Sorry for the long delay in posting! I had a power blow out and that was followed by company so I haven't been able to post or reply to reviews. I'm sorry if I don't always get around to replying directly to every one of your reviews. Please know how much I appreciate your comments (and some of them make me laugh, in a good way – so thanks for that!) Starting this week I should be back to daily updates.
Oh no! She'd thought they'd gotten away with it but clearly the device in his stomach had activated. Maybe the medallion wasn't what controlled it.
"Jack" she knelt down beside him, not sure what to do. She was terrified when she saw the small drop of blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
"Let's get you back to the compound!" She attempted to help him up, but he resisted. "Come on Colonel, we have to go back." He curled up even more and began to cough, a spray of blood spurting out. Suddenly, he put his hand up to his mouth and continued to cough. Finally, he stilled. He lay there for a second, not moving.
Pulling his hand away he glanced down. Not sure what was happening, Sam followed his glance and saw that he was holding something. Confused, she reached out.
"What is it?"
Jack coughed again. "I think it's the device", he panted. "The Jaffa must have dislodged it when he hit me." He began to sit up although he was still shaky. He wiped his face, only managing to smear the blood.
Sam breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God – maybe it had only been the pain from the device coming out that had affected him rather than it activating. It may have done some damage, as evidenced by the blood, but hopefully it was minor.
"Are you okay Sir?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just remind me to never swallow little torture devices again. I much prefer Chinese!"
"Will do Sir." She put her arm down and helped him to stand. He staggered slightly but was then able to straighten up. He looked terrible – pale with dark streaks of blood across his face – but he was alive!
"Let's get out of here Major, before they come and find us."
"Yes Sir." She moved to the pilot's seat and quickly looked at the controls. This ship was different from any she'd flown before. It was some kind of transport, but slightly larger than they were used to.
While she did that Jack walked over to the bodies of the three Jaffa. With a grimace, but knowing it was necessary, he stripped the shortest of the three of his tunic and leather pants. He also grabbed the chest plate but left the rest of the armor. He didn't relish wearing a dead man's clothes, but it was better than prancing around with a blanket that had a tendency to fall off! He quickly donned the clothes, which were a bit big, but helped his modestly tremendously. He then took his zat and quickly got rid of the bodies.
"Figured it out yet?" he asked Sam calmly, as if their lives didn't depend on her being able to fly this thing out of here.
"I think so but I'm not sure. The controls are a little different. I just want to make sure there isn't some kind of booby trap!"
"Yeah – bin there, done that – it's not fun."
"No Sir", she said, not really paying attention to him. "There, I think that's it. Buckle up Colonel – I think we can go."
"Is there a cloaking device?"
"There may be but I haven't found it yet. I think we'll have to take out chances for now. I'll keep looking."
A couple of minutes letter the vessel began to lift. With a slight adjustment of the controls they were soon heading away from the field and the planet. Jack glanced down through the window and saw the compound. So far things looked quiet although he expected that would change.
Almost immediately they were too high to see what was happening on the ground. Sam hoped that there were no planetary attack weapons or tracking. She didn't think so, based on what she'd seen on the planet, but you could never be sure with a Goa'uld.
Sam glanced over at Jack who had taken the seat beside her (possibly the co-pilot's seat she thought). He looked so ill and she noticed he'd started to shiver again. Damn, they should have brought some blankets.
She looked around to see if she could see any kind of heating controls.
"Colonel – why don't you see if you can find any blankets? You're looking cold."
"Yeah – I'll check." He got up to look when he heard a sudden gasp. Turning quickly he saw Sam making some quick adjustments on the vessel. They suddenly turned a complete 180.
"What is it?" Sam didn't say a word, just pointed to the porthole in the side of the spacecraft. He walked over and looked out.
"Damn! Let's hightail it out of here!"
"That's what I'm trying to do Sir."
"Do you think we were seen?"
"I don't think so, not yet, but it won't be long unless we can put the planet between us and them." While she was speaking she was doing something to the controls. He figured she was trying to speed them up.
"Just our luck. Who do ya think it is?" He knew that she would have no way of knowing but asking Carter, and hoping she'd have the answer to save them all, had become a habit over the years.
"No idea Sir – but whoever it is, it's bad."
"Ya think?" he answered softly, as he stared at the Goa'uld Mothership moving towards the planet.
Ba'al's Mothership
The klaxons had been going off for a while, telling everyone to get to their battle stations. Daniel had quickly gotten Teal'c's armor together along with his weapons. He'd put on his own small metal breastplate and head covering that Teal'c had scrounged for him. It wasn't unheard of, but was considered unusual, for a slave to accompany his master into battle. Most of the Jaffa already saw Teal'c – or Tro'han' – as being slightly odd; most likely as a result of his time on Shayan. So, few said anything when D'nor followed his master to the ring room.
They were, however, surprised when they saw Kraneas following Gro'Mal. The Jaffa was more what they were used to; big, gruff and tough. For him to bring his slave was a surprise!
Jak'tral was also among the same group that was preparing to ring down to the planet. Besides that there were two other Jaffa whom Daniel had not met before. He wasn't quite sure what was going to happen once they got to the planet. He would simply follow Teal'c's lead.
"All right – you next." The Jaffa responsible for transporting the soldiers pointed to their group. When they had arrived on the planet they quickly headed to join the other soldiers who were standing in large groups.
"What now?" whispered Daniel.
"We wait and watch", answered Teal'c. "We will stay with Ba'al's forces until it is propitious to leave."
It took another hour for all the forces to get to the planet. All in all there must have been a few hundred Jaffa. It wasn't a terribly large force although the word was that Matsya didn't have very many Jaffa at all. Everyone expected it would be a short battle.
The last ring transporter arrived. Daniel glanced up casually, expecting more Jaffa. Instead, the person arriving was one slimy, evil Goa'uld that SG1 new well, accompanied by his First Prime and special guards.
"Shit!" murmured Daniel in an undertone. He glanced at Teal'c and both began to inch their way back into the crowd. The last thing they needed was to be discovered.
"Loyal Jaffa!" shouted Ba'al (the creepy devil!). We are here to take what rightfully belongs to your God! Lord Matsya has tried to withhold my greatest enemy. Today we will take, not only that enemy, but all that is Matsya's as just do for his betrayal."
With those few words, and following a rousing cheer from the Jaffa, Ba'al returned to his ship.
"I see the 'god' isn't going to chance going into battle!"
"Shhhh!" Teal'c looked around, knowing that to be overheard could mean death.
The soldiers were instructed to get into position and they began their march to Matsya's compound.
Jack and Sam
Sam had quickly brought down the transport ship, as far away from the arriving Jaffa as she could. Without shields they could never have hoped to escape from the Mothership. Even more, however, they were afraid of what was going to happen to the women and children on the planet. As far as Matsya and his men were concerned, well good riddance, thought Jack.
"Okay Major, let's go see what we can see." Jack wished he'd kept more of the Jaffa's armor than just the breastplate. He could have tried sneaking into the compound. As it was they were just going to have to watch from a distance.
He left the vessel and had walked a few steps before he realized that Sam wasn't following. He turned back.
"Carter, come on." Poking his head into the ship he saw her on the floor on her hands and knees. Her head was bowed.
"Carter! Sam – what's wrong?" He hurried over and squatted down beside her. She lifted her head, carefully, and he could see she was pale and sweaty.
"What is it?"
"Feeling sick again Sir!"
"Damn. Come here." He gently pulled her over until she was able to sit and lean against him. She closed her eyes and sat very still until the nausea had passed. He could hear her take a few deep breaths until finally she was able to sit up.
"Feelin' better?" he asked gently. He was really starting to worry about this.
"Yeah, I think so. Just give me another couple of seconds and I think I'll be okay."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I stood up quickly to follow you and felt dizzy and sick. I probably just stood up too fast."
"That's probably it", he replied, more to make her feel better than because he actually believed it. She still looked pale although a tinge of color had reappeared in her cheeks.
"I'm good to go Colonel."
"Okay". He stood and reached down, helping her to her feet. "Just make sure and tell me if you start feeling bad again."
"I will Sir, as soon as you are honest with me about how you're doing." He looked at her in some surprise but, as he met her eye, nodded slightly. She was right – they needed to be honest with each other. There were in an extremely precarious situation and they had to be able to rely on one another.
"How are you Sir?" He too was pale and she could see that he kept experiencing intermittent shivers.
"I'm fi-", he stopped when she raised her eyebrow. "Okay, I feel like crap but it doesn't matter – we still have to go."
"Can you make it Colonel?"
"If you can Major, then so can I." They looked at each other and finally turned together and headed out into the forest.
They worked their way as close to the compound as they could, watching all the while for any Jaffa – from either side. Looking in to the fenced-in area, they could only see a handful of Matsya's Jaffa, there were no women or children to be seen.
"Looks like they're keeping everyone indoors", murmured Sam.
"Maybe – I wonder though. Surely Matzo ball had a plan in case of attack. That fence isn't going to keep any of Ba'al's guys out and the buildings aren't very secure."
"Do you think he has some kind of secret defense weapon?"
"Either that or a quick escape route." As they watched, things remained quiet in the compound. Soon, however, they could see movement in the forest beyond. A couple of minutes later they could see Ba'al's army approach.
His men quickly surrounded the compound. The First Prime stepped forward and called out.
"I come in the name of my Lord Ba'al – mightiest of the gods. You are to open and allow us to enter so that you may worship him." There was silence. From their vantage point, Jack and Sam could see the door open to D'jindra's small house. He walked out, followed by the two priests.
The three men walked forward and then gestured to one of the Jaffa who proceeded to the gate and opened it. Instantly, Ba'al's Jaffa swarmed into the compound. Under orders from their superiors, many of the soldiers began to knock down doors and search the buildings.
It became clear, very quickly, that there was no one there. All the slaves, women and children, and the 'breeding' humans were gone, as was Matsya.
When all the Jaffa had returned, Ba'al's First Prime walked up to D'jindra, who was standing under guard.
"Where are Lord Matsya and the others?"
"There is only myself and our priests here. There is no one else." The First Prime reached out and struck D'jindra across the face, knocking him to the ground.
Sam could feel Jack react beside her. She glanced over and saw a small grin on his face. He turned and looked at her and she grinned back. Yup – if there was anyone who deserved to be hit it was the little sadist.
They both turned back to watch. D'jindra was hauled to his feet and then was struck again. This time he lay still on the ground. The First Prime then turned his attention on the two priests who were dragged forward.
As the drama was occurring below Jack's eyes wandered into the crowd of Ba'al's Jaffa. Suddenly he gasped, a small sound, and grabbed Sam's arm.
"What is it Sir?"
"Look – does that look like someone you know?" He pointed to one of the Jaffa, whose head was covered. She squinted, trying to see if she could identify the person.
She couldn't tell if it was someone she knew or not but, as she stared, she happened to glance at the slightly shorter man to his side. As she looked she saw him wrap his arms around his chest in a gesture she knew well. Her eyes grew big and she shifted her vision back to the larger man.
"Oh my God – it's Daniel and Teal'c."
"I thought so!" She could hear the excitement in Jack's voice. Suddenly, things were looking up.
"But what the heck are they doing with Ba'al's army?"
"I don't know and frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!" She turned to Jack and rolled her eyes. She could tell that seeing their friends had helped his mood tremendously if he was now quoting old movies. "The issue is how to contact them. We can't very well waltz in and say hi."
"We can assume they're here to find us, Sir, so I expect they'll be on the look out. If one of them leaves the camp we can contact him."
"Mmm hmmm. We'll take turns on watch. Why don't you try and get some rest for now. I'll keep my eyes open."
She looked at him closely, noticing that he continued to look as if he could collapse any minute. The shivering continued to get worse. But he also had a look which said 'don't push it Major'. She knew she wasn't going to change his mind so she just nodded.
"Okay Sir, although I'd like to watch for a few more minutes and then I'll rest." He nodded and they both turned back to look into Matsya's enclosure.
As they continued to watch, both wondering how their friends had managed to make it here with Ba'al, they saw a Jaffa lift his staff weapon and fire at one of the priests who dropped, most likely dead.
"They mean business." Sam whispered. "I wonder where everyone is? They couldn't have had time to get them to a ship. There must be some kind of secret passage or chamber or something."
As they spoke D'jindra and the remaining priest were dragged into the little house that had been the torturer's. He was about to experience what he had inflicted on so many others.
Ba'al's Jaffa were given instructions and they began to fall out in groups to set up small camps. Some were posted as guards and others took charge of the few who remaining enemy Jaffa.
Jack and Sam watched carefully, keeping their eyes on Daniel and Teal'c. Eventually, when it was obvious the two friends were simply going to set up camp for now Sam decided to close her eyes and rest. She still felt nauseated and somewhat dizzy. It didn't seem too serious but she was so tired that the thought of sleep pulled her in. Within moments she was sound asleep.
Jack kept his eyes pretty much focused on the Jaffa camps, particularly that of Daniel and Teal'c, but couldn't resist stealing short glances at the woman sleeping beside him. It was only at these moments that he allowed his own expression to become completely unguarded and to show the love and longing he felt. He hoped they would get out of this mess although it was still iffy at best. He had accepted the fact that he probably didn't have much time left, but he was going to do everything in his power to ensure Sam and Daniel and Teal'c made it home.
The two men he was thinking about were, at that moment, sitting outside their tent, eating some of their few rations, as night grew near. The other Jaffa in their party were either resting or were off with some others. Jak'tral had gotten himself into a quiet game with some of the Jaffa. It was their form of poker. Gro'Mal had grunted at them and entered his tent. His slave was off cooking in the central cooking area.
Things were pretty quiet – discipline was tight – but they could hear the odd voice or laugh from around them. They had also heard the screams of either, or perhaps both, of the men who had been taken by the Jaffa. Daniel found it hard to listen to although Teal'c appeared stoic.
"God, I hate that. How can you bear to listen Teal'c?"
"I do not have a choice, Daniel Jackson. I try to not think about it."
"What do you think happened to the people on the planet? Do you think Jack and Sam are with them?"
"I do not know what has happened. The men who are being tortured may reveal where they are. As to O'Neill I would assume he is still being held captive. I do not know about Major Carter and I do not care. I assume she is with Matsya."
"Crap Teal'c, you're a hard ass! I bet they're together. I still think you're mistaken about Sam."
"I do not believe so and I warn you not to be tricked by her. It could mean all our deaths."
Daniel sat quiet, again confused. What if what Teal'c said was right? What if Sam was behind this? After some intense internal dialogue he decided his best course of action was to assume she was guilty. She still needed a chance to defend herself however.
"Okay Teal'c, I'll watch out for her but only under the condition you promise not to hurt her. We have to prove her guilt or innocence. Do you promise?"
This time it was Teal'c's turn to be silent. Finally he turned to Daniel. "As long as she does not attempt to hurt one of us I will not hurt her. With that you will have to be satisfied."
Daniel didn't like it, but he agreed. He just hoped that Teal'c wouldn't see any little move on Sam's part as an attempt to hurt them.
They sat for a while longer until the sun had gone down. The screams had stopped. Either the men were dead or unconscious or their torturers were taking a break.
Teal'c stood up and looked down at Daniel. "I wish to go for a walk. Do you want to accompany me?"
"Uh, no. I think I'll just stay here."
"I suggest you come Daniel Jackson. You may not be safe alone."
"Really?" Daniel looked around nervously. He still had nightmares about that last episode. "Okay, I guess I'll come. Where are we going?"
"I will just see if we can walk the perimeter." He walked over to one of the most senior officers who stood near one side of the fence.
"What do you want Jaffa?" the officer asked. It was as he spoke that they realized he was not Jaffa but was a Goa'uld. He must be a minor one in the service of Ba'al, Daniel realized. They'd better be careful or they could be recognized.
"My Lord. I am simply wishing to take a walk but wanted to find out from you if that was acceptable. This is my slave, I bring him to clear my path if I have need." Daniel was keeping his head carefully lowered. He was impressed with Teal'c who didn't sound in the slightest nervous.
"Why do you wish to go for a walk? Do you not have a camp to sit at?"
"Yes My Lord. I simply find that when I am in a ship for a number of days I then have need for fresh air and exercise to keep myself ready for battle."
"Hmmm. I know what you mean. I hate traveling by ship." He stopped and looked frightened for a moment. "But of course, My Lord's ship is fine. It is the best in the galaxy."
"Indeed. My Lord Ba'al is a great and powerful god and it is an honor to serve him. He must have great confidence in you to place you in charge of such an important endeavor."
Oh yes, thought Daniel, stroke his ego. That's definitely the way to a Goa'uld's heart – no, wait, they don't have hearts! Okay, that's the way to get on their good si – no, they don't have a good side either! Oh hell – just suck up to em Teal'c.
"Yes, he knows I am his most loyal servant - as it appears are you. Go for your walk but watch yourself. If you see anything suspicious report back to me immediately."
"I will My Lord and thank you. You are most generous." With a bow he began to walk towards the gate, a quick 'come slave' tossed over his shoulder.
They passed a number of guards but Teal'c simply told them they had permission from the commander to leave. Once they were out of the compound they began a leisurely stroll around the perimeter. It was only once they'd reached an area where they could no longer be seen that Teal'c grabbed his arm and pulled him into the forest.
"Whatcha do that for Teal'c?", whispered Daniel.
"Now we will see if we can find O'Neill. If he is here he will attempt to contact us but we must hurry. We do not have long before they will grown suspicious."
The two members of SG1 walked as quietly and quickly as possible through the forest, watching carefully to see if they could see anything. At one point Daniel stumbled over a hidden branch and fell slightly behind. As he attempted to move forward an arm abruptly reached out and grabbed him from behind – a hand pressed tightly over his mouth.
"Hmmmph!" he tried to scream but a garbled groan was all he could manage.
"Daniel Jackson?" he heard Teal'c whisper in a fierce undertone.
"Tell him to be quiet Daniel. We don't want to wake up any sleeping Goa'uld." The hand was silently removed from his face.
"Jack!" Daniel swiftly turned and looked at his friend. Just then Teal'c came rushing back, his staff weapon held at the ready.
"Whoa Teal'c, don't shoot. It's me."
Teal'c lowered the weapon and bowed his head. "O'Neill, it is good to see you."
"Backatcha Teal'c, Daniel. Where the hell did you guys come from?"
"We've come with Ba'al's forces. We've been pretending to be Jaffa in his service – well, Teal'c has been pretending to be Jaffa. Yours truly is a lowly slave. God Jack, it's so glad to see you. Are you all right?" As he said this Daniel tried to look at his friend but couldn't see much in the moonlight. What little he saw didn't look good.
"Uh Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay?" He noticed Jack start to shiver.
"I'm fine Daniel, just a little chilly. Come on."
"What about Sam?"
"She's here Daniel. Let's go, I left her just up the hill there. We've been watching what's happening and were trying to figure out how to contact you guys."
As he turned to walk to where he'd left Sam, an arm suddenly shot out and stopped him.
"O'Neill, there is something I must tell you."
"What is it Teal'c?" Jack looked in concern at his friend. Something sounded off.
"It is about Samantha Carter. We discovered that she was behind your capture."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Jack was confused.
"She was working in association with the Goa'uld Matsya. It is she who is responsible for your capture. She is evil O'Neill. We must restrain her."
"What! What the hell have you been smoking Teal'c? Sam, in league with a Goa'uld? Okay, either you're pulling my leg or you're not the Teal'c I know. Sam is no more 'evil' than a, than a – hell than I don't know what. She's the best damn person I know. Daniel, what the hell is this about?" As he spoke Jack became steadily more furious. He looked over to the younger man who simply wore a very confused expression of his own.
"I don't know Jack. Teal'c is sure she's bad and sometimes I think he's right. When we were on the planet where you were kidnapped it was like a revelation came to us. We suddenly realized that women were bad news, that they were the ones responsible for the bad stuff that was happening. After I was hurt I wasn't so sure; now I'm just confused."
"What? Oh god, you're turned into the men of that planet, haven't you? There must be something there, some virus or something, that makes this happen. And what's this about being hurt Danny?"
"Later Jack. Right now we don't have a lot of time."
"Yeah right." Looking at Teal'c he spoke again, this time in his 'Commanders' voice. "We're gonna go get Carter now and you'd better restrain yourself. She is not the enemy, do you get that Teal'c?" He looked at the big man who simply stared back at him. Great, thought O'Neill, this is all we need. He turned and headed towards the small clearing where Sam was waiting.
"Major." He called softly. "I'm bringing back some guests." He heard only silence. Good Sam, be careful. He walked into the clearing, closely followed by Daniel and Teal'c. Of Sam there was no sight. "Sam", he called again. At that moment there was a small sound and he saw Sam come out from behind one of the trees at the far side of the clearing. She had her zat drawn, making sure that Jack was okay. He started to walk towards her when he saw a small movement out of the corner of his eye. He glanced swiftly to his left just as Teal'c lifted his staff weapon and primed it. With a "nooooooo" Jack jumped in front of Teal'c, just as the Jaffa shot towards Sam.
Jack felt the blow from the blast, which knocked him clear across the clearing. He lay stunned as both Daniel and Sam ran over and kneeled down beside him. The pain had not yet hit. Looking up at Daniel, he weakly raised his hand and grasped the younger man's shirt.
"Look after …. Sam." Those were his last words as blackness claimed him.