(Crossposted on AO3.)

Brothers

Delek rushed to the base, having heard that multiple Tok'ra had been shot by a Tau'ri.

Right before the supposed treaty, his host, Tian, thought in anger.

He was particularly worried because his last surviving batch mate, Ocker, had been hit. He had no idea how bad it was, how much he should worry.

"What happened?" He asked as soon as he arrived at the infirmary. He didn't see Ocker, but he saw others. He was alarmed to see Einar being tended to by Kelmaa.

They tried to kill Per'sus?! Tian thought in alarm.

"Is Per'sus awake?" Delek asked, seeing that his host, Einar, appeared dazed.

"He is," Kelmaa answered calmly. "He's keeping Einar's heart beating."

That bad? Delek thought with dread. He looked around, only now noticing Ocker's mate. She held a hard look while her hand rested on a stasis unit. A symbiote was inside, and as he approached, Delek recognized Ocker.

"Ren'al?"

"Jin was killed."

He knew. For Ocker to be in stasis and not in Jin's head, it would only be if Jin had died.

"He died saving Einar…and Per'sus."

"He was always brave." He looked to Ocker, thankful that he had not died with Jin. Stasis made him appear lifeless. He was still and straight from jaw to tail. His fins were flat against his serpentine body. His light blue coloring with silver stripes and freckles were similar to Delek's own pattern.

"We only have one potential host on standby. I…I ordered Ocker to be put into stasis…" Ren'al spoke stiffly, forcing herself to remain as steel. Professional. Serious. Not willing to cry, not even for her husbands.

Delek didn't touch her, didn't offer any physical comfort. It would break her down, and he knew that wasn't what she wanted.

"Einar is breathing again, but he's not safe yet. If he…doesn't…" Her voice cracked just slightly, and she couldn't bring herself to finish. "Per'sus must be saved over Ocker."

Delek made a short nod, looking to the doorway as the body of a Tok'ra was brought in. A sheet prevented him from identifying the victim.

"Who?" He asked.

"Chesed was caught in an explosion," Kelmaa informed.

"And Oka?" The symbiote.

She shook her head before reminding him, "We only have one potential host."

Per'sus outranked Ocker. Ocker outranked Oka. Delek sighed. One symbiote forever lost. The memories of ten hosts, including Chesed, forever lost with him.

And Ocker may soon follow.

"Freya?" He questioned as she followed Chesed into the infirmary.

"I will continue to investigate."

"Investigate what? Who did this?" His eyes flared in anger.

"I believe the Tau'ri in question was a zatarc."

"A what?"

"An idea that people can be programmed to act against their will," Ren'al said stiffly.

Delek looked to Ocker. "Jin might have been killed by a program?"

"I fear that is the case," Freya replied. "In this case, one of the Tau'ri was programmed to attack Councilor Per'sus. They had no idea-"

"They are here?" Delek asked. "Then we have potential hosts."

"They do not wish to be hosts."

"Do they not know that Oka could have been saved with a host? That Ocker's life depends on whether or not we find one?"

"They do, but they do not wish to be hosts."

"Their planet is filled with people. You are telling me that not one of over six billion people is willing?"

"Most do not know of the Tok'ra or the existence of the stargate."

"Hundreds must know. None of them are willing?"

"They have not been offered."

What?! Tikka thought as Delek felt cold.

"You are telling me that these Tau'ri won't even try to find a host?"

"I believe they are concerned for security reasons."

"Did they not come to us for an alliance?"

"Yes."

"When Tok'ra died on their planet, often protecting their people, I thought…" He shook his head. "You are telling me that they just let them die?!"

"They have no interest-"

"Stop talking," Ren'al hissed.

Freya retreated, giving her symbiote, Anise, control. "They are not like humans from other planets. They are very independent."

"A luxury afforded them because of our queen and reenforced over time by our sacrifices."

Ren'al began checking on Ocker's vitals again.

Delek stepped close to her, ignoring Anise's excuses. "I'll watch him. Go be with Jin."

She looked over, shaking her head, not wanting to break.

"Please," he asked, as if it were a favor.

She nodded shortly before leaving.

Delek looked to Ocker as Anise left.

He looks like you, Tian thought.

Children in a batch often looked similar.

He stayed with Ocker, glancing to Per'sus from time to time. The reports he heard were hopeful.

After an hour, a stranger came in. Brown skin and curly hair. He looked…confused.

"Kima…" Kelmaa said. "We don't know yet with whom you will blend."

He nodded, then approached the stasis unit. "Is this…one of you?"

"Yes. My brother."

"I've never seen your kind before." He touched the glass gently. "He's beautiful."

Delek smiled a bit.

"Younger or older?"

"He's about two seconds younger."

Kima grinned. "I had a younger brother who was a twin too." He looked over. "Are twins rare in your species?"

"We are all born in batches."

"It's rare for humans. Special. He looked like me." He glanced down. "I'm sorry. You are obviously distressed." He began walking away.

"I would like to hear your story."

Kima looked back.

"You obviously need to talk about it, and I would rather hear your story than let fear take over my thoughts."

Kima returned. "We lived under the rule of a Goa'uld named Dorwel."

"I've heard of him."

"We needed food, so I snuck into the palace, grabbed what I could, then ran." He glanced down. "It wasn't much, a loaf of bread and some cheese."

Delek made a short nod.

"Unfortunately, I was spotted. The Jaffa followed, but they didn't find me." He gave a laugh with tears. "I thought I got away, but…then I couldn't find Niray. I… I thought maybe he was hiding…because of what I did, or maybe he had also stolen. It was the only way to survive. No. There were other ways…" His face scrunched.

Delek didn't ask.

"The next day, his body was on display. He had been killed by a staff weapon." He shook his head. "I know he could have given me up to save himself, and I would have accepted it. That was our deal. Take all the blame, should one of us be caught." He shook his head. "Not take the blame for the other one." He hit the table the stasis unit was on.

Delek touched his shoulder lightly. "Had he given you up, I guarantee you, both of you would have been killed."

Kema looked to him, then sighed in resignation.

"Your brother was brave, and bravery saved your life…" He looked to Ocker. "And that may save his life."

"Hopefully…" He looked to Delek, "Joining the Tok'ra. Maybe it'll give some meaning to Niray's death."

"Ocker will help you."

Kelmaa approached them. "Einar is stable. Ocker can be taken out of stasis."

"I'll tell Ren'al," Delek said, knowing where to find her.

Ren'al was lying next to Jin's body, staring at his face.

"Ren'al."

"If you are here to tell me that Ocker will die, then just leave."

"Einar is stable."

She sat up quickly. "Really?"

"Yes."

She smiled, then took Jin's hand. She kissed his forehead. "My brave husband." She looked back to Delek. "He took the shot for Einar…but it went…through him." She cried. "If Einar died, then…it would have been for nothing."

Delek hugged her from behind.

She brushed some of Jin's short hair away. "Ocker will survive, and he will carry your memories, your hopes and dreams. You will live through him for hundreds of years."

Delek smiled. "Yes, he shall."

~Two Years Later~

Delek was furious as he stared at Kema's body. The back of his neck had been cut.

"One cut instantly killed them both," Kelmaa said. "They didn't suffer."

"They are dead."

"I'm sorry." She glanced to the bodies. "With such an instant death for Ocker, there was no chance to find…" She trailed off as Delek began laughing.

"Find a host? Where? From the Tau'ri? Hundreds right there, and you know kriffing well that every single one of them would have stood there and watched him die, so don't tell me that it's because he died quickly."

She glanced down. "The alliance-"

"How many Tok'ra have died helping them, on their own planet even. Since the alliance, have they ever once offered to even help find a host?"

"No."

"They demanded an alliance while criticizing our very existence, and now they demand our help while spitting in our faces. They are arrogant and spoiled. They have no honor. Eir and Toma have honor," he referred to their hosts. He looked to Ocker and touched some of Kema's hair. "Kema had honor. Jin had honor." He shook his head in tears. "The Tau'ri don't know the meaning of the word."

She made no reply.

"I want to be alone with my brother while I can."

"Yes, of course." She left.

Delek looked to Ocker, then took his hand. Do you want to talk to them first?

I don't know what to say.

Neither do I. Delek retreated.

"Ocker… Kema… My real name is Tian."

Delek was surprised, knowing how much it meant to his host to be sharing this.

"Toma is… That name protects me from harm. I hope you understand. I wanted to tell you before, but… Only my family knew. Than only Delek. It is difficult to share."

Ocker once had an Andran host, Delek thought. He would understand your beliefs.

Tian gave a short nod before retreating.

Delek looked to the form. Kema. Ocker inside.

"You may have been killed by an assassin, but the fact is, you were right. The closer we become to the Tau'ri, the more we die, but even that is not enough for them." He closed his eyes. "Even as I came to see your body, I heard them mutter insults. Snakehead. Goa'uld. I see the way they look at me. I swear…" He looked to them. "I swear that I will not sit here and do nothing as more Tok'ra die for this alliance. I will do whatever it takes to end it."

The End