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VAE VICTIS
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Tara, land of dreams
Posts: 317 |
Sam left the shack, slamming the door with such strength the entire building shook. Jack, Teal?c and Daniel once again looked at each other uneasily.
?Jack, did Sam seem a bit out of character just then?? Daniel hesitantly asked. ?I mean, I realise it?s probably been hard for her to deal with this whole situation, but it?s not like her to??
?Daniel, what are you trying to say? That she?s not putting forth her best effort?? Jack demanded hotly.
?No, that?s not what I?m saying at all!! And it?s not like you instilled her with confidence. Let?s see if I can remember correctly? ?Then I suggest you go back and bring the SG-3 marines!?.? Daniel did his finest Colonel Jack O?Neill impression.
?Oh, for crying out loud! I wasn?t trying to say she couldn?t handle it by herself.? Jack groaned.
?It would appear that is the impression Major Carter received, O?Neill.? Teal?c voiced, not liking the animosity between his two companions. ?I believe Daniel Jackson is saying that normally your comments would not prompt Major Carter to react as strongly as she did.?
?Exactly! Sam usually tolerates your remarks without so much as a flinch. It?s almost as though simply being around the Amazons has somehow, I don?t know, rubbed off on her.?
?Great! So you?re saying Carter might have been compromised in some way? If that turns out to be the case, I have a feeling we are in big trouble.? Jack surmised. ?Remember what she said about the Queen needing a tribute? If Carter?s not going to be able to help us, then we?ll have to come up with something.?
?What do you suggest we do, O?Neill? I do not believe we will be released from this building unless sufficiently guarded. I estimate I could fight three, perhaps four at a time, but you and Daniel Jackson would have difficulty with even one.? Teal?c stated matter of factly.
?Thanks for that. Nothing builds up the ego like being beaten by a girl.? Jack sarcastically commented.
?Jack, he?s right and you know it!? Daniel said, exasperated. ?We need to find a way for at least one of us to make it back to the Stargate.?
The three men stopped talking, silently agreeing on this tactic and set about trying to come up with a viable plan.
************
Sam fumed all the way to the hut Themina had provided for her. Her head throbbed mercilessly with each step she took, adding to her irritation. She thought she had gained the respect she deserved from the colonel a long time ago, but he was acting like he didn?t trust her any further than he could throw her. And Daniel! His blatant lack of faith stung her acutely. He was always the one to lend support when she needed it, but now he doubted her ability as much as the colonel did. Only Teal?c hadn?t demonstrated contempt for her skills.
By the time she reached her hut, Sam had worked herself into an excited and energised state. She crept onto her cot, but tossed and turned fitfully until she gave up. She needed to work off this energy if she had a prayer of any sleep.
Normally, she?d head to the gym for a couple of rounds at a punching bag. She stumbled into her boots and out the door, a little surprised to see how much activity was going on in the village. She headed to the meeting hall to ask Themina where she could go to work out.
Sam stepped through the door of the meeting hall to find Selene and Themina still drinking mead and laughing jovially. She couldn?t help but wonder at the length of the actual festival would last, if the night before lasted this long!
?Excuse me, I don?t mean to intrude,? Sam began quietly at first, ?but I?m feeling the need for some physical activity??
?Ah, Samantha!? Themina crooned. ?Are you seeking new flesh? Your slaves have become tiresome to you? Lydia! Bring Marcus.? Themina drunkenly grinned at Sam.
?Oh, God! No!? Sam immediately corrected. ?I just feel like a bit of exercise. By myself.?
A small, but shocking part of her responded enthusiastically to Themina?s suggestion, however. Especially when Marcus was brought before her. The slave was young and had once been attractive, his strong features now marred by numerous scars, his dark eyes dull and lifeless. Sam could certainly assert her strength upon him.
As the thoughts swirled around in her head, Sam was sickened by them. What was happening to her? Had she really been considering raping this poor man? She needed that punching bag. Now.
*********************
Jack resumed his incessant hobbling, as he, Daniel and Teal?c all attempted to find a good way out of their situation. Daniel lay sprawled on a cot, his left arm flung over his eyes to block out any distraction and Teal?c had placed himself in Kel no?reem.
The situation could safely be called desperate. Jack had a gut feeling that the ?tribute? for this Leyda either didn?t survive the length of the day -- or did and wished he hadn?t. He paused his pacing to study his two companions. He wasn?t concerned for Teal?c. No matter whom they designated as the runner, Teal?c would be okay.
Daniel though -- it could get ugly for him. And for himself, he admitted. He already knew he wouldn?t be going anywhere. The team leader does not leave anyone behind. Besides, his knee really did hurt.
?Jack.?
The voice made him start ?Geez, Daniel! Give a guy a heart attack, why don?t ya?!?
?Sorry.? Daniel grinned, not sorry a bit. ?I?ve been thinking and the only thing I can come up with is not good.?
?Spit it out, Daniel.?
?Okay. Well, you know how I said before that chastity is a highly esteemed virtue? Might a good distraction be if one or two of us threatened one of them??
?You?re kidding, right? Can?t you think of anything that would not result in physical abuse??
?I told you it wasn?t good! But I can?t think of anything else that would attract as much attention to the offender, can you?? Daniel challenged. ?Hey, it?s not like I want to get beaten up!?
?I also do not like the idea, O?Neill, but cannot think of an alternative.? Teal?c?s deep voice startled both of them.
?Ack! Teal?c don?t do that!!?
?I am sorry, O?Neill.? Teal?c apologised. ?I have also determined that I have the greatest likelihood of success in such an escape attempt. The individual selected to go will have to travel to our former campsite to obtain a GDO, and it was several hours from the Stargate.?
?Oh, damn. I forgot about that. Do we know if the Amazons just left it there? They could have gone back and grabbed our stuff for all we know!? This was getting worse and worse.
?Well, Sam would know. She should be back to check up on us soon.? Daniel looked at his watch. ?In the meantime, we can try to work out the details of this?plan.?
?Right.? Jack sighed. He wished fervently this planet had remained boring.
************************
Themina showed Sam the Amazon training area, which was equipped with an assortment of endurance?machines? Sam?s eyes wandered around before settling on a familiar object?the punching bag, universal tool for any real gym. Not needing anything else, Sam thanked Themina and began a vigorous boxing session.
With each punch, Sam?s headache seemed to dissipate. The more aggressively she attacked the bag, the better she felt! The scientific Sam wondered about this phenomenon, but soon that portion of her brain was disregarded and she saw only the bag. Her punches became brutal as she began imagining it was the colonel?s face she was pummelling. Then Daniel?s.
**********************
?Damnit, I thought she was going to come back sooner than this. She knows that we need to get out of here before the big hoo-haa starts!? Jack ranted, lack of sleep and food influencing his mood. The Amazons hadn?t even hinted they?d be fed before the festival began. Why give them strength?
They had spent the better part of the night devising their great escape. Which sadly consisted of he and Daniel groping a couple of the Amazons. They were hoping the punishment would be lessened if the focus were on two rather than one. Their plan sucked. But it was all they had, provided Sam could confirm the location of the GDOs.
?I?m sure she?s coming, Jack. Getting upset about it really won?t help.?
?Thank you, Zen master.? Jack retorted, rolling his eyes.
Daniel?s retort was cut off when Sam abruptly barged into the hut. She looked awful?hair unkempt, huge dark circles under her eyes, clothes sweaty and soiled. Her eyes flashed angrily at her three teammates, and it was apparent to them she had not slept at all. Behind her trailed five warriors.
?Sam! Finally! We?ve been hoping you?d get here!? Daniel exclaimed, leaping to his feet.
To everyone?s utter shock, Sam responded by backhanding him on his already bruised cheek. Unprepared for the assault, Daniel stumbled back. Teal?c reached out and caught him before he could fall.
?Carter, what the hell are you doing?!? Jack yelled. He grabbed her arm before she could deliver another blow.
She turned on him quickly. ?You! You arrogant, half-witted jackass! Get your hands off me!?
Before Jack knew it, Sam hauled back her right fist and swung back with an adrenaline infused arm. Jack?s head snapped back, blood spurting from his mouth.
Stunned, he simply looked at her, swiping the back of his right hand across his mouth. He cringed as he saw the crimson stain. Instinct screamed kick or get kicked, but reason shouted equally loudly that this was Carter, his second in command. Damnit, his friend. The internal battle held him long enough for the young lackey to smack him between the shoulder blades with her staff and deliver a swift kick to his wounded knee.
Sinking to the ground, he saw Daniel stumble forward hesitantly before his old friend darkness told him how nice it was to see him again so soon.
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SKIP'S FIC! New WIP Archive, made by little old me!My Livejournal- warning, not G rated.
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