Chapter 25
Jack paced his small room, wondering where Kawalsky had got to. It had been hours since he'd last seen him. He also wondered where Jennifer was, and if she'd managed to deliver his message to Devon.
He wanted to go find Daniel and Markus, or go straight to Devon. Or do something. He hated being here, right in the center of the enemy, and still have to depend on other people to move before he could do what he wanted. Waiting was driving him nuts, especially after he heard the news.
He'd gotten one of his guards to confirm that Daniel and Markus were in the brig. The unfortunately-named Ernie had added that rumor had Markus at least hurt, maybe dying, and maybe already dead.
He opened his door, intending to go wander around and see if he might stumble into something useful.
Ernie and the other guy Jack called Bert were standing across the hall, and straightened up when they saw the door open. But then they glanced toward a young woman, a civilian with long curly dark hair, who was coming this way down the corridor. "Hey, Libby," Ernie greeted her with an easy smile.
She smiled back, but her smile faded when she saw Jack. She stopped and put her hands on her hips, and pouted. "I sure hope you were coming to find me."
"Um," he hesitated. Hadn't Kawalsky said he wasn't in a relationship? Crap. And with this girl, half his age? What the hell was O'Neill thinking? Maybe it wasn't … but no, her next words pretty much made it exactly what he was thinking.
She folded her arms. "You forgot," she accused. "You said we'd get together when you came back." She came near him and poked him in the chest. "You can't have forgotten, Jack."
"I said that?" he asked. "Well, I - "
She stood up on her tiptoes, wrapped a hand around the back of his neck and kissed him. He couldn't do much but stand there. She pulled back a little, to give him a tight hug, and murmured in his ear irritably, "Play along, idiot."
Ah. Now he knew the role he was supposed to be playing. He maneuvered her into another, more aggressive kiss. She leaned against him eagerly, opening her lips. His own unexpected response made him deepen the kiss more than he intended. He knew he should let go, but he couldn't.
She pulled free, dark eyes bright with surprise and amusement. "Well, that's better!" she said with a light laugh. "I'm glad you're home. I was worried for awhile that something might have happened to you."
"No," he shrugged. "You know that O'Neill luck…"
"Really?" she challenged, teasing. "I don't know if O'Neill's gonna get lucky tonight, after almost standing me up."
The guards snickered, and Ernie said, "If you're not busy, I'm sure I could show you a good time, Libby."
Without turning around she said, "I like the mature ones, Ernie." And she put a hand on Jack's chest, smiling mischievously. He let her hand slide down to his stomach but then caught her hand up in his own, and tried to give her a winning smile, played for the guards' benefit.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I was going to see you, I swear. I was just waiting for Charlie."
"Charlie," she said, with a little toss of her hair, "is not invited. Do you think you might do something without your buddy for once, or you know, people are gonna talk."
"I meant--" he started in exasperation when Ernie and Bert couldn't restrain their laughter.
Libby rolled her eyes expressively and grabbed his hand. "Jeez, kidding, Jack. Lighten up." She glanced at the guards, who grinned back at her. "If you want to find him, I think you know where to look."
"Yes, ma'am," Ernie answered with a mock salute. "We'll escort you, if you don't mind."
She pursed her lips and gave a heavy sigh of minding very much. Then she shook her head. "I don't know what it is about the bad boys," she muttered, as if to herself. "Why can't it be someone who follows the rules?"
"Because you would get bored?" Jack asked innocently. She swatted him on the ass, surprising him, and chuckling, she put her arm around his waist and nudged him familiarly with her hip. "Come on, bad boy. Let's lead this parade." Then more loudly, over her shoulder, "I hope you don't have to lurk around outside all night. That might be …" she hesitated.
"Inhibiting?" Jack suggested, and pulled her close. It felt weird, this young woman he ought to know, yet not as well as he had to pretend he did. But he played along, hoping that this whole charade was going to lead somewhere interesting. And well, he had to admit, there were worse roles to play.
The instant the door of her quarters closed behind him, she pulled free and folded her arms. "Took you long enough to figure it out."
He was a little disappointed to find out she really had been acting.
"Sorry, you took me by surprise." He glanced around at her room. It was slightly bigger than his own, with a double bed, low bookshelf, straight chair, and a closet. The plain gray walls were mostly hidden by red and purple cloth to which she'd attached beads, sequins, pins, and gold charms. It was a nice splash of color for a fairly dingy base. He turned to watch her as she turned to sit on the edge of the bed, obviously not in invitation. He sat down gingerly on the cloth-draped wooden chair that looked like it might have been here since Mount Pegasus was built. "Now what?"
"Now? Now we wait until your watchdogs go away," she said. "Devon's waiting." She frowned at him in puzzlement. "Why do you want to talk to him anyway? You've never wanted to before."
"I have a message for him," Jack answered. "From his son." It was at least kind of true. "But mostly Kawalsky and I need his help to get Markus and Daniel out of here."
She burst into laughter. Since he didn't think it was funny, he waited for her to stop and demanded, "What?"
She shook her head in amazement. "You and everybody else. I never thought I'd see the day when Gordon came into the open against the brass, and now there's you two. Plus Jennifer, of all people," she rolled her eyes once.
Jack paged quickly through his memories of Lee and Charlie's run-down of Valhalla personnel. 'Gordon' had to be Gordon Fukizaki, the manager of the virus project and one of Waverly's inner circle. But from what the two had said, they had been too wary of Fukizaki for him to be an ally. "Doctor Fukizaki?"
She smiled, enjoying his surprise. "Oh yes, Gordon's been working against them all along in secret. But he had to step up to protect everyone's favorite prisoners from Simmons. At least, as much as he could." Her smiled faded, and he felt an answering tightness in his chest.
He asked the inevitable question. "How are they doing?"
"Daniel's fine," she answered, and added more quietly, her arms wrapped around herself. "But Markus is hurt pretty bad. Simmons had him beaten up two days ago, and broke his ribs. Gordon says… " her voice faltered and she looked down, "Gordon says he's bleeding inside. Maybe if we can get him out soon enough, he can do something to help, but I don't know, I saw him today and he looked awful…"
Jack reached over and patted her knee, trying to offer a little comfort when she was so clearly broken up by it. Inwardly though, he felt chilled, as Mister Smith's words came back to him, that if Markus died, evil would rule the planet.
But they weren't too late, not yet. It seemed Markus had more allies in Valhalla Sector than anyone had expected, so the possibilities of escape were looking up.
He ignored the small voice which said that even if they managed to get Markus to the helicopter, it was a long hard flight back to Thunder Mountain and to people who had learned medicine by reading about it in a book.
Standing up, he started for the door. "Come on, let's get going, we don't have all year. I want to meet Devon - "
She frowned but followed. "Meet? You know him."
He hastily covered his mistake, "Meet in terms of being on the same side."
"Wait," she squirmed in front of him before he opened the door, pulling her sweater off and tossing it to the chair, and then yanking her shirt out of her pants.
Only then did she open the door and peek her head out into the corridor. She grabbed Jack's sleeve and pulled him out.
Ernie and Bert were gone. The corridor wasn't empty, but there didn't seem to be anyone interested in guarding Libby's door. She held his arm and they strolled casually. Jack was tense, but no one gave them a second look. Fortunately, Devon's quarters were only about twenty feet down and on the other side of the hall. Libby opened the door and entered without knocking.
The room was the same size as Libby's, but looked different since he had a single bed, desk, and bedstead taking up space. It was certainly not as colorful, retaining the dull, flaking government-issue gray paint. There were metal shelves attached to the walls, holding books, and a half-eaten dinner tray on the desk. There was a man in the bed, sitting up against the headboard. He wasn't doing so great either - his right arm was bandaged and in a sling, and his face was still multi-colored and swollen from bruising.
Because of the bruises it took Jack a moment to realize he knew Devon's counterpart. His jaw slackened and he stared, unable to believe what he was seeing. "You're Devon?" he blurted. "You?"
The man facing him was none other than cowardly prick Samuels, last seen at the SGC trying to flee Apophis' attack seven years ago and then thankfully replaced by Paul Davis as Pentagon liaison.
"Major O'Neill?" Devon asked, with a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"
Jack shook his head trying to get back into focus. Clearly, while some people were worse here, others were better. Whatever had happened to turn Samuels into a military officer and an ass on Jack's Earth, had not happened here. Or perhaps the Big Death had given this Samuels an opportunity to find his courage, which he'd never had on Earth.
Either way, this Samuels was still looking at him as though he'd gone nuts.
Jack grinned. "I wasn't sure at first," he said glibly, "All those different colors."
Devon let out a smile, and shook his head a little. "Yeah. It's better now, believe it or not."
Jack gave a dramatic wince and plopped down in the desk chair, as Libby settled at the foot of Devon's bed. The two men watched each other in silence for a moment, until Devon broke it by clearing his throat. "I hear you wanted to talk to me."
"Yeah. But before I start with that, you should know I spoke with Jeremiah two days ago. He says hi and he wishes he could've come here instead of me, but nobody thought it was a good idea," Jack said.
Devon stiffened at Jeremiah's name, and he stared at Jack, seeming to drink in every word. At the last part, he closed his eyes in relief. "Thank God. Somebody finally got through to him."
Jack snorted. "I think it was the threat to chain him to his bed in Thunder Mountain, myself. He was extremely determined." He plucked the pen off the desk and bounced it on his knee, getting more serious. "Your kid is a good young man, Devon. You should know that. He's tough and brave and amazingly good hearted. He's spent the last fifteen years looking for you, and he turned aside from that quest when he understood what it could cost the world. That takes some guts."
"How did you meet him?" Devon asked eagerly.
"Oh, we had this job for Thunder Mountain," Jack answered with a casual wave of his hand. "Infiltrate some bad guys, see what they were up to. The usual."
Devon opened his mouth, probably to ask more questions about his son, but said instead, "You really have changed sides."
"I don't think of it as changing sides, so much as … uh," Jack wondered what his other self would say, "allowing my natural side to finally show through. You know I've never been Waverly's biggest fan." Devon snorted agreement, so Jack figured his assessment of his counterpart was pretty much dead-on. Jack continued, knowing he had to make sure Devon understood that Jack O'Neill meant what he was saying, "And now there's someplace to go. But all those brave kids in Thunder Mountain are a ship with no captain now, and that's why Kawalsky and I came back. We need to get Markus and Daniel and you out. Libby said that the doc's also on our side, so with his help, hopefully we can get the hell out of this roach motel."
He didn't like the way Devon and Libby exchanged a look. "That… might not be so easy," Devon said slowly. "Gordon said Markus isn't doing so well."
"All the more reason to get out of here soon, don't you think?" Jack asked. He leaned forward, eager to get the show on the road. "A person of our mutual acquaintance in Cheyenne said you know of a secret way out of here."
"Yes, that's true," Devon admitted. "Unfortunately the way goes through the gym on the second floor."
Libby added, "It's currently being used as a temporary bunk room."
"Waverly pulled in the Eighth after St. Louis," Devon went on. "He wanted to take D.C., but Thunder Mountain took priority. So the base is pretty packed, as I'm sure you noticed."
Their way out had become a barracks. Charlie had already explained that this place was run like a ship, with the lower ranks alternating shifts and bunks because of the lack of space. Jack scrubbed a hand through his hair. "Crap. Is there no other way?"
Devon shook his head. "Not that I know of. But you've been here just as long as I have."
"I sure don't know of any," Jack muttered. If this place was Cheyenne he might have some ideas how to get out. But instead he would have to go to Plan B. "All right, we need to distract them out of the gym. Clearing the whole second floor would be better. We could sabotage the ventilation system."
Libby shook her head. "The whole utility section is under passcard lock. If we went down through the air vents, we could get in, but - "
They went through his ideas and one by one, shot them down.
After half an hour of this, he let out a sigh. "You've thought about all this already, haven't you?"
Devon nodded, a little ruefully. "Yeah. Both of us, plus Gordon when he can, have been doing nothing but trying to figure out a way out. So far our best idea has been to set the base on fire and force a total evacuation. But getting out of the base isn't enough, since there'd still be two thousand people around us."
"I'm not entirely without outside backup," he offered, "but those are really bad odds." Jack filed the idea in the back of his mind for further thought. Forcing a total evac might work, if that would clear the secret path. "In fact, it'd be really handy if I could access comms."
Libby laughed. "All outside lines are now restricted to the comm room and the general's personal approval."
"Yeah, that's what I figured," Jack nodded with a sour grimace. Too bad Waverly wasn't more like a Goa'uld - that Goa'uld overconfidence and tactical stupidity would be quite useful right now.
Devon added unexpectedly, "Gordon might have a way. He should be here soon."
Jack nodded absently, trying to think of something that would work
--- ---
Terence fumed. He had to make some kind of connection with either Millhaven or Valhalla. So much was happening and he needed to report and get new orders. Maybe a live sat connection could be found up by the big board? They may have coded everything on the main floors, but would they have thought about upstairs? Did Markus even understand the importance of the main NORAD room?
He could have kicked himself for not thinking of it sooner. All he had to do was get the phone from his quarters and get upstairs. He grabbed the master key, in case it was locked. Maybe no one had been in there since the Big Death. With a predatory smile, he made his way back to his room.
--- ---
Malek had been planning to visit Markus, when he ran into Major Kawalsky in the corridor not far from the brig. Kawalsky was being escorted by two of Simmons' men, he noticed, and that made him greet the major coolly. "Major Kawalsky. Good to see you made it back safely."
"Doc." Kawalsky turned right, still heading toward the brig. He noticed Malek following him and paused. "I got permission to visit the brig, Doctor, if that's what you're worried about."
Though surprised by that, Malek merely shrugged. "We're going the same place then. I have been tending Markus' injuries."
"You?" Kawalsky frowned. "I thought you were a virus doctor."
"That too, of course," Malek said. "But I was curious to meet him, so I volunteered." He glanced back at the pair of guards and added, "Colonel Simmons has been overly harsh, in my opinion, so I do what I can."
Kawalsky didn't seem to know what to say to that, but he did frown at Malek some more.
*We know about him, but he doesn't know about us. This is awkward,* Chuan observed.
*He will figure it out once he speaks to Devon, Libby, or Jack,* Malek said. *I am highly curious about what he said to Waverly to get permission to visit Markus, however. Unless Kawalsky has not changed allegiance after all.*
*Then we must watch him and see what he does,* Chuan declared fiercely, his protectiveness like that of a mother and cub at the thought of Kawalsky doing any harm to Markus.
They followed Kawalsky into the guard station room, where the two brig guards joined them and they all accessed the hall outside the cells.
It made quite a troop - the four guards, Malek, and Kawalsky. The two prisoners were still sitting as they had been, with Markus lying down on the cot with his feet across Daniel's knees, while Daniel sat on the cot, with his back to the wall behind him.
Daniel glanced up and his eyes widened, seeing the group come to visit.
Malek was pleased to see that Markus was awake, too, and he turned his head and opened his eyes to see his visitors. Malek went inside when the guard unlocked the cell door.
Kawalsky folded his arms, trying for hostility, but Malek could read the shock and the dismay in his features when he had a good look at Markus. "So," Kawalsky said roughly, "You're the guy who turned Lee Chen."
"It wasn't very hard," Markus answered. Malek liked the strength of his voice, and the lack of breathing difficulties. The afternoon's rest had done him a lot of good. "I offered a vision of the future without the rule of terror and murder that Valhalla Sector has. He seemed to like it better."
"Lee bought that? You don't look all that impressive," Kawalsky tried to sneer.
Markus smiled a little. "Sorry, the spirit is willing, but the flesh … has seen better days."
"Yeah, I can see that." Kawalsky cleared his throat. "Doc, you done in there?"
"If you would stop attempting to provoke him, I will finish that much faster," Malek said, as he continued his examination. The very important blood pressure was holding steady and he found no new abdominal irritation. But his heart-rate had increased slightly, despite resting, and his fingers were cool to the touch.
"You're doing better," he told Markus, as he replaced the jacket and the blankets. Malek felt a little guilty for the lie, but not enough to tell the truth. He suspected Markus was having a hard enough time holding on to hope, without being confronted by the harsh fact that unless his situation changed very soon, even Malek's healing device would be too late to save his life.
*He knows it's a lie,* Chuan said. *But he needed to hear it anyway.*
Malek saw that Chuan was right. Markus did look more relaxed, as though his body had gotten the encouragement, even if his intellect dismissed it. Malek stood and told Markus, "Just continue to rest. The president has ordered that you're to stay in here, so you should not be disturbed again."
Markus nodded and thanked him.
Daniel looked past to Kawalsky. "Besides gloating, did you have a reason to be here?"
Kawalsky shrugged. "I told Waverly I wanted to see the guy who got me shot at by my own men."
"Yes, it's amazing how many people believe in Markus' ideas, even in the most unlikely places," Daniel said.
Markus asked abruptly, "The doctor gives us the news he hears, but he hasn't heard anything from Thunder Mountain. You must have heard something."
Kawalsky paused and his fists tightened as he tried to think of what to say and fill Markus' very obvious need for news from home, without giving himself away in the process. Then, in a sarcastic tone, he asked, "Excuse me, do I look like the Thunder Mountain messenger service?" He snorted. "Right, I'm sure they all said to tell you to hang in there, they're waiting for you to come home, and shit like that. Though I did hear a rumor that some blonde girl wants to kick your ass for getting yourself caught," he couldn't help a grin at Markus.
Markus turned his head toward Daniel. "Told you she'd be angry."
Kawalsky's smile faded. "Though I guess she'd have to get in line, wouldn't she?"
Before the major could totally give away his sympathies, Malek made a decisive move for the front of the cell and had the guards open it. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised Markus and Daniel. "Both of you should try to sleep. The president has also ordered dinner be brought to you, so eat what you can. Come, Major Kawalsky," he took Kawalsky's shoulder in his grip and turned him toward the exit. "It is unseemly to gloat over one's fallen enemies for too long."
Out in the main cross corridor, while the guards were momentarily distracted by exchanging a word with the brig soldiers, Malek muttered for Kawalsky to hear, "Go to Devon's. Now." Then he said, "I will see you later, Major." And he walked away.
He knew that Kawalsky was still standing there, watching after him. He hoped the message had gotten through and they would all meet up at Devon's room.
--- ---
Jack gave the Asian-featured man a long look. So this was Gordon Fukizaki. The man who had worked himself into Waverly's inner circle, while also preventing any other Valhalla Sector scientist from stumbling onto the secret of the Big Death virus by secretly sabotaging his own work. And nobody had figured it out. The guy had to be incredibly clever with balls of steel to have kept it up over the span of fifteen years.
He wasn't all that much to look at. Unexpectedly tall, slender build, black hair barely sprinkled with gray, and a face as still as a marble statue. It gave nothing away that Fukizaki didn't want there.
He'd entered Devon's room after a single knock. "Good evening," he greeted. "Good, O'Neill, you're here." He gave a polite nod to O'Neill that stilled when his dark eyes settled on O'Neill. "You look different."
Figured that this man would be the first to notice. O'Neill tried a casual shrug. "It's been an… interesting past week." This was not the time to go into alternate universe doppelgangers. Though O'Neill had the feeling the revelation would just drop into that stoic face and turn into something mildly interesting.
But Fukizaki accepted the excuse, leaning against the corner of the desk and folding his arms. "Major Kawalsky and I were just in to see Markus and Daniel."
Jack raised his eyebrows. "Kawalsky was in the brig? How'd he work that?"
"I gathered that Waverly gave him permission in order to confront the man who got him shot at," Fukizaki said dryly. "It was a difficult conversation with Simmons' subordinates listening. And he did not know my allegiances so he was careful with me as well. But he should be joining us as soon as he loses his guards "
"So, you saw them?" Jack prompted, when he didn't elaborate on what Jack wanted to know most. "I hear Daniel's fine. How's Markus?"
Fukizaki's gaze dropped and he almost sighed. "Dying," he admitted. The word seemed to fall like a stone in the silent room. It lay there untouched for a long moment, until Fukizaki continued, "By Friday morning, most likely. Before that, if he slips into shock or Simmons manages to get hold of him again. There is little more I can do for him here."
"I have a helicopter on stand-by," Jack offered. "We can take him back to Thunder Mountain. They have a pretty well-equipped infirmary, but I don't know about their doctors."
Fukizaki gave a half shrug. "I can assist. I intended to accompany him in any case. Your helicopter will help, but the sooner we can use it the better. Have you three had any new plans?"
But nobody had any. Even when Charlie joined them and got inducted into the Fukizaki-as-good-guy group, he didn't come up with anything brilliant either. When Jack found himself suggesting the insane plan of drugging Markus into seeming death and then reviving him outside, he knew they were scraping the bottom of the idea barrel.
Devon chuckled, "Jack, y'know, it didn't work out too well in 'Romeo and Juliet'."
"The faking his death part worked fine," Jack reminded him. "It was afterward they were stupid." But he knew Devon was right, it would never work. He let out a loud frustrated groan. "Come on, people! There has to be a way."
Fukizaki said, "Just because you wish there to be a way, does not make it so, O'Neill."
O'Neill gave him a sharp look then shook his head at his own fancies. The guy had sounded like Teal'c for a moment.
Fukizaki added, "We appear to have only one choice - we wait and hope a better opportunity presents itself."
"I don't like it," Kawalsky said. "I know you said Emerson's controlling Simmons, but we all know that won't last. And if Simmons thinks he's getting blocked from what he wants, he's going to get Waverly to order the sentence."
They were all quiet again, and Jack felt physically ill. Execution by burning alive. His own people - his own military -- were willing to do that. He had barely been able to believe it when the others had told him. Just when he thought he'd found the worst of this place, he kept finding more.
"We can't let them do that," Kawalsky finished.
"We will not," Fukizaki declared very quietly. "I will not allow him to suffer in such a way." His meaning was plain, that he would use whatever means he had at his disposal to make sure Markus' end was quick and painless.
But Jack knew it wouldn't matter how if Markus died. "He can't die," he said, more as an order. "He can't." He stood and turned away from their curious faces. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he said, "Don't ask me how I know this, but let's just say I've got it on very good authority that this whole party's for nothing, if Markus dies. I hate to be melodramatic and cryptic, but I know the end of that path, and you don't want to go there. So letting him die, letting the bastards here kill him, or mercy killing, are all equally out of the question. He gets out of here, alive. Period."
He turned back. They were all looking at him with various degrees of puzzled interest and amazement. Only Fukizaki was looking at him as though he understood something.
Jack had no idea what, but he didn't care. It was time they all took this seriously.
"Okay, we're going over it again. The secret way out in located in the gym, which has been converted to a temporary barracks. Let's say we get the soldiers out of the way, how are we going to get Markus from the brig, to the exit, and out in his present condition?" Then he waited as his new team came up with suggestions.
--- ---
"Ready to head back?" Erin asked.
Sam had seen all she needed to see and it seemed that the others had too. So they all returned to the car for the return trip to Cheyenne. The women settled in the back, and Sam said to Erin, "I was thinking -- I blocked the spy from being able to contact the outside, but what if I could listen in on them?"
Erin sounded enthusiastic, "You can do that?"
Sam regretted being so certain. "Maybe. It depends on what they leave in the open. But what do we have to lose? I can open and isolate the big board for access, keep out anyone else. Will you let me try?"
Erin nodded, still eager. "Go ahead. I'd love to catch them at a disadvantage for once. But, after dinner, we've got some plans to make first."
Back inside, Sam first got hold of Teal'c to find out how he was doing and to check on the colonel's progress. They spoke in Goa'uld to sheid their words from Valhalla eavesdropping, and Sam was glad that Jolinar had left her that much.
"Major Carter, it is good to hear your voice."
"Have you heard anything from the colonel?"
"He called this morning and said they had reached the target and were going in. He no longer has his radio, thinking that carrying it would be too dangerous."
"Yeah, he's probably right. I just wish I knew how things were progressing on his end."
"We must wait. Have you made plans to release the prisoners?"
"Yes. "We attack early in the morning, tomorrow."
"Understood," he replied.
She asked, "How are you doing with your company?"
"He is restless. He wants very much to rescue them himself and is impatient."
"They're okay, Teal'c. We have to believe that they're holding on."
"I do. What of the traitor? Have you identified him?"
"No, no sign of him yet."
"I wish you luck, Major Carter."
"Thanks. We're really gonna need it."
--- ---
Jack was fired up as the time grew close to present his battle plans. Sam had contrived a radio conference near the communications room. This way Jeremiah would be able to hear and contribute as needed.
The large table would hold each of the group leaders, who would later meet with their platoon and give out their assignments. It wasn't going to be easy; the recruits were young and untried. But they had a lot of heart and drive.
Sam met up with him as he walked to the conference room. Inside, Erin was talking to Nathan. Kate was sitting down with Tess and Andrew. Carl and Roberto came in right behind him and Sam.
Sam sat down at the terminal, while Jack sat at the table. Sam looked at her watch and then nodded to Erin. Erin took a seat as Sam punched something into her computer. Then the radio came to life.
"Erin? You there?" It was Jeremiah's voice.
Sam spoke first, "Ready to encrypt. In three... two... one." She touched her keyboard again. Then asked, "You still hear us?"
"Loud and clear," Jeremiah answered.
"Good. We're all here, and we're ready to plan our strategy," Erin spoke.
"About time. I'm sick of sitting around looking at the bastards holding our friends."
"Good," Jack interjected. "We're about ready to roll. This is the plan. Tomorrow, early morning, three trucks holding twenty soldiers each will pull out of the Mountain--say around four. These will hold the ground troops. Where do you want to meet up with them?"
Jeremiah answered promptly, "Five miles west of Millhaven at the intersection of Baird Rd and Rt. 126."
Jack found the spot on the map and nodded. "Okay. From there we'll hike in, separating into five columns. Three will come in at the front of the school and one from the rear. At your signal, we'll have at least three if not four choppers on standby, ready to swoop in and cover your entrance."
"Who's leading these ground troops of yours?" Jeremiah asked.
"Me, of course," Jack replied, not expecting opposition.
"I don't think so," Erin interrupted.
"What do ya mean?!" Jack barked back, shocked, and feeling let down.
"I can't let you lead the assault team," Erin repeated. "It's not that I don't trust you, but--"
"It sure sounds that way," he quickly retaliated, hurt.
"Maybe, but I can't let you go. Think about it. Who are we fighting against?" she asked, then didn't give him a chance to answer. "The military from Valhalla. They're men and women who may have been friends of yours. Can you in good conscience kill them, or will you hesitate and endanger one of us? I understand your loyalty may have switched from them to us, but we're not talking about that, but the people you'll be up against. I'm sorry, Jack. I can't put you or us in that situation."
Jack hadn't thought of that way. Most of the brass in Valhalla were all pricks, but it was true that the rest were generally good guys, just following orders as they'd been taught.
Then Sam spoke up. "While I agree with Erin's point, there's another more important reason. We're sure Valhalla's in communication with Millhaven. The colonel and Major Kawalsky are inside trying to free Markus and Daniel, and we can't jeopardize their positions by letting Millhaven see another Jack O'Neill. Their safety depends on your staying out of sight."
Jack stiffened as he stared at her. He'd forgotten all about the other Jack at Valhalla and that meant he was grounded here in the Mountain. Feeling defeated by her logic he slumped in his chair, asking, "Okay, so who'll lead the ground team?"
"Jeremiah," Erin answered instantly. "Kate, you'll be the second in command and have control up to the time you all reach Millhaven, but then Jeremiah," she switched who she was talking to, "you assume control."
"Me?" Jeremiah croaked. "I don't know how-- "
"You can do it, Jeremiah," Jack encouraged. "You know the ground. You know where the prisoners are. Each team has their job to overpower the guards and let the prisoners out. Radio back to the trucks and have them move in to pick up the prisoners coming out and then get the hell out of dodge."
"And the helicopters will be firing down on everyone?" Jeremiah asked.
"Not exactly," Sam answered. "Our job will be to keep reinforcements away from the school and taking out their guns. You'll have your hands full getting in and organizing a mob of scared civilians. And you need to be fast. Most of this hinges on speed."
"I get it," Jeremiah answered. "Are you guys any closer to finding the spy?"
"Nothing yet," Jack admitted. He looked at the faces around the table and hoped it wasn't one of them, or this was going to go pear-shaped the minute they left the room. But the one face he suspected wasn't there, and that gave him some hope. He hadn't had time to follow up on his hunch yet, though it looked like he was going to get plenty of free time tomorrow, after all.
"So, are we all set?" Erin asked.
Everyone said yes and Jeremiah disconnected.
Jack looked over at Erin, expecting to see a triumphant look, or at least pleased with their progress, but she still looked troubled. "What is it?" he asked.
"What are we going to do with all those people? We don't have room for all of them here in the Mountain. And I don't think they should come here anyway."
"No problem," Jack answered. "Bring the one's needing medical attention up to the mountain. I'm sure some will want to be dropped off in Denver. But the rest, why don't you take them to Carson? We'll have drivers and vehicles ready to drive them back wherever they come from, so as to not let everyone know where Markus' headquarters are located." Jack felt pleased with his suggestion.
Erin agreed. Everyone got their assignments: Nathan, Sam and Berto to deal with the helicopters, and Kate, Raymond, and Carl to manage the trucks and choose assault teams.
But Jack had another chore in mind for himself. The spy. He had a trap to set.
He left the conference room and headed to the cafeteria. He walked into the big room, dodging the plants and people anxious to ask him questions about the upcoming rescue party. Terence wasn't there. While this was puzzling, it didn't worry him. It wasn't time, yet. He had to come up with a plan to make Terence trip himself up. A mere confrontation wouldn't work. It'd have to be both dramatic and be able to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt his guilt. Grabbing a cup of coffee -- God, he'd missed this stuff -- he sat down to think.
--- ---
Theo picked up her head to look around. Her neck was cramped. Her arms went to sleep hours ago and then her legs. Prickles made her writhe in pain whenever she moved. But she knew enough to keep moving, flexing, and stretching her muscles. This day had to end soon, yet the sun was right in the middle of the sky, mocking her. Yet, she blessed the sun for it had dried her clothes and she wasn't shivering anymore.
The town's people still came to stare at her and some gave her sympathetic looks. One girl came up to look at her curiously and popped a carrot into her mouth, allowing Theo to take a bite. Instantly a soldier appeared chastising the girl's foolishness in breaking the rules and she slunk off. While Theo couldn't see the guards, they were never-the-less watching her closely.
While wanting very much to spit the half-chewed carrot into the soldier's face, she was in no position to do so. Besides, the vegetable tasted pretty good, so she kept it in her mouth.
Time crept by until even the prickles were gone from her legs. Her body had slumped, held upright only by the stocks themselves. Then her misery was rewarded. A blond man with more white teeth than he needed and eyes like the sky meandered up to her. He bent close so she could see him. "We come in the early morning, Theo," he told her in a conversational tone, as though he'd just said hello, not delivered a message.
"How do you know my name?" she asked, not ready to accept the word of a stranger. A strangely old stranger at that. Up close, he wasn't as young as he seemed. If he'd been a kid at the Big Death she would eat her socks.
"Jeremiah told me," he answered calmly. As thin as he was, his voice was surprisingly deep.
A soldier instantly appeared as before. "Why are you talking to her?"
"I asked why she was being held thus. She replied, it was none of my 'fucking business. Go away.' I admit I'm puzzled."
She smirked. He was smooth, this guy. Nothing but puzzlement in his voice now, and though she couldn't see his face she'd bet those blue eyes were utterly guileless.
"Don't worry about it. She deserves everything she gets. See this?" the guard pointed to a large white bandage on his arm. "The little vixen bit me."
Theo's smile widened to a bared-tooth grin. "Come here and I'll give you a matching one on the other arm."
The pale man strolled off, but Theo refused to watch him go. Jeremiah was in the woods and help was just around the corner. By tomorrow, they'd be free. Maybe she should act more contrite? Having the news was great, but sharing it was better. There was lots of work they had to do. Probably the wisecrack about a matching bite hadn't been her best idea.
Everyone went away again. As she stood there, trapped in the pillory, she began to worry that the rescue would come and she'd still be trapped and killed during the mayhem. Would Jeremiah make the effort to save her? "Hey, you boys?" she screamed. "I've learned my lesson. I'll be real quiet now. Let me out of here!!"
Finally they did come. When they released the top bar, her body sagged to the ground. She couldn't stand on her own. This was bad. It would hinder her movement tonight.
"If you expect me to carry you--don't," the soldier told her spitefully. "There's no way I'm gonna touch you while you're alive. I do have permission to shoot you, though, so don't tempt me."
Theo found herself on her hands and knees, struggling for strength to stand up and walk back into the prison. Life sucked. She wobbled into the gym and had to concentrate hard to make it through the door. As they shut it, she slumped into someone's arms. As the person slowly lowered her to the floor she recognized Jo's face. Then Elizabeth was bending over her looking worried. Darkness tried to overcome her, but she fought; needing to speak. "Tell Tweedle Dum," she forced out, "Tweedle Dee is close." Her eyes closed and she fought harder to stay conscious. "Dawn," she whispered, although she wasn't sure if she actually spoke it or just thought it before she knew no more.
--- ---
"What or who are Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?" Jolinar asked, puzzled. She'd never heard either word before.
"Tweedle Dum is Theo's nick-name for Kurdy," Elizabeth explained. "Tweedle Dee is Jeremiah's. Kurdy and Jeremiah are a team, and that's how Theo met them. Kurdy's been positive that Jeremiah would keep looking for as long as it took. I guess you can say Jeremiah is pretty tenacious when he wants to be. He butted heads with Markus quite a few times," she said with a reminiscent smile.
As she and Elizabeth carried Theo over to their place on the floor, she looked around and said to Rosha, *We'll be rescued very soon. These people are not ready.*
*Yet, how are we to make them ready without calling attention to ourselves?"
*By making them realize how important it is to keep calm.*
Kurdy stuffed his jacket into a ball to make a pillow for Theo. "What was she saying to you?" Kurdy asked.
Elizabeth looked up with excited eyes. "Theo says to tell Tweedle Dum that Tweedle Dee is close."
A slow smile spread over his face. "About damn time." He lowered his voice. "Did she give a time frame?"
"Around dawn," Jolinar answered for her. "It was the last thing she said as she lost consciousness."
"We'll be ready. Jo, start spreading the word," he told her.
The big doors opened and the soldiers brought in the trolleys of food. It was still a stew-type mixture, but Jolinar wondered how long it would last. Good thing they were leaving soon. She glanced down at Theo wondering if she'd actually seen and talked to this Jeremiah and whether Martouf was with him. She couldn't imagine him not participating in the rescue. In either case, once out of the gym, she was sure that he would find her.
Waiting until the food had been cleared, she quickly told the select leaders of the help outside. Then she kept watch to see if anyone found it necessary to talk privately to one of the guards.
Dawn was less than twelve hours away.
INDEX or onto Chapter 26. (Sep 12)