Chapter 11 – More Questions Than Answers
Sam stood up from the bed upon hearing the unmistakable sound of a lock opening. Quickly placing JJ on the bed behind her, she stood up and took a protective stance in front of him, shielding him from view. Her face gave away her surprise when she saw who came through the door.
"Beroni?" she whispered, still not believing her eyes.
"Good evening, Colonel Carter," he greeted her in a placid tone of voice, as if nothing untoward had just occurred. "I apologize for the accommodations. I know they are not quite as nice as the rooms the High Chancellor provided for all of you, but they will have to suffice for now." He came further into the room, closing the door behind him.
Sam's eyes took on a steely glint as she advanced toward him. "What the hell is going on here, Beroni?"
"Ah, ah Samantha, keep your distance please. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you or your precious son, now would we?" He pulled a weapon out of the folds of his tunic and pointed it at her, ensuring her cooperation.
Sam stopped her advance but her eyes didn't lose their penetrating stare. "I repeat, what in the hell is going on?"
"All in good time, Samantha, all in good time." He tried to peer around her to see JJ, but Sam moved with him, preventing him from even getting a glimpse of the boy. "Well my dear, I can see that you are not going to be as cooperative as I had hoped. But, as you are a scientist like myself, I can't help but understand your inquisitiveness. I too would want some answers before agreeing to full participation in this most wondrous opportunity."
"Cut the crap, Beroni. You're not going to get anywhere trying to flatter me or make this into some kind of grand adventure. You have, in effect, kidnapped me and my son. For what purpose, I don't know. But rest assured, when Jack and the others find out where we are, you won't have a hope in hell of getting out of here in one piece," she finished forcefully.
Beroni blanched a bit at the reminder of Jack and the rather imposing Jaffa that had accompanied them, but he quickly recovered. "Ah yes, your dear husband. Frankly Samantha, I do not believe he is not worthy of someone like you. But I digress. I shouldn't worry too much about them finding the two of you very quickly. You see, none of them are aware of the technology we do possess. All of you think we are a simple, primitive people. But in fact, we have made quite a few technological advances in recent years. We are young and have far to go, but have many resources at our disposal. Besides, by the time they are able to figure out where we are it will be much too late."
Sam took a step toward him, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "First of all, I am Colonel Carter to you, not Samantha. Secondly, it is you who may be underestimating us. Just because your little ruse worked the first time, doesn't mean my team won't figure things out. And finally, don't you ever presume to tell me who is and who is not worthy of me. Now, why don't you stop with the pontificating and explain to me, in detail, how you got us here and what you want from us."
Beroni backed toward the door, his gun still fixed on her. He was more than a little unsettled by Sam's speech and demeanor. He had anticipated finding a woman frightened and in tears over what had just happened to her and her baby. Instead, he found a woman ready to confront him, and possibly tear him apart, the minute he entered the room. "I will answer one of your questions now, Colonel Carter," he emphasized her name. "We have developed a way to transport matter on our own planet using a locater beacon and energy source found within the temple. We placed a location device within both of your necklaces. Once I knew that the Ambassador was not with you, I simply transported you here."
"Why didn't Jack get transported as well? He was also given a necklace," she remarked coldly.
"Yes, but his did not contain the element necessary for transportation. You see, we did not require his presence here."
"And where is here, exactly?"
Beroni laughed coldly. "I have already answered two questions, Colonel. The rest will have to wait. You and the child will need your rest; tomorrow promises to be very enlightening. I will return again in the morning." He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully at her. "I do hope you keep one thing in mind, Colonel Carter. Your son's safety rests in your hands. If you cooperate, he will not be harmed. If you don't, then…" Beroni left the rest unsaid as he glanced at the little boy sleeping on the bed, turned, and finally left the room. The door clanged loudly behind him, causing JJ to stir from his spot on the bed.
Sam went back to him, sitting heavily on the bed and rubbing her right hand absently across JJ's back. All of her anger had dissipated with the slamming of the door. Instead, she was left with the fear and uncertainty of what tomorrow would bring. Sam lay down on the bed next to JJ, pulling him into the protective circle of her arms. "I promise you JJ, I won't let anything happen to you," she whispered against his tiny ear.
"Where is he?" Jack stated without preamble the minute he spotted Shakena in the Great Hall, still seated at the table on the dais.
Shakena looked startled by his tone, her eyes going from Jack to Teal'c, noticing that both of them looked ready to do battle. She stood so she at least reached his eye level, "I am sorry Ambassador, who are you looking for?"
"You know who I'm looking for. Your husband," Jack growled out.
Shakena took a step backward before answering. "He is not here, Ambassador. He told me he had a few last minute duties to attend to."
Jack snorted in disbelief. "Yeah, right. I just bet he did."
Malem, who had been watching the arrival of the Ambassador and the Jaffa, stepped forward to see if he might be able to offer some assistance to the High Chancellor's wife. "May I be of some help, Ambassador?" he asked, keeping a wary eye on Teal'c.
Jack turned and let his eyes bore into the younger man's. "Yes, as a matter of fact, you can Malem. I need to speak to the High Chancellor and I need to speak to him now."
"I am sorry sir, as Shakena has already told you…"
"You know what Malem? Someone is not right here." He stepped closer to Malem and stated very slowly, "My wife and son have been taken – abducted from our quarters in a flash of light. Seems awfully coincidental that your High Chancellor just so happens to be conveniently off on business when this occurs, don't you think?" Jack voice grew louder the longer he talked and he unknowingly took on a threatening stance.
As the confrontation grew louder, a few of the High Chancellor's guards stepped closer, intent on protecting Shakena if need be. They were warned back with a glare from Teal'c.
Malem had visibly paled at the mention of Sam and JJ's abduction, which didn't go unnoticed by Jack. "You know something, don't you?" And he grabbed Malem by the collar.
Shakena stepped forward and put her hand pleadingly on Jack's. "Do not hurt him, he is just a boy! My husband would never do such a thing as you are suggesting! He, above all of us values the sanctity of family, for our own young daughter died several years ago. I do not know what happened to your family, Ambassador O'Neill, but I assure you, my people are not involved."
Jack released Malem with a thrust of disgust and turned his intense gaze on Shakena. The emotions she felt about losing her daughter were written clearly on her face. Either she was a very good liar, or she was telling the truth. Jack opted to believe her, for now, but he knew Malem was hiding something.
"I expect to be notified the minute the High Chancellor returns, Malem. Negotiations between our people will not proceed until my family has been returned, is that clear?" At Malem's nod, Jack continued. "We have also contacted the Asgard and I have no doubt that Thor himself will make an appearance. I am going to strongly suggest that he offers your people no assistance until Sam and JJ are back. You can tell that to the High Chancellor, maybe it will get him to act faster on our behalf," Jack fairly growled. "Teal'c and I are going to check out the surrounding buildings; don't even think about trying to stop us," he ordered as they both stormed out of the hall.
When they had left, Shakena put a shaky hand on Malem's arm. "I do not understand what is happening here. Do you know anything about the disappearance of the Ambassador's family, Malem?"
Malem would not directly meet her gaze. While he didn't have any concrete evidence, he had a strong suspicion about who was behind this. He would investigate matters on his own, then take what action he deemed was necessary. He would not let the High Chancellor, no matter his status to the community, put the entire community in peril.
Malem straightened his shoulders and finally responded to Shakena. "I am not sure who is behind this, Shakena, but I assure you, I will do everything I can to find out." With that, Malem headed for the High Chancellor's private office, making sure that he took an alternater route from the Ambassador.
"Any news yet, Jacob?' Jack stated without preamble as he and Teal'c strode through the door to their common quarters about an hour later.
"Thor was going to run a sweep of the area with his sensors and see if he could pick up Sam or JJ's bio signs. He said he'd transport himself down as soon as he was finished," Jacob answered tiredly. None of them asked Jack if he had any news; they couldtell by the set of his jaw that he didn't have anything positive to report.
"Daniel?" Jack questioned his friend intently, his eyes imploring him to give him some news. Someone had to know something!
"Sorry, Jack," he said, just as dejectedly as Jacob. It was now nearing midnight. The chances of them finding Sam and JJ yet tonight seemed remote at best. Yet no one in the room gave a second thought to getting some sleep: none of them would rest properly until Sam and JJ had been returned.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light and Thor appeared before them. "Greetings, O'Neill. It has taken me longer than I anticipated to run my scans on this planet. Please accept my apologies."
"Have you found anything?" Jack asked with ill concealed impatience.
"I am afraid there is no indication of Colonel Carter's or Jonathon Jacob's bio signs, O'Neill." When Jack's face fell, Thor quickly continued. "However, there is an area of the planet that I am unable to get a reading of any sort. It seems to be blocked by a high concentration of an unknown energy source."
"Do you know where that area is Thor?" Daniel asked, taking over for Jack, who was now pacing the floor in a high state of anxiety. If Thor couldn't locate them, he didn't know who could!
"Yes, Dr. Jackson. It appears to be where the Makesh have recently unearthed the temple they have been studying. Do you know of this place?"
Jack had stopped his pacing at the mention of the temple and looked directly at Daniel. "You were there most of the afternoon, Daniel. Did you notice anything unusual about the place?"
"Other than the transcriptions I was studying on the outer pillars, no." Daniel frowned in remembrance. "Although Renai seemed determinedto keep me outside of the temple itself. She brought up the excuse of it not being safe, but now I wonder."
"Didn't you also mention something about one of the pillars predicting a meeting with the Asgard, Daniel?" Jacob asked from his seat on the couch.
"Yes, I did. I didn't get a chance to mention it to you, Jack. Except for briefly during dinner. Roughly translated, one of the pillars mentions an alliance with a powerful race. One that will provide the necessary means to protect the Makesh against the evil ones who will try and prevail."
"Did it specifically mention the Asgard, Dr. Jackson?" Thor questioned.
"Well, no, not directly. But it did say that this event would occur within the 52nd cycle, and Renai told me that the 52nd cycle began with the new moon, 8 days ago. And you meet with them around that time," he reminded the alien.
"That is so," Thor said thoughtfully. "O'Neill, it might be in your best interest to have Dr. Jackson study these inscriptions in more detail, and find someway to gain entrance to the temple. I feel as if it might hold the key to the disappearance of you wife and son."
Janet, speaking up for the first time, said softly, "Daniel won't be able to see anything in the dark. And not having any rest will interfere with his ability to stay focused. Much as I hate to say it sir," she directed towardJack, "We should all try and get some rest before starting out first thing in the morning."
Jack wanted to rail at her for suggesting such a thing. He wanted to tear something or someone apart. How could he possibly rest when his wife and baby son were out there somewhere? But looking around at the tense and exhausted faces of his friends gave him a moment to collect himself. He might not be able to get any rest tonight, but he shouldn't deny them. Besides, he wanted everyone in top form when they began their search in the morning.
So Jack nodded his acquiesce, but reminded them all firmly, "We go at the first crack of dawn. Not a minute later."
When they all nodded their agreement, Jack turned on his heel and headed out the door, intent on putting some distance between himself and the concerned faces of his friends.
As Daniel made his way to follow him, he felt a strong hand on his shoulder impede his progress. "I believe we should leave O'Neill alone for a few moments, Daniel Jackson. He will not go far," Teal'c stated empathetically.
Daniel looked once more toward the door, before sighing and moving to sit next to Janet. He would give Jack some space, then go out and sit with him in a while.
Jack walked a few meters away from the house before sinking to his knees beneath the dark branches of a tree. Looking up, he whispered a pleading, "Keep him safe, Sam. For a while longer, please keep him safe." Then he dropped his head to hishands in despair.
So Sorry for the week's delay - I am up to my eyeballs in end of school year paperwork! Hopefully, I will get another chapter posted this long weekend. Thanks for all of the great reviews for the last few chapters!