Annabel yawned as she entered the gate room; she had almost fallen asleep twice during the briefing and was grateful to Paul who kept nudging her to wake her up. She smiled at Teal'c.
"Good morning Annabel Watson. I trust you slept well."
She groaned. "Actually Teal'c I hardly slept. Too many voices trying to get my attention."
Paul chuckled as Teal'c raised his eyebrow. "Don't ask T."
"I am concerned. Annabel Watson needs to be well rested in order to perform her duties does she not?"
Annabel rolled her neck and winced as she heard a slight crack. "I'm fine Teal'c, I've had five cups of coffee this morning already and I'm raring to go."
"That's good to hear Ms Watson." Jack walked into the room with the rest of the team as the gate began to dial out. "I assume you understood the General when he pointed out the correct chain of command."
"You assume correctly Colonel… I may not be military but I'm not dumb either so please refrain from insinuating as such."
Jack sighed but chose to ignore the bait. Hammond had specifically asked him to play nice and he had every intention of doing so.
"Don't worry Colonel O'Neill will watch over everyone. But keep an eye on Daniel he has a habit of wandering off, don't let him drink too much coffee or stay awake too long, he needs his sleep and…"
Annabel pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
Martouf noticed the action and moved to her side placing a hand on her back. "Are you alright?"
"Uh huh… just the usual."
"…make sure that Major Carter has her medical supplies and keep an eye…"
"Ok ok I get it!" Annabel moaned as all eyes turned to her as the wormhole connected. "Sorry." She muttered under her breath.
"SG1, Tok'ra, Major Davis… you have a go."
"Yeah see how he left your name out of that Ms Watson."
"Yup… as he did yours!" She watched SG1 walk up the ramp and looked at Martouf. "Well here goes nothing."
"Just walk through… you will be fine."
Annabel nodded and followed Martouf and Jacob up the ramp, stopping as they disappeared through the event horizon. She turned to Paul. "Don't worry; I'm well aware of the chain of command… I just like winding him up."
Paul groaned as she stepped through and turned back to look at Hammond who was in the control room. He shrugged and stepped through. On the other side SG1 had taken point at the DHD with the Tok'ra just off to the right of them. He saw Annabel sat quietly on the steps, her hand to her head and a pained look on her face. He quickly made his way over to her. "Are you ok?"
Annabel looked up as Paul knelt down beside her. "Yes… I'm just… can you give me a minute?"
"Of course. The effects soon wear off."
She shook her head. "It's not that. The energy level on this planet is higher than anything I have ever experienced before. It's oppressive and… well it's not nice."
"Energy level?"
"Spirits are in essence energy. You can tell by the atmosphere in a building or room, if the spirits mean harm or if they are purely revisiting a place they once came to in life. Usually in an open environment I can only sense a spirit once it is close enough to me to have an effect on my own energy field. This… this level is something I am not used to. Either there are a great many spirits here or… a great evil."
Paul helped her up and led her over to the others. "Colonel O'Neill… I think you should be aware that Annabel has picked up on a high concentration of spiritual activity within the area. She's not sure whether it is a sheer volume or one strong spirit."
Jack frowned. "You know… I'm not totally with the whole 'spirit' issue thing so I shall take what Ms Watson says on face value until it can be proved otherwise."
"Colonel O'Neill do not make the mistake of thinking that because you cannot see something it cannot do you harm."
"Oh you don't need to worry your pretty head about that Ms Watson… I'm well aware of that fact. Didn't you read the file on the Reetou?"
Paul opened his mouth to protest but Annabel laid a hand on his forearm and shook her head.
"Ok people lets move out. The settlement is about an hour's walk from here. Carter, Teal'c… take point. Daniel and I will cover the rear. Jacob, Martouf… keep your eyes peeled and see if you can pick up any tracks that aren't human. Annabel… you do whatever it is that you do and let me make one thing clear. I take the safety of my team very seriously and whilst I haven't shown much faith in your abilities, if you feel that my team is in danger at any point I want to know about it. Understood?"
"Yes Colonel."
Jack took up the rear with Daniel and followed everyone across the pasture towards the settlement. It was morning on the planet which at least meant the heat would not be a factor in their walk. He watched his team and smiled. Teal'c and Carter were chatting amicably at the front whilst keeping their eyes peeled for any surprises. Jacob and Martouf were also deep in conversation about their upcoming mission for the Tok'ra. Paul and Annabel were silent. Jack studied her from his vantage point behind Paul. He didn't believe in all that life after death stuff but he wasn't going to dismiss it entirely. A small part of him hoped that there was something else; Charlie's death had spurred that hope a long time ago.
Whilst he acknowledged he had a problem with the way she conducted herself, he didn't think she would cause any major problems. He knew Davis would look after her and keep her levelled on this mission. He had no doubt that she could look after herself though after her little show in the briefing room. He chuckled softly as he thought of the fun he could have if he had her powers. He noticed her turn to look at him and raised his head in an acknowledgement with a smile. He'd rather keep those thoughts to himself.
His attention was diverted as half way across the pasture – both Martouf and Annabel stopped and looked to the left at the tree line. "Wait up people."
He moved forward until he reached Martouf. "I am not sure Colonel… Lantash seems to think there is someone there."
"Ms Watson…?"
She shook her head softly. "I don't know. It's very faint and difficult to make out. I'm not sure if it's just an energy reading I'm picking up off someone or whether there is more to it."
Jack looked around at his team. "Ok people let's pick up the pace a little and keep your guard up." He noticed Annabel take another look over to the trees before she continued to walk towards the settlement.
Soon they reached the settlement and were greeted by Halama, the leader of the Avabye. "Tauri, it is good to see you once more." His gaze shifted to Jacob, Martouf and Annabel. "You have brought help – no?"
"Yes we have. Halama this is Jacob Carter and Martouf. They are Tok'ra."
"Tok'ra… we have heard of them but we have never had the pleasure of meeting. We are honoured by your presence here." Halama bowed his head in respect and then turned his gaze to Annabel. "Are you Tok'ra?"
"Erm… no. I'm one of them." She pointed to SG1.
"Ah… you are Tauri yet I sense a difference in you."
Annabel looked at him closely. "What do you mean?"
"There is something special about you, a gift perhaps that the others do not possess."
"Why do you say that?"
Jack watched the exchange closely as he didn't want Annabel to upset their new found allies.
"There is an air about you, an indication that you are different. It is shown around you." Halama indicated with his hands the space around Annabel.
"So… how goes things since we were last here? Any more disappearances?" Jack smiled and changed the topic.
"No we have had none. Come… we are preparing a light meal for mid-morn. You will join us – yes?"
"Yes. We'd like that." Jack indicated for the others to follow and noted the puzzled expression on Annabel's face. He sighed softly.
-
Annabel walked over to where Martouf was standing at the entrance of the settlement, his stance alert and his gaze on the tree line once again. Annabel reached his side and followed his gaze.
"Something is not right."
She jumped slightly at the sound of Lantash's voice. "That's not the only thing that isn't right."
Lantash turned and looked at her. "Halama…his interest in you seemed… unhealthy."
"Unhealthy isn't what I'd call it." Her gaze returned to the trees. "He knows Lantash… he knows something about what is happening here."
"You're sure?"
Annabel nodded. "Oh yes. He sensed that I had a 'gift' and he also said he could see it around me. If that is the case… he can read aura's… which means he can see spirits."
"You are saying that we have been brought here under false pretences."
"Let's just say it's a strong possibility."