If I turn my back I'm defenseless
and to go blindly seems senseless
if I hide my pride and let it all go on,
then they'll take from me till everythings gone
If I,
let them go I'll be outdone
But if I,
try to catch them I'll be outrun
If I'm killed by the questions like a cancer
then I'll be buried in the silence of the answer,
By myself.
"Well?" The question came from Dash. She, and SG1 were standing in my office in front of me, while I was seated comfortably in my 'commanders chair'. A large, wheeled, spinning chair, made from black leather, with arm rests, and a cup holder. There was hardly any furniture in my office, as I hardly spent any time in it. There was my large chair, a large, black table/desk in front of me with a computer terminal, and that was it. Any visitors had to stand. It was good for perspective. "Well?" Dash repeated, breaking my train of thoughts. I sighed. SG1 wanted to return to earth, and Dash was advicating strongly for their cause. I was undecided however. I had no wish to hold them against their will, but if SG1 returned, they would have to report that we were here. That would cause our 'friends' at the Pentagon to realise we were not all dead. Which would be extremely bad. I slowly shook my head. "I'm sorry" I said sincerly "But I can't allow you to return to Earth just yet." Dash snarled, and thumped my table with a clenched hand. I almost jumped in suprise. "You can't hold them against their will!" She shouted into my face. Jack was wearing a similar angry look, as was Major Carter. The Jaffa, as usual, had not changed expression. Dr Jackson was looking extremely nervous. I wearily rubbed my eyes. "Try to remember where you are" I advised to Dash, who turned a deeper shade of red, struggled with herself, took a few calming breaths, nodded curtly, and left. SG1 collectivly gave me discusted looks, and also walked out. By now I was mad. They didn't realise that by keeping them here, I was ensuring the protection of the entire Eutopian population. Dash had been acting very coldly towards me since Raptor squad had returned. Both Dr Jackson, and Major Carter had been acting weirdly ever since talking with Jack and Tealk after their return. I was suspicious, but Jason assured me nothing out of the ordinary had happened on the patrol, which allived my fears, slightly. Something was going on. I could feel it. But I didn't know what it was. So I waited. I posted an around the clock watch on the Stargate, and waited for SG1 to play their hand. With all this play, I was getting thouroughly pissed off at SG1 and Dash. The way they were acting, anyone would think I was a Gou'old. They should be thankfull that they were still alive. Most of the other Commanders would not have been so merciful. My patience was running thin however. If they kept along that path, I would personally kill SG1, and beat some sense into Dash. I hoped it didn't have to come to that.
"Commander!" An urgent call came. I turned to the tech "What?" He looked ashen faced. "Luitenant Dash is opening the Stargate" A string of curses left my mouth, as the tech, along with everyone else in the command room, backed away. I don't think anyone had ever seen me this angry. I furiously yanked on my armour, still cursing, then running out of English curses, I started in French. "...la! Command! How many squads are in the area!" Control quickly, and shakily scanned a console. "Just two, sir, Lightning, and Raptor." I nodded. Two should be more than enough. I switched on my mike "Lightning and Raptor squadrens! Sound off!" I waited, and fifty nine aknowledgments came through. fifty nine? I mentally shrugged. Now was not the time to worry about a deserter. I turned my mike back on "Squads, move with all speed to the Stargate. Prevent its opening however possible. Capture Luitenant Dash. Capture, or kill SG1"
*Dash looked around ashen-faced at O'Neal. "Jack, Ice's sent Lightning squad to stop us." Jack shrugged. It was only to be expected that Ice didn't want his prisoners running away. "Some leader you've got" Sam joked to her, as they waited as the Stargate, with painful slowness locked in its second chevron. Dash looked annoyed "Ice is a excellent leader for his tribe, and a great guy. He just isn't good with outsiders." Jack broke in,
"Well, I guess killing outsiders isn't really considered polite where I come from. But here, you never know. Hey! He could actually be great with outsiders by Eutopian standards!" He grinned. Dash looked up anxiously "Here they come"*
I flew along as low as I dared, my feet occasionally brushing the short grass. The low altitude increased my speed, and I was flying at a very dangerous 175 miles per hour. But then, I had... skills that the other troops were unaware of, making the harrowing flight less risky. And besides, I was totally pissed. Lightning Squadren had fallen far back behind me, unable to match my pace. Luckily, Raptor squadren had been in the town, and would probably avive at the same time I did. Nearing the city limits, I simply gritted my teeth, and kept my pace, and my altitude. It was harder, having to dodge buildings, cars, street posts, etc, but I made it safely through to the other side. The gate was open. I cursed in German, having run out of French, Russien, and Chinese curses on the way, and alighted in front of the runaways, just before their run through the gate. "Stop right there" I snarled, my weapon pointed, finger tight on the trigger. I saw their eyes, and was preparing myself for a battle, when Raptor squad landed around me. I sighed in relief. Five to one odds would have looked good to SG1, but would have resulted in five deaths. Dash stared at me desperatly "Ice, Please! Let us through!" Apparently she wanted off Eutopia too. "I can't allow that, Dash" I shouted at her "What SG1 tells Earth will cause all our deaths!" Dash obviously didn't beleive me. She nodded to a trooper next to me. Suddenly, thirty pulse blasters were aimed at me. I looked around in shock. Raptor squadren had turned traitor. "This can't be" I whispered, disbelievingly. Dash nodded in sorrow. "Yes it is, Ice, Raptor squadren wants out of here too" I lowered my gun, until it was hanging limply in my hand, and gazed around at Raptor squad. None of them could meet my accusing eyes. Suddenly furious, I snapped my gun back up, and aimed quickly at Jack. Maybe I could hold them off, until Lightning squad got here... That thought was cut in half, as several ion blasts hit me from several different locations. I tried to keep my feet, and managed to for a few seconds. I gazed into Dash's eyes, which had filled with tears. I swayed, unable to keep my balance, the gun fell from my responseless fingers, and I dropped to my knees, my legs unable to support me. My mind reeled, and although I fought, the darkness came in, and I knew no more.
*Dash silently wept. Ice, dead! She remembered the times she had spent with him, realising in a flash of horror, that all Ice had tried to do was protect the Eutopians, especially her. And for that, he had been killed. The Raptors stepped back, realising what they had done. Some of them dropped their guns, others retched and fell to their knees. Even the coldest among them were shaking their heads in disbelief and horror. Ice was well loved among the troops, as he was fair, and looked after his troops well. Killed by those he helped. Sam slowly walked to the body, and began to examine it. Tyson, who seemed to be nominated leader of the Raptors, walked up to Dash, and saluted. "What" she snapped at him, still in shock. Tyson looked at her formally, cleared his throat, "Luitenant?" He awkwardly began "We've decided not to go though the Stargate" Dash, along with SG1 looked at him in suprise. The Raptors stood closely behind Tyson. "Why" Dash asked, puzzled. The young man shook "We, We just killed the Commander!" He blurted out in a rush of emotion. "We can't go back to Earth now. The Tribe will need our support, now that Commander Ice is dead." He bowed his head "That is, if they let us, after what we have done" Dash opened her mouth to try to argue, but Tyson furiously shook his head, and without another word, launched into the air, followed quickly by the others. "Wow" Jack commented "Ice must have been a swell guy." He paused, then added "When not trying to kill people." Dash turned, affronted, about to retaliate, when Sam spoke up excitedly "Jack! Dash! He's still alive!" Dash gasped as hope thundered through her. She looked towards Ice, who had both doctors kneeling over him. She started to walk over, when she noticed a symbol on her visor display "Hey, guys? We got to get out of here, Lighting squad is almost here!" Sam looked down worriedly at Ice "I guess if we leave him here, they would find him and take him to medical facilities..." Dash broke her off, by shaking her head quickly. "No, we'll have to take him. After he recovers, he may have a grudge with Raptor squadren" Sam nodded. It would be for the best. "We'd best be going quick" Shouted Jack suddenly "They're almost here!" Tealk quickly grabbed Ice's feet and dragged him through the Stargate. Daniel and Sam ran quickly though. Jack ran, dodging bullents, as they started arriving thick and fast, and dove throught the Stargate. Incenced, A couple of flyers attempted to follow, but thwarted as the Stargate closed quickly behind Jack. Lightning squad came to an abrupt halt, and landed. Looked around in disbeleif. "The Commander is dead" whispered one. The others remained silent, numb. As one, they turned slowly, and, without jetpack, trudged slowly towards the base.*
and to go blindly seems senseless
if I hide my pride and let it all go on,
then they'll take from me till everythings gone
If I,
let them go I'll be outdone
But if I,
try to catch them I'll be outrun
If I'm killed by the questions like a cancer
then I'll be buried in the silence of the answer,
By myself.
"Well?" The question came from Dash. She, and SG1 were standing in my office in front of me, while I was seated comfortably in my 'commanders chair'. A large, wheeled, spinning chair, made from black leather, with arm rests, and a cup holder. There was hardly any furniture in my office, as I hardly spent any time in it. There was my large chair, a large, black table/desk in front of me with a computer terminal, and that was it. Any visitors had to stand. It was good for perspective. "Well?" Dash repeated, breaking my train of thoughts. I sighed. SG1 wanted to return to earth, and Dash was advicating strongly for their cause. I was undecided however. I had no wish to hold them against their will, but if SG1 returned, they would have to report that we were here. That would cause our 'friends' at the Pentagon to realise we were not all dead. Which would be extremely bad. I slowly shook my head. "I'm sorry" I said sincerly "But I can't allow you to return to Earth just yet." Dash snarled, and thumped my table with a clenched hand. I almost jumped in suprise. "You can't hold them against their will!" She shouted into my face. Jack was wearing a similar angry look, as was Major Carter. The Jaffa, as usual, had not changed expression. Dr Jackson was looking extremely nervous. I wearily rubbed my eyes. "Try to remember where you are" I advised to Dash, who turned a deeper shade of red, struggled with herself, took a few calming breaths, nodded curtly, and left. SG1 collectivly gave me discusted looks, and also walked out. By now I was mad. They didn't realise that by keeping them here, I was ensuring the protection of the entire Eutopian population. Dash had been acting very coldly towards me since Raptor squad had returned. Both Dr Jackson, and Major Carter had been acting weirdly ever since talking with Jack and Tealk after their return. I was suspicious, but Jason assured me nothing out of the ordinary had happened on the patrol, which allived my fears, slightly. Something was going on. I could feel it. But I didn't know what it was. So I waited. I posted an around the clock watch on the Stargate, and waited for SG1 to play their hand. With all this play, I was getting thouroughly pissed off at SG1 and Dash. The way they were acting, anyone would think I was a Gou'old. They should be thankfull that they were still alive. Most of the other Commanders would not have been so merciful. My patience was running thin however. If they kept along that path, I would personally kill SG1, and beat some sense into Dash. I hoped it didn't have to come to that.
"Commander!" An urgent call came. I turned to the tech "What?" He looked ashen faced. "Luitenant Dash is opening the Stargate" A string of curses left my mouth, as the tech, along with everyone else in the command room, backed away. I don't think anyone had ever seen me this angry. I furiously yanked on my armour, still cursing, then running out of English curses, I started in French. "...la! Command! How many squads are in the area!" Control quickly, and shakily scanned a console. "Just two, sir, Lightning, and Raptor." I nodded. Two should be more than enough. I switched on my mike "Lightning and Raptor squadrens! Sound off!" I waited, and fifty nine aknowledgments came through. fifty nine? I mentally shrugged. Now was not the time to worry about a deserter. I turned my mike back on "Squads, move with all speed to the Stargate. Prevent its opening however possible. Capture Luitenant Dash. Capture, or kill SG1"
*Dash looked around ashen-faced at O'Neal. "Jack, Ice's sent Lightning squad to stop us." Jack shrugged. It was only to be expected that Ice didn't want his prisoners running away. "Some leader you've got" Sam joked to her, as they waited as the Stargate, with painful slowness locked in its second chevron. Dash looked annoyed "Ice is a excellent leader for his tribe, and a great guy. He just isn't good with outsiders." Jack broke in,
"Well, I guess killing outsiders isn't really considered polite where I come from. But here, you never know. Hey! He could actually be great with outsiders by Eutopian standards!" He grinned. Dash looked up anxiously "Here they come"*
I flew along as low as I dared, my feet occasionally brushing the short grass. The low altitude increased my speed, and I was flying at a very dangerous 175 miles per hour. But then, I had... skills that the other troops were unaware of, making the harrowing flight less risky. And besides, I was totally pissed. Lightning Squadren had fallen far back behind me, unable to match my pace. Luckily, Raptor squadren had been in the town, and would probably avive at the same time I did. Nearing the city limits, I simply gritted my teeth, and kept my pace, and my altitude. It was harder, having to dodge buildings, cars, street posts, etc, but I made it safely through to the other side. The gate was open. I cursed in German, having run out of French, Russien, and Chinese curses on the way, and alighted in front of the runaways, just before their run through the gate. "Stop right there" I snarled, my weapon pointed, finger tight on the trigger. I saw their eyes, and was preparing myself for a battle, when Raptor squad landed around me. I sighed in relief. Five to one odds would have looked good to SG1, but would have resulted in five deaths. Dash stared at me desperatly "Ice, Please! Let us through!" Apparently she wanted off Eutopia too. "I can't allow that, Dash" I shouted at her "What SG1 tells Earth will cause all our deaths!" Dash obviously didn't beleive me. She nodded to a trooper next to me. Suddenly, thirty pulse blasters were aimed at me. I looked around in shock. Raptor squadren had turned traitor. "This can't be" I whispered, disbelievingly. Dash nodded in sorrow. "Yes it is, Ice, Raptor squadren wants out of here too" I lowered my gun, until it was hanging limply in my hand, and gazed around at Raptor squad. None of them could meet my accusing eyes. Suddenly furious, I snapped my gun back up, and aimed quickly at Jack. Maybe I could hold them off, until Lightning squad got here... That thought was cut in half, as several ion blasts hit me from several different locations. I tried to keep my feet, and managed to for a few seconds. I gazed into Dash's eyes, which had filled with tears. I swayed, unable to keep my balance, the gun fell from my responseless fingers, and I dropped to my knees, my legs unable to support me. My mind reeled, and although I fought, the darkness came in, and I knew no more.
*Dash silently wept. Ice, dead! She remembered the times she had spent with him, realising in a flash of horror, that all Ice had tried to do was protect the Eutopians, especially her. And for that, he had been killed. The Raptors stepped back, realising what they had done. Some of them dropped their guns, others retched and fell to their knees. Even the coldest among them were shaking their heads in disbelief and horror. Ice was well loved among the troops, as he was fair, and looked after his troops well. Killed by those he helped. Sam slowly walked to the body, and began to examine it. Tyson, who seemed to be nominated leader of the Raptors, walked up to Dash, and saluted. "What" she snapped at him, still in shock. Tyson looked at her formally, cleared his throat, "Luitenant?" He awkwardly began "We've decided not to go though the Stargate" Dash, along with SG1 looked at him in suprise. The Raptors stood closely behind Tyson. "Why" Dash asked, puzzled. The young man shook "We, We just killed the Commander!" He blurted out in a rush of emotion. "We can't go back to Earth now. The Tribe will need our support, now that Commander Ice is dead." He bowed his head "That is, if they let us, after what we have done" Dash opened her mouth to try to argue, but Tyson furiously shook his head, and without another word, launched into the air, followed quickly by the others. "Wow" Jack commented "Ice must have been a swell guy." He paused, then added "When not trying to kill people." Dash turned, affronted, about to retaliate, when Sam spoke up excitedly "Jack! Dash! He's still alive!" Dash gasped as hope thundered through her. She looked towards Ice, who had both doctors kneeling over him. She started to walk over, when she noticed a symbol on her visor display "Hey, guys? We got to get out of here, Lighting squad is almost here!" Sam looked down worriedly at Ice "I guess if we leave him here, they would find him and take him to medical facilities..." Dash broke her off, by shaking her head quickly. "No, we'll have to take him. After he recovers, he may have a grudge with Raptor squadren" Sam nodded. It would be for the best. "We'd best be going quick" Shouted Jack suddenly "They're almost here!" Tealk quickly grabbed Ice's feet and dragged him through the Stargate. Daniel and Sam ran quickly though. Jack ran, dodging bullents, as they started arriving thick and fast, and dove throught the Stargate. Incenced, A couple of flyers attempted to follow, but thwarted as the Stargate closed quickly behind Jack. Lightning squad came to an abrupt halt, and landed. Looked around in disbeleif. "The Commander is dead" whispered one. The others remained silent, numb. As one, they turned slowly, and, without jetpack, trudged slowly towards the base.*