Changing the Guard, by Aelfgyfu (PG)
Rec Category: General Hammond
Pairing: none
Category: General Hammond, Jack O'Neill, character study, episode related
Warning: none
Author on LJ: unknown
Author's Website: Aelfgyfu's Mead Hall
Link: Changing the Guard
Why This Must Be Read: Well, it will make you miss George even more.
“What is Siler leaving you that you had to be sure he didn’t die?”
In this short story, set sometime after Moebius, George Hammond turns up on Jack O'Neill's doorstep to discuss his upcoming promotion and move to Washington. Jack might not like to hear much of what George says, but he can't deny the truth in his old CO's words. General or not, Jack is still too much a part of SG-1 to be impartial enough to make the right decisions, and it's time for him to move on.
Aelfgyfu has a wonderful knack for good, flowing dialogue. There's snarkiness and candidness in equal doses. Here, we get a wonderful look at the two men who led the SGC as they ruefully acknowledge close ties and the inevitable advantages and shortcomings of that closeness. We're offered a reasonable explanation for the scattering of SG-1 at the beginning of S9, a candid confession on how retiring just doesn't seem to be an option for these two, and a painful look back at the agonzing duties of two COs who have lost too many people under their command.
Painful truths and a look to the future. What else would you expect from George and Jack?
“Two stars means you’ll still be a general, Jack,” Hammond pointed out. “There are . . . consolations. Washington isn’t as exciting, but you’ll have an office with a window. No klaxons, some days normal office hours. . . .”
“So that I can go home to an apartment that’s too expensive in a town where I don’t know anybody-”
“And, Jack,” he said earnestly, “even though I still care about my people back at the SGC, especially your team, I don’t spend my days anymore waiting to see if the next team will make it back, what condition they’ll make it back in, how long it will take them to recover. . . .” Jack’s full attention was fixed on Hammond, but Hammond could see an argument coming and played his trump card. “It’s worth it. Especially since I haven’t had to shoot any of my own people since I left the SGC.”
Jack started. “That’s not fair! How many did you shoot while you were there? That thing with Anubis-that was a fluke! Never happen again! Daniel made sure of that! And I only shot Carter and Teal’c before I became general! Besides,” he added as an afterthought, “everyone shoots Daniel. It’s practically a requirement of the job!”
“I haven’t shot many.” Hammond replied softly, “But I watched many die. I saw way too many bodies come back through. And worse: I ordered wormholes shut down. I had GDO codes locked out. I recalled search teams and didn’t send them back out. And,” Hammond spoke very slowly now, “I sent people on missions from which they didn’t come back. Do you know how many people I lost?”
Jack looked out the window again.
“I know you don’t want to leave here. Hell, I didn’t, not really. But it was time for me to go. I’d lost my objectivity too. I had my favorite team.”
Jack shifted, still not looking at the other man. “I do seem to recall you opening the iris a couple of times when you shouldn’t have.”
Hammond nodded, “As you did when your team had been lost in Baal’s fortress. The whole damned base knew who my favorite team was. Just as everyone knows now. And you do know it wasn’t exactly proper for you to take a vacation with your old team?” he asked gently.
“We’d earned it!”
“You certainly did. And once you’re reassigned, that won’t be favoritism anymore; that will just be friendship. The chain of command won’t get between you and your old team anymore.”
“Well, what good is that going to be with me on the East Coast, Carter out west, Teal’c on Dakara, and Daniel in the Pegasus Galaxy?”
Hammond chuckled. “I know your team, Jack. You can’t stay apart for good. But you’re needed in different places for now. And the others are going to those places anyway; do you really want to be in this house, on that base, when they’re not around?”
They finished their beers in silence.