(Er, sorry. School got busy and this past week I had the cold. I've never taken so long to update.
Astrophysikerin, thank you. The suspense probably died a bit after this long, but hope there is still some.
Stef, thanks. I'll keep that in mind.)
Part 3, Alternates
Jack frowned. "Who would the Goa'uld from Universe 4 be?"
Daniel figured it out first. "I think the Goa'uld in that other reality. The ones we worked with three and a half months ago. They lableled our universe as Universe 12."
"And you mentioned to the other version of me that they were the third universe you visited," Sam added. "If we counted our own as Universe 1, then that would make them Universe 4."
Jack looked the message again. "Wasn't that was the universe where the Goa'uld and Tok'ra were switched?"
"If they are contacting us, they must have reason. We should contact them," Teal'c said.
Jack looked to Teal'c. "They didn't leave any information on how to do that."
Sam stared at the message for a moment. "Kiron."
Jack looked to her.
Sam looked to Jack. "Sir, the alternate Goa'uld originally based on Kiron in our universe. It's where we first met them. It's the only planet they would chose for us to contact them."
Daniel looked from the message to Sam. "What about the planet we left the mirror on?"
"That planet was chosen by the alternate Tok'ra," Teal'c answered.
"Sir, Teal'c is right. We need to respond. I don't think they would contact us without a good reason," Sam said.
"And after a week, they are probably starting to get impatient," Daniel added.
It felt odd for Jack to decide whether or not to send them out to meet Goa'uld. He also knew that these Goa'uld might want to be brought back here. "All right, SG-1 you can go as soon as you are ready." He didn't want to risk more than one team, and SG-1 had already met these alt-Goa'uld.
"If they want to come here?" Sam asked.
"I'll allow three at most. We'll send a MALP through while you get ready."
"Understood."
SG-1 left to prepare for a trip through.
:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:
"Did we dial to the wrong planet?" Daniel asked when he looked around. He distinctively remembered Kiron's stargate being surrounded by forest, and SG-1 had just stepped into ash. He started coughing as the air now had a gray tinge. He felt his eyes water as he looked around. He saw forest surrounding them in the distance, and it appeared to be still burning.
"This is right," Samantha said and indicated to cliffs about half a mile from the gate. "The cliffs. That's where we need to go." Her mind went over several things. She hoped the alt-Goa'uld were not killed in this destruction. She wondered if Martouf knew about this. She glance to where the buildings of his former town had stood. There was not a sign of them.
They were on guard as they approached the cliffs. Samantha saw what used to be graves. She had never seen the place personally, but Jolinar's memories of the place were in high gear at the moment. There had been large slabs of rock lined up with the ashes of those who had been massacred. Along that was the marks of everyone's names. She last remembered that wind had taken away most of those ashes over the past hundred years. She remembered two separate graves added with deaths of those who survived the massacre and knew there would be a third now. She mentally grimaced when she saw the graves had not escaped destruction. The grave markers and the grass under them were undistinguished from the ashes of the dead. The rocks were broken.
"Uh, Sam," Daniel said as he pointed to what appeared to be people in the distance.
The three slowly and carefully approached, while the unknown people did the same. Defenses went down some when they saw each other. SG-1 could see alternate versions of Sam and Martouf.
Alt-Martouf spoke first. "You got our message." He smiled, though it seemd forced. He was clearly upset and tired.
Sam glanced back. "Were you here when this happened?" It seemed they had to have been.
He clenched his fists. "Yes, however we were at a safe distance with the mirror."
Despite the situation, Sam smirked a bit. "You were the ones who took the mirror."
The two smiled to this, and her double answered. "We knew you or the Tok'ra would come back for it, so we hid it."
"Why have you contacted us?"
Alt-Martouf answered, "A Tok'ra from our universe came through the mirror. We believe she may be causing trouble in your universe."
"Before trying to contact you, we first set up a communications device to attempt to try to hear what the Goa'uld have to say. We were hoping to try to figure out where this Tok'ra might be," alt-Samantha continued. "After the attack a few days ago, we started concentrating on communications from Bastet."
"We didn't know for sure that she was responsible for this," alt-Martouf picked up the rest. "However, the attacked seemed too personal to come from any other Tok...Goa'uld. We heard something that you might want to hear." He pulled out a box from a bag he was holding and started tapping at it. "This is Bastet's voice."
The voice from the box was feminine and Goa'uld. "I've been very patient, and you tell me that you still have not accomplished the mission? Complete it now, and return to me. Only if you can give me information to destroy the rest of the Tok'ra will I consider your request."
Alt-Martouf brought the box down and back into the bag. "We believe the Tok'ra from our universe is posing as a Tok'ra in your universe."
"Who's the Tok'ra from your universe?"
Alt-Samantha and alt-Martouf glanced at each other before she answered. "Lantash."
Daniel frowned. "Wasn't she was killed by Lantash, I mean, our Lantash."
"We swept the entire building after we took over," alt-Samantha answered. "Her body was gone and the sarcophagus, which was near, had recently been used. There was more than enough time for her to be found after we left and put into the sarcophagus. The Tok'ra don't normally use it, but do make exceptions when they are killed."
"Well, who's he posing as? Lantash can't be acting as Rosha..." Daniel paused to restate that. He gestured slightly with his hand. "Lantash from your universe was blended with Rosha from your universe. He couldn't infiltrate our Tok'ra with her as a host. The Rosha in our universe is dead."
Martouf answered. "We believe she took a host from someone in our universe, which may even be a host already blended with a Goa'uld, and then escaped through the mirror. The problem is that so many Goa'ulds and humans came and left the world before we realized what happened. To find out who is missing we would need to search the galaxy for more than three hundred people. The host is our priority. This started out mostly as a rescue mission for whoever was taken as host. We just don't know who we are rescuing." He glanced down, feeling a bit guilty for not knowing.
Alt-Selmak suddenly took control instead of alt-Samantha. "We did not know how to contact the Tok'ra of this universe. We contacted you, so you may tell them of the danger they are in."
Sam frowned slightly. "We don't know how to contact the Tok'ra."
Alt-Selmak didn't look pleased with that information. "Do you have any idea how to contact them?"
"There are a few things we could try," Sam answered. "No guarantees."
"If I am correct in what I know about Bastet and the actions she has already taken," alt-Martouf started, "then the Martouf of your universe is in danger. So is anyone else from Kiron who is still alive. We should return to your world and try to contact the Tok'ra."
Alt-Selmak brought up device they never have seen before. "After we scan you. Don't take it personal, but we need to be sure you are who you say you are."
Samantha nodded and she was scanned first. The device emitted a light over her, but she felt nothing. Alt-Selmak quickly scanned Teal'c and Daniel. Afterwards, they started heading to the stargate.
"So we are just going to trust they are who they say they are?" Daniel said quietly to Sam as they followed.
"Well, if you think about it, we do that every time we meet a Tok'ra by him or herself." Sam wished they had a way to scan the identity of symbiotes the way these Goa'uld could. She moved up closer to her alt-self. "So you have a record of every symbiote?"
Alt-Selmak was still in control. "When Ra came into power the first thing he did was get a record of all Goa'uld. He did this before his new laws."
"Before the Tok'ra."
Alt-Martouf answer. "He anticipated some wouldn't follow the new rules, and needed a way to figure out who wasn't. Unfortunately since the Tok'ra were formed by a queen, we no longer have everyone on record." His eyes glowed as alt-Jolinar took control. "We've been working on a way to modify the scanner to recognize any of her children not on record."
"And the children of other queens who work for the Tok'ra," alt-Selmak added.
They arrived at the stargate and dialed in.
Jack was slightly pleased that only two alt-Goa'uld came through. "Welcome to Earth," he said as he entered the room. "I figured you were coming, so I prepared quarters." He glanced to the two alt-Goa'ulds, hoping not to mix up who was who.
Alt-Martouf took control, then glanced to alt-Selmak. "Can we not share a room?"
Jack was surprised to hear that request. "It would be a little cramped."
"That is not a problem," alt-Selmak replied.
Remembering this was alt-Selmak, Jack hoped alt-Sam would soon take control instead. Though it was obvious she wasn't Sam, she looked about a decade younger, the voice was still disturbing. He glanced to them. The request still seemed odd. "You are sure?"
Daniel moved closer to Jack and spoke quietly. "Jack, they're married."
"Oh." Now the request made sense. "Well, if that is what you want." He followed Daniel a small ways after his friend indicated he wanted to speak alone.
Daniel still kept his voice low. "You might want to take out the camera in their room."
Jack wasn't sure he liked that idea. "Daniel, they're Goa'uld."
"They are good Goa'uld, and I don't think having them believe we are spying on them would be the best way to impress them. When we had Goa'uld from our universe staying here we agreed to take the cameras in their room out, but left the cameras in the hallway."
"Do you remember what happened as a result?"
"That was with Goa'uld. They are more like the Tok'ra."
"I don't fully trust the Tok'ra either..." Jack sighed. He knew if the situation was reversed, he would be angry if he was being watched. They had also come to help, and this could drive them away. "All right, but the cameras in the halls stay."
:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:
Martouf began feeling better over the next couple days, but then started feeling ill again. He frowned and leaned a hand against the wall for balance. "Ow." The hand on sharp crystals gave no support, and he fell into the wall. He grimaced as his hands, arm and side had hit the sharp crystals. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Every Tok'ra knew better than to lean against certain parts of the wall, but Martouf hadn't paid attention.
Be thankful no part of your head hit the wall, Lantash thought, slightly chilled at how close Martouf's face had come to hitting the crystals. The only response he got was his host continually insulting himself. You haven't been the first to do that. You aren't even the first host of mine to do that.
Most hosts haven't been living in these tunnels for over a hundred years when they do that!
Lantash decided it was best to keep quiet and allow his grumpy host to insult himself. He knew Martouf mostly felt guilty about giving Lantash more to heal.
Martouf and Lantash both mentally cringed when Jacob came around the corner.
"Martouf, what happened?"
Martouf started to stand, but found that to be impossible. "I...fell into the wall."
Jacob noticed Martouf sitting back down, acting as if he had wanted to. "You need to see the healers."
"I know."
Jacob ordered a near Tok'ra to get a healer, and he approached Martouf. "You should have told us you were feeling worse."
Martouf forced himself to his feet. "It is not that bad. Lantash and I-" He fell backwards.
Jacob quickly moved forward to stop him from hitting the ground. He lay Martouf partly flat down when he saw the other man was having a seizure and made sure the airway was clear. Midway in his attempt to help, Selmak took over. She was slightly more experienced and a bit more calm. Both felt better when they saw the healer come, who started running.
"What happened?" the healer, Kilso, asked as he ran a healing device over Martouf.
"He appeared to be weak, but was trying to stand up. When he stood he started having seizures," Selmak answered.
The head healer at first used his device to feel what was wrong then started making the necessary fixes. The seizures stopped, leaving a frowning Martouf who never wanted to go through that again.
"Help me carry him," Kilso ordered. Together he and Selmak lifted Martouf onto a stretcher, and brought him to the healing room. Selmak and Jacob were slightly annoyed as they were practically shoved out of the room. Given control again, Jacob waited just outside the room.
:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:
"We need to move," Kilso said.
Jacob was a bit surprised and allowed Selmak to take over. "The whole base?"
Kilso made a slight nod. "I tried to figure it out, but I don't know what is effecting them. It seems to be some type of poison, but I can't figure out what is it or where it's coming from. It's not just Martouf, this is effecting Lantash as well. I would guess it is part of the environment of this planet."
"He did seem to be getting better when he wasn't going to the surface," Aldwin said. "Malek?"
The symbiote had been put in charge of the base the day before when Ikta had to leave. He glanced from Aldwin to Kilso. "If Martouf and Lantash are the only ones effected, and are safe under the tunnels then perhaps they should just stay down here. Moving the entire base is quite the drastic approach, and I doubt they would mind not having to go up to the surface."
Kilso spoke. "As long as we live here whatever is up there that is causing this could be brought down here, whether it be in the water, food, or minerals...anything. Yesterday they came very close to death. We cannot risk their lives by not moving the base."
"Also whatever is affecting them may be something they are more sensitive to," Selmak added. "If Lantash and the healers can't detect it, then it may be effecting all of us without our realizing it. I would not want to suddenly be surprised by this, and find the whole base is going through the same thing. I'm sure that you would agree with, Malek."
There was a pause. "You're right. That would be a bad situation. Prepare the base for evacuation to a new planet and inform our operatives of the move."
:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:
"You're doing what?" Martouf asked as he was put onto a stretcher.
"Moving the base," Kilso replied. He picked up one back end of the stretcher as Jacob picked up the front.
"Why?"
"You are sick, and this planet seems to be the cause."
Martouf winced. He could imagine the conversation between Ikta and Malek. Upon finding out they moved the base, Ikta would asked things like "Were you under attack?" or "Was the base discovered?" He and Lantash were embarrassed that answer would be "Martouf and Lantash were ill."
"I'm doing better."
"You were doing better before, then you had a seizure."
"Can I at least help with the evacuation?"
Rather than answering the obvious, Kilso just laughed.
"Martouf, whatever is affecting you may affect all of us in the future," Jacob said. "We need to leave before that happens."
Being that absolutely no one showed any signs of illness, Martouf replied, "And you expect me to believe that?"
Jacob shrugged as best he could while carrying a stretcher. "Malek did, or at least that was a good explanation to tell everyone else."
Martouf groaned lightly, and lay back completely on the stretcher. He knew it wouldn't be long before every Tok'ra knew the real reason the base was moved.
This is worse for me, Lantash thought quietly. They'll all know the base was moved because I couldn't heal my host.
They went up the rings and through the chaapa'ai. Martouf was set down, and Kilso stayed to watch over him.
"I'll be sure to get your things," Jacob said as he dialed the chaapa'ai again.
"Thank you," Martouf replied mildly, mostly thinking of what everyone would think of this.
:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:
"How could you have no idea on how to contact the Tok'ra?" alt-Selmak asked. She looked annoyed, and alt-Jolinar stood by her side, looking just as annoyed.
"Hey, they broke the alliance with us," Jack replied. "You want to lecture someone, lecture them as soon as we find them."
"What is the reason for considering the Tok'ra to be your allies if you cannot contact them?"
"How did you contact them when we first met?" alt-Jolinar asked, as he knew there wasn't going to be an answer to the previous question.
"We didn't," Sam answered. "We just happened to be on the same planet. We've done what we can. All we can do right now is hope they contact us."
"How long will that be?"
"That could take months," Jack replied with slight emphasis on "that." He looked mostly to alt-Selmak. "Possibly years."
"They'd contact us if something happened to Martouf," Sam replied.
Alt-Selmak turned to her. "If he was killed?"
Not liking her own answer, Sam glanced down with sorrow. "Probably."
Alt-Jolinar gave control to his host. "Hopefully it will not come to that."
:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:
Before the new tunnels were built, Martouf was being taken down by Kilso and Kela'an. He looked around once he was set up in bed. "These crystals are duller."
Kela'an chuckled. "They are the same."
"They are less shiny."
"Maybe a bit."
Like many doctors would, Kilso chased Kela'an out of the room. "He needs to rest."
"I'm being driven out. Goodbye Martouf."
"Goodbye."
Martouf lay back fully, though he didn't feel tired.
"Try to get some sleep," Kilso said, and then left.
Martouf frowned, but tried to obey doctors orders. Ten minutes later he was quite bored...and hungry. He sat up when he heard someone come in. He looked up. "Hello Malek."
"I wanted to see how you were doing. Kilso said I could bring you this."
Martouf saw his leader had food. "That actually looks good."
"Jaki is quite happy with this planet. It seems to have a lot of variety in food. I haven't had any of his new meals yet, but they certainly look better." He gave Martouf the plate. "I hope you get well soon." He turned away to leave.
In other words, you hope you didn't move the entire base only for me to continue getting sick, Martouf thought.
Martouf, that is kind of rude to think. Malek is worried about us.
Sorry, Lantash. Martouf took a bite, and winced. "Uck."
The other Tok'ra turned back. "What is it?"
"There's a taste in here I don't like."
"Jaki mentioned using a new spice. I'll tell him not to add anymore to your food."
"Thank you." Martouf smiled, and watched the other man leave. He frowned at his food and started eating it. He set the plate down after he was done. You think Jaki has anymore of that fruit?
That would be nice, but I doubt it.
Martouf started to read, but someone else came in the room. "Hello."
Martouf smiled again. "Hello Gete."
Gete had a few tulip-like flowers. "I used to believe these flowers had a special healing power. Aldwin and I thought you might need all the help you can get." He set them down on a table.
Martouf picked them up and smelled them. "I'm surprised Kilso allowed you to give these to me."
He smiled. "He scanned them several times, and he only allowed it after I assured him they were not from our former base and had never been to our former base."
"Thank you. They smell nice."
"That's probably about all they are good for, but you never know. Maybe there is some undiscovered property to them that helps with healing."
I hope so, Lantash thought. We really do need all the help we can get.
Well, this has given us a chance to catch up on our reading, Martouf thought, trying to look on the positive side of all this.
"I'll let you rest."
Martouf nodded, "Goodbye."
Gete nodded, and then walked away.
After reading a few more chapters Martouf was feeling tired. I think I will try to go to sleep.
Goodnight.
:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:
Martouf woke up to his own seizure. He felt helpless as his body shook uncontrollably. Mentally he called out for Lantash, but didn't get a reply. There was a sick feeling in his stomach as he realized he was going off the bed. He hit face first onto the hard floor, and suddenly breathing seemed to be impossible. Martouf remembered feeling like his lungs were burning before passing out.
:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:
Martouf and Lantash woke up again, and both shared the same first thought, they were surprised to be alive. Afterwards they were both rather pissed that even the move didn't help them. The worried looks on Kilso and Jacob's faces was the third thing they noticed. Both Kilso and Jacob's expressions changed to neutral when they saw Martouf was awake, but he had already seen their worry.
"I'm guessing you still don't know what the cause is," Martouf said.
Kilso put down the scanner he'd been running over Martouf. "No."
"How bad is it?"
"If whatever this is stops effecting you, you both will make a full recovery. It will take a few weeks though."
Martouf frowned. Most Tok'ra injuries or illnesses took days at most. "But you don't know what's causing it, and it could still be affecting me right now."
Kilso looked saddened. "That is correct."
"I'm still alive though. Lantash can heal us."
"Martouf, you and Lantash have been in a coma for the last two days. We didn't think you were going to wake up."
The full reality of the situation seemed to hit Martouf that moment. He shook his head lightly, afraid. "Are we going to die?"
The non-response didn't help.
To be continued...
Tok'ra Character Key
Amb-Malek's host.
Drack/Kela'an-Tok'ra who went through the mirror to "Universe 4."
Gete-Aldwin's host.
Kilso-Head Healer, symbiote
Jaki-The new cook, symbiote