As Teal'c scouted the perimeter, looking for signs of the attackers, Jack grabbed Daniel's shoulder. "Daniel, where's Sam?" At Daniels look of fear and confusion, Jack felt a pit of worry clench his stomach. He knew. Sam was gone.
Chapter 26
After ascertaining that Daniel was ok, although a bit groggy, the Colonel quickly called Teal'c back over. Teal'c reported that he had seen no sign of the unknown assailants, and that the perimeter was secure for the moment. Jack nodded, "Stay with Daniel Teal'c, I'm going to alert the base and get help." Teal'c nodded his assent and took up a position near the still somewhat confused man. The effects of whatever drug had been in the dart was wearing of quickly now that he was awake, helped along by the surge of adrenaline that came with the realization that Sam had been taken while he'd laid in the grass unconscious.
Jack returned within minutes, a hastily assembled team of SF's hot on his heels, a medic not far behind them. Jack tossed a Zat to Teal'c, and one of the SF's relieved Teal'c as the medic went up to Daniel, who protested he was fine. The medic just pushed Daniel back down on the ground and proceeded to check him over as the SF's led by Teal'c and the Colonel fanned out around the clearing searching for any clues as to what had happened to Sam.
Teal'c was the first to spot the tracks that indicated where at least one assailant had crouched, hidden from view behind a cluster of boulders. Another set of tracks was found soon after that, leading from the base of a large tree, suggesting a second attacker was involved. The two trails joined up and led away from the clearing. Following the trail, the entrance used by the assailants became clear. They had cut a hole in the fence where it had been concealed by some ground cover that had grown over it, concealing the opening from view. Someone would be in trouble for the oversight, but at the moment, the Colonel's only concern was locating his missing astrophysicist.
The footprints continued and the group, armed and ready, augmented by even more men and now dogs, quickly followed the trail. Unfortunately, the trail ended rather abruptly as it reached the road, and tire tracks indicated that the two people had entered a vehicle of some sort. Jack swore. He had no idea how long it had been since Daniel and Sam had been attacked. There was no doubt in his mind that Sam had been the reason for the attack and that she was now with the unknown person or persons. But who would have taken her? Who even knew outside of the base what had happened to her recently, and would want her bad enough to break into a maximum-security facility and steal her right from under their very noses? Who had known enough about the movements of base personnel to know when she would be most accessible? And most importantly, where were they taking her and what did they plan to do with her when they got her there?
Jack swore again, as he realized just how difficult their search would be. They were looking for a cat fer cryin' out loud. And depending on the lead the kidnappers had, she could be anywhere by now. No matter how futile the chances of finding Sam seemed, Jack knew one thing, a glance at Teal'c confirming his teammate felt the same way. They would not give up until Sam was back, safe and sound. And if she'd been harmed in any way, there would be hell to pay, and that was a damn fact.