Chapter 2 – Unseen Enemies

SG-1's code was received only four hours after their planned return from P8Q-307, good timing by SG-1's standards. The iris opened. Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson dragged Teal'c through the wormhole onto the ramp.

"We need medics, stat," Carter shouted.

Klaxons were sounded as Dr. Frasier's medical team was paged.

Teal'c lay on the floor with a gaping hole seared through the side of his abdomen.

"Sir, we need to shut down the gate and redial P8Q-307," Major Carter pleaded as soon as General Hammond arrived in the control room. "Colonel O'Neill is injured. We couldn't bring them both back at the same time."

"Major, slow down a second and tell me what happened."

"Teal'c took fire first, then the Colonel was hit trying to cover Teal'c. Neither could get out on his own; the Colonel ordered us to bring Teal'c back first."

"What was the nature of the fire?"

"I'm not sure, sir. We never saw anyone or anything on the entire visit. Please we've got to hurry back for the Colonel. He's hurt badly."

Dr. Frasier cut Carter's pleas off short.

"Sam, I need for you to run and get the healing device and meet us in the infirmary. It's Teal'c only hope. There's no way I can fix this wound now that junior's gone."

"Go now, Major," Hammond ordered.

"Dr. Jackson, I need some idea what to expect before I send a team back after the Colonel."

"It's not entirely clear sir. We'd finished up our exploratory mission and were approaching the gate when Teal'c said he felt something was nearby. But we saw nothing. I dialed home and Sam entered the GDO code while Jack and Teal'c covered us. We heard an energy blast and then a second one followed. Teal'c went down first, and then Jack went down as he went towards Teal'c."

"Any idea of who they were or how many Dr. Jackson?"

"I think it might have been Re'tu, Sir."

"All right, let's get the MALP outfitted with one of those phase shifting weapons from the Tok'ra, a TER, and take a look. Sgt. Davis, get all available teams on base on standby for a rescue mission with every TER we've got. But until we have an idea of what's waiting on the other side, no one goes through."

"Sir, Jack's wound is really bad. His right leg is almost gone from the knee down. It was barely attached. I've never seen Jack in such pain," Daniel begged.

"Dr. Jackson, we'll do everything we can to get to him, but I can't risk sending men into an ambush. Give me a reason to believe I wouldn't be doing that."

"General, I can't be certain. It all happened so suddenly. But I don't think this was a planned attack. Only two blasts were fired, both in Teal'c's general direction. No shots were taken at Major Carter or me. I think Jack just got in the way of someone shooting at Teal'c."

"So if it wasn't an ambush, what do you think it was?"

"It's possible that a Re'tu saw Teal'c was a Jaffa and shot him. And then maybe Jack got in the line of fire. After it happened, there was no attempt to stop us from returning through the gate. I think maybe a Re'tu panicked at seeing a Jaffa."

"But this is all theory?"

"Based on circumstantial evidence, yes sir."

"Let's get the MALP through and see what we find. Hopefully we won't have to wait long. Sgt. Davis, who's available for a rescue mission?"

"SG-9 is the only unit on base now. I can recall SG-7 to the Mountain if you want. Everyone else is off world."

"Do it, Sergeant."

"Dr. Jackson, check in with Dr. Frasier and report back on Teal'c's condition. Stand ready to depart with SG-9 if I give the go."

"Yes sir," Daniel said weakly, feeling that Jack's time was running out.