AUTHOR'S NOTES: Here's part 9. Yes, this part has been beta'd, unlike part
8. That was my fault, soz!
Thank you fro still reading. *G* and it's not over yet!
Thanks for all the feedback!
Chapter Nine
She was bored. Not just slightly bored, not even a lot bored. She was 'Jack O'Neill Bored'. The kind of boredom where flicking the strap of her watch would amuse her for hours. If she still had her watch.
She sighed, flopping over on the bed and gazing up at the ceiling.
"Bored, Carter?"
"Oh, you have no idea, Sir," she sighed, not moving from where she was sprawled.
"Do you think Nut has a pack of cards somewhere?"
"If she did they definitely wouldn't have any of those pictures you like looking at," she replied good-naturedly.
He sighed, not even bothering to respond to her pointed comment.
"When do you think they'll feed us again?"
"Breakfast wasn't even an hour ago, Sir," she sighed again, turning onto her side to study him as he sat against the wall trying to tie his silk sash into knots. At least he had a sash to play with. If she played with any piece of her clothing then a part of her might just get uncovered. Remembering her revealing clothing, she immediately lay back on her stomach.
"So? At least when we eat we're not bored. I'd give anything for a fishing rod."
She raised an eyebrow. "Hate to break it to you sir, but where would you fish?"
He lifted his head to look at her, annoyed. "Just because-"
The door hissed open and Cal'ma stepped through, her dark face showing its usual picture of concentrated blankness.
"Morning Cal'ma," the Colonel scrambled to his feet, almost tripping as his foot stepped on the silk of his robe.
"It is not morning," Cal'ma replied stiffly, her eyes flitting over the two of them.
"Oh. Well, we just got up a while ago," he offered, approaching her steadily.
The Jaffa priestess moved uneasily, stepping back to be closer to the protection of her Jaffa escort. "Nut requires for you to have an audience with her."
"Oh, she does, does she?" O'Neill commented flippantly. "Gee, Carter, looks like we get something exciting after all."
Sam rolled her eyes and scrambled off the bed, walking over to the Colonel and the priestess. "Why does she want to see us?"
"It is time to repay her for her kindness," Cal'ma answered simply. "Come."
~o0o~
His fingers trailed slowly over the stone, marvelling at its roughness. In the dark his eyes could not make out the figures and details carved into the hardness, but when daylight came he would see them.
And then he would know where to find Nut.
Nut. The cursed one. The one who caused his imprisonment.
Anhur's lips curled in disgust.
Perhaps he would not present her alive to Ra. Just her body, drained and emptied of its precious life force. Yes. He had been denied the pleasure of a hunt and the ecstasy of a kill for so long. Ra would understand. Ra would agree to his payment.
Warm saliva gathered in Anhur's dry mouth. Soon. The taste of blood would be on his lips soon.
He would find Nut. And he would destroy Nut.
He would destroy everything Nut held dear, everything Nut cherished. Every Nut possessed or wanted Anhur would destroy.
The hunter would win the hunt.
~o0o~
Teal'c waited as Daniel Jackson adjusted the heavy pack on his back. "I'm ready, Teal'c." The words were muffled as the archaeologist turned to dig in his pocket for a handkerchief. "Come on."
Teal'c looked up towards General Hammond who was studying them with a strange expression upon his features.
"We are ready to depart, General Hammond," he announced.
"Very well. Engage the wormhole, Sergeant."
The silence in the gate room was broken by the grating sound of the 'gate spinning and the whoosh as the wormhole locked into place.
"Good luck people. Bring them home."
Teal'c nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"We've got to find them first," Daniel Jackson muttered before walking roughly to the wormhole and stepping through.
The planet they stepped onto was dry and sandy, the hot wind blowing the arid heat over their bodies. Daniel Jackson sighed again and tied his bandana to his forehead. "You coming, Teal'c?"
With a short nod, Teal'c followed behind Daniel Jackson, his eyes ever watchful as they walked across the seemingly deserted planet. He knew better; there was life hidden among the sands.
Seconds later the sands moved and several roughly clad men rose up, sand pouring from their tunics.
"Who passes?"
"It is I, Teal'c, and Daniel Jackson from Earth."
The staff weapons trained on them lowered to the ground.
"What business do you have with the Tok'ra?"
"We seek Jacob Carter, host to Selmak."
"Come, he is here."
Silently the duo fell into step beside the Tok'ra, only stopping to let the flash of the transport rings whisk them into the coolness of the Tok'ra tunnels.
~o0o~
Nut's fingers stroked the smooth jewelled armrest of her golden throne. Impatience was growing within her, giving way to anger as she waited for Cal'ma and the Tau'ri to return.
The idle fingers of her right hand wriggled slowly within the confines of the hand device, the smooth metal warm and soft as she stretched the delicate limbs within its confines.
Nut lifted the decorated hand to her face, studying the way the delicate veins ran intricately beneath the surface of the pale skin. Beautiful and delicate, such a frail life form. Nut gave strength to the weakness, lending a solidness to the host that would not have been there before.
Nut smiled in satisfaction. Did not all her servants agree that Nut was goodness? That where Nut went, order and growth flourished? Growth and order were good, Nut mused silently as she lowered her hand. They meant more produce, more possessions and more worshippers.
One could never have enough worshippers.
The chamber doors slid open slowly, and Cal'ma stepped through the entranceway, her dark head bent low so that Nut could see the intricate beadwork woven into the crown of her head. A beautiful work that Nut had been most pleased with.
"The Tau'ri, my Queen," the priestess murmured.
Nut watched them curiously as they approached; she had not seen them since healing them, and even then she had been far to weak to really study them.
They did not show proper respect, she realised with annoyance. Their eyes were large and defiant, gazing up at her with dislike and even disgust. That angered Nut, and she expressed her anger through her eyes, watching to see if they flinched at her display of power. Many believed in her when they saw the golden eyes of their goddess.
These remained unflinching.
"What do you want?" the male demanded.
Yes, she remembered this. She remembered his insolence. At her nod, the Jaffa behind him struck him firmly with a staff weapon. The Tau'ri groaned as he sank to the floor, his eyes screwed shut with pain. The female turned to him, concern shining clearly on her face.
A smile touched Nut's lips. She had chosen them wisely; they would not disappoint.
"You have been well cared for," Nut told them, her voice blank and emotionless, "and now you will serve me."
"The day I serve a Goa'uld is the day hell freezes over," the male remarked loudly. Nut watched with interest as the female tried to silence him, but the Jaffa struck him again with the staff weapon.
"You will show respect when address your goddess," the Jaffa said roughly.
Nut smiled as she watched her Jaffa. He was loyal, as were all her servants. Yes, growth and order served her well. Her methods were far more successful than those of Ra had been, or even those of Sokar and Cronos. Her Jaffa would never rebel.
"You agreed to find Geb, should I heal the female," Nut commented idly as she watched the Tau'ri turn towards her. "You are both well, so now you will find Geb." Her heart rate quickened as the words passed over her lips. Geb. Soon, beloved, soon he would be with her again.
"How are we supposed to find a Goa'uld that we've never heard of before?"
Nut's temper flared quickly, and she rose in her seat. But anger and punishment would not convince them; they were different to Jaffa. She smiled tightly. "You will find him, or you will die."
Neither showed reaction at the words, but Nut was not disappointed. The male had been made aware of these rules in the very beginning, and he had accepted them. If they agreed without argument or reluctance, then Nut would have been disappointed.
"So how are we supposed to find him?" the male demanded.
Nut shrugged; that did not concern her. What concerned Nut was that they would find Geb. And then she would gain a new Jaffa and a beautiful addition to her court who would always be bound to her through one another. It was ironic, Nut thought to herself, that what they wanted to save most was what bound them to her. And Nut enjoyed the irony.
"We will release you on the planet of your choice, and we will wait there. Should you betray us and bring enemies to war, we will kill your beloved and destroy your armies, for none can deceive Nut."
Their eyes were concerned and hesitant at her words, but they knew she spoke the truth. Her host could feel their thoughts and their emotions, and they knew it.
"Where do you wish to be released?"
The Tau'ri turned to one another, their eyes talking while their mouths were silent. Eventually the male turned back to her. "Could you give us a few minutes to think about it?"
Nut shrugged a delicate hand; to grant them a leniency would not challenge her hold over them. "Escort them to their chambers. When they have reached a decision, return them to me."
She sank down onto her throne slowly, enjoying the feel of the silken material of her gown as it brushed along her soft skin. It would not take long before they would decide, and Nut had all the time she desired.
Smiling, she ran her fingers over the polished stones of her jewelled armrest.
~o0o~
The Tau'ri Daniel Jackson and the Jaffa Teal'c are here to see you, Aldwyn's symbiote informed them.
Where are they? Selmak asked as Jacob rose to his feet.
In the council rooms. They appear troubled.
A smile tugged at Jacob's lips, but it was bitter and tired. He followed the other Tok'ra silently, listening as Selmak tried to soothe him. Perhaps they have news, Jacob.
It would be bad, Selmak. You heard Aldwyn, they're not happy.
But news is news, Jacob, and news might help us to locate them.
What if it's too late?
Then we would still know, my friend.
You are too damn optimistic, Selmak.
That is why you need me. You are too pessimistic.
"Jacob Carter," Teal'c's form appeared in their vision.
Jacob nodded his head. "Don't forget Selmak."
"I have not."
There was silence as Aldwyn left the room.
"Why are you here?" Jacob asked eventually, studying the two men in front of him.
"We wish to locate Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill," Teal'c explained, studying the Tok'ra carefully.
Jacob sighed. "We don't even know who has them, Teal'c."
"You believe it is Nut."
"We may be wrong. And even if we were right, we have to find her first."
"Uh. excuse me," Daniel interrupted.
"Yes?"
"What do we know about Nut?"
"She's looking for Geb, she hates Ra and Anhur is probably hunting for her."
Daniel blinked. "So. We find Geb. It's simple."
Jacob snorted. "Simple? Yeah, right. Look, if Nut hasn't been able to find Geb in the last couple of thousand years, then why should we be able to find Geb?"
"Maybe we know something she doesn't. She's been hiding for how long. If you think about your legends and the stories you've heard, and we scour the planets we know Ra controlled then we should be able to fine some clue as to where Geb is."
Jacob nodded slowly. "So what, we find Geb and offer to trade him for Sam and Jack?"
Daniel nodded his head firmly. "You with us?"
Jacob grinned. "You bet. I'm owed some leave anyway, and Selmak has been dying to show me the finer parts of the universe."
~o0o~
Jack frowned as he went over the options again in his mind. "I don't like it."
"Neither do I, but it's our only choice, Sir."
He blew out angrily, running a rough hand through his hair. "At least we can contact Hammond somehow and let them know we're still alive. That way maybe they won't give up on us entirely."
"Do you think they would have?" Carter asked hesitantly.
He pursed his lips. "Maybe. Hammond would have had to call the search off now. Daniel and Teal'c might still be persistent. but it's been about two weeks. Almost the longest we've been MIA, and they'd have no idea about who has us and whether we're still alive. It's a big universe, Carter."
"So we basically have no choice but to trust this Goa'uld," Carter said, frustration edging her voice.
"Which planet should we get dropped off on?"
He studied his second as she frowned in thought, mentally going over the list of known gate addresses stored in her brilliant mind. "Abydos."
"Abydos?" he tried it out. "Why there?"
"Kasuf has a GDO, doesn't he? There's also the fact that Daniel makes sure we keep contact with them because of Sha're's child."
"And it wouldn't give anything away to Nut about where our planet is and who we're allied with. Other than the Abydonians."
"Is it wise, exposing them to Nut?"
"She's got to have some ties with Ra, Sir. She has Horus Guard, not Serpent. That means she's Ra's family, so she'd know about Abydos anyway."
Jack nodded his head slowly; it made sense.
"So we pitch it to the snake and see what she thinks?"
"Yes. Sir?"
"Carter?"
"Just remember her host is a Nox. If she can use the Nox's healing capabilities, I'm pretty sure she could use it's other capabilities too."
"You mean mind reading?"
Carter nodded her head wearily, closing her eyes briefly before pulling herself to her feet.
"I want you to go planet side," Jack instructed as they walked towards the door together.
She glanced at him, curiousity in her eyes.
"You'd be more help to Daniel and the others while they try to solve this, and there's less risk of. of." he floundered, not wanting to embarrass her or imply that she couldn't take care of herself.
To his amazement, a gentle smile crossed her lips. "Thank you Sir, but I don't think you need to worry about it. She won't do anything to us until she has Geb."
"It's when she has Geb that I'm worried about," he returned with feeling in his voice.
The smile fell from her face and she looked towards the door, her cheeks pale and strained. "She won't keep her deal, will she?"
"I doubt it. That's why we've got to tell Hammond as much as possible about her and where we are and how much power she has."
Carter nodded her head and walked ahead of him to the door. He remained silent as she raised her fist and banged on the door, yelling for the Jaffa. Seconds later the door swung back and she stepped through. Taking a deep breath, Jack followed her reluctantly.
This was bad. This was very bad. Doing a deal with a Goa'uld who'd just as soon kill him as use him for a host.
Bad. Very bad.
~o0o~
I'm not writing as fast as I'm posting. ARGH.. to there might be backlog soon. Sorry!
sharim
Thank you fro still reading. *G* and it's not over yet!
Thanks for all the feedback!
Chapter Nine
She was bored. Not just slightly bored, not even a lot bored. She was 'Jack O'Neill Bored'. The kind of boredom where flicking the strap of her watch would amuse her for hours. If she still had her watch.
She sighed, flopping over on the bed and gazing up at the ceiling.
"Bored, Carter?"
"Oh, you have no idea, Sir," she sighed, not moving from where she was sprawled.
"Do you think Nut has a pack of cards somewhere?"
"If she did they definitely wouldn't have any of those pictures you like looking at," she replied good-naturedly.
He sighed, not even bothering to respond to her pointed comment.
"When do you think they'll feed us again?"
"Breakfast wasn't even an hour ago, Sir," she sighed again, turning onto her side to study him as he sat against the wall trying to tie his silk sash into knots. At least he had a sash to play with. If she played with any piece of her clothing then a part of her might just get uncovered. Remembering her revealing clothing, she immediately lay back on her stomach.
"So? At least when we eat we're not bored. I'd give anything for a fishing rod."
She raised an eyebrow. "Hate to break it to you sir, but where would you fish?"
He lifted his head to look at her, annoyed. "Just because-"
The door hissed open and Cal'ma stepped through, her dark face showing its usual picture of concentrated blankness.
"Morning Cal'ma," the Colonel scrambled to his feet, almost tripping as his foot stepped on the silk of his robe.
"It is not morning," Cal'ma replied stiffly, her eyes flitting over the two of them.
"Oh. Well, we just got up a while ago," he offered, approaching her steadily.
The Jaffa priestess moved uneasily, stepping back to be closer to the protection of her Jaffa escort. "Nut requires for you to have an audience with her."
"Oh, she does, does she?" O'Neill commented flippantly. "Gee, Carter, looks like we get something exciting after all."
Sam rolled her eyes and scrambled off the bed, walking over to the Colonel and the priestess. "Why does she want to see us?"
"It is time to repay her for her kindness," Cal'ma answered simply. "Come."
~o0o~
His fingers trailed slowly over the stone, marvelling at its roughness. In the dark his eyes could not make out the figures and details carved into the hardness, but when daylight came he would see them.
And then he would know where to find Nut.
Nut. The cursed one. The one who caused his imprisonment.
Anhur's lips curled in disgust.
Perhaps he would not present her alive to Ra. Just her body, drained and emptied of its precious life force. Yes. He had been denied the pleasure of a hunt and the ecstasy of a kill for so long. Ra would understand. Ra would agree to his payment.
Warm saliva gathered in Anhur's dry mouth. Soon. The taste of blood would be on his lips soon.
He would find Nut. And he would destroy Nut.
He would destroy everything Nut held dear, everything Nut cherished. Every Nut possessed or wanted Anhur would destroy.
The hunter would win the hunt.
~o0o~
Teal'c waited as Daniel Jackson adjusted the heavy pack on his back. "I'm ready, Teal'c." The words were muffled as the archaeologist turned to dig in his pocket for a handkerchief. "Come on."
Teal'c looked up towards General Hammond who was studying them with a strange expression upon his features.
"We are ready to depart, General Hammond," he announced.
"Very well. Engage the wormhole, Sergeant."
The silence in the gate room was broken by the grating sound of the 'gate spinning and the whoosh as the wormhole locked into place.
"Good luck people. Bring them home."
Teal'c nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"We've got to find them first," Daniel Jackson muttered before walking roughly to the wormhole and stepping through.
The planet they stepped onto was dry and sandy, the hot wind blowing the arid heat over their bodies. Daniel Jackson sighed again and tied his bandana to his forehead. "You coming, Teal'c?"
With a short nod, Teal'c followed behind Daniel Jackson, his eyes ever watchful as they walked across the seemingly deserted planet. He knew better; there was life hidden among the sands.
Seconds later the sands moved and several roughly clad men rose up, sand pouring from their tunics.
"Who passes?"
"It is I, Teal'c, and Daniel Jackson from Earth."
The staff weapons trained on them lowered to the ground.
"What business do you have with the Tok'ra?"
"We seek Jacob Carter, host to Selmak."
"Come, he is here."
Silently the duo fell into step beside the Tok'ra, only stopping to let the flash of the transport rings whisk them into the coolness of the Tok'ra tunnels.
~o0o~
Nut's fingers stroked the smooth jewelled armrest of her golden throne. Impatience was growing within her, giving way to anger as she waited for Cal'ma and the Tau'ri to return.
The idle fingers of her right hand wriggled slowly within the confines of the hand device, the smooth metal warm and soft as she stretched the delicate limbs within its confines.
Nut lifted the decorated hand to her face, studying the way the delicate veins ran intricately beneath the surface of the pale skin. Beautiful and delicate, such a frail life form. Nut gave strength to the weakness, lending a solidness to the host that would not have been there before.
Nut smiled in satisfaction. Did not all her servants agree that Nut was goodness? That where Nut went, order and growth flourished? Growth and order were good, Nut mused silently as she lowered her hand. They meant more produce, more possessions and more worshippers.
One could never have enough worshippers.
The chamber doors slid open slowly, and Cal'ma stepped through the entranceway, her dark head bent low so that Nut could see the intricate beadwork woven into the crown of her head. A beautiful work that Nut had been most pleased with.
"The Tau'ri, my Queen," the priestess murmured.
Nut watched them curiously as they approached; she had not seen them since healing them, and even then she had been far to weak to really study them.
They did not show proper respect, she realised with annoyance. Their eyes were large and defiant, gazing up at her with dislike and even disgust. That angered Nut, and she expressed her anger through her eyes, watching to see if they flinched at her display of power. Many believed in her when they saw the golden eyes of their goddess.
These remained unflinching.
"What do you want?" the male demanded.
Yes, she remembered this. She remembered his insolence. At her nod, the Jaffa behind him struck him firmly with a staff weapon. The Tau'ri groaned as he sank to the floor, his eyes screwed shut with pain. The female turned to him, concern shining clearly on her face.
A smile touched Nut's lips. She had chosen them wisely; they would not disappoint.
"You have been well cared for," Nut told them, her voice blank and emotionless, "and now you will serve me."
"The day I serve a Goa'uld is the day hell freezes over," the male remarked loudly. Nut watched with interest as the female tried to silence him, but the Jaffa struck him again with the staff weapon.
"You will show respect when address your goddess," the Jaffa said roughly.
Nut smiled as she watched her Jaffa. He was loyal, as were all her servants. Yes, growth and order served her well. Her methods were far more successful than those of Ra had been, or even those of Sokar and Cronos. Her Jaffa would never rebel.
"You agreed to find Geb, should I heal the female," Nut commented idly as she watched the Tau'ri turn towards her. "You are both well, so now you will find Geb." Her heart rate quickened as the words passed over her lips. Geb. Soon, beloved, soon he would be with her again.
"How are we supposed to find a Goa'uld that we've never heard of before?"
Nut's temper flared quickly, and she rose in her seat. But anger and punishment would not convince them; they were different to Jaffa. She smiled tightly. "You will find him, or you will die."
Neither showed reaction at the words, but Nut was not disappointed. The male had been made aware of these rules in the very beginning, and he had accepted them. If they agreed without argument or reluctance, then Nut would have been disappointed.
"So how are we supposed to find him?" the male demanded.
Nut shrugged; that did not concern her. What concerned Nut was that they would find Geb. And then she would gain a new Jaffa and a beautiful addition to her court who would always be bound to her through one another. It was ironic, Nut thought to herself, that what they wanted to save most was what bound them to her. And Nut enjoyed the irony.
"We will release you on the planet of your choice, and we will wait there. Should you betray us and bring enemies to war, we will kill your beloved and destroy your armies, for none can deceive Nut."
Their eyes were concerned and hesitant at her words, but they knew she spoke the truth. Her host could feel their thoughts and their emotions, and they knew it.
"Where do you wish to be released?"
The Tau'ri turned to one another, their eyes talking while their mouths were silent. Eventually the male turned back to her. "Could you give us a few minutes to think about it?"
Nut shrugged a delicate hand; to grant them a leniency would not challenge her hold over them. "Escort them to their chambers. When they have reached a decision, return them to me."
She sank down onto her throne slowly, enjoying the feel of the silken material of her gown as it brushed along her soft skin. It would not take long before they would decide, and Nut had all the time she desired.
Smiling, she ran her fingers over the polished stones of her jewelled armrest.
~o0o~
The Tau'ri Daniel Jackson and the Jaffa Teal'c are here to see you, Aldwyn's symbiote informed them.
Where are they? Selmak asked as Jacob rose to his feet.
In the council rooms. They appear troubled.
A smile tugged at Jacob's lips, but it was bitter and tired. He followed the other Tok'ra silently, listening as Selmak tried to soothe him. Perhaps they have news, Jacob.
It would be bad, Selmak. You heard Aldwyn, they're not happy.
But news is news, Jacob, and news might help us to locate them.
What if it's too late?
Then we would still know, my friend.
You are too damn optimistic, Selmak.
That is why you need me. You are too pessimistic.
"Jacob Carter," Teal'c's form appeared in their vision.
Jacob nodded his head. "Don't forget Selmak."
"I have not."
There was silence as Aldwyn left the room.
"Why are you here?" Jacob asked eventually, studying the two men in front of him.
"We wish to locate Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill," Teal'c explained, studying the Tok'ra carefully.
Jacob sighed. "We don't even know who has them, Teal'c."
"You believe it is Nut."
"We may be wrong. And even if we were right, we have to find her first."
"Uh. excuse me," Daniel interrupted.
"Yes?"
"What do we know about Nut?"
"She's looking for Geb, she hates Ra and Anhur is probably hunting for her."
Daniel blinked. "So. We find Geb. It's simple."
Jacob snorted. "Simple? Yeah, right. Look, if Nut hasn't been able to find Geb in the last couple of thousand years, then why should we be able to find Geb?"
"Maybe we know something she doesn't. She's been hiding for how long. If you think about your legends and the stories you've heard, and we scour the planets we know Ra controlled then we should be able to fine some clue as to where Geb is."
Jacob nodded slowly. "So what, we find Geb and offer to trade him for Sam and Jack?"
Daniel nodded his head firmly. "You with us?"
Jacob grinned. "You bet. I'm owed some leave anyway, and Selmak has been dying to show me the finer parts of the universe."
~o0o~
Jack frowned as he went over the options again in his mind. "I don't like it."
"Neither do I, but it's our only choice, Sir."
He blew out angrily, running a rough hand through his hair. "At least we can contact Hammond somehow and let them know we're still alive. That way maybe they won't give up on us entirely."
"Do you think they would have?" Carter asked hesitantly.
He pursed his lips. "Maybe. Hammond would have had to call the search off now. Daniel and Teal'c might still be persistent. but it's been about two weeks. Almost the longest we've been MIA, and they'd have no idea about who has us and whether we're still alive. It's a big universe, Carter."
"So we basically have no choice but to trust this Goa'uld," Carter said, frustration edging her voice.
"Which planet should we get dropped off on?"
He studied his second as she frowned in thought, mentally going over the list of known gate addresses stored in her brilliant mind. "Abydos."
"Abydos?" he tried it out. "Why there?"
"Kasuf has a GDO, doesn't he? There's also the fact that Daniel makes sure we keep contact with them because of Sha're's child."
"And it wouldn't give anything away to Nut about where our planet is and who we're allied with. Other than the Abydonians."
"Is it wise, exposing them to Nut?"
"She's got to have some ties with Ra, Sir. She has Horus Guard, not Serpent. That means she's Ra's family, so she'd know about Abydos anyway."
Jack nodded his head slowly; it made sense.
"So we pitch it to the snake and see what she thinks?"
"Yes. Sir?"
"Carter?"
"Just remember her host is a Nox. If she can use the Nox's healing capabilities, I'm pretty sure she could use it's other capabilities too."
"You mean mind reading?"
Carter nodded her head wearily, closing her eyes briefly before pulling herself to her feet.
"I want you to go planet side," Jack instructed as they walked towards the door together.
She glanced at him, curiousity in her eyes.
"You'd be more help to Daniel and the others while they try to solve this, and there's less risk of. of." he floundered, not wanting to embarrass her or imply that she couldn't take care of herself.
To his amazement, a gentle smile crossed her lips. "Thank you Sir, but I don't think you need to worry about it. She won't do anything to us until she has Geb."
"It's when she has Geb that I'm worried about," he returned with feeling in his voice.
The smile fell from her face and she looked towards the door, her cheeks pale and strained. "She won't keep her deal, will she?"
"I doubt it. That's why we've got to tell Hammond as much as possible about her and where we are and how much power she has."
Carter nodded her head and walked ahead of him to the door. He remained silent as she raised her fist and banged on the door, yelling for the Jaffa. Seconds later the door swung back and she stepped through. Taking a deep breath, Jack followed her reluctantly.
This was bad. This was very bad. Doing a deal with a Goa'uld who'd just as soon kill him as use him for a host.
Bad. Very bad.
~o0o~
I'm not writing as fast as I'm posting. ARGH.. to there might be backlog soon. Sorry!
sharim