Chapter 11
Lou Ferretti marched through the halls of the SGC a man with a purpose. Since reading the letter from Jack he'd been hard-pressed to do anything but focus on the task Jack had requested of him. He had pondered on the subject all day, trying to decide it if was the right choice. It was risky for Jack to ask him to bring the others into this, but after some careful thought he knew that if things were indeed as bad as his friend and led him to believe it would take all of their combined powers to stop what was headed their way.
He reached the office at the end of the hall; his name was emblazoned on the frosted glass door with large white letters. After turning the handle he stepped inside, closed the door behind him and made straight for the desk. Turning away from the camera he pulled the wand from his uniform pocket and recited the incantation that would alert the others in the mountain that they needed to meet.
Within fifteen minutes some thirty persons had gathered topside. To the unsuspecting security officers it appeared as nothing more than usual herd of employees heading off to lunch, and they paid no mind to any of them. Piling into their vehicles they all followed Ferretti's lead down the highway, stopping when they reached the nearby rest area. Two witches, who'd arrived just behind Lou, immediately set up wards around the area so that no muggle could see the large gathering and out of curiosity come see what was going on.
Once they'd all gathered around the rest area picnic tables Ferretti began to speak.
"I know it's been a while since we had a big meeting like this, but we have a problem. Cheyenne Mountain is in danger."
There was a cacophony of noise as everyone began to shout out, demanding an explanation from Lou. He calmly raised his hands trying to calm the group. A dark-haired wizard in a Captain's uniform called out for the group to listen to what Ferretti was trying to tell them, and a few moments later the group had quieted.
"Thanks Captain." Lou remarked as he turned back to the group. "As I was trying to tell you…the mountain has a new threat against it, and it's not from offworld as some of you might think. I'm sure you've all heard the rumors that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned, and I'm here to tell you those rumors are true. He's back and he knows what we're hiding under that mountain."
***
It had been three hours since he'd told the two immortals still upstairs in the apartment the truth about who he was, as he moved his body through the difficult kata he'd learned from Teal'c he did his best to let his mind relax. It seemed to be to no avail though, as he continued to berate himself for giving his secret away so easily. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd made a serious error in doing so, and because of that his concentration was lost. He moved to make a spin kick at the air, but his knee buckled and he found himself upended, his butt smacking hard on the floor just before his head met the same fate.
The sound of clapping caught his attention and he looked up to see Methos and Amanda staring at him from the dojo entrance. They had obviously used the stairs instead of the elevator he deduced.
"Nice landing, Jack." Amanda quipped as she approached and reached her hand out to help him to his feet.
"Falling on my ass was just what I meant to do."
Methos chuckled softly. "Of course it was."
Jack got to his feet and walked to bench where he'd laid his bottle of water and took a hefty gulp from it.
"Listen, Jack. If you'll allow it I'd like for Amanda to help us." Methos began, but stopped seeing the concern on the wizard's face.
"I realize you don't know me, O'Neill, but I think I may be of use to you." Amanda chimed in. "I've know a few seers in my time and if even half of what you say is true, you're by far the strongest I've encountered."
"No need to butter me up, honey. I figured you'd want to help, but my concern is that I don't want any more people in danger than already are. I won't be responsible for another death. I've already caused too many." Jack hung his head, not wanting to look at the two immortals standing beside him.
"We're immortals, Jack." Methos responded. "We know what it is to be responsible for another's life…and death."
Amanda nodded as Jack looked up at her. "This is my choice. I want to help. It's my life and my risk to take."
"Tell me something, Amanda. Why did you come here last night?" Jack asked before taking another sip of water.
The brunette blushed slightly. "I was hoping to have a little rendezvous with Duncan, if you know what I mean, but I ended up finding you two in the apartment instead."
"Is that all?" The look in the wizard's eyes made Methos raise an eyebrow in curiosity as he waited for Amanda to answer.
"I don't understand. What do you mean?"
Jack smirked as he knowingly glared at the immortal woman.
"I think you know exactly what I mean…now answer my question. If you intend to help us I need you to be honest. This is important. Now, was having a little fling with Duncan the only reason you came here?"
Amanda's expression paled as she shook her head. "How could you possibly know?"
***
Daniel sat quietly in his office studying an artifact brought back by another SG team a few days earlier. The simple piece of pottery had a complex set of symbols inscribed on it, who's meaning had the young archeologist quite stumped as he glanced at the photographs that had been taken of it as he periodically scribbled notes onto a pad of paper beside him.
A heavy sigh caught his attention and he looked up to see the blue of Samantha Carter staring back at him. He smiled before setting down the photographs and waving the blonde soldier inside.
"When did you get back?" He asked.
"A few hours ago. Teal'c is waiting in the mess hall; I figured I'd stop by and see if you cared to join us."
With a silent nod he got to his feet, leaving his work behind and started for the mess hall with Carter beside him. They walked in companionable silence, reaching the mess hall in minutes. Stepping inside the formidable form of Teal'c approached them his nearly overflowing tray in hand.
"It is good to see you, DanielJackson." The jaffa warrior nodded then turned around to sit at the nearest table, while Sam and Daniel excused themselves to get food for themselves.
A few minutes later the trio was seated at the table together. Daniel could feel their eyes on him and knew they had questions for him, questions he wasn't sure how to answer. Finally, taking a chance he looked up from his plate, smiling weakly at his two teammates and friends.
"So what's going on, Daniel?" Carter asked in a hushed voice. "Why didn't the colonel talk to us? Why didn't he have us in his meet with the Hammond?"
He shook his head. "I wish I knew. All I know is what Jack told me and that isn't much, nor is it something we can talk about here."
The other two nodded in understanding. Their meals forgotten the three members of SG-1 stood and moved for the exit. They reached Daniel's office and closed the doors behind them.
"What can you tell us?" Carter asked this time sounding almost desperate.
The archeologist took a deep breath before launching into his explanation. "Jack has a plan. He says it'll take all of us to pull it off. He's taken steps to gather those capable of magic already in the mountain so they can try to set up some sort of protection system to try and keep Voldemort from getting to the gate, but I get the feeling it won't be enough."
"Why is that, DanielJackson?" Teal'c asked the concern clear in his voice.
"It was just something I read in Jack's face when he talked with Hammond. He's scared. I've never seen Jack like that." Daniel brought his hand up to adjust his glasses, sighing as the pushed them up the bridge of his nose.
Sam put her hand on the younger man's shoulder feeling a shudder pass through him as he sighed.
"What can we do to help?"
tbc...
