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CHAPTER FOUR
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Sam gripped the back of Walter Harriman's chair as she watched the monitor, the UAV launched earlier that morning sending back images as it crossed the sea. She leaned in closer, her chin nearly touching the top of the sergeant's head, and saw the round shape of a 'gate standing out against the clear sky.
"Take it up a little higher, Sergeant," advised Hammond. "And bring it in over the Stargate."
"Yes, sir."
Hammond turned to Sam. "At least we know it isn't submerged," he said.
Sam nodded. "There's the DHD," she said as she pointed. "Can you hold it in place there?"
Harriman obliged and the UAV hovered just over the Dial Home Device.
"It appears to be unharmed," observed Teal'c. "Perhaps the crystals inside are damaged."
"Take it slowly over the area surrounding the 'gate, Sergeant," directed the general.
"The ground has recently been greatly disturbed."
Sam nodded. "You're right, Teal'c. That doesn't bode well for the colonel and Daniel."
"No it doesn't," agreed Hammond.
"Wait---go back, Sergeant," directed Sam. "There, what's that?"
Harriman zoomed in and Sam's eyes widened as she recognized the object she'd seen glinting in the sun; a pair of eye glasses.
"I believe those belong to Daniel Jackson," said Teal'c as he too leaned forward, his brows furrowed.
"That confirms that at least the doctor made it through," said the general. He straightened his posture as the UAV moved several yards to reveal the next all too familiar image.
"Damn," murmured Sam.
"Is that what I think it is, sir?" asked Harriman.
"Yes, Sergeant---Goa'uld transport rings. Take it low over the island. If there are hostiles, we don't want to give ourselves away."
The UAV skimmed low over the landscape sending back its images as it went.
Hammond put his hand on Harriman's shoulder. "Bring it to a stop, Sergeant then take it forward slowly."
The UAV crept forward, the long blades of dry grass brushing across the lens as it moved. Then suddenly, the ground dropped away and Sam couldn't help but gasp. The whiteness of the cliff walls opposite where the UAV hovered was almost blinding in the sunlight and her eyes narrowed without conscious thought.
"Can you angle the lens down, Sergeant Harriman?" asked Teal'c his deep voice hushed.
As the angle changed, the camera picked up people working, lifting and hauling rocks, and beyond them the beginnings of a temple being constructed against the cliff wall. The camera panned further.
"What is that?" asked Sam. She lifted a hand to point at a black mass standing out starkly against the blue sky at the top of one cliff wall.
Harriman zoomed in and the details became clearer.
"That looks like a weapon of some kind," stated Hammond. "Almost like one of the old Howitzer cannons only bigger."
"It is indeed a weapon, General Hammond," replied Teal'c. "It is called a Mal'Kek. I suggest you back the UAV away Sergeant Harriman before it is detected."
"Go ahead, Sergeant," directed the general then he turned to the Jaffa. "It has sensors I take it?"
"Yes. The Mal'Kek was one of the first pieces of weaponry the Goa'uld pilfered. It was used on the battlefield to kill those who were injured or otherwise slowed during battle."
"So it finished off the enemy," concluded Sam.
"It was not used on the enemy, Major Carter."
"What? The Goa'uld used it on their own Jaffa?"
Teal'c dipped his chin in a single nod. "The word 'kek' means weakness or death. The weapon simply found the weakness and eliminated it by death."
"So we can assume that whichever Goa'uld has this weapon, he's using it to keep his prisoners working," deduced Hammond.
"I believe that is a fair assumption, yes," replied Teal'c then he lifted one brow. "The Mal'Kek is considered an archaic weapon because of its size and its weight. To my knowledge, it has not been used since I was but a child. I find it puzzling that a Goa'uld would still be using it today."
"Maybe there isn't a Goa'uld there at all," suggested Sam. "We've seen other species use their technology before. The Tok'ra did tell us there were no Goa'uld in this system."
Hammond turned back to Harriman. "Sergeant, take us back then bring us around to the other side of the island."
"Yes, sir."
Sam watched the image of the white cliff walls grow smaller as the UAV backed away. The little unmanned aircraft then turned and swept back out over the water skimming low as if it was a bird.
"Are you looking for something specific, sir?"
Hammond pursed his lips. "That," he said with a jerk of his chin.
Sam saw the top of the all too familiar shape jutting up near the shoreline. "A ha'tak, but it looks too small."
"The ha'tak was originally built as a smaller vessel, Major Carter, but that was many, many years ago. Again, this is most puzzling."
"Well, I think it confirms we're dealing with a Goa'uld," said Hammond disgustedly.
"And that O'Neill and Daniel Jackson are more than likely its prisoners."
Sam looked from Teal'c to the general then back to the image of the ha'tak on the monitor. The knot in her stomach clenched a little tighter.
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Jack took a drink of the warm water and swished it around his mouth before he swallowed. He watched Daniel from the shadow of the Safety as his friend loaded up a cart. Even from the distance separating them, the colonel could see how pale his friend was beneath the dirt and grime. Since Caleb's death the day before, Daniel had seemed lethargic and at first Jack had thought it was the grief that was wearing his friend down, but as he watched Daniel's face, he knew there was something else. Daniel was hurting and not just emotionally.
The colonel's gaze moved up to the platform that loomed to his right. From what Liam had said, there were Goa'uld rings up there somewhere, but Jack couldn't see any control device from where he stood. Three days had come and gone and with every passing day, Jack's hope that Teal'c and Carter would find them dimmed. He looked back at Daniel; he had to get his friend to safety.
"Time to get back to work," said Liam from where he stood at Jack's side.
Jack nodded then placed his cup in the barrel and followed Liam out of the Safety and back into the fading sunlight. He turned to see Daniel standing at his cart, his eyes closed, wavering on his feet. Jack paused in his stride, but the man behind ran into his back and the colonel stumbled forward.
Daniel suddenly dropped to his knees and Jack could hear his cellmates calling out to him in hushed tones to get up. The archeologist's eyes opened and he looked up at the Eye. For a brief moment, Jack could sense defeat radiating from his friend then Daniel visibly shook himself and he pushed his weary body back up.
The rest of the shift went slowly and Jack spent most of his time casting glances over to where Daniel worked in the lower quarry. His friend had fallen several more times in the stifling afternoon heat, but had managed to get back up each time. Something was seriously wrong and Jack's blood ran cold with fear.
When the Fomorians whistled the end of shift, Jack hurried through the other slaves pushing through the entrance, scanning for his friend. He finally saw the top of Daniel's head, the archeologist tucked between two of their cellmates as they helped him stumble along.
"Daniel?"
The younger man turned his pale yet flushed face to smile at Jack. "Hey," he greeted.
"What the hell happened out there?" demanded the colonel as he followed Daniel and the others into their cell. The two men gently lowered the archeologist to the floor in the corner he shared with Jack and Caleb then backed away.
"I fell a few times."
Jack scowled. "You fell a few times?" he snapped. "Look at yourself, Daniel." He knelt at his friend's side.
Daniel laid back then grimaced, his hand going quickly to cover his side. "I'm fine."
"Like hell," barked the colonel. He reached and pulled up his friend's t-shirt then hissed violently. "Damn it, Daniel, why didn't you tell me?"
The archeologist peered down at his reddened abdomen. "It doesn't matter, Jack," he said dismissively.
The colonel scowled. "Did Balor do this?"
"Jack, it doesn't matter."
The older man winced at the gashes scoring his friend's side. "Geez, Daniel," he hissed. "These look bad." He gently touched the inflamed skin then drew his hand back when Daniel yelped.
"I'm fine, Jack, don't worry about it. They're just scratches."
"These are not just scratches, Daniel," replied Jack then he frowned leaning closer. "These look like---."
"Its okay, Jack---really," the archeologist interrupted pulling his shirt back down quickly. He inhaled sharply as the fabric brushed over the wounds.
Jack sat back on his heels. "This is why Balor killed his guard, isn't it?" he demanded.
Daniel nodded, his eyes downcast.
"Damn it, Daniel, you should have told me."
"It wouldn't have done any good, Jack. There's no doctor, no clean water except what we get in the Safety, no bandages or antiseptics---and the guy's dead."
Jack regarded his friend closely. "He tried to----uh---go where no man has gone before, didn't he," he stammered out unable to actually say the vile word of which he was thinking.
"I'm---I'm not sure."
"You're not sure?"
"Yes---no, I don't know, Jack. Balor showed up before he could do anything."
"Besides rip you to shreds, you mean."
"Jack."
"You should have told me."
"Why? What good would it have done? You would've just beat yourself up because you weren't there."
"Damn straight I would have! And I should have been there!" blurted Jack. He pointed his finger at the archeologist. "I promised myself when I got you back from Oma that I would never---never let you out of my sight again---."
"Well, that was a pretty stupid promise," interrupted Daniel matter-of-factly.
Jack stared at the younger man then shook his head, all the wind suddenly leaving his sails. "Damn it, Daniel," he grumbled.
The archeologist's lips twitched with amused affection. "All I need is some sleep, Jack. I'll be better in the morning."
Jack rubbed at his forehead with his fingers. "You should have told me."
"I'm sorry," mumbled Daniel as he closed his eyes and settled on the hard ground. "Just rest---all I need is---some rest---then I'll be---good as new."
The colonel remained silent as he watched his friend drift into sleep. He reached out a hand and rested it against Daniel's forehead, wincing at the heat warming his palm.
"How is he?"
Jack turned his head to look at Liam who knelt down beside him. "Not good," he replied, his eyes going back to his younger friend. He turned his hand over and placed its back against Daniel's cheek.
"It was close today, Jack. There were a few times I thought---."
"I know," replied the colonel. He squeezed his eyes shut, pulled his hand away from Daniel's cheek and dug its heel into his forehead. "I've got to get him out of here, Liam. He won't survive another day out there."
"How?"
Jack dropped his hand and looked at the other man. "Tomorrow morning---they'll take us to get washed up, right?"
"Yes," replied Liam tentatively.
"Tell me where the entrance is."
Liam's eyes widened then he shook his head. "You won't make it," he replied.
"What choice do I have? Daniel is going to die tomorrow if I don't get him out of here."
"Jack."
"Hamad told you where it is, right?"
"Yes, but---."
"Where is it?"
Liam sighed heavily then looked down at Daniel. "He's that important to you?" he asked. "Enough that you would risk your life to get him out of here?"
"Yes, he is. He's my friend, Liam. I can't lose him---not again."
Liam looked up at Jack. "Again?"
"He went away for a year, had some notion he could be of more help---." Jack waved his hand to encompass his surroundings. "Out there somewhere. That was one of the roughest years of my life. I won't go through that again, Liam. You have got to tell me where that entrance is."
"Hamad said it was near the bottom on the south side. Will that be enough?"
Jack nodded then turned his gaze back to Daniel. "Should be---it'll have to be."
Liam reached out and grabbed Jack's arm drawing his attention. "Balor knows any of us could have tried again to leave through that cave, Jack. We haven't because we've been too afraid, but he knows its there---he knows."
Jack pulled his arm away without rancor. "I have to try."
The other man regarded the colonel a long moment then he nodded. "You'll need a distraction. I'll make sure you get one."
"Thanks."
Liam glanced at Daniel. "He's so weak, Jack---."
"He's a lot stronger than he looks, Liam, believe me and he's a strong swimmer---stronger than I am." Jack looked down at his sleeping friend. "We'll make it." He reached for one of the old blankets, opened it and covered Daniel then he turned back to Liam. "When we get through the Stargate, we'll send help back. We'll get you out of here, okay?"
Liam nodded, but Jack could see in his eyes that his friend wasn't expecting his freedom.
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Teal'c stood beside Major Carter as the general finished his phone call. The SGC's CO motioned them forward into his office just as he said his thanks and ended the communication.
"Sir?" prompted the major expectantly.
"At ease, Major," directed the general. He placed the receiver back in its cradle.
"Thank you, sir."
"That was the President. He's authorized me to send eight teams through to P8C-904 tomorrow morning to retrieve Colonel O'Neill and Dr. Jackson."
"That's good news, sir," replied Major Carter and Teal'c could sense some of the tension in his friend's shoulders ease.
"If it was left up to me, Major, I'd send in the whole damned cavalry and tag along myself," stated General Hammond then he smiled self-deprecatingly. "But I suppose that's why it's not up to me."
"Yes, sir."
"Colonel Reynolds will have command of the mission. I've scheduled a strategic planning session for 1400 hours. I'd like you two to attend, of course."
"Of course, sir."
"I have been involved in many Jaffa covert missions, General Hammond. I believe my knowledge may help our situation."
"I was counting on it, Teal'c."
"Sir, has there been any word from Sergeant Siler's team?"
"Yes, the sergeant says the cover will be placed over the 'gate this evening. I've instructed him to leave it until 0900 tomorrow morning. At that time, he and his team will dial Earth and return to the SGC to offer any support here that we may need," replied the general. He leaned forward and braced his fists against his desk. "There won't be any trial run with this, Major. You're certain using the cover will work."
Major Carter lifted her chin. "Positive, sir," she replied.
"Good enough. You're dismissed."
Teal'c canted his head in acknowledgement then turned to follow the major out of the office.
"Oh, there is one more thing."
The big Jaffa clasped his hands at the small of his back, turned and regarded General Hammond.
"The sergeant was asked to pass on a message to the both of you---from a Gabriella ValTori."
"Sir?" prompted Major Carter who stood at Teal'c's elbow.
The general's eyes conveyed his sadness. "Her grandmother passed away in her sleep last night," he said gently.
"Oh, my God."
"I'm sorry."
"As am I, General Hammond," replied Teal'c. "If you should speak with Sergeant Siler again, please have him convey my heartfelt condolences to Gabriella ValTori."
"And mine, too, sir," added Major Carter. "Adia was quite a woman."
"I'll do that."
Teal'c followed his friend from the office then fell into step at her side as they walked down the corridor. He hadn't known Adia ValTori very long, had hardly spoken to her, but the old woman had somehow managed to touch his heart in a very real way.
"Are you okay?"
Teal'c lifted his chin and tipped his head, his brows puckering. "I am unsure," he replied simply.
"We're going out to rescue Adia's husband tomorrow only to tell him his wife is gone."
"He will know she is waiting for him, Major Carter."
The major nodded then reached over and gently rubbed Teal'c's arm. "Why don't we go get something to eat? We're going to need all our strength to get the colonel and Daniel out of the mess they're in this time."
Teal'c smiled gently and bowed his head. "They do indeed seem to attract trouble."
Major Carter pursed her lips. "We'll bring them home, Teal'c."
"I concur---secure and whole," replied the Jaffa with a slight curve of his lips.
The major snorted. "Yep, secure and whole," she repeated. "Or safe and sound, whichever the case may be."
"Indeed."
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CONTINUED
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