"Listen up people!" Hammond's authoritative voice boomed over the clamour of the Air Force personnel, regrouping after a quick excursion to nearby weapons lockers in the briefing room – some of the civilians were absorbing instructions on weapon usage from the experienced USAF soldiers. "We need to get to the surface however - given the vast numbers of Jaffa – we need tactics." He glanced to his right where SGs 2, 3 and 5 were gathering, "I suggest SGs 2, 3 and 5 take the ladders up top and cut off their exits. The rest of you will follow me up in the elevators." He turned to Walter, "The elevators are working are they not?"

"I believe so, sir. We still have power after all."

"Everyone clear?"

A chorus of "Yes sir!" rang out.

"Radio check-ins every fifteen. Use your team designation if you have one." He finished Velcro-ing his bullet-proof vest and picked up the P-90 waiting innocently on the desk, "Let's go people, move out." He stood back from the door as his subordinates filed through the door to make their way to the surface.

Captain Carter, Dr. Jackson and Teal'c were not amongst them. Perhaps they made it to the surface – the other possibilities aren't worth thinking about.

He strode from the room, his armour making him look more imposing than a five-star general to a solitary airman.

~-~

"Daniel! Grab what ammo you can!" Sam was desperate – she had a single magazine left between two P-90s and none left for her Berettas. "Ok Sam, I'm almost out too!" They were sprinting through the corridors being pursued relentlessly by Jaffa. SG-1 had the home advantage, however, and had soon lost their opponents in the network of corridors. Sam stole one last glance before sprinting out into blinding sunlight. All three of them squinted and stumbled as their eyes adjusted but carried on running in the direction of the SF hut. "What do we do now?" Daniel asked as he unloaded his collection of ammunition onto the nearest desk. Sam produced two handfuls of grenades and carefully lined them up next to the P-90 mags. "Well Daniel we're going to have to wait until reinforcements arrive or do it ourselves. Then again we're not part of an elite military team are we?" Teal'c cocked his head; "You are incorrect Captain Carter. Although O'Neill is a formidable warrior, we have survived many difficult situations without him."

"Thanks Teal'c."

"Yeah, thanks." Daniel muttered.

"Okay Teal'c, Daniel you stay down here and fire at any Jaffa that come through that tunnel, I'm going to be on the roof." Sam said, producing a claymore from somewhere on her person. "I'll set this up about ten yards from the door in case they get close."

Daniel looked to Teal'c, "Where on Earth did she get that from?" He asked incredulously.

"There's a secret locker where they keep explosives for use in extreme circumstances," Sam grinned, "I just happened to be passing by so…."

"Just make sure it's not going to blow up in my face!"

"It's a shaped explosive, Daniel! So long as it faces the right way…" She pointed to the black writing embossed on the green metal – "This way towards enemy."

"That's comforting," Daniel grumbled as Sam stalked away to set the claymore, laughing.

Meanwhile, Teal'c and Daniel set about creating cover for themselves using upturned desks and heavy cupboards. Sam soon returned, looking serious once again, and, after she had collected plenty of spare magazines for the various weapons she had amassed, set about finding a comfortable position to lie in that gave not only a 360º view of the compound but also provided some protection from weapons' fire.

~-~

Twenty minutes later, almost five hours after the siege began, the first Jaffa exited the tunnel and advanced towards the main gate. When they were within range, the three members of SG-1 perched in the SF hut opened fire sending a hail of metal speeding towards the progressing Jaffa and rained a bloody and painful death upon them. The approaching Jaffa stood no chance at first even though they outnumbered the trio by fifteen to one and were cut down in large numbers. Sam used up two magazines against just the first wave; she knew her supply wouldn't last for long at that rate. Daniel had found that – under the severe pressure – he was actually quite an accurate shot, despite Jack's insistence that he should never consider a proper military career. Teal'c had no ammunition problems as he was using his staff weapon. However his fire rate was much lower than both of his companions and his accuracy left something to be desired: he switched to a more favourable P-90 for the next wave.

~-~

Hammond and his group of SGC personnel had gradually made their way to the surface although it took them a while due to the lack of elevators. The first ten to arrive at the surface guarded the corridor and ensured the others could exit the elevator safely. They were not engaged however – it appeared Apophis was so confident about their "imprisonment" that he had not thought to post sentries. When the entire group had arrived at the surface, they set off to find the goa'uld. However, General Hammond and his large group had needed no directions to find the battle; the ring of bullets against the metal armour of Jaffa and the "whoomp" of staff weapons sounded through the ominously empty corridors; and arrived at the rear of a huge gathering of them in the tunnel. They took advantage of their element of surprise and spread out before discharging their weapons. The closer half of the startled Jaffa turned and fired back with their own weapons while the other half escaped out into the pale sunlight of Colorado.

~-~

Outside SG-1 were being inundated with Jaffa and could no longer shoot all of them. At first, a few Jaffa slipped past the trio but now - being forced to share their, already limited, ammunitions between themselves and thus taking longer to reload – more and more Jaffa managed to avoid the swathes of bullets. A few of the Jaffa attempted to overrun SG-1's position but were promptly dealt with by the claymore. "Wow...Crap!" Daniel shouted over the noise of the explosion ringing in his ears before bursting out laughing – nervous rather than comical. There was no audible reply from either of his friends who were firing upon Jaffa with grim determination. Sam looked worriedly at her diminished supply of munitions and hoped they would get some back-up soon. She picked up her last magazine and began reloading. She didn't need to watch what she was doing – she had done the same action hundreds of times since joining the SGC – and took the opportunity to scout her next target. Behind one of the jeeps inside the compound a group of Jaffa were taking cover and avoiding attracting attention. Sam finished reloading and picked up a grenade. She pulled the pin out and threw the primed grenade as close as she could to the jeep, hoping it had a full tank. The explosion sent a fireball cartwheeling into the air and took out not only the Jaffa hiding but also several others roundabout. Daniel gave a small whoop of joy but the team's exhilaration was soon quelled by the sight of more Jaffa running towards them through the black smoke and flames.