Chapter 15: Returning

Shorvek approached with a grin. "I have news!"

Jaydin put down her utensil.

"It's ab-about Garshaw! An-and Lantash and Malek!"

"Their ship was destroyed almost three years ago."

"They survived. Barely, but they live!" He did a little hop."

"The others?" Per'sus asked.

"No. Sorry. I'm sorry about Du'kar.

I'm sorry too, his host, Bandile, thought. Another batch mate gone. Now it was just Per'sus, Cordesh, and Jaydin.

"I'll tell Cordesh," Jaydin offered.

"Thank you," Per'sus replied as he stood. "Are they here now?"

"In the infirmary."

"I'll see them. At least, they lived, and we will know how Du'kar and Larshor died."

Per'sus went to the infirmary, seeing that Selmak was already there. He immediately noticed that Lantash had a new host.

"Archard?" Per'sus asked.

"He was killed by the locals," Lantash replied bitterly.

Per'sus internally winced. That most likely meant a painful death.

"They…also killed Du'kar. I'm sorry."

"Can you…? If you don't mind?" He glanced back as he felt symbiotes approaching. He saw Cordesh and Jaydin.

"Our ship crashed on their planet," Garshaw said. "Larshor was killed in the crash. Before we even had a chance to recover, we were being attacked. We fought them off and ran, but…" She sighed. "Lantash offered to stay behind to slow them down. Then Du'kar chose to stay with him."

Cordesh glanced to Malek, who looked away in guilt.

Lantash noticed, then glanced to Malek. "He was barely conscious. There was nothing he could do." He looked to Per'sus. "They had us for days." He shook his head. "I welcomed death, but my current host… His name is Raven. He offered himself as my new host." Lantash retreated, giving Raven control. "Uh…hi. Um. I was another prisoner."

"For what?" Cordesh asked.

"I am sorry I couldn't help your friend."

"You saved Lantash's life," Per'sus replied, "and for that, we thank you."

"I was in trouble myself."

"You still saved his life. Now…please, tell us what you wish."

"I was arrested after Du'kar… Um… I was caught hunting in the royal forest. They arrested me and my mom." He frowned. "It wasn't her fault, but… They still killed her."

"The royal forest is the only place for good hunting," Malek added. "They sit on a treasure of food while the peasants starve to death. They are no better than the Goa'uld."

"Garshaw and Malek were able to come back for us. Then…over a year of avoiding Jaffa and my own people." Raven closed his eyes.

"After that, we went to Woods, waiting for you to find us," Garshaw finished.

"How are the people there?" Per'sus asked.

"Friendly. Primitive…though they have to be," Malek replied sadly. "One of the towns was slaughtered by Jaffa because they tried to farm. That's all it took. A simple farm for some grain."

"It's good to see the five of you again," Selmak said. "We thought we lost you. I am sorry about Archard."

Lantash took over. "Thank you. Right now, I would very much like to take a very long bath."

Per'sus gestured that he was free to go.

"Thank you." He left.

Garshaw got off the bed. "It's good to be home again, but…yes, bath. Warm bath. Hot bath."

Malek shivered. "Woods lakes are freezing."

"I am going to live in there. For days. You won't be able to drag me out," Garshaw added.

Per'sus smiled slightly. "I think you have earned it."

She smiled.

Bandile sighed. Sometimes I wonder, what are we doing? All this fighting to stop the Goa'uld, but when they are gone, the humans are just as bad.

Per'sus had heard this before. One problem at a time, and not every world is like that. There are many worlds that have found peace without the Goa'uld, and there is always Earth.

The forbidden planet.

Per'sus smiled. I often wonder about it.

Do you think the Tok'ra will ever see it?

Probably not, but there is always hope, my beloved, and that is why we fight.

(I had the random name generator set to give me two names, well a first and middle, and when it came to the new host, it gave me "Raven Malik." I laughed and was honestly tempted to go with Malik.)