Frustrated, John Crichton repeatedly kicked at the unyielding doors of the movie theatre he was locked up in. When the Goa'uld had seized control of his body, the symbiont had bottled him up and confined him to a special prison. The old movie theatre happened to be a fond memory fromhis childhood, where he and his friends had often gone to on the weekends, occasionally sneaking in without paying.
With each passing second, Crichton grew angrier at the thing that had stolen his body and harmed the people he cared for. On the big theatre screen behind him, he could see and hear everything done using his body. He could also hear its cruel, repulsive thoughts. Soon, the Goa'uld would interrogate Jolly Sam and use all of his knowledge of the Tok'ra against her.
In a blinding rage, Crichton furiously kicked the door again and again, punctuating every blow by shouting aloud.
"What does it take to keep uninvited tenants out of my head!!!"
In the front of the theatre, Harvey craned his head over his shoulder and gestured at Crichton to keep the noise down. "Shhhh, I can't hear the show."
His rage somewhat vented, Crichton sighed in annoyance. As if being trapped wasn't bad enough on its own, he was trapped in here with the neural clone. Nearly exhausted by his futile attempt to break free of his prison, he leaned back against the indestructible doors and slid down to the floor to rest.
Harvey turned his attention back to the screen, munching down on a large box of popcorn.
"Face the truth, John," the neural clone said. "The Goa'uld is unquestionably in charge, but let's look on the bright side. This is much better than the dumpster. So, keep the noise down so I can find out what will happen next."
Crichton was barely listening, already slowly zoning out again, unable to bear the horrible reality and what was to come.
"I can tell you," Crichton muttered dejectedly. He knew because he could hear the Goa'uld's thoughts. "After awhile, he's going to interrogate Jolinar. But he won't lay a hand on her, no, sir. He's going to have Pip brought down and work her over instead and make Jolinar watch. The Goa'uld knows that both Carter and Jolinar have a soft spot for Chiana, because that snake now knows everything I know."
Crichton cursed himself for being not being strong enough to resist the Goa'uld controlling him. If he couldn't find a way out, the Goa'uld would soon use his very own hands to torture Chiana and force Jolinar to reveal all her Tok'ra secrets.
"Hey, Crichton!" Harvey was now snapping his fingers in the air to get his attention. "You might want to see this. This flick has suddenly taken an unexpected twist!"
Crichton lifted his head to see what had Harvey so excited.
----------
The Goa'uld controlling Crichton's body was still sitting at Staleek's desk when Vakali reported over the comm.
"The Human and Sikozu are not in the research lab and she has her comm. turned off. We're expanding our search through the base."
The Goa'uld frowned at the bad news. "I suggest you find them quickly. The human is armed and has a communicator."
-----------
"Can I get a HELL YEAH!!!" A joyous Crichton cheered, standing in the row just behind Harvey's seat. He was shaking the neural clone by the shoulders. "They haven't found Starbuck yet! We might have a chance!"
Harvey was desperately trying to hold onto his popcorn as he looked over his shoulder at Crichton. "You're comforted by the possibility that our fate rests in the hands of a man who might be sharing intimate space with a female Kalish in a broom closet?"
-----------
"I killed you!"
"In a way, or at least you thought you did."
"I killed you!"
"I just answered that question."
"I KILLED YOU!!!"
Scorpius heaved a heavy sigh before explaining again. "At times like this, I sorely miss my dealings with Crichton. One more time, what you killed was not me, but rather a duplicate of myself. I use it from time to time if my duties require me to be at more than one location and in secrecy."
Carter glared at Scorpius who stood just a few feet from her, her arms straining against the chains holding her in place. "I killed a clone?"
"Yes," Scorpius admitted. "I left him with instructions to gather all the information he could on the stargate. He carried out those orders to the best of his ability."
"Your clone tortured me!" Carter snarled, jerking violently against her restraints. "And now you're here to finish the job!!!"
Scorpius stood patiently, letting her vent for a couple of moments before continuing in a very patient manner. "I have no desire to interrogate you, nor do I have the time even if I wished to. The Goa'uld have seized control of Katratziand are using the Charrids and the Kalish to maintain that control.One of the Goa'uld even has Crichton as its new host."
"How do you know that?" Carter demanded.
"Because I watched it all unfold in the council chamber by a surveillance camera." Scorpius stared at Carter thoughtfully. "You shouldn't have hesitated. It would have been more merciful to kill Crichton, sparing him from being a puppet to the Goa'uld."
"Can I ask you a question?" Carter asked coldly. "Are you here just to taunt me about my failure?"
"I need your to help save Crichton and to stop the Goa'uld," Scorpius replied evenly. "If the Scarrans should fall, the Cylons will be in an immediate position to invade Peacekeeper space and beyond."
"Oh! You need my help?" Carter muttered quietly to herself. "Well, then, let me put it in language you can perfectly understand…"
Carter leaned forward in her restraints, getting right in his face before yelling, "FRELL YOU!"
To her amazement, Scorpius didn't become angry, let alone blink. He continued to speak calmly. "What will it take to convince you that I am indeed serious?"
"Well, you can unchain me…" Carter smiled devilishly.
Scorpius paused before reaching behind his back and producing a zat gun. "Do you recognize this?"
The Tok'ra stared at it carefully, quickly recognizing a few tailor made features that had been added to it. Including a hard metal grip wrapped in a familiar grey leather for added comfort.
"That's Chiana's!" Carter stared at him accusingly. "You sick bastard!!"
"I've done nothing to her. I lifted this weapon from two Charrids and, before their demise, I learned that she and your friends are all being held by the Goa'uld."
Carter was not buying it. "Says you."
Frowning, Scorpius walked right up to her. Carter jerked hard against her chains in another fruitless attempt to escape. "Get the hell away from me!!! What?"
Scorpius had placed the zat gun into her right hand. Now, stepping away, Scorpius produced a small hand control and clicked a single button. The shackles holding her suddenly fell free.
"There," Scorpius declared. "You are now not only free and armed, but I am also at your mercy. I believe it's your move now."
Bewildered, Carter moved from the now dangling chains before looking down at Chiana's zat gun, feeling the smooth, cool alien leather in her hand. She lifted her eyes to stare at Scorpius. In one motion, the Tok'ra lifted the weapon, primed it and fired once.
Convulsing in the blue energy bathing his body, Scorpius dropped to the ground.
Slowly, Carter stalked her way over to Scorpius as the Scarran hybrid tried to move, but was slow to shake off the effects of the Goa'uld weapon. Closing in, Carter smiled as she stomped her foot down on his chest, levelling the weapon directly down at him.
"Crichton said you were supposed to be smart," she breathed out intensely, her voice filled with venom, echoing throughout the darkened chamber. "Do you have any clue what happened to me? I was placed in that aurora chair and it… YOU took something from me! Transformed me into a mad hatter! You cost me my career, my fucking life! To the point that I don't even know myself anymore! ARE YOU GETTING ALL OF THIS?!!!"
Scorpius grunted, trying to will his voice to function after the paralysing blast from Carter's weapon. He realized, to his horror, that she might be unstable than Crichton ever was.
"Every… word. There's nothing I can… do for you."
"There is," Carter snarled, before removing her foot from Scorpius' chest, stepping clear. She tightened her finger on the trigger of the zat gun. "You can go to hell!"
Scorpius hissed out, tried to reason with her. "You need me to save your friends…"
Carter spat at him. "I don't need you!"
"No?" With his strength returning now, Scorpius rolled onto his side, raising himself up on one elbow to stare up at her. "Do you know where to look for them? Even if you do, how will you mount any rescue by yourself?"
Carter refused to answer, but kept the weapon pointed at Scorpius as he painfully, slowly sat up. "You are a soldier, Samantha, so analyse the situation as one. You are trapped behind enemy lines, with limited resources, hostiles all around you, with no allies."
Taking a great risk, Scorpius now rose to his feet and stood before Carter once more. He spoke in measured tones that sounded more like a seduction than someone pleading to have his life spared.
"You need my help. Think of your friends and what is at stake," Scorpius said. "Then decide if you are going to fire that weapon for the second and fatal shot."
Expressionless, Carter answered slowly, "I'm listening."
Scorpius felt a surge of relief as Carter lowered the zat gun. "Crichton will be arriving here shortly and we need to get ready."
"For what?"
"To get that symbiont out of his head."
-------------
Not surprising, Carter didn't have to wait long for her interrogator to arrive. As expected, it was the Goa'uld controlling Crichton who walked into the chamber to confront her, alone. The Goa'uld increased the lighting in the darkened chamber as it spoke in its own harmonic voice.
"Jolinar of Malkshur," it taunted as it prowled closer to her. [You know, I have never even dreamt of ever meeting you and I just don't know where to begin?]
"I've got a suggestion. You can start by telling me your name."
The Goa'uld chuckled. "You may call me Ptah."
"You must understand, Ptah, that you can torture me, but it will ultimately prove fruitless," Jolinar said proudly. "The Tok'ra prefer death to betraying our secrets."
"That's where you are wrong. I have no desire to waste time on torturing you. I have seen Tok'ra withstand the most gruelling forms of interrogation without making a sound. That is why I have decided that the Nebari shall take your place." Ptah moved in closer to Jolinar, his eyes meeting hers. "I have sent for her to be brought here and I know that Chiana has nowhere near your tolerance for pain. I anticipate that she will make the most delicious of screams."
Jolinar's throat went dry at the mere thought of the Nebari enduring Goa'uld torture.
"I wish to make a deal," she said.
"That was quick." Ptah smiled a wide and ugly smile that the real Crichton couldn't have made. "I am listening."
"Don't…" Jolinar closed her eyes, as if in shame at her weakness, her desire to protect her friends. "Don't harm Chiana or the others."
The Goa'uld walked even closer. "And what will I get in return? Perhaps the secret location of the Tok'ra base?"
"Considering recent events in our galaxy, the Tok'ra might be considered a low priority to you."
"You would be correct, but your friends will be tortured or worse unless you offer something of use."
"I do have something."
-------------
Back in the movie theatre and sitting comfortably while watching the show, Harvey glanced over to see Crichton inspecting the far wall. Having found a small ventilation panel, he was trying to pry it off with his bare hands.
"What are you looking for, Crichton?"
"For cracks in our prison cell," the Human answered. "I think if we work together, we can get out of here or at least give Ptah a major headache."
"And how are you planning to do that?"
Crichton didn't answer right away, instead continuing to pry away at the ventilation panel. After a moment, he stopped, resting his forehead against the wall above the panel, then slumped down to the floor. He sat, hands propped on his up thrust knees, head leaning back against the wall, eyes closed.
"Back above the ice planet…" Crichton opened his eyes and looked directly at Harvey, before continuing. "…you managed to gain control of my body, for a time. I know things have changed since then, but, if I allow it, could you do it again here? Could you override the Goa'uld's control of my body?"
"Are you actually asking me forhelp, Crichton?"
"Yes and the devil is making snow angels in hell as we speak," Crichton confessed sarcastically. "Can you do it?"
"I am more than capable, but, no, to do so will destroy me."
Angry, Crichton marched over and grabbed the neural clone by the collar, hauling him up. "Damn it, Harvey! He's going to torture Chiana using my own hands! He also has the knowledge to the wormhole tech. I can't stop him without your help!"
"You are an idiot, John!" Harvey sneered, jerking free. "I can only do it for a few moments before it kills me. It wouldn't be long enough to do anything!"
"That's where you're wrong."
"What do you have in mind, John?"
"That Goa'uld is still wearing Winona. If you get into the driver's seat and if it comes to it, put it to my head and pull the trigger."
-------------
Back in the interrogation chamber, the Goa'uld eyed the Tok'ra intently. "And what would that be?"
Jolinar held her head up and stared back. "I offer myself to you, in exchange for my friends' lives."
Laughing, Ptah stepped back to eye her for a long moment, considering the offer carefully. "I do admit your host is very physically pleasing, but I don't trust you."
Jolinar leaned forward in her restraints, her fists clenched tightly. "You also forget that I was a System Lord once…"
"And you betrayed them by siding with the Tok'ra!" the Goa'uld said angrily. To the Goa'uld, the only thing worse than the Tok'ra was a Goa'uld siding with them.
"And it's something I have never regretted since," Jolinar countered proudly. "Look at yourself now! You are all but wiped out!"
Furious, the Goa'uld moved towards Jolinar and grabbed a fist full of her hair, holding the Ribbon device he wore over her head.
"I won't scream," Jolinar said defiantly.
"But I do so want to see you suffer before I start on Chiana."
Incensed by the constant threats against the Nebari, Jolinar spat into his face. The Goa'uld retaliated by activating the Ribbon device and Jolinar flinched in agony as she felt the energy from the Goa'uld weapon drilling into her mind. The device was designed to inflict pain or even death. Jolinar had endured this type of torture many times before, but unfortunately, it never became any easier. She knew Ptah wasn't going to kill her at the moment, he was merely going to soften her up.
From behind the Goa'uld, a wall panel slid open and Scorpius quietly stepped out. Ptah didn't hear the Scarran hybrid stalking him, his attention completely focused on torturing the Tok'ra.
With the pain growing unbearable, Jolinar's eyes rolled up into the back of her head as her knees started to buckle, but she didn't cry out.
Stepping closer, Scorpius crept up behind the thing using Crichton's body, holding a special injector, which looked much like an ice pick. Quietly, he inched closer, moving to within striking range.
The Goa'uld gloated over Jolinar. "I wish I had a sarcophagus on hand, because I would enjoy seeing you die at least once."
Fighting through the searing pain, the Tok'ra hissed out, "When I kill my enemies… They stay dead…"
Watching Jolinar closely, his eyes were drawn to the reflective metal surface of his Ribbon device. In its mirror-bright surface, he saw a dark figure moving up behind him.
Aiming at the base of Crichton's neck, Scorpius jabbed the injector downward, but his strike was blocked when the Goa'uld spun about, stopping him with a raised arm.
"What do we have here?" The Goa'uld smiled, as he studied the surprised Scarran hybrid, just before he lifted his other hand – the one with the Ribbon device – to Scorpius' chest. He fired it on a low setting that merely blasted him across the room to impact hard against the far wall.
"It is a surprise to see you, Scorpius," Ptah said. "Stay right there, I will be with you soon."
-------------
"Scorpius!" Crichton exclaimed. "How the hell is that possible? He's dead!"
"Not important," Harvey said as he walked past Crichton to the far wall of the theatre. Reaching it, he felt along the surface, searching for the right spot. With a clenched fist, he punched through it before ripping out a mess of wiring.
Moving closer, Crichton watched the neural clone working feverishly, literally ripping and stripping the wiring with his bare hands. "What's the plan?"
"I'm giving you your wish, John. I will deal with the Goa'uld as best as I can."
"Can you do it?"
"I shall find out soon."
"How long?"
"Just a few minutes. Maybe sooner if you don't keep interrupting me."
Crichton turned his attention back up to the screen and immediately urged aloud. "Just hurry up! He's after Jolinar and Sam now!"
-------------
In her hand, Jolinar clutched the remote device Scorpius had given her earlier. Thumbing the control, her restraints fell loose and she was free. Weakened, almost stumbling to keep her balance, Jolinar reached behind for Chiana's zat gun, but she was too slow.
By the time she grabbed the weapon and started to bring it forward, the Goa'uld was already turning to face her again. He swatted the weapon from her feeble grasp before punching her in the face. Jolinar instantly collapsed to her knees.
"I'm impressed," Ptah whispered. "Even imprisoned, you laid out a trap for me, with Crichton's most hated enemy, no less."
Jolinar tried to stand, only to have the Goa'uld pummel the Tok'ra to the floor again.
"Still, it was not good enough," the Goa'uld taunted, circling around Jolinar's struggling form as she tried to push herself up from the ground.
"The great Jolinar of Malkshur! Now look at you, you have nothing. At one time you were a god! With armies and slaves at your command! Men were willing to battle each other to the death to gain your favour and women wished to be like you. Now you were reduced to tears when my host turned down your love for him." The Goa'uld laughed cruelly at her. "That's truly pathetic! Perhaps you can take some advice from that Nebari whore. Maybe you can earn some money at the same time in your quest for love."
He was still laughing when Jolinar glared angrily up at him. The Tok'ra's eyes glowed as she declared aloud, "John Crichton, I know you can still hear me, so I apologize for what I am about to do to your body."
Jolinar started to stand up when the Goa'uld tried to punch her again. As his fist descended, Jolinar reached up and caught it short of her face. The Tok'ra immediately tugged him towards her, clenched her free hand into a fist, and slugged the Goa'uld across the jaw.
Momentarily stunned by the blow, the Goa'uld reeled backwards. Wasting little time, Jolinar quickly pursued him, but the Goa'uld recovered and started to aim his Ribbon device at her. Taking a great risk, Jolinar continued to charge forward and grabbed the gauntlet shaped weapon, interlocking her fingers with his.
This maneuver surprised the Goa'uld, since it made as much sense as trying to plug the barrel of a gun with your finger. "You are a fool, Jolinar!"
"We shall see," Jolinar answered with a very confident smile. The Tok'ra kept her hand clasped tightly over the Ribbon device, her palm pressed up against the jewel in the palm of the gauntlet itself.
The Goa'uld tried to fire his Ribbon device at low power to injure the Tok'ra without killing her, but the weapon refused to function. At the same time, Jolinar's smile widened.
-------------
"How are you doing?"
"Just a few more microts, John."
"Why you are doing this?"
"Because you ask."
"I know, Harvey, but is there another reason?"
"Scorpius is in danger and I am still programmed to defend my boss from harm."
"On Tobin, we just killed a clone," Crichton stated.
"Correct, John," Harvey answered as he finished splicing the last few wires together. "We're almost ready."
"Are you afraid? Regardless of what happens, this will kill you."
"Yes, I am," Harvey admitted. "I will miss your memories. The places you have seen and the people you have met. I especially will miss your memories of Karen Shaw in the back of your old truck, Belly."
Crichton shook his head. "You've got that all wrong. It was in the back of my dad's four by four… and what are you grinning about?!"
"I would like to tell you, but we're all out of time, John. Just one more wire."
-------------
"The crystal jewel to the Ribbon device responds to the commands of whoever is in contact with it, not just who's wearing it," Jolinar explained to the frustrated Goa'uld. "It appears my will is stronger."
He tried again to command the Ribbon device to fire, but it refused to obey his mental impulses. The Tok'ra was keeping the weapon dormant.
"I'm impressed, Jolinar," Ptah declared before slamming a fist into the Tok'ra's face, jerking her head back. "Let's see you do it while you're unconscious!"
With her teeth still rattling, Jolinar managed to keep her death grip on the Ribbon device while she hammered the Goa'uld back with her free hand.
Like two warriors locked in a death match, the Goa'uld and the Tok'ra battled for control over the Ribbon device while exchanging an unending series of body blows. Unfortunately for Jolinar, she had endured too much punishment already. First, the pile driver hit from Ahkna, then two staggering hits from a Ribbon device. She was quickly reaching her limits as to how much more she could absorb.
-------------
"Harvey, he's beating the crap out of her!"
"Done," Harvey whispered before touching the last two wires together. "Good-bye, John."
-------------
Her reserves depleted, the Goa'uld started to beat Jolinar down, slamming a fist into her battered face and another into her stomach. Jolinar collapsed to her knees as Ptah pulled a hand free to use the Ribbon device. He had just started to aim it when he screamed as a seizure unexpectedly gripped his body.
Shaking the cobwebs from her head, a shocked Jolinar watched as the Goa'uld dropped to his knees beside her and keeled over onto his back unmoving. Carefully, Jolinar inched over and pulled the Ribbon device from his hand and the blaster from his belt.
As she collected the last of the weapons, an injured Scorpius slowly limped up beside them.
"Is he…?" he started.
"He's still alive," Jolinar answered. "Something happened, but I don't know what."
Still holding the injector in his hand, Scorpius knelt down next to Crichton, noticing that the Human's eyes were rolled up into the back of his head.
"It has to be the neural clone," Scorpius said. "We don't have much time. Pull him up."
Jolinar obeyed and lightly tugged Crichton up into a sitting position, allowing Scorpius access to the back of his neck. As Scorpius prepared the injector, Jolinar warned him darkly.
"Harm him and I will kill you."
Scorpius looked up and met Jolinar's determined gaze. She was indeed Crichton's protector.
"I don't doubt you," Scorpius finally said before focusing on the task at hand.
With careful aim, he jabbed the device into the back of Crichton's neck. Jolinar felt Crichton's body tense up before he let out a gut-wrenching scream. The Tok'ra held him as his body relaxed in her embrace.
It was at that moment that Jolinar felt the Goa'uld inside Crichton dying. Its life force was fading. Both Jolinar and Carter were amazed that Scorpius could do it. He was able to kill the Goa'uld without killing the host.
Slowly, Crichton stirred in her arms.
"Crichton?" The Tok'ra whispered.
He gradually came around and slowly lifted his head. Crichton had the look of a man who had just awakened from his worst nightmare. His exhausted eyes met hers and a crack of a smile formed on his lips.
"Hey, Jolly Sam."
She felt his hand now gently touching her face, his fingertips tracing over her swollen cheek and bloody lip. "I couldn't stop him… I'm sorry…"
Sore as her battered face felt, she welcomed his touch. She smiled, grateful that he was safe. "Do not apologize for something you couldn't have prevented."
"If I could, I would have killed it myself, rather than relying on Harvey…" Crichton stopped when he saw Scorpius move around behind Jolinar to face him. Crichton had momentarily forgotten about Scorpius until he was staring right at him. All of his exhaustion disappeared instantly at the sight of the hated Scarran hybrid. At that moment, by chance, his hand brushed up against the blaster tucked into Jolinar's belt.
"Son of a bitch!" Crichton jumped up, pulling the blaster free and levelling it at Scorpius. He would have fired if Jolinar hadn't stood up and placed herself between them.
"No, Crichton!"
"Out of the way, Jolinar!" Crichton demanded.
"We need his help. He was the one who freed you from that Goa'uld inside you."
"And that's suppose to make everything better? After what he did to me and to you, to Carter?"
It was then that Jolinar stepped aside to let her host talk with Crichton. After reasserting control over her body, Carter said, "I made a deal with him."
Crichton became livid, as he stared at Scorpius just standing behind her. "You did what?!"
Carter tried to explain herself quickly before Crichton decided to do something rash. "In return for his help and for not killing him, he would help to free you and our friends." She pleaded. "We need him to save our friends."
For a moment, Crichton thought it would be easy just to push her to one side and kill Scorpius once and for all, but he knew the situation first hand with what he had learned when he was host to Ptah. The Goa'uld were in control of the base and most of their friends were indeed captured and options for them were very limited.
"What if he betrays us?"
Carter didn't blink, answering. "Then I will kill him myself and you can cheer me on."
Crichton lowered his weapon, but didn't holster it. "I'd rather fight you for that honour."
Scorpius was watching Crichton closely and finally said, "I give my word to Major Carter that my intent is only to stop the Cylons. Even if that means helping the Scarrans."
"And you've got a little bridge in San Francisco that you want to sell me," Crichton muttered.
Confused by what Crichton had just said, Scorpius turned his eyes to Carter. The Tok'ra shrugged her shoulders, saying dryly, "Simple translation, he has little faith in you. And stop calling me Major Carter, that part of my life is gone."
----------
He laid there on the floor, like a toppled statue of a bygone era. He was supposed to have been taken to the waste recycling area to be melted down, but the crew assigned to the disposal of him had decided to leave him in the Cylon research area, rather than dragging his bulk clear across the station and eighty tiers up.
It would have been a natural place to get rid of a Cylon, but they made one critical error. The inexperienced crew of Charrids and Kalish, who had never faced a Cylon before, failed to remove or at least disable his power cell. If Sikozu had happened to be there with them, it would have been the first thing she would have taken care of. The only way to guarantee that a Cylon was truly dead was by cutting out its power source.
But they hadn't done that and they left Sparky there in the lab, alone.
Slowly, ever so slowly, his damaged control system silently mended his badly disrupted circuitry. Ptah had badly damaged him, but the hit was not fatal.
In his dark eye slit, his red sensor eye started to glow and move again.
Sparky, the Cylon centurion, was down, but he was far from out.
TBC…………………..