"Plan B sucks." Jack’s fist lashed out connecting with the jaw he aimed for.

Annika staggered back from the force of the blow, pain exploding down the side of her face. "You hit like a girl, Colonel."

His arm was already pulling back, ready to take another shot. As his knuckles once again pounded into the face of his best friend’s wife, he wondered how in the world it had come to this. Plan A had seemed simple enough when they had worked it out in the rebel base. Well, not simple exactly, it was really quite involved. But the first part of the plan, they’d thought would be a cakewalk compared to the rest. Shoulda’ known better, he thought irritably.

Totally not happy about having three of his kids alone in Ba’al’s den, Jack had decided that himself, Teal’c and Charlie would act as shadows to keep an eye on the ‘wanderers’. Teal’c and he had crawled through enough Goa’uld ships that they were confident they would be able to remain hidden, and Charlie was given the role of Daniel’s assistant. The three shadows would be in radio contact, keeping all of them informed about their progress. The only hitch was coming up with a convincing story as to the trio’s whereabouts for the last few hours, especially for Daniel. Charlie had told of Michael’s report, so they knew without a doubt that Ba’al was aware of the archaeologist’s disappearance. Whether he knew about Sam and Annika vanishing into thin air was unknown, but cover stories had been devised for all three of them just in case.

Annika was grateful for his support. Right now stars were dancing about her vision, blinking to the beat of her throbbing face. She saw the heavy weight of guilt on her CO’s shoulders and she repeated what they had already determined. "Jack, my original cover story won’t work, not now. I would never have let it get this far. Ba’al knows that."

"I know." Gently he checked her jaw, worried that he might have broken it. "Doesn’t mean I hafta’ like it. You okay?"

The redhead took a second to right herself and gingerly rotated her jaw. "I’m fine." Her blurred vision caught the time from Jack’s watch. They had less than five minutes. She started scratching at her wrists and forearms making it look like she’d been in a struggle.

Jack began ripping the hem of the gown that the other Annika had been wearing at the start of this day. A sudden thought occurred to him. "You did warn Daniel that this was a possibility, didn’t you?"

"Uh…no." Annika winced, partly from the stinging from the welts her nails were creating, partly from the look of horror on Jack’s face. "There wasn’t the right opportunity."

"Casper!"

"He would have blown his stack and argued over it and there wasn’t the time." She paused. "Just like we haven’t the time now to discuss my lapse in judgment."

"Oy!" Jack shook his head in exasperation, ripping the material with more force than necessary. "We are going to have one pissed off archaeologist on our hands."

"Don’t worry, Jack, I’ll protect you," she quipped, studying her reflection in the polished metal of the wall. To her the mess they had made of her body looked contrived. Without giving herself time to think, because she knew she would chicken out, she snapped open the clasp at Jack’s belt and slid his knife out. In one quick move she sliced it across her side.

The colonel, who’d been crouched down low adding another tear to the thin gossamer, only became aware of her rash action when a hiss of pain blew from her lips. "Jesus, Casper, enough!" He pressed the material in his hand against the gash trying to stem the flow of blood.

"Have to make it realistic," she gasped, flinching at the pressure Jack was applying.

"It’s realistic enough." He twisted the knife from her, his other hand still held against her side. Hot sticky blood seeped between his fingers. "How deep did you go?"

"Not too deep." At least she didn’t think she had, but there was more blood spilling from her than she thought there’d be. "And even if I did, Ba’al won’t let me die." Annika was confident about that. "I’m too valuable a commodity. We gotta’ get to the throne room."

Without another word, Jack wrapped his arm around her waist, practically carrying her down the twists and turns of the ha’tak’s secret passageways, hopefully going in the correct direction of the throne room.

His First Prime gave him a nod indicating the first fifteen minute deadline had passed. Ba’al rose and swept to the front of the hundred cowering slaves lined up in five rows along the side of the throne room. "Open communication," he barked at the Jaffa holding the recording device that would relay to every television and radio on the planet. "My Beloved, you have had your chance to stop this foolish game you are playing. You have defied your one true God. The results of your selfish act, rests on your shoulders, for I do not wish to harm these loyal subjects." He raised his palm, the stone of the ribbon device glowed to life, making the slaves nearest flinch away. Just as he was about to inflict the lethal beam on the first man, one of the double doors to the throne room was pushed open.

"My Lord, wait!"

Ba’al stopped the beam, though he didn’t drop his hand, an evilly triumphant smile creased his lips. "I see you have come to your senses, My Belov-" He cut off when she staggered in, leaning on the golden door to support herself. He felt a new rage fire his belly as he took in her bloody, beaten appearance.

She pushed off the door and stumbled towards him, clutching both hands to her side. He saw the crimson staining the creamy gown he had chosen for her that morning. "My Lord, please, I came as fast as I could," she gasped weakly, her knees buckling beneath her and she ended up half sprawled, half kneeling by his feet.

"Who has done this to you?" he demanded, crouching low to cup her chin in his hand to examine her swollen face. Though his touch was not harsh a whimper escaped her lips.

"I wasn’t trying to escape. I wouldn’t do that, My Lord, I wouldn’t, you have to believe me."

Ba’al saw her eyes were glazed and her words slurred, delirium setting in. His gaze never left the trembling woman kneeling before him. "Jaffa, bring me the healing device NOW!" he bellowed, not caring which of his warriors did as bid as long as it was in his hand in the next few seconds. "My Beloved, who has dared to touch you? I shall make them pay long and dearly."

"Why did you not show yourself to my Jaffa?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically tender in the face of her fear. In all the years of his ruling over Earth, over her, this was the first time she had willing touched him.

Her violet eyes welled with tears. "The men bore your crest, My Lord." A bloody finger shakily touched her temple indicating a Jaffa tattoo. "I didn’t know who to trust. Forgive me, please."

"There is naught to forgive," he assured, brushing the tear away that smeared with the blood on her cheek.

His assurance was lost to her, as beneath the blood and purple bruises marring her face her skin turned ashen and her lids fluttered shut. Ba’al caught her before the dead weight of her unconscious body hit the floor.

A Jaffa bowed low to the side of him, holding out the healing device. Ba’al stripped the coiled weapon from his hand and replaced it with the less elaborate device. Without ado he activated it and the transparent shimmer of the healing beam worked its magic. In minutes the gash of her side healed away to nothing, then he moved on to the minor wounds of her arms and face.

A  A  A

Jack silently watched from his bird’s eye view in the shadows of a ventilation grate. He couldn’t tell how much was an Oscar winning performance on Annika’s part or if that damned knife wound had done more damage than she had let on. He was going to have serious words with the rookie of his team when this was all over. Springing those sort of last second additions was just not good for his heart. He had enough grey hair as it was to have Annika scare the beejeebers out of him like that. That sort of impulsive behavior he expected from Daniel…well, actually, Daniel had never stabbed himself in the gut before, but the principle was the same…

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang of metal hitting metal. Jack looked down the length of the room to see the same door that Annika had used bounce back off the wall from the force of whoever had pushed on it.

Daniel paused for the briefest of seconds, his eyes resting on a smear of blood on the golden glyphs, then stalked into the room.

Daniel gave a half bow, his expression irritated. "Apologies, My Lord for my tardiness. The teltak you provided suffered engine difficulty and I was forced to land in the middle of nowhere to repair it."

The colonel was impressed, sort of. For someone who had telling the truth branded into his morals, Daniel was scarily good at lying when the occasion called for it. But will Ba’al believe it? He switched his attention back to the Goa’uld, scrutinizing his reaction. The truth was it didn’t matter if Ba’al believed Daniel or not. The real gamble was on Snake pride. Would he call Daniel’s bluff, announcing to a room full of people that he knew nothing of the teltak, or would his snaky arrogance hold him back, not wanting to admit that he did not have the godly omnipotence he proclaimed.

Daniel tilted his head with an expression bordering on annoyed confusion. "You didn’t send the Jaffa to fetch me? My Lord, he said you hadn’t time to come to Tur’el’ut yourself and I was to present my weekly report to you here."

Snake arrogance won.

The linguist didn’t let his relief show, keeping his arrogant pose. He took Ba’al’s cue and responded in Goa’uld. "There is little reference to the device you seek, at least not yet. Only two thirds of the ruin has been uncovered."

Eyes flashed yellow. "You had orders for it to be completed by tomorrow."

Daniel didn’t bat an eye at Ba’al’s anger. "If your Jaffa weren’t continuously using my workers as a source of amusement, then I would have made the deadline."

"Explain."

"They have been at the Tur’el’ut dig for over a month. My workers are well trained, causing few incidents of trouble. Basically your warriors are babysitting a herd of sheep." As Daniel spouted off the cover story, he very gently probed his bond with Annika. He’d been angry when he realized that it must have been Jack who had been the one to hit his wife. He wasn’t angry at the act itself, for he’d realized the reasoning and necessity of it when he’d heard Ba’al’s ultimatum echoed through the ship speakers. What angered him was that Jack’s first blow had come too soon after the initial announcement, meaning there had been no discussion between Jack and Annika on what to do. Their plan B had already been devised, and they hadn’t seen fit to inform him. However his anger had been overridden by acute worry when he’d seen Annika’s limp body. She had barely moved since he’d entered and the response he received through their bond did little to put his mind at ease. He could feel that she was trying to reassure him but it was sluggish, almost dopey. "The Jaffa have taken out their boredom and frustration out on the slaves. Might I suggest a rotation of duty for the Jaffa? Or if that is inconvenient for you, My Lord, then allow a mixed consignment from the Jaffa harem to reside at the dig. It would sate the Jaffa, leaving the workers to work."

"I shall consider your proposal," he replied, not paying full attention, his mind still on the mystery Jaffa. "What of the tablet found in the main crypt?"

"When you confirm it, organize a second dig immediately."

"Yes, My Lord." Daniel switched back to English to translate for Charlie who had followed him in and was dutifully waiting to take notes. As though looking at his assistant triggered another item to report he turned back to the Goa’uld. "One of the tablets in the Mayan box, when it’s put in context, seems to have similarities to a Goa’uld text I read a few years ago. If I could find that text and use it in conjunction with the Mayan tablet, it might narrow down the search of the device."

"Of which text do you speak?"

Daniel gave an apologetic shrug. "I’m sorry, My Lord, I’ve read so many Goa’uld tablets and artifacts over the years the specifics evade me. If I could go through the items you have stored, I’m confident I would recognize the piece if I saw it."

Ba’al gave a hand flick of dismissal. "Do so. Report back in the morning on your progress."

The archaeologist gave a half bow. "Yes, My Lord." He spun on his heel and with a curt gesture for Charlie to follow him, strode from the room. Once out in the hall, he drew back alongside the younger man. "What’s wrong?"

Charlie lifted his eyes showing his surprise, then quickly lowered them again in the manner of a dutiful servant. "Am I that transparent?" he asked quietly.

"No. But you’re Jack’s son, and I know Jack. You have similar manners." Daniel kept his tone low so as not to be overheard by the Jaffa at their posts.

Charlie pretended to flip through the notebook like he was looking for something. "Samantha ran into trouble."

"What kind of-" Daniel cut off as the doors to the elevator they were heading for opened. It took every ounce of his acting ability to keep his face expressionless as two Jaffa marched from the car with a prisoner between them. Well, at least Sam is walking under her own steam. The thought gave only a modicum of comfort. The bruises around her neck and the puffiness of her right eye told of a beating, and he hoped with all his heart that the rumpled twisted position of her clothes spoke only of a struggle and not what they had witnessed from Annika’s vision. Sam didn’t dare look directly at him, just as Daniel didn’t try to make eye contact. To do so could blow their cover. Maintaining his arrogant strut, he and Charlie entered the lift. In the privacy of the car, he let his guard down. "This plan sucks."

A  A  A

Sam and Teal’c had managed to make it undetected to the secure levels of the SGC. From there, they had separated. The major stepping out into the corridors like she was going about her normal duties, Teal’c remaining hidden in the access shafts, tracking her progress. Since it was doubtful that her current keycard to operate the elevator would work in this time, she had taken the stairs from level twelve. Unaware that Ba’al had ordered a search for her, she had emerged on level twenty-two intending to show her face in the mess hall.

She immediately knew something was up by the sudden silence that descended from the dozen or so people sitting at the tables. Sam didn’t recognize any of the faces, bar one.

Siler almost upended his tray in his haste to get to her. "Sam, where in God’s name did you go? I managed to stall First Lackey for the hours we were supposed to be asleep, but now-"

The rest of his words were drowned out by the swinging doors banging open.

Sam swung around, barely registered that it was a Jaffa before she had a gauntleted hand around her throat pinning her to the wall.

"Where have you been?"

She struggled against the chokehold, recognized the warrior from Annika’s visions. "Get your mitts off me, Jaffa."

"Your whereabouts are unaccounted for," he growled.

"Where do you think I’ve been?" she spat. "I’ve been fixing the air con unit of section four so the supercomputer doesn’t overheat."

"The entire complex has been searched. You were not seen." His grip tightened, almost completely blocking her air supply.

"It’s not my fault your Jaffa did a piss poor job. I’ve been crawling through the vents looking for the blocked conduit." She was beginning to see black patches in her vision, a sure sign she was about to pass out. Over the Jaffa’s shoulder she blurrily saw Siler take a fortifying breath.

"Lord Ba’al ordered Sam to be taken immediately to him once she was found."

The Jaffa twisted his head and glared at the technician but Siler wouldn’t back down.

"You don’t want to keep Our Lord waiting, do you?"

"I do not need a reminder of Lord Ba’al’s instructions, slave."

Siler shrugged. "Just trying to be helpful. I live but to serve."

The Jaffa, still glaring at Siler’s impudence, released his grip on Sam’s neck, transferring his harsh hold to her arm. Without a word he dragged her from the room towards the elevator, motioning for one of his men to assist with the escort.

Sam sucked in a ragged lungful of air, throwing a grateful smile at Siler, who could only give a worried frown in response. She gave a halfhearted attempt to wrench her arm free.

Teal’c fought down the instinctive urge to go to his teammate’s assistance. There were too many Jaffa in the halls for him to effectively subdue them all. Besides which, the Jaffa in charge was taking Major Carter to Ba’al, whom she needed to convince that she had not been missing. Ba’al’s suspicious mind had to be put at ease for their plan to work, so all of them could conduct their search without hindrance. Sliding silently back through the access tunnels, he knew he would be unable to shadow the blonde back to the ha’tak. He was a fast mover, and he reluctantly admitted that with the prim’ta once again residing in his belly he was more agile, however even with the newly restored increased stamina he was not quicker than the elevators. He activated his radio, speaking quietly into the speaker. "O’Neill, Major Carter and I have been separated. She is being escorted to Ba’al by Jaffa."

Jack’s voice equally low responded in his ear. "Roger that. Doesn’t look like Balls is letting Casper out of his sight. I’ll keep an eye on Carter when she arrives." There was slight pause. "T, you in the SGC?"

"I am."

"Any chance you can do the search of the base as you make your way back up?" Jack kept half an ear on the conversation out in the throne room. He understood maybe one in ten words of the snake language that fell so easily from Daniel’s lips, but the demeanor of Goa’uld was no longer threatening, so that was a good sign. That meant two of his kids had passed the test. He hoped the luck would hold out to include Sam.

Teal’c considered the logistics. When devising the plan at the cave, the rebels had told of Ba’al recently doing a complete rearrangement of his primary ship and certain levels of the SGC in preparation of the summit being held the next day. They had managed to get up to date recon photos of all but three of the redecorated levels. "I can. It should only take a few minutes."

"Keep me posted." The colonel signed off.

Knowing the SGC as well as any Goa’uld ship, Teal’c began to navigate his way through the access tunnels and air vents to level twenty-five

A  A  A

First Lackey was stonily silent until they had switched cars on level eleven. As the lift carried them upwards to ground level and the ring platform, he leered down at Sam. "Lord Ba’al shall see through your lies."

"I’m not lying."

"Best for you to admit the truth before you face Our God. If you don’t your punishment will be more severe."

Sam was under no illusion that the warrior cared about her welfare. It would just look better for him if she were hauled before Ba’al repentant. "My punishment?" she scoffed. "You’re the one who apparently lost me."

She never saw the fist lash out and collide with her cheek, just felt the explosion of white hot heat as she crashed into the armored body of the second Jaffa, who roughly righted her back to her feet. She bit back the quip that sprang to her lips, deciding she didn’t want a matching bruise on her left side. When the lift doors opened, she saw Daniel and Charlie striding towards her and her escorts. Though Daniel didn’t look directly at her, she could feel her friend’s concern at her appearance. Steeling herself she steadfastly kept her eyes front as the Jaffa hauled her into the throne room and forced her to kneel in front of Ba’al. Masking her own worry at the blood staining Annika’s clothes, Sam focused on the Goa’uld, hoping that her expression looked more confused and fearful than antagonistic.

The Jaffa bowed low before his god. "My Lord, she claims she was repairing the air conditioning unit all this time."

"I was repairing it, My Lord," Sam protested with just a touch of desperation in her tone.

"Why did you not show yourself when called?" Ba’al demanded suspiciously.

"I didn’t hear them. I was working right near the generator. It’s noisy in there, I had to wear earplugs."

"Clearly she is lying, My Lord. Let me be the one to interrogate her." The Jaffa sounded all to eager at the prospect. "I will learn where she has been."

Ba’al felt a hesitant touch on his forearm. Looked down to see Annika, still leaning against his throne for support, however her face was turned to the blonde and Jaffa.

"My Lord, the woman speaks the truth." The drowsiness caused by the healing device was wearing off, although Annika maintained the façade of being weak as a kitten. And, yeah, there was no way she was ever going to admit to Jack that she had probably severed a kidney or something equally vital with that knife wound. Note to self, next time she’d rethink slicing herself open, or at least remember that their standard issues knives were as sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel. Back in the world of the conscious, she saw Ba’al’s aura was conflicted, not knowing which of the two to believe. She didn’t know if her counterpart had ever volunteered such information, however she figured if she could tip the scales in Sam’s favor then it was worth the risk.

Black eyes bored into her and she chanced meeting his gaze for a second before lowering them demurely. What she saw was speculative, but the colors that only she could see brightened, surprised yet pleased.

"Are you sure, My Beloved?"

"Yes, My Lord. An aura does not lie."

He gave her head another pat, like a master rewarding a dog for doing a trick, and returned his attention to Sam. "Hence forth you will wear a tracking device at all times so this unfortunate incident shall not be repeated."

Sam gave submissive nod. "As you wish, My Lord."

Ba’al was about to dismiss them, when he once again felt Annika’s soft touch.

"My Lord, this woman has been punished for a sin she did not commit. If you were to heal her wounds, it would show to the world you reward the truth." She feebly gestured to the slaves lined up on the floor and the forgotten camera that was still broadcasting on all channels. "That you are a fair and reasonable god." Annika didn’t know how long Ba’al’s newfound trust in her would last, but she intended to milk it for all it was worth.

"Sound advice."

Another pat. What am I, a dog? To stop her instinctual reaction to bite her ‘master’ on the hand, Annika gritted her teeth, closing her eyes to hide the revulsion she felt at his touch.

He noticed and took it for weariness from the healing. "You need to rest, My Beloved." A curt hand wave at the Jaffa standing to the back of his throne. "Take her to my quarters."

Still feigning lethargy, Annika let herself be picked up by the warrior without protest. She rolled her head back and snuck a peek back at Ba’al. Hid her smile of satisfaction when he activated the healing device and directed the beam to the woman kneeling before him.