CHAPTER 44

EPISODE…………….SACRIFICES

Daniel and Jack just got off the elevator and were headed toward the gate room. Jack had asked a question and Daniel was giving him a full run down about something as they walked through the corridors and passed other people.

"Teal'c and Bra'tak believe that the only way to eliminate all the System Lords is to recruit as many rebels Jaffa into the fifth column as possible. Now, only when their numbers are sufficient would it be possible to rise up and unilaterally destroy all the Goa'uld at once. Even then, Ba'al controls the super soldier army which cannot be turned."

The alarms went off at this moment.

"Incoming wormhole!"

Daniel ignored it as he continued.

"So even if the rebel Jaffa army can take out a majority of the System Lords, there would still be a massive war to fight. Ishta doesn't want to wait. Moloc is continuing to order the deaths of all female Jaffa born in his domain and her underground railroad to Hak'tyl can't save them all." Daniel said.

Jack kept walking not noticing at first that Daniel had turned. He quickly ran up silently even though he was barely paying attention to Daniel anyway. Daniel kept talking and glanced back seeing Jack was still there. For a moment he thought Jack had walked away.

"Even now she is organizing a rebellion to overthrow Moloc. Now Teal'c and Bra'tak are trying to convince her to see the bigger picture." Daniel said as several soldiers rushed past them and went into the gate room.

"What was my question again?"

"Um, how's it going?" Daniel said as they entered the gate room.

"Seemed so innocuous at the time. Fellas!!" Jack said seeing Bra'tak and Teal'c walk down the ramp.

Teal'c was in his usual off world get up while Bra'tak was in a white robe without his helmet on. It was certainly different from seeing him always in Jaffa battle armor. The soldiers in the room left seeing as there was no threat.

"How was the trip?" Jack asked.

"I have been betrayed by those I have trusted most." Teal'c said with anger in his voice as he walked past them leaving the room.

"That good eh?" he said watching Teal'c leave.

"His mood is foul indeed." Bra'tak said as the gate shut off. "It is good to see you both."

"Bra'tak, what's wrong?" Daniel asked worried.

"There was a complication." he said watching Teal'c turn a corner.

"Ishta?" Jack asked.

"She is well and as lovely as ever O'Neill."

Jack just nodded like okay, that wasn't it.

"The problem I fear lies with Ry'ack."

"Is he okay?" Daniel asked concerned.

"He is in love and plans to be married." Bra'tak said leaving them afterwards in confusion.

"Did I miss something?" Jack said after Bra'tak left. He got no answers though.

Ford had just left Sam's lab and was headed for the General's office. Jack needed to ask him something, what it was he wasn't sure. He was looking through a file he had to…exam per Captain duties when he looked up seeing Teal'c walking up.

"Hey…" he started saying as Teal'c walked by not even looking at him. "….Teal'c?" he said confused.

Ford looked forward then back again seeing Teal'c was already gone.

"Strange, wonder what that was about? Maybe Jack knows something. If not him then Daniel." he said walking off and looking through the folder again.

Jack was in his office working on more paper work. He was going to ask Teal'c about what the problem was in a few moments after he got some…important work done. He planned on talking to Teal'c over a game of ping pong later. He looked up to the knocking on his door.

"You wanted to see me Brigadier."

"Come in." he said still writing. "Take this to Carter for me. Do not open it. That's an order." he said handing a yellow sealed envelope over.

Ford set the other folder down in the chair next to him as he took a seat.

"So what's up with Teal'c?" he said looking at the envelope. It had a few papers and a small box by the feel.

"Don't know really. Something to do with his son getting married. I'm going to talk to him in a few minutes. Get going." he said waving his hands in a shooing fashion.

"Good luck. Teal'c looked pretty pissed. I'd tell you to tell him congrats but…"

"Yeah. I noticed." Jack muttered.

Ford walked into Sam's lab seeing her working on something on the laptop. Which was pretty common for her.

"This….is for you." he said casually.

"For me?" she asked getting off the stool.

"Yep."

"What is it? Something for me personally?" she said seductively.

"I don't know. It's something Jack made me give you. Unfortunately I have nothing to give you personally at the moment. I'm going to have to do something about that later though."

"If I get anymore jewelry, I'll be able to be a jewelry shop. Seeing as we work here a lot, it's not worth getting any really. I appreciated it, but I rarely have time to even wear anything but this beautiful ring." she said looking at it as she started opening the yellow envelope.

"What about flowers?" he said putting a arm around her.

"That works. If we can plant them outside." she said smiling as they kissed briefly.

"I can do that." she said after pulling away.

She pulled a note out from Jack. Whatever it said made her smile as he tried to see what it was. She held it close to herself keeping if from his site.

"Jack didn't get you…"

"No. This is something else. Stand at attention Captain." she said with a commanding tone.

Something was up and he could tell by the tone. He stepped away in front of her and stood as ordered.

"Okay Colonel." he said.

She pulled out the small box and a sheet of paper.

"For your outstanding performances in the line if duty, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Major." she said with a smile. She removed the Captain bars and put the Major ones on.

"Good work, Major." she said saluting.

"Thanks Colonel." he said returning the salute.

"Now about what you said about getting me something. I know some clothes that would be nice." she said suggestively as she moved into his embrace.

Jack was in the game room with Teal'c. They had just starting the table tennis game a few minutes ago. Teal'c really looked pissed off and Jack was wondering if this was a good idea. Later, after they played, he said to himself that it was a good thing they weren't sparring. Teal'c would have hurt him, badly.

"So when's this all suppose to happen?"

He dropped the ball on the table and hit it across. Teal'c smacked it back hard and it hit Jack in the arm. Seeing as Jack was wearing a black T-shirt, it stung.

"Ow!" he said dancing a moment.

"Three days." Teal'c said quite upset.

He didn't seem to care what just happened. Or if he did, he didn't let on.

"Three days huh?" he said retrieving the ball off the ground. "That's kinda quick."

"Indeed." Teal'c said gripping his padd with both hands like he was ready to break it.

"Well, they say love is a strange and mysterious……thing." he said serving the ball again.

Once again Teal'c smacked it into him again. This time in the right thigh instead of the left elbow as before.

"Ow. God!"

Teal'c didn't even make notice of what he was doing to Jack. Again.

"Ry'ack didn't even consult me before making his decision. It is obvious that this girl has made all reason to leave Ry'acks head."

Jack picked the ball back up.

"I once thought that about Carter. Anyway, zero serving three."

"Serving eight."

"Eight." Jack said shooting the ball. Teal'c smacked it back again this time hitting his crotch.

"Oh!" he said then grabbed the ball off the ground slowly. He didn't let on that he was hurting as he spoke.

"So what does Ishta have to say to all of this?" he asked tossing the ball to Teal'c. He had to grimace though because of the pain. He was beginning to think about giving up.

"Ishta believes that tradition should persist at all cost, especially in the face of oppression."

"I see." Jack said getting ready.

Teal'c shot and it passed by him quickly. He turned looking at it on the ground.

"Ry'ack is too young to know what love is O'Neill, or how it inevitably weakens a warriors resolve."

Doesn't stop Ford. Jack thought. If anything, he's gotten better, and worse.

"Look T, I'm not going to tell you how to raise your kid, but I have always found that sticking your fingers in your ears and humming solves a whole slew of problems." he said with a wave of his arms.

Teal'c looked down smiling. "What good am I as a father O'Neill if I cannot stop my son from making this crucial mistake?"

The alarms went off suddenly before Jack could comment. Which was going to be about Ford and Carter's marriage and something about what he used to have.

"Unscheduled off world activation!" Walter's voice said.

Teal'c tossed the ball to Jack who waited a moment then shot the ball across as Teal'c walked away.

"Got one." he said before leaving.

"Got the IDC yet Walter?"

"Yes Major. It's Ishta." Walter said. "And congratulations."

"Thanks. Open the Iris. You know, I just realized I've never met her." Ford said as Teal'c and Jack walked in.

He informed Walter and a few others about the promotion as he entered the gate room. He was there to help someone with some computer trouble and was the highest ranking officer there at the moment when the gate activated.

"Who is it?" Jack asked seeing the Iris open.

"It's your friend Ishta, Teal'c. Come on, you can introduce me." Ford said waving Teal'c to follow.

Jack pushed past them going ahead as he buttoned his shirt up. Ford only laughed lightly as he shook his head and continue to follow. The gate shut off as they entered the room and two ladies walked down. They both bowed slightly as Teal'c usually did.

"Greetings!" Jack said.

Teal'c did bow to them. Ford did the same, mostly out of respect, which they noticed.

"There is a urgent matter we must discuss. Hak'tyl may have been compromised." Ishta said.

Jack looked back at Teal'c who did nothing.

"Alright then. Let's go up to the briefing room to talk. Airman, go get the other two members of SG-1."

The airman nodded and ran off.

"Ishta, this is the other member of SG-1 that you haven't met." Jack said pointing at Ford.

"You must be this Ford we have heard about." she said having to look up to see his face.

"Ah, yeah. Depends on what you've heard though." he said rubbing the back of his head as they walked up to the room. For some reason she seemed…familiar.

"That not even death has stopped you from saving your friends and comrades. That you have taken several waves of Jaffa troops out with your bare hands." the dark haired lady said with passion and fury in her voice. It sounded like he had a fan. "With weapons that no enemy can match you have defeated many warriors in the heat of battle!"

Ford was standing at the top of the stairs that was in the briefing room. He just stopped, looking…well shocked or something.

"Well Major." Jack said slapping a hand on his shoulder. "Looks like you're well known! And have a fan."

"Ah, most of that is true." he said slowly.

At the fan comment he glared at Jack who backed off smiling.

"I am honored to meet you." Ishta said bowing.

"Thanks, but I no one big, just another warrior you could say. I am the one that is honored to met you." he said shaking her offered hand.

"Interesting. You are like no man I have ever met."

"And won't meet again anywhere." Jack pointed out.

"I'm sorry, but have we met before?"

Jack would have laughed if it weren't for the fact that Ford was married to Carter. It sounded like a lame pick up line.

"No. This is my first time seeing you." she said as she took her seat as the other two members of SG-1 came in.

"Strange. You seem familiar. Must be something about my past. Never mind." he said sitting next to Sam who entered the room only second ago.

He knew he'd seen her before. He could swear his life on it. And it was driving him nuts seeing as he could swear he saw her recently. Sam could tell something was on his mind, but not what and was confused at what he was just talking about seeing as she caught the tail end of what he was saying.

Daniel and Teal'c sat on his right while Bra'tak, Ishta, and her friend sat on the other side.

"Ishta believes that their planet has been compromised." Jack said telling them why Ishta was here.

"How do you know?" Daniel asked.

"Yesterday we were to meet one of our contacts." Ishta said. "A high priestess stationed in Moloch's temple. She failed to appear at the allotted time."

"You must evacuate immediately." Teal'c said.

"I agree." she said looking at him. "But we know not of another uninhabited planet like Hak'tyl. Hiding a large population of female warriors and children on a planet in Moloch's domain is difficult and dangerous."

"Oh, I'm sure we can help you folks out. Carter's?" Jack said looking at them. He noticed Ford had a strange look on his face like he was concentrating on something and didn't notice Jack was asking them both a question. He'd ask him later, but he figured it had to do with that question he asked Ishta.

"No problem. We have a number of possible world on record, but they should be explored more thoroughly before you take up permanent residence. Ford and I shouldn't have any trouble finding a new planet." she said looking at Ishta.

Ishta nodded. "If Moloch is aware of our location, then every moment my people remain on Hak'tyl puts them at risk." she said looking at Jack. Everyone looked at Jack.

"Oh, um….you're welcome to stay here." he said after being watched.

Ishta nodded.

"I'll go start the paper work." he said getting up quickly.

The others got up after a few moments and left. It wasn't long and the temporary transfer of the female warriors and children was approved. Ford and Carter were at the base of the ramp as Ishta's people came through. They brought with them many things, including horses.

"So, I see you got promoted."

"Yeah. I wasn't even looking for one either." Ford said as Daniel walked over to them after getting through the mass of people.

"Interesting."

"Colonel Carter. Doctor Jackson!"

They turned to see Ry'ack and a woman with him. Apparently the women he was to marry.

"Ry'ack it's good to see you." Carter said.

"This is my Sim'ka. Kar'yn." he said.

"Ry'ack. Stop using those old terms, we are betrothed. It is an honor to meet the friends of my husband to be." she said.

"Right back at you." Daniel said.

"Is she not the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?" he asked.

"Stop embarrassing me. I am not an object to be worshipped." she said displeased.

Thank god she stepped in there. Ford thought. I didn't really want to answer that.

"Thank you for agreeing to host our ceremony." Ry'ack said changing the subject. It looked like he didn't want to cause a scene much less get on his soon to be wife's bad side. "It will be an honor to be betrothed among friends."

"The weddings to be held here?" Ford said amazed.

"Of course. Ishta said it may take sometime for you to find a considerable planet for us." Kar'yn said. "We are to be married in three days."

Carter could only smile through all of it as did the other two, but they all thought this was not going to work out well. Especially with Teal'c having trouble with it.

"Ry'ack." she said pulling him.

"Excuse us." he said as they walked off.

"They're having the wedding here?" Daniel said smiling at others that came through.

"Yeah." Carter said doing the same.

"That's what they said." Ford muttered.

"Does Jack know about this?" Daniel asked looking at them worried.

"I really doubt it. We better get looking for a planet Sam, and quick." Ford said grabbing her shoulder gently. She grabbed his hand and agreed.

"He'll be coming after us when he gets this news. See you later Daniel."
"Good luck, you'll need it."

Jack was working on, what he was always doing in his office, paperwork, when his door was knocked on.

"Come in." he said not looking up at first. When he did. "Bra'tak."

Bra'tak only smiled as he entered the room further but didn't sit down.

"What is that smell?" Jack asked.

He looked confused then figured it out.

"I believe that is the horses O'Neill."

Jack nodded slightly. "Ah."

"The warriors of Hak'tyl are grateful for your generosity."

"Well, you know me. Always willing to help those who….need help." he said setting the pen down.

"You are indeed a wise and gracious leader General O'Neill of Minnesota."

"Sit down you old coot. What?"

Bra'tak did so.

"I am to initiate the rite of everlasting union between Ry'ack and Kar'yn. I have consulted with Ishta on the matter. And despite the evacuation of Hak'tyl, she wishes to proceed with the wedding as planned." He paused. "And as scheduled."

"Meaning here?" Jack said not liking where this was going.

"A more suitable world is not likely to be found in time. Delaying the ceremony would only grant another victory to Moloch's tyranny."

"You know the approval it took to get hold of 'Tailgate Tuesdays' huh?"

Bra'tak gave him a confused look.

"They'll be cake?"

Bra'tak smiled and nodded yes. Jack decided to have Ford make it later along with a few other things. Ford wasn't all that thrilled with the idea, but he'd do it.

Ford and Carter were on the system looking for a suitable world. K-9 was searching the files they had as well. During the meeting upstairs earlier she noticed that Ford was looking at Ishta. Ford never really looked at other women, at least not the way he looked at her. Actually he only looked at other women in a professional way, though with Janet he kinda looked at her in a loving way. Kinda like a younger sister. Needless to say, she had a twinge of jealousy and had to ask him what was going on. Luckily not many people were in the room and those that were, were not really near them.

"So Ford, what was it that made you look at Ishta so closely?" she said trying to make it look like a casual question.

"She's someone I've seen before…or met maybe. For the life of me, I could swear I've seen her recently too. I don't know where and it's driving me nuts." he said with a grunt of frustration.

"I thought you never met her before?" she said still looking at the screen.

"I haven't, or so she says." he said waving his right hand. "I could…no, I know I have seen her before. Something about her face…"

Sam asked something she had never asked before to see if she could…throw him or at least see if he was really paying attention.

"You consider her…attractive?"

"No contest compared to you." he said kissing her neck lightly. It was enough to send shivers down her spine and took everything she had not to lean into it. "It must be something that I saw in my past. But it seems more recent, oh forget it. Not important. Hey what about this planet?"

Ishta was in her temporary room on the base and had set it up to her liking. She was moving a few objects around when Teal'c walked in. He closed the door as she placed a candle down.

"You have been avoiding me."

"You have indicted that I am not worthy of your presence." she said getting up and moving to her trunk to grab other things.

"How so?"

"Your refusal to bless this union is a insult to Kar'yn and me."

"That is not what I intended. Ry'ack has pledged to help lead the Jaffa in the battle against the Goa'uld."

"As have I and my people!" she stated sharply as she looked at him. She looked back at her trunk as she removed clothes. "A warrior is always stronger with another at his side. So you must believe Kar'yn to be an unworthy warrior, and I'm at fault because I'm her teacher."

"Ishta, this is not about you. Soon enough Ry'ack will have to choose between that of his responsibility to his family and to that of his cause, just as I once did. I merely believe that he is young and has much time ahead and need not undertake decisions so soon."

"In the same way that Ry'ack has no say in your decision, you have no say in his." she said turning to him again. She walked over slowly sounding on the verge of crying as she spoke.

"None of us choose oppression at the hand of the Goa'uld, nor what must be done to free ourselves from it. But we must not sacrifice that which makes us Jaffa! I have organized both men and woman, to fight together, to rise up against Moloc." she said fiercely. She turned away from him.

"Maybe once we are free of his tyranny, you will see we are worthy of your war."

Teal'c had been listening and had not moved except putting his hand behind his back and did little else but wait till she was done.

"Overthrowing Moloc alone will ultimately prove nothing. Were he to fall, his armies and worlds would simply be usurped by another Goa'uld."

"I cannot stand idly by and watch more of my sisters slain at the hand of Moloc!" she said hitting her trunk. She turned back to him yelling. "While you, and the so called leaders of the Jaffa rebellion, you plot and you scheme and you ultimately do nothing!"

"You have no wish to fight side by side. Only to control and dominate!" he said barely keeping his anger in check.

She on the other hand was losing it and was still on the verge of crying.

"As my sisters have been for generations!!!"

"As you will continue to be because of your shortsightedness!"

"I will not rest until Moloc is dead!"

"I will not rest until all the Goa'uld are dead." Teal'c said.

He then turned and left the room leaving her to think about what she was doing, hopefully.

Ford and Carter were walking down a corridor. They had looked through several worlds, the computer read outs anyway and was still needing to look further, possibly in case one they did find didn't work out. K-9 was currently still looking for that reason.

"So, if possibly is there anywhere you wanted to go tonight or did you just want to have me cook something special?" he asked quietly.

"Hmm. Well, how about we just eat here later, then go home and have some fun."

"I like the sound of …"

Jack came out of a adjacent corridor and grabbed Carter's arm startling both of them.

"They want a what?!" he asked with surprise and shock.

"Jack, you want to back off." Ford said pointing at his hand on her arm.

"Sorry." he said letting go quickly. "Anyway…"

"A goat sir." she said after he let go.

She resisted the urge to rub her arm as they started walking again. Damn, I was really enjoying that conversation. She thought to herself.

She could easily tell Ford was too, until Jack arrived and ruined the moment.

"You can tell them that lamb is far less gamey." Jack said.

They had to move so a small girl could run past them.

"They want it for a ritual sacrifice." Carter said.

"Yeah, well you can tell them that is not going to happen. I know, tell them about your husbands excellent cooking!" he said as they passed several children playing what looked to be jacks on the floor.

"I can try sir." she said chuckling.

"They can have a piñata! They're always fun." Jack said quickly seeing as Ford looked ready to object to being volunteered, again.

They had to press against the wall to allow a horse to go by. It stopped though and nuzzled Ford.

"Oh no." Ford muttered as the horse seemed to be looking for something on him. It was getting it's mouth close to his face as he tried pushing it away. "Go away horse."

Jack patted it on the hind quarters and it moved on.

"Thanks." he muttered as it moved down the corridor slowly being pulled by some woman from Ishta's people.

"Why did it seem to…love you Major?"

"Probably smelled the sugar donut I had earlier or it's just cause animals like me. And good grief Jack! Cooking for people I will do, but a couple hundred of them! Sorry, not happening." he said forcefully. "I'd be in the kitchen for days. I said I'd make a few cakes and a few other large dishes, but beyond doing personal things for everyone, no. I don't have the time much less patience."

"Okay, okay. Onto the bigger question now, please tell me you two have found a planet?" he said holding his hands out like he was begging.

"We scouted one yesterday that Ishta seems comfortable with. Fresh water. Stable climate." she said.

"Good, when's moving day?"

"Ishta said it will take about a week to make a livable camp area or building, something along those lines." Ford said as they started walking again.

"A week?!" he said as several of the women that followed Ishta walked by.

Jack turned looking at them as they kept going. Ford and Carter spun him back around quickly.

"Yes sir, also the wedding ceremony is still going to take place here." Sam said.

"Either of you seen Teal'c?" he said brushing off their turning him around gesture.

"I think he locked himself in his room." Sam said.

"That chicken." Jack said as they kept walking.

"I'm going to go talk to him." Ford said.

"Well…."

"Privately Jack." he said after Jack looked ready to follow. "I'll catch up with you later Sam."

"Any idea what he might say to Teal'c?" Jack asked after Ford was out of sight.

"Really, I'm not sure sir. Could be something helpful, if not maybe Daniel can try."

Ford had went to find Teal'c, but he wasn't in his room. He asked around and went to the training room, weight room, several names went for the place depending on who you talked to. Someone said they thought he was there, but he wasn't Ford could tell as he walked around and asked. He started to leave when one of the female warriors called out to him.

"Ford Carter!"

"Yes." he said turning around.

Several airmen were in the room working out along with the female warriors including several other members of other SG teams. Daniel was in the room lifting weights and stopped to see what was going on, though he made it look like he was still working out. Ford hadn't noticed he was in the room yet, from what he could tell anyway.

"I wish to spar with you." the lady that was considered Ishta's right hand. "Do you accept my challenge?"

Oh great. How did I get myself into this one or I should say out of it? He thought to himself with a sigh.

Most if not everyone in the room stopped what they were doing to see his reaction. Somehow telling her off wasn't going to work. A lot of people were waiting to see if he was going to back down.

"I'm going to regret this." he muttered to himself taking the SGC coat off and setting on a bench. He walked over to the sparring mat as people gathered around.

"Don't you people have anything better to do?" he asked.

Several no's came up from the crowd, and it was from the SGC personal.

"Wonderful, at least Jack isn't down here making bets." he muttered.

"What are you doing?" Daniel asked standing behind him.

"She wants to spar and I certainly don't think I can turn her down. It would look bad." Ford said quietly as he grabbed the wooden pole he was tossed in midair.

He had motioned for it and even though not looking that direction, grabbed it after it was tossed to him. Several people seemed surprised he did it without looking.

"And if you hurt her?"

"Give me some credit Daniel." Ford said pushing him off the mat gently. "I haven't hurt anyone lately. Least of all you now that you've been showing up more."

"True." Daniel said stepping back off the mat. "But she may take it as more of a real fight."

He took up his personal stance, which most people in the SGC who had seen it, was wary of, considering how he trained others. His stance consisted of planting himself in one place with his body slightly turned to his opponent and not moving no matter what someone came at him with. He'd just avoid any jabs whether they were from a staff, sword sometimes or fist. He spun the staff a few times as the other lady spun hers and made a few moves.

"Are you ready Ford Carter?" she asked standing toward him.

He could hear several people talking and heard a few more enter the room. The talking consisted of a quiet betting pool.

"I am." he said nodding in their fashion. "One thing first, you may, if you can, hit me with full contact, I on the other hand will do as I do when I am training and lightly tap you to signify when I have struck you."

"Are you holding back because I am a woman?" she asked sounding offended.

"No, he's holding back so he doesn't cause you harm. He almost broke Teal'cs arm once." Daniel said.

He was standing just off the mat behind Ford still with his arms crossed and a towel around his neck.

"And he was being careful even then. He may not have Hercules with him anymore, but he's still the same old powerhouse he's always been."

"I've gotten better with practice. Since then no one has gotten hurt." he said. He still hadn't moved. What he didn't tell her was he had bruised a few people. "I'll give one other bit of detail, very few people have ever hit me or made me move, my feet anyway, much less knock me down. Teal'c is one of the few that can, occasionally."

"Very well, I shall endeavor to become one of them." she said moving in and striking.

For five minutes she tried to hit him and he blocked every thing she did, and never moved his feet. Had to bend a few times or lean back, but mostly he just blocked and shoved her away with the staff he had. She tried again for a leg sweep after going for his side and he spun her staff out of her hand and shoved her back again. All the other times she managed to stay standing, this times she fell to her knees breathing hard. He had tapped her over a dozen times and some of them were going to be small bruises.

"I commend you on your training. You did well and almost had me a few times." he said moving over and offering her a hand up. "Sorry if I hit you to hard anywhere."

"I will heal. Thank you. You are indeed a worthy opponent." she said grabbing his arm and standing. "I understand why the Jaffa fear you."

"I wish to be next if you are willing." Ishta said stepping forward.

Several of the woman, including several SGC women, gave a small cheer for her as Ford gestured for her to take her friends place. Ishta picked up the fallen staff and made a few moves with it. Ford went back to the place he was standing before. He started to open his mouth.

"If you are going to say what you said before, I was here before you started."

"In that case, whenever you're ready."

She came at him with a quick jab and spun it around as he went for a block on the jab. He blocked the other one quickly as she made another move going for his legs. After a couple of minutes, she still hadn't gotten him to move either foot, but she had been able to keep him from hitting her most of the time. So far he got in five hits on her. He was still blocking her moves when she spun around with a hard hit that did make him have to shift his left foot behind him to keep standing. This got her several cheers.

"Not bad." he said smiling as he shoved her away on another blow.

She nodded and kept at it. Daniel was watching when someone walked up beside him.

"What is he doing Daniel?" she whispered.

Daniel looked over briefly at her.

"Hey Sam. He's sparring."

Sam?.

Ford turned his head looking back at them when he shouldn't have. The look in their eyes was all he needed and he swung his staff forward in front of his face as he leaned back. Ishta's staff came inches from hitting his face. She was able to bring it around in time and catch him behind the knee making him fall on his back. He rolled out of the way quickly as she made for a jab at his chest. As she did he swung his staff and tripped her. He flipped himself onto his feet and stepped back quickly as she swung for his legs again. She rolled and got up quickly taking a swing. He blocked it and spun her staff to the ground and held it there before stepping on it hard enough she lost her grip.

"You are indeed a impressive warrior Ford Carter." she said signaling the match was over with a bow.

"You are as well. I congratulate you Ishta." he said shaking her hand after a respectful bow. "Only one other woman has knocked me to the ground, though her method was unorthodox, but effective and she succeeded in knocking me out in the process and is still the only one who ever has. Teal'c has succeeded a few times as well in taking me off my feet."

She nodded to him and took the staff he was holding and walked away getting cheers from her people. From there everyone started breaking up to go about their business. Mostly money exchanging.

"Unorthodox you say. I have to admit it was effective, but unorthodox?" Daniel said walking up rubbing his chin. "From what I remember you did tell her not to hold back and try to hit you."

"Yeah, I can remember it very well." Ford said rubbing his face with a towel as he looked at Carter who was laughing.

"You did tell me those very words."

"Yes I did Sam, and I regretted it. You're just lucky I heal quickly and don't hold grudges against friends. I still can't believe you thought kicking me in the crotch counted." Ford said wiping under his chin.

"Hey, you've said in your classes that when fighting an enemy that is trying to kill you and/or without mercy, exploit every weakness, even if it means fighting dirty. You just don't do that because you never really have to." she said still smiling.

Some months ago, Ford was finished for the day training some people when Carter came in to work out as well. She felt like she could do with a good sparring match and decided to see how Ford would work with her. He said he'd do it but he would be very careful. He told her point blank to try and hit him and not to hold back. She took a few swings at him which he easily avoided and told her to try harder. She did try harder and he said Daniel did a better job asleep to goat her. She kicked him in the nuts for that statement and gave him a upper cut he couldn't blocked at the time which knocked him flat out. As she left the room, she ordered everyone to stay away from him until he woke up, unless an emergency came up. Still took him over an hour to finally come to. Since then he hasn't goateed her and wears protection in case anyone else tries that sort of attack during training. Especially if it is with her.

"I thought you were going to talk to Teal'c, not come here and fight with….other women."

"I was, but I couldn't find Teal'c. I was told he was here and was asked to spar with one of Ishta's people. I didn't refuse since it would look bad. Teal'c wasn't here though. I'll talk to him later. Why are you here or was it because of all the people who kept coming in?"

"Word around base was you were fighting Ishta and I came to see why."

"I'm going to get cleaned up then back to work before Jack comes asking questions."

"Might be too late already." she said as he left.

"I know." he muttered.

"Did you make any bets?" she asked after he was gone.

"Yeah, I bet she'd either hit him and/or make him move. Not a bad hundred dollar bet hmm." he said waving the bill.

A couple of hours later……….

Out in front of the gate, several people along with the marrying couple, and Bra'tak who was performing the wedding ceremony. Rehearsal of course. Bra'tak was still wearing that white robe. Ford had asked him earlier what it was and Bra'tak said it was for the ceremony of wedlock.

"Let this fire bear witness to this ceremony." Bra'tak said after blowing out a flame that was on a long wooden stick.

It had a design on it near the top. He had just lit a flame in the center of a large metal bowel that had a small neck stand that was sitting on a small alter like table with a velvet blue cloth. Ry'ack was on the right while his bride on the left.

"May it's flame keep warm the souls of those who came before us. We ask those spirit's now to bless this union and to protect it through each day of its existence. And then the horn will sound."

Off to the left, someone blew a low toned horn.

"Good now," he said putting the wooden candle lighting tool down on the table. "You will put the circle of fidelity upon Kar'yns head."

Ry'ack was given a special leaf like crown that he put on her head. Kar'yn and the other woman there smiled at the happy occasion. Though not official yet, it was a happy moment. Ishta was there standing off to the side.

"And you, the Totem of Bravery." Bra'tak said kissing a necklace before giving it to her. "You will put it around Ry'acks neck."

Ry'ack leaned over and she put it over his head and around his neck.

"The bride will then kneel before the husband in respect."

Up till then, everything was going just fine. By the look on Kar'yns face, things went wrong.

"I will do no such thing." she said.

"Kar'yn?" Ry'ack said confused and slightly offended.

"I kneel before no man, not even my husband."

"This action has been part of the ceremony for thousands of…." Bra'tak was saying.

"Then he should have to bow before me as well! Or am I too weak to have such respect to have given to me in return?" she asked addressing him.

"You disgrace my name." Ry'ack said offended.

"Perhaps if we took a short recess…." Bra'tak said trying to resolve the situation.

"And if you insist on treating me like a fragile handmaiden, then I have chosen poorly for a husband!"

Bra'tak knew then no matter what he said, it was over. Hopefully until the two resolved issues anyway. Good this is wasn't the official event.

"Well perhaps I have chosen poorly as well." Ry'ack said forcefully.

She took the circlet off and tossed it at him. She walked away quickly with many of the women following. Teal'c was watching from the control room and saw the whole thing. He also saw Ry'ack take the necklace off and hand it to Bra'tak then leave just as quickly.

"I can see why one must….rehearse these events." he said taking a drink from the wine glass that was next to the pot with the lit candle. As he started drinking the gate behind them activated.

"Unscheduled off world activation!!!" Walter said.

He closed the Iris as the gate stabilized.

"We are receiving a message. On screen." he said to Teal'c.

A few airmen pulled the objects out of the way of the ramp as Bra'tak left the room.

"Ishta. This concerns you." Teal'c said backing away from the screen as Ishta and Bra'tak came up from below. She walked over and looked at it.

"It's from one of my contacts amongst Moloch's Jaffa. He request a summit."

"For what reason?" Teal'c asked.

She turned to him.

"Our forces that are hiding among the Jaffa of Moloc have become large, but there are still many who are loyal to him. We risk being exposed. We must send the coordinates for the new homeworld to those who will attend."

"Very well. I will accompany you to this summit." Teal'c said.

"You have no say in our matters."

"Perhaps there is council that I can provide."

"You will abide by my ruling." she said showing him it was an order not only by her tone but by walking up to his face. He looked at Bra'tak a moment then nodded to her.

Ford knocked on the door and waited.

"Enter."

He walked in finding Teal'c packing.

"Ford Carter." he said turning around. "Is everything okay?"

"Ah, yeah. I wanted to talk to you earlier but you was busy watching the rehearsal. I heard that didn't go very well."

"Indeed it did not." he said going back to packing. "On what subject did you wish to discuss."

Ford said walked over and leaned his back against the wall. "I heard that you was having trouble with Ishta. I'm not familiar enough with Jaffa customs to know what needs to be done for a problem like this, especially with Ry'ack getting married."

"I do not understand." Teal'c said looking at him.

"When I first came to this universe, I had trouble coping with it."

"Were you missing home?"

"No. I could care less about that place, in some regards. I was lost, here, inside myself." he said pointing at his chest. "I know it didn't look like it really, but deep inside, I was going crazy. I had a chance to go out with and maybe more, be with the woman of my dreams, but I didn't know if she would brush me off or what. I'd never pursued a relationship with any female, ever, well beyond the dating part anyway, so I didn't know what to do around her. All I knew what to do was keep you all alive and safe, more her than anyone else even if it costed me my life. I later learned that she was interested and things got easier for me. I had less to worry about seeing as she knew how I felt and that she was returning that same feeling. As we got closer, I realized that together, we could be more, do more, and were stronger together. Once we got married, I got better with watching for things out of place. For enemies or anything that might hurt her or the team. I've also been training her in similar tactics and it has made it easier for me to do so seeing as we are married. I know her strengths and weaknesses. She knows mine and that makes it easier for us to work more closely. Together, we work better without feeling like we might do something to harm the other."

Teal'c looked like he might have understood, or was more confused than ever.

"I know the customs are different, but some humans usually work better when they have loved ones with them, helping them, or just being there for support. Some couples have differences that can make the relationships fall apart. My point is that Ry'ack may become a stronger warrior knowing he has something more to protect than just friends and freedom. He might fight better knowing he has someone to come home to that he can have a family with."

"I see."

"I also noticed you and Ishta having some trouble. Now I can see where you are coming from with Ishta and her vendetta against Moloc. I agree with what you think. I can also see her point of view and agree with her as well on what she wants to do to save her people. I admire her spirit to fight, to not quit, and to win. You have the same thing Teal'c. You don't want to give up and neither does she." he said gesturing with his hands as he talked. "Which is causing clashing issues."

"Indeed." Teal'c said lowering his head. He had stopped packing to listen.

"Me and Sam have had some differences in opinions and other things, but what helps is if you can see the other person's reasoning behind what they think. If you can do that, you can understand why they do it, or think that way. From there, problems become fixable and solutions become easy to see. Compromises can be made."

"I see what you are saying. Thank you Ford Carter. You have been most helpful." he smiling.

"Glad I could help Teal'c. I know you and your son our on…shaky ground but maybe this might help. Remember when I asked Sam to marry me?"

"Indeed. She was most pleased."

"Yes she was." Ford said remembering the smile on her face. "When I asked her, I was kneeling before her. It may not be the custom for the Jaffa, but here on Earth, men kneel before the women to ask for their hand in marriage. It's a sign of respect and a devotion of love. Women rarely if at all do that to men. I thought that might help you when you see him again. Let him know how the Tauri do it. That I did it."

Teal'c nodded and shook his hand in the Jaffa way.

"You are wise beyond years Ford Primus."

"Yeah, well. Don't tell to many people that. Especially Jack, he might make me a diplomat."

Teal'c laughed as Ford started to leave.

"Ford Carter."

"Yeah Teal'c."

"You have indicated that you have had no relationships with woman before Carter."

"Oh no. I did say that." Ford groaned as he rubbed his face and looked at the ceiling.

"Indeed. By my reasoning that would mean…"

"Yes Teal'c. Other than Jack, who found out, you just figured out a very guarded secret. Please don't tell anyone, especially not Daniel."

"You have my word Ford Carter."

"Thank you." Ford said relieved as he bowed slightly and clasped his hands together.

Teal'c nodded to him then he left.

"Can I come with you?" Kar'yn asked.

"Do not be foolish. You have a union to prepare for." Ishta said as she packed to leave. After talking to Teal'c in the control room, she came back to hers to get ready to go.

"There will be no union." she said looking away. Ishta stopped what she was doing and walked over to comfort her friend.

"You must learn to not let your emotions to take you to such extremes." she said digging through a black bag she had with her.

"I cannot be betrothed to Ry'ack. He is as pig headed as his father."

"Until you have fought as many battles, do not speak of Teal'c of Chulak with such disrespect." she said holding the girls face up to make her see her eye to eye. She was holding her by her chin but being gentle as well. "Without him we would not have Tretonin, and we would still be slaves to the Goa'uld symbiotes."

"How can you accept his affection when he does not support our war against Moloc and the archaic traditions that suppress women of the Jaffa." Kar'yn said as Ishta injected herself with a shot of the Tretonin.

"We differ often." Ishta said as she sat down on the bed with her. "But deep down we both possess the same hunger for freedom."

"Does he not see me fit for Ry'ack?"

"He could search a thousand worlds and never find someone like you. Teal'c has suffered much in the fight against he Goa'uld and does not want Ry'ack to feel the pain of such loss."

"What about Ry'ack? He does not respect me as a warrior as Teal'c respects you."

"That took some convincing. Believe me." she said getting up to finish getting ready to go. "But what you must remember, as much as you want Ry'acks respect, he also wants yours."

Ry'ack was working off frustration in a locker room. He had a wooden staff that he was swinging around as he made the attack and block moves taught to him. Bra'tak came in and stopped him in mid swing.

"Your parries are too low. Hold your staff higher." Bra'tak said putting Ry'acks hands where they need to be. "Step into each blocking blow."

"Leave me be." he said still in the same stance.

"As you wish." Bra'tak said. He turned to leave and had almost opened the door.

"Have I not been a dutiful son? Have I not brought honor to my name?" he said lowering the staff, but still holding it with two hands.

"Indeed you have." Bra'tak said turning around.

"Then why will my father not bless my union with Kar'yn?!"

"Then the union is still on?"

"That is not the point."

"You have made a choice. You have pledged your life to fight for freedom for all Jaffa. It is a war you must commit to without question."

"I know! That is why father abandoned my mother and I. Because we made him weak!" he said tossing the staff on the ground hard.

"That is not true."

"He knows I forgave him of that long ago. I know why it was necessary."

"Do you? Hmm?" Bra'tak said stepping closer. "Teal'c stayed First Prime of Apophis for as long as he did because he feared for you. He committed atrocities in the name of the Goa'uld because he wanted you and your mother to be safe. When he chose to leave and join the Tauri, it was the most difficult thing he had ever done. It was not you that made him weak, but his own fear and doubt. When he realized that indeed the Goa'uld could be defeated, that if he fought hard enough, then one day you could be free, it made him stronger."

"It is the same for me and Kar'yn. She fuels my desire to fight for freedom. We know what we must face, and we choose to do it together."

"You still have much to learn about yourself, about being a warrior." he said placing his right hand on Ry'acks right shoulder. "And neither of you will truly know what we will all face in a full scale war with the Goa'uld."

"I do not need his blessing."

"No, you do not." Bra'tak said with disappointment and displeasement as he turned to leave.

"He insults Kar'yn. She is a formidable warrior who deserves his respect!"

"And yours!" Bra'tak said forcefully then left.

Teal'c, Ishta and several of her people came to the summit as planned. Four female warriors stood guard at the gate and several more stood guard outside the tent that Teal'c and Ishta was in right at the moment. Several male Jaffa warriors were protecting the tent as well. Inside the tent was Teal'c, Ishta and around a dozen or more warriors standing in a circle talking to her.

"The ranks of rebel Jaffa, are sizable enough to win. The time to strike, is now."

"Aron is right. If we wait much longer, it is only a matter of time before our numbers grow too large for Moloc not to discover." a dark curly haired, white skinned Jaffa warrior said. "We risk losing everything."

"Aron is right! We must strike now!" Ishta said walking to the middle of the small group.

"Jaffa….hear me." Teal'c said walking up behind her. She slowly turned to him as he talked. "I know your hearts are prepared for battle. But I have come to ask for your patience. You have prepared well for the demise of Moloc, but only when all Jaffa rise up as one, can the Goa'uld be defeated, and only then will all our brothers and sisters truly be free."

"This is the council you have come to offer?" she asked displeased with him.

He didn't say anything as he turned to look around. Something was wrong.

"What is it?" she asked moving closer.

"Down!!" he yelled pulling her along.

Dozens of staff blast came through the tent hitting those who were not fast enough to move. Only Teal'c, Ishta, and one of the male warriors survived.

"Go!" Teal'c said picking her up.

The male warrior pulled the tent flap aside and they rushed out quickly as weapon fire continued to hit the tent. They stepped down off into a small ravine like valley and took off into the woods and managed to elude capture. It took a short time to get around over to a small hill where they could see the Stargate. They crawled up to the edge to look without being spotted and saw a full contingent of Jaffa troops and a few stationary staff like weapons. A good hundred troops at best. Needless to say, they were not getting to the gate anytime soon.

"The gate is well guarded." Teal'c said.

"We must return to the meeting tent." she said looking at him. "If anyone else survived, they will be tortured."

"Wait."

"For what?" Aron asked.

The gate below them activated and the troops got ready to fire.

"Teal'c, you there?"

"Proceed O'Neill." he said grabbing his com unit.

"You know how I get when you don't call."

"Moloc's Jaffa ambushed the summit. The address to the planet must have fallen into the wrong hands. I am with Ishta and another rebel Jaffa named Aron. At present we cut off from the gate."

"How bad?" Jack asked worried.

"Very."

"Should I send Ford along with back-up?"

Ishta and Aron actually looked at the gate more closely like he was about to step through. His tales of defeating the enemy had become almost legendary.

"That would be unwise. I do not believe even Ford could take this many at once. I am also uncertain of their forces or if ships are in orbit. I will need time to gather intel before deciding a course of action."

"I will check in, in about an hour. Oh and T?"

"My head is down O'Neill."

"Over." Jack said signing off.

Teal'c and the other two moved off quickly and quietly. They took off down a trail through the woods. Since Aron had a staff weapon and full Jaffa armor he took the lead. Ishta and Teal'c only had zat guns.

"Someone from within your camp has betrayed you." Teal'c said suddenly stopping her on the trail as Aron kept going. "That can be the only explanation for Moloc's presence here."

"Teal'c, I lost my Tretonin from my pack. I must have dropped it in our haste back at the tent."

"I have enough for both of us." he said grabbing his from his vest. He pulled it out finding it broken.

"It must have shattered when you fell to the ground." she said as Aron came back up.

"We must move. A search patrol approaches."

"Indeed." Teal'c said as he looked angry and disturbed.

Back at the SGC things were going badly. Jack had told them what was going on and mentioned to Ford about possibly sending him through, so he was there in the room ready to go at a moments noticed. With all the times Ford had been seen in his coat, it was no surprise he was wearing it now. The problem was there was a lot of shouting going on in the briefing room. Ry'ack, Ishta's people, Daniel. Ford got yelled at a few times as they asked why he hadn't gone to save them. He said that Teal'c said it was a bad idea and he wasn't ordered to go yet, but was ready. It didn't matter, they still yelled. Jack and Bra'tak entered the room and tried to push their way through the mass as they came up from the stairs. Bra'tak tried to get everyone to shut up. It didn't work though. Ford thought about whistling loudly, but went for a different approach, which Jack noticed. He pulled one of his revolvers which Daniel noticed and covered his ears as did Jack. Everyone started quieting down seeing the glint of metal and shut up quickly. He un-cocked it, gave it a twirl and put it away.

"You have the floor now Brigadier."

Jack hated how he said it that way, but couldn't do anything with everyone there. He supposed that's why Ford did it. Just something about the way he said it sounded, mocking like. But Ford assured him that he wasn't do that at all at the time Jack asked him once. But he also wouldn't say why he did it either.

"Were you going start shooting people?" one of the women asked. Several people looked at him like he was.

"No." Ford said offended as he crossed his arms. "A loud noise usually gets people to shut up and pay attention. In this case, just flashing one of my guns worked."

"Thank you Major. Now, Daniel, what's going on here?"

This started another eruption of shouting. Bra'tak was able to yell over them this time before it got hysterical again.

"SILENCE!!!"

They all shut up quickly.

"I said, Daniel." Jack said pointing both hands at him.

"As you can see, everyone is a little upset."

"We will not abandon Ishta!" Ishta's second in command said. "We demand that a rescue mission be devised immediately."

"We're devising." Jack said.

"Teal'c has said the gate is well guarded. Too guarded for even Major Ford." Bra'tak stated.

"Can we not then take a ship there?" Ry'ack asked.

"Even if we could, it would take a week to get there." Daniel said.

"Please, return to your quarters." Bra'tak said.

"I cannot go until…." Kar'yn began saying.

"Please! In time, your skills may be required, but you must be ready. Go."

The two women sighed and left with the others following. Eventually all that was left was Ford, Jack, Daniel and Bra'tak.

"What was your plan?" Jack asked after they left.

"Mine? You mean with the gun?"

"Duh?!" Jack said with his arms out.

"I think he was going to shoot himself." Daniel said.

Bra'tak looked at Ford like he was crazy. "Why would inflicting bodily…"

"I was going to shoot my coat! Not myself!! Give me some credit."

"Well….good to hear. Onto business, go get Carter and find another planet for them."

"Yes, Brigadier." he said leaving with a two finger salute.

Jack visibly squirmed this time. "He does that on purpose."

"I noticed. But it's not against regulations is it?" Daniel asked.

"That's why I can't do anything about it." Jack grumbled with a sigh. "And he won't say why he says it that way either. Wait, do you know?"

"No." Daniel said.

"Hmm, I know Carter knows but she won't say why either and even though I tried to order her to tell me, she said it wasn't something I could really order to begin with so…look, go find out and then tell me, got that?"

"Right. I got something…" he said walking out before Jack could stop him.

That night, Teal'c and the other two crawled up slowly to a encampment of Jaffa soldiers.

"There are only six." Aron said.

"We do not know how many might be hiding nearby, anticipating our approach." Teal'c said.

"We must do something. I cannot bear this. The Tauri have troops and weapons." Ishta said as they heard the screams of someone being tortured.

"We have not determined the size of Moloc's force that they would face. Many more lives than our own could be lost." Teal'c said.

"Then what are we to do?"

"For the moment, nothing." he said turning over and moving away with them following.

They walked away from the encampment and got out of sight of it when Ishta had to grab a tree to rest. Teal'c stopped next to her.

"We cannot hide from the patrols forever." Aron said walking past.

"We will rest here." Teal'c said as Ishta moved and sat on the ground.

"They will not rest until we are found." Aron said. "Is your plan to wait until they give up and leave…."

Teal'c sat down next to her seeing she was not well.

"I merely need to gather the information that I can about the forces against us."

"We are severely outnumbered. What more do you need to know?"

"Aron." she said looking up at him. " I need to speak to Teal'c privately."

"You do not trust my loyalty?" he said offended.

"I do. This is a private matter. Please."

He didn't look reassured but move away into the forest anyway.

"He could be the informant as easily as anyone, using this opportunity to gathering knowledge on the rebellion."

"I know. But he is right about one thing. We cannot wait to act. I am growing weak."

"You need rest."

She sat up straighter as to still look strong.

"As do you."

He nodded.

"I will take first watch." he said getting up. She grabbed his arm before he could move.

"Teal'c. I promised all Jaffa under Moloc's rule, they would be free from his tyranny." she said with angry emotion in her voice. She would do so to her last breath.

"It was not a foolish promise." he said cupping her cheek. "One day we will all be free."

"One day is not soon enough." she said moving his hand away.

He got up trying to see in his mind her point of view, but even with what Ford said, he was still having trouble. He thought about telling her the ideas Ford gave him, but right now she needed rest so he figured on telling her later.

Morning came with Teal'c sleeping against a tree. Aron rushed up waking him.

"Where is Ishta?" he said quickly as he knelt down.

"It was her turn to take watc…." he said.

They both got up quickly and started looking around and went to the camp they saw last night. So much for telling her the idea he thought along the way. They got down on the ground seeing her being forced along to go into a tent. She was captured as Teal'c could see from the small binoculars he looked through.

Ishta was brought into the tent where the summit was once and tossed to the ground. She got up quickly despite feeling her strength failing from needing the Tretonin. Moloc was standing before her, with his back to her. He turned around slowly and flashed his eyes making her shake despite trying not to.

"Moloc is here." Teal'c said putting the binoculars away. They both got up and walked away quickly.

"We must act."

"I am aware." Teal'c said as they continued down a small hill in the forest.

"Even if Ishta cannot be saved, we must take the opportunity to kill Moloc."

"That is not my goal."

"It is mine. And all the Jaffa that have joined in the rebellion against him."

"Without reinforcements. We will be swarmed by Moloc's forces."

"I am willing to die for my cause."

"Then you will die for nothing if you do not kill Moloc first." Teal'c said walking around a large bush.

"You are weak. Your mind is clouded with feelings for Ishta." Aron said walking by Teal'c as he stopped. Teal'c waited till he walked further away then zatted him.

"And you cannot be trusted."

He picked the staff weapon off the ground and kept going.

Bra'tak left for awhile to gather intel and possible troops. He just came back through the gate in his armor and was walking down the ramp. A UAV was being brought into the room to be fired into the gate.

"Ishta has been captured. Apparently Moloc is there in person." Daniel said at the end of the ramp. "Now we are going to coordinate a missile attack on the Jaffa at the gate to provide a distraction for Teal'cs rescue attempt."

"Moloc will certainly kill her before surrendering." Bra'tak said as they walked away.

"Well, Teal'cs more worried about what he's going to do to her in the meantime."

Ishta was on her knees at the moment with Moloc using the hand device on her head. She grunted in pain and fell onto the bodies of the dead warriors that had died earlier as he stopped the hand device.

"It is not to late to repent for your sins."

She rolled over as he kept talking.

"Grovel before you god and beg for your forgiveness!!!"

She was hauled to her feet by a Jaffa warrior.

"Tell me of the other sinners who would betray me. Who else would renounce the privilege to carry the children of their god, hmm? Tell me while their souls may yet be saved." he said as she dropped to her knees.

Two warriors hauled her to her feet again and placed her right in his face.

"You cannot be Ishta of the Hak'tyl! Wicked leader of the depraved!!" Moloc said mockingly as he laughed and looked at his men.

"I sense nothing but weakness inside of you. Or maybe that is what happens when you do not have the strength of a Goa'uld inside of you. All that is left is to die by the hands of your great and powerful god!" he said putting the hand device against her head again.

"We are preparing a UAV to drop Tretonin for Teal'c." Sam said.

She, Daniel and Ford were in Jack's office at the moment. So far, Jack only had Ford stay ready to go through at a moments notice. Jack was sitting on the edge of his desk with Bra'tak standing by him.

"Teal'c will need all his strength if he is to rescue Ishta from the clutches of Moloc." Bra'tak said.

"The UAV then will circle back and paint the targets on the gate." she said.

"Ishta did not exaggerate. The rebel Jaffa on Moloc's world are indeed a mighty force. As we speak they are prepared for war against those still loyal to Moloc."

"You think they can win?" Jack asked not moving with his arms crossed.

"I do not know." Bra'tak said.

"Even if they do, it's possible another Goa'uld can take his place, or worse, come in and wipe them all out to prove this rebellion is a bad idea." she said.

"Indeed. That is something we asked them to consider." Bra'tak said. "And yet, such reason is beyond them now."

"I bet Ba'al is waiting nearby to see what is going to happen." Ford said.

"That wouldn't surprise me seeing his empire is growing larger." Daniel said.

Down in the gate room, Siler came out from under the UAV.

"UAV ready to launch Colonel." he said.

"Thank you Sergeant. Dial the gate." she said sitting at the computer.

Bra'tak, Daniel and Ford were there watching. Walter started the process. On the planet, all the troops got ready as the gate started up.

"Launching UAV in three, two, one.." Carter said as she watched a screen.

Down in the gate room the UAV fired off its small launch pad and went through. It flew through the gate quickly passing over the Jaffa warriors heads. Teal'c looked up as it flew by him and started to go after it.

"Receiving Teal'cs radio signal." she said.

On the planet several warriors fired their staff weapons at it. It took a hit in the wing and started falling.

"The UAV has been hit." she said. "Teal'c do you copy?"

"Proceed." he said stopping in a field.

He could see smoke just over a section of trees. It was not far away luckily.

"The UAV crashed half a click southwest of your location."

"I am on my way."

"Be careful Teal'c. We'll dial back in thirty minutes."

Teal'c took off at a slow trot.

"Can we not still send the missiles through?"

"Without a laser painted target, the missiles would just fly until they ran out of fuel and crash." Carter said turning to him.

"And we can't make them go through and blow them up. We risk the chance of taking the DHD and possible the gate out, though unlikely for the gate itself." Ford said.

Teal'c ran up to the downed UAV and dropped the staff weapon quickly. He reached to open the small compartment and burned himself. He tried again opening it quickly and grabbed the vial of Tretonin. He was about to inject himself when he was shouted at and heard several staff weapons activate. They spoke in Goa'uld to him and he slowly put the vial into a vest pocket as he stood up and turned to them. He spoke to them in Goa'uld then continued in English.

"If you know who I am brothers, then you know there is no need to sacrifice your lives for a false god."

One of the warriors walked up and hit him in the gut making him fall to his knees. He leaned over him speaking in Goa'uld. Another warrior up on a small hill was attacked from behind quickly by Aron. Aron used the other mans weapon and body to attack the other warriors around him and Teal'c. Teal'c grabbed the staff weapon of the guy who hit him off the ground and took out a Jaffa near him. He grabbed the torn off wing and used it as a shield as a blast came at his head. Aron was taking care of the rest as the Jaffa that shot at Teal'c went to fighting with the staff as a weapon. They blocked and parried a few blows. Teal'c got hit again but kept fighting and eventually knocked the guy to the ground and out. He held onto the staff and used it to keep himself from falling as he panted from weakness and got the Tretonin out as Aron came down.

"It would have been easier had you left me with a weapon." he said as Teal'c gave himself an injection.

"My thanks." he said getting up and giving him a Jaffa handshake.

"Is there anything else I can do to prove my loyalty?"

Teal'c looked down at the damaged UAV.

"Indeed."

Ishta was laying on her back losing strength quickly as Moloc walked around, gloating. She looked over seeing her pouch with the Tretonin in it. Moloc noticed and leaned over pulling the small vial out.

"Is this what you want? Evil serum to poison you further? Or will it give you strength enough to last a little longer? Then take it." he said dropping it near her hand. "Take it so that you may have more precious time with your god!"

Two of his warriors rushed in before he could say more.

"My lord. Word comes from Goranak. A rebel uprising has begun. An army of two thousand is marching on your temple. They control a garrison of gliders and several Al'kesh."

"As I have foreseen." Moloc said not happy but not showing it.

"Your fleet of Hal'taks have moved into orbit. They await your command to crush this insolence."

"I am done with this one." Moloc said looking at her before turning to his warriors. "Trivial as it may seem, these few moments have given me pleasure. Use her to capture the Sho'va Teal'c. Then bring him to me."

"Yes my lord."

Ishta grabbed the vial as Moloc left hiding it in her hand.

Teal'c and Aron were hiding on a hill near the gate as the warriors below were getting prepared for something they did not know.

"When the gate opens again, merely aim this at your target." Teal'c said showing Aron how to use a small targeting laser device. It was just a small tube about half the size of a cigar.

"The missiles will come through and strike where you aim."

"You're certain that your strength has sufficiently returned? This time I will not be there to come to your rescue." Aron said taking the device.

"I assure you, this time will not be necessary." he said getting up.

As Teal'c left, Moloc's men stood at attention as Moloc came walking up.

"Open the Chap'pai!" he commanded.

One of the warriors started dialing the gate when it activated itself halfway through. Moloc ordered his men to get into position as the gate stabilized.

"Teal'c this is Colonel Carter. Do you read?" Carter asked as the blast doors closed over the windows to the control room.

"Colonel Carter. I am ready and in position." he responded back.

"So we're on?"

"Indeed."

Carter looked over and hit a red button. Two missiles were brought down on a delivery system from the ceiling and aimed at the gate.

Teal'c had taken two staff weapons and tied them together so both ends would fire. He started down the path to the tent firing as warriors came at him. They never had a chance to fire back. He took out ten warriors by the time he reached the tent. No one else was around so he tossed the staffs aside and got a zat gun out.

At the gate the two missiles came out quickly and flew way above the enemies heads. The warriors aimed at the missiles but by then they were too high.

Teal'c walked into the tent with his zat ready seeing a man holding Ishta hostage.

"She is weak to the point of death. Zatting us once, will kill her." he said with a knife to her throat. "Drop your weapon."

The missiles turned around after the onboard computers gained a target signal. They headed back quickly to the area they just came from.

"Shoot them down!!!!" Moloc ordered.

The warriors opened fire only to continuously miss. Aron was on the hill using the small laser target system. He had it pointed at Moloc who noticed a little red dot and tried to brush it away. It was then he realized what was happening and that it was too late to do anything about it.

"Drop it now!!!"

Teal'c kept his zat gun on them even as they heard two explosions.

"That is the sound of your false god dying."

"God's cannot be killed."

"Teal'c." she said weakly. "Shoot."

He did and moved over to them quickly. The warrior raised his knife to attack even though he was on his knees. Teal'c gave him a quick elbow to the face that knocked him out and then went to get his Tretonin as she grabbed his arms.

"There is no need. I have taken mine." she said shaking in his arms.

He held her fearing for her life.

"Is it true Moloc is dead?" she said with anger.

"If you have the strength, we can see for ourselves."

"In a moment." she said holding him close.

She was to weak to move since the Tretonin was still trying to get back into her system and being zatted didn't help.

After they managed to get back to Earth, they learned that the wedding was still to take place. They had time to take a rest, eat and freshen up before it begun. A couple of hours later…

"Kar'yn, speak of your love and devotion to Ry'ack." Bra'tak said.

This time is was no rehearsal. The wedding was going as planned and just in the same place as before. Many people were there, mostly Ishta and her people along with several human officers. Carter, Ford, Jack, and Daniel all stood near the wall with the control room window above them. They were standing in that order with their uniforms on, well three of them was anyway. Daniel had a dark suit on. Teal'c was in clothes similar to what Bra'tak had on but in a dark gray color. He was standing over near Ishta who was just behind Kar'yn. They went through the part they did earlier already on the exchanging of the circlet and necklace.

"Ry'ack, your heart is pure and your spirit it strong. You give me strength, and joy, and I will be by your side….always." Kar'yn said through tears of joy.

"Ry'ack." Bra'tak said looking at him.

"Kar'yn, you are as beautiful as the sun. And my love for you is like the morning rays that dawn over an endless day." he said.

Bra'tak put their hands together for everyone to see.

"The rite is complete. May you love and fight like warriors, just not with each other."

This made everyone laugh as they clapped for the happy couple. The happy couple moved closer together and kissed as everyone continued clapping. Teal'c and Ishta looked at each other through it all.

"You know, I wonder if Teal'c will marry her." Ford commented.

"Ishta? The way he fawns over her like you do Carter, he should." Jack said.

"Teal'c does not do what Ford does sir. Teal'c keeps his emotions more bottled in about that subject." Carter said.

"Yeah, I, hey…..I am not that bad. Am I?" Seeing the look Jack and Daniel gave and the response he figured was coming. "Don't answer that."
The ceremony was proceeded with talking and food. Jack did indeed have Ford make a cake, which turned out to be a bad idea since he personally wanted Ford to make one when Jack felt the craving now. Ford only mentioned to Carter later that the next cake he made would be so rich that Jack would give up cake or gag on the sugar content. He never did spike it that way though. When the party was over and everyone was getting ready to leave, Teal'c was walking with his son down the hall talking.

"A legend speaks of a place where the mountains meet the sea." Ry'ack said. "Of hidden pools beneath majestic waterfalls."

"It is no legend. I have seen it with my own eyes. You have chosen the location of you Shim'ron very well." Teal'c said happily.

"Master Bra'tak said this is where you took my mother."

"Indeed." he said stopping. "Ry'ack."

His son turned to him.

"I can think of no better mate for you than Kar'yn, and I am certain that your mother would have felt the same."

"Thank you." Ry'ack said putting his right in on Teal'cs left shoulder. Teal'c did the same. They hugged a moment then parted.

"Before your departure, there is a matter that bears discussion."

"Father, I am aware of the ways between a man and a woman." he said sounding almost insulted.

"Good. Then you are prepared for the rite of Orona."

"Surely it is not still expected?" he asked somewhat scared.

"On the eve of Shim-roa, my advice is the knife be as sharp as possible." Teal'c said seriously.

"Perhaps Kar'yn is right. Not all of the traditions are worth holding onto."

Teal'c smiled. "Indeed."

Ry'ack smiled with relief as they began walking away to the gate room.

"And what of you and Ishta?"

"What of us?" he asked still smiling.

"Well, your relationship would be easier if you would both admit you are in love."

"Perhaps one day…..when I am as wise as you." Teal'c said walking on as his son stopped at the door.

"We own you our thanks, for your hospitality, and for finding us a new homeworld, for where the children of Hak'tyl may be safe." Ishta was saying to Jack and Ford as her people were going through the gate.

Ford was only there because several of the women and men wanted to thank him personally for his help before they left. He didn't let on he didn't want to be there, but Jack could tell and made him stay.

"Think nothing of it." he said then looked over seeing Teal'c walk up behind him with Ry'ack. "Sure you got everything? Forget any kids or…horses?"

Ishta chuckled lightly.

"May I speak with Teal'c alone?" she asked.

"Sure, it's good to see you again." he said walking off with Ford.

"I will see you soon father."

Teal'c didn't take the outstretched hand. He embraced them both in a hug. They returned it.

"Yes….father." Kar'yn said smiling as he backed off.

"Be well."

They nodded and walked up to the gate leaving them to talk.

"I did not wish to spoil the days of Shim-roa for Kar'yn and Ry'ack." she said.

"What have you discovered?"

"As you predicted, another Goa'uld has taken over the domain of Moloc."

"Ba'al."

"Yes." she said moving closer and intertwining her fingers with his. "Do not wait to long to visit. We have a war to plan, among other things."

He leaned down and they kissed not caring who was watching. They parted and she walked up to the gate, giving him one last look before leaving.

As Teal'c was leaving the room Ford and Jack were finishing talking.

"Hey T. Going to miss her?"

"Indeed O'Neill."

"She a lucky woman to have you Teal'c. I believe between the two of you, many enemies will fall." Ford said patting him on the shoulder.

"I wait for the day when freedom is more than foreseeable. Thank you."

"Anything for a friend….I'll be damned! I know where I've seen her before." Ford said as it dawned on him.

"Seen who?" Jack said looking around.

"Funny. I'm talking about Ishta. You know that saying that there is always someone who looks like you out there somewhere?"

"Yes." Jack said not knowing where this was going.

"Sam should have figured it out. She's a Star Trek fan. Have either of you even watched any one the shows?"

"I have indeed. It is an interesting story. But I am a Star Wars man as Daniel has explained." Teal'c said.

"I've watched a bit of it." Jack shrugged. "So what?"

"Watch one of the Enterprise episodes, you'll see what I mean." he said smiling as he left.

He explained it to Carter later who smacked herself in the forehead realizing she should have seen it as well. She figured it out after he said one thing, Star Trek Enterprise.