Chapter 11
"Daniel Jackson, are you certain you know the correct route to take?" Teal'c asked, knowing the drive was taking a longer time than expected.
"Yes Teal'c I know the way." Daniel said getting a little annoyed himself that the drive was taking so long. "I should be around the next corner."
When Daniel and Teal'c turned the next corner, they got the shock of their lives. (Well maybe Daniel got the shock of his life, no telling what it would take to shock Teal'c) "Are you certain that is the correct address?"
"Yes Teal'c it's the right place; or at least it used to be." Daniel said as he stared at a pile of rubble from a recently demolished building.
"Well then we can be utmost assured that Major Carter and Colonel Mackenzie are not here."
"Yes Teal'c I got that, I just hope Jack and Rabb are having better luck finding Sam." Daniel reached in his pocket for his cell phone and dialled Jack.
"O'Neill."
"Hey Jack, any luck?" Daniel asked hopefully.
"We're just coming up on the warehouse now, it's huge and may take a long time to search it, how's it going on your end?"
"Well we're sure they're not here seeing how the building's been demolished."
Jack swallowed hard, not knowing whether to be relieved that at least there was one less place to look, or worry that the only place left, may not be the right place.
"Ah Jack, you sure Sam didn't find any other places to search?" Daniel said concerned.
"Ah just a second Daniel, I'll ask Rabb." Jack took the phone from his ear and turned to Rabb. "Was Carter working on the computer earlier and if so did she find anything?"
"Ah she was working on the computer, but didn't say anything before we were attacked." Harm said thinking back to the day's events.
"Where's the computer now?" O'Neill asked.
"Ah, I don't know, I don't remember seeing it when we were waiting for the others."
"Well when's the last time you saw it?" Jack was getting annoyed and the less than helpful answers he was getting.
"She had it on her lap when I brought her some water, then I went to check the house before all hell broke loose."
Jack sighed and put the phone back to his ear. "Listen Daniel, Carter was working on the computer before she was captured, I'm afraid we left it behind. Why don't you and Teal'c go get it and see if there's anything helpful on it. By all accounts it should be in the living room…somewhere." Jack turned to look at Rabb when he said the last part.
"We're almost at the warehouse now, so we'll be checking things out here. Call and let me know if you find anything."
"Will do Jack, you do the same." Daniel answered, as he headed back towards the house they had just left.
Jack put the phone to vibrate before putting it away; after all, he didn't want the cell phone giving away his position. He parked the car far enough away from the building so hopefully it wouldn't be noticed. "You ready Rabb?" Jack asked as he got out of the car and equipped himself with the weapons.
"Ready as I'll ever be Colonel." Rabb said doing the same.
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Sam was trying her damnest to stay on her feet, she was hanging from that damn hook just high enough above her head that she couldn't free her hands. Her arms were aching from every time her legs gave out on her, and her right knee wasn't going to hold any of her weight. Then she heard that awful voice again, asking her the same questions she had no intention of answering. "Now, now Major, it's a simple question, are you able to control the alien devices?" Stan asked, his voice showing no emotion at the time.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Sam slurred, with her head slumped forward.
"That's the wrong answer Major." Stan said then hit her across the face yet once again. Sam wasn't sure, how many times this jerk had hit her, just that he was alternating between her face and stomach, the right of her abdomen that is. She felt the blood trickling in her mouth, and with what little energy she had left, she spit the blood in his face, after all, he shouldn't have been in spitting distance in the first place.
This only infuriated Stan, making him punch her in the stomach with more force than he had before. This one proved to be too much as Sam lost consciousness forcing all her weight to be held up by her wrists.
"Stan you idiot! She's not going to be able to tell us anything now!" Frank was truly mad at Stan now. For over an hour, he had been asking the same questions and getting nowhere all he managed to do was repeatedly beat on this woman. "You know they want her alive, if you keep at it like this you're going to kill her."
"They said they wanted her alive, they didn't say what shape they wanted her in; and last time I checked she was still alive Frank." Stan said pulling Sam's head upright by the hair.
Frank took charge of the situation, "Get her down from there, and take them both back to the storage room." Then Frank went over to Mac, crouched down and looked her straight in the eye. "I suggest you convince your friend to start talking, things could get much worse." He then stood up and watched as Stan came over and untied her.
"You know the way." Stan said pointing a gun at her. He followed her out of the room, and was followed by two others dragging Carter.
When they reached the room Mac waited for the door to be opened, she thought it might be a good time to make her move. Only one guy had a gun, and the other two had their hands occupied by Sam. However, this little voice in her head told her she couldn't leave Sam alone in this condition and decided against it, as she stepped into the room. Sam was then deposited on the floor and the door locked once again.
The first thing Mac did was check Sam's pulse, she was relieved to find it was steady and stronger that before. All she could think about when she looked at Sam's battered face was the beating she witnessed. How the asshole asking the questions, took too much pleasure whenever he struck her. Sam just kept saying she didn't know the answer and he just kept hitting her. Mac had to shake her head, wondering why he would ask such ridiculous questions. Was she able to control alien devices? What did it take to control the devices? There was something else she didn't really understand; what on earth was a tokra?
Mac believed Sam wouldn't be able to take much more of this if it continued; she'd either answer the questions or die. She didn't want the latter to happen, and wondered if she should try to convince Sam to make up some story to pacify these guys; after all what would anyone know about alien devices, they didn't exist.
She noticed Sam start to stir, "Take it easy Sam try not to move."
"Oh, I must still be alive, dead wouldn't hurt so much."
Mac gave out a little snort at her ability to still have a sense of humour. "I hate to say this Sam, but you look terrible."
"I think the term is you look like crap." Sam said as she let out a moan.
Mac grimaced in sympathy, "is there anything I can do for you?'
"That depends, got any morphine on you?"
"Don't you think you've been drugged enough today?" Mac said joking; knowing she probably could use some morphine right now.
"Well then, do you think you could untie my hands?"
"Oh yea, sorry I was checking your pulse first." Mac proceeded to untie the ropes around Sam's hands and had to scowl when she saw the rope burns.
"Any idea how long I was…up there?" Sam asked, somehow being tortured made you lose your perspective of time.
"A little over an hour, I'm sorry to say. Sam…why don't you just tell them something, make something up, after all their talking about aliens! How stable can they be?"
"Somehow I think they'd know I was lying. They want specific answers and I can't give it to them."
They heard the doorknob rattling again, this time Mac jumped to her feet and stood in front of Sam, there was no way she was going to let them do anything else to this poor woman.
When the door opened the same woman who was there before was standing in front of her. "What do you want?" Mac asked showing the fury she felt.
"I need to get another blood sample, now if you'll step aside; this will be easier if I don't have to call them in to assist." The young woman with long dark hair said motioning to the two men outside the door.
"Look she needs medical attention, not her blood taken." Mac stood her ground with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Look you make this easy and I'll have some medical supplies and water brought in."
Mac thought about it, and realized there wasn't much she could do with the two men outside the door so she acquiesced, stepping aside and allowing the woman to enter.
The woman once again knelt beside Sam and she pulled Sam's arm out beside her. "Ah! Geez, take it easy will you." Sam said with the most energy she could muster, the movement of her arm caused a sharp pain to travel up to her shoulder. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I need a blood sample Major." The woman said with no sympathy while she continued her task.
"Shouldn't you be asking my permission?" Sam asked knowing the answer, but the woman didn't say anything.
"Look you appear to be some sort of doctor; can't you see what shape she's in? You should be trying to help her." Mac said exasperated, trying to get through to this person.
"I'm not an M.D." She said as she was finishing taking the sample.
"Couldn't handle the math eh." Sam said knowing this response pissed off most PhD's who specialized in the biology's.
"Ah Sam it's not a good idea to piss off the person holding the needle." Mac advised.
"Can't help it, it's in my nature." Sam said weakly, as she watched the strange woman leave.
Mac went back to her side and once again held a swab against the injection site. "How bad is it Sam?"
"Wouldn't know where to start, but anymore time on that hook I think I might dislocate a shoulder… or two."
"Well then, Major I'm ordering you to tell them something, try making something up. You're a doctor of astrophysics; you should be able to come up with some sort of bull shit."
Sam had to snicker at the order, "thanks for the uh…compliment Colonel, but like I said, their looking for answers I can't give them, they'll know if I'm lying."
"Wait a minute; they'll know if you're lying? Does that mean they'll know if you're telling the truth? Is what they're asking you about real? Are you telling me, there are actual alien devices?" Mac was shocked at what she was realizing. "I mean can you…really control alien devices? Is that why they keep taking your blood?"
"Listen Colonel, it's like you said earlier they're unstable, there are no aliens or devices." Sam said hoping Mac would believe her. She was still lying on the floor looking at the ceiling when an ideal came to her. "Mac, this is a supply room right?"
"Ah yes it is."
"What kind of supplies are in here?" Sam wanted to look herself, but was still unable to move.
Mac got up and moved around looking at the shelves and supplies. "It looks like a mixture of office supplies and cleaning supplies."
Sam finally had something to smile about, but before she could tell Mac, she heard a noise at the door again. Mac quickly made her way back to Sam's side. When the door opened, the guy she heard referred to as Frank was standing there holding supplies, while another man stood beside him holding a gun. "Here's the water and first aid kit." He crouched down and set the items beside Sam. "Look Major, I don't like this anymore than you do; I hope the colonel's convinced you to talk. The next round may just be worse, it seems my colleague has some sort of alien pain stick in his possession, and he's been dying to try it out." He then got up and headed for the door.
Mac noticed Sam's expression change, for the first time she actually saw fear in Sam's eyes. "Ah Frank is it?" Mac asked. He turned to face her and nodded yes. "Look Frank, I'm afraid the Major's not going survive another round with Stan. Any more time on that hook and her shoulders are going to get dislocated, and she'll most likely pass out again."
"I'll do what I can, but I don't think it will be much." Frank said and left the room.
Mac let out a sigh; she hoped she was able to get through to Frank only time would tell. She then went back to the matter at hand. She reached for a bottle of water then eased Sam up putting her arm behind Sam's shoulders and helped her drink; then took a drink herself. She rummaged through the kit and found a cold pack. "I have a cold pack here Sam, where do you want it first?"
Sam thought for a few minutes and decided it would probably do the most good on her face, her ribs and abdomen were a lost cause. "Face I think."
Mac activated the cold pack and placed it on Sam's face, she saw Sam struggle with her arms to hold it in place.
"Ah Sam I saw your reaction to Franks information about an alien pain stick…what is it? And don't even try to tell me you don't know, I saw the reaction on your face, you're really scared I can tell."
"Sure I'm scared, aren't you, what if they decide to try and get me to talk by torturing you?"
"Don't try to bullshit me Sam, I think were past that now."
"All I can tell you is that if they use that thing on me…I probably won't survive."
Mac's eyes grew large in shock, knowing that Sam believed what she was saying. "They don't want you dead Sam."
"They may not realize what that thing can do."
"And you know, for sure?"
"Yea, I'm afraid so. Look Mac, I need you do a favour for me."
"Anything, just ask."
"If I don't make it…I need you to grant my last request."
"Sure I will, but you don't have to worry you'll make it, we both will." Mac didn't know who she was trying to convince herself or Sam.
"If I don't make it, I need you to relay a message; but if I do make it you have to keep it confidential, forget you ever heard it. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes Sam, what ever you say, will be confidential, between a lawyer and client, and friends, I hope."
Sam nodded and took a deep breath, saying this out loud was going to be harder than she thought. "First of all I want you to tell my teammates I love them. Not to blame themselves for my death; but most of all I want…Colonel O'Neill to know that I …"
"That you're in love with him?" Mac finished her sentence, knowing Sam was having difficulty saying it.
Sam looked up at Mac's face surprised. "Yea, how did you know?"
Mac let out a little snicker, "I may be a marine Sam, but I'm still a woman; I could sort of tell back at the house when O'Neill was taking care of you. I could also tell he has the same feelings for you."
"I ah, don't think so…he kinda met someone else on his last mission. Made it quite clear how he feels about her." Sam said with sadness in her voice
"Are you sure?" Mac was puzzled by her reply; she didn't believe Sam couldn't see what was in front of her eyes.
"So you'll do as I asked?"
"Yea, but only if I have to, which I truly believe I won't need to."
Sam thought it was time to take matters in their own hands, if she wasn't going to survive; she was going to make sure Mac had every opportunity to get out of there. "I have an idea Mac, but first I have to know if there's anything flammable in the kit?"
Mac looked the kit; "There's some rubbing alcohol, and plenty of bandages."
"Good." Sam said taking a deep breath, "now I need you to get the cleaning supplies and bring them to me."
Mac looked at her puzzled but did as she asked; she gathered the bottles and brought them to Sam. She was going to hand her one, then realized Sam wouldn't be able to hold the bottle, so she held them up so Sam could read them.
Sam smiled as she read the ingredients. "Yes! This will work. Now I just need to MacGyver a timer and we'll be all set."
"What are you talking about Sam?"
"Look Mac, in most likely hood we won't be coming back here, we'll either escape or ..." Sam knew she was most likely going to die in the next session, "I'm going to mix up a little bomb."
"With us in here? Are you nuts?"
"No just a scientist who likes to blow things up." She said grinning slightly, but even that hurt to do. "Don't worry I'll set it so it won't blow up until we're gone, but I'll need your help." Mac nodded, and then followed Sam's instructions; she emptied the plastic first aid kit and poured the chemical solutions as instructed. "Now take the cap from the water bottle and fill it with the alcohol, then carefully place it on the bandage roll, but make sure it doesn't spill."
Mac took in a deep breath and let out a sigh before performing the delicate task. "Okay done."
"Good, now unroll the other bandage and stick one end in the box and carefully close the lid. Now take the rest of bandage and extend it to those boxes and put the end in the bottle of alcohol."
"What exactly is going to happen?" Mac asked as she finished.
"Well when we leave one of us is going to knock the first aid kit, spilling the cap of alcohol and thus starting a chain reaction. It will only take a few minutes for it to bubble up and cause a flash point igniting the bandage leading to the alcohol and boxes, this room should go up in flames in no time."
"Yea but won't it be confined to this room?"
"There's insulation running through the entire ceiling system, once it starts burning in here, it should continue on throughout the building."
"Sam you do realize we'll be stuck in this building with the fire."
"Yea but it will hopefully cause the distraction we need, they'll have to go put it out or run, giving us a chance to escape."
"Well I have to say it's quite an ambitious plan, I only hope it works."
"Just remember to knock the box, when they come for us."
"I definitely will." Mac said shaking her head.
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"We've been at this for hours O'Neill; I don't think they're here." Harm said sadly.
"Yea, I'm afraid your right. I'll give Daniel a call and see what he's up to." With that, Jack took out his cell phone and dialled. "Daniel, it's me, did you find anything?"
"Ah yea Jack, Sam had some other places on her computer. Teal'c and I are back at the base co-ordinating with Hammond."
"What places Daniel, were not having any luck here." Jack said exasperated.
"It seems the NID acquired three buildings in a medical complex, they all contain a bunch of labs."
"Damn it!" Jack shouted, "There's no telling what they'll be doing to Carter in there."
"Give me the address, Rabb and I'll head over there now."
"Jack it's too much for the two of you to search, the general's co-ordinating a rescue mission."
"Well they can join us when they get there then, just give me the address; Rabb and I will figure something out."
"What did you find out Colonel?" Harm was very concerned from the bits of the conversation he heard.
"It seems they're holding them in a building containing medical labs. This doesn't look good for Carter."
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Mac was sitting against one of the metal shelf units watching the door and keeping an eye on Sam who had managed to fall asleep; at least Mac hoped she was just sleeping and hadn't passed out. Then she heard the noise of the door being unlocked again. She took a deep breath. 'Time for another round, or the last round if Sam's plan works.' She thought to herself as she moved over to sit beside Sam.
"Time to go ladies." Frank said as he stepped into the room. Then he noticed Mac trying to wake Sam up, it took her longer than expected so he was about to come over and 'help', when Mac spoke up.
"Just give me a minute, with all you've done to her, how do you expect her move quickly? Mac said angrily, as she struggled to help Sam to her feet. It felt like Sam was getting heavier, but she knew it was just the result of Sam becoming weaker and unable to hold up her own weight. As Mac moved with Sam towards the door, she 'accidentally' knocked the first aid kit.
Frank saw the two women struggling, he handed his gun to one of the other men and went over to Sam's other side putting her arm over his shoulder and helped them walk to the room.
The first thing Mac noticed about the room was another chair was brought in, and that she and Sam were being led to it. Frank motioned for Mac to sit Sam down, then he pointed out Mac's chair. Mac moved over to 'her' chair and was once again tied to it dashing her hopes that things were getting better. She wondered to herself how long it would be before the fire started to engulf the storage room.
"Well Major, as you can see we really aren't that barbaric." Frank said gesturing to the chair.
"Oh how kind of you." Sam said sarcastically, 'maybe I've been around the colonel too much' she thought to herself.
"You're actually very lucky today Major, it seems the boss wants to meet with you personally and ask you some questions directly."
"Lucky me, I can hardly wait." In normal circumstances, her voice would be dripping with sarcasm, but she could barely get her answer out above a whisper.
"Well I think that's him coming now." Frank said when he heard the footsteps approaching.
The first thing he noticed when he entered the room, was that all eyes were on him, he then noticed how Captain, 'no it's major now' how Major Carter looked. He couldn't believe this was the same woman he met years ago. He thought for sure she would have given in by now and avoided all the pain. She was slumped in the chair, barely able to keep her head up, her face all bruised and two black eyes. He shook his head as he walked closer to her, ignoring the other woman tied in the chair. "Now now Major Carter, why did you put yourself through this? We just need to know a few things."
Sam slowly looked up and couldn't believe whom she was seeing. "Well Colonel, long time no see, I'd get up and salute but I think you've lost that right."
"That's okay Major, you can stay seated. Now let's see I think the last time we met, was when I was trying to take Teal'c into my custody. It's a shame, because if I had been able to take him, we may not have had to take you."
"What are you talking about Kennedy, you know everything that goes on at the SGC, what did you need me for?"
He motioned for Stan to enter the room; then pulled up a chair so he was sitting in front of Sam. "You see Major; I've been working closely with Maybourne and was able to acquire a few items. Now we're pretty sure you're able to use these, but we want to know how you are able to use them. Imagine if all our soldiers were able to use these items, we'd be as strong as the Goa'uld. That's why we've been testing your blood, to see if the answers could be found."
"I don't know what you're talking about; I'm a soldier like everyone else on the base."
Kennedy took two of the items Stan was holding and placed them on his lap. One was a Goa'uld hand device, and the other was a Tok'ra healing device. "Now Major right about now, I would think you'd want to use the healing device on yourself."
"Which one would that be?" Sam asked not letting on that she knew how to use the items, although not that well.
"Come on Major, don't lie to me, I've seen your blood tests and there is definitely something foreign in your blood, which I suspect gives you the ability to use these."
"Look I'm just the expert on the base, and a soldier, if you've found something strange in my blood, then I think I should go see the base doctor and get it checked out."
"Oh I know you know exactly what I'm talking about; after all it was because of you we were able to make allies with the Tok'ra. Look, all we want to do is be able to arm our soldiers, and I think you're the link to getting the answers. Now why don't you demonstrate how this device works and explain how it works" He said holding up the healing device.
Sam was tempted to take it and try to heal herself, but she knew she had problems controlling the device when she was strong, there'd be no way she'd be able to control it in her present condition. So she just lifted her head with a look of defiance on her face.
"Very well Major, you know I've also acquired another Goa'uld device, one that anyone can use." Kennedy said as he motioned Stan forward.
Stan had a look of pleasure on his face as he thought he'd get his chance to use this 'new toy.'
"Now will you do as I ask, or do I let Stan try out this item?"
"No! You can't it will kill her!" Mac yelled; she was shocked at everything she heard, but also remembered Sam say she'd probably die if they used that thing on her.
"Now Colonel Mackenzie, how would you know if this device would kill her?"
"Just look at the shape she's in, any type of trauma to her right now will likely kill her."
"I find it so peculiar, that you're so concerned for the Major, after you've been such a help to us."
At hearing this Sam's head perked up, and she stared bewildered at Mac. "You? How could you?"
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A/N: Please don't mutiny on me, or send a patrol of a Jaffa to find me. The next chapter will be coming soon.