Chapter 4

"You must shave your head," the argument was getting repetitive.

"Aw, for crying out loud!" Jack said, his very figure wired with indignation, as he raised his hands defensively in front of him, "I already told you, no way in this or any other galaxy!"

"Jaffa do not visibly carry hair," Bra'tac said, his irritation rising, "it is against tradition. You would be know immediately for an imposter unless you shave your head."

Jack adamantly shook his head. "Nuh-uh," he said.

Teal'c watched the ongoing argument with an air of amusement. However, after a few minutes, knowing that neither side was going to give in, he interrupted.

"Master Bra'tac?"

Both sides of the argument turned and glared at him. Teal'c had to struggle to hide a smile as he said, "Would it not be acceptable for O'Neill to cut his hair short and wear the basic Jaffa metal plating over it?"

Bra'tac glared at the human in front of him for another moment, before he finally nodded in favor of the compromise.

Jack continued to fold his arms and look defensive before he finally gave in as well. "Fine," he sighed, and then he glared at Bra'tac again as he said, "but I get to cut it. I don't trust you anywhere NEAR my hair."

Bra'tac glared back, and then he said, "You will also need the symbol of Apophis marked on your head. I am loathe to tattoo you with any mark of slavery, so we will find a less permanent means of marking you. Teal'c will then teach you the proper manner of a Jaffa so when you come into the presence of other Jaffa or even Apophis himself, you will do nothing to bring suspicion upon us. They must remain unsuspecting until we reach Earth for it is only then that we will know the symbol for the point of origin. To that end we will also attempt to teach you the language of the Jaffa, though it may prove useless."

"Fine," Jack muttered, then he growled even lower under his breath, "at least we're both agreed about the tattoo."

Teal'c once again had to smooth our the corners of his mouth. Argument settled, Jack told them he was going to go pick up the C-4 and bring it back with him. He activated his helmet and Teal'c reminded him of the combination needed to open the ship. Jack nodded and left without another word.

Bra'tac sighed and settled into a chair. "He is a most difficult human, and I am getting too old for this."

Teal'c settled across from his mentor and shook his head, "You are still the strongest Jaffa I know, Master Bra'tac. You will continue to fight for many years."

Bra'tac nodded and then looked more closely at Teal'c. "There is something on your mind, Teal'c."

Teal'c nodded. There was no point in hiding anything from his old friend, "Have you heard any news of my wife and son, Master Bra'tac? We have searched many camps but found no sign of them."

Bra'tac nodded, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Your good friend Fro'tak has taken her in. She is well. She and your son both."

"I am glad to hear this, old friend," Teal'c said, his eyes expressing his relief, "The matter of their well-being has caused me much concern."

"Fro'tak has proven to be a valuable friend," Bra'tac assured him.

Teal'c smiled and then hesitated. He looked deeply at his old friend and then said, "O'Neill has expressed desire to take my wife and my son with us when we depart. We would like you and your warriors to accompany us as well, Master Bra'tac."

Bra'tac looked surprised, and then a wide grin broke across his face. "To begin a true Jaffa rebellion?"

"Indeed."

Bra'tac firmly seized Teal'c shoulder and looked deeply into his friend's face. "I would be honored to join you and your apprentice."

Teal'c couldn't help the grin at the reference to O'Neill. Once again, he felt hope blossom within his heart. With a strong plan and good friends, what could go wrong?

Jack kept his helmet up as he walked confidently through Chulak. On either side of him were tents and he watched as Jaffa either shied away from his presence or saluted him. It was the saluting that made him curious. He wondered if he was supposed to be saluting them back. However, he finally decided to just ignore them and continue on his way, and that seemed to be the way to play things. They saluted him and then seemed to forget about him as he walked past. Jack quickly reached the cargo ship untouched. He keyed in the code and then entered and shut the door behind him. He quickly pulled the C-4 out of their supplies and proceeded to stuff it into his chest armor. He put the detonator and the charges safely away where he wouldn't accidently set them off and blow himself up into a million pieces. Then he turned and left the cargo ship, locking the door behind him.

Jack was halfway back to Master Bra'tac's home, when he turned a corner and suddenly found himself helmet to face with none other than Apophis himself. Quickly dropping to one knee as he had seen other Jaffa do, and pressing one hand against his chest in a salute, he stated reverently, "My Lord Apophis." Hopefully the cocky snake-head would just continue on and ignore him.

No such luck. Apophis stopped and studied the figure kneeling in front of him. Apophis, who had lived for hundreds of years, knew a true warrior when he saw him. Though every line of the armored and helmeted figure spoke of reverence and humility as he bowed his head submissively, he had seen the way the Jaffa was moving when they had almost collided. That easy tread only appeared after many years of training.

"Who are you?" Apophis asked.

Rats, Jack thought, he may be on to me. His mind raced frantically to come up with a Jaffa-like response.

"My name is Ja'tac, my Lord," Jack said, after only a second's pause.

"Who is your father?" Apophis said, his interest increasing.

"An unimportant Jaffa, my Lord," the kneeling Jaffa in front of him whispered, his voice laced with awe at actually speaking to his God. "He was called...Teal'tak."

Apophis frowned. "I have not heard of him."

"Indeed, my Lord," Jack said. The way to a clever cover story was to keep it simple and stick close to the truth. "He was killed in battle serving his God while I was yet very young."

Apophis appraised the figure in front of him. The long moment seemed to stretch for an eternity. Jack could feel the sweat running down his face as he was baked in the warm sun of Chulak. For once he was grateful to the extremely uncomfortable helmet. He was also uncomfortably aware of the C-4 that was packed into his armor.

"Stand," Apophis said. "I would have you join my personal guard."

At this unexpected turn of events, Jack literally felt his jaw drop. He lowered his helmeted head and quickly said, "Please, my Lord, I am not worthy of such honor."

"I have spoken," Apophis boomed. Then he gestured toward the Jaffa who stood next to him. "Tre'hac will explain to you your duties once you reach my vessel. However, you may return to your home to gather your belongings. You have one hour. We leave soon to annihilate the threat of the Tau'ri. When you reach my vessel report directly to me."

"Yes, my Lord," Jack said. Apophis nodded and then carried on, his guard marching past the still kneeling figure.

There was a long pause where Jack continued kneeling, and then getting up, he dusted off his knees and murmured, "Oh, this is not good. Not good at all."

"This is most unfortunate," Master Bra'tac said, worry lining his face. Jack had returned and told them what had happened. "If you do not report, Apophis will delay until he has found out why you didn't come to him. We had better prepare you to meet Apophis."

"Wait a minute!" Jack protested, "Won't he recognize me? We have met before."

"I do not think that will be the case, O'Neill," Teal'c interjected, "with the metal-plating on your head, I believe you shall appear quite different. Apophis tends to see what he wishes to see. He will expect to see a loyal Jaffa, and that is what you shall be."

"What exactly did you do that brought the interest of Apophis upon you?" Bra'tac asked, confused.

Jack shrugged, "I don't think I did anything. I was walking along, minding my own business, when I turned the corner and 'wham!' There he was. I bowed and did the whole respect thing and he wouldn't leave."

"This is unexpected," Teal'c said, "however, it has occurred. We shall now have to make do. This may, in fact, provide us with an unexpected opportunity. We must quickly prepare you for departure."

"Fine," Jack sighed, "let's get this over with."

Bra'tac handed Jack a knife and a small mirror and Jack began to cut his hair very short. Once he had finished, Bra'tac handed him an item that appeared to be almost made of rubber.

"What's this?" Jack asked.

"It's the metal-plate that is placed on one's head," Teal'c responded.

"Oh," Jack said. "I thought it would be, you know, unbendy. More... metallic-like." When Teal'c just looked confused, Jack sighed again and stuck it on his head. Instantly, the change was obvious.

"I feel silly. Now I just need a fake tattoo, and the whole facade will be complete," Jack said.

"Allow me," Bra'tac voice came from the other room. He came back clutching a pen of some kind in his hand. "This ink is made from the root of the Gre'to'tlc'nick'rin'tac tree. Once applied it can only be removed with the fluid of the Zit'nac'bra'c'nck. It will stay on until our mission is complete."

"Or we're dead," Jack said.

"No," Bra'tac responded.

"No?" Jack asked.

"The rotting flesh of the dead also has a strange effect on the root of the Gre'to'tlc'nick'rin'tac. It causes it to vanish. So, if you die, the ink will also evaporate."

"Well," Jack said, "I feel better already."

Bra'tac nodded and moved forward. Jack held perfectly still while the old Jaffa drew the tattoo of Apophis on his head.

As Bra'tac finished, both Teal'c and Bra'tac admired his work.

"Your own mother would not know you, O'Neill," said Teal'c.

"Well, that's good I suppose," Jack said.

Bra'tac checked the time. "You only have a few moments remaining before you must leave. I will quickly teach you some of the more basic commands, and then I will direct you to Apophis's ship. We shall find you later on board the mothership and continue your education."

For the next while, Bra'tac began to teach Jack the basic Jaffa commands, first and foremost being 'Kree.' Time passed too quickly and then Bra'tac described the layout of Apophis's ship and where Jack should go when he reached it.

Jack nodded. Then he looked at Teal'c. "Well, T. I guess we'll see you later."

Teal'c nodded and placed his hand affectionately on Jack's shoulder. "Indeed. Be most cautious O'Neill. And remember the fate of the Tauri is at stake. Your short time as a servant of Apophis may prove difficult, but if we are discovered, your people may all die. You must allow Apophis to see you as his faithful servant."

"Even if I may have to do some questionable things. Yeah, Teal'c, I know. Hopefully we won't have to hold the deception too long. Good luck, you two old scallywags."

Jack waved cheerily as he engaged his helmet and left. Bra'tac and Teal'c exchanged a worried look.

"This could turn out poorly," Bra'tac said.

Teal'c merely nodded in agreement.