I darted quietly up the stairs and peered around the corner, cautiously glancing around. Raising my hand, I gestured for Ferreti that it was all clear. He came forward and went stealthily into the room, giving me the okay when he had cleared the room. I fast walked past his position and, as the control room was now clear, walked as quietly as a person could on metal grates up the stairs. Cautiously, I inched around the turning stairs and scanned the briefing room. I sucked in a sharp breath as I saw two of the aliens standing near the round oval table.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself. It was somehow different, killing with a knife. It was more… intimate than just firing of a few round from a gun. And while I hated to kill in any way, it was sometimes necessary, and the knife just made it more difficult. Still, these guys were planning on using us as incubators before they violently killed us. Reinforcements were hopefully on their way (when lockdown is initiated with no warning or contact within an hour, a foothold situation is assumed, and backup is sent), they may not come in time or be overwhelmed. This was our only choice at the moment.

My sharpened Tok'ra hearing picked up their movements, and I stepped out of my hiding place. My eyes quickly locked on my target, and the knife flashed in my hand. I sprinted forward while the other one was distracted, and knocked him out with a quick elbow to the ribs and face. They both crumpled, and I retrieved my knife, sighing in relief when I saw that my knife throwing was not quite up to par, and, by sheer luck, the handle had hit the alien, not the blade.

"All clear." I called out softly to Ferreti, who moved up the stairs to join me. He let out s soft whistle.

"Not bad for a geek."

"Gee, thanks."

He chucked and we made our way into the general's office. I immediately walked over to the phone, picked it up, and stopped. Ferreti glanced at me from his spot at the door, "What's the problem?"

I gave a dry, humorless laugh, "You want to hear something funny?"

"Oh, God. What is it?"

"I don't know their phone number."

"Be quiet, please, and let me think of a plan."

"Oh, so you think you're smarter than me?"

"Perhaps."

"Why, you little sh-"

"ENOUGH!" My strong commanding voice cut across the bickering human and Tok'ra, "We must focus, not squabble like children." I glared at O'Neill and Eytan. They had been belligerent and, as O'Neill himself has said, 'snippy' ever since we woke up from our psudo-dream. They began quarreling about Eytan not informing of his plan to wake us up at first. Then, once that argument had burned out, they had begun picking over minute and unimportant topics, such as intelligence and the ability to fire a weapon with accuracy.

The constant bickering had 'ruffled my feathers' (as O'Neill also says). I am unsure why they insist upon infuriating each other, but I believe this may a contest of sorts. Perhaps it is the deciding factor over who becomes the alpa male. But, that is unlikely considering the culture of the Tau'ri. So, perhaps it is just that they naturally anger each other. Although, I have sensed that it has to do with Danielle Jackson. They may be competing over her. I am unsure why they would not just duel or spar for claim of her (that is how we do things on Chulak), but now is not the time for dueling or for fighting. At least not fighting each other. I continued to glare at them.

"We must go to the control room and attempt to analyze our current situation. Also, we must wake up anybody we come across before it is too late for them. We are all aware of what will happen to anybody who may be captured by this race of people. It is imperative that we hurry."

O'Neill nodded slowly, seeing my irrefutable logic, "Okay. Lets's head out. I'll take point. T, watch our six."

I gave a firm nod, and we started out. After reaching the control room and finding nothing (it would appear as if none of our group was aware of how to operate the computers), went up to the briefing room to strategize. As we ascended the stairs, I heard voices up ahead. O'Neill seemed to have heard the voices also, as he held up his fist in a signal to stop. We waited quietly and he gave a nod. We crept out slowly, ready to take the enemy out, when I recognized a voice.

"O'Neill." My voice was below a whisper, "I believe that is Danielle Jackson with another person."

Everyone strained their ears (O'Neill did, nobody else had to, as we had superior hearing).

"You're kidding." A male voice sounded incredulous.

"Nope." That was most definitely Danielle Jackson.

Unidentified male spoke up after taking a breath, "Well, this sure sucks."

"Oh, ya." Danielle Jackson yet again.

"Is there some sort of phone book or speed dial?"

"Do you think I would know where that is?"

A pause, then, "… good point. So, what now?"

"Um…"

As the conversation seemed to be at an impasse, and there was no sign of danger, I gave a nod to O'Neill, and he proceeded forward.

O'Neill announced our presence by clearing his throat loudly and saying, "Whatcha doing?"

Danielle Jackson and the man now identified as Major Ferreti jumped and whirled around. Danielle Jackson let out a relieved breath, "Teal'c, Martouf, Eytan. Good to see you. Jack."

It would appear that Danielle Jackson was still angry at O'Neill. And with just cause, as O'Neill still had not apologized for his inappropriate and rude behavior.

Eytan shot O'Neill a triumphant look and smiled at Danielle Jackson, "It is good to see you, Danielle."

She offered a smile, "Thank you, Eytan. But we have a bit of a conundrum here."

"Conundrum? What type of conundrum?" O'Neill frowned. Nobody answered, so the was an awkward silence that followed. I shifted, the tension breaking through my barrier, until Major Ferreti cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Well, we don't know the number for the Russians. We wanted to contact them so if the enemy got past us, they could be the next line of defense."

Martouf smiled, "That is quite the issue. I assumed that you knew all of the numbers to your telephones."

"Well, think of it like this. Do you know all the addresses to the stargate?" Danielle Jackson turned to see him better.

There was a pause, then, "I understand. It is an impossibility."

She smiled, "Yep."

Martouf gave a smile back, and turned to the rest of the group, "Do any of you know the number for these Russians?"

"Of course I do." O'Neill flashed a grin, "Why wouldn't I?" He grinned even wider as he glanced over at Eytan. Which did not go unnoticed by Danielle Jackson.

"Yes, we all know you have all the answers. Now just dial!" She snapped at him in irritation.

"Oh, yes your royal highness! Right away." He sent a nasty glare her way, and went over to the desk, riffling through one of the drawers until he pulled out a piece of paper and began to dial. This convict between Danielle Jackson and O'Neill needed to stop immediately. I turned and walked out of General Hammond's office to stand by the briefing room table. I heard some shuffling by the staircase and stood on guard.

"Major Ferreti, Eytan, Martouf, Danielle Jackson. I believe that there is someone approaching."

Spreading throughout the room, we readied our range of weapons and waited. Two figures burst out, but in SGC uniforms. They stopped suddenly when they saw us. One of them let out a breath.

"Thank God! You have to-"

BANG! Two shots were fired.

The SFs crumpled to the ground. There was silence. Out of my peripheral vision, I saw O'Neill join us, having finished his call. Every person held their breaths in anticipation. I heard a step, and, as if out of thin air, two figures appeared. My reflexes along with the Tok'ra's were quite good, and we rolled to the ground to avoid their fire, taking Major Ferreti with us. I jumped up and attacked the figures, my sharp eyes picking out the slightest movements of the enemy. Soon enough, there was silence. I turned to speak to O'Neill, but my mouth stood open unused. There was nobody where he used to be. I scanned the room, taking an inventory and holding my worry at bay. Eytan, Major Ferreti, Martouf… they were both gone. My eyes flicked to the open door at the other side of the room. I cursed myself inwardly. How could I forget about that door and not cover it? And now Danielle Jackson and O'Neill were taken. But I would find them. There was no doubt about it.

NOTE:

Thank you so much for the reviews everyone! And sorry for not publishing in a long time. It's been a very busy month (and will probably stay that way, but I will publish as soon as I possibly can). Also, to my very helpful anonymous reviewer (The one who gave me the idea about contacting the Russians, you must get an account!), you were right about one of the two references. The dreaming idea was a reference to Inception, but the silver blood was not taken from The Host (isn't that a Twilight book or something?). It was a reference to the TV show Fringe. Also, thanks to my few, but loyal, reviewers! And as always, suggestions, comments, reviews, and criticisms are welcome (and encouraged). Thanks :)