Always Forgiven, Never Forgotten | By : A.K.O.Shifting-Shadow Category: Stargate: SG-1 > Slash - Male/Male Views: 1202 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG1. I make no profit posting this story. Any relation to person/s or place/s real or imagined is purely coincidental. |
"Symbiote speaking." I'm using bold to represent the echoing voice symbiotes have when they speak.
"Host speaking."
-Symbiote speaking to host.-
Host speaking to symbiote.
Chapter Five: One of the team
At 0800, Louis obediently entered the briefing room where SG1 waited patiently. “General, Colonel.” He stated greeting the two commanding officers with respect before nodding to Teal’c, Daniel and Sam as he took his seat. The moment Daniel and Sam were permitted to speak the two of them regaled their gathered audience with their eagerness to explore the most recent planet they’ve discovered. Malek could see that the General was amused and immediately deduced that he had already decided to let them go, but Daniel and Sam had no idea. Finally the General put them out of their misery and granted them the request to explore the new planet.
-Was I the only one to see that General Hammond was amused and already agreeable to the idea of exploring this planet?- Malek asked as Louis followed the two excited SG1 members. The two of them talked between themselves excitably as O’Neill lagged behind obviously not as excitedly as Daniel or Sam. Louis shared an amused glance with Teal’c. –Should Jack not be leading us?- Malek asked curiously as Louis finally noticed Jack lagging behind.
He should but it is most likely that he will take the lead when we are all suited up and ready for action. Louis replied. He is probably waiting for Daniel and Sam to calm down… well at least tone down their excitement. Louis added.
Sure enough, once they pulled on their uniforms and weapons the atmosphere around them changed. They went from friends (or in Daniel and Sam’s case, over-excited children) to warriors and brothers in arms. Even Daniel, a civilian, had an expression of one who was preparing for a fight or a danger. Malek himself was on edge, ready, watching, waiting for any sign of danger or allies. Louis was also on edge, nervous even though Malek could not blame the man after all if they found the Tok’ra or a friend then Malek would offer Louis the chance to break the bond they shared. However Malek was not as nervous, if Louis was anxious at the mere thought of Malek leaving him then there was a large chance that the host would choose to stay as Maleks host.
-I am not familiar with this world.- Malek thought as they finally stepped onto the planet’s surface. Before them lay hills of green grass and in the distance there were hints of forests and woodlands, many planets looked like this but Malek was sure he had never been on this world before. –I do not think we’ll find the Tok’ra here.- He told Louis, a little disappointed but mostly relieved as it meant a little more time alone with his host.
This was on the charts you translated for General Hammond. Louis replied.
-Yes, I remember. However as I informed your General I did not know all addresses and I could not assure your people’s safety if they went through. However I do believe this is a world free from Goa’uld control. From my memories of my missions undercover, I cannot recall this world mentioned or even recorded. I can only surmise it is a long forgotten world. Some planets are lucky like this. They are used by the Goa’uld but over time they are forgotten and then inevitably freed from those parasites.-
We can only hope that the natives, if there are any natives are friendly. Louis though cautiously.
-I cannot answer, for I do not know. I too hope the natives are friendly, but to be sure I shall allow you to remain in control. It would be unwise for me to show myself until I know the natives and have a good understanding of how they may or may not react.- Malek replied. –It will not be good if we attract any undue attention. As it is Teal’c is obviously a Jaffa. If they dislike anything to do with the Goa’uld, or even if they remember the Goa’uld they will react to Teal’c and thus myself if I do choose to reveal myself.-
Unlike Teal’c you can hide yourself.
-I just came across sounding very cold, didn’t I? Forgive me, I did not mean it as it sounded.-
No, I understand. We sometimes use the same tactics, we see how someone reacts to us and that judges how we continue in negotiations and wars. Louis replied. Still it is a shame we must hide behind Teal’c, the poor guy has only recently joined us, yet he has faced so much already.
-Yes he has suffered Mayebourne’s insults just as much as I. Fortunately via my actions I helped save him from Mayebourne when the greedy man tried to take him.- Malek replied thoughtfully. –I had forgotten about the man. The day Kawalsky had become a host, was also the day Teal’c saved SG1 from Apophis’s hands. I had forgotten.-
Well we were being held and interrogated by my superiors. That alongside everything else kept us busy and distracted. When Kawalsky came back we were so concerned about him that we barely noticed the second Goa’uld. We have yet to speak to him, but General Hammond assures us that he is safe.
-Yes, I heard his passionate claims that Apophis and therefore all Goa’uld are false Gods. I feel inclined to believe him but I will continue to be wary. After all not only was he the first prime of Apophis, he also carries an infant Goa’uld.-
We can’t do much about that, the parasite keeps him alive. How did you grow?
-I was one of many, born within a plentiful lake. We lived and hunted together. The water is unique there, just the right temperature to keep our body heat stable and the planet’s magnetic field simulated energy and brain waves meaning we were healthy and well taken care of. We remained there until we were ready to take our first hosts.-
So you don’t use Jaffa.
-Only the Goa’uld use humans in such a way.- Malek replied. –It is true that the human body is perfect and perhaps necessary to our growth, but our queen was able to combat this need by finding planets with just the right environment for us, to have Jaffa is to behave similar to the Goa’uld. We would not enslave humankind in such a way.-
That is what makes you better. Louis thought quietly. However that does not help Teal’c.
-I wish I could offer a cure like I have with Kawalsky but there is no cure for a Jaffa. Once the pouch is made it is essential for a juvenile to be placed inside to keep the Jaffa alive.-
Can you offer a Tok’ra?
-No.- Malek thought sadly. –We have no young. There have been none since our queen died at the hands of Ra.- Malek sighed. –Perhaps one day the Jaffa will be as free as your kind. But until then they will have to remain slaves to the Goa’uld. I only wish it must not be so.-
Perhaps Teal’c can see what you cannot. He is passionate about the freedom of his people, being a Jaffa he may see what you cannot and find solutions that you may not even consider. We can only hope and pray for him.
Malek would have replied but the sound of angry dogs filled their ears. A young man raced down the hill towards them glancing back at the three dogs chasing him. Almost instantly all of them raised their guns and fired a few shots. The dogs stopped in shock before whimpering and racing away leaving the young man untouched. The man’s dark eyes took in Louis and Jack who stood before him side by side. Malek noticed that the young man seemed very wary of them and he ‘smiled’ in approval. “Who are you? Where did you come from?” Jack handled the young man well and answered some of his questions but when Sam went to speak the boy turned his head gasping. Louis and Malek could not understand what was wrong until he finally whispered. “I cannot look upon the face of a woman.”
-In some cultures it is taboo for a woman to show her face or any part of her skin.- Malek thought. –This means that Sam is in mortal peril if any other….- Stampeding hooves interrupted his words and three mounted men appeared. The moment they saw Sam they raised their bows. The boy, Abu tried to stop them but the men would not listen but Jack merely raised his gun ready to attack. –This is not going to end well.- Malek thought.
We will not allow them to kill Sam!
-No we will not but if our first acts are to kill some of the natives then we may make enemies of the others.- Malek warned. –Let us try to avoid this if we can. There must be a way out of this. Perhaps Daniel can think of something.- Louis and Malek listened as they pleaded with the three mounted men to allow them back through the gate and let Sam live. A fourth rider appeared, an aged man who spoke with a voice tainted with age and wisdom. This man turned out to be Abu’s father and leader to their clan. When Abu told his father that Sam had helped save him from the dogs the man told the mounted riders to lower the weapons. –Abu saved her, but at what cost.- Malek thought. –They dislike women wearing clothes of man and showing their faces, they will not take kindly to her appearance if we continue to their home.-
We will have to trust them.
-Trust those who had arrows aimed at the female member of our team. They would have shot her quite happily if the clan leader had not arrived. I cannot and will not trust them.-
But they do not need to know that. We have to keep calm and oblivious, we must negotiate with them and try to set our differences aside. Louis stated wisely. Angering them now, when the leader has just declared Sam safe and protected will just be pushing our luck. Right now Sam’s life and freedom is in that man’s hands. If he chooses to withdraw his protection they may try to kill her again, forcing us to act and therefore destroying any chance of negotiations.
-You are right.- Malek replied in amusement. -You’ve become much more eager to give out your intelligence. I am proud of you.- He stated. Louis mentally flushed in embarrassment. –Still, we must watch over Sam, someone may try something and we will need to protect her.-
What are you thinking?
-That boy Abu, I do not like him. There is something about him… but I am not sure. I will have to think on what I feel and see, all I know is that I’ve got a strange feeling of discomfort. I think something may happen and we will have to be prepared to deal with whatever may arise.- Malek stated.
I think all of us will be prepared. Louis replied, both of them could see how the rest of SG1 was tense, ready in case things went sour. However we can only re-act to whatever happens, we cannot truly prepare. They are after all, aliens to us.
-Of course. Still keep your weapon ready in case we have to move to defend ourselves.- Malek instructed. –I hope we do not have to use it, but if needs be, we must.- Malek thought as he watched the tribe leader tell Sam she would stay with the woman and learn to be a woman, dress, veil and all. –Something tells me she won’t like that.- Malek stated humorously and he was right, she glared at the men as they stared gob-smacked at how beautiful she appeared in her flowing blue gown. –Louis… Louis! Your brain is up here not down there.-
Louis had the decency to blush in embarrassment. I’m sorry, I’m just so used to thinking she is one of the guys, that seeing her like this is… well she is absolutely stunning. I didn’t know how beautiful she could be.
-Yes, she is indeed beautiful, but if you continue to stare she may become very insulted.- Malek stated. –As it is, she does not like how she is dressed and staring at her will make her angry and more self-conscious.- Louis took Malek’s words to heart and turned away allowing Sam to collect herself. Malek hissed as the boy, Abu stared at Sam and called her beautiful but Malek could see the greed in his eyes. –Now I know he is up to something. We must protect Sam.-
We cannot remain with Sam, this is a woman’s tent. Louis thought.
-We may not be able to remain inside but I will not leave her tent unguarded.- Malek replied determinedly. –I’ve seen that look once before when I was with Misha. The Goa’uld that captured us sold us into slavery. I put Misha to sleep and suffered at the hands of our Goa’uld ‘masters’ until I could finally escape. Misha never learned of what happened to her body at their hands, I never told her and I never showed her.-
I’m sorry. Louis thought sadly.
-Do not be, it was long ago when Sebastian was still around and Delek still loved us. He soothed her and then soothed me. It is a bad memory, one I’d rather forget, but it is just a memory. I have never affect how I act or feel, it just makes me more passionate to stop the Goa’uld.-
Do you think Abu intends the same?
-I cannot be sure. He may try and take her for his own, he may sell her or he may have very different plans. All I know is that he is planning something. Sam will be able to defend herself but she is in a restrictive dress with no weapons. It is better if we remain close.- Malek replied. –Now. Let us speak to the tribesmen, let us learn of their culture so we can be prepared.-
The following hours were filled with talking, eating and celebration. The tribe celebrated the newcomers and blessed them with song and dance. They regaled their guests with tales of their ancestors and fed them well. Still Louis found it to be uncomfortable because one of their team was left out hidden behind a sheet in the distance with other women. Malek tightened around his hosts spine, -It cannot be helped, Mer Ann’wyld- Louis immediately became curious with the words Malek spoke, after all Malek had not spoken or thought of his peoples tongue since he had joined with Louis. –Mer Ann’wyld means my beloved.- He informed his host.
Why have you not spoken your language before? Louis asked curiously.
-Would it have helped? If any of your people had heard my tongue they would have known how different we were and it would have further ensured our seclusion from everyone else.- Malek replied. –The humans were looking to judge us, judge you, to hear such words coming from your mouth would have worsened your situation.-
I do not want you to stop being who you are for me. Louis thought sadly.
-I have not stopped being myself, Fer FyCariadon Kea. I simply kept quiet, but now I do not need to keep my people’s tongue a secret any longer. In our shared mind and off your world we are relatively safe. But I must ask you to be cautious when you speak my peoples words outloud, some people will immediately assume you are betraying them, or I am in control and no longer trust you. If your government hears some of our words they will assume I’m given you knowledge of my race and immediately seek you out.-
I will be careful. Louis vowed.
-Now, Mer Prinekh. As night falls we must watch Sam’s tent, the boy will wait for darkness to fall so he is less likely to be seen. Most people will be sleeping but we will remain awake and watch from the shadows.- Malek stated.
It was actually early in the morning that Abu made his move. As the sun’s rays started to appear over the horizon, the boy slipped into Sam’s tent. Malek and Louis heard the sound of movement and then the boy slipped out the back with Sam tied up unable to fight. Malek immediately tensed ready to help. Wait. Louis thought. He’s expecting an attack right now, we need to take him by surprise or he may hurt Sam. Malek reluctantly relaxed. Right let’s inform Colonel O’Neill first and then we can track him. Malek receded allowing Louis control. The human immediately raced to get the remainder of SG1. Together with the tribes leader they followed the boy who had mounted two horses.
-Be careful Louis. Wherever the boy is taking her will not be safe.- Malek warned his small body twitching in agitation. –I think he plans to sell her. He is travelling with purpose.- The tribes leader seemed to tense in fear and then slouch in shame. He told SG1 that his son was heading to a warrior tribe, a tribe led by a man who strongly believed that woman should neither be seen or heard. –If she is sold to him she will suffer.- Malek thought.
Even if she is, she will not be there long enough to be seriously harmed. We will get her back. Louis thought in reply. But first we have to find and catch up with them. We’ll be no good to her or anyone if we cannot get near enough to rescue her.
-Do not worry about this. I can easily find them, their trail is still fresh and we can still follow them. It will be approaching the clan’s home that will be the hardest part. If they are a warrior race as the clan’s leader states, then there will be many armed humans patrolling the perimeter of their home. Not only that, but they may also be very well armed. Perhaps not as well armed as you, your people or even I but still well armed among the natives. If we are fortunate they will be able to negotiate for her release but if push comes to shove we will be able to get her out of there.-
How?
-I do not plan to join your comrades. We will sneak around the clan’s camp and position ourselves so that we may rescue Sam if the negotiations go sour.- Malek replied.
Do you think that will be necessary?
-Yes. If it goes wrong we need to have a backup plan.-
But won’t stealing the clan leader’s latest acquisition declaring war upon his clan?
-Yes it is, which is why I hope that we will not need to act.- Malek replied as Louis told the others of Malek’s plan, Malek could see that the clan leader was curious, who was Malek? Louis focused on the rest of SG1 expecting protest but instead they all agreed that having someone as back-up was a brilliant idea. Once they were near enough Louis crept off into the trees his sharp eyes trying to spot any movement that indicate enemies.
You should take control, you know what to do. Louis thought after a few moments.
-You know just as well as I, but I will take control this once, however I will recede once it is time to talk or interact with one of your team. We do not want the natives noticing me.- Malek thought as he took control. It was fortunate that Malek did take control just then because his sharp hearing heard the sound of movement. In moments Malek had scaled a tree and was hiding among some foliage. Two warriors appeared in the area Malek and Louis had stood not moments before talking amongst themselves.
“That female is exotic. Turghan must be pleased with his latest female.”
“I wonder where she came from?”
“Who cares, as long as she does her duty to her new master.”
-They dare speak ill of her.- Malek thought with a frown. –If I was not trying to stay out of this, I would drop down and kill them where they stood.-
But you are trying to stay out of it. Besides it sounds as if she has not yet ‘done her duty’, which means she is untouched, for now. That is good.
“Turghan bought her with 300 weights of gold. He could have bought many women with that amount. I wonder if she was worth it.”
“If she is not Turghan will either sell her or kill her. She is of no value if she cannot obey her new husband.”
“Still she will need to be watched, she has already tried to escape once.”
“Turghan was most displeased.”
“I wonder what he did to punish her…”
Malek dropped down to the ground as they disappeared. –She may not have been touched but she must have been punished for trying to run. This Turghan must be their clan leader and obviously 300 weights of Gold must be a large amount to them.-
I can’t believe they buy their women.
-Unfortunately it is true, many cultures see women as nothing more than objects, a possession they can do what they please with. It disgusts me, but unfortunately we can do nothing, if we do it will not be us that pay but the clan that took us in. No we will just have to save those we can and hope that no harm comes to anyone.- With this said, Malek slinked forward listening out for any sounds. Slowly the trees thinned until a camp could be seen. Malek paused there and waited, watching.
There is O’Neill, Daniel and the Chieftain. Louis stated as they watched the three men. They approached a tent covered with animal furs and well-guarded before slipping inside. That must be the warrior chief’s home. Louis added. It looks like a place for a chieftain, not that I would know much about that.
-No, you are right, this is the home of a chieftain, I’ve seen many and warrior clans love to decorate themselves and their homes with skins and bones of their victims.- Malek replied. –They use them as trophies and to show others their power.- Malek continued as he cautiously approached the camp. Behind the chieftain’s home was a ‘penned’ in area where the women were secluded. Malek would avoid this area out of respect to the women, instead he carefully skirted around the area and crept closer to the chieftain’s hut. Finally they were close enough that they could hear what was said but could not see. Daniel was offering Turghan 500 weights of gold but the man would not be moved. Daniel then tried to explain that Sam was important to them, a clan leader, a shaman. –It looks like this… Turghan will not listen.- Malek stated, tensing preparing to move in if he was needed.
If they can’t negotiate, Jack will get her out. As if in response to Louis’s words a gunshot was heard and Malek flinched. Turghan immediately became excited about the weapon and finally, finally the man allowed Sam free. All members of SG1 raced from the area not wanting to be around when Turghan realised that the pistol had limited ammo. Who knew Jack’s trigger happy fingers would come in handy? Louis thought in amusement as they re-joined the team.
The team was relaxing in the shade, more than ready to head back through the gate went Abu finally appeared. Malek immediately sneered at the boy and withdrew as Louis demanded control. “Please help me!” Abu pleaded. “They caught us trying to get away and now…”
“Hey, wait a minute. Who is us?” Jack asked.
“Nya and me!” Abu exclaimed. “I’d hoped Turghan would have traded your Samantha Carter for Nya. When he didn’t I went back and tried to get away with her, but they caught us. If you don’t help she’ll be stoned to death!”
“Why should we care…” Jack asked angrily.
“Sir.” Sam stated. “We can’t…”
“We can’t get involved.” Daniel replied. “We can’t get involved with the politics of any world.”
“We can’t just leave her to die!” Sam exclaimed passionately. “There has to be some way to save her!” She turned to their friendly chieftain and stared. “Please.” Abu turned to his father and begged the man to find a way to save the girl he loved.
“Well… there is one law of our people…” The chieftain stated. Soon after they’d discovered a way to stop Turghan from killing his daughter, they arrived back at the warrior clan’s camp. Turghan glared angry at their interruption. After all to their people no other person or clan can interfere with a clan’s punishment of a female. Still he listened as the other chieftain spoke but when it was stated that another chieftain could protest against another chieftain’s decisions. Turghan refused to fight the old man but Sam took up the challenge as their ‘chief’.
-This doesn’t look good.-
Why does it not look good? Sam can fight just as well as any man.
-Some clans fight to the death.- Malek stated softly. –If Turghan has his way he may kill Sam.-
What!
“What!” Jack’s voice echoed. Obviously he had just been told by the friendly chieftain. “You can’t do this!” He moved to intervene but the clan’s warriors held knives to them. They could do nothing as they watched Sam and Turghan circle each other knifes at the ready. Sam’s knife was tiny compared to Turghan’s great one but she easily dodged the man as he moved to strike.
Malek felt Louis tense and he surged forward preventing Louis from rushing in. We have to help! Louis cried out. We can’t just stand here and watch. Please Malek!
-I wish we could, Mer Ann’wyld, but we cannot become involved. She is fighting as our chieftain, fighting for our lives as well as Nya’s. If we involve ourselves it shows that we doubt her leadership and power and that could be extremely bad for all involved. We must have faith in her. Remember she can fight just as well as I, we just have to hope she is better than Turghan.- Malek explained already feeling bad for taking control against his hosts will, he had not done so for a long time. –I’m sorry. But I had to take control.-
I know. Louis stated quietly his voice sad as he was forced to watch Sam fight for her life. Malek sighed quietly at his host’s upset tone and hugged him offering the man comfort. Fortunately Louis’s fear did not happen. Samantha, though having a few close calls she finally disarmed the man and pinned him to the ground, her small knife at his throat. She is brilliant. Louis exclaimed as she demanded his submission and the freedom of her team, Abu’s clan and Nya. The man reluctantly submitted and the eight of them, nine if they counted Malek, fled back to the friendly clan.
Just as the six of them made a move to leave the clan leader asked them to wait, telling them that to remember SG1 they would… and then the sheets that separated man from woman were pulled down and the women ran free, their faces uncovered. “This is how you will be remembered.” The wise old chieftain stated with a smile.
SG1 stated farewells, wishing them all well before the finally made their way back through the gate and back home. The armoured guards lowered their weapons as they realised who they were and Malek let out a mental breath and relaxed against his host’s spine, very relieved to see the face of General Hammond. –I never thought I’d be so relieved to see Earth and her people.- Malek told his host. –Still I feel a little disappointed that we have not found my brethren. I miss my friends-
We will find them, eventually. Louis replied softly. There are hundreds of planets for us to explore and the Tok’ra cannot hide forever.
“Welcome back SG1. Head to the infirmary to be checked out and then head to the briefing room.” Hammond instructed.
Malek soon found himself on medical bed with Doctor Fraiser’s fingers gently caressing Louis’s skin, just above where he lay. “How is Malek today?” She asked Louis as she watched a scanner with Malek’s small form projected onto it.
“He’s been well.” Louis replied.
“He looks in full health, but I do not know much about symbiotes to be sure.” Janet replied.
-I am at full health.- Malek stated.
“He says he is at full health.” Louis stated, Janet gave a nod with an approving smile.
“Well I think that is everything. You better head to the briefing.” She instructed.
Louis quickly left and re-joined the rest of SG1 as the entered the briefing room. Malek remained quiet for the most part, only speaking mentally to his host whilst they updated General Hammond. Everything they told the General was not new, they more or less recounted their adventure to the letter, including Malek’s silent input. It was so like the Tok’ra briefings that Malek simply relaxed against his host’s spine, lazily listening in.
Malek. Malek hummed in reply to his host. Would you like to help Daniel and Sam with their translations?
-Yes.- Malek replied.
Then take control. Louis instructed. You’ve had to hide a lot today. It is your turn for control.
-Thank you.- Malek replied sliding forward and taking control. The humans around them knew Malek had taken control as Louis’s facial expression changed. “What is it that you wish for me to translate?” He asked Sam and Daniel as he walked with them down the corridor to their offices.
“We have several videos of inscriptions that we’d like for you to translate.” Daniel replied. “I’ve also drawn some symbols that I memorised.” He added as they entered Daniel’s office where several large images lay on top of his table. “What can you read of these?”
Malek glanced down at the drawings first. “Were you in a holding cell or a dungeon when you saw these?”
“Yes, why?”
“These inscriptions speak of death and of hosts. It roughly translates into ‘those who inhabit this room are to be taken by Gods or Death.’” Malek explained. “The inscription explains it all.”
“And what about these.”
“It speaks of the almighty God Apophis. It speaks of how he visits regularly to partake in the splendours of their people. He would take some of them away and when they returned they were not who they used to be. They were almighty and powerful, Apophis had made them into Gods.”
“So the planet we visited was a host world.”
“Yes. And obviously it is still in use.” Malek answered. “I think it is very fortunate that you got away. As it is Kawalsky is paying the price for visiting that world and will continue to pay it until I can find my brethren.” At the mention of Kawalsky, their expressions changed from curiosity to sadness, knowing that Kawalsky’s freedom depended on them finding Malek’s brethren. “A few of them are gate addresses. But I would be very wary about visiting them, if Apophis had the addresses, then they are Goa’uld controlled worlds.”
“We will have to put these addresses on the system as potential Goa’uld inhabited worlds. We don’t want to accidentally stumble on one of them.” Sam stated. “I’ll take these to the control room and have them put onto the system with warnings.”
“Whilst Sam is doing that, could you tell me about the Goa’uld’s? So far I know of Ra and Apophis, both Goa’uld’s took their names from Egyptian Gods, is that the same as every other Goa’uld?”
“Well I do not know if they’ve all taken Egyptian names because I do not know your mythology, however I can tell you of the Goa’uld’s I know. There are many, hundreds in fact but I can tell you of the ones you are most likely to come across. There is Apophis as you already know, Heru’ur…”
-
A couple of days later the team was ready to head through the gate again. They had already done several tests, sending MALP’s through the gate to their target location. So far they knew it was a dark place, with very little light. Malek was wary but Louis was eager. Kawalsky was deteriorating. The Goa’uld could not take control but by just being there, Kawalsky was suffering. They needed to find the Tok’ra and fast. So Malek remained quiet even though he felt distinctly uncomfortable going through the gate to such a dark place. –Be on your guard, this planet will be a dangerous place.-
I know, but we must go through. Louis replied. We can’t let Kawalsky remain like this, he is suffering.
-I know but we cannot save Kawalsky if we ourselves need saving.- Malek warned. –We will have to be on constant guard, ready for anything. That dark place could hold any number of dangers. I would prefer to have a zat’nik’tel with us but your primitive guns will have to do.-
Their not that primitive.
-Yes they are. You kill and ask questions later. The first shot of a zat’nik’tel stuns, if we had one of them we could stun and observe any dangers and deal with them accordingly.-
I’d rather any dangers be destroyed first before we consider what to do with them.
-Which is the typical thought pattern of your race, not all ‘dangers’ are dangerous to you. In fact some of the threatening looking races could be friendly. After all am I not a prime example of this. I am a creature that needs to take a host body, some would see me as parasitic, evil, yet both you and I know this is not the case. We cannot judge what is a danger just from appearances, we must also judge them on their actions.-
Alright. I’ll keep my eyes open.
-I will watch over you and SG1.- Malek vowed. –Now, make sure you have enough ammunition and weaponry, you may need it.- Louis slowly nod his head, checking his weapons and ammo supply. The rest of their team was quickly doing the same, double checking they had double of everything, just in case. The gate dialled loudly before them as the man at the consoles informed them of each Chevron locking. –As if we could miss them locking into place.- Malek thought.
It is protocol.
-It is an un-needed protocol.- Malek replied. –Still, let us not become distracted. We must prepare for the dangers we may face on the other side of this wormhole.- Malek stated. Louis agreed whole heartedly and followed the rest of his team through the wormhole. The moment they were through Malek tried to adjust his hosts eyesight but there was only so much Malek could do. Fortunately Louis had night-vision goggles and soon they were seeing relatively well. They followed a path through the dark forest but they became distracted by a sound. Louis immediately tensed as well as Malek, Malek saw movement and took control ducking just as something tried to collide with him and his host. He swivelled around and immediately attacked his would be attacker. The humanoid grunted as Malek hit him with his symbiote strength, the man’s face should have broken and indeed Malek felt something happen but the man’s face felt like stone, solid and immovable. The man turned back and immediately struggled with Malek. A shiver went up and down Louis’s spine and Malek once again ducked just as another humanoid moved to strike him from behind. He rolled away and quickly stood ready to fight. Stones flew through the air and struck their attackers. Malek turned and faced their rescuers.
They look like members of the KKK. Malek once again poked at his hosts memories. The KKK, white people hunting Black people simply because of the colour of their skin. Malek would have shaken his head at such prejudice but currently he was more focused on their rescuers who were covered head to tail with large white, ghost like sheets. Is it a case of out of the pan and into the fire? Louis asked as the primitive men fled into the forest.
-There is only one way to find out.- Malek thought as he finally let down his guard and receded, allowing Louis control of his body. As they approached, they held their rescuers at gun point. Jack immediately pulled their hoods off to reveal two men and a woman. They immediately asked if they were the Gods returning, which they adamantly denied. –If they find me, they will believe us Gods. This must not be so, whatever progress they’ve made may deteriorate. They must not put their faith back onto the Goa’uld.-
I understand. Louis replied as the people explained about the ‘Touched’ and the ‘Untouched’. They were the Untouched and the savages that attacked him were the Touched.
-Hmmm.- Malek mumbled.
What? What is it?
-There is something in your bloodstream…-
What?!
-Do not worry I am able to fight it off but I am not entirely sure what ‘it’ is.- Malek replied. –This ‘Touched’ they speak of. It must be contagious, which means we have all been infected. We cannot return to Earth until this is cured. We may bring a devastating virus back to Earth, as it is we have no idea what will happen to the rest of us.-
“Sir!” Louis cried out. “I need to talk to you in private, now.”
Jack frowned but immediately joined Louis and stepped a little way away from the group. “What is it?”
“We’ve been Touched.” Louis explained simply. “Malek is telling me there is something in my blood. He is not entirely sure what it is but he believes it unwise to leave this world until we find a cure. If I am infected we may all be infected.”
“Then what do we do?”
“Malek is instinctually curing it but I think that he may analyse what it is doing and try to find out how he is naturally healing it.” Louis replied. –That is exactly what I am trying to do.- Malek thought proudly. “Until then we will have to remain here and hope that we cannot become ‘Touched’.” –Be warned, don’t let the Untouched know we may be Touched, if their behaviour to the existing Touched is to believe, they won’t act kindly to us.- Louis agreed and said as much to Jack, who also bowed his head in agreement.
“Carter.” Sam approached looking expectantly at them but Jack simply turned to Louis.
“Sam, we have been ‘Touched’, Malek tells me there is something in my blood. It is likely we all have something in our blood. We cannot return to Earth until this is cured.”
“What do we need to do?” Jack asked.
“We’ll need medical kits, especially kits to analyse blood. Specimen jars to analyse anything we find. We’ll need as much equipment as we can get through the gate.” Sam replied.
“Teal’c, we need to head back to the Stargate.” Jack called.
“What’s going on?” Daniel asked confused. Sam wandered over and whispered into Daniel’s ear. The man’s eyes widened and he stared at Louis waiting for confirmation, Louis nodded and Daniel’s face fell. The Untouched was unsure what was going on, but the team ignored them racing back to the gate. Carter immediately dialled the gate whilst the men armed their weapons and positioned themselves in a semi-circle to protect the female of their group.
“Sir.”
“Captain Carter? SG1 only left a short while ago, why are you calling in?”
“It looks like there is a contagion here and Malek says Louis has caught it, which means we may have as well. I need any medical equipment you can spare. We dare not come back through.”
“That is understandable. What has Malek said about it?”
“Only that he is not sure what it is, but he is looking into it.” Sam replied.
“Good. We’ll send the equipment through now. Good Luck SG1.” Hammond stated. Moments after the stargate shut down, the ring started redialling. Louis heard a machine slide through its turning wheels carrying it down the ramp until it was behind them.
“Right, should we head somewhere safer or remain here?” Sam asked curiously.
-We should stay near to the gate, we need to be able to contact Earth if we need more supplies.- Malek thought in reply.
“Malek says we should stay near the gate in case we need supplies.” Louis stated.
“If we remain here we need to be alert for the ‘Touched’.” Jack added. “But Malek is right, we will need to remain near the gate. Daniel go help Sam, Malek, Louis, Teal’c, let’s secure the perimeter. Don’t step out of sight, we don’t know where the ‘Touched’ may be hiding.”
-Yes, O’Neill is right. Our sight is not at its best, it is far better that we remain in line of sight.- Malek told Louis. –Be very cautious, our attackers literally appeared out of nowhere.-
Yes, I know. Have you had any luck analysing the virus?
-Some, it is attacking something in your body, yet I am able to prevent its dangerous affects.- Malek explained. –I’m still not entirely sure what it is at the moment. It seems to be attacking your immune system but I cannot tell what it is targeting specifically. Whatever it is, I am able to prevent it from taking a hold of your immune system. However it is not gone from your body. Whatever it is has a food source in your body, though as I’ve already said, I am unsure what it is.-
Hmm, perhaps the tests Sam and Daniel will shed some light on it?
-Perhaps. Now pay attention, we cannot afford to be distracted in such a hostile environment.- Malek instructed. –I will be watching with you, but I will also be trying to monitor this virus.-
Ok, I’ll keep alert. Louis promised focusing back on the forest. If they had not had night goggles on their faces, seeing would have been incredibly difficult. Fortunately they did have the night goggles on and all saw the shadows flittering about in the distance. Louis set up perimeter alerts and then cautiously backed away to the relative safety of the others.
“How is it going Carter?” Jack asked as he watched the only female of their team work on some blood samples.
“I can see an unknown substance inside the blood but I cannot tell what it is meant to be doing. I will have to carefully analyse it.”
“Malek told me that it is attacking the immune system.” Louis informed her, his back still towards them as he stared out into the pitch black. “We’re not alone.”
“Indeed.” Teal’c replied.
-Indeed? Does the Jaffa have no other words…-
I think that is him agreeing with us. Louis replied. “I don’t know how much time we have before they decide to attack again.” Louis added, Teal’c slowly bowed his head in agreement as he held his staff weapon ready.
“Louis is right…” Jack mumbled. “Carter.”
“Sir, I’ve got the virus, Daniel’s blood is clear. I’ll need to take blood samples from each of you.” Sam stated.
Jack nodded. “Very well, Daniel take my place, I’ll go next. Teal’c will follow and then Louis.”
-Is that necessary? Teal’c is probably protected by his primta and you’re protected by me.- Malek stated.
“Malek wants to know if taking blood from me and Teal’c is necessary.” Louis asked.
“I want to see if the symbiote is actually holding the virus off, or whether Malek and the parasite are actually killing it.” Sam answered. No one could argue with her after that, even Malek was curious to see what she may find. Sam worked quickly and efficiently. Within half hour she had the samples in front of her and was carefully analysing them. “Louis and Teal’c show very small signs of the virus but it is being held at bay.” Sam looked at Jack. “Ours however have large ammounts of the virus.”
“Can you tell what the virus is doing?” Daniel asked.
“There is no sign in the blood.”
“Malek said it’s targeting the immune system, what if there was a chemical feeding the virus.” Daniel stated. “Perhaps we should look at this in another angle. Instead of looking at the virus perhaps we should look at our blood. What is or isn’t in our bloods compared to yours?”
Sam nodded in agreement and went back to scanning the blood but Daniel’s words had given Malek an idea. –I’m going to very carefully control your immune system and stop some of the chemicals in your body from doing their job. It may be that something in your immune system is feeding the virus.- Malek explained.
Is that a good idea?
-I will do it carefully, I’ll stop one, if it has no effect I’ll get it working again and then work on the next one. Do not worry, I will not harm you or allow it to inadvertently harm you.-
Alright then, but I will inform the others just in case.
-Good idea. I will wait for you to tell them.-
“Malek thinks that the best way to get to the bottom of this is to find out what is feeding the virus. He’s going to deny the virus food by preventing the chemicals that aid my immune system from working. He is going to do it gradually one at a time so I do not suffer. He says I should be fine but you should watch just in case.” Louis explained.
“Is he sure he knows what he’s doing?” Jack asked warily.
-I would not have suggested it if I did not know what I was doing!- Malek snapped.
Easy, Malek, he just doesn’t want one of his team to be harmed. Louis replied. “Malek is sure.” He stated out loud to Jack. Alright we’re ready, go ahead. Malek did not reply, just hugged his hosts spine as he controlled his hosts immune system.
When nothing happened immediately Sam returned to her analyses but it was Daniel who spoke next. “I take anti-allergen tablets. Could they be helping me fight off this virus?”
“You take anti-histamines?” Sam asked before quickly checking the blood samples. “Your blood has notably less histamine levels.” Sam replied after a while.
-She is correct. I’ve just lowered your histamine levels and the virus has almost disappeared. It is your natural histamine feeding this virus.-
“Malek has confirmed it. It is our histamine levels.” Louis stated.
“Then all we need is to find the correct dosage of anti-histamine’s to kill the virus off.” Sam stated.
-You need to deprive the virus of histamines for quite a while. I’m monitoring your levels, I have completely stopped your histamine production, but it is taking quite a while to have an effect.- Malek told his host. –They may need a large dosage.-
What do you suggest?
-You, Teal’c and I will monitor the dosages. Sam, Jack and Daniel will need to be treated.- Malek replied.
“Malek is telling me that you will need a high dosage. We need to starve the virus.” Louis told them. “He suggests that Teal’c and I take charge and carefully monitor you three until we can be a hundred per cent sure the virus is gone.”
“We need to test the dosage.” Sam muttered.
“Test it on me.”
“Sir!” Sam protested.
“Do it Sam!”
“I can’t do that. Who knows what will happen! It could kill you!”
“Which is why I should do it!” Jack replied. “I’m the CO, my job is protecting you guys. Experiment on me.”
“Sir I can’t!” Sam replied.
“Test it on me.” Daniel stated.
“No, Daniel, we can’t, we need you more than me. You’re the smart guy here, if anything goes wrong it will be up to you get everyone out of here.” Jack replied. “I’m expendable.”
“Sir, you’re not…”
“Just do it Carter!” Jack snapped. Sam’s hands shook but she finally nodded. It took a few moments for her to prepare the syringe, but she was finally ready. She injected the man after staring at him and receiving a nod.
-I think the virus is gone. I’m going to keep your histamines at bay for a little while longer just to make sure.- Malek told Louis, the host was uncomfortable because he could tell something was ‘off’, fortunately like Malek had promised nothing adverse had happened. Jack too was still looking very well and once they’d given the anti-histamine time to work they took another sample to find the virus had vanished, starved out of the body. The two vulnerable team mates, Daniel and Sam were quickly injected and monitored.
“Now we need enough to inoculate the natives.” Sam stated. She dialled the gate and requested dart guns and large ammounts of Anti-histamine. The next few hours were filled with hunting. They shot the Touched and made their way to the Untouched. The untouched greeted them eagerly and welcomed them to ‘The land of light’. The Untouched almost did not believe them as they informed them that the Touched were being cured. Sam proved their words by curing one of their children, a young girl laid in the council room. They left a supply of anti-histamines for the Untouched to use to cure the Touched.
As they travelled to the forest the Touched walked out, cured. Many were family members who raced to meet their lost families. There were tearful reunions and Malek felt a touch of jealousy. This did not happen with the Tok’ra. They lived silently and whilst they trusted each other to some degree but only close lovers and friends embraced each other, and even that could be rare. It had never happened between Delek and Malek.
-I wonder, if we were not at war with the Goa’uld, would we have been able to express our love for each other.-
I think it is something you’ve just learnt not to do. The Goa’uld only want power and even though you are not like them, expressing yourselves can seem like a weakness. After all you don’t know if they’re going to come back alive every time they get sent out on a mission, if they come back at all.
-True. But I envy those who can embrace their loved ones like this. It is so rare among the Tok’ra.- Louis could not reply to this, because there was nothing he could say, nothing he could do to change how the Tok’ra were. There was a good reason why Tok’ra were so distant with each other, after all they could die at any time.
Let’s go home. Louis thought quietly, Malek quietly agreed, eager to escape the planet. With one glance back into the pitch black darkness of the forest, they turned back to the bright blue wormhole and stepped back through to Earth.
Thanks to Pagan Twylight for the Goa’uld translations used in this chapter.
Translations:-
Mer Ann’wyld:- My Beloved.
Fer FyCariadon Kea:- My dearest one.
Mer Prinekh:- My Lifemate, Beloved Lifemate, Sweet Lifemate (terms of affection between symbiote and host.)
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