Operation Siler

Chapter 2

That Saturday around noon, Sam stopped her motorcycle in front of Siler's garage, where he was waiting for her with a smile. He had been cleaning the motor of his own motorcycle and was ready for hers. However, they needed to wait for it to cool down so he invited her for a cup of coffee inside in the meantime, which she had counted on, as part of her recon mission.

"Would you like something to eat Captain?" he asked, contemplating the mess his kids had left on the bench after making their own sandwiches.

"No thanks Sergeant, I ate before I came" she said, sitting at the kitchen table while Siler was cleaning up. "You're on your own today?"

"Er... my wife is shopping with a friend for the day and the kids must be up in their rooms"

At that moment they heard steps tumbling down the stairs and a young teen entered. He came straight to Sam and reached his hand out.

"Hey. I'm Robin" he said politely.

"I'm Sam. Nice to meet you Robin" Sam smiled, shaking his hand.

"You work with my dad" he stated, as Siler had informed his kids about Sam's visit.

"Yeah I do"

Robin sat confidently at the table and started chatting with her.

"Dad says you are very clever, that you can do anything with a computer. Is that true?" Sam noticed the blush on Siler's cheeks before he turned his back to her, pretending to find some mugs in the cupboard. She repressed a smile and answered the boy.

"I would not say that, but yeah, I like computers. Do you have one?"

"Yeah. I want to be a programmer when I grow up"

"Cool! What are you interested in?"

"For the moment I am mostly trying to create some games and to program a robot I made from LEGOs"

"That's impressive! Would you show me?"

"Yeah sure, it's in the basement" he said, standing up to lead the way. Sam turned to Siler to see if it was OK for him.

"Go ahead, I'll join you with the coffee" he assured.

In the basement was a large playroom which had gradually evolved into a hobby room as the boys grew up. On a table was a large train model set. Toys were piled in boxes in a corner, an electric guitar rested on a little couch while the back wall was occupied by book shelves and a desk supporting Robin's computer and electronic supplies. On the floor, a smashed robot in LEGOs was barely recognizable.

"What happened?" Sam wanted to know. The boy had a hard look on his face but contained his anger, as he knew there was no point in letting it out.

"My brother. It happens all the time" he said, beginning to collect the pieces. Sam was speechless. The Colonel had told them what he had learned about the situation, but she hadn't imagined things were going that far. This was pure evil! She helped Robin putting the pieces back together as Siler entered the room with their cups. He looked knowingly at her, clearly ashamed. Silently, he joined them on the floor and soon the robot was complete again. While Robin was turning the computer on, Siler weld a wire back as it had loosened from a little motor on the leg, then, they plugged the robot to the machine. Robin opened his program and entered the data for the moves he wanted the robot to perform. Sam was very impressed by the boy's competences and promised to help him for a more advanced piece of programming which would enable the robot to pick a piece of LEGO up from the floor. Robin was delighted! Sam was however more concerned about finding a way to protect the robot from being destroyed again, and more than that, to stop the bullying that was going on in this house. For the moment being, they agreed that the robot would be safer if it was locked in the adjacent cupboard.

The three of them climbed the stairs up and returned to the garage, where they went on chatting, happily taking Sam's motor apart and messing about with grease. They had worked for about half an hour when a tall youngster intruded and abruptly addressed his father:

"Where's the key?" he said, pointing at Siler's motorcycle. Siler slowly raised his long frame.

"Captain Carter, this is my son Luke" he said with a pointed look at the boy.

"Nice to meet you Luke" Sam forced herself to say nicely. She instinctively despised the boy's attitude. It reminded her of some bullies in high school and she felt an urgent desire to put him in his place.

"Hey" he threw dismissively at her before turning his attention back to his father. "So. Where's the key?" he repeated.

"You can not have it Luke" his father said.

"Why not? I need it! My friends are waiting for me!" the boy hissed.

"I don't want you to hang around with these boys. They are trouble" Siler answered calmly.

"They are my friends and we do nothing wrong. Give me the key!" Luke insisted arrogantly.

"I said no Luke. If you want to join them, you can walk"

"I need that motorcycle and you won't stop me. I'm not afraid of you and I'll do what I want" Sam's blood was boiling but she felt it was Siler's call so she remained silent. Robin glanced at her, approvingly noticing her clenched fists, then he returned his attention to the scene his brother was putting. Siler tried to show some authority but it was obviously not his style and the boy just laughed at him.

"OK, is the key inside? I'll get it myself then" he said with a smarmy smile.

"The key is in my pocket, and you are not getting it. That's final Luke" Siler sighted. At that, Luke became infuriated and grabbed a big wrench to menace his father with.

"Give med that fucking key NOW!" he yelled.

"Luke, put that down" Siler responded calmly, holding his hands up in a non-aggressive gesture. But the boy was decided to get what he wanted and he took a menacing step toward his father. Suddenly, he was on his knees, the hand holding the wrench twisted and locked hard in his back.

"I don't think your father wanted to do that to you, as he wouldn't hurt you, but I don't care if I do. I have seen enough bullies in my life to not allow this kind of behavior in front of me anymore" Sam said softly in his ear. Shocked that a woman could have overpowered him so easily, the young brat banded his muscles and tried to free himself, only to find out that he couldn't move at all.

"Let me go!" he yelled in anger and fear.

"I think you will want to apology for your behavior first, young man" Sam continued, hailing him up. Feeling stronger in that position, he tried to attack her but he soon realized that he didn't stand a chance against the officer.

"You're hurting me!" he whined.

"I'm still waiting for your apologies Luke" she insisted.

"Sorry. Let me go now!" he tried. But Sam was not satisfied so she held his arm a little harder.

"OK! OK!" he yelled. "Dad, I'm sorry for my behavior. I won't do it again"

Sam looked at Siler to see if he was satisfied, but he looked most uncomfortable with the situation.

"Good. Your brother now" she persisted.

"What my brother?! I didn't do nothing to him!" Luke protested.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Oh.. right... Sorry I destroyed your toy" Unlike his father, Robin enjoyed the situation very much and he nodded to Sam to signify it was OK for him. She then released the brat, who jumped far away from her, and while he was running away he spitted:

"You are a looser Dad! Calling in a chick to protect you against me! You don't have the guts to fight yourself! Hiding in your workshop are you! Looser!"

When he had disappeared, an awkward silence fell in the garage. Siler was shivering and pale. Sam walked up to him and apologized:

"I'm sorry Sergeant, I'm afraid I made it worse than it was, didn't I?"

"Served him well!" Robin cried. "I wish Dad could do that too!"

"I can do it" Siler said. "I just don't want to. I shouldn't have to. He is a kid..." Then he walked back to the house heavily, like he was a very very old man. Sam and Robin looked at each other, concerned but not knowing what to do.

They returned to the motor and chatted together. Robin told Sam how things had been since his brother had met his new friends and turned to be a rogue. Sam fished for more specific information and he told her everything he knew. He also asked her to teach him hand-combat, but she then told him to ask his father and train with him. Robin pulled a face, not really believing her. Sam was really bothered that the boys didn't seem to have much faith in their father, and would now look up to her instead. It was definitely not what she had expected and she didn't know what to do about it.

Siler came back with a thermos of fresh coffee and filled their cups. He sat heavily down, resting his back against a storage shelf.

"Do you really think I should practice hand-combat on my son, Captain?" he asked.

"I don't know, Sergeant. I won't tell you how to raise your kids, but I couldn't just stand there and do nothing. I'm sorry I took over, I was not sure you'd defend yourself if he really meant to hit you?"

"I didn't believe he would do it so I would probably have let him yeah..." Siler admitted.

"This goes much too far. He will continue to bully everyone in this house until you draw the line. I don't think you can avoid a confrontation. A physical confrontation"

"I'm afraid you are right Captain..." Siler sighted. "He thinks the strongest has every right over the others. I didn't want to play his game but I begin to believe it's the only way.. How did we end up there?!"

"This needs only to be settled. Once he knows you are the authority, he shouldn't be so eager to provoke you anymore. Don't you think?"

"You are right Captain, of course. This just feels so totally wrong. I joined the Air Force to fight for people's rights and freedom, to protect my country against the bad guys. And now I find myself using what I learned to fight my own son..."

"I know. But that is what he asks for. What he needs"

"Dad?" said Robin who had silently witnessed the conversation.

"Yes Robin?"

"Would you teach me some self-defense tricks?" There was an odd silence, then he smiled and both adults smiled back at him.

Her motor cleaned and screwed back on her bike, Sam waved good-bye to the Silers. She was happy Robin had decided to trust his father, but she was not sure the Sergeant would actually fight his older son if the situation presented itself again. Anyway, she was determined that the brat needed a lesson, and his friends with him. Of course, it was the police's job, but she hoped they could do something before the boy had trouble with the police. She had inside information and a member of their team was bothered, they couldn't just wait and see. She had considered to wait for Monday to meet the others about the "Operation Siler", but she found out that there was no much point in that. Daniel would insist on talking to Luke, and would get his nose punched, at best. Teal'c was exactly what the boy and his friends respected, but he was fighting for honor and freedom, and they would choose to ignore that. No, she needed the Colonel's advice. He would know what to do.

She pressed the door bell and heard yelling from inside "Door's open!" so she let herself in.

"Sir?" she tried to locate him.

"In here!" came the answer from the den. He was sitting on his couch, leg cast on the coffee table, switching the TV off as she came in.

"Carter!" he said, happy to see her. The fact that she was molded in her leather outfit didn't spoil anything.

"Hey Sir. How are you?" she responded likewise.

"Why, I'm good. Not much I can do with that" he said, pointing at his leg "but at least I'm home. Want a coffee?"

"I just had a couple of cups at Siler's but I can make some for you if you want?"

"You sure you don't want some? There's cake!" he beamed.

"Really?!"

"Yep. I baked"

"Wow. I clearly remember you said you couldn't cook Sir"

"Baking is not cooking Carter. A man has to bake cake if he wants to eat some. Plus, it killed some time. So. What's it going to be?"

"I'll take my chances Sir" she said, turning to the kitchen.

"Carter!" he growled, limping on his crutches after her. "I sense a hint of mistrust here!"

She giggled and began to make the coffee. They waltzed a moment in the kitchen, setting the cake and pairs of plates, spoons and mugs on the table.

"I'm impressed Sir. That's a beautiful cake!" Sam approved when she saw the tempting chocolate treat with its smooth icing.

"Why thanks Carter. I hope you like its taste too" Jack said, serving her and waiting for the verdict. She took a spoonful and let it melt in her mouth.

"Mmmm.. This is delicious! What is it?"

"It's the famous French Chocolate Fondant! Glad you like it" he said, pouring her some coffee. "So. What brings you to this part of the wood in such a wonderful Saturday afternoon?"

Wow! The Colonel is in great form today! she thought, amused. He was such good company when he was in the mood. She enjoyed a new mouthful of the cake before she related what had happened at Siler's place.

"Jeez... nasty little bugger! Good reaction Carter" Jack said as she finished.

"I don't know Sir. I'm afraid I may have done things worse. The boy has no respect for his father, he believes Sergeant Siler called me in to "protect him" because he couldn't fight himself. The fact that I am a woman is certainly not helping either" Sam confessed, biting her lips.

"Don't worry about that Carter, that's the boy's way to keep his head up, he'd have used any excuse. I'm sure Siler has it in him if he needs to. He just didn't believe he was in danger then. I'm glad the other kid shows a little more faith in him though. Poor guy... His boy really called him a looser?"

"He did. Three or four times. I can understand why Sergeant Siler has been distracted the last few months. That's a tough situation..."

"Jeez I wish I could take those boys to the base and show them what Siler is doing for a living!"

"Yeah I know, I was thinking the same thing. It must be really hard on him, not being allowed to tell anything. They think he is just fixing the cars of the base and the ventilation system in the mountain... The boy accused him of being afraid to fight, and to hide in his workshop" Sam related. Jack snorted in disgust.

"Well Carter, we have to think of something!"

"I agree, that's exactly why I came here, Sir" she said.

"Why Carter, I thought you'd come for the good company!" he answered dramatically, playing hurt.

"The good company, the strategical expertise, AND the cake, Sir" she indulged him gleefully, helping herself with an other portion. He narrowed his eyes.

"I knew it! I should never have let you taste that cake! Give me that!" he said, taking the cake away from her. Fatalist, she apologized: "Chocolate, Sir! It was bound to happen..." He snorted and helped himself with a large piece.

"More coffee?" she offered innocently. He grinned and she chuckled, pouring the steaming beverage in their cups.

"OK Carter. I have it. You call Siler's boy and ask if he can give us a hand for the afternoon. I'll call Teal'c. Do you think you can drive my truck?"

"No problem Sir" Jack narrowed his eyes again.

"Hmm! Perhaps I should worry for my truck then..." Sam pouted her tongue at him and fetched her phone from her leather jacket. As Robin agreed to join them, Jack phoned Teal'c. Then, they climbed in the truck and drove back to Siler's place to pick Robin up.

The boy was proud to be of assistance to the nice Captain Carter. He had heard many tales about SG-1, especially about Colonel O'Neill, and he had thought the man would be an intimidating super hero. He was pleasantly surprised by his warm and frank attitude, and appreciated the way the Colonel introduced himself, treating him like a grown-up. Siler was wondering what they wanted with his boy, but he had full confidence in SG-1 so he didn't ask questions and winked back as they drove away.

They chatted like three old friends on the way to the base. There stood the biggest and most muscular man Robin had ever seen. He climbed at the back of the truck with him and deposited the case he was carrying between them. Then, to Robin's surprise, he bowed his head respectfully and introduced himself in the most polite way. Who were these people his father was working with really?! he wondered, enchanted.

Robin knew his brother was meeting his bunch of friends at the weights room in town. They used to hang at a bar close-by afterward, and Robin discretely checked if they were in. The place was quite crowded but they were not difficult to spot, laughing loudly at their usual table at the back of the room. He discretely joined the others at Jack's truck and reported the information.

Walking in, Jack spotted the gang at once and limped on his crutches to the nearest table. They all looked at him as he sat down. The cast on his leg was definitely at his disadvantage, but his alpha male features and his black leather jacket told them he was not the offer type, so they would not try and bully him. If they had any doubt, Teal'c joining him with a tray definitely convinced them to behave. These two were the kind they admired and wanted to take after, so they carefully observed them.

The one with the cast was really cool, laid back, and the boys liked that very much. They took mental notes of the way he folded his shades and hung them at the collar of his t-shirt. How he sat in his chair, how he picked his glass,...

The other one had so big muscles that the boys were drooling. They all dreamed of being like him one day! But they were confused by his calm, polite and respectful manners. Muscles and politeness didn't go together in their book. However, they had to admit his nobility forced their respect, because he had a power he didn't use. The deference Teal'c was showing toward Jack was also heightening the latter's status in their eyes.

Sharpening their ears, they soon realized the men were military, working in the Air Force. The boys were now really focused: two war-heroes were sitting next to them! When they heard the word "SG-1", Luke took the wonderful opportunity to tell his friends he knew all about them because his father knew them personally. Although Luke despised his father for working as a mechanic instead of being a soldier, he had now a chance to shine in his friends' eyes by bragging about what he knew about SG-1.

Jack and Teal'c sent each other wry smiles: the fish was biting the hook. They chewed on their hamburgers silently for a moment, listening to the boys. Then, they resumed their conversation, giving it a new turn.

"Do you know if Sergeant Siler has finished installing the new... well.. you know..." Teal'c said, looking around as if to check for spies. He was speaking about Siler's work with the computer park on the new alpha site, but of course the boys had no clue.

"I am not sure. I hope he has, the... what he is working on is really important to that project, I don't think the other scientists can manage... you know... if Siler does not come with a good solution for us." Jack answered in the same way.

"You are right Colonel O'Neill. I am very impressed by Sergeant Siler's achievements, I am certain the project will be a success but I hope he will soon finish his work there, as I still need his help to improve my weapon." Teal'c said, careful to use Jack's full military rank at the boys' intention. Likewise, Jack answered, referring to Sam's work on a permanent DHD for the alpha site:

"Really? I heard General Hammond wanted him to help Captain Carter with her own project."

The boys were gaping at Luke. None of them had thought his father could be so important in these heroes' work. Still, Jack knew the effect would probably not last. They were yearning after an easy life where brute strength could give them what they wanted, and they would return to that concept in less than a couple of days. The last part of the plan should take care of that...

"Go get the truck, I'll wait here" Jack said to Teal'c so the boys would hear.

"I will return quickly O'Neill" the Jaffa said, bowing before he left. Jack picked his crutches up and pretended to rest in his chair, nonchalantly looking around and inadvertently noticing the boys. He made a half smile toward them and continued sweeping the room. Encouraged, the boys decided to approach him.

"Hi... We heard you talking. You are in the Air Force right?" one of them dared to ask.

"Yep" Jack answered.

"You work at Cheyenne mountain?"

"I do" he continued, not willing to look like he wanted to encourage them. He just needed to have them there until Teal'c came back...

"You a Colonel?" an other boy wanted to confirm.

"I am"

"You've been in the war?" Luke tried.

"In Iraq and many other places" At that moment, Teal'c came back, looking alarmed. He leaned to Jack's ear, and whispered loud enough for the boys to hear:

"It appears there is a bomb in your car O'Neill." Jack looked intensely at him, and after a few seconds, he stood up and said to Teal'c:

"Did you see how much time there was left?"

"It showed 47 minutes when I saw it O'Neill"

"Good. Call Siler, tell him to pick Carter up and to meet us here" Jack said, limping out of the bar with Teal'c and the boys after him. Once out of the bar, he turned to the boys:

"Go back inside, that could be dangerous!"

"We want to help Sir!" Luke said, remembering how his father addressed superior officers.

"We have our best people coming, we don't need your help. Get back in!" Jack said, turning his back to them and following Teal'c to his truck at the further end of the parking lot. The boys were standing there, stopped on their track by the Colonel's authoritative voice, but not willing to miss anything. They could see Teal'c talking on the phone, pointing at the back of the truck where the bomb probably was. As the Colonel opened the hood, they saw a case and a red light on the top, which they assumed was the count down of the detonator. Sam had done a good job of setting the bomb up while Jack and Teal'c were inside. She had not judged it necessary to inform Robin that the detonator was defective... They were both waiting for Siler to pick them up at the end of the road, as if Siler and Robin had picked Sam up at her place before coming to the bar. Robin had still a little role to play for the operation to be successful.

Luke recognized his father's car as it entered the parking lot. He run toward him, his friends on tail, but the adults chased them away, along with Robin. Siler was quite pale, he knew nothing of the plan. The others thought it was a little nasty that he fully believed there was a real bomb in Jack's truck, but they had agreed that if he knew the detonator was defective, he would sooner or later tell his sons, and the whole operation would have been for nothing. He also needed to fully understand that his expertise was of vital importance, and if it meant his adrenaline would rush high for half an hour, so be it.

From their observation point, the boys could see Siler and Sam studying the bomb, picking tools from their special toolbox, and discussing the problem at stake. All of them could see the consideration SG-1 showed to Luke's father, and the expert status he had. Teal'c was at some distance from the truck, talking to Daniel who had arrived shortly after Siler and Sam. After about 10 minutes, the adults looked completely absorbed in what Siler and Sam were doing with the bomb, so Robin decided it was time to act. He started walking slowly toward the car, his heart beating faster as he actually believed the bomb was real, but genuinely curious about how his father was doing. The other boys followed him, which was the idea. They all came close to the truck, getting some glimpses of the count down and following every move from Siler. Sam had discretely withdrawn, giving Siler the honor of exercising his skills and taking a mere assistant and counselor role at his side. The count down was showing 4 minutes left, everyone's heart beating hard, those who believed the bomb would explode because they feared for their lives, the three others because they feared Siler would not succeed in time and their efforts would have been for nothing.

At last, Sergeant Siler lifted an electronic component from a connecting strip, and the count down stopped. It was showing 1:03. No one was breathing during the following seconds... Then, realizing the bomb was disarmed, everyone started clapping, laughing, words of congratulation fused and Jack patted Siler in the back. Sam gave him a hug and a smiling Teal'c bowed in acknowledgment. Then, Robin took his father's shoulder to make him turn and face them. The man seemed then to realize his son was there. Robin looked his father proudly in the eyes and hugged him. Over the boy's shoulder, Siler saw his older son and his friends. He straightened himself up, uncertain of what they were doing there. Luke took a step toward him and Robin moved aside. Father and son contemplated each other for a short moment. Luke's face lightened with a trying smile, which his father returned fully, and they fell in each other's arms. It was the signal for joy to burst around them. Jack invited everyone for a milk shake inside to celebrate, and the boys were delighted to be included.

Later on, as Luke's friends had left and both his boys were sitting in his car, Siler walked back to Jack's truck where the three friends were about to climb. He came to face Jack and shook his hand. Although he did not suspect that the bomb was fake, he understood that SG-1 had set the boys up.

"Thank you Sir. All of you" he said simply, afraid his voice would fail him. They all smiled back at him. Jack shook his head lightly, and knowingly, he said:

"What did I tell you Siler? You are part of the team"

"Yes Sir" Siler bowed. Moisture in his eyes, he looked intently at each of them, then he walked back to his car where his sons were waiting, winking at SG-1 as they drove away.

"Operation Siler successful. Well done everyone. Let's have some cake!" Jack concluded.

Hope you liked it! Reviews appreciated!