"What of Colonel O'Neill?" Teal'c inquired.
"He's fine, Teal'c. The memory device might not be the best option right now," Dr. Watters explained.
"Were you able to retrieve the information from the machine that Major Carter has designed?"
"Ah.actually, yes. Colonel O'Neill's memories were successfully copied."
"Then I would like to be the next to offer my experiences," Teal'c stated.
"Thank you, Teal'c, but Dr. Fraiser doesn't feel it is safe yet. She says that because the memories that SG-1 hold are so powerful, the memory device could actually have a physical affect on your bodies."
"My symbiote may protect me from such a threat."
"I don't think your symbiote can protect you from mental anguish, Teal'c. Please, sit down." Dr. Watters pointed to the chair across from her. "Teal'c, why don't you continue explaining to me about the Jaffa that you were following?"
"As I have explained, I was placed into solitary confinement. It was Shal'ak who came to see me in my confines."
Dr. Watters leafed through her notes quickly until she found the page she was looking for. "So Shal'ak was the Jaffa whose family you saved by taking the blame for the factory incident?"
"That is correct, Dr. Watters."
"Please continue, Teal'c."
*** Teal'c's entire body jumped when he heard the sound of a bolt being unlocked. The darkness made it impossible to see his visitor. Teal'c remained silent as he listened to the heavy footsteps walk towards his feeble body.
//You must remain silent. They must not know you have a visitor.//
Teal'c opened his eyes when he detected fear in the voice addressing him.
/ /I am Shal'ak. I am here to understand why a prisoner such as yourself would save my family from harm. //
Teal'c tried to open his mouth but the dried blood and the swelling around his lips nearly made it impossible. Teal'c suddenly felt something solid touch his lips.
// Drink this. You must keep up your strength.//
Teal'c drank greedily. Throughout the many days he had been in this solitary cell, he had hardly received any nourishment.
//My daughter is sick. My wife tends to her. She may not live much longer.//
Teal'c could hear the man in front of him begin to lose control, his voice containing the slightest of quivers.
//I know you did not sabotage that machine for it was broken even before you had arrived in this camp. // He paused momentarily. // Why did you protect me? //
Teal'c had no strength to speak so Shal'ak continued instead,
//I owe you my life, Jaffa. I will carry out any duty you desire of me. //
The words hit Teal'c like a cold splash of water, reviving him from a terrible nightmare.
//Please.my friends.they are here as well. // Teal'c coughed weakly.
The Jaffa knelt close to his face. //Then they too will benefit from your kindness.//
//The lake. help us escape.//
Teal'c could hear the man pause, as if he were contemplating the decision, weighing its risk. //Yes, I know of this escape route. I will carry out your wish. How many friends shall share your fate?//
//There are three others.//
A sound from the outside hallway forced both men to lower their voices.
// Tell me their names. //
//They are known as O'Neill, DanielJackson and Major Carter.//
//I swear to you on my father's name that in one week from today, you and your friends will be summoned. You will be brought to this lake where freedom will await you. // Shal'ak allowed Teal'c to drink one more time from his water before he stood and left the cell. Teal'c closed his eyes once more to ponder whether the encounter was a dream or not.***
"Teal'c, how did you know about the lake?" Dr. Watters asked.
"Major Carter was able to communicate this message to me one evening."
"So this man.this Jaffa.was going to save you and the rest of SG-1?"
"That is correct, Dr. Watters. He held his word. One week from that day, he extricated me from my confinement and then proceeded to gather O'Neill, DanielJackon and Major Carter from their barracks with two other Jaffa," Teal'c explained.
"I'm sensing that we are coming to an end, aren't we?" Dr. Watters inquired.
"That is correct."
"I think the next session will be our last. Thank you, Teal'c." Angela gave him a warm smile.
Teal'c bowed his head and proceeded to leave the room.
"Are you sure, Sam?"
"Daniel, I need you," Sam implored. "The Colonel and Teal'c are already there."
"I thought Janet didn't want you to go through with it?" Daniel asked.
"I need to do this, Daniel. This is what it all comes down to. If we can actually record our escape, it would make all the difference."
Daniel sighed in defeat and said, "After you." Sam nodded and walked into the observation room where Dr. Watters and Janet were waiting. Daniel followed promptly. As Sam pushed herself up and onto the infirmary bed, Janet approached her with the memory device.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Sam?" Janet asked, the concern clearly radiating from her.
"Yes," Sam said though her voice faltered slightly.
Janet reached out and pressed the device to Sam's temple. Sam cringed, the device clearly painful.
"Are you ready?" Janet asked.
"Yes," Sam said, trying to relay her confidence to her friend. She looked around the room for Daniel and spotted him sitting close to the wall.
Dr. Watters pulled her chair closer to Sam. "Okay, Major, were nearing the end here. You've done wonderfully so far." She smiled momentarily. "Let's just finish this up, shall we?"
Sam nodded.
"Okay, you last left off when the Jaffa showed up at your barrack in the middle of the night. Teal'c, Dr. Jackson and Colonel O'Neill were there as well, correct?"
Once again, the large alien screen appeared to hover in mid air.
*** //Do NOT speak!!// the Jaffa warned, his eyes addressing Sam. The Jaffa had come without explanation and had singled her out from the rest of her barrack, asking her to join him outside only to be reunited with her friends.
The moment Sam saw her friends, a trembling excitement reverberated inside her like the beginning rumblings of an earthquake. She was close enough to touch them if she wanted to. However, this excitement was short-lived and was quickly overshadowed by the concern she suddenly felt when she saw her CO. Jack looked like he was about to collapse. His face was drawn and ghastly white with eyes sunken like thumbprint impressions in a crude clay sculpture. He looked older, a face inlaid with wrinkled trails. In fact, they all looked dead on their feet. Teal'c was cradling his belly as gingerly as if it were a bomb about to explode. Daniel was also pale and hallow-eyed from lack of sleep. His dark expression was quizzical but guarded. She wanted to talk to them, touch them. But the fear in her heart stopped her from doing so. //March!// Sam felt a strong shove pushing her forward cruelly. She remained quiet as they walked, fear of the destination evident in her breathing pattern. When the familiar lake appeared before her, Sam wanted to stop. She couldn't go through that again.
Ever.
The way they marched, Sam didn't have a chance to see her friends' faces but she knew that Daniel was probably feeling the same panic inside.
//Stop!// the Jaffa ordered. Sam watched as one of the Jaffa stepped in front of Teal'c.
//You must leave now! // He scanned the area quickly. //You will not have much time. Go now! //
//Thank you, Shal'ak! // Teal'c grabbed the Jaffa's arm and bowed his head.
//GO!//
Teal'c turned to his friends, "Quickly. get into the water!"
Sam watched as the Jaffa who had escorted them were quickly retreating. "Teal'c what's going on?"
"Major Carter, you must get into the water!" Teal'c was already submerging his body. "It is our only chance at escape!" he said, his drawl deep.
At that moment, Sam watched in horror as her commanding officer suddenly collapsed.
"Jack!" Daniel ran to his fallen friend. "His pulse is weak!"
"Daniel.go! Get out of here!" Jack's eyes were closed but his lips moved nonetheless.
"We're not leaving you here, Jack!" Daniel said fervently. It was the first time he had spoken to his friend in half a year.
"Sir, we're going to get you into the water," Sam whispered, the words knotted in her gut. She knew what death looked like and she was staring at it right now.
Teal'c had already made his way back to them, helping his other teammates carry Jack into the water. "O'Neill.you must stay conscious!" Teal'c urged.
When they finally submerged themselves, Teal'c held onto the collar of Jack's uniform and began to swim. Daniel and Sam followed suit.
As the minutes passed, Sam's breathing began to falter. Her arms were tired and there were still several miles left to swim. She couldn't shut off the cold seeping through her, as if her heart were pumping ice water instead of blood. She looked up to see Teal'c at least a kilometer ahead, his grip on the colonel as firm as ever. Daniel's heavy breathing close by echoed in her ears.
Sam suddenly stopped swimming, her despair evident. "Daniel, I don't think I can make it!" Hot tears rose in her throat, choking off her words.
"Sam, look at me!" Daniel's eyes penetrated her very being, their vivacious tenacity shining forth. "You have to keep going! Sam.just put one arm in front of the other!" he persisted.
Noises suddenly emerged behind them. Sam could clearly make out ten or so guards getting into the water.
"They made our position!" Sam's whispered voice rose to a strained, trembling pitch.
Sam pushed herself to swim harder. Each breath she took caused her throat to constrict painfully. Every now and then, Sam glanced behind her only to see that the guards were quickly gaining distance. Daniel swam next to her, refusing to leave her side.
Minutes passed and Sam was exhausted, no longer finding the energy to look behind her. Everything appeared to be in slow motion, and Daniel's urgent voice seemed to come from a great distance, barely filtering through the roaring of blood in her ears.
Sam's entire head nearly submerged underwater when she felt a strong hand grip her ankle. The last comforting sight she saw was the disappearing figures of her other two teammates who were too far ahead to be spotted.***
Sam gasped, her entire body heaved backward.
"Sam?" Janet ran forward. The large screen before them suddenly went blank. "Sam? Talk to me!"
"I'm okay," Sam began, blinking her eyes rapidly in an attempt to be rid of the after affects of the device. "G-d, I almost forgot how real this thing feels." Sam rubbed her temple gently.
"Okay, I think you've had enough of that for today," Janet chided.
"No wait, Janet. I can do more."
"Sam-"
"Janet, please! I need to do this. Just a few minutes more."
A moment of silence passed between both women. Janet soon broke eye contact and took a step backward in defeat. Sam closed her eyes and the familiar screen appeared once again.
*** Sam opened her eyes.
Grass.
Movement. Her body was moving. Sam was being dragged by her feet.
Daniel!
Her eyes searched for him amidst the confusion. Instead, they locked onto another sight. The Jaffa that had helped them escape not a half hour earlier were on their knees facing three guards, staff weapons pointed at their heads. Sam forced her eyes closed when she heard the sound of the weapons activating.
"NO!!!"
Daniel's cry tore into her. His plea for justice was too late, all three Jaffa fell lifeless to the ground. Sam suddenly felt a chill pass over her, trying to contemplate what lay ahead.
Death.
Death was what lay ahead.
Sam closed her eyes again, hoping that this time, it would be for good.***
"It's jumping again!" Angela stood up as she stared at the screen.
"Sam, try and control it!" Janet shouted.
*** When Sam felt her legs fall to the grass, she allowed herself to open her eyes again. The guard above her had let her go. Sam examined her surroundings, recognizing the large stones of the factory wall next to her. Relief crashed through Sam's heart when she spotted Daniel on the ground too, his eyes refusing to let her go. Sam's entire body jerked in surprise when a set of familiar Goa'uld rings descended around her.***
"Sam.Sam open your eyes," Janet begged.
Sam shook her head, refusing to lose her concentration.
*** Sam was forced onto her feet. She studied the underground compound as the guard behind her shoved her forward none too gently.
Five steps forward.
Turn left.
Twenty steps forward.
Turn left.***
"She's leading us through the underground tunnels," Angela pointed out in amazement.
*** Twelve steps forward.
Turn right.
Ten steps forward.
Stop.
//Get inside!// Sam understood the order and staggered into the small cell. The bricks that made up its walls were so blackened with grime it made her think of an oven, one that hadn't been cleared in years. She felt her stomach knot in dismay. The guards followed promptly and slammed her back against the wall. One of the guards leaned his body against her, rocking his hips into her pelvis as he grabbed her wrists and lifted them into the air. His eyes seemed to caress her, giving her a look of intense approval. Sam gritted her teeth and turned her head away as the Jaffa smelled her hair.
Sam felt cold metal enclose her wrist.
Shackles. Daniel was close by, locked in the same position.
The Jaffa in front of her took a step back towards the doorway, dangling the keys in his hand in a mocking fashion. The slam of the door left her and Daniel alone in complete darkness.
"Sam.you okay?" Daniel's voice warmed the chill inside her.
"Yeah.you?"
"Yeah. So.I guess we can safely say we won't be back for the welcome home party," Daniel mumbled bitterly. Sam heard the sound of chains clanking together and knew that Daniel was probably pulling on his restraints. His voice suddenly turned serious. "We're going to have to keep each other alive, Sam."
Sam nodded. She knew he could not see her do so but she was unable to say more. In fact, she was grateful for the absolution. She wished the tears would come to wash away her pain, but after the initial anger, all she felt now were hatred and resentment.***
The screen flickered again. Jack stood up from his seat when he saw Janet tense. "Let her finish," he told her.
*** Sam woke from her fitful sleep. The metal door to their cell was open and the feeble light it provided allowed her to make out the faint outline of three Jaffa. One of them approached her slowly, smiling at an image that only his head could conjure. He lifted his hand and placed it on her thigh. Slowly, he allowed his fingertips to follow the smooth curves of her feminine body. Sam jerked back against her chains.
"Get off of her!" Daniel yelled.
The Jaffa ignored him and concentrated on his task instead. When his fingers reached her shoulders, he slid his entire hand down her uniform top until it rested on one of her breasts. Sam struggled to pull away but it was to no avail. Instead, she received a vicious blow to the face for her efforts.
//STOP IT!// Daniel yelled in Goa'uld hoping that maybe this time, the Jaffa would listen. He didn't. With all his resolve, Daniel lifted his feet, forcing his arms to support his weight, and kicked out at his victim. The Jaffa staggered back from the blow to his side, his hands freeing Sam. Angry orders were given out and suddenly, the guards were no longer interested in her.
"Daniel don't." she warned, fear lacing her words.
The three guards surrounded Daniel on all sides. One of them took out a set of keys and unlocked the shackles around his wrists. The moment Daniel's arms fell to his side, the guard in the middle forced his forearm against Daniel's throat and pushed up until Daniel was choking for air. The force of the other man's arm lifted Daniel off of the ground. Daniel's face turned red instantly, his feet kicked out in despair. The more Daniel struggled, the more the Jaffa pushed against his Adam's apple.
//No!// Sam yelled.
When one of Daniel's feet hit its mark, the Jaffa growled something feral, his forearm still not easing off of Daniel's throat. Instead, the guard brought his iron-clad knee up in a painful blow. When the arm finally retracted, Daniel fell to the floor, his hands immediately covered his groin, the pain intense. The guards laughed as they left, locking the door behind them. When the darkness returned, all Sam could hear were Daniel's groans of pain between bouts of fitful coughing. She had seen where the guard had hit him and she grimaced with sympathy.
"Daniel.are you okay?" Sam listened for a response but got none. "Daniel, how bad did they hurt you?" When she still heard nothing, Sam continued softly, "Thank you, Daniel." She bowed her head, the shock of the event finally settling in. "Thank you," she whispered.***
The screen shut down. Sam opened her eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can do anymore today." Sam's voice seemed distant, almost mechanical. She sat up slowly, her body felt depleted, but whether it was from the alien device or the memories themselves, she wasn't sure. The entire room remained quiet as Janet approached her.
"You did great, Sam." Janet carefully pulled the disk free from her temple. "I think this will make a big difference."
Dr. Watters stood. "Thank you, Major. As Dr. Fraiser already stated, this will be of great help." She ejected the CD from the machine. "Dr. Jackson, let me know if you'd like to postpone-" Dr. Watters stopped when she couldn't find the linguist anywhere in the infirmary room. Somewhere along the line, Daniel had probably taken off.
"I'll find him," Jack said and left the room. It didn't take him long to find the younger man.
Daniel was sitting on the floor outside in the hall.
"Hey," Jack offered.
"Hey," Daniel responded.
Jack sat down next to his friend. He looked up at the wall that Daniel seemed to be so absorbed in. "Nice view."
"Well that was embarrassing," Daniel confessed bluntly.
"What?"
"Back there." Daniel's eyes didn't falter from their examination of the grey wall before him.
"Daniel.there's nothing embarrassing about trying to prevent the rape of a friend."
Daniel remained silent.
"Look, you're up next. The doc wants to know if you want to postpone or not. It's up to you," Jack explained.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. I don't think I could postpone this even if I wanted to."
"Then let's get you up."
"He's fine, Teal'c. The memory device might not be the best option right now," Dr. Watters explained.
"Were you able to retrieve the information from the machine that Major Carter has designed?"
"Ah.actually, yes. Colonel O'Neill's memories were successfully copied."
"Then I would like to be the next to offer my experiences," Teal'c stated.
"Thank you, Teal'c, but Dr. Fraiser doesn't feel it is safe yet. She says that because the memories that SG-1 hold are so powerful, the memory device could actually have a physical affect on your bodies."
"My symbiote may protect me from such a threat."
"I don't think your symbiote can protect you from mental anguish, Teal'c. Please, sit down." Dr. Watters pointed to the chair across from her. "Teal'c, why don't you continue explaining to me about the Jaffa that you were following?"
"As I have explained, I was placed into solitary confinement. It was Shal'ak who came to see me in my confines."
Dr. Watters leafed through her notes quickly until she found the page she was looking for. "So Shal'ak was the Jaffa whose family you saved by taking the blame for the factory incident?"
"That is correct, Dr. Watters."
"Please continue, Teal'c."
*** Teal'c's entire body jumped when he heard the sound of a bolt being unlocked. The darkness made it impossible to see his visitor. Teal'c remained silent as he listened to the heavy footsteps walk towards his feeble body.
//You must remain silent. They must not know you have a visitor.//
Teal'c opened his eyes when he detected fear in the voice addressing him.
/ /I am Shal'ak. I am here to understand why a prisoner such as yourself would save my family from harm. //
Teal'c tried to open his mouth but the dried blood and the swelling around his lips nearly made it impossible. Teal'c suddenly felt something solid touch his lips.
// Drink this. You must keep up your strength.//
Teal'c drank greedily. Throughout the many days he had been in this solitary cell, he had hardly received any nourishment.
//My daughter is sick. My wife tends to her. She may not live much longer.//
Teal'c could hear the man in front of him begin to lose control, his voice containing the slightest of quivers.
//I know you did not sabotage that machine for it was broken even before you had arrived in this camp. // He paused momentarily. // Why did you protect me? //
Teal'c had no strength to speak so Shal'ak continued instead,
//I owe you my life, Jaffa. I will carry out any duty you desire of me. //
The words hit Teal'c like a cold splash of water, reviving him from a terrible nightmare.
//Please.my friends.they are here as well. // Teal'c coughed weakly.
The Jaffa knelt close to his face. //Then they too will benefit from your kindness.//
//The lake. help us escape.//
Teal'c could hear the man pause, as if he were contemplating the decision, weighing its risk. //Yes, I know of this escape route. I will carry out your wish. How many friends shall share your fate?//
//There are three others.//
A sound from the outside hallway forced both men to lower their voices.
// Tell me their names. //
//They are known as O'Neill, DanielJackson and Major Carter.//
//I swear to you on my father's name that in one week from today, you and your friends will be summoned. You will be brought to this lake where freedom will await you. // Shal'ak allowed Teal'c to drink one more time from his water before he stood and left the cell. Teal'c closed his eyes once more to ponder whether the encounter was a dream or not.***
"Teal'c, how did you know about the lake?" Dr. Watters asked.
"Major Carter was able to communicate this message to me one evening."
"So this man.this Jaffa.was going to save you and the rest of SG-1?"
"That is correct, Dr. Watters. He held his word. One week from that day, he extricated me from my confinement and then proceeded to gather O'Neill, DanielJackon and Major Carter from their barracks with two other Jaffa," Teal'c explained.
"I'm sensing that we are coming to an end, aren't we?" Dr. Watters inquired.
"That is correct."
"I think the next session will be our last. Thank you, Teal'c." Angela gave him a warm smile.
Teal'c bowed his head and proceeded to leave the room.
"Are you sure, Sam?"
"Daniel, I need you," Sam implored. "The Colonel and Teal'c are already there."
"I thought Janet didn't want you to go through with it?" Daniel asked.
"I need to do this, Daniel. This is what it all comes down to. If we can actually record our escape, it would make all the difference."
Daniel sighed in defeat and said, "After you." Sam nodded and walked into the observation room where Dr. Watters and Janet were waiting. Daniel followed promptly. As Sam pushed herself up and onto the infirmary bed, Janet approached her with the memory device.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Sam?" Janet asked, the concern clearly radiating from her.
"Yes," Sam said though her voice faltered slightly.
Janet reached out and pressed the device to Sam's temple. Sam cringed, the device clearly painful.
"Are you ready?" Janet asked.
"Yes," Sam said, trying to relay her confidence to her friend. She looked around the room for Daniel and spotted him sitting close to the wall.
Dr. Watters pulled her chair closer to Sam. "Okay, Major, were nearing the end here. You've done wonderfully so far." She smiled momentarily. "Let's just finish this up, shall we?"
Sam nodded.
"Okay, you last left off when the Jaffa showed up at your barrack in the middle of the night. Teal'c, Dr. Jackson and Colonel O'Neill were there as well, correct?"
Once again, the large alien screen appeared to hover in mid air.
*** //Do NOT speak!!// the Jaffa warned, his eyes addressing Sam. The Jaffa had come without explanation and had singled her out from the rest of her barrack, asking her to join him outside only to be reunited with her friends.
The moment Sam saw her friends, a trembling excitement reverberated inside her like the beginning rumblings of an earthquake. She was close enough to touch them if she wanted to. However, this excitement was short-lived and was quickly overshadowed by the concern she suddenly felt when she saw her CO. Jack looked like he was about to collapse. His face was drawn and ghastly white with eyes sunken like thumbprint impressions in a crude clay sculpture. He looked older, a face inlaid with wrinkled trails. In fact, they all looked dead on their feet. Teal'c was cradling his belly as gingerly as if it were a bomb about to explode. Daniel was also pale and hallow-eyed from lack of sleep. His dark expression was quizzical but guarded. She wanted to talk to them, touch them. But the fear in her heart stopped her from doing so. //March!// Sam felt a strong shove pushing her forward cruelly. She remained quiet as they walked, fear of the destination evident in her breathing pattern. When the familiar lake appeared before her, Sam wanted to stop. She couldn't go through that again.
Ever.
The way they marched, Sam didn't have a chance to see her friends' faces but she knew that Daniel was probably feeling the same panic inside.
//Stop!// the Jaffa ordered. Sam watched as one of the Jaffa stepped in front of Teal'c.
//You must leave now! // He scanned the area quickly. //You will not have much time. Go now! //
//Thank you, Shal'ak! // Teal'c grabbed the Jaffa's arm and bowed his head.
//GO!//
Teal'c turned to his friends, "Quickly. get into the water!"
Sam watched as the Jaffa who had escorted them were quickly retreating. "Teal'c what's going on?"
"Major Carter, you must get into the water!" Teal'c was already submerging his body. "It is our only chance at escape!" he said, his drawl deep.
At that moment, Sam watched in horror as her commanding officer suddenly collapsed.
"Jack!" Daniel ran to his fallen friend. "His pulse is weak!"
"Daniel.go! Get out of here!" Jack's eyes were closed but his lips moved nonetheless.
"We're not leaving you here, Jack!" Daniel said fervently. It was the first time he had spoken to his friend in half a year.
"Sir, we're going to get you into the water," Sam whispered, the words knotted in her gut. She knew what death looked like and she was staring at it right now.
Teal'c had already made his way back to them, helping his other teammates carry Jack into the water. "O'Neill.you must stay conscious!" Teal'c urged.
When they finally submerged themselves, Teal'c held onto the collar of Jack's uniform and began to swim. Daniel and Sam followed suit.
As the minutes passed, Sam's breathing began to falter. Her arms were tired and there were still several miles left to swim. She couldn't shut off the cold seeping through her, as if her heart were pumping ice water instead of blood. She looked up to see Teal'c at least a kilometer ahead, his grip on the colonel as firm as ever. Daniel's heavy breathing close by echoed in her ears.
Sam suddenly stopped swimming, her despair evident. "Daniel, I don't think I can make it!" Hot tears rose in her throat, choking off her words.
"Sam, look at me!" Daniel's eyes penetrated her very being, their vivacious tenacity shining forth. "You have to keep going! Sam.just put one arm in front of the other!" he persisted.
Noises suddenly emerged behind them. Sam could clearly make out ten or so guards getting into the water.
"They made our position!" Sam's whispered voice rose to a strained, trembling pitch.
Sam pushed herself to swim harder. Each breath she took caused her throat to constrict painfully. Every now and then, Sam glanced behind her only to see that the guards were quickly gaining distance. Daniel swam next to her, refusing to leave her side.
Minutes passed and Sam was exhausted, no longer finding the energy to look behind her. Everything appeared to be in slow motion, and Daniel's urgent voice seemed to come from a great distance, barely filtering through the roaring of blood in her ears.
Sam's entire head nearly submerged underwater when she felt a strong hand grip her ankle. The last comforting sight she saw was the disappearing figures of her other two teammates who were too far ahead to be spotted.***
Sam gasped, her entire body heaved backward.
"Sam?" Janet ran forward. The large screen before them suddenly went blank. "Sam? Talk to me!"
"I'm okay," Sam began, blinking her eyes rapidly in an attempt to be rid of the after affects of the device. "G-d, I almost forgot how real this thing feels." Sam rubbed her temple gently.
"Okay, I think you've had enough of that for today," Janet chided.
"No wait, Janet. I can do more."
"Sam-"
"Janet, please! I need to do this. Just a few minutes more."
A moment of silence passed between both women. Janet soon broke eye contact and took a step backward in defeat. Sam closed her eyes and the familiar screen appeared once again.
*** Sam opened her eyes.
Grass.
Movement. Her body was moving. Sam was being dragged by her feet.
Daniel!
Her eyes searched for him amidst the confusion. Instead, they locked onto another sight. The Jaffa that had helped them escape not a half hour earlier were on their knees facing three guards, staff weapons pointed at their heads. Sam forced her eyes closed when she heard the sound of the weapons activating.
"NO!!!"
Daniel's cry tore into her. His plea for justice was too late, all three Jaffa fell lifeless to the ground. Sam suddenly felt a chill pass over her, trying to contemplate what lay ahead.
Death.
Death was what lay ahead.
Sam closed her eyes again, hoping that this time, it would be for good.***
"It's jumping again!" Angela stood up as she stared at the screen.
"Sam, try and control it!" Janet shouted.
*** When Sam felt her legs fall to the grass, she allowed herself to open her eyes again. The guard above her had let her go. Sam examined her surroundings, recognizing the large stones of the factory wall next to her. Relief crashed through Sam's heart when she spotted Daniel on the ground too, his eyes refusing to let her go. Sam's entire body jerked in surprise when a set of familiar Goa'uld rings descended around her.***
"Sam.Sam open your eyes," Janet begged.
Sam shook her head, refusing to lose her concentration.
*** Sam was forced onto her feet. She studied the underground compound as the guard behind her shoved her forward none too gently.
Five steps forward.
Turn left.
Twenty steps forward.
Turn left.***
"She's leading us through the underground tunnels," Angela pointed out in amazement.
*** Twelve steps forward.
Turn right.
Ten steps forward.
Stop.
//Get inside!// Sam understood the order and staggered into the small cell. The bricks that made up its walls were so blackened with grime it made her think of an oven, one that hadn't been cleared in years. She felt her stomach knot in dismay. The guards followed promptly and slammed her back against the wall. One of the guards leaned his body against her, rocking his hips into her pelvis as he grabbed her wrists and lifted them into the air. His eyes seemed to caress her, giving her a look of intense approval. Sam gritted her teeth and turned her head away as the Jaffa smelled her hair.
Sam felt cold metal enclose her wrist.
Shackles. Daniel was close by, locked in the same position.
The Jaffa in front of her took a step back towards the doorway, dangling the keys in his hand in a mocking fashion. The slam of the door left her and Daniel alone in complete darkness.
"Sam.you okay?" Daniel's voice warmed the chill inside her.
"Yeah.you?"
"Yeah. So.I guess we can safely say we won't be back for the welcome home party," Daniel mumbled bitterly. Sam heard the sound of chains clanking together and knew that Daniel was probably pulling on his restraints. His voice suddenly turned serious. "We're going to have to keep each other alive, Sam."
Sam nodded. She knew he could not see her do so but she was unable to say more. In fact, she was grateful for the absolution. She wished the tears would come to wash away her pain, but after the initial anger, all she felt now were hatred and resentment.***
The screen flickered again. Jack stood up from his seat when he saw Janet tense. "Let her finish," he told her.
*** Sam woke from her fitful sleep. The metal door to their cell was open and the feeble light it provided allowed her to make out the faint outline of three Jaffa. One of them approached her slowly, smiling at an image that only his head could conjure. He lifted his hand and placed it on her thigh. Slowly, he allowed his fingertips to follow the smooth curves of her feminine body. Sam jerked back against her chains.
"Get off of her!" Daniel yelled.
The Jaffa ignored him and concentrated on his task instead. When his fingers reached her shoulders, he slid his entire hand down her uniform top until it rested on one of her breasts. Sam struggled to pull away but it was to no avail. Instead, she received a vicious blow to the face for her efforts.
//STOP IT!// Daniel yelled in Goa'uld hoping that maybe this time, the Jaffa would listen. He didn't. With all his resolve, Daniel lifted his feet, forcing his arms to support his weight, and kicked out at his victim. The Jaffa staggered back from the blow to his side, his hands freeing Sam. Angry orders were given out and suddenly, the guards were no longer interested in her.
"Daniel don't." she warned, fear lacing her words.
The three guards surrounded Daniel on all sides. One of them took out a set of keys and unlocked the shackles around his wrists. The moment Daniel's arms fell to his side, the guard in the middle forced his forearm against Daniel's throat and pushed up until Daniel was choking for air. The force of the other man's arm lifted Daniel off of the ground. Daniel's face turned red instantly, his feet kicked out in despair. The more Daniel struggled, the more the Jaffa pushed against his Adam's apple.
//No!// Sam yelled.
When one of Daniel's feet hit its mark, the Jaffa growled something feral, his forearm still not easing off of Daniel's throat. Instead, the guard brought his iron-clad knee up in a painful blow. When the arm finally retracted, Daniel fell to the floor, his hands immediately covered his groin, the pain intense. The guards laughed as they left, locking the door behind them. When the darkness returned, all Sam could hear were Daniel's groans of pain between bouts of fitful coughing. She had seen where the guard had hit him and she grimaced with sympathy.
"Daniel.are you okay?" Sam listened for a response but got none. "Daniel, how bad did they hurt you?" When she still heard nothing, Sam continued softly, "Thank you, Daniel." She bowed her head, the shock of the event finally settling in. "Thank you," she whispered.***
The screen shut down. Sam opened her eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can do anymore today." Sam's voice seemed distant, almost mechanical. She sat up slowly, her body felt depleted, but whether it was from the alien device or the memories themselves, she wasn't sure. The entire room remained quiet as Janet approached her.
"You did great, Sam." Janet carefully pulled the disk free from her temple. "I think this will make a big difference."
Dr. Watters stood. "Thank you, Major. As Dr. Fraiser already stated, this will be of great help." She ejected the CD from the machine. "Dr. Jackson, let me know if you'd like to postpone-" Dr. Watters stopped when she couldn't find the linguist anywhere in the infirmary room. Somewhere along the line, Daniel had probably taken off.
"I'll find him," Jack said and left the room. It didn't take him long to find the younger man.
Daniel was sitting on the floor outside in the hall.
"Hey," Jack offered.
"Hey," Daniel responded.
Jack sat down next to his friend. He looked up at the wall that Daniel seemed to be so absorbed in. "Nice view."
"Well that was embarrassing," Daniel confessed bluntly.
"What?"
"Back there." Daniel's eyes didn't falter from their examination of the grey wall before him.
"Daniel.there's nothing embarrassing about trying to prevent the rape of a friend."
Daniel remained silent.
"Look, you're up next. The doc wants to know if you want to postpone or not. It's up to you," Jack explained.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. I don't think I could postpone this even if I wanted to."
"Then let's get you up."