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hathor_girlWhile Jolinar surreptitiously checks on the various rooms, trying to locate the lab, I am thinking about what she said, about blending. What do I want? Could I live in the Tok'ra tunnels? Leave Earth, my friends, my team mates?
If we do end up working together - and it would seem that is at least possible - then I could always visit Earth, right? Jolinar and I could even work to increase the cooperation between our people, and I would be able to work with my dad.
Then there is Martouf and Lantash. I think it is pretty obvious I won't mind having them as my mates, so that is a huge plus about remaining Jolinar's host. They seem like they would like me to be their mate - they have said so, and they behave as they do, so I believe them.
If I become Tok'ra, I would go on missions for them, so I would still fight the Goa'uld. In addition, I would be able to study Tok'ra tech, far more advanced than anything we have on Earth.
I can't believe it, but I am actually starting to argue myself into staying Jolinar's host!
I push the thoughts away, deciding to make a decision after this mission. Right now there are important things to focus on. Jolinar has located the lab!
We have looked through the computers, and found several locked and encrypted files, some of which may indeed have to do with how Tok'ra operatives are brain washed. There are a couple research projects which we suspect, and which it would be good to copy. However, we can neither read more than the database entry codes, nor copy the files, unless we can break the encryption. He has the files locked down good! I am impressed.
~Couldn't we just blow it all up?~
~Yes, if there are no other options, however not only will it draw attention, but he may have other copies of the files...andthe scientist who made the log has the knowledge, so he or she would have to be killed as well... and they are not currently here on the base!~ Jolinar points out.
~Damn! Let me try again!~
~We cannot remain here long enough to break this code! I can read and use the technology, and know how the computers are programmed...mostly, but I am no 'hacker' as you call it. No scientist. I do not know how to break the encryption, and you cannot do it knowing only what I tell you of the computers and Goa'uld. We must somehow get Martouf and Lantash here, and have them try. They have a chance.~
~But they are masquerading as a human slave, which no Goa'uld would bring to help in a lab like this, right? Jaffa have looked in thrice while we have been here. Had Martouf and Lantash been here, they would have been suspected, and we would most likely all have been killed. Is that not correct?~
~Yes.~ Jolinar admits.
~So...there is only one other option. We blend. How long will it take?~
~Blending fully takes hours, and it is not reversible, as I have told you.~
~Okay, then I guess you're getting a host...~I say, more decisive and cool than I really feel.
Jolinar sighs, aware I am not as comfortable with this as I pretend. She knows though, as well as I do, that there is no choice. She looks to the timestrip on the wall. ~It is noon. We can go and eat, then blend, if you are certain of the decision. We will tell the Jaffa and servants to leave us alone. We will be in very much a hurry afterwards, as Heru'ur will soon decide the search has gone on long enough, and the prisoners must have fled. If that happens, we cannot move freely in the palace, he will want to interrogate me and see if I am Takla, and he will perhaps have your father and your friends tortured. Or outright killed. We also cannot order the Jaffa around or easily escape.~
~I get it! We have to hurry. Just do the blending as fast as possible.~
~The faster it is done, the more you will be affected, the quicker our bond will be deep...and you will feel like I do.~
~Well, that's good, isn't it? I may not even regret staying a host, then.~
~No, but it should be a choice for you, not a necessity ~ Jolinar sighs. ~However, sometimes life chooses for us.~
~Jolinar...I really don't think I would regret it in any case.~ I admit.
~Thank you, Samantha!~ Jolinar hugs me. ~I am very grateful, and I promise I will do all I can to make sure you have no reason to regret anything!~
When I wake up, the bond with Jolinar feels different, and my mind is full of things I didn't know before. So much information! It feels like too much has been crammed into me far too fast!
~Which it has, in a way, but we will be all right. Now we must hurry.~ Jolinar says, and gets out of bed and quickly puts on new, non-wrinkly clothing and fixes up our makeup.
Yes, we are in a hurry, but I feel better than before, and Jolinar has an undercurrent of happiness which spills over to me. She has a willing host, one she is blended with again! I cannot help but share her happiness!
We walk as fast as we can without appearing suspicious, to the lab, and start looking at the computers again. It is still not easy to crack the encryption, but it doesn't feel impossible, as it did before. With Jolinar's encouragement, I set to work.
It's maybe an hour later, when I have cracked the encryption and downloaded everything about Heru'ur's scientist's projects - including the research on brainwashing people. With this the Tok'ra will be able to not only easily detect those affected, but probably cure them as well!
With the research secured, it is time to focus fully on our escape - high time, actually. Jolinar is surprised Heru'ur has not yet decided the danger has blown over, and exited his room to kill a few dozen Jaffa in a fit of rage that they haven't captured the escapees. We certainly don't want to end up being involved in that! He's more than likely to blame us - or realize we're Tok'ra!
Jolinar walks up to two Jaffa that are a little smaller than the others, and orders them to follow her. They do, without asking any questions. Impersonating a Goa'uld certainly has advantages!
We walk to a desolate place not far from the storage room where Martouf/Lantash and Rohk/Ihlkat are hiding. We have only just turned a corner, when Jolinar turns around, lightening fast, and shoots a shock wave at both Jaffa. They are thrown against the wall with enough force to knock them both unconscious.
~Could you make more noise!~ I complain, nervous.
~Apologies, but I do not currently have a zat'nik'tel, so I had to use my hand device.~ She walks to the Jaffa, one at a time, and uses the ribbon setting to kill them - quickly and painlessly.
I am still unhappy with it, even if they didn't suffer, and it was necessary or they would have reported us.
Jolinar walks to the nearby storage room and raps on the door.
It opens slowly, and Martouf/Lantash look out, holding a zat at the ready. He immediately lowers it. "Jolinar. I am relieved to see you safe. A very long time passed, and we were getting...anxious."
"You worry too much, beloved." Jolinar smile lovingly at him. "Come, help me drag some Jaffa here, so we can relieve them of their uniforms."
A short time later, Martouf/Lantash and Rohk/Ihlkat are wearing the uniforms of Horus guards. The corpses of the Jaffa have been disintegrated, so there is nothing to find.
"What is our plan?" Ihlkat asks.
"Free SG-1 and Jacob and Selmak, then escape in a teltac." Jolinar says.
"They are here?" Lantash looks surprised. I can't say I blame him.
"Yes, they seems to have decided to 'rescue' Samantha and myself." Jolinar finds this amusing.
"Perhaps the Council will not be angry with us for being captured - and not discovering Sihklat was a traitor." Lantash muses.
"Oh, I think we can be certain that the Council will not care about that, compared to what I did - and what Selmak did."Jolinar says. "Come, follow me - and be ready to shoot the Jaffa guards in the cell area, if they do not immediately agree to let us take the prisoners."