AN: I'm sorry there has been such a long lull. Among other things, it has just been hard to write the story up to the point that I wanted to get to, the part that I am really interested in. But, I've finally hopped over to where I believe it starts to get interesting. In fact, I wrote the whole second chapter I'm posting today, and part of this one, in just a couple hours tonight. I am hoping this surge continues, and I hope you enjoy.
Sam was sitting with her eyes closed, somewhere between awake and asleep. Things were quiet, and whatever her body had or hadn't been through, she was exhausted. At the moment there was no opportunity for escape, something she was almost glad for. Because at that point she'd have to make a choice. If this was fake, she needed to stay away from Earth and not give these people any more. But if it was real... she couldn't hinder her team's chance at freedom. Unfortunately, she probably wouldn't get her answers.
She noticed that everything had gone still. Jack wasn't doing his normal fidgiting, and the others were quiet as well. Sam opened her eyes to see them staring out at the one solitary guard. And the guard was staring back. His brow furrowed, as though he were debating with himself.
"You are... not of this world?" the guard asked.
For a moment they all just took turns looking at each other, not sure what to make of it. Daniel was the one who broke the silence.
"No, we're not."
"Truly?"
"That device. The..." Daniel paused to remember the word, "Matellan is a transportation device, able to send you vast distances."
"Then... they were right, weren't they?"
"Who?" Daniel asked, trying to gauge the other man.
The man smiled wryly. "The Believers of course. I must admit that I was ambivalent. But you certainly seem otherworldly."
"Let us go." Jack said.
Now the guard gave an amused laugh. "How far would you get? Certainly not out of this premesis."
"Well I think we all know what happens if we stay here."
"Yes. You are a threat to them, no matter the truth of your existence. But now is not the time for action."
"So, what, are we just supposed to sit here?" Daniel asked.
"For now. I must wait for shift change. Then... we shall see."
Sam frowned as they all went silent again. It was very convenient. But then, it was convenience that got them out of a lot of situations in the past. She had to keep her guard up. At least the others looked as skeptical as she felt.
It wasn't long before the man was relieved by two other guards. They didn't have a chance to discuss what had just happened. But really, what was there to say? She was sure their thoughts ran similar to hers. This could be a setup from them to try and discover the location of these Believers. Of course, if that were the case, the whole exercise was pointless. They couldn't very well lead them to a place they didn't know about. Or the man really was what he claimed, and a potential ally in this situation.
Sleep refused to come again. Sam was simply too on edge to calm down enough. The debate in her head, the simple doubt in everything around her. Something was happening, that much she was sure about. She didn't know what to do. Afraid that whatever choice she made would be the wrong one.
"Carter, you ok?" Jack questioned.
"I'm fine. I just..." She shook her head and sighed. "I'm fine."
He seemed to guess where her head was at, that vocalizing some sort of reassurance simply wasn't going to help. So he just offered a tight smile. Weakly, she smiled back.