"I have asked you to come here, because I believe we have a common interest." Kali began.

"And what is that?" Morrigan interrupted.

"We have all suffered losses at the hands of Anubis and his enemies. We all know he wishes to take Ra's place as the Supreme Lord of the Goa'uld." Kali answered. "And I for one, do not wish that to happen."

"Where does that leave us?" Bastet asked.

Kali looked at her. "I wish only to know what you think of Anubis's plan." Kali answered.

"I don't like it!" Svarog grated. "He is not Ra! And I want my freedom!"

Bastet looked straight at Kali. "I, too, do not want to see Anubis as Supreme Lord, but I do not wish to start a war."

"I do not propose to start a war with him." Kali said.

"Then what do you wish to do?' snapped Morrigan.

"I propose an alliance between us, so that together we will have enough might to stand up to Anubis, but so much that he feels he needs to fight us." Kali answered. "That way the balance of power will be kept."

"And do you think we will just agree so easily, Kali?" Morrigan snarled.

"No, of course not." Kali soothed. "Please let me extend an invitation to retire to some quarters to think it over."

"Very well." Said Bastet, before Morrigan could interject again. "I will except your invitation."

"I will as well." Said Svarog.

Morrigan just nodded sullenly, before sweeping out the room. Svarog soon followed, but he exited through a door on the other side to Morrigan. As Bastet got up, Kali nodded in her direction. Bastet nodded back, and exited the room through which she had entered.

Waiting for her, on the other side was the same Jaffa who had escorted her from the planet. "Honored One," he said. "If you will follow me, I will shown you where you are quartered."

She nodded, and the Jaffa led the way down the corridor. They soon reached a set of sumptuous rooms, lavishly decorated with silks and velvets. At the door, the Jaffa turned to her. "If you wish for food, send you servants to the room down the corridor to the left. You may take whatever you need."

Bastet nodded again. "Leave us."

The Jaffa bowed and left, returning up the corridor. Bastet pressed the door controls and closed the door. One of the Jaffa drew something from inside his robe and began to walk around the quarters. "It is safe." He said after a moment.

Bastet breathed a sigh of relief. "This is nerve racking stuff." She said in a human voice.

"So what have you learnt?" Asked Daniel.

"Not a lot." Catherine replied. "Kali seems to be the one calling the shots since Apophis - or Imhotep - is not here. Morrigan doesn't trust her at all. I think there's some bad blood between the two."

"That's putting it mildly." Sam said. "Morrigan tried her best to antagonize Kali whenever she could."

Cassandra smiled. "It shouldn't be too hard to turn her against the alliance."

Catherine nodded. "Svarog is arrogant and aggressive. I can tell he doesn't like dealing with females, despite the fact they are all powerful System Lords in there own right. A few 'accidents' and he won't agree to anything."

Sam took over. "As far as I can tell, Morrigan has her quarters to the left of us, and Svarog to the right. Kali is trying to keep us separate so that we won't run into each other in the halls. With the level of distrust already there, it won't take much to turn them against her."

"Good work." Said Jack. "So what's the plan?"

"It think the best idea right now is to do some snooping. I think I feel a little hungry. Cassandra, would you be a dear, and take Jack with you to get me some food?" Catherine grinned.

"Of course, Master." Cassandra said, bowing, and smiled at Catherine.

Rya'c looked at her. "Major O'Neill and I will guard the door." He said.

Catherine sighed as the door shut. "You okay?" asked Daniel.

She smiled at him. "That depends on your definition of okay." She said dryly.

"Sorry, stupid question." Daniel said.

Sam went over and sat on the bed. "What are we going to do at the next meeting?" she asked.

"I'm going to try and delay them as much as I can." Catherine replied. "I'll only take Cassandra with me next time, so you can help the others."

"You'll need to keep at least two of us." Daniel said, and Catherine looked at him questioningly. "No self respecting Goa'uld would be far from her Jaffa. I think we can get away with one outside the meeting door and one outside these quarters, though."

Catherine nodded. "Makes sense." She said.

At that moment the door opened, and Catherine straightened. But it was only Jack and Cassandra, back from their trip down the hall. "Well?" Catherine asked.

"No luck." Cassandra said. "The serving area is only for us, and is guarded by one of Kali's Jaffa. I would think that all the others would be the same. We won't be able to get past him, without him noticing."

Cassandra put a plate heaped with food on the small table near the bed. "Do you know how long they will keep us here?" she asked.

"No." Catherine said.

Then a thoughtful look came into her eye. "Was it our friendly escort who was in the serving room?" she asked.

"No." Jack answered and grinned.

Catherine grinned in return. "Sam . . . "

"Way ahead of you. I'll take Daniel and Jack." She said.