Daniel wiped the sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his robe. It was still several hours before the suns set on Abydos. He was working with a mixed group of Abydonians and SGC volunteers clearing away the rubble in the city. A second group led by Teal'c had the more gruesome task of burying the bodies of those who hadn't survived the attack. Daniel hadn't known what to think as Jack had laid out his request sitting in his purloined chair in the middle of the 'Gate room. His initial reaction had been panic, until he'd realized Jack had spoken in the modern Goa'uld tongue spoken among the jaffa. Fourteen months ago he couldn't imagine Jack knowing the language, but he'd obviously learned by necessity on Panersh. No one else in the room had a clue what the three men spoke of as Jack switched to Abydonian at the end telling the boys to play along and pretend they understood every word. Their hero-worship of Jack and unshakable trust in Daniel meant they obeyed his request without question allowing Jack, Teal'c, Skaara, and Daniel to plot their next move openly in the middle of the crowded 'Gate room.
By the time night had fallen on Abydos all the missing had been accounted for. So for safety of the rescuers, work was stopped for the night. The older women had prepared a hearty meal for those who had been working in the mind-numbing heat. Most of the SGC personnel had elected to return to Earth for the night and return the next day, but a few had remained. At Daniel's whispered request, Skaara and the others brought out their finest hooch. He had also managed to have a quiet word with the women preparing the evening meal to suggest certain dishes. At first the soldiers had tried to refuse the hooch, but Skaara had shamelessly talked them into trying the homemade alcohol by making it a matter of honor. He informed the soldiers from the SGC that the drink was being offered to thank them for their aid and that the soldiers would be insulting them if they didn't take at least a sip. The heavy meal combined with the alcohol they had consumed and the day of labor in the blazing heat of Abydos had made the soldiers sleepy just as Daniel had hoped. Daniel and Skaara told Ferretti that 'the boys' would take the first watch so the soldiers could rest arguing that the SGC soldiers needed it more because they weren't used to the heat. As the senior officer present, Ferretti had accepted the arrangement without question. He had fought with the Abydonians after all and knew they were capable of guarding the 'Gate. Hadn't they proved it just hours ago? He and his men turned in gratefully.
"One hurdle down," Daniel murmured an hour later as he punched in the first chevron that would take them to the world where they would hopefully make contact with the Asgard. One of the boys had reported that all of the Tau'ri soldiers were now asleep. "Remember, if they realize someone's dialed out say Skaara, Teal'c, and I went to speak with the Asgard about making Abydos a protected planet," Daniel reminded the group of Abydonians who would guard the Stargate in their absence. The young men nodded then turned to watch as the seventh chevron locked into place and the wormhole formed within the ancient device. "We'll be back in a few hours," he added just before he walked through the curtain of energy and onto another world. Daniel and Skaara stepped down from the platform on which the Stargate stood as Teal'c headed for the DHD to dial in the address of his next destination. "Meet you at the Tok'ra base in four hours, Teal'c" Daniel told his teammate who nodded solemnly. "Good luck," he added.
"Indeed. Good luck to us both, DanielJackson," Teal'c responded as he bowed his head slightly to the other man before turning and walking through the 'Gate.
"Let's go talk to the Asgard, Skaara" Daniel said as he led his brother-in-law towards the church in the center of town. They quietly entered the church, and Daniel pointed out the obelisk at the front. He and Skaara stepped up and touched it together. Skaara looked around with interest as they found themselves in the cave that Daniel was becoming more familiar with all the time. Daniel led the way to the circle of light where contact would be made with the Asgard council. The two men paced the confines of the cavern for more than an hour before the holographic images of three Asgard appeared before them.
"Dr. Jackson," Thor greeted them. "How fare Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter?" he asked.
"Physically they're recovering. Jack's the one that sent me, Thor" Daniel said. "He wants me to ask a favor."
"Did you not come before us just days ago to ask for a favor on their behalf?" Freyr asked.
"Yes," Daniel admitted. "I know we've asked for quite a lot lately, but I'm not here asking on behalf of the Tau'ri. This is a personal favor for Sam and Jack." Daniel paused to take a breath then told them everything they'd learned of the twins' kidnapping in the two days since Thor had returned to the Asgard fleet after fleeing the destruction of his ship. "Help us save their children," he plead. "You remember the rogue group from our world that was stealing technology from you?"
"Yes," Freyr answered as his large black eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Remnants of that group have taken Jack and Sam's children. Please!" Daniel begged. "We just need to borrow a few things for a few weeks at most."
"What things?" Thor asked. The expression on his gray face was one that Daniel was learning to recognize as curiosity.
Daniel sighed with relief. He quickly outlined what Jack had sent him to ask for and the reasons behind Jack's request.
"I will grant your request, Dr. Jackson" Thor agreed.
"You do not have that authority," Freyr rebuked the other Asgard.
"I do not speak for the Asgard in this," Thor told him. "I speak for myself. The equipment belongs to me personally, and I personally will lend it to them. I consider Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter my...friends. The task we asked of O'Neill has obviously contributed to the reason behind this kidnapping. We are partly to blame," he argued to his fellow Asgard. "We must do what we can to help."
"Thank you, Thor" Daniel told the little alien.
There was a small flash as a small egg-shaped stone appeared on the floor of the cave in front of the humans. "Take this communications device to contact me when you need my assistance," Thor told them. "I will be waiting. For now we must go."
"Wait!" Skaara said urgently. "I wish to speak."
"About what do you wish to speak?" Freyr asked.
"My world was attacked by Anubis," Skaara said. "I ask protection for my people from the System Lords."
"You are the former host of Klorel?" Heimdall asked.
"Yes," Skaara replied.
"Skaara wants Abydos added to the protected planets treaty," Daniel added making it clear exactly what the younger man wished.
"We will consider it," Freyr said just before the holograms of the Asgard faded from view.
Skaara's shoulders slumped with defeat.
"They said they'd consider it, Skaara" Daniel said.
"That mean no, Danyel" Skaara scoffed. "They will not help Abydos."
"Then Abydos helps itself. Re-open the mine, Skaara" Daniel suggested as they walked back to where the obelisk stood inside the cave. "Sell the naquadah to the Tau'ri for technology to defend yourself. An iris device for the Chapa'ii. More guns and ammunition."
Skaara cocked his head to the side as he considered Daniel's words. "Possible," he said.
"There is a group of jaffa warriors who have broken from the System Lords like Teal'c," Daniel added. "Perhaps some of them could be asked to settle on Abydos to increase our numbers."
Skaara shook his head as he touched the obelisk that would return them to the village church. "Jaffa cause problems Danyel. Too many remember Ra. We trade naquadah to the Tau'ri to rebuild Nagada," Skaara murmured as they exited the church. "Maybe O'Neill's near-father trade for naquadah too?" he asked Daniel.
"Probably," Daniel agreed. He couldn't imagine how so few Tok'ra managed to have the supply of naquadah their technology required without stealing or bartering it. He punched in the chevrons to take them to the abandoned Tok'ra base where they would meet Teal'c.