multiple PHD's then get back to me on the subject" McKaye grouses as Jennifer hits him in the arm.
"Rodney play nice... he's only 10"
"It works in the film! Just because you didn't invent it uncle Rodney doesn't mean it can't work... I mean... how do you really know?"
"It's a film... OK... as in not real..."
"Well duurrr... I know that but how do you know unless you actually build one... it might really work..."
"Look how many times do I have to tell you... the physics behind the whole concept of time travel are so complicated that the whole idea as something as ludicrous as a flux capacitor... I mean the very idea that a bit of wire and a few light bulb's..." Rodney stops his rant mid way as he sees Matthew grin in a completely Sheppard kinda way "I'm am so gonna get my own back kid... you wait"
"McKaye are you threatening our son... because too be quite honest... my moneys on him" Sheppard rubs his sons head causing everyone at the table too laugh.
"Can anyone join the party or do we need an invite?"
"Cam" Sheppard nods a friendly smile to the new arrivals "Grab a seat more the merrier"
"It's been almost twelve hours are you telling me they are still in there?" Mitchell looks at Chuck who just nods before turning his attention back to the monitor in front of him. "Has he even bothered to come out for a pee?"
"They have had a couple of breaks but for the most part..." Chucks voice fades off as he just smiles.
"Man... he does like to chat when he gets going" Mitchell looks at the conference room door deciding whether or not to intervene.
"I wouldn't do it sir..." Chuck starts chuckling seeing Mitchell's hesitance.
"Man gimmi the Wraith, G'ould or Ori any time over a Jackson rant... tell him I wanna speak too him first thing tomorrow" Mitchell finally decides too head off to bed its been a long first day getting up to speed.
"I had an interesting chat today" Jennifer says to her slightly distracted husband.
"That's nice..." McKaye suddenly realises Jennifer's stopped brushing her hair and is glaring at him he puts the data pad down that he was reading and smiles at her "Who with?"
"Vala" Jennifer says once more brushing her hair whilst looking at him.
"About?"
"Rumour has it the IOA is a little unhappy that we have allowed so many off worlder's to move into the city"
"Sheppard and Woolsey said they probably wouldn't be happy but what can they do?... its like Woolsey said technically the city belongs too the people here... so their screwed" McKaye chuckles.
"Not necessarily... apparently they are considering bolstering the expedition numbers"
"How so?... I haven't heard of any new scientists being sent and I know Sheppard has been after more manpower for ages and he's always been knocked back"
"Well she didn't say much more but she did indicate that your sister might know more"
"Jeannie?"
"Apparently she and Vala met at the SGC and now keep in touch" Jennifer shrugs her shoulders.
"I'll send her a message her then and find out what's going on" Rodney goes to pick up the data pad once more but Jennifer quickly takes it off him.
"You can do that tomorrow" Jennifer just smiles I have other plans for you tonight Mr McKaye.
"Dad"
"What?"
"Have you ever raced against Colonel Mitchell"
"In a plane?"
"Yeh
"Then no"
"Dad"
"What?"
"Have you ever raced against him in a car?"
"Nope"
"Jumper?"
"Nope he hasn't got the gene"
"Really"
"Yep really, he's having the therapy in the morning I think"
"Dad"
"What?"
"I'm not tired"
"Matthew your brother fell asleep an hour ago I'm sure you're just as tired as he was so try to get to sleep...OK?"
"I'll try" a few minutes pass before "Dad"
"What?"
"I still can't sleep"
"Can't you pester your papa?" Sheppard's sure he can hear Evan chuckling down the hall.
"He's asleep...
"Try to go to sleep as well then..."
"Dad"
"What now?"
"I love you"
"Love you to... now sleep!"