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(Thank you for the reviews. Sorry this took so long.)

Part 11, The Kiron Connection

Sam noticed the completely look of shock on her father. "Cordesh wanted to rule her, and in the process, rule any offspring she created. He never planned on the Tok'ra finding out about her."

Jacob looked to her. "You knew?"

"He told me, but I didn't know if he was lying or not." She looked to Iasis. "What is Delek going to do with her?"

He's not going to want Sam to take care of her, Selmak thought.

It won't be his choice alone. The last I checked, you are also on the council.

Yes, and while my influence had diminished, his has grown stronger.

Jacob sighed. "I don't know what's going to happen. Right now her safety is a priority. The council will have to figure out who takes care of her."

Sam shook her head and turned away.

"I have to talk to Delek." He walked away.

Sam watched Daniel approach the tank. "Wow," he said. "Egeria's... Wow."

"My thoughts exactly," Kilso replied. "I couldn't believe it. I kept scanning her, thinking I made a mistake, but...I didn't." He smiled. "Someone is going to have to tell Malek he's not the youngest anymore."

"I don't think he'll mind," Sam replied. "By the way, where is Malek?" The answer quickly came from Kela'an. "He's a zartarc?!"

"So is Aldwin," Lantash informed.

Sam gave of look of horror and disgust. "When did this happen?" Again, she was quickly told by Kela'an. She shook her head. "They are alive, at least, right?"

"They are alive." Kilso nodded. "Angry, upset...but alive. So far they are the only zartarcs we found. "I've been trying to figure out how to get rid of the program. If I can, they'll be fine."

"I wouldn't say fine," Lantash argued. He shook his head, then noticed Delek and Selmak coming in.

Delek looked to the tank. "Are you certain of who she is?"

"I am," Kilso replied as he stepped closer.

"Run another scan and figure out all you can about her. Make sure she's not a zartarc." He ignored Iasis as she squeaked confusion. "Have Kela'an contact the rest of the council." He looked around. "Where is Kela'an?" With all the Tok'ra in the room, he didn't notice Sam was blended.

"Drack was killed," Lantash informed as he put hand on Sam's arm. "Samantha is Kela'an's host now."

Delek showed his surprise, but he didn't say anything. "I'll have someone else send for them then." Not noticing that Iasis was trying to get his attention, he walked away.

Knowing what Iasis wanted, Sam went to pet Iasis while Kilso began running more scans on the larvae. Sam found herself hoping he wasn't the only one working on Malek and Aldwin. "Can I see Malek and Aldwin?"

"Yes," Jacob replied.

"Is that a good idea?" Jack asked. "What if she activates them?"

"They need to be alone with their targets." He gestured to Sam. She and the others followed. Jacob continued, "From what we've seen, the program has sort of a starter stage. It gets ready to activate and the victim starts subconsciously wringing their hands."

They arrived at the holding area. "It might be best to approach alone." Lantash said. "Jacob and I realized we both set off the starter stage." He noticed the worry Jack held. "She'll be safe."

Sam found Aldwin and Malek in the same brig together. Guards were just outside, though out of view. She approached the forcefield.

"Samantha," Malek said as he stood. He smiled. "You're safe." He started rubbing his hands.

Sam noticed Aldwin doing the same thing, and she wondered why.

Odd. I didn't activate them before, Kela'an thought.

Malek approached the forcefield, and it was then that he noticed the new sense. "You blended." He looked sad. "Who?"

"Kela'an."

Malek looked down, and it was then that he noticed his hands. He stopped them and looked to Sam.

"It seems I activate you," Sam said. She glanced to Aldwin. "I should go." She worried what her presence would do to them.

"We are glad you are safe."

"I hope you stay safe." Sam gave a small smile before leaving. She found the others and let her father know.

"Odd." He frowned. "Hmm."

"What?"

"There seems to be a pattern." Jacob looked to Martouf. "The only people who have activated the program have something to do with Kiron."

"Kiron?" Jack questioned.

"That's my planet...and my people," Martouf answered.

Jack looked to Jacob. "What do you have to do with the Kiron?"

"Selmak was married to one." Jacob frowned.

"So the program could be set to attack anyone who is Kiron," Daniel stated as he went over the information.

"Sam's not Kiron." Jack replied. "She's just married to one."

"Well, she's not, but by most older traditions when a man and woman marry, she becomes part of his culture."

"That's how it is for Gete's people," Jacob agreed. "Not Amb's people, but Malek believes that when two people marry, they becomes part of each other's culture."

"So, if both of them think that, even subconsciously, it could be enough for the program to include Sam and Selmak," Daniel concluded.

Martouf didn't like where this was going, and he frowned. "The only one with a reason to attack my people would be Bastet, but she didn't know any Kiron were still alive until after Tur was killed. She couldn't have been the one who made the program."

"There is someone else to question," Jacob said before leaving.

Jack looked to Martouf. "Maybe you should warn your people."

Martouf glanced down. "There is no one else to warn." He saw Jack frown. "Bastet massacred my people when our naquadah mines ran dry. Four of us survived, thanks to the Tok'ra, but the other three are gone now."

Jack's frown worried, and he found himself wishing he hadn't said anything. "I'm sorry."

"Your not last anymore," Sam said, and then she realized she shouldn't have said that in front of the others. She hadn't wanted to tell them that way. However, Martouf's smile made it worth it. Sam looked to the others, who looked confused. "I'm pregnant."

Daniel smiled. "Congratulations." He hugged Sam.

Teal'c gave a hint of a smile. "The child will be strong."

Jack was surprised. "Is that why you become a Tok'ra?"

"No, sir." She sighed softly. "Drack wasn't the only one injured by a Death Glider. I was just luckier than him."

Jack felt concern then. He didn't realize she had been burned. "Are you all right now?"

"Yes, sir. I'm fine." She glanced down the hallway her father left. "I need to tell my dad about his new granddaughter before he finds out from someone else."

"What is he doing?" Daniel asked.

"I am not entirely sure," Martouf answered, "but I'm guessing I really wouldn't want to be Cordesh right now."

He was right in guessing where Jacob had headed off to. Jacob entered the room where Cordesh was being questioned. Selmak took over and moved in front of the zatarc machine, practically shoving Korra aside. "Cordesh."

"What do you want?" Cordesh asked, annoyed.

"Have you ever programed anyone to be a zartarc?"

Cordesh cursed.

"Answer the question. Did you ever program anyone to be a zatarc?"

"Yes."

"Did you program Aldwin?"

"Yes." He figured there was no point in lying.

"Why?" Selmak demanded.

Cordesh was quiet.

"Answer me, now."

"Tur began suspecting me. I had the program made with instructions to have it activate whenever it was alone with a Kiron. I figured that would eliminate Tur and anyone who might be suspicious as to why he was killed."

"How do we destroy the program?"

"You cannot destroy it."

"Can it be destroyed?"

"It can only destroy itself...and it will only do so after every Kiron has been killed." Cordesh grinned. "Have fun."

Selmak sighed. At least now she knew why Tur was killed. She wished he had said something to her about his suspicions. She looked to Korra. "Have you figured out why he is alive?"

"Not yet," Korra answered as he looked behind Selmak.

Someone had come in. Selmak looked over to see Garshaw and Delek.

"Going to try to have me killed again?" Cordesh asked as he looked to Garshaw. "You aren't very good at it."

Garshaw stepped closer and looked to Selmak. "I have an idea of how he survived."

"How?"

"Vorran and Shorvek were the two Tok'ra whom I ordered to execute him." She looked to Cordesh. "I'm guessing Shorvek helped him to escape."

Cordesh smiled.

"How did you get him to help you?"

"Shorvek was weak. A short time in the sarcophagus was enough to make him controllable...rude and arrogant as well, but controllable."

"You used his addiction to the sarcophagus against him."

"I demanded his help, so he shot Vorran and left. I decided it was a good time to switch hosts..." He gestured down himself. "...clearly."

"What did you do to Shorvek?"

"I did nothing to him. He allowed his host to weaken him. When they realized what I had done, they couldn't live with themselves. A few days later I found them at the bottom of a cavern...not exactly how I'd chose to die." He gave a slight shrug. "I destroyed their bodies along with their little confessional note."

Garshaw was quiet several minutes. Finally, she turned to Delek. "Removed him from his host, and this time, make sure he doesn't escape."

"He should be further questioned."

"We learned what we needed to know. For the rest, we'll hope we can get from the host."

"Lordon may not-"

"He is suffering!" Garshaw's eyes flared. "This is not for debate. Make sure he is removed now." She walked away.

Figuring Delek would call in more security, Selmak chose to follow Garshaw. Delek, however, didn't quite do that. "Korra, get the security guards from the evening team."

"I believe-"

"Now!"

Korra headed out. This is a bad idea. He knew Delek asking for specific people was a way of stalling.

The faster we follow orders, the faster Lordon will be saved, his symbiote thought.

Delek moved closer to Cordesh. "Now, tell me who-" Suddenly he saw Cordesh coming at him. Delek managed to take a step back before he was knocked to the floor. Worried about his host being taken over, he scrambled away. Cordesh was quick, grabbing a piece of equipment to use as a weapon. One good hit knocked out the councilman. Then he made his way out of the room.

--

Delek woke up a headache, and given that he was surprised he woke up at all, he was thankful for the headache. He soon heard his host quietly thinking that sending away the only security guy was very stupid. I realize that, Delek thought before getting up. He saw Korra returning with security. "He escaped."

Though Korra didn't say anything, the look of anger on his expression was quite clear. He quickly began giving orders. As he watched them spread out, Delek found himself wondering how he was going to explain this to Garshaw.

To be continued...