"Not sure Sir, the gate was dialed and people just started coming. It looks like the whole village was evacuated." Walter said.
"Tell the air force hospital to send doctors, nurses, and additional medical supplies."
"Considering the number of people should we not send some of the refugees there?" Walter asked.
"No, the Herectics are too dangerous; we'll just have to do the best we can." Hammond said
"Yes Sir." Walter said.
Hammond continued to watch the people flood in along with his men left on the planet. Two soldiers came through and Hammond sent an airman to intercept them. Their clothes and faces were covered with smoke and ash but Hammond was able to identify them as members of SG10, the team Colonel O'Neill had left to guard the Star Gate. They told him they had been guarding the gate when they saw smoke coming from the road. They left to investigate halfway to Veridous Xylo when we met people fleeing the flames. The air was full of smoke and we were forced to retreat. They helped the villagers but were eventually forced to leave. Hammond questioned them but there was little more information they could give. Hammond ordered them to the infirmary and turned back to the gate room, the flood had slowed some but his attention was directed to the four Tokra coming through the gate with a young woman. One look and Hammond knew they were responsible for the calaminity. Hammond looked for Dr. Jackson and saw him by the side of the ramp his face turned to the Tokra his body language braced with Hateful rage. Daniel tried to unsheathe his sword but the sword had been glued to the sheath. Dr. Ford ever vigiliante was by Daniel's side and had clamped his hand over Daniel's and was whispering rapidly in his ear. Daniel tried to break free, but Ford put a hand on his shoulder and forcibly turned Daniel to look at a group of women and children stumbling down the ramp. Daniel froze, shook himself and pulling away from Ford went over to the children. Ford went with him. Hammond breathing a sigh of relief went up to the conference room to await the Tokra. They came after a few minutes reeking of smoke and covered with ash, Anise and the woman had splashes of blood on their clothes.
"What did you do?" Hammond demanded.
"It was an incendinary device set up in the trees a few miles from the village. It was only to be used to aid escape we didn't except the whole forest to erupt in flames." Anise said.
"And my people? Did they know what you were planning?"
"After we left the mountain I left Major Carter, Selmac, Major Griffith and the sinner they were escorting. I went to the village and saw that your men had left to assist the infiltration force and the people they rescued. I went to the devices and set them off." Anise said.
"And this woman?" Hammond asked turning to Zelen too angry to continue the conversation.
"This is the Tokra Zelen and her host Alaina she was captured by the Herotie and forced to perform medical procedures."
"You put the device in Daniel Jackson's brain?" Hammond asked
"Yes, I will remove it if you wish." Zelen said her eyes flashing with defiant pride.
"Airman take this woman to a cell." Before Hammond could say more the Wormhole closed.
Hammond saw a few refugees and the last two members of SG10 but no sign of SG1 or Jacob.
"I want one of you to take our healing device and help the most gravely injured. I will send a guard with you." Hammond ordered and hurried out of the room into the control room.
"Any sign of SG1?" He asked Walter.
"No Sir but the Wormhole was open for a long time it might have shut off by itself."
"Let's hope so." Hammond said.
He went down to the gate room and watched Daniel collapse onto steps of the ramp. Dr. Ford gestured to his sword and Daniel unbuckled his sword belt and dropped it on the ground in front of him.
Daniel struggled to his feet as he realized Hammond was in the room. "Sir I'm sorry, I'm just so tired."
"It's alright son, you can sit." Hammond said walking over as Daniel collapsed again onto the steps.
"The woman with the Tokra she was in the base with the Heretics. She's their doctor Sir, you can't trust her." Daniel said his voice laced with exhaustion, fear, and anger.
"I know, Anise told me." Hammond put a hand on his shoulder "The woman is a Tokra named Zelen. The Heretics captured her years ago and forced her to work for them. The Tokra are also responsible for the fire."
"I know, I knew the second I saw them." Daniel rose to his feet "You swore you wouldn't involve the Tokra when I gave you the rescue plans. I trusted you and innocent people are dead" Daniel's voice swelled with fury and pain "How can you possibly justify the women and children maimed and killed because of you? Tell me Sir, what good can possibly justify the suffering and death of innocent people?" Daniel demanded.
Hammond didn't answer but looked from Daniel, to his men watching from the Gate and Control rooms, and then at the Gate and the blood staining the ramp. Hammond turned and left the Gate Room, while Daniel sunk back on the stairs. Hammond returned to the infirmary, while Daniel kept vigil in the Gate Room. Thirty minutes passed, then forty Daniel remained on the steps his head against the rail, Dr. Ford by his side. The gate began to shake and the familiar Off Unscheduled off World Activation warning activated. SG1's IDC was received and the Iris was opened. Daniel had to be helped to his feet by Ford but quickly shrugged him off and waited at the bottom of the ramp. A few villagers stumbled down the ramp helped by soldiers. A few moments then Teal'c came through followed shortly by Jacob, Sam, and Jack supporting a young sinner, A group of priests came after them. Daniel hurried up the ramp and ignoring the smoke, ash, sweat, hugged each member of each his team. He then slipped an arm around the young man and helped him down the ramp. The civilians and soldiers were leaving the Gate Room and Hammond was returning when SG1 came down the ramp.
"Welcome back SG1. How are you?" Hammond asked greeting them at the foot of the ramp.
"Don't ask Sir." Jack said his clothes singed, clearing trying not to cough.
"General Hammond these are the leaders of the Herotie: I strongly advice that they be imprisoned immediately." Teal'c said
"Yes, of course." Hammond said signaling the airman to arrest the six priests.
Daniel had been examining Kalith's wound, handed him over to Ford and went over to Hammond.
"Lord Hammond I am sorry for my words, I truly believe you should never trust the Tokra but what happened to the people of Veridous Xylo is not your fault." Daniel said
"It is your fault sinner; you led the enemy right to our door. How dare you stand before us you and Kalith should prostrate yourselves and beg for the undeserved mercy of a quick death." Calif said pushing past the airmen encircling him and the other priests.
Daniel drew back and started shaking, Sam hurried forward and put an arm around him, while Ford did the same with Kalith.
"Get them out of here." Hammond ordered
"Lord Hammond we are the same side, we fight the Gou'ald and seek to free people from the False Gods. We should not fight each other but join together." Zalif said
Hammond did not say a word but Daniel looked at Kalith who was only upright through the efforts of both Caleb Ford and Teal'c. Daniel in a flash took Sam's side arm and shot Calif through the heart; Kalith a heartbeat later threw himself away from Ford and Teal'c and threw a knife into Zalif's throat. Daniel and Kalith were quickly subdued and forced to their knees. The two priests had been killed instantly and the four surviving priests were quickly led away.
"Dr. Jackson, I know what they did to you but you had no right to kill them." Hammond said
Daniel didn't say a word, neither did Kalith.
"Take Dr. Jackson to his room." Hammond ordered. "Take Kalith to a guest room and have a guard stay with him."
The pair were led away and Hammond turned to SG1 and Jacob Carter. "Jack, Sam, Teal'c I know it's been a long few days but I think it would be a good idea if you stayed with Daniel until the crowd in the infirmary becomes more manageable. Jacob I have the other Tokra sequestered in a guest room, I'll have a guard escort you."
"Yes Sir." Sam said while Teal'c nodded his assent. "Sir we should get showered and changed if that's alright." Jack said.
"Of course, we'll debrief in four hours." Hammond said knowing SG1 needed to rest.
A/N My sincerest apologies if I misrepresented anything about Forest Fires, I planned this out a long time ago. Last chapter or two coming up soon. Please tell me your thoughts I love reviews or just let me know your interest by Following/Favoriting.