CHAPTER 65
EPISODE…………………..The Ties That Bind
Daniel was waiting at the end of the ramp and looked at his watch as the gate was being dialed to some planet Vala wanted to go to. She came into the gate room, walking up in her black leather outfit with her coat and bag draped over her left arm. Behind her was two airmen escorting her.
"So, I see you've come to see me off?" she said smiling.
"Well, we've been through a lot together and I just wanted to make sure you were thoroughly searched." he said smiling with a nod to the airmen.
The airman took her bag and coat while she still looked at him, still smiling. The airman with her bag pulled out some small crystal like trinket. She took and held it close.
"Just a little keepsake. Something to remember you by." she said sincerely.
"This is a priceless artifact." he said taking it slowly.
"Not as priceless as the memories we share." she said trying to take it back. Daniel pulled it away and pocketed it.
"Well, ahem."
They gave her coat back and she put it over her shoulder again and grabbed her bag.
"Thank you." she said turning from them. "I hate long goodbyes."
"Okay, goodbye." Daniel said quickly, turned around just as fast and made for the door.
"Don't I even get a hug?" she asked pointedly.
She smiled as he turned around and walked back over and took a moment to stand there then hug her like she had some disease. As she backed off smiling, Daniel grabbed her hand as she started up the ramp.
"Daniel, don't make this harder than it already is." she said as she was pulled into his chest.
He held the object from his pocket up.
"Oh. Can't blame a girl for trying?" she said smiling sweetly.
"Yeah, I can." he said holding it tightly.
She continued to smile, caressed his face, to which he didn't acknowledge, then walked up the ramp to the gate. She turned, still smiling and back through it.
"Thank god." Daniel muttered as the gate shut down.
"She's gone." Daniel said as he and Ford walked through the halls down to the infirmary.
"That's wonderful news!" Ford said holding his fist in the air as he kept walking.
"You're in a happy mood."
"And why not?" he said happily as he wrapped a arm around Daniels shoulder. "Sam's back and now I'm a father and you're an uncle."
"I am ain't I?"
"Yeah. You're one of the few people me and Sam trust enough to be with Sally if something happened where we were needed or…."
"Yeah, I get it. This is also assuming that the elder Carter's aren't busy."
"Not really. You see, if Sally's on the base and we get called to do something that only we can do, then someone needs to be with her. And you've got a way with people."
"I do don't I?"
"Everything okay Daniel?"
"Ah, yeah. Just thinking about things. Look, I've got some work to do." he said jerking a thumb.
"Daniel, if you ever need to talk, I'll make time."
"I'm fine. Really, just haven't been able to sleep well lately."
"Being stuck on the base in those lousy beds does that."
"Yeah, that and wishing I was at Atlantis."
"You're just going to keep on that subject for awhile huh?"
"Oh yeah."
"I really tried Daniel, but they wouldn't let me use the other ZPM for that. Said that they wanted you here, especially with this new threat."
"Yeah. I'm going to…"
"No prob. I'm taking Sam to the surface then going back to my office. Janet and Cass are going to watch her at the house for awhile. After hearing that her blood work said she was a normal human child, though with a high naquada concentration in her blood, we only have to worry if she starts talking really, really early."
"Any idea how….um…"
"Well, I was talking before I was one, so if she starts talking before that in complex sentences, then we'll worry."
"Hey, you ever find out anything about that crystal you found back in the cave with all the other treasures?"
"Ah…" he said nervously. "No. Haven't had time to do so."
"Why don't you have Lee and his team…."
"No. I can't do that." he said quickly making Daniel look at him concerned. "I don't know what it really is, but whatever it is. I feel safer when it's with me. I'm going to check it out later with K-9's help. Trust me Daniel, I know what I am doing."
Daniel nodded and went to his office. About an hour later he came off the elevator on level 25. He was looking through some papers as Mitchell stepped out in front of him and followed along.
"Jackson, hey. Where's the girlfriend?"
"She left over an hour ago." he said still looking through the papers as they walked.
"Man, I missed the going away party. I hope you saved me a piece of cake. Especially if the General made it."
"Now that she's finally gone, maybe I can get some work done around here." he said walking to a doorway and leaning against it with one hand.
"Yeah, about that, the whole SG-1 thing. You never gave me a firm answer."
The room started to spin for Daniel and he lost his grip.
"Jackson? Jackson?! Jackson?!" he said as he caught Daniel as he dropped to the floor. "I need a med team on level 25!"
After seeing Sam and helping her to the surface and into a rented van. He kissed her then kissed Sally's forehead telling them he should be home by night or sooner if things go well. Janet said she's stay for a couple of days because of Sam's stomach and the baby needed some help, just in case. Cassie also stayed at the house and K-9 went with them. He was currently in his office doing some paperwork when the phone went off.
"Ford here."
"General, this is Doctor Lam. We have a medical…"
"Ah…"
"It's not about your baby or wife General."
"Oh, good. Scared me a moment there. What can I do for you doctor?"
"Doctor Jackson has collapsed."
"Let me guess." he said rubbing his eyes. "Same passing out as with the bracelets?"
"Yes General.." she said as the alarms went off.
"Unscheduled off world activation! Repeat, unscheduled off world activation!" Walter said over the com.
"Dammit. I've got to go doctor. But I think I know who just called. Better get another bed ready."
"I'll send a medical team right away. Rey.."
"Thanks." he said hanging up the phone and rushing away. When he got to the stairs and started down, he barely managed to get his hanky out as he sneezed. "Walter?!"
"General. I'm not getting a IDC,…"
"Is that team that's taking Kate off…..I guess it is." he said seeing her standing down there with one of the higher numbered teams. She glanced up then back at the gate.
He looked up as Vala stumbled through suddenly and dropped onto the ramp. Airmen rushed up and pulled her away from the open gate as a medical team came in and took her away.
"Walter?" he asked slowly.
"Sorry General. Before you got called, Doctor Lam told me what happened to Daniel and as you came down, that Vala lady called saying she needed to see Daniel after the gate stabilized. I just figured…" Reynolds said.
"Good job Colonel. Something must have went wrong with those damned bracelets if they both passed out."
"Which means she'll be with us again for awhile General. I'll get someone on making a room ready for her again."
"Yeah Walter, might as well. I'm going to the infirmary. You can send that team out when your ready."
"Ah General, your suppose to brief my team so we can get ready to go." Reynolds said.
"Oh. That's right. They up there yet?"
"Probably by now."
"Let go then. Sooner I get this over with, the sooner I see how Daniel's doing. No offense Reynolds."
"None taken General. I hope he gets better soon too."
Daniel awoke to see Doctor Lam and Mitchell standing over his bed.
"Good morning sunshine." Mitchell said, a little loudly.
"Aah!" Daniel exclaimed in surprise as he squinted and jumped.
"How you doing?"
"Better." he said confused as to why he was in hospital clothes, again. "What happened?"
"We're, not exactly sure." he said stepping back as Lam moved in and checked Daniel over.
"But Doctor Lam here thinks it has something to do with those alien cuffs."
He sat up quickly and looked at her.
"Why does one assume that?" he asked a little forcefully.
"Well, you were completely unresponsive when you were brought in, but your condition improved when she came back." she said looking behind him.
He turned around on the bed slowly to see Vala, in the same blue two piece hospital outfits that everyone wore when they were patients, sitting up from the position she was in on he left side.
"Miss me?" she asked sweetly.
Daniel and Lam didn't think it was funny by the looks on their face, but Mitchell nodded as he turned away silently laughing. Then they all heard a sneeze and a growl of frustration.
"Uh oh." Daniel muttered.
"What?" Mitchell asked as Ford suddenly walked in with a mean stare and looked around.
"You!"
"Me?" Daniel and Vala said pointing at each other. He was pointing in their direction.
"You! Your…..you…" he said walking over toward her bed. Mitchell walked in front of him quickly.
"General, what are you…."
"Back off Colonel." he said picking him up under the arms and setting him aside, then walking over as she looked at him strangely. "How in the hell did you become….."
He stuttered a bit not being able to say it.
"Become what? I don't know why the effects are still taking place if that's what…" she said with a small smile.
"You…." he said then growled as he turned away running his hand through his hair.
He kept pointing his hands at her, trying to say something, but it was mostly like grunts and incoherent babble.
"What's wrong General, because your upsetting my infirmary." Lam said walking over and crossing her arms. He barely kept his rage as he whispered it in her ear.
"Are you sure…."
"Yes! Kate just left and no one else on the base is like me!" he said then spun around again. "How in the hell did you….get, damn!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Daniel said waving a hand. "You're telling me, that she is…"
Ford gave him a certain look.
"Just like you in that way?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt this ever so wonderful chat." Mitchell said waving both hands. "But what are we talking about here?"
"My gift that I sometime call a curse." he stated.
"What?" he asked with confusion all over his face as he looked at the three.
"Oh man." Ford said rubbing the bridge of his nose as he sighed. "Look.."
"He's talking about his Immortality Colonel." Lam blurted out.
Ford sighed and hung his head as the doctor realized her blunder and covered her mouth.
"Oh, that."
"Immortality?" Vala said turning to sit on the bed and let her legs dangle. "I knew the Ancients had some pretty incredible power, but Immortality wasn't one of those things I heard."
"Well guess what lady, you have the same gift now!" he said spinning around again and leaning into her face. "Enjoy your gift because it is really a curse. You die and keep coming back."
"Sounds….interesting." she said. "What's the curse part of this gift?"
"Two problems." he said raising two fingers in her face. "One, you can't have children except….every ten years, possibly. You may or may not remember it. Two, you outlive everyone, friends, material items and the most important, family. Be warned, you come after me, I'll knock you out so fast you'll be lucky to wake up, ever."
"Aren't you going to…." Daniel asked as Ford started to leave quickly in a huff.
"You tell her Daniel. I have other things to do."
Later….
"General…"
"Oh no. Not more paperwork, please Walter. My eyes won't take it." he said running his hands through his hair as he walked toward his office. "I just ate a great pasta dish and want to enjoy digesting my meal. Not digest another load of paperwork."
"These are for something else General. This is not though." he said handing one over.
"What the…..I don't have time for all these meetings. Hell, half to almost all of them are completely unnecessary and…." he said stopping. "Okay, ah, have someone, or anyone who's good at typing to sit and record the meetings. Whatever the real important stuff is and such, I can make suggestions or whatever afterward after I read them. I've got way to much to do."
"Ah, yes General." Walter said knowing it was pointless to protest.
"Bless you Walter."
Ford kept on walking, rubbing his forehead at the thought of Vala being an Immortal as Mitchell and Lam came in front of him making him stop.
"General, just the man we wanted to see." Mitchell said.
"Oh really. Please say you have something on those two. The highlights please."
"Highlights? Are you really busy General, we can come…"
"No Colonel. I just barely avoided a mass of meetings today." he said with a small smile. "Mostly I don't like what Vala has become. That's just not fair. Anyway, continue doctor."
"Well, we do know that Daniel and Vala can't be apart from each other for more than an hour." she said.
"Wonderful. Daniel's going to be a blast to be around." he said grimacing. "So, anyone know why the effects are still in place yet? I'd check it out myself, but…."
"Doctor Lee is theorizing that it may have something to do with the Ancient communication device we found. It's possible, that the two technologies combine together somehow make it more permanent." she said.
"Oh joy." he muttered rubbing his forehead. "You know, taking this job wasn't the greatest of ideas."
"Thinking of re…."
"No. This place can't run without someone competent at the helm. Jack mentioned something about General Landry being able to do it…" he said noticing Lam flinch. "But I'd rather be doing it to make sure things keep going the way they need to. Where are they now?"
"Doctor Lee is trying some sensory device of some sort." Mitchell said.
"Might as well go see how they are doing then. Thanks."
Lee had some leads attached to either end of the bracelets and was now attaching other leads to either sides of Daniel and Vala's temples. Though Vala was having trouble with it. They were seated on stools with their backs to a large metal table in one of the labs.
"This is a waste of time." she stated forcefully as she removed the sticky pad from her right temple.
"Do me a favor. Shut up." Daniel said forcefully.
"It's not like I wanted this to happen. Anyway, I'm being realistic." she said as Lee got between them and tried to hook the leads back to her head. "He has no idea what he is doing."
He tried to put it back but she brushed his hand away and leaned out of the way.
"I'm standing right here." Lee said pointing the fact he was there.
"Anyway, he can do all the test he wants. It's not going to get us anywhere." she said looking at him.
"Look, I know we are scrapping the bottom of the barrel." Daniel said taking his glasses out of his teeth. "But it's not like we have a lot of choice, unless you happen to know someone else who understands this technology."
She turned away looking more at the wall than anything when she felt a weird buzz that didn't make sense and she had felt before. She glanced around curiously.
"You know someone…."
"Yeah, she knows, if she wants to keep her head." Ford said walking in with a hand in his pocket.
"General. Hey, ah, how or…."
"I just know she knows Lee. She said she stole the items in question on the table there."
Daniel got up quickly and pulled the pads off the sides of his head. Lee started to object but Ford put up a hand.
"So, Vala. Where is this guy or gal or whoever at hmm?" he said bending to get in her face. "Only you know where this person is and they hold the information that is keeping you from leaving here."
"So? Why shouldn't I stay here? It's not all that great, but at least I get feed and some place to sleep. Considering I never got compensation for my help finding that treasure…."
"You never came and ask for anything! You just tried to steal a piece and leave! Had you came to my office, we might have had a civilized discussion on what to trade you for your troubles!" he said standing up.
"Oh." she said with the realization of what she did wrong.
"Oh she says." he said with a roll of his eyes. "Okay look. We need your help since you're the only one that knows who knows how to get the effects to go away. Once the effects have been taken away, you can come to me and we'll find something for your troubles. Deal?"
"He probably won't help."
"Maybe he'll help others, like Daniel here. Deal?"
"Deal." she said grasping his hand with a smile.
"What are you doing?" Daniel asked.
"You want to be stuck with her forever? Wait a minute, if she dies, would you? Or if you die, would she?" he said waving fingers between them both.
"We could test it." she said smiling.
"No! No way!" Daniel said waving his hands violently.
"Fine. I'd rather not test it anyway. Go get ready to go…"
"We'll have to change clothes first. He'll be suspicious of people in the clothes you all wear when you leave this planet." she said.
"Fine. Daniel, go with her and get what you she says you and Mitchell will need. I'll have him sent along shortly to join you."
"You're not coming?"
"Sorry. Wish I could, but I have a few meetings I can't miss. Not to mention, I would stick out in this coat. Besides, Reynolds went off world with his team so I have to be around to debrief the other teams coming back."
Daniel sighed and walked out with her following.
Less than an hour later Daniel and Mitchell were in different clothes, but had some weapons on them. They kinda looked like they just stepped out of a cowboy flick, but more mercenary looking. They had to walk through a large city made of stone to get to the house Vala gave directions to. They were pretty much ignored, mostly because a lot of other people and other races were also walking around going about their business. If it wasn't for the time limit Daniel had, they'd probably be exploring more and talking to people. Daniel and Mitchell figured that it would be best to tell Ford later about the place and see what he thought about sending a SG team to check the place out more. There was a lot of houses and other buildings around and one very enormous building, shaped like a capital E, with the middle part of the letter sticking out father than the rest. Daniel figured it was some government building by the looks of it, but he was speculating. Mitchell commented on the fact the building was so large that it was like sticking the Pentagon in the middle of a small hick farm county.
They
finally made it to the house that was also some sort of lab by the
looks of it. The stone brick room was rather crowded with tables and
shelves along the walls with lots of glass beakers and other lab
stuff along with other items. Mostly everything seemed to be lab
like stuff, and very old computers. There was a table in the middle
of the room, just a few feet from a very almost bright orange desk.
The table was covered with glass bottles and lots of hoses for
chemical analysis and things of that nature. A couple of lights hung
from the ceiling giving the place a lot of light. Daniel was looking
at the different items as he walked on one side of the table as
Mitchell walked on the other side.
"Tell you what…these
outfits make a bold statement." Mitchell said. "Still think it's
weird that the General thought we looked…cool."
"Well, Ford likes cowboy stuff. Not a huge fan or anything mind you, just likes it."
"Hmm. Let's hope this is quick. 45 minutes away from your girlfriend and you'll turn into a pumpkin, and I'm going to have to haul your ass back there." he said as they walked up to the desk.
"Gentlemen, how can I help you?" a small bald man asked as he walked in from another room and stood behind the desk.
(A.U. The man is the same guy who played the Grand Nagus on Star Trek Deep Space Nine, before Rom took over.)
"We're here for your expertise." Mitchell said.
"Expertise?" he said with interest as he sat down.
"Well, you are the foremost expert on alien technology on this planet." Daniel said.
"Foremost? I don't know if I'm the 'foremost' expert, but I might be among the top five." he said with a wave of his hand as he chuckled.
"Are you familiar….with these?" Mitchell asked as they sat down in a pair of wooden chairs in front of the desk. He pulled the bracelets out and set them down in front of the man.
"Yes, yes." he said slowly. "I actually owned a pair of them myself up until not to long ago."
"So, you know how they work?" Mitchell asked.
"Of course. The bracelets create a physiological bond between the wearers. They were used by the Goa'uld." he said gesturing at them.
"Have you ever heard of the physiological bond, sustaining…say after the bracelets were removed?" Daniel asked carefully.
"No." he said quickly with a shake of his head.
"No. Barring a freak power surge, in the bracelets themselves that might somehow transfer their effect outright, it's highly unlikely." he said shrugging with a shake of his head again.
"In the unlikely even this did happen, would you be able to sever the connection?" Mitchell asked.
He had curiosity all over his face and suspicion.
"I might be able to."
"Great. Can you tell us?" Daniel said happy at the news.
The man leaned over onto his desk and they did at the same time, putting their elbows on it just like him. Daniel carefully did so because of the dozen of so bottles of unknown liquids the man had set on the edge. They clinked loudly as they were pushed.
"So, how is she?"
"Who?" Mitchell asked.
"Vala." the man stated knowing his chain was being yanked.
Daniel looked at Mitchell who rose a hand.
"We don't know any Vala." he said.
"Then I'm afraid I can't help you." he said turning to get up and go away with disappointment on his face.
"Wait. We know a Vala." Mitchell said waving him back.
The man sat back down and leaned on the desk again.
"I need to see her."
"Why?" Daniel asked suspiciously.
"It's not why you think. I'm not after revenge." he said with a sad look. "Those weren't the only things she stole from me. She also stole….my heart."
They both looked at him as he shrugged sadly. It was a real surprise to hear since the guy sounded sincere.
"Excuse me?" Mitchell asked confused.
"I remember it as if it were yesterday." he said rubbing his hands across the desk at something that wasn't there. "Some nights, we'd still away from the city, strip off all our clothing and bathe in the springs of Aragatan. Then we'd chase each other across the mossy hills, then we'd lie naked under Adora's moons and then Vala would…"
Mitchell put his hands on the guys quickly.
"That's great. Thanks. We got the picture." he said quickly. He sat back covering his mouth with one hand thinking things just got harder.
"Very vivid, very disturbing picture." he then said only so Daniel heard.
"Yes, those were wonderful, carnal times." the man said in reminiscence. "But that's in the past. All I ask now is now is to be given the chance to see her one last time. Bring me Vala, and I'll consider helping you."
They came back to the base, to inform Ford of what had happened and what they had to do. As they were going to his office, after the infirmary visit, they heard voices that didn't make sense. Across from Ford's desk was small entertainment table with a high definition TV and DVD/VCR player with satellite connection. They walked in seeing those things, which he placed in the office a few weeks ago or more, but had yet to really see him use it, until now. He was signing papers and reading others while the TV was playing some cartoon. Daniel only slightly glanced at it as he took a seat across from Ford. Mitchell looked at screen in confusion as he sat down as well. He looked at the screen then back at Ford who still hadn't looked up at them.
"One moment guys. Got to finish reading this." he said feeling around on his desk with one hand. He set the paper down and looked at the desk. "Where's my remote? Daniel, hit stop for the moment please."
"Sure." he said reaching back. Ford went back to the paper.
"What is this?" Mitchell asked.
"Transformers. A cartoon Colonel. One of my favorites, why?" Ford said not looking up.
"Aren't you a little old for…."
"No." Ford said sternly and quickly. He set the paper aside after signing it. "So, what's the problem? Daniel isn't smiling so something didn't go right."
"Well…." Mitchell said explaining what they saw on the planet up to the…disturbing conversation.
"That was more information than I needed to know." he said with a small shudder. "Guess I should consider myself lucky that I didn't see what the man looked like. Guess you'll have to take her with then. Thankfully she won't run away. Doesn't sound like the greatest place for woman to be alone."
"I know she can take care of herself." Daniel said gruffly.
"Yes, but if you two are to far apart to long, she could pass out and then get raped or something worse, maybe even killed. Keep a good watch on her, for your sake mostly." Ford said pointing at Daniel.
They nodded and started to leave as he looked for that remote.
"Here it is General." Mitchell said picking it off the floor.
"Oh, must have knocked it on the floor. Thanks and good luck guys."
So they were back with Vala this time. Same outfits as before seeing they hadn't changed to begin with. She was in a black leather outfit, not the same one as before, but just as tight. They were standing by the table, with two mercenaries that supposedly were hired by the man they came to see. Daniel and Mitchell were standing with arms crossed as they waited.
"Arlos?" she said as he walked out from the other room.
He just looked at her with a hurt look, but little else. She walked over and hugged him, looking pained to missing him, but once her head was on his shoulder for no one to she her face, she had a almost disgusted look.
"I never thought I'd see you again."
"Hello Vala." he said in a small voice.
She backed up and sat down on the edge of his desk. She smiled lightly as she spoke.
"They overpowered me….some five, six mercenaries, one morning on my way to see you. And they demanded I steal the bracelets under penalty of death."
He looked at her with no sadness anymore.
"I don't care." he said then sat down in his chair.
She got down on the ground, on her knees, with fake fear, just in front of him.
"Arlos…..are you going to have me killed?"
"No." he said with a hint of sadness. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "The memories of what we shared, and you so callously threw away, will undoubtedly haunt you until the day you die. That should be punishment enough."
She leaned into his right arm as he hugged her head.
"Yes, you're right. That should do it." she said with a sad and almost whimpering voice. But her face showed it was all a lie that Arlos couldn't see.
"I'm over you." he said as she looked saddened. As she got up to go away, he grabbed her arm and stood. "But what I am not over is the theft of my mother's necklace!"
Daniel rolled his head and eyes as he dropped his arms. Mitchell shook his head as well.
"I want it back! Only then will I help you release this link, disconnecting you."
"Be realistic, that necklace is gone." she said sitting on the desk again. "There's no way I can get that back."
"Well, then our business is done." he said with a low voice and resignation. He turned and started to walk back into the other room as Mitchell walked up.
"Whoa, hang on, lover boy. We'll get your momma's necklace."
"Then we have a deal." Arlos said with a smile.
As they left and got Vala to talk about where she took it, they gated to another planet that had a Goa'uld pyramid ship still there, but not flying functional. It was just now used by the local government. They were currently walking through streets about the size of alleys headed toward a Jaffa that did business in the open street. He was under a tent like structure with lots of items for sale.
"So, business not so good huh?" Mitchell said as he walked up to a tall table loaded with knifes. He and Daniel just watched him try to make money by pawning off fake knifes that didn't actually belong to the First Prime of Bastet.
"Well, with no planets to conquer and no cites to loot. How's a Jaffa suppose to put food on his table hmm?" he said leaning onto the same table with both hands as he looked at the two.
"Listen, a mutual friend of ours was suppose to send word that we were coming." Daniel said.
"What mutual friend?" he asked suspiciously.
"Vala." Daniel said instantly regretting it as the man pulled a zat on them both. They raised there hands quickly.
"Where is she?"
"Ah, we're not sure. She said she had some business to attend to and she'd meet us at the gate. She didn't call ahead?" Daniel said eyeing the zat gun with some confusion and little surprise. It seemed Vala had a tendency to piss people off a lot.
"I swore the next time I saw Vala, I'd kill here were she stood." he said with anger, but he didn't shout it.
"That's a no." Mitchell said.
"You take me for a fool?" he asked upset at them now.
Vala came in behind him, through a bead like curtain and held a gun on his back.
"I don't know about them, but I certainly do. Hello Inago."
He grunted and sighed as he deactivated the zat gun and put it on the table then raised his hands. They dropped theirs.
"Nicely done. Good job on the distraction boys." she said not removing her gun.
"Oh, that's what were doing." Mitchell said sarcastically.
"You didn't want to let us in on your little plan!" Daniel said making wild gestures.
"You would have just screwed it up." she said shrugging. They both gave her looks and placed their hands on their hips.
"Vala, you cowardly, backstabbing, sorry excuse for a woman, how have you been?" Inago said glancing over his shoulder.
"Inago." she said smiling as she walked around him slowly, and placing the gun inches from his forehead. "You filthy, double talking slug. Nice to see you too."
"Obviously they used to date." Mitchell said. Daniel lightly nodded.
"Remember that necklace you sold me? The 'priceless heirloom from the house of Verela'?"
"I may have overstated it's value slightly." she said with a small smile.
"Slightly? It was worthless." he said looking at the other two.
"You're one to talk. That Goa'uld force shield inhibitor turned out to be nothing more than a power coil from an obsolete cargo ship."
He shrugged even though the gun was still pointed at him.
"Fortunately, I'm not here for revenge." she said pulling the gun away and giving it to Daniel. "In fact, I'm here to set things straight."
She crossed her arms as Daniel looked at the gun strangely. Inago dropped his arms and gave her a strange look.
"By buying back that worthless necklace."
"Buy?" he said really skeptical. "What's your angle?"
She looked at the other two then back at him with a slightly grimacing look.
"You don't need to know."
"Well, then I guess you don't need that necklace." he said smiling with a shrug. "No deal. However, I am willing to show you I'm willing to square things here. I might consider buying back that useless power coil."
"Why would you want to buy back a useless power coil from an obsolete cargo ship?" she said almost appalled.
He shrugged a few times.
"No necklace, no deal." she stated.
"I've got an idea." Daniel said holding a finger up. "How about we swap, necklace for power coil."
"No." Inago said pointedly as he crossed his arms.
"Well, wait, wait, wait." Mitchell said shaking his hands at them. He walked around the tent pole and stood next to Vala. "I have a better idea. Why don't we dig a big old pit, drop these two in, and we let them fight it out?"
"Ford would probably agree to that." Daniel said nodding. "But in this case, we'll ask again. Deal?"
Both he and Mitchell pulled zats and pointed them at him rather quickly. He uncrossed his arms and raised them again. Inago growled at Vala who smiled at him wickedly.
"Deal."
"Deal." she said then looked away. "Or course I don't have the power coil, so I guess we're going to have to go and get that."
Daniel and Mitchell dropped their zats. Daniel sighed as Mitchell asked where Vala took it.
About half an hour later they ended up on another planet that seemed to be made up of monks. Or close enough anyway. It was a nice fertile planet with lots of grass and flowers planted all around in different areas. Mostly the plants were right next to the paths. People in either red or brown robes with hoods walked around in silent prayer from the looks of things. A man with a grayish brown robe on turned from the stone marble pedestal that held the old power coil. He had a friar look to him, especially with the almost orange colored bread and dusty head of hair. He was a stout man, or slightly chubby depending on your definition.
"Sister Vanisa." he said smiling as he saw Vala, in a black robe kinda like a nuns but no white parts and no hood, coming toward him down a small path of stairs. He walked over and bowed to her with his right hand placed against hers. "Welcome back."
"Brother Caius." she said smiling.
"How are the orphans?" he asked with the same sweet voice as they walked toward the power coil. Daniel and Mitchell had not changed clothes though.
"The orphans are well. Thank Grannus. How are you?" she said in a sweet voice.
"Well enough. Thank Grannus." he said.
"Who's Grannus?" Mitchell asked.
"Minor Celtic god. One of Camulus's former Lieutenants." Daniel said looking at the strange and small coil. It was just a bit bigger than a naquada generator, but less pretty.
"Thanks." Mitchell said.
"Of course all of us continue to be grateful for your generous gift." Caius said. "Pilgrims come from all over the system to see the ring of the legendary Shen-Marak."
Daniel touched it and got a small shock as he pulled his hands away and they all saw a blue field around the device ripple away.
"However, it has been a bittersweet season for us, since coincidentally, the same time you made your generous donation, the shrine's most precious relic, the Livanna crystal, just disappeared."
"No." Daniel said in fake amazement.
Val turned her head to look at them.
"Yes, it is shocking." she said with a look to keep quiet. "The depths some people will plume."
She turned back to Caius and smiled again.
"Unfortunately, I have some more bad news, I apparently have been deceived. This is a fake ring of Shen-Marak. I'm afraid you'll have to get rid of it."
"Out of the question." he said shaking his head.
"Hey, it's bogus. Your followers are worshipping a phony relic." Mitchell said.
"Yes, but ultimately, its truth worth can only be judged by the genuine faith that it instills in the heart of the many pilgrims who come to visit this shrine, and more importantly, the charitable contributions they make while they are here."
"Right." Daniel said rolling his head.
"Of course, if you were willing to make a substantial contribution of your own.." he said with the same smile as always. This time though the smile had a different reason behind it, a subliminal hint.
Vala nodded and leaned on the pedestal.
"What do you want?"
He looked around then moved a step closer.
"I have to get out of here. The fasting, the chanting, the…." he said with some disgust suddenly.
"Bathing of the poor. If I have to weave one more prayer basket, I'm going to kill someone!" he said with a low voice but much anger.
It went away quickly though as a couple of people in the robes started walking by. He smiled brightly and bowed to them.
"Blessed day! Blessed day. Blessed day."
They bowed and kept walking. Once gone, his contemptuous face came back.
"Oh my. You're not a real monk?" Mitchell said figuring it out, but with a low sarcastic tone.
Vala turned to them and nodded her head.
"He used to be a smuggler. One of the best I ever knew." she said then turned back to him. "Then things got a little to hot for him and he had to find religion."
"It was a sweet racket while it lasted. Then Grannus had to go and get himself executed by his own Jaffa." he said grumbling. "Since then the number of pilgrims has been, significantly reduced. That's why you can't have the ring."
"Power coil." Daniel stated.
"Whatever. The point is, that's the only thing keeping this place going."
"If you want to go.." Mitchell said as he used a hand to make a gesture of walking away quickly. "Why not just go?"
Caius turned to Vala again.
"Because all I have are the clothes on my back. I need my cargo ship. The one you…borrowed." he said with a certain tone.
"Ah…" she said leaning back. "That might be a bit of a problem, but, we might be able to get you a replacement."
"No deal." he said shaking his head with closed eyes.
"Wait, what's so special about this particular cargo ship?" Daniel asked.
"Let's just say I made a few modifications of my own." he said with a happy shrug. "You bring me my ship, I give you the ring."
"Power coil." the two men said.
Caius bit off a retort and sighed with closed eyes.
"Look, don't try anything, all right? The pilgrims of Grannus may be greatly reduced in numbers, but they are greatly more fanatical than ever. You'd have to be to be worshipping a dead god! I give the word, and they will tear you to pieces before you could get halfway to the gate."
Daniel and Mitchell looked around seeing no one.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have morning prayers to attend to." he said dejectedly as he walked away.
"So, how do we get this ship?" Daniel asked.
"We can't." she stated forcefully.
"We've come this far. What's the problem?" Mitchell asked feeling his patience being tested.
"What news?" a man said on the small screen in the cargo ship that just stopped in front of a large Hal'tak vessel. The two aliens that Daniel encountered when Vala stole the Prometheus were piloting it.
"We've put the word out. But she has yet to appear."
"I needn't remind you that because of your bungling that we've already lost a case of weapons grade refined naquada! Now someone has to pay and if it's not Vala, then it might as well be you two!"
The two aliens looked at each other.
"Rest assured, Vala cannot hide forever. And when she turns up, we'll deliver her, dead or alive."
"See that you do, and let it be known, that no one defines the Lucian Alliance."
Out in space around the cargo ship was over a dozen Hal'tak class vessels along with a few unknown ships and several more cargo ships flying around.
Back at the base, after the infirmary visit, they were in the briefing room.
"So, a small item with no other value than apparent sentimentalism, started out a wild goose chase for objects that…she kept trading off apparently, making the stakes get bigger and bigger till you finally came across an item, which is a ship, that you can't get?"
"That about sums it up General." Mitchell said.
"Oh man. I'm starting to think I should have stayed in bed." Ford said rubbing his face with both hands. "Okay Vala, who the hell has this ship and why in hell can't we go get it?"
"Because it's in the hands of the Lucian Alliance."
"Interesting name. Reminds me of Lucent Technologies which used to be called Lucifer Enterprises."
"They named a company after the devils name?" Mitchell asked in surprise.
"Yeah, but the business didn't do well because of the name and the religious implications or something along those lines. I didn't like it either. Anyway, the name changed and now it's Lucent Technologies. They make a lot of stuff dealing with computers including programs with Microsoft."
"I didn't know that. Not that I would have noticed anyway." Daniel said. "I just use the computer, not understand it."
"As much as all of you find this interesting, I certainly have no idea what your talking about and it doesn't help me and Daniel get unattached." she said crossing her arms.
"Okay. We get it, you're bored." Mitchell said.
"Who are they?" Ford asked.
"It's a coalition of former smuggler and mercenaries who banded together to take advantage of the power vacuum left over when the Goa'uld were defeated."
"The fact that they managed to band together makes them unique and also a threat, especially to the newly formed Jaffa government." Daniel said.
"That depends on the amount of ships this alliance has. I know the Jaffa Nation has over a few dozen motherships in their fleet. I know some more are in for repairs because of the Replicators. And the massive amount of gliders alone is bigger than all the planes on this planet."
"True, but we don't know what this alliance has." Mitchell pointed out.
"Let's hope not a lot. So, know any phone numbers in their ranks Vala?"
"They won't talk to anyone they don't know." she said.
"This day is getting better and better. Let me take a wild guess and say you know them and they know you?"
She fidgeted as she spoke.
"Well, yeah, but my last encounter didn't go exactly as planned."
"Ooh, let me guess, you screwed them and they want to kill you?" Mitchell said pointing a finger.
"Actually it was Daniel that messed up the deal." she said looking at Daniel.
"Well, in this case, Daniel did the right thing. That ship is ours and keeps this planet safe. Ain't the greatest looking thing, but it is our only protection." Ford stated as he tapped the table with a finger. "So it's your own fault for taking a ship you knew nothing about."
"Too late now. Whatever the reason, if they see either of us, we're dead." she said pouting.
"Can we take the ship by force?" Mitchell asked.
"You'd have to take on a sizable armada." she said.
"If the alternative is staying linked to you, I'm willing to take that risk." Daniel said with almost pleading eyes as he looked at Ford.
"Oh boy." Ford said rubbing his head again. "Okay, for the moment you guys are going no where."
"But…"
"Daniel, she can die and come back, probably even if you die, but if she dies first, then you'll die and then she'll still come back. Point is, we have no intel on this group, so for the moment, you guys aren't going to do anything. I'm sorry, but you're to valuable to send on a suicide mission like that. I know that Doctor Lee is still researching those bracelets and maybe he'll come up with something. For now, we wait. I am going to call Thor and see if he knows anything and maybe if he'll help."
"That's better than nothing." Daniel said sighing.
"Well, I'll let you know what I find out from Thor. I'm guessing you'll be in your office Daniel?"
"Were else can I go?" he said rhetorically as they all got up.
"Home if you wanted. You look like you could use the rest."
"With her? I don't think so." he said jerking a thumb and then leaving.
Daniel was still looking at some notes and a thick broken tablet and had been for a couple of hours. He was holding his glasses in one hand while reading. Vala was on the table, lying on her stomach looking through magazines.
"Daniel, do you happen to have one of these, 'credit cards'?"
"Yes, and no you can't." he said continuing to look at the notes.
"By the way, is the security escort still necessary?" she asked looking at the female airmen standing against the wall inside the room.
"Do you really have to ask?" he said with the same low tone as he continued working.
She sat up and got off the table.
"I see you've assigned a woman. You are afraid I might corrupt your impressionable young men?" she asked walking behind him and smacking him in the butt with the rolled up magazine.
"No, I thought I'd just save someone the trouble of rebuffing your advances." he said then muttered quietly. "That and Ford thought it was a better idea considering your past."
"What was that?" she asked turning around.
"I said I thought I'd just…"
"Never mind. Daniel I'm bored. What do you do around here for fun anyway?" she said leaning on the table next to him.
"I'm doing it. I'm translating these artifacts from P4S 559."
"Oh. Are they valuable?"
"Well, there historical value is immense, but there's no gold or jewels involved if that's what you meant." he said scratching his face.
"Oh."
She watched him for a few seconds then reached over his arm and moved a section of the broken tablet.
"Don't touch that!" he said then shook his head knowing it was almost pointless to yell at her.
"You know what? You need to get out from under the dust of dead civilizations occasionally and live a little." she said walking around him and moving his glasses to the side. "Can you take me out to dinner?"
"No." he said walking away and pulling a set of papers out of a small shelf.
"How about we go off world then? I got a great little deal set up with some traders on Katana."
"No." he said walking back to the table with the two old pieces of paper.
She walked to the end of the table again and set her elbows on it.
"We could spilt everything down the middle, 60-40."
He said nothing and went back to looking at the stone tablet.
"It hardly seems fair that you get to continue your life and my affairs are put on hold."
"Excuse me, I should be on my way to the Pegasus galaxy right now." he said not looking up, but with anger in his voice.
"Don't you blame that on me. It's your own curiosity in the Ancient treasure that cost you your trip to Atlantis."
"You cuffed us together!" he said setting his pencil down.
"You weren't paying attention at the time." she said getting up and walking over as Daniel was losing patience. "Look, we can point fingers all we want, but the fact is, we are stuck together. So like it or not, we're just going to have to learn to get along."
Daniel had tried to go back to working as she talked and then jumped up sitting on the table to his left. Then they both heard the sound of glass breaking. He slowly looked around with his eyes and then looked up at her. She lifted her butt and picked them up.
"I found your glasses." she said with some remorse.
He took them seeing they were crushed bad enough he needed a new pair, which took a lot of time.
"I'm…going to go see what Doctor Lee is doing?" he said walking out with the glasses.
After he left the room, she shook her head in boredom and looked at the artifact a moment before pushing a small section onto the floor.
"Hey Ford, I could use some help."
"What's up Daniel?" Ford asked looking up from the uncluttered desk. All the files were signed and until recently, stacked awaiting to be taken away. "I don't sense Vala around. Oh no, what'd she do?"
"I'm probably reaching here," he said walking in and standing in front of the desk with a hand behind his back. "But you once stated you kept Tretonin with you for Teal'c in case we got stuck off world to long."
"I still do, even though it's been awhile." Ford said confused. "What's this about?"
"I'm also willing to bet you carried something with you for Sam, just in case we were gone too long and…."
"Yeah, but with her it's usually more than one thing. Keep them well hidden." he said after Daniel gave him a curious look as he sat back. "Still not getting what you mean Daniel."
He pulled his hand out showing his broken glasses. Ford shook his head with a small chuckle.
"I hope she didn't punch you. You two get into a fight again?"
"This isn't funny and no we didn't get into a fight." he said setting the glasses on the desk and sitting down. "She sat on them."
"There's probably a story there but we'll forgo it. You're wanting to know if I kept an extra pair of glasses for you in case something happened off world?"
"I'm probably reaching…"
"No. You're thinking just right." he said opening a drawer. "I have a few pairs actually. Just take better care of where you put them this time."
"Thank you." he said taking them from his hand. "I'll be down there with Doctor Lee. Anything from Thor?"
"Yeah, he's got nothing and unfortunately can't help at the moment. They did get the new ship finished and it's currently going through trial runs. Should have all the test they are doing done in a couple of months or so. Not sure yet."
"Why so long?"
"To see how well the metal stands up to a few things, including a fire fight. At the right temperature, everything melts."
"Good point. Hey, how are Sam and Sally doing?"
"Really great actually. Sam partially wishes she was still working, but is really enjoying being a mother. Her parents are a real big help too. They are enjoying not having to work and being able to be with Sam and their granddaughter. If I wasn't needed here, I'd be at home." he said smiling and sighing. "But the world isn't safe with people you can't trust in charge."
"Sam would rather you be at home too?"
"Yeah, but she knows I will call if anything serious comes up and tells me to come here to make sure stuff like that doesn't happen."
"Any idea if she's coming back to work here?"
"Good possibility. But until I know for sure…."
"Yeah. Well, I'll be with Lee if you need or hear anything. Tell Sam I said hi."
Later that night, when most of the day personal had went home, Daniel was walking to his on the base room. His room was at the end of a corridor that branched off to the left and right. The right room was where Vala was staying until the link could be broken. He walked up and slid his card through the reader and went inside. As he closed the door, he turned to see Vala in his bed, under the covers.
"Hello." she said with a smile.
"What are you doing here?" he asked placing his hands on his hips.
"Isn't this my room?" she asked innocently.
"No, your room is across the hall, with the guard in front of it." he said confused as he jerked a thumb. How did she get in here?
"Yes, they all rather look alike don't they." she said as he jerked his head back from looking at the door. "Anyway, since I'm here, shall we make the best of it?"
She pulled back the covers to show she was only wearing a tight red top with no sleeves and very tight red underwear that left little for the imagination though looking like she was wearing men's. She had one leg up and her hands behind her neck.
He shook his head still trying to figure out how she got in the room.
"No we 'shalln't."
"Come on Daniel." she said getting up and facing him on all fours. "We're both stuck on this base. There's nothing else to do."
He still hadn't dropped his thumb that was pointed at the door. And her reveling attire made him stumble over words and speak fast.
"Yes there is! There's, there's, there's, there's, sleeping! There's working!" he said ticking off fingers with one hand. "There's finding a way out of this mess!"
"And what if we can't?" she asked swaying her body. "We might have to spend the rest of our lives, or yours anyway, together."
"No! Don't even…go there." he said with some hidden revulsion.
"There's literally a bond between us. Some people might even call it romantic."
"I'm not one of those people." he said pointing at himself with the same hand that he still hadn't dropped.
She sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Am I really so repulsive?"
"No!" he said quickly and then looked up.
"No. No." he said walking to the end of the bed and sitting on the frame as he put his hands on his pockets. "No, you're not repulsive. It's just….ah, um…ah, I know what your doing with the whole sexual thing."
She looked at him as he didn't look at her.
"It's a defense mechanism."
"Really?" she asked.
"You live a solitary existence. You move from place to place." he said ticking off fingers with both hands. "You don't form an lasting relationships. You use sex as a weapon so you prevent yourself from having to create any emotional bonds."
He ticking off his fingers again and dropped his hand with a shrug.
"Textbook case." she said as he nodded and shrugged.
"Never realized I was so transparent." she said getting up.
Daniel looked at her as he heard a different tone in her voice.
"Vala…"
"No really, it's fine Daniel, you're right." she said putting a white robe on. "I can see why you wouldn't want to be involved with someone so pathetic."
Daniel leaned back shaking his head and dropped it to his chest as he felt like smacking himself.
"I wasn't always like this, you should know. I had someone once." she said tying the robe shut as her voice started to crack. "In fact, I was engaged. That was until I was taken as a host. And even though the Tok'ra had already freed me, that damage was already done. And once you have been spat on, and stoned…"
She stopped and looked down as tears entered her eyes.
"By the people of your own village." she said having to swallow again. "You try forming a lasting relationship."
She harshly put the slippers onto her feet and went for the door.
"Vala, just wait! Wait please. Please, stop?" he said waving his hands. He got up slowly and walked up behind her. "Alright, I'm sorry, okay. I'm sorry, it's sometimes I'm just…"
He placed his hands on his hips as she fiddled with her robe belt.
"I forget what you've been through. If you've been through any of that, are you messing with me?" he asked realizing who he was actually talking to.
"Is it working?" she asked from the corner of her mouth.
"Get out! Go! Get out!" he said pointing at the door.
She opened the door and turned back to him.
"Out, go!"
She sighed and walked away.
He looked around his room and shook his head.
"I can't believe she almost played me."
The next day……
"Ford, Doctor Lee has nothing and doesn't think he'll find anything anytime soon." Daniel said as he followed Ford out of the elevator after they both had breakfast. "We've got to go after that ship. It's the only way."
"Agreed." he muttered.
"No really, we need that ship. She tried to have sex with me last night and I almost….what did you say?"
"I said I ag….she tried to what?" he asked turning to him in the corridor.
"She….she played me. And I almost fell for it."
"Figures. Let's hear it."
After Daniel got finished.
"She must have been desperate for attention to proposition you in her undergarments. Hmm, I wonder what Jack would have said if you were telling him."
"Yeah. Knowing Jack he'd probably tell me I should have jumped her or something." he said rolling his eyes. "Anyway, you said you agree with me on needing to get that ship. Why?"
"After she was able to get a mid morning breakfast, she tried to proposition the man that brought it to her. And she did it to several more as she was brought to….ah, whoever was in charge before I got here. And then she tried to proposition him. When I got to talk to her, she said she was just being funny and never really meant to have sex with anyone, except you." he said then started for his office again. "The other reason is I can't stand her being around is she makes me sneeze every time I see you since she has to stay with you. Besides, I don't like seeing you stuck this way."
"I can see the problem there."
"Yes. You, her, Mitchell and Teal'c, if he'll go, are going to do just about whatever it takes to get that damned ship and then go down the line till you get that necklace and finally whatever solution it is that gets you two apart. If we had time and Sam was here, I'd have her check the ship out before taking it back."
A couple of hours later and dressed in the mercenary, cowboy like clothes, including Teal'c this time, the four were now on a planet that didn't have much in the way of people on it. At least not around the gate. They had to walk to a certain location that was pretty far from the gate and was in a section of the forest that was a little on the dying side. She had on her leather outfit like before and still no weapons.
"Just a word of warning. Tenat and Jup are notoriously unscrupulous traders. They're crafty, devious and although stupid, under no circumstances can they be trusted."
"In other words, they'll try to screw us before we screw them." Mitchell said.
"We should be alright as long as you keep your guard up, and we keep focus on what needs to be done, close the deal, take the ship, and make sure they don't kill me. Certainly not in that order."
"I still think we need some more boots on the ground, just to be safe." Mitchell said. "What would really be nice is if the General could have came along."
"Tenat will almost certainly run a surface scan of the planet. Additional life signs or ships in orbit will certainly raise suspicion and jeopardize everything."
Out in space, the cargo ship with the two came out of hyperspace and flew toward the planet. They got into orbit and made a scan before going to a landing spot nearby the prearranged plan.
"This is a good plan, very inspired." she said as they continued to walk along.
"Yes, we have you to thank for that." Daniel said. "Nothing motivates like complete and utter desolation."
"Admit it, you'll miss me when I'm gone."
"No, I'm sure I won't." Daniel said quickly.
"Just like old times huh?" Mitchell asked as he and Teal'c followed from behind.
"I am offering my assistance on this mission only to aid Daniel Jackson." Teal'c stated. "My participation should no be construed as a desire to rejoin SG-1."
"Right." Mitchell said looking away.
"Colonel Mitchell, at times you remind me of Colonel O'Neill."
"In that case, I'll take that as a compliment." he said walking ahead as Teal'c stopped a moment.
"As you wish."
The two aliens walked through the forest toward the small clearing, keeping watch for any signs of traps and such. They both had energy pistols that had a phaser/Romulan disruptor look to them. Mitchell and Teal'c stood nearby looking around as Daniel and Vala sat next to each other with their hands 'handcuffed' behind their backs. Mitchell looked off to his left seeing one of the aliens coming at him.
"Teal'c."
Teal'c turned and aimed his zat the other direction as he saw the other alien come at him.
"What's with all the hostility?" Mitchell asked keeping his arms crossed as the gun was kept pointed at him.
"Vala, how does it feel to know your life is about to end?" the alien near Mitchell asked.
"I don't know. How did it feel to tell the Alliance that you half wits lost their naquada?" she asked with a smart attitude. He pointed his gun at her quickly. Mitchell pulled his zat and pointed it at the guy.
"Whoa! No, no violence. No damaging the goods until we finished our deal."
The alien pointed his gun back at Mitchell.
"Besides, I think the Alliance wants to hold her up as an example." he said.
"Yes, they do." the alien said nodding, but not lowering his gun. "Your name?"
"Cam Mitchell. Bounty hunter."
"Never heard of you."
"That's because I keep a low profile. I like to let my work speak for itself."
"You partnered up with a Jaffa I see."
"Look we'll love to stick around and talk shop, but we're on the clock." Mitchell stated. "Where's our reward?"
"We have a case load of weapons grade refined naquada on board our ship."
"Good, let's go get it."
"No. I will stay here with you. While Jup takes Vala and her partner here to the ship. One they have been secured, he'll return and ring the naquada down to you."
Jup walked over and made the two get up.
"And what's to stop Jup here from ringing you away and skaddaling?"
"It would not be in our best interest to cheat you. After all, we have our reputations as traders to uphold."
"I see, reputations." Mitchell said as Teal'c turned and stood by him watching the other three leave.
At the ship that was landing close by in a large clearing at the edge of the forest, Jup opened the door and pushed them both inside then opened the door to the back and pushed them in there.
"I can't help but notice that case load of naquada missing from what you promised." Daniel said as they walked to the back of the room.
"Do you seriously think that the Alliance would have trusted us with another case after we lost the first one?" Jup asked holding the gun on them from the doorway.
The two looked at each other nodding.
"So, this is a double cross, what happened to upholding your reputation?" Daniel asked.
"Those bounty hunters won't be in any position to do any complaining." Jup said hitting the panel on the door and walking away as it closed.
Once it closed, she slipped out of hers quickly and then undid his, causing him some pain.
"Told you I could get out of these."
"Yeah, whatever." he said rubbing his wrist as he walked forward to the panel near the door on the wall. "Let's get out of here."
"So, who did you like in the NFL this year? You kinda strike me as a Raiders fan?" Mitchell asked as he and Teal'c waited with zats still pointed. Tenat tilted his head in confusion but didn't lower his weapon.
Daniel was still working on the panel and told Vala to go away and let him work. She did so reluctantly.
"Yeah, they got a great secondary and the leagues best pass rush." Mitchell said. "Offense wins games, but defense wins championships."
They all looked up as the cargo ship came over them.
"Our cargo ship has you targeted. I suggest you lower your weapons." Tenat said.
"I'm guessing that we aren't getting our naquada then?" Mitchell said lowering his weapon and placing a hand on Teal'cs to make him lower his. Teal'c gave him a look of confusion.
"You're not, and so concludes our deal." Tenat said.
Seconds later, they were beamed away and Jup was beamed down, knocked out on the ground. Jup looked up as he watched the ship fly away. He sighed and pushed a button on his belt activating a signal device.
"Well, that went better than I expected." Mitchell said walking to the front of the ship and tossing his coat away.
"I'm picking up a lot of ships." Vala said from the pilot seat.
He looked out the front window seeing a lot of big ships. At least a dozen Hal'taks.
"Correction, that went a lot worse than I expected."
She stopped the ship very close to the front of one of the Hal'taks.
"Stand down and prepared to be boarded." a voice said coming through the com.
"Shouldn't we be jumping to hyperspace or something?" Mitchell asked as he leaned on the back of her chair. Daniel was leaning on the back of the chair Teal'c was in.
"They would purse us." Teal'c stated.
"What are you doing?" Daniel asked as she pushed buttons on the console.
"Caius said he customized this ship, lets see if there is anything we can use."
Outside the ship, there suddenly appear over a dozen Hal'taks.
"What's happening?" Daniel asked as he saw them appear. Even Teal'c was surprised.
"Multiple energy signatures of phantom vessels. They're confusing the Alliance ships."
"Let's go, now." Mitchell said patting her arm.
The cargo ship shot forward and passed several vessels quickly as they headed for more open space. Two of the Hal'taks came after them though.
"There are two vessels pursuing us." Teal'c stated.
"Got anything else in the bag of tricks?" Mitchell asked.
"I'll show you." she said smiling as she worked the controls.
The cargo ship spun around quickly, came to a stop and then completely shut down.
"What are you doing?" Mitchell asked looking around as they heard the ship shut down.
"Vala?" Daniel asked.
"Wait for it." she said smiling and looking at them. She looked out the front and placed her hand on a button as they got closer. "Now."
A blue wave shot out from the ship going every direction and washed over the two Hal'taks. They came to a stop as their engines shut off and the other systems stopped.
"Wicked." Mitchell said.
"Pulse wave." she said turning the ship back on. "Their power levels spiked and overloaded. It should take a couple of minutes to restore primary systems, and that gives us just enough time to…."
She made the cargo ship kick forward and go into hyperspace just behind the two downed vessels. After dropping off the ship, getting the coil back, taking the coil back to the Jaffa and getting the necklace, they made another trip through the gate back to where the problem all started. She laid the necklace into Arlos's hand.
"Excellent." he said smiling. "Finally I can get mother off my back."
When he put it in a small black chest and started to walk away.
"So?" Mitchell asked.
"So?"
"We give you the necklace and you…" Daniel said gesturing between him and Vala. "You sever the link."
"Oh, that, of course. Well, I did some extensive research…." he said turning away.
"And?" Daniel asked crossing his arms again.
"And there's nothing I can do. It can't be countered. But you know, my guess is that it will just wear off eventually." he said nodding. "So long everybody."
He walked off into the other room leaving them alone. Vala smiled rather brightly at him.
"After all that, all that work, and the fact you should have brought that ship here, especially for that pulse attack, you come home with nothing?"
"Ah, yeah, pretty much." Daniel muttered looking at the table.
"Oh man. This….don't even make a report. Nobody make any reports." Ford said looking at them all, except Vala. Teal'c didn't need to make a report, but might have tried. "It wouldn't be worth the time or the trouble I'd get in for losing the ship. Oh well. Anything else?"
"I have to return to Dakara General Carter."
"Can't stay for dinner?"
"As much as I would like to, I cannot."
"Bummer. Alright then, thanks for you help Teal'c. Tell Bra'tak I said hi and if you see Ishta, tell I said the same. The day is over and I'm going home."
"Please inform Colonel Carter I say hello as well." he said standing up.
"I will. That's it people. Goodnight."
Daniel, Mitchell and Vala were there as they watched Teal'c leave through the gate. Mitchell commented on the fact that Teal'c would be back as they left the gate room. Daniel agreed.
