Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Stargate, or any elements of the show. I did create this storyline however. Sequel to "A letter, or two".
No moreBringing them back
When Jack's feet touched solid ground again his heart was still singing with the exhilaration of the ride through the wormhole. It had been too long since his last trip, and his body was tingling all over with the excitement. He vowed to himself that if they all got back to the SGC safe and sound, he'd organize more simple missions. Cakewalks, for him to stretch his legs.
Without a single thought his hands shot up and placed his sunglasses over his eyes. His right hand immediately slipped to the trigger of his P90, his left checking if his radio was still where he had put it just minutes ago. When he realized what he did he chuckled silently. 'Can't teach an old dog new tricks I guess.'
Around him the members of SG-6 and 8 were checking the perimeter. Colonel Freeman stepped towards him.
"All clear, sir."
Jack nodded. The first part of his plan had been getting out of the SGC. But now that was accomplished he didn't exactly have a second part. He shot a quick look at Teal'c, standing by his side. Again he got that calm and trusting look. It gave him the reassurance he needed.
'Right, let's get this show on the road.' First thing on his mind was, like always in the field, backup and security.
"Freeman, take two of your men to guard the gate. Have them set up a perimeter, and lay down some claymores. I want to create a narrow path—", he gestured with his left hand to the forest on his left, "between those trees for us should we need it as an escape and approach route."
Colonel Freeman nodded, and quickly chose and instructed two of his marines. Jack brought up his left wrist and checked the time on his watch.
"All right people, we've got roughly six hours of sunlight ahead of us. Teal'c, take point. Saunders, bring up the rear. Let's go."
Teal'c set off in the direction of the palace of the sultan, where they had been last. Jack quickly followed him, with the marines of SG-8 behind him. On their march through the forest he tried to formulate a good rescue plan. But his thoughts were constantly interrupted by what Teal'c had told him in the briefing about this place. That even with his Jaffa senses he did not notice his teammates disappearance, or the substitution with the fakes. This made Jack more than a little nervous about what they could encounter. And on the outskirts of his mind a small and icy voice was still telling him this was a fool's hope. That Sam and Daniel were dead, and he let them die. No matter how hard he tried to squash that voice, it kept haunting him. Almost inaudible, but ever present. He shook his head, and focused on the mission. He had two of his people to bring back. He had to.
- ∞ -
On the edge of the forest began small fields of cultivated land, orchards. Jack could see short trees, bearing fig-like fruits. Except they were very . . . orange. Strange, but oddly appealing. Teal'c's voice brought him out of his culinary ideas.
"The palace is half a mile down this road. It was heavily guarded, I believe it will not have changed. It would be unwise to try and take it by force."
Jack nodded. "I agree. We don't have the manpower to go in guns blazing." No matter how much he wanted to do just that. "So that option's out. Suggestions anyone?"
Jack's style of commanding was very different than the one taught at the academy. Normally such command decisions were exclusively for the CO and his 2IC. But Jack knew that everyone could have to capacity to lead and make command decisions, even if they didn't have the insignia on their shoulders to prove it. And over the years he fell into a habit of seeking out people that were considered smarter than he was. A small drawback of working with someone like Samantha Carter. But a drawback he could work with, especially if ultimately he remained in charge.
After a moment of silence Teal'c made his suggestion. "We were invited to come back, O'Neill. They did not believe we noticed the change."
Jack pondered his statement of a couple of seconds. If it were true, then they would not suspect any of them of harmful intent. In fact, they would openly invite them in, thinking they could take more of them. He smiled a little devilish smile at that thought. 'Well, looks like we'll just walk into the lion's den and take back what's ours.' He considered the pro and cons, and decided it was worth a try. If things went haywire, well, then they would handle that when it would come. Cross that bridge and all.
"Saunders, pick two men to stay near the palace. They can create a diversion if needed. Teal'c, were you disarmed the last time you were here?"
Teal'c nodded once. Jack figured as much.
"But you were not searched?"
He saw the twinkle in Teal'c's eyes return, understanding his point. "Indeed we were not, O'Neill."
"Good," he gestured at the two Saunders had picked, "Brickman and Cole, you stay on the outside. Take all the P90's and C4, so we won't have to give up all the heavy firepower. The rest tuck your Beretta somewhere it can't be seen. Teal'c, you give your staff to sergeant Brickman, and you take his zat. Right, here's the plan. We go in, go see whoever is in charge, get back Carter and Daniel, and come back. Any questions?"
"Sounds like a plan, sir," Saunders answered for the entire group.
"Good, let's move out."
- ∞ -
"I can't believe she let you in. I mean, she has been approached by practically all the guards of the garrison, and the one she lets into her bed is a köpek like you."
"Hey, you just wish you were as lucky as me. She chose me, and none one else."
He snorted. "Yeah, it was luck all right. You were lucky she was drunk as an eşek, or else she wouldn't have let you and your köpek face between her legs!"
"Domuzpis, you're just jealous because you haven't got any in months with that wife of yours."
"Mmm, at least my wife cooks a descent meal. That oruspu of yours couldn't even bake a incir if she wanted to."
"Aah go home to that barren kadin of yours."
"Wh—"
"Howdy fellows!"
The two guards immediately grabbed their weapons and trained them on the group of people coming up the road. Jack came sauntering up, his posture casual and relaxed. His hands were jammed inside his pockets, his sunglasses over his eyes. 'Couple of guards they make, I could hear them bickering a mile away. I bet they'd be easily ambushed during the night.'
"Kim gitmeş orada!"
"Wow, wow, easy there fellows. Just here to see the sights, do the tour and all. Oh, and we'd like to see the chief."
The guards had a slightly puzzled look on their faces. Jack saw it and sighed internally. Never any brains on guard duty, always the brawn, he thought. He turned his head. "Say, T, what was his name again?"
"Sultan Garan Yasmak"
"Yes. Him. We're here to see him." He turned back to the guards. "You run along now and tell him General Jack O'Neill is here, and he would like to talk to . . . Gary whatever."
- ∞ -
Walking down the halls to the throne room Jack tried to make sense of the building. The lay of the corridors, guard barracks he could see, suspicious rooms. He knew Teal'c was doing the same, and Saunders probably too. He figured they were in the southwest corner of the palace. Judging by the number of armed men he had seen earlier the garrison was stationed on the eastside so that made their job a little bit easier.
The soldier walking in front of him opened two large doors, intricately decorated with gold and jewels. 'Mm, not as bad as the Goa'uld, but still a bit tacky.' The guard stood aside, and with a sweeping motion of his hand ushered them inside. They entered a large room on the edge of the palace. Several arched doors led out to a balcony, overlooking a lake. Thin curtains and veils were softly rippling in the gentle wind, giving the place a sense of serenity. Except to Jack. It all looked too Arabic to him. And his experiences with themes from the Middle East had been enough to last him a couple of lifetimes.
At the end of the room a small dais supported a gilded throne. A few scantily clad women lay on cushions next to it, already sizing them up. The throne was empty. Quickly Jack made an assessment of the situation. Four guards covering the two exits, no other access points. The balcony was at least 25 feet above the ground, and would only provide a last resort escape route. The women seemed harmless enough, but Jack knew better. A small knife could easily be concealed in one of the scarves they were wearing.
His analysis of the room was interrupted by a rumbling voice coming from the balcony. He turned and saw a pudgy man enter the room. At a mere five foot seven he seemed more like a child than a grown man to Jack. Except children wouldn't have so much facial hair. A prominent black moustache darkened the man's face, and his cheeks were covered with more than just a five o'clock shadow. 'Not big on shaving here I see.' The man was dressed in white satin, the edges stitched with gold thread. A large golden sash covered his slightly bulging belly, and Jack could spot a small curved dagger stashed away on his right side.
Jack found his ensemble to be . . . gaudy, at best. 'Gaudy, Gauldy, Goauldy, Goa'uld. Must tell Daniel I found the origin of the word Goa'uld. Or better yet, must tell Baal the next time he visits. Yeah, bet he'll enjoy it.' The man was escorted by a servant, a skinny boy no older than 12, wearing little more than the women. Jack's gut turned, and he could feel bile rising in his throat. His hands itched to give this guy a good shake. But he clamped it down. For now.
Finally settling down on his throne the man spoke. "Siz orada, gelmeş."
Jack took a step forward, getting the gist of what he said. "Hi there! Jack O'Neill here. I'm looking for the head honcho here, some guy named Gary? Know where I can find him?"
He could see a muscle twitch in that large moustache for a moment, but it quickly disappeared.
"I am Garan Yasmak, Sultan of Turkiya province, on the beautiful world of Dimasq."
"Ah, good! Been looking for you." He took another step forward. "Gotta question for you."
Garan frowned, but remained silent. Jack took another step. He raised his index finger and pointed it to Garan. He could almost feel the guards tightening their grip on their weapons.
"Knock, knock."
The frown on Garan's face did not disappear, but did change into a look of confusion.
"Oh come on Gary, it's a joke." He sensed the tension lessen in the room, and he smiled to himself. Never let them see you coming, he thought. "I say knock, knock. You say, who's there? Then what I say you repeat, but with the word who stuck behind it. And you get the punch line. So, let's try again." He cleared his throat. "Knock, knock."
Garan now seemed very confused by Jack's behavior, but went along with it. "Who is there?" he somewhat hesitantly asked.
"Sacha."
When Garan did not go on Jack urged him on with his hand. Remembering the form Garan responded. "Sascha who?"
With a very wide and very fake grin Jack spread out his hands and pointed at the women lying on the floor. "Sacha lovely harem you got there!"
It took a moment of complete silence before Garan started smiling. That smile changed into a chuckle, before it descended into a full out laugh. The tension completely disappeared from the room, and the guards stood back again. Then Garan spoke up.
"You tricked me with words. I like it. Tell me another."
Jack grinned, this time a genuine one. "Sure, you betcha." He shot a meaning glance over his shoulder at Teal'c and Saunders. He both caught it, and nodded almost imperceptibly. They relayed his order to the others. The marines of SG-6 and 8 started wandering around the room. Not so much to arouse suspicion, but enough to get themselves a good position. Saunders and Teal'c moved slightly to the doors. Jack was about to launch into another joke when Teal'c spoke.
"O'Neill, I have heard of a knock knock joke as well."
Jack turned around and surveyed his friend. The intonation in his voice made Jack think. He had heard a joke? Without much trouble it clicked. He heard noises outside the door. Company they did not need. One of those bridges, Jack thought. "Ok, tell us."
Teal'c straightened his posture even more. "Knock, knock," he said in his characteristic serious voice.
Jack had to fight to urge to roll his eyes at Teal'c's manner of joke telling. But hey, he'd been working on his sense of humor for years. At least the guy was improving. "Who's there?"
"Cronus"
'Oh boy, this is gonna be good.' "Cronus who?"
"Indeed"
Jack snorted at that one. Yeah, the big man was right. It wasn't a good knock knock joke, but he did have a point there. Obviously Garan had heard of Cronus and his demise, judging by his laughter. That gave Jack a second to rethink their situation. He needed the information from Garan, but he knew it would need some persuasion. A kind of persuasion that wasn't all that quiet. So they needed some privacy, get as little people as possible in here. Jack banked on the sultan being a typical chauvinistic pig.
"Look, Gary, I'd like talk some business with you. But—" he made a small gesture at the women again, "not in current company, if you know what I mean."
Garan nodded. He swiftly clapped his hands twice, and the women all rose. Without a word they and the boy servant went to the back of the room, behind the throne, and disappeared through a door built into the mural on the back wall. It fitted so well that practically no grooves were visible. Jack filed that particular bit of info for later reference.
"You said something about business."
Jack smiled. "Yeah. See, the thing is, I'm two scientists short at the base, and I kinda need new ones. So, I thought maybe you had two for me."
"Mm, I have many scientists. What area of expertise are you looking for? Biology, medicine, chemistry?"
Jack shook his head. "Nope. Theoretical astrophysics and linguistics and archeology."
Now it was Garan's turn to shake his head. "I'm sorry, my friend. We do not have such scientists here."
"Really? Dang." Jack walked up to Garan, passed him, and picked up one of the cushions the women had sat on just moments ago. "These are nice pillows. Don't you think so guys?" He threw a cushion at Teal'c, who deftly caught it. He looked at it, turning it in his large hands. Looking back at Jack he responded, in a slightly confused tone.
"Indeed, O'Neill."
Jack picked up another. He looked at Garan. "Can I show these to my men? These are really, really nice pillows."
With a smug smile on his lips Garan nodded. Jack proceeded with three other cushions, handing them over to Saunders and two of the marines. "I mean, these pillows can really silence a woman's cry, if you know what I mean." He looked Saunders right in the eye with his last remark. "You can really shoot off your muzzle in the bedroom without being caught with pillows like these."
Garan produced a dirty little laugh. "Ah yes, my friend, they have served me and my harem well."
Jack's inside squirmed with that remark. Unwanted visions of that pudgy bastard with any woman flashed past his mind's eye. He prayed to God that he hadn't included Sam into his harem yet. A shiver ran down his spine at that thought. The urge to harm Garan came back again. He looked pointedly at Saunders again. After half a second Saunders's eyes went wide as understanding dawned. Jack turned, not waiting for his confirmation. He trusted the Colonel to get the point across without his help. Saunders casually crossed the room to say a few words at the two marines still holding the cushions.
"You know, Garan, I know another good knock knock joke."
The sultan clapped his hands together. "Good! Tell me!"
"Knock, knock!"
"Who is there?" Garan joyfully replied.
"Omelet"
"Omelet who?"
"Omelet smarter than I look."
Garan started laughing, but the sound quickly died in his throat when he saw the expression on Jack's face. The steely glint had returned in his eyes, and his face looked like it was carved out of stone. When he spoke up, his voice was calm and controlled, but it held an almost unbridled fury.
"And I know a lot more than you think I do. For instance, I know you have two of my people here."
The sultan's face lost a little of it's color, but his eyes turned emotionless and cold.
"And I know for a fact they are kept here against their will, Gary-boy." Jack took three paces forward, placing himself directly in front of Garan.
"And I want them back."
Silence hung heavy in the room for a moment.
"I do not know of who you speak."
Jack's response was more of a growl than a word. "Liar."
Garan didn't respond to it. Jack raised his index finger again, and pointed straight at Garan's face. "You tell me where Carter and Daniel are, or so help me . . ."
He could see a flash of fear shoot through Garan's eyes and knew he was going to call his guards to his side. 'Oh no you don't.' He shot his left hand, still clutching the cushion, up in the air. Three muffled sounds could be heard, along with the distinct sound of the electrical discharge of a zat'ni'katel. Four guards silently crumpled to the floor. Small white feathers hung in the air. Saunders and the two marines had shot the guards with their Beretta's through the cushions, using them as a kind of silencer. Saunders looked very relieved with the outcome to the solution Jack had thought up.
Realizing the situation was under control Jack lowered his left hand, and stared at Garan, who sat absolutely still with his eyes wide in surprise and fear. Looking for a way to break the spell they were under Jack threw the cushion into Garan's lap.
"All right, Gary-boy. Time for some answers."
He straightened before Garan, towering over him. He slowly pulled out his own Beretta, holding it up so Garan could clearly see he was armed.
"Where are Carter and Daniel?"
Garan remained quiet, but kept his eyes fixed on Jack's gun. Jack cleared his throat.
"I'll ask again, where are Carter and Daniel?"
Finally the sultan broke his silence. "I do not know."
"Wrong answer, Gary."
Another muffled sound, like a fist slamming into punching bag, rang into the room. It was followed swiftly by a muffled cry. Garan was clutching his left upper thigh, the cushion still on his lap. A few white feathers settled on his throne, their pristine white color stained with a dark red. Jack's left hand, forcibly put over Garan's mouth, prevented him from making much sound. Jack was surveying Garan almost detached, like it was nothing out of the ordinary. Teal'c came up and stood next to Jack. He was looking at his friend with a curious expression. One of amazement, disappointment and understanding. Jack knew that he had crossed the line, and he knew Teal'c and probably Saunders didn't exactly approve of his move. But at this particular moment he didn't care. He slowly removed his hand from Garan's mouth.
"Let's try this again. I'm looking for two of my people, a beautiful blond woman and a guy wearing glasses with brown hair. Where are they?"
The only sound Garan made were soft whimpers of pain as he pressed the cushion against the wound in his thigh. Jack silently waited for a few seconds, before deciding Garan needed another little push. He leaned forward and grabbed the edge of the cushion. With some force he yanked the cushion off Garan's lap. With the same force he pushed it against his chest, slamming Garan against the back of his throne. Then he raised his gun, cocked it with his left hand, and settled it against the cushion, pointing straight at Garan's heart.
"The last time I ask you, Gary. Where … are … Carter … and … Daniel?"
The last remaining color in Garan's visage quickly vanished, and his eyes resembled the eyes of a fish, widened to extremes by the sheer terror that gripped him right now. Unfortunately his jaw seemed to have frozen as well, and no sound came from his lips. Jack fought to control the fire that had ignited in him, setting his gut ablaze. Right now Garan was standing between him and his two best friends, and he never liked people standing in his way. Especially when it came to Sam.
"One …"
He could see Garan started shaking, but didn't care.
"Two …"
Garan opened and closed his mouth, trying to regain the use of his voice again. But he didn't care. He was about to call out the next and last number when Teal'c put his hand on his forearm. Jack still held up the gun but the pressure of Teal'c's hand refrained him from executing Garan. Inside his mind a storm was raging. Several voices were telling him to put the gun down and find another solution, but others screamed for Garan's blood as retribution. Just before Teal'c grabbed his arm he had almost given in to the demons, came close to once again darken his soul a little more. Through the storm he heard Teal'c's voice.
"Tell us where our friends are, or I will let him fire upon you."
Whether Garan was already scared out of his mind by Jack's actions and threat or he was more intimidated by Teal'c's tone of voice, they finally got their answer.
"Dungeon, lower level." Garan's voice was weak and shaky, but spoken with enough force to make sure he was heard.
The storm in Jack's mind didn't disappear, but the voices quieted down. Jack felt his self-control returning, and releasing the breath he had been holding he lowered the gun. For a moment he tried to see if Garan was lying, but he could see no signs of deceit in his eyes or body language.
"All right, Gary. I hope for your sake we find them, unharmed."
Out of nowhere Jack swung his left fist into a vicious hook and hit Garan right on the right side of his face. The blow immediately rendered Garan unconscious, and he slumped back into his throne. Jack turned on his heels.
"Saunders, retrieve some of those weapons. Teal'c, scout the door behind that wall. Sergeant Ellison, see if you can bar those doors. We move in one minute."
Without a word the men moved, doing as they were ordered. Jack took a last look at the unconscious form of Garan. The powerful surges of hate were fading away, leaving nothing but utter contempt behind. He turned away from the dais. Swiftly he checked Sergeant Ellison's work on the doors, nodding his approval. Then he set off towards the door behind the dais, his mind set on finding Sam and Daniel.
- ∞ -
With minute hand signals Jack directed Teal'c through the hallways and corridors. Not that the big man needed much directions, but he needed the feeling of complete control at this moment. Quietly, carefully avoiding everybody, they made their way down to the lower level. Badly lit corridors led to a prison block. A few yards away, behind one of the walls, Jack could hear the voices of the guards bossing one of the prisoners around. And although he couldn't understand their language, he didn't like what they were saying one bit.
"Vermes sanas gözlük, köpek! Sana dört göz."
When the prisoner didn't answer Jack heard the distinct sound of an open palm hitting bare flesh, and inwardly he flinched a little. He had seen and experienced more than enough torture in his life, and it still haunted him in his dreams from time to time. He tightened his grip on his Beretta. But before he could think up a plan to rescue the poor man in question he heard the sound of metal banging on metal, and the scrape of a set of keys. Realizing the footsteps of the guards were coming their way he quickly signaled everyone to hide. He positioned himself in a dark corner, one that still gave him some view over the corridor. He glanced over to where Teal'c was standing. The Jaffa raised two fingers on his left hand, keeping his right on the trigger of his zat. Jack nodded, and raised his Beretta.
"Ve sou as kadin, eh, Faisal?"
"Evet, evet, sou jasah g—"
With two nearly simultaneous thuds the two guards fell to the ground. Jack had sergeants Ellison and Cantrell drag the two bodies to one of the dark corners. Ellison brought him two large brass rings with several keys on it. He threw one to Teal'c, and motioned for him to take a look in the direction they heard the prisoner before. Teal'c took the two marines from SG-6, Ellison and Parkins, with him and disappeared off to the right. Jack gestured Saunders and Cantrell to follow him and they headed to the left. They entered a long corridor, with just a few torches on the wall providing some light. Jack could make out several men and women sitting on hard wooden benches or on the ground of their cells. They all looked at him with fear and trepidation. He knew he had to do something for them, but they weren't on his priority list. First Carter, then the rest, he told himself.
"Saunders, check the first cells. Cantrell, watch the corridor."
Jack took a backward glance to the corridor behind him, trying to see how Teal'c was doing.
"Sir?"
Jack turned. Colonel Saunders was holding up a SGC issued jacket. Jack's heart leapt with joy, until he could see several bullet-sized holes in it. He could feel his gut twisting in a similar way it had some ten hours ago. Again the fear of losing two of the most important people in his life flooded him. He snapped back and frantically looked up and down the cells.
"Carter!" His voice had dropped to a rough whisper without his consent. "Carter!"
Out of one of the last cells on this block he could hear a faint response.
"Sir?"
It was weak, but it was all he needed. He rushed forward stopped in front of the cell. An oh so familiar golden hair color greeted him. She was sitting on a bench with her back against the bars. Another Nirtti flashback surfaced, but he battled it back down. He quickly selected one of the keys on the brass ring from the guards and tried to open the lock.
"Hang on, Carter. We'll be outta here in no time."
He noticed she was looking quite pale, and a few nasty bruises covered her exposed arms.
"Sir, two guards …" Her voice sounded tired.
"I know, taken care of."
He finally found the right key and unlocked the cell door. Yanking the cell door open he rushed to her side. He sat down on the bench next to her, careful not to shift her. He quickly scanned for other injuries, and was relieved to find none aside from the bruises. By their color he judged them to be fresh, no more than a few hours old. His fingers reached out and lightly touched her bruised skin. She softly moaned. He looked up at her face and found himself staring into her baby blue eyes, slightly dulled by fatigue and pain.
"Sir?"
Her voice sounded frail, something he rarely witnessed with her. And this time it broke him. His hand reached up and ever so gentle cupped the left side of her face. When he spoke his words were hushed and cracked with all the emotions that he had fought to control since the incident back at the SGC.
"I thought I'd lost you ..."
Sam opened her mouth to respond but stopped halfway. He could almost hear the 'sir' she was about to say, but was surprised when she continued.
"You found me."
Her blue eyes were looking straight at him and the emotion he could see in them, for just a fleeting unguarded moment, reignited the fire in his heart. He gently pulled her into a hug, and she didn't resist. Just after she laid her head on his shoulder he heard Saunders cough behind him. He turned his head and looked at him. Saunders was subtly pointed at his watch, but kept his gaze averted from them. Jack inwardly smiled at his gesture. He was telling them to hurry up, but also gave them the time needed to do whatever they needed to do. Saunders had been around for a couple of years now, before he made General and was still leader of SG-1. He knew Saunders respected him as his commander, but also as a person, and that was why he gave him this courtesy. And Jack was immensely grateful for that. He turned back to Sam who was still lying on his shoulder.
"Come one, Carter. Let's blow this joint."
She responded with a weak smile. He stood up, twisted a little, and with a hand on her back he helped her up. She swayed a little but managed to keep her balance. Jack tightly held her to his side, unwilling to let go. And for now, she wasn't complaining. They carefully shuffled to the door. Jack threw the key ring to Saunders who deftly caught it.
"See if you can do something for the poor folks in this lovely establishment."
"Yes, sir."
Jack readjusted his grip on Sam. She was still a little unsure on her feet, and it just felt damn good to hold her.
"General?"
Jack looked up and saw Saunders nod his head in the direction of the corridor. He followed Saunders' line of sight and the last feelings of unease disappeared. Teal'c was standing in the hallway, with a slightly disheveled looking Daniel supported by sergeant Ellison. He too had bruises on his arms, and the right side of his face was red. Jack remembered the slap he heard moments ago and internally winced again. But it was nothing compared to the joy he felt.
"Hey Danny, good to have you back."
- ∞ -
