Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG1 or it's wonderful characters.
3 – Volunteer
Looking around Maton and Raimor's room on Darsam, Dr. Keller concluded there was nothing that remotely resembled a weapon. Colonel Reynolds had told her to 'stay quiet and stay hidden' so Jennifer moved to hide herself under a small table in the room. It wasn't the best hiding spot, but she wanted to make sure she was between any intruder and the boys hiding under the bed.
As she waited for news from Reynolds or the team she strained her ears to hear anything from beyond the room. She hadn't heard anymore gunfire since that initial round and it'd been several minutes, but felt like longer. There were noises of movement from time to time, but nothing distinctive enough to gage what was happening. Jennifer continued to look about the room, trying to formulate a plan should it come down to her being the only protection for the boys.
Their room didn't have much to offer, no alternate exit, high small windows. The furnishings were simple, beds, a table with a few chairs, some books and a few toys. Jennifer's inventory of the room was interrupted by a louder scuffle heard from a distance down the hall and then more P-90 fire. After a pause that seemed to last forever, but in reality was just over a minute, Jennifer was relieved to hear Reynolds' calm voice over the radio.
"Dr. Keller we need you in the main living space," she could hear the frustration in his voice, but it lacked the urgency of an emergency. "Bring the boys and your medical bags."
"On our way," she responded, already motioning the boys to come out from under the bed and slinging her medical bag over her shoulder.
"This is not the first kidnapping attempt," Keller heard Jaron explain to Reynolds as she stitched up Capt. Baker. The Captain had a knife wound on his upper arm, but due to the man's BDUs it hadn't been as deep as it could've been.
There were two dead men on the far side of the room, the men who had tried to break into the home. Jenn had checked both for pulses quickly when she'd first arrived in the room before seeing to the Captain's injury. Lady Adeya had quickly gathered her boys and moved them to the opposite side of the room distancing them from the disturbing sight.
"So how long ago was the first attempt?" Reynolds asked with concern. If his team hadn't been there he had no doubt the outcome would've been a lot different.
"Three days ago, but my security officers were nearby and responded swiftly. We spooked the men into running away. I had hoped it was a one time occurrence," the ruler responded sliding a quick glance in the direction of the prone men across the room. His security teams had arrived and were searching the bodies for clues.
Jennifer finished patching up the Marine and reminded him to be careful with it before making her way over to Addy and the boys.
"Healer Jennifer, I can not thank you enough for protecting my boys," Addy said tightening her arm around each and holding them close.
The boys still had fear in their eyes, although it had softened with relief since being reunited with their parents. "They were very good boys and obeyed instantly," Jennifer reassured her.
Adeya and Jennifer turned quite quickly as they watched one of the security officers make his way over to Jaron and Colonel Reynolds' side. He was tall and Jennifer could tell immediately he was in charge from the confident way he approached the men.
"Colonel Reynolds, this is Darsam's lead security officer, Granthum," Jaron said by way of introduction.
Reynolds acknowledged the security officer with a nod, "Granthum."
"Reynolds. I am sorry for the harm your people were put in while visiting," he replied wearily. "Any injuries?" he asked looking around the room.
Reynolds nodded in Capt. Baker's direction near one of the windows, "A knife wound, he'll be fine. This is not your first kidnapping attempt I hear. Can I ask how you know kidnapping is the motivation for the intrusion?"
"The first break in happened at night," Granthum explained. "We happened to be doing a patrol on this end of the town and noticed the door ajar at the back of Sir Jaron's home. The intruders were scared off, but they were heard arguing loudly as they left about being in hot water for screwing up the kidnapping. We added security of the family home at night, but did not count on these men being so brazen as to attempt anything during the day."
Granthum stole a look at Jaron's family across the room and lowered his voice, "We're still unclear as to the target of the kidnapping or the purpose."
Colonel Reynolds looked about the room. His men had taken up positions near the doorways and windows of the room. Dr. Keller was standing with Lady Adeya and the boys, trying to be a strong comfort. The rest of the security team was across the room with the two dead men. The Colonel felt torn… he didn't want to leave Jaron and his family if they were in danger, but they also were due back at the SGC in a few hours.
Granthum must've been thinking along the same lines, or at least read Reynolds' thoughts, "If I knew they were safe I could concentrate on eliminating the threat instead of dividing my time between searching and protecting."
"They can come with us to the SGC. We can then come back and help or see how things are progressing," Colonel Reynolds suggested, glad that Granthum wasn't insecure about accepting outside help.
"I'd be in your debt, Colonel," Granthum acknowledged.
"No debt," Reynolds reassured as he signaled his team to pack it up.
"Welcome back, SG-1," General Landry called to the team as they sauntered down the ramp. "Quiet mission?"
"Yes, sir," Mitchell responded. Cam always felt a sense of great accomplishment when he walked down the ramp with no injuries and a successful mission.
"Teal'c," Landry called, "I understand you're due to dial back out in fifteen minutes to go spend time with your Jaffa brethren."
"Indeed."
"Please give them our regards."
"That I will, General Landry."
The General looked at the rest of the team, "Briefing in an hour."
The group gave the General nods as they were dismissed and filed out of the gate room.
"Captain," Cameron turned to Jacobs as they made their way down the hall to the armory and after that would be a stop in the infirmary, "let's have the evaluation in my office after the debrief. That'll give us time for a quick lunch."
Jacobs gave him a nod as they turned into the armory. Maybe this delay would give him a chance to say hey to Jennifer if she returned soon. He missed the young doctor, he'd even say he missed the hi-jinx of the missions with her. Hearing the story the Colonel told on the trek back to the gate made that more acute.
Colonel Reynolds and Officer Granthum had discussed the advantages of having the Royal Family away from Darsam and safe. It'd give his own men and their limited resources a chance to concentrate on extinguishing this treat to Jaron's family. With only six other security officers for all of Darsam, being able to free them up for the investigation would definitely give them an advantage and speed things up.
Reynolds was now on point with Lt. Mooney as they made the three mile trek back to the gate. He turned to look back down the path. They were followed by Lady Adeya and Dr. Keller who were discussing the different antics the boys had been up to lately. Security officer Gerod, whom Granthum had dispatched to escort them to the gate was directly behind the women. Sir Jaron and the boys were further behind carrying on an animated discussion. He wasn't sure of the topic, but he wouldn't be surprised if it had to do with their destination. The boys had been quite excited at the prospect of getting to go through the ring to the SGC.
Bringing up their six was Captain Baker and Lt. Bosco, he expected and wasn't disappointed, to note their alertness. He was starting to feel the same unease he was sure was contributing to their attentiveness.
As they made their way down the path Reynolds noted the landscape changing and knew they were at about the halfway point back to the gate. The upcoming section of path was a little worrisome for the Colonel. It had a slight rise on each side of the path creating a gully for a bit.
Reynolds called the team to a halt. Baker and Bosco moved to join Reynolds and Mooney.
"I don't like this next section of the path," Reynolds stated to the agreeing nods of his team. He turned to Officer Gerod, "Is there an alternative path to the ring, one that is more open?" he asked as he nodded at the high banks on each side.
"We could forge our way through the woods, but there is no other path," Gerod replied with regret.
"Baker, stay here with Dr. Keller and Sir Jaron's family. Gerod, I'd like you to stay also. You're more familiar with these surroundings if plans need to change. Bosco and Mooney… you're with me." The Colonel turned back to Baker, "We'll scout the stretch ahead and radio when it's secure."
Baker nodded his head and moved back with Keller and the ruling family. He moved them a little bit off the path and into the woods, giving them a bit of cover while they waited.
Captain Baker had been standing a bit away from the others for the last ten minutes when shots rang out down the path. "Colonel," Baker called into the radio as he looked attentively down the path. He was grateful that Dr. Keller had been on enough off world missions that he knew she'd quieted the group and had them hunkered down somewhere behind him. "Keller," he called quietly.
"Yeah, stay quiet and stay hidden," she recited back. Jennifer had been on numerous missions these last few months with SG-3 and had the phrase drilled into her head. She'd moved Sir Jaron and his family a few steps further off the path behind a fallen tree that paralleled the path. They were able to kneel down behind it and hopefully stay out of view of the path below.
Captain Baker was standing just a few feet in front of the log, shielded by a tree from the view of the path. Jennifer was the closest to the Captain followed by Jaron and his wife, then the boys tucked back the furthest. Officer Gerod was crouched down just beyond the boys keeping watch on that far end. Jenn was able to hear both the Captain and his radio and tried to keep an ear out for the team's communications as well as the family next to her.
"Captain," she heard come back over the radio and she saw the tension in his posture relax slightly, but then more shots rang out.
"Colonel?" Baker called over his radio again, worry evident in his voice.
Jennifer watched him, holding her breath as she was sure he was, hoping for a quick response.
"Baker," came Reynolds' voice over the radio, "unknown number of hostiles. Take cover and hold your position."
"Yes, Sir," the Captain replied before looking over his shoulder and nodding at Jennifer.
Jenn nodded back to him and turned to make sure everyone stayed down. She listened to the sporadic spurts of P-90 fire in the distance and prayed the team was okay.
Jennifer heard a noise and some shifting behind her. She turned to quiet what she assumed was a frightened boy, but gasped at the sight behind her. A rough looking man was holding a knife to Raimor's throat and crumpled on the ground near his feet was the still form of Officer Garod.
"Not a sound," threatened the scruffy looking man. It came out in a whisper, but Jennifer didn't doubt the strength or resolve of the short and stocky man or his firm grasp on the young boy. His dark eyes constantly shifted between those hunkered down at the log and Capt. Baker who currently had his gun trained on the man.
Lady Adeya tried to hold in her startled cry of fear, not able to take her eyes off the knife at her son's throat.
"I said not a sound," the stocky man hissed as he lunged forward and backhanded Adeya, causing her head to snap to the side, the red sting immediately beginning to show on her face.
Sir Jaron jumped to his feet, his response instinctive to protect, "Do not dare to…"
Jaron's defensive response was met with an immediate, hard punch to the head, followed by a severe kick to his mid section once on the ground. "That means no talking," their captor growled taking a step or two back to his former location.
"Hey, hey," Baker tried to soothe in a voice just above a whisper. "Let's all just calm down here."
Dr. Keller's eyes had been glued to the unmoving form of Garod. She stared long and hard trying to catch movement indicating he was breathing and therefore alive. She was rewarded after a moment to see the slight rise indicating a breath, but the stillness was most likely an indicator of unconsciousness.
Jennifer's gaze swung back to the man holding the young boy and she saw a small scratch appear on Raimy's neck, the agitated man needed to be calmed and quickly. Addy was crying and Jennifer shifted slightly to allow herself to grasp the woman's hand. Matt and Jaron had also slipped to huddle next to Addy. She noted that Jaron's eye was beginning to swell shut.
"There is no time. Your people will not be distracted much longer. Put your weapon down," the stocky man demanded.
"I can't do that," Baker calmly replied. "Let the boy go and tell us what you want."
"No, throw your weapon over there," their captor insisted, nodding his head deeper into the woods, "or I will hurt the boy."
Jennifer didn't doubt the man would hurt Raimy, the small blood stain on the boys neck had grown slightly. She watched the silent tears rolling down Raimy's face as his eyes shifted between them all. Her heart ached at the fear she saw there and the hope he was searching their faces for.
Capt. Baker stood with his gun trained on the scruffy man for a full minute longer sizing up the situation, but he saw no way of rectifying it without Jaron's son getting hurt. They already had one man lying on the ground, he couldn't risk himself getting hurt and leaving the royal family with no protection at all.
He lowered his gun and threw it into the woods, hopefully far enough that the man wouldn't bother to try and recover it. His only hope now was to keep the man talking for as long as possible, giving Reynolds and his team the time they needed to return.
"Why take the boy? Why not take me instead?" Baker asked with as much calm in his voice as possible. "I'm a Tau'ri, the planet I'm from is more advanced and wealthy than this one. Surely I'd be a bigger prize," Baker tried to reason.
"Nice try, but your efforts show that this boy is the best choice and it is what my boss has ordered," the stocky man replied smugly as he looked about his surroundings.
"He is only a young boy," Baker insisted, "surely you must know you will not get away with taking him. The other's" he said nodding up the path to indicate the rest of his team, "they will come after you."
The stocky man's face grew harder as he dismissed Baker's words.
"Please don't take my son," Adeya pleaded as she watched her son's captor start to back away from the group.
"Wait," Jennifer called watching the situation become dire, "this boy has a condition that requires regular medical attention."
The man didn't look convinced and proceeded to take steps backward away from the group.
"Why do you think we're here?" she continued quickly. "I'm a healer from another world they brought in to help care for the boy. How would your boss feel if you showed up with a sick boy?"
Raimy's captor paused for a moment and looked closely at the group. Obviously he didn't see a better idea then the one he was currently perpetrating.
"All the more reason," the stocky man retorted, as he began backing away again, "for your cooperation once my boss demands payment and safe passage for the boy's return."
Jennifer stood, causing the man to stop, "Then you'll need to take me with you," Jenn stated, glaring at the man, hoping he believed her. "He'll need medical assistance for his condition. He needs to have his vitals checked every hour and medication administered as warranted."
"Keller," she heard Baker hiss behind her, but she waved him off.
The captor studied them all, obviously weighing his options and possible outcomes before he relented. "Come quickly, but I can not guarantee your safety once we join the others."
"I need my bag," Jennifer stated as she turned and opened up the main compartment and pulled out two field dressings and a roll of medical tape for Gerod. She set them on the ground next to her bag and then zipped it shut again before hefting it to her shoulder.
"Hurry up, healer," the man called impatiently.
Jennifer adjusted her pack while looking at a very angry Captain Baker, "My name is not healer," she spoke up, "it's Gretel. And the boy's name is Hansel," she supplied as she finished cinching the straps of the bag on her back. Baker gave her a resigned nod before she turned back around and headed toward the man who was now her captor too.
A/N: Just in case there's anyone unfamiliar with the Story of Hansel & Gretel here is a short summary.
Hansel and Gretel are young kids who have an evil step-mother. Because there isn't enough food to feed the whole family she convinces their father to abandon the kids in the woods. Hansel hears of the plan and drops pebbles along the way and they are able to find their way home.
The second half of the story isn't important to my story, but goes kinda like this - the step-mother abandons them in the woods again, but Hansel is only able to drop bread crumbs which the birds eat. Later the two hungry children come upon a house made of gingerbread. The evil witch that owns the gingerbread house traps the kids. She makes Gretel clean while she fattens up Hansel in hopes of a good meal in the future. In the end Gretel kicks the witch into the oven meant for Hansel and they find their way home. In true fairy tale fashion they are met by a happy father who informs them that their step-mother is dead and they are now rich.