Constructive criticisms always welcomed. Flames cheerfully ignored.

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Hail to the King

Part 9: Home again safe

The Stargate activated with its usual whoosh, and O'Neill carefully entered his GDO code before standing before the MALP's camera. Arthur and Neftu stood back, dressed in the simple robes of the Tok'ra. A pendant in the shape of his coat of arms fastened Arthur's above his left breast.

"That 'The Dark Cloud', 'Death of Thousands' stuff, was that true?" O'Neill asked Neftu while he waited for the uplink to be established.

"[It was, at a time. But that was a long time ago, before I met Arthur.]" She smiled, the glow in her eyes dimmed, "Hello Sir Jack, I am Jessica, Neftu's host. Do you have any questions you wish to ask me?"

"No, they can wait." O'Neill turned back to the camera, "This is Colonel O'Neill calling Stargate Command, over."

"This General Hammond," The small speaker under the camera made the man's normally deep voice sound tinny, "I hope you can understand why we haven't opened the iris yet."

"I understand sir," O'Neill nodded, "I suggest full security in the gate room followed by Doc Fraiser normal round of torture." He looked at Arthur and Neftu, then the two large crates that Teal'c was standing next to, "We will be bringing two Tok'ra with us, as well as some of that Advanced Alien Technology that the Pentagon is always asking us to bring back."

"I was led to understand that there was only one Tok'ra there?" Hammond sounded suspicious, "Care to explain yourself Colonel?"

"It's a long story Sir, but let's just say that I've finally found a Tok'ra I like." O'Neill smiled, "You want we should wait for Thor to get here?"

"No, I don't think that will be necessary." Hammond accepted, "We can handle security at this end. Just keep your hands and weapons where we can see them. Opening the iris now." The lights on O'Neill's GDO turned green.

"Ok ramblers, let's get rambling." O'Neill lifted one of the crates, "I'll go first, then Arthur and Neftu. Teal'c, you bring up the rear." The former Jaffa nodded his agreement, and they stepped through the gate.

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The gate-room was full of guards when they reached the other side, and the stood still while their weapons where collected before being led to the infirmary. Dr Fraiser ran her tests on them, and was going through the results when Hammond came in.

"Ok Doctor." He stood by the door, "How are they?"

"Well, I can confirm that neither Colonel O'Neill or Teal'c have been taken over by a symbiote, nor are they under the control of a Zatarc implant." The CMO explained, "Their blood tests show know abnormalities that would imply drugs or other chemical means of control." She opened a folder, "Our two 'guests' on the other hand are defiantly host's, but I can't tell you if they are Goa'uld or Tok'ra." She pulled out an X-ray, "As would be expected, Neftu is significantly larger than normal, a sign that she is indeed a queen."

"If you could keep them here for the time being: I've sent Major Carter and Dr Jackson to contact the Tok'ra at the Alpha site." Hammond explained, "Hopefully they will be able to send someone to determine the truth in what they are saying."

As if on cue, the sirens started warbling, heralding an incoming wormhole.

"Tok'ra GDO confirmed." The duty sergeant's voice came over the intercom, "Opening the iris."

A few minuets later Major Carter and Dr Jackson came through the door, followed by Jacob Carter.

"George." He nodded to Hammond, "I take it you have someone for me to meet."

"[That would be us.]" Arthur stood up next to his bed, "[I am Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon, and formally a member of the Tok'ra.]" He held out his hand to Neftu, "[This is my consort Neftu, formally of the System Lords.]"

"[Neftu the Destroyer!]" Selmak glared at her, "[We had hoped that you where dead.]" Jacob regained his composure, "I apologise: Selmak can be very emotional."

"[No apology's needed,]" Neftu bowed her head, "[my past is not something I am proud off.]"

"Quite." O'Neill decided to step in, "Arthur, Neftu, this is General Jacob Carter, Major Carter's farther and host of Selmak." He smiled, "Jacob, Selmak, Neftu is a reformed queen-Goa'uld." He caught the flicker in the older man's eyes, "I thought that would get your attention."

"[I see]" Selmak still seemed uneasy, "[The Tok'ra council wishes to see Arthur immediately, and I presume that they will want to see Neftu as well.]"

"I think that can be arranged." Hammond nodded, "But I sagest we get this done as soon as possible: a tam is flying in from Area-51 to examine the energy weapons Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c brought back with them, and I don't trust NID to not want to examine a queen-Goa'uld."

To Be Continued…