Agent Fox Mulder (i_want_2) wrote in multi_fiction, @ 2008-07-31 15:42:00 |
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Entry tags: | au, het, rated: adult, sg-1, slash |
Fic: Internal Error 3/3 StarGate SG-1
Internal Error
By: Lopaka Tanu
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG-1.
Warning: Character Death, Violence, Language, Sexual Actions.
Rating: Adult Slash.
Archive: RSD, Yes, just say where.
Pairings: Martouf/Daniel.
Series/Sequel: Daniel of Malksur. Sequel to Wreck On The Information Highway
Summary: For the SGC, the age of innocence is over. Their first major casualty since the founding has many questioning the policies. Every where they go chaos ensues. Enemies becoming friends, friends becoming enemies, and their preconceived notions being challenged; how far will they bend before the core snaps?
Timeline/Spoilers: Season 2 - In the Line of Duty ~/~ The Tok'ra.
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Daniel paced their room in anger. Hands balling up in to fists, he tried to control the rage that welled up inside him. They had the nerve to tell him, their elder by millennia, how to wage a war against their enemy! He had been doing this for thousands of years, he knew how to do this.
So deep in his angered thoughts he failed to notice Martouf until the man was upon him. By then he was already throwing him off and going on the offensive. He had Martouf against the wall in a choking hold before he realized who it was that had touched him.
Letting go, Daniel dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around Martouf's waist. Tears filled his eyes and the anger bled out with them. "Please forgive me."
Coughing, Martouf gingerly wrapped an arm around his Jolinar's head, holding him to him. The strong body against him felt strange and not all together pleasant. Pushing down his feelings, he focused on the matter at hand. "Why are you so angry, my love?"
"I don't know. It's just," Daniel tried to recall the memory clearly and found it almost too much to bare. "When she called my actions in to question, I felt that she was calling me in to question too. I lost so much on that mission, if she had decided anything else, I wouldn't have been able to handle it."
Keeping his head up, Martouf patted Daniel on the back soothingly. "You did everything you could. The mission was dangerous even before you accepted it."
"I should never have gone. When they had me, I had thought it was over." Looking up, Daniel wiped tears from his eyes. "I thought I was lost to you. Thoughts of getting back to you were all that mattered to me."
Martouf held a shaking hand to Daniel's face. Cupping his cheek, he stared down in his eyes. "I will always love you, Jolinar."
Closing his eyes, Daniel took a deep, cleansing breath and held tighter to Martouf. "That is all I care about."
Letting go, Martouf looked away, unable to stand the sheer emotions being expressed.
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Major Maybourne sat beside Colonel O'Niell watching Major Freemont eat mashed potatoes with a fork. His feet on top of the chair beside him, he folded his arms in disgust. While he looked on, Freemont picked up another dab of potatoes with the fork and dropped most of it on his bib before it even reached his mouth. "God, it's hard to believe that idiot is the eyes and ears for one of the most influential men in the NID."
"Tell me about it. I caught the man stapling his tie to a briefing report for the Pentagon yesterday. He went through twelve files before he even realized what had happened. And that was only after he stood up and pulled the entire stack with him across the desk." Slapping a hand to his face, Jack growled in frustration. "The way I see it, there is one of three options. Either he is extremely good at this and is using this idiot facade to hide his actions; he is just a distraction from the real mole; or he is just a fucking idiot pencil pusher who happened to get lucky."
"If he is the second or third, I will kill the moron myself. This is pure torture." With a deep growling sigh, he sat up and kicked the chair away. It was time for action. "I am going to check in with my people. I am sure they have something by now."
"And if they don't?" Jack rocked back on the casters of his chair, a smirk gracing his features.
"Then I will give them something." Giving a mock salute to Jack, Maybourne stalked towards the exit, just passing by Major Freemont. He reached out and ran a hand through the Major's hair as he passed causing the man to spill his potatoes all over his uniform.
Jack laughed as the man disappeared through the double doors at the end of the cafeteria. Sitting there, he stuck a straw in his mouth and chewed the end in thought. Now that Daniel was gone, he would need a new team member. The General had told him that morning it was time to begin choosing. He knew what the man meant by the remark, it would take him six months to pick a replacement.
It wasn't his fault that all the potential candidates were complete morons. Half the new staff members that came in were greener than a wet sapling and twice as thick as commissary coffee. It was a wonder there were less deaths than there were. The incompetence of some of the more amusing members were quite spectacular in their failures.
Halfway through his cup of coffee, he gave up trying to sip the swill and set it on the table. Next time he would just have to raid Captain Carter's stores if he wanted a decent cup. There were times in a man's life when it was necessary to boldly go where no man has wanted to go before. A woman's pantry is one of those places.
Movement on the side of his vision caught his attention. Jack sighed when he realized it was just Major Castleman with Cassie. He was here helping Sam watch over Cassie while Janet was away. It must have been his hour to take her for a walk and they ended up here. The kid probably wanted something sweet or to get away from the boring work stuff that Carter had been doing.
Four days of this and he was already ready to go back to be a single man again. God he missed having a kid, but at times it was just easier and more peaceful for him to never have them around. On occasion was just fine for him, especially since he was Uncle Jack and got to spoil the kid as much as he wanted without having to worry about discipline later on. He returned her wave with enthusiasm as she headed for the line.
Giving up on his Freemont watch, he stood up from the table and grabbed his coffee. It would be one of those days, it seemed. He had reports that were more interesting to him. Jack headed for the exit, nodding to Lieutenant Cabbot that it was her turn to keep an eye on the new penny pincher.
Major Freemont caught the signal and made a mental note of it. That made sixteen people watching him, sixteen people on his personal list. When he came in to command, they would be the first to be brought up on charges. Mean while, he had his lunch to finish. Grabbing the knife, he slipped them under the peas and prayed they stayed on this time.
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The greenhouse was so new, Major Ferretti could still smell the liquid sealer over the wooden joints that made up the supports. Rows upon rows of plant beds were stacked ten high in the three story structure in a descending arc. Several scaffoldings lined their edges, connecting water pipes to the beds. What all this had to do with the Tok'ra who had summoned him, Lou couldn't even bring himself to guess.
In the center of the massive pyramid, he came to stand beside a woman in white cotton pants and shirt. Saroush stood frowning at a recently tilled bed of soil as Ferretti joined her. "After all this time, I still can not decide what should go here. It really is a simple matter, yet I can not make a decision. One would think after three thousand years, I would have an idea."
"Three thousand years?" Lou grimaced as she looked up at him with a smile.
"Yes, three thousand years. That is how long I have been designing this structure. That nice young man, George Hammond, set this all up for me. It is amazing to me that it was built in a matter of days. I had thought it would take months." Taking heavy breath, she sighed with contentment. "A remarkable people, these Tau'ri."
Studying the greenhouse, Lou answered her absently. "Yeah, they are."
"I find myself hardly believing I once came from these people, that I share many of the same characteristics with them." Kneeling down, she ran a finger through the loose soil, marking a symbol among the dirt. "That stands for unknown. Right now, I will go through here and do the same thing to each one. I will put in the symbol for what I wish to plant there. From what I am told, many of the plants I had before I fled to Bahari to raise my children are still in existence today."
"I suppose they would, not much has changed in that part of the world." Frowning, Lou tried to look away from the symbols she was drawing in the plots of dirt. Each new symbol he found himself thinking the meaning in English.
"What part is it you think I come from? Do not judge my heritage based upon my appearance. I will have you know, that before I fled through the Chappa'ai, I lived not very far from here. While many of the plants have survived, most have not." Shaking her head in disappointment, Saroush stood up and dusted off her hands. "The sad fact of our existence is we must change everything to suit our needs. Our arrogance prevents us from adapting to the land without first conquering it."
"I don't know, it kinda seems to me like the world is a much better place now than it was back then." He caught her amused look and got defensive. "What?"
"Is it?" Sighing, she headed for the entrance to the pyramid greenhouse and gestured for him to follow.
"Yeah," he said following after, hands in his pockets. "It is better. For one thing, there are no Goa'uld. And if they come back, we will kick their asses again."
"There is that, but at what price? There is always something that must be given in return for progress. Take this greenhouse. I am sure there is a bare ground out there now that I have taken all its trees. And for the glass, a hill has been torn asunder to for its precious rocks. Was it worth it, to me, yes, but what about the people and the animals it effects? Who knows. But one thing is for sure, the world will never be the same again. After something is taken, you can never get it back." Waiting until he had walked out of the greenhouse, she closed he doors and turned the lock in to place. "We will just have to live with the consequences."
"What if it was taken from us without our consent?" Stopping, he turned to face her in question. For some reason he wasn't comfortable with exploring the question meant a lot to him.
"Then we must find a way to live without it and protect that which we hold most precious. For no matter what you have already lost, there is still so much more left." Holding up her hand, she accepted his arm and patted it. "Now come on, youngster, help me get to this place that serves that offal you call food."
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"The arrogance of our species does not suit you, Jolinar." Martouf came up behind his mate and wrapped his arms around Daniel. Resting his head on the other man's shoulder, he tried to reason this form with the one he loved. Inside, he knew it was his Jolinar, but the body made a difference even to him. He glanced up in the mirror to smile at his Jolinar's reflection.
The warm tones of light coming from the walls reflected a soft brown off Daniel's hair. Adjusting the earrings in his newly pierced ears, he tilted his head to avoid letting the metal hit Martouf. "I still don't see how these fit in with the image they wish me to convey."
"It is not the only change you must make, Jolinar. When the transformation is complete, you will understand. They have much experience with this, trust them." Sighing in exasperation, he ran his fingers up the back of Daniel's neck knowing it would elicit a shiver from his lover.
Daniel didn't disappoint him. Giggling, Daniel lost all composure and hunched up his shoulders. "Stop that!"
Martouf slid both his hands over Daniel's body, mapping it out in his mind from touch alone. No matter how many times he did this, the image was still the same in his mind. Closing his eyes, he pictured Jolinar as he remembered her and tried to reconcile the two. It was near impossible for him and he let go.
"What is wrong?" Turning to face his lover, Daniel held out his arms for Martouf only to be rebuffed. "Did I do something wrong, Martouf? You seem to be more and more avoiding me."
Martouf looked away, deliberately avoiding the question.
Anger welled up in him and he struck upon an idea. "Having second thoughts about resurrecting me? Just because I have a new host, you can pretend I no longer exist?" Bringing a hand to his chest, Daniel took on an aggressive stance. "This is the real me, Martouf. It is a fact of our life, we continue on in new hosts."
Still, Martouf refused to look at him. He just couldn't bring himself to face this new host. It wasn't what he had thought it would be, Jolinar wasn't Jolinar anymore.
Laughing humorlessly, Daniel lowered his hand. "This is it, isn't it. You're just going to leave." Clenching his fists, he stalked up to stand behind Martouf, leaning in close. "Two days, two! Is that all it took for you to get over me? So these past two days were just a way to get me out of your system like some drug."
'Yes,' Martouf wanted to say. He wanted to shout it to the world that he no longer felt that way for Jolinar. But it would be a lie. However, the lie that he didn't care hurt less, so he kept silent.
"Then I guess there is nothing more to say." Pulling up the edge of his flowing robes, he started for the doorway. At the edge, he paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Just so you know, I lied. I do remember abandoning Rosha. That clumsy bitch got us caught after I destroyed the sarcophagus. They tortured me for seven days before I escaped, two longer than her mind could take. Killing her was a mercy I will never show you."
In a rage, Martouf whirled around to strangle Daniel. Much to his disappointment, he was already gone. He rushed to the door in hope of catching his now ex-lover and found the hall empty. Turning back in to his room, he grabbed the nearest thing and threw it against the wall and began a rage the likes he had never experienced.
Daniel continued storming down the halls, eyes wide and jaw set. Head held high, he continued to the labs for the next part of his image change. He was scheduled for a darkening of his pigmentation to fit in with the new assignment. When he rounded the last corner for the labs, he ran in to Garshaw.
Garshaw put out a hand to Daniel's chest to keep herself from falling over. "Jolinar, you surprised me. I was coming to go over mission details with you."
"Then you are in luck." Adjusting the lengths of fabrics around his waist, he started for the labs. "I am to see Melorek for the enhancement of my skin coloring. Apparently it is necessary to fit in on my next mission, whatever that may be."
"Yes, well," smiling tensely, she followed along behind him. "If we had anyone else that could do this, I would have asked them to take your place. But you are the most qualified to infiltrate and carry out this mission."
"I agreed to do this mission, I will not back out now. There is no reason to believe I would." Coming down the long, crystal corridor, he came in to the large chamber of the Melorek's lab. When the scientist gestured for him to approach a table, he began removing the mounds of robes.
Garshaw grabbed the edge of the wrap and helped him unwind it from his body. "There is a slight chance once you know the full details. You are to infiltrate a system lord's forces as yourself. Once there, you will acquire whatever this weapon she has been working on to combat the Re'tu and bring it back to us. However, you must be careful, the last operative we had in her forces failed and the results were most unpleasant, even for a Goa'uld."
After kicking off his pants, Daniel stepped over to the table and climbed up on top. "I don't see a problem with that, I have done this on many occasions."
Melorek came to stand on the opposite side of the table and pulled Daniel's shoulder. "Please lay back and lie very still. This will take a few minutes. Close your eyes to protect them from the radiation."
Wringing her hands, Garshaw decided to just say it and get it over with. "The System Lord you will be working for is Nirrti."
Daniel's eyes shot open. "What?"
"Close your eyes!" Melorek growled as he activated the machine.
"As I said, you are the most qualified for this mission." Shielding her eyes, Garshaw held up her arm over her face to block out the intense white light. "If you wish to back out, we will understand."
The machine shut down with a flash and the crystals retreated back in to the ceiling. Melorek came to stand next to Daniel and lifted his arm to examine the tissue. He tapped it and squeezed hard before letting go. The skin went pale under the touch, but not white. "Excellent. The process is a success on the first try."
"Thank you." Blinking, the now bronze Daniel sat up and hung his feet off the edge of the bed. Lifting his head to where he felt Garshaw's face would be, he tried to make a glare. It was hard to do when all he could see were bright spots of light. "I can see now where you thought this would be a problem. But you were right, I am the correct choice for this mission. I will not let you down. Besides," he held up his brown hand and waved, "I am already in costume."
"Excellent. I shall inform the rest of the Council of your agreement." Turning to go, she stopped and looked back at him. "There is the small matter of informing Martouf."
"Do not worry about it, I am no longer any of his concern. He made that abundantly clear." Eyes glowing, Daniel stepped back in to his robes. After wrapping the dhoti cloth back around his hips, he tied off the sash and let the ends hang down. On the ends of the sash would be his personal symbols when the clothing was finished.
"Very well. When you finish here, meet Malek and Aldwin at the transport rings. They have already finished their appearance and are awaiting you. They will be your partners on this mission in place of Jaffa." Garshaw didn't wait for acknowledgement before leaving this time. She had a situation to report to those two very same operatives.
Daniel buttoned the last piece of clothing in to place. He turned around to face Melorek and found the operative ready for him. Walking over to the crystal chair, he took a seat and closed his eyes. After a calming breath, he nodded. "I am ready."
Standing in front of Daniel, Melorek maneuvered the tray of supplies to easy access. He picked up a small knife and sliced the skin just above in between Daniel's eyebrows. Putting down the knife, he picked up a small tool and pressed it in to the wound. He clicked the handle, and the end embedded itself in Daniel's forehead. When Melorek removed the tool, a large opal was left in its place.
Melorek wiped away the welling blood. Picking up another tool, he held the healing device over the wound. The orange light healed the damaged flesh and sealed the opal in place. He wiped away the remaining blood and stood back to admire his handiwork. "You are now complete, Jolinar."
Daniel reached up and fingered the opal bindi. "It feels strange to have one again after so long."
"Do not forget the rest of your possessions." Melorek gestured to a table at the far end of the lab.
Danny nodded, feeling light headed and heavy at the same time. Standing, he slowly walked over to the table and began gathering the devices. He hadn't planned on leaving so soon, but if they wanted him gone so quickly, he would do so. One of the last things he picked up were pearl hair ties. He would need them when he arrived on Shankar to complete the image.
The last thing he lifted was a ribbon device. Picking it up, he felt a cold dread in his stomach. It held bad memories that he couldn't recall. Slipping it on, he turned over and looked at the crystal. It glowed once and he turned it away quickly. Slipping it off, he placed it in the bag on the table top and grabbed the bag. It was time to go.
He slipped out of the lab as Melorek was replacing his tools in a transport box. The corridors were unusually empty for this time of day. Daniel found it a disappointment that none of his friends would be able to see him before he left again. It felt like he was hardly here long enough to catch his breath before they were shipping him off on another mission.
At last he rounded the final corner to the ring room. It was always in the same location, no matter what planet. Waiting for him were two familiar faces he hadn't seen in almost three years. Coming in close, he slung the bag over his shoulder and smiled at Malek and Aldwin. "Shall we?"
Aldwin pressed a gem on his wrist band and the rings descended.
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It was with a somber air that the Tel'tac landed on the plains of Abydos outside the landing platform of Ra's ship. Once the ship was down and the winds had died, the cargo bay door opened to let guards step out and survey the area. Three teams of four people scanned the horizon for any threat. When they spotted nothing, the all clear was given.
Over the dunes, the advance party for Kasuf's tribe was crossing the dunes towards the landing site. In the lead was Kasuf, beside him three men of his village and his daughter. By the time he had come to the top of the final dune, the passengers had filed out of the Tel'tac.
Kasuf recognized the uniforms and an air of foreboding filled him. Turning to Sha're, he gestured for two of the guards to come forward. "You will stay here, daughter, I will go down with Minkahre to discover what of our visitors."
Staring down upon the visitors, Sha're shook her head. "I have no good feeling about this, father. These people, we can not trust them. The demon inside, she knows of them."
"What of them, daughter?" Grasping her hand, he held it close to comfort her. "Speak of what you know."
"They are the enemy of it. She will want them dead if she were to awaken." Shaking from fear, Sha're held tight to her father. "They will come for me if they know I am here."
"If they are the enemy of the demon, then may be they can free you of her." Looking back to the men and women on the plain, he tried to sound hopeful. "They may know of your good husband. I have no choice." Pulling himself free of her, he nodded to the two guards to hold her back. "I shall return soon. Come, Minkahre."
Sha're tried to lunge at her father, but was held back by the guards. Shaking, she cried out in anger and tried to throw them from her. The guards were selected for their strength, she could not free herself.
Leaving her behind calling out his name was hard for Kasuf, but it was necessary. If nothing else, he could tell his son by law that his wife was once more among their people. The alarm went up among the people as he knew would happen the moment he crested the dune. Keeping the sun to his side, he continued down.
When he reached the landing site, he held up his arms in welcome. "I am Kasuf, leader of my people. I greet you with open arms."
Stepping forward, Teal'c bowed his head. "I am Teal'c, these are the warriors of the Tau'ri and their allies, the Tok'ra." Throwing wide his arms, he mimicked Kasuf's gesture. "I too greet you with open arms."
"Then come, be welcome among my people." Turning to lead the way, Kasuf was interrupted by Teal'c clearing his throat. Facing the Jaffa again, he looked in askance. "Yes, warrior friend?"
Teal'c shared a glance with Janet and Major Davis before turning back to Kasuf. "We have come with a burden of great sadness." Walking over to the center of their group, he pulled back the tarp from over the sarcophagus.
Kasuf followed Teal'c through the people to stand beside the tarp. When it was pulled clear, he staggered back in to the arms of Minkahre. "Is this..."
"It is him. I am sorry, but he was beyond our abilities." Teal'c watched in shared grief as Kasuf knelt beside the sarcophagus. "I regret to tell you he died still searching for both your Sha're and Skarra. However, I promise to continue the fight in his name."
Standing, Kasuf, brought out a crystal from beneath his robes and flashed the sun towards the dune he came from. After replacing it, he turned to face Teal'c and extended his arm. "I thank you for returning my good son. Now I have two of my three lost home."
"Two?" Catching movement over his shoulder, Teal'c turned to face the dune where the guards were forcing a struggling Sha're down the sands. When her eyes glowed white, he reached to his waist for the Zat-nic-atel only to find his hand blocked by Kasuf.
"Do not! She is possessed by the demon, but it can not harm us. We have been drugging it, it sleeps most of the time." Kasuf held Teal'c's arm fast to his side. "There is more. The demon's mate has planted his seed in her and it grows. It gave us the drug to make her sleep. It has fouled my daughter and her marriage to my good son. If you can, please, I ask that you remove both from her to spare the shame."
Searching the old man for any deception and detecting none, Teal'c inclined his head. "I will do all that I can."
Smiling, Kasuf squeezed his arm one more time before letting go. "Then you are most welcome in my home above all others."
Amuamunet stood on unsteady legs, her host screaming inside to be let go. Eyes glowing in outrage, she attempted to catch Kasuf's gaze. Instead, she caught the attention of Teal'c. Seeing him stand above her, she felt a thrill of terror run through her. "Shol'va, your death will be..." she was silenced when he back handed her.
"Your time has come to an end. The reign of the false gods is over, and I will live to see every one of the Goa'uld be put to death for their crimes. Secure her in the cargo hold under armed guard." Unable to face Kasuf in his rage, he looked away when he spoke to him. "I owe you a great debt that can never be repaid, but I shall undo what I have done this very day, you have my vow of it."
"I do not understand. You are to free my daughter, how is this a debt?"
Grimacing, Teal'c turned to face the old man. "My debt is in time and blood, that can never given back. It is shame I will carry with me, one of many. I do not ask forgiveness, I can never be forgiven." Staring him directing in the eye, Teal'c forced himself rigid. "It was I who selected your daughter to host the demon that is now inside her."
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Harry sat down at the table next to Jack, holding up a card for the Colonel to see. "Recognize this?" Smirking, he tossed to Jack.
Jack picked up the card and turned it over. "It is a key card, top level if I am not mistaken. Only five people in this mountain have them, and two of them are off world at the moment. Want to let me know how you got a hold of this?" Looking up, he watched Harry with a mixture of suspicion and anger.
"Actually, that one is a forgery." Pulling out another from inside his own uniform, Harry shook it at Jack tauntingly. "This one is the real deal."
"Again, I ask, how did you get your grubby little hands on them?" Holding up his hands in defense, he sat back away from the scathing gaze aimed at him by Harry. "Sorry, bad day. The General wants me to continue my search for a replacement. So, really, how did you come across this?"
"Well, you will be thankful to know there is one less leak in the system. Just call me the little boy who stuck his finger in the dyke." At Jack's snort, Harry smiled. "There are still a few holes that need plugging, but I learned a very interesting clue from this would be grape seed. All our enemies' informants are working individually, there is no network because the NID, it seems, was smart enough not to try that twice. The leaks, when found, can be permanently sealed by crushing the individual."
"Right, which makes it harder on us because we have no fucking clue who exactly is talking and who isn't. Plus, when we do discover who is, they can't exactly tell us who else is because they literally don't know." Chewing on a straw, Jack folded his arms. "Which still doesn't explain where you got the card from."
"Well, Jack, in the understanding that the network of spies might not connected, I set up a little fishing game with the people most likely to leak information. I caught something in my net and dragged his ass in." Gesturing to the card, Harry smirked. "That belonged to the former Captain Marceill. I took him, his little card, and the information I gathered to General Hammond."
"And that is where your little card came from," Jack said with disgust. "I gotta admit, Harry, you are better at this than I gave you credit for."
"Thanks, Jack, I will take that as a compliment." Putting up his Key Card, Harry leaned forward. Glancing about them, he spoke in a low tone. "Now comes the hard part. I need your help for this one."
Eyeing the major, Jack had a bad feeling about this. When he leaned closer, he thought he smelt sulfur. Frowning, he nodded. "All right, let's hear it."
Smiling brightly, Harry, folded his hands in front of him. "Excellent. Now lets start from the beginning..."
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Stepping away from the rings, Daniel glanced about the alkesh and sighed. Of course, they would be traveling by one of these to Shankar. After all, they were mercenaries for the higher, not supplicants seeking refuge. It was a battleship and would suit their image.
Heading for the back of the ship, Daniel ignored the other two operatives. He picked a room along the central corridor at random and twisted the Falcon symbol to open the door. Inside the room was a comfortable looking bed and a large bench. He dropped his sack on the bench and sat down beside it.
Staring ahead off in to space, he let the truth of what just happen wash over him. Martouf had just ended their relationship and he killed any chance of reconciliation. He didn't understand it, usually he wasn't so quick to anger, more willing to talk things through.
Lately he had been losing control more and more. Each moment was a battle to maintain what little bit he could hold on to. There was little doubt it was a side effect of the damage to his host. Signs of that were everywhere, from phantom sensations, to random thoughts at in appropriate moments.
His thoughts so focused on the apparent handicap of his host, Daniel failed to register he wasn't alone. He jumped when a hand touched his shoulder. Glancing up to the owner, he frowned at Aldwin. "What is it?"
"This is my room, your room is across the corridor with your belongings." Aldwin tried to offer a comforting smile but failed. The thought of Jolinar being so careless that he could sneak up on him made the Tok'ra uneasy. If he didn't snap out of it soon, the entire mission could be endangered. "If you wish to discuss whatever has you so distracted, you know where I rest."
"I do, thank you." Standing, Daniel picked up his bag and headed back for the door. Crossing the hall, he turned the hawk symbol to open the door. Inside the room was similar to the other only this had a chair as well as a bench. Dropping his bag on the bench, he closed the door and headed for the bed.
Daniel quickly removed the large amount of clothes, letting them fall to the floor. When he had divested himself of the clothes, he noticed an unpleasant substance with them. Dead skin had flaked off from the tanning treatment and he was covered in it. Too exhausted to care, he simply climbed in the bed and closed his eyes.
It was a long time before sleep found him.
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Martouf sat above the tree line in the hills over looking the Chappa'ai. It being his turn on watch, he reluctantly took cover in the dense canopy of trees in hope of it being the last place anyone would look to find him. The remoteness of the location was the only thing that made him feel secure.
He had been sitting there the last two hours brooding on the loss of Jolinar yet again. This time it had been his fault they fought. The last time they had argued had been before her last mission, when Rosha was still his mate. Then he had a feeling it would be the last time he ever saw her and it had proven to be correct.
Which lead to another thought. He had known Jolinar would do whatever was possible to accomplish the mission, but to abandon and kill your own host? Some how he found it easy to believe it of the symbiot. That scared him more than anything, what kind of monsters were they turning in to so they could ensure success?
He decided then and there that after his schedule was over, he would speak with the Council about this matter. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as he thought. May be Jolinar had lied simply to hurt him as much as he had hurt her... him. That still didn't settle well with him.
He was disturbed from his thinking by the activation of the Stargate. Drawing the communicator from his bag, he pressed the button and held it to his mouth. "The Chappa'ai has been activated, prepare readiness status."
"Confirmed." The communicator deactivated.
Grabbing his staff weapon, Martouf took aim at the gate in preparation for attack. The first people through the gate had him activating the comm again. "Operatives from Abydos have come through the gate. They carry with them the Shol'va and an unidentified female."
"Confirmed, stand by."
Down below him in the gate valley, several operatives appeared from the under brush brandishing staff weapons. They intercepted the gate party and brought them to the ring site. When they had disappeared, the operatives returned to their posts in the under brush.
Martouf grew restless and activated his comm again. "What is the status of the visitors?"
"Friendly. Full report when you return from sentry duty."
"Wonderful." Replacing the comm back in his belt, Martouf turned back to watching the world around him for any signs of Goa'uld activity.
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Teal'c held Amuamunet by the throat, choking her in to silence as Anise ran a scan over the host's body. He took great pleasure in chocking the bitch, despite the fact it was also Daniel Jackson's wife. She would have to forgive him after they had removed the Goa'uld within. Then he would return her to her people and restore some of his lost honor.
Anise raised an eyebrow at the results of the tests. "Apparently they are correct, she is with child, a single month along. I should have no trouble in terminating it and restoring her to full health." Putting down the scanning device, she faced Teal'c. "However, removal of the parasite will take considerable more time and effort. We are looking at several days of work."
"Do whatever is necessary to remove it from her. The greater the pain for the Goa'uld, the greater my satisfaction." Squeezing tighter, Teal'c stood over the wilting form of Amuamunet. "You took great pleasure in torturing my family, my wife. Now it is I who has the chance to return the favor. You have no idea how much pleasure I derive from knowing my face is the last thing you shall ever see." With a roar of anger, he back handed her with all his strength.
Amuamunet fell to the floor from his grip and in to oblivion.
Sneering at the figure, Teal'c raised his head and turned away. "Make it painful."
Smirking, Anise gestured for the guards to lift the host and place her on the crystal operating table. "Gladly."
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"That's right, General Hammond is planning a coup on the president using alien technology." Major Freemont growled at the phone as his contact started laughing. "I know what I am talking about. I overheard them talking about it... Hello? Hello? Senator Kinsey?" Looking at the dead phone, he frowned. "Well to hell with you."
"Actually, I was kinda thinking that was more your place." Standing in the doorway of the Major's home office, Jack held a gun casually aimed at the man's head. "You know, I had the damnedest of times figuring out whether you were a genius spy or just a hapless officer. Turns out I was right and wrong. You were a spy, but you were stupid too. It makes one wonder just how you climbed so high in the ranks before someone realized it wasn't an act."
Smirking at the Colonel, the Major sat back in his chair and folded his arms behind him, pressing a button in the head rest. "You didn't think you could come in to my home, attack me, and get away with it, did you? Who's the stupid one now?"
Shaking his head, Jack lowered his gun. Cocking his head, he holstered the weapon. "You really are that stupid aren't you."
"Yeah, I guess I am."
Jack turned around and ran for the nearest window. He slammed through the glass before the entire house exploded in a fire so hot it melted the glass still left in the sill. Jack hit the ground and threw his arms over his head as the fire ball shot over him. It took two minutes for the last of the shock waves to pass so he could crawl away.
After twenty feet of crawling, he stood up and made a run for it. Another explosion destroyed what was left of the house's super structure causing it fly away in pieces. Jack was hit in the back with a flying piece of flaming shingle. He quickly shrugged out of the jacket and stomped it out.
Figuring he was pretty much clear of the blast radius, Jack looked up to face the crater that had been the house. A fifty foot tall flame continued to shoot up in the sky from the remains of the basement. Whistling, Jack glanced down at his jacket. "That's one hell of a way to avoid facing charges."
Sighing, he bent down and grabbed his jacket to retrieve the cell phone. By some miracle, it survived the excitement up to now. Pulling it out, he flipped it open and pressed the speed dial. "Yeah, it's me. He had the entire place rigged to go. There is no way he got out, I barely made it. Yeah, I'll wait for the police, but you had better move quickly on the others before it happens again." Closing the phone, he glanced about. In the distance he could hear the police. "Oh yeah, they're gonna love me."
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Martouf stood at the back of the Council chamber listening to Anise make another report on yet another her successes. This one held his attention because of the nature of it. Today another Goa'uld queen had died in the war between the Tok'ra and their genetic cousins. This would strike another major blow to their numbers and send them running scared.
However, this also made them even more paranoid. Glancing about the numbers of his brothers and sisters, he tried to identify Jolinar. Those that were not gathered in the large chamber were either on guard duty listening to the Council or were off world and would get a summary upon their next report in. When he didn't see Daniel any where he began to grow concerned.
It was a little early for his mate to be scheduled for guard duty. Once again he scanned the chamber trying to locate Jolinar. Again his efforts turned up nothing. He started to become upset and moved in closer to the Council.
Anise stood in front of the Council, her composure completely self satisfied. Hands clasped behind her back, she smiled down upon them benevolently. "Without his queen, Apophis has no chance of rebuilding his armies. Without the harsesis she was brooding, any chance of producing a strong enough heir to reclaim his empire is lost."
"A harsesis?" Perseus leaned forward in interest. "I was unaware the host was with child."
Anise's smile turned in to a calm, calculating stare she wore whenever in thought. "She isn't. I terminated the pregnancy before the surgery."
"Why would you do that? The child could have been an asset to our knowledge of the Goa'uld!" Uriel glared at the host of her enemy. Having spent her entire life time dealing with the symbiot, she had grown to hate her with a burning passion.
"The fetus was worthless. It had no strategic or physical value. It harmed the host's chances of making any sort of recovery and interfered with the surgery. Aside from some form of moral code, there was no reason to save it, thus I terminated its existence." Crossing her arms over her chest, Anise stared the Councilor down. "Do not presume to pass judgement over me, yet again you over step the bounds of your rank. It was my decision to follow the host's will, and to Tarterus with any who think other wise."
"Enough!" Garshaw glared at Uriel to silence the old woman. "You have said your peace, now you will hear our ruling. The host wished the pregnancy aborted, we obliged, end of discussion. Now we must wait and see the ramifications of the death of Amuamunet. Are there any points of discussion to be brought before the Council?"
Martouf stepped forward, hand raised to get her attention. "I have a question. Where is Jolinar?"
A hush ran through the gathered members.
Watching Garshaw for any response, Martouf made his way carefully through the Tok'ra towards the front of the chamber. When she did not respond, he lowered his hand and came to a stop in front of them. "I have asked a question. Where is my mate?"
Sharing a glance with the other members of the Council, Garshaw nodded. "I am afraid we can not disclose the specifics, just know that he is on a mission of great importance."
Lantash took control and stepped forward, eyes glowing and voice resonating. "What have you done?"
"It is really more a matter of what you have." Joren met Lantash's glare with one of his own. "I am not a fool, anyone with ears heard your fight."
"What goes on between Jolinar and myself is none of your concern." Banging a fist to his breast, he took a threatening step towards the Council. "Now I want, no, demand to know why I was not told of her leaving!"
"Rosha is dead," Anise almost whispered. "Jolinar has a new host. He is male."
"I know this!" Feeling his rage slip away, Lantash gave control back to Martouf. "I know he is male. It is my problem to accept this, however, I am still Jolinar's mate."
"Are you really?" Garshaw came to stand in front of Martouf and took his hand. "Perhaps it is time you faced the truth of the matter. Rosha is gone, Jolinar has a new host. You must take the time to know this host if you are to have any future together."
"How am I supposed to do that if he is across the galaxy?"
"You know Jolinar already. What you do not know is who he was before he became your mate. To do that, you must ask the people who knew him simply as Dr. Jackson."
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The Stargate exploded in to life as the seventh chevron locked in to place. Stepping up to greet the new comers, Kasuf held the earth healer's hand in comfort. Having eyes only for the portal, his world exploded in joy at the sight of his daughter coming back to him. "Sha're!"
"Father!" Rushing forward, Sha're threw her arms around Kasuf's neck and held him tight. Squeezing until she could feel him gasp for breath, she refused to let go. "It is gone, Father, they have killed the demon!"
"Ah, mana, we are blessed!" Continuing to hold her close, he faced the men who came through the gate, coming to rest upon the servant of the oppressors. "You have my eternal blessings. What is mine is now yours!"
Teal'c inclined his head, a pleased expression on his face. "I have done what I have said, your gratitude is all I ask."
"Then you shall have it. Come!" Looking about him to all the people gathered about. "Come, all of you! Come! Tonight we celebrate the return of my honored son and honored daughter!"
Sha're froze. "Danyer?" Glancing about her father, she tried to catch sight of her husband. "Where is he, father?"
The smile fell from Kasuf's face and he refused to let her go. "Your honored husband is with the gods, my child. We celebrate his return tonight and mourn his passing tomorrow."
The life seemed to drain from her eyes as she nodded her acceptance. "Tonight we celebrate my husband."
"Come, my daughter, come, we go home!" Some of his cheer returning, Kasuf guided Sha're towards the entrance of the pyramid.
Standing at the back of the procession, Martouf watched from beneath his sand hood.
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General Hammond, Jack, Harry, and Captain Carter sat around the briefing room table. In front of each of them sat a report in a black binder. Folding his hands over the report, Hammond stared straight ahead. He sighed before speaking. "Tell me again, how many did we get?"
"Fifteen confirmed, sir. Of those, only two came without a fight. Of those that fought, only one was taken alive. The rest either committed suicide or took a fatal hit. There may be more, but they were either too smart to fall for our tricks or they are deeper in than we thought." Jack folded his arms and crossed is legs. "Sir."
"There are none deeper than us, Colonel. This is it, we are the command staff." Harry smirked at his friend's scowl. "Just thought I would point that out. So unless you are whispering secrets in the ear of some spy, we don't have any more to worry about."
"Is there something wrong, Captain?" Hammond caught her vacant stare and snapped his fingers to get her attention.
"Sorry, sir." Smiling sheepishly, Sam gently eased her arms down on the rests. "It's just, I can't believe, it, Sargent Silar being on the take for the NID."
"Actually, Captain," Harry flipped through his folder and smiled. "He was being black mailed. They had videos of him in bed with Lieutenant Howser. The very male Lieutenant Howser."
"I just can't believe he would do something like this. I trusted him, he was my second in command for god's sake!" Turning her attention to Hammond, she tried to express her shock. "Why did he build the Ash'rak one of the Pass Pens? He knows as much as any of us the damage it could cause."
George gave her a paternal look of understanding. This was hard on all of them, many people they had trusted were now either dead or sitting on a probably death row sentence for their crimes. "From what I understand, he believed he had no choice and thus capitulated to their demands. That it was one of his own people who as black mailing him made it that much harder for him to resist. It doesn't make what he did any better, but understandable."
"But to willfully sabotage base security by purposely cutting the power supply? No, sir, that doesn't make sense. I know he admitted to doing it, but I don't buy it. Where is Lieutenant Howser in all of this?" Giving in to her rage, she slammed her hands down on the table and instantly regretted it from the burns.
Smiling sassily at her, Harry tapped his report. "Page thirty-six. He was one of the suicides. Seems he's been working with the NID for quite some time."
"Fine!" She turned her interrogation on Harry, using all of her size and stature to appear bigger, meaner. "Then who damaged the scanning equipment we would have used to find the Ash'rak?"
"Pages eleven and twelve. Members of SG-3, including Colonel Makepeace. That really wasn't much of a surprise, the man has always been easily influenced." Sitting back, Harry cocked his jaw. He started to rock his chair. "I thought about using him for my own recon through the gate, legally mind you, but I realized if I could get him to agree easily, so could someone else."
Releasing a deep breath through his clenched jaw, Hammond nodded. "Very well, people. We'll pick this up tomorrow, we've had a very long day. In the mean time I suggest you stay on base to get some rest, just in case. Dismissed!" Standing up from his chair, Hammond marched to his office and forcefully closed the door.
"Ouch!" Jack watched the old man go before standing up too. "Carter, do you need a ride back to your room?"
"No, sir, I have help already. If you will alert Major Castleman, he should be just outside the door." She refused to look at either him or Harry.
Deciding it was a lost cause tonight, Jack walked to the door knowing the other man was behind him. He threw it open and smiled at the major. "She's all yours, son. Take good care of her or else it'll be your ass." Patting the major on the back, he walked out.
Harry smiled at the Major before following Jack. They walked in silence towards' Harry's office keeping a wary eye out. Once inside, Harry shut the door and locked it. "Well, Colonel, it seems you got some use out of your special ops training today."
"Yeah, I did. And you know what, it felt good." Throwing himself in Harry's chair, Jack kicked his feet up on the man's desk. "I gotta hand it to you, that was some pretty spectacular detective work you did today. The NID sure is limping on this one."
"Actually, Jack, I didn't wound them, I crippled their entire network." Tossing the briefing report on his desk, Harry started to undo his tie. "Those bastards thought they could out do me, go over my head and try to get direct access to technology I was ready to give them. You don't fuck with Harry Maybourne, it isn't healthy for your life style." Walking over to his cabinet, Harry threw it open and grabbed a body of whiskey.
"So you know who their operatives were all along?" Holding up his hand, Jack waved it for a drink.
"Of course I knew, even before I agreed to come up here to install those scanners. I just didn't have any evidence. Do you know how hard it is to get your hands on incriminating evidence when the organization doesn't network its spies?" Shaking his head, Harry tossed back a drink before he got out the glasses. "I swear, things were easier back when the NID was stupid from lack of competent opponents. But when you came in, they started learning fast." He frowned. "Too fast for someone like me to survive in their waters."
"Is that why you came over to our side? Freer waters?" Jack accepted the glass as Harry brought it over.
"Nope. There were much bigger fish here than there are over in my little pond. Thankfully I always carry dynamite when I go fishing." Harry moved to sit down on his desk to face Jack. Sniffing at his drink, he shook his head. "Believe it or not, you and I were always on the same side, Jack. We just had different meanings of the words 'within reason' I came here because I honestly believe in the command staff as it is right now. To change that would be a travesty in the face of everything we stood for. There is a very good reason people like me operate in the dark."
"Because the light hurts your eyes?" Jack chuckled at his own joke and held up his glass for seconds.
"No, smart ass." Shaking his head, Harry reached out and poured Jack another glass full. "It's because people have to have hope. That good will triumph over evil, that you will beat the bad guys without compromising who you are. History doesn't like gray areas, it makes people confused, and confusion leads to a break down in everything we know and love. You fight for truth, justice, and the American way, and I make sure you get to keep up that fight."
Jack blinked at him feeling a little drunken by now. "So, what, you're my guardian Angel?"
Grinning, Harry shook his head no. "More like your guardian devil. You're too mean for an angel." He was about to laugh when the phone rang. Sighing, he picked up the hand set. "Maybourne. Well hello Senator, how are you today?"
Jack watched as the good humor faded from Harry's face and sat up.
"Un huh, well you take care and tell your wife hello for me. Good bye." Hanging up, Harry drank the rest of his glass and slammed it on the desk. "Well, Jack, it looks like word of our recent exploits has reached some very powerful people in Washington."
"And what did Kinsey have to say?"
"Oh, that wasn't Kinsey, that was Senator Montrose. He called to congratulate me on my new posting."
"What posting?"
"Apparently I've been reassigned... to the SGC, permanently."
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Daniel sighed in displeasure at having his hair jerked as it was woven in to ornate weaves. Strands of gold and silver found themselves knotted in hot comb formed curls. Soon he had a dozen braids formed of sandy brown hair and precious metals, tipped in gold. From the tips drooped tear shaped opals.
A strip of silk bordered with gold and pearl weaving was draped over his hairline and tied in the back. Next, Aldwin grabbed a white cloth bordered in blue fringe. Holding it down over his hair, Aldwin wrapped it around Daniel's head in tight circles until the last of the cloth was tucked into the wrap and the end left to hang out the back like a tail.
Dark touches of facial paints were added to enhance his lips, skin, and eyes. Along his hands the specialized Henna Tattoos had dried and been peeled to reveal the stains underneath. More bands of the intricate designs were around his ankles and down his feet.
Next came the jewelry. Around Daniel's neck, Aldwin draped several chains of gold and precious stones. Opal tear drops suspended by gold chains hung from his ears. Gold bands adorned his upper arms and around his wrist were two more. A silver anklet with tiny bells hung over his left foot and a silk cord was tied around his left upper shin. On the cord hung a tiny elephant made of carved ivory.
The sash around his waist held the design of his house and proclaimed him the heir. His bone handled, gold inlaid dagger hung on one hip as the only mortal weapon. A Zat-nic-atel was on his opposite hip and a ribbon weapon wound around his left hand and wrist. Shoulders squared, Daniel stood from the bench and exited Aldwin's rooms.
His bare feet slapped against the cold floors of the Alkesh bringing him to the ring room. Entering from the control room, Malek caught his attention. "Have we been announced?"
"Yes, and we are being tentatively welcomed." Malek was covered from head to toe in black silk clothes, leaving only his eyes, feet, and finger tips exposed. "Nirrti demands we transport down immediately so she may see you for herself."
"Naturally." Daniel gestured for Aldwin to come closer so they would be in range of the rings. The other Tok'ra had taken to being uneasy around him upon learning what their rolls would be in this mission.
Swallowing and blinking, Aldwin stepped close and held up a hand for Daniel to take. He was clothed in a white robe that was held in place by a belt over a loin cloth and little else.
Taking the reluctant man's hand, Daniel stroked Aldwin's fingers with his thumb to calm him. "Activate the rings."
Aldwin pressed a jewel on the only piece of adornment he was wearing, his control bracelet. He swallowed again as the rings came up and dissolved them.
When they reappeared, it was in the center of a marble palace surrounded by Jaffa aiming staff weapons at them. Behind them upon a throne carved to look like reaching hands, Nirrti studied the new comers. Standing up, she slunk her way down, accepting the hands of her two lovers and guided to the edge of her Jaffa circle. Cocking her head to the side, she smiled at the three men.
Aldwin shifted uncomfortably as she studied him intently.
"He is most... pretty." Coming closer, she raised her unadorned hand and stroked his face. "Very nice."
"He is mine." Voice deep and growling, Daniel tugged Aldwin from her grasp, forcing her to face him. "It is me you are looking for."
Nodding, Nirrti pursed her lips. "How do I know you are he?"
Smiling, Daniel held up his hand, palm down. Turning it over, he closed it and opened it twice. He then flattened it, thump side up and brought it leveled against his chest.
Nirrti mimicked the gestures. Pulling her hand from against her chest, she raised it in front of her face and folded the ring and index fingers.
Daniel raised his hand to in front of his face and folded the middle, pinky, and thumb. "Khumas."
"Khumas, Kree." Smiling, Nirrti held up both her hands, palm up. "Welcome, Jolinar."
Daniel stepped forward and clasped their wrists together. Smiling, he gently squeezed her arms. "Thank you, Mother."
THE END..................