As the gate opened once more, Ariadne raised the IDC device and tapped in the code that would allow them safe passage to the Tau’ri world. Before the Jaffa stepped through the open gate, the leader turned and decided to respond to the Tok’ra in kind. Ironically enough, the statements he made hardly registered with her at all. She was Tok’ra now, but that had not been the case for long. At this point she was largely indifferent towards the downfall of the Goa’uld. On some of her bad days she even thought of it as a good thing. Her people had been selfish despots fighting over the most petty of things after all. The Tok’ra were only different in that less people died for their struggles.

Her downward spiraling train of thought was cut short as Idalia urged her to focus. Her Host hated it when Ariadne let such feelings get out of control as the emotion was transferred to Idalia too, and Idalia did not entirely share the same opinions or feelings. Ariadne could not be sure that Ahmos would be as able to ignore the Jaffa’s taunts as she had however. She fixed him with a firm stare as the Jaffa finished his insults and went through the gate. Once the Jaffa were through the event horizon and no-longer able to hear them she spoke, eager to ensure Ahmos would keep control of himself once they reached the other side of the gate. [i]“Ignore the Jaffa. They are not worth our time.”[/i] She kept it short but spoke firmly. No surly Jaffa would keep her from the chance to meet the Tau’ri and explore the galaxy yet more. With that she picked up the wood and metal box containing her few possessions and stepped through the gate herself.

The Tau’ri base was…. disappointing. It was an enclosed structure filled with blocky, drab architecture that seemed to do its very best to fall into the background. She hadn’t known what she was expecting to be fair, but it wasn’t this. The Tau’ri leader known as General Landry had come down to the gate room to greet them in person it seemed.

“Permission granted. Welcome to Earth. You’ll be staying here for a short time while we get the Langford ready.”

Ariadne took charge then, before the Jaffa could reply. [i]“Thank you General Landry. May I ask how long we will be staying on Earth?”[/i] She stepped past the Jaffa, careful not to touch them as she went.

“You may. The Langford is scheduled to pick up its remaining crew in forty-eight hours. Until then, we’ve set aside the VIP quarters for you. Second-Lieutenant Zaken here will take you to your quarters. She’ll be the linguist and cultural specialist on the Langford. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some [i]vital[/i] paperwork that needs doing.”

Ariadne could tell he obviously didn’t want to do whatever he was being called away for, but it seemed even he had inescapable responsibilities. Ariadne smiled knowingly after the general as he retreated back to his office. Then she turned expectantly to the woman he’d indicated would guide her to her quarters. She was surprised to see that this ‘Zaken’ woman looked not too dissimilar from the average human stock seeded across the many Goa’uld worlds. A hundred years ago, she might’ve even considered her a good potential host. She quickly pushed that thought aside though - that was not who she was now.