APOPHIS' HA'TAK

Again!

Again, affairs of state had taken precedence over Amaunet's personal pleasures. Another emergency between more Underlords had erupted and detained Apophis.

Reclining on a mountain of pillows on top of her bed, she tried to taunt Sha'uri but found her host conspicuously quiet. Strange but hardly surprising given the day's events. Amaunet had been so involved in re-establishing her presence in the last few hours, she hadn't had time to access the slave's memories concerning her husband's unique abilities as she once enjoyed doing …

But she remembered what she had seen before.

There was something very special between Sha'uri and Daniel, something so sublime that even the most unimportant occurrences transcended its magic.

There were a few memories she did enjoy, ones that she remembered many times although she didn't understand them. It was something so simple, so unimportant, so alien to her way of thinking that the strangeness haunted her.

A summer night. Bright stars against an ebony backdrop. Sands blowing on the dunes from a gentle breeze. Daniel and Sha'uri traveling to the mountains to visit their grandfather, camping by the river once the suns set. A simple tent, bedroll inside, campfire outside. Husband and wife gazing at the stars, talking about constellations, telling stories, listening to the sounds of the night. Talking becomes touching. Touching becomes urgency. Urgency becomes more. The night passing all too quickly in a loving embrace of give and take which grows into a fevered passion …

A simple stone house, two rooms—a bedroom and a living area. A simple meal prepared on an open fire. A simple discussion of the discoveries made that day as they shared the evening meal. A simple conversation of nothing very important, just loving each other, spending time together.

Sleeping. Waking up long before dawn. Feeling her husband's arms go around her. Feeling his lips touch her shoulder as he draws her closer to him. Hearing his whispered words. Feeling his hands touching her, slowly roaming over her as she yielded to him. Awaking fully to find herself being hugged desperately against the man she loves. Turning in his arms to touch him, to love him until the sun rose …

There was such a companionship and depth of emotion that Amaunet had never felt or experienced, either herself or through the memories of other hosts. She had Sha'uri's memories, but the host always fought her. With Apophis in Daniel Jackson's body, Amaunet was certain that Sha'uri wouldn't fight any longer—or as hard. Everything she knew from Sha'uri, all the memories of Daniel would no longer haunt her. She now had her mate inside the host himself.

'….My Dan'yel will never submit to Apophis …' Sha'uri's voice murmured as she willingly communicated with her captor for the first time since their resurrection.

'Fool,' Amaunet taunted her as she started hurting her again. It gave her such pleasure to hear the little slave scream. 'You will obey me or not only will I will inflict more pain than your feeble mind can endure. Apophis will put your husband in more than he can survive. My mate will destroy your husband's mind, and I will force you to watch.'

Sha'uri fell silent again, but only for a moment. Amaunet heard a murmur, and thought Sha'uri mumbled '….And I will be the one to curse your existence when you go before Ma'at in the Hall of Two Truths…'

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

EARTH—SGC

Jack couldn't sit still. He paced furiously around the debriefing room. Apophis had Daniel. Kasuf, too. The guards at Nagada told them that the demon inside Skaara had taken Kasuf. Any way you wanted to look at it, it stunk.

Apophis had Daniel.

And were the Tok'ra being any help?

Not yet.

Their ally's assurances of "we're helping as much as we can but we're not getting involved" was wearing a little thin. They didn't say it out loud, but Jack knew the spiel. They had a spy in Apophis' ranks, helping the Tau'ri in any way to initiate a rescue operation would jeopardize that operative, the operative's mission was more important than one man's life, yadda, yadda, yadda …

It was all such utter bullshit.

And it stunk.

General Hammond had already changed all GDO codes and security protocols. Although there was a good chance that Daniel was still alive, his chances of being un-Goa'ulded or un-tortured were slim.

He could be compromised already.

Jack didn't care. He wouldn't give up. Daniel never did. When Jack and Carter were trapped in the Antarctic, Daniel got up from his sickbed—concussion and all—to find them. He never gave up. For three years, he searched for Sha'uri and Skaara. He never gave up. Every day, he tried to get the military to see things beyond a military standpoint. He never gave up.

Jack would be damned before he let the little bastards keep Daniel. He wouldn't give up, either. He'd mount a rescue mission alone if he had to. He'd even …

Jack prayed that he wouldn't have to kill Daniel in order to free him from a Goa'uld. It was too soon after Sha'uri, and Daniel had made that promise to his wife. Jack couldn't take up the mission to find the boy, he knew that already. It was too big of a job for him to take on alone even though he knew he would try his damndest to find him. It wouldn't be enough. It would take Daniel's intelligence and tenacity to find Sha'uri's son.

Great, Jack,he thought to himself. You just admitted to yourself that Sha'uri sent Daniel a message through the ribbon device concerning the boy being sent secretly to Kheb. Now you're thinking that it actually happened while you've spent the better part of two months denying it? Sheesh, you are such a schmuck, O'Neill! Admit it to yourself, get Daniel back, admit it to him, and then make an all-out effort to find the kid.

The words "For crying out loud!" didn't cover it. "Oh, hell!" seemed more appropriate. He should have just believed Daniel from the get-go.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

ASGARD SHIP

Loki waited. The small neural implants had allowed him to keep track of Apophis and Amaunet. Their anticipation and need for each other had grown each passing hour that a new "crisis" had arisen, crises that had been generated by an imaginative Asgard. He wanted to Apophis to know the pain of a want that went unsatisfied. He would allow them a false sense of security, some time to think they had succeeded, before springing his trap.

That trap was almost ready to be sprung.

He would not allow the Goa'ulds any leeway, no chance at being happy at the expense of the two hosts. All he needed to do was wait a little longer before acting.

He would have his revenge.

He activated the implants and watched the game unfold.

"Daniel Jackson, Sha'uri," Loki's spoke through the implants to his accomplices. "Only the two of you can hear me. I have separated you from the symbiotes. They will not be able to hear us communicate. They will only have limited control and can no longer hurt you, but the time for our revenge is upon us. Be ready. Do as I instruct and all will be well."

Daniel and Sha'uri, deeply buried in their tormenting hell, had no choice but to do what Loki said.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

APOPHIS' THRONE ROOM

After much annoying external debating and punishable internal distractions, Apophis finally settled his Underlords' differences. He had meant to go to Amaunet's quarters to attend her, but his health dictated otherwise. He felt a wave of exhaustion come over him as he traversed the corridors and stopped at his own quarters after he ordered Kintac to ask Amaunet to come to him. Apophis relaxed in his luxurious suite as he waited. During those moments, he took the opportunity to explore his new host's mind. Daniel Jackson was known to be a Tau'ri genius with a vast knowledge base. Such information could only aid Apophis plans …

Where was he?

Apophis couldn't sense Jackson's mind, but he was aware of his host's presence. Apophis knew he was there because of all the hours of entertainment he had experienced at the slave's expense. Jackson's essence was there, but the path to his memories was … unattainable.

Mentally, he was thwarted. Physically, Jackson's body was still suffering from that vast unprocessed amount of the Blood of Sokar. It was weakening Apophis. That could be easily dealt with by one use of the sarcophagus, but it would take at least a day for Klorel to return with it. Before he left, Klorel had promised to hasten his return, but it would still take time. Yet there was something else … that difference in Jackson's brain that was hindering Apophis from taking full control. There was a type of blockage that Apophis could almost feel, some sort of impediment that …

It was as if …

Almost like …

Was it possible?

There had been rumors but not any real research into the effects a hand device had on a human brain. Daniel Jackson had been subjected to one numerous times. Apophis himself witnessed Jackson's resistance to its effects on Abydos. Could that be the reason he couldn't access Jackson's memories at the moment or was it the exhaustion? No, that wasn't right. There was something physically impairing his ability to absorb Jackson's knowledge.

Perhaps all those reasons, but delving into Jackson's mind—or the inability to do so at the moment—was not as important as becoming reacquainted with his queen. Knowing her fascination for Daniel Jackson—a fascination born only from her host's desires—he had no doubt that he could please Amaunet. Now, he needed only to be able to access whatever it was that so fascinated her.

~o~o~o~

Amaunet was beginning to wonder at Apophis' delay when Kintac arrived with her pharaoh's request to come to his chambers. Her anticipation was dampened only by Loki's worries. Her return to life was brought about only through an advanced technology and even the Asgard wasn't sure of its viability. The resurrection could reverse itself and Amaunet would be dead again. She had what she had most wanted for three years. The thought of her pharaoh in Daniel Jackson's body gave her an anticipated delight as she had not felt in many millennia. Neither Amun-Re nor Apophis had incited such excitement in her before.

She tried to reach Sha'uri to torment her with the latest development but decided that actions truly spoke louder than words. She knew Sha'uri was trying to ignore her. Odd. Sha'uri was as alive as she was, just as aware. Amaunet was certain of that fact. Yet, even though the little slave would get to be with her Dan'yel despite Amaunet being the controlling consciousness, the Goa'uld felt no internal reaction to that one fact.

No matter.

There would be time for deciphering that little puzzle later.

She was about to be reunited with her pharaoh who now possessed Daniel Jackson's talents.

Yes, it was good to be the queen.

She rose and quickly changed into another gown, one that she knew would flatter her and a color she knew to be Apophis' favorite.

~o~o~o~

Looking out from her prison, Sha'uri could hear Amaunet's thoughts. Some weren't clear, but Sha'uri could guess their content. With a delighted glee, she realized that Amaunet was anticipating an event that would never happen—if the Asgard kept his promise to them. Apophis couldn't get her Dan'yel's memories! What Amaunet wanted was beyond her reach.

Could revenge be theirs?

~o~o~o~

It was a radiantly beautiful Amaunet who entered Apophis' chambers. Dressed in an elegant red robe and a studded headdress, she looked every bit the queen she was.

Apophis watched Amaunet with delight. He loved how she glided across the room, how beautiful she looked in her red dress. Yes, she was a remarkably lovely woman. "Beautiful," Apophis said approvingly. "As always, my queen, you are the greatest jewel in our kingdom."

~o~o~o~

Loki's timing was impeccable. He activated the neural implant. In a voice only Sha'uri could hear, Loki said, "Sha'uri, taunt her. Make her question everything Apophis says."

~o~o~o~

"A jewel, my pharaoh?" Amaunet asked, her smile both seductive and coy.

'….A possession he may dispose of at a whim …' Sha'uri's voice sounded loud in Amaunet's mind.

'Silence, slave. You will not speak so of my husband.'

"Yes, a jewel. Bright, glittering, magnificent." Apophis answered as he slowly approached her. Words had always held a certain magic between them—no. Words had always been part of the magic between Daniel and Sha'uri … this was confusing.

~o~o~o~

Loki activated the neural implant in Daniel's cortex. Again, in a voice only Daniel could hear, Loki instructed, "Daniel, you must remind Apophis of Amaunet's true appearance. Her true nature."

~o~o~o~

"And beautiful," Apophis repeated.

'… Yes, Sha'uri is beautiful. A magnificent jewel. Your mate is nothing but a snake, and an ugly one at that. Snakes really aren't— …'

Now Jackson spoke?

'Quiet. You will not insult my queen.'

'….Yes, I will. Do you think you can stop me? …'

Apophis tried. Yes, he tried to put Daniel in extreme pain, but he couldn't reach him. What was happening? Controlling a host was never this difficult.

'….See? You never listen …'

Apophis could not punish Daniel physically. Instead, he tormented him with words. 'Say what you will, slave, but I will be the one who touches her. You will never know that pleasure again, but you will be very aware that I will.'

'….Say whatever you want to, Apophis. I kill snakes. I don't touch them. And you've never touched Sha'uri, just that bitch of a snake you call a mate …'

'Silence. You will say no more. Witness that I will indulge myself in what you will never know again.'

Just as Apophis reached Amaunet, there was a knock on his chamber door.

~o~o~o~

Loki sent a quick message to both Daniel and Sha'uri. The news that Apophis was about to hear was not true. It was a fabrication invented by Loki himself. It would prove useful in rescuing Kasuf.

~o~o~o~

"My pharaoh?" Varos' voice from the hallway interrupted what had yet to be started. "There has been an uprising on your newly acquired planet of Qelnor. The slaves have overpowered the Jaffa—"

"Enter, Varos," Apophis commanded, the disappointment in his voice evident. His reunion with his mate had to be secondary to the demands of their regime. Both knew it, both understood it, neither liked it. Especially now when both were so eager to celebrate their reunion.

Varos entered. He had abandoned Kasuf's Abydonian clothes and dressed in more Goa'uldish attire. "Your pardon, my pharaoh, my queen." He received pardoning nods from both of them. "I would not have disturbed you had the situation not been so dire."

"What has happened?" Apophis impatiently demanded to know. When other more pleasant marital concerns should be pursued, affairs of state weren't quite as important.

"We have received no details, my lord, only that the slaves have killed the Jaffa and taken possession of the Chappa'ai."

Rebellion? Against him? The thought was ludicrous.

~o~o~o~

Again, Loki sent the two humans a quick message to do or say anything to get Apophis to send Varos to Qelnor and to remind the two Goa'ulds that they could not undertake Stargate travel at this time. Amaunet's resurrection and Apophis' current lack of health would be reason enough to keep the two Goa'ulds on the ha'tak.

~o~o~o~

'….So, what are you going to do? …' Daniel asked Apophis, his "voice" smug. '….If you go there, they'll catch you and execute you, even if they think you are their god. I know a lot of hosts who'd be willing to die just to kill the symbiotes inside them …'

In her turn, Sha'uri was taunting Amaunet. '….Neither of you can leave this ship. This is only the beginning, demon. One planet after another will defy you and declare their freedom. You will never win because this victory for the slaves will grow among all the worlds you have subjugated. They are slipping from your grasp because neither of you can leave. Only Varos can …'

'Quiet. I will make you pay for such insolence.' But she couldn't. Amaunet couldn't inflict any pain on the little slave despite the fact that Sha'uri was right. There was no other choice. "Apophis," Amaunet suggested. "The Asgard has cautioned against my using the Chappa'ai. Varos can go there with a contingent of Jaffa to deal with the slaves."

~o~o~o~

Apophis quickly and quietly considered that option. "Yes. I will also send Klorel once he returns with the sarcophagus."

As the Goa'uld considered it, Loki again spoke to Daniel. "Daniel, you must convince Apophis that he must dial the Stargate. I will give you full control. You will have to send Kasuf to Cimmeria."

"The Jaffa will know," Daniel was able to whisper back without Apophis knowing. "They won't let me finish the address."

"I will deal with the Jaffa. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I will free all of you from them. Kasuf was unexpected, and for that, I am sorry. This is the most expedient way to free your father-in-law and have our revenge."

Ignoring what he could have said to the Asgard, Daniel did as he requested.'….You don't have anyone else here who can deal with it. You might as well kiss that planet goodbye. It's not as if Varos could handle the situation. You don't even have enough faith in him to dial the Stargate yourself. You probably think that this is one of those simple operations instead of one where both you and Amaunet see your representative off. You'd leave that to one of your Jaffa.'

'You will be silent!' Apophis roared.

'….Yeah? Make me …'

Ignoring what could have been said to Daniel, Apophis did exactly what Daniel hoped he would. Interesting repeat of events. "Varos, the queen is correct. You will go there with Kintac. Have him choose Jaffa he can trust. Put down the rebellion. I will meet you at the Chappa'ai and dial the address myself."

"Yes, my pharaoh," Varos bowed his head and left the room in search of Kintac.

The two rulers gazed at each other. "My queen, would you join me at the Chappa'ai? For such an important mission, it is only fitting that both the queen and the pharaoh are there at Varos' departure."

"I would be honored, my lord. Provided that we may return here afterwards with orders not to be disturbed."

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

EARTH—SGC

The Stargate didn't move.

No wormhole formed, no transmission came through, and no one stepped onto the ramp.

Major Samantha Carter sat at the control console staring down at the Stargate. She never thought she would have been called back from her leave for such a reason. The moment they received the call about Daniel's situation, her father went into action as General Jacob Carter and forced their way back onto an even earlier flight than Hammond had arranged. Yet, no matter how soon they landed in Colorado, it was too late. Daniel was gone, and there was no sign of where he'd been taken.

"Sammy?" Her dad walked up and sat down next to her. "How're you holding up?"

"Apophis hates Daniel, Dad. Probably more than he hates Teal'c. We don't know where he is or what he's doing to Daniel. Do you know what—"

"Apophis reputation precedes him, kiddo. Look, I'm heading back to Vorash, and I'll light a fire under their collective backsides. We'll do everything we can to find Daniel. We've got a lot of operatives out there. Someone will know where Apophis is."

Jacob's words did little to reassure Sam. "What if it's too late?"

She knew Jacob hated that question. He was fond of Daniel. Hell, fond wasn't the right word. Daniel was like a son to him. If they were too late, there would be no choice. Daniel's knowledge could NOT be left with the Goa'uld. Seeing Sammy's worried eyes begging him for another answer was his undoing. "We'll do what we can, Sam. If we can rescue Daniel, we will."

He didn't have to say what they would do if they couldn't rescue him. Sam already knew.