.
"And, Captain Wilson, as soon as your leg has healed, I am still going to personally kick your butt across the galaxy for disobeying my orders and attempting such a stupid mission!" She stated with mock gravity and a semi-serious glare.
"Just glad that you'll have the chance ma'am. You know that Colonel O'Neill would have done the honors if we didn't bring you back, so I was going to get that trip across the galaxy one way or the other!" and he grinned at her.
====o0o==== End Part 10 ====o0o====
.
PART 11: Tokra
.
The Tokra base was a hectic melee of evacuating personnel. All able-bodied pilots and ships were being refueled and refitted to lift off ASAP. All other personnel were being evac'ed through the gate and onto a couple of Tokra cargo ships. The medical tent had already been disassembled, so Sam was not be able to complete Doctor Cooper's orders after all. Sam and Captain Wilson were steered over to the care of a young corpsman/medic in the midst of the shifting milieu of personnel and equipment being rapidly ushered through the gate.
"Ma'am, Sir," the corpsman immediately began scanning them to assess and prioritize their injuries.
"Take care of the Captain, first, Corpsman," Sam ordered. "He took a staff blast to the right leg." Wilson opened his mouth to protest, but she quickly cut him off, "That's an order Captain. I've made it this far, I can make it a bit further – thanks to you!," and she softened her words with a smile.
"Yes, ma'am," the Captain acknowledged with respect.
As the corpsman began cutting off Wilson's trouser leg, "Captain, I'm starving, how about you?" she asked.
"I could go for a thick steak, ma'am," he gave back with a grin which quickly became a grimace when the corpsman began slathering on some kind of ointment over his wound.
"Sorry, sir," the medic apologized. "My triage won't take much longer. They'll clean it properly and fix you up back at the SGC."
Clenching his teeth while the medic continued working, the Captain simply nodded.
"Allright, let me see if I can scare us up a snack of some sort while we wait for our turn to head out," Sam continued while watching the medic work. "I'll be right back."
"Yes, ma'am," Wilson managed as she disappeared into the shifting crowd of evacuees.
==========================
"Samantha Carter!" Sam turned and looked to see who was calling her name through the shifting confusion. "Samantha Carter?" - and there was a Tokra waving at her through the crowd. She stopped and waited as she approached. She tried to place her face….she looked familiar….yes…. Pelnak…and his host was….Yishu. She had met them around a year ago when SG-1 were on one of their infrequent visits to the Tokra base-du-jour.
"Pelnak, Yishu," Sam greeted them when the Tokra reached her.
"Samantha Carter!" the Tokra repeated while skidding to a stop in front of the Major.
"Yes?" Sam waited while trying not to allow her impatience show on her face. The fire in her back and the aches and pains in her ribs, arm and leg were sending her messages that she should look for a place to sit down.
"We have been looking for you," Pelnak explained. "You are needed, please follow me," and the Tokra grabbed her left arm and began tugging Sam out of the crowd.
"Pelnak!" Sam objected as she pulled her arm from the Tokra's grasp. "You are going to have to explain a little more than that! I am hungry and injured and overall – pretty cranky right now! I am not going to just follow you off to who knows where without more of an explanation than that!"
Startled, the Tokra stopped and appeared to truly look at Sam for the first time. Pelnak's eyes quickly scanned her dirty face and uniform…grimacing when she took in the burns on the arm and leg. "My apologies, Major Carter, I was so focused on… and seeing you was so unexpected…I did not think…I apologize."
Anxiety welled up in Sam and she asked quickly, "Is my father OK?"
Again looking startled, Pelnak paused for a second and then replied, "Selmak and Jacob are well, as far as I know. I have not heard anything to indicate that they are otherwise."
Relieved, Sam relaxed. A feeling of complete weariness washed over her body and coupled with the pain from her injuries, she doubted her ability to continue standing calmly talking during the evacuation.
Watching her face closely now, Pelnak took in the paleness and strain of her features. "Samantha Carter, if you follow me to the waiting cargo ship, we can look after your injuries with a healing device whilst I explain how we need your assistance," and Pelnak gestured towards one of the waiting Tokra ships.
Looking back towards where she had last seen Captain Wilson, Sam saw the young pilot being assisted up the steps to the waiting gate. Well, at least the Captain was going home… she took a little comfort there. He'd been a hero for her and it helped to know that he'd get home safe to the SGC. Turning back to Pelnak, Sam nodded her acquiescence and walked over to the cargo ship with the Tokra woman at her side.
==========================
Once on the cargo ship, Pelnak led her through the shifting maze of hastily stacked equipment and harried Tokra. "Hufgul!" Pelnak called to a man who was tending to an injured woman's leg. Looking up at her quickly, he turned back to his ministrations and gave instructions to the Tokra assisting him.
Standing up and turning to Pelnak, "How may I assist you?" The Tokra healer was already looking Sam over critically.
"Hufgul, this is Major Samantha Carter of the Tauri," Pelnak introduced.
"You are well-known amongst the Tokra, Major Carter," the doctor gave her a small nod of respect.
Sam shrugged in embarrassment and waited for the topic to move on to something else. "Nice to meet you."
"Major Carter is injured and needs your healing assistance," Pelnak informed him.
"Yes, I see there appear to be some sort of burns on your arm and leg, are there other injuries as well?" the Tokra inquired.
"Well, I think I have some bruised ribs, and there are some cuts and bruises on my back which are infected. Probably took a good whack to the head as well," Sam ran down the list. "I've been taking some antibiotics for the infections, but I don't think that they've been given a fair chance to be truly effective." Sam wasn't even sure that the Tokra healer would understand human antibiotics, but she figured she should tell him what meds she was on anyway….
Hufgul's face was furrowed in concentration as he listened to the recitation of injuries that he hadn't guessed at. When she stopped, he took her over to a partitioned portion of the cargo ship and motioned to a bench for her to sit on. "I will return in a few moments with the materials to clean your wounds," and Sam nodded as he and Pelnak departed.
Sitting on the bench, she felt the weariness overcome her again. The minutes passed slowly and the healer did not return. Giving in to her exhaustion, she slowly lay down on the bench and allowed her eyes to close. She was asleep immediately.
==========================
Aaaaagggghhhh!....just let me sleep!
Just a little more sleep and then we'll do that next mission.
Kill the next Go'a'uld!
Be right there!
Just a little more sleep though.
Go away!
They were pulling at her.
And it hurt!
Asaaaaaagggggggh!
She couldn't stop the groans of pain as she tried to mumble to them to stop.
She rose through the fuzzy fog that held her and she was dimly aware of someone taking her clothes off. Painfully! Couldn't they do it more easily than that? She got dressed and undressed every day and it didn't hurt! What was their problem?
And she slipped back down into the fog.
She could hear muted voices.
Were they talking to her?
She struggled to understand.
Or maybe she didn't want to understand?
Just fall back into the dark….
Lights and blurred images swam in front of her.
If they would stop moving, it would make it easier…..
And then it was all sharp.
The faces were sharp.
The light was sharp.
And their voices were clear as a bell.
The voices and light hurt her head.
She was in an infirmary of some sort. Doctors and nurses were working on her. She blinked and tried to say something…and all that came out was another unintelligible mumbled groan.
"Samantha Carter," Hufgul was speaking to her. "We are cleaning your wounds and removing the old bandages and burned fabric from your wounds on your back, arm and leg. When we have cleaned the wounds, I will use a healing device to assist your recuperation."
Well, that sounded good.
Very good.
And Sam let them continue working on her without protest.
She slipped back into unconsciousness without worry.
==========================
When she awoke the next time, her head was much clearer. The fuzziness was gone. She looked around. She'd been moved to a sleeping pallet in another room in the cargo ship. There were several others asleep on pallets aligned in rows.
And she could feel a vibration in the deck plating below her.
They were in flight.
No longer on the Tokra base planet.
Again, she had no idea of how much time had passed since she'd stepped aboard the ship. Another spell of unconsciousness to further warp her personal space-time fabric. She found herself smiling perversely in the dim lighting.
Slowly she decided to test her arms and legs…and back. Moving her right arm, she was surprised to feel no sharp pains or burning sensations….and the same went for her right leg…. Gingerly, she touched her ribcage and was surprised to feel no answering stabbing pains.
And for her back…she was actually laying face up! And for the first time in what-seemed-like-forever, her back was not on fire. The throbbing pains were gone.
And then it came back to her…the healing device! She lay back and relaxed. She remembered Captain Wilson being led to the gate and she hoped that his injuries had been as well taken care of.
And then she drifted back to sleep.
==========================
"Major Carter," Pelnak was gently shaking her shoulder as Sam focused on Yishu's face above her.
"Mmmm…wha….?" Was all that Sam could manage as the sleep cleared from her.
"You have been asleep for hours and we are nearing the transfer point. I must bring you up to date on the assistance that we need from you," Pelnak continued while helping Sam sit up and lean against the bulkhead.
"Pelnak, I told you to wait until I had had a chance to check over her health status," Hufgul interjected.
With a guilty expression, Pelnak defiantly responded, "We do not have enough time left. We will reach the transfer point in less than an hour and I must explain."
"Yes, yes," the healer responded reluctantly, "but first, I will speak with Major Carter and assess her physical status, then we will get her some nourishment. You may discuss things with her while she eats," the healer compromised.
Nourishment! That sounded tasty! But she knew that she shouldn't complain…she was lucky to be alive…and even luckier that they had treated her with the healing device. Not to appear ungrateful, but she just wished they had spoken -to- her, instead of about her when she was sitting right in front of them.
Under the healer's directions Pelnak moved off to get some 'nourishment', while the healer turned his attention back to Sam. "How are you feeling, Samantha Carter?"
Well, at least that was a nice start. "Like you performed a miracle, doc," she replied gratefully.
"Your wounds were severe; however, I believe that we were able to heal them for you. You body will still require sleep to finish the healing, however." Do all doctors get trained in saying that? But, she couldn't deny that he was right, either. She was still very tired and she figured that she could probably spend the next few days napping without many complaints on her part.
The healer inspected her arm, leg, ribs and her back. He asked her to move her arms and legs and gently stretch her back under his direction while he watched and studied her range of motion and her face for any indications of pain.
"Unfortunately, I fear that you are to be asked to assist with another upcoming assault against the Go'a'uld.. After you eat and speak with Pelnak, I will speak with you again before you leave."
"Thank you again, Hufgul," Sam said sincerely.
==========================
While she ate, Pelnak outlined what he little knew about the planned assault where they requested her assistance.
"I do not know the details, Major Carter," he began. "What I do know is that there is a Go'a'uld planet where there are several targets which we plan to take out simultaneously. There will be several dozen Tauri along with many Tokra in this large operation. Your assistance was requested because of your knowledge of Go'a'uld technology and Go'a'uld facilities….as well, as your experience with Naquada reactors…," and he paused, looking at her for her reaction or for any questions.
Sighing, "They probably want me to blow something up," Sam responded cynically.
"I believe that you are correct Major," Pelnak replied simply. "I also believe that they wish for your assistance because you work well with both the Tauri soldiers and the Tokra. We do not always find it easy to work together."
She smiled at that. Pelnak was correct and it was nice to hear one of the Tokra admit it in a manner that did not blame the Tauri.
"Surely you have many Tokra who could blow this stuff up as well as I can," she inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, but the Tauri are not as comfortable with our operatives as they are with you. You are trusted by your fellow soldiers, Samantha Carter. We feel that this operation will work best if the operative in question is allowed to lead; however, the Tauri soldiers have shown reluctance to follow Tokra leadership," Pelnak elaborated.
Sam knew that Colonel O'Neill was largely responsible for that impression amongst the Tokra. And the Colonel had not been subtle about his opinions either.
"The overall operation will be led by the Tauri as the Tauri are providing most of the manpower. The Tokra operatives will be split amongst the Tauri groups and the Tokra will provide support, knowledge and assistance. You will get specific details and information from the mission commander when we arrive at the staging area," Pelnak concluded.
"I will provide whatever assistance I can, Pelnak," Sam assured him as she finished the food in front of her. Tokra food was not on her list of favorites, but she had been hungry enough that it hadn't mattered this time. She was just grateful she hadn't been stuck with energy trailbars or MRE rations. The Tokra food definitely didn't taste like chicken…of course, it might have been better if it had….
"Twenty minutes until we arrive at the transfer point," a Tokra that Sam didn't know stepped over and spoke to them and then stepped quickly away.
"We will ring-transport down to the planet below and use its Stargate to travel to the staging area," Pelnak explained. "You must go and speak with Hufgul quickly before we depart."
==========================
Outfitted in clean Tokra clothing, Sam accompanied Pelnak in the ring transporters down to the planet. The Tokra wasted no time with small talk and immediately entered the address for the planet being used as the staging area for the planned assault mission. She quietly followed him through the shimmering blue pool.
Stepping through onto a raised stone platform, she saw Pelnak rapidly descending the steps to the clearing below. She paused and took in the scene. Deja vu swept over her as the scene was not too different from the one on the Tokra glider base that she had left not too long ago. SGC personnel were all milling about in a state of organized confusion and haste. The ubiquitous, large military tents were set up along the edges of the clearing. Some were undoubtedly barracks, commissary, infirmary, communications, command, supplies, etc.
Sam wondered if she would be able to get another set of clean SGC fatigues – and a new kit with a couple of weapons. Or…how about a hot shower? No, she knew that was ridiculous…but seeing all the signs of 'home' around her, her mind was drifting to things like showers and pillows and steak!
"Samantha Carter?" Pelnak was standing at the bottom of the steps with a look of both worry and annoyance.
"Coming, coming...right behind ya…" Sam muttered and tried to give him an apologetic smile as she moved down the steps after him. She relished in the fact that the movements were not causing any pains in her back, ribs or appendages. She was still tired, but she felt better than she had in…errr…how long…had it been…? She'd have to sit down and figure that out when there was… err… time….
==================
Having regained her attention, Pelnak escorted her to the mission commander. "Colonel Roberts?" Pelnak addressed the man who was engrossed in the large topographic maps laid out on a portable conference table.
"Mmmm…yes?" the Colonel asked with a distracted tone and then glanced up and gave the Tokra a puzzled look.
"Colonel, I have brought…," and Pelnak stepped aside to allow the Colonel to get a better look at what had originally appeared to be a second Tokra standing behind him, "Major Samantha…,' but then Pelnak's words were obscured by the Colonel's surprise greeting.
"Major Carter!" Roberts stood up with a grin. "Are we glad to see you!"
"Ummm… thank you, sir," she replied respectfully.
"What are you doing in Tokra clothing?" he asked.
"It's a long story, sir," she replied with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Yes, I'm sure it is," he eyed her knowingly, "The past week… has been… but then look who I'm telling, right?"
She nodded with a small rueful grin.
"Well, Major, we can surely use your help on this mission… so I guess I'm going to have to draft you…," and he raised his eyebrows for any objections.
"Yes, sir," she replied respectfully again and he narrowed his eyes at her, assessingly.
"You look pretty tired, Major…. but then, again… that's to be expected the way this week has gone… however… you have a reputation for overworking…, so I'm going to order you to some solid rack time before we head out," and he waited for her reply.
"Yes, sir," and he got the same reply…hmmmm….
Turning to his nearby young aide, Roberts ordered, "Corporal, please assist Major Carter with the procurement of a fresh set of appropriate clothing and a full kit and set of armament. The Major will inform you of any additional needs or requests."
"Yes, sir," the Corporal replied.
"And Major, when you are finished, please report back here and we will discuss the mission plan and objectives," he ordered.
"Yes, sir," she replied again as she dutifully followed the Corporal out of the tent.
Turning to the silent Tokra, "So, Pelnak, anything that I need to know regarding Major Carter's current fitness?"
"Major Carter was injured when I found her during the evacuation of our glider base. I do not know the details of her injuries as one of our healers used a healing device for her injuries and provided her with clean clothing," Pelnak explained briefly.
"So, her injuries are healed?" he pursued.
"So I was told, although rest and sleep would be most desirable for her body to finish replenishing itself," the Tokra finished honestly.
Roberts nodded thoughtfully.
============
40 minutes later and Sam and the Corporal returned. She still looked tired, but the fresh, clean set of BDU's gave her a good-to-go appearance.
Looking her up and down, he spoke to his young aide, "Corporal?"
"Yes, sir?" the soldier replied immediately.
"Please escort Major Carter to our Doctor's temporary infirmary," and he saw her roll her eyes in sufferance. "The Doc is expecting you, Major."
"Yes, sir," she replied.
"And when the Doc is finished with you, I want to see both you and the Doc back here…," he added.
"Yes, sir," and he noted the resignation in her voice.
"Major…?" he questioned non-threateningly.
She looked at him ruefully with a small smile, "Sorry, sir… it's just… an annoying sense of deja vu…and, well, it's the infirmary…," and she shrugged again.
He couldn't help the small smile on his face, "Well, I think that you have definitely been hanging out with one Jack O'Neill too much…"
He saw her smile widen a bit, "Yes, sir."
"Right then, off you go," he ordered and she turned and followed the Corporal out. Roberts watched the SG-1 officer and thought about those "Yes, sirs'… and he wondered… 'She couldn't be that polite to O'Neill all the time, could she?' Naaww…
==========
Forty-five minutes or so later and the doctor was escorting her back to the command tent. "Sir, Major Carter and Doctor Johanssen reporting as ordered," she opened with military decorum.
"Major, Doctor," Roberts replied. "Please take a seat," and he gestured at some folding chairs. After the two were seated, "So, Doc, what's your evaluation?"
"Colonel, I did not have the time or the equipment to give Major Carter a complete or thorough physical…and as she was recently healed by a Tokra healing device… well, to be honest, she should be in the SGC infirmary and under observation for at least 24-48 hours and then on medical leave or restricted duty for at least a week or two…," and the doctor paused.
"But…," Colonel Roberts prompted.
"However…, with the lack of proper facilities and time that we have available here… I would have to say that Major Carter should be available for the upcoming mission… as long as she gets at least 8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep prior to the mission," the doctor admitted reluctantly.
"Allright, thank you then, Doctor," the Colonel replied and then instructed, "I'd like a written summary of your findings and recommendations as soon as possible and then you may continue with your other work and preparations."
"Yes, sir," and the doctor stood to leave. "Major, I'd like you to stop by and see me when you are ready for that rack time. I will give you something that will ensure that you actually sleep uninterrupted, in spite of all of the goings-on around here."
"Yes, sir," she replied dutifully….while wondering if she were in one of those time loops like the Colonel and Teal'c were in for three months.
.
====o0o==== End Part 11 ====o0o====
.
"And, Captain Wilson, as soon as your leg has healed, I am still going to personally kick your butt across the galaxy for disobeying my orders and attempting such a stupid mission!" She stated with mock gravity and a semi-serious glare.
"Just glad that you'll have the chance ma'am. You know that Colonel O'Neill would have done the honors if we didn't bring you back, so I was going to get that trip across the galaxy one way or the other!" and he grinned at her.
====o0o==== End Part 10 ====o0o====
.
PART 11: Tokra
.
The Tokra base was a hectic melee of evacuating personnel. All able-bodied pilots and ships were being refueled and refitted to lift off ASAP. All other personnel were being evac'ed through the gate and onto a couple of Tokra cargo ships. The medical tent had already been disassembled, so Sam was not be able to complete Doctor Cooper's orders after all. Sam and Captain Wilson were steered over to the care of a young corpsman/medic in the midst of the shifting milieu of personnel and equipment being rapidly ushered through the gate.
"Ma'am, Sir," the corpsman immediately began scanning them to assess and prioritize their injuries.
"Take care of the Captain, first, Corpsman," Sam ordered. "He took a staff blast to the right leg." Wilson opened his mouth to protest, but she quickly cut him off, "That's an order Captain. I've made it this far, I can make it a bit further – thanks to you!," and she softened her words with a smile.
"Yes, ma'am," the Captain acknowledged with respect.
As the corpsman began cutting off Wilson's trouser leg, "Captain, I'm starving, how about you?" she asked.
"I could go for a thick steak, ma'am," he gave back with a grin which quickly became a grimace when the corpsman began slathering on some kind of ointment over his wound.
"Sorry, sir," the medic apologized. "My triage won't take much longer. They'll clean it properly and fix you up back at the SGC."
Clenching his teeth while the medic continued working, the Captain simply nodded.
"Allright, let me see if I can scare us up a snack of some sort while we wait for our turn to head out," Sam continued while watching the medic work. "I'll be right back."
"Yes, ma'am," Wilson managed as she disappeared into the shifting crowd of evacuees.
==========================
"Samantha Carter!" Sam turned and looked to see who was calling her name through the shifting confusion. "Samantha Carter?" - and there was a Tokra waving at her through the crowd. She stopped and waited as she approached. She tried to place her face….she looked familiar….yes…. Pelnak…and his host was….Yishu. She had met them around a year ago when SG-1 were on one of their infrequent visits to the Tokra base-du-jour.
"Pelnak, Yishu," Sam greeted them when the Tokra reached her.
"Samantha Carter!" the Tokra repeated while skidding to a stop in front of the Major.
"Yes?" Sam waited while trying not to allow her impatience show on her face. The fire in her back and the aches and pains in her ribs, arm and leg were sending her messages that she should look for a place to sit down.
"We have been looking for you," Pelnak explained. "You are needed, please follow me," and the Tokra grabbed her left arm and began tugging Sam out of the crowd.
"Pelnak!" Sam objected as she pulled her arm from the Tokra's grasp. "You are going to have to explain a little more than that! I am hungry and injured and overall – pretty cranky right now! I am not going to just follow you off to who knows where without more of an explanation than that!"
Startled, the Tokra stopped and appeared to truly look at Sam for the first time. Pelnak's eyes quickly scanned her dirty face and uniform…grimacing when she took in the burns on the arm and leg. "My apologies, Major Carter, I was so focused on… and seeing you was so unexpected…I did not think…I apologize."
Anxiety welled up in Sam and she asked quickly, "Is my father OK?"
Again looking startled, Pelnak paused for a second and then replied, "Selmak and Jacob are well, as far as I know. I have not heard anything to indicate that they are otherwise."
Relieved, Sam relaxed. A feeling of complete weariness washed over her body and coupled with the pain from her injuries, she doubted her ability to continue standing calmly talking during the evacuation.
Watching her face closely now, Pelnak took in the paleness and strain of her features. "Samantha Carter, if you follow me to the waiting cargo ship, we can look after your injuries with a healing device whilst I explain how we need your assistance," and Pelnak gestured towards one of the waiting Tokra ships.
Looking back towards where she had last seen Captain Wilson, Sam saw the young pilot being assisted up the steps to the waiting gate. Well, at least the Captain was going home… she took a little comfort there. He'd been a hero for her and it helped to know that he'd get home safe to the SGC. Turning back to Pelnak, Sam nodded her acquiescence and walked over to the cargo ship with the Tokra woman at her side.
==========================
Once on the cargo ship, Pelnak led her through the shifting maze of hastily stacked equipment and harried Tokra. "Hufgul!" Pelnak called to a man who was tending to an injured woman's leg. Looking up at her quickly, he turned back to his ministrations and gave instructions to the Tokra assisting him.
Standing up and turning to Pelnak, "How may I assist you?" The Tokra healer was already looking Sam over critically.
"Hufgul, this is Major Samantha Carter of the Tauri," Pelnak introduced.
"You are well-known amongst the Tokra, Major Carter," the doctor gave her a small nod of respect.
Sam shrugged in embarrassment and waited for the topic to move on to something else. "Nice to meet you."
"Major Carter is injured and needs your healing assistance," Pelnak informed him.
"Yes, I see there appear to be some sort of burns on your arm and leg, are there other injuries as well?" the Tokra inquired.
"Well, I think I have some bruised ribs, and there are some cuts and bruises on my back which are infected. Probably took a good whack to the head as well," Sam ran down the list. "I've been taking some antibiotics for the infections, but I don't think that they've been given a fair chance to be truly effective." Sam wasn't even sure that the Tokra healer would understand human antibiotics, but she figured she should tell him what meds she was on anyway….
Hufgul's face was furrowed in concentration as he listened to the recitation of injuries that he hadn't guessed at. When she stopped, he took her over to a partitioned portion of the cargo ship and motioned to a bench for her to sit on. "I will return in a few moments with the materials to clean your wounds," and Sam nodded as he and Pelnak departed.
Sitting on the bench, she felt the weariness overcome her again. The minutes passed slowly and the healer did not return. Giving in to her exhaustion, she slowly lay down on the bench and allowed her eyes to close. She was asleep immediately.
==========================
Aaaaagggghhhh!....just let me sleep!
Just a little more sleep and then we'll do that next mission.
Kill the next Go'a'uld!
Be right there!
Just a little more sleep though.
Go away!
They were pulling at her.
And it hurt!
Asaaaaaagggggggh!
She couldn't stop the groans of pain as she tried to mumble to them to stop.
She rose through the fuzzy fog that held her and she was dimly aware of someone taking her clothes off. Painfully! Couldn't they do it more easily than that? She got dressed and undressed every day and it didn't hurt! What was their problem?
And she slipped back down into the fog.
She could hear muted voices.
Were they talking to her?
She struggled to understand.
Or maybe she didn't want to understand?
Just fall back into the dark….
Lights and blurred images swam in front of her.
If they would stop moving, it would make it easier…..
And then it was all sharp.
The faces were sharp.
The light was sharp.
And their voices were clear as a bell.
The voices and light hurt her head.
She was in an infirmary of some sort. Doctors and nurses were working on her. She blinked and tried to say something…and all that came out was another unintelligible mumbled groan.
"Samantha Carter," Hufgul was speaking to her. "We are cleaning your wounds and removing the old bandages and burned fabric from your wounds on your back, arm and leg. When we have cleaned the wounds, I will use a healing device to assist your recuperation."
Well, that sounded good.
Very good.
And Sam let them continue working on her without protest.
She slipped back into unconsciousness without worry.
==========================
When she awoke the next time, her head was much clearer. The fuzziness was gone. She looked around. She'd been moved to a sleeping pallet in another room in the cargo ship. There were several others asleep on pallets aligned in rows.
And she could feel a vibration in the deck plating below her.
They were in flight.
No longer on the Tokra base planet.
Again, she had no idea of how much time had passed since she'd stepped aboard the ship. Another spell of unconsciousness to further warp her personal space-time fabric. She found herself smiling perversely in the dim lighting.
Slowly she decided to test her arms and legs…and back. Moving her right arm, she was surprised to feel no sharp pains or burning sensations….and the same went for her right leg…. Gingerly, she touched her ribcage and was surprised to feel no answering stabbing pains.
And for her back…she was actually laying face up! And for the first time in what-seemed-like-forever, her back was not on fire. The throbbing pains were gone.
And then it came back to her…the healing device! She lay back and relaxed. She remembered Captain Wilson being led to the gate and she hoped that his injuries had been as well taken care of.
And then she drifted back to sleep.
==========================
"Major Carter," Pelnak was gently shaking her shoulder as Sam focused on Yishu's face above her.
"Mmmm…wha….?" Was all that Sam could manage as the sleep cleared from her.
"You have been asleep for hours and we are nearing the transfer point. I must bring you up to date on the assistance that we need from you," Pelnak continued while helping Sam sit up and lean against the bulkhead.
"Pelnak, I told you to wait until I had had a chance to check over her health status," Hufgul interjected.
With a guilty expression, Pelnak defiantly responded, "We do not have enough time left. We will reach the transfer point in less than an hour and I must explain."
"Yes, yes," the healer responded reluctantly, "but first, I will speak with Major Carter and assess her physical status, then we will get her some nourishment. You may discuss things with her while she eats," the healer compromised.
Nourishment! That sounded tasty! But she knew that she shouldn't complain…she was lucky to be alive…and even luckier that they had treated her with the healing device. Not to appear ungrateful, but she just wished they had spoken -to- her, instead of about her when she was sitting right in front of them.
Under the healer's directions Pelnak moved off to get some 'nourishment', while the healer turned his attention back to Sam. "How are you feeling, Samantha Carter?"
Well, at least that was a nice start. "Like you performed a miracle, doc," she replied gratefully.
"Your wounds were severe; however, I believe that we were able to heal them for you. You body will still require sleep to finish the healing, however." Do all doctors get trained in saying that? But, she couldn't deny that he was right, either. She was still very tired and she figured that she could probably spend the next few days napping without many complaints on her part.
The healer inspected her arm, leg, ribs and her back. He asked her to move her arms and legs and gently stretch her back under his direction while he watched and studied her range of motion and her face for any indications of pain.
"Unfortunately, I fear that you are to be asked to assist with another upcoming assault against the Go'a'uld.. After you eat and speak with Pelnak, I will speak with you again before you leave."
"Thank you again, Hufgul," Sam said sincerely.
==========================
While she ate, Pelnak outlined what he little knew about the planned assault where they requested her assistance.
"I do not know the details, Major Carter," he began. "What I do know is that there is a Go'a'uld planet where there are several targets which we plan to take out simultaneously. There will be several dozen Tauri along with many Tokra in this large operation. Your assistance was requested because of your knowledge of Go'a'uld technology and Go'a'uld facilities….as well, as your experience with Naquada reactors…," and he paused, looking at her for her reaction or for any questions.
Sighing, "They probably want me to blow something up," Sam responded cynically.
"I believe that you are correct Major," Pelnak replied simply. "I also believe that they wish for your assistance because you work well with both the Tauri soldiers and the Tokra. We do not always find it easy to work together."
She smiled at that. Pelnak was correct and it was nice to hear one of the Tokra admit it in a manner that did not blame the Tauri.
"Surely you have many Tokra who could blow this stuff up as well as I can," she inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, but the Tauri are not as comfortable with our operatives as they are with you. You are trusted by your fellow soldiers, Samantha Carter. We feel that this operation will work best if the operative in question is allowed to lead; however, the Tauri soldiers have shown reluctance to follow Tokra leadership," Pelnak elaborated.
Sam knew that Colonel O'Neill was largely responsible for that impression amongst the Tokra. And the Colonel had not been subtle about his opinions either.
"The overall operation will be led by the Tauri as the Tauri are providing most of the manpower. The Tokra operatives will be split amongst the Tauri groups and the Tokra will provide support, knowledge and assistance. You will get specific details and information from the mission commander when we arrive at the staging area," Pelnak concluded.
"I will provide whatever assistance I can, Pelnak," Sam assured him as she finished the food in front of her. Tokra food was not on her list of favorites, but she had been hungry enough that it hadn't mattered this time. She was just grateful she hadn't been stuck with energy trailbars or MRE rations. The Tokra food definitely didn't taste like chicken…of course, it might have been better if it had….
"Twenty minutes until we arrive at the transfer point," a Tokra that Sam didn't know stepped over and spoke to them and then stepped quickly away.
"We will ring-transport down to the planet below and use its Stargate to travel to the staging area," Pelnak explained. "You must go and speak with Hufgul quickly before we depart."
==========================
Outfitted in clean Tokra clothing, Sam accompanied Pelnak in the ring transporters down to the planet. The Tokra wasted no time with small talk and immediately entered the address for the planet being used as the staging area for the planned assault mission. She quietly followed him through the shimmering blue pool.
Stepping through onto a raised stone platform, she saw Pelnak rapidly descending the steps to the clearing below. She paused and took in the scene. Deja vu swept over her as the scene was not too different from the one on the Tokra glider base that she had left not too long ago. SGC personnel were all milling about in a state of organized confusion and haste. The ubiquitous, large military tents were set up along the edges of the clearing. Some were undoubtedly barracks, commissary, infirmary, communications, command, supplies, etc.
Sam wondered if she would be able to get another set of clean SGC fatigues – and a new kit with a couple of weapons. Or…how about a hot shower? No, she knew that was ridiculous…but seeing all the signs of 'home' around her, her mind was drifting to things like showers and pillows and steak!
"Samantha Carter?" Pelnak was standing at the bottom of the steps with a look of both worry and annoyance.
"Coming, coming...right behind ya…" Sam muttered and tried to give him an apologetic smile as she moved down the steps after him. She relished in the fact that the movements were not causing any pains in her back, ribs or appendages. She was still tired, but she felt better than she had in…errr…how long…had it been…? She'd have to sit down and figure that out when there was… err… time….
==================
Having regained her attention, Pelnak escorted her to the mission commander. "Colonel Roberts?" Pelnak addressed the man who was engrossed in the large topographic maps laid out on a portable conference table.
"Mmmm…yes?" the Colonel asked with a distracted tone and then glanced up and gave the Tokra a puzzled look.
"Colonel, I have brought…," and Pelnak stepped aside to allow the Colonel to get a better look at what had originally appeared to be a second Tokra standing behind him, "Major Samantha…,' but then Pelnak's words were obscured by the Colonel's surprise greeting.
"Major Carter!" Roberts stood up with a grin. "Are we glad to see you!"
"Ummm… thank you, sir," she replied respectfully.
"What are you doing in Tokra clothing?" he asked.
"It's a long story, sir," she replied with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Yes, I'm sure it is," he eyed her knowingly, "The past week… has been… but then look who I'm telling, right?"
She nodded with a small rueful grin.
"Well, Major, we can surely use your help on this mission… so I guess I'm going to have to draft you…," and he raised his eyebrows for any objections.
"Yes, sir," she replied respectfully again and he narrowed his eyes at her, assessingly.
"You look pretty tired, Major…. but then, again… that's to be expected the way this week has gone… however… you have a reputation for overworking…, so I'm going to order you to some solid rack time before we head out," and he waited for her reply.
"Yes, sir," and he got the same reply…hmmmm….
Turning to his nearby young aide, Roberts ordered, "Corporal, please assist Major Carter with the procurement of a fresh set of appropriate clothing and a full kit and set of armament. The Major will inform you of any additional needs or requests."
"Yes, sir," the Corporal replied.
"And Major, when you are finished, please report back here and we will discuss the mission plan and objectives," he ordered.
"Yes, sir," she replied again as she dutifully followed the Corporal out of the tent.
Turning to the silent Tokra, "So, Pelnak, anything that I need to know regarding Major Carter's current fitness?"
"Major Carter was injured when I found her during the evacuation of our glider base. I do not know the details of her injuries as one of our healers used a healing device for her injuries and provided her with clean clothing," Pelnak explained briefly.
"So, her injuries are healed?" he pursued.
"So I was told, although rest and sleep would be most desirable for her body to finish replenishing itself," the Tokra finished honestly.
Roberts nodded thoughtfully.
============
40 minutes later and Sam and the Corporal returned. She still looked tired, but the fresh, clean set of BDU's gave her a good-to-go appearance.
Looking her up and down, he spoke to his young aide, "Corporal?"
"Yes, sir?" the soldier replied immediately.
"Please escort Major Carter to our Doctor's temporary infirmary," and he saw her roll her eyes in sufferance. "The Doc is expecting you, Major."
"Yes, sir," she replied.
"And when the Doc is finished with you, I want to see both you and the Doc back here…," he added.
"Yes, sir," and he noted the resignation in her voice.
"Major…?" he questioned non-threateningly.
She looked at him ruefully with a small smile, "Sorry, sir… it's just… an annoying sense of deja vu…and, well, it's the infirmary…," and she shrugged again.
He couldn't help the small smile on his face, "Well, I think that you have definitely been hanging out with one Jack O'Neill too much…"
He saw her smile widen a bit, "Yes, sir."
"Right then, off you go," he ordered and she turned and followed the Corporal out. Roberts watched the SG-1 officer and thought about those "Yes, sirs'… and he wondered… 'She couldn't be that polite to O'Neill all the time, could she?' Naaww…
==========
Forty-five minutes or so later and the doctor was escorting her back to the command tent. "Sir, Major Carter and Doctor Johanssen reporting as ordered," she opened with military decorum.
"Major, Doctor," Roberts replied. "Please take a seat," and he gestured at some folding chairs. After the two were seated, "So, Doc, what's your evaluation?"
"Colonel, I did not have the time or the equipment to give Major Carter a complete or thorough physical…and as she was recently healed by a Tokra healing device… well, to be honest, she should be in the SGC infirmary and under observation for at least 24-48 hours and then on medical leave or restricted duty for at least a week or two…," and the doctor paused.
"But…," Colonel Roberts prompted.
"However…, with the lack of proper facilities and time that we have available here… I would have to say that Major Carter should be available for the upcoming mission… as long as she gets at least 8-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep prior to the mission," the doctor admitted reluctantly.
"Allright, thank you then, Doctor," the Colonel replied and then instructed, "I'd like a written summary of your findings and recommendations as soon as possible and then you may continue with your other work and preparations."
"Yes, sir," and the doctor stood to leave. "Major, I'd like you to stop by and see me when you are ready for that rack time. I will give you something that will ensure that you actually sleep uninterrupted, in spite of all of the goings-on around here."
"Yes, sir," she replied dutifully….while wondering if she were in one of those time loops like the Colonel and Teal'c were in for three months.
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====o0o==== End Part 11 ====o0o====
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