Chapter 5

Jack reached the ring transports that would take him up to the mothership.

He saluted the two guards there and said, "Lord Apophis has summoned me."

The two guards nodded, and activated the ring transport. Within a few seconds, Jack found himself on a mothership for the first time. A guard stood looking at him. "Are you Ja'tac?" he asked.

"Indeed," Jack said, smiling beneath his helmet as he opted for Teal'c favorite word. Then he pressed his hand to his chest in a Jaffa salute.

"Follow," the guard said, and Jack followed him. Jack was led around the ship until they entered a large room with some sort of control consul facing a large window. Apophis sat confidently on a throne in the center of the room, and Jack and the Jaffa he had been following dropped and kneeled, saluting.

"Ja'tak," Apophis greeted with a benevolent sort of smile that made Jack's skin crawl, "I welcome you."

"My Lord honors me," Jack said, keeping his voice humble. If special ops had taught him anything, it was how to sell deception.

"Yes, I do," Apophis said, "but you have yet to earn my trust. My guards will instruct you as to your duties. For now, lower your helmet that I may see your face."

Oh, boy, Jack thought. However, there was no time for doubts. Jack instantly lowered his helmet, keeping his head bowed as he did so.

Apophis studied the features of the Jaffa in front of him. The image on his head had been tattooed with great skill and looked nearly as good as new. The Jaffa's features were worn, but he looked to be in the prime of his life, still young and strong. He appeared to be well built and would have made a fine host had he not already been a Jaffa. However, there was something familiar about him, something that nagged at the back of Apophis's mind. After a moment, he decided it was unimportant. "You may rise, Ja'tak."

Jack did so, still keeping his eyes lowered. He was afraid that if he looked into the arrogant snake-head's face, the Goa'uld would see the disgust he felt. However, Apophis misread the gesture.

"You do well to fear your God, Ja'tak. I know you will not fail me," Apophis said, smiling amiably. Then he motioned to the Jaffa that stood next to him, "Tre'hac, take Ja'tak and show him his quarters and explain his duties. I will have need of you both when we disembark."

Both Jack and Tre'hac bowed and Jack followed Tre'hac out.

Tre'hac walked silently down the hall and Jack followed just as silently. They approached a large room where bunk beds lined the walls. Jack was about to stop, but Tre'hac kept walking. He turned and looked at Jack with a stern face that looked as though it had been carved out of granite.

"There's something about you that I don't trust," Tre'hac said without any preamble. "I don't know what you did that has Lord Apophis so enamored with you, but you would do well to watch your step. I am not as gracious as Lord Apophis, and since the deception of the Shol'va Teal'c, he has not yet chosen a new first prime. I am on my way to becoming that first prime, and if you do anything that endangers my goal, I will kill you."

Jack nodded. He said nothing else, since he figured in this situation Teal'c would have been equally as silent. However, this did not seem to satisfy his new 'friend.'

"What?" Tre'hac snarled, "Are you already too far above me to address me?"

At this Jack let a small smile slip out, and then stood ramrod straight and saluted Tre'hac in Jaffa-style. He could see ways to use this Jaffa's insecurities to facilitate their plan.

"I am sorry, Tre'han. I meant no disrespect. I was simply worried about the consequences that speaking directly to you might incur. Please forgive my inadequacies."

Tre'han snorted, but seemed happy with the reply. "Maybe I misjudged you, Ja'tak. Come, I'll show you to your quarters. We shall soon depart."

"Fifteen of my finest and brightest students," Bra'tac said as he marched in front of his former pupils, "you will do me proud this day."

Teal'c stood to the side and watched. Each of the Jaffa Bra'tac had chosen looked strong and able. It was then Teal'c recognized a familiar face among the Jaffa. "Fro'tak," he cried, in a welcoming tone.

Fro'tak and the other Jaffa started as Teal'c came forward. A strange expression crossed Fro'tak's face, but it was quickly replaced by a look of pleasure. "Teal'c!" he cried, and grabbed his forearm in a welcoming gesture.

"Shol'va!" another Jaffa cried, whipping out his Zat'nik'tel. Bra'tac quickly stepped in the way.

"Put aside your weapons," he commanded, "for Teal'c is no Shol'va. He is a hero, a liberator, the only one of us who is NOT a traitor. We betray our own people by standing aside and doing nothing as the false Gods enslave and kill our kind. No more!" he roared. All of his students stared at him in awe. What Bra'tac was saying was heresy of the worst kind, but deep within themselves they felt the truth of his words ring. "Teal'c has returned with his brother of the Tauri to liberate our kind. We have a plan to destroy Apophis, and we are confident we will succeed. We ask that you join us, for together we are stronger. Teal'c has lit the fires of rebellion, and the Tauri has created a plan that is sure to succeed."

"Where is this Tauri?" one of the Jaffa asked looking around.

Bra'tac smirked, "I ask you, if Apophis is a true God, would he not recognize his enemy as he stood bowed in front of him? Instead Apophis invited his enemy into his very home, unaware that his death now walks by his side. He has granted a place in his personal guard for a member of the Tauri, and he does not know it."

The looks of suspicion slowly faded to be replaced with looks of wonder.

"Perhaps he is merely biding his time," one skeptical Jaffa put forward, "perhaps he is aware of the deception and is merely waiting for the right moment."

Bra'tac shook his head, "Search your hearts and remember. Remember the moments when Apophis would make mistakes that would lead to the death of ones you cared about. Remember the moments when he would look uncertain. Apophis is no more God than you or I. Ask yourselves this. What would the Goa'uld do without hosts? What would they do without Jaffa? We are their strength and their power. Without us, they are little more than worms, unable to survive when they are young. If the Goa'uld have no Jaffa than what are they?"

"They are nothing," Teal'c supplied, in his deep booming voice, and the Jaffa in front of them suddenly seemed to stand a little taller. Teal'c continued, "If Apophis is indeed a God, then why have I succeeded in defeating him or evading capture for so long? If he were truly a God he would have struck me down as the first disloyal thought invaded my head. However, he did not. And I stand before you today to ask for your aid in freeing our brethren. Join us."

As one, the Jaffa in front of them stepped forward. "We will join you," one said, his voice firm with determination, "until freedom or death."

Teal'c nodded and welcomed them with open arms as he said, "But even in death brother, we will die free."

Jack stood at the side of Apophis as he watched the Jaffa being transported on board the mothership. Apophis looked over at him and smiled. Ja'tac was indeed an impressive figure. His dark brown eyes were alert as he tracked the progress of the figures on the ground far below.

"Ja'tac," Apophis said.

"Yes, my lord," answered Jack.

"Serve me well and you will spend the rest of your life looking down on those below you. You will stand at my side, perhaps even as my first prime. Would you do my bidding in all situations?"

"Yes, my Lord," came the instant reply.

"Good," Apophis said. "You have heard of my previous first prime, the Shol'va Teal'c?"

"Indeed, my Lord," came the fervent answer, "who has not heard of the scum who violated your trust and abused his position?"

Apophis nodded content, "Serve me well, Ja'tac, and I shall make you far more powerful than Teal'c ever dreamed of. If you were to capture him, my gratitude would be boundless."

"Yes, my Lord," said Jack with a bowed head. Strangely, he was kind of beginning to enjoy himself. There had been a side of him that had always enjoyed acting. On his undercover missions, he hadn't always enjoyed the missions themselves, but the adrenaline rush that accompanied the sneaking and lies had sometimes been enjoyable. You did have to be slightly insane to be part of Special Ops after all.

His small smile was not lost on Apophis, who assumed it came from the mention of the power Ja'tak might obtain. A drive for power was never a bad thing among slaves, unless it went uncontrolled. However, Ja'tak seemed to have just the right amount of humility with it. He did seem to be the ideal candidate for first prime.

However, Tre'hac had noted this exchange, and Apophis noticed that he did not seem pleased by it. Apophis smiled to himself. He did love it so when his servants fought among themselves for his honor.

"Ja'tak, Tre'hac, you may stand guard over my quarters tonight. Have my son Klorel join me before we leave."

"Yes, my Lord," both of them said in unison.

They followed Apophis as he left what Jack was beginning to think of as 'the throne room,' and walked through several long hallways before they came to two large doors. "Allow no one to enter except my son," admonished Apophis, and the doors closed behind him.

Jack at the moment really wanted to make a comment, but the company was a bit stifling on his sarcasm, so he merely remained silent.

"I will fetch Klorel," Tre'hac said with a sneer, "you stay and stand guard over Apophis's doors."

Jack nodded, not having a clue where to find the Klorel guy anyway. Tre'hac marched off. For a brief moment, Jack considered the opportunity he had been given. If he entered now, he could easily kill Apophis, but after a moment's consideration, Jack decided against it. There was no guarantee Apophis would stay dead, and most likely Jack would be caught and killed and the plan would fail. There was a time, during that first Abydos mission, when Jack wouldn't have cared, but now, after he had finally come to love life again, he would do whatever it took to make sure he and his planet survived.

Bra'tac had been summoned to Klorel and he brought his wing with him. They were told to find suitable living quarters while Bra'tac went to see what their false God's son wanted.

Bra'tac entered the room and kneeled to the boy who hosted Apophis's spawn. "My lord?" he asked, noting with interest that one of Apophis's new favorite Jaffa was also present in the room.

The dark, long-haired boy turned his attention to the old Jaffa. "Bra'tac," the Goa'uld purred, "I have been summoned to my father's chamber. Accompany me."

"Of course."

Bra'tac followed Klorel and Tre'hac to Apophis's chambers. However, as they approached the doors, Bra'tac recognized a familiar figure. Surprisingly, though Jack did not react to the sight of Bra'tac, but his eyes widened as he took in the figure of Klorel. He quickly recovered and stepped to the side, but Bra'tac had noticed his reaction and stored the information away for a later date. Tre'hac stopped outside of the door and knocked firmly.

"My Lord," he called, "Klorel is here as you commanded."

"Enter," Apophis's voice said from inside. Jack quickly opened the door and pressed his hand to his chest in salute until Klorel had walked past. He kept his eyes carefully on the floor so he wouldn't see Skaara. As his young friend's body had walked around the corner, his surprise had been so strong he had almost reacted too much. Hopefully the others would assume the reaction was from the first sight of Klorel rather than because he was familiar with the Goa'uld's host. He was hopeful Apophis would allow him to stay in the hall so he wouldn't have to face Skaara's Goa'uld.

However, he wasn't to be let off the hook so easily. "Ja'tak, enter also," Apophis said, and Jack obediently rose to obey. He, Bra'tac, and Tre'hac kneeled on the side while Apophis and Klorel nodded politely to each other.

"My son," Apophis said, "is your vessel prepared to leave?"

"Nearly, father," the Goa'uld voice coming from Skaara's mouth caused Jack's hands to clench in anger, as he knelt at the side, "there are a mere hundred Jaffa left to board the ship. Then we shall be prepared to leave and gather supplies. My forces are prepared."

"You will make me proud, my son," Apophis said, and Jack was surprised to hear genuine warmth coming through the Goa'uld tones. Jack was fuming inside, but outside he was as still as a rock. The plan, and his world, depended on him not blowing it.

"Very well, Klorel. You will return to your vessel through the ring transporters. We will leave as soon as your troops are on board."

"Yes, Father," Klorel said, and Apophis motioned for him to leave. However, as Jack and Tre'hac were about to leave as well, Apophis stopped them.

"Stay," he bid, and they did.

Apophis stood and crossed in front of them. "Keep an eye on my son," he said, gravely, "his host is, I fear, strong. Make sure no harm befalls him, but do not allow his loyalties to become questionable. Do you understand?"

Again, Jack and Tre'hac saluted in unison and together said, "Yes, my Lord." However, inside Jack was singing. Skaara was still fighting, and the fact that even Apophis had noticed it showed the boy was doing a great job. Jack left Apophis's room feeling much more hopeful than he had in a long time.