Re: Flames over Phoenix
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:30 pm
Hello everybody, here comes the next section...
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Xxx
Eric and Connor walked back to their village. On the way, the two boys had agreed not to tell anything in the village about what they had seen. The smell of freshly cooked dinner hung in the air and the little tummy’s started rumbling.
“Mum, what`s to eat? I am starving,” Eric shouted from a distance as he saw his mother coming out of their house.
“I made your favourite. Clean yourself up. Is Connor staying for dinner or is he eating at home?” his mum wanted to know and smiled at the sight of her son.
“I will ask him.” He ran off to ask his friend who was at his home by now. But as so often happened there was nothing to eat and he took the invitation for a warm meal with gratitude.
The meal didn’t take the friends very long and after everything was cleared away, they went off playing in the forest again. The perfect playground for kids their age.
“Connor, I want to see if we find anything. What if there is somebody in need?” Eric explained his train of thoughts.
“I was thinking we agreed already on the matter to leave it be?” Connor looked at the young boy in surprise.
“You said it. I never agreed on anything and if you don’t like to come with me, then I will go alone and check it out.” Eric was determined in his endeavour.
“Ok, I will come with you. But we will only check it out. If we don’t see anything, we let it be. I don’t want to look every day now. Understood?” Conor replied in a slightly annoyed tone.
Xxx
More blood was running freely now and with every drop that was falling to the ground, the risk became higher that it would attract wild animals.
The General was starting to stir in his seat. The straps were still holding him tightly in place. A soft moan escaped him before he managed to crack one eye open. Lifting his head, he tried the second eye which wasn’t that easy.
Lifting his right hand, he wanted to know what happened and started to investigate. Just a small touch and he flinched. Looking at his glove, he could see the dark colour of blood. He knew from experience that it wasn’t good to have a cut in the area of his temple and eye.
He took stock of his situation and realised that he had a bit of a problem. His head hurt and everything was spinning. After he had realised that he was hanging in a tree Jack tried to work on a plan on how to get down.
That’s when he heard it. The deep growl of a mountain lion. Jack tried to stay as still as he could while trying to have a peek at the ground. He needed to know what was going on. Another growl which was already nearer than the first one he had heard.
Ever so careful he shifted himself in a position which allowed him to check out where the animal noise came from.
Xxx
General Landry placed the phone down. His face had changed colour shades from normal to ash grey onwards to red. He was angry. The call he had received just had told them that his friend General O`Neill was reported missing. He had found it a stupid idea from the start to send him into an air battle. It wasn’t his call; he just was notified. Now he had to tell the news Lt. Colonel Carter.
He knew already that she would not stay on the base. Knowing her by now as good as it gets, she would fly down and search for him.
Picking up the phone again, he called her lab to summon her to his office. This was a delicate situation and not something you just tell over the phone.
A few minutes later he heard the knock on the door he was waiting for. “Come,” he demanded. Taking a deep breath and steeling himself for the situation that would arise in the next minute or so.
“General? You wanted to speak to me?” Sam entered and took the seat she had been offered opposite her CO.
“Yes, Colonel. I’ve got some news for you. I am sorry but I think you will not like it.” He cleared his throat and searched for the right words. It didn’t help to see the irritated look on Sam’s face.
“It’s about General O`Neill.” he waited a few seconds to let the news reach the brain cells of the officer in front of him.
“The General has gone MiA. The battle over Phoenix had gone very well and was short-lived. We only lost one aircraft. Unfortunately, it was that of the General.” He paused again and saw how the blood drained out of the Colonel’s face.
“A pilot near him stated already that he thinks General O’Neill managed to escape with his parachute. It was confirmed that Jack had called before that he couldn’t save the aircraft and had to punch out. The next problem is that nobody really had an idea of where to start searching. Of course, the search troops are starting at his last known location, but it still can take days or even weeks till they find him. I am not sure if the General has that long.” Hank looked at his fingers which were at his desk playing nervously with a pen.
Sam looked at him in disbelief. What she had just heard didn’t make any sense to her at all. Why was it him again? He had a desk job in Washington D.C. . He should be safe and not somewhere in the wilderness fighting for his life. Standing up she had only one request “Permission to take leave, Sir.”
“I was expecting that. Take Doctor Jackson and Teal`c with you. You all three have a flight from Peterson to Andrews in…” he checked his watch to make the correct announcement “one hour and twenty minutes. Go and pack all that you need. Take as long as you need, Colonel.”
Sam was on the way out when she heard her name called again, turning around she looked at her CO. “Sam, bring him home. Will you?” Hank Landry was concerned. He didn’t know what to expect at all. He knew his friend was a survivor but still, he wasn’t the youngest anymore.
“General, if someone can do it, then it is Jack. I know him. We will find him, and he will be alive. I am sure of it.” She tried to make a point. For her CO and for herself she had to believe her own words. Otherwise it was all lost already.
She left the office, called on Daniel and Teal`c and around half an hour later all three had been transported to Peterson.
“Sam, how come Mitchel isn’t coming?” Daniel wanted to know.
“I don’t know and right now I don’t care. The General only told me that you two are coming with me.” Sam replied dryly, her facial expressions empty.
“Colonel Mitchel is on leave for family matters. He has not returned to the base yet.” Teal`c stated and clarified the answer for Daniel. Daniel nodded a silent thank you in Teal’c direction.
Xxx
“Eric, which direction did you think you saw whatever you saw?” Connor asked his younger friend before going in the wrong direction.
“It was in that direction, just not sure how far we have to walk.” Eric stated in a voice which he liked to indicate how all grown up he was already. “I just hope the dude is still alive.”
“You are absolutely sure that what you saw was a human?” Connor shook his head in disbelief. He had heard and seen the battle in the distance going on but from what he had heard on the radio the good guys of earth had won with no casualties on their side. He knew that the city was a few miles away from Phoenix and with the trees around the access would be very difficult if they really would find someone.
The walk continued for several hours by now and Connor was about to tell his friend that it would be better to head home. By the time they would be back in their village the sun would be down and the stars high above in the firmament.
“We can’t. I know there is someone. He needs help and I will give it to him. If you want to go back, go. But I will continue my search.” His little face showed determination and fury at the same time. He was not going back and that was the end of it so far as he was concerned.
“Ok and what do you think we will tell our parents when we get home? They will be really angry and if we do not come home, we will never be allowed to play with each other again. Have you considered that? Have you, Eric?” Connor was raising his voice by now.
“No, I have not, but, Connor, someone dying or just us not being allowed to play with each other. How do you expect me to live with that for the rest of my life if I never checked out what I saw? Just because you didn’t see anything, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I don’t know what I will tell my parents, but I know I have to check.” Eric tried to explain to his friend what he was thinking, even if he couldn’t explain where the strong feeling was coming from.
Xxx
Sam, Daniel and Teal’c arrived at Andrews Air Force Base around noon. The sun was high up already and no visible clouds had been on the horizon.
“We need to speak with someone who knows where the plane came down. That gives us a radius where to look for the General,” Colonel Carter stated to her friends while looking around to find the office to talk to an officer.
“I believe we will find help in this building over there, Colonel Carter.” Teal’c pointed to a white building to the left.
“Ok, let’s see what we can find out. Maybe we can take one of their cars. Otherwise, we just must hire a car. Time is precious, guys. Move out.” The Colonel announced and started to walk over to the high building without waiting to see if her friends would follow.
It didn’t take the trio long to find the office of the commander of this base. Knocking on the door they waited. Sam was hoping that someone would expect them, and it wouldn’t take long to get what they needed.
“Come” they heard a voice from the other side. Inviting them into the room.
“General Casey?” Sam as the highest rank of them took charge to speak.
“Colonel Carter?” The General stood up and held out his hand. “I was expecting you and your friends. General Laundry already informed me as to why you are here. I printed out the coordinates where the plane was seen last on the radar. My chief engineer should have a Humvee ready for you by now. Here is a card and I marked the spot there is well. I also highlighted the easiest route to get there. The point where the General had been last registered is in the middle of a forest with nothing around. You must walk for several miles.” He handed the paperwork over and saluted the officer in front of him.
“Good luck and I really hope you find the General. I have met him once years ago. A nice guy. He is lucky to have friends like you. We got search troops all over that forest already but maybe you are the lucky ones who will find him. So far there has been no positive result. One can only hope he is still alive. The nights are pretty could out here.” He smiled tightly.
“Thank you, General Casey. We will do our best in finding him. Thank you for your help and all the paper material. I am sure it will help us in finding the General.” Colonel Carter returned the Salute and all three were dismissed.
It did not take long to get the vehicle they had been promised and on the road. Sam was driving while Daniel told her where to go. It only took them about an hour to reach their destination. From this point on, they only had the option of hiking. Securing their packs on their backs, Teal`c took point, Daniel in the middle and Sam covered their six.
“Keep your eyes and ears open. An ever so small clue could lead us to the General.” Sam pointed out, knowing well it wasn’t really necessary to tell her friends what to do but she felt better with it. Silently she was praying that Jack was still alive. How long would he survive in the wilderness without anything? In what state was he in? would they find him in time?
Sam had so many questions floating around in her head and no answers to it, it seemed like her brain was running in overdrive.
Xxx
Jack was still strapped up in his seat, hanging about 15 feet up high in the trees. He had lost his consciousness again after he had heard the cries of some wild animals which he assumed were mountain lions. As he had tried to check it out earlier, he hadn’t found out anything as he couldn’t see anything underneath him.
His wound on his temple was still giving away some blood and the wound on his leg was feeding the ground underneath. The fresh blood would attract more and more animals.
The General was lifting his head slightly from his chest. Jack realised that the sun was about to set, and he was not very safe from where he was. But right now, he could not do anything. He was still better off high up in the air and tried to sit there overnight rather than trying to get down in the shadows of the dawn and run into some bears or bobcats with a big appetite.
Looking up, he saw the leaves rustle in the light wind. The temperature was dropping rapidly, and he wasn’t sure if he would even survive the night. He had no blanket to cover himself. He needed medical attention and he felt so alone. His thoughts went to his beloved Colonel. What would she do right now? Would she be able to look for him? Was she even allowed to join a rescue party?
Jack had so many questions right now and no answers; it just drove him mad. He closed his eyes and tried to get into a state of Kelno'reem. He remembered some years back that Teal`c had shown him how to practice this method.
Xxx
The true colour of Eric came out at last. The light faded and he got scared of the shadows and the noises the forest had to offer. Connor had told him that he had to stick to his plan now as it was far too late to return to the village. Both boys made a fire to keep wild animals at bay and to get a bit of sleep. The night was cold and dark.
When the first light broke out the next morning, Eric was awake. His little body was stiff as a board from the hard and cold ground. Sitting up, he saw the remains of the fire and the little smoke it still gave away. He knew they had to find whatever he had seen today. Otherwise he would never get the chance again and would have to live with it for the rest of his life. In his mind, today was the day he would become a man.
Connor was starting to wake up as well, his body stiff and cold. “Eric, morning. We need something to eat and to drink. Any idea where to get it?” the older boy looked questioningly to his friend.
“Nope, but we will find something. There are berries around and I am sure we will find a spring or a little creek.” Eric announced innocently.
“Ok, if you say so.” Connor replied not convinced at all. He put a bit dry earth on the smoking fire before they left the campsite to look further for the ghost of Eric.
Xxx
Jack awoke with a groan. His head was still spinning, and he guessed that he had a bad concussion. But still, he was feeling better than yesterday, so he decided to try to head towards civilisation.
Loosening his seat belt, he nearly fell out of the seat already. His legs had been numb by now and his upper body didn’t give him much support either. Hanging on, with what seemed like the last strength his body could offer, he looked down. `That`s high’ he thought before leaning back looking up where the blue sky provided him with a nice morning.
Taking all his courage, he climbed out of his seat and let himself hang from it. After trying to reach the tree and realising it was too far away, he closed his eyes and let go. The fall seemed to take ages and when he hit the ground, he screamed before everything went dark.
Xxx
SG1 had their camp in the forest. It was cold and as much as they had tried the day before they could not find their missing General. Sam was the first one to wake up in the morning. It was cold and moist from the ground which crept up on her.
Making some coffee for when her friends would wake up and studying the card, she tried to find out where was the most likely point the parachute would have landed. She only could hope that Jack was still alive, and they would arrive in time to help him.
She had no idea how far they had to walk to find him, but she was determined and certain that all three of them would not give up till they had found him.
Daniel and Teal`c came out of the sleeping bags now as well. A slight smile crossed the archaeologist’s face because of the smell of fresh brewed coffee and as he reached the Colonel from behind, he squeezed her right shoulder.
“Sam, we will find him. So, I don’t want to make you any hope, but still. Hope always dies last. Keep this in mind. Thanks for the coffee by the way.” He sipped on his hot beverage and watched Teal`c how he had already packed their belongings together.
“Thanks, Daniel. Sometimes it is just hard to keep hope alive. But I will try.” She replied and then turned towards her alien friend. “Morning Teal`c. How are you doing? Had a good sleep?”
“Indeed, Colonel Carter” He was finished with packing everything up and had chosen just an energy bar for breakfast.
The sun was not up yet, and dawn was still fighting with the night to let go for a fresh day full of possibilities and opportunities.
“Which direction do you suggest, Sam?” Daniel questioned while finishing his coffee.
“I had long thought about it. Guys have a look. Here is the point where the General said he had to punch out. I checked the weather that day and it was only a few knots of wind to the west. I have no idea where everyone is looking for him, but I would like to check out this area today. It seems the most likely one. What do you guys think?” Sam showed them on the map what she had figured out and where she would like to search for their missing Officer.
“Ok, that where we will go then” Daniel agreed with his friend and started already to get his pack on his back. A minute later the team were on their way again in the hope of finding what they came looking for. General Jack O`Neill.
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TBC
Hope you all enjoyed that chapter, reviews welcome
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Xxx
Eric and Connor walked back to their village. On the way, the two boys had agreed not to tell anything in the village about what they had seen. The smell of freshly cooked dinner hung in the air and the little tummy’s started rumbling.
“Mum, what`s to eat? I am starving,” Eric shouted from a distance as he saw his mother coming out of their house.
“I made your favourite. Clean yourself up. Is Connor staying for dinner or is he eating at home?” his mum wanted to know and smiled at the sight of her son.
“I will ask him.” He ran off to ask his friend who was at his home by now. But as so often happened there was nothing to eat and he took the invitation for a warm meal with gratitude.
The meal didn’t take the friends very long and after everything was cleared away, they went off playing in the forest again. The perfect playground for kids their age.
“Connor, I want to see if we find anything. What if there is somebody in need?” Eric explained his train of thoughts.
“I was thinking we agreed already on the matter to leave it be?” Connor looked at the young boy in surprise.
“You said it. I never agreed on anything and if you don’t like to come with me, then I will go alone and check it out.” Eric was determined in his endeavour.
“Ok, I will come with you. But we will only check it out. If we don’t see anything, we let it be. I don’t want to look every day now. Understood?” Conor replied in a slightly annoyed tone.
Xxx
More blood was running freely now and with every drop that was falling to the ground, the risk became higher that it would attract wild animals.
The General was starting to stir in his seat. The straps were still holding him tightly in place. A soft moan escaped him before he managed to crack one eye open. Lifting his head, he tried the second eye which wasn’t that easy.
Lifting his right hand, he wanted to know what happened and started to investigate. Just a small touch and he flinched. Looking at his glove, he could see the dark colour of blood. He knew from experience that it wasn’t good to have a cut in the area of his temple and eye.
He took stock of his situation and realised that he had a bit of a problem. His head hurt and everything was spinning. After he had realised that he was hanging in a tree Jack tried to work on a plan on how to get down.
That’s when he heard it. The deep growl of a mountain lion. Jack tried to stay as still as he could while trying to have a peek at the ground. He needed to know what was going on. Another growl which was already nearer than the first one he had heard.
Ever so careful he shifted himself in a position which allowed him to check out where the animal noise came from.
Xxx
General Landry placed the phone down. His face had changed colour shades from normal to ash grey onwards to red. He was angry. The call he had received just had told them that his friend General O`Neill was reported missing. He had found it a stupid idea from the start to send him into an air battle. It wasn’t his call; he just was notified. Now he had to tell the news Lt. Colonel Carter.
He knew already that she would not stay on the base. Knowing her by now as good as it gets, she would fly down and search for him.
Picking up the phone again, he called her lab to summon her to his office. This was a delicate situation and not something you just tell over the phone.
A few minutes later he heard the knock on the door he was waiting for. “Come,” he demanded. Taking a deep breath and steeling himself for the situation that would arise in the next minute or so.
“General? You wanted to speak to me?” Sam entered and took the seat she had been offered opposite her CO.
“Yes, Colonel. I’ve got some news for you. I am sorry but I think you will not like it.” He cleared his throat and searched for the right words. It didn’t help to see the irritated look on Sam’s face.
“It’s about General O`Neill.” he waited a few seconds to let the news reach the brain cells of the officer in front of him.
“The General has gone MiA. The battle over Phoenix had gone very well and was short-lived. We only lost one aircraft. Unfortunately, it was that of the General.” He paused again and saw how the blood drained out of the Colonel’s face.
“A pilot near him stated already that he thinks General O’Neill managed to escape with his parachute. It was confirmed that Jack had called before that he couldn’t save the aircraft and had to punch out. The next problem is that nobody really had an idea of where to start searching. Of course, the search troops are starting at his last known location, but it still can take days or even weeks till they find him. I am not sure if the General has that long.” Hank looked at his fingers which were at his desk playing nervously with a pen.
Sam looked at him in disbelief. What she had just heard didn’t make any sense to her at all. Why was it him again? He had a desk job in Washington D.C. . He should be safe and not somewhere in the wilderness fighting for his life. Standing up she had only one request “Permission to take leave, Sir.”
“I was expecting that. Take Doctor Jackson and Teal`c with you. You all three have a flight from Peterson to Andrews in…” he checked his watch to make the correct announcement “one hour and twenty minutes. Go and pack all that you need. Take as long as you need, Colonel.”
Sam was on the way out when she heard her name called again, turning around she looked at her CO. “Sam, bring him home. Will you?” Hank Landry was concerned. He didn’t know what to expect at all. He knew his friend was a survivor but still, he wasn’t the youngest anymore.
“General, if someone can do it, then it is Jack. I know him. We will find him, and he will be alive. I am sure of it.” She tried to make a point. For her CO and for herself she had to believe her own words. Otherwise it was all lost already.
She left the office, called on Daniel and Teal`c and around half an hour later all three had been transported to Peterson.
“Sam, how come Mitchel isn’t coming?” Daniel wanted to know.
“I don’t know and right now I don’t care. The General only told me that you two are coming with me.” Sam replied dryly, her facial expressions empty.
“Colonel Mitchel is on leave for family matters. He has not returned to the base yet.” Teal`c stated and clarified the answer for Daniel. Daniel nodded a silent thank you in Teal’c direction.
Xxx
“Eric, which direction did you think you saw whatever you saw?” Connor asked his younger friend before going in the wrong direction.
“It was in that direction, just not sure how far we have to walk.” Eric stated in a voice which he liked to indicate how all grown up he was already. “I just hope the dude is still alive.”
“You are absolutely sure that what you saw was a human?” Connor shook his head in disbelief. He had heard and seen the battle in the distance going on but from what he had heard on the radio the good guys of earth had won with no casualties on their side. He knew that the city was a few miles away from Phoenix and with the trees around the access would be very difficult if they really would find someone.
The walk continued for several hours by now and Connor was about to tell his friend that it would be better to head home. By the time they would be back in their village the sun would be down and the stars high above in the firmament.
“We can’t. I know there is someone. He needs help and I will give it to him. If you want to go back, go. But I will continue my search.” His little face showed determination and fury at the same time. He was not going back and that was the end of it so far as he was concerned.
“Ok and what do you think we will tell our parents when we get home? They will be really angry and if we do not come home, we will never be allowed to play with each other again. Have you considered that? Have you, Eric?” Connor was raising his voice by now.
“No, I have not, but, Connor, someone dying or just us not being allowed to play with each other. How do you expect me to live with that for the rest of my life if I never checked out what I saw? Just because you didn’t see anything, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I don’t know what I will tell my parents, but I know I have to check.” Eric tried to explain to his friend what he was thinking, even if he couldn’t explain where the strong feeling was coming from.
Xxx
Sam, Daniel and Teal’c arrived at Andrews Air Force Base around noon. The sun was high up already and no visible clouds had been on the horizon.
“We need to speak with someone who knows where the plane came down. That gives us a radius where to look for the General,” Colonel Carter stated to her friends while looking around to find the office to talk to an officer.
“I believe we will find help in this building over there, Colonel Carter.” Teal’c pointed to a white building to the left.
“Ok, let’s see what we can find out. Maybe we can take one of their cars. Otherwise, we just must hire a car. Time is precious, guys. Move out.” The Colonel announced and started to walk over to the high building without waiting to see if her friends would follow.
It didn’t take the trio long to find the office of the commander of this base. Knocking on the door they waited. Sam was hoping that someone would expect them, and it wouldn’t take long to get what they needed.
“Come” they heard a voice from the other side. Inviting them into the room.
“General Casey?” Sam as the highest rank of them took charge to speak.
“Colonel Carter?” The General stood up and held out his hand. “I was expecting you and your friends. General Laundry already informed me as to why you are here. I printed out the coordinates where the plane was seen last on the radar. My chief engineer should have a Humvee ready for you by now. Here is a card and I marked the spot there is well. I also highlighted the easiest route to get there. The point where the General had been last registered is in the middle of a forest with nothing around. You must walk for several miles.” He handed the paperwork over and saluted the officer in front of him.
“Good luck and I really hope you find the General. I have met him once years ago. A nice guy. He is lucky to have friends like you. We got search troops all over that forest already but maybe you are the lucky ones who will find him. So far there has been no positive result. One can only hope he is still alive. The nights are pretty could out here.” He smiled tightly.
“Thank you, General Casey. We will do our best in finding him. Thank you for your help and all the paper material. I am sure it will help us in finding the General.” Colonel Carter returned the Salute and all three were dismissed.
It did not take long to get the vehicle they had been promised and on the road. Sam was driving while Daniel told her where to go. It only took them about an hour to reach their destination. From this point on, they only had the option of hiking. Securing their packs on their backs, Teal`c took point, Daniel in the middle and Sam covered their six.
“Keep your eyes and ears open. An ever so small clue could lead us to the General.” Sam pointed out, knowing well it wasn’t really necessary to tell her friends what to do but she felt better with it. Silently she was praying that Jack was still alive. How long would he survive in the wilderness without anything? In what state was he in? would they find him in time?
Sam had so many questions floating around in her head and no answers to it, it seemed like her brain was running in overdrive.
Xxx
Jack was still strapped up in his seat, hanging about 15 feet up high in the trees. He had lost his consciousness again after he had heard the cries of some wild animals which he assumed were mountain lions. As he had tried to check it out earlier, he hadn’t found out anything as he couldn’t see anything underneath him.
His wound on his temple was still giving away some blood and the wound on his leg was feeding the ground underneath. The fresh blood would attract more and more animals.
The General was lifting his head slightly from his chest. Jack realised that the sun was about to set, and he was not very safe from where he was. But right now, he could not do anything. He was still better off high up in the air and tried to sit there overnight rather than trying to get down in the shadows of the dawn and run into some bears or bobcats with a big appetite.
Looking up, he saw the leaves rustle in the light wind. The temperature was dropping rapidly, and he wasn’t sure if he would even survive the night. He had no blanket to cover himself. He needed medical attention and he felt so alone. His thoughts went to his beloved Colonel. What would she do right now? Would she be able to look for him? Was she even allowed to join a rescue party?
Jack had so many questions right now and no answers; it just drove him mad. He closed his eyes and tried to get into a state of Kelno'reem. He remembered some years back that Teal`c had shown him how to practice this method.
Xxx
The true colour of Eric came out at last. The light faded and he got scared of the shadows and the noises the forest had to offer. Connor had told him that he had to stick to his plan now as it was far too late to return to the village. Both boys made a fire to keep wild animals at bay and to get a bit of sleep. The night was cold and dark.
When the first light broke out the next morning, Eric was awake. His little body was stiff as a board from the hard and cold ground. Sitting up, he saw the remains of the fire and the little smoke it still gave away. He knew they had to find whatever he had seen today. Otherwise he would never get the chance again and would have to live with it for the rest of his life. In his mind, today was the day he would become a man.
Connor was starting to wake up as well, his body stiff and cold. “Eric, morning. We need something to eat and to drink. Any idea where to get it?” the older boy looked questioningly to his friend.
“Nope, but we will find something. There are berries around and I am sure we will find a spring or a little creek.” Eric announced innocently.
“Ok, if you say so.” Connor replied not convinced at all. He put a bit dry earth on the smoking fire before they left the campsite to look further for the ghost of Eric.
Xxx
Jack awoke with a groan. His head was still spinning, and he guessed that he had a bad concussion. But still, he was feeling better than yesterday, so he decided to try to head towards civilisation.
Loosening his seat belt, he nearly fell out of the seat already. His legs had been numb by now and his upper body didn’t give him much support either. Hanging on, with what seemed like the last strength his body could offer, he looked down. `That`s high’ he thought before leaning back looking up where the blue sky provided him with a nice morning.
Taking all his courage, he climbed out of his seat and let himself hang from it. After trying to reach the tree and realising it was too far away, he closed his eyes and let go. The fall seemed to take ages and when he hit the ground, he screamed before everything went dark.
Xxx
SG1 had their camp in the forest. It was cold and as much as they had tried the day before they could not find their missing General. Sam was the first one to wake up in the morning. It was cold and moist from the ground which crept up on her.
Making some coffee for when her friends would wake up and studying the card, she tried to find out where was the most likely point the parachute would have landed. She only could hope that Jack was still alive, and they would arrive in time to help him.
She had no idea how far they had to walk to find him, but she was determined and certain that all three of them would not give up till they had found him.
Daniel and Teal`c came out of the sleeping bags now as well. A slight smile crossed the archaeologist’s face because of the smell of fresh brewed coffee and as he reached the Colonel from behind, he squeezed her right shoulder.
“Sam, we will find him. So, I don’t want to make you any hope, but still. Hope always dies last. Keep this in mind. Thanks for the coffee by the way.” He sipped on his hot beverage and watched Teal`c how he had already packed their belongings together.
“Thanks, Daniel. Sometimes it is just hard to keep hope alive. But I will try.” She replied and then turned towards her alien friend. “Morning Teal`c. How are you doing? Had a good sleep?”
“Indeed, Colonel Carter” He was finished with packing everything up and had chosen just an energy bar for breakfast.
The sun was not up yet, and dawn was still fighting with the night to let go for a fresh day full of possibilities and opportunities.
“Which direction do you suggest, Sam?” Daniel questioned while finishing his coffee.
“I had long thought about it. Guys have a look. Here is the point where the General said he had to punch out. I checked the weather that day and it was only a few knots of wind to the west. I have no idea where everyone is looking for him, but I would like to check out this area today. It seems the most likely one. What do you guys think?” Sam showed them on the map what she had figured out and where she would like to search for their missing Officer.
“Ok, that where we will go then” Daniel agreed with his friend and started already to get his pack on his back. A minute later the team were on their way again in the hope of finding what they came looking for. General Jack O`Neill.
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TBC
Hope you all enjoyed that chapter, reviews welcome