Stargate Defense - season one

Chapter Three

Lee slipped carefully through the hills, she stopped here and there to listen. She couldn't believe Sandford had compromised them by firing on the Alliance. Now they were trapped here until the Alliance decided to give up the search. If they did. They could decide to leave guards at the Stargate indefinitely.

She dropped behind a small clump of bushes when two Alliance soldiers came around the nearest hill. The two continued past her. She waited until they were further away until she followed them. She needed to make certain they didn't find the cave. After several minutes they came to a stop.

"There's nothing out here but hills and more hills. I say we head back and tell her we didn't find anything. There's no place for them to even hide out here."

The other man shrugged. "I don't see any indication they came this way. I'm sure they remained near the Gate. They'll want to find a way to dial out." The two turned and began walking back in the direction they'd come.

Lee remained hidden until they were gone. She stayed where she was for another ten minutes to make certain no one else happened along before she returned to the cave. "Found a couple of guys searching the hills but they decided there's nothing out here and went back. I hope that's enough for their commander. The problem we have is there's no telling how long they'll remain and search for us or if they might leave guards at the Gate."

"We should go to radio silence," Sandford said.

"There's only the three of us, why bother?" Van asked.

"Because I said so."

Lee rolled her eyes. "If the SGC dials in to check in with us we'd never know it if we turn off our radios."

Sandford nodded. "All right, radios stay on but we need to remain quiet."

"Right, thanks for telling us because I was planning on using it to talk to you while we're sitting in here, Colonel."

"You're pushing your luck, Captain."

"Damn straight I am! You spout all these words about chain of command and keeping your people safe and you tried to blow away a woman surrounded by armed guards!"

"Guys, seriously, can you two get along until we get back home? Then you can shout at one another all you want." Van looked between them. "Please?"

Lee grumbled and went to sit outside the cave. Sandford sat back on his rock and lapsed into a surly silence. Van laid on the floor and stared at the ceiling.

It was a bit before he took note of the rocks he was staring at. "Uh, Colonel ..."

"What is it, Dr. Walsh?"

Van stood, went to the wall, and began tapping at it. "I think this is pyrite."

"And that means what, Doctor?"

"That we need to be careful. It's exothermic."

"Do I need to repeat myself?"

"It gives off heat and can spontaneously combust." He pulled his hands apart, mimicking an explosion.

Sandford stood and came to stand beside him. "So if we plant some C4 this place will blow sky high?"

Van sent him a startled look. "Why would you want to do that?"

"Because if we set C4 on a timer then high tail it back to the Gate, when it explodes you can bet they'll come running."

Van stared at the wall of the cave. "That's actually a good idea. Do you think they'll fall for it?"

He shrugged. "It's our best plan."

"Other than waiting them out," Van answered.

"Yes." Sandford began pulling C4 from his pockets. "Tell me where to set this stuff, Doctor."