Happenstance by Layton Colt

Notes: I said before that for Stargate, the story takes place after 'The Tok'ra,' but I'm going to revise that to a few episodes later, after the episode, 'The Fifth Race.' Also, I wanted to say that I have made some slight changes in the first part, I want to thank Jamieson for pointing out that the chevrons are constellations and not hieroglyphs.

I also want to apologize for taking so long to get this part up and I hope no one is disappointed. A lot of changes have been made and the story has taken an entirely different direction. Also I should warn Stargate fans, SG- 1 doesn't show up for around ten pages. I hadn't planned it that way, it's just how it turned out. They're still a major part of the story, though, just as much as Voyager, and other characters from Stargate show up before SG-1 does.

Okay now for the technical stuff. There's been some confusion about the nine chevrons. Voyager is in the same galaxy, they're just in a different quadrant. The eight chevron can take you to places that are of much greater distance, and sense Voyager is at the other side of the galaxy, I thought it might be necessary, maybe not, but they aren't real clear about the function of the eight chevron. As for the extra power, that's only needed on Earth. The DHD has enough power to open a wormhole to any destination, and that's how the asgard are able to send Jack home in The Fifth Race. As for the ninth chevron, I'm giving it a function all my own.

Part One: Soul's Eclipse

"Lieutenant Paris! Tom, wake up!"

Tom groaned and pried open his eyes. Janeway was kneeling beside him, eyeing him with concern. "What happened?" he asked.

Janeway shook her head. "I'm not sure. They shot me with something -- it was similar to a phaser only ten times as painful."

Tom nodded groggily. "I feel like I've been hit by a transport vessel." Suddenly, Tom bolted up. "B'Elanna! Where's B'Elanna?"

"She's gone, Tom," Janeway told him sadly.

Tom ran a hand through his short blond hair. The memory of B'Elanna disappearing into glittering blue matter returned to him and he slammed a fist angrily against the ground.

"We have to get back to the shuttle, Tom," Janeway said quietly. "We need to return to Voyager and--"

"No!" Tom interrupted. "We've got to go after her! Captain, this could be our only chance."

"Do you know how to use that thing?" Janeway demanded harshly, waving her hand in the direction of the 'mushroom.'

"As a matter of fact, I do," Tom said levelly. He knew he was treading onto dangerous ground but he'd walked the line of insubordination a million times before.

Janeway's expression softened, but her voice remained firm. "We'd have no idea what we would be walking into."

With a careless smile, Tom pulled himself to his feet. "When has that *ever* stopped us? Captain, Voyager is surveying the next system. By the time we reached them and brought reinforcements, it could be too late. That man said something about making B'Elanna a host. Who knows what he meant by that? For all we know, we're dealing with a parasitic race," as Tom spoke, he searched the dirt for his phaser. Finally, he found it hidden beside a patch of grass and placed it back in his holster.

"Tom," Kathryn said gently. "I understand you're position, and I may even agree with you, but I still have to take your safety into consideration as well as B'Elanna's. I'm not prone to taking under equipped subordinates into hostile territory."

"Nor are you prone to leaving people behind. I saw them activate that device, Captain. Give me a chance at opening it again."

Janeway gave Tom an assessing glance. He had that reckless look about him again, and she was pretty sure there wasn't anything she'd be able to do to stop him. "Go ahead," she assented, motioning towards the large ring.

Tom nodded and took a deep breath. With a slight smile directed in Janeway's direction he stepped up to the foreign device. He stared down at it for a moment, and then started to press down on the constellations. Each time he pressed one, the inner circle would begin to spin, and when the spinning stopped, one of the lights would activate.

He pressed down six of the buttons, then seven, and then eight, finally, he pressed a ninth. And as he slammed his hand down on the center stone, the wave of blue matter again bust forth.

Tom turned anxious eyes to Janeway, she was watching the swirling mass of energy suspended in the rings hold. "We shouldn't do this," he heard her whisper.

Tom nodded his agreement. They shouldn't - but they would.

* * * *

"Let me go or I'll rip out your throats!"

A young man, pacing the entrance hall of Heru-ur's palace paused at the angry shout. He looked up with confusion and another cry echoed through the corridor outside.

"Let go of me!"

He stepped back as the door crashed open and two Jaffa flew in, holding onto a struggling figure. His brow furrowed as he took her in. She was slim and rather small, but it was taking all of the Jaffa's strength just to keep her in their grasp.

"Resheph!" a deep voice barked.

The young man instantly looked up into the cold eyes of Heru-ur. "My lord?" he queried.

"What do you think of the vessel I've chosen for my queen?"

Brown eyes turned back to the woman. Resheph took in the distinct forehead ridges and her menacing sneer. "She is very -- unique."

"Indeed," Heru-ur said smugly. "As is my chosen queen. They will fit well together."

"She is very beautiful," Resheph agreed.

"We will have the transference now," Heru-ur stated.

"So soon! But Heru-ur--" Resheph entreated.

"Get Tu'raia now!" Heru-ur growled.

Resheph bit his tongue and his eyes flashed gold, creating an alien glow reminiscent of Heru-ur's eyes. "Right away."

As Resheph was leaving, he saw Heru-ur use his ribbon device to calm his victim before she was stripped for inspection. An anger grew within him at the treatment of the stranger, but he continued on his way to find Tu'raia.

As he moved confidently through the halls, Resheph pulled a zat-nik-a-tel from his tunic. He had been hoping it would take Heru-ur longer to find a host so he could work out a way to save Tu'raia's life. But he was out of time, and the Jaffa Tu'raia would need to be killed -- as would the simbiote Queen housed in her incubation pouch.

He entered the room silently, but Tu'raia still heard. She turned around slowly, one hand placed on her swelled pouch. Heru-ur's queen was overdue for implantation.

"Lord Heru-ur has found a host?" Tu'raia asked with a hopeful smile.

Resheph pressed his eyes shut in a moment of regret before lifting the zat gun and taking aim. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

As he was about to fire, a strong hand grabbed his wrist. The hand closed tightly, crushing the bone and forcing a scream from Resheph. Na'sre, Heru- ur's first prime, sneered down at the young man.

"Traitorous scum!" Na'sre hissed. "You dare defy our lord?"

Resheph glared up at the detestable first prime. He showed defiance in his stare and hid the shame. His fellow Tok'ra had sent him here for a simple mission. The assassination of Heru-ur's queen before her implantation into a host.

He failed. And now the unusual alien would pay the price.

Na'sre pulled Resheph to his feet and pressed a staff weapon to his back. "Tu'raia," he barked. "Heru-ur demands your presence."

Tu'raia regally stepped from the room. She stopped momentarily, and cast Resheph a contemptible look before continuing on her way.

Na'sre pushed Resheph out after her. "Heru-ur will punish you greatly for this, traitor."

"You dare speak to me with contempt, slave?" Resheph growled angrily, his voice echoing the same frightening way Heru-ur's could.

Na'sre leaned forward, and whispered in his prisoner's ear, "Wait until I tell Heru-ur of your crimes. We will see which of us is the slave."

Resheph grimaced as Na'sre gave him a final shove into the palace hall. The woman chosen for a host had been placed on the offering stone. Her body was held still by the debilitating power of the ribbon device, but Resheph saw in her eyes that she had not yet given up the fight.

Resheph grinned slightly. She would be trouble for these Goa'uld's. He knew it.

"Heru-ur, your *loyal* servant Resheph," Na'sre hissed, "has betrayed you."

Heru-ur looked over at Na'sre and Resheph. "Resheph?" he demanded. "What have you done?"

Resheph set his jaw and did not speak.

"He has tried to murder Tu'raia," Na'sre spoke for him. "And your queen."

Heru-ur's eyes flashed dangerously and he stepped closer to Resheph. "You dare?" he spat.

Resheph remained silent.

"What was it you wished to achieve, Resheph? Did you wish to save this slave?" he demanded, motioning to the still figure of the soon to be host. Heru-ur's eyes narrowed as he still received no response. "You will watch her suffer this fate," he roared. "Tu'raia, it is time!"

Heru-ur turned as Tu'raia opened her robes. B'Elanna, the chosen host, was trembling naked on the cold stone alter struggling to get her arms working again. Tu'raia's stomach was mutilated, a large X was sliced through the skin. Slowly, the four flaps of skin created by the X were lifted and a small creature pushed outwards, writhing around with the blind movements of a snake.

"I believe she approves," Heru-ur said amused. "Turn her over."

Hands grasped B'Elanna and cruelly flipped her over onto her stomach. A light, wet pressure on her back caused her to tense. She knew what she was feeling and it made her cringe. The thing slithered up her back with sure, quick movements. It didn't stop until it had reached the base of her neck.

B'Elanna had little time to wonder why the creature had stilled, because it soon plunged beneath her skin. The agony pierced through her, and she screamed.

Resheph closed his eyes in sympathy for the woman's pain, but used the moment of distraction for his advantage. He wouldn't be able to escape at this point, but he was able to slip his hand into his pocket and reach his communication device. His hand closed around the small communicator and he deftly sent a distress signal before returning his hands to his side.

Heru-ur smiled down at his victim, oblivious to the actions of Resheph. He traced a finger along the wound at the base of the host's neck. The simbiote would heal it quickly, and soon all that would remain would be a scar. By that time, his wife would be in control, and whatever little remained of the host would be under her power.

He glanced distractedly at Resheph. "I will deal with you later, Resheph," he said calmly. "Now, I must tend to my wife. Na'sre, take him to a cell."

Na'sre nodded with a cruel smile and pushed Resheph back out into the corridor and towards the staircase. Resheph stepped cautiously onto the first stepped and stared calmly into the dark tunnel that would lead down to the dank cells below.

* * * *

Janeway and Paris flew through the chaotic spiral, unable to form even one cohesive thought before they were tossed out and sent barreling out onto a hard concrete dais.

Tom shivered violently as he pulled himself up. Frost had formed on his forehead and eyebrows. Distractedly, he wiped it away and turned to help Janeway to her feet.

As the two gained their bearings, they finally looked out at their destination. They had come through the ring to another place, but whether they were on the other side of the planet or the other side of the galaxy, they couldn't be sure. Wherever they were now, there were people, and Tom noted absently that they appeared to be human.

The natives had all stilled and were staring at the new arrivals with wide eyes. Their clothes were in tatters and they looked to be half starved. Tom's heart went out to them and his need to find B'Elanna became even greater.

A hand grabbed his arm and he was brought back to the present. Janeway had his sleeve tightly in her grasp and she was pulling him towards a small forest.

"We have to get some kind of cover," Janeway said. "Until we can figure out if these people are hostile."

Tom looked back to the people. They had gotten back to work and were pulling along wheel barrels filled with heavy stones. "I don't think they're a threat, Captain," Tom said solemnly. "I think they're slaves."

Janeway didn't stop her progress towards the trees as she answered. "I think you're right. But we can't risk them telling anyone we're here. We need to just find B'Elanna and get out of here."

Tom halted abruptly, causing Janeway to stumble. He turned around and looked over at the dialing device similar to the one he had used to get them here.

"Uh oh," he said.

Janeway placed her hands on her hips and blew an errant strand of auburn hair out of her eyes. "Uh oh, Lieutenant?"

"I don't now how to get us back," Tom admitted sheepishly. "I think that this ring has different combinations -- addresses if you will--"

Janeway sighed deeply and interrupted, "And the same one we used to get here won't get us back."

"No," Tom said. "I don't think it will."

"Why didn't you think of this before, Lieutenant?" Janeway demanded.

"Honestly, Captain? I wasn't thinking that far ahead."

Janeway gave another sigh -- this one was unmistakably a result of resignation. "Well, we'll have to worry about it later. Right now, let's focus on finding B'Elanna."

Tom eagerly nodded his agreement and the two Starfleet officers took cover in the trees. As they kneeled down in the grass Janeway pulled out her tricorder. "I'm picking up B'Elanna's life signs," she said. "She's -- wait a minute . . ."

"What's wrong?" Tom demanded.

"I'm picking up another life sign *inside* of B'Elanna."

Tom ran his had through his hair. "Well, Heru-ur said that she was going to be used as a host. Can you remove whatever it is?"

"It's wrapped around her spinal cord, and has latched onto her brain stem . . ."

"Can it be removed?" Tom asked again.

Janeway nodded. "I think so. If the Doctor can suppress the creature's brain functions, and remove any foreign brain cells he should be able to simply transport the creature out."

Tom smiled. "Good. So all we have to do is grab her and find a way home."

Janeway returned the smile. "When you say it like that, it almost makes me think we stand a chance."

Tom flashed a dazzling devil-may-care smile. "Come on, Captain, we've faced worse odds than this."

"Don't remind me," Janeway said under her breath. She saw Tom's smile turn into a smirk from the corner of her eye but she kept her gaze focused on the tricorder in her hands. "We should dress up like the people here and try to sneak in to the building where B'Elanna is being held."

Tom's smirk didn't alter. "What -- you mean like when the scarecrow, tin man, and lion got in disguises to go save Dorothy?"

Janeway stared at him blankly. "How do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you're comparing things to the Wizard of Oz?"

"Hey!" Tom complained. "Wizard of Oz is a great reference for any combat situation."

"Tom, find me one person, just one person who agrees with you and I'll let you be Captain for a day."

Tom was about to open his mouth when Janeway continued speaking. "And not Harry, you can get him to say anything."

Tom frowned but nodded his agreement. It was true. He could talk Harry into anything.

Janeway turned her attention back to the villagers. She saw a small home and started towards it, motioning Tom to follow.

The two entered the small shack. There were various robes thrown over a straw bed.

"Grab one of these, Tom," Janeway said. "Just put it on over your uniform."

Tom nodded and grabbed up a large cream hooded robe. He eyed it with distaste for a moment, and then grudgingly pulled it on. Janeway had put on a similar one and was already heading for the door.

"Wait," Tom whispered.

Janeway frowned and watched as Tom dug through his pockets. "What are you doing?" she hissed.

"Captain, these people have next to nothing. I don't feel right taking their robes without leaving them something -- ah, here it is." Tom pulled out a small gold coin and smiled over at Janeway.

"What is that?" Janeway asked.

"My lucky coin -- won it off Quark in a bet," Tom said without elaboration. He tossed the coin on a small desk. "Let's go."

Janeway allowed him to precede her and wondered if she'd ever truly understand Tom Paris. She decided she probably wouldn't and quickly jogged after him.

They blended in slightly better with the robes, but they still stood out because of their light complexions. Janeway pulled up her hood and Paris followed suit. Hidden beneath the cloth, the two quickly disappeared into the sea of people.

It wasn't long before they reached the palace. They slipped through the tall entrance doors and were struck by the change in atmosphere. While outside there was an air of poverty and despair, inside the walls of the palace, there was an equally tangible air of wealth and luxury.

The floor was made up of small cream colored tiles and torches lit up the room, their softly burning fires casting a romantic feel to the foyer. And the walls--

"Those people out there are starving and these walls are lined with gold?"

Even as soft as Tom's voice was, Janeway could hear the outrage. She gave him a warning glance and again motioned for him to follow her. The Prime Directive forbid them from interfering in others' affairs. They needed to worry about B'Elanna and no one else. Together, they crept down the hall, following B'Elanna's steadily blinking life sign on Janeway's tricorder.

They traveled through the hallways, the flickering firelight casting shadows that made them wary. They eventually made it to a huge double door and B'Elanna's life sign readings grew stronger.

"She's in here," Janeway mouthed, pointing to the door.

Tom nodded, grabbed for his phaser and pressed himself against one of the doors, Janeway reached for the handle of the other. B'Elanna might be in there -- but so was something else.

Janeway opened the door and Tom burst forth, his phaser lifted -- he felt absurdly like he was in some James Bond holonovel.

B'Elanna was across the room, sleeping peacefully in white and gold robes atop a silken bed. Janeway had entered and was standing behind him, holding her own phaser and looking over at B'Elanna warily.

Tom cautiously lowered his phaser and stepped closer, barely registering Janeway's whispering voice warning him to be careful. As he grew closer he saw a gold band woven around her forearm and a familiar jewel covering her palm. He recognized it instantly as the device Heru-ur had used to knock him unconscious. He continued forward despite the threat and grew steadily nearer to his friend.

He was only three steps away when she began to wake. Tom started to reach for B'Elanna's left hand, intending to disarm her. He never got the chance.

She struck out like a cobra -- her movements almost too quick for the human eye to follow. One moment she was lying peacefully on the bed, the next, she was on her feet, her hand wrapped tightly around Tom's throat.

Tom stared at her, his eyes wide with surprise at the attack. He looked into B'Elanna's eyes and saw a stranger. These eyes were soulless. They glowed out at him with a mocking fire. This wasn't B'Elanna.

Janeway quickly took stock of the situation and raised her phaser to fire, but B'Elanna was quicker. Her eyes shot to Janeway, and sensing a more immediate threat she released her grip on Tom's throat, allowing him to fall to his knees with a choked gasp. B'Elanna deftly hit a button on the weapon wrapped around her palm and a forcefield shot up around her, absorbing Janeway's phaser blast.

Janeway's eyes widened as she realized she was defenseless. The sound of armored guards reached her and she let the phaser slip from her hand in surrender.

"Pitiful humans," B'Elanna spat. "You dare to disturb my sleep?"

"Who are you?" Janeway demanded, casting a worried look at Tom. He was still on his knees, his hand held to his bruised throat.

"I am the Goddess Neith," B'Elanna -- no, Neith -- said. The voice was dramatically changed. It was harsh now, and echoed disturbingly. And her eyes would light up when she grew angry.

The doors to Neith's quarters slammed open and a group of seven guards barreled in.

"Fools!" Neith sneered. "Are you not here to protect me? Where were you while I slept? This lack of vigilance will not go unnoted."

The lead guard stepped forward. "My apologies, my queen, but we did not see them enter."

"Na'sre," Neith said with contempt. In her opinion, a first prime who could not keep his goddess safe was not fit to live. "I care not of your apologies. Take them to a cell, and see that they are not hurt." B'Elanna's lips curled up into a cruel smile. "This host has memories of these, they may be useful to us."

"As you wish, my queen," Na'sre said as he walked over to pull Tom roughly to his feet.

"B'Elanna," Tom said with a stunned whisper as he was dragged away.

Neith didn't spare him a glance. She just leant down and picked up the phaser Tom had left behind.

Tom's head was still spinning as he was lead down a narrow staircase. Janeway was certain whatever was in B'Elanna could be removed, but seeing her as he had, he was beginning to wonder. He'd looked into her eyes and hadn't seen anything of B'Elanna left -- nothing familiar he could hold on to. Janeway was giving him furtive little glances, obviously concerned, but he ignored her. He'd be fine. His confusion was already turning to anger. The man who had done this to the woman he -- liked, would pay.

Tom received another rough shove as they reached the bottom of the stairwell, and he fell stumbling out into a cold stone room. There were six cells, three on each side. Only one was occupied. A clean cut young man sat on a wooden bench, leaning against the wall with a nonchalance Tom thought was out of place.

"We've brought friends for you, Resheph," Na'sre said with a false smile.

The prisoner didn't respond, and Na'sre growled in frustration as Resheph again refused to rise to his baiting. He pushed Tom harder in his anger and threw him into the cell across from Resheph. Janeway was placed in the cell adjacent to Tom's.

No sooner had Tom's cell door clicked closed had he started pacing. Janeway watched him through the bars, worried about how he was handling what was happening. Now was not the time, however, they needed to work out how to escape. Then they could worry about the repercussions of almost being killed by a trusted friend later.

"Tom," Janeway said softly. "We have to get out of here."

"There's no way out of here."

The two Voyagers turned at the cynical voice. The young man, Resheph, had turned his casual gaze in their direction. Tom's anger flared again and he directed it at the new target. "Listen, Resheph, was it?" he growled. "Why don't you mind your own--"

"My name is not Resheph," the man interrupted calmly. "My name is Martouf and I am Tok'ra."

"What the hell's a Tok'ra?" Tom barked.

"Lieutenant," Janeway broke in warningly.

Martouf lowered his head, and when he raised it again, his eyes were glowing in a recently familiar fashion. When he spoke again, his voice was distorted. "I am Lantash."

Tom held up a hand in frustration. "Hold it right there. Lantash? What happened to Martouf?"

"Martouf is my host," Lantash explained.

"Your host?" Janeway queried.

Tom didn't give him a chance to answer. "What, you mean you're one of *those* things?"

"No, we are Tok'ra," Lantash explained. "They are Goa'uld."

"I'm not seeing a difference," Tom snapped.

Lantash raised his eyebrows at the comment.

"What?" Tom demanded.

"Nothing, you just reminded me of someone," Lantash said with a slight smile.

"Well, if we're done with the small talk," Janeway snapped. "Why don't we get back to the reasons we can't escape?"

"Yes," Tom agreed. "Our friend has been taken as a host and we need to get her back. And we'd like to talk to Martouf again if that's at all possible. No offense, I just like him better."

Lantash raised another eyebrow and lowered his head. When he raised his head, he was Martouf again. "These bars are made from reinforced naquida."

"Naquida?" Janeway queried.

"A metal alloy. It's virtually impenetrable."

"Great," Tom murmured.

"Don't worry," Martouf said with a smile. "I've called for back up. They should be on their way to get me -- and now you two -- out of here."

* * * *

"General, you've got to be kidding me!" Colonel Jack O'Neill stared at his C.O., General Hammond in outrage.

"Jack," Dr. Daniel Jackson started to interrupt but his team leader and friend silenced him with a look.

Jack was having a bad day. And it was only getting worse. He didn't need his best friend and occasional conscience listing all the reasons why he should be accepting this suicide mission. He wasn't in the mood.

Apparently, however, General Hammond was not impressed with his attitude. "Colonel," he said firmly. "The Tok'ra need our help."

"I'll be going with you, Jack," former General Jacob Carter added. "And we'll be using some abandoned Tok'ra tunnels, they'll take us straight to a back entrance to the prison. The tunnels are easy to find, go right into the forest and straight until you reach a stream. You go right through the stream and then the tunnels will lead you to the prison. It's an easy mission, Jack."

Captain Samantha Carter shot her father, Jacob an encouraging smile. More so than the rest of her team, Sam could empathize with the Tok'ra. She had been the host to the Tok'ra Jolinar for a short period of time, and although it had been a confusing and traumatic experience, Jolinar had given her life to save her in the end. She understood the Tok'ra in a way only a host could. But she had an even stronger tie to the resistance fighters, her own father, was host to the Tok'ra Selmak, by her own request.

Jack, however, could not understand the Tok'ra any more clearly than he could the Goa'uld. He often had trouble seeing them as completely different species, because the simbiotes were both the same creatures -- a creature that was the bane of the SGC. "An easy mission? Let's go over this one more time, shall we?" he asked sardonically. "You want us to 'gate to an occupied planet -- Heru-ur's planet none the less -- because one of your agents screwed up?"

"Yes," Jacob admitted freely.

Teal'c, the former first prime of the Goa'uld Apophis, raised an eyebrow in surprise. He was able to see that Tok'ra differed greatly from the Goa'uld, despite that like O'Neill, he was suspicious of them. Having been in service to the ruthless Goa'uld for years, and seeing destruction that would have forced the passion from a lesser man, he had become jaded. He did have faith in Captain Carter, though, and the differences between the Tok'ra and the Goa'uld were becoming more apparent. One similarity between them that could not be denied, however, was an air of deception that seemed to linger around them.

"So, who's the unlucky agent you sent to Heru-ur's planet, anyway?" Jack asked. "Someone we know?"

Jacob averted his eyes and Sam instantly tensed. That one gesture told her who it was they were being asked to save. "It's Martouf, isn't it?" she asked softly.

Jacob nodded. "I'm sorry, Sam."

Sam pressed her eyes shut for a moment and when they opened again, they were lit by a characteristic determination. She turned to Jack, speaking volumes without voicing a word.

"Colonel O'Neill," the General said wearily. "Considering the danger of this mission, I will not force you to go, but I need to know what you plan to do or I will have to ask another team."

Jack turned to his teammates. Sam was watching him bravely. He knew that Sam's feelings for Martouf were confused, when she had learned that Jolinar along with her former host had been mated to Martouf and his simbiote Lantash, she had felt Jolinar's feelings. For a minute, she felt as though she'd known Martouf for years, and she loved him so much that she ached. Then just as quickly, the feelings would fade and distort and she'd find herself looking into the eyes of a stranger.

Jack knew that Sam's feelings for Martouf were far from resolved, and he had to admit, he kind of liked the guy himself. Sam needed to go to look for him. He could see it in her eyes, even if she was too proud to plead. He moved his gaze further down towards Daniel and saw he was wearing a look similar to the one he'd been wearing when he turned a staff weapon on Ra. The thought of Heru-ur taking an innocent host for his queen was hitting a little too close to home for Daniel. Even now, his beautiful wife was in the clutches of Apophis, forced to be a host for Amaunet. Jack knew Daniel would not object to the mission.

As for Teal'c, he was steady as ever, ready to do whatever his leader thought best. Teal'c understood the chain of command, and he'd been trained not to object or speak out. Though he was getting slightly better in that regard. In Jack's opinion, Teal'c had adjusted quite well to his knew life, he had went from commanding entire armies to taking orders from a race he'd been taught were nothing but slaves. And he never once complained.

"Colonel?" Hammond prompted.

Jack looked up, pulled from his musings at the General's sharp voice. "Of course we'll go, General," Jack said. He threw a sardonic grin in Jacob's direction -- mostly for Selmak's benefit -- "I'm sure it isn't anything the Tok'ra wouldn't do for us."

The General nodded, deliberately ignoring his second in command's sarcastic remark. "You'll leave in ten minutes, SG-1, gear up."

With that the General stood and headed down the spiral staircase with Jacob not far behind.

"Okay, kids, let's get going."

"Wait, about us gearing up," Daniel said. "Don't you think we'll draw a little too much unwanted attention in our uniforms?"

"What do you suggest?" Jack asked.

"Well, you, Sam and I can dress up as slaves. Jacob said that this planet, like Abydos, is a mining planet. The Tok'ra reconnaissance stated they were all wearing robes."

Sam nodded. "That's a good idea, but what about Teal'c and my father?"

Daniel broke out into a grin. "If you remember, Teal'c was able to 'obtain' a jackal head armor suit off one of Heru-ur's Jaffa on our fun filled trip to Abydos."

The rest of the team looked over at Daniel in admiration. For being the non military one in the group, Jack had to admit Daniel sometimes thought like a soldier. Or maybe it was the anthropologist in him that had recognized the need to blend in with the indigenous population.

"It's just a thought," he added. "It might be a little more inconspicuous than green fatigues, anyway."

"Teal'c--" Jack began.

"I will retrieve the armor from storage, O'Neill."

Daniel's grin grew wider.

Several minutes later, just barely meeting their ten minute deadline, three members of SG-1 entered the 'gateroom. The three human teammates were wearing robes similar to the ones worn by the Abydonians. Concealed beneath the robes of O'Neill and Carter, were the standard issue M16 rifles, but Jackson carried a small berretta strapped to his thigh instead of an M16. All three had the standard issue radios and flash lights.

Jacob smiled bemusedly as he saw them. He had expected them to be wearing their usual uniforms. He smiled fondly at both his daughter and Daniel, and then turned to smirk at Jack. "Nice clothes," he said smartly.

Jack glared at him.

When Jacob didn't get a reaction from Jack he turned back towards Daniel. He smiled affectionately at the young man. He'd liked the scientist since he'd first met him. Like with his daughter, he tried his best to keep him out of trouble, unlike with Sam, however, with Daniel it was a full time job. Presently Daniel was dusting of his robes with one had while adjusting his glasses with the other. His glasses.

"You might want to lose the specs," Jacob said gently.

"Oh, right," Daniel said distractedly. "I'd forgotten about that." He quickly pulled the glasses off and tucked them into his pocket. Jack had insisted they wear their regular pants and black t-shirts under the robes. He was convinced the robes would be a hindrance in a combat situation and wanted to be able to lose them if they had to.

"Where's Teal'c?" Jacob asked as he realized the Jaffa was missing.

Before anyone could answer, the dreaded sound of armored footsteps sounded through the 'gateroom. "I am here," Teal'c announced.

All four turned to look at the impressive figure. Teal'c was even more intimidating than usual. Looking at his stoic frown, imposing posture, all enhanced by the blue tinted armor, it wasn't hard to see why Apophis had convinced people he was a god, or why he was so feared. He commanded the Jaffa. And the Jaffa were a force to be reckoned with.

Jacob nodded in approval. "Great, so we've got a Jaffa and three slaves, what am I supposed to be?"

"You are my prisoner," Teal'c informed the Tok'ra agent.

"Okay, kids," Jack broke in -- speaking even louder than usual so he was heard over the spinning 'gate. "When we get on this planet, Daniel, Captain Carter and I will head to the back entrance of the prison. You're directions were pretty clear, Jacob, so we shouldn't have trouble finding it. As for you and Teal'c, I want you to head straight for the palace. The Jaffa will be able to sense that you're a Goa'uld, so this is probably the only other way to get you in. Teal'c takes you to the prison by way of the palace, and we'll head through the Tok'ra tunnels you've showed us and meet you there."

"Those tunnels are tricky," Jacob warned. He'd expected to be leading them through the tunnels, he wasn't sure he wanted them going through there without him.

"We'll be fine," Jack assured. "We've been in tight spots before."

Sam and Daniel smiled indulgently at the joke, though neither were particularly amused. They were used to Jack. The easiest way to deal with him, was to humor him.

"Okay, so do we all agree?" Jack asked.

They all nodded their agreement and turned almost as one to the now formed wormhole.

"SG-1, you have a go," Hammond said from the control room.

With a deep sigh, Jack took a step forward. "Now or never," he whispered as he led the way through the shimmering wormhole.

* * * *

Heru-ur stepped across the threshold into his luxurious quarters. His queen stood across the room. She was at the window, looking down at the slaves with a coldness he could not help but admire. He had chosen his queen well. As he had chosen her host well.

"Na'sre told me of an attack on you, he said we have gained two more prisoners."

Neith did not turn at his honored presence, it was a irreverent gesture that he would allow only from her. "Yes, but I took care of it. You're first prime showed up after I had gained their surrender and took them away."

"Why have you not had them killed?" Heru-ur asked.

Neith swung around, blazing brown eyes seared through him so intensely he thought he would surely turn to ashes. "You question me?" she demanded.

It would be a truly dangerous thing to question his wife, Heru-ur realized. Perhaps he hadn't chosen as well as he'd thought. He had wanted his wife to be strong, and selected Neith specifically because of that trait -- but seeing the defiance in her eyes he wondered if that had been a mistake. He was beginning to thing he'd chosen a queen who was too strong.

He would have to watch her. If he was not vigilant, Neith might very well rise to take his place.

"Why do you not answer?"

Heru-ur looked up. "I do not question you, my wife," he said at last. "I simply wish those who would see you hurt to suffer."

Neith smiled, her face transforming to look beautiful once more. The unique forehead ridges made her even more exotic. "And suffer they shall," she said. "But my plans do not involve their deaths so soon."

"What plans?" Heru-ur asked. He would not allow his queen to plot without him.

Neith looked at her husband with contempt. "You would not understand."

Heru-ur's eyes flashed. "You think you are smarter than me?"

"I know that I am," was the cool response. Neith gave Heru-ur a sideways glance. "This host is no simple slave, my love. She has technologies that rival our own. I've added her intelligence to mine, and am surely smarter than you could hope to become."

Heru-ur grabbed Neith's chin and forced her to look at him. "Do not challenge me. Tell me of your plans."

Neith didn't flinch at the tight grip. She smiled dangerously. "Who's challenging who, my husband?"

Heru-ur released his hold in frustration. "Tell me of you plans," he demanded once more.

Neith walked away from the self professed king, and went again to the window. She stepped out onto the balcony, reveling in the cool afternoon breeze -- sure in the fact that her husband would follow. People below worked and suffered but they were unimportant. Her eyes flashed brightly as she began to speak of her host. "This host is not from our time, she comes from our future."

Heru-ur looked at her puzzled. "The future? That is not possible."

"Ignorant fool," Neith hissed. "I know what is possible and of this I would not lie. She is half human, the name the Tau'ri have given to themselves, but she is also half Klingon, a race we have not yet met. She has been to the Tau'ri home world, my love, and in her time it is a peaceful place, a place that has no knowledge of us."

"What are you saying?" Heru-ur asked.

"It is quite likely that we are destined to be destroyed. If in the future, we are not known, at some point, we will be defeated."

"I will not allow it," Heru-ur said arrogantly.

Neith laughed. "As though you alone could change our path. It is not you who will change the future, Heru-ur, but me. I have a plan that will surely give us back our rightful place in the universe, and destroy the Tau'ri in the process."

"Tell me."

Neith smiled again. "There is no time to explain it to you, for you would surely not understand everything I have to say. I simply need for you to assemble the death gliders, the new design."

"The smaller ships?" Heru-ur asked. "You plan to send an attack force through the 'gate?"

Neith nodded. "Yes, and they'll be taking hostages. The two humans I've taken prisoner."

* * * *

As soon as Jack and his team stepped out onto the alien soil, Jack motioned for Carter and Daniel to follow him into the tress. Teal'c activated his helmet and he and Jacob headed off into the other direction.

"Are you sure you'll be able to find these tunnels, Jack?" Daniel asked as they made their way deeper into the trees.

"Jacob said you can't miss 'em," Jack said, casting a quick glance behind him at Daniel.

Sam -- who was coming up behind Daniel -- smiled. "My dad said the entrance is right next to the stream."

"Actually, Captain," Jack said. "He said the entrance was through the stream."

"Through?" Daniel asked.

Jack pointed ahead of them and Daniel's eyes followed the motion. A small waterfall was flowing down from smooth gray rocks into the crystal clear stream below. Moss and tiny red flowers were growing on the surface of the rock and little purple fish were swimming restlessly in the small blue stream.

"Wow," Daniel said softly, taking in the beauty of the area surrounding them.

"I think we found it," Sam said as she came to stand beside him, eyeing the landscape with a soldier's detachment. If Martouf's life wasn't in danger, she might have been able to enjoy the sights, but as it was, she only wanted to continue on their way.

Jack pulled his M16 from his robes and Sam followed his lead. Jack led the way to the waterfall with his two teammates close behind. Together, they edged their way across the jagged rocks and closer to the waterfall. They made their way inside and Jack bit back a comment regarding the backside of water, certain that it would go unappreciated.

The tunnel ahead of them was dark and Jack pulled out his flashlight. He turned it on and a large black spider was caught in the beam, the spider blinked at the unwanted visitors for a moment before disappearing from view.

"Lovely place," Jack drawled.

Daniel, for his part, looked as fascinated by his surroundings as always. "Sam, did your father say who made these tunnels?"

"No, why?"

Daniel looked at the walls. They were covered with moss, but he could see the faint remains of pictographs beneath the green. "Well," he said as he reached out to move the moss aside. "I think--"

Jack's hand shot out quickly and grabbed Daniel's wrist, stopping him from connecting with the wall. "Spiders, Daniel."

Daniel looked at him uncomprehending for a moment. "But Jack, I think--"

"We have a Tok'ra to save, Daniel, we're on a time limit."

Daniel sighed and motioned for Jack to continue leading them through the tunnels. Jack nodded his approval at Daniel's decision and they started off again. Jack tried to ignore the small shinning eyes staring out at him and the sound of small rodent feet scuttling across stone.

"You know," Daniel started again. "This looks like a variant of an ancient Egyp--"

"Daniel," Jack interrupted harshly.

"Right, there's a Tok'ra to save. I'm only--"

"Breaking my concentration. Stop it."

Daniel fell silent once more. Idly, he turned his flashlight ahead of him instead of on the walls. Maybe after they returned home with Martouf, he'd be able to convince Jack to come back here for a cultural study. No, that probably wasn't likely. The way Jack was glaring at the walls, he was pretty sure there wasn't anything that would get him to come back here.

As the three continued down the small tunnel, they could see the end up ahead. The arc opened up into a cavernous room. Jack put his arm out to stop Daniel from entering and gave him the one military signal he had taken great pains to make sure Daniel knew. He pointed empathically to the ground -- stay put. He entered the large room alone, his steps echoed through the chamber, bouncing off stone walls. There was an inch of water covering the floor, water striders gliding across its surface and easily making their way around the new obstruction in their domain. Jack scanned the room, illuminating every dark corner with his flashlight before turning back to his teammates. "It's clear," he told them.

Daniel rolled his eyes and unhesitatingly came to stand beside Jack. "Of course it is. What self respecting Goa'uld would come down here?"

"I think our secret door is somewhere over *there,*" Jack pointed his flashlight in the direction of the far wall, it was entirely covered with moss.

"Oh wonderful," Daniel said dryly.

Jack reached out and pulled off a piece of the green moss. A black spider ran out onto his arm, enraged at having been disturbed. Jack cursed and shook off his arm. The spider landed in the film of water, and was soon swallowed by a swarm of the water striders.

"Watch out for spiders, kids," Jack warned.

Carefully, the three got to work. The meticulously cleared a way to the door, filling the wall for breaks that would indicate the entrance.

"I hope Jacob and Teal'c are having better luck," Daniel murmured as he disgustedly dropped a pile of moss to the water dampened floor.

* * * *

Luck certainly had been with Jacob and Teal'c thus far. The slaves on the planet kept their distance from the Jaffa and his 'prisoner,' clearly afraid. The duo had made it to the palace without incident, but now things were becoming tricky.

Two Jaffa sentries were guarding the palace doors, a precaution taken due to the unexpected attack on Nieth. The Jaffa eyed Teal'c's approach warily. "Who is your prisoner?" one of them asked suspiciously, sensing the Goa'uld within Jacob.

"A Tok'ra spy," Teal'c said evenly. He kept his helmet in place. Even if these people had not heard of 'Teal'c the traitor,' he wore the sign of Apophis -- Heru-ur's greatest enemy.

The guard narrowed his eyes. "Another Tok'ra spy? It is unusual for the Tok'ra to send more than one operative."

"Perhaps he came here attempting a rescue," Teal'c said precisely.

The Jaffa seemed to relax slightly, accepting the logic of Teal'c's statement. "Take him to the holding cells with the other Tok'ra scum."

Teal'c inclined his head in affirmation before giving Jacob a shove with his staff weapon. The armored soles of his boots hit the delicate floor tiles and pierced the silence surrounding the entry way. The crackling flames that lit their way were the only other interruption in the eerie stillness.

"This way," Jacob whispered. He turned down the first hallway and Teal'c followed close behind.

"This palace is even more elaborate than Apophis's," Teal'c said disdainfully.

"Heru-ur and Apophis often compete to have the most lavish things," Selmak intoned quietly.

The two soon reached the narrow staircase and cautiously started downwards.

Below, the three prisoners jumped to their feet, preparing to face the enemy. Both Janeway and Paris were confused when Martouf broke out into a smile at the appearance of a Jaffa and another prisoner.

The 'prisoner' smiled back. "Lantash," he said.

Tom's eyes widened at the dual toned voice.

"Selmak," Lantash responded.

The Jaffa pushed the release button on his helmet before swiftly aiming his staff weapon at the lock on Martouf's cell. "Move aside," Teal'c said flatly.

Martouf stepped back and Teal'c fired his staff weapon at the door. The blast hit its mark and the door swung open. "Thanks," Martouf said as he stepped from the cell.

"Who are they?" Jacob asked, motioning to Paris and Janeway.

"Apparently, they are friends of Heru-ur's Queen's new host," Martouf said. "I told them we'd help them escape."

Jacob nodded to Teal'c and the Jaffa obediently blasted the other two locks, allowing the Voyagers to step out.

"Thank you," Janeway said with a smile.

"How are we going to make it back to the Stargate?" Martouf asked.

Before Jacob could answer, or Tom could ask what the hell a Stargate was, a creaking caused them to all turn towards the back wall. The entire stone partition began to vibrate, and then, slowly, it lifted upwards.

Tom raised an eyebrow as three apparent humans were revealed. Two men and a woman. They were wearing the same native dress and two of them -- one man and the woman -- were holding archaic Earth weapons. Tom placed the guns as being from around the twentieth century. He wondered how they had ended up here. The likeness was almost too exact for them to simply be similar.

"Hello campers," one of them said glibly. He caught sight of Tom watching him and turned towards the two strangers. Janeway and Paris boldly met his gaze. "Who are they?" he asked.

"Friends of the new host," Martouf said again.

"Right," Jack accepted easily. "Okay, we'll head back through the tunnels -- together this time -- and just go straight to the 'gate. Is that alright with everyone?"

Jacob, Martouf, and Teal'c nodded their agreement. Tom met Jack's eyes again, and held them this time, radiating defiance. He crossed his arms over his chest. "And you are?" he drawled -- effectively taking the wind from O'Neill's sails.

Jack was usually the one to say things like that, he didn't know if he liked having the roles reversed. "Colonel Jack O'Neill, U.S. Air Force," he said crisply.

Tom let his hands drop to his sides. U.S. Air Force? He was starting to get a better idea about just where they were. And he didn't like the conclusions he was drawing.

"What year is it?" he asked suddenly.

Janeway shot him a strange look, unsure what he thought he would accomplish. However these people measured time, it would not be the same as them.

Jack seemed to come to the same realization. "I doubt it would mean anything to you."

"I'm not so sure," Tom said. "I mean, you are from Earth, aren't you?"

Janeway turned to Tom in surprise and Jack's eyes widened.

"The year?" Tom said again.

"1998," Jack said at last.

Beside him, Tom heard Janeway gasp. "Right," he said. "Thanks for getting us out of here," he said motioning to the cells behind them. "But we have to go our separate ways now. We need to rescue our friend."

Janeway nodded. "Yes, I'm sorry, but we do need to leave. We have to go back up into the palace--"

"Wait a minute!" Jack interrupted. "Hold it right there. That's not gonna happen."

Janeway narrowed her eyes. Jack was struck for an instant at the similarities between the woman in front of him, and another small brunette. Janet had met her match with this one, he decided. She had the death glare just as perfected as the doctor back on Earth.

"Excuse me?" Janeway said.

Jack flashed a smile. A rather smug and superior smile. Daniel and Sam winced simultaneously beside him. Whatever their team leader was about to say, they got the feeling it wouldn't be very diplomatic.

"Look folks, here's the deal, you either come with us -- or I get my good buddy Teal'c over there," Jack made a quick motion towards the imposing Jaffa, "to throw you back in the cell."

"Why would you do that?" Tom demanded.

"Because if you go running up there and get yourselves caught you'll compromise all of us," Jack roared. "We need to slip out of here quietly -- like five minutes ago."

Janeway nodded her assent. The man had a point. "We will come with you then," she agreed reasonably. "And once you get to safety, we will come back on our own."

Jack nodded. "After we get through the 'gate, lady, you can do whatever the hell you want, but right now, we've got to leave."

Janeway nodded. She didn't want to delay any longer in rescuing B'Elanna and she didn't want to contaminate the timeline as it seemed they'd found themselves in the past, but she didn't have much choice.

O'Neill motioned Carter to take point and gave Daniel a slight push indicating he should go next. Janeway and Paris followed Daniel through, and then O'Neill and Teal'c with the two Tok'ra taking up the rear.

Daniel -- his curiosity getting the better of him, as always -- slowed his steps so he fell into stride with Janeway and Paris.

"Hi," he greeted quickly. "I'm Daniel Jackson, that's Sam Carter, and you've already been introduced to Jack and Teal'c."

Tom smiled despite himself. The kid's wide eyes and innocent introduction reminded him of his first encounter with Harry. "Tom Paris," he said.

Daniel moved his gaze to Janeway. "Kathryn Janeway," she supplied reluctantly.

"So you came through the 'gate?" Daniel asked. "How did you know we were from Earth?"

"Oh, we've visited the planet once or twice," Paris said slyly, ignoring Janeway's warning glance.

"Really?" Daniel asked excitedly.

Tom nodded and absentmindedly rubbed his neck. Daniel noticed the bruising. "What happened to your neck?" he asked.

Tom waved a dismissive hand, uncomfortable with the concerned looks he was receiving from both Daniel and his Captain. "It's nothing," he said.

Daniel examined the older man more carefully. He noticed a small red mark forming on his forehead. "I suppose that's nothing as well?" he asked motioning to Tom's forehead. "Ribbon devices can cause some pretty bad headaches."

"Daniel," Jack hissed. "You want to keep the small talk to a minimum?"

Daniel rolled his eyes. "I'm trying to make first contact, Jack," he said over his shoulder.

"Do it quieter," Jack shot back.

"So," Daniel whispered. "Where are you from and how did you visit Earth?"

"Sorry, kid," Tom said. "But we've got rules about discussing these things. It's confidential, you know how it is."

Daniel gave a look of distaste. "Yea, I know a little about confidentiality." He really wasn't too fond of military secrets, in his opinion, knowledge should be shared.

Sam stopped abruptly and Daniel nearly crashed into her. She turned around and placed a finger to her lips. Behind the din of flowing water, voices could be heard.

Jack pushed his way to the front and edged his way to the end of the tunnel. Looking through the waterfall, he could see a small group of Jaffa and a Goa'uld he didn't recognize.

"B'Elanna," he heard Paris whisper behind him.

Before he could stop him, Paris slipped out of the tunnel, hiding from view of the enemy by staying low behind an outcropping of rocks.

Janeway's voice hissing his name didn't stop his progress. "He's going to get himself captured again," Janeway whispered angrily.

Jack muttered a curse and turned to address his group. "I'm going to go get him before he gets us all caught,' he said. "I want you all to stay here," Jack met Daniel's eyes. "That means you too, Daniel. Don't move an inch. That's an order."

"Okay, Jack," Daniel said dejectedly.

Jack slipped out into the forest. Staying behind the rocks and following Tom's path. This side of the river was higher ground and if he peeked over the rocks he could easily see the Goa'uld across the river.

Finally reaching Paris, he dropped down beside him. They were right across the river from the Jaffa.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jack demanded in a whisper.

Tom placed a finger to his lips as Sam had a moment before, hoping O'Neill would remain quiet.

Jack held his tongue, and soon the harsh voice of a Goa'uld reached them. The disdain and supremacy clear in every word. "Na'sre," the voice boomed. "Retrieve for me the two humans from their cells. We will need them as hostages during our attack."

One Jaffa nodded stiffly and headed off. The Goa'uld turned back to the other Jaffa. "I have a mission for you, my servants. Led by my husband and your King, Heru-ur, you will go through the Chappa'i in our new attack vessels. Your target is a large ship. It has much fire power but I am confident you will be able to take them. First disable it's weapons and then it's core, that will leave them defenseless against us. We will depart in one hour. Be ready."

The Jaffa dispersed and the Goa'uld walked purposely towards the palace.

"Oh my god," Tom whispered disbelievingly.

"What?" Jack demanded.

"They're going to try and capture Voyager."

to be continued in the conclusion, 'Dissemblance.'