Destiny's Child
Chapter Nine
Darien Parker led his guests to the Resolutions brig where their prisoners would be waiting. Darien wondered when the Goa'uld would get the message that if they left him alone, he would leave them alone. Hopefully they would before he was forced to destroy more of their vessels and kill thousands more Jaffa - SG-1, Narim and Travell had been explaining to him the ways of the Goa'uld System Lords and how they enslaved and abused other species in the arrogant, outrageous belief that they were gods - and how they forced primitive societies - almost entirely taken from Earth during the Goa'uld reign there - to worship them as such. Then there was the matter of the Jaffa - Humans who had been genetically altered to function as soldiers and living incubators for Goa'uld larvae. It was a bit like the Founders and the way they'd specifically created a race - the Jem'Hadar - to serve as warriors and implements of terror. The Jaffa were used in much the same way as the Jem'Hadar - to maintain Goa'uld power in the galaxy through intimidation and fear.
"Are all the Goa'uld evil," Darien asked as they walked down the corridors of the ship passing crewmen and women moving about their normal duties.
"Almost all," Sam Carter admitted. "There is a small group of Goa'uld – a few hundred or so – who believe completely differently to the rest of their kind and are dedicated to the destruction of the System Lords. They are called the Tok'ra. Six of the relief ships were manned by Tok'ra pilots."
"The Tok'ra do not believe in taking hosts by force," Teal'c added. "Any blending done with a host is almost always voluntary. There have been instances where Tok'ra symbiotes have taken a host without asking but only in extreme conditions. Though the Tok'ra can and does occasionally control the host body control is always relinquished to the host. Symbiotes care deeply for the well being of their hosts and will give their lives if it will save their host. As Jolinar did."
"Jolinar," Darien questioned.
"Jolinar was a Tok'ra symbiote who blended with me," Sam admitted as she remembered the grief and pain she'd felt after Jolinar had given her life to save her. "When we were attacked by a Goa'uld assassin sent by the System Lords Jolinar deliberately took the full force of the torture/assassination device upon herself to save me. Ordinarily when a symbiote dies inside a host it releases a toxin, which will kill the host within a few hours. Jolinar consciously prevented herself from doing so even as she died. She wanted me to continue living."
"For which everyone is grateful," Narim added. Especially me, he thought to himself thinking of the affection he had for Samantha. If she'd been a Tollan, he was certain that he would have married her by now.
"I see. It must have been hard on you then major when Jolinar died to save you?"
"It was," Sam admitted. "She wasn't blended with me for very long but I do miss her still."
"Captain Parker may I make an observation," Travell said.
"Of course," Darien responded.
"You do not seem to be surprised by the idea of a symbiotic relationship between a humanoid and a non-humanoid lifeform." SG-1 nodded in agreement with Travell - they'd noticed it themselves.
"That's because I am not," Darien replied with a smile. "There is a member of one such race onboard Lieutenant Tras Rakan - my science officer. He's a Trill. Their two sentient species on their homeworld. One humanoid - human for the most part save for some differences in their immune system, organ placement and function, brain structure - that sort of thing. They also have a line of spots running from their temples all the way down their bodies. As with most humanoids they live around a hundred to a hundred and thirty years. The other species is fewer in number. They are a highly intelligent slug-like race that lives in geothermal underground pools of sulpherous mud and water. They can live up to a thousand years each. These slugs - they don't have an individual name - can live independently but are capable of joining with the humanoid Trill through a specialised oraface that Trill have in the abdominal area. Once joined the symbiote and host become biologically interdepent for the duration of the hosts natural life. When the host dies - the symbiote is removed and placed in a new host, the new host then gains the memories and knowledge of the pervious host or hosts, and the symbiotes own knowledge. For example Lieutenant Rakan is the forth host for the symbiote Rakan. The humanoid part Tras Jurlur is twenty-nine, the symbiote Rakan however is two hundred and seventy-nine. When combined Tras Rakan has the combined knowledge of three hundred and eight years."
"Why does the name change when a symbiote and host join," Sam asked listening in fascination to the description of the Trill.
"Tradition. When a symbiote joins with a host the hosts family name is replaced by the symbiotes name."
"Can all Trills be joined?" Daniel asked.
"Physically yes but psychologically no. There are a limited number of symbiotes available and any one time. They breed only slowly. Plus joining is an immense psychological shock for the individual. You see when a symbiote and host join their personalities and minds meld - become a completely new individual with thousands and thousands of memories and knowledge that spans centuries. Only psychologically strong individuals can survive a joining savely - a weak host could go insane. Therefore the Trill government has a strict regulatory body that assess and trains would be hosts and assigns symbiotes when available."
"Ah. Can other species be implanted with Trill symbiotes," Narim asked.
"Not safely," Darien replied. "The immune systems of the Trill are very different to the immune systems of other humanoids. The Trill have evolved with the ability to join with the symbiots. Thus they have a special oraface in the abdominal area which I mentioned earlier - their immune system is designed with joining in mind. Other humanoids do not have these adaptations. If a symbiote is placed - say in a Human - then it will immediately come under attack from the immune system."
"So the symbiotes can only join with Trills," Sam Carter said.
"Exactly."
They arrived outside the brig at that moment. After keying in his access code into the door control panel Darien led his guests inside. The first thing they saw was a large console desk and beyond it was a wide corridor leading lined with doors. Beyond each door there would be a large room that was literally split in two into an outer guard chamber and a cell.
Two security guards manned the outer desk with Lieutenant Commander Christopher Beech standing behind them waiting patiently for his commanding officer to arrive.
"Mr Beech how are our guests doing," Darien asked walking up. "Any problems?"
"Not really sir," Beech reported. "They were easily contained. They seemed pretty shocked by what had happened to them. The female Goa'uld did give us a lot of lip about making us pay for such insolence - I swear sir her arrogance puts the Borg Queen to shame - we ended up stunning her for a little peace and quiet. Judging from Ensign Bates complaint she just woke up."
"Then we better go a see her maybe convince her to be a little more co-operative."
"Fat chance of that with a Goa'uld," Daniel pointed out. "All arrogance and bluster they are. Listening is not one of their better skills."
"Perhaps but this Goa'uld is a prisoner on my ship. If she doesn't cooperate then maybe a couple of days in the brig with only basic food and water provision will convince her."
"There are other ways to make a Goa'uld cooperate," Teal'c pointed out helpfully. "One way is to insult their egos. Make them look completely foolish. They will often then tell you what you want to know just to make themselves seem more powerful. Arrogance and overconfidence are the greatest weaknesses of the Goa'uld." Darien chuckled slightly.
"They sound a bit like the Borg in that respect. Your advice is noted Teal'c."
Darien led his guests into the cell room where their Goa'uld prisoner was being held. Lieutenant Commander Beech accompanied them keeping a watchful protective gaze upon his captain. Gasps of surprise escaped SG-1 as they recognised the Goa'uld sitting on the other side of force field looking more than a little pissed at her current circumstances.
The Goa'uld was Osiris.
Osiris noticed them at the same time. A cruel smile crossed her lips as she noticed Daniel Jackson especially, she knew that he still had strong feelings for her host. And she delighted in the knowledge that her controlling Sarah Gardner caused him suffering.
Darien walked up to the edge of the force field. The Goa'uld stood up also and walked forwards to the edge of the other side of the field. Osiris met Dariens gaze and almost immediately began to feel a little itimidated by the big Human facing her.
[You are the commanding officer of this vessel,] Osiris asked.
"Yes," Darien responded. "Captain Darien Parker."
[We are Osiris. If you release me and beg forgiveness I might be willing to let you die relatively painlessly.] Darien chuckled.
"You are in no position to threaten anyone Osiris," he said calmly. "You're trapped behind a level four force field. Your ship is disabled and in my shuttle bay. You have no weapons or technology. Your soldiers in separate cells. You are stuck. And even if you were to somehow get out - you would not get far. This section is sealed off from the rest of the ship - guards patrol it day and night, so do the internal sensors. If you escaped the brig security would be on top of you in less than a minute."
"You have no possibility of escape," Teal'c added.
[I do not hear the words of a sho'vah,] Osiris snapped. [You will pay dearly for betraying your god Teal'c.]
"False god," Teal'c replied. "A dead false god." Osiris snarled at the renegade Jaffa who had began a rebellion among his kind that was now causing Goa'uld everywhere considerable headaches. Anubis intended to make an example of Teal'c whenever he could capture him. Anubis dared not go to Earth to get him. That would incur the wrath of the Asgard - which was something even Anubis wished to avoid.
After a moment glaring at the Jaffa Osiris turned her head to look back at Captain Parker.
[What do you want?] she asked hoping the bargain her way out of here. Unlike many of her kind Osiris was not adverse to using politics and diplomacy when brute force failed. Many of the younger System Lords had no use for diplomacy - the only System Lord left who really had a use for it was Lord Yu, the oldest of the surviving System Lords now that Cronos and Apophis had joined Ra, Heru'ur and Sokar in death.
"Information," Darien replied. "I want to know who sent you here and why you were spying upon my ship."
[That information is not for you to know,] Osiris snapped automatically. Then paused and considered. [I will tell you what you want to know at a price.]
"What kind of price," Jack O'Neill demanded a little surprised by Osiris' behaviour. She was being unusually reasonable for a Goa'uld.
[In exchange for my information,] Osiris said. [I want my freedom and information on your defence technologies.]
"No deal," Darien replied immediately. "We do not give technology to aggressive species." Travell, Narim and the Tollan blinked in surprise. That sounded very similar to their own technology transfer rules.
[Then I will not help you.] Darien shrugged his barndoor wide shoulders.
"Suit yourself," he said. "We'll just see what information is encoded in your ships computer."
[You won't be able to access it.]
"Don't bet on it. The technology on this ship is much more advanced than yours," Darien pointed out. "We have a lot of experience accessing alien computers. Yours should prove no problems." Osiris grimaced at that.
Something in the Humans voice told her that he was right and that the security codes on the Alkesh's computer would not be an obsticle to these Federation Humans. The breach in security that would result from them breaking the security codes would be very serious. In that computer was information on Anubis' current fleet movements, those planets currently under his control and their Stargate address. She had to stop that from happening.
[I am revising my offer,] she said after a moment.
"I'm listening," Darien encouraged.
[In exchange for my information I want my ship returned intact and untampered with.] Darien considered for a moment.
"Seems fair," he said.
[Then we have a deal? I give you the information that you want in exchange you give me my ship back and allow me to leave?] SG-1 watched and waited for what Darien's response would be. Personally they would like to leave Osiris here or take her to the Tok'ra so she could be removed from the host. But then again if Osiris' information was accurate then letting her go for now would be well worth it.
"We do," Darien said. "If you will just wait a few minutes." He tapped his combadge. "Parker to Dulara."
"Yes sir?" the cool voice of the ships Betazoid councillor responded after a moment.
"Report to the brig I have need of your telepathic skills."
"I will be right there." Councillor Dulara signed off. Osiris listened intently to the conversation. The revelation that these people had telepaths on board was interesting. The Goa'uld had been hoping to induce telepathic abilities in their hosts for centuries to further strengthen their domination of the galaxy. When - inevitably - Anubis captured this ship Osiris would recommend to him that these telepaths be studied closely for clues as to what genes to use to induce telepathic ability.
Councillor Dulara came into the cell room a few minutes later. He was a short middle aged male Betazoid with the usual chocolate brown hair and pure black eyes of his kind.
"You sent for me captain," he asked.
"Yes councillor. This prisoner is about to share some information with us I want you to insure that it is truthful."
"Of course." Dulara reached out mentally and touched the prisoners thoughts and was immediately confused. Their were two different thought patterns present - one dominant, the other surpress by the dominant thoughts. Dulara focused on the dominant thoughts and was appauled by what he sensed. These creatures were parasites called the Goa'uld who took over Human bodies. Dulara put aside his disgust for now. He would speak with Captain Parker about it later. "You may begin sir."
"Osiris," Darien asked. "Who sent you here?"
[My masters name is Anubis,] Osiris replied reluctant to share the information but not really having a choice. She could feel the telepaths probe of her mind. It was powerful and was no doubt fully capable of taking the information if she refused to share it. [He sent me here with Tanneth's battle group to monitor the battle and attempt to analyse your ship. In this I have met with no success as your navigational shielding blocks out passive sensor scans.]
"She's telling the truth sir," Dalara informed his captain shivering slightly as he read some of Osiris' surface thoughts. Her thoughts contained images and desires that were completely disgusting and completely and utterly without conscience or mercy. These Goa'uld were evil, pure evil. Even worse than the Dominion or the Borg.
Abruptly Dalara felt the second neural pattern impinge upon him.
"Help me," it begged. "Get this thing out of me. Please."
"Who are you?" Dalara asked mentally.
"My name is Sarah Gardner. I'm Osiris' host. Please save me. I can't stand this hell. Please."
[Shut up,] Dalara heard Osiris say as she ruthlessly inflicted tremendous pain upon the host thoughts.
"Stop Osiris please. Arrgghh I'm sorry. Arrgghh." Dalara flinched and pulled back from the alien thoughts in horror as he sensed the womans intense pain. He would have to speak to Captain Parker urgeantly. They had to help this woman. They had to get rid of the demon Osiris.
All of this happened in a brief instant of time.
[There I have shared with you the information that you wanted,] Osiris said to Captain Parker. [Now it is your turn to keep your promise to let me go.]
"Indeed it is," Darien agreed. "It will take sometime to reactivate your ships power systems. Until then you will remain here."
[Agreed.]
Darien turned and left the room, followed by SG-1, the Tollan delegation, Commander Beech and Councillor Dalara. Once outside the cell room Dalara turned to his captain.
"Captain Parker we have to talk in private regarding a matter of some urgeancy." Darien caught the urgeant note in the Betazoid's voice.
"Very well." Darien turned to his guests. "I am afraid that we will have to end our tour a little earlier than I had planned."
"That is quiet allright captain. I believe I speak for myself and SG-1 when I say we have seen enough for now," Travell said. SG-1 nodded in reluctant agreement with Travell. Besides they should really get back to Earth and brief their superiors on the things they'd seen and heard since the moment the Valkastner dropped out of hyperspace.
"Has the Stargate been transported down to the surface now," Jack asked as Darien led them out of the brig back into the rest of this incredible ship.
"I do not know," Darien admitted. "Hang on." He walked over to a computer terminal built into the wall and requested an update on the transfer of supplies to the surface of Tollana. "The Stargate and all the supplies we received from the Asgard ships have been transferred to the surface," he informed his guests. "The rest of the supplies are being beamed down as we speak."
"Excellent," Travell said. "Those supplies are desperately needed."
"And now that the Stargate is on the surface we can begin bringing more supplies and specialist rescue equipment through the Stargate," Daniel added.
"The rescue equipment is not nessecary Doctor Jackson," Darien informed him. "We have already rescued the survivors trapped under the rubble. With our technology it was easy we simply beamed them out."
"For which we are very greatful," Travell said to Darien. "Colonel O'Neill we still need the other supplies however."
"Do not worry your eminence," Daniel assured her. "It will be delivered."
"If you do not mind we'll come back down to the surface with you," Jack said to Travell. "We have to return to Earth and brief our superiors at any rate."
"Of course colonel. Your people are always welcome on Tollana."
"Commander Beech escort our guests back to the transporter room," Darien ordered to his security chief/tactical officer.
"Aye sir follow me please."
Once Beech had left with their guests Darien turned to the Betazoid councillor who looked very agitated and angry about something. Darien hadn't know Selt Dalara long but in the time he had known him he had never seen the Betazoid in such a state.
"Let's go to my ready room councillor and you can tell me what the problem is."
"Yes sir. If you don't mind could we have Dr Tarses join us?" Darien frowned slight and Dalara picked up a sharp spike of curiosity from his commanding officer.
"Of course." Darien tapped his combadge. "Parker to Tarses report to my ready room."
"Aye sir," Simon Tarses responded.
"Come along Councillor," Darien said starting for the nearest turbolift. Dalara hurried to keep up with the muscular Humans longer strides.