The Day the Iris Was Closed
By Sekhmet42
Pairing: Jack/Daniel, if anything
Season: Any
Warnings: Character death
"Unscheduled off-world activation," the loudspeaker boomed throughout Cheyenne Mountain.
"I'm receiving a signal," reported Sgt. Davis. "It's –"
Walter was cutoff by a loud thump on the Iris. Something had hit.
"– SG-1, sir. . ." Oh crap. This was gonna get him fired for sure.
"Open the Iris!" Hammond ordered, a frightening sense of urgency in his voice.
The Iris opened just as Sam ran through, holding her arm. A staff-weapon shot blasted across the room just as Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c dove through.
"Close the Iris!" Jack ordered when he stopped rolling. The Iris was quickly shut behind him. Hammond ordered a medical team. Meanwhile, Jack looked around the 'Gate room. "Where's Daniel?" he asked. Walter cringed, his worst fear confirmed.
General Hammond stepped into the 'Gate room. "Colonel O'Neill, I was about to ask you the same question."
"What?"
Oh yeah, this was the end of Walter's career as he knew it. And he did not feel fine. Perhaps he could find a job teaching. He'd always wanted to be a teacher. He only joined the Air Force so he could pay for college, anyway. Somewhere along the line though, he got sucked in and forgot all about teaching. The "Teacher of the Year Award" of his dreams was soon replaced by military commendations and rank promotions. He ended up at Stargate Command out of pure chance. He'd almost call it fate. He always thought that maybe, someday, he'd end up on a 'Gate team. But now, he knew that would never happen. One of the most important people in the world was dead, and it was his fault.
"Colonel, Doctor Jackson did not come through the 'Gate on our end." General Hammond said, tentatively. Sgt. Davis sat in his little chair and stared at the scene in front of him, unable to move or speak. The tide was coming in and waves from the Sea of Doom were washing up at his feet with alarming speed.
"Sir, I know Daniel made it through the 'Gate. I gave him an order and, for once, he actually followed it." Hoo boy! The irony in that was astounding. Walter might have started laughing, but the water now flooding into his lap was too distracting.
Carter was sitting on the ramp, clenching her bleeding arm and waiting for the medical team to arrive. Teal'c was standing protectively behind her. With a pained twinge in her voice she backed her CO, "I agree, sir. I saw Daniel step through the 'Gate just after Colonel O'Neill gave the order."
The water was past Walter's shoulders now, and swiftly rising. It was now hard for him to tell if the water was rising, or if he was sinking. The water tickled his chin and, again, he was tempted to laugh. But, before he got a chance, the water had risen past his nose. Walter instinctively held his breath.
Through waterlogged ears, he made out Teal'c's deep voice. "General Hammond, I am in agreement with Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill. Daniel Jackson did indeed enter the Stargate."
Walter closed his eyes, counted to ten, and opened them, finding himself suddenly and completely underwater. He took a long, deep breath and accepted his fate. He did not struggle. He did not spasm. He did not think. He simply sat there, in his little technician's chair, calmly sucking in water until the world went black.
O.o fin