Sam and Teal'c were preparing for what they hoped would be a positive response from the President and were gathering what they'd need. The weapon had already been moved to the twenty-eighth level; their packs had most of all the usual off-world camping gear swapped for all the research and notes they had on the weapon, and were now stacked in the corner of Daniel's office, which was the last stop before they were reduced to twiddling their thumbs to wait.

"How does Daniel find anything in here?" Sam muttered, looking under a stack of folders for the archaeologist's primary notebook.

"I believe Daniel Jackson's filing system will forever remain a mystery." Teal'c was scanning the shelves for the elusive notebook.

"Keelah, have you seen a dark green notebook? About this big?" Sam indicated the size.

Keelah, who had been trying to keep busy and out of everyone's way, had been cataloguing some of the artifacts that had the tendency to pile up from the missions. However the uncertainty of the day's events was making it difficult to concentrate and she welcomed the distraction. "I think there was one like that over here." She rolled her chair across the room to what was technically Annika's desk, though it had more of Daniel's work piled on it than his wife's.

While they searched, Sam and Teal'c updated her on their team members' situations. They answered her hesitant questions about Ascension in as much detail as they could, though Keelah suspected they were simply grateful to have a distraction from their own thoughts. But what really touched her was that they revealed just how truly worried they were. Given that she had spent the majority of her time with SG-1, either as a whole or on an individual basis, she hadn't realized until the last few minutes just how uncommon that was. She'd assumed that they were as open with everyone else as they were with her. Word of the Jacksons had spread quickly, and in the quarter of an hour that they had been searching the office, they had been interrupted by a number of personnel, asking about Daniel and Annika. Sam and Teal'c's responses had been encouraging and hopeful that everything would work out. It was only when they were alone that they let their real feelings show. It stunned her that they trusted her enough to be so open in her presence, making her truly feel like she was one of them. It was a strange experience to be suddenly welcomed into such a close-knit group. Wondered if their acceptance was solely due to her and Teal’c’s ‘involvement’. She spied the green spine of a book almost hidden by a floppy folder. "Is this the one?"

The blonde took the book and flicked through a few pages, reading her friend's scrawl. "Yep! Thanks." She tucked it into her pack on top of the holographic manual.

"What is troubling you, Major Carter?" Teal'c leant against the desk beside Keelah, his hand dropping to her shoulder in a casual embrace. Their practice in maintaining their pretense of a romantic relationship was now almost done out of habit.

Sam buckled the pack. "You mean besides the Alpha site being leveled with the strong possibility that Earth will be next, Daniel being Ascended, Annika's reduced to a child being confined with Jack by Ba'al, and we've got no idea how to use the weapon to stop Anubis from destroying the galaxy?"

He nodded solemnly. "Yes, besides that."

Despite the circumstances, Sam gave a low chuckle. "Keelah, you have one perceptive man there."

A sharp rap at the door interrupted them. They looked up to see the general's assistant.

"We've just received word from the President. They've agreed, albeit reluctantly, to Ba'al's terms."

Sam glanced at the wall clock. It was two minutes before Ba'al's time limit was up. "They like to cut it fine, don't they?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Sam replied. When he turned to leave she called him back. "Any further updates from the Alpha site?"

"No more troops of Kulls as yet. The combat engineers working on the main hub have managed to make verbal contact through a small opening. No casualties or seriously wounded inside. They're hoping to have the underground 'gate working in the next two hours. No news on Doctor Fraiser and Captain Richards."

Sam gave a nod of thanks and dismissal and the Lieutenant returned to his duties. She picked up her pack, holding Teal'c's out to him.

The Jaffa accepted it with one hand, and with the other dropping down to nestle in Keelah's, the three of them headed for the briefing room to wait for Ba'al to appear to give them their rendezvous point. "You did not answer my question, Major Carter."

She sighed, shifting the weight of her pack. "I was just thinking ahead. Once this day's over and things return to normal," Sam figured that at this point a positive attitude was sorely needed, "we're going to have to start looking for a new Alpha site. I'd feel better about it if we knew how Anubis discovered the location in the first place."

Teal'c frowned in thought. "It is possible that Ba'al gained the location from the zatarc and shared it with Anubis. They were after all, up until this morning, in alliance."

"You sound doubtful," Keelah said hesitantly.

He gave a single nod. "The mere idea of a Goa'uld alliance sits ill with me. In my seventy years as First Prime, the single time Apophis worked with another Goa'uld it was nothing more than a farce, as a means to get close and kill him. If Ba'al had the Alpha site location it would not be something he would willingly share."

"What about unwillingly?" Sam suggested, hitting the elevator button. "We know Anubis has the technology to pull thoughts from a person." She suppressed a shudder as she remembered Jonas's description of the probe the half-Ascended Goa'uld had used on him. A very much more recent memory had her sucking in a steadying breath. She didn't doubt that Annika's screaming from this morning would haunt her dreams for many nights to come. "Two different kinds of mind penetration, if today is anything to go by."

"Technology and methods that are highly invasive and not at all covert," Teal'c countered. "Ba'al would not have allowed himself to be put in that position and if he did then he would not have maintained the alliance."

"True," Sam agreed. "And it's just a hunch but I don't think Ba'al knew the location until today. There was no mention of it in the zatarc transcripts we recovered, and at that point, Ba'al was too arrogant to think that we'd ever escape with them, to consider even splitting the transcripts up in two locations."

"A valid hunch," Teal'c confirmed. "I believe Ba'al had his Jaffa follow Anubis's troops to us. If his aim was to 'protect' Annika Jackson he would not have waited so long to abscond with her."

"Who else knows about the Alpha site's location?" Keelah asked, moving on since they had pretty much ruled out that Ba'al was the 'leak'.

"Certain members of the free Jaffa and Tok'ra," Teal'c answered. The lift doors opened and he stood back, allowing the women to precede him. "But there have been no reported instances of them being compromised."

"And Thor and Lya," Sam added. "But the Goa'uld can't get to them."

As the elevator traveled down, the trio was silent in contemplation, at a loss as to how the Alpha site had been discovered. When the doors slid open Teal'c pondered an idea.

"Perhaps it will not be necessary to relocate the Alpha site."

"Um...Teal'c," Sam frowned, "our secret base is not so secret anymore."

"Its location is only known to two Goa'uld." Teal'c said. Their uncertainty of the loyalty of the Jaffa from the Alpha site, due to the mix of forehead emblems, had been solved by Bra'tac. In his communication to the general he had informed them that they had managed to take some of the Jaffa prisoner and under interrogation they had revealed that they had defected to Anubis. "Assuming we are successful in destroying Anubis, that leaves only Ba'al. If we can convince him that due to today's events that we have abandoned the planet, we could remain."

Keelah frowned. "But couldn't Ba'al simply scan the surface and see that we...you..." she faltered unsure if it was acceptable to claim such familiarity with her new home planet.

"We," Sam encouraged with a smile.

The ex-slave returned the smile and continued on. "That we are still there?"

"That would be quite the bluff to pull off." Hammond had just finished getting a status report from the infirmary when the trio had emerged from the elevator. He'd walked behind them listening to their speculation as they headed for the briefing room. "Do you think you'd be able to do it?"

"Well, it shouldn't be too difficult, sir," Sam replied. "Given the circumstances, Ba'al will be in the same boat, especially if some of Anubis's Jaffa attacking his home base survive and escape. He'd have to at least be considering relocating."

"What of the pilots who flew the alkesh to deposit the troops on Alpha?" Hammond asked. "They know the location."

They had halted just before the entrance of the briefing room, none of them wanting to look like they were waiting for Ba'al's visit.

The general glanced at his watch. "He's late."

"It probably is an attempt to appear not so desperate for our assistance," Teal'c suggested.

The others agreed. While they waited anxiously for the hologram to appear, Sam, Teal'c and Hammond quietly discussed some of the finer details of maintaining the current Alpha site. Installing a proper blast door would be a given, and Sam suggested putting a layer of the rock on the outside of the door to act as camouflage both visually and for any scanning equipment.

Keelah gave a start, a blush staining her cheeks. "Nothing."

"It does not appear to be nothing," he gently teased, his hand rising to caress the evidence on her cheek.

Neither was aware that Hammond and Sam, upon witnessing the intimate gesture, moved a few steps away, giving the couple what privacy they could.

The pinkness turned a shade darker. "Given the circumstances it was a highly inappropriate, random thought."

"Nothing could be more inappropriate than Major Carter and I waiting to surrender ourselves to the custody of our mortal enemy." Teal'c despised their 'mission', no matter how necessary it was.

Keelah gave him a weak smile. The man had a point. "You mentioned you were seventy years as First Prime...with your training and childhood that would make you approximately a hundred years old."

"One hundred and five to be precise."

"Oh."

"Does my age concern you?"

"Oh, no," she hastily assured. In fact it was quite the opposite. She guiltily had the self-serving thought that her 'teacher' had a century's worth of knowledge and 'experience' to share with her. Willing herself not to blush any more, she quickly covered that thought with a different truth. "I just can't imagine having a hundred years of memories as a slave. I have trouble dealing with my few years."

A familiar dual tone from within the briefing room stopped whatever response Teal'c may have given. "Tau'ri, your time is up."

None of them moved, waiting a few long seconds, again so it did not look like they had been waiting for his appearance. When Ba'al impatiently spoke again, speaking towards the surveillance camera in the top corner, Hammond gave his people the nod to proceed.

"It would be better if you wait out here," Teal'c suggested to Keelah. "There is no need to expose you to Ba'al unnecessarily." He followed the major into the room.

The general remained outside as well, trusting the pair could handle the meeting themselves, and because his presence as CO would lend importance to the decision. In Hammond’s mind, Ba'al didn't need another boost to his ego. However, though he kept out of direct sight, he listened intently to the exchange. Barely suppressed a chuckle at the caustic jabs that seemed to come as naturally as breathing from the members of SG-1. If Ba'al were hoping for docility because he thought he held all the cards, he would be sorely disappointed. From the corner of his eye, he saw the woman standing beside him wore an expression of confused disbelief, one he'd seen quite often since her arrival at the SGC. Keeping one ear on the 'chatter' in the briefing room, he whispered, "Keelah, is something wrong?"

She gave a hesitant headshake, but if anything the disbelief intensified. "It's...everyone is acting so...calmly."

"We are?"

Keelah nodded. "Sam's already planning ahead for the Alpha site, Teal'c's answering my silly questions about his age, even you." She gestured to the briefing room and then around indicating the whole base. "With everything that's going on, you're asking me if something's wrong...Are the events of today so common place that it's treated like a minor disturbance?"

Hammond knew she wasn't making light of the fighting and casualties that had ensued, but was rather expressing how she interpreted their response to the day. "This specific situation with Ba'al is a first, but the threat of and being under attack is what every person on this base is trained for. No one is blasé about the risks, it's the opposite, we're all acutely aware of them. The harsh fact is that if things go wrong we may not be alive tomorrow to have a simple conversation about Teal'c's age or to share Major Carter's theory. We just make the most of every moment." He paused then admitted, "It's also a distraction from thinking too much about the immediate tragedies that have happened."

"But aren't you scared of what might happen?"

Hammond gave a small smile. "If truth be told, I'm scared for every one of my people each time they step through the 'gate, but that doesn't change what must be done."

There was a soft clearing of a throat and both looked up to see Teal'c and Sam by the door.

"The same coordinates as before, sir."

The general nodded. "Did he give an update on Annika's condition?"

"Unchanged," Teal'c replied, as they started striding to the 'gate room.

Another nod. "I'm sending SG-6 with you as an escort. If you can, keep us updated on your progress."

"We will, sir," Sam assured.

Hammond veered off to give the 'gate coordinates to Walter, giving his customary send off. "Good luck and Godspeed."

Keelah would have held back, but Teal'c had automatically reached for her hand again as they walked and he led her into the embarkation room where SG-6 was ready and waiting. Within a few seconds the stone ring began to dial and lock. Knowing that Teal'c wasn't one for graphic public displays of emotion, Keelah was unsure how to act. All of their kisses thus far had only been staged in the sole presence of SG-1. In front of everyone else the most intimate they had become was holding hands or Teal'c's arm draped around her shoulders. She had never been present when SG-1 had left on a mission before. Were the 'rules' different when they could in fact be saying goodbye for the last time?

Teal'c was having a similar dilemma. He had kissed Ishta without thought in this very room upon her departures, however circumstances were different with Keelah. He remembered that he had subsequently received a litany of teasing from O'Neill at those times, and while no other personnel had dared to comment, there had been many speculative glances. He wished to spare Keelah from that. He looked into her tawny depths, reading the uncertainty and the fear of how this mission would end, and wanted to reassure her that all would be well. But he could not do that. He would not offer a promise knowing that he may not be able to keep it. He chose to say nothing, simply placing a tender kiss to her forehead. As he did, she whispered in a language he did not recognize. He tilted his head down, resting his brow gently to hers, his eyes questioning.

"A prayer of my people," she said quietly. "Loosely translated, it's 'may you be guided back home'."

"Your blessing is appreciated."

They shared a smile of farewell and then drew apart.

Keelah had the sudden urge to throw her arms around Teal'c's neck and beg him not to go. She controlled it, barely, by twisting her fingers together. Silently she watched Sam and Teal'c carefully maneuver the weapon on the jerry rigged sled, following SG-6 up the ramp. Both looked back just before they entered the wormhole, giving her an encouraging smile, though Keelah wondered if that was more a show of bravado to convince themselves than her. She caught movement above and looked up to the viewing window of the briefing room. Sha're was standing alone by the glass, hugging herself tightly around the waist, also watching the last two members of SG-1 depart.

The Abydonian didn't turn around from the window, although she self-consciously adjusted the loose scarf over her head to hide the bandage around her skull. "The rumors are true?"

"Which ones?" Keelah stepped up beside her.

"That Dan’yel is dead." Her tone was flat.

Keelah nodded. "It's my understanding that Daniel's soul lives, but his body is no more."

"And his wife's mind is damaged?"

Another nod. "They believe she has regressed to a point in her early childhood."

"Perhaps that is for the best."

Keelah's mouth dropped open in shock. "How can you even suggest such an idea?"

"Love is a cruel emotion. It would be better if it did not exist at all."

She frowned in confusion at the seemingly unrelated answer. "But to find love, is that not what everyone strives for?" Even as a slave when there had been no hope, when she had dared a moment of whimsy she had dreamed of falling in love.

Sha're gave a single nod. "They tell you love is the most wonderful magic you can experience and if...when you find it, you discover they spoke the truth. But they don't tell you of the consequences when that love is torn away from you."

Dark eyes turned towards her and a shiver ran down Keelah's spine at the desolate pain reflected in them.

"Annika won't remember the love of her mate...won't have to find a way to survive without him." She blinked back tears. "Excuse me." Sha're spun on her heel and practically ran from the room.

Keelah stared after her, troubled by what Sha're had said. Teal'c was teaching her how to love, encouraging her to open her heart. He'd made no mention of the agony such as what Sha're was feeling. Did she really want to make herself vulnerable to that? To a hurt that could not be cured by medicine or technology? She already had a sad painful knot in her stomach at the news of Daniel, and he had been 'merely' her friend for less than two moon cycles. If this had happened a year from now, how much more painful would that knot be after they had spent time truly developing that friendship? Or what if it had been Annika, her first ever friend (or at least the one friend whom she really remembered,) who had died? Or Jack or Sam? Or...or Teal'c? She fought down the lump in her throat at the thought.

For the first time it occurred to her that there had been an advantage to being a slave. Being prevented from forming any emotional attachments with anyone had saved her from the torment that Sha're was being put through... She glanced down at the 'gate room, where a solemn team was returning from the Alpha site, carrying two black body bags between them... What the husbands and wives and families of those souls would be going through by the end of this day. She thought back to the joy and laughter that she had witnessed between Daniel and Annika, and Jack and Sam, and even the dim memories of her parents. Was it all worth it? A few 'moments' of blissful love, would it make up for the possible grief? Sha're clearly didn't think so. Yet, Daniel and Annika, Jack and Sam, and even Teal'c, who was very adamant that he was not interested in romantic entanglement for now, believed the search for love was a fitting pursuit. The question was, did she think it was worth the risk? She stared at the Stargate for a few moments, hoping the stone ring that had been the instrument for both the good and bad in her life, would give her an answer. It remained silently unhelpful. With a sigh she returned to the archaeology floor, to try and concentrate on anything but the hollow, scared feeling that had descended over her.

Anubis stared at the galaxy map that showed the progress of all his strikes, not really seeing it. Approximately half of the worlds had fallen under his Kulls and his Jaffa were in the process of securing the holds. Only a handful had been able to defeat his attacks, a very small handful. It was disappointing that only three Goa'uld, none of them System Lords, had been reported dead. He surmised the remaining Goa'uld had gone into hiding, which really amounted to the same thing. A Goa'uld without an army was nothing more than a slave with the parlor trick of glowing eyes. The other worlds that were still bravely fighting had been more resilient than he anticipated, particularly those controlled by Ba'al, but he was confident it was only a matter of time before they did indeed fall.

The only truly troubling planet was Dakara. Ba'al had armed the planet not only with the best and most experienced of his warriors, but with three fleets of alkesh, each with a full complement of gliders. If his Kulls did not begin to show progress, then he'd have to consider pulling troops from another battle to assist. Dakara had to be taken, even if all else failed, and it had to be soon. The half-Ascended being had the unnerving itch that time was very much of the essence. Something else his instinct told him was that somehow SG-1 was the reason for this shrinking time factor.

The plan to be rid of the annoying Tau'ri team, the only true threat to him, had gotten off to a lackluster start. His trap had been set and coordinated to the last detail and yet somehow he'd only been able to ensnare one of them. He glanced at the small red disc that sat upon his throne. Why had it not worked as it should? He brushed the thought aside. While it would have been much more satisfying to have wiped the whole team out in one swoop, it was only necessary that one be incapacitated. And he had managed to strike down two, although Jackson had been more a victim of happenstance, being on the wrong end of a staff weapon.

The seer had been the real catch. He'd found much enjoyment playing with and torturing her mind, although she too hadn't lived up to his expectations. Just as he was about to totally decimate her mind, his connection to her had been severed. He'd assumed that she was dead, for his mental connection only worked on the living. He'd been mildly disappointed that it had taken so little of his effort to destroy the seer. The tales of the strength of her mind power had obviously been overrated. That is, until a few minutes ago when he had sensed the briefest flash of her presence. Well, in truth it had been a part of himself that he had sensed. He had not realized when he lost contact with her, that the smallest sliver of his mind's essence, just a few particles, had also been lost. But just now those particles had called to him, called him back to the seer, and then had infuriatingly disappeared before he could trace anymore than the general vicinity.

It was then that he realized that someone was protecting her from him, hiding her. He'd managed to catch a glimpse through the seer's eyes of her surroundings. The walls of a Goa'uld ship had been unmistakable. There was only one of his kind who had not only the audacity to really stand against him but had learned enough of his plans to be a bother. He would admit that it had been an error in his judgment to try to manipulate that particular Goa'uld. Ba'al may have fallen for his initial ruse, but he should have known that revenge would become his priority, protecting the seer was obviously part of Ba'al's plan, though he was pretty sure the Goa'uld didn't know his true motives for wanting the seer dead. With confirmation of her being alive, he now had to take steps to ensure that either she was removed from the picture or that another of SG-1 be killed.

Resting his head in his hand, Daniel settled in to scour the rest of the newspaper, hoping for any more details about either the battle being waged or his team. So far, aside from the front page headlines, the articles were unhelpful, appearing to be more about promoting general wellbeing and enhancing inner serenity. The more he read about 'Yoga, Not the path to enlightenment', and 'Ethereal awareness seminar to be held in Talnak Quadrant', the more he began to wonder. The Ascended had already attained enlightenment, why would they need to reinforce it? Could it be that there was discord among the ranks? Were there Ascended who were also feeling the strain of remaining impartial, non-interfering entities? Was this a way the 'hard core' Ascended were trying to stave off a rebellion?

"More coffee?"

He looked up to see Oma standing by his booth with the ever present pot of coffee. "Sure." Dutifully Oma filled his mug. When she made to walk away again he gestured to the bench seat opposite him. "Can you sit a minute?"

"Okay." She slid into the seat. "Ooh… how am I supposed to put it? 'Man, are my dogs, tired'."

Daniel gave half a nod. "That's good."

"How are your waffles?"

"Best I ever had." Daniel paused, instinct making him lower his voice. "Is Annika is okay?"

Her eyes nonchalantly glanced around the diner and her tone matched his. "Safety comes from the most unexpected of saviors, but you don't want to discuss that."

She seemed to be imploring him to understand what she was trying to say, or rather not to say. Her last few words echoed in his head, he wasn't sure if it was real or not, but he heard it clear as a bell, with a single word tagged on the end...'you don't want to discuss that here'. It wasn't the firm confirmation he was looking for, but then it never was where the Ascended were concerned. He changed the subject. "Can you tell me why you stopped me from killing Anubis the last time I was Ascended?"

Apparently this was a 'safe' topic because she spoke normally. "Because if I didn't stop you, the Others would have. And they wouldn't have been as nice about it."

"You mean, they wouldn't have erased my memory and left me naked on a planet?"

"That was your choice."

Daniel fixed her with a look. It wasn't quite up to the caliber of 'the look' Janet had mastered, but it had a similar effect.

Oma gave a mischievously guilty grin. "Okay, maybe not the naked part."

He smiled slightly. He always knew Oma had an odd sense of humor. Something in her tone gave him pause. The Ascended didn't lie. He was pretty damned sure that he hadn't chosen to have his memory erased either, which meant that his 'choice' had been the planet. He inwardly shrugged. Why he hadn't chosen Earth was anybody's guess, but as an alternative Vis Uban hadn't been too bad a place to be dumped on. It had been a treasure trove of ancient ruins. Of course he may have appreciated the archaeological utopia more if he had been allowed to remember he was an archaeologist. Oma's next comment confirmed his theory.

"But I didn't totally erase your memory even though I was supposed to."

"Because I didn't want to see you die without at least giving you a second chance." Her reply was vague, her attention more on the returned patron. "Look, I have trouble following the rules. I'm not really supposed to help people Ascend. You're supposed to do it on your own."

"But you do it," he pressed.

"I walk the line. Believe me, I crossed it a few times and paid for it dearly." Her gazed flickered briefly to the counter, although it was hard to tell if she was just becoming annoyed by the incessant whistling or by the businessman himself. "My point is, you just need to be willing to put your prior human existence into the proper context." A particularly loud and off-key note made her grimace. "Sorry, I've got to get back to work." Oma stood up and grabbed the coffee pot, sloshing the hot liquid. "Oops, how clumsy of me." Her hand dove into the pocket of her apron and came out with a handful of paper napkins. She used a couple of them to wipe up the spill, leaving the rest on the table, then returned to her duties behind the counter.

Daniel barely heard the man’s saccharine request for another coffee. He'd picked up one of the napkins, to wipe a few drops that Oma had missed, but it was the napkin underneath that caught his attention. He didn't dare outwardly react in anyway even though his heart began to thump. On the plain white tissue was a hastily scrawled message. 'An angel is safe with the devil as long as a fisherman watches over'. Casually he poured sugar into his coffee as he reread it. Coming from Oma that was as plain as the ABCs. Annika was being protected by Ba'al and Jack was with her. He felt a knot of tension ease up even as he had to fight down the impulse to ask for more details. When had Ba'al entered into the picture and how in the world was Annika in any way safe with that parasite? And what about Sam and Teal'c?

The sudden absence of that annoying whistling pulled him out of his thoughts. He turned to see Oma behind the counter having a quiet yet heated discussion with the businessman. Well, that wasn't precisely true. Oma was the one gesturing angrily. The man was unfazed, stretching out lazily in his seat. To Daniel's surprise, Oma gave an irritated huff and stormed out to the back kitchen. Well, isn't that interesting?

Oma dumped the flatware she was carrying noisily into the sink.

"Perhaps I should book you in for the Talnak seminar." 'Frank' the cook, wearing a greased stained apron was standing by the grill. He barely batted an eyelid at the display of anger.

"Are you convinced yet of what needs to be done?" The 'need' to speak in riddles wasn't necessary with one of her own kind, and right now that was a blessed relief.

"No. Jackson doesn't know the whole situation yet." He neatly flipped two burger patties and checked the bun toasting on the hot plate. "I can't make a decision until he does and I observe his...reaction."

"There is a time issue." Oma noticed she'd cracked one of plates and with a flick of her finger repaired it.

"Only for the mortal realm, not for us." He added a few strips of bacon. "Why do you care so much what happens down there?"

"You used to care too," Oma pointed out. "Don't you feel even a little concern that our point of origin could be destroyed in an instant?"

"Change is part of life." He saw Oma scowl at Jim, who as having an in depth conversation with Jackson. "You took a risk bringing Jackson here."

"Perhaps. But I have faith that he will make a different decision this time."

"I was talking about letting him anywhere near Jim."

"Jim," she spat out the name, "serves his purpose." Oma was loathed to admit it. "His arrogance and his needling of me are making Daniel ask questions that took a year to formulate the last time. We both for once have the same goal, even if we desire opposing outcomes. If Daniel makes his choice to Ascend, you will follow through with the agreement?"

"That's why I'm here, isn't it?" Frank sniped drolly. "You think I like standing for hours in front of this sweat box?"

Oma fixed him with a glare.

Oma didn't reply, simply took the plate and headed back out into the diner.

A third person, who had kept quietly to the background during the exchange, hesitantly resumed his 'duties' of washing the dishes. "You spoke of Oma's risk of Jim's presence."

The cook nodded, scraping the hot plate clean with the spatula. "What of it?"

"You did not mention the risk you are taking." His reason for being here had nothing to do with the agenda of the others, his was much more personal.

Frank raised an eyebrow at the soul who was a relatively new edition to the Ascended plane. "What do you mean?"

The young man flicked one of his dreadlocks over his shoulder to stop it from dipping into the suds. "If you push Jackson," he stumbled over the word as though he was unused to speaking that name, "the wrong way, he will become angry." He had been observing all that had been going on, paying particular attention to Daniel's reactions and body language. He had spent much time with the archaeologist when he was of mortal body and he could read the signs as easily as Daniel translated glyphs. Wondered how the other man, who was so much older and wiser than he, had missed them.

The cook gave a snort. "I've seen Jackson angry, the last time he was here."

He shrugged. He'd also witnessed the last confrontation, which had resulted in Daniel Descending, though Daniel had been unaware of his presence. "You have not seen Dan'yel truly angry."

Curiosity got the better of him. Daniel had to know what could make the unflappable Ascended being lose her cool. He stuffed the napkin in his pocket and hesitantly approached the counter. "Hey."

"Hey, Daniel." There was a touch of smugness in the businessman's smile. "How's it going?"

"Do we know each other?" he asked. "I feel like I know you." A sense of familiarity had been growing with each encounter with the man.

"Call me Jim. We ran into each other last time you were Ascended." He held out his hand.

"Ah. Nice to meet you, again." Daniel shook it and sat on the seat next to him.

"Still haven't made up your mind, huh?" Jim asked conversationally. "Death or everlasting enlightenment. I don't really see the choice, myself."

"Of course, I don't want to be dead," Daniel shrugged. "It's just that…" He broke off what he'd been about to say. With all the cryptic clues and quick 'exits' that were a common occurrence in this weigh station, he decided he should play the game and keep his true motives to himself. "Uh, listen, the reason I came over here was to ask you…why are you talking to me?"

Jim seemed surprised and also amused by the question. "Oh, you mean because these other snobs won't even look at you. I'm different, like Oma."

"Really? Because I kind of have the impression that you two don't quite see eye to eye."

"What? That little…?" Jim waved his hand dismissively. "That was nothing." He gave a quick look around the diner to make sure no one was listening then leant closer conspiratorially. "We both operate somewhat outside the normal rules and regulations. Sometimes we disagree on how far outside we should go, that's all."

There was an intentionally loud scraping of plates. Oma had returned though she kept her distance, warily observing. She shot them both a warning look. Both men ignored it.

Daniel didn't try to fathom where Jim's motives lay, but he was determined to keep prodding until he received at least some semblance of understanding of why all this was happening. "Really?"

"Yeah," Jim shrugged. "As long as these other guys don't strike me down, I figure I'm okay."

"I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out. I mean, I… I feel like if I agree to Ascend, I'm signing a contract that I don't even know what it says. Obviously, I had a little trouble with the fine print the last time."

Jim gave a short chuckle. "You sure did."

Now he was getting somewhere, Daniel thought. "You know about that?"

"It's all out there." His talkative companion waved his hand about in the air.

"I just don't see how I can agree to stand by and let Anubis destroy every living thing in the entire galaxy."

"Yeah, that's a tough one," Jim agreed. For a second he paused, indecisive about giving any other opinion, then slid the newspaper across the counter to Daniel. "Speaking of which, have you seen the latest?"

Daniel read the headline. 'Secret Plan Revealed' and the opening sentence, 'Anubis's dastardly plot to foil the use of Ancient device, leaving no resistance in his quest to retake Dakara's Weapon.'

"He's a crafty one. Really knows the ins and outs of the rules."

Daniel didn't acknowledge the comment. He was too busy devouring the article. But silently he agreed that Jim was right as he read the account of how Anubis had set the trap, and while it answered some questions, it created more. The Eye of Ra was the tool Anubis had used to circumvent the Ascended restrictions on using his abilities. A side article, called ‘Eye of Ra for Dummies’, gave a simplified explanation of what the Eye was designed for.

While the jewel was part of a larger set of six intended to be used together, each jewel had its own unique power that could be used individually. The Eye forged a telepathic link, designed to be used on a mass population for as long as the jewel was present. The example given of maximizing its power was placing it on the peak of a temple so its resonance could blanket the city beneath. In Anubis's case, he had solved the problem of the jewel’s presence by slivering tiny particles off the jewel and scattering them at the foot of the Stargates of his abandoned planets. The event horizon billowing out had caused the particles to rise like dust into the air. Anyone who stepped through would unknowingly walk straight into them, coating their clothing and bodies with untraceable amounts.

Daniel frowned. Okay, that explained how Anubis was able to continue his mental attack through to the Alpha site, but not why Annika was the only one affected. Anubis had lured them by deliberately revealing the location of his abandoned sites, knowing that SG-1 would be sent eventually to investigate even if other teams had come up with naught. According to the article, all of them should have been under the jewel’s control.

It was instances like these that made Daniel acutely aware of how much he needed the rest of his team. They bounced ideas off each other, working through the anomalies together until they had a plausible theory. He replayed their time at the abandoned shipyard, looking for some clue. His mind kept coming back to the music Annika had heard. If Anubis had a hold of Annika’s mind at that point, then why wait to make his strike? His eyes drifted around the page, not really expecting to find an answer in plain sight, that wasn’t the Ascended way, but maybe just a hint... There was a small ad promoting a retrospective on 'People Who Have Been Immortalized in Myths'. Below a picture of a man dressed as a medieval bard was the caption, ‘Guest Speaker, the ‘Pied Piper of Hameln’ tells the real story'. Daniel did a double take. What if the music hadn’t been part of the attack but was in response to it? Annika’s subconscious worked to a degree that not even Lya could explain. What if she had been luring Anubis from the rest of them, like the Pied Piper had done with the rats? Had Anubis waited until they'd gotten to Alpha because he wanted to capture all of them? Or had Annika also been fighting him with that music? Anubis had used the particles of the Eye to maintain contact, yet perhaps he hadn't thought through the consequences. If Annika had those particles on her, then she was also technically touching the Eye. Wouldn't that mean that she had some modicum of its power transferred to her, no matter how miniscule? Had Anubis underestimated what physically touching even those tiny amounts could have on a person who had spent over half her life strengthening and training her mind because of her psychic abilities?

All the while, Jim was rambling on. It took a moment for Daniel to realize that he was referring to Dakara's weapon, of which Daniel knew nothing about, rather than the 'device' SG-1 had.

"I give him three to one odds to succeed. You want to know the irony of it all? That device was originally used by the Ancients to create life in the Milky Way. Well, recreate it, after the whole plague thing. No kidding. Now it all gets undone with the push of one button, leaving Anubis to recreate things all over to his own liking. There's a waste of a million odd years of evolution, huh?" He swiveled around to face the Others who remained silent as statues, yelling boisterously, "I say someone should really do something to stop him!"

Unsurprisingly there was no reaction from the Ascended beings.

Jim waved his hand at them in disgust. "No one will." Satisfied he had made his point he smiled at Oma. "Can I get a coffee?"

The greeting on Ba'al's former home world was reminiscent of their last visit, except this time there were two extra Jaffa. Sam and Teal'c surrendered the weapons they had with them to SG-6 and within a minute the teltak's doors were sealing shut. It was a bit crowded in the small confines of the ship despite the two groups doing their best to keep their distance.

To find out precisely what the Jaffa had been told regarding the limits of their truce, Sam tried to make small talk, however it turned out that the Jaffa didn't want to chat about Anubis whipping their butts. With a shrug to Teal'c she gave a mock sigh. "I tried." Leaning against the far wall, with her back to the Jaffa like they were unimportant, she struck up a quiet conversation with her teammate, asking for more details about Dakara's weapon.

Keeping his voice equally low, Teal'c gave carefully worded replies, being sure to only repeat what should have been common knowledge to the other Jaffa.

Teal'c shifted his hold on the diamond crystal he had tucked under his arm.

Sam didn't visibly acknowledge the signal, but she began directing their 'casual chat' to their battle at the Alpha site. Privacy in a teltak was an illusion. You may think you're speaking only to the person beside you, but the design of the room made voices carry regardless of tone volume. They were just banking that the Jaffa didn't know that they knew that. By the time the teltak came into dock in the belly of the ha'tak, the pair had basically rehashed their earlier conversation about relocating the secondary site. They even added a touch of credence to their 'private' conversation by abruptly cutting off when Teal'c 'finally' noticed the Jaffa by the weapon. Time would tell if their disinformation had worked.

The First Prime shut down the controls and released the door. "Take them to the main laboratory."

Teal'c made no move to leave. "We will see our teammates first."

"That is unnecessary."

"To you perhaps," Sam replied. "But forgive us if we don't trust Ba'al's word that they're unharmed."

The Jaffa bristled at the questioning of his god's honor. "My orders are to take you immediately to the laboratory to begin decoding the weapon."

Sam shrugged amicably. "Okay. We'll go with you. And then we'll waste your God's precious time sneaking off to find them."

"The time wasted would also be your own," he countered. "If Anubis gains control of Dakara the threat is to all."

"In the long run," Sam conceded. "But for now, our people are no longer under attack, we fought the Kulls off. Whereas I believe all of Ba'al's holdings are being...what is the appropriate word?"

"Massacred," Teal'c suggested helpfully.

"What is the delay?" The unexpected voice from out of nowhere made them all jump.

The First Prime was the first to recover, striding back to the ship's controls. He hit the communication button. "My Lord, they are refusing to go to the laboratory until they see their comrades."

There was a brief pause. "Take one to the cell and give them one minute to confirm My Beloved’s and O'Neill's wellbeing. The other is to start the decryption immediately. If they still protest, use whatever force is necessary."

"Yes, My Lord." The First Prime flicked off the control and turned back to the members of SG-1. His body was taut, expecting them to resist.

Sam and Teal'c exchanged glances. Ba'al's concession had gotten them more than they had hoped for. Their 'threat' had been a bluff that they were pretty sure the First Prime would have called. They had simply been testing the waters, seeing how far this farce of an alliance could be pushed.

"Give O'Neill and Annika Jackson my regards." Teal'c made the decision of which of them would go where.

Sam nodded and then followed the First Prime, who set a brisk pace to the elevator. They rode in silence, so when the doors slid open on the lower level, the echo of the childish giggle that greeted them was inordinately loud. Bracing herself for what she'd see, Sam strode passed the Jaffa on guard and stepped in front of the cell.

Jack and Annika were seated on the floor. Curiously two pairs of pillows from the bed were propped up on either side of Annika. The various shades and patterns of golden slips were decorated with cartoon faces drawn in ink. Bits of candy and dessert from MREs were scattered in front of her. The redhead appeared to be having an animated conversation with the pillow closest to her, the face caricature bearing a remarkable similarity to Daniel.

Jack looked up at Sam's approach. "Hey, Sam. We're having a tea party."

If Sam missed the colonel's slip of using her first name while on a mission in earshot of the enemy, she couldn't miss the tension creasing his face that spoke of how worried he was over Annika. She plastered on a smile. "Sounds like fun."

"Colonel Sammy!" Annika broke off her chattering and grinned brightly at the major.

"Hi, Annika." Sam maintained her forced smile but raised an eyebrow at Jack at the altered rank.

"You got promoted too, huh?" Jack shrugged, keeping a wary eye on Annika. He was ready to grab hold of her if she even moved a muscle towards the force field. He'd already had to stop her twice. Somehow she just couldn't seem to see the haze of the electrical current. Or maybe, he thought, she just didn't want to see it. "I'm a general now."

"Colonel Sammy, is Daniel with you?" Annika asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not."

"Well, that just sucks." The redhead gave a huff of annoyance. "Daniel's really not very good at hide and seek, is he?"

Sam played along. "I guess not."

"If you see him, can you please tell him where I am?"

The blonde nodded, unable to speak beyond the sudden clogging of her throat.

Jack changed the subject, steering the conversation away from Daniel for all their sakes. "I'm guessing you got the okay from the President and co?"

"Yes, sir." Sam cleared her throat. "Teal'c's already at the databanks. He says hi."

"Your minute has expired," the First Prime interrupted firmly.

Both Sam and Jack stifled grins as Annika poked her tongue at the Jaffa.

"Keep me posted." Jack glanced at Sam's escort. "If you can."

"Will do, sir," Sam promised.

"Bye, Colonel Sammy!" Annika gave a floppy wave.

"Bye." Sam waved back, sharing a pained look with Jack, then hurried back down the corridor with the First Prime.

The Jaffa kept a wary eye on the man they were escorting; the man whose past actions of rebelling against and killing not only his god but many others, and of uniting an underground force of Jaffa, were whispered about away from Ba'al's ears. Whispers that were reaching legendary proportions. It had been speculated that the letters on the patches worn by the forces the shol'va had joined, stood not for the Tau'ri acronym of the Chaapa'ai, but for 'Slayers of Gods', the number after designating their rank of success. The Jaffa were uneasy to have not only Teal'c on board, but three of the others of the number one team. Adding to their uneasiness was confusion of the rescission of their standing order to kill them, these last two they were not even going to confine. However despite their confusion, the unusual treatment of SG-1 had only increased their faith in their god. For surely only a god more powerful than the others would give such an order; had the confidence and strength to not be concerned by the threat the team posed. Any niggling voices their consciences raised, hinting that Ba'al was not the grandest, wisest and strongest god but was possibly the most foolhardy for issuing that order were banished before even given a chance to form.

Teal'c felt a spurt of smugness at how cautious Ba'al's Jaffa were around him. He was well aware that rumor mixed with fact of his and SG-1's conquests had turned him into an enemy enigma bigger than he really was. The Jaffa's fear could be used to his advantage. As they entered the assigned laboratory and saw the half a dozen warriors already in place as guards, he thought ruefully, it could also be a distinct disadvantage. The longer SG-1 was successful in defeating the Goa'uld, the harder it became the next time.

Ba'al was at the main console, entering a sequence too quick for Teal'c to catch. Turning at their entrance, the holographic display lit up behind him. "The databanks are not linked to the ship's systems. Should you attempt to alter this to access anything other than these files, I assure you, you will regret it."

Teal'c only gave a half nod of acknowledgement, depositing the soccer ball sized diamond on the work station off to one side, then stepped up to the console to stand beside the Goa'uld. His eyes scanned the extensive list of files now displayed. He noticed approximately half the files had the prefix identifying the Ancients as the species of origin. Of the remaining half, two thirds had a different prefix. "Your research has much from a people designated 'Altera'. Why?"

Ba'al gave a scoff of disdain. "And here I thought the mighty shol'va was an educated little slave."

"My true education was in how to expose the Goa'uld as false gods and destroy them," Teal'c replied coldly. "Who are the Altera?"

"You quaintly know them as the Ancients. Most of the information about them has been lost or destroyed over time."

"Then how did you acquire such extensive information on them?"

"I am a god."

"If you were a true god, then you would not require our assistance on this day."

"It is only through my good grace that your seer is being protected," he hissed. "Do not push too far, shol'va."

"You covet Annika Jackson. Your lust for her will prevent you from lowering the shield until Anubis is dead. It is an ineffective threat."

"You underestimate my desire to see SG-1 suffer at my hand. If you three do not...behave, I will force you to watch as I deactivate the shield and expose the seer's already vulnerable mind to Anubis."

Teal'c knew that such a spiteful act would not be surprising. He knew of many Goa'uld plots that had failed by the instigator's hands due to a petulant need for revenge or pathological desire to inflict harm, whether it be physical or emotional. "Understood." He gave a curt nod, removing the Ancient manual from his pack.

Sam and the First Prime entered at a quick pace, the major taking in at a glance the armed guards stationed along the walls, and that the diamond of the weapon had been placed atop a work table with the base sitting on the floor beside it. Without breaking stride she picked up her pack and tipped out all their notes and research onto the tabletop. Ba'al repeated his ground rules to the major. "Fair enough," she replied. And let round three begin! she thought as the two continued the dance of negotiation that had started at the SGC and would undoubtedly go on until the weapon had been used or time ran out and Anubis destroyed them all. "But we need to have access to Colonel O’Neill and Annika whenever we need it."

"Such effrontery," Ba'al mocked. "Do you think I'd really give you free reign around my ship? The situation may be dire but it is not that dire." The Goa'uld shook his head. "I will not pander to your constant desire to check on their wellbeing. You have seen they are unharmed. That situation will not change unless you give me reason to change it."

"You don't get it, do you?" Sam barely contained her scowl. "We work better as a team."

"What possible use could My Beloved be in her current state?"

"Annika has recollection, as jumbled as it is," Sam contradicted, though there was a small voice in her head that questioned if her teammate's mind was too scrambled to be of any realistic help.

Teal'c sensed the turmoil from his companion and quickly moved the point along. "O'Neill has his full faculties."

"We bounce ideas off each other." Sam was grateful for the 'rescue'. They really didn't have time to let emotions or doubts interfere. "A comment or even a single word can send us off on a new and very different tangent."

Ba'al studied his guest's with suspicion, trying to figure out if it was merely a ploy.

Sam pressed on. "We're not going anywhere. You know we won't leave one of our own behind. None of us are going anywhere as long as Annika needs to be behind that shield."

The Goa'uld gave a slow nod. "You will be under armed escort the entire time. One hint of deception or sabotage and I will personally jettison you three out the airlock and keep My Beloved to indulge in at my leisure."

Sam couldn't stop herself, she rose to the bait. "She has the mentality of a child! Surely not even you would take advantage of that."

Ba'al's lips twisted into an evil smirk. "A child is easy to teach...it would not take long under my careful tutelage for her to learn perfect obedience to my whims and personal 'preferences'. And mental deficiency aside, her body is all woman."

The major felt sick to her stomach and anger clouded her vision. Wasn't aware she had taken a furious step towards the Goa'uld until she felt Teal'c's hand come firmly to rest on her shoulder, stopping her.

Ba'al's smirk grew wider but he'd had enough 'playing' for the moment. He gestured to the manual. "Now that the niceties are over, what have you thus far concluded?"

It took all of Sam's resolve not to spit in the snake's face. Instead she drew in a calming breath. "We're currently working on the theory that the manual is in some sort of code. A code made up of word substitutes."

"Then you should start with these files." Ba'al tagged two dozen of the files in the left hand column of the hologram. "They are of a similar nature. The right column is background knowledge, any references vague or otherwise I have attained regarding the previous usage of the weapon. The middle list is algorithms and codes organized in order from civilizations where the Ancients once resided to obsolete codes of the gods."

Sam didn't even attempt to wheedle him into giving them the current encryption codes, knowing that Ba'al wouldn't give them up until all other possibilities had been exhausted. And probably not even then. "Right." She turned to Teal'c. "Let's crack this sucker."

Ba'al had intended to remain to follow their progress and to assist with some of the translations he was sure the SG pair had no way of knowing. However one of the bridge Jaffa entered with a disturbing communication from Haraden, one of his largest planets. When he noticed Teal'c, on pure automatic reflex, shift so that he was in earshot, Ba'al began striding from the room, motioning for both the bridge Jaffa and his First Prime to follow. This unnatural alliance was very much a temporary one and it was just tactically unsound to have his enemy overhear such reports and his responses. Ba'al mentally pictured the galaxy map of his holdings and the status of the holdings in the immediate vicinity of Haraden, as well as his ha'tak's current position. "How goes the battle at Farrador?"

"Last report from five minutes ago is that they are successfully repelling the Kulls."

"Withdraw the reserve troop from Farrador and send them to Haraden. Dispatch a wing of gliders from my personal guard to hold off the Kulls on Haraden until the reserve arrive, then send the gliders to Farrador to assist with the last of that battle."

"At once, My Lord." The Jaffa gave swift practiced bow then hurried to carry out his orders.

"My Lord," the First Prime spoke up, at ease with discussing battle tactics with his god, without fearing Ba'al's wrath. "The defensive capabilities of the ha'tak could greatly assist Haraden."

"Until the weapon," he motioned behind them to the room where Sam and Teal'c were, "is deciphered and used, this ship must avoid open confrontation. Whether Haraden falls or not is immaterial if Anubis gains control of Dakara."

"Lose a battle to win a war," the First Prime murmured.

"Precisely." Ba'al stepped onto the ring platform with his second in command only a step behind. They were silent as the rings transported them to the upper level where the main bridge was.

"My Lord, forgive my impudence, but why did you agree to the," he paused unsure of the status of the members of SG-1 at the current time, "major's request?"

They strode passed the crew to the strategy room that showed the most up to date status of all the battles.

"Planning for all eventualities," Ba'al replied, assessing the screen. "For now they won't do anything to jeopardize the seer. However once Anubis has been destroyed, I am under no illusion they will remain so placid. They will try to escape. History has shown that they will more than likely succeed. Letting them have this small concession will give the opportunity to observe how they work together, how they devise their conclusions and plans. What is learned today may be more than just how to destroy Anubis, it will assist in SG-1's future recapture."

The First Prime nodded in understanding, realizing that what on the surface appeared as leniency, was a cover for gathering usable intelligence. He also knew that if SG-1 did escape once again, that though his god was prepared for it, it would do nothing to subdue his fury. Made a mental note to reinforce to his men to be constantly on their guard where SG-1 was concerned. "Why do you not order them killed once the weapon has been used?"

"Death would be too quick, too easy for them." Ba'al's eyes glittered with hatred of SG-1 who had ruined his plans time and time again. "I want to break their spirit, bend them until they admit that I am their god." He changed the subject. "Do you have anything of note to report from the journey?"

The First Prime gave a nod. "Carter attempted to probe for information on the battle of your people. However, I am unsure if her real intent was information gathering or to mock. When that failed to elicit a response she and the shol'va carried on a whispered conversation amongst themselves. The main focus was their concern over how Anubis learned the location of their secondary base and their wariness of how to chose a new planet."

Topics of conversation that were no real surprise and gave little away. Even if they were positive of their privacy Ba'al doubted they would discuss anything of great importance. He picked up on the hesitancy of his Jaffa. "Why the reluctance to speak of this?"

"The discussion they had was pointless, there was no reason for them to even speak. It is possible it was a show of nonchalance at their predicament."

"But it is also possible there was a reason in the pointlessness." Ba'al was distracted from puzzling out the motive of SG-1 when the screen before them updated. The tide of the battle was turning marginally in his favor. A quarter of his holdings had reported they were successfully defeating the Kulls. Another quarter were holding their own, neither winning nor losing, but it was better than being defeated. What was worrisome was that the fighting appeared to be intensifying in the quadrant where Dakara was located.

He, with the assistance of his First Prime, began the careful juggling act of moving battalions and glider wings from one battle to the next, trying to ensure that they redistributed the troops to their best possible advantage.

"This is bad." Daniel had just read another article about the potential destructive power of Dakara's weapon.

"Yeah." Jim deliberately misunderstood him. "This pie is great, and there's nothing to wash it down with." Jim upended his empty mug with a forlorn look, since Oma hadn't performed her waitressing duty and refilled it.

"Is there anything you can do to stop Anubis? I mean, you did say someone should do something."

"I did, didn't I?" Jim mused, conflicted; unhappy that Daniel remembered that outburst. "Well, as far as what can be done, it's kind of complicated."

"Yeah, so Oma tells me," Daniel said dryly.

"Yeah, well, I don't think she's told you everything."

No surprise there, Daniel thought ruefully. Getting a straight answer from Oma was difficult at the best of times. "What does that mean?"

"I'm saying…" Jim squirmed uncomfortably. "I've already said too much."

"No, you haven't," Daniel insisted. "In fact, you've hardly said anything at all."

Jim relented, throwing him a bone of information. "You gave up eternal enlightenment, all the knowledge and power of the universe. Why do you think you did that?"

"To fight for humanity, any way I could."

"Yes, very big of you," Jim replied mockingly. "You rejected everything Oma offered you, and now she just gives you another chance? Based on the goodness of her heart?"

"Well, that is the point, isn't it?" he asked puzzled by the side turn of the conversation. "I mean, she is Ascended, she is good."

"Sure, best intentions," Jim shrugged.

Daniel had a feeling that frustration had been a common emotion for him during his year of Ascension, he'd been back for only a few hours and he was ready to pull his hair out. "Do you know what happened between me and Oma? Why did I choose to take human form again?"

"You should ask Oma."

A sigh huffed from Daniel's mouth. Why had he thought that Jim was different? He was just as elusive and cryptic as the rest of the Ascended.