Stargate -- Kriegsspiel -- Merrels -- Two
back to One
Two
Some days, Jack wished he could ignore the rational part of his brain that told him that it would be a very bad idea to start threatening the UN delegates-at gunpoint-to get them to just shut up and listen. They’d been hung up for three days on the fact that certain countries had known about the ‘gate before the big reveal after Atlantis landed, and it didn’t look like they would be getting over it and moving on any time soon. Under the table, Jack clenched one hand into a tight fist, the slight ache in his joints from the pressure temporarily distracting him.
Jack didn’t quite know what he was doing there, honestly. Diplomacy was never exactly his strong suit; he could think of dozens of times when his form of diplomacy had made things worse, rather than better. He was head of Homeworld, sure, but this PR thing had always been Davis’ game, since as far back as those first negotiations with the Russians. But Taylor had requested his presence specifically, so Jack had cleared his schedule and prepared to grin and bear it.
He knew he wasn’t bearing up so well.
Jack brought his attention back to the room. “What we don’t understand,” one of the ambassadors was saying, “is why this was not taken to the UN when it was first put to use.” The ambassador was from one of those little Latin American countries Jack pretended he couldn’t keep track of, and he spoke like someone who’d grown up speaking Spanish and then learned English at Oxford. It made Jack think of banana republics and other things he didn’t want to remember. “This is just another case of American imperialism, this time on an even larger-”
Jack’s chair clattered as he pushed it back to stand, slamming his hands on the table. “I don’t know how many times we have to say this,” he said, bending down so the mic picked him up. He could see the translators in the top row, and wished quite fiercely that Daniel was there to help smooth all this out. “We shut the ‘gate down after that first mission, and it was only reopened after an alien incursion threatened the safety of the planet. The program became more international once we had some time to stop and breathe. The United States has made no moves to colonize. The only offworld bases we’ve set up are research facilities, and they’re staffed by crews of scientists from all over the world.”
“But why weren’t we told-” another ambassador began, but Jack held up a hand. He wasn’t sure who was more surprised: the ambassador for being so rudely interrupted, or Jack himself because the man actually shut up.
“What your governments may or may not have told you is between you and your leaders,” Jack said. “We’ve been lying to our own people for 70 years, if you count from when the ‘gate was first brought here, and I’m glad we get to stop now.” He realized he was yelling and took a breath to calm down a little. “We’ve made some amazing allies,” he said, thinking regretfully of Thor for a moment, “and made some truly incredible discoveries. If you could see what it’s like out there-a whole galaxy full of people and cultures-it puts all our petty infighting into perspective.
“And we did all of this while fighting for our survival as a species, against enemies you can’t even comprehend. We didn't stop to notify everyone because we were busy saving all your asses.”
Jack half expected that the front row could hear how hard his heart was pounding in the shocked silence that followed.
“I think it’s time for a break, everyone,” President Taylor said after a few long moments, turning to the President of the General Assembly. “Mr. President, I think we might want to just continue tomorrow?” President d'Escoto nodded and went about the process required to finish for the day, and Jack sat down heavily.
“Thanks, Jack,” Taylor said softly, leaning over and putting his hand over Jack’s mic. “I think I might actually get them to negotiate now.” Jack looked at Taylor, but the man’s expression gave nothing away. “I know you’re headed to Colorado tonight to make sure no one’s getting too restless…”
“I can reschedule if you need me here,” Jack said, wincing internally. Daniel would kill him, but it wasn’t exactly like he could say no to the President of the United States.
Taylor shook his head, with an odd smile. “No, I think your presence here has served its purpose. We’ll have a meeting when you get back, though, so you can update me on the situation over there.”
“Yes, sir,” Jack said. He remained seated while Taylor got up and followed the rest of the departing ambassadors. For some reason, he felt manipulated.
continued in Three
back to Master Post
Two
Some days, Jack wished he could ignore the rational part of his brain that told him that it would be a very bad idea to start threatening the UN delegates-at gunpoint-to get them to just shut up and listen. They’d been hung up for three days on the fact that certain countries had known about the ‘gate before the big reveal after Atlantis landed, and it didn’t look like they would be getting over it and moving on any time soon. Under the table, Jack clenched one hand into a tight fist, the slight ache in his joints from the pressure temporarily distracting him.
Jack didn’t quite know what he was doing there, honestly. Diplomacy was never exactly his strong suit; he could think of dozens of times when his form of diplomacy had made things worse, rather than better. He was head of Homeworld, sure, but this PR thing had always been Davis’ game, since as far back as those first negotiations with the Russians. But Taylor had requested his presence specifically, so Jack had cleared his schedule and prepared to grin and bear it.
He knew he wasn’t bearing up so well.
Jack brought his attention back to the room. “What we don’t understand,” one of the ambassadors was saying, “is why this was not taken to the UN when it was first put to use.” The ambassador was from one of those little Latin American countries Jack pretended he couldn’t keep track of, and he spoke like someone who’d grown up speaking Spanish and then learned English at Oxford. It made Jack think of banana republics and other things he didn’t want to remember. “This is just another case of American imperialism, this time on an even larger-”
Jack’s chair clattered as he pushed it back to stand, slamming his hands on the table. “I don’t know how many times we have to say this,” he said, bending down so the mic picked him up. He could see the translators in the top row, and wished quite fiercely that Daniel was there to help smooth all this out. “We shut the ‘gate down after that first mission, and it was only reopened after an alien incursion threatened the safety of the planet. The program became more international once we had some time to stop and breathe. The United States has made no moves to colonize. The only offworld bases we’ve set up are research facilities, and they’re staffed by crews of scientists from all over the world.”
“But why weren’t we told-” another ambassador began, but Jack held up a hand. He wasn’t sure who was more surprised: the ambassador for being so rudely interrupted, or Jack himself because the man actually shut up.
“What your governments may or may not have told you is between you and your leaders,” Jack said. “We’ve been lying to our own people for 70 years, if you count from when the ‘gate was first brought here, and I’m glad we get to stop now.” He realized he was yelling and took a breath to calm down a little. “We’ve made some amazing allies,” he said, thinking regretfully of Thor for a moment, “and made some truly incredible discoveries. If you could see what it’s like out there-a whole galaxy full of people and cultures-it puts all our petty infighting into perspective.
“And we did all of this while fighting for our survival as a species, against enemies you can’t even comprehend. We didn't stop to notify everyone because we were busy saving all your asses.”
Jack half expected that the front row could hear how hard his heart was pounding in the shocked silence that followed.
“I think it’s time for a break, everyone,” President Taylor said after a few long moments, turning to the President of the General Assembly. “Mr. President, I think we might want to just continue tomorrow?” President d'Escoto nodded and went about the process required to finish for the day, and Jack sat down heavily.
“Thanks, Jack,” Taylor said softly, leaning over and putting his hand over Jack’s mic. “I think I might actually get them to negotiate now.” Jack looked at Taylor, but the man’s expression gave nothing away. “I know you’re headed to Colorado tonight to make sure no one’s getting too restless…”
“I can reschedule if you need me here,” Jack said, wincing internally. Daniel would kill him, but it wasn’t exactly like he could say no to the President of the United States.
Taylor shook his head, with an odd smile. “No, I think your presence here has served its purpose. We’ll have a meeting when you get back, though, so you can update me on the situation over there.”
“Yes, sir,” Jack said. He remained seated while Taylor got up and followed the rest of the departing ambassadors. For some reason, he felt manipulated.
continued in Three
back to Master Post