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"They are both minor Goa'uld but very ambitious. Heset had a prior alliance with Ba'al when he was rising through the ranks to System Lord. They were lovers for a time. Thmei, similarly, had a relationship with Ra. She was a rival to Hathor and was banished when Ra chose Hathor as his consort." Anise paused for a moment, tilting her head to the side as Jack muttered an obscenity under his breath. "They were both approached by Zipacna regarding an alliance with a System Lord we now know to be Anubis, but that was some time ago and neither has heard anything from him since."
"Good old Zippy," Jack muttered. "Can't decide which snake to suck up too, can he?"
To'ran arched an eyebrow. "You have met Lord Zipacna?"
"Oh, yeah. We go way back," Jack returned with a shrug. "He's not a Lord, by the way. A wannabe Lord, perhaps."
"My people were enslaved by Lord Zipacna, when he was in service to Apophis." To'ran's jaw clenched. "When Apophis's reign ended, Lord Zipacna promised he would remain a protector for our people, but we did not see him again."
"That's the Goa'uld for ya. Can't trust a word they say."
Ignoring Jack's almost cheery insight, Sam fixed her gaze on Anise. "How did you come to be in contact with Thmei and Heset? And if they haven't heard anything from Anubis since Zipacna's initial contact, what information could they possibly have that would be of value to the Tok'ra?"
"We believe they have managed to place spies within Anubis's forces," Anise explained. "Our intelligence suggests that they are planning to use whatever information they have to oppose Anubis's hold over the System Lords, thus enabling them to rise through the ranks."
"They can't expect to do that alone," Jack pointed out. "They're two nobodies in comparison with the likes of the other System Lords who have gone up against Anubis and failed."
"They are, but we believe they have support from another. We have narrowed it down to Ba'al, or Osiris," Anise explained.
"Ba'al doesn't play well with others," Jack muttered, suspicion in his voice and a something darker in his eyes. Discreetly, under the top of the table they were sat around, he felt Sam's hand brush against his own. "And Osiris seems to be busy elsewhere."
"We have no reason to suggest Osiris may be anything other than loyal to Anubis," Jacob agreed. "Which means if it is Ba'al they're involved in, it puts a different slant on the situation. Ba'al is familiar with the members of SG-1 and won't be fooled by any act Sam or Jack put on for the benefit of Heset or Thmei."
Freya gave him a reassuring smile. "I understand your concern, Jacob, and indeed shared it when To'ran first made mention of Ba'al's involvement in the situation. However, we do not believe Ba'al has any intention of joining the proceedings, Jacob. If we believed he was, I would not have suggested Major Carter for the role."
"Yeah, about that." Jack ignored the warning glance he got from both father and daughter. "Why is it Carter had to be dragged into this? Surely there are other Tok'ra?"
"None who have adequate training, Colonel." Anise grimaced, her expression momentarily showing how disgruntled she felt. "I myself have little in the way of undercover experience. My work is usually confined to that of the Tok'ra base. It is for this reason I believe I am being replaced by Major Carter in this instance," she added with a challenging glance at Jacob and Selmac.
Selmac responded after a moment. "The High Council have every confidence in your abilities, Anise. You received the same instructions we did; your knowledge is required elsewhere."
"If you insist," Anise demurred. "Heset will be arriving by Stargate; I believe Thmei will be coming by ship. They are planning to spend three days as guests of Ament to discuss agreeing a treaty to present themselves as a united front to Ba'al, or perhaps Anubis directly."
"What about servants?" Sam asked quietly, slowly processing the information. "If they're going to believe Ament is someone, they should align themselves with, they're going to expect some kind of show of wealth or power."
"That is where my people come in, Major Carter," To'ran answered, his smile slick and his gaze appreciative. "We will allow them to believe that Lady Ament has taken our planet in the wake of Lord Zipacna's absence. Our planet is rich in natural resources that any Goa'uld would long for."
"And your people are willing to take part in the subterfuge? They know it might not be a walk in the park?" Jack held To'ran's gaze when he managed to distract the other man from gazing at Sam. "They might say they're going to come in peace but that's no guarantee they'll leave that way or let anyone else leave that way. It's usual for someone to leave in pieces, or not at all."
"I am aware, Colonel O'Neill." To'ran clenched his jaw. "My people are no strangers to sacrifice, and are willing to do whatever it takes."
"I am sure Colonel O'Neill means no offence, To'ran," Anise said soothingly, letting her hand rest on To'ran's arm. "He does not know you or your people like I do."
To'ran gave her a slow smile and covered her hand with his. "I wish you were able to stay with us, Anise."
"As do I," she murmured.
The pair exchanged a look that was nothing short of heated, while Sam and Jack glanced at one another in speculation. After a moment in which no one spoke, Anise reluctantly got to her feet, smoothing out the tight bodice of her dress.
"Before I leave, I will show Major Carter where she will be hosting the gathering and assist her to change. To'ran will do the same with Colonel O'Neill." She looked to Jacob expectantly. "Will you and Selmac be remaining here or will you be accompanying me back to the Tok'ra base?"
Jacob hesitated for a moment. "We will remain, but stay out of sight," Selmac answered for them.
"Then To'ran will show you where you may stay," Anise stated as To'ran nodded to show his agreement.
It didn't escape Jacob or Jack's notice that the Lo'taur didn't seem pleased to have either of them involved in the mission, though he kept his thoughts to himself and hid them between a thin smile. "This way," he said, getting to his feet.
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As soon as she'd glimpsed Anise in her gown, Sam had wondered what she'd gotten herself into. She'd hoped there'd be a number of costumes for her to pick from and that she could go for the less revealing of them but when Anise showed her to the quarters that would be hers for the duration of the summit, her hopes were dashed.
The door was decorated much the same as the throne room, with gold furnishings and silken drapes of gold, purple and pink. The bed in the centre of the room was on a raised platform with satin sheets in the same colour scheme, and on it were a number of gowns and matching accessories.
"This looks, ah, great," she managed. "Very… luxurious."
Anise smirked. "The room has been specifically prepared for Ament. It is not to my taste, either, so I have been sleeping elsewhere."
"What about the dresses?" Sam asked, glancing at gown the Tok'ra wore before returning her gaze to the garments on the bed. "Are these all there are to choose from?"
"They are." Anise inclined her head. "I know you and I do not share the same… tastes… in clothing, Major Carter, but there are certain expectations when you are portraying a Goa'uld. Believe me, these outfits are not of my choosing, either."
Having seen the Tok'ra in outfits of her own choosing, Sam wasn't so sure she agreed. But she smiled politely and moved a little closer to her options. "They're very… floaty," she said eventually, fingering the delicate material of the dress that seemed to have the most to it. It was white in colour, some kind of silk that was sheer in places but covered up the areas she was most concerned about.
"They are surprisingly comfortable and will allow for much in the way of movement." It was Freya who spoke, and Sam glanced over her shoulder at her in surprise. "If I may, Major Carter, I wanted to apologise."
"Apologise? For what?" Curiosity piqued, Sam let go of the dress to turn and face Anise fully.
"I was unaware of the bond you share with Colonel O'Neill. Had I known; I would not have attempted to Lo'machen with him."
"Lo'machen..?" Sam's eyes narrowed. "Does that mean…?"
"Colonel O'Neill informs me it means something else to the Tau'ri." Freya flushed. "I understand now why he was not interested. I… My bond with To'ran, I believe, is similar to that of yours with Colonel O'Neill. I wished to apologise to you, as I would not like it should another proposition him as I did Colonel O'Neill."
Thinking back, Sam remembered Daniel teasing Jack about Freya's crush on him, and Jack returning it by reminding Daniel that Anise preferred him. Shaking her head to dispel the memory, realising she'd never asked exactly how they'd known, she gave Freya a reassuring smile. "It's fine, Freya. Apology accepted." And knowing the Tok'ra had put to bed any feelings she had for Jack – figuratively at least – made her feel surprisingly better. "So, you and To'ran?"
"He pleases both Anise and I," Freya said with a smile. "I am hopeful that our relationship will only strengthen once he receives a symbiote."
"I'm sure," Sam murmured politely. Though she was grateful for her father's blending with Selmac, the idea of willingly being a host still sat uncomfortably with her. Memories of asking Jack to do just that came back to her and she brutally pushed them away. "Is there anything else I need to be aware of before the Goa'uld get here?"
"You should familiarise yourself with the layout of the temple and meet some of those who will be serving you. You need not worry yourself with remembering their names," Anise said calmly, taking over from her host. "The Goa'uld rarely know the names of those beneath them."
"Right." Deciding she preferred Freya to Anise, Sam forced a smile and waved her hand. "Lead the way."
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Next choice - do you want Anise to stay for the remainder of the adventure or leave the planet? And would you prefer more frequent updates but smaller parts, or longer parts with a few days between posting?