Sam had been running for an indeterminate amount, losing all sense of minutes, hours, or days. Exhaustion had consumed her, and every step was an excruciating ordeal, with her limbs screaming in pain. She had long ceased to hear any pursuit behind her, but the fear of stopping still gripped her as if the danger might be lurking in her imagination. So, she continued her relentless sprint, her face bearing the scars of her heedless passage through trees and underbrush as she fled for her life.
Finally, she arrived at the cliff's precipice, her feet barely halting in time to prevent her from plummeting into the perilous depths below. She panted heavily, mustering the courage to steal a glance behind her. To her surprise, there was no one in pursuit - no Lucien Alliance men, no shots, no zats—just the silence of the wilderness and the frantic rhythm of her own heart.
Sam sank to her knees, her P-90 clutched tightly in her trembling hand. She gazed ahead, confronted only by the vast void of the canyon, with more rocky terrain and trees on the opposite side. It seemed impossible to cross. She would have to circumnavigate the chasm, but first, she needed respite. She craved water, sustenance, and a few precious hours of sleep. Her body was on the verge of shutting down, and she was acutely aware of it.
Summoning the last reserves of her strength, she forced herself to her feet and began to walk. There was no alternative. Sam was alone, and the prospect of rescue had faded into the distant past. She was utterly on her own.
After an unknown stretch of weary walking, Sam stumbled upon what appeared to be a series of caves. With the limited resources she had left, she began to investigate. Some of the entrances were too small for her to venture into, while one showed signs of recent occupancy by some animal, prompting her to steer clear. She climbed to a higher set of caves, which were challenging to access, hoping that these were equally inaccessible to any creatures that might have inhabited them.
Exhausted beyond measure, she eventually settled into one of the caves. Though the space was so cramped that she could barely stand, it would suffice for her to lie down. She felt reasonably sure she was alone; there was scarcely enough room for anything or anyone else. She placed her backpack on the ground, retrieved her sleeping bag, double-checked her P-90, and closed her eyes. The fatigue overcame her, and she drifted into sleep almost immediately.
As Sam peacefully slumbered inside the cave, she remained blissfully unaware of the abrupt transformation in the weather outside. The night that began with dry, almost summer-like temperatures had swiftly devolved into a tumultuous storm characterized by relentless, drenching rain and a sharp plunge in temperature.
In an instant, the once gentle breeze outside had given way to fierce, howling winds, and the rainfall had intensified, beating down with unrelenting force. These stormy conditions had profoundly altered the landscape, and Sam awakened to an entirely different and considerably more dangerous situation than the one she had encountered during her escape.
The abrupt shift in weather heralded a myriad of challenges for Sam. The plummeting temperature seeped into the cave, transforming the previously comfortable refuge into a chilly, unwelcoming space. The wind, now with newfound vigor, permeated the cave's openings, sending sporadic gusts that disrupted Sam's rest. The relentless rain had the potential to infiltrate the cave, introducing moisture and discomfort, and the accompanying symphony of raindrops and wind howls created a disconcerting ambiance that further exacerbated her already precarious circumstances.
She was now in a waking nightmare where the elements conspired against her, making her situation all the more challenging and unsettling.
"For fuck sake," she growled, trying to protect herself against the cold bursts of air inside the cave, making the cave's interior gradually cold. She was already shivering. There wouldn't be more sleep for her the rest of the night. She sighed and hoped the cave wouldn't get wet and even more uncomfortable.
As suddenly as the storm had arrived, it departed, leaving Sam to awaken to the first rays of the sun. Exhausted and shivering from the cold, she struggled to warm her numb fingers, lamenting the absence of gloves in her pack. With determination in her eyes, she reached for her binoculars and began a systematic survey of her surroundings, scanning for any signs of her adversaries. The forest stretched before her, appearing eerily deserted from her vantage point on high ground.
Sam knew she couldn't afford to remain stationary, even though her advantageous position offered a good view. The mission was evident in her mind: find if the planet had a Stargate. It was her sole escape route from this unfamiliar planet, her only chance to reclaim her life. As a Carter, giving up was never an option, even when it felt like everyone had abandoned her.
Suppressing the depressive thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her, Sam meticulously repacked her belongings, double-checking her ammunition supplies. Slowly, she left her makeshift cave, cautiously venturing back into the wilderness. A long and uncertain journey lay ahead, and she hoped to avoid any further perilous encounters until she reached what looked like a settlement: several tents and a campfire. Sam cursed—no Stargate.
Earth now appeared as nothing more than a distant mirage. Following a grueling battle with the Lucian Alliance, Sam, as the commander of the George Hammond, gave all she had. Still, her ship sustained an unexpectedly devastating blow during the conflict as the shields failed. Despite Jack's frantic pleas, Sam made the gut-wrenching decision to prioritize the safety of her crew, issuing the order to abandon the Hammond. They all evacuated, leaving her alone, intentionally drawing the attention of the Lucian Alliance to buy time for her team's escape. As the Hammond hurtled towards an impending crash on the nearest planet, Sam transmitted a distress signal in the final escape pod, marking a last act of unwavering determination before parting ways with the ship.
On that planet, Sam stumbled upon an unexpected refuge for members of the same Lucian Alliance. Recognizing the imminent threat of capture, Sam quickly grabbed her survival pack before abandoning the crashed escape pod. She knew it was a long shot, but it was her only hope.
Noticing her escape, the members of the Lucian Alliance urgently summoned reinforcements, escalating the pursuit. Sam found herself pushed to the limits as she raced against time. The ultimate goal was to return home, so she faced the critical task of confirming the presence of a Stargate on the planet and ensuring her safe passage to it.
Sam's urgency to find the Stargate on the planet stemmed from a crucial setback during the crash of her escape pod. The subdermal implant, which served as a homing beacon provided by the Asgard, was destroyed in the process. Despite her desperate efforts to tend to the wound caused by the crash, the implant was irreparably damaged. This meant she wouldn't be locatable by any passing ship equipped with Asgard technology. Faced with the realization that she was entirely alone and without the means for rescue, Sam understood the need to take matters into her own hands.
The journey back to Earth brimmed with peril and unpredictability, yet Sam was unwavering in her determination to undertake the perilous voyage, regardless of the potential sacrifices. With every ounce of hope, she yearned for Earth to respond to the distress signal she had transmitted, although the odds were slim. When she activated the signal, the ship's systems were already failing, making the prospect of a rescue mission uncertain.
Sam carefully studied the Lucian Alliance guards' layout around the settlement, searching for any vulnerabilities or opportunities. She assessed her available weapons: her trusty P-90 and four loaded clips, a zat gun, three grenades, and a small quantity of C-4 explosives. It wasn't an arsenal, but it would have to suffice. Her life depended on it.
Ultimately, Sam discovered the situation more manageable than her initial apprehensions. Her success was attributed to a well-timed strike, exploiting the Lucian Alliance men's vulnerability while still in the throes of intoxication. Capitalizing on their compromised state, Sam strategically employed explosives, creating a chaotic and confusing environment that tilted the odds in her favor. Focused on survival, she embraced the grim reality of having to kill to avoid being killed.
When the dust settled, the Lucian Alliance men lay lifeless, and Sam, remarkably unscathed save for a few cuts on her arms and face, faced the aftermath. Yet, despite the absence of physical injuries, a profound sadness lingered within her. The harsh reality of being stranded on an unfamiliar planet left her with an overwhelming sense of isolation, unsure of what lay ahead.
After taking a few minutes to catch her breath, Sam's military training kicked in, overriding the overwhelming emotions. Grieving could come later; for now, she had many tasks. Slowly rising, she surveyed her surroundings. The lifeless bodies of the Lucian Alliance men scattered around her needed to be dealt with. Aware of the potential consequences of leaving them open, she dragged them closer to a makeshift campfire.
Taking a deep breath, Sam lit the fire, the flames quickly consuming the remains. She covered her face to mitigate the smell of burning flesh that permeated the air. Once this grim task was done, she focused on salvaging what she could. Weapons, ammunition, supplies – everything she might need to endure her unexpected stay on the planet.
Sam organized her findings methodically into three large boxes and two substantial bags. While she could carry the bags herself, figuring out how to transport the boxes presented a challenge. Contemplating her next move, she sat on one of the boxes, attempting to eat despite the lingering scent of the macabre bonfire.
Wishing Jack were there to help, Sam pushed thoughts of him aside, recognizing the urgency of her situation. Finishing her meager meal of protein bars and water, she sighed heavily.
"What a fucking situation, Sam," she muttered aloud, met only by the crackling of the substantial fire and the symphony of the forest.
Determined, she strapped on her backpack and hoisted the two bags, setting out with shelter as her immediate priority.
With her makeshift supplies in tow, Sam embarked on a quest to find shelter on the unfamiliar planet. The terrain was diverse, ranging from dense forests to open fields, and she trod carefully, alert to any potential threats or opportunities. The last time she had done this she had been running so she hadn't paid too much attention.
Sam spotted a natural formation that caught her attention as she traversed the landscape—a series of rocky overhangs nestled against a cliffside. Intrigued, she cautiously approached the area, finding that the uneven rocks created a natural cave. It wasn't a luxurious dwelling, but it offered cover and a vantage point for her to observe the surroundings, more or less like the one she had been before but much more extensive.
Examining the cave, Sam noted that it provided a decent shelter from the elements. With a careful eye, she cleared out debris and arranged some of her salvaged supplies to create a makeshift living space. The darkness within the cave made it less visible from a distance, affording her a degree of concealment.
As night fell, after several trips back and forth to bring everything, Sam secured the cave entrance, using the boxes and bags to block the view and create a barrier. She had to be cautious due to potential threats from the planet's wildlife and the lingering possibility of pursuit from the Lucian Alliance in case they did send more reinforcements. Completely exhausted but trying to stay vigilant, she settled into her rudimentary shelter, grateful for its relative safety in this unknown world. She tried to sleep.
The following day, exploring the surrounding terrain, Sam focused on finding a reliable source of clean, fresh water—a vital necessity for survival on this unfamiliar planet. Armed with her military training and resourcefulness, she ventured into the dense vegetation, guided by the subtle sounds of flowing water that echoed through the air.
Following the sound, Sam navigated through the diverse landscape, encountering thick foliage and uneven terrain. She trod carefully, wary of potential dangers, but her determination drove her forward. The lush environment held hidden challenges, from unexpected drops in the landscape to the presence of unfamiliar flora and fauna. She hoped she didn't have to move too far from the cave.
After a challenging trek, Sam's perseverance paid off. She stumbled upon a small, clear stream trickling through the foliage. The sight of the water brought relief and a sense of accomplishment. Cautious but grateful, she approached the stream and knelt to assess its purity.
Sam inspected it closely, scooping a handful of the water, looking for any signs of contamination. Satisfied with what she found, she filled one of her containers, securing a much-needed source of hydration. The discovery of this freshwater stream ensured her immediate survival and provided a sense of hope and a foundation for continued exploration and adaptation to this alien environment.
She tried to adapt and carry on.
Nearly a month had passed since Sam found herself alone on the unfamiliar planet, grappling with the aftermath of the Hammond's crash, uncertainty about her crew's fate, and the overwhelming prospect of being stranded. Suddenly, without warning on an evening like any other, the weight of these challenges converged on her in a relentless wave, culminating in a breakdown. The emotional turmoil, compounded by the absence of familiar faces and the sheer isolation, became too much to bear.
Sam crumbled to her knees as the sun dipped below the horizon, gasping for breath. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her body convulsed with sobs. It felt as if the very fabric of her being was unraveling. The crash, the unknown fate of her crew, the haunting possibility of abandonment, and her yearning for Jack coalesced into an unbearable torrent of despair.
In the grip of this emotional upheaval, Sam lost consciousness. When she awoke, the cave sheltered her fragile form, and the dimming light of the setting sun cast long shadows around her. Cold and trembling, she surveyed the surroundings, recognizing the familiar confines of her temporary refuge.
As the realization of what had transpired settled in, Sam grappled with the aftermath of her first panic attack. Determined to regain composure, she took deep breaths, fighting against the emotional storm threatening to consume her. Reminding herself of her military training, she resolved not to succumb to despair.
In the quiet solitude of the cave, Sam clutched her dog tags and wedding ring, seeking solace in the tangible connection to Jack. With a whispered apology, she slid the ring onto her finger, a small yet significant anchor in this alien landscape.
"I'm sorry, Jack," she confessed, her voice barely audible in the cavern's stillness. Closing her eyes, she kissed the ring, releasing the weight of her emotions in the cave's quiet corners.