Chapter Four

You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth

The blast continued to rip through them as they materialized into a dull room that seemed to house the transport device and little else. Sam had a particularly peculiar perspective hoisted across Jack's shoulders as she was. She surveyed the room with the cool calculating gaze her military mind had been trained for.

Etep was the first to step away from the transport pad, with Jack closely following his lead. "Come," their rescuer harkened, motioning Jack through a narrow doorway at the far end of the room. Still carrying Sam, it was an awkward fit, but shortly they were walking through an equally dull corridor. No visible lights illuminated the walkway, but there was a cool draft flowing through, and it seemed as if they were underground, Jack mused.

Every sense was still on the alert as they plodded endlessly through the narrow passage way. Either these people are unusually skinny or no concept of personal space, but either way, walking through here was enough to send shivers of claustrophobia coursing through Sam's blood.

Her injured foot kept rubbing along the walls, and eventually she couldn't hold back the yelp when Jack missed a step beneath her and came to a sudden stop.

"In here. The medic will be able to mend her injuries. Afterward, we will talk. I'm sure you have many questions, as do we." Etep guided Jack into a room which was empty save a simple white table. Jack gently laid Sam down, and then began examining her wound. She had a deep gash running right through the arch of her foot, and it was still bleeding profusely. He knew she was in danger of losing too much blood, but before he could do anything, a young woman swept into the room from another door, one that hadn't been there when they first walked in, Jack noted.

The woman walked straight to Sam. "I am here to help," she said softly. Jack looked over to Sam, only moving aside at Sam's nod. The woman, as alien to Jack as Etep but with bright red hair, placed her hands over Sam's injury. A soft purplish glow began to emanate between her hands and Sam's foot; it spread throughout her leg in moments. The woman lifted her hands, the glow fading as fast as it began. There was no sign of injury remaining.

"That's amazing… how did you do that?" Sam asked.

"I have been blessed with the Healing Power," she replied, her voice still hushed. "I simply draw on the body's natural healing power and accelerate the process."

"Thank you," Sam told her. She flexed her foot, testing it. She felt no pain, but a little bit of dizziness still haunted her.

"It will take some time for you to restore your blood volume to normal, perhaps a day or two." The woman stepped back and turned to Jack. "You may take rest here until your friend is well."

"Where exactly is 'here'?" Jack queried.

"This is an underground base. One of the last remaining," Etep told him. "I had been working in the prison under guise as a slave to the Zigarans. We had plans to destroy the facility in place for months before your arrival."

"Hope we didn't mess up your plans too much," Jack told him.

"You were fortunate that we were able to include your rescue. It is my understanding that Goa'uld slavery is most unpleasant." Etep eyed Jack closely. "My superiors believe you could be of strategic value. They wish to consult your… expertise." Etep actually winced at the word.

"You don't trust us." It wasn't quite an accusation that came from Sam.

"You have not earned trust. Yet. You will have your chance to prove yourselves."

The woman, still unidentified to Jack, stepped over to Etep and placed a hand on his arm. "You must forgive Etep; we have had… negative experiences dealing with most of the people to come through the Portal. To be honest, I don't know why the General insists on speaking with you, but he gave orders to have you brought to him as soon as you are able. Have you sustained any injuries that need attending?"

"I'm fine." Jack crossed back to Sam's side. "You okay?"

"A bit light-headed, but otherwise… fine. You go. I'll be in safe hands with Chaela."

"Chaela?"

Sam nodded over towards the woman. "She was the one who nursed me to health the first time… though I don't recall her doing that glowy thing."

"Glowy? Is that a technical term, Major?" She rewarded him with a small smile. "I'll be back soon. You just take it easy. That's an order."

"Yes, sir."

Jack turned back to Etep. "Take me to your leader," he said with a smirk. He heard a soft snort from Sam behind him. He suppressed a grin and followed a scowling Etep out of the room.

Chaela returned to Sam's side. "Come with me, Major Samantha Carter. I will take you to a more comfortable room."

"You can call me Sam," she told Chaela as she began to rise from the table. Another wave of dizziness passed through her and she'd have lost her balance if not for the alien woman's assistance. "Thanks…"

"I will assist you to the room. Then you will rest."

"Yeah. Sure. You betcha… rest." Sam allowed herself to be led from the room through the unseen door Chaela had originally entered from.

Jack followed Etep back out to the corridor through which they came in. Etep's steps were far more brisk now than when Jack had been saddled with Sam across his shoulders. In fact, Jack practically had to jog to keep up with Etep's brisk pace.

"You in a hurry?"

"We're already late for the meeting. Can you not keep up?" The cat-like alien was nearly growling at him.

"Hey, I can keep up fine. Just wanted to know what the rush was… So how long are you gonna keep this fearsome warrior act up? And more importantly, is this what I can expect from your General?"

Etep stopped abruptly and Jack nearly collided into him. "Until you earn our trust, yes. This is exactly what you can expect from the General." As abruptly as he stopped, Etep turned and resumed his brisk stride down the seemingly endless corridor. Jack estimated the distance they'd walked at around fifty meters when Etep stopped short once more. He waved a hand in front of the wall to their right and a doorway formed. Etep motioned Jack in ahead of him.

There was a faction of uniformed aliens grouped around an oblong table; on the other end stood a handful of aliens in some sort of formal robes. They were engaged in heated discussion as Jack and Etep entered the room.

"Gentlemen, the Astronomer said one week. To engage them sooner would be worse than folly, it would be suicide!" This came from what appeared to be the lead un-uniformed figure. Another apparent leader from the other side of the table slammed his hand down.

"One week! Our forces are already faltering. To wait too long will deplete morale altogether." The green haired alien raked a hand over his face. "Tell me again the good of waiting."

"Altaris is fully retrograde one week from tonight," a robed woman said. "They will be at their most vulnerable, and it represents our greatest opportunity to return the Portal to our control."

It was at that point that one of the uniformed figures recognized the intrusion and motioned Etep and Jack to the table. "Gentlemen… our guest has arrived," he announced. At once the room hushed as the entire group of aliens turned to study Jack. Jack shifted his weight, slightly uncomfortable under the scrutiny of so many foreign eyes.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill, at your service," Jack said by way of introduction. "How may I be of assistance?"

"Colonel Jack O'Neill. I am General Codrum," said the lead uniform. The General extended a hand out toward Jack. "It is our hope that you and your companion will be able to reverse the situation that you created when you came through the Portal."

"Uhh… yeah, sorry about that." Jack had the good sense to look sincerely apologetic. "We did call first, you know."

General Codrum frowned. "Nevertheless, we could utilize your expertise in this battle. Your fighting at the Portal was most impressive."

"We'd be happy to help you," Jack said coolly," as long as you can help us get back through the… Portal once you've got control again."

"It is our full intent to return you to your home." The General paused for a moment before continuing. "It is also our hope that we could create an exchange with another advanced civilization such as your own obviously is."

"You guys think we're advanced?" Jack asked incredulously.

"At least as advanced as we are and more so than most civilizations we have encountered," the General replied. "We have struggled against the Zigaran uprising for decades. They are willing to steal any technology they can get their hands on, they will bargain with any devil to acquire weaponry. In short, they are ruthless and evil."

Jack eyed the General with due caution. "Well, I can say I'm not too fond of their interrogation methods, but that's about all I know of your enemy. Besides the fact that they've got themselves some big honkin' guns out there. Even if Carter and I were armed with our best stuff, we'd have a hard time competing with those. How do you plan to get through that?"

"The rearward side of the Portal is not nearly so heavily guarded as the front side. We will position the best of our forces at that end." The General pressed a small button and an illuminated map appeared in the center of the table. He pointed to a small circular shape that Jack supposed represent the Stargate. "Meanwhile, a small contingent will need to penetrate the front lines and disable the security generator. That is where we want you. It is our understanding that you are familiar with Goa'uld technology?"

"A bit. Carter's the real expert," Jack responded. "What do you have in the way of explosives?"

"Etep will familiarize you with our equipment. I believe we have a sufficient arsenal for your expedition."

Jack eyed the General for a moment, assessing his position. At last he spoke, a slight twitch of suspicion flickering through his eyes. "You certainly seem to know a lot about us. And you seem a lot more trusting than I would expect from strangers like us."

"We saw all we needed during the battle against the Zigaran forces when you arrived. You were quick to assess the situation and assist us in trying to protect the Portal despite our limited prior contact. We are grateful to you for that. It is our desire to see you returned to your home, safe from this conflict. Perhaps after we manage to put down the Zigaran uprising once and for all we can then establish regular contact and trade. Until such time, however, it is obvious that our world is in far too much upheaval to welcome outsiders. It is for your own safety, you understand."

"Understand and appreciate, sir." Jack looked around the room one more time, finally satisfied enough that these people were earnest in their desire to help—and be helped. "Consider me at your service, General."

It took a fair amount of time for Etep to take Jack through the entire arsenal of the Noggraans, and by the time they were done, Jack was more than a little anxious to get back to check on Sam. This trip through the endless corridors however, Etep seemed determined to take his sweet time. Jack was mentally gnashing his teeth by the time they finally slowed to a stop before another invisible doorway. A wave of the alien's hand and the opening appeared. Jack stepped inside to find Sam sleeping comfortably on a large bed inside a simple, softly lit room.

"I'll leave you to rest now. I will return in a few hours for both of you. The Generals wish to consult you further on the strategic advance against the Zigarans." Etep was shaking his head as if in disbelief as he stepped out of the room and sealed the doorway.

Jack walked across the room to the bed, gently placing a hand on Sam's shoulder. "You awake, Carter?" Sam rolled over, bleary eyes blinking at Jack as she sat up. Jack sat down beside her on the bed. "We've got a few hours before we'll be called in."

"Called in where?"

"There's a General here by the name Codrum that wants our help. We'll be part of a small team going in the front to disable a Goa'uld shield generator. You gonna be up to the task?"

Sam stretched out a bit, yawning as she did. "I think so. The rest helped. I'm feeling much better now." She paused to take a good look at Jack. "You look like hell. You haven't gotten any rest since we got busted out, have you?" she asked with concern.

"No… maybe I'll just lay down for a bit…" Jack had to stop as a yawn took over use of his mouth. He covered it with the back of his hand. "Yeah, just a few minutes." Jack leaned back, pulling his feet up on the bed. Sam sat staring at him for a long, quiet moment before leaning back next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Hope you don't mind if I join you…" she murmured.

Jack shifted his arm to pull her in closer. "Not a bit…" His voice was soft and low, and she could feel his breath tickling her ear. "We'll just rest a bit… before saving the world again… then we can go home…" His words were starting to slur a bit as he drifted slowly towards unconsciousness.

"Home… that sounds good," Sam replied, her voice soft. "Then what?"

"Then what?" he repeated. "Then… we can work on figuring this out." He squeezed her impossibly closer to emphasize his words.

"Sounds good," she said again. She let her body relax into his embrace, her eyes drifting shut. His arms felt good around her, solid and warm and real, and it was just the comfort she needed after all that had happened in the past couple of weeks since they got stuck on this planet. Still more tired than either would admit, it was only a few minutes before both were fast asleep.