SGA fic: Palmam qui meruit ferat
Title: Palmam qui meruit ferat
Author: Gnat
Chapters: 1/2, for length
Rating: T, for language
Genre: Gen, Friendship
Characters: Sheppard, McKay, Zelenka, Caldwell, Carter, Woolsey, Jackson
Warnings: Possible spoilers for First Contact & The Lost Tribe., Was not written as a tag for the episodes, but can be considered as one, if you like.
Summary: Carter's plan was to put two scientists in their places, but Rodney was caught in the fallout.
Disclaimers: Don't own them. Never will. It is all in fun and no copyright infringement is intended. Don't sue.
This is for karri_kln1671 who asked for a back story showcasing Sheppard's intelligence in a practical way back in September. It is not exactly what she wanted, but I hope you like anyway s. I just couldn't resist the idea of Sheppard being hurt by the fact McKay was teasing him about his intelligence in front of someone else...Jackson nevertheless. Plus, to me it has been a curious fact that Sheppard had a schedule for reading his novel and we never really ever saw him read anything else, except graphic novels (is that what they are called now?). Anyways, it made me think that either he has or has had problems with reading and may have been teased about it. Hence, this little bunny was born.
I don't have any clue as to the process of obtaining a doctoral degree. Heck, I can't even finish either one of my Masters. All of my research came up with basically nothing. So, I had to take an educated guess, which is probably totally wrong. I can live with that. If anyone wishes to correct me, I would love to hear from you.
As for Caldwell, I figured for someone of his rank & position (for him to be in command of the Daedalus & to have been considered for command of Atlantis), he should have a higher degree. For some reason, I see him as the type to futz with electronic equipment, robots, & miniature planes/cars/boats in his off time.
Palmam qui meruit ferat
Now...
“Sheppard!” Rodney called after the retreating back of his friend. It had been two days now and Sheppard had holed up in his office for one reason or another. Rodney saw the chance and wasn’t going to lose it. Day was the day he was going to get an answer.
What he didn’t expect was Lt. Col. John Sheppard whirring around in anger. “God Dammit, Rodney! Can’t you just leave it and me alone? Just once?!” Not waiting for a response, Sheppard turned on his heels and stalked towards the conference room.
Shocked, McKay stood speechless in the corridor for a few moments before regaining his wits and headed to the briefing. Slipping into the seat next to Sheppard, Rodney continued to slip him sidelong glances, but the prior anger was gone, replaced with his usual mask of politeness as he and Major Lorne discussed...whatever it was they were discussing.
Woolsey cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Thank you. I know that many of you have lodged complaints about the number of staff required for daily staff briefings. Upon review of this policy and the amount of downtime it has created...”
Somewhere in Woolsey's long, drawn out speech, Rodney zoned out. Thankfully, this time Zelenka was doing all the talking and he could mull over the enigma that was Sheppard.
Hearing returned, as the meeting concluded, and he heard a sharp ‘No!’ from beside him. “What the hell, Sheppard?”
“Mr. Woolsey made the announcement in here to the rest of the senior staff and asked Colonel Sheppard if he could make it citywide,” said Zelenka from the other side of Rodney, as Sheppard hurriedly left the room .
“And that was his reaction?”
“Sadly, yes.”
“What the hell is his problem? Do you know?”
“Maybe. But it is not my place to say. You should ask Colonel Sheppard.”
“I have, but he acts like he is angry with me.” “Jerk,” he muttered under his breath, looking back over his shoulder at the once again retreating figure.
**********
A little over one month ago...
Colonel Samantha Carter stared down at the paper in front of her. Has it been that long already? Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Colonel, I hope I am not interrupting you," said General Landry.
"Of course not, General. I was just thinking about how time flies. I just received this," Sam said holding up the notification. “I can't wait to give Colonel Sheppard the official news."
"Yes. Well, you may want to wait to tell him," Landry said handing Carter a mangled package.
"Wha-" she said, realization dawning. "Oh, no. What happened?"
"I don't know. A screener brought this to my attention. They decided Colonel Sheppard would be very upset when he received this. I agreed."
"Yes, I agree. I don't think he would be overly happy. I will see what I can do to have everything reissued before I leave for Area 51."
"Good. I will leave you to it then."
Sighing, Sam picked up the phone to call her contacts to see about having everything reissued. Hours later, after talking with her contacts and submitting several additional forms, Sam hung up satisfied. She could only hope that she would receive everything in time for the Daedalus' next run to Atlantis.
**********
Three weeks ago...
Sam had almost forgotten about her request between briefings and moving all of her things back to R&D at Area 51, when she looked up and saw a Airman standing in her the lab's doorway with several oversized envelopes. "Thank you."
"No problem, ma'am."
Carter would never tell Sheppard of the problem; he had worked too hard. Now to put a couple of overly cocky scientists in their place.
**********
"Colonel Caldwell!" Sam called out. Thankfully, the Colonel was still at the SGC taking care of last minute details, instead of on the Daedalus.
"Colonel," Caldwell said by way of greeting as Carter caught up with him.
"I was wondering if you could do me a favor when you get to Atlantis?" Sam went on to explain her plan for extracting revenge.
**********
Eighteen days as an intergalactic ferry boat captain gave Stephen Caldwell a lot of time to think.
The siege was over and repairs on Atlantis and the Daedalus were underway. Sheppard had been helping out wherever necessary. The day prior, he had asked if when Caldwell had a few moments he could talk to him.
By all reports, the younger man was slacker and a rogue. Someone who couldn't be trusted. The person standing in front of him painted an entirely different picture. He looked weary, worn down, but was still working around the clock. He made sure everyone else had gotten some rest and something to eat, but did little of it himself.
"Colonel. Am I to assume that we will have regular contact with Earth now?"
"Yes. The Daedalus will be making periodic supply runs and I believe there will be weekly databursts to the SGC. If I may ask, why are you so concerned Major? I had been told that you were told that this might have been a one way trip."
"Uh, yes, sir. It's just...that well, being around all these geeks got me thinking."
"Can't handle it, Sheppard?" asked Caldwell heatedly.
"No, sir. I can handle it just fine," Sheppard said confused at Caldwell's sudden icy turn in attitude. "Actually, I want to go back and get my PhD in mechanical and aerospace engineering, sir."
OK, that was unexpected. “I am not sure what you want me to do.”
“Even while I was stationed in Afghanistan & McMurdo, I was able to continue my education with the assistance of the Air Force. I am hoping the SGC can help me now, and I don’t feel comfortable with Dr. McKay, since he is a member of my team, chairing my dissertation committee. In all honesty, sir, I don’t feel comfortable with any of the scientists from Atlantis chairing my committee. Is there someone you could recommend that I speak with at the SGC?”
“Sheppard, you are going to have to have a couple of scientists from Atlantis on your committee. Even with regular contact from Earth and routine runs of the Daedalus, someone here will have to oversee your work.”
“I understand that, sir. I just don’t feel comfortable with any of them being the chair.”
“I think that Colonel Carter would be the person to ask. She has done quite a lot of work in the fields aerospace engineering and the integration of otherworld technology, especially Ancient technology. Type up your proposal and send it in the next databurst.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
**********
Caldwell had been very surprised when Sheppard asked him to become part of his committee. He always thought that Carter recommended that Sheppard ask him; very few people knew he held a PhD in electrical engineering. Sheppard had some good ideas and he was keen to debate the merits of them with Sheppard.
It had not taken as long as Stephen thought it would for Sheppard to complete the program; he was already ahead of the game working with several of the scientists- primary Zelenka, Kusanagi, & Simpson. Thankfully, the SGC, through the Pentagon, had arrangements with several universities that allowed for ‘unusual circumstances’ in their degree programs. It allowed Sheppard to transfer his work completed under the tutelage of the scientists, provided they held teaching degrees in that field or could be shown by an independent body to have specialized knowledge.
Communications had been the most difficult to arrange. Weir tried to arrange some time every week, if not every month, during the databurst. She also allocated Sheppard additional data space in the databurst.
Stephen was amazed at the tenacity and sheer force of will Sheppard showed when completing his questions for the dissertation committee.
Sometimes progress meeting would have to be postponed or cancelled altogether. The meetings would be interrupted by for one reason or another, or Sheppard would fall asleep while standing up or in the middle of answering a question. He would be very embarrassed, apologize, but everyone, including Stephen, knew the hours Sheppard put in.
Hell, Stephen even remembered when Sheppard had shown up for the committee in full tac gear straight from a one-day turned four-day mission and debriefing. He was muddy, covered in scratches, bruises, insect bites, and nasty looking welts. Sheppard looked like the walking dead, but refused to go to the infirmary until he completed his monthly meeting. By the end of 15 minutes, Zelenka called an end to the meeting; Sheppard could barely breathe and was losing consciousness.
**********
Two days ago...
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard had been overseeing the unloading of the Daedalus when he was approached by Caldwell.
“Col. Sheppard, come with me.”
Seeing a manila envelope in Caldwell’s hand, fear and uncertainty raced through Sheppard. Surely they weren’t relieving him of command, were they? “Can this wait, sir? We are about halfway though unloading of the Daedalus.”
Caldwell was about to tell him no, when he Sheppard yelled out, “Anderson, watch out behind you! Miers, be careful! We don’t need anyone out here hurt because you can’t watch where you are going.” “Sorry, sir.”
“That’s OK, Sheppard. As you were. When you get done, report to Woolsey’s office.”
“Sir, yes, sir.”
**********
Zelenka had received an email with the last databurst notifying him that Lt. Colonel John Sheppard had been officially awarded his PhD in mechanical & aeronautical engineering. He and the rest of Sheppard’s PhD committee was asked by Colonel Carter not to say anything to Sheppard unless specifically asked and then if possible to misdirect him. They were all to gather in Woolsey’s office when Caldwell summoned them. According to the email, Dr’s Jackson and McKay would also be summoned; apparently Jackson told Carter how they teased Sheppard about being Mensa qualified and military, and Carter being Carter, decided to end the teasing once and for all.
Radek was sure that Sheppard was not going to be happy; he had fought to keep his status a secret; it had been very hard for everyone involved. Rodney had wanted to know why Sheppard was always in the labs with either Zelenka, Kusanagi, or Simpson; granted when Radek said that Sheppard was helping with a project, he wasn’t technically lying. Now Zelenka and the rest of his PhD committee was beaming with pride.
Part 2