(Vinnet, thanks. Glad you liked the transition. )

Part 3, Reports

:.:.:October 1986:.:.:
:.:.: (Two Months Later) :.:.:

"I knew I had a bad feeling," Rosha stated.

Martouf looked to her. They had both just received the same news. "Cordesh and Nelay'en may still be alive."

"I know, but it's been two months since we heard from them. They have missed two reports due. We hope we hear from them soon."

"As do we. However, Apophis has been in a lot of battles recently. It may be possible that Cordesh cannot sent a report without being discovered." This news was saddening. "How is your army?"

Rosha smiled. "My army?"

"Well, you are forming it and training-"

"All Tok'ra involved will be training."

Martouf smiled. "Of course, but you are the one in charge. This is your mission. Your victory or..."

Rosha looked down. "...or Jolinar's and my failture." He looked up to him. "Still need a lot of recruits."

"A few more Tok'ra have agreed to join us."

Rosha smiled to this and bowed her head as she gave Jolinar control. "I did not dare hope for any more volunteers. Who is it?"

"Tur, Jorda, and Pekon."

Jolinar's face seem to fall. "No."

Martouf had not expected that reaction. "They are excellent fighters and would be great in training civillians how to fight."

"Of that I have no doubt, but all four of you are Kiron, the last Kiron. I will not lead the last of your people in a battle we are likely to lose."

"We are also Tok'ra now, and we have been for over a ninety years. Believe me, their decisions were not made lightly. I admit I joined to help you because I would not forgive myself if you died and I had not helped. However, I have since began to think that we may win this. I must believe it if I am to be part of it. All four of us want to revenge against the Goa'uld for the Kiron's suffering. If this is to be the final battle that strikes down the System Lords, do we not have the right to be part of it?"

"Martouf."

"Would you deny them of this?"

Jolinar looked to the floor. They'd be angry with her if she refused them, and when it came down to it, if she and Rosha were willing to risk their lives, they had no right to tell others they could not do the same. "No...I would not."

"Then it is settled." Martouf gave a nervous smile.

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

Apophis opened the sarcophagus and stepped back a few feet. Unsure what was going to happen, he decided to do this alone. "Cordesh."

Cordesh seemed very calm as he sat up, and he even looked a little irritated. "I was asleep."

The statement made Apophis wonder about the Tok'ra belief that the sarcophagus corrupts a person. It was that rumor that had gotten him to try this. He turned the sarcophagus off, knowing Cordesh would soon be feeling the effects of withdrawl. "When was your next report to the Tok'ra due?"

"Why should I answer any of your questions?"

Apophis smiled. Though the response was defiant, it was a great indication that Cordesh wasn't the same anymore. "Without me, you cannot use the sarcophagus again."

"My reports are monthly," Cordesh replied quickly. The idea of not being able to use the sarcophagus scared him and Nelay'en. They needed to be able to use it again.

"Send out a fake report to the Tok'ra and give them good reason you were not able to sent it sooner. I will read this report before you send it out. If you cooperate, you may return to this sarcophagus."

Cordesh's skin was burning, and he agreed to Apophis' terms quickly. The sarcophagus had eatern at his soul, and he no longer cared for the Tok'ra. Cordesh had every intention on doing what was good for Cordesh, while his host had every intention of doing what was good for himself as well. He wrote a report quickly with Apophis' approval. Aftewards, he sent out the report to the Tok'ra, and then his wish was granted. He was allowed back into the sarcophagus.

It was relaxing. It cured the fatigue he gained without it, and his skin stopped burning.

:.:.:February 1987:.:.:
:.:.: (Three Months Later) :.:.:

As time passed, Apophis forced Cordesh out to make a false report to the Tok'ra, and then allowed him back into the sarcophagus. He figured that the more the Tok'ra was corrupted, the better it was for him. After having been in the device nearly for five months straight, Cordesh saw he had a message from the Tok'ra.

"They are ordering my return," Cordesh said in disguest.

"Then you shall," Apophis said.

Why does he think he can order us around? Nelay'en thought. We are better than he is. We cannot return to the Tok'ra. They don't have a sarcophagus.

I do not wish to return to them either, Cordesh thought. We are better than they are.

Apophis was annoyed by the look of defiance that Cordesh held. He decided to asert his power over him very quickly. "You work for me now, Cordesh. Without me, you have no hope of ever gaining access to a sarcophagus again. Do not think you can simply go to another System Lord for one. If you betray me, they will all know you are Tok'ra, and they would kill you."

Cordesh glared.

Apophis handed Cordesh a device. "Use this on yourself."

Cordesh did as he was ordered and was greatly surprised to find the symptons of withdrawl disappeared. He smiled, pleased with the effect.

Apophis hoped the device did not undo the corruption. "You want power?"

"Does not everyone?"

"Free use of the sarcophagus?"

"Of course."

"Then help me to stop the Tok'ra. Once they are stopped, you can have anything you want. I will help you."

Cordesh grinned and looked to the message the Tok'ra sent him. "Then I will follow your orders, my lord."

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

Cordesh returned to the Tok'ra with a couple supplies from Apophis, one being the device that made his skin stop burning. He discovered that using it constantly had a nice effect, and it could be worn under the uniform.

He was greeted by Garshaw. "You missed a great deal," she said. "There was a marriage, a new blending, two deaths, some new possible hosts started living with us, and Jolinar is raising an army."

Cordesh only half listened at first, as the news was normal, and he didn't care. However, he was surprised about the last bit of information. "Jolinar is doing what?"

"Jolinar is recruiting and training soldiers. I don't approve, but I will not stop her from trying. She would never forgive me if I did."

"The council allows this?"

She must be stopped, Nelay'en thought.

"What would you have them do? Many Tok'ra support her in this. If we tried to prevent them, they may leave us. We cannot risk losing them."

"What are Jolinar's intentions?"

"To attack the System Lords. It will few a couple years before she is ready."

"She will fail. They are too powerful. They-" Cordesh stopped, realizing he could not openly state he knew the System Lords would never be stopped. The System Lords are better than the Tok'ra, and I am better than the System Lords.

We are, Nelay'en thought harshly.

Yes, yes, we are better than all.

Garshaw sighed. "I know, and I doubt she will succeed. However, we cannot stop her. She has been wanting to do this for centries, and it is time she does."

"What does Lantash have to say about this?"

Garshaw looked at him, a bit surprised. When it came to matters that involved mates, usually both host and symbiote were mentioned. "He does not approve, but he is helping. We should discuss this another time. You should rest."

In that I do agree, Cordesh thought. This is not too much concern. Jolinar will fail, and she and every fool who follows her will be killed.

Perhaps painfully, Nelay'en thought.

Now that idea does relax me. Cordesh gathered his belongings and headed to his room. He dropped most of it down and sat on the bed. This place is too bright. He took out the long distance communication device that Apophis had given him. He peered around into the hallway, ensuring that no one was watching.

They are too stupid to think to check on us, his host thought. They are giving us time to rest.

Cordesh mostly ignored his host as he activated the device. He grew impatient that there was not an instant reply. Who does Apophis think he is to have us wait?

Meanwhile, Apophis noticed that Cordesh was trying to contact him. He sent his Jaffa away before replying. "Cordesh." His voice was lowered in case Cordesh was near other Tok'ra.

"I have returned."

Apophis smiled. The fact that Cordesh actually contacted him was a good sign. He was sure the Tok'ra was corrupted by the sarcophagus, but he wasn't sure that Cordesh would be willing to work for him. He'd have to test this out first, making sure that Cordesh was loyal. "Do they suspect anything?"

"They do not."

"Very w-"

"I have news."

Apophis was a bit angry to be interrupted, and he hoped he would not have to put up with this for long. "What is your news?"

"Jolinar is preparing an army to attack the System Lord in a couple years."

Apophis was surprised by this, and it worried him a little. However, it would be a couple years before he had to truly had to worry. For now, this would be a good chance to test Cordesh's loyalty. "Who is Jolinar?"

"Symbiote to Rosha. Mate to Martouf and Lantash for eight and a half decades. Your information on the Tok'ra is quite limited if you have not heard of Jolinar," Cordesh added in a mocking tone. "Do I have to tell you who Egeria is as well?"

At first Apophis was surprised that Jolinar and Lantash were mates, and then he was angry with Cordesh's tone. Of course he knew who Jolinar was! He was about to lash out, but realized Cordesh's loyalty may falter if he knew he had been tested. "I am fully aware of who Egeria was," he replied harshly. He realized Cordesh may be short on time. They couldn't waste time exchanging brags and insults. "Tell me who else is part of the army?"

"Some Tok'ra. I will learn their names soon."

"You are to offer Jolinar help."

"Doing so would mean taking orders from her. I will not-"

"You need to learn to grovel again. We cannot destroy the Tok'ra if you are unwilling to help. If they stay a threat than your desires will not be fullfilled. You will offer Jolinar help. If you refuse-" He watched a glaring Cordesh disappear. Apophis frowned, angry. He could not be sure if Cordesh purposely shut him off, or if Cordesh needed to because someone approached him.

Cordesh wasn't the easiest to handle, and the news of the army was surprising. Overall though, Apophis thought his plan was going rather well.

To be continued...