Here I am with another Chapter. And a request. I know that people have favourited this and put it on their story alert list...and that's wonderful, really. But I would love it if you would review. You can say anything, if you like the story, give me constructive criticism, suggestions, talk about the weather the weather...whatever. But I would love for you to review. Please.
Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate.
Chapter Three
"What?" Daniel asked, stunned.
"A Goa'uld," Sam repeated. "I can sense it. She has a symbiote in her."
Jack looked at the girl, who was no longer looking confused. Instead, she gazed at Sam curiously.
"You were once a host?" She asked, sounding intrigued.
"Yeah," Sam tightened her grip on he gun. "And I don't recognise you as being Tok'ra, so unless you can prove otherwise..."
"I am not Tok'ra," the girl said, carefully putting the tray down on a table by the door. "But I am not a Goa'uld either."
"Than what are you?" Jack demanded.
The girl hesitated. "I'm not sure," she admitted.
"Are we talking to the host?" Daniel asked.
"Yes," the girl nodded.
"How can we be sure?" Sam asked, keeping her gun trained on the girl.
"You can't," she said. "But how many Goa'uld do you know would save your life without asking for anything in return?"
"You're not?" Daniel asked, crossing his arms.
"No," she replied. "In fact, I want to help you find your Jaffa friend, if your prejudices can be put aside."
"We haven't had the best experiences with the Goa'uld," Jack told her. "So forgive us if we have some misgivings."
"I am not a Goa'uld!" The girl's eyes glowed golden, and her voice suddenly changed to the deep tone of a Goa'uld's. "Not anymore."
"What does that mean?" Sam demanded.
The girl shut her eyes, and shook her head. She looked up at them, and spoke, her voice normal and human again.
"If you'll lower your weapon," she said. "I'll explain,." Seeing no movement, she raised her hands above her head. "Please."
"Jack," Daniel started.
"Daniel," Jack countered.
"We could hear what she has to say."
"She's a Goa'uld, Daniel."
"She did save Sam's life."
Jack glanced at the Major, thinking about what he would have done had she died. He sighed.
"Ok," he said. "Carter."
"But, sir-"
"Give me the gun, Carter."
Scowling, Sam handed the weapon over. She glared suspiciously at the girl, who looked visibly relieved.
"Ok," she said. "Come into the kitchen. This way."
She beckoned for them to follow, and Daniel glanced at the other two before complying. Sam turned to Jack.
"What if she's lying?" She asked.
"We have to take that chance," he replied. "Daniel's right, she doesn't exactly fit the mold, does she?"
"Right," Sam still didn't look convinced. Jack smiled slightly.
"She tries anything, I shoot her," he said. "Feel better? Now, go."
"Yes, sir," Sam walked through the door, into the kitchen beyond. She sat down next to Daniel, but Jack stayed standing, regarding the host girl suspiciously. She was leaning against the counter, and seemed to be wondering where to start. Jack, being the helpful man he was, decided for her.
"Ok," he said. "Who the hell are you?"
"My name Kara Watson," she answered. "The symbiote is called Artemis."
"Greek mythology," Daniel commented. "She was the daughter of Zeus and Leto."
"Wow," Jack said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He looked at Kara. "Can we hurry up? Teal'c is still out there."
"The creature won't hurt him," said Kara softly.
"What?" Sam asked.
"I believe it took him for a reason," she said. "And it will need him unharmed for whatever that reason is."
Jack and Sam glanced at each other. Daniel's mouth tightened. When nobody spoke, Kara sighed and continued.
"Artemis used to be a Goa'uld System Lord," she said. "For many, many years she was like any system lord, enslaving and killing, and her host was forced to watch. But she was getting old, and one day something happened. They were on yet another enslaved planet, and the people had tried to rebel. It didn't work, and most of the rebels were killed. One of them was brought before Artemis, but when the host saw her, she begged her to spare her."
"Did she?" Daniel asked.
"No," Kara shook her head. "No, but she did hesitate. And there was something in the girl's eyes, something that reminded the host of who she used to be. And she started to remember her life before she'd been possessed by the Goa'uld. The Goa'uld saw these memories, and it started to...to change," she paused. "Less people were dying, less planets were being taken over. The other System Lords saw this as a weakness, and started taking over her planets. The host managed to convince the Goa'uld to flee to a backwater planet. A place that hadn't been occupied by the Goa'uld for thousands of years, where the people had rebelled against them-"
"Earth," Daniel interrupted.
"Yes," Kara nodded. "There, they started to share the host's body, like a Tok'ra. But neither were willing to go seek the Tok'ra out, so they remained in hiding on the planet for a long time."
"I'm assuming you're not that host," Jack said. Kara nodded.
"I'm from Earth," she explained quickly. "The United States actually. I was 17 when I left. I was 19 when I became the host."
"That's a good story," Jack said. "If it's true."
"It is," Kara insisted.
"There's no way we can tell," Sam said. "For all we know, it's not even the host talking."
"I understand that," Kara said, a little wearily. "That's why I don't tend to reveal to people what I really am. But, for what it's worth, I promise, all I want to do is help these people." She gestured vaguely in the direction of the door.
"Speaking of which," Daniel interjected. "What is this creature?"
"I'm not sure," Kara said slowly. "I have a drawing of what it looks like, in my room. I can go get it if you like."
Jack nodded. Kara hurried into the other room, leaving them alone.
"So," Jack moved forward and sat down next to Sam. "What do you think?"
"There's not really much reason for her to lie to us," Daniel said.
"Except for the fact that she's a Goa'uld," Sam added.
"Well, yes," Daniel leaned forward. "But she hasn't acted at all like any Goa'uld we've met. She healed Sam without asking for anything in return, and she gave us information." He shrugged. "I don't know, she just doesn't seem very…Goa'uldish."
"Yes, but should we trust her?" Jack asked.
"At least give her the benefit of the doubt?" Daniel asked, a note of pleading in his voice.
"What do you think, Carter?" Jack asked. Sam hesitated.
"We shouldn't trust her," she said finally. "But Daniel's right, she seems different. Maybe giving her the benefit of the doubt isn't that bad an idea."
"Plus, she can help us find Teal'c," Daniel said, knowing this would sell the Colonel.
Jack nodded. "Ok," he said. "But one wrong move…" he held up his gun, raising his eyebrows.
"Here," Kara interrupted them, walking in holding an open notebook. She laid it down on the table, and the three members of SG-1 leaned forward to look. On the paper was a drawing of a Sasquatch like creature, standing on its hind legs and roaring. Behind it was what looked like a cave, and Jack winced slightly as he saw the teeth and claws. Subconsciously, Sam put a hand to her side, as if remembering those claws digging in to the skin. Daniel looked up.
"What is it?" He asked, his voice quiet.
"I'm not sure," Kara hesitated. "I came here a few months ago, and the people were being terrorized by it. At first, it was just the smaller villages, but then it found the town. It steals animals, food, sometimes it kills someone. I offered to help track it down and capture it, thinking it was just a lost wild animal. I was wrong."
"Than what is it?" Jack demanded.
"It's a Goa'uld," Kara stated calmly.
"What?" Sam asked, stupefied. "How?"
"I don't know how," Kara replied. "But that's why it took Teal'c. It thinks it will help it get away. That creature is a slave, like thousands of others. It's probably not even from this planet."
"So it wants Teal'c because he's a Jaffa?" Jack asked, glancing a Daniel. "It thinks he will help it?"
"Yes," Kara confirmed. "That's why he's not in any danger." She looked around at them. "Why?"
"What happens if he doesn't help?" Sam asked.
"It's a Goa'uld," Kara said. "What do you think will happen?"
That's the end of the chapter! I hope you enjoyed it!