Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG-1.
Note: Happy Easter!!
"Oh. Okay. Uh… Wow. Let me get this straight, you- you said you love him, right?" Daniel was fidgeting uncomfortably, but he finally managed to get the response out.
"Yes."
"So, uh, what is your name?" he questioned.
She smiled kindly. "I am Leenova."
"Well, Leenova… if you don't mind my asking, how did that happen?"
Leenova frowned slightly. "I do not mind, as long as you have the time to listen." She stopped and sent him a questioning look.
"Oh. Of course."
"Vallis and I come from the same planet, you see…"
Daniel interrupted. "Who's Vallis?"
"Oh. Forgive me. Vallis is the host of Camulus." When Daniel nodded his understanding, Leenova continued. "We were in love, and planned to be married. But then the Goa'uld came. Usually, we had some warning, but this time the Goa'uld found and murdered our guards, so they tried to hide those of us whom the Goa'uld would most likely choose to take. Our people had learned, over the years, what qualities the Goa'uld looked for when they came."
"Your people tried to hide both you and Cam- Vallis because they thought you the most beautiful of them."
"Among others, yes."
Daniel wondered why this plan had not worked. "But something went wrong?"
"Yes. You see, the space we had to hide in was very limited. There was no room for me, so Vallis chose to give me his place. But by the time he was out, there was no time left, not that I would have deserted him anyway. We finished concealing the others and waited for the Goa'uld to come. We were chosen."
Daniel sat in thought for a moment. "But why would the Goa'uld choose both of you, together? Surely they could foresee some form of side effects."
"They do not have a very high opinion of love. They did not think it would matter," Leenova replied. "Obviously, they were wrong."
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Tersis was back in control when she heard the alarm. She was furious that her host had told Daniel Jackson so much, but what could she do? Punish herself? So she got to her feet and grinned at the two soldiers guarding her door. "Well, boys, I believe that would be my ride." Their confusion at her behavior was infinitely amusing.
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Camulus, Amaterasu, Yu, Tersis, and Oshu were waiting for the gate to lock in their coordinates. Tersis seemed to have chosen the spot where she could be as far away from Camulus as possible while remaining part of the group. Camulus was wearing a smirk, as if he believed she was doing it out of fear from his threats. The smile dropped when Weir spoke and all the Goa'ulds turned to face her.
"It's unfortunate you're being recalled. I thought we were making such great progress."
Her words annoyed Camulus. "Your demands were ridiculous. We had no choice but to terminate negotiations," he spat.
"Think of it this way, Dr. Weir: At least you do not have to deal with him anymore," Tersis stated dryly.
Weir smiled slightly. "Well, give my regards to Ba'al."
The smug smile returned to Camulus' face as the wormhole opened. They all started toward it, but just before they could walk through, the gate shut off.
Tersis was the first to turn back toward the command center. The first thing she noticed was that Dr. Weir was more shocked than they were. The second was Daniel running out of command to meet them. She clasped her hands behind her back and waited for the good Dr. Jackson to join them.
Amaterasu, on the other hand, was furious. "What is the meaning of this?" she growled.
"The second message," Daniel said. "They've been recalled because the system lords have decided to test our defenses. They're sending a ship to attack Earth. It'll be here within the hour."
Soldiers rushed into the room, their guns trained on the Goa'ulds.
"We are political dignitaries. How dare you prevent us from leaving?" Camulus demanded.
If you want to play that game, fine, thought Weir. "Sending ships here to attack us is an act of war… and a foolish one at that, given what our defenses are capable of."
Oshu stepped forward. "My lord did not order such action."
"Then undo it," Daniel told him. "Tell the system lords to call the ships back."
"The decision they have made is one of desperation forced upon them by your unwillingness to help. Persuading them to change course could only be done in person," Amaterasu replied.
"With a full council vote," Oshu added.
Weir looked skeptical. "Even if I did believe you, all good faith is out the window at this point. You're our prisoners. Take them away."
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Tersis was pacing. Why? Because the system lords had been grouped and placed into holding cells, and in an act of cruelty worthy of a Goa'uld, Dr. Weir had placed Camulus and Tersis together. Camulus was sitting on a low cot, watching her in annoyance. Finally, he snapped. "I command you to sit down this instant!"
Tersis stilled and spun to face him. "You do not command me to do anything, Camulus!" she snarled.
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"So… Why are we doing this?" asked Dr. Weir. She and Daniel were watching Camulus and Tersis argue on a small screen.
"I'm hoping that if they are put together, the Goa'ulds will make it a matter of survival to separate. And they know the only way to do that is to help us," Daniel explained.
"I'm still having trouble believing this whole 'I love him' story."
"Yeah, well, even if it doesn't get one of them to help us, we might see what triggers Leenova's appearance, which could be beneficial, not to mention… cool."
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Camulus got to his feet and stalked toward Tersis. "And what are you going to do about it, Tersis?"
Tersis raised her hand as if to strike, but Camulus took hold of her wrist. "Do not- Do not touch me!" Tersis screamed, blinking rapidly, fighting against Camulus' grip. Camulus smirked. Tersis' arm slackened as her eyes flashed. She looked straight into his eyes and smiled, then whispered, "Finally."
