Jack's thoughts as he paced the width on the holding cell shifted in focus with each turn as he retraced his previous steps. One moment he assessed how quickly Hammond could convince General Anthony of the lunacy of thinking that Samantha was somehow in league with the Goa'uld. His body meeting the cold concrete wall of his cell turned as did his thoughts to Samantha, where in the Universe was she? Had B'aal taken her? What caused her to drive out into the desert? Back and forth his body and thoughts stalked the confines of the cell.
Finally the electronic door lock of the holding cell's room sounded. An SF followed by General Anthony.
The SF stepped forward and unlocked the cell's door and stepped aside to allow Jack to pass.
"Colonel O'Neill," General Anthony said, his voice leaden with agitation, "I've been ordered by Washington to release you immediately. You are to give your statement in detail of your interaction with Doctor Carter since arriving two days ago then I want you off my base. There's a transport on standby to return you to Cheyenne."
"I'm not leaving until I know what happened to Doctor Carter." Jack stated defiantly.
"The investigation into Doctor Carter's disappearance is no longer either of our concerns. An IOA representative has arrived to take over." Through the open door stepped an all too familiar visage to Jack.
"Ms Johnson here will be conducting the investigation. Your orders are to give her your statement."
Despite the apparent freedom to explore the corridors of Ashtarte's mothership, Samantha could not completely feel as ease with her surroundings. The heavy steps of patrolling Jaffa still made her jump as she turned each corner. They would pass her as if she were invisible.
She could identify the level on which Ashtarte's and her quarters were located. One level below, were a series of rooms that could be best described as laboratories. She had continued further deeper into the bowels of the ship. Returning to the level where she was certain the command center was located she hesitated at a closed door. Her hand hovered over the entry panel of the door.
During her wanderings she thought upon her conversation with Ashtarte. Although there were no demands made Samantha knew that there was something Ashtarte wanted from her. Could it only be that she wanted Samantha as a companion, an equal? Ashtarte would always know what is in her mind. She could not willingly hide her thoughts. Ashtarte had promised to always be truthful with her but how would she ever know for certain.
Her hand remained poised over the panel until the firm warmth of another pressed her hand forward activating the door. Startled, Samantha turned and found herself staring into grey-blue eyes. The man now beside her smiled gently and removed his hand from hers.
"Greetings." The stranger smiled at her and motioned toward the door. She followed the man as he strode into the large observation room. Unlike the Jaffa, this stranger did not wear heavy, metallic armor but rather close fitting leather pants and tunic. She watched as he made his way to an expansive window. Bright, streaking lights sped past the window. Samantha realized the ship was traveling through a sub-light corridor. She joined the stranger at the window.
"Beautiful." he murmured as he studied her profile.
"The particles trapped in the corridor atomize when brought in contact with the ship's force field. Each impact is a small fission reaction. I wonder how the force field compensates for the the drag co-efficient?" Samantha replied, fascinated by what she was witnessing. Finally turned to the stranger she noticed his slight upturned lips. His light eyes dancing with amusement. "Yes, it is beautiful."
"That too." he answered. "My Lady Ashtarte mentioned you are highly astute for a Tau'ri. It will be a pleasure to have such far more sublime company than the Jaffa philistines."
"You are not a Jaffa?"
"Oh no, but as all here, I am in the service of our Lady Ashtarte. I am Martouf and you are Dr Samantha Carter, Tau'ri astrophysicist extraordinaire. It is an honor to finally meet you." Martouf bowed without loosing eye contact with Samantha.
"You know...of me?"
"My Lady Ashtarte has spoken of you. Her description was quite intriguing. She said you were a most fascinating and attractive woman. As ever, she spoke only the truth."
The euphoric sensation she experienced from the sarcophagus seemed to surge back into Samantha's body as she looked into Martouf's eyes. She shook herself as if to dislodge the distraction and focus upon her thoughts.
"In her service? How exactly how do you service Ashtarte?"
Martouf paused before replying. Upon his return, having delivered the data disc with the schematics for the defensive system to her new base, Ashtarte gave him a command: "She is at her most vunerable. I must have her confidence. I want her bound to me. You must give her all the more reason to abandon her past and it must be done soon. Use all of your considerable resources to bring it about." Recalling her instructions, Martouf continued.
"In any way I am able. I was once Tok'ra."
"Tok'ra, then you have a..."
"A symbiote? Yes, Lantash."
"The Tok'ra, aren't they the enemy of the Gou'ald? Gou'ald like Astarte?"
"The Tok'ra claim to desire the downfall of the Gou'ald but the means they employ have failed. They move in shadows, refusing to confront the Gou'ald directly. I am ashamed to say that I was convinced of their motives, that is until I discovered the truth." Martouf's eyes fell away from hers, in sadness. "The High Council would sacrifice anything and anyone to preserve their own meek existence."
"The High Council?" Samantha went rigid. "Did you know a man, a Tau'ri on the Council?"
"She will lead you to what will convince her." Ashtarte's words echoed in his mind.
"You refer to Jacob of the Tau'ri?" Samantha only nodded.
"I know him. He was a welcomed addition to the Council. Well-suited to and embracing of their surreptitious conduct. He is man that keeps secrets well. Of course he is not the only Tau'ri I have met. In a way, it is because of them that I here. When I said the High Council is willing to sacrifice anyone I speak from a very intimate experience. Because of the Council and certain Tau'ri, Lantash and I lost our love, Jolinar. The Council sent her on an impossible mission and when she sought refuge with the Tau'ri, they allowed her to be murdered by an Ashrak, an assassin."
"I'm so sorry." Samantha placed a her hand on Martouf arm, feeling akin to his remorse. Martouf secured her hand with his own, stroking it gently.
"But why Ashtarte? Why join her?"
Martouf smiled at Samantha. "My Lady Ashtarte has a way of laying bare all that is hidden in a being. It was not that she brought me to her way but revealed to me the truth of my own purpose and released me from my anger towards those who used and betrayed Jolinar. With Ashtarte I will achieve what the Tok'ra refuse to do and the Tau'ri are incapable of doing and make certain that she did not die in vain."
"But aren't you betraying them, your people, by working with her?"
"Ashtarte has no designs on attacking the Tok'ra. In a way, she is one of them. Her purpose is to rid the galaxy of the Gou'ald's evil. Her methods differ but the intent is the same."
"And Earth, my planet? What are her intentions towards it?"
"So long as the Tau'ri do not interfer with her plans for Ba'al and the other Gou'ald, they have nothing to fear. Of course, should I have the opportunity to meet with the one who betrayed Jolinar to the Ashrak, I cannot promise to be so tolerant."
Taking her arm and folding it over his, Martouf turned and guided her back through the doorway and into the hall.
"Ashtarte asked that I show you to your laboratory. She tells me there is a surprise there for you."
Hesitating, Samantha stopped their progress down the hall. She needed to know.
"Who was it? The one who betrayed Jolinar?"
"His name is O'Neill. Jack O'Neill."
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