Isabel

Klorel? It appeared that this evil Goa'uld was still alive, had lost his memories and now cared about my well-being. To say that I was shocked would be understated. Time seemed to stand still. I wasn't able to think clearly and therefore I merely observed the following events.

On the other hand Selena, who was in control, seemed to evaluate hundreds of options in mere seconds.

Selena

'Take a weapon and kill the enemy' – That would be a slight overreaction and I have also to consider Skaara.

'Ask Isabel for an advice.' – "Isabel, dear?" No answer. Apparently she is in no state to think rationally and answer me.

'Take a Zat, shoot him once, take him to the Tok'ra base and remove the symbiote.' – Yes, that is indeed a good idea. If I don't come up with a better option, this will do it.

'Make sure he's standing on the ring platform and then get rid of that evil monster.' - Beam him into space? I really have to overcome my shock about these unforeseen events and retain my former proper concentration.

'Wait and see what happens next.' - No, that is not really a plan… at least not for me, a being with 2057 years of life-experience and all the memories of her ancestors.

'Play along, take him to the Tok'ra base and let the Council decide anything further.' – Yes, this is the perfect solution of the current problem. A simple, non-violent, rational way out of this dilemma.

"I'm glad that you are both feeling better," I answered half-heartedly and desperately tried to sound as joyful as possible. I had spilled my drink when I realized that Klorel was still among the living and I absently wiped it up as I waited for his answer.

"Thank you. You are very kind." Apparently they had switched control, because this distorted voice clearly belonged to Klorel.

They are reducing their odds to reach our destination alive, I thought darkly.

I really had hoped that they would not switch control very soon. Preferably not switch it all. I hate Goa'ulds, and I had absolutely no wish to have small talk with one of them.

Luck was not on my side, I decided privately. Footsteps. Klorel was coming to join me in the cockpit. No, luck was definitely not on my side.

With a cheerful smile on his face he stepped through the open doorframe and sat down in the co-pilot chair next to me.

Fine. Make my day more miserable than it is already, I thought sullenly and whished the High Council had sent another Tok'ra on this mission.

My mood was definitely getting worse. Why had the Goa'uld survived? My life had been so wonderful when I thought that he was dead. I have fought the Goa'uld for more than 2000 years and I loathed them with all of my heart.

I filled my cup and began to drink. Since I couldn't speak while I was drinking, I would at least be spared a discussion in the next few minutes. However, Klorel didn't really mind that I was otherwise occupied and he started a rather long monolog. Still disturbed about the recent developments, I found it rather hard to focus on his words and therefore was only listening half-heartedly.

"... glad… sleep… you look more relaxed…"

Sip.

"…arrive… Tok'ra base … hope… healers … memories…"

Sip. Apple juice. Tasty.

"… I… good… dreams…"

Sip.

Sip.

"I… I… thought about… yesterday… ship… our talk… Goa'uld…they… horrible..."

Sip.

"However… glad… I'm Tok'ra… fight evil Goa'uld... will win… together with Skaara… I'm happy… my host… adore him."

Cough.

He really caught me off-guard with his last statement. I really should have paid more attention. Maybe then I would have been more prepared to hear him utter such words. In the light of the present situation, I really should have expected them.

However, memories or no memories, Klorel was a Goa'uld. A rather powerful Goa'uld Lord in the service of Baal and a son of Apophis, the dead System Lord. It definitely felt wrong to hear him speak such words. After all, he had suppressed his host, and who knows how many people he had already killed or tortured in his life.

Deciding that drinking anywhere near Klorel was a very bad idea, I set my cup aside while I attempted to stifle my coughing.

"The endeavours of the Tok'ra are indeed a noble cause," I stated neutrally, but then I decided that it might be better to say more than one sentence for a change and so added, „I'm also proud to be a Tok'ra. One day the galaxy will be freed from the Goa'uld."

"Of course, I only hope that the day on which the Goa'uld's reign of terror falls will be very soon. It is so disturbing that on each passing day humans will suffer greatly due to the Goa'uld," he answered and looked at me with innocent puppy-eyes.

After a few seconds I had to break eye contact with him because his glace had stirred something in me. Oh, those innocent puppy-eyes and his determination. My feelings were suddenly in turmoil, but I decided to ignore them. I was a Tok'ra, he was a Goa'uld. Things were rather simple. Why change that fact?

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