Constructive criticisms always welcomed. Flames cheerfully ignored.

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Hail to the King Part 10: Tribunal

"[We would like to thank you for taking part in this hearing Col. O'Neill]" The head of the Tok'ra council sat behind a long table that stood at one end of a large tent set aside for the hearing, "[I hope you understand why we need to verify that what you are telling us is indeed the truth.]" He motioned towards the Zatarc detector sitting on a table near the SG-1 commander.

"I understand." O'Neill nodded, "But it's un-necessary: I think we are all aware of my personal opinion of the Tok'ra." There where a few murmurs as varies people remembered his past comments, "Well let me tell you this: Arthur is the first of your kind I've met who I like."

"[That may be.]" The prosecutor stepped forward, "[But this hearing is to determine weather or not he acted like a Goa'uld at any time. He has admitted himself that he took the position of King in order to gain control the people of you home world…]"

"And in the prose's saved us from a Goa'uld invasion!" O'Neill objected.

"[That is beside the point: we need to know what he has done since then]" The prosecutor explained, activating the Zatarc detector, "[Could you please tell us, in you own words, your visit to the world known as Avalon?]"

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"Well that was tedious." O'Neill sat on the bench outside the tent, "How many way's are there to say 'No' when someone asks you if you think a Tok'ra is really a Goa'uld?"

"You can understand where they are coming from Jack," Carter sat next to her Co, "Arthur's been away for almost 2,000-years: a lot can happen in that time."

"Come on Carter!" O'Neill exclaimed, "You where there: did anything you see or hear lead you to believe that Arthur's been acting like your normal snake-head? Even the Tok'ra are aloof, but he's one of the most welcoming people I've ever met."

"What about Neftu?" Daniel asked, "I've read about her: she was considered a very powerful god by the ancient Egyptian's. From what the Tok'ra have told me, she was once a powerful System Lord."

"Till she decided that they where to harsh." O'Neill pointed out, "I've been told her story by the Tok'ra too: she decided that pretending to be god's was wrong, and was going to reveal the truth to her people. That is why the others tried to kill her."

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"[Teal'c, you have many years of experience with the Goa'uld.]" The prosecutor asked the Jaffa warrior, "[And I am sure you are aware of Neftu's repetition among the System Lord's. Do you believe she has indeed taken up the way's of the Tok'ra?]"

"Indeed I do."  Teal'c nodded, "In my 139-years I have encountered hundreds of Goa'uld, and I have long learned they're ways and practises. Neither Arthur nor Neftu acted like a Goa'uld at any time. A Goa'uld would have sacrificed the towns' people in a bid to escape or defeat Osiris. Arthur was willing to give his life to save the people he protected." He looked at the council members, "An action I have only seen in one other Tok'ra."

"[Yet both yourself and Colonel O'Neill have testified that Neftu's guards ware Jaffa armour, and Arthur's people are still technologically un-advanced.]" The prosecutor crossed his arms, "[Dose this sound like the actions of a benevolent ruler?]"

"To artificially advance a people by exposing them to advanced technology would be dangerous." Teal'c's expression didn't change, "The people of Logres, Arthur's kingdom on Avalon, seemed more than happy with they're lives. And they where not a technological backwards as they seemed: the city its self was powered by a Naquadah reactor that provide free light and heat. They had medical knowledge at lest as advanced as the Tauri, and they process advanced energy weapons almost on par with the System Lords."

"[Colonel O'Neill mentioned nothing of this reactor.]" The head of the council looked at his notes, "[He mentions the weapons and medical knowledge, but he seemed to think that the only sores of power in the city was a windmill.]"

"Colonel O'Neill partook of a large quantity of mead during our stay." Teal'c smiled, "And remembers little of the conversation we had with Arthur and Merlin of the Asgard over dinner."

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"Jack, Sam, Daniel." Jacob appeared at the tent door, "The council have reached a verdict."

To Be Continued…