Ch. 11 of Pain & Sorrow

By the time the two women arrived at the SGC, there were literally several hundreds of Tok'ra running around the base. Cots were set up in large rooms, single personal quarters were altered to fit several people. Their military base had been turned into a refugee camp and people were doing absolute best to maintain a sense of order. For the SGC personnel, this was not too out of the ordinary. They were simply following orders given to them by their superiors. Many were bringing in food, blankets and clothing, others played tour guide to any Tok'ra unfamiliar with the base settings, some took inventories of available supplies and sent out orders for what they needed.

The same could not be said for their guests however. Many walked awkwardly about. There was a general sense of impending doom that seemed to hover above them, as though a storm cloud rained over them on a constant basis leaving their clothing wet with unshed tears. Many were angry at the thought that one of their own could, or would cause such damage. Their friends, their comrades, and loved ones – one of these people, to whom they were very close to on an emotional level, had done this. Many were shocked to see that the Tau'ri would be so kind to them. There was also no doubt that many resented their allies' welcoming attitude, interpreting their kindness as mere pity. The Tok'ra were full of pride and honor, the last thing they would be willing to accept was pity from anyone.

The base had been handling the influx of Tok'ra for many hours now. Amongst all the faces that had gone through the two story ring, not a single one was that of Martouf's. Sam waited impatiently for their arrival. She had pushed the fear and anxiety in the back of her mind as she helped others settle in. She walked about like a robot, herself busy to avoid thinking about the possibilities, but now she was becoming restless. Where could they be?

"I hope this is okay for now. There should be more supplies coming through."

"Thank-you. All of you, for your help."

"It's no problem. If there's anything you need just tell one of the guards and they'll take care of it as soon as they can."

"Thank-you. Wait."

"Yeah?" Sam said, turning around.

"You are Major Samantha Carter, correct?"

"I take it you've heard about me."

"You are very well known amongst the Tok'ra."

"Some good I hope." She said as she sat back down to talk.

"My name is Suja," she bowed her head to allow the symbiote to speak. "and I am Lattia."

"Pleasure."

"How soon before the child comes?"

"About a month and a half."

"Congratulations."

"Thank-you."

They sat in an awkward silence for a moment, Sam watched the change in facial expressions as Suja and Lattia were spoke to one another internally. i It must be interesting, /i Sam thought. "Forgive me for being blunt," Suja finally said, "but surely you know there are mixed feelings among the people with regard to the child? I was curious as to how you felt."

"Actually, I haven't even thought about it. Kinda been busy with my own problems you know. What exactly do you mean by mixed feelings?"

"Unless a child is born of a host before a blending, we generally do not have children. In fact, it is taboo for a Tok'ra to bear children of biological descent." Sam searched her mind for a possible reason, but Suja was able to answer her question quicker. "As you know the child would be heircesses?"

"I forgot all about that."

"Many feel that it would be cruel to bring someone into this world having not only the knowledge, but the memories of all the atrocities it carries with it. It would lack any form of i true /i innocence, it would be tortured by the most gruesome of images and…"

"I am sorry Major Samantha Carter." Lattia said, interrupting her host. "But Suja's tongue sometimes works faster than her mind. She is young, and very curious. She meant no harm but what she said." But the damage had been done. Sam merely sat there, still as a stone and the color fading from her face.

"I…I never meant to… by the universe Samantha, I am so sorry." Suja pleaded.

"It's ok." Sam turned her head to look at the others in the room. She noticed on of the Tok'ra, Tyr, whatever his name was she couldn't remember, he solemnly nodded at her sending his regards from across the room. What was he thinking? Did he see her as an evil person for going what she just did to another being that wasn't even born yet? Or what about the woman who was carefully taking her personal belongings and placing it in the locker at the foot of her bed? Sam didn't recognize the host, but maybe Jolinar had known the symbiote. How did she feel about Sam's baby? But this was her baby they were talking about, Martouf and Lantash's baby. How dare they pass judgement on something that wasn't even any of their business?! "I don't mean to be so defensive Lattia, but aren't all Tok'ra born that way? What difference does it make if the child is human or a symbiote? He or she will eventually have to learn about the world at some point, and deal with it just like everyone else. It's no one's business what goes on with this baby, you're not the ones who are raising it!"

Sam quickly took a bee-line for the door, nearly knocking down Lyna in her path. "Samantha…" but Sam kept walking, she didn't want to spend another minute with people who she thought hated her. Not when she had done so much for them. i Ungrateful SOB's /i she thought.

Several more people passed through the gate. "How many more are left?" Asked General Hammond.

"Only three, Martouf/Lantash, Jacob/Selmak, and your Dr. Jackson. There still has been no contact with the other Tok'ra bases."

"So you haven't been able to warn them about the impending attack?"

"Unfortunately, no. We cannot speak to the operatives within the Goa'uld ranks, they may have been compromised."

"Alright Son. You all need to get yourselves checked in. Get comfortable, you might be here for a long time."

"Thank-you General Hammond."

"Martouf, we have to go. Now!" Jacob ordered.

"Go! Go without me!" he yelled back, ducking his head as crystals came falling down, closing off most of the base. "I will be there as soon as I can." First he needed to reach the main operating systems chamber to gather the last of the information stored there. Then he needed to reach Anise's lab and get whatever was left behind there.

"Jacob! There's no time. Martouf lets go!" but Daniel's cries fell on deaf ears as Martouf ran the other direction. The two men left behind looked at one another. There was no way in hell they were going to leave Martouf behind.

"I'll keep these tunnels open. Go! Help him!"

Daniel ran after Martouf. "What do you need me to do?!"

"Those crystal, on the control board, we need to save those."

"I got 'em! Do what you need to do!" and with that, Martouf ran into Anise's lab. He quickly looked around for whatever may have been left behind in all the chaos. First things first, the information about zartac technology. He grabbed data pads and information storage crystals, quickly stuffing them into his pack. He then grabbed all the vials left behind, carefully placed them into a box and carefully placed the box into his pack. Martouf cried in pain as a flash of memory came fore, incapacitating him like a migraine. This was nothing like any memory flash he had experienced before, this one hurt, and bad. He held his head in his hands, his body curled into a fetal position on the floor.