<< Previous | Story Intro | Return to Stories | Next >>

The three teams in the brig made their way carefully through the corridors. The Jaffa who roamed the ship tried to hide smiles as the Tau’ri ‘escaped’. Using the Tok’ra devices that rendered them invisible to the ships internal sensors, the teams ringed over to Ba’al’s ship. They each had a special transmitter that would show up only to the Phoenix’s modified scanners. Two Jaffa watched their progress, warning them of Kull patrols, directing them to the rooms they needed.

The two Kull warriors who had accompanied Ba’al, and who were kept under constant surveillance, moving only where Ba’al was allowed, stood silently in the room. They were programmed to do nothing more than protect their Master. Casey shivered every time she looked at them.

Methos was still in the salon with Ba’al, listening to the Goa'uld tell him about the human he was dealing with, one who provided slaves and other…equipment. He asked the right questions, tried to appear interested until the appropriate time.

Wade had left the room in order to bring more wine…actually to find out the progress of the teams. When they had safely ringed back on board and were hidden away in the cargo bay, he came back to the salon. He poured wine for Methos and his guest.

Two Jaffa entered the room. "My Lord Methos, the humans escaped. They killed five loyal Jaffa. We believe that they have gone over to the other ship."

Ba’al was on his feet in an instant. "I warned you," he hissed. "Now they are on my ship!"

He raced out of the room and headed toward the ring transport, his two Kull body guards behind him.

"Aren’t you going to stop him?" Casey asked.

"Nope. That ship is rigged to blow. Let him go up with it," Methos replied. He turned to Wade. "Go tell General O’Neill that Ba’al left, it’s safe to come out now."

The dark haired man nodded, then hurried to the cargo bay.

"Does this mean I can put clothes on?" Casey asked.

Methos grinned at her. "I dunno, I kind of like that outfit on you."

"Fine. I’ll keep it and wear it for Daniel," she retorted her eyes dancing with merriment

"Tell him he owes me!"

With a giggle, she waved and headed for her quarters. When she had changed back into her BDU’s, she headed for the bridge.

A  A  A  A  A  A

"Okay, Sam, blow it up," Jack said softly.

The blonde colonel punched the code into the remote detonator, and the al'kesh beside them exploded.

Casey pulled her lip between her teeth. Jack noticed.

"Please don’t tell me that son-of-a-bitch-"

"Got away," she said. "I think so. I think he’s going to try and beat Methos to the meeting with Seleconne."

"How many friggin’ lives does that bastard Goa’uld have?" Jack demanded to know, of no one in particular. "Okay, Teal'c, push this thing. We have a meeting to get to."

Casey stood by at weapons, aware that Wade was standing beside her. She tried to ignore the warmth of his body. It had become second nature for her to reach out to Daniel when she was upset, or worried, or frightened. Right now she was a bit of all three. She touched him gently, smiled when he caressed her mind, eased the worry that she felt.

‘Babe?’

‘He got away…again.’

‘You have got to be kidding!’

‘Nope. I miss you, Daniel. I…I’m starting to get a really bad feeling. Please tell me you’re on your way!’

‘We’re almost finished here, Angel. A few more hours at most. I promise I’ll be there as soon as possible.’

‘Sam has already got the ‘gate address for the planet we’re heading to.’

‘I’ll be there, Angel, I promise.’

‘Love you.’

‘Love you, too.’

She felt him move away. "Jack…" she turned to look at the older man. "I think things are about to go bad. Really bad."

He grinned. "Then our luck is still holding."

She couldn’t help but giggle. "Seems like."

"Anything specific?"

She closed her eyes and concentrated. "I think…it might be some sort of a trap. I suggest we leave Marine One here, they can come get us if we don’t make our scheduled check-ins. I just talked to Daniel. He said they should be finished there in just a few hours. He can get to Alpha and gate to wherever it is we’re going, along with Marine Two and Three."

Jack nodded. "Okay. We’re looking at a trap. Let’s forget the playacting and just go grab that little bastard. We’ll take Ba’al out if we get the chance. I want Seleconne more than I want that snake."

Methos nodded. "Taking him will hinder Ba’al. I believe that the trader is Ba’al’s major…if not only…supplier right now. He’s too far from his own territories to get much help from them. What territories he has left, that is. I picked up on the fact that he’s already scoping out the weakest System Lords here to wipe out."

"Sounds typical for a snake," Jack said. "Okay, let’s go make some plans."

They studied the information that Sam had taken from Ba’al’s computer. Evidently Alteria wasn’t the only port where illicit deals were made, in dark taverns where questions were never asked. There wasn’t any information on the indigenous people, a Goa’uld wouldn’t care about anything like that, Casey thought bitterly. Without accurate information, they had no idea what they were dealing with. It was decided that SG-1 and 6 would go in hot and hard, grab Seleconne, and hopefully make it back to the Phoenix before they were stopped.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Tantaline was a muddy, wet, cold town. The few buildings that there were appeared to be made of cement; gray walls against a gray sky. The time for the meeting was set for late afternoon. There were few people on the street, and those who did walk by them paid them no heed. Or so it appeared. Major Parker had the men from SG-6 situate themselves on the street around the tavern, covering both exits.

Jack led Teal'c - who kept his ball cap pulled low to hide his tattoo - and Wade, Sam, and Casey to a table near the back. He put his back to the wall. "Now we wait," he said softly. He kept his fingers around the grip of his 9mm.

They didn’t have long to wait. What happened wasn’t exactly what they had planned. When Seleconne entered the tavern, a half dozen very large men followed him. They had SG-6 at gunpoint. SG-1 were on their feet, weapons aimed at the new arrivals. It was a Mexican standoff.

"General O’Neill! I hadn’t thought I would see you again," the little man exclaimed. His eyes narrowed. "You should not have come here!"

"Yeah, why not?" His P90 was pointed directly at Seleconne’s head.

"Because you are going to die here."

"Not before I take your sorry ass out," the older man growled.

Wade had already taken note of a side door. He could just reach it. He glanced at Casey, who was standing beside him. He shifted slightly. Yep, he could reach the handle of the door. She was looking at the goon who had Tony with hate in her eyes. When the shooting started, he was grabbing her and making a break out that door. It was the only chance for survival that they had.

"You can see that you are outnumbered. We have more weapons than you," Seleconne said smugly. "You cannot hope to win."

"Major, I sure hope you taught your men about being hard headed," Jack said.

Major Parker grinned. "Yes, sir, I did."

"Good. Now, I’m betting that the only other person in here that understands English is that little shit right there. So, I think we should all just take a deep breath, and get ready to rumble," Jack said.

"Just say the word, sir," Tony replied.

"Okay, boys and girls, this is it. Let Major Parker and the guys take out their guards. We need to worry about the assholes at the bar," Jack continued.

Seleconne began to laugh. "Surely you do not believe you can win!"

"Better take the runt out, Jack," Casey said, "so he can’t scream a warning to his men. Although I’d like to know just why he hasn’t already."

"Good question, Case," Jack said. "Maybe, just maybe, they don’t work for him. Just with him. And they don’t take orders from him."

"Which means they take their orders from somebody else."

"The question is, who?"

"Ask him," Sam said quietly.

Jack turned his head slightly to look at his wife. "I think I will. Who do you work for, Silicone? Can’t be Simmons, he’s dead. Can’t be Ba’al, he doesn’t hire humans as guards. Must be somebody."

For one second fear flashed over the small man’s face. He raised his chin. "You cannot win, Tau’ri. You will all die here. If you put down your weapons, I can…mediate…for your safety."

"Yeah, right," Jack muttered.

"Still waiting for the word, general," Major Parker said softly.

"On the count of three. Three…two…one!"

The guards holding SG-6 were not prepared to have the men butt their heads backwards with such force. It gave the Tau’ri a chance to grab at weapons and bring them up to fire. SG-1 had hit the floor and were firing on the men at who stood at the bar. Wade reached for Casey, grabbed her, and ran out the side door. She was screaming at him as he carried her down a narrow alley.

"Let me go! Damn you! They need me! Let go of me!" She struggled against him. His grip was strong. ‘Daniel!’

The scream brought the archaeologist to his feet. The EDA members around the table looked at him with surprise. "Casey?"

'Oh, god! Daniel, help me! He’s got me! Please! Please help me!' She continued to struggle.

"Casey, I’m not going to hurt you," Wade said. "Please stop fighting me!"

She was too panicked for his words to make sense. In desperation, Wade hit her across the jaw, knocking her out.

Daniel nearly dropped to his knees. "I’m coming, babe, I’m on my way, I promise!" He felt the sudden ‘disconnect’. She had been knocked out…or killed. His heart was pounding against his ribs.

Duncan was on his feet as well. He looked at the politicians at the table. They were looking at Daniel as if he had lost his mind. "Ladies and gentlemen, meet The Chosen. Sign the damn treaty as it is, or don’t, I don’t care. We’re leaving. Now."

"If you leave, there won’t be a treaty between Gamma and Earth. We can cut off your supplies," President Taylor threatened.

Daniel looked at the man. Ten days of bickering and posturing had his patience at an end. He called up the Fire, put a hole in the middle of the table. "That’s how much I care," he hissed. He turned to Duncan. "I have to get to her. She’s in trouble."

Duncan nodded. "If you want a treaty, sign the one in front of you, right now. Otherwise, get the hell off this ship!"

Each of the Earth representatives were stunned at what they had seen. They hurriedly signed the papers in front of them. They had heard of The Chosen. Having seen what he was capable of, none of them were willing to anger him further.

"We’ve got to get to a ‘gate!" Daniel moaned.

"Doctor Jackson, there is a ‘gate on Earth. You may use it, with our blessing," the President of the EDA said softly.

Duncan looked sharply at the man, then turned to the captain of the Prometheus. "You monitor everything. If we don’t make it through that gate, you target that mountain."

"Yes, sir, Mr. President."

The EDA members gasped. "You wouldn’t!"

"Try me!" Duncan growled.

Daniel ran to the bridge, contacted Kyle and received the ‘gate address for the planet where SG-1 and 6 were to be. His mind was playing back her desperate screams…"He’s got me!"

Just who was ‘he’? Ba’al? Had to be that Goa’uld bastard!

Duncan geared up on the ship with Daniel, then they ringed directly to the ‘gate room of the SGC. Gracie had blast doors shut and the ‘gate dialed.

"Thanks, Gracie," Daniel said, just before he walked through the event horizon.

Duncan had taken time to alert Kyle; Marine Two and Three were standing at the ‘gate waiting for them.

"Town one klick in that direction," Major Thompson said. "Let’s move, men! Somebody just took Casey Jackson. And if they have her, it means that SG-1 is in trouble!" Daniel and Duncan were already running toward the town.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Jack was looking over the bodies of the fallen. Seleconne was crouched in a corner, his eyes wide. "You were saying?" he said.

Sam had been hit, as had Teal'c, but already the Quickening had started the healing.

"O’Neill, where is Casey Jackson?"

"And Wade?" Sam added.

They looked around them. The side door was wide open. "Oh, shit!" Jack breathed. "Daniel is going to come unglued!" He looked at the members of the two teams. "Let’s go find her."

<< Previous | Story Intro | Return to Stories | Next >>