Now, this wasn't quite what Jack had expected.
"Hey, guys."
Jack stared dumbly at the feedback from the MALP, wondering if perhaps this was all a cosmic joke. But there he was, Doctor Daniel Jackson, in all his glory.
"Doctor Jackson?" Hammond shook his head, his smooth forehead furrowing with a myriad of wrinkles. It didn't take the general long to recover as he easily slipped back into business mode. "Care to explain?"
"Uh…yeah. Actually, general, that might take awhile." The image blinked out for a second, before returning to its normal grainy state. "Any chance of sending someone here for a retrieval?"
Jack gaped at the screen. This couldn't be real. He'd just left Daniel with Fraiser. Just left, as in a few minutes ago. Yet, Daniel was clearly elsewhere, acting more like the Daniel they had here on base.
Damn, what if he'd been right? What if they had left Daniel on the planet?
Who the hell was with Fraiser?
He shot a look at Carter for help, for any sign he wasn't losing his mind.
Carter had that same look she had had when her other self had come through the Quantum Mirror.
She frowned. "What about your GDO?"
"Damaged," he answered, stepping a little closer to the MALP. "Otherwise I would have used it already."
Jack exchanged an apprehensive glance with Carter. "So you just waited for us to send another MALP?" he asked the wavering image.
"Well, it's not like I had much of a choice." Daniel pursed his lips, shifting his weight as he stared off to the side. "So, are you coming or what?"
Jack motioned to the controls with a flick of his wrist. Hammond nodded, cutting off the sound. "Would someone like to tell me what the hell is going on here?" Hammond asked.
"There appear to be two DanielJacksons," Teal'c answered.
"I'm aware of that," Hammond stated. "And based on Doctor Fraiser's results, do we even have the right Doctor Jackson on base? Who did you bring back with you? A double?"
"It's possible, Sir," Carter responded, gazing uneasily at the images from the MALP. "Imposters have come through the Gate before. And Daniel, or whoever, does have alien DNA."
"Where is he now?"
"He's with Doctor Fraiser, General," Jack replied, wincing as he studied the image of Daniel on the screen. "Whatever he is, he seems harmless."
"Appearances can be deceiving, Colonel." General Hammond motioned to two of the airmen in the control room. "Get down to the guest quarters and keep an eye on them." As they left, Hammond's frown deepened, his hard eyes searching Jack. "What's on your mind, Colonel?"
"Is it just me or does he seem a little…off?" Jack shook his head, staring at the impatient form on the screen.
"DanielJackson appears to be distracted," Teal'c offered.
Carter nodded. "I know. There is just something different about him." She breathed out. "And…not."
"Yeah, and no one has asked the important question yet." Jack flicked the two-way communication back on. "Daniel, where are your clothes?"
"Oh, right. About that…"
"Somehow I don't think a booney and boxers are going to make the fashion cut, Daniel," Jack muttered.
"Yeah…so, can you bring some more clothes through the Stargate?"
"What happened to yours?" Carter asked.
Daniel glanced off to his right. "They're really not available right now."
"Ah. That explains it." Jack rocked back on his heels, trying to read what the other man was thinking. "You—"
"Hi, Daniel!"
Jerking slightly, Jack turned his body, moaning as he watched the other Daniel run into the control room. An exasperated, and slightly flushed, Fraiser followed closely at his heels. When they finally reached them, Fraiser just glared at Jack.
Oh, he was going to pay at some point for saddling her with…this Daniel. He just knew it.
"I'm sorry, Sirs, he just ran out of the room and...Oh my God," he heard Fraiser whisper. Daniel—or whatever he was—just giggled.
"Hi, Daniel! Hi!"
"Uh, who was that?" Daniel's voice asked.
"Doctor Jackson, it appears we have a situation here." Hammond tightened his jaw, his gaze settling on the bouncing form beside them. "Before I can allow any team to be sent through to meet you, I am going to need some additional information."
"Okay, um, sure. What do you need to know?"
"Daniel, you coming home?" the other Daniel shouting, waving fiercely at the screen.
Daniel frowned as he listened, clutching his booney tightly. "Is that…?"
"Oh yeah," Jack answered, glaring at the younger man beside him.
"Wow, I never expected…I mean, the alternates."
Jack shot another glance at Carter. Mouthing to her softly, he wondered just what the hell was really happening here. She shook her head in response, but even Jack caught the distress in her eyes.
She didn't know. And that was freaking her out.
"Doctor Jackson?"
"Uh, right, General. Just send someone through. Food and clothes, please. Lots…of food and clothes, please."
"Is there someone with you there?" Carter finally asked, her cool eyes seeming to dissect the image.
Daniel cocked his head, frowning. "What? Sorry? I didn't catch that."
Oh, he did. Jack eyed him coolly, feeling that not so good feeling start to well up inside again. He heard all right.
"Daniel, I said is there—"
"Sam? Can't hear you. Please, just send food and supplies. It's important. I'll be at the Gate." Daniel frowned, reaching forward. "Daniel Jackson, out."
The transmission ended.
"Will someone tell me what the hell that was about?" Hammond asked, his voice on edge.
"I wish I knew, Sir." Jack wished more than anything. These mysteries and intrigues they always found themselves in did nothing for Jack. Nothing at all. Stick him in a fight and he was good to go. But this…He breathed out. Not to Daniel.
"Sirs, there is something wrong with the entire playback," Carter stated, jumping into the conversation. Jack figured just by noting her pained expression, her sharp eyes…she had to contribute. Anything to help her make sense. Anything that would give her the answers. "Daniel would never contact us like that."
"I agree. Something's going on, General."
"Perhaps it was a form of code," Teal'c suggested. "DanielJackson could be in danger."
"Which is all the more reason to use caution." Jack rubbed his face. "Don't like it, Sir."
"Neither do I, Colonel." Hammond turned to Fraiser, gesturing the fidgeting man beside her. "Are you certain that this man is not Doctor Jackson?"
Fraiser shook her head. "No, Sir. As I said before, I cannot come to a definite conclusion on this without more information. He does have Daniel's DNA, but also that of some alien composition. Honestly, I cannot determine what happened to Daniel at this point."
"Obviously, something happened," Jack muttered. Two of them. Two Daniels. Currently, it seemed the safest bet to say the one on P3X-909 was the real one. But even if he was, that fact didn't help calm Jack's nerves. He prided himself on his instinct in the field and there was just something inherently wrong with this setup. Then again, they couldn't leave Daniel behind. No one gets left behind.
"Sir, permission to go to P3X-909 to retrieve Daniel Jackson," Jack stated. "Or at least figure out what happened."
"I'm not sure I can allow that," Hammond said quietly. "I can't chance having you, or anyone for that matter, become exposed to whatever Doctor Jackson was exposed to."
"General, with all due respect, that could be Daniel on that planet," Carter said. "We don't know the state of his mind. P3X-909 is uninhabitable to support human life at this time. He'll run out of resources soon, if he hasn't already."
"We do not know if DanielJackson's behavior is due to his lack of resources," Teal'c offered.
"And if he isn't Daniel, maybe he'll help us with the one we have here." Jack glanced back, inwardly cringing as he saw the innocence in Daniel's face. He was excited, and even though Jack figured he didn't quite grasp the situation, his eyes were alight in that way that made Jack wonder how this man could not be Daniel Jackson.
Finally, General Hammond nodded. "All right, then, you have a go. But SG-3 will be accompanying you. I want to make sure this isn't some kind of trap, Goa'uld or otherwise."
"Yes, Sir." Jack grinned, finally feeling like he could do something.
"Uh, Sir?" Carter asked, stepping forward while stealing a glance to Fraiser and Daniel. "What are we going to do about…Daniel?"
"Coming too?" Daniel asked hopefully, bouncing in place.
"I'm afraid not, son," Hammond intervened, softening his voice. With a gaze bordering on sympathy, he continued. "You're going to have to stay here for awhile."
"Why?" he whined, his lower lip trembling.
Hammond opened his mouth, but said nothing. He turned to Jack, urging him to continue.
"Uh, well, Daniel. This is very important."
"Going to get Daddy?" he asked, his eyes wide.
"Uh, yeah. Sure." He shrugged at Daniel, and to everyone else in the room. "You can stay here with…" His voice trailed off, but he felt the corners of his mouth start to tug into a smile. "With Doctor Fraiser and General Hammond."
Daniel laughed, running to give General Hammond a hug. Hammond was dumbstruck; Jack received the look from Fraiser.
Her other look.
Jack smiled despite himself, pushing aside the concern he felt. He had a job to do, and hopefully he would be able to find the answer once they reached the other side.
With a hop, Jack cleared the last step and landed into the grime that seemed to cover this planet. Cursing under his breath, he shook the mud from his boot.
It only took him a moment to locate Daniel. Just like he said, he was standing off to the side, watching the Gate like it was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.
While still just wearing boxers and a booney.
"Uh, Daniel…" Jack began, starting his trek over to where Daniel was standing. "You got some 'splaining to do."
Either Daniel didn't hear him or he was choosing to ignore him. Holding on tightly to his booney, Daniel watched wide-eyed as Carter and Teal'c emerged through the Gate, momentarily followed by SG-3.
"Wow, that-that is truly amazing," he breathed.
Teal'c arched his eyebrow, gazing back at the Stargate as it disengaged before facing forward. "You have seen this on many occasions."
"Stunning, isn't it?" He swallowed hard, shaking his head slightly as he continued to gape at the Gate. "To actually see it…"
See it? Now, Daniel had Jack doing a double take back the Stargate. "Daniel," he started again, moving closer. "What's the matter with you?"
"The Stargate would have to have been active for you to communicate with us through the MALP," Carter said, frowning as she came to stand by Jack. "Plus, Teal'c is right. You've seen this countless times."
"It never gets old," he said, his voice filled with wonder. "Just think, Sam. Have you ever seen something so magnificent? It has to be one of the most wondrous things in our galaxy."
To this, Carter did not reply.
"Okay," Jack said. That was a little bizarre.
"Hi, Jack," Daniel said suddenly, as if they'd just begun their conversation, effectively throwing Jack off guard. "Glad you could come. Oh, you brought friends."
Jack glanced over his shoulder. Colonel Benson was sauntering over to towards them, that smug grin on his face. Jack rolled his eyes and turned to Daniel.
Frowning, he watched as Daniel scurried over to Teal'c, clapping him on the shoulder amiably. "So, can I see it?"
"To what are you referring, DanielJackson?"
Daniel's eyes lit up. "You know. Can I? Can I see it? Can I see Junior?"
"No."
"Oh." Daniel shrugged. "Maybe later?"
Teal'c remained impassive. "No."
"Sir?" Carter questioned, her voice low. Carefully, she walked to his side, keeping her head bowed as she spoke. "I'm concerned about Daniel's behavior. He'd never act this way. Not in the middle of unstable situation."
"I know. This is weird, even for Daniel. Keep your eyes peeled, alright?"
Carter nodded. "Yes, Sir."
"You got yourself quite a crackpot on your hands, O'Neill," Benson said, shaking his head as he watched Daniel. "This is exactly why civilians on the field are a bad idea."
"He's worth it, Benson. He's saved our asses more than I'd like to admit." Jack pressed his lips together, feeling his unease intensify. Daniel continued to badger Teal'c, waving his arms, his face animated and lively. "So, just keep watching our six. I'll take care of this."
"Sure, Colonel," Benson said coolly. "Whatever you say."
"I said no, DanielJackson," Teal'c stated firmly.
"Daniel!" Jack called. "Get over here."
Daniel easily complied, yet another warning sign. At this rate, he was starting to feel more comfortable with the Daniel they had left at home.
"Yes, Jack?"
"Do you want to explain what's going on here?"
"Hmm. Yeah, about that."
"Hmm, yeah," Jack repeated, none too pleased. "Why don't you explain it for us."
Glancing nervously to his side, Daniel sighed and licked his lips. "Well, it's sort of complicated." His face brightened again. "And there'll be plenty of time to explain later. Did you bring food?"
Jack sighed. "Daniel…"
"And clothes, right?" He turned to Sam. "You brought clothes, right?"
She nodded. "We brought you an extra uniform like you asked."
Daniel grabbed his booney, his face overcome with horror. "Just one?"
"Just one?" Jack repeated again. "Are you expecting an extended stay?"
"Uh, well, no. I just assumed when I asked for food and clothing, you'd bring food and clothing."
Jack stared, completely baffled. Had he just walked into the Twilight Zone?
"Daniel, that's it," Jack snapped, seizing full control. This entire conversation was derailing and that was not acceptable. "What happened?"
Daniel sighed, his gaze falling downward and he avoided Jack's glare. "I guess-I guess it's safe to say I haven't been completely honest with you."
The younger man jerked at the sound of several automated weapons clicking into place.
"Stand down," Jack called over his shoulder. For cryin' out loud. The Marines will shoot at anything that breathes. "Mind explaining?" he asked Daniel.
He shrugged, in that timid but passive-aggressive way of his. "Actually, it might be better if I showed you." He motioned over his shoulder with his hands. "It's just over here."
Even a new recruit knew better to just follow a stranger, or a friend, into what could be construed as a trap. While Jack wanted to trust Daniel with everything in him, he just couldn't overlook the facts. He had to be practical.
"No, I think it would be best if you just told us."
"Nooo, I think it would be best if I showed you." He gestured over his shoulder again. "Really, it's okay."
Against his better judgment…
"Colonel," Carter began, her eyes widening. "You're not—"
"Benson, you and your men secure the Stargate in case anything happens." He breathed out. God help him. "We're going to check out Daniel's last known position. We'll keep in radio contact. If there is any trouble, get back through the Gate. You got that?"
Benson scowled. "Not a good idea, Jack."
"Sounds like my best one yet," he responded wryly. "Just hold the Gate and we'll check in with you in thirty minutes."
Benson conceded. Carter and Teal'c weren't as understanding. "Sir?" she asked, voicing the unease that Teal'c easily hid within the creases of his face.
"It'll be alright." He forced a smile, and gestured in front. "Lead the way, Daniel."
Sam remained watchful as she crossed the planet's surface. Every now and then she would steal a glance at Daniel, studying him as he interacted with Teal'c and Colonel O'Neill.
Everything about him seemed normal, from his movements to his tone of voice. He would pause, losing himself in thought, or become highly animated when he had an instant breakthrough. Teal'c seemed to be tolerating him well enough; Colonel O'Neill appeared to be busy keeping proper lookout.
But something bothered Sam. Something about his eyes, something about the hesitancy that would creep into his features.
She didn't want to think Daniel could be concealing something, but deep down, she knew he was.
This isn't Daniel, she thought to herself. He was, but he wasn't. It was as if Daniel had been taken and shaken, with some of the pieces falling together while others fell away. Not to mention the fact there appeared to be two of them, total.
How was that possible? As she continued to survey the area, focusing dimly on the conversation Daniel was having with the others, she couldn't help but wonder. The initial MALP and UAV had produced images that demonstrated there was no life on this planet. No intelligent life, that is. The world was for all intents and purposes uninhabitable.
Did the liquid that Daniel had been covered with have some sort of cloning properties? Was there a race or facility, perhaps underground, that they had missed upon initial evaluation?
The Daniel on base had alien DNA. Could there be an unknown race performing alien experimentations?
There were too many unknowns at this time to create a workable theory. Sam hated not having the facts. She was left with mere speculation.
That just wouldn't do. Not when now, they were poised to lose the man they cared about.
"So, Daniel," she said, falling slightly behind Colonel O'Neill. "What happened to your clothes?"
He shrugged. "They just wouldn't do," he said cryptically, never turning to face her. "We're almost there now. Don't worry."
Sam felt her jaw tighten and she gripped her MP-5 more firmly. Usually, Daniel wouldn't get under her skin. She wondered how he could excel at it so thoroughly today.
"Here," Daniel said proudly. He tugged at Teal'c's sleeve, urging him forward. "Our camp."
"Our camp?" O'Neill repeated.
Sam frowned, her senses on alert.
Daniel smiled sheepishly, rounding the corner past some heavy underbrush. He cleared the way through the bushes into an opening, one that Sam remembered acutely. This had been the location where Daniel had first disappeared.
Instinctively, she raised her weapon, ready for any trap or danger. What she saw instead nearly made her drop her gun.
That just was not possible.
Jack blinked again, not entirely sure his vision was working. But, there was no doubting what he saw this time.
Pressing his lips together, Jack shifted his weight, his hard gaze on Daniel—the other Daniel—that was crouching over some wood fragments in the middle of the "camp."
"Holy Hannah," Carter managed to mutter.
"There appears to be yet another DanielJackson." Teal'c's voice at last betrayed him. Beyond surprised, it lifted with shock as he stared ahead.
Not quite knowing how to respond, Jack snapped his attention to the Daniel that had met them at the Gate. He was standing beside his…double, his arms crossed, his head slightly bent.
How could that not be Daniel?
"Daniel?" he asked the first.
He sighed. "Not exactly."
He jerked his head to the second. "Daniel?"
The second raised his head, and gave a slight nod, taking a moment to wipe his dirty hands onto his thighs. Jack cringed, only now realizing the second Daniel was covering himself with just a shirt and jacket.
Damn, he thought. That explains the clothes.
"Daniel? What the hell?"
"No, Jack," he said patiently, as he rose to his feet. He tugged at the jacket draped around his waist before adjusting the glasses on the bridge of his nose. "You're mistaken. At least, I'm not the Daniel you're searching for."
Slowly, he turned his head to Carter, searching for someany explanation. Her mouth remained open; Jack had never seen her this dumbfounded.
He shook himself, determined to stay on top of the situation. "Where's Daniel?"
"Please," the second one implored. "Just rest a moment. There will be time to talk soon. But we have other important matters."
"Important matters?" Carter asked, shifting the weight of her weapon. "We've come for Daniel," she said sternly. "Where is he?"
"He's here," the second one said calmly. "Just rest. No harm will come to you."
"Right," chimed in the first. "So where's that food?"
Jack still didn't know quite what to say. They looked and acted like Daniel…in a way. He still hadn't put his finger on what bothered him about these multiples. That is aside from the fact they were multiples.
"Food?" the first asked again, making signs with his hands. "You know, food?"
"They are well aware of what you are saying." The second smiled. "I understand that you need to be cautious. We're really not certain how to react either."
Okay…Jack chewed on the inside of his mouth, assessing his situation. No move had been made against them, yet, and the Daniels seemed to be rather docile. Daniels…He snorted at the thought. This was ridiculous.
"We really have very little," the second one continued. "The rations are all but spent, and we've been conserving water for quite some time, now." He chuckled nervously. "The materials here are scarce and even the wood from the bushes isn't good for kindling."
"It gets cold at night," the first one said, his voice low. Then his face brightened. "We were so happy to see the MALP!"
Jack scratched at the back of his head. Carter was still watching everything like a hawk while Teal'c continued to stare at the Daniels. The Daniels.
"Sir," Carter said at last, walking over to meet him on his left. "If what they're saying is true, they've barely had anything to eat or drink these past three days."
"I know that, Carter." Jack let out a sigh. "Let's get the supplies unpacked. Teal'c?"
Teal'c did not move, his gaze transfixed before him.
"Teal'c?"
With a nod, he finally stepped back and began to unpack the food along with the other supplies. Satisfied that Teal'c was busy and not in any danger, Jack returned his attention to the…Daniels again.
"Alright, we're going to need an explanation here. I'm sure you're all hungry so the quicker we end this, the quicker we can eat. Capice?"
"We don't have time!" the first one exclaimed.
"Why?" Carter asked. "Why don't you have time?"
"He already sacrificed so much for us. He needs to eat," stated the second.
Jack froze at those words, feeling that cold sensation ripple down his spine. "Who?"
"Oh, well, it's about time!"
Jack jerked at the sound of Daniel's voice, his eyes finding an irate young man stalking towards them before the bushes to the north. Like the first, he lacked any glasses, but he had the fortune of wearing pants and boots. Jack instantly recognized the impatience and temper of his friend.
"Daniel?" Jack asked for the umpteenth time today. "That you?"
"Yeah, it's me. Unfortunately, it's the wrong me."
Before Jack had the opportunity to respond, Daniel slammed down a bag he was carrying and stomped off into the corner, far from any of them. Grumbling, he threw himself near a makeshift tent and shook his head.
"Do you realize there is no food on this planet? There's barely any water, and I wouldn't drink it even if there was!" He ran his fingers through his hair. "And if we even tried to boil it, it would all evaporate." Scowling, his icy glare found Jack. "What took you so long anyway?
"They have another one on base," the first Daniel said. "I bet that was interesting. What was he like? Is he like us? Is he different?"
"You're…not Daniel," Jack said, pointing at the third installment.
"Good to see you're still the bright one of the bunch," the third Daniel replied miserably.
"Alright, I've had it," Jack said, snapping his hand to the right. "You, Curious George, you sit over there and don't say a word." He focused on the second. "Smarty, park it. And you," he said pointing at the third. "Don't you even say a damn thing."
"But—"
"Ah," he wagged a finger at the first Daniel, the curious one. "What did I say?"
"They don't care about us," griped the third one. "Just him."
"Hey, are you even listening there, Moody?"
Moody snorted. "Now with the nicknames. Wonderful."
"This is not the time," Smarty said suddenly. "Please, Jack, we need food for him. He needs to eat."
Jack stared at Smarty. The man, Daniel, whatever, was watching him intensely, openly. Jack had a hard time not trusting the man, but bit back his emotions, knowing that in the end, this whoever was basically an alien.
"Who?" Carter asked. "Who? Are there more of you?"
"For our father," he said gently.
Jack straightened, exchanging glances with both Carter and Teal'c. Teal'c withdrew the food, his gaze moving right, further right, over to…
The tent.
Damn.
"Carter."
"I'm on it, Sir."
Keeping her weapon raised, Carter started to walk towards the tent, passing by the dejected looking Daniels. Jack was quick to follow her, motioning to Teal'c to remain on guard. He did so without a word, holding onto the supplies they had brought with them while grasping his staff weapon. If the Daniels thought about attacking, or running, they didn't show it, patiently waiting as Jack and Carter investigated the tent.
"Oh my God," she said, dropping to her knees.
"Carter?"
"I'm fine, Sir," she called over her shoulder. He watched as she pulled out latex gloves and quickly slid them over her hands. Concerned, he hovered, trying to catch a glimpse of the contents of the tent. "But Daniel, or this Daniel, doesn't look so good."
"Push over," Jack said, repositioning his MP-5 to squeeze beside her.
Damn, he thought.
Daniel was enclosed in his sleeping bag, up to his upper chest. From what Jack could tell, he was shivering, his bare skin puckered with goose bumps. There was an unnatural sheen to his skin, and his lips were a frightening shade of purple. Unconscious, he was unresponsive to Carter's gentle nudges.
"He's in pretty bad shape, Sir," Carter said, voicing his unspoken fears. "We really need to get him back to the infirmary."
"Is that really him though? Is that Daniel?"
She shook her head. "I really can't say, Colonel. They all look alike to me."
"That is him," came a voice from behind them.
Jack twisted his torso, allowing himself to gaze up at Smarty. He seemed genuinely concerned. He also didn't seem to mind Teal'c's staff weapon pressed firmly in his back.
"It's alright, Teal'c. Ease it up."
"This one attempted to attack you," Teal'c said coolly.
"No, I just wanted to bring the last of our rations to our father." Smarty smiled wearily, holding up the box. "Now that we have more, he doesn't need to sacrifice anymore."
Carter turned her head at that comment. Yeah, Jack was curious as well.
"Sacrifice?" he asked.
Smarty nodded. "Yes. Daniel would not eat more than just a little. He insisted that we all eat our fill." He gestured with the box again, lowering it as he frowned at Daniel. "Is he unconscious?"
"Yeah. Mind telling me what happened?"
Smarty sighed, handing Jack the box. "I-I don't know. We all awoke together. With him. He's been ill, but never this bad." The other man shifted uneasily, his gaze never leaving Daniel. "I tried to get him to eat more. I hid some of my food away and gave it back to him. But he knew. He wouldn't accept it."
"Don't worry about it," Jack said, motioning for him to step back. "Carter?"
"We need to get him out of here now, Sir. There's nothing I can do for him here."
"Alright, then. Teal'c?"
"O'Neill?"
"You start packing up. We're getting out of here." He watched the rather reluctant Jaffa go before turning to his second-in-command. "Carter, you stay in here with Daniel." Jack dusted his hands and rose to his feet, stepping away from the tent. "I'm going to call Benson and get a medical team down here. I don't want to chance carrying him back to the Gate."
"Yes, Sir," she replied.
"What-what about us?" Curious asked, frowning.
Jack shrugged. "What about you?"
His eyes widened. "You're not. I mean, you wouldn't…"
"Oh, he would," grumbled Moody. "They got what they came for. They have no need for us."
"But Daniel promised!" Curious shouted. "He said we would go home with him!"
"We're inconsequential," Smarty said sadly.
Jack licked his lower lip. He was right. As far as he was concerned they were inconsequential. They'd come to retrieve Daniel. Only Daniel.
His eyes found Moody and he knew instantly he'd been found out.
"But you don't know for sure that he's Daniel, do you?" He smiled wickedly. "You do need us. You need us to be sure."
"And besides," Curious added. "Do you really want to face Daniel after you made him break a promise?"
"He will feel guilty," Smarty added.
What? They were ganging up on him now?
But they were right. Daniel was always right. Jack just couldn't leave them behind, no matter what they were. They might be the key to solving this mess.
Along with the other one they had on base.
Damn, five Daniels. What were they going to do?
Jack studied each one of them carefully, considering his options as he began radio contact with Benson and his men.
