7
Chapter 2: Shopping for Survival
The next day Jack and Sam went through the Safe House methodically. The clothing storage was the biggest find. Shade had collected types of clothes for every size and type of person she could host. Jack was able to find clothing in good condition for his size. Not boots. But the leather pants he had found would slide over the laces.
Sam had also found plenty of clothing in her size. She made sure to have several types of working clothes and dresses for disguise. She kept her boots, but she also had several types of shoes to go with her disguises.
When they had gone through their supplies, they started to make piles of what they would need to take and what they could leave. Shade had made them aware of the trade market for additional supplies to supplement the ones they had laid out.
With all their gear laid out, they decided that they needed new ruck sacks, a fire starter, knives, and water bottles. SGC bags were too recognizable. The rest was just basic supplies. They took Shade's stash of local currency and hit the market.
The market was one of the open-air events that happened daily. Sam went one way looking for packs and a fire starter. Jack went the other looking for knives and water bottles.
The bottles were the easiest find and cheap. Next Jack went to the knife booth and spent his time trying out several of the blades before selecting several of various sizes. Then he went to hunt down Sam.
Jack finally found Sam hovering around a technology booth. He grinned. He could see that she had already found the bags. He wouldn't be surprised if she found the fire starter too.
As Jack glanced at the table he spied two items on display that surprised him. Both were goa'uld. A healing device and a ribbon device. But only he and Sam could work them.
Are those your old tools? Jack asked Shade.
No, Shade replied with alarm. I do not know how they got here.
"Your Grace," Jack addressed Sam, "You should not leave your escort like that. They worry for you." Jack tried to relay reassurance with his eyes.
Sam's eyes flashed with humor, "I merely wanted to see the market without those… men looming over me," she replied in a haughty tone.
"I can understand, Your Grace," Jack replied. He could see the vendor preening at having such distinguished guests at his booth. "Has one of these trinkets caught your eye, Your Grace?" Jack asked. "I find this one particularly fetching," he said as he pointed at the ribbon device.
Sam smiled, "It is rather fetching, isn't it?"
"It is," Jack agreed.
"Would the beautiful woman like to try it on?" the vendor asked. Jack could almost see him drool.
"I don't know. The jewels are obviously fake. As pretty as it is," Sam seemed to hesitate.
Jack almost applauded, "Perhaps they are fake, but the beauty of the trinket should make it worth it. What say you vendor?"
The vendor didn't like them calling the jewels fake, but he couldn't deny it either, "It is merely for the beauty of the piece. 20 pence."
"That is more than fair," Jack said amiably. "We could even include that similar trinket with a more ugly look for a few pence more. What do you say, Your Grace?"
Sam had tried on the ribbon device and was admiring it's glowing in the sunlight, "Very well. The two trinkets. I suppose I should return to my escort. They are so boring," Sam said.
Jack paid the vendor and plucked up the healing device, "Of course, Your Grace." He picked up the bags as Sam strode imperiously away from the vendor.
Once they were out of sight, Sam plucked off the ribbon device, then shook her hand like she had the heebie-jeebies.
"God, I hate those things," Sam said vehemently.
"Shade says they are not hers," Jack relayed. "We need to get out of here. Think of it this way, we just got a steal on a personal shield."
"Seriously, I thought they were hers," Sam said.
"I checked," Jack said. "This is a trade world, but who would dump that tech here? This world is no longer safe. We pack and we leave."
"No disagreements from me," Sam replied.
"I got a few varieties of knives. Sort through what works with the clothes you are wearing," Jack said to change the subject.
"Nice," Sam said with a smile.
They made it back to the Safe House and quickly backed everything in the bags Sam had purchased. Sam picked the knives she was going to carry and the zat. Jack still had the two stunners and now several more knives.
They had both decided to leave the P-90 and M-9. The ammo would run out and the weapons were too recognizable. They also left their BDU's for the same reason. However, most of Sam's scientific gear was coming. It was useful in so many ways that would work towards their survival.
With their last bag packed, they put everything away. They cleaned up one last time and closed the house. Locked the door and replaced the special key under the bench. They departed for the Stargate.
SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG
On the fourth planet, Jack and Sam walked away from the Stargate and into the surrounding woods. It was quiet and they were just looking for a quiet camping spot far from civilization. They found a likely clearing not too far from the edge of the trees. They set up their camp and went about their tasks with a habit born of too many years in the field together.
Once the small fire was going, they sat in peace and stared thinking.
"Have you thought about what you are going to tell your dad?" Jack asked Sam. He liked Jacob. He liked him better with Selmak.
Really? Shade asked.
Yeah, Jacob was a bit stiff before Selmak. After Selmak, Jacob started to be a real father to Sam, Jack said.
"Not really," Sam replied. "I mean, Dad should be the one to get it. But…"
"But you don't want to tell him why you had to go after me. I get it. No kid want to tell their dad they have to save their crush," Jack said.
"I guess," Sam said. "But… God… Did you know Dad was already accusing me of sleeping with you?" Sam asked.
"What? When was this?" Jack asked shocked.
"When you first met… He wanted me to go to NASA. I refused. He thought it was because I was sleeping with you," Sam said frustrated.
"Well, there you go," Jack said. "You held out three years longer than he thought. You are the goddess of self-restraint."
"Jack…" Sam whined.
"What? Do you NOT want me anymore? I can leave. It will kill me, but I can do it," Jack said.
"No, I don't want you to leave," Sam said with a giggle.
"Then let Jacob face the truth that all fathers all over the universe have to face. Their little girls grow up to become beautiful women. Those beautiful women then choose to be with some weird guy who makes her happy," Jack said sincerely. "Are you happy?"
"Yes, I am," Sam said quietly. Then she laughed, "I am happier now, on the run with you than I ever remember being."
"Then Jacob will deal. Selmak will help him deal," Jack said.
"So what do I tell him?" Sam asked.
"What do you want him to know?" Jack asked.
"I don't know. I want to be able to talk to him and answer his questions and hug him. But I can't risk being separated from you. And I really can't risk Shade," Sam said.
"Then we need a tel'tak or Al'kesh with a working cloak," Jack said matter-of-factly.
"Why?" Sam asked.
"To stake out Ravenna," Jack said. "You leave your note. We cloak and we wait. If they try to trap us, we stay cloaked. If it is just your dad, we say hello."
"Okay," Sam said as she started to run the logistics in her mind. "Where do we get a ship?"
"Shade? Any ideas?" Jack asked aloud.
A few, Shade said. The safest course would be world where neither of you are recognized. Trade worlds would be best in that sense.
"Yeah, SG-1 is sort of famous. Trade worlds would be much safer," Jack agreed aloud.
"Trade worlds? But we wouldn't have money to buy a ship," Sam said.
I can get you naquadah bricks at no risk on an abandoned planet, Shade said.
Jack suddenly looked interested, "Really? Naquadah bricks on an abandoned planet? How far from the Stargate? Because those things weigh a ton."
"Wow," Sam said amazed. "One brick should be enough. We could buy an Al'kesh."
"We will buy whatever has a working cloak," Jack said firmly.
"Fine," Sam said sullenly.
"You can hope the Al'kesh has a working cloak," Jack said in a sing-song voice.
"I will hunt one down," Sam said firmly.
"I know you will. Get some rest," Jack said as he kissed her head good night. He watched her lay down and close her eyes. Tell me more about this abandoned planet the naquadah is on, Jack asked Shade.
SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG
The abandoned planet with the naquadah was an ugly planet with rough mountains. The naquadah was exactly where Shade had hidden it centuries ago. They took one bar from the stash and recovered it up. The whole trip was rather uneventful.
The targeted trade world was much more eventful. This particular trade world had many different goa'uld on it. Shade had often used it to disguise her naquadah trail in the past.
Before they left through the Stargate to the trade world, Jack put on his disguise as a goa'uld. He wore the ribbon device. He only carried his knives and a small bag with the bar of naquadah. Sam changed into her disguise as well. She covered her hair in a wrap. Her vest and pants had extra knives. She kept her zat prominently displayed. She carried all the small coins. They left their remaining clothing and gear on an empty planet waiting for their return.
Once they were ready, they dialed the Stargate and got into character.
"What is your goa'uld name?" Sam asked while they waited.
"Well, I was thinking Mercury. I am a queen, you know," Jack said smugly.
"Okay, Freddie… I mean… My Lord Mercury…" Sam said with a smirking bow.
"Come, Lotar. I just must have a ship," Jack said with a swish in his step as he walked through the wormhole.
"And a Fabolous ship it will be," Sam said with a smile as she stepped through the wormhole.
As they disembarked on the other side, they took note but ignored the Jaffa stationed at the Stargate. Once they reached the center of the plaza, Jack marched up to a man who appeared to be giving directions.
The man noted their approach and immediately bowed to Jack, "How may I direct you My Lord?"
Sam stepped forward, "My Lord Mercury desires to purchase an Al'kesh with a cloak. Where might such vessels be located?"
"Of course, My Lord, those vessels are located at the end of the second avenue," the man directed them with his hand.
Jack spun in place and began to march down second avenue with Sam following close behind him, "Well, played," Jack whispered to her.
"Not bad yourself, My Lord," Sam replied. "This is kind of fun. We never get to be the bad guys."
"Bad guys are totally overrated," Jack whispered to her. "They think they are winning while they are totally losing."
"I know. But they look like they have more fun," Sam said.
Jack spared Sam a piercing look that was not totally out of character, "They don't. Hitler wasn't throwing parties in his bunkers. Saddam Hussain wasn't living it large in his rat holes. Osama Bin Laden wasn't living the quiet life with his wives in hiding. They are living with their choices just like we do," Jack said.
"Oh," Sam said quietly.
"Besides, pretending to be bad is not the same as being bad. When you were pretending to be the bad goa'uld, you barely kicked me. It was showy, not painful. That is what we are doing here. Putting on a show," Jack said facing front again. "And The Show Must Go On…" he whisper sang to her.
"Okay," Sam said in understanding. Yeah, she wouldn't really torture someone. She had felt the pain stick herself. She wouldn't inflict it on someone else. But she could but on a show. Lie to the liars.
Second Avenue ended in a huge field of space ships. Sam felt like she was in Seventh Heaven. She almost forgot why they were there. But she spotted the direction guy just before Jack. She cleared her throat and led the way.
The man once again directed them to three different models of Al'kesh that were for sale. A representative for each model was on site next to the model. Jack and Sam went over to the first one.
"Sam, you grill them. I wouldn't know what to ask," Jack whispered to her.
Sam smiled, "Yes, My Lord."
The first ship had damage and no working cloak. The second ship was near new, but after touring the inside Sam was disgusted. The goa'uld who had used it last had just ate and left his food everywhere. It was gross. It was a possibility if the third one was a bust. But… Ew.
The third ship was not as new as the second and had seen some use, but it did have a working cloak. It also had all the drive crystals and Sam made sure that they included a spare set of crystals. Shields were fully operational and they had not had any issues with them.
Sam looked over at Jack and nodded. He in turn gave a slight nod to her.
Sam turned back to the Al'kesh representative, "My Lord Mercury has decided to purchase this vessel with the additional crystals."
"I shall inform my master. I will return shortly," the Jaffa left.
"Shade, if his master is a goa'uld you will need or make Jack's voice reverberate," Sam said out loud.
"Good call," Jack said, his voice now in the dual-tones of goa'uld.
Before long the Jaffa returned to the tent with a flamboyantly dressed man in tow. The man had a ribbon device and the standard goa'uld swager. He was not a goa'uld that either Jack or Sam knew on sight.
"I am Lord Melqart. You want to purchase this vessel?" the goa'uld asked.
"I am Lord Mercury," Jack replied. "I do. Have your Jaffa provided the crystals?"
Melqart snapped his fingers at the Jaffa. The Jaffa stepped forward with a case of crystals. He laid the case open on the ground before them.
"Then this is my payment," Jack said as he handed the naquadah brick to Melquart. "Our business is done."
Melquart's eyes popped at the naquadah brick. He accepted it and waved his Jaffa back. "Our business is done," Melquart said formally.
Jack and Sam were escorted back to the Al'kesh and the Jaffa removed all traces of the former owner before departing.
Jack closed and sealed the door.
"Alright… Let's take this baby out for a spin…" Jack said as his voice returned to normal.
The Al'kesh rose from the landing area of the trade world and slowly rose into the atmosphere.
SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG-SG
