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PART THIRTEEN

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Elcor – Resistance Homeworld

The planet was as cold and wet as it had been since they day they arrived. Underfoot the ground was always wet and damp; inviting the cold to grow in bones used to the hot sun and dry sands of desert planets or the controlled environment of a Goa'uld ship. There was never complete silence – it was always broken by the shattering of water droplets on leaves and ground and mud, a steady background murmur that only grew louder during storms but never quite seemed to cease.

Around him the sound of the camp drowned out the steady dripping, hiding it beneath the slight clanging of pots and the hollow echo of wooden training staffs cracked an uneven rhythm that carried clearly through the damp air.

"You are not sparring today, my friend?"

From anyone else, the question would not have been tolerated – what he did and when he did it was a matter for him and him alone to decide.

"No," he said simply, turning to look at his companion before letting his gaze rest on a barely visible path through the damp undergrowth.

"What are you thinking, Teal'c?" Bra'tac asked.

"I am not certain, Bra'tac," Teal'c admitted, shifting his grip on his staff weapon. His words were calm and confident, but there was a restlessness which he had learnt long ago not to ignore.

The constant drizzle of the planet shifted slightly, and Teal'c sighed internally as once again the heavens opened and fat droplets of water splattered onto his skin, turning it slick and cold and wet.

"It will not be too soon if we leave this planet," Bra'tac groused, swinging his cloak around him to try and deflect the water. It was for show though, Teal'c knew, as there was not much on this planet that managed to remain dry. "Come, Teal'c, it will not do to stand here and get chilled."

Reluctantly Teal'c nodded, and allowed Bra'tac to lead him back to the tents where hot drinks and a nourishing meal awaited.

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Nuclear Facility

Mama told me there'd be days like this. Paul smirked to himself and closed his eyes. No, there was no way his mother had ever imagined days like this.

"Sir? I have some news," Andrews said.

"News?"

"I got through on the computers. Reports are indicating that Russia tried nuking one of the ships. Our guys discovered the EMPs and are setting them off over cities and areas heavily affected by the bugs."

"They're not nuking yet?"

"No, sir. I think someone with past experience of Goa'uld attacks on earth vetoed it based on the knowledge that they don't affect the Goa'uld ships at all. Troops have engaged the Jaffa in battle in various regions though, where EMPs were launched. It looks fairly even at this stage, but it's starting to swing in favour of the Goa'uld."

Paul sighed as Samuels entered the room.

"They know we're here," Samuels said. "There are several death gliders circling, but as yet they haven't sent Jaffa patrols down."

"Why's it taking them this long?" Andrews asked.

"The bugs are back," Samuels said. "While they're not fatal to the Jaffa, they will impede them."

"What's our plan of attack, sir?" Tom queried. "If the Jaffa aren't willing to risk exposure to the bugs yet, we could use that to our advantage."

"All we can do is try and buy some time until O'Neill and Maybourne get here with help," Paul said.

No one spoke, yet the words hung in the air.

If they managed to find help.

---
Elcor – Resistance Homeworld

Long before anything was visible, they could hear the hollow echo of wood cracking against wood hammering through the damp undergrowth. The steady drizzle turned harder, and Jack sighed to himself as it became an open downpour, sending rivulets of cold water running icily down his back.

"What happened to the hot, sandy planets, Jacob?" he demanded, more to break the silence than really complain.

"They're not viable to support an entire population, Jack," Jacob replied.

"Population? No offence, Jacob, but there aren't enough Tok'ra to call it a population."

"None taken," Jacob said, and Jack could swear there was amusement on the dry tone. "It's not our population that has to be supported. It's this one."

As he spoke, Jack became aware of carefully concealed tents and buildings constructed in the woods around them. "What is this?"

"They call themselves the Free Jaffa Nation."

Jack stared incredulously at Jacob. "The Tok'ra and the Jaffa?"

"We're not one big happy family, Jack, but the Tok'ra and Jaffa are working together. Barely, but we are."

"And how did you accomplish this?" Jack asked, still dumbfounded. Tok'ra and Jaffa? Together? Willingly? That was about as unlikely as the Russians and Americans working together cooperatively.

"Through Teal'c," Jacob said quietly. He had no sooner spoken the words, then the Jaffa appeared in the entrance of a large dwelling, staff weapon in hand and rough cloak covering his shoulders.

Teal'c said nothing as he gazed at them, and Jack felt something painful squeeze in his heart. He hadn't realised how much he'd missed the Jaffa's solid company and steady friendship. He would have appreciated the Jaffa's insight to his experience with the Goa'uld, as well as his assistance in dealing with the bugs and subsequent Goa'uld invasion.

Jack walked to Teal'c slowly, ignoring the rain that was now tumbling down roughly on his shoulders and plastering his hair to his scalp. "Teal'c," Jack said quietly, watching the Jaffa.

Teal'c said nothing, and Jack felt a moment of uncertainty as he was subjected to Teal'c's scrutiny. "How ya been, T?" he asked, trying to lighten the situation.

To his surprise, Teal'c's lip quirked in what could be construed as a smile, before a grin appeared on his dark face. "O'Neill," Teal'c said simply, and a second later he was trapped by the Jaffa's arms in a not entirely unwelcome display of affection.

"Teal'c, buddy," Jack said, giving Teal'c an affectionate slap on the back before pushing him away. "I know you missed me, but not that much!" he grinned.

"I believed you were dead, O'Neill," Teal'c said quietly, reverting back to his schooled features but not quite managing to hide the strength of his emotions.

"I was," Jack agreed blithely. "But we all know how long that lasts around this universe."

A look of hesitation crept across Teal'c's features. "Major Carter and Daniel Jackson?"

"Carter's alive, but Daniel… I don't think he made it, Teal'c."

Teal'c nodded sombrely. "It is good to see you, O'Neill."

Jack smiled again, and was about to reply when Maybourne chipped in. "It's good to be seeing each other again and all that, Teal'c, but do you think we could do the reunions and catch-up times inside? This planet is damn wet."

Teal'c nodded his head in agreement, and stepped back to the building he had just exited. "This way."

Inside was cool and poorly lit, but it was dry and surprisingly free of damp. Jack decided immediately that he liked it. He settled himself on a coarse cushion next to Teal'c, and let his gaze run quickly around the small hut. Clean, sparse, and impersonal. Yet, the various candles burning on small shelves and ledges made it feel warm and welcome.

"Well," Maybourne said, once they were settled. "Let's get started, shall we?"

"We must wait for Bra'tac and Ishta," Teal'c disagreed quietly. "They will be here shortly – your presence would have been announced to them."

"You keep guard?"

"Yes. The Goa'uld have not located our new homeworld yet, however we do not imagine it will always be the case," Teal'c said calmly.

"Oh," Jack realised, "I haven't introduced you to everyone yet. Teal'c, this is Svetlana Markhov who I think you've already met, and this is Bek… Bek. She's a friend of Cassandra Fraiser. Bek, this is Teal'c."

"It is nice to see you again, Teal'c," Svetlana smiled at the Jaffa.

"And you to, Dr. Markhov," Teal'c returned. "How is Cassandra Fraiser?" he inquired.

"Cassie's good," Jack said conversationally.

The hut door opened, allowing a damp tendril of air to snake into the room before it was followed by Bra'tac and a woman with blond hair and defiant eyes.

"O'Neill," Bra'tac said as Jack struggled to his feet to display the customary respect of greeting. "It is good to see you well."

"You too, Bra'tac."

"This is Ishta, O'Neill. She is one of our leaders."

"O'Neill of the Tau'ri," Ishta said, regarding him thoughtfully. "Teal'c believed you were dead."

"I was," Jack said again, glancing across at Teal'c.

"Please, be seated," Bra'tac said, motioning them to sit down again.

Jack did as ordered, feeling his eyebrows raise as Ishta took a seat next to Teal'c, and Bra'tac was relegated to the other side of the table.

"You are not here to visit us," Teal'c stated calmly, getting to the point immediately.

"No," Jack agreed. "A Goa'uld is attacking Earth, and we need your help."

"Ma'lok," Teal'c stated.

"You've heard of him?" Jack asked.

"Yes."

"And?"

"We do not have the numbers or resources to do what you ask, O'Neill," Bra'tac said bluntly. "Ma'lok is a lesser Goa'uld, but his numbers far outweigh our own."

Jack glanced across at Jacob before responding. "Jacob was under the impression that there was something you could do to help."

"What were you considering?" Bra'tac asked Jacob calmly, but even Jack could pick up on a strain of tension.

Before Jacob could reply, a knock sounded loudly on the flimsy wooden door.

"Enter," Teal'c called, staring at the door.

"I apologise for interrupting, Teal'c, but Ja'nek has been sent by the Tok'ra high council," a Jaffa explained.

"Ja'nek?" Jacob asked, surprised. "Why?"

A Tok'ra appeared in the doorway. "Garshaw felt my presence was necessary."

Jacob's eyes glowed, and when he spoke again it was Selmak. "Why would your presence be necessary, Ja'nek."

"Garshaw did not want a decision made that would affect the Tok'ra, without another representative present."

"I am the Tok'ra representative with the Jaffa," Selmak responded coldly.

Ja'nek shrugged. "Garshaw requested it. I apologise, Selmak, but I cannot refuse the High Council."

Selmak nodded, and looked across at the Jaffa. "Do you object?"

"If you do not, no," Bra'tac said warily, eyeing the new Tok'ra with evident distrust.

"Thank you," Ja'nek said, bowing before taking a seat as the young Jaffa who had brought him over left the dwelling, shutting the door behind him.

An awkward silence permeated the air, and Jack shifted uncomfortably on his cushion. "Where were we?" he asked brightly.

"Discussing what assistance Jacob thought the Jaffa could offer the Tau'ri," Ishta said smoothly, staring across at the Tok'ra. "Please, Jacob, enlighten us as to how you think we can defeat Ma'lok's forces, as if it's possible I assure you my people will jump at the chance."

"You hold the means in your hands, Ishta," Jacob said cryptically, staring back at the blond Jaffa.

Ishta's eyes widened, while both Bra'tac and Teal'c tensed. "You are not suggesting…"

"I am," Jacob said simply. "They have been offered the chance to defect several times, and all of them refused. You yourself said they were a lost cause."

"But they are our kindred!" Ishta snapped angrily, slapping her palms on the low wooden table between them. "What you ask… no. We will not do it."

The Jaffa glanced at him warily, and then at the Tok'ra. "We had agreed, Selmak, that it would not be used. That it would not be mentioned," Ishta hissed vehemently.

"We did," Selmak agreed. "But, as I said, the Jaffa of Ma'lok will not be swayed. If Ma'lok can be stopped now, rather than later, it will only benefit our cause and yours. If we let him take Earth, he will only gain power and become a stronger force to defeat."

"Ishta is correct, Selmak. If that is what you were hoping for by coming here, I am afraid the Jaffa cannot help."

"How many Jaffa does Ma'lok have?" Jack asked.

"Several thousand," Ishta answered.

"Several thousand. My planet has over six billion people on it, Ishta. Six billion. And if we don't do anything, we'll be lucky to have several thousand left."

"We cannot do what you ask, O'Neill," Ishta said. "We would be killing our brethren."

"But you have said yourself, Ishta, that they can not be swayed. They are, therefore, the enemy and would not hesitate in killing you," Selmak pointed out.

"If we say yes this one time, it will be easier to say yes in the future," Bra'tac said. "We will use this to justify using it time and time again, and ultimately it will destroy the Jaffa. We cannot allow it to be used, O'Neill."

"But you can allow my planet to be wiped out."

They fell silent, and Jack stared at Teal'c. "Teal'c? What do you think about this?"

Teal'c sighed. "There is no honour, O'Neill, in using it."

"Using what?" Ja'nek questioned.

The Jaffa looked at each other uneasily, and then at Selmak. "Why would Garshaw send him?" Bra'tac questioned bluntly. "He is not aware, and we agreed it would remain that way."

Selmak shook his head, turning to gaze at the Tok'ra still waiting for an explanation. "I do not know, Bra'tac."

"I told you, Selmak, Garshaw wanted another Tok'ra representative. There are three Jaffa present, yet only one Tok'ra."

"It is not the Jaffa against the Tok'ra, Ja'nek," Selmak said sharply. "We are meeting here to decide something together, and thus far the Jaffa have not been unreasonable in their refusal of participating in my proposed action."

"I would not know, would I?" Jan'nek snapped, his eyes flashing angrily. "You do not appear to trust me enough to tell me what you are discussing, yet the Tau'ri who have betrayed us in the past are more trusted than I am."

"Only four Tok'ra know of this Ja'nek; it is for the safety of all Jaffa that it is so."

"Why?"

"Tell him, Selmak, and perhaps he will understand why we cannot agree to your request," Ishta snapped. "Or perhaps he will echo the Tok'ra arrogance and assume the Jaffa will abandon their own."

"We are not asking you to abandon your own!" Selmak said angrily. "We are asking you to help save the Tau'ri. Surely saving billions while defeating an enemy is worth it."

"Nothing is worth the murder of others, Bra'tac," Ishta snapped.

"It will not be murder. It is war, Ishta, and the Tau'ri are at stake."

"The Tau'ri have done nothing for us. In the past, they have ridiculed, mocked and abandoned us. We have no reason to help them now," Ishta spat.

"O'Neill has never betrayed us," Teal'c said calmly. "Had General Hammond not been murdered, I believe the Tau'ri would have been a powerful ally."

"But they are not!" Ishta repeated.

"No," Teal'c agreed, "but when Colonel O'Neill and General Hammond were at the SGC, they assisted where they could and helped more Jaffa than what they had to."

"Are you saying we should help them, Teal'c?" Ishta asked coldly.

"I'm not suggesting we agree to use the poison," Teal'c said calmly, "however, we cannot abandon them."

"Poison?" Ja'nek asked.

"The Tok'ra developed a poison which kills the symbiote, Ja'nek," Selmak said quietly. "It is effective against Goa'uld, Tok'ra and Jaffa alike, without affecting the human host."

Ja'nek's eyes widened in surprise. "And you have kept this hidden from the Tok'ra?" he whispered. "You gave it to the Jaffa?!"

"If it were used, Ja'nek, it would be the Jaffa who were most affected. It is their right to decide whether it is used or not," Jacob said quietly. "This is why the Tok'ra were not told – they would not agree with the decision."

"It was not your decision to make!" Ja'nek said angrily.

"Nor was it yours!" Ishta hissed. "The Tok'ra are arrogant. You believe you alone decide how the war is fought. You believe you are the mighty ones; the ones who will defeat the Goa'uld. You do not recognise that your own race is dying. The Jaffa here are stronger than the Tok'ra, yet you refuse to accept that. You treat us as though we are helpless and lost and primitive. We are not!"

"Ishta," Teal'c murmured.

"No!" Ishta snapped. "I will not be silent, Teal'c. I am tired of the Tok'ra making decisions for us. I am tired of them treating our brothers and sisters as dispensable. They are not – they are Jaffa like us and deserve the right to be free!"

Ja'nek rose stiffly to his feet. "I do not have to tolerate this," he snapped, his eyes flashing. The door slammed shut behind him, and in the hut the only noise to break the silence was the drumming of the rain on the roof.

"Well," Jack said, "that went well."

"I do not trust him, Selmak," Bra'tac said quietly, looking over at Selmak.

"Neither do I," Selmak agreed. "I am suspicious of Garshaw sending him, if she chose to send anyone."

"You believe he is a traitor?"

"I am to beginning to fear it, yes."

"It means we have been compromised, and the Goa'uld will learn about the poison," Teal'c said quietly.

"So stop him," Jack said bluntly.

Bra'tac smiled crookedly. "He will not be allowed to leave. Not if we have not yet emerged or explained why he is leaving early."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Oh?"

"He is a Tok'ra, and his motives are not trusted unless a Jaffa vouches for him. He will not be allowed to leave."

"We have no way of proving that he is a traitor, or even confirming it," Selmak pointed out.

"If he is accused, his arrogance will ensure he confesses," Ishta said bitterly.

"Well, are you going to find out or not?"

"We will. Hold on a few minutes, Jack, I just want to check something first," Jacob cautioned. He lifted a small device to his face, and stared at it intently. "Garshaw, are you there?"

"I am here, Jacob. Speak."

"A communicator," Bra'tac said in explanation.

"I can see that," Jack returned.

"Did you send Ja'nek to participate in the counsel with the Jaffa?" Jacob asked bluntly.

"No, I did not," Garshaw denied.

"Then he is a traitor. He has learnt about the poison, Garshaw, and has doubtlessly compromised our position. We have to stop him," Jacob added.

"I will be there shortly, Selmak."

"Thank you, Garshaw," Jacob responded. He looked up at the group. "Well, shall we go get our Goa'uld?"

"You guys stay here," Jack said to Bek and Svetlana as he stood up. "No point in everyone getting wet."

Both women nodded silently, hugely out of their league and well aware of it.

Following Teal'c out of the small hut, Jack was relieved to see Ja'nek involved in a heated discussion with several Jaffa who didn't appear to be concerned by the Tok'ra's apparent anger.

"Ja'nek," Jacob called out. "Wait, I want to ask you something."

The Goa'uld turned around and stared at them as they approached, his face carefully schooled. "Yes, Selmak?"

"What are you planning to do with the knowledge you just gained?"

Ja'nek raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you now hold the power of destroying the Tok'ra for good. Are you going to use it?"

Ja'nek narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Destroy the Tok'ra, Selmak?"

"Oh, come on," Jacob continued, "you didn't think we actually bought the whole act, did you?"

Ja'nek's mouth quirked. "I am not a Goa'uld," he said.

"No?" Ishta asked innocently, raising her eyebrows. "Then you will not mind if we check for communications devices, will you?"

Ja'nek shrugged. "No," he said. "I am not a Goa'uld."

"Then explain to me why you are here?" Jacob asked coldly.

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you claim I sent you, when I did not?" Garshaw demanded, surprising Jack with her sudden appearance behind Ja'nek.

Ja'nek spun around and gazed at her. And then he smiled, and shrugged. "It has taken you a long time to discover me," he murmured, "much too long."

"But we have found you," Garshaw said coldly.

"You have not found all of us," Ja'nek smirked. "You have no idea who are the traitors among you and who are not. Even the Jaffa are not all who they appear to be, and you are foolish enough to believe they would desert their gods."

Teal'c aimed his staff weapon at the Goa'uld. "Perhaps. But it is you who are foolish to think that your deception and threats will deter us from our cause, Ja'nek."

"No," Ja'nek said arrogantly. "It is you who are wrong to think you will survive this encounter. Jaffa! Kree!"

There was a sinking feeling in Jack's stomach as he heard staff weapon's powering up around him. Teal'c didn't hesitate a moment to lose a bolt from his staff weapon, and it felled Ja'nek easily. Jack spun around and launched himself behind a tree, aiming his P-90 at various Jaffa surrounding them.

The shooting started almost instantly, zat fire and staff blasts ricocheting madly through the air as Jaffa turned on one another. The air became smokey and tinged with the copper of blood and burning flesh.

"Maybourne," Jack yelled. "Where the fuck are you?"

"Three o'clock," Maybourne yelled back.

"Get to Svetlana and Bek and cover them!"

Jack had barely yelled the words when the fire-fight stopped as abruptly as it had begun. He peered around from behind his tree cautiously, looking dully at the bodies littering the muddy ground.

"Teal'c? Jacob?" he called cautiously.

"Here, O'Neill," Teal'c responded.

Jack left his tree and carefully picked his way across to where Teal'c was kneeling on the ground. Ishta was lying on the ground, her eyes closed and her face pale.

"Is she alive?" Jack asked hesitantly, uncertain of Teal'c's relationship with the woman.

"Yes," Teal'c whispered.

"Garshaw is injured," Jacob called out. "We need to get them out of the rain, and somewhere comfortable. El'son is down as well."

Jack moved over to Jacob, grimacing when he saw Garshaw. She was still alive – the gasping breaths and weak moans made that apparent – but she wouldn't be alive for much longer.

"We need some help over here!" Jack called out, looking around. The Jaffa ignored him, tending to their own fallen in the eerily silent war ground, only the rain still hammering down answering Jack's call. "Maybourne! Come and give a hand!" he yelled, leaning down to help Jacob with Garshaw. But Jack was weak and tired and not the man he used to be; broken.

"Jack!" he heard someone yell. "Oh, God, Jack! Maybourne's been hit by something!"

In the forest with mud and rain and death Jack felt himself start to slip away. The world was turning grey and distant and silent as he stared at Bek leaning over Maybourne several yards away.

No chance. They stood no fucking chance. Everyone was out to get them.

"Jack!" Bek yelled again. "God, Jack, I need help! I don't know what to do! He's hurt, Jack!"

And reality came rushing back with the wet splatter of rain against his cheek and Bek's voice screaming hoarsely for help.

Maybourne didn't look good. His skin was an unearthly grey pallor, and his stillness worried Jack. Jack didn't actually like Maybourne, but damn it, Maybourne couldn't die on him. Not now, not after everything else.

"Oh, God," Jacob hissed, skidding to a stop next to Jack. "Jack, I have Tok'ra that need hosts and you have a man there who needs a symbiote."

"No," Jack said flatly. "No way in hell."

"It's the only way he stands a chance, Jack!" Jacob snapped.

"No. Maybourne would not want a… a THING in his head," Jack disagreed vehemently.

"He'd rather die than be blended?" Jacob demanded. "Come on, Jack. This is Harry Maybourne. From what I've heard about him he'll do anything to avoid a nasty fate."

"How do I know that being blended isn't a nasty fate?" Jack returned.

"Hey, I'm happy," Jacob hissed. "Come on, Jack. Either he dies, or he gets a chance."

Jack hesitated for a second. "If Maybourne wants the snake out?"

"It will leave," Jacob agreed.

Jack licked his lips, and felt his insides twist. "Okay," he whispered. "Okay."

Together they dragged the Tok'ra – El'son – to where Maybourne lay.

Jack didn't watch.

"What about her?" Bek asked quietly, her face pale as she nodded at Garshaw's limp form.

"The host will not survive – her injuries are far too severe. Maybourne will stand a greater chance with El'son than with Garshaw," Jacob said quietly.

"What about with me?" Bek asked.

"What?" Jack demanded, grabbing hold of her arm, slick with rain and blood and mud. "What the hell are you thinking?"

"I'll do it," Bek said firmly. "I want to do it."

"BEK! No!"

"But she's DYING, Jack!"

"Bek, you have no idea what those things do to you!"

"What about Jacob and Selmak?" she countered angrily. "I want to do this!"

Jack hesitated, and then let go of her arm. He didn't watch as the symbiote transferred hosts; the gagging noises made him want to retch and he remembered fighting and drowning and losing control and the burning darkness in his mind that controlled him.

"Easy, Bek, easy. Garshaw?" Jacob asked gently.

"We are fine, Selmak. We must rest now."

Jack turned and looked down at the girl lying in the mud with her eyes shut and blood on her lips and the rain kept falling harder and harder.

What the fuck had he just done?

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