Stargate Defense - season one

Chapter Two

Van spun back in the direction of the town as the sound of the roar echoed through the forest. "Right, this was fun see ya later!"

"Van, get back here!" Mal yelled.

"Nope, I'm good. I don't need to find any large man eating beasts!"

"Dr. Walsh, get back here! We aren't going to get eaten!" Mal shouted.

Van looked between Mal and Leonore. "You can't guarantee that."

"No, I can't but I'm sure as hell going to make one hell of an effort not to get eaten," Mal replied.

"So am I. My effort will culminate in my return to the town and a nice walk back to the Stargate so I can go home," Van told him.

"You do know that several of the townspeople were killed close to the village?" Lee asked him.

He pulled his sidearm. "I have a gun!"

Mal rolled his eyes. "A gun you can barely shoot and not accurately at that."

Van pointed in the direction of the roar they'd heard. "That sounds like a very large thing, which means that I'm sure I can hit it because it's probably a nice big target!"

Mal shrugged. "Okay then enjoy your walk back, we'll see you when we get back to the SGC."

"Wait, wait, you're not coming with me?" He appeared distraught at the thought that they weren't going to accompany him back.

"Oh, no, we made a promise to those people to help them. We are the prophesied saviors, how could we run away?" Mal told him in a hushed voice. "How could you even suggest such a thing?"

"I hate you," Van grumbled as he holstered his gun and followed Mal when he began tracking the creature again.

"You don't have to like me, just follow my orders!" Mal called as he followed the tracks the beast had left.

Van began humming.

Lee chuckled. "Are you humming Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses?"

"Yes," Van muttered before he began humming again.

Lee shook her head with a grin. Whatever made him feel better.

They spent most of the afternoon following tracks that wove through most of the area. By the time the sun began to set they were far from the village and Mal knew they'd never make it back before dark.

"All right, let's find a place to camp and we'll continue the search in the morning. It's going to get dark quickly."

"Camp?" Van screeched. "That thing will eat us in our sleep!"

"Not if we take turns keeping watch," Mal told him. "Now let's find a place to camp."

They trekked a short distance and found a small depression in the ground that was hidden by several large, fallen trees stacked over one another in a haphazard way. Mal deemed it appropriate and they set up camp and settled in for a long night.

Van poked at his food. "How can you eat this garbage?"

"What, they're good."

Van sent Mal a frown. "You like them?"

He shrugged. "They keep you alive."

"Hey, come on, Van, MRE's aren't gourmet but the Colonel is right they'll keep you alive. Eat your food and stop whining," Lee told him.

"Fine, but can we not bring meatloaf next time?"

Mal held out his MRE. "I'll trade you for my chicken parm, I love the meatloaf."