Thanks for the reviews! Interesting comments from Rionach O'Neill and Stoko. It's encouraging to see people considering the different possibilities, but I'm not going to confirm or deny anything out of fear of giving anything away. All will become clear eventually - cue evil laugh! In the meantime, here's a new chapter.

NOTE: for this chapter, italic text signifies Selmac and bold/italic text is for Jacob, rather than Einar and Jack.

Chapter 18: Father and Daughter

Three months passed, with gradual progress from both the teams on Hakon and at Stoneheim. Translations of how the stasis cells worked were sent back by Daniel, and Teal'c reported SG-3's discovery of some kurstallis mines on the outskirts of the Hakonan city. Sam kept her mind on both, directing the scientists and examining the data they received.

The Tok'ra and rebel Jaffa had arranged a meeting with General Hammond, and so she had ensured she was at the SGC in order to attend. When she arrived at the briefing room, her father greeted her sadly, with a hug and a few words, before resuming his position next to Anise. Sam sat opposite her father, and nodded respectfully to Master Bra'tac further along the table.

"General Hammond," Anise began. "The Tok'ra wish to express their gratitude in your assistance in our relocation to a new base of operations. We believe the swift warning of possible danger may have saved many Tok'ra, and also express our condolences at the loss of Colonel O'Neill."

"As do the rebel Jaffa," Bra'tac added. "On both matters. We can only hope that the Tauri remain safe, since you cannot relocate your entire population as we can."

"Both the Tok'ra and Jaffa are very welcome," Hammond said.

"The Tok'ra have some unexpected but welcoming news for you, General," Jacob continued. "As you know, it was expected this new Goa'uld with both O'Neill and Einar's knowledge would try and curry favour with the System Lords, or at least attempt to climb the ranks by attacking the Tauri himself. However, we have observed no major shifts in power and there is no evidence that any Goa'uld is actively marshalling forces to attack Earth. They continue to fight among themselves."

"Earth is part of the Protected Planets Treaty with the Asgard," Hammond reminded. "It could be what's holding them back."

"I don't think so, sir," Sam interjected. "The Goa'uld could easily wipe us out with a surprise attack from space, before the Asgard have a chance to react to the breach of the treaty. Even if they can help us in time, the Asgard are fighting the Replicators in their own galaxy and don't have the resources to sustain a war with the Goa'uld. The Colonel knew that, sir."

"So from all the evidence, the Goa'uld should be attacking?"

"Yes, sir."

"This is not the only unusual news, Hammond of Texas," Bra'tac spoke. "I am here formally to request supplies and equipment for the rebel Jaffa, but it is the reason behind the request that should be of interest. Over the last month, there has been a large influx of new Jaffa to our cause. They say that their nameless new god disappeared some time ago, leaving all the Jaffa under him to do as they wished. They came to us as they believed he had abandoned them and so was no god. Only a few had actually seen this new Goa'uld, and most of those who had feared to speak of him. Several who dared tell me anything claimed he was like a beast, and often paced about and ranted to himself in a strange language."

"It sounds like that was the Goa'ulded Einar and Jack," Hammond commented. "Do these Jaffa have any idea where he went?"

"None," Bra'tac shook his head apologetically. "He seemed to simply vanish from the planet one day."

"It certainly goes against typical Goa'uld behaviour," said Anise.

"Maybe it wasn't the Goa'uld," Sam suggested. "When Thor did some scans, he said the Innarim neurology was complicated even for the Asgard. It could be that the Goa'uld and Innarim brain patterns didn't blend in the normal way."

"That is not unheard of," Selmac spoke through Jacob. "On the occasions that a symbiote fails to properly blend with a host, rare cases exist of insanity rather than death. Of course, we cannot know for sure, but this is the best explanation so far."


With the immediate crisis over, Jacob had taken some time away from the Tok'ra to spend with Sam. The drive from the base was short and silent, but Jacob remembered seeing his daughter flinch at several details during the meeting – namely, the mention of Colonel O'Neill's infestation, and the prospect of him being driven mad along with the minds of the other two. Selmac commented on his musing.

She is trying hard to conceal everything. She fears you would be disappointed in her.

Jacob gave a subtle nod, unnoticed by Sam, as he inwardly replied.

I might've been an Air Force General, but she really should remember I'm her father as well.

You should talk to her then, Jacob, as her father.

He waited until both of them were settled inside before catching Sam with a knowing look and patting the space next to him on the sofa. She sighed as if she knew it had been coming.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get away from the Tok'ra before now, but with the relocation-"

"I understand."

"George suspects something's up, Sam," Jacob said. "He thinks you're planning on resigning."

"Dad, I'm fine."

"Are you?"

That simple question once again dredged up her doubts, which she had strived to keep under the lid for week after week. In the following silence, the question went unanswered, and Sam merely rested her chin on her hand. There was no point trying to hide it from him – he knew her too well. Jacob squeezed her shoulder encouragingly.

"General Hammond asked me a few months ago if I was coping, or just running away," she said, looking down. "I think I've figured out which one."

"What's bothering you, then?"

"Lots of things. I took SG-1 for granted – it's hard to get used to having the team broken up, and I don't get to see Daniel and Teal'c much anymore. This new post is more of a strain than I thought too, with the travelling between the SGC and Area 51."

"You're thinking about leaving because of that?"

"Not just that. The whole situation is a mess. None of it makes sense. We should've been attacked by now, and the fact that we haven't is scaring me more than the idea of being attacked itself. I keep waking up in the middle of the night and I'm not sure my head can take much more of this."

"What about Jack?" Jacob pushed.

Sam visibly stiffened, and shifted uncomfortably: "What do you mean?"

"Come on, Sam," he chided. "Don't play dumb with me. I can tell you miss him."

"Yeah," she sighed, covering her face. "I miss him. I know I shouldn't but-"

Jacob wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling his daughter to him: "Sam, you can't force yourself not to feel something."

"I know…" she wiped her eyes, keeping her gaze fixed on her hands resting in her lap. "I know he's gone. I saw Wotan implant him with a symbiote. Even if there was something left of his mind after being driven insane, what are the chances of us finding him again? But I still can't help hold out hope that there's some way of getting him back."

"Then stay," Jacob advised. "How will you ever find any answers if you leave the SGC for good?"

"You're right, Dad," she sniffed. "I'd better…"

The conversation was interrupted as Sam's phone trilled urgently, and she took the opportunity to escape the discomfort by darting up to answer it. As she spoke to the caller Jacob conversed with his symbiote.

Samantha was truly in quite a dilemma. She long felt for him, but feared the consequences.

Still worried I'd be disappointed in her… they both chose career and duty…

Perhaps they were protecting each other.

"Dad, I have to head back to the mountain," Sam cut through the unspoken conversation. "Something's wrong."


Hammond was in the control room, directing Walter to dial the stargate, as Sam arrived back.

"What's happening, sir?"

"SG-9 failed to make their scheduled check-in," he said grimly. "We tried to make contact half-an-hour ago, but there was no response. We're trying again now."

"Did you do a diagnostic of the MALP's systems?"

"Yes, Major," Walter confirmed. "Everything looked fine."

The gate kawooshed into life, and Hammond grabbed the microphone firmly: "SG-9, this is General Hammond, please respond."

Silence.

"Dr. Jackson, please respond."

Silence.

"If any SGC personnel can hear this, please come in."

Nothing.

"Patch through video feed from the MALP."

Sam took the seat in front of the monitor and the screen flicked into life. It showed the familiar, rocky terrain and mountain ranges of Stoneheim. Sam panned the camera about before fixing on something.

"Oh my god," she breathed.

In the stargate clearing, both pointing their staff weapons at the MALP, were two Innarim…

…and neither of them were Einar.