I'd like to make it clear that although this story involves incidents in Iraq, I have no affiliations with any political group or any other concerned in that country whatsoever and anything contained in these pages is purely fictional, coming entirely from my imagination. I mean no disrespect to any organisation or people herein.
Thank you so much for your reviews, they're really great guys.
Shannon K – I'm glad you took the risk in reading this, and that you are enjoying it, so I hope I don't disappoint you with the following chapters. I'm trying to stay away from the Political issues, merely concentrating on the Stargate aspect. The reality out there is simply an aid with which to tell my story. I do hope your husband stays safe during his tour of duty.
Title: Unity.
Author: LetitiaRichards.
Previously:
Daniel took stock of Jack's visible injuries. The leg wound was swollen and an ugly burn scarred the flesh; the bandage he'd applied days ago was missing. He knew about the broken ribs; he'd definitely heard them snap. Jack's face was badly bruised and swollen too, his eyes both blackened and puffy. If Jack could see anything out of them it would have been a miracle. His bare arms bore signs of abuse too, and a couple of oddly crooked fingers were swollen and held stiffly, obviously broken too, Daniel thought sadly. There were rough gouges of bloodied skin where the ropes had eroded the flesh from his wrists and ankles, where they'd held him down. He guessed that they considered him too far gone to attempt an escape in his condition.
They were wrong.
Chapter 13
With an effort, Jack lifted his head and peered myopically at his friend.
"Daniel?" he whispered. "They gone?"
"Yes Jack. We're alone in here."
Jack attempted to push himself up awkwardly.
"Jack don't. You're hurt..."
"Ya think!" came the gasped reply with a little wry twist of his lips followed by a groan as he tried to move towards Daniel.
Daniel should have known better of course. Since when would Jack ever lie there passively without trying to effect an escape. Jack never gave up.
Jack lurched clumsily to his feet, cursing in pain, and stumbled over to Daniel.
He tugged at the ropes holding Daniel's right hand with fingers that barely worked, until eventually the hand was free, and Jack's were now bleeding. Daniel quickly untied the other hand while Jack had dropped to the floor in exhaustion and was attempting to untie Daniel's ankles before the two of them were discovered trying to escape.
Daniel was now free and ran to the window to find it barred on the other side of the shutters; the view wasn't an inspiring one either; there was nothing to take cover behind or hide from the inevitable troops that would be looking for them.
The only escape seemed to be through the door. He helped Jack get up, and slung his arm round his shoulder as they staggered to the door. This wasn't going to be easy. Jack pushed against him, dropping to the floor in agony.
"No Daniel. Not me. You. Go now. Get out of here. I'll never make it," Jack gasped for the breath he couldn't quite take in. Pain was robbing him of his normal functions, his body too weak to make it far.
"Don't say that Jack, come on. I'm not leaving without you."
"Go, for cryin' out loud Daniel. Just do as I ask for once!" Jack sobbed wearily; too far gone in pain to care for his own safety.
"No!"
"No-one is going anywhere Dr. Jackson, Colonel O'Neill," Hassim said as he re-entered the room, neither of them had realised the door had opened as they'd argued, and Daniel leapt a mile in the air, spinning round to face the Arab. Hassim signalled his men to move in and they took their displeasure out on the two captives, leaving them both unconscious.
OoOoOoOoO
Sam was practically beside herself with worry. It had been a week now since they'd heard the devastating news of the capture. How could Jack survive so long if he'd been wounded during the original rescue mission? Surely there wasn't much hope for him now, especially if they were no nearer finding him than they were back then.
She argued within herself, not ready to accept the worst if they should die before they could implement a rescue, but trying to think in practical terms. Loss of blood; no medical attention; insufferable heat; probable physical abuse; and perhaps starvation and dehydration, didn't add up to survival in her books. Not to mention any mental abuse they might subject them to. This outlook only succeeded in making her more determined to find her friends and more worried about what she would find once they did locate their whereabouts.
The General hadn't heard from the kidnappers, but they had contacted the US Government demanding a ransom for the two men. The price was far too extortionate for them to pay up without question, so it was down to Sam and her colleagues to effectively free them, and deal with the terrorists whichever way the encounter went.
There was a knock on her door and she opened it to find a young guard who informed her that General Kelly would like to see her in his office.
He saluted smartly which she returned, and followed him to the General's office, where he knocked on the door and then opened it for her.
"Thank you Airman." He saluted her again and she entered the General's workplace.
"Ah!" he said looking up at her with a smile. He'd come to really like the Major during the short time she had been there. He understood her concerns. Colonel O'Neill was indeed a lucky man to have such loyal people under his command, he mused, especially the efficient and very attractive Major. "We've just had some news," he said looking up at her as an eager smile lit her face.
"You have sir?"
"Yes. It seems that a young lad arrived at the gates this morning, and wanted to see someone in charge. He was searched and taken to the detainment centre, and interrogated. He said he knew where Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson are being held."
Sam felt hope rising up inside her at his words.
"Where are they sir?" she asked, trying not to get her hopes up too high. They'd had so called leads before and had been disappointed.
"In an old deserted house up in the mountains. It's isolated and difficult terrain to traverse. You'll have your work cut out Major. There's not much cover I'm afraid."
"We'll manage sir. What's the map reference?"
They spent the next half an hour pouring over the map and discussing tactics. Then Sam left the office full of optimism that this time the intelligence they'd received would prove positive. She now had to gather Teal'c and the rest of the SGC crew together to work out the details.
After deep consultations and debating they were ready to move.
The deadline was set for tonight.
Operation Rainbow was scheduled to begin at 2000hrs.
OoOoOoOoO
The two hawk helicopters swept over the ridge of the mountainous area and then hovered low over the thin crest to disgorge it's passengers and their gear. They took off again to find a more stable and secure place to await the call from Major Carter.
She called a conference just to make sure everyone knew exactly what to do. Satisfied with their responses, she ordered them to move out.
The seven man team moved stealthily towards their target in the darkness, lit only by bright moonlight. Teal'c sure footed and confident, led the way over what could be classed as dangerous territory.
As soon as the large rambling house came into view, they stopped and studied its layout. There were several guards, but nothing too obvious; they obviously didn't want to attract too much attention to themselves.
Sam's hopes rose as she saw only three guards around the area outside, but how many were actually inside, remained to be seen.
They broke off into two teams. Major Ferretti and his men would take on the guards inside and out and Sam and Teal'c would search for their team-mates, hoping that they were there of course.
Synchronizing their watches, they put Operation Rainbow to the test.
Ferretti and his men, dealt with the guards outside in silence, quietly slitting their throats while they patrolled the area. The enemy never knew what hit them.
They then moved towards what appeared to be the main entrance where several more guards were seen relaxing; smoking, playing some card game of sorts and generally chatting among themselves.
Ferretti set a block of C4 against the door, triggered to explode when it opened; he then left one man to lie in wait should the occupants try climbing from the little window; that is, those that if any, survived the initial explosion.
Two clicks on his radio, alerted Sam that they were in position.
She and Teal'c entered via the rear door. They surprised one guard who was about to yell for help but Teal'c silenced him before he could work his vocal chords.
They moved forward slowly, wondering where their friends were being held. Gradually they eliminated most of the rooms within reach, before they discovered the stairs leading down to the darkened cellar.
Sam followed Teal'c, keeping a watch on their sixes as they descended.
There were two rooms, both of which were situated at the end of a long passageway hewn from the solid rock below them. Seeing no immediate danger Sam hurried to the first door.
It was locked securely, but she dropped down the tiny hatch and could just make out Daniel sitting with his back to the wall, knees up and his arms resting on them; his head was bowed. She couldn't tell what state he was in from there, it was too dark to see properly.
"Daniel!" she whispered, fearful of being overheard.
Daniel rose his head up slightly, listening. Had he heard his name? Was it Jack calling him? He doubted Jack could even whisper in his condition. They'd tortured and beaten him mercilessly.
"Daniel!" Sam called again, risking speaking a little louder.
"Sam?" came the incredulous response.
He moved with difficulty towards the door.
"Sam? Is it really you?"
"Yes Daniel. We've come to take you home."
TBC
