-- Heliopolis --
Making his way through the dim Tok'ra tunnel that led to where the small Asgard vessel he had whimsically named, 'Thor' was hidden, Jack ascended to the surface and quickly entered the ship, wasting no time in getting underway. Resolutely he shut down his mind to thoughts of his son - of Daniel. At the moment his sole concern was the task at hand, rescuing the stranded compatriots. The ship was eerily quiet as nothing of the howling cyclonic storm could be heard from within its soundproof interior. Feeling unsettled at having to leave Sam and Jon at such a time, he knew he didn't have a choice and so he put the patented O'Neill lock on his emotions and slammed shut the vault. "Come on O'Neill put it away...concentrate." He muttered softly as he strode to the front of the vessel.
Settling at the main console he quickly powered it up, his long fingers flying over the panel to then bring up the tracking grid. Seeing that the closest pod was approximately twenty klicks from his location, he set out.
"Sam, come in."
"Here Jack."
"How's the little guy?" So much for the vaulted emotions, he couldn't help it -- he had to ask.
A long silence before she finally replied, "Not to worry you, but I'll feel much better when you're back here."
"Roger that. ETA on first target is...five minutes." He wanted to ask her for specifics on Jon but held back. He knew that it had been hard for her to say as much as she already had. Sam had walked the miles in his shoes - their empathy was uncanny. She would carry the burden - freeing him up to do his job. Knowing this about her, he knew from the little she said that Jon must be in a bad way.
The view of the dark stormy world was hypnotic, nothing to see but endless crashing, churning morass where the leaden sky and the water seemed to mesh and become as one. Jack skimmed over the ocean, just a hair above the giant waves that seemed alive and trying their best to wrap their wet vicious arms around the small vessel and pull it down. He had reached the first pod according to his instruments; bringing the ship to a hover, just as an errant wave - much larger than the others crashed over the ship. With a quick adjustment Jack raised his ship to keep the waves at bay and then swiftly moved from the console to the forward window - trying to get a visual on the escape pod, to finally see it - riding a huge wave he guessed to be at least 30 feet or more to then disappear for a long moment to finally bob to the surface again - roiling constantly.
Jack felt for the occupant - to use a little British understatement, the ride could not be pleasant. Quickly he set the beam coordinates and activated it. Watching the instruments, he deactivated the transporter upon completion.
'Riight... one down... three to go." He murmured to himself. Back to the grid, he set the coordinates for the next retrieval. His inclination was to run back to the storage compartment to check on the survivor he had just brought on board. Yet he repressed it, realizing the need to move as fast as possible to retrieve the pods before they began sinking.
Checking the grid, he found his next target - two pods within a quarter mile of each other about two miles further out. Hitting his radio, he checked in with Sam, "Sam, I've acquired one target and on my way to the next pickup. Are you tracking?"
"Roger that. Jack. Do you know who you picked up"
"No. But as rough as their little 'ocean cruise' was, I'll be surprised if they're not a tad sick."
"Roger that. The Asgards are a delicate race... I hope that they're okay."
In minutes he had acquired the next two pods and without difficulty had them stowed in the cargo hold.
Checking his grid, he found the last one a good distance away. As he set his coordinates he heard the bridge door open behind him. Hoping to see Teal'c, he swung around to instead see a contingent of Asgards entering the room with an exhausted looking Freyr in the lead.
I 'Of course Teal'c's still out there... the SG-1 luck is still working for us.' /I He thought glumly as outwardly he tried not to show his disappointment, "Welcome aboard, Commander Freyr and ... crew." Freyr stumbled slightly and instantly was supported by the assisting hands of his men. Noticing, Jack asked with quiet concern, "Hey Freyr, are you all right?"
His huge dark eyes, half-closed as he fought his faintness, Freyr struggled to answer the way he wanted, as machismo did exist among the Asgards, "I will be well ...shortly... the landing was quite... rough. Thank you for the rescue, General O'Neill."
"Did everyone get off the ship?" Jack questioned.
Freyr managed to nod before answering, "Yes. General O'Neill this is my entire crew."
"Hey... come on... how many times do I have to ask ... Please... Call me 'Jack' or at least, 'O'Neill'. All of ya...can you do that?" All four Asgards nodded their agreement. "Sweet. Freyr, I'll need intros to your crew when we have time"
Activating his radio, he turned back to his console as he checked the distance to the capsule he now knew contained his brother-in-arms, his friend, Teal'c.
"Sam, I've acquired all the Asgards. Now, I'm off to pick up T-man."
Sam, too, saw the legacy of SG-1's strange and quirky luck as she came back with a touch of asperity, "Of course Teal'c would be the last one rescued." Then her tone changed to concern as she asked, "Are the Asgards all right"
"Well, let's just say a little seasick medicine would come in handy right now but aside from that - I think they're going to be fine."
"Good...good." Sam answered quietly.
Freyr and his entourage quietly moved to stand beside Jack as he flew to the last escape pod. "How may we assist you in recovering Dr. Jackson and Teal'c?" Freyr asked quietly.
Jack's face hardened to stoic lines before he answered, "It's just Teal'c ... I'm afraid."
"No. I'm sure that Dr. Jackson successfully escaped from the ship. I, myself was the last to depart." Freyr rejoined quickly, his demeanor suddenly more anxious.
"His pod never came down." Jack responded tersely, not wanting to go into details at that moment, but added, "As soon as we get Teal'c and get back to shelter... I'll explain. By the way, where's Thor? Did he pass my problems off to you?" Jack asked without looking up from his console as they were fast closing in on Teal'c's' location.
Utter silence met his query. Finally Jack noticed the lack of a response and lifted an inquiring brow as he turned to study the Asgard Commander.
"Regarding Supreme Leader Thor... I must ..." Freyr's solemn voice was suddenly interrupted as Jack cut in, "Uhh...we're over the last pod now. Can one of you check to get a visual?" Freyr nodded and motioned to his crew. All moved to the viewing station and scanned the turbulent world below.
Finally Freyr spoke up, "I see it. O'Neill, it is almost directly below up." Then Freyr stiffened, "The pod hatch appears to be open, I believe it is sinking."
Then as the Asgards watched, it disappeared under a huge wave to not return to the surface. Moving back to Jack's side, one of the Asgards brought up a panel and then spoke in Asgardian to Freyr, who relayed it on to Jack, "Trendyl is not detecting a life sign in the capsule, O'Neill."
Jack reached over and adjusted some settings on the panel in front of Trendyl, "The panel's default is to display only Asgard life forms...there he is..." And sure enough, the signal was strong - yet it was not in the pod - it was a signal about 100 yards away from where the pod had sunk.
"Dammit...He's in the water... gotta get to him quick or he'll drown in that mess." Sudden trepidation laced his voice, as he knew being a strong swimmer was not ranked high in Teal'c's repertoire of skills.
Freyr turned from the view and moved to stand by Jack at the controls. "O'Neill, tell me how I can assist you."
At that moment the whole ship shuddered and dropped alarmingly down toward the planet before jarringly coming to a halt. Everyone not braced was thrown about the cabin. Jack, who had managed to stay in place by gripping the console, immediately asked the room in general, "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" All the while his intense eyes moved swiftly over the controls, assessing damage and looking for the reason.
Freyr stood up from where he'd been thrown and moved to Jack's side. Immediately he began pulling up screens to then answer Jack's question, "We were fired upon from above. My hypothesis would be that it is the same ship that destroyed 'the O'Neill II'.
For a long moment Jack was too busy bringing the ship out of harms way to answer. "Status?" He finally asked of the Asgard contingent, which all had quickly found a position to help in checking the systems.
Freyr spoke up, "There appears to be little damage. The shield contained most of it."
"Little? Can you be a bit more specific?" Jack queried tersely as he scanned in vain to find the enemy ship.
"We sustained some electrical damage. The shields held for the most part, yet the power supply was seventy percent depleted. I've just transferred power to re-sustain them. Unfortunately, that means that we're without the transporter..." Freyr's words trailed off.
Jack sighed, "Of COURSE we lost the transporter...nothing to do then, but do it the ole-fashioned way."
I need to let Sam know what's happening..." He then frowned, as he noticed something, "no, no, no, NO! " He growled under his breath as he keyed his radio, "uhh... Sam, can you hear me?" And waited, rubbing his furrowed brow impatiently. No response, only mild static could he heard, "Dammit, the radio's fried!" He yelled out in frustration as he fought down his anxiety over being out of touch with her and Jon.
Resolutely, he pushed back from the console and stood, "Freyr I'm gonna need your best helmsman here - and get someone to work on this radio, I need it working ASAP."
Freyr was already moving to take his place as he asked, "What is the plan O'Neill?'
"I'm going fishing..." Jack said grimly.
He then continued, "We're gonna have to time this. When I indicate that I'm ready, move the ship down, between the troughs - as close to Teal'c as possible. Once I have him, set these switches, which will cloak us for the amount of time needed to get us back to base."
Freyr frowned slightly, his dark eyes blinking rather rapidly. "These small Asgard vessels do not have cloaking devices installed. O'Neill."
Jack already on the move retorted over his shoulder, "Let's just say Sam and I pimped our ride. When you're stuck on a planet with nothing to do, it's amazing what you'll come up with to fill the time." He didn't add that it was his 'well' of ancient technology that had given them the design.
Stopping abruptly at the door, he turned and took in the still sickly expressions on most of the Asgards, and then the rapidly forming knot on Freyr's own gray forehead. Drilling Freyr with his eyes, he asked, "Are you up for the job?"
Freyr wasted no time in answering, "I am. O'Neill, it will be you who will have the hardest job."
"Of COURSE I will." Jack smiled darkly at his private joke.
Minutes later, Jack stood in the loading compartment doorway; so buffeted by the tremendous force of the storm that he had tied himself to the latch. Coiled nylon rope and a searchlight wereall he held. In his ear, the Asgard, Trendyl was directing him as to the location to search. While Freyr, at the helm was doing a tremendous job of eluding the huge waves that would have swamped the ship. .
His searchlight hardly made a dent in the darkness and wind as he strained to locate him in the mountainous ocean. The rain streamed annoyingly down his face and pelted his body like icy daggers. He was immediately drenched as soon as he stood in the doorway. In methodical sweeps he moved the light across the roiling sea. Just as he swung to look further out, a tiny glint of gold lit up, framed by his beam. Swiftly honing in on the spot, he found him, as Teal'c's gold tattoo shimmered in the reflection like a beacon.I 'Thank God he didn't have it removed.'/I Jack thought as his heart quickened in gladness.
Taking the coiled rope, Jack's dark eyes never left the spotted figure; fighting desperately to keep afloat. Swirling the looped rope he threw it mightily and watched with satisfaction as it landed perfectly centered over Teal'c's form. "Come on buddy, take a hold." He yelled the words out into the tunneling wind and knew that Teal'c had heard him when with one hand; he gestured feebly towards Jack and then adjusted the rope securely about his body. Pulling with all his strength, Jack began the arduous task of reeling Teal'c to safety.
"Jesus, I'm too damn old for this." He groaned as he braced and pulled, braced and pulled; his rhythm steady, even as every muscle in his back and shoulders felt on fire. Yet, he was fueled on by the vision of Teal'c's ordeal as the Jaffa struggled to swim, though all his tremendous strength was fast draining by all the time spent in the cold, turbulent sea. Slowly but inevitably Teal'c reached the ship and on cue, Freyr brought the ship down even further, dangerously level with the ever-changing surface.
Waves were now sloshing over Jack who leaned perilously out the door, only being held in by the rope he'd secured himself with. His reddened, painful eyes full of salt-water never lost sight of his target as finally, a large brown hand reached up for his and he grabbed and held on. Bracing staunchly, feeling as if he was a Whippet playing tug-of-war with a Rottweiller, he finally gaspingly heaved Teal'c inside, reflexively hitting the hatch controls to collapse beside him.
In gasping agony Jack rolled to his back, chest heaving and wondered if his love of pizza and beer were finally going to do him in. Slowly recovering, he felt a weight on his shoulder, reaching up; he found Teal'c's hand and he patted it heavily. "Hey Buddy, I have to say... you just qualified as my largest 'catch' to date."
Recovered enough to sit up, Teal'c answered his voice hoarse with exhaustion, "O'Neill I'm glad that you were more successful on this fishing expedition than those on your pond."
"Good God...I'm loving it...a joke." Jack managed a grin that quickly turned into a grimace as he found his way to his knees. Slowly he continued his journey to vertical, testing his back carefully and wincing softly from the strained muscles but finally managing to stand. He then offered his arm to the exhausted Jaffa who took it and slowly found his feet, leaning for a moment on O'Neill before getting his balance. Streaming wet with saltwater pooling about them, they grinned and hugged Jaffa-style. "Good to see ya Buddy. Next time, don't be in such a hurry to go for a swim."
"The hatch blew of its own accord, O'Neill. I believe it was damaged." Teal'c's exhaustion reflected heavily in his face.
Jack nodded; his deep brown eyes warm with affection as he took in his drenched friend. "Yeah, well, it Ireally/I is good to see ya. Even though you disobeyed my orders by coming here...but I'm overlooking that. Can you walk?" Teal'c smiled and inclined his head regally. "I am recovered enough ... how did DanielJackson fare?"
Jack's face sobered, "He didn't. Only four rescue pods came down, but I do know that at the moment he's alive." Jack gestured with one long finger to his temple as he continued; "He got in touch with me through Jon. The ship that attacked your vessel managed to snag his rescue pod before it entered the atmosphere."
Teal'c stoic expression deadened further at the news. "We must do something O'Neill." His deep voice registered a hint of anxiety as he remembered telling his nervous friend that all would be well.
Jack nodded his own stomach clinching, thinking of 'feeling' Daniel's agony in his head. Out loud he continued, "He wasn't able to communicate who had him but then again...he didn't sound good, Teal'c."
Once again Teal'c's stern expression took on a pained look, as he reinforced, "We must rescue him."
"We will. First, we need to get back to Sam and Jon, regroup and plan." Jack grasped the back of Teal'c neck in an affectionate gesture as he then turned to head out the door.
"Come on, lets' get up to the helm. The cloaking device is a power-hog. We'll have just enough time to get to the base. Whoever's out there is just waiting... I can feel them."
End of Part 7