Chapter 6 - Rescue Mission

As he stepped through the gate Jack O'Neill was welcomed by the planetoid's rough, sandy wind and a sun that burnt down on him and his team with merciless heat. He adjusted his sunglasses and tore his cap a little deeper into his face.

"A nice place to roast some potatoes", the colonel remarked.

While Daniel and Teal'C went to search for the nearest functioning ring platform he ordered the two Marines that were accompanying them to secure a perimeter just in case there would be some jaffa after the team later.

Daniel seemed to have found a platform. Jack jogged over to him and Teal'C to see what they got.

"This one seems to be on sufficient power", Daniel stated checking the crystals.

"A signal, yet?"O'Neill asked.

"No...", all of a sudden the crystal color changed, "There we go."

"Okay ya two, let's move", Jack charged his M-6 and stepped onto the platform. Teal'C followed him, then Daniel activated the transport and joined them as well.

"What you're doing is right", Samira put her hand on Sam's shoulder. She was more than content about the Tau'ri's change of mind not counting that it was nothing else than forced.

Sam had her face averted from her, she was looking down to the floor her fingers absently brushing over the sheets of her bed. She now accepted that serving Baal was the only chance left for her. She had nowhere else to go and no one waiting for her at home any more. Her memories of home that were still left in her mind were not positive, no one wanted her ... Or was there another way? As she tried to remember a rush of pain shot through her head -- nothing. Samantha prepared to meet her fate with the arrival on the new planet.

Samira startled Sam from her thoughts: "I've got to look after Daray. If you need something you know where to find me."

Carter nodded slowly not looking up. So Samira stood up from the bed and went outside.

There was no one present as the three of them materialized in the ring room. O'Neill sneaked over to the door waving Daniel and Teal'C closer. As the door hissed open he peered outside. There was no one in sight. They stepped outside cautiously making their way to the next corner.

"Any idea where Carter could be held?"Jack whispered, "you, T?"

The jaffa shook his head. "I am not sure, O'Neill."

That moment there was motion on the corridor before them. Jack took a quick glance around the corner to see what was going on. A woman, probably one of Baal's maidens, who was accompanied by a jaffa went by. She and the guard were talking about something in Goa'uld.

"Hey Dan, ya know what they're talkin' about?"the colonel inquired turning around at Daniel.

Daniel concentrated on their words for a moment then he said: "I think they'd lead us to Sam."

"Ya think?"Jack frowned at him.

"Okay, okay, I'm kinda sure about it. Maybe we'd better follow them", Daniel corrected himself.

They waited until the pair was far away enough for them to follow unseen, then Jack took lead and the three of them went along the corridor slowly held closely to the wall.

After a ten minute journey through the ship's labyrinth of corridors and passageways they seemed to have reached their goal. The servant girl entered a room and the jaffa took position by the door.

As Samira entered the room again the Tau'ri had started to wander across the room unsteadily. She seemed to be in pain once again, the effects of the dreams appeared to be stronger than expected.

Samira crossed the room to reach her asking: "Are you all right?"

"Yes, just a little dizzy", Sam replied softly.

That moment the sound of staff blasts could be heard from outside. Short after the sounds had fade away the door slid open. Both Samira and Sam turned around to see what was going on with both fear and astonishment.

Samira was shocked to see two more Tau'ri and the shol'va standing in the doorway. She threw herself in front of the Tau'ri woman to protect her.

Jack gave the signal for attack. Teal'C aimed his staff at one of the guards by the door. As the blast hit him the other jaffa turned into the direction the blast had come from; but before he could make a move Teal'C shot him as well. Now the three of them stormed toward the door. As it opened and permitted them inside they faced a more than startled Carter staring at them as if they were ghosts.

The servant who had led them here unwillingly made some steps into their way.

"Uh-uh", Jack pointed his machine gun at here, "Get away from there."

The girl followed his order and stepped back again slowly.

Sam was still staring at them not showing any motion. Slowly she seemed to shake off the shock. She opened her mouth and gasped quietly:

"Jack??"

Suddenly Sam's head started to spin, this could not be true, she had to be hallucinating clinging to a wish that could not be granted...

Her dizziness became stronger and the headaches returned, images were flashing through her mind. She could not stand their impact on her brain. All of a sudden Sam passed out.

Carter's eyes seemed to widen even more as she was struggling to breathe and then broke down. Jack shot forward to catch her before she hit the floor.

"Gotcha", he exclaimed holding his unconscious comrade close to himself.

"Move out!"he called to Daniel and Teal'C who where securing the scene.

As the servant made another move toward them Teal'C zatted her remarking something in Goa'uld to her before it.

Now they ran outside the room making their way to the next ring room. As they found it and went inside they startled some jaffa who were not awaiting them. Out of surprise they were able to struck them down in a short fire battle. They activated the rings and as soon as they were back on the planetoid's surface O'Neill ordered the Marines to dial the gate over radio. As he and the rest of his team reached it the Stargate was already activated and IDC confirmation had just been given.

Back at the SGC Jack rushed to infirmary with the still passed-out Carter in his arms as fast as he could.

Dr Fraiser showed him to lay her down on an unoccupied bed. O'Neill stepped back to let Fraiser and her people get to her.

"Give me her vitals", Janet ordered.

"Pulse is stable, but there's no pupil reaction..."

"Prepare for EEG", Fraiser bent down closer to Sam whispering to her: "Hang on...don't leave me alone here."

Janet gave out some more orders before she turned to talk to Jack.

"She's gonna be okay, ain't she?"the colonel exquired.

Janet let out a long breath before responding him: "To tell the truth, sir: I can't say that, yet. Her present condition is stable but more than worrying..."

"How bad is it?"

"Well, she's under shock and on the verge of a comatose state. Something Baal has done to her seems to have put her nerve system on overload..."

Jack cursed silently. If Sam would die because of something this bastard had done to her he would go and kill him with his own two hands, sending this goddamned Goa'uld to hell forever.