Kevin Elliot settled himself in a seat of the rail car that seemed to be Nisir's version of mass-transit and started to go through the contents of the belt pouch he'd 'liberated'.

That was...very impressive.

'What?' Kevin sub-vocalized absently, most of his mind on the square coins in assorted sizes. 'Oh, the escape. Thanks, but we sure were out on the time estimate weren't we?' Far from being the black before the dawn the amount of activity on the darkened streets indicated a fairly early hour, well before the local version of midnight anyway.

I noted a certain...restraint.

'Standing Orders, non-lethal force so far as possible against Diaspora humans. We are looking for allies you know.' The odd texture of Lanatash's emotions finally penetrated Kevin's preoccupation. 'What's eating you, pal?'

Eating me? Oh, another 'expression'. Really, this Tauri vernacular of yours. I am very impressed, Kevin. Or perhaps nonplussed would be a better word. I know I told Mordek you Tauri are formidable but I hadn't quite applied that generality to you.

'Excuse me? Well you've been hanging out with SG-1, I'm not in their class.'

You are not far short of it, Kevin. You incapacitated the five personnel stationed in the monitor room in 72 seconds.

'I did?' Kevin couldn't help being a little impressed himself. 'Wow. Put it down to adrenalin I guess. Mind I always did get top marks in unarmed.'

I can believe that.

'Good thing too. If I hadn't taken them down fast one would have sounded the alarm and I doubt we'd have gotten out.'

I wonder, said Lantash.

Kevin shut the pouch. "As it is we're sitting pretty. We've got a head start, civilian clothes, some money and whatever's in the suitcase. It should be easy to blend in.'

You think?

Kevin chuckled leaning back in the seat. 'Yeah, I do. We can pose as a visitor from some other part of this globe - that's why I grabbed the suitcase - which'll help cover up our unfamiliarity with the local customs. I don't suppose you can help there?'

Not really, Kevin.

'Just asking.'

-----

Trooper Second Avah Meshak opened his eyes with a groan, the room swam. Gradually his security board came into focus, especially the big orange alarm button. What the - memory returned jerking him upright in the chair, sending shooting pain radiating down his back from the neck. Somebody had hit him! He groped for the button and pressed it.

----

Kevin Elliot climbed off the third rail car of the evening and started down the street, suitcase swinging.

I suppose you have a reason for all these changes?

'I'm confusing our trail," he responded, surprised. "Come on, that's basic.'

You think they will deduce we exited Intelligence headquarters and climbed on a 'bus'?

'Maybe not, but better safe then sorry.'

Ah, what Jacob calls 'tactical paranoia'.

Kevin laughed softly, 'General Carter went to the same school I did - literally.'

Yes, this 'Airforce Academy' of yours. Kevin, I think this is a residential are.

'I think you're right.' The street was lined with low one or two story buildings right up against sidewalk, with small, high windows and doors marked with the funny wedge-like writing they used here. House numbers?

Light streamed from an open door about midway down the street and as he came abreast it Kevin caught the sound of voices from within. A large sign was posted on the blank wall under the little windows. 'Can you read that, pal?'

Not easily....it seems to be saying something about rooms to let.

'A boarding house? Just the thing.' Kevin knocked on the open door. The voices continued on, apparently not hearing. He went in.

The short hall made a dogleg into a large space furnished as a combined sitting and dining room. Several people were grouped at the foot of a stair in the corner; a kid of ten or twelve at bay on the landing besieged by a pack of grown ups. A youngish woman in a glittery dress was talking:

" - should have been in bed asleep!"

"I dunno, Asha," put in the man nearest to her with a grin. "I'd sit up if my mom were out with a character like me." He shot a wink at the kid.

"Aw, it's not that Mr. Lugal, but she's got to get up early for work tomorrow."

"And she needs her beauty sleep," the lady's date agreed grinning broadly.

She sputtered as the other men and older woman standing around listening laughed. The woman patted her arm. "Best quit while you're behind, dear. These two are too much for any sensible woman."

Asha laughed along with the rest and started up the steps taking her son firmly by the shoulder. "All right, we'll both go to bed. Goodnight, Nim, goodnight all."

The other woman turning away and caught sight of Kevin standing hesitantly in the doorway. Her startled little gasp drew the attention of the entire party. He stepped further into the light. "Excuse me, the door was open. I'm looking for a room?"

The Landlady's expression changed from near alarm to businesslike interest. "Of course, sir. And how long to you expect to be staying in our city?"

---

"Sir! Sir!" Sargon Ulmesh opened bleary eyes to blink up at his sergeant. "It's the alien, sir, he's escaped! Deputy Mordek wants all troops turned out for a full sweep of the city.

Ulmesh hid his grin behind a yawn. "That's going to attract attention."

"He doesn't seem to care, sir."

---

Breakfast was what smelled like bacon, even if it came in blocks rather than strips, and long, twisted sticks of bread. Imitating his fellow boarders Kevin broke off a bite sized piece and sopped it in pork drippings. 'These people have clearly never heard of chloresterol.'

I have. Don't worry, I'll take care of it.

'I wasn't worried.' Kevin took an experimental sip of thick glop everybody else was drinking. 'What the -'

Fermented grain product, very low alcohol content, but lots of fiber.

'I could tell.'

"Government spokesmen continue to deny reports the alien has escaped custody and is on the loose," said the radio in the corner "Troop movements throughout the city are being explained as part of a planned drill."

"Anybody believe that?" muttered a middle aged fellow boarder around his mug.

Their landlady, Mrs. Unat, snorted. "What kind of fools do they think we are?"

'Not doing a very good job of keeping me quiet, are they?' Kevin thought ruefully to his symbiote. Then said aloud; "Alien?"

Everybody looked at him. "You didn't hear?" young Bilsham Sunun asked eagerly. "He appeared out of thin air in Tumhal park. He claimed he was a Tauri!"

"Tauri indeed!" That was Mrs. Unat again. "He comes from right here on Nisir, if you ask me - and you know from where!" Her boarders all nodded.

A new voice came on the radio, some kind of commentator. He seemed pretty upset. "This creature's sudden appearance and its laughably easy escape from our Intelligence service indicate it possesses powers far beyond our measure. What are it's intentions? Erech, all of Nisir, is in acute danger while our government plays games with the people. Do they think we're children? Can they not be honest with us about the threat? Whatever the peril Erech will face it with courage and resource! Wherever this alien thing may be and whatever it is plotting we can take it!"

"More beer, Mr. Lakamar?" the landlady asked her latest boarder with a smile.

"Uh, no thanks, I'm good." Kevin answered.

----

Jack gasped and sputtered as a strong arm hoisted him out of the water filled hole by the scruff of his BDUs. Teal'c, of course it was Teal'c, retained his hold until he was sure Jack had found firm footing in the hip deep water.

He accepted a bandana from a smirking Daniel, wiped the wet and some kind of kelp off his face then glared around at his comrades in arms. Schaeffer and Carrillo were working a little to hard at not smirking but Carter and Kennedy had abandoned all attempt at self control and were hanging on to each other in gales of giggles.

"Near drowning is not funny, Carter!" Jack snapped.

"No, sir," she wheezed.

"It's -it's the way Teal'c hauled you out by the scruff of the neck..." Kennedy's 'sir' was lost in a new fit of giggles.

Jack ostentatiously turned his back on the two of them to give their surroundings another disgusted look over. The Stargate was half submerged in the salty waters of what was most likely a tidal mere. There was nothing but gray water and gray sky as far as the eye could see.

"Sea levels seem to have risen since the Tok'ra's last visit."

"Ya think?" Jack swung around on Liorin or rather, as his big grin proclaimed, Sheftu the seventeen year old host.

"Liorin says you have his sincere apologies," the boy continued.

"Yeah, tell him to come out and say that!"

"He's afraid to."

Schaeffer gave a smothered snort and turned his back to hide the laughter shaking his shoulders.

Look on the bright side, Jack, your near drowning sure has raised morale. "Anyway, if our wandering boy did come here he wouldn't hang around." The faces around him sobered. Five worlds and no sign of Elliot on any of them. Jack was beginning to wonder if the kid had decided to stay on Revanna, maybe gone back to what was left of the Tok'ra tunnels. Three worlds to go... "Dial the SGC, Daniel. We need dry clothes and a hot meal. Who knows, maybe the Tok'ra have heard something."