A small screen showed the view that even now Sam Carter was sure would be forever etched in her mind. Rolling hills, luscious foliage and those haunting shadowy figures forever amongst them.

The MALP was pointed towards the gate, giving a clear view of all that happened.

Sam and Jack each take their positions in perfect sync. Teal'c and Daniel made it through the gate. Sam moved over towards the colonel.

All the while the fire from the natives was relentless and never ending, but none so far had been injured.

The two figures made their way from behind the DHD to the stone platform before the horizon. One disappeared through the water-like substance pushed by the other.

Before the horizon had even begun to settle from the displacement of a traveller an arrow of energy had made a target of the thigh of the figure left behind. Even from a distance of 50 yards the microphone in the camera picked up the gut-wrenching cry of pain that seemed to echo through the trees.

The shadowy figures glided quickly towards their prey; now injured, alone and vulnerable.

One glided closer and seemed to consider the gate itself rather than the figure before it; the place where Sam had just disappeared.

Jack could tell what it was thinking, and so with a loud grunt, he got to his feet and defending the person behind him on the other side of the galaxy.

The figure released one of the energy blasts, striking Jack directly in the chest.

This time there was no scream, as his lifeless body slumped to the ground and the image faded to nothing.

The control room seemed to stop completely, all staring at the small screen once the feed cut out, it was empty black and lifeless.

Sam was utterly still, her mind whirring but blank at the same time, unwavering support in the form of Daniel and Teal'c standing next to her, solid pillars to be lent on at each side.

She couldn't move, she could barely breathe.

It was a full minute before she was able to hear a conversation around her, even then it seemed distant and hazy as it a dream.

"There might still be time." Said Daniel, "We have to go back."

"Dr Jackson, I'm not going to send you back into hostile territory."

"We can't co back." Said Sam quietly and yet the control room could hear every word.

Still looking at the screen she continued.

"If we go back he'll be caught up in the vortex when the wormhole forms. There'll be nothing left to save." Her voice was flat and emotionless.

The room was silent once again, watching the major.

Eventually she looked up from the screen and directly into the eyes of the base commander.

A nod of his head told her everything she needed to know.

They wouldn't dial back.

He was deeply sorry for her loss.

And he excused her to deal with it as she wanted.

And so she left.

Her team and the SGC personnel watched her go knowing she would time and space.

They also knew that the one person that could comfort her was the one person who wasn't here.