Fic, Returns, PG-13, 9/?

[hathor_girl]

9.

Jolinar silently gives me control, and I am guessing Lantash did the same with Martouf. I believe his expression is subtly different - I have become better at seeing who is in control.

We are lead through large corridors to Zipacna's throne room. There is no use in fighting. There are a large group of well armed Jaffa and we would not achieve anything but wounding ourselves, and I suspect we will very soon need all the strength we can get.

"The Tau'ri prisoners...ah, yes..." Zipacna grins arrogantly. I immediately feel like wiping the smirk of his annoying face. Why does he always have to look so self-assured?

"Kneel before your god, slaves!" The Jaffa tells us.

We are forced down to our knees some 20 feet before Zipacna. It's well within the distance he can sense us, but the group of Jaffa is obscuring and confusing the signal - especially since he isn't expecting to feel it from us.

The Goa'uld Lord studies us with an arrogant expression. "Major Samantha Carter...of SG-1. Where is the rest of your team? Or is that one a new member? Are more of you're people hiding on the planet you were trespassing on?"

"No, we're the only ones. We were just studying the ruins...we didn't know it was your planet." I try, not really believing it will make a difference, but I feel I should say something.

I guess it also means he'll know my symbiote is Tok'ra and we can't pretend to be Goa'uld. Maybe that was an error.

Zipacna lifts his hand with the hand device and gets up, stepping closer. He motions to the Jaffa to move back, looking strangely at us. They step back...and Zipacna cackles.

"Yes...I thought as much...I did sense a symbiote - in both of you! Tok'ra! I had heard the Tau'ri had allied themselves with the accursed Tok'ra, but I did not know you had started going on missions together - or volunteering as hosts! Well, I suppose the Tok'ra would beg for that - seeing as they don't have the guts to take hosts!" He shakes his head. He looks to his Jaffa and orders all but his First Prime to leave us.

He probably doesn't want the Jaffa to be confused by learning too much about Goa'uld who has chosen another path - denounced their 'birthright' so to speak and insist on not being gods. I can see why it might confuse them - and make them suspect the Goa'uld aren't gods either. That leads to rebellion...

I roll my eyes at him. "We ally with whomever we want to!"

"Who do you speak for, host? The Tau'ri or the Tok'ra? Does the heretic herself not dare coming out to talk? Hiding behind her host!" He mocks.

I dip my head and Jolinar flashes her eyes as she glares at Zipacna. "I am Jolinar of Malkshur."

"Jolinar...maybe..." Martouf tries, realising it's probably not the best idea she tells Zipacna who she is.

"Jolinar!" Zipacna looks delighted. "My old underling..." His expression changes to one of fury. "Until you betrayed me!"

~Jolinar...maybe that was not the best of ideas? Why did you tell him? If you have that kind of history, I mean...~

~I am hoping he will let his emotions lead him into making a mistake - I know he hates me, but he would have recognized me soon anyway, from my behaviour and speech pattern. We...ah...worked closely together for many years.~

~Oh, no...Jolinar...you were lovers aside from his loyal underlord.~

~Yes, well it was a long time ago - and I never loved him, I just made him think so. To gain influence...I do think he fell in love with me, though.~

~Does Martouf and Lantash know?~

~Yes - they also know I betrayed Zipacna and that he almost tortured me to death and killed my host before I got away.~

That explains why Lantash seemed so angry when he mentioned us being captured by Zipacna!

~What a mess!~

~Samantha...Zipacna CANNOT know Martouf and Lantash are my mates. He will torture them horribly before killing them - repeatedly - if he ever learns it!~

I suddenly feel myself getting a headache, though Jolinar claims it is something I imagine.

All this internal discussion has taken fractions of time, and Zipacna is still staring at us when our focus returns to him.

"Weak Tok'ra - see what has happened to you, Jolinar! You were a Goa'uld minor Lord! On your steady way to greatness! See you now! A host you have no doubt been given as a mercy gift from the Tau'ri - though I must admit a beautiful one at that...but you let her talk! Accept her as your equal..." He shakes his head, sadly. "Come back to me, Jolinar! As my queen, you would rule with me! Yes, despite your previous betrayal I am ready to take you back. Trust you again - eventually. When you have proven yourself. Perhaps by killing this fellow Tok'ra for me."

"I will never be your queen! Never betray the Tok'ra!" Jolinar spits.

"I see, well in that case I shall have to 'convince' you." He turns to his First Prime. "The pathetic Tok'ra have denounced their godhood. Take the female and prepare her for my bed. I shall have to teach her a lesson."

Suddenly Martouf's eyes flare as Lantash take control and furiously jumps Zipacna. "You will leave my Jolinar and Samantha alone or I swear I will kill you!"

Zipacna very much has not expected this and doesn't have time to raise the hand with his ribbon device, but tumbles to the ground with a furious Lantash trying to get to close his hands around his neck.

The First Prime stares in shock at them for a moment too long and Jolinar jumps him. He recovers quickly, but not quickly enough to get his weapon up, and Jolinar hits him, hard enough to make him lose his balance temporarily. It is enough for her to jump him, grabbing the metal brazier standing beside the throne, around the metal rod it stands on, and hit the Jaffa with the end that contains burning coals.

He screams and drops his staff weapon. Jolinar grabs it and is about to shoot the Jaffa when Lantash calls out.

"Don't kill him! We need him...as a witness! Give me the zat'nik'tel!" He says, hitting Zipacna hard over the head and beginning to take the hand device off the Goa'uld Lord.

Jolinar complies and takes the zat from the still dazed Jaffa, handing it to Lantash.

"Here."

He immediately jumps back from Zipacna and shot the Goa'uld once, twice - then looks to the Jaffa who is looking on in horror.

"Watch - and be a witness to the end of Zipacna! You will not be able to bring him back in a sarcophagus if there is nothing to bring back!" He shoots Zipacna one more time, and the Goa'uld disappears.

"I hope it was the right choice - not that I'm sorry to see him dead." Jolinar said. She hit the Jaffa over the head with the staff weapon and we hurry out before he can wake up or anyone else shows up.