Stargate Hastings

Chapter six: The Tok'ra

Tok'ra base, unnamed Tok'ra safe world.

After the Abydonians had been debriefed and given rooms in the mansion. They inputted the symbols Selmak or Saroosh had given them and the Tok'ra female appeared before them, in the same way as Larry would. It had taken over six months, for the Tok'ra high council to agree to contacting the Tau'ri. The implications of the rebellion on Abydos, could have galaxy wide consequences. Even more so than that, was what was happening to both the human Host and the Gau'auld within him.

The Abydonians had all been treated well by the Tok'ra, as honoured guests even. So Richard had decided to take the risk and go off world himself. Selmak had assured him that the world he was going to, was a fertile one with flat paths and that they would not be travelling far from the Chappa'ai, as they called the Stargate. Joseph Hammond practically ran the whole operation now and would be giving a full presentation on the new ranking system he had devised, when they returned.

The Tok'ra had insisted on no weapons but agreed to Richard's personal wrist device. They agreed that a man in his condition who could not make an easy escape, was entitled to extra protection. Jacob would be with him, as he always was when not on the grounds of the estate. His uncle Robert had stayed behind, so that he could continue training Nebu and his little brother. Kaar insisted on returning so that he could visit San'kha, along with both Hassif's. With Donald being the final member of their expedition.

When they arrived on the planet. The people from earth were all struck by how much the world resembled England, in the summertime. The Tok'ra had prepared a simple ramp for Richards chair to travel down. It did not take long before they were told to gather in a circle and when they did. Several circular devices appeared from under the ground and surrounded them.

A moment later they were in some kind of room. There were guards dressed in clothes that would camouflage them, if they were on the surface. Surrounding them as they rematerialized, inside the strange room. The walls and ceilings were covered in overlapping hexagonal shapes, that seemed to morph into each other. They were arched over with no flat surfaces or corners.

Just before the rings had surrounded them. Richard had felt like someone was at the side of him but when they had rematerialized, he looked to the side he had sensed the presence and saw no one there. He put it down to the amazing device, that they had all just experienced for the first time and took in the architecture that simply did not look possible. It seemed to have been grown. Either that or they had purposely carved out the walls in a very ugly design. It did have some aesthetic characteristics but the jumble it was all arranged in, made it look ugly.

Selmak had met them at the Stargate and had escorted them to their destination. "This base was being used for other purposes but with your friend here and the Jaffa. We have increased the security on this world, please do not be alarmed by their presence. They are here for your protection, as much as they are for ours". She reassured the four Tau'ri, the Abydonians had already seen the guards.

Rachael Hawthorn asked. "Are we underground?".

"Yes we are, all Tok'ra bases are below the surface of the worlds we inhabit. We are a people that rely on stealth, we grow them underground for that purpose". Selmak replied.

"Grow them, that sounds incredible. Would I be able to see a demonstration?". Rachael asked.

Selmak's head dropped and a smile was on her face when she raised it again. "If the high council allow it, I will show you everything". The excited looking young woman, who they all assumed was Saroosh the Host. Said to her.

She dropped her head again and the stern look had returned. "Please forgive Saroosh, she can be very excitable. The council would like to speak with you first, before you see your friend but I am sure a demonstration can be arranged for you". Selmak informed them, in the booming voice of the Tok'ra.

She then escorted the group, to where the three members of the Tok'ra high council were awaiting them. There was a very old man who was introduced as Garshaw of belote and would act as the high councillor of this meeting of the council. There were more members of the high council but a minimum of only three, were required to hold a council meeting. His Host was introduced as Grendel but the other two members of the council, were not introduced by name.

There were three other Tok'ra there, that they were introduced to by name. A man even older than Garshaw, whose names were Lantash and Steban. A woman who looked around the same age as Garshaw, whose names were Jolinar and Malkshur. The final Tok'ra seemed to be fascinated by the group of humans, especially Richard Hastings but the other two members of his family, seemed to interest her as well.

Her name was Anise and the very young girl who was her Host, was called Freya. She was a scientist and archaeologist and was there because she had recently been joined with Freya. She had a device in her hands and she was scanning all of the members of their group but she was particularly concentrating on the members of the Hastings family. "Interesting, very interesting". Anise thought out loud.

Richard was starting to feel uncomfortable with what she was doing, so asked her. "May I ask what you are doing and what is so interesting about us?". He spoke in a polite manner.

The woman's head dropped, as they had witnessed Selmak's do earlier, then Freya answered him. "Anise does not want to insult your people but she considers the person who treated your wound. I believe the correct word would be. Butcher. Yes, she says that he must be a butcher but she means no offence".

Richard tensed up, at the insult to the man who had operated on him. The man did not have the time to be precise, he had other men to take care of and was under very stressful conditions. Men that he knew would not be as lucky as Richard was and he had far too few nurses there to help him. "I was operated on in the field. The man who saved my life, was not a butcher". His voice made it clear, that he was indeed offended.

The girls head dropped again and Anise spoke. "I did warn Freya that you would not like my assessment. I am sure the man that operated on you is a good man but his methods are very primitive. I mean no offence and have a device with me, that will heal the damage caused by his methods. That is if you want me to of course?".

Did he just hear her correctly, she had a device that could heal him. "Would I able to walk again?". He asked, as if not quite believing what he was hearing.

"Yes, it would take time for your muscles to regain their strength. The nerve damage is extensive but it should be easily mended". She answered with a genuine smile. "I can perform the procedure before we begin, if you wish?". She then pulled out a circular device from her pocket and waited for his answer.

He could not believe what he was hearing. Larry had told him that he knew of technologies, that would be able to heal his injuries but saw that technology as one that would advance our people. He had also said that Richard would be dead, before his people would be able to create the technology anyway. So he had resigned himself to the fact, that he was going to die. Now she was telling him, that he would walk again.

The thought of finding a cure through the Stargate, had never entered is mind once. He wanted to make a difference to the world before he left it, a legacy to be remembered by. He never wanted to be a statue, he only wanted his deeds to be remembered. Not his death. Now he had a chance to live and be the husband he never thought he could be. "I would very much like that but will we not need an operating theatre and a medical team? I can wait until after we are done here". A complicated procedure like repairing nerve damage, must take time he thought.

"It will only take one of your minutes, maybe two". Anise replied, as she put her fingers through a strap on the back of the device. The device started making a humming noise and she then started moving the device over Richard's chest. "There are still pieces of the projectile buried deep in your body. I am using the device to break it down and render them harmless. Your body will absorb the metals with no Ill effects".

She then moved the device round to his back. "Your nerves are healing well, you should start feeling a tingling sensation in your legs... Right about now?". She looked at him looking for the reaction she wanted. She stopped when she saw it.

When Richard felt his legs tingling, an actual tear came to his eye. He had accepted his death, he did not crave it but he had come to terms with his fate. He did not even dare to dream, that he would ever walk again. To do so, would only remind him of what he had lost. "I can not move my legs but I can feel them again. Thank you, I will forever be in your debt". He meant it, he had never felt more grateful towards anyone, in his life.

"It is my pleasure Richard. Of course if you were to become a Host to a Tok'ra Symbiote, they would be able to get you on your feet within minutes. Without a Symbiote, it will take some time for them to regain their strength. This device only heals, your muscles will need time. Just keep trying to move them, given time you will soon walk again". Anise said in the matter of fact way, that all of the Symbiote's seemed to speak in. It was just strange coming from such a young girl.

Rachael who was just as amazed by all of this as her cousin, was feeling a little hope herself. Maybe they could save James, she had ignored the part about him dying. She had registered what her cousin had been saying but she had chosen to ignore it. He had returned to them, that was all that mattered to her. She could not wait to tell him about their daughter. She had been the only light in the darkness, with even Larry and his magical picture show. Only bringing her sorrow, whilst making her daughter smile.

She almost did not remember, that Anise was interested in all of them and not just her cousin. Well all of the Hastings family members anyway. Anise had been skilful in deflecting everyone's attention from that fact but Rachael was curious about it, so asked. "What is so special about the rest of us? It was not just my cousins injury, that caught your attention".

Anise seemed to think for a moment about how to describe her findings. "Anomalies, yes that would be the best way to describe them. Your Genomes are showing an anomaly, that can be found in a very small percentage of your species... Approximately one in every five million people in this galaxy have this Gene but none as clear as you three. I have some theories about the gene and its significance but I am still gathering data at this time".

"That is interesting". Rachael thought and decided she would investigate this little mystery, in further detail later.

"Yes it is, I believe they are ready to begin. I will be giving the presentation on your friends condition, it is an extraordinary case". She then turned and walked towards the centre of the cave like chamber. Anise looked to the three council members as if asking permission. Garshaw nodded to indicate they were ready.

Before she could begin, Richard asked. "Are we not before the council to discuss an alliance, between our two peoples. I do want to discuss my friend but our world intends to go to war with your mortal enemy and my worlds safety and interests, must come first before personal matters. I am sure you understand this". He truly did want to see his friend but the earth and her people must always come first. When the Stargate had first been found, he had decided that his own needs or loyalties must come second to the greater good. The last thing he wanted was to become a monster.

Garshaw answered him, in the deep voice of the Tok'ra. "We believed you would wish to learn about your friend first but the Tok'ra share your belief. That our people and their mission, are far more important than our own personal needs. I will be honest with you, the thing that the Tok'ra require more than anything else, are willing Hosts. Would your people be willing to volunteer?". The manner in which he spoke to them, was the same as both Selmak and Anise had spoken. Like the incredible things they were speaking about, were just trivial matters.

Richard did not know what to say at first but he decided to play it safe. "There are around one and a half billion people on our world. If being a Tok'ra Host doubles their lifespan, I am sure there will be volunteers. I can not speak for them but it is certainly a tempting proposition".

"What about yourself? As Anise informed you. You would be back on your feet almost immediately, if you were to be blended with a Symbiote". Again she asked it like she was reading a list out. Straight to the point, with little to no emotion.

He was not completely averse to the idea, why should he be. Larry was slow coming around and if they increased their travel through the Stargate. They would eventually be discovered by the Gau'auld and the knowledge he would gain, would be needed by his people then. He would need to learn more about the process and what it entailed and of course discuss it with his wife first. "I would consider it, once I had more information. I also have a spouse and would have to discuss the matter with her of course but if it were to help keep my world safe, I would be honour bound to agree". It was true, the earth and those stolen from her. Were his mission and that of his family. Ever since Janus, his ancestor had received the pedestal and set in motion everything that had happened since. Every Hastings family member could trace their lineage back to him.

"A blending must be completely voluntary, your sense of honour should not be a factor in your decision. You would spend the rest of your life with the Symbiote, there must be no regrets after the fact. Do you understand what I mean by this?". Garshaw asked him.

He did understand him but there would be no regrets. He and his entire family had a duty and fulfilling that could never cause them regret, it was their entire reason for being. "I believe there is much, that our people must learn about each other. I am certain we will be able to surprise one another. I believe Hosts will not be a problem. My people require the co-ordinates of worlds on which we can mine Naquadah, safe from any interference from our mutual enemy. Is there any possibility of you helping us with that?". He asked him, hoping beyond hope.

"We do have that knowledge but from how primitive your culture seems to be to us. I must ask if you realise how dangerous the substance can be?". Garshaw had an even more serious expression on his face, than he had before. As he asked him this.

"Yes we do I am afraid. There was an explosion in one of our laboratories and three people were killed. We have moved all experimentation with the substance, to a specially designed off world facility". The mention of the scientists that were killed, touched a still raw nerve.

"A prudent decision. As you have said, we will have to learn more about each other but this as been a good beginning. If your people truly have those numbers and are willing to follow the Tok'ra's lead, when it comes to the Gau'auld that you target. Then we may finally have a force that can challenge the Gau'auld system lords. The Tok'ra have long been undermining the Gau'auld and helping to overthrow them on isolated worlds, within the Gau'auld domain. However we have never truly had a military force, that would be able to completely overthrow their vast empire.

There is much to discuss further about a possible alliance but I believe now would be a good time discuss your friend. James Elden. What is happening to him may be more important, than even an alliance between our people". When Richard nodded his understanding, Garshaw looked to Anise.

She indicted that she was ready, then readied herself to explain her findings to them.