8
Chapter 6: Can't Go Home
The small vehicle containing the four travelers arrived at the compound a few hours later. Boyd opened the gate to the inner courtyard and drove the vehicle inside. Once inside they exited the vehicle and stretched after their long trip in the small vehicle.
The sun was just starting to set. Sam was glad that they had made it back to the compound before darkness. They had been so close to the compound that Boyd had thought he could make it back before full sunset. He had made it.
"Is it just me, or was that trip much faster than the last time?" Jack asked as he stretched.
"It was faster," Boyd said. "The usual transport takes a day and a half to make that same route." Then he gave a grin, "I may have pushed the transport to its limits to get here before sunset."
"Well, you have my thanks, Boyd," Sam said gratefully.
"And mine," Shaw echoed as he stared at everything in wonder.
"Come inside. Let us tell Artair the good news of Tràill Slubhail," Boyd said ushering them inside the building.
Jack walked next to Sam with his bag slung over his shoulder. Sam hadn't bothered to put her weapons belt back on. She just slung it over her shoulder. She did have her zat in her hand, just in case things had changed in the two days since she left.
"Boyd, Sam, you are back so soon. I had not expected you to return for several days," Artair's voice reached her as she entered the common room. "And you have freed your man, as well."
"Your man?" Jack asked, quietly with a smirk.
"Actually," Sam started over Jack, "He freed himself and the rest of the prison before I arrived. This is Shaw. He is here to talk to you about the rest of the prisoners still at Tràill Slubhail. They need transport and such. Jack and I need rest before we are transported through the city. I don't want to risk walking again. Tomorrow is soon enough. Thank you for all of your help, Artair," Sam said.
"Sam, you have helped me more than you can know. I am more than glad to provide additional transport tomorrow. I will have food left here in the common room. You know where the cleaning room is located. Will you use the same bedroom?" Artair asked.
"I will. Are my things still there?" Sam asked.
"They are," Artair replied.
"Good. We will leave you to Shaw and Boyd," Sam said as she grabbed Jack's arm and dragged him out of the room.
"He seemed nice," Jack said once they were out of ear shot.
"He is. He is also the local rebel leader. I am trying REALLY hard not to get involved," Sam said urgently.
"Ah, the local situation is that bad?" Jack asked.
"Not that. Just the government is that bad. It's hard for me not to want to punch someone wearing a Weard uniform on principle," Sam sighed.
"After that crematorium, I TOTALLY get it," Jack said. "I had to limit myself to just killing one guy. Forced myself."
Sam took a few deep breaths then straightened out. She walked over to a door. "Bathroom with shower," she said as she pointed. Then she walked to another door, "Bedroom. I suggest we stay in the same room. I sort of trust these guys. But…"
"But you wouldn't risk your life on it. Got it," Jack followed her to the bedroom and dropped his bag. He tucked a stunner in his cargo pocket.
Sam smiled and handed him her ditty bag of toiletries, "Use what you need. I know yours are gone."
"Thanks," Jack replied as he took the bag and headed to the bathroom.
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The next morning, Artair's transport to the edge of the city was the same small vehicle transport they had used the day before. Boyd transported them to the edge of the city.
When they got close to the edge, Sam had Boyd turn down a street and finally stop at a house. She took out her gear in its disguise basket. Jack grabbed his bag. Sam asked Boyd to come with them. Then she went up to the home and knocked on the door.
A few moments later the door opened, "Hello?" Ehl greeted blinking into the daylight.
"It's me, Sam, Ehl," Sam greeted the woman.
"Sam? Blessed day! Come in…" Ehl greeted.
Sam followed Ehl into the living room with her basket. Jack followed her with Boyd, both slightly confused.
"Ehl, I wanted to tell you first. I saw Alistair. He is alive," Sam said after taking the woman's hands.
"My Alistair? But he was taken so long ago," Ehl said quietly. Tear were flowing down her eyes.
"It's true, Ma'am," Jack supplied. "I met him too. He stayed alive just for you."
"How… How is this possible?" Ehl asked. "None return from the Tràill Slubhail."
"I made it true," Jack said. "I don't belong there. None of them do. I helped them free themselves from the guards."
"The Weard that guard them," Sam supplied. "Remember my quest? I went to the Holding Area to get Jack, but I was too late. I went to Tràill Slubhail, but he had already freed them. Our vehicle was too small," Sam said.
Boyd picked up the story, "My employer, Artair, is sending several transports back to retrieve the rest of the former prisoners. I too saw your husband. He is alive. You were his hope in that place."
Sam nodded, "Boyd, you may want to talk to Ehl about why the government saw her husband as a threat to them. Ehl, thank you for this basket. You may have it back now. It was beyond helpful."
Sam then took everything out of the basket, including the dress and bag that Ehl hand gifted her. She returned the items she borrowed to Ehl and repacked everything else in her pack. She redressed in her BDU shirt, vest, then strapped on her pack and rearmed with her P-90.
"Now, I feel dressed," Sam said with relief.
"I don't know. I was kind of digging the t-shirt look," Jack said.
Sam gave him a long, considering look, "You just liked looking at my boobs."
Jack had a moment of openmouthed shock before he regained his grin, "Maybe I did."
They waved goodbye to Ehl and Boyd and crept out of the house towards the tree line. Sam kept them both in the shadows enough not to worry about being seen. Soon they were deep into the forest and back on the original trail that SG-1 had been taking towards the city.
They both kept silent and alert as they made their way to their original rally point. The way up was still clear and free of Weard. Sam picked her way up first. She covered Jack as he picked his way up. They both breathed a sigh of relief once they reached the top.
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They were about half-way back to the Stargate when Sam realized that she had to tell Jack before they reached the Stargate. She needed time to talk him out of chasing her down.
Do you think that will work? Shade asked.
I don't know, Sam replied. But he will definitely chase if I don't talk to him.
I will try to help, Shade said.
Thanks, Sam replied. "Jack, I can't go back," Sam said out loud.
"Why not? I was the one captured, not you," Jack said as they walked along.
Sam sighed, "I made a promise to protect someone in exchange for information to help you."
"So, bring them along. I'm sure they will be much safer on Earth than here anyway. This planet is about to explode," Jack said.
"I can't take them to Earth. They would be in danger there," Sam replied.
"Who is it?" Jack asked.
"I can't say," Sam said.
"Can't or won't?" Jack replied.
"A bit of both actually," Sam said. "I made a promise. I won't go back on that promise. You are safe now. It's my turn to fulfill my end of the bargain."
"Shit!" Jack swore and he turned to look at Sam as she kept walking. "This promise for intel… It was to get me out safe?"
"Yes. They give me intel to get you out safe or at least find out what happened to you. All I had to do was keep them safe," Sam said staring him in the eye. "I won't betray my promise."
"Fine," Jack said. "Will you betray your promise if I go with you?"
"What?" Sam asked whirling on him this time.
"Would betray your promise by having me along? I can help you keep this person safe," Jack said as he kept walking.
Does it? Sam asked Shade.
No, Shade replied. But you will have to tell him about me eventually. You were worried about his reaction.
I still am, Sam said morosely.
"Well?" Jack asked impatiently.
"I'm thinking," Sam snapped back at him.
We are almost to the Chappa'ai, Shade said.
"I won't leave you, Carter," Jack said. "If you ditch me, I will follow you."
"Fine," Sam said to him. "Give me a moment to think of how to do this."
"Okay," Jack replied. His mood had changed. He seemed much happier now.
Shade, can you make my eyes flash and my voice reverberate? Sam asked her.
Yes, Shade said. Do you need me to take control as well?
No, I just want the SGC to think I have been taken over by one of the bad goa'uld. I think I can leave a message for my Dad as well, Sam replied. Sorry to say this, Shade but you just aren't bad enough to fake it.
Shade chuckled in her mind. I won't take offense. Tell me when you want the eye flash and the voice, Shade replied.
I will, thanks, Shade, Sam replied.
Jack and Sam crested the little hill surrounding the Stargate. They found a MALP still present. Interesting. Daniel and Teal'c may still be present on the planet.
"Okay, Colonel, I have a plan, but you have to trust me," Sam said. "The MALP being here is good. They will get the summary of why this planet should be off limits and that both of us are no longer on it. We are leaving this planet as soon as we report. I don't know if Daniel and Teal'c are still here though."
"With the MALP here, it could be they left it here for you or they are still here," Jack said. "Toss up."
"Alright, do you trust me?" Sam asked him looking him in the eye.
"With my life," Jack replied sincerely.
Sam nodded, "I need you to get down on your knees facing the MALP camera. Pretend your hands are tied behind your back. Do not look back and do not act surprised. You can decide to either act defiant or defeated. I'll leave it up to you."
Jack gave her an odd quirk of eyebrow before getting into place. "Ready," Jack called out.
"Dialing," Sam said. She dialed Earth and pulled out her radio. Time for the voice. Keep it going until the wormhole is gone, Sam told Shade.
The wormhole splashed to life. Sam clicked her radio. In her dual-tone voice, "Tau'ri, activate your MALP camera. I wish for you to witness this."
As Sam watched, the red light blinked on the MALP camera.
"Very good," Sam continued into the radio. She looked directly into the camera. Time for the eyes, Sam told Shade. Sam felt her eyes tingle. "I am leaving this planet with this male. My host seems to like him. Male, tell them why we are leaving this planet," Sam said in her dual-toned voice. With her booted foot she kicked Jack on the leg.
"Fine," Jack snarled. "I'm fine, by the way. It got me out of the hell hole prison this planet decided to sent me to. This place is on the brink of civil war. I have not seen Daniel or Teal'c, just Carter. Recommend getting them the hell out of here, because we won't be here."
"Why don't you…" General Hammond's voice started.
Sam interrupted him, "My host says that the Tok'ra tunnels on Ravenna are no more. That is too bad. If she wanted to leave a message for her father, that is the place it would be. He only has to find the Blair Witch Stones," Sam said with her dual-tone voice before shutting down the wormhole.
Thanks, Shade. You can turn off the voice now, Sam said, taking her hand off the center dome of the DHD.
My pleasure, Sam, Shade said.
Sam started dialing another planet.
"A host?" Jack asked. Sam could detect the spite in his voice.
"Yes," Sam replied in her normal voice. Shade can you flash the eyes again? Sam asked. Then she felt her eyes tingle. Jack seemed to jump back. She sighed, "That is who I am trying to protect."
"The goa'uld? You are trying to protect them? From what exactly?" Jack asked with waspish tone.
"She said that she ran away from Ra and he was trying to find her," Sam started.
"But Ra is dead," Jack snapped.
"I know that. I told her that. She didn't know about his death until I told her," Sam said.
"How could it not know? The goa'uld have been after our asses for his death for years," Jack said.
Sam sighed, "She has been in hiding for centuries. She doesn't have Jaffa. She doesn't have 'trappings'. She doesn't even take unwilling hosts."
Jack seemed to consider his answer, "Is it a Tok'ra? Because you know what Jolinar did to you."
"No, she had never heard of the Tok'ra before. She had heard of Egeria. Apparently, Ra kept her and her sisters isolated," Sam said. She finished dialing the address and waited for the Stargate to splash to life.
"Sisters?" Jack asked, cautiously.
"Other goa'uld queens," Sam replied before she stepped through the wormhole.
Once on the other side, Sam waited for Jack to appear before she went over to the DHD and dialed another address.
"Queens?" Jack asked pointedly.
"Yes, queens. Before you ask, she didn't tell me her name. She hasn't used it in centuries. She said she doesn't want to remember it," Sam said.
Jack lapsed into silence as the traveled to another planet. Sam repeated the process in silence one last time. The last planet they emerged on was a trade planet. Sam led Jack through the large city towards the outskirts. They eventually ended up at a home that looked unused.
Sam walked up to the door. Help me out here, Shade, Sam said.
Under the bench, Shade directed her.
The stone bench. That thing must weigh a ton, Sam said as she made her way over to the bench and lifted up the bench to move it aside.
It does. But it is the perfect place for hiding the key, Shade said.
Sam picked up the key. She noted it was a special kind of goa'uld key that would only work with the naquadah in her blood. She unlocked the door and entered the home. Cozy, Sam told Shade.
Jack and Sam stepped inside and started to explore their temporary home.
TO BE CONTINUED
WHO IS THE HIDDEN ONE
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References:
Banshee. Wikipedia. 28 Feb 2021. wiki/Banshee
Leto: Greek Titan Goddess. Theoi Greek Mythology. 2017. . #:~:text=LETO%20was%20one%20of%20the,of%20modesty%20and%20womanly%20demure.
Scottish Names. Behind The Name. 10 Nov 2020.
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Work Title: Finding The Hidden One
Summary: SG-1 gets attacked on a routine mission. Jack and Sam get separated from Daniel and Teal'c and each other. Gen. AU. Ship. JS. Spoilers. UST. Rape Warning. The Hidden One Series: Part 1.
AO3 Sequel Information: None
AO3 Series Information: The Hidden One
Rating: Explicit (E)
Rating: AO3 [Mature (M)] [Mature 16 and up (M)]
AO3 Archive Warnings: AO3 [Rape/Non-Con]
Fandom Category: Stargate (1994), Stargate SG-1: Season 5
Spoilers: Stargate (1994) Stargate SG-1: 0202 In The Line Of Duty, 0203 Prisoners, 0211 The Tok'ra pt. 1, 0212 The Tok'ra pt. 2, 0222 Out Of Mind, 0301 Into The Fire, 0310 Forever In A Day, 0413 The Curse, 0515 The Summit, 0516 Last Stand, 0517 Fail Safe
AO3 Relationship Categories: AO3 [F/M]
AO3 Pairing: Samantha 'Sam' Carter/Jack O'Neill
Characters: Col Jonathan 'Jack' James O'Neill, Maj Samantha 'Sam' Jean Carter, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Master Teal'c (Apophis) of Chulak, MG George Hammond,
Original Characters: Ealasaid 'Ehl', Alistair, Catrina, Artair, Boyd, Lētho (Shade), Fionlagh 'Finn', Ian, Tam, Teàrlagh, Tavish, Shaw
FF Genre: Adventure, Drama,
AO3 Additional Tags: Action, Adventure, Alternate Universe, Violence, Explicit Language, Explicit Rape/Non-Con, Male-Male Rape, Friendship, Drugs, Spoilers,
