TITLE: The Evil Eye
AUTHOR: plumtuckered
GENRE: Action/Adventure, Hurt/Comfort
NOTES: This story takes place between season seven episodes "Orpheus" and "Revisions" and is team-oriented, but with a definite emphasis on the friendship between Jack O'Neill and Daniel Jackson.
As always, reviews are most welcomed and extremely appreciated. Thank you.
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CHAPTER ONE
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"So what are you saying, Major?"
Samantha Carter looked down at her boots then took a deep steadying breath. "I'm saying I don't know what happened, sir," she replied moving her gaze back to the lens of the MALP's camera. "Daniel and the colonel were right behind us. If the 'gate on P2R-621 was hit by lightening, they may be stranded."
"Or they may have been in transit," came the solemn reply of General George Hammond. Sam could hear the worry in the voice of the SGC's commanding officer. "Is it possible they're trapped in the buffer like Teal'c was a couple years ago?"
"If that was the case, sir, we lost them the minute the wormhole was established from Earth."
She could hear the sharp exhalation of breath through the transmitter and the muttered curse.
"All right then, Major," continued the general. "We'll assume Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson are still on P2R-621. We'll try dialing the 'gate from here. Your first priority is to settle the evacuees in their new home."
"Yes, sir, understood. Sir?"
"Our next check-in time will be in one hour, but if we're able to get through to the colonel and Dr. Jackson, we'll contact you sooner. Good luck, Major."
Sam swallowed convulsively as the connection between P8C-904 and Earth disengaged. She wondered again what had gone so wrong.
SG-1 had arrived on 92R-621 to assist in the evacuation of its nomadic inhabitants to a new world, their own world facing devastation from quickly approaching electrical storms. The rains had hit just as the last inhabitants were making it through the 'gate. Daniel had gone back to help an elderly couple who was struggling through the mud and Colonel O'Neill had instructed Sam to help. She'd taken the old woman while Daniel had helped the old man. A lightening strike had hit far too close to Daniel and the elderly man had stumbled. O'Neill had hurried to help. Sam and Teal'c had waited at the 'gate for their two companions, but the colonel had ordered them to go through.
Sam turned to Teal'c. "They were right behind us," she said adamantly.
The big Jaffa nodded. "O'Neill and Daniel Jackson have taken shelter from the storms," he replied evenly. "They are well, Major Carter."
"I hope so."
"Excuse me."
Sam looked beyond her warrior friend to see the elderly woman she'd helped only minutes before approaching.
"My husband," continued the woman her aged hands anxiously clasping and unclasping in front of her. "Where is Caleb?"
Sam exchanged a brief look with Teal'c then she looked back at the frightened woman with as much confidence as she could muster. "We believe he and our friends are stranded on your home world. We're doing everything we can to find them, ma'am."
Tears pooled in the woman's green eyes, but she nodded. "My name is Adia ValTori," she replied with a small smile then she straightened her shoulders. "I know that Daniel and his friend will keep my Caleb safe."
"They will---Adia."
"Grandmother?"
The old woman turned to the younger one who appeared at her elbow.
"Come, Grandmother. We have much to do to ready our new home for Papa's return."
Adia nodded. "Yes of course, Gabriella, you're right," she replied. She looked back to Sam and smiled again then let her granddaughter lead her back to the circle of makeshift shelters SG-12 had set up earlier.
The major turned back to the Stargate and thought of her two friends. They were okay, she assured herself firmly. They had to be okay.
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Jack narrowed his eyes against the bright light. "Oy," he groaned, one hand instantly moving to his head.
"Take it easy, Jack."
The colonel blinked then slowly a face moved into frame backlit by the sun. "Daniel?"
"Yeah," replied the archeologist.
Jack sat up slowly. "You all right?" he asked peering sideways at his friend.
Daniel nodded. "Yeah, I'm---um---I'm fine," he replied somewhat sheepishly. "We came through the 'gate pretty hard and I---well, I sort of landed on top of you---thank you for that, by the way."
"Is that why I'm so sore?"
The younger man had the courtesy to look suitably chagrined.
Jack smiled slightly then looked around. "This isn't P8C-90-whatever," he remarked.
"04," supplied Daniel helpfully.
"And where are Carter and Teal'c?"
"They're not here."
"I can see that, Daniel," snapped the colonel brusquely. He pushed himself to his feet with his friend's help then surveyed their surroundings. "Is that an ocean?" he asked as he took in the nearby shoreline and adjusted his cap.
"More like a sea actually.
"Just where the hell are we?"
"I think we 'are' on P8C-904, Jack, just in a different location."
Jack furrowed his brows and looked hard at his friend. "What?"
Daniel canted his head and narrowed his blue eyes, the sun momentarily glinting off his glasses. "Remember when you and Sam found that other 'gate on Earth?"
"Yes, and I wouldn't exactly say we 'found' it."
"Right, well---I think what happened to you and Sam is exactly what's happened here."
Jack stared at the younger man expectantly. "And?"
"We were rerouted, for lack of a better term, to another gate on the same planet."
"Are you sure about that?" asked the colonel. He turned a full circle. "Cause this doesn't look like any MALP images I ever saw."
"Think about it, Jack---what if a bolt of lightening hit the 'gate just as we were entering? The surge of power could have redirected the wormhole to this 'gate just like that surge of power redirected the wormhole on Earth. I can't think of any other explanation, given what we know of how the 'gate system works."
Jack looked around suddenly. "There was an old man with us," he stated.
"Caleb," supplied Daniel helpfully. "Caleb ValTori. He's---um---over there." He motioned to the beach where Jack finally noticed the elderly man sitting in the sand. "Apparently, he's never seen this much water before," continued the archeologist somewhat wistfully then he turned back to the colonel. "We've already tried dialing P8C-904's address and nothing happened. We've got to be at a second 'gate, Jack."
The older man scowled. "How long was I out, for crying out loud?"
Daniel's jaw twitched with impatience. "I don't know, Jack, maybe fifteen minutes?" he replied then he sighed. "Listen, if I'm right, then Sam and Teal'c are here, too, just not here---here."
Jack looked up at the Stargate looming over them. "If I remember correctly, our 'gate was pretty much fried by that surge of power."
"Yes, but that's only because the super conductive interface---."
"Ah, ah," Jack interrupted with an upraised finger. "None of that techno-crap, Daniel. I get enough of it from Carter."
Daniel sighed again. "Yes, it was---fried, Jack, but this 'gate is different. There's no computer interface like ours and besides, if any 'gate was---fried, it would be the one Teal'c and Sam came out of---after they---came out of it."
Jack pursed his lips then he shrugged. "Well, okay then. Dial up Earth and let's get our asses out of here."
The archeologist's eyebrows arched over his glasses then furrowed, his expression letting Jack know that the brilliant scientist hadn't considered that. "Right," he replied. "Good idea."
Jack smiled and shook his head slightly. "I'll go get---Caleb, is it?"
Daniel nodded then turned to the DHD. Jack eyed the elderly man and moved quickly across the dry grass to the sandy beach, his P-90 cradled against his chest.
Caleb squinted up at the colonel. "Are we leaving now, sir?" he asked.
"Yeah, got to get you back to your wife and its Jack, my name is Jack."
"Daniel said my Adia may already be here---Jack."
"Well, yes, but we need to go back to our planet in order to bring you back here---to her."
Caleb's brows furrowed then he smiled kindly. "That doesn't make much sense to a simple-minded man like me," he replied. "But I trust you and your friend." He pushed himself to his feet.
The sound of a weapon's report shattered the air and the colonel swung around, his P-90 already raised and ready. He stepped in front of Caleb then looked toward Daniel to see a group of the ugliest men he'd ever seen approaching his friend. The archeologist had his Beretta out as he back-pedaled away from the oncoming behemoths.
"Stay here," whispered Jack over his shoulder then he hunkered down and headed for the cover of the big 'gate. As he moved, he thought about how at one time not so very long ago, Daniel would have yelled out to Jack without hesitation, giving up the colonel's location. But Daniel had learned to be a soldier and in a very real way, that transformation had saddened Jack; gone was the innocence of the dweeb who needed his protection and his guidance.
The Air Force officer's mind snapped to the present and he quickly assessed their situation. He could see no one else except the seven huge men nearing Daniel. The archeologist fired another warning shot into the air then lowered his gun to aim it directly at the lead behemoth. Jack scowled; geez, they were ugly----and big.
Just as the colonel reached the shadow of the 'gate, the hiss of a zat blast reached his ears and he cringed, watching as Daniel's body was engulfed in bright white lightening. The archeologist went down hard twitching uncontrollably, his glasses flying, his face clearly conveying the pain sweeping over him. Jack raised his P-90, but froze when he heard the tell tale spitting of a staff weapon snapping to life just behind him.
"That is not a wise idea."
Jack glanced over his shoulder to see a giant of a man standing next to Caleb, a zat pointed at the old man's temple. Beside him stood one of the ugly goons, a staff weapon held proudly at his side and aimed directly at the colonel.
"I will kill him," said the big man then his eyes glowed yellow white. "Without hesitation."
Jack lowered his weapon, stood up and turned. "Okay, okay," he appeased.
The Goa'uld smiled then fired at Jack.
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Teal'c clasped his staff weapon tightly and lifted his chin, General Hammond's words still echoing in his mind; the 'gate will not engage.
"Oh, my God," murmured Major Carter.
"General Hammond is attempting to reach the Tok'ra," offered Teal'c. "They will take a ship to P2R-621 and retrieve O'Neill and Daniel Jackson."
"I hope they're okay, Teal'c."
"They are well, Major Carter. We must continue to believe that."
The young woman nodded then turned away from the MALP. "I should tell Adia and her granddaughter."
"I will accompany you."
Teal'c walked beside his friend toward the small encampment. He could hear and see the children playing and laughing and it reminded him of Rya'c when he was but a boy. His son had recovered quickly from his recent torture at the hands of the Jaffa on Erebus much as the children Teal'c currently observed had recovered from their terrifying flight of mere hours ago. He wondered at their recuperative powers.
"Kids sure know how to bounce back," said the major echoing Teal'c's thoughts.
"Indeed they do."
Major Carter pointed. "There's Adia and Gabriella over there."
Adia looked up from the meal she'd been preparing with her granddaughter as the major and Teal'c approached. "Any word of my husband?" she asked as she wiped her hands on the apron she wore.
"There is not," replied Teal'c. "However, General Hammond is contacting one of Earth's allies. They will go to your home world and retrieve Caleb ValTori as well as our friends."
Adia took a step back from the big Jaffa, her hands twisting in the fabric of her apron.
"Grandmother?"
"Thank you---Teal'c," Adia replied hesitantly. "I am certain my Caleb is well."
"Are you okay, Adia?" asked Major Carter.
The old woman smiled sheepishly. "Yes," she replied then she looked up at Teal'c. "I'm sorry, young man, it's just that I've heard tell of the Jaffa. I must admit to being a might frightened of you."
Teal'c bowed his head. "You have my word, Adia ValTori, that I will do no harm to you or your friends."
Adia smiled hesitantly. "Thank you, young man."
"I am in fact several years your elder," added Teal'c with a slight curve of his lips.
"Oh, my," gasped the old woman. "You look so young."
"Thank you."
Adia's expression sobered as she held Teal'c eyes. "Are they all right?"
"It is my belief that they are."
The old woman pursed her lips then nodded her head with conviction. "Well, then there is much work to do. Are you hungry? Gabriella and I are preparing our evening meal and you and Major Carter are welcome to join us."
"Samantha, my---my name is Samantha."
"All right, Samantha, are you hungry?"
Major Carter smiled softly. "Actually Teal'c and I need to help secure the perimeter, but you enjoy your meal."
Gabriella frowned. "We are safe here, aren't we?" she asked.
"Yes, it's just a precaution," replied the major.
The other woman seemed to accept Major Carter's words and turned back to slicing an oddly shaped fruit.
Adia lifted an aged hand and tentatively grasped Teal'c's fingers. "I am sorry if I hurt your feelings."
"Rest assured that you did not, Adia ValTori."
The old woman smiled warmly then turned back to her granddaughter, immediately chastising her for slicing the fruit too thick.
Teal'c observed the two women for a long moment then turned and joined Major Carter on their trek to join SG-12.
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"Take it easy, youngster."
The archeologist blinked then sat up, his body reminding him instantly of the shock he'd taken. He looked around squinting to find himself in a gloomy cell, several sets of sunken eyes staring back at him from weathered, fearful faces.
"How are you feeling?"
"Um---fine," replied Daniel hesitantly as his gaze settled on Caleb's worried face. He squinted further then pointed at the other man's eye. "What happened?"
Caleb smiled self-deprecatingly as he fingered the livid bruise. "I didn't know quite what to do," he replied. "You two were out cold and they kept asking me questions." He shrugged. "I just pretended not to understand."
Daniel gave the man an apologetic smile then he started. "Jack, where's Jack?"
"Right here," groaned the colonel. "Oy, that was SO not the zat we've come to know and love."
"They must have made some um---modifications."
Jack sat up at Daniel's side. "You think?" Then he too took in their current surroundings. "Where the hell are we?"
Caleb sat back on his heels. "No one will tell me," he replied. "They won't speak."
"What happened after---," Jack asked with a grimace and a wave of his hand. "You know, we got zatted?"
"They took us to a clearing," explained the old man. "There was a bright light and----and then we were underground."
Daniel met Jack's knowing eyes. "Rings," he said at the same time as his friend. He looked back at Caleb. "Underground?"
"Yes. They hauled us through a tunnel for quite a long distance---it was so wet and cold. I'm---I'm sorry I don't know exactly the distance." He fingered his eye again gingerly. "I had other things on my mind at the time."
Daniel gently patted Caleb's shoulder. "You did just fine," he placated gently.
"Then they put us in here."
Jack pushed himself to his feet and wavered slightly then reached down to help Daniel up. "Some of these folks are Jaffa," he said, his voice pitched for only Daniel's ears. He kept a firm grip on the archeologist's arm as he looked around.
"I know, but it's pretty clear from their appearance that they're all prisoners."
The colonel scowled. "Of a Goa'uld."
Daniel's eyebrows arched. "You saw him?"
"Oh, yeah. Big guy, arrogant, you know the type."
Daniel shook his head in disgust. "His----his---," he stammered with a wave of his hand.
"Goons?" offered Jack helpfully.
"Yes, his goons---they don't have any markings on their foreheads."
Jack frowned. "Do they even have foreheads?"
Daniel ignored his friend's comment and turned his focus on their cellmates. "Hello, I'm Daniel Jackson, this is Jack O'Neill and this is Caleb ValTori. Would you mind telling us where we are?"
"You are in my stronghold, Daniel Jackson."
The archeologist swung around to see a giant of a man dressed in regal red robes peering at him through the cell bars. His eyes glowed as he tipped his chin up and stared down his nose appraisingly at Daniel.
"I am Lord Balor," continued the Goa'uld smugly. "Welcome to my home."
"Balor," repeated Daniel, tasting the name, his memory stirring.
"You've heard of this guy?" asked Jack. "What am I saying? Of course you have."
"Balor of the Mighty Blows---or of the Mighty Sword, depending on what text you read. In Irish mythology, he was an evil king who ruled over the Fomorians."
"Fomorians?"
"They were a race of grotesque giants---."
"Oh, grotesque doesn't do these guys justice, Daniel, but giants? These guys are HUGE."
"He was also known as Balor of the Evil Eye."
"Evil Eye? Kind of campy, don't you think?"
Daniel heard a chorus of hushed murmurs from his cellmates and he looked at them curiously. "I suppose so, yes," he replied tentatively. "There's some---um---difference of opinion as to where exactly the eye was located. Some thought it was a third eye, others thought----."
Jack squeezed the arm he still grasped. "Daniel?"
The archeologist looked back at his friend. "Oh, sorry---all agreed that Balor could kill with it, though, with just a look. For that reason, he kept it closed and only opened it, with the help of his men, during times of battle."
"Well I'm looking at both this guy's eyes and I'm still standing here."
Daniel sighed with infinite patience. "It stands to reason, Jack, that the Goa'uld host doesn't actually have an---evil eye."
Balor snorted. "You two amuse me," he stated then he looked at Daniel. "How do you know so much about me?"
Daniel shrugged. "Hobby?"
The Goa'uld scowled. "How did you get here? No one arrives through the Chappa'ai."
"Well, sorry to disappoint, Balor, but that's how we arrived," replied Jack tersely. "And if you don't mind, we'd sort of like to leave the same way."
Balor narrowed his eyes and his jaw muscles twitched. "Bring that one," he snapped with a jerk of his chin toward Daniel.
"Ah, now wait just a minute," began Jack as he released the archeologist's arm and stepped in front of him. "I'm in charge here, if you want to talk to someone, you talk to me."
One of the giant men opened the door to the cell and stepped in. Murmurs of fear rose from the slaves that surrounded him and Daniel couldn't help but balk as well. The Fomorian pushed Jack aside with ease then gripped Daniel's arm and yanked him toward the door. The man stood a good six inches taller than Teal'c and weighed a ton so Daniel's struggles to get free were feeble at best.
"Hey!" yelled the colonel angrily from behind Daniel.
The Fomorian slammed the door shut just as Jack reached it then all but lifted Daniel off his feet as he followed Balor down the corridor.
"Daniel!"
The archeologist turned his head to get a last glimpse of Jack's livid face pressed up against the bars then he was hauled out of view.
The corridor was lined with three doors all leading into cells holding more slaves. On some Daniel noted the markings of Ba'al, Apophis, and Heru'ur. On others, there were no markings at all.
"Where did all these people come from if no one arrives through the Chappa'ai?"
"I gathered most of them, but others came from across the sea," replied Balor.
"Gathered?"
The Goa'uld glanced back over his shoulder. "You are too curious, Daniel Jackson," he stated.
"Yeah, well---."
"Another hobby?"
Daniel remained silent. He shot a look up at the face of the Fomorian who still brutally clutched his arm. The man definitely wasn't human, his features bordering on simian. Crisscrossing over his leathery skin Daniel could see deep and ugly scars. The man glanced down at Daniel and the archeologist shivered; he didn't like what was staring back at him through those black orbs. He looked quickly away and focused his attention on Balor's back.
Only minutes had passed when Daniel could see a difference in lighting, the bulk of Balor backlit by it. He crossed from the cold stone of the prison block into the familiar interior of a ha'tak then was dragged into what he knew could only be Balor's personal chambers.
"Leave us," commanded the Goa'uld.
The Fomorian looked down at Daniel and smiled, revealing a mouthful of pointed, but very rotten teeth. He released the archeologist then did as he was ordered and left the room.
Daniel rubbed his bruised bicep absently as he gazed around at the gaudy decor. The room wasn't as splendid as the other chambers in which he'd found himself in the past, almost appearing worn and fairly shabby by Goa'uld standards and he wondered at that.
"So tell me who you are, Daniel Jackson."
The archeologist looked back at Balor who stood next to a small ornate table. The Goa'uld removed his wrist device and set it next to another piece of technology the shape of which Daniel could see even without his glasses. His stomach dropped.
The Goa'uld picked up the ribbon device then turned to Daniel. "Ah, I see you recognize this," he said with a smile. "So you've had dealings with my brethren in the past."
"You could say that."
Balor put the hand device carefully back on the table. "Don't worry, Daniel Jackson, I don't plan on using this on you---yet." He moved with assured grace to sit in a big chair then regarded Daniel with an easy smile. "Tell me, how do you know my brethren?"
Daniel shifted on his feet. "We---um---have only met a few during our explorations of other worlds," he replied, hoping he sounded convincing.
"Explorations?" repeated the Goa'uld as he picked carefully at a fingernail. "You expect me to believe that you and your two friends are explorers?"
"Yes, you see I'm an archeologist---."
Balor looked up and his eyes glowed suddenly. "Do not lie to me, boy!" he hissed. "We took weapons from you. Explorers do not carry such weapons."
"They do now."
The Goa'uld studied Daniel for a long moment then he smiled again. "It doesn't matter," he said. "If there are other---explorers searching for you, they will never find you here." He rose from the chair and moved to stand in front of Daniel. "You will serve me in the quarries. Although---." He reached a hand out to grip Daniel's chin, lifting it. "I will hate to see such spirit quashed."
Daniel swallowed, but remained silent as the Goa'uld drew closer.
"Your eyes are intelligent," commented Balor. "I get the feeling that there is much more to you than just your appealing looks---much, much more."
"You know, a good mouthwash can help with that little breath problem."
Balor smiled revealing a set of perfect teeth then he released Daniel's chin with a vicious jerk and stepped back. "Kree!" he shouted.
The Fomorian appeared at Daniel's elbow so quickly, the archeologist started.
"Take him back to the others," continued the Goa'uld with a dismissive wave of one big hand.
The alien grunted then grabbed Daniel's upper arm and pulled him toward the door then out of the room. He immediately realized they weren't heading in the same direction from which they'd come only minutes earlier.
"Hey, my friends are that way."
The Fomorian grunted again. They turned a corner then Daniel was slammed back into a darkened corner so hard, he felt his breath leave his body in a rush. He gasped as the heat of the big alien pressed against him, the stench of the unwashed body making him retch. A big sweaty hand grabbed his throat and forced his face up and he felt hot moist breath gust across his cheek.
"Let me go," Daniel choked. He forced a knee up into what he hoped was the Fomorian's groin and was rewarded with a pained grunt but nothing more.
A hand moved to pull his black t-shirt from the waistband of his BDUs and Daniel kneed the behemoth again. The hand moved up inside his shirt and razor sharp claws raked down his ribcage.
Daniel jerked and gasped. "No," he hissed with a mixture of venom and fear. "No, stop."
The hand moved up again and again its claws ripped down through delicate flesh.
Daniel could hear and feel the Fomorian's erratic panting, smell his rancid breath as he pressed his body even closer, effectively pinning the archeologist with his bulk.
"God, no."
Then the pressure was gone and Daniel fell to his knees. He looked up to see Balor, his handsome face twisted in fury, staring at the Fomorian. In a lightening swift move, the Goa'uld grabbed his minion's shoulder with one hand, pulled a knife from somewhere within his robes with the other then slit the giant's throat sending a cascade of hot blood spraying over Daniel.
As the archeologist struggled against a sudden wave of nausea, he heard Balor yell for more guards. He was then pulled to his feet and without a word, yanked over the body of the fallen Fomorian and led back to the cellblock.
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CONTINUED
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