The Test Parts 1 - 6
The Test Parts 1 - 6
by pz
Summary: Repost of parts 1 - 6 of 'The Test' series for those who asked. Sam is tested and has to prove where her loyalty lies.
Category: Drama, Future Story, Hurt/Comfort
Season: future Season
Pairing: Jack/Sam
Rating: PG
Warnings: none
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I 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(s).
Archived on: 03/28/04
THE TEST - Part 1
Spoilers for The Lost City, and season 7 in general.
S/J but only a little.
Sam has to prove that her relationship with Jack doesn't compromise the SGC.
******************************************************************
Dr Elizabeth Weir pulled nervously at the hem of her dark blue blouse. Composing herself, she clasped her hands in front of her on the desk before answering the sharp, staccato knock on her office door.
`Come' she called.
The door swung open, just a little too fast and Colonel Jack O'Neill stepped warily into her office. Dr Weir looked at her new deputy as he assumed a deliberate air of semi-insolence, standing in front of her desk. He was tall and despite his penchant for wearing clothes a little too big, she could see his lean, toned physique. She noticed that his usual tanned skin looked paler than normal and his expression wary and drawn.
`How are you feeling, Colonel?' she asked, with a measure of genuine concern.
She saw his eyes contract instantly, and realised that it would not be easy to gain this man's trust. She knew however that it was possible. You couldn't miss the bond of loyalty and friendship that joined O'Neill and his team, and she knew from the records that it hadn't always been there, especially in the beginning. She wondered whether she would ever gain such a position in his eyes.
`Well enough for duty, obviously, or I wouldn't be here' said O'Neill cryptically.
Dr Weir decided to ignore the incivility.
Sit down, please, Colonel' she said, waving towards a chair positioned close to her desk.
O'Neill sat down and waited, his eyes never leaving her face. His expression was inscrutable.
`Are you fully recovered?' persisted Dr Weir.
O'Neill looked as though he were considering the question before answering.
`I guess' he said, the tone of his voice indicating that for today, he'd decided to play the game.
`Good' said Dr Weir.
She took a deep breath before launching into a speech that she knew was going to be difficult.
`When President Hayes asked me to take over the running of the SGC, I had no idea what that would entail really. Oh, I did read all the briefings, but that is a long way from understanding exactly what is going on here. General Hammond had more than eight years to acclimatise to the SGC, I've had eight weeks' said Dr Weir.
`I'm sure that you'll manage' said O'Neill sullenly.
`With the help of everyone here, I will' said Dr Weir pointedly.
`I guess that means SG1' said Jack, `well sorry, but we've been just a little busy. Saving the Earth, again!'
`I am only too aware of your contribution, Colonel' said Dr Weir calmly, `but you have to understand that life carries on.'
`So it does' muttered Jack.
Dr Weir looked a little exasperated as she leaned over the desk.
`I know that you don't like or approve of me sitting here, but when the president asks you to do a job it's pretty hard to say no, believe me!' she said, relaxing back into her leather chair.
Jack remained silent, but Dr Weir had the distinct impression that he was trying to read her mind. Idly she wondered whether acting as a repository for the Ancient's knowledge had left the Colonel with more than the simple exhaustion that his medical records indicated. She decided to move on with what she suspected was going to be a decidedly uncomfortable interview.
`The resignation of Bob Kinsey has unfortunately not stopped speculation about the SGC and it's role' she said.
Jack gave a quick mirthless grin at the `resignation'.
`Bob Kinsey was only a figurehead for an organisation that still remains in place. I am sure that it's only a matter of time before someone steps forward to assume the mantle that he has now, by force, vacated' said Dr Weir briskly.
`As long as it's not you' said Jack coldly.
`Whatever you think of me, Colonel, be assured that I am not a figurehead for any organisation, nor am I Bob Kinsey`s patsy. I am merely trying to do a job that I was asked to do' she said crisply.
She stopped an looked at Jack for a moment in exasperation. Just how did one get through to this man?
`Look, Colonel, is it Diplomats or women that you don't like?' she asked in frustration.
She was surprised to see a sudden smile creep across his face.
`Oh, I like women' he said slowly in a deliberate repeat of what he'd said eight years before when first confronted by the stunning sight of Major Samantha Carter, fresh in from the Pentagon in her immaculate dress blues. The sight of her framed in the doorway as she saluted him had totally disarmed him.
Dr Weir had the fleeting impression that she was missing a private joke somewhere, so she decided to press on.
`Bob Kinsey left one rather obvious question mark behind him when he left and its one that we need to answer, or we'll be giving his successor a gift on a plate' she said.
Jack tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.
`Is that a clich?' he asked.
`Well here's another one for you' she pressed on, `We have a loose end that needs tying up'.
`And that would be?' said Jack.
Dr Weir grasped her hands just a little tighter in front of her.
`The alleged relationship between yourself and Major Carter' she said.
Internally, she winced, waiting for the firestorm, but none came. She looked up at Jack. He was sitting totally still, but his eyes could have bored holes in steel. It wasn't the first time that she'd noticed the Colonel's eyes. They now seemed to have changed colour from the warm brown that they normally were to an icy black. She glimpsed a momentary internal struggle in the form of two pink spots on each cheek.
`Major Carter is a fine officer' he said through gritted teeth, `with an immaculate record. If those jerks are unable to imagine that a mixed gender team cannot work together efficiently, then I suggest that they look to their own dirty little minds. Over half of the SG teams are now mixed gender and it seems to work to the benefit of everyone. If someone had asked me eight years ago, I would have said that it wasn't possible, but if I can change my mind, so can they. We are a tightly bonded team, all of us, and that's all'.
`I understand that perfectly' said Dr Weir, `but your opinion alone will not serve to assuage the doubters'.
`Well then, I resign!' said Jack suddenly, `That should make them happy and resolve the problem in one easy move'.
General George Hammond had warned her that this could be the Colonel's reaction when she'd sought his advice earlier in the week. She was prepared.
`Not going to happen, Colonel' she said firmly.
Jack's eyes narrowed.
`Please try and understand my position, Colonel O'Neill. Neither this country nor I can afford to let you go. Almost single-handedly, you saved the entire population of this planet from destruction or enslavement by a foe so powerful, that even the combined forces of the all the countries of earth couldn't have stopped him.'
`I've had the plaudits already ' he said ungraciously.
`This meeting isn't about that' said Dr Weir, `All we are trying to do is remove every possible handle for those groups opposed to the SGC. I need both you and Major Carter here and we need to be able to work unhindered. That means, I am afraid, that we will have to clear up this one last outstanding issue.'
`What are you proposing?' asked Jack.
`I have taken the liberty of discussing this with General Hammond and he has put forward a suggestion that I agree with. I'm just hoping to get your agreement also, Colonel' she said.
`And that would be?' said Jack.
Dr Weir licked her lips nervously before continuing.
`A test' she said succinctly.
Jack frowned.
`A test? Multiple choice? Tick the box?' he said sarcastically.
`A practical test. To prove to any outside agency that the relationships that exist within your team do not cause any of you to respond in inappropriate ways' she said.
`Carter doesn't know the meaning of inappropriate' snarled Jack.
`A test that proves that you would react as you should in a difficult situation'.
`Detail would be nice' said Jack sarcastically.
`In order to carry out such a test, one of you would have to be a willing participant, and as you're here, Colonel, that would appear to be you. The suggestion is that you would go on a mission, an ostensibly routine one to collect some intelligence. You split up and entrust Major Carter with a piece of information critical to the safety of the SGC. We then manufacture a situation where your life is endangered and she has to choose between delivering the intelligence and saving your life` said Dr Weir.
Jack listened intently.
`We have been working on this one, haven't we?' he said when she'd finished.
`I'm not sure that you realise the knife edge that this project is balanced on' said Dr Weir, suddenly becoming tired of his barely concealed distain.
`Oh but I do' said Jack softly.
Dr Weir studied him for a moment.
`Then I expect you also understand the position that I am in' she said.
`I understand' said Jack.
`Colonel O'Neill, do you agree to the test?' she asked formally.
She watched his shoulders suddenly sag in submission.
`I guess' he said, 'If it helps to clear Carter's name'.
`It will clear all our names' said Dr Weir, briskly closing the brown cardboard file on her desk.
`Are you physically fit enough for this?' she asked, her voice becoming softer with concern.
`Fit enough' he said succinctly.
`Well if Dr Brown agrees with you, I'll schedule a meeting tomorrow to finalise details. The sooner we can get this out of the way, the better' she said.
Dr Weir stood up to indicate that he could leave. Jack stood and she noticed, not for the first time that he towered over her. But then so did all of SG1. Even Major Carter had a six inch advantage in height. She stifled a small sigh. Working in diplomatic circles, she'd never noticed her lack of stature, but here, amongst the military, she felt diminutive.
She suddenly realised that Jack had stopped mid stride, his hand resting on the door handle. He turned back to face her, a panoply of emotions flowing across his expressive eyes. He opened his mouth as though to speak, but then snapped it shut again, his eyes closing down on his emotions immediately.
`Carter will do what she should' he said quietly.
`I'm sure of it, Colonel' said Dr Weir kindly.
`Tomorrow, then' he said.
`Tomorrow' she agreed.
THE TEST - Part 2
Major Samantha Carter felt absurdly happy as she tinkered with the Naquadaah generator that lay on her bench, stripped of it's casing. She hummed softly to herself.
`Hey, Sam' came a warm voice from the doorway, 'brought you a coffee. Oh and Teal'c sent a doughnut'.
Sam turned and smiled at Dr Daniel Jackson as he sauntered in the room, balancing a white cardboard box on two cups of coffee. His tongue protruded from his lips slightly as he concentrated on the task of putting the cups down without spilling the coffee, or dropping the box. Sam smiled at the image and quickly rescued the box as it started to tilt dangerously.
`Great timing' she said with a smile.
Daniel grinned at her and sipped at his drink.
`Have you seen Jack today?' he asked.
`No' said Sam realising that Jack O'Neill hadn't paid his usual morning visit to her lab.
`He's been ensconced with Dr Weir all morning' said Daniel.
`Really? I wonder what that's about?' asked Sam curiously.
`Maybe a new mission' said Daniel with a shrug.
Sam frowned.
`Surely not! The Colonel's not fit enough yet. He went through a lot' said Sam.
`I'm not sure that any of us knows quite how much. He certainly won't say' said Daniel.
`Have you asked him?' asked Sam
Daniel spluttered on his coffee and shrugged expressively.
`He still looks pale' said Sam.
`I'd look pale if I'd taken an entire civilisation's knowledge into my brain, then spent eight weeks in suspended animation under the ice in the Antarctic before the Asgard appeared and sucked it all out again' said Daniel selecting a doughnut.
`I don't think that we know what effect it had on his mind, never mind his body' said Sam thoughtfully, `and he`ll never tell us!'
`I know that he's been working out in the gym pretty religiously' said Daniel, through a mouth full of jelly doughnut, `but I think he's very thin'.
`He hides it under all those baggy BDUs' said Sam almost to herself.
`Teal'c thinks that the powers that be want us to jump back into the saddle, so to speak. To make sure that all this hasn't affected Jack or us psychologically' said Daniel.
`I'll bet the Colonel likes that' said Sam, wincing.
`Likes what?' came a low voice from the hallway outside the lab.
`Colonel!' said Sam in surprise.
`That's me' said Jack as he sauntered in the room, `It says so on my jacket.'
Sam studied him closely. Daniel was right, even wearing his bulky shirt Sam could see that he was thin, although his pallor had been replaced by an unusual pinkness that burned unhealthily under his skin. Sam's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
`Have a doughnut' said Daniel, waving the box at Jack.
Jack shook his head and perched uncomfortably on a high stool.
`How do you sit on these things, Carter?' he grumbled as he fidgeted.
`You get used to it, sir' she said with a smile.
He stopped suddenly and looked directly at her, his head cocked on one side.
`You didn't answer me. Likes what?' he repeated.
`Teal'c thinks that we are going to be sent on a mission, to prove that we can still cut the mustard' said Sam uncomfortably.
`He does, does he? And a clich too' said Jack.
`You aren't fit enough' said Daniel suddenly.
`Well, it appears that I am' said Jack.
Daniel snorted derisively.
`Sir?' questioned Sam in concern.
`Oh, it's nothing strenuous. The Tok'ra need a little assistance to collect some intelligence. That's all. It should only be one day and apparently the planet`s nice and warm. I've said that we'll do it' said Jack.
`What sort of intelligence?' asked Daniel suspiciously.
`Intelligent intelligence' said Jack with a shrug, `anyway briefing is at 09:00 tomorrow, we ship out at 10:00'.
Daniel placed his cup down on the wooden bench before he continued, waving his hands in agitation.
`This is ridiculous! They don't need SG1 to carry out some little intelligence gathering task for the Tok'ra. You aren't fit and we all have better things to do' he said in agitation.
`Daniel! Leave it' said Jack, his voice low with menace.
Daniel looked at him in astonishment.
`Is there something else that you're not telling us?' asked astutely.
`I said LEAVE IT, Daniel' said Jack, jumping off his high perch.
Daniel snorted in derision.
`09:00 tomorrow' snapped Jack as headed for the door.
`Sir!' called Sam, `Do I need to take any equipment?'
Jack stopped without turning round.
`Just yourself, Carter' he murmured and walked quickly away.
`There is definitely something else going on!' said Daniel.
`You heard the Colonel' snapped Sam, her expression betraying her concern, `I suggest you do as he said and forget it'.
08:00 The next Day
Dr Elizabeth Weir looked at the two men sat opposite her.
`Colonel O'Neill, Lieutenant Siler, thank you for meeting me so early. If we can get this operation completed, we can get back to normal operations' she said.
Siler looked back and forward from O'Neill to Dr Weir.
`I'm sorry ma'am, but I'm not exactly sure what the objectives are' said Siler.
`How much has Colonel O'Neill told you?' asked Dr Weir cautiously.
`I thought I'd leave that to you' snapped Jack as he slouched in his chair.
Dr Weir ignored his incivility.
`Lieutenant Siler, I am sure that you are aware that some time ago we captured a member of Anubis's Supersoldier army. We've carried out a number of experiments on the armour, but now we'd like to carry out some tests in the field with the assistance of Colonel O'Neill and SG1. The intention is to simulate an attack. To make the simulation as effective as possible, only Colonel O'Neill will be aware of your identity. The remaining members of SG1 will not' said Dr Weir.
`Do you follow that, Siler?' demanded Jack.
Siler frowned, but nodded.
`What if Major Carter or the others shoot me?' asked Siler nervously.
`I won't let that happen' said Jack firmly.
Siler nodded.
`Siler, nobody is gonna order you to do this. I picked you because of your past experience of testing new technologies' said Jack.
`Thank you, sir' said Siler, 'When do I ship out?'
`As soon as you can get all that black gear on. We'll quickly run through the plan' said Jack.
09:00
`I still don't like the smell of this. I think that there's more to this than Jack is telling us' grumbled Daniel Jackson as he and Sam and Teal'c walked into the briefing room.
He was surprised to see Jack O'Neill already present. He was sat at the table, clutching a cup of coffee. His face was compressed in thought, but he nodded towards his team as they entered the room.
Dr Weir was stood by the large window overlooking the gate room. She also nursed a cup of coffee, but turned and smiled at them as they entered. Daniel placed his folders on the table and strolled over to her.
`Have you got used to it yet?' he asked, nodding towards the stargate.
`Do you ever?' asked Dr Weir.
`No' said Daniel with a grin.
`I can understand that' said Dr Weir.
She looked thoughtful for a moment.
`How does it work?' she said, almost to herself.
`Ask Sam' said Daniel with a smile.
`Ah, Major Carter! We haven't really had much chance to talk. Things got just a little hectic soon after I arrived!' said Dr Weir.
`I'm sure Sam would be only too pleased to explain it all to you, if you want' sniggered Daniel.
Dr Weir shot him an arch glance.
`I've not had the pleasure of a lengthy talk with Teal'c either' she said.
`Neither have I, and I've only been trying for eight years' said Daniel seriously.
`Daniel, sit down or we'll never get started' complained Jack loudly.
Daniel turned to see everyone else already sat at the table.
`Sorry!' he said contritely before joining them.
Dr Weir followed him and took her place at the head of the table.
`The Tok'ra have requested us to gather intelligence about a possible Naquadaah mining operation on P311-406. They want to estimate the size of the operation and its viability' said Dr Weir.
`Why can't they do it?' asked Daniel pointedly.
`It seems that all their operatives are tied up on undercover activities' said Dr Weir.
`Jack, you have to think that there's something mighty strange about all this. Maybe the Tok'ra are not telling us everything. It wouldn't be the first time' pleaded Daniel.
`Daniel, let's just do this thing and come home' said Jack.
Daniel looked at him in astonishment.
`What happened to the not trusting the Tok'ra thing, Jack?' asked Daniel sarcastically.
`Daniel!' warned Jack.
Daniel grimaced theatrically.
`I'm sorry to raise this, Dr Weir, but we all have concerns over Colonel O'Neill's health' said Sam boldly.
She sat back and half closed her eyes, waiting for the expected backlash from Jack, but when none came she opened her eyes and looked directly at him. His face was set in a stony glare of annoyance and Sam sighed to herself.
'It's just that this mission doesn't seem to be important from what we've heard. Any of the SG teams could carry it out' said Sam lamely.
`That's enough!' hissed Jack.
`With respect, sir...........' started Sam.
`We ship out at 09:00' said Jack standing up and collecting together his papers, `if that's all right with you, Major?'
`Yes, sir' said Sam, looking shamefaced.
`Thank you' he spat as he turned and left the room.
Sam swivelled to face Dr Weir.
`I'm sorry, Doctor' she said with a shrug.
`I understand that Colonel O'Neill is somewhat sensitive about his health. I have great sympathy with you, Major, but I have been assured by the Medical staff that Colonel O'Neill is fit enough to undertake the proposed mission' said Dr Weir.
`And what if something goes wrong? The Tok'ra are renowned for not telling us everything that they know. Are we sure that the possibility of running into more than we expect is remote?' interrupted Daniel.
`I am confident that this mission will be straightforward' said Dr Weir.
`I hope so' said Daniel.
****
The temperature was a fair bit higher than comfortable and Sam mopped her forehead with a damp cloth as they trudged through the thick undergrowth. They'd arrived at sunset and according to the Tok'ra instructions they only had a half click walk to the designated site. The Colonel had peeled off his jacket within five minutes of arriving and Sam found herself acutely aware of his back as she walked along behind him. His damp tee shirt stuck to him and made his physique only too obvious. Daniel was right, he was very thin. He'd always been slim with that kind of wiry strength that could be deceptive, but now he looked thin and just a little fragile. Sam was glad that they only had a short walk.
Daniel caught her eye as they battled though the thick vegetation. He didn't need the significant nod of his head in the direction of their leader for Sam to acknowledge his concern.
They'd been walking for twenty minutes in unaccustomed silence when Jack stopped suddenly and raised his fist. The others stopped immediately. Jack summoned them all to him and they gathered around.
`Daniel, you and Teal'c follow that escarpment round, Carter and I will take this side. We'll implement a radio blackout. The Tok'ra think that the Goa'uld are developing a radio signal interceptor. I'd rather not find out the hard way. Gather the information and we meet back at the gate in two hours' said Jack.
Jack didn't wait for any discussion, instead he turned back abruptly and headed off, expecting immediate implementation of his order.
`Daniel Jackson! O'Neill has instructed us to take this direction' said Teal'c, pointing off to the side.
Daniel looked exasperated.
`Am I the only one who finds this odd?' he exploded.
`Daniel!' warned Sam, watching the retreating back of Jack as he made headway through the foliage.
`Well, I for one want an explanation when we get back to base' grumbled Daniel.
He sneezed quickly into a voluminous handkerchief and turned to follow Teal'c, muttering as he walked.
Sam spun round and trotted quickly to catch up with Jack.
`Daniel grumbling again?' muttered Jack without turning round.
`He just thinks that this whole exercise is a little unusual' said Sam diplomatically, 'and I think he is concerned about your fitness. We all are, sir'.
Jack turned round abruptly to face her, the muscles in his jaw working expressively. He looked at her in silence for a minute.
`Trust me, Carter' he said seriously.
`Of course, sir' said Sam, surprised at his earnestness.
He opened his mouth as though to say something else but then clamped it shut abruptly, turned back and continued with their trek.
THE TEST - Part 3
Suddenly O'Neill stopped and sat down abruptly on a fallen tree trunk. With a weary sigh, he peeled off his pack and dropped it beside him on the mossy ground. He ran one hand through his unruly hair and let his head fall forward until his chin rested on his chest. Sam watched him in concern.
`Colonel!' said Sam uncertainly.
Jack shook his head slowly and then raised it up and smiled weakly at Sam. In the very bright moonlight, she noticed that his face was grey in tone and that there were dark shadows under his eyes. Rivulets of sweat made tracks down his face.
`Are you ok, sir?' she asked.
`Just a little tired' muttered Jack.
`You look more than just a little tired' said Sam firmly.
She unfastened her pack and dropped it beside the tree trunk. Without saying anything she immediately unfastened it and after rooting in it for a minute she pulled out a white plastic box marked with a large red cross.
Jack watched her.
`Carter!' he warned.
Sam ignored his scowl and knelt in front of him. She only hesitated for a second before placing two fingers on the pulse point in his neck. She counted silently for fifteen seconds and then with pursed lips, she refastened the Velcro covering on her watch.
`Carter!!' growled Jack, grabbing her wrist firmly with one hand.
Sam looked down at his hand.
`Nothing wrong with your grip, sir' she muttered, with raised eyebrows.
`Sorry' he said, releasing her arm quickly.
Sam sat back and looked at him.
`With respect, sir. It's part of my job, as your second in command, to ascertain whether you are fit to command' said Sam.
`Look Carter. This is more complex than you know' said Jack with a deep sigh, 'Just because Kinsey has lost his job doesn't mean that his influence has gone away. On the contrary. We had him in our sights before, now he's like an invisible moving target and his agenda is completely unchanged. There is nothing Kinsey would love more than shutting down the SGC and disbanding SG1, and if he can do that by forcing my retirement due to ill health then he will.'
`Surely President Hayes won't let that happen' said Sam.
`President Hayes is the new guy in all this. He seems to be straight enough down the line, but this has been going on for years and he may be powerless to prevent it from happening. The aftermath of the Anubis attack has left him with enough to distract him from Kinsey's exploits, and I'm sure that Kinsey and whoever he works for are aware of that' said Jack.
`Doctor Weir must have known that you were not fit to do this mission' said Sam.
`Doctor Weir is playing catch up. She agreed with my analysis of the situation, and left the decision to me' said Jack.
`She's ok' said Sam thoughtfully.
`Yeah, she is' agreed Jack.
`I do miss General Hammond, though' said Sam thoughtfully.
`George Hammond was one in a thousand. He is still working for us, even though he's based at the Whitehouse' said Jack.
`So what now?' asked Sam.
Jack looked around and pointed towards a small rise about fifty yards in front of them.
`The mine should be over that hill. We need to complete this task, and it's imperative that the information gets back to the SGC. We have to assume that Kinsey has his spies out and if we fail because I'm not fit enough to complete the mission, we can say goodbye to SG1' said Jack.
Sam nodded and stood up, clipping her weaponry back onto her vest.
`I won't let you down, sir. You just need a little more rest' she said firmly, `This binary sun means that we will have a very short night, and it could get warm during the daytime hours.'
`Thank you, Major' said Jack.
`I won't be long' said Sam as she turned briskly and continued her slog through the undergrowth, towards the rocky crag in front of her.
Sam crouched down low as she reach the top of the slope until eventually she was laid prone, her P90 clasped in one hand, the other clutching a pair of binoculars. She pulled down her khaki cap over her bright blond hair and edged carefully around a small pile of rock. She could see a change in the colour of the sky already, there was a distinct deep red tone to the horizon.
Beyond her lay a semi-circular pit about a hundred yards in diameter and varying from thirty to sixty feet deep. Worn paths radiated from a black gash in the rock face opposite out to a flat area to the side, which Sam assumed to be a landing field for Goa'uld transport ships. The paths were bare, indicating recent use. Sam doubted that it would take very long for this planet's lush vegetation to reclaim any unused area. There were also scorch marks decorating the landing field with large black circles.
Sam instinctively held her breath as two Jaffa ambled out of the mine entrance. She tried to make out the markings on their foreheads, but they were unrecognisable to her. Deftly, she pulled out a small note book and pad and sketched the symbols on a blank page. She watched as they walked slowly over to the landing field, one of them shielding his eyes against the fierce sun as he scanned the sky.
`Looks like they're expecting company' muttered Sam to herself, and she settled down to await the arrival.
Jack looked around him, expecting Siler to appear. This was the designated spot for their apparent confrontation. The crack of a twig alerted Jack and from the corner of his eye he saw a the black shining carapace of a super soldier appear from the thick shrubbery. Jack looked in interest.
`Wow Siler! That looks just like the genuine thing. Even the little red glowing eyes' thought Jack as the figure raised one arm to the firing position.
He watched as the figure walked towards him. Siler had even mastered the strangely mechanical walk that the soldiers adopted, completely even paced and remorseless.
Siler was almost in touching distance when he stopped and hesitated as though receiving orders from elsewhere. With one stride, he was stood next to Jack.
`Siler' whispered Jack.
There was no reply, and suddenly the chill of fear crept over Jack.
`Siler?' he repeated.
`Silence, Tau'ri' hissed the soldier before striking him hard across the face.
Jack was lifted bodily from the tree trunk and he landed face down on the verdant undergrowth.
`So! Not Siler' he muttered as he shook his head, trying to dispel the acute nausea that threatened to empty his stomach.
Taking the opportunity to lie still and contemplate the situation, Jack realised that the planned mission had just metamorphosed into something completely different. Angrily he wondered if they'd just been stitched up by the Tok'ra again.
It was true that they'd been asked to gather intel on this mining operation, but there had been no mention of this being a stronghold for Anubis's forces.
Siler's cover was purely to carry out Dr Weir's objective. Because of it's apparent simplicity Dr Weir had chosen this mission to act as the proving ground for Sam and their working relationship.
Suddenly the mission parameters had all changed. Jack realised that they were in a very bad situation. It was highly likely that there were more than one of Anubis's renegades here and they were not equipped to deal with them. They had standard ordnance with them, but not Carter's super soldier gun. He also realised that he was far from fit enough to withstand any protracted fire fight. With a jolt he knew that he'd put the lives of his team at risk in his anxiety to prove the innocence of his relationship with his 2IC.
Sam heard the sounds of the fracas behind her and she turned to look. She could make out the prone body of Jack O'Neill, face down on the ground. A tall black figure loomed over him, with arm raised. Silently, she rolled over and raising her P90, she aimed at the chest of the super soldier and then hesitated. The gunfire would undoubtedly attract the attention of the Jaffa in the mine below her, plus any other unknown enemy forces in the forest. They would stand very little chance of escape. Instead she silently made herself as invisible as possible against the slope and watched intently.
Jack felt the iron grip of the soldier on the fabric across his back as he was picked bodily up from the ground. The soldier flung him hard against the slender trunk of a tall tree, knocking all the remaining breath from his body. The jolt of pain that shot through his chest and the subsequent agony of breathing told Jack that at least two ribs were broken. Again!
He felt the soldier quickly secure him to the tree with strong cords, feeling faint as his broken ribs grated against the tightness of the bonds. He fought to control his breathing, hoping to minimise the effects. Looking up he could make out the sub-human face hidden by the mask and he shuddered.
The soldier, acting as though under instruction, picked up his vest from the place where he'd dropped it and removing his radio, it crushed it with one hand, allowing the smashed pieces to fall the to the floor. The soldier carefully removed all his weaponry, consigning the P90 and clips to a pouch in it's armour. It was joined by grenades and C4, the Berretta and other bits and pieces joined the radio in a growing pile of constituent parts. Jack smiled to himself as he felt the cold steel of a large knife concealed against his calf and similarly against the small of his back. Once the soldier was satisfied with its destruction, it turned around and quickly headed off towards the mine. Jack hoped that Sam had witnessed the occurrence and that she was concealed.
Sam watched for a while longer as the soldier made it's way over the escarpment and sliding down the gravely slope into the mine. She noticed with interest that Jaffa paid no attention to it, obviously familiar with its presence.
She immediately crawled silently back towards the tree where Jack was secured. As she approached warily, she noticed that his head was down and that a small trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth. She deliberately rustled a branch and watched as his head jerked upwards and his eyes open. She felt a rush of relief.
`Sir!' she whispered.
`Leave me' he croaked.
Sam frowned.
`But, sir' she protested.
`Listen to me, Major' he said firmly, 'I have at least two cracked ribs and I'm not in any shape to make it back to the gate.'
`It's critical that the intel about these super soldiers gets back to the SGC and the Tok'ra, although I'm not sure that it will be a surprise to them' he growled.
Sam shook her head.
`Not acceptable, sir' she said firmly as she reached up with one hand to wipe away the trickle of blood.
`It's an order, Carter. If you take me along, its probable that none of us will make it. They'll be alerted to your presence and I'm in no shape to fight' he said.
`What ever happened to "Nobody gets left behind" ?' said Sam, her eyes shining.
`Doesn't count if it puts everyone at risk. If we don't notify Earth about this potential threat, we could endanger everything. These guys are not gonna lie down and roll over. I guess that the stuff that they're mining is going straight to some little weapons factory somewhere' growled Jack.
`I can't leave you like this' pleaded Sam.
`Please, Sam! Follow my orders' said Jack softly.
`I could go and find Daniel and Teal'c' said Sam suddenly.
`No!' said Jack, `T will make sure they get out ok'.
Sam straightened up as though mentally bracing herself and swiped quickly at her eyes with one hand.
`Yes, sir' she said stiffly.
Jack closed his eyes in relief.
`Thank you' he muttered.
Sam frowned at his response, but consigned the niggles to the back of her mind.
`I'll be back sir, with SG3 and the super soldier gun' she said firmly.
`I know' he murmured as he slumped against the tree.
Sam peered around her and with determined strides she headed for the stargate, refusing to turn and look at him. She knew that if she saw his broken body against the tree, she wouldn't be able to obey his order.
THE TEST - Part 4
Jack O'Neill felt relief flood through his body as watched Sam walk away from him. She walked lightly, her P90 raised in readiness, her senses obviously prepared. He'd thought for one moment that she wasn't going to obey his order, that she was going to stay with him, that she was going to fail the test! He smiled wryly at the thought of her risking a charge of insubordination because she didn't want to leave him, then winced as his broken bones shot fresh waves of pain through his body.
The coppery taste of fresh blood in his mouth made his stomach roll in protest, but all his senses reacted immediately when he heard a soft footstep behind him. He let his head fall onto his chest and his eyes close, allowing his acute hearing to identify direction and distance, hoping that the advantage of surprise would negate his physical weakness.
`Colonel O'Neill' whispered a familiar voice.
Jack's head snapped up in response.
`Siler!' he said quietly, and suddenly a plan began to formulate in his mind.
`Is this part of the suit trial?' asked Siler puzzled.
Jack looked at the figure standing before him. Siler's tall, athletic physique allowed him to fill the suit convincingly.
`No, Siler' grinned Jack, `Let's just say events have superseded our original plan.'
`Where are the Major Carter, Dr Jackson and Teal'c?' asked Siler.
`Major Carter has gone back to the SGC under my orders' said Jack, 'Dr Jackson and Teal'c are over the other side of the escarpment somewhere. Now you have to listen, Siler, we have a situation here. Unexpectedly this planet seems to be a refuge for the Anubis's remaining forces. I ran into one and ended up like this.'
`Why didn't it kill you?' asked Siler puzzled.
`Good, Siler! You're right! From past experience we would have expected it to do just that, but it didn't. It deliberately tied me up here. It seemed to be working under instruction from another source. We don't know who that is or where they are.'
Siler nodded, his black, shiny helmet bobbing in the bright sunlight.
`Hey, you hot in there, Siler?' asked Jack, suddenly aware of the strength of the sun that had risen only a few minutes before.
`No, sir' said Siler, 'There's some kind of air conditioning unit that circulates cool air'.
`Sweet!' said Jack, feeling the sweat trickling uncomfortably down his back.
`Hmm. It's actually very comfortable in here' said Siler, flexing his arms and legs, `It does give you a feeling of being a kind of superman.'
`Easy!' warned Jack.
`What do we do now?' asked Siler patiently.
Jack smiled wryly. For the first time on this planet he had a feeling that things could just be going his way.
`I have a plan!' said Jack.
Sam reached the stargate without incident. She'd hoped to run into Daniel and Teal'c but she guessed that they were occupied with the same observations that she'd had, plus they must have seen the super soldier join the Jaffa in the mine. She felt sick with worry that the soldier would come back for Colonel O'Neill before she could return with SG3 and the gun. Her conversation with Jack repeated over and over in her mind as she automatically dialled home and entered the code to open the iris. His response of `Thank you' to her acquiescence was just a little odd. It was as though he was glad she was obeying him against her better judgement.
She sprinted into the shimmering pool, expecting to return with fifteen minutes at the most.
Doctor Elizabeth Weir was waiting at the base of the metal ramp as she emerged at the other side. She was smiling as Sam trotted over to her, unclipping her P90 as she ran.
`Major Carter?' she prompted.
`Colonel O'Neill is in trouble. He's pinned down and injured.' said Sam quickly, `I need backup from SG3 and we need the super soldier gun from the armoury. Colonel O'Neill said that we should notify the Tok'ra about the presence of Anubis's troops on the planet, although he thinks that they might not be surprised by it'.
`And you left the Colonel?' prompted Dr Weir calmly.
`He ordered me to' said Sam confused by Dr Weir's calm response to the situation.
`Ah!' said Dr Weir mysteriously.
Sam felt frustration building up inside her.
`I need SG3 as backup' she shouted, `or the Colonel is going to die`.
`The Colonel will be fine' said Dr Weir firmly.
Sam looked around the gate room in astonishment.
`Is this an alternate reality?' she snapped, `because I don't think that we are talking the same language. A senior officer is injured and requiring backup'.
`Calm down, Major Carter. Colonel O'Neill will explain it all to you on his return' said Dr Weir.
`He isn't going to return unless someone goes to bring him back' shouted Sam in frustration.
`This whole situation was a planned test' said Dr Weir, `And I am sure that you would prefer not to discuss the reasons for that test here in the gate room`.
Sam gaped at her.
`I have no idea what you're talking about' said Sam, feeling very confused, `but I do know that if I don't return, Colonel O'Neill will die, so permission to go back, Dr Weir, with or without SG3?'
Dr Weir sighed at her insistence.
`There's no reason why not, but I know that you don't need SG3' she said at last, `I'm sure the Colonel will explain it all to you there.'
Sam realised that there was obviously a lot more to this than she was aware, but she also knew where her priorities lay. She had to bring the Colonel home, with or without assistance or the super soldier gun. Time was a critical factor and she didn`t have time to stand and argue with Dr Weir or to persuade her that whatever the original plan was, circumstances had changed . If the soldier returned in her absence and the Colonel was moved elsewhere, she would never find him. She immediately changed plan and decided that her best option was to find Daniel and Teal'c and rescue the Colonel and bring him home.
`Dial up P311-406, Sergeant' she called up to the control room, reattaching her P90 to her vest.
The Sergeant looked towards Dr Weir for agreement and she nodded with a shrug. Sam waited impatiently for the chevrons to lock, sighing in relief as the last one shuddered into place and the gate opened.
Daniel watched the Jaffa with interest from his position behind a large leafy shrub.
`Teal'c do you recognise them?' he asked his companion.
`I do not' said Teal'c.
Daniel frowned.
`That symbol on their head looks like a cross between serpent and some kind of crossed sword' said Daniel mystified, `I wonder if their original tattoo has been adapted to suit their new Master`.
`It is unknown to me' said Teal'c solemnly, `Although the serpent looks like the mark of Apophis`.
`You could be right' said Daniel excitedly, pulling out a notebook and sketching rapidly with a short stubby pencil.
He jotted a few notes as they continued to observe the movements of the two Jaffa.
`What the.....' exclaimed Daniel suddenly, dropping his pencil.
Teal'c turned to look at what had caused Daniel's exclamation. They watched as one of Anubis's soldiers slipped and slid down the slope opposite them.
`Isn't that where Jack and Sam are?' whispered Daniel.
`I believe that it is' said Teal'c.
They watched, expecting the Jaffa to disperse once they spotted the soldier, but to their amazement they ignored it completely, continuing their walk towards the landing field situated to the side of the mine entrance.
`Well then' muttered Daniel, `it looks as though our friend is not unknown to the Jaffa'.
`Indeed' concurred Teal'c.
`If Jack's watching this, I know exactly what he'll be thinking right now' said Daniel.
`O'Neill will consider that the Tok'ra knew about the existence of Anubis's soldiers on this planet before they asked us to undertake this mission' said Teal'c.
`I couldn't have summed it up any better' said Daniel with a quick grin, `He'll be fuming. I think we'd better take careful note of any movements'.
As soon as she arrived at her destination, Sam immediately ran for cover, her eyes darting around the perimeter of the gate clearing as she ran. The full heat of the bright sun hit her as she crouched behind the DHD and she quickly stripped off her jacket, transferring anything of interest to her vest pockets. She left the bulky jacket in a bundle behind the DHD and darted towards the tree line. It took only fifteen minutes for her to reach the proximity of the tree where Colonel O'Neill was tied. She could immediately see him slumped against the tree, his face hidden by smears of blood and dirt. She surveyed the surrounding area and once she was happy that they were alone, she slipped up close behind him, a large knife held firm in one hand. She pressed her fingers against the pulse point of his neck and she was pleased to feel it beating slow and strong. His skin felt cool and less clammy as well.
She slipped the blade between the cords and sliced them quickly, catching him as he slid down the trunk. She was surprised to feel the weight of him and she overbalanced as he toppled. Before she reached the floor as a strong arm caught her round the waist and pulled her upright.
`Major Carter!' said Siler.
`Siler!' said Sam in astonishment.
Siler grinned quickly at her.
`Colonel O'Neill said you would be surprised. He said I was to play along until the very end' said Siler.
`Oh he did, did he?' said Sam, still astonished to find the capable Lieutenant in O'Neill's place.
`Where is Colonel O'Neill?' she asked, gathering her composure.
`He's wearing the super soldier suit' said Siler.
`He's what?' said Sam, wondering if there was anything else that she didn't know.
`I was here to test the suit in the field' said Siler, `and I found Colonel O'Neill tied to this tree. I don't think we expected to find the real thing here'.
`No!' said Sam wondering idly what else she didn`t know.
`So where is Colonel O'Neill?' she repeated.
`Down at the mine. He wanted to find more intelligence about what's happening. I took his place because we thought that the soldier wouldn't be able to distinguish between us if he returned, so he wouldn't be alerted to the Colonel's escape' said Siler.
Sam looked doubtfully at the man stood in front of her. He was in peak condition, and even when the Colonel was fully fit, Sam guessed that Siler carried twenty pounds more muscle than the Colonel. Agreed they were a similar height and Siler appeared to be wearing the Colonel's clothes, but Sam guessed that the Colonel assumed that the soldier would be unable to distinguish other than basic details.
`But he isn't in any fit state. He didn't think he was fit enough to make it to the gate' said Sam with concern.
`He thought that the suit would help him. We bound his ribs using strips of jacket material, and the suit has a cooling system. It's quite comfortable really' said Siler.
`But he's in no fit state to fight, if he's discovered' said Sam, almost to herself.
She glanced around and suddenly indicated for Siler to follow her as she headed back to the escarpment edge.
Jack shifted uncomfortably in the suit as he strode purposefully towards the mine entrance. What had seemed a good idea at the time was now rapidly paling. Although the suit was adept at keeping him cool, his ribs were jarring painfully, despite the handful of painkillers that he'd taken when Siler freed him. He also felt weak and the suit weighed a significant amount. What was un-noticeable to Siler was beginning to make his head swim. As he hoped, the Jaffa ignored him as he strode across to the mine entrance and entered the opening in the rock face. Once inside, he leaned against the stone wall in relief. He pulled off the confining helmet and gulped at the warm, but fresh air. For the first time since he and Siler had implemented the plan he had doubts about its veracity. He had underestimated his physical debility and he wondered if he was going to be able to complete it. He wondered where Daniel and Teal'c were and how long it would be before Sam returned.
Daniel fidgeted awkwardly. He felt as though he'd been lying in the long grass for hours. The Jaffa had moved about without any seeming purpose, and he'd seen no signs of any other of Anubis's soldiers.
Suddenly Daniel felt all the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end and he gasped as he saw a familiar figure slide down the escarpment with her hands above her head.
`Teal'c!' he exclaimed as he watched Sam Carter stumble down the slope and stride over towards the Jaffa.
THE TEST - Part 5
Daniel watched with an almost morbid fascination as the Jaffa spotted her and ran immediately over with raised staff weapons.
`Sam!' he whispered in horror not understanding what was happening.
Sam walked slowly forward, her hands still raised in submission. One of the Jaffa reached her and knocked her to her knees with a hard swipe of his staff weapon.
Daniel Jackson made as though to scramble to his feet, but Teal'c held him back.
`Major Carter must have a plan or she would not do this' he said wisely.
Sam raised her head and looked stubbornly at the Jaffa, an angry red welt already appearing on her jaw line. The two Jaffa conferred before jabbing her hard in the ribs making her stand and walk towards the mine entrance.
Jack watched from the safety of his position in the mine. He winced when the Jaffa hit Sam and he quickly donned his helmet as they approached. When they came in sight, Jack straightened up and walked out of his hiding place to confront them. The Jaffa immediately stopped and pointed towards Sam. Jack raised his arm in mock imitation of a super soldier, but he hesitated when he saw Sam close her eyes instinctively against the blast that she was expecting. He was proud of her as she stood tall and straight awaiting her fate at the hands of the soldier. He guessed that she'd worked out the plan, but there was no way that she could be sure it was him.
He realised that she'd probably come back to rescue him, and by the looks of it, alone. He walked towards her with the soldier's measured gait and prodded her forwards. She opened her eyes and he saw her appraising him. The faintest flicker of a smile crossed her lips before she turned and allowed him to prod her forwards. The Jaffa stood back as they walked towards the landing field. As soon as they were out of range of the two Jaffa, Sam whispered over her shoulder.
`Colonel!' she said.
`How did you know?' grumbled Jack as they continued walking.
`Call it intuition' said Sam cheekily, `Oh and meeting Lieutenant Siler!'.
They reached the forest edge and continued into the undergrowth before Sam stopped and turned to face Jack. He'd stopped already and he was leaning heavily against a tree. She moved towards him in concern.
`Sir?' she said quietly.
Jack pulled off his helmet and shook his head, trying to clear the black spots that were rapidly threatening to become all consuming darkness.
Sam looked at him. His eyes were closed and he held his chest with one arm. Beads of sweat covered his forehead and his hair lay plastered damply against his head.
`What were you thinking?' she said crossly as she moved closer to him, `Siler told me about this insane plan.'
`It seemed a good way out as well as obtaining the information the Tok'ra needed' mumbled Jack.
`The suit was cooled. Siler said it was comfortable and I was taking a beating from the suns' he added weakly.
`And it must weigh sixty pounds' said Sam crossly.
`At least' he mumbled.
`Lieutenant Siler is a fit man' said Sam.
`And I'm not?' he asked.
`How are you feeling, sir?' asked Sam.
`I've felt better' admitted Jack.
Sam hesitated for a minute and then with a determined look in her eye, she walked over to Jack and took the helmet from his hands. He let her take it and didn't object as she started to peel off the layers of black armour. He stood impassive as she tugged at the sleeves of his armour, discarding each piece in turn, kicking them until they were hidden under a bush. She unbuckled his chest panels and carefully pulled them off his body. She winced as she saw the heavy purple and red bruising that covered the entire top part of his body. He had makeshift bandages binding his chest and she peeled them back carefully. He coughed softly and she wiped away the small trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. She saw his eyes begin to loose focus.
`Stay with me, Colonel' she said urgently, pulling off the last remaining pieces of armour from his body. Without all the bulky padding and wearing just his shorts, he looked pitifully thin and Sam gasped.
`Yeah! I know it's not a pretty sight' said Jack grimacing.
`I didn't mean that, sir' said Sam immediately.
Jack opened his eyes suddenly and caught her gaze in his own.
`Really, Carter?' he hissed.
`Really!' she insisted.
Jack sighed.
`Can you make it to the gate, sir?' asked Sam.
`I don't know. I don't think so' he said, dropping the pretence.
For the first time Sam saw vulnerability in his eyes.
`I hate feeling like this' he said waving his hands expressively.
`I know' said Sam quietly.
She thought for a minute. Even in his emaciated state, Sam knew that she wouldn't be able to support him all the way to the gate. There was a chance that they could run into Teal'c and Daniel, and there was always Siler. Feeling positive, Sam took hold of his arm and draped it over her shoulder.
`Come on, sir, we'll see how far we can get' she said softly.
Jack looked at her, his eyes focussing, and then reaching out he ran one finger gently along the wheal on her jaw line.
`Does that hurt?' he asked.
`Yes' she said.
`I'm sorry,' he said, `I've endangered you all by overestimating my own strength'.
`Save it, Colonel, and concentrate on making it back to the stargate' said Sam firmly.
Jack nodded and they walked slowly into the forest.
Daniel watched the whole scenario with interest. He recognised that the soldier that had taken Sam was not what he seemed, although he wasn't sure exactly what he was. He watched as they disappeared into the heavy undergrowth of the forest.
`Teal'c, what do you think that was all about?' he asked.
Teal'c raised one eyebrow expressively and then shrugged.
`I do not know Daniel Jackson' he said.
`Do you ever get the impression that you're a spectator at a play where you've never read the script and nobody will give you a program?' he said to himself.
`Daniel Jackson, I believe that the transport ship is approaching' said Teal'c pointing towards a dot in the sky that was rapidly taking shape.
They watched as the ship landed gracefully on the flattened grassy area next to the mine. The door slid open and a number of black armoured figures walked in unison down a short metal ramp. They moved in perfect accord as they fanned out until they formed a corridor of black, the two walls of which stretched from the doorway of the ship to the mine entrance.
`Looks like they're expecting someone' whispered Daniel.
`I believe that this may be the one' said Teal'c as a solitary black caped figure strode out of the ship's doorway and stopped theatrically at the top of the slope. After surveying the area, it walked down, between the soldiers. The two Jaffa had hurriedly joined the ranks of the soldiers and were kneeling, heads held down in abeyance.
`But it looks like one of the soldiers, just wearing a cape' said Daniel with interest, `And it looks like there are only these two Jaffa.'
`The soldiers were created by Anubis to act as vessels for modified Goa'uld' said Teal'c thoughtfully, `perhaps they may also prove to be a suitable host for an unmodified Goa'uld. The ability to "grow" a future host could be invaluable'.
`Yes! I see! Why have to search for a host when you can grow an empty vessel from scratch' said Daniel excitedly.
`This may be the information that the Tok'ra actually wanted' said Teal'c.
`That'll make Jack happy' said Daniel, `The fact that we`ve been used as pawns in another piece of Tok`ra subterfuge.'
`Maybe O'Neill knew' said Teal'c, `You yourself thought that O`Neill was withholding something from us.'
`But why not tell us? Playing games for the Tok'ra is not exactly Jack's favourite pastime' said Daniel, `No! I think that there was something else that Jack knew and we still don't know. I think that these soldiers are just the remnants of Anubis's army and they've been pulled together by some opportune Goa'uld who also decided that one of them would make a good host. I don't think that they are the reason for all the subterfuge'.
Teal'c considered Daniel's response.
`Who then was the soldier with Major Carter, that we saw before the ship arrived?' asked Teal'c.
`I don't know, but I'm sure that it wasn't one of them' said Daniel waving vaguely in the direction of the mass of black figures.
`I suggest that we move around the escarpment and locate Major Carter' said Teal'c.
`I agree' said Daniel and he stood up slowly, stretching his arms first and then his legs.
They hadn't walked very far before Jack groaned softly and Sam felt the weight that she was supporting increase suddenly. She braced herself as he leaned heavily against her shoulder.
`Sorry, Carter' he mumbled incoherently as he listed to one side.
Sam gasped and looking quickly around her she managed to steer him the couple of steps that it took to reach a large flat topped rock. She clutched at his arms as he crumpled up and flopped onto the rock.
`Damn' he cursed as he started to slide to one side. Suddenly a strong arm shot out from behind her and grabbed the Colonel's tee shirt, pulling him back upright. Sam spun round quickly.
`Siler!' she muttered with relief.
`Need some help, Major Carter?' he asked dryly.
`Yeah, thanks' said Sam with a grin.
`Is Colonel O'Neill badly injured?' he asked, frowning at the comatose figure he was supporting in an upright position.
`I think he's got a couple of broken ribs, but mainly it's the after effects of the whole ancient download incident' said Sam, 'Can you get him back to the stargate?'
`I can try' said Siler dubiously.
`Can we help?' came a voice from behind a large leafy shrub.
`Daniel!' exclaimed Sam, delighted.
`Me also!' said Teal'c as he stepped out behind Daniel Jackson.
Sam pressed Teal'c's arm affectionately.
`Now I know the Colonel will get home safely' said Sam happily.
Teal'c hefted the Colonel up to a standing position with ease.
`What happened to the soldier?' asked Daniel curiously.
`You saw?' exclaimed Sam.
`From the other side of the escarpment' said Daniel.
Sam grinned.
`It was Colonel O'Neill' she said.
`Jack!!'.
`Well first it was Siler, then the Colonel' said Sam confusingly.
`I don't understand!' wailed Daniel.
`I'll explain later' said Sam.
`Shall we leave?' asked Teal`c, waiting for the others to follow him.
`You go ahead, Teal'c, and Daniel and Siler too. I'll follow when I've got some more information about what's happening here' said Sam.
`Do you think that's wise, Sam?' asked Daniel.
Sam chewed her lip.
`Maybe not' she said, 'but I think we need to understand as much as we can. Tell Dr Weir that I'll return later'.
`Jack would not like this, if he were conscious' persisted Daniel.
`I'm not going to do anything stupid. Just find out what's going on and with Colonel O'Neill out of commission, I am the Commanding Officer and we need to do the best that we can to fulfil this mission' said Sam.
`Did you see the ship land?' asked Daniel.
`Yes! We were just struggling up the bluff. You have to admit that it's pretty peculiar' said Sam.
`Major Carter, remember that the soldier that originally captured Colonel O'Neill is still around somewhere' said Siler.
`Thanks, Siler. I won't forget, but I suspect that it will join the others now that they're here' said Sam waving them away.
Sam watched the trio as they made painfully slow progress towards the stargate, supporting the Colonel between them. When Sam was satisfied that they would reach it in due time, she turned back towards the mine and pushed silently and slowly through the leafy groundcover.
THE TEST - Part 6
As she re-climbed the little hill that she'd climbed earlier in the day, Sam was feeling pretty good with herself.
She'd obeyed the Colonel's original order and returned to the SGC to pass on the intelligence about Anubis's soldiers, although she frowned as she thought of Dr Weir's reaction. There was obviously something else going on here, plus the added wrinkle of finding Siler and the soldier suit. He'd said that he was on a suit test, but why didn't she know about that?
Sam dismissed the train of thoughts running through her mind and decided to concentrate on the job in hand. Find out more about this army of super soldiers plus the interesting figure that she'd vaguely seen descend from the ship.
With care, she peered over the rocky edge. The soldiers were still aligned in a two perfect rows. They were totally unmoving in the baking sun, whereas she had to wipe beads of sweat from her forehead.
`Ah, for a cool shower' she thought.
As she watched the soldiers they turned in perfect unison and re-entered the ship. She was fascinated by their apparent ability to move as one. She hadn't seen any order given either. They reminded her of something. Ants! Individual units, but all working to one purpose. She guessed that there must be some form of communication between them to make them all move together so well.
A sudden shadow cooled her and she automatically glanced over her shoulder.
The super soldier was stood behind her, perfectly stationary. His arm was raised, pointing in her direction.
Sam's mouth suddenly felt dry and she watched in fascination as he suddenly stepped forwards. For the first time, Sam wondered if she had taken the most sensible action. The soldier stopped in front of her and kicked her hard with his black booted foot. Understanding the gesture, she stood up and turned around, her hands clasped behind her head. She felt a sharp jab in the back and started walking.
`I do wish you'd stop doing that' she mumbled, feeling yet another bruise rapidly forming.
She was rewarded with a slap across the back of the head that made her ears ring and her eyes water.
Without making any more comments, Sam slithered and slipped down towards the mine entrance with a distinct feeling of dj vu. Not sure where to go, she hesitated and was immediately prodded towards the dark, cool cave.
Inside, it took her a while for her eyes to adjust to the lack of light, but when they did she realised that she was stood before the tall caped figure that she glimpsed emerging from the ship. The figure barked out a harsh command to the soldier and it retired discretely to the entrance of the cave. The figure walked up very close to her and grabbed her jaw with one gloved hand. It turned her head from one side to the other, at last running a finger down the wheal on her chin.
Sam fought the nausea that she felt as it moved it's masked face very close to hers. It had left off the bottom part of its face covering and she could see the muscles of it's jaw working through the transparent skin.
`I apologise for my soldiers. They can be somewhat heavy handed at times' he said.
Sam looked up in amazement. The voice was deliberately low, but well modulated.
`Who are you?' she whispered.
`Thankfully for you, I am Tok'ra' said the figure, pulling off his helmet.
Sam glanced towards the soldier still stationed by the entrance.
`Do not worry about him. They can only hear, see and feel what I wish them to' said the Tok'ra.
`You communicate with them?' asked Sam.
The creature in front of her nodded.
`Anubis quite cleverly built in mass communication to these bodies' he said, pointing towards his head `It is only because of my instructions that you are not dead. They are all programmed to bring any prisoners to me alive. It allows other Tok'ra undercover agents to keep in contact without risk of life.'
`And you are Tok'ra?' asked Sam.
`Yes, using one of the bodies as host' he said, his beautiful, resonant voice at odds with the almost supernatural appearance of the soldier.
`That must be strange' said Sam, almost to herself.
`Very!' he said, `The Tok'ra are used to a truly symbiotic relationship with the host, but this host is like an empty vessel. It was very lonely at first'.
`So why do it?' asked Sam.
`The Tok'ra realised that the downfall of Anubis would leave an unknown number of his soldiers roaming the universe. They are fearsome in their strength and if some other system lord managed to gather them together, they could be a major threat. It was also surmised by some that they could develop an intelligence of their own, given time, and this would only add another problem. It was decided that if one of us pose as an intelligent form of the soldier, we could gather together the remaining troops and dispose of them accordingly before they become a threat.'
`And then what happens to you?' asked Sam.
`I will hope to find a new, willing host' he said, 'I find that I am getting used to sole control of this body and that is disconcerting. It narrows the difference between me and a Goa'uld.'
`I understand' said Sam.
The Tok'ra ran his hand across her cheek again.
`Perhaps you would like to join with me?' he asked
Sam shuddered.
`No thanks! Been there, done that, got the tee shirt' she muttered.
The Tok'ra turned away from her.
`Why did you do this?' he asked.
`It was an opportunity to gather more information on what we had seen. The super soldiers and the Jaffa' said Sam.
`It was foolhardy' said the Tok'ra.
`Maybe!' said Sam.
`If I were who I purport to be, you would be dead' said the Tok'ra brutally.
Sam pursed her lips.
`Never the less, it was brave' he said stopping in front of her.
`If your guys had told us what was going on here, we wouldn't have been in this situation. I suspect that we were used just to obtain information on your progress without them having to tell us what was really happening.' snapped Sam, `Instead I have one badly injured officer trying to get back to the stargate and we endangered a number of lives'.
`If I just let you go, one of my soldiers or my Jaffa may recapture you, and they may not be so gentle this time' said the Tok'ra thoughtfully, `It is not always easy to control their natural aggression. I also do not wish to compromise my position here.'
`I will have to secure you, but I will ensure that you have the means to escape, and when we leave with the Naquadaah ore at nightfall, you must make your own way to the stargate. The Jaffa will remain here and will be your main problem, but I will try and leave a distraction. Do you understand?'
Sam nodded.
`Thank you' she whispered.
She watched as the soldier replaced his helmet and reassumed his subterfuge.
Without speaking further, he walked over to her and knocked her to the floor. With deft movements, he tied her hands and feet, but she felt the cold blade of a knife press into her hand as he finished. She quickly rolled over to hide it and lay motionless waiting for nightfall.
Dr Elizabeth Weir looked in astonishment as Lieutenant Siler, Doctor Jackson and Teal'c stumbled down the metal ramp, carrying the unconscious figure of Colonel Jack O'Neill between them.
`Doctor Jackson?' she asked in confusion.
`Jack needs medical care' said Daniel succinctly.
`Medical staff to the gate room' shouted Dr Weir, watching as the three men carefully allowed Jack O'Neill to slump onto the base of the metal ramp.
She waited until he been lifted onto a gurney and removed to the infirmary before approaching Daniel.
`Where is Major Carter?' she asked.
Daniel glanced at Teal'c before answering.
`Major Carter has remained on the planet, hoping to obtain more information' said Teal'c.
`Is that wise?' asked Dr Weir.
`She wished to complete the mission' said Teal'c.
`I see' said Dr Weir uncomfortably, `debrief in one hour'.
Sam was glad when the coolness of nightfall finally fell. The ship took off as the last rays of the suns reddened the sky. Her arms were stiff with being bound behind her back. As the shadows lengthened Sam manipulated the knife until she could saw at the ropes that bound her. She could hear the Jaffa as they cooked themselves a meal over the fire outside the cave entrance. She'd noticed that the soldiers had unloaded boxes of what must be supplies from the ship. At last the ropes gave way and Sam rolled over towards the cave wall, waiting for the distraction that the Tok'ra had promised.
After an hour or so, she realised that the Jaffa were silent and she peered out from the cave. They were both laid prone on the floor, and Sam realised that the food that they'd eaten had been drugged at least, if not poisoned. She sprinted across the flat area and scrambled up the escarpment wall. The trip to the stargate was event free and she sighed gratefully as the event horizon splashed into place.
Jack O'Neill opened his eyes slowly. The bright light over him shone painfully into his crusted eyes. He blinked rapidly, waiting a moment until his eyes focussed. He immediately recognised the dull grey paintwork that came into vision. He'd stared enough at the infirmary ceiling over the last few years to almost feel at home. Just by observing the pattern of paint chips he knew which bed he was in. The one in the corner.
Turning his head slowly he realised by the darkness through the rest of the infirmary that it was probably night time. He suddenly realised that he could see the top of a blond head on his bed. Samantha Carter was sat on a chair at the side of his bed, her head resting on her crossed arms on the counterpane. A heavy looking book was laid open next to her on the bed. Her face was turned towards Jack and he could see her eyelashes fluttering on her cheeks as she dreamed. He slowly reached up one hand and gently touched the dark purplish bruise on her chin. She stirred and he immediately withdrew his hand.
`Carter?' he said croakily.
`Sir' said Sam, shaking her head groggily.
She looked anxiously at him and then smiled softly.
`Would you like some water, sir?' she asked quietly.
He nodded and watched as she held out a cup and straw to him. He drank gratefully and then looked at her silently. He knew why she was there. She wanted to know the full story, and he guessed that Elizabeth Weir hadn't spoken to her about it.
`So!' he said awkwardly.
`So?' she said pointedly.
`I couldn't tell you about it. You do understand that?' he asked anxiously, realising that he probably had fences to mend.
`I guessed that' she said, deliberately keeping her tone even and calm, `although I don't know what "IT" is'.
Jack sighed. He tried to shuffle up his pillows, but winced as pain gripped his chest.
`Broken ribs?' he muttered.
`Three' said Sam simply, leaning over to help him settle in a more upright position. She patted his pillows as he slumped back against them.
`And dehydration, a little sun burn and exhaustion' she added.
Jack's hand fluttered as he dismissed her diagnosis.
`The president felt that Kinsey left one untied end behind him. It was necessary to tie it up before his successors picked up from where he left off' said Jack.
Sam frowned.
`I don't understand, sir' she said.
Jack picked at the blanket, his head bent down as though minutely observing the warp and weft of the woolly material. He continued speaking without raising his head.
`Kinsey was convinced that the our relationship exceeded the parameters allowed by regulations' said Jack, trying to use formal language to make his confession less embarrassing.
Sam's cheeks burned as she realised what he was saying. She suddenly realised why Dr Weir didn't want to discuss it in the gate room.
`Dr Weir felt that the only way to prove that the command structure was not compromised was to place you in a position where you had to leave me in a situation of danger because you were ordered to do so' said Jack, `We had to prove that you would do the right thing when faced with a difficult scenario. We told Siler that he was testing the soldier suit, and we thought that we would use the test to simulate a genuine attack by one of Anubis's commandos'.
`And you used the Tok'ra request for information to give you a location?' guessed Sam.
`Yeah, but they shot us in the foot, just for a change!' said Jack ironically, `We had no idea that there would be some real forces on that planet. As usual, the Tok'ra penchant for secrecy put us all in a difficult situation.'
`And that explains why Dr Weir didn't respond when I came back as ordered' said Sam thoughtfully.
Jack nodded.
`There was even more to it than that' said Sam, realising that he probably didn't know the whole story, `Those soldiers were under the command of a Tok'ra undercover agent, using one of the super soldier bodies as a host. They were trying to gather together any remaining members of Anubis's force so that they can be destroyed before they fall into the hands of another system lord. He asked me if I would like to be his host once the job was complete!'
Jack grimaced expressively.
`The Tok'ra just wanted us to feed back information on how he was doing without blowing his cover' said Sam.
`Why do I listen to what the Tok'ra want?' muttered Jack.
Sam smiled.
`So that all worked out to be a little complex!' drawled Jack, his eyes starting to close as tiredness threatened to overwhelm him.
Sam chewed her lip for a moment, watching him as he slipped into sleep.
`Did I pass?' asked Sam suddenly.
Jack opened his eyes and regarded her solemnly. `The Test? Did I pass?' she repeated.
`With flying colours' said Jack, grinning.
`I obeyed you, sir, but I did come back for you as well' said Sam unsurely.
`We don't leave people behind' quoted Jack, grinning.
`I didn't want to obey you' she said.
`But you did!' said Jack.
`What now?' asked Sam.
`Oh about a month's furlough I think' said Jack.
`And fishing?' asked Sam happily.
`If you'd like to come' said Jack softly, his cheeks pinking slightly.
`Nothing wrong with colleagues, doing a little fishing' said Sam shyly.
`Indeed not' said Jack.
Sam picked up her book and tucked it happily under her arm.
`You should get some sleep, sir' she said.
`Thanks' said Jack as he settled down against his pillows.
`What for?' asked Sam, her hand lingering close to his on the counterpane.
`Watching over me' he said.
`Any time, sir' she said before walking out of the room.
Dr Elizabeth Weir closed the file in front of her thoughtfully. She pressed a button on her remote and watch the security tape on her screen. It was a tape taken from the hospital and it showed Jack O'Neill laid prone on a bed, his 2IC apparently asleep on a chair next to the bed. She fast forwarded the tape. She paused the image when she saw Colonel O'Neill gently touch the sleeping Major's face with his hand. His touch was tender and revealing. Even in the poor definition of the security camera she saw his face as he gently stroked her bruised chin.
With decision, she switched on the electric shredder that stood in the corner of her office and carefully fed it the contents of the file, one sheet at a time. Each sheet was headed with a title that meant little to her, Broca Divide, Zay'tarc incident, Entity infiltration of Major S. Carter, Colonel Jack O'Neill MIA(1), Colonel Jack O'Neill MIA (2). Her last act was to shred the cardboard cover itself, watching the 'Private & Confidential' stickers disintegrate satisfactorily.
She picked a small, silver framed photograph that adorned her desk. It was the picture of a man. He had a strong face and his eyes smiled as he looked into the camera. She ran a slender finger over the photograph.
`John' she murmured, and with a smile she replaced it back on the desk carefully, 'I think that they deserve just a little bit of what we had. I'm not military and as long as the job gets done.....'.
She closed her office door quietly behind her and headed home.
THE END.
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