It was near morning when Jack and Sam/Jolinar made it back to their hotel rooms. They had found the cache with valuables quickly, but when they were going back, they ran into a Jaffa patrol and had to hide for several hours. They were now both cold and wet, but at least they had avoided being seen, and they had gotten the valuables back to the guest house.
"You certainly took your sweet time!" Jacob exclaims when they have locked the door after them. "Don't you realize how worried we got?"
"Sorry, dad. It really wasn't supposed to take this long, but we ran into some Jaffa. And we're fine, before you ask." Sam says, smiling tiredly at him.
Jack scrubs his hand over his face. "Let's see if we can get something hot to drink - and something to eat, then we can talk more about it."
"I'll go check." Daniel says, getting up. "What happened?"
"Short version: we're screwed." Jack says sardonically.
"Slightly longer version: this mission got a lot more difficult," Sam adds. She sighs deeply. "Heru'ur sent a vassal - at least we thinks that's what has happened. Jolinar recognizes him."
"Get the food, then we'll talk," Jack says tiredly and lets himself down into a chair by the table.
Daniel nods and leaves quickly to find out what they can get.
"Okay, out with it!" Jacob insists, when they're all sitting around the table with hot soup, bread, butter, cheese, and hot herbal tea.
Sam/Jolinar and Jack both dig into the food, relishing the hot soup and tea for the warmth it gives.
"The nights are pretty cold here this time of year," Jack says, drinking more of the tea, then grimacing. "Doesn't make this stuff taste good."
"It is a common tea on many worlds. The coffee the Tau'ri likes is only drunk on a few planets." Jolinar says. She sighs and takes another spoonful of soup, swallows, and then lets go of the spoon. "Time for an explanation. I am afraid our mission has become quite a lot harder and more dangerous - not to mention long."
"Meaning what?" Jacob asks, worriedly.
"Heru'ur has sent a Goa'uld to be his vassal here." Jolinar says.
"And he couldn't have picked a more inopportune time!" Jack grumbles. "That's just so typically of SG-1's bad luck! I mean, the planet has apparently been without a Goa'uld for years, but as soon as we arrive, one shows up!"
"It is...unfortunate." Jolinar agrees wryly. "I know the Goa'uld, though mostly only of reputation. He is quite cruel and known for his, ah, unusual appetites."
"I hope that doesn't mean he likes torturing random people for fun or something like that..." Daniel says.
"No, not quite, though he has no scruples with torture or cruel punishments. It is more that he has a voracious sexual appetite, and that he is famous for not caring much if his partners are willing - or rather preferring they are not. His name is Pan."
"Pan? As in the Greek god Pan?" Daniel asks.
"Yes. Though if I understand correctly, mythology describes him mostly as mischievous and seductive, but not evil. The Goa'uld version is rather more unpleasant."
"Yeah, we got that!" Jack says.
"Better stay clear of him, then," Jacob says, giving Jolinar - and his daughter - a worried look.
"He would not force himself on another Goa'uld - or I do not think he would. The rest of you are in more danger than I am. He does not care if his partners are male, female, or otherwise - nor if they are human, Jaffa, sometimes even animals are not safe, though he would probably rather watch that."
"Pleasant fellow." Jack grimaces.
"He should have enough people to occupy him in this town, but Jacob is correct, we should keep our distances. At least Pan will likely stay mostly in his palace and have his Jaffa go out to get him his tribute - as well as food, drink, slaves, and so on. He will not care to search through the city for rebels, as long as no one gives him reason to. He will guard the chaapa'ai constantly, at least for the first few weeks. After that, business will return mostly to normal, at least in that traders will be allowed to come and leave. After all, that is a great source of revenue of this world, and Pan would not miss it."
"So it's a good thing we got the valuables earlier. We can pay to have anything delivered." Jack sighs.
"Yes. I will have to go out at some point to see if one of my sources are here, and have seen my marker and know I need to contact them, but it is unlikely any have. Given the current situation."
"It's probably not a good idea, is it?" Jack says. "I mean, I realize you said the Jaffa can't sense you, and that the Pan fellow won't likely go out into the city, but what if you're caught and taken to his, ah, bed-chamber? Ignoring any other unfortunate things that could happen, he'll certainly sense you're not human - and what then?"
"Right, he won't believe you're a Goa'uld if you're skulking around here dressing up like a human." Daniel says.
"Very true, but I would be careful. I would not be captured."
"Yeah, well, let's discuss this later." Jack yawns. "We can't do anything right now. Time to sleep."
Most of a week passed, with SG-1, Jolinar, and Jacob hiding in the hotel. Sam/Jolinar left once, during the deep of night, to see if there had been any replies to her request for contact with a Tok'ra informer. There had not.
The population was scared, after Jaffa had gone through the city and grabbed a number of young men and women, and taken them to Pan's palace. Some would be regular slaves and servants, but no one doubted that most would be sex slaves.
Another few days has passed, when there is a knock at the door. SG-1 and their friends looks at each other, worried. Who could it be, and why?
There is no option but to open, though, and Jack goes to the door, opening it. "Yes?"
Outside the landlord is standing, looking apologetic. "I am sorry to disturb you, good sirs and lady-"
He was always very polite, as SG-1 were good costumers, paying well.
"What is it about?" Jack asks, warily.
"Our new Lord, Pan, is honoring us all by letting us see him. He requires the presence of everyone at the large square in front of the palace, tomorrow at noon. Everyone must dress in their finest."
Jack sighs. "I see. Thank you for this information."
When the landlord had left, SG-1 and Jacob sat down to discuss it.
"What now? Will we be in danger? Why is Pan doing this?" Jack demands.
"It is normal for a Goa'uld to show himself for the population on a new planet. He will want them to see the face of their master, and worship him. All Goa'uld does this. Ah, I even did that - back before I became Tok'ra." Jolinar blushes lightly.
"Okay," Jack says. He gives Jolinar a smile. "Don't worry about your past. As I'm sure Carter has told you, it's impressive you've changed on your own. It also gives us some inside information."
Jolinar nods. "Thank you. As for the other question... the danger is not high that we will be discovered, as long as Teal'c and I keep our distance to the platform where Pan will show himself, and the path he will walk there."
"All right, I guess we're going then," Jack says.
"We have to. The locals here will believe Pan is a god and probably report us if we do not go to worship him. We also need to get suitable clothes, that matches locals living here, and not outside traders, since that will make us stand out."
"Okay, then, we'll buy some nice clothes, and then go check out the square to see if there is an inconspicuous place for us to stand." Jack decides. "Come on, guys!"