A Gift Of The Amazons 2

The Mission

by John O'Connor

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asj/john/amazons02.php
Summary: Sam and Janet are given command of a special mission group

At 0800, Sam glanced at Janet and knocked on the general's door. Hearing Hammond's "Enter!", Sam opened the door and let Janet enter ahead of her.

"Age before beauty," she whispered with a smirk.

"I'll get you for that, Samantha," Janet whispered back.

"Promise?" came the quick reply.

Stepping into the office, they saw Sam's teammates and General Hammond waiting for them. Somewhat taken aback, Sam stood to attention and said, "You wanted to see us, sir?"

"Come in Major. Doctor. Have a seat," Hammond invited.

Jack got up from one to the chairs and went to perch on a table that Teal'c was standing next to. Daniel moved over to another chair. This happened to free the two right in front of Hammond's desk.

As the two newcomers sat, Hammond got started. "Ladies, I have a special assignment and I need your help."

"Of course, sir," Sam said. Janet nodded her agreement.

"The Tok'ra has sent word of a planet that is interested in establishing diplomatic relations with Earth. It's a unique situation."

"Unique in what way sir?" Sam asked. She looked at Janet and saw the same look of puzzlement in her eyes.

"They are very strict about visitors. They will allow no males to set foot on their world. Even the Tok'ra had to use female hosts to talk face to face."

Janet leaned forward, "A matriarchal society?"

"More than that, I think," Daniel responded. "I believe, from information the Tok'ra supplied, that this culture may be derived from the ancient Amazons."

"Amazons?" Sam and Janet both said.

"Like Xena?" Jack asked.

"No, Jack," Daniel said with a sigh. "These are real."

"This kind of information can be covered later. Right now, I want to get the mission rolling. Major Carter, I want you to head up a special SG unit. Doctor Fraiser, you will go along as Major Carter's exec."

Janet squirmed eagerly. She loved traveling through the Gate, except the first time when she practically threw up on Jack O'Neill...

"I know it's unusual to send the doctor, but this is a special situation. I want my highest ranking women officers on this mission." Hammond was looking at O'Neill who had apparently already questioned the wisdom of sending the CMO off world.

"You both have experience with alien races and human cultures. You have both demonstrated your abilities with both human and alien cultures on other worlds."

"Thank you sir," Sam said.

"Yes sir, thank you," Janet added.

"Now, your first assignment is to gather your team. It has to be all women and I think personnel with Gate experience would be preferable. You will all be briefed by Doctor Jackson as to the apparent nature of the culture before embarking. Any questions?"

"No sir, not at this time," Janet responded.

"Um, sir? How many do you want on this special team?" Sam asked.

"They requested, through the Tok'ra, that ten people come to their world," Hammond said.

"What is the planet called?" Janet asked.

"Themyscira," Daniel responded.

Sam started to ask a question when Hammond stood, "Doctor Jackson will brief you and your teams fully later Major. But now, I'd like you to pick your personnel."

"Yes sir," Sam replied.

"Okay, that's all, people," Hammond said as he turned for his office.

Sam looked at Janet with a "help me please" expression. That changed to a weary grin as Jack was talking to Daniel on the way out of the briefing room.

"So, Daniel, these Amazons...no men? Only women? What do they do for..."

"Jack..."

Their voices faded as they headed down the corridor.

"Your first command," Janet said smirking.

Shaking her head and giving Janet her lopsided grin, "Yeah. Give me a hand please?"

As if taking the major literally, Janet grasped Sam's hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze, the young doctor replied, "Of course. Get your files, come by my office, and we can go through them." She released Sam's hand.

"Thanks, Janet," Sam said, feeling a little less apprehensive.

"Looks to be a slow day anyway. Unless the good Doctor Jackson does something to himself..."

The women separated then. Janet headed back to the Med Center and Sam to Records.

Entering the large file room, Sam marveled that the SGC had so much state-of-the-art equipment but still had hard-copy files for personnel records. At least the index was on computer.

Sitting at the records terminal, Sam entered the parameters for her search. Female, with off-world experience, preferably with alien cultures too.

The system began to search the database and Sam sat back. Her first command. She did like the sound of that. If this went well, she was sure she'd get another chance to head up an off-world team. She was glad Janet was going. The doctor was smart, level-headed, and Sam just enjoyed every minute she was with her. She let out a low chuckle as she came to the last point. "Not exactly a requirement for Gate travel," she muttered.

A list appeared on the screen with nine entries. "Damn! I was hoping for more..." Sam grumbled as she printed out the list. "Well, maybe if I drop the alien culture reference..."

The system started a new search as Sam gazed at the list she had. Of course, she and Janet were on there as was Captain Sawyer who had just been transferred to the DOD's research facility at Groom Lake, Area 51. The other six were familiar enough but Sam would need to go over their records.

The new list that appeared was identical to the one Sam had printed. Sighing, the young officer removed the off-world experience parameter and started a new search. This one took more time.

Finally, the computer brought up a list of twenty-three names. Sam printed it out and then began to pull the files. Shortly, she had pulled all but three of the files form the list: hers, Janet's, and Sawyer's. After signing them out, she headed for the Med Center.

Cradling the short stack of files in her arms, Sam made her way to the Med Center. Janet was waiting for her in the CMO's office.

"That didn't take as long as I thought," she said, glancing up from a report.

Setting the files down on a side table, Sam said, "I'll get started while you finish up your work."

"No, I'll be with you in a second. Just let me finish this. I figure, being your Mr. Spock, I better be in on this from the beginning," Janet said.

"Okay, let's hope there are no red shirts on this mission," Sam said, only half joking.

They first went through the files of the women who had been off-world. Of the six they had, two were unavailable. One was in her second trimester and the other was getting over a bad case of mono.

"Four down, four to go, Captain," Janet said.

"That's Major Captain to you, Doctor," Sam said, smiling at her love, carrying on the "Star Trek" joke.

They started to plow through the remaining files to find the rest of the special team. At noon, they took a break and headed for the mess hall.

Just as the two women were about to enter, Sam stopped short when she heard Jack O'Neill's voice, "So, this T&A squad..." He shut up as soon as he stepped into the corridor and saw Sam and Janet glowering at him. "Uh, afternoon, ladies," he said, tipping an imaginary hat. Daniel hung back and nodded at them.

"Colonel," Sam said. "Daniel."

"Afternoon, sir," Janet added. "Daniel."

"How goes the special project?"

"The, uh, T&A mission?" Janet asked.

Jack's face started to redden in embarrassment. "Uh, yeah, uh..."

"C'mon, Jack," Daniel grabbed the colonel's elbow. "You said you'd help with those crates of artifacts..."

"Help... Artifacts... Right! Excuse us, ladies," Jack said as he pulled Daniel along after him down the hall.

Looking at each other, the two officers began giggling in a most un-military fashion as they went up to the serving line.

Later, back in Janet's office, Sam threw another file on what they were calling the discard pile. "This is taking forever!"

"Now, hon, it's not that bad. We've been through most of the files and have a nice little stack of possibles," Janet protested. She gestured to a stack of eight files.

Eyeing the small stack, Sam asked, "Do you really think we can get four more out of that?"

"We still have...oh, looks like, say, ten or twelve yet to go through. I think we'll be okay," Janet said in her most soothing voice.

A few minutes later, Janet looked up and said, "What about her?" She handed a thin file to Sam.

Looking over the file, Sam looked up at her lover questioningly. "Terri Morgan? The quiet kid in communications? Why her?"

"I think it'd be good for her. She's bright, extremely interested in everything around here, and it's not like we have a lot of options left. See?" Janet leaned over, pointing to the open file, "Here on her college transcripts, she took courses in Greek mythology. If these Amazons are derived from the mythical ones, she might be able to help."

"But she's so quiet. You hardly see her when she's on the elevator with you..."

"Sam, come on. So she's not real sociable. Seems to me there is another officer around here who used to fit that description. All work and no play..."

"Fine. I just want to make sure you knew who she was, who we were talking about. This is my first command you know," Sam needlessly reminded Janet.

Finally, after an hour spent going over the remaining files as well as going over some they had already considered, Sam leaned back and stretched. "I think we have the group we need," she yawned. "And two backup selections in case one of these isn't interested."

Janet stood, rubbed a hand across her face, and nodded her agreement. "I'll get these files together and you return the big stack to the records office. Then we can get out of here for the night."

Sam nodded, reaching for the phone, "May I speak with General Hammond please? This is Major Carter. Thank you." Putting her hand over the receiver, Sam said, "I'll give the general the news that we have our team then I'll return those. If you want to go on home, I'll meet you there shortly."

"Okay, hon. I'll take the hint," Janet joked. Kissing the top of Sam's head, she added, "Don't be too long. Okay?"

Sam nodded as she spoke into the phone, "General, we have our group I think. Yes, I can bring it to you. I'll be there in five minutes."

Janet gathered the large stack of discarded files and whispered, "I'll take these back to personnel too." Janet quietly left the room.

Sam nodded and waved as she finished talking to Hammond over the phone. In the back of her mind was the question, 'What did I do to deserve her?'

Later that night, Sam and Janet told Cassie about their latest mission. While that could be construed as a security breach, Cassie was herself top-secret and was one of the most discreet people either of the women had ever known.

"Wow, Themyscira? Like where Wonder Woman comes from?"

"I thought she came from Paradise Island," Janet said to her daughter.

"Well, yeah, that's Themyscira." Cassie's voice had he typical teenaged tone that questioned the wisdom of the adults around her. (In other words, it translated to "Well, duh!")

Cassie, who had gotten hooked on comics by one of her school friends, proceeded to tell her mothers all about Wonder Woman and the Amazons.

And even later, in bed, Sam asked, "You know, Jack may have a point about these Amazons. What do they do with no men?"

"Oh, come on, Sam... If you want sex, you don't have to be so indirect..." Janet leaned over her friend and lover.

"Who said anything about sex?" Sam asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Oh. Well, I just... Oh, fuck it!"

Janet leaned over and gave Sam one of the hottest, most passionate kisses they'd shared in weeks. As her tongue played with Sam's, Janet reached under Sam's shorts and ran her fingers around the short, curly hair she found there.

Sam moaned into Janet when she felt the slender fingers slip inside.

Later, as the two sweaty, panting women cuddled, Sam said, "Honestly, Janet, this was not what I was getting at. But... I think demonstrations like this can be most effective in education."

"I concur, Major," Janet said, kissing Sam softly and lovingly.

~~~

The conference room was crowded the next morning. Daniel stood at the side near the video screen. Jack, Teal'c, and Hammond stood off to the side. The spaces at the table were filled by the members of Sam's team.

Daniel had been talking for a few minutes when he looked at Jack and realized he was loosing his audience. The colonel managed to look bored and fascinated by his fingernails at the same time. Undaunted, and pretty used to this, Daniel continued.

"The Amazons settled in what is now northern Turkey, along the Black Sea, in a city they named Themyscira. Undoubtedly this is where the planet's name came from when the Goa'uld placed them there.

"They were fighters of great renown throughout Asia Minor. The Amazons, according to Homer, fought with King Priam in the Trojan War. There were several tribes of Amazons as well. One in what is now Libya fought the Atlantean Army according to legend."

"Atlantis, Daniel? We dealing with cartoons now?" Jack asked. "When are we going to get to the good stuff?"

"Good stuff, Jack?" Daniel blinked owlishly at his friend.

"Yeah, like all that stuff between Xena and Gabrielle.."

"Colonel, please," Hammond said.

"Sorry sir, it's just that it might be important for the mission. You know, cultural morals and all..."

"Jack, please," Hammond said again.

"The name Amazon..."

Sam found herself tuning out Daniel as she looked around the table at the team she had gathered. Of the eight she and Janet had picked, all had willingly agreed to the mission. The team consisted of herself, Janet, 2nd Lieutenant Terri Morgan, 1st Lieutenant Allison Moore, and Captain Elizabeth Harding from the Air Force. The Navy contingent supplied Lieutenant Commander Marcy Davis, and Ensign Carla Greene. The Marines representative was 2nd Lieutenant Mavis Cavanaugh. The last two members were both civilians, Jennifer Crue and Ashley Rand. The civilians were also the only ones, other than Sam and Janet, that had offworld experience.

Sam glanced at Janet, to find the doctor smiling at her. This was really going to happen! She was going to lead a team off-world! She and Janet. That was the only part of Gate travel she didn't like, leaving her love behind.

But, she reflected, they would be leaving their not-so little girl at home. They would both miss Cassie while they were gone.

Eventually, Daniel wound down and the lecture stopped. Sam realized that she had missed most of it. Hoping Janet took good notes, she stood and said, "Okay. Thank you Daniel. Ladies, we leave at 1830 hours. Go to the Med Center and get your pre-mission check up and shots. Please have your gear and be ready in the Gateroom by 1815 hours.

"So, unless General Hammond has anything... Very well, dismissed."

As the women filed out with Janet, Jack walked up to Sam. "Nervous, Carter? Your first command?"

"No, Colonel. I'm not. I'm excited and anxious to get on with this."

"Good to hear, Major," Hammond said. "I am confident you will do a wonderful job. Right, Colonel?"

"Wha-? Oh, yes sir, General sir. A crackerjack job, I'm sure," Jack said.

Hammond looked at Jack without comment then said, "Thank you Major. Go to the Med Center and then report to my office before departure."

~~~

In the Gateroom, the members of SG-13 ("Lucky 13," Sam thought.) stood around waiting for the moment they were to go through the wormhole to an alien world. Most were calm, at least on the surface, listening to the two who had Gate experience.

Terri Morgan was more obviously nervous. She kept looking around, her eyes always returning to the large ring that dominated the room. Her brown hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. She kept fiddling with her rimless glasses.

Janet came in and saw the young woman was edgy. She decided a friendly, calming voice might be in order. "Hey, Lieutenant. Ready for the jump?"

"Uh, well, um, Doctor, I'm a little nervous..." she replied as she pushed her glasses up in a Clark Kent type gesture.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. We haven't lost anyone in the wormhole yet," Janet laughed until she saw that the joke did nothing to reassure the fidgety officer.

"Listen, if it makes you feel any better, I almost threw up on Jack O'Neill on my first jump."

"You did?" Terri squeaked.

"Uh huh," Janet nodded. "But, just relax. We wouldn't have picked you if we thought there was anyway you couldn't do this."

"Thank you, Doctor. I really appreciate it," Terri said, slightly calmer now.

Sam strode in with Hammond and O'Neill in tow. She, like virtually all SG team members, was dressed in camouflage with the usual array of field gear, including automatic weapons and sidearms. The rest of the Special Squad was as well, some less comfortable with the weight of their packs than others.

They were discussing the MALP that had preceded the team. Hammond was more than a little agitated. "They wouldn't talk to me! I'm the damned commanding officer!"

Sam nodded while Jack tried not to snicker out loud. "Sir, they do have a somewhat chauvinistic view of men."

Jack barked out a laugh, "Female chauvinist pigs?"

Sam glared at him as did Hammond. Jack shrugged and stepped back.

"Ladies, uh, that is, SG-13," Hammond said, covering what he suddenly feared could be misinterpreted as a chauvinist remark. "I just want to say good luck. Major?"

Sam nodded at Hammond and smiled a quick thank-you to Jack as she stepped up. "Okay Ladies," Sam wasn't too worried about being PC with her new team. "Once the Gate opens, Doctor Fraiser and I will go first then the rest will follow in pairs. Ashley, Jennifer, I want you two last since you've been through this before." The civilians both nodded. "This should be a cakewalk so relax and, for those of you who've never done this, enjoy your first visit to an alien world."

The Stargate exploded with a bubble of plasma before settling into the shimmery, silver event horizon. Sam nodded and went up the short ramp and stepped through followed by Janet and the rest of her team.

On the other side, Sam felt a pleasant breeze, lightly scented. The sky was a deep blue with high white clouds. They were in a grassy field dotted with trees and a small city visible a few miles away. Directly in front of the Gate was their MALP and two low platforms hovering a foot above the ground.

They were circular, approximately six to eight feet in diameter with a low rail around the circumference. There was a tall console at the apparent front with a gap in the rail on the opposite side.

In the lead hover platform, a tall, beautiful woman with dark, almost black hair looked at the newcomers with an open, friendly smile. She landed the disc on the ground and stepped off, walking up to the Terrans. She was wearing what was basically a white toga with a gold corded belt and open sandals. The redhead pilot/driver of the other disc was similarly dressed.

"Hello, I am Diana. Welcome to Themyscira."

"Hello, I am Major Samantha Carter of Earth. This is Doctor Janet Fraiser and..."

Sam's words were cut off when Diana kissed her. The tall, dark-haired woman moved to Janet and took her face in her hands and kissed the shorter brunette. Diana kissed everyone in turn.

Seeing the surprised look on the faces of everyone, Diana frowned. "I am sorry. Is something wrong?"

"Well, we aren't usually greeted... That is..."

"I am sorry. I hadn't realized your customs were so different. I hope that I may make it up to you later," Diana said looking directly into Sam's eyes.

Sam felt Janet's amused look turned to her as she felt her face turn red at the implied seduction in Diana's words. She managed to complete the introductions with only a few lapses.

Janet, who rather enjoyed the gesture, looked around and noticed several of her people were looking at Diana with more than casual interest. In fact, Terri Morgan looked like a love-struck teenager. (A look Janet was becoming more and more familiar with as Cassie grew older.)

"Please, come and step up on the Disks. They will take us to our city where you will meet our queen, Hippolyta."

The members of SG-13 stepped onto the hovering disks and were soon being whisked to the city on the horizon.

Next: First Impressions