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 Family Feud

Major Deke Anderson lead his team down the narrow, cobblestone road. The road led from the Stargate to a small town, not more than a quarter of a mile away. This town had what almost all of the ‘trading post’ villages and towns boasted...a space port. Not a large one, but it could handle one or two cargo ships, and at least a half dozen of the smaller vessels preferred by bounty hunters.

There was also the requisite tavern where the captains and crews of those cargo ships, the dock workers, and the bounty hunters gathered to exchange gossip, news, and any other tidbits of information useful to such individuals.

"Weapons up, safety off," Deke said quietly. "This is rough place. Several of our teams have ran into trouble here. Last team that was here had to fight their way out. Keep your eyes open. If you see anything that looks or feels ‘wrong’, tell me ASAP."

"Yes, sir," Lieutenant Rolly Baker replied, answering for his teammates as well as himself.

"We don’t want to hurt anyone, do we?" Jonas Quinn asked nervously.

"No, we don’t want to hurt anyone. But we’ll do what we have to do to protect ourselves," Anderson replied firmly.

The team hesitated for just a few seconds at the closed door of the tavern. The major made eye-contact with each of the men, then nodded. He shoved the door open, pushing so hard and fast that it banged against the wall. Inside, the occupants of the dimly lit room jumped in surprise.

The bartender’s eyes widened. The last time such a group – dressed as the five men who stood just inside his establishment – had been so foolish as to ‘barge in’ and start demanding answers, they had been greeted with fists and wooden bats. He’d been certain that he’d never see any of the Tau’ri of the First World again.

"You are either very brave, or very stupid," a large man with a chipped front tooth said, rising slowly from his seat.

"What I am is very pissed off," Anderson said coldly. He glanced around the room as several other men and women began to rise as well. He raised his P90 and fired into the low ceiling, spraying wood chips and dust into the air. "Everyone just sit your asses back down, and we’ll all get along just fine," he growled.

The bartender was reaching for something just below the bar.

A single shot rang out. The hole in the front of the bar was large enough to be seen across the room. The bartender had nearly jumped out of his skin, and pulled his hand from beneath the bar. Sergeant Buford Dobson shrugged when the major glanced over at him. "Reckon you wouldn’t want him grabbing whatever it is he was after," was the quiet explanation.

The major nodded. Then turned his attention back to the faces that stared at him. More with shock than anger now, he noted happily. "Don’t make us get pissy. You really won’t like what happens when we get pissy."

One of the men grunted. "There are five of you. Many more of us."

Anderson smiled. The action was as filled with ice as his eyes. "This weapon," he said, raising his P90 slightly, "is capable of firing 900 rounds in sixty seconds. That’s 900 armor piercing projectiles flying through the air at about 1000 meters a second. Those projectiles will make mincemeat out of the human body. Can you disarm myself and my men before we’ve turned you all into stew?"

Faces paled, and those who were standing slowly lowered themselves back into their seats.

"Now, I want to see everyone’s hands on top of tables, or the bar," Anderson continued, nodding toward the six men, two women, and the bartender at the end of the room. He almost smiled as hands came immediately into sight. "Very good. Now, I only have a couple of questions. I expect a truthful answer."

"And how are you to know if we tell you the truth?" one of the women asked, sneering at the team.

"LT, pull out the lie detector," Anderson said.

Baker hesitated for only a second, then pulled the handle-held computer/scanner from his pack.

"Turn it on," the major said.

A click, then a soft beep filled the air.

"Now, if you’re lying, your body temperature goes up...just a degree or two. You shift just a little bit...sometimes not even enough to be noticeable to anyone around you. And your pupils tend to constrict. The sensors in this detector will pick up every one of those little ‘tells’. And the LT here will let me know if you’re lying or not," Anderson said, speaking slowly and firmly.

"I don’t believe you," the woman scoffed, looking around quickly, obviously seeking approval.

Baker, like all of the men on the team, knew exactly what his CO was doing. Without being seen, his thumb moved over one of the sensors on the screen. A loud beep echoed. "She’s lying, sir."

The woman went completely white, her hands flew up to the collar of her worn coat, and pulled it tighter around her.

"What are your questions?" the bartender asked. He wanted these men out of his tavern before trouble started. His customers weren’t always willing to pay for the damage they caused. He glanced at the ceiling. If the Tau’ri used those weapons of theirs, there would be considerable damage, he was sure. Not to mention the mess he’d be left to clean up.

"One of our teams went missing. We want to know where they are." The major watched as the patrons of the tavern looked at one another.

Near the back corner of the room, a pudgy man with a long, gray beard slowly lifted one hand. "I don’t know how much truth is in the rumor I heard..." he paused.

"Just tell me what you heard," Anderson said encouragingly.

"Lord Apophis has returned. And it’s rumored that he captured five Tau’ri," the man said.

"Well, isn’t that interesting." Anderson made a show of checking the scanner that Baker was holding. "Huh. Looks like you’re telling the truth."

Several of his companions shot looks of anger and disgust at him. The man raised his chin slightly, his eyes locked on the leader of this group of Tau’ri.

One of the women at the bar shifted slightly. "I heard the same rumor. I also heard that it was SG-1 that was captured. They are worth nearly a hundred pieces of gold. Each," she said. Her smile was sly. No doubt she had ideas about capturing the infamous...and valuable...team.

Anderson smirked, then looked over at Baker. "Remind me to tell General O’Neill about that when we see him. He’ll be amused to know the price on his head went up."

"Will do, sir," Baker grinned.

"If they were taken by Apophis, you will not see your friends again," another voice called out.

This time Anderson laughed out loud. "You believe that? Name one time or one team that has ever been held by any Goa’uld longer than a few days."

Once again the bounty hunters, traders, and locals exchanged worried glances. Many shifted uneasily. It was simple matter to learn about what the System Lords were doing, who they were holding captive. And all of them had heard...and several had even been witness to...the daring escapes and rescues that kept the Tau’ri out of the clutches of the System Lords.

"Yeah, that’s what I thought," the major nodded.

"I heard Apophis took them to Chulak. That’s his home planet," yet another voice said.

"You have what you came for," the bartender said. "Now leave."

He stared hard at the bartender for several moments. Long enough that the bartender looked away, licking his lips nervously. "If any of our people ever come into this rat hole again, they will expect to be treated fairly. You raise a hand against any of our people again, you won't live long enough to regret it."

The bartender nodded his understanding.

"Let’s go." Anderson waited, still facing the group of drinkers while his men slipped out, one at a time. He backed away, his weapon still pointed at the closest man. As soon as he cleared the door, Sergeant Childers slammed it closed.

Baker led the team at a dead run for the Stargate, all of the men checking over their shoulders every few seconds. When they had determined they weren’t being followed, they slowed down to a steady jog.

Jonas raced ahead to dial the ‘gate open. "Where to, Major?"

"This was the last place on our list, right?" Anderson asked.

Baker nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Dial us home, Jonas," the major told the young Kelownan. "We’ll go home and let the general know that word is getting around about Apophis, and that he’s captured SG-1."

"It’s mighty strange that they didn’t say one word about any battles or Goa’uld getting their butts kicked," Dobson drawled. "Reckon there’s a reason nobody’s talkin’ ‘bout that?"

The major frowned. "General O’Neill said that battle was on the very edge of the galaxy. It’s possible that no one knows about it...yet. Between the Tok’ra, the Free Jaffa, and our spies, we’ve been whispering about Apophis for a couple of weeks now. So that’s something they were all bound to hear at some place or another."

"Sure will be interesting when the folks out here get word that the Goa’uld have been knocked down so low they’re harmless," Baker said. "Or mostly harmless," he amended.

"I’m sure our spies will keep us posted," Anderson replied confidently.

Jonas finished dialing in the address for Earth, and the ‘gate opened with its usual splendor. The IDC was sent, the ‘all clear’ signal received, and the team disappeared into the event horizon.

"I believe it would be in our best interests to tread lightly with the Tau’ri," one man said, still crouching behind the bush that prevented the men from seeing him and his companion.

"I agree. The number of Tau’ri on the First World is more than that of all the inhabited planets combined," the second man said. "Should they turn their wrath on us...we would not survive."

"No, we would not."

"So it is said," the first man confirmed.

"Maybe some of the rumors are true then," the second man sighed.

The first man studied the now silent Stargate. "Maybe so," he admitted.

SG-12 walked down the ramp, nodding at the Marines who were lowering their weapons and moving away from the center of the room.

General Hammond hurried in. "Welcome home, Major."

"Thank you, sir," Anderson replied. He shrugged off the straps of his pack, handed it to one of the supply clerks waiting to collect the gear. "Thanks, Airman," he said, nodding at the young man.

"You’re welcome, sir," the Airman replied. He and his co-worker took the gathered packs and weapons for check-in.

"Did you learn anything of value?" Hammond asked.

"Seems word is getting around about the return of Apophis. Folks in three of the places we visited knew that he’d captured SG-1; people in the last hell-hole knew he’d taken them to Chulak," Anderson reported.

The general nodded. "All of the ‘search’ teams are on base now, we’ll debrief in thirty minutes."

"Yes, sir," Anderson nodded. "Let’s hit the showers," he told his men.

Major Wheaton was standing near the north blast door, arms folded across his wide chest. His copper-colored features were arranged in an expression of contemplation. When Anderson’s team had cleared the room, he turned and left as well, heading up to level twenty-four and his desk. He was curious to learn if the other teams had noticed a distinct lack of any current information about the Goa’uld...or the civil war that had just been fought.

Thirty minutes later the members of the five teams wandered into the conference room, all of them holding a mug of coffee. They settled around the table, or leaned against the low wall that held the windows that looked down on the ‘gate room.

General Hammond hurried in, a folder in his hand. "Gentlemen," he said, addressing the group. "And Lady," he added, nodding toward Doctor Daly, noting her nod of acknowledgement. "Let’s discuss what you learned out there."

The COs looked at each other. Major Wheaton took a deep breath, slowly blew it out. Everyone waited for him to speak. "Word is definitely out about Apophis. I’d say the Tok’ra were successful in making sure that little tidbit of news made the rounds. We even had people in a couple of places tell us that Apophis captured SG-1."

Heads moved up and down the room.

"We were just told that he took them to Chulak," Major Anderson said.

"What we didn’t hear," Wheaton said, "was anything about any of the other Goa’uld. At least nothing about any battles."

"One of the villages we check on regularly had a visitor a couple of weeks ago," Colonel Thomas said. "Seems the clone of Ba’al showed up there. No Jaffa, which confused the hell out of the townsfolk."

Sergeant Botcelli nodded. "They were spooked by what happened."

"And what was that?" Hammond asked.

Botts glanced at the colonel, who nodded and smiled. The sergeant took a breath. "Seems that Ba’al ringed down to this village. Gave them the ol’ song-and-dance about being their god. Then, he got sick. Almost passed out, is what the folks told us. He got pissy when they didn’t rush to help him. Killed one of the men who out-right refused. Then Ba’al said he’d start killing the women if they didn’t tend to him."

"That had to have been the clone," one of the men mused.

"Our thoughts exactly," Colonel Thomas agreed. "The clone then insisted that he’d been poisoned by the Tau’ri. That none of the people in the village should ever trust the Tau’ri...to kill them immediately if any dared to enter their village."

"They didn’t mention that we’ve been visiting there?" Major Lewinski asked.

Thomas shook his head. "They thought it would be better not to mention that. We told them it was a very wise decision."

Hammond checked his notes. "The medics are still there, apparently the stress those people have been under has caused numerous headaches and stomach ailments. I would like to send one of the teams to stay there for a few days as well," the general continued. "I think our presence will help confirm that we’re their friends, not their enemies."

Colonel Thomas glanced around the room. Doctor Daly was standing beside Botcelli. He raised an eyebrow, and she nodded enthusiastically. Botcelli and Sommers were nodding as well. "Sir, permission for SG-15 to take that mission."

The general hadn’t missed the by-play. He barely managed to conceal his smile. This team had already dealt with the shaken villagers. Being able to see that the people were going to be all right would go a long way to easing feelings of frustration...the frustration of not having been present when the clone had arrived. Hadn’t been there to protect the villagers that the men and women of the SGC considered friends. "Very well. You’ll head out as soon as the briefing is over."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," Thomas replied.

All of the team COs had written out a brief synopsis of their mission...nothing like the full mission reports would contain, but enough to give him an idea of what they had seen and heard. "So, you’re all reporting that as of today, there hasn’t been any mention of a battle between all of the System Lords? Hammond asked.

"No, sir," Wheaton replied.

"Could it be as simple as the fact that the snakes are always fighting with one another, and nobody even takes notice?" Major Andrews inquired.

The general sat back in his chair. "That’s an option we should consider."

"I dunno," Major Anderson said. "Usually if there are a couple of snakes out there fighting it out, there are places that actually lay bets on which one will win."

Major Andrews nodded. "We at least get a bit of gossip about where which Goa’uld is lurking, or what projects they’re rumored to be working on."

"The lack of any mention of the Goa’uld at all worries me," Hammond admitted. "Either the people out there know about the war, including how it started, and possibly our connection...or everything happened so quickly that the news has yet to make it to these outposts."

"I kinda hope it’s the latter," Thomas said.

Major Evans frowned. "If someone out there had any idea that we...meaning the Tau’ri...had anything to do with that war between the System Lords, you’d think that would be on all the front pages."

"Yeah, you’d think so," Lewinski agreed.

Major Anderson rubbed his chin. "Unless our being involved...and being successful in turning the snakes on each other, to the point of knocking them down and almost out...has people out there scared of us."

General Hammond began to frown. "That’s not the reputation I want our people to have."

"No, sir," Anderson replied. "But, if we’re powerful enough to bring down the Goa’uld, we aren’t exactly someone to mess with, right?"

"This could actually be to our benefit, sir," Major Thomas said.

"How, Major?" Hammond asked.

"If there’s a group...say pirates, for example...all we’d have to do is let it be known that we’re looking for them, to stop them from attacking innocent people. Word would get to those pirates, and I’m betting they’d disappear really quick."

"What we need is to make certain that our...strength...is seen as something we use to defend the innocent, and to help those in need," Doctor Daly said quietly. "I believe we’ve already been building up such a reputation."

"You’d think that taking out the snakes would be viewed as a good thing," Major Andrews grumped.

"Well, for anyone who wasn’t being paid by the snakes, yeah," Anderson said. "I figure the bounty hunters in particular might find work a bit hard to find now."

"And those are the very people we need to reach out to," Hammond said. He glanced around the room, then tapped his notes. "According to Casey Jackson." Smiles lit the faces around him.

"Did Mrs. J have any idea how all of this was going to turn out?" Evans asked.

"Just a vague idea," the general replied. "How did she put that?" muttered to himself. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to recall exactly what Casey had said to him before she and SG-1 had left as ‘prisoners’. He smiled. "She said that the war would ‘go our way’, and that she thought it would be appropriate to have an SGC party to celebrate."

Laughter moved around the room in waves of relief and amusement.

"Any word from General O’Neill?" Evans asked.

"Not yet. I’m hoping-" He was cut off by the sound of klaxons and the flashing of security lights. The clang of the Stargate activating echoed from the room below.

"General Hammond," Walter Harriman’s voice echoed from the speaker in the corner of the room. "Message coming in from General Carter, sir."

Hammond was on his feet and racing toward the stairs before the others had a chance to react. The COs of the five teams in the conference room jumped up and hurried after him.

"George, are you there?" Jacob Carter’s voice asked.

Hammond leaned over to key the microphone. "I’m here, Jacob. What’s wrong?"

"I’m not sure yet. I just received a message from Aldwin. He reports that the people of Chulak are on the verge of revolting against Apophis."

"That doesn’t sound good," Hammond replied.

"Well, Aldwin says that they...meaning the group of Tok’ra, Tau’ri, and Free Jaffa who have been working together on this mission...have a plan to ‘kill’ Apophis, and get as many of the Rebel Jaffa and their families away from Chulak as possible. He seemed confident that they would be able to pull this off," Jacob explained.

"Do I need to have my teams on standby?"

"Probably not a bad idea. We’re getting our agents together, just in case," Jacob responded.

"Very well. Let me know if you hear anything else," Hammond requested.

"I will, George, the minute I hear anything."

"Thank you, old friend."

"Jacob Carter, over and out."

The transmission ended, and the Stargate closed behind the still sealed iris.

"Well, shit," Evans muttered.

"Hey, SG-1 is involved," Andrews grinned. "According to them, something has to go tits up before their good luck kicks in."

Everyone in the control room chuckled.

"Well, gentlemen, it seems we have a change of plans," Hammond said. He turned to Colonel Thomas. "I want your team heading back to that village immediately."

"Yes, sir," Thomas acknowledged.

"The rest of you, get your teams fed and geared up. I want you standing by in less than thirty minutes."

"Yes, sir," Evans said. He led the other COs back up the stairs and into the conference room. Five voices barked out orders to their respective teams. Within seconds the room was empty. One team racing to get their gear and head through the ‘gate to a village that had been terrorized by the clone of Ba’al. The other teams were preparing for the unexpected...not sure what might happen, but determined to be ready all the same.

Hammond stood in the control room and stared at the Stargate. "Let the good luck last just a little longer," he whispered. With a sigh, he checked his watch. Beth was still in her office. Maybe he’d ask her to go pick up something they could share for dinner...in his office.

Casey was pacing the floor of the central room of Apophis’s apartment. Apophis was in his throne room, Daniel and a dozen Free Jaffa protecting him. The Tok’ra had complained about the weight of the armor he was wearing, and grumbling that the need to wear the robes of a Goa’uld System Lord would prevent him from fighting with any efficiency...or to be able to run if necessary. She’d been able to convince him that it was for his safety, and she wasn’t about to let him nor Pedram put their lives at risk. Vanshu had smiled, kissed her forehead, and left the room to continue his portrayal of a returned Goa’uld System Lord.

All of the pieces of their plan, altered by another download the seer had received, were being put into place. Her vision had meant that Daniel, Aldwin, Lorraine, Jack, and Sam had been forced to put back on the ‘costumes’ they’d been wearing as part of the deception of Apophis’ returned.

Waiting, she thought, was the worst part of any mission. Maybe even as bad as pretending to be a captive.

Aldwin and Lorraine had taken on the task of gathering all of the rebel civilians they could from among the domestic staff. Jack and Sam were there to help in any way possible. For the moment, those servants and slaves were being hidden in the rooms that had been assigned to Micah and Karinda. The two Tau’ri had found seeing the look of hope in the eyes of those who had been under the control of the priests almost heartbreaking.

Bra’tac had managed to send all of the known devout Jaffa to the temple, telling them that Apophis suspected that the priests were plotting against him. Others had been sent to the villas of the ‘elite’ humans who served Apophis, with the orders to protect those ‘loyal subjects’ from any who might be in league with the priests. Several of the Jaffa had offered up names of several farmers and shop owners who didn’t seem sufficiently pleased to see their god return. It had been a stroke of good luck to learn who the rebels were, without having to expose themselves...the old Jaffa master had insisted that those people and their families be brought to the palace immediately.

Teal’c and M’zel had done a sweep of the palace, making certain that no one remained inside who might turn against them...the two minor Goa’uld were taken prisoner, and were already in holding cells on the ha’tak that continued to hover above them.

Gin’ra watched with wide eyes as Teal’c walked past her. She took a deep breath, then stepped behind him. "Jaffa!"

Teal’c turned. He raised one eyebrow.

He remained silent.

The smile on his face was one recognition. "I stand with Casey Jackson," he replied.

The maid nodded. "She told me that I should gather my family, and those I know who do not believe in false gods."

Teal’c glanced at M’zel. Then turned to face the maid. "Bring them to this palace. You will be taken to safety. You have my word on this."

She nodded. "When should I do this?"

"Now. But do so quietly. If any should ask, Apophis is seeking new servants...and is also eager to rebuild his harem," Teal’c replied.

"That is very...interesting," Gin’ra said. She looked around her. "I also find it interesting that none who have continued to worship Apophis are in the palace."

Teal’c took a step toward the maid, stopped when she backed away quickly, her eyes going wide. He held out his hand. Waited patiently. Smiled once again when the woman finally placed trembling fingers against his. "You are very observant. However, your safety, my safety...and that of Casey Jackson...depends on your discretion."

Gin’ra’s eyes went wide. "You are still shol’va-" She broke off, shook her head. "Not shol’va. You are a free Jaffa."

"I am," Teal’c acknowledged. "You must hurry. Gather your friends and loved ones. But do not tell anyone, not even those you trust, what I have just told you."

"I will not," she replied firmly. "It might help...appearances...if there were Jaffa to ‘gather’ these people."

Teal’c frowned slightly. "Indeed. I believe I can find enough Jaffa to gather villagers."

"I can tell your Jaffa which houses to approach." The maid smiled widely. "It would certainly make those who remain faithful nod in self-righteous approval. Many of them suspect those of us who have turned our backs on the Goa’uld. But they do not outnumber us, and so have been hesitant to do more than snivel about allegiance and to infer that we are beneath them."

His deep chuckle echoed around them. "I must let Master Bra’tac know of this plan. Go, get your family ready."

She nodded, and turned to leave. She stopped, and looked over her shoulder. "The true gods have answered our prayers," Gin’ra said softly. She gave another nod, then disappeared down the corridor.

"I pray that we have not just been caught in a trap," M’zel said quietly.

"I do not believe so. Casey Jackson said that her maids were pinning their hopes on her, and her friends, to free them," Teal’c replied

M’zel nodded. "We should find Master Bra’tac."

"Perhaps we should bring more of our brethren from the ha’tak," Teal’c said.

"I believe that would be a very good idea," M’zel replied.

When the squad of Jaffa who had been sent out by Bra’tac arrived back at the palace, a small crowd of villagers bound and being herded like sheep between them, the Jaffa Master was there to greet them.

"You have done well," Bra’tac said.

"We will take these...scum...to the dungeon rooms," said one of the Jaffa. His name was Bor’eal, and he’d been put into place as the First Prime by the High Priest of Apophis. He had been infuriated to be removed from that position when his god had returned. He was also determined to undermine Teal’c at any opportunity, in order to return to the position he believed belonged to him.

"That will not be necessary," Bra’tac replied easily. He waved a hand, and fifty Jaffa filed out of the palace, and surrounded the others. "Take the prisoners inside," he ordered.

The Jaffa, Rebels who had been ringed down from the ha’tak only a few minutes earlier – at Teal’c’s insistence – pushed the local Jaffa roughly out of the way. The villagers, already frightened at being arrested, became moreso.

"What are you doing?" Bor’eal demanded.

Teal’c stepped up behind Bra’tac. "You are questioning the Jaffa Master?"

"I am First Prime," the Jaffa sneered.

"No, you are not," Teal’c said. He gave a cold smile. "You are nothing."

Bor’eal watched as the villagers filed past him, and disappeared into the palace. "You would have us wait out here?"

"For now," Bra’tac responded easily.

"We have proven our loyalty! You betrayed Apophis! You are shol’va!" Bor’eal screamed.

More Free Jaffa marched into the courtyard from the palace entry, and completely surrounded the warriors. Who were growing more confused and uneasy by the second.

"You have lived your lives in service to a false god," Teal’c said quietly. "We offer you freedom. For yourselves. For your families. Join us."

"Blasphemer!" Bor’eal raged. He looked around frantically. "Destroy these blasphemers!" He raised is his staff weapon. He wasn’t able to charge it before a staff blast caught him in the chest. He dropped to his knees. "Noc! I am First Prime! I am the Right Hand of Apophis!"

Those who had been with him took a step backwards when Bor’eal fell forward, dead before his head hit the ground.

"Join us, or join him," Teal’c said evenly.

Every one of the Jaffa who had claimed to be faithful dropped their staff weapons. "We will join you," one of them said quietly.

"Will you truly allow us to live...to be free? With our families?" another asked.

"I give you my word," Teal’c replied.

"There are many in Chulak who will fight against you," a third man said. "Not all of them are Jaffa."

"Of this, we are aware," Bra’tac said quietly.

The man nodded. Then followed his companions into the palace.

Bra’tac turned to Teal’c. "Go to the families of these warriors. Tell them to come to the palace immediately, but to do so as quietly as possible."

The villagers had been confused...and then delighted...when they were taken to the hallway just outside opened doors of the throne room, and then ringed up, a few at a time, to the ship waiting above them. In those few minutes, they realized that the man who sat on the throne of Apophis was not the Goa’uld ‘god’ come back to life. They weren’t certain just exactly who he was, but they were convinced he wasn’t who he claimed to be.

Vanshu had called for Casey to join him and Daniel, certain that her gift of sight would prove invaluable in the next few hours.

"Not exactly the way I thought it would go," Casey admitted, as she watched the last group of villagers ringed up to the ha’tak.

"There will be more arriving shortly," Teal’c announced as he entered the room. He looked at Casey. "Gin’ra is a most brave woman. Also a woman most determined to be free."

"I know," Casey said softly.

"She is gathering those who she knows to be rebels among her friends and family. She is using the guise of gathering new servants and slaves...and women for the harem of Apophis," Teal’c said. "Bra’tac has sent nearly two dozen of our rebels to join her."

"Clever," Vanshu nodded.

"Those outside the palace believe those who were brought in here by the Jaffa are being punished as rebels, the others will become slaves of Apophis," Daniel mused aloud. "That will keep the charade up just a bit longer."

Casey tilted her head to one side. "Ferretti is almost here. We need to get our Jaffa to the city gate."

"I will instruct them to follow the Tau’ri as if they are about to ambush them," Bra’tac said. "That will quell any questions of those who see the Tau’ri enter the city."

"Better let Ferretti know about that," Casey quipped.

Teal’c grinned, and pulled his radio from beneath the robe he was wearing over his armor. "Ferretti, are you there?"

There was a moment of silence, then a crackle...then a click. "Right here, Teal’c."

"When you come into the city, you must do so as carefully as you can. You will be followed by Rebel Jaffa. They will endeavor to appear as if they are moving to ambush you."

"Got it."

Casey had hurried across the room and put her hand on Teal’c’s. She smiled up at him when he pushed the button for transmission. "Be careful, Lou. If anyone looks like they’re going to try to stop you, shoot to kill."

Everyone in the room grinned at the sound of the Marine’s chuckle. "You got it, Mrs. J. See you in a bit."

Once again the seer found herself pacing. She’d already determined that those who had been taken prisoner by the local Jaffa, and those being brought in by Gin’ra and Doora, were the only rebels left in the city. While the families of the Jaffa who had just ‘turned’ to the shol’va might not be rebels, they were more than willing to follow the instructions given to them by Jaffa they had assumed were loyal to their ‘god’.

The Jaffa who had long ago turned their backs on Apophis had been carefully located by Teal’c and Bra’tac. Those warriors were now lined up on the walls of the palace, prepared for any disturbances that might occur. Their families had been on the ha’tak for most of the afternoon. Determination to at last know freedom saw each of those warriors resolute in their duty...they watched carefully, noting every movement visible to them.

As soon as those who wanted freedom were safely on board the ha’tak, everyone who had played a part in the battle against the Goa’uld, and the deception of Apophis’ return would ring to the ship. Before leaving orbit, it had been decided that the DHD would be destroyed. Those who remained in Chulak would do so...alone and unable to sound any alarms. When it was safe, either the Tau’ri or the Tok’ra would return long enough to repair the dialing device. There was even hope it could be done without the remaining citizens of Chulak knowing it had been done.

Nearly thirty minutes had passed when word came from one of the guards that a large number of people were moving toward the palace. Bra’tac and Teal’c rushed the gate.

Teal’c smiled when he spotted Gin’ra, leading a group of men, women, and children. They were surrounded by rebel Jaffa. They looked very much like prisoners being brought before Apophis. "Open the gate," he said, his voice low. "Do so quickly."

"We are here," Gin’ra said simply.

"Remain as quiet as possible, and get inside quickly," Teal’c instructed. He turned his attention to the Jaffa. "Join the others on the rooftop. Be alert, we do not know from where enemies may attack."

The Jaffa hurried to do as ordered.

In what had to be a minor miracle, almost two hundred people scurried into the main hall, not a peep to be heard, not even from the children. Jaffa escorted them to the corridor where the ring transporter was located, so that the process of sending them to the ha’tak could begin.

Just moments later another group, seven women and nearly a dozen children, ran toward the palace gates. They were confused, three demanding loudly to speak to their husbands. Teal’c ordered them to get inside the palace...his tone of voice leaving no questions regarding his authority. He was relieved when the women obeyed, grabbing their children and adjusting the packs they carried. He pointed down the corridor, and watched as they moved toward the throne room.

The last of the refugees had just cleared the gate when the sound of P90s broke the air.

Jack, who was standing between Teal’c and Bra’tac – having decided he’d had enough of playing lo’taur...and had convinced everyone around him it was no longer necessary – cursed softly. "Damn...I was hoping they wouldn’t run into trouble."

"There are more loyal Jaffa in the city. Those who were assigned to the temple would have seen the teams moving through the streets," Teal’c replied.

The sounds of staff weapons joined the sounds of the Tau’ri weapons. What those waiting didn’t know was whether those staff weapons were being fired in defense of the SG teams, or against them.

Bra’tac squinted up at the ha’tak that hovered above the palace. By now, it was crowded with people. A second pyramid ship would be needed for the Jaffa, the Tok’ra, and the Tau’ri who still needed to escape the planet. He lifted his arm, the band he wore giving him the ability to communicate the ship overhead. "Call in the second ha’tak. Prepare to leave. We will join you shortly."

"Yes, Bra’tac," came the response.

The ship began to move away. Seconds later, another pyramid ship broke through the clouds and positioned itself over the palace.

The sound of gunfire was closer now. Two Jaffa waited beside the palace gate. As soon as the Tau’ri and the remaining rebels were inside, the gate would be closed, and the locks fused using staff weapon fire.

When those who remained in Chulak were able to make it into the palace, they would find the robe that Apophis had been seen wearing tossed carelessly over the seat of the throne; his hand device and arm band were beside a huge blackened spot on the floor. It wasn’t a body, but it would be enough to convince those who found the scene that Apophis had been killed by a zat’nik’tel.

"There they are!" Jack hissed, pointing.

Ferretti and his team were in the lead, leap-frogging from one safe hiding spot to the next. Colonel Dixon’s team was next, and Nyan was following his teammates, mimicking their movements exactly. Wheaton’s team was next, and Major Evans and SG-6 brought up the rear. Behind them were thirty Rebel Jaffa, closing quickly. Behind the Rebels was a mix of local Jaffa, priests, priestesses, and villagers...all armed and firing at the men racing for the palace.

"As soon as our people clear that gate, open fire," Jack shouted. He turned to watch the progress of the men he knew and had fought beside for years. "C’mon, pick it up! Move it!"

Suddenly, or so it seemed, the Jaffa by the gate were throwing it open. Sixteen men dressed in battle fatigues raced inside, followed by twenty Jaffa. As soon as the last of the rebels had thrown himself past the gate, it was slammed shut, and a staff weapon blast locked it. The Rebels on the palace walls opened fire, sending the mob that had been following diving for cover.

"Keep firing," Bra’tac ordered. "Come, my friends, it is time for us to go."

"The guys on the walls?" Jack asked.

"As soon as they see that we are inside, they will join us. It will not take those people long to breach the wall, even if the gate is sealed shut. We do not have much time," the old Jaffa replied.

Satisfied that no one was going to be left behind, Jack followed Teal’c and the others into the palace. M’zel was the only one in the throne room, waiting for the others.

Jack glanced at the corner by the throne. "Nice. Looks like some one zatted Apophis’ ass," he grinned.

"Let us hope that others see the same thing," M’zel said.

Ferretti’s grin matched Jack’s. "Now that’s just classic. Returned god blasted to oblivion by pissed off rebels. Gotta love it!"

Shouts and screeches of anger echoed from the streets outside of the palace. The large fortress was surrounded.

"We gotta go," Jack said.

As many as could fit within the circle of the ring transporter gathered together. It took seventeen minutes for all of the men to be on board the ha’tak. Jack, Teal’c, and Bra’tac were the last to ring up. They headed for the pel’tak in a run.

"Take us over the Chappa’ai," Vanshu said calmly. He had taken off the robe and modified armor, it had been tossed to one side of the room. He was wearing his pants and what looked like a tee shirt.

"Yes, My Lord..." Lo’teal grinned. He glanced at Teal’c and Jack. "Yes, sir," he amended.

Vanshu grinned. "Very good," he replied. He turned to the newcomers, all three of whom were still breathing heavily. "I take it that the palace was deserted when you left?"

Jack nodded. "M’zel had a squad go through every room twice. Checked all the closets and cupboards, under the beds."

"Then it is safe to say we left no one behind," the Tok’ra said.

"Well, just the folks who weren’t so ready to join the rebels."

"Several of those Jaffa did join us," Teal’c said quietly. "I do not believe any of the others would have chosen to do so."

"Well, it’s up to those people to decide what they want to do now," Jack said. "Their first move should be shutting down those priests."

"Indeed," Teal’c agreed. "Although it is likely that some time will pass before the anger of those left behind reaches the point of dealing with those from the temple."

"That’s on them," Jack muttered.

The ha’tak was moving toward the Stargate.

"I want the dialing device to be rendered useless. But not so badly that it cannot be repaired," Vanshu said. "Can you do it?"

"Teal’c is very well trained at taking out a small target," Bra’tac said.

"It has been awhile since I have done so," Teal’c confessed.

"We have faith in you, Big Guy," Jack said.

Casey leaned toward Daniel. "Why not just send Sam down there to grab the crystals?" she asked in a whisper.

"The Tok’ra thought it might be a better idea to let the priests know that we are intentionally preventing them from leaving the planet," Daniel whispered in return. "Jack agreed. Bra’tac believes it will be just one more reason for the people to rise up against the priests."

"If they figure out the message," Casey said.

Daniel smiled. "I have no doubt they will. They’re not as dumb as they look."

Casey giggled, then turned her attention to her Jaffa friend.

Teal’c hurried to the weapons console. "Move just a bit closer," he said softly. "There." He moved his fingers over the glass surface. And a single blast moved from the ship to the DHD. It blew the center of the device into pieces, and a cloud of smoke filled the air above it.

"Now, let’s hope Sam and her lab rats can fix that, when the time comes," Jack said quietly.

"Indeed."

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