Daniel held up the charred remains of a small Goa'uld tracking device. "Adiran must have put it on you when he slapped your shoulder. He's been playing us the entire time."
"But you said that his name meant that he was from the Adriatic!"
Duke furrowed his brow. "Adiran? He is a suspected spy of Februus, one of the higher-ups. It is mere coincidence that his name refers to the Adriatic on your world. In fact, it is a parochus that he wishes most to become."
Jack looked at Daniel. "Parochus?"
"An officer who looked after traveling ambassadors and magistrates."
"…"
"A host."
"… Ah…" Jack snapped his fingers. "For the snakes."
"Yeah."
"Ah." Jack tilted his head. "Why!"
Duke shrugged. "To him, it is an honor. To him, he is made into a god."
"…damn idiot…" Jack muttered. "The Goa'uld takes over him; he doesn't get the Goa'uld powers. They use people."
"We know that, but he was raised to believe in the Goa'uld as gods; thus he fully believes such and nothing can change his mind." There were staff blasts and screams not far away. "They are attacking everyone now. That's their tactic. Kill the useless old, feeble, and children. Draw out the fighters."
"Do we fall for it?"
"We have to."
----------
Before walking into the gate, Carter turned around to face the others. "I want to thank all of you for volunteering for this mission. SG-10 for doing two missions back-to-back; SG-12 for postponing your leave…"
"You would do the same for us. Now let's go save their asses."
Sam smiled. "Alright. Let's go." As soon as they stepped through the gate, they were assaulted by staff blasts and zats. But since Sam was already familiar with the territory, and had explained all to SGs -10 and -12, they quickly ducked behind some of the ruins with little injury. They quickly killed all the guarding Jaffa and moved quickly towards the town. "They seem spread out. I hope that means that the others and the Adriatic are doing well…"
----------
The Jaffa were, of course, familiar enough with the world that there wasn't much of a home-field advantage. Actually, if it weren't for the others, Jack would have been completely lost, and he guessed the same was for Daniel… and even Teal'c… maybe… But either way, the Adriatic still was gaining the upper hand, moving in a sweep-like pattern from north to south towards the gate. They were already about half-way through the city when they heard fighting ahead. Jack held up his fist and stopped, listening… "Those are our guns!"
"Your reinforcements have arrived?" asked Duke.
"That's what it sounds like. We've got them now!"
----------
"Major Carter! I don't know if we can hold our position much longer!" They were barely inside the city.
"There is a break over there! Run!" They had all almost made it. Carter stayed behind to make sure one of the injured made it through alright. As she turned around to follow the others, a dying Jaffa made one last shot and zatted Carter. The injured turned around to go back and help her, but as Carter fell to the ground, she managed to get out one order: "…go!..."
----------
The Jaffa were surrounded. Februus's mothership took off into space in a full retreat, leaving the captured ones to their fate. "Good to see you, boys!"
"You too, Colonel."
"Where's Carter…"
"She got zatted near the entrance—only one hit. She ordered us to go on. Permission to search for her, sir?"
"Yeah, we'll all split up and look for her. I think the Adriatic can take it from here." He nodded his head towards the twenty-three Jaffa prisoners. Jack glanced at his watch. It was 13:56. "When does SGC expect to hear from us."
"At 16:00 hours, sir."
"Alright. Spread out and search for Carter and any direct any Nevondan survivors to this area. We'll meet back at the gate at 15:50."
----------
"It's the scheduled MALP transmission from SG-1, sir."
"Put it through on all screens. This is Hammond. Report."
"Hey, General." It was Jack. All relaxed and some cheered.
"Glad to hear from you, Colonel. Are you alright?"
"Sort of. Me, Daniel, and Teal'c are okay, but Carter is missing. We're gonna stay a while and find her… with your permission that is."
"Permission granted. Report back in—"
Jack's image suddenly went out of frame with his gun raised and an exclamation.
----------
Adiran walked around a corner, arms raised.
"Are you looking for me?" asked a female voice. Sam stepped around the corner as well, gun pointed at Adiran's back. "Found him trying to escape, the coward. Figured the new Nevondan government would want to have their way with him."
Jack turned back to the transmission screen on the MALP. "Nevermind, General. We found her. Keep the door open for us."
"Will do, Colonel."
SGs -10 and -12 disappeared through the gate and SG-1 turned back to face the Adriatic. "Well, Duke. We're gonna miss ya'."
"And us you, Jack, Daniel, Sam, and Teal'c. Maybe once things have calmed down here, we can settle an agreement between our worlds."
"We'll see what we can do," replied Daniel. He bowed. "Vale." (note: pronounced wah-leh)
The entire Adriatic returned the bow, replying, "Vale et tu."
With smiles, SG-1 turned around… and stepped through the Stargate…