Fic, Alternate Lines of Duty, PG-13, 4/6
Sam POV
I am nervous as we walked over the sand dunes, and I can feel Jolinar's tension as well. Suddenly, I sense something odd - like what I had sensed from Teal'c, I realized. An odd tingling or humming.
[Naquadah.] Jolinar told me, then walked in the direction were the energy signature was strongest.
Soon we are surrounded, with the rest of SG-1 being oblivious to anything happening. I feel bad about that - maybe we should tell the others? Warn them?
Before there were time for that, people jumps out of the ground all around us. The people are wearing beige or tan colored clothing, similar enough to count as uniforms, even though it looked more like something a poor peasant might wear. On purpose, I get from Jolinar. Tok'ra, I suddenly knew.
The Tok'ra immediately focuses on me and Jolinar, sensing the symbiote in me, but not seeing a tattoo on the forehead, meaning this was a Goa'uld - or Tok'ra, of course - and the likely leader of the group.
'Kree! What is your name and the purpose of your visit here?' A man ask. Jolinar supplies the name. Cordesh. I feel an odd undercurrent of anger, but she tells me 'later'.
She raises her head and looks proudly at him. 'Hello, Cordesh. I am Jolinar of Malkshur. I am returning to my base.'
'Jolinar? You have a new host...and who are these you bring here? Two humans - and a Jaffa. The First Prime of Apophis, it would appear.' Cordesh looked angry.
'They are friends, and are here for a reason. The Jaffa is no longer the First Prime of Apophis, but the sholvah Teal'c, allied to the Tau'ri, the world of my two human...friends, as well as my host.'
'Interesting. You shall have to prove who you are, Jolinar. As you know.'
'Of course.' Jolinar said. She looked at the others. Their names popped into my head as she did. Aldwin, Katta, Lilk, Siownak, Surajja, and Ninnehk. I have no idea if those are the hosts or the symbiotes, though.
'Welcome back, Jolinar. My condolences for Rosha.' the young man named Aldwin said.
'Thank you, Aldwin.' Jolinar bowed her head, and I felt her grief. It is very real, and I feel my throat constrict from the deepness of her sorrow. She loved her host, and they were together for...100 years. I feel sorry for Jolinar, and makes a clumsy attempt at sending comfort in her direction. She accepts it, gratefully.
Strange how something like that suddenly makes me feel so different about her. She is not always the hard, unfeeling, no-nonsense will do anything to achieve her goal rebel Goa'uld. Sometimes she is... vulnerable. Human.
Some of the others give Jolinar their condolences as well, and then we walk to the ring transporter, followed by some of the guards. I get the feeling most of them do believe Jolinar is who she says she is, but just to be safe, they follow and guard us.
Down in the tunnels, my team mates are taken to talk to someone, probably about what they know of Jolinar and the change of hosts. That worry me. What if they make Jolinar sound worse than she is? All that happened was not her fault. Some of it was because I would not listen to her at all - and because we did not listen to her warnings about the ashrak.
Jolinar and I are taken to a special team of Tok'ra that will interrogate her, ask her questions, and then put her to sleep and talk to me. All to determine if she is who she says she is. I can't say I am looking forward to this.
Jolinar has just woken up after the last interrogation of me. The other Tok'ra now believe she is Jolinar, but they also know what she did - that she took an unwilling host. I can see anger and disbelief in their eyes, mixed with compassion for me. It is strange, but the Tok'ra are very different from the Goa'uld.
I must admit I am not happy that they are so angry at Jolinar. I mean, as mad as I am at her, I do understand it was a misunderstanding, to some degree at least. She truly thought I volunteered, even if she should have known I could not know she was there. It was an act done in panic, and I believe she had reason beyond a desire to live, which is understandable.
How do I convince them not to punish her?
[Thank you for the confidence, Samantha, but I deserve their anger. Some of it is fear - if I could so easily...revert, as they probably see it...could they do that too? Of course, they were born Tok'ra, most of them, while I converted from Goa'uld, so it is not quite the same.]
[They were born Tok'ra? What do you mean?]
[I will explain. Later. Right now we will be taken to be...debriefed...even if it will be much like an interrogation, given our situation. Remember, they are not angry at you.]
[Okay...we will talk later, then.]
Jolinar turns to one of the Tok'ra nearby. A young woman called...Kohla. 'Are not Martouf and Lantash on the base?'
She shake her head. 'No, they are on a diplomatic mission and are not expected to return until tomorrow evening.'
Jolinar nodded, then sighed. 'I see. That is probably a good thing...all things considered.'
[Who are they?]
[Later.] Jolinar sounds very final in her unwillingness to discuss anything. I suppose she will focus on the upcoming interrogation. I can't say I am looking forward to it either.
The interrogation/debriefing was longer, and more unpleasant than I had ever imagined it could be. I will never again complain about the debriefings we have at the SGC!
They believe Jolinar is who she says she is, at least, but they are very angry at her. They may not be angry at me - clearly they are not - but it is hard to take it differently when they are talking, yelling, angrily at you...your body. Regardless of who is in control of it.
I was asked to speak for quite some time, explaining my side of what had happened. I told everything as precisely as I could, just as it had happened - as I had experienced it. They apologized on behalf of the Tok'ra, but even so, they did not look happy when I said I didn't want to remain a host. They were very surprised when I then went on to argue why they should not punish Jolinar, and to be honest, I don't think they are going to listen to me. As soon as I am no longer her host, I probably have no say, and Jolinar will likely be placed in a tank, for a long time, before they will even start looking for a host for her.
That makes me feel surprisingly guilty, but I tell myself that Jolinar brought this on herself.
Even though...it was a mistake, and besides. she did have a reason. There is a traitor among the Tok'ra, and she has asked to talk to either Selmak or Garshaw in private, two Tok'ra she trusts completely. She whispered this request to Garshaw, when all others had left the room.
Garshaw looked at her for a moment, but then agreed to meet her. We are now on our way to Garshaw's room.
'What? You claim Cordesh is a traitor? He has been a loyal Tok'ra for many many centuries!' Garshaw looks very angry.
'I realize that, however, he must have been brainwashed...or removed, and another symbiote placed in his host. Regardless, he was the one who told Cronus I am a Tok'ra, he was the reason I had to flee, the reason Rosha was killed...and the reason the Tok'ra have been attacked frequently recently and a great many of our operatives discovered. Search his rooms. I am sure you will find a means for him to contact his master'
Garshaw steps out of the room and orders her guards. 'Tok'ra Kree! Apprehend Cordesh and search his quarters!'
It is not very much time later, before the guards return, bringing not only Cordesh, but a small shiny ball, Jolinar calls a long range communicator.
'Cordesh? What is the meaning of this?' Garshaw demanded, holding the teleball out to him.
'The vermin that is the Tok'ra will die soon when my master kill you all!' Cordesh spat.
'It sickens me to think I have called you friend, Cordesh! Interrogate him, have the healers examine him to determine if he is indeed Cordesh, then remove the traitor and kill him!'
They take away Cordesh, and Garshaw smiles at me...us...Jolinar. 'Thank you, Jolinar. You have saved the Tok'ra from a great many death, possible complete annihilation.'
I ask for control, and is given it. 'Then you won't punish her?'
Garshaw is quiet for a moment. 'Since you do not wish her to be punished, she shall not be." She sighs. "However, as you probably know, it is not easy to find hosts, and she may end up spending time in a tank anyway. We are currently searching for a host for Selmak, and she needs one soon. Having kept Saroosh alive for as long as she has, she is now too weak to survive in a tank. I am sorry.'
'I understand. I wish I could help. I really do.'
'Then remain Jolinar's host!'
'I...I'm not sure I can do that.' I stammer. "How long until she can leave me?"
Garshaw sighs again. 'If that is your wish, go and have the healers examine you. They will tell you when she is able to leave you.'
'Okay. Um, one more thing. My team mates...when will they - and I - be allowed to return to Earth?'
'As I understood it, you will not be welcome on Earth, as it is. Will you? Regardless, when we move the base to another location - which we will do very soon, since Cordesh most likely has compromised this, and the System Lord Cronus will attach when he does not hear from him - then you will be allowed to leave.'
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I am nervous as we walked over the sand dunes, and I can feel Jolinar's tension as well. Suddenly, I sense something odd - like what I had sensed from Teal'c, I realized. An odd tingling or humming.
[Naquadah.] Jolinar told me, then walked in the direction were the energy signature was strongest.
Soon we are surrounded, with the rest of SG-1 being oblivious to anything happening. I feel bad about that - maybe we should tell the others? Warn them?
Before there were time for that, people jumps out of the ground all around us. The people are wearing beige or tan colored clothing, similar enough to count as uniforms, even though it looked more like something a poor peasant might wear. On purpose, I get from Jolinar. Tok'ra, I suddenly knew.
The Tok'ra immediately focuses on me and Jolinar, sensing the symbiote in me, but not seeing a tattoo on the forehead, meaning this was a Goa'uld - or Tok'ra, of course - and the likely leader of the group.
'Kree! What is your name and the purpose of your visit here?' A man ask. Jolinar supplies the name. Cordesh. I feel an odd undercurrent of anger, but she tells me 'later'.
She raises her head and looks proudly at him. 'Hello, Cordesh. I am Jolinar of Malkshur. I am returning to my base.'
'Jolinar? You have a new host...and who are these you bring here? Two humans - and a Jaffa. The First Prime of Apophis, it would appear.' Cordesh looked angry.
'They are friends, and are here for a reason. The Jaffa is no longer the First Prime of Apophis, but the sholvah Teal'c, allied to the Tau'ri, the world of my two human...friends, as well as my host.'
'Interesting. You shall have to prove who you are, Jolinar. As you know.'
'Of course.' Jolinar said. She looked at the others. Their names popped into my head as she did. Aldwin, Katta, Lilk, Siownak, Surajja, and Ninnehk. I have no idea if those are the hosts or the symbiotes, though.
'Welcome back, Jolinar. My condolences for Rosha.' the young man named Aldwin said.
'Thank you, Aldwin.' Jolinar bowed her head, and I felt her grief. It is very real, and I feel my throat constrict from the deepness of her sorrow. She loved her host, and they were together for...100 years. I feel sorry for Jolinar, and makes a clumsy attempt at sending comfort in her direction. She accepts it, gratefully.
Strange how something like that suddenly makes me feel so different about her. She is not always the hard, unfeeling, no-nonsense will do anything to achieve her goal rebel Goa'uld. Sometimes she is... vulnerable. Human.
Some of the others give Jolinar their condolences as well, and then we walk to the ring transporter, followed by some of the guards. I get the feeling most of them do believe Jolinar is who she says she is, but just to be safe, they follow and guard us.
Down in the tunnels, my team mates are taken to talk to someone, probably about what they know of Jolinar and the change of hosts. That worry me. What if they make Jolinar sound worse than she is? All that happened was not her fault. Some of it was because I would not listen to her at all - and because we did not listen to her warnings about the ashrak.
Jolinar and I are taken to a special team of Tok'ra that will interrogate her, ask her questions, and then put her to sleep and talk to me. All to determine if she is who she says she is. I can't say I am looking forward to this.
Jolinar has just woken up after the last interrogation of me. The other Tok'ra now believe she is Jolinar, but they also know what she did - that she took an unwilling host. I can see anger and disbelief in their eyes, mixed with compassion for me. It is strange, but the Tok'ra are very different from the Goa'uld.
I must admit I am not happy that they are so angry at Jolinar. I mean, as mad as I am at her, I do understand it was a misunderstanding, to some degree at least. She truly thought I volunteered, even if she should have known I could not know she was there. It was an act done in panic, and I believe she had reason beyond a desire to live, which is understandable.
How do I convince them not to punish her?
[Thank you for the confidence, Samantha, but I deserve their anger. Some of it is fear - if I could so easily...revert, as they probably see it...could they do that too? Of course, they were born Tok'ra, most of them, while I converted from Goa'uld, so it is not quite the same.]
[They were born Tok'ra? What do you mean?]
[I will explain. Later. Right now we will be taken to be...debriefed...even if it will be much like an interrogation, given our situation. Remember, they are not angry at you.]
[Okay...we will talk later, then.]
Jolinar turns to one of the Tok'ra nearby. A young woman called...Kohla. 'Are not Martouf and Lantash on the base?'
She shake her head. 'No, they are on a diplomatic mission and are not expected to return until tomorrow evening.'
Jolinar nodded, then sighed. 'I see. That is probably a good thing...all things considered.'
[Who are they?]
[Later.] Jolinar sounds very final in her unwillingness to discuss anything. I suppose she will focus on the upcoming interrogation. I can't say I am looking forward to it either.
The interrogation/debriefing was longer, and more unpleasant than I had ever imagined it could be. I will never again complain about the debriefings we have at the SGC!
They believe Jolinar is who she says she is, at least, but they are very angry at her. They may not be angry at me - clearly they are not - but it is hard to take it differently when they are talking, yelling, angrily at you...your body. Regardless of who is in control of it.
I was asked to speak for quite some time, explaining my side of what had happened. I told everything as precisely as I could, just as it had happened - as I had experienced it. They apologized on behalf of the Tok'ra, but even so, they did not look happy when I said I didn't want to remain a host. They were very surprised when I then went on to argue why they should not punish Jolinar, and to be honest, I don't think they are going to listen to me. As soon as I am no longer her host, I probably have no say, and Jolinar will likely be placed in a tank, for a long time, before they will even start looking for a host for her.
That makes me feel surprisingly guilty, but I tell myself that Jolinar brought this on herself.
Even though...it was a mistake, and besides. she did have a reason. There is a traitor among the Tok'ra, and she has asked to talk to either Selmak or Garshaw in private, two Tok'ra she trusts completely. She whispered this request to Garshaw, when all others had left the room.
Garshaw looked at her for a moment, but then agreed to meet her. We are now on our way to Garshaw's room.
'What? You claim Cordesh is a traitor? He has been a loyal Tok'ra for many many centuries!' Garshaw looks very angry.
'I realize that, however, he must have been brainwashed...or removed, and another symbiote placed in his host. Regardless, he was the one who told Cronus I am a Tok'ra, he was the reason I had to flee, the reason Rosha was killed...and the reason the Tok'ra have been attacked frequently recently and a great many of our operatives discovered. Search his rooms. I am sure you will find a means for him to contact his master'
Garshaw steps out of the room and orders her guards. 'Tok'ra Kree! Apprehend Cordesh and search his quarters!'
It is not very much time later, before the guards return, bringing not only Cordesh, but a small shiny ball, Jolinar calls a long range communicator.
'Cordesh? What is the meaning of this?' Garshaw demanded, holding the teleball out to him.
'The vermin that is the Tok'ra will die soon when my master kill you all!' Cordesh spat.
'It sickens me to think I have called you friend, Cordesh! Interrogate him, have the healers examine him to determine if he is indeed Cordesh, then remove the traitor and kill him!'
They take away Cordesh, and Garshaw smiles at me...us...Jolinar. 'Thank you, Jolinar. You have saved the Tok'ra from a great many death, possible complete annihilation.'
I ask for control, and is given it. 'Then you won't punish her?'
Garshaw is quiet for a moment. 'Since you do not wish her to be punished, she shall not be." She sighs. "However, as you probably know, it is not easy to find hosts, and she may end up spending time in a tank anyway. We are currently searching for a host for Selmak, and she needs one soon. Having kept Saroosh alive for as long as she has, she is now too weak to survive in a tank. I am sorry.'
'I understand. I wish I could help. I really do.'
'Then remain Jolinar's host!'
'I...I'm not sure I can do that.' I stammer. "How long until she can leave me?"
Garshaw sighs again. 'If that is your wish, go and have the healers examine you. They will tell you when she is able to leave you.'
'Okay. Um, one more thing. My team mates...when will they - and I - be allowed to return to Earth?'
'As I understood it, you will not be welcome on Earth, as it is. Will you? Regardless, when we move the base to another location - which we will do very soon, since Cordesh most likely has compromised this, and the System Lord Cronus will attach when he does not hear from him - then you will be allowed to leave.'
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