Martial Sympathies

Posted on Mon Aug 24th, 2026 @ 12:42pm by Tejet of Ges & Mars & Pindar

1,401 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: UnderMind [4]
Location: Teal'c's Tavern
Timeline: Pre-mission

The owner of this particular tavern, Teal'c, was not related to the legendary hero who had helped the Tau'ri free the Jaffa, however his name was one of the three most common among Jaffa even in the 25th century.

Tejet had guided Mars here at his request. "A good place, this. But there is one local who is usually here who is best avoided. His fortunes turned around recently, things have not been good for him. But he may know things you find interesting." He told his patron.

“What is his name?” Mars inquired as he gestured for them to sit at a table at the Tavern’s far corner where it did appear more secluded.

"Pindar." Tejet explained quietly as they sat, for fear of being overheard. A young Jaffa woman came over to serve them, leaving a flask of cold water and two mugs. "What can I get you, Jaffa?" She asked them.

Pindar, interesting, Mars mused as he glanced from Tejet to the server. He smiled. He thought it best not to correct her assumption that he is a Jaffa. That said, she probably could sense him. "Thank you for the water ma'am, do you serve any of the beverages that the legendary Teal'c was known to have?"

"As it happens, we do. But they are not cheap. And there are no refunds. But we have cans of the heineken." She butchered the pronunciation of the beer so it sounded like 'High-knee-ken.' "Two hundred fifty shesh'ta apiece." She said it in a tone to disturb the poor locals who would never consider such a luxury at such a price.

"What a shame that it is such a price, you must not have too many of them." Mars spoke with some disappointment but kept his smile. "I'll have the local most common brew and the standard meal, please and thank you ma'am." He watched her.

"As you say. And you?" She asked Tejet.

"The same." Tejet said with a smile to the young woman.

"What's the matter Jaffa?" Came the inebriated voice of Pindar from across the room, "Can't afford the good stuff?" He slurred, having obviously overheard their conversation.

"No I cannot, but it looks like you can?" Mars countered as he eyed Pindar up and down. "Or are you on common stuff as well?" He chuckled as he shifted slightly to face Pindar while seated.

"Nectar of the working man." Pindar said. "No honest Jaffa can afford that Earth-swill. But you're an honest Jaffa, aren't you friend?"

Mars had to chuckle at the Earth-swill reference. "I may or may not be honest, but being your friend would be quite interesting. And who knows if the Earth-swill is worth tasting." He gestured to the empty chair near Tejet. "Would you join us?"

Pindar sat there quietly for a moment. Then he stood, stiffly, and moved across the room to them, leaning against the back of the chair at Mars' table. He was a little unsteady, swaying, his inebriation was well-managed but unmistakable. "Very well, three hi-knee-ken, on my new friend's account." Pindar told the server. "What do I call the man I'm asked to sit with and call friend?"

This was probably where things were to go wrong, he mused. Surely Pindar had heard of him, he nodded to the server to confirm he'd pay for Pindar's order.

"Mars." He replied and offered the promised cost of the 3 drinks to the server, who left to complete their order.

That said, he was mostly known as a mercenary as the two Jaffa cities were being put together. Doing odd jobs here and there to help whoever paid, with a few charity jobs to help get his name back out there across both cities. As he watched Pindar's face, Mars figured himself not worth much to take before either city lord or First Prime.

"I have been given a job that might interest you," Mars added a moment later.

"Oh? What is that you think would interest me enough to bring me enough out of retirement?" Pindar said, blinking slowly as he spoke. Whatever intentions or reactions he held were kept well, despite his intoxication.

Mars turned to Tejet with a smile. “Would you mind leaving us, I shall contact you soon for some choice items. Thank you for today.” He tipped Tejet for his silence.

"Of course, my friend. Aten guide you." Tejet said, standing from the table and hobbling away.

Once the guide was out of earshot, Mars leaned forward. “Serving your Pharaoh once more if you assist me?”

"My master was Typhon. He is dead. And he did not have the hubris to style himself Pharaoh. Assist you with what?" Pindar explained and asked.

“Apologies for that mix up, yes that is true, I’m glad you asked,” Mars grinned. “We will bring Thalistra to the Pharaoh for judgment.” He told Pindar just loud enough for the old Jaffa to hear.

Something in Pindar began to boil at the sound of her name, but he kept it restrained, even if he did seem slightly unsteadier for the effort. "Where is she?"

Mars gestured with an open palm. “She’s in this city, laying low according to the Pharaoh’s vizier. I’d like to confirm it first but I doubt he’d lie to me about this.”

"So what is your plan? Thalistra was first among Hera's Amazons, she will not just be waiting around to be taken prisoner." Pindar asked, taking a sip of his Earth beer. He looked at it for a moment with something resembling disgust, then took another sip.

He drunk a good gulp and made a disgusted face as he swallowed. "Maybe hold off the Earth stuff," Mars said as he quickly took another gulp. Once he'd put the goblet down, he sighed. "After we observe her activities for a few days and obtain a few choice items, we will catch her while she is alone." There were at least one other in the city Mars could call on should they need backup. He'd contact them after this meeting with Pindar.

"And what do I get out of this, other than the satisfaction of bringing her down?" Pindar asked.

"This is just conjecture on my part as the vizier failed to mention even my reward but I suspect you could gain a military position in the Pharaoh's army, maybe even Subprime, I think that was what it was called." Mars replied, "I too will enjoy taking her down." He smiled.

"What'd she ever do to you?" Pindar asked with a sleepy confusion, leaning forward, unknowingly knocking over his beer, which leaked across the table.

Mars picked up his drink as the beer spread across the table top. He sighed. Maybe he better get Pindar to his bed before the man fell asleep. "Perhaps we should continue this in the morning, there's plenty of time? You are drunk." He said and put the rest of his drink in his mouth. Being a Goa'uld certainly had its perks, he put his empty drink down and gestured at the barkeep that there was a mess.

Once the server came over, Mars gave her some money. "Sorry about this." He told the server. Mars turned to Pindar and with his Goa'uld strength helped sling the Jaffa's arm over his shoulder. "Do you remember where you sleep Pindar?"

"I've been drunk since the Tau'ri blew Typhon from the sky. I don't need your help, parasite." Pindar said, wrenching himself away from the Goa'uld's help. He took a few uneven steps before turning back. "If you are serious about finding the Amazon, they will tell you where to find me." He gestured to the staff.

"I am," Mars said as he stepped back, letting the Jaffa attempt to stand on his own. "Don't blame me personally for all that my people have cause yours, Pindar." He leaned forward to get his face close to the Jaffa's. "You don't know me nor my history, its not very enlightened to judge before you get to know someone."

He grinned. "Well you sleep it off and I'll find out more, we can talk later. Best of luck getting to bed." Mars said before straightening to his full height.

"If I want enlightenment, I'll seek the Aten." Pindar said without turning back, kicking over a stool inadvertently as he passed it.

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