Head Trip - Chapter 10
She was alone, her throbbing head and shaking limbs a cruel reminder of the ordeal she had just been through.
As her eyes refocused, she took note of the cube-like room which held her. It was composed of tiny metallic blocks, possibly Replicator cells. Building blocks? She shuddered as she tried to imagine how Fifth had used material such as this to replicate "Sam Carter". She had no real memory of her time in what seemed to be some kind of stasis; she only carried the memories of nightmarish visions and, then, that ridiculous scenario of her on a "farm in Montana". What was startling was the fact that she could feel his physical touch through the mental probing. A kiss seemed just as real as the fire and ice of her latest encounter.
This was a dangerous game he was playing. He had the ability to transform reality and truly cross over into her psyche.
Yet, this time was different. Somehow, she had managed to pull back into herself and leave him standing outside. She was still shaken from the attempted intrusion, but she sensed that she actually did not release anything of value to him. She knew, in her heart, that she had withstood the invasion and kept him out.
She knew he would be back. And she knew she would have to, once again, summon all her strength and determination to fight off the next mental probe. She promised herself that she would, if necessary, find the way back to that hidden place in her mind. But how long could she continue to hide? How many torturous attempts to probe her mind and find what he was looking for? She knew, from her aching body, that, sooner or later, she would probably succumb.
Unless … a new plan of action began to form in her mind …
O'Neill had told her that the mission was risky. She was originally trained to deceive and detect. In some ways, the Replicators' plan to spy on Earth was just as risky. But their "Sam Carter" had lost that gamble.
This Sam Carter was still in the game. And, one of the first rules of engagement was know your enemy.
What if she were able to reverse the stakes? How could she become capable of extracting information directly from Fifth? She seemed to be able to resist him, both consciously and unconsciously, in this first round. In fact, he looked confused and almost subdued when she boldly made eye contact and stared at him before the probe. She also remembered that the mind probe on Halla allowed her access to the hidden landscape of his mind, rather than hers. He wanted to share himself with her. She knew that she had alienated him on Orilla when she refused to return his love. Yes, he still hated her and wanted to punish her for the rejection.
She sensed, though, that Fifth was still in love with her, and, thus, vulnerable. Why would he have replicated her in the first place?
Her feelings of anger and revenge were leading her into new, uncharted territory. She had betrayed him once, following her CO's orders. The betrayal tasted bitter in her mouth. But, now, she would have to consider betrayal as her only chance for escape, for survival.
Sam wearily rested her head against the cubed wall, as a small smile played upon her lips.
The mission was risky … she knew what she had to do.