Thank you for the lovely comments and review. I definitely will keep going on this story!
"I guess we should get started Sir", said Sam, looking worriedly at O'Neill. They had re-entered the cave with the Hummers and now stood in front of the symbol on the wall. Jack had handed her the rod and stood, his eyes downcast, looking for all the world like a little boy waiting to get yelled at by his Mom.
He nodded slightly, knowing that they had to try but wishing he were anywhere but here. Daniel was standing behind him, watching to see if there was a change in the mark when they used the rod.
"Sir – Jack – I'm sure it will be fine. I've made sure it's at its lowest setting. I know this is hard – "
"Ya think!" he whispered hoarsely. Looking up he gave Sam a crooked smile and waved her on.
"Let's get it over with."
"Okay Sir." She carefully and slowly lifted the rod until the tip was inches away from his chest. Looking him squarely in the eye she tried to convey her encouragement and confidence – although inside she was terrified as well. This brought back memories of when she'd done this to remove the collar.
With a deep breath she moved the rod closer and closer. She could see Jack's chest begin to rise and fall more quickly. Clearly he was nervous. Finally, just as he was about to grab the rod, she touched his chest lightly.
He jerked violently, not because he felt anything, but rather because of the anticipation and the nerves. His sudden movement scared Sam and she pulled her arm back quickly.
"Are you okay Sir?"
"Jack?
"Fine, sorry. Try it again."
After looking at him carefully for a couple of seconds she nodded and again moved the rod towards him. This time, when she touched him, he only gave a slight flinch but then stood still. She let out the breath she wasn't aware she had been holding and waited to see if there was any reaction from him.
He stood quietly expecting to feel something – anything – but there was nothing. Frustrated he looked up at Sam.
"So – nothing"
"Maybe we're doing it wrong. Maybe I have to turn it up."
"Geesh! Okay try."
Sam touched him again, the rod now at a higher 'setting' than before. Again, Jack felt nothing.
"It's not working", he muttered.
"Maybe I was wrong. Maybe this doesn't have anything to do with the symbol. I'm sorry Sir."
Jack just shook his head, too tired to try and speak. Daniel walked around to face him.
"What if Jack does it. It could be that it will only respond to an Ancient."
"But it worked before for me. I was able to take the collar off with it."
"Hey – it may not work but at this point we have nothing to lose."
Jack nodded and reached out for the rod. Sam hesitated, not sure why, but worried about Jack using it on himself.
"Carter!"
Realizing from his tone that it was the Colonel who had spoken, and that he had given her an order, she handed it over to him.
Taking it gingerly he turned it towards himself. It was awkward as it was a little too long for him to use comfortably on himself.
"Here goes", he sighed. Closing his eyes he placed the tip of the rod against his chest. Instantly he felt a jolt rush through him. He immediately pulled the rod away.
"Oh Shit!" he thought to himself. "Nothing like torturing yourself."
"Jack? Did something happen?" asked Daniel
"Yeah", he answered and then immediately touched himself with the rod, knowing that if he waited too long he'd chicken out!
The pain was intense, although not so bad as he had experienced when Frotush' men had used it on him. This time it was just about bearable although he could feel a sheen of sweat break out on his forehead. For a few minutes the pain kept up until he started to feel as if he were going to pass out. Just at the moment when he knew he couldn't take any more, the pain suddenly switched off and the now familiar warmth washed over him.
"Thank God!", he thought to himself. He had been about to lose it. For now he just relaxed into the feeling of safety and comfort. It was a while before the voices around him began to penetrate his conscisousness.
"My God Sam – look!"
"I see it Daniel. What does it mean?"
"I don't know. Jack. Jack can you hear us?"
He finally opened his eyes and instantly saw that the entire room was washed with a brilliant light.
"What happened?"
"It's the Hummers, Jack. When you touched your chest with the rod some of them began to light up. Your back is glowing too. Do you have any idea what it means?'
Jack just looked at his friend for a moment and then began to smile. He didn't quite know what was going on yet, but it was getting clearer. The one thing he knew was that they had been given a map – a direction to follow.
Reaching out his hand he grasped Daniel around his arm. Turning he saw Carter standing a few feet away, looking at him with concern. Motioning with a toss of his head for her to come closer he immediately reached out and took her hand as she approached. Right now it was quicker and simpler to speak with them this way.
"We have to follow the yellow brick road kids!"
"What? Jack this isn't the Wizard of Oz. What are you talking about?"
"Look Daniel". He pointed towards the Hummers with his chin. At first, neither Daniel or Sam saw anything. Suddenly, however, Sam laughed.
"I see it Sir! You're right. It is the yellow brick road."
"Okay, now you've lost it too Sam. What the heck are you seeing?"
"Look closely Daniel. The Hummers – the ones that are lit up – they form a path. They're telling us which way to go."
Daniel turned and again looked. This time he too saw it. In fact, now that he knew what to look for it was obvious.
"Got it! So – we're off to see the Wizard I guess?"
"Yup. Let's just hope he can get us back to Kansas! Daniel, before we start – go out and check with Teal'c will you? I want to make sure nothing's happened yet."
Jack opened the wall and waited for Daniel to return. As he stood there he avoided looking at Sam. He had to keep his mind on the mission ahead and couldn't let any personal feelings intrude. He knew they had to remain completely professional until this whole mess was finished.
"Everything's okay Jack", Daniel reported on his return. "No sign yet of Frotush."
"Good – let's go then." With that the three members of SG1 began to move towards the Hummers. As they walked, with Jack in the lead, the shapes seemed to separate and move out of the way. As soon as they passed each of the Hummers that was glowing, its lights would fade. When they looked behind them everything was growing dark but the way ahead was bright.
Soon they came to what looked like the other side of the cave. There was no obvious door or opening, but based on experience they all knew this meant nothing. As they approached the wall they each waited expectantly for something to happen.
"So, is that it?" asked Daniel.
"I don't see anything. Sir, do you know where we're to go now?" She turned to the Colonel and saw that his eyes were slightly out of focus, as if he were concentrating on something seen only by him.
Without answering Jack placed his hand on his chest and, with the other hand, touched the wall. It instantly began to move aside.
Once it was open, the three walked in the room.
"Oh my God!" murmured Daniel.
sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1sg1
"Teal'c! Teal'c!"
"What is it Jobusz?" answered the large man as his young friend ran up to where he was waiting by the water.
"They are coming. Frotush and his men – they are approaching the village."
"Is everyone out?"
"Yes, the children and the infirm have been taken to safety, hidden in the caves in the hills. The others are on their way here. They should arrive shortly. Most of the Nogratia … I'm sorry, I mean the Gratians – have arrived. Pere Frotush and his wife are with them and are on their way here."
"That is good. How long?"
"They should be here just as the sun hits mid day. Arman asked me to come and tell you and to see whether or not O'Neill has found the weapon."
"That I do not know. They are still within the cave. Will you stay here and watch for O'Neill and the others? I will go to Arman."
"I will stay Teal'c. Go. Arman needs you."
Teal'c turned and headed back through the trees, hoping to meet up with Arman and the forest people as quickly as possible. It wasn't long before he could hear the sound of many people advancing through the woods. Quickly taking cover he waited until he could confirm it was Arman and his people before making himself known.
"Arman."
"Teal'c! Thank you for coming my friend. Did Jobusz find you?"
"Yes, he did. He is waiting by the water in case O'Neill or the others come out."
"Have they found anything yet? We do not have long."
"I am sorry. I do not know. I do know, however, that if there is anyone who can find the answers it is those three. I have confidence that O'Neill, Major Carter and Daniel Jackson will find something to help us overcome the evil of Frotush."
"I hope so Teal'c. As determined as everyone is, we are no match for him with the weapons we have."
Looking around Teal'c had to agree. Although there looked to be close on a hundred strong men and women, they were armed with primitive weapons; knives, swords, bows and arrows and some even carried farm implements. There was only one of the Ancient rods. What Teal'c wouldn't have given for his staff weapon – or even one of the guns that O'Neill and Major Carter preferred.
"We shall be victorious Arman. You have right on your side – but more importantly – you have SG1!"
"That we do my large friend. That we do."
Once the forest people had reached the lake they quickly began to put together the defenses they had spend many hours planning. Using their tools and weapons, they made use of the forest and what it offered, to fight their advancing foe.
It was a fortunate thing, thought Teal'c, that these people had never seen, in fact never even heard, of earth 'movies'. They might have felt much less confident if they knew their battle plan was based on Ewok strategy from a Star Wars movie!
By nightfall everything was set up. Arman posted guards carefully around the perimeter. Runners were watching Frotush advance and would periodically show up to report on where the enemy forces were and how for they had traveled.
By the time the camp had quieted, Teal'c had time to give thought to O'Neill and the others. There had been nothing heard from them for hours and he grew concerned, hoping that nothing bad had happened.
"Still nothing Sam?" Daniel asked for the umpteenth time.
"No Daniel – at least nothing in the 33 seconds since you asked me the last time. Can you PLEASE let me do my work. Go find Jack and bother him!" She had sent Jack away over an hour ago. It was either that or hit her commanding officer. He had driven her crazy with his constant – although mostly silent – questions, jokes and sarcastic comments. Now Daniel had started in on her. She wanted to turn around and scream!
When they had first arrived in the 'room' they had all been blown away by what they had seen. Unlike the outer chamber, filled with the lacy shapes of the Hummers, this room was filled with what were obviously very sophisticated machines. So sophisticated that Sam didn't have a clue what any of them were used for. She couldn't even find an on/off switch – or any controls for that matter. She could not remember ever coming across something that was quite as challenging as this.
If it hadn't have been for the advancing enemy, the threat of death, and the loss of her two children, she would have been in her glory. As it was, she was simply frustrated and starting to feel hopeless.
"Damn, damn, damn! I can't figure this out. I don't have a clue what this is for. Sir! Sir! …JACK!" she finally yelled. Where was the dratted man. She looked around and found him propped up against a far wall, obviously sound asleep.
Ooooh! She was going to kill him! She didn't care if she was court marshaled and thrown in Leavenworth for the rest of her life. She was going to kill one Colonel Jack O'Neill, and then she was going to turn her attention to Dr. Jackson.
"COLONEL O'NEILL!", she shouted again, using her best officer voice. At that he jerked and started to fall over. Righting himself at the last moment he opened his eyes and looked straight into the furious face of the woman he loved.
Ooops – by the looks of things she didn't love him – at least not at the moment.
"Wha…?" he asked, sounding half asleep. "Found anything yet Carter?"
"Grrrrrr!"
Now that was strange! He sat up straighter and looked at his 2IC. Had something happened? Had she been taken over by another alien? She certainly didn't sound like Carter.
"Carter – you okay?"
"No Sir, I am not."
"What? What happened?" He pulled himself to his feet, seriously worried.
"What happened sir? Well, I've been working on this dam er darned machinery for the better part of 5 hours. During that time I had to listen to a couple of whiny ... ki er men! who complained, teased, asked me constantly if we 'were there yet!', told ridiculous jokes and drove me crazy. With all of that, I haven't been able to find out a single, solitary thing about how this stuff works – or even what it is. So no Sir – I am not okay."
There was dead silence for a number of very slow seconds while Sam waited to get blasted for her words. Finally, Jack sighed.
"My jokes weren't ridiculous. They were funny!"
She just stared at him blankly for another few minutes, with him staring right back. She knew she could either cry or …..!
"Oh God Sir", she began to laugh. In fact, she began to laugh so hard she was doubled over, clutching her middle. She laughed until tears began to stream down her cheeks.
All the while this was happening, Daniel and Jack just looked at her and then at each other. They didn't say anything – they didn't have to. They looked each other in the eye and both said one word, silently.
"Women!"
Once Sam had calmed down (although she continued to hiccup for a while), she turned back to her two boys and tried to get serious. The moment she looked at their two, puppy dog faces, she wanted to start laughing again. They both knew that they had been in trouble with her and were trying to get out of it by looking oh so innocent. God, she loved these men!
"So Carter – finished with the hysterical laughter part of the day?"
"Yes Sir", she hiccupped. "Sorry Sir - couldn't help myself."
"Thought back to one of my jokes, didn't you?"
"Ah … yes Sir – that was it."
He grinned at her – even though it had been a little weird, he loved the fact that he could hear her laugh again. It had been a long time.
"So – you're telling me you got nothing?"
"Yes – I mean no - what I mean is that I can't figure it out. Maybe you should have a go at it?"
"Me? Carter, I really do think you've lost your mind. I don't know a fraction of what you know about ancient – or any –machines for that matter. I already tried touching things to see if they'd respond to me – and they didn't. So, I'll just stay here while you get back to work."
"Back to work! Jack – er Sir – I've worked for 5 hours straight. I need a break."
"Okay – take 5 minutes and then come back to it."
"Five minutes! I was thinking more like an hour."
"Sorry Carter – no can do. You know as well as I do that Frotush will be here soon. We have to figure this out."
"Okay Sir. I'll get to work. I could use your help though."
"Really?" it was amazing how much like a little boy Jack could be on occasion. He's just sounded like her young nephew did when promised a treat. Okay, now she had to figure out what to get Jack to do.
He followed her over to what she thought must be the console – although she hadn't as yet found any controls. She stood staring at it, her frustration growing, with Jack standing beside her. He reached out and touched her, still finding it easier to talk this way.
"Whatcha doin' Carter?" he asked gently
"Just thinking Sir."
"About …?"
"About these machines. Do you think they need a key or something?'
"Hey, what about the rod? Maybe that's the key?"
"I've already tried – didn't work."
"Maybe I need to try. It may be like my trusty skin pictures – it needs an Ancient to operate it."
"Be my guest Sir." She handed the rod over to him. He walked up to the control panel (if that't what it was) and gently touched it with the rod.
Yup! That was it!
