The Long Haul
Scene 15
The campsite
Daniel’s eyes were playing tricks on him. Dehydration, pain and weariness were making him hallucinate. He thought he caught a movement in the woods. It was probably just an animal of some sort. There had to be some local fauna; though he’d not been aware of any during their trek. Not that he’d been thinking about it, he’d had more pressing concerns. What made him doubt his sight and his sanity was that for a moment, a very brief moment, he’d thought he’d seen a glimmer of blond hair reflected in the pale moonlight. Specifically: Captain Samantha Carter’s blond hair.
Could it really be his friend Sam? Could Jack and Teal’c be with her? Could his nightmare really be almost over? Problem was, he’d fancied he’d seen signs of them so many times during the endless hours of his ordeal that he didn’t dare hope that this time it was for real. Wishful thinking only led to disappointment.
Daniel strained his eyes scanning around for another sighting. He tried not to be despondent that he saw nothing. If they were out there sneaking up on the bad guys, then the whole point was not to be seen. They were skilled at their craft. Jack may not want to signal their presence to Daniel, lest he inadvertently give them away with his reaction.
While Daniel was still trying to decide whether or not he’d been imagining the glimpse of Sam’s hair, the slumbering campsite suddenly came alive with the sound of zat-guns.
Folcan, who’d been on guard duty, was zatted into unconsciousness, instantly followed by the two Mendans nearest to him. The noise woke the remaining marauders, but three were out before they’d had time to sit up. That only left Valton. He‘d leapt to his feet and was heading toward the princess, a large dagger in his hand. He made it about halfway before he too was rendered senseless by a well-aimed zat.
Despite the painful restriction of the noose, Daniel almost cheered aloud. He managed a broad grin in appreciation of SG-1’s masterful attack. The Mendans truly hadn’t known what hit them. It was almost too easy.
Then he heard movement behind him. The need for stealth was past, replaced by the need for speed.
“Hold still, Daniel, we’re gonna get you loose,” Sam’s voice sounded reassuringly in his ear.
Soon, Daniel and the princess had been divested of the ropes, which Teal’c was putting to good use to bind the kidnappers together back to back in a huddle.
Daniel instinctively moved to lift Ro’Pita up but pitched forwards with a rasping wheeze. He would have fallen over had Jack not caught him and put a supporting shoulder under his arm.