The ground they were walking over now was rough. Still filled with trees, there were roots sticking up in every direction, long trailing vines hanging down from the branches, bushes that would block whatever little path he might want to take, and all sorts of little holes – like gopher holes or something – that Ian was constantly forced to step around or over to avoid twisting an ankle or taking a fall.
And the entire time, he was swearing under his breath about it.
Ian Brooks was a city boy. Always had been, always would be. And he knew it. He didn't go camping. He didn't enjoy roughing it, he'd only been a boy scout for a week, and without a lighter and a half-gallon of gasoline, he figured he probably couldn't get fire started on his own without a manual to work with. At least he never had tried.
Until he'd joined SG-1 he'd never slept outdoors more than one night in a row – ever. He'd never wanted to, and when he'd been a boy, he'd rarely been forced into any activity that he didn't want to do.
He did, however, hunt. With his uncle he'd spent several weeks every summer in the woods (during the day, since they had a cabin and didn't have to camp out) walking with a shotgun slung in one arm and a dog at his side. So while he wasn't Daniel Boone or Davy Crockett, Ian was accustomed to working with dogs – labs in particular. And he was working with one of the best there was just then.
So when Jaffer started stopping occasionally and looking back over his shoulder as they walked, Ian noted it immediately. And when the lab growled softly, deep in his throat, Ian stopped completely and looked over his shoulder as well.
He didn't see anything. Just a whole lot of trees. But he was more than willing to accept that Jaffer's senses were a lot better than his own. Even with the gentle breeze that was blowing against their faces, which would affect how well Jaffer, could smell anything behind them. He put his P90 in his right hand – shotgun style – and keyed his mike with his left; still watching Jaffer, since he knew the lab would see anything long before he did.
"Teal'c?"
It was only a moment before the Jaffa answered.
"Yes, Ian Brooks?"
"Is Jack acting odd?"
There was a pause as Teal'c either tried to figure out what Ian had meant by odd or he watched the dog, but it wasn't Teal'c who spoke next, it was Jack. Ever mindful of anything that might be a threat – and if Jaffer was acting odd, then that could be a sign of a threat – Jack was instantly alert.
"What's going on, Ian?"
"I think Jaffer hears something – or senses it or something. He's acting like it, anyways."
"Get back here."
"Yes, sir."
He looked down at Jaffer, who was still looking back the way they'd come.
"C'mon, Jaffer, let's go see Jack."
The lab wagged his tail, but he growled again, looking back towards the wooded area behind them suspiciously.
As he changed their course so they would intercept Jack and Daniel, Ian could hear Jack on the radio asking Teal'c the same question Ian himself had. And could hear Teal'c reply that Jack (the dog) was acting the same way he always did and was giving no indication of any problem. Jack ordered Teal'c to close ranks as well, unwilling to allow his team to be too far apart if they were going to run into trouble.
A snapping sound behind them drew Ian and Jaffer both up short, and they both turned instantly, looking behind them. Jaffer's growl grew deeper, and more ominous – now the lab was clearly warning whatever (or whoever) was behind them that he wasn't something to mess with.
Unwilling to turn his back completely on a potential threat – Ian had learned that lesson the hard way, but had learned it utterly – he scowled, and started back towards the others with his body slightly turned the direction the sound had come from. Jaffer, too, was watching their six, and the hackles on the scruff of his neck were coming up, making him look even larger.
"Ian?"
Ian about jumped out of his skin at the sound of Jack's voice on the radio. And damned near stepped into one of those gopher holes. The forest was incredibly quiet – there weren't even any birds chirping or anything – and it was spooky. Especially to a city boy.
"Shit!" He keyed the mike. "Yeah?"
"You okay?"
"Yeah. We're on our way."
"We're coming towards you, too, so don't be startled."
Meaning Jack didn't want him to accidentally shoot them. Ian nodded, realized Jack wouldn't see the nod, and spoke into the radio.
"Okay."
He looked down at Jaffer, who was still growling softly.
"It might have been a deer…"
The lab looked up at him, and Ian shrugged. Yeah. He didn't think it had been a deer, either.
"Come on."
They started moving again, the wind picking up a little and the leaves on the trees and bushes all around them rustling suddenly. Jaffer's growls increased – Ian had a feeling the lab was as edgy as he was – and the dog's head turned into the breeze, now, his lips curling back into a snarl.
"What the fuck…?"
Ian turned again, facing the same way Jaffer was. And out of nowhere, a small form stepped out from behind a tree not more than twenty feet ahead of them.
"Stop!"
The voice wasn't very commanding, but the spear held in the little hand certainly had Ian's attention. Before the cadet could get a good look at the person holding it – he didn't look very large, for one thing, but Ian wasn't sure if he was young or small – Jaffer attacked, more than ready to show the small person (be he young or just small) just how foolish it was to threaten someone he was responsible for.
With a snarl that was truly menacing – and well-practiced – Jaffer launched himself at the figure, dodging the pointed end of the spear as it was jabbed at him and then leaping on the wielder, using his considerable weight to knock them both backwards and to the ground. There was a cry of fear and then an agonized screech.
"Jaffer! Down!"
Ian rushed for the scuffling pair, and at the same time caught a movement of blonde from the other direction as Jack (the dog) came running in, followed closely by Teal'c, Jack and Daniel.
The black lab obeyed Ian instantly – he hadn't really been aiming for a kill, anyways. Not with someone smaller than adult sized who hadn't done anything more than shouted at them and pointed a stick at them. He'd simply gone in for the disarming factor – and the fear factor – and both had worked. The spear was on the ground several feet away, and the person who was pinned under his front paws was sobbing breathlessly. Once he made sure Ian had his gun pointed at his captive, Jaffer stepped back, still growling to remind the person to stay put.
As soon as the bog black lab was out of the way, though, Ian could see immediately that that wasn't going to be an issue. And as they came to a stop beside him, Jack, Daniel and Teal'c noticed it as well.
"Ouch." Daniel said, softly.
The boy – for it was clearly a young boy now that they had a good look at him – had stepped into one of the gopher holes (or whatever they were) when Jaffer had jumped on him, and when he'd fallen back it had snapped his leg bone. He wasn't going anywhere.