He watched the hunters stop a little further on and retrieve the arrow and another unat from the undergrowth, before they disappeared into the trees, walking parallel with the hillside.
When he was certain they were gone, and that there were no others close by, Teal’c hurried to complete his circuit of their camp. It appeared that Daniel Jackson had been correct, there were people here. Whether that improved or worsened their situation remained to be seen.
By the time he returned to their camp site, Colonel O’Neill was also awake — if he had slept at all. He sipped from the steaming mug cradled in his hands. Major Carter was crawling backward out of the tent and climbing to her feet.
“His fever’s definitely lower,” she said as she walked back to the fire and picked up her own mug from a rock close by. “He’s trying the coffee.”
“He can hear you…” Daniel Jackson called from inside the tent.
Major Carter smiled. Then she saw Teal’c and said, “Hey, want some coffee?”
“O’Neill,” he said, by way of answer, “there are people on this planet. I have seen them.”
“What?” Coffee forgotten, O’Neill reached for his weapon. “Where?”
“Hunters,” Teal’c said. “Two men armed with bows and arrows. They headed that way.” He pointed past their tent, up into the trees.
“Bows and arrows?” He understood O’Neill’s disappointment; this was not a technologically advanced people and it was unlikely they would be able to assist them in opening the Stargate.
“Told you I saw someone.” Daniel Jackson’s disembodied voice sounded rather pleased.
O’Neill just frowned, thinking. “Did they see you?”
“They did not.”
He nodded. “How much gear were they carrying?”
“Nothing but their weapons. I do not believe they were hunting far from home.”
“You can track them?”
“Yes.”
“There must be a village or something around here,” O’Neill guessed, glancing about as if he might be able to see it from where he stood. “Maybe they know what happened to the DHD?”
“That is possible,” Teal’c conceded. “But it is most likely that the DHD was destroyed, or buried, in the nuclear attack on the Stargate.”
“It’s also possible they have it in their town square and dance around it singing songs at Christmas.” O’Neill finished his coffee in one long swallow. “Let’s not make any assumptions here.”
A shuffling movement from the tent revealed Daniel Jackson, milk-faced as he edged his way out. “Ah, actually,” he said, “I think we can rule out the Christmas scenario.”
“Bad example,” O’Neill said. “The point is, these people — whoever they are — know one-hundred percent more about this planet than we do. So, pack-up your stuff. We’re gonna go say hello.”
“Sir?” Major Carter looked uneasy. “Is that a good idea?”
“You got a better one?”
She shrugged, shook her head. “Sir, SERE protocol recommends holing up until —”
“Major, are you trying to lecture me on survival and evasion protocols?”
“No sir, it’s just —”
“Good,” he said. “Now get ready to move out.”
Teal’c could see the concern playing across her face. Major Carter had a great deal to learn about maintaining a soldier’s impassive façade.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t think it’s a good idea,” she said, proving that she also had much to learn about the wisdom of remaining silent. “We don’t know how far away these people live, or whether or not they’ll be hostile. And if we move out of radio range we won’t know if the SGC have come looking for us.”
O’Neill’s face, on the other hand, remained inscrutable. Only the sharp edge to his voice betrayed impatience. “Carter…”
“Sir, the SGC could dial the gate at any moment. We have to give them time.”
“We don’t have time!” It was unusual, although not unprecedented, for O’Neill to momentarily lose control. But it was never a good sign. He scowled, jamming his cap onto his head and tugging it low over his eyes as if hiding in its shadow. Angry silence filled the space between him and Major Carter, and Teal’c felt his concern about O’Neill’s behavior ratchet up another notch. It felt amiss in a way he could not adequately define.
“What about Daniel, sir?” Major Carter said at last, coldly professional. “One of us could stay here with him, to keep an eye on the Stargate, and —”