"You're doing fine Shelaya." General Hammond assured her. Strange how he no longer gave a second thought to the fact he was sitting in the conference room carrying on a conversation with someone whose home was light years away. After four years it was as natural as doing paperwork.

A small smile curved Carter's lips as the General patted Shelaya's hand, his tone gentle and encouraging. He could have been talking with one of his granddaughters.

"I am sure our chieftain will...agree to an....alli..alli-"

"Alliance." Sam volunteered.

"Yes...alliance. He is most impressed with our new friends from Earth." She hesitated, not certain if it was proper. "I wish you to know that Jack O'Neill was not re-responsible for his actions." Everyone in the room was conscious of the empty chairs and both the colonel's and Daniel's absence. Each of them wondered what was taking place in the infirmary as the debriefing continued.

In halting English, Shelaya explained everything that had happened to the SG team since after their arrival on Apakia, concluding with, "Bannock refused to listen when the spirits said Na-air-tay was evil...and paid with his life."

"So you're saying this Cha'cota root affects a person's mind?" "The root makes greater the fears and hatreds. The smell of Kamaka powder..." She paused, searching for the right words. "opens the mind so Bannock could...put the idea...I am not sure I speak correctly. It would be easier in my language."

Carter spoke up giving the native girl a small smile. "If I may sir, I think what she's trying to tell us is that the Cha'cota root enhances a person's darker emotions. The Kamaka powder somehow makes that person susceptible to suggestion. An easy form of brainwashing."

"The sweet smell in the temple." Teal'c stated.

"Oh God, Mayborne will have a field day." Hammond groaned, wondering if there was some way to keep it out of the reports.

"Mayborne?" Shelaya looked at Carter in puzzlement. "What is May-born?"

"Someone who would really like to study those plants." Carter tried to smile as her worried gaze drifted to the door. She wasn't in the mood to try and explain the pretentious officer who would do anything to anyone to achieve his own goals. As a matter of fact she didn't even want to be in the debriefing, or anywhere else but the infirmary.

"The plants will be destroyed upon my return...They are evil...I have no use for them." Hammond supressed a smile at her assurances. If only all the people they met from distant worlds were as accommadating, his job would be a lot easier. The woman looked around the table. When she spoke, her voice was filled with regret. "I must return soon for Bannock's passage to the land of the spirits."

Hammond nodded. "We understand and I appreciate everything you've done for my people."

"I am sorry that I was unable to help more. The spirits knew my people would not believe the evil of Na-air-tay until after Bannock was killed."

"Without your assistance I am unsure whether we would have been able to escape." Teal'c gave her a regal bow of his head. "I thank you for the aid you have given both Daniel Jackson and O'Neill."

"May I see Daniel before I return home?" Shelaya hesitantly placed her hand in his as Hammond stood, extending his hand as she'd seen Daniel do with Meelay.

"Major would you escort our guest to the infirmary. I'm sure Colonel O'Neill would like to thank her before she leaves."