Tarvek sat in a mediative pose with a ritual circle, legs folded beneath him as he used prayer beads, incense in the air from four small sticks as he prayed. Every day since fleeing the unknown deities presence now he done so, which was several days now, both in the morning and the evening, with physical exercise and studying his holy texts and field manual in between. There had no visible effects to his understanding, but being alone didn't make it easy to know – those corrupted often thought they were perfectly fine after all. The likelihood was low, thank the Lord, and purification combined with every effort to shield himself from such detection after refreshing his knowledge from the manuals in his wrist-comp.

It was nighttime, his camp disguised and hidden, though he'd built a 'simple' firepit to provided heat and light within the camouflage camp area rather than using his gear. Such things were best saved for worse conditions than he was facing on this world where the weather was pleasant, safe burnable materials were plentiful, and the wildlife was edible. Another reason was that Tarvek preferred such things, having grown up on Skartoris where such a way of life was normal, compared to many of his fellow pathfinders who had grown up on more urbanised worlds. With things against him…normal was good. Even the field manuals agreed with such efforts in a time such as this.

But, all rituals most end, and Tarvek emitted a relieved, if weary, sigh as he completed his, opening his eyes once again, hands moving off his knees to push himself up to stand. He ritually cleansed himself before praying, his naked form almost crimson in the light of the campfire, tattoos shadowed as he stretched after resting so long, moving to get dressed. All while making sure to look at the holographic display showing the various video feeds of his planted security cameras across the forest; most importantly around his camp, and the fake one, but also overwatch on the 'stargate'. Which he expected to activate soon, bringing with it the, hopefully untainted and problem-less, humans with demanded supplies; his payment for the madness.

'Such to replace a lost drone, but nowhere near replacing the loss of two high value spell-artifacts' he thought to himself, though in a good mood as his Celestial Etherscope Compass materialised into his right after he had mental summoned it. Even if the first job as a mercenary had failed, nearly fatally, he had succeeded in opening the two remaining crates due to the sheer need created by that failed mission. One had been filled with electronic devices, scanners of various types acquired from a High Technology dimension, and, while useful…also beyond his level of skill Tarvek suspected. The final crate had been the 'jackpot' as Sasha would have called it; a magic item crate, filled with scrolls, grimoires, and even some magic items.

Nothing on the level of a staff of the magi, but it was beyond useful to him in this time and place. Most importantly because now he had magic and material to 'burn' as some called it to fuel his Compass to create-expand his extra-dimensional storage as emergency protocols gave allowance for. It was an 'inefficient' and 'costly' method of using the Compass, where a mage could create a 'Magnificent Mansion' or have other bags of holding…

Instead he'd 'burn' the crates, and contents of precious metals and gems in one, along with several of the magic items in another to 'fuel' the camp carry capacity in his Compass. Of course that meant he was converting the items and energy into that space rather than 'burning' it, but, for Tarvek, that was a blessing as it would allow him at least travel with a camp of supplies rather than risking losing them planes-walking. It'd take a little while longer, a few days at most, but it was a glad to have distraction when faced with running into a dead world infested with dark deities. All would be well if he was healthy and such a task completed, even if the 'Tau'ri' proved false, or fallen shortly.

'Well, best get into the armour and start moving' Tarvek told himself after dressing and ensuring the firepit was safely covered so sparks didn't ignite the camp while he was away. Damage from the 'divine pressure' had been relatively minor thankfully, and Tarvek made sure to have the scanner system set to detect such energies for the approaching meeting. Should it occur. They had an hour period after all as agreed with sync of his time to the human Tau'ri's, and sneaking while in full power armour was…difficult to say the least. Which was exactly what the next while turned out to be for Tarvek after he'd left camp, heading towards where the stargate ring was located while doing his best not to disturb the terrain with his suit steps.

Then, once he arrived within a short distance of the stargate, he simply waited at a 'greeting spot' he prepared, lighting the firepit there so all was illuminated…

And it wasn't more than forty minutes before they arrived, within the allocated time period as he watched the ring portal activate in its usual spectacularly inefficient manner. Tarvek merely studied it as it did so, even at a distance the information was still surprisingly beneficial, watching as the first human stepped through with his gun resting rather than at the ready. Then followed in by another two, one of them the belly-worm carrier that changed sides, carrying a large crate. Finishing up with two females carrying a second large crate after a crude tracked drone came through with two more crates upon them. Stepping forward Tarvek could already see on his HUD they were actually delivering what he been promised, and he attempted to avoid sudden surprises as his suit was illuminated enough to be seen by them as the 'stargate' ring-portal went off behind them, turning the land dark.

"Colonel O'Neill" he greeted the short humans, their names popping up on his HUD with indicators for who they were based on his introductions during his brief, unwanted, stay at the humans base. One of their teams, plus one of their doctors it seemed "You have my payment, yes?"

"Ah, big red, got your toys and trinkets, yes we do" the leader replied, making a thumb gesture towards the crates being put down at the bottom of the earthen ramp Tarvek had tidied up to the ring. Set it up as efficiently as he could for the half-buried control device to now sit clean and neat at the bottom "Looking good in that armour of yours"

"Place the crates there" Tarvek simply replied, gesturing to an area he had marked out clearly in an earthen square having cleared the clearing properly "Then, if you wish to talk, which I expect you do as you have brought a medicus, then join me at the fire to break bread together"

It was best to establish clear rules and that this was his meeting, and his land, albeit temporarily, so that things went as intended. He even exited his armour, having dressed into light body armour and a protection from missiles ring for defence, and sat at the wooden 'chairs', or blocks of wood, resting before the firepit where a pot and kettle hissed and bubbled. No way was he bringing them to his camp, so this simple 'camp' with a tarp over it was sufficient for a night such as this, with even wooden blocks for everyone…just about as Tarvek took his seat, pouring coffee into a metal cup as they approached "Sit, you wish to talk, then we talk"

His armour's semi-autonomous were active in case they tried to betray him, but there was no signs of corruption or such actions as weapons were down, just like his "Oh, what's on the menu…"

"Jack" one of the other's interjected, the 'doctor' who was merely a scholar, who was looking at Tarvek, and then at the fire "Ah, sacred hospitality, guest rights, yes?"

"Aye" Tarvek agreed with a nod "Break bread with me under truce…I even have bread, albeit ration pack dry hard bread. As to the menu, beans with wild hare"

He held up the kettle "And a caffeine-based drink called coffee"

"Yes, I've heard of it" the senior human replied as sarcastically as Tarvek, but they were taking seats, the two females and scholar clearly wishing to ask questions, while the 'jaffa' studied him silently "But, I'll take a cup of that over beans"

"Breaking bread is very important culturally for many…"

"Danny" the senior human interrupted the scholar as he accepted a metal cup willed with coffee from Tarvek "That we are doing, and limited time given to us…and many other, boring, questions to ask. But I'll ask the important one first; SG-17 are, so far, in good health and not dancing around maypoles, are we looking good on them?"

Tarvek shrugged "I have seen to my own concerns too, and I am unaffected, or I believe so. But I was in sealed hazard armour, and they were not. If they are healthy and sane, it is a good sign…but merely a sign. Time is needed to monitor such things to ensure they are healthy…and sane. Sanity is the important part. I pray they remain so, and in good health, when the time comes. All I can recommend is following protocols I hath given"

"That is what I want to discuss then" their medicus, doctor, answered, politely, having taken a plate and actual taking a small bit of hard bread and the beans "I have questions on what was given to us"

Tarvek nodded "Then ask"

He had expected as much, as their basic understanding of the realms of anything other than the mundane was….honestly, frighteningly limited. Constrained by their religious thinking, in that they were adherents of a quasi-atheistic faith, always seeking to disprove rather than learn, or understand that their understanding of the universe might be constrained due to tech and arcane studies levels. They had brought the requested materials as best he could tell, and therefore he hand a contract to keep;- and one's word was one's bond. So answer and clarify Tarvek did, while agreeing to another, provisional, mission with. Albeit with more restrictions and demanded scouting and higher payment in materials.

Several weeks to prepare himself to depart for his next 'Walk' was ideal after all, and he would prefer to aid them in ensuring there were no further possessions and such on their part. Honour demanded it to some degree…

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