A Single Man of Courage – Part three
The rest of the team bagged a room each and made thorough use of the bathrooms to get rid of the dirt and dust they'd accumulated.
Sam enjoyed the bath greatly, so much so that she feared the others were waiting too long for her. She hurried to the dining room, hair still wet and her skin glowing with the hot water and the sunburn, sporting clean pants and just her t-shirt. She wore her side arm in her holster though, which she was glad of when she noted the Colonel did the same.
"Hi, thought I'd be the last," she said, sitting down to join Teal'c and the Colonel.
"Has Samels been back yet?"
Jack shook his head as he chewed; grabbing a mouth full of water to chase it down before he spoke.
"I'm going to shout later if he doesn't appear."
Daniel entered the room, rubbing his hands through his still damp hair.
"Hey you guys, what I've seen so far, the palace is amazing. I wonder how they keep it going."
"By keeping the people poor," said Jack dryly as he ate.
"Really?" frowned Daniel. "I don't suppose it could be that they trade. They can't be the only people in this world," he added sarcastically.
"Possibly, but did you see the people?"
"Well, of course I saw the people."
"No, I mean really see them?"
Jack's temper was rising, being so on edge all the time didn't help his mood, and he'd had little sleep since arriving. He was trying to keep his 'nerves' from the team, but they were fraying rapidly. Standing up, he moved away from the table and took a deep breath. His team were looking at him warily.
Daniel was staring at him openly. It certainly wasn't like Jack to voice an opinion like that. He was usually the one to remind them that it wasn't Earth and they shouldn't interfere with the way of life. The mission came first.
"Sorry Daniel." Jack sighed, scrubbing his hand tiredly over his face and through his hair.
"It's okay, really. I'm sorry I got carried away with the place. I know you're worried about SG-6." Daniel eyed his friend with concern. Jack certainly looked tired, not his usual self at all. "Are you sleeping ok?"
"Just peachy, look, I'm going to see if I can get some more answers."
Jack closed the doors behind himself leaving the team staring at each other.
"Well, that went well," sighed Daniel.
"O'Neill is not sleeping well. What little he has had has not been restful."
"He's been withdrawn since the briefing," voiced Sam.
"You know Jack - he's not going to share anything with us anytime soon, so let's just keep an eye on him for now."
They resumed their meal but without any enthusiasm.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Jack went to his room, rummaging through his pack before he sent one of the guards for Samels. It wasn't long before the man came scurrying into the room.
"I want to see Major Dawson," announced Jack.
"The Major is resting. The journey has depleted him."
"Where are the rest of his team?"
"The others have left the city with one of our patrols to carry out another of your surveys."
Jack frowned. "Take me to the Major now," he ordered.
"As you wish." Samels bowed low and led him from the wing through numerous corridors, until he stopped outside another wing of the palace, also with guards posted. They entered the wing and Samels opened one of the doors.
"Thank you. I'll see him alone," dismissed Jack.
"One of the guards will escort you back." Samels replied, departing reluctantly.
Jack entered the dimly lit room. The Major was lying in bed, giving the appearance of a sleeping man.
Jack sat beside him on the huge bed.
"Tom," he called. Getting no response, he slapped the Major, lightly at first, then harder when there was still no response.
Sighing Jack fished through his pockets and brought out the capsules of smelling salts he had taken from his pack earlier. Breaking one open he held it under the Major's nose. The reaction was slow at first and then a startled coughing brought the man's eyes open.
"Oh God," he groaned between coughs.
"Sorry Tom," apologized Jack as he disposed of the used capsule in a pocket and helped the Major to a drink, having checked it seemed to be just water.
"Thanks," gasped the Major, catching his breath. Jack helped him to sit up a little.
"Tom, can you tell me what's going on? Are you ill?"
The Major looked around the room slowly, his eyes were still glazed, his actions slow and jerky.
His gaze wandered back to Jack.
"Colonel?" he asked in a confused tone.
Jack repeated his question, keeping his tone even and patient. "Are you ill?"
"Sorry, not sure… a minute," murmured the dazed Major.
"Take your time." After a few minutes Jack spoke again. "What's happened? Where are your team?" The Major looked at Jack, still not with it. "SG-1 are here with me, we came to sort out a trade agreement. You sent reports through, do you remember?"
"Trade? Sorry, God, everything's so muddled. I remember talking to the council." He paused, his eyes widening. "Colonel, there's something, they wouldn't say what they want, they're very curious about the Stargate, kept asking questions and weapons they …" his words were getting slower and more slurred.
"Tom, your report to Hammond didn't tell us this."
"I'm sorry, the … the report … they told me … they wouldn't discuss anything with me – wanted someone higher."
Jack listened carefully to his words. "Do you know where your team are?"
The Major's eyes were closing as he shook his head slowly. "Not since they began the second survey, not sure, sir …. God, I can't think. Are they okay?"
"Take it easy. Is there anything else you can tell me?"
"Sorry ... don't … trust …" The words were even more slurred, the Major's eyes closed fully.
"I'm sorry Tom, I'm going to have to leave you here, play possum and keep quiet. I need some time to find out what's going on and to find SG-6. I'll be back tomorrow."
Jack wasn't sure the Major had heard his words, but there was nothing else he could do. He made the man comfortable before leaving, to be escorted back by one of the guards. He took his time walking, deliberately moving slowly, but he saw no one else and the doors leading off the corridors were all closed. Finally he reached the wing where their quarters were and he entered his room quietly.
"Sir." "Jack." "O'Neill." The three voices came at him as he was facing the door to close it softly.
"God, give a guy a heart attack," he growled, turning around to find Carter and Daniel lolling on his bed and Teal'c sitting in the chair. He'd been hoping to have a while to collect his thoughts and maybe form some sort of plan.
"Hoping to sneak to bed?" enquired Daniel.
Jack sighed and flung himself full length on the remaining space on the huge bed.
"Did you see Major Dawson Sir?" asked Sam as she sat up to face the prone Colonel.
"Mmm," affirmed Jack, not moving his face from the bed.
"Jack you can just say if you want us to leave you know," offered Daniel.
"Mmm," came the response.
"Is it that you wish us to leave, O'Neill?" asked Teal'c.
"Look guys ..." Jack broke off and sighed. He turned his head to face them. "Major Dawson is definitely drugged to the gills. He's well out of it and the rest of his team are God knows where." He briefly filled them in as his mind raced with a number of tactics.
"Do you think SG-6 are still alive?" asked Sam, her face paling as she spoke.
Jack didn't respond straight away. He gave a deep sigh and rolled, pushing himself up on the bed. He propped himself up on the pillows.
"Let's hope so."
"So, what do we do now?" asked Daniel. He still didn't believe it was as bad as Jack was making out. He still thought there was a chance of trade negotiations.
"There's nothing we can do at the moment. Hopefully tomorrow should see the start of talks. We'll all sit in on the first session. Don't show them you know any of their language – let them work in ours. We'll just have to play it by ear.
Daniel shook his head in disagreement. "Jack … they'll know you at least speak it, the guard, remember?"
"He's not said anything … the guards keep quiet… probably too afraid to speak up."
Daniel sighed. "Yes, I know what you mean."
There was a moment of silence, before Teal'c spoke as he rose from the chair. "I will bid you all goodnight."
"Yeah, me too."
"Sir."
Jack watched them leave. He was so tired he didn't undress, he just turned over and shut his eyes.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Nightmares followed him in his sleep, leaving him drained and with a vicious headache. Rising early he made good use of the facilities, which made him feel a little better. He swallowed a couple of painkillers to try and ease his pounding head and prowled the corridor. The guards were still at their station when he checked before going into the dining room and lounging on the cushions, thinking.
It wasn't long before a tap at the door brought a bevy of girls, all plainly dressed in white robes and carrying assorted dishes. Quickly and efficiently the table was laid with food in covered dishes all placed over small burners to keep the contents warm.
The girls eyed Jack with curiosity as they worked. One girl approached him as they finished. "Would you like us to serve you?"
Jack declined gracefully, giving the girl a smile.
"If you wish for anything else…" She smiled as she spoke, looking him directly in the eyes. "You only have to ask." She stood waiting, still smiling appealingly at him whilst loosening her robe slightly.
"Uh, thanks, that'll be all," he replied with a smile to show he wasn't offended by her offer.
The girl gave him a disappointed pout and turned to leave with the others.
Jack perused the table's contents, feeling quite hungry. He helped himself to a variety of the dishes and a cup of the strong coffee that was present.
By the time he'd eaten a good breakfast and drank three cups of the beverage, he felt quite human again. The hour was still very early so he lay back on the cushions, his hands behind his head, and slept.
xoxoxoxoxoxo