Chapter Nine
Captain Darien Parker led his guests out of the main engineering section and into the corridors of the Resolution towards the brig where their new guests would be waiting. As he walked through the corridors of his ship Darien wondered if the Goa'uld would ever leave his ship alone. If they didn't bother him he wouldn't really bother them, unless they gave him good reason to do so.
But somehow he suspected that that would not be the case, that now that the Goa'uld knew of the Resolution's existence they would come after her to steal her secrets. When he had been onboard earlier Narim had told him a few things about the ways of the Goa'uld System Lords. And what he had heard about them was not encouraging. From what he had seen and what Narim had told him he could tell that the Goa'uld were arrogant, mildly xenophobic, and had a god complex and ego as big as the galactic core. From how Narim had described them the Goa'uld sounded like evil incarnate but Darien wasn't sure he quite believed that yet. Considering that the Goa'uld had been ruthlessly bombarding the Tollan homeworld from space he had to take what the Tollan had told him about the Goa'uld with a pinch of salt. Though the fact that they had been bombarding the planet at all was not a good sign.
And then there was the matter of the Jaffa. In addition to the bridge, some of the labs and engineering one of the places Darien had taken his guests was the sickbay. Dr Tarses had taken the opportunity to scan there guests and confirmed that indeed Teal'c species the Jaffa were indeed descended from Humans. Teal'c had filled in some of the gaps afterwards by explaining how the Goa'uld had taken Humans from Earth thousands of years ago and genetically altered some of them so they became the Jaffa. A race that could serve as foot soldiers and living incubators for larval Goa'uld. The thing with the Jaffa kind of reminded Darien of how the Founders had specifically created a race the Jem'Hadar to serve as soldiers for the Dominion. And the Goa'uld used the Jaffa in a similar manner to the Jem'Hadar. To maintain and expand Goa'uld power in the galaxy through intimidation and fear.
"Tell me a little bit more about the Goa'uld," Darien said. "Are they all evil."
"Almost all of them," Samantha Carter replied. "There is a small group of Goa'uld – a few thousand or so – who believe completely differently to the rest of their kind and are dedicated to the destruction of the System Lords. They are almost all the children so to speak of the Goa'uld Queen Ejuria who did not agree with the ways of the System Lords. Though one or two are other Goa'uld who also disagreed and joined Ejuria's cause on there own. This group is called the Tok'ra. Six of the relief ships were manned by Tok'ra pilots."
"The Tok'ra do not believe in taking hosts by force," Teal'c added. "Any blending done with a host is almost always voluntary. There have been instances where Tok'ra symbiotes have occasionally taken hosts without permission but such instances are rare and only done under very extreme conditions and with good reasons. While the symbiotes can and occasionally do control the host, control is always relinquished. In addition a symbiote will give its life if it would save the life of the host. A good example of this is Jolinar."
"Jolinar," Darien questioned.
"Jolinar was a Tok'ra symbiote that was blended with me for a short time three years ago," Sam said. "When we were attacked by a Goa'uld assassin or Ashrak sent to kill Jolinar by the System Lords Jolinar deliberately took the full force of the Ashrak's assassination/torture weapon on herself to protect me. Normally when a symbiote dies inside a host the symbiote will release a very potent neurotoxin that will kill the host within minutes. Jolinar consciously prevented herself from doing this."
"For which everyone is grateful," Narim added. Especially me, he thought thinking about his long-standing feelings for Samantha. If she had only been Tollan he was sure he would have married her by now.
"I see," Darien replied. "That must have been a hard thing for you to go through major especially when Jolinar gave herself to save you."
"It was," Sam admitted remembering the grief and loss she had felt after Jolinar died to save her life. Even after three years she still missed Jolinar.
"Captain Parker might I make an observation," Travell asked.
"Of course High Chancellor," Darien replied.
"You don't seem surprised about the idea of symbiotic relationship between a humanoid and a non-humanoid life form." SG-1 nodded in agreement with Travell. They to had noticed that the people on this ship didn't bat an eye about the idea of symbiosis whereas for them the prospect of sharing there body with another being like a Tok'ra or having it hijacked by a Goa'uld was distasteful to say the least.
"That's because I'm not," Darien replied. "In the centuries that have passed since the people of Earth in my reality went out into space we have encountered a number of instances were two separate species live in symbiosis with each other. There is in fact a member of such a race on board this ship."
"There is," Sam asked curious.
"Yes. My head science officer Lieutenant Tras Rakan is a joined Trill."
"Joined? You mean this Lieutenant Rakan has another being living inside of him or her," Travell asked.
"Yes. Trill is a class-M planet about two hundred light years from Earth. There are two sentient species on that planet. The humanoid Trill and another non-humanoid race that lives primarily in underground geothermal pools of sulphurous mud and water, this non-humanoid life form appears slug-like and is extremely intelligent and long lived. Over millions of years the humanoid Trill and the symbiotes – the species does not have a specific name though all individual members have names – have evolved the ability to join with one another through a specialised orifice that the humanoid Trill have in the abdomen. Once joined the symbiote and host become biologically interdependent for the duration of the host's natural life. When the host dies - the symbiote is removed and placed in a new host, the new host then gains the memories and knowledge of the pervious host or hosts, and the symbiotes own knowledge. For example Lieutenant Rakan is the forth host for the symbiote Rakan. The humanoid part Tras Jurlur is twenty-nine, the symbiote Rakan however is two hundred and seventy-nine. When combined Tras Rakan has the combined knowledge of three hundred and eight years."
"Why does the name change when a symbiote and host join," Sam asked listening in fascination to the description of the Trill.
"Tradition. When a symbiote joins with a host the hosts family name is replaced by the symbiotes name."
"Can all Trills be joined?" Daniel asked.
"Physically yes but psychologically no. Joining is an immense psychological shock for the individual because it's suddenly like they have other people inside them. Also during the joining the symbiote and hosts minds intermingle become as one. Only psychologically strong individuals can go through a joining safely, a weak host could go insane it has happened in the past. There are also only a few symbiotes available at any one time – the symbiotes don't breed quickly. So the Trill government has a strict regulatory body that governs joining. They test and train all those Trills who wish to be joined and assign symbiotes when a symbiote becomes available."
"Interesting. Can the Trill symbiotes be implanted in other species?" Narim asked.
"Not safely though it can be done," Darien replied. "The immune systems of the Trill are very different to the immune systems of other humanoids and has evolved to include the possibility of joining with a symbiote. If a symbiote is placed in a host that isn't a Trill then it will immediately be attacked by the hosts immune system."
"So the symbiotes and Trills can only bond with each other," Sam said.
"Yes. Though symbiotes can also bond with Trill/Human hybrids though that does not happen often."
They arrived outside the brig at that moment. After keying in his access code into the door control panel Darien led his guests inside. The first thing they saw was a large console desk and beyond it was a wide corridor leading lined with doors. Beyond each door there would be a large room that was literally split in two into an outer guard chamber and a cell.
Two security guards manned the outer desk with Lieutenant Commander Christopher Beech standing behind them waiting patiently for his commanding officer to arrive.
"Mr Beech how are our guests doing," Darien asked walking up. "Any problems?"
"Not really sir," Beech reported. "They were easily contained. They seemed pretty shocked by what had happened to them. The female Goa'uld did give my people some lip about making us pay for our insolence. Ensign James ended up stunning her for a bit of peace and quiet. But judging from the last report from Ensign James the Goa'uld's woken up. And is not happy."
"Then we better go a see her maybe convince her to be a little more co-operative."
"Fat chance of that with a Goa'uld," Daniel pointed out. "All arrogance and bluster they are. Listening is not one of their better skills."
"Perhaps but this Goa'uld is a prisoner on my ship. If she doesn't co-operate then maybe a couple of days in the brig with only basic food and water provision will convince her."
"There are other ways to make a Goa'uld co-operate," Teal'c pointed out helpfully. "One way is to insult their egos. Make them look completely foolish. They will often then tell you what you want to know just to make themselves seem more powerful. Arrogance and overconfidence are the greatest weaknesses of the Goa'uld." Darien chuckled slightly.
"They sound a bit like the Borg in that respect. Your advice is noted Teal'c."
Darien led his guests into the cell room where their Goa'uld prisoner was being held. Lieutenant Commander Beech accompanied them keeping a watchful protective gaze upon his captain. Gasps of surprise escaped SG-1 as they recognised the Goa'uld sitting on the other side of force field looking more than a little pissed at her current predicament.
The Goa'uld was Osiris.
Osiris noticed them at the same time and sneered at them. Especially at Daniel Jackson, he knew that Daniel Jackson had been close to his host. And he delighted in the knowledge that him controlling Sarah Gardner brought him suffering.
Darien walked calmly up to the edge of the force field. After a moment Osiris also stood up and eyed the big human facing him. What an excellent host he would make, Osiris thought to himself eyeing the human's powerful muscular form, a perfect specimen.
"You are the commanding officer of this vessel," Osiris demanded though he already knew the answer.
"Yes," Darien responded. "Captain Darien Parker."
"I am the great god Osiris. If you release me now and beg forgiveness I might be willing to let you die relatively painlessly."
Darien almost laughed out loud at Osiris arrogance.
"You are not in any position to threaten anyone Osiris," he said. "And you are not a god you're just a pathetic alien symbiote with delusions of god hood." Osiris eyes glowed in anger.
"Heshak you will pay dearly for such insolence."
"Oh really. And how are you going to do that?" Darien asked. "Your technology and ship is disabled. Though your vessels weapons are way to primitive to do us any damage. Plus you're trapped behind a level four force field and even if you could get out of your cell this section is sealed off from the rest of the ship and security would be on you in seconds."
"There is no possibility of escape," Teal'c added quietly gleeful to see one of the false gods so stuck.
"I do not hear the words of a shol'va," Osiris snapped. "You will pay dearly for betraying your god Teal'c."
Osiris snapped."False god," Teal'c replied. "A dead false god." Osiris snarled at the renegade Jaffa who had began a rebellion among his kind that was now causing Goa'uld everywhere considerable headaches. Anubis intended to make an example of Teal'c whenever he could capture him. Anubis dared not go to the Tau'ri homeworld to get him. That would incur the wrath of the Asgard and that was something even Anubis wished to avoid.
After a moment glaring at the Jaffa Osiris turned her head to look back at Captain Parker.
"What do you want?" Osiris asked hoping to bargain his way out of this little predicament. Unlike most Goa'uld he was not averse to using diplomacy to get out of situations like this. Despite his posturing Osiris was at a disadvantage and he knew it.
"So the all powerful god is at a disadvantage," Sarah Gardner said from her prison at the back of Osiris' mind. "Not so superior now are you Osiris."
Sarah Gardner said from her prison at the back of Osiris' mind."Silence human," Osiris mentally told his host squeezing Sarah Gardner's captive thoughts to cause her pain. Inwardly he grinned when he heard his host's mental cry of pain.
Osiris mentally told his host squeezing Sarah Gardner's captive thoughts to cause her pain. Inwardly he grinned when he heard his host's mental cry of pain."Information," Darien replied. "I want to know who sent you here and why you were spying upon my ship."
"That is not for you to know human," Osiris immediately snapped automatically then paused and reconsidered. "I will tell you what you wish to know but there is a price to pay."
Osiris immediately snapped automatically then paused and reconsidered."What kind of price," Jack O'Neill demanded a little surprised by Osiris' behaviour. He was being unusually reasonable for a Goa'uld.
"In exchange for my information. I want information on all your defence and weapons technology," Osiris said
"No deal," Darien replied immediately. "We do not give technology to aggressive species." Travell, Narim and the Tollan blinked in surprise. That sounded very similar to their own technology transfer rules.
"Then I will not help you." Darien shrugged his barn door wide shoulders.
"Suit yourself," Darien replied. "I'll just get the information I want from your ships computer."
"You won't be able to access it," Osiris said confidently
"Don't bet on it," Darien replied with a hint of smugness. "We have a lot of experience with alien computers and our technology is far more advanced than yours. The computer on your ship will be no obstacle to us." Osiris grimaced at that.
Something in the Humans voice told him that Captain Parker was right and that the security codes on the Alkesh's computer would not be an obstacle to this ship's technology. The breach in security that would result from them breaking the security codes would be very serious. In that computer was information on Anubis' current fleet movements, those planets currently under his control and their Stargate address. He had to stop that from happening. If he didn't then Anubis would have his head.
"I am revising my offer," Osiris said at last
"Go on," Darien encouraged.
"I will give you the information you have asked for. In return I want my ship back unharmed and I wish safe passage off this vessel and out of this system."
Darien considered for a moment.
"Seems fair," he said he didn't add that Lieutenant Barrett would have scanned the Alkesh in detail already.
"Then we have a deal?"
"We do," Darien said. "If you will just wait a few minutes." He tapped his combadge. "Parker to Dalara."
"Yes sir?" the cool voice of the ships Betazoid councillor responded after a moment.
"Report to the brig I have need of your telepathic skills."
"I will be right there." Councillor Dalara signed off. Osiris listened intently to the conversation. The revelation that these people had telepaths on board was interesting. The Goa'uld had been hoping to induce telepathic abilities in their hosts for centuries to further strengthen their domination of the galaxy. When - inevitably - Anubis captured this ship Osiris would recommend to him that these telepaths be studied closely for clues as to what genes to use to induce telepathic ability.
Councillor Dalara came into the cell room a few minutes later. He was a short middle aged male Betazoid with the usual chocolate brown hair and pure black eyes of his kind.
"You sent for me captain," he asked.
"Yes councillor. This prisoner is about to share some information with us I want you to insure that it is truthful."
"Of course." Dalara reached out mentally and touched the prisoner's thoughts and was immediately confused. There were two different thought patterns present - one dominant, the other suppressed by the dominant thoughts. Dalara focused on the dominant thoughts and was appalled by what he sensed. These creatures were parasites called the Goa'uld who took over Human bodies. Dalara put aside his disgust for now. He would speak with Captain Parker about it later. "You may begin sir."
"Osiris," Darien asked. "Who sent you here?"
"I serve Anubis," Osiris replied reluctant to share the information but not really having a choice. He could feel the telepaths probe of his mind. It was powerful and was no doubt fully capable of taking the information if he refused to share it. "He sent me here with Tanneth's battle group to monitor the battle and attempt to analyse your ship. In this I have met with no success as your navigational shielding blocks out passive sensor scans."
Osiris replied reluctant to share the information but not really having a choice. He could feel the telepaths probe of his mind. It was powerful and was no doubt fully capable of taking the information if he refused to share it."He's telling the truth sir," Dalara informed his captain shivering slightly as he read some of Osiris' surface thoughts without meaning to. They were disgusting containing thoughts and desires that would appal most civilised beings. He knew immediately that these Goa'uld were evil, pure evil. Far worse than the Borg could ever hope to be.
Abruptly Dalara felt the second neural pattern impinge upon him.
"Help me," it begged in a female voice. "Get this thing out of me. Please."
"Who are you?" Dalara asked mentally.
"My name is Sarah Gardner. I'm Osiris' host. Please save me. I can't stand this hell. Please."
"I told you to shut up human," Osiris mentally snapped as he ruthlessly inflicted tremendous pain upon the host thoughts.
"Stop Osiris please. Arrgghh I'm sorry. Arrgghh." Dalara flinched and pulled back from the alien thoughts in horror as he sensed the woman's intense pain. He would have to speak to Captain Parker urgently. They had to help this woman. They had to get rid of the demon Osiris.
All of this happened in a brief instant of time.
"There I have given you the information that you requested," Osiris said. "Now it is your turn Captain Parker."
Osiris said."Indeed it is," Darien agreed. "It will take sometime to reactivate your ships power systems. Until then you will remain here."
"Agreed."
Darien turned and left the room, followed by SG-1, the Tollan delegation, Commander Beech and Councillor Dalara. Once outside the cell room Dalara turned to his captain.
"Captain Parker we have to talk in private regarding a matter of some urgency." Darien caught the urgent note in the Betazoids voice.
"Very well." Darien turned to his guests. "I am afraid that we will have to end our tour a little earlier than I had planned."
"That is quiet all right captain. I believe I speak for myself and SG-1 when I say we have seen enough for now," Travell said. SG-1 nodded in reluctant agreement with Travell. Besides they should really get back to Earth and brief their superiors on the things they'd seen and heard since the moment the Valkastner dropped out of hyperspace.
"Has the Stargate been transported down to the surface now," Jack asked as Darien led them out of the brig back into the rest of this incredible ship.
"I do not know," Darien admitted. "Hang on." He walked over to a computer terminal built into the wall and requested an update on the transfer of supplies to the surface of Tollana. "The Stargate and all the supplies we received from the Asgard ships have been transferred to the surface," he informed his guests. "The rest of the supplies are being beamed down as we speak."
"Excellent," Travell said. "Those supplies are desperately needed."
"And now that the Stargate is on the surface we can begin bringing more supplies and specialist rescue equipment through the Stargate," Daniel added.
"The rescue equipment is not necessary Doctor Jackson," Darien informed him. "We have already rescued the survivors trapped under the rubble. With our technology it was easy we simply beamed them out."
"For which we are very grateful," Travell said to Darien. "Colonel O'Neill we still need the other supplies however."
"Do not worry your eminence," Daniel assured her. "They will be delivered to you."
"If you do not mind we'll come back down to the surface with you," Jack said to Travell. "We have to return to Earth and brief our superiors at any rate."
"Of course colonel your people are always welcome on Tollana."
"Commander Beech escort our guests back to the transporter room," Darien ordered to his security chief/tactical officer.
"Aye sir follow me please."
Once Beech had left with their guests Darien turned to the Betazoid councillor who looked very agitated and angry about something. Darien hadn't know Selt Dalara long but in the time he had known him he had never seen the Betazoid in such a state.
"Let's go to my ready room councillor and you can tell me what the problem is."
"Yes sir. If you don't mind could we have Dr Tarses join us?" Darien frowned slight and Dalara picked up a sharp spike of curiosity from his commanding officer.
"Of course." Darien tapped his combadge. "Parker to Tarses report to my ready room."
"Aye sir," Simon Tarses responded.
"Come along Councillor," Darien said starting for the nearest turbolift. Dalara hurried to keep up with the muscular Humans longer strides.