DISCLAIMER: In chapter 1.
AUTHORS NOTES: Thank you to everyone reading, reviewing, favouriting, and following. I appreciate the company on this journey.
PART 7
It had been two weeks since SG-1 stopped the time loop. Kerry had stayed on base for the majority of that time. She wanted to stay at home, but she also knew she would give into temptation if she did. As SG-1 and Kerry walked down the hall towards the Embarkation Room Sam explained, "The M.A.L.P. readings indicate a very low UV level. All other indications suggest a positive environment."
"Sounds good." Jack replied.
"It's going to take us two weeks to get the Enkarons fully transplanted." Daniel added.
"If the planet proves to be suitable." Teal'c added further.
"It better be. They're running out of time."
They all lined up in front of the ramp, out of the reach of the kawoosh. Jack carefully fixed his cap so it was sitting comfortably. Kerry tapped her foot, as if waiting impatiently for the last chevron to lock. When it didn't Jack and Sam turned to look up at the control room.
Sergeant Davis shook his head and said over the speaker, "Chevron Seven won't engage."
SG-1 shared confused looks while Kerry swayed from side to side slowly. Jack turned back to the gate and sighed heavily. Sam silently asked Kerry what was wrong but Kerry just shrugged in response. Sam knew this would be the case so she set off for the control room.
When Sam entered the room Sgt. Davis looked at her, "I don't understand it. The diagnostic shows no problems."
Sam looked at the information on the screen. Everything looked fine. The diagnostic did indeed show that there was nothing wrong. She pressed the microphone button, "Sir, this is going to take a while."
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"It looks like there was an energy spike in our power log about eight minutes before we first tried dialing out." Sam explained to the rest of SG-1, General Hammond and Kerry in the control room.
"Ah, correct me if I'm wrong," Daniel frowned. "…but isn't that something we've seen before when another gate is being used on Earth?"
Jack was perched on a console to the side. He leant forward slightly, "Like when Maybourne's N.I.D. guys had the other gate."
"There is no longer a second Stargate on Earth." Teal'c reminded everyone.
General Hammond nodded in agreement, "Ours was destroyed along with Thor's ship."
"But if there was another gate," Sam said, "And its use was responsible for the energy spike there might be a corresponding seismic tremor, like when the gate was found in Antarctica."
A few moments later Sgt. Davis announced, "I've got something."
Jack stood up and looked at the screen while Sam spoke, "There was a minor seismic event that matches the time in our power log exactly."
"Is that Siberia?" Jack asked.
Sam nodded, "Yes, Sir. And there's only one explanation I can think of."
"The Russians have a Stargate?" Daniel asked with concern.
All but Teal'c and Sgt. Davis looked at Kerry for an answer. She stared at them all defiantly and silently dared them to ask her aloud. She was getting a bit annoyed at them for wanting answers they knew she couldn't and wouldn't give. She clenched her jaw and stood at attention facing the General.
"Permission to be dismissed, Sir?"
"Where are you going?" He enquired.
"To the infirmary."
Sam stood up, "Is something wrong?"
"Headache."
General Hammond nodded, "Very well, dismissed."
"Thank you, Sir." Kerry gave him a curt nod and walked out, ignoring the looks behind her.
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The Kuybyshev Airbase was impressive in size. SG-1 and Kerry waited near the Air Force plane. Jack was just starting to fidget when a Russian vehicle pulled up and a woman got out and walked towards them.
"Doctor Markov, I presume." Jack announced.
"Sorry I'm late."
"Doctor, it's an honour," Sam shook Doctor Markov's hand. "I've read your work."
"And I yours, Major Carter. I had hoped we would meet under different circumstances."
"Jack O'Neill," Jack extended his hand.
"Yes," Markov shook the proffered hand. "And Doctor Daniel Jackson, and Teal'c."
Teal'c bowed slightly.
"And who are you?" Markov asked the figure behind Daniel.
"I'm Kerry. Just ignore me. I'm only here to observe SG-1."
Markov looked wary.
"How do you know about the SGC?" Sam asked with a frown.
"I have read extensive files on all of you." Markov explained. "Nearly all."
"The question was… how?" Jack clarified.
"I learned to read English at the age of six. It is not difficult." Markov answered with a slight smirk.
Sam looked amused at Jack, who tried to brush it off by saying, "Russian humour."
"I will tell you what I can on the way." Markov said. She walked around them towards the back of the plane.
Jack and Sam shared a look. Jack squinted as he followed the rest of his team. Kerry didn't know much of this Markov, but so far she was quite impressed by her witty retorts. Not many could face down Jack in that department and win.
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"Our gate superceded yours as long as the dialing device was connected. We only kept it connected when we were using it to prevent any crossover. It required precise timing, but it worked." Markov explained.
"Till now." Jack reminded them.
"As for the current situation, I really don't know what has happened. There has been no contact with the base since yesterday at 1200 hours."
An Air Force officer walked into the hold, "Sir, we have a visual on the target runway. It appears to be iced over, and there's no response from the control tower."
"We're going to have to jump."
Daniel looked confused, he looked around and pointed to the back, "Out… of… the plane?"
Teal'c also had a confused look, albeit a more subdued one. Sam closed her eyes in frustration and disappointment, and Kerry next to her looked to share similar feelings. Kerry muttered something under her breath and rubbed her face with gloved hands. She had forgotten that tiny detail.
"Can't we just beam down, like in Star Trek?" Kerry joked.
Markov looked directly at Jack, "I'm going with or without you, Colonel."
Jack held her stare, "I suppose you expect my male bravado to kick in right about now."
"I've read your file."
"No mention of bravado, eh?"
"There are 47 people down there who may need our help."
"Look. You don't have to tell me what's at stake here. We have 7 teams off world who can't get home till we fix what you screwed up."
Markov sat back, not prepared to argue anymore. Jack sat back as well, ignoring the terrified look he got from Daniel.
Jack grabbed the microphone on his helmet, "Stu! Gear 'em up. We're a jump."
Markov and Sam stood up while Daniel continued to look around with a look of terror and horror. The airman helped Markov put the pack on. Teal'c held his up and looked at Jack.
"I do not understand, O'Neill."
Jack looked at him, "It's called a parachute."
Sam clipped up her pack and then turned to help Kerry, "It slows your decent after you jump out of the plane."
"This device seems to be poorly designed to provide such a function," Teal'c retorted with the sound of fear in his voice. He had faced countless dangers, but this seemed the most idiotic.
"It opens after you jump," Jack explained. Teal'c stared at him stoically. "Don't worry about it. I've done it hundreds of times."
"I assume you bought Haz-Mat?" Markov asked.
"Yeah." Jack stared at her and said sardonically, "We thought somebody should be prepared."
Markov looked unimpressed at Sam, "Is he always like this?"
Sam glanced at Jack, "Actually, this is quite charming," she smiled.
Kerry giggled behind Sam. "Be grateful he isn't the grumpy old man that I know."
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The base initially appeared to be deserted, until the bodies were found. Some were shot, others died of unknown causes. After Markov used her code, 6996, and her swipe card to open the gate room and discovered that the gate was active they went to the control room to find out what happened. Kerry just kept silent and followed the others while keeping alert for any movement or sound that would indicate the presence of the enemy. She almost protested when they split up, Teal'c and Daniel going to account for the personnel while Jack and Sam stayed with Markov to investigate further.
Kerry was torn. She didn't know where she should be. "I'm going with the others."
Sam looked at her daughter in concern, but Jack nodded, "Good. Make sure Daniel doesn't trip over anything."
"Yes, Sir." Kerry tried to smile reassuringly at Sam. She didn't want anyone to know how worried she was. If they acted differently it might change everything.
Once out of the control room Kerry mentally shook herself. Ok, you can do this, she thought to herself, you're a skilled member of the SGC and have faced more dire situations than this. Her pep talk didn't make the slightest difference. Her body was tingling and her heart was racing. She had to keep it together or all would be lost.
Instead of going to help Daniel and Teal'c she searched around a little and eventually followed Markov, Jack and Sam when they went to check on the sample that Markov had brought back previously. She kept her distance but stayed close enough to act if she needed to. When they went back to the control room Jack called Daniel and Teal'c back. Kerry walked in after them so no one would ask her where she was.
After some trial, error, and discussion it was decided that to shut down the wormhole the reconnaissance drone was to be shut off by the manned submarine, as it couldn't be shut off manually. Down in the gate room it was decided that Sam and Daniel would go with Dr. Markov. Kerry stayed with Jack and Teal'c, and once the wormhole was deactivated she went with them to search for the people still unaccounted for. They eventually entered the kitchen…
Another detail that Kerry forgot was that Maybourne was in the freezer. She stayed out of the way while Teal'c and Jack defrosted him, and reacted in every way Jack would expect her to when the blue mist left Maybourne and went into Teal'c. A part of her wished she had gone on the sub because she wanted to make sure Sam was safe, and also she was told that Daniel made quite a few humourous remarks about Swiss-made equipment.
However, she would have to live without knowing what he said to make sure that Jack and Teal'c stayed safe. It was extremely more likely that the enemy would strike on Earth, rather than the water planet. Time was running out and she didn't precisely know when or where they would strike.
"Who the hell are you?" Maybourne's demand snapped Kerry out of her thoughts.
"None of your concern." Kerry answered shortly.
"Everything is my concern. I demand to know who you are!" Maybourne faltered slightly when Kerry gave him a glare worthy of Janet. "Jack?"
"Don't look at me. Even if I could answer I wouldn't. Oh, and I also wouldn't provoke her. She won't get into trouble for shooting you."
"What a good idea!" Kerry exclaimed.
"Don't be absurd!" Maybourne stepped forward in an attempt to grab Kerry.
She pulled her zat out faster than Maybourne expected she could and pointed it at his nose. "The penalty for treason is death."
"No, no, no. You can't!" Maybourne cried as he staggered back.
Kerry shot once and Maybourne slumped to the floor. "We shouldn't leave him in the freezer. The creatures aren't here to keep him alive this time."
"You're not going to kill him?" Jack asked in disappointment.
"No. It's not his time."
They followed Teal'c into the gate room. Kerry couldn't have been less concerned with what he was doing, but luckily Jack was too focused on him to notice her scoping out the room. The gate room door was open exposing them to the corridors beyond, there were high vantage points all over the large room, and anywhere the invisible enemy could be standing in wait. She looked for a place where she could view the whole room and cover SG-1. Nowhere was suitable so she kept close to Jack, constantly turning and watching for any hint of attack.
The life forms in Teal'c released him and left through the Stargate. When Sam, Daniel and Markov came back without the sub everyone but Kerry was alarmed and confused. She didn't care. Her body was tingling and her heart was beating so fast and hard she couldn't clearly hear what they were saying, something about the exchange of hostages. They were here. She knew it!
Movement! To her left. She took a step back towards the others and pointed her weapon. The others pulled their weapons and did the same. There was a small light hovering over the landing. It flashed and Kerry shot towards it. Something fell with a thud on the metal walkway. The light flew across the room.
The other side! It flashed and Kerry shot. Another thud.
The light did a loop and went through the door.
Kerry followed it to the door, "Stay close to me and stay alert. They could be anywhere!"
"What's going on?" Markov questioned.
"Come with us. Stay quiet." Jack ordered and followed Kerry.
The others followed alertly behind Kerry, who was following the mysterious light. It went out and Kerry held up her hand to stop the others. She peered around the corner and the light appeared again along the passageway. It flashed twice and Kerry shot twice. She had no idea what was happening, but this light had revealed the enemies just when Kerry needed it to. Someone had answered Kerry's prayers.
Kerry felt a mental pull to her right so she looked that way. The light flashed some distance off and Kerry shot. Yet another thud could be heard. The light continued down that way so Kerry and the others followed. It led them to the door outside. The team took up positions on either side of the door after the light passed right through it. Kerry cracked the door open slightly and looked outside into the light snowfall. Everything was white. She couldn't see the light.
There it was! It flashed but Kerry was too slow to react this time. A shot was fired and she shut the door to block the fireball. It exploded against the door, burning Kerry's hand which was still on the handle. She groaned in pain and Sam gripped her jacket from behind. Kerry clenched her jaw and opened the door again, this time ready to fire. The light flashed and Kerry let out a burst of bullets, determined to get the bastard.
The light flashed brightly then was gone. Outside was silent, and only heavy breathing could be heard inside. They waited a few moments, Sam still holding Kerry's jacket. When Kerry decided the light wasn't coming back she relaxed only slightly.
"Stay here and watch that way. I'm going outside to check that the coast is clear."
"No!" Sam gripped tighter.
"Don't argue with me." Kerry snapped, and then said with a note of desperation, "I'm here to save you so you have to let me do that. Now stay here."
Jack gave her a nod and Kerry opened the door further this time, readying her gun. She stepped out into the cold and scanned the landscape. No movement. No sound except the wind. And no light. She stood there for several minutes scanning for any sign of life. Still nothing.
She walked to where the light had flashed, to where the enemy had shot her from, and found pooling green blood in the snow. After having one more look around she let her gun hang at her side and she retrieved her zat gun. She felt around on the enemy for the device and pulled it off when she found it. The enemy shimmered into view.
Kerry put the device in her pocket and stood up straight. She looked around at the almost peaceful surroundings and then back to the dead figure at her feet. Its dark green scaly body was covered in black cloth. Weapons and torture instruments adorned the belt and sash around it.
Kerry looked down on it in disgust, "I did it. You bastards lost. I saved them. I saved SG-1."
Kerry raised her arm and pointed the zat. She shot it, once, twice, three times, and it disappeared from view.
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After Kerry had retrieved the devices and disposed of the bodies, without the others present of course, they were able to return home. She gave as little information as she could at the debriefing, refusing to describe them or admit that she took the phase shifters from them. Those she would keep and analyse when she could. She did, however, protest when Daniel described what he thought had happened.
"She was amazing! She knew exactly where to shoot, and how many they were."
"What?"
"You knew. That's why you shot where you did." Daniel insisted.
"No, no, no. I didn't know. I had no idea where they were."
"Wait a sec," Sam frowned. "If you didn't know where they were, then how did you know where to shoot?"
"You didn't see it?"
"See what?" Jack asked.
"The light." Kerry looked at their blank faces with alarm. "The light that flashed in front of them. Are you telling me you didn't see it?"
"I saw no light." Teal'c stated simply.
Kerry was speechless. "I don't understand," she whispered.
