Jack gave a fleeting smile at Mitchell's comment. Damned if he didn't like the guy. 'What have we got Walter?'

'Incoming wormhole, sir.' The Sergeant checked the computer. 'Receiving IDC now.'

'It's the Jaffa, sir.' Sam said reading the code on the computer.

'Open the iris.' Jack ordered.

Both Sam and Jack were already moving towards the stairs when the General glanced back at Mitchell. 'You coming, Mitchell?'

The surprise showed briefly before Mitchell replied. 'Yes, sir.'

They entered the gate room and Mitchell's eyes widened at the glistening pool of blue. 'Wow.'

Daniel raced in from the corridor to join them. 'Who is it?'

'The Jaffa.' Jack said. He waved a hand at Mitchell. 'You guys have met.'

'Sure. Hi.' Daniel shook Mitchell's hand warmly. 'It's good to see you again.'

'I'm looking forward to working with you.' Mitchell replied with an easy smile.

'Just don't let him touch anything.' Jack warned.

'Which one?' asked Sam as the event horizon rippled and Teal'c stepped through onto the ramp.

'Teal'c. Buddy.' Jack stepped forward and hugged him forcefully causing the sturdy Jaffa to stagger a little. Sam and Daniel looked on amused.

'O'Neill.' Teal'c acknowledged as he endured the hug stoically. 'I am here on a matter of great urgency.'

'Right.' Jack eased off and patted Teal'c's shoulders. 'It's just so good to see you.'

Teal'c's expression softened. 'It is good to be seen.' He accepted a quicker hug from Sam and Daniel patted his shoulder as they all followed Jack up to the briefing room.

'So, what brings you to Earth?' Jack asked as everybody took a seat at the table.

Mitchell wondered briefly if he should be there but when no one protested, he sat down and leaned back in his chair.

'Two days ago, a group of Jaffa were exploring the ruins at Dakara when they chanced upon a cave in the mountain under the old city.' Teal'c folded his hands over his stomach. 'The chamber contained an Ancient machine.'

'Don't tell.' Jack said gesturing at the Jaffa. 'Somebody touched it.'

'Indeed.' Teal'c inclined his head. 'Since then ten of our people have mysteriously disappeared from Dakara along a section of the old city we had been using for shelter.'

'Disappeared?' Sam asked.

'They were enveloped by a bright green light, Colonel Carter.'

'You've witnessed it?' Sam asked excitedly.

'I have.' Teal'c scowled. 'I saw Bra'tac disappear in such a manner only a few hours ago.' He paused. 'I could do nothing to stop it.'

'This may sound like a dumb question but has someone tried turning the machine off?' Daniel asked.

'We have, Daniel Jackson, without success.'

'Teal'c, I don't understand.' Sam said confused. 'If your people have been disappearing for the last two days why didn't you come to us sooner?'

A muscle worked in Teal'c's jaw and he didn't speak for a long moment. 'The Jaffa High Council believes that until we learn to stand on own, we will be like a young deer that never learns to walk.'

'I guess that makes sense.' Daniel said.

'It does?' Jack asked.

'Well, when you think about it the Free Jaffa nation is like a newly born animal. In most cases, young animals are encouraged to stand on their own legs as soon as possible so they're able to flee from predators. Without that ability they are vulnerable.' Daniel expanded.

'So, your Council think that coming to us for help is a sign of weakness.' Sam made a face.

'They do.'

'But they must have changed their minds if you're here now.' Daniel said.

Teal'c met his friend's worried gaze across the table. 'They did not.'

'You mean you came without permission?' Jack's eyebrows shot up although he was more amused than shocked. 'Teal'c.' He made a tutting sound.

'I believe that we do not yet possess the skills required to solve this particular situation.' Teal'c stated. 'I believe we will need the help of the Tau'ri, and specifically Colonel Carter and Daniel Jackson, if we are to determine the true purpose of the machine and recover our people.'

'Carter?'

'It may not be possible to do either, sir.' She gestured. 'The Ancient technology is still well beyond our understanding. However there may be something in the information that was provided by the Atlantis team that could help.' She looked at Teal'c. 'I'd like to try.'

'What's stopping this machine making you disappear?' Jack asked.

'By the sound of it the effect is localised.' Sam explained. 'As long as we stay away from the area Teal'c was talking about, we should be fine.'

'We have already sealed off that section of the city.' Teal'c confirmed. 'Without your assistance, O'Neill, the Council will destroy the machine and any hope of recovering Bra'tac or the others will be lost completely.' He added.

'We do owe, Bra'tac.' Daniel slid in gently.

'We do.' Jack sighed.

'Teal'c, you say the Council aren't that keen on us helping you out, are we talking violent resistance here or passive hostility?' Mitchell asked speaking up for the first time.

'Colonel Mitchell.' Teal'c acknowledged him with a small bow of his head. 'I do not believe SG1 will be physically harmed.'

'So, they'll grumble a bit when we arrive but then grudgingly let us help?' Mitchell clarified.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. 'I believe you are correct.'

They all looked at Jack.

'OK, you have a go.' Jack said. 'Gear up.'

The members of the current SG1 team deserted the briefing room leaving Teal'c and Jack alone.

'My thanks, O'Neill.' Teal'c murmured.

'Don't mention it.' Jack said. 'Happy to help.' He reviewed his friend's stern face. After years of working with him he could tell the big guy was unhappy and about more than the disappearance of his mentor. 'Teal'c, is there something else I should know?'

Teal'c shifted in his chair at Jack's question. 'Many Jaffa are ashamed that we were unable to free ourselves without the assistance of the Tau'ri. Many others dislike our dependence on the supply of tretonin.' He noted. 'There are those who would seek to end the alliance between the Free Jaffa and the Tau'ri. They are gaining in numbers and gathering political support.' He paused. 'There is even a small faction that believes that we should use our superior strength, our warrior skills and knowledge of the Goa'uld technology to enslave humans to help with reconstruction.'

'Sweet.' Jack muttered. 'And you and Bra'tac are on the other side of the political debate?'

'We are.' Teal'c leaned forward resting his clasped hands on the polished surface of the briefing table.

'You don't agree with the whole deer thing?' Jack asked.

'I do but a young deer finds protection amongst others in the herd.' Teal'c said.

Jack nodded sagely before a small frown crossed his face. 'You're talking about us, I mean, humans being the others in the herd, right?' He checked.

Teal'c inclined his head. 'It is difficult for many Jaffa to realise that our years of serving the Goa'uld have left us weakened in many things vital to rebuild our civilisation. We have too few farmers and scholars. We require assistance to help rebuild our cities and planets. There is much the Tau'ri can teach us.'

'Which we would do willingly, without the whole being enslaved thing just for the record.' Jack said.

'Bra'tac was beginning to win support for our cause before his disappearance.' Teal'c said.

'Bra'tac.' Jack looked over at his friend. 'But not you?'

'My opinion is considered biased because of the years I spent with the Tau'ri.' Teal'c stated. 'When I return with SG1 I believe I will have forfeited my place on the Jaffa High Council which was opposed to seeking help in this matter.'

Jack reached across and clasped Teal'c's shoulder as he met his friend's serious gaze with one of his own. 'You know you can come back. Anytime.'

The sound of approaching footsteps had Jack dropping his hand. Walter hurried in. 'SG1 are en route to the gate room, sir.'

Jack nodded. 'Start dialling Dakara, Sergeant.'

'Yes, sir.' Walter took the stairs and when they followed him a few moments later they could hear the sound of the gate as it spun and the confirmation of the chevron locks. They took the stairs and joined the gathered SG1 team in the gate room.

'Ready to go, Carter?' Jack asked.

'Ready, sir.'

'I want you kids to check-in in twenty-four hours.' Jack noted.

'Yes, sir.' Sam clipped her P90 to her vest and rested her hands on it.

Daniel grabbed Mitchell's vest and pulled him back. 'You might want to stand back a bit more.'

Mitchell looked at Daniel and opened his mouth to say something when Walter announced the seventh chevron lock and the wormhole activated. The blue backwash had Mitchell staggering back a little.

'Woah.'

'Told you.' Daniel said smugly.

'They warned us in training but they never told us it would be like that.' Mitchell said his voice filled with wonderment.

Sam smiled and looked over at Jack. 'With your permission, sir.'

Jack nodded. 'Have fun.'

Teal'c bowed his head and walked swiftly up the ramp and into the wormhole. Daniel followed after him. Mitchell halted at the top of the ramp and Sam stopped next to him.

'This isn't going to hurt is it?' Mitchell checked sticking his gun into the event horizon and making a lazy circle.

'Not as much as it used to.'

'Not as much as it used to?' Mitchell turned his head to look at her. 'What kind of answer is tha…' She pushed him through and followed after him.