SG1-25 Hostile Ground(12)

Teal’c took point, stopping frequently to ensure that Colonel O’Neill, upon whom Daniel Jackson was leaning heavily, had not fallen too far behind. Major Carter walked alongside Teal’c, taking regular soil readings.

“Radiation levels are dropping,” she said at last. “Not much further and they’ll be within safe parameters.”

“The temperature is also dropping. We must take care not to climb too high.”

Major Carter glanced behind her. “Yeah, we need to keep Daniel warm especially. I’m concerned about the blood he’s lost.”

It was true that their friend was looking ashen. The FastClot had stemmed the flow of blood from the wound, but he needed medical attention. Teal’c worried that his condition would worsen before they had discovered a route off this planet.

“Once we have established camp, I should return to the Stargate,” he said. “The DHD may be buried beneath the rubble. My symbiote should prevent the radiation from affecting me.” Major Carter nodded, but Teal’c could see that the issue troubled her. “You are not at fault for our current situation, Major,” he said.

She gave a humorless laugh. “Try telling the colonel that.”

Teal’c frowned. It was true that O’Neill had been unduly harsh on her since arriving on this world, but this was just one more aspect of the strange mood that had fallen over their commander since his return from Edora. “He is concerned. His words are not meant in earnest.”

“Maybe not,” she said, “but I just… I feel like this has been going on for a while. Ever since he got back, it’s been different. He’s been different.”

“I too have noticed a difference in Colonel O’Neill. His behavior is not what it was.”

“You have?” Major Carter seemed relieved at this, as if glad that she was not alone in her observations.

“I have wondered what could have brought about such a difference. Perhaps his time on Edora changed him in some way?”

Teal’c did not miss how Major Carter’s shoulders sank. “Yes,” she said. “That’s what I was thinking too.”

“Rest assured, however, he has faith in your abilities and would not judge you over something in which you are blameless.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter now. All that matters is figuring out what brought us here so I can find a way home.”

There was nothing Teal’c could say to refute that. Blameless or not, Major Carter would take the responsibility for getting them home upon her own shoulders; it was simply her way. “Perhaps there are people here who can help us.”

She shook her head and looked around. “I don’t think so, Teal’c. Look at this place. There’s been some sort of devastating event. If there’s any life on this planet, it could be hundreds, even thousands of miles away. It would take some serious exploration to get any idea of the geography. We can’t even see the horizon. The planet could be vast. No, even if Daniel wasn’t hurt, our best bet is to stick close to the gate.”

“Carter!” Both Teal’c and the Major turned at O’Neill’s call. “We gotta make camp soon. Daniel can’t go much further.”

By his side, Daniel Jackson stumbled on. “I’m fine, Jack,” he said, though his pallor and pained expression told them otherwise.

“There is some level ground up ahead, O’Neill,” said Teal’c. “A good place to camp if the radiation levels aren’t too high.”

They all looked at the major for confirmation. She nodded. “We’re good, sir.”

But as they dropped their packs on the ground and set up camp in sullen silence, Teal’c scanned the fog-shrouded barren landscape and knew they were anything but good.



It was hard to tell when the sun finally set; the gloom of the low hanging sky meant the switch from day to night was almost imperceptible. The only real thing that Daniel was aware of was pain and more pain. Despite his repeated claims that he was fine, the hole in his side burned and he’d have given just about anything to see the inside of the infirmary, Janet Fraiser standing by his bedside with an IV of some lovely morphine. That, it seemed, was not to be, and the best he could hope for was the improvised ministrations of Jack or Sam and whatever they had left in their field kits. Despite the severe chill of the air, he could feel the fever start to take hold of him and knew it wasn’t good.

“How’re you feeling?”

Daniel opened his eyes to find one of his interim nurses standing over him, one not quite as pretty as Janet and with a less pleasing bedside manner.