SG1-25 Hostile Ground(22)

Hammond couldn’t help but agree with her. This whole exercise felt as cold and clinical as the gleaming white corridor down which they were led to the Curia chamber. The atmosphere within the room did nothing to alleviate his anxiety.

As a newly promoted Brigadier General during the age of Perestroika and Glasnost, he’d sat in on many diplomatic meetings between US and Soviet ambassadors and military representatives. On the surface, the purpose of those meetings had been to end the mistrust and menace engendered by the Cold War, to strengthen new relationships and put aside grievances. But always, always, beneath the veneer of diplomacy lurked the ugly suspicion of old battles: handshakes above the table and loaded guns below. It was that same suspicion that permeated the Curia.

“General Hammond, Dr. Fraiser,” said High Chancellor Travell, not rising from her seat on the dais. “Thank you for agreeing to our request for a meeting.”

Resisting the urge to point out that it was less of a request and more of a summons, Hammond said, “It’s my pleasure, High Chancellor. I just hope that we can move forward in resolving the issues at hand.”

“That too is our hope, General Hammond,” said another voice. “Please know that we are most glad to see you here.”

Hammond turned to find Thor also seated behind the dais, flanked by two other Asgard representatives. For the first time since he arrived on Tollana, Hammond felt a modicum of relief. He’d worried about who the Asgard might send as their representative, but the presence of Thor, whom he considered a true friend of the SGC and of Earth, bolstered his hope that the meeting would not end in disaster after all.

He and Fraiser took their seats and the proceedings began.

“We are disappointed that Colonel O’Neill is not here with you, General. We had hoped to speak with him before the summit. I hope he is still committed to the investigation?” asked Travell.

“We have encountered a setback in that respect, High Chancellor. It’s my unfortunate task to inform you that Colonel O’Neill, along with SG-1, have been missing in action for two days. We have launched a full search and rescue but, as I’m sure you understand, this is no small task. Our enemies are many.”

There was silence. The Tollan officials exchanged looks that made Hammond’s blood boil and beside him Fraiser shifted in her seat. He glanced over at Thor, who said, “I am truly sorry to hear such news, General Hammond. Colonel O’Neill and his team are nothing if not resourceful. I am confident they will find a way back to Earth.”

“We are also most concerned to hear the news of SG-1’s disappearance, General,” said Travell. “We hope your search for them proves fruitful.”

“Thank you, High Chancellor,” replied Hammond, although he doubted their sympathies were entirely unselfish.

“Can we take it that your investigation into your people is on hold while this search continues?”

“It seems we have little choice in that regard,” said Hammond, trying to ignore the way she’d said ‘your people’, as if all of humanity had been judged by the Tollan and found wanting. “Both yourselves and the Asgard have stipulated that no one other than Colonel O’Neill may conduct the investigation,” he continued. “But, under the circumstances, I would like to request that you reconsider that condition.” He withdrew a pale blue manila folder from his briefcase; a card to be played which he hoped would at least prolong the game. He looked around the Curia, towards Thor, his best hope of gaining the agreement of the room. “There are several people under my command whom I’d like to offer for consideration–”

“Our judgment on that matter has not changed, General. No one but O’Neill will be acceptable to carry out the mission.” This came from one of the other Tollan officials, a man whose face was not familiar to Hammond. The arrogant disdain which he conveyed in just a few words, however, was entirely recognizable.

“My government is just as eager to find these criminals as you are,” he said. “But with this restriction, you’re making it very difficult.”

“Might I remind you how much is at stake for our planets, General Hammond?” said the nameless Tollan, leaning forward in his seat, his voice rising. “For many generations we took great steps to ensure that our technology was protected, yet within a short time of treating with Earth we find ourselves in the position of having that which we have defended, often at the cost of our lives, stolen from beneath our noses. And you dare to tell us that we are making this difficult?”

High Chancellor Travell turned to her fellow official and made a gesture, just a slight movement of her hand, but enough to calm him. “I’m sure General Hammond is fully aware of what is at stake, Chancellor Morrel. Let us remember that this is not a Triad and accusations have no place here.”