CHAPTER 11
"Is this absolutely necessary?" Eelien complained as she adjusted the thin, nearly see through red skirt provided for her. Being naked didn't bother her but wearing skimpy clothing that didn't help keep her warm annoyed her. She did like the long cape-like bit of cloth that hung from her shoulders, made her feel like a damn goddess. She also liked how Lantash had a hard time keeping his eyes to himself.
"It's all for show El." He answered lightly, his voice distorted through the golden ram mask.
She tugged at the copper chains that bound her arms which he held lazily in his metal gauntlet and grumbled. "This might be a little much, won't he find it odd that a God has to chain his misbehaved pet?"
Lantash sighed, running his gold fingers over the chain, almost seductively. Eelien couldn't see his face but she knew he was having some lewd ideas.
"Ba'al is a Goa'uld, he knows we aren't actually gods."
Right.
Tekmak marveled at the design of the ships command deck and bridge, remarking on its simplistic yet intelligent design. The Tok'ra used ships stolen from the Goa'uld and Tekmak had used the plans to upgrade the Oolan, but this ship was bigger and way more sophisticated. The implant chided Eelien for not paying closer attention to the layout last time they were on the bridge and reminded her to be more aware of her surroundings and not spend her time looking at the Tok'ra.
"Super helpful Tekmak, you always know what to say." Eelien mumbled childishly under her breath.
Lantash sat on the throne of the control bridge with Eelien sitting near his feet like the good little pet she wasn't before looking over at Rak'nor and nodded. "Connect us."
Jaffa stood guard on the outside of the doors to make sure the conference was not interrupted, specifically interrupted by Le'um who had loudly voiced his displeasure at their God only having one guard. That power hungry man was going to be a problem and Eelien wanted to just kill him and rid them of his prying eyes. Unfortunately any suspicious death on board would cause alarm among the Jaffa and they couldn't afford anyone poking around. Unless he stepped out of line in a manner that warranted Lantash having him executed then they were stuck with him. Rak'nor approached a control board and placed his hand over a large round crystal that the system lords used for long range communication. The stone remained dark for a heart beat before a humming filled the room as it rose in the air and a handsome face appeared in the center of the sphere.
Eelien knew without asking that the man looking at them was none other than Ba'al himself, it was the arrogant smile slashed across his nice face that gave it away.
"Amun, my old friend. It really has been a long time since we have spoken." Ba'al spoke slowly as he watched the masked man.
Amun tapped his gold plated finger on the arm of the throne and threw one leg over the other, taking on an equally arrogant atmosphere to match the other Goa'uld. "I may be old and my memories have blurred a bit, but I remain confident that we have never been friends."
Was he really insulting the man they needed to get them in with the System Lords? What the hell was he thinking?
Ba'al chuckled deeply and his smile spread even more, he looked more like a predatory cat than a man. "Aw, so cold." He cooed as his eyes in the crystal flicked to Eelien who still sat quietly at Lantash's feet, glaring at the cat man.
His eyes widened significantly with shock as his gaze raked over her white hair, golden glittering skin and pointed ears. "My my, the rumors are true. You have found yourself a Sourin."
When he spoke the name of her people it felt like ice water splashed over her. She felt Lantash still at the name as well, both of them shocked that a Goa'uld knew what she was.
As far as either of them knew only the Tok'ra had contact with the Sourin and since her people never traveled from their planet then they should be the only ones that knew of their existence.
Lantash cleared his throat and tried to look aloof. "Yes, my new pet is one of a kind. I was fortunate that she fell into my lap."
Eelien was still reeling from shock and almost missed her Que. Shaking her head and filing the many questions she had away, Eelien riled herself up to act like a wild animal.
"I'm not your god damn pet you slimy snake!" She yelled as she dove forward trying to yank the chains from his hand. He simply tightened his hold and yanked the chain, slamming her back against the legs of the throne.
"She sure is a lively one, Amun. You have your work cut out for you." Ba'als face took on a greedy look as he watched the pair. "Anyway, I called to invite you to a meeting with the System Lords that we will be holding in two days."
Yeah, great transition there bud.
"That's so kind of you Lord Ba'al, to invite me to a meeting of the System Lords considering I was one of its founders." His voice was cold and filled with warning.
"True. You have been absent for so long and confined to your little piece of the galaxy we stopped extending invitations. I felt like it was time to reach out and see if you would be interested in reconnecting and maybe even bring that rare specimen with you." She didn't like the way he looked at her, like she was a meal he intended to consume slowly.
"I have grown tired of the politics of the System Lords but I am interested in your new found curiosity in my pet."
Ba'als face twitched at the dismissal and he sneered. "It's a mild interest, nothing more."
"I'm sure that's all, you being a collector of rare, rare beauties and all." Lantash slapped back quickly as he grabbed Eelien around the back of her neck and hauled her into his lap. She struggled against him, kicking her legs and trying to free her arms. Lantash pulled the chain tight and painfully wrenched her arms behind her back laughing at her feeble attempts.
She struggled for a moment, Ba'al quiet as the scene unfolded, before collapsing helplessly against Lantash's chest. He didn't release the chains right away, making sure the System Lord got quite the eye full and ensured his greedy nature would override his paranoia.
Ba'al stroked the facial hair around his mouth and grinned. "I do like rare beauties." His voice was light as if he were talking to himself.
Lantash dropped his voice so only Eelien could hear him. "My little Eelien, the rare beauty." He meant it mockingly but the rumble of his chest sent vibration through her body that settled in a strangely pleasant place between her legs.
Interesting.
Slowly maneuvering her hands she reached behind her and grabbed a handful of what lay between his legs and none too gently gave it a good squeeze. Air hissed from the mouth of the mask and veins popped out of his bare neck as his body tensed against the sudden pain.
"So Amun, will you be joining us then?" Ba'al continued, unaware of the battle unfolding between Lantash and Eelien.
Rak'nor, who stood behind the dias, groaned in irritation while rolling his eyes. She liked to make things as unpleasant and uncomfortable as possible for both men. It just made her so happy.
The voice from the mask was strained. "Yes, I believe there is much to be discussed as I have heard of your little issue with the Tau'ri." Another slap in the face. "I would have thought the problem was easy for you to solve but it seems I was wrong."
"You may be one of the founding members, Amun, and that offers you some protection, but I caution you from making an enemy of me." Ba'al threatened darkly, no longer amused by the game of insults.
Apparently talking about the Tau'ri was a sore spot for him, good for O'Neill.
Eelien gave another good squeeze and enjoyed the sensation of every muscle under her clenching from the pain before deciding to slowly release her grasp. Once he was free from her hands, Lantash stood up quickly, dumping her unceremoniously on the ground and adjusted his clothing. The false god approached the floating sphere lazily as he adjusted the silk, almost bored of the entire game they played. Eelien glared at his back from her place on the floor.
"I caution you, Ba'al, to not test me. I was making my mark upon this Galaxy before you slithered from your Queen-Mother." His voice was somehow dark from beneath the mask as he walked to the orb. "I will see you at the gathering."
Rak'nor rushed forward and cut the feed on the communication device, the sphere dropped to the velvet lined box that housed it. The Prime snapped the lid on the object shut with a disgusted sneer. "I hate that man."
Rak'nor turned and glared down at Eelien who stretched across the step Lantashed had thrown her on, a pleased smile on her face.
"Are you trying to get us caught? Do you think this is a game?" He roared down at her.
She smiled up at him through slitted eyes. "Aww, you're just not fun."
Lantash turned on two and sighed. "Now's not the time, yell at her once we are back in the sleeping chamber. We need to go through the next phase of the plan."
The Jaffa didn't budge, barely controlling the urge to kick her.
"I don't want to go back to the room." She complained, still holding Rak'nors gaze. "I have been stuck there for too long."
"You can walk yourself or I'll let Rak'nor walk you. Either way that's where we are going." Apparently he didn't find her funny either.
Her eyes snapped open as she sat up looking between the two men. "You wouldn't dare." She hissed.
It was Rak'nors turn to smile down at the shimmering women, his voice dark. "Oh, it would be my pleasure to take her back."
Eelien turned and tried to scramble away, crawling on her hands and knees to put distance between them but the Jaffa was faster and stronger than his slim build suggested. Rak'nor pounced on her before she made it even a few feet and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of vegetables.
"Put me down!" She screamed angrily, pounding on his back and exposed sides. He grunted as her hand connected with the tender flesh of his ribs and stooped to grab the forgotten chains that still encircled her arms to restrain her.
"Scream all you want." He purred.
Lantash watched them, she could feel amusement ooze from the mask as she struggled against the chains and Jaffa. "You have to learn the difference between work and play."
"How does this look?" Martouf asked for the hundredth time as he spread his arms wide to show off one of the many silken robes in Amuns chests. After several hours of going over the plans for the trip to the System Lords citadel and how to access the information they needed, Lantash went to sleep while Martouf found clothing.
"What does it matter?" Eelien asked, rolled up in a blanket on the bed. She was still angry about being dumped on the floor and carried back to the private chamber.
Rak'nor also lay on the bed a foot from her watching the fashion show while eating bread and honey.
Martouf sighed and dropped his arms, pinning her with a look. "The Jaffa under Amun's rule have only ever known the Amun played by the Tok'ra. The System Lords knew the real Amun and had no contact with the Tok'ras Amun." He pulled the robe off and threw it in a chest before pulling out a deep black robe with gold thread. "I promised I would get you away from the Jaffa and Goa'uld, I plan on keeping that promise. But I need to make sure I don't blow the cover of the Tok'ra and their greatest asset as Amun."
She watched his bare back as he pulled on the new clothing. She noticed from the corner of her eye that Rak'nor too watched the half naked man forgetting about the honey dripping off his bread onto the blanket.
Interesting.
She turned back to Martouf. "So? What does clothes have to do with any of that?"
He sighed again, getting irritated at the oblivious women. "The Goa'uld are vain and flashy. They like to flaunt their wealth to others at meetings like this. I need to make sure we are both dressed for the parts we are going to play."
Once he adjusted the robe and placed a gold beaded belt around his waist and long metal necklaces he spread his arms once more. "How do I look?"
Eelien pursed her lips and gave him a good once over. "Your forehead is big." She stated simply. It was true, though his hair had grown long and curled around his chin, no amount of hair would hide his big head.
Rak'nor choked on his food, spraying bread all over the bed and floor, laughing like she had never heard him laugh before, the Jaffa rolled holding his side.
"No, Eelien I will be wearing a mask remember? I meant the clothes." Impatiens dripped from his voice.
"Clothes mean nothing to me. They serve no purpose. Just go naked, that would make a statement."
Rak'nor laughed again even harder and this time rolled off the bed, his armor making a loud noise when it connected with the floor. Matrouf looked between the two and narrowed his eyes pointing. "Why are you two getting along all of a sudden? I don't like it."
"I still hate him." She replied hastily. Martouf gave her a hard look and spread his arms again, shaking out the robe, trying to urge her to REALLY focus on his attire.
Eelien rolled her eyes and sat up on the bed to look at him again. The darker skinned man finally composed himself and sat up to rest his chin on the bed watching them. "I like your blue eyes and your butt chin, they are your best features. No! Your smile is your best feature, you should do that more."
He dropped his arms with a groan, giving up on trying to get her opinion and turned for another chest of clothes before stopping. "Wait, my butt chin?"
"She means the dimple in your chin." Rak'nor supplied blandly.
"Yes, it's cute and it looks like a butt." Pleased with herself she nodded to his 'butt' chin.
"Your absolutely no help." The Tok'ra snapped, though a smile played along his lips at the semi compliment.
"Ask Rak'nor. He served the Goa'uld, he would know better." She murmured and rolled back up in the blanket.
Martouf looked over at the Jaffa where he still leaned next to the bed. "Don't look at me, I don't know anything about clothing that isn't used for battle."
"Neither of you are helping." He walked to the bathing room and shut the door.
"Touchy." Rak'nor murmured lightly.
Eelien rolled on the bed to face him, her nose a few inches from his as she looked deep into his brown eyes. "Do you love Martouf?" She asked.
His eyes widened at the question and his breathing stilled for a brief moment as they locked eyes. "Why would you ask that?" He finally squeezed out between clenched teeth.
"When you see my body, you look away almost as if you're uninterested in looking at me."
He pondered the statement. "Maybe I don't find you attractive. Men do have preferences."
She smiled, all sharp white teeth against her gold skin. "I may not be your type but breasts are breasts and men are men."
He finally looked away from her, mindlessly picking off the bread crumbs he'd spilled over the bed and didn't reply. Eelien waited as long as she could possibly stand and poked the back of his head. "Is it forbidden to love a man where you are from? On my planet it was just as common as men and women being together. But I have found that's not the case in many places."
His back raised as he sucked in a deep breath before facing her once more. "It's not forbidden or anything but not really accepted. My people are slaves and warriors, we are expected to breed and make more slaves and warriors. I'm still expected to find a woman to have children with but I don't think I can."
"You shouldn't have to." She stated simply. "You fight to free your people and someday I know you will succeed. You have already broken the rules, you might as well find a man and be naked and happy." He smiled at her, a genuine smile at her simple logic and love of nudity.
"Maybe I will." He replied and bopped her on the nose.
She frowned suddenly then. "But not Martouf or Lantash. They are mine."
He frowned playfully, eyes still shining with amusement. "He's cute, but he's Tok'ra and soft. I want a man who can defend himself and our home." He pushed off from the side of the bed where he still knelt and stretched his back. "Are you sure he belongs to you? You're both a little… volatile towards one another, especially you and Lantash."
She rolled onto her back and kicked the blanket off angrily. "I will never admit this to anyone, so if you tell anyone, I will remove the organs that make you male." She glared till he nodded his understanding. "I loved them and always will and when they didn't return my feelings it hurt. They were kind and honest about it, but it still hurt. Now that they are interested in pursuing some sort of relationship I find myself terrified."
"So...you fight and push each other to what? Prove dominance over the other?"
"Yes, and when I feel like I have won then we shall see."
He blinked, confused. "You really have no idea how to flirt or show emotion in a healthy manner do you?" A lopsided grin appeared. "One of you will end up maimed by the end of all this. Or we'll all be dead."
The door to the bathing room opened and Martouf finally emerged. He still wore the same black robes with gold thread but had matched jewelry and a large ornate neck collar. He really looked the part of a god, now she understood why he was so pressed about clothes.
His icy blue eyes flashed between his two cohorts again and a wrinkle appeared on his brow. "I was serious, I'm not comfortable with you two getting along. It's unnatural."