"Jack...Sam...," the archeologist muttered to the emptiness in his office, "Where the hell are you two?"
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Ch 16: COMING IN HOT
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SGC Briefing Room
"P8X-331 is one of the planets from the list of 'Gate addresses that Jack entered into the computer before the Asgard removed the Ancient library download from his brain," Daniel began the latest briefing. "Preliminary MALP results show a breathable atmosphere, standard UV protection, and no dangerous levels of radiation," and he clicked the slides to a grainy digital-still shot from the MALP-camera.
Clicking to the next slide, "Standard chlorophyll-based vegetation... trees, bushes and grasses," as he clicked through a few more shots showing the vegetation. "At the time of this picture it was raining steadily and the local temperature was 47-48 degrees Fahrenheit."
"No immediate signs of hostile alien life... intelligent or otherwise. Some small to medium sized local wildlife, but nothing overtly dangerous," while clicking through a few shots of some rodent like animals. Continuing to summarize the basic information, he worked his way through the rest of his short slide show. "Are there any questions?"
The room was silent for a few moments as no one had any new questions. They had all read the mission brief and Daniel's presentation had basically been a summary review to just ensure that everyone was on the same page.
"Right then," General Hammond addressed the CO of SG-7, Colonel Peterson, "You have 8 hours for the initial survey. After that, you will report in and we will determine if you will need additional time on-planet."
"Understood, sir," Peterson replied to the familiar mission format being applied in the search for O'Neill and Carter.
"If there are no more questions - SG-1, SG-7, you will disembark at 1400. Dismissed," the General concluded.
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1350
The six searchers were adjusting straps and hats and getting ready for departure. Daniel looked up to the glass windows of the control room overlooking the Gateroom. "It's sure good to see a familiar face up there," Daniel muttered.
"Yeah, we were damn lucky that Hammond volunteered to fill in while O'Neill is missing," Peterson responded with feeling. "Hammond is basically wearing two hats by taking care of this place while also handling as much of his Pentagon duties on the phone or by video conference."
"How long do you think they'll let it stay this way?" Daniel asked.
"Not too long. They can't. If we don't find O'Neill and Carter in a few more weeks, Hammond will have to go back to his regular duties and they'll have to assign a new full-time CO for the SGC," Peterson replied knowingly.
"Any idea who it would be?" Daniel continued while the 'Gate began dialing up.
"Haven't heard any rumors yet. I'll let you know if I do," and then turning to the General watching them from above, "Request permission to disembark, sir."
"Permission granted, Colonel. You have a 'Go'. Bring them back, people," and the General's familiar words gave Daniel another small sense of reassurance.
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P8X-331
Exiting the wormhole into a light drizzle, Daniel and Teal'c followed SG-7 down the steps of the alien 'Gate. Standing next the MALP, Colonel Peterson ordered his team, "Caruthers and Ponce, scout the immediate area. Saunders, keep watch."
A chorus of "Yes sirs" floated back as the Colonel turned his attention to the two men of SG-1. "For the initial recce, let's just look around in this clearing for any signs of O'Neill or Carter. Everyone keeps everyone else in sight for right now, got it?"
"Understood ColonelPeterson," Teal'c responded and Daniel just nodded.
With Major Caruthers and Captain Ponce scouting the edges of the clearing and Lieutenant Saunders standing as lookout on the 'Gate steps, the other three slowly searched the region around the 'Gate for any signs of previous human passage through the area.
Teal'c's experienced eyes scanned his surroundings.
Heavily forested woodland.
Wet, muddy ground.
Cold and damp.
Water draining off of each leaf and blade of grass.
Everything was soaked from the rain.
A variety of numerous animal prints were clearly visible in the mud.
Of all shapes and sizes.
Nothing moved now, however.
Undoubtedly frozen in fear of the noise and disturbance from the 'Gate activation.
And now, undoubtedly watching them.
Something moved in the trees.
Teal'c swung his staff to bear on where the movement had been.
He watched carefully, but saw no further movement.
"Colonel?" Major Caruthers' voice sounded over their radios.
"Go ahead," Peterson sent back as he turned around to spot his officers on the other side of the large clearing, behind the 'Gate.
"We've found a well-worn path that leads into the woods."
"Understood. Hold position and watch for any new arrivals. We'll join you after we've searched this side," the Colonel replied.
"Yes sir," Caruthers returned.
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Fifteen minutes later and Daniel, Teal'c and Peterson joined Caruthers and Ponce at the beginning of the trail that led from the clearing behind the 'Gate.
Teal'c studied the ground carefully. Analyzing the array of prints. "Many different types of native wildlife... but I do not see any indication that anyone with SGC-issued footwear has passed this way."
"Allright, we'll follow the path and see if we can find the natives... and hope that they either speak a variation of English, or one of your hundred-or-so languages, Professor," the Colonel smiled good-naturedly at the archeologist and then spoke into his radio, "Saunders, we're going to explore this little path here. You and Ponce will stay and guard the 'Gate – and be ready to dial out if we come in hot!"
"Understood, sir," the young female officer's voice came back over the radio as Ponce nodded to his CO and headed over to join his teammate by the 'Gate.
"Caruthers, you have point. I'll bring up the rear. Allright everyone, let's keep alert," and Peterson waved an arm of invitation at the muddy path into the soggy woods.
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"So, what do you think of this place?" Captain Ponce asked Lt. Saunders.
"Too wet," she replied with a grimace, and then squeezed the water from the brim of her hat for emphasis.
"Doesn't look like somewhere that I'd choose to go that's for sure," Ponce agreed.
The other four members of their expedition had been gone for a little over an hour. Radio check-ins were every 15 minutes. So far they had yet to meet the native intelligent people. The native wildlife, on the other hand, were starting to move about more and more. The two officers at the 'Gate could see low shadows moving amongst the trees. However, none had ventured out in the clearing...yet.
"How's David doing?" Ponce inquired idly.
"Better... the new tutor seems to be working," the young officer replied, but before she could add anymore, their radios sprang to life-
"Dial that gate up NOW!" Peterson's voice came over the radio with gunfire and concussive blasts in the background.
"Do it!" Ponce ordered the Lieutenant as he moved to cover the SGC personnel as they exited the woods from the path.
A few minutes later and the 'Gate was dialed in and the rippling blue event horizon waited patiently. Saunders had joined Ponce with a supportive defensive position to help cover the approaching men. The sounds of the battle were getting closer. "Gate dialed and ready, sir."
And then they burst into the clearing. Doctor Jackson and Major Caruthers were running to join Ponce and Saunders at the 'Gate while Teal'c and Peterson were retreating backwards while firing at whatever was pursuing them.
"Have them get that iris open, Lieutenant," Ponce ordered as the four at the 'Gate provided cover for the two men coming last.
Not bothering to answer, Saunders set to work and quickly sent the codes that would tell the SGC that they were who they were supposed to be. "Confirmation received, sir," she supplied as she went back to providing cover fire for the retreating men.
Explosions with concussive blasts of rocks and tree shards ripped through the clearing around them. "Mortars?!" Saunders queried as she continued to fire.
"The local handheld equivalent," Caruthers confirmed. "More like a small SAM than a grenade."
"Let's get out of here, people," Peterson yelled as he limped up alongside Teal'c. "Saunders, Ponce, Go!" he ordered the two junior officers through the gate. "Caruthers, Jackson, you're next- we're right behind you, let's go!"
Returning fire as they scrambled up the steps, Caruthers lurched into Daniel as he took a bullet in the thigh. "Damn!" the officer cursed but continued forward as the archeologist grabbed the man's utility vest and helped pull him through the 'Gate. Risking a look back just before entering the wormhole, Daniel saw a large explosion take out the local DHD and a blast wave of heat and dirt and rocks blew Teal'c and Peterson crashing into them as they flew into the wormhole.
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TBC
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