"Good day, StaffSergeant," Teal'c nodded politely at the elevator guard.
The man's eyes flicked toward the Jaffa and he nodded curtly in reply. He seemed somewhat agitated, the larger man noticed. It was, of course, part of a Jaffa's training to recognize fear in an opponent and employ that weakness to one's advantage. Teal'c sensed, though StaffSergeantHoedemaker was hiding it well for a human, that he was indeed very afraid.
Teal'c, too, did not allow any emotion to show on his face or in his behavior. He suspected that the staff sergeant had had something to do with ColonelHavelock's death, though the evidence he was aware of was still insufficient, but he expertly covered his suspicion with his usual stoic expression. It was well, he decided, that so few knew of his involvement in the investigation. StaffSergeantHoedemaker had no reason to believe Teal'c even knew who he was, let alone his connection to ColonelHavelock.
Teal'c was not worried, precisely, but he was certainly wary. StaffSergeantHoedemaker was a disturbed individual whether or not he had murdered the colonel. If he had murdered ColonelHavelock, he had managed to subdue a much better-trained man and kill him with apparent ease. StaffSergeantHoedemaker was not a small man, either. Teal'c could defeat him, of course -- he had the better training and far more experience -- but it would not a be 'as easy as cake.'
They reached level 27 and Teal'c prepared to disembark. He needed to speak with O'Neill regarding the resumption of stargate travel; he was scheduled to meet with Bra'tac tomorrow about the Jaffa Resistance.
As the doors opened, Teal'c caught sight of the young man from NCIS. (An odd group, to be sure, but essentially not so different from his own SG-1, he reflected.) AgentDiNozzo heard the elevator as it reached the floor and turned, starting toward them. Friendly though he appeared, Teal'c could read the determined intent in his eyes.
Apparently, StaffSergeantHoedemaker could also. He quickly struck the 'Close Doors' button, smiling grimly as AgentDiNozzo hurried in vain to reach the elevator before it shut. Hoedemaker quickly drew his weapon and pointed it at Teal'c, stopping the Jaffa with his hands halfway to his zat'ni'katel.
"Don't move," he snarled, the 9mm disconcertingly steady in his hands.
"I do not wish to harm you," Teal'c tried to assure him, slowly moving his hands upward as he had seen on television.
"Whatever," Hoedemaker dismissed him. "Just shut up and don't move. We're going for a little ride."
-------------------
"He's got Teal'c?" the general asked incredulously.
"Yes, sir," Tony recounted, finishing his breathless report to Gibbs and General O'Neill. The general had immediately shut down the elevators when Tony had burst into his office shouting; now they wanted an explanation.
"It's worse than I thought," Jack moaned.
"What do you mean?" Tony asked, when it appeared no one else would.
"Have you seen Teal'c, Agent DiNozzo?"
"Yeah..."
"Big guy, right? Built kinda like a brick wall? With a huge gold tattoo on his forehead that says he's one of the best fighters in the known universe? That Teal'c?" Jack confirmed sarcastically. Tony, catching on quickly, was silent. "I think you get my point," Jack continued, "but just in case, I'll spell it out for you. Anyone who can hold Teal'c hostage is extremely dangerous, anyone who'd want to is more than a little nuts, and anyone who'd try is flat-out desperate. Capisce?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good." Jack turned to Gibbs. "I'll call up SG-12; they're SWAT-capable and HRT-trained. I'll let your people tag along but my guy has point. Got it?"
"I got it, Jack."
"You're not going to ask about deadly force?" Jack asked in mock surprise. "Beg me to do everything I can to capture him, not kill him, so you can nail his butt to the wall in a court-martial? Demand command of the mission?"
Gibbs just smirked slightly.
Jack shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'm gonna tell you right now, I want the guy alive. But if it's him or Teal'c..."
Gibbs' eyes met Jack's, blue telling brown that he understood and concurred. The two nodded in silent agreement, then each turned to his own responsibilities.
"Walter," Jack barked into his intercom, "get SG-12 in the briefing room ASAP. And make sure there's coffee."
"DiNozzo," Gibbs muttered, "go grab Kate and meet us in the briefing room. Bring your weapons."
-------------------
"What is your intention, StaffSergeant?" Teal'c asked carefully.
"What part of 'shut up' don't you understand?" Hoedemaker growled, jerking his nine-mil to remind Teal'c of the situation.
"I apologize," Teal'c remarked with a slight bow of his head. "I simply wish to prepare myself for a warrior's death, if that is what you intend."
"You better watch yourself, buddy," Hoedemaker sneered coldly. "You've been watching too much TV. I'm not like those idiot psychos. I know exactly what I'm doing and nothing you say is going to make me lose my focus or screw up somehow. Got it? So, for the last time, shut up or I'll do you like I did Havelock."
Teal'c complied this time, recognizing the deadly combination of desperation and pride that made cornered animals so dangerous.
--------------------
"November Charlie India Sierra, this is Sierra Gulf One-Two," the voice crackled over the radio.
"Go ahead, One-Two," Gibbs replied.
"Looks like he's stopped between levels 24 and 23, November," the commander of SG-12 reported. "Take your team to 23. My team will proceed to level 21 and hit him from above. Your people will stop him if he tries to run. Over."
"Roger, One-Two. Gibbs out."
"Boss," Tony whispered as they made their way to level 23, "how are we supposed to stop him in an elevator?"
"Tony," Kate jumped in, "it's obvious."
"Well then, please, enlighten me, oh wise one."
"If he manages to get the doors open, he can crawl out," she explained smugly, sneaking a look at Gibbs to make sure she was right. His face was inscrutable, as always. "We'll be waiting for him, though."
"How will he get the doors open?" Tony shot back.
"Teal'c," Gibbs supplied when Kate was stumped.
"How does he crawl out, then?" Tony pressed, sure he had them this time. "There's no way he can make it without Teal'c's help, but he can't hold a gun on him when he's standing on his shoulders."
"Maybe he kills him and stands on the body, DiNozzo," Gibbs snapped, sobering them all. "Hoedemaker's desperate; he'll find a way."
-------------------
Teal'c was growing concerned. AgentDiNozzo must have reported StaffSergeantHoedemaker's flight to O'Neill, since the elevator had stopped shortly after. Teal'c was equally sure O'Neill would send someone -- likely SG-12 -- to stop Hoedemaker from escaping. But no one had yet appeared.
It was difficult enough to determine the passage of time in the windowless SGC but it was impossible in a small, dark elevator. It could have been five minutes since the elevator stopped, or five hours. Even Teal'c, whose senses were especially keen, had no idea -- though he was fairly certain it had been considerably less time than it felt like.
Hoedemaker wasn't talking, which concerned Teal'c all the more. Talking would give him some indication of Hoedemaker's state of mind, his weaknesses, even his intentions. Silence only told him that Hoedemaker was very dangerous, and he already knew that. Teal'c was not about to start a conversation, either; Hoedemaker's last threat had been issued with a cold certainty that assured Teal'c he meant to carry it out.
A faint noise caused Teal'c's ears to perk up, though he hid his renewed alertness from Hoedemaker. It sounded like something was on the roof of the elevator car. A rescue team, perhaps?
Their dark corner of the universe suddenly exploded in a flash of light and a deafening report. Teal'c was stunned by the unanticipated blast and could only hope Hoedemaker had been as well.
---------------------
The NCIS team stood outside the doors of level 23, weapons at the ready, waiting for any sign that SG-12 had not fulfilled their mission. They heard the flash-bang grenade go off, muted considerably by the thick doors, and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. It was all downhill from here.
Each team member played the scene they couldn't see in their minds. SG-12, having disoriented Hoedemaker (Teal'c would be an unfortunate innocent casualty), would drop into the car and incapacitate him. When he was cuffed, and hopefully that was all it would take, they would radio NCIS and General O'Neill. The power would be returned to the elevators, they would open the doors, and Hoedemaker would be escorted to a secure cell to await transport to an official lock-up.
"November Charlie," the radio squawked, "Sierra Gulf One-Two has completed the mission. Suspect is in custody and ready for transport. Over."
"Roger that, One-Two," Gibbs responded. "November Charlie is ready to receive the suspect. Gibbs out."
The elevator doors opened and Hoedemaker was unceremoniously shoved out, his arms bound behind his back, by the leader SG-12. They were followed by SG-12's 2IC, helping a somewhat dazed Teal'c from the car. The two remaining members of SG-12 dropped through the open ceiling hatch and followed their teammates out.
"Thanks, guys," Tony grinned to the Marine combat unit. They ignored him, turning to Gibbs instead.
"We'll escort him to the holding cell, sir," the commander reported. "You're welcome to accompany us."
Gibbs nodded tersely, adding a regardful, "Hoorah, Marines."
"Hoorah, sir!"
--------
Their going was made slow by Hoedemaker's passive resistance. He behaved like a dead man, going limp and refusing to cooperate at all. Two members of SG-12 had to support the large man, dragging him down the halls and lifting his flaccid feet over the occasional obstacle. They took no pains to spare him any discomfort, either, and his lower half often found itself knocked against a hastily-turned corner.
After one such particularly violent incident, one of the Marines lost his grip on Hoedemaker's arm and the suspect fell heavily to his knees. In a flash, Hoedemaker swept one leg behind the Marine who still held his other arm, knocking him to the floor. On his feet in an instant, Hoedemaker ran down the corridor heedless of the echoing shouts behind him.
"Freeze!" Gibbs yelled coldly, aiming his weapon.
Hoedemaker paid him no heed. His gait was awkward with his hands cuffed behind his back but he still made remarkably good time. He appeared to be heading for elevator at the end of the hall, barreling right over one unfortunate airman who had just stepped out of her quarters. Hoedemaker had to know that between three and seven weapons were pointed at him, but he didn't seem to care.
"Hoedemaker!" Gibbs called one last time. The big blond man turned, fixing Gibbs with an empty stare, before continuing his clumsy flight.
Gibbs didn't hesitate. One shot, one kill. Or in this case, one wound. The bullet hit Hoedemaker in the back of his right knee and he went down like a ton of bricks, his considerable momentum propelling him forward a few feet before he collapsed completely. He was writhing on the floor screaming obscenities when Gibbs -- followed closely by Kate, Tony, and SG-12 -- reached him.
"You'll pay for this!" Hoedemaker hollered. "I'll kill you all!"
"Not on my watch," Gibbs growled softly.