I should simply insert a standard apology at the beginning of all my chapters - sigh! I am really sorry for how long it's taking me to update this story. I simply have too many things going on right now - including travelling every week. I hope you'll forgive me! Oh - and (here's my standard shameless plug) reviewsdo make me write faster! If you're very good I'll post another chapter tomorrow and at least one on the weekend!

"So how are you planning to get there Jack?" They'd met up with Daniel and Teal'c to tell them what they'd discovered. "You said you could rent a cart?"

"Yeah, although it might be easier to simply have Jacob ring us up and back down again. The guy told me it's about fifty paltar's from here."

Daniel stared at him. "I see – and that's a long way?"

"I have no idea", Jack admitted. "Carter?"

"Uh – sorry Sir – I don't know either. I'm afraid we'll have to ask someone. You said the town was called Radalla?"

"Yeah – although I think it's more like a village than a town. I guess it's pretty poor – some kind of local mining town I think. So, who's gonna ask?"

"I shall enquire O'Neill", Teal'c offered. They usually found that Teal'c got answers more quickly than any of them – either that or he caused people to run away in fear. Since no one had run from him yet today, they figured it was safe.

He returned a few minutes later, his normal unperturbed expression settled on his face. "It is approximately two hours distance from here."

"Good – hey, they don't use hours so how did you figure that out?" Jack wanted to know.

"The person I spoke with was able to understand a common Goa'uld measurement of time. I simply translated that into human time."

"Oh – good. So – two hours. That's not bad. Probably just as easy to take a cart rather than wait for Jacob to pick us up in some hidden spot and then try and put us back down without being seen."

So, in the end they rented the cart – along with the animal to drive it. The cart looked similar to a nineteenth century one from Earth. The animal looked like a cross between a horse and a camel – a very ugly horse and an even uglier camel.

Jack looked it over – walking from nose to tail. "Hmm", he muttered as he put his hand on the animal, acting as if he knew what he was doing. He squinted up at the merchant. "You want us to pay how much for this thing? I doubt it will get us half way there!"

The merchant started arguing and waving his arms around, claiming that although the animal was ugly, it was tough and smart. "It will get you twice the distance", he cried. "He is a good, strong animal – one of my best!"

"Really? I'd hate to see your other ones. No – I won't pay that much for this thing. I think someone said we could get carts a couple of streets down so -"

The merchant interrupted him, still waving his arms around. This time though he agreed to come down in price, claiming to offer Jack an incredible deal.

"Twenty?" Jack laughed. "How about ten?"

The arguing went on for another few moments and in the end Jack paid sixteen durants – a far cry from the thirty the man had originally asked for. He jumped up into the driver's seat, confidently taking the reins while Teal'c sat beside him and Sam and Daniel got into the back.

"Wow – I didn't know you were such a good haggler Jack", Daniel said. It was usually their linguist who did most of the bargaining and Jack usually stood back and let him do it. Carter would sometimes speak – when it looked like she'd get the best reaction (usually from some lovelorn alien), Teal'c was used – as he'd been before – to get quick answers. Jack – well Jack spoke either as their leader – or when they were in trouble. He had sometimes bargained for their lives, very rarely for carts and – whatever the animal was.

"It is a very ugly animal, O'Neill", Teal'c pointed out after they'd been driving for almost twenty minutes.

"Yeah, that it is. I wonder if we should call it a 'corse' or a 'hamel?'" he pondered.

"The locals call it a plodrun", Daniel called from the back.

"A plod-run? Sounds about right – although I think I like hamel better", the Colonel said, watching the rear of the beast as they moved slowly forward.

"Whether it is a plodrun or a hamel – it is very ugly", Teal'c repeated.

Over the course of the next couple of hours the four of them chatted about much of nothing. Jack was feeling increasingly tense the closer they got to the village, and he was pretty sure Sam was as well. She'd grown progressively quieter as time had gone on.

He hoped they'd simply find Ra'mash, that he'd have the embryos and they could take them and get the hell off this planet. It's not that it was a bad place – but Jack was definitely ready to have this thing over with. He figured Carter was feeling the same.

"Looks like a village ahead", Daniel pointed out.

Jack squinted and realized that Daniel was correct. Up ahead – right at the base of a tall, dark looking mountain, were a few scattered houses. Even from this distance they could tell the buildings were run down and poor.

Without saying anything Jack pulled the cart off the road and behind a copse of trees. "I think we should leave this here", he said softly, "In case we need to make a quick getaway."

"Quick? With old Plodder here?" Daniel patted the animal on its rump. However ugly the thing was, it had gotten them here safely, and it seemed a gentle enough beast.

"Yeah – point taken", Jack agreed. "Let's contact Jacob and he can fix on our position and ring us up. That'll be a much better getaway plan."

After contacting Jacob the four of them made their way through the trees until they could see the distant village. There were a few people moving about, although they couldn't tell much from this distance.

"Carter, you and Teal'c stay back and keep watch. Daniel and I'll head in and see what we can find."

She gave a quick nod, and a soft 'yes Sir', in reply, although Jack could tell she really wanted to go into the village with him. He understood her desire, but in this case they really needed Daniel – the master at first contact.

"Shall I make my way to the other side of the village O'Neill? That way it shall be easier to see anyone who may try and escape."

"Yeah – sounds good. Watch your backs out here – we don't know what these people are like."

"You too Sir, Daniel. And I hope you find him."

Jack and Daniel made their way back to the road and, after a quick look around, began to walk towards the buildings. As they grew closer they could see more of the people. It was obvious from the way they dressed and the shape the buildings were in, that the people here lived in poverty.

"Seems a strange place for Ra'mash to come", Daniel said quietly.

"Probably not too easy to find willing – surrogates", Jack said.

"Unless they were slaves and had no choice."

"Yeah, I thought about that. Maybe it's harder to find slaves now that Nirrti is dead."

"I sure hope so!" Daniel answered. "If the people here are as poor as they look, I guess Ra'mash would be able to find someone to – uh – be a surrogate in exchange for money."

When they arrived in the small town people looked at them with curiosity, but no fear. They must get the occasional stranger here and didn't seem too worried about the two men. After a few minutes Jack finally headed towards where a man was standing out in front of some kind of small store. "Okay Daniel, do your stuff", he said quietly.

"Uh – hello", Daniel hailed the man, who was now looking at them without any expression on his face. He was middle aged and looked both tired and careworn. "We're visitors and we're looking for a friend of ours", he said, trying to sound as friendly and open as possible.

The man made an indeterminate sound with his mouth and continued to look at the two. "Yes?" he finally said, when Daniel didn't say anything else.

"Yes – well – we're wondering if you would have seen him?"

The man shrugged. "Maybe."

"He's – uh – short, short with long dark hair. Does he sound familiar?"

"Maybe."

"So, he does sound familiar?"

"I said maybe", the man shrugged again.

"Uh -"

"Daniel", Jack said softly, putting his hand on his friend's arm. "I think maybe we should offer him a few coins – it might improve his memory."

Daniel nodded, wondering why he hadn't thought of that. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a few of the smaller coins and reached out, dropping them into the man's upturned palm. "So, do you recognize my description of the guy?" he asked again.

"Yes."

"Really?" Daniel's eyebrows went up. "You've seen him?"

"Yes – he has been here for two semas."

"Do you know where he is?" Daniel said, sounding excited. Jack was silent, tense with worry and anticipation.

"Maybe", their informant said, jiggling the coins in his hand.

Daniel sighed and pulled out some more of the coins and handed them over. "So – where is he?"

The man gave a flick of his chin, indicating a spot in the distance. "Over there. He's staying in the administrator's house."

"With the – administrator."

The guy laughed. "He's been dead for twenty anales. Nobody lives there – except your man."

Daniel thanked him and gave Jack a look. The Colonel was staring off towards the large house at the very end of the dilapidated street. "Uh Jack? Shall we go check it out?"

"Call Teal'c", he said. "We don't know what's there."

"What about Sam?"

"No – leave her. She can continue to watch out for trouble."

Daniel was looking at him in surprise. Jack never treated Sam differently from his other teammates. In fact, he often relied on her as the other military half of the team. "Are you sure?" he asked. He didn't know what was going on but assumed it had something to do with the embryos."

"Let's go", the Colonel said, ignoring the question. Daniel nodded and radioed Teal'c to tell him to meet them at the house.

Sam watched from behind the trees at the far edge of the town. She saw the Colonel and Daniel approach someone and stay talking for a few minutes. She had no idea what it was about, but neither looked as if they were in danger so she continued to watch. At one point she heard her radio click – Teal'c's prearranged signal to let her know he had arrived safely on the other side of the village.

Sam kept her eyes open for any trouble, but so far everything looked quiet. She saw Daniel and the Colonel head away from the spot where they'd been speaking to the resident towards the far side of the town. She frowned when she saw someone join them right in front of a large home. She was pretty sure it was Teal'c and tried to figure out what the hell was going on. She wanted to grab her radio and call one of her teammates but knew she shouldn't.

The three men approached the front door of the building and, after a few moments disappeared into the house. Crap! Now what was she to do?

So intent was she on what was happening in the town that she didn't hear the faint rustling behind her. If she'd stopped to think about it she probably would have thought it was a small animal anyway. As it was, the sharp pain in her back was the first she realized that someone was there. The thought was brief, however, as within a few short seconds she had fallen to the ground, her sight and hearing going. Her last conscious thought was it was going to serve the Colonel right for leaving her behind.

Jack entered the old house, wincing as his foot hit a squeaky floorboard. Daniel followed close behind with Teal'c making up the rear. So far they hadn't seen or heard anyone, but he knew that didn't mean much, if anything. The alien they pursued could easily be hiding out, aware that people had arrived that were looking for him.

"I don't hear anything", Daniel said softly, echoing Jack's thoughts. "Maybe we're too late."

Jack didn't answer, he just kept moving down the long hallway. It was dark, the windows – or what probably had been windows, now boarded up. It was also dusty and dank, the rot of years having seeped into the building.

They passed a number of rooms as they moved and Jack carefully opened each doorway, finding nothing but more empty, dilapidated rooms. He was almost ready to agree with Daniel when they came to the last door. He reached down to push it open when he heard a soft sound on the other side. He immediately gestured to Teal'c and Daniel, who moved to flank the doorway on each side. With a quick nod Jack threw the door open and stepped quickly to the side.

When it appeared as if nothing – or no one – was going to rush out and intercept them, the three men carefully entered, Jack in the lead, followed by Daniel with Teal'c bringing up the rear.

Jack took a couple of steps into the room and stopped, surprised at what he was seeing. Unlike the rest of the house, this room had been fixed up. It wasn't fancy, but it was clean and it was obvious it had been fitted with some supplies. There was a small cot in one corner and a table with an array of what looked like medical equipment. There was also a metal container over to one side which immediately caught Jack's attention.

That attention quickly shifted however at the sound of a soft whimper. He looked over to a corner where there was a small screen. Looking out from behind it was a face – a face of a young woman.

"Hello", Daniel spoke, figuring he was he least frightening of the three of them. He took a step forward but the woman whimpered again and tried to hide behind the screen, which was too small to do an adequate job. "It's okay – we won't hurt you", he said softly. "We're actually looking for someone else – a man by the name of Ra'mash. Do you know him?"

The woman gazed out at the three intruders for a few more seconds and then nodded. Her eyes moved to the door which caused both Jack and Teal'c to quickly turn. Teal'c walked over to the door and looked down the hallway.

"Nothing", he said. Jack nodded.

"Just keep your eyes open", he instructed the Jaffa. "Daniel?"

"Uh yeah – so you know Ra'mash. Do you happen to know where he went?"

The woman shook her head, still not speaking. She appeared to be a bit less nervous when none of the men made a threatening motion.

"What's your name?" Daniel asked. "I'm Daniel and this is Jack", he indicated the man standing slightly behind him, "and that guy is Teal'c. We really aren't here to hurt you – we just want to find Ra'mash."

After another long pause the woman seemed to move slightly and then spoke. "Saeena. My name is Saeena."

"Hello Saeena. Uh – what are you doing here?"

Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she slowly stepped out from behind the screen. Looking only at Daniel, who seemed to have inspired some trust, she again spoke. "Ra'mash promised me coin if I helped him", she said. "My family is poor – starving – and so I - I agreed." The tears were flowing more copiously now.

Jack felt a sinking in his stomach, praying that they weren't too late, but knowing it was probably a forlorn hope. "What did you do for him", he asked softly, not wanting to frighten her.

"He didn't tell me", she answered. "I didn't know."

"Didn't know what Saeena?" Daniel said gently.

"That he was giving me a baby", she cried. She held her hand on her stomach. "I don't want a baby – I can't – it will bring shame."

Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Did he – did Ra'mash – did he already – give you this – baby?"

She finally looked at Jack at that point and slowly nodded. "Yes – I am with child."

Ra'mash had known, as soon as the Tauri had escaped, that he would have to flee. His sole desire was to reclaim the regard of his goddess, Nirrti. He lived for that and he would do anything to make it happen.

He knew that creating a Hoktar was her biggest ambition and he also knew that she believed the Tauri would make the best subjects. When he'd found the two Tauri on his planet he had known that this was his chance. They were perfect specimens, even if the man was a bit old. In the long run that didn't matter though. He was strong and obviously a leader. The woman – was simply perfect. She was strong and beautiful and would make the perfect incubator.

His plan was simple. He would harvest her eggs and then fertilize them. Once sure they were perfect specimens, he would implant one of them in the woman – she would be the incubator for the potential Hoktar. That she was also the mother meant little to him.

His plans were almost foiled by the escape of his two subjects. Knowing that they would most likely return at the last minute he was able to retrieve six of the embryos and escape the planet himself. Then all he had to do was find appropriate incubators, implant the embryos and wait for them to be born. Then he would present them to Nirrti and be returned to her favor.

He'd picked Teknora – a likely planet where he wouldn't be noticed. It was a trade planet and he'd been here years ago in service to Nirrti. When he'd arrived he'd tried to find a suitable woman – or women – but had been turned down by everyone he'd approached. Finally someone had told him about Radalla – a poor village a short distance from the city. Although his first choice wasn't to use a poor woman, he knew that it might be his only chance.

He finally decided to set himself up in Radalla – using his carefully horded money to buy help to create a make-shift lab. Next he'd gone looking for women to assist him. He'd found Saeena on his third day in the town and had convinced her to help him. Her family had been grateful – he'd paid them a good amount of money to essentially buy her. He was pretty sure they thought he was buying her to use for sexual favors and she'd been grateful when he'd shown no interest in her.

He'd monitored her for a few days until the time was right. At that point he'd insisted she lie down on the table he'd set up – and he done the implantation. He'd given her something to knock her out so she'd had no idea until it was done.

When he'd told her – insisting that she now was to look after herself carefully – she'd broken down in anguish. It was only then that he found out that for her to bear a stranger's child would make her a cast-out in her community. She couldn't ever go home.

He'd shrugged – not caring as long as she remained healthy. He then went in search of another woman to act as surrogate.

He hadn't expected that the Tauri would follow him, but at the same time he wasn't stupid so he had paid some of the locals to watch for anyone who sought him ought. He'd been walking towards the home of a family with a number of likely daughters when one of his look-outs had come running up to him to tell him that strangers were here searching for him. When he'd heard their descriptions he'd cursed and then he ran.

He'd tried to force Saeena to come with him but she'd resisted and he knew he didn't have time to force her to come. He didn't want to hurt her as that could destroy the child and there was the chance that he could return and reclaim the child at a later date. Making a quick decision, and knowing he had to travel quickly, he grabbed one small container of embryos and a case containing some of his supplies and fled, leaving behind the woman and the rest of the embryos. He swore as he ran, but he still had a chance to create at least one child for Nirrti.

It was as he was running – taking a circuitous route around the town – that he saw a flash of light colored hair in the woods. He stopped suddenly – wondering if he'd just been given a gift. It must be Nirrti, he decided. She had blessed him and was giving him the opportunity to serve her.

As the woman fell to the ground, unconscious, he couldn't help but smile. She had been the perfect incubator and had now been returned to him. Scooping her up in his arms he quickly made his way through the woods. He'd searched the area carefully when he had first arrived and had another place hidden a short way away. If he was in luck he'd be able to do what he needed to do and then flee the planet with the woman. Nirrti would help him evade the Tauri – of that he was sure.