Chapter 8 - Fair Trade

"It's the first time that I was left alone in the senior staff offices." Jen Hailey explained over the breakfast that Jack had prepared for her after she returned from her night shift. "I had to pick the lock on the cupboard door, but it was an easy one. The first training sessions are due to start in a few days time. The schedules have been drawn up and the lists look like they've been selected from different army units - probably their best men. They're unbelievably thorough in documenting everything." She paused to devour more of the welcome hot food.

Jack realised how hungry and tired she was and knew to keep quiet and let her continue in her own time. He thought back to how she had changed during the last five months that they'd spent together on the run. At first, keen and eager to please - an aspiring officer on her way up the ranks, much like Carter had been when he first knew her. Now, so much more worldly- wise, self-confident and aware that patience was a virtue as well as enthusiasm, and exuding that quiet determination to succeed in their survival plan. A safe and capable pair of hands whose loyalty and abilities could be relied on without doubt.

He thought too about Jeff Grogan, and how his growing-up progress had somehow not quite matched hers, try though he might. His infatuation with Hailey had never gone away, but was by now well-suppressed as she had taken control of their relationship. He clearly still resented her role in manipulating other men to do her bidding, and Jack wondered whether their relationship would survive their escape. He knew that Grogan would give his life for them if asked, but that was the problem. That might well happen but to no good result. He knew the type - willing, determined and with certain obvious skills, but living at the limit of his capabilities. The man would be unlikely to progress to a Captain's rank in the near future, if ever. His attention returned to Jen as she finished up her plate.

"Thanks, Jack. That was great." she smiled at him. "These lists. The names are grouped under headings such as 'M16', 'M60', Grenades' and so on. So that tells us that they've received supplies of US-origin weapons and there must be personnel here already, or arriving soon to train them."

"Have you found any references to counter-trade going to Earth?" asked Jack.

"No. But there was one item that advised a whole list of people that no 'SuSp Intensifiers' were to be shipped until a 'clean-up' operation was complete." she continued. "There's several ways of interpreting that: one of them could be when they've captured us. Your name continues to be passed around even on recent documents, but for some reason they've stopped mentioning Jeff and me. Alternatively they'll use the weapons against the opposition, but that would take much more time and effort."

"That could be good news if it's us." said Jack, thinking hard. "So, what do you think is the most probable scenario?"

"That the Andans have got Earth to agree to ship the weapons, but are holding out on the return trade until you've been taken." she mused. "We know that the guy you shot had government connections - maybe personal ones - and that they must be smarting to link a personal matter to an important deal. The fact that Jeff and I aren't linked with you any more in the documents could mean that we're no longer part of the deal, and might be handed back if found. But I'm not going to take that risk. We're together until we all get out of here."

Jack couldn't help but smile at her, and she felt a warm glow at the rare sight of him being amused. She really was beginning to think of him as her second father.

"Don't grow up too much like me, kid." he said quietly. "It ain't worth it."

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"Sam, are really sure about this?" asked Daniel for the umpteenth time. "Your career.."

"Yes. Now shut up." replied Sam in a firm but still amicable way. "He'll be here soon, and we've been through it all before. It's your career too if they catch on to the fact that you're helping me."

Although she knew that this would be the last occasion that she would be with her great friend for a long time, the flood of emotions passing over her had lessened the impact. The two of them had spent a mere two hours at Jack's cabin in Minnesota, arriving at dusk. The glimpse she'd had of the place that had been - and still was - central to her fantasies of the future had been too brief. She was fascinated by every detail that her hungry eyes took in, the reality of each small item describing his life wiping away the speculation of the last few years, replacing it with a longing that intensified as the moments passed.

Daniel's voice brought her back to the present. "What do you think caused Hammond to change his mind?" he asked, his eyes like hers continuing to search the early evening sky as they stood on the short wooden jetty.

"When he realised that the NID were willing to trade Jack's life as part of the deal." she replied. "His career will be over after tonight as well. But he said it was worth the price. I won't let him down either."

"There!" said Daniel, pointing to the North West. "That meteor trail isn't quite straight. He'll be here in a few."

"Good." Sam replied. "Daniel,"

"Yes, I know." he interrupted. "Go get the SOB. He means a lot to us all." They embraced as Jacob Carter slowed the Tel'tak across the open water, coming to a halt with the nose hovering just above the end of the pier. He rotated the craft slowly until the open door was an easy step for Sam, and she didn't hesitate to throw in her bag and step smartly in behind it. She turned and waved briefly to Daniel before the door slid shut. He watched in silence as the alien ship soon became a fleeting flash across the sky, and was gone.

A Minnesota police patrolman taking a natural break by his car on a remote road asked himself which was the more important: to report what he'd seen, or to carry on supporting his wife and kids in a slow but steady job. 'Normality' won the day, but he would always wonder...

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