(Sorry, it has taken forever. I kept drawing a blank whenever I started writing this.

Astrophysikerin, thank you. The interaction between alt-Lantash and alt-Amb was fun to write.

Shlane, thank you. Sorry this wasn't quick.)

Part 6, Signs

Martouf was happy when Kilso allowed him out of the healing room, though he still wasn't allowed out of the tunnels. He and Lantash were both still weak, but they were stronger than they were a few days ago. Despite protest from a few Tok'ra, the alt-Goa'uld had not yet left. A few Tau'ri, Jack included, had arrived an hour ago. Martouf walked in on a conversation between Jack and alt-Martouf, who was frowning.

Jack seems to have that affect on you, no matter what universe you come from, Lantash thought.

Martouf chuckled, which alerted the others to his presence.

"Did Kilso allow you to leave," the alt-Goa'uld asked in concern, with a voice clearly marking the symbiote to be in control.

Jack was talking to alt-Jolinar! Lantash thought in both surprise and dismay.

"Yes, he did. Having a nice conversation?" Martouf asked.

"I was learning about my alternate self," alt-Jolinar answered, sounding slightly guilty.

As Lantash grew more horrified, Jack quickly stated, "He asked me," in a defensive tone.

Jack is the last person to explain Jolinar, Lantash angrily muttered.

"I thought asking you would be upsetting, especially after everything else you have gone though," alt-Jolinar explained. "I felt uncomfortable asking the other Tok'ra. Jack asked me about his alternate self, and so I thought I could ask him about myself."

"Perhaps in the future we can tell you more about her," Martouf offered. He had a pretty good idea of what Jack's version of his mate had been. "That is, if we see each other again. I hear you are leaving today."

"Kilso has allowed our Amb to leave. You have a very good healer...like our healers, who like to keep people as long as possible...and keep guard so one cannot leave."

Martouf chuckled, getting a feeling that alt-Jolinar often tried to escape the healers of his universe. "It sounds like you have something in common with Jolinar."

"More than I thought," alt-Jolinar replied with disappointment. The voice turned human with no visual indication of a switch. "I apologize for his behavior," alt-Martouf said quickly. "These past days have been uneasy for us. Being among people who do not trust us based on what our group is does not help. It is understandable though. We admit we are not comfortable around a group called Tok'ra." He glanced to Jack. "Will you be heading to Kiron after this?"

Martouf nodded. "Another time. I need to put up a couple signs. Bastet will learn the Kiron people have a strong spirit that she cannot crush."

Alt-Martouf frowned. "I thought...are you not last?"

"Well...yes, but my spirit is strong."

"Outlive her and the Kiron outlive her."

Martouf smiled. "Yes." He looked passed his double as alt-Samantha, alt-Amb, and Selmak entered the room. "I guess it is time for you to leave."

"We have permission to go to Kiron with them, though Kilso does not want you leaving the tunnels yet. He agreed to let you go for an hour," Selmak announced. "That is, if you want to go."

Martouf frowned. "I will say my goodbyes here. I am not ready to see Kiron in ashes yet." He looked down as he spoke. "I need to get the signs ready first. At least then I can feel like I am doing something about it." He looked up to Jack. "I ask that you give Samantha permission to accompany me to Kiron."

Jacob quickly took control and gave Jack a look before Jack had time to register what Martouf requested. Jack nodded. "Sure." Sam had already made the same request to him.

Martouf gave a small smile before turning back to the alt-Goa'uld. "Well, thank you for saving my life."

"It was not a problem," alt-Jolinar said, though it wasn't entirely true. "I ask in return you keep in contact with the Tau'ri."

"Oh, that won't be a problem on our end," Jacob said, "at least for now. The counsel kind of freaked when they realized Martouf and Lantash nearly died because Earth couldn't contact the Tok'ra. I don't know how the state of our alliance will turn out, but the SGC won't have a problem contacting the Tok'ra when they need to now." He gave a victorious smile, mostly because he had been arguing for this ever since the Tok'ra severed contact with his planet.

"Good to know," Jack said. He never really liked the Tok'ra, but he did admit they were good allies.

Martouf smiled, also pleased with the news. "Then something good has come from this." He sighed softly. "Though it doesn't entirely help with having to make new grave markers. If you will excuse me. Jolinar, Martouf..." He chuckled lightly with saying his own name in addressing someone. "Selmak, Samantha...Amb...I apologize that I cannot walk you to the mirror. I hope if we do meet again it will be on better terms than what it has been so far." He saw himself grin to those words. "Good day." He walked away, hearing the three give their goodbyes to him.

He set off to making signs.

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

Three weeks later Martouf was healed enough to be allowed to another planet. He glanced to Samantha, and then slowly dialed the chaapa'ai to Kiron. He walked up the steps afterwards and paused briefly. He mentally pictured how Samantha had described his world. Over the passed few weeks he had asked her to describe what she saw.

Holding on to some supplies he had, he stepped through the wormhole and onto his world. He paused, seeing only ashes around him. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fist, and held a stoic look on his face. He stared out into the distance, and then closed his eyes. He waited a moment, and then gave Lantash control when he couldn't open his eyes without showing pain.

Lantash stepped downward and heard Samantha follow him. "We ask that you help us with these new signs, Samantha."

"Of course." She had heard that they had made new signs to replace the old ones.

He gave her one of the signs. "I will show you exactly where Martouf wants them." He looked around as he spoke so Martouf could see all the destruction. He gave control back when his host felt he was ready. Martouf looked to Sam, and the sadness in his face was back. "We must work quickly. I know Bastet will return to make sure new signs haven't been put up."

Sam glanced to the stargate. "You don't want to wait a while, so they are more likely to stay up for a long time?"

Martouf shook his head and drove three wooden poles into the ground. He tied them together, and then tied the cloth sign to that. "I know she will take down the signs, but I want her to see them. It is why I have not yet putting up the grave markers."

Samantha put the other sign up. She couldn't read it, but the lettering seemed different than what had been before. "You want to make her angry."

Martouf smiled to that. "I believe this will do it." He stood back and looked to both signs.

"What does it say?" Sam knew both signs said the same thing.

"'Bastet will never rule a Kiron again. The Kiron will outlive Bastet.'"

Her eyes widened slightly. "That's pretty risky."

"She already wants me dead," Martouf stated. "This does not change her attitude towards me in that manner." He looked over the ashes. In the distance were trees, which thankfully, had stopped burning. Other than that, everything around was dead. Ash went up into the air with each step. "It used to be a beautiful planet."

"It will be again." Sam looked around. "It'll take time, but the forest will grow back. The ground will be covered in grass and flowers. Rain will come to fill the lake."

"The buildings will not return. The disrespect shown to the dead will never be washed away."

"I'm sorry."

Martouf looked to her. "You are right though. The forest will re-grow, and I will make sure that anyone who comes here will know that people lived here." He paused for a moment before speaking again. "We should leave."

Sam nodded, but did nothing. She let him be the one to dial out. She went up the steps after he did and waited for him.

Martouf looked out to the world. "Kiron will, as you say, bounce back, even if its people will not..." He looked to Sam. "...but, we will not be forgotten." He touched her shoulder in a friendly manner, and they left through the stargate.

The End