See Chapter One for full disclaimer and author's notes.
Chapter Eighteen
Colonel Reynolds watched from the rear of the formation as the advance team disappeared through the event horizon. They had ninety seconds to wait from the time the second half of the advance team entered the wormhole before they would be on their way to join them. The lead time would hopefully give the advance team time to clear the 'gate area and secure the DHD.
This was the most critical part of the mission. If the advance team failed to secure the area surrounding the 'gate, none of them would be getting home tonight. Counting down the seconds, Reynolds raised his head to survey his team. They were among the best the SGC had to offer, there had been no shortage of volunteers for this mission. The best of the SG-3 Marines, men and women with Recon and Ranger training. Even a Lieutenant junior grade, newly assigned from the Navy's elite SeAL Teams, could be counted among the strike force.
They had demolitions experts as well as a soldier who's skill with a sniper rifle had become legendary among the ranks. And still, Reynolds was uneasy. So much relied upon nearly split second timing and a healthy dose of luck. If either failed them this mission would go down in a hurry.
"Five seconds. Here we go, people," Reynolds announced calmly, hefting his rifle to his shoulder and striding up the ramp.
Counting down the remaining seconds silently, Reynolds plunged into the wormhole, steeling himself for the firefight he expected to find raging on the other side.
What he found was worse.
Chaos. Smoke and fire choked the air with acrid fumes that left him gasping. Instinctively he ducked under the wild staff weapon's fire that seemed to be coming from everywhere at once. Recalling the training they had drilled relentlessly over the last two weeks, he swiftly descended the stone stairs and took up his assigned position to the right of the Stargate, close to the DHD.
The remaining members of his strike force followed quickly, easily dropping into their respective positions and opening fire on the Jaffa in front of them. Ba'al's troops were well trained, and had erected a defensive perimeter that nearly encircled the 'gate and DHD.
"Take cover! Open fire! Try to keep their heads down!" Reynolds barked out orders at the top of his lungs, attempting to be heard over the din of the near constant weapons fire.
"Green! Get over here with that 206!"
The Navy Lieutenant dropped swiftly at his commanding officer's side, cocking the grenade launcher he carried he prepared to open fire.
"Over there! To our left! Punch a hole through their lines!"
"Aye, Sir!" Green replied as he smoothly took aim and fired directly into the midst of the Jaffa formation with a fragmentary grenade. The projectile exploded at nearly the same time it impacted a Jaffa warrior, taking out four other nearby soldiers in the process.
The explosion gave them a momentary respite from the constant fire and Reynolds took the opportunity to seek out the advance team. Peering through the haze and smoke, he couldn't see much past the DHD.
"Do you see SG-1 and the others?" Reynolds called out, hoping another of the team would have a better vantage point.
"Negative!" Came the response from the troops behind him.
His heart sank. If the advance team hadn't made it through, at least in part, the entire mission would be in jeopardy. They needed the extra troops to make this work.
"Affirmative Colonel! I have a position on SG-1! 50 meters to our right, Sir!"
"Concentrate fire on that area. Give them some cover!"
The team opened fire on the Jaffa facing off against their right flank and for the first time Reynolds caught a glimpse of them as they fought valiantly against an enemy that outnumbered them three to one.
Colonel Carter had taken cover behind a small fallen section of what appeared to be an ancient column or portion of a wall. At her side was Doctor Jackson, blasting away with his P-90 as though he'd been doing it all his life. Reynolds couldn't see Teal'c or the other members of the advance team and for a moment feared that Carter and Jackson had been the only two members to have survived the first wave.
Suddenly a blast of fire from nearly behind the Jaffa lines caused a few of the warriors to break off their attack on the 'gate and redeploy to meet the new threat. Teal'c, Kent and Garrett had managed to free themselves and get around behind the Jaffa, catching them unaware and unprepared to counter an assault from two sides. Carter and Jackson took advantage of their momentary disorder to pour on the fire, taking out the three nearest Jaffa even as Green reloaded and fired a second grenade that wounded two more.
In a heartbeat it was over, the weapon's fire fading into the hazy air, leaving a tense silence behind.
"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Reynolds called as he slowly stood from his sheltered position to appraise the condition of his team.
"Team leaders, head count!"
Teal'c was the first to respond. "Two wounded, all others present and or accounted for, Sir."
"All members, present and or accounted for, Sir."
"Roger that. Green, your team's got the 'gate. You know your assignment. Hold it at all costs. We lose the 'gate, we don't go home."
"Understood, Sir. We'll hold the door open," the SeAL replied confidently, gesturing to his team to take up their rehearsed stations.
"Teal'c, have Doc Winters see to your wounded. You need to get moving on that temple."
"Understood, we are prepared," Teal'c responded, his team assembling behind him. Their faces were grim, smudged with dirt and grit from the firefight. The first battle had been won, and even though they had sustained casualties, no lives had been lost and for that they were grateful. But the war was far from over. Teal'c motioned to Kent who took up the lead position as they headed off into the tree line.
Reynolds watched them go, wishing he was with them, but knowing his role in this was just as vital. Covering their escape, which promised to be as difficult as their entrance to this world, was a duty he didn't take lightly. For now, all he could do was sit back and wait.
Sam clutched her weapon tightly, her knuckles white as she struggled to hold herself steady. The effects of the adrenaline were already fading and she pushed her free hand down her trousers, drying the sweat from her palm. Physically Sam felt a bit shaky, but her mind was sharp enough to keep her thoughts on her job.
They made their way soundlessly through the trees, moving steadily toward their objective. They expected that the battle at the 'gate would alert the troops on patrol of their presence. An attack could come at any time from any direction and everyone was on guard.
Once they had approached to within half a klic of the temple, Teal'c signaled a halt. From here on out things would be much more dangerous and their need for stealth at its greatest. Motioning the team to draw in close, Teal'c spoke in hushed tones.
"This will be our rally point once our mission is completed. Once the charges have been set we have two minutes to get out and meet back here."
Teal'c met the eyes of each member of his team and saw a steely eyed determination reflected in each of them. Nodding in approval, he stood smoothly, the team following suit.
Daniel's heart began to pound as they came ever closer to their objective. He had hoped to never see this god forsaken place again, but now that he was here the urge to exact some payback was nearly overwhelming. Five years ago he never would have considered such a reaction was possible. But so much had changed. He had changed. And now, the lust for revenge felt almost natural. Almost. He couldn't deny the seductive draw and he actually hoped for an opportunity to inflict some pain of his own. Just as the Ba'al's Jaffa had on Sam.
The first blast came from their right and Daniel ducked instinctively, crouching down onto the balls of his feet and whirling simultaneously, bringing his weapon up to his shoulder. Squeezing off a few rounds in the direction he thought the shot had come from, Daniel could only hope he was firing in the right direction, the underbrush concealing any attacking force.
As more flashes of staff weapon fire erupted around them, Teal'c realized they were under attack from two separate directions.
"Kent, Colonel Carter, left flank!"
His orders were followed immediately, Sam and Kent pivoting to face the incoming fire opposite Daniel and Teal'c. Garrett reached up for his radio, reporting the enemy contact to Colonel Reynolds and the team at the 'gate.
The weapon's fire continued to erupt all around the team as they frantically returned that fire, but the thick foliage reduced their visibility to near zero. They had to find a way to even the odds.
"Garrett, take my position!" Teal'c cried, moving to his left as the Lieutenant took his place. "Hold position here! Colonel Carter, with me!"
Teal'c and Sam dropped down and began to battle crawl out of their position. Moving as quickly as they were able, they moved in a circular route around the battle, until they could hear the staff weapon fire now coming from their right rather than in front. Using hand signals, Teal'c instructed Sam to move ahead of him and then turn sharply right as they attempted to position themselves to attack the Jaffa flank.
A sudden glint of sunlight on armor drew their attention. Sam worked her way into place and raised her weapon, carefully sighting in on the nearest Jaffa warrior. At Teal'c's signal they both opened fire, taking down three Jaffa before the rest of the patrol recognized what was happening and split their force to meet the new threat.
Sam continued to fire into the Jaffa, squeezing off short bursts from her P-90 as Teal'c raised himself up on his knees and lobbed a grenade into their midst. The explosion came only seconds later, raining down debris over them. As the dust settled, Sam realized the weapon's fire from the Jaffa had trailed off to near nothing, then stopped altogether.
Teal'c raised his head, peering intently through the haze.
"Remain here. I will scout ahead and try to drive them toward you and the others."
Sam nodded, brushing the clinging dust and dirt away from her mouth and nose. She took a moment to check her ammunition supply, readying her weapon for another assault. A minute later the sound of staff weapon fire split the air, but Sam couldn't be sure who was firing, Teal'c or Ba'al's Jaffa. The smell of burning wood and flesh reached her nose and she knew someone had been hit. But who?
Suddenly the brush in front of her exploded into motion as two armored Jaffa burst through, bearing down rapidly on her position. Sam didn't hesitate, opening fire on them as they fled, cutting them down and leaving them bleeding on the forest floor.
The satisfaction was immense, but couldn't equal her relief. She'd faced the threat alone and had been victorious. She felt as though she could finally breathe as the weight was lifted from her shoulders.
Sam lowered her weapon, but not her eyes as she scanned the trees intently, looking for any sign of either Teal'c or the Jaffa. A wisp of movement caught her attention and Sam darted her eyes toward it. Something or someone was working his way toward her position, she sighted her weapon on the movement and waited, her heart hammering in her ears.
"Colonel Carter."
Teal'c's baritone voice had never been more welcome and Sam breathed a short sigh of relief.
"Teal'c. You okay?"
"I am. I could find no more sign of the patrol."
"Let's hope their buddies aren't anywhere nearby."
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed, leaning down to offer Sam and hand up. She dusted herself off, then fell into step behind him as they moved to rejoin the rest of their team.
Sam keyed her mic, "Bravo 2 to Bravo 3, come in."
"Bravo 3, we copy you Colonel," Lieutenant Garrett replied, his voice slightly strained.
"We're on our way back. Eighty-six one Jaffa patrol."
"Roger that."
Teal'c and Sam found the rest of the team on edge but intact, Daniel the first to greet them.
"Hey, you two okay?"
"We're fine, Daniel. But we've got to keep moving. Those guys definitely weren't the only patrol out here. There's bound to be more of 'em."
"That's pretty much a sure thing." Daniel's expressive face creased in concern. They'd been lucky so far and hadn't lost anyone. He sure as hell didn't want to start now.
Teal'c scanned the area before motioning to the rest of the team. "Lieutenant Kent, take us the rest of the way."
"Yes, Sir."
The team resumed their positions, without the need for silence they were able to move much more quickly through the forest than before. In only a few short minutes, Lieutenant Kent threw up a hand to call a halt and then dropped to one knee. Motioning toward his eyes and then straight in front of him, he indicated that they had finally reached their objective.
Teal'c moved forward to get a better look at the defenses. The open area between the tree line and the temple walls was heavily patrolled by approximately a dozen Jaffa, most likely ordered to remain behind under any circumstances. It was here that the former First Prime would learn if his plan for penetrating the temple was a sound one.
The team had drilled this part of the mission repeatedly for the last two weeks and could perform their jobs without conscious thought. Teal'c signaled once and Kent and Garrett peeled away from the rest of the team, keeping to the tree line and out of sight of the Jaffa.
Teal'c watched them go, glancing at his watch to mark the time. They had three minutes to wait. To Daniel it felt like an eternity. Never before had three minutes seemed to pass so slowly and he found himself nearly counting his heartbeats to pass the time. When Teal'c's had came up as the ready signal he nearly gasped with relief.
The timing was perfect. Teal'c's hand dropped at nearly the same instant an explosion ripped through the still air, causing the Jaffa to jerk in surprise. Orders were shouted and warriors began running in reaction, leaving only two behind to cover the side of the building Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c knew to house the doorway inside.
Sam slid the selector on her weapon from full auto to single shot and took careful aim. Slowing her breathing, she exhaled then smoothly pulled the trigger, felling one of the Jaffa. Before his body impacted the ground Teal'c also squeezed off a single shot, dropping the other warrior where he stood. They were both dead before they hit the ground.
SG-1 rose together and moved toward the entryway they had discovered on their first trip to -035. Daniel quickly keyed the sequence on the door and it obediently slid open. Teal'c entered first, his sharp eyes noting the lack of Jaffa in the immediate vicinity of the doorway. Shaking his head at the mistake he never would have made, Teal'c led the way down the corridor toward the laboratory Sam and Daniel had discovered during the first mission followed closely by Sam, Daniel covered the rear.
Moving cautiously, ears cocked for any sound that would indicate they had been discovered, the team moved swiftly down the hallway. The smell of mold and sweat slammed into Sam like a physical force combined to twist her stomach into a hard knot of anxiety. The further they moved into the structure the more the sight and smell of the place revolted her and she had to fight the nearly overwhelming urge to turn and run.
Pausing momentarily, Sam squeezed her eyes tightly shut and swallowed hard against the bile that had risen into her throat, nearly choking her. Opening them again, she met Daniel's very concerned gaze. He raised a questioning eyebrow as if to say Are you okay? Sam pasted what she hoped was a reassuring look on her face and nodded, setting off again, hustling to catch up with Teal'c who had slowed at the intersection of two corridors.
The big Jaffa glanced over his shoulder, then motioned and they set off to the left. Sam knew they were close. She could almost taste it on the back of her tongue. Fear. Blood. Agony. The room where she'd spent hour upon endless hour in terror and pain. It was almost more than she could bear to be so close to it again. Teal'c was abreast of the doorway, the primal urge to scream warring against her rational mind that begged for silence lest they be caught and the torture began all over again.
Daniel's hand descended on her shoulder and Sam jumped, sucking in a startled breath. Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Sam's hand clamping over his lips, an urgent look on her face. Daniel cocked his head, listening intently as the faint sound of clomping feet reached his ears. Jaffa.
Teal'c had stopped just ahead of them and motioned them against the wall, taking cover in the meager doorway. Sam's heart nearly stopped as she realized exactly what doorway she and Daniel were standing in.
Biting down hard on her lip, she tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth. Blood. In my eyes, in my mouth. Pain. No more! No more! Her breathing began to quicken and for a moment Sam felt as though she were on the verge of a full blown panic attack. Until Daniel's hand reached out and grasped hers firmly, grounding her to the here and now.
The clank of armored feet grew louder and they realized they weren't going to be able to hide there much longer without risking detection. Daniel turned toward the door, looking for the controls that would open it and allow them to slip inside. Even if there were Jaffa on the other side, they would have the advantage of surprise and wouldn't be caught out in the open corridor.
Motioning to Teal'c and then to the door, Daniel raised his eyebrows in question. Teal'c nodded once and Daniel pushed Sam to one side of the doorway and quickly keyed the sequence of glyphs that would open the door. Sam paled noticeably when she realized just what it was Daniel was doing, but she didn't stop him. She knew she was going to have to face this. Face the inside of that room. And if it saved their lives, facing it and her fear would be worth what it was going to cost her.
The door slid soundlessly open and Teal'c peered around the doorframe before motioning them inside. Daniel led the way, training his weapon on all four corners of the room. It was empty, save a small chair placed in the center of the room.
Sam pressed herself against the wall just inside the doorway, her eyes never leaving the chair. Torture. Agony. I don't know! No more! Carter, Samantha. Lieutenant Colonel... Blood still stained the floor to either side of the chair. She couldn't tell if it was her blood or the blood of some other poor soul who had been interrogated in here.
Teal'c swept the room. It was a small chamber, perhaps only twelve feet square, the only furniture the low chair at its center. He turned, leaning in close to the door, his ear pressed to its surface as he strained to listen to the Jaffa as they passed by their hiding place. The unmistakable sound of clanking armor and clomping Jaffa boots drew closer until they were just on the other side of the door, then ever so slowly began to recede as the Jaffa moved on without pause.
Daniel rolled his eyes closed, the relief washing over him in a palpable wave. They hadn't heard or seen them. They were safe, for now. He drug his eyes open again only to see Sam, still frozen where she had stood just after entering the room.
"Sam?" Daniel whispered harshly, unwilling to press their luck by raising his voice much louder. "Sam, you okay?"
Sam couldn't tear her eyes away from that god damned chair. The hours she had spent in it coming back to her in one long flood of torture filled memories. She couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. There was only this room, and that chair. She didn't hear Daniel's question.
Daniel wasn't sure exactly what was happening with his teammate, but it was obviously something about this room that had closed her off from them. Shooting a concerned look at Teal'c, he slowly approached Sam, putting himself between her and the chair she was staring at fixedly.
"Sam, look at me. It's Daniel. You okay?" When he received no response, Daniel became truly alarmed, for the first time wondering at Teal'c's wisdom when he insisted Sam be included on this mission.
Teal'c stepped in, his deep voice soft but commanding. "Colonel Carter, you must look at me. We have a mission to complete. Colonel Carter, do you hear me?"
Sam could feel her breath now coming in frantic pants as she struggled for control. She forced her eyes closed. Forced herself to break eye contact with the room and the chair. Forced herself to hear the voices of her teammates. Teal'c was saying something. An order. Yes, Sir. Follow orders. Complete the mission. Sam pried her eyes open millimeter by millimeter, turning her head to look Teal'c in the eye.
His gaze was uneasy, his eyes full of concern. Sam forced a deep breath, then another as her heart rate finally began to slow.
"I'm okay. I'm fine," Sam said, the automatic response falling easily from her lips. But she didn't think she was fine. Not by a long shot. Neither did her teammates.
Daniel glanced around the room, searching for a reason for Sam's behavior when his gaze fell on the dark stains on the floor and the edges of the chair's wooden seat. Dear God. It was here. Right here in this very room.
"You've been in here before, haven't you? In this room?" Daniel asked quietly.
Sam looked up in surprise, her eyes wide, fear shining clearly in them. It was an emotion she didn't enjoy and allowed to show even less. There was no point in denying it, after her reaction on seeing this place again.
Sam nodded, dropping her eyes to study her boots. "Yeah," she said softly, barely a whisper. "I can handle it. I'll be fine."
Daniel nodded, but looked skeptical. He had never, in all the years they had known each other, seen Sam freeze up while in the field. Never. Now that it had happened, he was quite frankly unnerved by it all.
"You're sure?"
Sam drew in a breath, running a shaking hand through her hair. "Yeah. There's just one thing I need to do first. Teal'c, can you hear anyone out there?"
The former First Prime leaned his sensitive ear back down to the door, then shook his head. "I cannot."
Sam nodded, then forced herself to take a step away from the supporting wall, then forced herself to take another until she was standing directly in front of the chair that had become a symbol of all she had endured at the hands of Ba'al's Jaffa. She then raised a booted foot and brought it down swiftly on the seat of the chair, executing a well placed hammer kick that splintered the chair nearly in half. Sam raised the her weapon over her head and brought down the stock smartly on top of the remains of the chair, severing it into several jagged pieces.
Sam could feel the rage and grief bubbling to the surface as she allowed herself a physical vent to her emotions. When she had finished and the chair lay in a broken pile, she could sense the world slowly righting itself around her. A sense of equilibrium that she had barely noticed was gone, slowly returned.
Sam raised her eyes, met Teal'c's and saw approval reflected back at her. He simply nodded once, then turned to key open the door. They still had a mission to complete.
Sam deliberately turned her back on the splintered wood lying in the middle of the room, fishing in her vest she pulled out a small brick of C-4. Walking to the doorway she pressed the explosive into the wall over the control panel and inserted a detonator, arming it with the flick of a switch. When the weapon's lab blew, so would this room.
Looking back at Daniel and Teal'c, Sam felt steadier, vindicated in a way she hadn't expected and more herself than she had in weeks. "Let's do this. And go home."
Taking up her position on Teal'c's six with Daniel following, Sam felt as though she had finally come home.
To be Continued...