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 Family Feud

Casey stared at the iris on the Stargate. Willing it to open, to hear the report on how the battle between the Ba’als was progressing. Had the other System Lords become involved, or were they still sitting…waiting? Waiting for ‘Apophis’ to give them permission to attack. That has to have them all in a snit, she thought, unable to keep the smile from her face.

Jack continued to tap his fingers against the table where the keyboards for the dozens of computers were lined up, his chin resting in the upturned palm of his other hand.

Sam was in her lab, working on one of the communication devices that team members always wore during missions. She hoping to increase the distance from which the devices could be used. As it was, they were limited to no more than ten miles. Her goal was to make the devices capable of maintaining contact no matter the distance; a feature that could make a huge difference when any team member was captured. The devices were already small enough to hide, or mostly hide. The only thing truly noticeable was the small, thin microphone that transmitted even the slightest whispers. She was also trying to figure out a way to camouflage the transmitter. The former wasn’t going to be as difficult to achieve as the latter, she’d admitted.

Daniel was in his office, compiling the most thorough assessment of each System Lord who was, at the moment, was waiting to destroy Ba’al and his clone. He was also searching for any further information on the five ‘new’ Goa’uld they had discovered.

Teal’c stood behind Casey, his arms held loosely behind his back. Neither his stance nor his face revealed his apprehension.

"C’mon, already," Casey grumped. "It’s been what, five hours now, since the first report?"

"Something like that," Jack replied. "What the heck is Pedram doing?"

"Perhaps he is merely allowing his presence to agitate the others. The longer he remains silent, the longer they will fear his actions," Teal’c said, shifting slightly. "The Goa’uld know that Apophis will seek retribution against all those who, in his view, stole what belonged to him. Each of them claimed at least one planet that had once belonged to him. Ba’al claimed nearly a dozen such planets, and took the majority of the fleet Apophis commanded. Ba’al knows that he will be the first target of Apophis’ revenge."

"If they’re so powerful, why bother listening to Apophis in the first place?" Casey asked. "He only has three ships, and they’re all fairly old. They could destroy him without breaking a sweat."

Teal’c gave a small smile. "Apophis had been declared dead…destroyed by the Replicators that devoured his ship. For him to return is more than they can comprehend."

Casey giggled. "Well, that’s because he didn’t. He’s still really dead. But we have an awesome stand-in for the bastard."

Jack chuckled. "That we do. Jacob’s message said the Pedram has embraced the entire mission and is determined to see the end of the Goa’uld Empire."

"It must give him hope that his own people will be able to defeat the Goa’uld in his reality," Casey said softly. "Anubis wasn’t doing so well on Earth in Pedram’s reality; the other snakes were pissed at him about the situation…chances are they’re fighting among themselves, even if the rebels aren’t aware of it."

"No doubt," Jack agreed. "They’ll blame each other for the mess their egos have gotten them into, and then strike out at the one they think is really to blame."

The seer studied him for a minute. "Jack, you just described exactly what’s happening here."

He grinned. "Yeah, well, we’re talking snakes here, Radar. They’re all the same, no matter what reality."

"Egotistical and stupid," Casey replied immediately nodding sagely.

He laughed. "Got it in one."

General Hammond walked into the control room, glancing immediately at Walter.

"Nothing yet, sir," the sergeant reported.

No one bothered to mention that the general would have been aware of any incoming message, as the ‘gate would have activated. They were all on edge, waiting to learn what was happening in the civil war they had started. Waiting to know if their presence might be needed, to further cement Pedram’s position as Apophis; to add more insecurity for the other Goa’uld in general, and Ba’al in particular, to deal with.

"I was going back over the report Jacob sent," General Hammond said. "Apparently the Free Jaffa are using every ship at their disposal to ‘enhance’ the fleet Apophis has. For him to show up with so many ships will certainly spin the Goa’uld up."

"I take it not all of those ships have arrived at…wherever Balls ran to," Jack said.

Hammond shook his head. "According to Jacob, it would be a few more hours before all of the ships were in place."

Casey cocked her head sideways. "Oh…he’s good!" she whispered.

"What?" Jack asked immediately.

"Pedram is going to have one of those ships pick us up. You know…his Jaffa out hunting for SG-1, because of course we’re responsible for the Replicators that destroyed him. And since we’re out an about so often, they’ll just mosey on out, nab us, and take us straight to the boss," Casey explained.

Jack chortled at the picture the seer had painted. "Now that’s priceless."

"That’s exactly what the plan is," Hammond chuckled. "I hadn’t read the entire report before our meeting this morning. This was on the last page." He held up a sheet of paper. "According to Jacob, the Tok’ra will have two of their operatives on the ship that will ‘escort’ you to Pedram…er…Apophis. They’ll play the part of minor Goa’uld who were in service to Apophis before his death, and felt it would be in their own best interests to work for him again."

"Those minor Goa’uld remind me of high school kids. All drama and ‘friends to your face’ and back-stabbing and rumor mongering-" Casey started.

"Your high school must have been stressful, if all that was going in," Jack teased.

"Oh, please. It goes on in every high school. And middle school. And office. And in Congress…" she paused. "Seems to be a very human affliction. Guess having humans as hosts has really screwed up those already bat-shit crazy Goa’uld."

Everyone in the control room burst into laughter.

"Radar, you just keep those good thoughts coming," Jack snickered.

"Good thoughts or funny thoughts? Although I wasn’t trying to be funny," Casey said.

"Good…funny, intentional or not. Keep it up. We’re gonna need it," Jack replied, his voice going soft.

"You got it, boss," Casey replied, her voice soft as well.

Everyone in the room jumped when the inner ring of the Stargate engaged. Klaxons roared to life, and the red warning lights began to flash.

"Incoming wormhole," Walter announced.

"Wait for IDC," General Hammond said calmly.

Seconds ticked by.

"IDC recognized. It’s Bra’tac," Walter said.

"I thought Bra’tac was with Pedram," Jack said, frowning slightly.

"He probably gave his GDO to one of his Jaffa," Hammond replied.

"Yeah, that works," Jack admitted, although it was obvious he wasn’t convinced that whoever was on the other side of that closed ‘gate was a friend.

"Open the iris," Hammond ordered.

"Iris is open, you may come through now," Walter said, to whoever was waiting on the other side.

The Marines in the ‘gate room tensed. For a few seconds no one would know for certain who was about to arrive. P90s were poised, fingers on triggers, ready to destroy any enemy who might have taken the GDO from Bra’tac.

Three Jaffa walked through the shimmering event horizon, pausing on the top of the ramp, warily eyeing the weapons pointed at them.

Casey gave a squeal of delight, and raced out of the control room. "M’zel! Adal! Aron!"

The three Jaffa who had ‘captured’ SG-1 and taken them to Osiris…who had, in reality, been Sarah Gardner and her symbiote Karinda…were obviously relieved to be recognized as friends. Smiles broke out on their faces as the young woman dashed into the room.

"I am honored that you remember me," M’zel said, watching as the slender blonde ran toward the bottom of the ramp.

"I always remember the guys who hit me," she replied, grinning broadly. "Sure did fool all the loyal Jaffa, didn’t we?"

His smile had faltered slightly at being reminded of the slaps he’d been forced to administer, by necessity…and at the insistence of the young seer. "Yes, we did."

"You know, I never did hear…what happened to the ship that you were on, the one that Sarah was controlling?"

The smile widened. "It is, at this moment, in orbit above a planet not far from Ba’al’s location. As for the Jaffa on that ship…those who would not join the rebellion, we left on a very nice, dry planet. What happened to them after that, I do not know."

"Probably some of the Jaffa that Chaahk scooped up," Casey muttered.

"Ah, yes. Master Bra’tac told us of that false ‘god’. He did not manage the return he had planned, did he?" M’zel chuckled.

"Sure didn’t," Casey agreed.

Jack, Teal’c, and General Hammond gathered behind Casey. Daniel and Sam ran through the door seconds later.

M’zel’s gaze stopped on Teal’c…immediately noted the difference in the Jaffa since last they had met, then turned his attention to the commander of the base, and spoke the words Bra’tac had insisted he use. "General Hammond, we request permission to enter your compound."

General Hammond smiled. "You are most welcome here."

M’zel dipped his head, and led his companions down the ramp. The Marines nodded in acknowledgement, and backed away, weapons lowered.

Casey introduced the Jaffa to General Hammond, and the rest of the team greeted the warriors as if they were old and trusted friends.

"So, are you here to ‘capture’ SG-1?" Hammond asked.

"We are," M’zel nodded. "I fear we do not have time to linger. We must meet up with Bra’tac and…I believe his name is Pedram…as quickly as possible. So far none of the System Lords have attempted to fire upon Ba’al, but I do not believe they will wait much longer."

Hammond nodded, turning his attention to the team. "Get geared up ASAP. Take a few civilian clothes as well. We’re not sure how long this will take, and you might need them."

"Got it," Jack said, already moving. "Let’s go, campers. We have a date to beat the crap out of Ba’al." He led the way, running through the open blast door and toward the supply room. "How long, Radar?"

"How long what?" the seer asked.

"How long will we be there?"

Casey stopped beside the table where the packs and tac vests were filled. She tilted her head to one side and closed her eyes.

"Damn it, Casey," Daniel growled. He wrapped his arms around his Wife’s waist. He couldn’t help but smile when her arms automatically wound themselves around his neck.

Casey opened her eyes. Her smile had Daniel grinning. "We did it. I mean we really did it! According to Miss Eloise our little civil war is the cause of a lot of discussion, and apparently all good, at least where she is."

"That’s good news," Jack said, grinning now as well. "Don’t need the Big Boys pissed off at us."

"Well, the Ascended probably are, because once again we’re cleaning up their mess," Casey huffed indignantly.

"Don’t think we have too much to worry about from the Ascended," Sam grinned.

"I doubt it," Casey replied. "Miss Eloise also said that we ‘set the wheels of destruction in motion’," she continued. "It’s curtains for the Goa’uld Empire. There might be a Goa’uld or two who will survive. But apparently they’ll just hide out somewhere. She did say that a few might flee to other solar systems. But the Goa’uld will never be a threat to humans again. At least, not like they have been. I figure we can keep one or two in check."

"Radar, that is awesome news!" Jack crowed.

"So, did you manage to find out how long we’ll be gone?" Daniel asked, his cerulean blue eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Just a few days. Sorry, that’s all I could find," Casey replied.

"A few days it is," Jack said. "Don’t forget to grab your civilian clothes."

Lockers were opened, and emptied of clothes and toiletries, all going into the duffel bags that waited on the table. The team was packed in less than ten minutes. A stop at the weapons locker for P90s, Berettas, and Teal’c’s staff weapon, and fifteen minutes later SG-was ready to leave. Ready to see the end of the Goa’uld Empire.

"We’d better start practicing," Casey said, following Jack toward the ‘gate room where M’zel and the others waited. The sound of the Ancient device opening echoed through the corridor.

"Practicing? Practicing for what?" Jack asked, glancing over his shoulder as he walked.

"Well, usually when some Goa’uld grabs us, we do our best to just bug the shit out of him. Or her. And then we leave. Well, escape...same thing," Casey explained. "But we have to pretend to be as freaked out about Apophis showing up as the Goa’uld are. So, you know, we have to practice to be all scared and worried, and not being such snake-baiters."

Jack turned around to fully face the young woman. "Radar-" he started. Shook his head, and gave in to the laughter that welled up.

"Actually," Sam said, chortling as well, "Casey has a good point. If we look too…comfortable…not afraid enough, it might give the other Goa’uld the idea that something is wrong."

"And we don’t need the snakes trying to figure out if something hinky is going on," Jack concluded.

"Indeed. It would be best if I were kept in a separate location. It would be expected for Apophis to use nish’ta on me to bring me back to his side as First Prime," Teal’c added.

"Not ker’nish’ta?" Daniel asked curiously.

Teal’c shook his head. "That drug is too unstable. Its use too dangerous, particularly if the goal is to simply ‘retrain’ a run-away servant or Jaffa."

"Interesting," Sam murmured. "So Apophis never used ker’nish’ta?"

"Not that I’m aware of," Teal’c replied. "However, I am certain he was involved in activities of which I was unaware, activities in which the use of ker’nish’ta may have been to his advantage."

"Typical," Jack muttered. He stopped beside M’zel and Adal and Aron. He looked up at M’zel. "Okay, we’re ready. Capture away."

M’zel grinned. "Consider yourselves captured."

Everyone in the ‘gate room and the control room, laughed heartily.

"SG-1, this mission is a go. Godspeed," General Hammond said, smiling at the banter.

"That’s the word campers," Jack said. He motioned toward the top of the ramp with the muzzle of his P90. "Gentlemen, we’ll let you lead," he said to the waiting Jaffa.

"Be careful, General," General Hammond said quietly.

Jack exchanged a look with his commanding officer. "Yes, sir."

With a nod of acknowledgment, M’zel led his companions and his ‘captives’ up the ramp and into the swirling event horizon. The final steps to bring down the Goa’uld Empire were underway. And for the Free Jaffa, it was a day that had long been anticipated.

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