What's Next?
Chapter Four
Jack looked at Sam. She'd gone pale again. Slowly she shook her head and tried to speak but nothing came out of her mouth. Jack stepped in.
"Sir, which operative was he? The first or the second?"
"He was sent in to find Sharl'n, so he's only been missing for 24 hours. The sooner we go in the better."
"Yes sir. Give us ten to gear up and then we'll be right to go."
Nodding, Hammond turned and walked out of the briefing room. Daniel leaned over and grabbed Sam's hand.
"You OK?"
"Yeah Daniel, I'll be fine but we need to find dad and Sharl'n."
"Indeed, Major Carter."
They all stood up and went to get ready. Jack watched Sam all the way to the locker rooms. He'd have to speak to her privately before they left. She needed to take care. As they entered the Gate Room Jack held Sam back but before he could speak she did.
"Jack, I'm fine and I'll be careful but we don't have the time now to get into it."
Jack nodded and let her go. He watched as she joined Daniel and Teal'c at the bottom of the ramp. Hammond's voice came over the speakers.
"The M.A.L.P shows that the area around the gate is clear but it may not be for long. SG1, you have a go."
Jack walked up to the ramp and led his team through. When they stepped through they raised their weapons immediately and scanned the area. Sam dialled home and returned the probe.
"OK, let's go. Daniel which way?"
"That way" he said, pointing east.
Jack headed out with Sam and Daniel followed with Teal'c taking the rear point. They'd been walking for about an hour when Jack held up his first and motioned them to drop. Using his hands he indicated that Sam should join him. She crawled up to him and removed her binoculars. Looking down, she too saw the camp. The general wasn't wrong; it did look like a boot camp. There were Jaffa everywhere. Scanning the area, she saw one tent that had an inordinate amount of Jaffa surrounding it. Elbowing Jack, she pointed to the tent. He swung his binoculars around and looked. Nodding, he motioned for them to fall back.
"O'Neill, it will not be long before patrols begin searching the area. They would know by now that the Stargate had been activated."
"I know Teal'c. Come on, let's get out of here."
"Jack look up there." Daniel was pointing at the cliffs. "There's a cave up there. We might be able to hide in there for a while."
"Good idea Daniel. We'll have a good view from there. Let's go."
Making their way up the cliff, they were careful not to leave any tracks. When they finally reached the cave Jack went in and checked it out. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary in the cave he called the others in. When they had all entered Sam took first watch. Daniel, Teal'c and Jack sat down to work out a rescue plan. Sam listened to the men as they talked. After three years together as a team, they each knew how the others thought. One would only have to mention an idea and the others would take that idea and run with it. Sam smiled, she loved these guys. Daniel and Teal'c were like brothers and Jack was…. Well Jack was the love of her life.
Just then Sam saw movement in the forest below. Motioning for the guys to keep quiet, she raised her P-90. Prepared to battle, they waited while the patrol searched the area. When it passed the path that they had taken without stopping they relaxed a little. Jack looked at Teal'c and raised his eyebrows. That was too easy.
"It would be best to wait. A second patrol will search again in a few hours."
Jack looked at him for a second and then turned and went back to planning the mission. Sam settled in and continued to listen. Adding her comments when they were needed. Finally a plan was agreed upon. Teal'c took over the watch so Sam joined Daniel and Jack. They each had something to eat from the M.R.E's. Drinking from her canteen, she looked up and saw Jack watching her. Caught by his eyes, Sam started back. Remembering their time together at the cabin she went to raise her had and touch his cheek. She only stopped when Teal'c told them that the second patrol had arrived and was searching the area below.
Once again the patrol missed the path, which Jack found very unusual. When the patrol had moved on Jack decided to wait before leaving the cave. The cover of night would be of great benefit to the mission. Just as night was falling they left the cave with Jack once again taking point. Slowly they made their way down the cliff. They headed for the camp. When they reached the outskirts, they dropped behind some rocks and scanned the area. Jack couldn't help thinking that this was going to easy. With this many Jaffa, they should have encountered more resistance. The only Jaffa still in the camp was the half a dozen that were surrounding the tent.
Signalling the others, they made their way towards the tent. Fanning out, they came at it from different directions. Jack had just raised his gun when he heard a sneeze. Oh crap, was all he had time to think before the Jaffa he was about to attack from behind turned towards him. As soon as he realised what was going to happen, Jack raised his P-90 and fired. The moment he discharged his weapon all hell broke loose. Seeing Sam across the clearing he motioned for her to make for the tent as he laid down cover fire. Nodding her understanding, she made a run for the tent. Firing his weapon, he saw Sam run into the tent.
"Dad."
"Sam. Kiddo, what are you doing here?"
"Saving your butt old man."
"Funny, you've been hanging around Jack to much."
Jacob's head dropped for a second. When he raised his head again Sam knew that she was talking to Selmac."
"Samantha, you're father is not well. We must go."
"What about Sharl'n?'
"He died just not that long ago. They tortured him but he died valiantly, not giving them what the wanted. Help us up and we shall go."
Just then, Jack burst into the tent.
"Carter, we have to go now. Where's Sharl'n?"
"He's dead Colonel. It's just Dad."
"OK, let's go. Daniel and Teal'c have headed back to the gate. We don't have a lot of time."
Jack slid his arm around Jacob and helped him out of the tent. Sam kept her eyes open and headed for the gate. As they exited the forest and made for the DHD Jack saw a Jaffa raise his staff weapon and aim at Sam. Before he could call out a warning Sam took a blast in her back. Jack took aim and shot the Jaffa. Turning to look at Sam he saw her hit the ground and not move. Both Jack and Jacob screamed out her name. Jacob gathered his strength and with Selmac's help, he ran over to his daughter's side. As he knelt beside her another blast was shot and hit him. Jacob collapsed beside her. Jack tried to see where Daniel and Teal'c were. Looking to his left he saw a pair of combat boots only about 2 feet away. Jack crawled over. He found Daniel and Teal'c lying there. Their vacant eyes staring up at him.
Jack looked back at the gate. Neither Sam nor Jacob had moved. Everyone was dead. He needed to be near her no matter what. Surprisingly, no blasts were shot as he made his way over to her.
"NO…Sam….don't leave me now. I love you. I need you."
