Thank you for all the wonderful reviews and comments. I won't quit writing Stargate stories although once this is finished I might take a short break. And just to correct something I said before - there still are a few wonderful writers out there - just not so many original team stories. So hint, hint all you writers!
"Damn it! Why did they have to shave his head? Teal'c would probably laugh if he could see him – and he and Hammond would invite him to join the brotherhood of the bald.
"Damn NID", he muttered. He knew that the reason for it had to do with something he really didn't want to think about. They were screwing around with his brain!
At least he hadn't given any information away – other than the punch line to a few jokes and they hadn't done anything invasive – yet. He felt his head again and shivered, not liking the feeling of smooth skin where there should be hair. But there were no holes, at least none that weren't supposed to be there.
Although he was pretty sure that was probably next on the agenda. He didn't want to think about them probing around in his brain, or even cutting it up. Maybe he shouldn't have had Thor beam him back to Earth.
But he had known that this was what would happen – he just gambled on his team being absolved of any wrongdoing if came along. He knew the NID would use them against him if he'd gone off with Thor. And there had been no way he would have let them come along. They didn't need to become fugitives for his sake. Now, of course, he had no idea what was happening to them and until he did he wasn't going to do anything to help these scum bags no matter what they did to the old cerebrum and cerebellum.
He sighed and stared at his feet, which he began to move back and forth. At least he was still in one piece even though he was feeling a bit groggy, probably from the drugs they'd pumped into him. He hated that thought too so decided to turn his mind to something more positive. Sadly, he'd had lots of experience being held captive and of figuring out how not to go crazy.
So, what should he think about? He stared at the gray ceiling for a few seconds and then decided, what the hell, he might as well go for it. What difference did it really make what he fantasized about?
He let himself think about Sam Carter – a very naked Sam Carter. He sighed, closed his eyes, and smiled, remembering – no imagining what she looked like stepping out of the pond, the water droplets sliding slowly down her translucent skin. Oh how he would like to be one of those droplets.
The men looking at him through the camera feed frowned. How was it that O'Neill actually looked happy?
"Open the doors now." Hammond's voice carried throughout the brig and Daniel, Teal'c and Sam all stood and walked to their cell doors.
"General Hammond!" Sam called. A moment later the guard was unlocking the door and she hurried out – right into the arms of the General, who gave her a fierce hug. Soon the other two cells were opened, and although he didn't hug either Daniel or Teal'c, there was no doubt that the General was relieved and happy to see them.
"What's happening Sir?" she asked.
"Where's Jack?" Daniel immediately demanded.
Teal'c regarded the General quietly; the only sign that he was either curious or worried were his raised eyebrows.
"I'll tell you everything I know, but why don't we head up to the briefing room. I've had coffee and some food sent up there and I've asked Colonel Reynolds and Dixon to join us."
Once they were all seated, plates of food and cups of coffee in front of them, George began to speak.
"As you all know, the NID have Colonel O'Neill. They were able to get the President to sign off on them holding the Colonel as a matter of national security."
"What?" exclaimed Daniel. "How the hell could they claim that – and how could the President be such an idiot!"
"Dr. Jackson", Hammond rebuked sharply. "You're speaking of our Commander in Chief!"
"I don't care if he's the angel Gabriel, he's still an idiot!" Daniel replied, looking and sounding adamant.
George sighed. Personally he agreed, even though he couldn't say it. "Well, it is true that Colonel O'Neill experienced something as a result of visiting the Ancient site. He does have to be checked out."
"By Dr. Frasier", Teal'c said solemnly, "not by the NID."
"Yes, I tried to tell the President that, but obviously someone got to him. Anyway, it's out of our hands, at least for now. I've spoken to the Chief of Staff and he's trying to convince the President to release the Colonel back to the Air Force."
"What are they doing to him? Do we know?" Carter asked, her manner somber but her voice sounding worried.
"According to Colonel Hubbard, O'Neill is fine."
"Have you talked to Jack?" Dixon asked. "I wouldn't trust Hubbard as far as I could spit."
"No, I haven't", Hammond sighed. "And I tend to agree about Colonel Hubbard. However, he claims that O'Neill is in a secure facility and isn't able to communicate with the outside world."
"God", Daniel took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Who knows what they're doing to him."
Everyone was silent, all thinking about the Colonel. They knew the NID well enough to be sure that they had few scruples.
It was Hammond who broke the silence. "There is one thing however", he said to those assembled. "and that's the fact that the three of you were released, with paperwork signed by the President, saying that you were absolved of all charges."
"You think Jack had something to do with it?", Reynolds asked.
Hammond nodded. "I suspect so. I'm sure he's agreed to cooperate in exchange for the safety of his team."
"Damn it Jack!" Daniel stood up quickly, flipping his chair back to the floor. "Why the hell would he do that? He knows he can't give the NID any information about the Ancients. That's why we should never have let him come back!"
"Daniel, we couldn't have stopped him", Sam said softly.
"She is correct, Daniel Jackson", Teal'c told him. "You know what O'Neill is like when he has decided on a course of action." He looked towards General Hammond. "I do not believe we need to despair. I am positive that O'Neill would not give any information to the NID that he did not wish to."
"But what if he was forced to give it to them", Daniel practically shouted.
"If that was the case, then there would have been no need for him to arrange for us to go free", Teal'c pointed out logically. "And we do not know if O'Neill is even able to access the knowledge and power of the Ancients."
"All of this is just academic", Sam suddenly pointed out. "The question is, what are we going to do? We can't leave the Colonel where he is – because Daniel's right – we don't know what they're doing to him. They could seriously hurt or even kill him if we leave him there."
"You understand people, I am under strict orders to do nothing", Hammond told them plainly. "I cannot order you to find the Colonel, or to try and rescue him. Anyone from Earth who attempted it would be arrested and charged."
The five members of the SGC all stared at Hammond but it was Daniel who, as usual, started speaking first. "So, if the Asgard or Tokra or someone like that rescued him it wouldn't be a problem?"
"Not for anyone who worked for the SGC", he nodded.
"But how would they find him?" Sam asked. "None of them know where the Colonel is being kept."
"That's true", Hammond nodded. "And of course no one in the NID has told us a thing."
Sam's eyes immediately went to the General, who gave a tiny nod. Barrett – it had to be him. She finally felt a small bit of relief. Maybe they really could rescue the Colonel.
"So then, there's nothing we – ur – our allies can do?" Dixon glanced around the table and wanted to grin at everyone's calculating looks.
"Probably not", he sighed. "However, there is a lot of – space gossip – and if one of our allies happened to hear something – not from us of course – about the Colonel being at a secure location two miles due west of Leavenworth, in what looks like a dilapidated farm house, but is actually a front for a secure military facility, then it wouldn't be our fault."
"No Sir", Reynolds grinned. "That pesky space gossip is almost impossible to stop."
"That is true General Hammond", Teal'c nodded. "Even the Goa'uld found it difficult to contain gossip and rumors."
"So people", Hammond continued, "enough about Colonel O'Neill. I'm sure he is in good hands with the NID. I'd like to talk to you about your next mission."
"Our mission Sir?" Reynolds asked. "I'm assuming this is a mission for Sg1 and -"
"And your team, Reynolds, and yours Dixon. The Tokra have asked for our help in relocating to a new planet and I told them I'd send our best. You can suit up and be off in the next two hours."
"Of course General", both the two Colonels grinned. "We'll do the SGC proud – Sir."
"I'm sure you will." Hammond slowly rose. "That's all people, you're dismissed. And I don't want to hear anything other than you were a great help to the Tokra."
"Yes Sirs" came from all around the table. As soon as the General was gone Dixon and Reynolds both grew serious. Reynolds was the first to speak. "Okay people, let's get a move on. We have lots to do before we head out to – help – the Tokra. Major", he looked at Carter, "why don't you prepare whatever equipment you think – appropriate. Daniel, I suggest you and I do a little research. It's always wise to be prepared when going to unknown places. And Teal'c, you and Dixon can collect any supplies and weapons. We'll meet in an hour and go over our plans."
"Ya gotta love that space gossip", Daniel whispered to Teal'c as they left the briefing room.
"Indeed Daniel Jackson – indeed!"
Jack wasn't sure how long he had been left alone, although it couldn't have been more than eight or ten hours. He'd spent some of the time daydreaming and the rest sleeping. He'd already determined there was no way out of his cell, so he decided to simply try and relax as much as possible.
He heard the footsteps coming down the hall and couldn't help but tense up, although by the time the door opened he again looked relaxed and as if he didn't have a care in the world.
The guards that entered told him to 'come with them'. They ignored him when he tried to talk to them so he began a one-sided conversation all the way down the hall.
"Ya know, you might want to try some deep breathing exercises – hey, maybe yoga", he told the biggest guard. "You're looking rather tense and I've heard it's very relaxing." He began to whistle the Simpson's tune, and immediately he saw the second guard's lips twitching.
Good to know, thought O'Neill. The man had a sense of humor and probably even watched the Simpsons. Couldn't be all bad then, he decided. "Did you see the latest episode?" he asked the guard. The man's eyes flickered to him briefly, and then to his fellow guard. He didn't respond.
So, big guy one is in charge and is definitely scarier. If he could get the little guy alone, he might be able to convince him to let him go. Not likely, but it wouldn't hurt to try.
He was taken to a new room at the end of the hall. The guards opened the door and escorted him inside. He was made to sit on a – very uncomfortable – metal chair and his wrists and ankles were manacled to it.
"That's not very comfortable you know", he said pleasantly. "And it's definitely not legal. I've been deprived of my rights and am being held illegally – just so you know."
Again guard number 2 looked uncomfortable. Guard 1 didn't even blink. They soon left and he was again alone, but this time was much more uncomfortable.
Fortunately he didn't have to wait for long before Colonel Hubbard entered the room. Jack sighed. "I was worried it would be you", he said contemptuously.
"Do I frighten you Colonel?"
Jack let out a bark of laughter. "Frighten me? Good God, no. I've dealt with much scarier guys – and aliens – than you. What you do is disgust me", he said with a smile. "Traitors and idiots are the lowest form of life in the universe and you happen to be both."
Hubbard looked angry although he sneered. "You can call me all the names you want O'Neill, but you are the one trapped in the chair."
"Yes", he agreed, "but at least I'm not an idiot."
"No, but you soon may be dead – or worse – if you don't cooperate!" he hissed.
Jack sighed. "You really ought to take lessons. The Goa'uld are much more threatening. By the way", Jack went on quickly, "what the hell were you thinking?"
Hubbard frowned, clearly confused both by Jack's manner and his question. "What do you mean?"
"My hair? I mean, really! Couldn't you think of something other than to shave my head? It's really humiliating."
The NID Colonel simply stared at the man in the chair. After a moment he shook his head. "You're crazy O'Neill. What the hell difference does it make if we shaved your head? Your life is in danger."
"Yes, but it's the thought of dying without my hair that terrifies me." He sighed. "My hair – you really are a sadist."
"Enough! You will stop this ridiculous behavior. I've told you – if you don't cooperate we're going to have to get serious."
"So you haven't been serious until now? Oh good – I thought it was just me that thought you were a joke but now I see you meant it."
Hubbard walked over and stood in front of Jack and then took his fist and swung it at Jack's chin. His head jerked back and was slammed into the back of the chair.
Damn – that hurt and he was going to have bruises on both his chin and his head. "You didn't need to get nasty" he slurred. "Geesh!"
"There's more of that if you don't stop this right now. Oh, and by the way, we're holding your team. They're all being charged with treason."
"You bastard!" For the first time O'Neill showed his anger, which then pissed him off when he saw Hubbard's grin. He had to get a handle on himself. "What do you want?"
"I told you. I want you to tell me what you learned from the Ancients. I know it was something – so begin talking."
"Not until my team is safe", he answered. "Once you've done that – then I'll cooperate."
Hubbard considered him for a moment, but then his face cracked into a smile. This is what he'd been waiting for. "Fine. All I have to do is make one phone call and your teammates will be pardoned. Then you'll talk to me."
"Fine, but you'll have to prove it to me."
Hubbard nodded and left the room. A few minutes later he returned, this time with a cell phone. "Here – you should recognize the voice." Hubbard held the phone up to his ear.
"Colonel O'Neill?" It was the President on the line.
"Yes Mr. President", Jack said sarcastically. "What can I do for you today – other than sit here chained to a chair."
The man one the other end sighed. "Jack – you know I don't want to do this, but you have to cooperate. It's for the safety and security of the planet."
"You just keep telling yourself that Mr. President. I'm sure you've justified this in your own mind already."
"I've signed the papers Jack", Hayes ignored him. " and they've been delivered to Hammond. Your teammates won't be charged with anything. They're free to go."
"How can I trust you?" Jack asked.
"I know you hate me right now Jack, but I promise I'm telling the truth. All we want you to do is tell us what happened and use any powers you received for the good of the Earth. That's all."
Jack took a deep breath. He was pretty sure Hayes was telling the truth, although he had no real way of knowing. In the end it didn't matter – either his team were free or they weren't and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.
"Fine", he said. "Oh, and by the way Henry – you've lost my vote." He nodded up at Hubbard and then leaned back, his eyes closed. He didn't want to talk to the President any more."
Hubbard spoke to the Commander in Chief for a couple of more seconds and then hung up. "Okay – now it's time to cooperate. Your teammates are free. Tell me what we need to know."
Jack sighed. "Okay – fine. I didn't want to tell you – but it looks like you're going to insist. You just have to keep this as quiet as possible, okay?"
Hubbard was looking at him suspiciously, but O'Neill's manner had become serious so he grabbed another chair and sat across from the Air Force Colonel. "Fine – just get going."
Jack sighed again and leaned his head back against the chair and closed his eyes. "Well, Burns is actually a Goa'uld. He was planted here years ago, although no one knew."
"Burns?" Hubbard looked confused. "I don't know any Burns. Who is he?"
"You don't know?" whispered Jack, sitting up and looking straight at Hubbard. "He's the owner of the nuclear plant."
"Nuclear – which nuclear plant?"
"The one in Springfield, of course."
The NID Colonel stared at him for quite a few minutes, clearly trying to figure out what O'Neill was talking about. All at once his face grew red and he surged to his feet. "You bastard!" He swung his fist again, this time hitting Jack on the cheek. Again his head flew back now, when it flopped forward he was out like a light.
"You bastard, O'Neill", Hubbard repeated, looking down at the unconscious man. "You think you're so funny – well we'll show you!" He strode up to the door and yanked it open. "Take O'Neill to the operating theater and call the doctor!"
By the time Jack came to he was tied back to the metal table. He groaned softly – his head and cheek were throbbing in time to his heartbeat – which was going way too fast. Speaking of idiots, he thought to himself, you're a giant one O'Neill.
He was pretty sure his cheek was broken and just hoped there were no shards of bone ready to pierce his brain. But looking at where he was, he was pretty sure that was already on the menu. He sighed and closed his eyes. He just prayed he'd die quickly and that they wouldn't leave him a vegetable.
"You think you're so funny", Hubbard hissed. "Well, I told you if you wouldn't cooperate we'd get serious. You think this is serious enough?"
Jack opened his eyes and slowly turned his head until he was looking directly at the Colonel. "You're a traitor Hubbard, and I don't cooperate with traitors." With that he closed his eyes and waited for what was to come.
He had trouble not flinching when he heard what sounded like a drill. A few seconds later the sound stopped, but then he felt something cold on his head. His breathing sped up – he couldn't help it – and he felt like throwing up. He knew what was coming.
The sound started again and this time he wanted to die.
"Dad!" Sam opened her arms and gave her father a big hug. He was waiting for them as soon as they stepped through the gate. "It's so good to see you."
"You too Sammy." Jacob looked up and smiled at the others. "And you guys too. Come on, let's get moving. We don't have a lot of time if we're going to get O'Neill."
"You heard what's happened?" Sam asked as she walked beside her father.
"Just the bare details. George sent a rather cryptic message but said you'd tell me the 'gossip' when you got here. I gotta say, I've never heard George talk quite like that before."
It was Reynolds who took up the story and explained to Jacob exactly what had happened.
"So you can rescue him?" Sam asked, looking hopefully at her father.
He grimaced. "I can try, although it'll be risky. It can't be an official mission because the Tokra High Council wouldn't allow it. I was authorized to contact George and to ask for help to move us to a new planet. We've gotten word that our location was leaked and the System Lords are planning to attack. However, Bra'tak got a message to me from George about what had happened to O'Neill."
"Bra'tac?" Sam looked at him in surprise. She then glanced over at Teal'c, who looked completely expressionless.
"Mmm hmm." Then Jacob grinned. "He's a terrible gossip."
The humans all laughed and even Teal'c looked amused. But soon they were down to business, explaining what they knew about why Jack was taken and where he was. "We've brought supplies and Major Carter has some equipment she thought would be helpful. We can't accompany you though", Dixon told him apologetically. "We're under strict orders from the President and Joint Chiefs."
"Ya gotta love those guys", Jacob said in disgust. "Okay – I can probably get help from Ta'man – he owes Selmak a favor, but you folks are going to have to go and give us a hand with moving."
"Will there be Pizza and beer?" Reynolds asked.
Jacob laughed. "I wish. It would certainly make the moving go a lot faster. Once you've helped me load all the supplies onto my Tel'tak, you can head through to the planet where the Tokra are presently. You'll have lots of witnesses that can attest to the fact that you weren't involved in O'Neill's rescue."
Reynolds nodded, this time looking serious. "Okay – so let's get moving."
It took them just a few minutes to load up the supplies. They went over the details once more with Jacob and then each shook his hand. "Thanks Jacob – we owe you", Dixon told him.
"You don't owe me anything", the Tokra and former General answered. "We don't leave our people behind – at least us humans don't, and Selmak agrees. Jack would be the first to rescue me if our situations were reversed. Besides that – who would piss off the system lords if we lost him?"
Everyone laughed and said their goodbyes. Jacob watched as the SG teams left and then returned to his camp where Ta'man was waiting to gather their things for the Teltak.
Dixon, Reynolds and their teams, along with the three Sg1 teammates arrived at the gate. Daniel dialed and Reynolds sent everyone through as soon as the event horizon opened.
"Damn it!" Sam was just about to walk through when she stopped and looked around.
"What is it Major?" Reynolds asked. He was the only other person who hadn't gone through yet.
"I'm sorry Sir but I left my weapon at my Dad's camp. I took it off when I was loading up the equipment and forgot to grab it."
Reynolds frowned at her. "You left your weapon? That's something a raw recruit would do Major. What were you thinking?"
"I'm sorry Sir", she hung her head. "I've been worried about the Colonel and I just forgot it."
The Colonel sighed. "I'll wait here for you. Just hurry up."
"You don't need to Sir. The gate will be open for a few more minutes. You can go through now. I won't be long and will follow you through."
Reynolds regarded her, a sudden realization dawning on his face. "You sure you know what you're doing Major?"
"Yes Sir", she said, standing straight and looking him in the eye. "I do."
The senior officer nodded once. "Okay – but – good luck – getting your weapon that is. I'll see you – soon."
"Thank you Colonel." She stood and saluted the man, who snapped a salute back. She then turned and hurried away. A minute later Reynolds stepped through the event horizon with a sigh. Hammond was going to kill him.
Jacob and Ta'man checked everything one last time and then boarded the Teltak. This was going to be a tricky mission and one he hoped the Council never heard anything about. He gave his fellow Tokra a look and received a small grin in return. He was thankful that Ta'man was with him. He was one of the few Tokra Jacob really liked.
"So – let's get going and see if we can retrieve an errant Air Force Colonel." Jacob sat down in the control seat and soon they were flying through space. He estimated it would take them close to 30 hours to arrive in Earth's orbit. He just prayed that Jack was still alive – and in one piece.
"Can you take over Ta'man", he asked a few hours later, standing and stretching. "I need to use the facilities and then I'm going to have a bite to eat and sleep for a while. We have another 20 hours to go."
He headed to the back of the ship and opened the door to the Tokra version of the loo. He quickly took a leak and washed his hands and returned to the small room in the back, which contained a couple of bunks for sleeping. He climbed in the bottom one and closed his eyes.
A moment later his eyes flew open and he stared at the bottom of the bed above him. Quietly grabbing a zat, which he kept in a pocket by the bed, he slowly sat up. With a quick move he stood and pointed the zat at the lump on the bed above his.
"If you move a muscle I'm gonna shoot you!"
"Uh okay – I'm not moving."
"Sam? What the hell are you doing here?" he dropped the zat and pulled the covers off the person in the bunk.
"Hi Dad", she sat up slowly, her feet over the side. "I'm here to help you rescue Colonel O'Neill."