See Chapter One for full disclaimer and author's notes.
Chapter Nine
The mood in the 'gateroom was somber and tense. It wasn't the first time the SGC had sent out a search and rescue mission, and it certainly wouldn't be the last, and the men and women geared up and ready to depart took their duty to go through the 'gate into hostile territory to bring home an SG team member very seriously. There was no chatter, no jokes or laughter, only steely eyed looks that spoke of their determination and resolve.
The mood became noticeably more charged when General O'Neill, fully outfitted and armed with his own P-90, entered the room. Facing his team, he met their eyes one at a time.
"As of now I'm assuming command of this mission. This is no reflection on Colonel Reynolds, but as some of you may not know, I was held in one of Ba'al's prisons once and escaped. As the Colonel pointed out to me I'm more likely to be able to guide you all through this mission to a successful outcome. And we will have a successful outcome, understood?"
A resounding "Yes, Sir!" sounded through the cavernous room.
"Alright then, let's go. Sergeant Harriman, dial the 'gate," Jack ordered. Turning to face the 'gate as it began to spin and each chevron lit in succession, Jack attempted to reign in his emotions. He knew he could trust the members of his team, knew he could trust them with his life. But this wasn't just his life, it was Sam's, and that upped the ante significantly. Jack had spent the better part of the night attempting to sleep, but every time he had closed his eyes his imagination had taken over until he couldn't bear the image of Sam, bound to the gravity wall as he had been, bleeding from dozens of knife wounds or burned horribly by acid.
Squeezing his eyes tightly closed as he listened to the final chevrons locking into place, Jack banished those images from his mind. Dwelling on them wouldn't help him, and most definitely wouldn't help Sam. Finding her, getting her home, that was his sole mission now. After that, he'd deal with the aftermath. Just hang on, Sam. Hang on. We're coming for you.
The 'gate opened with its customary kawhoosh and without hesitation Jack stepped up onto the ramp and headed toward the event horizon. Stepping out on the other side of the wormhole, Jack methodically scanned the surrounding meadow and tree line, searching for any welcoming party that may be waiting for them. Satisfied that for the moment they weren't about to be attacked by a Jaffa patrol, Jack walked down the stone steps to take up a position to the left of the 'gate.
Sinking down to one knee, Jack covered the area as the remaining members of his team exited the 'gate and took up defensive positions of their own. Out of habit, Teal'c knelt at Jack's side, the position he had taken on so many missions before. Catching the General's eye, the former First Prime nodded once and then moved off toward the trees, leading the way toward the temple.
Using hand signals, Jack motioned to the rest of the strike team and they fanned out into a wedge formation leaving Jack and Daniel near the center. They traveled silently through the trees for several minutes when Teal'c raised his hand to call a halt. The team immediately dropped into a defensive perimeter, each member taking a position to keep their backs to each other, their weapons trained outward on the surrounding forest. Jack dropped as well, and signaling to Daniel to stay put, made his way to Teal'c's side.
Getting down on one knee Jack scanned the trees, seeing nothing he turned to raise an eyebrow in question. Teal'c motioned toward his ears then off to his left. He had heard something moving off in that direction, but couldn't be sure who or what it was. Jack nodded once, then motioned for Reynolds to move up to his position.
Keeping his voice low, Jack issued his orders. "Reynolds, take your squad and head back the way we came. Try to circle around behind whoever's out there. Teal'c, Daniel, and I will move on ahead and take them from the other side. Understood?"
"Roger that, sir," Colonel Reynolds replied, then turned and signaled his team to head back in the direction of the gate.
Motioning toward Daniel, Jack followed Teal'c as they set off again. Moving as silently as possible, they stuck together until they were within several hundred yards of the area where Teal'c had narrowed down the sounds he had heard before Jack called another stop.
Unable to see any Jaffa nearby, Jack risked whispering a few final instructions. "Teal'c, you take the right. Watch out for Reynolds' patrol, we don't want them blasting away at you thinking you're Ba'al's Jaffa. Danny and I will head to the left. Keep your distance Daniel. I don't want them to catch us all bunched up in a neat little package."
Receiving nods of assent from both men, they moved out in their assigned directions, ready to take on whatever lay in front of them. Jack prayed it was Ba'al's Jaffa. Ever since he learned of Sam's capture, the desire to take out some retribution on Ba'al had been nearly overwhelming. Now that he was actually out here his trigger finger was itching, even if all he could do is take out a few of Ba'al's Jaffa.
Jack could no longer hear Teal'c, but knew instinctively where he was. Keeping Daniel in sight, he moved as quickly as he was able, anticipation coiling in his gut like a cobra ready to strike.
SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1-SG1
Sam was hidden in the underbrush, the sound of booted Jaffa feet seemingly all around her position. Her stamina had given out early into her flight through the trees and she now sat, concealed as completely as possible, waiting for the hunters to find her. And they would find her, of that she was certain. It was just a matter of time. The clank of the Jaffa armor began to fade and Sam let out a shaking breath, lowering her weapon to rest on her legs. She knew she couldn't stay hidden forever, but could only hope that if she could hold out until darkness fell, she might be able to make her way to the 'gate cloaked from the eyes of her pursuers.
Her heart racing, blood pounding in her ears, Sam consciously tried to calm herself. Keeping her weapon at the ready, she took a moment to cover herself more completely. Camouflaging her position with what was available, Sam settled back down, grasping her weapon with both hands ready to swing it up and into position with as little wasted motion as possible. She could feel the fever running through her body, still centered on the wound in her calf, but the chills she had felt previously had become a flame that seemed to fire her from within. Sam wasn't sure she was going to have the energy to make it to the 'gate if she waited much longer, but getting captured by the Jaffa if she attempted to move during the daylight wasn't any better.
The stillness was suddenly broken once again, only this time the booted feet were much closer than before. Tensing, Sam raised her weapon slightly, gently flicking off the safety as she prepared to defend her position. The Jaffa slowly moved toward her, their precise movements and scanning eyes sure to locate her position in a matter of moments. Sam knew if she were to have any chance of surviving the next few minutes, she needed to act fast and fire first.
Sam suddenly burst from her cover, squeezing off several bursts from her weapon before the Jaffa had time to react. Swinging it around, Sam took down three of the four Jaffa in the first pass before turning it on the last man standing. She realized almost too late that she wouldn't have time to get off a round and brought up her P-90 to parry the staff weapon that was arching toward her unprotected head. The shock of the impact against her arms jarred her very bones, but Sam gritted her teeth and forced herself to shove back against it, staggering the Jaffa slightly as she half rose to her knees and brought her weapon back down into firing position.
Sam squeezed the trigger once, the round catching the Jaffa in the center of his body and sending him flying back through the thick brush. Shaking now as much from the adrenaline as from the fever, Sam pushed herself unsteadily to her feet and checked her ammunition before turning to run in the direction of the 'gate. The sounds of her weapons fire were sure to bring other Jaffa patrols down on her and Sam pushed herself to run harder that she thought possible.
Past her limits of endurance; and still she ran on, crashing through the brush and clinging branches that ripped at her hair and clothing. Finally, with nothing left but sheer raw will, Sam dropped, spent, to the forest floor and sat panting, then gathering herself she searched again for a defensible position from which she might hold up for a few minutes before continuing her flight.
Finding a towering tree a few feet from where she now sat, its trunk at least four feet wide at the base, Sam crawled over to sit under its branches. She had only been seated for a few precious moments when the sound of booted feet through the underbrush had her surging back to her feet and bringing her weapon back up. Eyes stinging from the salty sweat that had dripped down into them, Sam blinked to clear them as she searched frantically for the pursuit she was sure had already discovered her position.
The first glimpse of her pursuer was a bit of dappled sunlight glinting off a golden emblem that adorned his forehead and Sam nearly squeezed the trigger an instant before she caught herself as the rest of his face and body slowly came into focus.
"Teal'c?" Sam whispered, disbelief coloring her voice.
"Colonel Carter. It is I."
Sam sagged in relief, her weapon slowly lowering toward the leaf strewn ground. The adrenaline leaching from her muscles, her heart rate began to slow its thunderous tattoo. "Thank God. Thank God." She breathed as her legs suddenly threatened to give out beneath her and she pulled one hand away from her weapon to grasp the nearest tree, using its solid bulk to steady herself. Teal'c was at her side in an instant, his arm winding around her waist and easing her down to sit at the base of the tree. Lowering himself to one knee, he reached up to key his radio twice, signaling the rest of the team.
Hearing an answering click, Teal'c spoke softly into the microphone. "O'Neill, I have Colonel Carter."
The response was nearly immediate. "We're on our way."
Sam allowed the tension in her arms and shoulders to slowly ebb, only to be replaced by a shaking that she couldn't seem to control. Teeth chattering in response, she could feel the exhaustion she had valiantly held at bay slowly steal up to sap her strength, leaving her pale and weak. She became aware of the steady beat of booted feet coming up through the trees behind them, and her heart rate picked up once again as she shakily raised her weapon to meet what she was sure to be a renewed Jaffa attack.
Daniel and Jack drew to a halt just in front of them, surprised to find themselves staring down the barrel of Sam's P-90. Teal'c raised his hand to gently press down on Sam's weapon, lowering it away from their teammates. Recognition slowly dawned on Sam's face and relief passed through her, renewing the tremors that now shook her entire body. She was so exhausted, it hadn't even occurred to her to question why Jack was off planet leading a rescue mission.
"Carter? You okay?" Jack asked uncertainly, dropping to one knee at her side.
Sam found that she didn't have the energy to speak and simply nodded in reply, her fingers curling and uncurling reflexively around the pistol grip of her weapon. The pain in her leg that had been barely manageable now flared to an all out assault on her. She could feel the heat radiating from the cauterized staff wound and she was certain that the infection was spreading. Beads of sweat rolled down the sides of her face at the same time chills coursed through her, raising the hairs on her arms in response.
Teal'c pulled the weapon from her restless fingers and set it aside. "O'Neill, we should not stay here. The Jaffa are most certainly patrolling these woods and will locate our position soon."
"Yeah, right," Jack replied before reaching for his radio. "Reynolds, this is O'Neill, come in."
"Reynolds here, sir, go ahead."
"We've got Carter. Head back toward the 'gate, tell your men there if we're not there in 15, send the cavalry to come find us. We're about 1 klic south of the 'gate now."
"Copy that, sir. We'll keep the light on."
Jack pushed himself up, reaching a hand down to help Sam up. When she didn't make any attempt to stand, he bent down to gently take her arm and draw her to her feet. She swayed unsteadily and he tightened his grip on her arm, sure she was headed right back down again. Her silence up until now had unnerved him and to see her barely able to stand quite frankly scared the hell out of him. But there wasn't time to dwell on it. They needed to get her home.
"Carter, you gonna be able to make it?"
Sam took a couple of slow, deep breaths before finding the strength to answer. "Yessir. I'll be fine."
Jack nodded, but didn't release his hold on Sam's arm. She sure as hell didn't look fine and he was determined to give her as much support as she needed to get back to the 'gate in one piece.
"Alright, kids, let's get home. Teal'c, take point. Daniel, you watch our six."
Dropping easily into their assigned roles, they moved off as silently and quickly as possible toward the waiting Stargate and the SGC beyond. Jack took up position at Sam's elbow, lessening his grip on her arm, but not letting it go completely.
They had been moving for barely five minutes before Sam slowed perceptibly, her steps shuffling in the dirt and undergrowth. Jack quickly adjusted his pace to her slower strides, tightening his grip on her.
"Whoa," Sam wheezed, bringing a shaking hand up to cover her face as she slowly came to a halt, her feet seemingly no longer willing to continue their flight through the trees.
"Carter? Hey, you okay?" God, he seemed to be asking her that a lot lately. When an answer wasn't immediately forthcoming, Jack turned toward the head of their little column. "Teal'c, hold up a minute."
The former First Prime stopped and turned back, his eyes restlessly scanning the surrounding trees for any signs of pursuit. Daniel took a couple of steps to stand just behind Jack and Sam, his eyes back down the path they had traveled, his weapon at the ready.
"Dizzy, sir," Sam gasped as she continued to breathe deeply, furiously attempting to keep the world from spinning. But rather than slow it's sickening pace, her vision began to tunnel rapidly.
"Ah…sir…?"
Sam suddenly slumped against Jack's side as her consciousness fled and her legs gave way beneath her. Jack had just enough time to pull her arm over his shoulders as she collapsed into him, her body hanging limply across his. He staggered sideways slightly as he attempted to support her sagging form.
"Damn it. Daniel, get over here."
The archaeologist moved quickly, allowing his P-90 to dangle loosely from his harness, Daniel supported Sam's head and shoulders as he and Jack together gently lowered her to the forest floor. Daniel was shocked at the heat he could feel emanating from his teammate as he swiftly searched for a pulse. It took several long moments before he could finally feel the weak beat thrumming beneath his fingertips. He pulled his hand up toward her mouth and nose, gratified to feel a feather light breath on his skin.
Breathing a sigh of relief he looked up into Jack's worried eyes. "She's breathing and she's got a pulse, but it's weak and she's burning up, Jack. We've got to get her to the infirmary. Now."
Jack pressed his lips into a thin, hard line. Damn. "Teal'c stay on point. Daniel, help me get her up. We've gotta get outta here. Those Jaffa are gonna be on our asses any minute."
Each taking an arm, they pulled Sam up between them. Looping a hand through her belt, Jack steered them down the path and toward the waiting 'gate. Moving as quickly as they could, considering their burden, they reached the edge of the clearing just as Colonel Reynolds was ordering his team to set off to look for them.
They had barely stepped past the cover of the trees when the world seemed to erupt around them. Several Jaffa came spilling out of the trees, firing their staff weapons as they ran. Jack didn't need to see them to know the Jaffa were rapidly gaining on them and he put all his strength into quickening his pace. Daniel picked up his pace as well, breathing heavily from the exertion he focused solely on his goal, getting Sam to the 'gate and home. He had left her behind once before, he'd be damned if he was going to do it again.
Teal'c whirled as he heard the first tell tale blasts from the staff weapons and brought his own weapon around to fire into the advancing Jaffa. He was not more than 10 feet in front of Jack and Daniel, but it was enough to allow him to give them adequate cover from their pursuers.
Jack never slowed, taking in a deep breath he shouted to the Marines stationed at the steps leading up to the Stargate. "Reynolds! Get that damn 'gate open!"
The Marine waved to his man standing at the DHD who immediately began dialing home. "Connors, Evans, fan out! Covering fire!"
Jack had never been so happy to hear the distinct kawhoosh of a forming wormhole in all his life. Reynolds lowered his weapon momentarily to send the Code Red GDO code, alerting those on the other side that they were coming in hot and with casualties.
Staff blasts continued to strike all around them as Jack and Daniel drug Sam up the stone steps and through the event horizon into the welcoming arms of the wormhole beyond.
Stumbling to a halt upon exiting the wormhole, Daniel and Jack fought for balance as they gently lowered Sam's limp body to the cold metal ramp. Before Jack could draw a breath to speak, Sergeant Harriman's voice burst through the loudspeakers.
"Medical team is on the way, General. Should be here momentarily."
Jack nodded before turning his attention to Sam's prone form, lying unmoving at his feet. "Daniel?"
The archaeologist raised his eyes to Jack's briefly before answering. "I don't know, Jack. I just don't know," he replied solemnly. Skinned knees and paper cuts he could deal with, but Daniel was well out of his depth here, and he knew it. Not for the first time in the past year, Daniel fervently wished Janet was still alive; not that he didn't think Doctor Brightman wasn't a capable physician, but no one held his trust in the way Janet had. Especially where the health and well being of his friends was concerned.
The remaining members of the rescue team slipped through the 'gate as the doors to the 'gateroom burst open to admit Doctor Brightman and her team. Well trained and, unfortunately, well versed in dealing with injured SG Team members, they wasted no time breaking out their equipment and getting to work. Teal'c and the SG-3 Marines filed silently past the med techs, but not without several sidelong glances at the officer lying prone on the ramp. They had done their jobs, and done them well, they only prayed now that they had been in time.
Teal'c paused at the base of the ramp, looking back over his shoulder. Colonel Carter was an exceptional warrior, someone he genuinely respected and knowing what she had likely endured in the day she had been in Ba'al's clutches saddened him. Risking a glance at the General, the Jaffa watched as literally before his eyes he seemed to pull on the mantel of command, leaving a grieving lover behind. She does not deserve this, he thought, neither of them did.
Doctor Brightman knelt down on the ramp, reaching out to grasp Sam's wrist she measured her pulse with a practiced touch, alarmed at the rapid beats she felt thrumming beneath the cold and clammy skin.
"What can you tell me about her injuries, Sir?"
Jack's head came up at the question, his mouth coming open only to snap closed again. He hadn't been there; he didn't know. The thought sickened him. I wasn't there. Dear God. She needed me, and I wasn't there. Sensing his hesitation, Daniel answered the Doctor's question.
"Um, I know she got hit with a staff blast that knocked her out, but I'm not sure for how long. Other than that, we…ah…don't know. We found her outside the temple. She said she was okay, but didn't make it far before she collapsed."
"How long was she in there?"
Finding his voice, Jack answered quietly, "Just over 24 hours."
"Okay, we'll take care of her from here, Sir. We'll handle your post mission physicals as soon as we have Colonel Carter stabilized."
Jack nodded, his eyes never leaving Sam's pale face, his guilt threatening to overtake him. Shaking his head to dispel his dark thoughts, Jack firmly pulled himself together. Now was not the time to dwell on what had happened. Now he had to be "The General", his troops needed to see him in control of himself and the situation. There would be time enough for self-recriminations later. Much later. Watching as the medical technicians loaded Sam on the gurney and hustled her from the room, followed closely by Daniel and Teal'c, Jack felt a twinge of envy that they were able to go with her. But that too was not allowed of "The General" and again he pushed the emotion aside.
Looking up, Jack caught Reynolds' eye, the Colonel loitering just inside the doors to the 'gateroom. "We'll debrief at 1700. That should give you and your team time to get checked out by the Docs."
"Aye, sir. I'll inform the rest of the team."
"Go ahead and get cleaned up first. They're probably going to be a while with Carter."
"Will do, sir. See you in the infirmary."
Handing his P-90 off to the weapon's sergeant, Jack set off for the control room to get an update from Harriman. Every instinct in his body was screaming at him to get himself down to the infirmary; to be with Sam. But he had other responsibilities too. Responsibilities that he couldn't simply throw off when he didn't feel like dealing with them. The men and women of the SGC deserved better than that, and he knew Sam would expect that of him.
As he reached the top of the stairs, Jack found Walter already waiting for him, a clipboard in one hand, his headset dangling from his ear. Harriman fell into step with Jack as he made his way up the winding staircase toward his office.
"I'm sure you'll want a quick rundown so you can get to the infirmary, Sir," Sergeant Harriman began before Jack could even open his mouth. "I have your schedule cleared for the next several hours. The conference room is reserved for your 1700 debrief with Colonel Reynolds, SG-3 and SG-1. Your 1400 meeting with Doctor Felger has been postponed, I told him you would clear some time for him next week at the earliest. The requisitions for office supplies and the commissary are on your desk just waiting for your signature. The two briefings for SG-11 and SG-15's upcoming missions I passed on to Colonel Reynolds."
"Walter," Jack interrupted.
"Yes, sir?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Sir."
"Just leave the rest of that on my desk. I'll take a look at all of it before the debrief. And don't worry about the briefings with SG's 11 and 15, I'll take care of them. Just reschedule them for first thing tomorrow morning. We can afford to put off those missions for one more day."
"Yes, Sir. I hope I didn't overstep my bounds. I just thought…"
"I know you did, and I appreciate it, Sergeant."
"Yes, Sir. Well…I'd better get back down to the control room." Walter paused momentarily. "Sir, if you need anything from us, you know we're here for you, right?"
"I know, Sergeant. And thank you. Dismissed."
"Yes, Sir," Walter replied before turning and heading back down to the control room.
Sighing, Jack stripped off his vest and jacket and dropped them into the visitor's chair before lowering himself down into his chair, uncapping a pen he set about clearing his desk so he could join the others in the infirmary just as soon as possible.
TBC….