The episode starts off with the gate dialling up. In the computer room, we see General Hammond telling the Secretary "This is how we open the front door around here." After a few questions and answers, it emerges that Administration isn't satisfied with the way the SGC is going. There were hoping that the Stargate would mean lots of advanced technology for them to use. Teal'c asks what it is that they are wanting, and the Secretary asks what's out there. Teal'c tells them all of a creature that can appear and disappear at will. He knows the address for the planet where it lives. "Sounds like a mission to me," announces Jack.

Jack emerged from the wormhole which shortly closes behind him and calls out to the rest of the team who can't be seen. Sam answers and Jack walks to the rest of the team who, it turned out, were somewhere behind the Stargate. After some discussion of what they saw when they came through, Jack comments on the size of the animal, saying that the tranquilliser darts are 'enough to know out a rhino'. Teal'c assures him that they are very large but very manoeuvrable when they are in the air. He adds that they are most vulnerable when they hover. "Hover?" asks Daniel, "Like a hummingbird?"

"With teeth," Teal'c answers. Jack takes a quick glance around and says that there's nothing around right then and that they should get back to the gear, before interrupting himself and asking "Where's the Stargate?" Everyone turns around and sees that the Stargate has disappeared.

Everyone walks to where the Stargate was and Daniel asks Teal'c if something similar happened to him when he was asked top get the animal in the service of Apophis. Teal'c says they had a homing device in case they ever lost the Stargate. Daniel turns to Jack and asks if they have one, who answers, "Of course we do. It's with the gear."

"Which is..." Daniel adds, "By the Stargate." Jack says to start a box search and they spilt up, Jack and Daniel going one way, Teal'c and Sam going another. Jack and Daniel are walking uphill when Daniel hears a buzzing noise. Daniel gets Jack's attention and points to a fuzzy moving blob in the sky where one of the animals is. Jack lines up to shoot it with a tranq. gun, but a staff weapon blast from below scares it off. Jack radios Teal'c to ask what on Earth he's doing, to which Teal'c replies "It did not come from me." Jack and Daniel then see Apophis and three guards walking into a clearing, trying to tell where the flying thing went.

Teal'c asks Jack if it was definitely Apophis. Jack says it was. Daniel is all for attacking Apophis in the hope of capturing him and getting information on where Sha're and Ska'ara are and on Goa'uld technology. Jack considers this and asks Teal'c what sort of weaponry Apophis will have. Teal'c says he will have 3 personal guards at most. Sam seems to have just realised what they are planning on doing, and asks if they are serious. Jack gives her a look, and Sam points out that half the weaponry they have is tranquilliser guns. Daniel says that they can use one to knock Apophis out then capture him and take him home. Jack asks Teal'c if what Daniel's talking about is possible and Teal'c tells him that if they can eliminate the guards quickly, he thinks they can.

Apophis and his guards are moving through the forest. The first prime moves forward and investigates a footprint in the ground left by SG-1. He moves cautiously forward towards possible cover for the maker of the foot print, and the attack starts. He is almost shot by Teal'c's staff weapon. Jack, Daniel and Sam then start shooting at the guards and it turns into a big battle. The guards are so busy shooting at their attackers that they cannot protect their 'god', and Jack seizes this opportunity. He steps out of cover and shoots at Apophis. Apophis touches some kind of device on his wrist and a force field stops the bullets from reaching him. Jack takes a few more shots, with no more luck. Apophis yells to one of his guards who passes him a staff weapon, going through the force field with no problem. Apophis then uses the staff weapon to shoot Jack, who doesn't make it to cover in time. Sam sees this, calls out, then comes out of cover. She is also shot. Daniel is then shot. Teal'c comes out of cover, holding his staff weapon. He takes a few shots at Apophis which don't make it through the force field. Apophis is pleased on the sight of Teal'c, and Teal'c says he will not serve the Goa'uld. "Tal shaka mel," Teal'c tells Apophis, "I die free." Apophis is about to kill him when he suddenly disappears. Jack, Sam and Daniel's bodies also disappear, as does Shak'l's body.

Daniel wakes up in a mysterious hut, finding that he has been healed and brought back to life. (His uniform hasn't though.. there's a big hole in the middle. :) ) He finds Sam lying nearby, also healed. She agrees that they were shot, and says that wherever they are, she doesn't think it is heaven. They then find Jack. They notice that their weapons are gone. Just as they are agreeing that they all died, two human-like figures walk in, and after some discussion (one sided. The aliens don't say a thing.) they beckon and lead Jack, Sam and Daniel outside. They inquire about Teal'c, but are led to a dining area. They have some fruit and Daniel asks if it was them (the aliens) that healed SG-1. They stay silent, and the smallest one walks up to Jack, who tries to ask for their weapons back. The small one runs away in the middle of Jack talking to him and when Jack sees where he's going he sees Teal'c enter the village. "Teal'c, please tell me you know what's going on here," Jack says to him. "I cannot tell you that," Teal'c replies. Jack then asks if Teal'c has a line on Apophis and if he knows how faraway the Stargate is. Teal'c says no to the first one, and is in the middle of answering the second one when the small boy runs up to Sam. He introduces himself as Nafrayu, and Sam replies that she is Carter. Jack quips that she can't keep him, to which Sam just smiles.

In another part of the forest, Apophis gives orders to one of his guards who promptly runs off.

Back at the village, SG-1 are still being fed by the aliens. Jack says to Daniel that they should ask about the Stargate. Daniel replies that he has and they don't understand. He adds that they don't say much at all and that he's trying to figure out if they're human. Sam says that they are fairly human, and then one of the aliens (whom we later find out to be called Anteaus) says in perfect English "We will take you to your doorway." When Daniel asks if they understand, Anteaus replies "It took time to learn your speech." Sam comments "Not much time!" and Anteaus changed the subject, saying that their weapons are gone. Jack asks where, and Anteaus doesn't reply. SG-1 point out that their enemy will be following and looking for them. When the woman points put that SG-1 attacked them, Jack says they just wanted to capture him because he's 'very bad'. Jack says they were going to take him back to Earth, but they didn't know about the force field... Teal'c says he didn't know Apophis had one and Jack replies, "It's alright. We're alive. Thanks to you folks." Anteaus says he will take SG-1 to their doorway and then they will go. He says it gently, but firmly. He says that they should rest because they will be leaving soon and 'take their ways with them'. Jack asks how they were healed, earning the reply 'our ways'. Daniel says they want to learn about their ways, and Anteaus refuses. When Jack asks if there are any leaders or others he could talk to, Anteaus says very firmly that they will go. Teal's why they aren't going to leave now, and the woman (Lya) tells him that their brother won't revive until later. They are confused, and when led to a hut find out that their 'brother' is Shak'l. Lya says he resisted their attempts to heal him but Teal'c says his Goa'uld is healing them as they speak. Anteaus is pleased by this, Jack argues with him and Anteaus points out that Teal'c is like Shak'l. Jack says that Teal'c is with them, and when Lya suggests that Shak'l might also join them, Sam says she doesn't think so. SG-1 warn them of the Goa'uld, and Anteaus responds, "But they do not know the Nox." Lya adds, "The ones you speak of come to hunt the Fenri." They figure out the Fenri are the flying, buzzing creatures they came to catch. Jack asks if there are elders they can talk with, and Anteaus directs him to Ofur, one of the oldest of all Nox. Teal'c says if Shak'l escapes the Nox will be in great danger and Anteaus says that there will be no more killing. When Jack asks them how they protect themselves, Anteaus says they don't. Sam says that SG-1 can help them, and Anteaus says (VERY firmly this time) "You must go." SG-1 move away for a private discussion, and see that there is no way they can leave with Shak'l without being attacked by Apophis and that there is no way they can leave him here. Jack sends Teal'c to check on Shak'l and says that until they come to a good conclusion, everyone is to find out what they can about the Nox.

The guard Apophis sent away returns, saying he 'cannot find them' (we don't know what 'them' is. The orders Apophis gave were in Goa'uld.) Apophis asks about Shak'l and Teal'c, and how they couldn't just disappear. There is no answer.

Teal'c is standing over Shak'l, making sure he can't escape. Lya enters the room where Shak'l is lying, scattering healing herbs of some kind over him, before asking "Must he be bound so tightly?" Teal'c tells her that if he isn't, he will escape when he wakes up. Lya tells Teal'c he is already awake, before leaving. After she has left, Teal'c tries to convince Shak'l that Apophis is not a god and that he should join SG-1. He fails. Shak'l says he will rest, escape, then present Teal'c's head to Apophis. Teal'c says that the day will come when Apophis' rule will end, on that day he will go to Chulak and offer freedom to all Jaffa. He tells Shak'l he won't live to see it because when he fails to stop Teal'c, it will be his head. Outside, Daniel, Jack and Sam are making bows and arrows so they have at least some protection against Apophis. Nafrayu arrives and asks Jack if what he is making is a weapon. Jack says yes, and he can't have it. Jack then walks a little into the forest and tests out his bow. Nafrayu follows him. Nafrayu asks Jack why he wants to fight, and Jack tells him he doesn't want to, but their enemy don't give them any other option. Nafrayu says he will learn to understand the Goa'uld better and Jack is in the middle of telling him it's a very bad idea when a Fenri comes. Jack tells Nafrayu to run, then takes a shot at the Fenri. It veers off to the side, dodging the arrow, and flies away.

Daniel is talking to Ofur, trying to learn about the Nox. Ofur tells him he has much to learn and Daniel suggests he teach him right then. He asks Ofur where their almost psychic ability comes from, the reply being the knowledge takes time. Daniel is about to ask how old he is, but Ofur psychically knows and tells him (after a brief explanation from Daniel of how they mark time) that he is 432 years old. After slight hesitation, Daniel says, "Well.. uh... you look great."

Jack is looking around for the Fenri when Anteaus appears a short distance away, telling him he will not teach Nafrayu his ways. Jack asks how Anteaus just appeared like that, and Anteaus tells him it is the Nox that can go invisible, not the Fenri. They argue, Jack warning Anteaus about the Goa'uld. He says that the Goa'uld will turn them into slaves, to which Anteaus replies, "We are slaves to no-one."

Daniel asks Ofur how long the Goa'uld have been coming to hunt, and Ofur says it has been as long as he can remember. Daniel asks why they don't just bury the gate and end it all, and Ofur tells him that if they did the Goa'uld would know someone had buried it.

Jack tells the rest of the team that the Nox have the invisibility powers, not the Fenri. Daniel points out that now the situation is even worse because if Apophis finds out he will try to enslave the Nox. Teal'c says if Apophis cannot possess the powers, he will destroy them. Jack says they need to get Shak'l out of the village, and Anteaus appears and says that SG-1 cannot be trusted with their enemy. Daniel, Jack and Anteaus discuss and argue, the basic points emerging: they can't take Shak'l with them unless he wants to go. Also, the Nox are not afraid of the Goa'uld, despite the many warnings the have been receiving.

Apophis' guard appears again before Apophis and says he cannot find the Stargate. Apophis demands that he find Teal'c instead.

Teal'c tells Shak'l he is offering him a last chance at freedom. Shak'l refuses and points out that Teal'c won't kill him. Teal'c says he doesn't want to. "You may wish you had," Shak'l warns, before yelling as loud as he can. Lya soon arrives, asking Teal'c what he has done to Shak'l. Teal'c realises the plan and tries to fend off Shak'l from Lya. He is stabbed in his right side (near his stomach) and falls to the ground. Outside, SG-1 are waiting and they all rush to the hut when they hear Teal'c yelling for O'Neill. He walks out of the hut in shock, stating simply, "The Noxwoman." Inside, we see Lya motionless with her eyes closed, apparently dead.

Shak'l is running away from the village, trying to find Apophis or one of his guards. Sam is tending to Teal'c's wound, and Jack tells them that Shak'l escaped. SG-1 see the Nox performing the healing ceremony on Lya, reappearing and disappearing throughout. Shak'l also witnesses it, and smiles to himself before running off. When they are done, Jack asks Anteaus if they were healed in the same way. Anteaus says they were. Teal'c's points out that they are visible during the ceremony, and that it is a weakness. Anteaus has a 'that's true...' look on his face before smiling and saying, "We are hidden again."

Teal'c finds a footprint and says Shak'l has been that way. Jack asks how long ago it was, and Teal'c tells him that Shak'l is very good at evading capture (Note to Ness: I know that last part doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's definitely what's said in the episode. Sorry.) Nafrayu has been following Jack and Teal'c and tells them he wants to see a Goa'uld, because he has never seen one before. Jack tells him that he should go home. Nafrayu turns away, then goes invisible. Jack and Teal'c see Shak'l meet up with another of Apophis' guards. He tells the other guard of the Nox and their powers. Jack and Teal'c report this to Anteaus, who insists that nothing has changed. Ofur suddenly points out that Nafrayu is missing.

Apophis and one guard are walking through the forest, when Nafrayu suddenly appears before them. Nafrayu introduces himself, Apophis echoes it before raising his hand. The ribbon device starts to glow.

Jack, Teal'c and Anteaus are walking through the forest. Jack tells Anteaus he told Nafrayu to go home. Anteaus points out that he told SG-1 the same thing. "The very young do now always do what they are told," he tells Jack.

Sam, Daniel and Lya are walking through the forest, also looking for Nafrayu. They see him lying conscious on the ground, killed by Apophis' ribbon device. A few seconds after they discover him, Jack, Teal'c and Anteaus arrive. Jack says he thinks it's a trap, and Sam agrees. The Nox walk away with Nafrayu's body, planning on healing him just as they healed Lya and SG-1. Jack points out that the second they start the ceremony, Apophis will attack. Sam says that they can defend them if they get their weapons back. Anteaus says that there will be no more killing and Jack says that SG-1 aren't going to sit around and watch as mass slaughter and that they will make their own way back to the gate. "D'you think they bought it?" Jack asks Sam as they walk away from the village. "Almost believed it myself," she tells him.

Jack is tying a tranq. dart to an arrow that the Nox missed when they were removing all their weapons. A brief discussion is held on how they will get past the problem of Apophis' force field. They figure out that a slow thing is more likely to make it through than a fast thing (I've simplified this from astrophysicist-speak to English) and that although and an arrow might just make it, a bullet or staff weapon blast definitely won't.

Anteaus, Lya and Ofur start the healing ceremony on Nafrayu.

Daniel announces that the Goa'uld are coming, and helps camouflage Sam with branches. Everyone takes their hiding places, Daniel, Teal'c and Jack behind trees and tree stumps, Sam lying on the ground covered in branches. The guards move forward into SG-1's little ambush area and the fighting starts.

The Nox hear the sounds of staff weapons shooting and hesitate. Anteaus lifts Lya's and Ofur's arms into the healing positions again and they resume the ceremony.

Apophis backs away from the main fighting area and Jack appears with his bow and arrow to shoot him. Just as the arrow is about the make contact with Apophis, he is made invisible and the arrow goes through air harmlessly. Jack figures out that the Nox are stopping Jack from killing Apophis and he screams to the forest that the Goa'uld won't spare them.

SG-1 walk up the hill to where the Stargate is meant to be. Anteaus appears and says that he sent the Goa'uld through. Jack says that the Goa'uld will come back, and Anteaus says that once SG-1 have left the will bury the gate. Jack says the Goa'uld will come in ships and bring an entire army with them. "Maybe," replies Anteaus. Nafrayu appears then and Anteaus explains that he wanted to say farewell. Anteaus asks why SG-1 fear for them, and Teal'c says that it is their way that the strong defend the weak. Anteaus shows them a huge floating city in the sky. "Fear not," he tells them. The Stargate reappears behind them. It opens by itself (Anteaus might have opened it, but you can't tell. There's no use of the DHD or spinning of the ring, or locking of the Chevrons, or anything. It just opens.) and Anteaus tells SG-1 that maybe they will learn that their way isn't the only way. Nafrayu and Anteaus them disappear Jack asks why the Nox didn't tell them, and Daniel suggest that in their own way, they did. Daniel points out that they should have listened, and because they didn't they've blown their chance of getting any technology from the Nox. "'The very young do now always do what they are told'," quotes Jack. On receiving questioning looks from the rest of the team, he adds, "Just something a Nox told me one time. Something worth taking home." SG-1 then walk through the gate.

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