General Hammond looked at the people gathered around the briefing room table. To his left were two Tok'ra representatives, sitting with solemn and unrushed poise. They had come through the stargate only ten minutes ago, dispensing with the few pleasantries that the Tok'ra allowed for diplomacy and promising Hammond they had some very good news. They had also requested the presence of SG-1.

Hammond looked to his right and took in the postures and expressions of his people. Immediately beside him was Major Carter, her blue gaze unwavering as she pinned both Tok'ra with a hot look. A quiet intensity had settled over her since assuming command of SG-1. She had become the leader Hammond knew she was capable of being, but there were the bitter hints about her person that lingered any time someone's promotion followed on the heels of a friend's death, apparant in the mannerisms she adopted with her new command. Daniel Jackson was beside her, slumped back in his chair and giving the Tok'ra a rather unpleasant scowl, brows drawn over blue eyes, corners of his mouth worth a thousand words. To Daniel Jackson's left was Captain Rawlins, sandwiched between Daniel and Teal'c, performing just as well as her teammates at giving the Tok'ra unwelcome stares. Hammond was relieved to see Rawlins placed within the team, not tacked on the end at Teal'c's right side. Instead, with Sam and Teal'c on either end, the two youngest members of SG-1 were afforded a measure of protection and support from the Jaffa and their CO. Teal'c's stare was steady as he sat with hands folded atop the table, attention riveted like a stalking pit bull.

Hammond suspected if he didn't speak up this staring contest could go on until the second coming. "SG-1, your presence has been requested because the Tok'ra have informed me that they have some intelligence to report."

Sam shot a short but pointed look at General Hammond, a look that said 'not again, sir, we're not heading out on intel given to us by the damned Tok'ra,' but in the next second she looked back calmly at the Tok'ra representatives.

The first Tok'ra nodded to General Hammond then shifted to sit nearer the table, "The Tok'ra council believed you would all be interested to learn that the Goa'uld Montu is dead."

Startled surprise replaced evil looks for everyone on SG-1. Each looked at one another to make sure they'd all heard the same. Sam turned back to the Tok'ra, sounding doubtful, "Dead?"

The Tok'ra nodded as his lips flickered a very infinitesimal smile.

Sam frowned dubiously, at which point General Hammond jumped in, "What makes you certain that Montu is dead?"

The Tok'ra replied calmly, "Yesterday we received a communication from the operative we had within Montu's advisory council, Aetom. We assumed him lost in the battle, but he reestablished contact with the Tok'ra to tell us he had succeeded in his mission and Montu was dead."

"Was this operative able to relay to you the means by which Montu died?" Teal'c asked lowly.

"Unfortunately he was able to tell us very little. While he had confirmed the death of Montu he was himself still at risk of being discovered by the Goa'uld's Jaffa; he was necessarily forced to keep his communique brief, but the Tok'ra council believed you would like to know that Montu has been destroyed."

No one on SG-1 made any response. In fact, they were all staring alternately at their hands, laps, or the table top.

"That is excellent news," Hammond took it upon himself to say and nodded to the Tok'ra.

Nodding in return, the Tok'ra pushed back from the table, "You will forgive our briefness, General, but it is vital we return as quickly as possible."

"Of course," Hammond nodded, stood, and gestured toward the door. "Again, we appreciate you making the effort to inform us."

As the Tok'ra were led down the hallway toward the gate room, leaving a stunned and silent SG-1 in the briefing room, one of the Tok'ra turned to General Hammond, "Forgive us, but SG-1 did not seem pleased to hear of Montu's death."

Hammond gave a grim, forced smile, "They were all hoping to have that pleasure themselves."

"Surely the death of a Goa'uld is cause for celebration regardless the means by which he has died?"

Hammond sighed, "I agree with you, and so will SG-1 when they get used to the idea they won't be avenging their friends' deaths personally."