Stargate Hastings part two

Chapter five: Kheb

Kheb.

When the Stargate activated and the fugitives from Ra, came tumbling out of the pool of energy. An unseen presence watched them and became angry, then curious. In the form that she now inhabited, one of pure energy and consciousness. Oma Desala and the others of her kind, had access to all of the universes knowledge. They were not, as many of her kind believed, omniscient. They had access to that knowledge but they did not know everything.

Unlike the rest of her kind, Oma preferred to learn about others by observing them as individuals. She had sensed the vile ones immediately but one of them was still an infant and was only just learning who it was. The other one, there was something different about that one. He was not like any Gau'auld, she had observed before.

The one who was her crime and her punishment. He was different to the others as well, he believed all that he had said to her. The vision of a peaceful universe, one of understanding. Was one that he genuinely wished to see, come into being. The passion that had radiated from him, when he spoke of his dream. A dream of all humanity working together, to make sure all would live good lives and be given the opportunity, to be the best that they could be. He truly meant every word but left out so much. That was why she almost killed the two vile ones instantly but the child stopped her. Instead, she decided to simply observe.

He was a little boy and when she looked at his spirit, it was alive with energy. Not the energy that all small children, were filled with and it was not only him. She felt a sadness emanating from all of them but also a sense of pride, in those that they had lost. She had to know what these people had just been through, to make them so full of hope. Yes it was definitely hope, that they all felt. None more so, than from the Jaffa who was with them. Even the Gau'auld, that she now realised was in serious pain. Felt a little hope.

The only two among them, that did not. Were the infant Gau'auld and the host of the strange one. From him she only felt determination and despair, in equal measure. He was forcing the Gau'auld, to relive memories that he had buried deep. Memories he wished never to relive again. He felt no hope, only a determination to fight the Gau'auld. That had taken him as a host.

She decided that this was too important, to indulge herself and accessed their recent history. They came to the right place. Oma Desala thought to herself. The Gau'auld would not follow them here, they would not dare. She would allow them sanctuary but she would not interfere or at least, not directly. These people had a destiny, one that could have repercussions in three galaxies. There was one way she could help them and it was only sort of, breaking the rules. Her kind had spoken to people in their dreams, in the past. Usually those who were grieving for them but still a violation of the same rule. It was only allowed. Because the dream plain was considered to be separate, from the mortal one.

Underground Tok'ra base, unnamed planet.

When the Tok'ra or even the Gau'auld for that matter, chose a partner. Those two individuals, would usually be joined for life. Selmak had been joined with Mala'keth. Until he had been killed by an Ashrak, centuries ago. After a long mission. Selmak would usually return to base and use her species genetic memory, to spend time with her lost love. She could not alter those memories, only relive them but they were very comforting, after a long undercover assignment.

She chose a memory, from the hosts they had been blended with. When they had first, fallen in love with each other. It had actually been the hosts that had been together but over time. The Symbiote's, had also developed feelings for one another. Saroosh, Selmak's current host. Loved the dreams, as she called them but they were not dreams. They were only accessed in the same way a brain would dream, by sleeping. She closed her eyes and guided herself to the memory, that she wished to relive.

When the Tok'ra had first found the planet, they had made their first home world. It was unknown to the Gau'auld and they were able to live on the surface. The memory she had chosen, was from the home they had built together. It had looked out upon the ocean and the world had the most wondrous sunsets. They would change colour, depending on the time of year. Her and Mala'keth would never talk to each other, as they sat and watched the sunsets.

They would just experience them together and was the reason she would choose those memories. There were no conversations to repeat over and shatter the illusion. They would just be together and she would forget that he was no longer with her. However, in none of those memories was there ever another woman. Selmak knew there was something strange happening but she had never known a memory being accessed, in this way. Ever being different to the original.

The woman, stood in front of the soon to be setting sun but the Rays seemed to pass straight through her and she cast no shadow. Selmak could not make out her facial features and when she tried. A blinding light, prevented her getting a good look. "May I be of assistance?". She asked.

"Not to me, I am beyond your assistance". Oma Desala replied.

"Then may I ask, why you are here?". Selmak asked in an annoyed, tone of voice.

"I have asked myself that question, for many lifetimes. I am no closer to the answer. Do you know why you are here?". Oma asked in reply.

Selmak did not hesitate. "To one day liberate the humans of this galaxy and remove the stain from my species". She sounded certain of her purpose.

"Do you know of the world, named Kheb?". Oma asked. Already knowing that the Tok'ra did know.

"It is known to all Tok'ra, we are forbidden from going there. As are the Gau'auld". Selmak replied.

"Go to Kheb and hurry". She said, then vanished.

Selmak was returned to the memory and it continued as it always had. She regained consciousness and went to the refresher unit, in her quarters. The Tok'ra used sonic waves for showering but they still used water for washing their hands and faces. She splashed her face with some water and as she did. The voice of her host said. "Who was that woman?".

Selmak did not have to actually talk, to answer the internal voice but when alone, she had always preferred to respond in oral form. "A dream. It does not happen often but sometimes our Hosts subconscious, can leak through". She was not lying. It had never happened to Selmak, before now but it was possible.

"That was not a dream. She said we must go to Kheb, are we just going to ignore her? She wanted us to hurry". Saroosh sounded excited.

Selmak had been blended with Saroosh, for over three quarters of the woman's life. In that time she had never lost her sense of wonder or thirst for adventure. Even after being captured and tortured. She still could not wait, to get back out there. "Kheb is forbidden for good reason. You have access to the same memories as I. Only a fool would go there". She shook her head, as she spoke to her best friend.

"No one as ever been invited before. These powerful beings wouldn't hurt us, if they invited us would they?". Saroosh was using the same tone of internal voice, that she always used to get them in trouble.

Each new host, was like having a new child. Selmak thought to herself. Tok'ra were neither male nor female but they did identify themselves, by the gender of their host. "We will need to inform the council". Selmak knew, what her host was going to say.

"She said be quick, the council will take time to convene". Saroosh knew that Selmak hated how long the Tok'ra high council, would take about everything. Especially how long it would take, just to get an audience with them.

Selmak's head dropped and Saroosh's arose. Selmak then stated. "You are better at acting casual than I am. No host as ever gotten me in as much trouble, as you Saroosh". Now the internal voice.

Unlike Selmak. Saroosh preferred keeping their conversations private and would not speak, when answering her. "I am better at lying, don't you mean and your life was boring, until we met. You should be grateful".

"My life is certainly more interesting with you in it but gratitude, would not be the way I would describe my feelings towards you". Selmak replied. As they headed towards the armoury, to gather what they would need.

Individual Tok'ra, could come and go as they pleased from the underground base and the unnamed world it was situated on. However, they did have to inform someone, that they were leaving and also of their chosen destination. The Tok'ra did not name the worlds they inhabited, as a rule. They did this for reasons of security. If the bases had no names. Their locations would be more difficult to get out of operatives, using technological means. They could still be found but without names to sign post them, it was a more difficult task.

Against drugs that could be used to encourage a prisoner, to speak truthfully. With no name to be given, they would in theory be kept hidden from interrogators. It was a sound security measure but in truth, it only delayed the inevitable. A skilled interrogator, would be able to manoeuvre their victim into revealing its location, given enough time.

There was a world, that the Tok'ra no longer used as a base. The tunnels that the Tok'ra used as their bases, were still on that world and one day it would be used for that purpose again but now it was only used as a safe world. Tok'ra who wished for solitude, after the death of a comrade or their Host. Would still use the world, as a spiritual retreat of sorts. Those whose Host were coming to the end of their lives, would also use it, as a place to spend their last days in peace.

Two very old friends of Selmak's, were using this world for that very purpose. She had meant to visit them, after her mission was complete, anyway. Selmak did not like using them in this way but Jolinar would not hesitate to use her in the same manner or her Host for that matter. Malkshur was her Host and was as revered as any Tok'ra before her. Either Symbiote or Host. She had been found as a baby, on a world that was named Malkshur and was named for that world. Lantash had been the Tok'ra who had found her and raised her.

When Malkshur had come of age. She was given the choice of becoming a host or not and instantly agreed. Jolinars Host had recently been mortally wounded and had barely made it back to base. Over time, the two Symbiote's grew close but because Lantash's Host Steban, saw Malkshur as a daughter. Only a friendship developed between them, until recently. They were too old now, to have developed a physical relationship but they were lovers in all of the other ways. All of the ways that truly mattered and had decided. That because now they would soon be joined, with new Hosts. They could explore that relationship.

To honour her Host. Jolinar would forever be known as Jolinar of Malkshur. It would still be an awkward relationship between the two Symbiote's, as Lantash would soon have a younger Host but it was the Host Steban, who could not see past the fact, that Malkshur was as a daughter to him. The Tok'ra were all siblings anyway, so saw familial relationships. As less of a taboo subject.

It was not unusual for Tok'ra to visit those on the safe world, so they were not questioned about their sudden departure. Before heading to Kheb, she let Jolinar and Lantash know, that she could be coming back to that world. She did this, so that those that were on the base. Would not be caught completely by surprise, if she was followed back there. Then she inputted the forbidden coordinates, for Kheb.

Kheb.

The escapees had stayed close to the Chappa'ai, in order to be alerted to it activating. They had made camp on this paradise of a world, just behind the transportation device. So that they could ambush anyone from behind, who came through the Chappa'ai. It was neither too hot or cold. Even at night, when the Abydonians would stare up in wonder at the stars, they had never been able to truly see before. They would not feel cold.

They had been able to find enough fruit to sustain them for now but they would soon have to leave this place. They could all sense that they were being watched and would get the feeling, that they were not welcome here. All except Sha're and her son, they felt very welcome. Nebu Jr, not long after they had arrived. Said to them. "Lady say, put down your weapons. We can stay but no weapons". The weather changed as he said this, with thunder clouds suddenly appearing. Then Nebu Jr continued. "We will be safe here but you must not carry weapons, until we leave".

When they did not listen to him and kept hold of their weapons. A bolt of lightning struck the ground close to them. "She said now!". The boy said, with a little bit of fear in his voice. They all did as the boy had instructed them and the clouds separated, to reveal a clear sky once more. They had not picked them up since but they were close at hand, in case they were attacked.

When the Chappa'ai activated, they went to pick up their weapons but Nebu Jr shouted. "No! Lady say it is friend. It is Tok'ra!". They had no choice but to listen to him or the woman who was speaking through him.

A woman that was not very tall with short cropped hair, materialized out of the Chappa'ai. She had a Zat'nik'tel in her left hand, readied in case of danger. The sky instantly went dark and the refugees all shouted together. "Put the weapon down!".

When Selmak saw the sky go dark and heard voices, screaming for her to put down the weapon she was holding. She fought she was under attack, so spun in the direction of the voices. When she recognised that they were unarmed and were seemingly worried for her safety. She slowly spread her arms out and knelt down. So that she could place the weapon, carefully on the ground. The sky became clear again and she surveyed the humans and one Jaffa.

The Jaffa made her stop for a second but it was the voice that was screaming, in a language she could not understand, that drew her attention. "You must be why I am here". She said, to the gathered people. They had obviously come from a desert world or a part of that world, that was one. Their clothes gave that away, the Jaffa barely had any clothes on at all. They all had an olive skin tone but the Jaffa, was definitely from a different world to the rest.

She headed towards the man who was screaming or was it a Gau'auld. Yes she sensed it now, she had heard of humans fighting back against the Gau'auld before but they would always eventually be subdued. What she was witnessing now, was unheard of. They were actually battling for control and it was driving them both insane. She could not understand everything they were saying but they were screaming out words in Gau'auld as well as the alien tongue.

"What is the world of your origin?". She asked, no one in particular. Saroosh said to her. "I think you should let me take over, they think you are a God". She was laughing to herself inside Selmak's mind. Selmak looked at the faces of the people and could see they were uneasy. Except the child, he was smiling up at her.

Her head dropped, when it came back up, she said. "I am Saroosh, the Tok'ra Symbiote that I share this body with, is Selmak". With a warm smile, now replacing the stern look from before.

A large man well passed middle age for a human, approached her. "We are of Abydos, are you really Tok'ra?".

Abydos, Selmak thought to herself. That was one of Ra's Naquadah rich moons but why would one of his Jaffa, be on a forbidden world with these humans. Saroosh nodded her head to indicate that she was Tok'ra.

"Can you help him, he is fighting the false God inside but he is dying. The demon say that only the Tok'ra can help them". He pointed to the pale almost skeletal man, tied up on the ground.

He was completely immobilized, with even the enhanced strength of a Gau'auld Host, not able to break free. The man looked her straight in the eyes and begged. "You are Tok'ra, you understand. Please kill me. I have made him suffer far worse than his kind have ever done to others but he will not stop fighting me". She almost did not register what he was saying. His voice was not that of the host, it was the deep throaty voice of the Gau'auld.

Her head dropped and Selmak was in control once more. "What is your name, Gau'auld?". Selmak asked, the man tied up before her.

Still talking in the voice that distinguished the Symbiote or parasite, from the Host. He replied. " My name is James Elden. What I have learned of the Tok'ra, from the one I have trapped in the hell that is my memories. Your people and mine should meet..." He let out a scream of rage, before seeming to regain control. In the same deep voice he continued. "...My people are from the first world. They have the numbers and in time they will have the technology, to challenge the Gau'auld but with your spies victory would be assured. If you do not contact them, they will kill Tok'ra believing them to be their enemies. Please, when you have contacted them and I have said goodbye. Swear to me that you will kill me. Please?". He begged.

Before Selmak could answer, whoever it was pleading for mercy. The Jaffa stepped forward and declared. "Know this Tok'ra, if you make that promise. I San'kha son of Tu'rok will be there when you honour that pledge and you will swiftly follow him to the afterlife. That man is my destiny and the destiny of all these people, my brothers. Remove the false God if you can but he is the symbol of our freedom". A Jaffa claiming brotherhood with slaves, miracles do occur. Selmak thought to herself.

The man lying restrained on the ground, had a look in his eyes. That was pure determination but with a just a hint of desperation. Selmak did not know what to make of this, it was unprecedented. Tok'ra shared an almost completely symbiotic relationship, with their Host. They could if they wanted to, take control of their Host against their will. They would need to destroy the hosts spirit as the Gau'auld do, if they wanted to have complete control permanently but they were the stronger mind of the two.

This human it seems, as destroyed the spirit of the Gau'auld instead and in the process, they no longer kknw who was who. "Interesting. How long as he been like this? How many times have all three suns been in the sky?". She asked them.

San'kha answered for them. "Nearly two seasons, as they would be on Tu'at. Ra's throne world". Ra had chosen Tu'at as his throne world, because of its similarities to the first world. Including its solar cycle.

"That long, I must prepare my people for your arrival and I must warn you, they will not allow a Jaffa to carry a weapon and they may insist on you being restrained and placed in a cell when you arrive. Would you be willing to agree to those terms?". She asked San'kha.

Before San'kha could answer, one of the humans stepped forward and declared. "My name is Kaar, I will join my brother in this cell but can you please help Jeem?". He pointed to the man who was now unconscious, who Selmak assumed was Jeem.

Selmak thought about how she could answer him, honestly. "I do not know but I am honour bound as a Tok'ra, to make the attempt". She turned back to San'kha and added. "However, I will need to hear it from yourself. That you agree to my terms?".

San'kha simply said. "My brother speaks for me". As he indicated, that he was referring to Kaar.