Daniel had argued with Jack that he needed to go alone. Aneteo on the other hand did not want to let either Jack or Daniel out of his sight. Especially now that he had found Ba'al and had a personal score to settle. Aneteo was anxious to put his plan into action about capturing Vala for himself and having the elite SG1 as a bargaining chip. Jack knew with Daniel still having a detonator strapped to himself, he was dangerous to everyone, whether he needed help or not. He finally convinced Daniel that he was holding all the cards and Ba'al could do nothing about Aneteo or himself going with him. He knew Aneteo would not allow Daniel out of his sight, especially if he ship was held hostage by tons of Naquadah ready to blow at Daniels whim.

When they arrived Daniel, Jack and Aneteo were immediately surrounded by Jaffa with their staff weapons aimed to fire. When Daniel would not give up his detonator and argued that if Ba'al didn't show him his wife, he would blow his ship up and everyone on it. It was tense moments until Ba'al finally arrived in the ring room.

"I told you Dr. Jackson, you were to come alone and no weapons. You must not think very much of your wife to make her a widow."

Daniel was seething, but he knew Ba'al needed Vala and he was going down with a fight. If he couldn't convince Ba'al to give her back, then he would take his family with him, knowing they were all going to die. Finally Jack intervened, seeing how unstable the situation was becoming.

"Now hold on everyone. There's a simple solution to this Ba'al old man, seeing as you value your life and your men." Jack loved to put Ba'al in embarrassing situations. "Let Daniel see Vala and he won't blow you up; simple."

"I suggest you listen Ba'al." Stated Aneteo with disdain. "He has my ship ready to blow with enough Naquadah to blow you, your ships and anything else into dust. So I suggest you be the gracious host or we are all dead."

Ba'al was at an impasse. He didn't expect O'Neill or Aneteo to accompany Daniel or the threat of being blown to bits before he could use Vala's powers. Ba'al stood motionless and stoic, while raging inside he was undermined by this Tauri.

"Very well Dr. Jackson, you may see your wife. But I warn you, I will kill her regardless of what you do. I have my own self destruct and my Jaffa are ready to die for their God."

Daniel was seething inside. He knew Ba'al was not a patient Goual'd and he would by any means possible try and break Vala. As he was about to answer Eshera entered the room. Daniel felt his heart jump just to see her safe. He couldn't give away who she was. But he feared that Ba'al may have found out who she was or worse, infected her with a Goua'ld symbiote.

"Well Dr. Jackson; it seems that Lord Ba'al has new guest to entertain. I'm sure mother will be pleased to see you. I'm certainly anxious to see you both together." Eshera was trying to convey to her father, something recognizable that she was still Eshera.

Daniel was trying hard to believe that his daughter was still in there and safe. But something in her manner suggested she was less menacing. Daniel had experience with Adria's smug arrogance of power, but he figured Eshera for some unknown reason was faking who she was.

Thank God, she's safe. But where's Vala? Please let her be safe.

Jack was a little taken back and not sure who he was dealing with. Aneteo felt a little intimidated that the Orici was collaborating with Ba'al. He figured what chance did he have if these two powers have combined.

This makes things more complicated. The Orici is nothing more than a hindrance. I need to find Vala and get rid of these parasites.

Aneteo was hoping that Ba'al kept his attention on Jackson and O'Neill more so than him. Though the Jaffa in Ba'al's service were making sure their Master and his guest were covered, they didn't see the other concealed weapons on him. He pulled his Zatac and fired on them, including Ba'al and the Orici.

"WHAT THE HELL? Daniel shouted.

"I'm not here to make friends Dr. Jackson. You want your wife, then go get her."

"Daniel; as much as I hate to agree, he's right. Go find Vala and I'll keep an eye on itchy fingers here. We'll hold off the rest and contact Sam and Teal'c for help. Said Jack, pulling the Zatac, and staff weapon away from the unconscious Jaffa.

"Then let me take the Orici with me. She's more dangerous than Ba'al." Daniel was trying to keep his daughter from harm, let alone not knowing what Aneteo may try.

Jack wasn't sure what Daniel was doing, but he trusted his friend this far, he might as well go all the way. Jack watched Daniel go to the Hata'k panel to try and find where Vala may be. He located a last order for Jaffa to report to the Orici's room and leaned down to put Eshera over his shoulder. She was light to his surprise, and with a Zatac in hand, proceeded to locate Vala. Jack waited on Sam and Teal'c to ring over. He didn't trust Aneteo for a minute and had his Zatac ready.

Sam and Teal'c appeared on the ring platform, leaving Mitchell on their ship. Teal'c looked around to see Ba'al, and the Jaffa unconscious. Sam without saying immediately went to the Hata'k panel and accessed the codes. With that information she could track Daniel thru the ship and closed off any hostile Jaffa headed his way.

"Teal'c I need you to follow Daniel. He has the Orici, and trying to locate Vala. He's going to need help." Stated Jack.

Both Sam and Teal'c had a puzzled look on their face. But knowing Jack for being cryptic and countless looks that spoke volumes, they went along with Jack's mode.

"I will proceed O'Neill."

"He's headed to the Orici's quarters from the look of it. I can close off certain sections of the ship and keep the Jaffa away from him for a little while." Said Sam.

Teal'c nodded in understandment and with both staff weapons in hand, headed off to find Daniel.

Jack looked at Aneteo with a smirky grin. "Well Aneteo old boy. Looks like we wait for Daniel to return and keep ole Ba'al and his friends company."

"I have my own agenda O'Neill. My agreement with your Dr. Jackson, was that I get Ba'al for his treachery. I mean for him to keep his promise amongst other things."

"Well I say we wait, and if you don't cooperate and give me your weapon, then I'm just going to hafta shoot you and wake up with your new found friends."

Aneteo was grumbling when he handed over his weapon. He knew he had to bide his time to make another move. In his sleeve was a remote to contact his men. He would use it at the appropriate time.

TBC