The man kept to the shadows, trying his best to become one of them. He moved in a slow deliberate manner of someone not wishing to be discovered. His hands were shaking in anticipation and fear. He shoved them deep into his pockets in a vain attempt to stop them. He came to a halt near an old fountain. Only days before the fountain had been overflowing with water, but now it was as dry as the deserts of Vorash. It was a bad omen he knew, a sign that death had visited this city and perhaps him as well if he wasn't careful.

A dark hooded figure stepped out of the shadows on the other side of the fountain and he had to stop himself from fleeing in terror. The man stood patiently waiting for him. His face was hidden beneath the hood of his cloak, but he knew the man's face. He slowly stepped out of the shadows into the pristine moonlight and walked with an easy confidence towards the hooded figure. Up close the man was taller than him by a whole head and in the moonlight his eyes glowed maliciously, or maybe that was for a different reason. He gave a small bow before addressing the man.

"My Lord, it is done."

"You have served me well and for this you will be rewarded. The downfall of the Tok'ra is a great victory for me, but I believe that several of our enemies escaped the attacks."

It was a statement and nothing more, but he couldn't help but feel the anger directed at him behind those words. He would have to be careful with his answer.

"Yes my lord, but they are too weak and there are too few to rise against you any longer. The plague of the Tok'ra has finally ended once and for all."

"Perhaps, but I want you to finish them off. I don't care how you do it. I don't care how long it takes; just see that it is done."

"Yes my lord, without fail."

The hooded man turned on his heals and walked away leaving the man standing alone. He quickly made his way back to the stargate, eager to be rid of the hooded man and off the desolate planet. He already had an explanation ready for the people waiting on the other side of the gate. Taking a deep breath he stepped through the gate and moments later arrived on the other side.

He was met with the barrel of a gun and his heart skipped a beat. They couldn't know where he had been, or who he had been with. As far as they knew he was scouting planets for a likely place for a possible new homeworld. But the gun lowered and he found himself face to face with Malek. A wave of guilt surged through his body, this man was his friend, and he had betrayed him. Guilt was replaced with disgust when he reminded himself that this man was a Tok'ra, his most hated enemy, and when the time came he would be glad to kill him. Until that time though he had to be careful and play the part of friend. This man would kill him without hesitation if he knew the truth, friend or not. Suddenly he could hear the ghost of his host dead father echoing inside of his mind, lessons born of a life of slavery and despair. The words sent chills over his skin...we must forgive those that would wrong us for in the end they will get what they deserve...

"How did it go? Did you find a suitable planet?"

The man was brought back to the present by Malek's voice. He shook his head and Malek frowned. Malek glanced at him again, a troubled look in his brown eyes.

"Come Jalem, the General would like to debrief you now."