Chapter 14: Decisions

Narim was happy, for the moment at least. For the first time in a year he, and his people were properly fed, the Tau'ri were treating them for numerous infections and injuries and whilst their methods were primitive in comparison to what the Tollan were used to, they would be enough to ensure their survival. Three individuals had been placed in Enerina's sarcophagus, having been critically malnourished, but thankfully no others were ill enough to require that. The Tollen knew all too well the effects of the sarcophagus and were eager to avoid the device if possible.

Now Penhall wished to speak with him on a critical matter. Narim half-smiled, well at least it wouldn't be an exchange of technologies he wanted, they had none left to share.

"Narim, I am told you are the senior surviving Tollen?"

"I am the only surviving Tollen who was directly involved with the government, yes" Narim replied, his hands resting in his lap, his face haggard and lean and permanently etched with a haunted expression.

"What do your people wish to do now?"

"Excuse me?"

"You cannot go to Tollana, or New Tollana, you have lost your technology base, there are only 78 of you left, and you will need help to rebuild.

We can, if you want, arrange contact with the Asgard or the Nox, both of whom are advanced enough for your technology sharing rules not to be an issue, and the Nox have already shown they are willing to help you if asked.

The Asgard have the technology to ensure your small surviving gene pool shouldn't be an issue, but have been weakened by the replicators, skirmishes with Anubis and their own internal genetic problems, something you might have the knowledge, if not the technology any more to help with.

You could decide to set-up on your own, we know of numerous worlds that are available for colonisation, but you have been a technological society for so long that you will undoubtedly have problems with the skills required. Farming, basic metallurgy, woodworking for example.

Your final option is to work with us, we, the RSS and the SGC will do our best to ensure your safety, I have been authorised to offer you a continent on this planet for you to colonise and expand across, and we will help you as much as we can. We may not be as advanced as you are used to but we can teach you the basic skills with few problems. The only caveat is you will be required to help us adapt Goa'uld technologies for our own use.

The decision is yours, and you have a month before the Doctors are likely to clear all of you to leave"