What Happens in Vegas
Chapter 12: Back in the Saddle
0805hrs: "Mayday, repeat mayday Peterson ATC...number 3 engine struck by lightning. We're will be landing on 3 engines over!" Summers reported while monitoring his birds' engines status. Losing another engine would make things worse he thought. "Copy flight ST-981966, crash crews will be standing by, over!" the ATC responded in clear voice. "Here we go men, let's not crash the plane. You know how I hate paperwork." Summers said encouraging his crew.
Cargo hold: "Carter, do you think 'T' would be impressed with that watermelon (A/N1) at Green River?" he asked getting a weird look in return. "...um, he definitely would get a kick out of it. We should've gotten him a watermelon hat or shirt at least." Carter remembering Jacks comment about the river not being Irish green then smiling. "You still bummed about the river." He nodded while looking at her. "White river is named correctly so it stands to reason that..." Carter shook her head stifling a laugh. "Jack, it's just a name. Probably got it because of all the trees and I know how you love earth trees." She answered forgetting about the current situation and lightning. "What about those giant pop (A/N2) cans? Think they're really filled with what they say?" he asked earning a giggle from her. "You'd have to ask the Jolly Green giant that question Jack." Samantha replied with a grin.
Cockpit: "Touchdown in 5...4...3...2...1!" Walsh said as the tires made skidding sounds on the wet tarmac. Both pilots fought to control the bird from actually crashing. Reversing the three running engines the C-130 started to slow down enough to maintain control. Lightning continued to flash in the windows as the rain tried to break the glass. "ST-981966, what is your status over?" Peterson ATC requested as their visibility was limited only having radar. "Peterson ATC, we are safely on the ground over." Summers reported waiting for further orders. "Copy ST-981966...proceeds to maintenance hangar OB-1, an escort with meet with at end of runway over." ...said the base ATC. "Roger Wilco..." Summers answered back as they taxied down the runway. They all released a breath of relief to be on the ground.
Cargo Hold: "Attention crew and passengers...we landed safely and are headed to a dry hanger. We can't let the Harley and Indian get rained on. Would be ashamed if the paint jobs got ruined...that is all." Summers said over the intercom with a smile. "...smart ass Sky Sailor (A/N3)!" Jack replied mostly to himself. "You distracted me..." Carter stated factually. "...it worked didn't it?" Jack asked earning a megawatt smile in return.
Maintenance Hangar OB-1: "Good job men, another safe landing despite losing an engine. Shut everything down. The base commander will want a full report so be ready to do paperwork." Summers informed his flight crew. "We thought you'd be the only one doing dreaded paperwork." Walsh said half joking. "Not in this case. Been there done that, got the t-shirt." Ken added with a sigh.
The C-130s loading ramp lowered slowly revealing the raging storm outside. Lightning crashed making Carter jump into Jacks arms being too close for comfort. "We are not riding our motorcycles in this weather Jack!" she said firmly watching the hangar doors slowly close with a thud. "The thought never crossed my mind Samantha. We'll borrow a staff car or have Danny boy and T come get us." Jack said feeling her relax next to him. "Do you think General Whiting (A/N4) will let us leave our motorcycle here until the storm breaks?" Cater asked as they inspected their motor bikes. "The general won't have a problem with that." Jack replied leading Carter down the ramp and to the side. He wanted to inspect the damage to the engine himself. Curious as well she followed Jack. "How do you know that he will?" Carter asked eyes getting big at the damage done to the engine. Part of the cowling was missing near the wing. Wires and other parts were burnt to a crisp too. Carter thanked God above that the Hercules was built tough along with redundancies.
"Easy, he also plays poker at Hammond's house. Stephen has a good poker face, hard to tell if he's bluffing sometimes." He answered getting Carters attention. "Who doesn't play poker with?" Carter asked putting hands on her hips with a huff. "The fire chief, his wife forbids him from gambling." She just looked at Jack in disbelief. Next thing he's going to tell her the president joins them from time to time.
"Did the two of you have a pleasant flight?" Summers asked walking up to Jack and Sam. "...Just peachy Flash, next time I expect an in flight movie and better refreshments." That earned an elbow from Carter. "The flight was excellent except for the storm. I hate lightning storms." She answered cringing slightly hearing a lightning strike nearby. "We appreciated the crackers and water too." Carter added moving away from the hanger doors. "Your crew did a great job at not crashing too, give them my regards." Jack said rocking on his heels. "You're welcome Batman and Wonder Women." Summers said with smirk.
"I see your motorcycles made it safely." He added watching them be off loaded and placed to the side of the hangar. "You have a great loadmaster, knows his trade." Jack told Flash while keeping an eye on Carter. She still looked a nervous about the storm raging outside. "If the two of you will excuse me I have a plane to inspect and paperwork to file, the joys of being in charge." Flash said saluting the two officers then leaving to attend to his duties.
"I'm going to hit the men's room Carter, then call up Gen. Hammond." He said looking at Samantha, the women he loved. "Sam, we're okay. The storm isn't going to hurt you, you're safe. We'll be in the mountain and all this will be nothing but a memory, relax." Jack told her hugging her tight. She relaxed into his embrace forgetting about the storm outside.
"Hello Walter, this is Col. O'Neill. We landed safe and sound despite the weather." He said watching Carter read an Air Man magazine (A/N5). "That's great news sir, I'll patch you through to General Hammond." Walter replied making note of the time 0820hrs. "Colonel, I'm glad the two of you made it one piece. The storm is about to get worse from the weather reports were getting." Hammond said with relief, losing either one or both would be a huge blow to the program and him personally. "The storm did try to take us out but Flash and his crew did a great job flying sir." Jack informed the general. "What happened son?" Hammond asked with interest. "Thor lost control of his lightning hit number 3 engines taking it out. Carters okay, slept most of the flight." He said the last part quietly so Sam couldn't hear him. "That's good to know, I'll send a Daniel and Teal'C to come get you. I'll talk with Whiting; he'll have no problem storing your motorcycles until the storm passes." Hammond replied glad that his god-daughter was relaxed. Samantha has been terrified of storms ever since PBJ1896X20 . Severe lightning storms had prevented SG-1 from returning home for three days. Trees were down everywhere and base camp destroyed. Luckily there was a big enough cave for them to use for shelter. Jack had foresight enough to plan ahead placing supplies in said cave.
"Thank your sir, we'll be waiting. You know...twiddling our thumbs and playing tic-tac-toe or something." Jack said sarcastically. "...are you implying Daniel drives to slow for your taste colonel?" Hammond asked grinning. Daniel did drive slowly; the whole base knew it too. "...not at all sir!" Hammond chuckled then hung up. Best damn 2IC he ever had even with his sarcastic personality.
0915hrs: "...bout time you got here Space Monkey. We were about to call a taxi!" Jack jokingly admonished one of his best friends. "Jack, you do realize it's raining cats and dogs." Daniel said in response after pulling the staff car into the hangar. "Don't mind him Daniel; he's cranky about riding baggage class." Carter told her almost brother. "What's the matter Jack, wasn't there an in flight cartoon for you to watch?" Daniel asked smirking. "Matter of fact there wasn't. I could have gone for Scooby Doo or the Simpsons." Jack answered. "Indeed, Scooby Doo is excellent entertainment. Velma is very perceptive and intelligent." Teal'C added in a serious tone. "See, Teal'C agrees with me." Jack pointed out to both science nerds. "Maybe next time Jack. Heck I'll even see if they'll serve you Scooby snacks and milk." Carter added putting their things in the trunk. "That's not funny Carter." Daniel snickered walking up to the driver's side of Ford Crown Victoria. "I think it's funny Jack." Daniel commented. "Just for that I'm driving, you can sit in the back with Carter, Teal'C your riding shotgun." Both Daniel and Samantha shrugged hiding their laughter. "If I am to ride Shotgun should I not have one O'Neill?" Teal'C asked with a straight face. "Oh for crying out loud, everyone just get in." Jack said starting the car. "Hey Jack, can I look at the ancient device while you drive?" Daniel asked making Sam giggle as she sat directly behind Jack. "You can wait to play with your gift just like everyone else." Jack said driving out of the hangar heading towards Peterson guard shack.
Jack drove down Colorado 21/24 heading towards the SGC. Daniel wasn't lying about how bad the storm was. He could tell given how quiet Samantha had gotten. The sooner they all got back to base the better he thought. With the wipers going at max speed SG1 went down the road talking about Vegas.
"So the two of you just decided to ride to Las Vegas on a whim?" Daniel asked kind of surprised yet not given Samantha sharing her bucket list with him. "I figured why not Daniel, we had the down time." She answered with a shrug of her shoulders. "Major Carter, was it a wise choice given that O'Neill and yourself were questioned in the past?" Teal'C asked. "Not the wisest choice we've made Teal'C. However it all worked out in the end of the day." Samantha replied placing her hand on Jacks shoulder. Jack smiled at her in the review mirror in return. "...so how did the betting pool go then?" Jack inquired with a grin.
"Indeed, my attempt at Tau'ri gambling paid off." He said with a hint of satisfaction. Both officers knew there were bets on the two of them. Just not the specifics, Teal'C even got in on action which made Jack chuckle. "What was your bet 'T'?" Jack asked passing a JB Hunt semi truck going slow. "O'Neill, I wagered that Major Carter and you would not get married in Las Vegas." He said getting a harrumph from Daniel. "You bet we'd get married first chance we had, didn't you Daniel?" Sam asked her team mate. "They way you two check each others '6s' out on missions. Then all the flirting and silent conversations you have. Not to mention all the alternate realities where you're together. Yes, I figured first chance that came up you'd be Ms. O'Neill." Daniel responded with a sour look. "How much Space monkey?" Jack asked curious of how much confidence his friend had. "I don't want to say..." was Daniels reply crossing his arms looking out the window. Samantha was too distracted by the conversation focus on the storm which was a good thing. "O'Neill, I chanced $500.00 of earth money. My return doubled. I am satisfied with my winnings." Teal'C informed everyone. "Thank you Teal'C for having faith in us." Samantha said with a smile. "Major Carter, I know the two of you would not get married without the company of close friends and family." Teal'C responded inclining his head in respect.
"Jack, are you speeding?" Daniel asked looking out the back window. "No, why do you ask..?" Looking in the mirrors sure enough there were red and blues flashing behind the car. Samantha giggled earning a glare from Jack as he started to pull over in the raging storm muttering quietly. "Maybe you should've let me drive after all Jack." Daniel said with a wide grin. "Sir, didn't you warn me about getting a speeding ticket on the way home?" Samantha asked with an even bigger grin. Teal'C sat there laughing internally. He fully intended on telling Doctor Frasier about this occurrence. "...oh for crying out loud!" Jack said as the law enforcement officer tapped on the window.
AN1: Green River, Utah is home to the worlds larges Watermelon slice.
AN2: There's a Carl's Jr. Restaurant with 4 giant cylinders painted like Coca cola, Sprite, Diet Coke and Monster drink.
AN3: Sky Sailors is slang for Air Force members drawing a parallel between their service in the sky and the traditional sailors at sea.
AN4: General Stephan N. Whiting is the Peterson SFB commander. I couldn't find the general that commanded Peterson in 2006.
AN5: The Airman Magazine was founded in 1957. The magazine reports news and information about the Air Force to members and family. It's published bi-monthly and available on-line.
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