The Good Fight – Part 9
Jack concentrated on maneuvering the ship back home as fast as possible. The threat of another attack was on everyone's mind as they rode in tense silence. Freyr's crew had no trouble repairing the radio and Jack wasted no time in calling Sam, but she hadn't responded.
His mind went through the possibilities – 'Jon was worse and Sam was with him and away from the radio. Or, the radio was out on her end or… ' Abruptly Jack tried to stifle his blackest thoughts but still they wormed their way in. He could hardly contain his worry, but did; his face betrayed none of his apprehension. Collecting his thoughts, he called out, "Freyr, you were going to tell me something about Thor just when things got busy…" His voice trailed off in expectation.
Freyr nodded, and began speaking, his monotone so quiet that Jack had to strain to hear, his ears still water-clogged from his 'fishing expedition'. "Supreme Leader Thor is missing. He was kidnapped from his quarters on Othalla and we have yet to know his whereabouts." Freyr paused as he saw the consternation and anger in Jack's face and then continued on; "He left a secret timed message delivered only to myself that enabled me to know of your situation. I followed his instructions, which were to notify the SGC of your location, which I did. We are here to both support you and to hopefully enlist your help in finding our Leader. I cannot help but believe that he was taken for his knowledge of your location and … even more probable, for the Ancient knowledge he possessed himself."
Jack closed his aching, salt-reddened eyes for a brief moment, before finally responding, "I had a bad feeling. …When I last spoke to him…I should have pursued it. I can't believe …" Regret and not a little guilt tinged his words. Then, staring off before focusing on Freyr and then Teal'c he put the million-dollar question in front of them, his voice tinged with frustration, "Does ANYONE have the slightest idea whom it is that we're up against?"
Freyr responded, "I do not. I did not see the attacking vessel or even detect them. This is a formidable enemy in that they were able to take the leader of the Asgards from the most secure location on our planet without being seen."
Jack thought on this, going through a mental inventory of known foes that were capable of this feat. His long silence seemed to agitate the Asgard contingency as finally each of them shook their heads slowly, acknowledging their individual clueless ness. Teal'c's only reaction was his usual lifting eyebrow. Sighing, Jack nodded and spoke up, "Me either…" and with a small quirky grin he continued, "makes it rather interesting don't ya think?"
His inexplicable attitude made the small aliens blink in confusion but a small smile graced Teal'c's lips and he inclined his head, "Indeed." His grave face reflected his amusement at the obvious struggle the Asgards were going through to keep up with O'Neill's quirky nature.
Jack returned his attention back to the console, it was then that his scowl deepened as he looked at his panel and then pounded a fist against the side of it and stared in hopes that his method of repair – brute force - would change the information being shown on the screen. It did not. Rubbing his bleary eyes, he stared off thinking before looking around, addressing Teal'c, "When will I learn … Of course something else is gonna go wrong…"
"What is it O'Neill?" Teal'c questioned and moved to stand at his side, scanning the monitors himself. Jack pointed a long finger at the screen, "The shield around the compound is down."
Teal'c bracingly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Possibly from the storm…" he offered.
Jack nodded briefly but couldn't contain his look of skepticism before adding; "Okay…I realize that I'm usually the biggest optimist of the group…but…not this time." His attempt at lightness failed miserably and turning back to his console, he flew on in silence, the air heavy with everyone's worry.
A little later he announced almost absently as he maneuvered in the dicey weather, "We've arrived, folks, please do not unbuckle until we've come to a complete and total stop." He then brought the ship down easily and powered it down. Once again, he activated his radio and prayed that he would hear Sam's calm, confident voice respond as he called in, "Sam. We're on our way in. Come back."
He waited… nothing. Just silence. "Dammit" he muttered and made a hard decision.
He would try and contact Jon. To do that, he had to re-open the neural pathways to the ancient data that he'd completely blocked in his hopes of protecting his son. So, closing his eyes, he cleared his mind or tried to – an amazingly hard feat for someone who usually considered his head pretty empty -- and sought out his son.
For the first time ever – he couldn't find him. Always, always before, Jon would be there –immediately -- as if constantly monitoring for him, ready and able to pick up his father easily. This very adroitness of Jon's ability had been the reason Jack had taken the drastic measures of shutting his own Ancient access down totally.
He concentrated harder. 'Jon…son, where are you? Jon, talk to me." Again, he didn't feel him. Not a whisper, not a nuance. It was as if he had never been there, Jack sensed nothing, only a bleak emptiness and silence. His heart began thudding harder in his chest. He couldn't help but think the worst. 'Something was so wrong...'
Taking a deep, ragged breath, his dark, meaningful look to Teal'c spoke volumes before he finally voiced his worry as he addressed the group, "There may be a situation. For some reason I'm not getting a response from Sam. And, on the other 'front' " He gave his usual airy wave toward his head which was his 'symbol' for his psychic communication ability, he continued, "I'm unable to reach my son as well. So, until I know for sure that all is okay there, it might be best if Teal'c and I went in alone."
Freyr motioned for his three crewmen to gather and the sounds of muted Asgardian was heard among them as they held a brief discussion. When finished, Freyr looked to O'Neill, his voice assertive and more animated than usual, "General O'Neill, we believe we can aid you. My crew has stated that it would be a great honor for them to fight alongside 'O'Neill'. We request permission to accompany you." Jack cringed a bit at the emphasis on his name. He still, after all these years, had no idea why the Asgards held such strong feelings for him.
Jack and Teal'c exchanged a long look before Jack nodded slightly, his lean face furrowed, "Very well but just for the record, make sure your men know…the goal is to stay alive – no glory ideas of 'honorable dying'. Understood?" Freyr nodded and seemed to want to say more but instead turned to his men and spoke in quiet Asgardian to repeat Jack's words. After he was done all nodded agreement and transferred their huge eyes back to stare expectantly at Jack.
Jack heaved himself up from the console as he gave orders, "The armory locker is on the way out. I want everyone to have a weapon. Just remember Sam and Jon are in there as well and we haven't a clue as to whom or what else is there." He paused his dark eyes met Freyers' huge eyes in serious study, "Freyr… are you sure? You are the supreme commander of your people…."
Freyr inclined his head, "And as such… I should be with you. I believe we must work together to defeat this enemy for both our kind." Tersely O'Neill nodded the hard planes of his face cast in stone as he finally agreed, "All right. Let's move."
After distributing out his arsenal and giving Freyr a radio, they made their way to the exit. "Teal'c and I will go first, once we exit the ship, the tunnel is due north about fifty feet, it'll take us directly up to the house. Once there, Teal'c and I'll search the downstairs quadrant. Freyr you assign your men as you see fit and take the grounds and upstairs. Two clicks on the radio if you see trouble. Be prepared for anything." Jack gave his orders brusquely along with the layout they'd need to know. Then without another word, the two men led the way, slipping purposely out into the storm.
Not waiting on the Asgards, Teal'c and O'Neill struck out, moving swiftly yet with the stealth that was second nature to both. Jack had grown accustomed to the storm that had been waging for days, but a glance over his shoulder made him realize that the small Asgards were in trouble, the wind was buffeting them around and several times they lost their footing and were swept back. Motioning to Teal'c they dropped back and gave their support when it was needed until finally the tunnel entrance was reached.
Then, once again, Jack and Teal'c led the way leaving the non-athletic Asgards falling behind in their wake but struggling valiantly to catch up. Arriving at the house, O'Neill took stock as he and Teal'c knelt together in the deep shadows. The gloom of the storm made it seem like nighttime had already arrived, and the house that should have been lit up and welcoming, was not. Instead it was encased in darkness and in the storm induced gloom, it looked deserted.
Like ghosts, they entered the dim lit dwelling, 'Where the hell were they?' His thoughts, while bordering on frantic, contradicted his slow, deliberate movements as he began his search, sighting his P90 in every direction with Teal'c synchronized perfectly behind him. The Asgards indicated that they would search in the opposite direction and then had disappeared into the darkness, their stealth remarkable in its total silence.
His thoughts jittered from one thing to another, 'Jon was never this quiet unless asleep.' Did Sam fall asleep lying with him? Did she take Jon away in their other ship?' 'Did the radio break here as well? Will I find her upstairs bathing Jon? Will she laugh herself silly when she hears how I'd blown everything out of proportion?' On and on his thoughts rolled and tumbled, his internal voice still trying to protect his soul – even as he knew Sam, and knew that nothing made sense other than that she was in trouble and his heart grew heavier.
Jack battled his demons. Everything that mattered to him was in this house and the assault was on as he fought his haunted memories. Tentacles of past grief encircled his gut sending acid rising up his throat, hot and bubbling, triggering the almost irresistible urge to yell out Sam's name - Jon's name. His emotions warred, goading him to ignore all training, all logic, just cut to the chase and rush in -- get to his family. Irrationally he felt that time was against him. That he had only seconds left to see them, to get to them, or they would be lost forever. His darkest nightmare had always been the unending, futile run to Charlie. The stairs were never-ending; a frantic, pounding upward journey that in his dreamscape just went on and on with his desperate need always unfulfilled – the need to reach his dying son in time.
He then knew that he was losing it, that his mind was tearing itself apart in its fear. And he also knew that if he did lose it, then all would truly be lost. And so, the battle was on to keep the insidious terror at bay – to focus – to retain his sanity long enough to save his world. He fell back on his training – on what he did best. His face, hardened to blanched white granite, making his dark eyes glitter strangely as they roved, taking in everything and all the while trying to feel nothing.
Jack had reached the hallway and had to decide which way, to the kitchen or the opposite way that led to the main living area where he had last seen Sam a scant hour past. His gut led him back to the den.
First, he smelled it and was almost prepared for seeing it. Blood. It seemed to be everywhere, wet trails, puddles, dark red, still warm and fluid. Even as he felt his own head go light from shock, he remained on track. The attack had taken place here … but how? Who? Moving stealthily, each foot placed deliberately – avoiding the red pools, he took it all in, girding himself as he looked for bodies, for signs of battle, bullet holes, laser blasts – finding nothing.
Raising a shaking fist to indicate halt, Jack stood stilly with Teal'c solidly close behind him. Their keen eyes swept the room in its entirety. Jack felt as if he was wrapped in cotton, nothing was reaching him; his thoughts had shut down, numbing his psyche trying to save his sanity. He couldn't lose it – not now. Sheer desperation, sheer will, sent his thoughts out to Jon as he shut his eyes and forcibly strained for any connection and this time he had success; finding a flicker of him, a tiny barely noticeable wisp of his son's usually very powerful essence.
Jack's own considerable mental power gathered strength and drew Jon in, refusing to lose him. It was then that he felt Jon's fear -- his sadness. The flood of emotion made Jack stumble backwards and he would have fallen if Teal'c hadn't grabbed and supported his weight.
Steadying himself off Teal'c, he shuddered as his son's emotions filled his mind. Visibly shaken he whispered hoarsely, "I know where Jon is. We set up a hiding place borrowing on the Ancient's personal shield technology. It has its own power source but can't be sustained for long. It's where Sam would have sent him as a last resort."
Swiftly Jack made his way through the den, back to the kitchen, then the utility room to a storage area. He paused at the entrance, taking a moment to control his heaving breathing and then entered the large room. Moving to the far wall, he knelt and touched the wall, in a certain area, in a certain pattern. The wall shimmered and a door appeared to slide open revealing a tiny room closer to the dimensions of a small closet. The interior walls were padded with a strange material that emitted a soft glow of light and seemed designed to dampen sound.
At first it appeared empty – until one noticed the shadow under the small cot positioned against the back wall - a small shadow that moved constantly as if shivering. Muffled too were the small snuffling sounds. Jack moved swiftly to the bed with Teal'c at his side. Gently each took hold of the cot and lifted it up and placed it behind them.
The 'shadow' was Jon, a sight that shattered Jack's heart into a million shards of sorrow. His sunny child who loved to laugh and play was gone. Horror and shock looked out of his dull, dark eyes. He looked like he'd been dropped into a bucket of blood – as every inch of his skin was covered with the sticky substance. His small filthy body shivered in shock as he stared forward – unseeing of the physical – seeing the unthinkable-- in his mind.
Jack's mind took in the sight, processing it in a second. His consciousness was working multiple levels in that he immediately knew that Jon wasn't physically hurt, even though he was blood-soaked, but mentally -- it was a different story. Jon was still trying to block his father, keeping him shut off from whatever was so terrifying to him. Jack understood what his son was doing. His tiny child was trying to protect him from whatever he was experiencing.
In a blur of movement, Jack knelt down, his long arms reaching and finding the small body and pulling him up, enveloping him protectively and holding him to his chest tightly. His grey tousled head bent over his son's as he murmured incomprehensibly the soothing, shushing sounds all parents use to console, to comfort.
Stunned, Teal'c more slowly knelt beside Jack. His large hand reached out to stroke Jon's small back. He needed to be reassured that he was alive and with immense relief, felt his warmth and the movement of breathing. Jon's appearance affected Teal'c deeply as huskily he murmured,
"O'Neill… DanielJackson saw Jon like this—alone and bloodied-- in a vision. He described this scene perfectly…it is why we came. We were hoping to prevent it."
He waited for Jack's response and when there was none, he spoke again, much louder, trying to break through to Jack, "O'NEILL, is Jonathan hurt?"
He watched as O'Neill gently cradled his son, and then felt something in the air, warm and thick and it was then that the hair on his arms raised, charged with electricity. When O'Neill's unruly hair raised full of static, he recalled another time when he had experienced this – when Bray-tac had been fatally stabbed and O'Neill had healed him. He understood that something 'Ancient' was happening. He had to restrain his urge to question him again and so, he waited and watched. Keeping one eye on them, while being alert for signs of whoever caused this to happen.
In a matter of seconds only, Teal'c felt the atmosphere change and reached for O'Neill again, to shake him gently as he once again asked, "O'Neill, is Jonathan hurt?"
Jack came slowly back to himself, and heard Teal'c's voice as if from a distance .He understood why Teal'c was asking, as he felt the blood that now coated his own clothes as well and pulled back slightly to allow Teal'c a closer look at Jon.
His mind was being bombarded with images leaking from his small son's mind. His whole being rejected the pictures that kept appearing, images of his beloved -- his Sam, bleeding out while trying to protect their son. He was seeing it all through his son's eyes and felt the sickness of despair that his child had to witness the whole horrible event.
He felt the lingering effect of going 'ancient' and had no memory of it. He studied his son's face, eyes were now closed, tear trails and blood stained his freckled cheeks, and his small brow was furrowed as if he was locked in a dark dream.
Jack finally found his voice to reply – his voice hoarse with emotion, "He's not injured…the blood is Sam's."
Teal'c stood immediately, "We must find her. She must be severely wounded."
Jack stood as well, still holding Jon, he keyed his radio clipped to his vest, saying, "Freyr, report."
Immediately, Freyr's monotone voice came back. "I am reporting. O'Neill."
Jack waited for more and when nothing was forthcoming, quickly keyed his radio, "Uhh. Freyr what's your status?"
Immediately Freyr answered -- only not over the radio. The monotonic voice was immediately behind them,
"I thought I would wait to give you the information O'Neill as I was almost to your location." Freyr stood at the door with his crew behind him. Jack didn't quite jump but only due to years of training was he able to control it. "Crap. okay… what did you find?"
Freyr's large eyes slowly blinked as he answered, "The compound is clear. We were unable to locate anyone."
Teal'c spoke up unexpectedly, "What of Samantha Carter?"
Freyr took his time answering, "She is not in the compound as well."
Jack instinctively flinched from this statement before ducking his rumpled gray head over his son's as he tried to recoup his emotions. Jon lay quietly in his father's long arms, his eyes closed in his bloody, pale face and to the Asgards coming in, he looked dead.
Freyr hesitantly questioned, "O'Neill was your son kill…"
Abruptly Teal'c interrupted him, comprehending how things appeared to the newly arrived group. "Jonathan has not been wounded. It appears he hid here. The blood is evidently Colonel Carter's."
It was then that Jack slowly raised his head, his expression fierce in his lean haggard face. His gaze encompassed them all before his low, intense voice spoke out, "Freyr can you get things situated…see about getting that shield back up? Give me a few minutes to take care of my son…" Pausing, he found Teal'c's eyes and finding strength, he continued calmly, "Uhh… Teal'c you're with me. Okay, half-hour and then we'll discuss our situation."
Jack with Teal'c following close, made their way upstairs by way of the back staircase – avoiding the bloodbath in the living area -- to Jonathan's small bedroom. It was only when Jon was deposited on the bed and a blanket covered him that Jack, alone with Teal'c allowed himself to show his emotions. 'I'm tired. 'T',"
Teal'c understood. "That is why we came."
"I only wanted a safe place to live… I only wanted a way for Sam and I to raise our child… I only wanted Jon to have a chance at a good life. I was hoping to keep the ugliness away from him – at least as long as I could. I only wanted peace."
Teal'c mere listened.
O'Neill scrubbed a hand through his hair, his eyes never leaving his son's face as he went on. "Instead, they hunt us down like animals. They intend to slaughter the three of us; they may have already killed Sam. Daniel and Thor could be dead as well. Now I'm in a corner …" Jack turned his gaze to his warrior brother, a gaze that burned with hellish determination as he continued, his simple words, stated as a fact that nothing could stop or change, "and now I'm going to kill them all."
End of Part 9.