Fic, To the Rescue, Sam/Jolinar/Martouf/Lantash, NC-17, 5/12

[hathor_girl]

 ~What now?~ I ask. We have jumped to yet another world, a place where it is currently summer - and night. 

~I need some things from here.~

~Jolinar!~ I say angrily. ~I agreed to let you do this! To let you use my body for a dangerous mission for an unspecified period of time, so you can rescue your husbands. Don't you think I deserve to know a little of what's going to happen?~ 

She sighs, guiltily. ~Yes, you do. I will get some valuables from a stash I have here - an emergency fund, should I find myself without access to the Tok'ra. That happens from time to time for operatives and others, you know! I will use it to go to a world I know, which has a market place that sells everything as long as you can pay - and asks no questions. I will get expensive clothes, slaves, various things - and gifts to give to the Goa'uld who holds Martouf and Lantash.~

~I see...wait, slaves - and gifts for the one who has captured your mates?~ I am completely confused. 

~I need slaves, or they will not believe I am a Goa'uld. Even a relatively minor one has some slaves, and I need to appear important enough that I will be hired, so I get a chance to come into the palace and find a way to free Martouf and Lantash. The gifts are a necessary part - they expect lavish gifts from anyone who arrives and wants something.~

~I think I understand.~

~Of course, first I need to learn who is holding him. I have a theory, but I do not know for sure.~

~Well, the one he was undercover with, I guess? Isn't that what you say you guys do?~

~Martouf/Lantash were not on a mission as a minor Goa'uld, but as a human, trading with some people we regularly trade with. He is not normally an operative. Someone must have betrayed him, and I suspect I know who.~

~Cordesh.~ I remember. 

~Yes. Probably he decided to get rid of them too, having gotten rid of me, he thought. He hates me - or Cronus does at least.~

---

Jolinar has asked around a little, and we go shopping for the things we need, while waiting to hear back from her spies - who are well paid. 

She has bought some clothing which is extravagant, but not as taste-less as what we have seen many Goa'uld wear. I am grateful for that, at least, even if I would prefer less revealing clothing. I must, secretly, admit that I look quite good, though. 

The informers have found the information Jolinar asked of them. It is the Goa'uld Themis - and ally of Cronus's - who is holding Martouf and Lantash. It is now nine days since they were caught! Jolinar is very worried for her mates, and I feel it as well.

~Themis is not the worst, and she dislikes having to deal with prisoners herself. She is not usually violent herself, but she likes to make her underlings interrogate her prisoners. If we are in luck and she hires me, that means we may be able to get to be alone with Martouf and Lantash - and so free them.~

~If she doesn't have someone she would rather have handle that - how do you intend to insinuate yourself with her?~

~I don't know yet. Gifts, slaves. We shall see.~

Another informant comes to us, hoping for more money if he has info she doesn't know. 

---

~So Themis has been away for a meeting with her brother and some of her other allies, for most of a week!~ Jolinar sounds delighted. ~That means she will not have had time to torture Martouf and Lantash!~

~Probably not. That is certainly good news!~

And we can use some good news - after all the other stuff. Perhaps we can handle this mission quickly, rescue Martouf/Lantash, and then get back and Jolinar can leave me. Maybe we will even find a host for her!

I feel hopeful for the first time in days.

Perhaps I will soon be going back to Earth? 

---

We arrive on Themis's planet, Titana, early in the morning, wearing expensive, extravagant clothing, and with a following of fifteen slaves, all carrying gifts for Themis. Jolinar has her best, Goa'uld expression, and if I did not know any better, I would be sure she was Goa'uld! 

After some harsh words to the Jaffa near the Stargate, Jolinar is allowed an audience with Themis. 

She walks into the throne room as if she owns the place, but still bows deeply to Themis, and offers her the slaves and gifts with a sweeping movement of her hand. 

Themis looks impressed, but suspicious. 

"My first prime tells me your name is Jaella. What is your business here?" 

"I have come to ask for the honour of serving you, my Lord." Jolinar lies glibly. 

"Hm, serve me in what position?" 

~Good news! She did not turn me down immediately. Perhaps she is in need of an extra underling!~ Jolinar suggests, happily. 

"I have many talents and abilities. Previously, I have worked for several other Lords, but not found one that impressed me, nor one that gave me challenging problems. Bastet and Olokun has both employed me for some time, and I believe they were quite pleased with my abilities to extract information from difficult subject. You see, I have my quite own style, and I take great pleasure in extracting the information."

Themis nods slowly. Bastet and Olokun are neither enemies nor allies, so she knows little of them, and a former employee of theirs would not be a danger. 

"It is the sign of a good interrogator when he or she finds pleasure in their work. As it is, I happen to have a difficult prisoner in my dungeon. I have only had time for the most preliminary interrogations, since other matters have taken my time - and my previous interrogator made the error of failing me, killing the prisoner before he even spoke his name. I killed the worthless fool immediately, so I am in the deplorable situation of having to handle interrogations myself. Most displeasing."

"I agree, my Lord. That should not be something such an illustrious person as yourself should bother with. Let me spend some time with the prisoner, and see what I can learn. Think of it as a gift. If you are satisfied, and I found the challenge worthy of my efforts, then perhaps we can discuss employment. Otherwise, neither of us have lost anything." 

"The prisoner is in the sarcophagus after the mornings session. He will be sent to his cell afterwards, so why don't you join me for an early lunch? Then you can show me your skills after that." 

"Thank you, my Lord." Jolinar bowed respectfully.