Chapter 8

Jack was brooding, he couldn't help it. Daniel's clone had just outright stated that Daniel had been infected with an alien organism long before the stargate was re-opened. He knew this report would have the government scouring the area surrounding Yaak Montana. He glanced over at Sam, she still looked a bit woozy, but that was to be expected with the concussion. Yes it was a gamble bringing her along in her condition, but he was sure that whatever the thing was, it would still react like Daniel and she wasn't in danger.

His attention shifted as the event horizon equilibrated itself and led the small team through.

The first thing he noticed on the other side was dim light. He reread his reports and remembered that the gate on this planet had been totally enclosed in a mountain. Now, however, there was a strait line access to the exit. It looked as if someone had brought a drill the size of the stargate and bored a hole in the mountain.

The walk out of the mountain was much shorter than the first time. The sight that met the trio when the saw the forest made them pause. Whatever had cleared out the mountain, did the same thing to the forest directly in its path. For as far as they could see, there were no trees or debris in the path, the ground was depressed and a small amount of water collected in the depression.

"What could have done this?" Jack was a little disturbed and nearly decided to turn around right then.

"I don't know sir, but whatever it was had the power to vaporize the mountain and trees for at least a mile." Sam answered.

"Teal'c? You know anything?"

"I have not seen anything like this." Only his long time association with the Jaffa let Jack hear the worry in his voice.

"Well, at least this time we won't have to mark the cave." Jack tried to put levity in his voice, the new landscape was making him worry. He looked at the ground hopefully there would still be some tracks from where the creature walked, but if the water in the forest was any indication, it'd rained since Daniel came through here.

Jack could still hear the clone's voice whispering about a cave, it confused Jack then, but maybe that rambling could help. If he could only remember where they found Daniel after he wandered off during the night.

"This way sir," Sam's voice broke in. He raised an eyebrow at her choice.

"If it really does have Daniel's memories, we went this way before." She shrugged as if that explained everything.

"DanielJackson stated that he did not remember anything from this planet." Teal'c stated.

"But the clone knew, I think Daniel lied to us." Sam countered, proving that even though she was recovering from a concussion, she still was sharp and had read the reports.

Jack took that as sound enough logic and they started on their way. They made sure to keep an eye on the ledges of the mountain face. It was more than six hours before Jack noticed a fleshy colored patch on one of the ledges. He held up his hand and the team stopped. He motioned toward the patch and they headed for the pock marked cliff face that would lead them to the ledge.

"I'll go first." Jack said and started up the cliff without waiting for any reply.

As he got to the top, he took a good look at the figure that was seated leaning against the wall. The boy looked thirteen and was stark naked. His body was bright red, most likely a sunburn, but he looked exactly like Daniel would have at that age. His head was tilted back and he was covered in a fine sheen. An eye cracked open and looked at Jack.

"Hey Jack, come back to torture me some more?" The voice was rough as if the boy hadn't spoken for a couple days, or had shouted himself horse. He opened his eyes further and looked around with only his eyes.

"What? You didn't bring Alex this time? Got tired of shoving my failure in my face?" He laughed hollowly and Jack for the first time in a long time was scared, down to the core. If this really was Daniel, and had all the man's memories, it was a safe bet to guess that he'd flipped. Jack stood motionless just staring down at the boy. He heard Teal'c climbing the cliff but the way Daniel seemed so weak and helpless kept his attention.

"What now? You're really quiet. What happened to all the anger?" He snorted quietly, but didn't move. "After all I did kill you."

"No you didn't." Jack finally found his voice. He started to crouch down and touch the boy.

"Don't touch me," Daniel's voice was panicked but he only weekly pushed at Jack, his head fell forward and he didn't seem to have the energy to lift it.

Jack lifted Daniel's head and noticed that his skin was cool and really clammy, there was fear and confusion in his eyes.

"You didn't kill me, and Sam only got a concussion."

"No," he said weakly trying to shake his head.

"Look, Here's Teal'c, and you know you didn't do anything to him. He can vouch for me."

Teal'c looked to Daniel

"DanielJackson, you did not kill O'Neal or MajorCarter. They are in fact alive." Jack felt a little bit of relief at the knowledge that Teal'c had heard and knew what to say.

Daniel was still looking at Jack, his eyes unfocused and he was chanting "no" softly.

Jack nearly fell off the ledge when the cliff face opened up and two thin ropes wrapped around Daniel and tugged him inside. Teal'c was off like a light and disappeared behind the cliff face that reappeared before Jack could get through.

Jack slammed his fists on the sharp rock in frustration.

AN:

Ok, I know I said I'd be done soon, but I kinda got busy and forgot about the existence of my story until I received a review in me inbox. So, for anyone interested, slated for the next chapter I will do something new, err, well not new per-se, but I will be switching POV to one of those nice omniscient ones or maybe third person limited. That will be the blathering of history chapter too, so I hope you're ready to figure just what the (insert unsaveory symbols here)($ is going on in my mind for this story. Hopefully I'll remember all what I had thought out too.

Sorry about it being so short, but ::shrug:: it's a good stopping point, i promis to try to get the next one done sooner