p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"They were safe in the mountain before they spoke again. Mac almost asked for an update on what Jack knew but once he saw his cousin's demeanor in the car, he stayed silent. From their childhood, Mac knew what the expressions on his cousin's face meant and that he wouldn't get answers until Jack had formulated a plan in his head./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""So, you've both been promoted." Mac observed, both their uniforms reflecting it./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Did you not tell Mac?" Sam asked Jack as they entered the second elevator. Jack didn't answer, thinking it wasn't necessary. "Your cousin has been promoted twice." She tells Mac before deliberating saying "Major General."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Your stars?" Mac asked with a raised eyebrow./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""I just haven't got round to updating the wardrobe yet. It's pretty recent." Jack shrugged./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac looked surprised, before he mumbled to him. "You might have told your own cousin."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Sam grinned as the two men who looked like Jack O'Neill continued to bicker as they stepped out of the elevator. There were only a few confused members of staff who had recently started working at the SGC since his last visit who were shocked by the sight. Doctor Lee, in particular, saw them approach, immediately spun on his foot to rush away in the opposite direction, muttering "Not again." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Ignoring the looks they were getting, they soon entered the briefing room where Teal'c and Daniel were patiently waiting./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Alright guys. I appreciate you letting me know about a second murder but how exactly is this an SGC problem?" Mac asked, sitting down on one side of the table near Teal'c so he could see all the members of SG-1, past and present. Jack was at the head while Sam sat close on one side of Jack, with Daniel next to Sam. "I'm pretty sure I know who it is."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Jack nodded. "If you think it's Murdoc, you'd be right." Jack acknowledged. He paused for a moment, not for effect but trying to answer his cousin honestly. "But not as you know him." He looked at Sam. "Colonel?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Sam handed Mac a file with 'classified' stamped across it, while she started her presentation of the facts. "Four days ago, we received intel about the group we know as 'The Trust'. This group is an offshoot of an offshoot rogue group of the National Intelligence Department."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac looked up, surprised. "The NID?" /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Rogue NID." Jack inserted./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""With a vendetta against General O'Neill and the SGC, for the exposure of their back door tactics and the bringing down of their leaders and organisation." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Swell!" Mac exclaimed. "What does this have to do with me?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""The Trust is unorthodox in their tactics." Daniel jumped in. "And they've literally thought outside the box for this attack."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Sam continued. "In our intel report, 'The Trust' have focused their attack not on the SGC, that's too close, they've tried several times and failed. This time, instead of focusing on us, they've widened their attack to outside the SGC."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Me?" Mac asked, confusion in his voice. "No one knows about my relationship to Jack?" Jack made a slight noise as if scoffing at his cousin. 'Really?' It wasn't a coincidence that they could pass for twins and ninety-five percent of their friends and family couldn't even tell them apart./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""The Trust has been known to try to use Goa'uld symbionts in its members and other victims as part of their tactics." Sam treaded carefully./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Goa'uld?" Mac questioned looking round the table, distressed hearing the name of Earth's current enemies. "The bad guys?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""We've made huge strides forward in our war with the Goa'uld." Jack told him./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""In reality, we've managed to defeat the majority of the Goa'uld system lords." Sam explained to Mac. "The main threat now is Ba'al and his clones along with a few remaining minor system lords." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""So why are The Trust using them now?" Mac asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""They believe they can bend the ear of the Goa'uld. Their co-operation for their continued existence." Teal'c responded. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""They also believed that a strong personality could tame the Goa'uld to do their will, because the Tok'ra symbionts choose to share power." Sam explained. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It's utter trash." Jack pointed out, "You can't control a Goa'uld." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac looked at the folder then up again then back at the folder before Sam continued. "If our intelligence is correct, they were looking for someone who, in their opinion, was strong enough to overcome the influence of the Goa'uld and be willing to complete a killing spree of anyone associated with you because of your relationship with General O'Neill." Sam took a deep breath. "So, they tracked down a known person with a vendetta against you." Sam said quietly. She pressed a button and a picture of a man Mac never wanted to see again appeared on the conference room wall./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac looked at the image with dread on his face. "They put one of these suckers in him? He's a sociopathic narcissistic pathological murderer!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Coupled with a sociopathic narcissistic pathological egomaniacal murderer symbiont." Jack added./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""But it seems as though they were partly right." Sam observed. "We know that parts of the host do in fact survive even in Goa'uld symbiosis. It is simply suppressed, but the fact that the host and symbiont, in this case, are working together to come after you means that Murdoc has some extent of control in the relationship."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Well, thank God for that!" Mac exclaimed, sarcastically./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Well, in fact it is." Sam agreed, trying to reassure him. "If the will of the host has imprinted itself this strongly on the symbiont, the symbiont will work towards this with single eyed purpose to attain it." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""To kill me?" Mac questioned./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""And probably everyone in this room." Jack admitted. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Well, that makes it better." Mac quipped./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Actually, it does." Sam admitted. "The SGC and more specifically SG-1 know exactly how to catch a sociopathic narcissistic pathological egomaniacal murderer symbiont."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""And you seem to know exactly how to catch sociopathic narcissistic pathological egomaniacal murderer." Jack added as Walter walked in and whispered something in Jack's ear, handing him a piece of paper./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Oh crap!" Jack exclaimed. "Get me details now!" He ordered Walter who nodded and left as quickly as he came in. "Our Goa'uld has abducted someone."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Abducted?" Sam asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""That breaks the pattern." Daniel observed. "Until now, it's been theatrical and the bodies, sorry, Mac, have only been found after the murders."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Believe me, it will follow suit. If he was seen, he wanted to be seen."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""And it may be another one of your ex's." Sam said quietly. Mac sat still, shock and disbelief on his face as he tried to figure out who./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Walter walked back in quickly and passed Jack a file. He quickly scanned the report and photo contained within. Jack looked up gravely at his cousin and said quietly as he put the picture on the table within his cousin's reach. "Mac, he has Maria." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""What!?" Mac exclaimed and started to respond in shock. "No no no no! She was a Sparrow agent for East Germany. Say what you will but they trained their agents right. She wouldn't have been easy to capture."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac sat there in disbelief while Jack turned to his old team. "He has Maria Romberg. She's an old friend of Mac's."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""She is, however, at a disadvantage. If he chooses to leave the confines of the gate address, there is no way possible she'd find her way home." Sam observed./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""He's not likely to do it immediately," Jack interjected again as Walter came back in, this time with a DVD disk. "He's using her as bait. For us, with Mac, to find her." He said before Walter passed something to him. "This is a video of the abduction." Jack informed the room handing it to Sam whose hands came above the table and took the DVD putting it into the player. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"They watched as the security footage from outside a cafe played and watched as Maria standing outside, her back to the brick wall./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""She knows she's being followed." Mac observed. "My god, she knew!" /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"They see her look around, deciding her next move. Almost out of nowhere, a woman, face covered, wearing a hat appeared and grabbed her from behind./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""A woman?" Teal'c questioned as Sam paused the footage/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""No. One of Murdoc's signature moves is to hide himself in plain view with one of his multiple disguises." Mac told them, the anger in his voice barely controlled. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""I see." Teal'c said his eyebrow raising./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""If it is Murdoc, then this could be proof that he is in fact strong enough to share power with a Goa'uld symbiote."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""That somehow doesn't make me feel better." Mac admitted./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Well, remember Sha're was able to imprint her will on Amaunet, enough for her to help us out of sentimentality or affection for me." Daniel reminded them./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""But let's not forget Sha're was crazy enough to marry you, so-" Jack teased lightly, hoping a moment of levity will help his cousin. "But he does have a point, historically it's been a sentimental or affectionate reason. The action was carried through because the symbiont was still in a - shall we call it, semi-dormant state."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""And let's not forget we did help keep her child safe. Amaunet did want the child safe. She knew us, our reputation, and Sha're personal encounters with this team." Sam added./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Why is this symbiont allowing power share?" Daniel wondered out loud. "Unless-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""The unstable in mind could actually be a way of controlling Goa'uld symbionts." Daniel suggested./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It is unlikely, though," Sam concluded. "We know from Tok'ra symbionts that they're able to heal psychological issues as well as physical ones."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Jack scoffed as he thought of his own personal experiences with the Tok'ra.. "As they create brand new ones."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It is, however, more likely that the Goa'uld couldn't remove those traits of Murdoc. Much like Kanan couldn't remove your sense of loyalty." Sam suggested. "It is also possible we've encountered this Goa'uld before, that Mac's likeness to you, coupled with a lure-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""One in purpose." Jack nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""So, to speak sir, yes." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Alright, we have a lot of angles here to explore so we need to figure out which one it is." Jack said, matter-of-factly. He nodded to Sam who restarted the security footage. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"The picture switched to them walking down a narrow alley, Maria was struggling the entire way, before the women's face was ripped off to reveal Murdoc, he looked up at the security camera before a maniacal smile crept across his features and a beam of light appeared to engulf them and when the light dissipated there was no one there./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Sam for the first time sat up straighter and leaned forward surprised. "That was an Asgard beam not Goa'uld technology."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""What does that mean?" Mac asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It means there might be a record of where they were transported to. I believe they're still here on Earth based on their current activities." He glanced around the table before deciding. "Okay, kit up kids, this is now a live mission." Jack said. He looked at Mac as Sam, Teal'c and Daniel all started to move. "Let's get you kitted up." He said to his cousin./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Am I going through the gate?" Mac asked, one part of him was excited by that prospect but a bigger part of him was concerned about Maria as the thought of lost opportunity flitted through his mind./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It's a possibility." Jack admitted. "Danny, T, make sure he's kitted out." He started shuffling the papers in front of him. "I'll be with you in a minute," he called as they all moved to the door. "Just getting a head start on intelligence." He said, which Mac found odd, but it got a smile from Sam. Must be an inside joke, he concluded./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""So, you've both been promoted." Mac observed, both their uniforms reflecting it./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Did you not tell Mac?" Sam asked Jack as they entered the second elevator. Jack didn't answer, thinking it wasn't necessary. "Your cousin has been promoted twice." She tells Mac before deliberating saying "Major General."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Your stars?" Mac asked with a raised eyebrow./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""I just haven't got round to updating the wardrobe yet. It's pretty recent." Jack shrugged./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac looked surprised, before he mumbled to him. "You might have told your own cousin."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Sam grinned as the two men who looked like Jack O'Neill continued to bicker as they stepped out of the elevator. There were only a few confused members of staff who had recently started working at the SGC since his last visit who were shocked by the sight. Doctor Lee, in particular, saw them approach, immediately spun on his foot to rush away in the opposite direction, muttering "Not again." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Ignoring the looks they were getting, they soon entered the briefing room where Teal'c and Daniel were patiently waiting./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Alright guys. I appreciate you letting me know about a second murder but how exactly is this an SGC problem?" Mac asked, sitting down on one side of the table near Teal'c so he could see all the members of SG-1, past and present. Jack was at the head while Sam sat close on one side of Jack, with Daniel next to Sam. "I'm pretty sure I know who it is."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Jack nodded. "If you think it's Murdoc, you'd be right." Jack acknowledged. He paused for a moment, not for effect but trying to answer his cousin honestly. "But not as you know him." He looked at Sam. "Colonel?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Sam handed Mac a file with 'classified' stamped across it, while she started her presentation of the facts. "Four days ago, we received intel about the group we know as 'The Trust'. This group is an offshoot of an offshoot rogue group of the National Intelligence Department."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac looked up, surprised. "The NID?" /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Rogue NID." Jack inserted./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""With a vendetta against General O'Neill and the SGC, for the exposure of their back door tactics and the bringing down of their leaders and organisation." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Swell!" Mac exclaimed. "What does this have to do with me?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""The Trust is unorthodox in their tactics." Daniel jumped in. "And they've literally thought outside the box for this attack."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Sam continued. "In our intel report, 'The Trust' have focused their attack not on the SGC, that's too close, they've tried several times and failed. This time, instead of focusing on us, they've widened their attack to outside the SGC."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Me?" Mac asked, confusion in his voice. "No one knows about my relationship to Jack?" Jack made a slight noise as if scoffing at his cousin. 'Really?' It wasn't a coincidence that they could pass for twins and ninety-five percent of their friends and family couldn't even tell them apart./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""The Trust has been known to try to use Goa'uld symbionts in its members and other victims as part of their tactics." Sam treaded carefully./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Goa'uld?" Mac questioned looking round the table, distressed hearing the name of Earth's current enemies. "The bad guys?"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""We've made huge strides forward in our war with the Goa'uld." Jack told him./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""In reality, we've managed to defeat the majority of the Goa'uld system lords." Sam explained to Mac. "The main threat now is Ba'al and his clones along with a few remaining minor system lords." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""So why are The Trust using them now?" Mac asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""They believe they can bend the ear of the Goa'uld. Their co-operation for their continued existence." Teal'c responded. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""They also believed that a strong personality could tame the Goa'uld to do their will, because the Tok'ra symbionts choose to share power." Sam explained. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It's utter trash." Jack pointed out, "You can't control a Goa'uld." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac looked at the folder then up again then back at the folder before Sam continued. "If our intelligence is correct, they were looking for someone who, in their opinion, was strong enough to overcome the influence of the Goa'uld and be willing to complete a killing spree of anyone associated with you because of your relationship with General O'Neill." Sam took a deep breath. "So, they tracked down a known person with a vendetta against you." Sam said quietly. She pressed a button and a picture of a man Mac never wanted to see again appeared on the conference room wall./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac looked at the image with dread on his face. "They put one of these suckers in him? He's a sociopathic narcissistic pathological murderer!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Coupled with a sociopathic narcissistic pathological egomaniacal murderer symbiont." Jack added./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""But it seems as though they were partly right." Sam observed. "We know that parts of the host do in fact survive even in Goa'uld symbiosis. It is simply suppressed, but the fact that the host and symbiont, in this case, are working together to come after you means that Murdoc has some extent of control in the relationship."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Well, thank God for that!" Mac exclaimed, sarcastically./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Well, in fact it is." Sam agreed, trying to reassure him. "If the will of the host has imprinted itself this strongly on the symbiont, the symbiont will work towards this with single eyed purpose to attain it." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""To kill me?" Mac questioned./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""And probably everyone in this room." Jack admitted. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Well, that makes it better." Mac quipped./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Actually, it does." Sam admitted. "The SGC and more specifically SG-1 know exactly how to catch a sociopathic narcissistic pathological egomaniacal murderer symbiont."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""And you seem to know exactly how to catch sociopathic narcissistic pathological egomaniacal murderer." Jack added as Walter walked in and whispered something in Jack's ear, handing him a piece of paper./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Oh crap!" Jack exclaimed. "Get me details now!" He ordered Walter who nodded and left as quickly as he came in. "Our Goa'uld has abducted someone."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Abducted?" Sam asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""That breaks the pattern." Daniel observed. "Until now, it's been theatrical and the bodies, sorry, Mac, have only been found after the murders."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Believe me, it will follow suit. If he was seen, he wanted to be seen."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""And it may be another one of your ex's." Sam said quietly. Mac sat still, shock and disbelief on his face as he tried to figure out who./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Walter walked back in quickly and passed Jack a file. He quickly scanned the report and photo contained within. Jack looked up gravely at his cousin and said quietly as he put the picture on the table within his cousin's reach. "Mac, he has Maria." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""What!?" Mac exclaimed and started to respond in shock. "No no no no! She was a Sparrow agent for East Germany. Say what you will but they trained their agents right. She wouldn't have been easy to capture."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Mac sat there in disbelief while Jack turned to his old team. "He has Maria Romberg. She's an old friend of Mac's."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""She is, however, at a disadvantage. If he chooses to leave the confines of the gate address, there is no way possible she'd find her way home." Sam observed./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""He's not likely to do it immediately," Jack interjected again as Walter came back in, this time with a DVD disk. "He's using her as bait. For us, with Mac, to find her." He said before Walter passed something to him. "This is a video of the abduction." Jack informed the room handing it to Sam whose hands came above the table and took the DVD putting it into the player. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"They watched as the security footage from outside a cafe played and watched as Maria standing outside, her back to the brick wall./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""She knows she's being followed." Mac observed. "My god, she knew!" /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"They see her look around, deciding her next move. Almost out of nowhere, a woman, face covered, wearing a hat appeared and grabbed her from behind./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""A woman?" Teal'c questioned as Sam paused the footage/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""No. One of Murdoc's signature moves is to hide himself in plain view with one of his multiple disguises." Mac told them, the anger in his voice barely controlled. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""I see." Teal'c said his eyebrow raising./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""If it is Murdoc, then this could be proof that he is in fact strong enough to share power with a Goa'uld symbiote."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""That somehow doesn't make me feel better." Mac admitted./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Well, remember Sha're was able to imprint her will on Amaunet, enough for her to help us out of sentimentality or affection for me." Daniel reminded them./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""But let's not forget Sha're was crazy enough to marry you, so-" Jack teased lightly, hoping a moment of levity will help his cousin. "But he does have a point, historically it's been a sentimental or affectionate reason. The action was carried through because the symbiont was still in a - shall we call it, semi-dormant state."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""And let's not forget we did help keep her child safe. Amaunet did want the child safe. She knew us, our reputation, and Sha're personal encounters with this team." Sam added./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Why is this symbiont allowing power share?" Daniel wondered out loud. "Unless-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""The unstable in mind could actually be a way of controlling Goa'uld symbionts." Daniel suggested./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It is unlikely, though," Sam concluded. "We know from Tok'ra symbionts that they're able to heal psychological issues as well as physical ones."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Jack scoffed as he thought of his own personal experiences with the Tok'ra.. "As they create brand new ones."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It is, however, more likely that the Goa'uld couldn't remove those traits of Murdoc. Much like Kanan couldn't remove your sense of loyalty." Sam suggested. "It is also possible we've encountered this Goa'uld before, that Mac's likeness to you, coupled with a lure-"/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""One in purpose." Jack nodded./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""So, to speak sir, yes." /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Alright, we have a lot of angles here to explore so we need to figure out which one it is." Jack said, matter-of-factly. He nodded to Sam who restarted the security footage. /p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"The picture switched to them walking down a narrow alley, Maria was struggling the entire way, before the women's face was ripped off to reveal Murdoc, he looked up at the security camera before a maniacal smile crept across his features and a beam of light appeared to engulf them and when the light dissipated there was no one there./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"Sam for the first time sat up straighter and leaned forward surprised. "That was an Asgard beam not Goa'uld technology."/p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""What does that mean?" Mac asked./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It means there might be a record of where they were transported to. I believe they're still here on Earth based on their current activities." He glanced around the table before deciding. "Okay, kit up kids, this is now a live mission." Jack said. He looked at Mac as Sam, Teal'c and Daniel all started to move. "Let's get you kitted up." He said to his cousin./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""Am I going through the gate?" Mac asked, one part of him was excited by that prospect but a bigger part of him was concerned about Maria as the thought of lost opportunity flitted through his mind./p
p style="font-family: 'Nimbus Roman No9 L', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;""It's a possibility." Jack admitted. "Danny, T, make sure he's kitted out." He started shuffling the papers in front of him. "I'll be with you in a minute," he called as they all moved to the door. "Just getting a head start on intelligence." He said, which Mac found odd, but it got a smile from Sam. Must be an inside joke, he concluded./p