Author: Kelral Orlyana

Title: Reunion

Category: Stargate SG1 x Red Dead Redemption

Rating: Currently a T… may change as story progresses.

Pairing: None

Spoilers: The Tok'ra (Part 1 and 2) but very little of Red Dead Redemption will be revealed (perhaps a few characters but nothing more...)

Warning: Contains angst, mild battle scenes and mentions abuse and cruelty…though it is very mild.

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG1 or Red Dead Redemption and make no profit posting this story.

Italics represent symbiote and host communication.

Chapter 7: Trust

Anger and fury filled both their minds, Kirinian found himself pushed back as Cordesh took control, time slowed down as the symbiote ducked the bullet, their gun came up and with one fatal shot the guy was dead. No one did a thing, no one blinked but Cordesh did not care he turned and strode from the bar and remounted their horse. We have what we need, head back to the McFarlene Ranch. Cordesh ordered Kirinian as he gave his host control.

Kirinian sighed relieved for a moment he believed himself back when Cordesh was an evil little parasite, but the fear had grown into astonishment and then gratefulness as he realised that Cordesh had become angry at the man for attacking his host. Cordesh had protected Kirinian when he needed his symbiote most. Thank you.

You're welcome. Now let's go home. Cordesh replied softly, Kirinian could feel that Cordesh was still tense, still ready to defend his host but the symbiote had softened its tone for Kirinian. Cordesh had truly changed and the symbiote had changed for him! To think not days before he thought the creature hated him, he feared Cordesh but now everything had changed. Do you think we have enough money? Or do we need to do more work? I will not allow you to return to armadillo, not after that.

I think a bit more money would be helpful for our mission, the more money we have the better off we are. We don't need to keep stopping to earn cash if we've already got all the cash we need. Our main problem will be horses, if we travel none-stop we'll break the horses, or make them lame, so we need camping gear and we'll need to take our time.

You're right; we don't want to end up stuck in a desert with no transportation. We'll have to ensure Firnan is truly ready for the journey. I suggest we ride him out to the desert for a good couple of days and see how he copes with the experience.

Good idea. Kirinian agreed although he was in shock for this was the first respectful conversation they've had in a long time; they were actually talking like host and symbiote!

Yes, I should have always done this, always spoken to you as an equal, but I will make up for my crimes now. Cordesh replied. Now the sooner you reach the Macfarlene ranch, the sooner we can make preparations and begin training Firnan.

I can't push the horse; this guy has already carried me from the ranch to armadillo. Kirinian answered quietly.

Silence reigned for several long moments before Kirinian himself broke it. If there is a Telepathic Spy within the Tok'Ra we will need a plan. Kirinian commented as he cantered back up the mountain path and to their temporary home. I'm thinking that we'll need more than assumptions. Perhaps we can use our supposed deaths to our advantage? Very few Goa'uld would know that we're the long dead Tok'Ra, perhaps we could slip into the Goa'uld ranks and use that to learn the identity of the spy?

Are you truly prepared for such measures? Cordesh asked concerned. You fear me every time I take control. To get in the Goa'uld and to learn information we'd have to be Goa'uld.

If it helps the Tok'Ra then I am prepared to try. Kirinian answered with more confidence than he truly felt. It seems to be the only way. The Tok'Ra know my face, Apophis obviously knows my face and the Tau'ri also know who I am.

Perhaps there is another way. Cordesh commented with consideration.

Oh?

We could become an Ashrak. As a Goa'uld assassin we'd have access to the knowledge of the Goa'uld and we could hide our face. Many Ashrak's wear masks so they cannot be identified by their targets or masters. We could easily play the role of Ashrak whilst we seek answers.

That is actually a very good idea.

Yes but there is still one problem. All Ashrak's are hosts. I would have to be in control for the majority of the time. Cordesh commented.

Kirinian frowned but nodded, Cordesh was right of course. Ashrak's were always Goa'uld parasites who enjoyed action and stealth over showing off and lazing about. Then that's what we'll have to do. You will have to take control and begin practicing the art of assassination.

Are you sure?

Truthfully, no I am not sure, but I am willing to give it a try and if… Kirinian sighed. Take it as an act of trust, or a test. Take control and prove to me you're not the monster you once 'pretended' to be.

I…I won't ever let you down again.

Good. Now take control and try to blend in with the people here. Kirinian ordered. Then we must work out where to get good clothes, mask and weapons. These human weapons are useful but too loud and obvious to be used in assassinations.

Once we get to Egypt we can loot some abandoned Ha'tak landing pads. Cordesh answered easily as he used Kirinian's knowledge to calm the nervous beast beneath them. There will be suitable attire and weaponry there; we just have to get there.

That will be easy. Once we have enough cash and training we will be able to make the journey without too much trouble. Or so I hope.

We'll make it. Cordesh assured. The humans have no idea, the Goa'uld have long been forgotten and none will suspect us.

Humans may be 'primitive' but they're not stupid. Kirinian warned. We'll have to do this carefully or we may end up dead… again. Besides the humans will notice if we start hanging around and poking around in places we're not supposed to be. On top of that if we draw attention to ourselves we could lead humans to the Goa'uld places and if they are unscrupulous they will use the weapons to threaten each other. We could incite a civil war on this world.

We'll have to be stealthy.

Yes, which is all the more reason that you and I should train to become stealthy; we both need to learn how to disappear from sight. Kirinian commented. Hmm…perhaps we could…

Go on. Cordesh encouraged when Kirinian did not say more.

I noticed bounties hanging about the places. Wanted dead or alive. Kirinian finally said after a few moments. We could become bounty hunters in our spare time and hunt these wanted humans. It would mean bettering our skills and earning a good amount of money. But it will also be dangerous.

Hmm…I do not like it because it will endanger you but you are right it may give us a chance to train and make more money. Cordesh answered. Let's try one or two to see if it works for us, if it doesn't we simply find another way to train. Hunting would be a good alternative. The animals normally sense us before we see them so we could practice sneaking on them without much fear.

You're right. We could practice on animals for a while and when we think we've got it we can go onto the more dangerous ones. Perhaps we could hunt a single deer and practice assassination before moving onto a herd and then onto say…boar and then a group of boar and so on and so forth.

That would be good training. We can start simple and work our way up. I suggest working with a blade rather than the guns at first, as the animals get dangerous we'll use guns but if we want to remain stealthy at all times we'll need to try and remain silent even when we've killed our targets.

Yes, once we're in we'll need to get out safely. Kirinian agreed readily. So knifes first and guns are only to be used for our safety.

Yes.

Then there is only a few things left to do. First we rest then tomorrow we begin our training. First we'll hunt and then we'll work Firnan. I'll need to speak with Bonnie as well. If we have to travel far we'll need a spare horse so we can switch between Firnan and the horse. If Firnan grows tired we can use the other animal and keep switching so neither animal is exhausted or broken.

Hmmm, does that work?

My people used the same method. One person often had three or more animals. One would usually carry extra supplies, one would be a spare and the other would be the preferred stead. Every day the team was switched so no animal would suffer. The stead became the pack horse, the pack horse became the spare horse and the spare horse became the stead. It was quite affective.

So we'll need more horses.

Yes, hopefully I can persuade Bonnie to give me one or two or perhaps she can teach me how to capture the wild ones.

We'll see, but let's go home and rest first. It has been a long day and you've worked hard.

Yes I would like to sleep, I am tired. Once I've eaten I'll turn in.

You can rest now, I will take care of our bodily needs. And do not worry about the animal I believe I have observed enough to take care of it myself and I'm sure a human would willingly aid me.

Kirinian paused for a moment before conceding. Alright. Good night Cordesh.

Good night, beloved.