What You Are – Chapter 5
Well everyone, exams are finally over! Sorry it has been so long since an update, but I really needed to focus on my studies. Good news though! Your patience is being rewarded with a really long chapter! I hope you enjoy it. Thanks so much for sticking with me.
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Daniel watched as the sun sank lower and lower in the sky. He ran a hand through his hair.
"What are we going to do?" he asked Teal'c.
"I believe we need to remain calm, Daniel Jackson. I have no doubt we will come up with a suitable plan."
"Yes, but every minute longer we spend thinking about it, the closer it's getting to sundown. Maybe we should just go. Maybe they'll keep their word."
"Perhaps. But is that a chance you are willing to take?"
"No. I guess not. But how can we face them in battle. We don't have that many people. Especially since so many were captured."
Teal'c stood up from his place by the fire.
"I believe the element of surprise would serve us best."
Daniel froze, then turned wide eyes up to his friend.
"Take them by surprise. Teal'c, that's brilliant! I think I've got an idea now!"
Daniel continued muttering even as he walked out of earshot of his friend.
Smiling his knowing smile, Teal'c began to follow.
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Sam's head snapped off its place on the Colonel's shoulder as voices outside the tent could be heard.
"They're leaving! I just saw them. The Kerans are leaving!"
"The cowards. I wouldn't have thought they would give in so quickly."
"Should we release the hostages now?"
Those inside the tent sat frozen as they waited for the answer.
Laughter.
Sam rose off the ground with a start. What was going on? Hours must have passed since she had splinted Amy's leg. But what had woken her up? Then she heard it again. The roar of engines and a soft whistle that her trained ears knew instantly. The accompanying explosion confirmed her worst fears. The area was being attacked. By their own people.
"Amy. Amy, wake up right now!" Sam shook her friend frantically, regretting that she'd given her morphine though she really hadn't had a choice at the time.
Another whistle.
"Amy, please!"
Amy opened her eyes.
Jack and Sam winced at each other as they heard the Telars' laughter.
"That can't be good."
"I guess Daniel decided to trust them."
"He couldn't have known."
"What do you suggest we do, sir?"
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'd rather go down fighting. At the next possible opportunity, we'll make our move."
"Sounds good to me, sir."
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Daniel's feet brushed silently along the ground. Turning to signal to the others, he crouched down beside a tree and took out a pair of binoculars as Teal'c took position beside him and pulled out his own pair. The Kerans crouched beside them.
"There. That's got to be it. It's the only tent that's being guarded, and it's big enough to hold all the people."
"I agree, Daniel Jackson."
Teal'c gripped his staff weapon even tighter. It had taken them a while to circle back around, but they had moved quickly after they were sure they were no longer being followed.
"I see three people in a watch tower. We should target them first."
"Would it not be wiser to begin with the guards at the tent, Daniel Jackson. If we alert them to our presence, they may begin harming the hostages before we get there."
"Oh, yeah I guess you're right. Well, what if we formed a line? Then we could work our way closer and protect ourselves better than if we just made a beeline for the tent."
"Agreed. We should place most of our number at the middle with a few on each side to protect us while we advance."
"All right," Daniel nodded. "Let's do it."
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"Did you hear that?" one guard asked his companions.
"What?"
"Over by the trees. I swear I..."
Suddenly forms came into view.
"It's the Kerans!"
Those in the tent rushed to their feet at the sound of shouts.
"Well, I guess this is as good an opportunity as any."
"Yes sir!"
They rushed out of the tent to join their friends.
As soon as Jack exited the tent, he swung the nearest guard around and punched him hard. Shaking out his hand in pain, he did not pause before moving to the next one.
Sam was pulling her own weight as well. After backhanding one Telar and elbowing him in the stomach, she took another one down with a nearby piece of firewood. Throwing down her broken stick, she quickly took in her surroundings.
The boy. Sweeping the child up in her arms, she ran towards the trees, ignoring the fighting around her. Placing him down at the edge of the woods, she took his small hand in her own and looked into his scared eyes.
"I need you to stay here, okay? You'll be okay, but it's safer here. Do you understand? Don't move."
He nodded mutely.
Giving his hand one last squeeze, Sam went to rejoin the fight.
Sam pulled one of Amy's arms over her shoulders trying to help her friend by bearing some of her weight. They hobbled along as blasts echoed all around them.
One whistle became particularly loud.
"Oh, that can't be good."
The blast rocked the ground beneath them as they were thrown forward.
Sam quickly picked herself up despite the pain throbbing through her body.
"We need to move now!"
Sam took out two more Telars on her way back to the center of the fight. Looking to her left, she noticed a woman fighting against one of the Telar men. She looked like she was beginning to flag.
"Hey!" Sam shouted behind him. Turning around in surprise, he was met with a fierce right hook.
"He's going to be feeling that one in the morning," she gloated, rubbing her sore fingers.
But she didn't get to gloat for long as she was grabbed from behind. Remembering the last time that had happened, she deftly stomped on her captor's toes and swung viciously at him as he dropped his grip.
The fighting continued for what seemed like ages, when finally her CO's voice rose above the clamor.
"All right people, let's move. Come one! Everybody out!"
They ran towards the trees, cautiously looking behind them to make sure the Telars didn't rally another attack.
Sam ran beside Jack. The Telars weren't advancing, but something still didn't feel right.
"The little boy! I left him over there," Sam pointed far to their right. "I need to go get him!"
"No, Carter, you can't. It's too dangerous."
But she was already on her way.
"Teal'c!" Jack called to his friend and motioned for him to follow. "We better cover her."
They had only gone about four meters when another blast threw them to the ground. This time much harder. This time, they didn't get back up.
Sam finally made it to the child who frantically gripped his arms around her neck when she picked him up. Immediately she turned to make her way back to the group. She decided to cut through the trees. She ran as fast as she could, though somewhat awkwardly because of her extra burden. The sound of twigs snapping behind her caused her to look behind.
Two Telars were hot on her trail. With even more urgency, she turned back around and moved for all she was worth. She could feel them catching up, their ragged breathing sounding behind her. Then stopping as two staff blasts shot through the air.
"You know, next time I give you an order, Major..."
"Yes, sir." She grinned as her friends drew up beside her. "And thanks."
Fingers brushed gently through her hair.
"General! Over here, sir!"
"What is it, Major?"
"Air Force pilots. They're American, sir."
The next time Sam opened her eyes, she found herself strapped to a stretcher, the roar of a plane surrounding her. She turned her head to see a young major sitting beside her in the small space. He looked up as soon as she moved.
"Amy! Where is she? She was with me. Did you find her?"
"Don't you worry, Ma'am. We've got her in a plane right beside ours. She's going to be just fine. We're taking you home."
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Amy hadn't been that fine though. True, her injuries had healed and after much counseling she'd regained her right mind. She just couldn't stay in the Air Force. Couldn't take it anymore she'd said. Sam had tried to stay in touch, but her efforts were ignored. Last she'd heard Amy had gone back to school for an education degree. Maybe it was for the best. Sam probably reminded her too much of what had been when what she really needed was a fresh start. And Amy had always been good with children.
Yes, Sam decided, maybe they would be okay after all. Michael would never be with them again, but they would always have their memories, and they had survived and even moved on with their lives. He would have been proud.
Rubbing her hand over her bracelet, she gave a small smile and nod.
Everything was going to be just fine.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Sam's head jerked to the sound of a scream. Daniel was running over to Jack, desperation straining his features.
Jack looked up innocently from the jug he was drinking out of.
Daniel grabbed the jar out of Jack's hands and held it protectively to his chest. Quickly he glanced around to see if any of the Kerans had noticed his outburst.
"This is the ceremonial vase of Kelma Boran!" he hissed.
Jack just stared at him.
"It is not to be touched by human hands!"
Jack raised his eyebrows.
Realization dawned as Daniel looked down at his own hands.
"Ahh!"
Carefully, he put it back in its proper place, glaring at Jack. The Colonel just shrugged.
Sam grinned and shook her head as she turned away from them. They made a good team.
Mike carefully took a small bundle of cloth from his pocket. Looking slightly embarrassed, he removed the cloth to reveal three matching leather bracelets.
"I, uh, noticed some of the other teams doing this so I thought..." he shrugged.
They were silent as they each reverently took one of the finely crafted pieces and tied it to their wrists.
They smiled at each other.
"Now we're ready."
They stood before the event horizon, the blue waves glistening softly.
"Ready to head out, Major?"
"Yes sir... I'm ready."
Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high. Like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are...
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THE END
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Wow! I didn't realize I was going to finish it in this chapter. But as usually is the case, the story kind of wrote itself. I hope you enjoyed this story! Sorry again about the delayed update. Hope it was worth the wait!
Best wishes and lots of love! macisgate