Universal Constants
Major Samantha Carter scanned out into the snowy blackness of P4X6698, wind was bitterly blowing the snow coming down into swirling eddies dancing around the landscape. If not for the goggles she wore over her bala clava, the whipping snow would have made it impossible to see the snowy winter-scape before her. About 25 centimeters of snow blanketed the ground with more coming down by the second. Sam wiggled her toes and fingers trying to stave off the cold but with the wind-chill, the ambient temperature on the surface was about twenty-five degrees below Celsius and that was during the day. The nighttime had brought another dip in temperature to about thirty below. The temperature had been tolerable when they had the option of visiting base camp for a reprieve from the cold; hiding behind a rocky outcropping did not provide the same protection. Add in the need to shrink behind the same rocky outcropping for hours and the result was that her body was starting to become stiff and unresponsive. Factor in the recent abuse her body had gone through and it was not a good mix. Under the current conditions, that was just not acceptable; the risk of attack was too great. Sam moved her tall frame cumbersomely from a squatting to kneeling position. The Major was trying to remain battle ready, injuries and cold were not quite allowing her to do it successfully.
Sam looked over to her CO, Colonel Jack O'Neill, who was looking wearily out into the blackness. At least that is what she assumed he looked like, his facial features hidden by his bala clava, goggles and parka hood. Sam imagined that his experienced dark eyes were constantly scanning the clearing for signs of activity- good or bad the same as she was. Drawing the same conclusion no doubt, she thought worriedly. The cold seething through the survival suit caused her to change position yet again and refocus her attention onto surveillance for bogies. The standard military issue sub zero survival gear was doing little to keep the cold at bay.
As the Colonel continued to scan into the darkness from their position, Sam could tell that he was obviously thinking the same thing as her- Teal'c, Daniel and the rest of SG-2 should have been back by now. Sam looked behind her to the injured member of SG-2, Captain William Heckler. The Captain had sustained a staff blast to the abdomen and his right leg was broken along with a slew of other minor injuries during their tactical withdrawal to the stargate. The Colonel and she had then assisted the Captain only to find their position targeted and cut off from the rest of their group. Colonel O'Neill had then ordered the rest of SG-2 along with Daniel and Teal'c to return to Stargate Command to come back with re-enforcements. That had been three hours ago. A stray blast from a staff weapon rocketed past their position, lighting the snowy blackness for a moment before scorching the rock behind them.
"They're getting close," O'Neill called to Carter over the wind. The small rock outcropping they were huddled behind had been the only defensible position they could reach lugging the dead weight of an un-conscious Captain. From their vantage point, there was a one-kilometer long clearing, a dense conifer forest bordering the gap. The rock outcropping was at the base of a small mountain that extended maybe 80 meters above them. As far as cover went, it was nothing spectacular but it was one up on nothing. The Jaffa had taken refuge at the edge of the forest around them, satisfied with taking pot shots at them for the moment. Carter nodded her head in return.
"They are waiting for us to give up our position. I don't believe they can see any better in these blizzard conditions then we can sir," Carter responded, her voice rising to carry her voice to the Colonel's ears. O'Neill nodded his head, he agreed with that assessment but it still did not stop the damn Jaffa from getting lucky.
"Carter, check on the Captain," O'Neill instructed as he moved closer, taking up position in the center to cover their angles. Jack watched as his second in command moved to Heckler's side with only a slight limp, Carter had sustained a grazing wound from a passing staff blast to her left thigh when they had been expediting themselves from the line of fire. She had insisted it was fine but Jack knew it must have been throbbing by now. Jack knew they had to get their man home soon. Not to mention his own battle damage, a knife wound to the left shoulder and the usual presence of his knee acting up, intensified about 100 times. Jack figured he buggered it ducking shots from the Jaffa.
As Carter did her quick inspection of the Captain's wound, she hastily brushed off a layer of snow that covered the eerily still form of the Captain. Brushing away negative thoughts Carter focused on his abdomen, the wound hastily covered with bandages and then an emergency blanket to protect the skin from frostbite. As she checked the bandage, she noted that the new blood appeared to be minimal. Sam then checked to make sure his right leg remained immobilized; the crude cast they had fashioned from collected debris remained intact. Heckler remained unconscious at present, which was a blessing. On the other hand, it also brought about the issue that the Captain could be suffering from a concussion or going into the later stages of shock or hypothermia. Take your pick; none of those scenarios was promising- several possibilities and no way of determining his injuries.
"Sir, Heckler is still unconscious but the bleeding from his abdominal wound has been stemmed for the moment and his leg remains immobilized," Carter reported as she approached and knelt down beside her CO, retaking her position. There was silence between them for a moment, the whipping wind and snow the only reprieve from the silence. Both officers were trying to deal with the fact that the life of the young Captain was hanging precariously in the balance. Finally Carter said what neither of them really wanted to acknowledge."Sir, Teal'c, Daniel and SG-2 should have returned by now," Jack looked to Sam, neither of them able to read their facial expressions due to their gear but both knew what the other was thinking. Seven years in the field together afforded them that ability.
"Carter, they're coming. The weather probably got them holed up somewhere until they can actually see where they are going. As if this damn blizzard isn't treacherous enough, the whole unit of Jaffa out there is going to slow them down a little," O'Neill replied covering his anxiety with humor. It was a see through defense tactic that the Colonel implemented often and it was not fooling Carter. Jack knew this but continued anyway. "Besides Carter, we get to spend our time together freezing our asses off in this damn icebox...," there was a pause as O'Neill scanned their surroundings for a moment before continuing," Whose idea was it to come here again?" he asked sarcastically, his tone carrying to Carter despite the wind. Jack sighed, next time he saw Daniel he was strictly stipulating that the next planet SG-1 re-conned was to be at least 30 degrees above zero. He had already done the frozen human pop-sickle thing, got the T-shirt and did not want to repeat. He had to admit that he was already having frozen flashbacks; ole Danny boy and T-man could not come soon enough. The sickening sound of more staff blasts whizzing above them caused both officers to try to focus into the stormy night.
"Sir! Staff blasts coming at 3 o'clock!" Carter yelled, as in slow motion three blasts hit the rock ledge ten meters above them in quick succession. Sam moved into action but darkness quickly invaded her mind and Carter hoped her death would be quick.
Teal'c waited impatiently at the base of the ramp at Stargate Command. The remaining members of SG-2 and the fresh soldiers of SG-3 stood behind him in anticipatory silence as they waited for General Hammond to give the go ahead for the rescue mission. Daniel Jackson rushed through the embarkation room doors wearing a fresh survival suit and kit, his prescription goggles dangling around his neck. Behind him followed Doctor Janet Fraiser and a medic, both outfitted in survival gear.
"What is halting our progress Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked; his impatience denoted only by the slight furrow in his forehead as his friend came to a stop in front of him. Worry lines etched the corner of Daniel Jackson's eyes and only a small smile reached his lips as he spoke. It spoke volumes of the concern that Teal'c shared with his friend. If they did not soon reach O'Neill and Major Carter's position, the weather or the Jaffa would soon take their toll. It was an ending that no one desired.
"Janet had to convince the General that her presence was required on the mission," Daniel explained as the petite doctor stepped up beside them. The medic that accompanied her was laden down with a pack full of medical supplies. His name badge read Faulkner and his rank was lieutenant but Teal'c did not recognize the medic, he assumed if handpicked by Doctor Fraiser his skills would be adequate.
"I am glad that you will be accompanying us Doctor Fraiser," Teal'c stated, inclining his head slightly. Despite the fact that Teal'c thought it imprudent to be adding even more soldiers to the rescue effort, putting more lives at risk in the adverse weather conditions, the Jaffa was glad that the petite doctor would be accompanying the teams. Her skills and expertise would be a valuable asset to the rescue effort.
Doctor Fraiser gave an encouraging smile, trying to ease the tension that was almost palpable in the room. Even though she knew Teal'c and Daniel felt it most, the other teams participating were feeling the situation just as heavily. SG-1 was the flagship team; everyone looked up to their example. Right now, two of the SGC's finest officers sat holed up on an alien world in blizzard conditions protecting their wounded comrade and trying not to be captured by Jaffa. It would be silly for her not to say that damn near everyone was watching the situation closely. As she adjusted her pack, Janet privately hoped that Daniel's appraisal of the situation was wrong. Although she had done many excursions in combat situations before, it had always been with the support of the medical corps on standby or with a team of medical professionals. The idea of traipsing six kilometers through several feet of snow to get to her patient, with little support and supplies was a less than ideal situation. On the other hand, those exact terms were one of the reasons she signed on for this position. The whole unknown, uncharted and ruggedness of travel through the stargate attracted her. It still did, but Janet could not help but wish a whole team of medics and field nurses were accompanying her. Of course, this is one of the hazards of working in a top-secret military facility. Funding and resources are limited. Realizing she had not answered Teal'c's statement, she smiled and quickly indicated her reasoning.
"Well Teal'c, by the description of Captain Heckler's wounds I suspect he may require my attention before we can bring him home," Janet surmised as she watched the gate start to spring into action. Janet did not say that she hoped she would not being treating her best friend and CO but rather gave a little prayer that they were okay. She simply pulled her toque on and awaited the activation of the gate.
Teal'c looked to the spinning stargate gratefully, he was not looking forward to entering into the blizzard conditions again even with his dry survival suit but the need to extradite his friends was his primary concern. He would not rest until they returned to Earth; his Jaffa determination would see to it.
The seventh chevron locked in place and General Hammond gave the go ahead from the control room. Teal'c and Daniel led the way up the ramp into the glowing puddle, the remainder of the teams following quickly. General Hammond watched as the wormhole disengaged, the team thrown into the throes of a monstrous blizzard complicated by the presence of the Jaffa. George hoped that whatever higher beings watched the backs of his people were doing overtime tonight, they were going to need it.