On a Slow Ride Through Molasses - Part five
Jack was unable to restrain a groan as Teal'c raised his head, the movement pulling at the gash and sending spikes of pain to join the ones already seemingly taken up permanent residence in his skull. He sipped at the water gratefully, cursing the weakness that prevented him from sitting on his own.
Apparently they'd been in the house for almost three days, not that he remembered much of it. Food had been delivered by their mysterious benefactor, including some soft porridge-like glug that tasted remarkably good – but then anything would taste good after so long without food. And it certainly slipped down his parched throat easily. He could feel his strength returning slowly, but he was still unable to concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time. Carter's explanation of a severe concussion from having his head thumped seemed to fit the symptoms he was experiencing, symptoms he was unfortunately all too familiar with.
From what he could gather, they were holed up in a house, waiting for the opportunity to slip through the stargate. The guard who'd helped them escape wasn't there, having left before light, apparently to meet with his contacts and find out what was going on. He hated lying helplessly while others did all the work, but Ferretti and Carter seemed to think it was all under control. He wondered just how under control it could be with Cronus now on the scene and apparently fully aware who the escapees were.
He stretched his legs, the muscles clenching as he did so. Just getting to the bathroom was difficult, impossible without Teal'c or Daniel's help. The dizziness that plagued him didn't seem to be getting any better, and he had the unfortunate tendency to black out without warning. He knew Carter was worried, but there wasn't anything they could do until they got him back through the gate and into Frasier's hands.
"Jack?"
He started, surprised to find Daniel looming over him. Where had Teal'c gone? And when?
Oh, crap!
"Um?" That was all he could manage as his stomach roiled and he fought to control it. If only Daniel would stop swaying backwards and forwards. He couldn't take it any more, uttering a desperate, "Stand still." It was more of a plea that an order and he knew it came out with a touch of a whimper.
The other man dropped down to sit beside him on the wooden floor. The movement had him shutting his eyes, swallowing convulsively.
"Here."
The familiar shape of a cup was pushed against his hand, but he shook his head, regretting the action as soon as he made it, and waved it away.
"Colonel?"
Oh, good. Now Lou felt the need to join it. If they would just leave him alone, he'd be able to get himself back under control.
"I don't think he's with us properly yet. He blacked out again before and just woke."
Why didn't they shut the hell up? Each word was like a hammer blow to his skull.
"Jaahn's back. He's got a couple of his men with him, and some more supplies – Bob and Colin are helping to bring them into the house."
"Do they need a hand?"
"Nah – leave them to it. It would take a lot less time if Teal'c and Van could help, but they can barely stand to be in the same house as them, let alone the same room."
"Idiots. What about weapons?"
Jack grasped on to the only word of paramount interest to him. "Weapons?"
"No, sir." Ferretti must have knelt, because a hand was placed gently on his shoulder. "It seems they're in short supply and not even every member of the resistance group has one. They're reluctant to give any to us."
He opened his eyes but didn't try looking up, contenting himself with focussing on his own hands. "Let me talk to them."
"I don't think that's a good idea, Jack."
"Did I ask your opinion, Daniel?" He lifted his head, finding the swimming sensation going at last. "Bring this Jaahn here."
"Yes, sir." Ferretti obviously knew an order when he heard one, immediately standing.
Jack pushed himself up, slowly manoeuvring himself into a sitting position against the wall. He grunted as Daniel bent to help, but he had to admit it was only his teammate's strong arm that supported him enough to finally get semi-vertical.
"Are you sure you should be doing this?"
"I'm fine, don't worry about it."
There was a short silence, before Daniel spoke again. "Sam won't be happy."
"She'll get over it." But Jack couldn't help a tiny inward cringe at the thought of Carter's reaction when she found him sitting up. "I'll have that water now, thanks."
Daniel picked the cup up from the floor and lifted it to Jack's lips. Jack instinctively took it in both hands, but their trembling soon had him relinquishing it to Daniel's steadier ones. He winched a little as the liquid touched his still cracked lips, but swallowed as much as he could down in the one go and then sat back, already exhausted.
"Where's Carter?"
"She's at the wall, on watch with Teal'c."
Jack contented himself with a nod as the sound of footsteps had him twisting his head. This was his first real chance to meet the man that had rescued them, having been basically unconscious for most of the last few days and finding almost all of the period before that in the prison, a total blank.
The person walking next to Ferretti was short, white haired, skinny and rather inconsequential in appearance, the sort of man you'd pass by on the street without a second glance. Following him were three men of a completely different type – tall, broad and bulky. They looked like they could give Teal'c a run for his money in a fight. They were staring at him with unconcealed interest and a hint of distain, and he gave each a long look, pleased to see their eyes drop.
"It is good to see you looking better, Colonel. I was about to come check on you when Lou told me you were awake."
Jack contented himself with a small nod. There was something that he didn't like about this man, apart from the use of Ferretti's first name.
"About the weapons…" Out the corner of his eye he saw Daniel shift uncomfortably and was stunned to hear his teammate's voice interrupting him.
"Jack was just saying how grateful he was for your help. He was wondering if we could be provided with weapons to defend ourselves if our position is discovered."
Jack didn't try to disguise his growl of annoyance. "Daniel…"
Once again he found himself being interrupted.
"I really do not have the extra weapons to give you, but I can see your point." Jaahn said as he smiled benignly down. "I'll see what I can do. Maybe one of our hand weapons?" He gestured to the men with him. "These are some of my group – Hans, Kelvin, and Steffen." As he said each name the corresponding head nodded slightly and Jack found himself wincing as his ever-present headache made itself known again. He shut his eyes momentarily, and blinked in shock to find Jaahn already sitting cross-legged next to him. Damn, he thought, this man could move fast.
"Do you feel up to talking, Colonel? I would like to learn more of your world and perhaps I can tell you more of mine."
He could only nod, mindful that they were relying on the man's help to get home. He was pleased to see Daniel also sink to the floor beside him, but less pleased when Jaahn's three companions completed the circle. With a glance to Jack for confirmation, Lou moved off, heading out the room to check the grounds.
"Are they still searching for us?"
Jaahn gave a short laugh at his question. "Indeed they are. Lord Cronus's Jaffa are scouring the countryside, while the guard on the gate has been tripled. The Governor has punished the men on duty the night you escaped – including me." He grimaced. "It wasn't pleasant, but I survived."
"What did they do?" Daniel asked, his tone sympathetic.
"I will not receive any pay for the next three periods and I have been suspended until they conduct an investigation." He smiled smugly. "The investigation is to be held after your recapture."
Daniel looked puzzled. "It seems unusual that Cronus didn't carry out the punishments himself and they seem rather lenient – not the standard Goa'uld reaction."
"That I can explain." Jaahn gave a deep belly laugh and continued. "It seems Lord Cronus had a meeting to attend and couldn't stay, although he has left a large contingent of his men to assure the search is being carried out with thoroughness. From what I was told, the Governor has been given very firm orders that you are to be in custody when he returns."
"No going to happen." Jack grunted the words, feeling the urgent need to fall asleep where he sat. He tried to get the conversation back on track. "The weapons…"
"Daniel tells me your world contains many cities larger than this one. Does each have a Circle?"
"No, we only…"
"How do you plan to get us back through the gate?"
For a moment Jaahn looked annoyed at Jack's cutting off of Daniel's reply, but his face immediately resumed its pleasant smile. "Don't worry – we have it all under control. You can let us handle everything. Just rest and regain your strength."
Jack shook his head. "What exactly do you want from us in return? This world is controlled by Cronus. You should know we can't just free your people from his rule. He's not just a minor Goa'uld, he's one of the System Lords."
"From what I've heard you have freed worlds from Goa'uld rule before. And your SGC is impervious to attack. Perhaps we could make our Circle protected as you have yours."
"We have a special code that prevents…"
"Daniel." This time Jack's voice brooked no argument and Daniel stopped, throwing a startled look in his direction.
Jaahn gave another of his irritating smiles. "I understand. You do not trust us yet, even though we risk our life for you."
"I don't know you." Jack didn't feel the need to mince words – something about the whole situation seemed 'off' and he didn't like it at all. He turned away from Jaahn and back to his teammate. "Go get Major Ferretti."
"Ah, okay, Jack." Daniel threw a quick, apologetic look at the others and stood, hurrying from the room, leaving Jack alone with the four strangers.
Maybe he was overreacting, maybe it was just that he hadn't had a chance to get to know Jaahn. He felt the man's deep blue eyes on him and tried to control the anger that rose without warning.
"Your experience of our world has not been good, I fear. Unfortunately, as the leader, you were singled out for harsh punishment. I think it is good you escaped when you did."
"Thank you." Jack decided a little fence mending wouldn't go astray. "We're grateful for your help." He found his attention drawn to the middle of the three large men. Steffen? There was something vaguely familiar about him. A sudden jolt of pain shot through his head and he sat back, resting his head against the wall once more. "Do you all work in the prison?"
Jaahn shook his head and Jack realised he was yet to hear the others speak a single word. "No, my friends each do different work here in the city. Kelvin is a shopkeeper, Hans is a seller of targam, and Steffen works at the hospital. I am the only one of our group to work in the prison. It was very fortunate that I was assigned as your guard."
"Yes, very fortunate." Jack shut his eyes, willing the dizziness to leave.
"You do not look well, Colonel. There is water here. Would you like some?"
It was a deep voice, and one he thought he should know. He looked at the speaker, only to have the image before him blur as the edge of his vision fogged. Steffen had the water cup and was pouring something into it from a flask, his large hands dwarfing the small container. "Here, drink."
He tried to shake his head, but found the effort too much, unable to keep his eyes open.
"He needs a healer."
For a moment Jack thought Jaahn was talking to him, until Lou's voice replied.
"Yes. He doesn't seem to be getting any better."
"I tried to give him some water, but he refused it."
"Here, sir, you need to drink." The cup was once again put to his lips.
"No, he put..." But his words were soft, and almost impossible for even himself to perceive as he drifted away, the sweet tasting liquid slipping down his throat.
The last thing he heard were merely memories, floating up from a mind growing more confused by the second.
" . . . awake. Did he hear?" Angry voices raised in fierce argument and black agony.