Okay, sorry for the delay, but MacGyver was needed on an urgent mission away from this story. You want to know where? He was at my house diffusing the bombs you people sent me because I haven't updated quickly enough. So thank you, I felt very complimented by all of the hurry up messages and I got a charming houseguest as a bonus. ~Also Mac's been a bit busy, he is back on TV on the TVLand network.
Jack? by Teri
Chapter 15 - Explosive
N.B. - WARNING: The materials mentioned could be hazardous if mistreated. Please Boys and Girls don't try this at home. ~~~ Teri ~~~ Remember this is only FICTION.
I now return you to our regularly scheduled chapter . . .
* * * * *
An unidentified Gou'ald walked into Daniel and Jack's cell. "We have many things to talk about, Colonel." It hissed as it held out a hand-device aimed at Jack.
"Stop. I don't think that will be necessary. I am quite sure the Colonel won't give in to physical torture." Jack looked up to see Colonel Simmons or at least someone who looked like him. "Of course, it could be fun for the entertainment value alone."
"Simmons!" Jack greeted.
"O'Neill." Simmons responded as he motioned for the Gou'ald to leave.
"Well, they say like attracts like. I guess this proves it. Snake in the grass joins Snake in the . . " Jack flounders for the word a moment then gestures to back of his neck, " . . . neck?"
"Jack, you're slipping. " Daniel interjected.
Jack sighed and turned to him. "I know, but I haven't been able to get a decent night sleep here. The accommodations are lousy. It's no wonder I am turning up shy in the witty remarks department."
"True and don't forget they have lousy room service here, but at least we didn't have to tip the bellhops." Daniel said seriously.
"Cause they lost our luggage, Danny." Jack complained.
"True again, but you always see the negatives Jack. This is an all expenses paid trip away from work. I plan to sit back and enjoy." Daniel smiled.
Jack shook his head. "You have always been an optimist. I bet you even think if you left the program we would be able to replace you, with say a brainy alien who memorizes all your journals, and everything would be fine and dandy in the SGC."
"Well, I wouldn't go that far . . ." Daniel began, but was cut-off by Simmons.
"Enough! Don't you two ever shut-up!" He screamed.
Jack and Daniel looked at each other, giving twin shrugs. "No?"
* * * * *
"Yes, you are the one that was host to Jolinar." Neferteri still in Andie's body said as she ran her hand down the side of Sam's face.
Sam was clamped down on a table in the room that seemed to be a lab. It was the same room that had held Lt. Alexander and MacGyver.
"Yes, from you I will learn many secrets of the Tok'ra." Neferteri continued as Sam stared at her defiantly.
* * * * *
Simmons turned and sent a blast through Jack's shoulders.
"I'll just leave you boys here to stew for a while." Simmons began. "Thought you might like to know that Major Carter is enjoying some quality time with Neferteri. Of course, there isn't anything you can do about it. I made sure this place was 100%, certifiable . . .
"You're certifiable" Jack quipped.
"Certifiable O'Neill proof. There is no way you are getting out of here O'Neill I know how you think and you will be here until I let you out. Have fun boys." With that Simmons left.
As the door shut, Daniel noticed Jack begin to grin. "Jack?"
"Yes?" He answered innocently trying not to laugh.
"Why are you grinning? Sam's in danger, we have no idea what happened to Teal'c, and I for one don't see a way out." Daniel said calmly worrying that his friend was cracking up.
"You heard the man, Daniel. This place is O'Neill proof." He smiled again.
"Yeah . . ." Daniel prompted.
"Well, if it is O'Neill proof . . . Jack started.
"It doesn't mean that it is MacGyver proof." They finished together.
"Right." Jack. .er, rather Mac now, looked around the room. "I mean I have allowed MacGyver to slip out discreetly before. After all, I wasn't going to let anyone get killed to keep a secret, but now you know my secret, I don't even have to be discreet."
"I don't exactly know your secret Jack-Mac-Jackygyver-Person. You haven't done much explaining yet." Daniel said tiredly. "Besides, I still don't know what your name is this week."
"You are so preoccupied with my name." Jack sighed. "Fine, I'll give you a hint." Daniel perked-up. "My name isn't Daniel and I'll even throw in a freebie, it isn't Martouf either."
Daniel groaned until he noticed Mac's smile. "Find something."
"Just the ticket out of here."
Mac, slipped a Swiss army knife out of the heel of his boot and began to file away the metal surrounding the edge of the door.
"Jack, I don't think you will be able to saw your way out with that little knife, even if you were able to sneak it in." Daniel said his hopes feeling a bit dashed.
"Daniel, there are three essentials necessary to support combustion." Mac began sounding like Daniel in lecture mode. "You need an oxidizing agent, fuel, and a heat source. The cell here is made of Titanium. Now, Titanium is one of the most common metals we have on earth, it is extremely light, but very strong. It resists corrosion, the action of most chemicals, and seawater. However, titanium is pyrophoric meaning that along with magnesium, sodium, calcium, zinc and others, it is referred to as a combustible metal because of the ease of ignition when they reach a high specific area ratio."
"What?" Daniel asked. He hoped he would have been able to keep up, but he was still thrown to be hearing such an explanation coming from Jack.
"Meaning: Titanium, burns easily when it is filed down in fine particles or thin sections. We'll use this for the fuel." Jack explained. "Now, we need an oxidizing agent. Now that's a substance that gives up oxygen easily and removes hydrogen from another source. Luckily, there should be enough oxygen in this room to give us what we need. Although, a secondary source would give us a little insurance. Ferric acid usually works best. Do you see any?"
"Usually, this is the other way around, but I haven't a clue what ferric acid is." Daniel told him.
"Ah, sorry. Bet Carter would know." Mac smirked. "Rust, Iron Rust."
"Oh, well. The screws of my glasses have a little rust. The rest of the frame is galvanized, so not rust, but the screws." Daniel offered.
"Yes, but I am not going to take your glasses, but I think my sun glasses are the same way." Mac dug through his pockets. "Eureka, rust."
As he filed down the rust, he continued to explain. "Finally, we need a heat source. For which I could, pull one of those panels apart and hot wire something, but I feel like doing it the easy way."
Mac took off his boot, lifted the interior lining of the boot and pulled out a match. "They never check footwear." He grinned. "Now, if I filed these fine enough they should light with only a match. If they are two thick, I'll need something stronger."
Mac piled the titanium filings mixed with the iron rust. "Okay, Danny stand back. Be prepared to get out of here, we don't know what kind of attention this will attract and this won't even give us a smoke screen."
"Oh?" Daniel asked curiously.
"Titanium fires produce negligible amounts of smoke." He replied. Once he was satisfied, he threw a lit match on to the filings, which immediately caught fire. The oxygen began to feed the fire. "5, 4, 3, 2, 1" The fire exploded knocking down the door.
MacGyver and Daniel made a run for it. Luckily, the only guard was caught in the explosion.
They started on their way to the lab. They believed Simmons when he said that Neferteri had Carter.
As they made their way down on of the hallways, they heard several Jaffa coming and ducked into the nearest room. Once there they looked around. There was a large, grand, bath tub, very ornate.
Jack looked at Daniel, "What after a long day of torture and mayhem, she comes home and soaks in a nice relaxing tub?"
"Well cleanliness is next to godliness and she thinks herself a god." Daniel chuckled.
"Oh for . . . Let's get moving." Jack said.
They checked the hall and made their way down other passages.
MacGyver stopped and pressed himself and Daniel against a wall. They were in the corridor around the corner from the entrance to the lab. Mac signaled Daniel that he heard talking ahead.
"What do you mean they are gone?" Neferteri raged at the Jaffa.
At this Mac grinned, he loved upsetting Goa'uld plans
"At least we still have the two Tauri, Jackson and O'Neill, my queen." The Jaffa responded.
Mac looked at Daniel in confusion. Daniel only shrugged. 'How could they not know we're gone? We left a big enough mess.' Each wondered to themselves.
"I cannot believe my brother Zhai betrayed me. He took the Asgard and the Sho'Va." She seethed.
"Teal'c and Thor?" Jack mouthed silently to Daniel who nodded.
"He said he owed to much to the Tok'ra to betray them. Betray them? I am his sister! He betrays me!"
"Mistress, Simmons and N'tec took some Jaffa and ships. They were confident that they would capture your brother and the others." The Jaffa replied
"Keep me informed, I'll be in my chambers." Both Neferteri and the Jaffa left leading the door to the lab unguarded.
They were able to break in and saw Sam on the lab table. Sam had heard someone enter. She assumed it was Neferteri reentering and decided to keep her eyes closed and feign unconsciousness.
"Some people are always lying down on the job." Mac said softly. "I don't know why we keep her around."
Sam's eyes flew open and she smiled with great relief.
"Me neither." Daniel said with a chuckle. "Maybe because she is pretty to look at."
"Could be?" Mac conceded.
"Or maybe I am the only one who can put up with you two." She added.
"Well that could be it." Daniel said as he opened the restraints on her legs.
"Definitely," Mac added as he opened her arm restraints.
Mac looked her over, her injuries didn't look that severe. She had a bit of a bruise, but nothing that would permanently maul that pretty face of hers. Wait, where did that thought come from? "You okay, Major?"
"Yes, sir. Now how do we find the others and get out of here?" Sam asked.
"She sounds impatient." Mac said calmly.
"You've, or rather Jack's, rubbed off on her." Daniel grinned.
"Are we back to the Jack/Mac bit again? Can we pick a name and stick to it!" Sam said getting feed up with the name game.
"Believe me Sam, this is MacGyver not Jack. Jack could never have pulled off that last stunt." Daniel said still surprised at watching Jack of all people make a bomb out of rust and metal filings.
"Fine, what about Teal'c and Thor?" Sam asked.
Mac explained, "From what we overheard that guy Zhai, the Tok'ra who took Thor in the first place; the guy your dad is friends with, you remember. He had another change of heart and freed them. That's why Neferteri left you alone."
"So, it's just us we have to get out of here." Daniel summarized.
"So we have to make it to the ring room to leave?" Sam asked.
"Ah, no." Mac interrupted. "Unless I miss my guess the rings are still out of commission from when we escaped from here the last time."
"You mean yesterday?" Daniel added.
Mac rolled his eyes, "Yes, Dr. Jackson."
"From when you destroyed them?" Daniel said again.
"Yeah, Do you have a point?" Mac was acting a bit like Jack and getting frustrated.
"Not really, just that you are destructive and I wanted to get you frustrated. Prove to myself you're still O'Neill." Daniel said with a grin.
"What? Oh for crying out loud Daniel, we have more important things to worry about right now."
"Okay, so we need to steal a ship. We are going to need a distraction." Sam said thoughtfully. "How?"
"Daniel? Earlier, you said your frames were made of galvanized steel?" Mac asked.
"Yeah, I wanted something stronger so I would stop breaking my glasses during a mission. Why?" Daniel asked, worried he was about to lose his glasses again.
"Zinc. Galvanized steel is created by coating steel in zinc to prevent rusting." Mac said putting his hand out for Daniel's glasses.
"So?" Sam asked. "What good does that do?"
As he filed the frames down, Mac responded. "Zinc dust when moist begins to release small amounts of hydrogen. Now if this is in a confined space, say like those test tubes in the corner and it is ignited; we get a nice explosion with lots and lots of smoke."
Sam picked-up where MacGyver left off. "And because of the hydrogen reaction, a separate ignition factor isn't even needed. Usually, you would need to create a spark of at least, 1,110 degrees F, but in this case the impact from throwing them should be more than sufficient to get the smoke started." Sam finished as she went to get the test tubes and their corks.
"So you just created smoke bombs with my glasses?' Daniel asked slightly amazed and slightly doubtful.
"Yeah, Daniel. It's brilliant. I would have never thought of something like that, but the chemistry is so basic." Sam smiled widely.
Mac looked around the room as Sam made a few more Zinc tubes. He went over to the lab table and smiled widely.
"What's the look for?" Daniel asked.
"They left us everything we need." Mac grinned as he picked up a larger tube. He picked up something that looked like a steel sponge and another tube, which had some sort of gas in it.
"Sir, what are you going to do with the Ammonia and what is that? Platinum-iridium gauze?" Sam asked.
"Major, Major, I thought you were the whiz kid. Surely you recognize the components of Nitric Acid." Mac responded. Sam was amazed at watching him create Nitric Acid.
"Sir, as amazing is that is and disturbing that it is you doing it. What good will this do us? Sam asked.
"This whole place is made of titanium." Mac grinned as if this explained everything.
"So?" Sam asked.
"Jack? you explained to me earlier that Titanium, when a fine particle, was highly flammable. Are you saying that some how larger amounts can be flammable too?" Daniel asked, his mood lifting. If that was what Jack was implying, it could be good day.
"10 points to Ravenclaw, Dr. Jackson. Titanium when treated with Nitric Acid becomes very pyrophoric and maybe explosive." Mac smiled.
"You read Harry Potter too. I am so disillusioned." Daniel said in mock disappointment.
"Okay, so it becomes pyrophoric. So what?" Sam asked. "We can hardly cover the whole ship in it and even if we could we still need an oxidizing agent . . "
"The ship is filled with ducts carrying liquid oxygen." Mac grinned. "In fact, even without the nitric acid the Titanium would respond to the liquid oxygen; however the acid increases the output."
"We also need some form of ignition." Sam argued.
"Well, Major, that's the bad news. Do you smell that?" Mac asked. "The air?"
"What?" Sam asked.
"There is a light smell of garlic." Daniel replied.
"10 more points. Unless, I miss my guess that is Arsine, a highly dangerous blood and nerve poison. Pretty soon we are going to get very sick." Mac explained.
"Won't they be poisoning themselves?' Daniel asked.
"No their symbiants should protect them from the effects." Sam explained. "So, what does this have to do with the ignition?"
Mac grinned again. "Well, Arsine will generally not ignite in air unless at elevated temperatures, but it can be detonated by a suitably powerful initiation such as a heat source or shock wave which we should be able to rig. More importantly, however is that arsine will, when exposed to nitric acid, combust."
"So, your plan is to quickly make way to the hanger, before we get sick. As we go we spray Nitric Acid on the titanium walls. Thereby treating the Titanium and exposing the Arsine to the acid. We get to the hanger, we set a small explosion, which would be enough to ignite the Arsine which they have released into all of the air vents. As we get away, this would then cause a chain reaction causing the liquid oxygen to leak and the Titanium explode, destroying the whole ship?" Sam asked.
Mac just grinned. "Yeap. Sweet, huh?"
"It is the craziest plan I ever heard." Sam looked him in the eyes and broke out into a big smile. "And I think it will work."
"Boom!" Mac said with his eyes twinkling.
"So, do we need to crawl to avoid the gas fumes?" Daniel asked.
"No, Arsine is heavier than air, So hold your head up high." Mac added with a grin.
The team made their way to the hanger. Spraying Nitric acid and throwing their Zinc bombs when needed. By the time they reached the hanger it was clear, that they didn't need to create any further explosions. One of the Zinc bombs must have created enough of a reaction to get everything started.
They found a ship and prepared to get underway, when they saw Neferteri enter the hanger. It was clear she was looking for a way off the ship. She must have realized what was happening. Mac looked at her and remembered the young girl at the dig. She had a wicked sense of humor. "Aw, hell." Mac said to himself as he grabbed one of the zats he had appropriated from one of the Jaffa during the fights.
"Neferteri!" He hollered.
She turned and he shot her before she had a chance to respond. He went over picked her up and carried her on to the ship. He handed the zat to Daniel and said, "Watch her. We'll take her to the Tollen or Thor's hammer or something." Daniel nodded.
Mac and Sam took the controls and got far enough away before the ship exploded, just as Mac planned.
"Hey, it looks like the Death Star." Mac grinned.
"Does that mean you think you are Luke Skywalker?" Daniel asked.
"Nah, I'm more of the Han Solo type. You be Luke."
"Great and Sam gets to be Leia." Daniel added.
"Interesting casting." Sam grinned to herself. "So, that means you are a scruffy nerf-herder, Sir?"
"Hey!"
* * * * *
Another ship, some distance away saw the explosion. The three on board all looked to see what had happened.
"I wish it hadn't had to end like this."
"Your sister choose her own path." Thor said thoughtfully. "I can only hope O'Neill and the others escaped before the explosion."
"I am confident they did." Teal'c added.
* * * * *
Back in the infirmary . . .
"Well, Mr. Malloy while we wait for your test results, I have arranged for you and Nick to take a tour of the non-classified areas of our facility." Janet informed them as she motioned for two people to enter. "This is Lt. Hasckle and Sgt. Breiner. They will be escorting you, Okay?" Janet nodded and went to go check on a member of SG-7 that had been brought in earlier.
Lt. Hasckle was a young woman about Sam's age. She had shoulder length brown hair and green eyes. Very pretty. "Hi, I'm Katy-Beth Hasckle, but you can call me KB. I work in Astronomy and I'll be playing your tour guide today." She smiled at Sam who was smiling back at her.
Nick and Sgt. Breiner both noticed the interplay. The Sgt. rolled his eyes. "Looks like I'll have to introduce myself. I'm Master Sergeant Breiner, but everyone 'round here just calls me Sarge. I have been here since they opened the facility. Most of 'em here think I came with the place. I am in security."
Nick nodded and shook his hand. He expected one of them would be from security. "Nick Fos. . . Knight, pleased to meet you."
Nick and Sarge looked over and saw that KB and Sam were making small talk. Nick coughed softly.
Sam looked at him. "Oh, sorry I'm Sean Malloy, but everyone calls me SAM."
The four-some went on the tour of the base. By the end of it, Sam and KB had decided to have dinner together in the mess and off-base when allowed. Neither Nick, nor Sarge was surprised. In fact, Nick thought Sam had a good idea and went to go see Janet.
Sarge just shook his head and grinned at the young fools all smitten. He then thought, why not join in? So he decided to go talk to June in the infirmary or maybe he should talk to Eva in cryptology, of course there was Maryh and Beth in linguistics and Layton in tech support, oh and he couldn't forget about what's her name in personnel. Oh, well maybe he'd talk to all of them.
* * * * *
"Phoenix Foundation, Miss Marlowe speaking." Jennifer answered the phone.
"Jennifer, its Peter Thorton. I understand you have been trying to reach me?" Pete asked.
Relief flooded through Jennifer now that they had reached Mr. Thorton. "Sir, I don't think you'll believe the trouble Sam and it seems MacGyver have gotten themselves into this time."
"Nothing short of space aliens, would surprise me with those two anymore. So fill me in."
"Well, it is funny you mentioned aliens, sir. You see . . . " Jennifer explained everything she had found out about areas 51 and 52, what she knew about the dig, her conversations with Sam. She told him that Area 52 was headed by General George Hammond who had formerly headed project blue book and was the same George Hammond that had served with Pete.
"I'm impressed by the amount of information you were able to gather on such top secret projects." Pete sighed, just what had Mac gotten himself into this time? "I guess I need to give George a call. Thank you Jennifer. When I have some news, I'll call."
"Thank you." Jennifer and Pete hung-up.
Elsewhere, a grinning man took off a pair of headphones and smiled to himself. "I am so glad I decided to bug the Foundation phones again. This gives me something very interesting to work with. Very interesting indeed."
"Now who would know about such things? Ah, yes my old pal, Colonel Mayboure." He grinned some more and dialed a phone number.
"Yes?" came Mayborne's voice over the phone.
"It's me." The man said.
"What? It can't be." Mayborne sounded shocked. "You're suppose to be dead."
"Details. As if that would stop me?"
"Right." Mayborne sounded resigned. "What do you need this time, Murdoc?"
* * * * *
Well? Let me know what you think. I hope y'all liked it.
Teri (Garnet_TM@yahoo.com)
Notes of Interest:
* MacGyver is back on TV on the TVLand network. If you have it take a look, its fun to watch him again.
* There is a new MacGyver/Stargate crossover at ff.net, called 'Silver & Gold'. It's pretty good, check it out.
Bloopers and Out-takes:
Original script: Sam finished as she went to get in the test tubes. . .
Reader: "Who does Sam think she is Jeannie? She's getting in the test tube?"
Teri: Oops *deletes word in* "Better?"
Reader: "No, actually, it was funnier the first way."
Reminder:
The recognizable characters are not mine. Jack, Mac, and the others belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.