SG1-16 Four Dragons by Diana Botsford Page A

arrest this man!”
    As an SF stepped forward, his pistol at the ready, the colonel’s hand shot out toward the box. Huang blocked him with a remarkably swift swipe of his arm. For an old man, the ambassador was stronger and faster than expected.
    “Remove yourself, Colonel,” warned Huang. “These alien devices are the rightful possession of China.”
    “Those devices are long range Goa’uld communicators,” her father interjected, “and aren’t secure by any means. Even the Tok’ra won’t use them.”
    “Nonetheless, they are the property of China in accordance with international salvage rights.”
    “At least shut the damn box,” Colonel O’Neill said.
    “I think you’d better explain where you got those,” General Hammond said.
    Huang casually flipped the lid close. “Several months ago, a Chinese submarine retrieved these devices from the Pacific Ocean floor shortly after a massive explosion took place some 1500 miles southwest of Alaska.”
    “The devices must have survived the destruction of Anubis’ mothership,” Teal’c said.
    Sam shivered, remembering how she and the colonel had almost drowned when trying to get off the sunken ship.
    “Thanks to the release of your mission reports to the U.N. Security Council, our scientists determined the devices’ purpose.”
    Colonel O’Neill snorted. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but only the Goa’uld can operate those.” He turned toward the general. “Sir, Maybourne used these when he ran the NID’s little off-world operation. They had to jam a bunch of wires into the thing to get it to work. Since Jacob can’t join us — ”
    Huang cut the colonel off. “Major Carter and the Jaffa have the necessary biochemistry. They can transmit the mission’s progress.”
    The general looked toward the Jaffa. “You’re both on tretonin now. Can you still operate this device as the ambassador claims?”
    * * *
    Teal’c hesitated before answering General Hammond’s question. They must rescue Daniel Jackson, and soon, before Lord Yu killed their friend… or worse. The use of unsecured transmissions would hazard their efforts. A lack of weapons would make those efforts near foolhardy.
    Cunning would be required, and Tau’ri weapons vital to the mission’s success. Though the Jaffa rebel had come to pride himself on his honesty during his time amongst the Tau’ri, his loyalty to his friends surpassed his pride. Even if, in hiding the truth, his eternal path to redemption would never be met.
    But for Bra’tac, honor and honesty were one and the same. “Indeed, General Hammond — ”
    “Bra’tac,” pleaded O’Neill.
    “According to Dr. Frasier, we retain a certain level of naquadah — whether we carry the symbiote or not.” Teal’c searched O’Neill’s face for forgiveness, but saw only darkness and stilled anger.
    “Then the matter is settled.” Huang sank back in his chair. “How soon will you leave? I am eager to see the home-world of our first Emperor.”
    “Like that’s going to happen,” said O’Neill.
    “The matter is not open to discussion,” said the ambassador. “This is the only way you will be permitted to visit Emperor Yu’s homeworld.”
    Bile rose in Teal’c’s throat. His fists clenched on the table. He prepared himself to blast this small man who cared not for Daniel Jackson’s safety. “Lord Yu never was your emperor. He is nothing more than a parasite masquerading as a false god.”
    “With all due respect, Ambassador,” Major Carter said, “the Goa’uld use Earth mythology to instill fear in the people they took through the gate. Millions of humans are under their control, across the galaxy. These people are slaves; many of them tortured or forced to work in mines without rest.”
    “Maybe you’d like to come along,” O’Neill added. “Meet good old Yu yourself.” He looked the ambassador up and down. “I think you’d make a fine host for one of Yu’s minions.”
    Teal’c lent his voice to the