It took Fuglier two days at full speed to reach the world that the Jaffa had claimed as their new home world once the Goa'uld had been defeated. A world that had been deserted, but only by the whim of one of the now dead and unlamented system lords. He'd slaughtered all the people living there in retribution for an insult given him accidentally, and had wallowed in the killings. Now, however, it was a world filled with free Jaffa – and several other races as well, all come together under the protection of the warrior race and Mitchell's First Prime, Tao, who was, like Teal'c, a prime example of just why the Jaffa had been the race chosen to be the instruments of the Goa'uld.

Hulking and fierce looking, Tao was a warrior born and bred. Even more, he was intelligent and wise, and with the edicts of his new goddess – one he had come to love and respect more than fear – he guided her Jaffa into the new era with enthusiasm and dedication. The new rules were far more acceptable to the Jaffa – and Tao – than the old way had been, for there was far more honor in defending and nurturing than there could ever be in plundering and pillaging. And the Jaffa thrived, knowing that they would never have to fight against their own kind again.

The First Prime himself was standing at the landing area when Fuglier approached. He was flanked by several others, all having heard that Talon was arriving and eager to see her again. When the ship landed and Mitchell stepped off the ramp, Tao was once more amazed by how charismatic and exciting the small human female could be. Even without the Goa'uld within her speaking, Tao had found himself engaged by the host, and his smile of welcome was as much for Melony as it was for his goddess.

He bowed low and saluted her with his hand across his chest, and the Jaffa behind him echoed the stance, with even more awe in their expressions. And it took a lot to awe a Jaffa.

"My lady…" Tao said, his deep voice gravelly. "I am pleased to see you and your host are well."

As far as Tao was concerned, the Goa'uld inside the host was female, because the host was female – as it usually was accepted. Talon, on the other hand, usually referred to himself as a he – and Melony always referred to him as he – except with the Jaffa. It was just as easy for them to be dually female around the Jaffa.

"It's good to see you again, Tao," Talon said, taking over Melony's body and returning his salute – but not his bow. "The city looks to be thriving…"

Tao nodded, his expression proud – as he had every right to feel.

"It is, my lady. There are several hundred humans living here, now, and they have proven themselves to be most helpful to the Jaffa."

They would, Talon observed for Melony alone. The Jaffa don't know much about farming and raising herds, and the humans will help them learn

Which had been the whole idea, really. In order to be completely self sufficient, the Jaffa needed to learn how to do those more mundane chores that the Goa'uld had never required of them. Now that they were free, they were learning, and most of them were actually enjoying the simpler life – although Tao was careful to make sure they all kept up their weapons training as well. It was a good way to keep them in shape, and it was an even better way to get rid of a lot of extra energy.

Besides, the Goa'uld hadn't been the only dangers in the universe.

"I'm glad to hear that, Tao," Talon said. "Did you bring the crystals?"

The First Prime nodded.

"There are several hundred. All waiting for you."

She felt Talon's excitement, but managed to suppress her own glee. With that many crystals, they could wreak some serious havoc on the Wraith.

"Excellent." She was reluctantly reminded of her promise to the others. Her promise that she'd bring up the subject of the Wraith with her Jaffa. Melony gave a purely mental sigh and spoke again, before Tao could say anything.

"The Tau'ri have come across a new danger…" Talon said. "We will need every crystal we can get our hands on to combat it."

The word combat drew the full attention of all the Jaffa, and for obvious reasons.

"A new danger?" Tao asked. A not-so-subtle plea to hear more of this danger. Not just because he was curious, but because any new danger – even somewhere else – could prove to be a danger for the Jaffa's fledgling free cities, not just on the planet they were on, but the ones that had been settled elsewhere.

Mitchell nodded.

"A new race of… creatures… has been discovered. And they are truly a threat." She looked around at those standing near by and knew they all wanted to hear more. "Come. Show me to a place we can sit and talk, and I will tell you what I know of them."

Which didn't mean she was going to allow them to have anything to do with them, she told herself as Tao nodded and led her and the rest of the Jaffa towards one of the largest buildings – while runners were sent for the other commanders, so the story would only have to be told once.

OOOOOOOO

"These Wraith seem to be as evil a race as I have ever heard mentioned," Tao said more than an hour later.

"They are as bad as any I have had contact with," Talon agreed.

The Jaffa had all listened as Talon had told them of the events in the Pegasus system. At first they'd hesitated, because as Talon had once believed himself, the Goa'uld and the Jaffa had all assumed that the Wraith were the myth they all believed them to be. None had ever actually seen one before, and although there had been stories about them, the stories themselves had been so old and faded into the memories of time that even the stories had nearly become myths as well.

"Do you believe the Tau'ri will be able to hold the Wraith in the system they are in, now?" One of the other Jaffa asked. This one was nearly as big as Tao, and just as fierce a warrior – although not quite so competent.

"They're going to do everything they can…"

"Will it be enough?"

The Jaffa were worried about the Wraith coming, Melony decided. And with good reason. They had children, too, and wives and parents they loved. The Wraith were as much a danger to their families as they were to any. More so since they were drawn to the Jaffa who carried symbiotes – something Mitchell hadn't figured out a way to fix, yet.

She shrugged.

"They have yet to come up with a plan that we feel can completely defeat the Wraith, but they are going to do whatever it takes to limit them to the Pegasus system."

"Limit them? That's the best they can do?" Tao asked, scornfully. "Why not destroy them completely, like the Goa'uld were?"

She frowned, knowing that Tao had given her the opening she would have yearned for if she'd actually wanted the Jaffa to come to the aid of the Atlanteans.

You gave your word…

I know.

A two-day trip with nothing to do but think had allowed Mitchell and Talon to come up with several ideas for absolutely destroying the Wraith. Unfortunately most of them had relied on the use of the Jaffa, and not very many of them had come out with any scenario that left those Jaffa alive and well.

"The best way to do something like that would be to draw all the Wraith to one place," she said, reluctantly. "And the best way to draw them there… would be with a contingent of Jaffa…"