Ok, I admit it. I might be a little bit in denial about Divide and Conquer.
Italics indicated a conversation between host and symbiote.
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Malek had spent the night before the meeting tying his stomach in knots. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear what was to be said, but the misery of uncertainty was more than he could bear. He walked slowly towards the commissary, trying desperately to delay the inevitable. The small group of Tok'ra had already assembled when he finally arrived. He took the only vacant seat left, next to Martouf, and began to ask his questions. It only took a matter of minutes to confirm that Jalem's group was the last of the survivors. It made Malek feel sick and the feeling only grew worse as he listened to Jalem once again recount the events that had transpired on his base. It seemed as if the system lords had used the same technique with every attack. Well over half of the Tok'ra were dead. Those who remained had nowhere to go. The system lords had finally won. There were too few Tok'ra left to carry on the fight, and the survivors were too weak and weary to really care anymore. They were tired of running and hiding in shadows, pretending to be what they weren't. They were tired in mind and body. You could see it in their eyes, and in the way they moved and spoke. An eerie silence filled the commissary. There were no smiles, what was there to smile about? The sound of laughter had died back on the homeworld too.
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As the Tok'ra sat in mournful silence, SG-1 sat in the briefing room trying desperately to find somewhere to send them where they would be safe from the Goa'uld.
"There is nowhere for them to go sir" said Carter.
"Well, they can't stay here." The General sighed, "But you are right. I need to speak to the president. Dismissed."
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Sam walked into the commissary. A few of the Tok'ra glance up at her as she entered.
"Well I have good news and bad news. What do you want first?"
Jacob looked up, "the bad news."
"Well we can't find a suitable planet to send you to."
"What's the good news then" asked Jalem from a darkened corner.
"Well General Hammond spoke to the president. He said that for the time being you could stay here on Earth." The Tok'ra, excluding Jacob and Martouf, didn't exactly look thrilled at that information. Sensing this Sam added, "It's not the ideal situation but it'll have to do for now. I guess your temporary quarters just became more permanent." She turned to leave. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Martouf stand and start her way. She continued out the door and minuets later he had caught up to her in the hallway.
"If we are to stay here does that mean we will get to see more of your world?"
"I doubt it. You will probably have to remain on the base at all times. Sorry Martouf."
Martouf wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead, "Well at least I will get to see more of you."
"Martouf, not here, everyone will see."
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Malek stayed in the commissary a while longer. He watched his fellow survivors talk among themselves, discussing their options. As if they had any. It was apparent to Malek that they were trapped on this planet, they had no where else to go and the Taur'i were making no effort to really help them.
We couldn't have known that they wouldn't be helpful, those thoughts came form his host, Cade.
No, but at least they could appear to be making an effort. There was more malice in Malek's voice than he had intended. He felt Cade mentally pull back in surprise.
They have tried…
So they have said, but do you really believe them?
Now it was Cade's turn for anger to creep into his thoughts. They don't want us here anymore than we want to be here!
Don't yell at me this is not my fault.
His host grew silent. Despite Malek's numerous attempts to provoke him into conversation Cade wouldn't speak to him. He retreated into a far corner of his mind and allowed Malek to take control of their shared body. Cade knew that his silence infuriated his friend but he also knew that Malek would forgive him. Eventually. It wasn't until Hanah approached them at supper that night that Cade finally surfaced.
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"Samantha, what is this" asked a bewildered Martouf. The bowl in front of him was steaming and gave off a rather pleasant aroma. He took another whiff.
"It's a bowl of soup. Please tell me that the Tok'ra know what soup is."
"Of course, it's just; our soup never contained such a variety of spices. It was…bland compared to this."
Sam laughed, "I'm glad you like it. I'll be sure to inform the cook."
Martouf smiled inwardly and allowed his hand to gently brush against hers. He was rewarded with a smile.
