General O'Neill, Colonel Carter, and Teal'c stepped through the wormhole on P8X-323 and made their way down the steps. Daniel was urgently needed to help SG-9 negotiate a big naquadah treaty, and this mission was to follow up on signs of possible Ancient technology, so Jack volunteered to take Daniel's place. He still had quite a bit more knowledge about the Ancients than he let on, and he was anxious to get off world again. The sun was shining, the air was crisp, and there appeared to be plenty of trees. What better mission to get back on the saddle than a piece of cake job like this?

"Carter? Which way to the yellow brick road?"

She cracked a half smile, but restrained herself from further showing, or even contemplating, how pleased she was that he was joining them for this mission.

"This way, sir. The structure was about three clicks from the gate."

"Lead on, then. Teal'c, take our six."

About half way on their journey down the dirt path with thick trees lining either side of it, Jack's internal danger alarm started going wild.

"Stop."

"What is it, sir?"

"I don't know. I don't like it. Teal'c, you hear or sense anything?"

"I do not, O'Neill."

Jack looked around and found nothing, but he still couldn't shake the dread building inside of him.

"Keep an eye out. Something isn't right here. Let's go," Jack ordered them, and they resumed their journey.

When they arrived at the structure, they entered a large room with Ancient writing on the walls. As Jack was about to begin reading the walls, he heard the priming of staff weapons behind him.

Everyone turned around with their hands raised.

"I am your god, Kishar. Why have you come to my domain?" the striking woman with tanned, almost caramel skin, wavy black hair past her shoulders, and the booming, distorted voice of a Goa'uld asked them.

"Oh, for cryin' out loud. How many more of you God damn snakes are there?"

"Your insolence amuses me, human. Perhaps I will spare your life so that I might enjoy your company in other ways," Kishar purred with a leer on her face.

"Oh, if you tried and didn't kill me, then I would kill you. Sorry to spoil your plans," Jack retorted.

"I like the spirit in this one. But I like the beauty of this one," she said as she looked Sam up and down, lifting her chin with her finger.

"Jaffa! Take them."

They were marched out of the building and to another one about 15 minutes away where they were tossed into a familiar looking cell with stone walls and iron bars.

"Never gets old, huh, kids?"

"Indeed, O'Neill."

"I guess we had better start making a plan," Sam added almost nonchalantly.

Jack noticed the tone immediately. While he wanted to keep everyone calm, he didn't want them to be careless. His gut was twisted with worry about what might be ahead.

"No plan yet, Colonel. Keep your head in the game. We need to see what she wants first, anyway."

"Yes, sir."

She nodded in acknowledgement but still had a pensive, disappointed look on her face.

Moments later, the door opened.

"Our lord requires your presence. Come."

The three of them were herded into a room where Kishar sat on a chair, not quite a throne. She slowly rose to address them. Jack noticed that she was moving almost gingerly, and with very little of the arrogant, Goa'uld swagger to which he has grown accustomed to seeing.

"How many more of your people are here?"

"Thousands. A whole army. If you don't let us go, you're as good as dead."

"Gods can not die. How many more came with you?" she asked as she shoved the pain stick into Jack's chest. While his face contorted in agony, he barely made a noise, leaving Kishar looking confounded.

"Look, I'm sure you must be real hot stuff among the Goa'uld, but we have nothing to offer you. We are just explorers. We want nothing here. Just let us be on our way and we will be out of your hair."

"Of that you are wrong. You most certainly have something to offer, that of which I am in dire need. This host is failing. Without access to a sarcophagus, I can no longer keep her well. I have no use for the Jaffa that accompanied you, though he may be a worthy servant, but of you humans, one of you will be my new host. Which one of you will it be?"

No one spoke. Jack's mind was racing, wondering if there was a way out of there, and realizing that this wasn't the almost cliche 'host for my queen' request. He could see by her posture that she wasn't in good health. This Goa'uld needed a host for herself, and now, so she won't be taking 'no' for an answer.

"I will have to make the choice for you, then."

"I'll do it," Jack announced suddenly, startling Sam and Teal'c.

"You volunteer?"

"It would be my honor to serve you," Jack spat, unable to hide his distaste for the words he just spoke, but he knew without a doubt that either himself or Carter were going to be snaked, and as long as he drew breath, it wouldn't be Carter.

"You can not deceive me, human. Why would you volunteer?"

"The woman has a husband, or soon-to-be-husband waiting for her at home. She has a future, a life. I have nothing. I leave no one behind. I will be much more cooperative."

Sam let out a small gasp at his words.

"I do not require your cooperation. I will admit that your spirit and strength intrigues me, but so does her youth and beauty."

Kishar was again inspecting Sam's appearance, almost ogling her.

"I have always been partial to female hosts. I think..."

Jack realized she had already chosen Sam, probably before they even entered the room. He remembered that she didn't have a sarcophagus and thought quickly. He didn't see any zats on any of the Jaffa, only staff weapons. Kishar wasn't even wearing a hand device. He made a decision and snatched the blade from the belt of the Jaffa nearest to him and immediately pulled Sam in front of him, holding the knife to her throat. Her eyes grew wide in alarm.

"Here's the deal, Kissass. You can either let the woman and the Jaffa return through the Stargate, or I will kill her and then myself, leaving you no host."

Kishar had a look of satisfaction about her at his skill and ruthlessness. He also left her little choice. She could see in his eyes that his threat was absolutely in earnest.

"Take them to the chappa'ai."

"Keep your damn hands off of me," Jack warned the Jaffa.

The group made the trip back to the gate, Jack walking the entire way with the knife to Sam's neck. Teal'c dialed Earth and entered his IDC. As they walked up to the event horizon, one of the Jaffa grabbed Jack, so he pushed Sam through the gate before they could take her too. Then Jack was being dragged back to Kishar as the gate closed behind them.