Camp Go'auld

Part eleven

Jack entered Daniel's, no Jonas's lab, and listened to the discussion taking place. Jonas and Kerry were talking as fast as they could, oblivious to Jack's presence.

'I think you're wrong,' Kerry was saying. 'We're both agreed that this represents canis minor, therefore this symbol must be triangulum. Look at the similarities between them here and here.' Kerry pointed at something in front of them and Jack could see Jonas's forehead creasing in concentration.

'You're right,' Jonas said, grinning at her, his smile lighting up his whole face. 'I can't believe I didn't see it before. I was sure it was orion. How come you know so much about all this?'

'I don't really,' Kerry shrugged her shoulders. 'I've just been studying ancient languages since I was a kid and when you've known something that long it tends to stick, even though these symbols aren't quite the same as anything I've seen before, there are enough similarities to form a hypothesis. You've only been working with all this for a few months but we'd never have got started without what you already knew.'

'Right,' Jonas said. 'Ok. We're halfway there, but it shouldn't take us too much longer. Now, where did I put…'

'How's it going kids?' Jack asked, breaking in on the working party, his hands shoved in his pockets, amused at the startled looks he received.

'Colonel O'Neill,' Jonas greeted him while Kerry remained quiet. 'We've translated three of the symbols but now we understand where they derive from we should be finished in another hour or so.'

'Good, good,' Jack said. 'Have you two taken a break at all since you got here?' Jack's eyebrows arched in a question, pretty certain what the answer would be.

'No,' Jonas said looking sheepish, as he remembered Jack calling something after them as they'd left the briefing room.

'I suppose you'd also forgotten that you're both recovering from injuries and unless you want to end up back in the infirmary I'm ordering the both of you to the mess hall for a half hour break during which I want you to have something to eat and drink. Is that understood?' Jack said, a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as he got a reaction from Kerry.

'I'm not in the military, Colonel,' Kerry protested, not wanting to let him boss her around.

Jack rolled his eyes. 'Jonas told you about Daniel Jackson didn't he?' Kerry nodded. 'Ok, well I think it's time you heard some more about him. Over coffee.'

***********

Two hours later Jonas and Kerry headed for the control room where the others were waiting for them. They had worked much better after the break, during which Jack had regaled them with tales of Daniel Jackson's attempts at bringing unity to the universe and his constant reminders that he was not in the military, therefore he was not obliged to follow orders.

'We've got it,' Jonas waved the paper he was holding before passing it to Sergeant Davis at the 'gate dialling computer. A MALP was already at the foot of the ramp waiting to go through to the planet as soon as it was dialled.

Kerry watched in fascination as the chevrons locked one at a time until a wall of water whooshed out from the 'gate before settling back into the ring.

'Amazing isn't it?' Sam spoke softly to Kerry, watching her reaction. 'It never ceases to amaze me that what you're actually looking at is an event horizon of a wormhole…'

'Very big worms,' Jack joined in. 'Carter…'

'Ok, I guess you don't want to hear the full explanation, but isn't it fascinating.' She received no response but could see the wonder and awe in Kerry's eyes, knowing she was as affected as the rest of them at this sight. At that moment the telemetry from the MALP started coming through.

************

SG1 were waiting for the 'gate to finish dialling up. With them were SG3, 9 and 15, all briefed and ready for the, hopefully, short sharp attack they had planned for Anubis's soldiers. The MALP pictures had shown only a couple of guards on the 'gate and a number of ships in the distance. Their mission was to go in, take out the ships, decimate the troops and remove or destroy the device Anubis had acquired which would prevent the iris from closing.

'Piece of cake,' Jack had smiled humourlessly at the others during the briefing, knowing full well that they would need to be very lucky to pull this one off. Still, with the added bonus of the weapons they had acquired from Sar'ash's armoury they were in a better position to succeed.

Jonas stood in the briefing room with Kerry watching what was going on, Jonas, in spite of his rapid healing, was not fit enough to be joining his team on this mission. As they watched the 'gate opened and settled back down and the MALP again proceeded through, this time carrying a couple of stun grenades which would take out the Jaffa guarding the 'gate at the other end. Jonas could almost see Jack counting down under his breath, then he watched as the four teams made their way up the ramp and disappeared from view.

'General Hammond has given them four hours before they need to report back,' Jonas explained, 'Some of the other teams are standing by in case they're needed. All we can do now is wait.' He smiled at Kerry, a rueful smile which told her how hard he was finding it having to be left behind, feeling he ought to be with his team-mates.

'It'll be fine, Jonas,' Kerry said, putting a hand on his arm reassuringly. 'You'll see. You've told me all about Colonel O'Neill's luck and how he always comes home. Besides, I could do with some company - want to get something to eat?'

Jonas accepted the offer and they headed for the mess hall to drown their sorrows in coffee and chocolate cake.

*************

Jack quickly assessed the situation the moment he stepped through the 'gate: the Jaffa guarding the 'gate had already been taken care of, their bodies lying where they had fallen. The other teams had taken up defensive positions ready for the order to be given.

'Ok,' Jack spoke loudly enough to be heard by all. 'This is what we're gonna do. Williams and Johnson I want you to join SG3 and 9 and take out the ships - you know what to do. Brown and Lewis you're with me, we're going for the weapon.'

Half-way between the ships and the 'gate they could see a heavily guarded site which was emitting some interesting energy readings. It was this location which SG1 planned on hitting, their primary target.

'Major Castleman I want you to signal us just before you begin your attack, we need to keep our own targets occupied and not give them chance to back each other up. Any questions?' Jack looked around appraisingly, ensuring that there was no doubt about what needed to be done. 'Let's do it then,' he concluded when no one spoke up.

'Sir, there's some kind of shield surrounding the weapon,' Sam whispered in Jack's ear, her eyes studying the technology just out of reach.

'That was to be expected,' Jack looked around trying to formulate a plan of attack. 'Teal'c - any idea how we can take the shield out?'

'None,' Teal'c replied. 'When we destroyed Anubis's first weapon it too was surrounded by a shield. Rya'c destroyed it by flying a glider over it and firing from above.'

'Well, that's not going to work here,' Jack said sarcastically, continuing to think hard. 'Ok, I guess our best bet is to wait for Major Castleman's attack to begin and take advantage of the situation.'

'Colonel, couldn't we make use of the armour of those dead Jaffa?' Lieutenant Lewis offered up, somewhat intimidated at working with the legendary Colonel O'Neill and SG1. 'You know, kind of like a Trojan horse or something?'

Jack stared at Lewis for a moment making the other man feel like crawling into the nearest hole when Jack smiled broadly and clapped him on the shoulder. 'Excellent thinking, Lieutenant. Let me see…' He took a look a the people around him and made his decision. 'Teal'c, I want you and Lewis to dress up and play Jaffa - you're the most likely to pass for the genuine article.'

'I am a Jaffa O'Neill,' Teal'c raised an eyebrow. 'I do not believe now is an appropriate time to be playing games.'

'For crying out loud, Teal'c you know exactly what I mean,' Jack said in an exasperated voice. 'Just go with Lewis and get that armour.' Teal'c acknowledged the order and the two men moved swiftly off.

***********

A massive explosion ripped through the area signalling the start of the assault. Jack, watching the weapon they were to sabotage from a safe distance, saw Teal'c and Lewis running towards the force field. While Teal'c appeared perfectly at home in his newly acquired armour, Lewis looked uncomfortable and Jack hoped he wouldn't let them all down.

'We are under attack,' Teal'c called to the other Jaffa as soon as they were close enough to be heard. An unnecessary statement as they were all looking towards the location of the ships where they could see flames and black smoke billowing into the sky. 'You must send reinforcements immediately.'

The Jaffa in command hesitated momentarily, then turned to shout orders to his men and soon ten Jaffa headed away from the weapon towards the ships, leaving himself and two Jaffa behind. These now started prowling around the perimeter of the force field, eyes peeled for any indication of trouble, sensing that something was going on.

Jack, listening out for his signal, heard the muffled sound of energy weapons and a few minutes later Teal'c and Lewis returned, Lewis leaning heavily on Teal'c for support. Jack cursed under his breath then continued watching, waiting for the right time to move. Teal'c and Lewis entered the force field, held a brief conversation with the lead Jaffa, then all hell let loose. The Jaffa turned on Lewis, shouted something at him and when he received no response, dragged the helmet off him and within moments three staff weapons were pointed at the two intruders.

'Ok folks, I guess this is our cue - let's see to it.' He raced towards the force field, stun grenade at the ready and tossed it towards the group by the weapon, silently apologising to Teal'c and Lewis for knocking them out along with the bad guys. Carter and Brown, ducking down behind a rock to avoid the impact of the blast, emerged to follow Jack towards the weapon, securing the Jaffa with ties from their packs before the effects of the grenade wore off.

Teal'c was on his feet the instant he recovered, taking in the situation at one glance before turning to Lewis who was struggling to sit up, one arm clutching his side.

'Major Carter, Lieutenant Lewis is in need of medical assistance,' Teal'c said, all eyes now on their injured team-mate.

'What happened?' Jack asked as Sam pulled Lewis's clothing away from his side revealing a deep wound with signs of scorching around the edges.

'He was hit by a staff blast before we were able to eliminate all the Jaffa,' Teal'c spoke calmly as he focussed once more on their main task. 'We must set the detonators immediately. The attack on the ships appears to have been successful and those Jaffa who survived will return to this location.'

'Ok. Carter, get Lewis to a safe distance, Teal'c and Brown, you're with me.' For a few minutes they were all busy laying their charges at strategic intervals, ensuring the force field remained in place for as long as possible so the charges would go off in an enclosed place and maximise the damage to the weapon.

'All set?' Jack asked when they were done. 'Let's move out then. Castleman?' He called into his radio. 'We're done here, how are you set?'

'We've taken out the ships, sir,' Castleman's voice responded, sounding breathless. 'We have wounded and we are being pursued by a small number of surviving Jaffa.'

'Roger that, Major,' Jack said, thinking quickly. 'We're on our way to your position to back you up, be there in five. Think you can hold out that long?'

'We'll do our best sir, Castleman out.'

'Carter, we're going to bail out the other team, I want you to take Lewis and get back to the 'gate, hole up there until we arrive. If we're not there in thirty, head back without us and send reinforcements.' Jack clicked the radio off before Sam could protest and led Teal'c and Brown towards Major Castleman and his team.

By the time they got there it was all over. A number of Jaffa lay dead and dying in a clearing, nearby were what was left of their teams. Three men were dead, another two so badly injured that their survival hung in the balance and of the remaining five, only one appeared to be uninjured.

'Oh crap,' Jack exclaimed as he surveyed the carnage in front of him before speaking into his radio. 'Carter, we need reinforcements and medics here asap.'

'Yes sir, I'm on it,' Carter replied snappily and he could hear the 'gate dialling up even as the radio clicked off again.