Sticks and Stones - Chapter 46 - by Emma Nisbet (grnfield)
Teal'c and General Hammond stopped near Reynolds at the DHD and quietly waited for Jack. The Colonel approached the three men and stopped, looking around for someone or something in obvious frustration.
"General, Colonel, Teal'c," Reynolds greeted them.
"Reynolds," Jack acknowledged him with a bob of his head, eyes still scanning the area.
"Colonel O'Neill, can I help you with something?" Reynolds asked.
Jack finally stopped scanning the clearing and his eyes met those of Reynolds. "Er…yeah, Saunders?" he asked.
"Saunders, Sir?" Reynolds queried.
"Major Geoffrey Saunders, Reynolds. My second in command," Jack replied. "Where the hell is Saunders?"
"Sorry, yes, I know who he is, Colonel. I just don't…oh, hold on a moment." Reynolds grabbed his radio, "Sierra Golf Three calling Major Saunders, please respond."
The radio crackled into life, "Saunders receiving. What can I do for you Colonel Reynolds."
Colonel Reynolds automatically went to reply but was beaten to it by Jack who flicked the button on his radio before Reynolds had a chance. "Saunders, this is Colonel O'Neill. What is your present location?"
"Colonel O'Neill. Sir, I'm currently at the Chamakan encampment arranging a rota for use of the bathing pools," the reply came back.
"You got Major Staines with you?" Jack asked.
There was a pause, before Staines voice was heard. "Colonel O'Neill, this is Staines. I'm near to Major Saunders location, do you need me to go and meet with him?"
"No, Staines. I need you to go and replace him. Saunders, I need you back at the base ASAP. I'm going on a little trip and I need you to take care of things while I'm gone."
Reynolds forehead crinkled into a frown as he heard this. "Sirs, what's happened? Is it SG-2?"
"Be patient, Son." Hammond said kindly. "We'll fill you in when Major Saunders arrives, there's no point going through everything twice."
"Very well, General," Reynolds replied. 'This is bad, it can't be anything but bad.'
~#~
A few minutes later Major Saunders skidded to a halt beside the DHD. Seeing General Hammond standing by the device he immediately snapped to attention and gave a sharp salute. The General acknowledged him and told him to be at ease, so the Major immediately turned his attentions to Jack.
"Major," Jack said. "You got everything sorted here?"
"Yes, Sir," came the reply. "Many of the men at the camp simply need rest and sufficient food and fluids. Physically they should be fine within a week or so. Mentally though…"
"I know, Major. I know." Jack stopped him. "Major, circumstances have changed - drastically - since the refugees came through from P4M-776. A situation has developed and both Teal'c and myself have been requested to render assistance. This is a time sensitive situation so I need to leave pretty much straight away."
"Sir," Reynolds started. "SG-2?"
General Hammond took it upon himself to relieve Jack of the burden of explanation. "Colonel Reynolds, Major Saunders. As you are aware most of SG-2 were last heard of aboard the Ha'tak vessel of the System Lords Ba'al and Osiris. A short time ago the Marines guarding the gate on P4M-776 were approached by the ship and a set of rings dropped two of our men in front of the Stargate pedestal. One of the men - Lieutenant Jimmy Sands of SG-2 - was dead and the other - Sergeant Mickey Davies of SG-3 - was in a state of severe shock. He was lucid for a short while and managed to tell the Marines that the ship is under the control of Osiris, that Major Carter and Colonel Ferretti are being held in the Jaffa quarters and that many of the Jaffa who supposedly serve Osiris are in fact doing so under duress. Before he left the Ha'tak, Sergeant Davies was in contact with one of the dead Goa'uld Imhotep's Jaffa. This man, named Dal'nar, knew of Teal'c's reputation and assured the Sergeant that the SGC will encounter very little resistance from the Jaffa on the ship when we next board the vessel."
"Sir, apart from the…er…obvious, why is Colonel O'Neill going?" Major Saunders asked. "He…er…you requested him?"
"Hey, you know me," Jack announced. "I'm the 'go to' guy. Kill the snake, get the girl and we all live happily ever after."
Hammond looked at Jack, rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Son, as ever it's not really as simple as that," he explained. "The presence of both Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c was requested by Osiris himself. The 'request' stated that Colonel O'Neill must be present on the Ha'tak vessel by 1330 hrs today or the lives of Colonel Ferretti and Major Carter will be forfeit. Sergeant Davies is now heavily sedated in the infirmary. Apart from shock he seems healthy enough but Lieutenant Sands was clearly tortured before Osiris broke his neck. The Lieutenant was apparently sent back to let us know that Osiris meant what he said - so that we'd send in Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c with no questions asked. Unfortunately for Osiris, he doesn't seem to have any idea that his Jaffa are not truly faithful to him. Teal'c believes Dal'nar to be telling the truth although anyone travelling onto the ship will be more than adequately armed in case he turns out to be lying. Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c will be accompanied by SG teams five and fifteen, and - with your permission, Colonel Reynolds - yourself and Sergeant Nicholson. Sergeant Bell from SG-2 has requested that he also accompany you and I have granted his request. Now time is of the essence and we must get back to Earth as soon as possible. Colonel O'Neill, do you have anything you need to do before we go?"
"No, Sir. I'm all set," Jack replied. "Saunders, look after the place. I want to find it still in one piece when I get back."
Saunders nodded, unwilling to voice his worry about the potential danger of what the others were about to walk into. He knew Jack would never willingly show weakness or any doubt that he would indeed return from the mission. With Sam Carter's life in the balance it was probable that Jack would give up his own life for the chance to save her. Letting out a shudder, and glancing to check no-one noticed, Saunders replied "Will do, Sir. Don't worry about this place. You just put your energies into getting everyone back to Earth safely."
There wasn't much you could get past the Black Ops trained Colonel O'Neill, but somehow Saunders didn't mind being caught out. He realised that Jack had noticed the shudder when he pulled him aside and quietly spoke to him. "You're a good man, Major. Let the others know what's going on as and when you see fit. Don't you worry, I'll do all I can to get everyone home again…and I fully intend that to mean everyone."
Saunders didn't know how to reply to that one but it didn't seem that Jack was expecting a reply any way so he just nodded and remained silent.
The silver haired Colonel turned, presented himself to General Hammond.
"I'm ready, Sir," he told the General. Turning to Teal'c, he linked arms with the large warrior and said, "Come Toto, it's time to fly. Let's just tap our heels together and say 'there's no place like home'. One quick stop and then we're off to rescue Dorothy."
Teal'c looked over Jack's head and locked confused eyes with Hammond. The bald headed Texan held his gaze for a moment, then turned to Saunders and ordered the gate to be dialled back to Earth.
The gate burst into life before settling back down and creating the gateway to Earth. Teal'c, General Hammond and Colonel Reynolds stepped forwards and disappeared into the event horizon. Jack took a last look back at Major Saunders who gave a smart salute as the Colonel stepped away from his home on the Alpha Site.
For all his bravado Jack was worried and his last thought before his molecules were disassembled by the gate was a melancholy one - the thought that this maybe the last time any of his men saw him alive.