Head Trip – Chapter 27 "Taking Charge"
His adrenaline continued to feed the pace at which he fortified the outlying perimeter with the Claymores. O'Neill then managed to charge along the rear of the citadel and, just as quickly, turn inside the building itself. The back portal was actually a rather large archway which served as the only entrance. Once inside, Jack kept his back to the wall and gun raised as he sized up his surroundings. The room appeared to be a large warehouse of some kind, holding two hefty conveyor belts with recognizable crates all now sitting, empty, upon the inactive machinery. The interior was framed by three rows of cells and walkways and illuminated by a bluish-white glow emanating from the cavernous ceiling high above. Both the silence and the light seemed eerie.
Even more sinister was the dawning recognition that he was now standing on, and surrounded by, the ever threatening replicator building blocks. A chill ran through his back as he gingerly stepped forward and cautiously examined the wall he had been leaning against. Yes, these were the basic building blocks and potential enemy, but they seemed strangely quiet and inert. No alarms were sounding and nothing within the vast space was creating an imminent danger.
So far, so good … now can I stretch my luck and leave a few calling cards? O'Neill carefully lay the extra weapons at his feet and proceeded to skirt the inside perimeter of the ground floor, moving rapidly and placing C4 at strategic points along the cells and under the conveyor belts which transected the entire length of the room. As he completed his task, he scanned the room for possible points of entry to the levels above, finding only one stairwell located close to where he had originally set down the other weapons. There seemed to be some type of observation tower with large windows on the third level, oddly reminding him of the Gateroom at SGC.
All the charges were set, allowing for a 30-minute search and rescue of Carter. If things turned sour and extraction did not go well, he would radio Teal'c to blow the Claymores from a distance and allow the whole house of cards to come tumbling down on himself and those nasty bugs.
If he didn't find Sam alive, he had no reason to save himself. They would leave together or die together in this one last stand with the Replicators. His gut told him that she was still alive, still here, and he was betting that he would find his answer at the third-floor observation tower.
He was also hoping to settle an old score with the Replicator who began this dangerous game. By invading O'Neill's personal space in that daring act of deceit with the replicated Carter, Fifth had committed a brazen act of hubris. But he had also given Jack a moment of truth – a truth from which he could not shake himself free.
Jack O'Neill finally realized how much Sam Carter had become a part of his life. She was much more than a comrade in arms and a skilled soldier and scientist; she was the woman whom he had fallen in love with … a long, long time ago.
Teal'c carried his sleeping teammate back to the safety of the tall grass and deposited him gently on the ground. Daniel stirred slightly but did not awaken. Concerned for his friend, the Jaffa felt his pulse once again and was relieved to detect a slow and steady rhythm. As a final reassurance, Teal'c shook the young man until he murmured and slowly opened his eyes. Kneeling over the groggy scientist, his friend stared deeply into his half-shut eyes and explained what was happening.
"Daniel Jackson, hear me. You will continue to feel very sleepy for the next hour or so, but you are safely hidden within the grass. You have had an adverse reaction to the large amounts of antihistamines which you have consumed. Please do not take any more medication unless absolutely necessary. O'Neill has gone into the citadel to extract Lt. Colonel Carter and I am returning to help them both. Wait here until we return. If you feel able, watch the highway as a precaution . Your weapons, radio, and all remaining gear are at hand. Should you reach a better state of awareness, prepare for a quick departure."
The stricken archaeologist seemed to understand most of the message and nodded slightly before turning on his side and drifting off once again.
"Pleasant dreams, my friend", said his companion as he moved swiftly and stealthily down the highway and soon came to his original point of departure. Teal'c saw that O'Neill had laid the Claymores and awaited a signal from his former commander.
The radio soon crackled, "Teal'c do you read me?"
"Yes, O'Neill, I have returned and am in position at the corner of the building."
"Good. I've set the C4 for 12:00 hours. Slight change in plans. Stay at your mark. Do not follow me. If I can't leave with Carter before the C4 goes, I want you to provide the final pyrotechnics with the Claymores at the same point in time. Then get the hell out of Dodge!"
Teal'c frowned upon hearing this new directive, and was about to oppose when Jack's abrupt "Over and out" nullified what he was about to say. The radio went silent … as silent as the Jaffa whose keen eyes and taut nerves prepared him to hold his appointed line of defense for the moment, but not for the duration of time his comrade had commanded.
If his friends did not appear at the exit of the citadel within the next fifteen minutes, he would, indeed, enter and engage any enemy in order to save them.