Colonel
O'Neill entered the infirmary with Teal'c and Sam behind him. Sam had to admit she was surprised, watching
as Janet hovered over a convulsing Mueller, her aides struggling to keep the
woman on her side until the tremors ebbed.
"What's
going on?" Colonel O'Neill asked. "What's up with Mueller?"
Janet
attended to Captain Mueller as she stilled, and then murmured something to her
aides before she came to meet them. Janet's face alone told her the seriousness
of the situation.
"I've
found traces of a toxin in her blood," Janet stated bluntly. "It
appears to be secreted by the parasite."
She paused, glancing back at the unconscious people in her infirmary.
"They all have it."
"Daniel?"
Sam asked, fearing the worst.
Janet
sighed, stealing another glance at her patients before nodding glumly.
"I'm afraid so."
"Dammit!"
O'Neill swore, raking a shaky hand through his hair. "What the hell is
going on here?" He pushed by
Janet, stalking over to the Tok'ra named Dalmar. "Why aren't you helping?
Why aren't you doing anything?"
Dalmar
remained expressionless, his coolness and detachment a little too much for even
Sam to take. "I have been studying your people along with Doctor
Warner. I assure you, we are doing what
we can," he said calmly.
"Obviously,
you aren't doing enough!" the colonel shouted.
"Sir,"
Sam began, feeling that if she did not intervene, her commanding officer might
do something he would seriously regret. "I'm sure the Tok'ra—"
"I
don't give a damn about the Tok'ra, Major," he spat back, furious. "I
think it's pretty obvious that they didn't come here to help. They're all just too fascinated with what
we've discovered."
If
Dalmar was angry, he didn't show it. "You are only speaking out of anger
due to the condition of your friend," he commented, walking away from
Colonel O'Neill to stand by Janet. "And according to our treaty, we are to
share all new technologies and information."
Oh
boy, Sam
thought, shooting a glance to Teal'c for help. The colonel was certainly going
to blow, and they couldn't risk having the Tok'ra walk out on them. Not now.
"O'Neill,"
Teal'c stated, taking a step forward, acknowledging Sam with a furtive look.
"Would it not be in the best interest for us all to continue our research
into finding a cure for DanielJackson?"
Before
the colonel could speak, Sam jumped into the conversation.
"Sir,
the Tok'ra are our best allies for this situation. Their cooperation will
benefit both our sides," she said, attempting to sound persuasive. God, she
wished Daniel were here to play mediator. "But if we keep searching, and
let the Tok'ra, and Janet, do their work while we do ours, we'll cover more
ground."
Sam
had no idea if what she said made any sense, but she kept her fingers crossed
the colonel would trust her on this one.
O'Neill
appeared to soften, but did not mask his disgust with Dalmar. Eyeing him
crossly, Colonel O'Neill walked past Dalmar and moved over to stand with
Teal'c.
"So,
what's this toxin thing?" O'Neill asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Sam
watched him closely, not at all liking his body language. Gone was the relaxed,
devil-may-care posture. Colonel O'Neill only reserved his "stiff
stance" for when he was reaching a breaking point.
"Similar
to what the Goa'uld can leave in a host, if they wish to destroy it,"
Dalmar said evenly. "However, from what I have been able to discern, its
chemical composition is slightly different."
"How
different?" Sam asked.
"It's
a compound synthetic mixture," Janet answered. "Almost as if it was
manufactured."
O'Neill
frowned, looked at Sam, and then back to Janet and Dalmar. "What are you
trying to say? Someone made this stuff?"
"That
is correct," Dalmar replied. "The mixture appears to have the natural
qualities of the Goa'uld toxin, but also has elements similar to nishta."
"Whoa,"
O'Neill said, holding out his hand. "The brainwashing stuff?"
Sam
just stared. "You can't be serious. Something similar to the agent that
Seth used?"
"Also
the material that Apophis used on my son, Rya'c," Teal'c declared.
"Though I have never heard of it used in such a manner."
"You
had never heard of it before our run in with Apophis, either, Teal'c," Sam
reminded him, hoping she didn't sound haughty.
Teal'c
only regarded her thoughtfully.
"We
believe that is why they have been unconscious," Janet stated, bringing
them back to the subject at hand. She motioned to her three closest patients.
"Whatever this substance is, it's acting like a sedative, or a relaxant,
forcing the conscious part of the mind to remain dormant. We can only assume
that its function is to make domination over the host mind easier for the
parasite."
"But
that doesn't make sense," Sam retorted. "Why would a Goa'uld spend so
much time releasing a chemical to control the host that, in just a short
period, will kill it?"
"The
Goa'uld are vain. They would never do such a thing as damage their host
willingly, unless they were preparing to discard it," Teal'c added.
"Kamakazi
Goa'uld?" O'Neill offered.
"I
do not believe that is the case," Teal'c responded.
"We
don't even know if they are Goa'uld," Janet reminded them.
"We
believe they are not," stated Dalmar. "However, their biological
structure is quite similar to that of both the Tok'ra and the Goa'uld, and
should not be so easily dismissed."
"Yeah,
that's great. So, we have a bunch of drugged up Goa'ulded hosts that are now
dying in our infirmary. That's helpful." O'Neill wiped his mouth.
"Doesn't explain Daniel, though," he muttered.
"Daniel
didn't lose full consciousness like the others, no," Janet agreed.
"But that may be due to the parasite's size. The one in Daniel is much
larger."
"Doesn't
bigger mean more?" the colonel pressed.
"I'm
afraid I do not understand," Dalmar replied with a frown.
"I
think what the colonel means, Dalmar, is that shouldn't the larger parasite in
Daniel be secreting a higher dose of this toxin based on its size?" Sam
asked. "Shouldn't the levels of toxin be proportional to its mass?"
Dalmar
considered this, but quickly shook his head.
"It is a valid question. However, our theory is that the parasite
in Doctor Jackson secretes less toxin based on its larger size."
Sam
just couldn't wrap her mind around that one.
"So,
you mean like the opposite of 'less is more?'" O'Neill asked, surveying
those listening. "Like more is less?"
"Something…like
that," Dalmar agreed, appearing disturbed.
Sam
sighed inwardly. So, what was happening with Daniel? Was this why he hadn't known
what was happening to him at first? Was Thoth suppressing Daniel's awareness in
order to have more power over him? But
they hadn't blended…
She
felt as if they were cursed. With every answered question, came a dozen more
unanswered ones. She had thought they were getting closer to the end, to the
truth. Maybe they had never been close in the first place.
And
no one had asked the most obvious question, yet.
"If
the toxin is manufactured, then how are they secreting it naturally?" she
asked.
"We
haven't figured that out, yet," Janet admitted, averting her gaze away
from Sam and the others.
They
had to figure it out. They had to find
the underlying cause of this. The ambiguity of this entire mess was driving Sam
crazy. She was acutely reminded of a
similar situation, where time was running out and they needed a solution or
Daniel wouldn't make it.
They'd
failed him then. She couldn't let them fail him again.
"Sir,
I'd like permission to stay here and help study the toxin. Maybe we can find a
way to create an anti-toxin, of sorts, and administer it to SG-11 and
SG-17." Sam sighed when she saw the uneasiness in the colonel's face.
"I’d like to do whatever I can to help them, sir."
"Yeah,
I know, Major," he said quietly, his gaze falling to the bed where Doctor
Anderson was lying.
He
paused, a vague expression masking his face.
In that moment, she wondered what he could possibly be thinking, or even
if he was feeling the same mixed sensations of anger, hurt, betrayal, fear and
sadness that she felt.
"Keep
working on this," he said distractedly, waving his hand in the direction
of Janet's medical charts. "Teal'c and I will update Hammond and go check
on Daniel."
"Akana,
Beltesh, and Doctor Warner are with him now," Janet told the colonel, her
voice as reassuring as one could get, considering the situation. "We
swapped places when I was needed here. I am sure they're doing all they can for
Daniel."
At
least Doctor Warner was with Daniel. Sam sighed. How alone did he feel? Did he
think they had abandoned him? Did he even know?
"Yeah,"
O'Neill mumbled. "I'm going to go talk to Hammond." His gaze fell on
Sam.
He
didn't need to say anything. She understood.
If
there was any time that he needed her to come through for him, this was it.
Giving
the colonel a silent expression of assurance, Sam walked over to one of the
tables and met with one of Janet's nurses, and listened anxiously as he
explained their research to her.
"So,
that's basically what they've got so far," Jack told the general. He
stared down at Daniel through the glass of the observation deck. Daniel
remained motionless, unresponsive to either the Tok'ra or Doctor Warner.
"No change with Daniel, huh?"
"For
the most part," General Hammond said from behind him, causing Jack to start
and turn to face him. The general sighed as he began his explanation. "The
Tok'ra have been trying everything conceivable to awaken either Doctor Jackson
or Thoth. Nothing seemed to be working. Then, just a half hour ago, either
Doctor Jackson or the parasite called out something in Goa'uld."
"And?"
Jack asked, feeling anxious.
"And,
that's it, Colonel. Doctor Jackson slipped back into what you see now."
"It
is likely due to the toxin," Beltesh admitted, moving to stand beside
Jack.
Toxin.
Likely excuse. Jack rubbed his chin, glancing back down at his motionless
comrade.
"Of
what did Daniel Jackson speak?" Teal'c asked.
"Translated
into your language," Beltesh stated to Jack and Hammond, "he spoke:
'Swear upon Ma'at. Give your oath.' It is a most peculiar thing to say, and was
often used by Thoth within negotiations and mediations. We feel it is delirium
from the toxin itself." Beltesh motioned vaguely with his hand to Akana
and Doctor Warner below. "Your Doctor Fraiser has noted a decline in the
health of this symbiote."
"Now,
why would the toxin affect the symbiote?" Hammond asked. "We were
under the impression this toxin, or biological agent, the symbiote releases
only affected the host."
Beltesh
showed some emotion for the first time since the conversation started, Jack
mused, shaking his head to himself.
Damn Tok'ra arrogance. He hated these guys.
"As
you are aware, the host houses the symbiote.
The symbiote cannot help but be affected."
"This
sounds bogus, sir," Jack muttered, shooting a wary glance at Hammond. This whole thing stunk. Stunk to high
heaven. "It all sounds a little too convenient to me."
"We
do not appreciate what you are implying, Colonel O'Neill," Beltesh stated
coolly, narrowing his eyes.
"Colonel…"
Jack
did not miss the warning tone in the general's voice nor did he miss the
caution knotting in his sloped forehead.
"Why
do the Tok'ra not remove the symbiote while both Daniel Jackson and Thoth are
unconscious?" Teal'c asked abruptly, turning to Beltesh.
That's
exactly what Jack wanted to know. This
"get to know the symbiote" stuff was a load of crap.
"If
this is indeed Thoth, then he would carry knowledge to benefit us in our fight
against the Goa'uld," Beltesh stated calmly.
"You
see?" he started, his voice biting. "I don't buy that. Your buddy
Dalmar just told us he didn't think it was a Goa'uld."
Hammond
frowned, promptly turning to face Beltesh. "Is this true?"
Beltesh
scowled. "Dalmar is quick to assume. We have not completed our research."
"Look,
I'm no scientist, but even I know that these things look weird," Jack
informed the Tok'ra. "So take it
out of Daniel and stick it in someone else, and learn that way."
Beltesh
remained unruffled. "It is more logical to observe him in the host that he
chose, than to observe him in one that he did not."
"There
was no choice involved, according to our records," Hammond stated, his
scalp turning a soft shade of pink.
"That
may be debatable," Teal'c said simply, slowly turning his head to watch
Daniel.
"What
do you mean?" Hammond asked.
Jack
sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets. "That's like a yes and no
question, sir. The whole thing looks like one big, giant trap." He brought
one hand to rub his forehead as he thought of the easiest way to explain the
recordings. Just seeing it over and
over in his mind…"The lab was rigged with some wiring that shorted out the
containment jars for those bug things. Looks like anyone who walked in was a
sitting duck, sir." He shook his head. "This thing was obviously just
waiting for the right person to come around and set him free. We were going to
tell you right away, but then you called us about Goa'uld and the toxins…"
"That's
alright, Colonel." Hammond pursed his lips, clasping his fists by his
side. "Anything else you want to add?"
Sure,
he
thought. Did I mention that I don't trust the Tok'ra?
That I am never okaying Daniel to go on off-world missions with other teams
ever again? That I am personally going to suck that Goa'uld wannabe out of
Daniel with a hose if I have to?
"Teal'c
seems to think Thoth could be working with some of his old buddies," Jack
commented wryly. "The Osiris crowd.
And since we already know Osiris is gone; Isis kicked the bucket, and I
never heard of Satchel-whatever, that just leaves our good friend,
Anubis."
Hammond
wasn't pleased, to say the least.
"You think Anubis is behind this?"
Jack
shrugged. "Infiltrating the SGC? While the plan does seem a little too
bright for our Poster Boy of the Clichés, I wouldn't pass it by him."
"Osiris
was working for Anubis," Teal'c added, clasping his hands behind his back
as he straightened. "It would not be unusual for other Goa'uld in his
circle to join him in his attempt for conquest."
"Only,
according to our history, Thoth never sought any tangible power. He was most peculiar among the
Goa'uld," Beltesh informed them.
"So
I hear," Jack muttered guardedly.
"Come.
With General Hammond's permission, I will explain it to you while we observe
Doctor Jackson within his containment room."
Jack
and Teal'c looked at Hammond expectantly, hoping he would rescind his
order—which they had already broken anyway—to stay out of the cell.
"Very
well. But don't make me regret this, Colonel," Hammond warned.
"Yes,
sir," Jack answered, following Beltesh and Teal'c out of the observation
deck.
"Dammit,
I'm not getting anywhere!"
Sam
rose to he feet, stepping away from the lab table.
She
was frustrated. Beyond frustrated.
"Major
Carter, we will find a way to cure your people, " Dalmar said, quietly
placing his hand on her shoulder. "The creatures are not so unlike us that
we are unable to draw some information from them."
Nodding,
Sam raked her fingers through her hair, blowing off her tension as she exhaled
slowly. Dalmar was right. They should be able to learn some information from
the Goa'uld-like symbiotes. But would it be enough to create a cure? Time was
short.
"Okay,
have the Tok'ra come any closer in finding an anti-toxin that to counteract the
Goa'uld? Generally speaking, I mean."
Dalmar
shook his head. "I am afraid we have not. We have been working on it for
some time, just as we have been working to provide freedom for the Jaffa.
Currently, not even research among the Tok'ra has developed any useful
alternatives.
Great.
So just how were they going to save Daniel and the others?
"But
these symbiotes are different. And the toxin is manufactured. If we could break
it down into its most basic elements, then we would at least have a starting
point. Then, we could work our way up to try and develop something to
counteract it."
Dalmar
nodded, but this time there was a cloud of regret drifting around him.
"Perhaps, Major Carter, but such research would take months and then years
to perfect." His solemn gaze did nothing but enrage her. "I fear we
would not be able to help your friends, but perhaps the future…"
She
shook her head. "No. I'm not giving up like that. There has to be a
way."
"I
admire your resolve."
"Well,
we've been in jams before," she muttered, suddenly feeling like she was
channeling her commanding officer. "We'll find a way."
"Then,
I have confidence in your abilities," Dalmar said, forcing a smile.
"Shall we continue?"
Sam
nodded again, pushing aside her frustration and went back to work.
It
was awful. One of the most chilling
things he'd ever seen.
Jack
gazed down at Daniel, disturbed at the lack of emotion, the lack of anything,
really, coming from the man. He was just
lying there, his empty gaze fixed on the ceiling.
He
looked dead.
Jack
cleared his throat, motioning nonchalantly at the gurney. "So…"
"I
understand your concern for your friend," Akana stated, interrupting him.
She studied some equipment in her hand, occasionally lifting her line of vision
to check on Daniel before returning to her task. "But, as I am sure
Beltesh and General Hammond have stated, there has been no change in his
condition."
"Except
for the outburst," Jack reminded her.
"Yes."
She
sounded annoyed.
"You
know, you could fix this real easy by just taking it out of him." Jack
pointed to Daniel's neck with his finger. "Do your magic, or
whatever. You did it with Osiris. Do it
now, while they're both…somewhere else."
"It
is not that simple, Colonel O'Neill," Akana said coolly, still refusing to
look at him. "With the toxin in his blood…"
"Right,
right, the toxin. I forgot," Jack
muttered sarcastically, bringing his gaze back to Daniel. Jack could clearly
see the rise and fall of his chest, as he lay unresponsive. But that was the
only movement coming from the younger man. Daniel moved around more when he was
laying on his deathbed.
Not
a nice memory,
Jack thought to himself, finding himself clearing his throat for the umpteenth
time this afternoon.
"I
know you don't agree with our methods, Colonel, but we assure you that we will
not harm Doctor Jackson," Beltesh said.
Jack
didn't answer. He wasn't about to make nice
and pretend he cared about the Tok'ra. Truth is, lately, the Tok'ra had really
been getting under his skin. He'd never
liked them from the start, but he'd warmed up to having an ally that could
actually get close to the Goa'uld. Then, there was the whole thing with Carter
and Jacob, too. But screw that. The Tok'ra just seemed to get more and more
arrogant recently.
"How
can you make such a promise when DanielJackson has been poisoned?" Teal'c
asked, his voice hard, bringing Jack out of his thoughts.
"There
isn't as much toxin in his system as with the others," Doctor Warner told
them as he moved to Daniel's side. Jack frowned when he saw something—some
liquid—in Warner's hands, as he checked over Daniel's body. "It's just
some eye solution," Warner said, answering his silent question. "I
don't want his eyes to dry out."
He's
not blinking,
Jack realized, studying Daniel's face again. His blue eyes were distant, open,
and lifeless. His mouth was slightly agape, his lips dry and cracked, while his
coloring was a shade lighter than it should be. Jack stole a forlorn glance at
Daniel's glasses lying on the table to his left.
"Maybe
you shouldn't be in here, Colonel," Warner stated guardedly, finishing his
work on Daniel.
"Why?
What the hell's it to you?" Jack snapped, glaring at Warner. How dare some
second-rate doctor tell him what to do?
When
no one replied, Jack understood. Emotional attachment. He was already too far
gone. Yeah, whatever. He didn't care anymore.
Though
he felt he was teetering on the edge, Jack found enough clarity to apologize to
Doctor Warner. "Sorry," he managed to say, ashamed over his angry
thoughts directed at more than capable doctor. "I'm just—"
Warner
nodded, his eyes full of compassion. "No need, Colonel. I
understand."
"You
promised to inform us about your history on Thoth?" Teal'c stated, turning
the conversation back to the situation at hand. Jack had to give him credit for having a tendency to do that.
At
one time, Jack was able to keep on track. When had that changed?
"Yeah,
why are you so interested in this guy, anyway?" Jack wanted to know. Hell,
his friend was a prisoner in his own body.
There had better be a good reason for the delay. Though, he figured nothing could top
Daniel's health and security. "It's not like he's a System Lord or
anything, from what I've heard," Jack continued.
"He
is not," Beltesh admitted.
"Thoth's
methods are…different," Akana stated slowly, finally turning to face Jack.
And
that's when he saw it. Was it fear?
Anxiety? Or hunger?
A
hunger for something that even the Tok'ra didn't understand?
Now,
that was frightening.
"How
is Thoth different?" Teal'c asked, moving closer to the bedside.
Akana
breathed out, placing her remote—or whatever it was—down. "From what we have
been able to understand, Thoth uses methods that are not condoned by the
Goa'uld," she stated carefully. "His methods are much slower, and
more mysterious."
"What?
You mean, that whole blending thing?" Jack asked impatiently. He caught
Warner walking to the corner to check on some machinery that had been wheeled
into the room. "Look, we already know that. He told us that himself."
"It
goes much further than that, Colonel O'Neill," Akana said. "A Goa'uld
will blend on contact, and destroy the mind of its host to usurp control over
the body. The knowledge, the memories, and the feelings of the host are used to
the symbiote's advantage, allowing it to gain more control and power from its
slaves and conquered worlds. Thoth appears to use the knowledge not for power
over other peoples, but for personal gratification."
Jack
wasn’t sure he was following this. Too
much gray area here.
"What
Akana is stating, Colonel, is that it is rumored that Thoth takes the feelings
and thoughts of his hosts and makes them his own." Beltesh looked
disturbed.
"So,
he's like a leech?" Jack couldn't find any other way to say it.
Beltesh
cocked his head from side to side. "I suppose you could say that. He
absorbs knowledge and makes it his own.
He revels in obtaining new data."
"And
the mind of DanielJackson contains much knowledge," Teal'c stated grimly.
Too
much knowledge,
Jack thought from both a personal and tactical standpoint. This was getting
messy.
"It
is curious to note that Thoth has also had a history of leaving behind many
hosts. Alive."
"Alive?
You mean he likes to change hosts for kicks?" Jack asked, surprised.
Akana
nodded. "Once he is finished obtaining the knowledge, he will move on for new
experiences. Normally, a Goa'uld would stay with its chosen host as long as
possible." Her words made Jack remember Apophis. "And if they leave
their host, they show little concern for its well-being."
"Thoth
presents us with a puzzle. Once he has released his host for another, he allows
it to live." Beltesh shook his head in defeat. "We do not understand
his reasoning."
Jack
couldn't believe he was even going to suggest this. "Maybe he's like a
Tok'ra?"
Akana's
eyes flashed golden white as the anger flared in her usual stoic face. "He
is not Tok'ra!"
"Thoth
is one of the most cunning and manipulative of all Goa'uld," Beltesh said,
almost in a snarl. "He is not of the Tok'ra. He is not like the
Tok'ra."
"Thoth
has stated on many occasions that he is not Goa'uld," Teal'c remarked,
eyeing Daniel carefully.
"Then,
he is using his skills to try and trick you," Akana said angrily.
"You have no idea the dangers present in such an unassuming
symbiote."
"Then
why don’t you tell us," Jack muttered, sick of this song and dance. He glanced over to the mirror, knowing
Hammond had to be watching this little interplay. Shaking his head while he
shrugged, Jack leaned closer to Daniel, occasionally checking to make sure he was
still breathing. "Because we're hearing all sorts of conflicting stories
here."
Akana
and Beltesh exchanged glances. Again,
Jack was starting to feel uneasy with the Tok'ra. They accused Thoth of being manipulative, yet they never shared
anything unless it was absolutely necessary.
Akana
finally nodded. "Thoth was present on your world millennia ago. It is rumored he was the first of the
Goa'uld to use the Stargate."
"Yeah.
And?" Jack was losing patience quickly.
"He
not only worked with Ra, but with many other System Lords of that time,"
Beltesh added. "He used his skills that he gathered from his many hosts to
manipulate his way into the very workings of Egyptian society." Beltesh
observed Daniel thoughtfully. "In this regard, I can see why Doctor
Jackson would make an attractive host to him."
"He
couldn't have known if he was trapped in a jar," Jack stated obviously.
Could he?
"You
are correct," Beltesh agreed, shaking his head as if he were trying to
clear it.
"Thoth
is rumored to never lie, but he uses the truth to his own advantage,"
Akana said mildly.
"Intergalactic
con-man. Yeah, we got that already."
Jack's gaze diverted back to Daniel.
Why had Jack ever given the go ahead on this mission?
"His
knowledge both attracted and repelled the System Lords," Beltesh
continued. "To know Thoth was to know power, but to know Thoth was also to
put oneself at risk."
Beltesh
paused, motioning with a flick of the wrist to Daniel. "The System Lords
feared that he might overthrow them at any time, or use his vast knowledge to
ally with one Goa'uld in particular.
Therefore, it is written that Thoth was permitted to all functions,
where he was courted by many, but was never allowed to become too close to any
particular System Lord, both within the family of Ra and outside of it."
"That
is inaccurate," Teal'c corrected them. "Thoth was much favored by
Ra."
"As
were many of the System Lords at that time," Akana stated, ready for a
rebuff. "Ra's quick rise to power caused chaos among the System
Lords. The more cunning aligned
themselves with Ra for added benefit."
"I'm
guessing—just guessing—that folks like Apophis and Seth didn't buy into this
trick?" Jack mentioned while he hesitantly leaned over Daniel, trying to
take a peek at the medical chart Warner was holding in his hands. "Maybe even
Anubis?"
"Anubis
is also one of the older System Lords," Beltesh stated. "He briefly worked with Ra before
his…departure."
"Banishment,"
Teal'c said, rolling his gaze to Beltesh.
Beltesh
nodded. "Before Anubis fell out of favor with the System Lords, he worked
closely with Thoth, Ma'at, and Osiris. Thoth acted as judge to the unjust,
using the guidelines Ma'at set forth.
She was revered by all, having been the first queen in our
recordings."
This
little history lesson was making Jack dizzy.
Especially since he was used to this stuff coming from Daniel, and not
some friggin' Tok'ra. Jack rubbed his
face, sighing, as he looked down at Daniel's unmoving form.
You
got to get up, Daniel. You got to keep fighting this guy.
Inhaling
slowly, Jack moved closer to the gurney, and quietly took Daniel's limp hand
into his own. He gave him a reassuring
squeeze, hoping that maybe, somewhere in there, Daniel was aware they were
fighting for him.
"This
Ma'at doesn't sound too bad. For a Goa'uld, that is," Jack added quickly.
"Do
not believe that Thoth and Ma'at were absolved from guilt, Colonel
O'Neill," Akana warned, eyeing Jack carefully. "They believed in
their own form of justice, and would strike down anyone that did not fit the
law to perfection. Their murders were
quite grotesque and inhumane."
Wonderful, Jack thought. Just
peachy.
He
squeezed Daniel's hand once more.
"Let
me guess," Jack attempted, glaring at Akana and Beltesh. "Ra got tired
of his little friends and started to kill them off one by one."
Akana
nodded slowly. "As you know, Osiris and Isis were banished. Anubis
discovered how to Ascend and became trapped. Ma'at was killed. There was an
incident with Hathor—"
"Ah,
yeah, let's just skip that and get to the point," Jack muttered, feeling a
chill creep up his spine. "I assume that Thoth took off before things got
worse."
The
double nod just confirmed what he already knew.
But
it still left him with some questions that hadn't been answered.
"Why
are you so afraid of him?" Jack asked abruptly.
Akana
jerked, shifting her gaze to Beltesh, who also appeared startled by the
question.
"Afraid,
Colonel O'Neill?" Akana asked nervously. "We have no fear of
Thoth."
"I
believe you have," Teal'c intoned, arching an eyebrow.
"I
see the way you keep looking at Daniel," Jack said, still refusing to let
go of the younger man's hand. "You're either scared or way too
interested."
"He
is dangerous," Beltesh warned.
"His methods are unorthodox!
He takes his hosts and seduces them, pretends to be their friend, their
protector, before he takes complete control."
Jack
frowned. He really didn't like the way
that sounded.
"What
Beltesh says is true, Colonel O'Neill," Akana said, almost sympathetically.
"His skills in communication make it easy for him to persuade his hosts
into a false sense of security. His abundance of knowledge has allowed him to
learn many methods to secure success." Akana breathed out, her eyes almost
pleading with empathy. "His hosts would gladly die for him."
Jack
blinked at that remark. Daniel? Would
Thoth do that to Daniel?
Jack
found himself clutching Daniel's hand harder, his thumb stroking his warm skin
absently. What if they had already lost Daniel?
There
was a soft gentle pressure on his hand.
Startled,
Jack looked down, surprised to see Daniel's hand gripping his own. Immediately,
Jack's gaze shot upward to Daniel's face, disappointed to see no change.
"Colonel
O'Neill?" Akana asked hesitantly.
"Nothing.
Sorry. It's nothing." Jack squeezed Daniel's hand again, eyeing their
grasp carefully. "So, this Thoth guy can basically brainwash his hosts
into loving him? Maybe using that stuff that is sorta like nishta?"
More
pressure on his hand.
With
a crooked smile, Jack squeezed Daniel's hand once again, this time hoping to
push as much reassurance as possible into the grip. Daniel was trying to reach
him. He was sure of it.
Daniel
hadn't given up yet.
"We
are not sure we would use the term brainwashing, but yes, it is similar,"
Beltesh admitted. "Thoth is a cruel symbiote who would do anything to
ravish the mind of his host for his own purposes."
"That
is not true," the throaty voice bellowed, causing Jack to jump back. Thoth
blinked, opening his mouth wide and cracking his jaw, before watching them
lazily. "I have the utmost respect for my hosts."
Beltesh
snorted, a fire in his eyes. "You lie. We have heard of your ways."
"Nothing
like the pot calling the kettle black," Thoth muttered wearily. "I
have no need to lie. Your accusations bore me. Out of my sight," he
mumbled, trying to wave the Tok'ra away from him with his bound hands.
"Release
DanielJackson." Teal'c stepped forward, his glare venomous as he eyed
Thoth.
"Thoth,
it's been fun, but time's just about up," Jack told him, silencing the
rattling in his bones, telling himself he had not just been comforting Thoth,
but Daniel. It had been Daniel. "The Tok'ra here are going to take you on
a little trip."
"I
will not go with them!" Thoth yelled.
"I will not be subject to their experiments!"
"You
do not appear to have a choice," Teal'c said with satisfaction.
"I
will not. They lie! They are
liars!" Thoth continued to yell, the veins in Daniel's temples bulging
from the strain. "They speak of all my atrocities, but they do not speak
of their own! How many times does a
Tok'ra silence its host? How many times
does a Tok'ra push down the will of its host for its own benefit? We never know because we are assured the
host is in a symbiotic relationship with it.
But how do we really know?"
"Within
the Tok'ra, the host and symbiote work together. We are as one," Beltesh stated, nearly snarling.
Jack
watched the exchange, finally settling his gaze on Teal'c. He knew Teal'c would
act on the Tok'ra if they needed to be restrained.
"How
do we know that is true? How do we know
your host truly talks when it says it does?" Thoth gasped for air before continuing. "All we have is your
word. Your word!" He started to
laugh hysterically, his whole chest shaking from the uproar.
"What
have you done with your host?" Akana said suddenly, reaching out to still
Thoth.
"My
host? My host?" Thoth laughed again. "Why should I tell
you? Would you not only say I speak
lies? What if I told you that my host
has given into my every whim? That he
has succumbed to me completely?"
"DanielJackson
would never do such a thing," Teal'c said coolly.
"Are
you certain, Teal'c? " Thoth grinned at him deviously. "What lengths
would a man go to preserve himself?"
Damn, Jack thought. Daniel was
excellent at self-preservation. Even when he was dead.
"Daniel!"
Jack shouted, pointing his finger viciously. "You had better not have made
a deal with the devil!"
Thoth
laughed again, enjoying the interaction too much. "I have much affection for my host. I would never do
anything to harm him. I offer him shelter when he needs it. I offer him the protection and love that a
father would give to him."
"Ah,
see, no," Jack said irritably. "That would be crossing the line. You
are so out of there." He pointed
to Daniel as he glared at Akana and Beltesh. "Take it out of him."
Akana
hesitated, exchanging an uneasy glance with Beltesh. Jack was not liking this at all.
"What?"
he asked. "Why won't you take him out?"
"We
had wanted to watch his interaction with the host for our—"
"No! You can do whatever the hell you want with
him in someone else. I want him out of Daniel, now!"
"I
will not go with them!" Thoth yelled again, struggling under the
restraints. "They will kill me. I
will not go with them. I call for sanctuary with the Tau'ri."
"You
cannot," Teal'c said firmly. "The Tau'ri have no need for you."
Jack
was expecting a stream of curses in Goa'uld from Thoth, but instead he was
surprised by silence. A pained, sorrowful kind of silence.
"I
will not go with them," Thoth finally whispered. "I will not. He
promised me."
"Teal'c's
right. You don't have a choice," Jack stated simply. "So, don't make
a fuss and make it any harder on yourself."
"No
choice." Thoth laughed again, this time more subdued. "What choice do
I have? The Tok'ra will take me, and I
will die."
"You
will not die," Akana informed him. "We have many questions for
you."
"But
I am a liar, according to you and your kind, so what answers would you get from
me?" Thoth shook his restrained
head. "No, no, you are the ones who speak falsehoods." He sucked in a
deep breath. "My host tells me to keep silent. I agree with him. I wish to
speak with you no more."
"Your
host tells you?" That one Jack didn't quite buy. "Nice try."
"There
is much you have yet to understand," Thoth said to Jack, his tone
sympathetic. "I don't understand why my host tolerates you. You are most
annoying." He licked his bottom lip, attempting to raise his head as he
looked around the room. "My host desires water. He is exhausted."
"Why
not let us talk to Daniel for a little bit?" Jack pressed, watching the
stunned Warner fetch water for Thoth.
"Because
you would not believe him if he spoke. He understands this. He chooses to stay under my
protection."
"Likely
story."
Thoth
narrowed his eyes at Jack while he greedily accepted the water from Warner.
"See? This is what I have to work with," Thoth muttered irritably.
"I can't be bothered by any of you. My host and I have much to
discuss."
"Like
about what happened to the SG teams that were off-world with you?"
Even
when he thought Daniel couldn't turn any paler…
"Their
illness remains?" Thoth asked, his low voice trembling.
"Indeed
it does," Teal'c answered him.
"What
have you done to them?" Jack asked irately.
Thoth
growled, striking his head against the back of the pillow that had been brought
onto the front of the gurney. "That was not supposed to happen."
"So,
it was a trap, then?" Jack rocked on his heels, ignoring the continuous
churning in his stomach. "Who you working for? Anubis? Ba'al? Some other
Goa'uld?"
"Anubis.
Foolish, twisted idiot," Thoth mumbled. Jack stopped, surprised at the
comment. "Anubis thought if he learned the ways of the Ancients, he could
conquer all." Thoth laughed. "It did not occur to him that he could
get kicked out just as easily as he entered. Idiot."
"I
take that as a no?" Jack asked.
"I
would only work for him if I were desperate," he muttered softly.
"Are
you desperate?" Teal'c questioned.
Thoth
smiled. "I like you. You are a
sharp one."
"A
yes or no answer would do," Jack said.
If Thoth couldn't lie, they had to trap him into spilling the truth.
"What
are the toxins we have found in the humans?" Akana asked him suddenly.
Thoth
appeared disturbed with the questioning, rolling his gaze back to the ceiling.
"A result of failure. I am sorry."
"Sorry? That's the best you can do?" Jack
snapped angrily. "Our people are dying!"
"I
am truly sorry."
"Undo
what you have done," Teal'c demanded.
Thoth
was silent, closing his eyes. A single tear trickled down Daniel's cheek.
"Daniel?"
Jack asked, hopefully.
"They
will die," Thoth muttered.
"That
is unacceptable," Beltesh said angrily.
Thoth
smiled weakly. "You listen, yet you do not hear. Do you hear it?"
Jack
breathed out, catching the watchful gaze of Warner. He shook his head, turning back to the monitor.
Not
good, Jack
decided. Not good at all. The Goa'uld or whatever was losing it.
"We
will not allow our people to die," Teal'c continued, standing before
Thoth.
"Nothing
can be done now. We shall lose them." Thoth squeezed his eyelids tighter.
"We shall lose it all. So ignorant were we."
"Teal'c's
right. With or without your cooperation, we'll save our people," Jack said
definitively.
Thoth
opened his eyes. There was an impenetrable gravity in them, an unreadable
sadness that Jack couldn't identify.
"My
host wishes this as well. I assure you, they will be fine, if you listen
carefully."
"What?"
Maybe Jack was the one losing it.
"You just said—"
"Your
kind will survive. But they will die."
"What?"
"Mistakes.
Failures. My kind."
Thoth
gasped, just as surprised as Jack to hear Hammond's voice boom through the
intercom. Jack turned to face the mirror, wondering what—
"There's
a medical emergency in the infirmary," Hammond called. "I need Doctor
Warner to report to the infirmary, immediately. SF's and a medical assistant
will be down momentarily to watch over Doctor Jackson. Colonel, if you could
escort our Tok'ra guests…"
"I
can help them!" Thoth stated suddenly, pulling against the restraints.
"You've
done enough, I'd say," Jack said coldly.
"I
can reverse the toxin! Hear me!"
"How
can you reverse the toxin if you carry it within yourself?" Teal'c asked
suspiciously.
Thoth
frowned, disturbed by the question, but quickly brushed it off. Jack filed that response away for a later
time.
"That
is of little consequence. However, I hold a chemical that will kill them."
"We
don't want them dead." Jack was quickly losing patience with this verbal
dance. Hammond would be pressuring them for answers any time.
"Your
people will survive. Mine…" his voice drifted off.
"Why
would you hold a chemical that would destroy your kind?" Teal'c
questioned, clasping his hands behind his back.
Thoth
sighed. "In case…failure."
"Colonel?"
Hammond questioned over the intercom.
"Take
me to my-his office and I shall retrieve the chemical for you," Thoth
demanded quickly. "Teal'c can escort me and therefore you will know no
harm will come to Daniel. Teal'c would never allow any further harm to come to
him."
"This
is a trick," Akana advised. "I have warned you."
"No
one asked you," Thoth snapped before turning once again to Jack.
"Trust me, Jack. Daniel wants it to be this way."
Jack
couldn’t. He just couldn't, no matter
how much this thing sounded like Daniel. This was the parasite that had set a
trap for anyone who walked in the ruins, and had taken Daniel against his
will. He was a Goa'uld, for all intents
and purposes. He couldn't trust him.
"They
will die. They will die without my
help," Thoth pleaded. "I do not wish them to die. Whereas once their lives might have held
little value, I know differently, now."
"Change
of heart?" Jack asked disbelievingly.
"Change
of mind," Thoth said softly.
"O'Neill,
I do not—"
Jack
held a hand to silence Teal'c. "I don't believe a damn word you're saying,
but since the Tok'ra here aren't doing much good, we'll have the Tok'ra look at
your "chemical" and see what's up."
"That
is not necessary. I speak the truth!"
"Yeah,
yeah, so you've told us, Thoth. But I'd like to be sure," Jack muttered.
"It
will…destroy the symbiotes within your people," Thoth stated. "I
assure you, no harm will come to them."
"Then
it should have the same effect on you as well," Teal'c concluded with a
smile.
Thoth
didn't answer him.
"Sir?"
Jack called, looking up at the window.
"Do
what you can, Colonel," Hammond replied. "I don't need to remind you
we have very little time."
"Understood,
sir."
Jack
glared at Thoth.
Dammit,
Daniel, I hope you're in there somewhere.
"Teal'c, cuff Thoth and take an airman with you. Make
sure you've got zats." Jack motioned to Akana and Beltesh. "You go
with Warner and me." Jack motioned with a nudge of his chin to Daniel.
"I'll join you as soon as the General and I are done briefing Fraiser. Can
you handle that, Teal'c?"
Teal'c glared at Thoth. "I can."
"I mean it, Teal'c."
"I will be fine."
"Alright,
let's go."
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