A Hidden Threat

Chapter 1

SG1 was on PX-989, and had been there for days. They had met the Jibaritan people. A rough people, they were, quite primitive looking but the resources they had on their planet were astounding. SG1 began negotiating with the Jibaritan people, and had made great progress. O'Neill, Teal'c, and Daniel had done most of the negotiations. Carter was back at the base, dealing with some errors the gate was registering. After their discussions SG1 returned to the SGC to debrief General Hammond. They all then returned to the planet, including Major Carter.

"A women?" Tenan, the leader of the Jibaritan people, said in astonishment.

"Um, yes, we have them on our planet as well" O'Neill stated in a sarcastic tone.

Suddenly the teamed realized, during their times of negotiations, they did not see any women.

"Do women not exist amongst your people?" Daniel asked curiously.

"Of course we have women, but they remain hidden and only used for our need and pleasures...." stated the Jibaritan leader, in laughter.

Major Carter stomach turned. She realized that women here where below any standards they had. She wanted off this planet as soon as possible.

"How you use your women, is your prerogative.....we on other the hand use them for what they are purposed for.... pleasure...." Smirked Tenan.

"We will have the rest of your request by end of next moon" Tenan stated,

"I have...Tenan smirked as he continued his remarks, "things to attend to" "I will return to your planet, as we discussed with the final request" .

SG1 looked at each other and knew where he was headed. By this point O'Neill could tell that Carter wanted to snap his neck.

"Thank you for your hospitality." Daniel stated trying not to sound like he wanted to throw up.

"Um...your woman can place the items, in that area there" Tenan pointed to a small shed area.

"See you next moon then" he stated as he turned away into his temple.

"Let's get this stuff put away, and get the heck out of here" Carter stated with entered the room and it was filled with artifacts and items that Daniel, if left alone would have had a field day with.

"Don't even think about it Daniel." O'Neill stated. He already knew what Daniel was thinking. Suddenly a small figure appeared from the back.

"Hello, is anyone there?" Carter asked.

She can tell there was someone there, but they would not make themselves known.

"It's ok. We are not going to hurt you. We are just placing these items, here and then we will be on our way." Carter stated trying to reassure whomever it was that they were not in danger.

"You're a...a.....you're a women" the hidden voice from the darkness said.

Carter by this point was getting annoyed by the constant surprise that yes she was a women. But as she processed the voice, she realized that in fact it was a woman that was stating the obvious fact.

"Yes, I am....what is your name?" Carter asked, treading lightly.

"We are not allowed to speak to outsiders" another voice came from the distance.

"My name is Amiri" stated the girl, walking towards the light, closer to the team. She gently reached for Carter's hand and touched it. Carter felt a small electric surge when Amiri touched her. She attributed it to just some static, so she mentioned nothing.

"Hello Amiri, I'm Sam" Carter answered back, hoping to gain Amiri's out of the darkness, came this slim girl. She was beautiful, but very pale. She was definitely malnourished.

"You are the outsiders that Tenan has traded with, yes?" Amiri asked.

"Yes we are" Carter replied. Taking note of her appearance.

"We have always been told that women could never be more than pleasers and attendants to men" Amiri said.

"You mustn't Amiri, you know the punishment for speaking" yelled another from the distance. "

Do you please men as well, or is your duty just a militant duty?" Amiri asked.

"Amiri we must go, we must go now!" the others stated as they tried to drag her away.O'Neill practically choked on Amiri's questions. Carter gave him a dirty look. She carefully thought out her response, since she knew that their culture was different, although she disagreed with it she could not interfere. Suddenly a noise came from outside.

"I most go, please, I beg of you. Do not mention I spoke with you, please...." Amiri begged Carter, as she ran anyway into the darkness. Before she left she turned to look at Carter and smiled. There was something about this girl that Carter couldn't shake.

"Carter, let's go!" O'Neill shouted. Carter placed all the items down in their appropriate place and left the shed. They all walked towards the gate, but Carter was definitely they walked towards the gate, O'Neill could tell that Carter was pensive.

"penny for them?" O'Neill said as he leaned into her.

"Sorry sir," she said, "There's something about that girl, Sir. She wasn't supposed to speak and yet, she did. She wasn't fearful, as the others were." "I don't know, Sir...." Carter said.

He could tell that it was bothering her. The whole "women are for pleasure" thing, didn't sit well with him either. The girl was young, and to think what they were using her for, truly bothered Carter.

"Well dial us home Carter" O'Neill quickly changed the subject.

"Yes Sir" Carter snapped back and began to dial entered the gate with no incidence. General Hammond waited for them at the bottom of the ramp.

"Welcome back SG1. I assume all went well?" Hammond asked.

"Yes Sir, Smooth as ice" O'Neill said.

"We'll debrief at 2300 hours" Hammond walked down the ramp, Carter still pensive.

"I suddenly feel like I need a shower" Carter said. She felt disgusted by what she learned about the people of PX989. It reminded her all too well, about her visit to the planet Simarka. SG1 headed down the ramp. They showered and then met in the debriefing room to discuss their mission. They informed Hammond that the trade went well and that Tenan would be returning with the remainder of the trade. Hammond dismissed them, and they left the room.

"Carter" O'Neill called out to her.

"Yes Sir" Carter replied. O'Neill could tell that during the whole debriefing she was in another world.

"Sir...it's just that there was something about that girl that I can't shake?" Carter said.

"You think maybe Jolinar has something to do with it?" O'Neill asked wondering if she was experiencing a Jolinar episode.

"Maybe?" she said. "But I'm not sure" "Well, we could go back if you want?" O'Neill stated, knowing her answer.

"Ah! no...I'd rather not...I guess I'll just have to live with it" Carter said, and gave him her famous both smiled and went there way. Although Carter did state it was something she had to live with, she still couldn't sever the connection she felt towards Amiri. She had only just met her, but the overwhelming urge to protect her, was something Carter could not shake.