PREVIOUSLY:
As SG1 sat at the briefing table. Captain Davis seemed distressed, knowing that SG1 wanted to know where their friend and comrade was.
How can I tell them what happened? How could I leave her like that?
"Captain Davis, what happened and why have you returned early without Vala?"
Daniel along with his friends were anxious to find out what had become of Vala. After Adria was destroyed Vala had become preoccupied at being constantly busy. Daniel had thought Vala wanted to be alone to mourn Adria, yet maintained she was fine. After their last mission, the entire SG1 team except Vala had come down with the flu. Vala had asked General Landry for an assignment with SG3 just from constantly staying on base. He pretended he didn't worry about her, but he knew along with the rest of his friends, they were.
Where are you Vala? Daniel was not the only one at the table wondering.
Captain Davis was quite at first, knowing all eyes were on him. He didn't want to keep SG1 and the General in the dark. But this was an unusual circumstance on any level.
General Landry hated repeating himself and he could see from experience that Captain Davis didn't have good news.
"Sir, I……we had to leave Vala down on the planet and was forced to leave." Davis hung his head, not wanting to see the shocked faces around the table."
"What are you talking about Davis. Vala was on your team temporarily. Did she do something crazy and cause the inhabitants to lock her up?"
"Jackson, that's enough. You know Vala is not like that." Stated Cam. He was a little irritated at Daniel's continued mistrust of Vala's nature.
Davis stood up, irritated as well as one of Vala's teammates. "For your information Dr. Jackson. Vala did one of the bravest actions anyone could do for another person. She saved lives down there and………
Davis sat down, feeling he had to defend Vala's honor. SG1 team caught the significance of his anger.
"I'm sorry Captain Davis for the interruption; please continue your report." Expressed Landry.
"As I was saying General. When we landed on PX-4090 we were headed for the peaceful city. We heard screams and saw billing black smoke. We split into two teams, with Vala leading the second team. When we arrived at the compound we were stopped by some hostile resistance. They would not allow us to help and were armed. After hearing the screams, it sounded like children."
Sam interrupted. "But that planet was designated as peaceful. Why would they stop you from helping? Did they recognize Vala as Quetesh?"
Sam had often been afraid that her friends past would come back to haunt her one day. Vala would sometimes jokingly hint that Quetesh would be the death of her.
"No Colonel Carter. Vala heard the screams as well as the inhabitants. I beleive they were childrens screams. I think maybe from the armed men faces, some of those might have been worried about it too. Vala couldn't stand the screams as well as we did, but told the man in charge that threatened us, that she couldn't stand for innocent children to be hurt and he and his men could shoot her if they wanted. She then ran towards the screams after throwing down her weapon and vest protector."
"That's our Vala." Mentioned Cam. Proud that Vala was very caring about others.
"Indeed." Vala has often sacrificed her life for others without regards for her own safety."
Daniel stood up, worried about Vala. "DAMMIT DAVIS; WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?"
"Dr. Jackson, I'll ask that you refrain yourself until Captain Davis is finished."
Davis was thankful for General Landry's intervention. He continued. "I only know that she…..she helped save those children. There was some girl there, I don't know what her name was, but she….she somehow saved Vala…. before…..
Daniel pounded his fist on the table, startling everyone for his behavior. "Before what?"
"I promised Sir." Even Landry was a little irritated about one of his elite.
"Promised what? Stated Sam. Teal'c and Cam could see Davis's struggle to get his words out.
"I promised Vala that I would make sure…..that SG1 would not worry about her. That she wanted to stay with those that could take care of her."
"Take care of her? Why would they have to take care of her?" Daniel was now clearly irritated and SG1 and Landry were confused.
"Captain Davis what happened to Vala? And that's an order."
Davis knew that Landry would insist on an answer and he didn't like following this order. "She…….she was burned Sir……..badly."
Everyone at the table went still. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. Daniel felt a large lump well up in his throat.
No……not Vala.
TBC
