The Ha'tak dropped out of hyperspace into high orbit around PSX-178 and slowly drifted down the planet's gravity well towards the George Hammond's lower position. Carter sat in her chair on the bridge, watching the ship approach. Jack stood at her side, having refused to take over her seat when offered.

He'd spent enough time sitting around on his ass.

The other ship slipped into position next to them, and their communication's console crackled to life. "This is Captain Waring, representing the Lucian Alliance, calling the Taur'i vessel. Respond."

Carter nodded to her communications officer, who pressed a button on the console in front of him. Almost immediately, the image of the Ha'tak on the monitors was replaced by a brown-haired man Jack assumed must be the captain of the nearby ship. "Captain Waring, this is Colonel Samantha Carter on the U.S.S. George Hammond."

The face on the monitor spoke. "Ah… Colonel Carter. I thought that was you. You probably don't realize, but we've met before. Or at least, our ships have…." When Carter failed to respond, the man continued, "I trust your people enjoyed our little show? Hopefully our little mock invasion didn't cause too much of a panic…"

"Get to your point, Captain."

She had always been better at this sort of thing than he. If Jack had been the one speaking, he'd already have resorted to quips.

"As I'm sure you're aware of by now, we have… obtained… several of your people. They will remain our… guests… until such time as your government meets our request."

"So, the Alliance is resorting to common kidnapping, now?"

Waring grinned - the grin of a shark about to strike its prey. "Believe me, Colonel, there is nothing common about this 'kidnapping' And I think we both know it."

Sam froze, for the merest heartbeat, and Jack's own breath stuck in his throat. Because if they knew… Somehow… And if they dared harm one hair on his head… But Waring's next words alleviated the fear. "You don't just send anyone to your 'Alpha Site,' do you? Only your best and brightest? Or their offspring? The 'future' of humanity?" He laughed. Humorlessly. "We're willing to wager that you'll do just about anything to get them back…"

Sam took a deep breath, and Jack could see the color return to her face. And something else. The fear in her eyes had been replaced with white hot anger. He'd seen it himself - in the mirror - but never expected to see it in her. "What do you want?" she asked. Her tone could have frozen lava.

"I think you know what we want."

Jack, personally, had no idea. But, watching Sam, he could almost see the gears turn as she stared at the face in the monitor. And then, the light of understanding. And resolution. And despair. "No."

"It's either that, or…"

"There must be something else. Anything else."

"No. You have our demands."

"There-- We can't…"

"No, Colonel. You can. You've reproduced them before. You can give one to us."

"Captain…"

"You have 24-hours, Colonel. We'll be back." The communication ended on a crackle of static, and his image on the monitor was replaced with that of his ship.

Jack hardly noticed as the Ha'tak on the monitor turned and leapt back into hyperspace. "What do they want, Carter?"

Her features were a conflict of despair and rage as she turned to look up at him. "An Asgard Core."

"Shit," he breathed under his breath. And he felt her despair take hold of him. Because she was right. There was no way they could let the Lucian Alliance get their hands on one of those. Not even to save the life of their son.