Summery: A routine trip off-world has long-lasting effects for SG-1. Meanwhile, Jack has terrestrial trouble too, when his half-sister is recruited to the SGC and his worlds threaten to collide and all his secrets are in danger of being exposed.
Disclaimer: I do not own "Stargate SG-1" the series. I believe it is owned by MGM. No copyright infringement is intended. No disrespect is intended. I am merely intrigued by the possibilities.
A Matter of Degrees
by: Visions2share a.k.a. Vi
"I'm a widower and never had children. Currently, my life revolves around my work and my team – SG-1. Period.
"Background: my parents were both archeologists specializing in Egyptology. I was born in Egypt and lived with my parents all over the world until they were killed in an accident when I was eight. Then I was in foster homes until I was emancipated at fourteen so I could go to college.
"I got my first PhD from UCLA in archeology, and my second in linguistics. I then transferred to the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute to complete my doctoral studies of cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and a master's in Egyptology.
"I was recruited to join the Stargate Research Program in nineteen ninety-four and have been here ever since."
It was an odd way to be introduced to someone – he spoke quickly in a practiced manner, without inflection or emotions. There was no wistfulness as he spoke of his childhood, no grief when he spoke of his parents, and no pride when he spoke of starting college so young and accomplishing so much.
Susan didn't even have a moment to take it all fully on board before Major Carter started her rundown.
"I'm an Air Force brat. My father is a semi-retired Major General who now serves as an ambassador with one of our alien allies. My mother died in a car crash when I was fourteen, leaving my dad to raise my younger brother, Mark, and me alone.
"I attended the Air Force Academy starting the fall after my high school graduation – I was seventeen – but since I'd be eighteen before the end of the calendar year – they bent the admission requirements.
"I am a pilot and logged over one hundred hours in enemy airspace during the Persian Gulf War. After the war, I was stationed at the Pentagon, working on researching wormhole physics, while I got my PhD from Georgetown in astrophysics. I was there until I joined the Stargate Program in nineteen ninety-five and I've been here – on SG-1, the flagship field team – and as the co-head, with Daniel, of the science departments – ever since."
Her recitation had more inflection than Dr. Jackson's had. Some emotion bled into her voice when she spoke about her growing-up years and her family. But she became the most animated when she spoke with pride about her early admission to school and her professional achievements.
Susan couldn't be sure, of course, but thought maybe her speech had been designed to give to men specifically – as she took great pains to enumerate both her field accomplishments and her status as a department head. It was exactly the type of thing Susan had seen other women do when they expected to be ignored or looked down on – the kind of thing, in fact, Susan was conscious of having done herself in the past. Especially when she was insecure but didn't want anyone to know. Usually around her father and younger siblings.
"I'm the youngest of three kids – all girls. Our parents are both medical doctors.
I received my PhD from the University of Washington in infectious diseases before transferring to John Hopkins for my MD.
"I joined the Air Force for the best access to study and treat rare diseases.
"I'm divorced – good riddance – and seven years ago became a single mother via adoption.
"I was brought into the SGC as those establishing the program in ninety-five realized they would need a CMO – that's a Chief Medical Officer," she translated the military acronym, "who was experienced in battle wounds but had a specialty in rare and infectious diseases. This has proven to be a prophetic insight many times over the years. I think you'll find your work here interesting and challenging and ultimately very valuable for others and meaningful for you."
Dr. Fraiser seemed the least practiced of the three when it came to reciting her biography. She was less detailed than either of the other two had been – but it sounded like she was the only one of the three to have a normal upbringing with two living parents. She also was apparently the only one of the three to have a life outside the concrete walls of their job.
"So, now," Dr. Jackson picked up almost immediately after Dr. Fraiser had finished, "tell us a little about yourself, Dr. Mallory."
Author's Note: Happy Valentine's Day to anyone who celebrates! If you don't celebrate then just – Happy Wednesday! Thanks for reading! ~ Vi