Interruptions
Chapter Fourteen
Jack arrived at the SGC and made his way to Landry's office.
"Hank." He said as he entered.
"Jack." Hank replied.
"So… I was wondering why Carter hasn't left yet. We're going on vacation you know."
Hank grimaced. "A situation has came up."
"Situation?" Jack asked.
"On SG1's latest mission. It seems that women are not viewed in the best light, and therefore Colonel Carter and Vala have both been thrown in jail." Hank replied.
Jack rolled his eyes.
"Dr Jackson, Colonel Mitchell, and Teal'c are doing their best to have them released."
Jack sat down opposite Hank. "Did you ever read the mission report about the mission we went on, very early on in SG1 history, about the Shavadai?"
"Yes I have." Hank replied.
"Carter could have died. I was close."
"I know Jack." Hank eyed Jack wearily. "We can't just stop our military women from stepping through the gate."
"That's not what I'm suggesting." Jack replied. "I'd like to go and help."
Hank sighed. "Jack, I can't just let you step through the gate whenever you damn well please."
Jack didn't answer.
"Alright, fine." Hank stood. "You gonna gear up or what?"
"I'll be in the gate room in 5." Jack replied.
"I don't know why I let you talk me into these things." Hank sighed.
"It's 'cause I'm just so damn persuasive." Jack replied, grinning.
Jack stepped into the wormhole and found himself on a planet that looked decidedly futuristic. How could such an advanced civilisation treat women so badly? He reached for his radio.
"Daniel, Teal'c, come in please."
"Jack?" Came the confused reply.
"Yo, Danny, where are you?"
"Where are you?"
"At the gate."
"…Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why are you here?"
"I came to help Carter and Vala get out of here."
There was a rush of static as Daniel sighed. "Walk north. You'll get to a building that looks like a hospital, big and white, we're in there."
"A hospital?"
"It looks like a hospital, but is in fact a jail."
"Oh. Okay."
Jack began walking. There were buildings everywhere, all big and impressive. People bustled around, shopping, working, all going about their daily business. And all males, Jack noted. No women anywhere. At all. Jack located the building Daniel had directed him to, and found him, Teal'c and Cam talking with an impressive man.
"Daniel."
Daniel turned. "Jack."
"So, having any luck?" Jack asked.
"No."
"They don't wanna free our… wenches." Cam said, with a disgusted look on his face.
"Wenches?" Jack repeated.
Cam nodded.
"Right. And where are said 'wenches'?"
"This way." Cam said, turning around and leading Jack down a hallway, while Daniel and Teal'c continued talking to the other man.
Cam pointed to a cell on the far side of the hall. "That's theirs."
"Thanks." Jack said, walking over to the cell.
Sam was sitting, leaning against the bars, talking to Vala, who was sitting and leaning against the back of the cell. She looked up in surprise at Jack, which caused Sam to turn and look up. She jump to her feet.
"General O'Neill!"
"Carter." He replied. He narrowed his eyes. "Do tell, how do you get yourselves into these sorts of messes?"
Sam rolled her eyes. "I didn't do anything, sir, except be myself."
"Of that I have no doubt."
"Um, hello, hi. Um, are you going to get us out of here?" Vala asked.
Jack turned to look at Vala. "Yeah, eventually."
"Eventually?" Vala asked. "We don't have much time before they decide to drag us out into a public area, strip us naked and flog us. I'd prefer if that didn't happen."
Jack didn't reply straight away. He stood and thought.
"Jack?" Sam spoke quietly.
"Yeah?" He replied, looking at her. "I'll get you out of here. I promise." Then he left the cell.