On a Slow Ride Through Molasses – Part four

Daniel felt like he had barely gotten to sleep when he was shaken awake. He lifted his head, surprised to see Sam kneeling beside him. She put a finger to her lips in a gesture for silence, whispering.

"We have a visitor.

He sat up quickly, looking around as he grabbed for his glasses. The vague shape in the far corner of the room coalesced into the solid figure of a small thin man, dressed in the familiar yellow overalls of the guards.

"What's going on?"

"That's what we're about to find out, but he brought a present." She held out a key, gesturing to Daniel's hand. It took a few seconds of jiggling, but his wrist was soon released from the cuff. Sam lowered the now loose chain gently, careful to prevent any noise as it fell to the ground.

"How's Jack?"

"He's awake, but I don't think he's taking much in." Daniel looked towards the two figures, still on the floor where they had been when he fell asleep. Jack was wrapped in one of the blankets, the crude bandage made from a piece of Teal'c's shirt bound over the cut on his head. Sam continued, "Teal'c managed to get some more water into him though, so that's something."

Daniel made to move towards his teammates, but was stopped by Sam. She put a hand on his arm and shook her head. "We need you to help find out what's happening. He's . . . ," she gestured with her head towards the guard, ". . . a bit hard to understand."

"But . . . "

Daniel was about to protest, only to have his words cut off as Sam continued in a harsh whisper. "I know you want to be with the Colonel, so do I, but I need you to focus. This may be our best chance to get out of here."

Daniel nodded, knowing she was right, and moved as quietly as possible to the group huddled together on the far side of the cell. Lou looked up at their approach.

"Daniel, this is Jaahn Fegul. He says he wants to help us escape. Jaahn, this is Daniel Jackson."

Jaahn made a strange gesture with his left hand that Daniel took to be a greeting. "I was just explaining to Major Ferretti that we must leave immediately, or we will be discovered." His English was good, but spoken with a heavy accent. He repeated the gesture, and Daniel realized it wasn't a greeting, but instead indicated urgency.

Lou looked to Sam and Daniel knew they had reached some unspoken agreement when he nodded. "Alright - Bob, you help Teal'c with Colonel O'Neill." He turned away from Lieutenant Rutledge and back to the local man. "How do we get past the guards on the gate?"

Jaahn shook his head, frowning. "No, we cannot go through the Circle. It is much too heavily guarded. I will hide you in a house in the nearby town and lay a false trail into the hills."

"We need to get Jack."

Once again Daniel's protests were cut off, as the small man stood, his expression almost one of anger. "I have risked much to free you. If you continue to delay it will be for nothing. Come!"

There was nothing more to say, so Daniel nodded, hurrying to where Teal'c was already standing, one of Jack's arms over his shoulder, while Rutledge had the other one. Daniel understood why Ferretti had picked the Lieutenant for the job as his height was only an inch or so under Teal'c's, making the task of carrying Jack easier. Daniel gathered up the discarded blanket, along with two more, not sure what they would find at their destination, and followed the others out the door. He was near the back of the group, Captain Jones taking the rear position.

They hurried through the dimly lit corridors, pausing at each corner to wait for Jaahn to give the go ahead. Jaahn halted their progress only once, motioning for them to hide in an unoccupied cell, then beckoning them out. Not long after that, they reached the entrance to the jail. There Jaahn halted them again, and after a rapid consultation with Sam and Lou, disappeared into a side room. Daniel could hear voices and assumed their guide was distracting the guards, a supposition confirmed when Lou waved them forward. Daniel followed Sam down the narrow passage and out into the open. She took a sharp left turn and disappeared from view, followed closely by the rest of the group and Daniel hurried to catch up.

"Come on." Ferretti's voice had him staring in surprise, and he realized the major had stayed behind to make sure they were all out safely. His thoughts naturally turned to Jack and he began to run, soon coming alongside Teal'c. He didn't say anything, knowing silence was essential, but took a second to scan his friend's appearance quickly. Jack's head was down and he seemed to have lost consciousness once more - not surprising considering his weakened state.

Footsteps sounded from behind them and Lou spun, stepping in front of the others, but relaxed a little at the sight of the local man hurrying toward them.

"This way." He pushed his way to the front and led the way towards the cluster of buildings a short distance from the large jail building. Soon they were traveling through winding streets, moving further into the city. Tall buildings brushed shoulders with smaller ones, empty stalls lining the sides of the wider roads. It was at least half an hour before they came to a large house surrounded by a high stone wall. Trees thickly blanketed the windows, and the whole property had an air of neglect. Jaahn pushed the heavy gate open.

Sam entered first, followed by Captain Jones. A few minutes later the captain beckoned them in and they stumbled up a short graveled path lined on each side by overgrown bushes until they reached the open door of the house.

A short hall led to a large room, empty except for a rickety table. The room looked as if it hadn't been used in months, thick dust covering every surface. Daniel spotted a small fireplace in the centre of the wall to the left of the door and went to it. He laid one of the blankets he carried down and called Teal'c and Rutledge over. They carefully placed Jack on the blanket and Daniel covered him while Teal'c folded the third into a makeshift pillow.

"Is he dead?"

Daniel glared up at their benefactor, annoyed by the cool tone in his voice.

"No. Is there any water or food?"

Jaahn pointed towards the door. "The kitchen is through there. The water should still be running, but I will have to bring you food."

"Colin, go check out this kitchen. Take Van with you." Captain Jones and Lieutenant Nguyen quickly followed Ferretti's orders.

"Now maybe someone will tell me what's going on," said Daniel. "I'm beginning to feel like I've fallen asleep half way through a movie and missed most of the plot."

Lou shrugged. "There's not much to tell. Jaahn approached me when he did the regular check just after you fell asleep. When he said he'd help us escape and showed us the keys, we just ran with it. There didn't seem much to lose under the circumstances." His gaze moved to Jack's position and then back to Daniel.

"Did he say why he was helping us?"

"Nope," Lou shook his head, "but then we haven't exactly had time to chat. What say we go find out?" Lou gave Sam a nod and she joined them.

Jaahn was staring down at Jack, a look on his face that Daniel found impossible to interpret. He turned at their approach and took a few steps away from the fireplace, perching his hip on the table.

"I suppose you want to know why I'm helping you." He didn't wait for them to reply, continuing without pause. "Our country has been under the domination of the Goa'uld for centuries. Only a few question our obedience. I am one of them." He smiled crookedly, as if slightly embarrassed. "I was supervising the prisoners serving refreshments at a meeting of the Governor and his council when I heard them discussing you. The Tau'ri's fame has reached even here and the Governor has already told the Goa'uld we serve he has you."

"What Goa'uld?" Sam interjected, exchanging worried looks with the others.

"Lord Cronus."

"Hell!" Lou's exclamation summed it up neatly. Daniel heard a grunt from Teal'c and looked over to see his teammate standing and coming to join them.

"Cronus is coming here?" His face was impassive, but Daniel could hear the edge in his voice.

Jaahn gave the Jaffa a startled glance before turning back to Lou, answering as if it had been the major who answered the question. "Lord Cronus is indeed coming in person. The Governor was quite excited by that. Cronus hasn't visited our country personally for many generations. That was why I had to move quickly. If I had waited one more day Cronus would have removed you from our planet."

"And why exactly did you do that?" Sam questioned. "What's in it for you?"

The man gave her a confused look before once again turning to Lou. "If you're asking what reward I gain from my actions, I hope you will be allies in our fight. Without help we will never be free of the Goa'uld."

"A noble cause." Teal'c's gruff voice pulled Daniel's attention to his friend. "May I ask how many are of like-mind?"

This time Jaahn answered him directly, albeit with a look of distaste on his face as if he'd just swallowed something that disagreed with him. "We are many, however our number is spread amongst several cities and towns. Here in Jagoitvic I lead more than one hundred."

"How do you plan to get us past the guard on the Gate?" Daniel brought the conversation back to the point, mindful of Jack's condition.

"We must wait for the right moment. I will contact some of my men and they will watch the Circle. When they have reported the situation we can make plans. It is getting light - I will have to hurry so as not be been seen. Hopefully your escape will not be noticed for some time."

"I'll come with you." Lou straightened, ready to leave. "We need supplies as well." He looked towards Jack. "Especially food."

"And something to carry water in." Captain Jones's voice came from the door. "There's nothing here at all. The water is fine, but I don't know how we'll get it to the Colonel."

"No!" Jaahn almost shouted, his tone emphatic, "You cannot come with me, you would be too conspicuous and your presence would endanger my men." He raised a hand at Lou's protest. "No. I do not have time to argue. Stay here and keep as quiet as possible. I shall bring food when I return." He was already half out the door before they could protest, then turned with a last comment. "Do not use the fireplace. This house has been empty for months and any smoke would attract notice."

Lou made as if to follow, but obviously thought better of it. He eyed the others, one eyebrow raised in a quizzical look. "Opinions?"

"I don't see that we have much choice but to do as Jaahn suggested." Sam moved towards Jack as she spoke, lowering her voice slightly as she approached the injured man.

Daniel snorted as he followed. "Ordered more like."

"You have to remember, he risked his life to free us." She turned back to Lou. "Are you planning on sending someone out to reconnoiter?

"I'll get Jones and Rutledge to take a look around the grounds, but I don't want them going into the city - it's too risky." The two members of SG-2 nodded in response. "Find the best place to observe what's going on outside, Colin, maybe in one of those trees near the wall, just be careful you're not seen. Send Bob back to report."

"What about us?"

Daniel replied before Lou could, knowing he'd spotted the same thing. "I don't think it would be a good idea if either you or Teal'c were seen. Jaahn's attitude reflected what little I've observed of this culture since our capture. It appears to be a white, male dominated society. It's best if you both kept your heads down until we know more."

"I agree. I also think the same applies to Van." Lou gave the young Lieutenant a half smile of apology. "But could you both give the house a thorough check? You know what to look for - especially the most defendable room if we need it."

Sam grimaced. "I'm really looking forward to finding a society where it's the white males who are treated as second rate citizens. I think I'd be tempted to move there." She knelt, her knees knocking dust into the air. Teal'c had already resumed his position beside Jack and didn't look like he was willing to move any time soon. "He looks a little better."

Teal'c nodded in agreement. "We should attempt to give him more water."

"We'll make finding something to carry it in our first priority." Sam stood, brushing off her knees, and with a gesture for Van to accompany her, left to carry out the tasks assigned her.

Daniel took her place beside Jack, noting the unnatural pallor of his skin, but Sam was right - he did look a little better. Just as he was thinking that, his friend's eyes opened and he squinted up at him as if the light hurt them, before moving his gaze off his face to look around the room.

"Hey." Daniel spoke softly.

"Dan . . ." Jack swallowed and tried again, his voice hoarse from long disuse. "Where?"

Lou moved from his position near the door and was with them in a few short strides. "Hi, Colonel. We've escaped. We're holed up in a house in the city. Don't worry, we'll have you back home in no time."

"Water?" The word was accompanied by the licking of his lips.

Daniel reached out and touched Jack's shoulder. "We're working on that."

"Good." And Jack fell asleep once more.