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
"…the various frequencies already tested show significant advancement over the standard surgical techniques." Janet Fraiser finished her technical explanation and glanced up to see the senior staff currently collected around the briefing room table. General Hammond was focused on her report on the table in front of him. Colonel O'Neill was leaned back in his chair, doodling on the pad in his lap and likely not paying even the tiniest bit of attention. Teal'C was focused, but as otherwise inscrutable as ever. Major Samantha Carter and Dr. Daniel Jackson were the only ones who seemed both focused and interested.
Still, General Hammond was owed by seniority the first response, "And you believe these early results show enough promise to bring this Dr. Mallory into the program?"
Here Janet had to hesitate before choosing her phrases carefully, "Dr. Susan Mallory is, as far as I can tell, something of an outcast in the medical research community. Beyond that, I know nothing that wasn't in my report. At the very least, we need to keep a close eye on how her study develops."
"Her research shows that much potential?" Colonel O'Neill hadn't changed position and still seemed to be paying absolutely no attention to anything but his doodling. Janet was surprised he was paying enough attention to ask any relevant questions at all – and by the look on General Hammond's face, he was just as stunned.
"Actually, sirs," Sam Carter spoke up, "our concern is that her theories are quite similar to successful medical practices we've encountered before. Off world."
"You think this woman is a security risk?" General Hammond questioned.
"We don't know, sir," Sam replied, "it is interesting though, and I have to recommend that we have her fully investigated and vetted. Her theories could have nothing to do with the program, or she could be actively working with, or a puppet of, The Trust. Either way, her research is eventually going to get their attention if it remains in the public domain. We cannot allow that to happen."
"Very well, Major, I'll forward orders to the Secret Service team to do a deep dive into this woman's life. We'll discuss how to proceed when we receive their report. Does anyone else have anything this week?"
"Yes, sir," Colonel O'Neill sat up to the table as he spoke, but his doodles remained in his lap, "we are quickly running out of space in this facility, as you know. I've done some checking and found that levels eight and eleven, on the NORAD levels, are not currently being used. Since NORAD is currently occupying two floors below the elevator change point, levels fourteen and fifteen, I'd like to propose that the Chief of Staff of the Air Force move those levels to SGC jurisdiction. NORAD can rearrange their operations using the currently empty floors eight and eleven. It would give us more space and likely save on security costs – as we could focus SGC clearance at the elevator change on fourteen rather than spreading it out from there to the sixteenth floor." When the Colonel had mentioned his proposal, he'd slid a folder from the stack at his place to General Hammond, who glanced through it before replying.
"Good idea, Colonel. I'll forward your recommendation to General Powell," Janet recognized the name of the Air Force Chief of Staff. "Anything else?" When no one spoke up, during his brief pause General Hammond continued, "We will meet again next week – same time. SG-1, I'll see you at oh-seven-hundred tomorrow for your next mission brief. Until then, dismissed, stand down. Go home and get some extra rest. Your next mission is P four F-six two seven – you'll need all your reserves to handle it – so take the rest of today off." General Hammond collected his folders and stood to head for his office – everyone else, even civilians Daniel and Teal'C, followed protocol and stood until General Hammond had left the room.
When the office door closed, they collectively went from 'at attention' to just standing around.
"Six two seven?" Janet asked Sam.
"Two close suns. High UV readings. The MALP saw ruins Daniel thinks are Ancient."
"I remember," Janet confirmed, her memory suitably jogged.
"We are limiting ourselves to twelve hours on the planet," Colonel O'Neill held up a hand to forestall the impending Daniel Jackson interruption and complaints, "any longer would risk permanent health consequences. So, Daniel, I suggest you plan to document – not interpret or translate – plenty of time for that when we get back – the whole week, in fact – as we only have the one mission this week. Good enough?" Colonel O'Neill's tone was both a question and a warning.
"I guess it'll have to be," Daniel sounded resigned, if not pleased.
"Now, campers, you have thirty minutes to pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and sign out of the mountain. We've all been ordered to downtime – don't make me come drag you out of your caves. Understood, Daniel? Carter?"
"Yes, sir," Sam Carter also seemed resigned.
"Fine," Daniel gave in more readily, as he could take his books home. Sam's experiments had to stay in her lab.
Colonel O'Neill eyed them with suspicion. Before gathering his folders and his doodles and heading out, he called over his shoulder, "Thirty minutes – starting now."
Janet watched as Teal'C rolled his lips to avoid smirking at the sighs Sam and Daniel each let out as they hurried to grab their files – knowing Colonel O'Neill was perfectly serious with his time limit.
Janet exchanged a smile for an eye twinkle from Teal'C. She loved her job – it was challenging and her colleagues were great entertainment, even during the downtime.
Author's Note: This story was originally conceived as a practice on character development – but it quickly got out of hand. It morphed into a piece where I worked to practice techniques in POV and experimented with chapter length. To that end, several chapters are very short – I left them that way because I liked the space to breathe it gave the story. I would be interested in any constructive feedback I can get. This story is complete at sixty-four thousand words. I will post a chapter, however short it may be, every day six days a week. I do not post on Sundays. Thank you for reading! I hope you like it, once it gets going. ~Vi