Read Online STARGATE SG-1: Do No Harm by Karen Miller - Free Book Online Page B

Janet wondered if he was having sec ond thoughts about his temporary assignment to the base. It was impossible to say. Nothing but sorrow showed in his expression. A tall man, physically imposing, he had a nice face. Not handsome, not precisely, just… nice. Steadfast. Dependable. Something unexpectedly gentle in his eyes.
    Interesting. Not what she’d expected from a man who’d chosen Special Forces as his life. She was sorry she’d missed out on conducting his preliminary physical. Bill Warner had taken care of it while she’d been on shift at the hospital.
    Still. There’ll be time to talk with him sooner or later. And I will. I want to know what makes him tick. I want to know if he’s holding a grudge over Cromwell
.
    Not that she had any reason to think it. Probably she was just being over-protective. Suspicious. Possibly, maybe, insubordinate.
    But even if I am, so what? It doesn’t count when it’s only in my head. And anyway, I’m the doctor. Jack’s one of my patients. Being protective comes with the territory
.
    The memorial service concluded. The wormhole was disengaged. Shaking herself free of sorrow, Janet got back to work.
     
    “Colonel Dixon?”
    Wrenched from the sour memories of Frank Cronwell’s memorial service, Dixon turned. “General. Yes, sir?”
    Hammond had himself well in hand, but what that was cost ing him showed in his light blue eyes. What had McCreary said?
Hammond’s a good man. One of the best
. It was the impression he’d got reading all those mission reports full of unconscious heroism and ruthlessly restrained humanity. At the heart of each and every one, even O’Neill’s, was the need to satisfy General George Hammond; every officer, noncom and airman on this base, so eager not to let the man down. Of course it was possible he’d misread the reports. Few C.O.s could inspire that kind of loyalty.
    Looking in Hammond’s weary face now, though, after hearing him speak, he realized he hadn’t misread anything. Now he’d seen the general in action it was clear the reports had told only half the tale.
    He ’s one hell of a leader. This base, this program, hell, this planet, is lucky to have him.
    “If you have a moment, Colonel?” said Hammond, his Texas twang muted, his courtesy distinct. A real Southern gentleman… but nobody’s fool.
    They’d not spoken since he’d arrived on the base. Hammond had been caught up with Pentagon business, and then there was the matter of settling into his quarters, the flap and crap of yet another full-scale physical — the most rigorously thorough he’d ever endured, which was saying something — and last of all getting ready for the memorial service. Acutely aware of O’Neill and his people filing out of the gate room, he focused his attention on his temporary commanding officer.
    “Of course, General. All the moments you need.”
    “Your quarters satisfactory?” said Hammond, leading the way to his office.
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Anyone given you the ten cent tour yet?”
    “Of the base? No, sir.”
    They’d reached the general’s sanctum. Waving a hand at the nearest empty chair, Hammond’s lips quirked in a brief smile. “I can fix that.”
    Dixon sat. “Yes, sir.”
    “It’s a bit of a maze but you soon get used to it. Just watch out for doors opening unexpectedly. You’d be surprised how often that happens.”
    Doors? Okay… “Yes, sir.”
    Hammond slid into his own chair, a large man dominating the available space. The desk he sat behind was neat and gleaming with polish. A shiny red phone sat to one side. Hotline straight to the President, just like in the movies.
    I wonder if they’re on a first name basis? Rumor has it O’Neill a nd the President are. But then rumor has O’Neill doing a lot of things, doesn’t it
?
    “I appreciate you being here, Colonel,” said Hammond. “The whole base appreciates it. And I understand from General McCreary that three of your team have also agreed to help us