TITLE: The Fall of Setona
AUTHOR: Roeskva and Tjalfe
CATEGORY: Drama
SUMMARY: When the Tok'ra learn that the Goa'uld Nephthys wishes to subjugate a planet that has been free of the Goa'uld for centuries, they decide to intervene.
PAIRING: Rosha/Jolinar/Martouf/Lantash
CHARACTERS: Malek, Martouf/Lantash, Rosha/Jolinar, Zarin, Thoran, OCs, others
AUTHORS NOTES: * denotes thoughts or symbiote/host communication. Pre-series. Takes place about 25 years before 'The Tok'ra I & II'. In my story the Jaffa can not sense symbiotes (as in the first seasons of SG-1). It never made sense to me that they could in later episodes, since they do not have naquadah in their blood and do not communicate with their symbiotes.
This fic is also a sequel/companion piece to "Early Beginnings" and "Undercover – the Life of a Tok'ra Operative".
This is a repost from Symbiotica (see link in profile), though some parts will be rewritten or cut to lower the rating from NC-17 to PG-13.
A Tok'ra base planet.
Malek, Lantash, Thoran, and Zarin were attending a briefing which was being conducted by Kanan. They were being sent on a mission to the planet Setona, and Kanan had recently returned from an undercover mission to Nephthys's courts with some very relevant and disturbing information.
"...so, as I said, Nephthys has been building her forces for a long time now. She is almost ready, and we believe she will attack within a month." Kanan said. "She is targeting a small group of isolated planets which used to be part of Anubis's empire. They are far from the main Goa'uld sectors...devoid of easily accessible naquadah and as a result they have been ignored for centuries."
"It is unfortunate she has decided to expand her empire, and to enslave worlds which has been free for many years...but why have we been summoned here? You mentioned we were being sent to one of Anubis's former planets - why? What good can we do? What interest do the Tok'ra have in witnessing their downfall? Malek wanted to know.
"We are hoping to prevent this disaster, at least on one of the planets. While the majority of those worlds have not seen much development, one of them has. It is called 'Setona' - I believe some of you may have heard of it?"
"Yes," Thoran said. "The Tok'ra have been trading with them regularly over the centuries - I have personally been there several times. It is a pleasant world."
"I agree. I was part of a trading mission to Setona 10 years ago, when Jena had just become my host. We both enjoyed the visit. The people are friendly and the society quite advanced - they have reached level 7 on the development scale." Zarin commented.
"Do they know of the Tok'ra?" Lantash asked.
"No," Garshaw spoke up, "but a few have been told over the centuries. My former host was Setonan."
"It is just this very fact - that Setona is as highly advanced as it is - which is the reason for our interest. Their military and aircraft could very likely fight back Nephthys's forces if they were prepared for it - her might is not yet very formidable." Kanan rested his hands on the table and was quiet for a moment, observing the others as they realised what the plan was. "Your mission will be to convince them of the danger. Get them to mobilize their troops - all of them. This is a possibility we cannot let go - the chance to stop and perhaps even kill Nephthys."
Kanan handed them each a data pad. "On these you will find additional information on Setona and Nephthys...you will pose as traders from the planet Toven. It is the cover story we have used before. Attempt to meet the government directly through our contact in the Department of Commerce...Zarin, you will be in charge as you have visited the planet most recently." Kanan sat down, indicating he had finished his briefing.
Garshaw stood and looked at each of them. "You leave tomorrow morning...good luck!"
-
Next morning.
Thoran and Malek were standing near the chaapa'ai. They were waiting for Lantash and Zarin who had gone to pick up the merchandise they would pretend to sell. They would bring gemstones, beautiful jewelry, and exotic spices, as well as samples of the finest silk from Sagittarius III.
Malek looked up. The sun was already high in the sky, and the temperature was becoming unpleasant. *I hate deserts, Johan. I wonder why we always have to have our bases in deserts? There must be other uninhabited, hostile looking planets were we can hide.*
*We're not always on desert worlds...in the 15 years I have been your host, we have lived on five different planets - only four of those have been deserts.*
*I stand corrected - I had forgotten about Zartesh and the three months we managed to stay there before the toxic fumes from all the volcanoes became too much, even for Garshaw...*
Johan hugged his symbiote. *My poor Malek...I would also like to see something besides sand and rocks. I dearly hope Setona is as wonderful as they say. My home world had a temperate climate and an abundance of lakes that were just perfect for swimming - I really miss that.*
*You miss pleasant lakes to swim in? What do you think I do then? I grew up in a lake!*
"Malek..." Thoran gave him a slight nudge, "are you still with us?" he grinned, having tried to get through to him for a few minutes.
Surprised, Malek looked at him. "Sorry, Thoran. We were talking about the unfortunate choices the Tok'ra are forced to make when it comes to finding planets for our bases."
"Complaining about the deserts again, are you? Well, you are right. They are unpleasant, but they are also some of the safest planets for us. They do not look habitable, so anyone arriving here by coincidence will take one look and leave. Besides, we do not risk meeting any local inhabitants either."
Malek sighed. He should have known Thoran would focus on security and safety for the Tok'ra. He had probably been talking to the security chief, Ocker, again.
Before Malek could think of anything to answer, the chaapa'ai activated. Moments later Lantash and Zarin came through carrying the merchandise for the Setonans.
As soon as the wormhole had shut down behind them, Thoran dialed the address for the world they would gate to Setona from. They could not risk going directly.
-
The small group of Tok'ra stepped out on the planet Setona. Lantash looked around. There were only an old paved road leading away from the chaapa'ai, and some shrubbery and plants growing around it. A forest began maybe 100 feet behind them. There were no sign of activity nearby. "I thought the planet was relatively advanced? Do they not travel to other worlds?"
"The planet is fairly developed - much more so than most former Goa'uld worlds, but they do not use the chaapa'ai. It was long associated with 'the old evil gods', but nowadays it is mostly just tradition as well as a sense of unease that keeps the population away from the area, I think."
Lantash nodded, understanding. This was how matters often were on planets formerly enslaved by the Goa'uld. They slowly started walking through a beautiful landscape towards the nearest city.
"The planet seems so peaceful. It is difficult to understand that in 3-4 weeks Nephthys will be here." Malek observed.
They had reached the outskirts of the city and were now walking on neat, clean streets. On both sides of the road were rows of sturdy, pleasant looking houses in well-kept gardens. People were wearing nice clothing, and no one looked poor. This only made the Tok'ra sadder about the future awaiting these people, should their mission fail. They felt even more determined to succeed.
Zarin's host, Jena, pointed to a green sign with some sort of symbol on it. "We will make use of their public transportation system to reach the capital - Kiva - itself. We are in one of the smaller cities surrounding it. The guesthouse we usually stay at is in the northern part of the capital - not far from the governmental areas...oh, and remember, they do not know us as Tok'ra here, but believe we are humans."
The others nodded.
*Malek...what do you suppose the picture on that sign is supposed to be? It looks like a box on wheels...*
*It resembles a train...or perhaps a bus...* he showed Johan images of these things, remembering that Johan's home planet were like most of the Goa'uld occupied worlds and that he would never have seen anything like them. *...since we are currently walking down into a tunnel I presume it is a subterranean transportation system. I have seen them once before on another planet, and the Tollan also have similar transportation systems, though theirs are usually either on the surface or on rails above it.*
"How will we pay for transportation, Jena? Being as advanced as it is, I assume the planet has its own currency and do not use the bartering system many worlds do, nor simply gold, or the Goa'uld coinages?" Johan asked.
"Yes. They do have their own currency, but most public services are free, including the transportation system. At least they were when we last visited. When we reach the capital I know a place where we can trade some of the gold we brought in exchange for local currency." She went to the entrance, and seeing no indication of a place to pay, she signaled the others to follow.
They rode the subway to a station very close to their destination. While several things had changed in the city since Zarin and Jena had been there, the station was still in the same place. Zarin led the way to the Ministry of Commerce, stopping briefly at a small shop where she exchanged their gold. They hoped their contact from 10 years ago - then a junior secretary - would still be working at the Ministry.
When they arrived, Jena presented herself as Jena Zarin, representing the trading expedition from Toven - asking to speak with Mr. Kori, former or current junior secretary.
About an hour later Zarin rejoined the others. "Kori still works here, but he is now first secretary. Very fortunate for us. He remembers our visit 10 years ago favourably and has arranged rooms for us - at the same guesthouse we stayed at then. I suggest we go there now. He also promised to meet with us tomorrow afternoon."
"How much does he know?" Milek, Thoran's host wondered.
"Only that we are traders from another world. Rarely do we reveal ourselves, unless under very special circumstances. However, sometimes there will be one or two who are very interested in other worlds, or who show unusual skills making us pay special attention. Sadly, as you know we always have to look for people who might perhaps be interested in becoming a host. I wish it were not so difficult to find willing hosts!"