Round 1 // Challenge 12 - ENTRIES
Shows: Stargate SG-1
Story Title: Joy in Mudville
Character/Relationships: SG-1 Classic, Bra'tac, Jacob Carter
Rating: PG
Warnings: Bad meter, I'm sure. Plus lots of leaning on the original poem.
The outlook wasn't brilliant for SG-1 that day
The score stood eight to six, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Siler died at first, and then Wood did the same
A sickly silence fell upon the players of the game.
Colonel Jack O'Neill refused to give in to growing despair
If only he could get up to bat, he'd win without a care.
But Carter preceded the Colonel, as did Dr. Daniel
The former was a geek and the latter was as well.
But Sam let drive a single, let it fly over the wall
She just shrugged: "It's simple math and science, after all."
And Daniel Jackson to the crowd's shock and wonder
Made the ball fly; his bat cracked like thunder.
The crowd let out a roar as Jack, mighty Jack, stepped up to bat
He moved with easy stride, he had a jaunty tilt to his hat
He knocked the dust from his shoes and straightened his back
He sized up his opponents and he planned his attack.
The Tok'ra's eyes were upon him as he rubbed his hands with dirt
The gathered Jaffa players ignored him as he wiped them on his shirt.
Master Bra'tac wore his cape which fluttered in the breeze
Jack winked at the older man; he'd make this hit with ease.
The human team was made up of folk from the SGC,
Technicians and soldiers and staff from the infirmary
The score was already too lopsided, which filled Jack with shame
No way would snakeheads beat humans at such an American game.
Bra'tac lifted one foot, his arm whipped out like a flash
Jack pulled the bat from his shoulder, bracing for the impact's crash
If Jack's name was Casey and if this was a story already done
You'd expect him to miss, you'd expect to hear "Strike One."
But this is not Thayer and the Colonel is definitely no hack
The ball soared over the Jaffa's heads, and around the bases jogged Jack
Sam let loose a whoop as she crossed home, Teal'c let his frustration show
General Hammond rose from the bench and shouted, "Go!!"
The dust had settled and the teams came together on the mound
Jack stood before Bra'tac and Teal'c, and the cheering died down.
"Sorry, folks, nothing personal. This was just a matter of pride. After all,
There's not a team in the galaxy that can beat humans at a game of baseball."
Shows: SG1, SGA
Story Title: Just One Question
Character/Relationships: Carter, McKay, Sheppard
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Col. Sam Carter sat in her office still trying to come to terms with her reassignment to Atlantis when she heard Rodney McKay and Col. John Sheppard arguing halfway across the gateroom. She couldn't quite make out words, but it sounded serious. As she left her desk and drew nearer, she realized just how wrong she was.
"How can you say that?" McKay demanded. "It's as American as apple pie!"
"Okay, one, Rodney," Sheppard said with a finger in the air, "you hate apple pie, and two --" he reached over and plucked the patch from McKay's sleeve, "you're from Canada!"
"Look-"
"CA-NA-DA!" Sheppard said, bouncing the small replica of a maple-leafed flag with each syllable.
"Guys, is there a problem?" Carter asked.
"Ah, Col. Carter," McKay said. "Glad you're here. Col. Sheppard is insisting that I picked out the wrong Christmas gift for my niece, Maddison, last time I was there-"
"Oh, please. You didn't pick anything out, you showed up at the last minute-"
"I most certainly did, too. I had the option of that and some vapid little tartlet of a doll with a misspelled name and oversized head-"
"Which I admit are kind of creepy," Sheppard interjected. Rodney turned to look at him.
"Well, then WHY-"
"Guys!" Carter said. "Are we really doing this?" McKay and Sheppard at least had the decency to look moderately shamed before before a small smirk found its way to Sheppard's face and McKay insisted that yes, in fact, they were and wouldn't she settle the dispute?
Caught somewhere between a laugh and a sigh, Carter rubbed at her eyes. "All right," she said. "McKay, what did you buy?"
"Some sort of of astronaut doll... Matt Something or Other"
"See, McKay, you don't even know what it's called."
"Major Matt Mason?" Carter said.
"That was it!" McKay said with a snap of his fingers. "And you said I didn't know."
"Well, you didn't," Sheppard said.
"McKay, I just have one question," Carter said. "Did you get the little backpack that makes him fly?"
"I did."
"Well, then you're all set," Carter said. "Good choice."
A loud crash filled the gateroom. A young technicians tools were spilling across the floor. "Sorry!" he called out. "My fault!"
"Excuse me, gentlemen," Carter said as she patted McKay on the shoulder and walked toward the sheepish airman. With McKay's puffed-out chest of rightness and Sheppard's amused, faux dejectedness at her back, Carter couldn't help but grin. Maybe Atlantis wouldn't be so bad, after all.
Shows: Stargate SG-1
Story Title: Adopted American
Character/Relationships: Cassandra Fraiser, Janet Fraiser, General Hammond and original SG-1
Rating: PG
Warnings: Set while Carter is still a Captain, so within a year or so after Cassandra comes to earth.
As a single man and as commander of a top secret facility, General Hammond rarely gave parties of the size or frequency that television military leaders seemed to throw at the drop of a hat. When he did spearhead a gathering off-base, it took place at a hotel or the private banquet room of a large restaurant. So Sam wasn’t too surprised when the members of SG-1 converged on her lab and collectively scratched their heads when an email came through from Hammond, inviting them to a barbecue at his place on July 4th.
“Do you think he’s going to retire?” Daniel asked no one in particular.
“Nah, Hammond will outlast me” O’Neill picked up a pencil and tapped it against the lab table. Sam thanked her lucky stars she had just put away anything he might break before checking her email one last time for the day. Teal’c, standing at parade rest at the end of the counter, watched O’Neill briefly, sighed and turned his gaze toward her.
“Perhaps GeneralHammond wishes to congratulate us on saving earth…again.”
“We haven’t saved the planet for at least a couple of weeks,” Daniel answered for her, his deadpan delivery a rival for Teal’c’s.
“Does not this date have some significance for the Tau’ri? I recall festivities involving explosives last year.”
“Yes, Teal’c,” said Sam. “It’s also called Independence Day.”
“Like the movie,” offered Colonel O’Neill. Daniel and Teal’c stared at him blankly; Sam averted her gaze to avoid rolling her eyes at that travesty of science Cassie had talked her into watching. Fortunately, General Hammond appeared in the doorway just then.
“SG-1, don’t you people ever go home?” General Hammond asked from the doorway
“We could ask you the same thing, General,” O’Neill quipped.
“I’m just on my way out, Colonel. So did you get my email?”
“Yes, Sir. What’s the occasion? Other than the obvious…”
“Well, besides the holiday, as you probably know, the final paperwork has come through on Doctor Fraiser’s adoption of Cassandra. My granddaughters suggested throwing her a party Since you honorary uncles and aunt are the closest thing she has to an extended family, I thought you might like to join us.”
“Excellent!” O’Neill tossed the pencil in the air and caught it.
“Can we bring any food, Sir?” asked Sam. She ignored the look of horror on Colonel O’Neill’s and Daniel Jackson’s faces at the thought of her cooking. For once she appreciated the stoicism with which Teal’c met such situations.
“Just yourselves, Captain. Come over any time after noon. I’ll fire up the grill about thirteen thirty. Goodnight, SG-1.” With that, the General left, and once Sam closed up her laptop, the team dispersed.
+ + + + + +
On the Fourth of July, Sam arrived just ahead of the guest of honor, whom Tessa and Kayla, the General’s grandchildren, took in hand right away to show her the stack of presents that had piled up already. Sam gave Janet a quick hug, and Colonel O’Neill handed them both beers.
“Thank you so much for this, Sir,” the doctor said to General Hammond. “And for everything you’ve done to help with the adoption process.”
“My pleasure, Doctor.”
“I had begun to think it might take an act of Congress,” Sam said.
“An act of Congress actually might have been easier,” General Hammond only half-joked.
“You can say that again, Sir.” Janet sipped her beer and gazed over toward her daughter. “Worth it, though.”
The adults chatted, snacked and drank beer while the girls played. Colonel O’Neill occasionally wandered over to check on his “bambinas” or to push them in the swings. Then General Hammond started the grill, his daughter brought the meat out, and Colonel O’Neill hovered nearby suggesting a beer marinade. Daniel pleaded with the General not to put Jack in charge of the barbecue.
Then the girls came running up to where Sam and Janet sat.
“Janet?” Cassie asked, her brow wrinkled. Sam knew Cassie still occasionally slipped and called her that instead of Mom. Janet never pushed it. Sam wasn’t sure how she would respond in the same situation.
“Yes, honey?” When Cassie wiggled her mouth and bit her lip, Janet took Cassie’s hands to encourage her to ask whatever it was.
“What is it, Cassie?” Sam asked, leaning in and putting her hand in the small of Cassie’s back. Daniel and Colonel O’Neill turned to find out what was troubling their little girl, too.
“Am I an American now?”
“Honey, you’re as American as apple pie!” When the puzzled look on Cassandra’s face clued Janet in that the idiom didn’t register, Janet added, “Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie are things we think of as being truly American - so that means…yes, you’re American.”
Cassie looked around at the other adults, who nodded in agreement. Everyone let out a big sigh when Cassie smiled in response.
“Cool!” Cassie announced. “Can I go play some more?”
“Yes, you may.”
+ + + + +
Although fireworks were illegal within Colorado Springs city limits, out at General Hammond’s house, they could have a small private show. With Colonel O’Neill's and Captain Carter’s experience with explosives, and Teal’c at the ready with an extinguisher, they put on a nice display for the girls who oohed and ahhed as though it were a big show.
Later, Teal’c carried a sleepy Cassandra out to Doctor Fraiser’s car while the rest of SG-1 helped carry presents.
“Mr. Teal’c, are you an American now, too?” Sam, placing the last gifts in the back seat, heard Cassie ask as Teal’c set her in the front.
“I am not.. I am Jaffa.” Teal’c reached across and buckled her seatbelt.
“Don’t you want to be American?”
“I do not. But I value the freedom Americans enjoy. One day my people, too, will declare their independence from the Goa’uld. For now, I fight for that freedom.”
“And Jack, Sam and Daniel help?”
“Indeed.”
“Happy Independence Day, Mr. Teal’c.”
“And to you, CassandraFraiser”
Shows: Stargate SG-1
Story Title: All American
Character/Relationships: Team, General Hammond, Dr. Fraiser
Rating: (G)
Warnings: None
The job definitely came with its share of headaches. One problem after the other and it all seemed to fall on his shoulders. George Hammond stood in the briefing room with his gaze directed toward the object that caused at least half of those headaches. The Stargate.
Kinsey wanted to shut it down. For what ever reason, the man was determined to find a way to discontinue the project. And if it meant stepping on people or destroying careers, so be it. George had met many politicians throughout his career, but this one sure took the cake.
A technician dropped something in the Gate Room drawing George's attention away from the Stargate, but he had bigger fish to fry. He needed to figure out a way past Kinsey's recent accusations.
"Sir?"
George sighed inwardly at yet another distraction. He turned slightly to look at Doctor Fraiser and nodded his greeting.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," he said as he turned to look at her. "SG-4 will be arriving shortly. They've sent reports that the planet they're surveying had some sort of a chemical spill. I'd like you to make sure the decontamination chamber is ready to go."
"I'll take care of it sir," she said with confidence. George nodded, then went back to staring at the Stargate again. If Kinsey had his way, there would be no more post-gate travel examinations. The again, he thought with a resigned nod, there'd be no more alien diseases and chemical contaminations to deal with either.
"Um, Sir?"
George had thirty-some years learning how to deal with distractions. You take them by the horns and handle them quickly and efficiently. He turned to send a pointed glare toward the intruder, who took it in stride.
"I was just wondering about Colonel O'Neill," Doctor Fraiser said, apparently deciding to pretend she didn't see the glare. "I've heard from three different people that Kinsey is accusing him of treason."
George nodded, having heard the accusation straight from the source. "Senator Kinsey wants to shut this program down and he doesn't care who goes with it."
"Everyone knows that Colonel O'Neill is as American as they come." She shook her head at the thought, then said, "If you need me as a character witness..."
"We'll keep that in mind," George said with a smile. This wasn't the first time the good doctor offered to come through for him and he knew it wouldn't be the last. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," she said, as she turned to leave. She didn't get far though. O'Neill walked in the door at that moment, followed by the rest of his team.
"I'm telling you, hockey is the way to go," O'Neill said. "Baseball is for wimps."
"I happen to like baseball," Doctor Frasier said as she walked past. She gave Major Carter a secretive smile, then walked out the door.
"Careful Jack," Doctor Jackson warned. "That's bordering on being un-American."
"Don't go there Daniel," O'Neill said with a growl.
Doctor Jackson shrugged, but everyone in the room knew the implications of what was said. George still remembered the argument between Kinsey and O'Neill earlier in the day.
"I'm not a traitor, I just happen to like hockey," O'Neill told them, then added, "A lot."
"Colonel O'Neill," George said, having given up on spending time figuring out a way to keep Kinsey at bay, for awhile anyway. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes sir," he said. "We'd like to go back to Enkesa. Daniel believes that with a little coaxing, we can soothe the ruffled feathers of the leaders. They were upset when we were pulled away from their ceremony to come back here and face that egghead, Kinsey."
"We could also get a few more samples," Major Carter said. "The samples I've brought back produced a strange reading that I'd like to follow up on."
Doctor Jackson nodded while Teal'c spoke up. "It would be in our best interest to inquire further into the superior weaponry in their arsenal."
"Yeah!" O'Neill said with a smile. "That too." His expression sobered though when he said, "If we're going to do this, we need to do it now before Kinsey pulls the plug."
"He already has," George said, his voice tinged with regret. "No off-world travel until a formal hearing has taken place."
"Great," Doctor Jackson said, his expression showing his disgust. George had to agree. There were so many planets out there, some that had potential possibilities. Not to mention the forged allegiances with various allies, as well as the constant threat of Goa'uld dominance. Closing down the program now would cause more problems than keeping it open.
"So it's come down to a hearing?" O'Neill asked, all pretense of lighthearted teasing gone as he realized the extent of Kinsey's reach. "He's going to go through with it."
George saw no reason to sugar coat it. "I'm afraid so," he said with a nod. "He's grasping at straws, but determined to see it through."
"I'm not a traitor," O'Neill said with an angry glare.
"No, you're not," George said, "And we have everyone on base ready to attest to that fact." O'Neill nodded, but George wanted to make sure the man understood. "We'll fight this Colonel. With your record, Kinsey doesn't stand a chance."
"Thank you sir."
George nodded, then said, "You're confined to base until we can prove Kinsey is lying. In the meantime..."
"In the meantime, I'm stuck here."
"It won't be so bad, Jack," Doctor Jackson said, as he patted his friend on the back. "There's a baseball game on tonight. You can watch it while waxing poetic on how great hockey is."
"Yeah," O'Neill said with some interest. "Pizza and baseball does sound like a good plan."
"And apple pie," Major Carter said with a grin. "What's more American than baseball, pizza and apple pie?"
"She does have a point," O'Neill said as he turned to leave. "Besides, I like apple pie."
Story Title: Joy in Mudville
Character/Relationships: SG-1 Classic, Bra'tac, Jacob Carter
Rating: PG
Warnings: Bad meter, I'm sure. Plus lots of leaning on the original poem.
The outlook wasn't brilliant for SG-1 that day
The score stood eight to six, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Siler died at first, and then Wood did the same
A sickly silence fell upon the players of the game.
Colonel Jack O'Neill refused to give in to growing despair
If only he could get up to bat, he'd win without a care.
But Carter preceded the Colonel, as did Dr. Daniel
The former was a geek and the latter was as well.
But Sam let drive a single, let it fly over the wall
She just shrugged: "It's simple math and science, after all."
And Daniel Jackson to the crowd's shock and wonder
Made the ball fly; his bat cracked like thunder.
The crowd let out a roar as Jack, mighty Jack, stepped up to bat
He moved with easy stride, he had a jaunty tilt to his hat
He knocked the dust from his shoes and straightened his back
He sized up his opponents and he planned his attack.
The Tok'ra's eyes were upon him as he rubbed his hands with dirt
The gathered Jaffa players ignored him as he wiped them on his shirt.
Master Bra'tac wore his cape which fluttered in the breeze
Jack winked at the older man; he'd make this hit with ease.
The human team was made up of folk from the SGC,
Technicians and soldiers and staff from the infirmary
The score was already too lopsided, which filled Jack with shame
No way would snakeheads beat humans at such an American game.
Bra'tac lifted one foot, his arm whipped out like a flash
Jack pulled the bat from his shoulder, bracing for the impact's crash
If Jack's name was Casey and if this was a story already done
You'd expect him to miss, you'd expect to hear "Strike One."
But this is not Thayer and the Colonel is definitely no hack
The ball soared over the Jaffa's heads, and around the bases jogged Jack
Sam let loose a whoop as she crossed home, Teal'c let his frustration show
General Hammond rose from the bench and shouted, "Go!!"
The dust had settled and the teams came together on the mound
Jack stood before Bra'tac and Teal'c, and the cheering died down.
"Sorry, folks, nothing personal. This was just a matter of pride. After all,
There's not a team in the galaxy that can beat humans at a game of baseball."
Shows: SG1, SGA
Story Title: Just One Question
Character/Relationships: Carter, McKay, Sheppard
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Col. Sam Carter sat in her office still trying to come to terms with her reassignment to Atlantis when she heard Rodney McKay and Col. John Sheppard arguing halfway across the gateroom. She couldn't quite make out words, but it sounded serious. As she left her desk and drew nearer, she realized just how wrong she was.
"How can you say that?" McKay demanded. "It's as American as apple pie!"
"Okay, one, Rodney," Sheppard said with a finger in the air, "you hate apple pie, and two --" he reached over and plucked the patch from McKay's sleeve, "you're from Canada!"
"Look-"
"CA-NA-DA!" Sheppard said, bouncing the small replica of a maple-leafed flag with each syllable.
"Guys, is there a problem?" Carter asked.
"Ah, Col. Carter," McKay said. "Glad you're here. Col. Sheppard is insisting that I picked out the wrong Christmas gift for my niece, Maddison, last time I was there-"
"Oh, please. You didn't pick anything out, you showed up at the last minute-"
"I most certainly did, too. I had the option of that and some vapid little tartlet of a doll with a misspelled name and oversized head-"
"Which I admit are kind of creepy," Sheppard interjected. Rodney turned to look at him.
"Well, then WHY-"
"Guys!" Carter said. "Are we really doing this?" McKay and Sheppard at least had the decency to look moderately shamed before before a small smirk found its way to Sheppard's face and McKay insisted that yes, in fact, they were and wouldn't she settle the dispute?
Caught somewhere between a laugh and a sigh, Carter rubbed at her eyes. "All right," she said. "McKay, what did you buy?"
"Some sort of of astronaut doll... Matt Something or Other"
"See, McKay, you don't even know what it's called."
"Major Matt Mason?" Carter said.
"That was it!" McKay said with a snap of his fingers. "And you said I didn't know."
"Well, you didn't," Sheppard said.
"McKay, I just have one question," Carter said. "Did you get the little backpack that makes him fly?"
"I did."
"Well, then you're all set," Carter said. "Good choice."
A loud crash filled the gateroom. A young technicians tools were spilling across the floor. "Sorry!" he called out. "My fault!"
"Excuse me, gentlemen," Carter said as she patted McKay on the shoulder and walked toward the sheepish airman. With McKay's puffed-out chest of rightness and Sheppard's amused, faux dejectedness at her back, Carter couldn't help but grin. Maybe Atlantis wouldn't be so bad, after all.
Shows: Stargate SG-1
Story Title: Adopted American
Character/Relationships: Cassandra Fraiser, Janet Fraiser, General Hammond and original SG-1
Rating: PG
Warnings: Set while Carter is still a Captain, so within a year or so after Cassandra comes to earth.
As a single man and as commander of a top secret facility, General Hammond rarely gave parties of the size or frequency that television military leaders seemed to throw at the drop of a hat. When he did spearhead a gathering off-base, it took place at a hotel or the private banquet room of a large restaurant. So Sam wasn’t too surprised when the members of SG-1 converged on her lab and collectively scratched their heads when an email came through from Hammond, inviting them to a barbecue at his place on July 4th.
“Do you think he’s going to retire?” Daniel asked no one in particular.
“Nah, Hammond will outlast me” O’Neill picked up a pencil and tapped it against the lab table. Sam thanked her lucky stars she had just put away anything he might break before checking her email one last time for the day. Teal’c, standing at parade rest at the end of the counter, watched O’Neill briefly, sighed and turned his gaze toward her.
“Perhaps GeneralHammond wishes to congratulate us on saving earth…again.”
“We haven’t saved the planet for at least a couple of weeks,” Daniel answered for her, his deadpan delivery a rival for Teal’c’s.
“Does not this date have some significance for the Tau’ri? I recall festivities involving explosives last year.”
“Yes, Teal’c,” said Sam. “It’s also called Independence Day.”
“Like the movie,” offered Colonel O’Neill. Daniel and Teal’c stared at him blankly; Sam averted her gaze to avoid rolling her eyes at that travesty of science Cassie had talked her into watching. Fortunately, General Hammond appeared in the doorway just then.
“SG-1, don’t you people ever go home?” General Hammond asked from the doorway
“We could ask you the same thing, General,” O’Neill quipped.
“I’m just on my way out, Colonel. So did you get my email?”
“Yes, Sir. What’s the occasion? Other than the obvious…”
“Well, besides the holiday, as you probably know, the final paperwork has come through on Doctor Fraiser’s adoption of Cassandra. My granddaughters suggested throwing her a party Since you honorary uncles and aunt are the closest thing she has to an extended family, I thought you might like to join us.”
“Excellent!” O’Neill tossed the pencil in the air and caught it.
“Can we bring any food, Sir?” asked Sam. She ignored the look of horror on Colonel O’Neill’s and Daniel Jackson’s faces at the thought of her cooking. For once she appreciated the stoicism with which Teal’c met such situations.
“Just yourselves, Captain. Come over any time after noon. I’ll fire up the grill about thirteen thirty. Goodnight, SG-1.” With that, the General left, and once Sam closed up her laptop, the team dispersed.
+ + + + + +
On the Fourth of July, Sam arrived just ahead of the guest of honor, whom Tessa and Kayla, the General’s grandchildren, took in hand right away to show her the stack of presents that had piled up already. Sam gave Janet a quick hug, and Colonel O’Neill handed them both beers.
“Thank you so much for this, Sir,” the doctor said to General Hammond. “And for everything you’ve done to help with the adoption process.”
“My pleasure, Doctor.”
“I had begun to think it might take an act of Congress,” Sam said.
“An act of Congress actually might have been easier,” General Hammond only half-joked.
“You can say that again, Sir.” Janet sipped her beer and gazed over toward her daughter. “Worth it, though.”
The adults chatted, snacked and drank beer while the girls played. Colonel O’Neill occasionally wandered over to check on his “bambinas” or to push them in the swings. Then General Hammond started the grill, his daughter brought the meat out, and Colonel O’Neill hovered nearby suggesting a beer marinade. Daniel pleaded with the General not to put Jack in charge of the barbecue.
Then the girls came running up to where Sam and Janet sat.
“Janet?” Cassie asked, her brow wrinkled. Sam knew Cassie still occasionally slipped and called her that instead of Mom. Janet never pushed it. Sam wasn’t sure how she would respond in the same situation.
“Yes, honey?” When Cassie wiggled her mouth and bit her lip, Janet took Cassie’s hands to encourage her to ask whatever it was.
“What is it, Cassie?” Sam asked, leaning in and putting her hand in the small of Cassie’s back. Daniel and Colonel O’Neill turned to find out what was troubling their little girl, too.
“Am I an American now?”
“Honey, you’re as American as apple pie!” When the puzzled look on Cassandra’s face clued Janet in that the idiom didn’t register, Janet added, “Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie are things we think of as being truly American - so that means…yes, you’re American.”
Cassie looked around at the other adults, who nodded in agreement. Everyone let out a big sigh when Cassie smiled in response.
“Cool!” Cassie announced. “Can I go play some more?”
“Yes, you may.”
+ + + + +
Although fireworks were illegal within Colorado Springs city limits, out at General Hammond’s house, they could have a small private show. With Colonel O’Neill's and Captain Carter’s experience with explosives, and Teal’c at the ready with an extinguisher, they put on a nice display for the girls who oohed and ahhed as though it were a big show.
Later, Teal’c carried a sleepy Cassandra out to Doctor Fraiser’s car while the rest of SG-1 helped carry presents.
“Mr. Teal’c, are you an American now, too?” Sam, placing the last gifts in the back seat, heard Cassie ask as Teal’c set her in the front.
“I am not.. I am Jaffa.” Teal’c reached across and buckled her seatbelt.
“Don’t you want to be American?”
“I do not. But I value the freedom Americans enjoy. One day my people, too, will declare their independence from the Goa’uld. For now, I fight for that freedom.”
“And Jack, Sam and Daniel help?”
“Indeed.”
“Happy Independence Day, Mr. Teal’c.”
“And to you, CassandraFraiser”
Shows: Stargate SG-1
Story Title: All American
Character/Relationships: Team, General Hammond, Dr. Fraiser
Rating: (G)
Warnings: None
The job definitely came with its share of headaches. One problem after the other and it all seemed to fall on his shoulders. George Hammond stood in the briefing room with his gaze directed toward the object that caused at least half of those headaches. The Stargate.
Kinsey wanted to shut it down. For what ever reason, the man was determined to find a way to discontinue the project. And if it meant stepping on people or destroying careers, so be it. George had met many politicians throughout his career, but this one sure took the cake.
A technician dropped something in the Gate Room drawing George's attention away from the Stargate, but he had bigger fish to fry. He needed to figure out a way past Kinsey's recent accusations.
"Sir?"
George sighed inwardly at yet another distraction. He turned slightly to look at Doctor Fraiser and nodded his greeting.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," he said as he turned to look at her. "SG-4 will be arriving shortly. They've sent reports that the planet they're surveying had some sort of a chemical spill. I'd like you to make sure the decontamination chamber is ready to go."
"I'll take care of it sir," she said with confidence. George nodded, then went back to staring at the Stargate again. If Kinsey had his way, there would be no more post-gate travel examinations. The again, he thought with a resigned nod, there'd be no more alien diseases and chemical contaminations to deal with either.
"Um, Sir?"
George had thirty-some years learning how to deal with distractions. You take them by the horns and handle them quickly and efficiently. He turned to send a pointed glare toward the intruder, who took it in stride.
"I was just wondering about Colonel O'Neill," Doctor Fraiser said, apparently deciding to pretend she didn't see the glare. "I've heard from three different people that Kinsey is accusing him of treason."
George nodded, having heard the accusation straight from the source. "Senator Kinsey wants to shut this program down and he doesn't care who goes with it."
"Everyone knows that Colonel O'Neill is as American as they come." She shook her head at the thought, then said, "If you need me as a character witness..."
"We'll keep that in mind," George said with a smile. This wasn't the first time the good doctor offered to come through for him and he knew it wouldn't be the last. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," she said, as she turned to leave. She didn't get far though. O'Neill walked in the door at that moment, followed by the rest of his team.
"I'm telling you, hockey is the way to go," O'Neill said. "Baseball is for wimps."
"I happen to like baseball," Doctor Frasier said as she walked past. She gave Major Carter a secretive smile, then walked out the door.
"Careful Jack," Doctor Jackson warned. "That's bordering on being un-American."
"Don't go there Daniel," O'Neill said with a growl.
Doctor Jackson shrugged, but everyone in the room knew the implications of what was said. George still remembered the argument between Kinsey and O'Neill earlier in the day.
"I'm not a traitor, I just happen to like hockey," O'Neill told them, then added, "A lot."
"Colonel O'Neill," George said, having given up on spending time figuring out a way to keep Kinsey at bay, for awhile anyway. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes sir," he said. "We'd like to go back to Enkesa. Daniel believes that with a little coaxing, we can soothe the ruffled feathers of the leaders. They were upset when we were pulled away from their ceremony to come back here and face that egghead, Kinsey."
"We could also get a few more samples," Major Carter said. "The samples I've brought back produced a strange reading that I'd like to follow up on."
Doctor Jackson nodded while Teal'c spoke up. "It would be in our best interest to inquire further into the superior weaponry in their arsenal."
"Yeah!" O'Neill said with a smile. "That too." His expression sobered though when he said, "If we're going to do this, we need to do it now before Kinsey pulls the plug."
"He already has," George said, his voice tinged with regret. "No off-world travel until a formal hearing has taken place."
"Great," Doctor Jackson said, his expression showing his disgust. George had to agree. There were so many planets out there, some that had potential possibilities. Not to mention the forged allegiances with various allies, as well as the constant threat of Goa'uld dominance. Closing down the program now would cause more problems than keeping it open.
"So it's come down to a hearing?" O'Neill asked, all pretense of lighthearted teasing gone as he realized the extent of Kinsey's reach. "He's going to go through with it."
George saw no reason to sugar coat it. "I'm afraid so," he said with a nod. "He's grasping at straws, but determined to see it through."
"I'm not a traitor," O'Neill said with an angry glare.
"No, you're not," George said, "And we have everyone on base ready to attest to that fact." O'Neill nodded, but George wanted to make sure the man understood. "We'll fight this Colonel. With your record, Kinsey doesn't stand a chance."
"Thank you sir."
George nodded, then said, "You're confined to base until we can prove Kinsey is lying. In the meantime..."
"In the meantime, I'm stuck here."
"It won't be so bad, Jack," Doctor Jackson said, as he patted his friend on the back. "There's a baseball game on tonight. You can watch it while waxing poetic on how great hockey is."
"Yeah," O'Neill said with some interest. "Pizza and baseball does sound like a good plan."
"And apple pie," Major Carter said with a grin. "What's more American than baseball, pizza and apple pie?"
"She does have a point," O'Neill said as he turned to leave. "Besides, I like apple pie."