Soldiers of Misfortune – part 6
"Daniel Jackson, I can hear Major Carter calling," said Teal'c.
"Wonder if they've found something," mused Daniel absently as he stretched. He'd been sitting, going through various papers steadily, without a break for a while now.
Teal'c stepped outside the building to attract Sam's attention.
"Teal'c, thank God. Where's Daniel?" she panted.
Teal'c observed her distressed state and the blood on her hands and clothing.
"You are hurt?" he enquired gently.
"No, no it's the Colonel. Where's Daniel?"
"I will get him."
Sam leaned over to catch her breath, her hands on her knees.
Daniel appeared with Teal'c a moment later.
"Sam, are you okay? Where's Jack?"
"The Colonel's been stabbed. It looks bad. Come on, I don't know how much time we've got before the Karmine come for us."
Sam led them back to the Doctor's house at a fast pace.
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Jack was still resting on the table, half holding the pad. His head moved as they came in.
"Daniel?" he murmured as the man in question came nearer.
"Yeah, Jack, it's me. Take it easy." Daniel could see Jack was having a hard time focusing. He saw the man blinking rapidly trying to clear his vision.
"Ugh, feel sick," slurred Jack, trying unsuccessfully to sit himself up.
Teal'c calmly collected a receptacle and moved around the table to lift Jack and gently support him as he retched. Daniel got some water ready and soaked a dressing, pressing it to the back of his friend's neck. Jack's vomiting became just a few dry heaves, painful to say the least. Sam gave him a few sips of water. The heaving had made the bleeding worse and blood was seeping copiously through the pad Jack still half held.
"Damn, we've got to stop this bleeding," said Sam as she removed Jack's hand and applied more dressings and heavier pressure.
Jack flinched as she pressed, but Sam held on, determined. The blood he'd already lost had soaked through the waistband of his trousers and spread down. The stain was a dark rust color, a pool of red already spreading along the table.
"Dare we ask for help?" asked Daniel.
Sam shook her head. "We already know what they do to the injured, Daniel."
Teal'c propped Jack up on some blankets he found. "It will require stitching at the very least," he commented.
"I knew someone would say that," mumbled Jack.
"We've no drugs we can safely use," said Sam pointedly.
The injured man groaned. "I knew that one was coming too."
Sam managed a faint smiled at his words, in spite of the worry she felt. Daniel began a rummage through the drawers and cabinets, producing the necessary items.
Teal'c moved around the couch. "I will stitch if you prefer." Sam nodded gratefully. "O'Neill, it will be better if you can lie on your right side to give me better access."
Jack nodded and Teal'c assisted him to turn. Sam moved around to stand at the head of the couch. She seemed unsure of what to do as Teal'c readied the needles and threads.
"This will hurt O'Neill," said Teal'c as he removed the dressings ready to begin.
"Ya think, mumbled Jack.
The blood ran freely when the pressure was removed. Daniel did his best to keep the blood mopped as Teal'c began to sew. The wound was around four inches long, and ragged where the knife had twisted. Ao how deep, this was something they couldn't really tell, and as to what unseen damage was done, they could only hope for the best.
Jack flinched and swore as the needle penetrated.
"You must stay still O'Neill."
"It's a bit … hard to," gasped Jack. His hands were curling and clenching into fists.
Sam saw the motion and puts hers into his grasp. He took hold and squeezed when the needle penetrated again. It must have seemed forever before Teal'c was finished, and Jack was sweating freely.
He moaned. "Jeez, never thought I'd wish for Doc and the infirmary."
"I'll remember to tell her that," said Sam.
"Don't you dare Major, and that's … an order," he panted. He twisted his head to look down at the stitches. "Hey, pretty neat, T."
He flinched again as Teal'c pressed a clean dressing in place and taped it.
"Your arm?" he enquired.
"You're no way stitching that," complained Jack.
"I shall be the judge of that O'Neill."
"Crap, now you even sound like the Doc," moaned Jack as Teal'c removed the bandaging and Daniel helped to remove the jacket so that he could inspect the arm.
It was a long gash, but not deep and Teal'c moved over while Sam cleaned and dressed it.
"How long …" he paused and took a breath, "How long have we been here?"
"Maybe a couple of hours," said Daniel.
"We need to get back … if those transporters have arrived …" Jack stopped speaking and attempted to rise unsteadily.
"Sir, I don't think …" Sam started to protest.
"Major, if I can't walk, you may as well just shoot me now. They'll do no less, believe me," groaned Jack as he sat up with further assistance from Teal'c. He swung his long legs down with a hiss of pain and clutched at the wound.
Teal'c watched as the man swayed, ready to assist. He understood perfectly what O'Neill was telling the others.
Jack pushed himself off the table to stand, but would have fallen except for the strong arm Teal'c gave him.
"Thanks buddy. Let's get back," said Jack from between clenched teeth.
Teal'c paused to help Jack back into his jacket, holding him tightly lest the swaying man should fall, and staying still until at last the man seemed to straighten a little.
Daniel and Sam had begun stuffing dressings and anything else they thought might be useful into their pockets, ever grateful for the many pockets the fatigues offered.
Teal'c helped Jack to walk - to try and keep a straight line.
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Daniel shook his head and caught Sam's eye. He could see his thoughts mirrored in her eyes. They were each wondering what the hell was keeping Jack up. The blood loss alone was bad enough. They could only hope that nothing major had been caught with the blade.
Daniel watched his friend's unsteady gait and shaking limbs. He was desperately thinking how on Earth they would get him onboard without detection. He saw Jack stagger, as though drunk and the Jaffa held him tighter. 'Drunk, that's it,' he thought. "Sam, you help Jack get back. I need Teal'c for a while."
Sam threw him a questioning look, but Daniel shook his head. "We won't be long," he promised.
Sam gave him a nod and took Teal'c's place to assist the Colonel.
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It seemed to take an age before they reached the area where they had left everyone. Sam lowered Jack down in the shade of a building, letting the wall support his back, keeping a little distance between themselves and the men, thankful there was no sign of the Karmine.
It was only a short while in reality before Daniel and Teal'c joined them, but it seemed forever.
Daniel had several bottles in his arms and Teal'c was heaving a large sack that clinked, indicating a similar load. Daniel dropped to his knees besides Sam and let the bottles roll to the floor. Sam picked one up and uncorked it to sniff.
"Alcohol?" she asked, puzzled.
"Give Jack a good slug while we pass these out." He picked up all but two of the bottles and joined Teal'c handing out his load to the men.
Sam roused the Colonel, who when he realized what she was offering, gave her a grin.
"You trying to get me drunk Major?" he leered slightly.
Sam blushed a little and shrugged. "Daniel's plan.".
"It's a good plan." Jack grinned before taking a good slug of the alcohol.
Daniel was back quickly. He watched as Jack took his first swallow and coughed harshly.
"Rough," he spluttered and took another slug.
"Just a couple more, the rest is going over you."
"Daniel, you're a genius," coughed Jack, following orders with relish.
Sam still looked mystified.
"Jack won't be staggering on his own with a bit of luck," explained Daniel, nodding towards where Teal'c was still doling out the bottles.
Sam grinned as the light dawned. "Good plan. Just as long as they don't shoot everyone that's drunk."
"Way to go then," said Jack and took another large slug.
Daniel made a grab for the bottle. "Go easy. You're meant to stagger, not pass out," he said alarmed at how quickly the bottle was emptying.
Jack held onto the bottle with grim determination. "Hey, I'll walk better drunk, I promise." He smirked, taking another slug as Daniel relented and let go.
"It'll help with the pain I suppose," said Sam.
Jack smiled. "Almost as good as Doc's happy juice."
"Don't drink too much though Sir," pleaded Sam.
Daniel uncorked another bottle and tipped some over Jack's jacket and took a swallow of the alcohol himself.
He choked, coughing violently as the alcohol burned his throat. "God, rough is the word," he spluttered, his eyes watering. He thrust the bottle at Sam.
"It's not a rough as that moonshine you had the kids make on Abydos," said Jack "Now that stuff would have burnt my shirt."
Daniel grinned at the memory and then burst out laughing as Sam choked a mouthful down as well.
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Jack felt somewhat hazy. The pain was bad, but the alcohol was already making it recede slightly. He took long swallows, savoring the not so unpleasant burn down his gullet.
"I'm glad you only found this after T's surgery. I'd hate for this to be poured on for cleaning it out," he said and then wished he hadn't spoken when he caught sight of Sam's face.
"Actually Sir, that wouldn't be a bad …"
"Ack, I don't want to hear it. If it's infected it's too late now – I'd sooner drink myself stupid."
Daniel grinned. "We thought you'd done that already Jack."
Jack gave Daniel a mock hurt look. "You're outta my will Danny-boy," he slurred slightly and took another slug. The alcohol was taking effect quickly on his empty stomach and combined with the blood loss it overtook his senses quickly.
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By the time the transport arrived more than a few of the men looked the worse for wear. Several vehicles drew up in the village and the Karmine stood waiting. With the shout to board, the doors opened wide.
Teal'c had to get Jack up from where he had sunk into a drunken sleep. He'd finished off almost a full bottle of the alcohol, much to their dismay. He roused as Teal'c heaved him into a standing position, the pain making him more aware, but he held the bottle with grim determination.
He staggered with Teal'c for a couple of steps before Sam moved in front and began to zip up his jacket to try and hid the blood from prying eyes.
"That's better," she said, her hands still on his jacket.
Jack gave her a lop-sided grin. He looked quite drunk, his eyes unfocussed.
"Jeez Carter, can't you stand still …" he slurred.
Sam smiled. "I am Sir, it's you."
"Me?" he mumbled and peered more closely at her face.
His eyes fastened on to hers, the longing in them made her draw a breath and hold it He frowned and opened his mouth as if to speak, then shook his head slightly and closed it again.
Sam blushed slightly, wondering what he'd been going to say at that moment, but Daniel interrupted them with a call to get moving.
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Everyone gyrated towards the vehicles, minus Radnor of course. Teal'c had taken the precaution of hiding the body when he had returned to help Daniel carry the alcohol, in case the Karmine searched the village.
Many of the men were still passing a bottle around, taking a drink as they walked.
Daniel walked in front of Jack and Teal'c with Sam besides him. He waved the bottle and put on a staggering drunk act. Sam walked besides him grinning like an idiot, pretending to take a swallow when Daniel passed the bottle. Teal'c managed to keep Jack upright behind them, but not without some difficulty. The man's drunken gait made it difficult to keep him supported.
Sam saw Soolek moving towards them. He stopped as they drew level with him, halting their progress. She felt her stomach churning.
"What is the meaning of this?" the alien asked in a quiet, deadly voice.
"Hey, Soolin. Spoils of war," cried Jack, seeing the blue man. He waved his bottle at the alien.
Soolek grimaced, with distaste written on his face. "You will regret it tomorrow in battle," he said shortly and dismissed them with a wave of his hand.
Once they were inside the vehicle they all heaved a sigh of relief. Teal'c lowered Jack to the floor.
"Round one over," mumbled the man. His eyes rolled and he lost consciousness.
Daniel took the bottle from Jack's hand and felt for his pulse. "Seems a bit fast, but I think he's just passed out."
"Give me that bottle," called Sam.
Daniel handed it over with a questioning look.
"I need a drink now," she said and took a long swallow. She coughed as the taste brought tears to her eyes, which she didn't bother to wipe as she sank back against the bulkhead for the long ride.
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