Good reading !

Chapter 3 : Abuse of authority

Two days later, a soldier appeared in front of the General's secretary on a matter of urgency. But in a base like this one, security was of the utmost importance. The secretary refused to let the soldier pass, despite his arguments. He would simply have to wait until the General granted him a meeting between his scheduled appointments with the Jaffa and another with another race asking for medication in exchange for labour. The soldier spent nearly two hours patiently waiting until Jack came out of his office with a smile on his face accompanied by a Jaffa. The soldier instantly stood to attention and requested permission for a meeting, adding that it was a matter of urgency:

"It's about you-know-who."

"Come in, quickly. Why didn't you come straight in?"

"It was your..."

"Yeah, my secretary. Sorry about that, he's bad at his job, come in and, Daniel, could you escort this gentleman back to the gate please?"

"Here you go General, I just came to give you the pilot's personnel file and all mission reports with several citations. I should point out though that anyone who reads these will need to sign a confidentiality agreement. Whoever has access to these reports, choose them well," he then handed O'Neill a large envelope stamped on which in large letters were the words national security, showing that it had not been opened. It also read confidential. The soldier stood at attention and awaited the General's next action.

"Sergeant, thank you for being so prompt. You're dismissed."

The General then called for a meeting with SG1.

Everyone was present except Mitchell, who was on leave and wondered why Jack had had everyone's leave interrupted. They thought it must be an emergency. Jack breezed into the briefing room balancing a pile of paper and pens. The team didn't understand at first why they had to sign this confidentiality agreement, no questions asked, but they somewhat grudgingly signed it. When that was done, he handed out the files and asked them to study them, after which he left without saying a word.

Sam looked around at the others to see whether they understood what was going on. Then they all opened their files and suddenly understood. After they were finished, they went back to their duties.

Teal'c however decided to go and see Jack because he was concerned for his wellbeing. He was in the canteen looking at his jello in disgust.

"Are you well, O'Neill?"

"Yeah. Actually no. I've got this meeting with representatives from different countries and organisations charged with tracking down this girl. I don't even know her, and yet she's caused me all these problems already."

"And you do not know what to say to them, correct?"

"Yeah, and they're angry. That's understandable. We were the ones who exposed our existence to the Ori. They're asking me for news and I don't have any for them, well nothing good anyway. On top of that, the country this pilot comes from is playing hard ball. They won't help us find her. There must be an easier way. I wish Daniel had told me this Angela was French. It just complicates everything, since the Iraq War the French have been even worse with us than usual."

"Do not be concerned, the meeting will be fine and you will not be there alone; General Hammond will also be in attendance."

"Yeah we'll see. I'll have to go to that meeting. Hey do me a favour, will you? Study that file and give me the gist when I get back." He then got up and left.

The General went over in his head what he was about to say, changing some expressions to inject a bit of humour into the proceedings while he was in the car on the way there. It wasn't the time for humour, though, things were getting dramatic. The closer he got to the conference room, the more the knot in his stomach grew. He was afraid of disappointing his superiors and unlike in the past, this time it was unlikely that Thor would ride in to save the day. On top of all that, there wasn't one familiar face in that room. Suddenly he heard a voice he knew very well after having heard it daily for more than five years as he turned to face the approaching General Hammond.

"I hoped you'd be here today. How's it going? It's been a while," Jack said as he held out his hand in greeting to Hammond.

"I'm good, Jack. I'm sorry we have to see each other under such desperate circumstances. We need to go for a drink or two one of these days. Let's get going, the meeting's about to start."

They headed toward the circular tables whose layout allowed all the participants in the room to see one another. There were several people already seated and lively discussions were in full swing between several countries. When the two of them arrived, one could have sworn that all noise fell silent as if waiting for someone to start speaking. Hammond therefore took the chance to start off:

"You all know why we've gathered here today. It must be made clear that the problem we face is one that all our countries must also face. Therefore, it will serve no purpose to split ranks on this issue. We must stand united against this new enemy.

Hammond's words had an immediate effect. Voices were raised instantly and every representative wanted to voice their opinion to such an extent that it was difficult to restore order. Hammond continued:

"Please be calm. We won't resolve this issue by fighting one another. Only together will we find a solution."

"What kind of solution do you propose? My country wishes to take part in the rescue mission even if we have to leave Earth. What I mean is that we want to participate in the project and use the Gate. You have no right to shut us out of this," said the UK representative who had stood up to speak. After this reply, several other countries voiced their agreement.

"It simply isn't possible for all countries to be involved in the project," added the American representative.

"Why should the Americans have control over all Gate operations if, as you say, this is a threat that concerns the whole planet?" said the Chinese representative.

"We will of course discuss all our issues and misunderstandings after we have found a solution," replied the Russian representative. The Russians were in the habit of siding with the Americans since they had lost control of their gate. They placed their trust in the SG teams because they knew how competent they were in responding to these types of problems and as such accepted all conditions asked of them. Even today the Russians sided with the US while the other countries present were in outright revolt, "and I am sure that General O'Neill has every intention of explaining his plan to us."

O'Neill stood up:

"We have already discussed the issue at length with certain representatives gathered here and have come to an agreement. We believe that it would be reasonable to mount an expedition to the planet described in front of you. According to our scientists, the people of this planet should possess the technology of the Ancients. The only problem we have is outlined in the attached report in greater detail. The problem is that their stargate is inaccessible. If any of the scientists present here has an idea of how to counteract this iris, then I'd be willing to hear them out," Jack said, looking at those in attendance, awaiting an answer from another scientist who may have been able to find a solution that Carter had not.

"If you give us more time, then we may be able to find a solution," one of the scientists at the end of the table. He looked every inch the scientist: white beard, little round glasses and a tic disorder.

"But we don't have the time to study the question in greater depth. He is right, we must find another way to get there. Let him continue," retorted a German representative.

Jack thanked him with a nod.

"Bearing that in mind, I think it would be best if we took the aerial option, or in this case, a space ship," on saying this, certain individuals began to argue over who would be in command of this ship. "The ship we've chosen for this purpose is described on page 5 of your handouts. It's one of our latest designs and it's fast, smooth and it contains new technologies."

"Then what are we waiting for, why don't we send it?" asked the British representative.

"Well you see, that's where we run into a bit of a problem; no-one knows how to pilot it."

"But don't you have another ship called the Prometheus or something like that?" said another British representative.

"We do, but both our ships are either under repair or on missions and in any case they aren't fast enough. That's why I'm asking for everyone's cooperation and there is only one person capable of getting it off the ground."

"Then why hasn't he been summoned, it's vital that he help us," the British representative again interrupting Jack. Jack was growing tired of being interrupted and this Englishman was starting to get on his nerves. Hammond decided to intervene:

"This is the point where we need your cooperation."

"What are you saying?"

"Hammond, helping you on this matter is out of the question." This was the first time that the French representative had reacted.

"What is he talking about, Hammond?" asked the British representative.

"The pilot in question is a French citizen and was dismissed by the Pentagon. This pilot was part of the special TOP GUN unit which is made up of elite airmen from several different countries. We have as yet been unable to track this individual down."

"And this is our only solution?" said the Chinese representative.

"I'm afraid so," O'Neill responded.

"In that case, I would like to enforce the Marshall Plan which stipulates that in cases of great danger, the representatives have the right to make any decision, even if it contravenes the laws of the country concerned and which we all as members must obey," the British representative proclaimed.

"That is what the United States and Russia had in mind," the Russian representative answered him, "but, given that Germany and France are two important members of this institution, we need them to also be in agreement, but this is clearly not the case here."

Everyone turned to face the representatives concerned.

"Then let us make the decision, we can't allow one country to derail such an important decision." Again the British representative spoke.

"You mean that you will abuse your authority to make this person come back here despite their objections?" said the Frenchman, by this time visibly angered.

"That's your problem if you don't want to save the planet."

"I will not be dragged into this trivial argument and I also will not aid you in capturing this individual."

"What are the French saying? He is talking as if we were organising a man hunt," demanded the Chinese representative.

"It's all described on page 9," Jack responded, thoroughly whacked out after the day he'd had. He would rather fight the Goa'uld than deal with politicians. It was much easier carrying out a high risk mission than talking to those people.

"But this pilot, it's a woman," the British representative added, as if he thought it was some kind of joke.

"Does that bother you?" O'Neill asked.

"No, not at all."

"I do not know if it is such a good idea to place such a large responsibility in the hands of a woman," the Chinese representative remarked.

After a pause, the Frenchman asked:

"So, are you going to abuse your authority to force her to come back?"

Several of the representatives as well as scientists reacted to those words. They agreed with him; it would be wrong to force her to return against her will.

"He's right, it's abuse of authority," said another scientist.

The Americans looked to the Russians and the British. They were all in agreement. The British concluded:

"Then we agree, we will put the Marshall plan into action."

"Then that settles it, the discussion is closed," the American finished.

"And on the matter of the team, we would like a British representative to participate," the British representative added.

"I think the best thing would be for every major UN member state to submit a list of volunteers - and I mean volunteers - provided that they have the right qualifications and the right records. For the whole of next week, O'Neill will choose candidates based on their ability..." the protests were already breaking out, "inasmuch as is possible. Send in your lists by next week, those chosen will have to undergo a medical, psych test and physical. Okay, that's all, this meeting is adjourned until next week," Hammond continued. Lively discussions started up again between the different representatives about the decisions that had been reached.

The protests only grew louder. Unfortunate though it was, abuses of authority were both common and unfair. Someone was suffering from it all the time. In general, these were the type of people who asked little and were happy in their own quiet lives. This was how Angela's future was going to pan out, he had no doubt about it. However, many countries were now prepared to participate in research efforts and teams from several nations had been created. O'Neill and the others had made a compromise. If they were successful in finding Angela, one soldier from every participating country would have the right to leave for the new planet. Of course, O'Neill would have to select people carefully according to their skills, from a list supplied by their country. The soldiers would have to be motivated in order to secure a place on the mission. He did not want soldiers forced to leave their assignments and homes against their will. Even if the US did place pressure on this individual and make her return, O'Neill wasn't sure how he would break the news to Daniel. He had used his influence against his friend's ex-girlfriend. But how can you force someone to do something that they don't want to do? It was enough just to be at the top of the social scale, Jack thought to himself.

...

Tel nok shock : Sorry it's a mistake and no the fault of Jamie ( it's my automatic translation and i do copy-paste). Palma