Sam groaned as she lifted her head off the hillside. The last thing she remembered before hitting the ground was the brief sensation of flying and before that, seeing the rear hatch of the gunship explode away from the rest of the aircraft after von Pinn yanked on a lever next to it. He must have blown it open, she realised, in order that they could bail out.
A crackle of zat fire convinced Sam to hug the ground and she glanced around to see that she was next to a low outcropping of rock and as far as she could tell, not the one being shot at. On the other hand, the outcropping was probably the reason that her right arm responded with stabbing pain when she tried to move it she must have hit the rock before she came to a rest.
No one make another move! an almost familiar voice shouted from only a few yards away. Ive got a hostage.
Wincing as she did so, Sam dragged herself forwards to look in the direction of the voice, still trying to place why she felt that it was familiar. It wasnt von Pinn, not any member of SG-1 nor had it the slightly sing-sing accent shed noticed that the Angrezi all had to one extent or another (and shed definitely been spending too much time with Daniel if shed conciously noted that). It was almost she frowned. She had heard that accent before, but not here. It was a slightly nasal New England accent and that was something that was out of place here.
Peering around she saw an unfamiliar face as well Colonel Harry Maybourne. Fortunately, Maybourne wasnt going to report having seen her he was on the ground, eyes closed and from the look of him had probably been hit by a Zat gun or one of the Angrezi stunners. Much like the one that other man she could see was pointing down Daniels ear.
Ive shot him once! the man shouted, thankfully not looking in Sams direction. Ill shoot him again! Sure enough Daniel was hanging limp from the other mans grasp. Behind them she could see the gunship canted wildly on one side. It looked like it was missing most of one wing and the mess that a tree had made of the cockpit made it clear that the pilot wouldnt be making any more wild swerves at von Pinns expense.
None of the rest of SG-1 were in view but a moment later, she heard Jack shouting from further down the slope: Give it up, you idiot! Youre surrounded and weve already got half your buddies tied up down here. Damn, looked like shed missed quite a bit lying behind the boulder.
I want one of those choppers, with all my team on it, the New Englander shouted back. Or Doctor Jacksons going home in a coffin! You know what a second zat shotll do to him!
Sam frowned. There was something wrong with what hed just said, but she couldnt work it out. Unfortunately, her own weapon had gone flying when she did, which left her without any particular means of intervening. Not that shed want to make a shot lefthanded with Daniel so close to the man too easy to hit him and even a glancing shot would ki-
Or would it?
I cant do that, soldier, Jack shouted up the hill. Im not in command here, and these guys know you killed their pals. I dont have a whole lot to bargain with here.
Screw you, ONeill! the man shouted. Find a way or your friend dies!
Sam squinted. The weapon that the man was menacing Daniel with was the same type as those that SG-1 had been equipped with. For that matter, it was entirely possible that it was one of those weapons shed lost hers and Daniel might well have as well. The lever on the side was no, the angle was bad. Not up, shed be able to see that for now. Up was safe. One of the two down positions. One of them killed with one shot, the other stunned no matter how often you were hit. Thats what von Pinn had said, anyway. She really hoped that hed been telling the truth about that.
Jack sounded defeated, but she knew him well enough to know that he was acting. Im doing my best, dammit, he shouted. Give me some time.
Alright, the soldier agreed. But if I dont hear from you in five minutes...
I get the picture, Jack called back.
Sam rolled over and wormed back behind the outcropping. There had to be something she could do. Maybourne absolutely must not be allowed to get away with this sort of crap. The question was, what could she do? She had her pack, but no weapons and if the man was using the lethal setting then one shot would be
She paused. Daniel had already been shot once, the man had said. If that was so and hed used the lethal setting then hed have killed him already. But if he was using a stun setting then Daniel was hopefully in no actual danger. In which case, there probably wasnt any actual greater risk in having the Angrezi attack. If she could only tell Jack that the man didnt have an actual Zat gun, but a stunner.
After a moments throught she started to root through the pockets of her BDUs. What was it Nekhrun had said about chewing gum?
.oOo.
Colonel, one of the Angrezi said softly, not taking his eyes off the slope above the positions that Rao had dropped his command section into to succor the survivors of the two gunships brought down by anti-aircraft fire. Some one is signalling us with a mirror.
Is it Maharta? Rao asked, turning away from Jack and von Pinn.
No sir, too close to the enemy and I cant make out the signals.
Where are they coming from? Jack asked, edging closer.
The soldier hesitated and looked back at Rao, who nodded, before replying: Behind the outcropping masking the left side of the enemy positions.
Jack scanned the out-cropping and his eyes narrowed as he saw the light reflecting off something metallic. Morse code, he said. It must be Carter. Does anyone have a something reflective?
The soldier pulled a small signalling mirror from one of his flak vest pockets and slapped it into Jacks hand.
Please say again ONeill over, Jack muttered to himself as he tilted the mirror back and forth, displaying short and long flashes of light to Carters position. Her own signals halted for a moment while Jack signalled and then resumed.
Two enemy sighted, he translated. Daniel hostage. Maybourne - unconcious. Enemy - armed with stunner repeat stunner not zat. Carter over.
Good, Rao rumbled. Weve accounted for them all then, he concluded, glancing down the slope at where the captured members of Maybournes team were being guarded. There had only been three micro-lights and none of them could have carried more than two men. Four were now prisoners so Maybourne and the active soldier were the last.
Confirm - your - condition, Jack signalled. He watched the light that came back for a minute or so. Shes unarmed and shes broken her arm, he advised them.
Tell her to keep her head down then, Rao grunted. He gestured sharply towards one of the grounded gunships and the pilot saluted before closing the canopy.
What are you doing? Jack asked.
Were going to rush them, Colonel, von Pinn explained, hefting his own weapon.
But Danny -
If he only has a stunner then the only way he could inflict any serious damage on Doctor Jackson would be by hitting him over the head with it, von Pinn interupted. And wed rather take him down before he realises it and gets himself another weapon. Some of the stolen gear is more lethal and we know that they are carrying chemical-propellant slugthrowers like yours as well. Besides, were getting near to his deadline.
Jack hesitated and then nodded, taking his own stunner out and flicking the selector switch to stun.
Times up, ONeill! came a shout from above them.
Rao slashed his hand downwards and two dozen turbanned men hurled themselves up the steep slope, waepons ready. Behind them, the gunship spooled its turbines up suddenly, the sudden roar deafening to Jack as he half ran and half climbed the hill, von Pinn only a half-step behind him. Even Raos impressive lead was not sufficient however to beat the gunship to the wreck of its comrade as it leapt vertically into the air and then glided forwards, blue bolts spitting from the guns on either side of the cockpit.
By the time Jack got to the top, it was all over Daniel and his captor were both sprawled on the ground next to Maybourne and Carter was peeking warily over the outcropping that shed tumbled across when they abandoned their gunship.
Are you okay, Carter? Jack asked, lowering his gun, still unfired.
Just peachy, sir, she answered, glancing over at Daniel. Is Tealc with you?
He went up the hill with one of Raos squads, Jack explained. We figured he could cut them off if they made a run for it, or outflank them if they didnt. He helped her to her feet and they both pushed through the crowd of soldiers surrounding the three fallen Tauri. Is Daniel okay?
Your brahmin is sleeping peacefully, Rao snorted, gesturing to where Daniel lay on his back breathing easily, Jack saw and presumably unaware of the drama of the last few minutes. More than I can say for my pilot, he added and gestured towards the wrecked gunship.
Or for the men at the armory, Jack noted. Harrys really gotten his ass in a crack this time.
You know this one? Rao asked, pointing at Daniels captor.
Jack shook his head. He must be one of Maybournes NID agents. This, on the other hand, is Colonel Harry Maybourne. Hes been a major pain in the ass before.
Rao grunted and used one boot to flip the unconcious Maybourne onto his back. Very well then. Since he seems to have been the leader of this little mission of mayhem, Lieutenant von Pinn, I am hereby handing him over to the Confederacy of Free Systems Fleet as a menace to our security. Do you accept the responsibility of dealing with this troublemaker?
Von Pinn saluted and clicked his heels. Sir, on behalf of myself and of my Admiral, I accept this responsibility.
Then do me the kindness of taking him away from my planet, the Colonel demanded. And take these three and their Jaffa with you. If nothing else, Im short of gunships to haul them back to the coast.
Of course, sir, von Pinn agreed with another salute and stepped back. Colonel, Captain, if we can return briefly to the Leonidas then the rest of your equipment will be restored to you and you will be free to use the Stargate.
Yeah, Jack agreed. He lifted Daniel into a firemans carry and glanced at Maybourne. Do you want any help with him?
That wont be necessary, von Pinn assured him and pulled a small device about the size of a cellphone out of his pocket, holding it to his ear as it chirped. Thank you, sublieutenant. Please send down two men to assist, and have a medic ready on our arrival. Captain Carter has a broken arm and Doctor Jackson has been stunned.
Tealc arrived in time to see a ring device deposit two of von Pinns soldiers, who efficiently secured Maybourne and hauled him to where they had appeared, followed by von Pinn and SG-1. The last thing they saw of the hillside before the rings appeared around them was a squad of soldiers hauling Daniels erstwhile captor down the slope towards the other captives.
What do you think Nekhrun will do with Maybourne? Sam asked von Pinn.
Your guess is as good as mine, the infantry officer said. I dont think hed look very pretty on top of a winter festival tree.D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
A crackle of zat fire convinced Sam to hug the ground and she glanced around to see that she was next to a low outcropping of rock and as far as she could tell, not the one being shot at. On the other hand, the outcropping was probably the reason that her right arm responded with stabbing pain when she tried to move it she must have hit the rock before she came to a rest.
No one make another move! an almost familiar voice shouted from only a few yards away. Ive got a hostage.
Wincing as she did so, Sam dragged herself forwards to look in the direction of the voice, still trying to place why she felt that it was familiar. It wasnt von Pinn, not any member of SG-1 nor had it the slightly sing-sing accent shed noticed that the Angrezi all had to one extent or another (and shed definitely been spending too much time with Daniel if shed conciously noted that). It was almost she frowned. She had heard that accent before, but not here. It was a slightly nasal New England accent and that was something that was out of place here.
Peering around she saw an unfamiliar face as well Colonel Harry Maybourne. Fortunately, Maybourne wasnt going to report having seen her he was on the ground, eyes closed and from the look of him had probably been hit by a Zat gun or one of the Angrezi stunners. Much like the one that other man she could see was pointing down Daniels ear.
Ive shot him once! the man shouted, thankfully not looking in Sams direction. Ill shoot him again! Sure enough Daniel was hanging limp from the other mans grasp. Behind them she could see the gunship canted wildly on one side. It looked like it was missing most of one wing and the mess that a tree had made of the cockpit made it clear that the pilot wouldnt be making any more wild swerves at von Pinns expense.
None of the rest of SG-1 were in view but a moment later, she heard Jack shouting from further down the slope: Give it up, you idiot! Youre surrounded and weve already got half your buddies tied up down here. Damn, looked like shed missed quite a bit lying behind the boulder.
I want one of those choppers, with all my team on it, the New Englander shouted back. Or Doctor Jacksons going home in a coffin! You know what a second zat shotll do to him!
Sam frowned. There was something wrong with what hed just said, but she couldnt work it out. Unfortunately, her own weapon had gone flying when she did, which left her without any particular means of intervening. Not that shed want to make a shot lefthanded with Daniel so close to the man too easy to hit him and even a glancing shot would ki-
Or would it?
I cant do that, soldier, Jack shouted up the hill. Im not in command here, and these guys know you killed their pals. I dont have a whole lot to bargain with here.
Screw you, ONeill! the man shouted. Find a way or your friend dies!
Sam squinted. The weapon that the man was menacing Daniel with was the same type as those that SG-1 had been equipped with. For that matter, it was entirely possible that it was one of those weapons shed lost hers and Daniel might well have as well. The lever on the side was no, the angle was bad. Not up, shed be able to see that for now. Up was safe. One of the two down positions. One of them killed with one shot, the other stunned no matter how often you were hit. Thats what von Pinn had said, anyway. She really hoped that hed been telling the truth about that.
Jack sounded defeated, but she knew him well enough to know that he was acting. Im doing my best, dammit, he shouted. Give me some time.
Alright, the soldier agreed. But if I dont hear from you in five minutes...
I get the picture, Jack called back.
Sam rolled over and wormed back behind the outcropping. There had to be something she could do. Maybourne absolutely must not be allowed to get away with this sort of crap. The question was, what could she do? She had her pack, but no weapons and if the man was using the lethal setting then one shot would be
She paused. Daniel had already been shot once, the man had said. If that was so and hed used the lethal setting then hed have killed him already. But if he was using a stun setting then Daniel was hopefully in no actual danger. In which case, there probably wasnt any actual greater risk in having the Angrezi attack. If she could only tell Jack that the man didnt have an actual Zat gun, but a stunner.
After a moments throught she started to root through the pockets of her BDUs. What was it Nekhrun had said about chewing gum?
.oOo.
Colonel, one of the Angrezi said softly, not taking his eyes off the slope above the positions that Rao had dropped his command section into to succor the survivors of the two gunships brought down by anti-aircraft fire. Some one is signalling us with a mirror.
Is it Maharta? Rao asked, turning away from Jack and von Pinn.
No sir, too close to the enemy and I cant make out the signals.
Where are they coming from? Jack asked, edging closer.
The soldier hesitated and looked back at Rao, who nodded, before replying: Behind the outcropping masking the left side of the enemy positions.
Jack scanned the out-cropping and his eyes narrowed as he saw the light reflecting off something metallic. Morse code, he said. It must be Carter. Does anyone have a something reflective?
The soldier pulled a small signalling mirror from one of his flak vest pockets and slapped it into Jacks hand.
Please say again ONeill over, Jack muttered to himself as he tilted the mirror back and forth, displaying short and long flashes of light to Carters position. Her own signals halted for a moment while Jack signalled and then resumed.
Two enemy sighted, he translated. Daniel hostage. Maybourne - unconcious. Enemy - armed with stunner repeat stunner not zat. Carter over.
Good, Rao rumbled. Weve accounted for them all then, he concluded, glancing down the slope at where the captured members of Maybournes team were being guarded. There had only been three micro-lights and none of them could have carried more than two men. Four were now prisoners so Maybourne and the active soldier were the last.
Confirm - your - condition, Jack signalled. He watched the light that came back for a minute or so. Shes unarmed and shes broken her arm, he advised them.
Tell her to keep her head down then, Rao grunted. He gestured sharply towards one of the grounded gunships and the pilot saluted before closing the canopy.
What are you doing? Jack asked.
Were going to rush them, Colonel, von Pinn explained, hefting his own weapon.
But Danny -
If he only has a stunner then the only way he could inflict any serious damage on Doctor Jackson would be by hitting him over the head with it, von Pinn interupted. And wed rather take him down before he realises it and gets himself another weapon. Some of the stolen gear is more lethal and we know that they are carrying chemical-propellant slugthrowers like yours as well. Besides, were getting near to his deadline.
Jack hesitated and then nodded, taking his own stunner out and flicking the selector switch to stun.
Times up, ONeill! came a shout from above them.
Rao slashed his hand downwards and two dozen turbanned men hurled themselves up the steep slope, waepons ready. Behind them, the gunship spooled its turbines up suddenly, the sudden roar deafening to Jack as he half ran and half climbed the hill, von Pinn only a half-step behind him. Even Raos impressive lead was not sufficient however to beat the gunship to the wreck of its comrade as it leapt vertically into the air and then glided forwards, blue bolts spitting from the guns on either side of the cockpit.
By the time Jack got to the top, it was all over Daniel and his captor were both sprawled on the ground next to Maybourne and Carter was peeking warily over the outcropping that shed tumbled across when they abandoned their gunship.
Are you okay, Carter? Jack asked, lowering his gun, still unfired.
Just peachy, sir, she answered, glancing over at Daniel. Is Tealc with you?
He went up the hill with one of Raos squads, Jack explained. We figured he could cut them off if they made a run for it, or outflank them if they didnt. He helped her to her feet and they both pushed through the crowd of soldiers surrounding the three fallen Tauri. Is Daniel okay?
Your brahmin is sleeping peacefully, Rao snorted, gesturing to where Daniel lay on his back breathing easily, Jack saw and presumably unaware of the drama of the last few minutes. More than I can say for my pilot, he added and gestured towards the wrecked gunship.
Or for the men at the armory, Jack noted. Harrys really gotten his ass in a crack this time.
You know this one? Rao asked, pointing at Daniels captor.
Jack shook his head. He must be one of Maybournes NID agents. This, on the other hand, is Colonel Harry Maybourne. Hes been a major pain in the ass before.
Rao grunted and used one boot to flip the unconcious Maybourne onto his back. Very well then. Since he seems to have been the leader of this little mission of mayhem, Lieutenant von Pinn, I am hereby handing him over to the Confederacy of Free Systems Fleet as a menace to our security. Do you accept the responsibility of dealing with this troublemaker?
Von Pinn saluted and clicked his heels. Sir, on behalf of myself and of my Admiral, I accept this responsibility.
Then do me the kindness of taking him away from my planet, the Colonel demanded. And take these three and their Jaffa with you. If nothing else, Im short of gunships to haul them back to the coast.
Of course, sir, von Pinn agreed with another salute and stepped back. Colonel, Captain, if we can return briefly to the Leonidas then the rest of your equipment will be restored to you and you will be free to use the Stargate.
Yeah, Jack agreed. He lifted Daniel into a firemans carry and glanced at Maybourne. Do you want any help with him?
That wont be necessary, von Pinn assured him and pulled a small device about the size of a cellphone out of his pocket, holding it to his ear as it chirped. Thank you, sublieutenant. Please send down two men to assist, and have a medic ready on our arrival. Captain Carter has a broken arm and Doctor Jackson has been stunned.
Tealc arrived in time to see a ring device deposit two of von Pinns soldiers, who efficiently secured Maybourne and hauled him to where they had appeared, followed by von Pinn and SG-1. The last thing they saw of the hillside before the rings appeared around them was a squad of soldiers hauling Daniels erstwhile captor down the slope towards the other captives.
What do you think Nekhrun will do with Maybourne? Sam asked von Pinn.
Your guess is as good as mine, the infantry officer said. I dont think hed look very pretty on top of a winter festival tree.D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.