Part 9
Luck was on our side, or maybe our angel, my angel, was guiding us
to the monster that had ended her life.
Everything was falling into place.
I knew she wanted to bring her killer to justice for taking her from
us before her time. It was for her as much as for us. Closure was
needed and it would be the first of many steps towards recovery for
Daniel and Teal'c.
I didn't include myself in this because there would be no recovery.
My life was over as soon as I killed Ba'al. I had nothing to look
forward to. I could not bear living my life with out her by my side.
I swallowed hard and tried not to think too much of her. I had to be
sharp to get this task done. I held on to the hope that I would see
her again in the afterlife.
We would finally be together forever.
We had gotten out of the chamber of horrors and were stopped by two
guards that questioned our Jaffa friends. They told them their lord
wanted us on the ship. That he wanted to give us as gifts to his new
master.
The guards did not believe them. I motioned to Teal'c and we took
them out, zatting them three times and going on to get our weapons.
We didn't have time to dwell.
We had a mission to complete.
We found the room that held our supplies with no problem. I picked
up my pack and sought out Carter's. I held it close and saw it was
scorched by the shoulder. I could smell her on the jacket.
Daniel moved next to me and put his hand on my shoulder.
I composed myself and started to go through her pockets. I took out
the extra ammunition, her knife, and other little knick knacks she
had hidden. The last inside pocket held pictures. One picture was of Cassie and
Janet, one of Daniel, Teal'c and her father. The last one was of me
and her.
She was laughing at something I had said and I could see the sparkle
in her eyes. She looked so relaxed, so comfortable, so safe.
I suppressed the sob that wanted to escape my throat.
I took the picture of us together and gave the rest to Daniel. He
looked at them and put them in his pocket. I handed him her P 90
and he said he would not let her or me down.
I nodded and went over to Teal'c, who was securing his flak jacket
and his zat. I nodded to him and asked if he was ready.
"Indeed, let us seek our vengeance and take our friend home."
I asked Daniel if he had his GDO. He nodded and Teal'c told me he
had his too.
"Okay, it looks like everyone is getting ready to leave this place
behind. They'll be looking for us soon, so we have to move now."
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We got out of the supply room and made our way to the rings with
little notice. The Jaffa were moving things back to the ship and
the ones that did see us motioned to our armored allies to let them
know they were loyal to us.
One of these Jaffa came up to us and said that the compound was
being evacuated.
They knew trouble was coming.
"Our new master is on his way here to take over from Lord Ba'al. He
will have him pledge his allegiance or die. We are ready to fight
for our friends, just tell us when you want us to rise up. Our
ranks are growing by the hour. We know we will not survive with the
new master. Anubis will have us all killed and replace us with his
drones. We must act before he arrives."
They knew their number was up. They had heard the stories of the
super soldiers and knew that this spelled the end for them.
Teal'c motioned to the others and they formulated a plan.
Each of our Jaffa friends would gather those they knew to be loyal
to the rebel Jaffa. Any others would be given a chance to come, but
if they did not comply they would be zatted and tied up. No one else
would be killed without just cause and if they wanted to stay with
Ba'al so be it.
They would die with the bastard.
We got to the rings and our two Jaffa friends transported up first
to make sure the coast was clear. We waited 2 minutes and then
followed them up.
They had neutralized the room. Only one guard had been zatted. The
other two were friends.
Teal'c asked for the location of Lord Ba'al.
"Ba'al has been in a foul mood since he has found out that his new
master is coming here. He has ordered all of his loyal guards to
reposition away from the compound and has ordered your deaths. He
wanted to hand you over to Anubis, but then thought it better to
have you killed, along with all of your knowledge of the Chapp'ai
network. He doesn't want to give him anymore of an advantage."
I nodded. So, the bastard snake head was worried what Anubis might
find in our heads.
It would soon be over.
"He has just left from the bridge. He has received a communication
that our new lord will be here soon. He has returned to his chamber
to await his new master."
I told Daniel to take Haras and Magus to find the villagers. One of
the Jaffa said that he would guide them.
Daniel looked hurt. I shook my head no before he could object.
"I need you to do this. Karina is there, remember? She is scared
Danny. Get her off this ship and back to the SGC. We will find
them a safe planet once this is done."
Daniel blurted out, "Only if you promise me to come back, Jack.
I've lost one friend today, I don't want to lose another. Just get
it done and come home with her. Please, Jack, I don't want to have
to explain this to Cassie."
I smiled and said, "As soon as I kill him, I'll be on my way home
with Sam. Don't worry, space monkey, you'll only get wrinkles on
that boyish face of yours."
Daniel snorted and smiled. He went over to Rist'ka, Lom'ec and the
guard. We synchronized our watches for 45 minutes. That would be
enough time to get everybody off the ship and to the gate.
They left and I turned to Teal'c.
I pulled the C-4 I had brought along to show the villagers what we
would be using to tunnel for Naquadah. I handed it to him with the
timers. He had Rist'ka and Lom'ec take some of it too and explained
what it did. They would have to plant it the on bridge and try to
convince as many of their brothers as they could to get off the
damned ship.
They agreed and left to do their tasks after Teal'c showed them how
to arm the timers.
"I am ready to accompany you, O'Neill."
"No buddy, you're going to go get Carter's body and take it home.
He's mine and mine alone. I need to kill this bastard once and for
all. I need to put my demons to rest. She would have done the same
thing for me if the tables were reversed."
He looked at me and bowed, understanding why I needed to do this
alone.
Ba'al had almost broken me before. He had robbed me of having a life
with her. He had robbed me of my love. He had to pay and pay he
would.
"I will see you at the gate, O'Neill. Take care, my brother and do
not concern your self. I will locate Major Carter's body and take
her back home. You have my word."
I shook his hand and put my beanie on. I changed from the aloof
colonel to a cold blooded killer that instant.
The last Jaffa guard saw this change in me and looked away.
He took my arm and said, "May you find your vengeance O'Neill, it is
long over due."