Breath of the Ancients

by Lex

page three, of three

Part Thirteen

O'Neill registered the relief on Daniel's face with a quick glance, then he switched his attention to Haster.

"Haster, drop the gun and let Daniel go," he said deceptively calmly.

Haster's face wrinkled in contempt. "What can you offer me that Hephaestus hasn't already offered?"

O'Neill pretended to seriously consider the question for a few seconds. "Well, that all depends. What's old snake eyes put on the table?"

Daniel looked incredulous. "Um... Jack?"

"Aw, c'mon Danny, why should you get to do the negotiator bit every time? I'm sure I can sort this out to the benefit of-"

"Enough! Put down your weapon!" Haster's shout was definitely more command than the hoped-for exasperation. And he hadn't shifted his hold on Daniel a millimetre.

Okay, maybe it was time to change tactics.

"Hephaestus still needs him, to find the weapon." There, that was good. That was a compromise. You needed to compromise during negotiations, right?

"I have the translations now," Haster said smugly. "And we can always find another translator."

So maybe his negotiating skills could be brushed up a smidgen. Enough stalling, time to go for the tried and tested 'tactical retreat'.

O'Neill slowly lowered his weapon to the ground. Daniel's expressive face broadcast his thoughts about that course of action loud and clear.

//No Danny, I'm not crazy, I'm just keeping his attention off Carter. At least, I really hope that's Carter I can see out of the corner of my eye, and not just a shadow from a bookcase. And anyway, you know I wouldn't let him leave with you... don't you?//

Haster watched O'Neill carefully, then finally shifted his aim from the back of Daniel's neck to the general direction of O'Neill's chest. "Now kick it over here. Excellent." Haster motioned the colonel to move out of the doorway. "Daniel, pick up the bag. We're leaving."

For just a second O'Neill was afraid the archaeologist didn't understand his actions. Daniel's worried frown as he obeyed Haster's instructions was transformed into relieved comprehension an instant before a single gunshot from the room's rear entrance ended the discussion permanently.

"Damn fine negotiating skills there, Carter," O'Neill grinned as he bent down to retrieve his weapon. Then he noticed Daniel hadn't moved an inch. He stood stock still, eyes closed, breathing deeply.

"You okay?" There was no response. "Daniel?"

Blue eyes opened suddenly. "Um, yes. I'm fine. Thanks, Sam." The archaeologist retrieved his sidearm from where it had fallen as Haster died. Then he slung the bag over his shoulder and walked past O'Neill out of the room without once looking back.

O'Neill studied his 2IC, who was still standing in the doorway. She looked slightly stunned. O'Neill just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Nice shooting. Time to get back to the party." Not sparing a further glance at the body on the floor, he followed Daniel out of the room.

//Come on Jackson. Shoot now, think later.// Daniel peeked tentatively around the corner before moving his head swiftly back to avoid getting it blown off.

"Fall back! Daniel, we're out of here!" Jack's shouted command made absolute sense to the archaeologist. Getting out of here was a very good plan. This shoot-out wasn't going particularly well from his perspective -- too much ducking, too little shooting. Although, ducking was also good. At least he was still capable of ducking.

"Coming!" He slipped the bag over his back and ran full speed down the corridor, not letting himself think as he leapt over two dead resistance fighters in his path. "Where are we headed?"

"An exit the Jaffa don't know about. There's a tunnel system to the other side of the hill."

"What about Sam and Teal'c?" Daniel asked.

"They're with Lor. They'll be fine." Jack pulled Daniel into a side corridor as a staff weapon blast exploded into the wall beside them. "Let's haul ass. I don't want to waste Carter's good negotiation back in the translation room."

Daniel shuddered at the image Jack's comment evoked. Determined thoughts of escape from the seemingly unending horde of attacking Jaffa pushed it out of his mind. The two men exchanged a fleeting look, then together they raced toward safety.

Part Fourteen

The resistance obviously had not been expecting to use their fallback HQ. The place was cramped, full of people rushing about and getting in each other's way. A temporary field infirmary had been set up in what had once been a large kitchen. Emergency generators had taken the edge off the chill by the time the members of SG-1 managed to find one another, and Lor was currently issuing orders to secure the perimeter.

Daniel frowned -- even he had enough military knowledge to realise that security should have been the first order of business. He watched the rest of the team as they checked their own supplies.

"Jack, I think maybe he needs your help here."

Jack twisted round, still bent over his pack. "What are you talking about, Daniel?" he asked distractedly.

"Well, these people don't appear to have any idea what they're doing. They're just running around a lot."

Jack straightened up and scanned the room. "It's just chaotic, Daniel, should make you feel right at home." At the scientist's scathing look, Jack hurriedly continued. "What do you expect me to do here? I mean, we've completed the translations for them, all they have to do is find the weapon and get rid of the snake. I'd hate to take their fun away from them."

"I don't think they're capable of pulling that off on their own. It looks like I was kidnapped by a bunch of amateurs."

"Sir, I have to agree with Daniel," Sam snapped her pack closed and joined the discussion. "They hadn't even considered the possibility of a spy in their ranks until Haster suggested it, and he only mentioned it to throw suspicion off himself."

Jack turned to study the activities behind him more closely. Daniel waited as the familiar series of expressions appeared on Jack's face; first confusion, then exasperation and finally resignation. There was no way these people could be left to protect themselves for long enough to successfully find the weapon and use it. The likelihood that Haster had already informed Hephaestus of the location of the backup base was too great, and apparently nobody outside of SG-1 had even considered it. Jack heaved a sigh and turned to face his expectant team.

"Okay, we'll stay until they've found the weapon. Once that's done, we're leaving. I absolutely refuse to risk Teal'c, so we will not be here when that thing goes off."

A loud clatter came from the direction of the horde of people. Daniel followed Jack's glance in time to spot one man helping another from under a fallen pile of equipment, while others just stepped around and over the pair in their hurry.

"Teal'c," Jack called over to the Jaffa. "Okay, this is how it happens. I'm not splitting the team any more than I have to. Carter and Daniel, you'll head inside the cave with me to get the weapon out of whatever storage it's in. Teal'c, you'll wait outside with our friends. Once they have the weapon, we tell them how charming it's been to meet them and then we go. That's it." He looked around at the team. "Any questions?" After a short silence, Jack continued. "Fine. Let's see if we can't teach these people a thing or two about self-preservation. Carter, you're with me."

Daniel watched the two officers head determinedly towards Lor; saw the resistance leader's expression change from concern to relief as Jack began to speak.

"O'Neill is finally taking charge," Teal'c observed. Daniel looked over at him, surprised.

"Is it not obvious they need help in their endeavours?"

"It's becoming clearer by the second," Daniel agreed.

"O'Neill will ensure they succeed."

Daniel nodded slowly at the simple statement. Teal'c was right, of course. Over the next hour, things would start to come together in this dusty building. People would stop running around in barely controlled panic, and would instead engage in purposeful activities. Jack would take control, be 'in charge'.

Daniel felt safer already.

The sun had just met the horizon as Daniel peered into the damp gloom of the cave. He switched on his flashlight and started to move inwards, until he was stopped by a tight grip on his arm.

"Daniel, what are you doing?"

Daniel turned to face Jack.

"Could we be a little careful? You don't know what to expect in there," The colonel waved vaguely in the direction of the cave's entrance.

Daniel sighed, "Jack, I'm an archaeologist. Walking into the unknown is what I do."

Jack looked sceptical, "So you know what's in the cave?"

"Well, there's a lot of variables to consider: who concealed the item, what the item is, who they might have been protecting it from-"

"Ah!" Jack held up his hand to stem the flow. "Just tell me, do you know what to expect?"

"Um, not exactly. " As Jack glanced towards the entrance once more with a slightly concerned expression, Daniel added, "But I can have a pretty good guess."

That seemed to mollify the colonel. He nodded. "Okay, I can live with your best guess. So what comes first?"

After a slightly stunned pause, Daniel returned to studying the cave's entrance. "There doesn't appear to be anything to mark this as out of the ordinary. So the first line of defence is simply hiding in plain sight. I would imagine we won't encounter any kind of resistance until we're well inside, moving towards the weapon's storage area. That way, if someone wandered in by accident, there would be nothing to alert them to what's inside."

Jack nodded. "That makes sense." He turned to the rest of the group. "Carter, Kalen, you're with me. Teal'c, you and the others stay here and keep watch. Teal'c, under no circumstances are you to come in here. If we need help, Mirsh and Torrens are it."

"Understood, O'Neill."

Satisfied, Jack moved up alongside the archaeologist. "Daniel, stay beside me. We'll follow your nose, but I don't want you getting ahead of me, okay?"

Daniel nodded. "We're going to need to take it slow once we're in there."

Jack patted him on the shoulder, "That's fine, Danny. Better slow than dead."

They switched on their flashlights and headed cautiously into the damp chill of the cave.

Daniel walked at a steady pace for about thirty feet, shining his flashlight around the walls, floor and ceiling ahead of him. As he reached the point where the cave began to narrow to a tunnel, he slowed considerably, then finally stopped. He illuminated areas on the walls, disappointed to find only rock.

"What is it?" Jack asked. His voice sounded unnaturally loud, reverberating in the otherwise silent surroundings.

"I'm expecting some kind of defence mechanism soon, but to be honest I'm really not sure what I'm looking for." Daniel said, frowning as he shone his light over a particularly uneven section of wall.

"Talk it through -- what are the options?" Jack prompted.

Daniel paused, thinking once again. "The Ancients appeared to stay away from less advanced cultures, not wanting to contaminate their development. So I wouldn't expect any advanced technology. But they wanted to ensure the Goa'uld were kept from the weapon meaning they may need something more sophisticated. Perhaps some kind of high tech mechanism that doesn't look high tech." He sighed, "I just don't know what to look for, Jack, I'm sorry."

"But whatever it is, you think it's here?"

Daniel nodded, then realised it was wasted in the darkness. "Yes, that would be my guess." He used his flashlight to point out a pile of rocks a little further down the tunnel. "For example, those rocks seem to have fallen down from the ceiling, yet I don't see any classic signs of a rockfall." He turned back to Jack. "The deterrent isn't likely to be anything fatal at this point, more likely a scare tactic to discourage any nosy natives."

Jack started shining his light around on the floor.

"What are you looking for, sir?" Sam asked.

"A nosy native." His light fell on a small rock, about the size of two fists. "Aha! Hold this..." He turned to Daniel and handed over his flashlight, then picked up the rock. "Heads up everyone."

Daniel took a pace back, slightly confused, as Jack moved a few steps forward then threw the rock further into the narrowing tunnel.

A second after it landed there was an ominous rumble, and a flurry of smaller rocks and dirt came crashing down on top of it.

"Cool."

Sam shone her flashlight up to the ceiling. As the dust cleared they could see a small alcove directly above where the 'native' had landed. A couple more lights joined the first, searching the surrounding area. They soon identified another four such alcoves and emptied them all using the services of a few more natives.

They picked their way carefully through the debris, keeping a watchful eye for any further sign of dissuasion. As the tunnel turned a corner, Jack and Daniel halted in surprise. The cave ended. There was no further passage, only solid rock preventing them from moving any further.

"This can't be right," Daniel muttered, using his flashlight to search for some sign of a hidden release, or perhaps a concealed tunnel.

"Is this the right cave?" Jack asked, warily watching the ceiling for any suspicious-looking rock formations.

"I'm sure it's right, it fitted all the descriptions in the manuscript." Daniel frowned, then turned to the group. "Can anyone feel any air currents that might be coming from a hidden passage?" When everyone had replied in the negative, he tried again. "How about water? Is there any water running in from somewhere?"

After a moment's silence as people searched the walls around them, Sam spoke up.

"Daniel, take a look over here. This whole cave has some sort of algae growing on the walls except for this portion here. It looks just like the rest of the rock face, but it's totally clean."

"So it's not rock? Which means the weapon is probably somewhere behind there. " Daniel replied. He laid a hand flat on the surface, only to have it snatched away almost immediately by Jack.

"What do I keep saying?" The colonel asked, exasperatedly.

Daniel shrugged apologetically.

Jack leaned closer, ensuring not to touch the surface himself. "So, if it's not rock, then what is it?"

"I don't see any kind of seals or joins around the clean area, sir, so my guess is we've found the high tech part of the defences."

"This is some kind of force field?"

"It looks like it," Sam said, already looking around for the edges of the field.

"Carter, that would be your area then. Just don't touch anything with funny writing on it before Daniel's taken a look, okay?"

"Yes, sir." Sam stepped closer to the wall, raising her flashlight. A few minutes of meticulous searching revealed a matte surface with a small grey symbol on it.

"Daniel, do you know what this says?" She stepped back, keeping her light on the symbol as the archaeologist moved forward to study her discovery.

"Well?" Jack sounded slightly impatient.

"I don't think it says anything," Daniel said over his shoulder.

"How can it not say anything?"

Daniel turned. "Jack, it could be anything. It could be like the call button for an elevator, I just don't know. It's not a part of the Ancients' language as far as I can tell."

"We can't give up...do you really have no ideas?" Kalen spoke up, her voice giving away her anxiety.

"I suppose we could push it," Daniel replied. "Unless anyone has any other suggestions?"

Jack glanced at the symbol, then back at Daniel, obviously considering the risk.

"Okay, everyone stand well back. I'll see what this does."

Once the group had moved to his satisfaction, Jack reached out a hand, carefully flexed his fingers, then pressed the 'button'.

The symbol lit up, then... nothing happened.

"It doesn't work," Jack said, disappointed.

Kalen spoke up at last. "I think something must have happened, Jack, can you not smell that?"

Jack took a deep breath, wrinkled his nose and moved back from the wall. "What is that?"

"It smells like something crawled in there and di..." Daniel trailed off as he realised what he had been about to say.

"Sir, if the smell is coming from the other side of the force field, then it's probably not actually solid any more." Sam said.

Jack shone his flashlight at the surface, moved forward again, and reached his hand out to touch the wall. It disappeared into apparently solid rock, and he hurriedly withdrew it.

"Okay, I'm going through. Give me a couple of minutes, and if I don't come out I want you to get out of here."

"Forget it."

"Daniel-"

"Don't 'Daniel' me, I'm not being difficult. We just need a rope you can tie around your waist. That way you can come back through and get us if it's safe, and if it's not then we can haul you back. For all we know, there's a bottomless pit on the other side of that wall."

"Oh," Jack looked slightly surprised. "Good idea."

"I have them occasionally."

Jack ignored the remark and turned to Sam to take the emergency rope. He tied one end in a rough climbing harness, waited until Daniel and Sam were prepared to take his weight if necessary, then faced the wall once more.

The colonel took a deep breath, then stepped forward, vanishing from sight. Almost immediately the rope went taut.

"Jack!" Daniel heaved back on his part of the rope, only to hear a yell from the other side of the wall.

"Stop pulling, I'm fine! Just tripped over something here."

Sam moved closer to the wall. "Colonel, should we come through?"

Jack's voice drifted back, an odd quality to it. "Ahh, just give me a second to clear some of this out of the way."

"More rocks?" Daniel called out.

There was a pause. "Not exactly."

After a few more minutes of shifting and scraping, Jack announced the all clear.

"Okay, come on through, one at a time and be careful."

Sam gestured for Daniel to head through first. He raised his flashlight and stepped purposefully forwards. He felt a slight tingle as he passed through the field, then screwed up his face as the bad smell turned into a pungent sickly sweet/sour odour of things not long dead.

As Jack gently tugged him out of the way of the entrance, Daniel scanned the room. He counted five bodies in total, four locals and one Jaffa.

A short gasp behind him made him turn to see Kalen's pale face, and he looked away as she visibly tried to compose herself.

Sam took only a second to assess the situation, before she moved towards the bodies.

"Sir, did you notice how they died?"

"A couple have darts in various places, one has his head bashed in, and the other two I couldn't identify."

Sam nodded, pulled out some gloves and began inspecting the corpses. Daniel grimaced and looked away.

"Looks like they haven't been here that long. I'd say less than twenty four hours."

"Carter don't go any further than that last body," Jack warned. "I don't want you tripping any of the remaining surprises."

"Yes, sir."

"So, Daniel?" Jack prompted.

"Uh huh," Daniel responded, returning to his examination of the room.

"Any ideas about what comes next?"

The archaeologist thought for a minute, then took a deep breath... and wished he hadn't. The smell invaded his throat and he fought the urge to gag. He coughed in an attempt to clear the foul taste before he spoke. "This could have just been a work group that stumbled in here and set off the traps, but I doubt it."

"Why's that?" Kalen asked.

Daniel shone his light across the cavern, illuminating an alcove on the wall.

"You see that alcove over there?"

"Yes."

"Do you see what's in it?"

Daniel watched as Kalen shuffled a few steps closer, halted only by Jack's arm shooting out to grab her. She turned back, frowning. "There's nothing there."

"Exactly."

Jack looked perplexed. "And just what does 'exactly' mean?"

"From what I understand of the manuscript, that's where the weapon should be. And judging by these bodies, it was probably there until very recently. Which means..."

Jack finished for him. "Which means this damn snake is turning out to be just as much a pain in the ass as the rest of them. And the Tok'ra were wrong. Again."

Part Fifteen

Jack was pacing. The sound of those footsteps getting louder-quieter-louder was about the only thing Daniel could concentrate on. It was a wonder he even had the energy for that, after their little jaunt up and down the mountain, let alone the eight miles each way to get there. Jack, however, always seemed to have energy for pacing. Or ranting. No matter whether he was locked away in some cell, in the infirmary or arguing with Daniel, that energy miraculously appeared. And right now it made the archaeologist exhausted just listening. Good thing he had this convenient chair holding him up.

Daniel forced his eyes open as Jack's voice broke the semi-silence. "Try again, Carter."

"Sir, I don't-"

"Please." The order was obvious, and Sam lifted her radio once again. As she spoke calmly into it, Daniel returned his attention to the colonel.

"Jack, he could just be taking a nap."

"Daniel, in case you've forgotten, that's our ride. He's alone on a hostile planet, and we can't be sure we weren't spotted on the way in. Josh... Josie...?"

"Josim," Teal'c supplied.

"Thank you, Teal'c. Josim risked as much as we did coming here, and right now I just want to be sure he's okay."

Daniel lowered his head, and directed his apology to the floor. "I know it's my fault everyone's in danger, you don't need to remind me. And I'm sorry, I really am. But can we not get into this right now?"

Jack's feet appeared in his line of sight. "Danny, none of this is your fault." His voice was surprisingly gentle. "I'm not trying to assign blame here, I'm just frustrated." Daniel looked up into Jack's concerned frown. "And I'm trying to convince myself I'm about to make a decision for the right reasons, not because we have no other options."

Daniel sat up straighter. "What decision?"

Jack looked over at Sam, acknowledging the shake of her head, before he replied. "We're going to stay here and help these people with their snake problem. I'm still not happy with their technique of asking for help... ah!" He raised a finger in warning, halting the flow from Daniel's mouth before it began, "but under the circumstances I'm willing to forget about it."

"Forget?" Daniel asked softly, "Not forgive?"

"Not my place, Daniel." Jack replied.

There was silence for a moment. Daniel breached it first.

"I know I shouldn't be angry with them. And I have no problem with Lor and Kalen. Well, nothing I can't work around, anyway. But I'm not sure I can forgive Haster."

Jack opened his mouth as if to speak, but nothing came out. He pressed his lips together, his breath forced to escape in a frustrated rush through his nose.

"Not everyone deserves forgiveness, Daniel Jackson."

The archaeologist looked over at Teal'c. "And how do you decide who deserves it and who doesn't? If I hadn't trusted Haster in the first place, then maybe we wouldn't be concerned about whether or not to forgive him. Maybe I'm the one who's at fault here."

"Daniel-"

"No-"

Sam and Jack looked at each other in almost comical surprise. Jack gestured for his 2IC to continue.

"Daniel, this is one of those 'what if' conversations that we really shouldn't have. And you shouldn't be thinking it either. There are a lot of things that could have gone differently: I could have figured out who the mole was sooner; we could have rescued you from the forest and gone straight back to the ship; the Tok'ra could have helped us out..." Daniel filed a note away at Jack's darkening expression. "There are some things you can't change, and human nature is one of them. Haster obviously valued power over the safety of his people, and he hid it well. So well that his friends didn't know what he was up to. Don't be surprised that you didn't notice either."

Daniel looked at his team-mates in turn. There was no disappointment in their eyes, merely concern. He took a deep breath. "I'm wallowing -- sorry about that. Won't do it again."

"Sure you will," Jack retorted.

"Will not!" Daniel replied with mock indignance, a smile finding its way to his lips at last.

"Will too!"

"Not!"

"Will too!"

"O'Neill!" The two men turned to face Teal'c, who gazed at them with the indulgence of a long-suffering parent.

"Teal'c?" Jack responded, still looking slightly belligerent.

"There is an outstanding puzzle." Satisfied he had their attention, the Jaffa continued. "If Hephaestus already has the Ancients' weapon, why has the mining operation not ceased?"

"Fraytov!" Hephaestus' booming voice pulled the old man instantly from his work.

"My lord?" He turned to his master, grateful yet somewhat suspicious to see the smile on his face.

"Report!" The Goa'uld gestured to the papers and samples weighing down Fraytov's table.

Fraytov paused, considering how to phrase his response. "The mining continues at a greater pace, yet the yield is falling." He braced himself before he continued. "I believe the veins are not as rich as was first anticipated."

Hephaestus' eyes narrowed, his smile vanished. "I see."

"My lord, the engineers have found a solution. They have requested an audience in order to gain your approval. I understand it involves combining the newly mined naquada with previously used resources at the power generation centre. In this way, there would be more than enough of the ore to complete your vessel."

There was silence for a short while as Hephaestus considered this new idea. "So be it. Do not waste my time with these petty workers."

"They will not tarnish your palace, my lord." Fraytov bowed his head in deference as he spoke.

"Why have I heard nothing more of the resistance?"

"Your Jaffa have driven them deep into the forest. It appears they have successfully defeated them."

"Yet I do not see the translator before me. Nor his fellows." Hephaestus growled.

Fraytov frowned in confusion. "Forgive my weak intellect, I do not understand. You have the weapon you sought, why is the translator of import?"

Hephaestus glared threateningly into Fraytov's eyes. "I have further plans you are not privy to, Fraytov. It is fortuitous that these Tau'ri have come to this pathetic planet. They have uses that your pitiful mind could not begin to understand. Just be thankful you survive your failure to achieve my goals." Hephaestus spun around and stalked away.

Fraytov watched the Goa'uld's retreating back. He was surprised his heart was not racing at such a threat. But then, he knew more than Hephaestus would ever suspect about the Goa'uld's plans. And this little morsel was something he would investigate at the earliest opportunity.

Part Sixteen

O'Neill took a last sip of his rapidly cooling coffee, then looked around the crowded room at the key players. Lor and Kalen were hunched over the corner table, already in earnest discussions with Daniel; Teal'c was fielding questions from at least five of the team leaders simultaneously; Carter was nowhere to be seen. In this cluttered space, the almost tangible sense of expectation wore on the colonel's nerves, despite the early hour.

Carter drifted into view, a concerned look on her face. O'Neill caught her eye, and she shook her head. He called out to the rest of his team.

"Daniel, Teal'c," he jerked his head to indicate they should join him. Daniel made his apologies and moved towards them. Teal'c simply raised his hand for silence then left his huddle of groupies without a backward glance.

"What's up, Jack?" Daniel asked.

O'Neill gestured for his 2IC to respond.

"There's still nothing from Josim. I can't completely rule out a technical problem, but if so it's not from our end. And it's extremely unlikely he'd have been sleeping all this time."

"So we assume he's been compromised, and act accordingly."

That set Daniel off. "Jack, surely we can spare someone to go and look?"

O'Neill knew this was coming, had prepared for it. "I've considered the options, and I don't think we should. It's possible he's dead, in which case it's a waste of time, or he's been captured. Either way, we have no information from the inside source which means we're faced with a needle in a haystack scenario."

Lines creased Daniel's forehead, but he didn't argue.

"I know I don't need to remind anyone of what's important here. So I'll just say that this snake is keeping me from a nice juicy steak with all the trimmings, and if it takes too long to dust him I'm gonna get cranky."

"Going to...?" Daniel asked innocently.

"Don't push it, boonie boy."

Daniel's eyebrows practically achieved orbit. His gaze darted between his team-mates. Carter hid her smirk behind a cough.

"Okay kids, let's get this show on the road." O'Neill fixed his much practiced 'don't mess with me, or I'll beat you to a bloody pulp without breaking a sweat' look on his face, and turned to address the room.

"Everybody listen up!"

The room instantly stilled.

"For those who don't know already, I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill, from earth. My team and I are going to help you get your planet back. We bring considerable experience with the Goa'uld and tactical skills to the table. You will bring your knowledge of your people, the layout of the town and this Goa'uld in particular. Together we will succeed." He stepped back and turned to the resistance leader. "Lor?"

The man nodded and rose to speak. "Despite a less than auspicious beginning to our relationship, Jack has generously offered the help of his team. For the next three days, we will be planning and training. Our attack will begin at dawn on day four. We all know there will be casualties, and not all of us will see success. I thank you for your dedication and courage, and I ask you to pass that to your teams." He turned to take a piece of paper from Kalen. "We have drawn up a training schedule. Sam will be teaching explosives and hand-to-hand combat; Teal'c will explain Jaffa tactics and fighting styles; Daniel will be helping with the Goa'uld language. Every team is down for at least two of each session, although language training will be as continuous as possible." He placed the paper on the table. "Any questions?"

There were a few murmurs, but nobody spoke up. Lor nodded, satisfied. "Everyone take a schedule on your way out. Thank you."

The room emptied swiftly. O'Neill relaxed slightly, relieved he wouldn't have to fight to gain authority with these people.

"Okay people, we've got..." he squinted at his watch, "...about an hour. I want to get some basic intel and a rough plan of attack before we start the training sessions. We need to know numbers, both us and them. We need locations, city layout, any kind of patrol schedule you have for the Jaffa. I want to know exactly what resources you have -- what kind of weapons and explosives." He stopped as his stomach grumbled loudly. "But the first order of business is breakfast. What does a man have to do to get fed around here?"

"Lor, you're not listening to me!" Jack's exasperated voice could be heard halfway down the corridor. Daniel walked in to the main planning room to find barely controlled chaos. The single table was smothered with papers. Lor and Kalen were apparently in the middle of a heated debate with the colonel, although the subject of this one wasn't immediately obvious. Having experienced an entire day of them already, Daniel now just let them run their course.

"Those teams trained relentlessly, Jack." Lor sounded offended.

"Look, I didn't say they were no good, just that they could be better. You tell me it was your best team out on that raid the night we arrived, and yet we followed them back to base undetected. You've obviously come a long way in a short time, but if we want to win then we need to improve. And the best way to do that in the little time we have left is to change tactics."

"What you're suggesting means involving a majority of our citizens. How are we supposed to keep that a secret?"

Jack shrugged. "You're not going to have a problem. It works on the basis of need to know. If each team only knows about their area, then they will think it's just a standard mission. No pressure. It'll be a piece of cake."

"Cake?" Kalen looked confused.

"Jack means it will be easy," Daniel clarified. "And he's usually right about the tactics; he's kept us alive for years."

Jack raised his eyebrows, "Usually?"

Daniel shrugged.

"What have you got there, Daniel?"

The archaeologist took a few papers from the pile he was carrying. "Some basic Goa'uld for everyone. Teal'c and I wrote down some of the words and phrases most likely to be used by the Jaffa in, um, in these situations."

Jack took one of the proffered sheets. "You mean I should know more than 'kree'?"

Daniel gave him a withering look. "Actually Jack, you should know all of these already, so maybe you can teach the others the correct pronunciations?"

Jack made a rude face, then quickly composed a more serious expression as he noticed Kalen watching him. Daniel rescued him. "Jack, if you could spare some time to do this in between all your plotting, I think it would be extremely useful."

"It's tactical planning, Daniel." Jack said sourly.

"Right. Will you do it?"

"Yes, fine." Jack waved at him impatiently. "You go do whatever it is that you're doing, and leave us to our evil scheming."

Daniel didn't comment, just looked sympathetically towards Lor and Kalen as he left the room.

He walked down the corridor, dodging a couple of people rushing the other way. It was only a short walk to the room Sam was using as her base of operations, and when he arrived he saw she was in full flow.

"No, Mirsh, it's better to use your own explosives. You understand their quirks, and if you use the location and design information I've given you, the results will be more than sufficient."

"That makes sense, Sam."

The major looked around the group. "Okay, is everyone clear?" She acknowledged their nods. "Tonight's set-up will be straightforward. You'll be divided into groups of two, one to lay the explosives, one to keep watch. Depending on the area, you'll have anywhere between three and six sets to lay. Who can tell me the three things to remember?"

One of the younger men raised his hand tentatively.

"Yes, Boran?"

"Uh, location is number one." At Sam's encouraging nod, he continued. "Use the right amount...oh, and be careful."

She smiled. "Exactly. The attack isn't until the day after tomorrow. We don't want anyone warned that we're coming, so stick to the plan. Just remember this is nothing you haven't done before, you simply have more information this time around."

Daniel studied the group closely. Although they were obviously nervous, that emotion was surpassed by the anticipation of victory. He had initially been concerned that too much of the pep rally mentality would creep in and lead to carelessness. But the serious faces focussed on Sam gave him confidence.

"Daniel, did you need something?"

"Hmm? Oh, just handing out the language sheets. Can you go over them with all your groups today? Perhaps drop some practice into your sessions?"

"No problem. I'll see you at 1900. We're due to head out fifteen after to get the C-4 in place at the museum."

Daniel nodded. "Right. Meet in the planning room?"

"Fine." She turned her focus back to the class, and Daniel handed a sheaf of paper to the nearest group member. Feeling slightly surplus to requirements, he turned and headed out of the room towards his final destination.

The cold hit him as soon as he opened the rear exit door. Shivering slightly, the archaeologist tugged his jacket closed before marching across the courtyard, gravel kicking up behind him with each stride. As the training session came into view, Daniel stopped to stare open-mouthed. Instead of the flurry of activity he expected, he saw Teal'c seated cross-legged on the ground, his nine students mirroring both the position and the closed eyes. When nobody acknowledged Daniel's rather noisy arrival, he folded the papers and secured them inside his jacket then seated himself on the edge of the circle. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, relaxing further with each exhalation. He had just started to drift into his own thoughts, regardless of the chill, when Teal'c's gently rumbling voice brought him back.

"With minds at peace, we may now prepare for combat without anger."

Daniel opened his eyes to see each one of the group nodding in agreement. Whatever he had missed, it apparently had some significant effect on these people.

"Daniel Jackson, have you come to join us?"

Slightly caught out by this reminder of why he was here, Daniel fumbled for a second for the translations in his jacket. "I, uh, brought you some language sheets, for the group to practice with." He held onto them awkwardly, feeling a little like he had strayed into a culture he didn't understand.

Teal'c inclined his head in thanks. "Do you have some time to assist us with our training?"

Surprised, Daniel looked around at the expectant faces. "Oh, sure. I mean, um, I don't have anything else..." He trailed off, again feeling out of place.

"We would benefit from your knowledge and skills." Teal'c replied.

"You would?" Daniel winced inwardly at his blatant surprise.

"Indeed. Your understanding of Goa'uld ways will assist us greatly in our endeavours." Bless Teal'c and his insight. Daniel's own concerns over his inability to assist with the military-focussed lessons had apparently been identified. And if this was Teal'c's way of keeping him useful, then who was he to argue?

"I would be pleased to help, Teal'c. Tell me what you need."

As Teal'c continued the lesson, Daniel settled contentedly into his role as tutor, readily sharing details of a foe he knew only too well.

"Come on Sam, where are you?"

Daniel checked his watch for the third time in as many minutes. His team-mate was now eleven minutes overdue, didn't respond to his radio calls, and his concern grew with every second that slunk past.

He risked a glance around the corner of the alley; the road was still clear. The last Jaffa patrol he'd seen was a good eight or nine minutes ago, more than enough time for them to have moved beyond Sam's position and for her to have safely returned to him.

He leaned back against the wall, resting one hand on the grip of his sidearm, and once again feeling not the slightest bit reassured by its presence.

He waited a couple more minutes, then thumbed his radio.

"Sam, it's Daniel, where are you?" His low voice sounded thunderous in his ears and he held his breath as he waited for a response. He heard nothing. No booted feet rushed to apprehend him; no Major Carter.

"Sam, are you okay?"

Nothing. Nada. Silence.

//Okay, Jackson, you knew this could happen. Think of the next steps.// He desperately wanted to trace Sam's path, to find her and...

"Sam, it's fifteen after nine. I'm heading to the secondary RV. I'll give you thirty minutes, then I'm returning to base. Do you copy?"

When no answer was forthcoming, Daniel repeated his statement then switched off the radio. He pulled his weapon from its holster and moved quietly back down the alley, away from the museum and his missing friend.

"Sam, it's Daniel, where are you?"

The voice sounded so loud in Carter's earpiece that she was concerned the Jaffa might have heard something. But they appeared to be oblivious to the small piece of technology, more interested in her now empty backpack and her P-90.

"Sam, are you okay?"

He sounded concerned. And well he might be. 'Okay' wasn't exactly how she would describe being surrounded by four heavily armed Jaffa.

Their leader spoke to her again, obviously asking a question.

//I think there was a 'who' in there somewhere, but frankly I don't understand. And even if I did, I'm not likely to answer.//

She glared at him.

As Daniel's voice returned once again, she relaxed slightly. At least one of them would get back to base. And on the bright side, the explosives were planted and safely hidden. She had nothing on her to indicate what she had been doing, and when the attack went ahead she would have more than enough opportunity to escape.

She hoped.

The Jaffa were reaching for her vest now, removing anything she had strapped to it. One of them ripped her earpiece out of the radio, just as Daniel came to the end of his second reading.

"- thirty minutes, then I'm returning to base. Do you copy?"

His voice was clear in the chill night air. The leader lifted the radio towards him, and gifted her with an arrogant smile. This time when he spoke, Sam understood him clearly.

"There is another. He cannot be far. Find him."

As two of the Jaffa peeled off towards the square, Carter was directed into the museum with a wave from the business end of a staff weapon.

Part Seventeen

Carter shifted awkwardly on her knees. The polished floor must have looked impressive when this room was the centre of an exhibition, but it certainly wasn't designed to be knelt upon for any length of time.

She attempted to take her mind off the discomfort by looking for possible escape routes. A sharp rap on the back of the head persuaded her to return her gaze to the floor. She flexed her calf muscles in an attempt to ward off the cramps, and continued subtly trying to loosen the ropes that bound her wrists behind her back. With no watch to guide her, she estimated she'd been here nearly half an hour. There had been no sign of the Goa'uld. A man had been working in a corner of the room when she'd first arrived, and at the sight of her he'd shuffled out through a rear entrance. Now he returned, looking slightly nervous. He was followed by an entire squad of Jaffa, who took up position in front of the door like an honour guard.

//And here comes the main event,// thought Carter, as a dark-haired, haughty-looking man walked in. He ignored Carter completely and walked to the large chair at the back of the hall. Some locals followed him, setting up tables next to Hephaestus and filling them with food and drink.

Finally, Hephaestus turned his attention to his lone prisoner.

"What is this?" He directed the question to the lead Jaffa who had captured her.

"My lord, we found this woman attempting to gain entrance. She carried these weapons, and we suspect she intended to make an attempt on your life."

There was silence while Hephaestus studied the major.

"Were there others with her?"

"There was one other, my lord."

"And where is this other?" Hephaestus demanded.

"We have patrols searching, my lord. He will be found shortly."

//Not likely,// Carter thought, //he's long gone.//

"Has she spoken?"

The Jaffa leader cleared his throat, "Not yet, my lord, but as with the others, it's only a matter of time."

The Goa'uld waved him silent, and finally addressed Carter. "If we have only two, where are the rest of your team?"

Carter didn't respond, but her nerves gave a little flutter. //Does he know?//

"When the other is brought here, will it be the Jaffa? Or the leader?"

She could barely keep her startlement off her face.

"Perhaps the translator?" He shrugged indifferently. "It matters not. I will have two, and the others will soon arrive. Your reputation precedes you, Major Carter."

Carter stayed calm, refusing to respond. Even denying his words would be a victory for Hephaestus. She refused to give him the satisfaction.

She heard a door swing open behind her, and Hephaestus' attention moved to see who was coming.

"I said there's no need to push, I walk better without your assistance, thanks very much."

Daniel. Her spirits dropped a little, but she pointedly remained staring at Hephaestus. He watched her closely for a reaction that didn't come, then nodded towards the back of the room. Within a few seconds, Daniel landed heavily on his knees next to her. She glanced across at him and saw his sheepish expression.

"Sorry Sam, I didn't-"

He cut off his quiet apology at the small shake of her head. She looked back to Hephaestus and saw him watching their interaction with interest.

"We have the translator and the scientist. Now why would they send you two to kill me? Somehow I don't think you were trying to get into my palace. I think you had another purpose. "

Carter could see Daniel out of the corner of her eye. He was looking around the room with what she knew from experience would be a rapt expression on his face. He was studying the decor and layout of the room, giving the impression he was ignoring everything Hephaestus was saying. Carter knew better. Apparently Hephaestus did not.

The Goa'uld nodded to someone behind them, and Daniel got a crack around the head, hard enough to knock him to the floor.

"You will listen when your god speaks!" Hephaestus roared.

"You're not my god," Daniel spat, as he struggled to get back to his knees without the benefit of his arms to aid him.

"By the time I am finished, you will be begging to crawl on your belly to worship me," the Goa'uld hissed.

"I wouldn't bet on it," Daniel countered, as he settled on his knees once more.

Hephaestus shifted his attention back to Carter. "Why are you here?" He demanded.

She stared at a truly fascinating tile on the far wall.

The clunk and hiss of a staff weapon charging made her spin her head toward the loathsome sound. The weapon was inches from Daniel's neck.

"What is your mission?"

Carter looked to Daniel's white, but determined, face.

"I will not ask again."

//Keep the team alive, major, that's the priority now.// She dragged her eyes back to the Goa'uld.

"We were trying to reach the Stargate."

Hephaestus smiled in triumph. "For what purpose?"

"To return home."

"Now that your ship has been destroyed, I expected another to arrive. Your reputation does not indicate you would be foolish enough to take such unnecessary risks."

At the mention of the ship, Carter's spirits dropped another notch. This Goa'uld knew exactly who they were and how they'd got here. He probably knew why Daniel was brought here in the first place, and had laughed at them while they searched for the Ancients' weapon. They'd obviously underestimated him from the very beginning.

"You are a little early to fit in with my timetable, but a good plan is one that can be adapted." Hephaestus turned and walked slowly back to his chair, picking up some fruit as he sat. "Dr Jackson will be punished tomorrow morning for helping the resistance. The punishment will be witnessed by the citizens, as was that of your predecessor. Perhaps they will finally learn not to defy me." He took a bite of the fruit, savouring the taste before continuing blithely. "You are younger and stronger than Ronin, perhaps you will survive what he did not."

He finished his fruit and sucked the juices off his fingers leisurely.

"You," he said to Carter, "will be handed over to Apophis. You will bring him his death."

Carter refused to stay silent. "I won't kill for you."

"You misunderstand, major. You have no choice in the matter. A quantity of the Ancients' Breath will be prepared. You will simply be the carrier. Once it has been released and Apophis is dead, it will be up to you to escape his Jaffa if you can. If you warn him of the danger, you will be killed. Would it not be better to die knowing you have killed a powerful enemy?"

Carter fumed. He was right, of course. If she couldn't avoid being used like this, then at least she could take Apophis down with her. And on the bright side, they now knew for certain that there was a weapon.

Hephaestus addressed the guards. "Lock them away securely. And prepare for tomorrow's punishment. I wish for a large number of citizens to bear witness to the entertainment. They will learn to serve their god."

"Yes, my lord."

The team-mates were pulled to their feet and shoved towards the main entrance, accompanied by six Jaffa. A look at Daniel's worried face made Carter's concern levels shoot up. He'd been threatened by Goa'uld before, and managed to retain his courage. Just what did he know about this punishment that made him so nervous?

"Damn it, where the hell are they?" O'Neill glared at Teal'c, not expecting any kind of answer. He didn't get one.

"They were supposed to be back two hours ago."

"Indeed."

"Everyone else has come back."

"This will not help, O'Neill."

"Of course it won't." The colonel sighed. "I just-"

"Jack!"

O'Neill swung around to face the door. Kalen ran in panting, swiftly followed by Lor.

"We've had word from the museum. Daniel and Sam have been taken prisoner by Hephaestus."

"I knew it! Didn't I tell you something was up!" He spotted Teal'c's disapproving look, and rapidly continued. "How do you know?"

Kalen leant against the wall to catch her breath. Lor took over. "Our inside source contacted us. Apparently they're both unharmed for now, but it looks like Daniel is due to be executed tomorrow morning."

O'Neill's stomach hit his boots. "You're not serious!"

Lor held the colonel's gaze. "I'm sorry, Jack."

"No, I didn't mean...oh, never mind." O'Neill rubbed his hands across his face. "We're just going to have to move up the attack."

"We can't!" Lor looked appalled.

"Sure we can."

"We're not ready, we-"

Teal'c cut Kalen off mid-sentence. "You are in fact completely prepared. The Jaffa have a saying 'Preparation is a joy to behold, yet it spawns self-destruction'."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Lor looked uncertain, Kalen just looked utterly perplexed.

"I think we have the same saying -- 'you can be too prepared'?" O'Neill looked to Teal'c for confirmation.

"Indeed."

"I'm not sure..." Lor said, doubtfully.

"Look, I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it could be done." O'Neill said. "I'm not going to let that snake kill Carter or Daniel just because you've got last minute nerves."

Lor had the grace to look embarrassed. "I understand. We owe you a great deal."

Jack was quickly becoming infuriated. This was almost as difficult as getting through to Daniel!

"It's not about owing, it's about being allies -- friends, even." Oh, this was far too complicated. "Look, let's just get things moving. We need to be in position at dawn, which gives us about six hours. I want everyone to catch at least 3 hours sleep, and we have some last minute planning to do. Kalen, let the team leaders know. Get them here at 0400 for a final briefing."

Lor spoke up, "I'm sorry, I don't understand your time."

"It's fine, Lor, I do." Kalen said. "Daniel explained it to me when..." She went a little pale. "I'll tell them now." She vanished through the door without another word.

O'Neill looked to Lor for clarification, but the man appeared equally mystified.

//Just when you need Daniel around to do his understanding other cultures thing...// He clamped down on that thought, not liking where it led.

"Let's get some sleep. We're going to need it tomorrow if we want to fry us some snakey butt. That overgrown worm is gonna learn that nobody threatens my team. Nobody."

Part Eighteen

Something pulled Carter from her light doze. She lifted her head from the floor to listen, and identified three or four people heading down the corridor towards her cell. She made an effort to sit, and was jolted by a sharp pain in her thigh. The chain around her ankle clattered on the concrete floor as she massaged her cramping muscles. The door to her cell scraped open. She heard a protest, then Daniel flew through the door, landing heavily on his knees.

Two Jaffa came through the door behind him. One forced him to the floor with a booted foot between his shoulder blades, while the other locked a metal band around his ankle.

The Jaffa rose and left, with no more comment than a couple of sharp kicks delivered to Daniel's ribs as they passed.

The door slammed shut.

"Daniel, are you alright?" Carter asked worriedly.

Daniel rolled over on to his side to face her and scrunched his eyes up as he took some deep breaths. "Oh yeah, I'm having a great time. Haven't had this much fun since... oh, Netu was good wasn't it? Warmer climate, at least." He attempted a reassuring smile, but didn't quite succeed. "How about you?"

"So so," Carter replied. //My arms have gone numb and I'm freezing my butt off, but otherwise doing good.// She watched sympathetically as the archaeologist struggled to a sitting position.

"So how come they brought you in here? Hoping we'll give away state secrets?" Carter asked.

Daniel winced as he shifted closer to the wall. "Nothing that exciting. That little guy, you know the one standing by Hephaestus in the hall?" At her nod, he continued, "Well, he apparently wanted us to have some quality time together before... you know."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

There was an awkward silence.

"Do you think-"

"What does-"

They both stopped. Carter nodded. "You go first."

Daniel took a breath. "Do you think Jack might..." He glanced warily at the ceiling.

There was no way the colonel could bring the attack forward, assuming he even knew what had happened. In answer, Carter looked at her feet, then back up to her friend.

He nodded and smiled gently. "It's okay, there are bigger things at stake here..." He fell silent again.

Carter gathered her strength for the next question. "Do you know what this punishment is? You seemed quite upset earlier."

"I have a good idea," he said quietly. He leaned his head back against the wall and stared at the ceiling. Carter gave him some time to compose himself. Just as she decided to either prompt him or change the subject, he spoke up again.

"The last translator was called Ronin," he began in a quiet voice. "I read a lot of his translations. It was good work. He didn't document too much about the weapon and its location. I think he reached the same point I did and realised how dangerous it would be in the wrong hands. Anyway, Hephaestus was furious he wouldn't complete the work, and had him killed. Actually, I'm not sure he intended to kill him. Kalen told me that his mutilated body was put on display, which doesn't mean he was dead then, just that he died at some point from his wounds."

"I'm sorry." It seemed inadequate.

"Not your fault." Daniel looked at her again. "You know, when I first got here I thought I would be killed if I didn't help the resistance. Instead it's because I did. Kind of ironic, really."

He rested his head once more and closed his eyes.

"If they knew, they'd be here," she said. "I bet the colonel's going nuts right now, trying to find out what's happened."

"Sam," Daniel didn't open his eyes, didn't move at all. "It's not your fault."

"Right."

"Anything we do to fight them isn't a waste. Though I'm going to have to fight without my hands because I can't shift these ropes at all."

Carter brightened slightly. "It's not actually rope. It's more like our flexi cuffs, you know, if you struggle then they get tighter."

"Noticed that." Daniel said dryly. "Not coming off then?"

"Unlikely."

"Right." He sighed. "Any other ideas?"

"Most of them involve teleportation in one form or another."

"Ah."

"When the Jaffa come back, we could always kick them in the-"

"Armour."

She nodded. "Good point."

Silence fell once more.

"You think Hephaestus has a sarcophagus?" The futile hope drifted in the air between them.

Her heart was numb. "Daniel-"

"I know," he interrupted her. "I'm sorry."

At the sound of a key in the lock, Daniel's eyes shot open, the fear obvious in his face. He quickly composed himself, not allowing the Jaffa any signs of weakness. He looked directly at Carter; apparently they were both thinking the same thing -- 'too soon'.

The Jaffa unlocked Daniel's ankle chain, then tugged him up and through the door. He managed one last glance at Carter before he disappeared from sight.

But the door to the cell remained open. She watched it warily.

The little man from the great hall shuffled in, pushing the door closed behind him. He sat down opposite Carter, in the spot so briefly warmed by her team-mate.

She waited while he seemed to study her, as if confused by her existence.

"You're not what I expected," he said finally.

"And what was that?" She asked, seeing no point in this conversation.

"I thought you would be shorter."

Shorter? Unable to reconcile that response with reality, she asked, "Who are you?"

"My name is Fraytov. I am... I... hmm." He seemed to search for something. "I serve Hephaestus."

"Right," she nodded, as if that explained everything.

"The other, the translator, he is also not as I expected."

"Shorter? Taller?" Carter suggested. When Fraytov just looked puzzled, she tried again. "Younger?"

"Quieter."

Yep, that would be quite a surprise if you had as much knowledge of the team as Hephaestus seemed to.

"You people are about to torture him to death." Carter said acidly. "Not a prospect that's likely to encourage anyone to make polite conversation."

"I wish I could stop it," he blurted out.

Against her better judgement, Carter's hopes rose, "So why don't you?"

"Hephaestus would retaliate against my people. Every time I make a mistake, he punishes people. Kills them, mostly."

"I'm sorry," she said; her hope faded as she understood.

She tried another angle. "Perhaps if I escaped, then the Jaffa would be blamed. Hephaestus would punish them instead." She could see Fraytov glance down to her ankle chain, then back up as she continued. "If I found a weapon, I could rescue Daniel. If I knew where he'd been taken." She held her breath, waited and watched as her only chance of keeping Daniel alive considered her words.

He shook his head. "I cannot. The risk..."

"Please. We can help your people. You just need to help us first." She watched the indecision on his face. //I'll get on my knees and beg if I have to.// "Please."

He stood and moved to the door. "I must find the keys." He waved in the direction of her chain. "Wait here." Then he was gone.

Wait here. She could do that.

Daniel didn't struggle as he was hauled along the bright corridor. He saved his remaining strength, knowing it wouldn't help him at this point. With grim humour, he realised Jack would be pleased that the military mindset was finally beginning to have an effect on the civilian's thought processes.

He stumbled a couple of times, struggling to regain his footing as he was dragged onwards by the guards. When they reached their destination, he clamped down a powerful urge to resist being pulled through the gloomy entranceway. His heart beat a path towards his knees as he saw the fate that awaited him.

He and Jack had discussed the possibility of torture. They'd all been in situations where they'd been hurt, but right now his previous experience wouldn't help him. Jack had told him it was okay to be afraid, that screaming when you were in severe pain wasn't an issue, and not to be too concerned if he passed out. He had said that a soldier could be expected to take only so much, and nobody thought less of someone who crumpled under such conditions. In the most extreme cases it became a personal decision whether to tell the enemy what they wanted to know, or take it to the grave. Which all sounded fine and dandy when it was theoretical, but now the pain and fear were about to become extremely personal. There would be no heroic opportunity to choose between giving the bastards what they wanted and going to meet his maker. This time the enemy's only goal was to send him on his way in agony.

//Why didn't we cover this scenario, Jack?//

Daniel's panicked gaze took in the shackles hanging from the ceiling and the array of implements laid out on a nearby table. He mentally checked 'show the victim the instruments of torture' off Jack's long list of things to expect. Some quiet, calm part of him tried to calculate the odds as he planned his next move. The rest of him acted on instinct. As a sharp knife released the bonds around his wrists for the first time in hours, he drew on all of his energy and acted. He yanked his fists forward, fully intending to punch the nearest Jaffa in the gut.

The awful pain that ripped through his shoulders stole his breath and left him defeated. He could barely focus as his wrists were manacled above him. He knew he had to do something, this was his last chance. But the throbbing ache robbed him of his strength.

The Jaffa stepped back and left Daniel standing under his own power. His legs supported him without difficulty, but his arms hung limp in their confinement. He realised they had known this would happen; past experience had obviously shown them what a prisoner was -- or rather, wasn't -- capable of, having spent so much time restrained.

The two Jaffa took up positions either side of the doorway, and another walked in -- Hephaestus' First Prime, judging by the gold of his tattoo. This new participant threw a cold, lifeless smile in Daniel's direction.

"It's a little early in the morning for this kind of amusement." His fingers wandered idly over the tools arranged in front of him. "No matter. I don't want anything to keep us from getting better acquainted, Dr Jackson."

Daniel forced his gaze away from the table. His imagination was already working against him; it didn't need any encouragement. It appeared that knowing the setup was designed to induce fear didn't stop it from succeeding. The prickling itch of normal sensation returned to his arms and shoulders. He tentatively raised his arms, attempting to stop his damaged wrists pulling against the shackles. Brief flares of pain still burned, but nothing he couldn't deal with.

"I have orders to use the same technique on you that I used with the last translator." The Jaffa moved to stand directly in front of Daniel, demanding his attention. Daniel returned the stare with controlled indifference. "Happily, the subject's reaction is different every time; I'm sure we'll manage to entertain ourselves."

Daniel didn't respond. The two men stared at each other for a long while, neither willing to break contact first.

The fire that flashed in Daniel's side was a complete surprise. Something terrible touched him, spread its feelers out in pulsing threads across his ribs. His very bones were melting. Then abruptly it was over. The absence of pain was as startling as its appearance had been; the relief tangible. Daniel snatched for a breath and found the air unexpectedly easy to obtain. A slight tingle across his skin was the only evidence something so agonising had even happened.

"It begins," the Jaffa said. He walked to the table to select another implement.

//Come on, come on. Where is he?//

Carter thumped her head against the wall, barely feeling the impact. Fraytov had been gone for hours -- just how long did it take to find a damn key? If he got back to her she already had her plan: get the weapon, get the Goa'uld, get the archaeologist, not necessarily in that order.

"Come on!"

She heard rapid footsteps heading her way along the corridor. There was a pause outside the door, then it swung inwards. Fraytov slunk through, pushing the door closed behind him.

"I'm sorry for the delay, it took a few minutes for me to find the keys. I couldn't tell which would work, so I've brought them all." He reached into one pocket after another, dropping key after key onto a haphazard pile.

"It's okay," Carter held her impatience inside.

"I'm just going to try these as fast as I can." The man didn't look up, just reached for her ankle.

"I don't suppose you found a knife?"

Fraytov blinked at her, confused.

"My hands?"

"Oh, right! Sorry. Can you turn around a little?"

Carter shuffled away from the wall, shifting slightly to present her wrists to her new ally. He sliced through the bindings and returned to his previous inefficient task. Carter took some deep breaths, then warily brought her hands in front of her. She gasped at the spasms that rippled through newly awakened muscles. She needed a distraction.

"How does Hephaestus plan on getting away with killing Apophis?"

Fraytov glanced up at her, discarded another key and reached for the next. "He said he would tell them he couldn't possibly have known you would attempt the assassination of a god, you looked so harmless. He said the others would think him a fool for believing you weren't a threat, and discount him."

"I suppose that would make sense." She tried to use one hand to massage the other arm without success. Frustrated, she continued her questioning.

"If Hephaestus already has the weapon, why is he still digging?"

That made Fraytov pause. "You don't know?"

She frowned and shook her head.

"He's building a ship. A vast palace to transport him in luxury; an immense weapon to defeat his enemies. Is that not what all Goa'uld do?"

"Oh yes, that pretty much follows the pattern." She looked down at the rapidly diminishing pile. "How are we doing?"

Fraytov sifted through the remaining keys. "I know what I'm looking for...I think this one might..."

Carter sighed with relief as the shackle came free. "Thank you." She flexed her ankle, pleased when it responded with none of the expected cramps. "I need to find Daniel. Where would they have taken him?"

The old man bit his lip. He glanced to the door, then his eyes drifted to an intense study of his trembling fingertips. "I..."

"Fraytov, please. We need to find him as quickly as we can."

He nodded, finally raising his eyes to meet hers. "There is a room on the far side of the building. It's been converted to-"

Carter's heart started to race as multiple explosions rocked the building. She tried to get up, but her arms failed her. "Help me," she demanded.

"You cannot even hold a weapon," he chastised.

Exasperated, Carter made use of the delay. "Tell me everything you can about where Hephaestus might be, and what he's done with the Ancients' weapon."

Part Nineteen

O'Neill crouched in the shadows, making the most of the remnants of the night's gloom. All the ornate doors to the building were locked down and guarded, evidently a reaction to a hostile populace. He watched the main entrance to the museum, across the plaza, then glanced down at his watch again, counting off the last seconds. As the second hand hit zero, he pushed the button on his remote. Thunderous explosions ripped the defences from the Goa'uld's sanctuary. Fire and rock pelted the plaza, punching through surrounding buildings. The night guards were eliminated in one strike.

The oppressed embarked on their retribution.

Dawn had arrived.

---

Daniel's head whipped round to face the door as he heard the muffled explosions. The first prime froze mid-strike, the metal bar slipping in his grasp. The Jaffa at the door looked to their leader for direction. The first prime recovered quickly. His lips twisted in a chilling smile as he studied his prisoner. The prime handed the bar to his second, gave some hushed instructions, then strode from the room. The new tormentor casually studied his unwilling diversion. Whatever was going on outside, Daniel got the distressing impression he was about to get punished for it.

---

Teal'c led his team stealthily across the rear courtyard. They took position around the lone door. Either the conditions within were too severe to survive, or Hephaestus' Jaffa were unworthy warriors; they emerged recklessly, individually, and foolishly unprepared to defend themselves. When the erratic flow of doomed soldiers ceased, Teal'c allowed himself a minute feeling of satisfaction at the success of his team. He signalled them once again, then advanced into the forbidding darkness of the building.

The dust hadn't even begun to settle.

---

Carter risked a glance around the final corner. She gave the all clear to Fraytov, and the old man followed her to the doorway. He raised his weapon in readiness. She gave a nod; they burst into the chamber.

A set of glinting chains hung dismayingly empty from the ceiling of the deserted room.

---

Daniel struggled violently as the Jaffa strung him up from a fresh set of shackles. He heard the cacophony of battle, yet could see nothing. As the Jaffa stepped away, the wall before him shimmered to transparency. The clamour solidified into figures, some firing at unseen targets, many more fighting hand to hand. He disregarded his own vulnerability as a young man exploded scant feet from him, a smoking cavity where his chest had been.

---

Teal'c swept through another room, eyes and staff weapon in perfect synchronisation. The muted sounds of combat did not distract him. He paused at the doorway only long enough to ensure corridor was clear, signalled his team to follow, and drove forward. A shadow moved in an alcove up ahead, barely noticeable. Teal'c continued on, his pace quickening. He drew level with the alcove and spun, the sudden move outsmarting his prey. His eyes narrowed at the dread that stared back at him, the pale face tilted upwards by the tip of his staff. Teal'c drew back sharply and signalled to one of his team. Satisfied that another innocent was safe, he continued on into the depths of the structure.

---

Daniel wrenched at his chains as a stray shot exploded two feet in front of his face, then dissipated into the distinctive icy fractures of a Goa'uld force shield. The contemptuous laughter behind him chilled his blood. The possibility of rescue danced out of his reach with mocking finality.

---

O'Neill caught sight of Daniel as he scanned the mass of battle. Immediately he began to fight his way through the combatants, his focus on the menacing Jaffa behind the archaeologist. The colonel roared his denial as a blast impacted his team-mate. Yet Daniel was still standing, unharmed, when the smoke cleared.

The Jaffa gripped Daniel's hair and forced his head backwards. In his other hand he held a serrated knife in front of his prisoner's horrified eyes. Daniel's eyes found O'Neill's; almost instantly the horror vanished in favour of something approaching calm acceptance.

O'Neill froze in appalled shock, powerless to do anything but witness his friend's death.

---

Daniel watched as the blade flashed downwards, clenching his stomach in hopeless preparation. The expected agony never came. A powerful punch hit him between the shoulder blades; a fierce pain ignited in his wrists as his weight dropped onto them. The fist fell from his hair. The knife clattered to the stone floor. He regained his feet shakily, and looked over his shoulder at the man holding his salvation in the shape of a staff weapon. Hephaestus' assistant nodded grimly, then took aim at the first of the chains.

---

Kalen waited for the sentry on the roof to signal. The button tempted her finger, as if goading her to act early. She held her ground, eyes fixed on one point in space. The arm raised. She tensed. The arm came down. She squeezed the button into its casing.

A barrage of sound came from the other side of the building. Kalen's eyes remained on the sentry. Long motionless seconds passed. At last he signalled again. Satisfied, she left her concealment, and moved on to the next site.

---

Daniel's eyes warned O'Neill of the danger behind him. He dove to the flagstones. He twisted as he fell, brought his weapon up and blew away his attacker. Relieved, he glanced back to Daniel. The archaeologist flashed him an anxious smile before his rescuer tugged him back into the museum out of O'Neill's sight.

---

Carter eliminated one more Jaffa and raced after Hephaestus. The Goa'uld clutched a mottled grey container close to his chest as he fled. He darted into a room sixty feet down the corridor. Carter approached cautiously, her weapon poised for attack. She paused to one side of the doorway, steadying her breathing. The familiar swoosh of an activating Stargate propelled her forwards. Hephaestus spun at her approach. He sneered at her as a mere annoyance, then turned and stalked through the shimmering barrier.

She stood a few seconds to memorise the glyphs, then turned to join the battle.

The group gathered in the main exhibition hall. Many were injured; some would not survive. All were grimy, dishevelled, exhausted. More drifted in every few minutes, the initial steady stream of victors now reduced to a trickle.

O'Neill's gaze shifted to the covered bodies arranged along one wall. The count of the dead wasn't overly high for such a conflict. Yet he could already see the loss taking its toll in the subdued air of celebration around the hall.

His team were still on duty. Carter and Daniel were treating the wounded with compassionate efficiency. Teal'c had left the room almost ten minutes ago and was only now returning with another body. No, there was some movement, a slight flicker of the eyelids. The Jaffa headed swiftly toward the 'to be treated' side of the room with his burden. Gratified the situation was under some measure of control, O'Neill grabbed a medkit and a water bottle and headed determinedly towards Daniel.

He dropped a hand on the archaeologist's shoulder. "Let someone else do that."

"What?" Daniel glanced up at him distractedly.

"There are plenty of people here who can help. It's about time someone took a look at you."

Daniel's eyes flicked between his patient and the colonel, undecided. The woman nodded reassuringly and waved him away. O'Neill unscrewed the cap from the water and offered it. The lure of a drink apparently made up Daniel's mind. He reached for the bottle, gulped a mouthful, then held out a hand to be helped up.

They moved to the far end of the room, away from the muted activity. Daniel sat heavily, resting his back against the wall. He took another draught and handed the water back to O'Neill. Placing the bottle on the floor, the colonel opened the medkit and put on his best 'Doctor Jack' face.

"What have you got for me?" He asked.

Daniel sighed. "Nothing serious, I don't think. A lot of aches, mostly. Although perhaps my wrists might need a little first aid." Daniel frowned as he inspected first one wrist, then the other. "Assuming you can get these chains off."

Jack reached into a pocket for his penknife. "Couldn't that guy have used the key?"

"I don't think he had it on him, Jack." Daniel said. "Besides, we were in a bit of a hurry to get out of there."

Jack shrugged. He rested Daniel's left arm on his knee and rotated the cuff until he found the lock. "So who is he?"

"Who?"

"The guy that saved your life."

"Oh. I don't know his name." The concern in Daniel's voice made O'Neill look up. His friend looked rather stunned at that realisation.

"I'm sure you'll find out," O'Neill encouraged him. "Have you ever seen him before?"

"Oh yeah, definitely."

The lock gave suddenly, and the chain fell to the ground. The colonel studied the damage underneath, then signalled for the other arm. Daniel twisted round a little to accommodate him.

"Which means...?"

"I think he was some kind of assistant to Hephaestus. Though I'm fairly certain it wasn't a voluntary position."

Boots appeared in his field of view. O'Neill looked up.

"Anything I can help with, sir?"

"Definitely, Carter. Sit here and wrap Daniel's wrist, will you? I need to get this other cuff off." O'Neill shuffled round in front of Daniel, leaving space for Carter to sit down.

"How are you feeling, Daniel?" She asked.

He gave her a tired smile. "Not bad, considering the alternative."

O'Neill returned to his task, unwilling to linger on that thought. "Have you seen Lor or Kalen anywhere?"

"Lor just came in, sir." Carter replied. "He said they're rounding up any of the Jaffa left alive. He wanted to lock them up, until I explained what will happen in a few years when those larvae mature. Now he just wants a gate address he can use to get them as far away from here as possible."

"I bet the feeling's mutual." O'Neill muttered. "Whatever happens, we're not sending them after their lord and master. I guess we could try Chulak?" He looked to Daniel.

"That might work. We should check with Teal'c first -- it's possible that Jaffa loyal to someone other than Apophis will cause friction. In any case, he'll likely want a little chat with them about the value of freedom before they're let loose anywhere. Ow!"

"Sorry." Carter mumbled. She put down the antiseptic and started wrapping a gauze bandage gently around the injured wrist.

"Finally!" A clang signalled the second chain's arrival on the marble floor. "Carter, pass me the kit."

As O'Neill treated the second wrist, Teal'c joined them on the floor.

"Any news?" O'Neill flicked an assessing glance at the subdued activities in the rest of the hall.

"Lor has control of the situation. The citizens are massing to help capture the last of the Jaffa."

"So what now?" Daniel asked, distractedly watching something over Carter's shoulder. O'Neill didn't need to turn around to know what was drawing his attention -- another body had been brought in. It was beyond time to get out of here.

"Simple -- we have a two part plan. First, collect the pilot, then-"

"That will not be necessary, O'Neill." Teal'c cut him short. "Josim's body was found a short while ago."

Damn. "Okay then, we skip straight to step two -- go home." As Daniel obviously prepared for one of his speeches, O'Neill ploughed swiftly on. "We all need rest, and some of us need medical treatment we're not admitting to." The archaeologist didn't even make the effort to put on his innocent face, just found his bandages unexpectedly fascinating. "I'll speak to the general and get some aid for these people. And yes, I'm sure we'll be able to come back to cover all that 'good ally' stuff."

"What about Hephaestus?" Carter asked.

"You're sure you saw the co-ordinates?" She nodded. "We'll do some research, see what everyone knows about the planet he went to, and if we're lucky we'll get the bastard. But I'm not holding my breath." The colonel winced at the choice of words. "Speaking of which...any sign of that weapon yet?"

"I'm reasonably sure Hephaestus took it with him, sir."

O'Neill sighed, frustrated with this whole mission. "Fine. So we go home without it. At least we got what we came for." At Carter's affronted frown, he hastily rephrased. "Who we came for. I meant 'who'." Daniel was staring dazedly at O'Neill's shirt and didn't appear to have noticed. Or maybe he was too tired to care.

O'Neill passed the leftover medical supplies to his 2IC. "Carter, Teal'c, gather up all of our kit that you can find. Daniel and I will make nice with Lor, then we'll meet you in the gate room."

He watched as the two walked rapidly back towards the growing crowd, then turned his attention back to the barely alert archaeologist.

"You still with me?"

Daniel gave an approximation to a thumbs up, then raised his eyes to O'Neill's face. "Are we leaving?"

"Yes, Daniel, we're leaving. And if we're quick," he glanced down at his watch, "we'll get home just in time to see the last of the playoffs. With time enough to spare to stop for pizza on the way."

"Vegetarian feast," Daniel agreed dreamily, "With pineapple."

"I've warned you before, if you put pineapple on a perfectly good pizza, you'll be eating it in the street."

Daniel made a face. One of those long-suffering, world weary specials. "Jack, please don't make my life more miserable by ruining my welcome home dinner." His gaze returned glumly at the floor.

Something tugged at the colonel's memory. With what had been going on these past few days, Daniel was probably feeling at the mercy of the universe right now.

"Sorry. I'd just like a bit of control, you know?" Daniel muttered into his knees. He peered upwards, almost as if assessing the reaction he was getting.

O'Neill studied the archaeologist suspiciously; he seemed sincere enough. Maybe now wasn't the time to be joking around. "I'm sorry, I didn't realise. Look, you have whatever you want. It's on me."

Daniel dropped his head, didn't reply.

"Hey, we could get some ice cream too," he coaxed. "Chocolate, maybe. And watch something else. Or we don't have to watch anything if you don't want."

Daniel's shoulders trembled as he drew in a shaky breath.

//Oh God, not yet. Please hold out until we get home.// O'Neill glanced around to see if anyone had noticed them, but the room appeared oblivious to the emotional display in this little corner of the world. A strangled cry emanated from his distressed team-mate. Then another. Wait just a minute...

"I could even get the general to entertain you, if it'll help. Lend him that nice lacy negligee I keep for these occasions..."

Daniel stilled, suddenly quiet.

//Yeah, busted, you little...//

The archaeologist raised his head, a sly grin on his face. "It was worth a try."

"Tell you what, you can dial us home."

"I always dial us home, Jack," he pouted.

O'Neill stood up, reached a hand down to help Daniel to his feet. "So you'll do it again. A bit of normality goes a long way in the healing process."

"Normality for us is getting shot at and beaten up. I've had quite enough of both, thank you very much," he spat. "And besides, you telling me to dial us home doesn't exactly put me in charge."

"You'll be in charge. Just not in command."

Daniel narrowed his eyes. "Oh I definitely have to hear your idea of the difference between those two." He crossed his arms, defiant and ever so slightly hostile.

"That's simple. I'm the colonel, the team leader, the one who gives the orders. With me so far?" He weathered Daniel's icy look without concern. "You're the archaeologist, the team member. You listen to me, the team leader, then depending on whether it suits you at the time, you're either of the same opinion as me -- in which case you do as I say -- or you disagree -- in which case you ignore the orders. In any event, since I'm fairly confident that any time you appear to be following orders you're actually just humouring me, I have no illusions about who actually has the control."

Wow. The man was finally speechless.

"So, you going to dial us home or what?"

Daniel smiled, appeased. "Just lead me to the gate. Then I'll consider it." He walked off, head held high.

O'Neill watched him for a second, then hurried to catch up. Score one for the colonel -- crisis averted. Maybe now Daniel would realise how much trust there was between them. He might even figure out that trust worked both ways, and start to respect the chain of command. Possibly. It could happen.

Right?

Feel free to contact the author... here

Return Home

Within the context and limitations of the site Disclaimer, Any and All original characters, situations, story line, dialogue and narrative © September 2001, the author