I'm working for the next three weeks, so I won't be able to update Jackie's story as often. I will try and get a chapter out every two days, but I'm writing a new story of my own, plus I need to do another part of my General Jack series as well, so I won't promise anything. I will do my best.

I'm glad you all seem to be enjoying Jackie's story - thanks for the reviews.

Flatkatsi

Soldiers of Misfortune – part 9

It wasn't long before Sam felt Jack's fevered movements and stretched cautiously to avoid hurting him as she moved.

"Sorry, I must have fallen asleep," she apologized with a faint blush as she saw his eyes open to regard her blearily.

Jack gave her an amused look. "Hey. Help me sit up a while?"

Sam knew he would struggle alone if she didn't help, so she resigned herself and got up to grab more blankets and cushions to help to prop him up. Jack tried hard to keep the pain from showing as she positioned him against them, but Sam was watching him closely

"That's better," he ground out, trying to breathe past the fresh waves, until it settled down. The relief from the heat helped, along by the cool cloth Sam pressed to him once more.

Sam passed him a cup of something.

"What's this?" he asked, sniffing it suspiciously. "Aren't you supposed to feed a cold and starve a fever?"

"You need nourishment to help replace the blood you lost. I found a pan full in the cooler. It's delicious. Don't worry I had some earlier."

He smiled. "Well, that makes me feel better, knowing we'll die together."

"It's really good, try it. It's just the gravy I scooped out for you," she urged.

Jack took a few cautious sips, hoping it would remain inside of him. He eventually managed to drink half of it down, making Sam feel happier from the looks of her.

"Any idea how long they've been gone?" he asked, trying very hard to keep himself awake. Despite the cooling cloth Sam handed him he was perspiring freely, and he knew it wasn't the heat in the room causing it.

Sam checked her watch. "Almost four hours," she replied quietly. She had checked the street from a window frequently, but found no signs of anyone moving out there.

It was almost another half hour before she let herself check again. This time she caught a glimpse of Alenor and one of the other men across the street. She moved the chair and undid the bolts, but she drew the pistol at the ready and stood waiting silently.

It was another few minutes before Alenor and his companion entered. Sam checked the street behind them before sliding the bolts home and replacing the chair. They both sank down onto the floor wearily, gratefully accepting the water that she gave them.

"Once you get further into the town there are people, mostly scared people huddled up in their homes. We heard some gunfire, but we didn't get close enough to see what was happening. Found a few of us dead but …" Alenor shook his head sadly and turned his attention back to the water.

Jack lay quietly listening, asking an occasional question. Sam went to the kitchen, coming back with some food for the tired men.

It was almost another hour before the others returned. Daniel was talking excitedly as he burst in and broke off as he saw Jack sitting up. He quickly crossed the room to peer closely at his friend's face. "Jack, it's good to see you're awake." He studied the other man until Jack became distinctly uncomfortable.

"What? Did I grow another head?" asked Jack, sarcastically.

"Err, no, it's just that you look a lot better than when I saw you last … being slung over Teal'c's shoulder," responded Daniel, going a little pink.

"That's good then. My face is better than my ass to look at," exclaimed Jack dryly, choosing to ignore the smirk that Sam tried to hide. "Now, what did you find out?"

"Okay …" Daniel knelt besides the couch, getting comfortable on the floor before launching into his tale. "There is a Stargate on the planet. It's kept as a historical monument in the capital, Bethenay. I don't know what condition it's in, but from the pictures I saw, it does have a DHD. They don't actually know what it is or anything … pretty much like Earth did, not that long ago … but it was found in …"

Jack gave Daniel a slight glare and held a hand up in surrender. "Okay, we get the picture. That's great. Now where are we and how far is Bethlehem?"

"Bethenay," corrected Daniel with a frown. "We are in Trimune and Bethenay is a little over two hundred miles north of here." Triumphantly he rummaged through the bag he had laid down and produced a map. He began to unfold it hurriedly.

"Two hundred miles?" echoed Alenor. "That is a long way with two enemies facing you."

"And wearing these damn things," said Jack, fingering the metal around his throat.

"Perhaps we can remove them," said Teal'c thoughtfully. "I saw what you refer to as a hardware store not far from here O'Neill."

Sam frowned. "What, just cut through them?"

"Why not? Maybe it'll work. The Karmine seem too cocky and people die too damn quick usually to try and get them off," said Jack. "Teal'c, do you think you can check the store out … try and find some bolt cutters or something similar?"

"Indeed I can.. I will go now."

"Would you like some food first?" asked Sam.

"I will eat when I return, Major Carter," responded Teal'c with a slight bow of thanks. He left and one of the men secured the door behind him.

Sam shared out the remaining food, saving a portion for Teal'c. Daniel had the map spread out over Jack's legs and was showing him the cities on it until Sam thrust the food into his hands and he ate hungrily, the map only slightly forgotten.

Sam hovered between the kitchen and the lounge, desperately wanting to hear if they had found anything useful for the Colonel, but was wary of asking outright in front of the man himself. Her chance finally came when Daniel brought the empty plates into the kitchen. She looked at him expectantly.

"He's doing a lot better than I thought," said Daniel, "I wasn't sure just what to expect by the time we got back …" He broke off, his emotions clear in his eyes.

"He's in a lot of pain. The infection isn't going to go away. He's recovering a little from the blood loss, but unless we get him help …" Sam's voice died.

Daniel pushed his glasses up his nose. "We found a hospital on the map. By that time it was too far to try and make it today, but we can all go in the morning."

Sam gave a sigh. "Maybe we can get him some help. Hopefully the Karmine won't be expecting to see us for a few days."

The return of Teal'c cut their conversation short and they hurried to see what he'd brought.

"I have secured more provisions and some cutters," said Teal'c solemnly.

Jack, who'd been dozing slightly, lifted his head at the Jaffa's words.

"Way to go T," he said and held out a hand with an expectant expression.

Teal'c produced long arm bolt cutters from the bag he was carrying.

"Couldn't get any bigger?" asked Jack, one eyebrow raised at the Jaffa as he waved his hand at the cutters.

"I could not, O'Neill," responded Teal'c, deadpan.

Jack gave a slight shake of his head. 'So not getting into that one.' He turned his attention to the others. "I'm going to need a volunteer to cut then."

"Wait a minute. Are you going to be the guinea pig?" asked Daniel, giving Jack a hard glare. "We don't know what'll happen, it could blow up or zap or …"

"Any number of things, but what's the betting they can trace us with these? Without them we can blend as natives better and don't run the risk of getting zapped by any blue meanie bastard who sees us and I'm the logical choice to be first, Daniel."

Daniel still glared at Jack, but he knew that with the collars on their chance of escape was vastly compromised. "I could be the first and maybe Sam could dismantle it …" he tried one last time.

"Maybe Carter could … maybe not, probably same result … if it's gonna blow," argued Jack. "Look, my collar's coming off first and as long as I'm conscious I'm giving the orders around here." He ran his hand over his scratchy chin and through his hair wearily. He was running out of the energy to argue and his temper was dangerously close to the surface. "Look, unfortunately someone has to cut, but everyone else can clear out."

"I will cut," said Alenor, quietly but firmly. The surprised looks thrown his way prompted him to speak further. "I have no one back home to mourn me. Each day I have lived, thanks to you, is a bonus. I will cut." He took the cutters from the Jaffa's hand, who relinquished them with a nod from O'Neill.

"Clear the building," said Jack.

"Sir …" began Sam, "We don't know how big the explosive could be in … it might …"

"Out!" ordered Jack. He closed his eyes refusing to look at his team, 'Let them follow this order … might be the last …' he pleaded in his head.

His team and the other men murmured good luck to them, surprising Jack when they left without another argument. With his eyes closed, he failed to see the last looks they cast upon his pale sweating face, their anguish written quite plainly for anyone who chose to look.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Jack heard the back door being unbolted and then the quiet murmurings as everyone left. As the door closed finally, he opened his eyes and faced Alenor. "Well, just you and me. Are you sure about this?" he asked, giving the man a last chance to change his mind.

"I am sure," said Alenor firmly.

"Good. Remember where you cut. If it works it just might make a difference, okay? I suggest you get the front door ready … you just might want to dump this as soon as you get it free," said Jack, his face not showing his doubts that they would be successful.

Alenor nodded and readied the front door, leaving it open a touch, before he crossed back to Jack and placed the cutters in position. It was uncomfortable. The collar was quite tight and the addition of the blade caused Jack to give a choked cough as it closed around the thin metal

"Have you made peace with your god?" asked Alenor suddenly, as he looked Jack in the face.

"A long time ago. Let's get it done," replied Jack hoarsely.

Both men held their breath. Alenor put all his strength into the closing of the cutters and as the metal began to tear a charge ran through the collar. The insulated handles meant Alenor was okay, but he panicked slightly as Jack shook with undisguised agony before slumping down unconscious. Alenor forced his way hurriedly through the remaining metal and pulled the collar with the cutters, ripping the metal from Jack's throat, gashing his neck as it tore free.

The collar buzzed alarmingly and mindful of the threat of an explosion, Alenor ran to the door, drawing it open with his foot, and pitched the collar and cutters into the street. He barely had time to slam the door and slide down to the floor as his legs gave way, before he heard the small dull whoomph of an explosion.

The back door opened and the others rushed in, alarmed and then relieved that the explosion wasn't in the house.

Alenor couldn't stand or speak for a moment, he was still shaking too badly. He gestured to the slumped man.

Sam, with Teal'c's help, laid Jack on his back to check him and felt for a pulse. Her fingers were slick with the blood on his neck and as she felt the soft thud of his pulse, weak though it was, her sigh of relief echoed around the room. Daniel pressed a dressing into her other hand and she quickly applied it to the gash. The blood was running quite strongly, another loss he could ill afford.

"Will … is he …" gasped Alenor as he stood with the help of one of the other men.

"He's alive. He's bleeding, but it's not an artery, thank God," replied Sam, her face pale. She kept the pressure applied to the wound as she turned to Alenor. "What happened?"

Teal'c meanwhile had opened the front door and brought the collar and cutters in from the street. He showed them the blackened twisted metal of the collar's remains. The cutters were thankfully undamaged, having been thrown in another direction by the blast.

"It was a small charge, but enough to certainly kill if it had been in place," said Teal'c.

Alenor slumped down in a chair. "I'm sorry I couldn't get it off quick enough. As I cut, it knocked him unconscious almost immediately and I panicked, I …"

Daniel touched the man gently on the shoulder. "It's a good job you got it off so quickly. It'll be okay. Jack'll be okay."

Sam took a few deep breaths. The Colonel's color seemed to be picking up a little. His skin was not quite as clammy as before, but he still didn't stir. She made him as comfortable as she could. The bleeding beginning to cease as she added another dressing, keeping the pressure up.

"Teal'c," she began thoughtfully, "Did you see any insulated gloves or anything similar at the store?"

"Unfortunately I did not check for such an item," he replied apologetically.

"I need you to go back and see what you can find. Bring what you can and some more cutters just in case."

Teal'c nodded and grabbed the bag he'd returned with earlier. "It will be quicker for me to travel alone," he said, forestalling one of the men who rose to speak.

"Do you think that anyone heard that explosion?" asked Daniel.

"Hopefully not. There doesn't seem to be any inhabitants near by. They probably stay tucked up, ignoring any noise. It'll be dark in a couple of hours," answered Sam. "Daniel, you check the yard and see if there's a trash bin or something we can use to deaden the noise of the explosive."

Daniel promptly obliged, one of the other men keeping him company, and presently they returned with the news of a small concrete store, probably used for fuel, but thankfully empty at the moment. It seemed to be perfect for their needs.

As soon as Teal'c returned Sam examined what he had found and then let them in on the plan she had decided on.

Alenor said that the metal was hard to cut and had taken a great deal of strength. As a result Teal'c was nominated for the cutting. Sam checked the Colonel once more before she and Daniel each donned the protective gloves and everyone moved into the yard.

Alenor volunteered to be first. He showed them where he had cut through on Jack's collar and Teal'c carefully positioned the cutters at the ready. Sam and Daniel took positions and prepared to grab at the collar the instant the metal was cut.

Teal'c cut through cleanly, his strength giving him a distinct advantage over Alenor, however the charge still dropped Alenor to his knees despite Sam and Daniel grasping the collar to pull it away from his neck almost immediately. At Sam's signal, Daniel let go and Sam threw it into the store and one of the other men slammed the door shut.

The silent count showed that they had almost ten seconds from the cut to the explosion.

Alenor was shaking, but was now standing with help. "That hurt," he mumbled, shaking his head to try and clear it.

"That was quite a charge. If it stayed on I think that would do some damage, never mind the explosion," said Sam.

"I am only sorry it was not removed quicker from Jack," said Alenor sadly. "He is in enough pain."

They decided to remove the other men's collars and then swapped positions so that Sam and Daniel could have theirs removed. Eventually only Teal'c remained to be done and, as Alenor seemed to have recovered from the electric shock, he volunteered to cut once more.

Teal'c remained standing after the charge hit his body, but he was badly winded by it and doubled over for a brief moment.

The dusk that had begun to fall rapidly as they worked was now almost gone, the darkness closing in on them fast. They hid any evidence of the collars and retreated to the house.

Sam had been torn between checking the Colonel and getting the collars out of the way and now, considering her duty done, she hurried in to check him. She was relieved to find a little more color in his face, but he was still unconscious. Once the others had come in from outside, she allocated each of them a watch, pairing them up. She paired herself with Daniel, and knowing that the injured Colonel would probably disturb her in the night, allowed herself the final watch.

"We head for the hospital in the morning Daniel," she said quietly as she pulled a chair closer to where the Colonel lay.

Daniel needed no urging in that respect. He settled with his back against the sofa where Jack rested, his thoughts on just how to get some help for the injured man reverberating around his tired mind.

xoxoxoxoxoxo