APOPHIS' HA'TAK
Apophis himself quickly led the small procession to the Chappa'ai: himself, Amaunet, Varos, a few servants that always attended them once they left their personal rooms and their Jaffa guard. The troop of Jaffa that would accompany Varos was already awaiting their pharaoh's presence at the Chappa'ai. Once the ship dropped out of hyperspace, Apophis would enter the necessary symbols for Qelnor and send his "representatives" through. Then, once his duties had been dispensed with for that day, he and his queen would retire to his bedchambers.
Anyone who disturbed them would suffer his wrath.
Loki had been monitoring Apophis' rush with a bemused contentment. Revenge was its own reward, but responsibility of other's lives was a sacred trust. He could not enjoy his vengeance should one as innocent as Kasuf be harmed further. Already, he was prevented from rescuing Skaara according to the rules of conflict the Asgard and the Goa'uld had established between them, but he would see Kasuf freed.
Again, he transmitted a message to the two captive humans. "Daniel, Sha'uri, be ready. In a few moments, you will have control. I will remove the Jaffa and you must send Kasuf to Cimmeria." As an afterthought, Loki added, "Daniel, I am sending you the coordinates to Cimmeria with the point of origin."
~o~o~o~
Daniel's thoughts were as confused as the situation. He was trusting a vengeful Asgard he didn't know to save his family from the Goa'ulds. Jack would have a field day with this.
Oh, boy. Jack. Daniel wondered if anyone knew he was in trouble or was looking for him. No, probably not. His friends on Earth probably thought he was enjoying himself visiting his family on Abydos and not going fishing with Jack. When had Kasuf—no, Varos contacted him? That morning? Sheesh, it was still the same day. It had been a long, long day.
~o~o~o~
The royal couple approached the dialing controller for the Chappa'ai side by side. Amaunet was as eager to accomplish this small task in order to attend to more important matters at hand. She placed her hand on Apophis' arm as if to remind him that haste was required and was pleasantly rewarded when Apophis reached up and touched her cheek, almost caressing it as a promise of things to come.
Apophis turned to his queen, opened his mouth to say something … and fell into the darkness of his mind … and Daniel was in control thanks to a certain Asgard's impeccable timing. Daniel never let anyone in the room know that Apophis was out of communication range. Instead, he started slowly pressing symbols on the DHD to Cimmeria. He didn't want the Jaffa to know what he was doing before Loki did whatever he was going to do next.
Varos and the Jaffa prepared to leave, and Amaunet left the Grand Vizier with one final instruction. "Report your progress as soon as you are able, and take care that you return to us alive, Varos. Your services are appreciated."
Appreciated? Daniel thought those were strange words coming from Amaunet. Varos was a loyal subject, and Goa'ulds weren't known for being appreciative.
Without warning, a bright, Asgardian light engulfed the Jaffa, and they were gone.
Many things happened at once. The servants panicked. Varos' head jerked around as he tried to find the source of the disturbance. Amaunet found herself buried deep in her mind as Sha'uri was unexpectedly in control. The wormhole formed.
"Now!" Loki's voice sounded in their minds. "Push Varos into the wormhole."
Daniel grabbed Varos, the unexpected attack giving him the momentum to overpower the unsuspecting Goa'uld. Sha'uri quickly rushed to Varos' other side and pushed him in the direction Daniel was aiming for—the event horizon—toward Cimmeria and into the waiting arms of Thor's Hammer.
The Goa'ulds were perplexed and angry. Sha'uri could feel Amaunet's fear and confusion. Daniel realized that Apophis knew he was trapped and subdued by another's will. It was undoubtedly a new experience for the symbiotes and not to their liking. The hosts, however, were enjoying the ironic situation. It wasn't just that Apophis and Amaunet didn't like what was going on. It was racing fear. That's what the crawly little snakes felt.
'…. Fool! …' Apophis mentally yelled to Daniel. '….You've destroyed Varos! Look what you've done! …'
'Yeah, I did a good job, didn't I?'
Further conversation was curtailed as Daniel and Sha'uri were also enveloped in a bright light and transported away.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
CIMMERIA—THOR'S HAMMER
The sensation of standing before a Chappa'ai in one moment and being transported behind the Hammer in the next moment was agonizing—for Varos. Excruciatingly so. The symbiote was the one to feel the pain of the Asgard device.
Kasuf felt somewhat disoriented but no discomfort. Realizing he was once again in control of his own body, he stood up and looked around the cavern in which he'd been unceremoniously dumped. "Where am I?" He caught the faint whisper of horrified amazement from Varos. Something about the Hammer and the Asgards.
Yes, Kasuf knew of the Asgard Hammer. Dan'yer had told him of Cimmeria long ago should he ever need the information. Somehow, Apophis and Amaunet had sentenced Varos to this place? Why? Varos was a trusted advisor to them.
Unless … maybe it wasn't Apophis and Amaunet?
What if his daughter and good son had fought the symbiotes and overcame them?
'….Impossible! …' Varos screamed at him. '….The pharaoh and the queen would not be beaten by mere slaves. Something must have happened…'
Kasuf could almost feel that the symbiote didn't believe its own words. Perhaps this could be to his advantage? Speaking aloud again, he answered "What could have happened? Apophis himself chose the coordinates. He opened the Chappa'ai and then both he and his queen pushed you through it. You have failed them in some way, and this is your punishment."
'….Be silent! …' Varos ordered.'….My pharaoh would not do this…'
"Yet you are here."
Varos retook control; the pain from being transported there had worn off. He had heard enough of the human upstart. He took out his anger on Kasuf who could only scream at the torture the symbiote was inflicting.'You will not speak again.'
The anguish lasted for an eternity until Kasuf realized they were no longer alone. Someone had joined them, and this new person had diverted Varos' attention away from Kasuf.
"I am Thor, supreme commander of the Asgard fleet. The High Council of Asgard has designated Cimmeria a safe world for developing sentient species by unanimous decree era 40.73.29. The Goa'uld System Lords were so informed. You were warned not to come here, under pain of death. For the crimes against the living host and all those you have murdered and enslaved, the sentence is death.
"This is your prison. Your technology will not function here. There are no luxuries, no worshippers, no slaves to do your bidding … only basic sustenance and time. When you tire of this existence, go to the Hall of Mjolnir, and face the Hammer. There is no escape. Only the host can leave this place alive."
Kasuf watched in utter fascination as Varos realized the outcome of his fate and screamed obscenities at the hologram. Kasuf forced himself to remain silent, hoping against hope that Varos had forgotten he was there for a moment. It didn't forget. Immediately, Varos remembered he had an outlet for his indignation as Kasuf suffered through another onslaught of symbiotic rage. He wouldn't allow himself to scream because he knew that the slightest sound would anger Varos more, and it was another way to confound the demon. They seemed unable to understand when the hosts didn't react to their demands.
Kasuf waited impatiently for the pain to end and was almost unconscious when Varos stopped the attack. He tried to find refuge in the far corner of his mind and vaguely felt his body moving as Varos sought a means of escape, but Varos seemed shaky, less sure of himself. The demon was … scared? Yes. Scared. Varos had no chance of escape … he was going to die in the damp, dark cavern, and he knew he was doomed. Death was the only escape for a demon, and the demon's death would mean Kasuf's freedom.
Things were looking up.
If he only knew where his children were.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
ASGARD SHIP
One moment they were by the Chappa'ai on the ha'tak, the next, they were standing on board an Asgard ship—the control room, to be precise. The slaves transported there with Daniel and Sha'uri huddled together, trying to find some comfort in closeness. They had never seen an Asgard or one of their ships, but even they knew that this was a race that could challenge their gods.
"Dan'yel?" Sha'uri was confused, uncertain and just a little scared. Those emotions crept into her voice. "What is happening?"
Daniel took her hand as he studied the room. It was definitely Asgard, and they were definitely alone. "I'm not sure, but I'd guess that Loki's about to get his revenge."
A part of the wall slid back, revealing it to be an entrance into the next room. An Asgard entered. Daniel knew that it wasn't Loki, so he guessed that it was his mate. He had never seen a female Asgard before. Come to think of it, there wasn't any notable difference in the genders. Daniel had always wondered about that, but that was a topic for another time. He wanted answers,; he wanted the symbiotes out, he wanted to go home, he wanted his wife , he wanted their lives, he wanted to find Kasuf—not necessarily in that order.
"Daniel Jackson, Sha'uri, I must apologize for the manner of our meeting. I am Angrboda of the Asgard." Another Asgard joined her. "You are already acquainted with Loki. We have brought you here to explain what has happened and to free you of the symbiotes."
Explain?
Free them?
That was it?
"I don't mean to be rude, but what's going on now?" Daniel's day had been bad enough. Kidnapped, beat up, Goa'ulded, tortured … all in all he'd had better days, and his patience was at an end.
"Like I told you, Doctor Jackson. Revenge," Loki said. "It begins. Once your father-in-law passes through the Hammer, it will destroy the symbiote within him. Varos cannot escape and his death will cause a large rift in Apophis' power structure. As you may not be aware of yet, Varos is a prized advisor among the System Lords, and none have been successful in attaining his services or loyalty. The System Lords will not welcome the news that Varos was murdered by Apophis' own hand."
Daniel sensed that Apophis didn't like the sound of that—the snake was moving around, tightening his hold on Daniel's spinal column. Sheesh, maybe the symbiotes couldn't hurt them in the ordinary fashion, but they could still hurt them physically. Even Sha'uri grimaced in pain. Neither symbiote was happy with the news, but Daniel was getting a perverse pleasure at Apophis' annoyance.
"What about us?" Daniel wanted to know. "You are going to take these snakes out of us, right?"
"They will punish us," Sha'uri explained, hoping to hurry the Asgard's promise of freeing them. "They are angry at our disobedience. Once they regain control—"
"They will not," Angrboda reminded them gently. "We determine their freedom of movement." She approached Daniel and Sha'uri, the look in her eyes—almost maternal? "What we have done was not without purpose. I regret our actions, but I hope you may appreciate the outcome. Loki will explain all to you. I have a task I must attend to." Short and to the point but almost rude, Angrboda walked from the room.
Loki knew what task his mate had to do, but it would not deter him from his plan. "If you would allow me a few moments longer, I will grant you both not only your liberation, but some measure of satisfaction as well. Amaunet and Apophis must remain where they are for only a few minutes longer, and these few minutes will be all that I ask of you."
Sha'uri had spent three years alone and helpless while the monster inside her used her as it would. She had no choice then, and she had no choice now but to obey the Asgard. Loki had given them both a type of freedom and was now promising them their lives back. "Dan'yel?" Would he know what to do or was he as confused as she was?
Daniel's mind was rapidly going through their options—it didn't take long. They only had the one. "All right." He looked at his wife, resignation in his eyes, fear in hers, and said, "We'll be free, bene wa. Soon."
Sha'uri nodded her head as she moved to his side. Under the protection of her husband's embrace, she almost felt confident that the Asgard's plan might work. "What must we do?"
Loki walked to what Daniel could only call the captain's chair. It wasn't quite up to Captain Kirk's standards …
"Doctor Jackson, Sha'uri, I must speak with Amaunet. I must therefore—"
"No!" Sha'uri screamed. "I will not be a prisoner again!" Her face contorted in pain as Amaunet struggled to take control. The symbiote was becoming more frustrated and annoyed, its movements painful.
"For a very short time. That I promise." Loki waited. He'd had very little experience with humans, but he did understand silent communication between two individuals attuned to each other. These two humans only had to share a look, exchange a nod of the head or a slight smile to let their feelings and wishes known to each other. They were worried that they would lose the precious autonomy that Loki had granted them. No, not worried. They were scared. It was when Sha'uri nodded her head and tucked her forehead against Daniel's shoulder that Loki recognized the sheer depth of the emotion raging inside Daniel.
With blazing blue eyes targeting Loki, Daniel said in a steely voice, "Do what you have to do, but we want Apophis and Amaunet out of us."
"I understand." Loki picked up the neural implant's control module and pressed a button.
Sha'uri's demeanor changed abruptly as Amaunet came to the fore and shoved Daniel away.
The final confrontation was about to begin.
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
EARTH—SGC
General Hammond hated the feeling as if everyone was walking on eggshells. One wrong word said at the wrong moment and O'Neill practically exploded. Granted, he didn't raise his voice to his commanding officer, but Jack was a bundle of raw nerves.
Hammond knew that the order to declare Daniel Jackson MIA, change the protocols and lock out his GDO code was necessary and regulation. It was an expedient precaution to ensure the safety of Earth, but given Doctor Jackson's knowledge, ingenuity and intelligence, precautions would be useless if he had already been compromised. It was not an action that the general had wanted to order, but he had no choice.
There was still hope. Daniel had pulled off miracles before and returned to them despite staggering odds. They had no way of knowing where Daniel was, if he was alive or not, if he was Goa'ulded or not. If the young man had been taken as a host …
They needed another miracle.
The general walked out of his office and into the control room. It was as quiet as a tomb. No one was talking. No one was making any sudden movements. This lack of activity could be attributed to a scowling Jack O'Neill sitting in front of a computer monitor studying the symbols of all planets known to be under Apophis' rule. Teal'c stood behind Jack, systematically removing the planets he knew were no longer used by Apophis. With Major Carter cross-referencing the remaining addresses with the little information about Apophis' movements that the Tok'ra had grudgingly supplied, SG-1 was using the process of elimination to guess where Apophis had taken Daniel.
It was another needle in another very large haystack.
"Any luck?" he asked his first team.
Teal'c raised an eyebrow, O'Neill grunted, but Major Carter was the only one to answer. "We've eliminated all the planets that fell to other Goa'uld after Sokar captured Apophis as well as those that revolted once they received word that Sokar had Apophis. Heru'ur took the planets that Amaunet reigned over, so we've eliminated those as well. The only thing we are certain of is that Apophis left Netu. The Tok'ra Intel suggests that there are no visible preparations for his immediate return."
"How many planets does that leave?"
Sam scrolled down the list. "Too many. Unless the Tok'ra can find out what direction Apophis is heading in, we won't be any closer to rescuing Daniel."
"Malthus should have done something," Jack muttered. "He just let those Jaffa take Daniel."
Hammond understood the frustration and the worry his second-in-command was feeling. He felt it as well. The hardest task for any soldier was to do nothing while all hell was breaking loose. "Colonel, Doctor Jackson and the woman were taken by transport rings almost as soon as Malthus materialized in the Abydos gate room. He claims he didn't have time to act, and I believe he's being sincere."
Jack didn't grunt, but he did snort.
"And had Malthus engaged the Jaffa and prevented them from taking Doctor Jackson, the Goa'uld would still have Kasuf." Hammond knew that nothing would stand in the archaeologist's way of rescuing his father-in-law, not even the United States military.
Jack sat back and crossed his arms across his chest, unconsciously mimicking Daniel's physical stance to keep things from getting too close. "He's just lost Sha'uri, the kid's been hidden away … if he lost—loses Kasuf, I don't know what he's going to do. Every spare minute he's not searching for Kheb, he's gathering Intel on where Klorel might be so we can go rescue Skaara. Now he's been kidnapped … his family's been ripped apart, and it's all Apophis' fault."
"We'll find him, Jack," Hammond tried to reassure him. "We don't have any other choice."
"Sure would like to know just how we're—"
"Incoming wormhole," the alarm sounded. "No signal."
"Close the iris," Hammond commanded.
Sergeant Davis pressed the button to do just that, but nothing happened. "The iris is not responding, sir."
"Send in—""
"General, look." Sam couldn't believe the timing. A very familiar Asgard stepped through the event horizon.
As a group, they ran to the gate room.
"Thor! Buddy!" Jack greeted him. "Just the little guy we could use right now. We've got trouble with a capital T."
The Asgard showed little reaction to Jack's announcement. "You are referring to Doctor Jackson's disappearance?"
That one sentence produced a stunned audience. Even the usually vocal Jack couldn't speak.
General Hammond stepped forward as he signaled for the SF troops to stand down. "You know about the situation?"
"I received a message from a friend. Angrboda. Doctor Jackson is with her and Loki."
Jack exhaled loudly. Their Spacemonkey had done it again. Luckily. "How did she get him away from Apophis?"
"Apophis?" Thor asked, his voice indicating the confusion not showing on his face. "He's involved?"
"Apophis removed Daniel Jackson from Abydos," Teal'c explained. "We have reason to believe that his father-in-law, Kasuf, is also a prisoner. An unidentified woman was taken as well."
This seemed to be extraordinarily unexpected news. "You are certain of this?" Thor asked them, this time his reaction more pronounced.
"A group of Tok'ra saw several of Apophis' Jaffa take Daniel and the woman by transport ring," Sam told him.
Thor stepped off the ramp. "Then my mission to inform you of Doctor Jackson's location has taken an unexpected turn. I was not aware that Apophis had taken Doctor Jackson. Angrboda did not apprise me of that fact. This is most unfortunate."
No one liked the sound of that. Jack kneeled down in front of the Asgard, looking him eye-to-eye. "I take it this is a bigger problem than we thought?"
"Long ago, Angrboda and her mate Loki lost their three children to Apophis. He destroyed them when he discovered they were building defensive weapons against the Goa'uld. According to our treaties, Loki and Angrboda have the right to claim vengeance against Apophis. It would seem that they are either using Doctor Jackson or have enlisted his aid. Perhaps they are attempting to rescue the Abydonians."
"Or using Kasuf and the lady to force Daniel to help them," Jack finished for him. "Daniel won't leave Kasuf in Apophis' hands. We need help, Thor. Can you do anything?"
Thor's expression changed. He looked worried. "I believe Angrboda will contact me again. I will track the transmission to its point of origin and then travel there."
"Not alone, you won't," Jack stated simply. "Come hell or high water, we're bringing him home."
~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~
LOKI'S SHIP
Daniel could feel Apophis stirring beneath his consciousness the moment Amaunet returned. The so-called "god" didn't like being the one who was trapped and helpless. Amaunet glared at Daniel, her anger at him apparent. Neither Goa'uld was happy, and they were especially put out with the Asgard. Daniel could feel Apophis move and squeeze around his spinal cord. This couldn't be over with soon enough.
"Amaunet," Loki spoke from his captain's seat, "I have no quarrel with you. I am offering you a chance to redeem yourself in some small measure for all the evil which you have wrought while in this host. Abydos belonged to Ra. Upon his death, ownership of the planet reverted to Daniel Jackson and O'Neill according to the laws of war. Apophis disobeyed the laws governing ownership and trespassing when he traveled to Abydos in search of hosts for you. He had no right to take people from there given that he did not know Ra's condition at the time. You had no right to take Sha'uri as a host. According to Goa'uld custom, Apophis will be punished for disregarding the laws. You should have surrendered this host the moment you learned of her origins. You did not. For that, you must now leave this host without harming her even though your death may be imminent. If you survive, I will send you to Chulak or, if you prefer, any other Goa'uld occupied planet."
"I prefer this host," was Amaunet's answer. She had chosen Sha'uri, and no small upstart of an Asgard was going to deprive her.
"That was never an option for you," Loki admonished her.
"I will not leave," Amaunet stated firmly.
Daniel yanked Amaunet around to look at him. "You've got no choice." He could feel Apophis squeezing around his spinal cord again. He resisted the urge to yell that the snake needed to get a new shtick. He was going to finish this. Immediately. Daniel, extraordinarily close to losing what little patience he was barely holding onto, turned to one of the slaves that had accompanied them. She had been cowering in a corner all that time. "You." He motioned her closer. He had an idea that would solve the immediate problem of getting Amaunet out of Sha'uri.
The slave, a young woman of about twenty, came forward. "Yes, master?" She didn't know how to address Apophis' host in any other way.
"Do you serve your queen well?" Daniel asked, the words almost choking him. How could he do this? How could—no. He would do anything, say anything to save his wife.
The slave kneeled before Amaunet, her head remaining bowed. "I always endeavor to serve my queen to the best of my abilities. I only hope to have found favor in her eyes."
Daniel didn't even try to argue against the absurdity of the statement. "Would you be a host for Amaunet?" Great, Jackson. You're doing just great. Just hold it together a few moments longer. You're almost there. Home free.
The slave girl looked up at Daniel, then Amaunet. "I would be honored to serve as the vessel for my queen, but I am not worthy to serve her thus. I am only a servant."
"Amaunet's only a snake. She's not a goddess. I wouldn't wish being a host on my worst enemy, but I'd do anything to get her the hell out of my wife."
~o~o~o~
Apophis thrashed, both mentally and physically, but he couldn't break through the wall the neural implant imposed. He kept hurting Daniel. He didn't know what his host had in mind, but it could only be detrimental to his queen. He would not lose her so soon after getting her back!
~o~o~o~
"Amaunet," Daniel didn't have to finish the sentence. The Goa'uld knew what she was being offered, and no one could say that Amaunet was foolish.
"Choose, Amaunet," Loki demanded. "You will not like the alternative."
Amaunet resigned herself to the fact that she was being outmaneuvered. For the moment. However, moments pass. She would wait for that moment to pass. "This one has always served me well. I will take her as a host."
"Good," Daniel said. Then he came close to Amaunet. She saw the signs that Apophis was moving, restricting, fighting back to no avail. The human wasn't dissuaded. "Just remember this," he whispered to Amaunet, "You leave Sha'uri alive and unharmed, or I will rip you apart."
Amaunet's eyes glowed in anger. To be bested by an Asgard was bad enough, but to be outwitted by a simple Tau'ri was not to be borne. There would be time for revenge later. She glanced down at the servant girl who had remained kneeling by her feet. A servant. A pitiful excuse of existence was to be her host? Not for long. For now, she would allow the servant the greatest opportunity to serve her queen by blessing her as a host. Later, she would find a proper one, one befitting her status.
Loki merely inclined his head in an agreeing nod and passed his hand over the controls on the chair's console. A low platform ascended from the floor and another descended from the ceiling. The two parallel "tables" hung suspended as if by magic, without supports of any kind. It was a type of Asgard healing apparatus. Was what they were about to do dangerous enough to warrant it?
"This will assure that Sha'uri survives," Loki explained to Daniel … or was it a warning to Amaunet? "It is designed to sustain her life functions. Normally, this healing chamber has only been used on Asgard. I have recalibrated the settings to maintain a human life. Removing the symbiotes will exhaust you, and you will both need rest soon. However, this healing chamber will allow you to maintain your strength for a short while."
~o~o~o~
Again, Amaunet had been outfoxed. She would not be able to arrange an "accidental" mishap to happen to Sha'uri—thus no final parting shot as retribution to Daniel Jackson.
And her pharaoh? He couldn't help her. The Asgard had seen to that. But her greatest disappointment? She and Apophis had not taken the opportunity to get reacquainted. She could imagine Sha'uri's smug taunts but pushed those thoughts away. She'd have her revenge soon, and it would be sweet.
Amaunet laid down on the lower platform and, knowing that her life was at stake if she faltered in any way, so she took great preparations not to damage her host. Perhaps the Asgard had a hidden agenda, but Jackson could be trusted to keep his word. The System Lords in her acquaintance had remarked on several occasions of the honor of this one particular slave. However, if she harmed his Sha'uri, no honor would stop him from destroying her.
Amaunet placed Sha'uri in a semi-conscious state so the little slave would feel nothing and slowly disengaged herself from the body. Separating from neural synapses and nerve endings was not an easy procedure unless the host was dying … Amaunet felt the Asgard healing chamber take over Sha'uri's bodily functions as the symbiote released her. Cautiously, almost gently, she left Sha'uri Tok'ra style, through the thin palette at the back of the throat. The symbiote emerged from Sha'uri's mouth, saw the servant girl kneeling nearby, flew towards—
And never completed her trip.
Daniel grabbed up the symbiote the moment it took to the air, held it tight as he knelt beside his wife. He placed a hand under her nose, placed it against her throat to check her pulse. She was breathing. Her pulse was strong and steady.
Sha'uri was alive. And symbioteless.
Amaunet was furious! She had kept her part of the bargain!
~o~o~o~
Daniel could sense Apophis' rage as well. Too bad. He was holding all the cards for once. He looked at the screaming, squiggling, squirming symbiote he held tightly in one hand. "I said alive AND unharmed, Amaunet. She's alive. Let's see if the other holds true."
Suddenly, he felt a surge of emotion. His anger was almost out of his control. No. He had to keep his calm for a little longer. The Blood of Sokar would not be an excuse. He would maintain control of his temper. He had to.
Loki approached quietly, as if realizing that although he had convinced Amaunet to relinquish what to her was a pleasing host, it was an emotional moment. Perhaps he wasn't certain how the Tau'ri would react to sudden moves. "This is an Asgard healing device, Daniel Jackson." Like its Goa'uld competitor, the device shone on Sha'uri brightly and slowly ebbed away. "She is well. Amaunet did leave her alive."
"And unharmed?"
"The chamber will heal all physical destructions. She is a strong-willed individual. I believe that her mental and emotional condition will be strong as well."
They waited a few minutes for Sha'uri to regain complete consciousness. As she woke, tears brimmed in her eyes. She blinked a few times to clear them, and then she locked her eyes with those of her husband. "My Dan'yel." Her eyes opened wide when she saw the symbiote in his hand and, behind him, the servant still kneeling and watching them.
Daniel helped her to her feet, noticing her gaze on the symbiote. He'd never before seen such hatred in his love's eyes. For the first time in three years, Amaunet was hers to do with as she pleased, not the other way around.
Daniel looked down at the kneeling servant girl, then at the symbiote. He couldn't do it. He wouldn't do it. In fluent Abydonian, Daniel asked his wife, "This is the creature that hurt you all those times, bene wa. What sentence should she be given as punishment for her crimes?" Oh, yes. Putting Amaunet's fate in Sha'uri's hands was poetic justice with a touch of irony.
Apophis was absolutely screaming! Daniel took great pleasure amidst the pain that Apophis was helpless, trapped, held impotent in a dark prison without any ability to help his mate. He could only watch and listen and scream voicelessly at his jailer.
Daniel knew what it felt like, and he held no sympathy for his enemy.
"You said alive AND unharmed, husband," Sha'uri told him in Abydonian "There is no such thing as remaining unharmed when a demon takes you. She has destroyed many lives, killed many people without reason, and she used my body for her own purposes without my consent. If she lives, she will only repeat her actions. On Abydos, she would be executed not only for her past crimes but to keep her from destroying any others."
Staring at the symbiote, the anger and rage exploded in Daniel. The Blood of Sokar took control of his temper. This … this … thing … this abomination was one of the creatures responsible for ripping his family apart. With nothing but utter contempt and a quick snap of his wrist, he grabbed the symbiote behind the head and gave it a rough jerk. He held the symbiote's head tightly in one hand, the body in the other as its dying body jerked in its death throes. It was even more satisfying than shooting the immature symbiotes on Chulak so long ago.
Apophis screamed in anguish.
Without needing to speak a word of explanation, Sha'uri took the creature's head from her husband and gave it to the servant girl. She was young, not even as old as Skaara and deluded enough to believe in the non-existent godhood of the demons. Sha'uri took the girl's arm and raised her to her feet. "When the Asgard return you to the demon's ship, take this back to your people. Tell them that Amaunet is dead. She was a false god just like all Goa'ulds. They are not to be worshipped. They should be reviled and destroyed."
Confused and frightened, the servant girl reverently took her goddess' head and held it close. She couldn't take her eyes off the people in the room. Even the other servants who had been transported to the Asgard ship watched silently as the impossible kept unfolding before their eyes. How could gods be killed? How could such things happen? Yet, standing before them was the host body of their queen, now no longer a host. There was the host body of their god, the human now in control. Could it be?
"Loki," Daniel pointed toward the servants and in a very crisp voice that was filled with pain, "could you return them, please? I think they have some stories to tell their people." And Kintac would be out of a job. Too bad.
"Of course, Doctor Jackson."
~o~o~o~
Angrboda watched the proceedings from the safety of the next room. Apophis now knew what it was like to lose that which he loved most. It was a revenge well worth watching.
She waited until Loki had transported the servants back to the ha'tak before contacting Thor again. Loki knew what she was doing, but he also knew that she wasn't telling Thor everything.