Walking out of his prison without handcuffs felt like a victory of sorts and Jack Gallagher wanted to celebrate, but he knew this was not the time. He had a mission to take on, one that would solve many of the questions that were still running rampant through his mind. He was about to find out what happened to his wife, but just as important to him was that he was going to be able to face his worst fear head on and he was determined that he would survive that encounter with his sanity intact.
The SF standing guard outside his door was one of those who had held a gun to his head earlier in the day when he'd attacked Reynolds, and Jack couldn't help but grimace as he remembered that folly. The grimace turned into a glare when the SF took one look at Jack's unbound hands then sent an inquiring glance toward the General.
"Not to worry," O'Neill told the guard, as Jack tamped down on his anger.
"Yes sir," the SF responded, although he still watched Jack warily.
"Lieutenant Gallagher will be going with you after all," O'Neill told his friends. Jack was able to calm down when he saw the smiles on the faces of his friends. Carter was practically beaming as she stared at the General.
"Yes sir," she said, then turned to Jack and added, "It will be like old times."
Jack just nodded at her, not so sure he liked the implications of that. He had gotten used to working with the members of SG-8, although half the team was dead, he reminded himself sadly.
"Mitchell will be in his glory to have all the original members of SG-1 together," Daniel said quietly to Carter, who nodded her head and grinned back at her teammate.
"I heard that Daniel," O'Neill said.
"It's been his dream from the very beginning," Daniel said, smiling broadly at Jack. "You have no idea how hard he pushed to get us all together again."
"Oh, I have a very good idea," O'Neill responded with a frown, as he turned to walk down the hallway toward the elevator, "Probably just as much as he's pushing to find out what's going on with Gallagher."
"Colonel Mitchell can be very persistent," Teal'c stated with a slight frown.
"No kidding," O'Neill said, apparently in full agreement with his friend. "He's showing you up, Daniel," the General added, with a small smile. "You're gonna have to work a little harder on that reputation of yours."
Speaking of reputations," Daniel said, the smile on his face turning into one that was downright wicked. "I've been hearing some rumors about you being a grandpa."
This got Jack's attention. "A grandpa?" he asked his counterpart, wondering just what the General had been doing all these years. O'Neill didn't answer; instead he looked like he was going to throttle Daniel.
"Yeah," Daniel answered him instead, truly enjoying this whole conversation. "Didn't you know that you are his grandson?" he asked.
"No," Jack said, trying to work through his confusion. He couldn't help the huge smile that broke through the confusion when he finally realized what was going on.
"Don't… even… think it," O'Neill growled out, as he stopped to set them all straight. "I've already told Reynolds and Patterson that you are my cousin on my mother's side. Your Dad and I were really close, got that?"
"Got it," Jack said, grinning like a fool. "You're my cousin – although now that you mention it, you do look a lot like my grandfather."
"My cousin," O'Neill reiterated. "If you want to live to see Thor, I suggest you keep that in mind."
"Yes sir," Jack responded with a laugh, as he followed the General down the hallway. He couldn't stop grinning as he thought about how he could use this information in the future. O'Neill so had it coming.
"Will you be joining us on this mission, General O'Neill?" Colonel Mitchell asked when they were all standing in the Gate room.
"Not this time," O'Neill responded. "Apparently, we are going to be bombarded with refugees. I'm going to help Walter find some place for them to stay."
"I think it would be great to have all of SG-1 together on one more mission. You know, for old time's sake," Mitchell said, his expression telling everyone he was determined to make this work.
"No can do," O'Neill said, then turned the subject to the mission that was going to finally give Jack some peace. "Now remember, you go in and grab those people then leave. No heroics."
Jack just nodded. He was prepared to do whatever it took to free the slaves, no matter what. He reached into his pocket, feeling the smoothness of the stone that connected him to a woman who was hopefully still alive on a planet on the other side of the galaxy.
"Gallagher," O'Neill said forcibly.
"Sir?" Jack responded, looking up to see O'Neill staring at him.
O'Neill stared at him for a few seconds before telling him, "Good luck." Jack stared back, knowing what the General was really telling him. Jack hoped that it wouldn't come to him disobeying a direct order, but he knew that if push came to shove, he would do whatever it took to get those people out. Apparently O'Neill knew this, as well. Jack couldn't help but be just a little resentful that his counterpart really did know him too well.
"Thanks," he replied quietly. O'Neill nodded then pulled Carter aside to talk to her privately. Jack watched them for a few minutes then smiled. He was secretly hoping the two had worked through their differences and were now a couple. He hadn't really thought about it before, especially considering his own problems that he had been working through this past week, but he now hoped they were an item. It'd be about time.
"Lieutenant," Mitchell said, as he came up to stand next to Jack. "Glad to be back in the saddle again?"
"Yes sir," Jack responded. He was so ready to get out there.
"It's a good thing you're going with us," Mitchell went on. "I'm sure you'll know where all those people are hiding."
"It's not the slaves you need to worry about, Colonel," Jack replied. "The guards are the ones who won't hesitate to kill you on the spot."
Mitchell just nodded. He knew the odds as well as the next man. "I take it that you're feeling better?" Mitchell asked, and Jack immediately went on the defensive.
"Yes sir," he said again, wondering what Mitchell was thinking. The news that Jack had to be dragged back to Earth and of trying to kill Reynolds had to have traveled through the SGC by now. Not to mention the fact that Jack had lashed out at everyone he'd met since coming back. Everyone on base had to be wondering just what was going on with Lieutenant Gallagher.
"Not very talkative are you?" Mitchell asked, still trying to make conversation.
"I'm feeling much better," Jack said, his expression clearly telling the Colonel to back off. He just wasn't up to dealing with this stuff.
"Uh… sure," Mitchell replied, then added, "Lieutenant," in a tone that gave Jack a clear indication that he was bordering on insubordination as far as the Colonel was concerned.
Jack decided right then that it would be in his best interest to tone down his responses. "I'm just anxious to find my wife," he said, hoping that Mitchell would be a little more sympathetic if he was reminded as to why this mission came about in the first place.
"We'll find her," Mitchell said. "If she's alive, that is."
Jack could only stare at the man in surprise. It's no wonder O'Neill liked this guy so much, he thought, as he watched Mitchell walk over toward Daniel and Teal'c. It seemed that Colonel Mitchell had a penchant for stating the obvious, no holds barred. He grinned as he watched Daniel nod at something Mitchell said, then turned his attention to the stone he had pulled out of his pocket. She was still alive. She had to be.
"You guys ready?" O'Neill asked, as he came over to stand next to Jack.
"Let's do it," Mitchell responded.
O'Neill nodded then turned toward the window where Landry was watching the show. Jack watched as Landry touched the Asgard communication device he had in his hand, then waited for the brilliant light to fade away.
Hulmeshur looked different from his vantage point as he looked out through the window of an Asgard ship, but Jack knew that nothing had changed. He stared out at the planet that had been the source of his misery for the last eight months and he couldn't help the fear that settled in his stomach as he thought about what he was about to do.
"Let's get this show on the road," he said, his face showing nothing of the terror that threatened to suffocate him.
Daniel was way too perceptive in these things though, and he came up to him to offer his support in the turmoil running through Jack. "We'll find her," he said, the warmth of his friendship seeping in and melting some of the fear that had Jack in its grip.
"I hope so," Jack responded. The others came over to stand next to him and they were transported through space to the one place Jack had at one time hoped to never see again. They were in the middle of the compound of Handar's oasis, guns automatically raised and ready to destroy anything that posed as a threat.
No one was around, but this didn't worry Jack. Judging from the sun, which was hanging low in the sky, it was almost time for the evening meal and Jack knew that the slaves would be gathered at the building that served as a dining room during meal times, waiting for the slop that Handar allowed them to eat. Jack pointed toward the direction they needed to go and Carter nodded her understanding. She took over at that point, motioning for the others to split up and make their way toward their destination.
Jack stayed on the path, walking stealthily hoping that he wouldn't be caught. He could see Daniel and Carter dodging detection by running from one shack to the next, as they followed him to his destination. He didn't bother looking for Teal'c and Mitchell; he knew that they were there.
Jack had almost made it to the building when he saw Dargan, one of the slaves he had befriended while living there. The man stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed Jack, his face growing pale as he realized who it was he was seeing. "Dargan," Jack whispered, "What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Jack?" Dargan whispered back. "What are you doing here?" he asked, looking around to see if any of the guards were nearby.
"It's good to see you too," Jack answered, as his teammates came up to join them. "I've come to get you all out of here," he said, while he searched his friend's face for any clues as to Taria's fate. "Everyone."
"Are you mad?" Dargan asked, his eyes now reflecting the fear that Jack had seen there at least once a day since he had first met the man.
"I got out," Jack said, "So can you. Tell me, where's Taria."
Dargan didn't respond. He just stared at Jack with sadness, and Jack's heart stopped. Oh God, he thought, as he realized that he was too late. This is not happening.
"Jack," Carter said softly. "If we're going to do this, we have to do it now."
"Yeah," Jack said automatically, but he still stared at Dargan, hoping for some indication that he had made a mistake in his interpretation. "Dargan? Where's Taria?"
"You have to leave here now," Dargan insisted, apparently having come to a decision. "You know what will happen to you if the guards find you."
Jack could only nod. His fear had moved into high gear. Damn it, he thought, as he tried to calm himself. "Not this time," he said out loud, determination forcing him to push the fear aside. He was going to free these people if it was the last thing he did.
"Is everyone in there?" Jack asked, as he pointed to the dining hall.
"Almost everyone, including the guards," Dargan answered, anger making a rare appearance. "You have to get out of here."
"I'm not leaving without all of you," Jack responded stubbornly.
"And just how do you plan to get us all out of here?" Dargan asked. "No one has ever escaped from here."
"I did," Jack said, refusing to let this guy put a damper on this mission.
"All of us?" It was clear that Dargan didn't believe a word Jack was telling him, but Jack could tell that he was starting to get through to the man.
"Every last one of the slaves," Jack insisted, staring at his friend. "Let's go," he said, as he turned toward the building.
"Taria is still alive," Dargan said, causing Jack to whirl around to stare at him.
"What?" he finally asked, his heart pounding as he stared at his friend.
"She's in there," Dargan admitted, pointing toward the dining hall. "They have not put her through the torture yet, although they will."
Jack could only stare at Dargan, while a whirlwind of emotions rolled through his mind. Taria was alive? He was heading toward the building before he even realized it, his feet moving of their own accord.
"Gallagher!" Mitchell hissed, as he ran toward Jack to stop him, but Jack was determined to see for himself if Dargan was telling the truth. He got to the building, then put his back to the wall, waiting for his teammates to catch up, his heart racing as he thought through his options. His best bet would be to just barge in with the rest of SG-1 backing him up, shooting their weapons in the air. The slaves would automatically drop to their knees the minute he busted down the door – it was something they had been conditioned to do, thanks to the guards. Once the slaves were on the floor, the guards would be easy targets.
Mitchell looked rebellious when Jack whispered his plan to them, but Carter agreed with Jack. Mitchell trusted Carter's judgment, which was a good thing, but still had Jack feeling a little of the old resentment that he had to give in to someone who had far less experience than the battle worn Jack O'Neill, now known as Jack Gallagher. Not for the first time, Jack felt a true hatred for a certain Asgard named Loki.
Jack shook off the resentment and held up three fingers, using them as a countdown to let the others know when to act. Dargan came up to stand next to Jack, prompting Jack to whisper, "Stay out here until I tell you, okay?" Dargan nodded and Jack folded his fingers down, one by one. The moment he put the last finger down, he jumped up and rammed his foot into the door, causing it to bang open.
Mitchell and Daniel turned from their positions on either side of the door and began shooting their weapons into the air, while Jack and Teal'c moved in and began to systematically shoot the people who were still standing. As Jack had predicted, the only ones standing were the guards and four of them were killed before anyone knew what was happening. The other three guards that were in the room managed to get behind a table and were returning fire with their own weapons.
"There are a total of twelve guards," Jack shouted out to his teammates. No one responded, but they didn't need to. Jack knew they were probably already on the look out for the ones who were missing, the very same guards who had more than likely heard all the shooting and were coming to investigate.
The three guards who were cornered and trying valiantly to defend themselves were finally eliminated and Jack wasted no time in looking for his wife. He and Daniel walked among the people who were still cowering on the floor, picking them up and talking to them, telling them that everything was all right and encouraging them all to move over to the far side of the room. Dargan came in and joined the others, but Jack barely noticed him. He had found Taria and he could only stare at her as she stood there next to her mother, staring back at him.
There were no smiles for him this time, but this is not what brought on the anger that was racing through his soul. Her face and arms were covered with bruises, and although she continued to stare at him, she seemed to be almost afraid of him. "Taria," he said, as he started to walk toward her.
She stood there and watched him as he came closer, and he stopped when he was close enough. "You're coming with me," he said, wishing he knew if she was happy to see him or not.
"Why did you come back?" she finally asked.
"I came back for you," he responded. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the stone that had meant a great deal to her, and looked at it before handing it to her. "This belongs to my mate," he said, as he grabbed her hand and placed the rock in her palm. "Do you still want it?"
She was crying now, her tears streaming down her face. Jack wanted to grab her and hold her, but was afraid she would push him away. He waited instead, looking back toward the door when he heard some shots being fired outside the shack. "Taria?" he said, turning back to focus on her. She nodded at him, as she wrapped her fingers around the rock tightly and Jack pulled her into his arms for a quick hug. "We have to move quickly," he told her, then stepped back to make his speech. "We have some friends who are going to help us free you all," he said loudly to the slaves that were waiting around listlessly, some still kneeling on the floor. "They are going to transport you using beaming technology, which means you are going to suddenly find yourself somewhere else. Don't be afraid, just stay calm and I'll join you in a little while. Is everyone here?" he asked, as he looked around trying to ascertain if anyone was missing.
"No! We can't leave here," Neatha, Taria's mother insisted. "We will be caught and punished. Do you want us all to go through the hak'tran?"
"You will be safe," Jack responded, memories of his own experience dealing with that punishment flashing through his mind. "The guards will not be able to find you. I promise."
"Your promises mean nothing to me, Jack," his mother-in-law snarled back at him. "You left my daughter here to be punished. It was only because…"
"I didn't want to leave her here," Jack responded defensively. "I wanted to take her with me, but…"
"But you didn't!" she hissed, anger flashing across her features. "It was only because of my insistence that she might be with child that has spared her from the torture our master was prepared to inflict upon her."
"With child?" Jack asked, surprise at this revelation causing him to turn to stare at his wife. She stared back at him with fear and something else Jack couldn't quite identify. "You're pregnant?"
"I told our master that she might be," Neatha said, "And he has decided to forestall the torture for her to either give birth or to start bleeding, whichever comes first."
"Thank you," Jack said, as he stared at his mother-in-law, deeply grateful to her for keeping Taria safe until he was well enough to come back for her.
Neatha stared back at him, calming down as she saw the gratitude on his face. "I did not think you would come back for her," she said.
"She is my mate," he responded, smiling at Taria. "I couldn't let her go through that…"
"Lieutenant!" Colonel Mitchell's voice broke through the reunion, which caused Jack to turn to find his 'commanding officer' standing at the door, waving at him to get a move on. Jack nodded, then turned to address the others in the room, "This is Daniel. He's going to go with you and will help you. Don't worry," he added, when the others started making noises that reflected their fear, "You will be safe. Just go with Daniel." He then turned to give Taria a quick hug before telling her, "You're going to be safe now. Go with my friend."
She continued to stare at him, which was making Jack extremely nervous. What was wrong with her now? He didn't have time to worry about it though, and he headed toward the door to go help Carter and Teal'c. He was stopped by Dargan, who told him, "If this is all true, you must help Padral. He is being held in the throne room. Our master is punishing him for being disobedient."
"The throne room?" Jack asked, fear creeping up into his soul. That was the one place he had hoped to avoid at all costs.
"He is being punished for not being able to work throughout a whole day. He was sick, but… well you know that we are not allowed to be sick." This was said with a sarcastic snarl, followed by a guilty expression as he looked around to see if any of the guards had heard him.
"I'll find him," Jack said, hoping that he would be able to get Thor to do the honors for him with his beaming technology. "Go with the rest of them. Go!"
Dargan nodded, then went to join with the others. Jack finally made it to the door and took a cursory glance out before stepping outside. He saw Colonel Mitchell standing next to a building and ran over to join him, all the while on the lookout for Carter and Teal'c. He made it to his destination only to see Mitchell waving at someone behind him, telling whoever it was to go back to the building. Jack's heart dropped when he saw that it was Taria who had followed him out.
"What the hell's the matter with you?" he snarled at her, fear for her safety making him want to shake her. "Go back with the others."
"You're going to get yourself killed," Mitchell added, obviously thinking his words would be the ones to get her to understand.
"Jack please. I must tell you something," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist and holding him close. "Please."
"Now is not the time," he responded, pushing her away. "Go back! Now!"
"Too late," said a voice that Jack recognized from the past. He stiffened, then got a grip on his emotions before turning to face his former tormentor.
"Well, if it isn't my old friend, Balzor," Jack said, hanging on to the bravado he hoped would get him through this. Balzor and two other guards were peering out at them from some trees, their weapons aimed at both him and Mitchell.
"We were never friends, slave," Balzor snarled, "Although we do have something in common." Taria whimpered, as she stepped behind Jack, using him as a shield from the venom aimed her way. The leer Balzor sent toward Taria, along with the fear emanating from his wife gave Jack an indication of what Balzor was talking about. Jack determined right then and there that he was going to be the one that would kill the overbearing bastard.
"Put down your weapons," Balzor ordered, but Jack was no longer a slave and Balzor's word had no affect on him whatsoever. He stared at Balzor defiantly, as he worked out a scenario to follow through on his intention to destroy that particular guard.
"I don't think so," Mitchell responded casually, too casually. Jack couldn't help but be impressed by the calmness the Colonel displayed. "Why don't you guys put your weapons down so that we can have a nice talk?"
"Put down your own weapons, or I may be forced to kill this woman instead," Balzor said, as one of his companions stepped back to grab Carter and pull her to the front of the group. From Jack's viewpoint, Carter's hands were bound behind her back, and he cursed when he realized that they were in trouble. He could only hope that Teal'c was out there somewhere just waiting for an opportunity to save his teammate.
Balzor didn't seem to be too worried about Teal'c, because he aimed his weapon at Carter's head, then demanded, "Do as I say!"
Jack and Mitchell did as they were told, but Jack couldn't let it end this way. "The slaves are being taken away even as we stand here," he said, with a wave toward the dining hall. "The light beams you see coming out of that building means they are already gone. You've failed, Balzor. Handar will be very displeased with you."
"You are lying," Balzor announced, his expression telling Jack that he was in for some major torture. "You will pay for your insolence."
"Let these people go," Jack said, hoping to reason his way out of there. Fat chance of that happening – the extent of Balzor's vast intelligence could be stored in a test tube. "It's me that you really want. I'm here, do what you will, but let the others go."
"No," Balzor answered, the evil smile Jack had learned to hate showing up on the guard's face. "You all will face Handar and I will be the one to punish you.
"We have reinforcements coming to back us up," Mitchell spoke up. "You won't get the chance to hurt any of us."
"Not even this lovely woman?" Balzor asked, just before he produced the lightening rod and rammed it into Carter's side.
She screamed out in agony at the same time that Jack poured his outrage into one word, "No!" he yelled, running toward Balzor, intending to kill him right then and there. He didn't get the chance, as the sound of a staff weapon ripped through the air. Jack stopped when he saw Balzor stiffen, then fall forward, dropping the lightening rod as he fell.
Carter had fallen with Balzor, but Jack didn't stop to help her. He reached down and grabbed the lightening rod and jammed it into Balzor's stomach, watching angrily while the guard writhed and screamed in pain as he lay there dying from the staff weapon blast. But there was no compassion for the man as Jack continued the torture, waiting patiently for the bastard to draw his last breath. Carter had other ideas though. She rammed into him, forcing him to stop, and he looked up at her as she stared at him with tears streaming down her face. He could totally relate to those tears, knowing how much that thing hurt. "Don't lower yourself to his level, Jack," she said shakily, as she tried to breathe in between the words. He could see that she was still feeling the effects of the lightening rod when she stiffened, while squeezing her eyes shut, and he wanted to jab the bastard with it once more, just for spite. "Please," she said, when the spasm passed.
He nodded at her, then noticed that Mitchell and Teal'c had effectively taken care of the other two guards. Mitchell didn't say anything, but Jack knew he must be thinking that Jack's little display was totally out of line with the duties of an officer of the United States Air Force. He should have made sure the other two were taken care of before taking on a personal vendetta against that guy. He stared back at Mitchell, then said, "I knew you two wouldn't let me down."
Mitchell didn't respond, which worried Jack a little. Mitchell was staring at him with a calculating look on his face, but Jack knew that now was not the time to get into this. He went back to where Taria was kneeling in the dirt and he reached down to help her up. "Come on," he told her gently. "You're going to have to come with us. Taria?" he asked, when she didn't look up at him.
"I didn't have a choice," she said, as she stared at Balzor's body. "Our master told him that he could have me now that you were gone. I think I would have rather gone through the hak'tran," she said with a glare on her face. "He beat me every night when I wouldn't let him near me." She rubbed her arms as she folded them over her chest, "I had no choice."
"I know," Jack said, hoping to ease her fears. "I lived here for eight months, remember?" She finally looked up at him, and he gave her a small smile telling her that they would get through this. She nodded at him bravely, prompting him to give her a hug before telling her, "We need to get Padral. Do you know where he is?"
"Yes," she said, nodding her head even as she tried to control her trembling. "He is in the throne room. Our master is forcing him to go through the feasting."
"The feasting?" Mitchell asked, as he looked around, ever on the lookout for more of the enemy. Jack was liking this guy more and more every minute.
"He is denied food for days while being forced to watch others enjoy their meals." Jack said, as he turned to lead the way. "The delicious smell alone is enough to drive a saint crazy. It isn't a pleasant experience, believe me."
"Oh I believe you," Mitchell said, the grimace on his face displaying his thoughts on that subject. Jack just grinned as he grabbed Taria's hand to pull her along with him.