The Goa'uld Bastet emerged from the Chappa'ai with her Jaffa spread out around her. The planet's sun was warm on her skin, but she did not notice as she looked around with an arrogant sneer.

The planet was covered in dry grass and spindly trees. She could see slaves working in the fields around her, but merely glanced over them, searching for her escort. She spotted them ahead of her.

"Tal'mac Bastet." She said in her inhuman voice, her eyes flaring white.

"What did she say?" murmured one of Bastet's Jaffa without moving his lips.

"My name is Bastet." Another answered just as quietly.

One of the escorts stepped forward. Bastet could see by the marking on his forehead that he was one of Kali's Jaffa. The others behind him belonged to Svarog and Morrigan. "Welcome, System Lord." He said in Goa'uld. "I have been sent to ensure your safe passage to our meeting place."

"Then show me." Bastet ordered.

The three escorts then turned and walked to a spot on the sandy ground. Bastet followed and, unseen, two of her Jaffa slipped away from the group. They disappeared into the sparse undergrowth as a ring transporter settled around Bastet and the others, and transported them to the meeting place.

When the rings disappeared again, Bastet found herself within a Goa'uld temple. The temple was dedicated to Kali, and Bastet turned suspiciously to the escort Jaffa. "I thought we were to meet on neutral territory!" she snapped at him.

"I must assure you, Honored One, that this temple is empty except for the escorts of the System Lords. We mean no disrespect."

Bastet's eyes flashed. "If I find out you are lying, Jaffa, I will not hesitate to give you an excruciating death."

"Of course, Honored One." He replied, bowing.

"If you will follow me, I will escort you to the meeting room." The Jaffa turned and began walking down the corridor.

"Imhotep has just arrived." Jacob Carter's voice whispered in Bastet's ear.

"The 'escorts' will be coming back soon, so make yourself scarce." One of the slaves muttered.

They reached the door to the meeting room. "Honored One, I must not allow you to take more than your human slaves into this room." The Jaffa told her. "Your Jaffa may remain outside, but must not enter at any time."

Bastet nodded. "Jaffa. Aray Kree!" she snapped.

"I must return." The escort Jaffa bowed to Bastet and walked back down the corridor.

"Heads up." One of the Jaffa murmured.

"Copy." Said Jacob.

Bastet rolled her shoulders and pressed the door control to open the door. She entered with her slaves trailing after her respectfully. The door shut behind them.

After a minute, one of the Jaffa frowned. "What does Aray Kree mean, exactly?" he asked in a quiet voice.

"Stay where you are." Another replied.

"Oh."

* * *

Bastet stood at the edge of a golden walled room, covered in Goa'uld symbols. The floor was made of black stone and four braziers burned on the corners. Seated on a large golden chair, was a beautiful woman with long black hair and bronze skin. She wore a white sari with golden trim and a bindi on her forehead.

Two males crouched at her feet. They each had bald heads and wore dark red saris. Each of them looked fearfully up at the new arrival. "Tak'ma'te Bastet." She said in her inhuman voice.

"Ba'ja'kakma'te Kali." Bastet replied.

Kali smiled at her, although it did not reach her eyes. "Please take a seat." She said, motioning to one of four empty golden chairs in the room. "Morrigan and Svarog with be with us soon."

Bastet nodded, and took a seat to Kali's left. Her slaves crouched at her feet. A second later another door opened, and a tall blond man walked in. He had the broad shoulders and pale skin of one of the Nordic people, and the characteristic blue war paint on his face.

He was dressed in leather breeches and a dark blue tunic, and was followed by two cowering blond haired women wearing brightly coloured dresses.

"Tak'ma'te Svarog." Kali greeted him.

Svarog nodded at Kali and Bastet and took a seat on Kali's right.

"Where is Morrigan and Apophis!" he demanded.

"I am here, Svarog." Said a harsh voice.

Bastet turned to find a red haired woman standing in another doorway. She wore a flowing gown of black velvet and wore a golden torque at her throat and arms. Two men wearing leather breeches and sleeveless tunics followed her.

Cassandra made a mental note of the four exits to the room, as Morrigan chose a seat next to Bastet. "But I do not see Apophis." She said.

Kali looked at her. "Then perhaps we should proceed without him." She suggested.

"I agree!" Svarog said.

"As do I." Bastet said.

"Very well." Morrigan agreed. "So why have you brought us here, Kali?"