A little reminder, or explanation if you don't already know this. I'm Flatkatsi. I don't write these fics. I don't write ship (except once), but I have written over 200 SG stories, some of which are posted on this site under my name. And shameless plug - go read them. LOL.
This story and the others under the name JackieO'Neill Nut are written by my friend Jackie. I am just betaing (some of them) and posting them on her behalf. One of her stories (a Jack & Cassie friendship fic with no ship) is posted here and is called 'The Coldest of Hearts." That is the only story of Jackie's that isn't S/J.
All reviews for this fic go to Jackie, but I post the parts as she has limited access to a computer.
Phew! Now that is out of the way - on with the fic. A small part today as I'm still working on my new General Jack and trying to sort out problems on the Jackfic archive.
A Single Man of Courage – part thirteen
They reached approached the Stargate mid-morning the next day. Sam contacted Daniel as Hassuf warned their final approach, giving him and the men with him time to draw near and stand by. Sam was dismayed to see there were more guards at the gate, with an encampment already in place.
"Damn, odds going up again," she muttered to herself, but even though she spoke in a low voice, Jack heard.
Despite his protests she gave him the last of the morphine, praying that it would help … he needed all the help he could get.
The wagon ground to a creaky halt, the flap opened, and Jack was pulled out. He was dragged to the DHD where Kissain and Samels stood aiting.
"Dial it,Colonel."
Jack swayed between the guards. Despite the morphine he was relatively clear headed … for the moment … the morphine sting was burning through his veins, already dulling the nerves. "Dial it yourself."
He received a fist to his stomach, making him double up until the guards pulled him upright.
Kissain stood in front of him, frowning as if puzzled. "Colonel, why make it hard on yourself? If your superiors will trade you can go home."
"My superiors … don't hold with threats," Jack panted, silently thankful for the morphine's help as his nerves began to spread the fresh pain around his body.
"Threats, but surely Colonel your life means something to them, and the lives of your team as well."
"You only have me."
Kissain grimaced at the reminder. "But your superiors do not know that and I will have the others soon. It is only a matter of time."
Jack was trying to stay upright to look Kissain full in the face.
"Or perhaps you will trade your lives for the way to open your iris?" grinned the commander as he leaned close.
Jack sniffed the air and frowned. "You know you smell like a god-damned Iraqi weightlifter … you really should try a new body wash ya know …maybe it's sleeping around with all those camels …"
The air was knocked from him as Kissain fisted him in the stomach and then used an open hand to hit him across the face as he heaved for breath, fresh blood spreading across his face from his split lips.
Smiling, Kissain turned to Samels and ordered him to dial the gate. Whilst Samels dialed, Kissain ordered his men to stand around the front of the gate in a semi-circle facing it, ready with their weapons.
'Good, if the bastard keeps that up a surprise attack would work,' thought Jack as he tried to suck enough air in without vomiting.
The gate activated and they dragged him over to the MALP to stand behind Kissain. A couple of minutes passed before the MALP came to life, the camera arm lifting and panning, stopping on Kissain.
The General's voice came clearly through the MALP. "This is General Hammond of the SGC. Who are you?"
Kissain cleared his throat. "I am the commander of the Mosems armies. I am Hussein Kissain."
"Where are my people?"
"Your people are safe," lied Kissain. "I have your Colonel with me."
The camera whirled and pulled back to take in a wider view.
xoxoxoxoxo
General Hammond stood in the gate control room looking at his 2IC. Colonel O'Neill was being held between two guards and was looking very much the worse for wear. He was obviously only standing with the aid of the two large men on either side of him.
"Colonel, are you okay?"
At the commander's signal the guards dragged Jack back before he could speak.
"He is alive as you can see, but for how long remains in your hands, General."
"Where are the rest of my people?"
"All in good time."
"Just what the sam hill do you want?"
"Trade."
"My people went to you to trade in good faith, why all this?"
"Unfortunately General, what you wanted was very limited and the trade would never have happened. What I want are weapons like these." He held up a P90 to the camera. "I want two hundred to start with, plus ammunition."
"And if not?"
"Then we start killing your people and the Colonel here will be the first."
"I need time to sort this out … I don't have the authority or the weapons readily available."
"Then you will find the authority or I will kill your Colonel, slowly - very slowly."
"Give me time. I'll come back to you."
Kissain nodded slowly. "I warn you General, I am not a patient man."
"General," called Davis "We've got Major Carter coming through on a different channel."
"Shut the MALP speakers off, but keep the camera on and patch her through," ordered Hammond.
"Major Carter, are you safe?"
"Sir, I may not have much time." She explained quickly, filling in as much as she could.
"I need time to recall some teams. I don't have enough men here." Hammond shook his head regretfully. "Are you safe enough for now Major?"
"Yes, so are Daniel and the others, but the Colonel isn't - he's already badly hurt and I don't think Kissain will wait too long."
"I'll do it as quickly as I can. I'll reactivate the gate in four hours, Major. Out."
xoxoxoxoxo
'Four hours' Sam thought. She hoped Kissain would wait that long.
She contacted Daniel who promised they were closing up and that they would be ready. She rejoined Hassuf outside, trying to see what had happened while she was concealed in the wagon.
The gate had shut down and Kissain was strutting around giving orders. A post had been erected near the MALP and the Colonel was tied to it, his arms pulled above his head all that was holding him upright.
Hassuf guided Sam to a tent nearby where she could watch what was happening without being too obvious. There were other women in the tent preparing food. Hassuf spoke quietly to them before bringing one over to Sam.
She bowed. "I am Lisane. Hassuf has asked me to speak your words to him." She spoke slow and hesitantly.
Sam told her what was happening and assured her she would give the women enough warning to get away safely. Hassuf spoke and Lisane translated.
"He bids you to stay here out of sight until you are ready. He will bring you your things."
Sam thanked them and returned to her vigil, peeking through the doorway. She could see Jack from where she was concealed. Kissain had now stood down half the men, but the rest remained in a semi circle to the front of the gate.
Hassuf had been bringing things from the wagon. He'd passed her a blanket within the folds of which was her P90, and she gratefully put the bundle safely beside her as she waited.
The sun rose higher and at the approach of its zenith Samels removed most of the guards and let them change over frequently.
Jack still stood, slumped as far as his bonds would let him, against the post.
The air was still and extremely hot. Sam had to resort to sitting of the floor, peering through a slit she had made in the fabric - of Kissain there was no sign. She watched Jack anxiously. She knew he had to be suffering from the heat on top of his injuries and that he would be badly dehydrated by now.
Gradually the heat lessened. Lisane brought food and drink to her. The food she couldn't face, but she was grateful for the water. Hassuf and the other male servants came in and began taking the food the women had prepared out to the guards.
"Hassuf." Sam touched his arm as he passed her. She showed him the water and pointed at herself and then to Jack. Hassuf shook his head.
"He needs water," beseeched Sam.
Hassuf took the water from her and pointed to himself and left the tent. Sam watched as he strode over to Jack as though he had every right to do so. The guards were gazing at the gate and Hassuf managed to get some water down Jack before one of the guards strode over, pulling him away. There were angry words and Hassuf was pushed roughly back towards the tents.
Hassuf hurried back to Sam.
"Thank you," she said sincerely, knowing he understood.
Hassuf nodded and settled down to eat his fill.
It was only a little over three hours since Sam had spoken to Hammond and she'd fallen into a light doze when she was awoken by loud shouting.
Peering through the slit, she saw all the guards running to the gate, once more making the circle in front of it, and Kissain and Samels striding behind them.
Samels dialled Earth on the DHD.
xoxoxoxoxo
"Incoming wormhole, General," called Davis.
General Hammond looked at his watch. He'd only managed to get three teams back and he needed more time and more men.
"Damn, he's impatient," he muttered to himself. "Activate the MALP," he ordered.
A picture of Kissain came on line and Hammond could plainly see Colonel O'Neill behind him tied to a post. His mouth compressed into a tight line at the sight.
"This is General Hammond. I still need more time."
"Time is running out, General," stated Kissain. "Especially for your Colonel here."
"You kill him, you get nothing."
"Oh, he need not die yet General, but I think you need something to speed things up."
He stepped closer to Jack, brandishing a knife. His features bore an evil grin as he slashed the front of Jack's shirt open, drawing some blood with it. He then slashed at the bandages on his body, pulling them away and throwing them to the ground.
Jack's body was a mass of bruises and red welts; a vivid raw scar ran down his left side. As the knife flashed into Jack's hazy vision he stiffened slightly …
The stream of words Jack let fly at the commander weren't in any language the General understood, but he didn't need a translator to see the effect they had on the man as he struck Jack across the face with his hand, his surprise at the language evident on his face.
General Hammond stiffened. "Kissain, I need more time."
"Then I suggest you hurry General." Kissain slid the blade into the scar. Colonel O'Neill jerked his head up, his face showing his agony.
"You will not make a fool of me again, Colonel, nor my men. Your grasp of our language is very good. You hid your knowledge well"
Kissain opened up the scar and pulled the blade out, twisting it cruelly. He gave a smile of satisfaction as blood and pus began to pour from the wound.
"I suggest you hurry General," he called.
xoxoxoxoxoxo