Chapter 3: Infiltration Part 1.

Razor had traveled a long way with the Cyclotron and the Sodan bracelet activated, being amazed at how well it worked when "going through" a large rock. After reaching a safe distance from the city, he hid the Cyclotron, deactivated the device and got off his motorcycle to investigate with the aid of binoculars. The sun had not yet risen.

The whole situation and all that SG-1 members told him were still reverberating in his head: the similarity between Earth and Phellus, the Stargate Network throughout the galaxy -and other galaxies-, the Ancients, the Goa'uld, the other aliens, the battles they had in just 15 years... The mission in which Dr. Jackson and a certain O'Neill had been involved. Jackson and a certain O'Neill killed Ra, happened when he and Chance were fifth graders; the battle of Dakara, where they saved the Milky Way from both the Replicators -insectoid robots- and a certain Anubis with omnicidal tendencies to wipe out all life in the galaxy happened when they were entering the Enforcer Academy; and the execution of a certain Ba'al when they founded the Swat Kats. How many things had SG-1 gone through and how many things had happened in the Milky Way while they were living their lives on Megakat City? It was overwhelming.

Part of him, despite being neither a Basteist nor religious, didn't want to believe in the nature of Bastet, but the evidence was there; a pity that Freixedo had died two years earlier, as he would have the relief of knowing that his theories weren't so far-fetched after all.

He saw the docks on the canals where crops came in and goods were shipped to... who knows where, then he saw roads leading to some nearby quarry that was beginning to have activity judging by the sound of horns booming in the air. He also noticed the city walls: there were armed guards guarding the gates and inspecting the few travelers arriving or departing at that time of day. They were probably looking for them for freeing the humans and the Jaffa, so using the gates was out of the question.

Then he noticed something on one of the walls: a small fissure, away from the entrance, big enough to enter without being seen. He was about to climb victoriously when a thought came to his mind.

— The pilot uniforms complicate this mission; if we change into local clothing, we'd have better luck. But if we take them off, Callie will know who we are. I'll have to talk to T-Bone about it.

On another side of the planet, far away from Zagash, the System Lord Bastet reached a small settlement much further east, where in the future would be the Wokondan state of Congoa. That small community settled there in the middle of a thick tropical jungle due to its abundance of natural resources such as precious metals like gold, but especially trinium, so useful for the manufacture of weapons and ships. Mye'yu was rich in trinium, and the goddess was delighted with this planet... if it were not for its somewhat rebellious population, as was the case of this small village, which had had revolts lately, reducing its tribute in trinium and gold.

The sun was already setting when he arrived, and the streets of the town were barely lit by torches. Inside the temple, the priestesses of Bastet received their goddess and her Bast Guards with honors, though somewhat crestfallen: they could tell that their goddess was not particularly happy.

— My Lady, please: we beg you to have mercy on this village.

— We have given your message to the people of this town to abandon their rebellion and accept your forgiveness.

— "I have been quite benevolent to these people for a long time, but their disobedience is a sin I can no longer tolerate. Not when I am fighting to save their lives from living under the yoke of the evil Sokar." -spoke the goddess in her booming voice as her eyes shone brightly; the priestesses were disappointed, ducking their heads; Bastet approached one and delicately lifted her head from her chin- "You on the other hand, have served me well, and I value your dedication and your faith. Jaffa, kree."

— Tell us, my Lady.

— "Escort the priestesses to the ship."

— As you say, my Lady.

The Bast Guards led the priestesses to the ring platform while Bastet waited; as they were sent to the ship, another pair of Bast Guards arrived with a gold chest in their hands. Bastet ordered them to place the chest in the center of the temple, to which the warriors obeyed. Shortly thereafter, both Bastet and her guards disappeared into the rings.

Once in the ship, she ordered them to move away from the city at a prudent distance; a couple of minutes later, a strong glow interrupted the darkness of the night, followed by a column of smoke that rose above where the settlement used to be, leaving a trail of charred trees and the ground vitrified.

As the years passed, the jungle would consume that wound caused by Naquadah's bomb and erase all memory of that sinful city; for the moment, Bastet's wrath had been consummated and she was satisfied. It was no great loss: there were many other settlements and Mye'yu was rich in trinium.

— The town has been destroyed.

— "We have disposed of a minor problem." -Bastet nodded solemnly- "Jaffa, set course for Kali Dharma. We will leave the priestesses there as a reward for their faith."

— As you say, my Lady.

— My Lady. -interrupted a Jaffa- We received a report from Zagash: the tau'ri prisoners and the Jaffa of Apophis escaped.

— "Escaped?" -Bastet's eyes flickered momentarily- "How?"

— One of the surviving guards said that intruders in the temple freed them. They know how to use their weapons, my lady, and they took the belongings we confiscated from the strangers.

— Do you want me to resume the course to Zagash?

— "Get me my son at once. He will take care of it."

The Jaffa of Sekhmet origin obeyed immediately and opened communications with the alluded one. A towering figure in golden armor appeared on the screen.

— "Mother..."

— "My son. I have a task for you and my First Prime: intruders have entered my cell and captured some tau'ri and a Jaffa of Apophis. I need you to find them and eliminate them."

— "That will be done, Mother."

— "Ra must not find out about this, have I made myself clear?"

— "Of course, Mother."

— Yes, my lady. -the Jaffa replied in unison as the other Goa'uld cut off the communication-

— "These Mye'yu are a useful species, but troublesome... And strange."

— There had been many uprisings lately.

— "And it's no coincidence." -spoke the goddess- "There is something about them: something strange and intriguing that I hope to resolve soon."

— If they are a problem, we are willing to put them in their place my lady.

— "So be it. Contact Zagash and order the Jaffa to continue their inspection. I want the results immediately."

— As you say, my Lady.

— "Then set course for Kali Dharma: I must continue to inspect the settlements and calm my people."

Back at camp, Razor had just returned, sharing his observations. T-Bone greeted him with a smug grin from ear to ear, a sign that something had made him VERY happy.

— Guess what, buddy: the Turbokat will now be invisible!

— Really?

— I managed to connect the Sodan Bracelet to the Turbokat's electronics so it's compatible; you'll be able to activate the mechanism from your seat, Razor. -explained Sam- We've already tested it, and it covers the whole plane, but don't use it too much; we don't know if its effect will last.

— You're amazing, Colonel Carter. -smiled Razor- Although... it might be too risky to use it.

— Are you saying we'll be able to get through that crack you saw, Pinch of Cinnamon?

— Possibly, Vala. There's room to get in: the problem is that it would be better to do it at night; we'd be seen during the day.

— That would mean staying in the city for almost twelve hours, and the Sodan devices can't be active that long. -Cam added, concerned- Do you know of any place there to hide us?

— No, Colonel. -Callie apologized- We barely managed to hide in the alleys. Maybe if we manage to find an abandoned house...

— Or we meet someone friendly who will invite us into their home.

— Vala, we can't let the kats of this time see us. -complained Daniel- Not only to avoid scaring them away, but also because we don't know if they will give us away to Bastet and her guards.

— Daniel Jackson is right. We can't entirely trust these people: we don't know the extent of their devotion and fear of the Goa'uld.

— Maybe we'll learn that eventually, big guy. -T-Bone commented- But I understand what Doc means.

— Doc?

— It suits you, Daniel. -continued Vala- Go on, Stripey.

— People would be scared to see something that isn't remotely kat, and I don't think eight strangers walking around town would be easy to hide, even with that bracelet on.

— What do you suggest, big guy?

— I was thinking I could fly in the Turbokat with one of you to get close to the city, do some aerial reconnaissance and maybe, take one of those stone-shaped ships...

— You mean a Tel'tak? -T-Bone nodded- And then?

— Well... I'll fly away with the cloaked Turbokat and one of you take that Teltak to have as an escape ship if something goes wrong.

— I like that idea. -Cam nodded- We might have to tweak it a bit, but I like stealing a ship from Bastet, especially if we'll need transportation to get back to the present.

After a short five-minute conversation, they came to an agreement: T-Bone and Vala would make a reconnaissance flight in the Turbokat while the others went into the city to infiltrate and in search of shelter; once they established a base, Cam's group would contact T-Bone and Vala to help them find the rendezvous point. SG-1 was confident that Bastet and his Jaffa would not track their radio frequency.

Before putting the plan into action, Razor pulled T-Bone aside to talk alone.

— Something tells me you're going to say something I'm not going to like, buddy.

— T-Bone, it's about that deal we made a while back.

— We made a lot of...

— About our identities.

— You don't think about...?

— We might have to reveal them.

— What? Razor, are you out of your mind? Why would we do something like that?

— Why would we hide from SG-1 who we really are? They're not from our planet: they don't care what we are.

— But Callie does. Look, I like SG-1: I trust them, and if it weren't for Callie, I'd have no problem taking off my mask. But she's here: imagine how she'll be when she sees who we are.

— I know... But keep in mind that we may have to disguise ourselves better to blend in here and help SG-1 better. And to tell you the truth, I'm getting tired of hiding the truth from Callie.

— ...

— Look, pal: I won't say anything if you won't. We're a team: we both have to be on the same page.

— Sigh... I'll think about it. Okay?

— Thanks, T-Bone. Now go: Vala looks excited.

She really did: Vala looked almost like a schoolgirl watching the Turbokat in awe, although it was more than obvious that she had seen and flown much more advanced craft. T-Bone gave her a friendly smile and went straight to her.

— Ready for a ride?

— Always ready.

— T-Bone, Vala, remember. -Col. Mitchell clarified- Maintain stealth as long as possible, keep your eyes open at all times, and then come back here, hide the Turbokat and head for the city.

— Remember to activate the device once you are in the air, and deactivate it before landing. -Samantha reminded them- Once we find shelter, we will resume radio contact. Vala, do you have the locator beacon?

— Yes.

— Colonel Carter, are you sure the Goa'uld won't detect the radio signal?

— We use a frequency they don't, Callie. I've already shown it to Razor to adjust his communicators. Still, we must be cautious.

— Well: here we say goodbye. -said Razor- See you in Zagash.

T-Bone helped Vala into the cockpit, while Cam, Sam, Daniel, Teal'c, Callie and Razor stepped aside to let the Turbokat take off, and as soon as it rose into the air, to the surprise of the SG-1 members who looked at it for the first time, it disappeared completely, a sign that the device was working.

Once alone, they would be on their way to the city.

########

T-Bone couldn't deny that part of him didn't like taking orders from anyone again, least of all an alien: his two years as Swat Kat had accustomed him to doing things his own way alongside Razor. But given the circumstances, there was nothing he could do if he wanted to fulfill both the mission and the promise to get Callie and Razor -and the SG-1- back home.

Fortunately, the human colonels were quite friendly, open and clearly experienced, a far cry from Feral; that helped make taking orders from Mitchell and Carter much less unpleasant. In fact, it was more like teamwork between the two groups than taking orders from a superior: that made it not only more tolerable, but more pleasant.

The other thing was Vala: the woman was clearly in her late forties, but she had a very appealing joviality, wit and charisma; she was enthusiastic, funny and witty, and clearly someone who must have been cunning if she had been a space pirate. He already considered her his friend as she told him about her life as a maid, pirate and smuggler, plus a few anecdotes from her life. T-Bone didn't know Vala's tendency to lie or exaggerate, but he also didn't know that Vala was totally honest with him at the moment; the woman had been fascinated both with the kats and with the two pilots in general, especially T-Bone: he looked tough, manly, but also fun and cheerful.

— So you stole YOURSELF the Prometheus ship from Earth just because you were bored?

— And because I owed money to the Lucian Alliance, Stripey. It turned out better than I expected, though: I met Daniel, which ended up taking me back to Earth and the SGC sometime later.

— You really are crazy. -he laughed- I like that.

— You must be pretty crazy too, to have this jet and be on lookout with your friend at the risk of death or arrest.

— I always wanted to be one of the good guys: helping people, my city, my planet...

— That's admirable. -she said reflectively- So, you think I'm a bad girl?

— Crazy yes, but not bad. -answered T-Bone, cheering up the woman- I think you're great.

— I think so about you too. -Vala looked around the cockpit- We're getting closer.

— Roger that: I'll take a reconnaissance flight around the city; then we'll approach the pyramid.

T-Bone flew lower as he approached the city limits. The sun had not yet risen, but the first glimmers of dawn were already appearing, improving his visibility. There were some quarries near Zagash where the activity of hundreds of kat quarrymen in loincloths were already bustling with activity, chipping and dragging stones while being watched and sometimes mistreated with impunity by the Bast Guards.

They were just beginning their reconnaissance, and T-Bone was already getting angry, Vala being fully aware of this. She knew all too well of situations like the one she saw below.

— They are extracting stones for monuments, temples and statues in honor of Bastet. Basically to inflate her ego even more.

— Benevolent Mother Goddess my tail. -growled T-Bone; Vala sensed it was some kind of kat insult- Those are slaves.

— The Goa'uld base their entire empire on slaves. Believe me, I know.

— You were a slave to the Goa'uld?

— In a... sort of way.

— They've got advanced technology, damn pyramid ships... And their slaves work with pickaxes?

— The Goa'uld wouldn't dare give their subjects and slaves technology they could use against them. That's why they keep them technologically stagnant: it helps their religious narrative.

— Damn snakes. -he mumbled- Let's fly down the canal and then take a look at the city.

The canal was already busy even though it was not yet dawn: there were small fishing rafts, commercial sailboats and even farmers, fishermen and clay collectors on the banks; after confirming that everything looked normal, they went to the city.

From the air, Zagash looked even more impressive: from its slums and adobe shacks on the periphery, to the fancier levels with their more elaborate buildings, temples, pyramids and stone statues, causeways, squares and gardens. Even in the early hours, the city was slowly beginning to wake up, with merchants setting up in the markets, priestesses coming out of the temples and women gathering water from the fountains. Ironically, to Vala this seemed normal enough given her experience traveling to various worlds, but to T-Bone, it was literally another world, far removed from his modern Megakat City.

— It's... weird.

— What's weird, Stripey?

— This whole thing: this city, how these people live.

— I thought that dwarf sent you and Pinch of Cinnamon back to the Middle Ages.

— Yeah, but this is... very different, Vala. I'm a big city boy; I'm used to living with technology. But this is...

— Even today, there are many worlds that although free of the Goa'uld, live like this.

— Inhabited by humans, right? I believe I understand that Ra and the other Goa'uld took humans from Earth and spread them throughout the galaxy.

— Yes, but other species were also subdued. They're just now recovering.

— I see.

After a quick look around the city, they went in the direction of the Great Pyramid, now partially covered by the pyramid ship of Bastet, which SG-1 had assigned the name Cheops-type ship, and which was almost exclusive to the "family" of Ra.

In front of the Great Pyramid was the large plaza and the entrance to the under-ground temple where the Stargate was supposed to be, but behind it, there were large, beautiful walled gardens filled with fruit trees, palm trees, ponds with water lilies and waterfowl -and possibly fish- and cobblestone paths. A small oasis reserved for the goddess and her entourage in the middle of the desert. And in that garden, curiously, there was a small launching pad for two Tel'tak-like ships.

That was an interesting discovery that could be of use to them in the future.

A part of T-Bone wanted to deactivate the stealth and fire a missile at the pyramid, and with any luck, kill Bastet, but he knew he couldn't -nor should- do that: his hatred for the Goa'uld was growing and he was just getting to know them. Anyway, the sight of the pyramid made him notice something.

— Now that I think about it, there's something even weirder.

— What is it?

— In our time, there's almost nothing left of what we see now. I mean, there's the Great Pyramid, but it's stepped, and there are no gardens. And around it there are just other much smaller step pyramids and other ruins. But they don't have the same style as the constructions here. What's more, in my time there were not even big statues of Bastet like the ones I see now.

— Five thousand years have passed, Stripey, and both the Pastmaster and that archaeologist you mentioned said that many civilizations passed through Katchu Picchu. -Vala reflected a little, looking thoughtfully towards the pyramid- Daniel told me about Ancient Egypt on Earth, about stone temples that survived thousands of years abandoned in the desert. I don't think the desert has anything to do with it, though.

— What do you mean?

— Something bad happened here T-Bone. -she said- Something so bad that it forced the kats to erase the memory of Bastet as much as possible.

The kat pilot pondered that for a moment, but did not reach a clear conclusion because the arrival of two ships made him focus on something else. He lowered the Turbokat even more, holding itself in the air by its nozzles and they watched as those two ships, which Vala said were troop transport ships, approached the Great Plaza which was already surrounded by Bast Guards. That would be the first time T-Bone would see how the transporter rings worked.

But what he saw descending from those rings more than once?

— Oh, good heavens. -sighed Vala, peering through a binocular- Those aren't Jaffa.

— And what are they?

— Kats.

Quickly T-Bone took the binocular and confirmed what her new friend had said: they were kats, men, women and children, all visibly confused and frightened by the terrifying sight of the Bast Guards who must have been in her eyes wrathful warrior goddesses leading them like cattle, with the occasional unfortunate one taking a hit from the staff. What was peculiar was that these people wore warmer clothing, hardly appropriate for the hot, dry climate of Zagash or modern Megakat. They must have been brought from a cold region, much further north.

That only made T-Bone even angrier: there were children there! CHILDREN!

— They're taking them inside the pyramid. -Vala repeated, clearly dismayed- There's nothing we can do.

— Damn it! What are they going to do to them?

— ...

— Vala!

— I think... the same as us, T-Bone. -the Swat Kat let those words hit him like lead- The same as us. -Vala took a breath; she thought she was prepared for what she already sensed, but she was wrong- We must... hide the ship and return here on foot to rejoin the others.

— ...

— T-Bone!

— I know!

Razor, Cam and the others took the same path they used to escape, except for one or two detours; after passing a lonely house with a pig pen, they took a few tunics laid out to dry on a clothesline and used them to cover themselves to the sound of Daniel's complaints, which only Cam could silence.

By the time they were closer to the city walls, and spotted the fissure, the sun was already rising: they activated the Sodan bracelets, holding hands or paws together for the effect to be effective. In theory, they could go through the walls, but they wanted to avoid this in case the bracelets failed or someone inadvertently let go.

After crossing the fissure, they discovered that it led to the inside of an abandoned adobe building; although it looked like a promising base, the presence of the outer fissure might draw the attention of the guards, so they ruled it out. Outside there was a whole community going about their daily lives, to Daniel's amazement, who despite being used to going to worlds with primitive people and cultures, this was a particular case.

Anthropomorphic felines living as in Ancient Egypt: something worthy of a cartoon or a fantasy for cat lovers, but which was a reality, a somewhat crude one besides, knowing who was in charge here. The villagers were walking through the narrow streets, merchants were already placing their goods, women were fetching water from the fountains, workers were already beginning their work in the workshops handling stone, clay, wood or other materials, children were playing -something Sam was touched to see-, some farmers were bringing their cows with amphorae of fresh milk, and the priestesses of Bastet were already beginning their routine going around the village shaking their sistrums and clapping their paws.

They passed by the market square and saw a group of scantily clad kat women on a wooden pavilion, dancing and playing musical instruments while some passersby applauded them; the place was buzzing with activity. As they approached the Grand Plaza in front of the Great Pyramid, they noticed a small abandoned and boarded up building: they entered it through the walls, discovering it was empty, making it a perfect hiding place, for the moment.

— It's safe. -Cam sighed after deactivating the bracelet; the others did the same- There's no one here, and it's a good location near the pyramid.

— Indeed. -Teal'c nodded, peering through a crack in the window boards- It is a location of great strategic value; we must inform young T-Bone and Vala Mal Doran.

— I will do that immediately. -Sam replied, activating his communicator- Vala, T-Bone; this is Sam. I will activate a signal in five minutes; try to track it and maintain stealth.

— I still can't believe all this: we were slaves of the Goa'uld. Bastet is a Goa'uld... And our ancestors lived... like this. How could we forget?

— Many societies have ended up forgetting, Razor; on Earth the same thing happened. -Daniel explained- Thousands of years after being liberated or abandoned by the Goa'uld, the memory of their tyranny fades: history becomes legend, and legend becomes myth.

— Or in some cases, they choose to forget on purpose, as happened to a human world called Tagrea. -Sam recalled- They archived or erased all historical records by reducing their history to the last three hundred years after their liberation from the Goa'uld Heru'ur.

— That doesn't sound very healthy, Colonel Carter.

— It is not, Callie. -beeps her com...- Vala, T-Bone? What's your location?

— Near the Great Pyramid, Samantha. We've located them. We're almost there.

— Okay, we're waiting for you.

Minutes later, both Vala and T-Bone made a surprise appearance at the abandoned house, smiling initially, then with more subdued expressions. Razor was alarmed to see his friend clenching his fist so tightly that he could hear his knuckles cracking.

— Something happened, Vala?

— We saw two transport ships, Cam.

— Why would Bastet need more troops?

— They weren't bringing troops, Colonel. -T-Bone growled- They were bringing kats.

— What?

— Hundreds of kats: men, women, children and old people. -Vala continued in a very serious tone- In cold weather clothes, and they were brought into the pyramid.

— Oh, my God...

For Daniel that was a devastating shock. At what point did their mission to P4W-712 become so complicated? First they end up in that planet's past; then they discover that it is dominated by Bastet, and inhabited by an intelligent feline species; then they meet Callie, the Swat Kats and a dwarf sorcerer who confirms to them that magic exists. Now things were getting much worse. What implications could this latest information have? Many, and extremely devastating.

Callie was naturally horrified, and even more so when SG-1 confirmed to them the reason for bringing these people. These kats were to be sent through the Stargate to another planet to work as slaves. And nothing suggested that this would be the first or last time it would happen. How long had Bastet been ruling Phellus? The very idea was terrifying.

— That means... there are kats in other parts of the Milky Way. -Callie argued, her eyes widening in surprise at the idea, which was as frightening as it was wonderful- People who, in our time, who knows how they ended up: if they are still alive or ended up...

— You never encountered a planet inhabited by kats, Colonel?

— No, Razor. -Sam replied- This is the first time we've come across you. To tell you the truth, we hardly ever explored the worlds in Bastet's domain, so I believe the kats are limited to those worlds.

— That also implies another reality, Colonel Carter. -Teal'c interrupted- That the kats also serve as host livestock for the Goa'uld.

— It was my understanding that humans were the standard host.

— In general yes, Cam, but... As I explain: Ra established humans as standard hosts, but never forbade other host species.

— Except in the case of Shiva.

— Uh-huh.

— Like the Unas or the Shu'halo.

— Yes, Daniel... It's just that... -Vala hissed her head- Most Goa'uld detest the hairy species.

— You're grabbing my tail. -Callie complained- Really?

— They find it distasteful to get some fur in their mouths when they enter the host through the neck. -some inside the house made an effort not to laugh at something so absurd- I know, I know... but not everyone is like that: Bastet used to have a Sekhmet, Ganesha has a... something, and Apis and Minos have the Shu'halo.

— Putting aside that absurd prejudice, that means that kats are as good hosts as humans, and that Bastet could have minions with hosts of her species. Also, that all Goa'uld technology is quite compatible with their biology.

— Or at least what Bastet has, Sam. -Daniel clarified- We need to find out how long Bastet has been here and what they are planning.

— We can only do that by entering the pyramid. I offer to go.

— T-Bone? Are you...?

— I know we can't stop Bastet now, Razor. But we need to know why she came to OUR planet and how long she's been enslaving us.

— I don't know if...

— Colonel, with all due respect: I like you and I recognize that you have more experience with the Goa'uld, but nothing will change my mind.

— I figured I couldn't give you orders just like that. -Cam nodded- Well, that's not what I had in mind, big guy.

T-Bone agreed, and after a ten-minute conversation in hushed tones, they all agreed to explore the city together, with the Swat Kats, Vala and Cam being the ones who would enter the pyramid. However, there was one point to discuss between the watchers, who looked at each other.

— We're not going into the pyramid yet, are we, Colonel?

— It's better to wait, T-Bone: we must know the area better, and that there are fewer people. Doing it now would be suicide.

— In that case, maybe we can help with our camouflage if we change our clothes...

— And then you guys can wear the Sodan bracelets.

— What are you guys talking about? -Callie took a while to understand- You're talking about taking off your suits? Here, now?

— It will help us be more inconspicuous: these modern clothes are too flashy to wear while exploring.

— I understand, Razor, but that means that you...

— You'll know who we are. -T-Bone completed- The SG-1 too. I discussed it with Razor and we agreed that we can trust all of you; I didn't want to at first, but this situation is beyond us. -He looked at his friend- Ready?

— Ready, buddy.

— Guys, it's not necessary...

— Colonel Mitchell, sorry to interrupt you again. But we want to help you get back to our own time; we were planning on doing it any moment anyway.

With nothing more to say, T-Bone and Razor took off their helmets and then their bandanas: when they saw their uncovered faces, Callie's surprise was great.

— Jake, Chance, is that you guys?!

########

To say that Callie had been stunned was an understatement: Teal'c had to cover her mouth to keep her from screaming out of excitement and surprise, and then apologize to the woman. Then, a little calmer, she politely but firmly demanded some answers; as for the boys, SG-1 was impressed: they looked like normal young men in their twenties, and in a way, kind of cute and innocent.

Then Jake and Chance introduced themselves with their full names and told their history as Enforcers, their expulsion and what they ended up doing afterwards; Callie felt like a fool because she knew both mechanics and their past as Enforcers, but didn't understand how she never thought of them as the Swat Kats given the - now newly realized - similarity in height, physical build, voice, etc. SG-1 also wondered why Callie hadn't noticed it before, but they were more impressed to learn that the boys had made all their vehicles and technology - including the Turbokat - from recycled military scrap: they were increasingly surprised and sympathetic to these vigilantes.

They were also dumbfounded by the incident and Feral's role in their expulsion, but they would judge the Enforcer Commander at another time. When Sam asked the boys about their hangar, they said they had discovered it abandoned and retrofitted it: they didn't know what that place was doing under a junkyard, but it turned out to be a blessing to them.

— I can't believe they kept it from me for two years.

— It was to keep us safe and you safe.

— I don't think it worked given how many times they kidnapped me. -She agreed, followed by a resigned sigh- I understand why they did it, though: they didn't want to make me their accomplice in Feral's eyes.

— Something like that. -nodded Chance- We're sorry, Callie.

— It's okay, it's all right. We have other things to do now.

— Right. -Cam nodded, taking over- We'd better get ready: we've got a city to explore.

T-Bone and Razor, now simply Chance and Jake, moved to a separate room and took off their uniforms, leaving only their underwear. They hid their uniforms under some old burlap tarps and put on robes and rags to look like the native people; Callie did something similar, putting away her glasses, exchanging her plug shoes for sandals that Vala - how could she not - had stolen and covered herself with a tunic.

Seeing T-Bone and Razor as Chance and Jake, without their uniforms, without their masks and practically in rags, was also a novelty for Callie: Jake was completely covered with a cape, and Chance was bare-chested; once ready, the three kats left through a rickety wooden door as covertly as possible, being followed by the members of SG-1, covered in tunics and with Sodan armbands ready for any eventuality as they explored the city in the morning light.

Now that they were mixed in with the crowd, it was easier for the Kats to navigate in this primitive society, but it was still shocking: Jake, Chance and Callie were accomplished city dwellers, and Jake and Chance had already traveled to the Middle Ages meeting the Callista Queen. Here however, they were much further back in the past, more primitive, unable to communicate without help from Dr. Jackson, Teal'c or Vala, and furthermore dominated by a megalomaniac alien with a god complex; what disturbed and even embarrassed Chance, is that even in disguise and completely covered up, humans and Jaffa acted more natural than they did in that environment. Clearly they had visited many planets like this one... planets with primitive and Goa'uld-subdued societies: the very idea was still shocking in itself.

The locals did not bother them in the least: in their eyes, they were like them, they were Mye'yu like them, faithful and devoted children of the Mother Goddess Bastet in their daily chores. The group wandered through the adobe and earthen hovels until they reached the marketplace where the population was crowded together, as the dancers and singers putting on a show for the people, the priestesses praying to the goddess, and the main merchants who were offering their goods by barter: grain, fresh or brined fish, meat, fresh milk, vegetables and fruits, jewelry, pyramid-shaped gold amulets, pottery and even beer; some villagers brought their wares to sell or barter, including chickens, pigs and cows, so it was not uncommon to run across the occasional "gift" of those bovines.

— Aghh... -grunted Chance- I stepped in bullshit... literally.

— Wipe yourself with the floor, buddy and don't make a scene.

— I always wanted to know why you two didn't wear shoes, isn't it dangerous? Not to mention unhygienic.

— Someone thought it would be better for climbing, and we'd look cooler without them.

— I'll design some boots when I get back, Chance; don't look at me like that.

— This is unbelievable. -Daniel muttered, his eyes roaming over every nook and cranny- It's like Abydos, but much more... urbanized, more civilized. It's like going back to Ancient Egypt.

— But with kats.

— Yes, Vala... Or as Callie said, the Ancient Khemet here. -He sighed partly from answering Vala and partly from the heat- It all looks... peaceful.

— Looks can be deceiving, Daniel Jackson. -Teal'c added, barely raising his voice- These people may have a better life than on other worlds, but they are still slaves to the Goa'uld.

— I seem to recall Bastet being a bit more benevolent than other Goa'uld. -Vala added, recalling some rumors and memories of Qetesh- Like Hathor, but less... predatory.

— Maybe. -nodded Daniel while trying not to remember Hathor- On Earth she was the protector of women, children and the home.

— Well, Bastetism says the same thing, Dr. Jackson. That Bastet was our benevolent Mother Goddess, creator of our people and protector of families. -Callie added before changing her expression to a somewhat embarrassed one- And also the one who made the popular Drunkenness Festival.

— Like Oktoberfest on Earth?

— Do they have Oktoberfest on Earth too, Colonel Mitchell?

— Oh, my...

As if by a convenient coincidence, the group noticed some kat women dancing around in rather suggestive clothing and offering small ceramic jars with mouthpieces to people at random; one of them smiled at Chance and Jake and offered them both two jars for free, then went back to a local beverage outlet. Deep down, Callie felt a little jealous, but no one noticed.

At first, Chance was apprehensive about the drink, but then he was encouraged to try it, and then he offered it to Col. Mitchell: it tasted a little strange, frothy, somewhat thick, bitter with a hint of sweetness, and red in color.

— It must be beer.

— Beer? -asked Sam- Here?

— It was the most popular drink in Ancient Egypt; sometimes it was safer than water. -explained Daniel- There's a whole legend that links beer to Bastet: Ra ordered his daughter Sekhmet, the goddess of war, to eliminate humanity for its offenses; Sekhmet obeyed too well, to the point that Ra became worried that humanity would become extinct. He then advised the humans to spill a large amount of beer dyed red so that Sekhmet would think it was blood; she drank it and ended up drunk, stopping her killing spree and becoming Bastet, the goddess of joy. -Daniel thought for a moment- Maybe they'll make a festival of Bastet's return.

— So according to that legend, humankind was saved by a goddess with a terrible hangover? -Chance almost burst out laughing- Excuse me, I've never heard anything so funny, doc.

— Well, there must have been something left of that legend here, buddy. -Jake corrected him- Maybe there's no Sekhmet, but there are those Drunkenness Festivals, from which festivals like the Oktoberfest of Phellus descend.

— Be that as it may, I prefer the beer of our time. -growled Chance, after finishing his drink- Thank goodness they improved the recipe in five thousand years.

Jake, Vala, Sam and Cam made an effort not to burst out laughing at such a comment; Daniel and Callie showed some embarrassment and Teal'c maintained his stoicism. Since there was nothing else to see, they left the market square and went towards what could be described as an industrial area: the sound of music mixed with the hubbub of people smelling of fresh food and cow dung was replaced by the clanging of rough tools on metal, the carving of wood, the turning of the potter's wheel and the smell of fresh clay, worked metal, polished wood... and cow dung.

There were many people in the workshops, working tirelessly both inside and outside their adobe constructions, at the mercy of the intense sun or the dust. Most striking was a small stone building of better quality than the other constructions, with a female feline face over the entrance, where people knelt and said a prayer: a small basteist sanctuary or chapel.

— Clearly the devotion to Bastet is intense. -mumbled Callie, feeling disappointed- I don't think we'll find anyone to help us.

— Or if there is, it will be difficult to contact them: the kats here speak Goa'uld, and you do not. We would have to reveal our identity.

— It would be counterproductive, Daniel Jackson: we are wanted by the Bast Guards, and any civilian helping us would be implicated.

— That too, Teal'c.

The daily routine was interrupted by a young kat in similar Egyptian garb running at full speed and shouting something to the crowd: suddenly, all activity stopped, with the workers dropping what they were doing and marching briskly to the Great Plaza. Daniel and Teal'c suggested following them with caution, and when asked by their confused friends, they said that "the son of Bastet" would make a divine statement.

Once in the square, they were again impressed with the large, highly devout, submissive and obedient crowd that had thronged there; the Bast Guards were already there watching over the populace from the perimeter of the square. On the raised platform that served as access to the pyramid temple, stood what must have been their First Prime, a woman clearly of feline species, but of a more fierce and savage appearance, with an athletic and muscular body, fuller armor than usual and the symbol of Bastet in gold tattooed on her forehead.

— She's not a kat, she's a Sekhmet.

— You mean the species that served as host to Bastet before humans, Muscles?

— Indeed, Vala Mal Doran.

— She really does look fearsome. -groaned Chance- And I thought Turmoil was wild.

— Quiet. -Daniel demanded- Someone's coming.

The First Prime tapped the ground with the base of her staff and announced the arrival of the "prince" and his entourage: four Jaffa who were clearly feline-based and not human, with plain Jaffa armor, but these were clearly male, and their helmets were shaped like lions, not cats, which caught SG-1's attention: then the alluded prince arrived, wearing golden Jaffa armor and carrying no helmet or mask. He was a tall, muscular kat, almost two meters tall, golden blond fur with some brown spots in his hair or mane -in fact, he looked like a lion- and instead of a typical Jaffa staff, he carried a kind of spear ending in a sharp knife or sharp metallic blade in his right paw, and in the left, he had a golden gauntlet, the well-known Kara kesh adapted to his four-fingered hand.

— Benna! ya wan ya duru!

— Mak tal shree! Maahes!

It was the first Goa'uld Callie and the Swat Kats had seen, and to say they were impressed was an understatement. He looked truly powerful, fearsome and fierce, and when he made his eyes glow an unearthly yellowish hue, it was even more shocking. As soon as they saw him, the inhabitants of Zagash paid him obeisance, kneeling before him and his divine guards. SG-1 and the modern Kats had to do the same.

— Jackson, who is Maahes?

— He's the son of Bastet. -he answered Cam quietly- He's not a well-known god in Egyptian mythology. Do you know anything about him, Callie?

— The same as you, Dr. Jackson: he is barely mentioned in Bastet mythology.

— I know that the second planet in our system, -Jake added- which is called Bastet by the way, has a moon named after him.

— What worries me is one of his epithets: the Lord of Slaughter.

— That doesn't sound good, doc. -Chance grunted-

— Teal'c, do you know anything about him? Or the other guards?

— The Jaffa of Maahes are Lion Guards, usually serving Sekhmet, but also Bastet and Anhur. Regarding Maahes, I know the same as you, Colonel Carter, plus he was a great warrior; however, I heard that Maahes mysteriously disappeared thousands of years ago. Rumor has it that he wanted to usurp his mother's power, and she found out and killed him.

— Would she really do that?

— The Goa'uld do not have family ties like us, Miss Briggs: they tend to betray their "fathers" and "brothers" for the sake of power.

— Perhaps then we should make sure of that here and now.

— Quiet, Vala. -Daniel mumbled- He's talking.

Maahes continued to speak, almost roaring, to his clearly terrified subjects: if it was not the mysterious Kali, whose face was said to bring death to any mortal who saw it, it was Maahes who personified the most vengeful part of Bastet.

Daniel kept translating to his companions everything the Goa'uld said, which although it was a religious harangue, was not to be taken lightly: he basically accused him and his friends of being sent by the enemies of Bastet, the Sun, the Light and Justice, Heralds of Darkness who desecrated the temple of his mother, and that anyone who knew or saw anything, to inform the Bast Guards and they would be rewarded. Anyone who dared to help those "Heralds of Darkness" or give them shelter, would be condemned to death along with his family under their own claws, and since Maahes, in addition to the claws of his host, had the same retractable metal claws as the Bast Guards on his Kara kesh, it was not a metaphorical threat.

Having finished his warning, Maahes retreated inside the pyramid along with the Bastet's First Prime and his Lion Guards. The villagers quickly left the square and returned to their daily lives, which was the signal for SG-1 and the Kats to return to their lair.

— This complicates things, doesn't it, Jackson?

— Oh, yes... Maahes made it clear that he'll slit the throat of anyone who helps us... not to mention ourselves.

— Anyway, we've got to get into that pyramid. -Chance insisted- It must have computers, right? Maybe there's a record of his activities here, or whatever he's planning now.

— Sounds like a good plan, T-Bone...

— You can call me by name while we're here, Colonel Carter.

— All right, Chance. You could go into the pyramid, but you're not going in alone.

— I'll go with him, Samantha.

— I know you will, Vala, but there should be someone else to cover your backs while the rest of you stay here.

— I'll go with them. -Cam offered- The others will stay here.

— Callie and I could continue scouting the city and keep an eye on Chance and Vala from a distance, Colonel Mitchell.

— Okay, Raz... Jake. Be careful: if anything goes wrong, hide.

The Sodan bracelets were handed out: one for Chance -who had changed back into his flight suit- one for Vala, one for Cam, and one for Jake and Callie to share, while the others stayed hidden in the house making as little noise as possible.

Continue...