Village People
Brendon James
Chapter One
It had been one year since the stargate first opened- he had been hesitant then. Leaving behind Sara and Charlie to go on what had unknowingly been a suicide mission irked him. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Sara alone and Charlie without a father; but after seeing what the Gould could do, Jack O'Neill could not sit idly by and watch his planet be destroyed. He stood staring at the stargate, waiting for the briefing to begin; Jack hardly doubted that the subject of Daniel Jackson would not arise. Leaving Daniel on Abydos had not been easy, neither was their friendship. General Hammond grimly walked out of his office; Jack spun on his heels and gave the general a crisp salute. "Colonel O'Neill it's a pleasure to meet you. General West has told me much about you." General Hammond gave Jack a lazy salute then stuck his hand out for a shake.
Jack stood at ease, "only good things I hope," He shook the general's hand. With an easy change of direction, General Hammond went to the far end of the table: the end closest to his office. Jack also turned to the table, there sat Kawalsky and Feretti; both had gone on the original mission with him, their wives had become close. More than that, they both knew Daniel's secret.
General Hammond spoke, "in accord to recent events, the Pentagon has sanctioned the construction of two teams who will traverse through the stargate to gather Intel." He was speaking of the kidnapping that had occurred. "Colonel O'Neill you will command SG-1, the flagship team. Major Kawalsky, you will command SG-2. The construction of your teams will be up to you with the exception of Dr. Sam Carter to SG-1." Almost as if on cue, an exceptionally tall woman in a solid black suite strutted in.
Jack looked down at the notebook that sat in front of him, trying not to stare intently at the woman standing in front of him. He was married after all, still is for that matter. "You a civie," he asked, not sure he wanted an answer.
"Yes sir," she replied standing at attention. He thought it odd how well she obviously knew the military.
Kawalsky leaned back in his chair, "so Sam, what's that short for? Samantha?"
Sam grinned, "Let's just say dad wanted a boy."
"So what then, daddy thought having a little princess was overrated?" Jack made the mistake of adding. He'd been married long enough to have known better.
"My mother more than compensated, but I think I deserve to be here. So if you need proof that I will be valuable to your team you can see my resume, then we can arm wrestle." She held her ground well, not giving him an inch.
Jack couldn't help but snicker, "keep your femininity doctor. It's not the fact that you're a woman that makes me not want you on my team, though I am considering the complications." Kawalsky and Feretti roared, "Boys! Respect the lady. I was going to say I hate scientists, especially after Jackson."
Hammond cleared his throat, "watch your words Colonel. Dr. Carter has at least twice the brains you do. Now Colonel, you're sure Dr. Jackson's dead? Because if not I've been ordered to bomb Abydos." The three men looked at each other, unsure whether or not to answer.
Jack spoke after many minutes of silence, "Daniel decided to stay with his wife, sir."
The general shot out of his chair, obviously irked. "SG-1 and 2 you're to go off world and discover the situation on Abydos immediately. Dismissed." General Hammond left the room quickly, on his way to call the president. As soon as the general left, Kawalsky and Feretti raced out the door, afraid of this new doctor. Jack however lingered long enough to collect his thoughts-and paperwork-he quickly noticed that Sam still stood in front of him.
"Can I help you doctor?" Jack made sure to keep his tone stable, trying not to let off how he was unable to focus on anything but her curves.
"I just got here sir; I'm not sure where the woman's locker is."
"They're co-ed, come on I'll give you a tour." He picked up his neatly stacked papers and they walked out the door. Soon they arrived at the locker rooms. Jack made a point of waiting of waiting outside the door for Sam as she changed, which took only minutes. After Jack changed he escorted her to the armory, the SF gave her a handgun. Jack however received a P-90 along with his handgun.
"Sir, can I also have a P-90… please?" He looked up from the task of loading his vest; she had bit her top teeth down onto her bottom lip.
He'd suspected she'd be feisty. "No," he said in a gentle tone. It surprised him, he and Sara had been fighting a lot lately, and yet this woman just shows up and he lowers his walls for her. "Time to move out," Jack hollered so everyone would hear. Sam nodded with a near grin that made him want to melt.
SG-2 got a head start, and already had four members, whereas the two members of SG-1 had to catch up. They met SG-2 in the gate room, the general was already there. Suddenly in a kawoosh, the stargate opened. General Hammond refused to speak. Jack yelled, "Move out." SG-2 was first through the gate. Jack stood at the top of the ramp with Sam. "Look Carter, it's not that bad. Just shut your eyes and take a deep breath." She did as he said, he reached behind her and shoved her through the gate. He followed.
As Jack emerged, he looked around to see Abydos looking just as he had left it. After taking a few steps forward, the local soldiers emerged. They recognized Jack immediately. One of the soldiers raced off to retrieve Daniel, this took a little time. Daniel arrived in the cavern, "Jack, how are you?"
Jack had a wide grin on his face, "I'm good, how are you and how's Shari?"
Daniel blushed, "she's good. When she heard you guys were here she raced off to get dinner ready."
Sam walked up behind Jack. "Hi, I'm Dr. Carter. You can call me Sam." Shari entered the cavern with the rest of the locals.
"I'm Daniel, and I think dinner's ready." They walked over to a good size table and sat down on the floor. "So why'd you guys come back?" Jack spotted Sakkara walking in with something in his hands.
"Sakkara," Jack was off his feet quickly.
"O'Neill," they embraced in a hug. Sakkara then offered Jack a sip from what he was carrying. Jack took it, then raised it in thanks. He took a sip, "moonshine," he spat with a raspy voice. It seemed as if the whole galaxy was laughing at him. "Anyways Daniel, the Gould attacked us." His voice was still raspy. He passed the moonshine to Sam. She pretended to drink as she had done many times at communion, then passed the moonshine on.
"Well they didn't come from here," Daniel spoke with worry in his eyes. "I have something to show you." He led them out of the cavern and into another one.
Sam looked at the walls that surrounded her, "this is incredible."
Daniel replied "I've spent months in here, I'm pretty sure these are all stargate addresses."
"I thought it only went one place."
"Well planets shift don't they? Besides we can't just ignore this. I've taken pictures of all the walls so you can take the camera with you."
Jack finally spoke up, "I have orders, and you're coming back this time." Just then a young local ran in, "what is it?"
"Ra, he has returned!" They took off running toward the cavern. In front of them the room stood still. Bodies were thrown everywhere, Daniel frantically searched for Shari and Sakkara. One of the locals lying on the ground with his dyeing breath, "gone…taken by Ra."
As Jack and Sam were gathering the undead members of SG-2, Daniel gathered the locals. "I have to go with them. I have to find Shari and Sakkara-tell their father I will return in one year. And you must burry the Chapp'ai, and only unbury it one year from now. If I do not return, rebury it." Some of them cried, but no one disagreed or tried to stop them. He walked over to Jack and Sam, "I'm coming with you."
"Then let's get going." Daniel dialed the gate at Jack's response and they dragged half of SG-2 with them.
General Hammond stood at the bottom of the ramp, waiting. "What the hell happened?"
"Gould attack sir," Jack grumbled as he helped Feretti on to a gurney.
"All of you get to the infirmary, we'll debrief in half an hour." That meant 17:30, no time for showers. Janet Frasier, the base's new doctor scurried into the room.
"Get out of my way!" She pushed and yelled at the SFs, "all of you to the infirmary. Now." Jack huffed and gave Janet a dirty look on his way out the door.
The trip to the infirmary was short and uneventful until Feretti's eyes popped opened. "He's awake," Janet yelled. All three members of SG-1 hoped off their cots.
"Hey Feretti, I don't suppose you saw the gate coordinates?" Daniel asked hoping that he had. Feretti nodded and held out his hand for a pen. To Feretti's surprise he was too weak to hold the pen in his hand.
"I have an idea, just wait here a moment." Daniel ran off and returned only moments later. Jack wasn't sure how, but Daniel managed to get his hands on a computer; that computer contained the symbols that were on the stargate. "Alright, all you have to do is nod at the symbols in the correct order." Feretti gave a weak nod. Half an hour later they had all six symbols.
"Great job Feretti, we have to get to the debriefing now." Jack stood up and patted Feretti's shoulder, "Kawalsky," Jack nodded. SG-1 arrived to the briefing room in silence; they took their seats and waited.
General Hammond entered the room, Jack and Sam stood at attention. After a brief pause, Daniel stood too. "At ease," spoke the general who was not at ease in more ways than one. "You're Doctor Jackson?" They all sat. Jack lowered his arm under the table, trying to get the cramp in his arm to recede. His hand landed in a lap that was not his own, Jack let himself indulge. He ran his fingers up and down Sam's thy, paying no attention to what Daniel was saying. Jack noticed the subtle smile on Sam's face and made up his mind that he would go home as little as possible from now on- that was his and Sara's way of having a separation without alarming Charlie.
"But sir we have the address to the planet where the aliens went to," Daniel argued.
"No, though the Pentagon has decided to stay neutral on this matter I feel it is still too risky." The general turned ready to end the debriefing.
"But…" Daniel started, but Jack cut him off.
"Sir, it would be a good opportunity for us to gather Intel. And SG-1 will go alone."
A roughed up Kawalsky walked into the room, "sorry I'm late sir. I've already chosen two new members for SG-2. So with permission we'd like to go with SG-1."
A stern look crossed the general's face; he'd never imagined that this was how he would spend his last assignment, sending good people to die on alien planets. "Alright," he said hesitantly, "SG-1 and 2 will depart tomorrow at 06:30. Dismissed."
Jack new if he had any shot of saving his marriage, he had to stop now. Swiftly he left the room and went home to the apartment he was renting.
Half an hour after arriving at the SGC, they were in the gate room; Sam was adjusting Daniel's pack, he didn't understand why he needed one. SG-2 was also there. General Hammond came in over the speaker, "Godspeed."
Jack yelled, "Move out," SG-1 went through the gate first. They all emerged on the other side, "SG-2 stay here and hold down the gate. SG-1 move out," SG-1 started walking down the path that lay in front of them. "Daniel, take point," Jack indicated for Daniel to walk ahead of himself and Sam. "So Carter," after last night he had to distance himself. "Where did we get this great military education?"
"My dad's a general on his way to retirement. He sent my brother and me to military school." Jack nodded and they walked the remaining eight klicks in near silence.
They came to a ridge where there stood three monks, "you came through the Chapp'ai," the monks kneeled, "we will take you to the choosing." Daniel immediately followed the monks, Jack and Sam stopped to look at each other first. They then followed.
After hiking another eight klicks they arrived in a city, in that city was a palace. The monks took them to a room filled with Gould-though SG-1 didn't know it. They sat on pillows at the end of the table trying to pick up what those seated with them were whispering. The door at the other end of the room opened with a "bang." In walked Shari with a tall man at her side. Daniel stood and ran toward her, "Shari it's me Daniel." The man next to her outstretched his hand, on it an alien weapon.
Chapter Two
The alien weapon on his hand pulsed. Daniel's feet came out from under him as he flew into the wall behind him. "Jaffa kree," the man said as he exited the door. Four large Jaffa pulled SG-1 to their feet and hulled them off. After quite a lot of bantering from Jack, really he was just trying to get Sam to smile, they arrived at their destination. In front of them stood a large cell, this cell was crawling with people. Two big steel doors opened in front of them, the Jaffa threw SG-1 into the cell and shot anyone who tried to escape. Jack helped Sam to her feet, then they dragged a very unconscious Daniel through the room with them. Sakkara came running over, "O'Neill. I was worried I would not be seeing you."
Jack patted Sakkara's shoulder then plopped down on the ground. Sakkara told him of Ra taking Shari from him. Worried, Jack stood and walked over to the back wall to search for an exit. Daniel began sputtering and woke up just as the cell doors began to open once more. Many people in exquisite clothing accompanied by their guards, started walking through the crowd. The guards were picking up the people their masters pointed at, a fair skinned woman walked past SG-1. She stopped and pointed to Sakkara. A large guard carried him off, Jack tried to stop it but he found a large weapon pointed at him. Those who had come for the choosing left, the last people out the door were Shari and the tall man, "kill the rest." He spoke with no emotion in his voice.
A tall man, taller than Jack, with a gold emblem on his forehead led the attack. Jack ran out in front of him, "help me. We can save these people if you help me."
The tall man paused a moment, then he turned coat and shot one of his own men. He threw his weapon to Jack and picked up the weapon of the fallen soldier. With ease and little time they eradicated the enemy. Jack turned around, "get out of the way." He began firing on the back wall. After a few shots a hole big enough to walk through appeared.
Sam and Daniel got to their feet and began the evacuation. They'd all left the cell and were running. All but Jack and the tall man who'd saved them. Jack turned to him, "so what's your name?"
"Teal'c," he said as he stripped off his armor.
"Well then Teal'c, come on." Jack waved him over.
"I have nowhere to go," Teal'c replied. He was thinking of his family and what this betrayal would mean for them.
Jack rolled his eyes at that, "you can stay at my place. Just hurry up." At Jack's response Teal'c took off running, as did Jack. It was not long before they caught the rest of SG-1. Two klicks later, they were in a valley-surrounded by death gliders. Jack and Teal'c were taking poorly aimed shots at the glider nearest them, to their surprise they shot it down. The other glider was more of a problem though, neither Jack nor Teal'c could hit it. To everyone's surprise it went up in flames only moments later. SG-2 stood cheering on a hill. SG-1 along with the refugees went wild and took off running again. Soon they were at the top of the hill with SG-2.
Jack watched as a bigger ship flew overhead, it was headed toward the stargate. With a word to no one he ran, hoping to rescue Sakkara. Just as he reached the bottom of the hill in front of the stargate, the Gould formerly known as Sakkara turned around. He reached out his hand. Jack braced for impact, nothing happened.
Jack looked up to see that Sakkara had lowered his hand, and that they still faced each other. "Sakkara," Jack yelled with the loudest voice he could. With a huff, Sakkara turned and went through the stargate. Jack stood in place, unable to move.
Daniel came up behind him, "did you get a gate address?"
"No, let's go home." Everyone was still running, they made it to the gate and dialed out before the foot soldiers arrived. The firefight was not long, after the refugees were through the gate, SG-1 and SG-2 followed barely scratched.
Ilssya [IO] Orson sat behind her desk at NMMI. Her stepfather had thought a military education would straighten her out. He'd been wrong, it just got the people wrapped up in top secret shit to look her way. Of course saying that he was wrong was a little bit of an understatement. IO didn't like to be bossed around, but she respected the chain of command. She had grown stronger, but not by much. IO had been playing hockey since the age of six and took up karate at four. She was graduating soon. The military was secure, it made her feel safe. The Navy seemed to be where Ilssya Orson was headed until that day a few months ago when the president called. He had said he needed her to lower the power requirements for keeping a wormhole open. Who did he think she was? God. IO said yes though, in a month's time she would be a full officer in the Navy and playing with wormholes.
Jack found himself feeling overwhelmed. He was missing his stepdaughter's high school graduation to sit in a briefing and wish that he had not put sexual tension between himself and Carter. More than that, he wanted to relieve the tension.
"It appears to be a farm planet." Daniel's voice rang in, "there are some ruins that I want to explore."
"That's fine Doctor Jackson. SG-1, you'll move out at 17:00." General Hammond left, the briefing had been short. Not like Jack would have noticed otherwise.
IO hung up the phone, the president had wanted to make it clear that she could start work today, but she would still be a Lieutenant. She had just arrived back in Colorado last night. Her mother was beside herself; apparently that wonderful man she had married had pushed her to a separation. IO didn't really care, she wasn't really into sympathy or any other emotion.
SG-1 departed on time, as scheduled, at 17:00. Jack had talked General Hammond into letting both Teal'c and Daniel, who was staring at the hunk of rock orbiting the planet-it was visible without a telescope, join SG-1. Teal'c spotted a path, "O'Neill. I believe we should go this way."
Jack nodded, "Daniel come on." They walked down the path. Teal'c took point, Sam and Daniel were in the middle. Jack was glad for that, he could stare at Carter without her seeing. The hike to the ruins was long and tiresome. Jack and Sam started making camp, while Teal'c helped Daniel do his geek thing.
Camp was set, fire was started, and four very hungry people sat around it. Sam passed around MREs. "What is this Doctor Carter?" Teal'c stared at the freeze dried halibut.
Jack was already enjoying his chicken, "food Teal'c." Just then soldiers came up behind them. They were dressed in a Civil War era fashion.
"Lower your weapons." The head soldier moved his gun in closer. Jack indicated for everyone to lower their weapons, which they did. One of the soldiers lacked brains and brought the weapons with them.
About four klicks later they were in a town, or so everyone assumed. SG-1 had been blindfolded the whole journey. An elderly woman that they could not see stepped out in front of them. "These people are mere travelers. You will let them go."
The blindfolds were removed, "thank you." Jack tried to sound forgiving. A younger woman came from behind the elderly one. She walked up to Jack with intentions of subduing him. "I'm married," he tried not to alarm the rest of the team.
The elderly woman spoke, "yes of course." She turned to two teenage boys, "go prepare bedrooms." She then turned back to SG-1, "I am Adila. Please, come eat with me."
IO arrived at Stargate Command early the next morning. Everyone seemed to be rambling about. She made her way to the general's office. IO stepped inside, "Lieutenant Ilssya Orson reporting, sir."
General Hammond nodded, "you'll be reporting to Dr. Carter once she returns. Dismissed." She turned and walked out, not many men had so few words.
Half an hour later the stargate started spinning. There was no IDC, but a transmission was being received. "This is the Jemkal. We hold four of your people hostage, send a negotiator and we will talk."
General Hammond raced upstairs, it might take weeks to get someone here who had high enough clearance to save his people.
Jack was full from dinner, not that it helped him ignore the fact that they'd put him and Carter in the same room. They both stood at the end of the twin bed, "so sir. You're married?"
"Separated, for about three years now. I still live with her though, our son is only eight."
Sam's eyes narrowed, "so the other day in the briefing?"
Jack turned to face her, "I've rebounded plenty of times. If I just wanted to hurt you, I would have by now." Sam nodded and smiled.
After hearing what he had to say, she stripped to her undergarments and climbed into the bed. "Cuddle up," Sam said while trying to get the pillow under her just right. Jack cuddled up and found the next morning that he had never slept better.
Jack and Sam put the rest of their clothes on and met Teal'c and Daniel for breakfast. "I don't think they're going to let us leave." Daniel spoke in hushed tones once they were all seated. Jack popped his head up and saw many armed guards.
"You want WHO to go, sir?" General Hammond was still on the phone with the president. The conversation didn't last much longer though. He walked out to IO, who stood in front of the window overlooking the stargate. "Lieutenant," the general now stood beside her. "The president has ordered me to send you as the delegate who will rescue SG-1."
IO nodded, "yes sir." She walked out of the briefing room and to the armory. IO knew a thing or two about delegations. She acquired only a handgun and knife. After her trip to the armory she ran down to the gate room, "dial it up." A kawoosh exploded before her, IO turned and saluted the general. She then proceeded through the stargate
After noticing the armed guards and attempting to make an escape, SG-1 found themselves back in their rooms. A couple hours later, Jack found himself on top of Sam. Their lips collided and it seemed to be forever, it was unfortunately only minutes.
A knock came at the door. "Your delegate is here," said a voice from the outside. Jack groaned his disbelief. He and Sam once again straightened themselves up and met the rest of SG-1 down stairs.
"IO," Jack said in disbelief. "What are you doing here."
IO sat back in her chair, "trying to get you people set free." The Jemkal delegate walked in and they began. "I'd like to know why you're holding my people captive." IO tapped her pen rhythmically.
"Our plants are running short."
"Short of what," IO asked but didn't really want to know. It was odd how quiet SG-1 was. General Hammond warned her that all but Teal'c had a knack for being irritatingly loquacious.
"Parts," the delegate spoke. "We must reproduce."
IO felt sick. She had enjoyed the world of Huxley's Brave New World as an adolescent. The thought of it being real was a bit much to stomach. "You won't be taking any of my colleague's parts." IO had surveyed the room when she came in, escape plan already formed. This escape plan could injure her gravely though, there were more guards now.
"You don't have much of a choice, do you?" The delegate grinned. IO had reached under the table while he was speaking and pulled out her knife.
Every action was quick. The knife was in the delegate and SG-1 was running. "Jack," IO yelled, "the wall behind you isn't solid. Knock it out." Jack and Teal'c ran against it, the wall came down easy, before them stood forest.
IO fired her last shot then ran after SG-1. The bullets that had found their way into her leg were causing an immense amount of pain. Near the ruins she found SG-1 resting, "get your asses moving." IO picked up Daniel as a stream of bullets was fired in their direction. Jack indicated for everyone to move into the forest.
With a limp it was quite hard leaping over fallen tree trunks and zigzagging at the same time. IO managed anyway. All gunfire ceased as they came upon a village. This village was high in the tree tops. Out of the shadows, half naked natives charged them. Quickly IO hid her weapons out of sight.
"This is bullshit!" Jack yelled, he and the rest of SG-1 along with IO were trapped in a floating ball that would remind one of a hamster wheel were it not made of metal. They'd been hanging for half an hour and Jack was already throwing a fit.
IO sat up against the "back" of the ball. "Hey Jack, you got vertigo yet?"
Jack turned to face her, "whatever."
"No I'm just surprised. This is way worse than all of those rides at six flags put together. I heard you left my mother."
"Yeah, it's called a separation. So what the hell are you doing here? Sara said you were going Navy."
"I did, the president got me set up. Apparently the SGC needs me."
Daniel butted in, "Jack. Is she your daughter?"
"No she's my stepdaughter. And thank God for that."
IO sat where she was all night feeling the ball rock back and forth. She reached her hand through the ball, it was not electrified. IO then gave a slight knock to one of the many cells. They were hollow. She stood up and kicked the top of one of the cells in a downward motion. It came off and made no noise.
After clearing a hole big enough for a person to squeeze through, she woke SG-1. They all dropped to the ground with a "thunk." None of the village people awoke though. Being as tired as they were the hike to the stargate took longer than they would have hoped. But no one was chasing them.
Daniel dialed the stargate. IO was thrilled to be back at the SGC, she wanted the bullet out of her. The surgery had taken only a few painless hours. Daniel now arrived in the infirmary with dinner. He walked over to IO, "thanks for saving my life, twice."
"Sure," IO responded, "but I usually only accept dinner as a thank you when it's at a nice restaurant and there's sex afterword." Daniel smiled and nodded and took a rain check.