Chapter 9
Jack found himself almost dragged to the target house. He felt the bile rise from his stomach and fought to keep from throwing up. The pain in his left shoulder was almost unbearable and the two thugs dragging him were paying no heed to his pain. He didn't think the wound was bleeding much, but the pain was becoming more intensified. Maybe not just a flesh wound after all.
Upon arriving in the house, Jack noticed it was as dilapidated as the house he and his men had holed up under. The exceptions were desks and sleeping mats scattered with no apparent organization. Three new men greeted him with evil glares and weapons pointed at him. AK47s. Jack was seriously outnumbered.
Yousef maintained the lead, saying nothing. He led them to a room, then, just as at the other house, a closet. Jack was shoved in front and almost thrown down the stairs. He landed hard at the bottom against a dirt wall, right on his injured shoulder. The pain was too much and Jack crumpled to the ground unconscious.
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Colonel Carter followed General Landry into his office at the end of the briefing.
"Sir, please. I'm fine, and you'll need the extra pilots to get the science team over. There's only Teal'c, Cameron and myself on SG1 that can fly. You have four members of the science team and Vala and Daniel. Not to mention, if there is an Ori incursion my expertise may be needed."
Landry eyed the Colonel thoughtfully while taking his chair.
"You heard me Sam, or were you not listening? I have the pilots. I had to shuffle personnel, but I have enough people. And yes, your expertise may be required. But you can be contacted here if need be," he tried patiently.
"Sir," Sam again started her protest.
"No Colonel. And that's final. All other things aside, if you go," Hank said more forcefully, "You'll be right back in his direct chain of command. Unacceptable."
Landry paused letting it sink in. He saw she was thinking about it, and hid the smile he was feeling. He knew she was trying to come up with a rebuttal. And she didn't disappoint him.
"What if I promise to stay at Bagram unless absolutely necessary?" she attempted.
Hank's face was unreadable as he looked at her without expression.
"Please sir. I abandoned him in Colombia; don't ask me to do it again. If he..they need me, I'll at least be close enough to be of some use," Sam clenched her jaw trying to keep the emotion out of her tone.
"You'll stay on the base?" Hank was starting to relent.
"Yes sir, unless I'm absolutely needed in the field," Sam promised.
Hank eyed her suspiciously. He knew he should say no. He knew this could land them both in hot water. Not just with the Pentagon, but with Jack as well. He knew a lot of things. He also knew he was going to let her go. For no other reason than she was absolutely right. She was the foremost scientific expert on the Ori. The science team was good, but not as good as Colonel Carter. Could they really risk not having her on site if there was a Prior in Afghanistan?
"Go," he finally allowed. "But stay out of trouble."
Sam gave General Landry her brightest smile, and standing at attention, gave him her best salute. "Yes sir."
And with that she was off. The time was 08:30 Zulu. It'd be roughly around noon in Afghanistan.
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The F-302s were instructed to land on an unused airstrip leading to a vacant hangar. The six jets were guided inside one by one. Mitchell noticed security was tight. The guy on the ground had looked after everything. It was inevitable that they'd be noticed, but with any luck the cover story that they were new experimental jets would hold. He was pretty sure though that they hadn't been noticed anywhere but the base. They had gone into the atmosphere then came down almost right on top of Bagram at break neck speed. How he would've loved to do a fly by the tower, but the thing probably would've crumbled.
After disembarking, the SGC group were approached by two men who identified themselves as Major Tony Anderson and Capt. Troy Hanson. Anderson was O'Neill's 2IC on this mission, which Mitchell quickly relieved him of.
"So- where's our boy?" Mitchell flipped off casually.
Tony was a little taken aback by the irreverence.
"General O'Neill remained at the target area with two of my men, Sir," he answered the Colonel formally.
"Well lead the way," Mitchell smirked waving his hand in the direction of the exit.
"Uh, Sir, don't you want to be briefed before we leave?" Anderson asked.
"Can do it along the way. Time's a wastin." Mitchell responded, leading the group toward the exit.
Daniel watched as Sam grabbed her gear and headed off after Cameron. Catching up he asked, "Aren't you supposed to be staying here?"
"Yup," she answered nonplussed. "Just seein you boys off. Then I'll head to the command tent they were supposed to have set up for Ja..General O'Neill."
"We'll be stopping there before we head out, ma'am," Hanson had overheard the exchange. "The Major and I left our gear there. Didn't realize your team would want to head straight out from the hangar."
Sam just gave him a nod. "Great."
She wasn't happy about having to stay behind and was trying to think of a way to ensure she'd be needed on this little expedition.
Outside of the hangar there were three humvees ready to transport the group. Teal'c noted with approval the guards stationed around the perimeter. The group stowed their gear in the vehicles and piled in.
One of the pilots and two members of SG7 stayed behind to set up a secured lab within the hangar. Just in case.
Anderson began his briefing on route to viper village. He explained in detail what they had witnessed through the surveillance camera as well as General O'Neill's reaction. He even included his observation of the General's wince and jaw tightening. Daniel and Mitchell agreed out loud, sounded like a Prior alright. Teal'c simply sat and took it all in while Sam seemed distracted, looking out the window at the scenery that stretched by. Snow covered mountains in what appeared to be a desert. How odd this place was.
Only Hanson and Anderson exited when they reached O'Neill's tent.
"Uh, Sam?" Mitchell asked pointedly.
"I brought the device. I'm the only one that can work it quickly and effectively. If there is a Prior here, I'm going to be needed. On site," she answered, looking straight at him, daring him to challenge her.
She had been listening. And although her heart dropped at the idea of a Prior actually being here on earth, it gave her a legitimate reason to go on the mission. It was the opportunity she had needed. She wondered how one of their own could've been turned into a Prior in the first place, and why come to this region? Airman Al Yousef had gone AWOL right before they had realized the plague had been sent to Earth via SG6. Was this the Ori's plan B? In case the plague had failed, then turn one into a Prior? It didn't make sense. The plague had been designed to wipe them out. Not convert them. And the Ori had been so sure of their absolute ability.
Sam hardly thought they would even consider a plan B necessary. They'd seriously underestimated the human race. So what was going on here? Jack thought Yousef was a Prior, Daniel and Mitchell seem to agree. Sam wasn't so sure though, it just didn't add up. She had no intention of voicing any of this though, because if any of them doubted that a Prior was in fact here, she would lose her legitimate reason to get off base and go with them.
Cameron shrugged. He knew better to argue. "Ok then," was all he said.
Sam caught Teal'c looking at her with a considering gaze. She knew instantly that he had the same doubts as she but he too had decided to keep quiet. He gave her a slight nod which she returned with a tight smile and resumed looking out the window.
Anderson and Hanson returned to the Humvee and the three vehicles headed off base, passing through a heavily armed checkpoint on the way.
It would take them approximately three hours to get back to Asmar, one hour driving, then two on foot. Maybe a little more. It was going to be treacherous and slow going as they were making this trek in broad daylight. Not usually a good idea given the hostiles scattered throughout the area.
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Jack woke to find himself chained by his wrists to the dirt wall. His shoulder wound had been attended to and was bandaged. It still hurt like hell though, especially as his arms had borne his weight while he'd been out cold.
He looked around and realized he was in an underground chamber dimly lit with torches embedded in the dirt walls. It was smaller than the one he and his men had set up in, and smaller than the one that they had watched Yousef in, but at least he was alone. For now. He winced as he brought his feet under him to support his weight and stood straight up. His arms cramping, his back muscles aching. Boy he felt old.
He tested the chains, but found that they were solid. Maybe if he kept at it, he'd be able to loosen them. He had no idea what they were anchored to. He knew that the tunnel walls were soft, so it could be possible to eventually yank the anchor right out. Or so he hoped. It wasn't going to be easy, just trying to move his left arm shot flames through his whole body. Still, he had to try.
He stopped his efforts as he heard the sound of foreign voices approaching. In walked Yousef. The men who'd accompanied him stayed in the shadows of the darkened tunnel.
"How nice to see you're feeling better General," Yousef remarked softly. "And what brings you to Afghanistan?"
"That would be 'What brings you to Afghanistan', Sir!" O'Neill corrected the airman tersely.
Yousef laughed. "Ah, your military protocol means nothing to me anymore. I have heard the word of the Ori, and I have heeded."
"And that means what exactly?" snipped Jack.
"It means they are coming and I am preparing the way for them before fools like you cause our very destruction," sneered Yousef, glaring with milky white eyes at the man chained to the wall.
Yousef turned his tone to conciliatory. "It is not too late for you to repent O'Neill. The Ori are very forgiving, and you could prove to be a powerful ally to them. The rewards for you would be great. Everlasting life."
"Well spank me rosy, just what I wanted. Everlasting life," O'Neill quipped dryly. "Oh wait, no that wasn't it. Offered that before, turned it down."
Jack squinted his eyes, "Hmmm, let's see, what do I want? Well Santa, let's start with that GI Joe I didn't get when I was seven."
"You dare mock the Ori and their benevolence?" Yousef spat out through clenched teeth.
"Well sure," smirked Jack, "but actually, just then, sort of mocking you."
Something wasn't right here. Every report Jack ever read on these guys had them all as cool as ice. Unflappable. Yousef was acting, well, like a mad man. The way his eyes kept darting over Jack and quickly away again. He was grasping the good book of the region. Why wasn't he holding the book of Origin? Why wasn't he quoting from it? Yousef stepped forward.
"Come and see," Yousef spoke over his shoulder to the men in the tunnel. They began to enter and Jack counted four.
"Behold this one. The evil of the west manifested in one. He would have us all burn. He is an enemy of the Ori who would draw away those who seek the path. He is a great leader of an army who,-"
"That would be Air Force, United States Air Force," Jack cut in. "And thanks on the "great", appreciate that."
Yousef ignored the interruption, "lead the seekers astray by force. As with Amica, who swayed from the will of the Ori, I have offered forgiveness for his transgressions if he now seeks the path. He has refused and will be shown no mercy."
'Oh crap!' Jack thought to himself watching the lunatics watching him. There was that scripture stuff. 'Nice going Jack, couldn't have bluffed your way out if huh? Had to be a smart ass,' he internally berated.
"At dusk," Yousef redirected his comments to the chained General, "You will lose your head. But not before you are drawn and quartered. It will be filmed and played on all friendly media channels. All will see the death of one of our enemies greatest Generals. They will see that the West can, and will be defeated. For those who have been weak of heart and have cried out for a sign to the Ori, just as Petrus cried to them through parched lips and the rock wept tears for him to quench -"
"Talk about a run on sentence Yousef. Honestly," Jack cut him off. He didn't want to hear the rest of the mad man's ramble.
Yousef stopped this time and smiled at O'Neill. "Enjoy what little of the day is left General. It's to be your last."
Yousef turned and headed out of the chamber, his four faithful followers trailing him.
Jack waited a few moments, and hearing no one outside his hole in the ground, he gave another tug on the chain with his good arm. To his sheer surprise and amazement it came free. Dirt tumbling down with it. Jack was so caught off balance at the unexpectedness of the event that he fell forward, his injured side still chained and taking all of his weight. He had to struggle not to pass out.
Whatever was anchoring the chains couldn't take the strain and the other one came free as well. Jack landed in a crumple on the dirt floor. It took all his strength not to yell out in pain. He stayed on the ground a moment, trying to bring his gasps of breath under control, hoping against the odds that no one had heard.
When the pain finally subsided and still no one had entered the chamber, Jack slowly rose to his feet. He took another look around. No weapons. Well he did have the chains still attached at his wrists, about two feet long. He peered into each of the holes to try and see what had been holding the other ends, but he could see nothing. Slowly he ebbed his way to the entry way. There were no guards. Jack briefly wondered if it was a trap, but what choice did he have? He had to make the attempt.
Slowly he started down the darkened tunnel, feeling along the dirt walls as a guide. He didn't dare risk using one of the torches back in the chamber. The light would be a dead give away. Literally.
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"You sure you should be doing this?" Mitchell whispered to Sam as they began their trek into the dried brush. There wasn't much cover, shriveled looking trees, and massive rocks was the size of it.
"Look Cam, all other things aside, if there is a Prior here, we just may need the gadget's I have. This group of "scientists" couldn't take apart a naquadah powered generator in twenty four hours, let alone figure out getting this to work quickly. We won't have a lot of reaction time. Did you want to be the one trying to get everything to work? Or trust the mod squad to do it?" Sam answered a little more sharply then she intended.
"It's not your abilities and the necessity for them that I'm talkin about," Mitchell didn't back down.
Sam stopped and turned on him. "I know what you're referring to. If you doubt my professionalism, say so now. If you'd rather go on without me, now's the time to speak up."
Cam had also stopped. The other's following suit and watching the exchange between the two Colonels. Anderson and Hanson exchanged confused looks.
"Uh, Sir, Ma'am," Anderson said in a hushed tone, while taking several steps back toward his superior officers. "No disrespect intended, but we're in some pretty hostile territory. May want to keep the chatter to a minimum. Just a suggestion."
Both Colonels turned their attention to him. Both looking a tad pissed. 'Great,' thought Anderson, 'there goes my transfer.'
Daniel had been walking with Vala behind Carter and Mitchell. Teal'c had been covering the six with two borrowed pilots from the SGC. And in front of them were the other two members of the science team.
The lot were now bunching up behind the Colonels and Hanson was beginning to panic. These were supposed to be pros? Easy pickins more like it. He thought about saying something to Anderson, but decided to hold his tongue instead. It was a decision he would soon come to regret.
"Come on guys," Daniel approached his team mates, "This looks bad."
Daniel emphasized his point by glancing over at the Major and the Captain.
"Cameron, we need Sam to take charge of the technical aspect if the need arises. I can't do it, you can't do it. Not sure I trust them to do it." Daniel tilted his head towards the two members of SG7. So-" he left the rest unsaid.
"As for that other issue, it can't be helped. So let's just get a move on it," Daniel hoped he'd made his point.
"I didn't mean anything by it," Cameron almost pouted.
"Fine. Ok. I admit I'm a little touchy on the subject," Sam tried to reconcile. "Let's just forget it and get the job done."
Sam and Cameron began to move again, Anderson and Hanson resuming their lead. Without warning the sound of gunfire erupted from nowhere. Anderson and Hanson tried to get a bead on where it was coming from.
"Find cover," Cameron yelled.
Teal'c managed to get the two members of the science team behind a boulder while laying down cover fire so the other's still out in the open could try and find something in which to hide behind.
Mitchell and Sam began to run toward another large boulder while Daniel and Vala headed for Teal'c's position. One of the SGC pilots went down. Daniel noted a gunshot wound to the head. There was no sense in stopping, the Captain was beyond help. The other one maintained cover until Daniel and Vala made it safely, then he too joined Teal'c's group.
Anderson and Hanson had dropped and were firing toward where they thought the attack had come from. Just as suddenly as it had started though, it was over. The two began to back crawl to where they knew the Colonels had taken cover. When they'd arrived there was no sign of the ranking officers. Anderson hesitantly stood and looked around, weapon raised, but there was no sign of them. This was not good.
Hanson pointed toward some brush and began to edge towards the area while Anderson covered him. Teal'c was becoming concerned. From his line of vision he could see neither of his team mates. They'd disappeared behind another large rock out of his sight. Now their two guides had also gone behind. It was too quiet. Slowly Teal'c approached, cautious and alert for more unforeseen enemies. But there appeared to be none. Reaching the boulder he came around, pointing his Taur'i weapon. He saw Anderson and Hanson looking into some dried shrubbery about ten feet the other side of the rock. Colonels Mitchell and Samantha Carter were nowhere to be seen.
Anderson looked back and saw Teal'c. He indicated with a wave for the large man to join them. When Teal'c arrived at their position he followed the other men's glances. There was a hole that had been covered by the shrubs. Signs of a recent struggle were evident, and Teal'c saw traces of fresh blood. It was obvious. His team mates had been caught in an ambush.
"We should split up," suggested Anderson, once again the ranking officer. At least he thought he was the ranking officer. Wasn't sure about the big guy's position.
"Agreed," Teal'c answered simply with a slight tilt of his head.
"You and the science team go with Hanson. The other guy's on your team, the two...what's their names?" Anderson asked.
"Dr Jackson should proceed with Captain Hanson," Teal'c advised and corrected at the same time. "As well as Lt Culham. You and I will proceed down in an attempt to retrieve Colonel Mitchell and Colonel Carter."
Anderson looked the man over but thought better of arguing. He seemed very sure of himself. "Fine."
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Jack inched slowly down the tunnel and stopped when he heard voices. He waited. They weren't coming any closer so he continued his slow feel down. He could see light up ahead. It's where the voices seemed to be coming from. 'Okay, what now?' he asked himself. A few feet from where he stopped he noticed the dirt wall on the other side from him was darker than the area around it. Carefully he made his way over. It was another tunnel off shoot. And it was pitch black. It was the only way he could go.
Slowly he made his way down, only touch helping him. He was as blind as a bat. His heart was racing, and despite the coolness down here he found himself sweating. Only a few months ago he'd been in a similar situation. It'd almost driven him nuts. He had to struggle to keep the panic he was starting to feel from overwhelming him. The only good thing about the fear was that he had forgotten all about the pain in his shoulder.
He had started to lose track of time as he continued his slow walk. Before leaving the chamber he had checked his watch. Almost 16:20. Not long before dusk. He tested every step forward. Jack didn't realize it, but only half an hour had lapsed since he'd escaped his binds.
He almost yelled out when his foot hit something. Stopping he reached in front. Boards. Just like in the other tunnel. He'd come up to a wall sealed with rotten boards. Fighting the urge to start ripping at them, which would have likely caused a commotion or a cave in, he gently began to pull. His shoulder and arm were killing him but he wasn't about to let his physical pain hinder him. To stop would mean his death. A pretty nasty one at that. He had to keep moving. In no time at all he'd cleared a way through the rotten wood.
Putting one foot in he tested. It was a dirt floor. He went the rest of the way in, his next step caused him to fall forward. Luckily it was onto a flight of stairs. This time though he did let out a small groan as the pain in his arm began to burn again and threatened to send him back to la la land.
He managed to pull himself up the stairs until finally he saw light coming from a crack under a door. Cautiously he made his way up and listened. He heard nothing. He reached where he knew the door knob would be and slowly turned it. Jack moved quietly but his stealth was unnecessary. The half fallen down house was completely deserted. Walking over to one of the windows, he was careful to stay out of sight. The target house could not be seen from this vantage. Well, he couldn't stay here long. They'd be looking for him soon. He was to die, in what, checking his watch again, an hour, couple of hours tops. Yup, time to make a get away.
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Teal'c and Major Anderson had gone into the hole. They'd found the way lit by torches lodged into the walls, but saw nothing up ahead. Both with weapons raised they cautiously made their way down the tunnel. Roughly a mile in, the passage came to an abrupt end, a rickety wooden ladder leading up into day light. They could see dense brush covering the hole.
"So that's how the buggers sneak up on our positions. Always wondered how they just seem to pop up out of nowhere. Wonder how many of these damn tunnels they've got hidden around?" mused Anderson aloud.
"I would not know Major Anderson," Teal'c hadn't realized the musings were rhetorical.
Anderson looked at the large man quizzically but decided just to nod. He'd been introduced as Teal'c back at the base. That's it. Teal'c. Nothing more. No last name, no rank, no nothin. Tony couldn't help but wonder just who he was. He remembered him from the Colombia mission, but hadn't spent much time thinking about him then. Now he was working with the guy and knew absolutely nothing about him. Given what Tony did however, he knew better than to ask. 'Need to know' was big in his line of work, and if they didn't think he needed to know, they wouldn't tell him.
"Right," he gave Teal'c a small smile.
Tony slung his weapon over his shoulder and began the climb up. Teal'c waited. Too much weight on the old ladder and they would both come tumbling back into the pit. Once Anderson reached the top, he carefully removed some of the debris covering the hole upside so he could peer out. Nothing. But there was some brush cover. He listened and heard nothing. Slowly he crawled from the hole keeping low to the ground and returning his weapon to a useful position. A few moments later Teal'c joined him.
"I do not believe anyone is in the area," Teal'c advised in a hushed tone.
"Ya," Anderson agreed.
The two men rose to their feet carefully, ready to dive at a moment's indication of trouble. Taking a few steps forward Tony noticed tire tracks. Some small all terrains he guessed. So they'd taken the Colonels for a ride. Luckily it appeared they were headed toward Asmar. If Teal'c and he didn't catch up, the General, Jenson and Cooper were there. Maybe they'd spot them and intercede. If not, Hanson had one group on route, and he and Teal'c could likely cut across and meet up with them. They headed off following the tracks, wary of any potential new ambushes.
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On the outskirts of town, near their safe house, Hanson indicated for everyone to get down. They were shielded in a thicket of trees which offered some cover. Not much, but it was better than nothing. Something was wrong, Hanson was sure of it. None of the insurgents were at the hideout house, but those coming and going from the target house kept looking over at it. It was as though they were waiting for someone to either come from it, or go to it. And there was much more traffic then he had noticed on their previous recon missions. Hanson watched for over ten minutes, the group staying silent.
Daniel took up position beside Hanson with Lt. Culham covering the rear of the group. Vala slid up behind Daniel.
"What's going on?" she whispered.
"We've been made. Or at least our activity at the house has been," Hanson enlightened. "There are more of the fanatics milling around. They keep coming and going as usual, but the same ones keep coming back every couple of minutes and leaving again. As though they're waiting for something to happen."
Hanson wondered if the General knew. Then again, he wondered if the General was even alive.
"What do you suggest we do now?" Vala quietly asked.
"See that old shed over there?" Hanson pointed 100 yards to their west.
It was an old run down building. A little bigger than a shed, but not much more.
"Let's get over there, out from in the open. I know it's deserted from our previous sweeps. At least it was. Can't stay here though," and with that Hanson began to lead the way, staying crouched and as much into the thicket cover as possible.
Hanson peered into one of the windows. Still appeared deserted. Same old rusted out jeep inside. Carefully he swung open the door and entered, aiming his weapon ahead he swept it around. No sign of anyone and no apparent booby traps. He motioned for the group to come in. He ordered Culham to take up watch near one of the windows. One where there was a view to the target house. Not a great one, but at the very least they may get some warning if any of the terrorists approached the shack.
"Well, as the lady asked before, what now?" Daniel asked. "Is there anyway to contact Jack down in the tunnel."
"Wouldn't advise it. Coop...Captain Cooper, our communications expert, thinks they may have tracking equipment. That's why the Major and I had to go back to base to call for you guys," Hanson informed quietly. "Mind telling me who you guys are exactly?"
"We're uh, uh," Daniel wasn't quite sure what he was supposed to reveal.
"They're idiots," Jack popped up from his hiding place in the jeep. "What the hell are you doing here? I distinctly recall asking for 3 and 7. Not 1 and 7. Ya, pretty sure. Hanson, you guys get that screwed up?"
Hanson gulped. The General looked rough. "No sir. Major Anderson relayed your message exactly."
Jack crawled from the jeep. Daniel did a double take upon seeing the chains shackled to Jack's wrists, and then noticed the ripped and bloodied sleeve of his shirt. A blood soaked pressure bandage on his shoulder. Jack saw where Daniel was looking.
"Flesh wound," he tired to reassure knowing it was probably a lie. "So, where's Mitchell and Teal'c?"
He was pretty sure Sam hadn't come along. Landry wouldn't have allowed it. Sort of surprised Vala was here though.
"And what's she doing here?" Jack nodded toward Vala. He was in no mood to try and be subtle. The sun was almost down, and if they hadn't already noticed he was gone, they would soon discover it. Hell was gonna break loose he was pretty sure.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Vala spat, then added for emphasis, "General! I'll have you know that I'm-"
Daniel cut her off. "He's not questioning your ability so keep your voice down. The locals are not as, how shall I put this, as liberated with their women..."
Jack began to chuckle.
"Good thing Sam's not here, we'd all be..."Jack looked at the door seeing Teal'c and Anderson entering. "Well there you are. Just askin about you. So where's Mitchell?"
"He has been captured O'Neill, along with.." Teal'c had begun to answer.
"Crap! Well that's not good. Do we know by whom?" Jack asked.
"They took them in ATVs I believe Sir. We tracked them back here. Pretty sure it's the same group of insurgents that are following our target cleric," Anderson responded.
"Look, guys, about Jenson and Cooper…" Jack started for Anderson and Hanson's benefits, but found he couldn't finish. Anderson and Hanson understood. Their friends. Their team mates - were gone.
"Well I guess that explains the noise I heard comin from the target almost an hour ago. Was sure I'd heard ATVs but was too lazy to go look," Jack remarked getting back to business.
He had been far from lazy. With the physical exertion and the psychological stress of having been in that pitch black tunnel, he'd been too exhausted to check it out. So he'd stayed hidden in the jeep, hoping against hope back up would soon arrive. He had still hoped for help from the Daedalus, but as time had gone on his hope had faded. He'd almost begun to worry that maybe Anderson and Hanson hadn't even made it back to Bagram. Well at least SG1 was here. They'd go get Mitchell, then try to capture Yous...wait a second.
"Them?" Jack enquired closing his eyes, dreading the answer he was sure he already knew.
Daniel had wondered when it would finally hit him. "Sam's been captured too Jack."
"No," Jack moaned, keeping his eyes shut tight.
His face showed his anguish as he tried to control his emotions. What these nuts would do to a western woman. No. Anderson watched the General closely. He was reacting just as the Colonel had when they first extracted her from Colombia. There was definitely something between those two. No doubting that now. Especially as he noted the look exchanged between Teal'c and Dr. Jackson. They knew too.
"We will ensure their release O'Neill," Teal'c promised his friend.
"I should have a look at your wound Sir," one of the science staff finally spoke up. He started toward the General but was stopped as Jack held up his good hand. His eyes were still closed and his head had dropped down. Try as he might he could not bring his thoughts into any coherent form. What the hell had she been thinking? How could she have endangered herself and their baby like this? How could she have put herself back in his direct line? What the hell had she been thinking? And just what the hell was he going to do about it?
When Jack finally opened his eyes he saw Daniel right in front of him. Daniel placed a hand on Jack's good shoulder and began to quietly talk to him. Anderson saw the flashing pain across the General's face, although he knew the man was trying to hide it. The General looked skyward then back at the Dr. Finally he nodded and took a deep breath which he slowly blew out.
"Ok, so here's the plan," O'Neill started.
They were going to find another house with a tunnel entry on the other side and try to make an incursion. The science team were to stay here with Culham. First sign of trouble, Culham was to high tale them out of here and back to the base. Reinforcements and air support could be sent in. If the team didn't make it, they were to bomb Asmar off the map. Yousef could not be left in this region alive.
"You should stay back Sir," Anderson hesitantly suggested to the General. "You're wounded, you -"
"I go," there was no arguing with Jack's tone.
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TBC
All the regular disclaimers, except original character are mine...Feel free..Vid for this chapter and final chapter is production. Chapter 10 will be posted when it's done. In the meantime, visit my homepage and follow the link to this story to see the great vids!!!