She'd failed. After all that – all the hiding and running and fighting – she'd failed. She didn't mind so much for herself – well okay, yes she did – but in reality she was more concerned about the Colonel. He'd put his faith in her and she'd let him down. She closed her eyes and said a silent apology. This was her fault and there was nothing she could do to fix things.
Har'nok came towards her and with an evil grin took her weapons away. He was as rough as he could be – and intentionally grabbed her cut arm. She refused to react, simply glaring at him. She knew the Colonel would never show fear or regret and she wouldn't either.
"You have given me quite the dance", the Goa'uld said. "You even had the audacity to steal my ship. For that you will suffer."
She didn't respond, knowing there was really nothing to say. She simply looked at the Goa'uld and wished that the Colonel was conscious enough to give one of his sarcastic quips. She wanted to say something like he would have done, but her mind was blank.
"I would like to be able to kill you", Sopdu continued, "but I have promised you to my Lord Heru'ur. He has offered much for the capture of any Tauri. What is your name?"
She knew very well that their 'price' would go up if this minor Goa'uld knew who he had captured. From what Kar'pal had said, Heru'ur had a real hatred for SG1 – and especially for O'Neill. "My name is Nancy Drew", she answered, "Captain Nancy Drew."
"And the man", Sopdu pointed to Colonel O'Neill.
"He is Bond", she replied. "James Bond. We're simply explorers -"
"You lie", the Goa'uld interrupted with a smile. "You are not explorers – you are soldiers, here to steal what is mine."
"Uh – steal what?" she asked. Har'nok obviously didn't like her answer because he wacked her across the back. "Ow – what did you do that for?" she turned and glared again at the Jaffa. "You're a real tough one, aren't you?"
Har'nok took a step forward, obviously wanting to really hurt her, but at a command from his master he stopped. His look promised future retribution.
"What of Kar'pal?" the Goa'uld asked his Prime.
"He is unconscious My Lord", Har'nok replied. He walked over and gently kicked the other man, who groaned and rolled over. "Are you alright Kar'pal?" he asked.
Sam worked hard to keep from reacting. Did they not know the Jaffa had helped her? If that was the case – and if Kar'pal really was on her side – this could help.
"I – I am fine my Lord", Kar'pal got slowly to his feet. He glanced at Sam but his expression didn't give anything away. "The Tauri woman shot me. I am sorry Lord Sopdu – I failed you. I tried to stop her but she tricked me."
"You will be punished Kar'pal" Sopdu informed him softly, "although if you prove your worthiness I may forgive you. For now, watch the woman carefully."
"Yes My Lord – thank you."
Okay, she thought, maybe this wouldn't go so well after all. The Jaffa was probably too frightened to try and help her now. She'd never been sure of his loyalty anyhow.
"So – I understand you have something of mine", the Goa'uld again turned his attention to the Tauri woman."
"Something of yours?" she asked, sounding innocent. "I don't think so – unless you mean this ship and you've already got it back."
"That is not what I mean – and I think you know that. No, I am speaking of something you took from the Tatari – something of mine. Har'nok" he gestured to her pack. "Look for the Men'ra."
It didn't take long before the First Prime found the little box. He picked it up carefully and took it to his Master. "Here My Lord, it appears to be unharmed."
Sopdu grinned and took the object. "Thank you Har'nok. Now we will show the other System Lords that we are something to be reckoned with. This" he held up the box, "will secure my place among them."
"What is it?" Sam asked, although she knew – sort of – what it was. She wanted to see what the Goa'uld thought he had.
"It is something more powerful than you can imagine woman", he spat. "It is something with which I can destroy your world. The System Lords will be grateful to finally rid the galaxy of the Tauri. You have been a thorn in our side for too long."
Great – he was planning to use this against earth. Now the matter was about more than her life and that of the Colonel's – it was about saving their planet. She carefully looked around to see if there was something, anything she could do. So far, nothing presented itself.
"What of the other human" Sopdu suddenly asked. "This James Bond" he pointed to the Colonel.
"He is dying My Lord", Kar'pal answered. "He was shot with the Tatari arrows and has been poisoned. I do not believe he has long to live."
Sopdu walked over and kicked the Colonel. She really hated the way these guys kept doing that. She also wished she had her P90 right then – she would have shot the bastard from here to Pluto!
The Colonel moaned in response, but was still too out of it to regain consciousness, for which she was thankful. He was looking better, although he was still obviously sick. She just hoped that the Goa'uld and his Jaffa continued to think he was dying. Maybe that way they would leave him alone. If, however, Heru'ur showed up – then her ruse would be over quickly and the Colonel would be in big trouble.
"You are sure he is dying?" Sopdu asked.
"Yes My Lord", Kar'pal answered. "He has a very short time left."
"Too bad, although if we leave now we should get to My Lord Heru'ur in time to put him in the sarcophagus. I do not want to miss out on the reward."
Har'nok bowed his head and made his way to the pilot seat. After shutting the door he adjusted the controls and soon they were airborne. Sam wondered how long they had until they reached the System Lord.
Just then she heard a noise and turned to see the remaining Tatari regain consciousness and sit up. Damn – he knew that Kar'pal had been helping her and he knew the Colonel had been given the antidote. She could see Kar'pal looking worried as he glanced surreptitiously in her direction.
The Tatari started to babble in his language and suddenly Sam wanted to laugh. He had important information – but no one could understand him. She hoped he didn't eventually get his message across or the poor Jaffa was toast – and took away any chance she and the Colonel had.
The Tatari grew frustrated and began to shout. She could tell Sopdu was getting irritated and suddenly, without warning, a zat blast hit the poor man and knocked him out. She turned her head in surprise, to see Kar'pal standing with his zat raised.
"I am sorry My Lord", he said, "but he was being disrespectful."
"That is fine Kar'pal. Put him somewhere where he can't bother me anymore. I do not want to hear his voice."
"Yes My Lord." The Jaffa reached down and slung the unconscious man over his shoulder and left the bridge. As he walked by Sam she was almost sure he winked at her. She wanted to laugh – the poor Tatari man was trying to help Sopdu and instead was being sent to the brig. Things were looking up - slightly.
At least that's what she thought until she looked over at the Goa'uld. He was staring at her, his eyes narrowed. She felt a brief moment of fear, recognizing exactly what kind of look she was getting.
There was always the danger on their missions through the Stargate of assault. Although women tended to be more in danger – as many of the cultures they came across were male-dominated – male soldiers also faced this same threat. She was fortunate, other than her one experience years ago with Turgan, she hadn't really faced that danger. For the most part the Jaffa and the Goa'uld, didn't seem to be terribly interested in women – at least not in Tauri women – or men for that matter. This Goa'uld, however, clearly had his eye on her.
"You are hurt", he said suddenly, noticing the blood dripping from her arm.
"It's nothing", she answered, "Just a scratch."
"I can heal it for you", he answered in a slimy voice.
Yeah right, she thought, in return for what?
"In fact, I can do more than heal you – I can make you a goddess." He offered.
She wanted to be sick – unsure if was he proposing to make her a Goa'uld or simply to sleep with her. Either choice made her want to vomit.
"That's okay – thanks", she said. "I've tried the whole 'goddess' thing and can't say as I liked it."
His eyes narrowed and he approached her slowly. "I do not need to ask you, woman", he answered. "I can take what I want from you."
"You'll have a fight on your hands", she answered directly.
"A fight?" he smiled. "I think not. You are but a weak woman and I am a god. There will be no fight."
"Yeah, okay, if you say so."
Without warning Sopdu held up his hand-device. Since he still had the black box, she hadn't noticed the Goa'uld weapon in his other hand. Before she had a chance to react, he'd pointed it at her head and had activated it. The pain was immense as the beam hit her. She fell to her knees, knowing now that it really was the end.
"See – there is no fight", the Goa'uld said. "You are mine to do with as I please. I will keep this on you until you cannot resist and then I will take you and enjoy you until it is time to give you to Heru'ur. I am sure that he will then wish to partake of your charms. You are a very beautiful -"
The Goa'uld's words were suddenly cut off in mid sentence and the hand device stopped. She fell to the ground, only half conscious and unsure of what was going on. She heard noises – the sound of a struggle – and forced herself to open her eyes.
What she saw shocked her. She had thought that maybe Kar'pal had returned but instead it was the Colonel. Somehow he'd managed to stand and had tackled the Goa'uld. She had a brief memory of him doing the same to Hathor in just such a situation. The problem was, this time there was a second threat in the form of Har'nok.
The first Prime had seen what was happening and had quickly adjusted the controls of the ship and was rushing to the aid of his Master. Sam forced herself to get up and as Har'nok rushed past she threw herself at him.
She knew she was weak – both from blood loss but also from the hand device. Still, she knew her life and that of the Colonel was at stake. She grabbed the Jaffa around the legs as he fell and held on for dear life. He tried to shove her aside but she refused to let go and he was too close to be able to use his zat. Fortunately he didn't have his staff weapon with him.
She heard the continuing struggles of the Goa'uld and Colonel O'Neill and wondered how he was managing to fight Sopdu, as weak as he was. Just then, however, she felt Har'nok begin to get free and knew if he did that was the end.
Just as Har'nok stood up, to go to the aid of his Master, Sam heard a strange sound and saw a flash of bright light. Before she could figure out what it was, however, a bolt from a zat gun had hit her along with the First Prime, who was still next to her. Even though she felt the pain and began to lose consciousness, she wanted to grin. She could see Kar'pal standing with his zat – an apologetic look on his face.
It couldn't have been more than a minute or two before she regained consciousness. When she did it was to see her 2nd favorite Jaffa tying up the first Prime. Kar'pal looked over at her and grinned.
"I have wanted to do that for a long time", he told her.
"What – zat me?"
"No, not you", he replied, "At least not for the last little while – at first – yes. No, I meant Har'nok. He is a Chak'tra – his mother had relations with a goat", he explained the word to her, "He deserves more than to be hit with a zat'nikatel, but I did not have my staff weapon", he said, sounding disappointed.
She smiled, but then turned over suddenly – realizing that she didn't know what had happened to the Colonel. The first thing she saw was a very scruffy, white faced, grinning Colonel looking at her. It was a beautiful sight, although he still looked awful.
"Sir – you're okay?"
"Yes – Major – I'm - fine."
"Sopdu?" she asked.
"Good ole – Soapdish – I'm afraid he's uh - gone." He replied.
"Good – but where - how?"
"Your friend used the Men'ra", Kar'pal explained. "Sopdu is no more."
"He -!" She turned to look at the Colonel. "You used the box?" she asked in wonder. She glanced over and saw that it was sitting innocently beside him, looking exactly the same as it had a minute ago.
"Yeah – seemed like the – thing to do – at the time. He went to – bash me – over the head with – it so I – grabbed it. It – opened and – 'voila' – he was gone. How are you – Major?" he asked, seeming to dismiss the Men'ra.
"Me? I'm fine Sir – just a little sore."
"You'd better – bandage that – thing. You're making a mess – of our – new ship!"
"Yes Sir", she grinned happily at him. They'd won! She couldn't believe it but they'd won! She stood up – shakily – and went and retrieved her pack. She managed to pull out some bandages and quickly cleaned and tied up her arm. It hurt like crazy but she was sure it wasn't too serious. Janet would put a few stitches in it and it would be fine.
Once she was done she moved towards the Colonel and checked him over. He looked terrible. His face was bruised – both eyes black – and he still had a fever. He was obviously weak as he barely moved when she checked him over. His hair was a mess, he had a three day growth of beard – and he'd never looked better to her!
"Will I - survive Major?" he asked, only half joking.
"You will Sir. You're doing better already."
"Really? Tell that to – my body. I feel like – I've been through – a meat grinder."
"You kind of look like it too Colonel – but you are getting better – and we're on our way home."
She suddenly frowned – actually, they were on their way to see Heru'ur. She'd better do something quickly about that. She stood – although it was harder than she'd thought it would be – and made her way to the pilot's seat. Kar'pal was watching her, probably wondering what she was up to.
"Har'nok was taking us to meet Heru'ur", she explained. "I need to change our course." She stood up to move to the Al'Kesh' controls.
"Uh Major?" he asked.
"Yes Sir?" She turned and looked at him.
"James Bond?" he smiled.
She grinned happily in return, realizing he'd been awake the whole time. "Well, I didn't want him to know that he had O'Neill, Jack O'Neill – with two 'L's'. Your price would have gone up."
He laughed and then clutched his stomach as it sent pains through his body. He weakly waved his 2IC away. "Go – fly this thing – Major."
"Yes Sir."
Jack looked up at the Jaffa who was standing silently, contemplating him. "Who are – you?" he asked. The guy looked vaguely familiar but his memory wasn't too sharp right now. The Jaffa seemed to be a friendly though – and if he wasn't Jack didn't think there was much he could do anyway.
"I am Kar'pal", the Jaffa answered. He suddenly grinned. "Formerly in the service of my Lord Sopdu but now – free!"
"Free? That's – uh good. I'll have to intro – duce you to a – friend of mine." Jack choked out. He was feeling slightly sick and decided to lay back and rest. He'd continue to let Sam take charge. She'd done a great job and he really wasn't up to leading right now.
Kar'pal looked down at the man on the floor, realizing finally who these people were. Most of the Goa'uld and Jaffa knew of the infamous SG1. "You are O'Neill", he said. "I am honored to meet you."
"Likewise", Jack answered, not really interested in a long conversation.
"And the woman", he pointed towards Sam. "She serves with you?"
"Who? Sam? Yeah – she's my – second in command."
The Jaffa raised his eyebrows and looked towards the woman who had captured him. "She is a warrior?" he said, although he didn't really need to ask.
"Oh yeah – a helluva good one. One of the – best – I've ever – worked with."
Kar'pal nodded. Yes, it was true – this woman was a great warrior and he no longer felt ashamed to have been captured by her.
"Ya – gotta – watch the gorgeous – ones" Jack smirked. "They'll get ya – every time!"
Kar'pal laughed out loud. Both he and O'Neill knew that Samantha Carter was a soldier and a warrior – her looks made little difference – but they were also men and could both appreciate a good looking woman.
"You are fortunate", Kar'pal said, "to not only have such a fine comrade, but also a woman who feels for you as she does."
Jack lay there feeling incredibly uncomfortable without a clue what to say. "Uh – we're – she's my second in command, that's all", he finally got out. "There's nothing else between us."
Kar'pal laughed again. "If you choose to believe that then fine, although it is obvious that you love each other. You are a very lucky man."
Jack closed his eyes, refusing to say anymore. As he fell asleep though, he wished it were true.
