Jack was startled to his feet by the sudden opening of the door
across the room. It slid upwards smoothly, disappearing into the ceiling.
I wonder where that goes, he thought quickly, before the figure entered the room, shrouded in shadow, and seeming very ominous in their posture, and the way they looked back at the Jaffa standing outside the door.
Jack waited until the door had closed until he ran forward, and charged into the figure, ramming them into the wall behind them.
Just before he punched the figure in the face, a hand came up and caught the wrist.
"Colonel!" he heard a slightly panicked voice say, "It's me... calm down!"
Jack stumbled backwards, and waited for the figure to enter the light.
Jonas looked a little odd in his Goa'uld attire. The trousers were wide at the bottom, flaring out slightly over huge boots that gave the Kelownan a couple of inches of extra height. His sleeveless vest shirt showed off his arms in their entirety, and it was a marvel he wasn't cold. Hanging around his neck was a short gold chain that glinted in the dim light. His hair was reasonably similar to what it had been previously, except that the spikes were much more sharp in their appearance. They seemed longer than normal as well.
But his eyes were the same... no change there. They were the same old kind dark green eyes Jack was used to seeing.
"Colonel," Jonas began, his voice shaking slightly, his hand trembling as he held it out slightly, "you have to listen to me."
Jack nodded, feeling his sympathy for the young alien rise to the surface. He knew what it was like to be possessed by a snake... Tok'ra or Goa'uld... it was all the same to him. It wasn't pleasant in any way. Especially if the worm was anything like that bastard, Kanan.
"The Tok'ra..." he hesitated, digesting the situation before he spoke again, "the Tok'ra inside me is called Tarak. He's here with two others to sabotage the ship. They're operating right under Osiris' nose."
"Are you okay?" Jack asked suddenly, only really registering the Kelownan's words at face value. There was time for that later. He was concerned for his friend and SG-1 team member.
Jonas paused, letting out a deep breath restlessly, and letting out a small, frightened laugh, before shaking his head. "I'm not enjoying this, I can tell you that, sir."
"I can understand that," Jack mumbled. "What's it like?" He pointed vaguely in the vicinity of Jonas' neck, indicating the symbiote... or where it would be on relative terms.
Jonas tilted his head each way in consideration of the fact, and finally said, "He seems dedicated. But this is his first mission."
"What?" Jack breathed in surprise, a little concerned for the possibility of escape he thought Jonas had come to provide. With a first- time Tok'ra, and an inexperienced host, things could very quickly go awry.
"He only just matured. The Tok'ra planted him in his immature state inside the Jaffa Osiris used to implant me." Jonas grimaced at the obvious memory, and the pity swelled up inside Jack again.
"You're serious?" Jack muttered, glancing over Jonas' shoulder at the door to check no one was going to interrupt and discover the newly implanted host was a Tok'ra intruder.
Instead of replying, Jonas lowered his head slightly, soon raising it again to let his eyes flash.
Jack jumped back slightly, exclaiming quietly, "Whoa... don't do that."
"I am sorry, Colonel O'Neill," the Tok'ra said through Jonas' mouth, in its own voice. The all-too-familiar distortion made Jack shudder slightly. It was too odd... seeing Jonas standing before him, but it not really being Jonas at all... well, not entirely.
"You must help me and the others to complete our mission," the Tok'ra said.
What was its name again... Tarak? Yes, that was it.
"Tarak, buddy, in case you hadn't noticed, Osiris thinks you're a Goa'uld for cryin' out loud!" Jack hissed, gesturing wildly with flailing arms.
Tarak stood before him calmly, and said, "Yes, she does."
"And I'm locked in a cell."
Tarak nodded slowly.
Jack furrowed his brow at the look on Jonas' face, and he quietly asked, "What is it?"
"Osiris has ordered me to end your life," Tarak informed him sorrowfully.
Jack would have laughed if the situation had not been so dire. "What?"
Tarak shook his head, and then lowered it, letting Jonas surface once again.
Jonas blinked twice slowly, before saying, "Colonel, if I... if Tarak doesn't go back there with evidence that he killed you, Osiris is going to know that I'm not a Goa'uld. She'll discover Tarak and the others."
Jack felt like blurting 'I don't care', but controlled the urge, instead saying, "Well, I'm not too keen on dying, thank you, no matter how desperate the Tok'ra are."
"I know," Jonas agreed, nodding vigorously, and then grimacing slightly, no doubt in relation to the symbiote twined around his spinal chord. "But Tarak wants to put you in the sarcophagus afterwards."
Jack glared.
"I won't let him do that, Colonel."
"You remember Kanan, right?" Jack grumbled, "And everything that happened as a result? Well, if I ever have to go near a goddamn sarcophagus again, I'm gonna lose my mind, Jonas!"
"I know that, sir," Jonas eased, moving closer, and holding up a hand. "I've... told him that I won't do it, and neither will you. He doesn't see what other choice we have."
"I'd rather blow this whole place to hell than have to use a sarcophagus again, and you know that, Jonas," Jack told him firmly, his words precise to avoid confusion.
"Do you have another idea?" Jonas ventured, scratching the back of his head. He grimaced again.
"Are you alight? You keep pulling a face," Jack pointed out, cocking his head.
"It's just... the symbiote..." he trailed off, narrowing his eyes in disgust as he looked the Colonel in the eye.
"Through the mouth?" Jack filled in, seeing Jonas nod, and almost gagged himself, remembering the unpleasant sensation. "Ugh."
Jonas nodded absent-mindedly.
After a moment of silence, Jack sighed and offered, "Why not kill the guard?"
Jonas raised an eyebrow sceptically. "I'm not so sure that would work. Osiris might not believe the blood is yours."
"But just try it, Jonas," Jack insisted, "if she doesn't believe you, at least I'll be out of here, and able to help you, or whatever it is you want me to do."
"I can try," Jonas sighed, letting Tarak re-emerge.
"This time, follow my lead," Jack said quickly, and punched the man in the face, knocking him back slightly.
The green eyes locked with his, and both then fell onto the same track of thought, as the Tok'ra punched back.
After a few moments of scuffling, Tarak called out to the guard outside the door. Pressing Jack up against the wall, Tarak waited for the sturdy Jaffa to enter the room, before he broke off, and rammed into him instead.
The Jaffa gasped, before choking and falling to the floor, the Tok'ra rising from the ground. Blood covered the knife in his hand, running down onto his skin. It stained the other hand also, after the Tok'ra had made a rather impressive hole in the Jaffa, at a vulnerable point above the armour.
Jonas surfaced then, and made a startled noise at the knife in his hand, which he quickly proceeded to drop. He stared at the blood on his hands, before glancing up in shock at Jack.
"Go, Jonas," Jack ordered, kneeling down by the side of the Jaffa, and relieving the dead man of his zat gun.
Jonas nodded, resisting the urge to wipe his stained hands on his trousers. Osiris would need to see the evidence. He quickly retrieved the knife, holding it carefully, and left the room.
* * *
Carter sighed as she glanced around the small room on the cargo vessel, watching the occupants keenly.
Teal'c was sat to her side, operating the small vessel with ease, his eyes staring down at the controls.
Selmak, or her father, whoever was in control now, sat in the command chair near the centre of the room, overseeing the operation from that vantage point.
Master Bra'tac was pacing the room at the rear, and he looked up with wizened eyes occasionally, seeing what the others were doing at that present point in time. He watched the Tok'ra more than anyone else, not having had much experience with them, even though he trusted them.
And Malak stood slightly behind Carter, watching her actions intently, seeing she made no mistakes. The Tok'ra's presence on this mission was a little unexpected, but Sam had to admit she was glad that he was here to help.
The five were quiet, flying smoothly through space, eager to get to their desired destination. They had coordinates for the position of the Goa'uld ship, and they were following the directions given to them by the Tok'ra operatives.
Carter just wanted to help O'Neill and Jonas. She hoped they could hold out until then.
* * *
Tarak saw the door open before him, feeling the grip of the knife in his hands, the moisture of the blood marring the hilt, as well as his skin.
His host was not too comfortable with having the blood of a Jaffa on his hands... quite literally. Tarak had insisted it was necessary, and the Kelownan had become quiet once again in his protests.
Osiris turned to face him immediately, and smiled at the sight of the red blood covering his skin, as well as the blade in his hands.
"It is done?"
He nodded once, forcing a slight smile. "It is, my queen."
"Good," she purred, and crossed to him again, accepting the knife off of him.
Tarak had to fight desperately to resist the urge to take this opportunity to end the life of Osiris as she stood before him, staring gleefully at the bloodstained weapon she held delicately in her hands.
Tarak linked his hands loosely behind his back, feeling his host's urge to leave the room.
"I have finally put an end to at least half of that annoying team," Osiris said quietly, looking Tarak in the eye. "Now I have only the Sholva and the woman to deal with. No doubt they are on their way to retrieve Colonel O'Neill and the alien at this moment."
Tarak had forgotten this fact. His host had too apparently, as he suddenly felt the same wash of panic rush through him.
"Would you like for me to prepare for this?" Tarak asked curiously, tilting his head slightly.
Osiris laughed quietly. "Yes, I would like for that very much."
As Tarak turned to leave, he heard her say in addition, "But I wish to have the woman alive."
Bowing his head slightly, Tarak acknowledged, "Yes, my queen."
* * *
Immediately after leaving the room, Jonas took control back off of Tarak, and let out a deep breath, frowning as he looked at his hands. First order of business was to wash the blood away.
As he walked, he ignored the Jaffa that passed him, although he felt a slight tightening in his stomach whenever one glanced at him. He was frightened of being discovered as a fraud. But then, how would they know? They surely could not determine just by looking whether he was Goa'uld or Tok'ra.
Jonas wondered if Tarak had been sincere in his claim that he would leave his body at the nearest opportunity. What if the Tok'ra decided he did not wish to leave?
Don't think about that now, Jonas tried telling himself, but it was no good. He couldn't help but think it possible that Tarak would grow attached to having a host. What if he was like Kanan?
He felt a great lurching in the back of his neck then, and he reached up with a hand to it, wincing as it pained him to do so.
"Tarak," he mumbled, ducking into an alcove, and somehow wishing to tell the symbiote within himself that he meant it no real harm... he just didn't wish to share his body with it.
'I do not wish to bring any harm to you or your friend either, Jonas Quinn,' came a slight voice within his head, the words trailing off into a whisper that made a slight shiver travel up and down his spine.
You heard me? Jonas thought, shockingly not finding himself feeling foolish for having a conversation with -just about- himself.
'I hear your every thought within your mind, as I am certain you have heard mine as well,' came the voice of Tarak once again. The writhing eased.
I didn't mean to offend you, Jonas responded, feeling a little at ease now, lowering his hand from his neck as the sensation of discomfort subsided.
'Do not worry. I am easily offended,' Tarak said lightly.
Jonas allowed himself a slight smile. That was how I knew what you wanted to do, concerning Colonel O'Neill, Jonas concluded, letting out a breath of amazement at the capability he had had without even knowing.
'Yes, this is correct.' There was a moment of silence before Tarak added, 'You should keep moving. Our task is far from over.'
"Oh," Jonas muttered, and moved out from the alcove, heading in the direction Tarak guided him.
* * *
Jack whirled at the sound of approaching footfall, and cursed lightly when he realised he had nowhere to hide.
"Well," he mumbled, "at least I can give 'em a fight." With that, he raised the zat gun, and aimed in the direction of the footsteps.
But when that someone came round the corner, all thoughts of fighting diminished.
It was Jonas. Or Tarak... one or the other.
"Colonel," came the sound of Jonas' voice, and he gave the man a slight smile, approaching slowly, glancing over his shoulder at the slightest of sounds.
Hearing another sound from behind him, Jack whirled once again, and prepped to fire the zat when he saw the appearance of a figure suddenly... a woman.
He was stopped from firing by a hand latching around his arm, and pulling it down, accompanied by a quiet, but forceful, "No, don't hurt her."
"She's a Goa'uld, Jonas!" Jack hissed, pointing at the woman as she approached. Her seductive attire made her seem like a Goa'uld, and the way she walked was most certainly in character for one.
But even as he watched, her demeanour changed suddenly, and her steps were less confident, but proud somehow. She became less tall, and she cast a wary glance over her shoulder.
"Tarak? Is that you?" came her gentle voice, the voice of a host, not a symbiote.
Jonas smiled. "Sort of."
The woman smiled, and pulled Jonas into a warm embrace.
To Jack's knowledge, the two had never met.
When released from the embrace, Jonas looked a little startled, sort of like a rabbit that had just had a close encounter with a speeding car, and survived. He mouthed words that took no sound for a moment, before, with a lowering of the head, Tarak himself resurfaced.
When he spoke, his words were quiet, but confident in their meaning, "You are the one Ormak called Lanara, are you not?"
"I am," she said, her own voice having altered. "My host is most compassionate about the safety of her companions, please forgive her less than subtle display of affection. Her name is Shya."
"Hi, I'm Jack," O'Neill interrupted, his cheer slightly mocking... but he was just glad they had another ally in all of this mess. "And this is... was... should be..." he shook his head, "this is Jonas."
"Colonel O'Neill speaks the truth," Tarak laughed, indicating that they should not linger. The three moved on as Tarak continued, "My host is named Jonas Quinn... a less than eager vessel."
"A vessel?" Jack blurted, cursing himself for being less than covert. "Hey, the sooner you're outta there the better, don't you forget that."
Tarak nodded to Jack, and spoke once again to the woman. "Lanara, where is Ormak?"
"He is awaiting our arrival in the engine room," Lanara replied. Her long curly black hair cascaded down her back as he walked behind them, and Jack was amazed at just how beautiful it was. He had never seen such free- flowing hair from a Tok'ra.
"Are the preparations made for the ship's destruction?" Tarak asked in continuation.
"They are. We need only activate the device," Lanara concluded, passing down a corridor to her right.
Tarak followed, clearly not so sure of where he was supposed to go.
Jack turned the corner after them, and found that they had started up a conversation again.
"Did I hear you correctly when you spoke of your host as unwilling?" Lanara inquired, a little startled.
"This is correct," Tarak confirmed, with a single nod. "This body was provided at the wish of Osiris. After my maturing cycle within the Jaffa, I was most eager to rid myself of my surroundings. But I have promised the host that I will be gone at the soonest opportunity."
They soon arrived at what had to be the engine room. It looked just like the others that Jack vaguely remembered seeing... dim lights, crystals, the works.
"But you cannot leave your host," Lanara insisted, stopping Tarak in his tracks as soon as the door closed behind them. "What then will you do?"
"I will have another host," Tarak said soothingly, touching a hand to her hair.
Oh great, Jack thought, they're getting attached.
"Lady," Jack butt in again, walking between the two, much to the surprise of the very person he was addressing, "don't get too fond of what you're seeing, alright? As soon as we get outta here, the Tok'ra council are gonna get old Tarak outta Jonas, no questions asked. I think he's done a great job of not complaining about all of this so far, don't you?"
Lanara was defiant. "What if the host does not wish for the removal of Tarak?"
Jack turned back to Jonas, well, Tarak, and said, "Well, what does he want?"
When nothing was said, Jack sternly and slowly said, "Let Jonas speak."
Tarak closed his eyes, and when they reopened, it was clear Jonas was in the driving seat once more.
"Colonel, you know what I want," came his reply. He looked over at Lanara's pained expression, and said, "I really wouldn't do you any good as a Tok'ra anyway. Plus, implantation is supposed to be voluntary... mine wasn't."
After a moment of silence, and with an obvious tear in her eye, Lanara said, "Very well." With that, she moved off, to another figure that had emerged from behind the main crystal unit.
* * *
Jonas watched the woman walk away, and frowned. She was hurt, he could tell that much just by the way she looked back at him from the crystal unit as she worked. There was a certain something in her gaze that told him she didn't want to lose Tarak.
"Come on," the Colonel said, patting him on the shoulder lightly, zat held in his free hand, "let's give your new friends a hand, shall we?"
Jonas nodded half-heartedly, and walked to the man who had introduced himself as Ormak.
"Welcome, O'Neill," Ormak said to the human, "I have heard much of your adventures."
Colonel O'Neill looked slightly stunned, and then smiled a little smugly. "Well..." he breathed, shrugging loosely. He indicated the crystal core. "So, what're you doing?"
"We are planning to cause an engine overload that will subsequently destroy the vessel entirely. Osiris will be unable to stop the cascade." Ormak nodded towards Lanara, who was working hard behind them, moving crystals carefully, delicately shifting and swapping them, her pretty face pensive.
Jonas crossed his arms, and listened to Ormak's detailed description of their plan, and managed to understand most of it.
As Ormak moved to aid Lanara, Jonas heard O'Neill mutter, "Carter would have a field day with these guys."
Jonas smiled wanly, and walked over to the two others.
Ormak moved away, coming to a halt at another panel, and opening it, inspecting the contents carefully.
"Listen," Jonas began to Lanara, who did not move to show she was paying attention, "I didn't mean to... hurt you in any way. It's just... I'm not cut out to be a Tok'ra."
"You mean you do not wish to be a Tok'ra," Lanara countered, her eyes not moving from their concentration point.
Jonas sighed. "It's too sudden."
"You are managing yourself very well," Lanara told him, looking to him then with blue eyes filled with pained sorrow. "You do not realise how much potential you have as a host."
"Exactly," Jonas whispered, "a host. I want to... I want to be on my own in here." He indicated his head vaguely. "I'm not used to sharing it."
"Tarak is risking everything he knows to complete this mission, as are we," Lanara informed him sternly, looking over at a hard-working Ormak.
"I understand that," Jonas replied, "I really do, but after this is over, Tarak is leaving my body. We've already agreed."
Lanara was silent for a few moments in her protests, before she calmly said, "But you are the first host to Tarak. When I think of him from now on, your face will be what comes to mind... not whatever follows. To me, you and Tarak are one."
Jonas let his head hang, and he rubbed his eyes. How could he convince her? She was so passionate about what she believed was right.
"I'm Kelownan," he said quietly, not sure whether he intended for her to hear or not. "My people were never intended to be hosts. As far as I know, I have nothing to offer Tarak."
She smiled then, and stepped away from the control panel, closing her eyes. The next voice to speak was that of Shya, the host, "Jonas, I understand your resistance. When I was about to become host to Lanara, I was frightened, but I had no choice. I was about to die, and she saved my life. Now, I cannot imagine being without her."
"That's the difference between you and me, Shya," Jonas protested, trying to keep calm, "you had no choice... I do."
"Everything okay here, kids?"
Jonas turned his head to see O'Neill standing beside him, and then glanced back at Shya, who had once again become Lanara, as she replied, "Yes, O'Neill, everything is fine."
"Good," O'Neill said, smiling, and moved off, throwing Jonas a certain look.
Accepting the hint, Jonas looked one last time to Lanara, and then moved to be with O'Neill.
"I'm sensing a little tension," O'Neill pointed out, pocketing his free hand.
"Yeah," Jonas breathed, rubbing a hand lightly over his spiky hair. "You could say that."
"What's up? We're getting the job done... what's the problem?"
Jonas sighed. "Lanara and Shya don't want me to... separate from Tarak. They say they will always think of me and Tarak as one."
O'Neill's eyes widened. "They're kidding, right?"
"I don't think so. They're kicking up one hell of a fuss." Jonas gave the Colonel a look that made O'Neill understand just what the situation was.
"But it's your choice. They can't make you stay with him, right?"
"I hope not."
I wonder where that goes, he thought quickly, before the figure entered the room, shrouded in shadow, and seeming very ominous in their posture, and the way they looked back at the Jaffa standing outside the door.
Jack waited until the door had closed until he ran forward, and charged into the figure, ramming them into the wall behind them.
Just before he punched the figure in the face, a hand came up and caught the wrist.
"Colonel!" he heard a slightly panicked voice say, "It's me... calm down!"
Jack stumbled backwards, and waited for the figure to enter the light.
Jonas looked a little odd in his Goa'uld attire. The trousers were wide at the bottom, flaring out slightly over huge boots that gave the Kelownan a couple of inches of extra height. His sleeveless vest shirt showed off his arms in their entirety, and it was a marvel he wasn't cold. Hanging around his neck was a short gold chain that glinted in the dim light. His hair was reasonably similar to what it had been previously, except that the spikes were much more sharp in their appearance. They seemed longer than normal as well.
But his eyes were the same... no change there. They were the same old kind dark green eyes Jack was used to seeing.
"Colonel," Jonas began, his voice shaking slightly, his hand trembling as he held it out slightly, "you have to listen to me."
Jack nodded, feeling his sympathy for the young alien rise to the surface. He knew what it was like to be possessed by a snake... Tok'ra or Goa'uld... it was all the same to him. It wasn't pleasant in any way. Especially if the worm was anything like that bastard, Kanan.
"The Tok'ra..." he hesitated, digesting the situation before he spoke again, "the Tok'ra inside me is called Tarak. He's here with two others to sabotage the ship. They're operating right under Osiris' nose."
"Are you okay?" Jack asked suddenly, only really registering the Kelownan's words at face value. There was time for that later. He was concerned for his friend and SG-1 team member.
Jonas paused, letting out a deep breath restlessly, and letting out a small, frightened laugh, before shaking his head. "I'm not enjoying this, I can tell you that, sir."
"I can understand that," Jack mumbled. "What's it like?" He pointed vaguely in the vicinity of Jonas' neck, indicating the symbiote... or where it would be on relative terms.
Jonas tilted his head each way in consideration of the fact, and finally said, "He seems dedicated. But this is his first mission."
"What?" Jack breathed in surprise, a little concerned for the possibility of escape he thought Jonas had come to provide. With a first- time Tok'ra, and an inexperienced host, things could very quickly go awry.
"He only just matured. The Tok'ra planted him in his immature state inside the Jaffa Osiris used to implant me." Jonas grimaced at the obvious memory, and the pity swelled up inside Jack again.
"You're serious?" Jack muttered, glancing over Jonas' shoulder at the door to check no one was going to interrupt and discover the newly implanted host was a Tok'ra intruder.
Instead of replying, Jonas lowered his head slightly, soon raising it again to let his eyes flash.
Jack jumped back slightly, exclaiming quietly, "Whoa... don't do that."
"I am sorry, Colonel O'Neill," the Tok'ra said through Jonas' mouth, in its own voice. The all-too-familiar distortion made Jack shudder slightly. It was too odd... seeing Jonas standing before him, but it not really being Jonas at all... well, not entirely.
"You must help me and the others to complete our mission," the Tok'ra said.
What was its name again... Tarak? Yes, that was it.
"Tarak, buddy, in case you hadn't noticed, Osiris thinks you're a Goa'uld for cryin' out loud!" Jack hissed, gesturing wildly with flailing arms.
Tarak stood before him calmly, and said, "Yes, she does."
"And I'm locked in a cell."
Tarak nodded slowly.
Jack furrowed his brow at the look on Jonas' face, and he quietly asked, "What is it?"
"Osiris has ordered me to end your life," Tarak informed him sorrowfully.
Jack would have laughed if the situation had not been so dire. "What?"
Tarak shook his head, and then lowered it, letting Jonas surface once again.
Jonas blinked twice slowly, before saying, "Colonel, if I... if Tarak doesn't go back there with evidence that he killed you, Osiris is going to know that I'm not a Goa'uld. She'll discover Tarak and the others."
Jack felt like blurting 'I don't care', but controlled the urge, instead saying, "Well, I'm not too keen on dying, thank you, no matter how desperate the Tok'ra are."
"I know," Jonas agreed, nodding vigorously, and then grimacing slightly, no doubt in relation to the symbiote twined around his spinal chord. "But Tarak wants to put you in the sarcophagus afterwards."
Jack glared.
"I won't let him do that, Colonel."
"You remember Kanan, right?" Jack grumbled, "And everything that happened as a result? Well, if I ever have to go near a goddamn sarcophagus again, I'm gonna lose my mind, Jonas!"
"I know that, sir," Jonas eased, moving closer, and holding up a hand. "I've... told him that I won't do it, and neither will you. He doesn't see what other choice we have."
"I'd rather blow this whole place to hell than have to use a sarcophagus again, and you know that, Jonas," Jack told him firmly, his words precise to avoid confusion.
"Do you have another idea?" Jonas ventured, scratching the back of his head. He grimaced again.
"Are you alight? You keep pulling a face," Jack pointed out, cocking his head.
"It's just... the symbiote..." he trailed off, narrowing his eyes in disgust as he looked the Colonel in the eye.
"Through the mouth?" Jack filled in, seeing Jonas nod, and almost gagged himself, remembering the unpleasant sensation. "Ugh."
Jonas nodded absent-mindedly.
After a moment of silence, Jack sighed and offered, "Why not kill the guard?"
Jonas raised an eyebrow sceptically. "I'm not so sure that would work. Osiris might not believe the blood is yours."
"But just try it, Jonas," Jack insisted, "if she doesn't believe you, at least I'll be out of here, and able to help you, or whatever it is you want me to do."
"I can try," Jonas sighed, letting Tarak re-emerge.
"This time, follow my lead," Jack said quickly, and punched the man in the face, knocking him back slightly.
The green eyes locked with his, and both then fell onto the same track of thought, as the Tok'ra punched back.
After a few moments of scuffling, Tarak called out to the guard outside the door. Pressing Jack up against the wall, Tarak waited for the sturdy Jaffa to enter the room, before he broke off, and rammed into him instead.
The Jaffa gasped, before choking and falling to the floor, the Tok'ra rising from the ground. Blood covered the knife in his hand, running down onto his skin. It stained the other hand also, after the Tok'ra had made a rather impressive hole in the Jaffa, at a vulnerable point above the armour.
Jonas surfaced then, and made a startled noise at the knife in his hand, which he quickly proceeded to drop. He stared at the blood on his hands, before glancing up in shock at Jack.
"Go, Jonas," Jack ordered, kneeling down by the side of the Jaffa, and relieving the dead man of his zat gun.
Jonas nodded, resisting the urge to wipe his stained hands on his trousers. Osiris would need to see the evidence. He quickly retrieved the knife, holding it carefully, and left the room.
* * *
Carter sighed as she glanced around the small room on the cargo vessel, watching the occupants keenly.
Teal'c was sat to her side, operating the small vessel with ease, his eyes staring down at the controls.
Selmak, or her father, whoever was in control now, sat in the command chair near the centre of the room, overseeing the operation from that vantage point.
Master Bra'tac was pacing the room at the rear, and he looked up with wizened eyes occasionally, seeing what the others were doing at that present point in time. He watched the Tok'ra more than anyone else, not having had much experience with them, even though he trusted them.
And Malak stood slightly behind Carter, watching her actions intently, seeing she made no mistakes. The Tok'ra's presence on this mission was a little unexpected, but Sam had to admit she was glad that he was here to help.
The five were quiet, flying smoothly through space, eager to get to their desired destination. They had coordinates for the position of the Goa'uld ship, and they were following the directions given to them by the Tok'ra operatives.
Carter just wanted to help O'Neill and Jonas. She hoped they could hold out until then.
* * *
Tarak saw the door open before him, feeling the grip of the knife in his hands, the moisture of the blood marring the hilt, as well as his skin.
His host was not too comfortable with having the blood of a Jaffa on his hands... quite literally. Tarak had insisted it was necessary, and the Kelownan had become quiet once again in his protests.
Osiris turned to face him immediately, and smiled at the sight of the red blood covering his skin, as well as the blade in his hands.
"It is done?"
He nodded once, forcing a slight smile. "It is, my queen."
"Good," she purred, and crossed to him again, accepting the knife off of him.
Tarak had to fight desperately to resist the urge to take this opportunity to end the life of Osiris as she stood before him, staring gleefully at the bloodstained weapon she held delicately in her hands.
Tarak linked his hands loosely behind his back, feeling his host's urge to leave the room.
"I have finally put an end to at least half of that annoying team," Osiris said quietly, looking Tarak in the eye. "Now I have only the Sholva and the woman to deal with. No doubt they are on their way to retrieve Colonel O'Neill and the alien at this moment."
Tarak had forgotten this fact. His host had too apparently, as he suddenly felt the same wash of panic rush through him.
"Would you like for me to prepare for this?" Tarak asked curiously, tilting his head slightly.
Osiris laughed quietly. "Yes, I would like for that very much."
As Tarak turned to leave, he heard her say in addition, "But I wish to have the woman alive."
Bowing his head slightly, Tarak acknowledged, "Yes, my queen."
* * *
Immediately after leaving the room, Jonas took control back off of Tarak, and let out a deep breath, frowning as he looked at his hands. First order of business was to wash the blood away.
As he walked, he ignored the Jaffa that passed him, although he felt a slight tightening in his stomach whenever one glanced at him. He was frightened of being discovered as a fraud. But then, how would they know? They surely could not determine just by looking whether he was Goa'uld or Tok'ra.
Jonas wondered if Tarak had been sincere in his claim that he would leave his body at the nearest opportunity. What if the Tok'ra decided he did not wish to leave?
Don't think about that now, Jonas tried telling himself, but it was no good. He couldn't help but think it possible that Tarak would grow attached to having a host. What if he was like Kanan?
He felt a great lurching in the back of his neck then, and he reached up with a hand to it, wincing as it pained him to do so.
"Tarak," he mumbled, ducking into an alcove, and somehow wishing to tell the symbiote within himself that he meant it no real harm... he just didn't wish to share his body with it.
'I do not wish to bring any harm to you or your friend either, Jonas Quinn,' came a slight voice within his head, the words trailing off into a whisper that made a slight shiver travel up and down his spine.
You heard me? Jonas thought, shockingly not finding himself feeling foolish for having a conversation with -just about- himself.
'I hear your every thought within your mind, as I am certain you have heard mine as well,' came the voice of Tarak once again. The writhing eased.
I didn't mean to offend you, Jonas responded, feeling a little at ease now, lowering his hand from his neck as the sensation of discomfort subsided.
'Do not worry. I am easily offended,' Tarak said lightly.
Jonas allowed himself a slight smile. That was how I knew what you wanted to do, concerning Colonel O'Neill, Jonas concluded, letting out a breath of amazement at the capability he had had without even knowing.
'Yes, this is correct.' There was a moment of silence before Tarak added, 'You should keep moving. Our task is far from over.'
"Oh," Jonas muttered, and moved out from the alcove, heading in the direction Tarak guided him.
* * *
Jack whirled at the sound of approaching footfall, and cursed lightly when he realised he had nowhere to hide.
"Well," he mumbled, "at least I can give 'em a fight." With that, he raised the zat gun, and aimed in the direction of the footsteps.
But when that someone came round the corner, all thoughts of fighting diminished.
It was Jonas. Or Tarak... one or the other.
"Colonel," came the sound of Jonas' voice, and he gave the man a slight smile, approaching slowly, glancing over his shoulder at the slightest of sounds.
Hearing another sound from behind him, Jack whirled once again, and prepped to fire the zat when he saw the appearance of a figure suddenly... a woman.
He was stopped from firing by a hand latching around his arm, and pulling it down, accompanied by a quiet, but forceful, "No, don't hurt her."
"She's a Goa'uld, Jonas!" Jack hissed, pointing at the woman as she approached. Her seductive attire made her seem like a Goa'uld, and the way she walked was most certainly in character for one.
But even as he watched, her demeanour changed suddenly, and her steps were less confident, but proud somehow. She became less tall, and she cast a wary glance over her shoulder.
"Tarak? Is that you?" came her gentle voice, the voice of a host, not a symbiote.
Jonas smiled. "Sort of."
The woman smiled, and pulled Jonas into a warm embrace.
To Jack's knowledge, the two had never met.
When released from the embrace, Jonas looked a little startled, sort of like a rabbit that had just had a close encounter with a speeding car, and survived. He mouthed words that took no sound for a moment, before, with a lowering of the head, Tarak himself resurfaced.
When he spoke, his words were quiet, but confident in their meaning, "You are the one Ormak called Lanara, are you not?"
"I am," she said, her own voice having altered. "My host is most compassionate about the safety of her companions, please forgive her less than subtle display of affection. Her name is Shya."
"Hi, I'm Jack," O'Neill interrupted, his cheer slightly mocking... but he was just glad they had another ally in all of this mess. "And this is... was... should be..." he shook his head, "this is Jonas."
"Colonel O'Neill speaks the truth," Tarak laughed, indicating that they should not linger. The three moved on as Tarak continued, "My host is named Jonas Quinn... a less than eager vessel."
"A vessel?" Jack blurted, cursing himself for being less than covert. "Hey, the sooner you're outta there the better, don't you forget that."
Tarak nodded to Jack, and spoke once again to the woman. "Lanara, where is Ormak?"
"He is awaiting our arrival in the engine room," Lanara replied. Her long curly black hair cascaded down her back as he walked behind them, and Jack was amazed at just how beautiful it was. He had never seen such free- flowing hair from a Tok'ra.
"Are the preparations made for the ship's destruction?" Tarak asked in continuation.
"They are. We need only activate the device," Lanara concluded, passing down a corridor to her right.
Tarak followed, clearly not so sure of where he was supposed to go.
Jack turned the corner after them, and found that they had started up a conversation again.
"Did I hear you correctly when you spoke of your host as unwilling?" Lanara inquired, a little startled.
"This is correct," Tarak confirmed, with a single nod. "This body was provided at the wish of Osiris. After my maturing cycle within the Jaffa, I was most eager to rid myself of my surroundings. But I have promised the host that I will be gone at the soonest opportunity."
They soon arrived at what had to be the engine room. It looked just like the others that Jack vaguely remembered seeing... dim lights, crystals, the works.
"But you cannot leave your host," Lanara insisted, stopping Tarak in his tracks as soon as the door closed behind them. "What then will you do?"
"I will have another host," Tarak said soothingly, touching a hand to her hair.
Oh great, Jack thought, they're getting attached.
"Lady," Jack butt in again, walking between the two, much to the surprise of the very person he was addressing, "don't get too fond of what you're seeing, alright? As soon as we get outta here, the Tok'ra council are gonna get old Tarak outta Jonas, no questions asked. I think he's done a great job of not complaining about all of this so far, don't you?"
Lanara was defiant. "What if the host does not wish for the removal of Tarak?"
Jack turned back to Jonas, well, Tarak, and said, "Well, what does he want?"
When nothing was said, Jack sternly and slowly said, "Let Jonas speak."
Tarak closed his eyes, and when they reopened, it was clear Jonas was in the driving seat once more.
"Colonel, you know what I want," came his reply. He looked over at Lanara's pained expression, and said, "I really wouldn't do you any good as a Tok'ra anyway. Plus, implantation is supposed to be voluntary... mine wasn't."
After a moment of silence, and with an obvious tear in her eye, Lanara said, "Very well." With that, she moved off, to another figure that had emerged from behind the main crystal unit.
* * *
Jonas watched the woman walk away, and frowned. She was hurt, he could tell that much just by the way she looked back at him from the crystal unit as she worked. There was a certain something in her gaze that told him she didn't want to lose Tarak.
"Come on," the Colonel said, patting him on the shoulder lightly, zat held in his free hand, "let's give your new friends a hand, shall we?"
Jonas nodded half-heartedly, and walked to the man who had introduced himself as Ormak.
"Welcome, O'Neill," Ormak said to the human, "I have heard much of your adventures."
Colonel O'Neill looked slightly stunned, and then smiled a little smugly. "Well..." he breathed, shrugging loosely. He indicated the crystal core. "So, what're you doing?"
"We are planning to cause an engine overload that will subsequently destroy the vessel entirely. Osiris will be unable to stop the cascade." Ormak nodded towards Lanara, who was working hard behind them, moving crystals carefully, delicately shifting and swapping them, her pretty face pensive.
Jonas crossed his arms, and listened to Ormak's detailed description of their plan, and managed to understand most of it.
As Ormak moved to aid Lanara, Jonas heard O'Neill mutter, "Carter would have a field day with these guys."
Jonas smiled wanly, and walked over to the two others.
Ormak moved away, coming to a halt at another panel, and opening it, inspecting the contents carefully.
"Listen," Jonas began to Lanara, who did not move to show she was paying attention, "I didn't mean to... hurt you in any way. It's just... I'm not cut out to be a Tok'ra."
"You mean you do not wish to be a Tok'ra," Lanara countered, her eyes not moving from their concentration point.
Jonas sighed. "It's too sudden."
"You are managing yourself very well," Lanara told him, looking to him then with blue eyes filled with pained sorrow. "You do not realise how much potential you have as a host."
"Exactly," Jonas whispered, "a host. I want to... I want to be on my own in here." He indicated his head vaguely. "I'm not used to sharing it."
"Tarak is risking everything he knows to complete this mission, as are we," Lanara informed him sternly, looking over at a hard-working Ormak.
"I understand that," Jonas replied, "I really do, but after this is over, Tarak is leaving my body. We've already agreed."
Lanara was silent for a few moments in her protests, before she calmly said, "But you are the first host to Tarak. When I think of him from now on, your face will be what comes to mind... not whatever follows. To me, you and Tarak are one."
Jonas let his head hang, and he rubbed his eyes. How could he convince her? She was so passionate about what she believed was right.
"I'm Kelownan," he said quietly, not sure whether he intended for her to hear or not. "My people were never intended to be hosts. As far as I know, I have nothing to offer Tarak."
She smiled then, and stepped away from the control panel, closing her eyes. The next voice to speak was that of Shya, the host, "Jonas, I understand your resistance. When I was about to become host to Lanara, I was frightened, but I had no choice. I was about to die, and she saved my life. Now, I cannot imagine being without her."
"That's the difference between you and me, Shya," Jonas protested, trying to keep calm, "you had no choice... I do."
"Everything okay here, kids?"
Jonas turned his head to see O'Neill standing beside him, and then glanced back at Shya, who had once again become Lanara, as she replied, "Yes, O'Neill, everything is fine."
"Good," O'Neill said, smiling, and moved off, throwing Jonas a certain look.
Accepting the hint, Jonas looked one last time to Lanara, and then moved to be with O'Neill.
"I'm sensing a little tension," O'Neill pointed out, pocketing his free hand.
"Yeah," Jonas breathed, rubbing a hand lightly over his spiky hair. "You could say that."
"What's up? We're getting the job done... what's the problem?"
Jonas sighed. "Lanara and Shya don't want me to... separate from Tarak. They say they will always think of me and Tarak as one."
O'Neill's eyes widened. "They're kidding, right?"
"I don't think so. They're kicking up one hell of a fuss." Jonas gave the Colonel a look that made O'Neill understand just what the situation was.
"But it's your choice. They can't make you stay with him, right?"
"I hope not."