-1AN: Hope that this is a good chapter and that any feedback is welcome. Sorry that its taking so long to update but once again my health is sabotaging me.
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"He's dead."
Thor survey Daniel and Sam watching the two exchanged horrified looks when Doctors Fraisers words sank in.
"I will continue to monitor the planet for O'Neills life signs and will beam him aboard once they are detected." Thor assured his visitors.
"No." General Hammond quietly spoke.
Shocked and sickened faces turned towards him, Teal'c lifted a questioning eyebrow, as the General took a deep breath and explained himself.
"We want to catch these people and as hard as it is for me to say, if Colonel O'Neill regenerates then beaming him aboard will just allow those responsible to escape." Hammond waited for the others to respond.
"Indeed these people need to punished for what they have done." Teal'c inclined his head towards Hammond.
"I see your point General Hammond and I will do all I can to assist you." Thor advised.
Sam and Daniel moved closer to each other in mutual support as they realised that Jack was going to be left in the hands of these psychotic animals until teams could be put in place for him to be rescued and for these animals to be captured.
"I will return you then to the SGC and as soon as I locate O'Neill I will alert you to his location." Thor solemnly told General Hammond.
A bright flash accompanied the groups return to the SGC, preparations began to facilitate the return of the much loved Colonel Jack O'Neill, and only those whose loyalty to the SGC had been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt being initially involved.
Feelings among the assembled men and women ran high as Hammond explained the circumstances behind the meeting. Anger and disgust rose within the ranks.
Four hours later Thor informed General Hammond that he had detected weak life signs for O'Neill and he advised the General on where he was being held. Plans where drawn up and SG3 where sent to reconnoitre the location to gather any important information.
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The Doctor instructed MacMasters on where and how he wanted the unconscious man to be put and what restraints he would like fastened. The Doctor began placing his instruments on a trolley close to Jack so that when he woke he would be able to see them.
MacMasters left the room and returned carrying a hose which he fitted into place on the cold water tap, turning the water on he directed the flow onto Jack's body washing away the accumulated blood and bodily fluids.
The Doctor watched closely as awareness returned to his victim, smiling at the distressed look in the chocolate brown eyes when they spotted the implements of torture.
"Now that your back with us shall we begin." The Doctor chuckled and picked up a scalpel.
"So what you got planned Doctor?" MacMasters asked smirking in anticipation at the pain which was going to be caused.
"I always wondered if you could skin a man like you can skin an animal." The Doctor replied, making his first incision.
Jack closed his eyes and tried to breath thru the pain of what he new would be the first of many cuts, slowly but surely he withdrew further and further into himself blocking out all external stimuli.
MacMaster's was disappointed that after the initial whimpers from O'Neill no further indications of the pain and suffering he was going thru where forth coming.
The Doctor hummed to himself as he worked on separating the outer layer of skin from the flesh underneath. Smiling as he imagined the terrible pain the process must be causing.
"Doctor I think you've lost him." MacMasters whined.
"Nonsense. I've only just begun." The Doctor snapped back.
"Honestly Doc he's not crying out or anything." MacMasters moved to Jack's head and starred down into the empty brown eyes. "The lights are on but nobody's home."
He tapped Jack on the head and received no reaction at all. Grumbling the Doctor moved to stand beside MacMasters.
"Oh well it was bound to happen sooner or later." The Doctor unhappily declared.
"What was?" MacMasters asked.
"That he would shut down and become unresponsive." The Doctor told MacMasters while idly slicing Jack head with the scalpel he was still holding.
Smith walked into the room and tried not to stare at the abused body on the table.
"I am going to meet the boss, I will be back later." Smith turned and hurried out of the room.
"What's his problem?" MacMasters wondered aloud.
"Weak stomach I suspect." The Doctor responded.
Smith hurried to his car, he had no intention of returning as this assignment did not sit well with him.
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Helicopter's deposited the SGC teams who where going to be part of the rescue where cars where going to take them the rest of the way. The three members of SG1 where keen to get to grips with the enemy and rescue their leader. Doctor Janet Fraiser felt a keen sense of dread at what condition they would find the Colonel in. Even if he could cheat death and be revived the journey to death had to be a painful one.
MacMasters and the Doctor where bored of skinning Jack and where now using him as a pin cushion and sticking knives and scalpel blades into his body. The Doctor took great delight in stabbing into the empty brown eyes and MacMasters plunged a knife deep into the defenceless man's stomach.
Suddenly the lights went out in the room and sounds of weapon fire could be heard.
"Christ we have to get out of here." MacMasters yelled
"Yes I believe we do." The Doctor calmly responded.
MacMaster's charged out of the room not wanting to be caught with O'Neill's body.
The Doctor meanwhile moved towards the rear of the room and thru a previously unseen door which led to an escape route. Calmly walking down it the Doctor continued humming, only slightly disappointed that he never got to finish skinning an live person.
MacMaster's meanwhile rush out of the building and straight into the arms of Teal'c who surveyed the former disgraced leader of SG1 with ill disguised contempt. MacMaster's backed away in fear looking for an escape route, seeing no way to escape and fearing that if he tried the silent Jaffa would kill him MacMaster's meekly gave himself up.
The last of the fighting stopped as the SGC team members rounded up the enemy, Doctor Janet Fraiser rushed into the room that one of the marines from SG3 was backing out of in horror.
"Jesus Christ." The marine fought to keep his stomach contents.
Janet hurried to the source of the marine's horror.
"OH God Jack." Searching for a pulse, Janet hoped she would not find one.
"Is he dead?" Sam asked.
Janet look up into the anxious faces of Daniel and Sam with Teal'c standing seemingly unmoved beside them.
"Yes."