On another note, for those of you following the real life adventures of Sam and Dragon, my now nearly 17-week-old kittens, they are growing and getting bigger. What is troubling however is that both of them start to pant heavily when playing hard, sometimes laying flat out on the floor for a minute or more. I mentioned it to the vet, who checked them over and she said that both my little boys have heart murmurs, but not a real severe one. She called a cardiologist for me, and the cardiologist said that it's not normal for kittens to pant like that when playing. For now, we are just going to watch them closely, to see that the problem doesn't get worse and that they keep growing and gaining weight. If they get worse or stop thriving and being playful it could mean they are outgrowing their heart capacity and I would need to decide if I want to do a diagnostic workup like expensive ultrasounds, and hope there is a viable, affordable treatment option if its needed, but hopefully we'll never have to worry about that.
Chapter 2: All Tied UpSG-1 emerged on P5X-925 in brilliant sunshine, a light breeze ruffling their clothing and hair.
"Oh look, trees." The Colonel never missed a chance to point out that alien worlds really weren't so alien.
"Blue trees sir." Major Carter hid a smirk, always ready to remind that sometimes, alien planets really were alien.
"Whatever. Trees are trees" came his reply, having already taken several steps ahead of the group. "So. What say we go meet the natives?" Jack O'Neill glanced back at the rest of them before he pulled on his sunglasses and rested his hands loosely on his P-90, starting down the path that the MALP had shown likely led to the village. The path wound loosely through the trees, bending out of sight. Daniel fell into step behind Jack, Carter behind him, with Teal'c taking up the rearguard position, all of them slipping into familiar and comfortable roles.
The sun was less intense in the shade of the trees, the sound of the breeze rustling the canopy. Other than the more bluish than green color of the leaves, this forest could easily be one on Earth.
Sam watched as their passage startled a small furry brown creature that could have passed for a squirrel, and smiled as the little creature scolded them, and ducked under a log. Scanning the underbrush, she remained alert to any indication they were being watched. However this planet seemed quiet, very idyllic. Sam hoped negotiations would be fruitful, because this place would make a nice one to visit.
Suddenly, the back of Sam's neck prickled, and she noticed that the cacophony of birds and insect sounds had abated. The Colonel was raising a hand indicating he had also noticed the change. Daniel ducked off the side of the path behind a boulder, out of the way, while Sam brought her P-90 around to bear, the sound of a staff weapon priming behind her indicating that Teal'c was also ready. The three moved together into a defensive position near Daniel, who had his handgun out, when Sam felt something stinging her leg.
Frowning, her hand grasped a small-feathered dart, but when she turned to her CO to warn him, she noticed he also had one in his hand and she had to step forward quickly to catch him, realizing at the same time that Teal'c would be unable to help because he was succumbing to the effects of two darts. A sudden stinging sensation on her side told her she'd just been hit again. Images were starting to swim, and her knees grew weak as she tried to pull the second dart out, searching in vain for the unknown shooter or shooters. A glance at Daniel showed him unconscious, sprawled over the boulder he'd taken refuge behind. A small rational part of her mind said that the naquadah in her bloodstream must have been interfering with whatever drug the darts contained, just as a third dart stung her neck. Her hand made it only halfway to the dart before she lost consciousness, sprawling face down over her CO.
WheelsGoRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRound
There was a herd of wild beasts stampeding inside his brain, was Jack's initial thought. It was unjustly unfair, because it must have been some party but he didn't remember a thing. Trying to suppress a groan, Jack tried to scrub his hands across his face, when he realized that his hands were above his head and he couldn't move them. That got his attention, and his eyes snapped open, to reveal darkness.
"O'Neill." A deep rumbling voice came from his left. With painstaking slowness, Jack turned his head, and was able to make out the dim shape of Teal'c.
He tried to speak, but his dry throat wouldn't let him. Swallowing he tried again. "Teal'c?" he rasped.
"I am here O'Neill, as are Daniel Jackson and Major Carter, however you are the first besides myself to regain consciousness." Teal'c anticipated his friend's questions.
"Any idea where here is buddy?" Jack was quietly testing the restraints, despite the fact that his arms were partially numb, no telling how long they'd been tied up over his head. Speaking of numb, his butt was a bit cold and numb too, as he was seated on a hard stone floor, a pervasive dampness hinting at being at least partially underground. Turning his head, he could now make out two other dim shapes; one was directly across from him, the other across from Teal'c. Just as he was trying to determine who was who, the one in front of Teal'c moved, groaning in obvious discomfort.
"Daniel?" Jack recognized that groan anywhere.
"Geez Jack, I feel like we had team night last night." Jack couldn't help but grin despite the slowly receding pounding inside his skull.
"You ok Danny-boy?" The man was moaning again, as Jack heard him shifting about in the darkness.
"Yeah, fine. These ropes are doing wonders for my back though." There was another rustle of fabric as Daniel tried to shift into a more comfortable position.
Assured that Daniel would be ok, Jack turned his attention to the shape in front of him. If Daniel was in front of Teal'c, that meant Carter was in front of him. Carefully, so as not to jostle his brains too much too soon, Jack stretched out his foot until he could kick at the soles of Carter's boots.
"Carter? Carter!" He kicked a bit harder when she didn't respond. "Carter, you're late for watch!" That one usually brought her up raring to go.
"O'Neill, I believe that Major Carter was struck by more than one of the darts. I myself was struck by two and I recall her getting hit by a second dart when I could no longer fight the effects of the drug." Jack frowned at this new tidbit of information. One dart had floored him and Daniel. If two had hit Carter, there was no telling how that would affect her. In the darkness, he couldn't even tell if she breathed.
"Daniel, can you get any closer to Carter?" He wanted to at least make sure she was breathing.
He watched as Daniel tried to shift a bit, but he had no more slack on his bonds than Jack did. The best Daniel could do was get his foot near Carter's leg.
"Carter?" Jack continued to kick at her boots while Daniel nudged her legs. Finally their efforts were rewarded with a groan, and Jack winced in mixed relief and sympathy.
"Carter! Up and at 'em!" He barked in his best military commander voice.
"Sir, please don't do that, or I might just lose my lunch." Came the weak whisper.
"What did I tell you about those big lunches Carter?" Jack grinned, but lowered his voice, relieved that she was awake. "You ok Carter?"
She took a minute to respond, but her voice was stronger this time. "Been better sir."
Partially out of curiosity, and a bit of concern made Jack ask, "Just how many of those things hit you Carter?"
Another pause, and "Three I think sir."
Jack whistled softly. "You sure you ok Carter?"
"Don't feel so hot sir." She admitted, before continuing, "It will pass I think though, as long as I don't have to move too much." She fell silent again and in the dimness, Jack could make out that she'd pulled her knees up as far as she could get them, and her head was tipped back against the stonewall of the cell. He could imagine her eyes were closed.
Reassured that everyone was accounted for and whole, Jack turned his attention back to the cell. The room was small, with a few slits on the wall near the ceiling opposite that he could see that let in weak light. A door was to his right, he could just make out its outline, but well out of reach of any of them. A misshapen lump was in the corner by the door, but in the dim light he was unable to tell what it was.
"Someone didn't pay the electric bill" Jack quipped, examining the dim enclosure. "Any ideas what happened out there, kids?" Jack wasn't much for the shoots first ask questions later types. Given the choice he'd rather be the one shooting first.
"There is nothing here familiar to me O'Neill. And I have been unable to free myself, the rope used to bind my hands is strong."
"Me too Jack. Hopefully this is just a misunderstanding, someone will have to come and check on us eventually." Ever the optimist was Daniel.
Jack scowled; he didn't like being tied up, by an unknown foe. Heck, he didn't much like being tied up by a known foe. Twisting again, Jack was trying to see if new leverage might loosen his bonds, when the door was flung open with a resounding thud, the rapid change in light blinding and bringing the headache back with a new vengeance. Daniel sucked in a breath, and Teal'c remained silent and impassive, while Carter muffled a soft whimper, indicating she was probably affected worse than any of them.
Blinking rapidly, Jack squinted at the outline of their captor, using the opportunity to check on his team. Teal'c looked unaffected, Daniel's brow was creased, but he looked like he could stand. Carter had her eyes squeezed shut, lips thinned into a tight line while she concentrated on taking slow measured breaths. Her skin had a slight grayish tint to it that he didn't like. He didn't think she'd be running anytime soon and wondered why the aliens had felt the need to dart the smallest person on the team muscle mass wise three times, when two had been sufficient to sink even Teal'c.
"Infidels. You will pay for your crime." The man in the doorway finally addressed them, and Jack groaned silently at the address, while Daniel, undaunted, launched into the "we come in peace" spiel.
Unfortunately for them, as Jack had suspected, the peaceful explorers bit had no effect.
"You will be tried and punished for violating the sanctity of the great ring, and for your service to the false gods." The man sounded downright smug. He carried himself as some sort of official, and judging by his ornate robes, he was some kind of priest.
Daniel and Teal'c tried to explain that Teal'c no longer served the Goa'uld, and that they hadn't meant to violate the "holy ground" by coming through the gate, Daniel again trying to explain that they were explorers, but the man wouldn't hear it.
"Your fate will be decided at the trial, and your punishment decided." The man turned to leave the cell.
"Whoa whoa whoa, just a minute. You sound like you already know we are guilty." Jack tried to stall the man, who he had already decided was overdressed, with his long red and black robes.
"You used the circle to come to our world did you not?" The man, who was tall, thin and dark haired, with a small goatee and a skullcap, leveled his cool glare at Jack.
"That is how we explore other worlds." Daniel was quick to supply an answer, still trying to prove they came in peace.
"Than you are guilty. Your fate will be decided at the trial." The man was unruffled, sounding even a bit smug.
"Fine. Take us to this trial thing, so we can get the hell out of here." Jack was growing angry at the man's pompousness.
"Fools, your presence is not required at the trial, you will wait here while your penalty is discussed. You will be informed of the decision." With that the man turned on his heel and left the cell, the door slamming shut, the sound of a lock sliding into place echoing in the small room.
Jack blinked. "We'll just stay here then." Jack called after the man, before he turned his attention to his team. "Well that went well didn't it?"
No one replied, but Jack hadn't expected anything. Instead, he settled himself as comfortable as possible, with his arms still restrained overhead, and his backside cold and damp, and resigned himself to a long wait.
WheelsGoRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRoundAndRound
Overlooked, a small furry animal slept in the tight place he found himself in. The bed he had chosen that had at first seemed so comfortable was anything but. First of all, he'd been woken from a most wonderful dream feeling like he was going to freeze to death. When he'd finally warmed enough to think about other things, he realized that he was moving.
As the gentle motion had started to lull him to sleep again, the little creature had been startled into alert wakefulness as his bed started to jostle violently. Soon, the jostling stopped momentarily, and he heard the sound of many people. And then, injustice of all injustices, his new prison had shifted suddenly, a large heavy weight on top of him, nearly squishing him! Just as he thought he would be going to the Great Wheel in the Sky, the weight lifted, and his prison started to move and jostle again.
It seemed like forever before the jostling and motion stopped, and things grew quiet after a lot of noise and fuss. Worn out and exhausted, he fell asleep again, sleeping for a long time, completely unaware of anything happening around him.