My fic: Clonings (Sam/Martouf/Lantash, PG-13) 2/3
Inside they were met with huge empty corridors, hallways, chambers...everything had been stolen or destroyed years ago. Here and there a broken window had allowed rain and wind - and birds and animals to enter. No one had been here for many years, but it was clear that someone had ravaged the place after Ammit had been killed. Probably the enemy Goa’uld or maybe his own Jaffa when they panicked. They had all deserted the planet not long after. Come to think of it, they were by far the most likely source for the devastation.
Seeing the place look like this put a damper on their mood, which otherwise had been hopeful after the locals had said no one came here.
They decided to not give up yet and meticulously searched through the place. Most of the time, Sam sat on the floor, in the stairway, and the others reported back from time to time of their findings - or lack of same.
Finally the whole place had been searched from top to bottom and they were about to give up when Daniel stumbled over something - literally. He had been looking at a broken mural in an alcove in the wall, when his foot caught in a stone that was sticking out just a little bit. Bending down, he curiously pushed it and a rumbling was heard.
Behind him the wall opened and a dark opening could be seen.
‘Whoa!’
They all hurried to the opening and looked inside. As soon as someone entered inside the opening, the light came on and a faint whirring noise could be heard from the airconditioning.
‘This is a bit unsettling...’
‘We should still investigate.’ Vala insisted, giving Sam a sideways glance where she sat, leaning her head against the wall. She was almost gray in the face and they had all seen how she shook when she tried to stand before.
Everyone agreed and they all entered, Teal’c carrying Sam. They walked through a long winding corridor with several doors on the sides. They were all closed with no obvious signs how to open them. At the end they came to another door, which could be opened by Vala, when she touched the pad beside the door.
‘Goa’uld technology. Locked to the naquadah.’ She said.
They entered and the light came on. They saw a HUGE room, filled with machinery of all kinds. Consoles and devices lined the walls and in the middle stood a big machine that had some sort of man-sized compartment.
Teal’c had sat down Sam near one of the computers and she was typing away at it. She took another look at the largest of the devices.
‘I have no memory of being here, but I guess that’s not so strange. The real us were probably unconscious when we were brought here and so even if we saw it later, maybe the clones never did so I don’t have any memory of this place.’
A few more commands at the computer console gave Sam some more information. Tiredly, she looked at her friends.
‘That monstrosity over there,’ she tried lifting her hand to point, then resigned to waving a finger in the direction of it. ‘It’s the machine that was used to clone us and transfer our memories.’
‘Can it fix you? Or did you find something else that can in there?’ Daniel said.
Sam tiredly shook her head. ‘No.’
‘So this was just a waste of time?’ Cam said enraged.
‘I’m afraid so. Sorry.’ Sam said sheepishly. She suddenly read something. ‘Wait...’
‘What?’
‘There’s something here I’m not sure of, I think it’s worth letting the machine scan me.’ She put her hand into a small scanner that was on the table connected to the rest of the device.
It made a number of humming noises and beeps, then text spouted over the screen very fast.
‘What’s going on?’
‘It...would seem in is reading out all the things that’s wrong with me.’
‘Can it do anything?’
‘No...but it looks as if...’ Sam sounded shocked. ‘My original body may be in there!’
‘YAY!’ Vala did a little happy dance. ‘So we can just wake the real you up and you’ll be fine!’
‘Well, maybe, if I knew how. However, I won’t be the same Sam as I won’t have the memories of the last...10 YEARS!’ Sam carefully shook her head. then suddenly got a pained expression. She doubled over in pain and fell to the floor where she was racked by stabbing pains for several minutes while her friends could only look on. When she stopped heaving and gasped for breath, she looked up and a small amount of blood was leaking from her mouth and nose.
‘Sam!’ The other looked at her horrified.
‘Can you not use the machine to transfer your memories to the Samantha Carter in stasis?’ Teal’c said.
‘Yeah, that’s an idea! It was done the other way before was it not?’ Vala sounded hopeful.
‘Yes, but I’m not sure it would be the correct thing to do. Morally I mean.’ Sam said.
Daniel nodded. ‘I see what you mean, but...’
‘What? You’re crazy! If Sam hadn’t been cloned the original one would have lived in the same life as the clone did and would have the memories for it! She deserves it!’ Cam said.
They discussed it for some time and suddenly realized Sam was not saying anything. They looked at her and saw she was unconscious. Examining her they found she could not be awakened and her breathing was shallow and gasping.
‘She’s dying.’ Cam concluded.
‘We must use the machine to transfer her memories quickly and wake the original.’ Teal’c said.
‘I’ll do it.’ Vala said and sat down at the computer. She had knowledge of Goa’uld language and computer systems from Qetesh.
They hooked up Sam to the system and Vala typed in a number of commands and then hesitantly pushed some buttons.
‘I’m actually not completely sure of how this works, but I’m reasonably sure it transferred her memories to her original. However, I can’t figure out how to wake her.’
‘Did it transfer?’
‘Yes.’
‘Thank god, because Sam is dead now.’ Cam said.
‘I think we need to go and activate the stasis chambers wake up routine automatically because I can’t figure out how to do it.’ Vala said apologetically.
‘OK.’ Cam said. ‘Let’s find out where it is - I don’t suppose you know?’
‘No, but I think those doors we couldn’t enter are exits from the stasis chambers.’
They went around the room and looked at several devices and panels and consoles. Finally Daniel called out.
‘Hey, I think I’ve found it!’
They all hurried to him.
‘See this panel here controls the stasis chambers. If I understand it correctly these ligths show if it is occupied or not and you can just push the button beside the light to wake the person. I’m assuming that opens the stasis chamber. I think this is a kind of safety override.’
‘OK, but there are two lights that are on, so I assume there is someone in two of the chambers?’ Cam said.
‘Yes.’
‘And I guess it would be too much to hope for that you can tell which one is Sam? Or even who the other occupant is?’
‘As I said this is likely a safety override so there is no other information than that chamber 7 and 8 are occupied.’
Cam sighed. ‘OK. Wake up the occupants of both.’ He turned to Teal’c. ‘Lets go get ready to receive them - and hope none of them is a big bad Goa’uld.’
They hurried out into the corridor and found the chambers in question.
‘OK, Daniel, push the buttons!’ Cam said into his radio.
‘Wait! Sam disappeared - her body, I mean.’ Vala said running out of the lab. ‘It just disappeared from the floor - a beam played over it and it disappeared.’
‘Most likely some kind of cleaning-utility.’ Teal’c said. ‘I have seen things like that before among some Goa’uld to clean an area. Her body will have been incinerated - for efficiency reasons.’
‘Very - efficient.’ Vala frowned.
‘Yeah, well we’ll have her back soon - healthy and alive.’ Cam smiled. ‘Daniel, push the buttons.’ He said into the radio.
Daniel did so and hurried to join the others in the corridor.
‘Let’s hope Sam has some clothing on now when we can’t give her what she wore - the clone took what she had before, you know.’ Vala suddenly thought out loud.
A humming sound could be heard, followed by a hydraulic hiss. The two chambers opened and after a few moments they heard someone moving in there - and moaning lightly as someone who is just waking up.
They smiled happily as Sam slowly emerged from the chamber, looking a little confused. She yawned, then discovered her friends and smiled at Daniel and Teal’c. She looked a little strangely at Teal’c’s hair, then her eyes moved to Cam and Vala. She looked as if she was trying to remember something. She wore a hideous gray coverall.
‘Sam!’ Vala cried happily and ran to her friend, embracing her in a warm hug. Sam just stood there for a moment, then lifted her arms and tentatively hugged Vala - as if she wasn’t sure who this was but here friends seemed to think she should know her.
Then she gasped out and fell to her knees, grabbing her head and moaning.
‘Samantha!’ Someone said from just outside the other chamber door where he had been standing and observing. He quickly ran to her.
Daniel and Teal’c watched in shock as Martouf ran to Sam and kneeled beside her.
Cam looked surprised. ‘Who is he?’ He lifted his weapon.
Daniel held up a hand. ‘He’s a friend. Tok’ra.’
Cam lowered his weapon and nodded, observing the young man in similar clothing to Sam.
Sam looked up. ‘I remember...everything...from the clone as well.’ She noticed Martouf beside her, looking at her worriedly. ‘Martouf!’ She smiled widely.
‘Are you all right, Samantha?’ He put a hand on her arm, smiling back.
‘I’m fine.’ She began to get up and Martouf helped her. Sam got tears in her eyes. ‘I’ve missed you so.’ She grabbed his arms and gave them a light squeeze before she embarrassed let go. The others were looking on, amused.
‘So that’s Martouf you talked about, Sam!’ Vala grinned. ‘I can see what you mean. He’s HOT! No wonder you had difficulties keeping your hands off of him!’
‘Um, yeah.’ Sam blushed and looked down.
Martouf smiled widely. He was talking happily to Lantash about how to tell Sam they liked her also. They had not dared hope she was attracted to them! But why did she look sad for a moment? And what did she mean she had missed them?
‘Listen, guys, while as far as we know there are no enemies here, we should really get out of here and find another place to talk.’ Cam said.
Everyone agreed and they left the place, making sure it was closed off so no one wandered in by accident. They would send a team of scientists back here later to go through it all thoroughly.
They hurried back to the small village outside the fortress, relieved to leave the spooky place behind them. Since it was already early evening and the road back to the Stargate was fairly long they decided to stay here for tonight.
The villagers happily greeted them, glad to see they had returned safely from visiting the fortress. SG-1 and Sam and Martouf sat down to relax outside to talk in peace before they would eat dinner with the locals.
‘We are grateful for you rescuing us.’ Martouf said, looking puzzled. ‘However it seems something must have happened while we were captured and in stasis. Much longer passed than just a few days or weeks, am I not correct?’ He asked. ‘For one thing, the fortress seemed empty and there are no Jaffa everywhere.’
‘Oh boy yeah did stuff happen since you were captured!’ Daniel said. ‘It was around 10 years ago!’
Martouf gaped at him. ‘10 years! We have been in stasis for 10 years?’
‘Yes, you have.’
They quickly summarized what had happened since he and Sam had been captured.
‘We we’re cloned and died after having been made zatarcs?’ Martouf sounded increduled.
Sam nodded. ‘Yes.’ She closed her eyes and remembered the pain, then she smiled and opened her eyes. ‘But the real you are OK!’
Martouf smiled. ‘I am...and so are you. You were also cloned - and died from the defects it had?’ He looked concerned.
‘Yes, my clone died today. It’s...very strange. But I’m fine - and I have her memories. I wonder what will happen when I come back? Will I get her rank or will I be demoted/keep the rank from before?’ Sam looked thoughtful.
‘You’ve got her memories, haven’t you?’ Vala pointed out.
‘Yes, but I haven’t lived through it - though I remember it as if I have...’
‘Then I’m sure they’ll say you’re the same person, essentially and will get her rank and ship,’ Cam said, reassuring.
‘Eh, I’ve got Jolinar’s memories as well and they too feels as if they are mine and that I’ve experienced them. Doesn’t mean I’m her!’ Sam pointed out. ‘Of course, I only have access to some of them...I guess it would be different...never mind.’
‘The Tok’ra do consider you her...heir, successor, I am not sure what the correct term would be in your language.’ Martouf said. ‘Not her, but...’ He half-smiled. ‘We don’t think of you as her, though.’ He quickly added.
‘Doesn’t the snake talk?’ Vala wondered. ‘It’s rarely the host is in control this much.’
‘Lantash would rather not be called a ‘snake’ if you don’t mind.’ Martouf said. ‘And it is individual who is in control most.’ He looked at her, thoughtfully. ‘Qetesh. You were host to Qetesh. I have seen pictures of her...you, sorry.’ He bowed his head, giving Lantash control.
‘You are a former Goa’uld host, so I can understand why you may be...hostile...towards any symbiotes. When were you freed?’
Vala jumped at hearing his voice, as did Cam. She snorted. ‘Freed...it is such a simple word. The Tok’re removed Qetesh from me 5 years ago and then they just left me on my own! Do you have any idea how hard that was? With people thinking you’re still a snakehead and with no place you belong anymore. And after experiencing Qetesh for so long!’ She frowned. ‘OK, I may not have been particularly comfy staying with them and I may have yelled at them some, but that’s totally understandable in such a situation! I think they wanted rid of me as quick as possible and dumped me with some people they claimed would take care of me.’ Vala snorted again. ‘The place was a boring dump - no opportunities for someone like me. I left a few days later.’
‘I am sorry for what you experienced, but you can hardly blame the Tok’ra if you decided to leave on your own!’ Lantash said, sounding slightly condescending.
‘Maybe we shouldn’t discuss this now...’ Sam said, pointing to some of the locals who were looking at Lantash with an expression of mixed fear and shock.
‘Can we have Martouf back instead?’ Vala said.
Lantash nodded. ‘Martouf is more diplomatic than I are, I would have thought we had learned that is usually a bad idea for me to be in control around Tau’ri - and their friends!’ He dipped his head and gave control back to Martouf.
Martouf smiled a little embarassed. ‘Sorry, this is not the time or place for that. Vala, we are sorry for what you experienced. Nothing can ever compensate you for the years you lost to Qetesh and the horrors you must have experienced. We cannot comprehend how horrible it must be to suppressed and forced to witness your body do some of the things she did.’
Vala nodded, mollified.
They went inside to talk to the locals and try to convince them that Lantash was not a Goa’uld and that they did not need to fear anything. They mostly succeeded, even though their hosts kept throwing Lantash and Martouf apprehensive glances during the whole dinner. They also apologized profusely for not having better food to offer him - or a better room. He sighed deeply and repeated yet again that he was not Goa’uld, but Tok’ra and that they did not want - or deserve - to be treated like gods. Not that the Goa’uld deserved it.
Seeing the place look like this put a damper on their mood, which otherwise had been hopeful after the locals had said no one came here.
They decided to not give up yet and meticulously searched through the place. Most of the time, Sam sat on the floor, in the stairway, and the others reported back from time to time of their findings - or lack of same.
Finally the whole place had been searched from top to bottom and they were about to give up when Daniel stumbled over something - literally. He had been looking at a broken mural in an alcove in the wall, when his foot caught in a stone that was sticking out just a little bit. Bending down, he curiously pushed it and a rumbling was heard.
Behind him the wall opened and a dark opening could be seen.
‘Whoa!’
They all hurried to the opening and looked inside. As soon as someone entered inside the opening, the light came on and a faint whirring noise could be heard from the airconditioning.
‘This is a bit unsettling...’
‘We should still investigate.’ Vala insisted, giving Sam a sideways glance where she sat, leaning her head against the wall. She was almost gray in the face and they had all seen how she shook when she tried to stand before.
Everyone agreed and they all entered, Teal’c carrying Sam. They walked through a long winding corridor with several doors on the sides. They were all closed with no obvious signs how to open them. At the end they came to another door, which could be opened by Vala, when she touched the pad beside the door.
‘Goa’uld technology. Locked to the naquadah.’ She said.
They entered and the light came on. They saw a HUGE room, filled with machinery of all kinds. Consoles and devices lined the walls and in the middle stood a big machine that had some sort of man-sized compartment.
Teal’c had sat down Sam near one of the computers and she was typing away at it. She took another look at the largest of the devices.
‘I have no memory of being here, but I guess that’s not so strange. The real us were probably unconscious when we were brought here and so even if we saw it later, maybe the clones never did so I don’t have any memory of this place.’
A few more commands at the computer console gave Sam some more information. Tiredly, she looked at her friends.
‘That monstrosity over there,’ she tried lifting her hand to point, then resigned to waving a finger in the direction of it. ‘It’s the machine that was used to clone us and transfer our memories.’
‘Can it fix you? Or did you find something else that can in there?’ Daniel said.
Sam tiredly shook her head. ‘No.’
‘So this was just a waste of time?’ Cam said enraged.
‘I’m afraid so. Sorry.’ Sam said sheepishly. She suddenly read something. ‘Wait...’
‘What?’
‘There’s something here I’m not sure of, I think it’s worth letting the machine scan me.’ She put her hand into a small scanner that was on the table connected to the rest of the device.
It made a number of humming noises and beeps, then text spouted over the screen very fast.
‘What’s going on?’
‘It...would seem in is reading out all the things that’s wrong with me.’
‘Can it do anything?’
‘No...but it looks as if...’ Sam sounded shocked. ‘My original body may be in there!’
‘YAY!’ Vala did a little happy dance. ‘So we can just wake the real you up and you’ll be fine!’
‘Well, maybe, if I knew how. However, I won’t be the same Sam as I won’t have the memories of the last...10 YEARS!’ Sam carefully shook her head. then suddenly got a pained expression. She doubled over in pain and fell to the floor where she was racked by stabbing pains for several minutes while her friends could only look on. When she stopped heaving and gasped for breath, she looked up and a small amount of blood was leaking from her mouth and nose.
‘Sam!’ The other looked at her horrified.
‘Can you not use the machine to transfer your memories to the Samantha Carter in stasis?’ Teal’c said.
‘Yeah, that’s an idea! It was done the other way before was it not?’ Vala sounded hopeful.
‘Yes, but I’m not sure it would be the correct thing to do. Morally I mean.’ Sam said.
Daniel nodded. ‘I see what you mean, but...’
‘What? You’re crazy! If Sam hadn’t been cloned the original one would have lived in the same life as the clone did and would have the memories for it! She deserves it!’ Cam said.
They discussed it for some time and suddenly realized Sam was not saying anything. They looked at her and saw she was unconscious. Examining her they found she could not be awakened and her breathing was shallow and gasping.
‘She’s dying.’ Cam concluded.
‘We must use the machine to transfer her memories quickly and wake the original.’ Teal’c said.
‘I’ll do it.’ Vala said and sat down at the computer. She had knowledge of Goa’uld language and computer systems from Qetesh.
They hooked up Sam to the system and Vala typed in a number of commands and then hesitantly pushed some buttons.
‘I’m actually not completely sure of how this works, but I’m reasonably sure it transferred her memories to her original. However, I can’t figure out how to wake her.’
‘Did it transfer?’
‘Yes.’
‘Thank god, because Sam is dead now.’ Cam said.
‘I think we need to go and activate the stasis chambers wake up routine automatically because I can’t figure out how to do it.’ Vala said apologetically.
‘OK.’ Cam said. ‘Let’s find out where it is - I don’t suppose you know?’
‘No, but I think those doors we couldn’t enter are exits from the stasis chambers.’
They went around the room and looked at several devices and panels and consoles. Finally Daniel called out.
‘Hey, I think I’ve found it!’
They all hurried to him.
‘See this panel here controls the stasis chambers. If I understand it correctly these ligths show if it is occupied or not and you can just push the button beside the light to wake the person. I’m assuming that opens the stasis chamber. I think this is a kind of safety override.’
‘OK, but there are two lights that are on, so I assume there is someone in two of the chambers?’ Cam said.
‘Yes.’
‘And I guess it would be too much to hope for that you can tell which one is Sam? Or even who the other occupant is?’
‘As I said this is likely a safety override so there is no other information than that chamber 7 and 8 are occupied.’
Cam sighed. ‘OK. Wake up the occupants of both.’ He turned to Teal’c. ‘Lets go get ready to receive them - and hope none of them is a big bad Goa’uld.’
They hurried out into the corridor and found the chambers in question.
‘OK, Daniel, push the buttons!’ Cam said into his radio.
‘Wait! Sam disappeared - her body, I mean.’ Vala said running out of the lab. ‘It just disappeared from the floor - a beam played over it and it disappeared.’
‘Most likely some kind of cleaning-utility.’ Teal’c said. ‘I have seen things like that before among some Goa’uld to clean an area. Her body will have been incinerated - for efficiency reasons.’
‘Very - efficient.’ Vala frowned.
‘Yeah, well we’ll have her back soon - healthy and alive.’ Cam smiled. ‘Daniel, push the buttons.’ He said into the radio.
Daniel did so and hurried to join the others in the corridor.
‘Let’s hope Sam has some clothing on now when we can’t give her what she wore - the clone took what she had before, you know.’ Vala suddenly thought out loud.
A humming sound could be heard, followed by a hydraulic hiss. The two chambers opened and after a few moments they heard someone moving in there - and moaning lightly as someone who is just waking up.
They smiled happily as Sam slowly emerged from the chamber, looking a little confused. She yawned, then discovered her friends and smiled at Daniel and Teal’c. She looked a little strangely at Teal’c’s hair, then her eyes moved to Cam and Vala. She looked as if she was trying to remember something. She wore a hideous gray coverall.
‘Sam!’ Vala cried happily and ran to her friend, embracing her in a warm hug. Sam just stood there for a moment, then lifted her arms and tentatively hugged Vala - as if she wasn’t sure who this was but here friends seemed to think she should know her.
Then she gasped out and fell to her knees, grabbing her head and moaning.
‘Samantha!’ Someone said from just outside the other chamber door where he had been standing and observing. He quickly ran to her.
Daniel and Teal’c watched in shock as Martouf ran to Sam and kneeled beside her.
Cam looked surprised. ‘Who is he?’ He lifted his weapon.
Daniel held up a hand. ‘He’s a friend. Tok’ra.’
Cam lowered his weapon and nodded, observing the young man in similar clothing to Sam.
Sam looked up. ‘I remember...everything...from the clone as well.’ She noticed Martouf beside her, looking at her worriedly. ‘Martouf!’ She smiled widely.
‘Are you all right, Samantha?’ He put a hand on her arm, smiling back.
‘I’m fine.’ She began to get up and Martouf helped her. Sam got tears in her eyes. ‘I’ve missed you so.’ She grabbed his arms and gave them a light squeeze before she embarrassed let go. The others were looking on, amused.
‘So that’s Martouf you talked about, Sam!’ Vala grinned. ‘I can see what you mean. He’s HOT! No wonder you had difficulties keeping your hands off of him!’
‘Um, yeah.’ Sam blushed and looked down.
Martouf smiled widely. He was talking happily to Lantash about how to tell Sam they liked her also. They had not dared hope she was attracted to them! But why did she look sad for a moment? And what did she mean she had missed them?
‘Listen, guys, while as far as we know there are no enemies here, we should really get out of here and find another place to talk.’ Cam said.
Everyone agreed and they left the place, making sure it was closed off so no one wandered in by accident. They would send a team of scientists back here later to go through it all thoroughly.
They hurried back to the small village outside the fortress, relieved to leave the spooky place behind them. Since it was already early evening and the road back to the Stargate was fairly long they decided to stay here for tonight.
The villagers happily greeted them, glad to see they had returned safely from visiting the fortress. SG-1 and Sam and Martouf sat down to relax outside to talk in peace before they would eat dinner with the locals.
‘We are grateful for you rescuing us.’ Martouf said, looking puzzled. ‘However it seems something must have happened while we were captured and in stasis. Much longer passed than just a few days or weeks, am I not correct?’ He asked. ‘For one thing, the fortress seemed empty and there are no Jaffa everywhere.’
‘Oh boy yeah did stuff happen since you were captured!’ Daniel said. ‘It was around 10 years ago!’
Martouf gaped at him. ‘10 years! We have been in stasis for 10 years?’
‘Yes, you have.’
They quickly summarized what had happened since he and Sam had been captured.
‘We we’re cloned and died after having been made zatarcs?’ Martouf sounded increduled.
Sam nodded. ‘Yes.’ She closed her eyes and remembered the pain, then she smiled and opened her eyes. ‘But the real you are OK!’
Martouf smiled. ‘I am...and so are you. You were also cloned - and died from the defects it had?’ He looked concerned.
‘Yes, my clone died today. It’s...very strange. But I’m fine - and I have her memories. I wonder what will happen when I come back? Will I get her rank or will I be demoted/keep the rank from before?’ Sam looked thoughtful.
‘You’ve got her memories, haven’t you?’ Vala pointed out.
‘Yes, but I haven’t lived through it - though I remember it as if I have...’
‘Then I’m sure they’ll say you’re the same person, essentially and will get her rank and ship,’ Cam said, reassuring.
‘Eh, I’ve got Jolinar’s memories as well and they too feels as if they are mine and that I’ve experienced them. Doesn’t mean I’m her!’ Sam pointed out. ‘Of course, I only have access to some of them...I guess it would be different...never mind.’
‘The Tok’ra do consider you her...heir, successor, I am not sure what the correct term would be in your language.’ Martouf said. ‘Not her, but...’ He half-smiled. ‘We don’t think of you as her, though.’ He quickly added.
‘Doesn’t the snake talk?’ Vala wondered. ‘It’s rarely the host is in control this much.’
‘Lantash would rather not be called a ‘snake’ if you don’t mind.’ Martouf said. ‘And it is individual who is in control most.’ He looked at her, thoughtfully. ‘Qetesh. You were host to Qetesh. I have seen pictures of her...you, sorry.’ He bowed his head, giving Lantash control.
‘You are a former Goa’uld host, so I can understand why you may be...hostile...towards any symbiotes. When were you freed?’
Vala jumped at hearing his voice, as did Cam. She snorted. ‘Freed...it is such a simple word. The Tok’re removed Qetesh from me 5 years ago and then they just left me on my own! Do you have any idea how hard that was? With people thinking you’re still a snakehead and with no place you belong anymore. And after experiencing Qetesh for so long!’ She frowned. ‘OK, I may not have been particularly comfy staying with them and I may have yelled at them some, but that’s totally understandable in such a situation! I think they wanted rid of me as quick as possible and dumped me with some people they claimed would take care of me.’ Vala snorted again. ‘The place was a boring dump - no opportunities for someone like me. I left a few days later.’
‘I am sorry for what you experienced, but you can hardly blame the Tok’ra if you decided to leave on your own!’ Lantash said, sounding slightly condescending.
‘Maybe we shouldn’t discuss this now...’ Sam said, pointing to some of the locals who were looking at Lantash with an expression of mixed fear and shock.
‘Can we have Martouf back instead?’ Vala said.
Lantash nodded. ‘Martouf is more diplomatic than I are, I would have thought we had learned that is usually a bad idea for me to be in control around Tau’ri - and their friends!’ He dipped his head and gave control back to Martouf.
Martouf smiled a little embarassed. ‘Sorry, this is not the time or place for that. Vala, we are sorry for what you experienced. Nothing can ever compensate you for the years you lost to Qetesh and the horrors you must have experienced. We cannot comprehend how horrible it must be to suppressed and forced to witness your body do some of the things she did.’
Vala nodded, mollified.
They went inside to talk to the locals and try to convince them that Lantash was not a Goa’uld and that they did not need to fear anything. They mostly succeeded, even though their hosts kept throwing Lantash and Martouf apprehensive glances during the whole dinner. They also apologized profusely for not having better food to offer him - or a better room. He sighed deeply and repeated yet again that he was not Goa’uld, but Tok’ra and that they did not want - or deserve - to be treated like gods. Not that the Goa’uld deserved it.