Three hours passed then Hammond received a call. Within ten minutes Major Griff, and Dr. Sands of SG2, Freya of the Tokra, and Dr. Fraiser were gathered in the conference room. Dr. Jackson along with Airman Johnson, came in ten minutes later. Dr. Jackson gave a cursory glance to the people at the table before going over to projector screen and looking at the UAV footage in front of the mountains.
"Dr. Jackson?" Hammond said after a few minutes.
"I know this land, I can lead a party of warriors directly to the main gates." Daniel said with calm authority.
"I can't let you do that, I need you to map out a route." Hammond said
Daniel started pacing then walked over to the window. He stared at the Star Gate then started snapping a rubber band concealed under the sleeve of his jacket. After a few minutes he walked over the end of the table and grabbed some of the papers and photos spread out over the table.
"What are you doing with the trees?" Daniel asked studying one of the photographs.
"We are cutting down the trees incrementally once five trees have been cut down they are sent to the beta site." Hammond said
"That's a good idea, the Herectics will think you're taking the wood for own use not creating an alternative path." Major Grifth said.
"Don't be stupid, the Heroties aren't. They know what you're doing, but they can't risk a direct confrontation. Just as they will not allow the Tauri access to the Mountains, the Tauri will not allow them access to the Star Gate. In the forest with the trees so close together, they could ambush and kill the tree cutters but the Tauri would retaliate and take the village. They could retreat to the mountains but they would eventually be starved out." Daniel spoke as if lecturing to a young recruit instead of a seasoned soldier.
Everyone was taken aback even on subjects of history, archeology, or mythology Daniel never spoke so with such authority and self-assurance.
"So what do you suggest, if they know what we're doing?" Griff challenged.
"Keep doing what you're doing, but increase speed, ten trees instead of five. While their focused on that, send ten to twenty men through the trees in a slightly circular route, once they are far enough in the forest to avoid spies they just need to turn and start heading north. Once they are clear of the trees they should be directly in front of the mountains." Daniel grabbed some of the photos and a few blank pieces of paper. "Here, this should take you to the entrance of the Herotie's base." Daniel said after a few minutes handing Hammond two photographs and several pieces of paper.
"And where do we go once we're inside?" Freya asked
"I will not tell you or another Goa'uld, this must be done by Tauri Warriors."
"You do not trust us?" Freya demanded
"I trust Lord Hammond to keep his men from senselessly slaughtering all the Herotie they find Sinners and Priests alike. I do not trust any Goa'uld except Jacob Carter to do the same."
"We are not the Goa'uld, we are Tokra!" Anise exclaimed her eyes flashing gold as she rose to her feet.
Daniel was instantly seized by Johnson and two marines and forced into Hammond's office, followed by Dr. Fraiser.
The second day of their captivity was drawing to a close when the door opened. Jacob Carter was led in, supported by two guards, SG1 hurried over but the guards halted just inside the room.
"This man is old and unlikely to survive another night in the cells. If you are willing he can stay here with you, otherwise we will take him back to his cell." One of the guards said.
"No, no, he'll stay here us with." Sam said rushing over.
"Very well." The other guard said shoving Jacob at her.
Sam was barely able to catch Jacob before he fell to the floor. Teal'c quickly joined her and they helped Jacob to a chair by the fire.
"How can you guys be so heartless? You're human right? How would you like it if someone treated your father like this?" Jack demanded
"It is our duty to treat all sinners in this manner, until they have redeemed themselves they must be shown no kindness or they will not repent." The blond guard said.
"You're right, it's not right. I have a father; I would kill any man who treated him with such disrespect." The older red haired guard said.
The young blond guard turned on him with disbelief and anger but the older man silenced him with a look and both left. Jack turned and walked to the fireplace where Jacob was drinking a glass of water.
"So was that an act, or are you still recovering from the coffee incident?" Jack asked
"Selmak repaired all the damage before we came here; I thought it would be easier to escape with your help." Jacob said taking Sam's hand.
"Maybe, a Sinner Kalith knew Daniel, he seemed interested in helping us, but we haven't seen him since last night." Sam said taking the seat opposite him.
"What happened?" Jacob asked
"He came bringing food, wine and fire wood. As he was building the fire we started talking. Kalith was happy to hear Daniel was alive and safe on earth. However he stayed too long and the blonde guard came in, Kalith prostrated himself and begged for mercy but the guard raised his stick. Major Carter protested and the guard led Kalith away." Teal'c reported.
Jacob fell silent and surveyed the room as he sipped his water taking in the bed, chest, screen, table and chairs.
"What is your room like?" Sam asked watching her dad survey the room.
"It's a cold bare cell, it's so dark you can't see the hand in front of your face. They don't give you anything beyond a bucket and gruel." Jacob said
The room fell silent Jack started pacing, while Teal'c laid himself on the bed, all trying not to contemplate Daniel spending weeks locked up in the cell Jacob described. Night fell and Kalith once again came bearing a heavily laden tray and a basket of firewood. He put the tray on the table, and the firewood by the fireplace.
"Kalith, it's good to see you again we were worried." Sam said catching his arm and preventing him from laying wood on the fire.
"I am fine Samantha Carter, I have endured much worse." Kalith said looking at Jacob Carter curiously.
"Hi, I'm Jacob Carter Samantha's father." Jacob said holding out his hand.
"I am honored to meet you." Kalith said putting his hand over his heart and bowing his head.
"So Kalith are you going to help us?" Jack asked abruptly
Kalith looked around the room, then at Jack. "I have talked to Isal the oldest and most respected of the sinners save Daniel. Most of us long to leave here and return home even if we do not talk about it. But in order to succeed we will need weapons. Most of the weapons are kept in the village and the few that are here are heavily guarded and secured."
"What about our weapons? Or the things we brought with us?" Sam asked
"They are locked in a different room, in this tunnel. All of your goods were kept together." Kalith replied "I can escort one of you to the room but it would be easiest if you wore the clothes of a guard or priest."
Teal'c went over to the chest that had been brought that day along with two chairs and a small table. He pulled out a long grey robe and tunic and wordlessly showed them to Kalith.
"Those will do, I will not take Samantha or Jacob it must be Teal'c or Jack." Kalith said
"I will go." Teal'c said.
"Good, I will be back in two hours, be ready." Kalith said "We will retrieve the weapons and then tomorrow morning while everyone is in Chapel we will free your men and take the base."
"General Hammond."
"Airman Johnson, how can I help you?" Hammond asked
Johnson stepped into Hammond's office and held out a pile of papers.
"Dr. Jackson has outlined the Heretics' base and has devised several plans to enter and capture it." the Airman held the papers but did not hand them over.
"What else?"
"He insists that only warriors from Earth go to the Herectics fortress, he does not want any Tokra involvement. He says he knows the Tokra are invovled which is why he is willing to betray the Herectics in hopes of avoiding a massacre."
"Understood, anything else?"
"Yes, go as soon as possible the best time to enter the fortress is early morning when everyone is at Chapel."
A/N Events are moving, both SG1 and the SGC have plans to fight the Heretics. Follow my story to find out what happens or let me know your interest by Favoriting or leaving a review.