~*~*~*~*~
Almost like a call to come in
To the dark and lament
But no, I was out for stars
Robert Frost
Samuel's hand reached automatically for the phone, but a single icy glare aimed in his direction froze him in place. The phone continued to ring, ignored by the forbidding man seated at the desk. Only years of rigid discipline kept Samuel's foot from tapping out a nervous cadence against his chair leg or his fingers drumming nervously in a small paper-free area of the cluttered desk. Rarely were calls made to the top-secret underground facility that were not of the utmost importance and yet the General gave it no more attention than if it were a telemarketing salesman offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reside his home in the highest quality vinyl. After seemingly endless rings, the dour commander final deemed the interruption worthy of his notice.
Setting aside the report he was working on and, with irritation clearly marring his face, the General reached for the phone, completely ignoring his tense aide seating in front of him.
'This is West.'
Samuels watched discretely from the corner of his eye when the annoyance at being interrupted quickly fell away from the General's demeanor as the caller identified himself.
'Yes sir, I've been expecting your call,' West said, his thin lips curved in a smile devoid of any warmth. Samuels surpressed a shudder in a room which suddenly seemed as cold as the look in the General's eyes.
Giving his complete attention to the matter at hand, West's customary scowl of concentration became molded into place.
Samuels found steely eyes staring unseeingly through him. He sat unmoving, camouflaged by his immobility, his eyes locked on the report in his hands. He had no desire to become the focus of his commander's uncompromising attention. Over the months he had served as West's aide, he had discovered there was much to be gained in portraying the inconspicuous sycophant. West had an arrogant habit of underestimating his subordinates. And Samuels had learned to make the most of this trait.
Now, as he sat drinking in the one-sided conversation, Samuels was both intrigued and appalled.
'Yes, sir, I understand the danger of the situation and I agree we have to act quickly.’
There was a long pause, as West listened intently; his only movement, fingers that crushed the butt of a cigarette into the ashtray.
Samuels had discovered that whereas he used immobility as a cloak, the General used it to intimidate. Often quite effectively, he thought. The absolute stillness of the man tended to add to the air of superiority the General exuded, and frequently made even hardened veterans nervous. Samuel's watched the fingers grow still as the conversation continued.
'Jackson unlocked it. No, sir, there is no question about him being right. We've already sent a probe through. The destination has been confirmed.'
Samuels thought of the long-haired civilian who Catherine Langford had brought on board the project only two weeks before. An unimpressive geek, but Langford had insisted. And, for now, she still had enough pull around the project to get what she wanted. Not that she would for long, now that the gate had been opened. Samuels wondered just how long it would be before the feisty old woman realized the military was now running this show completely. Not long apparently, he mused as West spoke again.
'The only possible solution is to destroy it from the other side.'
West tapped his fingers on his desk rhythmically, and then froze as if he suddenly realized he was displaying a crack in his front of silent intimidation.
'Yes, sir, I would recommend sending a bomb through. As soon as possible? Absolutely, yes, sir. We can’t afford to wait.'
Samuels silently watched the General’s eyes narrow as he obviously considered options at a break neck pace.
'I can have a team put together in twenty-four hours. But Jackson will need to go through, too, in order to and get the Stargate working from the other side.'
Samuels was surprised when West interrupted the caller and continued, 'And we're going to need a man to stay behind and make sure of detonation.'
It was obvious what the next query from the caller was.
And West grimaced as he replied, 'Yes, sir, I've already chosen someone. Actually, sir, the circumstances couldn't be more perfect. The guy's a wreck. Looking for a way out. We'll give it to him.'
His mind rapidly flipping through the personnel files, Samuels was never-the-less surprised when West revealed the identity of the man he had in mind.
'O'Neill. Special Ops. Yes, sir, he'll do it. I've already had him assigned to this base in the event we would need him for this purpose. He was a first rate officer, but he’s gone to pieces. His kid killed himself with O’Neill’s personal gun in his home.'
The General gave a decisive nod, as Samuels eagerly absorbed the details of the conversation.
'Yeah, that was the one in the papers. It was tragic, I agree. But we can use it to our advantage. And I don't care what the hell it looks like, sir. O'Neill's had it anyway. He's just looking for a way out. We may as well take advantage of the situation. Concidering what's at stake I don't see that we have any choice.
West gave another nod. It appeared to Samuels that pieces were falling into place. He suppressed a shudder at the General's callous demeanor towards the death of a child and a father's obvious guilt-ridden feelings over the accident. God, he was a cold-hearted bastard.
'Yes, the circumstances couldn't be better for us, sir.'
West almost seemed to check off a mental list as he ran through things.
Depressed, . . . Former Special Ops . . . knows bombs . . . can think on his feet . . . ready to check out.
There was another pause as the caller clearly asked another question. Samuels shook off his disgust and picked up the thread of the conversation. His mind automatically filling in the missing questions General West was answering.
'From what I hear the wife is ready to walk anyway. We'll throw her a bone and give her Survivor’s Benefits plus a few bonuses. That will clinch it for O'Neill, leaving his wife well off.'
Another significant pause ensued. Oh yeah, no question, the General was an unmitigated son of a bitch using widow's benefits as leverage. Shit, this was way beyond what he had thought even West was capable of doing.
'Yes sir, I've worked with him before. He can be a real bastard when he wants to be. He did some good work in the Gulf, but then he got left behind on a mission in Iraq. He blamed his partner, Frank Cromwell, for it. Spent time as a POW, and cut Cromwell off completely after that. He was pretty messed up for a while after the Iraqis got through with him, but he eventially got back in the game, until this happened.'
It was obvious to Samuels that the General had made up his mind. It was an indication of the identity of the caller when West continued to answer another question needing clarification without his usual short-tempered rancor.
'No, sir, there’s no one else to interfere.'
West seemed definite.
'He's a loner. Like I said, he's our man.'
There was a long silence and Samuels watched as the General listened carefully.
'I'll have them rig the bomb, just as a precaution. Just in case he tries to back out, but I don't see that happening. I'm surprised he hasn't eaten his gun before now.'
Samuels watched grimly as West nodded again, as if his caller was somehow able to see him.
'I'll let you know when it's over.'
Placing the phone on its cradle, Samuels knew West was finalizing his plans.
Then, decisions made, his eyes glinting coldly and decisively, West issued orders to his aide.
'Samuels, get O'Neill in here. I have the Colonel's new orders.'
~**fin**~
Author's notes: I am aware of the spelling inconsistencies in the Colonel's name pre- and post- Stargate the movie. I have opted to go with the show's version. Many thanks to my wonderful beta reader, Karen, who as always, cheerfully read and reread. This story would not have been the same without her. Feedback as always is appreciated.
© April, 2003 The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-I, the Goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Gekko Film Corp, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions and Stargate SG-I Prod. Ltd. Partnership. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.