Jack, Teal'c, Sam/Jolinar, Bra'tac, and Acan steps out on a temperate planet.
Sam looks around. The sky is slightly purplish, but otherwise everything seems normal. Pine trees everywhere around the Stargate, which stands in a clearing.
~Recognize anything here?~ Sam wonders.
~No, but there are many many worlds in the Galaxy, and I have only been to a fraction.~
"Where is this?" Jack asks.
"Loamba. It is a world long abandoned by the Goa'uld, and now inhabited by a small number of Jaffa. There are also a number of human villages, but they leave the Jaffa alone, preferring not to be involved with anyone who travels through the chaapa'ai." Bra'tac tells them. "They agree to a minimal amount of trade, that is all."
"It's a refuge?" Daniel wonders.
"In a way. Widows, orphans, and old men live here. Those who have no where else. We do not allow warriors to stay, since that would risk discovery." Bra'tac looks hard at Sam. "Why did you kill the two Jaffa? I would have taken care of them."
Jolinar gives Sam control, but using only a long blink.
"One was about to reach for his weapon when I grabbed it from his colleague and shot him." Sam tells him, truthfully. Or almost, as it was Jolinar who did it. "They were both awake enough that they would have seen the address."
Bra'tac seems surprised. "I did not know them well, that is true, but they were both from honourable families, and I have done battle in the company of their elder brothers." He is silent for a moment, his expression turning sterner. "I have seen this behaviour several times in the last months. Former trustworthy comrades are turning against me."
"Perhaps it's time to leave, Bra'tac. You did, after all, betray Apophis and Klorel. It can't be all of the Jaffa who are okay with that." Jack points out.
"Indeed," Teal'c says. "If you are being betrayed by..."
"I will not leave Chulak and so allow Apophis and Klorel a victory!" Bra'tac exclaims. "We will speak no more of this!" He turns away from them. "Follow me."
Sam and Jack looks at each other, and Teal'c raises an eyebrow, but pushes Acan ahead of him. They all follow Bra'tac.
"They'll look after Acan?" Jack asks, when Bra'tac has taken them to friends who he says will keep him there temporarily.
"Yes, but his presence is a risk, and I will hold you to your promise to come for him soon."
"We will," Teal'c promises.
"We just need to find the Tok'ra first," Sam says.
"No. That is a foolish endeavor. No one can do that. You will return for the Goa'uld in no more than 3 months, regardless of whether you have found the Tok'ra or not. Else he will be killed," Bra'tac says. "Come. We should not stay longer here than necessary."
The start walking back to the Stargate.
"Paranoid Jaffa..." Jolinar mumbles, after having gotten control.
Bra'tac suddenly stops when they are in a patch of wood. He raises his staff weapon and activates it, pointing at Sam/Jolinar. "Captain Carter is not behaving like herself. She has done many strange things, and I have thought about it. I suspect she has been taken over by a Goa'uld."
Jolinar rolls her eyes.
"It's not a Goa'uld. Jolinar - better tell him."
"I do not believe that would be wise."
"I trust Bra'tac with my life," Teal'c says.
Jolinar takes a deep breath. "Very well. Bra'tac, you are most wise. Indeed, I am not Captain Carter. I am Jolinar of Malkshur - of the Tok'ra."
Bra'tac merely stares at her for a long time, then he deactivates his staff weapon and slowly lowers it. "Then it is true. The Tok'ra are real."
"They are." Jolinar assures him.
"Then why do you not just go to your people and remove the Goa'uld from your friend?"
"Maybourne is not our friend!" Jack points out.
"I have been away from my people for many many months, and they have moved their bases. I do not currently know where to find them, but I will. Then we will return." She raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Before the 3 months are up."
"Well, that went better than I had feared." Jack says, relieved, when they are finally returning from handing Acan over.
"I had preferred he did not know, but he accepted it, and believe that I am not a Goa'uld. That is good," Jolinar says.
"Of course. Bra'tac is wise." Teal'c smiles.
"Okay, let's get back to Daniel and Jacob, and then we should figure out a plan for finding the Tok'ra," Jack says.
"I already have a plan," Jolinar says, and dials the world where the others are waiting.
"Jolinar says this planet is called 'Nirata' and that it has a huge marketplace in the city nearest to the Stargate," Sam tells them.
"Looks popular," Jack says, looking around at the area around the Stargate which is unusually heavily trafficked.
"I'll say!" Jacob has to stop himself from staring at the people, some of whom are dressed very outlandishly. He shakes his head and adds in a low voice. "First time for me seeing aliens - and they all look human."
"They are all human." Sam explains, leading them on the way towards the nearby city. "There are a few non-human races, some of whom we have met, but even many of those look humanoid. Or take human hosts."
"Right." Jacob says. "Any of those here? The ones that take hosts?"
"The planet was owned by the Goa'uld Ra. Jolinar believes it is Heru'ur's now, but he hasn't bothered visiting it since he got it, as far as she knows. He sends some Jaffa twice a year to collect his - rather large - cut of the sales, but otherwise leaves the people alone." Sam says. "It's possible, but unlikely, that a minor Goa'uld would show up to buy something, but it would have to be a very minor one if he or she doesn't have a large entourage with them. In which case we can spot them in time and get out of their way. Very minor ones would probably not dare challenge us - as long as we don't challenge them. They'd still sense Jolinar, if we get close enough."
"But unlikely we're meeting any here," Jack asks. "You're sure of that?"
"Yes. Jolinar says she is."
"Wow, that's the city?" Daniel exclaims, when they exit the small forest they've been walking through.
"Yes, that's Mirna - the largest city on Nirata, Jolinar says." Sam tells him.
"Architecture is clearly Egyptian style. Wow, it's fantastic seeing such a large, living city that looks exactly as..." Daniel began.
"Shh," Jack warns. "Maybe don't do the whole tourist thing!"
"There are people from all over the Galaxy coming here, so I doubt we'll stick out." Sam tells him. "Still, let's not draw attention too much."
"Some of the people are dressed in ancient Egyptian style, some Greek, some Chinese, some Nubian," Daniel turns around and looks at the people around him. "Carthage, I think!"
"Daniel!" Jack repeats his warning.
"Sorry, this is all just so amazing!"
"Jaffa." Teal'c observes.
"Damn, time for their bi-annual pickup of tribute, I guess." Sam sighs. "Figures. Just our luck it happens while we're here." She looks around. "Jolinar suggests the small eatery over there. We should be able to get out of sight for a while in there."
"Time for dinner anyway. High time, I'd say." Jack notes.
They slip into the building, and are met with a delicious smell. The room is large, and looks pretty dark compared to the sharp sunshine outside.
"Indian?" Jack asks, surprised, when he sees the decorations and the dress of the owners and servants.
"Yes. Jolinar says that people from other planets have settled around the market to do business, and that includes opening restaurants."
"We can pay with jewelry?" Jacob asks.
"Yes, that usually works fine," Sam says.
A server approaches them and smiles at them. "Hello good sirs and lady. Could I interest you in the three-course evening dinner?"
"Yeah, that sounds good. Give us that - all of us." Jack says.
"Very well." The server smiles wider. "Wine? Beer?"
"Wine," Sam says, prompted by Jolinar. "And I think the rest of you guys want that too. Oh, and water. You have clean water from the nearby Spring of the Gods?"
"I do, certainly. Wine and water for all." He left before they could say anything else.
"Right. Well water wasn't always safe in the past. Or, like here." Daniel says, lowering his voice when Jack sends him a warning look.
"How are we going to find Jolinar's contacts?" Jacob asks.
"She says there are signs she will leave, for them to see when they come here. We put out those, and then we just wait for someone to give the corresponding answer," Sam says.
"Sounds easy enough." Jack agrees.
"What if no one answers?" Daniel wonders,
"It may take a week or more, but it is unlikely no one will respond. Unless the contacts have been compromised or have fled, I guess. If we haven't heard anything in a couple weeks, there are other ways." Sam says.
"Okay, let's not worry about it now. Time to eat!" Jack says, smiling as he sees the first course being brought to them.