Almost 1 week later.
The Tok'ra had returned from a meeting with a group of military leaders. Legate Sokkolf had done his best to persuade his colleagues and superiors to attend. He had also argued on behalf of the Tok'ra and tried to convince the others that the risk of attack was real. Zarin and the other Tok'ra had given them all the information they had, as well as their best advice.
Neither they, nor Sokkolf had much luck. Only one of the others were willing to believe them. He agreed that it was sensible to put the planetary defenses on alert and recall all personnel currently on leave. The others had laughed and said the evil gods were gone for good - to believe anything else was superstition.
In the end Sokkolf had agreed to mobilize the soldiers under his command, and prepare to defend the capital. No one else wold follow his lead. Hopefully it would discourage Nephthys if she met resistance immediately. The Tok'ra doubted it, though.
The Tok'ra would continue to try to convince the government. Time was running out, but they had received word from Chairman Sholnek that he had managed to arrange one more meeting with the representatives of the rulers. Hopefully, they would be more receptive than last time.
"Only 1, perhaps 2 weeks remain before Nephthys arrives. In just under a week from today we will meet again with some of the statesmen of this world." Thoran said. "Frankly, I highly doubt we will have more success this time, unless we bring further compelling evidence...I think we should seriously consider revealing our true identity, considering how grave the situation is..."
"I do not think it would work in our favour," Zarin frowned. "They remember enough about the Goa'uld to realize we are the same species - we will have great difficulties convincing them we are not Goa'uld - and that we are not trying to deceive them in order to gain power for ourselves."
"...and even if they do not think we are Goa'uld, why should they trust us? They will then know we are not just aliens, but also non-humans." Jena added. "Having never met a sentient life form who was not human, they may fear us even if they do not think we are evil gods."
"I realise that, but I still think we should risk it." Thoran insisted.
"I agree. We should try it. At least they will no longer doubt we truly had the opportunity to gain this information." Malek looked at Lantash. "What do you think?"
"This approach might indeed be successful. However, it might also backfire and we could lose all credibility in their eyes. We would have to explain everything about the Tok'ra to convince them that we are not Goa'uld - that we are not trying to take over the planet for ourselves - and even then they may not believe us. I suggest we talk to Kori - Zarin, you know him better than the rest of us, how do you think he would react if he were to learn our true nature?"
Zarin looked thoughtful. "I think he would be shocked at first...maybe even scared, but he would eventually accept us. I am certain he would never betray us." Her head dipped as Jena took over.
"I think he suspects we are not who we say we are. He certainly do not know what we are, but he always gets a certain expression when we mention being Toven traders - as if he does not quite believe us...there is also the fact that I do not look a day older than I did when we met him 10 years ago...he suspects something."
"All right. Then let us talk to him first. Depending on his reaction we may tell some of the others - perhaps he can suggest who it would be best to approach." Malek said.
"That is what we will do, then, though I doubt there is enough time left to persuade both Kori and several others. Then have them agree something should and could be done...not to mention them actually getting around to doing it..." Lantash sighed, looking depressed. It was never pleasant to witness someone suffer at the hands of the Goa'uld - and even less so when it was avoidable.
Jena nodded. "We will contact him tomorrow and arrange for a meeting somewhere private. His wife must not learn of our true nature. She still fears their 'gods' and she firmly believes the superstition about the chaapa'ai bringing bad luck."
*You know...in a way she is right. The chaapa'ai did bring them bad luck once, and it will do so again when Nephthys starts using it regularly to transport slaves and goods...* Zarin observed dryly.
Jena mentally rolled her eyes at her symbiote, but did not disagree with her.
-
Two days later.
"You are what?" Kori exclaimed, shocked. Jena Zarin had approached him yesterday and asked for a private meeting between Kori, herself, and the three other Toven guests. She had said they had something important to tell him, something no one else could be allowed to know - not even his wife. Kori had been curious - he had long suspected the Toven of having secrets - and had agreed. They were meeting in an old bomb shelter in Kori's backyard. It had been built decades ago, as a precaution against a war which never came. Later his children had used it to play in - his son even had a small laboratory out there. Now, with his son at the university it was mostly used for storage, though.
"I said that we are not - quite - human. We are actually two beings; Jena, whom you have spoken to before - who is human, and I, Zarin. I am a symbiotic life form, living inside of Jena." She flashed her eyes briefly, then continued talking with the flanged voice of the symbiote. "While we are not proud of it, we are biologically the same species as the Goa'uld. This means we can masquerade as Goa'uld - infiltrate their ranks, and gain information. This is how we learned of Nephthys plans to conquer this world."
"...but...but, the...the Goa'uld...they were the old evil gods, and you say you are the same? Then...then how...how can we trust you? I...forgive me...my Lord?" Kori looked both fearful and shocked. Did they expect him to worship them? Why did they not just do as they pleased with the planet if they were gods? Why did they need the help of him or anyone else? Perhaps it was a test? He decided it was better to be safe than sorry, and started to kneel down, when Malek grabbed his right arm and hauled him up again.
"No! Do not kneel for us or call us 'Lord'. We are not gods - nor are we Goa'uld, even though we are biologically the same species, as Zarin says."
"We are Tok'ra." Lantash explained. "Members of a resistance movement fighting the Goa'uld. When we learned of the impending attack on your world we came here to warn you."
Kori nodded slowly, still looking scared. "I understand...I think. You are not Goa'uld, but you can do all the same things they can, is that not correct?"
"Yes. It is."
"Why, then, do you try to gain mine - and the other's - support? You can just use your powers to take control of this planet and send our military to fight Nephthys, if that is what you wish to do. You do not need our assistance."
"Did you hear nothing of what we said?" Lantash momentarily lost his temper, despite his host's best efforts to calm him. "We are not gods, and neither are the Goa'uld. We are mortal beings, just as yourself. We have no supernatural abilities...the Goa'uld use technology to trick others into believing they have magical skills..."
When Kori still seemed unconvinced, Lantash sighed. Having calmed down some, he decided to try another tactic.
"Think about it...your people have not always used maglev trains, lived in nice centrally heated houses, used electricity, and so on. Is this not correct?"
"Yes, my Lo...I mean, yes, it is. When the old gods had just left us, we lived in huts warmed by fire and lighted by candles. We had never heard of any of those things you mentioned."
Lantash nodded, satisfied. "How do you think one of your ancestors - living all those centuries ago - would react to light coming on by the touch of a button? To seeing a train? To long-distance communication?"
"He or she would think it magical - and fear it. I see what you mean." Kori seemed to relax. "Just because the Goa'uld have technology that we do not, does not mean it works by magic. We merely do not yet comprehend its nature."
"Good. Then, I hope, you do no longer fear us, or think us gods." Malek said.
"I no longer believe you are gods - nor that the Goa'uld are...but I must admit I am still somewhat...apprehensive...about you. I have never met non-human, sentient lifeforms before. It is...strange. It will take me a little while to get used to. For that I apologize..."
"There is no need. You have never before talked with an alien life form - that you knew at least - we understand that it takes some time getting used to." Jena smiled at him, having taken over control from Zarin.
"One thing...why do you change back and forth between...eh...that odd distortion in you voice? It went away now?"
"Usually the symbiote uses it when in control, to make it clear that he or she is speaking instead of the host - while the host talks with his or her normal voice. The symbiote can disguise the voice and speak as the host - though that is not something we do unless it is necessary. Like when we have to appear human or to avoid distressing those we talk to. It is considered subterfuge to do so otherwise - to pretend to be the host is...unethical. Since we can take control against the hosts wish - and without anyone around us knowing, it is of great importance to us that it is always clear who is in control. We do not believe in impersonating our host, and we do not suppress them. We only take willing hosts and we share the body equally. That is one of the most important differences between us and the Goa'uld." Thoran explained, and it was obvious to Kori that it was an issue of great importance to him.
Kori nodded. He was now convinced the Tok'ra were not Goa'uld and that what they had told about the danger from Nephthys's forces was real. He wanted very much to help, and sat down to consider which members of the government would be most likely to believe them - and not fear them.
After a little while he came up with a list of people who might react favourably. Thanking him, the Tok'ra went back to their room at the guesthouse.
Over the next days the Tok'ra contacted the people on the list. Most of the discussions went like the one they had had with Kori - though many were much harder to persuade. In a few cases the politician in question panicked totally and insisted on worshipping the Tok'ra. Nothing they said or did could convince them otherwise. Much to the dismay of the Tok'ra they ended up having to play the part - and order the politicians to keep the secret or suffer the wrath of their 'gods'. It was an intensely distasteful experience for them.
This way most of the week went by. In all, the Tok'ra had managed to convince a total of 7 people that Nephthys was coming, and 5 of those had agreed that she should be opposed. One of these was Sokkolf, commander of the military district surrounding the capital. Another military commander would station his small contingent close to the chaapa'ai. However, time was now running out - Nephthys could arrive anytime and the defenders were far too few. At most they would be able to buy some time to give people a chance to flee to the country-side. Sokkolf, however, was convinced this would be worth it - that it was important to show Nephthys they would not just surrender.