Chapter Text
“Look, all I’m saying is it would put a smile on everyone’s faces,” Jack said innocently, spreading his hands.
General Hammond looked back at him, unamused. “Colonel O’Neill, this is the last time I’m going to say it. We are not putting a bowl of candy in the gateroom.”
“But it’s almost Halloween! Don't you think it'll boost morale and -”
“Unscheduled offworld activation!”
They would revisit this conversation later.
~~~
As soon as they entered the room, Jack saw the screen flash with an accepted IDC code.
“Sir, it’s from one of the teams on Leota,” Jack beat Walter to it as he peeked over his shoulder, “but they’re not due back for another week or so.”
The General’s expression was grim. “Open the Iris.”
Jack watched the Iris open intently, masking his concern. Both Sam and Daniel were over there, gathering Naquadah, exploring ruins and old archives, having a grand ole time. Neither of them would come back early just because.
Sam and a few others stepped through, stumbling down the ramp. No one was hurt, it seemed, and there was no gunfire or angry Jaffas on their six. But they looked exhausted and distraught, like they’d just been through a battle and had come out worse for it.
He didn’t see Daniel.
Jack took off running.
Sam caught his eye as soon as he rounded the corner into the gateroom. Her eyes were red, and she had the tell tale signs of tear trails through the dirt and grime on her face.
“What’s wrong?” Jack asked as he grabbed her arms, trying to stop the panic from leaking into his voice.
He scanned the faces of the people with her again. Daniel still wasn’t one of them. A deep fear Jack didn’t want to acknowledge sunk in his gut like a rock.
“I - I don’t know what happened, no one saw anyone go in or - or -”
”Major, what happened?”
Jack scanned her face, waiting for her to tell him it wasn’t what he thought. But instead she shook her head, and fresh tears rolled down her face.
“Daniel’s dead, sir.”