Storytime with Rachel F Hundred

Chapter 13

Sam felt warm and safe. It had been so long since she could remember feeling so safe, so loved. There had only been a few fleeting moments in previous years; moments spent with the man who held her. She snuggled unconsciously closer to Jack, uncaring that she wasn’t supposed to, that her duty and her honour were supposed to be more important. She was so tired, she mused, so tired of pretending that she didn’t love him, didn’t need him, didn’t want him. The world could end and she would be fine because Jack held her.

‘But the world is going to end. Actually, the whole galaxy.’

Grace’s childish voice had her eyes opening yet somehow Sam knew she was still asleep. She was dreaming.

She sat up and found herself alone with Grace with Jack nowhere in sight. The young girl sat beside her, lit up by the artificial camping light that Jack had set up. She was such a pretty child with her curly brown hair and mischievous smile that seemed to light up her brown eyes.

‘Who are you?’ Sam asked gently.

‘Who do you want me to be?’ Grace replied.

‘I know who everyone else is and why they’re in my head but I don’t understand you.’ Sam murmured.

Grace grinned and scampered away into the darkness.

‘Carter.’

Her eyes flew open. She looked up and into warmly concerned chocolate eyes. Her gaze took in the military BDUs. She was awake for real. ‘Sorry, sir.’

Jack gently stroked her bangs back. ‘What for?’

She shrugged awkwardly and winced when the movement brought a wave of pain. She stirred and Jack let her shift out of his loose embrace. He handed her the water before he got to his feet and stretched. She couldn’t help noticing how his knees cracked and the faint flicker of pain that skittered across his face before he could hide it. He must have gotten stiff from sitting holding her for so long, Sam realised on a surge of guilt.

‘You should have moved me.’ She muttered, handing him back the water.

Jack looked at her surprised as he took a sip. ‘You’re the one who’s injured here, Carter. I’m, uh, I’m just not as young as I used to be.’ He smiled self-consciously.

‘You’re not old.’ Sam retorted without thinking.

‘Older than you.’ He shot back.

Sam stared at him, wondering if they were somehow discussing the thing they never discussed. ‘Does it really bother you?’ She asked carefully. ‘That you’re older than me?’

Jack’s eyes widened at the question before they narrowed on her. ‘You know I’m not a hallucination, right?’

She nodded her head slowly, mindful of her injury.

Jack cleared his throat. ‘Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?’

Sam almost smiled at his attempt to evade the question and was about to reply jokingly when she realised the temperature had risen. She turned and placed a hand against the stone wall. ‘The stones are warming up.’

Jack was by her side in two strides. He added his hand to hers on the wall. ‘Damn.’

‘Sir, if I’m right about the lava rising to the surface then given this temple is built underground, we’re probably surrounded by the lava flow.’

‘Will it get through the stone?’ Jack asked seriously.

‘I don’t think so.’ Sam replied. ‘It’s solid and thick.’ She bit her lip. ‘But it could get very hot.’

‘How hot?’

She grimaced. ‘You remember Netu, sir?’

‘Sweet.’ Jack muttered. He stripped his jacket and vest off, before replacing the vest over his black t-shirt. She watched, appreciating the show. She had no idea why he’d be self-conscious about his age. Half the men her age would have killed for a body like Jack’s. He stooped and helped her wriggle out of her jacket. He replaced her vest and covered her back up with the blanket.

‘Comfy?’

Before she could answer, the sound of voices froze the words in her throat. Beams of light bobbed through the dark room and it wasn’t too long before Daniel and Teal’c showed up.

‘Hey, guys.’ Daniel gave them both a brief smile.

Teal’c inclined his head at Sam as he sat cross-legged beside her. ‘It is good to see you awake again, Colonel Carter.’

Sam smiled self-consciously as Jack passed them the water canteen. ‘Sorry for passing out on you all.’ Her brow creased. ‘Where have you guys been?’

‘Exploring.’ Daniel grabbed some energy bars and handed Sam one. She looked at it nervously. Her stomach roiled against the idea of eating.

‘Try to eat some of it.’ Jack encouraged as he plucked it from her hand, opened it and handed it back to her. ‘Small bites.’

Sam grimaced but obediently nibbled it.

Jack turned back to Daniel. ‘So what did you find?’

‘It’s not good news.’ Daniel said with a sigh. ‘The door you found has a symbol on it that I recognised from Abydos. There was a story written in the ruins that Ra had found a magical device capable of destroying his entire kingdom in the event of his death.’

‘The Doomsday machine?’ Jack interjected.

‘What Doomsday machine?’ Sam asked confused. Her attention on the energy bar she missed the looks of concern exchanged by her team-mates.

‘Daniel thinks there’s a Doomsday machine in here. Remember?’ Jack said quietly.

Sam bit her lip as the previous discussion came back to her. ‘Oh. Right. Doomsday machine.’

‘Daniel Jackson is correct.’ Teal’c added. ‘There does seem to be evidence of such a device.’

‘We found another door down a corridor.’ Daniel agreed, around a mouthful of food.

‘Another door?’ Jack sighed. ‘And?’

‘And there’s more writing.’ Daniel said. ‘It states that only Ra can open the door…’

‘Only Ra?’ Jack frowned.

‘We think it’s looking for evidence of naquadah or maybe a genetic marker so we should try with you and Sam later.’ Daniel waved his hands. ‘That isn’t important.’

‘That’s not important?’ Jack bit out in disbelief.

‘Indeed it is not.’ Teal’c replied before Daniel could, drawing the military man’s attention. ‘We believe the Doomsday machine has been triggered by Ra’s absence and our presence.’

‘We need to get through the door and destroy the machine.’ Daniel said seriously. ‘Or it will destroy every planet in the galaxy including Earth.’

There was a stunned silence.

‘I don’t understand.’ Sam said wearily. ‘There’s a Doomsday machine here that’s going to destroy Earth?’

‘I think we may have triggered it just opening the wormhole or maybe when we stepped onto the planet…’

‘Or opened the temple?’ Sam asked, guilt flitting through her.

‘We don’t really know what the trigger was for the machine.’ Daniel said comfortingly. ‘I think the seismic activity is connected to the Doomsday machine and given the reports I don’t think the temple was the trigger given the earthquakes started so soon after you entered.’

‘We have another problem.’ Jack said, clearing his throat. ‘The walls are heating up.’

‘I think we’re surrounded by lava rising to the surface.’ Sam gave up on the energy bar and Jack took it from her, carefully wrapping what was left before putting it back in the pack.

Jack swept a hand over his grey hair. ‘OK, new plan. We stop this machine from destroying the galaxy and then we get off this planet. Can we use the Stargate in here?’

‘I don’t see how.’ Daniel admitted. ‘There’s no DHD, no visible power source and I don’t recognise any of the symbols.’

‘I also do not recognise the symbols.’ Teal’c added.

Jack gestured at them. ‘We should try and get into that room. He looked at Sam. ‘Are you going to be OK to move?’

Sam nodded. ‘I’m good.’

‘Teal’c, help her.’ Jack ordered. ‘Daniel and I will take the rest.’ He looked around the team and saw agreement in each of their faces. ‘Let’s pack it up.’

Chapter 14

‘Report.’ Landry’s voice was brisk.

Walter looked over his shoulder at the SGC commander and shook his head. ‘We’ve still been unable to re-establish contact with the planet, sir.’

‘And by unable?’ Landry probed.

‘We can’t get a lock.’ Walter confirmed. He hesitated. ‘That’s the seventh symbol won’t lock, sir, the other six…’

‘I know what it means, Sergeant.’ Landry barked. He shifted his weight in frustration and ignored the urge to stuff his hands into the pockets of his leather bomber jacket.

‘Yes, sir.’ Walter turned back to the computer.

‘How long have we been trying?’ Landry asked, moderating his tone. It wasn’t the fault of the Sergeant that SG1 were stranded.

Walter coughed. ‘Over two hours, sir.’

Siler cleared his throat nervously. ‘Sir, there’s no issue with our gate which means it’s likely the gate on the planet has been compromised by the seismic activity. Given SG1’s failure to dial home, it’s possible the Stargate may be inaccessible to them too.’

‘Suggestions, Sergeants.’

‘The Prometheus is in orbit, sir.’ Walter said. ‘It would take just under a week to reach them but once it’s there it should be able to locate them and beam them aboard safely.’

‘A week.’ Landry repeated. His eyes gleamed with scepticism.

‘SG1 have been in worse scenarios, sir.’ Siler interjected. ‘If anyone can survive, it’s them, sir.’

Landry looked around the control room. He could see a glimpse of confidence in each face; not confidence in him, he realised, but in SG1. They all truly believed the team would survive and make it home. He also caught the flicker of worry and fear that he wouldn’t believe it and would leave them behind.

‘I guess I have a phone call to make. Keep trying.’ Landry said dryly. He spun away and marched back up the stairs. He headed into his office and picked up the red phone. ‘This is Landry. Get me the President.’

The line was put through immediately.

‘Hayes.’

‘Mr President, I’m afraid it’s not good news.’ Landry said bluntly. ‘Our attempts to reconnect to the planet have failed. We think SG1 are no longer able to access the Stargate. I’d like to request the Prometheus be sent to the planet to retrieve them.’

Hayes sighed. ‘How long will it take?’

‘A week to get there, sir.’ Landry noted.

‘And what do you think are the chances for their survival?’ Hayes asked.

‘They’re resourceful, Mr President.’ Landry stated firmly. ‘I think they deserve a chance.’

‘I’ll send the Prometheus.’ Hayes replied. ‘I should warn you, Hank, the IOA found out about this. Richard Woolsey is on his way to begin an investigation.’

‘Thank you for the heads up, Mr President.’ Landry said evenly.

‘Well, here’s another one. The IOA is questioning the SGC’s budget. Nothing to do with you, Hank. There’s just a general feeling that now we have the ships…’

‘The Stargate is no longer needed.’ Landry sighed and sat down. ‘Jack warned me when I took the job.’

‘And that’s one of the reasons why we need to get him back.’ Hayes commented. ‘Jack and the rest of SG1.’

‘We will, sir.’ Landry promised.

‘The Prometheus will be underway within the hour but keep trying them with the Stargate, Hank. It’s still the quickest way to get them home.’ Hayes disconnected.

Landry replaced the receiver and stared at the desk. He wasn’t certain if he liked the placement of the furniture; it seemed awkward. Or maybe he was just feeling unsettled. He snatched at a report and began to read it. Half-way through, he pulled a face and signed it off. He threw it back on the pile and leaned back in his chair.

SG1 were missing. On his watch. Not just the remaining members of SG1 but all four original team-members. He sighed. Logically he knew it wasn’t his fault; he could even with some equanimity admit it wasn’t theirs either. From everything he had read and from his own limited experience at running the SGC, things just happened. Unexpected things that stranded the teams off-world or injured. The galaxy was a dangerous place even without the SGC being at war with most of it.

But he could admit to an equal measure of frustration and, deep down, irritation, with most of the members of SG1 for being missing. He wasn’t too irritated at Colonel Carter for not making it back through the gate in the first place but he was at the others for insisting on being part of the rescue mission and failing to return. Maybe it was unfair and irrational but he couldn’t help it. Jack had no business being off-world; Teal’c had no business returning from Dakara to go off-world and Jackson…Jackson had dumped an IOA briefing just when they didn’t need the IOA upset.

Landry rubbed his hands through his brown brush-like hair. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate that they had bonds that went deeper than most; they had served together for eight years. He could understand that they were close; family, even. And he appreciated everything SG1 had done as a team to save the world in the past – their achievements spoke volumes for their collective dedication and sacrifices, and he knew they held the status of living legends with justifiable reason. But the past was the past.

He had to admit that he hadn’t fully appreciated the situation when he’d taken the position. Even in the bemusement of realising aliens existed and the Earth had been fighting them for a while, he had simply assumed the SGC was like any other command. He had quickly realised how wrong he had been about that particular assumption. It was a strange command and an efficient one. The whole set-up was a well-oiled machine; everyone did their jobs to a high standard and everyone knew their role. Unlike him.

He shook his head trying to rid himself of the melancholy. He could acknowledge to himself that he had been relieved when Jackson got the gig on the Atlantis expedition and Colonel Carter had requested reassignment to the R&D post at Nellis. As much as he admired their achievements and respected them as individuals, with the original SG1 completely disbanded, he had hoped, and still did, that it would provide the SGC with a clean slate and a new beginning.

His eyes slid to the personnel files stacked at the end of his desk. He knew the rumours were already spreading about his choice of a replacement for Colonel Carter. He wondered if he was making the right decision in appointing Mitchell. There were other candidates – Reynolds, Dixon…but disturbing their teams would mean reorganising the SG teams and Landry didn’t want to disturb the well-oiled machine in some respects. Mitchell was new and that appealed to Landry.

Jack had initially recommended the pilot as a potential replacement for Teal’c even though the pilot had no Stargate experience – Mitchell’s whole off-world experience being limited to his experience on the Prometheus. Jack had noted that given the universe was relatively safe and Carter was settled in her leadership, he felt a non-experienced third was fine and Mitchell was a good choice – enthusiastic and less serious than his two anticipated team-mates. The guy had spent most of the previous year in rehab and training – the first to fix the damage to his body sustained in protecting SG1 in an aerial firefight with Anubis’s gliders over Antarctica and the second to make the move to the Stargate programme from the 302 flight squadron.

Of course, that was before Jackson had taken the Atlantis assignment and Carter had moved on. Landry had yet to obtain Jack’s opinion on Mitchell as a replacement for Carter but he suspected Jack wouldn’t wholly approve. Not that it mattered. It was Landry’s command and Landry’s post to give, Landry told himself. He just had a gut feeling Jack hadn’t quite accepted that yet. A knock on the door pulled Landry out of his musings.

‘Enter.’ He barked.

Walter stepped in and handed him a report. ‘We still haven’t been able to establish contact.’

‘The President wants us to continue trying so keep at it. Do it around the rest of the schedule.’ Landry said. ‘In the meantime, the Prometheus is being deployed.’

Walter smiled at him shyly. ‘That’s good news, sir.’ He made to leave. ‘Oh, sir?’

‘Yes, Sergeant?’ Landry said, flipping open the report Walter had given him.

‘Doctor Calliday has asked to see you when you have a moment.’ Walter informed him briskly.

‘Thank you. Dismissed.’ His curiosity roused, Landry decided he should head to the infirmary. He needed to check in on the injured archaeologist regardless. He made his way through the SGC and was proud when he only took one wrong turning; he promised himself by the end of the week, he would do the journey perfectly.

A nurse directed him to the ward Calliday was installed in and he could hear the sound of voices as he neared. He was unsurprised to find her team-mates with her.

‘At ease.’ He called as he walked towards them. ‘Doctor Calliday. How are you feeling?’

Calliday nodded, her hair burning like burnished copper under the bright infirmary lights. ‘I’m feeling a lot better, General, thank you.’

Landry felt awkward and conspicuous under the combined regard of SG12. ‘Sergeant Harriman said you wanted to see me?’ He prompted.

‘Yes.’ Calliday motioned at Grogan and he passed her a large dusty tome. ‘Daniel translated some words on the walls of the temple that I had struggled with; it was a warning that there was a Doomsday machine within the temple.’

Landry’s bushy eyebrows rose. ‘A Doomsday machine?’

‘I remembered an obscure parchment found on an Egyptian dig in the Thirties. The parchment was incomplete but it told how it was believed Ra could destroy the kingdom with a magical device that he had created; how Ra kept it in a forbidden part of the kingdom where no-one but Ra could go or the magical device would destroy everything.’

‘I’m not sure…’

‘I think the magical device and the Doomsday machine on the temple are the same thing.’ Calliday explained. ‘P2X654 was uninhabited for a long time. I believe because others in the galaxy knew to stay away from it. That was the reason why the temple was never given over to another Goa’uld. I believe when we went to the planet we must have triggered the device. It’s probable the seismic activity was the first sign.’

‘Are you telling me P2X654 will explode?’ Landry checked taken aback.

‘No,’ Calliday said strongly, her green eyes intent on his, ‘I’m telling you the entire galaxy will explode including us. We were part of Ra’s kingdom.’

Landry wondered what the hell he did next. He wasn’t exactly trained to deal with Doomsday devices. ‘The Prometheus is on its way there.’ He informed her almost absently. ‘If you’re right, how do we stop this?’

Calliday slumped back against her pillows and shook her head. ‘I don’t know, General.’

‘SG1 will stop it.’ Grogan said confidently. His youthful face shone with the same confidence Landry had seen before in the control room. He straightened a little under Landry’s regard. ‘It’s what they do, sir.’

Chapter 15

Jack watched as Teal’c gently helped lower Sam to the floor of the corridor. Daniel was already at the other end, rereading the text on the door. It was close quarters and Jack could smell their combined sweat; the familiarity of it was comforting.

‘You rest.’ Jack said to Sam. ‘We’ll try me first.’

Sam nodded and curled up, favouring her good side as she huddled into the blanket.

Jack indicated for Teal’c to watch over her and the Jaffa nodded silently. Jack joined Daniel at the door. ‘OK. So now what?’

‘Try waving your arm.’

Jack looked at him sceptically but he followed the instruction. The door remained stubbornly closed shut.

‘Maybe thinking.’ Daniel said encouragingly, gesturing at Jack to start. ‘You know like the time machine.’

The thinking thing had never been Jack’s strong point. He hated the whole Ancient ‘think’ it thing. How was something supposed to work by thinking? He closed his eyes tightly. What was he supposed to think? Open sesame? He reopened his eyes and stared at the shut door. ‘OK. So that didn’t work.’

‘Nope.’ Daniel agreed. He adjusted his glasses. ‘Maybe we’re coming at this the wrong way.’

‘Ya think?’ Jack muttered. He rubbed the back of his neck.

Daniel ignored his sarcasm. ‘The methods we’ve tried are all those employed by the Ancients but Ra wasn’t an Ancient as far as we know; this temple isn’t Ancient…’

‘So maybe I’m the wrong person to try this with.’ Jack cut in.

‘Or maybe we need to try a Goa’uld interpretation.’ Daniel said. ‘Try touching the door and channelling your thoughts to open it.’

Jack looked at him. ‘I don’t have naquahdah in my blood.’ It was the one benefit so many trips through the sarcophagus had gifted him after his brief time as a Tok’ra host. The naquahdah usually left behind after the symbiote left had been removed by the sarcophagus’ healing.

‘Let’s try it anyway.’ Daniel said stubbornly. His eyes drifted back to where Sam was huddled in a ball.

Jack got the message. If he didn’t get it to work they were going to have to try it with Sam. He placed his hand on the door and thought hard. Open, damn it! He reopened his eyes.

It was still shut.

Daniel looked back at him apologetically.

Jack turned on his heel. He crouched by Sam. ‘Looks like you’re up.’

Sam grimaced. Teal’c helped pull her to her feet. She limped the few steps to the door. Her hand gripped Teal’c’s tightly. She placed a bandaged palm on the flat surface of the door and willed it to open.

It stayed locked.

‘Guess it’s not me.’ Sam said with a grimace.

‘Hey, don’t sweat it.’ Jack shrugged. ‘It was always a long shot.’

Sam suddenly seemed to look past him to an empty space by the door. Her brow furrowed. ‘Daniel, you said Ra’s host wasn’t an Ancient, right? He was just an ordinary Egyptian boy?’

‘Yes.’ Daniel pushed his glasses up his nose. ‘As far as we know.’

‘But he might have had the Ancient gene.’

Daniel nodded.

‘So if the host had the Ancient gene and the Goa’uld symbiote…’

‘Of course!’ Daniel snapped his fingers as he suddenly seemed to clue into Sam’s thinking. ‘I see where you’re going with this.

‘You want to tell the rest of us?’ Jack asked sharply. His eyes were pinned on how heavily Sam was leaning on Teal’c.

‘It needs both components, sir.’ Sam explained, waving her free hand at the door. ‘The Ancient gene and the presence of naquahdah in the blood.’

‘OK.’ Jack drew out the word. ‘So…’

‘Maybe if we try together?’ Sam suggested with a shrug. ‘It might work.’

Jack checked with Daniel who nodded.

‘I think it’s worth a try, Jack.’ Daniel motioned at him. ‘Take her hand.’

Jack stared at him as though unsure he’d heard correctly. ‘What?’

‘Take her hand.’ Daniel repeated slowly.

‘OK, OK.’ Jack gestured at Teal’c who stepped away. He took a breath and clasped Sam’s in his.

Sam smiled at him understandingly.

‘On three.’ Jack said with a sigh. ‘One; two; three.’

Their free hands met the flat surface at the same time; their joined hands tightened reflexively; they thought the same simple thought: Open.

The door moved under their palms and shifted, sliding to the side. The stench of sulphur hit their nostrils. Sam swayed and Jack moved swiftly to steady her, his arm around her waist.

‘I’m OK.’ Sam said.

Jack didn’t let go of her. ‘Humour me, Carter.’ He jerked his head at Daniel. ‘Light the way, Daniel. Teal’c, grab our stuff.’

They stepped over the threshold and onto a metal bridge. Jack wasn’t surprised when the door slid shut behind Teal’c. They all looked down nervously; lava flowed beneath their feet, churning ominously.

‘Looks like you were right about the lava, Sam.’ Daniel commented, glancing over the side.

‘I think it’s rising.’ Sam murmured.

‘Let’s keep moving.’ Jack advised. The bridge ended on the other side with another door inset into the rock. It took them mere moments to reach it and it opened on their approach. It was a small compartment but Jack motioned that they should all get inside; they had few options. The compartment lit up when they entered and the doors sealed shut behind them. A slight shift of gravity gave away the transport effect.

‘This reminds me of the reports of those transporter elevators they have on Atlantis.’ Daniel said.

Sam nodded.

‘Transporting us where though?’ Jack asked, looking around the small space.

‘Perhaps to the Doomsday device?’ Teal’c suggested.

Suddenly the doors opened again, revealing another bridge. The ground spiralled away below it, interrupted occasionally by other walkways and covered tunnels all linking to a large tower. They glanced upwards, past more bridges and tunnels, until their eyes met a red lava dome.

‘Something’s keeping the lava from falling into this space.’ Sam noted. ‘Maybe a force-field.’

‘Let’s hope.’ Jack muttered.

Daniel waved at the sight before them; the crumbling edifice of towers and buildings. There was a red glow on the faded grey stones. ‘This is incredible. I think we’re looking at the remains of an Ancient city.’

‘We should continue.’ Teal’c said quietly.

‘If this layout is similar to Atlantis, the main operations should be through there.’ Daniel pointed at the tower in front of them.

Jack cast a worried look towards the dome of lava overhead and followed Daniel, supporting Sam as she limped beside him.

They reached a thin balcony and Teal’c used his strength to lever a door open. Jack stepped into the building and Sam’s hand tightened on his as they took the steps down into the main area.

Daniel’s flashlight swept across the dust and grime. There was an empty space where the Stargate had clearly stood. Jack walked Sam over to far corner and helped her sit down.

‘OK, Daniel,’ Jack said, straightening, ‘where’s this Doomsday machine?’

‘I don’t know.’ Daniel said, looking around the operations room with bemusement.

‘You don’t know?’ Jack said exasperated.

‘I don’t know.’ Daniel shot back.

‘And by don’t know, you mean?’ Jack bit out.

‘I mean, I don’t know.’ Daniel glared at him. ‘Why would you automatically think I would know?’

‘You are the expert on the Ancients.’ Jack pointed out. ‘You’ve been one of the glowy club before.’

‘And you’ve had the knowledge of the Ancients downloaded twice into your head.’ Daniel retorted. ‘But I don’t assume you remember it.’

They glared at each other.

Jack rubbed the back of his neck. ‘So, you don’t know.’

‘I don’t know.’ Daniel repeated. ‘I don’t think it’s here, here though.’ He waved a hand at the dark consoles. ‘Nothing seems to be working.’

Jack followed his gaze and tried to regroup. ‘We need ideas.’

‘We can track the power.’

Jack’s head swivelled towards Sam.

She looked back at him confidently despite the tiredness that etched her pale face in fine, white lines. ‘The Doomsday machine and the shield have to be using some kind of power.’ She waved at Teal’c who handed over her pack. ‘There’s a device in here that can help. I can track it’

‘We’ll track it.’ Jack contradicted her firmly. ‘You’re limping and you have a head injury, Carter.’ Jack pointed out. ‘You’re in no condition to track this thing.’

‘Sir…’

‘Ah.’ Jack held up a finger. ‘Daniel and I can do the leg work.’ He nodded at Daniel to get the device. ‘You can play with the Doomsday machine when we find it.’

The archaeologist held out his hand and Sam handed him a small hand-held device. Daniel switched it on and Sam quickly talked him through how to use it.

‘I think I’ve got something. It’s coming from another building close by.’ Daniel said, looking over his shoulder towards one of the internal exits. ‘That way.’

‘Let’s go. Teal’c…’ Jack glanced at the Jaffa expectantly.

‘I will stay here with Colonel Carter.’ Teal’c confirmed, clasping his hands behind his back.

Jack lifted a hand from his P90. ‘We’ll stay in touch by radio.’

Teal’c inclined his head.

Jack caught Sam’s gaze and their unspoken feelings swirled between them again. Jack nodded almost in acknowledgement but they had a job to do. He followed Daniel through the exit and into the Ancient city.

Chapter 16

Sam watched Jack and Daniel disappear. It should be her leading the way through the city, she thought tiredly, even though she couldn’t deny Jack had made the right call. She would have done the same in his place. She clearly wasn’t up to a hike and it made sense for two of them to go on ahead, track down the Doomsday machine and then come back for them when they knew the way. Her head ached and she reached up to rub at the pain absently.

‘You must save your strength.’ Teal’c said calmly as though he had read her thoughts. The Jaffa crouched beside her and handed her some water.

She sipped a little before she handed it back. ‘I just feel useless.’

‘I have known you many years and you have never been useless, Colonel Carter.’ Teal’c informed her solemnly.

‘Thank you, Teal’c.’ Sam reached out to clasp his hand and he placed his other hand over the top of hers.

He settled beside her and they shifted into comfortable positions.

‘Talk to me, Teal’c.’ Sam said, determined that she would remain conscious despite her concussion.

‘Of what would you like me to talk about?’ Teal’c asked gently.

‘Anything.’ Sam said with a tired laugh. ‘How’s Dakara?’

Teal’c tried to keep his face impassive but she saw the tiny frown lines around his eyes and mouth.

‘Teal’c?’ Sam prompted.

‘It has been difficult.’ He allowed. ‘It will take time for the Jaffa to truly unite as a people once more. We have fought each other for many centuries.’

She smiled sympathetically. ‘I guess it must be odd for many being free at last.’

He bowed his head in agreement. ‘Nor are we in agreement on how to use that freedom.’

‘What do you mean?’ Sam asked curious.

‘Many Jaffa believe the way forward is to return to the old ways.’ Teal’c explained gruffly. ‘My time among the Tau’ri,’ he looked at her, ‘amongst you has shown me there are other ways.’

‘Such as?’ Sam prompted.

‘Ishta was to be refused a place on the Council because she was a woman who had fought among male warriors.’ Teal’c informed her.

‘You’re kidding?’ Sam’s own feminist ire began to rise at the idea.

‘Bra’tac and I were able to convince enough to allow her presence.’ Teal’c stiffened. ‘She refused it and sent another in her place.’

Sam frowned, trying to make sense of what Teal’c had just said. ‘What?’

‘Ishta remains with her people on Haktyl.’ Teal’c explained. ‘She believes that her own presence on the Council would only inflame their opinion.’

Only someone who had known Teal’c for as long as she had could have picked up on his distress. She reached over and squeezed his hand. ‘What do you think?’

‘I believe she is correct.’ Teal’c admitted. He pressed his lips together.

Sam wondered if Teal’c was considering following Ishta’s example. ‘What about you?’

Teal’c looked at her quizzically.

‘Are you thinking of joining Ishta on Haktyl?’ Sam clarified.

‘My place is on the Council.’ Teal’c immediately responded.

Sam bit her lip. If Teal’c didn’t want to talk about it, she didn’t want to press it with him. She had always thought, in a kind of abstracted way, that he and Ishta would marry when the war was over but if Ishta was staying on Haktyl and Teal’c was going to stay on Dakara, she wondered what that meant for their relationship. She guessed it didn’t have to change their relationship really – after all, Teal’c and Ishta had sustained a long distance relationship when Teal’c had been on Earth. Sam shook herself inwardly. It was none of her business.

‘I guess it’s a big change.’ Sam said out loud. ‘For everyone, I mean. All the Jaffa.’

‘Indeed.’

The familiar word was heartfelt and brought a smile to Sam’s face.

‘We are used to being warriors.’ Teal’c continued. ‘We must become something more if we are to build a new Jaffa nation.’

‘You’ll do it.’ Sam said confidently. She patted his arm. ‘You won your freedom. You can do this.’

Teal’c covered her hand again and bowed his head.

The radio crackled. ‘Teal’c?’

‘I am here, O’Neill.’ Teal’c responded promptly.

‘We’re in the next building. We have to go down a few levels.’ Jack radioed back. ‘Everything OK with you?’

‘Everything is well.’ Teal’c reassured him and then answered the other man’s unspoken question. ‘Colonel Carter remains conscious.’

Sam almost smiled.

‘We’ll stay in touch.’ Jack signed off and there was silence.

Teal’c handed her the half-eaten energy bar from the pack. ‘You should try to eat some more.’

She frowned but took a small bite.

‘What of you?’ Teal’c asked suddenly. ‘Are you not anticipating your move to Area 51?’

‘I guess.’ Sam handed back the energy bar. Her bite had been enough to unsettle her stomach and she was grateful when Teal’c passed the water again.

‘You do not seem happy, Colonel Carter.’ Teal’c murmured as he packed everything up again and adjusted the blanket around her.

Sam tried to smile but she couldn’t hold it. She sighed. ‘It’s not that I’m not looking forward to it, it’s just that,’ she wondered how she put it into words, ‘it’s just going to be different.’ She adjusted her position, trying to ease the pain in her ribs. ‘If anyone had told me a year ago, we would have defeated the Replicators and the Goa’uld, and we,’ her voice caught in the back of her throat, ‘and we,’ she went on determinedly, ‘would be moving on to other things, I don’t think I would have believed them.’

Teal’c nodded in agreement. ‘Did you not consider staying at the SGC?’

‘It wouldn’t be the same without you guys.’ Sam said tiredly. She wasn’t certain she could have handled being there without them. There were too many memories. No, better that there was a clean break, she assured herself.

‘A clean break?’ Her hallucination of Daniel sat beside her with a thump and she stared at him. ‘Is that what you really want?’

‘I don’t know what I want.’ Sam replied wearily.

‘Yes, you do.’ Her hallucination argued back in relentless Daniel style. ‘You don’t want to go to Area 51.’

‘I don’t want to go to Area 51.’ She repeated. It was the truth. ‘But I can’t stay.’

‘Colonel Carter.’

She turned back to Teal’c and when she glanced at her other side again, the apparition of Daniel had disappeared.

‘Sorry, Teal’c.’ Sam rubbed her head.

‘Perhaps you should rest.’ Teal’c advised; his eyes were dark with concern.

Sam closed her eyes. She was tired, she acknowledged. Beside her, she could hear Teal’c move away. She figured he was probably doing a circuit of the room, checking that they were secure. It sounded like he was having a difficult time adjusting on Dakara. And maybe it wasn’t just Teal’c either. Maybe Jack was having difficulty adjusting to Washington – it had taken him months to settle into the SGC commander role. Maybe Daniel even had doubts about Atlantis deep down underneath his enthusiasm and excitement. The knowledge comforted her. It made her feel less alone.

It wasn’t leaving the SGC that was the problem for Sam; yes, she knew the facility and it would seem strange not working every day with the Stargate, but more than that it was about losing SG1. Not the position or the title – those had been bonuses. She didn’t want to lose her friends – her family. She didn’t know what she had thought really; that they would all stay doing the same thing until they were pensioned off? Maybe she should have realised that they would have to stop sometime. It was weird not having them in her life on a daily basis.

Teal’c’s faint footsteps reassured her of his continuing presence. It wasn’t just the Jaffa’s experience at struggling with the changes in his life that struck a chord; that he seemed to be struggling to find a way forward with Ishta was also something Sam could empathise with.

In the back of her mind she had always thought the end of the war with the Goa’uld would mean a chance for her and Jack but they were struggling to find a way forward too. Her thoughts meandered to the kiss they had shared.

Wow but that had been some kiss. Her fingers brushed her lips at the memory. At least she knew now he wanted her so whatever was holding Jack back from shifting their friendship to something more wasn’t because he didn’t find her attractive any more as she had previously feared, and God knew she found Jack attractive. He was a good looking man and she even liked the grey hair; thought it made him sexier. Of course she’d never told him that; maybe she should. After all she had kissed him and she did have the excuse of being concussed…

The radio crackled abruptly and her eyes flew open.

‘Teal’c! Come in!’ Jack called urgently. She could hear gunfire in the background.

‘I am here, O’Neill.’

‘We’re ten levels down and have some company.’ Jack snapped out briskly.

‘Understood.’

‘It looks like…some kind of Unas…’ Jack’s voice crackled. ‘You…’

The radio went silent.

Teal’c looked towards the exit.

‘Go.’ Sam ordered. She was already reaching for her abandoned P90 that Teal’c had carried. ‘They need back-up.’

‘I cannot leave you.’ Teal’c protested vehemently.

‘Teal’c.’ Sam snapped authoratively. ‘The floor here doesn’t have any evidence of Unas tracks. I should be OK. I have my gun and at the first sign of trouble I will radio. But they need back-up and they need it now. Go.’ She smiled tightly. ‘That’s an order.’

Teal’c bowed and he grabbed his own gun before he sprinted away, disappearing through the same exit their team-mates had taken earlier. She just hoped that he wasn’t too late.

Sam adjusted her position, trying to sit up straighter. She ignored the pain in her head; the sharpness that accompanied every breath. She clipped the gun onto her vest and positioned it as she had been trained. She lined up everything around her that could be used as a weapon. Her breathing was laboured and loud in the silence of the room.

‘You should not have sent me away.’ Her hallucination of Teal’c appeared in front of her. ‘You cannot protect yourself.’

‘Yes, I can.’ Sam said forcefully. ‘You said it yourself; I’m not useless.’

‘Maybe he has a point.’ Her mind’s version of Daniel walked up and sat beside her. ‘You’re not exactly operating on all cylinders.’

‘She can do it.’ The place on her other side was taken by a hallucination of Jack. He always had confidence in her; she wouldn’t let him down.

‘I can do it.’ Sam repeated.

A skittering sound by the entrance had her snapping round.

‘So have you worked out why you’re here?’ Daniel asked. ‘Why we’re here? What this all means?’

‘Why are you so interested?’ Sam asked.

‘Why were you on the Prometheus?’ Daniel asked again, refusing to be diverted.

Sam shifted uncomfortably.

‘You were running away.’ Daniel said.

‘From me.’ Jack joined in.

She turned to glare at him.

‘Just sayin’.’ Jack smiled crookedly at her. ‘You were scared.’

‘You’re the scientist, Sam.’ Daniel said softly. ‘What’s the pattern?’

‘OK,’ Sam allowed, ‘I admit that I took the mission on the Prometheus because I was scared and wanted to get away to think but I was on this mission because it was on the list.’

‘You could have backed out when I got the IOA briefing.’ Daniel frowned.

‘I…’ Sam was flummoxed.

‘But that would have been against the rules.’ Jack rejoined. ‘And we all know where not following the rules will lead.’ He pointed at himself.

‘This has nothing to do with you.’ Sam snapped.

‘It has everything to do with me.’ Jack said.

‘She’s right.’ Daniel said with a frown. ‘Not everything about Sam is about you.’

‘But I am her…Sam.’ Jack pointed out. ‘She’s hallucinating. She’s talking to herself here.’

‘So what you’re saying,’ Sam said with a glimmer of realisation, ‘is that when I ran away, I wasn’t running away from Jack, I was running away from me.’

Daniel smiled. ‘Now we’re getting somewhere.’

‘You are distracting her.’ Teal’c growled.

Sam refocused on her surroundings. Her heart beat fast in her chest as a frisson of foreboding crept down her spine. Something flickered and darted across the space. Someone was there. She tightened her hold on her weapon and took aim.

Chapter 17

Jack slammed the spare ammo into position and took aim again. He let loose a barrage of bullets. It couldn’t be easy for once, he grumbled to himself. They couldn’t have just found the Doomsday machine, stopped it from blowing up, saved the universe and got Carter home. Ra just had to have left behind guard dogs and not just any guard dogs but Unas. Slimy, big reptilian monsters. And these were primitive Unas at that. Daniel had tried speaking with them and they’d simply attacked.

He spared a glance at Daniel on the other side of the corridor from him. The archaeologist was competently firing his weapon. He didn’t have Carter’s accuracy or Teal’c’s style but he was aiming his gun with an assuredness that startled Jack a little. Somewhere in the last eight years, Daniel had changed; he might still love exploring, he might still try talking first but the war had turned him into a soldier. Jack’s mind slipped back to the walk that had led them down into the lower levels of the Ancient city…

Daniel’s attention was on the doohickey in his hands while Jack’s attention was on the way ahead. He might not have been out in the field for a while, but his gut was telling him to stay alert.

The walls of the city were smooth; the floor beneath their feet covered in years of dust and grime. There were no tracks in the dirt and no signs that anyone or anything had disturbed it yet Jack couldn’t shake his feeling.

‘This way.’ Daniel pointed at a door.

Jack stepped up to it and it opened out onto another wide walkway. They made their way out nervously. Jack glanced up. The lava continued to flow over the transparent shield giving the illusion of a red boiling sky. He frowned and kept walking. The bridge had crumbled towards the end, narrowing and only allowing one of them to pass. He went first. The doors on the other side slid open as he approached.

‘This is weird.’ Jack muttered.

‘Not really.’ Daniel commented. ‘Elizabeth mentioned that Atlantis seemed to respond to John Sheppard the same way.’

Jack spared him a glance as they stepped into another wide entrance-way. The ornate decorations were dulled with age. ‘Atlantis. Right.’

Daniel sighed in exasperation. ‘Jack.’

‘Daniel.’

‘You of all people know how much I’ve wanted to go.’ Daniel pointed. ‘It’s the City of the Ancients. I mean, some of the things they’ve already discovered there are incredible.’

‘Sure,’ Jack agreed readily, ‘life-sucking vampires are incredible.’

Daniel ignored the jibe. ‘It’s an incredible opportunity, Jack. It’s an opportunity to really examine the Ancient culture and understand our ancestors, not to mention…’ He frowned at the device. ‘I think we have to go down.’

‘You think?’ Jack checked.

‘No, no. I’m certain.’ Daniel pointed at the doorway. ‘Stairs.’

Jack stopped them to make a radio call back to Teal’c. He was pleased when Teal’c reported Sam was still conscious. It reassured him a little. The whole hallucination thing had thrown him if he was honest although the kiss…the kiss had been…well, wow was a term.

They were half-way down the first flight when Daniel cleared his throat. ‘You know I can take care of myself.’

It took a moment for Jack to realise Daniel had returned to their previous conversation. ‘I never said you couldn’t.’ Jack said evenly. He focused on the stairs; he didn’t want to lose his footing.

‘And I know the timing is lousy with Sam but it’s not like I’m going forever.’ Daniel said defensively.

‘Daniel.’ Jack turned round to the archaeologist with irritation.

‘Jack, I just think I need to do this.’ Daniel continued doggedly.

‘You said that when you Ascended and look how that turned out.’ Jack muttered.

Daniel caught hold of his arm. ‘Is that what this is about?’

Jack looked pointedly at the hand Daniel had on his arm and Daniel dropped it. Jack rubbed a hand through his hair. ‘We have to keep moving.’

‘Jack.’

‘What?’ Jack snapped.

‘It’s, uh, this level.’ Daniel pointed at the door.

Jack opened it and stepped into the corridor. It was dark. The beam of light from his gun cut across the narrow space and he stopped abruptly as it picked up something on the floor. He stooped to a crouch to examine it further and Daniel followed him down.

‘What?’ Daniel asked quietly.

‘Tracks.’ Jack scowled. ‘I can’t tell how old they are.’

Daniel motioned to their left. ‘We need to go that way.’

‘Be careful.’ Jack cautioned. ‘There may be something down here with us.’

They moved forward hesitantly.

‘We should have known Ra wouldn’t have made this easy.’ Daniel said.

‘Yeah,’ Jack agreed, ‘he was always the slimiest of slimy snake-heads.’

‘It seems like forever, doesn’t it?’ Daniel commented; his nerves seeped into his voice. ‘Since that first time through the Stargate?’

‘Yeah.’ Jack agreed again. It did seem like forever.

‘Meeting everyone on Abydos.’ Daniel continued. ‘Blowing up Ra.’

‘Oh yeah.’ Jack remembered that as though it had happened yesterday.

Daniel cleared his throat. ‘Did you ever blame yourself?’

‘For what?’ Jack asked.

‘For what happened.’ Daniel stopped and Jack stopped with him. The archaeologist turned to him. ‘For everything that happened with Apophis, us going to war with the Goa’uld and everything…did you ever blame yourself?’

Jack stared at Daniel. ‘Daniel…’ He sighed, torn between annoyance and understanding. He could appreciate why Daniel saw Atlantis as his brand new start; could truly understand why he wanted to go. He just hated that he felt that Daniel wanted to get away from them – from him. He’d missed Daniel the year the other man had been Ascended and had thought he had missed them. It hurt that Daniel could walk away so easily again.

‘And now it’s over,’ Daniel said, ‘and it’s a new start for me.’

‘Fine, so now I know why you’re so eager to leave us behind, can we drop this?’ The words were out before Jack could stop them.

‘What?’ Daniel stuttered.

Jack looked back at him. ‘Daniel…’ he stopped abruptly at the sound of a growl.

The two men were immediately alert; their guns aimed.

Another growl; a howl…Daniel’s yell in Unas…and then the Unas were on them…

Jack pushed the memories away and concentrated on taking down the enemy. A growl behind him had him whirling around. The Unas sprang at him. He avoided the claws and teeth with difficulty and clubbed it was his P90. He got in a few good blows before it back-handed him, sending him spinning into the wall. He ignored the bumps and bruises – didn’t even feel them in the heat of battle as he fought back.

Suddenly, the weight of the Unas was gone; Jack took in a much needed breath and righted his gun. He saw Teal’c wrestling with it a foot away and aimed. The gunfire was loud but it only took moments for the Unas to still.

Jack looked around as Daniel and Teal’c moved to flank him. They continued firing as the other Unas scattered into the adjoining corridors until they were alone with the dead bodies of the Unas they’d killed all around them.

‘You think that’s all of them?’ Daniel asked.

‘I hope so.’ Jack commented. He glared at Teal’c as the Jaffa’s presence fully registered. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’

‘Colonel Carter ordered me to provide you with back-up.’ Teal’c said evenly refusing to respond to the anger in Jack’s voice.

Jack reached for his radio urgently. ‘Carter. Come in.’

Silence.

His heart clenched in unacknowledged fear. ‘Carter. This is O’Neill, respond.’ His anxious eyes met his team-mates.

‘She could have passed out again.’ Daniel suggested.

‘Right.’ Jack turned back. ‘You and Teal’c head for the machine. I’ll get Carter.’

‘Jack.’ Daniel caught hold of his arm. ‘We should stick together.’

‘We need to stop that machine, Daniel.’ Jack said brusquely. ‘That’s the priority.’ As much as he hated to admit it.

‘And we’re probably going to need Sam to do that.’ Daniel pointed out. ‘If,’ he stumbled over the word, ‘if something has happened to her, then we all need to focus on getting her back.’

Jack considered Daniel’s words and wondered if he could believe them; he wanted to desperately, maybe too much.

‘Daniel Jackson is correct.’ Teal’c said stepping forward. ‘It would be prudent for us to all remain together.’

‘OK.’ Jack said decisively. ‘Let’s go.’

They all ran back to the stairwell. Jack ignored the strain on his knees and the burn in his lungs as he focused on taking the steps two at a time. He briefly regretted not visiting the gym since his assignment in Washington. They ran back across the bridge and into the main tower.

Jack pulled them to a stop before the entrance. He silently signalled for them to take position. He entered with his gun aimed and scooted across the room to use a console for cover. He gave a nod to Teal’c and Daniel; they took positions on opposite sides of him. They all stared at the space where they had left their team-mate: Carter was gone.

Jack could have sworn his heart stopped beating. The blood seemed to freeze in his veins. He forced himself to move. He took two steps stealthily across the room and nudged the discarded blanket. His eyes took in the inventory; their packs, food, water. Her gun lay on the ground a few feet away.

‘O’Neill.’ Teal’c drew his attention to two bodies. Unas. They were riddled with bullets. She had obviously defended herself.

‘Jack.’ Daniel waved a hand at a doorway behind them. There was a clear bloody mark. Sam’s knife lay on the ground.

‘She must have cut herself to give us a trail to follow.’ Jack said, nodding at the knife.

‘Then we must follow it.’ Teal’c said.

‘Grab all our stuff.’ Jack ordered. ‘We’ll need the ammo.’

A few minutes later, they jogged stealthily forward. Jack took comfort in the fact that at each corner, each doorway there was blood. Not much to suggest a serious injury but enough that they could follow. It was ingenious and it also meant she was keeping conscious despite her head wound. He was proud of her and it kept the fear at bay. They followed the trail down a set of stairs into the heart of the tower and city. He brought them all to a halt as they saw flickering light ahead and heard the sound of grunts and growls. Jack inched forward and sneaked a peek around the corner.

It was a large room. A pool of water filled the middle; a fire burned in a brazier in the corner. He spotted Carter across the room. She was huddled into a ball – they had tied her to some kind of abandoned console. She was either unconscious or she was playing dead.

One of the Unas poked her bruised ribs with a stick and Jack winced on her behalf; it had to hurt. She didn’t move though. She was definitely unconscious, Jack determined, because there was absolutely no way that she would have been unable to react if she wasn’t. The Unas grew bored of poking her and ran over to join the rest of the group around the brazier.

Jack counted the Unas and motioned for Daniel and Teal’c to take a look before he pulled them back to a quiet corner.

‘I counted fifteen.’ Jack said in a stage whisper.

‘As did I.’ Teal’c confirmed.

Daniel nodded. ‘They’re ignoring Sam so that’s good.’

They all gave a look of agreement.

‘We need to get her out of there.’ Jack stated. ‘We have limited ammo and it’s going to take a lot to take them out.’

‘A distraction.’ Teal’c suggested.

‘A distraction.’ Jack agreed. He looked to Daniel. ‘What’s the best way? An explosion?’

‘These are primitive Unas, Jack, they’re more likely to run away from an explosion than investigate one.’ Daniel said whispering. ‘The only way to entice them is by luring them out with, I don’t know, new prey?’ He pushed his glasses up. ‘Maybe we can lure them into some kind of trap.’

‘So one of us acts as bait.’ Jack said.

They all looked at each other.

‘I’ll do it.’

‘I’ll do it.’

‘I will do it.’

All of them spoke at the same time.

Jack sighed. ‘Well, we all can’t do it.’ He pointed out sarcastically.

‘I will do it.’ Teal’c said. His lips firmed and his expression warned the others not to argue.

Daniel and Jack exchanged a look.

‘OK,’ said Jack brightly, ‘Teal’c’s doing it.’ He looked back down the corridor. ‘There’s a room back there with two entrances into this corridor.’ He was already reaching into his vest to pull out the C4. ‘If you lead them in that direction through one door; we’ll blow it as soon as you are clear by exiting through the second.’

Teal’c bowed his head in understanding.

Jack looked at Daniel. ‘I’ll be in charge of the explosives. You’ll need to get Carter.’

Daniel nodded.

‘OK.’ Jack said. ‘Let’s do this.’ He patted Daniel’s shoulder. ‘Keep watch on Carter. Make sure she’s OK.’

It took them almost twenty minutes to set the explosives. Jack checked and double-checked them until he was satisfied.

He looked over at Teal’c. ‘You’re not going to have much time to get out of there.’

The Jaffa turned with his hands behind his back to Jack. ‘I must apologise, O’Neill. I failed you in leaving Colonel Carter.’

‘You didn’t fail anyone, Teal’c.’ Jack sighed. ‘Carter ordered you to give us back up and she was right; we needed it.’ He clasped the Jaffa’s shoulder. ‘I should have kept us altogether to begin with.’ He turned away. Maybe he was out of practice, Jack thought. Maybe he should have stayed in Washington…maybe he really didn’t belong off-world anymore; maybe his place was behind a desk.

‘O’Neill.’ Teal’c’s voice stopped him. ‘In your place I would have made the same decision.’

Jack couldn’t respond to Teal’c’s comfort. He sighed. ‘Let’s go do this.’

They moved back to where Daniel was positioned by the room.

‘How she doing?’ Jack asked.

‘She hasn’t moved.’ Daniel confirmed. ‘And they’re leaving her alone.’

‘Good. You straight on the plan?’ Jack asked.

‘Wait until Teal’c lures them out. If there’s any left I shoot them. Get Sam; get out.’ Daniel recited obediently.

Jack looked over his shoulder at Teal’c. ‘OK. Take positions. We’ll maintain radio contact and go in five minutes.’

They nodded.

Jack moved back towards the room they had rigged. He took the detonator out of his vest pocket and held it tightly. As soon as Teal’c was clear, he would flick the switch and the room would go up. They would rendezvous with Daniel back at the main tower. He checked his watch; one minute.

He was getting too old for the field. He’d known it that last year. He’d been slow. If it hadn’t been for Teal’c, Carter would have died facing off against a Kull warrior because it had taken Jack a couple more minutes to reach the site than the Jaffa. He had struggled and he had known his time was coming to leave the field action he loved – where he operated best. In some ways, he hadn’t minded the idea too much that downloading the Ancient knowledge and saving the world from Anubis would have been his swan song.

‘Please. Jack.’ Carter’s blue eyes pleaded with him. He fought through the pain and tiredness and told them how to save him, for her – only for her.

Forty seconds.

He’d lived for Carter. Jack knew that. Only when they’d eventually brought him back, she had still been seeing Shanahan and he had told himself not to interfere – that he should be happy that she was happy. He’d taken the command post and hoped the additional distance would help him let go. Yet she hadn’t been happy and he’d been an idiot.

Thirty seconds.

Jack had never dwelled on the moment in his backyard when Carter had shown up and told him she was having doubts; hadn’t dwelled on what she might have been about to say before Kerry had interrupted. But if she had been about to say what he’d thought she’d been about to say…

Ten seconds.

He had never been so grateful to be dumped; never been so grateful to be free to go and comfort Carter even though it hadn’t been his place. Yet somehow, sitting next to her, holding her as she had watched her father dying; somehow it had been his place. And he had wanted so badly for it to be his place…for always. How had he lost sight of that?

One second. He focused. There was a commotion down the hallway; sounds of yells and shouts.

‘They are following. I am approaching the room, O’Neill.’ Teal’c barely sounded breathless.

Jack’s thumb caressed the detonator.

‘I have Sam.’ Daniel confirmed.

Teal’c burst into the corridor and ran towards Jack. Jack didn’t hesitate he flipped the switch.

The boom was loud; a rush of fire and smoke bellowed from the doorway and chased Teal’c down the hallway. Jack grabbed him and pulled him around the corner. They both waited and moved back out with guns. They would finish the Unas with bullets if necessary.

Nothing moved.

Jack nodded in satisfaction. ‘Let’s get back to the tower.’

They jogged most of the way and caught up with Daniel just as he was entering the main room. They helped him settle Carter back onto the floor and checked her injuries. There were tears in her uniform – deep scratches from where the Unas had evidently struck her. A bruise along her cheek was matched by one on her jaw. She had evidently cut her right palm open – right through her old bandages. Her ribs – her entire torso was a mottled mess of bruises. The inventory filled Jack with horror as he and Daniel set about dealing with her injuries.

She woke up under the prodding. Her blue eyes flickered open and speared Jack’s.

‘Hey.’ Jack cupped her bruised cheek.

‘The Unas?’ Sam asked, wincing.

‘Dead.’ Jack said succinctly. ‘Nice move cutting your hand like that.’

Sam bit her lip on a groan. ‘Knew you’d find me.’

Jack nodded, unable to speak. She gasped in pain and Jack stroked his thumb over her cheekbone gently. ‘Rest. That’s an order.’

Sam nodded and closed her eyes on a sigh. Jack could tell she had passed out again.

The three men looked at each other.

‘Is she going to be OK?’ Daniel asked worriedly, keeping his voice low.

Jack didn’t know; the fight with the Unas had exacerbated her injuries. ‘She’ll be fine.’ He said strongly. It was the only answer he could give. He gestured at the others. They all needed the rest but they had no idea how much time they had and how much time they had lost.

‘Teal’c, you carry Carter.’ Jack looked at Daniel. ‘You lead the way.’ And he would watch their six and keep them safe. He just hoped he didn’t make any more mistakes along the way.

Chapter 18

Richard Woolsey straightened his tie and tried to ignore the nerves crowding his belly as he waited for the elevator to deliver him to the lower levels of the SGC. His escort sent him a disapproving look and Woolsey tried to ignore that too. He knew he was not popular amongst the SGC personnel but he believed he had contributed to keeping Earth safe in his own way. Perhaps his initial dealings with the SGC during the aftermath of the late Doctor Fraiser’s death had seemed harsh, and although he believed his investigation into the SGC’s mistakes under Hammond’s command had been justified, he knew its genesis from Senator Kinsey had been for the wrong reasons. Still, he also believed that his action in informing the President of Kinsey’s motivations, of handing over vital evidence of Kinsey’s criminal behaviour had in its own small way redeemed him.

It had certainly secured him the President’s favour and Woolsey was proud to serve as Hayes’s representative on the IOA. Woolsey enjoyed the position; it suited him. He believed passionately that there should be civilian oversight of the Stargate and its operations. Hence he had been the first to volunteer when the IOA had erupted in fury over the events of the past twenty-four hours. Learning that all four original SG1 team members had gone missing under the new command of General Landry was cause for concern.

The elevator halted. Woolsey adjusted his glasses and surrepitiously patted his remaining hair as he followed the SF into the corridor and along to the General’s office. The SF knocked sharply on the door and Woolsey waited as Landry gave the order to enter. He walked past his guard and marched straight up to the desk. He held out his hand and Landry shook it briskly.

‘Richard Woolsey.’ Woolsey kept his voice even and strong. ‘I believe you’re expecting me.’

‘Yes.’ Landry waved him into a seat and sat back down. ‘The President informed me that you would be arriving.’

‘I want you to know that my investigation will be fair and based on the facts.’ Woolsey said sharply. His brown eyes took in Landry’s scepticism. ‘Regardless of what you may have heard about me from others.’

Landry leaned forward, clasping his hands on his desk. ‘There’s something you should know, Mister Woolsey.’

‘I’m listening.’ Woolsey said.

‘Whatever your dealings with the previous commands of this facility, this is my command now.’ Landry said firmly, his sharp eyes pinning Woolsey. ‘The President has asked me to give you my cooperation and you will have it but it’s my firm belief that this investigation is unnecessary.’

Woolsey held the other man’s gaze forcefully. ‘I’m sure if that’s the case then the evidence will show that.’

Landry gave a short laugh and Woolsey caught a glimpse of what he hoped was a gleam of admiration in the other man’s eyes.

‘There’s something else you should know.’ Landry began.

‘If you’re referring to the mysterious Doomsday story, the President updated me during my flight here.’ Woolsey said. It had been evident that it had been designed simply to deflect attention from the mistakes that had been made.

‘You don’t believe it.’ Landry’s accusation cut through the tension in the room.

‘You have to admit the timing of discovering this is a little convenient.’ Woolsey pointed out evenly.

Landry sighed. ‘And you have to admit that SG1 have almost a cosmic tendency to be in the right place at the right time.’

‘Even if that is true, it doesn’t excuse the real mistakes that may have contributed to placing them in danger.’ Woolsey stated. He stood up. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to begin.’

Landry smiled tightly. ‘You can start with me.’

Woolsey was taken aback. He shifted his weight nervously. ‘It’s my usual practice to question…’

‘I don’t care.’ Landry cut him off. ‘You won’t speak to another person until we do this.’

Woolsey glared at the General but he could tell the military man was unmoved. He considered his options. He could call the President but he wasn’t entirely convinced Hayes would back him on a simple matter of which order he performed his interviews. He reached down for his briefcase, rested it on the edge of the General’s desk and snapped open the metal fasteners. He reached in and brought out a small Dictaphone and his notebook. He closed the briefcase and sat it back down on the floor.

‘Very well.’ Woolsey switched the Dictaphone on and placed it back on the desk. He retook his seat and flipped open the notebook. ‘Perhaps you could begin with a brief overview of the original mission.’

Landry stared at him for a moment before he gave a grudging nod. ‘It was routine examination of some ruins on P2X654. We had sent an exploratory MALP and UAV forty-eight hours before. The atmosphere and weather conditions were good. SG1 and SG12 were available and I gave the OK for the mission to proceed.’

‘And the weather conditions at the time of the mission were still favourable?’ Woolsey asked pointedly. He had done his research before he arrived and he wanted to show the General that he wasn’t going to be taken as anyone’s fool.

‘It was raining on the planet.’ Landry acknowledged.

‘But you didn’t call off the mission.’ Woolsey stated.

Landry shrugged. ‘There didn’t seem to be any particular need.’

Woolsey made a notation. ‘Please continue.’

‘SG12 and SG1…’

Woolsey held up his pen, interrupting the General’s flow. ‘I thought only Colonel Carter accompanied SG12.’

‘That’s right.’ Landry said guardedly. ‘Doctor Jackson was asked to brief a number of your IOA colleagues on the Atlantis expedition.’

‘Why?’ Woolsey asked, genuinely interested.

‘Why?’ Landry repeated, raising his bushy eyebrows.

‘Yes, why?’ Woolsey said. ‘I understand this would have been the last official mission for the SG1 team under Colonel Carter’s leadership and yet you reassigned her only team member to a briefing?’

Landry’s mouth fell open slightly. He regrouped almost immediately. ‘Well, I…’

‘And wouldn’t Doctor Jackson’s knowledge have been considered essential for the ruins that were being investigated on the mission?’ Woolsey pressed.

‘Sentimentality holds very little weight in my decision making.’ Landry said forcefully. ‘Doctor Jackson was asked to take the briefing as the most informed person on the base regarding the Atlantis expedition. He also agreed that Doctor Calliday, who is a very able archaeologist, would be able to handle the ruins.’

‘I see.’ Woolsey looked at the General. ‘Perhaps we can return to the mission.’

‘Major Green’s report is very clear.’ Landry said. ‘Turner and Grogan held the gate; Carter, Green and Calliday went to investigate the ruins. Calliday found the opening to the temple. She and Carter went inside and descended to a lower level discovering a room filled with artefacts. At that point, an earthquake began. They evacuated on Carter’s order.’

‘I understand that Doctor Calliday was only able to translate some of the writing on the temple walls.’ Woolsey said. He flipped back a couple of pages. ‘She stated in her report that she was able to determine that something was held in the temple but not what.’ He looked up at Landry. ‘Is it usual for teams to enter temples which may contain an unknown?’

‘It’s what they do.’ Landry pointed out.

‘Surely the risk was too great.’ Woolsey retorted.

‘From what I understand they took every precaution; Carter preceded Calliday and ensured the passageways and rooms were clear.’ Landry stated.

‘And the risk of opening the temple in the first place?’ Woolsey continued. ‘I understand Doctor Jackson was able to make a full translation; if it had been known that the temple held a Doomsday machine would they have still have investigated?’

Landry’s eyes glittered at the unspoken criticism of Jackson being absent again. ‘We’ll never know.’

‘No.’ Woolsey agreed. ‘We won’t.’ He glanced back at his notes; unnecessary but it gave him a reason to pause. ‘Your report states there was an incoming wormhole activated; SG12’s IDC was received and you opened the iris.’

‘Yes.’ Landry’s tone was guarded.

‘Turner, Grogan and Green arrived back safely; Doctor Calliday’s exit was violent and she was rendered unconscious.’ Woolsey continued. ‘At which point, electrical energy blew out some capacitors and the wormhole disengaged.’

‘Yes.’ Landry moved subtly in his seat. ‘Sergeant Siler assured me we would have to replace the capacitors before we could return to the planet safely to retrieve Colonel Carter.’

‘Yet you had no way of confirming if she was still alive especially given there was no attempt to re-establish a wormhole from the planet to the SGC.’ Woolsey said quietly.

Landry bristled. ‘There was equally no evidence that she was dead. It was reasonable to assume that when the wormhole failed at her end, she was alive. We assumed that the DHD was damaged and that she would seek shelter until a rescue team was deployed.’ He waited a beat. ‘We were right.’

‘We’ll discuss the rescue mission shortly.’ Woolsey said smoothly. ‘I’d like to talk about why General O’Neill was informed. Is it the intention to tell Homeworld Security immediately every time a member of the SGC goes missing?’

‘General O’Neill was not informed of Colonel Carter’s disappearance by the SGC. He was informed by Doctor Jackson.’ Landry stated firmly.

‘With your permission?’ Woolsey stressed.

‘With my permission.’ Landry confirmed.

‘If it had been Major Green left on the planet, would you have agreed to a request for a…a friend of his to be informed?’

‘His friend is unlikely have clearance.’ Landry shot back. ‘That’s not a consideration with General O’Neill.’

‘But maintaining a positive relationship with Homeworld Security is.’ Woolsey said.

‘I won’t deny that.’ Landry confirmed.

‘As is maintaining a positive relationship with the Free Jaffa.’ Woolsey continued.

Landry looked at him. ‘What’s your point, Mister Woolsey?’

‘My point is that Teal’c was also informed by Doctor Jackson.’ Woolsey said. He also knew Landry had not given permission for that to happen nor for the Jaffa to step through to the SGC.

Landry remained silent.

‘Let’s discuss the rescue mission.’ Woolsey said deciding to move on. ‘You authorised it.’

‘Yes.’ Landry nodded.

‘SG3, SG12 minus Doctor Calliday, a med team, and General O’Neill, Teal’c and Doctor Jackson. Is that right?’ Woolsey checked.

‘Yes.’ Landry stood up and walked over to the side cabinet. He poured a glass of water. He raised the full glass in a silent offer to Woolsey.

Woolsey shook his head. ‘Why so many personnel?’

‘The med team is included as standard protocol; SG12 had the most knowledge of the planet; SG3 have years of rescue experience and would enable them to cover more ground.’

‘And the former members of SG1?’ Woolsey pressed.

‘They volunteered and I acquiesced. Again, their presence would enable the rescue to cover more ground in searching for Colonel Carter.’ Landry walked back to his desk and sat back down.

‘The report stated that General O’Neill took command.’ Woolsey noted.

‘He’s the most senior officer.’ Landry returned.

‘He’s also the only person on the mission with the least amount of off-world experience in the last year.’

‘He has years of experience.’ Landry responded. ‘If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be the Head of Homeworld Security.’

Woolsey clicked his pen off and on again. ‘Given the value of all three men to the Stargate programme why risk sending them off-world?’

‘I’ve already answered that question.’ Landry said, his eyes flashing angrily.

‘I’ll rephrase.’ Woolsey said. ‘If they had not volunteered, would you have assigned them to the mission?’

‘Probably not.’ Landry conceded.

Woolsey made another note. ‘I understand the rescue mission was a repeat of the first, only this time all of the former members of SG1 were left behind?’

Landry took a sip of water. ‘Colonel Reynolds confirmed that SG1 headed for the most likely location to find Colonel Carter. They had just found her and requested assistance when there was another earthquake. General O’Neill ordered the rest of the team to evacuate.’

‘And since then you have been unable to establish an outgoing wormhole to the planet.’ Woolsey concluded.

‘The President has authorised the use of Prometheus. She’s on her way to collect them now.’

‘How long will that journey take?’ Woolsey questioned.

‘I’m sure you know.’ Landry retorted.

‘For the record.’ Woolsey nodded at the Dictaphone.

‘For the record, it will take just under a week.’ Landry bit out.

Woolsey held his gaze. ‘I think that concludes my interview, General. Thank you for your cooperation.’ He clicked his pen back off and reached for the Dictaphone. ‘I’ll want to speak with all the individuals involved in the missions and the gate room and control room technicians on duty.’

‘Of course you will.’ Landry said dryly as Woolsey packed up. ‘Has it occurred to you, Mister Woolsey, that if Doctor Calliday is correct about the Doomsday machine and SG1 cannot stop it, that this will all be a gigantic waste of time?’

Woolsey shrugged. ‘As you pointed out, General, SG1 do have a tendency to end up in the right place at the right time regardless of how questionable the decisions were that got them there.’

‘And you’re confident that they’ll save us.’ Landry realised. His brow creased. ‘I don’t understand; if you truly believe that, why this whole show?’

‘Because no-one is above being held accountable for their actions and decisions when the safety of our very planet is at stake, and just because SG1 would sacrifice their own lives to save Earth, doesn’t give them the right to endanger our planet in the first place.’ Woolsey replied passionately. ‘Our Founding Fathers believed in checks and balances on power; so do I.’

Landry motioned at the door. ‘The guard will show you to the room we’ve organised.’

Woolsey inclined his head. ‘Thank you.’ He headed for the door.

‘Mister Woolsey.’

Woolsey turned around inquisitively, one hand on the door handle.

‘It’s always easy to make the right call once the ball has already been played.’ Landry sat down. ‘It doesn’t mean the original call wasn’t meant to win the game.’ He opened the folder on his desk, clearly dismissing Woolsey.

‘Too many bad calls, General,’ Woolsey replied evenly and was pleased to see Landry look up in surprise, ‘and the owners eventually have to fire the coach or the players.’ He nodded sharply. ‘I’ll report back when my interviews are over.’

He left before Landry could say anything more; he had what he needed.

Next: Let Go and Hold On: Chapters 19-24