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Title: Whisper on a Scream Author: Crash Email: the.yllek@gmail.com Status: Complete (FINALLY) July 30th 2004...3 months short of being two years in the making. Category: Angst, whump Pairings: none Spoilers: Holidayv Season: Before 6 and after Sam's promotion to Major in season 3 Sequel/Series Info: nothing Rating: PGishŠ.? Content Warnings: I don't think that there is anything to get bent out of shape about, but I have confidence that I will get at least one email saying "you should have warned me about this" so go for it. File Size (kb): 151 Archive: Incoming Wormhole Summary: As past demons for Jack rear their ugly heads he finds out that sometimes the best cure, is the past itself. Disclaimer: Stargate Sg-1 and its characters are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author. This story may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author. Author's Note: This story is a long run in the making nearly two year it's taken me to get it all beaten out. It wasn't supposed to be this long nor hard to write. It wasn't supposed to do anything like it is, but then again my muses have always had a mind of their own. Thanx to: Aniko, the one and only impatient mad Hungarian, for the constant badgering and sticking with me for the almost two years this fic has been banging around. Tadooh for the beta and everything. T(heresa) for sticken around and bothering me and stuff for the last like month or so. For writing and helping me hash out what was going on. And for Christian Jeppeson. E(uphrosyne) for patiently answering my questions when you could and for always being there. DebiC for the support in the three(?) years I've been writingŠwait we figured it out the other day 4 years. Kazza for the encouragement and the endless adventures in the Bat Mobile. Neet for always willing to plot to do something nasty to Jack and never being afraid to just tell me what she thinks.
by crash
Colonel Jack O'Neill woke from his doze at the sound of Chief Master Sergeant Sydnea Irvine's cheerful voice. He pulled the blanket covering his lap up farther. It wouldn't do for the wheelchair wheels to catch it and give everyone a free peepshow. Jack watched as the medic released the brakes on the wheelchair before raising his head. He was tired. Tired and cranky and all he wanted was a nice steaming hot shower followed by a nice long sleep in his own bed. "Come on, sir. Let's get this over with then we'll get you something to eat," Sydnea said. She led the way down the brief corridors to the MRI room. Five days, offworld. Four of which were spent in the confines of a small, dark, dank. and foul smelling bamboo like hut. SG-1 had apparently trespassed on sacred ground and had greatly upset the local tribe. Jack, being the commander and leader of the group, was held responsible by the tribe's elders and tossed into the hut. The rest of SG-1 were kindly escorted to another more spacious hut and given fresh water and food everyday. "Have a seat, Colonel. Take your shoes off, stay awhile." The radiologist, Carlos Mendoza, tossed over his shoulder as he gathered some pillows and a blanket. Jack slowly lowered himself down to sit on the edge of the sled. His body adamantly reminding him of the abuse it had taken. No food or water for four days. Shut up in a little bamboo hut where there wasn't enough room to stand much less move. The temperature had reached almost 100 degrees during the day‹even hotter inside the hut. Then at night the temperature would drop to the lower 50's and 40's. His BDUs offered little to no protection against the cold nights. Jack figured he was lucky. 'It could have been worse,' he reminded himself as he removed his dog tags and handed them over to Sydnea for safe keeping. 'They could have beaten you everyday. Strung you up by your wrists in the court yard and left you there. They could have doused you in cold water then electrocuted you. They could have ...' Mendoza's hand on his shoulder broke his current line of thought. "Let's get you comfortable, Colonel." Jack looked up into Sydnea's eyes briefly before allowing her to guide him back onto the sled. He waited patiently while she and Mendoza rearranged his limbs. When they were satisfied, Sydnea draped a blanket over him. With one last pat on his leg, Sydnea left for the control room along side Mendoza. Jack let out a breath that he wasn't aware that he was holding as he was pushed into the tube by the technicians. He was already starting to drift off. He really hoped that they didn't mind if he took a short nap while he was in Thumper. The last clear thing he remembered was the rubber bulb being placed in his right hand. He couldn't move. It wasn't for lack of ability but lack of space. And the fear of getting burned if he touched the searing hot corrugated metal walls and ceiling of his prison. He had lost track of the number of days they left him in here. Baking in the hot sun, shivering in the cool night. The rags that served as clothing no help at all. No shirt and the "pants" barely made it halfway down his thighs. He hadn't moved much since they put him in here. He learned the hard way. Movement meant pain.‹whether from cramped muscles being forced to move or the burning of skin on hot metal. He wasn't sure if he was able to move any more. Maybe he would be stuck in this position until it ended.,If it ever did. "Halfway done, Colonel. You're doing really well so far." Sydnea called over the intercom. They were coming. He could hear their voices as they decided whom they would pick and the steady soft thumping of their boots on the packed ground. They came once in a while. Sometimes they would take you out and beat you or take you for questioning, If you were lucky they put you back in. Sometimes a cup of water and piece of bread was placed inside. But only if they thought you were worth keeping around. Whether it was for information or just for fun. They were closer. He could hear them banging on the doors. They always started at the beginning of the row‹there were the two British guys, another American, and him. The four of them had talked with each otherŠ at first. Not anymore. He had time before they came for him. They always left him for last. It wasn't a good thing. They seemed to enjoy taking their time with him. They stopped. The light that usually spilled through the small gap on the side was blocked. Maybe they're new, he thought wildly. They don't know the routine? "Alright Colonel we're done." Sydnea called to him placing a hand on his leg. The technicians came over and pulled the sled out. "He's asleep." Mendoza commented as Jack's head cleared the MRI tube. "Pappas, go grab a gurney." Sydnea ordered the medic that was standing at the doorway. Jack scrunched his eyes shut as sunlight flooded his dark box. He felt the door bang against the stilts that held his box above the ground. He heard them say they were going to take him to the room. He couldn't go back there. He didn't want to go back there again; he couldn't go back there again. He wouldn't let them take him without a fight. "Come on, Colonel. Wake up for me." Sydnea resorted to pleading when it was becoming apparent that the Colonel wasn't going to cooperate and wake up. She knew better then to move him while he was asleep. "O'Neill, please, for once just stop being so damn stubborn," Sydnea muttered to herself as she moved aside to make room for the gurney. Jack felt hands touching his legs and arms. He tried to move further back into his box but his abused muscles refused to cooperate. The grip grew stronger as they sensed his refusal and Jack lashed out, kicking and twisting his body until he forced them to relinquish their grip. The colonel's eyes flew open but there was no recognition in his gaze as he lashed out at an unseen foe. Sydnea jumped back, away from his flailing arm, and cringed as he ripped his IV loose in his fury. She watched helplessly as Jack threw himself off of the sled and fell to the unforgiving floor below. "Mendoza, go get Dr. Fraiser. No don'tŠ" Sydnea tried to warn Pappas from trying to restrain Jack but it was too late. As Pappas circled his arms around O'Neill, Jack's reaction was instantaneous. He tossed himself to the side and both men collided painfully with the MRI. Pappas went limp. Jack shook him off and scrambled away on all fours until he hit a wall. Jack hit the deck with a thump and was momentarily stunned. His head was spinning, his limbs aching but he wasn't going to let them take him. He felt a hand touch his shoulder. Swinging his arm backward he caught the person off guard and sent them falling backwards. Scrambling to his feet he tried to run‹ to get away, but he was trapped. Janet arrived on the scene as Sydnea leaned down to check on Pappas. The medic was out cold. "What happened?" Janet asked. "Colonel O'Neill fell asleep during the MRI and woke up fighting. Flashback most likely," Sydnea explained quickly. Janet looked around. Blood seemed to be everywhere‹ smeared on the sled and side of the MRI, the gurney, a small pool of it on the floor. Jack was nowhere to be seen at first glance. "Sydnea you and Mendoza get him out of here," Janet gestured to the still unconscious Pappas as she followed the trail of blood on the floor. "I'll need 8 milligrams of Versed, and get Teal'c." Jack was crouched down on the floor under the tail end of the MRI. Jack pressed his back into the corner, trying to become part of the wall. He was scared, utterly terrified. He could feel them closing in. Their breath was hot on his already baking skin. He could see the joy in their eyes. Ding licked his lips, anxious to begin. Sweat beaded on his forehead and rolled down the neat scar that traced a white line across his brow and down the ridge of his nose. Ding... Jack had been pretty pleased with himself when he'd dubbed the man with that moniker They were going to have "fun" with him today. Payback for this little escapade. Uh ohŠ. Yin and Yang were missing. That meant only one thing and it wasn't a pleasant thing either. Janet pulled a pair of gloves out of her lab coat pockets and quickly snapped them on. She slowly moved towards the Colonel, crouching down to his level. "Colonel, it's okay," Janet said looking him over. The scrubs that he was dressed in were soaked with blood from the former IV site and he had a laceration on his head from hitting the MRI. His eyes were wide open, wild and terrified. Janet could see the minute shivers as they coursed through him. "Colonel, it's me Janet," she soothed, inching her way closer. Janet hoped she could bring him back from where ever he was. She knew better than to get too close however. O'Neill may look perfectly harmless in his current state but looks were very deceiving. "Please no. I'll tell you what you want to know," Jack muttered shakily in Arabic. "Iraq," Sydnea whispered returning with the sedative filled syringe and bending down next to Janet. "Teal'c will be here in a few minutes." "Colonel you're safe. You're here at the SGC." Janet continued to repeat the words as she inched closer to his position. "Please," Jack begged again in Arabic, skittering away from Janet and into the corner. Janet sighed and stood up turning around to see Teal'c walk in the door. "Dr. Fraiser, whatŠ" Teal'c stopped in mid sentence as he took in the scene before him. "Colonel O'Neill's had a flash back," Janet explained as she moved around to the same side of the MRI as Jack. Teal'c followed the diminutive doctor's steps and finally saw O'Neill, huddled in the corner, arms cradling his head as he rocked back and forth, muttering indistinguishable words. "You wish for me to restrain O'Neill so that you can administer a sedative?" Teal'c inquired before Janet had a chance to say anything further. "Yes, but I was hoping that you might be able to bring him out of it before that." Teal'c nodded his head and slowly approached the Colonel, kneeling to the floor, as he got closer. "O'Neill it is I, Teal'c." He said with a softness not expected from a man of his size. "You are safe O'Neill." Jack thought about his options. There was no way out. He knew that the guards were still there, that they definitely weren't going to leave him alone. That his attempt at bargaining had failed. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Jack decided to go for gold. Drawing on his waning energy and a sudden burst of adrenaline, he attacked the closest guard hoping to do as much damage as possible before he was over powered. Jack uncovered his head and looked up at Teal'c. With surprising swiftness he attacked. Teal'c moved instinctively, preventing Jack from doing any harm, and easily restrained the struggling man, taking care not injure him further. Janet rushed over and injected the contents of the syringe into Jack's thigh. Teal'c held on to the Colonel waiting for the sedative to fully take hold while Sydnea retrieved a gurney from the hall. Jack's struggles grew weaker, his breathing slowed, and he finally relaxed. Teal'c looked down at the limp body of his commander seeing for the first time the extent of his injuries. Teal'c rose to his feet and placed the Colonel on the waiting gurney, helping move him back to the main ward before informing the remaining team members. Jack felt the restraining arms tighten around him. Someone else roughly grabbed his arm, stretching it out to gain access to the veins. He felt the tell tale prick of the needle piercing the skin at his elbow followed by the cold yet hot feeling of the substance being injected into him. Jack gave up fighting letting his eyes slide shut and slowly he began to retreat into his mind. He then proceeded to lock himself up so tight that no one would be able to get in.
Closing his eyes Teal'c took a deep breath to settle his thoughts and returned to his locker for a fresh shirt. Making sure everything was put in order, Teal'c closed the locker door and left in search of Sam and Daniel. Dr. Fraiser had ordered the three of them to get cleaned up and have something to eat while the tests were being carried out on their CO. Having not run into either of them in the locker room Teal'c headed for the Commissary. Walking in, he immediately spotted his team members at a table in the far corner. "Hey, Teal'c!" Daniel called looking up briefly from his meal. "I was beginning to wonder whether or not you were going to join us." "Teal'c have a seat," Sam greeted, waving at an empty chair with a fork full of food. "What did the infirmary want? I heard you called over the intercom. Did you find anything out about the Colonel while you were there?" "That is what I have come to inform you of, MajorCarter." Teal'c sat down in the proffered chair. His somber mood picked up immediately by his compatriots. "What's wrong?" Daniel set his fork down and leaned forward to look the Jaffa in the eyes; Sam mimicked him. "O'Neill has suffered a flashback," Teal'c whispered. "I was forced to restrain him so that Dr. Frasier could administer a sedative." "Is he okay?" Daniel managed to choke out. He knew that Jack had horrible nightmares having witnessed several of them, but had never experienced a flashback. If Jack was as violent as he was during some of the more horrific nightmares he could only imagine a flashback. "Colonel O'Neill was indeed injured," Teal'c answered, pushing away the image of his CO lying limp and bloodied in his arms. "It will be sometime before Dr. Frasier permits us to see O'Neill. I suggest you finish your meals before returning to the infirmary." Daniel and Sam nodded solemnly. Sam picked up her fork forcing her self to finish her meal while Daniel just pushed his away and stared into the depths of his coffee cup.
Pappas waved in response, retrieving a cup of coffee before joining his friend. He had just been released from the infirmary after a night of observation for the concussion that he received the day before. "What the hell happened to you?" Mahoney questioned, seeing the magnificent bruise on Pappas face. "Got up close and personal with the MRI yesterday." Pappas grimaced and rubbed his shoulder as he recalled the incident. "O'Neill was having a nightmare or something. Tried to keep him from hurting himself and got knocked out," Pappas explained, not realizing he had unintentionally let Jack's name slip. "And you figured that you'd be safe in the medical field," Mahoney joked back digging into the food on his plate.
"Still the same?" Sam asked, snagging a chair on the opposite side of the bed. Janet had kicked her out six hours ago with instructions to eat, sleep and shower before returning. They had been taking turns staying with their CO for the last two days. "Yeah, Janet tried to get him to wake up but he hasn't responded." Daniel took a long drink from his cup looking somberly at his friend. Sam examined the inert figure on the bed. He was in the same position that he was in, when she had left. Curled up on his left side, blankets pulled up to his chin. It disturbed her to see her normally overly active commanding officer so still. Janet had kept him sedated yesterday, but had backed off the medication earlier in morning hoping he would wake up. "Life just sucks sometimes," Sam commented. She dropped into the chair on the opposite side of Jack's bed from Daniel and settled in for the long haul.
"You asked to see me sir?" Janet said opening the door "Yes, come on in Doctor and have a seat," Hammond replied, setting the file he was working on aside. He was using the time during the regular maintenance shutdown to catch up on more paperwork. "Yes sir. You asked me about Colonel O'Neill's condition, sir." Janet paused taking in a deep breath. "Sir, it's been two weeks and there hasn't been any improvement. I had to put in a feeding tube because he won't eat. He sleeps and wakes, but is non-responsive and does nothing for himself. The only time he's used his voice has been screaming from nightmares." General Hammond bowed his head pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. He was hoping for better news. The last three weeks had been bad. First SG1 trapped off world for trespassing, and then their commander shut up in a small bamboo hut. But they had all made it home in one piece if a little worse for wear. "Sir, I know you don't want to talk about this neither do I but I can't keep the colonel indefinitely. He's an incredible drain on my staff and we don't have the resources here for this." Janet stopped, looking down at her hands folded neatly in her lap. Hammond let out a long slow breath. Picking out a folder he handed it across the desk to the doctor. "I received this today. Dr. Mackenzie is requesting to examine Colonel O'Neill. He says that he heard from one of your orderlies, Pappas, that Colonel O'Neill had gone psychotic." "Sir, you can't let him!" Fraiser protested vehemently "We both know what will happen. It would ruin any chance the colonel has at recovering. Not to mention the effect it would have on the rest of SG, it would devastate them‹ and the base. Sir, everyone looks up to Colonel O'Neill; morale is low as it is if the colonel is remanded to mental healthŠ" "Hold on right there a minute," the general held up a hand to stop the doctor. "Jack O'Neill is a good man and I don't want to see any of this happen, but I need options. We go back to full operations at the end of this week and the rest of SG1 will be needed to fulfill their other duties on base and your infirmary staff will have the stress of all the teams going on and off world. Now I've managed to hold Mackenzie off for the remainder of this week. As you know he outranks me in matters of mental health so you have until then to come up with a suitable solution." "Yes, sir," Janet answered and made to get up "And DoctorŠ" "Sir?" "Let me know if there's anything that I can do. I mean it." "Yes, sir." Janet gave him a small smile as she left his office.
Carelessly, Janet dumped the files she was carrying and headed over to Jack's room. Arriving there she nodded to the nurse that was leaving and entered quietly. She was surprised to not see one of his teammates there. Despite the fact that she had tossed them out for at least eight hours before she went to meet with the general, Janet figured that they would have been back the moment she stepped foot out of the infirmary. Snagging the chair that was next to the bed Janet plopped down letting out a huge rush of air. ŒLife sucks,' she thought looking at the despondent man. The colonel, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt, was sitting propped up, his head listing to the right. His brown eyes normally so expressive and full of life were now dull and lifeless. Janet sat back and stared at his face. Watching his eyes in particular hoping against hope that when his eyes opened after blinking that recognition would shine. That the colonel would snap out of it. Demanding to know what was going on and why they'd stuffed him full of tubes. Janet stood up and moved until she was right next to the bed. Leaning over she took his lax hand in hers and lowered her head so that her forehead was resting right above his ear. "You listen to me you hear," she growled softly squeezing his hand so hard that it made hers hurt. "Don't you dare give up; Stop being a stubborn jackass and come back to us. I know it won't be easy but you've never had anything easy. We need you, sir." Janet pulled back slightly, sniffing and blinking against the tears that had gathered. She didn't care if she wasn't acting like a doctor. At the moment she wasn't his doctor, or an officer. She was a friend, family. And that was what Jack' O'Neill needed more then anything else in the universe right now. Brushing her fingers through the short hair at his temple she continued, "SirŠ Jack, you're not alone. Just like you taught us; never leave a man behind. WeŒre here for you. Always." Straightening back up, she plucked a tissue from the box on the side table. Wiping her face she struggled to get her emotions back in check and regain her composure. Gripping the railing, Janet bowed her head, offering up a prayer to whoever might be listening.
It sucked being the only person on duty; it seemed to make the shift go by slower. Usually, there were more people around wandering in and out no matter what time of day, but many of the base personnel used the shut down to take leave. Wheeling back to his station he set his mug down and stared at the gate almost wishing something would happen.
"Medical team to the gate room," blared over the loud speaker and Sydnea sighed. She had to go get things ready for the return of the medical team but she couldn't leave the colonel on his own. Opening the door she peered into the hallway and saw Shelia from PT just a few doors down. Deciding that Jack would be okay for a minute or so until Shelia arrived, Sydnea hurried to get things prepared for the med team.
He took in everything from his dark haven. How the guards acted, spoke. He observed the other inmates as well. Taking note of who caused trouble and who didn't. Everything Jack saw he stowed away for later use. Jack shivered violently as another cold blast of air hit him. This time it came from the corridor like it did when the guards came. Just like the previous days they walked by knocking their clubs on cell bars picking out men for work. They never banged on his cell making Jack wonder if they even knew he was there. He wished that they would choose him. That way he could get out -- get a lay of the surrounding area. And perhaps maybe spy one of his team members. Resting his head on his knees he watched through the corner of his eye as the cell doors were opened and the selected men marched out. Jack closed his eyes as the last of the men filed out only to snap them back open. Slowly, Jack raised his head and stared at his cell door. It was open. It had never been open before. Moving for the first time in as long as he could remember, Jack made his way to the open doorway. Sticking his head out into the corridor he saw that all the other doors were closed, the cell either empty or the occupants just weren't visible. This wasn't normal. It had never happened before. His door had never been open. Not since he was tossed in here. Jack was unsure of what to do. He could go back and sit in his corner and continue to be ignored or he could go for it. He really didn't have anything to loose if he went for it. Maybe he could find a way out and come back with help to get his team out. Mind made up, Jack walked out of his cell and cautiously went in the direction he had seen the men go when they left.
"The Alpha Site got hit by a tornado," Sergeant Davis answered as Daniel came up to stand next to him. "A tornado?" Daniel's eyes grew wide, as he looked down into the gate room as injured personnel came through the gate. "Yep," Sam said entering the room all kitted up, "According to Major Thoresan they were having some storms roll though and a small twister hit base camp. It didn't cause too much damage but the building housing the generator was hit." "I take it you're going through to take a look at it?" Daniel questioned pulling the messenger bag up on his shoulder once again. "Yeah, I'm accompanying a F.R.E.D loaded with some supplies for them and will check to..." Sam motioned for Daniel to walk her down to the gate room as she finished speaking.
Quickly, Jack divested the soldier of his uniform. Worried that the other soldiers would notice this one missing, Jack hurriedly shrugged out of his clothes and into the soldier's. His hands were shaking and his head had started to ache by the time he had finished pulling the man's pack on. Leaving the man in the alcove, Jack moved out into corridor thankful that there was no one else around. Reaching the T intersection at the end of the hall he paused trying to remember which way he had seen them go.
Unable to spot Sauber in the gateroom, Williams looked out the entrances on either side of the control finally spotting his missing team member. "Sauber get a move on it!!" He shouted, clearly startling the man, "We ain't got all day; get yourself in here!" "Scientists." he murmured, shaking his head he turned back to the gate after seeing Sauber move in the right direction.
Jack jumped at the call and turned in the direction it came from. Jack saw one of the men who had passed him earlier when he was hiding in the alcove and since there was no one else around him he figured that he was "Sauber" and should get a move on it before they caught him. He began walking through the doorway to joining the other people, pulling the cap down on his head. He felt relived when he saw the familiar object of the stargate in front of him. He had a way home now. Though he didn't have a GDO so he couldn't go straight home. He'd have to go somewhere else first maybe the Alpha Site. If the pounding in his head would stop maybe he could think up the address. Panic struck when Jack couldn't find a DHD. He looked all around but didn't see one. How could they, or him, dial the gate without a DHD. Deciding to look once more just in case he missed it Jack looked up and was surprised to see that the gate was activated. The blue, shimmering event horizon made his eyes water and the ache in his head worsen. Seeing that everyone else around him was moving toward the gate Jack followed them, not wanting to draw any further attention. Hopefully, there was a DHD where they were going and he could give the rest of the group the slip and go home.
"Hello?' Puzzled that he couldn't hear Shelia's voice as she always talked to her patients as she worked, Daniel stuck his head around the door. Not seeing anyone he entered the rest of the way cautiously dropping his bag onto the table in the corner he did a quick visual of the room. There was no sign of Jack or Shelia. Daniel checked the small bathroom but found it empty. Carefully, he rechecked the rest of the room keeping his eye out for anything that seemed amiss. When he reached the bed he noticed that the blankets were all mussed up. Noticing the tubing from the catheter and feeding tube lying to the side Daniel hurriedly made his way to the nurse's station.
It was going to be awhile before she would be able to get it up and running. Going over to where they had parked the F.R.E.D. Sam started unloading the crates that she would need. "Colonel Williams, do you know where Captain Sauber is? I could use his help with the repairs to the generator." "I haven't seen him since we came through I thought that he had gone with you to look at the generator." Williams did a quick reconnoiter of the immediate area looking for the man in question. Not seeing him he called him on the radio several times but failed to receive an answer. Exasperated, Williams called out over his radio. "Has anyone seen Sauber?"
"Colonel Williams what can I do for you?" General Hammond asked stepping back to look up at the monitors displaying the video feed. "Well, we seem to be missing Captain Sauber, sir. We've searched the immediate area and made several attempts at radio contact but to no avail. Sir, can I get confirmation that he did indeed leave with us?" Hammond pinched the bridge of his nose. He already had everyone available searching the base for the missing Colonel O'Neill and now he had another man possibly missing offworld, or maybe didn't even make it through the gate. "Alright Colonel, I'll have the security tapes checked and question personnel in the area when you left. Check back in one hour."
"Yes, Airman?" Hammond looked up from what he was doing "We found Captain Sauber, sir. He was stripped of his uniform and bound and gagged in a small alcove on Level 28. He has no idea who did it. The last thing he remembers is heading to the Gateroom to leave for the Alpha Site." "Thank you, Airman. Dismissed." Using his arms to prop his head up Hammond stared down at his desk. It was turning out to be once crazy day. Too much had happened since the tornado struck the Alpha Site for it to be a coincidence. Colonel O'Neill, who for the last two weeks hadn't even twitched, was missing. Captain Sauber, who supposedly had gated to the Alpha Site, was found at the SGC bound and gagged. So where was Colonel O'Neill and who took Sauber's place at the Alpha Site?
ŒMust be shift change,' Jack thought as he noticed the usual number of men guarding the gate double from two to four. Squatting down he watched from the tree line as two of the men headed back to the camp and the other two get settled in for their shift. Jack observed them for along while noting their relaxed posture and attitude that clearly stated that they didn't perceive there to be any threat. As he continued to watch the two men he contemplated where to go once he got to the DHD. He couldn't go home because he didn't have a GDO so he would have to go somewhere else first. He ran through a list of addresses in his mind and stopped on one: P3X-984, The Alpha Site. He could go there. Jack froze in mid-breath when he heard a noise. Glancing up he only saw one of the two guards at the gate. Letting his eyes roam around the rest of his surroundings he finally found the second guard. He was headed into the tree line almost directly to Jack's position. Silently he moved into position, deciding it was now or never.
The gate was being activated. Sam rose quickly to her feet all but running down the hall to the command center. She had been at the Alpha Site enough in the past to know that the ground shouldn't vibrate like it currently was; something had to be wrong. When she arrived outside the door she could hear Colonel Williams was hollering over the radio to Sergeants Fisher and Kuhl but wasn't getting a response. "Carter! Get Ashby and Meinhold and go check out the gate. Fisher and Kuhl aren't answering and I want to know who's ringing our door bell at 2am!" Williams swiftly ordered before Sam was even over the threshold.
Doing a complete one-eighty Sam took off at a run.v
Jack cursed and hit the DHD. He had dialed the address for the Alpha site but nothing had happened. The chevrons glowed but no kawoosh. He knew he was running out of time; there was no way that the people at the camp could miss the vibrations the gate had caused. Hurriedly Jack patted down the two men looking for a knife. Jack was glad that he had paid attention to Carter when she had given the instructions on how to reset the DHD. Finding a knife on one of them Jack crouched down at the bottom of the pedestal and pried open the circuit panel, his fingers making quick work of resetting the DHD. Standing back up, Jack started to dial again but stopped right before he pressed the first glyph. Should he try the Alpha Site? What if the gate froze again? Would a different address work? Jack checked over his shoulder as he tried to think of another address to gate to. Finally Jack came to settle on the Land of Light: P3X-797. He could hear them coming as he punched in the last of the glyphs. Pushing down the center moved around the DHD and started to run to the gate, his bare feet now slipping on the dew slicked grass. They were yelling at him but the words made no sense, just a garbled mess. Tripping again on the bottom step of the dais the gate sat on Jack pressed on clamoring on all fours to make it through the gate. Emerging on the flipside Jack tumbled head over heels, landing in a heap at the base of the gate. Scrambling to his feet, he hoped he was headed in the right direction to Tuplo's palace.
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