jamie: bitter panda saying not quite zen (kitsune)
[personal profile] jamie posting in [community profile] sga_saturday
Title: Burnt Coffee
Author: sixtail
Pairing: gen so far
Rating: G
Words: 610
Categories: crossover with The Sentinel (barely)
Warnings: none
Summary: Sheppard out processes at McMurdo
A/N: Sequel to McMurdo Babel posted at AO3 because I blew the deadline for the last challenge.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, almost immediately regretting it. The smell of burnt coffee, dust, the little desk heater that was warming somebody's stinky feet and the faint tang of leftover orange cleaner was vile. Still, at least with his eyes closed the fluorescent lighting didn't hurt quite as much.


Stop 3 of 14 on his exit checklist. People not used to government bureaucracy tended to make fun of the many, many pieces of paper but a part of John was reassured by it. This particular office was where he turned in his squadron issued cold weather gear (different from his personal Air Force required cold weather gear which was different from his personal bought off the internet and better than the first two choices gear). Gear that had made it out of the duffle for inspections but otherwise went unused.

"Two pairs of mittens, two pair of mitten liners..." The airman was going down the inventory and taking things off the counter and dropping them into a bin.

Most of the exit checklist didn't need to be in any particular order. Only the last two or three stops needed confirmation and records from any of the others. He'd chosen to do this one early mostly because they had really limited intake hours - and he didn't want to haul the crap all over base.

"One pair, black, glove liners, arctic issue."

He'd already gone to the armory and signed off on the form that he'd 'turned in his 9mm' that he'd never actually laid hands on at all during his three months on duty here. His qualifications weren't due for another three and it isn't like the penguins shot back at anyone but the scientists trying to get too close to the eggs.

"One set of MOLLE gear, size medium tall, OD green. Three ammo pouches, rifle. One ammo pouch, pistol. One chest strap. One vest."

He estimated that it would take another day to finish all of the items on his list, and that was if he could get transport from stop to stop. Medical was after this - pick up medical records, pick up dental records, do exit interviews with doctors at both hospitals, confirm he didn't have any medications or ongoing medical conditions that were not being treated. Get another set of x-rays, go through the usual 'don't lose this Major Sheppard, it is very important' speech about the red folder with his medical Sentinel file (no really?). He sighed and opened his eyes, the clerk had stopped talking a while ago.

The airman was gone and the finished paperwork was sitting on the now empty counter. Fantastic. He rubbed at his eyes carefully and turned to leave. He took a moment to put on his sunglasses before he stepped out into the afternoon light.

Out-processing was going pretty smoothly. He might even be able to sneak in a meal today. Getting fresh food and more importantly, a choice of restaurants in Colorodo Springs was definitely on his list when he in processed at Peterson (official home of NORAD and the SGC's administrative offices). His flight out was scheduled for three days from now at 0700 on the usual C-17. Chances are he'd even be coming back here on a TDY to do more work at the Outpost before they went to Atlantis. Especially if that meant that General O'Neill didn't have to.

He let his mouth curl up in a half smile as the bus lurched around the corner. His luck was holding up, it was even going in the right direction for the BOQ office. Stop number 4 coming up.

++end++

Date: 2011-12-22 10:05 pm (UTC)
esteefee: Shep pointing his Beretta at the camera. (big_gun)
From: [personal profile] esteefee
oh, I love this Sheppard brain, dry and laid-back and so canon. I didn't realize this was a sequel at first to the other bit--makes it even more satisfying to know why he's bugging out. You can tell he's done this so many times before. The fact he hasn't even seen his weapon is pretty hilarious. Loved the details of the burnt smells that would so irritate a Sentinel.

♥ I cannot *wait* to read more in this 'verse!

Date: 2011-12-22 11:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stella-pegasi.livejournal.com
Really enjoyed...looking forward to the next installment...

Date: 2011-12-24 06:03 am (UTC)
trillingstar: walkabout | Harold, head bent down, playing the guitar as he walks in the countryside. Reads: Sing Out (sga john copper)
From: [personal profile] trillingstar
I liked this slice of John's pre-canon life, and the military vocabulary you used rounded out the scene so well. Great fill for the prompt, too, with his sensitized sniffer. *g*

Date: 2011-12-24 06:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lilyfarfalla.livejournal.com
Leftover orange cleaner!! I just...that's such a lovely little detail in a story that felt seeped in them. Maybe I just like lists, but John standing there as he returned all of the things that tied him to Antarctica was AWESOME. I love that you skipped the bit reveal and decision-making etc etc and gave us this little moment in between. Awesome.

Date: 2011-12-24 01:50 pm (UTC)
saphirablue: (John)
From: [personal profile] saphirablue
This is so wonderful! ♥

Thank you! :)

Date: 2011-12-25 03:04 am (UTC)
jesse_the_k: Bare dorsal Paul Gross from Slings & Arrows (naked & proud)
From: [personal profile] jesse_the_k
I am so glad to read these two fics. I've heard about Sentinels in fandom, but I doubt I'll ever get canon. Let me testify I didn't feel wut? about some of the extrasensory stuff, seemed to fit in. Especially the way John dismisses the extra care some might try to show towards him. Cause he's too cool for it, y'know!

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