Title: A Simple Man
Author: Su Freund
Website: www ficwithfins com (insert . instead of spaces in the address)
Status: Complete
Category: Action, Drama
Pairings: None
Spoilers: Anything featuring Charlie or Sara O'Neill, Chain Reaction, Revelations, Fragile Balance
Season: 7
Sequel/Series Info: None
Rating: PG-13
Content Warnings: Very minor use of mild language
Summary: Just another "uneventful" day in the oh so simple life of Colonel Jonathan "Jack" O'Neill, USAF when a seemingly simple mission gets complicated
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Copyright © 2004 Su Freund
File Size: 171 KB, all three parts
Archive: My site, Jackfic yes, SJD yes, Gateworld, FanFiction Net, Jack & Sam's Pad.
Author's Note: Please note that this fic is formatted much better on my site than it is here on FF Net so you may prefer to read it there. I am afraid that reformatting the whole thing to suit the vagaries of the way this site uploads fic is not something I have any desire to do!
This fic is dedicated to Cjay who suggested the title from something I wrote in another fic, and so inspired this. Thanks once more to Bonnie for her beta reading and advice. She does me proud.
This fic is published in 3 parts on my site, each part illustrated with different and totally fabulous Jack art by Lightfoot, made into great book covers by Fulinn28. I seriously recommend you go drool. Fellow devotees of Jack's hands should love the illustration for Part 1, which can be viewed on my website, and the other parts are accessed though the previous part (link on Main Page). Alternatively, the book covers and/or the original art can be viewed in the appropriate art galleries on the site (Su's Cover Art or Art by Lightfoot).
A Simple ManHe was a simple man. Jack O'Neill woke around the same time each morning, about 10 minutes before his alarm went off. He rarely needed that early morning call; it was second nature now, bred from his many years service in the US Air Force. He showered, shaved, and cleaned his teeth, just like any regular guy. He read the paper, often attempting the crossword while he drank his morning coffee and ate a couple of slices of toast - or even when he was shaving, steam and damp curling the edges of the paper and smudging the words. Sometimes he skipped breakfast, waiting until he got to work. Who didn't?
Jack had hardly slept the previous night, but still woke at the same time. Sometimes he wished that internal clock would let him sleep late. Then again, he hated wasting time asleep when he could be doing something, even if it was only nothing. He didn't claim that logic made any sense. However, today wasn't one of those do nothing days. Today he had to be at work by 08:00 for a meeting with the General. He dragged his scrawny backside out of bed and into the bathroom.
Feeling refreshed he made coffee and got dressed while it brewed. Going to his front door and picking up the morning paper, he scoured the headlines. Why didn't newspapers ever print any good news on their front pages? War here, murder there, revolution or coup d'état everywhere. Look inside and you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of peace breaking out in some country you'd never heard of. He sighed and turned to the funny pages. Better. He had his finger on the pulse.
He was a simple man, above average in height at 6 foot 3 and pretty fit for his age. His hair was almost totally grey now, but he hoped it made him look distinguished rather than old. His eyes were deep velvety chocolate brown, piercing, intelligent and alert. He was a little care worn, fraying around the edges perhaps, but that was okay for a man in his early fifties. He could still turn a women's head.
Jack peered at himself in the mirror. Is that what you really look like these days O'Neill? Scary. When did you get old and why haven't you noticed? It's not as if you don't look in the mirror every day. You were shaving less than half an hour ago for crying out loud! Playing let's pretend are you, Jack, trying to ignore it and hope it goes away? It ain't so bad. They say you're as young as you feel. Huh! There goes that knee again. He never had liked clichés.
If he was honest he'd been aware of a downhill slide for a while now. He figured once you get past 50 there was no return. That did not mean giving up, far from it; it simply meant trying harder. Accept it and move on; there's plenty of life in this old dog yet. He smiled at himself. Okay so his knees were a little less than perfect and he was grey and had lines on his face, but he'd pitch himself against a man half his age and have a pretty good chance at beating him.
Jack was wily, dogged and physically fit. The grey and the lines spoke of his experience and life, not incapacity. He believed he had earned those grey hairs and his care worn looks. It was a badge that he could wear with pride. Not only that but, sometimes, it lulled the unwary into a sense of false security. Be it on their own head if they underestimated Jack O'Neill. His life was far from over. Satisfied with that conclusion, he turned away from his image to leave the house.
He was a simple man. He tried to keep up with the gardening but often didn't have time. His job took him away a lot. Sometimes he hired Joe Corleone to keep back the weeds. He hated when it began to look like what the Prince had to hack through to get to Sleeping Beauty's Palace. Come on over to my place and bring your own machete. The name Corleone pleased and amused him. Joe couldn't be a nicer guy and totally unlike the famous Corleones of Godfather fame.
Peering out of the window he noticed the garden was starting to get overgrown again. He wondered whether he might have time to do something with it this coming weekend. Then he considered calling Joe. He'd call. It might be frowned upon if he allowed his garden to take over the neighbourhood. Joe could do it for him and he could sit on his overworked butt and watch.
Skipping breakfast until he got to work, he left the house and was just about to jump into his truck when Mrs Benson from across the street waved sweetly and shouted "Wooee Colonel O'Neill!" If this was the sort of woman whose head he was turning these days, maybe his life was over after all. Surrender now Jack. Waving back to be friendly to his neighbour, he leaped quickly into the truck and started the engine to pre-empt any further contact. Sometimes he thought she watched and waited until he left the house before she left hers. As he drove away he could see her staring after him. Oh puleeze!
He knew he was still attractive to women, he just wasn't sure why. Generally he could tell, and it pleased him that women thought him handsome, maybe even sexy. He'd seen the way some of them looked at him, reacted to him. It was good for his ego, although it was something that had never gone to his head, even when he was a young guy.
Jack always was, and remained to this day, self effacing and modest. He was even a little shy. Many who knew him would never have believed it. That was because not many did know him. He kept Jack O'Neill buried deep and only revealed himself to very close friends. Even then, much of the real O'Neill remained hidden. He would bluff it out, putting on the Jack O'Neill bravado, joking his way out of it... whatever it took. He did it so well that it had become second nature. After all this time maybe it was the real him. People change, evolve. Even in the short time span of their lives they keep evolving and learning. At least he liked to think so. It was as it should be.
He was a simple man. Sometimes he was late for work, not a good habit in the armed forces. But he was dedicated and loyal to his job, and cause. He worked hard and enjoyed the company of his team mates - most of the time. They were also his closest friends. His work was exciting, a challenge, and he would probably stay there for as long as it continued to test him and keep him on his toes. He considered it probable that the only way out was in a big person sized box with a satin lining, assuming they didn't throw him out first. He didn't want to die, or not prematurely, but did not fear it. He was more than willing to sacrifice himself for his country or planet, and it sure beat rotting slowly away from boredom.
Today he was at the SGC way too early, but that suited him fine. Quiet time, assuming nothing went wrong. Seemed he only had to walk out of the lift for something to go amiss. Not today though.
Pretending to do some paperwork he sat back in his chair in the mess hall down in the bowels of the SGC under Cheyenne Mountain. Not many people knew this place even existed, lurking beneath the much more famous NORAD. After all, who doesn't know about an organisation which tracks Santa's sleigh as it travels the world on Christmas Eve? What was that all about anyway? Let's play nice face of Government? Your tax dollar at work. Go figure!
His early morning peace was shattered by the arrival of the rest of his team. There was Major Samantha Carter, his cute but deadly and way too intelligent second in command. Then Doctor Daniel Jackson, geek and all round pain in the butt, but kind of loveable with it. Last but not least, Teal'c, the massive and dependable Jaffa who seemed to know almost everything about everything, except his adopted home planet.
"Good morning Campers!" Jack said, quietly chuckling to himself when he saw all three raise their eyes to the heavens at his overused expression. Sometimes he enjoyed aggravating them, just for the sheer hell of it. They sat around him and acknowledged his greeting, Carter and Daniel babbling away about something incomprehensible while Teal'c remained sternly silent.
"You read the file Jack, for this morning's briefing?" Daniel Jackson asked, a mischievous expression on his face. File? Briefing?
"You know me and paperwork Daniel. Besides, I've got a meeting with Hammond at 08:00."
"The meeting's off Jack. Briefing at 08:30 instead." Daniel looked smug. He was right; Jack knew nothing about the file or the briefing. Some things never change.
"Would you care to enlighten me Doctor Jackson? Obviously I'm not getting all my memos." Jack replied in a sarcastic tone which might have quailed a less resilient beast than the good Doctor.
"I'm sure you must have the file there somewhere Jack."
Daniel responded with equal disdain, eyeing the pile of papers Jack had brought with him to make it look like he was doing something. Carter was suppressing a grin. Son of a... thought Jack.
He was a simple man. He kept pretty active; worked out, jogged, took regular 10 mile hikes as part of his job, and sometimes went a couple of rounds of boxing with his good friend Teal'c. Teal'c was big and strong, seemingly younger than O'Neill but actually many years older; an alien, a Jaffa. If he lasted a couple of rounds against Teal'c, he'd consider himself lucky. Sometimes he substituted the punch bag; it was an easy win.
"08:30 you say? Jack replied, feigning indifference "In that case, I think I might take a bit of time in the gym. Interested in spotting for me T?"
"Indeed O'Neill."
The pair left.
"Jack doesn't need to lift weights Sam, all he has to do is carry that outstanding paperwork around with him wherever he goes." Daniel quipped when they'd gone. Obligingly, Carter laughed. "You know, we trust our lives to that man. Now there's a scary thought." He smiled at his companion.
"Daniel...!" She said, thinking maybe she should be defending her CO.
"It's okay. I trust him, really I do."
"Sure."
"Do."
"Don't start Daniel."
"Do!"
"I think I have something cooking in the lab. I might have left the gas on." She sighed heavily, getting up and leaving him alone. If he was in one of those moods he could be in it on his own.
"Sam?" Daniel called after her. "What did I say?"
He was a simple man. His house was often a little dusty through dereliction of duty; housework duty. Generally it was pretty tidy though as he was that sort of man. However, he grew experiments in his fridge that were worse than Goa'uld larvae to behold. He'd often thought that maybe he should hire a housekeeper as well as a gardener. But then he reasoned that he'd only be running round cleaning up before she came so that he didn't feel too ashamed of the place. That's what other folks did, wasn't it?
"T, do you know about this mission?" Jack asked as he hoisted the weight. Teal'c smiled to himself.
"Indeed I do O'Neill. I read the file."
Was that Jaffa humor? Jack arched an eyebrow at his friend. Teal'c was picking up bad habits from his team mates. So this is what he had to suffer for the rest of his career, was it? Wit and sarcasm from his subordinates?
"So, what's the mission? It's not an overnighter is it T?"
Jack was thinking about the remains of the Chinese take out in his refrigerator. Just for once he'd like to eat up all the leftovers, preferably before they walked out on their own and decided to find a caring owner, or deposited themselves in his trash can.
"I do not believe that is the intention O'Neill."
"Are you gonna let me in on the secret then Teal'c?"
"DanielJackson is most excited. MALP readings indicate the presence of writings that might prove there was once an Asgard populated planet in this galaxy."
"Asgard? In this galaxy? I do believe that might be a worthy mission, T."
"As do I."
"Daniel will no doubt drive us nuts with his over enthusiasm and puppy dog like manner and we won't have anything to do except pace around the perimeter. But what the heck? Asgard? Well I'll be damned!"
"Indeed. I am sure that you will 'be damned' O'Neill." Jack laughed and had to look at the big guy to see if he was joking or not, catching a slight smirk on his face.
"You learn fast, T, way too fast." He replied, pretending to be put out about it. Teal'c merely inclined his head in O'Neill's direction and said nothing.
He was a simple man. He believed that paperwork was a necessary evil, but a bore. Give him a gun and a mission to undertake any day, and he'd do it. Give him a file to read to prepare for the mission and he'd prevaricate. He didn't claim he was perfect, far from it. It could drive both Carter and Daniel to distraction, but Teal'c never seemed bothered by it, although he'd been known to raise an eyebrow on occasion. There again, when was Teal'c bothered by anything much? O'Neill always hoped that his CO, General George Hammond, didn't notice. He got the job done. That's what counted in this man's Air Force.
Hammond was willing to bet that O'Neill hadn't even read the file. The mission looked like a cake walk but Hammond liked his people to be prepared. O'Neill could be infuriating, but he was the best he had, heaven help him. Of course the General didn't mean the heaven help him part. O'Neill wasn't leader of Hammond's premiere team for nothing. There were more important things than paperwork, and Jack was pretty good at most of those. Unfortunately, The Pentagon did so love it's paper; reams of it.
SG-1 filed into the briefing room and Hammond left his office and entered the room just as they were sitting down.
"Alright, Doctor Jackson. I think the floor is yours." He said, succinctly bringing them to order.
"Ummm... yes. Well, these photos were taken by a MALP on P3X-127."
He flicked a switch on the remote in his hand and a picture of a large room appeared, with writings on the wall, although they were unrecognisable in the picture. Ack! Slide show... goody, thought Jack. There was nothing he liked better than pretty pictures.
"Now this room is obviously not Goa'uld and doesn't look very exciting. Daniel continued, "that is until you look more closely at these writings here." He was starting to enthuse, and flicked to another picture, this time a close up of some of the writing. "Now it gets exciting, pretty amazing actually because we have come across this writing before."
"Meaning of life stuff, Daniel?" Jack interrupted. Daniel peered at him crossly over his glasses. Did Jack actually remember the writing from Ernest's planet, or was it pure chance? Whatever the case, he did not welcome the interruption.
"So, Jack, you obviously understand the significance." He said with sarcasm. He enjoyed proving that Jack hadn't read the file. It was a game they played sometimes and Jack's interruption prompted him to play it right now.
"Well of course Daniel. That's Asgard isn't it?" Jack said, looking intelligent and as if he knew it all. "Asgard in our galaxy? Well ain't that something? I'd say that was significant. When do we go?"
Daniel dropped his pointer with surprise, Hammond looked slightly stunned and Carter tittered behind her hand. Daniel looked towards Teal'c accusingly but the Jaffa remained the picture of innocence. Good old Teal'c, he wouldn't give him away. That showed them. Jack liked to keep them on their toes.
He was a simple man. He liked Chinese take out and pizza. Pepperoni and olive on deep pan; chicken in black bean and chilli sauce. Barbecued wieners or steaks were a speciality and he did a good line in marinades and salads to go with. He hated yoghurt with a passion, but loved jello and cake; he could tend towards a sweet tooth. An energy bar or two was generally to be found about his person and he might even share if you asked him nicely.
"Ahhh! Nothing like taking a wormhole to work!" Jack quipped as they exited the other end.
He had to admit that the room they came out in was pretty ordinary, with the exception of the writing. Daniel enthused about the walls, taking video pictures of everything. When Jack and Teal'c found the outer doors, they were amazed to discover a city spread before their eyes, albeit a deserted and partially ruined one. Daniel had kittens after that. It was going to be an overnighter after all; if not longer.
"Can't we just go and let some other team take over from here?" Jack said quietly to Teal'c as they wandered around, checking things out.
"If you wish for DanielJackson never to speak to you again, O'Neill, I believe the answer might be yes."
"And your point is...?"
The corners of Teal'c mouth turned up slightly at O'Neill's wit. It took a bit of getting used to. After all, Teal'c was a Jaffa and they weren't exactly known for their sense of humor. O'Neill's humor was acerbic, mischievous, and a little zany. The Tauri had a saying that sarcasm was the lowest form of wit. Over the years spent in the company of O'Neill, Teal'c had come to appreciate the art of it's use. He believed that the people who had created this saying lacked wit of their own and thus envied those who could wield it effectively. Sometimes O'Neill wielded it very effectively although it could get him into a whole heap of trouble.
"Yeah, I guess he would be a little pissed to miss out." Jack agreed, and then continued, "Come on, let's head back."
Daniel and Carter had found what appeared to be an Asgard version of a library and were excitedly exploring. It wasn't entirely in one piece, but most of it had been protected by the elements.
"Come on folks, time for chow. R&R." Jack said as he and Teal'c walked in the door.
"Jack! Jack! This place is going to keep the SGC, Area 51 and the Pentagon busy for months, if not years."
"Wow, Daniel, I'm excited for ya." Daniel looked up to see the last vestiges of their team leader's cynical smile disappear from his face.
"Why do you always have to do this Jack?"
"What?" Jack replied, with contrived innocence.
"You know what."
"Don't."
"Do."
"Don't"
"Children please. If you wanna argue can't you go play in the back yard?" Carter said with exasperation. These two could try the patience of a saint.
"Don't be a smart ass Carter. Annual evaluation time looms." Jack bore an amused smile and waggled a finger at her.
"Yes Sir." Carter replied smartly, grinning at her CO, who returned the smile. The Colonel often said that, but she knew his threat was idle and it had become a little joke they shared. Besides, evaluation time was a full six months away.
They all sat down to eat together. At least they might have a little comfort on this planet. They were indoors, there were chairs; weird Asgard shaped ones, but chairs nonetheless. This place was old, going way back to before the Asgard genetic pool had stagnated. The Asgard of this planet were a lot bigger than their descendants. Teal'c, however, was too large to sit comfortably in one of the chairs. Jack had always suspected there must be a down side to having so much muscle.
"They don't have chicken with black bean and chilli sauce flavoured MRE's in there by any chance, do they?" Jack said, waving towards the packages that Daniel was taking out of their gear.
"There's macaroni and cheese. That tastes a bit like chicken." Daniel quipped.
"Not funny Danny boy. I have a stack of leftover chicken with black bean and chilli sauce at home. I was looking forward to that."
"Not turned green yet than Sir?" Carter ventured.
"Did I say Evaluation earlier? I meant six month review."
Carter nearly laughed aloud at the expression on her CO's face. She coughed to cover her amusement.
"Yes Sir." She said and pretended to look uncomfortable, at which point Jack nearly broke his composure with a laugh of his own.
He was a simple man. He could relax for hours merely through holding a long pole over water - commonly known as fishing. He had a small place in Minnesota that was his retreat. It had belonged to his family but he had no kin left anymore. It was located in beautiful countryside and overlookedone of the many hundreds of lakes. Jack liked to think of it as his lake, but in reality he only owned a small part of it's large shoreline and some mooring space. It was peaceful there.
As he ate, Jack tuned out his companions and daydreamed about his cabin. He was due vacation time and planning to go in a couple of weeks. Although he could live with his own company, sometimes he felt lonesome and he dearly wished one of his team would accompany him there.
Teal'c had gone fishing there with him once and hated every minute of it. That saddened Jack a little because he liked the big Jaffa; his presence alone could be a comfort. Jack didn't need to talk much; talking wasn't his big thing. He did, however, like the silent companionship of someone's presence. He missed that.
As for the other two; Daniel and Carter were always too busy studying this or experimenting with that. They both needed to get a life. Sometimes he wished they'd come up with better excuses for not going with him. It might make him believe that it wasn't his company they were avoiding. He wasn't such a bad guy to spend time with, was he?
Okay, so he could be a belligerent pain in the mikta, but he was their pain in the mikta, wasn't he? He had to admit that he had a slightly wacky sense of humor and knew both Carter and Daniel found it irksome on occasion, although Teal'c was generally inscrutable. He could make Carter laugh but Daniel had a tendency to take things far too seriously for his own good. And Teal'c? Well, he was a Jaffa. Sometimes Jack felt unappreciated.
A break at the cabin brought peace to his chaotic, busy and dangerous life. However, sometimes a man could only take so much solitude before he yearned for the company of his fellow man. He regretted that he had no one to share his life with.
He was a simple man. Single after a marriage which had lasted 10 years, sometimes he felt lonely. Most of the time his marriage had been pretty good but occasionally it was difficult. Isn't that what marriage was about, the rough and the smooth? The compromises? He sorely missed the friendship and companionship. He had loved his wife, adored his son.
Despite numerous temptations he had remained a loyal and faithful husband, notwithstanding their long separations due to his job. He missed the sex, and the physical contact, while he was gone but was an honorable man and deeply believed in the vows he had made on his wedding day. The cabin had once been a happy place. The ghosts of Sara and Charlie still haunted it.
After Charlie died his life fell apart, and his marriage. Sara had left him to kill himself if that was what he really wanted. She gave up on him. Why couldn't she understand what he had been going through? Jack had left his loaded gun in the house, right where his own son could find it. Charlie shot himself with it and nothing could save him. The sight of his son's dead body was the worst thing he had ever seen in his life and Jack O'Neill had seen some pretty awful things.
He'd liked sharing his life. Companionable silences were his best moments. You can't have companionable silences without companions. He missed the greeting kiss, hugging, and holding hands; the intimacy. It was these simple things that he missed most of all. He wished for the inconsequential chatter, playfulness, and even the arguments. It was these simple things that he yearned for most of all. His wife and son had been bright sparks in his often bleak world.
It wasn't really about Sara; that was over years ago. It wasn't totally about Charlie either; he was long gone. He sure could do with someone. He'd like to do a bit more sharing. Or maybe he was too much of a grumpy old man for that now, set in his ways. That was a dismal prospect.
A blackness clutched at Jack. No, not now, go away, he told it, I'm on a mission. Can't you wait until I get home?
"Colonel?" Carter knelt in front of her CO.
"Huh?" O'Neill broke from his thought at her voice.
"Sir? Are you alright?"
"I... Sure, Carter I'm fine." Great work O'Neill, he chastised himself, ever alert.
"Colonel, you look a little pale Sir. Are you sure?" She touched his hand and looked him in the eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine Carter, really." He whispered, patting her hand. She nodded acknowledgement, with a faint but worried smile on her lips, and sat back down.
Carter thought the Colonel looked pale. The pallor had appeared quite suddenly and he'd zoned out. She looked towards Teal'c, who nodded. He was telling her that he, too, would keep a wary eye on O'Neill. Teal'c never seemed to miss anything and, not for the first time, she was grateful for that.
He was a simple man. His whole adult life had been spent in the US Air Force. He'd joined when young, worked hard, and trained hard; played pretty hard too before he'd settled down. It had paid off by providing him with a varied and interesting, if not somewhat checkered, career. It had also made him a Colonel, and he'd earned it.
Now he was a leader and could kick butt, just like the guy in charge always did; like his had been kicked, and continued to be sometimes. In the Armed Forces, there was always someone above you to kick your butt; everyone reported to someone up the chain of command. That is unless you were the President of the United States. The only thing that could kick his butt was God, or the United States Congress.
Jack had never got on with the establishment when he was a kid, so wasn't sure how he'd managed to get along so well in the USAF. He just fit; it was one of life's unsolved mysteries. Jack O'Neill, United States Air Force. It had a kind of ring to it. From day one he'd known he was home. Jack O'Neill was a warrior. He had a noble spirit, was an honourable man, but was also quite deadly. It was a talent.
If it weren't for his lack of reverence he might have been a General by now. The politics pissed him off. He didn't want to play in their yard. When younger he'd been pretty wild and the Air Force had reigned him in. The Armed Forces gave Jack the opportunity to free his feral nature in an environment that was rigid and disciplined. For him the seemingly contradictory combination worked, but you don't remove the wild nature of a wolf merely by keeping it caged. It was a risk inherent in arming men and teaching them to kill. They might turn round and bite you on the ass.
Jack had never exactly bitten their asses, but he wasn't above making himself a pain by nibbling around the edges. He could be a thorn in the side of even the most righteous of men. He was pretty sure that Hammond was frequently exasperated by him, although he cut Jack a lot of slack. Jack felt lucky that Hammond was his CO. He'd rarely reported to a better man, if ever.
That respect seemed to be mutual, which pleased Jack immensely. To have the respect of a man like Hammond was worth a heck of a lot. It was one of the things that kept him in this job. He didn't know how long he could have worked for a fool like General Bauer.
The man had actually been more concerned about how the paperwork looked than getting to know his own people. Hammond knew everyone on the base, could remember the names of their wives, husbands or children. He trusted most of his people to get on with their jobs, and do it effectively. If they didn't they'd be out on their butt; the SGC couldn't afford to carry either the dim-witted or the indolent.
Bauer had almost got them all killed by not trusting his team. He'd ignored Carter at his peril and come close to annihilating Earth more effectively than the Goa'uld had - so far. Hammond knew better than to underestimate Carter. Bauer hadn't bothered himself to dig deeper than the crap "they'd" shovelled at him. Hadn't he read any of the reports? Anyone reading those could see that Carter was usually right. It had been a poor command decision. The man even had the nerve to break up SG-1.
Jack had been more than pleased with the outcome of his little escapade with Harry Maybourne back then. Getting the best of Kinsey had been sweet, even if the method left a sour aftertaste. Jack might be a killer but he had a conscience. Threatening the lives of US senators was not something he should be proud of. In Kinsey's case he could be tempted to make an exception. And he had got George reinstated, so had triumphed.
He was a simple man. His marksmanship was excellent and he was quite proud of that. At one time he had won almost every competition he was able to enter. It was a skill he used to deadly effect against the enemies of his country and, ultimately, his planet. He'd been known to say that the best diplomat he knew was a fully loaded gun.
He also said that that guns didn't kill people, people killed people - however, a gun helped; if you just stood there and yelled bang, you wouldn't kill too many people. Actually, he had stolen that line from a British comedian called Eddie Izzard, but no one at the SGC knew that. If it ever came up he planned to say that the comic must have stolen it from him. Besides, he was pretty sure that he and Eddie Izzard intended it to mean two entirely different things.
Jack was feeling kind of weird. Carter was right to be concerned about him. He did a fair to middling job of covering it up but wasn't fooling his team. He believed he had a slight temperature, and was a little light headed. His head ached and he downed painkillers with his rations, carefully hiding his action from the rest of his team. He realised that Teal'c had noticed, although the big guy said nothing. Was there anything the Jaffa didn't notice?
"Okay, lets get back to work kids." Jack said. "What was that?" He'd heard a noise and looked at Teal'c to confirm his suspicions.
"I do believe we are not alone O'Neill."
"Friend or foe?" Asked Jack.
"I suggest we consider them foe until we know differently." Teal'c replied.
It was good to commune with a fellow warrior. On this they were likeminded. Shoot first and ask questions later, if necessary. Daniel came from another school of thought. It was the get involved, talk to them and get yourself captured, shot or otherwise severely harmed school. Jack didn't hold with that line of thinking.
"The question is whether they know we're here."
Jack got up, feeling a little achy, and carefully sneaked over to a window, ensuring he couldn't be seen from the outside. Hell, it was Jaffa! He could see three of them from where he stood but guessed there might be more. He signalled to his team to be quite and get the gear. Re-joining them he picked up his own gear.
"It's Jaffa. They must know someone's here." Said Jack in a low voice, "If they came through the gate they'll have seen the MALP."
He looked towards Teal'c who raised an eyebrow in surprise. He'd heard no ships, which must mean that O'Neill was right and they'd come through the Stargate. Did not this address come from the knowledge of the Ancients that O'Neill had programmed into the SGC computer? How had they found this place?
O'Neill signalled that they follow him, away from the Jaffa. He wanted to get somewhere higher so they could see what was happening.
They headed towards a tower that he and Teal'c had looked at earlier, trying to figure out it's purpose. It seemed to serve none that they could see. However, it was more than fit for a recon of Jaffa activity and strength. He and Teal'c climbed to the top, leaving Carter and Daniel to guard their six.
The stairs were heavy going for Jack. His legs felt leaden, his breathing laboured and a sore throat was beginning to plague him along with the sore head. He was definitely coming down with something but he dismissed it. There was no time for that, he had to keep going; they were in danger here.
He and Teal'c studied their enemy from atop the tower. There appeared to be about a dozen of them. A couple guarded the entrance to the gate while the others looked around the city. It appeared they were unaware of SG-1's presence. Jack corrected that opinion when he saw a Jaffa watching Sam and Daniel from the shadows of a ruin not far away from the Tower. Sam would never spot him from where she stood, but he had a perfect view of her and was raising his staff weapon. Hell!
Jack lifted his P-90 and aimed at the Jaffa, hitting him straight through the breast plate. That got him. The P-90 was very effective against Jaffa armour, which was why SG-1 tended to favour the weapon. He was pleased to note that he hadn't lost that O'Neill touch with a gun; his aim was as good as ever, even if he was feeling unwell. However, the P-90 made way too much noise, a sniper rifle would have been better, but he didn't have that luxury on this mission. Who knew they would need it?
He was a simple man. He figured he'd pulled his weight in the Air Force, done a fair share; maybe more than fair. The gun was not the only weapon he had at his disposal; he was a master of many, including knives and his own bare hands. The deadliest of all, however, was the sharp brain that resided in his head. His tactical skills had saved many lives, including his own, and won him a large array of medals. Many would consider him a courageous man, although he would never truly believe that of himself, even if he might say so in jest.
Jack was about to say something to Teal'c about making a hasty getaway when the big man spoke.
"O'Neill."
Jack followed Teal'c's gaze skyward. Incoming. There was a ship up there somewhere. These Jaffa on the ground hadn't come by ship had they? Surely they would have heard something. Looking down he could see Jaffa heading in their direction.
"Carter." He spoke into his radio, "Get yourselves out of here, and we'll catch up."
"Sir?" She questioned.
"Get going. The bogey men are coming your way. Not to mention that the ships currently landing might be a problem. Go!"
"Yes sir."
He leaned over the tower to watch the direction his team mates took and then signalled Teal'c to get down in case they were spotted.
"We can't stay here T. We'd be sitting ducks. Nowhere to run."
"I concur. We must leave." He looked at his commanding officer with concern. O'Neill was white as a sheet, and sweating. "O'Neill?" he touched Jack's arm.
"I'll be alright Teal'c. I can't afford to be sick right now. Let's go."
He had a bit of difficulty moving because of his aching joints. What had he been thinking this morning about getting old? He sure felt it right now, but somehow didn't believe this was an age related thing. As he got up he saw something glinting out of the corner of his eye, away from the city and a long way off. What was that? Putting his binoculars to his eyes he took a closer look.
"Um Teal'c? It looks like there is another city over there. That one looks a bit newer than this. In fact, I'd say it was occupied."
It was Teal'c's turn to follow the gaze of his team mate.
"I believe you may be correct O'Neill. Most interesting."
"You don't think it's Asgard do ya?"
"Is it possible?"
"Dunno T. I guess we don't have time to find out right now. Let's move."
He struggled down the stairs. Teal'c was tempted to help his friend but considered that in this confined space he might be more of a hindrance. By the time they got down the stairs, a number of Jaffa were searching near their location. Having found their dead colleague, they were looking for his attacker. They could have some problems if they got into a fire fight from this position.
They didn't have much option as a Jaffa spotted them and fired. All too soon, a number of them had O'Neill and Teal'c pinned down at the base of the tower. Although they could dodge the staff blasts behind the thick walls, they were not going to be able to hold out forever. He considered calling for Carter and Daniel as reinforcements but quickly dismissed that, not wanting to risk the whole team.
The two warriors fought valiantly, their deadly accuracy far superior to that of their foes, even if their numbers were not. They could see quite a few dead Jaffa from where they hid. There goes another one, Jack gloated to himself as another shot from his P-90 confirmed his skill again; you won't take us without a fight!
He heard a noise behind him and turned to look.
"Um... Teal'c? That doorway wasn't there before was it?"
"Indeed not O'Neill."
"Okay. I think it might be time to see what's in the basement." He said, nodding towards the stairs that beckoned from beyond the magically appearing doorway. They definitely had not been there earlier.
Jack considered whether this might be some sort of trap set by the whoever the locals were. Alternatively, these people might be trying to help the Colonel and his team mate. When you were out of options there was often only one way forward. For them it was the stairs, and face the consequences of whatever was down there. While they lived there was always hope, a chance to turn the tables. This was O'Neill 101, if anyone cared to study it.
"I'll take point T."
Throwing a grenade out towards the Jaffa, to briefly cover their retreat, O'Neill cautiously started off down the stairs with Teal'c on his six. If they were off to meet danger, he ensured it was him that would meet it first, giving Teal'c a chance to make an escape and re-join his other team mates.
The doorway closed behind them, effectively protecting them from pursuit, while leaving them imprisoned within the walls of the tower. No going back now. O'Neill was confident they'd find a way out of this somehow. As long as he was breathing there was a chance although, admittedly, his breathing could do with a little help at the moment.
He was determined not to succumb to this illness. While their lives were in danger he had to keep on his toes and concentrate. He willed himself downwards, legs slightly wobbly, sweat dripping into his eyes. The headache and sore throat had worsened in the last few minutes. Aspirin had not helped.
The stairs were suffused with light from an unknown source. Carter would no doubt waffle on about it at length if she was here. O'Neill knew he probably should let her and Daniel know where they were. First, however, they should confront whatever danger might greet them at the bottom of these stairs. Using the radio right now might not be the sensible choice to make.
When they got to the bottom a passageway greeted them. It, too, was well lit and appeared to go on for a long way. Apparently there was no one around but O'Neill was not going to let down his guard. That way lay much blood, and possibly death. His P-90 poised for immediate action, he inched his way down the passageway warily. To his surprise a head popped out from a hidden doorway. It was a lone Asgard.
He was a simple man. He was fundamentally loyal and would do anything to help his friends and allies, even at the risk of his own life. His adulthood had been forged in making sacrifices for others. That was the way of a warrior and a lesson he had learned well early on in his career. The life of each of your team mates is important and not to be given up lightly - never leave anyone behind. He had gone way above and beyond the call of duty to keep faith with that credo.
Carter and Daniel wove in and out of buildings and shadows in an effort to avoid the invaders. She wondered what the Goa'uld were doing here and how they had found this place. As it was an address from the records of the ancients she was surprised that they knew of it. She guessed it was irrelevant now, they were here, but she was very curious as to what they wanted as this could be important.
The numbers of Jaffa on the ground were steadily increasing. No doubt the gate would be very well guarded by now. This could cause SG-1 a few difficulties. Even when Hammond decided they were way overdue, which wouldn't be for a while yet, once he opened the wormhole and saw a place full of Jaffa he could not risk sending in backup or rescue. SG-1 were on their own; at least for now. They may have to find somewhere to lie low and outwait the visitors. It was of some concern as the Goa'uld could be here for months for all they knew. The increasing numbers of Jaffa told her something serious was going on. They would know this place was Asgard and would no doubt give much to learn the secrets of their ancient nemesis.
"Let's hunker down here a while Daniel. I'll try to contact the Colonel."
They hid behind a wall, crouching so they could not be seen. Sam tried the radio but got nothing but static. Damn! She hoped the Colonel and Teal'c were alright. She had great faith in their abilities but against these numbers they were all at risk. Also she hadn't liked how the Colonel had looked before they parted. The colour of his skin was all wrong.
However, she knew he would find a way of getting his team back together and to safety come hell or high water. It always comforted her to know that he was around, and on her side. Her respect for his abilities as a leader of men, and a brilliant strategic thinker, knew no bounds. He would think of something. Between the four of them they always did. They always got home.
That confidence did not however quell her fear that he and Teal'c might be dead or dying out there somewhere, or captured.
"Let's rest here a while Daniel."
She pondered what to do next. Daniel was no great fighter, although he could come through when the chips were down. The Colonel had trained him well, ensuring that he knew how to use a number of different weapons and tactics effectively. Daniel was a brave man and it was good to have him on your side, but in a fire fight she would rather take the Colonel or Teal'c any day.
"I think we need to get out of this city Daniel."
"Probably, but I wish we knew where Jack and Teal'c were."
"They'll be okay. The Colonel will find us." She said with confidence. There seemed little point in voicing any of her doubts. Besides, she knew that, as long as he was capable and had breath in his body, that confidence was warranted.
As far as she could see, their current position seemed clear. Now might be a good time to make a getaway. Signalling Daniel, she led him out from behind the wall, running quickly and stealthily towards the outskirts of the city. The gate was in the opposite direction and she was unhappy about that, but knew this way was their only option.
Pressing against a wall, Daniel behind her, she peeked around the corner to get the lay of the land. Damn! There were Jaffa round there. She signalled Daniel to keep totally silent and unmoving. They would have to find another way around, but she didn't dare risk any noise at the moment. If Teal'c was anything to go by, Jaffa had superb senses and might hear any movement.
She felt Daniel move beside her and turned to chide him but immediately saw why he had moved. A Jaffa had come across their position from the opposite direction. His staff weapon was pointed right at them. Daniel was raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Put down your weapons." The Jaffa said, waving the staff threateningly.
Well, she guessed she ought to do that then, and she carefully lowered her P-90 to the ground, raising her own arms to mimic Daniel's gesture. Live to fight another day; sometimes it was the only solution to the immediate problem. The Colonel would find them, she had compete faith. He would figure a way out, if he was still alive, but his death was not an option she was prepared to examine too closely.
TBC Part 2