A/N: Ducks from flying mice and keyboards… All I can say is oh ye readers of little faith…read on…

As always, thanks for the reviews. It's great to know people are enjoying the story and keeping up with it. So please keep them coming, you spur me on when the muse dies. Just to let you know, I won't be updating for a week or so as I'm going on holiday.

Chapter Twelve

The familiar klaxons rang out all around the base, as Chief Master Sergeant Walter Harriman shouted into the intercom "Unscheduled off-world activation".

General Hank Landry rushed into the control room with the speed of a younger man. His actions belied the still calm of his face as he threw a questioning look at the Sergeant.

"It's SG-1's IDC Sir"

"Open the iris."

The iris swirled open and Cameron Mitchell stepped through the gate, closely followed by Teal'c and Daniel. Landry left the control room to meet his team at the bottom of the ramp. He eyed them carefully. They all wore the same frustrated expression, even Teal'c.

Landry rounded on Mitchell, "You're late."

"Yeah, sorry about that sir."

Landry sighed. "No luck?"

"No sir, the general area around the gate appears completely uninhabited. Our readings suggest no structures, and we've done several visual sweeps to confirm. SG-19 opted to remain on the planet while the UAV continues its aerial survey."

"Very well. Debrief at 1500 hours."

Daniel rested his head on the briefing room table. He was exhausted, they all were. Twenty-four hours of non-stop sweeps of the planet that Ba'al had originally gated from had taken their toll on the already dejected team. Cam Mitchell, leaned back slowly in his chair and exhaled. He, out of all of them, felt the unerring tug of guilt. Carter was part of his team, his responsibility. And the General? Hell, O'Neill had gotten him this gig. More than once, whilst working with the team, Mitchell had felt as though he was completely out of his depth. And right now, he was desperate to do anything, mainly to prove he wasn't as useless as he felt.

Landry walked into the room and sat down at the table with a groan that made Mitchell jump to attention; he hadn't even noticed his CO's entrance.

"At ease Colonel."

Not for the first time, Mitchell allowed his mind to wander whether Landry felt as out of his depth, and as out of the loop, as Mitchell did. These people were just so damn close, and so good at their jobs, that it was a little unnerving. Still, he cleared his throat and got ready to deliver his verbal report.

For the next ten minutes, Cam recounted the more important information from their trip, finally finishing and clasping his hands in front of him on the table.

"So, what you're basically saying, Colonel, is that there's no trace? Whatsoever?"

Mitchell nodded once.

Landry looked at the dejected team and sighed. Struggling with his conscience, he rose from the chair and placed his hands on the table.

"I'm sorry people, but I just cannot expend the energy and manpower on this. With the increasing Ori threat, there just aren't enough teams to go around."

Daniel's head shot up from where it rested. There was a mixture of anger and despair in his eyes and his voice shook with emotion.

"But general," Landry shook his head, "Please…"

"I'm sorry."

Mitchell didn't move; he was too depressed even to argue. But Teal'c rose slowly to his feet, turned and walked out of the room. Daniel rose as well, staring at General Landry with a piercing gaze.

"With all due respect," he paused and emphasised, " 'sir'. General Hammond wouldn't have given up so easily." Slowly, turning his back to Landry, Daniel began to walk out of the room, catching up with Teal'c. As his foot crossed through the door, the ominous red light flashed and Walter Harriman's voice rang out across the base.

"Unauthorised off-world activation."

A strange feeling in the pit of his stomach, Daniel spun so quickly he had to steady his hand on the door. Teal'c placed a hand on his shoulder and the both of them looked at the General. Without a word, all four hurried to the control room.

"Sir, we're receiving a communication," Harriman began then paused in surprise, "It's a Tok'ra IDC!"

"Tok'ra? Are you sure?"

"Yes sir. It's an old code but its still active."

Glancing around at the remaining members of SG-1 Landry nodded. "Let's hear what they have to say."

After a second, a woman's voice came over the speakers.

"I wish to speak with General Landry."

"This is General Landry. Just who am I talking to?"

After another moments silence the rushed voice sounded again. "I am Lucinar of Toulshak. I am Tok'ra."

"But-"

She cut him off. "Please, there is little time. You must listen. I am a slave in the service of Ba'al. I am here to put an end to Goa'uld tyranny once and for all…"

Daniel raised his eyebrows and whispered out of the side of his mouth to Teal'c, "Nice to know some of them are still doing what they set out to do."

"…Please, General, I must inform you that I have seen and spoken with General Jack O'Neill. He and Colonel Samantha Carter are being held by Ba'al."

"What does Ba'al intend to do?"

"I am unaware. All I know is that we are on our way to a planet that has an Ancient Device. It is for this reason that Ba'al required O'Neill. I am…unsure…as to Colonel Carter's purpose."

"Is there anything you can do to help them?"

"You misunderstand me General," Lucinar stated with genuine Tok'ra arrogance. "I am already helping them. I have transferred you the gate address of the planet we are travelling to. We will arrive very soon. You must send as many warriors as you have. This is a perfect opportunity to destroy Ba'al whilst his forces are occupied."

Landry looked to Harriman for conformation. Holding his hand over the transmitter, Walter nodded at his CO, "She has transferred the gate address, sir."

Landry turned his attention back to the conversation.

"How do we know we can trust you Lucinar?"

At her end, Lucinar could hear the ominous sound of approaching footsteps. She whispered hurriedly. "You cannot know General. But you must. General O'Neill's and Colonel Carter's lives depend on it." Looking over her shoulder in fear she breathed, "Someone comes. I must go. Send as many as you can. Set up an ambush. General! It is the only way…"

An ominous silence settled over the receiver, as the wormhole disengaged behind the iris. The men stood, flabbergasted. Landry, feeling more than a little ashamed of himself, immediately turned to Daniel, "Dr. Jackson, I apologise for not having more faith in this rescue operation." He hesitated, "Put it down to a lack of experience."

Daniel smiled, looking at the General with a question in his eyes.

The General, knowing the only thing he could say, turned to Mitchell.

"Colonel, you have a go."