The Sentinel 520

At first O'Neill thought that Marul was a simpleton, unable to comprehend what the Goa'uld were capable of doing. Well who could? Burning through your atmosphere to blow up your city was almost incomprehensible. But still...it was happening while they stood there arguing.

Perhaps Marul had been elected because he could be easily manipulated or maybe the people here were just that peaceful and trusting.

It had been centuries if not millennia since they had encountered the Goa'uld. It must have occurred in the past or why had the Sentinel been created? But now the Goa'uld were back. And in fact they were here for the very same reason his people were - seeking weapons, knowledge and technologies. And of course precious metals – naquadah, trinium and rare earths. Their methods might be different but their needs were the same. They needed the raw materials to wage war.

There was one thing the Goa'uld needed that the Tauri did not - slaves.

After the Jaffa had disposed of Marul they subdued both O'Neill and Grogan. They stripped O'Neill of his tac vest, jacket and boots and beat him in front of the young airman. They sought to control the young man by showing him his commanding officer was vulnerable. They then turned on Grogan, slapping him around too, hoping to intimidate Grogan and getting him to tell all. O'Neill said something in Goa'uld to Svarog's Jaffa, a handy and rather foul phrase he picked up from Teal'c. This had the Jaffa turn from the young lieutenant and concentrate their wrath on Jack.

When the location of the Sentinel was ascertained the two soldiers were shackled and frog marched to the strange installation. Grogan reached for O'Neill when he stumbled. The Jaffa wrenched Jack back to his feet by the chain around his neck. O'Neill, jerked upright, cut his eyes to the young man. "Hold fast" was expressed without words. Grogan drew courage from the senior officer. As they were forced to kneel before the alien structure Grogan watched O'Neill being tortured, the pain stick being used over and over again. Grogan held fast.

Then the unbelievable happened. With a knowing look Carter defied him. Then Grieves grasped the Sentinel and with an incredible wave of energy all of the enemy disappeared as did Grieves.

After Daniel unchained O'Neill, Jack sat hard on the ground, he needed just a minute to regroup. Daniel scrambled around, found a canteen and gave it to Jack. The water, stale and warm, was a god sent to his parched throat. He passed a good half of it to Grogan and let the young man know he did good.

Finding his strength O'Neill began issuing orders – a report to Hammond and request for search and rescue teams, as well as medical units. They needed to assess damage to the city and its populace, to coordinate with the official, who remained alive, and to aid civilians. And finally they needed to ensure the alliance so a treaty could be forged.

Daniel encouraged O'Neill to return to Earth for medical assessment but O'Neill brushed him off. There was too much to do and right now the walk back to the Gate looked daunting, especially without his boots.

Carter busied herself with the dead.

Jack was relieved to know that her defying him was not to relieve him from pain but to destroy the enemy. Her feelings for him would never be translated into weakness in the field. He needed to commend her for her insight and initiative.

When Colonel Castleman came to relieve O'Neill, the hour sitting issuing orders and relating information gave him the strength to hike back to the Stargate. He was bone tired yet hoping to evade Dr. Frasier's tender care. He still hadn't found his damned boots.

The Colonel was finally fitted out with a pair of native shoes and the team followed him as he limped back to the gate.

Daniel was walking beside Sam but mulling over the events of the past few hours – a man giving his life to save an alien planet. And Jack directly ordering them to obey his orders, ignoring the fact that he was being tortured.

Daniel said "I had a sort of flashback...a memory when they dragged Jack in chains."

Carter hadn't been paying attention. "What?"

"I remembered Jack in chains. Do you remember that planet with the princess? It was years ago and I got hooked on the sarcophagus. I've forgotten... or well... repressed so much of that."

"Yeah, I can understand that."

"The soldiers dragged Jack into the palace in chains. He was on his knees begging me to release you. He did it for me too, to save me from the sarcophagus. Why, why does he do that?"

"Daniel, it's who he is." Sam said.

They were silent for the rest of the walk.

"Daniel is worried about you." Sam said as she dried the last of the supper dishes.

"When is he not?" Jack said brushing it off.

"After all this time, I think he still doesn't understand."

"I think he does, he just doesn't like it. He'd stand up too." Jack had confidence in Daniel. "I was kind of worried about Grogan especially since we lost Elliot a few months ago. They started on him, slapped him around pretty good." Jack said, thinking of the Jaffa on Latona. They shut off the lights and left the kitchen.

"He was looking to you..."

"He'll make a decent soldier. I don't usually agree with Teal'c's "We die well, we die free" - ya know especially the dying part but I thought it kinda looked like we were gonna buy it."

"I disobeyed your direct order." Sam said.

"I trust you...enough of this I need some sleep. You staying?"

She smiled and sarcastically said "Oh Jack, you're such a romantic."

Jack gave her a kiss and walked back toward his bedroom. "Just sleep, I'm exhausted."

"You always say that." She replied with a laugh.

Walking into the bedroom he pulled off his t-shirt. Sam was appalled at all the bruises as well as the burn marks on his torso. "Oh god Jack, shouldn't you be in the infirmary?"

"They were swamped with people who really needed to be there. And I need a good night's sleep."