Warnings and disclaimer in chapter 1. Enjoy.
Jacob
Sighing, I stretch out my arms and legs before I open my eyes. I miss being in this spot, the place right between asleep and awake, when you mind has woken up but your body refused to acknowledge it. It's so hard to find this spot when you're older. Too many things make your body work as soon as the mind does. Oh well, all things must come to an end.
Opening my eyes, I turn my head in Sam's direction. Bolting upright when she wasn't where I thought I left her, I quickly scanned the campsite. After a few minutes I saw her, sitting on a log close to the fire, a blanket draped around her and a cup of coffee in her hands. Closing my eyes again, I try to slow my frantic heartbeat. I haven't panicked like that in quite a while. When I was sure I was reasonably calm, I again opened my eyes and stood up.
"Jacob. Nice to see you in the land of the living. Have a good sleep?"
"Yes Jack I did. How about you? Sleep well?" I headed over to him and took the coffee he offered.
"Me? Oh, I slept like a log. They could hardly wake me up this morning." Was it my imagination, or was he being extra sarcastic today? Maybe I had better change the topic.
"Are we still planning on going to the village today?"
"Yup."
"We should really get moving before it gets too hot. Who are we waiting for?"
"Teal'c."
"Teal'c?" I am surprised. Teal'c is always the first to be ready to head out.
"Yeah, Teal'c. You know big guy, tattoo on his head, snake in his stomach. Teal'c."
"I never thought we'd be waiting for Teal'c. I thought Daniel would be the one we would ever need to wait for. No offense Daniel."
"None taken Jacob." Daniel had come over to where we were talking. Grabbing another helping of coffee he turned his attention to the still sleeping Jaffa. "How long are we supposed to wait for him to wake up?"
"Beats me. He's always up before the rest of us. Maybe if we..." Jack's sentence was interrupted as Teal'c began to stir and quickly woke up. As he stood and walked over to where we were huddled Jack greeted him. "Hey Teal'c, welcome to the land of the living. Have a nice dream?"
"I do not dream, O'Neill, however my meditation was most refreshing. How was your resting cycle?"
"Me? Oh I slept like a log, couldn't hardly get me up this morning." Oh no. I'm not going through this again. Time to change the subject again.
"Shouldn't we be going?"
"Yes we should." He agreed with me and looked over toward Sam and Hailey and raised his voice so they could hear. "Pack it up, we leave in fifteen minutes."
"Yes Sir." Hailey finished her coffee and started packing up camp with a speed that any boot camp drill instructor would be proud of.
"Should we not assist Cadet Hailey in the preparation of our departure?"
"Right Teal'c. Let's get it done." Actually, it only took about five minutes to pack everything up once everybody pitched in. Everybody except Sam. She started to get up to help us when Jack sent her the most authoritative glare I've ever seen. They held each other's gaze for a minute before Sam conceded and sank back onto the log. Five minutes after that we were packed and ready to go.
"Hey Carter. Ready to blow this rock?" Everyone had gathered around the fire to try and get the last minute warmth from the dying flames. It wasn't as cold as the simulation was, but it was a tad on the chilly side. Hopefully it will get warmer as soon as the sun finally peaks the mountains.
"Ready, willing, and able Sir."
"Teal'c, you take point. I'll bring up the rear." At their affirmative nods Jack turned to talk to Sam. "We'll keep it nice and steady, but anytime you need a break, let us know."
"'Kay."
"In that case, Milady, allow me to help you up." Jack extends his hand toward Sam. She takes it firmly, a small smile on her lips.
"I thought they said chivalry was dead."
"Dead? Not dead, just relocated... to a galaxy far, far away." Her small smile had grown and a small laugh even accompanied it.
"Whatever you say Colonel. Just not so fast this time."
"Deal." He gently pulled her to her feet. She closed her eyes tightly, and a small grimace replaced the smile, but after a few minutes she opened her eyes and gave a small nod.
"Here, allow me." I quickly went over to my daughter's side and offered her my arm, which she gratefully took. "I've always wondered what it would feel like having a beautiful woman on my arm."
"And you had to come halfway across the galaxy to find out? Jacob, I thought you were better than that." Jack teased lightly as Teal'c got his bearings.
"Well, there's no time like the present Jack." Looking back at Sam I saw the smile had once again found its way onto her face. "You ready kid?"
"Yeah."
"Alright then campers," Jack exclaimed. "Let's go meet the neighbors."
Daniel
We've been walking for a couple of hours already. I know Jack said we'd keep a steady pace, but I didn't realize how slow it would be. At first it was really uncomfortable. The sun hadn't peaked yet and it was really chilly without the fire. I was about ready to start running in place just to get warm. I think just about everybody was, but then the sun came up and everyone started getting warm again. Now it's not uncomfortable, now it's just boring.
We're keeping a really slow pace for Sam. I don't think she understands exactly how slow we're going or else she'd say to stop fussing and get moving. As we were leaving camp, Jack shot Jennifer and I a look reminding us of our conversation yesterday. I gave a quick nod to Jack and went over and talked with Jennifer. We decided that one of us would walk in the general area of Sam the whole trip. That way we could keep an eye on her without being obvious about it, not that I think she would realize it right now. The last couple times I've been back there her eyes were unfocused and it looked like she didn't notice anything except the ground beneath her feet. The few times we stopped to rest her hands were shaking so much she could barely hold the canteen. I think the only thing keeping her upright is her stubbornness.
"Let's take five." Teal'c immediately stopped at Jack's order and made his way back to us. Jacob found a nice, sturdy log and gently lowered Sam onto it. Teal'c and Jacob gladly joined her. They looked like they were ready to collapse. Maybe the slow pace wasn't just for Sam.
"Teal'c, how much longer to the village?" After a few seconds of silence I turned in the direction our Jaffa friend was sitting. He was staring at a grove of trees in the distance. Are we in danger? Teal'c never stares like that unless he thinks there is something wrong. Glancing over at Jack, I saw he was thinking the same thing. He quickly reached for his weapon, cursing under his breath when he realized it wasn't there, and studied the surrounding forest for any signs of danger. After a few minutes, he turned toward me, a curious look on his face. Shrugging, we both turned our attention to Teal'c.
"Teal'c?" A little louder this time. Jack's starting to get really pissed now, either that or really worried. I don't know which one I would prefer. Whatever his reasons, his loud bellow finally broke through to Teal'c. He jumped ten feet in the air like he was a kid in English class who had just been caught daydreaming.
"O'Neill?"
"How much longer?"
"I am unsure O'Neill. I believe it is just over the next rise."
"Sir, if I may?" Jennifer spoke up.
"Yeah sure Hailey, what is it?"
"That group of trees we passed ten minutes ago was the halfway point Sir. It will probably take us another couple of hours to reach the village." I sigh dejectedly. Teal'c and Hailey made the trek, observed the villagers, and came back in less time than its taking us to make it halfway. I'm annoyed until I remember the reason we're walking so slowly. Looking over my shoulder I see Sam staring blankly into space. There's a reason Janet always made us spend the night in the infirmary after getting a concussion. A forced march offworld certainly would never make her approved activity list.
"Alright. Daniel, grab some ration bars. We'll take thirty and eat then get moving." He turned to Jennifer. "Hailey, you take point. Try to lead us at a slightly faster pace if you could Cadet. I would like to reach the village before nightfall."
"Yes Sir." I hand some ration bars to Jennifer and she moves over to the others handing them out.
"Daniel, can I have a word?"
"Sure Jack. What's on your mind?"
"What's up with Teal'c?" I was wondering when he was going to bring up our Jaffa's strange behavior.
"You noticed that too, huh?"
"Oh yeah, big time. So...?"
With a sigh, I begin. "I'm not sure Jack. He hasn't confided in me or anything like that, he just seems... off. I don't know how else to describe it."
"You think he's hurt?" I shake my head.
"No. I mean Teal'c would mention if he got hurt, wouldn't he?"
"Yeah, he would," Jack conceded. "So, maybe something's bugging him?"
"Teal'c doesn't let personal problems interfere on a mission, and if it was something this big, I think he'd tell us about it. I was thinking it was actually something physical, like a bug bite or something on this planet that's affecting him."
"This planet's version of yellow Jaffa fever. Sounds fun. Let's keep an eye on him too." Nodding my agreement I hand Jack a ration bar and we both move over to our friends.
Jennifer
There is something definitely weird about this planet. I don't know if that's normal for intergalactic planetary explorers or not, but it's there. I had a funny feeling about that other planet I went to, and look how that turned out. Hopefully, we're not that bad this time. I mean, all things considering, we should be relatively good to go. I know we've had some injuries, but Colonel O'Neill seems to be back to his old sarcastic self and Major Carter seems to get better all the time. It could be worse. We could be dragging them home on stretchers, not walking a little slower so they can keep up. Everything should be fine, so why does it feel like we're going downhill fast?
Maybe I'm just upset that we lost most of our stuff. Colonel O'Neill said that you have a mountain of paperwork waiting for you if you don't bring home every food wrapper that you signed out, but I'm not sure if he was being serious or just trying to lighten the mood. Probably the latter, but you never know the way the military loves paperwork. Either way, we didn't ditch any necessary stuff, just all the scientific measuring tools that Major Carter is so fond of. We still have food, water, clothing, and shelter. Okay, not so much food, but I'm sure between the six of us we can hunt something or dig up roots if we need to. So why do I still feel unnerved?
A brief movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, but when I turn my head, I see nothing. That has been happening for the last hour or so, ever since Colonel O'Neill told me to take point. It's annoying, the feeling that you're missing something just beyond your grasp. The feeling like you're... being watched!
"Colonel?"
"I know Cadet. Just keep walking." Nodding my head quietly, I resume my steady pace toward the village. The movement started to increase, and now that I knew what to look for I could see shadows darting from tree to tree.
"Do you think they're the villagers?"
"Maybe. Hailey, how close are we?"
"The next rise is where Teal'c and I stopped last time. The village was about two hundred feet away." Looking over my shoulder, I could see the Colonel was scanning the tree line, as was Daniel. The really weird thing was that it didn't look like Teal'c or General Carter had even noticed anything wrong. Their expressions were as blank as the one worn by Major Carter.
"Jack, is it just me or do they seem to be getting more aggressive?"
As soon as the words were out of Daniel's mouth, the forest came alive. Natives, dressed in animal furs, jumped out and had us surrounded in seconds. Grabbing my knife, I quickly took up a defensive pose, watching the front while Colonel O'Neill watched the back. Our knives, though, wouldn't stand a chance against their weapons. Bows, spears, and even a few blowguns were pointed in our direction.
"Daniel. I think this is where you step in."
"Yeah." He slowly raises his hands in a hopefully universal gesture of peace and steps forward. "Hi. My name is Daniel Jackson. We're peaceful explorers."
That's all? That's what he said? I could say that. I mentally roll my eyes while keeping the natives firmly in my sight. I thought he was supposed to be a master of languages and first contact, and he said hi. In English too. He knows twenty-three different languages and he says hi. No wonder SG-1 has so many first contact misadventures. Shooting a glance at the Colonel, he does a good impersonation of Teal'c and raises an eyebrow at my unspoken question. I guess I thought he would be a little bit more vocally talented. The natives apparently are about as impressed with his 'We come in peace' speech as I am. They start bellowing and whooping like a bunch of wild animals.
"Daniel?"
"Just a second Jack." He starts murmuring in another language. He says some other things to them, they make some sort of reply, and in seconds it seems that Daniel is talking the same language they are. Now that is impressive.
"Daniel? Can you understand them?" He still has his weapon raised, though Daniel had put his knife back in its sheath.
"Yeah Jack. It's a very archaic, probably one of the first people to use..."
"Daniel. I don't care what it is. Do you understand it?"
"Yeah."
"Can you get them to lower their weapons?" Daniel turned to the guy he was talking to. After a few minutes, the natives started lowering their weapons. After a nod from the Colonel, we did the same.
"Jack. They said they'll take us to the village."
"Did they bring us here?" He kept his voice calm, but I could detect the edge to it. Daniel asked some more questions and in a few minutes shook his head.
"They don't know how we got here. We're the first strangers they have seen."
"Are we in any danger," the Colonel asks, eyeing the primitive weapons the natives held.
"No. They saw our fire last night just like we saw theirs," Daniel explains. "They're curious and sent a scouting party to find out more about us." Colonel O'Neill thought for a few minutes before sheathing his knife. The rest of us quickly follow his action.
"Alright," the Colonel decided. It was obvious to me he didn't entirely trust them, but we had no other options. "Let's go with our new friends."
Sam
Something is wrong. I don't know exactly what, but I'm sure it has something to do with this place. I'm pretty sure the others have noticed it too. Something is seriously wrong with Teal'c.
I know the slow pace was set for him. I was too busy concentrating on his well being to notice much of the countryside. Man, I wanted to stop and get some more soil samples too. Maybe there is a clue in the soil that Janet can figure out back home. Jaffa are big and tough, and anything that can make one act like such a wimp would be nice to have. And why they thought they had to stop every five minutes and let him rest is beyond me.
I must admit, it is a little unnerving when the Colonel kept looking at me. I could see the question in his eyes, 'What's wrong with Teal'c?' Hey, I'm an astrophysicist, not a miracle worker. Maybe for once he could get it in his head that I don't have all the answers. Of course, it didn't help my sense of well being when he kept looking at me all the time. It seemed he was staring at me for hours, which makes no sense since we just started walking a few minutes ago.
Every once and a while I can tell that the Colonel and Daniel are trading looks. That's why I'm still trying to figure it out. I have to figure it out, that's what I do. What I wouldn't give to have another genius on the team right now.
"Sam, have some water." Daniel's nearby. He puts something in my hands, but I can't spare any brain cells to think of what it is. I need all the brain power I have to figure out what's wrong with Teal'c. Then maybe I'll be able to enjoy what's left of this trip.
Daniel's talking to someone nearby. I think it might be the Colonel, or maybe its dad. Daniel and dad talking remind me of another awakening I had. The one right after my adventure in the river. As if hearing my watery thoughts, I suddenly feel my head tipped backwards and feel some cool liquid going down my throat. I manage to swallow some of it, and cough up the rest. Yep, just like waking up after the river. Even the silence is there. I've been trying to ignore the silence, trying to focus my attention on Teal'c, but I know it's coming closer. I hope it's not going to take Teal'c away like it tried to take me.
I can feel the Colonel's eyes on me again. Some military survival training part of my brain tells me there are other people around, but that's not important right now. There's no way anyone can sneak up on Teal'c, unless he was sick. If that's the case, then I have to make him better.
"Come on Major, we want to get to the village before dark." I tried to tell him that we had plenty of time, we just started our trek after all, but for some reason he didn't listen to me. I think he's upset because I haven't helped Teal'c. That's okay, I don't blame him. I'm upset too.
