" Teal’c, if there was another way of doing this, I would take it in a flash."

The tall man looked at me serenely. " I am aware of this O’Neill. Do not do me the disservice of pointing out the obvious."

I gave him a genuine grin, aware of the gentle rebuke. " Well…okay then…" I glanced at the remaining two members of SG1, crouched like I was behind a small hill overlooking the Stargate. " Ready kids?"

" No."

I wasn’t shocked or annoyed by Daniel’s reply. He was just being honest. No, he and Carter weren’t ready, anymore than Teal’c and I were, but sometimes we had no choice in what transpired.

" I know Danny," I said softly, " But ready or not, you and Carter have to make it back to the SGC. It’s imperative that you make it."

Daniel sat on his butt and gestured with a thumb at the distant Stargate. " Jack," he said in a singsong voice that made me want to throttle him, " there are over forty Jaffa guarding the gate. Just precisely how are you and Teal’c going to distract them enough that they don’t notice us all sneaking home?"

" I’m not." He still didn’t understand.

When he gave me a curious gaze I braced myself and elaborated. " Daniel, Teal’c and I are going to lure the Jaffa away from there. The minute they’re gone, I want you and Major Carter to fire up the Stargate and report to Fraiser immediately."

For a moment there was a stunned silence, the lull before the storm.

" Danny, Sam, from what you’ve told me, the evidence you caught on the video camera depicts the formula of the virus Nirrti intends using on Earth. Is that correct?"

They nodded.

" Then my orders stand. It is absolutely imperative that you get that camera back to the SGC where you can translate it and Carter and the Doc can start on a vaccine. Just in case."

Daniel looked sullen. " Okay, now I understand. But just because Nirrti found a formula for something nasty on a wall doesn’t mean that she’s…"

" Daniel," I said, exasperated. " In case you haven’t noticed, she’s no longer here. So, where is she? Deep in her lab somewhere, cackling with glee, or halfway to earth in a Tel Tac?" he made to answer and I held up my hand

" Danny," I said softly, " she’s a Gou’ald. If she doesn’t use it on earth, you can bet your life that she’ll find somewhere else to use it, and that’s unacceptable. Not when we have a way of stopping her."

Carter stirred. " But sir, you and Teal’c against forty Jaffa? That’s tantamount to suicide."

I gave her a weak smile. " Maybe Carter, but I hope it doesn’t come to that. As soon as you’re through get Hammond to send back SG2 or 3." I took another brief look at the milling Jaffa down below. " Or both," I said thoughtfully. " I have a feeling we’re going to need them."

" Can’t we all go together?"

I looked at Daniel, trying to keep the exasperation off of my face. " No. This isn’t a movie and you’re not indestructible. They’d just open up with those staff weapons and we would be toast, and you know it." I sat back on my haunches and regarded two pairs of tragic blue eyes. " Ah c’mon kids. Teal’c and me, we’re tough. We’ll survive. And even if we don’t, at least we’ll die knowing that earth has one more defense against the bitch. That will make it all the more worthwhile." I looked deep into their eyes. " Okay?"

It wasn’t. I knew it and I knew they knew it, but nobody argued. Not anymore.

" Alright then," I said, picking up my C90. " Carter, let me have all the clips of ammo you can spare."

She looked ready to burst into tears as she gave me what she could, her eyes never leaving my face, as if imprinting my face into her brain.

" Hey Sam," I said softly. " Don’t worry. I’m too stubborn to kill off easily." When she didn’t answer I gave a snort of disgust and reiterated my original order. " Carter, when you are absolutely sure all the Jaffa have cleared off, get to the SGC and have Daniel get that formula translated. Tell General Hammond the situation and request that SG2 be sent through. In the meantime Teal’c and I will take out as many Jaffa as we can and we’ll make sure to keep them away from the stargate. You got that Major?"

The deliberate use of her rank had the desired effect.

" Yes sir." Her voice was steel.

Patting her on a shoulder, I slowly backed away from them, Teal’c right behind me, trying not to notice Daniel’s glittering eyes.

…

For the next hour Teal’c and I delighted ourselves in making elaborate traps. I had forgotten how bloodthirsty I could be, but although really rusty from lack of practice, the gist of it was still in my head somewhere, and I used it happily.

When we were as prepared as we could be, I nodded at Teal’c. " Ready, big fella?"

He merely looked down his nose at me, making me laugh. " Okay then, let’s go and fetch them."

…

Master Bra’tac taught me many ages ago that to die with your friend by your side and your enemy under your sword is a good way to die. Up until now I had no real idea what he meant. I do now. I also disagree.

A good way to die is alone, secure in the knowledge that your friend lives to avenge your death. Today will not be a good day to die.

The Tau’ri I have the honor to call my friend has spent a most educational hour with me demonstrating and preparing elaborate and well thought out traps, traps that any Jaffa would be hard pressed to better, if that was even possible. When he was eventually finished he asked my opinion and waited for my comments, as if they were important to him. It has taken me many seasons to realize that they are. This warrior asks for nothing but my loyalty and wisdom, something I give gladly.

" Ready, big fella?"

True, I also have to endure his sometimes incomprehensible levity, but this too I understand is part of what makes O’Neill the warrior he is. As he expects I merely look down my nose at him, making my friend laugh heartily.

He led me back to the Chappa’i, this time from another direction. He is young, my Tau’ri friend, as are all Tau’ri’s, their lives painfully short compared to other races in the galaxy, but they learn quickly. Not even Master Bra’tac could fault O’Neill on the manner in which he moved. Neither could I this time either. Not one blade of grass was damaged as we made our way towards the enemy, not one winged creature was startled from its nest, until it became time to deliberately show ourselves.

" Teal’c, I want you to count to twenty in Gould then open up with that staff weapon. Fry a couple then lead them to the first set of traps."

I inclined my head in understanding as he elaborated on his role.

" I’m gonna annoy whoever’s left, make them chase me towards the other set of traps." His eyes were full of the light of the battle to come. " Hopefully we can account for most of them and pick off the ones that survive."

I knew that the task was almost beyond hopelessness. Almost, but not quite. For some strange reason the true God seemed to like this Tau’ri, saving him from the fields of Kheb time and time again. Maybe this day fortune will once more be bestowed upon him, and perhaps, by association myself? More than likely not. This time we face eight hands of highly trained Jaffa, all loyal to their false god. Killing them will not be easy. Nevertheless, we will persevere until the very end.

" Y’tanka…Tlpa…s’suth." It was time. Saying a quick prayer, I charged my weapon and fired.

As expected, the chaos was immediate. I deliberately showed my profile to the Prime, offering he and his men a tantalizing glimpse of his prey before rapidly retreating to the first of the Tau’ri traps. To my intense relief more than a hand’s worth of Jaffa immediately succumbed to the long pit with it’s sharpened tree stumps. O’Neill called it his Veet’am surprise, a method of dispatching enemies I had never encountered before. It was clearly obvious that the Jaffa loyal to Nirrti hadn’t heard of such a device either. Their cries were pitiful as the remaining Jaffa dispatched their souls to Kheb.

" Teal’c, this is O’Neill…you there good buddy?" His voice sounded strained.

Their communication devices were primitive but effective. " I am here O’Neill."

" Good…How many have you got chasing you, more or less?"

I calculated quickly. " About four hands. Less now."

" Ah, about twenty or so. Good…" For a moment there was silence, broken by the distant whoosh of the Chappa’i opening.

" Y’ hear that Teal’c? They’re going home. Now all we have to do is survive."

" Indeed."

" Stay on your toes…O’Neill out."

His explanation of why he expected me to walk in a clearly impossible manner would have to wait for another time, perhaps in Kheb.

" Sholva, prepare to die…Aaieee."

I permitted a small smile as the hidden explosives dispatched another hand. This was not an honorable way for a warrior to fight. Nevertheless it was extremely effective.

My smile died as I heard distant staff weapons fire, prompting me to communicate with my brother again.

" O’Neill, are you well?" There was no answer.

I heard Teal’c’s worried voice over the radio, but was just a bit too preoccupied to answer him at that moment. Damn, that had been a bit too close. For some strange and mysterious reason the claymore mines that we had seeded all over the valley had failed to explode, allowing my eighteen or so pursuers time to shoulder their staff weapons and power the things up. All of a sudden my perch behind a thick tree stump became very precarious, especially when they started to blast away the bark at the front.

Damn it. The claymores were set to explode by the simple act of snapping a tripwire. As luck would have it, the Jaffa had followed the actions of their leader, a tall individual who had leapt lightly onto a large boulder before cautiously entering the green valley, thus completely missing the tripwire. When every Jaffa copied his action to a T, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was royally screwed.

The mined valley was my masterpiece. All I had to do was lead the Jaffa into the valley and crouch behind the lone tree stump and wait. The explosives and the valley’s high rock faces would do the rest. In theory. So much for theory.

" Damn Jack, you’re in big trouble now," I mumbled to myself, frantically looking for solutions, but I couldn’t see any. At this rate my tree stump would be matchsticks and me dead within minutes. Then there would be nothing between this charming lot and an unsuspecting Teal’c. Unless…

If I threw my C90 at the tripwire, I could blow the valley sky high. The problem with that was the obvious fact that I would leave my upper body exposed to the Jaffa for a brief period. If I was lucky it would be only for a second or two, but with a shit load of pissed off Jaffa…eternity.

Damn. There was no option of surrender, and no choice. For a brief moment I thought of letting Teal’c know what I was about to do, but decided not to. His set of traps was far more extensive than mine, us having guessed that he would have the majority of Jaffa after him and not me. Besides, he would understand.

I unclipped my C90 and took a deep breath. " Ah well, here goes nothing." I was pleased to notice my voice was strong and tremorless. A soldier to the end, I thought sardonically, kneeling awkwardly. Taking a deep breath I suddenly raised myself and threw my weapon with all my might. I had a brief thought that my aim was straight and true before a massive impact sent me spinning into the night.

" O’Neill?" My friend did not answer, filling my heart with dread. Tau’ri were very fragile people, only their minds were tough. I had always thought that the Jaffa were the exact opposite, the mind weak and the body tough, and had envied O’Neill and the others for their this. Despite massive opposition they rarely retreated, and if they did, it was never for long.

I ducked as sharpened wooden spikes swung down from the trees, impaling the bunched up Jaffa as neatly as chunks of meat on a stick. They were acting afraid and disorganized now, leading me to believe that their prime had perished.

Running lightly on the balls of my feet, as O’Neill had asked, I managed to elude the pitiful few that remained by running into the trees, surprised at the extra speed this method of moving afforded me. Once there I prepared for the final battle.

Suddenly the very ground trembled as O’Neill’s valley of death came into play. For a moment I allowed myself the luxury of a smile before a worrying thought entered my head. O’Neill should have led them into that trap a while ago, thus freeing himself to join and fight at my side. The fact that he was so delayed made for dark thoughts, thoughts that I cast aside as I waited patiently for the last Jaffa to enter the clearing.

" Teal’c, this is Ferretti, SG2. Do you read?"

For a moment the alien sound was incomprehensible, then I reached for the radio device. " Major Ferretti, I am well."

His voice sounded relieved. " Thank God. Where are you and the Colonel?"

My heart twisted at his question. If Major Ferretti was not hearing O’Neill, then my friend was almost certainly dead. Struggling to control my voice, I answered the small Tau’ri as calmly as I could. " I am to one side of a clearing. The Colonel, however, is not."

" Where is he?" The man, always quick to anger, sounded annoyed.

" I know not, Major Ferretti. " I…" The first of the surviving Jaffa prompted me to cut my conversation short as I fired from concealment, smiling grimly as my foe collapsed. There were less than half a hand left to fight, thanks to O’Neill and his Veet’am and Gulf traps. I prayed to the gods that my brother was still breathing, although my heart was filled with dread. Suddenly the trees around my location were full of the sounds of the unusual Tau’ri weapons and two more Jaffa flopped down into the clearing, clearly dead.

I lost no time in rising to my feet. My brother warrior was important to me. If he had succumbed, I would perform the cleansing rituals myself, as I would for one of my own family. He deserved nothing less.

" Major Ferretti, this way."

I could see that O’Neill had trained the small Tau’ri at some time in his life. He had the same style of walking as my friend, although clumsier.

I truly dreaded what I and this other warrior would find in the valley.

…

I’ll never even begin to understand this mysterious Jaffa, but one thing I know beyond a shadow of a doubt is that the man is hurting. For a moment there, as he rose from concealment, I saw it in his eyes. Fear, mixed with a healthy dose of trepidation.

Despite the obvious urgency of the situation he took time to nod courteously before setting off unerringly in a northeast direction.

" Major Ferretti, this way."

We have all been trained to peak fitness, the Colonel expects nothing less, but we all found ourselves trotting next to Teal’c. And he kept up the same punishing pace for the next ten minutes. Then he abruptly sank to the ground above a small valley.

" He is down there Major Ferretti."

" Holy crap."

" Indeed."

The valley was nothing more than churned up dirt and splintered wood, the smell of cordite and ozone still hanging in the still air.

" Teal’c can you tell if…"

The man looked at me, his eyes dark and fathomless." No one moves, Major Ferretti."

Before I could stop him he had risen to his feet, his precious staff weapon clattering to the ground.

" I will fetch him, as a brother warrior should."

Hey, what could I say, that I’d known Jack twice as long as Teal’c had? The thought never even crossed my mind. I just nodded, indicating to the rest of SG2 to give him cover if need be.

" Okay, go."

…

My worse fears had come to pass. Of this I was sure. Slowly I made my way into the valley, taking careful note of my foes. There was one, the large boulder concealed another, of the rest there was no real sign, just shards of metal and leather, all that remained.

I stood motionless in the desolation that was left, my eyes searching for the distinctive uniform of the Tau’ri, my blood slowing as I saw no trace. Then, soft as the very breeze itself, I heard O’Neill call my name.

Only a Jaffa could have heard such a quiet plea, so soft was it. But I was a Jaffa.

Slowly I turned to the remains of a large tree, my eyes noticing the scars of staff weapon blasts among the other damage. O’Neill’s voice came from under.

" O’Neill, I am here."

Slowly and carefully I lifted away the remains of the tree, unmindful of muscles screaming in protest at the weight of my load. My friend was lying there hurt but alive, speed was now of the essence.

" Major Ferretti, I require medical assistance."

My friend lay in a small depression, half sheltered by the now discarded tree, his body crumpled and burnt, his skin covered with blood. He lay motionless, unmoving save for his eyes. These he had fixed on me, burning in their wordless intensity.

" O’Neill, SG2 are here. No Jaffa remain, apart from myself."

O’Neill blinked his eyes just before the medical team arrived, pushing me to one side.

There are days when I truly wished that my friend had a pimta inside him. Today was one of these days. An immature larva inside his body would soon heal his grievous injuries, restoring to full health within a day. But he does not, and I admire him for that.

He would rather face months of pain and be slave to no one but himself.

But still, perhaps this time the Tok’ra would… No.

O’Neill would never allow himself to be blended. I have heard him on many occasions joking that he hated to die alone, apart from in his head. This time would be no different. Either Doctor Fraiser would cure him or he would die. Alone, where it mattered.

" Sierra Golf two one to Sierra Golf Command. We have Sierra Golf one one, but require intensive medical assistance at the ramp…" General Hammond’s voice acknowledged Major Ferretti as we made our rapid way back to the Chappa’i. I did not look back as we stepped through.

Lights, warmth, activity. Too much for me to take in for a moment. I had not realized just how cold the planet had become in the period we were on its surface. Walking slowly I made my way to one of the railings waiting for my body to adjust, as it would.

" Teal’c?" I blinked up painfully at General Hammond, noticing a worried Major Carter and Doctor Jackson behind him. They required a report, something I could give.

" General Hammond, the Jaffa have been defeated, but at great personal cost to…" Suddenly I swayed, my…Junior… not able to make the adjustment quick enough.

" Report to the infirmary." Hammond looked at the other anxious members of my team, his face kind. " Help him."

I was feeling stronger, my strength returning with each footstep, but was content to lean on my friends, realizing that they needed for something to do, even if it was only to transport one dirty Jaffa to the infirmary. Once there I waited patiently as one of the medical staff went over my body, content to wait. I truly needed deep Kel’ no ‘reem, but knew that achieving the required state would be impossible until I knew the situation of O’Neill. One way or another.

…

" Jack?"

Damn, I was tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. Sleep.

" Colonel?"

Doc Fraiser? Damn, what had I done now?

" O’Neill?"

Oh shit Teal’c. Nirrti, Jaffa… shit, Teal’c. I couldn’t wake up fast enough.

" Teal’c?"

" I am here O’Neill." I felt for him, my vision not good enough to see just yet. Oh damn, that meant that I had been down for a long time. My questing hand was crushed in a strong grip, making me relax.

" Y’ okay?"

His voice was deep and reassuring. " I am well O’Neill, as you will be now."

The room was slowly coming into focus, the colors gradually coalescing into the faces of my team and Janet Fraiser. I realized that I was still holding onto the hand of Teal’c, but was somehow at loath to let go.

" Teal’c…That planet…the Jaffa?" His dark eyes found mine and held.

" We persevered O’Neill."

I nodded, breaking my hold. " Good." Suddenly something else came to mind. " Danny… Carter…the virus?"

Janet answered for them. " We have a cure, thanks to you." She sat down on the side of my bed, her face earnest. " Colonel, Nirrti used it on the planet Vorash. If you hadn’t sent Daniel ahead like you did, we would never have been to synthesize a cure in time."

She leant forwards and took my wrist. " Now, I think you’ve had enough for one day. You’ve been burnt and lost a lot of blood and still have a rocky road to recovery ahead of you, okay?"

I would have nodded, but found myself unable to do even that. I watched sleepily as my team began to leave, storing up my energy for one last thing. " Teal’c?"

The tall Jaffa stopped and turned to me.

" O’Neill?"

" It’s never easy, killing…people, especially fellow Jaffa. No matter what you say, I understand that at least. But…please believe me, had there been any other way, a way of not endangering our lives…" I struggled to try to make him understand, fighting against the drugs to stay conscious. " Teal’c had there been another option…"

His voice was deep, measured. " There was none."

I felt myself deflate, relief rushing in to replace the tension.

" No other way?"

" No."

" You are a good man Teal’c," I said, allowing my heavy eyes to finally shut.

" As are you." I felt a light hand touch me over my heart. " As are you, brother."

EINDE

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