SG1-23-Ouroboros by Melissa Scott

Author:Melissa Scott [Scott, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Fandemonium Books
Published: 2013-06-20T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Taken

IT WAS surprisingly comfortable in the Athosian caverns, or at least it would have been if it hadn’t been for the three large men with guns who were watching the only entrance. And the pair who sat at the entrance to the cavern, shotguns resting on their laps. At least there was light — not from one of the expedition’s lanterns, though there were half a dozen of those scattered about the main room, but something that looked a lot like an oil-fashioned oil lamp and burned a thick purple liquid that smelled faintly of balsam. Jack had eyed it thoughtfully when they’d been escorted to the cave, but there was no structure to burn down, just the beds and bedding and the folding stools, and even if he could figure out something they’d gain by setting them on fire, there were too many people watching them. He saw Teal’c’s shoulders relax as the Jaffa came to the same conclusion, and Jack lowered himself carefully to one of the folding stools.

“Might as well take it easy,” he said, for all that it was the last thing he wanted to do.

“Indeed.” Teal’c gave the stool a thoughtful glance, and seated himself cross-legged on the woven matting that covered the floor. It looked like it was made from some kind of grass, Jack thought, and certainly it cut the worst of the chill from the dirt and stone. One of the women had brought a padded jar and two cups, and he pried the top off, sniffing carefully.

“More tea,” he said, and poured them each some. He lowered his voice as he handed one of the cups to Teal’c. “Any sign of a back door?”

“No, O’Neill.” Teal’c accepted the cup, his expression unchanged. “I cannot look more closely without drawing suspicion, but I see no other exit.”

“Yeah, I didn’t, either.” Jack sipped at the tea, barely tasting it. He didn’t see any way of fighting his way past the guards, either, though maybe once it was fully dark they’d have more of a chance. The Athosians didn’t look like the sort of people who got careless very often.

Ford would have missed them hours ago, had probably searched the forest until it started getting dark, and then headed back to the city to warn Sumner. At least, that was what Jack would have done, and he didn’t think Ford was stupid. Sumner… Well, it all depended on what Ford told Sumner, and what Sumner believed. If Dr. Wu was right, and the anti-Wraith drug was making him increasingly paranoid… No, Jack thought, I don’t really want to go there. Not if I don’t have to.

He pushed himself to his feet, strolled as casually as he could toward the mouth of the cave. The nearest guard leveled his rifle, and Jack spread his hands.

“Hey, I’m harmless. Not causing any trouble at all. Is there any chance I could talk to Major Sheppard?”

The Athosian considered him for a moment, then shrugged one shoulder. “I’ll see if he wants to talk to you.

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