A/N's: thanks you guys, for reading, for reviewing... glad you still enjoy this little trip to, well, hell... but you know what they say, to hell and back...
Teal'c carefully positioned all the bodies after having placed the explosives on what he figured to be the most effective sites. One of the bodies was levered into a sitting position and made to look as though keeping watch over Teal'c.
Janet was seated behind the stretcher and moved now and then, pretending to check her patient.
The body dressed to resemble Daniel was lying in a supine position next to the sitting guard. The real Daniel Jackson, now dressed up as one of the guards, paced with his weapons drawn, pointing them at his 'prisoners' to keep them quiet.
In his other hand, Daniel held the broken radio and pretended to try and contact his colleagues on the other side. Faking an angry mad-fit he cursed in Arabic and threw the radio on the ground, wildly moving his arms during the whole scene.
Then he started gesturing, waving to the other side of the ravine, pointing at his prisoners and ending with movements designed to imply a question-and-answer session. Finishing his act, he started pacing again, poking Teal'c in the chest to direct his so-called anger.
They waited patiently, anxiously, hoping their efforts would work.
"They're debating" hissed Fraiser, who had the best view over the valley.
"Let's hope they hurry," Daniel mumbled, unable to control his nerves.
"You are doing well, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c encouraged the younger man.
"Hope so, Teal'c. Hope so," Daniel murmured under his breath and faked another outburst of anger, aiming it at the female doctor who feigned shuddering with fear.
He was about to wave again as Fraiser's voice stopped him. "They're moving!"
He glared and watched as the five people hiked toward the ravine, one guard leading the way, the two Americans behind him followed by two additional armed guards.
"I don't see Jack anywhere," Daniel hissed, scanning the area through half-open eyes.
"Is it not O'Neill's intention to remain undetected?" Teal'c asked solemnly.
O'Neill stealthily followed the fourth member of the Tyberian Elite troops. He had to risk being detected as he needed to get closer for a sudden attack. Failure was not an option and he couldn't allow himself to make a lot of noise or commotion on the west rim if he wanted to make sure the other guards wouldn't notice something amiss.
It was difficult as the other man moved swiftly and efficiently, not hindered in his movements by un-cooperative body parts.
O'Neill, however, was having some trouble with only one functional arm and wobbling legs. Determined, he continued his trek; meanwhile thinking of a way to pull this off. He needed some distraction, something that would stop the other guard and make him turn around.
Then he came upon the perfect spot.
He was approaching several decent hiding places and quickly bent forward to pick up a handful of gravel. Swinging his arm backwards he threw the gravel to the left, the grinding sound of rock capturing the guard's attention. O'Neill had already ducked out of sight, his next move planned, and his knife already in his hand.
He heard the guard approaching, slowly and hesitatingly. Then the soft scraping of boots over the solid rocks stopped and Jack lost track of the man's location.
There were three possibilities, Jack calculated. The guard could be standing in place, listening carefully for anything amiss. He could be sneaking to the left side, where the gravel had hit home. He also could be moving around to the right, in which case he would end up behind O'Neill's back.
O'Neill softly turned, with his back reclining against the rocks so he could cover both sides. He pricked up his ears but heard nothing.
It was all a matter of reaction. He predicted odds might weigh in his favor if he moved to the left, anticipating the man would be there somewhere. Carefully he moved, sliding one foot in front of the other, scanning the area and making sure not to step onto anything that would make even the faintest noise. Years of training and experience helped him as he managed to change his position without making one sound.
The guard wasn't standing on the path. He had to be either in front of Jack or coming up from behind. With his senses on full alert Jack moved further into the planned direction.
It was instinct alone that warned him. Quickly, Jack spun around and thrust his knife upwards. The guard, appearing out of nowhere, ready to jump on him, fell backwards after being stabbed in his midsection. Before the Tyberian man had the chance to react Jack acted, finishing the job.
O'Neill straightened his back, fighting to regain control over his ragged breathing. He then continued his trek, knowing he had to hurry to reach the others in time.
Daniel kept in sight of the guards heading toward them still acting like he was one of the guards. He kept a close look on the approaching group and searched the area behind the moving people, knowing Jack had to be out there, but not spotting him. It was making him really, really nervous.
Janet, who also had a good view over the valley, had been glancing into the same direction as well. "I don't see him," she hissed, the distress evident in voice.
"Me neither," Daniel answered. "I don't trust this..."
"I am positive O'Neill will be there. I will see if I can detect him," Teal'c offered, trying to calm his friends.
"Okay. I'll knock you down so you can get out of sight for a while," Daniel agreed and put up an act being mad at his prisoner, shoving the huge alien down.
Once out of sight, Teal'c quickly rose to his feet and worked his way around to get a better view over the valley. Only minutes later he returned. "O'Neill is located on the left mountain side. He appears to be coming this way."
"Why would he be up there?" Daniel questioned.
"Maybe something happened? Maybe the guards were on their way before he reached the other side?" Janet joined in.
"O'Neill must have had a good reason," the Jaffa stated resolutely.
Daniel looked back. The guards, along with their prisoners, were half way to them and he tried to estimate how far he could let them approach before they would see that they were being tricked. "What do we do now?"
"We improvise, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said.
O'Neill hurried over the mountain side, taking the risk of being seen but needing to do so or he would arrive too late at his destination.
He was almost behind the group trekking through the valley now and couldn't go any faster. Passing them would be too dangerous. He was breathing in short gasps now and sweat beaded his forehead. Absentmindedly, he wiped them off with his sleeve as he carefully continued.
He longed for a real rest but couldn't give up now. Not now when he was so close. Bayfield and Carter needed him. Catching himself with his right arm as his leg buckled once again he pushed himself back up, determined to finish the job.
There.
This was the spot he was looking for. A slope through the rocks and stones formed a crude path down into the ravine, and it was still mostly out of sight for anyone looking back over his shoulder. It was steep, it probably was slippery but it could be done.
It was the only chance he had.
Jack figured he needed to climb down backwards, his stomach facing the path, like climbing down a ladder. That way he had more control over his weight, more chances to detect places to hold on and therefore it would be the safest way.
If only that arm wasn't in the way.
He quickly started pulling on the bandages around his torso, fidgeting with them until they came loose. Struggling with one hand he succeeded in pulling them off and freeing his arm.
Pain shot through his elbow, all the way up into his shoulder from the sudden lack of support, making him groan deeply.
Jack bit on his lip, closed his eyes and slowly, agonizingly moved his arm, stretching it bit by tiny bit until he had it into a position so he could climb without the injured limb hindering him. He knew the arm really needed the support, but he also realized that if he fell on his stomach during his climb down it would damage the arm as well. Besides, he didn't intend to use it.
Cautiously he started his descent, slowly placing one foot underneath the other, feeling for the most solid spot to step on. He'd placed the knife back in its sheath so he had his right hand free to hold onto every protruding part of rock for balance.
The three Americans carefully studied the approaching group of enemy guards. It looked like Colonel Bayfield and Major Carter had their hands bound behind their backs, but other than that they looked all right. It was now all a matter of estimating how close they could let them approach and what their next move would be.
"We can't let them come too close," Daniel said, looking back at Teal'c for ideas.
The Jaffa surveyed the situation and tried to think of a way to turn events in their favor. O'Neill was coming this way over the west ridge and would not make it in time. They also couldn't keep up the act as the guards would soon discover that their own men were dead and that the Americans had taken their places. They needed a distraction without risking the chance that the group might turn around to head back to the north side.
"I will set off the first explosives," said Teal'c. "When it blows, we can all retreat, out of sight of the approaching guards. We will see what needs to be done after that."
Daniel nodded and peered into the valley as the group was getting closer and closer. He waited a bit longer then hissed. "Now would be good, Teal'c."
Teal'c pressed the remote control. A huge explosion on the east side of them caused rocks and stone to fly through the air, rolling down the mountain, the ground trembling under the force of the blast.
Daniel didn't have to act startled by the explosion. He almost jumped up for real then started yelling and waving his arms, pushing the female doctor backwards.
Teal'c meanwhile dragged the bodies with him until they were out of sight then helped Doctor Fraiser finding a better hiding spot.
Daniel ran back and dragged the stretcher with him, motioning for the approaching guards in the valley to hurry. He dropped next to Teal'c. "Did they buy it?"
Teal'c had his binoculars and watched. "They are confused, Daniel Jackson. They appear to be discussing what to do next."
"They won't go back, will they?" Daniel said, his brows lifted in a worried fashion.
"I do not think so," Teal'c responded. "One guard is moving forward now. Two are remaining, with Colonel Bayfield and Major Carter."
"Damn," cursed Daniel. "Now what?" asked Janet.
"We must wait," said Teal'c. "When this guard is close enough, I will subdue him."
"What about the second set of explosives?" Daniel suddenly remembered. "Can we use that?"
"We cannot. It will damage the passage for O'Neill," Teal'c said as he surveyed the area where he thought O'Neill would be.
"What do we do with the guards holding Bayfield and Sam?" Daniel asked.
"I will have to move to a better position and shoot, "Teal'c said simply. "Hopefully Colonel Bayfield and Major Carter are able to assist us." He pressed one finger in front of his lips to silence his companions then left.
After the explosion, the guards had forced their hostages to stop.
Bayfield glanced at Major Carter, frowning.
What would have caused the explosion?
Would it have been their own people, or more Tyberian guards?
After discussing things one of the guards moved forward to explore the situation, while the two remaining guards kept them covered.
Bayfield still had his piece of rock and continued scratching the ropes. He wasn't free yet, but he could feel the knots loosening a little bit.
The two men that were still guarding them were nervous. Their body language was clearly conveying that message and Bayfield had enough experience with people to pick it up. He could tell it by the way they stood, by the way they exchanged looks, and even by the way they drew breath.
He wondered what had become of the fourth guard on the west rim. He hadn't seen him, but maybe the man deliberately stayed out of sight. It was almost impossible that that man would have reached the other side yet, though.
A quick exchange of looks with Major Carter told him she knew what he wanted her to do. Her job would be the guard on their left; his job would be the other. Although her hands were also bound, Bayfield knew the Major had enough combat training to manage her task. Now he only had to wait for the right moment. Everything depended on the situation on the mountain.
He kept an eye on the guard that had left to explore the situation.
A/N's: almost there, almost there... (I think, lol). Do we have a date on Friday?