Chapter 70 - Concession

Sam and Jolinar came back through the gate to the Tok'ra homeworld, Jolinar gently mocking Sam's exhilaration. *Perhaps I don't put as much support behind this Bra'tac as you do.*

~I have a good feeling, all right?~

Jolinar had a feeling it was momentary euphoria, but Sam didn't see that as needing denial. It felt good.

Reporting to the Council, she explained it briefly. Bra'tac and the other free Jaffa were not interesting in helping the Tok'ra. However, they would help themselves, and if the Tok'ra were doing likewise, they would work together. That would have to be carefully detailed.

Martouf and Lantash had to leave, but they sent message before they were gone half a day, and let the Council know—they had less than two weeks.

"Then negotiations, no matter the outcome, must begin," said Garshaw.

Sam didn't point out that they were essentially being given a mission when they returned to Chulak, asking Bra'tac if he would consider Dorieth a neutral location. He was both ready and willing, and so the entire Council currently on base made ready that very night.

"You'll help the Jaffa, won't you?" Sam asked her father as he prepared to leave. "They deserve rights and trust, I know."

"Don't worry on that," Jacob said, kissing her forehead. "Selmak is much intrigued by how you are enamored with them; we will certainly offer much to achieve this aid."

Sam smiled her thanks, and watched the Council disappear.

~It's like our baby, isn't it,~ she said.

*Hmm,* Jolinar commented, a little uncomfortable. *You do realize, that for that analogy to work, we are the father and your father the mother going off into labor.*

Sam's face twisted, and she tried to wipe the picture from her head.

Jolinar wondered what Dorieth looked like now, and what both visiting Jaffa and Tok'ra would think. But all they could do was wait. And pace. And frown, as Sam worried that emotions would elevate before either side realized it.

Then she paused, remembering that she was in a room with Vala, who was watching her behavior closely. "It's okay," she said aloud with half a smile. "Nothing's wrong."

"Of course," said Vala, turning her gaze slightly. But her tone was obvious; she didn't believe it.

"We're just worried, that's all," Sam said.

Vala nodded, but didn't look to her. She held a piece of her own hair, curling it around her finger.

*What does she mean by that?* Jolinar asked, slight frustration in her voice as she was distracted.

Sam didn't know. And she didn't know if Vala was trying to slip away from her, or if it was vice versa. Sighing, she sat and tried to think of what strategy might be decided on Dorieth.

*And is it not odd that the planet we happened upon during an unauthorized mission should prove so distinct?*

~Aren't all landmarks like that? What was Abydos, before?~

*True. We shape the legendary out of the ordinary.*

Vala disappeared when night came, and Sam did not notice. Jolinar had had the thought, *What is the most that could be gained?*, and Sam's mind had been fully interested.

The Tok'ra did not need war spoils, and their strategies rarely allowed for them. Ships, on the rare occasions when they were needed, could be acquired through other means than conquest. Everything else, they could make.

~How big is Quetesh's fleet?~ Sam wondered, and as the hour was late, she stared up the at the tunnel ceiling and bit back a yawn.

*Fifteen ships, at most?* Jolinar guessed. *Motherships, at the least.*

~What would the Tok'ra do with all of that?~ Sam wondered idly.

*Nothing,* Jolinar said shortly. *There isn't anything to do with it.*

The Council did not return that night. Sam and Jolinar stayed awake for hours, but eventually there was nothing more to think about and they drifted off to sleep.

Next morning, however, was not so dull. They didn't all come back at once. First came Thoran, grave faced but not worried. He came to bear the news, more Tok'ra would be needed at the planet.

"Trouble?" asked Jolinar, approaching him.

"No, alliance," Thoran replied.

Her heart started racing.

"There is some dispute still, but for this venture we are preparing a formal agreement." He sighed.

Sam watched as he took a few more Tok'ra up the rings, knowing they would be through the gate in a matter of minutes. Despite being the influencing hand in all of this, it felt strange to be standing outside of it. ~How can Martouf and Lantash appreciate this?~

*They must have more to their life than waiting,* Jolinar said, but could remember little of what they had ever said that would take up all that time.

It seemed a much shorter time later, though, that the entire Council returned. Selmak looked weary, but only barely, and did not sigh when Jolinar approached with eager eyes.

"You have done much today, Jolinar," he began.

"Then it is done?" Jolinar asked.

"Much, yes," said Selmak, eyebrows raised as he exhaled. "But first, Jacob demands a softer seat than those provided on Dorieth. A gracious offering, but the thought behind did not allay the reality completely."

Jolinar nodded, and they made a swift way to the mess hall, taking seats at the table Jolinar always sat at. She brought over two steaming cups of hareshna as well.

"This mission is now a joint one," Selmak started. "Your enthusiasm over such a long period could not but affect, but it was seeing theirs that...helped. The work done on Dorieth has been remarkable, considering the persons involved. We were met with courtesy even from the Jaffa there, and only slightly less from the delegation from Chulak."

"And how did they deal with those on Dorieth?" Jolinar asked, taking a sip of her drink.

"Like long-lost brothers," Selmak said, shaking his head a little. "Even though the leaders carrying the most respect on Dorieth are not Jaffa. Indeed, they rallied together as a force opposite of the Council, united in their desire to push forward on this mission."

"What did some of the other Councilmembers have to say on that?" Jolinar asked.

"Nothing, in the first moment," remarked Selmak with a slight snort. "They were taken aback at the power that these people had. As if they expected them to be downtrodden and quickly cowed."

"So there was mutual respect," said Jolinar.

"Eventually, perhaps," said Selmak. "The discussion surrounded the current position of Quetesh's fleet, compared to the presence on planets. An all-out attack is certainly on the books, and all forces are being gathered together. Garshaw had barely explained this when Bra'tac insisted that he be allowed to let his people board these ships."

"Ah," said Jolinar. She and Sam could both guess how Garshaw might react.

"Much more discussion was needed," Selmak said pointedly. "The—Doriens, I believe you called them, and they have adopted for the time—they also spoke urgently for being allowed to return to slavery for this mission. They seek those on the ships who they know, and think that they will be able to provide distraction and support during the attack. That prompted the Jaffa to insist that they could lead the slaves and what Jaffa would join to overcome each ship, if only they knew when they might board each one."

Jolinar sat for a moment, overwhelmed by the information. "Really?" Sam said, taking the moment to come forward.

Selmak nodded, breathing out. "It is not the Tok'ra way to have so many options."

"That's fantastic, though," Sam continued. "There are enough people to be a large fifth column."

Selmak paused as Jacob translated that for him. "So it would seem; if it could work in reality. Essentially, the Tok'ra will organize all proceedings as follow, to prevent rash actions. But they have signed an agreement that not only will they include both Free Jaffa and Doriens in the aspects, but the purpose of the mission will be to free all who are willing, and to win the fleet. The Tok'ra will only keep one of each type of ship and Quetesh's flagship, and the rest will be divided equally between Chulak and Dorieth."

Jolinar came back, skeptical for the moment. "How willing were the Council?"

"They bent with a struggle," Selmak said. "But I believe they saw the cooperation of our new temporary allies, more than the youth and brashness. The Free Jaffa and Doriens welcome the support of the Tok'ra, who have all the knowledge. That eases things considerably."

Sam nodded. "Wow."

"What do you think?" Jacob asked, as Selmak had no more to say.

Sam thought for a moment, Jolinar too, but then looked up to her father's eyes. "I hope it will work," she said simply.

Jacob nodded.

Jaffa, Doriens, Tok'ra. In speeding up this mission to destroy Quetesh against the plan, they had managed to bring all these three together. Had not so much disaster brought it, and so much possible disaster in the future, Jolinar might have been self-satisfied. As it was, she and Sam merely let the news reignite their optimism.

ooooooo

Daniel had stared at hundreds of documents needed archiving, no one to tell him to take a break while Sha're worked with Teal'c on her self-defense skills. So often he'd gotten distracted, following rabbit trails in between their missions, researching what he could. And then he came back to his office, and remembered that he wasn't the only archaeologist, anthropologist, or historian on base. And so, today, he worked on getting things organized, and he'd do it until his eyes told him otherwise.

"Daniel?"

The soft voice didn't quite make him jump, but it snapped him out of his focus. He glanced up to see Janet Frasier, her little smile making him wonder if it was the second time she'd had to say his name. "Hi," said Daniel, looking up. "Did I forget something?"

"No," she said, "I just had a question for you." She stepped forward, resting her hands on the chair back in front of her, her smile fading. "It's going to be Cassie's birthday in two days."

Daniel was about to give his congratulations, but Janet had almost sighed those words. He nodded once, remembering Sam with a twist of his heart.

"Things have been bad enough as it is, but this is her first birthday on Earth," Janet continued, her lips pursing so that she could keep her composure. "And since Sam can't be here like she promised, I want her to not notice. If I hold the party here, do you think your whole team will attend?"

Daniel nodded quickly, understanding her request. "Of course. We haven't had a team night in a while, so this will be a welcome break. But, if you hold it at a nearby park, maybe, instead of here, then the families can come. I'm sure Cassie would enjoy seeing the Dixons."

Janet nodded. "I didn't think of that, thank you, Daniel. I'd like it to be a big thing, not too big, but enough."

"I don't think that'll be a problem," Daniel said with a bit of a smile, remembering the last team night.

"I'll get to planning then," said Janet, a little more brightly.

The last time Daniel had seen Cassie, he remembered, she'd come to see Shifu but it had been a short visit. Now, though Janet didn't specifically request it, she was going to join the SG-1 family. Which included more than SG-1 now, and Janet and Cassie would join Jean and Kaleb in that. He only wondered why it hadn't happened before.

And two days later, as Clara Dixon blew up balloons and Sha're laughed and bounced them towards Cassie, just as delighted by their strangeness, it almost seemed like they'd always been one big family like this.

ooooooo

The Council controlled all aspects of the alliance, as they said they would. They first sent word to Martouf and Lantash, and as soon as he sent back confirmation and more information, the details started being ordered about.

Eleven motherships were to participate in the battle against Ba'al's fleet, surrounded by a little over two dozen alkesh, depending on how many could deploy in time. The moment Jolinar heard that, she knew they would not have a problem with sending such huge numbers to each ship that the true Jaffa would be suspicious.

The suspicion factor, however, was most important. And Sam and Jolinar were slightly surprised when they were chosen to pay frequent visits to both Chulak and Dorieth to watch over the training of both Jaffa and Doriens. They would need to imitate those on Quetesh's ships, and that wouldn't happen quite overnight.

Having a mission again felt right, even though they were merely following orders on this one. It felt so right, that it was almost a painful reminder of what they'd originally planned when they saw Vala's face on hearing the news.

"This is so that soon, all traces of Quetesh will be gone," Sam explained.

"I have nothing against that," Vala said, looking at her with something like keen approval, in fact. In front of that was something more confused, though, maybe a little worried. "But I did not expect you to leave."

"Vala, I—" Sam started, not knowing how to react. Vala wasn't like Sha're, and Sam had made the mistake of assuming that she would be. Sam didn't know what she felt for Quetesh's former host. A niggling doubt lay at the back of her mind, saying that she could hardly feel anything if she kept thinking of her in those terms. But surely that didn't matter so much. "I can't do anything for you here, we both know that."

Vala looked at her sharply, but said nothing.

"How much do you remember now?" Sam asked out of curiosity.

"Will my answer change anything you do?" Vala asked back.

"I don't know," Sam said plainly, not letting the conversation drift too far. "Vala, you will need to make your own way. I hope you find enough of yourself to do that, and if not, then you can make more with what you have."

The look Vala gave her was one that said that she didn't think Sam knew what she was talking about. And on reflecting for a second, Sam realized that her words didn't have much. But what was she supposed to do? What were any of the Tok'ra supposed to do? They couldn't understand enough to help—it just wasn't possible.

"You won't be alone, though," Sam said, hoping that this was all Vala needed reassurance on.

And then, just like that, Vala had disappeared behind the reserve she so often showed. No words, no open looks. Jolinar winced at it, but Sam only sighed inwardly. At least she knew that Vala could handle that.

With that, with a regret that neither of them had time to identify, they turned their attention to the gate and all they were going towards, not what they were leaving behind.

The Dorieth sun was like a friend shining down on them as they entered the gate in the soft beige-tan of the usual Tok'ra uniform. It had been a long time since they'd worn it.

"Gladly do I welcome our savior," Creot said with a broad smile as he met them at the gate, offering his arm to clasp hers.

"Such words," said Jolinar, partly protesting even as she offered her own arm. "But we are pleased that you do so well."

Looking around, the planet seemed to shine with the newness of freedom. Everywhere the past marked places with evidence like scars; broken carts, cracks in walls, that still-half-finished temple to Quetesh. The Doriens did not point the focus on those, however. Instead, the village had been repaired and almost polished, and the roads and paths bustled with people willingly performing errands. Jolinar noted scrap metal being used to repair roofs already, and that was odd and yet endearing.

They walked past all this as Creot led them to where the leaders of Dorieth sat. Sam barely remembered Kronon, who had taken the mantle of Jaffa leadership on this world. Jolinar remembered him slightly better, but it was still odd how he of all of them had risen to the top. Sam wondered especially about Sheryen, but there was no time for that.

"My Jaffa will be ready to fight when it is time, of course," said Kronon, the first to address Jolinar. "But they are not ready to face their brethren with anything but weapons."

Jolinar nodded. "Our goal is to bring Bra'tac to you, or you to Bra'tac, so that you may learn more of the Free Jaffa. It will be his role to lead that movement, though, in all likelihood. For now, focus on maintaining your role aboard the Goa'uld ships."

Sam wondered that too, wondered about the numbers and the math of it all. Next, though, Nirishi was speaking to her about the Doriens. "How much will they be allowed to spread word?"

"As operatives, they must remain silent until it is near the last moment," Jolinar explained. "Only one word out of place might damage all chances, and with so many, that cannot ever be risked."

The more Jolinar explained, the more she and Sam felt that they were only just appreciating this kind of caution. The less said, the better. It just meant less opportunities for accidents. Trust was good, but their limit was with these Jaffa and these Doriens, not those on the ship. Even if they were Abydonians. Sam wasn't sure she'd agree with the Council on this, but now in the midst of it, she did.

A day later, when Sam and Jolinar were dealing with the Free Jaffa on Chulak, Martouf and Lantash sent another piece of information. This time, it was times when infiltrators could be sent to other worlds, where they might board their ships. Once there, Lantash had managed with Bra'tac's help to find a few Jaffa already on their side and aboard, and those would help to subtly rearrange both Jaffa and Doriens to optimal positions.

Bra'tac was confident that they would all be ready. Not all of those who volunteered could manage to look as if they bore Quetesh's mark on their foreheads, but that wasn't so necessary; she had other converts among her army as well. Apart from that, Sam watched them switch from role to role each day, and thought that even the Tok'ra Council could not be more pleased at their skill at roleplaying.

That night, they sat by the fire with Bra'tac, going over all she'd seen in case there was some small thing she'd missed.

"Jolinar," Bra'tac said, and she looked up to him. "You and Samantha are strange among the Tok'ra, are you not?"

Jolinar slowly nodded, mildly taken aback.

"It is of some interest to me that Tauri and Tok'ra, both only legends in my mind, should so join up as you have," he said. "It was what gave us some kind of hope, when the negotiations first began."

"We did not expect them to go so well or so quickly," Jolinar said. "Because it is true, Samantha and I are strange. We move quickly, we change, we trust perhaps too much."

"I believe I understood that after spending so many hours with your leaders," Bra'tac said with a slight amusement in his tone. "The Tok'ra are not willingly open. Some of my people think they have something to hide, perhaps a plan to take advantage of us."

Jolinar shook her head, brow creased. "No, that is not it. But once this is completed, I would not immediately count on any further interaction. Your involvement here is for damage control more than choosing a new path."

"Victory is all that matters," Bra'tac said, with a firm nod.

Jolinar didn't disagree. She dealt with other Jaffa with less trust in the Tok'ra, and the interaction made Sam glad that no one else was having to deal with the Jaffa like this. The smoother this appeared to go to the other Tok'ra, the more likely that Sam might convince them at the end to keep the pattern. Even so, she would be satisfied with a simple victory.