Daniel and Jack had been able to collect enough trees to make a raft. Although Daniel had tried to do the heaviest work, Jack had been using his left arm more than he should. His face was beaded with sweat and he was breathing heavily. Daniel had more than once tried to convince Jack to rest, but the stubborn Colonel had not given in.
Daniel gathered all the rope they had with them. Now came the difficult job of tying the trees together. He didn't exactly know how to do that and it would be almost impossible for Jack to do. He looked worriedly at Jack. The man was in obvious pain, but wasn't about to give up. He couldn't hide a hiss of pain though, as he tried to show Daniel how to make the knots.
"Easy, Jack, rest for a minute," Daniel tried again and offered his friend a canteen of water.
Jack wiped his face with his right sleeve and gratefully accepted the canteen of water. He took some of it and handed it back to Daniel.
"If Sam and Teal'c made it, they should be here any time now." Jack said after a glance at his watch. He was worried. What if they had not made it? Where were they? If Sam and Teal'c were not able to reach them, how was he supposed to find them? Hell, he couldn't even fix the raft with one arm, so how was he supposed to row? His side was hindering his movements too, although he was not about to admit that.
Daniel sipped some water. He noticed the worried look on his friend's face. Well, he was worried too. He sighed. Then suddenly he heard the noise of what could be an engine. He looked over his shoulder, but didn't see anything yet. He got to his feet and reached over to give Jack a hand. Together, they moved towards the ocean.
Daniel had his binoculars out in no time. He found his target and soon he recognised Teal'c. His mouth fell wide open.
Cool!
Jack didn't have binoculars, but it didn't took him long to see what, or rather who was up there in the sky. "Look Buzz, an alien!" he quipped.
Daniel gave him a filthy look. "What the heck is that?" He almost couldn't believe his eyes, as they watched Teal'c fly closer and closer.
"I don't care," Jack said. "As long as it gives us a ride home." He turned around and started to walk in the direction where Teal'c was heading.
By this time, Teal'c had spotted them and found a safe place to land. He did so, like a professional and turned the engine off. It took a little while for the nozzles to slow down and Teal'c waited patiently. He was removing the jetpack from his back when Jack and Daniel reached him.
"O'Neill, Daniel Jackson. I am pleased to have found you," Teal'c slightly bowed his head.
"Teal'c! Glad you made it! Is Carter alright?" Jack looked at him.
Teal'c nodded. "She is. We gated home to get help. Major Ferreti is assisting us."
Teal'c took stock of the situation. He had already noticed the sling around the Colonel's neck, and the stiffness in his movements. Teal'c also noticed the paleness of his face and the feverish patches of colour that burned over his cheekbones.
"I see you are injured, O'Neill. How do you feel?" he inquired.
Jack waved him off. "Fine. Dislocated shoulder. Daniel relocated it. Nothing to worry about. Let's get home…"
Daniel moved to get a better look at the aircraft. "Wow! What is that?"
"This is called a rocket belt. We were supposed to use them to get back to the Stargate," Teal'c started.
"A rocket belt! I know the army experienced with them, but I have never seen one for real!" Jack was starting to get excited.
"It is also very heavy to carry. You will not be able to fly this thing, O'Neill. I believe we will have to go for plan B," Teal'c pointed at the Colonel's shoulder.
"I can do that…"
Teal'c shook his head resolutely. "No. Not with a dislocated shoulder. Not even you. Believe me," Teal'c reached for his things to fetch the radio, when suddenly the ground started shaking again.
"Aftershock!" Daniel yelled as he frantically scanned the area for trees, which were about to fall. There was no way he would let another tree hit Jack. No way.
This time, they were lucky, though. No trees collapsed around them. The shaking lasted for about two minutes, then it was all over. They all were silent for a moment.
The radio broke that silence. Major Ferreti's voice came through, and it was obvious, that he was controlling his voice. "Teal'c, come in! Did you feel that? Come in, please. The ground is getting very unstable here!"
Teal'c answered quickly. "We are unharmed, Major Ferreti. Unfortunately the Colonel can not fly the aircraft. He is suffering from a dislocated shoulder. "
"Copy that, Teal'c. I will notify Major Carter. You guys be patient. We will get you another ride. We will have to hurry. I don't think this little Bounty island will last very long! Ferreti out!"
Jack had heard the surpressed panic in the Major's voice. "How big is that little piece of land the Stargate is on, anyway?" he asked Teal'c.
"It was about 900 square ft. But the waves are taking parts. Major Carter believes it will vanish within 20 hours. Aftershocks might speed that up."
"Oh, well, that is so reassuring," Daniel sighed. He looked over his shoulder to the Stargate, as if he was afraid it would vanish in front of his eyes.
Jack made his decision easily. "You have a second rocket belt, right?" When Teal'c nodded, he continued. "Then I want you to teach Daniel how to fly A.S.A.P. and get out of here." He was not about to risk the lives of his team on this unstable planet any longer than necessary.
Daniel stood straight. Determination was shown on his face and he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "No way, Jack. Forget it. I am not leaving you behind. No, no, NO! We will find another way. Let's finish that raft."
Teal'c frowned. "I understand that you also gambled for two horses. A wise precaution."
Jack didn't even correct the expression. He was frustrated he could not fly home. Now his team was risking their lives because of him. He clutched at his shoulder and groaned.
"Put your arm back in that sling. Jack, you should not use it yet!" Daniel approached him to help, but Jack would not let him.
"Dammit Daniel! I rather get home with a messed up shoulder than stay here!" Jack couldn't hide his anger. But when he saw the worried look on Daniel's face, he already regretted his outburst. "Oh, for crying out loud, Danny. I'm sorry. I just don't want you guys to have to spent the rest of your lives on this stupid planet because of me."
Blue eyes met brown for a moment. "It is not your fault. We will get out of here. Sam will think of something. In the meantime, let's finish that raft, just to be sure, okay?" Daniel spoke softly. He gently took Jack by his good arm and guided him back to where they were building the raft. Teal'c remained silent and followed them.
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Major Ferreti was not happy. He took the jetpack off, because it was hindering his movements. He knew Teal'c was right, no one could fly this thing with a dislocated shoulder. He could imagine the frustration of the Colonel all too well. Hell, he was frustrated too! The aftershock had scared him more then he was about to admit. Several pieces of land were lost during that event and the Stargate had been trembling dangerously. He was afraid the huge ring would tip over. They had to get out of here, and fast.
The Major approached the DHD and dialled home. He caught his breath as the wormhole appeared, but luckily the Stargate stayed in place. He soon send his message through.
"This is Major Ferreti. Teal'c has located Colonel O'Neill and Doctor Jackson. The Colonel has a dislocated shoulder and can't fly the jetpack. We need the hover and we need it fast. There has been an aftershock and the ground underneath me is very unstable. I repeat: very unstable. Please, hurry. Major Ferreti out."
Now he just had to wait. He started to imagine how the hover would come through the Stargate. He figured the remaining land, about 20 square feet, was still big enough for them to catch it. The DHD was safe, yet. It should work. It would work.
It just had to.