Part 5, Frustration

Sam's first thought was they needed to tell the Tok'ra about this now. Her second thought was to confirm that this actually was Malek. She glanced to a lieutentant in the room. "Get Martouf."

The lieutentant nodded, knowing she meant alt-Martouf.

Sam turned back to Malek. "We are going to need to be sure you are you first." If he really hadn't been in contact with the Tok'ra, then he hadn't been on the planet, and scanning him would be easy.

He frowned slightly. "How do you plan to do that?" His expression turned into a small grin when he saw alt-Martouf come in, which turned to confusion when he saw what alt-Martouf was wearing. Why would Martouf wear something a Goa'uld would wear while he is on Earth?

Alt-Martouf also looked confused and looked to Sam for explanation.

"Malek just arrived, and says he hasn't been in contact with the Tok'ra," Sam answered. "I thought you should scan him to make sure he is Malek."

"We can't scan for symbiotes," Malek said, but saw it did seem that he was being scanned.

"It is Malek," alt-Martouf confirmed.

"Why wouldn't I be Malek?" Malek asked.

"Malek, remember when we traveled to a parallel universe?" Sam asked.

"Yes."

"This is Martouf from that universe."

Malek gave a alt-Martouf a strange look. "He was Goa'uld."

Alt-Jolinar took over. "Why is it that the Tok'ra have no problem with the idea that a group of symbiotes formed a rebellion against the evil Goa'uld, but you have a problem with that idea that in another reality the Goa'uld were never evil in the first place?"

"You shot-"

"I heard this speach from the one pretending to be you. I don't need to hear it from you."

His confusion turned to worry, and Malek frowned. "Pretending to be me?"

Alt-Jolinar quickly explained the situation as Sam left to get permission to return back to the Tok'ra world. She returned quickly. "Malek, you should stay here. We should try to catch alternate Lantash before he-"

"She," alt-Jolinar interupted to correct.

"She knows she is caught," Sam finished. "Jolinar, you should come with since you know her better than any of the Tok'ra do."

"Once we get there we should first tell Selmak."

Sam glanced to her as the gate started dialing. "Which one?"

"Whichever we see first."

The wormhole open.

Malek was a bit frustrated as he watched them leave, but he trusted Sam. This all explained a few very strange things that happened since since capture.

:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:

Meanwhile, the one thought to be Malek was visiting Martouf. Alt-Lantash sat down by the bed, wondering if it was possible to make the final kill. He glanced to others in the room. No one was allowed to be left alone with Martouf now.

The poison he had been using was perfect in one way. It was undetectable by symbiote or scanners. However, it took far too long to kill as far as he was concerned and could be tasted. On the other planet he had been very pleased to hear that Martouf so disliked the taste of the food that Lantash blocked his sense of taste and smell. However, that wouldn't work on this planet, and 'Jaki mentioned using a new spice' would only work once.

Then the damn Goa'uld showed up. She had been rather pissed when he saw Jolinar and Selmak from her universe come into the meeting hall. Her emotions got the best of her, and she as sure Jolinar suspected she was the Tok'ra they were looking for. Of all the Goa'uld, why did it have to be them?

Unfortunately for her, she got a responce. Alt-Amb started laughing.

Shut up.

It's been over a hundred years, and you are still pissed.

Alt-Lantash tried to ignore him, but having been blended, alt-Amb was very good at being heard. What makes you angrier? The host asked. That Jolinar left the Tok'ra, or that he left you?

Alt-Lantash touched his head lightly.

"Are you all right?" Martouf asked.

"Slight headache."

"Maybe you should cure it. It would be nice to talk to Amb for a bit."

Yes, let me out. I'm sure he'd be fasinated by what I have to say. 'Martouf, do you realize that it is he who has been poisoing you? That's why you are dying.'

Shut up!

Let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me...

Alt-Lantash hit the nearest thing, which was a medical tray. "Sh-" He started saying "shut up" but stopped.

Martouf jumped a little. "What?"

Alt-Lantash looked to him. "I am sorry. Lost my balance for a second." He noticed the others in the room were watching him. "These Goa'uld have me on edge. I don't trust them. I was just thinking of an argument I had with that-" He stopped, remembering Martouf's relationship with Jolinar in this universe. Referring to an alternate version of his deceased mate as "that Jolinar" probably wouldn't go over well. "-with them." He started picking up the medical tray, glad that it looked like an accident.

Tell him the truth. Tell him how you are telling your host to shut up. Tell him how you keep trying to shut me out.

I'm warning you...

With what? What could you do to me that is worse than this? You need Bastet to take over my friends. To do that you need to kill Martouf, and as remote as your chance for that is, you still need me for it! So tell me, please, Lantash, tell me, what could you possiby do that is worse than this!

The way Kilso was eying her, alt-Lantash wondered if Kilso was suspecting her. After picking up the tray, alt-Lantash turned to Martouf. "I've also been worried about you."

Then maybe you should stop poisoning him.

"I should go," alt-Lantash said as he got up.

Ha! You know you can't finish this mission without getting caught. You are doomed. Doomed. Doomed. Dooomed.

Keep it up, and you'll suffer the same fate as my last host.

I rather would die than be host to you!

Alt-Lantash looked around the room, considering switching hosts.

Right, and the sudden disappearance of "Malek" wouldn't at all be suspious, alt-Amb sacastically thought. These Tok'ra don't want to trust the Goa'uld from our universe, and that's the only reason you haven't been caught yet. Oh, but I'm sure that would remain the same if one of their own, the one who was so against that drug, just disappeared.

Alt-Lantash really hated it when his host was right. He tried to ignore it as his host sarcastically played out a mental scene of the Tok'ra acting foolish in "Malek's" disappearance.

:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:

After arriving to the tunnels Sam and alt-Jolinar found both Selmaks just starting to prepare Martouf's move. None of the healers could help since any of them could possibly be the alt-Tok'ra. Automatically, Alt-Jolinar stayed by the door to stand guard while Sam approached the two Selmaks. Sam lowered her voice to speak. "It's Malek."

They glanced over to her. They had come after alt-Lantash had already left, and had not seen the odd behavior. Jacob spoke. "Are you sure?"

"The real Malek showed up on Earth ten minutes ago. Jolinar scanned him to be sure he was actually Malek."

Jacob was a bit surprised as the one he thought to be Malek had been questioned with the za'tarc detector.

I guess the alternate Tok'ra really did find a way around that device, Selmak thought.

Alt-Sam looked Jacob. "Now will you use the drug?"

:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:

Alt-Lantash decided the only thing he could do was try to escape. Going up to the surface wouldn't be a problem, but he might have trouble getting through the chaapa'ai. It was being guarded by Tau'ri.

It's kind of creepy that this Martouf is blended with this version of you. Alt-Amb's thoughts seem to come from no where.

What does that have to do with anything? Oh, nevermind. Why I am even responding?

He heard Jacob come up behind him. "Malek, Martouf and Lantash are ready to leave. We just need-" and then he was jabbed with something sharp.

Alt-Lantash turned to him. "What was-" The burning sensation spreading from the injury was too familar to him. No! They can't know! He fought to stay in control.

I'm free! I'm free! I'm free! I'm free! I'm free! I'm free! I'm free! I'm free! Alt-Amb ranted as he fought to take control.

They fell back, and Jacob caught him so he didn't hit the wall.

Aldwin entered the room in time to see the fall. "What's going on?"

Jack answered without turning. "I know Malek ordered us not to use the drug, but it turned out he wasn't Malek."

"How could you kn-"

"You saved me." Alt-Amb hugged Jacob tightly, who didn't seem sure how to react.

Jacob stood up afterwards and looked to Aldwin. "The real Malek showed up on Earth because he couldn't contact us."

At the sound of footsteps, Alt-Amb turned to see the Martouf and Samantha of his universe. He smiled again as he approached his two friends. "You came for me."

"Of course we came for you," alt-Samantha responded as she pulled him into a hug. The hug changed slightly as alt-Selmak took control. "Rescuing you was our priority. Well, figuring out who was taken, and then rescusing whoever that was."

Alt-Amb glanced to those in the room. "I guess you have some questions."

"You can answer them after the symbiote is removed," alt-Selmak said.

Alt-Amb nodded, saddened again. "I want that. She...killed my friend...my..." He shook his head lightly. "To outlive one's own symbiote...it is difficult. Please, remove her quickly."

Jacob turned to Aldwin. "Get Kilso. He is best at that."

Aldwin nodded, and left.

"If you will excuse me," Jacob left to find his daughter. He found her still in the room with Martouf. Jacob touched his daughter's arm lightly. "Sam." He walked away, knowing she'd follow. He walked out of hearing range of Martouf and looked at her when she approached. "It would be best if Martouf heard about what happened to Kiron from you. You should tell him now. Accidentally hearing about it another way would be much worse." He watched his daughter nod, and then he left so she and Martouf could talk.

Despite all that just happened, Martouf was smiling when she approached. Samantha felt guitly that her news would make that smile disappear.

"I'm going to live," he said.

Samantha sat down. "How is Lantash?"

"Exhausted, but now that we are no longer being poisoned, it is eaiser. He deserves some rest." He glanced down. "When I thought I was going to die I was thinking perhaps we can go to Kiron together." He saw a slight reaction on her face when he said that. "Is something wrong?"

She was a bit glad that he brought the subject up, but in the end, that didn't make it any eaiser. "Martouf...Kiron was attacked."

He frowned. "There is no one on Kiron. Why would it be attacked?"

There was a pause before she answered. "We suspect that Bastet found the signs in front of the stargate."

He turned away, and there was a long moment before Martouf spoke. "I always knew that was possible when we first put them up, but after they had been up so long... How much damage was there?" He turned to her. "The buildings?"

"They're gone."

There was hurt in his eyes. "All of them? My house? It's...?"

"I'm sorry."

He turned away again.

Sam felt worse and looked down at the floor.

He spoke without turning to her. "What of the resting stones for my people?"

"They were destroyed."

He didn't move, and she could only imagine what was going in his mind. After a moment of quietness she wondered if he'd prefer if she left, however, some part of her told her to stay. After a few more minutes, she heard him say her name softly. She looked up to him, seeing he was still turned away. "Yes?" She expected to be asked to leave.

"After I recover, will you return to Kiron with me?"

She nodded lightly. His pain was made her ache, and she felt tears threaten. "Yes."

Again he became quiet.

:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:x:.:.:

After recovering enough to walk, Martouf walked into another healing room. "Hello Amb." He was surprised to see the man was alone.

Alt-Amb put a lid on a box before looking up to him. "I think the others are analyzing my report. Kilso won't let me leave until I make a full recovery."

Martouf smiled. "That's his way. He'd be angry if he knew I was walking right now."

This made alt-Amb smile. "The healers in our universe are the same way."

As Martouf moved closer he saw the box had a symbiote in it.

"He's drugged," alt-Amb assured. "He'll be asleep for another four days at least. Even if he does wake up early, the box will hold him." He offered the box to Martouf. "I imagine your own symbiote looks the same."

Martouf picked up the box. "This is Lantash?" It gave both him and Lantash an eery feeling. He knew they had been searching for an alternate Tok'ra, but he missed most of what was going on.

"Yes...from my universe obviously."

"I thought we killed him."

"One of the Tok'ra put him in a sargaphagus. He woke up before we took over the place, or least before we checked that area."

Martouf opened the box and took alt-Lantash out. He never actually knew what Lantash looked like before this.

Put him away, Lantash thought, who was thouroughly getting the shivers from his host holding another version of him.

"What are you going to do with him?" Martouf kept looking at the symbiote. You aren't interested in what you look like?

I was content to looking at him while he was still in the box.

"He'll get a trial, and a punishment will be figured out if he's found guilty. I'm sure he'll be found guilty. Most likely the personality given to him from his queen and his memories will be blocked. If that works, he'll basically be reborn, and has a good chance of being a good Goa'uld. Slowly the memories of his own life will return."

"That works?"

"It has before. Some of Egeria's older children feel that the younger ones never really had a chance to make their own choice in life. Before birth they were programmed for absolute loyalty to her. She didn't know how to do that at first." He continued as alt-Lantash was put back into the box. "By purging his memories, our Lantash will be able to experience the life of blending with a human. He will be told of his actions beforehand, but without having the memories himself they will have little effect. Once his memories start returning, he will have to make a choice."

That's a little creepy, Lantash thought.

Martouf handed the box back to alt-Amb. "I hope he makes the right choice."

"So do I."

Martouf glanced out the doorway. "I think I should leave before Kilso finds me out of bed."

"Probably a good idea. He lectured me when I tried to get up."

Martouf smiled and returned to his room without Kilso's notice.

To be continued...