Author's Note #1: Yet again I find myself apologizing for the length of time since I last posted. Life is kind of crazy busy right now, and my muse has been kind of stuck on a different fandom right now, so I've been forcing myself to work through this chapter. The next chapter (16) is still in the outline stage.
Vekix, 6546 A.S. (January 2000)
Uslisgas, Asteria Galaxy
Sujanha's life, ever since the end of the Furling-Sicarii War and before the beginning of the Furling-Goa'uld War, had followed a set pattern. Except on the rare days she was too ill to work, she rose early, ate quickly, stayed at work until late, went home for a few hours' sleep, and then started the cycle again the next day. Her life was regular and dominated by routine, the order and set pattern important as it gave her some control over a life dominated by the unpredictability of centuries of war and illness.
Ever since Daniel Jackson, the exiled Tauri from Midgard, had entered her life about a year-and-a-half earlier, her life had changed for the better. She had grown rather fond of the boy. He was grown by the standards of his own people, but he always seemed so young to her in his outlook on life and enthusiasm for learning. It was difficult having the weight of so much responsibility and so many duties resting on her aching shoulders, and his presence in her life made a welcome respite at times. His endless questions and curiosity about his new home were always cheering to her and a welcome distraction at times. She enjoyed hearing his stories of Abydos and Midgard and liked even his quiet, stalwart presence. She had grown so used to him that, today, on the third day since her return, it seemed too quiet as she rode the lift up to her office.
After the end of the campaign against Cronus, Nirrti, and Selket, Sujanha had returned to Asteria for a short time to check on the situation in Asteria and in Ida and to deal with some upcoming High Council meetings. Bjorn was an extremely capable High Commander, but she preferred to keep an eye on how some important matters were functioning. This was the first time she had returned to Asteria since the war of deliverance against the Goa'uld had begun, remaining for months on board her flagship, her moving headquarters, in the Milky-Way, but some matters, like High Council Meetings, could not easily be dealt with at a distance.
Asik greeted her as soon as she walked into her office that looked unchanged in her months-long absence, "I was beginning to grow concerned, my lady. The hour is much later than your usual arrival time."
Sujanha, golden-eyes sharp, flicked her glance up to the chrono on the wall behind Asik's desk. Jaax's desk was empty at the moment; like Daniel he was taking a chance to check on his family. The chrono said that it was half-past the 9th hour. She usually rose at the 7th hour and was at work within half-an-hour unless she was waiting for Daniel. "I was waylaid several times on my journey here, or I would have arrived as normal."
"No problems, I hope?" replied Asik, following her into her inner office, his steps light and almost noiseless in his soft shoes.
"No, the High King had need of me first. I received his summons as soon as I arose. He had questions regarding the campaign against Cronus' alliance. On my return from the palace, I met my brother, who has also returned for tomorrow's High Council Meeting and was even later this morning than I was, and he had a question for me, as well. Thus, I am late." Sujanha said, taking her seat at her desk with a tired sigh and a pained groan and flicking open several holographic screens.
"Will Dr. Jackson be joining us today?" Asked Asik, moving to pour a cup of spiced tea from a full pot already brought upstairs and sitting on a side table, awaiting Sujanha's arrival, which was usually like clockwork.
"After the midday meal," Sujanha replied, "he is visiting his wife today." She paused, swiped through a few more screens, "Have there been messages for me in my absence?"
"Yes, several, since the messages forwarded to you immediately upon your return," Asik replied, stepping into the outer office and retrieving a tablet from his desk, "Do you wish to hear them in any order?"
"Are any of them critical?" She hoped not. Sujanha had slept for several hours longer than she commonly did and still felt exhausted, the strain of months of campaigning weighing upon her. Duty before self, she reminded herself mentally, despite a nagging voice in her head that sounded too much like her brother, saying that she would be no help to the fleet if she collapsed … again, which to be fair had not happened since the end of the Furling-Sicarii War.
"No," Asik replied with a shake of his head.
"Then chronologically will do…," Sujanha replied, leaning her head against the back of her chair.
"Yesterday evening, an intelligence report arrived from Othala from Thor. It was not marked critical so I deemed it could wait until this morning."
"I see it," Sujanha said, flicking open the report and expanding it, "You acted correctly."
"A personal message from Thor arrived in the same package, as well as a message from the Crown Prince, stating that he would be on Uslisgas on 5th day, four days from the time the message was sent, to meet with his father and hoped to speak with you on the same trip."
Adair, the Crown Prince of the Furlings, was the same age as Sujanha and Anarr. He had been sent to serve in the Asgard Fleet, instead of the Furling Fleet, to lessen the chances that all of the heirs to the throne could perish during the war with the Sicarii. Sujanha was quite fond of Adair, her only cousin, the grandson of her own father's much elder brother. Their interactions were sometimes awkward as she outranked him in military matters but he her in all other matters. Their last encounter in the Milky-Way, caused by faulty intelligence, had been especially awkward. She loved him—she had so few family members left that she could not afford to dislike any of them—but interacting with him was often difficult.
"Send an acknowledgement to Thor that I have received the new intelligence, and tell the Crown Prince that, if I am still here, I would be glad to speak with him," replied Sujanha, "Next."
"A message from Ansurr arrived late yesterday afternoon."
Sujanha opened her eyes with a start and looked at her aid. His face was straight; he was not—oh, what is that strange saying Daniel says—pulling her leg. She gave a rumbling laugh and brushed a paw across an itch on her muzzle, before asking, "What does my brother-son want?" It was so like her little brother-son to send a message to Headquarters himself, instead of through his father. Ansurr, a young boy of about the size and maturity of a 12 year old human, was good-natured but sometimes overly-enthusiastic and slightly rash.
"He says he misses you, and Tevra also, and hopes you'll come and visit again soon."
Sujanha gave a sigh, her amusement at her brother-son's actions evaporating. She was so tired, not just physically, but also mentally. War was terrible and hard on those who fought and those who remained behind. It was hard to remember a time when war was not a daily part of her life. For almost 1379 years, she had walked among the stars, and for all but three-quarters of a century, her people had been locked in a war, a life-and-death struggle not just for victory, but for bare survival. Only seventy-seven years of peace had come between the wars, and for nearly half of that time, she has not even been on Uslisgas, away on an allied world that the war with the Sicarii had not touch, trying to recover the remnants of her shattered health. Sujanha had not even been on Uslisgas when her brother-son was born. She was so busy, so frequently absent, the weight of multiple galaxies resting on her shoulders, working for the good of her people and their allies. There was always so much to do, and she rarely had chances to go to her brother's house to see Asta, his wife, and their two children Ansurr and Tevra Abroicox, a Cesenor adopted by Anarr. She was so tired.
"Next." No hint of her weariness showed in her voice.
Asik took the hint not to ask if she had a reply and carried on. "The other message came this morning and is from the Tok'ra. They request your presence on Vorash. They say it is important but not critical and did not elaborate."
"An unusual request," mused Sujanha. A cramp wound its way up her right arm, and she reached up her other paw to try to massage it away, "Selmak and Jacob usually bring me word when there is need. How strange…"
"Do you wish to go or delegate?" Asik asked. Delegating, one of the most valuable skills a commander can learn.
Sujanha paused for a long moment, considering the matter. Finally she said, "I will go. My tasks can be postponed for a few hours without consequences." Sujanha rose carefully, learning her weight heavily on the arms of her chair, sturdily built for just such purposes. Her illness left her with side-effects, at times severe, and her right left especially was prone to unexpected cramps or spasms. Today was an unusually good day so far, except for her general tiredness, but Sujanha did not wish to be careless and end up on the floor if her leg gave out.
Asik bowed deeply and began to withdraw. "Of course. I will send for your guards and then send the necessary replies."
"No need," a deeper voice broke in as Ruarc appeared in the doorway like a silent shadow, his brother at his shoulder, "We're here. What do you need, Commander?"
Asik withdrew, and Sujanha's golden gaze focused on her two bodyguards. They had been by her side for years, since before the end of the Great War. Their loyalty was eternal and unquestionable, but they were not just silent sentinels. They were both experienced soldiers and were as ready with advice or wisdom or critiques as they were with defensive force. "A message from the Tok'ra came this morning," she said, "They wish for me to come to Vorash."
Ruarc's ears flattened against his skull, a sign of his unease. "Unusual. You're going?" In private, the two guards were free, at Sujanha's insistence, to speak less formally.
Ragnar growled, a low rumble in his chest. Among the Furlings, the Tok'ra's request for Sujanha to come to them, instead of them coming to her, was considered an insult. In matters of business or military matters, those of lesser rank went to those of higher rank, not vice versa.
"Yes," Sujanha was not one to mince words.
Sujanha was not one to waste time either, not when there was work to be done. She left a message for Daniel and Jaax with Asik and had word of her departure sent to Anarr. Then, within minutes of leaving Headquarters, the Supreme Commander of the Furling Fleet along with her two bodyguards stepped through the Stargate and out on to the sands of Vorash. For a moment, they were alone, and then several Tok'ra guards, watching over the Stargate, emerged from the sands out of nowhere. Sujanha was pleased: she almost had not seen them before they moved, though she had been able to both hear and smell them.
One of the guards approached her. The host seemed young to her, but then most humans did seem young to her. To a Furling, almost all other races seemed young. He was tall with short brown hair, dark hair, and bushy eyebrows. The expression on his face was friendly and open. He bowed to her and saluted in an imitation of the Furling fashion, an attempt that pleased her. When he spoke, it was the host's voice. "Thank you for coming, Commander. If you would follow me, please."
Sujanha acknowledged his words with a nod and followed him across the sands. Walking over sand was more difficult than walking over level ground, but her cat-like paws made it somewhat easier. Even so, she was just a touch breathless by the time the group reached the rings. Ruarc touched her elbow in a silent gesture of concern. She shook her head, and he dropped back two paces to his original post. Knowledge of her 'illness' was mainly considered an open secret within the confines of Asteria and extremely limited outside its bounds. She had no wish for the knowledge to spread more than absolutely necessary.
Another Tok'ra, another man, was waiting just at the edge of the ring room. He wore brown robes, instead of tan. His hair was dark and straight, spilling just slightly over the top of his broad forehead. His face was square, and he wore an expression that was somewhere between severe and haughty. He did not even make a slight bow to Sujanha, as many other Tok'ra did out of respect for a valued ally, "I am High Councilor Delek. We appreciate your coming."
Sujanha nodded, returning the greeting, though curt, "The alliance between the Tok'ra and the Furlings is highly valued. I was surprised, however, that Jacob-Selmak did not bring me the news." Her reply was a subtle prompt for an explanation and a slight warning not to waste her time, all in one.
"Selmak is off-world at the moment on a mission," replied Delek. He looked to the guard and said somewhat brusquely, "You are dismissed, Aldwin."
Aldwin nodded and begin to retreat, but Sujanha reached out and brushed a paw across his sleeve, murmuring a quiet word of thanks.
"If you would come with me, Commander," Delek prompted. Sujanha fought back the urge to correct him. Supreme Commander, she wanted to say but kept quiet. There was something about the Tok'ra High Councilor that Sujanha did not like. Perhaps it was just his too brusque dismissal of Aldwin. Sujanha made a point of always trying to be kind and polite to her subordinates. They were loyal, willing to follow her into yet another war, and she always tried to repay that loyalty and always be worthy of it.
After a few minutes of walking, winding through long, twisting tunnels and going gradually further underground, Sujanha began to grow increasingly exasperated. The long walk was starting to make her right leg, her bad leg, ache, and she still had not been told why the Tok'ra had asked for her to come. The Commander valued the alliance of the Furlings with the Tok'ra greatly: the intelligence they had provided had been invaluable. However, Sujanha did not appreciate being dragged around like she was an underling or a simple messenger.
"Enough," Sujanha finally growled when they had come some distance further and came to an empty tunnel, "I tire of this. Why have you brought me here?"
Delek immediately paused and turned back. "Through our subspace network, we have recently received new information from our operatives regarding the positions and distribution of a number of Goa'uld motherships and troop transports. Our analysts deemed it vital for you to see the information quickly. With Selmak absent, we thought it best for you to come, instead of sending a less-experienced messenger with whom you are less familiar."
"Very well," said Sujanha, after a long pause, "Let us continue." Their decision was reasonable and logical, but she wished that they had given her that information sooner.
By the time the three Furlings and Delek reached their destination, Sujanha judged that they were at least three levels below the Stargate, and their route had been so twisty that even Sujanha was struggling to keep the entire path with all its turns fixed in her mind.
As the group slowed, finally approaching their destination, Sujanha glanced back over her shoulder at Ruarc, who was a couple paces behind her and to her right. Seeing her look, he moved up and leaned in so that their heads were close together.
"Do you remember the route?" She asked, switching from English back to Furling. It was not that the Commander did not trust the Tok'ra, but rather that she had learned through painful experience of betrayals by those she thought allies to always have backup plans and escape routes.
"We both do," Ruarc replied in the same tongue. Ragnar nodded his assent.
"Good," said Sujanha. Ruarc dropped back.
After making one final turn, Delek led Sujanha into a large and deep chamber. In the middle of the room, several display screens were laid out along with a piece of Goa'uld technology, a large red and silver stone set upon a very impractical and fragile, thin gold stand. Two other tables stood at the back. Two other Tok'ra, one man and one woman, were present, one at each table. They appeared to be scientists, if a quick glance at their equipment was any indication. The man was tall with curly, brown hair; a long, sharp nose; and a severe expression on his face that made him look like not the most genial of men. The woman was slightly shorter with curly, golden hair that hung to her shoulders, grey eyes, and a friendly through somewhat guarded look on her face.
Delek spoke to them both briskly, only in Goa'uld, a language which the three Furlings knew only snippets of. The man—it was the symbiote speaking—snapped back a reply.
"The data is set up, awaiting your appraisal," said Delek without further reply to the other Tok'ra, as he turning to Sujanha, who had paused in the doorway, surveying the room and its occupants, "Two of our agents who were instrumental in discovering the data are on world at the moment if you have questions."
With that, Delek departed. Sujanha decided that, if she were human, she might want to bang her head against a wall, as she had seen Daniel mime doing in moments of extreme exasperation or annoyance.
Clamping down on her annoyance and her temper, Sujanha turned to her bodyguards, "Ruarc, please see if any of our people are here at present, and check on them if possible. Ragnar, take up a position somewhere in the hall. Wander if you choose but not too far." After the beginning of the Tok'ra-Furling Alliance, multiple Furlings along with a handful of people from several other worlds within the Empire had chosen to become Tok'ra hosts.
"Of course, Commander," they both said and, after saluting, departed.
When Sujanha was alone in the room with just the two Tok'ra, she surveyed the room once again before moving towards the center table. The male Tok'ra had returned to his work, but his back was tense, and he seemed either annoyed, ill-at-ease, or both. The female Tok'ra had returned to her seat but was watching Sujanha with her head slightly cocked to one side, curiosity in her gaze.
"I surmise," Sujanha asked the other woman in English, gesturing to the subspace receiver and the multiple viewing screens, "that this room is not the usual place for this equipment."
"No, it is not," the other woman, the symbiote speaking, replied in the same language, "This is one of the science labs. That receiver is the spare. The main one stays several levels above us in a room that was probably judged to be too crowded and noisy for your use. This lab is one of the few to have a table large enough for the equipment."
"I apologize then for interrupting your work and will endeavor to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb you both further."
"This was not your decision," the male Tok'ra finally turned, the symbiote still in control, "We do not hold you at fault even if we do not like the consequences."
"Nonetheless, it is because of me that your work has been disturbed, and for that I am sorry, …" Sujanha's voice trailed off in a tone that prompted him for a name.
"Malek," the symbiote replied, "My host is named Loknu, and he greets you."
Sujanha glanced across at the other woman. "I am Kelmaa," the symbiote said, "My host is Gwynyth, and she also greets you."
"I am Sujanha," the Commander replied, "but I assume I am already known to you."
With introductions and apologies out of the way, Sujanha set to work, and her two companions returned to their tasks, whatever those were. The data from the Tok'ra subspace receiver was as the message had said important but not critical, and Sujanha deemed that it likely could have waited until Jacob-Selmak returned. The distribution and grouping of the motherships indicated a marshalling of the Goa'uld forces. Whether that was for an attack against each other or against the Furlings was not clear.
Hours passed as Sujanha studied the information and planned. Ragnar appeared in the doorway a handful times just long enough to see that she was well before disappearing again. Kelmaa left once to retrieve some supplies before returning to her desk. Malek never moved from his chair.
The first tremor passed by without Sujanha noticing it, too minor to do anything except make the smallest of rattles, not enough to pierce her concentration. The second tremor shook the room more severely. These tremors were not caused by the impact of weapon's fire but by the moving of the earth itself. Earth shakes were uncommon on Uslisgas but not unheard of, and she had been in battle often enough to know the difference between tremors from earth shakes and weapons' fire.
Sujanha rose carefully from her table and moved around it to the other side, keeping one paw on the table for balance, so she could hear better what was going on outside. "Is this planet prone to earth shakes?" She asked.
"No, not so as we had thought," Malek replied, seemingly puzzled. He had risen but had stayed by his worktable. Kelmaa, on the other hand, had moved to stand by Sujanha's side.
The shaking was getting worse. Dust began to fall from the crystal ceiling, and equipment began to rattle strongly, ominously. Sujanha was struggling to keep her balance, her bad leg not aiding matters. She wondered where Ragnar and Ruarc were, praying to the Creator that they were safe.
"We must go. We are not safe here." It was Kelmaa who spoke.
Kelmaa and Sujanha moved towards the door, and Malek moved to follow. Just as they did so, the shaking increased many-fold. Stones began to fall from the crystal ceiling. With a roar, the room began to collapse around them. Sujanha dived for Kelmaa, covering the more fragile human with her own body. A stone struck her hard in the back, before she could bring up her personal shield to cover them both. Malek, too far out of reach, was on his own.
It seemed like forever before the room stopped shaking and all was quiet again. Wary of aftershocks quickly following, Sujanha counted off several more long minutes in her head before cautiously moving off from over Kelmaa. The room was pitch black, even the glow of the crystals dimmed, and Sujanha struggled to make out anything in the darkness. Her back throbbed with pain, and each breath shot agony through her chest, but she resolutely pushed aside the pain. Nothing could be done at present, and she had faced worse in the past. There was no time to be weak.
"Are you injured?" Sujanha asked Kelmaa, slowly reaching out one paw to touch her arm.
The answer was a long time coming. "No," Kelmaa finally said, "We are shaken but unhurt."
"Good," Sujanha replied. Her back was throbbing, and she could feel the warm, stickiness of blood on her fur, making her tunic pull on her fur as she moved, but she could move her limbs, which meant she could function for now, since others needed her help. She could worry about her own injuries later. The worst part was that her right arm and leg were already aching, twinges running up and down which heralded the pain or shakes or cramps to come. Tomorrow was not going to be a pleasant day, but for now she could function. She had to function.
"Where's Malek?" Kelmaa asked, trying to see through the inky darkness for her companion. "Malek! MALEK!"
There was no reply. Sujanha and Kelmaa both carefully rose to their feet, wary of any fallen debris that might be close. Now that her eyes had adjusted more to the dark, Sujanha could see the vague outline of the table that she had been sitting at. The faintest light shone from some of the tunnel crystals, allowing just enough light for her superior eyesight to be able to make out something however poor.
"Stay behind me," said Sujanha. When Kelmaa protested that she could not see enough to have a hope of doing so, Sujanha gently grabbed one of her arms and put it on her shoulder, "Hook your fingers into my tunic."
The walk just across the room was painfully slow. Sujanha could not see well enough normally and was forced to sweep one foot back and forth in front of her until she could find a safe spot to set her foot. By the time the two reached the place where Malek had last been, they both felt exhausted from the strain, and Sujanha was sure from the pain in her feet that multiple crystals pieces had penetrated the pads of her feet, one disadvantage to being a race that did not wear shoes.
On her last foot sweep before she knelt, Sujanha's foot met flesh. Malek!
"He is right in front of me," she said, "Move around me slowly and carefully. I do not know what debris is on his other side."
Sujanha knelt, while Kelmaa moved. She reached out a paw to where her foot had found flesh and touched Malek's leg. Kelmaa knelt by his shoulder. If he was trapped by fallen debris, neither could see well enough to tell.
When Kelmaa called his name, Malek finally began to stir. "Are you injured?" She asked.
When a reply came, it was not Malek who spoke but Loknu his host. "We are dying," the host said, his voice soft and very weak, "We are pinned across our abdomen and chest. There is major internal damage. Malek is fighting to heal me, but it will not be enough."
Sujanha moved back a little ways to give Kelmaa and Loknu a semblance of privacy to talk. She eased herself carefully down to the ground and scooted back until she could carefully lean her back against the table she had been sitting at earlier. The pressure hurt, made the throbbing flare, but would hopefully stop the slow bleeding. The pain for her was a minor annoyance for the moment, but she had dealt with worse pain most every day for centuries, and she simply chose to ignore it. There was no time to be weak. There was nothing she could do for her injury at the moment. She had no medical supplies or healing device. To the best of her knowledge, she had a cracked rib or two, but as long as she was careful, no internal injuries. For now, it was best to rest and push away the pain. Help would come eventually.
Using her left paw to rub at the cramps crawling up and down her bad leg, she leaned her head back against the stone and tried to think. Enough time had passed since the earth shake that, assuming that either Ragnar or Ruarc were alive and mobile—Please, Creator, let them both be alive—they would have sent or be sending news back through the Stargate to Uslisgas and summoning help. Her ships could arrive quickly with extra hands and medical supplies, but it would take longer to get the engineers and equipment from the army bases to start extracting the Tok'ra from the collapsed tunnels. One danger of living entirely underground.
Feeling in the dark, she tried to activate the communication function on her gauntlets. The early screens did not give out enough light to see what she was doing, so she abandoned that idea and pressed down three fingers on three specific places on her gauntlet, activating the emergency comm function. In this mode, the comm would automatically try to connect with the closest comm. If that failed, it would attempt to connect with the next closest and then the next closest after that until a connection was made or all connections failed.
After a long heart-stopping moment where nothing happened—Creator, please, no—the comm made its connection with a small chime, and Ragnar's small blue outline appeared over the gauntlet on her left arm.
"Commander, thank the Creator, you're alive," Ragnar's voice was filled with relief.
"It is good to see you, as well. Does your brother live?" Sujanha asked, replying in Furling.
"He does. He has returned to Uslisgas to summon aid. We are unhurt, but there are major collapses across all levels throughout the tunnel system. There are trapped and injured all over. Are you where we left you?"
"We are. Kelmaa is uninjured, but Malek's host is dying. The entrance to this chamber has collapsed, and we are trapped, but the room is large enough that the air will last for some time. It is too dark to work, even with my eyes."
"We will move as quickly as we can. Do you have instructions?" If Ragnar noticed that she had not reported on her own condition, he chose not to comment.
"Continue what you are doing, but have word sent to Algar. The fleet is his to command until I am freed."
"Of course, Commander. It will be done. May the Creator preserve you!"
"And you!"
With that farewell, the blue hologram disappeared, and the room again was bathed in darkness. Sujanha recapped the news for her two companions.
"Your ships, when they arrive," Kelmaa asked after Sujanha had finished, "can beam us out?" Her voice was hopeful. A beam out would get Malek medical attention much sooner, perhaps even quickly enough to preserve his life.
"No, at least not for now," said Sujanha regretfully, "It is too dangerous with the tunnels in these conditions to attempt to beam anyone out of the collapsed sections."
"How is beaming them out any more dangerous than leaving them trapped when the shakes might return?"
"It is a calculated risk," Sujanha admitted, "If all the trapped were in one or even a handful of locations, the situation would be much different. However, from what Ragnar has said, there are Tok'ra trapped across the tunnel system in many scattered locations. Our beaming technology cannot beam everyone out at the same exact instance, and it is incredibly difficult and time-consuming to coordinate beamings between ships. Beamings happen sequentially and take time. Without a better knowledge of the debris field and where a person is, beaming a person out from the wrong place can destabilize debris, causing further collapses in the same location or in nearby locations and cause even more catastrophic damage and the loss of more lives."
With the hope of a speedy rescue gone, silence fell over the crystal chamber. The hours passed slowly. Ragnar commed Sujanha a handful of times to update her on the rescue. The supplies and engineers had arrived from Uslisgas and several bases within the Milky-Way, and they had set to work with a passion. The work was going well but slowly. One of the fleet's hospital ships had also entered orbit above Vorash and was receiving all the wounded as they were extracted.
Loknu continued to fade as time passed. Malek was spending all his strength in a futile attempt to keep his host alive, but the internal injuries and bleeding were too severe. All Malek could do was keep his host from feeling any pain and postpone the end. Without a host, a stasis container, or a quick rescue, Malek would die with his host.
With the sound of Loknu's ragged, labored breaths ringing in her ears, Sujanha closed her eyes, tipped her head back to rest against the stones, and tried to think. From the sound of Loknu's breathing, Sujanha knew that not even a quick rescue would keep Loknu from the grave. She had sat by too many death beds during the Great War, she knew the sounds when death approached. Loknu was already half-floating in the Winds of Night that would carry his spirit away. Death was coming for him and soon, very soon.
Malek faced a choice then: die with his host if he was unwilling or too injured (or exhausted) to leave or take a different host. Only one host was available in that dark chamber: Sujanha herself, a fact that left Sujanha in a terrible dilemma. She was not unwilling to be a host by any means. The idea of a constant companion, friend, advisor, always with one sounded … nice. She had talked with Jacob Carter at times, curious about his experiences, as well as with those of her people who had become hosts, but she knew nothing about Malek behind the few brief times they had spoken within the last few hours. Sujanha felt that it would be dishonorable to not make the offer and give Malek the choice and a chance at life. Yet, at the same time, Sujanha feared that her becoming a host would call her status in the fleet into question. Her loyalty was supposed to be to the Empire alone, to her king, to her people. Being a host could lead some to question the impartiality of her decisions in the War especially where the Goa'uld or the Tok'ra were concerned or even her loyalty to the Empire.
Algar is prepared, she finally decided, to replace me if that course of action would be determine to be best by King and Council. I must do my duty to the Empire, to Ivar, to my people. The king knows my loyalty; I have devoted my life's work to the Empire, but I must not sacrifice my honor to do my duty. If my duty requires my health, my life, I am willing to sacrifice it, but never my honor.
"Loknu," Sujanha finally spoke, her voice steady despite a sudden flare of pain in her back and leg.
In the darkness, Sujanha could hear him stir at the sound of her voice, though she could just barely see the outline of his form, but it was a minute before he could summon the strength to respond.
"Yes?" His voice was a mere whisper.
"If a host were to be found, would Malek be willing to switch hosts?"
"Not until … all hope … is … lost … He is … determined to … save me," Loknu replied, each word a struggle to force out, "But what host … could … be found … here?"
"I offer myself," said Sujanha, "if Malek is willing."
Kelmaa's gasp was quite audible, echoing in the quiet room.
It was a long moment before Loknu replied, but when he spoke, it was actually the duel-toned voice of the symbiote who forced out a single word. "Why?"
'Why' was a vague question that could have many possible answers. Sujanha deliberated for a moment before starting with the most obvious answer, "Because, Malek, you will die without a new host, and I am the only potential host in this room, unless help comes soon, and if I am not mistaken, you will not last much longer."
"Why now?" Loknu was struggling even to speak, "Never … offered … before."
"There was never a need such as this."
Loknu tried to speak again but couldn't get his voice loud enough to project so Sujanha could hear him. Kelmaa moved slowly over beside him and began to speak for him.
"Are you truly willing? Or do you feel forced by circumstances?"
"In a way, the answer to both your questions is yes," Sujanha answered slowly. Sitting in the dark for hours, the pain sapping her strength, she was beginning to feel quite tired. "I have no great desire to become a host, but nor am I unwilling to become one by any means, and I feel it would be a blight upon my honor to not at least offer."
"We know nothing of each other. I am weak. I would not be able to leave you for some time if even another host could be found."
"My offer is not a temporary one. Once we would become acquainted, I am sure we are old enough to, at least, as the Mid … the Tauri say, 'get along.'"
"Some say I am hard to 'get along' with."
"And I command thousands upon thousands of men. I am quite skilled at bridging divides and dealing with difficult personalities."
Loknu gave a quiet laugh that turned into a cry of pain as his injuries were jarred.
"Before you make your decision, Malek, there is one thing you should know," Sujanha said, "and please, Kelmaa, do not repeat this."
"Of course," Kelmaa assured.
"I am dying. I was poisoned centuries ago during our Great War with a poison that should have killed me. My health is fragile, and though I do not expect to die soon, I will not live to the lengths of others of my brethren. You would likely outlive me, and not I you."
"It matters not to me," Kelmaa spoke for Malek, "If the need comes, I accept your offer." She fell silent and then added another phrase that must have been from Loknu, not Malek, "Thank you."
"Of course."
Silence fell across the crystal chamber again. Sujanha felt relieved to have the decision made, whatever the resulting outcome. Loknu's every breath, raspy and weakening, seemed ever louder to her as the day dragged on. She was relieved for his sake that Malek could ease his passing and that the Loknu would not die alone. When Loknu's breaths became so weak that even Sujanha could barely hear them, Sujanha slowly and painfully climbed to her feet. The movements sent a bolt of pain running through her chest and down her right side. Without the aid of the table for the first few moments, she was not even sure if her leg would have supported her weight. She locked her bad knee and slowly shuffled over to sit next to Loknu's prone body. She could not see him in the darkness besides the vague outline of his form but could feel his presence. Sujanha found his arm, slid her paw down until she could rest it on his hand. She felt as the human twisted his arm to slip his hand into her paw and squeeze weakly.
"Are you sure of your choice?" Kelmaa asked.
"I am," Sujanha replied without hesitation.
A few more minutes passed and Loknu's breaths finally stuttered to a stop. Sujanha could hear Kelmaa moving on his other side, as she offered up a prayer. Creator, grant him swift passage across the Winds of Night and receive him into your halls if it be your will. Grant him the peace that the Tok'ra have not known in life.
"You need to lie down, Commander," said Kelmaa.
Sujanha did so. Slight fear curled in her belly, not of Malek, but of the unknown. She knew her life was about to change permanently, but her conviction she was doing the right thing steadied her. She heard a few words in Goa'uld from Kelmaa, a rather unpleasant noise she could not identify, and then a squeaking noise that must have been from Malek as he emerged from his fallen host. I hope he can see better in this darkness than I can.
Kelmaa moved as swiftly to Sujanha's side as she could in the darkness and knelt beside her. Their arms met, and Sujanha felt a cool, almost slimy touch curling around her arm as Malek was transferred across.
"Open your jaw."
Sujanha would never be able to put her thoughts on the blending into coherent words. For her, it was a mixture of a sense of terrible pain and strangeness, though even that did not adequately express her thoughts. She could feel the symbiote's touch upon her face, and she opened her jaw to its widest extent so that he did not cut his fragile body upon her razor sharp fangs. His passage across her tongue made her want to gag, but that feeling was quickly surpassed by the pain in her throat. It felt like Zinjotnax stabbing her in the throat with one of his favorite knives. The movement in the back of her throat and around her spine as Malek adjusted himself made Sujanha's skin crawl and her stomach roll, a feeling which the blood in her mouth and throat did not help. Only her formidable self-control kept back the illogical urge to panic.
After a few more moments, Sujanha felt a mental touch at the back of her mind—their mind, she corrected herself—and then a few soft words. The voice was firm, that of one used to command and being obeyed, but was tinged with overwhelming sadness and utter exhaustion.
*I am sorry for hurting you. Thank you for your sacrifice. I must rest a moment, and then I will heal your throat.*
It took a moment before Sujanha could determine how to reply. *The pain is a small thing.* She whispered back. *I have borne much worse.* Which was the truth. The taste of blood was worse than the pain. *I grieve with thee at Loknu's death.*
Malek did not reply verbally, mentally verbally, but Sujanha could feel his gratefulness, an odd feeling for one used to being alone in her own mind. A few minutes passed, and then she felt a tingling begin in her throat, and soon the taste of blood faded.
*I fear you are injured.* Malek finally spoke again after a long silence. *And I am very weary.*
Sujanha began to wonder if her injury when the rock struck her back had been more severe than she had first thought. As her bodyguards often reminded her, she was not the best judge by any means of her own health or injuries, because of her extremely high pain tolerance, necessary for her to function semi-normally on a day-to-day basis. *I was struck by a falling rock, which broke or cracked at least one or two of my ribs. I have suffered worse. Rest.*
*It is more severe than only a broken rib.* Malek replied. Sujanha felt a sudden surge of protectiveness from him. *When we have blended, I will do what my strength allows.*
Blending was a strange thing, a sort of drifting for Sujanha. She saw flashes of Malek's life, and he of hers. When it was finished, they were one, and yet separate. They knew the memories of the other, but Sujanha was still Sujanha, and Malek Malek.
Sujanha felt very tired. The air in the cavern seemed to be getting thin. *Sleep!* Her symbiote told her. She could feel his concern for her. *If I take control, your pain will be dulled.*
*Not yet.* Sujanha replied. She forced her eyes open, though she could still see almost nothing in the heavy darkness. She reached out a paw and touched Kelmaa, who sat beside them.
"You are awake," Kelmaa said in surprise.
"How long?" Sujanha asked.
"The blending always takes time," she replied, "perhaps an hour has past. In this darkness, it is hard to judge."
"I am weary," said the Commander, "I wish to rest. Malek will take control. Will you pass a message for me to my people when they arrive? One of my bodyguards would be best, or someone from my flagship."
"Of course," Kelmaa, "Anything for you."
Sujanha gave her a message in Furling, "Algar rules the fleet until the High King and the High Council approve my return," and made Kelmaa repeat it three times until she had the pronunciation close enough. Then Sujanha let her eyes drift shut. She was so tired.
*What must I do to give you control?* This is all so new.
*Nothing.* Malek replied. *Just do not fight me.* Sujanha felt his presence move forward from the back of their mind, encircle her. Then her limbs were out of her control. Earlier, she might have been frightened, but now she knew him, trusted him. *Sleep.*
Sujanha did.
Next Time on Ripples in the Deep:
Chapter 16: Aftermath - In the aftermath of recent events, Daniel finds himself having to quickly adapt to changing situations. In his bid to help Sujanha, he learns more about what her life is like and about the sacrifices she has made to lead the fleet. In the meantime, Furling politics proves itself quite complicated, and a lost brother reappears.
Chapter 17: Judgment and Freedom - Justice long-denied is finally gained for two tormented souls, and Daniel is faced with a choice of his own.
Chapter 18: No Trespassing - On a routine trip to a Furling controlled world, Sujanha and Daniel have an unexpected meeting with old friends, a meeting which opens new doors but leaves Daniel with even more choices to consider.
