Chapter 11: The Tok'ra Part 2
December 13, 1997
Vorash – 3pm
Buffy, Sam and Jacob exited out of the Stargate onto the desert planet of Vorash.
Jacob looked back at the Gate. "You do that a lot?"
"Yeah, once or twice a week," said Sam.
"It beats the hell out of a shuttle on the back of a rocket," Jacob said.
Buffy flipped her communicator open. "Summers to Summers."
"Marie here."
"We've returned with General Carter," Buffy said.
"Understood. They may have to take him with them to do the blending. They are evacuating. They have reports of incoming Goa'uld. I had the Valkyrie go to Red Alert till the evacuation is complete. At which point they will jump. Dawn and I intended to return through the Stargate."
"Understood, Summers out," said Buffy as she flipped her communicator closed.
"You sure this is another planet? It looks like Earth," said Jacob.
"Actually do to its location, I would say it's likely Vulcan," said Buffy.
"From what we figure though the Stargate system was built specifically to transport humans or something close to humans in physiology," said Sam. "So it seems to go mostly to places where the environment supports human life."
Tok'ra Base – 3:15 pm
Buffy, Sam and Jacob materialize in the ring transporter inside the Tok'ra base.
"Buffy!"
Buffy smiled as Dawn ran up to her and hugged.
"Marie said you were back," said Dawn. She then turned and saluted Jacob. "Padawan Dawn Summers of the Jedi Order."
"At ease," said Jacob. He looked at Buffy. "So you have Jedi also from the Halloween event?"
"Two currently, but yes," said Buffy. She looked toward her sister. "Where is Garshaw?"
"Last I saw her, in the council chambers," answered Dawn.
"Okay, Dawn take Sam and Jacob to Selmak," said Buffy as she hurried off in a different direction.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Dawn, Jacob and Sam walked into Selmak's room where they found Martouf waiting and two women fanning Selmak and administering to the dying Tok'ra.
"You have returned," said Martouf.
"Yes. This is my father, Jacob Carter," said Sam.
"Honoured," said Martouf, then his ducked to his chest for but a moment. "I am Martouf."
"Why does he talk like that?" asked Jacob.
"He's a Tok'ra, Dad. I told you about them," said Sam.
"Oh, so these are the aliens you were telling me about?" asked Jacob.
"Well, I don't know if I'd call them aliens, sort of half alien I guess," said Sam. "I mean, the outside is human, and the inside is shared between a human and a symbiote. Martouf is actually two different…souls, I guess, sharing the same body."
Dawn's eyes glowed. "That analogy is good as any, Captain Carter."
Jacob's eyes went wide.
"Meet Jolinar dad," said Sam. "It's because of the symbiot that is in Padawan Summers that we know about the Tok'ra."
"So," Jacob said as he looked at Dawn. "That's what you want me to become?" He then looked toward the elderly woman on the bed and raises his eyebrows. "You got to be kidding me."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"Marie," said Buffy as she came upon Marie in one of the tunnels. "Fill me in, how were they discovered?"
"I'm not one hundred percent sure," said Marie. "I have been trying to get an emotional read on everyone to ascertain if they have a spy. I have a likely suspect but without proof I can't tell for sure."
"I take it someone is hiding something from you?" Buffy asked.
"From me specifically, I doubt it. I don't think Millennials exist in this universe or I think Fate would have paid me a visit if they did," said Marie. "I think it's more something that someone wants to hide possibly from the Tok'ra."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"I'm not sure I can do this, Sam," said Jacob.
"No one wishes to pressure you in any way, sir. The decision is yours, but before deciding, might I suggest that you— you take a moment to get to know the symbiote that wishes to blend with you," said Martouf.
"This is her?" asked Jacob motioning toward Selmak.
"The symbiot you would blend with is inside, Saroosh," said Dawn. "What you see is the host."
"Inside her," said Jacob.
"Talk to her, Dad," suggested Sam. "Get to know her."
Selmak opened her eyes and looked at Jacob. "If you agree to the blending, we could be together for a very long time," she said as she coughed.
"You don't look so good," said Jacob.
"You are no vision of beauty yourself, sir!"
Jacob laughed, but it deteriorated into a cough. "It's all right, sorry."
"I'm the one to whom you should be talking," said Selmak.
"You are the one I'm talking to. Why, why did your voice change like that?" asked Jacob confused.
"You are speaking to the host now, Jacob Carter," said Dawn. "Her name is Saroosh."
"I am in the position to help you most," said Selmak.
"How's that?" he wondered.
"I will die, Selmak will live on, you will take my place as host," said Selmak.
"Um, I don't understand," Jacob said confused.
"Selmak is a wonderful Tok'ra," said Selmak. "She is selfless and caring, she is good company. She has a wonderful sense of humour."
"Well that's good Dad, you can sit around for hours cracking yourself up," joked Sam.
"That's funny," Jacob said.
"She's not far wrong," said Selmak. "I've had almost two hundred years of laughter thanks to Selmak. I'm biased, of course, but I believe that Selmak is among the best educated of the Tok'ra. You will probably be overwhelmed by the knowledge and wisdom you will gain upon blending."
Dawn's head ducked to her chest and then looked at Jacob. "She is right about that. I blended only a few days ago with Jolinar. What Jolinar has given me in knowledge is like nothing I've ever known."
"So, I get all of this thing's, uh, what did you call in their head?" said Jacob.
"Symbiot," said Sam.
"Yeah. I get all its memories and stuff?" asked Jacob.
"That and more," said Dawn.
"I won't deceive you, sir. We have some pretty awful things buried in our memory," said Selmak.
"Such as?" wondered Jacob.
"Memories of countless Goa'uld atrocities, the loss of the host before me, and you will feel the mourning for my loss," said Selmak.
"Why didn't I mourn the loss of your last host?" Dawn asked Jolinar.
"I spared you as much as I could, Dawn. After all this was supposed to be temporary, remember?" answered Jolinar. "It wasn't till you learned of us that you agreed to remain as my host."
"Will you excuse me ma'am?" Jacob said as he rushed out of the chamber.
Dawn could hear through the Force the sounds of retching. She smiled at Selmak. "He is being polite, Saroosh. He did not want you to see him that way."
"Understandable. If I may ask how is it that Jolinar came to be blended with you?" asked Selmak.
"Goa'uld were attacking a world we were evacuating. She was in the body of a man hiding from an Ashrak. The man was dying, she had no choice. Blend with me or die and the knowledge she was carrying would die with her."
"So the blending was not voluntary?" asked Selmak.
"No," said Dawn. "But as I learned about the Tok'ra, I found I did not want to lose Jolinar. I like having her for company."
"I am glad," said Selmak. "She can be good company just as Selmak has been with me."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In the Council Chambers Garshaw and another Tok'ra were packing away equipment as Buffy and Marie entered the chamber.
"Garshaw?" said Buffy.
"What can I do for you?" Garshaw asked.
"We think you might have a spy in your ranks," said Buffy.
"Nonsense, the Tok'ra are loyal for life!" said Garshaw.
"How do you explain the Goa'uld discovering your location," said Marie.
Garshaw looked at the women for a long moment. "I suppose you know the name of the spy?"
"I'm not one hundred percent sure," said Marie. "I am what is called a Millennial. I'm a powerful empath. Which means I can sense emotions. There is one person I can sense that is hiding something though."
"Who?"
"Cordesh," said Marie.
"And you say that because you can sense he is hiding something?" Garshaw asked.
"Yes," said Marie.
"I have known species that are capable of sensing emotions. So I believe what you are telling is the truth." Garshaw then turned toward her fellow Tok'ra. "Tok'ra kree! Tal shak Cordesh, kree!" She and and the Tok'ra run off in search of Cordesh.
Buffy and Marie turn and ran off after them. They arrive at one of the collapsing tunnels. Garshaw stopped, and the guards take aim as they've found their quarry.
"Cordesh!" said Garshaw as Cordesh turned. "You must come with me and face questioning."
"I'm not what I appear to be," Cordesh said. "Cordesh is no longer. I couldn't stop him. I'm as guilty as he was!"
"You must leave the tunnel and explain yourself, Cordesh," said Garshaw.
"I don't deserve to remain among the Tok'ra," said Cordesh. He screamed as the collapsing tunnel swallowed him up.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Sam walked Jacob back into Selmak's room.
"Okay…what do I have to do?" Jacob asked as he took a seat next to Selmak, exhausted.
"First, Selmak would like to interview you," said Martouf.
"Huh?" said Jacob.
"If I am to spend the next hundred or more years with you as my host, do you not think I have the right to decide if I even like you?" asked Selmak.
Jacob laughed. "What's not to like? Just ask my daughter, I'm a teddy bear."
Sam rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah, real…teddy bear."
"How do you feel about the Goa'uld?"
"That is an trick question, Selmak," said Dawn. "He has never met one."
"From what Sam, her people, Captain Summers and her people, tell me, I don't think I like them much," said Jacob.
Selmak nodded toward Martouf and Dawn who lead Sam away, allowing them privacy. The three of them continue to watch, from the doorway.
"Tell me, sir, are you a good man?" Selmak asked.
Jacob laughed. "You're kidding, right?"
"No, we'll be spending the rest of our lives together," said Selmak.
"Look, forgive me for being blunt, but you're dying, right?" Jacob said.
"My host is, yes."
"And you'll die with her unless you and I, uh…what did you call it? Blend, right?" asked Jacob.
"Yes."
"And I'll die too, unless we do this," Jacob said. "So my point is, good man, bad man, what difference does it make? We don't have a choice. And I don't mind telling you the whole idea scares the hell outta me. So can we just get it over with?"
Selmak smiled. "I have decided I like you."
"Super," said Jacob as he returned her smile.
"But I must be sure that you understand there will be no turning back. I cannot blend with you, cure your disease, then leave. To do so, would probably kill us both," said Selmak.
"I understand. Let me ask you something, though. After we do this, will I still be able to talk to my daughter?" he wondered.
"The way Saroosh talked to you, yes," Selmak said. "But you and your daughter must understand the blending may not work at all. I am very weak, and the damage to your body may be too extensive."
"In other words, we might die anyway," Jacob said.
"Yes."
"Then can you give me five with my kid?" he asked.
"Of course."
Jacob stood and walked over to Sam, Martouf and Dawn.
"You must hurry, we don't have a lot of time," Martouf said as he walked toward Selmak.
"Before I give you two a moment," said Dawn as she held out her hand. "If something does happen, which I am not saying it will. I promise Sam will be watched after."
"Thank you," said Jacob as he shook Dawn's hand. He watched her walk toward Martouf and Selmak. "She's a good person."
"She is," agreed Sam. "All of Captain Summers people are."
Jacob turned and looked at Sam. "Listen Sam, I was never good at this stuff."
"Dad, you don't have to say anything," said Sam.
"You got to know one thing—how proud I am of you," admitted Jacob. "I'm not good at saying these things enough."
"I think you just said it pretty well," said Sam, her voice shaking.
"Even when I thought you were this whiz satellite geek, I was proud," said Jacob. "That's all I want to say."
Sam smiled. "Please, Dad."
"Hey, I know, I'm a pain in the ass," said Jacob as he laughed. "Maybe this Tok'ra lady will, uh, sand off some of the rough edges. It might be a good thing, right?"
"Could be," Sam said. "The longer we wait the less the chance is."
"Okay, what do I do?" Jacob asked looking at Selmak, Dawn and Martouf.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Inside the Council Chamber Buffy, Marie and Garshaw gather around one of the pools. "Cordesh must be guilty of something or he'd not have allowed himself to be buried," Garshaw said. She looked toward Buffy and Marie. "I must thank you. You may have saved the Tok'ra a great many losses."
"It's what we do," said Buffy.
"But, you still have nothing to offer us," said Garshaw.
"We do," said Marie. "You need hosts. Earth might be a problem due to the Stargate being a secret from the population. But Hapes knows of it's existence. They might be willing to be hosts. They might even be willing to offer you to use their planet as a base. We are currently working on giving them a Stargate with an address that the Goa'uld does not know."
Buffy nodded. "Marie is right. We have much to offer."
"It is worth exploring," said Garshaw.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In Selmak's room Jacob and Saroosh lay facing each other on the bed.
"We do not enter our hosts through the back of the neck," said Martouf. "This just leaves a scar that many of us find unsettling."
"That is why I entered through your mouth, Dawn." Jolinar said to Dawn.
"Thanks, Jolinar." Dawn replied.
"So why don't the Goa'uld do it this way too?" asked Sam.
"They don't wish to remember the horror of their host's face whenever they see their own reflection in the mirror. You must step away, Captain Carter," said Martouf.
"Goodbye, kid," Jacob said.
Sam stoked her father's head. "See you soon, Dad," she said as she walked over next to Dawn.
Jacob cleared his throat. "Now what?"
"Kiss me," said Selmak.
"You're kidding, right?" Jacob asked.
"No, I'm not," Selmak said as Jacob leaned toward her, his mouth open. The symbiot appeared out of Selmak's mouth and then entered Jacob's. Jacob reacts uncomfortably for a moment following the blending.
Jacob looked over at Saroosh as she died. "Goodbye, dear friend," he said as he lost consciousness.
Dawn, Sam and Martouf rushed to Saroosh and Jacob. Dawn and Martouf covered Saroosh's face.
Sam checked Jacob's pulse. "He's alive," she said as Martouf opened one of Jacob's eyes. "Is he okay?"
"He's very sick. And Selmak is weak," said Martouf. "She may not have the strength to heal him."
"Well, is there anything we can do to help?" Sam asked.
"No," said Dawn. "Unlike with me, Selmak has a lot to repair. Only time will tell if she is successful."
Dawn's communicator beeped at her and she flipped it open. "Padawan Summers."
"Dawn. The Valkyrie just detected two Goa'uld motherships exiting hyperspace," said Buffy. "I have ordered them to launch Vipers and prepare to defend the Tok'ra as long as they are able. Then they will jump. We will return through the Stargate." said Buffy.
"Understood, Buffy," said Dawn.
"Can we move him?" said Sam as she looked at her father.
"If we do so, it will kill them," said Martouf.
Sam rushed to her father's side and stroked his head.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Marie and Buffy followed Garshaw through the tunnels. Marie stopped and looked toward a female Tok'ra carrying a small silver box. The Tok'ra continued on.
"Excuse me," Marie said as the Tok'ra started to run off. She raised her hand and fired off a blast of energy stunning the woman.
"Commander?" said Buffy.
"She's hiding something," said Marie.
Buffy picked up the box and opened it. It contained a small Goa'uld long-range communications device. "What's this?" she asked showing Garshaw the orb.
"A Goa'uld long-range communications device," answered Garshaw. "So there are two spies."
"I don't think so," said Marie. "Cordesh said he wasn't who he appeared to be."
"Of course," said Buffy. "Jolinar hid from the Ashrak by blending with Dawn."
"Cordesh?" asked Garshaw.
"The plague that is the Tok'ra will soon be wiped out!" said the woman.
"I am sickened to think I once called you my friend, Cordesh, but I want you to know—the System Lords will fall, but you won't be alive to see it," Garshaw said as she turned to a Tok'ra guard. "Attempt to remove Cordesh from the host without harming her. Then put this traitor in one of the vanishing tunnels."
The Tok'ra guard took the woman away.
Garshaw turned to Marie and kissed her on both of his cheeks. "I believe I shall be proud to call you friend." She walked away.
"I'm not sure how I feel about being kissed like that," said Marie. "Jenny might not like it."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In Selmak's room Sam was clinging to Jacob's hand as he lay unconscious on the bed.
"Martouf! Jolinar!" said Garshaw as she, Buffy and Marie walked into the room hurriedly. "All tunnels but this one and the escape tunnel have vanished. All the other Tok'ra have gone to the new homeworld. We must go now!"
"But what about my father?" Sam asked.
"When and if he awakens, Selmak knows where we'll be. He can follow," said Garshaw.
"But the Goa'uld are coming, they'll capture him," Marie said.
"If he's captured, he will die before he will reveal our whereabouts," said Garshaw.
"Well, then take him with you!" said Sam.
Dawn's eye's glowed as she looked at Sam. "If he is moved, Captain Carter. He will die. He needs to remain stationary until Selmak has completed her repairs."
"We can't just leave him here!" said Sam.
"I will remain with him," said Martouf. "If I can get him out, I will. If not, I will allow the vanishing tunnels to consume us before the Goa'uld get here."
Garshaw's eyes glowed as she turned toward Martouf. "I cannot allow you to die in this way. We must leave now!"
"I'll stay," said Sam.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Sam," said Buffy.
"Let me remind you of what happened with Dawn," said Sam. "What you did for her. Would you really ask me to leave my father?"
Buffy sighed and nodded. "Anything you wish me to tell the General if you don't make it back?"
"That it was an honor serving with him and the three of you," said Sam and then she saluted Buffy, Marie and Dawn, all of whom returned the salute.
"I will assure that we will not be taken by the Goa'uld," said Martouf.
"Dawn, Marie, let's go," said Buffy as she led them and Garshaw from the room. She flipped open her communicator. "Summers to Valkyrie. Recall Vipers and jump!"
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Once on the surface Buffy, Dawn, Marie and Garshaw ran for the Stargate. Behind them the Raptor that had been piloted down exploded.
"We may not have much time before the Goa'uld come through the Gate blocking our way," said Garshaw.
"We can take you to Earth," said Marie, "and then send you to your new home from there."
"Dawn, start dialing home," Buffy said.
As Dawn ran toward the dial home device she noticed several Death Gliders approaching from the sky. "Marie!" she said as she began dialing.
Marie raised her hand and pointed it at a Death Glider and fired. She scored a direct hit and one of the Death Gliders exploded. Just at that moment the Stargate activated.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
In Selmak's room Jacob remained unconscious as he lay on the bed. Sam sat down next to him laying her hand upon one of his. "Oh God, I hope I've done the right thing bringing him here," she said.
"From what I understand, the alternative was no better," Martouf said.
"True," agreed Sam.
Earth - SGC – 5pm
In the SGC klaxons dounds as Buffy, Dawn, Marie, Hammond and Garshaw waited.
"Can your man defend them against an attack?" Hammond asked.
"Only minimally," answered Garshaw.
"Garshaw, what will Martouf do if the Goa'uld get too close?" Marie wondered.
"I regret that at the risk of capture, Martouf will destroy the underground compound, with himself and all your people with it," answered Garshaw.
Vorash – Same Time
In Selmak's room Jacob was regaining consciousness. "Ah," he said.
"Dad?" said Sam.
"Martouf? Jolinar?"
"I am here," Martouf said. "Jolinar has already escaped with the Tau'ri."
They heard explosions echoing from above them.
"Should we not make our escape?" Jacob asked as he sat up quickly.
Martouf smiled. "Yes, we should."
"Uh, is my Dad in there somewhere?" Sam asked.
Jacob ducked his head and then looked up at Sam. "I'm here, Sammy. Oh man, talk about your hangover."
"How are you Dad?" Sam wondered.
"I'm awful. Headache the size of Kuwait. There's too much stuff in here," said Jacob as he got off the bed. "Whoa!"
"What?" said Sam, alarmed.
Jacob laughed. "No more arthritis!" he said excitedly. "Holy Hannah! No more arthritis!"
"We should make our leave as soon as possible. This way," Martouf said as they heard more explosions.
They rush out of the room and down the tunnel toward the ring transporter. A second later they were deposited by the transporter on the surface. They rush to the Gate and notice the chevrons lighting up on the Gate.
"The Goa'uld are attempting to come through the Gate," said Martouf.
"Not if I dial out first!" said Sam as she dialed quickly. "We'll go to Earth. You two can go wherever you need to from there."
At that moment the Stargate opened. The question was who opened it, Sam or someone else from offworld.
"Did we open the Gate or did they?" she asked.
"We have no choice!" Jacob said.
Sam pulled out a communicator and flipped it open. "Carter to the SGC. GDO code One, Six, Three, One Two, Nine, Three."
Earth - SGC – 5:15pm
At the SGC klaxons continue to sound. As Buffy, Marie, Garshaw, Dawn and Hammond watched the Gate.
"Incoming transmission on Republic Frequencies. Captain Carter's GDO Code."
"Open the iris!" said Hammond as the iris opened.
They watched as Sam, Jacob and Martouf fell through the gate landing on the ramp.
"I must give you thanks," Jacob said as he approached Hammond. "You have saved my life and that of my new host. We thank you."
"This is wonderful news," said Garshaw.
"Yes. Can we talk to your host?" said Hammond.
Jacob bowed his head. When he looked up he cleared his throat, looking around sheepishly. "So when the little fella inside me is talking, do I sound like she does?"
"Yes," said Dawn. She held out her arm and Jacob clasped it.
"It's strange," Jacob said when he had released Dawn's arm. "I can feel myself talking, but it's not me saying the words. You know?"
"How do you feel?" Buffy asked.
"Well, considering I got one of those things inside me, pretty damn good!" Jacob said. "Listen, George. Because of this blending thing, I already know everything there is to know about the Tok'ra. You made the right call."
Hammond smiled. "I hope so."
"I would be proud to serve as liaison between the Earth and these people," Jacob said.
"And I will be the liaison between them and the Republic," said Dawn.
"Good. Well, on that note, perhaps you can ask them to come with me to do a little debriefing," suggested Hammond.
"I'm afraid we cannot. We must go," said Garshaw. "Because of the spy, the Goa'uld may already be at the site the Tok'ra have moved to."
"You can't stay a little longer?" asked Sam.
"No, we must go quickly and stop the tunnels there before they are grown," said Martouf.
"We must move the Tok'ra to yet another new home. Do you not have a dialing device here?" said Garshaw. "I would like to put in the coordinates myself."
"This way," Hammond said as he led Garshaw out of the Gate Room.
"I give you my word, I will watch over you father as if he were my own," said Martouf as the the Stargate began dialing.
"Thank you," said Sam.
Dawn's eyes glowed as she looked at Jacob. "As Dawn promised on Vorash, we will watch after your daughter as if she were our own sister."
"Thank you," said Jacob. He turned toward Sam. "It's ironic, ain't it?"
"What?" Sam asked.
"I was trying to find you a better assignment and you didn't need it," said Jacob. "Now you've found me the best assignment an old soldier could dream up. Thanks, kid."
Sam smiled. "You're welcome. Do you have to go so soon?"
"Yeah. I have to go. Apparently, I'm the oldest and wisest among us," said Jacob.
Sam laughed. "Oh jeez."
At that moment the Stargate opened and solidified into a stable event horizon.
"There will come a time when the Tok'ra, the people of the Tau'ri and the people of the Republic will destroy the Goa'uld System Lords," Garshaw said as she approached Buffy.
"I'm looking forward to it," said Buffy.
Garshaw turned and looked at Dawn. "I take it you are remaining, Jolinar?"
"I am. I would like to recommend that the Tok'ra remain in contact incase the people of Hapes agree that the Tok'ra can use their planet as a base," said Dawn.
"We intend to. How can we not accept a generous offer of potential hosts as well as a base with an unknown Stargate address from which to strike the Gou'ald."
Daniel entered the room approaching Garshaw with a Sagan Institute box. "Um…" he said as he handed her the box. "…this box has a signature in it we can recognise. Just send it through the Gate and we'll know you want to contact us."
"That is of course for now," said Buffy. "The Republic will eventually have a way for all our allies to contact us and each other that the Goa'uld can't intercept."
"Thank you. Come, Selmak," said Garshaw.
"I love you," Jacob said as he embraced Sam.
"I love you too, Dad," said Sam.
Jacob turned to Buffy as he let Sam go. "Selmak says, let me see if I can translate this, don't call us, we'll call you."
Buffy smiled as they watched Martouf, Garshaw and Jacob walk up the ramp and enter the wormhole.