"Unscheduled off-world activation!" Walter Harriman called out as he visually verified the iris on the Stargate had closed, then watched his screens for GDO recognition. He furrowed his brow when the first code requested "comms only."
"Who is it, Chief?" General Hammond asked as he descended the stairs from his office, followed closely by Teal'c who stood quietly at his shoulder. He had just returned in a fresh uniform at the general's insistence that he take a moment for himself while he issued orders for airmen to prepare gear for his departure.
"I don't know, sir. It is a GDO code but… wait, it's Colonel O'Neill, sir!" Walter corrected himself quickly. His hands flew across the keyboard, verifying the code-match.
"Great, then open the iris," Hammond ordered, relieved at the turn of luck. Teal'c had explained that a storm on the planet had likely swamped the Stargate, which explained their stranded MALP that they had sent through after SG1 missed several check-ins. The waters must have finally receded.
"No, sir," Walter refused, causing both men to look at him incredulously, but he did not look up from his terminal, "the colonel sent through a GDO code for comms-only, which means we do not open the iris."
"Well, what message did he send?" the general asked impatiently, then turned to Teal'c, "I thought you said they had no radio equipment."
"They do not," Teal'c confirmed, gazing curiously at the master chief.
"That's just it, sir, there has been no communication," Walter explained, "and the colonel sent his ID code after sending the comms-only code, not before. That goes against protocol for gate travel."
"Now why on Earth would he do that?" The general sounded perplexed and a bit annoyed as he looked from one man to the other, expecting answers.
"Perhaps it was intended as a warning," Teal'c suggested, then turned with realization, "General Hammond, the Stargate may still be flooded. Do not open the iris!"
"I wasn't planning to, Teal'c. But now what?" Hammond questioned out loud, "What does he expect us to do?"
"Sir!" Walter interrupted again, "we have an incoming signal from the MALP. But no video and no audio. We cannot establish a connection."
"What is going on over there?" The general barked in frustration, "is the gate still flooded or not?"
"O'Neill must be in the water at the Stargate attempting to establish communication through other means," Teal'c suggested.
"Sergeant Siler!" Hammond called out, just as he discovered the man hovering at his elbow, watching the staticky video feed with the rest of them. The man came to quick attention, but the general waved away the formality. "Sergeant, do you think you can do what the colonel is trying to do?"
"Well, sir, I think I would be a poor stand-in for Colonel O'Neill," Siler said evenly, "but with the right gear, I believe I can set up communications on the planet."
"I'm sure you will do just fine, Sergeant," Hammond assured him, crinkling his eyes in amusement at the self-deprecation, but the man's deadpan did not waver. "Right, then. Grab your gear. You're going with Teal'c, and then you're going for a swim."
After a quick yes, sir, the man scooted down the short stairway at a jog, dancing to the side to avoid a collision with Doctor Frasier as she rounded the corner. She carried an unreadable expression on her face as General Hammond continued issuing his orders.
"Teal'c, take Siler with you. With any luck the waters will have receded and you can return through the gate. If not, he will be able to assess the situation, set up comms, and work with us on the Stargate if needed."
Without another word, Teal'c nodded and headed out of the command room as well.
"Doctor," Hammond smiled warmly as Janet Frasier stepped forward, "tell me you have good news. How is Major Carter?"
"I have good news, General," she replied as her lips curled into a small smile. "The major is resting comfortably. She has a touch of pneumonia, but her fever has broken and she was awake and talking a short time ago. She may have a minor concussion, so we will keep an eye on her overnight. She is pretty fatigued and is sleeping now."
"That is good to hear, Doctor. Please let me know when she is awake again. I'm going to need to talk to her. Hopefully she will be well enough to help us find a solution from this end."
"Yes, sir," she nodded, then paused just a moment before speaking again. "Sir, Sam mentioned that Colonel O'Neill also lost consciousness on the Ha'tak and they both went into freezing water. And Teal'c said that Doctor Jackson has a broken arm," she hesitated as the general looked at her expectantly. She straightened up and went straight to the point. "Sir, I would like to send one of my medics with Teal'c to provide triage care to both men."
"There is only one other seat in the death glider. I'm sorry, Doctor," he shook his head slowly. "Assessing the function of the Stargate on that planet will be our best hope for getting our people back quickly. Ready any medical supplies that you would like to send. Teal'c and Sergeant Siler are leaving in one hour."
