|
|
|
||||||||
TITLE: Blessed Revenge
AUTHORS: Bastet, Yum@, Scribe, Wendy and Dee
RATING: PG-13
CONTENT WARNING: Violence, Adult themes
CATEGORY: Action/Adventure/Angst
SPOILERS: Content is ongoing, as it is a work in progress, spoilers may be present for any episodes prior to the end of Season 3.
SUMMARY: Once again Daniel and the rest of SG-1 find themselves in the face of danger as conspirators exact a blessed revenge. (You really didn't think it was all over when "Unholy Alliance" was... over? Did you?)
DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of ,Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. We have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author.
(Bastet)
"So, what we got, Captain?" Colonel Jack O'Neill asked as the team walked into the Embarkation room. The center ring of the Stargate spun as the chevrons locked into place.
"Chevron five, encoded," announced Simmon's voice from up in the control room.
"Nothing much more since the mission briefing, sir," Captain Samantha Carter answered. "UAV confirmed the presence of a small village about three miles from the ruins on PX7529. SG-8 said they made brief contact with the natives and they appeared friendly."
"Chevron six, encoded."
"Well, that's always a good thing," Jack said with a crooked smile. He glanced down at his watch and the smile disappeared. "Now what could be keeping our illustrious Doctor Jackson?"
"I believe Daniel Jackson was detained by Doctor Frazier," Teal'c said.
"Chevron seven, locked."
Just then hydraulic doors opened and Daniel and Doctor Janet Frazier walked in deep in discussion just as the Stargate blossomed open.
"Now, you're sure how to use it?" Janet asked, handing Daniel a small red box.
Daniel nodded. "I snap the cap off and press it against my thigh, pushing down on the button on top at the same time. Yeah, got it."
Janet frowned adding, "And then you get your butt back to the gate as fast as you can."
Daniel gave her a wry smile. "Then I get back to the gate as fast as I can," he repeated and gave her a flippant salute, "Yes, Ma'am."
Janet just rolled her eyes.
"Doc?" Jack said giving her an expectant look. "Anything we should know about?"
Janet watched Daniel stow the kit into one of the pockets of his jacket. "The planet has an unusually high pollen count. Due to Doctor Jackson's allergies, I thought it prudent to give him an epi kit just in case he has any breathing difficulties."
"How high is unusually high?" Jack asked.
"A count of over a hundred is considered high," the petite doctor said, putting her hands into the pockets of her lab coat. "The planet has a count of about four thousand."
"Ouch," Jack winced. He turned to look at Daniel. "You sure you're going to be ok?"
"I'll be fine," Daniel said, patting the various pockets of his jacket, a perplexed look on his face. "Um, Janet?"
Janet shook here head and pulled a bottle of pills out of her pocket, handing it to him. "Every six hours."
"Every six hours," he repeated. "Thanks," he said flashing her a smile. He bounced up the ramp to where Sam and Teal'c stood waiting.
Jack looked over at Janet with a raised eyebrow. Janet chuckled. "I upped his anti-histamine prescription. You're going to have one very hyper archaeologist on your hands."
Jack huffed and rolled his eyes. "Great. Just great." He was still shaking his head as he followed his team through the Stargate.
The thick, humid air of PX7529 hit Jack like a physical blow. He took a deep breath and coughed, as a gritty film seemed to coat his throat. He spotted the rest of his team down by the DHD just as Daniel let out a thunderous sneeze.
"Bless," Jack said coming down the steps from the Stargate. The clearing around the Stargate was covered with a thick carpet of some kind of tiny rose colored flowers. Thick vines of purple and blue clusters hung from the trees surrounding them. It was like one of those jungle pictures from a kid's storybook. Flowers bloomed and hung from every conceivable plant and tree around them. The heady perfume hung heavy in the moist air. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Jack suddenly felt edgy. Too beautiful. Even roses had thorns. He was just going to have to keep an eye out for them.
Daniel mumbled a thank you; his voice already sounded thick. He sneezed again and pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and blew his nose.
"Bless," Jack said again. He walked to Sam who was working on the MALP. A thick yellow film coated the probe. "Captain?"
"Aside from a stiff coating of pollen, everything seems fine here, sir," she
said straightening up. "Just getting ready to send it back."
Behind him, the Stargate ground to life as Daniel put in the coordinates for Earth. The Chevrons began to light up as they locked in sequence when suddenly he sneezed. The gate let out a protesting groan and the lit Chevrons winked out.
"Crap," Daniel groaned and started inputting the symbols again.
"Daniel?" Jack said slowly turning toward the younger man.
"Misdial," he said sheepishly. "Pushed the wrong symbol when I sneezed."
Jack nodded and his eyes narrowed. "You gonna' make it?"
Daniel grimaced and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." He sneezed again and rolled his eyes, blowing his nose.
"Bless."
"Thanks."
Daniel and Sam worked quickly to send the MALP back through the Gate as Jack and Teal'c moved out to secure the perimeter.
The two men hadn't gotten very far when something caught Jack's eye. "Teal'c take a look at this," Jack said coming to a stop in front of a tree, deep burns scored the trunk.
The Jaffa hurried over and a frown creased his dark features. "It appears to have been made by a staff weapon."
"How long ago?"
Teal'c reached up and rubbed the burn marks with his fingertips. The carbon scoring came off black on his hands. Scorched bark peeled off in chunks where he rubbed showing a sappy residue. "One perhaps two days," Teal'c said finally.
"Right after SG-8 left," Jack mussed darkly. "Ok, we better head back and pick up the kids."
Daniel sneezed again and sat down on the steps beside the Gate. Sam looked up from her sampling equipment and shot him a concerned look. "Bless you. You ok?"
Daniel sniffed and pulled out his handkerchief again. "Sure, just wonderful," he said with a nasal sound to his voice. He coughed and blew his nose. He slid off his glasses and rubbed at his eyes. Even from across the clearing, Sam could see how red and puffy they were getting. Daniel had to be miserable.
"Heads up, people," Jack snapped coming into the clearing. "Looks like our little garden just had a visit from some snakes."
"Sir?" Sam said, standing up dusting the thin film of pollen that had settled there while she was taking samples of the rose colored flowers.
"Teal'c and I found signs that the Goa'uld have been here and pretty recent from the look of it."
"They're not here now, are they?" Daniel asked, walking down to join them.
Jack shook his head. "I'd think we'd know by now if they were."
"What are we going to do?" the younger man asked.
"Well, from all likelihood the Goa'uld have headed back to whatever hole they crawled out of," Jack wiping his nose on the cuff of his sleeve.
"SG-8's report said that the Belomus hadn't seen the Goa'uld here in at least three generations," Daniel said, sniffing. He dug in his pocket for his handkerchief and blew his nose again.
"Well guess they have now," Jack said arching his eyebrows at the archaeologist.
"What now, sir?" Sam asked.
Jack pursed his lips in thought for a moment and then huffed. "We finish the mission. Hopefully, the natives-"
"Balomus," Daniel interrupted.
"The Balomus," Jack corrected, shooting Daniel an annoyed look. "Hopefully, the Belomus won't blame us for this," Jack said. "We better get moving."
The team quickly headed off in the direction of the Balomus settlement. The terrain was just as SG-8 had reported it. Gently rolling hills leading toward a rough mountain peak in the south. The Balomus settlement was in those mountains. Daniel had his camera out the whole time taping and keeping a running dialog going documenting everything they saw. The farther they went, the fewer Daniel's comments to the camera had been. Jack suddenly realized he hadn't heard a peep out of the other man in nearly ten minutes when suddenly Daniel launched into such a sneezing fit that almost made him lose his grip on the camera. Jack turned back to check on him. It was the fifth fit Daniel had taken since they left the gate.
"O'Neill!"
Jack frowned when he saw Teal'c's deep frown and Daniel leaning against a tree trying to catch his breath. "Daniel Jackson appears to be having difficulty breathing," Teal'c said, concern creasing his face in deep lines. Daniel tried to wave the Jaffa off. "I'm...fine.... just ne...need to...catch...my breath," he gasped out.
Jack eyed him closely. "You sure?"
Daniel nodded taking a deep breath he started to cough and caught himself. "I'm fine, just kind of congested." He glanced down at his watch and started to dig in his pockets. "It's just about time for my next antihistamine."
Jack frowned and snorted at the stuffiness in his own head and spit. He
caught a glance at his pants and brushed at the yellow dust that clung to them. "What is this stuff?"
"Pollen, sir," Sam said rubbing at her eyes. "The farther we get from the Gate, the worse it seems to be getting."
Jack frowned, this pollen was starting to bug him now, and Daniel, with his allergies, had to be having a devil of a time with it. Not that he had been complaining, that was what was worrying him. Daniel had a tendency to try to tough things out. He watched at Daniel popped one of the pills in his mouth and swallowed a mouthful of water from his canteen.
Daniel caught Jack staring at him and rolled his eyes. "I'm fine, J'ak," he said nasally. He sneezed again and rubbed his nose on the back of his hand.
"Fine, right," Jack echoed. He shook his head. "We better get moving."
Sam cast Daniel a concerned look before following Jack. Teal'c waited till Daniel started before taking the rear.
The group walked in silence for a while as they reached the edge of clearing, Jack halted. Sam slowed when she reached him, her eyes widening at the view that greeted them.
"Wow," she breathed in an awed voice.
"Yeah," Jack said letting a breathy hiss out between his teeth. "Seems SG-8 forgot to mention this." Before them stretched out a chasm. Miles below in the twilight of the bottom snaked a silver ribbon of a river. It reminded Jack of the Grand Canyon, only he suspected this was a whole lot deeper.
By this time, Daniel and Teal'c had caught up. "What are you two looking at?" Daniel's question abruptly trailed off as he saw the chasm. "Oh."
"O'Neill, there is a bridge spanning expanse," Teal'c said, pointing to a rickety looking rope bridge that swayed across the canyon.
"You've got to be kidding," Daniel said paling, his voice barely a shade above a whisper.
"Oh, Daniel," Sam bit her lip.
Jack turned to look at them. "Kids?" He arched his eyebrows.
"Heights," Daniel said with a grimace.
"Ah," Jack nodded. "Almost forgot about that 'little thing' you got about them."
"Is there some way around it?" Daniel asked, eyeing the bridge as it swayed in the breeze that was blowing up from the canyon.
Sam shook her head. "Afraid not."
"Come on," Jack said, giving Daniel a slap on the shoulder. "Sooner we get it over with the better."
Daniel let a breath and frowned. "Right."
Sam took the lead with Teal'c right behind her. Daniel and Jack brought up the rear.
"Just take it slow and don't look down," Jack coached from behind Daniel.
Daniel started forward, his eyes locked on Teal'c's back. He clutched the rope supports on either side of the bridge in a white grip and slowly inched forward. Everything was going fine until a sudden gust of wind from down in the canyon set the bridge swaying.
Daniel let out a startled curse and nearly slipped as the worn timber planks that formed the bottom of the bridge shifted under his feet. He felt the rough ropes of the supports cutting in his palms. Then despite Jack's warning, he looked down.
"Oh, man."
Jack cursed when he saw the younger man freeze in front of him. "Daniel, I told you not to look down!"
"Oh, man," was Daniel's only answer.
Jack sidled up behind him. "Daniel, we're nearly three quarters of the way. I need to you let go of the rope and keep moving."
"I can't."
"Come on, Jackson. Let go."
Daniel shook his head. "I can't. I want to, but I just can't let go."
Jack swore and grabbed Daniel's hand and tried to pull it free. The scientist had a death grip on the rope, but finally, Jack forced him to let go. By then, Sam had made it across. She stood at the other end watching them with a helpless look on her face. Teal'c waited about halfway between them.
"Daniel Jackson, it is not much farther."
Daniel looked up at them and swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry as the sands of Abydos. The distance seemed to telescope out away from him. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to force himself to move, but nothing happened. Suddenly, a familiar tickle started in his nose.
"Oh, crap, I'm going to sneeze."
"For crying out loud!" Jack snapped behind him and then gave him a hard shove.
Daniel lost his grip on the ropes and stumbled forward. Teal'c grabbed him and dragged him the rest of the way across. No sooner had they reached solid ground than the sneeze hit. Sneezes, to be precise. Daniel sneezed until he couldn't breathe. Dark shapes danced on the edge of his vision threatening to swallow him then suddenly the pressure in his chest released and he was able to drag in a breath. It took him a few moments to get his breath back.
The buzz that filled his head receded and he realized someone was talking to him. He looked up and realized he was sitting on the ground leaning against Teal'c with Jack kneeling over him with a concerned look on his face.
"Daniel, can you hear me?"
Daniel shook his head. "Yeah...sorry."
"OK," Jack said. "That's it, we're headed back to the 'gate."
"No," Daniel said quickly. "I'm ok. I'm sorry. I guess I just freaked out there."
Sam shook her head. "Daniel, you almost stopped breathing there."
"I'm ok, really," he insisted.
The group moved on for a short time when a flock of some kind of small birds exploded from the trees around them. Clouds of yellow tinged pollen rained down on them. Daniel launched into a sneezing fit that drove him to his knees.
"Daniel?" Sam turned back to him.
Daniel sat back on his heels, wheezing to get his breath. He shot Jack a terrified look and they suddenly realized he couldn't breathe.
Jack let out a startled curse and raced over to the younger man. Teal'c grabbed Daniel as he toppled forward. Jack dropped to his side and started digging through his pockets looking for the epi kit.
Jack finally found the small bright red box and fumbled to open it. He looked up at Daniel and the archaeologist had his eyes screwed tight struggling to force air into he ever constricting lungs. A thin film of sweat coated his pale, drawn face. Jack grabbed the epi pin and jammed it against Daniel's leg trying to remember Frazier's instructions. He thumbed the button and the needle shot out and into Daniel's leg.
Daniel let out a started gasp and his eyes shot open. When he saw what Jack was doing he frowned and tried to say something, but Jack cut him off. "Don't try to talk, just breathe." Jack turned to Sam. "What exactly is this thing?"
"Epinephrine," Sam said. "Adrenaline," she quickly corrected when she saw the confused look on his face.
Jack's eyes widened. "Oh, boy."
"There has to be another way to get back across," Daniel said, inching back from the edge of the canyon.
"There isn't," Sam said. "UAV's sweeps showed this canyon stretches for fifty miles in either direction."
"Great," Daniel said mirthlessly. He huffed and his shoulder sagged.
"We better get moving," Jack said. "The quicker we get across the quicker it's done."
(Dee Tervo)
"O'Neill, the Balomus," Teal'c began.
"Not now, Teal'c," Jack cut him off. "We have to go. This mission's scrubbed, they'll have to send someone else to make contact."
Carter pointed to the field they had just retreated across. "Sir, I think you'd better take a look. The Balomus don't seem to be at all like SG-8 described them, especially the friendly part."
Jack turned to look at the angry mob approaching his team. They were covered in war paint and were screaming threats and accusations, all the while holding their arrows poised to release. "Did I just hear what I thought I heard? Nirrti's name?" Jack asked Teal'c as they began to move toward the bridge, supporting Daniel between them.
"It seems as if the inhabitants of this world have been subjected to an attack by followers of Nirrti, and they are holding us to blame," Teal'c responded.
"M..M.Maybe if we just talked…" Daniel tried to suggest.
"That's a negative," Jack quickly decided. "No time to negotiate now. They don't seem to be in the mood, and we have to get you back home.
For a short moment, Daniel seemed to prefer the thought of enduring bow and arrow attack rather than facing the bridge again. Then, as the first arrows began to fly past them, the only choice became that of a fast retreat.
(Yum@ and another short filler by Dee as well)
The rope bridge swayed slightly as the team dashed across it, ducking the rain of arrows that seemed doggedly determined to catch them. Sam spared a moment to look behind her, which was good, because she saw the incoming arrow before she twisted away. It passed her, where her back would have been, a hiss of wind slashing close to her face and landed on the wooden planks of the bridge.
"Colonel!" Carter shouted. "All clear up ahead!" She pointed to the far end of the bridge. After that, it would only be just over the next hill....
Teal'c reached the end of bridge first, spun around on his heels and abruptly grabbed Sam's hands, practically throwing her to stable ground with a yank. He turned to Jack and Daniel, who were still several feet away.
"O'Neill!" Teal'c shouted. He didn't dare fire his staff weapon. The enemy was too far away and his friends were too close to risk the shot. The Jaffa stared at the growing number of shadows approaching closer and closer to the bridge.
Jack didn't reply as he stomped across the swaying link, one hand still grasping tightly to Daniel's wrist. He didn't even bother to check behind him to see where the enemy was. The prickling on the back of his neck told him already that the bad guys were pretty close enough.
Daniel didn't protest the rough handling, nor did he try to pull his hand away as he struggled to catch up with his attached limb. Feet felt like lead weights, dragging across wooden planks. The archeologist kept telling himself it was just a few steps further. He was breathless, exhausted, but the angry sounds of a lynching mob were enough to spur him to just obey orders and force one more step out of unwilling feet.
Suddenly, the ropes...snapped.
"Shit!" Jack had enough time to say before he used his free hand to grab the ends still attached to the anchor on Teal'c's side of the bridge. Daniel jerked behind him, his hand still in the colonel's hands twitched and Jack tightened his hold on the young man, thinking that he was losing his grip.
The bridge, snapped in half, swung free in the middle and swayed momentarily in the air before slamming its half against the face of the cliff.
Jack yelped as he felt knuckles crack as soon as they made contact...hard contact with the unsympathetic wall. He squeezed his other hand tighter, telling himself to not dare let go of Daniel.
"Daniel?" Jack gasped as he felt the full weight of his friend pulling him down, dragging his other hand down the coarse coil of rope. "Are you okay?"
"Jack."
The colonel looked down and to his horror, found himself looking at an arrow imbedded in the small of Daniel's back, protruding out like a bloody stake. He could see the archeologist valiantly trying to maintain a grip on the ropes himself, to not burden Jack with his weight.
"Christ, Daniel." Jack just said and he tried his best to pull his friend up. The movement however, was too much for his friend to bear and he cried out in such a pained voice that it brought tears to Jack's eyes.
"Hang on, Daniel! For God's sake, hang on!" Jack shouted as he began to step up the wooden planks, using them as a ladder. He pulled at his arm, trying to get Daniel closer to him, but he just couldn't do it. His entire body was screaming with each try, arm shaking so bad that it threatened to cramp and let go his charge so he was forced to stop. He could hear Carter yelling something, but Jack was only focused on the gradually glazed blue eyes that were glued to him with such trust. It was like looking at pure faith. Faith that Jack would get Daniel out of this.
No way in hell was Jack going to break that faith.
They almost reached the top. Jack could see the edge of the cliff where Teal'c's hands were stretched down towards him. Jack gritted his teeth and took another step when the wood under his boot broke.
"Damn it, no!" Jack roared as he felt them fall down a bit before his hand, which had been sliding down the rope, tightened like a claw and stopped their descent.
Jack looked down. Daniel was barely conscious at this point and his hand in Jack's was growing limp. The other hand feebly tried to find purchase in the ropes. The colonel looked up and saw the blood his hand decorated the rope with as they had fallen, a testament of now just how far he has to climb back up again.
"Colonel!" Carter's white face appeared over the cliff edge. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the colonel down below, his jaw clenched as he was determined not to let go. She dropped another rope, looped at the end.
No good. Jack would have to let go one of his hands to grab it. Neither one of which he could spare. The man glared at the dangling rope, frustrated.
"Ja'k." Daniel tugged weakly at the clutched hand. Understanding, Jack released his grip when he saw Daniel twisted one frayed rope around a wrist for security.
The colonel, with one hand on the rope, the other free, began to reach.
Got it.
Jack looped the rope around his waist and then, with both hands, grabbed Daniel and hauled him up until the young man was weakly clinging to his neck. He fumbled anxiously around his friend's neck, checking the pulse, closing his eyes briefly at what he found. Daniel mumbled something but Jack couldn't say anything, his throat closed up, so all he did was squeeze one clammy hand, heartened to feel a squeeze in return. Then Jack tilted his head, shouting they were secure. Teal'c and Sam began the grueling work of pulling both men up.
Daniel, no longer needing to hold the ropes, sighed and his eyes began to blink. Jack wavered in his vision, the man's concerned face blurring. He opened his mouth, wanting to say more but he vaguely saw Jack shake his head, his mouth moving but the archeologist couldn't hear the words. Sighing once more, he was so tired, his head lolled back and then his body went limp. Jack tightened his hold on Daniel, feeling the head resting against his shoulder now. He will let the other two concentrate on bringing them back up.
Daniel stirred again and opened confused eyes on Jack.
The colonel felt like he had to say something. "It'll...It'll be okay."
The young man nodded as if he never doubted it for a second. Jack smiled tightly and lifted his head. He was relieved to see his teammates' hands now at reachable distance. He wrapped one arm around Daniel's waist and stretched out the other hand to meet theirs.
An arrow flew by and hit the rope squarely on the fibers. Jack heard...rather...felt it snap and he barely had enough time to grab Teal'c's hand before it fell apart. The Jaffa hung on to him with his great strength. He ignored the still airborne arrows as he pulled Jack up.
Another arrow.
This time, it struck Jack in the shoulder.
The man cried out as metal struck flesh and remained there on his shoulder.
To his horror, the pain caused his arms to reflex and his other hand...let go.
"No!" Jack screamed as he felt Daniel slip from his arms.
Daniel, as soon as he felt himself fall once again, reached out with numb arms and caught the second plank of the bridge, a few feet away from safety and a few inches short of Jack's hand.
"Daniel!" Jack nearly fell off the edge again trying to catch Daniel if it hadn't been for Teal'c's firm grip on his good shoulder.
The archeologist gasped as the strain of his shoulders bunched the muscles on his back, causing the arrow to shift. He cried out as the heat from the pain stabbed all the way to the front, causing his heart to hammer so hard , Daniel thought he was going to die on the spot. But he somehow he knew he wouldn't. He saw Jack's eyes.
Daniel couldn't let Jack see him die like that.
"Daniel!" Jack screamed out again. A stark white face peered over the edge as Teal'c and Carter returned fire across the cliff to deter the natives. "Grab my hand."
The young man wanted to cry.
Those fingers were so far away. Daniel barely had the strength to cling on to the wood. He didn't even feel the splinters stabbing through his fingers because they were so numb.
His whole body felt bloodless and on fire. Daniel knew somehow that if he moved, it would be worse.
"Damn you! Move!" Jack, somehow, leaned forward even more and Daniel feared his friend might truly fall over this time. "Take my hand! Come on! Just a few inches!"
"C-can't..." Daniel so much wanted to, but everything hurt. "C-can't"
"Yes you can." Jack was surprised that he could keep his voice steady. He felt like screaming again. "Come on...do it for me...just reach..."
"Hurts..." Daniel whimpered as his fingers flexed tighter around the wood edge.
Jack swallowed. "I know...I know but believe me...it's gonna hurt a hell of a lot more if you don't reach. Come on, Danny. Please!"
Daniel saw the same look in Jack's eyes again and he knew...
He had to try.
The man tried to smile as he saw Daniel strained his hand to stretch as he fought not to cry out. Jack just kept his hand out, ignoring the painful cramps on his shoulders, the sharp pain on one of them. He just kept murmuring encouragement, keeping his fingers still.
Daniel was breathing heavily as the effort took all he had left. Light became dark. Hot became cold. His body felt like lead and his feet barely had the strength to lift him higher to Jack's promise of haven.
But he had to reach.
Daniel nearly passed out as he felt warm fingertips touched his numb ones. He forced himself to take another step.
Another arrow.
Daniel flinched, nearly losing his balance as the arrow went by him. So close.
"Daniel!"
Obviously close enough for Jack to see.
Just reach. A little bit more. Ignore the pain. Just ignore the....Oh God...I can't...I can't...God, Jack, I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...I tried...
"No, Daniel!"
Jack lunged forward, his torso completely in midair and grabbed. When he caught Daniel's hand, Jack nearly wept with relief.
A strong grip on the back of Jack's shirt stopped the colonel from going over but that thought hadn't even occurred to him. As Teal'c pulled him back in, Jack pulled in his prize. The two men, now on solid ground, tumbled into a heap on the dirt. Jack grimaced as the arrow on his shoulder moved again and he felt a new gush of blood staining his uniform.
"You didn't...didn't...let me...fall, Jack..."
Jack shook his head as he tried to get up with the young man in his arms. "Never, Daniel. Never." His knees gave out and he fell back down to ground. Daniel cried out as the impact jarred his injuries.
Teal'c and Sam grabbed the two men and dragged them to the cover of some trees. The natives, seeing their targets lost, began trying to shoot ropes tied to arrows across the other side to reach them.
"The arrow has to come out of your shoulder, sir." Sam said apologetically.
Jack nodded, his eyes glued to the slumped figure leaning against Teal'c, barely conscious. "Just do it, Major."
A quick snap that brought a bolt of pain and it was done. Jack shrugged away her efforts to bind the wound as he half crawled over to Daniel, ignoring the slow burn that went down his shoulder to his fingers.
"Teal'c...hold him...you're the only one strong enough to while I..."
The Jaffa nodded. The arrow had to be snapped in half. They didn't dare pull it out, but they couldn't risk jarring the wound by leaving all of it in.
"Daniel...God forgive me, but we have to do this." Jack whispered.
"N-no..." Bloody fingers reached out and snagged his jacket in silent plea.
"I'm sorry, buddy. It'll be quick...I promise..." Jack brushed away damp locks of hair from the man's clammy forehead. "Just close your eyes. Don't watch."
Daniel whimpered as he felt himself being turned over. Teal'c nodded and tightened his grip on Daniel. Jack took a deep breath and then grabbed the arrow mid shaft.
Snap.
Daniel screamed, arching his back as the pain came full force. Tears leaking out of tightly shut eyes as he thrashed. Jack cursed and he and Sam grabbed at his legs and arms to keep them still. Then abruptly, Daniel went limp.
"I am so sorry." Jack whispered as he watched Teal'c slipped one arm under Daniel's knees and another carefully around his shaking shoulders. The Jaffa got up slowly, cradling the limp form protectively in his arms.
"Let's get the hell out of here."
(Dee Tervo)
"Colonel, the shock to Daniel's system has to be tremendous, with the allergic reaction, all the meds and now the traumatic injury. It's probably going to take the Balomus a while to get across the canyon. Give me a minute to make sure Daniel is stable before we Gate back. OK?" Sam was already reaching for her medical kit as they climbed the hill separating them from the Gate.
"Alright Major, you got five, then we go."
"You going to be OK?" Sam asked, noting the red stain that steadily covered the Colonel's shoulder.
Ignoring the question, Jack began to jog on ahead, planning to ready the DHD and radio home. As he reached the crest of the hill, he fell flat on his stomach, with a hand signal for the others to drop as well.
Teal'c didn't question as he gently placed Daniel on the ground and commando-crawled to Jack's side. He set his jaw and stared in disbelief as he saw the area around the Gate was being guarded by at least a dozen jaffa.
"They bear the mark of Nirrti."
"Kinda figured that."
"What do you think it wise to do?"
"Let's hope they move out soon. We can stay hidden for…" Jack never had time to finish. Daniel's allergies once again got the better of him, and set off another round of powerful sneezes. The jaffa reacted with seasoned reflexes, and were heading for the team's position in a matter of seconds.
"The trees! Now!" Jack barked, as he made a move toward Daniel, intending to drag him to cover if necessary.
"Jack, go! Don't even think of trying to carry me over there. If you even make it, I'll give away your position. Go!" Daniel whispered in a determined tone, and resumed sneezing, alternating with breath catching groans.
Jack turned from Daniel, realizing the truth in those words and jumped for cover just as the jaffa came over the hill. They approached Daniel cautiously, weapons drawn. When he did not appear able to fire upon them, two of them effortlessly lifted Daniel by each arm and dragged him back to the Gate. Several others conducted a careful sweep of the perimeter, but miraculously didn't detect the hiding team. Jack scrambled to the hilltop and watched with a sinking heart as Nirrti's jaffa punched a set of coordinates into the DHD. Observing with his binoculars, he noted the symbols. He also noted how poorly Daniel was doing. His face was ashen colored and he was struggling to breathe. The bastards had thrown him onto his back, and that had to be pushing whatever was left of the arrow tip further into him.
The Gate energy blossomed outward, and the group disappeared into it.
"Damn it to hell!" Jack shouted in frustration.
Carter stood next to him, "It's your call, sir. We have the symbols. We can follow them now, or go home for reinforcements and the help of a MALP. Your shoulder could also use a looking at."
"We play this one by the numbers," Jack reluctantly decided. "We go back to the SGC and get our orders. C'mon people, let's move!"
(Scribe)
Jack hit the ramp running on his return to the SGC.
"Colonel O'Neill?" General Hammond voiced both his concern and his demand for information in the simple intonation of the name.
"We've lost Daniel, Sir!" Jack's tone was sharp, the anger at the botched mission barely contained. As he turned and caught sight of Janet Fraiser heading towards them, his ire boiled over. "You should never have let him go!"
"Colonel?" Surprise animated the petite doctor's face as she homed in on his wounded shoulder.
Sam intercepted, throwing O'Neill a sharp look. "The planet's air was far worse than we expected. Daniel was having a tough time of it."
Jack's sarcasm bit through the air. "A tough time? He turned so blue he matched the damn flowers!"
Hammond's authoritative tone drew everyone's attention back to the more immediate problem. "Where is Doctor Jackson?"
"He was taken by Nir'ti's forces," Teal'c said, the calmness of his voice belying the concern in his eyes.
"Nir'ti!" General Hammond's disgust was evident.
"Hell!" Jack swore as he Janet eased his jacket off to gain access to his wound. "Be careful!"
Carter's eyes moved from the sight of O'Neill's blood back to Hammond. "Daniel
was badly hurt, Sir. He took an arrow in the back."
"In the back?!" Janet glanced up from O'Neill's shoulder, her face worried.
Carter nodded. "I thought it best to leave the head embedded until we got him back to the SGC. Only…" her voice softened. "…we never got a chance."
"Are you saying Doctor Jackson is dead?" Hammond demanded.
"No, Sir!" Carter replied quickly. "But he was in pretty bad shape."
Jack swore again. "He'll be in even worse shape in Nir'ti's hands. She seemed pretty impervious to the Jackson charm when she was here. Somehow I don't think she's grabbed him to play happy families."
Carter glared at him before address herself once more to Hammond. "We have the co-ordinates of the planet Nir'ti's forces dialed up, Sir. We need to go after him."
Hammond considered for a moment. "Very well! Major Carter, you'll head up the rescue mission."
"Hey!" Jack protested.
"Colonel O'Neill, you'll report to the infirmary with Dr. Frasier. And you'll stay there until she gives you permission to leave. Doctor, I want a full report on the Colonel's shoulder within the hour."
Janet's quiet affirmative was drowned out by Jack's explosion. "But Sir!"
"No buts!" Hammond cut him off. "You won't help yourself or Doctor Jackson by going through the gate less than 100% fit. Dismissed."
Glaring at the General's departing back, Jack snatched up his jacket. With a look that would've shriveled a lemon he gestured towards the exit of the gateroom with his good arm. "After you, Doctor!"
The softness of satin beneath his cheek. Warmth glowing over his naked back. The pleasure of soft hands massaging the pain from his muscles.
"Sha're?" The name escaped him as little more than a whisper as consciousness stole slowly back into his abused body. Where was he? Abydos? He drew in a deep breath and stretched his muscles - the response one of pleasure at the firmness of the fingers as they worked on a particularly tight spot. Sha're had always been skilled at soothing away the tension from his shoulders with oil she carefully blended with crushed herbs. He breathed in again, wondering which of her precious collection she was insisting on lavishing on him this time. A hint of lemon, an underlying tone of something richer, muskier, and beneath that a harsh spiciness almost Indian in character.
The massage ceased abruptly. Reluctantly Daniel opened his eyes, and for the first time registered the fact that he really was lying on satin. Satin the color of blood. Yo! OK - this wasn't Abydos! In which case...
He turned his head and caught a glimpse of a young girl disappearing through a doorway to his left. A young girl who quite definitely wasn't Sha're. Almost immediately a female voice spoke on his other side.
"So you have awakened at last."
Daniel twisted round, sucking in a breath as a the residue of pain made one last attempt to cling to him. The sight that greeted him caused his stomach to lurch. Nir'ti!
She smiled coldly. "I feared your injury were too severe for my healing powers," she said, her eyes drinking in the sight of him.
Daniel flexed the muscles of his back, memory of the arrow striking him returned with full force. "Apparently it wasn't." He drew in another breath, remembering how the pollen-thick air of the planet had choked him. Either Nir'ti had dealt with that problem too. Or else simply removing him from the atmosphere had allowed his body to recover. He hoped it was the latter, not wanting to be in debt to the goa'uld queen more than he had to be. Tugging ineffectually at the sheet in an attempt to reveal less of himself, he returned her gaze. "I presume I should be grateful to you?"
The question hung unanswered between them for a long moment, before Nir'ti spoke. "I have learnt a great deal about you since we met on your world, Daniel Jackson. Hathor, for example, extolled your ability as a lover."
Daniel felt the heat rise in his face. "She's prone to exaggeration," he said lamely.
Nir'ti merely studied him emotionlessly. "Apophis, on the other hand considers you to be a irritant."
"Irritant?" Daniel considered that description for a moment. Seemed like a fair one.
"But the question I have yet to answer, Daniel Jackson, is what my opinion of you should be?" She stepped towards him, and traced a line from his cheekbone to his chin, tilting his face up towards her. "Should I sample the delights Hathor spoke of? Or should I use you for political gain?"
Daniel chewed on his bottom lip before suggesting hopefully, "You could just let me go?"
Nir'ti laughed softly. "In deed. But where would be the fun in that?" She withdrew her hand. "To use a Tau'ri idiom - you owe me, Daniel Jackson. And I intend to collect in full."
Jack had tried everything he could think of to make the General relent and allow him on the rescue team. Everything from cajoling to ranting and yes - even begging. Hammond had refused to budge, and neither had Janet Frasier. He was on light duties only until his shoulder healed, and that - Janet had informed him sternly - was likely to be at least two weeks away. More if he didn't follow her orders about taking things easy to the letter.
Take it easy! Right! Like he was going to manage to do that knowing Daniel was out there badly injured and in the hands of a female goa'uld who no doubt had some nefarious plan in mind that wouldn't be compatible with the good health of archaeologists. Jack shivered at the memory of Hathor and her less than goddess-like fascination with Daniel's DNA. Dammit! Daniel had suffered more than enough at the hands of the goa'uld, and while he, Jack, had every confidence in Carter's abilities as a soldier, he couldn't just sit around the SGC waiting for news.
Carter! A wild thought flitted through Jack's mind. She'd used that goa'uld healing device on Chronos during the treaty fiasco. Surely if she could use it to bring that snakehead back from the brink of death, she could use it to heal the *minor scratch* on his arm. Of course the fact that she hated using goa'uld technology was a problem, but he was sure he could convince her. Of anyone at the SGC, Carter would understand how important it was for him to be on this mission. After all - this was Daniel they were talking about here.
Daniel's heart sank. Nir'ti was playing with him. No doubt she would prove to be an expert at those twisted little mind games designed to keep one's opponents off balance and unnerved. He sighed, realising that the two guards who now stood at the doorway meant he had little choice but to go along with her.
His request for clothing had provided her with much amusement. She'd had his pollen-engrained uniform brought to him and then offered him the choice between that and a pair of black silk pants. The sneezing fit he'd suffered convinced Daniel that his uniform was impractical. The alternative at least gave him with some degree of modesty, even if the thin material did little in the way of providing him with protection against the cool air of Nir'ti's palace.
"Do you think I could have a shirt too?" Daniel asked plaintively.
Nir'ti gave him an appraising glance. "No. It pleases me to see you dressed in this manner."
"I'm kind of cold," Daniel pointed out, wrapping his arms around his bare chest.
"That is of no concern," Nir'ti replied. "All that matters is that you do what pleases me." Her mouth stretched into a tight smile. "I have decided as long as you amuse me, you will be allowed to live. I will enjoy parading one of the infamous Tau'ri before my guests."
"Great," Daniel muttered. "Two PhDs and I end up as court jester."
The comment wasn't lost on Nir'ti. With a snarl she crossed the short distance between them and slapped him hard across the face. Almost immediately one of the guards moved behind him, catching hold of his arms and pinning them behind his back. There was no humor on Nir'ti's face now as she addressed him.
"I would gain much standing amongst the goa'uld warlords by publicly executing you, Daniel Jackson," she hissed. "And the slower and more painful the execution the more honor I would be accorded. Remember that the next time you choose to show a lack of respect."
Daniel's felt the metallic taste of blood as his tongue probed the inside of his lip. He gave a tight smile, his eyes defiant. "I'm not very good at playing lapdog."
Nir'ti held his gaze. "You'll learn," she said icily. "Or you'll pay the consequence." With a flick of her head, she indicated he should be released. As the guard eased the bruising grip he'd had on Daniel's wrists, a third uniformed male appeared in the doorway.
He bowed low before addressing Nir'ti. "My lady. The honor guard has formed at the Chappa'ai."
Nir'ti turned back to Daniel, her anger apparently dissipated. "Hold out your hands."
Still smarting from the blow to his face, and painfully aware of the guard behind him, Daniel reluctantly did as he was commanded. With a small smile, Nir'ti pulled a narrow silk scarf from a pocket and expertly bound his wrists tightly together, apparently enjoying his discomfort at the indignity.
"There," she said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Now I think you are ready to meet the first of my guests. Just remember, Daniel, you stay alive only as long as you please me."
(Wendy)
Daniel stood between the guards, trying not to shiver in the Stargate room. Nir'ti's first guest had come with his full regalia and Daniel wanted to shrink behind Nir'ti's guards when he saw who'd arrived.
Heru'ur. The Goa'uld who attempted to destroy Thor's protected planet and steal Sha're's son. On both occasions, the SG team had thwarted those plans. Daniel could remember only bits and pieces of their last run in with Heru'ur, when the alliance of Goa'uld fell apart, but only after he'd undergone poisoning and unimagined physical and mental trials.
Nir'ti bowed her head courtly at the visiting System Lord. "Heru'ur. I am honored that you responded to my invitation for a visit."
Heru'ur looked at Nir'ti. "Ah, Nir'ti," he said smoothly. "When your message including an auction of the three Tau'ri scum and the shova that had been a constant thorn in our sides, I had to come and see if what you offered to be true."
Nir'ti flashed her eyes at the demeaning undercurrent, but quickly regained her composure. She waved her hand at Daniel. "Here is my proof."
Heru'ur descended the Gate steps and strolled right up into Daniel's personal space. "I know you..." He waved his finger while trying to remember.
Daniel stood as tall and defiant as he could, attempting to conceal the fear he felt all the way to his toes.
Heru'ur smiled broadly, sending shivers down Daniel's spine. "Ah, you're the one that prevented me from getting the child of Apophis and Ammonet. Not to mention a certain planet of mine you caused to be destroyed. You and the other Tau'ri have caused me a lot of trouble."
"Pleased to be of service." The words had slipped out before he could stop them. 'Damn! Been with Jack too long.'
The bald System lord's eyes flashed at the remark and grabbed a fistful of the archaeologist's hair. "Listen, to me, hassak, when I win you and your friends in this auction, I will delight in exacting my purchase of revenge from every inch of your hides." With that, he released Daniel and, coupled with a look of disgust, turned away.
Nir'ti smiled in amusement at the show, but quickly schooled her looks as the Goa'uld released the Tau'ri captive. "My lord, I know you must be weary from your travels, so I have prepared a room for you and slaves to make sure you are comfortable."
Heru'ur just grunted. "Where are the rest of these Tau'ri scum that you've promised?"
Nir'ti mentally scrambled for an adequate falsehood to placate the powerful man. "They are here, do not worry. All will be ready for the auction."
Heru'ur nodded and left.
"Nen renef emem ahnkhoo."
Nir'ti whirled around at the comment uttered by the SG1 linguist, anger filling her face. "It will be *your* name that will not be among the living
if you anger me further." To her guards, she commanded, "Take him away."
The guards complied, dragging the half-clothed archaeologist from the room.
(Dee)
Inside Colonel O'Neill's office, a heated discussion was underway. "Major, she is *not* going to think anything!"
"Sir, I really think we should run this by someone, or at least have some medical supervision..."
"Hammond has scheduled briefings for the rescue parties at 1500 today, that's in 3 hours. There's no time for red-tape approvals. I've got to be certified 100% fit by then, so he'll put me back in command."
"Sir..."
"I have to be. Carter... I know I sounded off at Doc Frasier, but it was my final call to include Daniel on that mission. He had me so damned convinced he'd be fine... and now..." Jack softened his tone, "I'm not ordering, I'm asking. I need your help, and I'm asking you to bend the rules. Whadda you say?"
Talk about puppy dog eyes! Sam felt she couldn't refuse, although there was great risk in not following protocol. "I'll try sir, just this once, and if you feel like I'm making things worse... you have to..."
"Ya, ya, sure... fine. Let's get on with it," Jack cut her off.
"First we'll need to find out where the device is being stored, then one of us will have to distract the guard. Probably that should be you, sir. You could order him to do something, and if it's locked up, we'll need the key of course."
Jack nodded in agreement as Sam spoke and he politely waited for her to finish. Then he reached into his desk drawer and removed the healing device. Laying it on his desk he asked, "What next?"
Sam swallowed hard as she shifted the device into the palm of her hand. She still had no concept of why the thing worked, and why she was able to activate it. "Might work best if you take off your shirt so I can focus the energy directly over the site of the wound." Her hand trembled slightly as the Colonel obeyed in complete faith.
Jack winced when he had to shift his shoulder. It still hurt like hell, even with the pain meds. Briefly his thoughts drifted to Daniel and how he might be faring with wounds much more severe and in unfriendly hands. "OK... I'm ready... let's do it."
Sam concentrated and focused all her thought and energy into the device. She knew how Kendra had healed the child with a broken arm, apparently with ease and causing him no discomfort. She doubted the Colonel would tell her, even if she were melting his insides. Soon, the energy began to flow and a steady stream bathed the injury.
After two or three minutes had passed, Sam was about to ask how he felt, when Jack let out a loud, "MAJOR!"
She nearly threw the thing onto the desk and quickly asked, "Are you OK?"
"Am I OK? Carter! I can just imagine what that thing could do to other parts of
me!" Jack was rotating his shoulder freely.
"Other parts, sir? And I take it the injury feels better?"
"The injury is completely better, and have no trace of bursitis in my shoulder. Let's go, we have a briefing to prepare for," Jack answered, opening the door, only to run into a red-faced General Hammond standing outside.
Daniel barely had time to enter the room where he was told he could rest, when the talk among Nir'ti's jaffa was of another arriving guest. This guest was not Goa'uld, that much Daniel could decipher, but they used an unfamiliar term to refer to him.
Nir'ti appeared again, to parade him in front of this new arrival. "You seem uncomfortable. I trust the bindings on your wrists are not too tight?" she asked with insincere concern.
He didn't answer her, wouldn't give her the satisfaction. Silently he cursed the goosebumps that ran freely up his arms and chest... betraying his chill.
"You are wanting to know who else comes here, are you not? At first I thought to restrict the guest list, but this race was most insistent. It seems they have given notice that you are an escaped felon... wanted for aiding a murderer, defiling holy ground and escaping from their prison taking with you a most dangerous criminal. I simply could not refuse such an passionate plea for justice," Nir'ti continued.
"Oh... I'm sure you have the very best of intentions," Daniel quipped.
She regarded him with the tiniest bit of respect in her eyes. "If what they say about you is true, perhaps you and I are more similar than I first believed."
The Gate released its traveler, as Daniel's mind fully registered just whom Nir'ti was talking about. The Taldor! It never occurred to him that the Taldor might be out there, looking for SG-1... and that the team was on some 'most wanted' list. Hadante... oh god... there was no way he was going back to Hadante!
The Taldor representative strode down the stairs with haughty disdain. He was clothed in a long, crimson, hooded robe leaving his dark-skinned face barely visible. Clearly he was not comfortable having to deal with Nir'ti, and he chose to bypass pleasantries, immediately addressing the matter for which he'd come. "I see one of their members. If you produce them all, I am authorized to make a reward payment, and then I will take them and depart."
"Not so quickly, judge of Taldor. Several others have been wronged by these Tau'ri. All will have the opportunity to bargain for possession of them." Nir'ti spoke firmly.
"The Taldor do not 'bargain' with anyone. We demand those who identify themselves as being from Earth, as well as the convict Linnea whom they helped to escape."
"Excuse me... but I think a lot's happened since we last met. There are some things you *really* need to know about," Daniel tried to communicate with the envoy, hopeful he could elicit a reasoned response.
The Taldor didn't even look at Daniel. He raised his hand and a white light poured from the open sleeve of his robe, covering Daniel from head to foot. Nir'ti watched with fascination.
At first Daniel felt warmth and then stiffness in his neck. He found himself frozen in place. After several long minutes, the light faded, and Daniel discovered he was unable to utter a sound. Whatever else the energy had done was not immediately apparent. The only thing he knew for certain was that he could no longer talk.
Nir'ti smiled appreciatively. "I rather like him that way. Is the effect permanent?"
"I will speak no more to you. When all who have claims against these criminals have assembled, I will speak in open court," the envoy announced.
"As you wish," Nir'ti reacted with mock respect. She motioned where the Taldor should go. After he left, Nir'ti couldn't resist returning to Daniel's side. "You have become the very best kind of human... one who suffers silently."
Daniel immediately opened his mouth to respond, and snapped it closed again in frustration.
She laughed at him. "I will instruct my jaffa that you will tell them when they are treating you too roughly. But that as long as you remain silent... you are challenging them. You are showing them how much stronger than Nir'ti's jaffa are the proud Tau'ri." She laughed again. "Oh, you will provide *such* amusement!"
(Bastet)
Daniel sat hunched against the far wall of the opulent chamber that had become his prison. He had been over every square inch of the room, twice. The only way in or out was the door and three of Nirti's Jaffa were guarding that.
He sighed and drew his knees up tighter against his chest. He was cold. He was tired. His back was really starting to hurt again. He was alone, and he was scared. He hadn't felt this helpless since...he swallowed against the surge of memories he had tried so hard to forget over the last year. Memories of Heru'Ur and Klorel gloating over him as Hathor's poison slowly ripped him apart from the inside...of trying to escape with Jack as Hathor's ship reduced the planet around them to smoldering, lifeless shell..the acrid smoke clotting his lungs...the searing unending pain.
The dry rasp of the latch on the door yanked Daniel back to the present. He awkwardly climbed to his feet as the door swung inward. One of Heru'Ur's Horus guard entered and the door shut behind him. He glared at the Jaffa with all the defiance he could muster. Probably not the smartest move he could make, but maybe if he could tick one of these guards off enough, maybe...he was not going to be made a host.
The Horus guard started at him for a moment and then reached up, deactivating his helmet. Daniel nearly collapsed in relief.
"Daniel!" Shakore crushed him in a massive bear hug. "I am pleased to see you once more."
Shakore. He could barely believe it. Sha're's older brother. He had been taken by Ra when he had been a boy and made a Jaffa only to be given to Heru'Ur. Last he had seen him, he was leaving with Bra'tac, but here he was. Daniel started to ask him, but nothing came out. He shook his head in frustration.
"I know you can not speak. I have hear those of Nirti's guard speak of the device the representative from Taldor carries."
The archaeologist nodded and held out his bound wrists to his brother-in-law.
"I cannot," Shakore said quickly glancing at the door. "I have but a few moment, and I know you have many question. I will try to answer but a few. I am here with the Tok'ra. When word circulated though the System Lords that SG-1 had been captured, I was sent among Heru'Ur's guard."
Daniel shook his head and pointed at himself.
"Yes, Daniel, I know. Nirti has but you." Shakore's face darkened. "It seems O'Neill still cannot keep you safe. He could not prevent harm coming to you and being captured by the Goa'uld."
He sighed and shook his head more vehemently. He had to make Shakore understand this wasn't Jack's fault. It was just bad luck.
He pointed at his shoulder and the Abadonian gave him a blank look. He ground his teeth in frustration as he tried to pantomime what had happened and it seemed that Shakore was as bad at guessing as he was at charades.
Finally, realization dawned on Shakore's face. "O'Neill was injured. That is the reason you were separated?"
Daniel nodded.
"You were injured too," Shakore said. "Are you still in pain? From what I have gleaned, Nirti does not have a sarcophagus. It is part of her punishment for attempting to kill Cronus."
Daniel shrugged and winced. He grimaced and held his thumb and forefinger about an inch apart.
"Where?"
He motioned to his back with his bound hands. The Jaffa turned him around and ran his hand down his back until his fingers rested on the small of his back and Daniel tensed. The pain that had been a dull ache flared back into full awareness. He grabbed Shakore's shoulder and tried to pull him away, but the older man grabbed his hands with his other hand.
"Something yet remains within." Daniel could see the concern in his face even though his darkening vision. Shakore helped him sit back down against the wall.
'Not good,' Daniel thought. Then things started to fall into place. The arrow, it was still in him.
Shakore suddenly stiffened and curse lowly in Abydonian. "Someone comes."
"Go!" Daniel mouthed soundlessly.
"It is too late," the Jaffa said, his dark eyes quickly searching the room. He hurried and slipped behind one of the richly embroidered tapestries hung along the wall as the door swung open.
Daniel watched dumbly as the young woman he had seen when he awoke in Nirti's chamber walked into his room. She walked over to him and looked down at him dispassionately.
"I have been sent to check on you," she said. "It appears that it is none too soon. You appear to be in need of healing once more."
The woman leaned down and wrapped her tiny hands around his arm. With a shocking unnatural strength she hoisted Daniel to his feet effortlessly. He stared at her and then saw the glint of gold in her hand. It was one of those hand held healing devices. She was a Goa'uld.
She helped him to a low couch on the far side of the room and had him lay on his stomach. A warm glow suffused his back and the pain leached way. He blinked drowsily as the sudden absence of pain and the relaxing warmth forced him to succumb to the exhaustion that had been dogging him since he had woken in Nirti's chamber.
As the darkness closed around him, things finally fell in place. No wonder Nirti didn't have him in chains. That arrow imbedded in his back doing who knew what kind of damage they could just heal and then let it happen all over again. More effective than chains could ever be, much more.
(Scribe)
Somewhat chastened by the dressing down they had received from General Hammond, Sam and Jack followed their senior officer to the gateroom.
"What's going on?" Jack demanded as he saw SG9 waiting at the foot at the ramp. He nodded to Teal'c, who was standing to one side, clearly no happier than Jack with the situation.
Hammond fixed O'Neill with a stern look. "While you and Captain Carter were off secretly playing doctors and nurses, Teal'c and I were looking at the MALP transmission from the co-ordinate's you brought back. It appears Nir'ti has her gate heavily guarded. Any attempt to rescue Dr. Jackson by force will result in heavy SGC casualties."
Jack's heart sunk as he realized what Hominid's words meant. Even so, disbelief colored his tone. "So you're sending in these bozos instead? They couldn't talk a toddler to give up a candy bar, let alone get Nir'ti to release Daniel."
The leader of SG9 glared at Jack. "We wouldn't have to negotiate his release - at great personal risk, I might add - if you'd kept him on a tighter leash."
Jack's expression darkened, a scathing retort clearly ready to unleash.
"Colonel O'Neill!" Hammond's voice put an end the skirmish. "You know as well as I do that Daniel Jackson would not wish lives to be put at risk on his behalf if there was the remotest possibility that an alternative strategy existed."
Jack refused to give an inch. "So *when* this diplomatic strategy fails, Sir, can I assume."
The sound of the gate powering up broke across his argument. Hammond
whirled towards the command room. "I haven't given the mission a go!" he shouted.
"Incoming, Sir!" Lieutenant Simmonds called back. "Sir! It's the Tok'ra!"
All eyes turned towards the gate as the wormhole wooshed into life. Moments later a familiar figure stepped on to the ramp.
"Martouf!" Sam and Jack said his name in stereo.
"I apologize for arriving without warning," Martouf said as he walked down the ramp.
"But I come on a matter of great urgency."
"You know something about Daniel, don't you?" Sam immediately guessed.
Martouf inclined his head towards her. "Yes. We intercepted a messenger from Nir'ti to Apophis informing the system Lord that Daniel Jackson is her prisoner. She offered to turn him over in exchange for a large amount of weaponry. An amount that Apophis can afford easily now he has control of Sokar's territory."
"Exactly what does 'intercepted' mean?" General Hammond demanded.
"Suffice it to say the message was not delivered. Apophis is unaware of Daniel Jackson location, and we intend for him to remain so." Martouf looked the General in the eye. "Daniel Jackson cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of Apophis. I have been tasked with either securing his freedom from Nir'ti," he hesitated. "Or, if necessary, taking any other steps necessary to keep him from Apophis."
Jack stepped forward, anger flashing on his face. "Any other steps? Are you talking assassination?"
Martouf's face remained inscrutable. "Apophis plans to publicly execute Daniel Jackson. Such an act would draw many minor goa'uld lords to his side. Given the growing strength of his force, this cannot be allowed to happen." He drew in a breath, a slight flicker of emotion finally escaping onto his face. "Besides, I believe that given the choice, Daniel would prefer a quick death at the hand of a friend, rather than slowly and painful execution in front of a hostile audience."
"I don't believe I'm hearing this!" Jack exploded. "Listen!. Daniel would prefer not to die, period!"
"Colonel O'Neill!" Hammond interjected once again, before turning to back to the Tok'ra. "You are not helping matters! Martouf, if you've been tasked with this mission, why come here first?"
"My intention is to masquerade as Apophis."
Sam's face registered surprise. "Is that a good idea? You don't look much like him."
Martouf gave her the smallest of smiles. "Our intelligence reports that Nir'ti and Apophis have never met. If that proves to be wrong, my physical appearance can easily be explained by a change of host. As for why I came to you, General." Martouf's gaze moved across the three members of SG1. "I have need of a retinue. Two jaffa and a maidservant. I believed I might find volunteers here."
Heru'Ur paced his room angrily, the news from one of his jaffa burning in his mind. Apophis! How could Nir'ti do that? Surely she knew that Apophis was his sworn enemy.
He reached the far wall and turned sharply back to the centre of the room. Of course she knew. That was why he was the third guest at this particular party. She was no doubt counting on the enmity between them to drive up the price for Daniel Jackson.
At the thought of the Tau'ri, Heru'Ur's fists clenched. Apophis' insane determination to execute the husband of his queen's host was the talk of the system lords. Rumors
abounded that he had pledged an entire planet to the person that brought Daniel Jackson too him. Well, he was going to be sorely disappointed. Heru'Ur was determined that if anyone made Daniel Jackson suffer, it would be him.
"When is Apophis expected?" he demanded.
"At first light, my Lord."
A dark thought swam to the surface of Heru'Ur's mind. Nir'ti would no doubt be planning to parade the Tau'ri at the Stargate just as she had on his arrival. Well perhaps the female goa'uld would be in for a surprise when she went to collect her precious prisoner. Barking an order at his cowering Jaffa he stormed from the room.
The contents of a jug of iced water slammed Daniel rudely back into consciousness. As his right hand automatically came up to wipe the liquid from his face, surprise registered as he realized he was no longer bound. Shakore? Eyes snapping open, hoping his brother-in-law had somehow found a way to free him, Daniel found himself looking straight up into the face of Heru'Ur.
Shit! It didn't take much to figure he was in trouble. The thought had barely entered his mind before two of Heru'Ur's Jaffa grabbed him by the arms, dragging him from the sleeping couch and throwing him to his knees in front of the system lord.
With a cruel smile, Heru'Ur twisted the scarlet silk that had bound Daniel between his fingers, his eyes never leaving Daniel's face. "My jaffa inform me you cannot speak."
Not sure what else he was supposed to do, Daniel simply raised his eyebrows in a perfect imitation of O'Neill's 'ya think' expression.
"Excellent!" Heru'Ur gave a soft laugh. "Then presumably you cannot scream in pain either."
Make that double shit! As Daniel's eyes shot to the door, wondering if he could make a run for it, Heru'Ur slapped him hard across the face, slamming him to the floor. Instantly the jaffa grabbed his arms again, pulling him upright. Wincing Daniel carefully moved his jaw, tasting blood but relieved to find nothing broken.
Heru'Ur's gaze moved to the jaffa to Daniel's right. "Perhaps that was not proof," he said, almost casually.
"No my Lord," the jaffa replied. "But I would be honored to provide what you require."
Daniel screwed up his face in anticipation of what he knew was coming next. He barely registered the nod of Heru'Ur's head before the jaffa delivered a sharp jab to his lower back. He collapsed to the floor, the cry of agony muted, but tears of pain escaping down his cheeks. Oh God! Not his back! Daniel felt a sharp stabbing pain shoot up his spine - a pain that was far too intense for a mere punch. O God!
Heru'Ur's face was twisted with sick delight. "So it is true! You are silenced." He leaned close to Daniel, stretching the silk scarf tautly over the writhing scientist's throat, drinking in the fear reflected in the pain-shocked blue eyes. "You should know," he said softly, "That Nir'ti has invited Apophis to join us in our little auction. You should also know I have no intention of being deprived of my opportunity to exact revenge on you. If Apophis arrives to find you were killed trying to escape," His smile widened and he lifted the scarf from Daniel's neck and tossed it to one side, watching as it floated gently to the ground, before continuing. "Then my revenge will be two-fold."
(Wendy)
Jack moved to jump in and volunteer, only to be shot down by General Hammond.
"No, Col. O'Neill. SG1 cannot volunteer."
"But..."
Carter intervened. "Sir, the general's right. Nir'ti knows us from the conference here with the Asgard."
Jack muttered an indistinguishable curse, swung his arm and spun in frustration. He hated this helplessness. Daniel was out there, hurt, having God knows what done to him and there wasn't a thing the SG1 leader could do about it. 'All this energy and no one to punch,' he thought.
General Hammond turned to Martouf. "Would SG-9 be sufficient for your needs? We were planning to use them for a diplomatic mission when you arrived."
Martouf looked at the team. They definitely looked suitable for their intended roles, with one exception -- one too many. "They are quite acceptable for my needs, although I sincerely doubt I will need all of them. It would be suspicious if I came with more than two Jaffa and a maidservant."
General Hammond nodded. "All right." He turned to SG-9. "There will be no need for a scientist on this mission, so Lieutenant Aronson, you will remain on stand-down until the team has completed its mission. Understood?"
Lt. Aronson nodded and backed down.
The General turned back to Martouf. "Do you have the outfits for them to wear for this mission?"
Martouf nodded and waved a hand to the other Tok'Ra who'd accompanied him. Between the accompanying Tok'Ra was a case. Setting it down, they opened the lid, revealing the Jaffa uniforms and another outfit, decidedly more feminine.
"Good," said the General. "All right, SG-9, get changed and be ready in fifteen minutes. The mission is a go as soon as you all are ready."
The team saluted and quickly left, their garb in hand.
Jack stood and watched, a scowl on his face. 'I still don't like it,' he thought petulantly. He hated being on the sidelines. He personally wanted to strangle Nir'ti and rescue Daniel himself, but knew he wouldn't get the opportunity at this time.
(Dee)
Jack had no intentions of waiting around to see if Martouf's plan *might* succeed in rescuing Daniel. In fact, all it would take was for anyone to figure out Martouf was *not* Apophis... and Daniel was as good as dead. So... Jack had planned on asking Teal'c where he might be able to find a ship they could "borrow", and have Sam come up with a reason why they should urgently Gate there... for some sort of scientific... something or other.
The Colonel was pleasantly surprised to find Sam busily working on star charts, and upon Teal'c's recommendation, they'd already identified three possible planets within range of Nir'ti's home world.
The conversation with Hammond went well by Jack's estimation. In fact it went *too* well, leaving Jack with the distinct impression that Hammond was giving him tacit approval for a covert operation.
That left the chore of doing a little more research into the precise place to lift a ha'tak ship. The odds had to be in their favor in order to give Daniel any chance at all.
"So, Teal'c, looks like we're going to the planet Centra then?" Jack asked.
"Am I to assume you have received General Hammond's blessing for this mission?" Teal'c answered with a question.
"Ahhh... about that. He doesn't have a problem with us going to Centra," Jack hedged.
"No? He doesn't, sir?" Sam chimed in.
"No. He agrees that collecting samples of triple-bonded trinium is... ahh... a very worthwhile mission," Jack quietly revealed.
"This sort of treachery is not unknown to me after my years of service to Apophis, but..." Teal'c began.
"Uh... uh... uh...!" Jack silenced Teal'c with a wagging finger. "Not treachery... exactly. We're just going to do some other stuff while we're there."
"Stuff like... hijack a ship?" Sam added.
"Yeah, like that," Jack agreed. "Besides, I suspect Hammond knows, or at least he knows enough to know that he really doesn't want to know."
Teal'c appeared puzzled as Sam nodded her understanding.
"So, as I was saying, it's Centra then?" Jack repeated.
"Yes, Colonel O'Neill," Teal'c answered. "A world of traders and thieves, where the ability to deceive can be most useful indeed."
As the Gateroom readied for SG-1's departure, Jack paced nervously. He wondered why it felt like everything was taking twice as long as usual. And why he felt like a kid on Sunday morning, preparing to go fishing instead of to Church? In their packs, the team carried robes and trinkets to trade. All was set for them to blend in with the locals. One thing he hadn't figured on was Hammond sending along a fourth. There was no time to change the plan. Jack nodded to his replacement team member and they stepped into the Gatelight.
Daniel continued to writhe silently on the cold floor, clenching his fists. His back was on fire. The pain much worse than the original arrow wound.
Heru'Ur would have been happy to watch him suffer all day, but there was business to attend to. With a nod of his head, he ordered Daniel pulled to his feet.
Daniel could barely stand, but he forced himself to straighten and face Heru'Ur with dignity.
Heru'Ur smiled, with a tight-lipped cruelty. "I do believe the human wishes to escape. If he could but speak, he would surely say this to be his greatest wish."
Another nod of the Goa'uld's head, and Daniel found himself being dragged into the corridor and to the nearest outside doorway. The door was flung open and Daniel tossed out, landing with a splatter, face first, in knee-deep, cold as ice, mud. The shock of the cold and wet against his bare chest took his breath away.
Heru'Ur continued to order, "Weak human! I am giving you freedom. Stand and run!" Noting that Daniel had only the strength to get to his hands and knees, Heru'Ur addressed his Jaffa, "Persuade him that it would be best for him to flee... NOW!"
Daniel heard the staff weapon powering up, and did not wait for the discharge. He was on his feet by sheer determination of will, and moving as fast as his bare feet allowed through the mud and driving rain. The blast from the staff hit close to his heels, propelling him onward. Heru'Ur's laughter rang in his ears as he reached an outcropping of rock and collapsed behind it. Turning to look, he was surprised to see the door close and no one pursuing him. Daniel reasoned they were going back to "discover" he'd escaped and sound the alarm.
Daniel also figured his trail through the mud would make it simple for the Jaffa to track and find him. He leaned back against the rock to collect his thoughts and form some sort of plan. Inhaling sharply at the pain caused by his back contacting the rock face, he was hit with three sobering realities.
One... it was unlikely he could outrun Jaffa sent to find him, and if they were loyal to Heru'Ur, he would be killed.
Two... even if he could manage to avoid them, by some miracle, the pain in his back was already unbearable. Like it or not, he was in desperate need of healing. He could not stay away much longer.
Three... the one thing he'd wanted to avoid thinking about the most. What if SG-1 was trying to come for him, and walked right into Nir'ti's trap?
The cold had settled in fully now. His body was racked with chills as his only clothing - flimsy silk pants - afforded no warmth or protection. He knew it was necessary to move, but had no idea where. The landscape was bleak. He could see only large rocks, lots of mud, and a few scrawny trees.
The rain intensified as he pulled himself up and began to walk. Not trusting his ability to reenter Nir'ti's compound without first running into Heru'Ur's jaffa, he trudged off into the wilderness, determined to keep walking until his strength gave out entirely.
Sha'kore knew what he *must* do, yet he had been prevented. He feared greatly for Daniel's safety, and had reported immediately to Heru'Ur asking to be allowed to track and dispose of the bothersome Tau'ri. In an unexpected turn, Heru'Ur had refused his request. He ordered others to go instead, and asked Sha'kore to accompany him to the Chappa'ai in anticipation of Apophis' arrival.
The impatient and deeply worried Jaffa, stood to Heru'Ur's side in the room of Nir'ti's Chappa'ai. Sha'kore avoided Nir'ti's gaze. He did not like this goddess, and to make matters worse, she was brazenly making it clear to all present how much she enjoyed Sha'kore's strong body... and how she wanted to know him better. Sha'kore blushed a deep red as Heru'Ur spoke to Nir'ti of possible negotiations for the services of his prize Jaffa.
Sha'kore sincerely hoped Apophis' entry would be uneventful and that Heru'Ur would give him leave to search for Daniel. He was completely unprepared for what happened next. Two Jaffa and a petite woman servant came through the Chappa'ai announcing Apophis' imminent arrival. And then... then the Tok'ra... Sha'kore could not remember his name, but he knew it was a Tok'ra... presented himself as Apophis!
"What is the meaning of this?" Heru'Ur roared with authority.
Sha'kore waited nervously for the Tok'ra's response. He was certain this was an attempt to send help, but little did these rescuers know, they were causing him to delay, and that delay would likely cost Daniel his life.