Chapter Text
General Hammond took a deep silent breath and tried to remember what the word ‘patience’ meant.
He was sitting in the stuffy SGC briefing room listening to Major Gabriel Ortega of SG-10 argue his case, and wishing he could be elsewhere. Maybe on a beach. Or with his grand-daughters. Instead he was listening to a grown man arguing about who was in charge of the next mission.
“…Furthermore General, we’re the same rank and this is my unit!” Ortega finished.
“Thank you for enlightening me, Major,” Hammond replied icily, “but I am well aware of your ranks. The decision is final, Major Carter will join you on this mission and she will be in charge.”
Captain James Donovan flicked a glance at his unit leader, uneasy with the look in his eye.
Dr Leah Kessler exchanged glances with Sergeant Marcus Hale, who shrugged in response.
“But Sir…” Ortega began. He was shut down immediately.
“You’re going to argue rank seniority with me Major? Lest you need a reminder - I am the General in this room and my decision has been made.”
Hammond paused just for a moment. Ortega’s neck was turning red under his collar.
“An expert in astrophysics and mineral biology is needed on P3X-499 and Major Carter fits that bill. Since she is also second in command of the flagship unit, she is in charge. If there’s nothing else, you all leave in one hour. You’ll meet Major Carter in the ‘gate room.”
“Yes sir!” Echoed around the table, and they stood to leave. Filing their way to the locker room, Leah shrugged.
“I think it will be nice to have another female on the team, albeit for one mission. I hear great things about Carter.”
Marcus hummed agreement.
“Heard nothing but good things about SG-1 myself.”
Ortega snorted.
“That’s ’cos you idiots don’t have your ear to the ground. Carter’s nothing but trouble - now she’s even moving in on my unit.”
James frowned.
“What do you mean Gabe?”
“Nothin’,” Ortega growled. “Forget it.”
— —
Sam’s lab.
Sam packed the last piece of equipment into her bag and glanced at her laptop. It had finished its update so she clicked to shut down.
She felt his presence before he even spoke.
“Hi sir.”
“How do you always know?” Jack smirked, slowly entering the lab.
She glanced up and smiled playfully.
“Your shadow always falls on the table, sir.”
Jack frowned as he followed her gaze at the faint shadow stretching out before them.
“And here I was thinking you had some kind of ‘Colonel radar’.”
“Have one of those too.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Kidding.” She smiled that wide smile, that made him almost forget he was at work.
“So…in charge of SG-10’s mission to P3X-499 today? Good for you.” He nodded.
Sam shrugged one shoulder.
“It should just be a quick one, sir. They need to know how the crops are growing under the planet’s moonlight rather than the photosynthesis of the sun.”
“Fascinating stuff.” Jack groaned.
Sam chuckled. “I’m sure it is.”
They exchanged glances, and Sam paused a moment.
“So, did…did you need something sir?”
Jack glanced over his shoulder, ensuring there was no one nearby. He moved slightly closer and lowered his voice.
“I just wanted to say ‘be careful’. Ortega won’t be happy he’s been pushed out of command on this one.”
Sam shook her head.
“Oh. I’m sure it’ll be fine, sir. It’s just one mission.”
Jack reached out and lightly placed his fingers on her forearm.
“Seriously, Sam. Watch your back with him.”
She glanced at his fingers as they slowly withdrew from her arm, and back up to his eyes. They were fixed on her with an intensity she hadn’t seen in a long time.
He was actually concerned.
She could only nod in response.
Ten minutes later - Hammond’s office.
Jack tapped the General’s office door and entered.
Hammond glanced up.
“Colonel! What can I do for you?” he asked breezily.
Jack cleared his throat. “Request permission for SG-1 to join SG-10’s mission today sir?”
The General’s brows knitted together.
”Why, Jack? It’s just a routine mission to tick a few boxes and take soil samples essentially. There’s no need to send two teams.”
Jack frowned.
“Permission to speak freely?”
“Granted.”
“I don’t trust Ortega, sir. A scientist joined his mission a month or so ago and didn’t come back.”
Jack paused, assessing his ability to go on. Hammond waited.
“There are also rumours regarding his sub-par leadership skills, and now one of my team is going through the gate with him. I’d feel better if she had our backup.”
Hammond shook his head.
“That’s a lot to take on board, son. No complaints have been made from the rest of SG-10 thus far, and I’ve put Major Carter in charge of the mission. I have full faith in her abilities with that.”
Jack nodded.
“So my request will be denied?”
“Correct. I can’t justify it. Besides, it’s a simple mission - what could go wrong?”
“Yes sir, understood.” Jack nodded politely before moving to the door and leaving the office.
He never could shake a gut feeling.
Except now, as he walked through the corridors, this was less of a feeling and more of a loud, blaring, alert.