Fic, Surprises, Lies, and Amnesia, 5/14

[hathor_girl]

 "That is the device, which you call a 'Stargate'?" Martouf asked, staring out at the big ring through the window in the controlroom.

"Yes. Does it ring a bell? Um, by the way, your people call it chaapa'ai." Sam said.

Martouf nodded slowly. "It does... I think. I feel some familiarity with it, as if I have seen it - walked through it - several times before. Have I?"

"Yes, you have. Where do you think you have gone?"

He shook his head. "This is not going to make sense, but - to other worlds?"

Sam grinned. "Actually, it makes sense, and you are correct. It's used to travel to other planets - my team do so regularly, as do several other teams."

Martouf looked shocked. "Other planets. I have been to other planets! I would have never thought I would say something like that." He frowned. "Are there aliens there?"

"Yes, though most planets have human populations - but let's not talk about that right now."

He nodded, reluctantly, obviously wanting to know more. "All right."

"Come, I have some things in my lab I want you to see."

---

They went to her lab, and Sam took a zat, a hand device, and a healing device from a box.

"Do you recognize any of these?" Sam asked.

Martouf picked the things up one at a time, looking at them. Thoughtful, he put the hand device on, and flexed his fingers in it. Suddenly, the crystal in the middle glowed softly. "Whoa! Did I do that?"

"Yes."

"How? I didn't push any buttons - I just...thought of it." He hurriedly took off the hand device.

"It's thought controlled. What did you think about?"

"Thought-controlled?" He looked disbelieving "I remember...wearing it. Using it, I think. I suddenly remember the crystal is supposed to glow when you use it, and I thought about that - and then it started glowing!"

"That's good, you're starting to remember. But maybe a bit dangerous. It's a very dangerous and hard to control weapon."

He nodded. "I believe you..." He frowned. "Is this weapon called kara kesh?"

"Maybe, honestly, I don't know the Goa'uld word for it. We usually call it hand device, or ribbon device,"

"Goa'uld? That's the aliens, like the one that shot me, right?"

"Yes."

"Why would I remember the Goa'uld word instead?"

"That's, um, a long story." Sam looked uncomfortable. "What about the other things. Ring any bells?"

"Zat'nik'tel?" Martouf said slowly, as he touched the weapon.

"Correct." She didn't want to point out they usually just called it a zat - it would just be one more thing to wonder about, and she didn't know if they wanted him to realize he was an alien just yet.

"This is for healing." Martouf picked up the healing device.

"Very good." Sam smiled. "You're remembering!"

Martouf frowned and put down the device, then touched his neck. "I felt something move again. It's definitely something, and not something I imagine!"

Sam sighed deeply, then went to him. "May I feel?" She hoped she could somehow figure out if Lantash was working on removing the rest of the block, or trying to communicate - and whether he had amnesia too.

"Of course."

"Just relax." Sam put her hand flat on Martouf's neck, but didn't feel anything at first. She touched along his spine, then suddenly felt a movement - as if the symbiote was pushing against her hand. She felt fairly certain Lantash was trying to communicate with them. It must be horrible for him to be blocked and trapped like that, unable to talk to anyone, including his host, for several years!

She felt incredibly sorry for Lantash, and thinking she wanted to reassure him, she started to stroke him softly. He pushed against her hand again, clearly appreciating the gesture.

Martouf cleared his throat after a few minutes. "Um, while that is certainly pleasant, I think I'm confused as to what effect it will have..." He smiled a very charming, a slightly shy smile. "Of course, I don't object in the least to you touching me..."

"Oh." Sam blushed. "I can see how that looked." She sighed. "I don't know if the doctors want me to tell you, but I think you should now, so I will tell you. However, it's...sort of something that will be a big shock to you, I think, so we should go somewhere private." She grinned. "Don't misunderstand me! I'm not coming on to you!"

However much I want to, Sam thought to herself.

"As I said, I don't mind. At all. You are very beautiful - as well as kind and intelligent. I can't understand that we are just friends. I must be a fool, not to have shown any interest in you!"

"Ah, um, I think you have...shown some interest when you're yourself. It's just...there's reasons why it may not be a good idea for us to be together."

"I cannot think of any reason why not!" He took her hand, and squeezed it gently.

"Um, believe me, there are reasons, but it would be too confusing to explain right now. Just trust me for now. In any case, it is not a good idea to, ah, get involved when you don't remember who you are."

"I do trust you - and that you believe this is so, but I am not sure I will agree. Now or when I hopefully get my memory back. However, for now I will accept your wish."

---

They went to Sam's quarters, and when she had closed the door, she turned to him.

"Please sit down." She gestured at the chair by the desk.

Martouf sat down on the chair, and Sam took a seat on her bed. A little while passed, while Sam tried to think of something to say. This was not easy - how do you explain to someone they have an alien lifeform in their head!

"Well?" He looked at her. "I must admit I look forward to some explanations. A lot of thing is confusing for me."

Sam nodded. "I can understand, and I'm sorry. This is not going to make things easier." She sighed. "You remembered we talked about the Stargate...the chaapa'ai, going to other planets?"

"Of course! How could I forget something like that?!"

"Okay, you asked about whether there were aliens out there, and I said yes - there is. Martouf - you're not from this planet."

"What? But I'm human!"

"Well, yes, you are, but not from Earth."

"You said most planets had human populations - are you saying I'm from one of those?" He looked increduled.

"Yes."

"It's difficult to believe." He shook his head. "How did there come to be humans out there? Why am I here?"

"Those enemies we talked of earlier, the Goa'uld - they took a lot of humans from Earth and moved them to other planets. To use as slaves."

"Slaves?"

"Yes. Most of them were taken many years ago. Many many generations."

"And I'm from one of those. Slave-populations."

Sam nodded. "You are, but you are part of a resistance, one who fights those Goa'uld. That is how you came to be here. We are allied with the resistance, and you sometimes come to Earth because of that."

"Is that why I've lived here on Earth, thinking I was an actor?"

"No. We don't know why. You were wounded. We thought you were dead, actually, but you clearly survived, and somehow ended up here on this world. We hope to learn more, when we hear from your people."

"So they're coming here - from any world?"

"Yes, and I'm hoping they will be here soon."

Martouf nodded, clearly shaken by all he had been told. He suddenly remembered something. "That...the strange movement in my neck. Me sensing that...naquadah...is that because I'm from another planet? Me reacting to this world, for some weird reason?"

"No, not quite."

"That's right - you said you sensed the naquadah too. What then?"

Sam closed her eyes for a moment, then decided to jump out into it. "Those who are members of the resistance are all, ah, hosts."

"Hosts? What do you mean hosts? Hosts to what?"

"They are symbiotes - symbiotic creatures. They sit wrapped around the spine, up the neck and into the lower part of your head."

He looked at her, disbelief on his face. "You're kidding, right?"

"No, I'm not."

"Why would anyone want to do that?"

"Well, I guess there are many reasons, but one of them is that they can heal most injuries and diseases. They increase your lifespan too - with many centuries."

"Really?" He still didn't know what to believe, then suddenly he nodded. "That is why any small scratch or injury healed in no time. Why I can't remember having a cold at all!"

"Yes, that would be why."

"That's certainly neat - and I guess an advantage if you're in a resistance. I guess it could be dangerous work." He grimaced. "Still, sounds a bit...icky. To have a creature sitting inside me like that."

Sam smiled wryly. "Yeah, lots of people think so, but I don't think any of the Tok'ra would agree. That's the name of your people. The resistance. They are called Tok'ra."

"Against Ra." Martouf said.

"Yes."

He sighed. "I can see why the others maybe didn't want me to know any of this - and I realize you probably haven't told me half of it, but I'm still grateful to you. Thank you, Samantha, for trusting me. For telling me this."

"Of course, Martouf. You're my friend." She smiled genuinely. "I'm glad you aren't freaking out over the symbiote-in-head stuff."

"No, strangely enough, it feels...comforting? I know it sounds crazy, but to me it feelsright." He realized something. "You were checking on the...the symbiote, before, when you touched my neck?"

"Yes. I was checking if he was okay - as much as I can. You're people will be able to do that better when they arrive, but I think he's okay. Not sure if he has amnesia too, but..." She suddenly realized what she was saying, and stopped.

"Wait! If he has amnesia too? He's, uh, he's sentient? We can communicate with him?" Martouf got a very strange expression.

Sam sighed. "Oops, I guess. I don't think I should have told you yet, but...nothing to do about that now. Yes, he's sentient. His name is Lantash - and usually you can talk to him."

"Lantash - that was the other name you said I could use, as a last name."

"Yes."

Martouf shook his head. "There is a sentient creature in my head, ready to heal me if I need it. An internal doctor. Why did he agree to it? How do I talk to him? Can he read my thought?"

"Yes, though a bit more than an internal doctor - the symbiotes are...somewhat eel-like, I guess. They can't interact much with their surroundings in their natural state, so they need hosts to do so. Normally, host and symbiote can talk together internally - and yes, he can read your mind, but he only does if you let him. They can also take control of the body, so you, kind of take turns being in control."

Martouf was quiet for some time. "It sounds completely insane. I guess I can understand they would want a host, then, and I guess that the healing gifts they give could make someone agree to be their host. Does...does Lantash fight in this resistance too?"

"Oh, yes. Actually, it's the symbiotes who fight originally, and then their hosts join them in their fight. There isn't many other ways for humans to fight the Goa'uld."

Martouf nodded. "Okay, so one more reason to be host to a symbiote." He closed his eyes for a few moments. "This will take some time getting used to. Are there more I should know?"

"There is, I guess, but don't you think this is enough for now?"

"You're probably right. So this movement in my neck - it's Lantash trying to get my attention? Or trying to fix whatever is wrong, that's giving me amnesia, and stopping him from talking to me?"

"Yes, most likely."

"Okay. Well, I gather...even if this all sounds strange and unbelievable, then I would assume that if I have chosen to be his host, and remained so, then I must like him. He is my friend, correct?"

"He is, yes. From what I have been told - by you - host and symbiote are closer than any others."

"Then I shall look forward to being able to talk to him again." Martouf said, gingerly petting his neck, trying very hard to come to terms with all this.