Chapter 61: Cure
July 2002
Deep Space Nine – Hammond's Office
"I have some news," Hammond said. "The Joint Chiefs have decided that while the time has not come yet for the Federation to be out in the open. That Starfleet should be made an official reality. Especially with the growing fleet of starships you are amassing, as well as the allies you have acquired. So the SGC is officially being expanded to incorporate Starfleet, with the intention that when you reveal the Federation, that Starfleet will move from a branch of the Earth military to the Federation. As of this moment you, Xander, Willow, and Joyce no longer hold Air Force ranks. Even though the U.S. Navy discontinued the use of Commodore, it is being revived for Starfleet since it was in use during the original series of Star Trek. Congratulations, Commodore."
"Commodore?" Willow asked surprised. Buffy had come and told her, Xander, and Joyce about the promotion and the fact that Starfleet was now an official branch of the SGC.
"Yeah," Buffy said. "Color me surprised. I didn't think they would do that. But it's a step in the right direction."
"And you are sure this isn't an attempt to wrest control from us?" Xander asked.
"The treaty forbids it," Joyce said. "If they do it is considered an act of war. And with our allies; the Modarans, the Tollan, the Asgard, the Abydonians, the Srrkarrans, the New Capricans, and the Cylons. It's a war they would lose."
"While the treaty gave me great latitude," Buffy said. "I did not promote any of you, remember as they would not recognize it since we receive monetary compensation for our assistance with the Stargate program. The promotions came from General Hammond. But with my promotion, I no longer have to worry about that. I can promote anyone within reason that I want, and to a point, they will rubber stamp it now. So congratulations, Captains. Also Willow, after the upcoming mission to P5A-448, you will be taking over as commanding officer of SG-DS9 when my promotion officially goes into effect, Faith will be assigned as my replacement."
Pangara
A few days later a group of delegates had gathered at the DHD awaiting the arrival of travelers through the Stargate.
"Calm yourself, Commander," Dollen said.
"We are about to meet an alien race in person for the first time," Tegar said. "If you are correct, they are more advanced than us and capable of being a significant threat. That gives me good reason to be on the highest alert."
"Since the discovery of the temple ruins, we have had reason to believe that there are other inhabited planets in the galaxy and now, finally, we have our proof," Dollen said. "I for one am relieved. The very first contact we have made is with a race of humans that seem to be very much like us."
"Maybe you trust them without suspicion, but I cannot," Tegar explained.
"Nevertheless, Commander, we must proceed," Dollen said just as the Stargate opened. "They are sending their most respected team of representatives. No doubt the leader of this group will be a brilliant and savvy negotiator."
"We must be at our best to match the challenge," Tegar said.
"Personally, I cannot wait to meet a man of such genius," Dollen said.
It was then that Buffy, Willow, Xander, Jack, Sam, Jonas, and Teal'c emerged from the Stargate.
"Howdy, folks!" Jack said as he and Willow walked toward the delegation.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Thirty minutes later, Tegar and Dollen led SG-1, Buffy, Xander, and Willow into a room that looked to resemble Japanese architecture—paper walls, lots of dark wood, and steps leading into the sunken center of the room. There was a large rectangular table surrounded by chairs in the lower level. A woman placed a tray with a pitcher of water and glasses in the middle of the table and left.
"Nice!" Jack said as he looked at the room.
"Thank you, Colonel," Dollen said. "We would be happy to take you on a full tour of our city, but first we would like to spend a little time talking about our mutual interests. So please, please sit."
The group moved toward the table and took their seats.
"To be honest, we are still trying to adjust to the fact that our, uh…" Dollen said, "Stargate, as you call it… is no longer a mere relic of a bygone era."
"Obviously, it was quite a shock when your communication machine appeared last month," Tegar agreed.
"First contact is never easy," Buffy said. "It would have been even more shocking if we had come by ship."
"Well, we are all very pleased to finally get the chance to talk face-to-face," Dollen said.
"From our study of the ancient temple, we have been able to deduce the Stargate was an interplanetary transportation device," Tegar said.
"But we haven't determined how to make a connection with the many worlds described in the writings in the temple," Dollen said.
Sam smiled and nodded. "It took us a while to get the hang of it, too."
"We know that the symbols on the Stargate itself are key, but as for the number and sequence to enter in the dialing device…" Dollen explained.
"We can definitely help you out there," Willow said. "Of course, that will be once we get to know you a little better."
"Oh, yes," Dollen said, clearly taken aback. "Of course. We intend to allow you full access to our… our citizens, our history, our culture, so that you may come to trust us."
"Speaking for myself and Colonel Summers, I hope we can reciprocate," Jack said.
Dollen gestured to an aide at the back of the room. The aide stepped between Jack and Buffy and set a small bottle of dark liquid on the table between them. "We also want to make it clear that we intend to offer all that we can in trade for any knowledge or technology that you are willing to share," Dollen said as Jack picked up the bottle and considered it a moment.
"What's this?" Jack asked.
"We call it Tretonin, Colonel. It is our greatest scientific discovery," Tegar answered.
"How so?" Sam wondered.
"Major Carter, from what you have told me about your world, your people suffer from a myriad of illnesses, many are untreatable," Dollen said as he stood up. "Tretonin makes our immune systems impervious to any ailment. We live in perfect health."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Xander, Teal'c, and Jonas stood observing a Pangaran man digging for a moment before turning and walking toward the nearby road.
"What is it you wish to achieve here, Jonas Quinn?" Teal'c wondered.
"I figure if we're gonna learn about these people, the best place to start's at the beginning," Jonas answered.
"I have to agree with that," Xander admitted.
"Earthens!" came a voice from the road. As the trio stepped on the road they saw a young Pangaran archaeologist.
"Uh… Earthlings," Jonas corrected as Xander rolled his eyes. He glanced over at Teal'c and Xander. "Sort of."
"I am Zenna Valk, supervisor of the temple research project," Zenna said looking the three of them over. "It is a pleasure to meet the explorers from the planet Earth."
"Well, I'm the only one actually from Earth," Xander said.
"However, we have dedicated ourselves to the cause of the Tau'ri and the Federation," Teal'c interjected as Zenna looked at them confused. "Earth," he clarified.
"Well the Federation is more than just Earth," Xander amended. "But Earth is technically the Federation capital."
"Am I at least correct in assuming you are Jaffa?" Zenna asked looking at Teal'c.
"Indeed," Teal'c answered with a small nod of his head.
"I cannot tell you how exciting this is," she admitted looking the three of them over. "We have learned much from the discovery of this site, but it must pale in comparison to what you can teach us."
Jonas shrugged. "I don't know about that, but we'd love it if you showed us around."
Zenna nodded. "By all means. That was my intention," she said as they started walking on a tour of the dig site. "We first discovered these ruins over a hundred years ago, and since then we've dedicated ourselves to studying the secrets the Goa'uld left behind. This area was obviously some sort of reception colonnade for greeting travelers who came through the Stargate. The real discovery was made just over here." She led them off the road.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"Although we fully admit Tretonin is not without side effects, we assure you the good it can do far outweighs any negative aspects," Dollen said as he walked to the table and took his seat next to Tegar.
"What kind of side effects are we talking about, exactly?" Buffy asked looking at the two men.
"Depends on the individual," Tegar admitted. "Most people experience almost no reaction to it. Those who do merely require more regulated doses."
"We'll need a decent amount for testing," Sam said looking at Buffy and Jack, both of whom nodded.
"On Deep Space Nine, of course," Jack added.
"Oh, yes. Certainly," Dollen agreed.
"Of course, we will need something in return from you," Tegar added. "As a measure of good faith."
"We've been authorized to give you these ten addresses…" Willow said as she slid a file folder across the table to Dollen.
"…And a rudimentary lesson in 'gate technology," Sam added. "These are all peaceful worlds, safe from hostile forces, rich with historical relics and natural resources."
"Well, this is a very generous offer," Dollen admitted looking over the file folder. "Very generous. However, based on our own studies of the writings in the temple, we have compiled a list of the names of the worlds that we would like to visit." He handed a folder to Jack.
Jack opened the folder and then showed it to Buffy, the writing on the paper inside resembled a central Asian language. "Do you or Sagira recognize any of these?" he asked quietly.
Buffy nodded. "Yes," she said. "Primarily these three." She indicated the addresses at the bottom of the page. "General Hammond I believe has them as off-limits. Goa'uld homeworlds."
Jack nodded as he looked back at the Pangarans. "Yeah, fellas, you really don't want to go here," he told them. "Not exactly a walk in the park, you know what I mean?"
"We know that the Goa'uld are a hostile race that once rule this planet centuries ago," Tegar informed them.
Jack glanced at Sam, Buffy, and Willow before returning his attention to Tegar and Dollen. "Alright, you're new to this so we'll cut you a break…"
"Those are the worlds we wish to explore!" Tegar said adamantly.
"We believe they are significant to our history," Dollen added calmly.
"Those aren't places you should be going to," Buffy admitted.
"Buffy is right," Jack agreed. "You don't wanna go there first time out. Trust us."
"If you have been to these worlds and survived, can we not?" Tegar questioned as he narrowed his eyes.
"We lost people on those worlds," Willow admitted.
"We are aware of the risks and believe the rewards are worth the potential consequences, as you all obviously do," Tegar informed them.
"Please," Dollen begged. "In exchange for the Tretonin, we are simply asking that you respect our wishes."
Jack and Buffy looked at one another as they considered the Pangarans' request.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Zenna led Teal'c, Jonas, and Xander across a low rise away from the remains of a small building where two scientists had uncovered part of a wall. She led them down the slope to where a stone block entrance was set into the side of the hill. "There is an underground tunnel system that leads to the main temple," she said as they passed a man who was leaving.
"It is most likely a means of escape to the Stargate in case of attack," Teal'c stated.
"Sounds reasonable," Xander agreed.
"That's exactly what I thought," Zenna said as she motioned for them to follow her. "Please," she said as she led them through the doorway.
As they came down the stone stairway they found themselves in the dimly lit tunnel entrance. Off to the side, a man was brushing clean an artifact. He looked up at them before returning to his work.
"The writing in this chamber seems to tell the story of the Goa'uld who once ruled here," Zenna explained as she walked over to a life-sized fresco on the wall as Xander, Teal'c, and Jonas followed.
Xander pulled out his tricorder and began making detailed scans of the fresco.
"We've been attempting to decipher this section of the wall for many months, thus far with limited success," Zenna admitted looking at them.
"It is written in a rare dialect of ancient Goa'uld," Teal'c informed her. "An account of the warlord Shak'ran."
"He was a System Lord, who was eventually defeated by Apophis about three hundred years ago," Jonas said recognizing the name.
"Indeed. Until his defeat it appears Pangar served as Shak'ran's homeworld," Teal'c told them.
"And what of the Goa'uld Apophis, the one who conquered Shak'ran?" Zenna wondered.
"He's dead," Xander answered. "Killed in battle not long ago."
"As I suspected, you have much wisdom to share," Zenna said as she noticed two guards passing through the cavern on their way between tunnels.
"Xander, Teal'c, and I'll be more than happy to help you out with the translation," Jonas offered. "I've got at least a dozen ancient ciphers I could try."
"Please, I do not wish to be overheard by the Pangar security contingent," Zenna stated looking nervously at the guards while Xander, Teal'c, and Jonas looked at her with confusion. "There is something you need to know about the Tretonin," she said quietly before raising her voice once more. "Please come with me and I will finish showing you the rest of the ruins." Then she looked pointedly at them as she whispered, "I will try to talk to you later."
Xander, Jonas, and Teal'c exchanged suspicious glances as they followed her back up the stairs.
"I will keep my tricorder out scanning discreetly," Xander whispered to Teal'c and Jonas, both of whom nodded.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
A woman was brushing dirt away to unearth a vase half-buried as a colleague watched. Behind them, SG-1, Xander, Willow, and Buffy emerged from between two metal platforms that had been set up to study the ruins.
"She said there was something we needed to know about the Tretonin," Teal'c informed Jack and Buffy.
Jonas nodded as he motioned toward a couple of guards who were passing them by. "She seemed really worried about these guys," he added.
"She was going way out on a limb just talking to us about something other than Goa'uld hieroglyphs," Xander agreed.
"Did you pick up anything from your tricorder?" Buffy wondered looking at Xander pointedly.
"Nothing yet," Xander admitted.
"Alright. You guys keep digging, see what you can find," Jack said.
"Willow, stay here with them," Buffy said as she looked at the bottle of Tretonin in her hand. "Sam, Jack, and I are going to get this sample back to Mom and Janet."
Jonas and Teal'c headed back to meet with Zenna as Willow and Xander followed.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Zenna stood near the fresco with a notebook and pen, deep in concentration. She glanced up and saw Willow and Jonas and smiled. "Jonas," she greeted.
"Doctor Valk," Jonas said returning the greeting.
"Please, call me Zenna," Zenna informed him before looking at Willow. "And who is this?" she wondered.
"I'm Willow Rosenberg-Summers," Willow answered as she gestured at the wall. "So how is it coming?"
Zenna sighed. "It's slow and painstaking. Any help you two are willing to give me…" she said.
Jonas held up a composition book. "Certainly. I brought these ciphers I was telling you about," he said distractedly.
Willow looked down at her tricorder. "There is no one in our general vicinity," she told Jonas.
Zenna looked at Willow and Zenna, startled before she returned her attention to the fresco. "What do you suppose this means?" she asked pointing at some symbols.
"You said there was something we needed to know about the Tretonin," Jonas said carefully.
Zenna blinked before shaking her head, feigning confusion. "I'm sorry, you must have misunderstood."
"No, I think you were pretty clear," Jonas countered as Zenna looked behind him and Willow furtively. "No one's coming. Teal'c and Xander are up there standing guard. You can talk to us."
"I don't have anything to say," Zenna said nervously as she tried to leave.
Willow pulled her phaser out and pointed it at Zenna. "Is there a reason you don't want to talk to us?"
Zenna eyed the weapon nervously. "I don't know anything," she insisted as she fled up the stairs.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Teal'c and Xander sat at the tunnel entrance as Zenna came running past them heading away down the road. As they stood to give chase, Willow and Jonas came up beside them.
"That was strange," Jonas sighed.
"What did Zenna Valk have to say?" Teal'c wondered.
"Nothing," Willow answered. "I even drew my phaser, not that I would have shot her, hoping it would give her an excuse to talk if some got to her. But apparently, she's too afraid."
"Maybe we should split up," Xander suggested. "Do a little individual scouting."
"Good idea," Willow agreed. "Teal'c, you and Jonas. Xander, you're with me."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Willow and Xander observed the Pangarans as they worked. "I'm going to check out their work camp," she said as Xander nodded. "Keep your phaser handy just in case."
Xander nodded. "Be careful, Will," he said as she hopped over the low stone wall and walked into the work camp.
Willow spotted a tent and cautiously walked in as she pulled out her tricorder and began scanning. She walked around the tent looking at the large map hung on a blackboard, the bed, and a table with books and scrolls. She walked over to the table and set down her tricorder. She looked through a couple of the books finding sketches of the murals in the underground cavern. She then found a folded piece of paper between two pages, which she opened and read just as a look of concern crossed her face.
"Right away," suddenly came a voice from outside.
Willow folded the paper and then put it back in the book. She looked at another book and found a colorful map. Glancing down at her tricorder she looked to see if anyone might be approaching the tent.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Willow carefully made her way back to Xander and slowly made their way away from the camp. "I believe I have something," Willow admitted. "She's on Tretonin herself. Looks like she has regular appointments to get injections," she said as they stopped by a set of scaffolding next to a segment of wall. "We should check out the place where they get their shots. I found a map of the city. I'm pretty sure I can get us there."
"Sounds good," Xander agreed.
As they walked off Zenna peered through a gap in the wall, looking worried.
"Rosenberg-Summers to Teal'c," Willow said as she tapped her commbadge. "Meet us back at the city."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Willow led Xander, Jonas, and Teal'c around the corner of a building and inside. As they searched the dark hallway they came across a set of bottles and flasks containing different colored liquids.
"Looks like this is where they actually make the drug, as well as administer it," Jonas whispered.
"This way," Teal'c said looking further down the hall. He led them down the hall and into a dimly lit room.
They found themselves on a second-story catwalk as they heard water churning softly, sending a shimmer of light onto the walls.
"What is it?" Jonas wondered as Willow and Xander pulled out their tricorders.
"I am not sure," Teal'c admitted as he and Jonas followed the two Starfleet officers.
"Well, something tells me this isn't the rec room," Xander quipped.
"No, it is not," Teal'c agreed as they reached a corner in the walkway.
"Below us is the water," Willow said holding up her tricorder for them to see. As they all look over the railing they saw a huge tank of water below them.
"And I believe I know what we're dealing with," Xander said as he showed Willow his tricorder. He had picked up dozens of lifeforms in the water.
"Goa'uld symbiotes," Willow said with a frown as they heard a quiet chorus of squealing noises.
"Who's there? Identify yourselves," came a voice from below them as an alarm began to sound. Behind them appeared Pangarans. "Stop!"
Willow lifted her phaser and fired, one of the guards slumping to the floor unconscious.
Teal'c pinned another guard against the wall and backhanded him. Another guard tackled Jonas and they crashed through the railing and fell into the tank of symbiotes.
"Help!" Jonas cried.
Teal'c, Xander, and Willow ran to the hole in the railing, the guard Teal'c had subdued followed close behind. They looked down and saw that Jonas was in trouble. As they ran for the stairs to the lower level a symbiotes reared out of the water at Jonas. Jonas frantically swam toward the edge of the tank trying desperately to get away.
"Help!" Jonas cried as Willow, Xander, and Teal'c ran up to the edge of the tank.
Teal'c and Xander grabbed Jonas's hand and hauled him out of the water. The guard still in the tank briefly goes under the water before resurfacing. Willow and the other guard pulled him out of the tank and lay him down.
Xander grabbed his tricorder and frowned. "He's a Goa'uld."
Willow leveled her phaser at the guard on the floor and fingered the level to maximum.
"Lower your weapon!" the initial guard ordered as more of the Pangaran security forces drew their weapons and aimed them at Willow.
"This man is a Goa'uld," Teal'c informed them.
Jonas shook his head. "Something's not right. This guy's completely out of it."
"Lower your weapon now," the guard ordered again.
"Go ahead, Will," Xander said. "I think Jonas is right something is going on more than the fact that they have Goa'uld symbiotes.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Tegar and Dollen walked into the room where they had talked with Willow, Buffy, Jack, and Sam earlier in the day, they were followed by several sentries.
"Would you care to tell us what you were doing in the Tretonin facility?" Tegar asked.
"You wanna tell us why you have a pool full of Goa'uld symbiotes?!" Jack asked angrily.
"You have betrayed our openness with you," Dollen informed them.
"Openness," Jack said incredulously. "You're raising Goa'ulds! When were you gonna tell us that?"
"The symbiotes are a critical component to making Tretonin," Dollen said like that explained everything.
Buffy shook her head. "Excuse me?"
"It is a complicated process, one which is better explained by our scientists," Dollen explained. "Quite frankly, we intended to tell you how the Tretonin was made. Eventually. We just wanted to first assess how you might react."
"Not well," Xander admitted.
"I don't know why you're taking such offense," Tegar admitted. "You've told us yourselves; the Goa'uld are mortal enemies who've enslaved countless humans. Where is the harm in using them to enhance our quality of life?"
It was at that moment that Buffy's eyes glowed. "Do you understand the risks involved?" she asked.
Dollen and Tegar looked at each other with wide eyes and then took a step back from Buffy.
"I am Sagira of the Tok'ra," Buffy informed them. "We are allies of the Tau'ri and the Federation."
"Please answer Sagira's question," Willow pleaded.
"We have been using the same method to produce Tretonin for nearly thirty years," Dollen admitted. "We take every precaution possible to protect our people."
"How were these symbiotes procured?" Teal'c wondered.
Yeah, for people who haven't mastered 'gate travel, you sure got a lot of 'em," Jack said.
Dollen and Tegar looked at each other knowing that they had just been busted.
"Just so you know if you want any further information from us about the Stargate," Xander said looking at the Pangarans. "That you are going to have to come clean."
"We have already told you everything that is necessary," Tegar answered.
"Tegar," Dollen interjected as he looked at his fellow Pangaran. "They are right. There is no reason to keep more secrets."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Dollen and Tegar led Xander, Willow, Buffy, and SG-1 down a long corridor lined with doors and windows. "The drug was developed, and is now manufactured and administered, here," Dollen explained. "And since its use has spread to more of the general population, we've implemented other treatment centers throughout Pangar, as well." He gestured to the door ahead. "Now, here is the reason we were able to create Tretonin in the first place. The symbiotes were not procured through 'gate travel.'"
They walked into the room that was bare but for a few pieces of equipment.
"Our symbiotes are all bred. Here, in captivity," Dollen said.
"You have a queen," Buffy said looking at the Goa'uld queen, clearly ready to spawn, in a barred tank on the far side of the room.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
The infected guard from the manufacturing wing lay on an examination table as a medic walked by with a tray of medication. At the doorway, Dollen turned to Buffy. "Is there nothing you can do to help him?" he asked.
"It is as though the symbiote within this man has taken a host before it was mature enough to do so," Buffy said as Willow, Xander, and SG-1 stood behind her. "Yet tricorder scans indicate it to be a full-grown adult."
"Sagira, can you account for its lack of identity?" Sam wondered.
"As you know, memory is passed on genetically by the queen, allowing them to be born with the collective knowledge of their lineage," Buffy answered. "It is possible that the queen that spawned him was unable to pass on this information to her progeny."
"Unable?" Xander asked.
"The knowledge imparted upon her young by a queen is done so voluntarily," Buffy answered. "In this case, if nothing were passed on to the symbiote it would be, as you say, an empty vessel."
"If we contacted the Tok'ra could they remove it without harming the host?" Willow wondered.
"Possibly," Buffy said reluctantly. "Although such a procedure would be dangerous. We would like to see the queen that spawned this Goa'uld."
"What's his condition?" Sam asked looking at Dollen.
"Well, his lower brain functions seem to be intact, his breathing and heart rate are normal, but he is completely unresponsive to any stimulus," Dollen admitted.
"That doesn't make sense," Willow admitted confused.
"Teal'c, if you would, please explain to Dollen why the Jaffa were created," Buffy said.
Teal'c nodded. "Of course, Sagira of the Tok'ra," he agreed as he turned toward Dollen. "Prior to the process of incubating Goa'uld symbiotes using Jaffa, the blending between Goa'uld and host had only a one in two chance of success. Jaffa was created for the very reason of improving the ability of the symbiotes to take human hosts."
"So the fact that this symbiote was raised in a tank could explain the coma-like state," Xander said in understanding.
"No, Xander. A failed blending results in death to both Goa'uld and the host. If I had been unable to blend with Buffy that would have been the fate that awaited us," Buffy informed her host's friend.
"Our understanding is that this is a typical reaction to contact with Goa'uld offspring," Dollen said looking at them.
Teal'c shook his head. "A Goa'uld offspring are born with the intellect and knowledge of the queen who bore it," he explained. "Normally, the fully developed personality would emerge, allowing the symbiote to control the host immediately upon blending."
"Glowing eyes, cliche behavior, evilness, that kind of thing," Jack clarified.
"Glowing eyes does not…" Buffy started.
"I know, Sagira, I know," Jack said defensively. "But you have to admit that is pretty much an apt description of the Goa'uld."
"Is it possible that the production raising process has somehow hindered the development of the symbiote?" Dollen wondered.
"I must see the queen again," Buffy said.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Zenna sat at a table studying her notes as Jonas and Willow appeared at the doorway to the tent behind her. Jonas knocks on a box atop a table near the tent flap causing Zenna to turn around.
"Hi," Willow and Jonas greeted.
"Hello," Zenna returned.
"I have an admission to make," Willow informed the woman. "Teal'c, Xander, Jonas, and I tracked down the Tretonin facility."
Zenna smiled ruefully. "Yes, I heard."
"I did it by going through your stuff when you weren't here," Willow admitted.
"I know," Zenna admitted looking at the redheaded woman. "I know what you did. I saw you."
Willow frowned. "I had my tricorder scanning for life signs.
"I wasn't close enough for your sensing device," Zenna admitted.
"You didn't try and stop Willow," Jonas said confused.
"No, I wanted you to know," Zenna admitted. "In some ways, I'm glad you did what you did. In others…I'm disappointed you were so willing to betray me."
"Y'know, Willow never would have done this if you hadn't come to me first," Jonas admitted.
"I should have told you outright," Zenna admitted. "I was afraid. Tretonin is not available to everyone in Pangar yet. Taking it is a privilege. One that can be revoked."
"So you were afraid," Willow said in understanding. "Afraid of being cut off."
"You are correct," Zenna admitted sadly. And I am afraid our peoples' relationship…If we ever are to trust each other, is not off to a very good start."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Buffy stood in front of the queen's holding tank with Xander, Jack, and Sam.
"Not a pretty sight, even for a Goa'uld, huh?" Jack asked.
Buffy nodded. "She is extremely old," she said sadly. "And she's been breading symbionts for the Pangarans for at least twenty-five years."
"Alright now, how is that possible? I mean, how does she make kids without a…" Jack said trying to be tactful, "…man friend?"
"Symbiote queens are able to fertilize their own eggs. It is essentially an asexual process," Buffy answered.
"That's why you guys take hosts?" Jack asked curiously.
"I believe her condition is the reason her offspring are not mentally developed," Buffy admitted as she ran her tricorder over the queen. "My scans indicate massive cellular degeneration. She is dying."
'Sagira,' Buffy thought to her symbiote. 'Would it be possible with Federation technology to heal the queen?'
"Hmm, possibly, Buffy," Buffy admitted. "She would need a host to transplant her though. And I know that very likely none of SG-1 or our friends are likely going to be interested."
Deep Space Nine – Stargate Control Room
Joyce sat with Dr. Frasier in front of a terminal as Hammond stood behind them. On the monitor were Buffy and Jack.
"I am sorry, Buffy," Joyce said. "The Pangarans sugar-coated the whole side effect aspect of the drug."
"Well, that's a shock, isn't it?" Jack said.
Frasier nodded reluctantly. "While Tretonin does appear to cure most diseases, it ultimately creates far bigger problems than it solves."
"How so?" Buffy asked.
"The drug acts like a symbiote in many ways," Joyce informed her daughter as Hammond sat down next to her. "Upon entering the user's bloodstream, it immediately takes over, completely suppressing the normal human immune system."
"The result is a powerful resistance to disease," Frasier added.
"But…?" Buffy said knowing there was a but coming.
"The healing effect is not permanent. And the user's own immune system remains suppressed," Frasier answered. "Basically, you have to keep taking the drug for it to work."
"Considering how it's made, I wouldn't even recommend making it for the people of Earth," Buffy admitted. "Even if we could make enough."
"I don't know how the Pangarans can make enough for their population," Joyce admitted.
"They don't," Buffy answered. "Only about twenty percent are on it. And they seem to be running into a wall as far as production's concerned."
"They sucked the queen dry," Jack added. "And according to Sagira, she's dying."
"The only way that could potentially be fixed is getting her to Deep Space Nine," Buffy admitted. "But that would require a host."
"As far as this drug is concerned, using the Federation medical database, I might theoretically be able to create an antidote that would allow their normal immune systems to regenerate. That said they would not possess the superior health that they do now."
"And how long would it take to go from 'theoretical' to 'enough for everyone'?" Jack wondered.
"I can't make any promises, Colonel," Joyce said resignedly. "Janet and I will begin immediately."
Pangara
"So you wanted the 'gate addresses to the Goa'uld worlds because you wanted to snag another queen?" Jack asked looking at Tegar and Dollen.
"We have no choice but to replace the one we have," Dollen admitted sadly.
"Exactly how did you get to this point?" Sam wondered.
"Sixty years ago," Dollen said as he took a seat. "Our archaeologists discovered a secret chamber beneath the temple. We found a sealed canopic jar containing a living female symbiote, perfectly preserved in stasis."
"Through our study of the temple, we knew the Goa'uld never suffered from illness or disease," Tegar added. "We saw this discovery as an opportunity to learn why."
"Of course, once the queen gave birth we immediately began experimenting on her offspring's physiology, searching for a way to mimic their seemingly perfect immune system," Dollen said. "After decades of trying we finally came up with Tretonin. It seemed like a miracle at first."
"Couldn't your scientists foresee the negative effects?" Sam asked.
Dollen nodded. "Of course. But what we couldn't predict was our inability to refine the drug," he said. "We were confident that we could solve the problems. We limited the use, but ultimately we didn't see why we shouldn't reap the benefits while working to overcome the downside."
"We know the risks in confronting the Goa'uld. But tens of thousands of lives will be lost if we do nothing," Tegar added.
"Perhaps you could assist us," Dollen said as he stood up. "Now, you have faced the Goa'uld many times. Your knowledge could give us a tactical advantage."
"No. There is no tactical advantage when you're dealing with the Goa'uld," Jack said as Dollen looked at her disheartened. "We've stayed ahead of the game only because we don't bite off more than we can chew…usually."
"Besides, we need to get you off the Tretonin, not find another source," Buffy added.
"Our scientists have been trying for years to find a way to reverse its effects," Dollen informed them. "We've made very little progress. We need more time."
"We have something you don't," Sam said as she smiled.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"This is important to you," Jonas said as he, Willow, Zenna, and Teal'c were hard at work translating the fresco on the wall. "More so than just curious about your history."
Zenna nodded. "As you now know, the Tretonin may not be available to us for much longer. And when we run out those of us taking it are going to die."
"Not if we can help you find some kind of antidote," Willow admitted.
"Do you think that's possible?" Zenna said hopefully.
"One thing I know about Mrs. Summers, is she takes after her daughter," Willow admitted. "So anything's possible."
Zenna shook her head. "If we could find a new queen…"
"Long term," Jonas said pointing at her semi-sternly.
"I know it's not the answer, but it could buy us a little more time until another option is available," Zenna admitted. "This has been my life's work. My father's life's work."
"Your father," Jonas said with a raised eyebrow.
Zenna nodded. "My father was the one who found the jar that contained the queen. He was attempting to remove a section of the temple ruins for further study when he, literally, stumbled into the chamber. Of course, he had no way of knowing that his discovery would eventually doom so many people."
"The result is not his fault," Willow informed the woman sympathetically.
"No," Zenna said softly.
Jonas turned away to look around the room and noticed something on the far wall. "Teal'c," he said as he walked over to another mural. "Didn't you say this temple was built by Shak'ran?"
Teal'c nodded. "It was."
Jonas pointed at the mural. "Then why does this section of the fresco mention Ra?" he asked as Teal'c, Zenna, and Willow looked at him giving him their full attention.
"Who's Ra?" Zenna wondered.
"Ra was a powerful System Lord, brother of Apophis," Teal'c answered. "He, too, is dead."
"Well, according to this…" Jonas said as he checked the mural against his notebook. "Ra used to live here."
"It is possible that Shak'ran captured this world from Ra in battle," Willow suggested.
"And built this entire temple on top of whatever Ra had here before," Jonas added as he translated the mural. "It goes on to say…something about this being some kind of prison or…or tomb…for one of Ra's enemies. Wait a minute." He walked back over to the larger fresco. "Here lies…Egeria…betrayer of the Goa'uld. May she…suffer…for all…eternity." He pointed at a depiction of a canopic jar. "Egeria." He looked at Willow and Teal'c. "Doctor Jackson's notes mention her. Isn't she supposed to have been killed?"
"Sagira always believed she was," Willow said. "But if this is correct then she wasn't. She was here all along. That she is the queen the Pangarans are breeding is not Goa'uld. She is the origin of the Tok'ra." She looked at Teal'c and Jonas. "Find Buffy, tell her," she said heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Jonas wondered.
"To save Egeria," Willow answered.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
SG-1, Buffy and Xander were gathered to brief each other on what they had learned. "Are you sure?" Xander asked looking at Teal'c and Jonas.
"The writings in the chamber are extremely clear," Teal'c confirmed.
"From what we can piece together, Ra used this planet as his base of operations in this sector of the galaxy," Jonas added.
"Centuries later a rival Goa'uld named Shak'ran captured this world in battle, forcing Ra to abandon it," Teal'c continued.
"The question is: do we tell Buffy and Sagira?" Sam asked looking at Xander and Jack.
"We kind of have to," Jonas admitted as they all looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Willow is going to offer herself as host. So that we can take Egeria with us and heal her."
"We have to tell her," Jack said.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Xander and SG-1 found her at the Stargate just as it disengaged, they told her what they had found.
"Your sure?" Buffy asked.
"We are Buffy Summers," Teal'c confirmed.
"I wish we had something to offer for the loss of Egeria," Buffy sadly admitted. "Mom and Janet are having trouble finding an antidote to the Tretonin."
"And…why's that?" Jack wondered.
"Based on what they told me it sounds like there is something unusual about the genetic structure of the symbiotes Tretonin is made from," Buffy informed them. "It should actually work better than it does. But they can't identify the defective gene that is causing its effects to break down."
"But we can say they'll solve this eventually, right?" Xander asked hopefully.
"At this moment," Buffy said sadly. "It's a mystery that they're trying to solve."
"So your saying both Doc. Fraisier and Doc. Summers are stumped," Jack said.
"Sadly yes," Buffy admitted.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Willow walked over to the tank that held Egeria. "I don't know if you can understand me when you're not in a host. I know you're dying. But I have a way of saving you. My people can heal you. I am willing to offer myself as a host so you can go with us. My wife is host to one of your children whose name is Sagira. I don't want to risk dying, but Sagira deserves to have her mother. So what do you say?"
She leaned close to the tank and opened her mouth wide. Egeria sprang out of the tank straight into Willow's waiting mouth.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"Someone has breached security in the manufacturing wing," Tegar said looking at SG-1, Buffy, and Xander who had come to give him and Dollen the news of their discoveries. He followed an aide out as the others quickly followed.
They rushed to the lab where Egeria's tank was and found Willow unconscious on the floor.
"What has she done?!" Tegar asked outraged.
Buffy knelt at Willow's side and immediately sensed Egeria within. She looked up at Jonas and Teal'c. "You were right, Willow offered herself as host."
"I still don't understand why she would offer herself as host!" Jack said.
Buffy's eyes glowed just at that moment. "Must I remind you, Colonel O'Neill? We can heal Egeria on Deep Space Nine."
A short time later Sam, Teal'c, Jack, and Buffy returned to the main lab where Willow was placed on a bed.
"I bet the Pangarans would give up the queen if Doc Summers and Doc. Frasier would hand over the antidote," O'Neill said.
"You think they are withholding the information because of me?" Buffy asked.
"Doc. Summers would do anything to protect Buffy. Which means she would do anything to protect you, Sagira," Jack said.
"I disagree," Buffy said.
"Can you tell me your not pissed off, Sagira?" Jack asked.
Buffy nodded. "I admit I am not happy with what happened to Egeria. But we have the possibility of healing her now." She looked over at Willow. "Egeria is awake."
Moments later Buffy knelt at Willow's bedside with her head bowed in respect. Willow lay on the exam bed, weak from her years of imprisonment and the recent blending. "Egeria, it is an honor."
"Rise, Sagira. You are not my servant," Willow said as Malek reluctantly stood. "You were correct in the assessment of my condition. But thanks to my host I will be healed. My host has shared her knowledge of the Tok'ra with me. You are beyond my greatest hopes and dreams." She looked toward Sam. "Come forward." Sam stepped reluctantly into the room as she moved beside Buffy. "My host tells me you seek to help the Pangarans despite what they have done to me."
Sam and Dollen cringed at the remark. "This has all been a terrible mistake. But not a malicious act," Sam said.
"Nor was mine, Major Carter," Willow said.
"I am in agreement, Egeria," Buffy said.
"My host has told me much of you, Sagira, and your host. She calls you Imzadi. I sense a strong connection between the two of you and the word," Willow said.
"You are correct," Buffy said. "Your host is mine and my host's mate."
"Which makes you and I now, mates," Willow said as she smiled at Buffy.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Zenna sat on a toppled wall that was half-buried in the hillside. Workers toiled at a column behind her as sentries walked through on patrol. Jonas came up beside her and sat down. "Y'know, back on my home planet, my people discovered a…a substance that had an incredible potential to generate energy," Jonas explained. "And after years of research, and serious lack of moral fortitude, they used it to make a bomb."
Zenna looks down, mildly chastened by his implied comparison.
"Oh, that'd be the reason I left," Jonas admitted. "But the point is, your people had good intentions."
Zenna nodded. "We thought we had found a cure for all disease. Now we may kill so many of us. I am not afraid to die, but I am afraid that my people will not have learned from this."
"I think they already have," Jonas said earnestly.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"I passed on the flawed gene that gave the drug its weakness," Willow said. "You were unable to construct an antidote because of the manner in which I sabotaged my young. I did it in the hope that they would ultimately prove useless to the Pangarans. I wanted to force them to abandon their research once the drug proved untenable. Instead, they continued to make it in ever-increasing quantities."
"And now they can't live without it," Sam admitted sadly.
Willow smiled ruefully. "It is not what I intended. That said they do not deserve this end, not when it can be prevented."
"You created the flaw. You can create the antidote that will save them," Xander said in understanding.
"When we reach Deep Space Nine I will tell Mrs. Summers and Doctor Frasier everything they need to know," Willow confirmed.
"Thank you," Dollen said clearly relieved. "On behalf of our people, please, forgive us for what we have done to you. Had we known, we—"