Chapter 4 - Aftermath
Two days of pointless elaboration at the trade negotiations had passed, and mindful of Jack's warning on arrival, Sam called a halt to the discussions early the next morning. "It appears that your elders cannot reach agreement on our position." she stated firmly but politely, knowing that Thon's diplomatic background would lead him into an appropriate reply. "I must therefore inform you that we have decided to return to Earth to await your responses and further proposals. We have offered fair trade terms and hope that you will see them as such."
"I note your position." Thon replied, again with that damned half-smile that made her want to smack him in the mouth. "We will of course respond as soon as possible, but we cannot gainsay our leaders' wishes. You understand that, of course. Transport back to the Stargate will be provided for you. Travel safely."
And so they set off back to the coast, as the mid-morning temperature soared to make it another normal Andan day.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
At first light, Jack struggled to stand as a pain like fire shot through his stiff knee. He hobbled around to the consternation of the others until some form of movement in the joint was possible. He took a couple of pain- killing tablets with his morning ration of water, knowing that they would help only a little. Eventually they set off, with Lev carrying his rucksack for him. After two hours journey, during which time his leg freed up a little more, Jack detected the subtle coolness and freshness in the air that signalled the proximity of the coast. They halted, still in the trees, near a different river inlet to the one he'd arrived at.
Jack sat a little to the side of the other three and asked how long they would be waiting. On instinct, he kept his holstered Beretta on his right hip facing away from them as a precaution. The walk here had given him time to reflect on yesterday's events. He had come to some conclusions that were at odds with the facts given to him during the planning meeting held with Hammond back on Earth.
"The boat should be here within a tenth-day." said Klint, which Jack interpreted as any time within the next three hours. "On behalf of the Andan people, we thank you for what you have done."
"If you really want to thank me, you can tell me who I just killed yesterday." he stated, not looking at Klint but starting to disassemble his rifle to clean the barrel.
"It was the criminal Soray, as we said." replied the native.
"Bullshit." was Jack's terse response. "That camp was too elaborate and too near your capital city for a gang of bandits hiding from the army. Now don't lie to me. Who was he?"
Seeing that O'Neill was not intending to threaten them as he continued to clean the gun, Klint considered the question for a moment. "Who he was is of no significance to you."
"If it affects the safety of my colleagues negotiating with your government, then it is a matter on which your life will depend. I can guarantee that." said Jack.
Klint pondered the situation a while longer. "The people in our government with whom you seek to deal are not as they portray themselves. If we had the time and you were fit enough to travel long distances, I would take you to other camps, where not only men but their families too are held because of the supposed 'threat' that they represent. It is enough for their names to appear on lists prepared by the government Safety and Health Bureau for them to disappear - indefinitely. We learned of the demand to your General Hammond to kill Soray and substituted ourselves for the soldiers assigned to escort you. The fact that your government was willing to send you to perform the assassination tells me that Earth rulers are not so very different from ours."
His companions nodded in agreement as he continued. "But the things you offer in trade for these electrical 'baubles' of ours - such as weapons like the one you carry - are of sufficient value to the Andan government that they will not harm your kindred, although they may hold them for a while."
"So," Jack insisted, "who did you get me to murder yesterday?"
"He was a local army commander. His death will send a message to our oppressors, and they will blame you for it, not us. However it is indeed fortunate that you destroyed their power generator first. This will at least delay them in reporting his death to their superiors."
Jack continued cleaning his gun in silence, eventually re-assembling it and testing that it was in full working order. The three Andans talked quietly amongst themselves and paid little heed to him. He looked round when they were silent for a while and saw a small boat approaching rapidly. It slowed as it entered the river mouth and he identified it as the one he had arrived in, with the same man at the tiller.
With barely a glance at the three men left on the beach, he climbed in with his gear and stowed it under the seat, sitting down as they picked up speed again on their way out to sea.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The vehicle carrying the two SG teams disgorged its passengers and their baggage and pulled away quickly. By force of habit they formed into two lines of four with Sam taking the lead, and walked in step down the narrow road to the jetties where they had previously arrived from the island.
"Halt here!" called Sam as the sight of clear water alongside the wooden piers signalled that there was no way of reaching the island. "Teal'c, Sciortino, guard the road approach and warn us if anyone is coming. The rest of you - spread out along the shore and look for a boat. Anything you think will get us to the island. Do not fire upon anyone who approaches you unless provoked in a life-threatening situation. Report back here in fifteen minutes, no later. Now go!"
"Yes, Ma'am." several voices replied as they departed. She picked up their bags from where they lay in the road and threw them out of sight behind a low wall, and then moved off herself to a vantage point just to the left where she could see the surroundings without being too visible.
'Right, Carter. Options.' she thought. 'We have only side-arms and one spare clip each, so anything more than a skirmish will have a negative outcome. No radios. Swimming? Too far and too rough a sea for nearly everyone. What if no boat is found on the first search? Extend the search. Set up an RV point away from here and send the search parties further afield. Supplies? A few high energy ration bars only. We'll forage for food later if we have to. Fresh water? We'll risk that stream back down the road if necessary.'
Twenty minutes later saw the last of the party returning. Nothing of use had been found within 8 to 10 minutes walk in either direction. She was just about to outline her plan of action to them when Hailey called, "Ma'am! There's a boat over there coming this way from seaward. Just one person on board."
"Thank you, Captain." replied Sam. "Everyone - out of sight behind that wall where I put the bags. Now!" They scrambled over and lay low. Sam crouched behind a bush and saw Teal'c arrive alongside out of the corner of her eye. The boat gradually drew nearer but she still couldn't make out the occupant.
"It is O'Neill." said Teal'c with authority. "I will go down to the jetty to meet him, if you wish."
"OK, but just you." replied Sam. "The rest of you stay here out of sight until we know it's safe."
Teal'c stood on the pier in the fresh breeze as Jack drew up. He threw a rope to the Jaffa, who deftly caught it and tied up the small craft to the nearest bollard.
"A timely arrival, O'Neill!" cried Teal'c, smiling as he accepted the rucksack and rifle handed to him out of the boat.
"Help me out, will you?" asked Jack, moving awkwardly. "Goddamned leg's gone stiff." Teal'c extended his arm and helped him out onto the wooden planks. He picked up the equipment while Jack limped off towards the rest of the party now emerging from behind the wall.
"Good to see you again, Sir." said Sam as they met up. She glanced at his leg. "Sir, are you wounded?"
"No, Major, just in need of R&R, thank you." replied Jack. "OK, people, listen up." He had all their attention. "I'm guessing that we've been left high and dry because the Andans have just found out that things haven't exactly gone to plan as far as my part of the mission was concerned. Suffice it to say that they're probably pissed right now and will soon be here to round us up."
He looked round briefly and pointed to the jetty. "I borrowed that boat a few miles back up the coast. The previous owner is facing kind of a long walk right now. I guess it's our only means of getting to the Stargate. Now as you can see, even without your kit, it's only going to stay afloat out at sea with maximum seven people aboard. That means I need two volunteers to stay behind with me." He held his hands up in front of him as several people stepped forward.
"I know you're all the best of the best that the SGC has to offer." he continued. "And I do appreciate the gesture. However, the reality is that that our credit with the Andans has probably run out and whoever stays behind will be a fugitive or a prisoner. Also, a rescue mission may be months or years away, if at all. They can easily defend the Stargate island, making anything other than a full-scale off-world assault with associated casualties a no-go." He looked round into each of their eyes, pausing fractionally longer on Sam's gaze.
"For that reason, I'm not taking anyone with family commitments or a partner back at home. Been there, done that, and the price is too high. And since you may have to fight your way through to the Gate when you get to the island, Sergeant Sciortino and Teal'c, you will be needed on board. Daniel, I appreciate your offer, but this isn't your kind of show. So, who's left?"
Sam, Hailey and Grogan were left standing at the front. Jack knew what he had to do next and looked Sam in the eyes again. "Appreciate the offer, Major, but you're in the wrong group. Also you've got to lead your troops home."
"But Sir!" she started before he cut her off.
"That's an order, Major." he added quietly. He turned quickly to Hailey and Grogan. "Well done, Captain, Lieutenant. I suggest you get as many ration bars off the others as you can, but leave them their nine-millimetre ammunition clips even if they offer them to you. It could be quite a fire- fight on the island. Now get moving, everyone!"
Teal'c and Daniel shook his hand and wished him well. Sam lingered behind with Jack as the rest of the party boarded the boat, and both Hailey and Grogan knew enough of their rumoured history to give them space.
"Sir, I'll fight tooth and nail back at the SGC to get you lifted off this planet." she said. "You're the one who always insisted that nobody gets left behind."
"Thanks, Major, but we both know that's not going to happen soon. I promise to look out for these two, though." he replied. "Hailey is good, but Grogan is still the walking target we cursed about way back when."
"He only volunteered because they're dating back at home." said Sam.
"Lucky them." he said quietly. "I'll kick his ass though, if he doesn't keep his mind on survival here. It's make-or-break time."
Sam hesitated, being only too aware of the presence of their comrades. "Sir, you know I still care what happens to you.. A lot." she whispered.
He stared back at her, seeing the sincerity in her expression. "That may be, Sam." he said equally softly. "But you made a choice, and one that gives you a future. Don't waste your life on lost causes. Now go before I do something stupid."
He stepped back, and in a stronger voice said, "I'd try to get a couple of swimmers ashore unseen when you get near the island, Major. May give you an edge if there's resistance."
"Yes, Sir." she replied in a breaking voice, saluting him before she walked away.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
They were several hundred metres from shore when someone noticed two motor boats in pursuit. They watched with concern as the distance visibly decreased with each passing minute. Then to their amazement, a bright flash enveloped the motor of one boat, and they could clearly hear the scream of an Andan soldier hit by exploding metal fragments. The pursuing boat came to a rapid halt in the water.
The second boat continued on its approach until it was struck by a brightly glowing object that flew rapidly in a flat trajectory from the shore. Another scream was heard as a man was catapulted overboard. This time, they heard the sound of the shot rolling over the water from the shore and another bright glow hit the boat, taking a large chunk out of the side. It came to a stop as sea water poured in.
"The Colonel's firing tracer rounds at them." said Sciortino. "Poor bastards."
In the silence that followed as they made their escape, the spray breaking over the bow from the choppy sea hid Sam's tears very well as they approached the island. Daniel wasn't fooled though, and from his position beside her, he leaned across and spoke closely in her ear so that no-one else could hear. "Jack's survived worse than this, Sam. He'll look after them."
She didn't look round at him, but merely said, "It should have been me, Daniel, not them. I'll get him back even if I have to organise a coup to do it."
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Two days of pointless elaboration at the trade negotiations had passed, and mindful of Jack's warning on arrival, Sam called a halt to the discussions early the next morning. "It appears that your elders cannot reach agreement on our position." she stated firmly but politely, knowing that Thon's diplomatic background would lead him into an appropriate reply. "I must therefore inform you that we have decided to return to Earth to await your responses and further proposals. We have offered fair trade terms and hope that you will see them as such."
"I note your position." Thon replied, again with that damned half-smile that made her want to smack him in the mouth. "We will of course respond as soon as possible, but we cannot gainsay our leaders' wishes. You understand that, of course. Transport back to the Stargate will be provided for you. Travel safely."
And so they set off back to the coast, as the mid-morning temperature soared to make it another normal Andan day.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
At first light, Jack struggled to stand as a pain like fire shot through his stiff knee. He hobbled around to the consternation of the others until some form of movement in the joint was possible. He took a couple of pain- killing tablets with his morning ration of water, knowing that they would help only a little. Eventually they set off, with Lev carrying his rucksack for him. After two hours journey, during which time his leg freed up a little more, Jack detected the subtle coolness and freshness in the air that signalled the proximity of the coast. They halted, still in the trees, near a different river inlet to the one he'd arrived at.
Jack sat a little to the side of the other three and asked how long they would be waiting. On instinct, he kept his holstered Beretta on his right hip facing away from them as a precaution. The walk here had given him time to reflect on yesterday's events. He had come to some conclusions that were at odds with the facts given to him during the planning meeting held with Hammond back on Earth.
"The boat should be here within a tenth-day." said Klint, which Jack interpreted as any time within the next three hours. "On behalf of the Andan people, we thank you for what you have done."
"If you really want to thank me, you can tell me who I just killed yesterday." he stated, not looking at Klint but starting to disassemble his rifle to clean the barrel.
"It was the criminal Soray, as we said." replied the native.
"Bullshit." was Jack's terse response. "That camp was too elaborate and too near your capital city for a gang of bandits hiding from the army. Now don't lie to me. Who was he?"
Seeing that O'Neill was not intending to threaten them as he continued to clean the gun, Klint considered the question for a moment. "Who he was is of no significance to you."
"If it affects the safety of my colleagues negotiating with your government, then it is a matter on which your life will depend. I can guarantee that." said Jack.
Klint pondered the situation a while longer. "The people in our government with whom you seek to deal are not as they portray themselves. If we had the time and you were fit enough to travel long distances, I would take you to other camps, where not only men but their families too are held because of the supposed 'threat' that they represent. It is enough for their names to appear on lists prepared by the government Safety and Health Bureau for them to disappear - indefinitely. We learned of the demand to your General Hammond to kill Soray and substituted ourselves for the soldiers assigned to escort you. The fact that your government was willing to send you to perform the assassination tells me that Earth rulers are not so very different from ours."
His companions nodded in agreement as he continued. "But the things you offer in trade for these electrical 'baubles' of ours - such as weapons like the one you carry - are of sufficient value to the Andan government that they will not harm your kindred, although they may hold them for a while."
"So," Jack insisted, "who did you get me to murder yesterday?"
"He was a local army commander. His death will send a message to our oppressors, and they will blame you for it, not us. However it is indeed fortunate that you destroyed their power generator first. This will at least delay them in reporting his death to their superiors."
Jack continued cleaning his gun in silence, eventually re-assembling it and testing that it was in full working order. The three Andans talked quietly amongst themselves and paid little heed to him. He looked round when they were silent for a while and saw a small boat approaching rapidly. It slowed as it entered the river mouth and he identified it as the one he had arrived in, with the same man at the tiller.
With barely a glance at the three men left on the beach, he climbed in with his gear and stowed it under the seat, sitting down as they picked up speed again on their way out to sea.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The vehicle carrying the two SG teams disgorged its passengers and their baggage and pulled away quickly. By force of habit they formed into two lines of four with Sam taking the lead, and walked in step down the narrow road to the jetties where they had previously arrived from the island.
"Halt here!" called Sam as the sight of clear water alongside the wooden piers signalled that there was no way of reaching the island. "Teal'c, Sciortino, guard the road approach and warn us if anyone is coming. The rest of you - spread out along the shore and look for a boat. Anything you think will get us to the island. Do not fire upon anyone who approaches you unless provoked in a life-threatening situation. Report back here in fifteen minutes, no later. Now go!"
"Yes, Ma'am." several voices replied as they departed. She picked up their bags from where they lay in the road and threw them out of sight behind a low wall, and then moved off herself to a vantage point just to the left where she could see the surroundings without being too visible.
'Right, Carter. Options.' she thought. 'We have only side-arms and one spare clip each, so anything more than a skirmish will have a negative outcome. No radios. Swimming? Too far and too rough a sea for nearly everyone. What if no boat is found on the first search? Extend the search. Set up an RV point away from here and send the search parties further afield. Supplies? A few high energy ration bars only. We'll forage for food later if we have to. Fresh water? We'll risk that stream back down the road if necessary.'
Twenty minutes later saw the last of the party returning. Nothing of use had been found within 8 to 10 minutes walk in either direction. She was just about to outline her plan of action to them when Hailey called, "Ma'am! There's a boat over there coming this way from seaward. Just one person on board."
"Thank you, Captain." replied Sam. "Everyone - out of sight behind that wall where I put the bags. Now!" They scrambled over and lay low. Sam crouched behind a bush and saw Teal'c arrive alongside out of the corner of her eye. The boat gradually drew nearer but she still couldn't make out the occupant.
"It is O'Neill." said Teal'c with authority. "I will go down to the jetty to meet him, if you wish."
"OK, but just you." replied Sam. "The rest of you stay here out of sight until we know it's safe."
Teal'c stood on the pier in the fresh breeze as Jack drew up. He threw a rope to the Jaffa, who deftly caught it and tied up the small craft to the nearest bollard.
"A timely arrival, O'Neill!" cried Teal'c, smiling as he accepted the rucksack and rifle handed to him out of the boat.
"Help me out, will you?" asked Jack, moving awkwardly. "Goddamned leg's gone stiff." Teal'c extended his arm and helped him out onto the wooden planks. He picked up the equipment while Jack limped off towards the rest of the party now emerging from behind the wall.
"Good to see you again, Sir." said Sam as they met up. She glanced at his leg. "Sir, are you wounded?"
"No, Major, just in need of R&R, thank you." replied Jack. "OK, people, listen up." He had all their attention. "I'm guessing that we've been left high and dry because the Andans have just found out that things haven't exactly gone to plan as far as my part of the mission was concerned. Suffice it to say that they're probably pissed right now and will soon be here to round us up."
He looked round briefly and pointed to the jetty. "I borrowed that boat a few miles back up the coast. The previous owner is facing kind of a long walk right now. I guess it's our only means of getting to the Stargate. Now as you can see, even without your kit, it's only going to stay afloat out at sea with maximum seven people aboard. That means I need two volunteers to stay behind with me." He held his hands up in front of him as several people stepped forward.
"I know you're all the best of the best that the SGC has to offer." he continued. "And I do appreciate the gesture. However, the reality is that that our credit with the Andans has probably run out and whoever stays behind will be a fugitive or a prisoner. Also, a rescue mission may be months or years away, if at all. They can easily defend the Stargate island, making anything other than a full-scale off-world assault with associated casualties a no-go." He looked round into each of their eyes, pausing fractionally longer on Sam's gaze.
"For that reason, I'm not taking anyone with family commitments or a partner back at home. Been there, done that, and the price is too high. And since you may have to fight your way through to the Gate when you get to the island, Sergeant Sciortino and Teal'c, you will be needed on board. Daniel, I appreciate your offer, but this isn't your kind of show. So, who's left?"
Sam, Hailey and Grogan were left standing at the front. Jack knew what he had to do next and looked Sam in the eyes again. "Appreciate the offer, Major, but you're in the wrong group. Also you've got to lead your troops home."
"But Sir!" she started before he cut her off.
"That's an order, Major." he added quietly. He turned quickly to Hailey and Grogan. "Well done, Captain, Lieutenant. I suggest you get as many ration bars off the others as you can, but leave them their nine-millimetre ammunition clips even if they offer them to you. It could be quite a fire- fight on the island. Now get moving, everyone!"
Teal'c and Daniel shook his hand and wished him well. Sam lingered behind with Jack as the rest of the party boarded the boat, and both Hailey and Grogan knew enough of their rumoured history to give them space.
"Sir, I'll fight tooth and nail back at the SGC to get you lifted off this planet." she said. "You're the one who always insisted that nobody gets left behind."
"Thanks, Major, but we both know that's not going to happen soon. I promise to look out for these two, though." he replied. "Hailey is good, but Grogan is still the walking target we cursed about way back when."
"He only volunteered because they're dating back at home." said Sam.
"Lucky them." he said quietly. "I'll kick his ass though, if he doesn't keep his mind on survival here. It's make-or-break time."
Sam hesitated, being only too aware of the presence of their comrades. "Sir, you know I still care what happens to you.. A lot." she whispered.
He stared back at her, seeing the sincerity in her expression. "That may be, Sam." he said equally softly. "But you made a choice, and one that gives you a future. Don't waste your life on lost causes. Now go before I do something stupid."
He stepped back, and in a stronger voice said, "I'd try to get a couple of swimmers ashore unseen when you get near the island, Major. May give you an edge if there's resistance."
"Yes, Sir." she replied in a breaking voice, saluting him before she walked away.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
They were several hundred metres from shore when someone noticed two motor boats in pursuit. They watched with concern as the distance visibly decreased with each passing minute. Then to their amazement, a bright flash enveloped the motor of one boat, and they could clearly hear the scream of an Andan soldier hit by exploding metal fragments. The pursuing boat came to a rapid halt in the water.
The second boat continued on its approach until it was struck by a brightly glowing object that flew rapidly in a flat trajectory from the shore. Another scream was heard as a man was catapulted overboard. This time, they heard the sound of the shot rolling over the water from the shore and another bright glow hit the boat, taking a large chunk out of the side. It came to a stop as sea water poured in.
"The Colonel's firing tracer rounds at them." said Sciortino. "Poor bastards."
In the silence that followed as they made their escape, the spray breaking over the bow from the choppy sea hid Sam's tears very well as they approached the island. Daniel wasn't fooled though, and from his position beside her, he leaned across and spoke closely in her ear so that no-one else could hear. "Jack's survived worse than this, Sam. He'll look after them."
She didn't look round at him, but merely said, "It should have been me, Daniel, not them. I'll get him back even if I have to organise a coup to do it."
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