Second Chance

Part VI

1 Hour earlier

Verasen dialled the gate as Garshaw had instructed him, this whole clone business had un-nerved him from the start, not that he wasn't grateful that he Tok'Ra had their fallen back, but he had seen something like this happening, " There's always a chance that they are Za'taarc's also my friend " He said, answering his host's confusion.

" There's not much we can do about that now, all we can do is deal with the problem at hand " Cameron advised him, he had agreed with his symbiote whole heartedly, but it was no good dwelling in the past.

Verasen imputed the Tau'Ri symbols into the DHD and watched the Chaapa'ai spring to life, as ever Walter sat in the control centre and announced that the Tok'Ra IDC had been received. General Jack O'Neill looked at the figure on the view screen in front of him for a moment, it didn't take long to guess which one had control of the person in front of him.

" Hey Verasen, what can the Tau'Ri do for you today my friend ? " Jack had a huge smile on his face as he asked his question which totally threw Vorasen's train of thought for a little while.

" Um, yes, Hello General O'Neill, Master Garshaw has asked me to contact you, she wishes to speak with you", The young centurion explained Nervously, he was not used to this man being nice.

"Will you cut it out " Cameron chastised his symbiote " He's a friend of mine so you've automatically been included in that particular little circle my friend", He explained and got an embarrassed " Oh " as a reply causing a small smile to play upon Cameron's lips.

" Now, do you want to explain just what exactly is going on ? " Jacob asked worriedly, Garshaw smiled and hooked her arm under Jacob's, she tenderly touched him with her free hand a sign of intimacy with her people, Jacob smiled, " If anyone had told me this time 6 years ago that I'd be sharing my body with an Alien and I'd be considering marrying again, well I would have laughed in their face " He explained to Selmak.

" Well it seems that Delek is not our Delek " Garshaw started to explain bringing Jacob back from his internal conversation," He is a Goa'uld clone " She bit, she was still angry with herself for not picking up on the deception sooner.

" Now I'm confused, why would he want to patch things up with Earth ? " Jacob mused aloud.

" Maybe to dispel suspicion from himself, more likely to, kill a couple of birds..." Garshaw answered and was cut short with a short burst of laughter.

" What is so amusing? " She asked, it was now her turn to be confused.

" That's kill two birds with one stone " Jacob corrected while grinning like a Cheshire cat as Garshaw flushed at her blunder.

" I see " She replied still a little embarrassed.

" Sorry hun, I didn't mean to embarrass you, you did use the proverb correctly " Jacob smiled trying to put his mate at ease, he was rewarded with a dazzling smile.

" Hey Garshaw, Jake, what's the problem ? " Jack asked his friends as they approached the gate, he could see a worried expression gracing both their faces, " This can't be good ", He thought to himself. Garshaw relayed the events as they had happened and Jack started to smile broadly, " Don't worry Garshaw, The Demetrius is not far from your location, you get to Evac in style this time my friends" He notified them proudly.

" Where the hell did they come from?" Captain Karistos asked his second in command as the gliders came around to attack once more, the laser weapons pecked away at the shields of the Hercules as the fight intensified.

" Shield are down 60" Young Cadet Wilkes shouted over the explosions and electricity crackle just as the bridge took another hit, the young man looked around the heart of the ship to see that it had practically been ripped out, his Captain was dead along with his 2nd officer and the sound of the wounded moaning and crying was to much for him to bare, he sat where he had been thrown and wept.

Somehow Wilkes hadn't envisioned his training would be quite this hands on, it shouldn't have happened like this as they had been notified that this part of space was pretty much neutral and safe, " So much for Intel" He thought bitterly.

Suddenly there was silence, no weapons fire, no sounds of the gliders whirling around the Hercules, nothing, had they given up? If so, why?.

" Hercules, this is the Demetrius, what's your status?, Hercules, come in Hercules", Cadet Wilkes dragged himself to his feet and made his way to the communications console.

"Pull yourself together Nathan" He told himself " SGC personnel don't cry about broken arms" He chastised himself " They're dead " Was all he could say before he lost his composure once more.

" It's OK son, helps on it's way " General Hammond notified the distressed teenager. " We can't afford to spend to much time here, Teal'c, I need you to stay behind and babysit, most of their personnel on the Hercules are kids still in training, the ones that have past their training are fresh out of the Academy" The General explained, Teal'c merely bowed his head in agreement and immediately left for his new assignment. George smiled as Teal'c disappeared in a flash of light, the man was in his 90's he had been told and didn't look like he was out of his 30's yet, because of this reason he tended to look on Teal'c as a son, a small sigh escaped him as he gave the order to resume their original mission, George didn't like leaving the Hercules behind but he knew Teal'c wouldn't let anything happen if he could help it.

The Demetrius was approximately 40 minutes behind schedule and from what Jack had told the General it was urgent that they arrive at the Tok'Ra home world sooner rather than later, " We need to get to the Tok'Ra base as of yesterday Lieutenant David " General Hammond stated as he entered the bridge.

" Sir " The Lieutenant acknowledged as she tapped the original co-ordinates into her console and the ship disappeared into Hyperspace bound tor the Tok'Ra once more.

" Where are they ? " Garshaw asked no-one in particular as she paced back and fore rubbing her hands nervously together.

" They'll be here, something must have happened " Jacob replied, defending his comrades .

" I've just received word, master Garshaw, the Demetrius has arrived and is holding orbit as we speak" Verasen advised his council members.

" It seems they had a little scuffle with Ba'al's fleet, one of their our ships are still stranded " Cameron added worriedly, he knew the Hercules was primarily a training vessel and didn't like the idea of a ship load of kids on their own in space, OK, they had T with them, but hey, one man or Jaffa on his own with a bunch of kids, well, what good would he be against a full scale attack?.

" It's not like Garshaw to be this worried" Cameron sighed to his symbiote.

" Delek may be a Cret' Ek at times, but he is our brother and he is Tok'Ra, to use him in such a way is unforgivable, I really do not want to be in the clones shoes when Garshaw finally gets her hands on him my friend " Verasen grinned, he would love to be a fly on the wall when that happened. Cameron smiled and silently agreed with him, he didn't like the little critter either, but as Verasen had pointed out, he was Tok'Ra, and hey, what's the worst he could do?, Cameron laughed to his little friend.

" Do not tempt fate my friend" Was the Symbiote's cautious reply.

" Come, we need to locate our imposter " Garshaw smiled devilishly, she was going to enjoy this.

" Well time to make an appearance " He left the armoury and went to find the team he had put together, he hadn't walked but a couple of yards when he bumped into Garshaw, Selmak and Verasen

" Ah, I was just on my way to see you "

" I bet you were " Jacob snarled at his least favourite person

" What's that supposed to mean ? "

" You know, I think maybe they made you wrong, I don't remember our Delek being so dull "

" Ah, so you have found out about my little secret, never mind, all this trouble will come to an abrupt end shortly "

" For us maybe Delek, not for you " Jacob grinned as he patted him on the shoulder, Delek looked confused as Jacob stepped back by Garshaw's side just as things started to disappear all around them increasing his confused straight of mind all the more, the look on Delek's face had the councillors and centurion doubled up with laughter and they too disappeared in front of the copies eyes.

" What just happened ? " Delek asked himself, but all he heard was his hosts laughter, then he too disappeared just seconds before the base started to explode.

Present time...

" Where the hell are we?" Delek's clone raged, it didn't help any that his host found the whole situation highly amusing, " Laugh will you? I'll show you!" He antagonised his host.

" You will do nothing" Verasen sighed contentedly, Garshaw had given him the honour of sorting out the Sholva and he was going to enjoy this," I need to apologise Anten" Verasen said to the duplicate of his comrade and promptly zatted him and the Delek clone.

Anten awoke a while later in total solitude, " Hmm, Hale'ur " The now free man sighed.

" Hale'ur ?" George asked his long time friend.

" It basically translates as heaven " Jake informed the the confused General, that one little word brought a broad grin to the Georges' face.

" Little things like this make the whole war worth it my friend". George stated happily.

" I couldn't agree with you more George " Jacob grinned, he hadn't felt this happy for a long time.

" No disrespect my Queen, but we really do need to get a move on " Delek smiled nervously, he expected a verbal tirade at any moment but all he received was a confused expression, " Damn that Jacob " He cursed under his breath " It means we should hurry " The high Councillor elaborated.

" Ah, still serious as ever I see little flipper " Egeria smiled at the sudden colouring of her son's cheeks and scowled at the Goa'uld who found the whole situation highly amusing, the smile dropped swiftly from his face as he realised he was entering dangerous water.

" Sorry " He mumbled almost inaudibly and suddenly found shuffling his feet very interesting.

" That suddenly sounds like a very good idea " The Queen agreed, she still had her narrowed eyes fixed firmly on the Goa'uld.

" At least he apologised " Nephritis grinned, her Cardia still made the Goa'uld tremble.

The Tok'Ra and Goa'uld made their way carefully through the ships halls, a ship wide search had been called by Apophis who was fast becoming tired of the Tok'Ra infestation, and to be aided by one of his own, well that was unforgivable, Zefran would pay dearly for his treachery.

" My lord, the Sholva have been sighted near the glider bays " Tanith nervously informed the system lord.

" Then why are you here?, go, bring them to me, I wish them to see their home world burn to the ground " He barked at the young Goa'uld " After all, it is only fitting that they should say goodbye to their friends and family " Apophis laughed evilly as he envisioned their faces as they witness the deaths of their nearest and dearest, " Oh how revenge is sweet " He sighed to himself, ignoring the objections of his host and sending a little shock through the poor man's system causing him to cry out in pain.

Apophis settled back into his chair and smiled " know your place " He sneered to his host as he once again cried out in pain, but as usual no-one heard him, no-one could hear someone who had no voice. Korfu had woken from his nightmare once, he had been at the SGC, Daniel Jackson had told him that he would be returned to Egypt and buried with honour. That he would pass through the seven gates and see his wife and children again, that he would rejoice with them forever. He had lied, Korfu had woken once more, only this time it was Sokar's turn to torture him. " I pray for death " He wept only to be punished once more.

" Stop you whining " Apophis screamed at his host, " Whining, Whining, always Whining", Apophis moaned, his host thought he had it bad, at least he! Didn't have to listen to all of this winging.

" We're pinned down " Anten notified his host

" I can see that my friend " Delek smiled and hugged his host, Anten tended to worry a lot. " I've forgotten how good it feels to be in the field " Delek sighed to his mother, he felt alive for the first time in an age.

" Delek, watch yourself " Egeria called out, but it was to late, he and Anten took a staff weapon blast directly to the stomach, Anten keeled over in pain.

" So cold " He said, his voice barely a whisper as his eyes slowly closed for the last time. Verasen managed to drag Delek over to where Egeria was taking cover.

" I hope all went well " Zefran sighed as he brushed his hand up over his head.

" I'm sure it did " A little voice re-assured him, suddenly he felt an indescribable warmth which he was unprepared for.

" It's a wonderful feeling is it not? " Egeria smiled ruefully as she held Anten's body, she gently brushed her cheek against her sons host's cheek, tears fell freely as she mourned another lost child.

" Forgive me my Queen, but, what is? " Zefran had never been so confused, it was very disconcerting. Egeria smiled, she remembered when being Tok'Ra was new.

" Your host, holding you " Zefran looked at the Tok'Ra Queen in shock.

" Is that what that was ? " He asked, he was still uncertain and very shocked at the news he had just received, his host smiled at his symbiotes thoughts.

" We should leave while we can, I will bring Anten and Delek " Jay gently prompted the Queen.

" They are gone" Was all she could say.

" The host yes, but I have, or that is Zefran has managed to place Delek in stasis within the body, if we are quick, we can still save him " Jay smiled warmly at what he had told the Queen sank in. " Come, we must hurry, there is a break in their fire" He repeated as he picked up Anten's body and led the distraught woman to a glider that he and Zefran had prepared earlier. The new Tok'Ra made sure that the Queen was safely aboard the glider along with Anten and Delek.

" But how will you escape ? There is only enough room for two".

" Do not worry about us my Queen, we will follow closely behind you in another glider " Jay continued to re-assure the flustered woman, " You must hurry, they are almost through the door, we will be behind you, go now!" Zefran pressed and soon the glider was powering up its engines, Egeria turned to check on her newest recruit only to see him fall to the ground as a Zatnikatel blast hit him. Egeria banged both her hands on the glider windows but it was no use, Tanith had hold of him, and that was the last thing she saw as the glider left the bay.