Too Far from Home

Afghanistan, a country about the size of Texas. The majority of the small country was rich in steep sloped mountain ranges. Within the mountain ranges, and along the edges, there were some fertile valleys and plains, but on the whole the landscape was pretty arid, with sparse vegetation. The soil was little more than hard packed dirt, rock, clay and sand. Great desert stretches could be found in the south and southwest of the country.

The poor conditions could be attributed largely to the fact that the country was landlocked and had very limited natural fresh water sources. This, combined with overgrazing of livestock and deforestation was producing a desertification effect. Jack had done his homework on the flight over, in between brief fits of restless sleep that is.

This wasn't going to be a trip in the rainforest, where water refills could be had almost anywhere, anytime, provided you carried enough iodine tablets. It might as well be a mission in the middle of a desert. Just a very hilly one. With lots of places for the enemy to hide.

Jack's destination was to the northern part of the country. Bagram Airbase, located approximately 47 clicks north of the country's capital, Kabul. The base was home to somewhere near 7,000 US and coalition forces. Some of the world's harshest weather conditions were found in this region. Wind, snow, sand storms, cold, and in the summer, dry desert heat.

Jack looked out of the window of his MH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter just before landing and could see tent like villages set up in differing areas of the base. With larger metal hangars, a control tower, and several support buildings closer to the runways. There was over 32 acres of ramp space and five aircraft dispersal areas. The tarmac was littered with CH-47 Chinooks, AH-64 Apaches, AH-1 Cobras, and UH-60 Black Hawks. Go big or stay home, Jack thought dryly to himself.

It had been a long flight for Jack with two refuelling stops along the way, then transferring to the Hawk. Once landed, he met his team. He recognized one, Major Tony Anderson, from his covert mission in Columbia a few months prior. This was good, the guy had been excellent. Almost a sixth sense about him. He'd snuck up on two of Guierra's goons and took them both out within seconds of each other. Neither of the goons had a chance to make a sound. And Anderson had just kept going without missing a beat.

After the team had extracted Jack from that hole, Anderson had even asked to be transferred into whatever it was Jack commanded. Guy had cajones and wasn't intimidated easily. Jack liked that. Unbeknownst to Anderson he was on the list for the next personnel rotation/vacancy into the SGC.

The other three he didn't recognize. Capt. Troy Hanson, Capt. Matt Jenson, and Lt. Rod Cooper.

It was 15:00 Universal Standard Time, which roughly translated to 19:00 here. And about 09:00 in Colorado Springs. He wondered how she was holding up. Already he could feel the cold beginning to set in. It reminded Jack of a late autumn night in Minnesota and it was only September.

Major Anderson led the way to a B-Hut on the outskirts of what was known as Viper Village, a housing area for the troops. The huts were semi permanent wooden structures with no concrete base and were only designed to last three to four years. Pretty much only one step up from a standard living quarter tent. The B-Huts could comfortably house up to 8 troops at a time and provided better protection from the harsh environment than did tents.

The B-Hut Anderson let the team was assigned to this General and his team for the duration of this mission. There had been no point in taking up room in one of the more permanent structures that were more suited to the General's rank. They wouldn't be around long enough.

Cooper gathered the General's gear from the Pave Hawk and brought it into the hut. Hanson and Jenson began to cleaning weapons and packing gear near some cots that had been set up at the far end. Looks like the boys were prepared, O'Neill noted with approval. Anderson walked General O'Neill over to a table set up on the wall to the right of the entry way. There Jack saw topographical maps of a town. He noticed the name was marked Asmar, and Jack couldn't help but crack off in his own head 'Ass mar. Nice.' There were also plans of what appeared to be a tunnel system.

"Good to see you again Sir," Anderson spoke in a hushed tone so none of the others heard. His Black Eagle mission months prior was classified. Not even his regular team knew about it, or could know about it.

The General just nodded in silent acknowledgement as he reviewed the maps.

Major Anderson had been anticipating this moment since yesterday, having received his orders that he was once again being placed under O'Neill's direct command. Whatever was going on here, it was more than the war on terror. It was big. Huge. And he was apart of it. How cool was that? Anderson's team had been preparing for the General since last night when they'd heard he was on route.

There was to be no fanfare, no meet and greet of the troops. They were to have an area segregated and ready for the General to immediately be ushered to. His visit here was to be as discreet as possible. And they weren't kidding. When Jack arrived by helicopter he exited wearing standard issue desert combat fatigues and an old tan ball cap. Nothing on his uniform denoted either his rank, or his name. Anderson wouldn't have even known who he was, or understood his importance, if he hadn't met and worked with the man less than a year ago.

The General looked fully recovered since last they met, Major Anderson noticed. Not even a scar or a limp. Incredible.

Last night had been a challenge. His men had been griping about having to work in the field with a Major General coming in from the Pentagon. They'd speculated about how the General would be out of touch with the reality of the current war effort, and probably have a huge butt and mid section. Not really someone you'd want tagging along, and worse, taking orders from in the middle of a fire fight with fanatics. People who did not play by the rules of engagement in any form. Terrorists who fought dirty, with no regard to any innocent lives that would come under cross fire.

Anderson had wanted to try and reassure them. But he couldn't tell them he had worked with the man before and that he was far from out of shape. Major Anderson had no doubt that this General knew the stakes, and he knew how to react and command in a fire fight. Anderson had no doubts whatsoever working with this General and looked forward to it. Maybe at the end of this mission, if all went well, he'd ask about that transfer again. Didn't know what he was asking to be transferred into, but hey, there were spaceships. Or at least one space ship that he knew about.

"With your permission Sir," Major Anderson addressed General O'Neill, "I thought it best if we head out around 03:00. That'll get us to Asmar before sun up and we can take position in the tunnels."

"Yes, about Asmar," O'Neill replied," and the tunnels. The intell I received was that the cleric was hiding in caves."

O'Neill held up one of the maps of the mountainous region to reinforce his point. These mountains were known to be crawling with thousands of insurgents and pocketed with any number of caves they could use as hideouts.

"No sir, I don't believe so. My team and I identified a group about a month back that seem loyal to this new guy. They come and go from this position it seems." Anderson pointed to a building on another map.

The position was located closely to where Anderson had yet another position marked to identify where he intended for the team to set up for further reconnaissance. Jack was told the former marked a run down small house on the outskirts of the town, now deserted.

"And the tunnels?" O'Neill asked.

"There's a point of entry in the house. We think they were originally made by the locals, haven't figured out why yet, but they're abandoned."

"You sure?" the General asked sceptically, his head cocked and brow raised.

"We've been down three times now Sir. Found pretty much nothing."

"Don't let that fool ya," O'Neill grinned. "Well, I'll see for myself tomorrow, won't I?"

For the next few hours Anderson filled the General in with what he knew of the region and what they had observed from the building of interest. Occasionally one of the others would cut in and add some detail, but mostly the Major did the talking. Jack looked at his watch and saw the time was now 21:00 Bagram time. He'd heard enough, yet nothing to confirm Ori presence. He would definitely need to check this out himself.

"Let's get some shut eye while we can. This might be the last relatively safe night we'll get for a few days," he ordered with a yawn and a stretch.

He took the cot where Cooper had stashed his gear earlier, effectively ending the briefing session. Boy he was tired. The others then proceeded to take their own cots. Most falling asleep within minutes as they were used to catching z's on the fly. Never knew when you'd get the chance to sleep again in this job.

'Well at least I don't have to contend with scientists on this one,' Jack smirked smugly to himself.

He instantly remembered Sam. Now there was a scientist that he loved being around. Jack hadn't slept much on his flight. He had tried to get a hold of her last night, but she was either really pissed with him and hadn't answered, or she had gone out. Probably to Daniel's. And Daniel would've given her the support that Jack wished he could've. He should be the one there with her. For crying out loud, if he'd had his way, they'd be engaged by now. Wouldn't they? So much for plan A.

He tried to do the math and figure out what time it would be in the Springs and in Minnesota but he was just too exhausted. Too many plus' here then minus' there on the UST Z line.

He'd responded like a teenaged boy when she'd told him. Ya, so, he'd been taken off guard. But imagine how she must've felt. There was so much he should've talked to her about. He needed to know if she even wanted to have his kid. What if she didn't? Jack flipped onto his side, facing the wall of the tent. Sleep was not coming easily. The thought that she might do something to end it, well he just couldn't think about that. He swallowed away the lump in his throat and tried to change the subject in his mind. Sleep. Sleep. He kept repeating it over and over in his head, but to no avail.

Well it's not like he had jumped for joy. How had she read his reaction? Like he was a jerk probably. Still, he didn't think Sam would be able to do that. But what if she thought he didn't want the baby. Oh crap! Good job Jack, he berated himself. Jack shifted in the cot trying to get comfortable. He really needed to get some sleep. He was running on empty. Less than empty. He really needed to talk to her. 'Wonder if I can get sat com outta here to the SGC'. Well, he could, but he shouldn't. He knew he couldn't risk trying. Not to mention there was that whole using Air Force resources to call his girlfriend thing, just because he was an ass. Damn!

A baby. His baby. Colonel Samantha Carter, the smartest, prettiest, bravest woman in the universe, was carrying his baby. And where was he? Stuck in the middle of this god forsaken place. Jack shifted again, adjusting his military issue pillow. They could do this. He and her. Ok, so he was gettin up there, but guys older than he had started families late. She could still do what she did. He was retiring right after this. He could be Mr. Mom. Jack smiled and felt tears well up under his closed eyelids. He clinched them tighter willing the sting to dissipate. Was it too good to be true? All he could ever ask for, right there, almost in his grasp. And he was here. So far away from her. Would he even make it out alive if they found the worst? He had to. He also had to try to get a message to her as soon as he could.

Jack finally fell into a restless sleep, but at least it was sleep. The other four men were out soundly so never even noticed their General's restlessness.

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Sam had gone to the infirmary first thing Saturday morning. To her surprise, Daniel had already been waiting just outside the doors.

"Someone should be here with you," he had shrugged, trying to keep the annoyance out of his tone. She knew he was referring to Jack.

Sam had given him a warm smile, but said nothing. She wished it were Jack as well. But she knew the job. And after his message from the night before, she knew that no matter what he was doing, or where he was, she wasn't far from his thoughts. She found warmth and strength in the thought.

Upon entering the infirmary what greeted Sam and Daniel was utter chaos. One of the SG teams had come back through the gate the night before, hot. Very hot. Three were seriously injured and Capt. Boscoe critically so. Dr. Lam looked up from her emergent care of the Captain and just shook her head in Sam's direction. The tests would obviously have to wait. Thoughts of Sam's own personal dilemma were pushed aside as she headed out of the infirmary on the way to the General's office. Maybe Landry wasn't in, but if he was, she had to see if there was anything SG1 needed to be doing.

The General had been in. The tale he told was getting old. SG3 had gone through to a planet, only to find the inhabitants already converted by Ori. And they had been hostile. They'd also had fairly advanced weaponry. The team had barely gotten out with their lives. No, there wasn't anything SG1 could do at the moment, so carry on with their weekend leave. General Landry needed them fresh.

As Daniel and Sam were beginning to leave the General's office he requested that Colonel Carter stay behind a moment.

"I spoke with Carolyn this morning. Well she didn't exactly speak, she was pretty busy. But she did hand me this," the General said softly, holding up Colonel Carter's medical file. He then waved his hand indicating he wanted her to take a seat. She did so after closing the General's door.

"I'm sorry Colonel," he began, taking his seat. "I know that this must be a shock to you...and to...Jack. You have discussed this with Jack?"

"He's aware of...most of it," Sam advised her CO while looking down at her hands. "I didn't have a chance to get to the part about the Ori."

General Landry looked over the Colonel with concern and confusion. It wouldn't have been like Jack to go off half cocked. If anything, he would've expected Jack to be happy. About the baby part. Not so much the rest.

"Normally I would say it's none of my business," Landry continued. "However, this scenario is a little different. I'm sure you can understand my position."

"Yes sir," Sam stated looking up at him. "I do."

"Not only are you a Colonel under my command, one of my best, if not the best, I'd like to add, but this is also a potential alien threat." Landry hesitated. "I don't know how to say this, so, I just want you to know that I consider Jack a close friend. You're both important to me. This is unlike any command I've experienced. What we do here. You're more like family to me. I know that's not proper military etiquette, but there you have it."

Sam couldn't believe General Landry was opening up as much as he was.

Landry continued. "I can't let you leave the base Sam. Not until we know for sure. Carolyn, in my opinion, made an error in judgement when she let you do just that last night. She also made an error in judgement by not coming to me right away with this. To be clear though, I'm not confining you to quarters. Just to the base."

Ah, it made sense to her now. He had opened up to cushion the blow.

"Frankly, I'm surprised Jack's not here," he eyed her cautiously, leaving the door open, hoping she'd give him some answers as to why he wasn't.

"He was assigned a project by the Chief of Staff this weekend Sir. I'm sure I'll hear from him by Monday. And Doctor Lam had agreed to hold off telling you at my request. I'd asked her to let me have an opportunity to discuss this with General O'..Jack, first."

"Ah," Landry nodded. "I'm sorry about this Colonel. If you need anything, my door will be open."

"Thank you Sir," Sam acknowledged, as she stood and left his office.

Daniel was waiting for her at the end of the corridor, pacing like a mother hen.

"What happened?" he asked her, clearly concerned.

"Confined to base," Sam gave no further explaination.

"What! That's not fair," Daniel began to head toward the General's office.

"Daniel. Please," the tone in her voice stopped him in his tracks.

"It's ok," she reassured with a tired smile. "He's right. This is the only decision he could make. Given the circumstances. Come on. I think I could use some Jell-O."

Daniel walked back to his friend and gave her a hug.

"Let's just keep this between us for now," she whispered as she hugged him back. She didn't want the whole team in on her little surprise until at least some of the preliminary tests had been done. Although she wasn't sure what that would change. Doctor Lam had indicated she may not even be able to tell if there was Ori influence until the birth.

"Maybe you should talk with Vala?" Daniel suggested. "She's been through…"

"Maybe I will," Sam cut in, pulling away from him. "Just - not yet."

The two friends headed off toward the commissary in uncharacteristic silence, neither knowing what more to say.

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Sunday morning in Afghanistan found Jack in the tunnels under the abandoned house in Asmar, Major Anderson led the way down a tributary that was in the same direction as the house the clerics followers were known to frequent. Roughly four hundred yards in and the tunnel abruptly ended.

"This is it Sir. I told you. It's abandoned and not much down here to see. That's why I thought it'd be a good spot for us to set up. We can hide down here during the day and do recon under the cover of night," Major Anderson informed.

Jack shone his flashlight around the perimeter of the tunnel end. He trailed his light from the floor to the walls, flashing the ceiling, and back down the other side.

"Doesn't just end. It was intentionally caved," Jack observed quietly, lost in thought.

"Wonder what's on the other side?" he mused rhetorically.

The other's shone their lights at the tunnel end just as the General had done. To them it appeared as though the tunnel just ended. As though whoever began this undertaking had just decided to stop here.

"Sir, how would you know that?" Lt. Cooper asked.

Jack walked over to the end wall and stooped down. He picked up a small fragment of something and brought it back to the group. It was a small clay fragment of an explosive, probably C-4.

"These tunnels were manually shovelled. You can tell by the marks on the walls. The dirt and rock likely brought out in buckets. This," he held up the fragment, "would be one of those things that is classified as out of place. Any of you guys ever watch that kids show and play that game of picking out what doesn't belong here? Here's a fine example." Jack finished jovially, tossing the fragment in the air and catching it again.

"You got kids, Sir?" Hanson asked.

Jack looked him up and down. His apparent good humor disappearing.

"No. Fall back," and with that Jack strode back down the way they had come.

The others looked each other over. Hanson just shrugged and couldn't help but wonder why the mention of kids had darkened the General's mood. The unit followed Jack without exchanging another word.

When they'd reached the first chamber where they'd entered the tunnel system Jack had already plopped down in the dirt, his back against a wall, deep in thought. Right above them was the deserted house.

The entry to the tunnels had been in a closet, through a fake wall that led to a narrow and poorly constructed stairway. There was no lighting system down here, so they had to make do with their flashlights and electric flares. It worked.

The men stood around, three shuffling not knowing what to do next. Anderson took a seat opposite the General. He knew this guy was good. Best to leave him with his thoughts. He indicated to the others to sit as well, and to keep hushed. The others obeyed.

"How bad is it Sir?" Major Anderson finally had the nerve to ask. If General O'Neill was here something big was up and the General hadn't enlightened any of them as yet.

Jack shrugged and looked back down the tunnel.

"That depends," he answered cryptically. Then changing the subject, "Where that branch of the tunnel ends…how far do you figure it's from the target house?"

"At a guess Sir, I'd say no more than 100 to 150 yards," Cooper answered. Maps, communications, and all sorts of surveillance and electronic gizmos were his specialty.

"I have a feeling what I'm lookin for is gonna be just on the other side of that cave in. Here's what I want you boys to do," and with that Jack began instructing them.

They would rest up until nightfall, and then quietly they would begin to dig at the tunnel's end. Nuthin big. Just enough to get a body inside. They needed to do this silently and carefully so as not to alert anyone, if anyone was on the other side. They'd do it in shifts. Three would stay in this chamber, one standing guard, the others resting. The other two would be at the tunnels end. One digging and eventually crawling, while the other spread the dirt and kept watch.

There was to be no talking. Any communication required, a signal was to be given and all would fall back to this location. They'd work and rest in 3 hour shifts. Once they were close to breaking through they were to stop. Only enough of an opening for a small scope was to go into the other side. It was a well oiled plan. Jack was hoping it would take less than 24 hours if all went well. With any luck plan A would work. Just in case though, he was already trying to come up with plan B.

In the meantime, they were to take recon shifts one at a time topside to keep an eye on the comings and goings of the target house. It was quite a distance, but a bedroom window had a bee line view right to it. Jack also wanted to explore the other three offshoots which Anderson had reassured him ended with long ago boarded up entry ways. Jack needed to make sure himself.

"You don't feel the least bit….I don't know…claustrophobic, Sir?" Anderson asked him as they walked along one of the darkened paths. The Major was remembering how long the General had been trapped underground just several months ago.

"Ya, a bit," O'Neill conceded with a grin. "I'll get over it. Doesn't help that these tunnels don't seem all that well reinforced."

Jack considered the dirt walls with the occasional wood support beam, and what seemed to be clay bricks sporadically placed with no apparent purpose. It was a miracle these tunnels even existed given the make up of the area. The soil makeup was very deteriorated and there was lots of sandy earth. Sand, and lots more sand. Obviously there was a hard clay base, but still, he hadn't really expected tunnels like this under a house, in the middle of no where. At least not on Earth, and not without much heavier reinforcement, like concrete or brick. The strategic genius of it wasn't lost on Jack.

He butted his assault rifle against one of the walls and immediately regretted it as a little rocky, sandy dirt came showering down on them.

"Doh! Won't be doin that again," he smirked at Anderson.

"Thank you Sir," the Major suppressed a relieved laugh.

"Anytime," Jack joked quietly. More seriously he added, "We're going to have to be real careful how we dig."

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It was late Sunday morning by the time Doctor Lam called Colonel Carter to the infirmary. Sam had been sitting in her lab with the intention of working. But instead she'd been staring into her computer, seeing nothing.

She wondered where Jack was. He'd said he'd be out of touch for a couple of days. If he was still in Washington he would've been able to at least call her. Or send an email. But there had been nothing but his cryptic message two nights ago, telling her he'd be in touch, soon.

If he was on an off world mission surely she would have known about it. Why couldn't he talk to her about it? It couldn't be that serious. He was getting too old to go off on missions anyways, not that she'd tell him that.

And what were they going to do about this? Sam had spent the weekend mulling over her current situation. She wanted children, or at least one. After struggling against the feeling, it finally won. It took her a whole night to realize it. But it was Jack's child she wanted. For so long her career had come first. She'd never really had much of a personal life, and the one she had latched onto two years ago had resulted in hurting a man she cared and respected, and also alienated another, at least for a while. The one she loved.

Things had been set in motion and were going so well, and were only getting better. Under normal circumstances she might've been thrilled at the thought of having a baby. She knew Jack would eventually be okay as well. Or at least she hoped that would be the case. Especially after his message. But with the possibility that what she was carrying had been harmed by the Ori. Or worse, created by them? Well that was too much.

"Oh Jack," she cried aloud in her empty lab, "what are we going to do?"

Her phone rang. It was Doctor Lam. She was ready for the Colonel in the infirmary.

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First more blood was drawn and sent off for analysis, then in an empty med lab, Dr. Lam completed an ultrasound. Nothing abnormal showed up. Well that wasn't exact. Nothing showed up, would be more precise. However, Doctor Lam had explained to Colonel Carter that the results were not unusual. She would have been more concerned had a pregnancy shown up on ultrasound this early in its gestation.

Sam had so many questions. Topping them was why she didn't feel pregnant? All Doctor Lam kept saying was that it was too early. The rest of the day Sam spent trying to keep busy. Daniel had come in and spent some time with her doing nothing. Just hanging out.

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The unit had spent the better part of the afternoon taking turns resting and going above to watch activity around the target house. Insurgents had come and gone all afternoon long, most appearing heavily armed and all carrying the good book of the region as though it were a shield.

They worked in pairs for the most part, but General O'Neill on occasion took someone's place and also took a turn. Jack was waiting to see if the activity at the target slowed down toward evening, or if more gathered to stay there before deciding when best to begin the digging. He hoped that most of them had homes of their own to go to come nightfall.

It was a double edged sword really. With more of the enemy at the target site there were, well, more enemies at the target site. If they cleared out by nightfall, there was a greater chance that whoever was left might hear the digging activity of Jack's team. Yet Jack couldn't shake the feeling that this was the right course of action. Why would anyone deliberately cave the tunnel tributary that led directly to the target house? Jack felt that whoever they were, they were using the tunnel under that house just as he and his crew were doing. And they didn't want anyone sneaking up on them.

Sort of a bonus, this tunnel thing. It was a lot better than searching through the mountain caves. Jack wondered how many birds he was going to catch with this stone, er, dig. Well, he was only after one. Hopefully it wasn't what he feared. Because he wasn't sure he'd be able to catch such a bird, or survive it without Carter's...Well now, that was a telling thought, he jabbed himself inwardly.

Come evening, the men were around one of the electric flares, chowing down on rations to gain energy for their long night ahead. General O'Neill excused himself and headed down one of the other tunnel passages to, as he stated, "partake of the facilities."

"Different kind of General ain't he?" remarked Capt. Jenson quietly. "Most General's I've met wouldn't get their hands dirty like this guy does. They'd leave it to the grunts like us. Pretty cool if you ask me."

"Ya, and you notice, no pot belly," Cooper snickered. "Wonder what the hell he does at the Pentagon. Doesn't seem like a shirt to me. You got any idea Major?"

Anderson took a bite out of his sandwich. "Nope."

"Well whatever it is, it's classified. I've never even heard of the guy before," Hanson broke in, taking a swig from his canteen. Jokingly he added, "Probably in charge of the Project Blue Book they claim is closed."

He of course was referring to the Air Force investigation during the 50s, 60s and early 70s of alleged UFO sightings. This started three in the unit to break out into hushed laughter. Major Tony Anderson however choked on his food and began to cough.

"Oh come on Sir, you don't believe in Aliens do you? Flying saucers?" Hanson chided him.

"They're not saucers, they're ships," General O'Neill remarked casually, returning to the chamber. "With little grey men inside. Oh and there's a big puddle of water that we step through to go to other planets too."

Silence fell over the group. You could have heard a pin drop. Anderson just stared at Jack open mouthed.

"What? Just kidding. You guys started it," O'Neill smirked at them, raising his eyebrows ever so slightly, patting his stomach. He'd heard every word. The three junior officer's broke into embarrased laughter.

Anderson though wasn't completely convinced the General was kidding. Not after what he'd seen already. Cool. He had to get that transfer. He caught O'Neill looking at him, a small grin and knowing look on his face. Tony was pumped. He was gonna prove himself to this General and show him that he could handle whatever it was that was out there.

It occurred to Major Anderson just then, that if O'Neill did command something along Blue Book, and he was here, then that must mean --. He looked over at the General again. Jack saw that Anderson was beginning to get it, just as he'd hoped. O'Neill threw him the slightest nod. Jack needed someone else with him that was at least partially prepared for the worst case scenario. Someone he could bark orders to and know they'd be acted on immediately, not someone who would be awed or rendered motionless by shock.

"Okay let's get to it," Jack instructed his team, looking at his watch. It was 20:00. The sun was set, and activity around the target had lessened with more suspected insurgents leaving and fewer returning. He did a quick calculation in his head. It would be around lunch time in Colorado Springs. Give or take an hour or two. He was crap at this time zone stuff. He wondered how and what she was doing. He just hoped she was okay, and that he could be there for her soon. God how he missed that woman.

"Jenson, take first watch. Cooper, Hanson, rest. Anderson, you're with me. You'll take first shot at digging." Jack headed down the tunnel without glancing back to make sure his orders were being carried out. He knew they would be.

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TBC (Next installment due out week of Oct 2-6 2006)

Author's Request: When you're finished reading this chapter, please click on my name to visit my profile. Once there, if you select my home page, you will be brought to youtube where you can view the video "Where are you Now" created by Hope Leslie Hermnharry especially for this sequel.

DISCLAIMER: "Stargate SG-1," "Stargate Atlantis," and its characters are the property of MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Film Corp., Showtime/Viacom and USA Networks, Inc. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations and story are the property of the author(s), and may not be republished or archived elsewhere without the author's permission.