CHAPTER 8
After Ford and the other's left, Jack, Teal'c and Daniel waited while reinforcements arrived. Since the other SG teams were busy or off world, Hammond sent ten heavily armed men through. O'Neill explained their situation to them before they headed to the city. Getting a quick re-supply of much needed ammo and other things from the M.A.L.P. that was sent through with the men, Jack order them to move out. As they came out of the forest they closed in on the city as quietly and stealth like as possible. It took them two hours though. The city was burning in several places and a lot of Jaffa warriors were running around. Jack and his company managed to get to the main house where it was being heavily defended. Even death gliders couldn't get through the shield, yet. O'Neill and his company managed to make it around to the back where several different canine's saw them. The field was lowered quickly and brought back up just as fast as they were let in. Draco was waiting for them as he watched the battle going on from his desk. He was looking out a window as they came in.
"I hope that you're here to help us with this problem you started." he said spinning the chair around to face them. He got up slowly and came around the desk. Jack was still surprised with the guy's impressive height.
"Our fault?"
"Yes your fault. Professor Vash told us what had happened in the temple with Mr. Primus. Really it's his fault, but he's not here as far as I can see."
"Well you're right about that, unfortunately. What are you going to do with us now?" Daniel asked. O'Neill gave him a slightly dirty look.
"Nothing. You only speed up a problem we believe has been coming for a long time. If you hadn't shown up and started it, someone else from here would have. I'm just hoping we make it through this. I'm assuming you're here to help from the looks of things?"
"Yeah. That's what were here for. The rest of my team was hurt and had to be sent back. Melissa is with them." O'Neill said.
"Was she hurt bad?" Draco said with concern.
"She wasn't hit at all actually. Her hearing was injured so we sent her back to have our doctor look at her."
"Her hearing?" Draco asked not understanding. His eyebrow raised up easily signaling his confusion.
"Yeah. Mr. Primus as you say, has a very powerful weapon, which unfortunately has a loud bang that accompanies it. She was a little too close when he used it. So was I for that matter." O'Neill said digging at his ear.
"Must be that strange long thing behind his back I saw."
"That's the one." Jack said.
"How bad was she hurt?"
"We don't know exactly. She was able to hear us when we told her to go to our planet and get looked at. She should be back soon with more help." Daniel said.
"What about Mr. Primus?"
"He was hit by a staff weapon and lost consciousness after saving us from being captured. He won't be back for sometime." Teal'c said. "His symbiont will need time to heal him."
"Let's
hope he stays on our side." he said. The house shook suddenly as
several blast rocked the place.
"This building can withstand
quite a bit since we have a small reactor under this place. It also
has an escape tunnel that we're using to get as many as we can to
safety. Several of our people our trapped in this building here and
I haven't got anyone to spare to help them. Can you get there and
save them?"
"Isn't that the bank?" O'Neill asked.
"Bank?" Draco asked.
"Yes Jack. That's it." Daniel said.
"I'll explain later." O'Neill said seeing the still lost look on Draco's face. "Yeah we can get them. It's only two blocks away. Any idea's?"
"You can circle around this building here and possibly catch them by surprise. As for the death gliders in the air, you're on your own. We're trying to shoot them down, but you can see were still having trouble."
"Do you have a way to get on the roof?" Jack asked.
"There's a window that opens to get up there on the next level. Why?"
"We have a surprise for them snakes. Muller and Drake. Go up there and see what you can do." O'Neill said turning to two of the men.
They saluted as they headed out. Jack and the others went back outside a proceeded to head around for a sneak attack. Once on the roof Muller pulled the S.A.M. from his pack as Drake removed the launcher from his. Lining up a incoming glider on his laser scope he fired. They both yelled loud enough for everyone inside to hear them as the S.A.M. hit the glider dead on. The cockpit exploded sending the glider into a empty building. They both erupted into flames as it exploded. Reloading, they lined up another shot as two gliders came from behind and attacked. The shield withheld as energy blast after energy blast hit it. Drake fired again catching the underside of the glider. It exploded and sending the doomed glider crashing into the front of the house. The whole building shook as the shield failed momentarily. The other glider fired sending bolts of energy into the house. Explosions ripped through the house causing the roof to cave in on the left side. The two soldiers fell off the roof as it crumbled. Seconds later the shield came up again as the glider came for another pass. Its wing slammed across the top of the shield causing the pilot to lose control. He crashed into the building just across from the bank raining down debris onto the Jaffa's that were attacking the bank. O'Neill took this time, seeing they were distracted by the damaged building dropping things on them, to have him and several other men throw grenades. As the explosions went off sending Jaffa's flying, O'Neill and the others moved in quickly. The Jaffa were instantly outnumbered and overwhelmed as the Tauri soldiers advanced. Everyone that was holding up inside the bank like building came out firing either zat guns or staff weapons. The Jaffa fired back, but did little as they fell quickly. Within minutes they lay dead. Daniel was bothered by the fact there were more animal bodies than Jaffa warriors. Almost twice as many. They all proceeded into the bank as more Jaffa warriors came around another corner. As Jack entered last he fired off a few rounds taking two of the enemy out. Ducking in quickly as several energy blast hit the building he swore aloud as his leg smacked into a chair.
"What is this doing here?!" he yelled shoving it out of the way.
No one seemed to answer, not that he was looking for one, as more energy blast struck the building. One of the wolfman motioned for them to follow as they headed for the back. It certainly looked like the inside of a bank, from what Jack noticed. There was a long thick counter with bars that kept people from getting to the other side. They all went past the door and got behind the counter. Several blast entered the building and hit the wall near them. It showered them with metal sparks, but did little else. Several canine's got up and fired their staff weapons or zat guns at the Jaffa warriors as they entered the building. They barely screamed as hit after hit took them down.
"Muller! Drake! Come in!" Jack yelled into his CB unit. After hearing nothing back he tried again. Thinking it was hopefully damaged, he had Daniel try his unit. When Daniel didn't get a reply, Jack knew they didn't make it.
"Damn. We could really use that rocket launcher right now." he said firing off rounds out a broken window. He was looking to sight in an enemy when he noticed the wall near the front door looked funny. "Daniel does that wall look wrong or is it just me?"
Daniel looked at where Jack pointed as he fired his pistol a few times. "Jack, they're shooting the wall! It's going to cause the foundation to collapse any minute now!"
The different animals near them stopped shooting when they heard what Daniel said. A lionman, strangely enough in charge, yelled to them all to make a break for the back of the building. Part of the front, left side, collapsed down and landed in the street sending up a massive amount of dust. Jack and the others had a better view of the outside now with the left section of the buildings front missing.
"It's now or never! Fire into the dust!" he yelled letting loose a spray of ammo.
Daniel tried to spot moving targets before firing. Teal'c and the other animals fired blindly into the dust field hoping they'd hit something. The soldiers with Jack advanced out the back, per his orders, to watch their flank and make a move around front. They came around seeing a few dozen Jaffa trying to get out of the dust. The soldiers fired taking several out quickly before they could regroup. The Jaffa fired back taking some soldiers out as the soldiers made a hasty retreat back around the building. They threw a few grenades around the corner and heard the enemy scream as explosions hit them, then turned after several blast hit near them from behind. The soldiers opened fire as they saw several squad's of Jaffa warriors approaching them from behind. They took a few out quickly but it failed to matter as the soldiers were all shot down quickly as several dozen staff blast hit them or around them. The wall exploded as it took the hits. Several animals came out to see what was going on when they too fell as they were shot. Jack was reloading when he heard that there was no incoming fire. Teal'c hid beneath the counter in a trap door per O'Neill's instructions after he had spoken about feeling a Goa'uld coming from behind. The lionman had another canine go out the back and see what was happening. He came back in moments later with a couple dozen Jaffa warriors. More Jaffa poured into the front of the building securing the building further. Seeing they had no choice but to surrender, the animals dropped their weapons. Jack had Daniel drop his with him. Once all the weapons were dropped the Jaffa parted as someone came in through the back.
"Nirriti?! Well this is a surprise! We thought you were in a nice dark cell back on Earth." Jack said with his usual demeanor. Wonder how she got lose? Better yet, how is she alive anyway?
"You won't live long enough to find out. Hmm, the Tauri Jack and Daniel. Interesting catch." Nirriti said. "Take these animals to a place where I will look at them later. Take these...humans to the holding cell on my ship." she said twirling a strand of hair. The Jaffa nodded and followed orders and took them all away.
Inside the ship, Jack and Daniel, either sat or stood as the door closed. One Jaffa stood guard outside.
"This is just great. We got caught. Again I might add." Jack said throwing his hands up in frustration.
"Yes Jack, we've heard this before. As Ford put it, we seem to have the luck of this happening quite a bit, but we always get out." Daniel said from the floor. "Hopefully this time before she tries any experimenting."
"And what would this plan be?" Ford said. He said it with an air of humor. Carter figured that he got the plan after she asked about his needed range.
"Me and the others can make our way that way and you move in to those rocks. From there you can reduce the number of their ranks." Carter said pointing off to the left.
"That's a good idea Carter. Even though I admit part of me wants to say it's suicidal, I'm going to do it anyway. Give me time to get into position and radio me if you see any thing happening. Once I'm there, you can move out. I'll starting shooting when you signal me."
"Glad to see where working on the same wave length. Be careful Ford." she said with concern that everyone noticed. More than usual, but only Jacob knew why.
"I'll be back Carter. Old age, if at all, is what's going to kill me." Ford said with a wink and then walked off.
He proceeded to a fast trot being careful not to be spotted. Carter said something through his unit, but he didn't catch it. He figured it was to get down so he dropped and rolled the rest of the way down. He was really dizzy as he rolled to a stop next to the large boulders but knew they were watching from above so he got up quickly and leaned against the boulder making it look like he was just fine. "I'm here and fine Major. You can move out."
"That's what I said we were doing when you tumbled down the hill. Are you okay?"
"Just fine. Hercules is here so I'm just fine."
Your dizziness is my dizziness. Your very close to losing you lunch as you say.
Shhhh! I don't need Carter knowing that I feel bad.
I was pointing out a observation or feeling actually.
"You still there Ford?" Carter said through his thoughts.
"I'm still here Carter. Just talking inside. You ready?" he said shaking the feeling.
"Almost. Give us a little more time." Carter said.
She and the others had taken off soon after he headed off down the hill. They stayed to the trees as they went along. Teal'c had noticed a small path that looked dangerous but passable to get down. After another minute they made it to the path. Carter signaled Ford to go ahead and start. She could swear he was smiling from the way he said yes ma'am.
Ford had been loading his weapon and putting the sight on as Carter and the others headed off. He was sighting in a Jaffa warrior as Carter signaled him. He signaled back he was ready and have Melissa cover her ears just in case along with the rest of them.
"Melissa cover your ears." Carter said then seeing she had heard him over her unit she reported she was covered.
"Fire in the hole." he said over his unit.
It was stupid sounding, but effective. From where Carter and the others where, it sounded like a cannon went off far away. Ford noticed it more and figured it had to do with the way the mountain side was. Acoustics and all. A Jaffa warrior was standing guard when suddenly his head blew off. Before he hit the ground two more warriors went down. Ford fired until his clip ran out. Shoving another in, he fired again. Half way into his second clip the Jaffa warriors finally noticed where he was and began firing as they advanced. It was futility on their part since he was just over two miles away. Most of their blast passed over his position, hit way out in front, or were so far off he could stand up and not get hit. He dropped the spent clip and placed another in, picking off the closer ones. He was grabbing spent chambers with a glove as he fired and placing them in his pocket with the rest. A glider was coming at him and he noticed it, but for some reason it stopped approaching and turned away. Ford ignored it and kept firing. The Jaffa were now less than a mile away and were hitting the pile of large rocks. He had to duck a few times. As he placed in a fourth clip a Jaffa came around the corner. He fired point blank taking the guys spine out. Pulling his other gun he shot several others as they came around. Once he ran out of ammo, he held his hands up signaling his surrender while yelling up the hill for Carter and the others to run. Several Jaffa proceeded up the hill he just came down thinking that there was others up there. One Jaffa came forward and took his guns, while another took his coat and other supplies. Seeing the bright silver shells on the ground he missed, they picked them up too and placed them in one of the coat pockets seeing others fall out thinking they were important. They then proceeded to take him to the ship.
"Strange behavior for you guys. Usually you beat up your prisoners then take them to you false god." Ford said as they pulled him along roughly. His hands were tied behind his back.
The two Jaffa just ignored him as the others picked up their dead, their stuff, and continue up the hill looking for the rest of the team. The one on his right was holding his arm as the one on his left held his stuff. Two more were behind them just in case he tried something.
"I get it. You're all cowards! Or friends of Teal'cs." he said.
This made them stop and let go of him. The guy on his right pulled his zat gun and was instantly delivered a round house kick to the face. Ford felt something break in the guys face as his steel toed boot smashed into him. Coming down he ducked the staff weapon being swung at him and kicked up high catching the one behind him in the side of the face. As he landed he felt a massive jolt hit him from behind bringing him to his knees. Ford then knew how Jack felt. When he tried to get up he met blackness as a staff weapon was smacked across his back.
At least I got two more.
Carter and the others proceeded slowly down the mountain pass as Ford kept firing. They saw the Jaffa were confused not knowing where the shots were coming from. Somewhere at the twentieth shot they found where Ford was and almost all of them advanced. Carter knew that Ford must have been being close to over run when she heard the Desert Eagle going off minutes later. After fifteen shots from both guns, the firing stopped. She only hoped that he wasn't killed. As they reached the base of the mountain, they proceeded to make their way slowly to the ship. Since pretty much all of the Jaffa were searching in Ford's general direction they were able to make it to the ship. Carter then realized they were in trouble since it took a ring system to get into the ship. Jacob suggested they look for an airlock which they found with little trouble and went in. They walked down the hallways trying to ascertain where they might be while avoiding detection. Carter was thinking about Ford when she could have sworn she heard him talking. Halting everyone with a hand signal she pointed to a open room and everyone went in. Watching from the door way, she could actually hear him talking as could everyone else.
"Is that Ford I hear?" she asked quietly to the others with her.
"Indeed it is Major Carter." Teal'c said also hearing it with surprise. "He must have been captured."
"Thank god. I thought he might have been killed." she muttered.
"Man those zat guns can pack a wallop. How many shots can they shoot anyway? How do you charge them? Come on guys, say something. You're boring me here." Ford said as they dragged him through the ship. He had partially woken up when they had brought him up in the ring transporter. He started talking after being brought aboard. Several turns and hallways later he was still at it.
"Guys, you must have something you want to ask or our curious about. Like how we've managed to keep making you all run like..." he stopped when a familiar smell met his nose.
"Like a certain fox I can smell. A very familiar fox actually." he said glancing around. He noticed a boot in a room as they passed by. "Hey guys I can walk on my own now and promise I won't try anything. You're beginning to hurt my arms. So either stand me up or shoot me again because I can't take being dragged anymore."
The four Jaffa stopped. Three looked at the left front guy waiting for orders. Ford figured he was suppose to stay conscious because they stood him up after the leader told them to. Ford grinned as he dropped himself to the floor. They moved to pick him us as he yelled.
"Now would be a good time people!"
The Jaffa turned looking around but too late. Carter unleashed a spray of ammo as Mel and Jacob hit them with their zat guns. Teal'c used his staff weapon as usual. They went down quickly without firing a shot. Grabbing Ford and his equipment they went back into the room. Teal'c moved the dead Jaffa into the room to avoid detection.
"What was that comment I heard about me? I am not a coward." Mel said her face close to his. Not kissing close but close enough he'd have trouble avoiding being hit. She didn't look happy and looked ready to bite him actually.
"I wasn't trying to be offensive." he said as Carter was removing his Jaffa hand restraints. "I was saying it because your hot." Ford figured Carter mistook the statement when she removed them a little more forcefully than she should have. Teal'c raised his eyebrow and Jacob even looked surprised.
"What?" Carter said. Her voice had a hint of jealousy.
"I meant it like she's hot, you know, I meant she's sweating. Without that hat you must have felt like you were burning on the trip over here." he said rubbing his wrist. Carter and the two men relaxed realizing what he meant. She did have that wet dog smell, not very bad though. Mel stepped back and nodded understand as well. She was hot and sweating. Though Carter, Jacob, and Teal'c looked a little sweaty, Melissa had visibly damp fur.
"Where is your hat anyway?" Ford asked rubbing his wrist still.
"I honestly don't remember." she said removing her coat. She rolled up her sleeves as Ford re-equipped himself. She laid it across a crate and picked up one of the staff weapons she brought in from the Jaffa's they just killed. "It is a little hotter than I like."
"Thanks for getting me out of that. I certainly didn't want to be shot again with that zat gun. What surprised me was I handled it like Jack." he said reloading.
"Explain?" Teal'c said.
"They had to knock me out by hitting me Teal'c. Smacked me right across the back with one of those. Still going to be sore for awhile." he said pointing at Teal'cs staff. "But before they shot and hit me I managed to take two of them out or at least put them on the injured list."
"How did you take two of them out without weapons and being tied up?" Jacob asked.
"A little kung-fu action Jacob."
Carter laughed slightly hearing him say kung-fu action. She made a mental note to ask him about it later. Mel had no clue what he was talking about and didn't bother asking. Between Ford's small amount of knowledge, Jacob and Teal'c they managed to realize where they were in conjunction with the jail cells. Despite what Carter really wanted to do, Ford insisted on being in front. Carter compromised with them being both in front. Jacob, Mel and Teal'c were covering the rear. They walked through several hallways and had to stop twice when a troop of Jaffa went by. They were only two turns from being at the holding cell when Ford stopped them. Getting close to the wall he peered around the corner. When Carter tried to look, she got to close to Ford and he did something she didn't expect. He jumped and pushed her back into the wall. His face was less than a foot from hers.
"Carter?!" he said then peered around the corner again. He pulled back quickly seeing a Jaffa guard turning his way.
"You almost gave me a heart attack!" he whispered to her.
Pulling his Desert Eagle he stepped back a bit and looked around the corner with his mirror. The Jaffa was coming around the corner quickly and already had noticed them as he brought his staff weapon up smacking the mirror from Ford's hand. With his left hand, holding the gun he pushed Carter away as the staff weapon connected with where she was just standing. Ford kicked up high catching the Jaffa in the forehead. Twirling the gun around he backhanded him with the handle. The Jaffa kept standing though was dazed. He blindly swung again with the staff where Ford caught it and pulled. The last thing the Jaffa knew was being turned and the sound of his neck snapping. Ford was getting his mirror and headed for the jail cell as Carter was speaking.
"Nice job Ford, next time though be more careful on the shoving." she said.
Her father caught her from hitting the floor while Mel and Teal'c had the guard covered in case Ford failed.
"Sorry Carter. He was aiming for your head instead of mine." he said as he ripped open the door panel.
"Thanks."
O'Neill was thinking about fishing when he heard fighting outside. Walking over to the doorway, he looked out to see Ford walk up. He was telling Carter sorry for something. "Hey Ford, Carter. Jacob! Pleasant surprise."
"Hey Jack. Sorry it took so long." Ford said yanking crystals and moving them around.
"Colonel, you alright?" Carter asked.
"Just fine. You?"
"Hey all, what's been happening?" Daniel asked from behind Jack.
As Carter and the others talked Ford messed with lock. Ford knew his frustration was building as it kept not opening. Carter pushed his remaining button.
"You know what you're doing Ford?"
"Not really anymore. Forget this." he said punching his hand into the circuits. A jolt ran through him as he yanked out several parts. He let out more of a growl than a shout of pain, more like a mixture of both from the way it sounded though. The field collapsed as Ford yanked them completely out. Mel handed O'Neill her zat gun as he got out.
"Thanks Melissa. How did you know I was going to ask?"
"Lucky guess."
"Here Daniel." Ford said giving him his nine millimeter.
"Tha...BEHIND YOU!!!!!!" Daniel shouted.
Ford whipped around bringing the Desert Eagle over Jacks head. Jack had to pull his head back as several rounds came from the Eagle. Everyone moved into the room as Jack ordered. Ford didn't move and was pulled in by Jack as several blast hit where he was standing.
"Come up with some plan!!!! I'll hold them off!" Ford said kneeling down. Several staff blast flew above him hitting the wall.
"You like playing the hero don't you!" Jack yelled to him firing off rounds down the other corridor.
"Whatever! You saw before what I'm capable of!" Ford exclaimed emptying his clip into a few Jaffa. "Got that plan yet?!"
"What do you think Ford!" Jack yelled to him as he fired again.
"I've got one then! Get everyone out of here while I provide the distraction!" Ford said pulling his other gun.
"You can't be serious!" Carter yelled back at him. "They'll kill you!"
"I seriously doubt it!" Ford said firing the Eagle. "On three!"
"No Ford! That idea..." Jack was saying.
"Is all we have Colonel. Forgive me and bust my ass later! Now go!" Ford said firing off several round down both corridors. Getting up he rushed down the corridor they hadn't explored.
"DAMMIT FORD GET BACK HERE!" Jack yelled as he saw him leave his view. He heard Ford's personal gun go off and get distant as Ford kept moving.
"I'm going to personally kick his ass when I get hold of him again!" Jack said as they took off down the hall.
He figured that Ford's suicidal plan must have been good since they weren't encountering much resistance. They could still hear Ford's guns going off as they found the ring room. Things looked up until the whole room went dead. With no power, limited ammo, and a few dozen Jaffa outside ordering their surrender, they gave up. As they tossed their weapons outside the room, they could still hear Ford going at it. And wished him luck.
Ford could hear Jack yelling at him as he ran. As Jaffa came around corners, he got them with either gun, sparring the ammo if he could. One Jaffa tried to surprise him by waiting till he came by. He failed when Ford dropped to the ground and slid by catching him with his personal cannon. Ford did a quick spin and stood up into a quick run. A group of Jaffa were waiting around the corner as he came around. Ford let himself fall and fired rapidly as staff blast flew by and over him. One blast came close to his leg burning his pants. He quickly put it out by rubbing it with his other leg as he emptied his clips. Seeing no one else coming he reloaded and took off again. Coming to the ring room he noticed it very dark. He pulled a flare out and tossed it into the room. Glancing in, he saw no one in there except a few shells and something that looked like hair.
"Great. They got caught." he said walking in slowly.
Looking at the hair, he noticed it was Melissa's. From the looks of it, it was pulled out. He then felt something was wrong, or more like he wasn't alone. Spinning around on his heel, he swung out his leg catching someone or something's leg. Whatever or whoever it was hit the ground landing on the floor. Ford brought his guns up and spayed ammo at the moving object. He hit it, but only once at most. It ran out of the room with Ford in close pursuit. Even though it was still cloaked, he could see he hit its leg with the bleeding it was showing. He ran and jumped landing on the invisible figure. The figure punched out with its elbow catching Ford in the chin. The room spun slightly for him but he didn't give up. Spinning on his heel he lashed out with both guns hoping to hit them. It worked. Something connected with his personal gun and it caused him to drop it. He tossed the Desert Eagle in the same direction only to hit the wall. Spinning out with a kick he hoped to hit it again. When he connected with nothing he turned around listening. A hand clamped down on his left shoulder and spun him around. Ford went with the spin and threw the hardest punch he could. His hand connected with someone's face as he was hit as well. Ford saw stars as he buckled under the punch. He only hoped that whoever he hit also went down. When he tried to get up off the floor, something connected with his head.
After they surrender, they were taken back to the holding cell. They said it was because Nirriti wanted to talk to them personally. Jack made a smart remark as usual but didn't resist. Melissa was taken away and was brought back with Ford half an hour later. His vest was missing like theirs was. Jack thought something about the arms on his coat looked a little bigger than they should be though. He had Carter check him out seeing his face didn't look all that well and his leg looked burned.
"Looks like he was knocked out sir. His jaw looks like it's bruising. I'd say he was kicked in the head as well. A staff blast must have grazed his leg and the back of his neck looks like it was messed with. He's missing some hair back there."
"Incredible. Being shot didn't taken him out, but a sucker punch did." Jack said kneeling next to her.
"We don't know how he was knocked out sir." Carter said.
"I know that. I was...speculating."
"Oh man..."
"He's waking up sir."
"I can see that Carter. Ford?"
"Yeah Mac." he mumbled.
"He must have been hit bad." Jacob said squatting down on Carter's other side.
"Great, his brain's messed up probably." O'Neill said seeming lost but somewhat startled.
"I'm fine Jack. I will be anyway. Can I get up now?" Ford said sitting up looking fully awake. He had to blink several times though and rubbed his eyes.
"You all right?" Jack said quite upset but concerned.
"Yeah, felt like a truck hit me though. Where are we?"
"Same place you found me and Daniel, though different room." Jack said as he helped Ford up.
"Do you have a pocket knife on you Jack?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"Never mind. We are leaving." he said twisting his left heel. A click sound was heard.
"What are you doing?" Daniel asked.
"Getting us out of here. I came prepared. With the many ways I've seen you all get captured, I came prepared and I know how to get us out of this place." he said taking something from his heel. As he messed with a place on the doorway, Carter watched quite fascinated.
"That's ingenious Ford. Hiding explosives in your heel." she said quietly as Jack watched the guard outside.
"It's C4 so stand back people." he said quietly as he walked back with them. "Cover your ears." Pulling a small antenna from the inside of the heel he pushed a small button.
The explosion was really loud, loud enough his ears where ringing as was everyone else's. The Jaffa outside the cell was blasted into the wall across from them. His head was, disgusting to say the least, not really there anymore as was a few other parts. As they walked out they were stopped by a few dozen Jaffa that ran up.
"Oops. I guess we've over stayed our welcome." Jack said.
Ford tried lashing out and was subdued quickly, but only after managing to take one guy out. He had caved the guys face in with one backhand punch. They were all taken to the bridge where Nirriti was sitting.
"So these are the one's whose been causing me so much trouble." she said sarcastically as she stood. Her hand came up, in it the agonizing device as O'Neill once said he called it.
"We do our best." Jack said as the Jaffa behind him pushed him to his knees. Everyone was on there knees now and their hands restrained behind their backs. She dismissed the rest of the guards leaving the four remaining behind them.
"Silence!" Nirriti hissed.
"Didn't we kill her already?" Ford muttered aloud.
She backhanded him then grabbed his face with one hand holding there.
"I see that your pathetic group has gained a new member." she sneered and then demanded. "Who are you?"
"Bite me lady." Ford said shaking his head free of her grip.
"Oh man, bad move." Jack whispered looking down at the ground.
She smacked him again but he barely moved. He licked his lip and spit to the side.
"Not bad. I've felt worse. From old crippled women."
"Are you…" Carter began saying seeing as she was next to him.
"Silence!!" Nirriti yelled hitting Carter. She didn't fall over but had to shake her head to keep from passing out.
"Don't, do that again." Ford warned.
"You will give me the access code for your Iris or I will kill her and the rest of your friends!"
"You'll kill us all anyway so why should I bother? You bore me with your endless talk about superiority." Ford said pushing her again.
The rest of them couldn't figure out why the hell he was pushing her. His face looked bad enough as it was and the split lip didn't make anything better.
"Carter, lash out with a sweep kick after I move." he whispered quickly to her as Nirriti talked.
"You will tell me what I want to know or your friends will before you die!" she said putting the hand device in his face.
As it turned on he tilted his head to the right and she missed. She tried again and he moved, again.
"Hold him!"
When the Jaffa got behind him and went to grab his head, he made his move. Within less than a second he was on his feet and did a spin kick catching Nirriti under the chin. Before she hit the ground, Ford got behind her and had her in a head lock with his left arm. His right arm grabbed her hand and held it on her chest. If she activated the hand device it would hit her, not that it would probably matter since she was out cold. He turned her toward the farthest Jaffa as the guard fired his staff weapon. Unfortunately he was to slow and it caught both of them in the shoulder. They both staggered back a few steps but he didn't let go. With a flash of his eyes he spoke.
"Idiots! Drop your weapons and surrender or I will take her head off!!!"
"It is a Tok'ra spy!!" the Jaffa that was behind him that Carter was suppose to have knocked over.
"Foolish Jaffa!!!" Hercules yelled.
He spoke the Goa'uld language saying he was a Goa'uld named A'tray'yu under Anubis that had infiltrated the SGC and was trying to get back to Anubis. Daniel and Teal'c were the only one that understood what was being said by Hercules and was keeping quiet for the moment acting like he was lost. The others had no idea what was being said between the Jaffa and Hercules. But this is what those two heard.
"Foolish Jaffa! I am A'tray'yu! Servant of Lord Anubis sent to infiltrate the Tauri! If you do not comply with my orders I will kill Nirriti! Anubis wants her to join him in conquering the pathetic Tauri!"
"If you are who you say you are, then let our queen go!"
"Nirriti cannot be trusted and neither will I trust a Jaffa or First Prime under her command!! Drop you weapons and I will let her live!
"What is your reason for this one?" the First Prime asked pointing at Carter.
"She has been promised to me for whatever I want. I want her mostly for her looks and the pleasure I plan to get from using her as a play thing." he said with a seductive smile. "She also has valuable information I plan to extract by using less than torturous techniques. The pain of innocence lost."
The Jaffa laughed and all looked at her briefly. Daniel glanced at Carter who must have understood part of what was going on by the looks she was receiving.
"So far the Tauri think I am a Tok'ra so you must let us all go!"
"These two know Goa'uld!!" one of the Jaffa said pointing at Daniel and Teal'c.
"Zat them once and only once. I will be able to keep them quiet from then on until I can get back to Anubis! Better yet, zat them all but only once. I can take them to Anubis then come back with my master to discuss things with your queen."
"Wait! They are going to…!!" Daniel started yelling when he was zatted.
The rest of them all fell afterward. Ford knew that they might still be awake but where faking being out, or so he hoped.
Ford let her go slowly turning away from them, hoping they wouldn't shoot him in the back. As he did he took the hand device off and put it on.
"If you are who you say you are, then swear by…" the First Prime said walking up.
Ford turned around and put his hand on the Jaffa's chest and activated. The man was thrown across the room. Before he hit the wall Ford had taken the other guys out by blasting them as well. As he started stepping off another Jaffa came into the room and fired his staff weapon. Ford dodged only to be grazed in the left side. He walked forward blocking the shots with the shield. When the Jaffa dropped his staff weapon and started to run away, Ford gave him a nice blast in the back that killed him on impact when he hit the wall. He tossed the wrist thing aside and went back to Nirriti that was getting back up. He snapped her neck on purpose as the others were trying to get up. He got Jack loose first then moved away to the steps.
"Sorry guys, but it was the only plan I had. Well, Herc was in on it too." he said sitting down in front of them. His arm was bleeding slightly as was his side, but he ignored them and refused help.
"Yeah, well, don't let it be a habit." Jack said wincing as he got up.
"You alright Carter?" he asked helping her up.
"I will be." she said with an upset tone. "Daniel, what were they saying to each other when they all looked at me?"
"Daniel, aah!" Ford said grabbing his side and waving Jack off, again. "He or we can tell you…"
Carter didn't let him even finish as she put a hand in his face telling him to keep quiet.
"Daniel, answer my question. Was is as sexually as it seemed to look?"
"Well, to a point."
Ford didn't like that look and later regretted being slightly bent over to her level as it was from sitting on the steps.
"Carter, I was trying to…" I'm going to pay for this.
She didn't even think about his injured side or arm. She just decked him. His head snapped to the side and then he pitched forward on his face.
"Great work Major. Now someone has to carry him. You could have waited to kick his ass later!" Jack said surprised and pissed.
Daniel and Mel were slowly picking up Ford when he stood on his own.
"That was quick." Daniel said.
"We must leave quickly. Killing Nirriti will make things worst and escape nearly impossible if we stay longer." Hercules said holding his chin.
"Hercules? What are you doing?" Jack asked confused.
"Ford has been knocked out, I have taken over to help ensure that our escape is ensured. You will not have to carry him. Ford was telling me what to say and do when we were captured and brought here."
"Enough Hercules. We need to go, now!" O'Neill said picking up the other fallen staff weapon. Teal'c took the staff Hercules was holding and took the lead with O'Neill. They headed out slowly and found their equipment in a room nearby, ironically.
"Nirriti must be low on follower's." Daniel said as they walked toward the ring room again.
"Why do you think that Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked.
"I think it's because we haven't seen or heard any Jaffa Teal'c." Jack said looking around a corner. "This almost seems to easy."
"I will go first in case they are guarding the outside." Hercules said.
Jack thought a moment. "Are you sure about that? What would Ford think ab...never mind. I'm guessing he told you to say that, huh?"
"No."
"Why hasn't he taken back over?" Jacob asked.
"He is still unconscious and couldn't take over."
"Why not?" Jack asked.
"He would not be able to take the pain, I believe."
This made everyone stop.
"What sort of pain are we taking here?" Jack asked. He looked angry, as did everyone else as they aimed their weapons. "What are you doing to him?!"
"The pain his body is in, I did not inflict. I'm attempting to heal it as we speak, but it takes time. Major Carter was the one who caused the injury as are the staff weapon injuries." Hercules said still holding the chin as he talked.
"What did I do?" Carter asked almost concerned.
"You succeeded in breaking a few of his teeth and his jaw in two places."
The all noticed some swelling and when he talked, the jaw looked funny when it moved not to mention he held it when he did talk. Blood was starting to seep out and down his hand.
"Ouch." Jack said with a wince. "I see what you mean. It sounded like something cracked when she hit you. Remind me not to get on your bad side Major. Let's get out of here."
"We should go to the bridge and check things out." Jacob said.
"Good idea. Maybe we can find out what Nirriti was up to." Jack said taking the lead.
They got to the bridge with no problems, no Jaffa, and no one there. The problem started when they looked in the computer.
"The ship has been set to self destruct. We have less than ten minutes till it explodes." Selmak said. "I believe I can send the ship into space before that happens. I can't stop it."
"Then do it." Jack said forcefully. "Figures. We could've had a ship again, but no, it had to blow up."
"It's finished. We need to move." Jacob said.
Surprisingly, no one was waiting outside the ships ring site. Hercules radioed in telling them it was okay to come down. When they came down, Jacob started by telling them they had one minute to get away from the ship before it took off. They ran away quickly, not finding any opposition. The ship took off and made it into a high orbit before exploding. No one came up against them as they walked back to town. Surprisingly, or shockingly, there was no Jaffa, alive anyway. The other animal folks took the rest out already.
"We thank you for your help Jack O'Neill. With out you, we'd be slaves again." a teenage female fox said. She shook Jack's hand quite vigorously then left.
"Seems you have a fan Jack." Daniel said. "And a cute one."
"Funny Daniel." Jack said sarcastically.
Draco walked up to them as they stood where the soldiers that had died near the bank were still at. Many bodies were around still. Hercules had taken a bandage and wrapped it around his head going around the underside of the jaw to keep it closed as well as the other two injured places. Daniel just told them Ford broke his jaw and left it at that.
"I'm sorry you had to lose your people helping us. We will help you take them back to the Water Ring."
"Thanks." Jack said sadly. "Unfortunately this isn't the first time we've lost people."
"With the Goa'uld, this is unfortunately, not surprising. We have lost many lives today. Many families have been lost." Draco said sadly.
"Do you need any help with your losses?" Daniel said.
"I have mentioned to them how we take care of our dead Uncle." Melissa said.
"We could use help. We will take care of them in our fashion though." Draco said.
"Is there a special, um, religions reason why you don't bur the bodies." Dnaiel asked later.
"No. It's um, there's certain predators out there that will dig up the bodies and, um…I think you can guess from there." Melissa said.
"Right. I can see that problem. I'm guessing that these said predators break right through, coffins?" Daniel asked.
"Tried making them out of metal once, but that didn't go well after I think three tries. Just too much work. And In case you're wondering, burning is a really bad idea."
"Yeah, I can imagine, much more than you know."
Jack reported in to Hammond. He explained that they where helping with the damage and other things. Hammond sent more aid and gave them a few days to continue helping. Four days later, they were at the Stargate saying their goodbye's. Daniel later told Sam the conversation that went on between Ford and the Jaffa. She didn't like the information.
"We thank you again for all your help. You have been a blessing to us." Melissa said.
"Well, we have our moments." Jack said.
"Thanks to you, we will be ready the next time any other Goa'uld comes." Draco said. "Sometime in the future we must get together again."
"That would be good." Jack said. "You can show me those fishing spots you talked about."
Draco chuckled with a nod. Giving him a handshake Draco, Melissa and his two aides left. As Daniel dialed home Ford, who had taken back control yesterday, ask Carter to wait a moment before going through.
"We'll be along in a moment sir." Carter said.
"Alright then Major. I'll tell the General to keep the door open. Don't be too long." Jack said walking through. "And don't beat him up."
"You going to sir?"
"Doubt I could, but I think you did enough." he said watching Ford rub his jaw as he sat on a fallen log.
"I know I've apologized several times now, but I...I know I probably blew it. I was trying to save us all. I never meant to hurt you, it just had to be believable. I don't know what to do. I…"
"I was so pissed off at you Ford for using me like that. But I have calmed down. I realized that you were faking it after...well...it still hurt."
"I know Sam. It was killing me inside to do that. I'm really sorry."
"I forgive you Ford. It's been sometime since I've had feelings for someone and..."
"With what I did..."
"Yeah. Let's just try to forget it and start over."
"I will try, if you will."
Carter nodded with a smile.
"Let's go home."
As they walked up to the gate it shimmered.
"Did you see that?"
"Yeah I did." Carter said.
"I've seen this before, but...it's not coming. It..."
"I've seen this too. But I can't remember why."
Ford asked Hercules to see if he knew what it meant.
I wouldn't know. I only used the Stargate a few times.
"I meant my memories. I know this is something I've seen before in the series, but what does it mean?" Ford said aloud.
"Series?" Carter asked.
"I'll explain later." Ford said. Hercules couldn't find it and told him. "Great. Can't remember."
"Well the M.A.L.P. is gone so we can either wait till the gate shuts off then redial or walk through." Carter said.
"We'll have to walk through. I don't have that device to signal home and your's is broken."
"We'll have to step through then. Let's go." she said.
