Title: End of the line (part two) A step too far
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Meridian
Summary: Following on from part one, SG-1 attempts a recon mission to help their allies, but the ongoing conflict between Sam and Jack leads to one member of the team being captured. (NB: 'Divide and Conquer' never happened, Martouf is still alive!)
Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
~ End of the line part two: A step too far ~
Copyright © 2003, Ruth
**********
"Oh my god," said Sam.
The MALP telemetary showed that Vorash had been burned to the ground. A few buildings smouldered in the distance, waves of sand blowing into the dying fires.
"Jaffa staff weapons," said Teal'c grimly.
"Are there any life signs?" asked General Hammond.
"Uh…MALP reports no signs of life, sir, at least not nearby."
Sam put her head in her hands.
"Request permission to visit Vorash and attempt to locate any survivors," said Teal'c.
"Permission granted," said General Hammond.
"General, is there really any point…" began Jack, but Hammond silenced him with a warning glare.
"I want you ready to ship out in 10!" he ordered.
**********
Sam numbly pulled on her boots and tightened the laces. Her weapon felt heavy in her hands. All of her thoughts were trained on her father and Martouf.
Jack saw the concern in her face and realised what a great blow this had been to her. He felt bad about his comments from the previous day.
Teal'c was also anxious, but was soon distracted by Jonas, asking him for another energy bar.
**********
As Sam stepped through the gate on Vorash, the smell of burning trees mixed with the eerie smell of burning bodies assaulted her nostrils, making her eyes sting. She marched on, trying not to make eye contact with any of her teammates. She missed Daniel at times like these. He was the sensitive one, and he would always have something to say to make her feel better.
Teal'c set his mouth in a firm line. Things did not look good for Jacob Carter and Martouf.
Jonas looked around him, devestated at the destruction. He even stopped thinking about food.
As Sam took another step forwards, she found herself being ringed down into the Tok'ra tunnels. The situation there was desperate. There were several injured Tok'ra laying against walls, shouts and running.
Jack, Jonas and Teal'c followed Sam down into the tunnels. They were all slowly being destroyed as those who could move were fleeing through the Stargate.
Sam searched around the tunnels, looking for some sign, any sign of her father or Martouf. She found none. Instead, she set about trying to help some of the injured.
"Who did this to you?" she asked.
"A…apophis. He knew where to find us, I do not know how. You must leave!"
"Why? I mean… do you know where Martouf and Selmak are?" asked Sam.
"I…I have not seen them since yesterday, but I believe they are still here, wounded."
"Where??" Sam asked desperately.
"I am sorry, I cannot tell you. You must leave, in case Apophis decides to return."
"You heard the woman, Sam," said Jack, "Let's go, people!"
"No!" said Sam, "I will not leave my father here to die!"
"That's an order, Major!" said Jack, growing angry now.
"Well you make it known that I disregarded your order then, colonel!" said Sam, and ran off down one of the remaining tunnels.
"Carter! For crying out loud!" said Jack, and began to follow her.
"O'Neill, was the purpose of this mission not to retrieve Jacob Carter and Martouf?"
"Yeah, Teal'c, but if Apophis is here that changes things slightly!" said Jack.
"I do not feel his presence, O'Neill," said Teal'c, "I believe the damage is done!"
"Samantha!" called a familiar voice.
"Martouf!" said Sam, rushing to his side. "Martouf, are you okay? Where is my father?"
"Samantha, he…he has been taken on board Apophis' ship!"
"WHAT??" asked Sam. "But…his ship's gone!"
Martouf shook his head. "It was merely cloaked!"
Just as he said that, the tunnels began to shake.
"Apophis' ship descends!" said Martouf weakly.
"We gotta go, people!" said Jack, turning round to make a run for it.
"I'm staying Colonel," said Sam.
"No, Major, you are not!"
"Apophis is on top of us, Colonel! If we make a run for it we'll be killed!"
"We'll be killed if we just sit here and wait for him!"
"I won't leave Martouf!" she said.
"Carter, if I have to drag you…"
"I'm staying," she said.
Just then, they heard the familiar marching of Jaffa soldiers. Sam pulled Martouf into her arms and made for a cover area with Jack, Jonas and Teal'c.
"Carter, if we get out of this alive, remind me to bust your ass!" said Jack.
The group of Jaffa stopped and looked around them. "Apophis has the Tok'ra Selmak, but it has come to his attention that four of the Tau'ri have also come to be here. He wishes them captured alive."
"Kree!"
The Jaffa then walked off in the other direction, which was strange. Just as they were about to come out from their hiding place, they heard the rings activating. To Sam's horror, her father Jacob was laying on the floor, bleeding.
"Dad!" She tried to move, but Jack grabbed her arm.
"It could be a trick," he saud. Sam sat still, and they waited for a great few minutes. Nothing happened.
"Okay people," said Jack, "I think we're okay."
Sam got up and ran over to her father. Jonas, Teal'c and Jack followed her.
"Dad?" she asked.
"Sam," he murmured weakly.
"It's okay, dad," she whispered, "I'm here!"
But just as she said that, the rings activated again and before Jack could do anything, Sam and Jacob were beamed up.
"Crap!" said Jack, "Tell me they didn't just go where I think they just went!"
**********
An evil smile greeted Sam and Jacob.
"Lovely," was all he said….
-TO BE CONTINUED-
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