Sam sat beside the radio equipment, watched by an eager crowd of children. Sonja stood a short distance away with a tall man, presumably her husband. They embraced and kissed. Sam turned away, ashamed to be caught staring. Footsteps behind her alerted her to the approach of Daniel and Jack. Daniel had a feather in his hair and one of his eyes was deeply shadowed. Jack was stifling a laugh. Sam heard more as they drew closer."I told you to be careful, Daniel."
"I WAS. It’s not my fault that you scared the kid and he kicked me in the face. Hi Sam."
"Hi Daniel. Nice black eye." She was rewarded with an exasperated look from her friend. He was about to retort when a loud burst of static sounded from the radio.
Sam, concentrating fully on the radio set, began to fiddle with a dial, clearing up the signal. A burst of language followed. The noise activated recorder span silently. Daniel’s face creased in concentration as he tried to translate the alien speech. Just as suddenly it stopped.
"What the hell was that?" Jack demanded. Daniel looked puzzled.
"I’m not sure I got all of it. Could you replay it Sam?"
Jack noticed the children had disappeared. One was clinging to Sonja’s skirt, rapidly chattering. Jack didn’t have to hear or understand the words to recognise the look of fear on the child’s face or the terror that skipped across the features of the camp’s leader. She saw them, hurried in their direction as Tom, as Jack guessed that was who it was, took the distraught child and carried him towards the tents.
"You intercepted a message?" Sonja’s fear was evident in her voice.
"We did. Daniel’s just translating now. Sam, have you got the recording?"
"Yes sir." The tape finished rewinding. Sam hit play. For a second nothing happened, then a voice could be heard under the static. As the voice continued, Sonja’s face blanched under her tan. Her lips began moving silently in time with recording. Just as suddenly it stopped.
. "What did you get Daniel?"
"Not much. Something about "the fires". The rest was too quick. Could you slow it down a bit Sam? Maybe I can..."
"They are coming." Sonja’s eyes were fixed on a point on the distant horizon. "The negotiations have failed. Colonel, they are coming. We must leave now. We must get the children away from here. Please. We must hurry."
Laura sat on the hillock with Crichton when her radio crackled into life.
"James to Douglas."
"Douglas here sir. How’s it going?"
"Not good. They reached an impasse and I think that we may have to get ready to evacuate."
She gestured to Cane with her head. He stalked over to her position, rifle at the ready.
"Cane. Contact SG-1. Alert them to prepare for evacuation."
"Aye Sir."
Laura turned her attention back to the radio. She could hear the Colonel talking to someone. He must have forgotten to turn off his unit. She strained to hear what was being said.
The Colonel was surprised.
"I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. Has your council decided on a course of action to..."
He never completed his sentence. The bullets tore through his skin, ripping his uniform in numerous places. His body shook violently with the force of the assault, his mouth opening in a silent scream. His knees buckled finally, dropping him to the ground in a strange jerking dance. A final bullet to the head ended the grotesque puppet show.
"Prepare to launch the fires. We shall have our vengeance."
Laura heard the sound of gunfire over her radio. Her face grew pale; her eyes widened as the enormity of what she had overheard began to sink in.
"Colonel. Colonel. Come in." Cane hurried over. Laura signalled for him to follow her. She didn’t care whether Crichton followed or not. She reached the edge of the hillock and looked over onto the camp below.
SG-9 had been pinned down behind the main tent by the gunfire that criss-crossed the open space of the plain. She could see the edge of the tent, a bloodied hand protruding from the doorway. A glance through her binoculars confirmed the identity.
"Colonel James." Her voice was barely above a whisper as she realised the implications of her commanding officer’s demise. He had been murdered, leaving her in charge. It was now her job to alert SG-1 of the situation and get her men to safety.
"Cane. Initiate radio contact with the rest of the squad. Give covering fire and get out. We’re going to make a run for it back to the Gate. If not, head for SG-1’s position."
Cane responded quickly. Laura watched, vaguely aware that Crichton had taken up position beside her. His energy blaster was in his hand. That meant they had one more on their team.
"What’s going on?" he asked. Laura ignored him. She was thinking. A noise, low and rumbling could be heard from behind their position. Laura turned just in time to see a huge vessel, similar in form to a Goa’uld death glider, rise over the valley, gun ports open. As it drew closer, it began firing on their position. Laura was on her feet and running before the first munitions hit the ground.
"Take cover," she screamed as the weapons fire drew closer, dust beginning to obscure her vision. Crichton was close behind, sprinting away from the approaching glider. He grabbed Laura around the waist, hurling her to the floor, as the glider, heading for camp below, flew directly overhead, trails of fiery dust marking its flight path.
Laura saw the earth heading towards her as something crashed into her from behind. The noise of the engines roared as the glider continued on its mission. She tried to sit up but found she could only raise her head. Twisting sideways she could see Crichton’s figure, protectively huddled over her, gun raised in a defensive posture. Something about this bugged her. She was an officer in the US Airforce. She didn’t need protecting. In one quick move she rolled, landing Crichton on his back, driving the air sharply from his lungs, and stood, rifle raised against an attack.
She reached forward and pulled the stricken prisoner to his feet. He stood for a moment, breathing hard, trying to ease the burning in his lungs as they fought to drag the air back.
"What the hell was that for?" he wheezed.
She didn’t answer, just glared at him before scanning the area. Below in the valley, the tents were now well ablaze, people scuttling between the flaming material, desperate to avoid the blasts from the glider that circled overhead. She couldn’t see the rest of the unit. Hopefully they had made it away safely. Her eyes moved further left, alighting on Cane.
He lay face down in the dust, his rifle thrown away, his neck at a strange angle. She knelt beside the body and felt for a pulse. He was dead. Laura rocked back on her heels, suppressing the tears that threatened to overwhelm her at any moment. A hand rested lightly on her shoulder. Aggressively she swiped at the few tears that had escaped and were rolling unimpeded across her cheeks, picked up the spare rifle and threw it to Crichton. She could fall apart later. Right now she had to get to SG-1’s position.
"This way. Hopefully we can make the gate before they know where we are."
Crichton followed silently. He just hoped that SG-1, whoever they were, was in a better position than himself and Laura. All thoughts of a Peacekeeper plan went out of the window. All Crichton intended to do now was survive.
Jack glanced around the encampment quickly and realised there was no way that himself and the other adults would be able to protect the children. They had to move ASAP to another location. He reached for his radio and found Teal’c’s frequency.
"Teal’c, come in."
"I am here O’Neill."
"Good. We’ve intercepted a transmission. The negotiations have failed. SG-9’s condition unknown. Where are you?"
"I am a short distance from your location O’Neill. There are caves to which we can evacuate the camp. An easier position to defend."
"Right. Give Carter the co-ordinates and we’ll make for your position. Set up a perimeter charge of Claymores. We’re on our way."
As Carter turned to her radio and copied down the Jaffa’s location, Jack began to give orders for the evacuation.
"Miss Ly, start preparing the children to leave. We’re going to head for the caves in the ridge. Take only what we can carry and minimum supplies. Tell your husband to do the same. I’ll give you a hand in a minute. Daniel, go to the medical tent. Fill in Anderson and Macdonald and tell them to get ready to move. Meet us at the caves ASAP. Carter have you got the location?"
"Yes sir, it’s near the Gate. Teal’c reckons there is some kind of passage system entrance that we can use."
"Right. You can help move the supplies. Load up the MALP with everything we need, food water etc and then you can bring some of the smaller children as well."
O’Neill glanced at his watch. Five minutes had passed since they intercepted the transmission. They had to move quickly.
"Okay people lets go. I want to get out of here as quick as possible."
Caitlin smiled at the small boy sitting on the edge of the makeshift gurney and replaced the stethoscope around her neck.
"All done," she said cheerfully. The small boy stared back, eyes widening at the sweet that had suddenly appeared from behind the doctor’s back. Taking it in his now scrubbed hand, his face lit up with the smile that now split his face. Grinning, Caitlin stood, reached forward and lifted him from the bed lowering him to the floor. Excitedly he ran off. Caitlin watched him go, now joined by Mac.
"Made another friend?" he asked. Caitlin ignored him, knowing he was trying to wind her up.
"Ha ha," she responded. "How many more have we got to go?"
"About another twenty."
"Okay. Can you split them into two groups. We’ll do one more today and the last tomorrow. I’m going to finish writing up my notes from the last few before I forget."
"I’m afraid you’re not going to get the chance doctor."
Caitlin turned to see Dr. Jackson standing in the doorway. She instantly recognised the look on his face.
"What's wrong?"
"We intercepted a message. Not sure who from but it was an order to torch this place. The negotiations have failed and we need to evacuate the children as soon as possible. Teal’c has found as a safe haven but we need to move now."
Caitlin nodded in silence, her mind racing as to what she needed to take and what she could safely abandon.
"Very well doctor. I’ll need your help. Mac, go help move the children from the furthest end of the camp we need to do this as quickly as possible, Doctor if you could..."
Daniel and Caitlin finished packing away what little equipment could be carried and began to move the children away from the hospital wing, the older more able children assisting in the evacuation.
Daniel radioed Carter, watching as he did so the line of fugitives scurrying across the open plain towards the safety of the caves Teal'c had discovered.
"How are you doing?"
"Fine. Keep sending the children. The first wave has just arrived with the Colonel. Look out for incoming bandits."
"Will do. Any contact with SG-9?"
"None. Jack says to keep moving. We'll find out more once the children are safe."
"Roger that Sam."
Daniel glanced behind him to see Caitlin making her way towards him, Lucy clinging desperately to her neck, medkit in hand.
"Is that everyone Doc?"
"Yeah. Medical is clear. Mac's already left with the first few kids. He should be there soon. It's just us left..."
"Come on then. The others are waiting." Daniel held out an arm for Lucy and the child began to swing across.
"Lets go Doc."
Caitlin relinquished her grasp of Lucy and followed Daniel as the three made their way towards the passageway that offered them shelter from the coming attack. They had just cleared the final tents that lined the fringe of the encampment when the ground behind them exploded in flames. A glider, sleek, grey and deadly rose silently and menacingly above the burning shelter.
"Lets get a move on Caitlin." So far the pilot didn't appear to have seen them but Daniel knew it was only a matter of time. Hugging Lucy closer to his chest, keeping the doctor in front of him and keeping as low as possible, Daniel hurried the small group along.
Caitlin could feel the gaze of the giant craft bearing down on her, Daniel's breath on her neck. The ground was now beginning to climb and Caitlin was glad of Daniel's arm supporting her gently. In the valley below the encampment was well ablaze, material sparking and exploding behind them.
One of the barrels used to store fuel suddenly exploded into the air. The force of the blast threw Caitlin and Daniel to their knees, the searing heat burning the back of Daniel's neck.
"Are you okay?" Daniel asked. When Caitlin nodded, he decided enough was enough. A short distance away Daniel could see Carter and Teal'c. Behind them, the alien fighter was rising from the valley floor. They'd have to make a run for it. Around them the very ground was beginning to burn.
"Sam can you give us some covering fire. We're going to make a run for your position, but it's going to be close."
"We hear you Daniel."
Glancing up, Daniel saw Teal'c take up a defensive post, staff-weapon at the ready. As the craft began it's run, the Jaffa opened fire. He missed but the pilot, deciding a second run wasn't worth the effort, broke off the attack.
"Okay Daniel. The bird is retreating. Go now."
Daniel didn't need to be told twice. He reached down, pulled the doctor to her feet and broke into a sprint, Caitlin gradually pulling ahead. An eternity passed and then they were safe.
Breathing hard, trying to drag air into his reluctant lungs, Daniel dropped to his knees, passing the small child into the waiting Jaffa's arms. Amazingly the little girl was asleep.
Caitlin knelt beside the stricken archaeologist, handing him a blue inhaler.
"Try this. It will help ease the breathing." Daniel took a deep drag from the pump and gradually the pain in his chest and lungs began to ease, only to be replaced by a stinging across his neck.
Caitlin tended the burned skin, noting the dark singed hair.
"You might get some small blistering in a few days. I'll dress it for now and you can get Frasier to check it when we get back. Other than that how you feeling?"
"Yeah. I'm okay." Daniel looked up and saw Mac approaching. "I think you're wanted Doc."
Caitlin stood, saw the grave look on her assistant's face. She turned to Daniel briefly. "Will you be okay?"
"Yeah fine."
"Okay. Any problems tell me."
Satisfied her skills were no longer needed she disappeared into the caves. Fully recovered now, Daniel looked into the caves.
The ceiling was low, just big enough for a full grown male to stand upright. It appeared to have been cut directly from the stone. Daniel pondered this for a moment then scanned the rest of the caves. Small alcoves and passages led off the main tunnel, presumably to other areas of the system. Torches lined the way. Peering further into the tunnel Daniel could see the dark figures of the children they had evacuated. Sonja and her husband were making their way along, checking each of the children, counting them as they went. Sonja looked tired and strained. Daniel wished he could say something but couldn't find the words. Sam and Teal'c were also tending to the children, some of whom were beginning to cry. Daniel got to his feet and went to help calm down some of the younger children.
It took time but gradually the children became less agitated. Caitlin tended to those who were too upset or ill to cope with what they had seen. Daniel took the opportunity to take a quick breather. Looking around he suddenly realised he hadn't seen Jack since he'd entered the caves.