Chapter 2

Decoy

In short time SG-1 were led into the castle and then into a throne room that was richly accented in gold. Before them was a golden throne where Monique sat as if she were the Queen. Dressed in a white gown, her long black hair was on top of her head in a beehive style with a crown neatly sitting upon the perfectly placed locks. She simply glowed in radiance.

All of the team were immediate taken by her beauty. Teal'c was even more intrigued. The bright blue eyes caught his attention. For a moment the Jaffa forgot he was on SG-1 and had a higher loyalty to free his people.

To the right of the throne stood Queen Abigail still in her tan tunic and trousers. Her bobbed brown hair wisped out of place. She would act as the advisor and Queen's aid. Abigail stated, "State your business to the Queen." My how she enjoyed the deception. It allowed her to get closer to the subjects that came to see her and find out the true intention of the visit.

Jack looked over at the small, plain woman standing beside the throne. He cocked an eyebrow and replied, "We're SG-1 and we want to talk with the Queen. You are?"

"I am the Queen's companion and advisor, Abby. Any correspondents you wish to have with the Queen must go through me." she stated.

Jack rebutted, "But she's sitting right there." He pointed to Monique.

Abigail was a good judge of character and she immediately liked Jack. She wondered who would point out the obvious. She smirked, "So she is."

"So why do I have to talk to you?" he wondered.

"Jack!" Daniel huffed.

"What?" he asked.

"Protocol." he stated. "It's no different than the military. You go through the advisor."

"Fine," he sighed. He looked to Abigail who was trying very hard to not smile. He asked, "Can you tell the Queen we want to talk to her?"

Abigail gave a nod and turned towards Monique who knew the routine well. "Sss Gee…One…would like to seek an audience with the Queen."

Monique went into the act. "Audience is granted." she announced with a wave.

Jack stood absolutely befuddled for it was nearly comical. The whole scene reminded him of a 3 Stooges movie. He looked to his teammates. He noticed Sam trying very hard to not laugh for she found it funny. Daniel seemed just annoyed. He turned to Teal'c who seemed to be in a daze. He did a double take and looked back at Teal'c. Jack started, "Okay…we want…"

Abigail interrupted, "You must address me. I will give your request to the Queen." It was an idiotic request and done so on purpose to test the newcomer's patients.

"What?" Jack gasped.

"You have to talk to me." she pointed to herself.

"Fine." he agreed. "We're interested in setting up trade."

Abigail turned towards Monique and stated, "They are interested in setting up trade."

Jack's eyes narrowed, "Are you going to do that with everything I say?"

"It's my position." she nodded.

"What?" Jack couldn't believe his ears.

Daniel rubbed the side of his head, "Listen…Your highness…Abby… We just want a trade deal. The mine is valuable and as you know the Goa'uld would be interested in it too. We can offer you protection."

Abigail replied, "We have our own protection. You offered trade. Sounds more like extortion to me."

"If you want to trade goods then we can do that too." Daniel offered.

"What kind of goods?" Abby asked.

Daniel suggested, "Food! Earth has lots of food. Technology. Medicines. There is a lot." He opened his pocket to grabbed a candy bar to offer in good faith.

Monique came to attention and nearly jumped out of the throne while Abigail seemed to stand still rather curious. Jack noticed the reactions. He expected the companion to be agitated by the sudden move but she was not.

Daniel held the candy bar before him. He offered it to Monique. "We call it chocolate. Here, it's a gift…Your Highness."

Monique took the candy before Abigail could reach it for both were equally curious. Monique knew her friend would eat it without ensuring it was safe and thus she kept the candy from the Queen.

Jack squinted for he figured that the Campion would want to make sure the offering was safe but the women on the throne quickly grabbed the candy first and then placed it aside but did not open it.

Monique stated, "Thank you for the offering. You may have an audience for a trade agreement. I wish to see your planet."

Jack asked, "Why?"

"You have seen mine." she rebutted.

Daniel assured, "We can bring you to our base."

"Base?" Monique asked alarmed.

"Our Gate is secured in a military base." he told her.

"I would rather come by ship." Monique replied fearing a trap.

Jack replied, "No real place for you to land."

Abby asked, "How small is your planet if you have no place to land?"

Jack wasn't sure who Abby was but he found the question hilarious and innocent at the same time. He liked her but he knew something was not as it seemed. He merely smiled and looked to Daniel who stood with his mouth gaping as he wondered if the question was an actual question or an attempt to mock them.

Sam explained, "Unlike the people of your world the people of my world doesn't know about the Gate or the Goa'uld. We're pretty isolated. We have land, it's just everyone would see the ship and that would cause mass hysteria."

Abby asked, "Why do your people not know? That seems barbaric to keep such information from your people."

Daniel had to agree, "It is but some people would panic."

"And?" she asked bewildered. "Panic would be brought on by shock. Once the shock wears off they would be accepting like all others."

Jack stated, "That's not my job. My job is set up a trade deal with you. Not to disclose it all. You wanna come to our base and check out Earth or not?"

Monique interrupted, "I shall give you my answer tomorrow. I must think about your proposal."

"Come back tomorrow?" Jack asked annoyed.

"Indeed." she insisted. She needed to make sure the Queen would be safe in any such excursion.

Abby wanted to go for she liked Jack. She had to agreed through, "Come back tomorrow."

Next Day

Monique sat with Queen Abigail at breakfast. She gave her debriefing, "There will be cloaked ship that will standby near the moon of the planet. Scouts reported the planet is rather remotely located. A contingency ship will be stationed at the 4th planet and hidden. Scans indicate artificial satellites in orbit and a more primitive level of deep space technology in development."

"What are people of the planet like?" Abby asked.

"Our scans have found indications of technology being used for entertainment. We have picked up what appears to be many forms of music, transmissions on different frequencies and something called…television which appears to have multiple applications. They do not appear to be unified under one leader."

"That can be a good thing." Abby replied. "After Mother and Father died I was just thrown into this…I felt overwhelmed. What if I fail?"

"Is that not why you insisted on a council with ballot casting ability?" she asked reminding her of the new governing body.

"Yes, I do not have an heir. If I die then you become Queen and if we both die then the Council must take over and find a new King." she deemed. She then sighed, "Father tried to prepare me but I don't think he did. Must be I'm just not intelligent, like you are. I never think of half the stuff you think of."

Monique assured, "You bring much needed humility to the position of Queen. You always put the people first and your father saw that as a weakness. My father said it was your greatest strength." she reported.

"Your father said that?" she asked with a tear. "He was my father's most trusted general."

"Indeed," she nodded and then finished her last bit of food. She glanced down to ensure the royal golden gown was not soiled.

Abby stuck to wearing a tunic and trousers. Today she wore blue instead of tan. She wiped the spot from her tunic. "I'm such a messy eater." she complained.

"Most people are." Monique assured. "It's assuring for the commoner to see a leader who is not perfectly attired."

"They should adore me then." she miffed. "How is it you wear my clothing better than I do?" She motioned towards the gown.

She replied, "So you will always remain safe and out of harms way." She stood up, "Are you ready, My Queen."

Abby also stood up and wagged her finger, "Stop it! You know I'm not enthused by titles."

"I know," she grinned.

Soon Monique led Abby out the door and out of the castle. Armed troops waited near the Gate. They quickly arrived and waited for SG-1 to dial in.

The Gate came to life and SG-1 emerged from the event horizon. Jack noticed Monique was dressed much like royalty and her sidekick was dressed much like a policeman absent a duty belt and badge. He glanced at his team for their reactions. Daniel stood with his memorized list of possible trade items, Sam wanted to see the technology of the ships and Teal'c remained rather dumbstruck. Jack began to worry about Teal'c and his infatuation with the assumed Queen. It could harm any attempt at relations with the kingdom.

Jack spoke, "You highness." He then addressed Abigail, "Officer."

Abby asked, "Officer?"

He explained, "You look kind of like a cop in that get up."

"What's a cop?" she wondered.

"A constable…Like Nolan." he suggested.

"Nolan is a very honorable man." she replied. "I suppose I should take that as a compliment."

"Sure," Jack agreed as he felt Daniel's displeased stare bearing down on him. "So, you and the Queen ready to go?"

Monique declared, "We are."

"You taking all your guards?" Jack wondered.

"Just my companion." she motioned towards Abby who stood with two suitcases that Monique packed prior incase they were to stay the night or be delayed.

Jack shifted his weight, "Kind of trusting, huh?"

"No," she disagreed. "It's an offering of trust to build a foundation of trade upon."

Daniel stated, "It's like an olive branch, Jack."

"I get it." he assured him. He stepped aside, "Your highness," he motioned for Monique to go before him.

Sam had dialed the Gate back to Earth and already established a returning wormhole. She stated, "I would like to stay and see your ships."

Monique looked directly at Abby who replied, "Maybe at a later time. We just met after all."

Sam seemed to be down but understood. "I understand."

Jack squinted for surely the Queen could make such a decision and not her companion. He began to suspect that maybe Abby was the real queen and perhaps Monique was a decoy. He decided to watch the pair closer.

Daniel motioned "This way, Your Highness." He then led Monique towards the Gate while Teal'c seemed infatuated from afar.

Teal'c followed behind Daniel beside Sam. Jack stood back with Abby. He motioned, "Ladies' first."

Abby gave a final look to her people and a nod and then walked through the Gate with Jack right behind her.