Not surprisingly, there weren't many plans that came to mind. Not that O'Neill didn't try to think of one. The others watched as he struggled with several, working through them until he concluded it was even worse than sending Daniel off to almost certain death – or worse – and then discarded each one.

"Jack…" Daniel said, after about ten minutes of almost complete silence. "It's not as bad as you think. I can blend in just fine with the Goa'uld."

O'Neill scowled at the interruption.

"I'm still thinking, Daniel."

"Every minute that passes is getting us closer to the end of this summit and we lose our chance to find Officer Ruff."

"If it hasn't already…" Carter added.

"How would we get him on the ship?" O'Neill asked Thor, pretty much expecting the answer to end the conversation once and for all.

"I could beam him over."

Jack was brought up short by the quick response, but Sam was quick to step in where he couldn't.

"Not with the shields up, though."

"If, indeed, the summit is being held on Ba'al's ship, there is every reason to believe that the shields will be lowered to allow the other system lords to arrive for the next part of the meeting," Teal'c replied.

"Assuming it's not over by the time we get this all settled," Daniel said, pointedly.

Thor looked at O'Neill – as did the others. It was his call, after all.

Jack looked at Daniel uncertainly.

"You know what you're risking…"

The archeologist nodded.

"It's our best shot to get this guy back, Jack. We have to at least try."

"And how do we get you back if you're caught?"

"You'll think of something."

"For that matter," Sam added. "How do we get you back even if you do find Officer Ruff?"

"If Daniel Jackson finds Officer Ruff, he can signal to me," Thor told them – mostly Daniel. "Or better yet, he can give the man a tracking transponder and I will beam both of them off the ship the moment the shields are lowered."

Carter looked at Jack to see his reaction to the plan, but it was Jacob who spoke up.

"What about my operative?"

"Your operative would have no reason to be implicated in the disappearance of an insignificant slave," Teal'c said. "And undoubtedly has already planned a way to escape the clutches of Yu once the summit is ended. To take him before he is ready could very well place him in more danger than leaving him in place."

Sam looked over at her father, who had to nod his agreement.

"He's probably right."

Daniel was watching O'Neill, expectantly, and Jack finally sighed and nodded.

"But you signal us if things look bad and we'll figure out a way to make Ba'al lower his shields so we can get you the hell out. You got that?"

"Yes."

"And you're sure you'll know this guy if you see him?"

"I've seen his file, Jack. I can do this."

O'Neill looked at Thor.

"We need to find Ba'al's ship."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Anthony woke up stiff and sore. The day before had been long, and he hadn't had much sleep. What little he'd had was barely enough to do more than leave him more tired than he'd been before he'd laid down on his uncomfortable little cot – which was more comfortable than the floor and was a measure of comfort that was given to him because he of what he was doing just then. No doubt when the other Ghouls left, he'd be back on the floor with the smelly blankets in no time.

The door to the slave barracks opened, and all of them looked over. The Jaffa that entered was the one assigned to Ball directly, so the other slaves all looked over at Anthony, who hid a tired sigh and stood up before the Jaffa decided he had to come over and beat him to get him to wake up.

"Have breakfast and be in position as soon as you are presentable."

Ruff ran his hand along his chin, feeling stubble that was going to have to be shaved off before he entered the main meeting room. Ole Ball hated his slaves unshaven – the only thing Anthony actually agreed with. Unfortunately, the Jaffa didn't allow razors and foam for the slaves, and that left a very dull knife and coarse soap, which took just as much skin as stubble. By the time he was done, he felt like he'd been peeled.

His clothing had been washed – Ball wouldn't appreciate it if they were dirty or stained, of course – and he smoothed down his hair as well as he could, running his fingers through it to get it into some kind of order and wishing for Steve the Barber more than ever.

"Don't make them wait…" one of the slaves hissed, all of them clearly afraid that the Jaffa would return for him, and maybe take it out on the rest of them.

Anthony nodded, dressed as quickly as he could and then headed for the door.