[Note: this is a whumpathon. Much more whumpage in a short time that I usually indulge in. Dedicated to Debi C because she was waiting for Taurus. grin This is the longest of the six. Season 2, 'cause Daniel has long hair and Carter's a Captain.]
- - - - -
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
If you love someone, let them go. If you hate someone, grab 'em and hang on like a dog with a stick. Snarl a bit, too -- that's always fairly effective.
- - - - -
Teal'c ran.
He was a Jaffa, trained to handle the rigours of life of combat. He could march for days, battle for hours and guard indefinitely. He was used to taking life at a stately pace. But now he ran, spurred on by the vicious images in his brain.
He had left them behind. SG1 had fallen in battle and only he had made it through the firing line. Even as he ran, he still saw how it happened.
- - - - -
"I take it that SG9's negotiations did not go well." Jack snapped as he settled his hands on his heads. The locals answered his snarl with growls of his own, prodding him with the barrels of their ugly old blunderbusses.
Unlike many of their destinations, this society had advanced just far enough to allow themselves all new efficient ways of killing each other... provided the unstable mechanisms didn't blow themselves up first. The weapons were poorly made, the explosive within a combination of pebbles, gunpowder and small, metal shot. In Earth's history, the weapons were temperamental and unpredictable, equally capable of taking out a half a dozen men, or blowing up in the owner's face. They were hard to aim, difficult to fire and dangerous to own.
The nomads still didn't seem at ease with the equipment, using the guns to nudge their captives, like spears.
"Easy." Jack said as yet another gun prodded him in the kidneys.
"Jack. I don't understand. Kovachek radioed back that they were fine with us. They..." Daniel cut off with a grunt as someone elbowed him.
"Hey!" Carter snapped indignantly, only to be ignored.
In short order, they were bullied into a small camp. The tribe was nomadic, only rarely venturing into the larger trade centers. They were making tentative contact with the first tribe they came to, trying to understand the political structure of the country. So far, things were not going well. SG4 had made the initial contact and been well received. SG9 had moved in to continue negotiations. SG1 had gone to the planet to continue first contact with the other tribes, with the help of their new allies.
The moment they stepped through the Stargate, the locals had taken one look at them and lifted their guns. Now, weaponless, they were marched back into the nomads' camp.
"Colonel?" Kovachek stepped out of a tent, frowning. Around him, the people started chattering. Kovachek found himself staring down several gun barrels. "What the hell? Ogwyn?" He turned back to the chief. "What's going on?"
SG9 were herded over to stand next to SG1.
"Major?" Jack said dryly. "I take it this wasn't part of the plan?"
"Sir, we were just finalising the treaty when you... arrived."
"The treaty cannot be signed with those who are false." The chief said, head lifting high as he stared down his nose at them.
"What? Wait." Daniel stepped forward. The guns immediately swung to face him. Daniel's hands went a little higher. "No, no, no. I'm not going to do anything. I just have a question." He stopped and looked at the young man in front of him. "You're afraid." He looked around. "No. We're not here to harm you. Why are you afraid?"
"We do not fear the deceivers." The chief, Ogwyn, replied. "We
destroy them."
"Ogwyn, these men deceive no-one." Kovachek spoke rapidly.
"How can you say this? Look at him." Ogwyn's hand swung wide, indicating SG1.
"Him. You said him." Daniel tilted his head. "Oh God. This is about the Goa'uld. We, we... fight the Goa'uld. He is a Jaffa. He fights with us."
"He is of the Admescid."
"Admescid." Daniel thought frantically. "A homophone of amasguidh, maybe. From the Gaelic. Impure. Profane. You think he's...?"
"We will take him to a place of purification." Ogwyn gestured for his people. They began to herd Teal'c away from his team-mates.
"Okay, whoa, whoa, whoa." Jack stepped forward, waving his hands. "Nobody is purifying anybody, got that? Listen, we'll just take back our toys and go. That okay with everybody? You and Kovachek can keep talking and we'll just get out of your way."
Ogwyn frowned. "It is our law. If you protect the Admescid, then you must be their followers. If that is the case, then we cannot let you leave."
"What?" Jack took another step forward.
"Jack!" Daniel warned. Some of the guards were getting restless or frightened, their fingers hovering over their triggers. The one in front of Jack was shaking visibly.
"Ogwyn, we cannot allow this." Kovachek stepped forward, only to be pushed back by more men with guns.
"We have bargained in good faith, only to be shown a lie. Your continued refusal to allow this Admescid to go to the Place of Purification proves your duplicitous nature." Ogwyn grew angry, making broad gestures with his arms.
"Wait, please." Daniel took a half step sideways, hands up. "What is this Place of Purification'? What do you want to do?"
Ogwyn stared at Daniel, frowning. "As with all Admescid, a knife will be driven into his belly, spearing the evil that lives within. Should the Admescid survive the ritual, he will be purified."
"Oh for cryin' out loud." O'Neill scrubbed at his short hair with one hand. "How many have you killed that way?"
"Their impurities were great. They could not be saved."
"Oh God." Carter whispered. "They killed them."
"No." Ogwyn stepped forward. The civilized nomad disappeared behind the sneer of the Righteous. "They were embraced into Purity and they joined the True Folk in the sight of Our Lord."
"Daniel?" Jack looked sideways.
"No idea, Jack. The druids did engage in forms of human sacrifice, but this is different."
"Kovachek?"
"Colonel, nothing like this ever came up during negotiations."
"Okay, listen." Jack stepped forward just as everything went to hell.
- - - - -
Teal'c's breath hitched in his chest. In those brief moments, he watched everything he cared about fall so tragically far.
He had remained silent, understanding quickly that he could not interfere early on in the discussion. If he did, he would make things worse. He had met many men like Ogwyn... and even served some, so enraptured by their own glory that they were willing to destroy everything around them.
His team mates took up their positions easily. O'Neill took charge, Daniel Jackson tried constantly to understand, and Captain Carter stayed vigilant, measuring their foes. Kovachek and his diplomats were huddled together. While capable warriors, they were unarmed, and still sought a diplomatic solution.
As O'Neill took that final, fatal step forward, the nerves of one of the warriors watching them finally broke and he fired.
Teal'c stopped running and leaned against a tree, bent over, holding himself up with one hand braced against a tree stump.
O'Neill had taken the spray of pellets in the upper chest, spinning him around sending him to his knees. As he hit the ground, his eyes met Teal'c's.
"Go. Run."
He was slumping forward, even as Daniel Jackson called out 'Jack!' and stepped toward his team leader. Frightened, another warrior lost his nerve and fired, triggering a volley by a number of the nomads. Another round of pellets impacted O'Neill's back, pitching him forward onto his face. The guns were primitive and Jack's flak jacket was able to absorb the worst of the damage, but enough got through to cause damage.
Daniel Jackson lost his footing as a round hit him in the side, another spray of pellets catching his shins. He hit hard, one hand reaching out to O'Neill. His neck and hands were blackened by shot powder. The owner of the gun had overcompensated with the powder, but added relatively little shot. At that close range, this oversight likely spared Daniel's life.
Two of the nomads fell to the ground as their guns exploded. Another three were caught in the crossfire.
Captain Carter spun and elbowed one of the men closest to her. She managed to grab his weapon and fired, knocking over three men. The resulting concussion threw her over backward. As she fell, another shot speckled blood across her thigh.
"Damn it, Teal'c, go!" O'Neill's bellow was hoarse. Kovachek and one of his team members went down with shot blasts. The other two dropped to the ground. "Get help, that's an order!" The word faded out as O'Neill lost consciousness.
With a lump in his throat, and a weight in his heart, Teal'c turned and ran.
- - - - -
"Colonel O'Neill, come in. This is General Hammond." The crackle of the radio brought Teal'c back to the present. "Can you hear me?"
"General Hammond." The words were hoarse, his breath rasping in his chest.
"Teal'c? You've missed your check-in by an hour. Is everything alright?"
"We were attacked by the people of the village."
"Attacked? Teal'c, what is the status of SG1 and SG9?" The General's voice projected concern.
"I do not know." Teal'c coughed, unable to get his breathing back under control. "Colonel O'Neill has been shot twice, as had Daniel Jackson. Captain Carter and Major Kovachek have been shot once each. The other members of Major Kovachek's team were also injured, although I cannot say how badly. O'Neill ordered me to retrieve assistance."
"Where are you?" Hammond's voice was tight. Teal'c knew that every minute that went by was now a minute closer to getting assistance.
"I am returning along the path to the village. It is the path that we were shown on the images from the UAV."
"Wait. Returning? Teal'c, hold your position. We will be sending an extraction team in for you as soon as humanly possible."
"I understand. I will return to the village to monitor the situation there."
"Teal'c..." Ignoring the General, Teal'c turned and began to run back to the village.
- - - - -
Teal'c arrived back at the village at a slow walk. His strength, unending though it seemed, was finally giving out. He sagged against a tree, using its trunk to prop himself up.
He was now on the periphery of the nomad's camp.
A large fire had been lit, and the tribe was in attendance. Ogwyn stood at the edge of the fire, hands raised and chanting. This was obviously their Place of Purification.
Teal'c edged closer, one hand over the snake in his belly, soothing the distressed creature. The SG members were lying on the ground, moving feebly. As he watched, two of the warriors grabbed one of the downed and bloody people and yanked him over to a low, flat stone.
Teal'c moved closer, trying to make out the form.
It was Daniel Jackson.
His arms moved weakly, head rolling from side to side in mute denial. He was weak with blood-loss, crying out softly as they dumped him carelessly on the stone. Another figured stirred at that, sitting upright... then another. O'Neill and Carter, forcing themselves to rise despite their wounds.
A sharp knife sliced open the archaeologist's jacket and shirt, exposing bloody streaks across his chest and waist. O'Neill was kicked viciously as he attempted to crawl toward his team-mate. Carter made it to her feet but a swift kick to the wounds on her leg dropped her back to the ground.
Teal'c ran through his rapidly diminishing options as Daniel's arms were tied to metal rings set in the stone, keeping him in place. Those options dwindled from only a few to none' as Ogwyn knelt next to Daniel, a long, sharp dagger in his hands.
"Wait."
Teal'c stepped forward.
He was instantly surrounded by tribesman wielding both guns and spears.
"You return for your servants?" Ogwyn said gruffly.
"These are not my servants." Teal'c dropped his weapon. "They are my friends."
"Teal'c?" Daniel's voice was slurred with pain, his head moving side to side as he searched vainly.
"Be still, Daniel Jackson. All will be well."
"Okay." Daniel coughed, bloody flecks spattering his chest. "Little cold."
"I know." Teal'c whispered.
"Are you willing to submit to purification?" Ogwyn touched Daniel's chest lightly with just his fingertips.
"No." Daniel shook his head slowly. "He can't. Please."
"Ogwyn." Jack rolled over onto his side, reaching out a hand. "Don't do this."
"If I submit, will you allow them to go free?" Teal'c put his hands behind his back and raised his head.
Ogwyn narrowed his eyes. "For what purpose? To rally and attack?"
"Look at them." Teal'c's voice dropped to a whisper. "They will not harm you. Allow them to go free, and I will submit to whatever punishment you desire."
"This is not punishment." Ogwyn's head tilted forward. "This is absolution."
"It is death, no matter how you disguise it."
"It is our way."
"Your way is wrong." Teal'c's voice was firm. "You are killing those who wish only to help you."
Ogwyn nodded slowly. "It is our way."
"Do not do this." Teal'c's voice resonated with subdued distress.
"Will you offer yourself for them?"
Teal'c turned slowly, watching Daniel take shallow, hitching breaths over to O'Neill and Carter slumped on the ground to SG9 beyond them, bloody and bruised.
"I shall." He spoke clearly, regally. "If you give me your word that they shall be returned to their people without further harm."
"It is our-"
"Your words have no meaning." Teal'c interrupted, drawing himself up. "You repeat like a child. Your way is slavery to false gods and corrupt ideals. I offer myself as a man, for the safety of my friends. Accept or decline as a man, not as a tool of false gods."
"Teal'c..." Ogwyn frowned, confused, the safety of his unflinching devotion to Our Way' being rapidly stripped away. Daniel moved, stirring restlessly as he tried to relieve the pain in his side and leg. Ogwyn stared at Teal'c as he placed his free hand on Daniel's forehead, soothing him. "You... you speak well. Your friends will go free, and you will take your place."
Teal'c nodded curtly and, hands out to his side, he walked toward Ogwyn. He stopped before the chieftain and then knelt slowly.
"Gah, dammit Teal'c." O'Neill swore, inching closer. "I ordered you to leave. I ordered you..."
"One life for many, O'Neill." Teal'c interrupted him. He looked down at Daniel, squinting back up at him and shaking his head. He touched Daniel's face lightly, pushing Ogwyn's fingers away.
"You are most unusual for an Admescid." Ogwyn shook his head.
"Wait." Daniel's brow wrinkled as he processed. "Wait... they said..." He coughed, arching his back with pain. "They said... no Goa'uld."
"That's right." Sam grated out from the ground, guarded by a trio of nervous men. "Kovachek said the Goa'uld don't come here anymore."
"So where...?" Jack ground out, unable to complete the sentence.
"The Admescid attack in the night, like thieves and brigands. Our Lord has commanded that we cleanse the land of the impure. When we capture one, we do as we must."
"What... God?" Daniel gasped.
"Teal'c... Daniel needs to sit up." Carter tried to sit up, only to be restrained by a large boot across her back. "Damn it. Help him." She snapped at her captors, biting back a cry when the next boot descended on her wounded leg.
"Ogwyn." Teal'c pressed on. "What God do they serve?"
"I do not know."
"Symbol?" Daniel strained at the ties on his arms and wrists.
"I know not. They are all different. Some as your Admescid's, some as stars or odd animals. No one pattern."
"Rogue Jaffa." Jack tried getting up again.
Teal'c and Ogwyn looked at Daniel as the archaeologist's breathing stilled for a long moment. Pushing Teal'c away, Ogwyn began to undo the binding on Daniel's wrists. Still kneeling next to Teal'c beside the low altar, he pulled Daniel off of the stone. He then levered Daniel upright, so that Daniel's back was to Ogwyn's chest, and the back of Daniel's head rested on Ogwyn's shoulder. Daniel's breathing grew easier, but Ogwyn looked troubled.
"What do you mean by this?" Ogywn tugged Daniel's jacket and shirt into place, trying to warm the archaeologist. In the grass by the stone, both Carter and O'Neill watched silently.
"There are those of my people, like me, who cast off their bonds and become free men."
"Then do you attack and raid as well?"
"I do not." Teal'c responded instantly, straightening his shoulders. "But I have advantages that my fellow Jaffa do not. I have a place to live and food to eat. These Jaffa are most likely warriors, unused to the life of a herdsman or farmer."
"Raised... thinking... humans as... slaves." Daniel tried to clear his throat.
"What are you saying?" Ogwyn whispered.
"He's saying..." Jack made a short exclamation of pain and then forced himself to one elbow. "He's saying that your... Admescid are nothing more that soldiers desperate for food."
"I don't understand." Ogwyn said, somewhat desperately.
"Peaceful... explorers." Daniel gasped.
"I promised you, Ogwyn, we will investigate these Jaffa. Perhaps we can take them to another world through the Chapa'ai." Teal'c bowed his head. "Perhaps we can negotiate peace with them."
"But they are Admescid. They protect the impure. You are Admescid." Ogwyn was wide-eyed and fearful, unable to fall back on his faith.
"Daniel Jackson protects me. Can you call him impure? Can you murder him?"
Ogwyn looked down at Daniel's face. The archaeologist was unconscious. Ogwyn shook his head. "No. He has done no wrong."
"What of SG9? Did they not bargain in good faith?"
Ogwyn turned his head to the team, bound and sprawled out on the ground. "They did. We mentioned the Admescid, but not in detail. They were warned to beware and they took the warning to heart."
"Do you think they acted in bad faith by bringing me here?"
"Teal'c." Ogwyn's voice went from commanding to pleading. "We have our ways. Our faith endures. Please."
"Answer me, as a man." Teal'c spoke softly, but with a ringing note of command in his voice. Ogwyn's back straightened as his head lifted.
"Than, as a man, I do not believe in my heart that your friends or you meant ill."
"Ogwyn, what is this?" One of the soldiers hissed.
There was a long pause while Ogwyn looked steadily at Teal'c. "This is faith, my friends. This is reason. Our Lord gave us the command to purge the impure. We all bear in us the signs of impurity. They writhe within us like the snakes that live in the bellies of the Admescid. I must strike at my impurity, as I have proven to be willing to strike at yours."
He looked around, calling out loudly. "Release the prisoners. See to their wounds. We have... I have made an error. Should these strangers die, then we are no better than the Admescid." When no-one moved, he bellowed again. "See to their wounds!"
With that, it was as if a spell had been broken. The people laid down their ugly weapons and ran to help the two teams. Jack growled at the people trying to assist him, demanding that he be brought over to Teal'c and Daniel. Sam used one of the people as a lever, pulling herself upright and hopping over on one leg. She collapsed next to Teal'c and helped Jack as he drew near.
"Daniel?" Jack asked, flat on his back on the ground.
"He requires medical assistance, O'Neill, but General Hammond is sending reinforcements."
"Good."
"Are you alright, Teal'c?" Sam asked, checking Daniel's injuries while Ogwyn still held him.
Jack craned his neck. "Yeah. Not looking so hot, buddy." He frowned at the sweat dotting Teal'c's brow.
"Teal'c... this is Coburn. We're ten minutes from the village. Please advise."
Teal'c gave the smallest of smiles before thumbing the communication button on his radio. "Major." He said. "Hostilities have ceased. We require immediate medical assistance."
"Understood. Double-timing it. We'll be there in five. Coburn out."
"Ogwyn, our companions will be joining us to provide medical aid."
"We welcome them." Ogwyn cut him off. "Teal'c... are you well?"
Teal'c inclined his head and closed his eyes, feeling his body finally give in and slump sideways. He made no noise as he hit the ground. As his thoughts drifted away, he was aware of the voice of Captain Carter as she rolled him onto his back.
"He's been shot, sir. Nasty, but not life-threatening. He's been on his feet all this time. Looks like he lost a lot of blood."
"Teal'c?" Daniel Jackson was awake again.
"It's okay, Daniel." O'Neill's voice reassured them all. "Here's Coburn. You hang on, and they'll get us home. You hear me, all of you? We're going home."
The last thing he felt before slipping into a healing sleep, was Daniel Jackson touching his arm lightly, the feel of Captain Carter's hip against his side as she leaned over him, checking on him, and the fleeting touch of O'Neill's hand on the side of his face.
They were going home.
- - - - -
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
If you love someone, let them go. If you hate someone, grab 'em and hang on like a dog with a stick. Snarl a bit, too -- that's always fairly effective.
- - - - -
Teal'c ran.
He was a Jaffa, trained to handle the rigours of life of combat. He could march for days, battle for hours and guard indefinitely. He was used to taking life at a stately pace. But now he ran, spurred on by the vicious images in his brain.
He had left them behind. SG1 had fallen in battle and only he had made it through the firing line. Even as he ran, he still saw how it happened.
- - - - -
"I take it that SG9's negotiations did not go well." Jack snapped as he settled his hands on his heads. The locals answered his snarl with growls of his own, prodding him with the barrels of their ugly old blunderbusses.
Unlike many of their destinations, this society had advanced just far enough to allow themselves all new efficient ways of killing each other... provided the unstable mechanisms didn't blow themselves up first. The weapons were poorly made, the explosive within a combination of pebbles, gunpowder and small, metal shot. In Earth's history, the weapons were temperamental and unpredictable, equally capable of taking out a half a dozen men, or blowing up in the owner's face. They were hard to aim, difficult to fire and dangerous to own.
The nomads still didn't seem at ease with the equipment, using the guns to nudge their captives, like spears.
"Easy." Jack said as yet another gun prodded him in the kidneys.
"Jack. I don't understand. Kovachek radioed back that they were fine with us. They..." Daniel cut off with a grunt as someone elbowed him.
"Hey!" Carter snapped indignantly, only to be ignored.
In short order, they were bullied into a small camp. The tribe was nomadic, only rarely venturing into the larger trade centers. They were making tentative contact with the first tribe they came to, trying to understand the political structure of the country. So far, things were not going well. SG4 had made the initial contact and been well received. SG9 had moved in to continue negotiations. SG1 had gone to the planet to continue first contact with the other tribes, with the help of their new allies.
The moment they stepped through the Stargate, the locals had taken one look at them and lifted their guns. Now, weaponless, they were marched back into the nomads' camp.
"Colonel?" Kovachek stepped out of a tent, frowning. Around him, the people started chattering. Kovachek found himself staring down several gun barrels. "What the hell? Ogwyn?" He turned back to the chief. "What's going on?"
SG9 were herded over to stand next to SG1.
"Major?" Jack said dryly. "I take it this wasn't part of the plan?"
"Sir, we were just finalising the treaty when you... arrived."
"The treaty cannot be signed with those who are false." The chief said, head lifting high as he stared down his nose at them.
"What? Wait." Daniel stepped forward. The guns immediately swung to face him. Daniel's hands went a little higher. "No, no, no. I'm not going to do anything. I just have a question." He stopped and looked at the young man in front of him. "You're afraid." He looked around. "No. We're not here to harm you. Why are you afraid?"
"We do not fear the deceivers." The chief, Ogwyn, replied. "We
destroy them."
"Ogwyn, these men deceive no-one." Kovachek spoke rapidly.
"How can you say this? Look at him." Ogwyn's hand swung wide, indicating SG1.
"Him. You said him." Daniel tilted his head. "Oh God. This is about the Goa'uld. We, we... fight the Goa'uld. He is a Jaffa. He fights with us."
"He is of the Admescid."
"Admescid." Daniel thought frantically. "A homophone of amasguidh, maybe. From the Gaelic. Impure. Profane. You think he's...?"
"We will take him to a place of purification." Ogwyn gestured for his people. They began to herd Teal'c away from his team-mates.
"Okay, whoa, whoa, whoa." Jack stepped forward, waving his hands. "Nobody is purifying anybody, got that? Listen, we'll just take back our toys and go. That okay with everybody? You and Kovachek can keep talking and we'll just get out of your way."
Ogwyn frowned. "It is our law. If you protect the Admescid, then you must be their followers. If that is the case, then we cannot let you leave."
"What?" Jack took another step forward.
"Jack!" Daniel warned. Some of the guards were getting restless or frightened, their fingers hovering over their triggers. The one in front of Jack was shaking visibly.
"Ogwyn, we cannot allow this." Kovachek stepped forward, only to be pushed back by more men with guns.
"We have bargained in good faith, only to be shown a lie. Your continued refusal to allow this Admescid to go to the Place of Purification proves your duplicitous nature." Ogwyn grew angry, making broad gestures with his arms.
"Wait, please." Daniel took a half step sideways, hands up. "What is this Place of Purification'? What do you want to do?"
Ogwyn stared at Daniel, frowning. "As with all Admescid, a knife will be driven into his belly, spearing the evil that lives within. Should the Admescid survive the ritual, he will be purified."
"Oh for cryin' out loud." O'Neill scrubbed at his short hair with one hand. "How many have you killed that way?"
"Their impurities were great. They could not be saved."
"Oh God." Carter whispered. "They killed them."
"No." Ogwyn stepped forward. The civilized nomad disappeared behind the sneer of the Righteous. "They were embraced into Purity and they joined the True Folk in the sight of Our Lord."
"Daniel?" Jack looked sideways.
"No idea, Jack. The druids did engage in forms of human sacrifice, but this is different."
"Kovachek?"
"Colonel, nothing like this ever came up during negotiations."
"Okay, listen." Jack stepped forward just as everything went to hell.
- - - - -
Teal'c's breath hitched in his chest. In those brief moments, he watched everything he cared about fall so tragically far.
He had remained silent, understanding quickly that he could not interfere early on in the discussion. If he did, he would make things worse. He had met many men like Ogwyn... and even served some, so enraptured by their own glory that they were willing to destroy everything around them.
His team mates took up their positions easily. O'Neill took charge, Daniel Jackson tried constantly to understand, and Captain Carter stayed vigilant, measuring their foes. Kovachek and his diplomats were huddled together. While capable warriors, they were unarmed, and still sought a diplomatic solution.
As O'Neill took that final, fatal step forward, the nerves of one of the warriors watching them finally broke and he fired.
Teal'c stopped running and leaned against a tree, bent over, holding himself up with one hand braced against a tree stump.
O'Neill had taken the spray of pellets in the upper chest, spinning him around sending him to his knees. As he hit the ground, his eyes met Teal'c's.
"Go. Run."
He was slumping forward, even as Daniel Jackson called out 'Jack!' and stepped toward his team leader. Frightened, another warrior lost his nerve and fired, triggering a volley by a number of the nomads. Another round of pellets impacted O'Neill's back, pitching him forward onto his face. The guns were primitive and Jack's flak jacket was able to absorb the worst of the damage, but enough got through to cause damage.
Daniel Jackson lost his footing as a round hit him in the side, another spray of pellets catching his shins. He hit hard, one hand reaching out to O'Neill. His neck and hands were blackened by shot powder. The owner of the gun had overcompensated with the powder, but added relatively little shot. At that close range, this oversight likely spared Daniel's life.
Two of the nomads fell to the ground as their guns exploded. Another three were caught in the crossfire.
Captain Carter spun and elbowed one of the men closest to her. She managed to grab his weapon and fired, knocking over three men. The resulting concussion threw her over backward. As she fell, another shot speckled blood across her thigh.
"Damn it, Teal'c, go!" O'Neill's bellow was hoarse. Kovachek and one of his team members went down with shot blasts. The other two dropped to the ground. "Get help, that's an order!" The word faded out as O'Neill lost consciousness.
With a lump in his throat, and a weight in his heart, Teal'c turned and ran.
- - - - -
"Colonel O'Neill, come in. This is General Hammond." The crackle of the radio brought Teal'c back to the present. "Can you hear me?"
"General Hammond." The words were hoarse, his breath rasping in his chest.
"Teal'c? You've missed your check-in by an hour. Is everything alright?"
"We were attacked by the people of the village."
"Attacked? Teal'c, what is the status of SG1 and SG9?" The General's voice projected concern.
"I do not know." Teal'c coughed, unable to get his breathing back under control. "Colonel O'Neill has been shot twice, as had Daniel Jackson. Captain Carter and Major Kovachek have been shot once each. The other members of Major Kovachek's team were also injured, although I cannot say how badly. O'Neill ordered me to retrieve assistance."
"Where are you?" Hammond's voice was tight. Teal'c knew that every minute that went by was now a minute closer to getting assistance.
"I am returning along the path to the village. It is the path that we were shown on the images from the UAV."
"Wait. Returning? Teal'c, hold your position. We will be sending an extraction team in for you as soon as humanly possible."
"I understand. I will return to the village to monitor the situation there."
"Teal'c..." Ignoring the General, Teal'c turned and began to run back to the village.
- - - - -
Teal'c arrived back at the village at a slow walk. His strength, unending though it seemed, was finally giving out. He sagged against a tree, using its trunk to prop himself up.
He was now on the periphery of the nomad's camp.
A large fire had been lit, and the tribe was in attendance. Ogwyn stood at the edge of the fire, hands raised and chanting. This was obviously their Place of Purification.
Teal'c edged closer, one hand over the snake in his belly, soothing the distressed creature. The SG members were lying on the ground, moving feebly. As he watched, two of the warriors grabbed one of the downed and bloody people and yanked him over to a low, flat stone.
Teal'c moved closer, trying to make out the form.
It was Daniel Jackson.
His arms moved weakly, head rolling from side to side in mute denial. He was weak with blood-loss, crying out softly as they dumped him carelessly on the stone. Another figured stirred at that, sitting upright... then another. O'Neill and Carter, forcing themselves to rise despite their wounds.
A sharp knife sliced open the archaeologist's jacket and shirt, exposing bloody streaks across his chest and waist. O'Neill was kicked viciously as he attempted to crawl toward his team-mate. Carter made it to her feet but a swift kick to the wounds on her leg dropped her back to the ground.
Teal'c ran through his rapidly diminishing options as Daniel's arms were tied to metal rings set in the stone, keeping him in place. Those options dwindled from only a few to none' as Ogwyn knelt next to Daniel, a long, sharp dagger in his hands.
"Wait."
Teal'c stepped forward.
He was instantly surrounded by tribesman wielding both guns and spears.
"You return for your servants?" Ogwyn said gruffly.
"These are not my servants." Teal'c dropped his weapon. "They are my friends."
"Teal'c?" Daniel's voice was slurred with pain, his head moving side to side as he searched vainly.
"Be still, Daniel Jackson. All will be well."
"Okay." Daniel coughed, bloody flecks spattering his chest. "Little cold."
"I know." Teal'c whispered.
"Are you willing to submit to purification?" Ogwyn touched Daniel's chest lightly with just his fingertips.
"No." Daniel shook his head slowly. "He can't. Please."
"Ogwyn." Jack rolled over onto his side, reaching out a hand. "Don't do this."
"If I submit, will you allow them to go free?" Teal'c put his hands behind his back and raised his head.
Ogwyn narrowed his eyes. "For what purpose? To rally and attack?"
"Look at them." Teal'c's voice dropped to a whisper. "They will not harm you. Allow them to go free, and I will submit to whatever punishment you desire."
"This is not punishment." Ogwyn's head tilted forward. "This is absolution."
"It is death, no matter how you disguise it."
"It is our way."
"Your way is wrong." Teal'c's voice was firm. "You are killing those who wish only to help you."
Ogwyn nodded slowly. "It is our way."
"Do not do this." Teal'c's voice resonated with subdued distress.
"Will you offer yourself for them?"
Teal'c turned slowly, watching Daniel take shallow, hitching breaths over to O'Neill and Carter slumped on the ground to SG9 beyond them, bloody and bruised.
"I shall." He spoke clearly, regally. "If you give me your word that they shall be returned to their people without further harm."
"It is our-"
"Your words have no meaning." Teal'c interrupted, drawing himself up. "You repeat like a child. Your way is slavery to false gods and corrupt ideals. I offer myself as a man, for the safety of my friends. Accept or decline as a man, not as a tool of false gods."
"Teal'c..." Ogwyn frowned, confused, the safety of his unflinching devotion to Our Way' being rapidly stripped away. Daniel moved, stirring restlessly as he tried to relieve the pain in his side and leg. Ogwyn stared at Teal'c as he placed his free hand on Daniel's forehead, soothing him. "You... you speak well. Your friends will go free, and you will take your place."
Teal'c nodded curtly and, hands out to his side, he walked toward Ogwyn. He stopped before the chieftain and then knelt slowly.
"Gah, dammit Teal'c." O'Neill swore, inching closer. "I ordered you to leave. I ordered you..."
"One life for many, O'Neill." Teal'c interrupted him. He looked down at Daniel, squinting back up at him and shaking his head. He touched Daniel's face lightly, pushing Ogwyn's fingers away.
"You are most unusual for an Admescid." Ogwyn shook his head.
"Wait." Daniel's brow wrinkled as he processed. "Wait... they said..." He coughed, arching his back with pain. "They said... no Goa'uld."
"That's right." Sam grated out from the ground, guarded by a trio of nervous men. "Kovachek said the Goa'uld don't come here anymore."
"So where...?" Jack ground out, unable to complete the sentence.
"The Admescid attack in the night, like thieves and brigands. Our Lord has commanded that we cleanse the land of the impure. When we capture one, we do as we must."
"What... God?" Daniel gasped.
"Teal'c... Daniel needs to sit up." Carter tried to sit up, only to be restrained by a large boot across her back. "Damn it. Help him." She snapped at her captors, biting back a cry when the next boot descended on her wounded leg.
"Ogwyn." Teal'c pressed on. "What God do they serve?"
"I do not know."
"Symbol?" Daniel strained at the ties on his arms and wrists.
"I know not. They are all different. Some as your Admescid's, some as stars or odd animals. No one pattern."
"Rogue Jaffa." Jack tried getting up again.
Teal'c and Ogwyn looked at Daniel as the archaeologist's breathing stilled for a long moment. Pushing Teal'c away, Ogwyn began to undo the binding on Daniel's wrists. Still kneeling next to Teal'c beside the low altar, he pulled Daniel off of the stone. He then levered Daniel upright, so that Daniel's back was to Ogwyn's chest, and the back of Daniel's head rested on Ogwyn's shoulder. Daniel's breathing grew easier, but Ogwyn looked troubled.
"What do you mean by this?" Ogywn tugged Daniel's jacket and shirt into place, trying to warm the archaeologist. In the grass by the stone, both Carter and O'Neill watched silently.
"There are those of my people, like me, who cast off their bonds and become free men."
"Then do you attack and raid as well?"
"I do not." Teal'c responded instantly, straightening his shoulders. "But I have advantages that my fellow Jaffa do not. I have a place to live and food to eat. These Jaffa are most likely warriors, unused to the life of a herdsman or farmer."
"Raised... thinking... humans as... slaves." Daniel tried to clear his throat.
"What are you saying?" Ogwyn whispered.
"He's saying..." Jack made a short exclamation of pain and then forced himself to one elbow. "He's saying that your... Admescid are nothing more that soldiers desperate for food."
"I don't understand." Ogwyn said, somewhat desperately.
"Peaceful... explorers." Daniel gasped.
"I promised you, Ogwyn, we will investigate these Jaffa. Perhaps we can take them to another world through the Chapa'ai." Teal'c bowed his head. "Perhaps we can negotiate peace with them."
"But they are Admescid. They protect the impure. You are Admescid." Ogwyn was wide-eyed and fearful, unable to fall back on his faith.
"Daniel Jackson protects me. Can you call him impure? Can you murder him?"
Ogwyn looked down at Daniel's face. The archaeologist was unconscious. Ogwyn shook his head. "No. He has done no wrong."
"What of SG9? Did they not bargain in good faith?"
Ogwyn turned his head to the team, bound and sprawled out on the ground. "They did. We mentioned the Admescid, but not in detail. They were warned to beware and they took the warning to heart."
"Do you think they acted in bad faith by bringing me here?"
"Teal'c." Ogwyn's voice went from commanding to pleading. "We have our ways. Our faith endures. Please."
"Answer me, as a man." Teal'c spoke softly, but with a ringing note of command in his voice. Ogwyn's back straightened as his head lifted.
"Than, as a man, I do not believe in my heart that your friends or you meant ill."
"Ogwyn, what is this?" One of the soldiers hissed.
There was a long pause while Ogwyn looked steadily at Teal'c. "This is faith, my friends. This is reason. Our Lord gave us the command to purge the impure. We all bear in us the signs of impurity. They writhe within us like the snakes that live in the bellies of the Admescid. I must strike at my impurity, as I have proven to be willing to strike at yours."
He looked around, calling out loudly. "Release the prisoners. See to their wounds. We have... I have made an error. Should these strangers die, then we are no better than the Admescid." When no-one moved, he bellowed again. "See to their wounds!"
With that, it was as if a spell had been broken. The people laid down their ugly weapons and ran to help the two teams. Jack growled at the people trying to assist him, demanding that he be brought over to Teal'c and Daniel. Sam used one of the people as a lever, pulling herself upright and hopping over on one leg. She collapsed next to Teal'c and helped Jack as he drew near.
"Daniel?" Jack asked, flat on his back on the ground.
"He requires medical assistance, O'Neill, but General Hammond is sending reinforcements."
"Good."
"Are you alright, Teal'c?" Sam asked, checking Daniel's injuries while Ogwyn still held him.
Jack craned his neck. "Yeah. Not looking so hot, buddy." He frowned at the sweat dotting Teal'c's brow.
"Teal'c... this is Coburn. We're ten minutes from the village. Please advise."
Teal'c gave the smallest of smiles before thumbing the communication button on his radio. "Major." He said. "Hostilities have ceased. We require immediate medical assistance."
"Understood. Double-timing it. We'll be there in five. Coburn out."
"Ogwyn, our companions will be joining us to provide medical aid."
"We welcome them." Ogwyn cut him off. "Teal'c... are you well?"
Teal'c inclined his head and closed his eyes, feeling his body finally give in and slump sideways. He made no noise as he hit the ground. As his thoughts drifted away, he was aware of the voice of Captain Carter as she rolled him onto his back.
"He's been shot, sir. Nasty, but not life-threatening. He's been on his feet all this time. Looks like he lost a lot of blood."
"Teal'c?" Daniel Jackson was awake again.
"It's okay, Daniel." O'Neill's voice reassured them all. "Here's Coburn. You hang on, and they'll get us home. You hear me, all of you? We're going home."
The last thing he felt before slipping into a healing sleep, was Daniel Jackson touching his arm lightly, the feel of Captain Carter's hip against his side as she leaned over him, checking on him, and the fleeting touch of O'Neill's hand on the side of his face.
They were going home.