When Ayodhya returned to the room, he found the five involved in a spirited conversation and paused in the doorway to listen.
You seem to be on pretty good terms with Nekhrun given youve only served with him a couple of times, Jack was saying. I dont think Id throw my commanders words back at him like that.
Von Pinn smiled. I said that I didnt know Lord Nekhrun very well, Colonel, he explained. But Sario Ayodhya and I are have known each other for years. He commanded the assault transport Iskander back when I was just an Ensign and he was instructing at the War College when I attended.
And judging by the way that you punched through the Padishahs Fourth Cavalry in the exercise, you must have been paying some attention, Ayodhya advised and von Pinn almost jumped out of his seat, having had his back to the door. No need to rise. I trust, he added, looking at SG-1, that the Lieutenant has been a tolerable host?
No complaints, Jack told him. Are you going to let us in on the secrets of your conversation or will you just hint around?
Hmm, the Admiral said, sitting himself down at the table. Decisions, decisions. When he looked up, Jack was certain suddenly that it was the Goauld who was addressing him. It is time for you to decide, Colonel, whether you will assist me in locating the bandits who attacked the Angrezi or whether you will share their fate when they are captured. And they will be captured, do not doubt that. The Angrezi have confirmed that they are happy for me to remove the Stargate immediately and then search the island inch by inch.
Then why do you want our assistance? Sam asked. You dont need us.
Nekhrun smiled thinly. Such a search will take time, Captain Carter. However, whoever attacked the Angrezi was presumably trained in much the same way as yourselves. You therefore have a much better chance of predicting their behaviour and shortening the delay that this is causing to the negotiations. He leant back in his chair. And there are also the strategic consequences of throwing the four of you into an Angrezi dungeon to rot. Youve proven to be quite a goad to the System Lords and as long as theyre focused upon you, they are substantially less likely to blunder across the Confederacy.
So youre perfectly happy for Earth to fight the Goauld while you sit back and spectate? Jack asked. Are you sure you arent a Tokra?
There was a flash of anger in Nehruns eyes but his voice was dispassionate as he said: What I am willing to do for the Tauri is contingent upon what the Tauri are willing to do for me. It is entirely probable that your people can be valued allies. Certainly, the Confederacy can provide technology to you well in advance of the gear that was stolen from the Angrezi. I am not obligated to you however and nor are my people.
Why should we trust you? Tealc asked grimly. You are a Goauld.
Thats up to you, Nekhrun said flatly. If you dont trust me then throw yourselves on the mercy of the Angrezi Courts of Justice. I dont expect them to execute you, but when they sentence someone to life imprisonment Im told that they mean it quite literally. Maybe you will be resourceful enough to escape, but I would not be inclined to wager on you doing so.
Jacks eyes narrowed. And if we do help you, then what?
Then you will be free to return home, immediately that the actual culprits are captured, Nekhrun promised. Ill even throw in an invitation to attend all the pomp and ceremony of the Angrezi joining the Confederacy. Once that happens theyll have quite a lot of surplus military hardware to dispose of and who knows, maybe theyll be interested in selling it off to defray the costs of integrating the Padishahs forces into the Confederacys Fleet.
Sams eyes went wide and she looked at Jack. That was a formidable carrot to dangle in front of Stargate Command. The Angrezi were clearly at least as advanced as the United States in terms of military hardware, even if the zat weapons were discounted.
What will you do to whoever did attack the Angrezi? Daniel asked. Will they get thrown into prison?
Without a doubt.
Jack Daniel looked appealingly at Jack, who closed his eyes for a moment.
Okay.
Jack! ONeill?
Dammit, Jack snapped. Whoever did this brought this on themselves. But I want to see them, he added to Nekhrun. Which means going down with whoever you send to capture them. And going down armed.
The Goauld nodded, a satisfied look on his face that made Jack want to punch it. Certainly, Colonel. He turned to von Pinn. Andre, I think it would be best if the Angrezi carried the operation out. Please contact General Soor and have him prepare some troops, you can handle liason.
Von Pinn rose to his feet and saluted, fist to shoulder, clicking his heels. Immediately, my Admiral.
Clown, Ayodhya sighed as the younger man left the room.
.oOo.
Tealc had still not said anything by the time SG-1 had reached what was evidently a prep room. Von Pinn was waiting for them, dressed in field gear that didnt look very different from their own. On the bench in the middle of the room were the teams own packs, although not their weapons.
The Angrezi arent very keen on having suspected criminals armed, the lieutenant explained, So weve come to a compromise theyll provide you with stunners of the same kind used in training exercises so at least you wont be armed with lethal weapons.
Not lethal? Sam asked. But what if someone was shot twice?
Twice? von Pinn asked. Oh, youve only seen the Goauld versions. Our stunners are a little different, we have to deliberately select for lethal effect, and stun shots wont kill no matter how many of them hit.
Jack whistled. That implied that the Confederacy had a much better understanding of how Zats worked than anyone had managed yet on Earth. Of course, he reminded himself, theyd also had almost a hundred times as long to study them.
Other than that, all your gear should be here, von Pinn confirmed. The weapons and ammunition have been packed away but we can send them down as soon as the targets have been apprehended.
Right, Jack said, sling his pack over his shoulder. Lets get this over with.
Von Pinn gestured to the rooms other door and SG-1 filed through it to see a small room with a ring transporter. Drop us down to the armory, he ordered and the metal rings appeared around the five of them.
A moment later, the rings disappeared and they were standing on a beach. Above them, a cliff-face rose up and Jack could see openings in it that would have looked natural were it not for the artifical lights inside them and the dozen or so mini-tanks outside, half of them open topped, that were being loaded by dozens of turbanned soldiers.
General, von Pinn said, saluting a tall man who was standing apart from the activity. Lieutenant von Pinn of the 33rd Heinessen Light Infantry Regiment, reporting with the experts.
Its funny, the general observed, before returning the salute, how much these experts resemble the louts who beat up some of my men and stole a cavalry vehicle when I was trying to roll up your lines. There are a lot of unhappy people trying to decide how that affected their betting.
Glad to hear that we werent any trouble, Jack joked, drawing a frosty look from the General.
That remains to be seen. Colonel Rao will be assisting you in this search, Lieutenant.
Von Pinn saluted again as the General stalked away. Thanks Jack. Please dont try that with Colonel Rao his regiment is the one I chewed up during the exercise and hes not well known for his sense of humour at the best of times.
Ah, Jack said, somewhat at a loss for words as von Pinn walked over towards one of the vehicles, leaving the four of them alone for the first time.
Maybe we should let Daniel do the talking, Sam suggested.
Hey, I can be diplomatic, Jack protested.
Maybe you shouldnt let me do the talking, Daniel said in a worried tone of voice. Im really not sure about this, Jack.
I know Daniel, he admitted. Im not a hundred percent on it either, but its got us on the planet and near the Stargate. Lets face it, if these people did attack the Angrezi then theyre not doing Earth any favours and this might be the only way to repair the situation.
And what if Nekhrun betrays us? Tealc asked in a voice that made it clear that he considered that to be more than merely a possibility. We will have been his agents in capturing his enemies.
Maybe but well be here, on the spot and well be armed. At least here we can have some sort of control over the situation, pointed out Jack. Look, I know that this isnt ideal but its what weve got to work with.
Colonel! von Pinn called from the back of one of the minitanks. Come have a look at this map would you?
.oOo.
There are several different routes that they could have taken, Jack noted as he examined the map, which contained considerably more information on the islands topography than the relatively quickly compiled map that the SGC had provided based upon a single UAV survey. Do you know if they took a vehicle with them?
Not from the armory, Colonel Rao replied. The Colonel was even larger than Tealc and appeared to be utterly focused on his responsibilities. All of those here have been accounted for. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that they might have brought a vehicle with them. To have reached here on foot within the required timeframe would not be impossible, but it would be extremely challenging.
Yes, Jack said thoughtfully, looking at the ridges that seperated the armory from the location of the Stargate. There would have been tracks though Did you find any when you searched?
Rao shook his head. Unfortunately, several of our transports had unloaded outside the armory in the hours before the raid. We have not managed to identify anything out of the ordinary, but such could easily have been disguised by our own tracks.
No tracks for vehicles were located at the stargate, von Pinn advised. My scouts would have noted them during the exercises.
So they were probably on foot, Jack mused. The road doesnt lead in the right direction.
Unless, Tealc said thoughtfully and then hesitated, seeming almost reluctant. Then he frowned. Unless they only used the road for a short distance.
If it was only a short distance then my scouts would have found traces, von Pinn objected.
Not if they travelled in the air, Tealc pointed out. The land above the cliff is clear and quite even. A light aircraft could use it as a landing strip.
Did you check for that? Jack asked Rao, giving Tealc a grateful look.
We checked for ground vehicles, the officer replied. What markings should we expect a light aircraft from your world to make? We do not manufacture powered aircraft that could pass through the Stargate.
Narrow parallel tracks, Sam advised. Like those of two or more bicycles moving side by side. Er, a bicycle is -
Those, we do manufacture, Rao interrupted her. I will have my men search again. If you are correct however, we cannot track the passage of the raiders and must determine their hiding place.
It would have to be somewhere near the Stargate so that theyd know when they were clear to use it, Jack pointed out. And somewhere with a landing area. There cant be too many places like that.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
You seem to be on pretty good terms with Nekhrun given youve only served with him a couple of times, Jack was saying. I dont think Id throw my commanders words back at him like that.
Von Pinn smiled. I said that I didnt know Lord Nekhrun very well, Colonel, he explained. But Sario Ayodhya and I are have known each other for years. He commanded the assault transport Iskander back when I was just an Ensign and he was instructing at the War College when I attended.
And judging by the way that you punched through the Padishahs Fourth Cavalry in the exercise, you must have been paying some attention, Ayodhya advised and von Pinn almost jumped out of his seat, having had his back to the door. No need to rise. I trust, he added, looking at SG-1, that the Lieutenant has been a tolerable host?
No complaints, Jack told him. Are you going to let us in on the secrets of your conversation or will you just hint around?
Hmm, the Admiral said, sitting himself down at the table. Decisions, decisions. When he looked up, Jack was certain suddenly that it was the Goauld who was addressing him. It is time for you to decide, Colonel, whether you will assist me in locating the bandits who attacked the Angrezi or whether you will share their fate when they are captured. And they will be captured, do not doubt that. The Angrezi have confirmed that they are happy for me to remove the Stargate immediately and then search the island inch by inch.
Then why do you want our assistance? Sam asked. You dont need us.
Nekhrun smiled thinly. Such a search will take time, Captain Carter. However, whoever attacked the Angrezi was presumably trained in much the same way as yourselves. You therefore have a much better chance of predicting their behaviour and shortening the delay that this is causing to the negotiations. He leant back in his chair. And there are also the strategic consequences of throwing the four of you into an Angrezi dungeon to rot. Youve proven to be quite a goad to the System Lords and as long as theyre focused upon you, they are substantially less likely to blunder across the Confederacy.
So youre perfectly happy for Earth to fight the Goauld while you sit back and spectate? Jack asked. Are you sure you arent a Tokra?
There was a flash of anger in Nehruns eyes but his voice was dispassionate as he said: What I am willing to do for the Tauri is contingent upon what the Tauri are willing to do for me. It is entirely probable that your people can be valued allies. Certainly, the Confederacy can provide technology to you well in advance of the gear that was stolen from the Angrezi. I am not obligated to you however and nor are my people.
Why should we trust you? Tealc asked grimly. You are a Goauld.
Thats up to you, Nekhrun said flatly. If you dont trust me then throw yourselves on the mercy of the Angrezi Courts of Justice. I dont expect them to execute you, but when they sentence someone to life imprisonment Im told that they mean it quite literally. Maybe you will be resourceful enough to escape, but I would not be inclined to wager on you doing so.
Jacks eyes narrowed. And if we do help you, then what?
Then you will be free to return home, immediately that the actual culprits are captured, Nekhrun promised. Ill even throw in an invitation to attend all the pomp and ceremony of the Angrezi joining the Confederacy. Once that happens theyll have quite a lot of surplus military hardware to dispose of and who knows, maybe theyll be interested in selling it off to defray the costs of integrating the Padishahs forces into the Confederacys Fleet.
Sams eyes went wide and she looked at Jack. That was a formidable carrot to dangle in front of Stargate Command. The Angrezi were clearly at least as advanced as the United States in terms of military hardware, even if the zat weapons were discounted.
What will you do to whoever did attack the Angrezi? Daniel asked. Will they get thrown into prison?
Without a doubt.
Jack Daniel looked appealingly at Jack, who closed his eyes for a moment.
Okay.
Jack! ONeill?
Dammit, Jack snapped. Whoever did this brought this on themselves. But I want to see them, he added to Nekhrun. Which means going down with whoever you send to capture them. And going down armed.
The Goauld nodded, a satisfied look on his face that made Jack want to punch it. Certainly, Colonel. He turned to von Pinn. Andre, I think it would be best if the Angrezi carried the operation out. Please contact General Soor and have him prepare some troops, you can handle liason.
Von Pinn rose to his feet and saluted, fist to shoulder, clicking his heels. Immediately, my Admiral.
Clown, Ayodhya sighed as the younger man left the room.
.oOo.
Tealc had still not said anything by the time SG-1 had reached what was evidently a prep room. Von Pinn was waiting for them, dressed in field gear that didnt look very different from their own. On the bench in the middle of the room were the teams own packs, although not their weapons.
The Angrezi arent very keen on having suspected criminals armed, the lieutenant explained, So weve come to a compromise theyll provide you with stunners of the same kind used in training exercises so at least you wont be armed with lethal weapons.
Not lethal? Sam asked. But what if someone was shot twice?
Twice? von Pinn asked. Oh, youve only seen the Goauld versions. Our stunners are a little different, we have to deliberately select for lethal effect, and stun shots wont kill no matter how many of them hit.
Jack whistled. That implied that the Confederacy had a much better understanding of how Zats worked than anyone had managed yet on Earth. Of course, he reminded himself, theyd also had almost a hundred times as long to study them.
Other than that, all your gear should be here, von Pinn confirmed. The weapons and ammunition have been packed away but we can send them down as soon as the targets have been apprehended.
Right, Jack said, sling his pack over his shoulder. Lets get this over with.
Von Pinn gestured to the rooms other door and SG-1 filed through it to see a small room with a ring transporter. Drop us down to the armory, he ordered and the metal rings appeared around the five of them.
A moment later, the rings disappeared and they were standing on a beach. Above them, a cliff-face rose up and Jack could see openings in it that would have looked natural were it not for the artifical lights inside them and the dozen or so mini-tanks outside, half of them open topped, that were being loaded by dozens of turbanned soldiers.
General, von Pinn said, saluting a tall man who was standing apart from the activity. Lieutenant von Pinn of the 33rd Heinessen Light Infantry Regiment, reporting with the experts.
Its funny, the general observed, before returning the salute, how much these experts resemble the louts who beat up some of my men and stole a cavalry vehicle when I was trying to roll up your lines. There are a lot of unhappy people trying to decide how that affected their betting.
Glad to hear that we werent any trouble, Jack joked, drawing a frosty look from the General.
That remains to be seen. Colonel Rao will be assisting you in this search, Lieutenant.
Von Pinn saluted again as the General stalked away. Thanks Jack. Please dont try that with Colonel Rao his regiment is the one I chewed up during the exercise and hes not well known for his sense of humour at the best of times.
Ah, Jack said, somewhat at a loss for words as von Pinn walked over towards one of the vehicles, leaving the four of them alone for the first time.
Maybe we should let Daniel do the talking, Sam suggested.
Hey, I can be diplomatic, Jack protested.
Maybe you shouldnt let me do the talking, Daniel said in a worried tone of voice. Im really not sure about this, Jack.
I know Daniel, he admitted. Im not a hundred percent on it either, but its got us on the planet and near the Stargate. Lets face it, if these people did attack the Angrezi then theyre not doing Earth any favours and this might be the only way to repair the situation.
And what if Nekhrun betrays us? Tealc asked in a voice that made it clear that he considered that to be more than merely a possibility. We will have been his agents in capturing his enemies.
Maybe but well be here, on the spot and well be armed. At least here we can have some sort of control over the situation, pointed out Jack. Look, I know that this isnt ideal but its what weve got to work with.
Colonel! von Pinn called from the back of one of the minitanks. Come have a look at this map would you?
.oOo.
There are several different routes that they could have taken, Jack noted as he examined the map, which contained considerably more information on the islands topography than the relatively quickly compiled map that the SGC had provided based upon a single UAV survey. Do you know if they took a vehicle with them?
Not from the armory, Colonel Rao replied. The Colonel was even larger than Tealc and appeared to be utterly focused on his responsibilities. All of those here have been accounted for. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that they might have brought a vehicle with them. To have reached here on foot within the required timeframe would not be impossible, but it would be extremely challenging.
Yes, Jack said thoughtfully, looking at the ridges that seperated the armory from the location of the Stargate. There would have been tracks though Did you find any when you searched?
Rao shook his head. Unfortunately, several of our transports had unloaded outside the armory in the hours before the raid. We have not managed to identify anything out of the ordinary, but such could easily have been disguised by our own tracks.
No tracks for vehicles were located at the stargate, von Pinn advised. My scouts would have noted them during the exercises.
So they were probably on foot, Jack mused. The road doesnt lead in the right direction.
Unless, Tealc said thoughtfully and then hesitated, seeming almost reluctant. Then he frowned. Unless they only used the road for a short distance.
If it was only a short distance then my scouts would have found traces, von Pinn objected.
Not if they travelled in the air, Tealc pointed out. The land above the cliff is clear and quite even. A light aircraft could use it as a landing strip.
Did you check for that? Jack asked Rao, giving Tealc a grateful look.
We checked for ground vehicles, the officer replied. What markings should we expect a light aircraft from your world to make? We do not manufacture powered aircraft that could pass through the Stargate.
Narrow parallel tracks, Sam advised. Like those of two or more bicycles moving side by side. Er, a bicycle is -
Those, we do manufacture, Rao interrupted her. I will have my men search again. If you are correct however, we cannot track the passage of the raiders and must determine their hiding place.
It would have to be somewhere near the Stargate so that theyd know when they were clear to use it, Jack pointed out. And somewhere with a landing area. There cant be too many places like that.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.