Two parts today, because Part Nine was only a little one.
Jack's Fangtastic Adventure – Part Ten
"You can't do this!"
"I can, and I will, Doctor Jackson." Colonel Johnson turned away from the agitated man, speaking over his shoulder as he did so. "It isn't a matter for discussion." He took the hand Lieutenant Collins held out to him and allowed himself to be helped up. Winching a little, he began walking.
Just like Sam almost a week ago.
Daniel opened his mouth to argue, but shut it just as quickly. He knew Johnson well enough to know he wouldn't change his mind regardless of Daniel's protest. So they were doing it again. A week ago they had left Jack behind, going for help, and it had been to no avail. If anything they were worse off now – one man down, another wounded, and Jack still not found.
And the Colonel wanted them to do it again – leave Jack behind.
Even Sam seemed to have given up, just nodding when Johnson ordered them to head out, avoiding eye contact with the rest of her team.
Daniel dropped back to Teal'c's position behind them.
"We can't leave. Jack's still out there somewhere."
"We cannot stay, Daniel Jackson. We are almost out of both water and ammunition" Teal'c shook his canteen in illustration of his point. "In five days we have been unable to search more than a few miles around the gate. Now the creatures seem to have ceased their attacks and we must take this opportunity to return to the SGC. We do not know when another will present itself."
Daniel was surprised at Teal'c's response. He had thought his teammate would support his contention that they should not leave. He readied a scathing reply, but before he could speak, Teal'c continued.
"We shall return to the SGC. There we shall replenish both ourselves and our weapons. Then I shall return to this planet and I shall find O'Neill."
With that pronouncement he strode off after the others, Daniel following.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
The prey's tracks were wandering, meandering from side to side, the signs showing where it fell becoming more frequent. It had lain in one place for quite some time, giving the pack a chance to make up more ground.
Considering its obvious weakness, it was travelling surprisingly quickly, heading towards the stone ring from which it had appeared.
The leader picked up his pace, the others following behind, ears back. They stayed visible, not needing stealth to catch such easy game.
As he cleared the low ridge he spotted a figure moving in the distance.
He gave the call to hunt and the pack joined in.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Jack heard the call before he saw them – an eerie, high pitched yipping sound from behind, and he spun, in the process almost falling again. He stood, squinting his eyes against the sun's glare.
There! Movement in the distance.
The yipping came again, long notes drawn out and echoing, and the pup squirmed against his chest, waking from the doze it had fallen into. It opened its mouth and gave an answering cry.
"Shush!" Jack pulled it in closer to him. "Quiet." His voice was barely audible even to his own ears, and he realised it had been days since he last used it. Days since he had seen another human being.
Where is God's name was his team? Even at his lowest he hadn't forgotten them, but there had been no evidence of them ever being at the cave, and he was sure he would have noticed any signs as he travelled.
Wouldn't he?
Oh God! Had he walked past them? Had they left him a message at their old campsite? Had he missed them waiting there?
Jack wrenched his attention back to the present, finding he had fallen to his knees. He almost didn't make it up this time, having three attempts before he got to his feet. He knew that the next time he wouldn't make it up.
The familiar sound of the gate activating rent the silence.
He hadn't past them. They were here.
He broke into a shambling run, hearing the sound of panting loud at his back.
Breaching the rise, he looked down the slope at the massive stone circle, the alien device standing out from the flat landscape.
Just in time to see the last figure disappearing into the vortex.
xoxoxoxoxoxo