|
|
SG-1 lay flat concealed in thick bracken looking down into what once was quarry. Now it was fulfilling a different purpose. Two pyramid ships stood at the head of the quarry, and stretching out in front of them were thousands of Jaffa guards, some were practicing unarmed combat, others were working on their targeting skills, still others were marching in unison to the barked commands of their officers. Captain Carter lowered her binoculars, "Do you think we're interrupting something?" she asked dryly. "Just like us to wander into a Goa'uld training camp." quipped O'Neill.
Teal'c stared hard at the scene before them. "This is like no training ground I have ever seen." he said gravely, "I believe this is the muster point for this army. They are making preparations to attack." "But attack who? That's the question." said Carter. Beside them Daniel Jackson was still staring through the binoculars. Suddenly he stiffened, "Look " he hissed. The others raised their binoculars and focused on the scene. It didn't take long for them to see what Jackson had already noticed.
Below a system lord was inspecting his troops, flanked by his royal guards. O'Neill gripped the binoculars tighter as he recognized the features of Skaara, the young boy who had saved O'Neill's life, and who was now trapped by Klorel the Goa'uld. He felt the familiar mix of emotions; relief that Skaara still lived, and despair that he would ever be free of the Goa'uld. O'Neill watched as Klorel gave a few orders before the rings of the transport device surrounded the group. With a brief flash of light the group disappeared and the rings sank back into the ground. O'Neill shook himself and backed away from the edge, "Time to go, people." The others scrambled back until they were under the deeper cover of the trees. O'Neill strode off, his shoulders stiff. "Jack " begged Jackson.
O'Neill whirled, his anger plain, "Don't you think I want to go down there too?" he snapped, "But we're out-numbered three hundred to one! And that's just the ones we've seen!" his shoulders slumped and his voice softened, "We don't know that Sha're is even with him, Daniel." Jackson looked away, O'Neill continued, "At least we know where Klorel is. We have to get this intel back to command. If we come back here it'll be with a lot more troops, okay?" Jackson nodded resignedly. O'Neill moved off through the trees. Carter threw a sympathetic glance at Jackson, then hurried to catch up with the Colonel. Jackson hesitated a moment longer looking back towards the quarry. Teal'c came to stand beside him and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Come, Daniel Jackson." gently Teal'c guided him away.
They pushed on through the trees. At last Teal'c could see the Stargate standing alone on a plain, clear of the trees. O'Neill and Carter were crouched down using the foliage at the base of a wide tree for cover. O'Neill was staring out at the gate, Carter looked round for her companions. When she saw them she gestured frantically for them to take cover. Jackson and Teal'c ducked down behind a tree. Teal'c primed his staff weapon and Jackson pulled out his hand-gun, glaring at it with distaste. He hated that the weapon was necessary. Up at the tree line O'Neill watched as more Jaffa troops poured through the wormhole, lining up in formation as they emerged. At last the gate de-activated. With a word of command from the officer, the troops began marching for the trees. With a muttered oath O'Neill realized that they would pass within feet of their hiding places. Quickly he fell back. He and Carter sank further into the foliage and held their breath.
The double column of Jaffa tramped over the forest floor. Teal'c and Jackson sidled out of their sight. Teal'c regarded the troops coldly, but Jackson's heart was beating rapidly - he wanted to find out if Sha're was on this planet, but he wanted to do it on his own terms and not as a prisoner of the Jaffa. The marching troops continued on their way towards the quarry. Jackson breathed a sigh of relief as they moved out of sight. Cautiously they raised their heads to look for the others. O'Neill was already out, scanning the area, he said something to Carter, who nodded and hurried for the DHD. O'Neill stood up and beckoned to Teal'c and Jackson who ran forward. "Stay low!" commanded O'Neill. He continued to check their rear. Jackson and Teal'c watched as Carter approached the DHD, but before she could reach it the Stargate started up again. Carter froze for a moment, but quickly she turned and sprinted for the trees. She was fast, but not quite fast enough. The first Jaffa emerged just as Carter jumped for cover. He reacted immediately and fired his weapon. SG-1 fired back. More Jaafa troops came through. Soon the air was full of smoke. Behind SG-1 small fires had broken out from stray pulse fire. O'Neill knew they had no chance here, "Fall back!" he yelled. As he turned, O'Neill was dismayed to see a detachment of Jaffa hurrying through the trees behind them, they must have heard the shots and come to investigate.
O'Neill checked on the position of Teal'c and Jackson. They were off to one side, pinned down by fire from the Jaffa at the gate. To his horror O'Neill realised they were going to be cut off by the soldiers coming from the rear. Desperately, O'Neill fired beyond his team-mates, trying to slow down the troops. Teal'c and Jackson had noticed the new danger. Together they made a mad rush for O'Neill's position. An explosion tore the ground open in front of them. Both men were lifted into the air by the blast and fell heavily. They lay still. O'Neill froze in shock, staring at the inert bodies of his friends. But there was no time to grieve. Carter was still firing further back in the forest. Abruptly O'Neill turned and followed her. Pulse fire erupted around them as they scrambled through the trees, growing steadily fainter as they out-distanced their pursuers.
Bruised and scratched, Teal'c and Jackson were hauled roughly to their feet. Jaffa guards presented their weapons to the commander. The commander's helmet drew back and he examined the badges of the SGC on their arms. He gestured to two of his guards. They stepped forward and, none too gently, bound the prisoners arms behind them. They were dragged off in the direction of the quarry. The commander allowed himself a brief smile of triumph, "Klorel will be pleased." he said. Then his expression darkened as he looked back at the Stargate and saw the extent of his losses. He whirled round to his second in command, "Find the others!" he snapped. His second hurried off to obey. "They will pay for this outrage!" he hissed and stalked off after the rest of his company.
Carter and O'Neill crouched motionless in the bushes as a Jaffa patrol came past, still searching for them. They watched until the patrol was out of sight. O'Neill pointed and quietly they moved away. They stopped at the edge of a clearing. Carter removed her helmet and pushed her damp hair back. "Teal'c and Daniel?" she asked quietly. O'Neill looked over, this was the first chance they had had to talk. "They were near an explosion," he said at last, "If they weren't killed by the blast, then they are prisoners." He hung his head, the adrenaline rush that had kept him going fading fast. Carter grabbed his arm, "We have to find out, sir." she insisted.
O'Neill snorted, "Yes, we do." he agreed, "But I like these odds even less than before." Slowly he got to his feet. "They'll be taken to the ships." he mused. "All right, Captain, move out!" The two of them started off towards the quarry. Teal'c and Jackson were propelled into a lavish throne room. Ahead of them Klorel lounged on an ornate throne, his attendants surrounding him. The guards pushed Teal'c and Jackson to their knees in front of the throne. Klorel regarded them for a moment and a slow smile spread across his face. He waved away the attendants and walked forward. "I am truly destined for greatness." he declared. "At the very moment my army is ready to defeat Sokar and avenge my father's death, and who should fall into my lap, but the humans who make themselves such a nuisance!"
Teal'c looked at Klorel with contempt, "Your father died, begging for the aid of the Tau'ri." he said. Klorel's eyes glowed in anger, he bent over Teal'c, "I will never need their help," he hissed. He straightened up and composed himself, then turned and settled himself on his throne. He beckoned to one of the men standing at the side of the chamber and indicated Jackson. The man walked forward and around Jackson, his long white robe brushing the floor. He seemed satisfied with what he saw, for he nodded at Klorel. Klorel smiled, "I understand your friends are still free." he said. Teal'c and Jackson both sighed slightly in relief, "But I know you humans so well," Klorel continued, "They will attempt to rescue their comrades, will they not?" Neither of the prisoners deigned to comment. Klorel laughed, "Yes, they will, and we can't make it too easy for them!" he gestured to the guards, who stepped forward and grabbed Teal'c and Jackson. Klorel spread his arms wide. The guards pulled their prisoners through opposite doors. The man in the white robe followed after Jackson's guards. "Not too easy, not yet!" giggled Klorel.
Teal'c was marched down the corridor at a rapid pace. He tried to keep count of the passage ways that they passed. At last they stopped outside a door. His escort opened the door while another guard released Teal'c bonds. With a hard shove, Teal'c was pushed into the cell, he had to put his arms out to stop himself crashing into the wall. Silently the guards closed the door and locked it. Teal'c was left alone with only his worries for company. O'Neill and Carter emerged cautiously from their cover and gazed down into the quarry. There were noticeably less Jaffa around. "Do you think it's chow time?" asked O'Neill. Carter grabbed his arm, "Look there, Colonel!"she said pointing excitedly.
O'Neill followed her finger. Opposite their position two Jaffa had emerged, seemingly out of the ground. Another two emerged from the tree line and greeted them. Then the two pairs continued on their way. O'Neill watched as the two disappeared from sight. He glanced quizzically over at Carter, but she was staring intently towards the floor of the quarry. O'Neill followed her gaze and saw an opening in the rock. A few minutes later the two Jaffa emerged from the opening. "So, that's the way in." he said. "Looks like it's the only way in, sir" commented Carter.
O'Neill looked around, weighing up options. "They probably think we're still back in the forest," he said at last. "We'll wait for darkness, then go round that way," he indicated the left edge of the quarry. "With any luck, those guys behind us will stay out of our hair." Carter nodded and they both returned to the cover of the trees.
Jackson was led into a small ante room. One of the guards untied his hands. The man in the white robe crossed to a panel and pressed one of the bas reliefs. The panel slid out, the man withdrew a long white garment. It looked like a pair of shimmering longjohns. He threw the garment at Jackson, "Put that on." he commanded. Jackson did not move. The man's eyes narrowed. "Put it on," he repeated, with menace, "Otherwise we will do it for you." The surrounding guards raised their weapons. Jackson shrugged resignedly and began to loosen his uniform, "White's not really my color," he muttered. He looked down at his homing transmitter and in shock realized that most of the code was already entered. Trying to keep his movements inconspicuous, he shut down the transmitter, the screen went blank with a low 'beep'. One of the guards strode up to him, grabbing the transmitter from his arm and striking him viscously across the face. Another guard caught him before he fell.
The man in the white robe examined the transmitter and sneered at Jackson, "We are not interested in this, ... for the moment." He motioned to Jackson to hurry up. One of the guards gathered up Jackson's discarded clothing. Once he was in the body stocking Jackson was led through another door into what looked like an operating room. Above he could see glass panels enclosing spectators areas. Around the walls were banks of blinking lights and monitors. With a sense of mounting horror, Jackson saw two upright tables, each one decorated with metal restraining straps. "This is not good," thought Jackson, "This is very, very bad!" The guards caught his arms and dragged him over to one of the tables, Jackson struggling every step of the way, but with so many surrounding him he didn't have much of a chance. The guards held him up against the table which then tipped back taking Jackson with it. The guards pulled the straps tightly across his ankles, waist and shoulders. They stepped back, satisfied that he couldn't escape.
The robed man came into Jackson's vision and tested the restraints. "Comfortable?" he asked, with false concern. "What do you want?" demanded Jackson. "Confirmation of an experiment." said the man. That answer did nothing to reassure Jackson. The man nodded to someone out of sight and above two panels in the ceiling drew back. Two hulking pieces of equipment were lowered, the dark metal caught the light as they came down. Jackson gazed at them silently, and then movement caught his eye, probably the only thing that could have distracted him in those circumstances. A figure had stepped forward behind the glass above. Jackson recognised the distinctive head-dress, and more importantly, the beloved features of the figure, "Sha're!" he breathed.
The robed man looked up to where Jackson was looking. He bowed to Apophis' queen. Sha're looked down sadly, she acknowledged the salute and left the gallery, gently massaging her stomach, as if in pain. The man turned his attention back to Jackson. He reached over and attached two small plastic disks to Jackson's temples. Helpless, Jackson watched as the machinery drew closer, the hydraulics whining as it neared. It stopped about three feet above him. Jackson turned his head to watch the other table. It too had been laid flat. The machinery above the table continued down until it rested on the table. With a click, the machinery started to rise again, leaving behind it a long transparent case filled with a gelatinous, clear fluid. The equipment stopped when it was parallel to the one above Jackson.
Jackson watched as a thin metal tube emerged from the machinery and headed towards the pool of liquid. With a sudden flash of foreboding he switched his attention to the equipment looming above him. Sure enough, an identical tube had already started its inexorable journey towards him. Jackson braced himself as the probe moved slowly down. He couldn't help but scream as it penetrated his chest. Two more sinewy probes emerged and attached themselves to his temples. Underneath him the table itself started to pulse and glow. Jackson could feel the heat through the thin covering he was wearing. His body temperature started to rise as he broke into a sweat. The last thing he saw before the pain became too much was the liquid bubbling furiously in its container on the opposite table.
O'Neill and Carter hung back in the hewn out tunnel as troops of Jaffa marched past on their way to the surface. Finally the columns rounded a corner. "That's a good thousand troops that have passed us, Colonel." whispered Carter, "They must be shipping out." "I wish we all were," replied O'Neill. They moved forward and again held fast at the exit to the quarry. The grey light of dawn bathed the quarry floor. "I can't believe it's taken us all night just to get this far," said O'Neill in frustration. Carter was saved from making a sharp retort by a deep rumbling sound, loose pieces of rock rained down on them as one of the pyramid of the pyramid ships rose ponderously into the air.
"I hope Teal'c and Daniel aren't on that thing." said Carter. "I don't think so," said O'Neill, pointing out into the quarry. They watched as four Jaffa guards appeared from the ring transport. They carried two thick poles which they set upright in the quarry floor. O'Neill and Carter exchanged concerned glances. Their guess was borne out a few moments later as the ring transport again activated and Teal'c was dragged over to one of the stakes. The guards tied him securely and returned to the transport spot. A third time the rings activated. One set of guards disappeared and in their place slumped Jackson supported by Jaffa.
O'Neill and Carter both gasped with shock when they saw the state of their friend. Jackson's clothes were torn, his eye bruised. The guards practically carried him over to the other stake and tied him the same as Teal'c. The guards stepped back and formed a line in front of the two men. They raised their weapons. "Over my dead body!" growled O'Neill. He and Carter burst from their hiding place, firing at the Jaffa. The Jaffa were taken completely by surprise. They barely had a chance to fire, so furious was the onslaught from O'Neill and Carter. The colonel and captain hurried up to their friends and quickly untied them.
"Klorel is planning to attack Sokar," said Teal'c as Carter untied him. They both turned to Jackson, O'Neill was supporting the younger man, "Can you walk?" he asked concerned. Jackson smiled weakly, "Now that I know you guys are all right," he whispered, "I'll even try to run!" O'Neill grinned. "Let's get out of here." The group moved back into the dark tunnel.
For the second time in as many days SG-1 approached the Stargate. O'Neill motioned that there were three guards beside the gate. This time however, they were determined not to let any one stand in their way. Carter and Teal'c broke cover first, firing without warning. O'Neill helped Jackson, firing as he went. The guards dropped one by one and Carter quickly dialled home. They all breathed a sigh of relief as the worm hole activated. O'Neill passed Jackson over to Teal'c and together they made their way to the gate, O'Neill covering the rear. Once the others had gone through, he too jumped into the portal. From behind a tree a Jaffa guard watched them go. He hurried away.
"You know, we do have visiting hours!" sighed Doctor Fraiser, reproachfully. She muscled her way through the crowd of people surrounding Daniel Jackson's bed. The harsh lighting of the medical bay did nothing to lessen the bruises. Fraiser consulted her clipboard. "You'll be up in a few days, Doctor Jackson." she reassured them all, "Nothing broken, no internal bleeding, I just wish I had a steak for that eye." "I wish I was having steak for dinner!" grinned O'Neill, his relief apparent. The others smiled with him. "Now," Fraiser tucked the board under her arm and clapped her hands briskly, "Everybody out, go and track down some dinner - I believe it's meatloaf tonight, Colonel." O'Neill grimaced, "Oh, man!"
"Yes, oh man!" agreed Fraiser. "Come on, let the patient have some rest!" She shooed them all away. As they left Fraiser turned off the main lights, just leaving a night light beside Jackson's bed, "Holler if you need anything, Doctor Jackson." she said on her way out. "Sure," replied Jackson. Fraiser closed the door behind her. Jackson settled himself back in the pillows, his arms behind his head. He stared at the ceiling above.
Klorel looked down at the empty case still resting on the table in the laboratory. A guard approached and saluted. "Did they escape?" asked Klorel. "Yes, my lord. They have returned to their home planet." "Excellent!" beamed Klorel. He turned round and regarded the unconscious figure of Daniel Jackson, still strapped to the table. A small spot of blood marked where the probe had entered. Klorel looked up to see the figure of the queen looking down. "How ironic!" he said, "The husband of the host of Apophis' queen will be the one to destroy his friends!" Klorel and the guard swept out of the room.
"Enjoy your dinner, Colonel?" asked General Hammond as he sat at the head of the conference table. O'Neill smacked his lips, "There's nothing like military meatloaf, right, General?" "Indeed." "Why are you wearing dress uniform, sir?" asked Carter. Hammond patted his stomach, "This is the price you have to pay, Captain, when you're being wined and dined with the top brass. Scottish salmon, steak, French brandy ..." O'Neill groaned aloud. Carter grinned, "Can't wait to get there myself, sir!"
"All right, people." said Hammond, "Let's settle down. Now, your report states that Klorel is planning to attack Sokar. If he wins what does it mean for us?" "On one hand, it means we'll have one less system lord to worry about whether Klorel wins or not," Carter paused as O'Neill winced. "If it's any consolation, Colonel, Klorel does not seem to be the kind of Goa'uld who leads from the front." she continued, O'Neill nodded, looking down at his clenched hands. "However," broke in Teal'c, "Whoever triumphs will emerge even stronger than before."
Hammond nodded, "I agree with you, Teal'c." he said, "But, neither of them would accept our aid, even if we wanted to give it. Besides, I can't see an alliance with either of them lasting the distance, certainly not for peace." There was a glum nodding of heads. Hammond sighed, "I guess we'll just have to wait and see," he said, "And try to be prepared for the worst," he added. "Don't we always?" asked O'Neill. Hammond snorted.
Doctor Fraiser slowly opened the door to the medical bay. She moved over to the bed. Jackson lay sound asleep on his side, the sheets pulled up to his chin. Fraiser smiled and dimmed the nightlight, closing the door as she left. The figure in the bed remained motionless as the Doctor's footsteps retreated down the corridor. As soon as they faded, he sat up in the bed and threw back the sheets. He was fully dressed. Hurriedly he arranged the pillows in an approximation of a sleeping man and tucked the sheets around. He stood back, satisfied with its appearance. Cautiously, the man crossed to the door, he opened it, checked that no one was around and quickly left, closing the door softly.
Sha're stood over Jackson, gazing down at him. Suddenly she turned to the straps holding him down and released them. Jackson stirred. Sha're lifted a glass of water, and cradling Jackson's head she poured a little on to his parched lips. Jackson spluttered and coughed, then raised himself from the table. Despite the stiffness of his body and the twinges of pain that shot through him as he moved, he gazed at the woman with a mixture of suspicion and hope. "Sha're?" he whispered. The woman stepped back and motioned Jackson to rise. When she spoke it was with the deep timbre of the Goa'uld, "I am not your wife yet." she said. She indicated a pile of clothes to the side. It was a Jaffa uniform.
Jackson picked it up, looking at it in wonder. "Why?" he asked. Sha're sat on the table slowly. "I am tired," sighed the Goa'uld, her eyes flaring, "My heart is heavy. I have never been apart from my lord, not like this. I know he is never returning. At last I understand what this woman felt when she was taken from you." She indicated her body and raised her gaze to Jackson. "No more!"she continued, "I return your wife to you." The Goa'uld pulled a tray forward. Jackson scrambled into the unfamiliar clothing and hurried over to stand beside the woman. Sha're was already fumbling under her flowing robes. Jackson caught her arm, their eyes met, "Thank you," he said quietly.
The Goa'uld lifted his hand away, "Perhaps you will be as happy as my lord and I were." Again she reached into her body and pulled the symbiote free. Immediately Sha're swayed unsteadily, Jackson reached for her and held her up. Sha're placed the snake-like creature in the tray, and together, clutching each other, they watched as the symbiote slowly curled into itself and lay still. Only then did they turn to face each other. Jackson was overcome with joy as he gazed into his wife's eyes, her own beautiful eyes, for the first time in over a year. Sha're hugged him saying his name over and over again.
The other Daniel Jackson hurried down the corridor to the armoury. Once outside the door he took a small device from his pocket and clipped it to the lock. The lock glowed red and then clicked open. The man checked the corridor and slipped inside. He paused for a moment until he found the light switch, the bay flooded with light. This Jackson moved down the shelves of weapons shaking his head, "Primitive," he muttered to himself as he went on. He stopped beside a set of shelves and grinned as he removed a set of explosives and timers, "Primitive, but effective," he smiled.
Sha're and Jackson hurried through the pyramid ship's corridors. Jackson was very glad that Sha're seemed to know where she was going, because he was completely lost. As they travelled Sha're explained the need to hurry, "Klorel has cloned you, Daniel. He has sent the clone back with your friends to destroy them. We must stop him!" "No arguments from me," assured Jackson. He looked around the deserted corridors, "Where is everyone?"
"Most of them have already gone to fight Sokar," replied Sha're. "Good for us?" Jackson smiled at his wife, "Very good." Sha're grabbed his hand and pulled him into a wide room. She pointed to a spot on the floor and picked up a Goa'uld glove from a row of controls. Sha're came to stand beside Jackson and pulled the glove over her fingers. "Cover your face, my love," she whispered. Jackson activated the helmet. "I hope I can still use this thing." said Sha're.
The man in the white robe led Klorel into the laboratory, "We have no further use for the human ..." he said, then he pulled up short as he saw the deserted room. Klorel pushed past him. He too saw the dangling straps that had held Jackson. He crossed to the table and looked down at the dried husk of the symbiote. Slowly he reached out a hand to stroke it. The remains of the symbiote crumbled to dust in the tray. Klorel's whole body shook, he had to hold the side of the table to keep himself steady. Then he threw back his head and let lose with a scream of grief, loss and above all, rage. "Find them!" he said, he turned to face his guards, his eyes glowing white hot, "Kill them both and let me see their bodies!" The guards ran out, moments later an alarm sounded throughout the ship.
The clone put the finishing touches to the bomb he'd constructed and concealed it behind a crate of grenades. So nice of the Tau'ri to keep all the equipment he would need together. He loaded a rifle, grabbed some spare magazines and left the armoury, heading unerringly for the embarkation room.
Jackson and Sha're both started when they heard the alarm. Sha're immediately closed her eyes again in concentration. Jackson primed the staff weapon, "Er, sweetheart?" he whispered. Outside several Jaffa marched past, Jackson held his breath, but this time their luck wasn't holding. The troops returned, firing into the room. Desperately Jackson fired back. Suddenly he felt the familiar tingle of the dematerialization process. Moments later they were standing outside the Stargate, the rings disappearing around them. Quickly the pair ran to the DHD, Jackson de-activating his helmet as he ran. He was about to punch in the address for earth when he realized that he didn't have a transmitter to let SGC know he was returning. Behind them, the rings of the transporter began to form.
"They're coming!" screamed Sha're. Jackson punched the only address that came to mind, that of Abydos. To his relief the wormhole formed. He dragged Sha're up the ramp and prepared to fire. They were almost at the portal when the Jaffa troops materialized. They wasted no time in firing at the escaping couple. Jackson let loose with pulse fire as they retreated.
"Go!" he yelled to Sha're. Sha're nodded, "Hurry, Daniel!" She rose and turned to the portal. Jackson turned back to cover her escape and saw one of the guards get off a shot. Time seemed to slow down for Jackson; he fired at the guard who fell back dead, but the guard's last shot hit Sha're square in the back. She fell forward into the portal with a cry of pain. For a split second Jackson could not believe what he'd just seen. Then the rage took over. Heedless of the re-enforcements already arriving, and of the pulse fire erupting round him, he continued to blast away at the Jaffa, he didn't know he was yelling uncontrollably, nor could he feel the tears that streamed down his cheeks. Only when one of the shots exploded near his feet, and the thought came to him that Sha're might die alone, did he dive into the portal. The gate shut down behind him.
Jackson tumbled down the ramp at the Abydos gate into a ring of drawn weapons. The freedom fighters lowered their weapons only when they recognized Jackson and the gate had shut down. Jackson staggered to his feet, "Sha're?" he pleaded. The militia drew back and allowed Jackson to go to his wife. Sha're was lying on the ground, two women were doing their best to stop the bleeding. Jackson fell to his knees beside her, he looked at the nurses pleadingly, but they shook their heads, slowly they moved away.
Jackson cradled his dying wife, whispering her name over and over. Sha're's eyes opened, weakly she squeezed Jackson's hand. Jackson looked into the pain-filled eyes, blinking away tears from his own. "Darling, darling Sha're, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." he cried. Sha're gazed at her husband and struggled to speak, "I knew you would never give up on me, Daniel." she whispered. "You are everything to me, my love, my Daniel." Slowly her eyes closed for the last time. Jackson sobbed into her hair inconsolably.
The clone watched the activity in the control room, checking Daniel's watch anxiously. He still had time before the bomb went off, taking this whole installation with it. For a moment he pictured himself receiving a commendation from Klorel, but he shook it off - he wasn't home yet. From the stock of knowledge he had received from the original Daniel Jackson, the clone knew that a shift change was due soon. With any luck he could activate the Stargate and be away before any of these humans could do anything. Once the site was destroyed Klorel could bring back his army at his leisure. The clone was convinced that the gate itself would survive the attack.
He faded into the background as the rest of SG-1 walked past, the woman, Carter seemed to be trying to explain something to the Colonel. The clone frowned as they entered the control room. Quietly he released the safety mechanism on the hand gun. They had just upset the odds, but the clone had no compunction about killing a few SGC personnel ahead of schedule. The clone jerked in surprise as an alarm sounded. Surely they couldn't have discovered him already? Then he heard the Stargate shudder into action. He moved closer so that he could hear what was being said in the control room. "It's the signal from the Abydos militia," Carter was saying. "I wonder what they want." said O'Neill.
"We will soon discover." commented Teal'c. The clone sidled away, he was confident about the knowledge in his head about the everyday things that Daniel Jackson knew, but he wasn't up to a confrontation with someone that knew him from Abydos. He checked the watch again and cursed quietly. He had to get away from this place soon. Down in the embarkation room soldiers stood ready. The iris opened and a single figure emerged holding a staff weapon. The gate shut down. The surrounding soldiers stared at the figure, taking in his Jaffa uniform, but most of all, the look of extreme grief on the figure's face. O'Neill moved closer to the observation window, "Daniel?" Carter stood beside him, "Uh oh." she said, concisely.
The real Jackson remained on the ramp, he laid down his weapon and called up to the control room. Every one could hear the break in his voice as he spoke, "Jack! You brought back a clone. A clone of me. It has orders to destroy the base!" Carter moved over to the microphone, "Our doctor checked Daniel out, it was him." The strain of the past few days and the grief of the last few minutes finally broke Jackson, "It's a damn clone, Sam! Of course you thought it was me!" Jackson sank to the ground, sitting on the edge of the ramp, he cradled his head in his hands, "Why should I care?" he asked himself, "Let the bastard blow the place sky high!" he yelled throwing his head back. They could all see the tears in his eyes.
No one seemed to know what to do. The shrill ringing of the telephone in the control room made them all jump. The sergeant hurried over to answer it. He spoke for a moment then turned to face SG-1. "That was Doctor Fraiser, er Doctor Jackson seems to have gone AWOL." The others looked down at the man on the ramp. "I guess this is our one then." said O'Neill, he hurried out followed by Teal'c and Carter. O'Neill crouched down in front of Jackson and gently prised his hands away from his face. O'Neill recognized the expression in Jackson's eyes - it was the same expression his wife had had in hers when he told her Charlie was dead. "Daniel, " he said gently, Jackson focused on him, "Do you know what this clone is planning to do?" "A bomb," said Jackson, expressionlessly, "Try the armory." "Why the armory?"asked Carter. "Because that's where I'd put it." sighed Jackson.
O'Neill nodded to Carter and Teal'c who hurried out. He turned to the surrounding security teams, "Get looking for ... Daniel Jackson." he ordered. The Lieutenant saluted and led the teams out. O'Neill faced back to Jackson, "What happened, Daniel?" Jackson stared at his friend, barely able to form the words. He let the tears fall, "Sha're ... Sha're is dead." His shoulders shook uncontrollably. O'Neill closed his eyes sadly, then he put his arms around the grieving man and held him tight.
Behind them the stargate began to dial. Both men instinctively looked up at the control room, but there was no one there. O'Neill let go of Jackson and hurried towards the weapons lock box. Jackson picked up the staff weapon, determined that the clone would not get through him. The clone fired from the cover of the door before O'Neill could reach a weapon. Jackson ducked low and fired. The staff weapon was slow, it must have been losing power. The clone burst through the door aiming at O'Neill. Seeing the two of them together O'Neill had time to be amazed at the similarity. The main difference was that the clone's face was twisted in an expression of hate that he'd never seen on his friend's face.
Up on the ramp Jackson fired point blank at the clone. He hit the mirror-image of himself in the shoulder, but the clone kept coming, Jackson fired again as the gate activated, Jackson had to duck and roll to avoid the cascade of the wormhole. The clone seized his chance and jumped over Jackson. Jackson grabbed the clone's ankle as he passed and pulled him down. The two rolled over together. O'Neill had grabbed a weapon from the box and tried to get a clear shot, but with the two Jacksons so close together it was very difficult. The clone managed to get the gun free and tried to pull away from Jackson to get a clear shot. Jackson wouldn't let him. With a strength that he thought he'd lost he turned the gun back on the clone.
O'Neill stiffened as he heard the two flat reports of the hand gun. At first he couldn't see which Jackson had been hit, they were both frozen in tableau. Jackson saw the thin trickle of blood roll from the clone's mouth, and he had a glimpse of how he might die. The clone's eyes rolled up in his head. Then Jackson hauled the body over to the wormhole. "I think Klorel will get the message." he growled and flung the body through the portal. The gate shimmered for a moment then closed down. The iris slid smoothly back. Jackson turned and walked wearily down the ramp.
O'Neill straightened in relief. The phone buzzed behind him. O'Neill picked it up, watching Jackson with concern, "The bomb's been disarmed," Carter informed him. "Good," said O'Neill, "The clone has been neutralized, you can call off the search." he hung up without waiting for a reply. O'Neill crossed to the younger man. Silently he again put his arm around Jackson's shoulder and guided him out of the embarkation room.
A gentle breeze stirred the sand at their feet. Around them the laments of the women echoed through the air. Jackson carried the wrapped body of Sha're over to a shallow pit and laid her gently down. Slowly he and some of the militia filled in the pit with sand. Sha're's father called out the funeral passages, his voice rising and falling with emotion. Off to the side the deputation from the SGC bowed their heads, Carter wiped a tear from her eye, and even O'Neill's eyes were moist.
The pit was filled in. Jackson slowly arranged some flat stones in a cairn at the head of the grave. He draped the necklace he had given Sha're for her birthday the last time they had been together over the top. He hadn't thought that he had any tears left, but they fell regardless, darkening the sand. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to Sha're's father. "You brought her home," he said quietly, "She died free." The expression seemed to give him strength. He called it louder. The shout was taken up by the mourners, "She died free!" they called with one voice. Jackson looked around at them. Cold comfort.
THE END
