SG-1 - Captivity (part five)
Header in part one.
Title: Captivity
Author: serafine
Rated: Teen
Summary: Carter falls behind on a mission.
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate or any of these canon characters. No copyright infringement intended. No foul, no profit, no sue.
Previous bits:
Part one
Part two
Part three
Part four
* * * * * * *
Day Nine
Cheyenne Mountain
By 0800, Jack, Daniel, Teal’c, Colonel Reynolds, and Major Harper were gathered in the conference room. Jack figured he had managed maybe an hour of shallow sleep after Bra’tac’s visit. He was feeling the weight of the recent days wearing away at him.
“We received a visit from Master Bra’tac overnight with some news. He has a mole within Morrigan’s ranks. We have confirmation that Carter is alive and currently being held on her mothership. Morrigan is moving around quite a bit, but we will be contacted as soon as Bra’tac knows her next destination.” Jack pushed away from the table and began to pace.
“I want to have the plan in place so we... so you can get moving within an hour, hopefully less. Reynolds, Harper - your teams will be going, as will Teal’c. The numbers need to be small so you can move as fast as possible.” Daniel’s name was conspicuously absent. Jack turned on his heel and let his eyes drift over to Daniel. His jaw was clenched slightly, but other than that, he appeared to take the news well. It was not exactly unexpected.
“Once we get the name, we will also need the address, which is where you come in, Daniel. A flyer is currently being prepped. It will go out as soon as we have a destination. Scout the area. Gentlemen, I expect your teams to be ready to roll out no less than one hour behind it.” And not a moment more or they’ll be hell to pay.
“Have your teams prep their gear. They need to be ready to go at any time. Hopefully we’ll have a target before the day is out.”
* * * * * * *
Day Nine
Late evening
Morrigan’s ship
Sam opened her eyes as the sarcophagus lid opened, pouring light down onto her face. The burn marks were sore, and her joints still hurt - she had been in the sarcophagus long enough to be brought back, but not quite fully healed. Hazy memories washed over her. Blood, pain, screaming. Talking. Jack’s face, dark eyes angry. What all had she told Morrigan? And why the hell couldn’t she remember? Something different had happened this time, something she could never take back. Sam could practically taste the words on her tongue.
She lay there trying to make some sense of things, until two arms reached down for her. They pulled her out and set her on her feet and Sam just stood there, waiting for direction. Self-loathing boiled within her, ferocious anger seeking an outlet. As soon as one of them touched her with the point of a staff weapon, she turned, swinging viciously.
This time, they were ready for her. Sam only managed to hit two Jaffa before she was kicked in the back of the legs, knocking her to her knees. A fist came down hard across her face, followed by a blow to one of her kidneys. They struck at her from all sides.
Sam thought briefly about Morrigan’s earlier threats. But she couldn’t go back to that room. She couldn’t. If she did, she was afraid she’d tell Morrigan anything, everything about everyone. Every secret she’d ever learned, every name she knew. She swung out with a palm heel strike, colliding with a knee. She didn’t care what they did to her anymore - it didn’t matter.
She grunted as someone hit her in the ribs with the butt of the staff weapon. One of the Jaffa grabbed her roughly by the throat, choking her. She twisted and swung, finally freeing herself. Almost immediately, two more blows landed in quick suggestion across her face before something connected solidly with the side of her skull and the world went black.
* * * *
When Sam awoke in her original cell sometime later, the cold of the stone floor had seeped into the marrow of her bones. She hurt everywhere. She could hear her terrified voice spilling secrets to the Goa’uld. She couldn’t believe she had succumbed to Morrigan’s tactics. She didn’t deserve to get out of here.
The front of her shirt was stuck to her skin, damp and heavy. Touching her abdomen carefully, Sam realized the stab wound was mostly closed, though it was still extremely tender. She tried to sit up and gasped in pain.
Falling back down, Sam felt sobs starting, pain and exhaustion tearing at the last shreds of her resolve. This was worse than being alone. Captured, in some unknown corner of the galaxy, and now General O’Neill was here suffering as well. What he must think of her now.
Sam rolled onto her hands and knees and slowly got to her feet. Her left ankle throbbed painfully. “Sir?” She waited, hoping for an answer. “Jack?” Only silence. The shadows in the corners of the room seemed darker and it was freezing. For once, the rough bed actually looked inviting. Her knees and shoulders still ached from her time on the rack. Her toes were slightly numb from the cold. Sam found her discarded boots and jacket and carefully slid them into place. She managed to reach the cot and lay down, pulling the scratchy blanket across her battered body.
Why was she in here and not back on a table? Where was Jack? Still in a sarcophagus? Chained to another wall? Being traded to Ba’al for a favor? Sam’s breath hitched in her throat. No more, God. Please, either get us out of here, or just let it end.
* * * * * * *
**Day Ten**
Very early morning
Cheyenne Mountain
The final chevron clicked into place and the kawhoosh echoed through the gateroom. Jack looked at the men gathered in front of him and said, “First check in is in three hours. Good luck.” Jack watched with deep envy as the nine men filed quickly through the ‘gate. He wanted to go - to find Carter and rain hell down on Morrigan. In years past he’d have led that mission himself. But now he could only stand here and hope that they would get the job done.
Jack tried futilely to distract himself while waiting. His inbox was empty. Every e-mail was answered. His quarters were spotlessly clean. Hell, even his shoes were shined. After the third time of asking Walter if there was anything that needed his attention, he gave up and walked out.
Despite his bone-deep weariness, Jack didn’t want to go to sleep. His subconscious had plenty of history for nightmare fodder and frankly, he just wasn’t ready for another round. Instead, he wandered almost aimlessly through the mountain, frightening images twisting and replaying themselves inside his head.
Eventually, Jack found himself staring at the door of Carter’s lab. Opening the door, he walked into the shadowed room he knew so well. Jack finally settled himself in a corner. He looked around the room and could picture her so clearly, typing away on her computer, fiddling with her wires and boxes. Her bright blue eyes lighting up whenever she discovered something Jack would never understand if he lived to be a thousand. He missed her terribly.
Exhaustion soon claimed him, dragging his eyelids down against his will. Sometime later Jack awoke, his back and neck stiff. He blinked, clearing sleep from his eyes. Checking his watch, Jack gave a small snort of surprise - almost five solid hours of sleep and no nightmares. The longest bit of rest he’d managed since this all began.
Slowly he got to his feet and ran his hands along the back of her chair. No matter how much Jack wanted to, he couldn’t hide in here forever. Carter might never come back. There might very well be something entirely different wearing her face now. The thought made a shiver drop down his spine. Surely God could not be so cruel.
* * * * * * *
Day Ten
Morrigan’s ship
Sam awoke at the sound of her cell door opening. She was not sure how long she had been asleep, she still felt extremely groggy. A pale, blond Jaffa entered the room.
“Come, Tau’ri. Lady Morrigan wishes to see you immediately.”
Her joints ached in anticipation of another session with the Goa’uld. Sam opened her eyes, but did not move off the cot. “It can’t have been that long since the last time.” Sam asked, “Doesn’t she sleep?” This Jaffa looked familiar. He had been in the room during the last session. She narrowed her eyes and racked her brain. He had also been there when she had been whipped.
The Jaffa stepped forward, almost within arm’s reach of her. “You dare defy the will of my mistress?” This was followed immediately with a whispered “Colonel Carter. Please, there is not much time. I must get you out of here.”
Sam could only blink at him. This felt so surreal. “What? But…” Her brain struggled to catch up. “I won’t leave without General O’Neill.” She sat up with effort, her abdominal muscles cramping.
The Jaffa responded softly, “He was never here. It was what she wanted you to see. We must go.” Then he said in a much harsher tone, “Get up now, insolent Tau’ri!” He gestured towards her almost desperately.
Was he telling her the truth? One way to find out… The Jaffa stepped back towards the doorway and leveled his staff weapon at her, then looked nervously down the hall.
Straightening her battered jacket, she walked out of the cell, the Jaffa still behind her with his staff weapon aimed at her back. They went down the hall, towards the interrogation chamber. A voice behind her whispered, “Keep walking. Look afraid.”
Well, that was easy enough. She was terrified. Sam watched the interrogation room getting closer and closer and she could feel the fear rising in the back of her throat. Was this just another trick? As they passed the door, Sam thought she was going to cry with relief.
They turned a corner and were now in a part of the ship she had not yet seen. Sam slowed, and the end of the staff weapon poked her in the back. “Keep moving.”
Footsteps approached from another corridor and a dark haired Jaffa with a silver emblem on his forehead was suddenly in front of her. “Jaffa! Where are you taking the prisoner?”
Sam froze in place, uncertain of what she could do to help, or even if she should interfere at all. The Jaffa at her back answered, “Our Mistress wanted her placed back in the detention chamber.”
The Jaffa in front of her snorted and said, “Why would she have you do this? And by yourself? I was with our Queen a few minutes ago and she said nothing to me.”
“Nalryn told me her wishes.” Sam felt a hand close on the back of her neck and shake. “And the Tau’ri female has given me no trouble.”
The Jaffa in front of her looked suspicious. “Indeed? I will speak with him on this matter. Until then, place the prisoner back in her cell. She is not to be trusted.”
The hand on her neck fell away as her escort stepped aside and bowed slightly to his commander. “Very well.”
Sam jumped as a zat blast came from behind the dark haired Jaffa, dropping him to the floor. A female Jaffa with pitch black hair and elaborate leather armor was a little farther down the hallway. “Come! The rings will not be accessible for long.”
“Dirna!” The blond Jaffa stepped forward and grabbed Sam’s arm. “We must hurry. This way.” Adrenaline surged through her veins.
Sam ran as best she could, though it was difficult to keep pace with the Jaffa. Her left ankle throbbed with every step. Luckily, the ring room was not far away. Dirna began working the controls. “You are sure they will be waiting?”
The blond Jaffa nodded. “They should be guarding the rings below as well as the chappa’i.” Dirna stepped into the circle beside Sam as the rings began to hum.
They appeared in a dark room. As her vision cleared, Sam could see the sky through the gaps in the roof, slightly darkened in either twilight or pre-dawn. A cool and gentle breeze soothed her ravaged skin. Is this real? Am I dreaming? Do I really get to go home?
“Colonel Carter!” Sam turned as Teal’c stepped out of the shadows of a fallen column, staff leveled at the unknown Jaffa. Unbridled relief washed over Sam. Oh, thank God.
Taking in her appearance, he asked, “Are you alright?”
“I think I’ll live.” Sam watched as he studied her quickly - she knew he was trying to sense if she had been implanted. She could see Major Peterson of SG-3 over his shoulder, gun trained on the two Jaffa beside her.
Sam turned and said, “I don’t mean to seem ungrateful, but who are you two?”
The blond replied, “My name is Ke’styr, and this is Dirna. We wish to live free.”
Teal’c’s eyes narrowed. “You are not the Jaffa spoken of by Master Bra’tac.”
“No, I am not. Logash chose to stay behind.” He looked at Teal’c and Sam saw the moment recognition dawned. Ke’styr bowed his head and said “Tek ma’tek, Master Teal’c. We seek kelmah.” The young Jaffa looked desperate. Sam turned and watched her friend’s stony expression soften just slightly.
“Teal’c, is General O’Neill still at the SGC?” Sam had to know for sure.
“Yes.” She released a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
“Then I think we can trust them.” Her muscles were already protesting - this was the farthest she’d moved in days.
“We should move quickly to the chappa’i, but I am not sure she can keep up,” Ke’styr said.
“I am certainly willing to try.” Taking in more of her surroundings, Sam could hear Reynolds’ voice off to her left.
Captain Bosco stepped into her field of vision and said, “This way, Colonel.” His eyes widened at seeing Sam and she briefly wondered exactly how bad she looked. The group turned and began to run towards the ‘gate.
They were about three hundred yards out from the temple when Sam heard the sound of the rings going back up towards the orbiting Ha’tak. “So - how far to the ‘gate, guys?”
“Too far,” came Reynolds’ reply.
Dirna spoke up, “They will be launching gliders, and other Jaffa will be coming down shortly.”
Reynolds called over the radio, “Harper, get ready to dial the ‘gate. Enemy fighters likely en route. Be aware there are TWO, repeat two friendly Jaffa coming back with us. We’re maybe three minutes away.”
The rings touched down behind them and staff fire started echoing through the darkening valley.
* * * *
Sam tried to concentrate on staying on her feet. The world swayed in her vision and pain flared with every step, but she was determined not to slow them down. Teal’c stayed close by her the entire way, never more than a step out of reach. Reynolds and the rest of SG-3 covered their retreat. She could hear the shouts of the Jaffa pursuing them. The staff fire was getting more accurate with each passing moment.
Overhead, the stars were coming out. Her mind began to wander as her body ran on its’ own. She wished desperately that this were a typical trip off-world. Setting up camp, finding firewood, bickering over dinner with her teammates.
Something small rolled beneath her boot and her attention jerked abruptly back to the present. The mixture of broken stone and grass made it difficult to find footing in the growing dark.
* * * * * * *
Day Ten
Cheyenne Mountain
Late evening
The alarm klaxons sounded throughout the complex, followed with the announcement of “Unauthorized off-world activation.” Desperate hope rose unbidden in Jack’s chest.
Jack hurried into the control room, with Daniel hot on his heels. Walter turned to him with a smile on his face. “It’s SG-3’s code, sir! Audio coming in now.”
Reynolds voice echoed through the room. “This is Reynolds. We are under attack, and do have wounded personnel. Acknowledge.” Please, God, let them have Carter in tow.
O’Neill started nodding. “Let ‘em through.” Grabbing the microphone, he called down to the men below. “It’s SG-3 and company, coming in under fire.” He hit another button and called over the mic, “Med team to the Gateroom immediately.” Jack spun and charged past Daniel and down the stairs. The SFs leveled weapons at the ‘gate as the iris spun open.
By the time Jack entered the ‘gateroom, two Marines had already came through, one limping heavily on a wounded leg. Jack waited anxiously, out of the line of fire.
After a few moments, Carter and Teal’c appeared, moving quickly. Jack could not look away - Carter looked like absolute hell. Dark blue bruises stood out starkly against the pale skin of her face and throat, her lips were swollen and split, and she was limping on her left foot.
Carter’s normally golden blond hair was greasy and dark. Her shoulders were hunched forward and her eyes had a distant, slightly vacant look to them, like she was running on auto-pilot. Her cheeks seemed hollow and face was too thin. What he could see of her t-shirt and pants was peppered with a variety of holes - some outlined with dried blood, others with blackened edges. There was a large blood stain from her waist down to her knees. Dear God, what had she been through?
One by one, the rest of the Marines came through shortly thereafter. A young Jaffa Jack did not know appeared at the top of the ramp followed closely by Reynolds and a female Jaffa dressed in black leathers. Reynolds gestured up towards the control room and the iris spun shut behind them, followed by closing of the wormhole itself. Jack’s mind distantly registered that the SF’s still had their weapons leveled at Carter and the unknown Jaffa. He was moving slowly towards Carter when Daniel shot past him, moving faster than he had in days.
* * * *
Sam slowed as she moved down the ramp, still focused solely on putting one foot in front of the other. The tail end of the adrenaline surge was making her shake just a bit. The rush to the ‘gate had almost been too much. Teal’c turned to help the injured Marine coming through behind them. She walked to the bottom of the ramp where she promptly folded. She landed on her knees, her fingers outspread on the cool concrete. Sam closed her eyes and privately reveled in the sensation of the grimy stone beneath her hands. Teal’c appeared behind her almost instantly, lifting her towards the medical staff.
“No, no. Wait,” Sam protested briefly, wanting just a moment with her teammates. She took a step forward and Daniel appeared in front of her, his arms wrapping around for a huge hug. His embrace made her ribs ache.
Over Daniel’s shoulder, Sam looked at Jack. His eyes were dark and wide, filled with things he could not say - especially in a room teeming with people. She could feel the tears beginning to escape. Jack was here. This was real. She was home. Daniel was whispering into her neck, “Oh, God, Sam I thought we’d really lost you this time.” He was holding on for dear life.
Jack closed the distance and placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “C’mon, she’s got a doctor’s appointment to keep.” Sam felt his eyes focus on her pale face. The two friends broke apart, and Jack reached out to grasp her arm as she wobbled slightly.
“Thanks, Sir.” Sam looked down at her wrist wrapped securely in his warm fingers. Her gaze slid up to meet his. Jack looked rough - she could tell he had not been sleeping. He slid his hand down and locked his hand with hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. Sam resisted the urge to lean into him, to bask in his warmth. The moment stretched slowly and was gone.
Jack handed her off into the waiting arms of the medics, Dr. Brightman already reaching for the pulse point in her wrist.
* * * *
Jack caught Daniel’s eye and said softly, “Take four airmen, stick close until Brightman gives you the all clear.” Carter had looked at him so strangely, almost as though she were surprised to see him. Jack watched the small parade leave the room heading for the infirmary. He felt a strong pull to follow, reluctant to lose sight of her again so quickly. Instead, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned to the two newcomers. “And you would be…”
The young man stood at loose attention. “My name is Ke’styr. This is Dirna. We wish to live free. Logash felt he should remain in Morrigan’s service. He said he had not yet had a chance to speak with Master Bra’tac on this matter.”
“Okay. Anything you care to add, Teal’c?”
“Why did you choose to help Colonel Carter?”
Ke’styr replied, “Morrigan is not a god. Colonel Carter suffered greatly under her hands and bore it with dignity and honor. She did not deserve to die at the hands of a false god.”
Dirna spoke up. “We have heard of the division within the ranks of the Jaffa. We do not believe the Goa’uld are gods. Please allow us to stay.”
Jack studied them. “We will discuss it. In the meantime, we have to ask for your weapons.”
The two Jaffa glanced at Teal’c who gave an almost imperceptible nod. “This is General O’Neill. He is in charge of this facility.”
Ke’styr and Dirna both dutifully held out the staff weapons they were carrying.
“Teal’c - show them to some guest quarters, make sure they have an escort for now. Get them settled in and then come to my office. We’ll talk to them in a bit.”
* * * * * * *
Sam stretched under the hot spray and watched some of the accumulated blood and filth swirl away down the drain. She could feel the dirt embedded in every pore. Even though the antiseptic soap in her cuts stung like mad, and she knew her ankle was not going to hold her up for long, it still felt like heaven. The illusion of privacy was created by a thin curtain. She could hear the nurse not three feet away, waiting for her to come out. Sam had to promise Dr. Brightman she would not be long.
The question and answer portion of her physical had been mercifully short. She knew there would be more tomorrow. Sam had finally gotten a good look at herself in the mirror of the bathroom mirror. She really did look awful. No wonder people had been treating her with kid gloves - the pallor of her skin made the cuts and bruises stand out even more.
She turned off the water and paused. There was a moment of unreasonable terror as she could hear the breathing on the other side of the curtain. What if this had all been a dream and she was really still a prisoner? The shadow flickered and the outline became Morrigan’s feathered cloak. Sam stepped back and almost fell as her ankle twisted beneath her.
The nurse’s voice broke through her fear. “Colonel Carter? Are you alright?” Sam clutched at the bar and tried to get her nerves under control. Shaking her head, she pushed the curtain aside. The nurse stood there, concern etched across her features. “Colonel?” Sam nodded, and reached out for the towel.
* * * * * * *
When Jack stepped out of the interrogation room, Daniel was there waiting for him. “How’s Carter?”
Daniel gave a small smile. “Dr. Brightman found no trace of a symbiote, alien parasite, or any sort of implant. She also said she’d have a moment to speak to you on Sam’s condition whenever you’re ready.”
Jack let out a long sigh and scrubbed his hand over his hair. “Thank you. I’ll get down there as soon as I can. She’s home - go get some rest. Actually sleep. Okay?”
Daniel gave a non-committal grunt. “You, too. How are things going with the two Jaffa?”
“They seem to check out. Dirna’s told us some interesting things about Morrigan.” Jack lowered his voice. “Including her suspicions that Morrigan would have been forced to hand Carter over to someone else before too much longer. My gut tells me that someone would have to be Ba’al.”
Daniel paled. “Which would mean Ba’al’s probably got a good hold over Morrigan. And how in the hell would we have gotten Sam away from him?”
Jack leaned against the wall, having already run that particular nightmarish scenario in his head. “I don’t know, Daniel. I’m not sure we could have done anything at all.” He blew out a big breath, trying to chase images back into the depths of his subconscious.
* * * * * * *
Jack walked into Dr. Brightman’s office and closed the door behind him. “How is she?”
Dr. Brightman looked down at the chart. “Rough. Colonel Carter is extremely dehydrated and malnourished. Besides the obvious multiple contusions, she has some bruised organs and swollen joints, but I did not find any internal bleeding. There was a recent deep puncture wound to the lower abdomen, as well as four cracked ribs. There is also physical evidence of several different methods of torture.” Jack winced, despite himself.
“For the moment, we have her on IV fluids and full spectrum antibiotics. I did a complete scan and blood work up. There is some evidence of a toxin of some sort, but it isn’t like anything I’ve ever seen. I believe it acted as a hallucinogen, and probably had some other effects as well.”
“Is it still affecting her?”
“I’m honestly not sure. We will, of course, keep her under close observation. As of right now, I don’t see any reason why she should not make a full recovery. However, I estimate it will take at least three or four weeks before she is physically ready for any sort of active duty, if not more. It will be even longer before she can be cleared for off-world travel. I strongly advise she undergo a thorough psychiatric evaluation as well.”
“I agree.”
“I’ll have a complete report on her condition ready for you in the morning. One thing - given the state of her clothing and the evidence of severe reoccurring blood loss, I feel fairly certain she was resurrected by a sarcophagus at least three times, probably more. I am not sure what she may be facing as far as withdrawal symptoms.” She met his eyes squarely, “I will take very good care of her, General.”
Jack knew she had heard about his exchange with Dr. Varen. “Thanks, Doc - I appreciate that. Is she awake?”
“No - as soon as she bedded down, she was asleep. But if you wish to check on her yourself, I don’t think you’ll wake her.”
“I may stop in.”
* * * *
Jack parted the curtain to Sam’s room. He just needed to lay eyes on her again before going to bed. As expected, Carter was fast asleep. She had pulled herself into a ball and had the covers tightly drawn up around her shoulders. Carter looked different - she was too thin, her face was too pale. But she was home, safe and sound. This all could have ended far, far worse.
He heard a familiar snore from the corner and turned to see Daniel sleeping peacefully in a chair, a book cradled to his chest. Jack smiled and stepped back, letting the curtain fall shut.
* * * * * * *
Part six (last one!)