Jack arrived in the control room stairs at a run, narrowly avoiding a collision with Daniel.
Without even attempting an apology, Jack continued on to the control room.
Unfortunately for Daniel, Felger was just behind Jack, and didn't have the Colonel's reflexes. Only Teal'c was able to prevent the two men from tumbling down the stairs.
All four men reached General Hammond's side just as the brilliant light of the wormhole establishing itself flashed behind the iris.
Hammond checked his watch surreptitiously, not quite able to believe that O'Neill had made it from his office to the control room before the wormhole had been completely established. He would have to get Dr Fraiser to check into the Colonel's knee injury more thoroughly at the man's next physical.
To the casual observer O'Neill was completely calm and collected. Teal'c and Dr Jackson seemed equally composed.
Had Hammond not known better, he would have thought this was just any other day.
Dr Jay Felger was in complete contrast to SG-1. He was breathing extremely hard, for starters, his face flushed from his exertion. His eyes flicked neurotically between the still-closed iris and O'Neill's impassive countenance.
When nothing happened for a full thirty seconds Hammond said, "Sergeant?"
"No IDC, sir." Harriman said, "No travellers."
A shape flickered on the ramp, then solidified.
It appeared to be a dark haired man, dressed in a costume of leather and black lace.
Definitely a Goa'uld.
The gateroom SF's opened fire.
The bullets passed right through the figure, who appeared amused.
"It's a hologram." Daniel said, answering the unasked question.
For the first time, Hammond noticed the absence of his second in command.
"What the-" He said, just as the doors to the gateroom opened, admitting Jack.
"Hold fire!" Hammond yelled into the mic.
He was about to ask Jack just what the hell he thought he was doing, when Jack said, "Baal."
"O'Neill." The man greeted, his deep voice dripping with distaste. "The very Tau'ri I wanted to see."
Looking down from the control room, Hammond could see the tension in his second's shoulders.
But Jack spread his hands casually and said, "What do you want?"
"The question here is not what I want, O'Neill, but who I want." Baal replied
Jack didn't reply.
"And also," Baal continued, unperturbed by Jack's silence, "who you want."
"Stop playing games, Baal. Where's Carter?" Jack snapped.
Baal smiled nastily. He turned to look behind himself, speaking to someone out of sight. "Bring her."
Suddenly another figure appeared in the hologram just as Daniel, Teal'c and Felger entered the gateroom. They walked over and stood beside Jack, staring at the figure on her knees next to Baal.
Sam Carter was filthy. Her hair was almost black with grime, her face was streaked and her uniform torn.
Baal grabbed her hair, forcing her head up to give them a good view of her face.
"You see, O'Neill? I do have her."
Jack said nothing.
Baal looked from Sam to Jack then backhanded her across the face, sending her sprawling out of the hologram.
"You know where she is, O'Neill. The question is, are you stupid enough to try to rescue her?"
Baal disappeared and the wormhole disconnected.
"Jack?" Daniel called his friend softly.
Jack didn't respond.
Daniel looked at him for a moment, and then nodded mutely, a look of understanding passing between him and Teal'c.
Felger, however, possessed none of this understanding.
"What are you gonna do, Colonel?" He asked. "I bet you've already got a plan. I bet-"
He was cut off by Jack turning abruptly and exiting the gateroom.
"Well what now?" Felger asked as the gateroom doors closed behind O'Neill.
"What do you mean, DoctorFelger?" Teal'c asked.
"Shouldn't we follow him or something?" Felger asked, gesturing wildly in the direction Jack had taken.
"I'm not so sure that's a good idea." Daniel said.
"Why not?" Felger asked, exasperated.
"DanielJackson is thinking that perhaps O'Neill would like some time alone." Teal'c intoned.
Felger opened his mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by Walter Harriman's voice over the speakers. "SG-1 and Dr Felger report to the briefing room."
"What do you think that's about?" Felger asked, hurrying after Daniel and Teal'c.
"We will find out when we arrive." Teal'c said, irritation beginning to show in his voice.
When they reached the briefing room they found it occupied by General Hammond and Colonel O'Neill.
General Hammond was speaking. "Colonel, I cannot in good conscience authorise this mission."
"Come on General, you've authorised more risky missions than this. We can't just leave Carter with Baal."
"Jack-" Hammond began, then saw Daniel, Teal'c and Felger hovering in the doorway. "Come in and take a seat."
Daniel took a seat opposite Jack, Teal'c sat next to the Colonel and Felger continued to hover nervously in the doorway.
"Sit down, Dr Felger." Hammond said wearily.
Felger hurried in and sat down next to Daniel, trying not to meet Jack's gaze.
"What's the plan, General?" Felger asked.
Daniel winced at the scientist's impetuosity. "We have to rescue Sam, General."
"That's what I've been sayin', Daniel." Jack said.
"Colonel-" Hammond began warningly.
"General, I can appreciate that you don't wanna order anyone after Carter," Jack said, "but you won't have to. I volunteer."
"I also volunteer." Teal'c said.
"Me too." Daniel said, raising a hand vaguely.
"Me three." Felger said.
Jack glared at him briefly before returning his attention to Hammond. "See, sir?"
"It would be suicide, Colonel." Hammond sighed. "You barely got out of that fortress alive."
Jack waved a hand dismissively. "But with that ship Teal'c and I found, it should be a breeze. The fortress is already damaged from Yu's attack, all we have to do is weaken it some more."
"Baal will have other forces in the area." Hammond pointed out.
"We'll go in cloaked. We'll deal with them." Jack said. "Sir. Its Carter."
General Hammond held his second's gaze for a long moment. "Colonel-"
"How long do you think this place will keep running without Carter?" Jack demanded. "A month? A week? We can bring her back, sir."
Hammond looked around the table. Then he nodded. "I don't know how I'm going to justify this to the president." He said. "You have a go."