Mal paced the confines of the room. The door opened and he turned as the General stepped into the room. "Well, how did it go?"

"I'm not certain Captain Kain bought the story, she's very ..." Sam paused.

"Nosy?" Mal asked.

She grinned. "Yes, that. I'll do my best to keep her contained while you're gone. Are you ready for this, Colonel?"

"As ready as I can be. Are we certain the mimic device will work?"

"They've been working on them at the RBA for several years. The first set of prototypes was wonky. They couldn't hold an image for more than a few minutes. These new ones will work for several days. Try not to stay any longer than you need to. You have seventy-two hours, after that, I can't guarantee the image will hold." She held out the small device. "The bigger one will create the false image, the smaller one goes on your temple, it will allow you to read Lyndon's thoughts."

"Not sure I want to read the man's mind."

"It will help you navigate through the Alliance hierarchy. Hopefully, you won't run into anything that you can't explain."

He nodded and placed the larger of the two devices beneath his shirt. The moment it was in place he morphed into Lyndon. He placed the smaller device on his right temple. He released a whistle. "He's pissed off."

Sam grinned. "Well, we can't blame him for that, you did Zat him and take him captive. You need to get going if Lyndon is gone any longer you'll never be able to make Shaw believe your story."

"Yes, ma'am." He started for the door, stopped, and looked at her. "I don't like leaving my team in the dark like this. They deserve to know what's happening."

She shook her head. "It's better if they don't. As long as they continue to believe you're ill then they have no answers for the IOA if they show up poking around. Their reactions and answers will be natural. It's for the best, Colonel."

He nodded but that didn't mean he liked it. Two soldiers fell into step on either side of him to escort him to the Gate room. He looked up to the control room and spotted the General standing beside the Staff Sergeant who was currently manning the dialing computer. The Gate whirred to life and moments later it connected. He sent her a wave before he strode up the ramp and stepped through the Gate. There were no guards at the Gate when he arrived.

"That's a good sign I suppose." He headed for the Alliance encampment. He needed to report to Shaw. He found the man sitting on a rock near the small fire that burned. "Sir?"

"Ahh, Lyndon, so how did the meeting go? What did Seften have to whine about now?"

"He refused to give me the message, he wants to speak with you personally, he said he needs to see you as soon as possible. I tried to get him to tell me his message but he refused."

Shaw grumbled. "That man worries about every little thing. I'm sure he thinks he's being followed again. I'm not certain he's worth the time I devote to his antics. The trouble doesn't outweigh the information he passes on."

"I can go back and remove a few of his fingers to remind him how precious your time is," Mal told him with a grin.

Shaw chuckled. "I appreciate that, Lyn but I'll send Edric to handle it. I think perhaps Seften has outlived his usefulness. After all, the Tau'ri are no longer on the planet exploring the ruins. There is little more information he can pass along."

"Yes, sir. Do you need me for anything else?"

"Take a seat and share a drink with me."

"Who am I to disobey a command from my superior?" he answered with a chuckle and took a seat beside Shaw.

They spent the next four hours drinking while Shaw complained about Nesrin sending him to the far reaches of the galaxy to browbeat farmers into growing Kassa for the Alliance.

"I mean, I am one of her Seconds, I should be doing more important things, right?"

"Yes, sir but I'd be careful how you speak about Nesrin, you wouldn't want someone to carry tales back to her. She doesn't exactly hear you out before she pulls that knife of hers, I wouldn't want to see you taken out of the picture."

"It's good to know I have your loyalty, thank you, Lyn." Shaw slapped him on the back.

"Who are you kidding, I don't want to have to get used to a new commander. I already know all of your quirks."

Shaw laughed loudly. "That is the Lyndon I know. I was beginning to think you'd gone soft on me!"

"Never." He took a swig of the brew they were drinking. He'd managed to fake Shaw out thus far as to how much head to drink. The man was so drunk at this point it was easy to do.

Lee stepped away from the door. "I'm telling you there is no one in there."

Oliver sighed. "Come on, I think you're being paranoid. Let Mal recover in peace."

"He isn't in there and he's not sick!" she insisted.

"Oliver is right, let it be. I'm sure as soon as he's better he'll tell us exactly what happened."

"You two are zero help," she muttered and stomped off down the corridor.

"She isn't going to let this go," Van said with a sigh.

"Nope, she won't." Oliver released a sigh of his own and started after his sister.

They followed her up to the briefing room where General Carter was waiting to brief them about their mission. They could hear the General's disapproving voice scolding Lee as they came up the stairs.

"I said sit down, Captain. We are not here to discuss Colonel Hughes' condition. He is under Dr. Grayson's care and he is doing just fine. Now sit so we can get this briefing started."

"Lee, sit down," Van told her.

"Fine, but I'm doing it under protest. We shouldn't be going on a mission while the Colonel is ill." She sent the General a glare.

"Duly noted," Sam told her. "This is a small recon mission. SG-18 reported seeing Kassa fields on their last mission. I want you to check out the planet and be certain it is Kassa."

"And if it is?" Oliver asked.

"Then note how many fields there are and we'll add the planet to our Alliance database. We need an accurate count of the number of planets they've been able to convince to grow Kassa for them. Once we have that information we're hoping we can formulate a plan to put a stop to it and the Alliance."

"Great, dial it up and let's get this over with," Lee muttered.

"Captain, I suggest you rein in your attitude. I understand how you feel about the Colonel, he's your commanding officer and your friend and you're worried, but if anything changes you will be informed. The Colonel is doing well and his condition is improving. You have your mission and you embark in an hour. Dismissed." She stood and left the briefing room.

"Well, this is gonna be loads of fun." Lee stood and stalked toward the door.

"Oh yeah, so much fun," Oliver muttered as he and Van followed her.

Mal sat back in his chair beside Shaw and watched as he finessed the local farmers into growing Kassa. The man was a charmer; it was no wonder Nesrin had sent him to represent the Alliance.

"It's a beneficial arrangement for you and the Alliance. You simply have to give up a small piece of land and you'll be paid well for it."

The farmer nodded. "I will speak to the others but I agree it sounds like a viable arrangement." The man sat forward slightly. "My worry, Shaw, is Nesrin's tendency to rid herself of those she finds a reason to distrust. I don't wish to put my people in any danger."

"As long as you grow for us and the Kassa crops are sent on time then you have nothing to worry about. Those she has ... dealt with harshly were found to have stolen from the Alliance. If you don't do that then you have nothing to worry over."

The man nodded. "I will speak to the others."

The two shook hands and Shaw stood. "I look forward to hearing your decision."

Mal rose and followed Shaw out. "Do you think they'll agree?"

Shaw nodded. "I do. They want the promise of a steady income, if they grow Kassa for us then they'll have that."

"So that's what you promise them, a steady income?"

"Indeed, I do. Many of these smaller settlements are poor and care for their people is equally as poor. They need the money and the Alliance needs the land to grow on." He shrugged. "It's a good arrangement for all involved. You know, you really should join me on more of these expeditions, if you learned how things work then perhaps someday you could move up in the organization."

"I'm not sure I'm leadership material, sir."

"Come on, I've seen you in action, my friend, you could easily be one of Nesrin's Seconds."

"I appreciate that and I'll think about it."

"Come, let's get back to the ship," Shaw told the men.

They walked back in the direction of the ship.

"Sir!"

Shaw turned when one of the men called his name. "What is it?"

"We caught these three in the village. I think it would be in our best interest to offer them up to Nesrin." He turned to indicate the three prisoners the other men dragged forward.

Mal cursed beneath his breath when he realized that the prisoners were Lee, Van, and Oliver. "Is that SG-1?" he asked Shaw.

"It would appear so." Shaw moved over to stand before the prisoners. "Where is Colonel Hughes?"

"Not here, obviously," Lee replied. Her eyes tracked to where Mal stood and they narrowed on him.

"Is he here on the planet?" Shaw demanded.

"I don't know, maybe he is, maybe he isn't, perhaps you should send your pups out to sniff around for him." She turned to look at the man who held her arm. "If I throw a Scooby Snack will you chase it?"

He gave her a shake. "Shut up, woman."

"I have a name. It's Captain Kain."

Shaw grabbed a fist full of her hair and twisted it so she was forced to look at him. "Tell me where Hughes is."

"Or what? You'll torture me? Go for it buddy, I bet you give up before I do."

He released her with a shove toward the man who held her. "We'll take them with us. I'll interrogate them once we're back on board the ship. If I think they're useful then I'll contact Nesrin and let her know we've captured them. Without Hughes, I'm not sure how much they're worth to her. Let's move out."

Mal continued to curse silently. He was hoping to have the full seventy-two hours to gather information but it appeared that his last act as Lyndon was going to be setting SG-1 free and helping them to escape Shaw's grasp. "Idiots," he muttered.

"Is there a problem, Lyn?"

He shook his head. "I was wondering why Nesrin believes SG-1 is such a problem the morons keep getting captured."

Shaw laughed loudly. "That is an excellent observation." He turned to look at the three prisoners. "I can only assume they've gotten lucky up to this point."

"It would seem so," Mal replied. "They certainly don't look like much. I think a good gust of wind could blow the little fellow over there to the ground." He indicated Van.

As they walked back to the ship Mal spent his time attempting to come up with a plan to free the others. It wasn't going well. He could hear Captain Kain continuing to make crude comments and offer the guard Scooby Snacks. If she didn't stop it the men were probably going to decide she wasn't worth the trouble. If they asked it of Shaw he'd probably allow them to kill her.

He spun, grasped a handful of her shirt, and gave her a shake. "Do you know how to shut your mouth? It's a wonder Colonel Hughes hasn't shot you himself by now! Be quiet or I swear I will find a planet covered in ice and leave you on it naked, woman!"

Lee stared at him with narrowed eyes. "You wouldn't," she replied simply.

He snorted and released her. "Try me."

"He would trust me, I've seen him do far worse for lesser crimes," Shaw told her. "Do you remember when you strung up that man for bumping into you and causing you to spill your drink? Took that poor bloke hours to die."

Mal nodded and stalked away from them.

"Not a very friendly guy is he?" Oliver asked as they watched him leave.

Shaw gestured to the ship. "Take them on board and lock them up."

"Yes, sir. Let's go." The men dragged them on board and locked them in a cell.

The moment they were alone Lee turned to Van and Oliver. "Neither of you find it extremely odd that the man we captured and dragged back to the SGC is currently here with Shaw?"

"Maybe he managed to escape." Oliver shrugged.

"Really, Ollie? He managed to escape. You don't think he'd mention to Shaw he was captured? By us!"

"She has a point," Van said.

"Not really, I mean telling Shaw we captured him would only make him look bad," Oliver pointed out.

Van sighed and nodded. "Okay, so is this another duplicate thing?"

"I doubt it. Lyndon might be one of Shaw's higher-ranking officers, but in the grand scheme of the Alliance, he's unimportant. Let's think this through, shall we?"

"Uh ... okay," Van answered.

"We are sent to capture this guy with very little information as to why. We haul his sorry ass back to the base and lock him away. Suddenly the Colonel falls ill and we aren't allowed to see him even from an observation room. We get here and discover that Lyndon is here with Shaw. How much do we want to bet that isn't Lyndon, it's Colonel Hughes."

"How?" Oliver asked. "They didn't have time to perform plastic surgery and even if they did, he'd need time to heal."

Van made a small sound and clapped his hands together. "The mimic devices!"

"The what?" Lee asked.

"The foothold situation with the aliens who could make themselves look like people! They used devices the SGC calls mimic devices. They've been attempting to reverse engineer them for years since the incident! I've read the reports! They must have gotten them to work!"

"He's probably right," Oliver told her. "It's the only way Mal could possibly be impersonating Lyndon so perfectly."

"Great, perfect, not only have we been captured, the Colonel can't help us or he'll blow his cover." She sat down and leaned against the wall.

"Hey, I'm sure if he can find a way to get us out of here he will," Van said as he took a seat beside her.

Oliver joined them. "Van is right. If anyone can spring us, it would be Colonel Hughes."

"Let's hope so."