It has been a week. A long week.

SG-1 had been gone a whole week. Missing in action.

The happier General George Hammond was right now with his newest Mission Report from Jack. Normally he hated them for Jack writing with no distinct style or any formal standards and he hated it when he needed to remind his Colonel of the guidelines yet for the hundredth time.

But today was different.

He felt so glad to have this report right now. A report that would be a typical Jack-O'Neill-Report, but as well a report that almost didn't happen at all…

When had it started to go this downhill?

Jack didn't know by now how many times he has asked himself this question in the last few hours.

Their mission had started out really nicely and everything went according to plan.

Daniel had given them his speech about a minor Goa'uld named Dareios who was enslaving yet another planet. Teal'c had been given news about him from one of his members of the Free Jaffa and of course SG-1 was about to offer help for the rebellion.

Jack remembered being so proud about himself for connecting said Dareios with ancient commander Alexander the Great – and actually being right about it! – that he had become so immersed in his own triumph he had paid even lesser attention to Daniel than he normally did. And under normal circumstances he didn't even get half the attention.

Now they were kneeing in front of said Dareios and Jack really wished for a little more knowledge about him.

Next time Daniel would have his outmost attention. No matter what!

But as far as he could tell he didn't like this Goa'uld wanna-be-god much at all.

He seemed like a pompous snooty who couldn't get enough of himself. And the way he talks! Terrible!

"The infamous SG-1!" His dramatically voice being mechanically deep because of the symbiote in his body was rumbling from the walls.

Yes, Jack thought sarcastically, a guy who likes to hear himself talk. He rolled his eyes.

"I haven't thought we were this famous out here" Jack started with a laidback voice, "but you are welcome." Just because he could he made a great gesture with his arms.

Oh, he so didn't want to go to this yet another time. When had it started to go this downhill?

The rest of the team didn't say anything. Teal'c normally didn't so Jack didn't even hope for help, and Carter, his 2IC, was eyeing the situation with alert. Jack liked her for being observant as it would definitely come in handy later.

Daniel on the other hand was just panting angrily next to him. He didn't like it when Jack was about to provoke their foe as it normally ended with them getting hurt in a way or another, and Daniel always favored talking over fighting. Thus it came to no surprise for Jack as he heard a somewhat foreshadowing "Jack!" from his left. The moment he turned to the archaeologist he was met by a raised eyebrow as well.

A resounding laugh from the Goa'uld Lord.

Yes, Jack thought, very dramatic.

"I heard stories about you, Colonel O'Neill" he said, "and about your loose tongue."

"Yeah, well, you do what you can" Jack commented. Again the same angry reaction from Daniel.

Again a resounding laugh from the Goa'uld Lord.

"And you must be Dr. Daniel Jackson when I'm right." Daniel chose to ignore him "Not so pleased I see."

"No, not really", came the sarcastic remark from Daniel. Of course he wasn't pleased.

"No need for me to address Teal'c, the Shol'va." Thus he skipped the Jaffa. Jack could see that Teal'c wasn't too unhappy about it. "On the other hand…" He turned and locked eyes with Carter.

Dareios actually started to move. Jack pinched his eyes in discontent as he followed his way down the stairs. Carter always had this ability to attract everyone and to draw the attention on her. She was a woman, blond, blue eyes, smart and a strong warrior – a combination that is most uncommon in outer space – even on earth! Jack had always disliked this fact. And especially now.

"Major Samantha Carter." Dareios kept his eyes fixed on her as he walked up to her. Somehow Jack wished for him to stumble over his awful velvet cloak, but of course this didn't happen. "You are as beautiful as the stories tell."

No, I don't like it at all, Jack thought to himself.

"Can I call you Sam?" Dareios asked with obvious interest.

"No." was the swift and clean answer of his 2IC. There was no movement in her facial expression. Dareios eyes laid a while longer on her and for some reason Jack grew extremely uneasy, but then the Lord turned back around with yet another laugh and made his way back to his throne.

Jack let out the air he didn't even noticed he held. With a swift turn he made sure that Carter was doing alright. He knew that the Major could stand her ground perfectly fine for herself and he didn't have any doubt in her willpower, but still as the CO of SG-1 he felt protective over his team. And maybe for Carter a little bit more than for his boys, as she was the only woman on the team. But most of the time it wasn't necessary for him to even think about protecting her. She was very capable of her own and not to be underestimated. And many foes were to learn this the hard way in the past.

Still Jack was surprised when he saw Carter rearranging her sit and shifting with unease. A shaky breath left her, but then the strong façade was up again. Nothing to worry about.

"I must say this is a very fortunate combination of circumstances" Dareios announced as he sat on his throne again.

Yes, a very pompous snooty.

"Yes, very fortunate", Jack commented and grinned. When had it started to go this downhill?

To be honest, even though Jack commented it with a very sarcastic tone, it wasn't as unfortunate for the team as it seemed. Of course it hadn't been the plan to get captured by the Goa'uld lord because this somehow always turned out to get dangerous at one point or another. But by now Jack was more than used to the fact that Plan A never really worked out the way it was supposed to do. In fact they always ended up with a spontaneous Plan F as all the others had failed already. Thus it was somehow not as unfortunate for them as it would seem. Their mission was to stop a Goa'uld Lord. And for a matter of fact, they now had said Goa'uld Lord right in front of them.

So not as unfortunate as it would seem. The only question now: what to do with the new situation?

"You see" the Goa'uld Lord began, "There are many people out there who would give a lot for the four of you." Jack got a feeling where this might go – and he didn't like the outcome of his own imagination at all.

"So I might be able to actually fetch some very good incomes for me by selling you to the highest bidder."

Yup, when had it started to go this downhill?

"To be honest" Dareios kept going, "I could sell out the Shol'va alone and achieve so many of my goals." With this he turned to Teal'c who just remained his proud and stoic posture.

"Not this high of goals" Jack snapped yet again.

"I could keep the rest of you" Dareios resumed as he had never heard Jack's comment. His eyes wandered to Carter, "for personal use maybe." He smiled in a sick way.

"You know I think I get a little problem with that." Now was the time to get a little more protective over Carter.

Dareios didn't look so amused anymore. "And you know I don't like talking back."

"Yeah, nothing I can do about that I suppose."

Dareios waved for his guards. "Lock them up. I shall decide what is to happen to them in a while."

With this SG-1 is forcefully pulled to their legs. Jack's knees crack the moment they are straightened again and he starts to limp for the first few steps.

Oh yeah, when had it started to go this downhill?