Seaworld
He leaned against the doorframe of the main hut over the lagoon and watched the scene in front of him in silence and contentment. It was a scene he was firmly fixing in his memory as one of the happy ones. The twins were babbling and giggling in Alteran as they played with a distinctly harassed looking Aiyana who still had a smile on her face. Alexandra and Jason could now walk for short periods of time and were making the most of their newly discovered dexterity in their legs. The floor was littered with all a manner of toys; most of which had some or other educational context to them; Alteran numbers and mathematical constants were prominent on them…and while the twins couldn't hope to understand them yet…the idea of building the basis for future learning by constant exposure was there.
Their mother was also raising the twins in the Spartan traditions and as such they had yet to wear a stitch of clothing in their young lives, it was an unnecessary encumbrance and chore to do otherwise and its not like the twins were complaining. Aiyana's slowly returning memories prevented her from joining in this minimalist attitude, as the Alteran's of five million years ago had a rather firm attachment to their ornate tunics and robes. She clearly saw the advantage of foregoing clothing in the damp environment of the islands, but it was a deep habit to break but Apollonia was already working on it.
Aiyana was today clad in short pants and a piece of cloth tied around her breasts both made with material that breathed easily. Her skin was already looking a more healthy tan brown from her time outside.
"Saluto," said Harry in greeting.
"Patris!" said the twins in perfect unison and alternately crawled and walked as fast as they could towards their father. He scooped both up easily in his arms and they hugged him tightly.
"Have you been good?" he continued in Alteran. The twins bobbed their heads in excited yes. "Not tiring out your Aunty Aiyana?" They shook their heads this time. He merely raised a skeptical eyebrow at both infant Alterans, their shared feelings speaking to each other.
"Liars," teased Aiyana, standing up with a smile. The twins pouted.
"How have you been?" asked Harry pointedly, staring at Aiyana.
"Getting there," she answered with a sigh. "I can use my normal voice fully now, I can remember the highlights of my life before the hibernation, but the specifics and minutiae are still lost in the fog."
"And?"
"Well, towards the end almost all of us were devoted to finding a way to cure the plague, but before it struck us, I was a molior edificium. It's a discipline that blends architect and structural engineer."
"Fascinating," said Harry thoughtfully. "Military training?"
"The basics as were required for all Alterans of the time," she replied, "if I had to I could easily pilot the Achilles, but with none of the finesse or military skill you would, nor with your grasp of strategy."
"Then it seems we have the subject of your first lessons," said Harry with a happy grin, tickling the nose of Alexandra who giggled and tried to swat her father's hand away.
"Lessons?"
"Yeah, as much as I would wish that it wasn't necessary, it's been over a month since you've came here," said Harry seriously. "And the Galaxy needs you, just as much as it needs me and Apollonia. With Anubis somehow in possession of an unknown amount of Alteran technology, we need to be ready to counter whatever he springs on Terra, our allies, and us. Not to mention the Asgard's genetic problem that we also have to endeavor a solution for…"
"Yes, yes," said Aiyana, "I understand, it's just so easy to fall into the lull of peace here…it's entrancing."
"That it is," agreed Harry. "I look forward to the day the Galaxy is not in the grip of a feudal war, but until then we cannot rest."
"So when do we begin?" asked Aiyana.
"As soon as possible, but first, I must drop these rugrats off with Heimdoll, as their mother is very busy studying artificial subspace region building."
"Oh," said Aiyana wincing, "now that is complex work, you sure she's up to it?"
"Our Legacy is instructing her, I am confident she will be fine," said Harry stridently. "Of course, if she makes a mistake, we won't even have the time to feel the effects as the entire solar system will be destroyed in a few nanoseconds. But I have faith in her."
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Half an hour later Harry and Aiyana stood on a gantry overlooking the massive underground shipyards of Seaworld. She was absolutely gob smacked at the sight in front of her, hardly believing her eyes. The ship berthed below was seven hundred meters in length, one hundred and fifty in width, made up of the block and narrowing contours of various main sections and decks, which tapered towards the large engine emitters in the rear. She was unfamiliar with the class of vessel, but the design was pure Alteran…taking into account functionality and mathematical design principles as well as a touch of the aesthetic.
"Say hello to the Artemis," said Harry, gesturing grandly at the ship below. "Her official Alteran class designation is Hippoforalkus. She was one of the few ships that actually made it back from wherever the Alterans went five million years ago, so she's just about ten thousand odd years old."
"That's a bit old for a ship to be spaceworthy," commented Aiyana.
"True, but she's been practically re-built from scratch…everything about her is new, in terms of design I kept the original elements, but the technology in her is up to date. She actually surpasses the Asgard O'Neill class in some respects, because of her Drone launcher tubes. Main energy weapon is the new Asgard zero-point exotic particle emitter, but it's released in a tight beam instead of a sphere of energy as on the O'Neill class."
"What's she powered by?" asked Aiyana curiously.
"She has the last of our Zero-Point Energy Modules for power, with a neutrino-ion reactor as backup," explained Harry. "Achilles and Briseus each also have one, although they have more room and have three neutrino-ion reactors each."
"Ah, hence the reason your wife is studying their manufacture," she said.
"Yes, I have the feeling they'll be needed soon," said Harry with narrowed eyes. "Anyway, let's go to the Bridge." Both Alterans vanished with a flash of white light and reappeared on the Bridge of the Artemis. It still had the semi-circular configuration with massive forward viewport to space of the original Hippoforalkus class, and control stations for ship systems dotted about, but instead of the raised Captain's chair, an ornate marble Control Chair now dominated the center of the Bridge. "What do you think?"
Aiyana slowly walked around the Bridge taking it all in and traced her hand over the smooth marble of the Chair.
"It's…" she gave up on words and merely placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, sharing her feelings and spirit that expressed what words failed to convey.
"And she's all yours now," said Harry with a grin.
"Amazing," she said, shaking her head as if she had trouble believing it. "Well, let's get cracking on those lessons, I don't want to lose her the first time she sees action, due to my…lack of education in matters of war."
There was a flash of white light and they disappeared.
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SGC Stargate Control, Earth
"What's going on?" asked Harry. He had returned after spending a few days with his children and making sure Aiyana was set on her studies, only to find upon returning that the SGC was in a rather heightened state of alert.
"The Tok'ra base in Risa has been overrun by Anubis," said Jonas grimly. "I was returning with SG2 at the time from the archeological dig on P36-231. The evacuees were forced to divert to the Alpha site."
"Risa has fallen?" said Harry incredulously. "That was one of the most secure and secret Tok'ra facilities in the Galaxy. How did Anubis…"
"I know," said Jonas wearily, "even Kanan is scratching his head in confusion on how Anubis knew."
"And now a group of Tok'ra are in a very confined space with a large portion of the Rebel Jaffa," said Harry wearily, "talk about recipe for disaster."
"It is much worse," said Kanan suddenly, his distorting voice echoing eerily, "an Ashrak hunter with the ability to render itself invisible has apparently managed to infiltrate the Alpha site with the evacuees. Gate travel has been restricted until the Ashrak is found and destroyed."
"An Ashrak is a formidable foe," agreed Harry. He had only tangled once with an Ashrak, in the days before he had introduced himself to the SGC. It was a sobering experience that no matter what his own powers; training and the will to fight, in the end of the day, won out over anything. Yes, he had defeated the Ashrak in the end, but he had gotten overconfident and nearly been wounded mortally and had to drag himself for a mile back to the Stargate to get back to Seaworld and get medical attention.
"But I think Sam's multispectral vision will negate any personal cloaking device the Ashrak is wearing…if she can manage to shift her vision into the proper frequency she can see it, but she's still having trouble with her control." Kanan only nodded. "You've been pretty accepting and quiet on the Terran evolution…I would've thought you'd be eager to report this to the Tok'ra High Council."
"I dare not," said Kanan. "Until it is determined how Anubis is penetrating our security with apparent ease, it's a secret that will go with me into death."
"Unless the whistle is blown at the Alpha site in dealing with the Ashrak," said Harry worriedly.
"I believe Major Carter is aware of the security issues, she is quite diligent," said Kanan. "And your most ingenious Advanced Warfighter systems could be used as an excuse."
"Sometimes I miss having the deviousness of a Tok'ra whispering in my head," chuckled Harry in appreciation.
The day grinded on anxiously, with Harry and Jonas/Kanan spending it in Daniel's Lab cataloguing the artifacts gathered, all the while keeping a sharp ear for the klaxon that would signify an incoming wormhole. When it did finally occur, it was evening and Jonas fumbled the piece of pottery in his hand…Harry caught it in a telekinetic grip before it could shatter on the concrete floor.
"Thanks," said Jonas sheepishly, plucking the piece out of the air and setting it carefully on the table.
"You might have the strength and perks of Tok'ra now, Jonas, but you can still have pratfalls," said Harry amusedly.
"I gather that," laughed the Kelownan. When they arrived in the Gate room the wormhole had in the meantime disengaged again and Sam, Jack and Teal'C were handing their PR8 AW systems off to the quartermaster sergeants.
"Hey guys," greeted Harry easily, "did you kick some Ashrak ass?"
"Yeah," said Jack, "the guy may be invisible, but he still makes noise as he goes." He tapped his ears.
"I could eventually see him," said Sam with a sigh, "but I was struggling to get my eyes to the correct frequency…eventually I used the Naquadah generator to generate an electromagnetic field that would excite the cloak into the visible spectrum. And the irony, just when the Ashrak was made 'visible' by the field, I manage to get my eyes in gear…" she shook her head in frustration.
"Hmmm, perhaps that is the key then to get your ability under proper control," said Harry thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, everyone is different, learn in different ways, there's no sure way to go about teaching control of the metaphysical," explained Harry. "With you I believe your ability may be…for the moment…operating on emotional triggers."
"That makes kinda sense actually," she said looking intrigued.
"Ok, but no training tonight," said Jack sternly, "we've got the mission to Pangar tomorrow morning, I want everyone fresh and bright. You too, Ambassador, you're coming to smooth relations."
"Looking forward to it," said Harry dryly as SG1 walked off to the Infirmary.
Pangar
On a lush green hillside, with the rest of the surrounding landscape sloping with grassland and the occasional tree dotted about and slightly overcast condition above, many people dressed rather conservatively with little color adorning their clothes worked on excavating ruins of a large structure buried in the hillside. Many tents also had placed to allow the archeologists to remain on site and to store the equipment used in the excavating.
The archeologists and scientists all kept staring occasionally down a well traveled footpath towards where the large obsidian metal ring was erected, and the four people standing at the control device near it, who were apparently waiting for something.
Of the four, it was accurate to say, only three were waiting, whilst the fourth, in the black uniform and manner that screamed 'military', was relentlessly and worriedly pacing back and forth.
"Calm yourself, Commander," said Councilor Dorren, the most official looking of the group, with a dark gray suit with coat tails and very calm and stern demeanor.
"We are about to meet an alien race in person for the first time," said Commander Tegar, walking to stand beside the Councilor, "if you are correct, they are far in advance of us and capable of being a significant threat. That gives me good reason to be on highest alert."
Dorren looked like he was used to the paranoid posturing of the military and merely said, "Since the discovery of the temple ruins, we have had reason to believe that there are other inhabited planets in the galaxy and now finally, we have our proof. I, for one, am relieved that the very first contact that we have made is with a race of humans that seem to be very much like us."
"Maybe you treat them without suspicion, but I cannot," said Tergar insistently.
"Nevertheless Commander, we must proceed."
It was at this point that the Stargate rumbled to life and the lights on the great device began to go on, one by one, rather quickly before a wormhole connected and the rumbling water that appeared out of nowhere settled to a smooth pond effect within the great circle.
"They are sending their most respected team of representatives. No doubt, the leader of this group will be a brilliant and savvy negotiator," said Dorren.
"We must be at our best to meet the challenge," said Tegar.
"Personally, I cannot wait to meet a man of such genius."
Through the water stepped Harry clad in his Alteran robes for the occasion and with his hands folded into the sleeves. He walked down the steps and halted, and Sam, Jack, Teal'C and Jonas appeared through the Gate. They were not clad in full PR8 gear as this was a diplomatic mission, but they did have PR7s in their kit bags and dressed in green BDU and tac vests.
"Greetings," bowed Harry to Councilor Dorren, "I am Ambassador Potter of Terra. I bring you greetings on behalf of the people of Terra as well, and hope that mutually beneficial relations will continue well into the foreseeable future between our peoples."
"Ambassador," nodded Dorren and bowed as well, "it's an amazing honor and pivotal moment to meet you and your people."
"It is an honor to meet you as well," said Harry with a kind smile on his face, "allow me to introduce SG1 to you, our primary exploration team. In command is Colonel O'Neill, with Major Carter being second in command, she is also a highly able scientist, next we have Teal'C, our expert on the Goa'uld and Jonas Quinn our field archeologist."
"A pleasure to meet you all as well," said Dorren. "We shall proceed the with the talks in the city, please follow."
The capital city of Pangar was strange eclectic mix of the early sixties on Earth minus the bright colors; only it seemed these people had taken to a rather eager fascination with dirigible airships and used them for multiple purposes. Clearly they had avoided the early obstacle of using flammable gases to provide lift, and after a brief conversation with Dorren on the subject he gathered that they hadn't had a Hindenburg disaster or something equivalent in their history to make the form of transport unpopular as had happened on Earth.
The interior design of the government building they entered was another surprise, a very elegant minimalist Japanese interior, complete with low tables, paper walls, and thin sliding doors. The room was proportioned according to Feng Shui principles even.
"Nice," said Jack in appreciation.
"Thank you, Colonel. We would be happy to take you on a full tour of our city, but first, we would like to spend a little time talking about our mutual interests. So, please, please, sit," said Dorren.
Harry sat in the center of one side of the table, while SG1 flanked him on either side, Dorren and Tegar sat opposite them and both easily settled into the cross-legged position. It was amusing to see Jack wincing with his chronically bad knee as tried to imitate but gave up and sat sideways.
"To be honest," began Dorren, "we are still trying to adjust to the fact that our…Stargate, as you call it…is no longer a mere relic of a bygone era."
"Obviously, it was quite a shock when your communication machine appeared last month," said Commander Tegar.
"First Contact is a delicate and unnerving thing," agreed Harry.
"Well, we are all very pleased to finally get the chance to talk face to face," said Dorren with an expression to match it.
"From our study of the ancient temple, we have been able to deduce the Stargate was an interplanetary transportation device…" began Tegar.
"…but we haven't determined how to make a connection with the many worlds described in the writings in the temple."
"It took us a while to get the hang of it too," said Sam.
"We know that the symbols on the Stargate itself are the key, but as for the number and sequence to enter in the dialing device..." said Dorren pointedly.
"Yes," nodded Harry, "we can help with regards to making your Stargate fully functional. But we must learn about you as a people first, before we can in good conscience give you to the ability to travel around the Galaxy. Please…" he said, raising a hand to stop Tergan, who looked like he was about to explode into a diatribe… "I do this as much for your own safety as for ours. Do not misinterpret it as being selfish. The Galaxy is a wonderful and yet terribly dangerous place."
"Oh, yes, well, of course. We intend to allow you full access to our citizens, our history, our culture, so that you may come to trust us."
"We fully intend to reciprocate," said Harry mild smile.
"We also want to make it clear that we intend to offer all that we can in trade for any knowledge or technology that you are willing to share," said Dorren and gestured to an aide standing near the door. The aide came forward and placed a small glass bottle that contained a dark purple almost luminescent substance. Jack, unable to repress his curiosity picked it up and looked at it closely.
"And what is this?" asked Harry.
"We call it Tretonin, Ambassador," said Dorren, "its our greatest scientific discovery."
"How so?" asked Sam, her curiosity piqued.
"From what you have told me about your world, your people suffer from a myriad of illnesses. Many of them are untreatable. Tretonin makes our immune systems impervious to any ailment. We live in perfect health."
"Indeed," said Harry, his eyebrows rising at the bold claim, but the brief surface thoughts and emotions of Dorren as he spoke about Tretonin were…worrying. He only had a vague idea, but had managed to gleam that somehow the Goa'uld and Tretonin were linked and that Dorren was very worried, even desperate. "Jonas, Teal'C, perhaps you should go and begin the cultural exchange, with your permission, Councilor?"
"Certainly," said Dorren and gestured to the aide, who led Teal'C and Jonas out of the room.
"Are there any side-effects to Tritonin?" asked Harry immediately.
"It does have some," admitted Dorren, "the good it can do, far outweighs any negative aspects." The conflicting emotions Harry sensed said otherwise.
"What kind of side effects are we talking about, exactly?" said Sam; clearly she also saw a sugarcoating going on.
"It depends on the individual, most people experience almost no reaction to it," said Tegar stoically, "those who do merely require more regulated doses."
"We will need a decent amount for testing on Terra," said Sam reasonably.
"Yes, certainly," said Dorren.
"Of course, we will need something in return from you, as a measure of good faith," said Tegar, clearly not the trusting type…which wasn't necessarily bad.
"I've been authorized," said Harry and Sam handed him a file from her pack, which he in turn placed on the table, "to give you these ten working Stargate addresses. These are all peaceful planets, safe from hostile forces, rich in historical relics and natural resources."
"Well," said Dorren, opening the file and glancing at it, "this is a very generous offer, Ambassador, very generous. However, based on our own studies of the writings in the temple, we have compiled a list of the names of the worlds that we would like to visit." He handed Harry a large elegantly hand written thin book and opened it to show the names of the planets written in a very old dialect of Goa'uld. It took him a moment to study and then he handed it off to Sam to look at.
"Three of those worlds mentioned are current Goa'uld homeworlds," said Harry raising an eyebrow at Dorren, "they are extremely dangerous to visit and are heavily fortified. You do not wish to make any of those your first off-world journey."
"Those are the worlds we wish to explore," insisted Tegar.
"We believe they are significant to our history," qualified Councilor Dorren.
"Again, I will strongly urge you to reconsider, unless you wish for major casualties amongst any team that you send," said Harry mildly.
"If you have been to these worlds and survived, can we not?"
"You may survive," admitted Harry, "but going to those worlds are not done lightly or without grave consequences. You may, once again attract the attention of the Goa'uld, and that is something you do not want or can ill afford."
"We are aware of the risks and believe the rewards are worth the potential consequences, as you and your people obviously do, Ambassador."
"Please, Ambassador, in exchange for the Tretonin, we are simply asking that you respect our wishes," implored Dorran.
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The talks didn't go much further beyond that and they recessed until Dr Frasier could validate the value of the Tretonin. To that end, Sam and Jack returned to the SGC with the sample in hand, while Teal'C and Jonas introduced Harry to Zenna Valk, a blonde curly haired rather attractive woman who was the head of the temple excavation project. She departed a few minutes later saying there was much work to be done and headed back to the ruins. Teal'C then led them to the Stargate to speak in relative privacy, just in case, Harry willed an invisible Silence Barrier into existence around them.
"Ok, Teal'C, what's the matter?"
"Zanna Valk was most eager on the subject of the Goa'uld," observed the big Jaffa, "she also confessed to us that there was something we needed to know about the Tretonin."
"She was also worried about the security forces around the dig, wouldn't speak in front of them," said Jonas looking around nervously, "she looked like she was going way out on a limb just speaking to us about more than Goa'uld hieroglyphs."
"I have also sensed something from Councilor Dorren about the Tretonin," said Harry thoughtfully. "In his mind he associates Tretonin in some way with the Goa'uld…the thought was too fleeting for me to pick it up properly…but it was also obscured by Dorren's…desperate emotional state."
"Desperate? What would they have to be desperate about?" asked Jonas.
"I don't know," said Harry with a shrug, "they also want addresses to Goa'uld homeworlds for some reason. They didn't think much of the list we gifted them."
"That is worrying," said Jonas, "Kanan thinks there is a…snake…in the grass, so to speak."
"All right," said Harry, "keep investigating it, see what you can find. I can't help, as an Ambassador isn't exactly supposed to be breaking the laws of a foreign power. Just be careful."
Both men nodded and headed back towards the ruins…while Harry went to the DHD and gated back to Earth.
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When Sam, Jack and Harry returned the next morning, Pangar time, it was to be greeted with a security detail and a rather damp Teal'C and Jonas, who told of their nighttime adventure to determine the mystery of Tretonin origins and how it was related to the Goa'uld. Harry blinked in astonishment at the news that at the Tretonin production facility that Teal'C and Jonas had infiltrated, there was entire pool full of Goa'uld symbiotes. In the process one of the facility's guards had been infected with a symbiote during the brief scuffle when Jonas fell into the pool while wrestling with the guy.
"Typical," muttered Jack.
When they arrived back in the government conference room, it was of course, time to explain.
"Would you care to tell us what you were doing at the Tretonin facility?" demanded Tegar. Harry had no intention of playing with a velvet glove now; it was the iron fist's turn to be revealed.
"Would you wish to explain why you are raising a pool full of Goa'uld symbiotes?" demanded Harry strongly in turn. "Terra and a coalition of other races are at war with the Goa'uld, do you see how this looks from our perspective?"
"You have betrayed our openness with you," countered Dorren with a frown.
"Openness?" said Harry in astonishment. "You're breeding Goa'uld symbiotes! When were you going to tell us that?"
"The symbiotes are a critical component to making Tretonin," explained Dorren, seeing that he losing the argument somewhat.
"Excuse me?" said Sam archly.
"It is a complicated process, one which is better explained by our scientists. Quite frankly, we intended to tell you how the Tretonin was made, eventually. We just wanted to first assess how you might react."
"Not well," said Jack dryly.
"I don't know why you're taking such offense. You've told us yourselves, the Goa'uld are mortal enemies who have enslaved countless humans. Where is the harm in using them to enhance our quality of life?" said Tegar.
"Do you really understand the risks involved?" asked Jonas grimly.
"We have been using the same method to produce Tretonin for nearly 30 years. We take every precaution possible to protect our people," insisted Dorren.
"How were these symbiotes obtained if you hadn't mastered Gate travel yet?" asked Harry pointedly. "We require an answer before we can move forward in any form of trade or relations."
"We have already told you everything that is necessary," said Tegan dismissively.
"Tegar, the Ambassador is right, there is no reason to keep more secrets," said Dorren solemnly.
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They were escorted to the same Tretonin Facility that had been infiltrated the night before. It was a large rectangular building made out of reinforced concrete and had what looked like massively increased security since SG1's little foray. The inner hallways were the same minimalist with the only color being the doors and the lines painted on the walls to help people navigate the maze like corridors. Harry and SG1 were walking down one of these corridors being led by Councilor Dorren.
"The drug was developed and is now manufactured and administered here...and since it's use has spread to more of the general population, we've implemented other treatment centers throughout Pangar as well. Now, through here is the reason we were able to create Tretonin in the first place. The symbiotes were not procured through Gate travel." He led them to a door and opened it. "Our symbiotes are all bred in captivity."
Harry was stunned. There in the middle of the room, which was clearly some form of lab, was a large glass tank and within the ionized water was a slowly undulating Goa'uld symbiote and growing from it was a large womb like sac almost a foot and a half in length…it was a Goa'uld Queen.
"A queen," said Teal'C.
"No kidding," said Jack dryly, who was clearly remembering his rather embarrassing encounters with the Goa'uld Queen Hathor six years ago, who had the ability to enchant any male with her pheromones.
They were then taken to an adjoining Infirmary in the facility to see the guard who had fallen victim to one of the symbiotes when he had fallen in the pool. The man was strapped down onto his bed, they had to be content however to merely observe the man through a window though.
"Is there nothing you can do to help him, Ambassador?"
"We have the ability to remove the symbiote safely," said Harry and studied the catatonic looking man intently through the glass. "But I'm curious as to why he is not coming around, that is not normal. What are the particulars of his condition?"
"Well, his lower brain functions are intact," said Dorren, looking relieved, "his breathing and heart rate are normal, but he is unresponsive to any stimulus."
"That doesn't make sense," said Sam.
"Teal'C?" prompted Jack for the big Jaffa's opinion.
"Prior to the process of incubating Goa'uld symbiotes using Jaffa, the blending between Goa'uld and host had only a one-in-two chance of success. The Jaffa were created for the very reason of improving the ability of the symbiote to take human hosts."
"So the fact that this symbiote was raised in a tank could explain the coma-like state?" posited Sam.
"To the best of my knowledge a failed blending results in death to both Goa'uld and host, this man is very much alive," said Teal'C.
"Our understanding is that this is the typical reaction to contact with Goa'uld offspring," said Dorren in confusion.
"A Goa'uld offspring is born with the intellect and knowledge of the queen who bore it. Normally, the fully developed personality would emerge, allowing the symbiote to control the host immediately upon blending," explained Teal'C.
"Glowing eyes, cliché behaviour, evilness, that kind of thing," said Jack helpfully.
"This one's more of a blank slate," said Sam.
"Is it possible the production and raising process has somehow hindered the development of the symbiote?" asked Dorran.
"No," said Harry thoughtfully, "I think we are forgetting the Queen herself. Her abilities with regards to her own offspring are considerable. A Queen can essentially genetically engineer her own young; if she so chooses she can make them the blank slates that these symbiotes appear to be. She can consciously withhold passing on her knowledge."
"Why would the Queen do this?" asked Dorren.
"Hmmm, that is a good question, we would need a second opinion, I think," said Harry, "but first, since you have been so forthcoming, I think it time to introduce you to one of Terra's allies in the fight against the Goa'uld. Jonas?"
The Kelownan looked conflicted for a moment but then seemingly nodded to no one, and dipped his head, when he raised it his eyes flashed and Kanan spoke openly. "Greetings, Councilor Dorran, I am Kanan of the Tok'ra."
Dorran looked astonished, "you are a symbiote within Jonas?"
"That is correct," said Kanan. "The Tok'ra are a subspecies that have branched off from the Goa'uld long ago, we fight them along with the Terrans and other allied races. The Tok'ra do not take hosts by force nor enslave humans, we live in a truly symbiotic existence with the host and share consciousness, thought and emotion equally."
"Ambassador," said Kanan turning to Harry, "I believe it would be beneficial to examine the Queen again and for a cellular scan to be done."
"Can I have your permission to examine the Queen in such a fashion?" asked Harry.
"Of course, as long as she is left relatively undisturbed."
Councilor Dorran left on other government business but allowed them to walk freely in the complex. They returned to the lab where the Queen was being held and Harry pulled out his hand held Alteran scanner from a deep pocket in his robes and it beeped as its rudimentary computer obeyed his mental commands.
"Not a pretty sight," winced Jack.
"What do you detect, Ambassador?" asked Kanan.
"Still processing," said Harry, "this is not the fastest of devices considering its size and complexity of the scan required."
"It doesn't bother you that the Pangarans are using a Goa'uld like this?" asked Jack.
"The Goa'uld have done no worse than this to humans for centuries. That the Pangarans can use them for a beneficial result is surprising but not morally objectionable to me, if that's what you mean," said Kanan.
"Ah," said Harry, as the scanner beeped, "I have it, her condition is the reason for the lack of mental development in the symbiotes, there is massive cellular degeneration occurring, old age in essence, she is dying."
"SG1, this is SGC, come in," the tac radio in Jack's vest blurted to life with General Hammond's voice…the signal coming from a wormhole connected to the Pangaran Gate.
"Sierra Gold One, here, go ahead," he said after pressing the transmit button.
"I have Dr Frasier with me with results on the Tretonin tests, go ahead Doctor."
"I am sorry, Colonel," said Janet's distorted voice, "but the Pangarans sugarcoated the whole side effect aspect of the drug."
"That's a shock," said Jack wryly.
"While Tretonin does appear to cure most diseases, it ultimately creates far bigger problems than it solves."
"How so?" asked Sam into her own radio.
"The drug acts like a symbiote in many ways. Upon entering the user's bloodstream it immediately takes over, completely suppressing the normal human immune system. The result is a powerful resistance to disease. But the healing effect is not permanent and the users own immune system remains suppressed. Basically, you have to keep taking the drug for it to work."
"Considering how it's made, we'd never create enough to sustain our population," said Sam.
"I don't know how the Pangarans can make enough for their own population," said Janet her baffled tone coming through.
"They don't," said Sam, "only about twenty percent are on it and they seem to be running into a wall as far as production is concerned."
"They've sucked the queen dry, doc," said Jack with a grin.
"According to the Ambassador and Kanan, she's dying," reported Sam grimly.
"As far as I know, there's no way to reverse the drug's effects. If their queen is dying, as you say, it's just a matter of time before anyone currently living off Tretonin will be facing death as well."
"Dr Frasier, this is Kanan," said the Tok'ra, fingering his own radio, "I believe it is time we call in the help of the Tok'ra Kelmaa and Malek, both are much more able in fields of genetics and medicine than I am, perhaps they can endeavor to find a way to remove Tretonin's effects without death."
"We'll get in touch with them, and send them to you," confirmed Hammond. "SGC out."
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Pangaran negotiation room
"So you wanted the gate addresses to the Goa'uld worlds because you wanted to snag another queen?" asked Jack shrewdly.
"Colonel, we have no choice but to replace the one we have," said Dorren insistently.
"How did you get to this point, if you don't mind me asking?" said Harry delicately.
"60 years ago, our archaeologists discovered a secret chamber beneath the temple. We found a sealed canopic jar containing a living female symbiote, perfectly persevered in stasis."
"From our study of the temple, we knew the Goa'uld never suffered from illness or disease. We saw this discovery as an opportunity to learn why," said Commander Tegar.
"Of course, once the queen gave birth, we immediately began experimenting on her offspring's physiology, searching for a way to mimic their seemingly perfect immune system. After decades of trying, we finally came up with Tretonin. It seemed like a miracle at first."
"Couldn't your scientists foresee the danger in using it?" asked Harry shaking his head.
"Of course. What we couldn't predict was our inability to refine the drug. We were confident that we could solve the problems if we limited the use, but ultimately, we didn't see why we shouldn't reap the benefits while working to overcome the down side."
"We know the risks in confronting the Goa'uld, but tens of thousands of lives will be lost if we do nothing," said Tegar determinedly. Harry's estimation of the man just went up a notch with that declaration.
"Perhaps, you could assist us. Now you have faced the Goa'uld many times. Your knowledge could give us a tactical advantage," said Dorren rather plaintively.
"Finding a new Queen only treats the symptom, and does not cure you of your dependence on Tretonin," said Harry, shaking his head. "No, the Tok'ra are some of the best medical experts in the Galaxy, we have sent for them to come here and work on an antidote for the Tretonin."
"Our scientists have been trying for years to find a way to reverse its effects. We've made very little progress. We need more time and that can only be obtained by capturing a new queen."
"You don't need more time," said Harry. "You merely need the right sort of help."
Zenna, Jonas and Teal'C had gone to translate more of the temple ruins while Harry met Kelmaa and Malek at the Stargate and escorted them back to the Tretonin facility explaining the situation and the problem the Pangarans were facing. The curiously glanced at the dying queen and did their own scans of both it and drug.
"We will do our best," agreed Kelmaa, her middle-aged host's curled hair flaring out to her shoulders.
"If the drug acts as I suspect, it may be impossible to perfect as the Pangarans would hope. The best we might be able to do is essentially provide an antidote that will allow their normal immune systems to regenerate. They would not possess the superior health that they do now," said Malek in turn.
"And how long would it take to go from a theoretical model for the antidote…to enough for everyone?" asked Harry with raised eyebrows.
"We can make no promises, Ambassador," said Malek, his lips thinning in determination, "but the Tok'ra owe you a debt that cannot be measured. Many of our number survived at Ravana only due to your actions and those of the Tau'ri. We will begin immediately."
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Pangaran Negotiation Room.
Harry, Sam and Jack were discussing the situation a few hours later when Teal'C and a very agitated Jonas came storming into the room. The Kelownan bolted straight for Harry and grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Ambassador, it's Egeria," blurted Jonas.
"What? What about Egeria?" said Harry in alarm.
"It's her," gasped Jonas, "Kanan is overcome with shock."
"You're not making sense, Jonas, a coherent sentence please," said Harry and gently slapped the Kelownan's head.
"The Queen that the Pangarans have…" Jonas gulped, "it's Egeria, the Queen of all Tok'ra."
"WHAT? That's impossible, she was killed by Ra!"
"That it appears is not the case, Ambassador Potter," said Teal'C. "This world was home to the Goa'uld warlord Shak'ran for three hundred years before he was defeated by Apophis. But Shak'ran captured this world from Ra in battle before that. Pangara was Ra's base of operations in this sector. It is here where Ra imprisoned Egeria for betrayal in a canopic stasis jar."
"This could be problem," said Jack lightly.
"Are you sure?" said Sam.
"Absolutely, Major Carter," said Kanan powerfully, suddenly coming to fore in Jonas. "The writings in the chamber are quite clear."
"Malek, Kelmaa and the Tok'ra are going to freak," said Harry with a moan. "At least we can plead ignorance until now…damn, I should've guessed this, no 'evil' Goa'uld Queen would sabotage her own young…they would be her best chance to engineer her own escape. Of course, only a Tok'ra is so selfless."
"Let us tell them," said Kanan. Harry nodded and gestured for everyone to follow.
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Malek and Kelmaa were understandably flabbergasted at the news.
"Please understand," said Sam, "we had no idea who she was until now."
"It is hard to believe," said Malek, his eyes wide.
"Many of our historians speculated that Ra did not kill Egeria, as was widely believed, but...we never dared hope that she would ever be found," said Kelmaa.
"She must be freed immediately of course," said Malek with a frown, "every moment that she is kept in this condition is an affront to the Tok'ra."
"We're going to talk to the Pangarans now," said Sam, "but it would really help if you had an antidote to offer."
"Unfortunately, finding an antidote to the Tretonin may be more problematic than we had first hoped," said Malek, sighing and glancing at Kanan and Kelmaa.
"Why is that?" asked Harry.
"There is something unusual about the genetic structure of the symbiotes beyond their lack of knowledge," said Kelmaa.
"In fact, the Tretonin should be working far better than it does and we're not sure why it doesn't."
"But we can say you'll solve this eventually right?" asked Jack.
"At this moment," said Malek, "all I can say is, it is a mystery."
"What, you're suddenly stumped?" said Jack angrily.
"I understand the implication, Colonel. This revelation about Egeria is in no way affecting our analysis of the Tretonin. As of right now, we cannot help the Pangarans."
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Now Harry had the job of telling the Pangarans about the identity of their Queen and the Tok'ra's demands.
"How could we release her?" said Dorran looking conflicted, "it would doom thousands without a remedy."
"The Tok'ra are a race with zero population growth and are involved in a war in which they are taking casualties," explained Harry. "Restoring Egeria's health may be their only hope of survival as a people."
"Have they made no progress at all in reversing the effects of Tretonin?"
"I think it best you hear it from them directly," said Harry, distractedly and bowed himself out the room quickly.
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Kelmaa walked towards the tank holding her beloved Queen, contemplating the sacrifice she was about to make. Her life meant little if the future of the Tok'ra would be ensured because of it. She would miss the others. She stepped over the guard she had stunned with her Zatnickatel and traced her hands over the smooth glass of the tank where Egeria herself lay. She would miss touch as well, simply using hands to do work…it was a strange thing to be thinking about.
"It would be a pointless sacrifice, Kelmaa," said a voice behind her. She gasped in fright and tripped over the body of the guard. Ambassador Potter and former host to Jamilla caught her easily and set her on her feet. She did not know how he could have suddenly been there…she had been sure she was alone…Malek and Kanan had arranged to distract the Pangarans for her attempt to rescue Egeria.
"It would not," retorted Kelmaa.
"My own scans indicate she is beyond Tok'ra medical technology to heal," said the Ambassador, staring at Egeria with a half smile. "If you give your host for Egeria, she would die anyway taking your host along with her."
"This must be done," she insisted.
"Yes, it must," agreed the Ambassador, "but not by you." The man moved so fast that Kelmaa couldn't even hope to stop him. It made her think that the rumors among the Tok'ra that the Ambassador was of the Gatebuilders had some substance.
His form blurred and he ripped off the cover of the tank effortlessly and dunked his head into the water. Egeria didn't hesitate; she snapped herself off from the womb and leapt into the Ambassador's open mouth, causing him to jerk backwards involuntarily. He gasped and his neck twisted slightly as Egeria moved within.
He fell to land on his hands and knees, his breathing deep and harsh.
"Don't do anything," said the Ambassador hoarsely, "no matter what you might see."
Kelmaa nodded faintly, she would've done as ordered anyway as Egeria was within him now. The Ambassador closed his eyes and looked as if he was concentrating very hard…and then his body began to glow a bright yellow-white and then a brilliant aura of undulating white energy tendrils extended outward, causing the room to bathed in its white sheen. Kelmaa was overcome with awe.
And just as quickly, the glow retracted back into the Ambassador and once more he seemed like just a normal man in the white and gold robes. He slowly stood and looked at her, his eyes flashing. Kelmaa immediately kneeled.
"Egeria, it is an honor."
"Rise, Kelmaa, you are not my servant," said Egeria seriously, her voice oddly resonating; the Tok'ra did as her Queen bid. "What you just saw was the Ambassador healing me, you are not to speak of it with anyone, not even other Tok'ra, is that understood?"
"Of course," nodded Kelmaa.
Any further discussion was interrupted when a security guard entered with SG1 and Tegar on their heels. They looked at the symbioteless womb, Harry and Kelmaa and came to the correct conclusion.
"What have you done?" said Tegar angrily. Harry's eyes flashed and his head dipped.
"Oh my goodness," said Sam.
"I have done what I must, Commander," said Harry, now he was speaking. "Egeria's only hope for survival is within me and the medical technology I have access to. Time was running out."
"You have doomed thousands!" shouted Tegar.
"On the contrary," disagreed Harry. "Now that I am host to Egeria I can tell you exactly what she did to sabotage her young. I…I mean she passed on the flawed gene that gave the drug its weakness. You are unable to construct an antidote because of the manner in which she did this. She did it in the hope that the symbiotes would prove useless to you. She wanted to force you to abandon your research once the drug proved untenable. But instead, you made ever increasing quantities."
"And now the Pangarans can't live without it," said Sam.
"It is not what she intended," insisted Harry.
"Their fate is their own doing, not yours. You merely tried to free yourself the only way you could," said Kelmaa. Harry's head dipped and raised his eyes flashing again.
"They do not deserve this end," said Egeria, "not when it can be prevented."
"You created the flaw, you can create the antidote," said Sam with an air of realization.
"I will tell you all you need to know," said Egeria, smiling.
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Harry stood in the Pangaran conference room with Jonas/Kanan, Malek and Kelmaa. He had gathered them for a meeting of the utmost importance. It was a meeting that would be a pivotal point for the future.
"I have healed Egeria," said Harry, "but it is only temporary for the moment. She will require extensive regeneration therapy for a few months before a full lasting recovery is assured."
"You cannot mean a Sarcophagus," said Malek, aghast.
"No," said Harry, "the Goa'uld Sarcophagus is a fatally flawed device as you know. It was created by Tel'Chak based off an Ancient Healing device…ironically, a damaged device. I can use a properly functioning one to rejuvenate Egeria."
"That is amazing," said Kelmaa, shaking her head.
"I have also a big favor to ask of you three," said Harry, his eyes flashed as Egeria took over, "only you know of my release from imprisonment or know that I am alive. SG1 knows, and the Tau'ri General Hammond and his Chief Medical Officer will know, but no one else can…yet."
"But the High Council…" objected Malek.
"The Tok'ra are beyond my wildest hopes and dreams, my children," said Egeria. "But I know all my host knows, and Anubis is a threat beyond any which the Tok'ra has faced. If my survival becomes generally known, I fear the Goa'uld would put all their effort into having me killed. That cannot happen. The best shield I could have is ignorance of my survival and anonymity."
Harry raised his arms and his hands flashed with bright light.
"Now you cannot reveal the secret of my location, even under torture…"
"What?" said Malek in confusion.
"It does not matter," said Egeria. "It will be many years before I can produce young again, comfort yourself though that the Tok'ra will endure."
Harry stood and Egeria receded, "Now if you will excuse me, I have relations with the Pangarans to mend."