Daughter

Chapter 74 – Liberation

The paper on the floor crumpled beneath Gracie's pink sneakers. She ran forward without care for the marks left on the circle scrawled across the blue construction paper. "Whoosh!" she yelled.

Jack watched with wide eyes as she led a little team through the gate in their preschool playroom. Two similar-aged boys followed her, jumping on the circle as she did. He even overheard her refer to herself as 'Kernil Gracie.'

"She has quite the imagination," the Pentagon daycare director commented, standing next to him.

"Apparently," Jack murmured. He was here to pick her up early so they could attend a doctor's appointment. He came just in time to witness her going on another adventure through the 'circle.'

Sam was going to laugh in his face for this.

"Here's something you might get a kick out of," the director continued. "She argued with one of the other kids about being in charge. She said Colonels are always the bosses of Generals." The woman laughed aloud. "Isn't that something?"

Jack's mouth quirked. "Yeah. Something." Sam would eat him alive for that one, too. "Gracie," he called out.

"Hang on!" she said, holding up a palm in his direction. "We not done chasing the lost squirrel! We has ta get it back!"

Jack started shuddering as he laughed quietly at her.

One of the little boys pointed. "Over there!"

All the kids screamed and went in that direction.

They started running in circles, giving Jack the perfect opportunity to scoop up his daughter when she passed him by. Her little legs kicked in the air as he held her upside-down. She giggled when Jack tickled her. "Daddy!" she whined as he put her down. "I busy!"

"Nope. We gotta go early today, remember? Colonel's orders."

"Oh. Okay!" She smiled up at him primly.

The director leaned in. "I see what you did there. Smart."

Jack cracked a smile. "Thanks."

"Daniel," Vala whispered as she gazed at all the unfamiliar items on display in the store. "What are all these things?"

Bewildered, he whispered back, "I have no idea."

A registry department worker had given them a barcode scanner and a stapled packet of paper to serve as a helpful guide. They were here at the baby store to start their wish list.

Vala stared in trepidation at a wall full of diaper bags. It was filled from floor to ceiling. "How do we even know which one to pick!?"

Daniel meanwhile looked at all the sample cribs set up nearby. Each display came with matching dressers and a rocking chair. "I don't even know where to start," he admitted quietly, completely overwhelmed.

He looked down at their 'guide.' It was a jumbled mess of suggestions from every department. He didn't know what half of the things on there were. He flipped through the packet of paper and continued to find more and more foreign items.

"Jackson?"

The couple turned toward a male voice. "Reynolds?"

The marine started chuckling at them. He caught their bewildered looks before he announced himself. "I would ask what you're doing in Buy Buy Baby… but I can already guess." He cracked a smile.

Vala just blinked. "I'm not going to lie to you, Reynolds. I am not even sure what we're doing here." She looked down at the scanning gun in her hand in confusion. The lasers it was capable of shooting were harmless. This thing would be useless against a regiment of Jaffa.

The Colonel laughed. "Yeah, there is a bit of a learning curve with all these gadgets," he said casually, waving a hand around at the store. "You don't even really need a quarter of this shit."

Daniel gaped. "Then what the Hell! Wait a minute… what are you doing here?"

He pointed further away. "My wife is here picking up a few things for her friend's baby shower. I saw you two and thought you looked a little lost." He started laughing more.

Daniel stepped closer without shame. He knew full well when he was in completely foreign territory. And this was it. "You've got four kids. So what do we really need?"

"Give that here," he said, holding a hand out for the packet. "Got a pen?"

"Uhh… yeah." Daniel fished out the pen he accidentally stole from the registry desk.

Reynolds flipped through the stapled pack of paper and circled some items. Then he gave it back. "There. Your bare essentials. Acquire these and you just might survive."

"Why do you make it sound like we're going to be out of town on a mission?"

"Because that's what it'll feel like. No back-up. Lack of sleep. Cut off from the… you know. Surrounded by the enemy."

"The enemy? It's a baby."

"Jackson," Reynolds said meaningfully.

Vala just kept looking back and forth between them.

"Malcolm! Stop scaring these poor people," a woman chided, smacking his bicep. She reached out a hand. "Daniel, so nice to see you again!"

"Darla," he said with a smile. "Likewise. Uhh, this is my fiancé, Vala."

The women greeted each other politely. Reynolds's wife glanced down at Vala's stomach. She looked at Daniel questioningly. "So… I take it you're…"

"Oh! Yes, yes, we're expecting." He smiled awkwardly.

"Isn't that wonderful!" Darla exclaimed. "How far along are you?"

"Six months," Vala reported proudly.

Reynolds bumped his wife's shoulder playfully. "They're supposed to start their registry." He grinned. "I remember that. It was a big ol' load of bullshit."

Darla just gave him a look. "Could I see that?" she asked the other couple nicely. Daniel handed her the packet. Darla flipped through it. She held up a hand toward her husband. "Pen," she demanded. Then she sighed as she circled a few more items. "Don't listen to anything this guy says. He wouldn't last half a day by himself with a newborn."

"Hey!" Reynolds complained.

His wife looked up at him pointedly. "Really? Only some diapers and a few onesies?"

"I circled bottles, too," he argued petulantly.

"Right… but where's the formula?"

"She could breastfeed."

His wife shook her head at him in exasperation. It made Daniel and Vala smile. "Did you ask her about that?"

Reynolds blinked. "No."

Darla rolled her eyes. Then she handed the packet back to Daniel. "Come on. I'll show you what you really need and which items are the best value for your money."

Her husband looked down at his watch. "Honey…"

He was promptly ignored as Darla looped arms around Daniel and Vala, then led them away.

Reynolds just watched them go, flabbergasted.

The SFs glanced over at the pair of marines settling in at another table in the mess. One guy poked another. "Look. They're one short again."

"Sheesh. What did they do wrong?"

"Maybe she got bored of 'em."

"Damn. You think?"

"Bernstein, dare you to ask."

"You couldn't pay me enough money to…"

"Fifty bucks."

The SF shot out of his chair. His buddies grinned at him as he sat down uninvited with Smith and Crawford.

The Sergeants just stopped what they were doing to stare at him.

"Wasup, guys," Bernstein said casually. "Where's your girl?"

The SFs sniggered. They made no effort to pretend they weren't watching closely.

"What's it to you?" Crawford asked flatly.

"Yeah," Smith agreed.

"Just asking a question. It's come to everyone's attention that you've been abandoned. For weeks. Figured I'd check in. Show my moral support," the SF bullshitted.

His friends began laughing harder.

Smith sent Crawford a tired look.

Crawford sighed quietly. "Look, Bernstein. Elda's whereabouts are her business." He waved a flippant hand at the other table. "Why don't you mosey on back to your buddies over there and just mind your beeswax?"

Bernstein pointed an index finger on the table. "Inquiring minds simply need to know. Is she bored of banging you two? And does she have her eye on anyone else?" he asked hopefully.

"What the actual fuck," Smith muttered.

Crawford mustered patience. A boatload of it. These fuckers were messing with him and Smith. He could tell. Who knew Elda's absence would lead to this? One would think it'd be easier for them to move on to something else already. 'Out of sight, out of mind,' as they say. Obviously, that wasn't the case here. Elda had a way of catching your attention and then keeping it.

Smith was kind of surprised by how Crawford remained calm instead of threatening to kick all of their asses. He usually got incensed about this type of thing. And Smith would have gladly joined in if it actually got violent. He was tired of hearing all the crude comments about their teammate lately. She dealt with enough disrespect out in the galaxy. Their visit to Zersha a handful of weeks ago was just the latest glaring example. She deserved better than this from her own coworkers. They were all supposed to be on the same side.

Crawford gave the SF a pointed look. "Elda isn't here because she's got important things to do on her Jaffa planet, alright? Her fiancé is busy saving lives and shit, so she's stepping up to help his dad out until he comes back. The minute we need her here, she turns right around and does her job. She's too busy to worry about assholes like you… and them," he explained, nodding his head at the other SFs. He knew they were listening. "Feel free to see Colonel Reynolds directly if you have further questions. He'll be happy to explain it in detail for you."

"Pretty sure he would also love to explain the finer points of staying in your lane and minding your own damn business," Smith added with a warning in his tone. He implied that they were ready to report their inappropriate behavior to Command. At some point, it all just had to stop. The Sergeants were sick and tired of this bullshit.

Bernstein slowly nodded his head and got up. "Cool." He quietly went back to his table, which was filled with appropriately-shamed SFs.

Smith turned to Crawford. He tipped his chin up in respect.

Crawford just tilted his head in thanks and got started with his meal.

After Lo'zim reported that some of the Jaffa refugees showed an aptitude for construction, Elda spoke to the lead builders about including them in spring projects. She was not about to let anyone's obvious talent go to waste. At her suggestion, the builders formed a plan to make new huts for the Nameless to share on the surface. Elda promised to help the village trade for construction materials it didn't already have on hand to make them. It would be more meaningful to the refugees if they could build their own homes themselves. It would symbolize the reconstruction of their lives after everything they had been put through.

Her idea was met with full approval by the Tribe Father. The builders would need to remove some trees to make room for new structures. But those same trees could provide the lumber needed to build the frames of the huts. The smaller branches could become firewood. The leaves could be shredded into mulch and compost for the gardens. Nothing would be wasted.

She tried to help with the physical labor whenever she could, but Elda's duties left her with very little time to participate. When she wasn't working with the builders or trading offworld on their behalf, she actually had to step into Jasuf's role and manage the village.

Minders needed directing. The hunters and fishermen had to be tasked with the kitchen's requests. The schoolmaster's supplies needed to be acquired. The maintenance people wanted new tools and parts for all the village machinery they serviced. The list went on and on and on.

Elda had already shadowed Jasuf countless times and knew what he would want done. But it was still overwhelming.

And if she had to be honest? It was also inefficient.

From what Elda observed, everyone already knew what to do. But they waited for permission to do it! She didn't understand that. In her opinion, granting a little autonomy would mean the village could run itself. To a point. She felt it was important for her sanity that the people be allowed to direct themselves whenever appropriate.

Meil'nor gave her the space to run things as she pleased whenever she was home. Elda made it clear to all the people in charge that her orders were standing and could be executed even if she was offworld. There was no need to wait for her to wake up, come outside, and say 'go ahead'. She also knew that constantly switching back and forth between the old and the new ways would be confusing, so she regularly checked in with the Tribe Father to make sure he knew what changes she was instituting in Jasuf's absence.

He was perfectly fine with following her model for running the village whenever he was the only one there. He saw the worth in her innovation and noted it gave him a little more room to breathe as well.

There were still some things she'd like to stay in control of, like security. She worked closely with Lo'zim on that. He managed the people while she determined where they should go and when. Elda based her decisions on her knowledge of what outside threats might be brewing that could affect Tek'ron.

She didn't even seem to notice how well she was falling into her role. She was so harried and exhausted that she tried to focus on making her life easier. To have less work. Her selfish motivation was actually having a decent effect on the village.

Different department heads got comfortable communicating directly with each other. They could do what made sense in the moment, without having to wait for someone from 'upper management' to render final approval. The only expectation was that they report to leadership what had been accomplished.

The day Elda was able to sleep in and not be woken by some minder asking for directions was the day she sighed in relief.

She laid there in bed, just staring at the ceiling. Elda smiled to herself as she stretched lazily. It was too bad Jasuf wasn't here to enjoy this.

His loss, she thought. Elda got up and washed up for the day. She donned her pastel yellow day dress, the one with the frilly ruffle around the cap shoulders and the hem, then exited the hut. Bright sunshine greeted her.

There was absolutely no minder in sight looking for orders. She grinned at that.

Elda ventured into the eating hut and sat down with whoever was there. Fen and some of the other mothers were busy trying to feed their small children. She pulled one of the babies onto her lap to make it easier for the mom to feed him. They all chatted amicably as they finished breakfast. Elda had to eat with one hand, but she didn't mind. This was more fun than 'running around like a chicken with its head cut off,' as her father once described her.

She still didn't get that one.

After they cleaned up the eating hut, Elda separated from the women and went to the governance hut. Meil'nor was already seated on his throne examining something on a tablet. "Father," she greeted as she bowed.

"Lady Elda." He gestured for her to sit with him on her special chair. "See this."

Elda accepted the tablet and studied it curiously. "The High Council is updating us?" She read through the text in Goa'uld carefully. "What does this part mean?" she asked while pointing.

"They mean to say that the warriors must continue on," he translated glumly.

Her face soured. "Jasuf has not been home for weeks. Except for that one day of respite after they secured Goronak, he's been absent for over a month! We need our people back!"

"I agree. But we cannot demand such a thing when the Council still requires their service. It would seem there are other important parts of the nation to secure."

"Which parts? I'll go there myself and do it in a day," she exaggerated. "Then everyone can just come home."

Her Tribe Father quietly laughed at her. "The Council would have already sought your talents if that were possible."

"Ha. I'll make it possible."

He reached for the tablet and took it back. "We do not know where the Army is being sent next. I can only presume that the scheming of the Goa'uld continues. Perhaps your sisters once again identified new targets through their cunning reconnaissance."

He was referring to the Hak'tyl warriors being led by their former sister, Kar'yn. Rya'c had given her the job of spying on the Goa'uld to determine what their next moves would be. A group of Jaffa women deep within Loyalist territory could be expected to be ignored, as traditionally, they were considered second-class. It gave them the freedom to infiltrate various Goa'uld strongholds posing as hand-maidens, low priestesses, or whatever other servants were typical in those spaces. They'd learned a lot about what targets were preferred and how they would be attacked. Many plots were foiled because of Hak'tyl intelligence.

Elda knew about all of this because she was fourth-in-line. Thus, she was included whenever reports were sent back home. She was proud that her sisters were given such a prestigious and important role in the overall defense strategy. Rya'c seemed to respect them and their abilities. It was only fitting that both he and his father had married Hak'tyl.

"My sisters should just assassinate all these Goa'uld and be done with it," Elda complained.

"You know that would be unwise without proper precautions in place."

She huffed. "I know. My birth mother explained to me how hard it was for the Tau'ri to handle the System Lords."

"Yes, I am aware of the stories." He now changed tracks. "Today, I must ask you to venture to Darzin. It is time to greet our allies there and engage in trade. See the Head Mistress about her needs. Then offer them our spare harvest in return."

Elda bowed her head. "Ahh, before I forget, the final pieces of the orbital platform will be coming today. If I am not back in time…" she hazarded.

"I will oversee their installation myself, Lady Elda. Do not fear. Will that Zershan representative be coming?"

"Hmpf. If he does, he better have our new shuttle with him. His deadline is today."

"So you say. These continuous delays have been aggravating."

"I know. There's only so much intimidation I can do without starting to give something up to motivate them. You know that the last time I went there, Gen had the audacity to offer to speed everything up if I simply laid with him?"

"I am aware, Kal'ma," Meil'nor said angrily. "Your guard reported that to me immediately. They also described in detail how you struck him three times to give him your answer."

She smirked. "Hmm. That probably left a mark."

He began to laugh. "Are there other matters to discuss?"

"No, I think everything is fine. I'll check on the village before I depart."

"Good."

Elda leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. Then she left the hut.

Jasuf raced quickly through the brush with his staff weapon in hand. His men kept pace with him, spaced out evenly in the jungle of some planet they had just stepped on hours ago.

Andin signaled to his fellows. The guardsmen converged on his location. They crouched low to observe a small camp set up deep in the jungle. Its inhabitants were all Jaffa males, relaxed and off guard.

Jasuf pulled a communicator out and entered a special code. The sound, if heard by their enemy, would be brushed off as interference. But the melody formed by the characters he played sent a message to a Ha'tak waiting on the far side of the planet's single moon.

Soon the chimes were being repeated aloud as other teams also found their targets.

Jasuf, Bier, Andin, and Fezir remained still.

The men in the camp continued with their activities, not realizing that their compatriots throughout the area were about to be ambushed just like them.

"Tal shak," Rya'c sounded off on Jasuf's communicator.

The Tek'ronians spread out and rushed forward.

Staff weapons fire rang out, dropping enemy Jaffa immediately. The shots were aimed away from their pouches, though, giving them a chance to live and be 'educated' once they recovered. Rya'c had no interest in killing Jaffa who could potentially be supporters of their cause. The more his ranks grew, the less powerful the Goa'uld would seem to the rest of the Loyalists.

Mercy was Rya'c's most powerful weapon in this fight.

It had already served him well. Their operations yielded nearly a hundred Free Jaffa hiding among their Loyalist peers. They were just waiting for a chance to break free from their masters. And they took no offense to the injuries they sustained, once they realized who had captured them. It was a small price to pay for liberation.

Jasuf raised his staff to block a strike. He pivoted the heavy weapon multiple times to execute the sequence he and Elda created together. His opponent fell quickly, having never seen something like it before. Jasuf zatted him unconscious to remove him from the fight. Then he moved on to another opponent. His men were all doing the same around him.

Eventually, they successfully overcame the small camp. All of the enemy Jaffa were now either unconscious or too injured to fight back. Those who were aware enough braced for the end, then became surprised when it did not come.

"Kree tak?" one of the injured asked weakly as Bier leaned down to wrap his wounds. He thought this had to be a trick. They would surely torture him before killing him.

"No, Brother," Bier said calmly. "This is your liberation."

An Alkesh soon hovered over them. It did not fire, but instead dropped low enough to allow other Jaffa with medical supplies to jump down. They all bore marks from different Goa'uld masters. The captured Jaffa were treated, detained, then loaded up onto the ship.

One by one, Jasuf laid a proud hand on the shoulders of his warriors. "Another job well done," he congratulated them. They inclined their heads. All four of them were sweaty and exhausted.

"Indeed," a voice called out from behind Jasuf.

The men turned and bowed low to Rya'c as a superior.

He drew closer with hands out. "Please, Brothers. We are equals." He placed his own hand on Jasuf's shoulder now. "Your work here today has only added to our success. I applaud you for accomplishing this task without bloodshed." Rya'c gazed around and smiled slightly. "Well, not an excessive amount of bloodshed."

Jasuf matched his smile. "What is next?"

"Rest while we travel to our next location. The Hak'tyl have identified yet another target."

The men glanced at each other. They were hoping for a chance to go home instead.

"I will inform you and the rest of our Brothers of the details after you enjoy a brief respite aboard the Ha'tak. Tek'ma'te." Rya'c then left, presumably to offer his praise to the other teams on the planet.

Jasuf closed his eyes briefly and sighed. He gazed up at the satellite occupying the night sky. The pale yellow moon shone brightly. It made him wonder if Elda had chosen the same-colored dress today. Or did she pick the gold one that he saw in the closet? He'd never had a chance to see her wear it.

His longing for her was beginning to eat a little at his soul. He'd been without her touch for too long. Longer than he could remember. This campaign had grown complex and challenging. They were not only ensuring the safety and security of strongholds across the nation, but they were now infiltrating vulnerable planets on the outer edge of Goa'uld territories. Like today. Jasuf suspected the end of this work was nowhere near in sight.

He only hoped Elda could wait for him that long.

Fezir found Jasuf in his quarters aboard the Ha'tak. "Jasuf, some of our newly-liberated brothers seek an audience."

He unfolded his legs. Candles were lit around him for kel'no'reem. He stood from the floor and raised his brow. "With me?"

"You and us."

"Where."

"Come."

They walked together to the training area of this Council-controlled Ha'tak. Like on their Tek'ronian ship, it featured a wide corridor with small rooms on either side. A hall sat waiting at the end to serve as a large meeting space.

Fezir led Jasuf to one of the training rooms, where Bier and Andin were already present. A small group of Jaffa were waiting for them. These weren't the same ones they'd just defeated on the last planet. They were rehabilitated weeks ago. Yet some still wore the blood-stained clothing they came aboard with. A supply ship had been barred from coming with fresh clothes for the new passengers to wear. The fleet was constantly moving and did not dare to give up its position just for that.

"Brothers," Jasuf greeted.

Bier gestured toward him. "He is our superior."

The other men inclined their heads, but did not bow. They were still trying to determine how rank worked on this ship. The younger Jaffa Rya'c seemed to be the only real commander among the liberators.

Jasuf took no offense. He had the same confusion, especially with Rya'c's insistence that they all consider each other equals. He wondered if Elda was doing the same thing right now on Tek'ron. She would.

"How are you faring?" he began.

One of the Jaffa spoke. "We are as well as can be expected. We requested this audience to ask what will become of us now that we have proven we wish to die free."

"Have you not directed your query to Rya'c?"

"He declines to answer, saying all will be determined in due time."

Jasuf gazed at each of the men, noting they all had the same disappointed looks over that non-answer. He breathed in. "I will inquire on your behalf. I cannot guarantee I will obtain a different response."

They inclined their heads gratefully. "We only ask that you try. Perhaps with your station, he will respond more thoroughly."

"Perhaps." Jasuf doubted it, though. He was one of several warriors like him, Lead Protectors from their individual tribes. It didn't afford him much in the way of status or influence here. He was simply a commander of an elite unit, if one were to compare them to the Tau'ri's model of warriorhood.

"There is another matter, Jasuf," Bier said. "They are interested to know how you felled a few of them so quickly." He smirked. "I explained that you drew inspiration from your mate."

Andin and Fezir began to laugh.

This only quirked the interest of the other Jaffa more.

Jasuf sighed tiredly at Bier. He gave him a look.

Bier only laughed himself.

The torture didn't stop, even though he'd already proposed to Elda and supported her rise within their tribe. He would one day become Tribe Leader, and Bier would still find a way to dangle this entertaining courtship in front of his face.

"Please, Brother. We wish to know more," a Jaffa called out.

Jasuf gritted his teeth. "My sim'ka is a warrior in her own right. She and I devised some of the sequences that I now practice today."

"A female warrior?" someone asked in surprise. "Is she a top defender where you hail from?"

Jasuf's men looked at him with interest to see how he would explain it. These Jaffa just had no idea. Their only concept of female fighters was of those trained to defend the homeland while the men were away.

Jasuf stood straighter now. "She is Hak'tyl. Raised from a young age to protect her tribe herself, without the aid of males." He emphasized the idea of protecting, rather than merely defending, to make clear that those women were in charge of their own security.

"Hak'tyl are a myth."

"We were taught they were an abomination," another retorted.

The Tek'ronians glanced at each other. It wasn't that long ago that they might have agreed to a certain extent. They knew better now. But these former Loyalists were isolated from Jaffa society's progress. Their only knowledge of Ishta's independent and mighty tribe was from rumors brought in through rare trade. They didn't believe any of it to be possible because it clashed with their conservative views.

"Not a myth. And not, as you might believe, unworthy of respect," Jasuf explained confidently. He refrained from mentioning that the Hak'tyl were responsible for identifying targets for them to defend or attack. They didn't need to know that secretive detail. He barely knew it himself as a commander and a future husband of a Hak'tyl.

The other Jaffa regarded him dubiously. "So you say your sim'ka is worthy."

"Indeed." He had no way to prove it here other than to hope that these Jaffa would take his word for it. It wasn't in Elda's best interest to gloat about her to them. She was held in high regard on Tek'ron and that was enough. If her name spread too far beyond it, that would make it dangerous for her as she worked. He was starting to understand why she didn't want to take credit for helping all those tribes secure tretonin contracts.

The less he said, the better. Jasuf would do nothing that could potentially bring her harm. She faced enough peril on her own as it was.

"I will bring your query to the commander. Have patience," Jasuf decided to say now. He glared at Bier, then left them.

He ventured to the peltac and spoke with the guards posted outside. They permitted him to enter.

Bra'tac stood at the main console, apparently in command. The forward port showed their ship traveling through hyperspace. Jasuf's quick glance at the console told him they were accompanied by four other Ha'tak. Whatever their next assignment was would likely be a very large operation.

"Speak," Bra'tac ordered.

"I come with a humble query from some of the newly-freed Jaffa. They wish to know what will become of them."

"Rya'c has already addressed their concerns."

Jasuf was completely unsurprised by that response. He didn't come here expecting much. "I will remind them."

He was about to turn to leave, but Bra'tac spoke again.

"You are of Tek'ron, are you not?"

Jasuf inclined his head.

"Tell me, Brother, how well do you know Teal'c?"

"Not well," he admitted. "But Lady Elda regards him as family. A beloved uncle."

Bra'tac hummed thoughtfully. He knew who Jasuf was and that he was matched with Teal'c's human niece. "Yes, that young human girl. She resembles the great SamanthaCarter."

Jasuf looked at him very carefully. Did he know?

The old Jaffa revealed nothing. "Your sim'ka is Hak'tyl," he stated. "That affords you some prestige with Rya'c. Test your luck and see if you can glean better answers than what he has already given." Then he harumphed, implying he, too, was disappointed that nothing more had been said. Bra'tac gestured behind him to the meeting hall, granting him permission to see the real commander.

Jasuf bowed, then went to the door. He pressed a button on the control pad and waited.

The door slid open to reveal Rya'c alone, examining a tablet on the table. He looked up and smiled. "Jasuf."

He bowed again and sat at Rya'c's invitation.

"What brings you here?" Rya'c asked pleasantly.

"Some of the newly-freed Jaffa wish to know what will become of them."

"Ahh. That."

Jasuf just waited.

"The men have received an inadequate response because the High Council has not made its decision yet." He nearly rolled his eyes. "I am at the mercy of their wishes. They have tasked me with this campaign, but not for what comes after it."

Jasuf considered this. "Can we not use them somehow for the campaign while they are with us?"

"Of what do you speak?"

"Let these newly-freed warriors counsel those we've captured. Perhaps they can accelerate their rehabilitation."

"We could grow our ranks exponentially," Rya'c said thoughtfully. "I will consider your suggestion. Any task we give them would require a great deal of caution." He brought a hand up to rub his chin. "And oversight." Rya'c stared at Jasuf now. "If you were not so effective in the field I would assign you that duty."

Jasuf stayed very still. The last thing he needed was more work. He wanted to go home instead. When did he start thinking like Elda?

Rya'c didn't catch on to his apprehension. He changed the subject instead. "Tell me of your sim'ka, that Hak'tyl of yours."

"She would argue that she is her own master. I could not say aloud that she is mine."

Rya'c laughed loudly. "She really is Hak'tyl, then. My own wife nearly cancelled our marriage because she refused to let me shower her with high regard in front of others. These warrior women refuse to be considered possessions."

Jasuf smiled slightly. "Indeed not."

His superior pointed at him. "And that is what makes them so formidable and worthy. You've done well for yourself, Brother, if you've managed to woo a Hak'tyl. There is no one better to have as a mate."

"Yours appears to enjoy a considerable stature leading the others in reconnaissance."

"Her station is of her own making. I could not be prouder of her." Rya'c smiled softly as he looked away. Jasuf recognized the longing in his eyes. He missed his own mate, too. He locked eyes with Jasuf again. "Tell me of Lady Elda. My father has only mentioned her in brief. I have yet to meet her."

Jasuf's eyes lit up. This Jaffa was about to become family. It would be safe to discuss her with him.

He smiled. He could gloat now.

Weeks of surveillance finally yielded something. Perim implied that Chigu's recreational offerings were all anyone needed while off-duty. But like any salesman worth their salt, he didn't tell his potential clients everything.

After Smith and Crawford got the Zershan representative to reveal more about what was wrong with Chigu, SG-3 hatched a plan to snatch one of their people. A little kidnapping seemed necessary if those workers were actually brainwashed slaves. They figured time away from overbearing masters might prove or disprove their working assumptions. If the Chigu employees were actually slaves, then the kidnapped one would become a rescued victim. The ends justified the means.

Smith got sent back to inquire more about this supposed job offer Perim had placed on the table. While he politely listened to Perim go on and on about how great it was to work for Chigu, he planted a bug on him. He dropped a small device into his alcoholic beverage when Perim wasn't looking. The rep swallowed it without even knowing he was being tagged.

The marine considered it quiet revenge, knowing Perim had drugged Elda last time they were around. It was satisfying.

Smith left with a promise to think about the offer more. Then SG-3 flew by regularly to download reports transmitted from the bug. They never had to set foot on the commerce planet again.

What they eventually learned was that Perim didn't spend as much time on a Chigu warship's recreational level as he let on. He favored a few taverns on other worlds that had Chigu offices on them. He took advantage of regular transports set up to ferry workers between headquarters and those outposts.

It was in one of those taverns that the team was now working on securing their little victim.

Elda and Smith stayed out of sight on the Firefly while they let their teammates have a turn undercover. Baker was the shiny, attractive object today.

Chigu reps were expected to recognize faces. And once Perim saw Baker seated casually at a table, he went to him like a moth to a flame. He was eager to see if 'Carm' was still available for hire. Maybe the Muscle would know something.

"How coincidental to see you here," he remarked.

Baker looked up from his ale curiously. "Do I know you?"

"I am acquainted with those brokers you protected when they visited Chigu. Carm? And Xena?" Perim's mouth curved into a smile at the memory of that delightful-looking female.

The Lieutenant stared at him for a moment, as if struggling to place who he was. Then his eyes pretended to light up in quiet recognition. "Right. The tretonin deal."

"Yes. May I?" Perim gestured at the empty seat across from him.

Baker glanced toward the door, as if wondering where his expected companion might be, then tilted his head.

Perim sat. He raised his hand to draw the attention of a server, who promptly took an order from him. "How are the Jaffa enjoying Chigu-manufactured tretonin?"

The marine leaned back casually in his seat. He took a swig of ale. "Wouldn't know. Didn't ask."

The rep frowned briefly. Perhaps it was unsurprising that this Muscle was uninterested in the results of his colleagues' work. He wasn't being paid to care. Or maybe he wasn't being paid enough in the first place.

Perim now smiled. "Do you normally run with Carm and Xena? Or does your boss have you jump around?"

"I've been known to jump around," Baker replied offhandedly. "Sometimes I only run with Carm."

There was the bait.

This Chigu rep was after Smith. For once, Elda wasn't the primary concern of some seedy swindler out in the galaxy.

Perim didn't let his face move. "I'm sure that affords you the opportunity to travel to many different places."

Baker shrugged. He drank more. "I've seen some things."

The rep smiled at the server when she set a glass down before him. He gestured toward Baker's cup. "Let's order him another one. On me."

She inclined her head and left to put that order in.

Baker tipped his half-empty glass at Perim in thanks.

Perim realized this Muscle wasn't going to put much effort into conversation. He'd have to prompt him. "What's the most interesting thing you've seen while running with Carm?"

"I've seen lots of things. Better stuff with Xena." He twitched his brow as he smiled slightly in suggestion. The team wouldn't see that. But Elda advised him to lean on Perim's false impression of her promiscuity to keep him off-balance. Plus, answering the rep's questions too directly would be a red flag. Baker had to feign disinterest.

Perim slowly grinned saucily, understanding what he supposedly meant. "Yes, I'm sure she's taken you to some places."

Now Baker smiled into his glass. He didn't respond to that remark.

The server came back to exchange his now-empty cup with a full one. He thanked her kindly and tossed a few extra coins into her apron. She offered him a flirtatious smile, eyes roaming over his obviously large biceps on display.

Baker's eyes lingered on her as she walked away. He tilted his head as he stared.

Perim realized the Muscle was getting distracted. "Where can one find people like her? And Carm? Chigu would be interested to know."

"Is that why you're here? You wanna steal my guy and our girl?"

"Your…" Perim found himself a little surprised that he was sharing that female broker with anyone. He expected men to fight over her instead. Perhaps Carm had engaged in some crafty negotiation with this brute. And maybe Xena didn't mind a little variety in bed.

That could mean potentially good things for him.

But now he was getting distracted. He needed to focus on his primary objective. "I'm always looking for potential recruits to grow with us at Chigu. My employer offers benefits that ought to be shared with only the best. Your friend Carm could be one of them." He leaned on the table now and pushed the drink toward him. "Let him know that Chigu is still interested. We can negotiate a very appealing offer of employment."

Baker picked up the glass and downed a good third of it. "I'm not seeing Carm anytime soon. He's busy. But I can tell him. If I remember."

Perim said, "Please do. And we can bring you in for services as well, should you be interested in following your friend. We have an attractive package for security forces."

The marine briefly remembered hearing the Zershan rep imply that Perim's own package may have shrunk from what sounded like artificial hormone treatments. That hardly sounded attractive to him. His muscles were as large as they were because he put in the work, not because he shot himself up with testosterone. Shrinkage was a deal-breaker for him.

Now he eyed the rep carefully, wondering if he could tell by looking if the guy was on some sort of treatment. He decided he couldn't tell the difference. Baker promised himself to let Dr. Lam know about this. Maybe she had a way to check.

Baker took another large swig and set the cup down. "I'll think about it." He stood to go. "See you 'round."

Perim turned his head to watch him leave. "Will you be seeing Xena?" he wondered curiously.

"Wouldn't you like to know," the marine said playfully as he went. He exited the tavern into the pitch black of night. The local village only hung a few lanterns outdoors.

The rep decided he should follow him to see if he could catch a glimpse of how he reconnected with his colleagues. Then he might be able to find Carm again on his own.

He eventually found Baker outside chiding someone else for standing him up.

"Where were you!?" he heard him complain.

The other man just raised a muscled arm to grab behind his neck. "I was busy," he said. The village's inadequate lanterns made it hard for Perim to see the new man's face.

The Muscle pushed him a little. "She better have been fine."

The guy grinned. "Finer than fine," he replied. His eyes flicked toward Perim approaching. "You got yourself a shadow."

Baker turned around to see Perim. He sighed. "You're asking for trouble now."

Perim put up his palms. "Hardly. I am just…"

Reynolds suddenly wrapped an elbow around his neck to silence him and pull him back into an alley.

Baker and Crawford just watched as they disappeared. They overheard a short struggle, then a zat blast.

"Package is secure," their CO sounded off on the radio.

Baker turned to Crawford. "I wonder how small that package is."

Crawford began to crack up.

Carolyn frowned at what was before her. "The General actually approved this?" she asked.

Baker, whose hands were in pockets, shrugged. "We think this guy might be a brainwashed slave. If he is, then we're probably doing him a favor."

She stared down at the SGC-issued tablet in her hands, loaded with a blank medical chart and ready to receive information on this newest patient of hers. Then she looked back up at the Chigu rep placed in her care. He was currently unconscious, not having woken yet from Reynolds's zat blast.

"And if he isn't?" she challenged. "You just kidnapped him. I dunno about out in the galaxy, but that's definitely breaking a law down here on Earth."

Baker just shrugged again. "I guess you gotta take that up with Command, Doc. Look, he's here. Can we just check if he's alright?"

She sighed. "Yes," she acquiesced. Then Carolyn wagged a finger at him. "Whose idea was this? Really?"

"I can't say that, Doc. But what I can say is there was an implication that he might be on some sort of therapy. Whether or not it's legit is a question. Whether or not this guy even gave consent is another thing. If we figure all that out, we'll know if this dude really is an asshole on his own or if Chigu made him that way."

"Chigu?"

"Yep. This is the fool who drugged Elda."

Carolyn's eyes shot back toward the man in the infirmary bed. They narrowed. "Well then," she said menacingly. "Why don't you let us get started, huh, Lieutenant?"

Baker grinned, satisfied to have found a way to properly motivate her. "Please. Don't let me get in the way." He stepped back to let Carolyn and her team get to work.

"He was brainwashed."

SG-3 gaped at Carolyn in the briefing room.

Landry harumphed. He'd seen it all twice over by now.

"Doc?" Reynolds prompted.

She passed out copies of a report for SG-3 to peruse. She didn't really expect them to understand most of what was in there, so she summarized it aloud. "We used a combination of traditional Earth medical know-how and space station tech to conclude that the man you brought in from Chigu was being influenced. His blood contained a cocktail of drugs that seemed to render him compliant and suggestible. Then when he woke up, Dr. McKenzie took some time to talk to him. He was there to witness him come down from whatever was in his system. The withdrawal was notable for violent tremors, vomiting, hypotension… The list goes on."

"All that because the drugs he was on were no longer being replenished?" Landry verified.

"Yes. The patient's memories eventually returned, and he was able to explain that he'd been a victim of Chigu for quite some time. He was actually grateful to be out of there."

"What's his status now?" Reynolds asked, thumbing through her paper report.

"Stable. He was also overdosed with exogenous testosterone. Levels were high on the lab work. We're treating those side effects now. And of course, there's the trauma of being a victim of brainwashing and waking up to tell the tale." She grimaced, then looked at her father. It was her signal that her part was done.

"Colonel, I imagine there's quite a lot of interviewing in your future. This fellow might know the depths Chigu goes to in order to maintain a compliant workforce. Find out just how deep the hole goes."

"Sir."

"Just to be clear…" Carolyn said somewhat worriedly, "…only Colonel Reynolds needs to speak with him right?" She glanced toward Elda meaningfully.

The blonde raised her brows, sensing her aunt's concern.

Landry looked between them. "I'm sure the Colonel can handle this. If you think bringing your team in on it is necessary, then let's discuss that before you move forward," he said diplomatically to Reynolds for his daughter's sake.

"Yes, sir. I understand." He made eye contact with Carolyn to emphasize that he meant it.

She let out a breath of relief and nodded. The doctor then locked eyes with Elda and sent her a warning.

Elda got the message. She was forbidden from visiting that Chigu rep. She couldn't immediately guess why, but it didn't matter in the end. She had no reason to talk to Perim, or whoever he really was, anymore. Her part was done. And she needed to get back to Tek'ron.

Smith raised his hand. "For the record? I never wanna talk to that guy again."

Reynolds laughed a little. "Duly noted, Sergeant."