Jack's Fangtastic Adventure – Part 1
"Damn it, Carter, that hurts!"
Jack squirmed against the grip on his arms, unable to hold back his cry of indignation.
"I know, Colonel, but it's in deep."
Sam looked up briefly, giving her companions a nod. Daniel and Teal'c tightened their grasp, one pair of eyes shutting in anticipation.
Sam took a deep breath and pulled, her face anguished as the Colonel gave a sharp, harsh yelp.
Her teammates eyed the long, ivory object in Sam's hand, the blood making it glisten.
"I just hope it's got one hell of a toothache." Jack muttered sardonically, "Teach it to use me as a pincushion!"
Teal'c released his commander's arm and stood, his eyes tracking across the vast, grassy plain.
"The creature appears to have rejoined its pack."
"Give me a hand up." Jack straightened, pulling himself up, using Daniel's still tight grip on his upper arm as leverage. "And get me my gun."
Sam sat back on her heels, a hint of exasperation showing in her face. "Sir, will you please stay still, at least until I bandage this." She pushed her damp hair off her face, dropping the large tooth onto the dry soil as she did so. "It's still bleeding."
The wound in the Colonel's thigh was not large, more a deep, narrow hole than a gash, but the blood was still running freely, beginning to darken his torn trousers as it soaked into the fabric.
"I do not believe there is any hurry, O'Neill. The animals seem to be resting in the shade of that large stand of trees." Despite his assurances, Teal'c raised the end of his staff weapon slightly from the ground, his expression grim.
The unexpectedness of the attack on the Colonel had left them all somewhat stunned, and even the experienced Jaffa was having a hard time restoring his normal equilibrium. The area around them was clear, and seemingly without hiding places, and yet the dog-like animal had leapt from concealment, latching on to the Colonel's leg and pulling him to the ground with surprising strength. Only Daniel's quick actions had saved Jack from more serious injuries, a hard blow from the butt of his weapon to the creature's head, breaking its grip.
Sam and Daniel had immediately gone to the Colonel's aid, but to Teal'c's chagrin, a flash of tanned hide was all that could be seen of his attacker, as it once more seemingly disappeared into thin air.
As Sam began the painful task of bandaging the Colonel's wounds, Daniel moved forward to stand beside Teal'c, carefully manoeuvring himself to take advantage of as much of the other man's shadow as possible.
He frowned, his eyes narrowing against the sun's glare.
"Where did they all come from?" He took a step closer, trying to get a better view, only to have the Jaffa's large hand pull him back. He nodded distractedly, acknowledging the wisdom of not getting any nearer. "They look similar to hyenas. Other than that I can't really tell much from this distance."
"What's to tell?" Jack rubbed at the bridge of his nose, a line forming on his brow. "You can check them over all you like, as soon as I get within shooting range of the bastard that bit me." His tone was tense and the rubbing intensified as he inhaled sharply. "You finished yet, Carter?"
"Just about done, sir." She nodded, reaching into the medical kit to pull out a small packet of tablets. "Animal bites are notorious sources of infection. You better take some antibiotics just to be on the safe side."
Jack grunted as he took the tablets and canteen the Major held out to him, swallowing the small pills with a grimace. He gingerly touched the thick dressing on his thigh, before rolling a little, bending the knee of his good leg.
"What are you doing?" Daniel hurried to his side, distracted from his perusal of the creatures by Jack's movement.
"What's it look like I'm doing?" The reply was swift and annoyed. "I'm getting up off my backside and putting on a fresh pair of pants. Feeling a little exposed here, Daniel." Jack indicated the ragged remains of his BDU trousers. "I can't go hunting like this."
"You won't go hunting at all." Daniel gave a small push and the Colonel collapsed back onto the ground. "You'll stay here. You saw how fast those things could move. Do you really think you're in any condition to track one?"
"I don't need to track one." Jack pointed past his friend's shoulder, indicating the pack of animals under the trees. "They're right there." Then he paused, before turning his pointing finger back to the other man. "Anyway, who died and made you leader?"
"You almost did, you idiot, now be quiet and rest while we set up camp." Daniel's words were tempered by a smile of affectionate exasperation.
"Set up camp? What? Here, next to them?" Jack indicated the animals with a wave of his hand. "I don't think so! So not a good move." He pushed up again, this time gaining his feet. "We need to put some distance between us and them, find a more defensible position that's less out in the open."
He stopped, biting off his words and wavering slightly. Daniel put a hand out to steady him.
"You can barely stand upright, let alone walk. Why don't we set up camp here? Most wild animals are scared off by fire, plus I don't think that they'll be a match for our weapons."
"Daniel's right, sir. The sun's setting, and you really shouldn't be moving just yet, at least not until we're sure the bleeding has stopped."
Teal'c's voice joined that of Sam's. "I do not think it would be advisable to attempt to travel after dark." He nodded towards the trees. "The creatures are stirring."
The pack appeared to have grown, now numbering approximately fifteen of the animals. Several of the larger ones were moving around, pacing backwards and forwards between their still sitting companions, their heads swinging on large, slopping shoulders. Even as SG-1 watched more stood, stretching, their mouths opening impossibly wide as they yawned, long teeth matching the one still discarded at the Colonel's feet, showing.
Jack nodded, finally accepting the wisdom of their advice.
"Okay, we camp here tonight then head home in the morning." He wiped sweat from his face with the back of his hand. "At least it should cool down a little after the sun sets."
He couldn't conceal a shudder as the throbbing pain that had taken up residence in his leg ever since he had been bitten, intensified, sending his headache to even more excruciating heights.
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