Stargate Hastings

Chapter Sixteen: A vengeance fuelled menace

Tok'ra base unnamed Tok'ra safe world.

The Ashrak for he had no name any longer, had been scouting out this world often for some time now. His only possessions were the tools of his trade, the tools of his former life. He had been cast aside because of the one named Malkshur. Jolinar the Symbiote would suffer but it was her, the one who had stolen his honour that he must kill, before his Host began to age rapidly. He had taken the Symbiote out of the equation, with the nerve gas but the Host Malkshur had regained consciousness, far quicker than expected. He had been a fool and believed his mission complete, even called in the successful completion of his task.

They had tried to kill him, not something he did not expect from his fellow Ashrak. He had killed others of his kind himself and he was no fool. He reported his failure to his handler and received a message from Selket herself. He knew then that he would be hunted, they stopped after the sixth death. It was a shame he was enjoying himself but how dare they cast him aside. He was an Ashrak the most loyal of his kind, his human Host was as skilled as he and trained from a young age for the purpose. They were still separate entities, but they never conversed with each other. They were simply of singular purpose, completely in tune. They did not share any of themselves with one another, they had both been trained for a singular purpose.

To hunt and either kill or take their prey back to the System Lord, or even minor Gau'auld, that required their particular skill set. They did not use the Sarcophagi like the others, they could not afford the luxury of becoming a megalomaniac. Instead they changed Host like the shol'va Tok'ra, but each new Host were trained the same as the previous one, to the exact same standard. Since his first Host, he had known exactly what to expect from each new one. They did not subdue the Host and would even give over control while healing injuries.

Selket answered to no one but Ra and she is devoted to him, but even he showed proper respect to Selket. She was the Lord of the Ashrak, to disrespect her would be very foolish indeed. All require the Ashrak's services, all kneel to her. He was nothing now but he had finally found her. She had aged since his exile but it was her, he smelled her stench. For fifty complete solar years of Ra's throne world, he had been a fugitive and now was his time.

He would take as many Tok'ra with him as he could but he cared nothing for them, only her. He had sneaked onto the ring platform, when the broken one had arrived. He had him to thank for even finding the Tok'ra. He knew they were here but they very rarely used the Chappa'ai on this world, only they had needed to prepare for his chair. He would return every year or so and scout this world out. He travelled to this world via his own personal vessel, one he had built from scratch himself. In case he was ever the one who was hunted by the Ashrak.

All Ashrak were trained to maintain there own equipment and fabricate any replacement parts from the elements required. It was not as difficult as would seem, as their specific equipment was designed to be easily maintained and the tools for fabrication provided. They were completely self-sufficient and the perfect assassin, with a cloaking device that even the Gau'auld System Lords did not possess. Forbidden by Ra and punishable by death, if any were to ever break that rule. He had built an entire cloaking device from scratch and fitted it to his vessel, not an easy task but he knew the Tok'ra were here and he would not have left the place but for the power requirements of the personal cloaking device. He could stay cloaked for weeks at a time but would eventually need to recharge it.

There were too many guards around with the visitors here, so he had stayed patient and waited for his chance. The broken one had returned and was accompanying Malkshur to her private quarters. From the times he had been able to understand them. He believed the broken one was considering becoming a Host to Jolinars mate, the aged one called Lantash. He did want her to suffer at the loss of her Symbiote's mate, but he only required her death and he was certain the Tok'ra would kill him, before he could make his escape.

That did not matter she was his only purpose, Ashrak required a purpose. It was who they were at the core of their being. Malkshur had stolen that purpose and she would pay with her life, he did not even care if the Symbiote survived as long as she did not. There were two others that would speak the strange tongue, who had accompanied them to her underground residence. A female, that walked with a grace that warriors of her sex usually had. Either that or she was a dancer of some kind but he would assume the former. He would not underestimate a female again.

There was also a large Male who looked formidable, larger than he was himself. Thankfully he was not joined and his size would mean little, not that it would have mattered anyway. The broken one was sat in his chair across from Malkshur, with the Male seemingly taking up a position behind him for his protection. The female was walking around the room and he had moved several times to avoid her.

The cripple would not be a problem, only his guard but he would be easily incapacitated. Next he would take out the woman again a simple task, but first his blade would go through her back and he would have his revenge. He would not even kill the Symbiote, let it suffer the sudden loss of its Host. He would have preferred to have fun with his prey, she had been the object of his obsession for so long now. He would settle for a quick death though, just as long as she was dead.

The cripple needed the Symbiote more than it needed him, from the way he was coughing. He had stayed far enough away from the Tok'ra as possible, for fear of alerting them to his presence. They would be able to sense his presence if he was to get too close but now was the time for the kill. The one in the chair seemed to be the leader of these people, but the woman had just claimed to be their Queen. It did not matter, only she mattered. The big one had moved from behind his master and had given him a clear shot with his Zat'nik'tel. It was not his usual weapon but he had lost his Ashrak weapon, the specially designed Kara kesh. So his blade would end her, a much more personal kill.

Richard had returned after consulting quickly with his wife, about the possibility of becoming a Host to a Tok'ra and she had told him to get to know them both. Not just the potential Symbiote but also his mate. She had been intrigued by the thought of sharing her mind with another. The fact that she would stay young for over a century, would merely be a bonus, she had lied. It was not the response he was expecting but she had never failed to amaze him. Even on the subject of rights for women, she had completely different views, to what he would expect of her.

Instead of the growing movements call for greater rights for women, she believed a woman should be a mother and wife first. She would say that a world where men were left to raise the children, would soon collapse under the weight of emotionally stunted adults. He understood what she had meant by that. Fathers were traditionally more distant than women and a child needed attention, not distance. Women cared and men were more practical as a rule, when it came to raising children. As with all things there were exceptions, but he had to agree with his wife. He himself believed, that women should be given the chance to fulfil their potential, all should. He could not argue with her logic on child rearing though.

Janus had left to prepare the amazing city he had promised them, but would return in time for the summit with a surprise though. He said it would add weight to the lie, that they were going to tell but in truth it was not a lie. He had made it very clear to them that the other humans of the earth, were to be considered separate from their kin, not beneath them but separate. They were indeed the return of his race and not the fifth race, as the original Tau'ri were considered.

He had also told them to leave the earth, and move their entire family to New Atlantis, as he had christened the city and the world it was built upon. Not immediately, but once everything was done, they should allow humanity to live their lives without interference. He had married a human who shared the bloodlines of two of his kind and they had twelve children together. Janus guided them for generations, instituting a morale code and also a form of controlled breeding. He could not afford for them to just pollute the world fully, with his genes.

Their society was too barbaric for the leaps that his progeny would make, especially if that was in the service of empires. He had told them that there were angels, as he liked to think of them. They were the ones that corrected the timeline and kept it running as it would have. The family while powerful, had stayed in the shadows and influenced people into doing what they would have done anyway. He kept telling them, that his Angel's were how everything was the same and was how the others could not detect his meddling with time.

Only now it would all change but it was too late for them to interfere, even if they would have anyway. He explained how his race and another called the Furling's, had achieved something called Ascension. They had shed their physical bodies and became pure energy, that could exist on this plane but was beyond it. They had rules of non-interference with the lower planes, so had failed in their duty to clear up their own mistakes. That was why their family had been created, to fix the mistakes of their kin. His plan for taking down the Gau'auld was genius, even Richard agreed with his strategy.

Janus had approved of him becoming a Host to a Tok'ra Symbiote, as his more evolved genome would have a positive effect on the blending. He also said it would be a good example to the rest of humanity. So here he was getting to know his future partners, partner. she was a strong woman this Malkshur, as stern as the Symbiote's seemed. Richard liked that about her, it reminded him a little of his cousin.

They were conversing in Gau'auld, as they were more fluent in the language than the Tok'ra were English. When Richard had leaned forward to take one of the biscuits, that were on the table between them. He saw a kind of shimmering out of the corner of his eye, he had seen the same when using the transport rings for the first time. Then he had put it down to the fact he was being magically transported. This time he knew he had seen something, so passed his biscuit to his left hand.

His right hand he used to punch his chest, when he faked choking on a piece of the biscuit. He was not choking, he only needed a reason to make a fist. He then kept that fist clenched, as he rested it on the arm of his wheelchair. He scratched his knuckles on the armrest, bending his wrist a little more with each repetition. He was talking to Malkshur but he was on auto pilot, allowing her to do the talking and listening intently. He bent his wrist forward enough to feel the straps tighten, he then relaxed and rested his arm back flat.

He could not see whoever it was in the room with them, but he did know that someone was there. He said to Jacob in Gau'auld, so not to raise the alarm. "Jacob how have you found your first time off world, your sister will be envious". He had added the sister, to make it clear he had not forgotten Jacob's visits to Heliopolis.

"She will get over it, women have no place in the field". Jacob replied, making it clear he understood something was wrong.

Rachael then said. "If I were not their Queen, even I would not be allowed off world Malkshur". To let Jolinar and her host in on the danger.

Her realisation of what Rachael was trying to tell her, was followed shortly after by a blade bursting out of her chest. It had definitely gone through her heart and she felt her life leaving her instantly. Jolinar then came forward and with the last strength she had left, she saw the humans move into action. The one named Richard. Fired three projectiles from a device on his wrist, at a target behind her. Jolinar could not see where they landed, but she heard them. The first she heard become imbedded in the crystal formed wall, behind her to her right. The second impact armour of some-kind, with the third exploding flesh. She could hear the screams of the Symbiote, at least it would die with them she thought.

The one named Jacob had been struck by the Zat'nik'tel blast, and was still suffering from the effects. Rachael, who was the Host she would have chosen for herself. Was already stamping her boot on the screaming Symbiote, that must have been riving in pain on the floor. She should have left it to suffer. Jolinar thought. Her friend was dead, the Host who had made the name Jolinar hated among the Gau'auld, more than any before her. She could survive long enough to join with another but she was running out of time.

When the blade had emerged through Malkshur's chest. Richard's first instinct was to arm his wrist weapon, so he readied it by pushing his clenched fist forward. He could only see the blood that covered the blade, with its wielder still completely invisible. He aimed just above and to the right of Jolinar's head, hoping at least one would hit the mark. The first struck the crystal wall and a split second later a masked face appeared, as the second struck home. The impact made the man's head lean back, exposing his bare neck. With the kinetic energy that had exploded wooden targets, making a far more gruesome spectacle out of human flesh.

Richard witnessed Jacob be struck by a Zat'nik'tel blast, but did not see a second head in his direction, so believed he was still alive. Malkshur was dead, of that he was certain but Jolinar could still be saved. He moved his chair as close as he could to Jolinar, with Rachael joining him once the Symbiote was killed. Richard asked her. "Can you here me Jolinar, are you still there?".

Jolinar replied. "I have little time, but if you choose to join with me. It will not be a long-term joining. My first Host was a Male and I did not care for the experience". She looked to Rachael, then added. "If you do not wish to remain joined, I will find a new Host but I can not wait any longer".

Rachael would not let her die, and as Jolinar had just told her, they would be able to safely separate in the future. So she simply asked. "How?".

Still in the voice that distinguished the Symbiote from the Host, only weaker. Jolinar replied. "Kiss me".

She hesitated for a moment, it was the biggest decision she had ever made. However that decision had already been made, so she lowered herself down to Jolinar's level and then leaned in to kiss her. She knew they were not going to actually kiss, and opened her mouth to enable the Symbiote to transfer into her. She felt the mandibles of the Symbiote slice the back of her throat open, and then wriggle into the opening created. As she felt the Symbiote nestle into its new home. Instantly her throat began to heal and the pain completely vanish.

Not only that but she felt amazing, better than she ever had before, so full of life. That was until she realised that they were her new companions memory, of her previous Host. She was remembering her bountiful spirit, and stubborn determination. Rachael quickly realised that she was feeling Jolinar's emotions and not her own. She could still feel herself, and that she was separate from the emotions she was now feeling, but she felt two beings thoughts now, with echoes of many others mixed in.

Rachael did not even realise she had hit the floor, and fell into unconsciousness. That was until Jacob bought her round. There were several Tok'ra guards there, so she must have been out for some time. Jolinar then said to her, inside of her mind. "You are very much like Malkshur, she had a stubborn streak also. I like being joined with you, it is a comfort for you to feel so familiar".

Rachael spoke out loud. "I know everything you know, this is incredible!". With a smile spread across her face. She then looked to her cousin and said. "You have got to become a Host cousin, if only for the knowledge you will gain".

Jolinar had settled straight into her new Host, as she was a fine Physical specimen and did not require any major healing. A few minor muscle injuries, and ligament damage but only those of a physically active human. The loss of Malkshur would always be there, but she was still a part of her and could revisit their past exploits. Her new Host would enjoy reliving the dangerous missions, she could not believe how similar the two were. "You have access to my knowledge, and I yours but you first must think of it. There is much to learn about each-other, but given time we will know all there is to know and...". Jolinar was cut off, mid-thought.

Rachael then thought. "I only have to think and you will understand me". Finishing Jolinar's sentence for her. Rachael thought to herself, that she would have to get used to that.

With Jolinar saying to her. "It only takes a decade or two. I hope we are together that long".

Rachael did not understand at first, but searched the part of her, that was not herself and knew what she had meant. James and Lantash, the two very separate individuals that the two of them loved deeply. Jolinar and Lantash had not had a chance to explore their blossoming relationship yet, but Rachael could feel the strong feelings, that had developed between them. They were stronger still, in spite of their purely platonic relationship. It was not a physical attraction, although they both wished to explore that kind of relationship.

Rachael then said out loud. "James, I guess I should have talked this over with him first but he will understand. After all he did join with a Symbiote himself, and I can not remembering him asking me if he could". To nobody in particular.

Both Richard and her new closest friend, spoke to her. Richard asked. "Who are you talking to?". Not hearing both sides of her conversation.

Jolinar replied. "That was a little different to this situation. This is definitely going to get complicated, two in a relationship is complicated enough, but five!".

Rachael had dismissed Kraytos from the equation, but Jolinar was correct. She also knew that there were potentially two more, but neither of them wanted to think about that possibility. Hopefully Egeria and Kraytos's relationship, would stay a purely platonic one. Because if it did not, things would go so far past complicated. That they were going to have to find a new word, to describe the situation. I guess we will have to cross that bridge when we get to it, either that or find Jolinar a new Host. They both knew that was not what they wanted, they had each other now. They loved the men in their lives but this was so much more.