Head Trip – Chapter 28 "Search and Find"
Sam was busy interfacing the knowledge she had gained from the monolith database with the three-dimensional map of the galaxies. Her sharply honed scientific skills were now being used to plot various trajectories and elliptical paths through the stars and planets that spun before her eyes.
As Fifth had showed her how to download the remaining Gate addresses and Allerian data, he seemed in awe of her ability to comprehend the technology. She, too, had been somewhat surprised at the ease with which she took to the task. Staying alive creates a surge of adrenaline which not only awakens the body, but the brain as well!
She knew this was the last agenda and that, soon, Level Three would be coming alive with the final Replicators which would pledge allegiance to Fifth. He would collect his brethren and fly both her and them to a distant galaxy to begin the process of conquest and survival all over again. Only, this time, she would be farther away than ever from her own world with all chances of rescue or escape proving even more remote and improbable.
She had to free herself of Fifth now … where was the location of the Allerian Gate? The map had to be stored on one of the data disks which they had downloaded … she just needed time to search. And where was her weapon? She needed time alone, time to sort her thoughts and formulate an escape plan. Would Fifth leave her alone in the control room?
As if aware of her thoughts, Fifth approached from behind and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Beloved … you have served us well … from what I see on the map, we can safely transport our children to the planet of Cistercia … here … this is the outer limit of the Hellasian galaxy and light years from First and his brethren. According to what we have found, it will support our need for neutronium so that we can build a new colony … with you as my queen", the last words slipped easily from his lips.
Sam forced herself to turn and smile up at his trusting face. She could not afford to break the masquerade, and so she kept her eyes on his to further convince him of her loyalty and love.
"My love, I do not feel like a queen … I'm tired and hungry. Can you provide one last banquet before we leave? And, clothing … I would like to dress for the journey in robes which would honor you as I stand by your side … I want to leave my past and all semblance of my past in this room when we depart."
She rose from her chair and took his head in her hands, caressing his cheeks with her soft fingertips while she kissed him passionately.
He felt completed … no longer alone and alienated … no longer tormented and ridiculed for his human feelings and desires. Soon, he and his beloved would take the very first step to a life which would be like that of which he dreamed. He would truly be alive.
"I will bring what you desire, and then we shall greet our new brethren."
Turning, he placed his hand on one of the control-room walls, and the cells liquefied allowing him to pass through. Before he did, he glanced lovingly at her with a smile that beamed his pride and pleasure.
Sam felt a sudden wave of nausea as his figure disappeared. She had to steady herself on the chair in front of her. Her mind game had gone way beyond anything she had originally imagined. He loved her so much that he seemed almost human in his devotion.
Get a grip on yourself. He's not human … he's a Replicator! This is the only way you can escape … you had to make him trust you.
She shook herself free of guilt and regret, and focused on the task at hand. Sitting down at the console, she quickly searched the database for the missing Gate location and, within minutes, had a map of the Allerian terrain before her.
Yes, she could navigate from this … she could find her way back to the circle of wisdom and the way home to SGC …the way home to sanity, to reality, to her friends and comrades … to …
"Sir!"
He burst into the control room from the walkway surrounding the observation tower. It was the only point of access leading from a physical staircase, probably left there from the Allerians' earlier use of the citadel.
She could not believe her eyes … O'Neill was clad in camouflage gear and armed with not only his weapon but her missing P90 as well. Strung across his left shoulder was the wave disrupter!
"Carter, we've got to move fast … here, catch!", and he threw her P90 to her as she rose from her chair.
Jack's heart was beating wildly; he had met no resistance on the way up the stairs and Sam was standing here before him, looking good, looking really good … well as "good" as one could be, considering the circumstances … there would be plenty of time later for her to fill him in on all the details.
"Sir, let me retrieve this last piece of data and we can try to make it to the Gate."
Sam bent down to the computer screen and hit a command key which began spitting out a map of some kind … Jack was about to tell her that it wouldn't be necessary … for cryin' out loud, he and the boys knew the way back home. And, where was that low-level piece of replicated junk, anyway? He had one more piece of unfinished business with Fifth.
It happened so quickly that neither Sam nor Jack could have defended against it.
Sam would always remember that exact instant … the image would be imprinted upon her mind and replay itself at her most vulnerable moments. The assault and penetration happened in a flash; but in her mind's eye, everything began to move slowly, ever so slowly, as if a surreal nightmare had just begun ….
As Jack was scouting all parts of the room for any potential threat and Sam was concentrating at the computer, a sudden flash of blue light beamed behind O'Neill. Sam looked up in alarm and watched helplessly as Fifth reappeared and thrust his hand into the back of Jack's head.
"Crap" was O'Neill's last conscious thought as he fell to his knees and dropped his weapon. The wave disrupter also tumbled to the floor.