Jacob had just finished helping a young man with a leg injury down the steps into the stream when he heard a thump. Handing of the youth to Lieutenant Young, Jacob sprinted up the stairs. He found Sam slumped against a wall, a middle aged man on the ground next to her. Jacob was at her side in an instant feeling her torso for the injury responsible for the blood on her shirt.
"Dad I'm fine, it's not my blood." Sam said pushing his hands away.
"Okay kiddo, I just had to be sure." Her dad said stepping away and kneeling next to the man on the ground.
The blood was soaking the side of the man's tunic and Jacob soon found the source: a long knife wound between two ribs.
"That's six we've lost including Cleon." Jacob said getting to feet "I promised Daniel I would get his men out safely." He said heavily.
"I know Dad." Sam said putting a hand on his arm "But everyone from the first tunnel has been rescued, it's time to go."
"Yeah." Jacob said
The two went down the stairs and into the water. Jacob stopped just as the water reached their waists and attached C4 to the wall. He moved to arm it when Sam grabbed his arm."Dad what are you doing?" She demanded
"Jack ordered me to plant explosives one in the infirmary and one in the gold mine." Jacob said freeing his arm and attaching the detonator.
"He left already?" Sam asked
"I don't know; he's leading his men out the front door along with the priests."
Jacob shifted his gun to his back and started swimming, Sam soon joining him. There was no light beyond a faint glow from the people up ahead but the tunnel was narrow and straightforward. They stopped when they saw daylight and walked to the cave exit. They found Anise waiting for them.
"The others are headed for the tree line." Anise said pointing to Lieutenant Young and the Herectic ahead.
The three walked to the forest hugging the mountains then turned south and headed directly for the trees.
Sam pulled out her radio before the first stream "Sir, we're all clear." She radioed to Colonel O' Neill
She waited then "Got it, head for the Star Gate we'll meet you there." Jack ordered.
"Yes, Sir." Sam ended her transmission and the three resumed their march.
Suddenly the ground shook throwing them to the ground. Picking themselves up they turned and saw the mountains shake, stones fell to the ground, and a cloud of dust flew out. They quickly made their way to the trees where Major Griffith was waiting.
"Anyone else?" He asked
"No, we're the last." Sam said
"We need to hurry, they've been skirmishes in the woods and the attacks are only going to get worse." Griffith said
The four started jogging careful to dodge and weave among the trees to hinder attack. They caught up to Young and the Heretic Kalith. Kalith was on his knees in prayer, Young was infectively trying to get him to his feet.
"Lieutenant." Griffith ordered
"We felt the earth shake and he fell to his knees, I haven't been able to get him to move Sir."
Sam knelt down "Kalith we set explosives in the tunnels, it's us not the Gods."
"I'm sorry, even back home when the ground shook we believed it was an angry God." Kalith said rising to his feet with Sam's help.
Griffith and Young helped support him and they started moving again. The going was slow and eventually Griffith hoisted Kalith on his back. They moved faster but there path became even more winding as they heard shouts, cries, and gunfire. Fearful of getting lost the group cautiously turned west and moved toward the felled trees. They started seeing bodies; Sinners then guards. At the logging site Sam found Captain Elliot shot dead with an arrow to the threat. They took cover behind a fallen tree but saw no sign of life beyond the dead.
"Wait" Sam called when the others started to move "Where is Anise?" She asked looking around.
The others did as well but there was no sign of her.
"I don't know but we can't stay here Major." Griffith said
Sam nodded, Griffith helped Kalith down and they started south keeping the upright trees between them and the logging path. Suddenly Sam stopped and raised her hand "Does anyone else smell smoke?" She asked uneasily
"Fire!" Young called pointing to the road.
Smoke was seen in the distance above the tree line by the road, then flames. Sam got to her feet and grabbing Kalith's arm started to run, Jacob, and Griffith at their heels.
Hammond watched Daniel Jackson helping his men, reassuring them that they were safe and showing them where to go. Hammond wanted to be down in the Gate Room himself but Dr. Jackson had told him that for many of these men the Lord was aloof, high and solitary. The sinners looked alike from his position; a sea of men in grey, heads bowed or looking around in awe. A few of the men had to be stopped from kneeling or postulating in the gate room and eventually all were taken to the infirmary for examination. Daniel staggered and Dr. Ford caught his arm. A quick exchange and Dr. Ford slipped arm around Daniel and helped him to the steps and to the command room.
"Doctors?" Hammond asked
"I just need to rest for a minute before the next group comes through." Daniel said.
"You also need to eat." Hammond signaled to an Airman "Help Dr. Jackson to the conference room."
The airman came over and Daniel relctuantly put an arm around his shoulders. However Hammond stopped them before they could leave. "Your Sword."
Daniel nodded and Dr. Ford removed it and the belt and handed it to Hammond. The airman then helped Daniel to the conference table and into a chair. Hammond joined him a few minutes later and took a seat next to him.
"Dr. Ford has gone to help Dr. Fraiser and to see that two protein shakes are deliveried to my office."
"Two?"
"Yes, I could some food myself."
Daniel leaned against the chair and looked out at the Star Gate.
"What's on your mind son?"
"I didn't think it would be this hard. But seeing them again, I'm reminded of everything I've been through, everything I've done. I see these men and I truly believe they deserve a second chance but I can't accept that I deserve one." Daniel said rubbing his wrist through the leather of his coat.
"One of the hardest things we can do is accept our flaws and forgive ourselves. I've done many things in my life I'm not proud of, but I know I've done a lot of good in my life and that helps."
"Yes Sir." Daniel said unconvinced.
"We'll discuss this later." Hammond said seeing that Daniel was not in any shape for a morality discussion.
The shakes arrived and Daniel downed his quickly along with two glasses of water before Hammond had finished his. Daniel sighed and carefully stretched before standing and walking over to the window.
"What are you thinking?" Hammond asked putting his glass down with a grimace and joining him.
"I was thinking this is going to get hard. The first few groups wanted to come, wanted freedom but these next few groups…'" Daniel trailed off. Hammond put a hand on his left shoulder "The Heretics would start recruiting men a few months before there raid and so most men had strong memories and ties to their old lives. However there were some men the Heretics completely converted, or broke, or survived but weren't deemed acceptable to become guards. I fear I will be unable to help them or even help you handle them."
"You've got a way with people; I have full confidence in your ability to help them."
"Thank you Lord Hammond." Daniel said turning to him with a slight bow and left.
Hammond watched Daniel walk into the gate room his sword by his side. The Star Gate opened once more. Daniel kept a firm grip on his sword as Guards and Sinners came through the gate guarded by five members of the SGC. Daniel spoke firmly and even harshly to his men. A few times he even shoved or hit some of them. The Air men did not interfere they had firm orders not to interfere with Daniel unless he threatened to hurt himself or severely hurt someone else.
Time passed and Hammond was called away to deal with trouble in the infirmary. He came back to chaos. People were streaming through the gate uncontrolled. It was pandemonium, Daniel's coat was off but his dark red tunic and pants made him stand out. He was helping people down the ramp, directing them to the waiting medics and trying along with other SGC personal to instill some semblance of order.
"What is going on?" Hammond demanded
A/N The forest fire was planned months ago; it's just taken a long time to get here. To any readers in Australia or any affected by forest fire I am sorry if I upset you. Please let me know your thoughts or just follow/Favorite.