DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-1, the goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.
SPOILERS: Out of Mind/Into the Fire
Anniversary
Part one
'You got it yet, Teal'c?' Jack snapped into the radio.
'Nearly,' Teal'c's voice grunted back at him. If Teal'c had been human he would have rolled his eyes as O'Neill had been demanding updates at five minute intervals ever since he had entered this tunnel barely wide enough for him to crawl through. SG1 and SG3 had returned to Hathor's planet to find a weapon Trofsky had mentioned, and while Teal'c had been sceptical as to it's existence, here he was crawling through the tunnel to try to retrieve it. At last he reached his goal as the tunnel widened slightly.
'I have retrieved the object,' Teal'c informed O'Neill, placing the item in his pack before turning awkwardly to begin the return journey. In doing so, he disturbed what appeared to be a millenia of dust.
'Gesundheit!' Jack said, surprised to hear what appeared to be a sneeze coming from Teal'c. 'Have you guys ever heard Teal'c sneeze before?' Jack turned to Sam and Daniel, receiving negative responses. 'Maybe he's sickening for something.' Jack shrugged his shoulders and turned to wait impatiently. Hammond had promised them all some down time, then he'd had to put his foot in it and mention this weapon Trofsky had gloated about. They'd only waited long enough for Daniel's leg to heal before returning to this loathsome place to try to find it, Hammond insisting that SG1 would be able to carry out the mission quickly due to their familiarity with the whole set up. Now Jack was looking forward to a couple of days at his cabin in Minnesota catching up on his fishing.
'So,' Jack spoke again, breaking the silence that had surrounded the group, an uneasy silence, 'What are you going to be doing on your down time?'
'I've got an invitation to a dig in Egypt,' Daniel spoke enthusiastically, his attention brought back from Egypt where his thoughts had taken him. 'An archaeologist who knew my parents has turned up a couple of interesting…'
'Boy, Daniel, you sure know how to have yourself a good time,' Jack said sarcastically. 'You know, you could always come fishing with me, have a relaxing time for a change.'
'Uh, I think I'll give it a miss this time, Jack,' Daniel hastily turned the offer down and resumed his thoughtful anticipation of the delights ahead of him.
'What about you Carter? Got anything interesting planned?' Jack waited for a reply. 'Carter?' Jack repeated when he received no response.
'Sir?' Startled, Sam turned to Jack with an anxious look on her face.
'Settle down, Captain,' Jack told her. 'I only wanted to know what you were planning for the next few days.'
'Not much,' Sam said briefly, 'I might go to the beach.'
'Carter, I'm not sure if you noticed, but it is November - isn't it a little cold to go to the beach?'
Sam smiled briefly at Jack, the smile not reaching her eyes which seemed to have lost some of their life and sparkle. 'I don't plan on sunbathing or swimming, sir. I like to walk along the cliffs. We used to go there when I was a kid.' Sam turned away, indicating the conversation was over.
'Sure you wouldn't rather…' Jack began when the sight of Teal'c's dusty appearance at the mouth of the tunnel caught his attention. 'Good job, Teal'c,' Jack helped Teal'c stand upright, brushing some of the dust from his clothing. 'So where is it?'
'It is in my pack, O'Neill,' Teal'c said testily. 'We should return to the SGC immediately.' Teal'c turned and began to make his way out of the pyramid. Jack jogged to his side.
'What's wrong?' Jack demanded, his eyes taking in Teal'c's unusual pallor.
'I am feeling unwell,' Teal'c replied briefly. 'My symbiote is agitated. I must perform kel'noreem.'
Jack waited for more information but when none was forthcoming, indicated for Sam and Daniel to take the lead.
'What's the problem?' Sam asked, dragging her attention back to the current situation.
'I'm not sure,' Jack replied slowly, 'Teal'c says he's sick.'
'In what way?' Daniel butted in.
'He won't say, just says he's unwell and needs to do that kel-no-dream thing,' Jack shrugged and this time Daniel and Sam led the way leaving Jack to walk with the more silent than usual Teal'c. Jack took in the Jaffa's appearance: a sheen of sweat covered his face and every now and again Teal'c's face would furrow as though in deep concentration, trying to force himself to keep going.
At last they neared the 'gate, Colonel Makepeace coming forward to report to Jack.
'All quiet at this end, Jack,' Makepeace advised, 'We haven't seen any indications that there are any Jaffa left in this area. Did you get it?'
'Yes we did,' Jack replied briefly, indicating for Sam to dial up as quickly as possible. 'Teal'c's sick, we need to get him back as…' As one, both Colonels turned to support Teal'c as his legs gave way now he had stopped moving and lost his momentum.
At that moment, the 'gate kawooshed open and Sam entered the right code on the GDO before racing through to report on Teal'c's condition and request immediate medical assistance.
***********
'Doc?' Jack's voice pleaded for attention. 'Can someone please let me know what's going on?'
Since their return Teal'c had been kept in an isolation room, remaining unconscious throughout his examination and subsequent medical tests. SG3 had been ushered off to one side room and the remainder of SG1 had been kept in another while they too had undergone an unusually thorough post-mission check up.
'Colonel you are not supposed to leave this room,' Janet snapped briskly at Jack, earning a rebellious look from Jack in return, but her words and tone had the desired effect and Jack retreated back into the room where Daniel and Sam were both engrossed in books which had been provided for them. 'Teal'c is still unconscious but he is beginning to respond to stimuli now and I'm expecting him to wake in the next couple of hours. He appears to have ingested some kind of drug which has raised his temperature and has stimulated certain parts of his brain which I suspect will cause him to become delusional and experience hallucinations until whatever it is has left his system. He'll need to remain restrained until he's over the worst of it.'
'What about us?' Now that he knew Teal'c's condition, he felt more than ready to kick up a fuss if he didn't get out of that room.
'I've already cleared SG3 and your results have also come back clear, so you are free to go as well.' Janet paused before continuing. 'Have you any idea what could have caused this?'
'He did seem to be sneezing a lot when he was retrieving that rock,' Jack said, 'Maybe he inhaled some dust or something - would that have done it?'
'Possibly, probably, seeing as he is the only one affected and the only one to have gone into that tunnel. Anyway,' Janet continued, 'You're free to go. General Hammond would like to see you before you leave though.'
Jack sighed, another obstacle in the way of his fishing, but he reluctantly led the way to the briefing room where SG3 were already waiting for the debriefing.
'…and Teal'c successfully retrieved that thing,' Jack finished speaking as he indicated the item sitting on the table in front of Hammond, the reason for their return to Hathor's planet.
'Any idea what it is?' Hammond looked to Daniel and Sam for a report.
'I think it's more in Sam's field than mine, sir,' Daniel admitted, having spent several hours examining the object and remaining unable to determine what it was.
'I've run a few preliminary tests, sir,' Sam updated the General, sounding tired and just a little fed up. 'It's emitting a very low level of energy but I've not gotten anywhere yet, I'll need to spend some more time on it.'
'Very well, in that case, dismissed.' SG3, Jack and Sam stood while the General left the room, followed closely by SG3.
Jack turned to say something to Sam and Daniel, then realised that Sam had slipped out with SG3.
'Is there something going on with Carter?' Jack asked, looking puzzled.
'I'm not sure,' Daniel looked equally concerned. 'She's been quiet for a few days. Maybe she just needs this break.'
'Maybe,' Jack didn't look entirely convinced but let it drop, eager to get away from the base. 'So when do you leave?' Jack changed the subject as the two of them left the briefing room.
'Tomorrow morning,' Daniel replied. 'I'm just going to check in on Teal'c before I go.' Jack nodded and accompanied him to the infirmary.
To be continued…
