For disclaimer and warnings see part 0/1.
"Major Carter."
"Teal'c?"
"I believe I recognize this place." Sam glanced over at her teammate. At daybreak they had started tracking the natives. The trail had led them to a small valley at the edge of the forest. Sam and Teal'c had cautiously climbed a hill overlooking the valley, while the rest of the SG teams kept things secure from their positions in the forest. A river ran through the valley, giving the appearance of cutting the land in half. On one side of the river was a village, the small, wood homes lined up one after another with very narrow streets and little, if any, open room. On the other side was what appeared to be a palace, majestic towers rising several feet from the ground, impenetrable walls surrounding the large courtyards and gardens. The palace, however, was devoid of any life whereas the village abounded with it.
"What is it?" Turning back to the view, she again studied the situation. It was as if the river marked the spot where traditional building stopped and modern building started.
"I believe we are on Hedona, a Goa'uld occupied world."
"Perfect," she muttered under her breath before regarding her friend. "Who is it?"
"The Goa'uld's name is Saroon. He controls only a few worlds, none of which have much significance. He will support a Goa'uld when he chooses, but never forms an allegiance giving him an independence most Goa'uld do not possess. He is a skilled mediator and has been used by many System Lords and lesser Goa'uld to settle small disputes." Turning his head toward her he continued. "It was here my mother took me after the death of my father. Saroon was able to convince Apophis to let us live on Chulak."
"What does he want with our people?"
"Of that I am unsure. He had not been heard of for some time, before I had become First Prime to Apophis. It was rumored a rebellion had started on one of his planets."
"Well given the not so new condition of the palace, I think they might have succeeded." She turned back to the valley, replaying this new information in her mind. "How advanced are the natives?"
"Primitive, however if they were successful in their rebellion, it is likely they will have Goa'uld weapons." At her signal, he carefully drew back down the hill to where the others were waiting.
"Alright, we have two possible locations on our guys," Sam explained, drawing a crude map in the dirt, "a village and a Goa'uld palace. According to Teal'c this was a Goa'uld controlled world, but the inhabitants rebelled. As there are no obvious signs of Goa'uld activity, I think they might have won. Either way, it's likely we'll be facing Goa'uld weaponry. Keep your eyes peeled. SG-3 will check out the village, the rest of SG-7 and SG-1 will take the palace. Rendezvous back here in two hours. Move out."
The group immediately began heading for their destination. As they neared the valley, SG-3 broke of and headed for the village, leaving SG-1 and SG-7 to make their way to the impressive fortress. Passing through the neglected gardens, Sam couldn't stop a shudder moving through her body.
"These gardens would have been beautiful in their day, same thing with the courtyard and the palace. Wonder why they're letting them go to rot?" Sam thought aloud.
"This is a palace of a Goa'uld. Perhaps the rebellion was successful and the natives no longer are required to maintain his palace."
"Or perhaps things didn't go so well and there's nobody left to maintain it," Jonas said. "But that doesn't make sense. Everything I've read suggests a Goa'uld would never leave a palace to live in a hut, would they?"
"They would not," Teal'c answered. "The Goa'uld are petty creatures. They love displaying their treasures as much as procuring them."
"But we still need to be careful," Sam interjected. "Even if the Goa'uld is gone, there might be traps or alarms still active. The villagers might be using the palace for something too. We need to keep our guard up." As they neared the palace, Sam motioned for SG-7 to take the North side, while SG-1 took the South. Splitting up, they were soon inside the ruined palace.
"It doesn't look like anyone has been in here for years." Jonas remarked glancing at the dust piled high on the floor.
"Indeed."
"We still need to check it out. Teal'c, take point." The big Jaffa nodded, bringing up his weapon in a ready position as they began exploring the different rooms. After thirty minutes of finding nothing, the radio suddenly came to life.
"Sierra gulf one niner this is sierra gulf seven niner. Do you read?"
"This is Major Carter. What have you got?"
"We found some footprints and followed them. They led to some sort of holding cell. The prisoner inside claims to be a Tok'ra and would like our help."
"Stay put. We'll meet you there in five. Carter out." The trio quickly made their way over to where SG-7 was. As they neared the group, they could make out the three men of SG-7 standing outside a primitive cell. Inside an individual, the Tok'ra, was pacing back and forth, the irritation clearly showing on his face.
"Finally you have arrived," he exclaimed when he saw them. "Now perhaps your companions will release me." Recognizing the man from Jolinar's memories as a Tok'ra named Dahin, she subtly motioned Teal'c to release him.
"Why are the Tok'ra interested in this planet?"
"It is none of the Tau'ri concern." Dahin snarled before moving toward the door. Nodding her head in an understanding, she glanced over at her teammate.
"Teal'c. Put him back in the cell." Teal'c immediately began advancing on the hapless Tok'ra.
"What?" Dahin started backing away from Teal'c, trying to put as much distance between himself and the big Jaffa.
"You're not our concern." Gesturing everybody to leave the room, she made it to the door before she turned around. "But don't worry. The next time the Tok'ra specifically ask about you, we'll be happy to relay your location." She started to turn back to the door when a voice stopped her.
"Wait!" he shouted as Teal'c grabbed hold of his arm. "I am on a mission to find information on Lord Yu. Since Saroon kept excellent records of everything this is an ideal place to begin my search."
"What have you found?" She motioned Teal'c to ease up a bit.
"Unfortunately, I was unable to do little more than browse the files before I was captured. That was approximately two days ago."
"Approximately two days ago one of our teams was attacked on this world. Do you know anything about that?"
"I was unaware the Tau'ri where on this world." Before Sam could respond, her radio cracked to life.
"Sierra gulf three niner to Major Carter. Do you read?" Nodding to Teal'c to release the Tok'ra, she moved off into the corner where Dahin could not hear.
"Carter here. What do have?"
"We've been able to locate the missing members of SG-8. They're all alive, and pretty much mobile, although I don't know how long that's going to be the case. From the sounds outside, I'd say we're almost to the 'sacrifice the enemy' stage of their party. Wilkinson and Heines are helping them make their farewells, but I don't think their gracious hosts will be very happy about it."
"Alright, as soon as SG-8 joins you, make your way back to the Stargate. We'll cover your six. Carter out."
She turned back in time to see Dahin slowly run his hand over the smooth stone. "What are you doing?"
"The entrance to the vault is very well hidden, and can only be found by identifying the seams of the door." He moved to the next wall and continued. "It took me two hours to find the entrance last time. Hopefully, I will able to do it faster this time."
"Well, you have fun. I think we'll just leave now."
"Wait a minute Sam," Jonas asked, "don't you think we should stay and try to find out any information we can."
"Jonas, did you forget about that angry mob across the river? The same one that captured SG-8."
"But they have made no aggressive movements since we got here. We'd be passing up one of the best chances to get some knowledge about the Goa'uld." Jonas had a good point.
"Jonas..." Her radio interrupted her reply.
"Sierra gulf three niner to sierra gulf one niner. Come in." She quickly responded.
"Carter here, go ahead."
"Major, all of SG-8 has been extracted. We're heading to the gate."
"Copy." She hesitated for a minute before keying her mike. "We're going to take a look around the palace for an hour. I'm sending SG-7 to help you get the wounded out. As soon as you get to the gate, get them home."
"Roger that. We'll wait for you at the gate. SG-3 out." Sam turned toward the remaining members of SG-7.
"Meet up with SG-3, but leave two men to watch the village from the rise. If they so much as clean a weapon I want to know about it." Conrad nodded as he led his men from the palace. Turning to face the newest member of SG-1, she said, "Jonas, you have an hour."
"Great. I want to look around a little bit more. See if there's some indication how the villagers managed to overthrow the Goa'uld."
"Teal'c, go with him. I'll stay with Dahin. Check in every fifteen minutes. Anything happens we'll rendezvous at the Gate."
"Understood." Teal'c and Jonas quickly left the building. Sam stood watching the Tok'ra inspect the room. Usually she would be helping in the search, her curiosity fueling her on, but today she was content to simply watch the Tok'ra work. Maybe she was getting to old for this stuff. Maybe she should request a transfer to the lab where she could fiddle to her hearts content and not be relied upon to make life and death decisions. Maybe she should...
"Got it." Sam was brought out of her musing by the voice of the Tok'ra. Damn. She was planning on stopping Dahin before he got the door open and maybe doing a couple of quick tests or at the very least making sure there wasn't any type of booby trap there. But lost in her thoughts she had completely forgotten. Dahin had just entered the vault when her radio came to life again.
"Major Carter! Something just happened in the village. I'm not sure why, but the villagers are grabbing their weapons and heading our way. A group is also heading toward the palace."
"Copy that. Teal'c, Jonas?"
"I heard. Jonas Quinn and I are currently in the courtyard. We shall wait for you here."
"Negative," she said. She moved to a window and got a good look at the scene below. "There's not enough time for us to get down, but you and Jonas should make it to Conrad if you leave now."
"What of you?"
"I'll go out the back, through the forest and circle behind the Gate. Just hold the Gate for me."
"Understood." Sam watched as Teal'c and Jonas hurried through the courthouse until they disappeared from view. Turning back to the room she found the Tok'ra studying various crystals.
"We've got to go now!"
"But I've only got this vault open again," he protested distractedly, studying the crystals more than listening to her.
"Again? You got the vault open before?" she asked suspiciously.
"Yes, just before I was captured."
"Right when SG-7 was attacked," she said softly, making the mental connection, "and just barely the natives started rallying."
"So?"
"So, you idiot, the vault has some sort of alarm that let the villagers know we're here."
"What?" Dahin paled as Sam headed toward the door. "Where are you going?"
"I'm leaving, and unless you want to be captured again I suggest you come with me." Dahin thought for a second before grabbing a bunch of crystals and following her out the door.
