A Will to Survive
Chapter 3
Night had come to the SGC and its personnel had not lightened up in their work, most notably SG-1 after finding a way to get their friend back. They were now in Hammond's office discussing their plight as Hammond wrestled on the phone with Major Davis. Actually the major had agreed with them, finding no pitfall in searching the galaxy for Daniel Jackson. He was just one of the many who had come to respect the archeologist having worked with him during the dreadful dealings with the Replicators. He had said over the phone to Hammond that he was in the process of convincing the president to allow SG-1 to commence the mission but to contact close allies to begin the search.
Those allies were the Tok'ra, which Sam had contacted immediately once given the clearance. She was pleased to get in contact with her father, Jacob wasting no time in taking off on his own mission to the coordinates given by his daughter. He had promised George and Sam a check-in once the planet had been located, and would personally come through that Gate himself to deliver the news. As for their other allies Jack was trying to get in contact with Thor somehow, already knowing it may be a lost cause but it was worth a try anyway.
Allies aside Hammond knew they had to take it from there until the president gave the okay. Once he did Hammond would waste no time in ordering the mission, giving the go ahead to the three remaining members of SG-1. Major Davis had fulfilled them with the information that a journey to that one planet closest to Earth as Sam had suggested but nowhere else. A briefing was already planned after SG-1 got some needed shut-eye and food, in five hours they would depart during the wee hours of the morning. It was a small hope but it was something and until Hammond got the go ahead to explore further planets it was all they had to go by.
"So Major Davis said yes," Jack put in.
"Yes, Colonel he did. You will depart in five hours," Hammond returned.
"But sir," Sam began to protest until Hammond's hand shot up.
"No buts, you will get food and sleep before I send you to M7R-079," Hammond countered.
"Yes sir," Sam said quickly.
"When will the briefing take place General Hammond?" Teal'c asked.
"Right before the mission, it will be brief and to the point. Also Colonel O'Neill I have spoken to Major Ferretti and he has stated that he and SG-2 will offer their assistance. It will be a joint effort," Hammond added.
"Lou's coming, good. We could use all the help we can get," Jack admitted pleased that Ferretti, an original member of his first team, would accompany them in their search.
"Now that that's settled I am ordering you to rest before this mission so go," Hammond dismissed them.
As Hammond leaned back in his chair Sam, Jack, and Teal'c departed his office. Stepping into the hall they had a renewed hope with the prospect of searching the galaxy until they hopefully found Daniel. Both Sam and Jack had to wonder if this is what Teal'c and Daniel had gone through when they were stuck on Antarctica, the situation so familiar to that one. But they couldn't dwell on the past as Hammond's orders rang true in their mind. When he meant for them to get rest he really meant it. So that's what they did to pass the time even when they all knew sleep would elude them.
"Do you think we'll find him sir?" Sam asked.
"I have no doubt that Daniel Jackson is still alive," Teal'c answered.
"We'll find him Carter, we'll find him," Jack added, a new tone of determination in his voice.
Daniel knew the instant dawn had arrived as the temperature rose to unbearable levels. Had the sun come up already? But Daniel knew a perfectly good explanation being that the cycle of day and night was different on the moon, nights being far shorter than he was used to. Actually in Earth terms the time would closely resemble midnight rather than early morning but the moon of whatever planet he was on was a far cry from Earth.
Cracking open tired eyes Daniel winced at the sun. While still bone-deep tired he was at least a little more awake from the previous day even with his four-hour drug induced sleep. But the sweet relief he had felt the previous night had fast disappeared, the persistent ache in his body had returned bringing with it new friends as new injuries made themselves known. Like the stiffness in his neck that followed the headache of epic proportions, definitely concussed. His headache didn't stand a chance against the agony in his knee. His ribs didn't feel so hot either but at least it was a far cry from yesterday.
Sitting up gingerly from his position on the DHD he hissed as pain shot through his side and back. Daniel wouldn't be surprised if he was one big bruise, at least he felt like one. Reaching over for first aide kit he needed to take something before beginning the arduous task of attempting to fix the DHD. Popping two ibuprofen tablets in his mouth he swallowed them with a minute sip of water from the canteen, the last supply of water he had left. He chased the tablets with a chocolate energy bar from his vest to coat his stomach and quell the nausea that came from a hunger-cramped stomach. The nausea could've been also in part of the concussion but he willed the energy bar to stay put for the little amount of energy it provided to do its job.
That last stick of morphine was to be reserved for later when he would be in desperate need. As for the pain that remained under the influence of ibuprofen it would serve as a reminder of his need to get home. He also kept the bottle of Tylenol in his vest pocket for that reason remembering back to when Janet had stated the two medications could be taken together for enhanced effect. He would wait until he knew the first two tablets were staying in place. As for now he had to get to work or at least attempt to figure out how to fix it. He told himself over and over like the night before that he had no idea; he was an archeologist not an astrophysicist.
Shifting painfully on the ground Daniel allowed himself for better access as he took off the cover. Before he got started Daniel thought he needed a little inventory to see what he had on hand that could even be used to fix a DHD. Pulling his vest, belt, and pack over he opened various zippers and pockets to gain access to equipment. He pulled out all the tools he had on his person for the mission, every little item he figured could be directed towards fixing a Stargate. A mini archeology tool kit complete with one pair of flimsy pliers and a pick was his best tool. A combat knife, some cord (why he had it he had no clue), and a broken GDO he figured he could take apart if needed. Okay, so he really had nothing of use but he would have to MacGyver something, as Sam would say.
Putting tools in front of him he turned back to the DHD, where to begin was running through his mind. All he could really make out was a jumble of crystal and coils, coils that looked very unlike anything he had seen before. So the DHD was rigged so nobody could escape, it actually made sense and in Daniel's rational mind actually was a brilliant idea on the Goa'uld's part. Daniel figured the best way to start would be cutting the various misplaced cords so he grabbed the combat knife. Carefully he sliced the cord, some wires harder than others before leaning back to look at his handy work. The only thing bad about this plan was the lack of anything to hold the crystals in place after finding a combination. He would have to think about it later because Daniel noticed at least an hour had passed since waking up.
Wiping sweat from his brow he gazed up at the sun. He could feel his skin burning but only had a little sunscreen left in the little bottle he had brought. While muggy P5C-118 didn't exactly have a beaming sun. So what he had on him from the mission was what he was left with now. Thinking back Daniel remembered he had his boonie stashed in his pant pocket, it was something to keep the sun from his face. Grabbing it he stuck it on his head, tightening the string so it would stay on against the occasional gust of wind. At least he didn't feel like his head was boiling anymore in the oppressive heat, the hat keeping off just enough of the elements to make it somewhat comfortable. He had also put on his jacket earlier after waking, finding it was the only way to protect himself from the elements. A bad sunburn and prolonged exposure would only increase his risk for dehydration.
"Okay so what next?" he asked himself as he stared at the DHD.
Five hours had passed and the three remaining remembers of SG-1 could truly say they were ready to embark. While sleep didn't come easy they got at least four hours between them and the food had actually helped. Not exactly well rested but with a renewed energy Sam, Jack, and Teal'c were ready to go through the Gate. Maybe Hammond was right before with his orders but they still couldn't see it as all their focus was on finding Daniel.
All three got geared up in record time, weapons checked out of the armory and officially ready to go. Walking swiftly to the Gate room a very different atmosphere from before could be felt down the halls. It was one of hope replacing the one of grief from before. Maybe this was the planet, the place they would find Daniel in all his glory probably waiting patiently on the other side. Entering the Gate room Jack was pleased to see Ferretti and his team already ready to depart. Giving him a nod the major felt the same as Jack knowing just like the rest of SG-1 Daniel's knack for survival.
"Okay people, this is the debrief. We go in and we find Daniel Jackson. If for some reason we don't succeed we have orders to immediately return to the SGC no questions, you hear," Jack debriefed.
"Yes sir!" Ferretti and SG-2 responded.
"Carter, Teal'c," Jack addressed his team.
"We know sir," Sam cut him off before he could repeat the orders.
"Then lets hit it," Jack said putting on his cap in preparation to depart.
Giving the nod up to the control room Hammond reciprocated with that famous look. Jack had his orders even if Hammond hadn't said a thing they were to find "their boy". Turning back to the Stargate he watched the ring spin, automatically stepping back in response as the pooled kawooshed open. With one last look up to Hammond followed by one to his team he lead the charge. Stepping up the ramp Jack made to be the first one through as he stepped through the wormhole.
Sam and Teal'c followed right after before SG-2 had a chance to walk up the ramp. The team was to stick together until their fourth was found. Breathing out in reflex Sam stepped through letting the Event Horizon suck her up. Teal'c was next stepping through with Ferretti on his heels. Ferretti and his team followed close behind, Ferretti leading his team through the wormhole.
From above Hammond watched as the two teams stepped through the wormhole to that unknown planet. He had no idea what they were going to get once they returned, of whether Daniel would be dragged back to them but Hammond held onto hope. He waited a few more minutes before passing that silent order Walter. With one dance of the hand the sergeant shut down the Gate, Hammond watching the wormhole blink out.
"Bring him home Jack," Hammond whispered to himself.
At least he was getting somewhere in his unusual method of fixing things. Daniel could say he was a lot more accomplished than he gave himself credit for as he surveyed his handiwork. All of the crystals that were previously in a disordered array were now lying in front of him in a line. Now all he had to do was find the perfect combination to make the Stargate open. That in itself was going to be the hard part since crystals weren't exactly something he could translate on the fly. This wasn't going to be cut and dry but something made of trial and error.
The cord that had held them in the wrong position was severed recoiling in itself in the DHD in a ball that Daniel hoped didn't hinder his return. Stopping for a moment he surveyed his hands that were dotted with new wounds that bled. Cuts and scrapes in both palms were a show of how much work he had done as pieces of stone and cord had cut into his tender flesh. Actually looking down at his forearms Daniel could see other wounds that had opened up in his recent labor, all from yesterdays tumble from the Gate. Speaking of tumble he was actually feeling better than he had in hours but it wasn't from the pain medication he had taken so long ago but more from the adrenaline that ran through his veins at the sentiment of returning home.
It wasn't like the pain wasn't there; oh it was there all right right down to the agony that still bit at his knee with the slightest movement. Daniel swore the minute he returned to the SGC he wouldn't even complain when Janet ordered a heaping dose of morphine, actually he was considering getting down on metaphorical knees to demand it. But he couldn't let the pain win him over if he were to get this done.
Sighing he took a quick break from his work relaxing for only a minute as he looked up at the sun. It was the hottest time of the day and he regretted not being able to drink a pint or two of water. His mouth dry and stomach rumbling maybe a longer break was in need. Reaching over Daniel pulled out yet another energy bar from one of the pockets in his vest. Unwrapping it he bit into the small bar savoring every bit of its chocolaty goodness. While not the most delectable item in the world and certainly no 5th Avenue Bar Daniel thought it was the best tasting piece of chocolate he ever had. It hit the spot, giving him just the amount of energy needed to continue his repairs with its high protein content. He chased it with just a small sip from his canteen, just enough to wet his mouth and quench that insatiable thirst. That was another thing he couldn't wait to do once arriving home, ordering up the biggest gallon jug of ice cold water to devour in one sitting.
Break completed he continued on with his work but not before wiping his face with his final spare bandana. Hot couldn't even describe this place, oven was a more fitting word. But there was a light at the end of the tunnel; the faster he worked the quicker he would get home. Pushing the bandana back into his pocket Daniel delved back into his work.
"Okay, what would Sam do? She would rearrange the crystals in an organized manner. No, she would find a logical scientific solution but that's right Daniel you're not a physicist, you're an archeologist who can speak 23 languages not exactly useful here," Daniel began cajoling himself.
So he hoped it was the heat that was causing his sudden lapse in sanity because the other option was somewhere Daniel didn't really want to go to. He was trying to keep himself company while coming up with a logical solution for it all. It wasn't like the combination for the right order was just going to pop up out of nowhere. He was beginning to realize that this DHD was unlike anything he had seen in the past and not just because of the wild crystals, or was it because of the wild crystals. Most DHD's just had that signature main crystal in the center but not this one, well it had that red crystal too but the innards were an adventure all in itself.
"Sam would stop talking to herself and get to work," Daniel set his mind straight.
No Sam wouldn't be talking to herself so Daniel needed to get to work. He wanted to get home now! Turning back to the DHD he set about to rearrange the inner crystals in a more organized manner starting with that one little one he had pried off last. He had to be careful though as the inside of the stone dialing device had sharp edges and dangling sharp wire. So the System Lords were more resourceful than he could ever imagine by not only messing up the DHD but booby-trapping it as well. He would just have to be extra careful as he set the crystals back in their places.
"There, one down nine more to go," Daniel joked a little.
He breathed in his first reflexive breath as usual and instantly regretted it as the hot and humid air made him cough. Coming out on the other side Jack was surprised at the wetness in the air. Moans and groans could be heard from the other team as they joined him, Sam's breathing feeling much too warm on his neck as she stood behind. While it had been muggy on P5C-118 this planet felt worse, more like a typical summer day in Houston, Texas. Even complete with that dense humidity in the air that made one instantly wet.
"Okay spread out, Ferretti take your team to the left we'll take the right," Jack ordered.
"Yes sir," Ferretti responded before leaving with his team.
"God its hot sir," Sam thought aloud.
"Yeah it is…..Where's that yellow brick road when you need it," Jack mused aloud as he sighted the absence of any path from the Stargate.
So not exactly a planet that any culture had been utilizing. Or maybe they were too primitive to even know what the Stargate was; surely they had seen that in the past. Well whatever it was it wasn't what they came for. With one sole purpose on his mind Jack straightened his cap and put on his shades before walking down the steps by the Stargate. It was time to bring Daniel home wherever the archeologist had run to. He was either right near the Gate or had gotten farther probably in search of refuge and shelter. So they would fan out in a few mile radius and if they didn't succeed a new planet would be explored come approval or not.
"Okay fan out, Teal'c take point," Jack ordered his team.
He took to the right, into the overhang of trees. There wasn't much place for anybody to go considering it was just an overhang of jungle with the accompanying heat. Stepping into the trees Jack's hands batted out to move the offending branches. How long could Daniel last here with this heat? Coming out into a relative clearing he grabbed his binoculars from his vest and brought them up to his eyes. Nothing for the eye to see except trees, trees, and more trees. No villages could be seen not even a shack making this planet uninhabited in Jack's mind.
"Sir, we can try hailing him on the radio," Sam's voice came through his radio.
"Try it Carter, Teal'c," Jack returned bringing the radio on his vest up to his lips.
"Daniel its Sam come in. Daniel come in if you here us and relay last position," Jack heard Sam broadcast.
"Daniel Jackson if you can hear us give away your position," Teal'c added.
Sighing Jack tapped the transmitter button the radio and brought it up to his mouth, "Daniel we're if you can hear us, tell us where you are and we'll find you. Daniel come in, Daniel!".
His voice had reached a desperate edge that right now he didn't care broadcasted throughout both teams. Maybe they could use it to give them some push to work harder in finding Daniel. Jack had to take a step back and breathe, they weren't getting anywhere. So far no traces were found that Daniel was even here even if he had decided to dial out to another world. They were fast approaching failure and Jack knew this was it once returning to the SGC; Hammond had made that clear with his orders from the White House.
"Colonel come in," Ferretti checked-in.
"Go ahead Major," Jack responded.
"Colonel we searched the perimeter and there's no sign of Jackson, It doesn't even look like he was even here, at least not over this way," Ferretti relayed.
"Affirmative recall back to the Gate, search is over," Jack ordered.
"Yes sir," Ferretti complied and Jack could almost hear that same defeat in his voice as the rest of his team.
"Daniel where are you?" Jack asked the air as he did one final search of his own. He went just a little deeper when a sound alerted him to something lurking in the trees. Turning sharply his P90 was already up in the defensive position as his eyes scanned the immediate area. It was the feral growl from behind him that had his hair standing on end. Slowly he began to turn before snapping all the way around. What he found behind him didn't even give him a chance to trigger his weapon as it leaped out of the trees.
Before Jack could even react the animal, a cross between a mountain lion and a cheetah, latched onto his arm. Sending him to the ground he was powerless to do anything as the animal had him in its grasp. On the way down one shot was fired as his finger was compressed on the trigger. Clamping down on his right forearm as he brought it up to protect his face Jack could feel its teeth sinking in deep. With a howl of pain he tried to jerk away only making situation worse as the cat bit down harder. In defiance to his fighting the animal lashed out again, one heavily clawed paw swiping across his neck. If he didn't do something fast he was going to be mauled.
Jack continued to fight mindless of the agony in his arm and the burning sting that now bit at his neck. He was able to shake the cat off his forearm for more than a second before the animal decided on a new tactic. Trying to roll over for his P90 Jack didn't get very far when the cat once again attacked, this time clamping those vicious teeth on his bicep. At least it was his right arm every time because Jack didn't really want to think about having two arms out of commission. He screamed again for good measure, calling out for anybody to help as the animal was succeeding in its fight.
"Colonel!" Carter yelled as she neared in a dead run.
"O'Neill!" Teal'c added bringing up her rear.
"Carter shoot it! Carter!" Jack screamed.
Sam didn't hesitate as she brought up her P90, praying at the last moment that her aim was good. Hammering down on the trigger she unleashed a hail of machine gun fire into the animal that was almost succeeding in mauling her commanding officer. Stepping out of the way and up to the ensuing struggle it gave Teal'c room to join in the fight. The atmosphere burned around Sam as Teal'c released his own defense. One clip and three staff blasts later and the animal was officially dead.
"Took you long enough!" Jack quipped painfully.
"Sorry sir, what the hell is that thing," Sam asked.
"It appears to be a cat-like creature," Teal'c inquired.
"Ya think? A big cat thing, with big teeth," Jack shot back.
"Sir are you okay?" Carter asked.
"Yeahsureyabetcha….Ouch!" Jack groaned.
Slowly and painfully he pushed the animal off him, its blood soaking his uniform. Jack could do nothing but lay there for a moment trying to catch his breath and ease the pain. If the pain in his recent injuries weren't enough the not so soft landing had awakened new agony in his stiff and old joints. His knee was killing him from the fall, a wrong twist occurring as the animal launched. Taking a deep breath he rolled over and groaned, trying to lever himself off the ground.
"Sir do you need help?" Carter asked as she inched forward.
"I'm fine," how many times had Daniel said that and not meant it, maybe his archeologist was rubbing off on him.
"Take my hand O'Neill," Teal'c said a big dark hand held out to him.
Jack didn't question as he took the Jaffa's hand but regretted it immediately as Teal'c pulled him from the ground awakening new pains. He winced and groaned as pain lanced through his knee and back. God he was getting too old for this and adding an attack from a demented mountain lion never helped. Bending over with yet another groan he retrieved his forgotten P90 before turning to look down at the creature. That was too close for comfort. Brushing dirt off his uniform he was ready to leave this hellhole of a planet.
Something caught Carter's attention though as she was prepared to leave, he could see it in her eye as her gun rose. Teal'c was on guard too, more so than usual as his staff weapon was held at the ready. They were not alone. A growl caught Jack's attention, one too familiar to him. Turning slowly the rustle of trees alerted him to instant danger. There in the trees surrounding them was the family of the cat that lay dead at their feet. One very angry family ready for dinner, the main course on the menu: SG-1.
"Run! Get back to the Gate!" Jack ordered.
Neither Sam nor Teal'c had to be ordered twice before taking off in a dead run. Jack was right behind them a pack of those cats dead on his heels. No way was he going to be eaten before finding Daniel. He had sworn to find his friend not get trapped off-world himself. Running like there was no tomorrow Jack had only one thing on his mind, the Stargate. He was pleased his other two teammates had his same sense of mind being feet in front of him. He just had one thing left to do as he fingered his radio.
"Ferretti get back to the Gate now!" the tone of his voice left no room for argument.
Nearing the Gate Jack spared only a glance behind him. He regretted it the instant he had to duck as one cat came a little too close for comfort. Swinging his arm back he fired his P90 one-handed as Carter did the same. On any other given day he would be scolding the major for the lack of aim when firing at this close of range but right now he would settle for more of these cats dead. So when Teal'c swung around to run backward for a moment as he fired his staff at the cat closing in on him Jack was pleased.
"Carter dial the Gate! Get us outta here!" Jack ordered his 2IC.
Sam didn't have to be asked twice as she slid up to the DHD. A quick glance to her right saw that SG-2 had joined them, Ferretti breathless with mouth agape as he saw the creatures for the first time. What the hell are those things? she heard him say and was actually thinking the same thing if she were to say it aloud. As quick as possible her hands danced over the glyphs pushing down each symbol in record time. Before she knew it all were lit up as her hand came down on the center crystal.
Jack turned abruptly with Teal'c as their weapons raised to cover Carter. Ferretti and his team had joined them adding to the machine gun fire that felled cat after cat. They were still coming, as if one died another was resurrected instantaneously. He heard the Gate whoosh open behind him turning only for a fraction of a second to see the blue pool sustained in the ring. Releasing more torrents of gunfire they still kept coming, come on Carter get us out of here.
Sam ran from the DHD quickly bringing her wrist up and pushing back her sleeve. Punching in the code on her GDO she waited a second before stepping back. One cat had broken the lines defenses heading straight for her. As it leaped in the air she brought her P90 up halting it in its tracks. A satisfied grin crossed her lips as the animal fell to its death, blood soaking the grass. Okay it was time to go before more of those things came to finish the job. But then again they were trying to finish the job they started on her CO as one after another closed in for the attack.
"It's open come on!" she yelled.
"Go!" Jack returned.
Sam turned and ran towards the Gate jumping into the open wormhole before disappearing. Ferretti was next followed by his team making Jack and Teal'c last as always. They waited just for a moment, the last moment so they weren't chased down and followed. These things were both fast and smart enough to break their defenses. A mental count of three was apparently crossed between both Jaffa and colonel before they made a break for it. It wasn't surprising when three of the cats followed sprinting directly behind.
Sprinting up the small ramp that led to the wormhole Jack ignored the pain as he jumped through. Together as one Teal'c and Jack disappeared in the waiting wormhole, letting the Event Horizon swallow them in its embrace. While two of the creatures never made it to the Gate the third one did, entering only a few seconds behind both soldiers. They were angry as their meal got away, circling the now empty space waiting for more prey to come.
For the second time in a day the unscheduled activation had gone off and Hammond felt no better than before. Standing in the same place he welcomed the team back the last time, the same place he had to notice the missing member, Hammond was expectant. So far nothing came through the Gate since Major Carter, Major Ferretti, and SG-2 came barreling through. Now all they had to wait on was Teal'c and Jack, of whom Hammond prayed carried Daniel between them. Maybe that was the reason for the sudden rush and apprehensive look on Sam's face.
What felt like minutes were really just seconds as they ticked by. Those seconds being the short amount of time before the next to passengers came flying in. A look of fear danced across the General's face as Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c were spat out of the open wormhole, running as if their life depended on it down the ramp. Even from this distance George could clearly see the blood soaking Jack's uniform accompanied by the telltale limp of an injured limb or back. He could give orders from the Gate room Hammond decided as he took off out of the control room.
Entering the Gate room only a minute later he ran up to stand next to Sam, Jack, and Teal'c as Ferretti and his team remained on guard beside them. For that split second he could take in the team before another crisis presented itself Hammond noticed all three members of SG-1 breathless and flushed from exertion. Something really terrible happened on M7R-079 that in the back of his mind Hammond didn't want to know. Just the blood that covered the colonel answered some of the questions he conjured in his mind.
"Close the iris!" Jack screamed.
Walter must have heard the order or took in Jack's frantic expression because suddenly reinforced alloy was closing over the glimmering wormhole. The moment it closed Hammond heard something hitting on the other side. So similar to another time in the conflict with the breeders of Euronda that caused him to unconsciously wince at the sound. It only took another moment for the light that reflected from the wormhole to dissipate as the sound of a collapsing wormhole came to George's ears.
"What the devil was that?" Hammond asked a look of complete surprise on his face.
"They were waiting for us on the other side sir," Sam stated.
"Who was waiting?" Hammond hadn't gathered any villagers on the MALP.
"Not who but what. Big cats sir," Sam clarified.
"I believe they were the feline-like creatures indigenous to M7R-079. They were quite ferocious and attacked without provocation," Teal'c specified.
"That was a big black cat sir, with big teeth! Sharp teeth!" Jack quipped as he pointed to the Gate with his injured arm.
"Colonel you're bleeding," Sam noticed.
"I'm fine," Jack repeated the same expression he had used on that planet.
"Yeah right," Ferretti said under his breath.
"What was that major?" Jack gave a sharp look to Ferretti.
"Nothing sir," Ferretti answered quickly.
"Colonel you're injured," Hammond pointed out.
"I said I was fine," Jack protested.
"Sir you were nearly mauled to death," Sam countered earning a wide-eyed look from Hammond.
"He was attacked by the creature General Hammond," Teal'c informed the general now earning a look from Jack that the Jaffa conveniently ignored.
"Colonel O'Neill report to the infirmary," Hammond ordered.
"Yes sir," an order was an order even if Jack wanted nothing more than to disobey.
All that bottled up emotion was slowly leaking out and counting down like a bomb. Jack wanted to find Daniel yesterday even if the Powers That Be had other plans. What he thought would be the jackpot planet to find their friend nearly ended in death. Hammond could see that, could also see the dwindling patience Jack held right now and for that Jack was grateful. Hammond had every intention of finding Daniel as he had, as the rest of his team had. For Carter and Teal'c he knew they felt the same as the defeat was clearly written on their features. But it would have to wait because Jack had an appointment with his favorite Napoleonic Power Monger.