Author Notes: Sorry I haven't updated in so long, I have no excuse, especially considering all your wonderful feedback. Instead, accept my apology in the form of a new chapter.

Chapter 21: Dark Corners

"Woah!" Jack stumbled slightly, and then watched in interest as the young girl flicked on the light and hurriedly fumbled with the lock on the door. "Uh, hi, I'm Jack." He added a little wave for good measure.

The girl's eyes surveyed him suspiciously, as if she doubted herself, and then, "My name is Pasha. Have you come through the portal?" Her accent was slightly stronger than it had been back in the other room, and again prodded Jack's memory.

"Err…yes, I did, but we call it the Stargate. Again, who are you?"

"I told you. Is your name Colonel O'Neill?"

"What is it with the twenty questions? Yes, I am. So what are you doing hauling random strangers into storage cupboards?"

The girl's shoulders had visibly relaxed at his confirmation, and, for the first time, she gave him a smile, "I had to make sure it was you. This is treason."

"Didn't know I was that unpopular."

"No, you don't understand, I am forbidden to talk to anyone above my station unless I am spoken to."

"Your station...?"

Pasha waved her wrists so that the dull metal flashed in the flickering bulb. "I am Langaran."

"Yeah, so?"

She frowned, "Has Jonas told you nothing?"

That got Jack's full attention. "You know Jonas? Where is he?"

"Of course I know him, he's my friend. And he's three levels above us. Which is why we're here – he needs help."

"What do you think we're doing here kid?"

Pasha fidgeted nervously, sneaking furtive glances towards the door. Perhaps it had been a bad idea after all – Jonas would be mad at her for just being here, and this guy was weird. Lowering her eyes, she muttered, "This was a bad idea. I'm sorry for wasting your time, my lord. Please excuse my behaviour, I meant no offence."

Jack caught Pasha's arm before she could escape, regretting his earlier tone, "No, I want to listen. And what's up with the whole 'my lord' crap?"

"I…well…you see…" Pasha suddenly realised how little she had thought this whole thing through. Gathering her nerve, she looked Jack directly in the eyes and gave him a very blunt version, "I've known Jonas for years; we're both Langaran. The Langarans are an inferior race on this planet. Three weeks ago, the Kelownans introduced a Registration Act, so now we are practically their slaves. However much it pains me to ask an outsider, we desperately need help."

Jack was speechless, "I'm sorry, back up to the part where Langarans aren't the same people as Kelownans."

"It's an ironic joke on their part, I think. A long story short, my people were brought here by our gods millennia ago. Many years later, another god of tyrannical values brought the people who currently make up the three continents you know of. Our faith and way of life was too strong for their god to control, so we hid far to the North; many of us still live there today. Unfortunately, even after their god almost blew us all up, his animosity towards us and our gods remained within the Kelownans. Through this, they persuade the Andari and Terranians"

Jack made an expression of distaste; there were too many 'gods' in that speech for his liking. He hoped he wouldn't find out that Jonas still believed in whatever whack-job of a snakehead brought his people here first. "Okay. I won't pretend I entirely grasp the whole history stuff, I'll leave that to Daniel, but I need you to take me to Jonas. Now."

Pasha shook her head, "Not now, you've been away too long. Stay in your rooms all night. When the street lamps go out, I'll come and collect you; the guard shift is the lightest then."

Jack nodded, and gave the girl a small, reassuring smile, before making his way back to a still chattering Daniel and his long suffering audience.

Sam paced their room, trying to expel her nervous energy. She had a bad feeling about the whole situation, and was intensely worried for Jonas. Teal'c stood stoically at the window, awaiting the lights to dim, while Jack tapped a random rhythm onto the window pane. Daniel was curled up in the corner, twisting his amulet between his fingers. Sam ceased her pacing and went to sit by him; Daniel spoke first, "Why did he do this?"

At first Sam thought he was talking about Jonas, but then rethought their situation, "You mean Aquiell? I honestly couldn't say." She leaned her head against his shoulder, "He said it was a gift; to help us. I personally can't see one scrap of good that it's done." Venom laced her last comment.

"Sometimes we think we're fine the way we are, but in the end, the truth helps, however bitter it may be." His fingers enclosed the amulet in a fist.

Samantha smiled softly, catching both Jack and Teal'c subtly observing their conversation, "I guess we'll see."

The streets had darkened an hour ago, and Jack was beginning to worry the girl wasn't coming. Just as he was about to give an enraged outburst, however, there was a barely audible knock at the door, and a small figure slipped through. Without saying a word, SG-1 followed Pasha down the maze of winding servant passages of the government building. They saw few other people, but no one saw them.

Pasha led them into a small room, and motioned for them to stay put as she lit a small light. Silently, she closed the door, and padded over to the tiny bed in the sparse room. They watched as she placed her hand gently on the sleeping form, which recoiled almost immediately. A small whisper came from Jonas, "Pasha? What the hell are you doing?" He froze as his eyes connected with the four other people in his room. A look of fear flitted across his face, "Oh god, what have you done?"

"Nice to see you too, Jonas. Miss us?" Jack hissed as quietly as he could.

Jonas scrambled out of bed, wrapping his arms around himself, half for warmth, and half for security, "I had to leave. You don't understand. There's nothing anyone can do."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Sam murmured.

Jonas opened his mouth to reply, but Pasha beat him to it, "Because he's scared of that bitch downstairs."

Jack expected Jonas to defend himself, hell, he would have, but his friend just cast his eyes to the floor in defeat. As loudly as he dared, Jack directly commanded, "I want to know everything and anything you can tell me. Predominately, how do we get you two back to Earth?"

Again, Pasha beat Jonas to his reply, "He won't leave, neither will I, but that's beside the point, he's just being stubborn."

Jonas found his tongue, "Well forgive me for not underestimating Dreylock. We've all seem what she's capable of."

The voices were rising in volume, something that was making Daniel nervous, "Guys, calm it down a bit."

Pasha, however, looked fit to explode, "No, I will not, you have a whole new planet to go back to – you have a chance. Take it!"

Jonas suddenly went pale, "Shut up."

Sam tensed. Jonas' reaction had not been in response to Pasha. She had seen that look before – it was when he was listening. Unfortunately, Pasha was too wound up to hear a thing, completely forgetting where they were. She exploded, yelling at Jonas in a completely different language. Jonas leapt at her, clamping his hand over her mouth, "Hide!" He hissed at his friends, who quickly complied. Jonas then pushed the suddenly petrified girl onto the floor, and moved her hand up to hold her face, as if she was hurt. He rose just as guards burst in.

Jonas glared at them, all the while praying they hadn't been too close to hear that it had been a female voice yelling Langaran. Closing his mind off, he started yelling at the guards. He knew they wouldn't know Langaran, but he also knew Daniel would, "I don't care how, but get her off this planet and never come back. Block Kelowna out of the dial system and-" He was cut off by an agonising shock sent from his manacles, bringing him to his knees.

"Damn scum, can't even keep their barbarian ways out of their dealings with each other." The first guard spoke in disgust, reaching down and hauling a barely conscious Jonas to his feet, "You, brat - say goodbye." The guard gave a leering smile, as his companion snorted. They shut the door behind them, leaving Pasha shivering on the floor, silent tears running down her cheeks.

Jack stood up from his hiding place in the alcove, "What the hell just happened?"

Pasha shook, "To speak Langaran or exhibit any sign of violence is the death penalty – no question."

No one said a word.

To Be Continued…

Author Notes: This chapter is wordy and a bit odd, but I hope it explains a few things. More stuff should be happening soon, so don't worry. The holidays are almost upon us, and I will update! I know I say this every time, but I intend to be motivated! Anyway, please tell me what you thought of this chapter:)