My fic: Clonings (Sam/Martouf/Lantash, PG-13) 1/3
Title: Clonings
Category: Drama/Romance
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Sam/Martouf/Lantash, mention of Daniel/Vala
A/N: Sort of rewrite of a fanfic I read a long time ago, that was about SG-1 and Martouf/Lantash and (I think) Jacob/Selmak being clones. It wasn’t shippy though but it inspired my to do a Sam/Martouf/Lantash version! This fic takes place post-season 5 of SGA. Sam is in command of The Hammond and has been for a couple years. She is home at the SGC while the ship is being refitted, and also to participate in Daniel and Vala’s wedding.
’Here you are, girl!’ Vala gushed. ‘I’ve been looking for you! You haven’t forgotten you’re my maid of honor, have you? The wedding’s in under 2 hours!’
‘No. I haven’t forgotten.’ Sam didn’t turn to look at her friend.
‘Well come on! I need you to help me with...’ Vala suddenly realized something was wrong. ‘Sam? Are you OK?’
Sam sniffled a little and quickly dried her eyes. ‘Yeah. I’m OK. I’m coming.’
Vala quietly studied the slightly red-rimmed eyes of her friend. ‘You’ve been crying.’ She observed suddenly serious. ‘What’s up?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it, but don’t think for a minute I’m not happy for you.’ Sam smiled bleakly. ‘I am. Very.’
‘I know you’re not that interested in Daniel, so it’s not that...spill it! It’ll be better for you and I can’t have you walking around looking misearable on my wedding day!’ She sat down beside Sam and put an arm around her shoulder.
Sam was quiet for quite some time before she turned to look at Vala, tears glistening in her eyes again.
‘I do not want to trouble you on your big day...your wedding just got me thinking...about some things in my life that I regret.’ She looked down. ‘Some things I can’t change however much I want to.’
‘I thought you were happy with your life? Your career?’
‘Oh, I’m happy with that part of my life. I wouldn’t change that - don’t ever think that!’ Sam said very determined. ‘No...it is the...personal part of my life I have regrets about.’
‘Is it because of Jack finally got engaged to that woman from...whats it called...Homeworld Security?’ Vala said remembering Sam had once - when they were drinking together - admitted she had a crush on Jack. She had denied when she was sober again.
Sam smiled. ‘No, not at all. I’m glad he’s finally happy. I admit I did have a crush on him - for far too long - but that’s all it was, and I’m over that, even if I guess we both wasted a lot of time on it. I wish I had realized sooner that I didn’t truly love him.’
Vala didn’t say anything, knowing her friend well enough to know she would get to it in her own time - she had always problems with emotions - like Vala had, but she reacted differently.
Sam took a deep breath. ‘There was someone once. Someone it took me a long time to realise I loved. I was very confused then - both by the crush I thought I had on O’Neill and by some other things.’ She looked at Vala. ‘You know I was once a host to a Tok’ra. I haven’t talked much about it.’
‘No, but I’ve been told you weren’t a willing host, so I can understand. Didn’t think the Tok’ra did that, but...I guess a snake is a snake. I’ve never felt comfortable around any of them.’
Sam shook her head. ‘You don’t know them like...like I do. Jolinar...the Tok’ra I was host to. She made a mistake yes, but I have long since forgiven her and I believe that she would have left me if she had survived and I had wanted her to. She ultimately gave her life for me. I’m sure it would have been a very different experience if I hadn’t fought her so hard. If I hadn’t been so against anything I didn’t understand, I might have listened, realized she wasn’t a Goa’uld. That’s one of the things I regret. Sometimes I actually miss her. I’m not sure I could handle being a Tok’ra host, but...sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I almost convince myself I would like it.’
‘Um...if that’s it I’m sure the Tok’ra won’t turn you down...it’s not like they’ve got an easier time getting hosts know as far as I’ve heard. Worse than during the Goa’uld, actually.’ Vala wrinkled her brow. ‘Though I must say I think you’re crazy for even considering having one of those in your head.’
Sam shrugged. ‘I probably won’t do it, though I guess I might if...’
‘That’s not what you’re brooding over, right? That you don’t have a snake? You said there was someone you were interested in - what did that have to do with Jo-linar?’
Sam closed her eyes for a moment, looking distressed. ‘When Jolinar died, she left stuff in my mind...memories...feelings...’
‘And they’re confusing you?’
‘Yes...because it felt exactly like they were my emotions! For a long time I didn’t know if I felt anything for him - or if it was all from her. I still get the dreams sometimes. They were...nice, I guess. Comforting...and often...’ Sam blushed. ‘Hot...however, after he died, the dream stopped being a comfort and became a reminder of what I would never have.’
‘Wait...you’re pining for your Goa’uld’s boyfriend?’ Vala said, increduled.
Sam looked a little embarassed, but also defiant.
‘I guess. However, you never met him. If you had, you’d understand. He was kind, wise...hot, thoughtful, intelligent...did I mention hot? His symbiote was more hot-headed...passionate, sometimes impatient and a bit arrogant, mostly when people were fools, but he could be sweet and kind as well. Very intelligent. When he was the one in control of the body...he was very attractive. Sexy. His voice...oh, you would get shivers down your spine and heat would flare between your legs...’ Sam looked dreamy, ‘...just keeping your hands off him - both of them, really - sometimes it was so very hard. But I fought my desire for them. I didn’t know what I felt, didn’t know what they felt. Did he - they - just want me because of their dead mate? Was the emotions I felt my own?’ Sam sighed. ‘When finally I knew that I loved them, it was much too late. Even when I learned they had loved me as much as they did their mate for a 100 years, it took me time to accept - and then they were both dead.’ Sam looked down, seemingly about to cry yet again.
‘Oh, poor Sam! You’re really hard hit!’ Vala threw her arms around her friend. ‘What was his name? I mean their names.’
‘Martouf - and Lantash.’
After some time, Vala pulled back and looked at her. ‘Sam, he’s dead. Both of them are. You need to move on. It’s been too long. They’re not coming back, but the good news is that there’s a lot of great guys out there, and you can find someone just as great!’
Sam shook her head. ‘No. That’s just it. Every time I’ve tried, there’s just something missing. For a while I’m more or less happy, or can at least convince myself I am, but it never lasts long. And at night he is the one I dream about. Always him...them. I don’t know if it’s because of Jolinar or what, but I am certain I’ll never be able to be truly happy with anyone else. Part of it is...I know the love they had, and I know that’s not what I feel for other men. And I want that.’ She looked up. ‘Vala. I miss them. Terribly. When I’m on missions or working in my lab, I can forget, but it never lasts. When I go home at night, lie alone in my bed, the memories and the pain come back. When I’m on stand-down as now it is worse. That’s one of the reasons I always work so hard, burying myself in my work. To dull the pain. Not that I don’t love my job, because I do, but...I wish....it’s just that I never even gave it a chance. I never even kissed him!’
Vala tried her best to comfort her and Sam eventually got herself under control and apologized for being depressing on Vala’s wedding day.
‘No worries. I hope it helped to talk a little.’ Vala looked worriedly at her. ‘I really have to run - do you feel up to participating?’
‘Of course. I’m really sorry for being like this. I don’t usually behave like this.’ She half-smiled, a little embarrassed. ‘Let’s go celebrate! I’ll help you get the rest ready, as it’s my fault if you’re late.’
Sam went with Vala and they got everything in order. Vala and Daniel got married and everyone celebrated, including Sam.
Weeks passed and Sam was back in her command, working hard as usual. One day as she got up from her chair on the ship, she stumbled and fell. When her ship-mates rushed to help her up, she fainted.
She woke up in sickbay.
‘Sam?’
She tried to focus and saw a blurry image, which finalized stabilized to show the doctor of her ship, Doctor Teresa Simpsons.
‘Yes?’ she croaked, then cleared her voice. ‘What happened?’
‘You fell and then you were suddenly out cold.’ The doctor looked worried, and Sam didn’t like that.
‘What is wrong with me?’
‘I’m not sure. Almost all your readings are off - and not just the usual because of the naquadah in your blood - I mean really off. The simple thing is that your anemic, which I can fix. Haven’t you been eating?’
‘I’ve been eating. But I must admit I’ve felt sick for several days - and I’ve been feeling weak for weeks.’
‘Why haven’t you come to see me?’ The doctor scolded mildly. ‘I’ll have to give you a full checkup.’
The doctor frowned at her notes for a moment.
‘Out with it.’ Sam said, worried.
‘I must admit I’m confused. These result doesn’t make any sense. It’s as if your organs - your entire body - is failing. I can’t find any reason - you should be healthy, but...’
‘Can you do anything?’
‘I can try give you blood transfusions, vitamins, monitor your condition. There are some drugs that might work, but...I’m sorry, but if I can’t find a reason for what is happening, I can’t treat it, and this isn’t something your body can do anything about itself.’ She looked apologetic. ‘I think we need to ask someone else. Perhaps the Tok’ra have the technology to help you, or at least figure out what is wrong. You’re going back to SGC - the doctors there will try to use what Asgard technology we have been able to figure out, to examine you, and you should also contact the Tok’ra, as I said.’
Sam paled at the bad news, but nodded. She had no choice.
Back at the SGC, a couple Tok’ra healers examined her with their scanners, and she was also checked with a device the SGC had constructed from Asgard and Ancient technology. They prodded her for a long time, then went to another room and discussed something.
Sam was feeling weak and sick, and she was irritated that they was keeping her out of their discussions. Finally they appeared to be ready.
‘Do you know what’s wrong? Can you do anything?’ Sam asked, anxiously.
The Tok’ra healer nodded slowly. ‘We have confirmed much of what doctor Simpsons found. At first the reason for your illness confounded us, but there can be no question about the result.’ She looked up. ‘I am sorry, Colonel Carter, but unless something is done - and I am afraid I am at a loss as to what to do - your body will slowly shut down and stop working.’
Sam slumped. ‘There is nothing that can be done?’
‘No. We found the cause, though.’
‘Yes?’ Sam said, hopeful she would be able to somehow come up with a cure if she knew what was wrong.
‘You were cloned, and the process was not completely successful - whether on purpose or by accident we do not know, though we have reason to suspect the former.’
‘What!’ Sam stared at them. ‘I’m a clone?’
‘Yes. You are not the original Samantha Carter, though you seem to have all of her memories - and those of Jolinar as well.’
‘And we don’t have Thor to fix the defects...’ Sam sighed. ‘How did this happen? No, forget that - I know you don’t know - when did that happen? Are there any clues to who did it?’
‘We cannot tell for sure, but going from our readings, we believe you were made at least 7 years ago, perhaps as long ago as 10 years ago.’
Sam nodded, her mind whirling. ‘There is nothing to do? You can’t repair it?’
‘No, that is beyond our technology.’
‘The knowledge of it is probably hidden somewhere in the Asgard core, but I’m afraid it will take centuries to go through.’ Doctor Lam said apologetically.
‘What about...a symbiote. Could it heal me?’ Sam looked at the Tok’ra healer.
‘While it could possibly keep you alive for longer, the defects are much too extensive and getting larger. It would only be a question of a few months even then. As the situation is, I don’t think any Tok’ra would risk their life - we are too few as it is.’ She was quiet for a moment. ‘I am sorry.’
‘Don’t be. I wouldn’t want to risk a symbiotes life - especially not when it won’t help much anyway.’
Over the next couple of weeks everyone at the SGC were examined and no one else was found to be a clone - then former members of SGC were examined, like Jack O’Neill, but they were clean as well. Only Sam was a clone.
At least they learned something from this. It meant it must have happened either on a mission were Sam had been alone or mission were she had been separated from the others for a significant amount of time. And they knew it had to be those she had been on at least 7 years ago, so they decided to start their thorough go through of them with P3X-403, an Unas planet.
It was a relatively limited amount of missions that were potentially relevant. After weeding out the missions it could not possible be, since there would be no one with that kind of technology who could conceivably have snatched Sam for the time needed - they not only needed to clone her, but to transfer her memory as well, so probably it would have taken at least several hours - they got it down to less than a handful missions that could be the ones.
The first one was the run-in with Nirrti, when she tried to create a perfect human host. Sam had been separated from the others for some time and experimented on. Nirrti had advanced technology and might have cloned Sam.
After some discussion, they got an idea. Why didn’t they just look at the old cell samples that had been taken over the years? At the very least there were blood samples available for a long time back, of everyone who had ever worked at the SGC for a longer period of time - both the soldiers and civilians. They even had some for many of their alien visitors.
Going over these, they found that Sam had been a clone before she was experimented on by Nirrti and going back they found she was so even several years earlier.
As Sam got sicker, they desperately ran tests on all DNA samples stored at the SGC, while she slowly went through all reports on their missions, and followed up on every lead she found.
Eventually, they got some success. Dr. Lam announced they had found the earliest cloned sample from Sam. It was from early July 2000, not long after she had returned after helping the Asgard against the replicators for the first time. Earlier samples from here were of the ‘original’ Sam.
Not only that, but they also found two other cell samples from cloned individuals - namely Martouf and Lantash, from about the same period. This meant all three were likely cloned at the same time.
With this new information Sam knew when it must have happened, because she had been on a relatively short mission together with Martouf/Lantash and no one else, to negotiate for access to some trinium that both Earth and the Tok’ra were interested in.
The people on the planet had been xenophobes and so would only allow one representative from each of the Tok’ra and the Tau’ri. The negotiations had ultimately come to nothing when the planet had been attacked by a Goa’uld named Ammit, working for - it turned out later - Apophis.
Sam and Martouf/Lantash had been captured and she remembered they had been unconscious for a while before waking up in a holding cell.
They had managed to escape. It had even been surprisingly easy. Then, they had prided themselves on their abilities, though now Sam suspected it was because the Goa’uld had already gotten what he wanted and had only returned their clones. It may even have been his intention to send those back. Their real selves had still been captured and probably tortured to death for information - and no one even knew they were missing, so no one came to rescue them. No one suspected anything. However much she hated it, Sam had to admit it was ingenious!
Being out of any other options, a mission was planned to go back to the planet they had been taken to after capture. While the original Sam was certain to be long dead, perhaps there would still be a laboratory to find, and maybe it would contain useful information that could be used to fix Sam. At least that was the hope.
It was not too far-fetched to hope the lab was in reasonable condition and accessible. Ammit had been killed by a more powerful Goa’uld around the time Apophis died, and the victorious Goa’uld didn’t seem to have bothered with Ammit’s projects and outer planets. This meant the lab might still be there and hopefully not destroyed.
SG-1 - Vala, Daniel, Teal’c, and Cam - had geared up and was ready to leave for the planet when Sam came into the gateroom. She looked thin and pale, and was supporting herself against a cane. However, she was in BDUs and dedicated to go with them. Landry had finally permitted it when she had argued that she would be better able to recognize something useful when she saw it, than the others. Besides, what if they found something that were to be done to her there, at the lab? It was obvious to everyone that she did not have much time left, so it made sense to bring her so whatever could be done, would be done quickly.
Sam stepped through the Stargate and almost fell. She waved off the offered help from her worried friends. She took a deep breath and felt a little better. She looked around. This was almost certainly the last time she would step out on an alien planet, she would enjoy it, dammit!
Thinking back, she remembered the place. It had been early summer then, and they had not had time to look much at the scenery as they were fleeing from several Jaffa. Now it was early fall, and the leaves were just starting to yellow. The air was still warm, but had a crispness that promised colder weather soon.
They slowly followed the path through the small forest to the fortress they saw some distance away. Sam could not walk very fast, but she insisted on moving on her own.
She could not remember the last time she had felt this tired. It felt as if every part of her body hurt and was complaining about this walk. She hadn’t noticed the weakness being this pronounced before, but she had mostly stayed on base and only walked very little. This was very eyeopening for her, and she really realized she would not live much longer unless they found a way to save her in Ammit’s lab.
As she and the others approached the fortress, the memories from that day so long ago when she and Martouf fled appeared to her. For a moment she remembered hiding among the bushes until dark, so they could get to the Stargate without being seen - or so they hoped.
She remembered the feeling of Martouf beside her, so close she could feel the warmth from his body. The constant faint sensation of the naquadah. She had realized she could recognize Lantash’s signature. It felt different from that of other symbiotes. Familiar. Comforting.
Even there. hiding from the Jaffa and afraid for their lives, she remembered the attraction she felt. She had to restrain herself from putting an arm around him, snuggling up to him. She remembered the faint scent of him. He smelled good, she had decided.
Sam shook her head. This wouldn’t do! Loosing oneself in memories of someone that was gone forever. She felt tears burn in her eyes and angrily blinked them away.
They finally reached the small village just before the fortress. The people came out of their huts, intrigued and wanting to know who their guests were. It had been years since anyone had come here. When they saw Teal’c they scattered.
‘Hey, come back! We’re not your enemies.’
‘He’s Jaffa...’ One of the children said, having dared looking out from behind the low wall he was hiding behind. He quickly ducked again.
‘He’s a nice Jaffa. Helped kill the Goa’uld.’
They eventually convinced the locals they were friendly and when they had also convinced them the Goa’uld were all but gone, they were invited in for dinner.
Sam was exhausted so they decided to stay here for tonight and continue tomorrow. They gratefully accepted.
The food was warm, but that was about all good there could be said of it. The people were very poor and they ate dry bread with some kind of gruel, washed down with thin herb tea.
Next morning SG-1 minus Sam all met for breakfast - more of the gruel.
When they had almost finished without her having showed up they began to get very worried. Daniel went to check on her and Vala followed.
‘Sam?’ They knocked on the door to her bedroom. No one answered, and they knocked harder.
Finally they got a reaction from in there.
‘Yes?’
‘Thank god, Sam. Don’t scare us like that!’
Vala opened the door and entered, seeing Sam still lying in bed.
‘Overslept, did you?’
Sam moaned. ‘I guess I did.’ She tried sitting up. ‘I feel horrible.’
Vala looked at her. ‘You look like shit!’ She looked at Daniel. ‘Perhaps she should stay here while we go and examine the fortress?’
‘No. I’m coming with you.’ Sam managed to sit up, mostly on pure willpower. Vala and Daniel hurried to help her up, and eventually they got her dressed and helped her out to the breakfast table.
Sam didn’t feel hungry at all, but she tried to force some food down, knowing it would probably make her feel better. Her head hurt like nothing she’d ever felt before, and she had difficulty focusing, though that was slowly getting better.
She ate a small amount and drank some herb tea, and felt a little better. They all said goodbye to the friendly villagers and made their way the rest of the way to the fortress.
The locals had not been able to tell them anything about the place, and had strongly urged them not to go there. Apparently they considered it bad luck, most likely because Ammit had used it for various experiments or just had been plain evil.
No one else had been there as far as the villagers knew, since a few months after Ammit had disappeared. They still had difficulties accepting that the Goa’uld Lord was actually dead.
The fortress had a vast courtyard, almost overgrown with plants now. Inside the walls it was quiet and foreboding. They walked across to the doors, feeling uneasy, but nothing happened. A crow cried out and gave them all a scare, but they soon relaxed, giggling a little at their own jumpiness.
Category: Drama/Romance
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Sam/Martouf/Lantash, mention of Daniel/Vala
A/N: Sort of rewrite of a fanfic I read a long time ago, that was about SG-1 and Martouf/Lantash and (I think) Jacob/Selmak being clones. It wasn’t shippy though but it inspired my to do a Sam/Martouf/Lantash version! This fic takes place post-season 5 of SGA. Sam is in command of The Hammond and has been for a couple years. She is home at the SGC while the ship is being refitted, and also to participate in Daniel and Vala’s wedding.
’Here you are, girl!’ Vala gushed. ‘I’ve been looking for you! You haven’t forgotten you’re my maid of honor, have you? The wedding’s in under 2 hours!’
‘No. I haven’t forgotten.’ Sam didn’t turn to look at her friend.
‘Well come on! I need you to help me with...’ Vala suddenly realized something was wrong. ‘Sam? Are you OK?’
Sam sniffled a little and quickly dried her eyes. ‘Yeah. I’m OK. I’m coming.’
Vala quietly studied the slightly red-rimmed eyes of her friend. ‘You’ve been crying.’ She observed suddenly serious. ‘What’s up?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it, but don’t think for a minute I’m not happy for you.’ Sam smiled bleakly. ‘I am. Very.’
‘I know you’re not that interested in Daniel, so it’s not that...spill it! It’ll be better for you and I can’t have you walking around looking misearable on my wedding day!’ She sat down beside Sam and put an arm around her shoulder.
Sam was quiet for quite some time before she turned to look at Vala, tears glistening in her eyes again.
‘I do not want to trouble you on your big day...your wedding just got me thinking...about some things in my life that I regret.’ She looked down. ‘Some things I can’t change however much I want to.’
‘I thought you were happy with your life? Your career?’
‘Oh, I’m happy with that part of my life. I wouldn’t change that - don’t ever think that!’ Sam said very determined. ‘No...it is the...personal part of my life I have regrets about.’
‘Is it because of Jack finally got engaged to that woman from...whats it called...Homeworld Security?’ Vala said remembering Sam had once - when they were drinking together - admitted she had a crush on Jack. She had denied when she was sober again.
Sam smiled. ‘No, not at all. I’m glad he’s finally happy. I admit I did have a crush on him - for far too long - but that’s all it was, and I’m over that, even if I guess we both wasted a lot of time on it. I wish I had realized sooner that I didn’t truly love him.’
Vala didn’t say anything, knowing her friend well enough to know she would get to it in her own time - she had always problems with emotions - like Vala had, but she reacted differently.
Sam took a deep breath. ‘There was someone once. Someone it took me a long time to realise I loved. I was very confused then - both by the crush I thought I had on O’Neill and by some other things.’ She looked at Vala. ‘You know I was once a host to a Tok’ra. I haven’t talked much about it.’
‘No, but I’ve been told you weren’t a willing host, so I can understand. Didn’t think the Tok’ra did that, but...I guess a snake is a snake. I’ve never felt comfortable around any of them.’
Sam shook her head. ‘You don’t know them like...like I do. Jolinar...the Tok’ra I was host to. She made a mistake yes, but I have long since forgiven her and I believe that she would have left me if she had survived and I had wanted her to. She ultimately gave her life for me. I’m sure it would have been a very different experience if I hadn’t fought her so hard. If I hadn’t been so against anything I didn’t understand, I might have listened, realized she wasn’t a Goa’uld. That’s one of the things I regret. Sometimes I actually miss her. I’m not sure I could handle being a Tok’ra host, but...sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I almost convince myself I would like it.’
‘Um...if that’s it I’m sure the Tok’ra won’t turn you down...it’s not like they’ve got an easier time getting hosts know as far as I’ve heard. Worse than during the Goa’uld, actually.’ Vala wrinkled her brow. ‘Though I must say I think you’re crazy for even considering having one of those in your head.’
Sam shrugged. ‘I probably won’t do it, though I guess I might if...’
‘That’s not what you’re brooding over, right? That you don’t have a snake? You said there was someone you were interested in - what did that have to do with Jo-linar?’
Sam closed her eyes for a moment, looking distressed. ‘When Jolinar died, she left stuff in my mind...memories...feelings...’
‘And they’re confusing you?’
‘Yes...because it felt exactly like they were my emotions! For a long time I didn’t know if I felt anything for him - or if it was all from her. I still get the dreams sometimes. They were...nice, I guess. Comforting...and often...’ Sam blushed. ‘Hot...however, after he died, the dream stopped being a comfort and became a reminder of what I would never have.’
‘Wait...you’re pining for your Goa’uld’s boyfriend?’ Vala said, increduled.
Sam looked a little embarassed, but also defiant.
‘I guess. However, you never met him. If you had, you’d understand. He was kind, wise...hot, thoughtful, intelligent...did I mention hot? His symbiote was more hot-headed...passionate, sometimes impatient and a bit arrogant, mostly when people were fools, but he could be sweet and kind as well. Very intelligent. When he was the one in control of the body...he was very attractive. Sexy. His voice...oh, you would get shivers down your spine and heat would flare between your legs...’ Sam looked dreamy, ‘...just keeping your hands off him - both of them, really - sometimes it was so very hard. But I fought my desire for them. I didn’t know what I felt, didn’t know what they felt. Did he - they - just want me because of their dead mate? Was the emotions I felt my own?’ Sam sighed. ‘When finally I knew that I loved them, it was much too late. Even when I learned they had loved me as much as they did their mate for a 100 years, it took me time to accept - and then they were both dead.’ Sam looked down, seemingly about to cry yet again.
‘Oh, poor Sam! You’re really hard hit!’ Vala threw her arms around her friend. ‘What was his name? I mean their names.’
‘Martouf - and Lantash.’
After some time, Vala pulled back and looked at her. ‘Sam, he’s dead. Both of them are. You need to move on. It’s been too long. They’re not coming back, but the good news is that there’s a lot of great guys out there, and you can find someone just as great!’
Sam shook her head. ‘No. That’s just it. Every time I’ve tried, there’s just something missing. For a while I’m more or less happy, or can at least convince myself I am, but it never lasts long. And at night he is the one I dream about. Always him...them. I don’t know if it’s because of Jolinar or what, but I am certain I’ll never be able to be truly happy with anyone else. Part of it is...I know the love they had, and I know that’s not what I feel for other men. And I want that.’ She looked up. ‘Vala. I miss them. Terribly. When I’m on missions or working in my lab, I can forget, but it never lasts. When I go home at night, lie alone in my bed, the memories and the pain come back. When I’m on stand-down as now it is worse. That’s one of the reasons I always work so hard, burying myself in my work. To dull the pain. Not that I don’t love my job, because I do, but...I wish....it’s just that I never even gave it a chance. I never even kissed him!’
Vala tried her best to comfort her and Sam eventually got herself under control and apologized for being depressing on Vala’s wedding day.
‘No worries. I hope it helped to talk a little.’ Vala looked worriedly at her. ‘I really have to run - do you feel up to participating?’
‘Of course. I’m really sorry for being like this. I don’t usually behave like this.’ She half-smiled, a little embarrassed. ‘Let’s go celebrate! I’ll help you get the rest ready, as it’s my fault if you’re late.’
Sam went with Vala and they got everything in order. Vala and Daniel got married and everyone celebrated, including Sam.
Weeks passed and Sam was back in her command, working hard as usual. One day as she got up from her chair on the ship, she stumbled and fell. When her ship-mates rushed to help her up, she fainted.
She woke up in sickbay.
‘Sam?’
She tried to focus and saw a blurry image, which finalized stabilized to show the doctor of her ship, Doctor Teresa Simpsons.
‘Yes?’ she croaked, then cleared her voice. ‘What happened?’
‘You fell and then you were suddenly out cold.’ The doctor looked worried, and Sam didn’t like that.
‘What is wrong with me?’
‘I’m not sure. Almost all your readings are off - and not just the usual because of the naquadah in your blood - I mean really off. The simple thing is that your anemic, which I can fix. Haven’t you been eating?’
‘I’ve been eating. But I must admit I’ve felt sick for several days - and I’ve been feeling weak for weeks.’
‘Why haven’t you come to see me?’ The doctor scolded mildly. ‘I’ll have to give you a full checkup.’
The doctor frowned at her notes for a moment.
‘Out with it.’ Sam said, worried.
‘I must admit I’m confused. These result doesn’t make any sense. It’s as if your organs - your entire body - is failing. I can’t find any reason - you should be healthy, but...’
‘Can you do anything?’
‘I can try give you blood transfusions, vitamins, monitor your condition. There are some drugs that might work, but...I’m sorry, but if I can’t find a reason for what is happening, I can’t treat it, and this isn’t something your body can do anything about itself.’ She looked apologetic. ‘I think we need to ask someone else. Perhaps the Tok’ra have the technology to help you, or at least figure out what is wrong. You’re going back to SGC - the doctors there will try to use what Asgard technology we have been able to figure out, to examine you, and you should also contact the Tok’ra, as I said.’
Sam paled at the bad news, but nodded. She had no choice.
Back at the SGC, a couple Tok’ra healers examined her with their scanners, and she was also checked with a device the SGC had constructed from Asgard and Ancient technology. They prodded her for a long time, then went to another room and discussed something.
Sam was feeling weak and sick, and she was irritated that they was keeping her out of their discussions. Finally they appeared to be ready.
‘Do you know what’s wrong? Can you do anything?’ Sam asked, anxiously.
The Tok’ra healer nodded slowly. ‘We have confirmed much of what doctor Simpsons found. At first the reason for your illness confounded us, but there can be no question about the result.’ She looked up. ‘I am sorry, Colonel Carter, but unless something is done - and I am afraid I am at a loss as to what to do - your body will slowly shut down and stop working.’
Sam slumped. ‘There is nothing that can be done?’
‘No. We found the cause, though.’
‘Yes?’ Sam said, hopeful she would be able to somehow come up with a cure if she knew what was wrong.
‘You were cloned, and the process was not completely successful - whether on purpose or by accident we do not know, though we have reason to suspect the former.’
‘What!’ Sam stared at them. ‘I’m a clone?’
‘Yes. You are not the original Samantha Carter, though you seem to have all of her memories - and those of Jolinar as well.’
‘And we don’t have Thor to fix the defects...’ Sam sighed. ‘How did this happen? No, forget that - I know you don’t know - when did that happen? Are there any clues to who did it?’
‘We cannot tell for sure, but going from our readings, we believe you were made at least 7 years ago, perhaps as long ago as 10 years ago.’
Sam nodded, her mind whirling. ‘There is nothing to do? You can’t repair it?’
‘No, that is beyond our technology.’
‘The knowledge of it is probably hidden somewhere in the Asgard core, but I’m afraid it will take centuries to go through.’ Doctor Lam said apologetically.
‘What about...a symbiote. Could it heal me?’ Sam looked at the Tok’ra healer.
‘While it could possibly keep you alive for longer, the defects are much too extensive and getting larger. It would only be a question of a few months even then. As the situation is, I don’t think any Tok’ra would risk their life - we are too few as it is.’ She was quiet for a moment. ‘I am sorry.’
‘Don’t be. I wouldn’t want to risk a symbiotes life - especially not when it won’t help much anyway.’
Over the next couple of weeks everyone at the SGC were examined and no one else was found to be a clone - then former members of SGC were examined, like Jack O’Neill, but they were clean as well. Only Sam was a clone.
At least they learned something from this. It meant it must have happened either on a mission were Sam had been alone or mission were she had been separated from the others for a significant amount of time. And they knew it had to be those she had been on at least 7 years ago, so they decided to start their thorough go through of them with P3X-403, an Unas planet.
It was a relatively limited amount of missions that were potentially relevant. After weeding out the missions it could not possible be, since there would be no one with that kind of technology who could conceivably have snatched Sam for the time needed - they not only needed to clone her, but to transfer her memory as well, so probably it would have taken at least several hours - they got it down to less than a handful missions that could be the ones.
The first one was the run-in with Nirrti, when she tried to create a perfect human host. Sam had been separated from the others for some time and experimented on. Nirrti had advanced technology and might have cloned Sam.
After some discussion, they got an idea. Why didn’t they just look at the old cell samples that had been taken over the years? At the very least there were blood samples available for a long time back, of everyone who had ever worked at the SGC for a longer period of time - both the soldiers and civilians. They even had some for many of their alien visitors.
Going over these, they found that Sam had been a clone before she was experimented on by Nirrti and going back they found she was so even several years earlier.
As Sam got sicker, they desperately ran tests on all DNA samples stored at the SGC, while she slowly went through all reports on their missions, and followed up on every lead she found.
Eventually, they got some success. Dr. Lam announced they had found the earliest cloned sample from Sam. It was from early July 2000, not long after she had returned after helping the Asgard against the replicators for the first time. Earlier samples from here were of the ‘original’ Sam.
Not only that, but they also found two other cell samples from cloned individuals - namely Martouf and Lantash, from about the same period. This meant all three were likely cloned at the same time.
With this new information Sam knew when it must have happened, because she had been on a relatively short mission together with Martouf/Lantash and no one else, to negotiate for access to some trinium that both Earth and the Tok’ra were interested in.
The people on the planet had been xenophobes and so would only allow one representative from each of the Tok’ra and the Tau’ri. The negotiations had ultimately come to nothing when the planet had been attacked by a Goa’uld named Ammit, working for - it turned out later - Apophis.
Sam and Martouf/Lantash had been captured and she remembered they had been unconscious for a while before waking up in a holding cell.
They had managed to escape. It had even been surprisingly easy. Then, they had prided themselves on their abilities, though now Sam suspected it was because the Goa’uld had already gotten what he wanted and had only returned their clones. It may even have been his intention to send those back. Their real selves had still been captured and probably tortured to death for information - and no one even knew they were missing, so no one came to rescue them. No one suspected anything. However much she hated it, Sam had to admit it was ingenious!
Being out of any other options, a mission was planned to go back to the planet they had been taken to after capture. While the original Sam was certain to be long dead, perhaps there would still be a laboratory to find, and maybe it would contain useful information that could be used to fix Sam. At least that was the hope.
It was not too far-fetched to hope the lab was in reasonable condition and accessible. Ammit had been killed by a more powerful Goa’uld around the time Apophis died, and the victorious Goa’uld didn’t seem to have bothered with Ammit’s projects and outer planets. This meant the lab might still be there and hopefully not destroyed.
SG-1 - Vala, Daniel, Teal’c, and Cam - had geared up and was ready to leave for the planet when Sam came into the gateroom. She looked thin and pale, and was supporting herself against a cane. However, she was in BDUs and dedicated to go with them. Landry had finally permitted it when she had argued that she would be better able to recognize something useful when she saw it, than the others. Besides, what if they found something that were to be done to her there, at the lab? It was obvious to everyone that she did not have much time left, so it made sense to bring her so whatever could be done, would be done quickly.
Sam stepped through the Stargate and almost fell. She waved off the offered help from her worried friends. She took a deep breath and felt a little better. She looked around. This was almost certainly the last time she would step out on an alien planet, she would enjoy it, dammit!
Thinking back, she remembered the place. It had been early summer then, and they had not had time to look much at the scenery as they were fleeing from several Jaffa. Now it was early fall, and the leaves were just starting to yellow. The air was still warm, but had a crispness that promised colder weather soon.
They slowly followed the path through the small forest to the fortress they saw some distance away. Sam could not walk very fast, but she insisted on moving on her own.
She could not remember the last time she had felt this tired. It felt as if every part of her body hurt and was complaining about this walk. She hadn’t noticed the weakness being this pronounced before, but she had mostly stayed on base and only walked very little. This was very eyeopening for her, and she really realized she would not live much longer unless they found a way to save her in Ammit’s lab.
As she and the others approached the fortress, the memories from that day so long ago when she and Martouf fled appeared to her. For a moment she remembered hiding among the bushes until dark, so they could get to the Stargate without being seen - or so they hoped.
She remembered the feeling of Martouf beside her, so close she could feel the warmth from his body. The constant faint sensation of the naquadah. She had realized she could recognize Lantash’s signature. It felt different from that of other symbiotes. Familiar. Comforting.
Even there. hiding from the Jaffa and afraid for their lives, she remembered the attraction she felt. She had to restrain herself from putting an arm around him, snuggling up to him. She remembered the faint scent of him. He smelled good, she had decided.
Sam shook her head. This wouldn’t do! Loosing oneself in memories of someone that was gone forever. She felt tears burn in her eyes and angrily blinked them away.
They finally reached the small village just before the fortress. The people came out of their huts, intrigued and wanting to know who their guests were. It had been years since anyone had come here. When they saw Teal’c they scattered.
‘Hey, come back! We’re not your enemies.’
‘He’s Jaffa...’ One of the children said, having dared looking out from behind the low wall he was hiding behind. He quickly ducked again.
‘He’s a nice Jaffa. Helped kill the Goa’uld.’
They eventually convinced the locals they were friendly and when they had also convinced them the Goa’uld were all but gone, they were invited in for dinner.
Sam was exhausted so they decided to stay here for tonight and continue tomorrow. They gratefully accepted.
The food was warm, but that was about all good there could be said of it. The people were very poor and they ate dry bread with some kind of gruel, washed down with thin herb tea.
Next morning SG-1 minus Sam all met for breakfast - more of the gruel.
When they had almost finished without her having showed up they began to get very worried. Daniel went to check on her and Vala followed.
‘Sam?’ They knocked on the door to her bedroom. No one answered, and they knocked harder.
Finally they got a reaction from in there.
‘Yes?’
‘Thank god, Sam. Don’t scare us like that!’
Vala opened the door and entered, seeing Sam still lying in bed.
‘Overslept, did you?’
Sam moaned. ‘I guess I did.’ She tried sitting up. ‘I feel horrible.’
Vala looked at her. ‘You look like shit!’ She looked at Daniel. ‘Perhaps she should stay here while we go and examine the fortress?’
‘No. I’m coming with you.’ Sam managed to sit up, mostly on pure willpower. Vala and Daniel hurried to help her up, and eventually they got her dressed and helped her out to the breakfast table.
Sam didn’t feel hungry at all, but she tried to force some food down, knowing it would probably make her feel better. Her head hurt like nothing she’d ever felt before, and she had difficulty focusing, though that was slowly getting better.
She ate a small amount and drank some herb tea, and felt a little better. They all said goodbye to the friendly villagers and made their way the rest of the way to the fortress.
The locals had not been able to tell them anything about the place, and had strongly urged them not to go there. Apparently they considered it bad luck, most likely because Ammit had used it for various experiments or just had been plain evil.
No one else had been there as far as the villagers knew, since a few months after Ammit had disappeared. They still had difficulties accepting that the Goa’uld Lord was actually dead.
The fortress had a vast courtyard, almost overgrown with plants now. Inside the walls it was quiet and foreboding. They walked across to the doors, feeling uneasy, but nothing happened. A crow cried out and gave them all a scare, but they soon relaxed, giggling a little at their own jumpiness.