General Hammond sat in his office, writing up his report and finding it harder than usual to choose the right words. There seemed to still be an awful lot of unanswered questions; What was the exact nature of the threat? How close had they got to succeeding? What had SG-1 actually done and, of course, where were SG-1 now? The lack of such details made it difficult to avoid speculation, but sticking only to the established facts made for a somewhat skimpy account. He was staring vacantly at the door, waiting for inspiration and trying to avoid second-guessing his own commands when the urgent shrill of the red telephone made him jump.

He answered it with a swift "General Hammond."

"General, we have a problem." Major Davis' voice was grave. "We have reports coming in that a Russian sub has gone AWOL in the Pacific."

"Where Thor's ship went down" Hammond responded instantly; it was a statement rather than a question.

"Exactly."

The General waited for Davis to elaborate, but when he didn't, he probed "And you think that there's a connection?" Hammond hoped that the link was just circumstantial. After all, losing communication with ships was unfortunate but not that uncommon and it was possible the location could be a coincidence. The subsidiary issue of what exactly a Russian sub was doing cruising around the coast of California was an important question, but it was one that could be dealt with later and by other people. Unfortunately, it soon became clear that there was little room for such speculation.

"All indications suggest so" Major Davis replied categorically. "Initial reports claim that the sailors on board reported a 'metal bug' before all communication was lost."

So, definitely not a coincidence. Still, thought Hammond, that answered one question. 'How close did they get?' Answer: 'Too damn close.' He let out a sharp sigh. "So we have a foothold situation?"

Major Davis, refusing to be drawn into absolute confirmation replied, "It is a distinct possibility."

"Any further details about the type of threat?" The General equired, rubbing his brow with the back of his hand. Evidently SG-1 had not provided them with quite the narrow escape that they had hoped for.

"Very little" the Major responded. "The president has called an emergency meeting of all senior members of the defence force. A helicopter will be there to pick you up within the hour. All the intel we have will be discussed there."

"Thank you Major." Hammond replied efficiently. "I'll be ready."

He replaced the receiver and sat silently for a few moments before dialling the gateroom.

"Sargent Harriman?"

"Yes sir?"

"I need a progress report on the beta gate."

"Still no luck sir."

"Any idea of a timescale on this?"

"I'm afraid not sir."

Hammond silently fumed in frustration at yet another variable to add to the growing list and reflected that he was not looking forward to explaining to the President that he was unable to answer any of the very precise and very important questions that were bound to be levelled at him. He needed something a little more concrete.

"Please tell Dr McKay and Zalenka that I will be down for a briefing in five minutes." He said. "I want a full report upon progress so far and the problems still to be solved."

"Yes sir." Harriman replied, picking up on the General's tone and feeling glad that he was not either McKay or Zalenka.

General Hammond put the phone down again and shuffled away his half-written report whilst he considered his options. Earth faced an unknown threat. The only people who knew anything significant about these alien creatures were trapped off world. He was missing his best scientist and his best soldiers. Without an active gate they had no possibility of seeking assistance from the Tok'ra or the Asgard and the fact that his expert in alien cultures was also out of commission did not help things.

Hammond grimaced and picked up the phone again to call the infirmary.

Daniel was asleep. He'd crashed out still fully clothed on top of the blankets and lay softly snoring, his mouth part open. Janet watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest noticing with satisfaction that he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. After a while she decided she had better leave him to it and went reluctantly back to her desk to resume her paper work. She had no sooner picked up the pen when the phone rang and Janet jumped to answer it before it woke Daniel.

"Hello. Infirmary."

"Dr Fraiser?"

"Yes General Hammond sir." For a brief moment she hoped that he might have news of SG-1, but his tone sounded diffident.

"Do you have a minute?"

"Of course." She was puzzled and more than a little intrigued.

"How is Dr Jackson?"

"Physically, he's recovering well. No sign of residual infection." Janet replied, still wondering whether there was more to this call than there first appeared. As a rule Hammond did not check in on her patients with the frequency that he was enquiring about Daniel.

"Good." There was a pause as though Hammond was unsure what to say next. "And mentally?"

Janet hesitated before answering diplomatically, "He's under some stress."

There was another pause before Hammond continued, choosing his words with care. "Dr Fraiser, I found him talking to himself in the corridor earlier. Should we be concerned?"

So that was what it was about! Daniel hadn't mentioned that the General had overheard him. "I don't think so sir." Janet said confidently. "He has been on some pretty strong meds and under a lot of stress. I've just checked him over. He seems perfectly normal."

"No psych problems?" Hammond persisted.

Janet felt a little irritated. "No sir." She reiterated. "Obviously there are risks of psychological effects from the things that SG teams face, but in Dr Jackson's case I have no concerns. Although I am monitoring him carefully." She added.

"Thank you Doctor." Hammond replied, his fears apparently alayed. "Look after him. I might need to make use of him soon."

Fraiser returned to her desk with a worried frown. Just what had General Hammond meant by that last comment? She looked back over at the sleeping Daniel and hoped that he was not about to be subjected to yet more pressure.