The Long Journey Part 1
Danny was much happier now that Malone had left the SGC. He was managing to spend time doing his work but he still missed going off world and it was the one thing that he could not get Jack to change his mind about. He had tried many times but the answer was still no. Jack was taking no chances with his life and he was determined Danny was going to learn to stop taking risks as well. Jack was no fun Danny thought. He needed to find a way to convince Jack that he could still be effective off world.
His first thought had been to go to General Hammond but Jack would not have been amused if he'd found out and he would have found out. Jack wasn't as difficult to live with as he'd thought he would be. He had always looked out for him even as an adult, right enough he wouldn't have made sure he had baths or changed his clothes. It's amazing what he can get worked up about. What is so important about cleaning behind your ears? It's not as if dirt manages to hide there and anyway a little dirt never hurt anyone,
His first chance at going off world came when SG7 visited a planet called PR3 765. They had been sent on a reconnaissance mission and at first it seemed as if there was nothing there but after going into one of the small villages they realised that they seemed to have some advanced technology. They also had crystals that would be of use in the new fleet of ships that were being built.
They had seen some small villages on the planet but no large settlements. SG1 was the ideal choice to make contact with their leaders but now that they had no linguist attached General Hammond was thinking about sending another team. This was the time to talk to the General so Danny made his way down to his office.
"Excuse me General, I have an idea that might help with the visit to PR3 765."
"And what would that be?"
"I could go." General Hammond raised his hand to interrupt but Danny kept going. "I know what Jack said but this planet presents no problems, the people seem very friendly. Dr. Lee could come as well so that I don't have to do too much. It would be good if we could get some of their technology."
"I don't see why you have to go if Dr. Lee is going."
"Well. It's such a safe place and it could show Jack that I can still travel. I'd like you to consider it."
"The only way I'll consider you going is if Jack says you can."
"But…."
"No buts Danny, he's your father and what he says goes." Danny turned around and stormed out of the office. There was no way he could convince Jack unless he just went without Jack knowing. If he could get into the gate room as they were going and wait until they were going up the ramp. He could make a run for it and go through the wormhole before they could stop him. He'd live with the consequences when they came back or when Jack caught up with him. It seemed like a good plan but like a lot of Danny's plans he had not really thought it through.
When Danny didn't get back to him about going, General Hammond just assumed that Jack had said no. He certainly never even dreamed about what Danny was going to do.
SG8 and Dr. Lee were going to go, Danny helped Dr. Lee pick out some books he may need for translation and wished him well. Danny had packed a small rucksack and put it on the MALP under one of the panels. He often went down to the Gateroom when teams were going away so no one thought anything about him being there. He hung around behind SG8 talking to one of the soldiers. He could see Jack up in the control room with Sam and Teal'c. They were beginning to dial the address. Danny kept watch, he knew he didn't have much time to make his move. If Jack saw him running he would stop the connection. He heard "Wormhole engaged." And SG8 started up the ramp after the MALP. It went through and they waited for confirmation it was okay to proceed.
General Hammond said," SG8 off you go and good luck."
Danny saw his chance and ran. He heard someone shout, Stop him and then he heard nothing as he went through the wormhole.
Major Robins, leader of SG8 couldn't grab him. Sam saw him appear on the other side only to disappear as he ran off.
"What the hell?" Jack said. "Permission to go after him, sir," he said to General Hammond.
"Permission granted and this time I want to have words with that young man when you bring him back."
Jack, Sam and Teal'c got ready. SG8 had already departed but could see no sign of Danny. They assumed he was hiding from them.
When Danny arrived on the other side of the wormhole he realised that all SG8 had to do was follow him and bring him back so he ran for the nearest cover which was a forest. He hadn't been able to get to the MALP to get his rucksack.
Major Evans stepped out, Dr. Jackson," he shouted. "Colonel O'Neill is coming next."
"Oh s***, Jack was going to be mad, he'd have to move off or he'd take him back before he could look around. He really hadn't thought it through. Jack would never let him go through the Gate again if he caught him now. He'd have to find something worthwhile, something important.
He heard a noise behind him and brought up the Zat he'd brought with him. It was pointing at a boy of about the same age as himself. He was dressed in leggings and a long tunic.
"Greetings, my name is Marcus, what's your name?"
"Danny."
"Why are you hiding, are those men chasing you?"
"Sort of. I ran away, that man with the grey hair, he's my dad."
"He looks angry. What did you do?"
"I came through the Gate."
"Gate?"
"The circle of stone."
They could hear Jack shouting," Daniel O'Neill if you know what's good for you you'll come back now."
"Maybe you should go."
"Not yet, I came here to explore and explore I'm going to do. Where do you live?"
"In a village to the north of here. We can circle round and try and put them off your track, my father taught me." They ran off. They could still hear Jack shouting.
"Which way did he go Major?" Jack asked.
"Into that forest."
"Let's go. Keep in radio contact."
They ran in a large circle, covering their tracks and running along streams. They worked their way back to the Gate so Danny could get his rucksack. He slowly crept in watching out for the guards he knew Jack would have left. He hid behind the MALP and undid the screws on the panel, he could hear 2 of the soldiers talking about how mad Colonel O'Neill was and they wouldn't like to be in Dr. Jackson's shoes when he caught him. Danny slid his rucksack out and went back to Marcus.
Sam was watching what was happening and saw Daniel run off. She informed General Hammond and he gave her and Teal'c permission to join Colonel O'Neill.
As soon as they were through the wormhole she radioed Jack and let him know what she saw. "He was with another boy, sir. So there must be a village close by."
Jack returned to the Gate and left Major Evans and his team to search the forest just in case they were going the wrong way. You never knew with Daniel. Teal'c pointed out their tracks and they set off.
Meanwhile Danny and Marcus were running through the forest when an arrow hit the tree just in front of Marcus's head. They stopped and 2 men stepped out of the undergrowth. Danny raised the Zat and hit them. They fell to the ground. "What is that?" Marcus asked.
"It's called a Zat, it's a weapon. We'd better go."
It didn't take them long to reach the village. It had a high wooden fence around it. There was a humming noise coming from it as well. Marcus shouted and the guard opened the gate and let them enter.
Marcus led Danny to a hut in the centre, "Father," he said to a tall dark haired man who had just come out of the hut. "This is Danny, I met him in the forest near the Circle.
The man grabbed Marcus and swatted him twice," You were told not to leave the village, you know how dangerous it is just now. You stay inside the fence. Understand?" Marcus's face was bright red.
"Yes sir, I'm sorry."
The man turned to Danny," You came through the Circle?"
"Yes."
"But you're a child, where are your people?"
"They're searching for me, they're in the forest somewhere."
"Foolish children," he said, "I must send people out to look for them. It is not safe to be out at night in the forest."
"Jack can look after himself."
The man called some of his warriors and sent them out. He took Danny into his hut and told him to wait there with Marcus.
TBC