Mac forced her face to remain impassive while Harm spoke, and while Artemis gave an outline of her plan. The thing was, everything Harm was saying was plausible. If she hadn't been assured that Harm's head CTs had come up clear, she could almost believe that parts of what 'Apollo' was saying were true, and that he was speaking the way he was to keep everyone around convinced that he was on their side; convince Apollo's sister that Apollo was still alive, but have enough lies in there to keep Mac and Harm Sr happy that the whole thing was a fabrication.

But all SGC personnel had their brains scanned regularly, even if they never went offworld. There was no way Apollo could still be alive. When Harm had those conversations in his head, he was talking to a ghost, a ghost created by Harm's subconscious to help him handle memories no man should have to deal with. It was Harm, pretending. Of course it was.

Didn't mean it wasn't absolutely terrifying.

Harm listened carefully to what Artemis had to say. He could see how her proposal might have interested Apollo, had he truly been alive. But even more clearly, for which on many levels he was absurdly grateful, he could see the benefits to the SGC.

He looked at Artemis, and spoke the words to put himself at risk for the complete and utter destruction of his soul.

"I am interested. We shall finish our meal, these two will do some more flying, and the two of us will discuss this matter in more detail."

"Why do we not go now, brother?"

"My host's grandmother lives in that house. She knows how he plans to spend his afternoon before he has to leave and return to his post. She knows he loves to fly, and would not leave early without good cause. I see no need to arouse suspicion. And anyway," he looked around, seeming to drink in the bright sunlight, "It's a nice day. I would rather spend it in the sun on a planet where once I was a god than in a ship where there is nothing truly unique."

"Ever the artist. No appreciation for what is efficient."

"Ever the hunter. No understanding of true beauty. There is no music on a ship, only the hum of engines and the tramp of boots as Jaffa walk to their posts. Nothing to inspire those who follow the god Apollo, let alone the god himself."

"There is no hurry, I suppose. And as you said, no need to arouse suspicion." She sat down beside the blanket. "It shall be as you suggest. We shall eat, and they shall fly, and we shall discuss the plan."

Harm watched the little yellow biplane loop and roll. His father was obviously enjoying himself. They'd be coming down soon, and the three of them would grab their things, put them in the car and drive somewhere secluded, leaving the car locked, and Artemis would beam them up into the small cargo ship she had in orbit. All this was according to the plan. In a small addition to the plan, of which the Goa'uld was not aware, Harm had been recording their conversation since they had finished eating, having retrieved a bug from his things when he went inside to put the food things away. He had not been transmitting at the time, only recording, so that there was no risk of Artemis realising what was going on. He would set it to transmit about half an hour after they left the planet. It probably wouldn't accomplish much, as there was little the people at the SGC could do. Their destination was not part of the gate network, and the Prometheus wasn't in the area. But at the very least it would probably prevent the three of them from being listed as UA.

"You approve of my plan, brother?"

"I think it's one of your best. It has layers of subtlty only masters like ourselves can appreciate."

"Subtlty which lies mainly in the fact that it is not nearly as subtle as it should be."

"The irony makes the plan all the sweeter. When it is done, I will award the right to compose the poem to the most talented rhetor I can find. I may even compose it myself; no human could truly handle such a matter, nor does any have the right to. You have outdone yourself, sister.

~As do you, Tau'ri. This should be interesting. My sister was ever hard to fool for long.~

~I'll take that as a challenge.~

~Take it as what you will. It was meant as a warning. I do not intend you to die.~

~You would choose me over your sister?~

~You maintain my existence. She does not.~

~You can just feel the sibling love.~

~Even if she realises part of me dwells within you, she will not hesitate to kill you if she finds out you are playing her. And she will call it revenge for my death, even as she destroys me. Because I was always a threat to her, and you are even more so, for you are not Goa'uld, yet know things you should not. I will not fight you, for the time being. You must succeed here. For your own survival, and for the song. It will not be the song Artemis desires, but it will be a fine song.~