Unspoken
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 does not belong to me.
Day One:
"Daniel?" Jack was desperate for an explanation.
But Daniel couldn't answer. Couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
"Daniel!" Carter shouted in alarm.
I know, Daniel tried to scream as he fell.
"Daniel Jackson." Teal'c shook him. "Daniel Jackson." He shook him again. "Daniel Jackson, you must awaken."
"Can't."
"You must."
Daniel's eyes snapped open. "You can hear me?"
Teal'c stopped shaking him and raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
"About time." At Teal'c's confused expression, he continued. "Never mind. Where are Jack and Sam?"
"Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter have gone to determine if the shoreline is unobstructed."
"You mean to see if the coast is clear?"
"That is what O'Neill said. However, this region has no coast. Another Tauri expression?"
"Yes. If the coast is clear, it means there's no likelihood of interference. Nothing to stop us from getting back to the stargate."
"I see. I must apologize for shaking you so violently. My orders are to get you on your feet and ready to leave when the others return, and you failed to respond to previous methods."
"That's ok." Daniel sat up, immediately grabbing his head and moaning. He swayed precariously near the edge of the stone bench he had been lying on, and Teal'c moved to steady him.
"Coast is clear," Jack announced as he entered the cave-like shelter followed by Sam. "For now at least. But, we need to move fast. Daniel, you think you can walk?"
Daniel slowly released his head and allowed Teal'c to help him stand. "I think so."
Teal'c handed Daniel his gear, and the team headed for the woods.
Five minutes later, Daniel stopped so abruptly that Teal'c almost crashed into him.
"O'Neill."
"Yeah?" Jack asked casually, not turning or stopping.
Daniel fell to his knees and threw up.
At the sound, Carter stopped. "Sir!"
"Ok, ok. Dammit, we're almost there," he muttered.
Daniel threw up again. This time there were spots of red.
Jack and Sam raced to Daniel, who threw up red globs and fainted.
Teal'c caught him before he landed face first in the puddle.
"Carter, what are you doing?"
"Dr. Fraiser may need to analyze one of these globs. There could be poisons or drugs making Daniel sick, and she'll need this to help find a cure."
"Just…hurry," he said turning away with a grossed out expression.
"Yes, sir."
Teal'c gently draped Daniel around his neck the way a shepherd would carry a lamb, and they resumed their course through the woods. At the edge of the woods, Jack thrust out his arms to halt his team.
Carter and Teal'c peered around him.
Standing between them and the stargate was an army. A rough-looking and hastily assembled one, but an army nonetheless. An army that outnumbered them at least twenty to one.
"I thought you said the coast was clear, O'Neill."
"It was," Jack said.
"Now what?" Carter asked.
"I will create a diversion." Teal'c eased Daniel to the ground. "I believe I can make it look as though the four of us have surrounded the village," Teal'c said taking explosives from his pack.
"By remotely detonating one bomb on each side of the village."
"That is correct, Major Carter. The majority of the army will return to the village. That should give you and Colonel O'Neill time to take out those left guarding the stargate and get Daniel Jackson back to Earth."
"We're not leaving you behind, Teal'c. You should know that by now."
"Once Daniel Jackson is safe, you can return for me."
"Well, thanks for your permission."
"Then you approve."
Jack nodded to Teal'c. He and Sam watched him slip through the woods.
"Since when does Teal'c carry so much explosives?"
"Same reason I brought this, I guess," Jack said opening his own pack to reveal extra C4.
"Sir?"
"Remember when we were watching the UAV Intel, and Daniel made that comment about all the windowless buildings and the wall around the village?"
"He said it indicated they don't like intrusion. That they're isolationists."
"Yeah."
"Is that why you were coming to talk to General Hammond?"
"Yep. Carter?" he asked when she smiled and pulled extra mags from a vest pocket.
"I thought I was the only one who picked up on Daniel's nervousness."
"So, that's why you were in Hammond's office when I got there."
"Yes, sir. I figured if even Daniel seemed nervous about this mission, it might be a good idea to be prepared."
"A lot of good it did us. Why didn't you mention it to me? I am your CO after all."
Carter looked embarrassed.
"You didn't want me to think you were nervous."
She nodded.
"Carter, you don't have to prove yourself to me anymore. You oughta know by now I trust you and your instincts."
"Yes, sir."
"Hell, if I knew you were nervous too, I might've tried harder with Daniel."
"Sir?"
"Hammond said he didn't see any threat, but if I could convince Daniel to express concern he'd give us minimal backup."
"Daniel didn't go for it."
Jack shook his head. "Wouldn't budge. He said since there was no evidence the Goa'uld have been here we'd be passing up a chance to learn or get something to help us fight them. I agree of course." He paused for a moment. "Then he said something downright cryptic. Even for Daniel. He said the fewer people they see come through the stargate, the better."
"Well, they don't seem to be guarding the gate. But, that doesn't mean they aren't somehow. And we didn't exactly get a chance to look around. Do you know if Daniel brought anything extra?"
"He suggested carrying an extra gun, but that's all he'd agree to."
"He suggested?"
Jack nodded as four explosions went off.
"Way to go, Teal'c."
Chaos erupted at the stargate. The entire army bolted. Several shouting matches broke out, and ten people grumpily stayed behind to guard the gate.
"Get ready, Carter." Jack said hoisting Daniel's limp form onto his back. "How about a piggy-back ride, Daniel?"
Sam picked up Jack's pack and helped him get to his feet. "Ready, sir."
"Go!"
Carter ran out of the woods shooting. O'Neill adjusted Daniel's weight slightly and ran. When he made it to the DHD, he eased Daniel down and covered Carter while she dialed.
She had done a good job. Six of the guards were weaponless and nursing their wounds. One man was dead, and the other three looked intimidated. O'Neill breathed a sigh of relief. They were going to make it back with Daniel. Then he saw the army coming back. "Carter?"
"Waiting for confirmation, sir."
"As soon as you get it, take Daniel through." Something beeped. "Go!"
The army was now within firing range. Sam grabbed Daniel under the arms and started backing toward the wormhole. Several shots zipped past her. Another shot hit Daniel's right shoulder. At the same time, a shot hit her left shoulder. She gritted her teeth against the pain. She was almost there.
O'Neill backed toward the wormhole, firing in all directions and glancing back quickly to make sure his teammates had made it and were out of the way. The last thing he needed to do now was trip over Daniel. He almost had a foot in the gate when he doubled over and collapsed.
Carter and General Hammond watched the wormhole close.
"He was right behind us, sir. He should have made it."
"As soon as Dr. Fraiser has that wound taken care of, we'll debrief."
"Yes, sir," she said following Daniel's stretcher out of the gate room.
"Wha- where am I?" O'Neill asked jolting up. "Ahhh. Son of a "
"O'Neill, you have been shot. You must remain still."
"Ya think?" He let Teal'c ease him back onto the soft ground. Soft ground? A blanket? What is this? The Holiday Inn of prisons?
"Major Carter and Daniel Jackson?"
"Made it. Thanks to you."
"Dr. Porter's team will conduct surveillance of the village. Colonel Mitchell's team will provide cover for them. Colonel Mitchell, you're in charge, but I want you to consult with Major Carter on all decisions. I'd like you to keep a low profile. Try not to let these people know you're there. Our first order of business is to determine whether Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c are alive. Assuming they are, Dr. Porter, you will be watching these people to try to learn their customs and determine the best way to make a rescue without violence. In the event they discover us, try to assure them that we wish to remain peaceful but we will get our people back. When Dr. Jackson recovers, you'll coordinate with him. Any questions?" No one spoke. "You leave in thirty minutes. Dismissed."