… To the Rescue
Just because he couldn't see the Jaffa patrol, didn't mean they weren't there. With only second-hand intel as a guide, Teal had taken point straight out of the 'gate and lead the team down a path-not-so-less-traveled and almost right into the arms of a waiting Goa'uld and her chain-mail gang. Pissant attitude at a possible incursion into her rather pathetic domain (think dead forest and a window-less hovel masquerading as a chalet), the nameless Goa'uld spat out a "Kree" to her minions and waved a bejeweled arm at an about-facing SG-1.
"Get to the 'gate!" Jack had hissed none-too-politely at Daniel and Sam, while his P90 tore the chest of the closest Jaffa open with a burst of well placed rounds. "I thought you said this world was safe!"
"I thought it was," Teal'c grumbled in return.
A staff blast zipped past Jack's ear and ripped a sizable chunk out of a nearby tree, sending splinters of bark raining down on them both. "Safe my ass. Fall back!"
~oOo~
Daniel smacked the DHD center crystal more out of frustration then because it actually worked. "I can't get the seventh chevron to lock!"
Jaffa strafing fire pocketed the ground around the 'gate and scored the dais black and grey. Sam crouched at Daniel's feet, one hand holding out her P90 in the direction of the oncoming Jaffa, the other working to free the crystal housing cover at the base of the DHD.
"Try it again," she ordered, grunting with exertion and being forced to cradle her weapon to free up her other hand. "Are you sure you've got the point of origin?"
"First thing I checked when we came through."
"If I could just…" The cover popped open and caught Daniel on the leg, but Sam didn't have time to apologize, not with the answer to their problem staring her in the face. "Crap! The control crystal has been removed."
"What?"
Sam slammed the panel closed and stood quickly, taking her weapon back up. "It's gone. Removed. If I had to make a guess, I'd say the Goa'uld took it to stop anyone dialling out."
"Why would she do that?"
"Not a clue and we don't have time to figure it out. Manual dial out?"
"Only if there's enough residual power left in the capacitors."
"Well, we won't know until we try."
~oOo~
The fallen tree Jack and Teal'c were sheltered behind was less of shield for the staff weapons fire being directed at them and more of an impending bonfire.
"I do not like this, O'Neill."
"Really?" Jack sniffed the ozone-heavy air and wrinkled his nose. "Kinda has that Napalm in the morning smell to it, don't you think?"
"I was not referring to the smell."
"Neither was I, but the crap is the same." Jack looked one way and then the other. "Right takes us back to Goa'uld-y-locks and left takes us to the 'gate. What's you fancy?"
"Was it not our intention to return to the Stargate?"
"Well, now you'd think so, but given the large patrol that passed by on our left flank, I'm guessing the 'gate is probably Jaffa central right now. I can only hope Carter and Daniel managed to dial out or at least duck for cover."
"Should we not attempt to assist them?"
"Yep, we need a diversion."
Teal'c patted his vest and pulled out a block of C4, earning himself a shit-eating grin from Jack.
"There's my not-so-little pyromaniac!" Jack waited for a lull in the strafing fire and chanced a look over the top of the battered remains of the tree. "Hmm… think you can shove that straight down their throats?"
Teal'c quirked an eyebrow in what Jack took as a look of confusion. "You wish them to eat the C4?"
"Sure!" Jack's smile faded along with his enthusiasm. "Okay… tossing it at them so we can make good our escape will do for now."
~oOo~
"Run!"
Daniel didn't need telling twice. They had only managed to get one symbol locked on the 'gate before the Jaffa patrol decided to break cover and storm the clearing. Diving through the ring, he and Sam rolled clear of the dais and sprinted away from the 'gate and in the opposite direction to Jack and Teal'c.
The Jaffa followed, keeping up a stead barrage of staff and zat fire.
"There!" Sam grabbed the back of Daniel's vest and lunged to her right, dragging him along with her. Up ahead there was a small path leading into the darkened forest. "Take the first shelter you can find and go to ground, got it?"
He got it all right. Seven years on this team had taught Daniel the virtues of duck and roll, go to ground and hide, and most importantly… don't piss off the snake-head if you can avoid it. He was still working on the latter.
The forest swallowed them up quickly, but not before a stray staff blast grazed Daniel's side and sent him tumbling headlong into the nearest tree. Grunting with surprise, he quickly found his feet and staggered off the path to land face down in a dense shrub, Sam crashing down beside him. She clamped her hand over his mouth and ordered silence with her eyes, holding that position as the Jaffa clumsily tore through the underbrush around them.
Sam tracked the patrol's path with her eyes, weapon snug in her shoulder, nodding when she was sure they were well out of range.
"You okay?" she whispered.
Daniel pulled his bloodstained hand away and held it out to her, meeting her concerned gaze with a frustrated sigh.
"I zigged when I should have zagged."
To be continued…
