Once they had dragged her outside Jack turned to her.
�Ok Sam, what the *hell* is going on!�
�That�s her! That�s Mesnah!� Sam said, her voice trembling with anger.
�Mesnah�Who?�
�The Goa�uld.�
�Daniel?�
�Not one I recall.�
�She�s not a System Lord that�s why. She�s the Goa�uld that killed Kayla.�
�I thought you just said Kayla was a little girl.�
�Yes, she is.�
�I don�t understand,� Jack said rubbing his forehead and looking back towards the area they had just left.
�These visions I�ve been having are of when Jolinar was in a previous host called Kayla.�
�The little girl?�
�No. Jolinar and Kayla were very close. Kayla had just had a baby. Mesnah took the baby from her and Jolinar. They had a fight and Kayla was killed. Jolinar survived and rescued the baby, named it Kayla and put her here.�
�So why is Mesnah here now?�
�She�s here to kill Kayla. To finish it. She�ll kill everyone, she doesn�t care.�
�What sort of artillery are we going up against here?�
�She doesn�t deem her warriors worthy of Goa�uld technology. No Zat�s or staff weapons.�
�Well that�s a plus. Do they have guns? Grenades?�
�They�re armed with basic weapons. Swords, spears, flaming arrows. That kinda stuff.�
�Okay so we get the girl and get out of here?�
�But she may kill everyone here anyway,� Daniel pointed out. Jack nodded and looked thoughtfully off into the distance. After a moment he pressed in the talk button on the radio he had hidden under his costume.
�Teal�c? Teal�c come in.�
�O�Neill. I am pleased to hear from you.�
�Yeah, well we�ve got ourselves a problem, Teal�c.�
�I assume you refer to the woman who was just escorted inside. I sensed a Goa�uld presence within but I am unsure. Has Major Carter sensed such a presence?�
�Oh yeah!�
�What are your intentions O�Neill?�
�Well Carter reckons this Goa�uld wants a kid here dead. We�ll try and get the kid, get back to the gate and try and take as many civilians with us as possible. Where are you?�
�I am in proximity of the city wall.�
�We�ll meet you at the door in ten minutes.�
�I will be there,� Teal�c said and Jack nodded despite the fact Teal�c couldn�t see him.
�Okay,� he said to Daniel and Sam. �Let�s move out.�
�Jack we can�t just leave!�
�Why not?�
�It�s rude!�
�It�s rude?� Jack echoed. �And if Mesnah kills everyone will that be rude too?!�
�Jack, I�m not saying we have to stay, but we have to go back in first.�
�Fine but make it snappy,� Jack sighed adjusting his P-90 under his costume and heading back into the room with Sam and Daniel following him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mesnah smiled at Sam as they came back in. Sam just glared at her with unveiled hatred.
�You don�t trust me? Why?� Mesnah asked, still with a smile that said she knew something.
�Because you�re evil,� Sam said bluntly.
�Ayliah,� King Talus exclaimed. Mesnah gave a laugh but Sam just continued to glare at her. She knew that whatever Mesnah�s plans were, they wouldn�t stay hidden for long.
�How do you know my name?� Mesnah asked leaning forward.
�For a while, I was called Jolinar. Jolinar and Kayla.�
A slow smile spread across Mesnah�s face.
�Good. We have some unfinished business. And do not fear, I will win.� She said standing up. Sam stood up drawing on up her full height.
�Your fight is with me. Not these people.�
�You have not learned.� Mesnah said with amusement. She turned to the King and his group.
�King Talus, I am afraid she is correct. I am not here to negotiate an alliance. I am here to destroy your people.�
�Guards! Escort our visitor to the perimeter!� King Talus yelled. Guards appeared besides them but she simply laughed.
�Your guards can do nothing. My army attacks already,� Mesnah laughed.
In the distance they heard panicked shouts.
�And soon you will bow before you�re god!� she declared, her eyes glowing. One of the women in the room rushed to a button on floor and pressed it. A few seconds later they were in some escape tunnels.
�Transportation rings?� Jack asked.
�Or something similar,� Sam said with a nod.
�These tunnels have several caves all along them,� King Talus explained.
�Where does it come out?�
�By the circle�s room one way, by the woman�s room the other,� a woman answered beside him. �But there are several doorways with codes before the circle�s room.�
�Do you know the codes?�
�It will take time.
�Okay, King Talus go with your women to the door, we�ll return to the surface and get the rest of you people.�
Jack jogged in the direction indicated to the surface with Sam and Daniel just behind him. As the climbed out of the entrance Teal�c appeared from the front line.
�O�Neill. Jaffa attack in great numbers.�
�Yeah figured as much. We�ll need to get as many people down here as possible. Daniel if you can get through to these people they really gotta get out of here or die. They can hide in the caves along the tunnel for the moment. Teal�c stay here with him and guard the entrance. This is the only we one we know of that they can use. Me and Carter will try and get those gates closed � give us a little more time.�
Teal�c tipped his head in understand and Daniel looked around for a platform as Sam and Jack ran off in the direction of the city�s gates.
�EVERYBODY!� Daniel yelled from the King�s throne. �EVERYBODY, LISTEN TO ME! WE HAVE TO GET YOU OUT OF HERE. FOLLOW THE TUNNEL DOWN HERE; HIDE IN THE CAVES TIL WE TELL YOU IT IS SAFE TO CONTINUE.�
�Why should we trust you!� a man yelled.
�Where is King Talus?� Another woman questioned.
�He�s down there; I promise you!�
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As Sam and Jack rounded the corner they could see that the guards were making their best, if limited, effort to close the gates. One side of it was almost there, but Jaffa were approaching fast and many guards were already involved with hand to hand combat. The women, unprepared for such a situation were running around in a panic, some out of the city with children following them.
�Sir we have to get those people behind the wall.�
�Affirmative.�
�I�m going to go.�
�Go. I�ll get that other gate closed.�
With a firm nod Sam took off towards the first woman dragging a child by the hand. Jack watched Sam as she grabbed her shoulders and sternly told her to get back and go to the tunnel. Jack joined the guards already tugging at the second gate. Calling on all his strength and straining every muscle, he pulled with them at the gate. It hadn�t been moved in years.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�You come with us or you stay here and die!� Daniel said again, desperately. It was working; little by little more and more people were heading down the tunnel.
�We�ll find you a new home, or you can stay on ours. But if you stay here you *will* die!�
�Teal�c! Teal�c we need you up front buddy!� Jack�s voice crackled from Teal�c radio. Daniel shrugged.
�Just go. It�ll be fine here until they get past the perimeter,� with a nod Teal�c gripped his staff weapon and jogged in the direction Sam and Jack had gone.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As Sam ran she was finding more and more injured. As predicted the Jaffa were using flaming arrows, spears, and hurling axes among other things, which allowed them to attack from a distance. The injured took a lot of her time because she either had find someone to help them back behind the closing wall or support them there herself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Daniel looked around the area. Only a few people were left and he could see them heading towards the tunnel already. He nodded almost to himself and took off in the direction of the gates. He couldn�t do much more here but maybe he could help the others.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A flaming arrow landed a foot away from Sam but she ignored it and continued to help the injured soldier closer to the gate. Sam spun around to check for any more injured and was shocked to find Mesnah standing inches away from her. She had appeared from nowhere! Before Sam had a chance to react Mesnah grinned wickedly and plunged her sword into Sam and out the other side.
Somehow Jack heard Sam�s gasp through the noise and his head snapped up.
�No!!� he cried, leaping to his feet. Daniel looked up as he heard Jack�s cry then his eyes fell on Sam.
�Oh God,� he whispered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sam looked down at the sword through her stomach and up at the woman�s face. The woman looked at her, smiling with pleasure as she slowly pulled her sword out.
�I win,� she whispered and laughed, quickly taking a step backward, pressing the device to activate the transporter rings as Jack raced towards them.
�TEAL�C!!! DANIEL!!! TEAL�C!!� Jack yelled.
The pain was incredible and Sam fell to her knees, her hands covering the wound.
Jack skidded to stop next to Sam and gently helped her to lay flat on the ground. Blood seeped through fingers that covered her wound. He quickly assessed the situation, holding back the tears that were welling up in his eyes. There was just so much blood. Sam looked up at him
�Jack?�
�Sam,� he said, swallowing the lump in his throat. �You�re gonna be ok. You�re strong�You�ll make it�.�
Sam weakly shook her head. �Not this time.�
�Sam please��
�Look after Kayla.�
�Sam��
�I� love you,� she whispered, and her eyes became still. Much more still than a life force would allow.
�No! No Sam! Sam, Please, Sam.� Tears rolled down his cheeks unchecked and he didn�t care. He noticed Teal�c and Daniel stood either side of him, he didn�t know how long they�d been there.
�O�Neill,� Teal�c said placing a hand on his shoulder.
�Just�give me a minute.�
�Jack,� Daniel said softly, �We have to get her inside.�
Jack looked across at Daniel and knew he was right. He looked up and saw to Jaffa wielding swords, coming towards them at a run.
He drew out his sidearm with an anguished yell and fired. BANG! BANG! Two shots and they were dead.
�Teal�c, Daniel, lay down cover fire,� Jack said as he lifted Sam�s limp body in his arms.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They got in and the doors were closed behind them. They were safe for a few minutes. A fire arrow flew over them and hit a nearby tent. From the chaos Kayla spotted them and ran over. Seeing Sam she flung herself over her body crying. Jack watched them in a state of numbness.
�Uh oh.� Daniel said, gazing into the sky. Jack didn�t take his eyes off Sam.
�O�Neill. It appears Mesnah is bringing her mothership directly over the Lunas.� Jack finally looked up at the ship. Yes. They were right.
�Jack we have to go NOW!�
Jack nodded. Daniel bent down beside Kayla and gently pulled her away, talking to her. Jack picked up Sam�s lifeless body ever so gently and began walking towards the tunnel entrance.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They went down the tunnels at a brisk walk; passing the caves with many people crowded in. they went through one un-coded door, then another. Finally they came to a third one where the woman and King Talus were sitting.
�What is the delay?� Teal�c questioned.
�I�ve decoded the door, with one button to press.�
�Then why do you not act,�
�There are warriors on the other side,� she said, looking frightened. Teal�c paused and cocked his head.
�There does indeed appear to be Mesnah�s Jaffa waiting, O�Neill.�
Jack walked back to one of the caves and laid Sam down in a corner.
�Daniel, stay with them,� he said. Daniel nodded and watched him head back out.
�Press the button.�
�But...�
�Press it!!�
The woman pressed the button then hurried back along the corridor. The door slid open revealing that the corridor spilt into too. The Jaffa in the room were coming down only one.
The nearest Jaffa launched into attack mode, whirling two daggers with both hands. Jack fired his P-90 at him. As Teal�c activated his staff weapon another Jaffa attacked from another direction with a sword. Jack aimed finished him off too. Teal�c was significantly thinning the crowd with his Staff weapon and Jack began a sweep with his machine gun.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile the people of the town were crowed into the caves carved into the sides of the tunnel. Daniel crouched next to Kayla who had not left Sam�s side for a second. Daniel looked down at her Sam�s pale face and the tears finally came.
With everything going on, only now when with the chance to stop had the impact of Sam�s death sunk in. She looked so white, so still. She had always had a glow about her. Now the dim glow of light that was always on in her office would never been on again. Always working on some gadget or whatever, like him. She was his sister, not by blood, but of the heart. They were family in all the ways that mattered.
And Jack. God this would crush him. He remembered when he had first met him. Withdrawn into his own world, into nothing, feeling nothing. He knew now it was because of losing Charlie. Who knew what impact losing Sam would have on him. He remembered how he felt after Sha�re�s death. So helpless there was nothing he could do about it. He�d wanted to blame someone. Everyone. How in his mind he had explained to Kasuf, so confidently lying to himself, that a sarcophagus could save her.
A sarcophagus! He cursed himself for not thinking about it before. There hadn�t been a sarcophagus close enough to save Sha�re she had been too long dead. But he�d lay high odds there was one on Mesnah�s ship. He couldn�t save Sha�re, his wife; but maybe he could save Sam, his sister.
Daniel looked down at Kayla. Her eyes wet were with tears and she still clutched Sam�s hand with her own. Daniel�s jaw set determinedly as he drew her closer.
�Kayla, listen to me. I�m one of Sam�s friends. Did she tell you about us?�
Kayla looked up at him and slowly nodded.
�I�m going to try something, but you�re gonna need to let go of her hand.�
Kayla shook her head violently.
�Kayla please. I want to help her.�
�She promised I could go with her.�
�You can. But I have to get her back along this tunnel.�
�It�s dangerous.�
�I know. But we could save her. It�s worth the risk.�
�She�s not dead?�
�She might not be. Will you help me?�
�Yes.� Kayla said with a determined nod.
Struggling, Daniel tried to stand up, supporting Sam. Jack had managed to carry her across his arms, but Jack was much stronger than he was. With Kayla�s help he managed to get one of Sam�s arms across his shoulder. His arm then went round her waist, holding her against his waist. It was the type of position they would have adopted if she had broken her leg. Kayla walked on the other side of Sam, trying to keep her from tipping over either way. As they started to walk it was a lot harder than he thought and they moved very slowly. Even so, with every step further they went was a step closer to a sarcophagus.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As the number of Jaffa arriving began to decrease Teal�c ran back along the tunnel calling to the people to go. He stood where the tunnel diverged into two parts until he last of the people trickled past. Teal�c frowned and looked behind him. Daniel Jackson had not passed him. Placing a hand on a passing woman�s shoulder, she turned to look at him.
�Where is Dr. Jackson?� he demanded. She pointed back down the tunnel.
�He went that way with Kayla and the body of Ayliah,� she said, pointing back down the tunnel from which they came. Teal�c frowned but continued waited until all the other civilians had passed by him tot he safety of the other tunnel. When the cave was empty he followed them to where Jack stood weapon aimed at the second tunnel where the Jaffa had been coming from.
�O�Neill! Daniel Jackson is not there.�
�What!� Jack exclaimed. Just then another Jaffa appeared at the end of the tunnel, running towards them, axe raised. Jack finished him off with another burst from his P-90 and turned back to Teal�c.
�It appears he has taken Major Carter�s body and escaped the way he came,� Teal�c continued.
�What the hell was he thinking!� Jack yelled as he turned and stormed back along the tunnel.
�There are no Jaffa coming from that direction O�Neill.�
�That�s cause on one but him is dumb enough to walk into the ship! Teal�c go with those people, dial Earth and get them through. Don�t reopen the iris without our code.�
�O�Neill��
�Teal�c that�s an order!� Jack shouted over his shoulder as he ran back down the tunnel that led to the ship. Teal�c gave a short nod and followed the people down the tunnel.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cautiously entering the ship, Jack swept the room for any signs of danger of Sam. Finding nothing he moved on to the next room. He could hear sounds of Jaffa in the distance but what got his attention was Mesnah just ahead of him. She turned at the sound of his quiet footsteps.
�Ah, the lover. Tell me, what did it feel like watching your lover die in your arms, after I ran her through with my sword?�
�Now I�m going to watch you die,� he said coldly, levelling his gun.
�JAFFA KREE!� Mesnah yelled as she rolled to safety, the bullet almost grazing her shoulder. Jaffa came jogging down the corridor armed with swords, spears and arrows. Teal�c began firing his staff weapon and Jack began a sweep with his P90, clearly pissed off. Mesnah walked out of the room with a laugh.
Strolling into another chamber she was surprised to see Daniel and Kayla running across it. Mesnah smiled wickedly at them.
�The child and her friend,� Mesnah laughed. �This is too good.�
Kayla frowned at Mesnah as Daniel froze.
�Hello Kayla. Remember me? I killed your mother, and now you.�
�You stay away from her,� Daniel said, stepping protectively in front of Kayla.
�You think *you* can stop *me*?�
�Maybe not,� Daniel said, with a shrug. �But she might,� he said nodding behind her.
�You will not deceive me with such an obvious bluff!� She laughed lifting her hand device. Just then Sam delivered a blow to her head that sent her tumbling to the ground. Daniel shrugged.
�Wasn�t a bluff,�
�Daniel, Go! Get Kayla out of here.� Sam ordered as she delivered another blow to Mesnah�s arm, sending the hand device skidding across the floor. Daniel nodded but Kayla�s eyes were wide.
�You�re alive!!�
�Yes Kayla but you�ve got to go!� Sam shouted as Mesnah picked herself up and turned to face Sam. �Daniel.�
Daniel swept Kayla up in his arms and picked her up.
�No!� she yelled struggling madly to get down. �Put me down! Let go!� Sam heard her voice echo as Daniel half ran out of the room.
Sam�s attention snapped back to Mesnah and she glared at her, fists up ready. Dressed much the same as Kayla had years ago, and with the two three forked daggers resting at her sides, Sam resembled Kayla in more ways than she could imagine.
�Jolinar?� Mesnah asked, her fists also up with a sword in one hand. They were both continuously moving, keeping the distance between them constant.
�In a way. I�m Sam. We�re one and the same,� Sam said, echoing Jolinar from years before. But it was more than echo. She was Jolinar. She was Kayla. Their emotions, the feelings and energy they put into this battle flowed though her veins.
�After I kill you I will kill the child,� Mesnah grinned hauntingly.
�Not gonna happen,� Sam said with a sweeping kick to Menah�s legs. She jumped up, avoiding it and grabbed her arm, pressing Sam�s body against her own, immobilizing her.
�Do you know what I said to Kayla before I killed her?� Mesnah hissed in her ear as she took a dagger from Sam�s side, holding close to her neck. Sam brought her elbow sharply backwards and spun out of the hold, twisting her wrist out of Mesnah�s grip with an unhealthy crack.
�I remember,� Sam spat, carefully testing her wrist.
�I said your sentimental side is a your weakness. I was right. Now Jolinar and Kayla are your weakness. You would not be here but for them.�
�True. But they�re part of me. I owe them this.�
�Foolish sentiment.� Mesnah laughed, Sam shrugged and continued.
�Their emotions do drive me. They�re total assets.�
Mesnah lunged forward, slashing her sword across Sam�s left leg causing a deep gash. Sam cried out with pain and Mesnah grinned as she took another step towards her and aimed a high sidekick. Sam sidestepped it and landed a blow to the back of Mesnah�s head. Swinging round again Sam lunged forward on her right leg and jabbed with her non-injured fist. The sword flew out of Mesnah�s hand as she blocked the pass and went skidding across the polished floor.
Like lighting Mesnah aimed a high kick at Sam�s injured leg before flipping her to the ground.
She was on top of her in seconds, landing multiple blows to Sam�s ribcage. Finally she sprung up looking for her sword, giving Sam the chance she needed to get back up.
Slowly, too slowly, Mesnah�s eyes located the sword. Sam was up and in fighting stance by the time she took the fist step. Seeing Sam spring to her feet Mesnah stopped.
�So pathetic. So weak.� She said.
�We�ll see.�
With that they simultaneously launched themselves at each other, arms raised. At the last minute Mesnah side stepped and as Sam passed her Mesnah increased her momentum towards the wall with a kick to her back. Sam let the flow of Jolinar, her style and techniques flow over and using the momentum that propelled her she ran straight up the wall, using it to summersault backwards. She landed facing Mesnah panting.
�You�ve remembered Jolinar�s techniques.�
�Yeah.� Sam panted as they circled again. Seeing an opening Sam took a step towards her and punched her in the face. Mesnah stumbled backwards desperately trying to stay on her feet while holding her nose now dripping with blood
�That�s one of mine.� Sam panted, watching Mesnah try to hold herself together.
�Let me explain about Jolinar and me.� Sam said sending an upper cut to Mesnah�s jaw
�You hurt her, you hurt me.� She added, punctuating each �hurt� with another blow to stomach
�I kick your ass, she kicks your ass.� Sam said forcing Menah�s head down bringing her knee up into Mesnah�s stomach.
�There *is* no difference.� Sam finished. She was she had cracked or broken Mesnah rips.
Mesnah leant on the wall for support, blood trickling from her nose and the cut on her lip. Suddenly she pushed herself off from the wall and took off down another corridor. Sam was on her trail in a flash. They rounded a corner and it opened up into another room that must�ve been the loading area.
It was filled with Jaffa fighting people in SGC uniforms. At some point the backup had arrived.
�Sam!� Jack cried, so stunned to see her alive he stopped fighting. The Jaffa behind him brought a fist down on his head, knocking him to the ground.
�Jack!� she cried. She made a move to go to him but a sudden blow to her legs sent her sprawling. She was up in a flash and whirled around. She saw the back of Mesnah disappearing down another corridor, her laugh bouncing of the walls. Sam dashed after her and found herself in what was obviously the control room. Mesnah stood in the centre accessing the control panel.
�You can�t win if you run Mesnah. Let�s finish this.�
Mesnah spun to face her and in seconds they were engaged in a fast and furious hand to hand combat. Neither of them were at their best.
Sam ached in more places than she had thought possible. Her leg and wrist protested painfully with each movement. Her chest was tight and breathing wasn�t easy. But all those, and various other cuts and gashes were pushed out of her mind as her body continued to run on pure adrenaline and determination.
Outwardly the only signs of Mesnah�s injuries were the dried blood on her lip and cut on her forehead. Beneath her exterior however Sam had broken several rips which put pressure on her lungs. Breathing was painful but she didn�t show it.
�Your lover.� Mesnah barked, panting too. �I�m opening the cargo doors. He�ll be sucked out.�
Sam gaze fell onto the console Mesnah was standing in front of. She couldn�t read Goa�uld so had no way of knowing if it was a bluff.
�You�ll kill your own Jaffa!�
�The price is worth it to see your face when your lover dies.�
Sam looked straight into her eyes and knew she was telling the truth. Enraged and fuelled by anger, Sam grabbed the remaining dagger from her side and threw it in the Mesnah�s direction. Missing Mesnah herself the dagger went through her clothing pinning her to the wall. Mesnah laughed and pulled it from the wall. Sam groaned inwardly, briefly closing her eyes. That laugh was beginning to irritate her.
Mesnah launched herself in a side cartwheel attack towards her. The dagger slashed at Sam�s stomach but her reflexes reacted quickly and with a cross-armed block that dealt with the impact of the force of both of Mesnah�s legs, Sam thrust upwards further sending Mesnah reeling backwards.
Sam�s hand went to her stomach for the second time that day, but this time the wound wasn�t as deep. Mesnah had quickly jumped to her feet again, fury in her eyes. In one sudden movement, she threw the dagger at Sam. Sam had been distracted and Mesnah�s aim wasn�t bad. Any attempt to dodge it was futile and Sam cried out as the dagger punctured her right thigh. She was beginning to feel like a human pin cushion. Unable to support her weight her leg crumbled beneath her. Mesnah appeared over her, grinning wickedly down as she delivered another blow to her head.
�Now I�ve killed you three times. Kayla, Jolinar and�Sam.� kicking Sam in the jaw so she fell backwards. All of her top body weight was on the one hand Sam leaned on to prop herself up.
�No.� Sam said with a slow shake of her head, Mesnah just laughed.
�I have a promise to keep.� Sam continued, �You won�t win. Not today. Not any day.�
With one sudden and painful movement Sam wrenched the dagger from her leg and drove it upwards into Mesnah�s heart. Mesnah cried out and her eyes filled with pain. As blood began to seep through onto Sam�s hand she twisted making Mesnah cry out again and fall backwards. The dagger slipped from her fingers and Sam watched almost in slow motion Mesnah fell heavily to the floor. As her vision began to cloud Sam forced all her energy into staying conscious and finishing this battle.
�We win.� Sam said her voice coarse. �You lose.� Mesnah�s eyes focused on her one last time before they stilled and hardened. Sam let out a gasp of air. It was over.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Daniel ran along another corridor and cursed himself for not remembering which way he had come in. He had finally persuaded Kayla to come with him willingly. Telling her it was what Sam wanted. He jogged into the cargo hold where Jack and Teal�c were taking on the last few Jaffa. Teal�c and Jack start to walk over to him and Daniel frowns.
�What�s that?� Daniel asked staring at the wall behind them.
�The cargo doors are opening!� Teal�c exclaimed
�That�s not good,� Jack commented, strangely calm.
�We must vacate immediately!� Teal�c stated, a touch of panic hidden in his voice. Daniel held his hand out to Kayla and they followed Teal�c with Jack.
As the cargo doors slid silently open and the suction began to tug at their clothes and walking towards the exit was harder. Daniel put his arm around Kayla, pressing her to him as they get struggling outwards. Teal�c made it to the doorway just as some rope that must�ve been securing a load, whipped past them, knocking them to the ground. Kayla screamed as they began to slide quickly outwards towards the open doors. Flailing widely with one arm Daniel managed to grab hold of the rope that had knocked them. a jolt when through their bodies as their descent stopped.
�You ok?� Daniel yelled down to Kayla. She looked up at him with raw fear in her eyes. She was hugging his legs for dear life and he held a fistful of the back of her dress in his other hand. Looking past her Daniel panicked as he saw Jack barely holding on to a deep crevice in the wall. He was a lot nearer the entrance than they were and the suction was a lot stronger there.
�Daniel Jackson!� Teal�c yelled over from the safety of the doorway. He had stretched his staff weapon towards them. They could reach it if they climbed up further. Daniel looked from the staff weapon, to Kayla to the opening doors where Jack hung. He looked back up at Teal�c.
�Take Kayla!� he yelled over the roar of the wind whipping past his ears. Teal�c nodded and Daniel used all his strength to try and pull Kayla upwards. He got he to his chest height and their eyes met.
�Kayla! You�re gonna have to climb up me ok?� Daniel shouted to her. She looked terrified, her eyes wide with fear.
�It�s ok. I�ll keep hold of you. Come you can do it!� he encouraged. She looked nervously up towards Teal�c offering the staff weapon and back to Daniel who was holding her safe. He could see why she wouldn�t want to move.
�I know you can do it, Kayla!� he said desperately. She nodded and let go of one hand, reaching up and grabbing another handful of his shirt.
�Yes. That�s it. Get onto my shoulders and reach for that stick!� he yelled to her as she continued to climb up. Even though the suction was getting stronger and now began to pull his whole body, he could feel her trembling.
Stretching as far as he could Teal�c watched as the small child reached upwards for the end of the staff weapon. She grabbed for it and almost lost her balance but Daniel Jackson held her leg firmly. On the second try she caught it and after a few seconds pause she let go of Daniel with her other hand and grabbed the staff weapon. There she was, holding on two handed to the staff weapon with Daniel Jackson clutching one of the legs and the suction pulling her small body outwards.
Daniel looked up and Saw Kayla stretched across, but with a firm hold. She looked down at him frightened and he gave her an encouraging nod.
�Ready!� he yelled. She nodded fiercely, terrified. Daniel let go of her leg and Teal'c immediately began to pull her up. Daniel feared for a moment that she wouldn�t be strong enough to hold on much longer but Teal�c�s strong arms wrapped around her tiny waist and he breathed a sigh of relief.
�You are a very brave girl.� Teal�c said to her. She nodded; it was about all she could do.
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Sam almost smiled as another ragged breath escaped her but the faintest glimmer of happiness died when she saw the image now projected onto the holographic screen. The cargo doors had opened. The Jaffa had disappeared, probably already sucked out. Some of them probably already dead. But Jack hung onto a crevice in the wall and the wind blowing around him, sucking him outwards, thrashing his body back and forth as if it were cloth. Daniel hung from a rope just above him but Teal�c and Kayla were nowhere to be seen. Trying to ignore the searing pain in her side she pushed herself, gasping into standing position.
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�Stay behind me,� Teal�c said to Kayla as he turned his attention back to Daniel Jackson.
Daniel looked back up at him.
�I�m not leaving Jack!� he yelled shaking his head. The roar of the wind was now deafening and all Teal�c heard was �Jack� but he knew his friends. Daniel Jackson would not leave O�Neill behind. Teal�c nodded acknowledgement to his friend and Daniel nodded back. Taking a deep breath he began to slide carefully down the rope, one hand over the other.
Jack�s fingers grasped onto the crevice, he worked his thumbs trying to get a better grip. The suction was playing with the bottom half of his body like a rag doll and he was trying desperately to haul him self a little further up. The wind slammed his body into the fall and he groaned as the ache and pulling of his body took another toll. He glanced upwards and saw Daniel making his way downwards. Towards him. No. He couldn�t let that happen.
�DANIEL!� he yelled as the wind almost flipped him over completely. Daniel stopped looked down towards him but didn�t stop moving. His eyes full of panic.
�NO! GET OUT OF HERE!� he yelled. Daniel�s eyes set determinedly. Jack didn�t want him to risk his life for him. He knew that. He also knew that id the situation was reversed, Jack would be right here on this rope too. No. He wasn�t going anywhere.
�GO BACK DANIEL!� he yelled as he lost his grip for a second. Daniel sped up; he was almost there. The wind flipped Jack completely over and flat on his back Jack stared right up into Daniel�s eyes.
�GO!� Jack yelled desperately. �JUST GO!� Daniel shook his head and carried on down the rope.
As Daniel drew level with him he had to hold on with everything he had in him. The suction was so strong and it tossed and played with trivial bodies. The rope thrashed across the room violently with no way to control it. Jack no longer knew what was keeping him holding on, all he could see was Daniel on the end of the rope. Daniel braced himself as he was flung against the opposite wall and Jack winced for him. Next he was swept suddenly across the room and slammed into the wall millimetres above Jack.
�GRAB ON!� Daniel yelled from the small part of his brain that was still thinking.
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As she finished her frantic stabbing of the console, she slumped against it as she watched the holographic screen to see if it had worked. Her Goa�uld language was limited, only what she had learnt in the months investigating her dream, supplemented by Jolinar�s memories. It had given her a vague understanding of the functions on the console and now she watched desperately to see if it had worked. Amazingly the doors seemed to be closing. Slowly, but defiantly closing. Her eyes focused on Jack and Daniel clinging together near the opening and she mentally encouraged them to hang on, ignoring her own injuries.
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Jack and Daniel clung desperately to each other and the rope. The roar of suction seemed to be dying down and they looked towards the open cargo doors. The ship was still moving but by some miracle the cargo doors were closing.
Teal�c watched from where he stood, not hearted by this fact. If the cargo doors were closing it could only mean that Mesnah planned to exit the atmosphere and they would have little hope of returning to the SGC.
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Seeing the last meter distance between the cargo doors close Sam smiled faintly before finally losing conscious and slumping down the console to the floor.
---
On the screen Teal�c ran to Daniel and Jack who were now lying gasping on their backs. Shakily standing up leaning on each other Jack turned to Teal�c looked at Kayla then back again and looked at Daniel.
�Where�s Sam?�
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�O�Neill, do you require assistance?� Teal�c offered realising Jack had fallen behind again. It had taken every muscle and every ounce of energy to hold on. He was exhausted and the only thing keeping him going was finding Sam.
�Oh, I�m just peachy.�
�Maybe we should stop for a bit?� Daniel asked, glancing at Kayla although he knew she wasn�t tired.
�No,� Jack said determinedly from where he stood. �Gotta keep moving�.
He held himself upright, weapon in position, but his friends could see through the good soldier front. They knew he was in pain, that his body was probably screaming for rest, but he would never show it.
�Why hasn�t Mesnah started up this old heap of junk yet anyway?�
�I am unsure. We would be wise to leave the ship before she leaves the planet.�
�Agreed. We should split up. You two head that way. I�ll take Kayla the other way.� Jack stated, readjusting his weapon. Teal�c nodded and Daniel silently agreed. They all understood that he would hold them back. So would Kayla. So Teal�c and Daniel set off in one direction, carefully checking each corridor on the way. With one last look that way Jack put a hand on Kayla�s back, indicating the direction they�d go.
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Arriving in the control room Daniel and Teal�c immediately saw two things. Mesnah lying on the floor with a dagger sticking out of her heart, and Sam slumped unconscious against a console, but breathing. Stunned Daniel had frozen but Teal�c acted quickly and jogged over to her.
�Major Carter,� Teal�c said crouching in front of her and gently touching her face. She stirred and slowly returned to consciousness.
�Teal�c?� she asked tiredly.
�Indeed,� he replied. Shaken out of his trance Daniel grabbed his radio
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�So Kayla, you�re Sam�s friend right?� Jack asked, busily checking out the corridors and then allowing her to keep walking. She looked at him warily.
She wasn�t sure if these people were really her friends. The other man had taken her away from Sam. But at least he looked at her when he spoke. The man with the symbol had looked at her too, but he wasn�t very friendly.
�Kayla?� he asked again, this time looking at her and stopping walking.
�I want to see Sam,� she said stubbornly, folding her arms.
�Me too,� he said �me too.�
Just then his radio crackled to life.
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�Jack, we found her. Jack come in?�
�I read you, Daniel. Hold down the fort till we get there. � Jack�s voice crackled and Daniel nodded before turning to Sam.
�Sam you ok?� Daniel asked concerned. She looked worse than she had before going into the sarcophagus, but at least she was conscious.
�Yeah. Tired. Very tired.� She said sleepily
�Major Carter you must not sleep.�
�Uh-huh,� she mumbled, her eyes already closed.
�Carter, you had damn well better stay conscious, I�m not losing you again,� Jack said striding purposefully into the room. Sam�s eyes opened again and focussed on him.
�Or do I have to make that an order?� he added, trying unsuccessfully trying to keep emotion from his voice as he reached her.
�Jack?� she whispered.
�Yeah it�s me,� he said reaching out and gently stroking her cheek. She managed a small smile and leaned into his hand. By then Kayla had reached her side and has clinging to her hand.
�I�m gonna need that one,� she joked with a cough.
�Sorry!� Kayla exclaimed placing Sam�s hand delicately on her lap. Sam smiled at her and patted her lap.
�Jack,� Daniel said quietly �I used the sarcophagus to bring her back. We could��
�No!� Sam said shaking her head. Which she immediately regretted as the room started to spin. She groaned and her hand went to her head.
�No, I don�t want it.� She managed, her voice cracked.
�Are you able to walk?� Teal�c inquired. Sam thought about this for a minute and nodded. She held her hand out in a stop motion to make them wait till the room stopped moving, than let them help her up.
Sam walked supported by Jack and Teal�c under her arms out of the ship. Sam was in a daze. Everything seemed hazy. Well almost everything, she thought glancing at Jack. Some things were very clear.
Today they had crossed the line. The line they had danced around for so many years. They�d said what they felt for each other as Sam died. Well she had. She had thought that in death, it was finally safe to admit it.
She laughed inwardly.
Even death wasn�t permanent in her life. All this time she had avoided it, avoided her feelings because the work they were doing was too important. But today, as she felt the world slip away from her, nothing seemed more important than letting him know. But then it was safe. Wouldn�t affect anything else. She knew it couldn�t be taken back now. And she was surprised to realise she didn�t want to take it back at all.
They stopped as they reached the �gate and Daniel dialled up Earth. Teal�c had made sure everyone had got through before coming back. Now as the gate leapt into life Kayla jumped back in surprise and looked fearfully up at Sam.
�There is no need to worry. It is safe.� Teal�c stated.
�It�s where I came from,� Sam added. �It�s home.�
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CONTINUE (to the last page!)