CHAPTER 23

Carter awoke to a banging at her door. She put her robe on and came out nearly tripping on an end table. She was really tired and noticed that it was three in the morning.

"This better be a Goa'uld or…" she muttered about other alien attacks as she opened the door.

Ford was there and he looked terrible. He was wearing his coat, she noticed but was so tired she also didn't notice.

"What is it Ford?" she grumble.

He leaned against the doorframe then spoke.

"I…..can't sleep. I keep having dreams about you getting killed. I…had to come make sure…."

"Come in."

She closed the door as he sat on the couch.

"What sort of dreams?"

"I know we have to go to Raccoon city tomorrow. Hammond would have said something if things had gone right." he said rubbing his face. "I kept seeing all the wrongs things happening and it keeps scarring the hell out of me. The others died a few times, but everything I did, everything I tried, nothing worked. You kept dying." he said looking at her in fear.

"I'm sorry Ford. I'm here, you don't have to worry. You can sleep on the couch tonight." she said getting up and heading for her room.

"Thanks. Sorry about this Sam."

"Just don't make it a habit. Thanks for thinking about me though." she said turning around. He was still awake and looking straight ahead. "Ford?"

"I'll be okay. You go get some sleep."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"You're alive and just fine. Tired and cranky at being woke up so early. I'll be okay. I can sleep better now." he said.

His head fell back and he was instantly asleep. Carter gave a small chuckle as she went back to bed.

Carter woke up forgetting that Ford was over when she went to the kitchen to start coffee still in her pullover. She was filling the pot when she heard a yawn and turned remembering that Ford was over. She set the pot down and walked back to her room slowly.

Hercules started humming a tune he thought was interesting that he learned from one of Ford's memories. An anime tune. It wasn't long before Ford woke up after that since it interrupted his dream. He heard someone walking around and started going for his gun.

That was Carter, calm down.

Ford bolted up straight and looked around. Oh man he was tired.

"How did I…wait never mind." he said dropping off back to sleep after Hercules told him over and over again he was fine and so was she.

He fell back into the couch as Carter came back out in her robe. She looked thinking he might have moved, but it didn't look like it.

"Ford?"

He just sat there still without making any sounds. Asleep to the world and surprisingly to her, not snoring at all. She knew he never snored off world when they had to take turns with watch, but that was off world.

"Hercules, can you here me?"

Ford's eyes opened and flashed. Startled her slightly too.

"I am here. Ford's still very exhausted from his disturbing dreams. I can wake him. They were some very disturbing dreams."

"No. He can stay asleep." she said walking by.

As she went back to getting the coffee she asked something that she had actually been wondering about. She never thought about it when she was in his body, but since they had been getting closer.

"Hey Herc?"

"Yes."

"Does Ford snore?"

There was a small chuckle before he answered.

"No. He actually loves to sleep. He tries to have dreams where he's flying or dreams where you and him are walking and talking or joy riding in a black trans-am. Kart….Kiel…Kite…some name starting with K."

"What's he dreaming about now?" she said sitting down across from him. "Or do you have acess to his dreams unlike his memories?"

Ford really looked like he was possibly dead. His body was hunched slightly against the back of the couch and other than the eyes being open, nothing else looked to be moving, except when he was talking, or Hercules anyway. With the coat, it made it hard to tell he was even breathing.

"His dreams are always open to me. He's thinking about you and you're both walking down a beach…"

Ford took over not knowing that Hercules was talking. Carter thought otherwise though.

"Tell me I smell coffee."

"You do. Want some?"

"Please. Just black if you can."

Carter came back and gave it to him. He practically downed it in one drink.

"That must have hurt." Carter said when he audible breathed with the sound of being burnt.

"No I'm fine. Thanks Carter. Sorry about last night, or earlier this morning…whatever."

Fine! You did that on purpose to wake up quicker.

I know that.

"You sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine Sam. Really. What about you? You sleep well?"

"I remember you waking me up at three in the morning. Other than that, I slept very well. You, I can tell didn't. Want to talk about it?"

"Thanks, but no. Just having the dreams was bad enough. I'm going to go home and get a shower and maybe by then I'll be awake. Sorry to have woke you that early."

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad it was a dream. I'm touched to see that you're watching over me even far away. I guess I'll see you at work then?"

"Where else would I want to go to be with my favorite girl and watch over her."

"I'm your only girl. Remember that." she pointed out.

"I know." he said giving he a quick kiss on the cheek.

He set the empty cup aside and then walked out. His car was parked funny, sitting on the curb some. Must have been in hurry he thought climbing in. He pulled out and headed home with out hitting anything.

Carter started getting ready to go after he left.

Ford pulled into his driveway and climbed out, just barely. Across the street was a vehicle from the SGC still watching him. He waved and searched through his pockets for his keys. As he came up to his door, something suddenly felt wrong.

What is that feeling?

So that's what it is like. Ford thought looking around.

Someone was walking up the crosswalk toward him. Ford turned around and walked toward the guy. Someone he didn't know or ever seen before.

"Can I help you?" he said.

"Yes. I seem to be lost." the guy said.

He was wearing a long coat and Ford did notice the rapier sword.

"You going to use that sword to take my head huh? Well let me tell you something. I may be a new member to this Immortal thing, but I'm changing the rules to my benefit." Ford said with a pissed tone.

The guy actually looked scared a moment. Ford put his hand up to tell the men in the car to stay put.

"I am going to live and eventually die of old age. I know how to do that. Just take no heads. Even better is I'm going to be a real father someday so you tell all those Watchers out there to stay away or god help me I'll tell the whole United States Government and world everything I know which is quite a bit." Ford said leaning into his face. "You tell them to stay away permanently. I'll even disregard the holy ground rule. Mostly because I've never seen the consequences of what would happen if a fight took place on holy ground anyway."

The guy went for his sword just as Ford finished. Ford couldn't help but notice since he could see it in the guys eyes. He grabbed the sword first and shoved it into the concrete. The guy started to make a run for it when Ford grabbed him by the neck.

"You tell them all! Got it!"

He nodded.

"Good. Have fun running." he said throwing the guy. He landed halfway across the street.

"Do you need anything Mr. Primus?" a Sergeant said getting out of the car. He looked at the guy running away with bewilderment.

"No. Let him go. He's going to carry a message for me. Thanks though."

He walked into his house leaving the sword sticking out of the concrete. Then thought better of it because of the children in the area and pulled it out.

Hammond was looking over a thick report when the others walked in. O'Neill looked better. Like he got a lot of sleep, rested up. Daniel looked the same as did Teal'c. Carter looked a little tired and it was apparent from the yawn she stifled and muttered a sorry about. He looked up at the door seeing if Ford was going to walk through. He didn't though, which was unusual. He looked at his watch and gave him another minute. Everyone was drinking coffee as he looked again at his watch.

"Where the hell is Ford?" Jack asked.

"He was behind me sir." Carter said looking at the doorway.

"Sorry General. Got turned around somewhere." Ford said walking in slowly. "Took a left instead of a right, or was it the other way?"

He put the coffee cup on the table then sat or actually dropped down into the chair. It creaked and broke tumbling back. The others started to get up.

"I'm fine. Just give me a moment." he said shaking his hand in the air. "Forgot about the added weight."

"Can anybody tell me what's going on?" Hammond asked looking at them all.

"Ford had trouble sleeping. He stayed on my couch last night." Carter said.

"Anything I should know?" Jack asked with humor. Carter only gave him a glare.

"I can't believe you just asked that Jack?" Daniel said.

Jack gave him a glare and said he was kidding.

Ford had finally gotten up and dropped his coat onto the broken one. He sat in a different chair. "Okay I think I'm here now."

"Are you sure about that son? You look like you're about to pass out. The Sergeant watching you at your house said someone tried to attack you."

"I'll be okay. Just some bad dreams kept me up all night. Adrenalin rush is gone from the fight too. I'll tell you all later."

"What sort of dreams did you have Ford Primus?" Teal'c asked.

"Oh…stuff to do with the upcoming mission." he said rubbing his face.

He noticed he hadn't even shaved yet either.

"I haven't told you your mission yet." Hammond said.

"Deduction. Something must have went wrong with the teams sent to that mansion near Raccoon City since you never said anything good yesterday."

"Unfortunately you're right. The teams we sent were never heard back from. We know they landed nearby and were suppose to report in right after touch down. They never did and the helicopter hasn't been heard from either."

"Probably those damned dogs." Ford muttered draining his cup. It was really hot.

Just because I can heal and you can heal injuries faster than most doesn't mean you need to cause any purposely. If your having that much trouble staying awake I can come up with better ways.

Such as?

Ford didn't move to show he was hurting, but he now felt like he was just kicked in the nuts. It certainly had the desired effect, he was more awake.

"What dogs?" Jack asked.

Ford was able to maintain his voice keeping himself from sounding like he was kicked in the nuts, but barely.

"Oh….they are basically Dobermans. The problem is they want to eat us. Literally. I don't know how many there are though. Probably a pack or two."

"Dobermans become submissive usually when showed who's boss I thought." Jack said.

"Normally that's possible. These dogs are undead as well. Bone and other organs showing. Really disgusting site. Kinda like those scenes on the video tapes."

"Ugh!" Jack said. "Definitely not man's best friend anymore."

"Okay people, enough. As much as you really should be off planet, you have to check this out. Mostly because Ford seems to know the terrain."

"Oh, lucky me." Ford groaned.

"SG teams seven, eight and nine will be checking those other coordinates that you normally would be going to. Gear up and leave ASAP. Ford will give you what details he can hopefully. You can talk about it here or on the plane ride that drops you off in Raccoon City. From there you'll be taken by helicopter with a few of the Raccoon police department officers. I felt backup from the authorities would be helpful since we don't need to lose anymore SG teams. Besides that I feel you'll all come back safe. Your reports have been really good to say the least with Ford here helping out. Less injuries for one thing." Hammond said closing the large file.

"Thank you sir. We really try. Ford seems to like to take all the injuries though." Jack stated.

"Very funny Jack."

"You seem to think so. You practically walk into incoming fire."

Ford groaned inwardly as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He was starting to feel more awake now that he had to think about where they were going. Hammond got up and left to work on reports or something as Ford explained what he remembered about the lay out. Hammond gave them what satellite photo's they had gotten.

"Yeah that looks like the place." he muttered.

"Let's go. You can talk more on the trip."

"I really should have stayed in bed. No, went back to bed." he muttered shaking his head.

By the time they were in the air and finally landed in Raccoon City Ford had given them more than enough info to infiltrate the place. Ford was messing with his hat pulling the metal plates out and making something as he talked. They asked and he said he'd show them once it was finished. He did his own sewing to, which impressed Carter. She didn't say anything though. It was finished before they landed in the city. The hat was pretty much gone and he put the newly fashioned object on. He wrapped it around his neck and snapped it with the snaps showing. Two of them.

"Keeps my head from being cut off."

Jack laughed as the plane landed and they got off.

Several cops were armed and waiting for them. One was a dark haired man standing next to a small redheaded female. The other female was a foot taller than the other woman and had light red hair. They only seemed to be carrying nine millimeters. A couple of boxes probably with rifles and ammo were next to them as was a helicopter. A large transport type.

"Hello. You must be those people from the government." the man said.

"Yeah that's us." Jack said shaking the mans hand. "I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill. This is Major Samantha Carter, Doctor Daniel Jackson, Murry, and Ford Primus."

"Did you hired mercenaries?" the man asked pointing at Ford and Teal'c.

"No. They are part of my team."

"Okay, what does he do since I can guess what this Murry fellow does."

"He's a weapon specialists and has other talents."

Good one Jack, Ford thought. Interesting way of putting his capabilities.

"Weapons specialists huh? Whatever. I'm Chris Redfield, Raccoon police. My sister Clair, and Jill Valentine, also Raccoon police."

"Where's Barry?" Ford wonder aloud as he glanced around.

"How do you know about Barry?" Jill asked.

Jack covered for him quickly. "It's our job to know."

"He retired to be with his wife." Chris said looking at them all skeptically.

"That good to hear. We all are about to walk into hell anyway. Team Alpha has changed then. Where's Wesker?" Ford asked.

"He split sometime ago. He hasn't been seen since the Umbrella incident."

"Great. He was in it with them. No wonder he ran." Ford said. "Is there anyone else coming?"

"Bravo team went sometime ago to see what the disturbance was. They never came back and we were forbid to go and check things out. Since then several units from the Army or maybe it was the National Guard were sent in to apparently keep us out. That was a couple of weeks ago."

"Nothing since then?" Jack asked.

"Not a peep. Not even any plane or helicopter activity." Chris said.

"This just went from worse to…"

"Fubar?" Jack said.

"Exactly. You saw that movie too."

"Yeah I did."

"Cool wasn't it?"

"Yeah it was."

"Can you two get your minds back here on this planet?" Carter asked. "Or maybe even this reality?"

"Right Major. We need to get going." Jack said. "Let's get going then. The sooner this is over the better."

Despite how much Ford tried to beg Jack that a night insertion was really a bad idea, Jack refused to budge. They went expecting to land at night. Ford was visibly jittery during the flight. Jill did ask him if he was okay though.

"Just fine. I'm fine, really."

"Is he really okay Colonel?" she asked. "he looks ready to jump out the door."

"Ford? Yeah. He's afraid of the dark." he said with humor present in his voice.

"Jack! You know what's bothering me."

"What are you not telling us?" Chris asked from the pilot seat.

"He was witness to some of the things that happened to the other Umbrella places." Jack lied. "He knows what we are probably going to see."

"Which is?" Jill asked.

"Dead people." Jack said flatly.

"So?" Claire said almost laughing.

Ford and the others did hear the humor in her voice. Ford didn't blow up on her though, but he did talk a little too harshly.

"Dead people Jack? It's more than just dead people. It's living dead. The T-virus as it is called turned everyone at that mansion and several other things into blood thirsty zombies. I seriously doubt we will find anyone alive. You saw the footage. I told you the story."

"Then again we might find nothing at all and maybe they all ate each other." Jack said. "Besides, they were slow and we aren't fighting a whole city worth."

"We could only hope." Ford said pulling the Desert Eagle.

"What are you doing?"

"We're landing Colonel."

Jack looked noticing that there were getting closer to the ground.

"You're right." he said checking his weapon.

"LZ is just below us. I can see our other chopper close by. My team is going to check out the other chopper once we land." Chris said.

"Fine, but stay close." Jack said.

"I seriously, and I stress the word 'SERIOUSLY', advise we wait till the helicopter has completely shut off and quieted before we get out." Ford said cocking his gun.

Some ugly memories you have coming up here. Herc thought.

Yeah, very ugly and gruesome and fearful and….

I get the point. I never had to deal with the dead in this regard.

Considered yourself fortunate, I think.

They did wait which didn't take long. Once it had quieted down, they got out slowly. The Alpha team opened the crate they had brought and pulled a few weapons out. Chris had a pump action shotgun while the ladies took the two M-16 police issues. It was way quiet, to quiet. The moon was shining and the helicopter lights were lighting up the area ahead of them. So far they saw no signs of life. Not even a bug. Though strange moans that seemed very far away were heard, just not really able to be made out much.

"Where's the mansion from here?" Jack asked whispering.

"It's up that away almost a hundred yards." Chris pointed as he spoke. He too was quiet.

They all walked slowly in crouched positions to the other chopper. Bullet holes could be seen in the sides of the chopper in several places. The windshield was pretty much gone. A lot of bullet casing were on the ground as were a few empty guns. One had a hand still attached to it. Chris picked it up then dropped it just as quick.

Ford not only groaned at the site of it and the scene he remembered from the game, but also shuddered. The smell was terrible.

"Ford. Hold it together." Carter whispered to him.

"Bad, bad memories. Smell makes things worse."

"Oh god!" Jill said covering her mouth as she turned away from the cockpit.

She dropped to her knees a few feet away and threw up.

They all looked inside, with the exception of Ford and instantly turned away when the flashlight from the gun really showed what was left of the pilot. Whoever it was never had a chance to get out of there seatbelt. The face, though extremely decayed looking but still fresh looking, had the show of extreme terror on it. Blood and other body parts were everywhere including the ground around the cockpit. There was little if anything left of the chest and abdomen section of the body. There was a few organs left but most of them had been eaten by the bite marks indicated. Even the brain or what was left of it was showing from the right side where part of the skull was missing. The seat belt straps were bitten through but the one across the lap was still there as was what was left of one across the chest. One of the eyes was still there but dried out.

"That is just wrong." Jack said slowly.

That was sick. Herc thought.

Give me some memory of yours to help me keep from puking okay?

"I can't even tell who it was." Chris said backing up.

"We really should have brought more firepower. Like a tank." Ford said looking into the trees were the helicopter light was shining. He could swear he spotted something move.

"We haven't even come across anything hostile and you're freaking out now!" Jack said.

"They're here now." Ford said.

They all heard low growls and a few too many eyes show up in the headlights. They slowly came closer revealing them to be Dobermans and German Shepard's. Some had missing eyes. All of them were very bloody and had ribs and other internal parts showing. It was a very disgusting site.

"You said Dobermans only!"

"Sorry Jack! They must have came with the Army or National Guard!" Ford said shooting one's head off. It literally burst spraying blood everywhere.

That's when the other dogs raced forward. Somehow they barked and growled. They all opened up on them firing ammo everywhere. They seemed to keep coming in waves. More dogs than there should have been. This continued for a good couple of minutes as they had to back up several times to keep the dogs from biting them. Teal'c quit using the machine gun he had and got his staff weapon out. They had placed it in a long case and said it was top secret when they put in on the chopper. It certainly helped some. They backed up into their chopper and made their stand. Chris got in and used the machine gun. It certainly helped take them out better and took a few small trees with. He fired a few more sprays into the tree line then stopped.

"What that hell? I went through three clips!" Jack yelled.

"More to the point what the hell is that?" Chris asked looking at the staff Teal'c was holding.

"It's clas.." Jack started.

"We don't time to sit and talk! With that many German Shepard's there must be a lot of soldiers up there waiting for us!" Ford exclaimed. "Dammit people! There are plants and other animals in that mansion that mere bullets aren't going to stop! Napalm wouldn't save our asses!!"

"Then why in the hell didn't you bring bigger weapon or at least told us too?!" Chris yelled.

"I did! I have them! Firepower isn't the biggest problem though. The prob…"

"Would you two shut up!" Jack yelled.

"O'Neill!" Teal'c said looking at the tree line.

The all looked and heard a lot of moaning. Moaning that sent chills up their spines. Several people came walking slowly out from the trees. They were soldiers, but very bloody and had either or both, body parts hanging out, missing, or falling out as they came forward with arms, for the ones who still had them anyway, stretched out. It seemed that most of them might have died early on since a lot of them had their weapons still hanging on them by the straps. The moaning got louder as the dead noticed the living next to the chopper.

"Aim for the head. Body shots won't do much." Ford said trying to line one up in his site. He couldn't. His hands kept shaking.

Some help we're going to be. Or you are anyway. You want me to take over? Herc thought.

Seriously thinking about it.

"The hell with this wasting ammo. Fire in the hole!" Jack said pulling the pin off a couple shrapnel grenades.

Everyone got down and behind the chopper. Ford stood next to it where he was keeping his back to the blast. Jack tossed them in separate locations then got down with them. The first explosion went fine sending up several bodies and disorientating the others. The second blast went bad because it landed in one of the dead guys guts as he was walking. It caused several explosions since that guy had explosives on him. Several other guys went with him as they exploded.

"I thought you threw two Jack?" Daniel said.

"I did!"

Glass shattered and a fire broke out in the chopper near the extra fuel tank.

"Scatter!" Chris yelled.

"Hell no, run for the other chopper!" Ford yelled grabbing Carter and Claire seeing as they were the closest to him.

He ran off quickly as the others followed and fired what they could. Ford dropped down covering them with his coat as the others dropped down behind the broken chopper. Several of the broken bodies and not so broken got too close to the on fire chopper when it exploded. Several other explosions went up with it. Metal and body parts flew everywhere. Something hit Ford in the back very hard. He only hoped it wasn't some dead body or one of the team. Ford managed to shove it off with some difficulty.

"There goes our ride!" Jack said.

"There goes my paycheck, several of them!" Chris exclaimed standing up.

"We got to get to that house Colonel! It's to dangerous out here!" Carter yelled standing up.

"What the hell hit me?" Ford moaned trying stand better. He leaned on the helicopter as he turned to look. It was the propeller. A couple of the blades were bent or missing but the main part was there.

So that's what broke a few ribs. Hercules said to him.

"We need to move. You okay?" Carter asked as the others got up.

"Yeah. I will be." Ford said shifting some.

Something audibly cracked and they all heard it. His eyes widened and one started twitching as they all looked at him.

That wasn't a good idea. You're going to have to move the other direction to remove it.

The others were looking between him and seeing for any movement. A few started crawling or moving forward. He shifted feeling his broken rib pop back out of his lung. With Hercules help he turned away from them as he coughed up blood.

Jack and the Alpha team moved forward taking out what was left of the moving dead that survived the explosions. They were able to easily take them out without trouble since they weren't moving very fast and most were almost immobile anyway. Teal'c helped while Carter and Daniel helped Ford.

"Give me a moment." Ford mumbled as he spit up more blood.

"We need to go before others show up." Jack said.

"Agreed. This is getting too gross." Jill said.

"You guys ready?" Jack asked.

"Another minute Jack." Daniel said.

Ford was hung over some still coughing up blood. He spit then stood up.

"You feeling better?" Daniel asked.

"That was fast. Still took longer than I thought though."

"You're okay now?" Carter asked.

"Yeah. Let's get this over with." he said washing his mouth out.

"You're okay?" Chris asked.

"Oh, just fine. Cracked a couple ribs but I'll live. Just have to be careful. I've had worse."
They all walked slowly up the hill keeping close watch on anything that might move. There were a lot of dead bodies, one's they didn't kill. From the looks of the way they were they probably killed themselves or were eaten to death. As they got closer to the house they found a lot of damaged vehicles. Army vehicles. Several were turned over and smoking. More bodies and the stench of death got worse as they moved through them. The sound of panting and the clicking of nails caught their attention.

"Inside quick!!!" Ford said motioning them forward.

"What is it?!" Jack asked as they all followed.

Ford got the door open without trashing it and everyone rushed in, then he slammed it shut leaning against it. Everyone did the same as something hit the door. It almost opened. A claw came through the door just above their heads.

"What the hell is that!?" Jack said backing off.

The door opened a little as it was shoved on. Ford was sliding as the door came open. A very large and ugly red beast. Long sharp claws and a long tongue.

"It's a Slasher! Or is Lasher?!" Ford yelled trying to find a gun in his coat to use.

"Ah hell! It's something bad!" he said ducking its claws as it swung at him.

He clinched his fist and brought it up fast. You could hear his fist contact as it sent the creature out the door. It took part of the top of the doorway with it.

"Shoot it!!!" Jack said as he pulled his trigger.

The creature got up and instantly fell back under a hail of gun fire. Teal'c blew whatever its head was off, in one shot. Ford was shaking his hand as they came back in.

"How many more of those are there?!" Chris asked.

"I don't know. I remember having…..seeing three or four of them, but they were in the lab section of this place."

"This place has a lab?" Jack asked not entirely surprised.

"Unfortunately yes and more. This place it haunted."

"Where should we start?" Daniel asked. "There are quite a few doors."

"Maybe we could split….."

"NO!" Ford said a little to loud while shaking his hands in front of him. "No. Bad idea. Considering everything we have already seen, I'd say we leave and have the place bombed."

"We can't. In case you forgot the helicopter is gone and those vehicles out there looked pretty trashed." Jack said. "We have to find the teams we sent in or at least their bodies."

"Right, okay. There's a self destruct mechanism somewhere near the lab area. If we can get there we can take this place out. From there we can also radio a way out." Ford said trying to remember the layout.

He was looking around as he spoke. He glanced up the stairs as he looked around.

"You've been here before?" Chris asked.

"No." Ford said before Jack spoke. Which he got a glare from instantly.

"I've read a very classified report on this place and saw a detailed map of all the places in the mansion, but it was some time ago and they apparently added on. There wasn't a door there on the second floor," he said pointing to the right corner near the front door. "And there was no door behind this set of stairs. I don't know what would be there or where they go. They've changed the lay out."

"Let's forget what we don't know and go with what you remember." Jack said impatiently. He drummed his fingers of the butt of his gun.

"Okay Jack."

C'mon and help me out here Hercules. I need to remember that game.

You're holding up well considering.

Just barely. Now help me out here please.

From the appearance of the others, Ford looked to be rubbing his head as if he had a headache.

"I'm going to check something. I'm looking to see if something is up there." he said heading up the stairs.

"You actually going to go alone? After all that…stuff you said back home?" Jack asked.

"Uh……somebody come with me then. It's a small room so we all can't fit."

"Go with him Carter."

"Yes sir."

"I'm going to. I've got to find our people. You two stay here." Chris said walking up the stairs.

Jack almost said something but just dropped his hands when Ford shook his head. They walked up and went to the left most door near the front door on the second floor. It opened to a short hallway. There was a small niche in the wall with a vase on the shelf. Ford picked it up and turned it over. Nothing came out which made him have a worried look.

"Where's that door go Ford?"

"The balcony. That's the problem." he said opening the door.

It was lead out to a balcony as he said. It was very gloomy, especially with the dark sky and what looked to be lightening on the horizon. There was a iron fence railing that was keeping anyone or anything from falling off, unless you jumped. Chris ran by quickly spotting one of his men.

"Oh god! It's Forrest!"

"Wait Chris!" Ford yelled trying to grab him as he ran by.

Chris kneeled down next to the very dead and eaten out body. He had one eye and all of his chest and abdomen cavity was showing. It was a revolting sight. Several places in his legs had been eaten as well as his arms. There was a multi capacity round grenade launcher next to him.

"They're all dead aren't they?" he said slowly.

"I don't know."

"You know something!!! What is it you're keeping from us!?"

"He's not hiding anything. He was one of the investigators that helped bring down the Umbrella Corporation. He just recently found out about this place. He's bothered because he thought this nightmare was over. The government hid it from the investigation. They tried to master whatever was really going on with this genetic manipulation and failed. They called him and so now we are here to find out why everything went wrong." Carter lied to him.

Ford only nodded and looked sad and upset to fit the part.

"The things I saw haunted my dreams for months. It's all coming back or I should say came back when I found out about this place."

Chris didn't say anything but turned back around picking up the grenade launcher. When he said goodbye to Forrest and touched his head, things got worse. Forrest moaned and got up slowly.

"What the hell!!"
"Chris ge...!!!" Ford started yelling.

He gave up and grabbed him pulling him away as Forrest reached for him. Ford spun him away and grabbed the rusted metal chair next to him and smacked the walking dead guy. He bounced off the pillar attached to the edge of the balcony and dropped to the floor and started getting back up. Ford dropped the chair on him and started shoving them back through the door. The others heard some yelling but didn't move yet. It was heard up stairs and outside. Jack started reaching for his com when a door opened on the right side and behind the stairs. Several moans were heard.

"Weapons at ready people!!!"

A couple of zombies came from behind the stairs. They were soldiers. They couldn't tell who was upstairs yet. Ford and the others exited the door they went through before and noticed a couple of zombies in lab outfits on the other side. O'Neill and the others seemed to be occupied with a couple downstairs. O'Neill had Teal'c take the two below out since they moved slow enough to dance around. The went down quickly as expected. The two up top saw the small group and headed toward them across the small bridge. They moaned loudly and scarily making Ford cringed. Teal'c blasted at them from below when a few moans were heard behind them. O'Neill turned seeing some of the dead soldiers coming in through the busted front door. Teal'c had to turn around and back up to get them. The two coming at Carter and them were getting close quick.

"Dammit my gun's jammed!!!!" Chris yelled putting it away and pulling his knife. He threw it and it stuck into one of the guys but he kept coming.

Carter fired and then it clicked. Her gun was empty so she hit the guy with the knife but he didn't stop. Just slowed some.

Do something!!!!

I can't. Ford said to Hercules with fear running through him.

He had backed up against the wall and was slowly sliding along.

Carter and Chris had started moving away trying to avoid them. She looked seeing Ford wasn't following them down the stairs. The injured one was coming after them as the other one was getting closer to Ford. He was pale.

Carter managed to get a new clip in as the dead guy came down the steps. She fired a few shots taking the head off.

Yes you can!!! They can't hurt us!!!

If they touch or bite us we could get the virus!!!!!!

I can fight a virus!!!! You're also an Immortal you idiot!!!! What about saving Carter?

Ford's paleness left him quickly as he look of fear turned to a smile of rage. He pushed off the wall and gave the guy a quick round house. His boot connected with the guys neck and took the head right off. It sailed across the room and splattered on the wall. The body moved forward a few steps then dropped at Ford's feet. He backed up as the blood started flowing out.

"Behind you!!" Carter yelled coming up the stairs.

Ford turned around seeing that the other door was open behind him and there was a very dead lab guy reaching out for him. He moaned as his hands grabbed Ford's lapels and came inches from biting his face. Ford was about to scream when a couple of bullets went through its head. It let go and dropped to the ground.

Oh no. Hercules said as Ford passed flat out.

He hit the floor backwards hard enough it cracked. Carter ran up seeing him down.

"Damn, it must have bit him." she said checking him out.

The blood wasn't his. His neck wasn't damaged and his coat looked fine, other than the recent scuffle. It wasn't open so it didn't get him inside. His hands weren't bit or bleeding. She couldn't see what was wrong.

"What happened Carter?" Jack asked coming up next to her. They were on the defensive.

"I don't know. He…..I don't know sir."

"I think he passed out." Chris said. "He looked freaked out back there."

"Slap him Carter."

"What sir?"

"I said slap him. It might wake him up."

She shook her head and slapped him.

"Ow!" she said shaking her hand. "Someone else can do that next time."

"What happened?" Ford said shaking his head. He touched his face noticing a stinging sensation.

"For crying out loud Ford! What are you doing sleeping on the job?!" Jack yelled.

"Sleeping?"

"You passed out!"

"Some constitution." Chris muttered. He got a few glares but nothing else.

"Sorry. I don't know why?" he said slowly standing. "Any idea what caused it?"

"Him." Carter said. "I yelled to you to look out and Chris shot him in the head as he grabbed you. You just…..freaked out I guess."

"I must have." he said slowly.

"Do you know where to go next Mr. Primus?"

"Yeah down stairs."

There was a sudden pounding on the door that rocked the wall.

"Oh no." Ford said as the door shook again

"What is it now?" Jack asked as they backed up.

"Anyone afraid of snakes?" he asked pulling his personal cannon.

"Snakes? As in many?" Jack asked.

"No. As in one as big as…."

The door and wall gave out sending debris flying as a large cobra snake slithered into the room. It was large enough to swallow a pickup truck without any trouble.

"Oh my god." Jill said in shock.

It reared its head up and looked down at them snaking its tongue out. It pulled back getting ready to strike. Jack was about to order them to open fire when the area between the snakes eyes burst with the impact of a energy weapon. The snake fell to the ground and quit moving, but had the doorway blocked. A small puff of smoke arose from the hole between the snakes eyes. They turned seeing Teal'c still having the staff aimed at it.

"It is dead Ford Primus?"

"Yeah…..Murry. Nice shooting. Well, this door is blocked."

"Then find another way." Jack said.

Ford walked down going through the first door on the right side. There was a statue in the middle of the room of some lady with a bowl above her head. She held it with one hand and even though made of stone, was barely wearing anything. A door kept going forward and one was next to it going into another room.

"Which way?" Jack asked.

Ford looked up at the bowl. He was smiling.

"What are you looking at?" Carter asked. Her tone wasn't happy, more border lining on jealousy. The other women gave him a similar look.

He pushed on the statue some seeing how much it would give. It was just sitting there.

"What's so special about this statue?" Jill asked.

The others were looking it over trying to see what Ford saw. He pushed harder and it slid.

"Whoa!" the Alpha team said.

"How did he do that? It must weigh a couple hundred pounds." Chris said.

"Got to knock this over." Ford muttered.

"Why?" Jack asked skeptically.

"I need to see what's in the bowl."

"Teal'c." Jack said.

"Don't shoot the bowel."

Teal'c fired the staff weapon blowing the statue in half. It crashed to the floor and a rolled up paper fell out of the bowel.

"Bingo." Ford said grabbing it. He opened it showing a full map of the first floor, but it was seriously faded.

"Why is there a map of this place here?" Daniel asked.

Ford didn't comment. "I think this route is the way we want. I think." He turned going back through the door.

They came into the main hall and went up the stairs headed left. He opened the door and went into the 2nd floor of the dining room. From the second floor you could see the dining table. A walkway went around the room two three doors, one of them being the one they came through. The other two were on the right side end near each other. Two moans were heard making them look up. On the left side was a statue of a woman with a dead lab guy coming toward them. The right side had the other guy coming.

"Teal'c, get rid of them." Jack said signaling everyone else to lower their weapons. "We can save ammo if we find most of them like this. Agreed?"

They all nodded and Teal'c shot them both. The left guy blew up and fell over the small rail. The right guy was blown back a few feet and landed on the floor. Blood pooled beneath him and dripped down off the floor onto the table below.

"Maybe we should walk around the left side." Daniel said.

"Good idea. I've already lost my lunch." Jill said.

"I'm sick of it too." Ford said feeling a little green himself.

It was getting to be a sick site to see body parts fly and blood splatter. As they walked by the statue Ford gave it a hard shove. It broke through the table as it landed and shattered. He pointed at the gem that fell out when they began to ask why he did it.

"We'll get it later if we need it."

They went to the second door. As they approached Ford felt a buzz feeling and he suddenly sneezed.

Ah, that weird feeling again. But why the sneeze? Herc asked.

I think it is a side effect. Another Immortal had the same problem.

"Bless you." Carter said.

"We have a problem. We need to talk privately." Ford said telling Chris and the two girls to back away.

"Why?" Chris asked.

"Just back up please. It's classified." Jack said.

They did but almost under protest.

"What's up?" Jack whispered.

"There's someone nearby that is like me. I felt that damned buzz."

"You mean another Immortal?" Carter said.

"Yeah. Watch out for a possible swinging sword."

Jack and the others nodded and then Jack signaled that the other three could come back over. They all got one either side of the door as Ford opened the door slowly peeking inside. He could see straight ahead was a door. The room turned off to the left with the middle of it having stairs leading down. He knew there was three guys but only two of them he could see. One was on the other side of the stairs and the other was on this side of the stairs. He figured the guy must be at the front of the stairs. Next to the door at the end of the small hallway was another door and there was a door right next to the one he just opened.

"I don't remember that there. A lot of things have changed." he muttered.

"What do you see?" Jack said.

"Murry, can I see that?"

Teal'c handed the staff weapon over and Ford opened the door all the way. Instant moaning that sent chills down everyone's spines.

"That is just getting creepier every time I hear it." Jack said.

The two that could be seen turned toward them crying out. They had little to no bottom jaws. The guy closest spit toward them but it only landed a foot away from Ford.

"What the hell was that?!" Claire asked.

"Acid! That's impossible." Carter said as they all noticed the floor burning slightly.

Ford fired blasting the guy directly in the chest. He staggered back but didn't fall as the other two came closer. They were moving fast.

"What the….?!" Jack exclaimed as they started getting closer.

They all backed off either direction. Ford couldn't shoot the guy he hit cause he got to close. As he reached for Ford, Ford swung it around smacking the guy in the head. He tumbled off the railing onto the broken table. He didn't die.

Carter and Jack had backed up the other direction with the Chris and Jill while Ford and the others had backed up toward the dead guy they shot that was still lying on the floor. Claire let out a small scream as she accidentally stepped in him. One of the guys came after them while the other one went after Jack's team. They took him out quickly with several bursts of ammo. He dropped to the floor with steam rising. Ford gave the staff back quickly to Teal'c who had no trouble blasting the guy four times. He fell on the railing which burned away dropping him to the floor below.

"Acid spitting? What's next?!" Jack asked.

"Let's hope we don't find out." Sam said walking over the dead guy the shot up.

Teal'c shot the guy below then followed them inside the room. A moan was heard below and a lot of scraping noises as well. A window showed outside didn't look friendly since lightening was now on top of them as was rain. Ford pulled his revolver and checked it for ammo. Jack walked over slowly and tried the door next to the end of the hall. It was locked so he kicked it open. It had a lot of trophy's, like animal heads and a few metal one's, mostly hunting stuff.

"I don't see anybody and no one seems to be in this room. Carter look out that door."

Carter looked out the other door seeing only an empty balcony.

"Nothing here sir."

"Must be below then." Ford muttered. "Okay, here's what's probably going to happen. There's two guys maybe three down there. Dogs are outside and will break through the window's. Only two though."

"Why would you think that? You psychic?" Chris asked.

"Yes." Ford didn't look up at them.

The Alpha team gave him the strangest look like he was actually being serious.

THUMP!

"What was that?" Jack asked looking around.

THUMP!

"There it is again." Daniel said. Everyone was looking around now.

THUMP!

Everyone but Jack instantly noticed the door behind Jack was shaking.

THUMP!

The door rattled more as it was hit again. Jack backed up pointing his weapon. It was hit again and cracked in the middle.

"What could it be?"

"Another slasher or lasher or was it licker?" Ford said scratching his head.

The door broke down as a creature that looked like an oversized gorilla. It had a small face with long fangs and even longer claws. It let out a roar and charged into a hail of gun fire. It dropped quickly only getting about five steps. A few moans were heard and several dead guys came through the door. It was more soldiers.

"I guess they got farther than it looked." Jack said putting out a few burst. They died bunching up in the doorway. It was a very ugly and gross site.

"I'm going down." Ford muttered turning away from the dead pileup.

He slowly crept down hearing the low moan. They started following behind when he stopped.

"I think that where we want to get to is through that door with the dead guys. I'm checking something out here so have the way cleared in case I have to make a run up." he said giving his gun a twirl.

At the bottom was a doorway just behind and to his right. The hallway continued on and turned to the right. Several window's went down the hallway. A dead lab dude was near the door and he turned toward Ford moaning. A quick twirl and point then bang. He was blown back slamming into the wall. He slid leaving a blood trail along it and didn't get up. Ford took a few steps forward when a couple of dogs burst through the windows. They turned heading toward him. He fired two rounds taking them out quickly then spun the gun and moved over to the door.

"Everything okay down there?"

"Yeah Jack. Just fine. I'll be right back. Fears gone."

"That was quick." Chris muttered.

"More like good timing." Jill said.

Ford opened the door slowly with the gun going in first. As the barrel passed the door it was shoved upward and a knife was headed toward him.