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A Good Day?
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author(s).
Title: A Good Day?
Written for 'blaze' drabble challenge
Author: Diana (June 2005)
Email: shrap45@yahoo.com
Status: Complete
Category: Drama, Action/Adventure, Angst
Pairings: Jack/Sara
Spoilers: Nothing specific
Season: AU 8
Content Level: 13+
Content Warnings: Violence, Death
Summary: In an alternate reality, a day in the life of General O'Neill, shortly after his promotion.
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author.
File Size: 6.56KB
Archive: Jackfic
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I was so not having a good day.
Where can I begin?
6AM
I had a blazing row with my computer.
Would it switch on properly? No!
Once switched on, would it connect to the internet? No!
Once connected to the internet, would it work up to speed? No!
At this rate, I was gonna miss the morning briefing, but I really needed to read the e-mails that Walter said he had sent late last night, so that I could collect my thoughts on their contents, and decide on my way to the base, what I was going to say in the briefing.
Sara could usually figure out the computer for me, but she was away visiting her parents.
6.45AM
Finally leave home.
Geez, it's already hot outside.
This is going to be a blazing hot day.
They always bring back memories I'd rather forget.
11AM
Morning briefing had to be postponed 'til later.
There was an unscheduled off-world activation.
Some enemy had got hold of our iris code.
Could they have got the information from SG-24?
They went missing on PX9-247 last month.
I'd already had the painful task of writing to relatives having to say that the team were MIA, presumed dead.
Bursts of flame blazed through the Gate.
It seemed like some kind of energy weapon.
We had little time to react, but defended ourselves as best as we could - all guns blazing indeed.
Two airmen were lost straight away, three others, badly burned, lingered for a couple of hours, but also died.
We managed to lower the blast doors, and the Control Room team eventually overrode the programs, and the iris was at last in place.
Sadly, the attack must indeed mean SG-24 were lost.
I had to lock the planet out of the dialling program.
So many good people have died during my years here, but we've been successful in defending our planet, so at least their lives have counted for something.
4PM
I visited the Infirmary, to talk to the remaining casualties of the attack.
A blaze of anger overcame me, as I saw the extent of some of the wounds - nasty, deep burns mainly. All sustained, here, on base, my base, not even on a battlefield. However, it reminded me that although we were in a mountain, and buried deep underground, in a very real sense, we were still very much on the front line.
Doc said everyone would make it through, but a number were going to be left with permanent scars.
God, I knew what that was like.
More memories I'd rather forget.
Some of my deep burn scars, sustained in 'conflicts various', still needed to have ointments applied to them regularly. Many of the burns are in inaccessible places, so Sara's loving, gentle touch usually does the trick for me. I was so looking forward to her coming home at the weekend.
7PM
Doc called me, updated me on her patients' progress, and now she'd at last had time to deal with some of her routine admin work, also reminded me that my six monthly check-up was due.
Hell, why do they always come around so quickly?
Can't we just sign, seal and deliver it in one minute?
No need for tests, needles, shining blazing penlights into the eyes?
We all know the knees, back, neck, ankle ... well, OK, most of me, ain't so hot anymore, but she sure ain't gonna be able to tell me anything I don't already know. Blame it on TPTB I suppose. It's them who have to know this stuff, and, of course, I knew that even if I didn't go off-world much these days, as today proved, I still have to be fit and active, as the battlefield can come to us at any time.
9PM
Hammond called.
Thanked me for doing such a good job today.
I said I didn't think it was a good job when we had lost so many people.
He pointed out, that we could have lost many, many more.
Deep down, of course, I knew he was right, but it didn't take away the pain I felt about those that we had lost.
At least I can talk to Hammond, about my concerns, fears even, as to whether I'm really up to running this base. He recommended me after all. I do so value his guidance and judgement, and if he isn't around, I can usually confide in Teal'c. He understands my brain better than anyone, save Sara, I think.
10PM
Another blazing row to end the day.
Time to discipline Airman Stewart.
He had disobeyed my direct order.
Put everyone in further danger, by questioning my judgement during the attack.
Does he think I'm not up to being commander of this base? I'm sure there are plenty of people who must think that, and that I've still to really prove myself.
Stewart's a promising officer, and he'll go far, if he can realise that sometimes we have to make difficult decisions, maybe sacrifice people, in order to protect others. I had to explain exactly what he'd done wrong. Boy, was he feisty, belligerent and insubordinate as I questioned him. Funny, his attitude kinda reminded me of me!
MIDNIGHT
Still stuck in my office.
Catching up on the dreaded paperwork.
Who reads all these endless reports, summaries, digests of our work for crying out loud! Can't we just say mission accomplished?
Finally got to read Walter's e-mails.
There was one from Charlie too.
"Hi, Dad. I passed. Got accepted into the Academy. See you at the weekend."
I suppose you could say I had a blazing smile of joy on my face.
My son was going to become an air force officer.
I was one, very proud, very happy Dad, and I was gonna make sure that Sara, Charlie and I, had one heck of a celebration at the weekend.
This was a memory I never wanted to forget, and although I couldn't really call this a good day, it at least meant that this very bad day had a happy ending.
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