Author's notes: language and violence

Hammond sighed. He could hear Major Carter's frustration over the phone. Being a good friend of her father, George knew all to well how much of a pain Jacob could be. Unfortunately, George didn't have the answers she was seeking. Still, he was intent on doing what he could to help.

"I'm truly sorry I can't help you. If I could I would. Unfortunately, your father's black ops missions during Vietnam are all still classified, even to me. But I do know a man who may be able to answer your questions, unofficially of course. General William Garrett, retired, he was your father's CO during 'Nam. I happen to know Garrett keeps tabs on all of the men that were under his command over there, including your father. If you tell the General you're Jake Carter's daughter he'll probably talk to you."

"Shit!" Starks cursed as he pushed himself up onto his feet. "Kelso, report to our position...now!"

Starks hurried full speed through the snow, only it didn't seem fast enough. He watched helplessly as the General had taken out Anderson with swift efficiency before he turned to confront Ford. In an instant the young lieutenant was at a disadvantage and didn't stand much of a chance.

Carter's reputation didn't do him justice. The man was cunning, ruthless and strong moving with the agility of a soldier still in his prime. His actions demanded admiration and respect. Both of which Starks suddenly had in abundance.

Only this was no time for idolization. There was a mission to complete. And that mission was in jeopardy. Anderson was lying unconscious on the ground. Kelso was too far away to assist. And Ford was falling to the ground after being incapacitated. But Starks was just a few feet away now and launched himself towards General Carter.

Jacob had barely finished handling the second assailant when a third slammed into him from behind. The man must have been running at full speed as Jacob quickly found himself heading face first towards the ground. He didn't even have enough time to stick an arm out to absorb some of the impact. And with the full weight of the assailant on Jacob's back he hit the ground hard.

The force of the impact only momentarily stunned Jacob, grateful he managed to turn his head to the side just before impact. A broken nose would have really pissed Selmak off in her current condition. Even if she were one hundred percent a broken bone would take up to a day to heal. Also, if Jacob got injured too badly before Selmak had completely recovered it could do her even more harm. And he didn't want that to happen.

Quickly reacting to his predicament Jacob pushed at the ground in an attempted to use the momentum, cause by the force of the collision, to his advantage. Only his attacker was equally determined. Powdered snow flew into the air in a wild furry as both men punched, wrestled, and rolled across the ground. Each man desperately trying to gain the advantage over the other.

Finally Jacob managed to get the upper hand and used his body weight to pin his attack down on his backside. Jacob immediately started pounding on the other man. The man was actually bigger than Jacob and should easily have beaten Jacob, the old Jacob Carter that is. However, the new and improved Jacob, who hadn't fully tested his Selmak enhanced hand to hand combat abilities until today, wasn't so easy to beat. Even though Selmak had already explained her effect on him, Jacob couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised.

Then the ground suddenly shifted beneath surprising the hell out of the two men. Jacob had actually stopped his arm in mid swing and they both became very still. For a few seconds all Jacob could hear was their heavy breathing. Then he heard the crackling noises.

'This can't be good!' Jacob thought when realized they were on a thin layer of ice.

The moment Jacob came to that conclusion the ice gave way. His attacker was sucked down into the icy blackness pulling Jacob with him.