Author's Notes: I deliberated over the ending of this section for the better part of a day. This hasn't been beta because I'm anxious to get it finished. I had a completely different alternate ending which I may post in time, please give feedback on the end of this part, I think I'm finally happy with it.
Disclaimer: I own Storyline, original characters, and situations. Nothing else, no profit or gain.
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She's got what?! Jack exploded through the phone.
Goa'uld technology. Hand devices, like the ribbon and healing ones Sam has. But others as well, ones I've never seen before, but they've got Goa'uld symbols and writing. Pain sticks as well, and communication balls, plus I counted at least two staff weapons. Daniel responded quickly.
How the hell did she get them?! Jack's tirade continued. Even though running and out of breath he could still yell out Daniel through the phone.
I don't know Jack but that isn't important right now. She wasn't kidding on the recorded message about removing the Naquadah from Sam. She's going to do it, part she'll inject into herself and part she'd going to form into Naquadaria. She wants to be able to use the Goa'uld devices. She hasn't figured out yet that for some of them you don't need the Naquadah in your system. It gets worse Jack.
How much worse?
Much. She'll.... Jack pulled up to a halt, Teal'c quickly followed suit staring at the man.
Daniel, now. Tell me, what? Jack asked him, patience quickly wearing thin.
She'll be....damaged. Not even dead, she just....won't be Sam.
Was Jack's one word reply.
I, I'm not sure. From the files it appears that after the Nanites run out of Naquadah to collect, they....they go into overdrive, destroying tissues and organs. Cutting off nerves and intercepting signals. The Nanites have to be removed before all the Naquadah is collected. Jack broke into a run again. Relaying the details of Sam's whereabouts to Daniel he urged the younger man to hurry. If he was right about everything they had less time than originally thought.
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Sam dozed fitfully where she lay. Faces flashed through her head and her arm throbbed in time with her pulse. She woke with a start, she blinked a couple times to clear her head. A small groan escaped her lips. They weren't here yet. Why weren't they here yet? Carter secretly, okay openly, hoped that the operatives' the General had mentioned were the rest of her team. Sure Major Feretti and his team could take Ms. Patrice, maybe. But the local authorities couldn't and she wanted to be certain that the most muscle was on her side. A six foot ex-jaffa for instance.
It occurred to the Major that perhaps being ensconced safely away was not the best way for her to be located. Sighing she climbed to her feet. She braced one hand against the wall and stumbled out.
Thank you Major. I've spent the better part of two hours looking for you. Carter looked up to see the dangerous end of a pain stick pointed at her, with Ms. Patrice holding the other end. You see Cameron here located you two hours ago, but then you seemed to vanish. The average man stepped out from behind Ms. Patrice. Thankfully my patience won out over Cameron's, he believed you'd moved on. I doubted it after one of your operative broke into my office. Are all American's so stupid? I have security cameras you know. Ms. Patrice sighed. That's beside the point really. Now, I want you to move over next to Cameron and stay still while he handcuffs you. And Major, I may not be able to use the other Goa'uld technology I have yet, but I do know how to use this one. She waved the weapon about.
Sam eyed the woman up and down and began to move slowly towards Cameron. She glanced sideways at Ms. Patrice and quickly picked up her pace. Slamming into Cameron she knocked him to the ground. Ms. Patrice was quicker to act than Major Carter though she would. The woman jabbed Sam with the pain stick and watched stunned as golden light poured from the screaming Major's mouth. Ms. Patrice stepped back staring at the weapon in her hands.
Major Carter, gasping for breath took the opportunity. She lashed out, kicking the woman blindly. She connected with the woman knee and took off as Ms. Patrice lost her balance and toppled to the ground. Sam turned and almost tripped over the man she now knew to be Cameron. He was unconscious. Removing the pistol from his limp hand, Sam stumbled towards the stairs and madly began to climb.
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Jack and Teal'c were at the entrance to the alleyway when they heard the scream. Teal'c cocked his head.
That was almost certainly a woman's scream O'Neill. He stated.
Jack queried, more to himself than anyone else.
The big Jaffa answered. Pulling out his mobile phone Jack dialled Daniel.
How far away are you? He asked when the linguist answered.
Hang on. Jack could hear muffled conversation in the background. About 10 minutes. I caught a cab.
Daniel, we don't have 10 minutes. Teal'c and I are heading in. Back us up when you get here.
Jack are you sure that's--
Daniel! A woman screamed inside. Now I don't know if it was Carter or not but I'm sure as hell gonna find out. Back us up when you get here! Jack hung up on Daniel and pocketed the phone. He nodded at Teal'c. Let's go. They moved quickly and softly through the alley. Reaching the door they plastered themselves to the walls either side. Jack gestured in military signals that Teal'c had quickly learnt when he joined the Tau'ri.
Jack headed through the door first, Teal'c was quick to follow him. The scene that greeted him saddened his heart. A man lay on the ground sprawled out. Jack scrambled over and checked his injuries. He'd live. Jack heard a grunt behind him and turned to see his jaffa in the grip of a woman who couldn't be more than five foot.
Move and I'll jab him just like I did the blonde woman. Jack's eyes widened and the locked on to Teal'c's. The woman pulled out a mobile. She went up the stairs. Seal off the roof area and bring the forces in from separate floors. She's weak, she can't have gone far. Snapping the phone closed she pushed Teal'c over towards Jack, jabbing the stick close to his back. Now gentlemen, if you'll excuse me I have a Major full of Naquadah to locate. And don't look so surprised. You both bust in here, all muscled and ready for action. Who else would you be than operatives' sent by General Hammond. The woman began edging back slowly, she reached the stairs and stepped into the stair case. Pulling the door closed behind her there was a zapping noise.
Teal'c and Jack were at the door in an instant. Pulling the handle and finding it wouldn't budge they surmised that she must have used the Goa'uld weapon to fuse the door. At that poignant moment Daniel thundered through the entrance.
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Nym - 17/03/03
