(Pagan Twylight, thanks.
Stoko, thanks. Here's the next bit.
Ilaaris, glad you like my surprises. The part with the symbiotes 'sleeping' was fun to write.
Starshadow, thanks. Cliffhangers are fun.)

The Mirror
Part 4, Another Reality

Alt-Martouf's symbiote had run straight alt-Rosha, which knocked them both down, and the zat'nikatel out of her hand. At first they seemed surprised, and then suddenly each made a grab for the fallen weapon. Each tried to scurry across the floor while trying to pull the other behind them. The actions appeared to be more of a jumbled mess than one of two fighters.

Martouf and Lantash were the most rather disturbed as they watched the whole thing. Martouf watched as the alternate version of his host, or rather the symbiote, finally get the upper hand, and use his legs to push her off and across part of the room. She grabbed a knife as soon as she landed, and threw it. The knife hit his leg, and knocked him down just short of the weapon. She used his distraction of pain to practically bound forward, and grab the weapon. Alternate Rosha then fell backward due to the pain from the kick. Her weapon was still trained on Alternate Martouf.

For a moment their symbiotes just glared at each other, and took that time to briefly rest.

This is disturbing, Selmak thought, and decided perhaps now was the time to learn who the newcomer was. "Who are you"

"I might ask you the same." The voice confirmed that Rosha's symbiote was in control. Her eyes still watched her enemy, and she smiled lightly when he backed up.

"We are Tok'ra" Selmak answered, hoping that was the case for her.

"It appears we have something in common then" she responded, taking a slight look towards Selmak. "Even if we are not from the same universe." Her eyes turned fully back to Alternate Martouf. "It's not bad enough you betray our queen in our universe, but you come to another to capture Tok'ra"

"They would have not have gotten involved if you hadn't stolen the mirror."

Rosha's symbiote glanced to the prisoners again, and then took another look to confirm what she saw. "Another Martouf" She laughed. "You captured yourself"

"In a way. I also captured you. He is blended with Lantash."

Daniel frowned. "Wait..." He gestured to Rosha. "You're Lantash"

"I am."

"I told you he wasn't me" Lantash muttered.

"Ok, so who are you" Daniel looked to the man pulling the knife out of his leg.

Alt-Martouf's symbiote looked up. "What? Oh. Jolinar."

"You thought he was me" Alt-Lantash gestured to alt-Jolinar, sounding a bit insulted.

"Sorry, didn't mean"

"Can you help us" Selmak interrupted, not really caring how insulted alt-Lantash was.

Alt-Lantash glanced to Selmak. Alt-Jolinar used the distraction to move in and shove her off balance. Rather than going for the weapon though, he escaped out the door. Alt-Lantash grabbed the weapon in enough time to see the door close. "Damn" She went through the door in pursuit. However, she returned a few minutes looking angry. "His escape is your fault"

"We might be able to help you" Sam said. "Also there was another one, Apophis."

Alt-Lantash looked at her, blinked, and then went searching for the keys. "Apophis is dead. I'll help you, but you must help me in return."

"You're not looking for the mirror, are you" Daniel asked. "That's why we were captured in the first place, and we don't have it."

"I have the mirror" alt-Lantash responded as she found the keys. "We need someone who understands Tollan technology."

"Tollan" Sam was a bit surprised to hear that.

"We understand in this universe they created a defense against the Goa'uld. We only wish the same so that our base may be protected. However, the Tollan do not exist in our universe, and so we do not understand their technology." She unlocked all the doors. "I know I am asking a great deal, and I understand if you refuse...however, if you do I must return to my universe. If I do so my leaders will want to lock this universe out, so I may not be followed."

"And doing so will leave your Jolinar in our universe" Martouf stated what she really meant.

"Yes. However, if you help us. I am sure my leaders will allow me to return so that I may help you find him."

Isn't that convenient, Jacob thought.

"Do you know what happened to the Tollan in our universe" Daniel asked.

"They were destroyed by the Goa'uld, I realize that. However, that was due to the new technology developed by Anubis. That new technology does not exist in our universe."

They know a lot about our universe, Martouf thought.

I agree, Lantash responded. Neither he nor his host could quite accept that they were looking at a Rosha who was blended with another Lantash, or that another Jolinar had taken another Martouf as a host. It left a feeling that pulled at their hearts, and yet was giving them the creeps on the same time.

"We traded for the technology with Tollan in another universe" alt-Lantash continued"but that was under the assumption we knew how to use it. We can't very well ask them about it."

"What exactly is it that you need" Malek asked.

"We need to know how to power the defenses and...turn it on."

"May we discuss this" Selmak asked.

"Of course" she headed out the door.

"She did help us" Malek said. "Whether we help her or not, we still have been freed."

"She's also the reason we were captured in the first place" Selmak reminded. "It is also clear she came here to attack the Goa'uld, not to rescue us. She did not know about us until she saw us. I find it strange that she was so intent on stopping..." She stopped, and glanced to Martouf. "...Jolinar, and is now willing to just let him go."

"His escape might have proved he was more trouble than expected" Kela'an said. "Besides, as we all know, if they do lock this universe out, he won't be any trouble to her anymore."

"You don't find it odd that these Tok'ra are willing to leave their problem with us" Lantash asked. He couldn't help but compare alt-Lantash's actions to his own.

"I find her knowledge about our universe more troubling" Sam responded.

"Yeah, that was a little weird" Daniel said. "How long have they been watching this universe"

Teal'c spoke"It is possible these Tok'ra have recently suffered a great loss. That may be why they only sent two people after three."

Daniel glanced to the front of the room, realizing he had forgotten about the first alt-Tok'ra. He found a male laying there. The man looked familiar, but Daniel didn't know why. He heard the group follow him. "He looks familiar."

Jacob answered from behind Daniel. "He's a host with the Tok'ra. You've probably seen him before." He glanced to the other Tok'ra, who were showing different levels of emotion at the site. "I'm sure the other Lantash will make sure he gets a proper funeral."

They moved away from the body in respect.

"I still think we should help them" Malek said after a moment"and possibly learn a bit about them. If they are going to be coming here at times, we need to know what we are dealing with."

"Looking at the Tollan technology they have might prove useful to use as well" Kela'an pointed out. "Not all the Goa'uld have the technology Anubis had. Those weapons may help us."

Selmak and Jacob realized Malek and Kela'an were right. "All right. We will help them if the council agrees to it."

"We'll contact the SGC" Sam said. "Hopefully we'll be able to join you." She wanted to see the Tollan technology herself, and learn more about these other Tok'ra.

Selmak nodded, and gave Jacob control. "I'll go inform the other Lantash."

-

SG-1 was given permission, and the Tok'ra had contacted the council about the mission. Alt-Lantash took them to another planet to where the mirror was. She tapped at a remote to find her universe.

"That's different" Daniel said.

"What" Alt-Lantash glanced to him.

"Well, the remote is different. The one I've seen had a dial."

"I've seen that kind. Horrible creation. One can easily make a mistake, and end up in the wrong universe. This remote allows you to number the universes. You can return to any universe, including your own, without fear of mistake." Another tap, and the mirror was showing a hallway with guards. Alt-Lantash smiled, and then looked to the group. "Before I forget..." She pulled out some small bottles. "Some of you need to drink this."

Selmak eyed the liquid as she grabbed it. "What is it"

"Two of the same person is not suppose to be in the same universe. It kills the outsider. This will keep you safe from such effects."

"Who needs to drink it."

"You and Jacob, Lantash, obviously, Sam, Teal'c...Malek, you are alive, but I don't know about your host...Daniel, I am pretty sure you are dead...the rest I don't know about. The effect is not permanent. It lasts a week. I doubt you will be there that long."

Selmak continued to eye the liquid. "How does it taste"

"Sweet. Too sweet actually."

Kela'an was the first to drink. "Ug. Sweet. Really, ew." He quickly dulled his host's sense of taste. "It's like drinking a cup of honey."

Selmak dulled Jacob's sense of taste before drinking it, though was amused by the reactions of the others. Martouf's sense of taste seemed to have been dulled beforehand. Sam and Daniel both grimaced. Teal'c looked like he might make it through without any reaction, but the aftertaste kicked in. His eyebrows raised slightly, and his eyes grew just a tad bit larger.

Alt-Lantash chuckled, and then explained they travel universes just by touching the mirror. SG-1, knowing already, hoped the explanation would go quickly. The Tok'ra looked rather curious about the means of travel. Alt-Lantash demonstrated, and then stepped back so not to be in the way. The others soon followed, and were introduced to the guards as "The Tok'ra from Universe 12." She asked one of the guards to tell the others, and then turned back to them. "I don't want anyone to mistake you as Goa'ulds."

"No, that would be bad" Daniel agreed. He looked around the room. It was fairly small and silver.

"We'll wait here until everyone has been informed of the situation." Alt-Lantash went to sit down, and Martouf followed.

"Rosha"

Alt-Lantash looked up. "You know the name of my host."

"Yes, I knew her in my universe...may I speak with her"

There was a pause before an answer. "Yes." Her head nodded. "Martouf, right"

That hurt a little. "Yes."

"What did you wish to speak about"

Martouf really had no idea. "Uh, how was your day" He watched her frown to that.

"What"

"Sorry, I just...perhaps this was a bad idea."

"How did you know Rosha..the other Rosha"

"I..." Martouf sat down. "We were mates."

"Oh." She looked surprised.

"I just wanted to talk."

"Was she Tok'ra"

Martouf nodded. "Yes." He looked up as the guard returned.

The guard spoke. "It is safe now. Everyone has been informed that they are from another universe."

"Thank you" Alt-Lantash responded.

Martouf glanced back, a bit sad about the sudden switch. "Thank you" he said quietly, and went to join his friends.

They were shown the technology traded from the Tollan. Martouf frowned slightly when he saw it. "This seems to be of different design than the Tollan we knew."

Malek looked over it. "I agree. It is similar though. We may be able to help."

Selmak had not yet approached, and instead was looking at the room. Definitely not our tunnels. "This room is beautiful, and rather elaborate."

"This building was built by Ra" Alt-Lantash explained. "We were able to take over after he was killed.

"I'm surprised you were able to get away with that."

"As a planet it is useless. There are not any resources of any sort. A couple Goa'uld did come in after his death, and they took everything of value. Ra only kept it because it was the middle of his territory, however, his territory has now been divided. Also, we are hoping the Goa'uld won't look for us here because it seems a bit too obvious of a place for us to be."

Selmak nodded lightly, and started looking at the technology.

-14 hours later-

The Tok'ra and SG-1 were taking a break. Samantha and Teal'c were in a fairly large room. Samantha was looking at some pictures on a wall. They were Goa'uld writing so she couldn't read it.

"Do you wish to know what it says" Teal'c offered.

Samantha smiled. "Actually, I was just thinking of Daniel. He'd love to stay here a while, and read everything."

"If the relationship between our people goes well, he might be able to do that."

Sam nodded, and then saw someone who looked familiar. She left the wall, and approached the person. Seeing someone familiar wasn't strange around here, but something about this person seemed like they shouldn't be here.

The man looked up to her. "Hello."

"Hi."

Teal'c had followed, and looked from Samantha to the man.

The man smiled. "Can I help you"

"It's just...can I ask you your name, or actually, your host's name"

"Kibar. Why do you ask? Did you wish to speak with him"

"He just...seems familiar. I know how that sounds. I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"It's all right. It was nice meeting you." He walked away.

Teal'c turned to Samantha. "Who is Kibar? Why is his presence here important"

"I don't know." She searched her mind, and then suddenly blurted out"Lantash" which caught the attention of everyone around her including the man. She closed her eyes briefly, and then turned back to the man. "That's why Kibar looks familiar. He used to be Lantash's host in our universe."

The man looked a bit confused. "Well, that's...interesting."

"It is actually." She moved closer. "He was Lantash's host 300 years ago." She frowned slightly, and glanced to Teal'c who looked a little surprised by that statement.

"I'm sorry to hear he died."

She was still frowning. "With the Tok'ra in our universe, without the sarcophagus, it's not possible for the host to live much longer than two hundred."

He seemed to understand then. "I'm guessing they don't use it due to the effects it has on those using it."

"Yes."

"That is the way it is for us, but some symbiotes like me can counteract the negative effects. Only those with a certain gene can do so. I am one of the lucky ones to have that gene."

"Really? I wonder if it's that way in our universe."

"Possibly, but from what I understand of your universe, only the Goa'uld would have it, and they wouldn't care to use its benefit. I should be returning to my work."

Samantha nodded. "It was nice meeting you."

He smiled, and then left.

-

Daniel found himself reading the underground walls. "I think Ra must have really liked this place."

"Why is that" Martouf asked, who had decided to look around underground as well.

"Well, I found a few places where it says he would bring people here from other planets. He was training them for something."

"In our universe Ra, more than anyone Goa'uld, preferred having human body guards."

"I remember. I can't make out what he was training them for though."

"Different dialect"

"No, damaged."

Martouf looked closer at the writing, and saw there was a lot of damage.

"So..." Daniel said, glancing to Martouf. "How are you doing" He looked a little uncomfortable to be asking.

"How am I doing"

"Well, I mean with all this. With seeing alternate versions of..."

"I usually have Lantash take control when I'm around Rosha. Actually, it's just easier to avoid her. I think I make her uncomfortable."

"Well, no offense, but she associates you as a Goa'uld. That is probably all she knows about the Martouf of this universe."

"I stopped trying to talk to her for that reason. I believe"

There was a huge thump above them.

"What was that" Daniel pondered briefly before using his radio. "Sam, you there"

"I'm here."

"What was that"

"I'm not sure. We were about to ask. You need to return up here."

"Yeah" Daniel grabbed his bag. "I'm on my way back up."

Martouf waited for Daniel to get up before he started heading back. There was another thump, and this one shook the ground. The radio sounded. "Daniel, we are being attacked."

"We are on our way up."

Another thump started a cave in nearly over them. Before Daniel could react, he felt Martouf pulling him back some distance before they tripped over a piece of rock. Both covered their heads and necks.

Daniel frowned after the cave in stopped. "Or not" he realized the radio had been knocked away. He saw it was probably also a large pile of rocks. He looked to Martouf. "Do you have a way to contact the others"

"The Tok'ra do not need short ranged communication devices."

"In other words, no. We should try to find another way out before there is another cave in. I don't really want to die that way."

"I do not wish to die in such a manner either."

-

Meanwhile, above them, the Goa'uld came onto the surface.

To be continued...