18 - Orders

~Year 1, Month 1, Day 7~

~*Sam*~

I rush across the sand, heading to the rings. They activate quickly, and I am soon running through the tunnels.

In the infirmary, Martouf is laying on a bed. I approach with worry.

"Jolinar," he greets weakly, even smiling when he sees me. Part of his skin is blistered pink and waxy.

Our loves , Rosha thinks in worry.

"You were hit with a staff weapon." I take his hand.

"That was unpleasant," he replies. "I'm afraid I don't look my best."

I smile as he seeks to sooth my worries. Almost a third of his chest is burned, as well as part of his neck, jaw, shoulder and arm.

"Lantash is healing me." The burns force him to mumble the words. "In less than a week, I will be your handsome husband again."

"That is not humorous."

"I am not usually handsome?"

"How badly was he injured?" I ask the healer, knowing that Martouf will continue to understate the seriousness of it.

"His airway passage was burned. We had to perform surgery to give him air."

I watch my loving husband wince as he is told on.

"Lantash is still healing his heart and lungs."

"Martouf," I scold.

"I survived."

"Would you have Rosha keep such injuries from you?"

"No."

I retreat, and Rosha softly kisses him.

"I did not want to worry you. The danger has passed." He wipes away our tears.

~+~+~.

The scent and sound of fire awakes me, which tells me what triggered that memory.

"Good morning," Lantash greets as he stirs a pot of soup.

If Jolinar and Rosha could see Martouf now, they would be horrified.

"Are you alright?" Lantash asks.

I wipe away tears, blocking Pete from offering comfort.

"You'll get used to living here," he assures.

"It's not that. I… I had a dream, a memory. One of Jolinar's."

"What happened to make her cry?" He asks in worry.

"Martouf had been hit with a staff weapon."

Lantash tilts his head, curious, but still focused on breakfast. He scoops some in a bowl.

"There isn't much more than that." I take the offered bowl. "Thank you."

"Tell me."

I eat some soup. I hadn't realized while I was still injured, but…it is awful. It's probably the best he can do in this situation though.

I tell him the dream in detail. He is fascinated. Pete is waiting until it's his turn to eat, though he doesn't seem to mind.

Malek examines the soup. "Lantash? Did you prepare it the same way we cook for ourselves?"

"No. They do not have symbiotes."

Malek tastes the soup. "Um… You still put too much oil…and salt."

"I did not."

"Did you account for the changes we have made to our hosts' bodies?"

"…No."

I laugh.

"What changes?" Pete asks.

"Enhancing attributes, such as strength or- That one is not for food."

"It's not oil?" Pete asks as he touches a canister.

"It's definitely oil," Lantash replies with an amused smirk. "It's just not for food."

Pete frowns, then looks disgusted as he pulls his hand back.

"That's probably the cleanest item in here," Malek says with a laugh. "I don't want grime or bacteria going up into Amb."

I'm pretty sure he worded it to get a reaction out of Pete while sounding as innocent as possible, and that makes me laugh as Pete's eyes widen. Malek's satisfied smirk tells me that I'm right.

"So you will be…"

"Having sex. After I have recovered. You are free to find another room to live in, though I would not advise it."

"We are their guests," I remind. "The Tok'ra aren't usually shy about sex."

Pete sighs.

"Is there more of the dream?" Lantash asks.

"A little." I smile before finishing the story.

~+~+~.

A few days later, Amb sits by me.

"Amb."

He grins.

I miss that smile. It's so different from Malek's, even if it's the same emotion on the same face. Even after a year of living through torture, he has maintained a softness. It's so warm and inviting. The shyness seems to be gone though, and that saddens me. He maintained it for over a century with no shame.

He laughs.

"What?"

"I don't think Pete would appreciate you looking at me like that."

I blush. "Sorry."

"I don't mind." His expression turns suggestive. "You look at Martouf like that too."

"Oh."

He grins. "So…when were you going to marry Pete?"

"A few weeks from now." I look to him. "I was angry at you after you were gone."

"I understand. I have gotten angry at people who died as well."

"I wasn't angry at Malek. I was angry at you."

He frowns at me.

"You didn't do anything wrong. It's just…I wanted a picture of you for my wall."

"Malek has my face."

I grin. "You know what I mean. You and Malek weren't around much, but Malek was still fairly easy to find. There he was."

Amb smiles.

"You stayed hidden."

"I'm sorry."

"But I found you. It took several hours, but I found you."

"You looked for my image for hours?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

I smile.

"We have our own confession."

"Yes?"

"When we first met you, we judged you. There was no blame. You had been taken as a host by force. We thought that would always taint how you viewed symbiotes."

"I suppose it did…at first, but..she did die to save my life."

"Later, you were attracted to us, and us to you. However, we dismissed the idea entirely until we saw that you had a picture of Lantash…but we still tested you."

"Let me guess, that's why Malek was in control at first?"

"When we were together. Yes. I could never be with someone who finds Malek repulsive."

"Black with blue tips. He's definitely not repulsive."

His eyes glow, and the smile changes into that lovable smirk.

"Malek."

"You saw me."

"Yes, you were…" I close my eyes. "I can't marry Pete."

He looks pleased, then respectfully turns his face neutral…which is adorable.

"Why can't you marry him?"

"You ruined all men after, remember?"

He looks at me with disbelief, knowing that there is more to it than that.

"I don't love him. I don't even like being with him. I tried to make it work. I lied to myself, and…I let him lie to me." And I still love you.

"He lies to you?" There is a flash of anger in his expression. Protective anger.

"Please, don't get weirdly overprotective on me."

"I know you can handle yourself with this," he replies with a small smile.

"Thank you." I sigh. "I didn't see it. I didn't let myself see it. I was so lonely that I was desperate." I shake my head. "He stalked me to figure out my job, and I let it go. When a neighbor mistook him for you, he went with it. To find out information about you. I let it go."

"This explains his behavior towards me."

"I told my neighbor that you were…sort of the best I've ever had."

"That really explains his behavior towards me," he replies with another laugh.

I smile slightly.

"However, watching out for each other is how we survive. He is under our protection for your sake. If Pete harms you, that protection will be withheld."

"I understand."

"Sam?" Pete is suddenly there, irritated.

I jump. Did he hear? "Yes?"

He looks down at… I'm holding Malek's hand. I pull it away, seeing Malek frown in confusion.

"What is wrong?" He asks.

"It's not something friends do."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry." I stand up, then look to Pete, who is angry and hurt. "Pete... Malek, can you leave us?"

"I'll see how Martouf is doing." He gets up.

"Thank you." I glance down. "Malek."

He looks to me.

"I'm sorry to you too…and Martouf."

He smiles. "It was an accident." He leaves.

I look to Pete.

"Sam…" He shakes his head slightly.

"I'm sorry."

"Do you know why he doesn't mind?"

I sigh.

"Because he still wants you."

"He's with Martouf and Lantash now."

"They still want you too."

"They love each other, and the Tok'ra are faithful." I'm the guilty one, and why am I reassuring someone I am going to dump? I sigh, knowing the answer. I still don't want to hurt him, but more importantly, I don't want him blaming them.

"Would it be safe to look around, get the layout of the place?" I ask the next day.

"As long as one of us is with you," Lantash replies.

"I'll show you and Pete," Malek offers.

"Thank you."

We go after breakfast, and he takes us to the main room. "There are four main levels. We are on the second, the most preferred level. This is where the rings bring in food and prisoners. It's where the water comes in."

Pete and I follow him upstairs. I immediately notice both a lack of rails and a difference in heat.

"Everything is hotter up here. This level is not a floor like ours, but made of various ledges connected by stairs or…" He gestures. "Ropes. Grips in the wall. It's not uncommon for people to be thrown off this level or to simply fall to their deaths." He glances to me. "Lantash lived here before establishing himself. If you can get to a ledge that is hard to access, you are less likely to be attacked by the other prisoners."

I shudder slightly to the full meaning of what Malek is saying.

"It's often favored by smaller groups for the same reason, though its usually ruled by someone high in the hierarchy. That's why it's not safe for you or Pete to come here alone."

"I understand."

We return to our level, which is a series of hallways and various sized rooms. It would be easy to get lost here.

"The third level…" He leads us downstairs. "No one lives here by choice."

The air is hot and humid, and I feel like I'm drenched in sweat. The people down here stare with fear. Many are openly being abused by others. I see a small group of people roasting meat over a fire.

"I thought only dried food was delivered," Pete says in wonderment.

Malek smirks as he makes a short, soft laugh. "People die all the time."

"So…?" His eyes widen. "Oh."

My nose crinkles, wondering… Should I pity the people so desperate…or did they murder someone for the food?

"Some of the groups here can mostly defend themselves, but they have still been forced to live here," Malek continues as he walks off.

"Insects," Pete says as he slaps his arm.

"They mostly live on the forth level, but they are abundant here as well."

I feel a few bites as Malek gives us a tour. The level is very similar to our own.

"The forth level?" I ask. "Is it like this one?"

"Wet and covered in mold." He looks to us. "I would strongly suggest you avoid the place. I went down there once for my own tour. The air will kill you. Not immediately, but it is mildly toxic."

"Good to know."

~Year 1, Month 1, Day 13~

~*Malek*~

Sam has not yet broken up with Pete, but while I haven't told Martouf…

"Their relationship will soon be over."

"Shh. He doesn't know yet.

"How? She's become more distant with him." He grins slightly.

"Can you not be that happy with the news?"

"Why? He is possessive of her in front of us. What don't we see?" He shakes his head as his eyes flash. "She would be better off with us."

I take his hands, knowing he means the four of us. "Maybe in time, but they do have to break up first, and breaking with him does not mean she'll come to us."

"She's better alone than with him or with someone who isn't possessive. I want to see her happy. The way you make us happy. He doesn't-"

I freeze when I hear footsteps scurry away.

His eyes glow. Lantash goes to the doorway to check, then looks back.

"Was it him?"

"Yes," he replies furiously.

"How much did he hear?"

Lantash leaves.

I follow.

"Pete!" Lantash yells angrily.

"Lantash," I say calmly.

"Answer me…now Pete!"

Pete comes back. "I knew you wanted-"

Lantash grabs and slams him to the wall.

Pete helplessly tries to push him off.

"You have been specifically told to stay away from the calming room!"

Sam runs over, as she can obviously hear him. I'm sure most of the prison can.

Lantash pulls a knife, but I can see his intent is not to harm Pete.

"Lantash." Sam is alarmed.

"If I find you near it again…" He points the knife at his face. "I will cut your throat."

Pete's eyes are wide with fear.

Lantash releases him, then backhands him. I can see he held back, and that he takes no joy in it.

"You will never disobey us again."

Pete nods.

"Do you understand?!"

"Yes-yes," he stammers.

"Go to our room!"

Pete scurries off.

Lantash goes back to the calming room. Sam and I both follow.

"Lantash…" Sam is angry.

He looks back to her.

She closes her eyes briefly before going to him. When she sees his pain, she hugs him.

"Samantha." He hugs her. "I'm sorry, but we cannot display any weaknesses."

"It was alarming to see you act like that," she admits. "I understand why. It just…"

It wasn't just alarming I can see that it scared her.

"That order is for a reason." He looks to her. "This is where Martouf feels safe. This room. If he is confused and Pete is near-"

"I understand."

"And Martouf cannot be worried that Pete is near while he's drawing. That's…private. Very private." He shakes his head. "I will not allow Pete to risk the sanity of my host."

"I'll talk to him." She shakes her head.

"He's obviously jealous. He was jealous as soon as he recognized us."

"What?" She frowns.

"Martouf and Amb. He's never liked either of them."

She shakes her head. "Lantash… I never told him about you."

"Of course not me-"

"Or Martouf."

Lantash frowns. "Then how did he know his name?"

She steps away, shaking her head in anger.

"Samantha," I say, then hesitate. "Pete clearly recognized Martouf. He knew his name. He knew he had been shot. He knew he was thought to be dead."

Sam left in a hurry. "Pete!"

Ooh, she's pissed, Amb thinks.

~*Pete*~

I feel foolish for having been sent to my room like a child.

"Pete!"

And now my Sam is angry. Her new boyfriend attacks me, and I'm the one in trouble.

I honestly don't know if I'm allowed to leave the room or not.

"Pete!" She comes in, followed by the two men I despise.

"Sam?" I stand up.

"How did you know Martouf's name?!"

"What?" Shit.

"How the fuck did you know his name?! I never told you… You found my pictures, didn't you?!"

The two men glare at me, as if I might attack her or something.

"I don't know-"

"It was locked! How… You saw the video pictures, didn't you?!"

Shit!

"You diiiid!"

"No, I-"

"How did you know Martouf was shot?"

"I didn't."

Sam shakes her head. "That's classified information. We have someone leaking information. That puts the SGC at risk. That puts me at risk. Did that ever occur to you?!"

"I don't know what you are talking about!" I lie.

"Stop lying!"

"They are obviously the ones lying!"

She steps away, and I realize she's crying.

"Sam." I approach her, but Lantash steps between us.

"It's over," she says.

"No. Please." Lantash blocks me from even reaching for her, and there is nothing I can do. My arm and body still ache. My head throbs.

"Lantash, I can take care of this myself," Sam says.

He looks back to her, then gives a slight nod before stepping away.

"Thank you." She gives him a soft smile, though she's still crying. My heart is breaking and… No. This cannot be. She is not theirs. She is mine. I'll talk to her. I'll convince her that they lied to break us apart.

Later.

I still can't leave the room yet. Not without his highness' permission.

My Sam sits down, crying. I want to comfort her.

They sit next to her, and I feel my stomach twist as she leans into Lantash. Both parasites wrap their arms around her.

I fucking hate them.

~+~+~.

"What were the video pictures?" Martouf asks.

Sam blushes.

"I made some pictures from the security camera. From my room. A night that Malek was there."

"You printed pictures of us having sex?" Malek asks, both amused and surprised.

"I wanted something to remember you, and I figured you wouldn't mind."

I mentally scoff, but say nothing.

"Not at all." He grins.

"How many pictures?" Martouf asks.

"A…dozen."

He laughs. "Bravo Malek."

"I remember that night. Amb was involved as well."

Are they really going to talk about this?

"No one was supposed to know about the pictures," Sam says.

"Well, I feel privileged that you thought us special enough to print."

"It must have been quite a night," Martouf says.

"Well, if you are curious about it, you could always ask Pete."

I sigh, however, at least, I don't think Martouf would ask…but then his eyes flash pale gold, indicating that the parasite has taken over. I know that asshole will ask.

"So, Pete, what position were they in?"

I cover my face, furious.

"Twelve pictures. There was probably more than one."

"We did many things that night," Malek adds with a bit of glee.

"Which picture was your favorite?" Lantash asks.

"Stop asking me questions. She didn't mean for you to actually ask me." I am humiliated as both men laugh.

"Alright, knock it off," Sam says though she's clearly amused.

"It's getting late anyway. Malek, care to reenact the video with me?"

Sam laughs.

"If Samantha doesn't mind."

"I don't mind."

"Oh fucking…" I mutter. "Are you kidding me?"

~+~+~.

They are seriously acting it out. Malek is on top of Lantash, and their fingers are intertwined.

Sam has fallen asleep.

I glare as I watch. I've tried to sleep, but I can't.

~+~+~.

I wake up, and they are still at it!

"We didn't last that long," Sam says as she wakes up.

Amb laughs, but says nothing. Martouf is on him.

Sam eats some breakfast as they finish.

"I was surprised…last night." She says, looking to Martouf. "I've never seen you…entered before."

She's actually asking this?

"If you don't mind me asking."

"I wasn't entered. Lantash was." He grins.

"But it's your body," I blurt out before cringing. Why did I say anything?

"It's his body too," he replies with a slight frown, as if confused by the statement?

Does he not realize that's his body anymore? Has he been broken?

Amb leans against Martouf. "They don't do anything we don't like."

Yeah, right.

"Now that you are no longer with him, you could join us," Martouf says.

"We just broke up," I remind gruffly.

"What?" She at least seems surprised, which only tells me that I am right. They must be manipulating her.

Amb laughs. "Wow, you got right to the point there, didn't you? No flowers."

"Flowers? Where would I get flowers?"

"No jewelry."

Martouf grins and kisses him.

"I have to think about that…offer," Sam replies.

"Sam?" I ask. She can't be serious.

"Unfortunately, Pete would be watching," Amb replies.

Lantash takes over. "Would that be bad?"

"It might make him rethink living here."

"Same question."

"I'm right here. Can you not talk about me as if I'm already dead?"

"But…right now, I'm still recovering from…" Sam finally answers.

The thought of what she went through angers me. I've never felt so helpless before. Even when I was sure Lantash was going to kill me.

Amb moves to sit by her. "Unfortunately, that is something I am almost becoming used to. If you find us becoming too forward, tell us."

She nods.

~~Selmak~~

Revanna. The planet's name makes me almost shudder. So many lost that day. Why would Zar had any information on it though?

That worries me.

He came six months after.

Basically, right after Zipacna was done.

They both worked for Anubis, Jacob thinks.

Yes, but they didn't get along, and Zippy would not have thought twice about killing Zar. I frown. He found prisoners.

After six months?!

Well, he definitely has a sarcophagus. He revived 28 Tok'ra. They must have been last hold outs, trapped. I feel guilty. We abandoned them. I read… "19 were not properly revived. The symbiotes immediately abandoned their…rotting hosts."

I feel sick.

I think that means literally.

I do too. I continue to read. "The symbiotes were irrational and suicidal. They were exterminated."

Jacob felt a dread. Selmak… I don't think he used a sarcophagus.

No.

That might be the ancient healing device.

I frown, not wanting to agree, but I think he's right. The remaining nine Tok'ra were labeled as such. One through Nine basically. He experimented on them… Drove them insane until they were useless. Then he killed them.

Not quite. One through Three and Five through Nine were killed. Four just sort of vanishes, Jacob points out.

I look for Four, but there is nothing.

Selmak, if he has that device, he could have revived Amb and Malek, and he's experimented enough to know what he is doing.

It's not that I don't agree, but I don't fully register his words. I feel numb. We have no way of knowing who these Tok'ra were. Two died first, after a month of this torture. Eight lasted the longest, only finally dying after three and a half years. The records show that they didn't even have each other for support. They were each in a different prison.

Do we tell the Tok'ra?

We tell them that we suspect he has the device, about these prisoners. That's all we really know.