Summary: Daniel Jackson is wounded and SG1 is forced to abandon him on an alien world, but is he really alone? And who are the strange creatures that come through the Stargate? Are they truly as friendly as they claim? Or is it merely another enemy ploy?
Author's Note: First SG1 fanfic I've ever written. Second fanfic ever, actually. I do more original fantasy than fantiction. Commentary is welcome, even the negative, so long as the reviewer is polite.
Disclaimer: The Stargate personnel and reality belongs to whoever wrote the series. Leiko belongs to me, and Ravindra to my soul-sister Rave.
Returning From the Stars
By Leiko
Section 1: Lost and Found
Ravindra nudged the prone form with her beak. Nothing. No movement, no breath. A wound in his side revealed the reason.
"Captain! You need to see this."
Within minutes a black-and-red cybernetic gryffin came to stand beside her red-and-purple comrade. She watched the unconscious man for a moment before speaking.
"Not very lively, is he?"
"No. Technology looks human, though. Check out that radio he's got strapped to his vest."
The two gryffins studied the small radio unit that was secured to the man's bulky black vest. They looked closely at the uniform, reading the few words on the patches.
"Looks American. Didn't know humans had found their way out this far. Must have advanced since we were there."
"So you think he's from Earth, Captain?"
The black cyborg said nothing, merely contemplating the nearly dead creature at her feet.
"Can't see any other explanation. And don't call me captain. We're not on the ship. It's silly for my own sister to be so formal when no one's about but us."
"Sorry, Leiko. Force of habit."
There was another moment of silence as the two continued to stare at the human. Finally, Ravindra spoke.
"Any theories on how he got out this far? We'd have detected a ship, so he couldn't have one of those anywhere near."
"I just said I thought he was from Earth. I'm not a telepath, and even if I was he's unconscious. Near death, I'd say."
Ravindra paused as she accessed her long-range scanning systems. She turned back to Leiko with a worried look.
"There are at least two dozen humanoids to the north. They seem to be moving in several groups, and I'm getting some strange energy readings. Think he belongs to them?"
"If they're human, probably. Let's..."
The two cyborgs jerked as a wave of power shocked their systems. Rave was the first to recover her senses.
"Captain, someone just activated a massive energy source. We should check it out."
"I agree, Rave. But we can't leave him lying there, near to death as he is. I don't like humans, but I won't leave one to die. I'll carry him if you lead the way. Besides, you're better at homing than I am."
"Aye, Captain."
"I told you not to call me that when it's just us."
"Very well, Cap...er...Leiko."
The two cybernetic sisters raced through the forest towards the power source. With Rave's help, Leiko had secured the unconscious man's body between the two great engines on her back so he'd not be jostled about so terribly. They moved faster than any human ever could have. And, despite their great size, they moved with relative silence. The flowing movements of a beast, and the precise foot placement of a machine. These qualities combined to give the fifteen and ten foot tall gryffins stealth in the forested terrain.
As they drew near the source of the power surge, the cyborgs came to a stop and crept, unseen, through the shrubs. A great number of humanoid bodies were tramping through the forest. They were dressed in some sort of armor and carried staffs of a most peculiar design. They seemed to be looking for something. Rave and Leiko took extra care to stay out of their sight as they continued towards the power source. Not an easy task for such large and brightly colored beasts.
"Sir, we can't wait any longer. We have to go now!"
"Not yet, Carter. Daniel's still out there. I won't leave a man behind."
"O'Neill, I saw Daniel Jackson fall when hit by the blast of a staff weapon. He could not have survived such an injury. He is dead."
"We don't know that for sure, Teal'c."
An energy blast hit near where Colonel Jack O'Neill crouched, sending as shower sparks into his face. The man ducked, moving closer to Major Samantha Carter to avoid being hit by a second blast. He exchanged a long look with his second in command, then met eyes with Teal'c. None of them wished to leave Dr. Daniel Jackson, but the enemy Jaffa were closing in, and they were greatly outnumbered.
O'Neill sighed. He knew what he had to do, but it was perhaps one of the most difficult decisions a command officer could make. He had to take what was left of his team and go through the Stargate. He had to leave one of his men behind on the alien planet.
"Carter, Teal'c. Get through the gate. I'll cover you."
"Colonel..."
"I'll be right behind you, Major. Now go, before the Jaffa get any closer."
The three figures leaped through the great circular portal as energy blasts hit all around them. Jack O'Neill paused, glancing back into the forest, searching for any sign of Daniel. The colonel then went through the Stargate, and the portal closed behind him.
"Those humans were dressed like our wounded friend. Must be associates."
"And they've disappeared through that big metal thing, so we're stuck with him."
The two gryffins noticed that a great number of armored forms were converging on the circular object. There were too many. They'd have to leave right then or surely be discovered, and neither wanted war so early in the morning.
"Back to the ship, Rave. We'll see if there's anything to be done for the human."
Rave gave her sister a sly look.
"So we're keeping him? You always did have a thing for human males, Leiko."
Leiko glared at the golden-eyed gryffin. She was not amused, not in the least. Her green gaze burned into Rave's, and the red gryffin turned away.
"I was just joking."
"Not funny. Now shut up and help navigate back to the pod. We need the Medical Officer to take a look at this guy before he's too far gone."
The two cybergryffins crept away from the Stargate. They reached their pod after an hour's journey. Once the human was secured in a holding cell, the pod was activated and the two navigated their craft back to the great ship that orbited the planet. The human remained unconscious throughout, and Captain Leiko wondered just who the man was, and why he had been on the planet. Perhaps, if their efforts prevailed, he would tell them himself.