"George, I have something else in mind for you…" President Hayes said.
Two Hours Later
Major General George Hammond is sitting in the command chair of the Prometheus, the first Space Bound Earth Destroyer. Their mission is to support SG-1 at all cost. Shortly before their launch from Area 51, Dr. Weir at the SGC contacted Prometheus and informed Hammond that SG-1 was on their way to Antarctica where they believed the Lost City of Atlantis laid, buried beneath the ice.
"Sergeant, set course to the coordinates of SG-1" The General ordered Walter, who has been with the General since he was first given command of Stargate Command.
"Yes sir. Course laid in, ETA 28 minutes."
One of the other bridge officers piped up, "Sir. We are detecting a Goa'uld Al'kesh entering the atmosphere. Sir, it is transmitting the IDC for SG-1."
"Hail them." Hammond orders.
Hammond POV
I wait patiently as the Lieutenant patches thru a signal. I take a moment to appreciate what I am actually doing. At 61 years old, I am a Major General in the United States Air Force serving as Advisor to my Commander and Chief, the President of the United States, in all extraterrestrial matters. This of course is after I have served as the Commanding Officer of Stargate Command, the spearhead for this planet's exploration of this galaxy and for the defense of this planet. I am now commanding the prototype Space Bound Earth Destroyer in an attempt to stop the single biggest threat Earth has ever seen.
"Sir, I have Major Carter." My lieutenant says.
"Thank you. Major Carter, this is General Hammond onboard the Prometheus. We are en route to give your team a hand. How is Colonel O'Neill?"
"Sir, Colonel O'Neill is no longer talking English, he is speaking Ancient only. He modified the engines to get us here this fast. Daniel believes that Colonel O'Neill now knows exactly where the Ancient City is. We also have in our possession some sort of Ancient Power Device that I believe is what we need to power the weapons of Atlantis. The Colonel found it while we were at Proclarush Taonas."
"Very well Colonel. We will be over Antarctica in 11 minutes—"
"Sir. We have detected Death Gliders from Anubis' Motherships!" Walter said.
"Major, I have to go. God speed to you and your team." I close the channel before turning back to Walter. "Launch all fighters. All weapons, fire at will at all hostiles."
The battle was over. Whatever Jack launched destroyed not only the motherships, but also all of the Death Gliders. As soon as I could, I contacted the White House and then planned to beam down to Atlantis after I got a report of the condition of my ship. I knew she was ok because she was still in the air.
However I was concerned with SG-1. Shortly after Anubis was destroyed, Teal'c radioed up and said that Jack was very ill and that Sam wasn't much better.
I pull out of my thoughts as Major Longo moves into my line of sight.
"Major Longo, status report." I order.
"Sir, primary systems are operating at 40%, Hyperdrive is offline as well as primary weapons. Secondary systems are running at 35%. We have structural damage to all decks with sections of deck two open to outside atmosphere. Portside fighter bay took heavy damage, starboard side is operating, but it is a tight fit for all the remaining fighters. Sir."
"What is the status of our birds, Major?" I asked, fearing the worst.
"Sir, we lost twelve fighters but I am happy to report that we have no fatalities from either the pilots or anyone on board Prometheus. Most of the causalities reported are some burns and broken bones. Captain Mitchell is the worse of all the casualties with two broken legs, four broken ribs and a severe concussion. He has already been transported stateside to the Academy Hospital for treatment via one of the F-305 transports."
I let out a breath I didn't even realize I had been holding. "That is the best news I've heard all day Major. What is the condition of the ice shelf below us?"
"The top layer of ice is relatively thin and cannot support the weight of the Prometheus sir. I would recommend landing approx three kilometers south of this location so that we can begin damage control and start repairing the ship. There are no satellites covering Antarctica and the nearest outpost is 500 miles away, we are all alone out here sir."
"Thank you Major. I want to ring down to Atlantis immediately and debrief SG-1. Once I am down, land Prometheus and begin damage control and repairs. Contact the SGC and request whatever you think you are going to need. Also inform Dr. Weir that I will be debriefing SG-1. If anyone needs me, send a runner."
"Understood sir; I will have a crew set up a temporary elevator shaft from the surface and pull out a few of the Segways for patrol duty and messenger duty."
I give the Major a salute and then leave the bridge to prepare to ring down. I finally decided to take a few scientists when I ring down to Atlantis because I am unsure what the condition of the lost city will be.
The first thing I notice is that it is not cold. In fact it is rather warm and humid in here. It isn't a cave like I thought it would be. It appears to be some sort of structure with an open section where the rings came thru. I see what I assume is the central control center where a throne like chair sits empty. I have no idea why, but I know this is where Jack controlled the weapon. I look towards the far side of the chamber and spot Dr. Jackson looking over something on a computer terminal of some sort. Seeing that he hasn't even acknowledged that we have arrived, we begin to walk towards him when I hear one of the few things on this planet that tears at my heart, Samantha Carter, crying her heart out.
At the sound of Sam's cries, Daniel looks up and sees me and the two scientists I have brought up with me.
"General Hammond sir" Daniel says to me as he crosses over to where I am standing.
"What in hell is going on Dr. Jackson?" I ask.
"Sir, first I believe that this not the Lost City of Atlantis. From what I have learned, this…outpost was left to defend Earth after the Ancients left Earth with Atlantis. It will take some more time to go through everything sir."
"Very well. What is the condition of Colonel O'Neill?" I ask, hearing Sam's cries of anguish again.
"I am not sure sir. After Jack did whatever he did, he said 'Dormata', which is Ancient for 'Sleep' and tried to move towards one of the side chambers. Teal'c carried him in there and that is all I know. Teal'c came out a few minutes later and told me that Jack wanted to be placed in some sort of pod and that Sam…that Sam was…looking over him."
"Thank you Daniel." For the first time ever, I speak his first name. I then turn to my two scientists, "You two, work with Dr. Jackson here. I need not remind you that anything you hear while down here will remain here, understood?"
The nodded and went to work with Daniel as I turned and moved towards where I think Sam is. As I approach the archway to another chamber, I come face-to-face with Teal'c, a silent sentinel guarding his friends.
"General Hammond." He greets me.
"Teal'c. What in the hell is going on? Where are Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter?" I ask.
"As I am sure Daniel Jackson has told you, after Colonel O'Neill used the ancient weapon, he was physically exhausted. Add to this his mental suffering because of the Ancient Repository being downloaded into his brain. I believe that if he wasn't such a strong warrior, he would have died from exhaustion. He motioned that he wanted to be brought here and placed into the unit he is now residing in.
"Shortly after placing him into the pod, the pod activated and placed Colonel O'Neill in what I believe is suspended animation. After making sure that there was no danger within the chamber, I left Major Carter with Colonel O'Neill. I believe that Major Carter has been mourning Colonel O'Neill since we placed him into the stasis chamber. She believes that she will never see him again and tell him that she cares for deeply. She also believes that she has failed him by not being able to help him."
I am taken back by this. I know that this group is close. Closer than any other SG-team, but this is something else altogether. From the sounds of this, Major Samantha Carter, Astrophysicist, Second in Command of SG-1 and Fourth Command of Stargate Command is in love with her Commanding Officer. For some reason, I smile at these series of thoughts because I know that Sam and Jack deserve to be happy and that they are made for each other. Jacob and I have spoken about this fact many times.
"General Hammond. May I, as Colonel O'Neill puts it, 'cut the crap' and speak to you honestly, from one warrior to another?"
"Of course Teal'c, permission granted, but only if you call me George." I say.
"Thank you George Hammond. Though we have never fought side by side in actual battle, I understand too well that every army needs its leaders and you are our leader. Because of that, I respect you and your decisions not only as our leader, but also as my friend."
"Thank you Teal'c. I am honored that you consider me a friend. What is on your mind, son?" I ask. Though I have not worked as closely with the Jaffa as others, I have picked up his moods over the years.
"I understand that the Tau'ri have rules about relationships. However, I believe that Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter should be allowed to openly express what they feel for each other. In all my time working with them, they have never once been anything but professional with each other while off world or within the SGC. Though when Colonel O'Neill demands one of our team nights and other occasions where we are 'Off-Duty', I see that O'Neill and Major Carter longing for each other. Much the same way I mourn for my mate after she died. I do not believe it is fair for them to mourn for each other while they are both healthy and strong."
"Teal'c, are you telling me that they have fallen in love with each other and they haven't done anything about it?"
"That is correct George Hammond. Both have come to me privately and informed me that they care for each other more than their ranks and positions allow them too. On more than one occasion they have spoken about 'leaving it all in the room'.
"I believe that they are speaking about their revelations after the Zat'arc incident. I have known since then that there was some going on with them." Teal'c gave me one of his patented glares, which I admit does get to me.
"I do not know what they are speaking of, but I do know that it weighs heavily on them both. Colonel O'Neill has begun to speak about 'retirement'. He said all he needs is his fishing pole, his cabin, and Major Carter by his side. He has fought long enough and he has said 'If these people want their asses saved, they can give me a reason to do it.'
"I do not believe that it would be in the best interest of the Tau'ri for Colonel O'Neill to leave the SGC. He is a born leader and a warrior who instills confidence in others while on the battlefield."
"I see." Hammond said, thinking about the SGC without Jack O'Neill.
"Major Carter and I spoke very recently about her taking a different position at the SGC, one where she would not report to Colonel O'Neill. I do not believe this is in the best interest of SG-1 because we are a team. A family really; when we lost Daniel Jackson, it almost broke all of us. I found Colonel O'Neill on more than occasion holding his weapon to his head. Major Carter buried herself in her work, and I—I too had a very time."
For the first time, I get a tiny inside look at the lives of the SGC's flagship team. The level of trust and respect is something that I have not seen in my over forty years in the Air Force.
"Relax Teal'c, I will do everything in my power to give both of them the chance to be happy together, I think they deserve it. But first, I need to see my goddaughter."
"Thank you George Hammond. And I know that Samantha Carter and Jack O'Neill will thank you once we can free him from his frozen tomb."
With his traditional bow, Teal'c moved to allow me access to the chamber where Sam is crying over Jack's body. Once I pass, Teal'c returns to his previous position and resumes his silent vigil.
As I enter the chamber I see a number of strange pods. Each one is empty and turned off. The one that is working is in the middle of the room which Sammie is draped over. Good I haven't called her Sammie since she was teenager and got drunk on my 50 year old bottle of Johnny Walker Blue. I still haven't forgiven her that, though I did get a two new bottles anonymously for Christmas my second year in command of the SGC and one each year since.
Sammie is crying, which is something that truly upsets me, and it looks like she is not going to stop anytime soon. I step behind her and look into the pod.
Jack looks like he is frozen in time. There are small ice crystals on his nose, eyebrows, and eyelashes. His eyes are closed and if I didn't know any better I would say he is asleep.
"Sammie?" I say, trying to make sure that I don't startle her.
She jumps to her feet and looks me straight in the eye before she falls to pieces. Doing something I haven't done since she was little, I wrap my arms around her and let her cry her heart out.
These are tears of anguish, longing, and of love. It is then I realize that Teal'c was correct, Sammie loves Jack and it is slowly killing her, literally. She is pale and gaunt. Her eyes are red and she looks so weak.
"I love him Uncle George. I love him with my whole heart and I can't lose him. I haven't told him that I love him." Sniff "He told me that that he loved me. Right after the Zat'arc incident and that the ball was in my court. I told him we that needed to lock it all up in the room and leave it." Sam began to cry again, this time harder than before.
"There, there, Sammie. Uncle George is here. Everything is going to be alright." I coo, trying to get her to calm down.
"You promise?" She asks me, while still crying.
"I promise Samantha Grace Carter; even if I have to take Prometheus to the Asgard Galaxy myself."
She laughs a little, but then begins to cry again. I wrap her up in my arms and let her cry her heart out. Sometime during one of Sam's crying fits, Teal'c brought in a rather nice looking chair that I sat in, placing Sam on my lap, just like when her and my girls were little. I gave Teal'c a nod of thanks and he left to return to guard position.