Daniel awoke as the sarcophagus opened, and the relief at being alive warred with the realization that he was still a prisoner of Nefrekeptah. He was roughly pulled out by two Jaffa, and collapsed to his knees weakly.

"Your presence is demanded by our god," one said, pulling him to his feet.

"I'll bet it is," Daniel said, as he was pushed down the corridor and into the main reception hall, where Nefrekeptah regarded him icily from a throne at one end. Daniel watched as he rose lazily and came to circle him, gazing down on him in triumph.  

What would Jack do right now?  Daniel thought, his mind racing.  He'd say some smartass remark that would get him knocked into next week, Daniel answered himself a moment later.  Go for something a little more neutral.    "What did you do with Jack?" he finally asked.

"I returned him to the planet. I meant what I said. He will tell the story," Nefrekeptah said softly.

"I think you'll be disappointed. Jack isn't much of a writer," Daniel said.

Nefrekeptah walked behind him. "You really do not know what lies ahead for you, do you, Taur'i?"

A chill went through Daniel, and he clenched his fists together when he realized his hands were shaking. "Unfortunately, I know only too well," he said, flinching a little as he heard the hiss of a blade being drawn behind his back.  He remembered how they had sent Apophis through the Stargate dead, only to have Sokhar revive him using the sarcophagus.  He remembered Martouf's words - 'he would rather see his subjects suffer than die'.

He was tonight's entertainment.

"Your name is Daniel Jackson," Nefrekeptah said, still standing behind him.

"How did you know that?" Daniel asked, perplexed.

"You are well-known among the System Lords. Many wish you dead," he said, putting his arm around Daniel's neck and pulling him hard against him.

"I'm sure you're right," Daniel gasped, struggling to breathe as Nefrekeptah tightened his arm around his neck.

"Perhaps I shall give them all their chance - but for now," he sank the blade deep into Daniel's stomach, "You are mine."

Daniel arched up, the scream of pain choked off in his throat as Nefrekeptah twisted the blade cruelly before jerking it free. Don't look down, Daniel told himself, as he felt his shirt dampen. A choking haze of pain-filled darkness closed in around him. Just don't...look down.

Nefrekeptah suddenly released him, tossing him down onto his knees. Daniel raised his head, looking at Nefrekeptah as he advanced on him again.

"That's right, Taur'i. Look at me. Look at the one who will take life from you - give it back again - only to take it once more." He raised his hand, and the ribbon device he wore flung Daniel easily into a nearby column, where he sank to the ground, barely conscious. He couldn't move as Nefrekeptah knelt by him, raising the blade again.

"Ask me for mercy," he said, sinking the blade into Daniel's chest up to the hilt. Daniel gasped, unable to cry out. "Ask me," Nefrekeptah demanded.

"No," Daniel whispered, as the blackness engulfed him. "No."

Nefrekeptah withdrew the blade, letting Daniel collapse into a heap.  For a moment he watched as Daniel's blood pooled on the marble floor.  Then he arose with a disdainful look.  

"Take him to the sarcophagus," he said to his Jaffa.

"You came seeking the Book of Thoth?"

Daniel opened his eyes and stared up at the man speaking to him. When he didn't answer, the man took his hand and helped him from the sarcophagus, supporting him gently when Daniel stumbled and almost fell.  Under the watchful eyes of two Jaffa, he guided Daniel to a small cell, which, although bare, was surprisingly clean.  The door clanged shut behind them, causing Daniel to wince.

"Why do you seek it?" he said, sitting down beside Daniel, who had collapsed against the wall.

Daniel looked at him curiously.  He had a regal bearing, and his gray hair and beard were clipped close in an almost military fashion.  His bright blue eyes seemed much younger than the body they belonged to.  His clothing, although plain, was clearly expensive.  He was no servant - or if he was, he was a favored one.

"Who are you?" Daniel said.

"It appears I am your keeper, for now. Do not fear me," he said. "I am merely curious about Nefrekeptah's newest captive."

"Well, as you probably heard, I'm Daniel Jackson," Daniel said, thinking back to the recent events in Nefrekeptah's throne room.  What stood out most vividly in his memory of the event were the interested courtiers who stood watching as Nefrekeptah disemboweled him.  He wondered if this man were one of them.  "My people are the Taur'i," Daniel said. "We're enemies of the Goa'uld. Your enemies."

"And you think this book will hold the key to defeating the Goa'uld?" he said, offering a cup of water. Daniel took it warily.

"Is there any reason for you to stay here?" he asked harshly, taking a drink of the water.

The man nodded. "You need to rest. It will not be long before the Jaffa come for you again." He motioned to a platter of food that had been brought. "You should eat as well."

Daniel couldn't hold back a small, bitter laugh. "So you're keeping me healthy enough to kill?" He turned away from the food. "I don't think so."  

"Don't be foolish, Taur'i. You should eat," he said.

Daniel picked up the plate of food and flung it at the door, causing the man to duck slightly.  "No thank you," he said, emphasizing each word.

The man sighed.  "I will leave you now," he said.  "But I will return."  

Daniel ignored him until he left, listening as his footsteps echoed down the corridor.  He looked down, reaching through the gaping hole cut in his t-shirt, still stiff with dried blood, to run over his stomach protectively as he heard the door to the cell open again.

General Hammond's face was grim as he listened to SG-1's report on what had occurred on the planet they'd called Memphis.  Instead of their normal places in the briefing room, they had all gathered around Jack's bedside as Janet treated the staff weapon burn on his side.

"I want to go back there, General. We'll find the entrance to his stronghold again, and a well-placed bomb should put him out of business," Jack said.

General Hammond looked around at the rest of the team. "It sounds like you didn't know what hit you when you and Dr. Jackson fell into that pit. What makes you so sure you could find it again?  Even if you were physically able, Jack."

"I'll find it," Jack said grimly.  "And I'm able, believe me."

"You'll be restricted to this infirmary for at least three days," Janet corrected him, ignoring his sour look as she finished bandaging his side.

"Major, Teal'c - did you see anything that might help us pinpoint this stronghold?" General Hammond asked.

Sam shook her head silently.  

"I saw nothing," Teal'c replied stoically.

General Hammond closed the folder he'd been holding. "I can't authorize this until we're more sure of what we're targeting. It's a suicide mission without more intelligence, Colonel."

"Could the Tok'ra help us?" Sam asked.

"Why don't you notify your father, and see what he says?" General Hammond said. Sam got up and left the infirmary, and Jack looked over at Hammond. "Since I'm not going to be allowed to go back to the planet, what the hell am I going to be allowed to do, sir?" Jack asked tightly.

"My orders are for you to rest and recover - and I expect them to be obeyed," General Hammond said quietly as he turned to leave. "Colonel, for what it's worth - I'd love to go in there and drop a nuclear warhead in his lap too, for what he did to Dr. Jackson. You may still have your chance."

Jack didn't reply, only stared out at a point beyond his head.  Hammond gave his shoulder a small squeeze before turning to Teal'c.  "We should let him rest," he said, and Teal'c gave Jack a nod before retreating with General Hammond.

"Colonel O'Neill's report was not entirely accurate," Teal'c said as they walked away from the infirmary, causing General Hammond to turn in surprise. "He did not actually see the final shot fired. Daniel Jackson could yet live, if this Goa'uld has a sarcophagus."

"You think he used the sarcophagus to bring Dr. Jackson back to life? How do you know that for certain, son?" General Hammond asked.

"I know the Goa'uld," Teal'c said impassively. "It is what Apophis wished to do to me. I have seen the Goa'uld do this before to their great enemies.  When they wish to torment them."

"As much as I hate the idea of Dr. Jackson being the prisoner of a Goa'uld, Teal'c - it's better than the alternative," General Hammond said. "And it's another reason we need to proceed with caution when it comes to this Nefrekeptah and his stronghold."

"Sir?" Sam eased into Daniel's office, where Jack was sitting at the desk, turning over the various artifacts strewn around with a gentle hand.  When she hadn't found him in the infirmary, she'd had a hunch where he might end up.

"Carter," he said, not looking up.

"I thought I might find you here," she said, coming to sit beside him. They sat in silence a moment before Sam smiled softly. "Looks like you were right, sir. Ten SG teams couldn't find the top of Daniel's desk," she said, picking up one of the artifacts lying there.

"Yeah," Jack said, pushing himself away from the desk a little.

"Sir, this isn't your fault," Sam started, but a look from Jack silenced her.

A moment later he spoke. "You know, Daniel looked right at me before that bastard zatted him. I can't get it out of my head," Jack said.

Sam listened quietly as he continued. "I've seen men die, but I'd never seen that kind of look before. I've seen anger, fear, sadness - it wasn't any of that. It took me a little while to realize what I was seeing there - it was guilt. He knew he was going to die and the last thing he felt was guilt because he knew I'd blame myself for it."  He paused for a second.  "And that, Major, is the difference between me and Daniel."

"You know that Teal'c thinks Daniel might have been placed in a sarcophagus. That he might still be alive," Sam said.

"So you're saying that I not only let Daniel die - I left him there to die over and over again?" Jack said bitterly.  "Which one is worse, Carter?"

"As long as he's alive, there's hope for a rescue," Sam replied.

"Yes, but who we rescue..." he stopped. "I know what it's like to be held captive. To be tortured. I can't even imagine what it must be like to die, and know it's going to start all over again the next day." He stood. "We may never get our Daniel back again - even if he is alive," he said bitterly, leaving the office.

Daniel was dragged before Nefrekeptah and tossed down on his knees.  He winced a little as the Jaffa left him.  The fact that they didn't see any need to keep him restrained didn't make him feel any better.  He knew there was only one way this evening would end.  He watched as Nefrekeptah pulled out the gun he'd worn when he'd arrived on the planet.

"A curious weapon," he said, running a finger over its barrel in an almost loving way. "What is it called?"

Daniel didn't see any reason to keep this information from him.  "A gun," he said woodenly, forcing himself to look at the Goa'uld.

"Does everyone on your planet possess these?" he asked Daniel.

"Well - far too many do," Daniel replied uncomfortably.

"It is capable of subduing as well as killing."  Almost casually he fired, causing the courtiers in the room to gasp at the weapon's loud report.  Daniel fell backwards as the bullet tore into his thigh.  He bit back a cry as he clutched the wound.  Shit, that hurt! he thought, then grew a little cold.  Jack never let him leave Earth without a fully loaded clip.

"But it has its limits.  There are only a small number of projectiles."  He fired three more times, wringing cries from Daniel as the bullets ripped through his legs.  "Once they are gone, this weapon is useless."  He fired twice more, hitting Daniel in the shoulder and arm.  "How many projectiles does this weapon hold?" he asked Daniel.

Daniel looked up at him, trembling and hardly able to keep from collapsing into a heap on the floor.  He could barely see Nefrekeptah through the red haze of pain blocking his vision.  "I..I don't know," he replied.  "But I'm sure you're going to find out," he managed to say.

Nefrekeptah smiled at him before firing twice again, both bullets ripping into his stomach.  Daniel collapsed with a deep groan, his arms wrapped tightly around his body as Nefrekeptah came to stand above him, the gun dangling loosely from his hand.

"You are a rather brutal people - to design a weapon of capable of this damage that still leaves its victim alive," Nefrekeptah taunted.

Agonizingly, Daniel fought to raise himself up with one hand, fumbling to get a steady hold on the blood-slicked floor around him.  He stared at Nefrekeptah with undisguised hatred as he fired again.  The bullet at close range sliced through Daniel's chest, causing his heart to explode as it forced its way through his body.  He slid to the floor, not feeling the impact of the final bullets that Nefrekeptah emptied into him.

"Too quickly, Taur'i," he said almost to himself as Daniel's body was dragged to the sarcophagus.  "You die too quickly."

Daniel awoke with a start, this time climbing out of the sarcophagus on his own. True to his word, his visitor from that first day had returned and had been present each time Daniel had awoke in the sarcophagus. And each time the conversations had always turned back to the Book of Thoth. Daniel was beginning to wonder if this was some other subtle form of Nefrekeptah's torture.  But today he was strangely absent.  The two Jaffa that had been his constant companions dragged him back to his cell in silence.

You're beginning to miss his company? Daniel asked himself in disbelief as he sat down wearily, his head in his hands.  I can't believe that.  He looked around, noticing that as always, his captors had provided him with food and water.  He poured himself something to drink with a shaking hand and willed back the memories of his last death at the hands of his captor.  At least he keeps me from thinking about the evening.  About what's waiting for me when they drag me back out there.

His clothes hung off him in stiff, shredded rags.  Daniel took one look at them, then began tearing them off and tossing them into the corner of the cell until he was clothed only in his boxers.  He turned away so that he didn't have to look at the grisly reminder of the past few nights.

"I should have listened to you, Jack," he said aloud.  Why didn't he?  Daniel knew that for all the times he'd disagreed with Jack, the man had only his best interests at heart.  Like trying to keep him alive, for example.  Daniel knew without a shadow of a doubt that there was never a time when Jack had not been watching out for him, making sure he made it back home.  Sure, there were times when things got taken out of his hands.  Sometimes Daniel himself was the reason it got out of hand.  He felt a rush of guilt as he realized what Jack - what the team - was going through right now.  They thought he was dead - again.  And Jack thought he was responsible - again.  When the only one responsible for all this was Daniel himself.

"Who is Jack?"  The man who'd been ministering to him for the last several days stood leaning casually against the door frame, contemplating him.  Daniel wondered how long he'd been there.

"So you're back," Daniel asked, looking up at him.  "Your concern is touching," he said.

"I find you fascinating," the man said, coming to sit by Daniel as the Jaffa shut the door behind him.

"Really?" Daniel said.  "The nightly entertainment not enough for you?"

"I know you will not believe me, Taur'i, but I take no pleasure in what is happening to you," he said, offering Daniel something to eat.  

He waved it away with a weary hand, contemplating the water in the goblet he held.  I want to believe it, he thought.  Want to believe that someone, anyone, cares about me in this place.  What would Jack call this? Daniel thought.  Good cop/bad cop?  They know that you want someone to be kind to you, to offer you some shred of compassion.  So that you'll trust the person - confide in him.  His mouth hardened into a thin line as the man spoke again, this time to the Jaffa outside. 

"Bring him clothing, and water so that he can wash," he said.  Daniel watched with interest as they obeyed him without question - even nodding respectfully as they left.  A few moments later a pile of clean clothes and a washbasin were placed in the cell, and his other clothes removed.

"Is Jack the one who came here with you?" he asked, motioning for Daniel to wash.  Wearily Daniel reached for the washbasin, splashing the cool water on his face, amazed at how good it felt to be clean, to be able to wash off at least some of the blood streaking his body.

"You did not answer my question," he said a moment later, as Daniel finished washing and was pulling on the clothes he'd been brought.

"Thank you for the clothing and the water," Daniel said in response.  He sighed at Daniel's stubbornness, but did not pursue it any further.

"You risked much to come in search of the Book of Thoth - I wonder why you thought it to be the key to defeating the Goa'uld?" the man said, changing the subject back to the one he'd brought up with Daniel so many times.

"You should know your own mythology - it's said to contain the secrets of the gods," Daniel replied. "Or as a friend would say - false gods," he almost smiled as a frown crossed his visitor's face.  "There must be something in there we can use to fight our war.  Against you."

"You are wrong, Taur'i," he said quietly. "The only way the Goa'uld will be stopped is for their sister race to defeat them and restore the balance. The Tok'ra."

"The Tok'ra?" Daniel asked. "Don't know them. Friends of yours?" he said casually. Hell, it was worth a shot, he thought.

"The Tok'ra present the best hope for defeating the Goa'uld. But their numbers are too few."

"Why are you telling me this?" Daniel asked. "I don't know any Tok'ra."

"I think you do," the man said, looking over at him. "Even though I understand your need to protect them."

So that's the game, Daniel thought.  They know who I am, they know we have an alliance with the Tok'ra.  They want information, for me to lead them to an operative, allow them to gain access to their ranks.  His eyes narrowed as he looked over at the man.

"Why all these questions?" Daniel said. "All this interest in the Book of Thoth? Why do you care?"

"I am too curious - it is my nature, I suppose. You can hardly fault me for that - it is your curiosity that brought you here."

"It was a little more than idle curiosity," Daniel said, annoyed. "I came because I wanted to help defeat the Goa'uld, and save the peoples they enslave."

"A noble goal to attain," he said, standing.

"You either are a Goa'uld or are one of their loyal subjects. So what do you care about my 'noble goals'?" Daniel asked. "I don't think in all these enlightening conversations we've had that you've ever told me who you really are."

"Who am I?" the man smiled a little at Daniel. "Not even Nefrekeptah knows.  My true identity is a secret to the Goa'uld in this court."

"It's a secret to me too - care to elaborate?" Daniel replied.

"I am he who would help you find your answers," he said cryptically.

"Who are you?" Daniel asked again.

"I am Thoth," he said, his voice for the first time echoing in the way of the Goa'uld.

Daniel leaned back against the wall, stunned. "You're...Thoth."

"Yes," he said simply, walking around the room.

"Right," Daniel said, finishing his water and tossing down the cup. "You're Thoth. And I'm Apollo - nice to meet you."

The man stared at him a moment. "You do not believe me."

"No," Daniel said, rubbing his eyes wearily.

"Do you not wonder that of all the Goa'uld you have seen, I am the first who has aged?" he said, drawing closer.

Daniel opened his eyes. "Well, I...had actually wondered about that."

"I stopped using the sarcophagus to prolong my host's life. It takes the light from the body."

"The soul," Daniel said. "I know."

"My host is aging...and dying."

"Then take a new host," Daniel said, "That's what the Goa'uld do. Prolong your life yet again."

"I cannot take an unwilling host again. I have come to understand the evil path the Goa'uld have taken. I have been going from one court to another, observing the Goa'uld, and have found them wanting. They cannot be turned."

"Glad to see we agree."

"I have heard the Tok'ra still exist - they are the key to controlling the Goa'uld. I was hoping to find the Tok'ra before I weakened - but now I may not have time."

Daniel gave a little laugh. "So this is what this is all about? You want me to take you to the Tok'ra? Why should I trust you? Even if I knew these Tok'ra, if I took you to them you could decimate them, weaken them beyond redemption."

"I speak the truth."

"I wouldn't help you even if I could," Daniel said.

He sighed. "I did not truly expect you would assist me. You have no reason to trust me. But I do speak the truth." He pulled away as the Jaffa came again for Daniel. "Think on what I have said."

"You're wasting your time," Daniel told him as he was pulled away by the Jaffa.

"No, I do not think so," the man replied softly, watching them leave.

Nefrekeptah stared at Daniel from his throne, where he and the court regarded Daniel with a bored air. He was growing weary of the Taur'i's insolence, but continued to bring him forth each evening, each time hoping to hear him beg for a final death, an end to the constant suffering he endured at Nefrekeptah's hands. Tonight, as he contemplated how to kill him yet again, he decided to strike at his soul instead of his body.

"The Taur'i are responsible for the deaths of many of us. Ra. Seth. Sokhar. Amaunet. Cronus.  I even have heard that Herur'ur owes his untimely end to a trick of the Taur'i," Nefrekeptah said.

"Don't forget Hathor," Daniel said.

"Hathor," Nefrekeptah said thoughtfully, "I wonder if she would be interested to know her "Beloved" still lives?" he said.

Daniel put that thought out of his mind; things were already bad enough. Nefrekeptah continued his taunting.

"How many of your own people's deaths have you also been responsible for? How many would still be alive if you had not opened the Stargate?" When Daniel didn't answer, he stood and came closer. "Did you think Apophis stole Shar'e and Skaara from Abydos by chance? Nothing we do is by chance," he said. "What they suffered at our hands - they suffered because of you."

Daniel bit his lip to keep silent as Nefrekeptah went on. "She would be alive today - if not for you."

"At least she knew freedom before she died," Daniel said.

"Do you think her small taste of freedom, her short time as your wife, was any recompense for the torment she endured as Amaunet's host?" Nefrekeptah laughed. "How she must have cursed you for her pain."

"Isn't it about time for you to kill me?" Daniel ground out. "Because talking me to death isn't going to work."

Nefrekeptah regarded him with a sneer, and grabbed a staff weapon from a guard to level at Daniel. Daniel's eyes locked with Nefrekeptah's as he stood unmoving, waiting for the staff weapon blast.

He didn't have long to wait.

Thoth watched as Daniel crumpled, his chest blown apart by the staff weapon's blast.  As the Jaffa dragged Daniel's body from the room, he followed them, his face creased with worry.

From across the room, a courtier noticed his actions and watched him thoughtfully before returning to one of the antechambers.

Daniel took the arm of the man who called himself Thoth, visibly trembling as he climbed out of the sarcophagus.  Weakly, he allowed himself to be led back to his cell, noticing that today the Jaffa were absent.  He stumbled, and felt a reassuring arm around his shoulder as they entered the cell.

"Why are you doing this for me?" he asked, collapsing against the wall, his hands massaging his temples.  Thoth closed the cell's door quietly, then went to pour Daniel a cup of water.

"Ministering to you takes my mind off my own impending death," Thoth said, handing him the cup.  

"You're dying, and still you won't use the sarcophagus? How very un-Goa'uld-like of you," he said dryly.

"It would not have much effect now anyway," Thoth said wearily. "My host is too weak."

"Yet still you don't take a host," Daniel said.

"Not an unwilling host. The Tok'ra do not take hosts unwillingly - and I must not."

"Why haven't you been able to contact these Tok'ra yourself?" Daniel asked.

"I have been trying - so far, my efforts have been fruitless. I would go in search of them again - but there is no way I would be able to survive another journey to find them - without a host."

"Listen - I don't know how to lead you to the Tok'ra. You're wasting your time," Daniel said.

"Perhaps I just like your company," he said, smiling. "There is another alternative," he said, becoming serious again. "To spending your eternity dying at the hands of Nefrekeptah."

"Well, an alternative would be nice," Daniel said wearily.

"I could request you as my new host," he said.

Daniel jumped in shock, moving away from him. "No!" he said. "I would never...there are things worse than death," he finished.

"You are so sure?" Thoth said, standing to leave. Two Jaffa crowded by him into the cell and hauled Daniel to his feet.

"Yes," Daniel said to him, as he was dragged from the cell.

'So what has he told you?" Nefrekeptah said, pouring a cup of wine and handing it to his guest.

Thoth took the cup from him.  "He spoke the truth - he came seeking the Book of Thoth.  He believes it to hold power over the Goa'uld to those who possess it," he said, taking a drink.

Nefrekeptah laughed.  "The book of the traitor Thoth holds no power over us, Nathren.  He was foolish to seek it."

"He is not the first to seek it, and not likely to be the last."

"All of them fools.  To believe an old myth."  Nefrekeptah glanced over at him.  "Continue your visits to him.  He might offer more information that could be useful to us."

Thoth inclined his head in agreement, and got up to leave.  Nefrekeptah stopped him with a hand on his arm.  "Nathren, my elder - your host grows weak.  Why do you not take another?"

"I have seen none worthy of me.  I will wait," Thoth said.

"Do not wait too long," Nefrekeptah said, with concern.  "I would miss your counsel."

Thoth smiled. "I shall give it more thought," he said as he left the chamber.

 
Part Three

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