A/N - This story takes place somewhere around late Season 4 or early Season 5. Thanks to the fabulous MidKnight Rider for the beta.
Chapter 1
Jack sculpted the bill of his green baseball cap before fitting it to his head and sweeping his gaze around the 'gate room, searching in vain for his missing team member, one errant archeologist. He let out a long sigh, and Sam had to stifle a grin. This was a routine she had seen play out so many times, she wasn't sure they would know how to start a mission without Daniel being late and Jack complaining about the fact.
Her commanding officer turned to face her. "Remind me why are we going to P3X-yada, yada, yada again?"
Sam put on her best dutiful subordinate face and tamped down on her own urge to sigh. Jack knew the designation of the planet just as well as she. She played along all the same. "P2L-487, sir. And we're going because the MALP readings indicate the presence of naquada."
"Yes, and there appear to be signs of civilization, as well," added Daniel as he walked through the blast doors, bandana in hand.
"Of course there are." Jack spun to stare down the scientist as he joined the group at the bottom of the ramp. "Nice of you to join us, Daniel."
Daniel, nonplussed, placed the bandana over the top of his head and tied it down in the back. "In a hurry, Jack?"
"Actually, yes." Jack paused for dramatic effect. "There's a Simpson's marathon on tomorrow night that I would prefer not to miss."
"Do you not own all of those television episodes on video tape, O'Neill?" asked Teal'c.
Sam ducked her head to hide the smile she could no longer keep from creeping up the corners of her mouth.
"Yes, yes I do. But it's just not the same as watching them on live television." Jack tapped the Jaffa once on the chest with his index finger as he spoke, and Teal'c lifted a single eyebrow in response. Their leader, however, paid little attention as he was apparently on a roll. "In any event, I now predict that we will undoubtedly discover a pre-industrial society complete with a beautiful archeologist who falls madly in love with Daniel and insists on showing him a significant historical ruin that requires at least a three day walk through the forest, thus ensuring that I miss said television event."
Daniel crossed his arms and stared at Jack. "And how, exactly, can you be so certain about that?"
"Experience, Danny-boy. Fate has never been on my side when it comes to such things."
Sam gave up trying to repress her grin. "For the record, sir, the MALP indicates that the Stargate is located in a tropical climate, not a forest."
"Po-tay-to, po-tah-to, Carter. And maybe it's a handsome scientist who falls for you - or Daniel for that matter - but either way, my money is on missing my marathon. Anyone care to bet against me?" He looked around the group but was met only with an eye roll from Daniel, which he soundly ignored. "I didn't think so." He shouted up toward the control room. "Dial us up, Walter!"
The 'gate blossomed then settled, and the four teammates walked up the ramp and into the bright, blue event horizon. As they emerged on the other side, however, the first thing Jack noticed was that it was decidedly dim.
He turned toward his Second as she emerged from the 'gate. "Carter, don't we normally try to arrive in the daytime?"
"Yes, sir," she replied, taking in her surroundings. She checked her watch. "It should be just after dawn. I think the canopy is keeping it darker in the jungle."
"It does seem a bit overgrown," added Daniel.
Everywhere they looked there was foliage. Great tropical trees obscured the sky, and leafy vines covered all available surfaces, including the 'gate. Small tendrils had even begun making their way up the tires of the MALP, which Sam was currently examining.
"It is quite warm on this planet," said Teal'c.
Jack had already peeled off his jacket and was using its sleeve to wipe his face. "And humid. Remind me never to complain about those cool, evergreen forest planets again." He turned toward the archeologist. "What makes you think this one is inhabited?"
"Uh," Daniel began looking all around, "it should be over here." He moved diagonally from the MALP and began searching the ground. "Ah ha! Right here. See this?" He pointed to what appeared to be a small rock on the ground. "This seems to be some sort of marker; I think it's directional in nature. And look, there's a trail heading off that way." He pointed away from the Stargate.
Sam's head popped up to see where he was indicating. "Same direction as the naquada, sir."
Jack nodded. "All right, kids. Off we go. I'll take point. Teal'c, you watch our sixes."
The Jaffa inclined his head, and the four took off, walking down the faint trail single file. The further they hiked, the steeper the angle of the trail became. It soon became apparent that they were losing considerable elevation. They hadn't gone far when Jack caught a whiff of the ocean on a small but welcome breeze. Just as he was thinking that he could really use a mission on a nice, tropical beach, he heard something rustle in the foliage. He held his hand up in a fist. The others stopped immediately.
"Did you hear something?" he asked in a low voice.
"I think I hear waves," replied Daniel.
"I, too, can hear the sea," added Teal'c.
Jack shook his head. "No, something closer."
They all looked around, weapons at the ready, but didn't hear anything further. In fact, the jungle was unnaturally quiet, with no sound indicating the presence of insects, birds, or any other animal that might otherwise be expected to live in an area teeming with plant life. Jack gave the signal to keep walking, though an increasing sense of unease had settled over him. Like their leader, the rest of the team remained on high alert.
Not two klicks further down the trail, the unmistakeable sound of a limb breaking echoed under the canopy. All four members immediately raised their weapons and instinctively began backing up in as much of a circle as the narrow trail would allow.
"Okay, I definitely heard that," Sam said quietly.
Teal'c scoured the surrounding jungle. "I believe we are being followed."
Jack waited for a beat and decided to opt for the direct approach. "We know you're there!" he yelled. "You can come out now!"
Nothing happened for several long minutes, the faint sound of waves breaking on a distant shore the only noise disturbing the otherwise still jungle. Nervously, the four scoured the surrounding foliage, looking for any sign of a disturbance, but nothing moved.
Without warning, the quiet was suddenly rent by a high pitched, ear piercing shriek. Multiple creatures dropped down on the group from above, and the team let loose a barrage of bullets into the fray.
In the dim light under the canopy, Jack was unable to get a clear look at the beings, but he did catch a glimpse of red eyes, pointed teeth, claw-like fingers, and ghostly pale skin, all covered by layers of grime and matted hair. His first thought was that the horrifying creatures were human, but he quickly dismissed that idea when he caught sight of a face that was so grossly distorted it appeared to be melting off its skull.
The team fired round after round into the group of human form monsters that was now surrounding them, but when the creatures were hit, they'd merely screech and back off, only to quickly be replaced by twice as many more. Jack soon realized that his team was being overwhelmed by the sheer number of creatures attacking them.
Whatever these beings were, they were smart, Jack thought. They had infiltrated their defensive formation and separated the four teammates from each other. Teal'c, having given up trying to pick them off with his staff weapon, was now engaged in hand to hand combat with one that was attempting to bite his face. Jack couldn't see Daniel, but out of the corner of his eye, he witnessed four of the things descend upon Sam, one wrestling her weapon from her grip, the remaining three picking her up and carrying her off into the jungle.
"Carter!" He screamed after her, but it was no use. She was gone. Desperately, he tried to rid himself of the creatures surrounding him, clawing at him. He had to go after her to find her, to save her. But it was no use. There were just too many of them.
Before he understood completely what was happening, he smelled something strange and began to black out. The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness was one of the creatures hovering over him and hissing in his face, a mouth full of pointed teeth curving upwards in a grotesque parody of a smile.
TBC...