Jack slowly awoke, and with difficulty sat up. Those Jaffa had given him a
heck of a beating and his whole body was sore, especially his head. He
moved a bit more, flexing his arms and legs, making sure they hadn't done
any permanent damage, when he heard crying in the room.
Looking around in the dim light of his cell, he could just about make out
Sam curled up in the corner of the room, her small figure shaking with
violent sobs.
Jack was having a hard time not crying himself, as the pain in his body only seemed to get worse every second. But he couldn't cry, not with someone else in the room. Boys don't cry, he thought, and took a few moments to collect himself and think clearly.
They were clearly not going to escape, not with all those big guards out there. So he decided the only useful thing he could do was to try and protect Sam from any harm. With that aim clear in his mind, he could almost forget his injuries and bruises, and he carefully crawled over to where he could hear Sam.
"Hey Sam." He said casually, and touched her shoulder to let her know he was there. Sam abruptly stopped crying, and looked up at him with her tear-stained face with delight. "I thought you were dead!" She cried and jumped into his arms. He groaned heavily from the pain as she held him tightly, and she must have realised she was hurting him as she pulled back some.
"Hey, I'm not dead. I was just resting a bit." He quietly reassured her. "I tried to wake you but you wouldn't! And you weren't moving either!" Sam carried on, more tears welling in her eyes at the memory. "Shhh, it's alright. I was just a little hurt, but I'm better now." He smiled at her and she smiled back at him, he was surprised to find how much it made him feel better to see the little girl smile and happy.
He leant back against the wall still holding Sam in his lap, and closed his eyes. Despite the pain, he drew great comfort from having this small girl with him, and it seemed she had calmed down somewhat since he held her.
They sat in silence for a while, both thinking about all that had happened to them so far, when Sam suddenly broke the silence. "You're very hurt aren't you?" she asked in a small voice, snuggling her face into his neck. "I am a bit, yes. But I don't think anything is broken, maybe a few fractures here and there, but nothing serious." She was silent for a while, before she spoke again. "How come you didn't cry when they beat you up. It must have hurt a lot." She pulled back to look at him face to face, with questioning eyes.
Jack looked at her honest open face and considered how best to answer that question. After a while he replied with "I didn't want the men to think I was weak and that they were winning." Then he added "And I didn't want you to see me cry." "Why?" "I didn't want to scare you, I didn't want you to think I was being hurt that bad." He saw her think about what he said, and decided she looked really cute with her face set in concentration as she tried to take it in.
She started twirling her long blonde hair in-between her small fingers, and looked at him again. "I'm not going to cry anymore either." She said plainly. "I want to be brave like you, and I don't want those horrible men to see me cry anymore." Jack smiled and saw the determination in the girl's eyes. "That's very brave of you. Those men won't know what hit them when they see that we're not scared of them." They both smiled and settled back into their earlier position against the wall.
"Jack. Do you think we will ever get out of here?" Sam asked half asleep against him. "I'm sure we will. Just give it time. We'll figure something out."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Back at the SGC, things were not going well.
"Teal'C!! Will you please just lie down!" Janet all but screamed at the man as he once again tried to get up and leave the infirmary.
"I am well again Dr Fraiser." He tried to convince her by standing up, but his legs were too week and they couldn't' support him. Janet nodded to some nurses nearby to help him back up and onto the bed. "Just you stay right where you are. You may think you're invincible, but I can assure you you're not. This virus is affecting everybody it comes into contact with, including you." She said wearily as she wiped her hand across her face and sat down on a chair next to Daniel's bed.
"You have been affected too?" Teal'C asked, finally back in bed - now concerned with Janet. "Yes, I'm afraid so. The trouble is, until I figure out how to contain this epidemic; I can't get more doctors in to help. The whole base is on quarantine."
Daniel stirred from his sleep when he heard Teal'C asking Janet if she was ok. His mind was desperately trying to come up with a way to get back to the planet and rescue Sam and Jack. If only his mind wasn't so foggy and unclear, and if only he didn't ache so much.
"Daniel are you ok?" Janet asked gently as she saw him holding his head. "I could do with some more asprin, if you wouldn't mind?" "Sure thing." Janet left them then and Teal'C spoke up.
"Daniel Jackson. We must return to the planet for Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter." Daniel looked at his weakened friend and wished that this wasn't one of those times when his symbiote wouldn't heal him. "I don't know Teal'C. Realistically, we're not in any shape for a rescue." He said, already tired and wanting to go back to sleep. "It has already been 3 days and no attempt has been made at a rescue. Our chances of success are much less the longer we delay." Teal'C stated, and again tried to get out of bed.
"Teal'C stop it!" Janet came running in shouting. Teal'C put on a resigned look and grudgingly got back beneath the covers. "That's better. Thank you." Janet gave Daniel the asprin with some water and took back her seat beside him.
"I know you two are anxious to help, but the quarantine is still in place" She looked straight in Daniel's eyes, her expression one of grief. "I'm afraid we're stuck here for a while."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After three days of beatings and interrogations, Jack had so far managed to keep Sam from being physically harmed beyond a few slaps and hits. He himself had been beaten very hard, several times without mercy. His will and strength was loosing out, but his determination to protect Sam was keeping him from giving in to the torture.
"Jack?" Sam asked in the darkness of their cell. She was curled up beside him on the floor where they were trying to sleep, but having no success, so Jack turned to his side to speak to her. "What is it?" "What do they want from us?"
Such a simple question, but one that Jack couldn't really answer.
"It seems that we know something that they don't. But since they turned us into children, we can't remember it, and they are getting very angry because we were supposed to keep our adult memories." He looked at the young girl to see if she had understood him.
"What kind of memories?" She asked. "They keep talking about things I've never even heard of. Something called the 'stargate', and all sorts of people that I don't know." He said, while still racking his brains for any memory of such things.
"Why haven't they taken me yet?" "I guess they think if even I don't remember, then you have even less chance of remembering. I don't know, as long as they don't try to take you, we're ok." He said hugging her closer. She snuggled into his chest and thought how lucky she was to have someone here with her.
"I miss my parents." She said loudly. "But I'm glad you're here, I know you'll look after me." She closed her eyes as he did, but they were prevented from sleeping when the door to their cell burst open with a bang.
"You two, get up! You're going on a little trip." A tall Jaffa barked at them, while two others helped haul them to their feet.
Sam gripped Jack's hand as they were pushed down some different corridors than usual. This was unexpected, they were always left alone during the night times. Something must be happening, Jack thought. Just at that moment the ground shook and explosions were heard. Very frightened, Sam jumped into Jacks arms, and he carried her the rest of the way the Jaffa were leading.
"What's going on?" Jack shouted above the noise. "We are under attack. Now shut up and stay close!" the Jaffa returned.
Jack followed closely behind, until they were led out into the open, the first time he had seen the sky in days - and he realised that this was not Earth he was on. There were two suns setting on the horizon.
"Where are we?" Jack cried. "Not still on the planet you were taken from, if that's what you are asking." A nearby Jaffa answered. "What?!" Jack shouted, still not wanting to believe what he was being told.
"Just be quiet and follow me!" The tall Jaffa roughly grabbed him and propelled him along.
More explosions and rumblings shook the ground and air and they ran through the alien city streets. Jack and Sam looked around in wonder at the unfamiliar buildings and landscape, and that's when Jack spotted their ticket to escape.
Up ahead was a market place, surely they could hide among the many stalls and the Jaffa wouldn't see them? As soon as they got close, Jack made a break for it, running for the nearest stall.
It took the Jaffa a few seconds before they realised the children weren't with them anymore, and then they panned out, looking behind the stalls. "We don't have time for this!" one Jaffa shouted as another blast filled the air. "Keep looking!"
Jack let Sam on the ground and they crouched behind stall after stall, evading the Jaffa. More explosions hit nearby, and it seemed the Jaffa didn't want to hang around any longer.
They watched amazed as the Jaffa ran away, and climbed into a ship that took off noisily and blasted off into the sky. Panting from the adrenaline and excursion, they simply sat amid the deserted market place, letting the thought that they were finally free but still trapped on another world, sink in slowly.
The suns had finally set, and the explosions and firing had stopped, leaving an eerie peace and stillness in the city. Finally daring to get up and look around, they noticed people standing around watching the sky.
"We did it!!" One man cried. And a huge roar or shouts and screams of delight filled the air. People were running around hugging and crying and shouting about their victory, no one even noticed two children among them.
Jack ventured towards one particularly exuberant woman, "Excuse me, but... what just happened?" The woman looked at him in delight. "We have defeated the Goa'uld! They will think twice before trying to take out world again!" "Where are we?" Jack asked, but to no avail as the woman ran off screaming to her friends. It seemed an impromptu celebration had started in the streets, which Sam and Jack had no strength left but to sit and watch, not able to take in all that had happened.
Amongst all the music and dancing and laughter, they were exhausted, scared, and Jack was also quite weak from the bruises and fractures he had sustained from his torture. Certain that they were in no more immediate danger, Jack pulled down some materials off the stalls for him and Sam to sleep on, and they simply lay down in the street curled up together, ignored by the people celebrating.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A week later, and the SGC was pretty much back to normal, as the virus had simply worn off after a few days. Hammond was in a briefing with Daniel Teal'C and Janet, about the situation regarding Jack and Sam. "Tomorrow I am confident that it will be safe to lift the quarantine from the base Sir." Janet was concluding.
Hammond only looked mildly pleased as he told the remaining members of SG1 that they would send a probe through to P3X-792 to see if they could go through. His expression was grim as he thought of what could have happened to his people in the space of 10 days, and it seemed the same thought was running through their minds too.
"Don't worry Dr Jackson, Teal'C. I'm sure we'll get them back safe and sound. If there's anyone we know that's resilient and strong, then that's Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter." He tried to reassure them.
Down in the gate room a day later, Daniel, Teal'C and SG3 were prepped and ready to go through the gate in search of Jack and Sam. "SG1 and 3, you have a go." Hammond announced over the intercom. "Just make sure you bring our people back safe and sound."
They all nodded to the General, and stepped through the gate.
On the other side, there was no greeting as Daniel and Teal'C remembered it. No over-friendly natives, no noise. just complete silence and stillness. Teal'C turned to SG3 "The city is this way" he motioned, and they set off in the direction of the city that they hoped would still hold Colonel O'Niell and Major Carter.
Upon reaching the city, Daniel and Teal'C were still amazed that no-one had approached them and stopped them, given their hostility last time they were here. With SG3 carefully keeping watch of the people in the city, Daniel and Teal'C walked up to a man in the streets.
"Excuse me, but do you remember us?" Daniel started. The man looked at them suspiciously and fearfully, before finally his face shoed that he recognised them. "Yes! Of course! You came through the Stargate and our God's ordered us to apprehend you."
"Really?" Daniel asked rhetorically. "Who are your Gods?" "Lord Apophis of course!" The man replied surprised. "So you have no quarrel with us then? You were just doing your God's bidding?." Teal'C intervened with force - "What have you done to our companions that came through the Stargate with us?" He fixed the man with an accusing stare.
The man stuttered slightly in fear of Teal'C "W.. we er. well, Lord Apophis took them away in his divine ship that travels through air and space!" Instantly Daniel, Teal'C and SG3's faces fell. They weren't here anymore, they could be anywhere. And what's more. Apophis has them.
"I don't suppose you know where they went?" Daniel asked with little hope that he would get an answer. "I do not know the name of the place, but I did hear some Jaffa speaking of the 3 days of travel it would take to get there. is that any help?"
"Yes, it may be. Thank you." Daniel told him. "Do you wish to speak with the Gods then?" "Err.. no. But don't worry about it, we can sort this out ourselves now." Daniel nodded to the man, who promptly left them and entered a building nearby. Looking at SG3 with hope in his eyes, he knew they had a chance now.
"I suggest we get back to the SGC and work out which Stargates are within 3 days distance of this planet."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After waking up in a busy market place surrounded by strange people and surroundings, Jack went about finding food for himself and Sam as they were absolutely starving. Although they had no money, a jolly looking man with a food stall took pity on the two dirty starving children and gave them each a roll of what resembled Earth bread and a piece of fruit.
Walking through the market place still in shock, Jack and Sam walked hand in hand, eating their food and staring at the strange people that didn't even acknowledge that they were there. Sam looked tearful, even though she finally had some food. "Jack, what are we going to do? That man said we weren't even on Earth anymore!"
Jack squeezed the girl's hand tightly and steered her through the crowds towards an empty part of the street. "I don't know. I honestly don't know what we're going to do Sam. I'm sorry." Jack sat down against the wall of a building and put his head in his hands.
Sam took a bite from her fruit and looked at Jack for a while, before finally settling down next to him and hugging him round the waist. "Our parents will come look for us and find us. Don't worry Jack."
Jack marvelled at the little girl's bravery and strength and wished that he could say something to ease her mind. He was still trying to come up with something to say, when Sam spoke again - "Are we going to be like those people I've seen living on the streets?" she asked with such child-like innocence that had the situation been lighter Jack may have laughed.
"I don't know about that. Hopefully we will find somewhere we can stay, but it may happen, yes." He saw the look of sadness in Sam's eyes. "But, I want to be an astronaut. How will I be one if I don't go to school?" Jack smiled at her comfortingly. "We are going to look after each other ok?" She nodded. "And somehow we are going to find our way home. You've got to believe me." Sam nodded again and settled next to him once more.
Jack was very scared about the situation they were in, but already his sense of survival was kicking in, and he was figuring ways they could make money and get along in this strange world. He wouldn't usually condone stealing, but in this situation he had no qualms with the idea of stealing the odd bit of food if it meant that he and Sam could live another day.
Still, he'd rather try and make some money first before he resorted to that. And so Jack and Sam got to their feet and set off into the market place once more, their young but determined minds already accepting their situation and adapting to their new surroundings.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Daniel ran excitedly into the briefing room up to General Hammond with Teal'C. "We've got it!" He cried, while waving a piece of paper in Hammond's face.
"I hope that's good news about the location of our missing people Dr Jackson?"
"Yes! Yes it is. There is only one Stargate within the area they've calculated." Daniel told him with renewed hope that he'd see his friends again.
"Permission to go to P4X 248 General Hammond?" Teal'C asked.
"We'll send the MALP through first, and if it shows the right information then you two will accompany SG3 on a rescue mission." Hammond smiled at them, but remained serious enough to remind them that it wasn't over yet. To Be Continued.
Jack was having a hard time not crying himself, as the pain in his body only seemed to get worse every second. But he couldn't cry, not with someone else in the room. Boys don't cry, he thought, and took a few moments to collect himself and think clearly.
They were clearly not going to escape, not with all those big guards out there. So he decided the only useful thing he could do was to try and protect Sam from any harm. With that aim clear in his mind, he could almost forget his injuries and bruises, and he carefully crawled over to where he could hear Sam.
"Hey Sam." He said casually, and touched her shoulder to let her know he was there. Sam abruptly stopped crying, and looked up at him with her tear-stained face with delight. "I thought you were dead!" She cried and jumped into his arms. He groaned heavily from the pain as she held him tightly, and she must have realised she was hurting him as she pulled back some.
"Hey, I'm not dead. I was just resting a bit." He quietly reassured her. "I tried to wake you but you wouldn't! And you weren't moving either!" Sam carried on, more tears welling in her eyes at the memory. "Shhh, it's alright. I was just a little hurt, but I'm better now." He smiled at her and she smiled back at him, he was surprised to find how much it made him feel better to see the little girl smile and happy.
He leant back against the wall still holding Sam in his lap, and closed his eyes. Despite the pain, he drew great comfort from having this small girl with him, and it seemed she had calmed down somewhat since he held her.
They sat in silence for a while, both thinking about all that had happened to them so far, when Sam suddenly broke the silence. "You're very hurt aren't you?" she asked in a small voice, snuggling her face into his neck. "I am a bit, yes. But I don't think anything is broken, maybe a few fractures here and there, but nothing serious." She was silent for a while, before she spoke again. "How come you didn't cry when they beat you up. It must have hurt a lot." She pulled back to look at him face to face, with questioning eyes.
Jack looked at her honest open face and considered how best to answer that question. After a while he replied with "I didn't want the men to think I was weak and that they were winning." Then he added "And I didn't want you to see me cry." "Why?" "I didn't want to scare you, I didn't want you to think I was being hurt that bad." He saw her think about what he said, and decided she looked really cute with her face set in concentration as she tried to take it in.
She started twirling her long blonde hair in-between her small fingers, and looked at him again. "I'm not going to cry anymore either." She said plainly. "I want to be brave like you, and I don't want those horrible men to see me cry anymore." Jack smiled and saw the determination in the girl's eyes. "That's very brave of you. Those men won't know what hit them when they see that we're not scared of them." They both smiled and settled back into their earlier position against the wall.
"Jack. Do you think we will ever get out of here?" Sam asked half asleep against him. "I'm sure we will. Just give it time. We'll figure something out."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Back at the SGC, things were not going well.
"Teal'C!! Will you please just lie down!" Janet all but screamed at the man as he once again tried to get up and leave the infirmary.
"I am well again Dr Fraiser." He tried to convince her by standing up, but his legs were too week and they couldn't' support him. Janet nodded to some nurses nearby to help him back up and onto the bed. "Just you stay right where you are. You may think you're invincible, but I can assure you you're not. This virus is affecting everybody it comes into contact with, including you." She said wearily as she wiped her hand across her face and sat down on a chair next to Daniel's bed.
"You have been affected too?" Teal'C asked, finally back in bed - now concerned with Janet. "Yes, I'm afraid so. The trouble is, until I figure out how to contain this epidemic; I can't get more doctors in to help. The whole base is on quarantine."
Daniel stirred from his sleep when he heard Teal'C asking Janet if she was ok. His mind was desperately trying to come up with a way to get back to the planet and rescue Sam and Jack. If only his mind wasn't so foggy and unclear, and if only he didn't ache so much.
"Daniel are you ok?" Janet asked gently as she saw him holding his head. "I could do with some more asprin, if you wouldn't mind?" "Sure thing." Janet left them then and Teal'C spoke up.
"Daniel Jackson. We must return to the planet for Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter." Daniel looked at his weakened friend and wished that this wasn't one of those times when his symbiote wouldn't heal him. "I don't know Teal'C. Realistically, we're not in any shape for a rescue." He said, already tired and wanting to go back to sleep. "It has already been 3 days and no attempt has been made at a rescue. Our chances of success are much less the longer we delay." Teal'C stated, and again tried to get out of bed.
"Teal'C stop it!" Janet came running in shouting. Teal'C put on a resigned look and grudgingly got back beneath the covers. "That's better. Thank you." Janet gave Daniel the asprin with some water and took back her seat beside him.
"I know you two are anxious to help, but the quarantine is still in place" She looked straight in Daniel's eyes, her expression one of grief. "I'm afraid we're stuck here for a while."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After three days of beatings and interrogations, Jack had so far managed to keep Sam from being physically harmed beyond a few slaps and hits. He himself had been beaten very hard, several times without mercy. His will and strength was loosing out, but his determination to protect Sam was keeping him from giving in to the torture.
"Jack?" Sam asked in the darkness of their cell. She was curled up beside him on the floor where they were trying to sleep, but having no success, so Jack turned to his side to speak to her. "What is it?" "What do they want from us?"
Such a simple question, but one that Jack couldn't really answer.
"It seems that we know something that they don't. But since they turned us into children, we can't remember it, and they are getting very angry because we were supposed to keep our adult memories." He looked at the young girl to see if she had understood him.
"What kind of memories?" She asked. "They keep talking about things I've never even heard of. Something called the 'stargate', and all sorts of people that I don't know." He said, while still racking his brains for any memory of such things.
"Why haven't they taken me yet?" "I guess they think if even I don't remember, then you have even less chance of remembering. I don't know, as long as they don't try to take you, we're ok." He said hugging her closer. She snuggled into his chest and thought how lucky she was to have someone here with her.
"I miss my parents." She said loudly. "But I'm glad you're here, I know you'll look after me." She closed her eyes as he did, but they were prevented from sleeping when the door to their cell burst open with a bang.
"You two, get up! You're going on a little trip." A tall Jaffa barked at them, while two others helped haul them to their feet.
Sam gripped Jack's hand as they were pushed down some different corridors than usual. This was unexpected, they were always left alone during the night times. Something must be happening, Jack thought. Just at that moment the ground shook and explosions were heard. Very frightened, Sam jumped into Jacks arms, and he carried her the rest of the way the Jaffa were leading.
"What's going on?" Jack shouted above the noise. "We are under attack. Now shut up and stay close!" the Jaffa returned.
Jack followed closely behind, until they were led out into the open, the first time he had seen the sky in days - and he realised that this was not Earth he was on. There were two suns setting on the horizon.
"Where are we?" Jack cried. "Not still on the planet you were taken from, if that's what you are asking." A nearby Jaffa answered. "What?!" Jack shouted, still not wanting to believe what he was being told.
"Just be quiet and follow me!" The tall Jaffa roughly grabbed him and propelled him along.
More explosions and rumblings shook the ground and air and they ran through the alien city streets. Jack and Sam looked around in wonder at the unfamiliar buildings and landscape, and that's when Jack spotted their ticket to escape.
Up ahead was a market place, surely they could hide among the many stalls and the Jaffa wouldn't see them? As soon as they got close, Jack made a break for it, running for the nearest stall.
It took the Jaffa a few seconds before they realised the children weren't with them anymore, and then they panned out, looking behind the stalls. "We don't have time for this!" one Jaffa shouted as another blast filled the air. "Keep looking!"
Jack let Sam on the ground and they crouched behind stall after stall, evading the Jaffa. More explosions hit nearby, and it seemed the Jaffa didn't want to hang around any longer.
They watched amazed as the Jaffa ran away, and climbed into a ship that took off noisily and blasted off into the sky. Panting from the adrenaline and excursion, they simply sat amid the deserted market place, letting the thought that they were finally free but still trapped on another world, sink in slowly.
The suns had finally set, and the explosions and firing had stopped, leaving an eerie peace and stillness in the city. Finally daring to get up and look around, they noticed people standing around watching the sky.
"We did it!!" One man cried. And a huge roar or shouts and screams of delight filled the air. People were running around hugging and crying and shouting about their victory, no one even noticed two children among them.
Jack ventured towards one particularly exuberant woman, "Excuse me, but... what just happened?" The woman looked at him in delight. "We have defeated the Goa'uld! They will think twice before trying to take out world again!" "Where are we?" Jack asked, but to no avail as the woman ran off screaming to her friends. It seemed an impromptu celebration had started in the streets, which Sam and Jack had no strength left but to sit and watch, not able to take in all that had happened.
Amongst all the music and dancing and laughter, they were exhausted, scared, and Jack was also quite weak from the bruises and fractures he had sustained from his torture. Certain that they were in no more immediate danger, Jack pulled down some materials off the stalls for him and Sam to sleep on, and they simply lay down in the street curled up together, ignored by the people celebrating.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A week later, and the SGC was pretty much back to normal, as the virus had simply worn off after a few days. Hammond was in a briefing with Daniel Teal'C and Janet, about the situation regarding Jack and Sam. "Tomorrow I am confident that it will be safe to lift the quarantine from the base Sir." Janet was concluding.
Hammond only looked mildly pleased as he told the remaining members of SG1 that they would send a probe through to P3X-792 to see if they could go through. His expression was grim as he thought of what could have happened to his people in the space of 10 days, and it seemed the same thought was running through their minds too.
"Don't worry Dr Jackson, Teal'C. I'm sure we'll get them back safe and sound. If there's anyone we know that's resilient and strong, then that's Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter." He tried to reassure them.
Down in the gate room a day later, Daniel, Teal'C and SG3 were prepped and ready to go through the gate in search of Jack and Sam. "SG1 and 3, you have a go." Hammond announced over the intercom. "Just make sure you bring our people back safe and sound."
They all nodded to the General, and stepped through the gate.
On the other side, there was no greeting as Daniel and Teal'C remembered it. No over-friendly natives, no noise. just complete silence and stillness. Teal'C turned to SG3 "The city is this way" he motioned, and they set off in the direction of the city that they hoped would still hold Colonel O'Niell and Major Carter.
Upon reaching the city, Daniel and Teal'C were still amazed that no-one had approached them and stopped them, given their hostility last time they were here. With SG3 carefully keeping watch of the people in the city, Daniel and Teal'C walked up to a man in the streets.
"Excuse me, but do you remember us?" Daniel started. The man looked at them suspiciously and fearfully, before finally his face shoed that he recognised them. "Yes! Of course! You came through the Stargate and our God's ordered us to apprehend you."
"Really?" Daniel asked rhetorically. "Who are your Gods?" "Lord Apophis of course!" The man replied surprised. "So you have no quarrel with us then? You were just doing your God's bidding?." Teal'C intervened with force - "What have you done to our companions that came through the Stargate with us?" He fixed the man with an accusing stare.
The man stuttered slightly in fear of Teal'C "W.. we er. well, Lord Apophis took them away in his divine ship that travels through air and space!" Instantly Daniel, Teal'C and SG3's faces fell. They weren't here anymore, they could be anywhere. And what's more. Apophis has them.
"I don't suppose you know where they went?" Daniel asked with little hope that he would get an answer. "I do not know the name of the place, but I did hear some Jaffa speaking of the 3 days of travel it would take to get there. is that any help?"
"Yes, it may be. Thank you." Daniel told him. "Do you wish to speak with the Gods then?" "Err.. no. But don't worry about it, we can sort this out ourselves now." Daniel nodded to the man, who promptly left them and entered a building nearby. Looking at SG3 with hope in his eyes, he knew they had a chance now.
"I suggest we get back to the SGC and work out which Stargates are within 3 days distance of this planet."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
After waking up in a busy market place surrounded by strange people and surroundings, Jack went about finding food for himself and Sam as they were absolutely starving. Although they had no money, a jolly looking man with a food stall took pity on the two dirty starving children and gave them each a roll of what resembled Earth bread and a piece of fruit.
Walking through the market place still in shock, Jack and Sam walked hand in hand, eating their food and staring at the strange people that didn't even acknowledge that they were there. Sam looked tearful, even though she finally had some food. "Jack, what are we going to do? That man said we weren't even on Earth anymore!"
Jack squeezed the girl's hand tightly and steered her through the crowds towards an empty part of the street. "I don't know. I honestly don't know what we're going to do Sam. I'm sorry." Jack sat down against the wall of a building and put his head in his hands.
Sam took a bite from her fruit and looked at Jack for a while, before finally settling down next to him and hugging him round the waist. "Our parents will come look for us and find us. Don't worry Jack."
Jack marvelled at the little girl's bravery and strength and wished that he could say something to ease her mind. He was still trying to come up with something to say, when Sam spoke again - "Are we going to be like those people I've seen living on the streets?" she asked with such child-like innocence that had the situation been lighter Jack may have laughed.
"I don't know about that. Hopefully we will find somewhere we can stay, but it may happen, yes." He saw the look of sadness in Sam's eyes. "But, I want to be an astronaut. How will I be one if I don't go to school?" Jack smiled at her comfortingly. "We are going to look after each other ok?" She nodded. "And somehow we are going to find our way home. You've got to believe me." Sam nodded again and settled next to him once more.
Jack was very scared about the situation they were in, but already his sense of survival was kicking in, and he was figuring ways they could make money and get along in this strange world. He wouldn't usually condone stealing, but in this situation he had no qualms with the idea of stealing the odd bit of food if it meant that he and Sam could live another day.
Still, he'd rather try and make some money first before he resorted to that. And so Jack and Sam got to their feet and set off into the market place once more, their young but determined minds already accepting their situation and adapting to their new surroundings.
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Daniel ran excitedly into the briefing room up to General Hammond with Teal'C. "We've got it!" He cried, while waving a piece of paper in Hammond's face.
"I hope that's good news about the location of our missing people Dr Jackson?"
"Yes! Yes it is. There is only one Stargate within the area they've calculated." Daniel told him with renewed hope that he'd see his friends again.
"Permission to go to P4X 248 General Hammond?" Teal'C asked.
"We'll send the MALP through first, and if it shows the right information then you two will accompany SG3 on a rescue mission." Hammond smiled at them, but remained serious enough to remind them that it wasn't over yet. To Be Continued.