Teal'c had developed an affection for the blowtorch that some might have called unhealthy. He was completely indifferent to what the Tau'ri thought about this issue, however, and refused to relinquish the implement despite O'Neill's fairly insistent requests to "try it out". Finally, O'Neill gave up, retreating to stand at a safe distance with Daniel Jackson and Major Carter, his arms folded in the sulky posture of a child denied permission to play with a favourite toy. Teal'c nodded at him solemnly before setting to work cutting through the chains that bound the Tok'ra to the strange rock on which he lay.

Despite his concentration, he heard O'Neill mutter, "It's not like I really wanted to do it, anyway."

Daniel Jackson still sounded somewhat out of breath, although he and the archaeologist had rejoined the team almost twenty minutes before. "He does seem really attached to that thing, Jack."

"I would be too, if he ever let me get near it." That was unfair, Teal'c thought mildly. He had allowed O'Neill to hold it for him while he got some water, the last time he had used it, three missions ago. Admittedly, he had forbidden the human to use it, lest he somehow damage an integral part of the instrument.

Daniel Jackson, gratifyingly, echoed his thoughts. "Maybe he's afraid you'll break it."

"For crying out loud, Daniel, I've used blowtorches before. If anyone's likely to break the damn thing, it's you."

"Which is probably why he asked me to stay at least four feet away from it at all times. At least you can touch it once in a while."

Major Carter interrupted the discussion to state the obvious: a human custom to which Teal'c had had some difficulty adjusting, until he realised that the Tau'ri tended not to notice things unless a slightly more observant one of their number pointed them out. "It's working!"

It was indeed working. Teal'c felt a moment of self-satisfaction – which did not, of course, register on his face – as he noticed that he was doing in a few minutes what his worthy teammates had failed to do in several hours.

Prometheus seemed less than grateful. "The chains are getting hot."

"When we get through them," Major Carter reminded, "don't move."

"I am very used to remaining still, Major." The Tok'ra's tone had adopted something of the icy haughtiness so many of its kind used when talking to humans. "An hour more or less out of an eternity of torment should be fairly easy to deal with."

"Hey!" O'Neill's tone of voice suggested thinly-veiled irritation. "He's talking like a regular snakehead! Think that means he's not crazy anymore?"

"Excuse me. I might be slightly addled, but I am not deaf."

Major Carter risked the Tok'ra's displeasure by whispering, "No, sir, he's still crazy." Teal'c did not need to turn around to know O'Neill was smiling.

Sam was peripherally aware of Daniel fidgeting. He had assumed, when Teal'c had cut through the thick chains in a surprisingly short time, that they would be done with this rescue mission fairly quickly, and although he had said nothing, she could tell he was impatient with her work on the trigger device. She wanted very much to be able to tell him that she would be finished soon, but she had made absolutely no progress. Hell, even Teal'c was starting to shift uncomfortably.

The Colonel sidled over yet again. "How's it going?"

"Absolutely no progress, sir. Well, that's not entirely true. I did find out that it isn't as simple as I thought."

Prometheus groaned loudly. "I can't take it anymore!"

"Don't you dare move." Jack pointed a stern finger at Prometheus. "It won't be long now."

"You said that an hour ago. I can't take it anymore! I'm moving." Before anyone could stop him, he did, rolling effortlessly off the rock and getting to his feet with loose-limbed grace, remnants of the chain hanging from his wrists. He rolled his shoulders, stretched his neck, and grinned. "Ahh. Muscle atrophy, indeed."

Sam wasn't really listening. Instead, she had dropped to her stomach and was staring at the trigger mechanism. As she watched, it went "click". The quiet sound carried well, and she squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation as... nothing happened. "It's been a long time. Maybe the trigger doesn't work anymore." Sam looked up to find the rest of her team, and Prometheus, heading rapidly for the edge of the plateau. "What are you doing?"

"I'm running away, Carter." The "duh" was implicit. Daniel vigorously nodded his agreement.

"A strategic retreat would indeed seem to be in order, Major Carter."

"But we don't even know if anything's happening– "

"It's a goa'uld booby trap, Carter. I'm not really prepared to take the risk."

"And if it is still working," Prometheus added, "the results will be..."

"Bad," finished Daniel.

Well, she couldn't argue with that. Snatching up her gear, she followed the team as they ran.