Double-Dealing

A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! Er… I had some horrible programming to do over the course of the last few weeks… 'twas horrible! Anyway, I'm glad that I'm done with it!

Disclaimer: SG-1, not mine. Their shenanigans on the other hand…

Chapter Four: Gathering Intel

Daniel, escorted by Balibob and Prince Narcassous, entered a small theater.

"Now, get up on stage. We've got lots to do, starting with those looks of yours! It's like looking into an ugly reflection," Prince Nar said in disgust.

Daniel was quite puzzled by this but decided against offending the Prince since it was all too bizarre. He climbed onto the stage and stood at the center.

"So, what exactly is this Courtship Ceremony?" Daniel asked.

"Posture!" Prince Nar shouted.

Daniel, who usually stood up straight, tried to straighten himself up even more.

"Well, Mr. Daniel, the Courtship Ceremony is exactly what it sounds like! It is a ceremony wherein an engaged couple meets for the first time and what a celebration it is," Balibob said as he wrote in a book entitled "The Prince", not to be confused with Machiavelli's.

"From what you're telling me, it's an arranged marriage?"

"Precisely. Why, are not the marriages from your world the same?"

"Well, on Earth, it depends, but generally, we are allowed to choose who we want to marry. By the way, if this is the first time Prince Nar is going to see his betrothed, shouldn't it actually be him?"

"Enunciate more!" Prince Nar commanded. "Remember, I'm a renowned actor and I should sound like one!"

Daniel furrowed his eyebrows and then decided to ignore the Prince.

"Shtup!" Balibob said, "The Courtship Ceremony is more for appearance than anything else. It has no real significant meaning these days. Some couples don't even see each other until the actual marriage ceremony because of all the busy festivities that go on during the Courtship Ceremony. Oh, the festivities!"

"Don't you think it's more prudent to put the Ceremony off until you find out who wants to assassinate the Royal Family?"

"No, no, no! If we cancel the Courtship Ceremony then people will start getting worried and it'll cause a mass panic! Terror everywhere!"

Daniel nodded, "I see."

"Don't wrinkle your forehead!" Prince Nar shouted.

"I wasn't wrinkling my forehead; I was raising my eyebrows."

"Yes, you were wrinkling. What a bad habit! Now, recite something for me! You must exude an air of brilliance and celebrity!"

Daniel cleared his throat, "Balibob, what reason does anyone have to assassinate the Royal Family?"

"I must go now!" Balibob said as he began to walk out of the theater.

"I said recite! Not question! You don't take orders very well do you? Well, we'll have to do something about those clothes too," Prince Nar said.

"I can see why…" Daniel muttered to himself.

XXXX

"So that must be the reason why someone wants to assassinate the Royal Family," Sam exclaimed.

She sat on a bench in the garden of the royal estate. Queen Kukinis sat across from her on a different bench and Balibob had just joined them.

"Whatever do you mean?" the Queen asked.

"Well, you told me that the two richest households are going to be joined by this marriage. I mean, there must be some faction or group that must be against this."

"Oh, so very true," the Queen said as she thought about it, "That wig is wonderful on you!"

Sam disregarded the Queen's last statement and began to question Balibob, "Who wouldn't want this marriage to happen? Or more specifically, who would benefit the least from it?"

"Let me see," he said as he took out a book entitled 'Enemy Mine', "Ah, here, at the top of the list would be the Underground Merchants. They're a belligerent band of merchants, bankers, and traders who believe that the union of our kingdoms will greatly reduce their business."

"That doesn't make sense. If anything, this alliance should increase business."

Balibob just shrugged, "It's just been a known fact that the Underground Merchants dislike any royalty. It must have started when long ago, the third King of this land ordered all merchants to be banished because he thought they were all greedy. Of course, this directive was overruled three months later when a new King was appointed but the damage was done and the Underground Merchants were formed."

"Well, then your guards should be especially on the alert for them, right?" Sam inquired.

"Of course dear," the Queen said, "Now, let's work on your speech."

"Right, do that," Balibob said as he got up and left.

XXXX

"Hold on! What did you just say?" Jack exclaimed, his voice echoing in the large study.

"I said put on the beard!" King Ful'ardi shouted as he tried to jab the long, gray fluff of hair onto Jack's chin.

Jack fended him off while addressing Balibob, "No, I was talking to Bob here. What did you say about these merchants?"
"They used to be very aggressive, taking hostages, making ransom notices, sabotage and whatnot. In the last few years, however, they have simply disappeared, not causing any trouble whatsoever!"

"So they just popped up again out of nowhere and slapped this assassination attempt letter on you?" Jack said as he put a chair between himself and the king.

"Yes, it's true," Balibob said as he sat down.

"What other intel do you got on 'em?"

"We do know that they have a new leader. He's a young man named Altair. They say he's smart and extremely clever as the head of the Underground Merchants."

"Are you sure these guys are the ones who want to kill this guy?" Jack said, pointing at the King, who was still hopelessly trying to put the beard on the Colonel.

"We are quite sure about this. Even the Queen's double agreed," Balibob replied.

"You mean, Carter," Jack corrected him.

The King finally got a hold of Jack and got the beard on him.

"There now, you look manly!"

"Like heck I do!"

Balibob slowly crept out of the room while the two argued.

XXXX

Teal'c sat in what seemed to be a conference room with the High Guard and Balibob.

"What is the description of this Altair?" he asked.

"We haven't got a real good look at him, but we know that he's about the Prince's height, has black hair, and has a scar on his right cheek shaped like a half moon," the High Guard said.

Teal'c nodded his head, "I see, and could you explain how the festivities will proceed?"

"Shtup!" Balibob said, "I'll explain it!"

The High Guard nodded in a polite manner. Teal'c did the same.

"The Courtship Ceremony commences when the procession of the bride's family goes through the gates. From there, they will proceed to walk down the red carpet to the main staircase that leads up to the main stage. The stage has two staircases, one on the left and one to the right both leading to a different balcony. Now, our Royal Family will already be situated on the left balcony, waving to their adoring fans. The bride's family will walk up the right staircase to the other balcony. After they have been introduced, both families will come down from the balconies and meet on the main stage where the Rite of Courtship will take place," Balibob explained.

Teal'c thought for a moment and then commented, "Then, I believe that is when the assailants will attack. They will have a clear line of fire of both royal families."

"You are truly wise Sir Teal'c," the High Guard said, "We will station many guards around the main stage then."

"Yes and inform your men of this Altair," Teal'c said.

"Very well! It looks like everything is in order here! I will go see how the others are doing," Balibob said as he got up and left the room.

"Come, you must see our arsenal of weapons," the High Guard recommended.

The corners of Teal'c's mouth began to creep upward as he nodded for the High Guard to lead the way…