DISCLAIMER AND AUTHOR'S NOTE: All StarGate SG-1 stuff is the legal property of MGM. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies may be made for private use only and must include this copyright notice and disclaimer. The Imhotep in this story is not the Imhotep from the series, where Imhotep was an evil Goa'uld and the founder of the Tok'Ra was Queen Egeria. This story is the sequel to Exodus.

Alliances
By Kristjan Brezovnik

When SG-1 came through the stargate, they found themselves in a large room, a hall actually.

"I hope this is not as interesting as it gets," O'Neill said as he walked down the steps and looked around.

"I hope not," Carter agreed. "Look, there's a way out."

They started walking toward the exit when the air suddenly shimmered and Jackson stopped abruptly as he hit an invisible wall.

"Au," he moaned and rubbed his nose.

"What the hell?" O'Neill said and carefully extended his hand.

"A force field," Teal'c said.

An opening suddenly opened in the wall.

"Put your weapons in the opening!" a voice demanded.

O'Neill looked around.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I said so," the voice replied.

"And if we don't?"

"You will die," the voice declared.

"Okay. You have a point," O'Neill said and went to the hole and put his rifle into the opening.

"All weapons," the voice warned and O'Neill deposited the rest of the weapons into the opening.

Others did the same and then the opening closed.

"Now what?" O'Neill asked, but there was no response. "Okay, so we wait." He turned to his team. "Any suggestions?"

"We wait?" Jackson said.

"Yeah," O'Neill said and started to pace.

Finally a group of people came, led by a girl.

"Interesting weapons you have," the girl said in the Goa'uld voice.

O'Neill raised his eyebrows and looked at his team.

"Teal'c?" he asked.

"I don't know who she is," Teal'c said.

"You are Tau'ri," the Goa'uld said.

"Yes," O'Neill confirmed. "And you are a Goa'uld."

The Goa'uld looked at him angrily for a moment, but then moved on.

"I sense a presence in you, yet you are not a Goa'uld," she said when she passed Jackson and stopped at Carter.

"No," Carter confirmed. "But I did have one of them in me for a while."

"And he let you go?" the Goa'uld asked, surprised.

"Actually, she gave her life to save me."

"She?"

"Yes," Carter said, not willing to go into the details.

"I see," the Goa'uld said and moved on. "You are a Jaffa," she observed when she looked at Teal'c. "You belong to Apophis."

"I belong to no one," Teal'c said and the Goa'uld seemed surprised.

"You do not serve Apophis?"

"Not anymore."

"Then who do you serve?"

"I don't serve anyone, but I fight with the Tau'ri."

The Goa'uld thought for a moment, confused.

"Were you a Tau'ri before you became a Jaffa?" she then asked.

"No. I am from Chulak."

"I see." The Goa'uld thought for a moment and then went to O'Neill, whom she recognized as the leader. "Which Goa'uld rules your planet?" she asked.

"No one."

The Goa'uld was surprised by the news.

"Yet you came through the chaapa'ai."

"Yes. So?"

"The chaapa'ai on your planet has been buried."

"Yes," O'Neill confirmed. "We dug it out and made it work again."

"Interesting. You have obviously come a long way." The Goa'uld thought again. "Do the Goa'uld know that your chaapa'ai is operational?"

"Oh, yes," O'Neill said.

The Goa'uld seemed confused.

"Your weapons, they may be effective against the Jaffa, but not against the Goa'uld."

"Tell me about it," O'Neill agreed.

"You have fought the Goa'uld?" the Goa'uld inquired.

"Oh, yeah. Killed a few."

The Goa'uld was astonished.

"You killed a Goa'uld?" she asked, obviously impressed.

"Yeah?"

"Which ones?" the Goa'uld asked.

"Ra, Hathor, Seth. Apophis is in Sokar's hands now and Heru-ur won't last much longer."

"Impressive," the Goa'uld said. "You have to tell me more."

"Here?" O'Neill asked and the Goa'uld smiled.

"No. Come."

The air shimmered again as the force field disappeared. O'Neill carefully extended his hand and when it hit nothing, he stepped forward.

They followed the Goa'uld out of the building, which, as they noticed when they exited, was a pyramid.

"Where are we going?" Jackson asked.

"To my house," the Goa'uld said as she led them through the city.

The Goa'uld's house wasn't far and when they entered, they noticed that it was a house like all the rest. The Goa'uld led them to a room with a larger table and chairs.

"Sit," the Goa'uld said as she sat down and the team sat. "Can I offer you some food or drink?" she asked when all were seated.

"No, thank you," O'Neill said.

"Very well then, I would like to know about your history."

"Why?" O'Neill asked.

"I am curious. It has been a long time since I have been there."

"Oh." O'Neill looked at Jackson. "Daniel?"

"Ah? Oh, yes."

Jackson gave a short history of Earth and the Goa'uld listened, obviously very interested. When Jackson was finished, the Goa'uld thought for a while.

"Very impressive," she finally concluded and looked at O'Neill. "You know the Tok'Ra?"

"Yes."

"Do you know where they are?"

"No. And even if we did, you don't expect us to tell you, do you?"

The Goa'uld smiled.

"No, of course not."

"Who are you?" Jackson asked.

The Goa'uld thought for a few moments.

"Imhotep," she then said.

"The Imhotep?" Jackson asked, surprised.

"You know my name?" Imhotep asked, surprised.

"Yes, of course."

"Daniel?" O'Neill asked.

"Ah? Oh. Imhotep was a famous architect, doctor and writer about 2750 BC. He built Djoser's pyramid at Sakkara," Jackson explained.

"I see."

"You are the founder of the Tok'Ra," Teal'c said.

Imhotep smiled.

"Yes."

"I thought you were dead."

"I prefer the Goa'uld to think that."

"Okay, now we know your secret," O'Neill said. "What happens next?"

Imhotep considered for a while.

"Any suggestions?" he finally asked.

"Yes," Carter said. "We can say that we didn't find anything interesting, only an empty pyramid with no writings."

"Sounds good," O'Neill agreed.

"You would lie to your superiors?" Imhotep asked.

"Not all of them. General Hammond, that's our superior officer, he can be trusted, but there are others in out military and political hierarchy that cannot. And besides, the less people know about you the better."

"True," Imhotep agreed.

"So you're gonna let us go?" O'Neill asked.

"Of course."

"And our weapons?"

"They will be returned to you."

"Good."

"Ah, Imhotep," Jackson said. "I have a question."

"Yes?"

"Your host is a girl. How come?"

Imhotep smiled.

"My previous host, Abdullah, was already old when Fatima, my current host, became very ill. She would have died, but Abdullah decided to help her by giving me to her. I agreed and so did she." She waved her hand. "This house is hers and the people you saw in the next room are her family."

"Oh."

"So you change hosts? Like the Tok'Ra?" Carter asked.

"Yes."

"And they are all voluntary?"

"Of course. She lives a normal life, except when the circumstances require my attention."

"I see."

They were quiet for a few moments.

"Do you know who leads the Tok'Ra?" Imhotep then asked.

"Yes," Carter said, "Garshaw of Belote."

"Garshaw?" Imhotep said, both surprised and delighted.

"You know her?"

"Her? Oh. I know Garshaw, yes, he was my student, but I don't know his current host."

"Oh... Do you know Jolinar of Malkshur?"

"Jolinar? Yes, of course."

"She was the one who saved my life."

"I see," Imhotep said, his face serious.

"Em, I hate to interrupt," O'Neill said, "but we better return. We didn't find anything, remember?"

"Yes," Carter agreed.

"Wait," Imhotep said.

He got up and fetched a parchment and ink.

"Imhotep?" Carter asked.

"A message for Garshaw," Imhotep explained as he wrote.

"Oh."

"But don't tell her who it is from, she has to guess."

"Okay."

Imhotep quickly wrote the message and gave it to Carter, who hid in her jacket.

"Colonel?" Hammond asked SG-1 returned.

"Nothing, Sir," O'Neill said. "An empty pyramid and a deserted city, nothing else, not even writings."

"I see."

"That's the official version, Sir," O'Neill added.

"Colonel?" Hammond asked, confused.

"Well, off the record, we found Imhotep."

"Imhotep?"

"Yeah, you know, the great architect and doc from the Ancient Egypt. He also founded the Tok'Ra."

"I see," Hammond said, clearly not seeing.

"We promised not to tell anyone," O'Neill explained.

"Sir..." Carter started, but was interrupted by the alarm.

"Is anyone out?" O'Neill asked.

"No," Hammond said, shaking his head. "This must be the Tok'Ra. We sent them a message when you left. The first group of hosts is ready."

"Oh."

"Permission to go to the gate room," Carter said.

"Why?" Hammond asked.

"I need to deliver a message."

"Oh. We'll all go there."

It was Jacob Carter and Martouf with escorts.

"Jacob."

"George."

"Hi, Dad."

"Samantha."

The Carters hugged.

"Martouf," Carter said when she and her father stopped hugging.

"Samantha."

"Eh, I have a message for Garshaw."

"From who?" Jacob asked.

"She has to guess," Carter said and took the letter out of her jacket. "It has to be delivered to her in person."

"I will take it to her," Martouf said and turned to Jacob. "You prepare the people."

Jacob nodded.

"Okay."

"General," Martouf said and Hammond nodded.

Martouf gave his escort an order and the man ran to the control room.

"I will return when I deliver the message," Martouf then said.

"Understood."

Martouf waited for his escort to return and the others left.

"How many hosts are there?" Jacob asked when they left the gate room.

"Forty-seven."

"Not bad."

"Have you thought how you will tell them what awaits them?"

"A bit. I will tell them the truth," Jacob said and turned to Teal'c. "Teal'c, I will require your help. I want you to show the people your symbiont so they will know what they look like."

"I will," Teal'c agreed.

"Good. George, what do the hosts already know?"

"They know that those who still have families will not see them again, even if they decide not to become hosts. They also know that if they accept, they will live a very long and healthy life but that they might be killed in battle."

"I see."

They quietly walked on until they got to the room where the future hosts waited. When they entered, the people looked at them expectantly.

"Everybody, this is General Carter," Hammond introduced Jacob. "He will tell you what you need to know. Jacob."

Jacob smiled.

"I used to be a general," Jacob said, "now I'm a Tok'Ra." He paused and looked at the people. "I've been told you have been promised a long and healthy life and a possible death in battle. Am I right?"

Some people nodded.

"Yes," someone said.

"That is true, if you accept."

"And if we don't?" that someone, an old woman asked.

"I don't know. George?"

"You will be hospitalized in one of our hospitals and taken care of until you die. Unless you change your mind."

The woman considered for a moment.

"You're probably wondering how we can heal you. It's simple. Teal'c."

Teal'c unbuttoned his shirt and his Goa'uld larva came out. The people gasped, some surprised, some afraid.

"What is that?"

"Don't worry, it's harmless," Jacob said. "Teal'c here is a Jaffa. He's human, like all of us, but because he carries a Goa'uld larva, he is called Jaffa. That... worm you see in his stomach, is a Goa'uld larva. It is harmless until it reaches adulthood."

"We will have to carry one of those around in our stomachs?" the woman asked.

Jacob smiled.

"No, of course not. You will carry a grown Tok'Ra."

"What the hell is that?"

"Well, Tok'Ra are of the same species as the Goa'uld. The difference, however, is that the Tok'Ra only take voluntary hosts and they don't use the sarcophagi."

"What?"

"You know how the Ancient Egyptians buried their pharaohs?"

The woman thought.

"I know," a man said.

"Well, the Egyptians were only imitating the Goa'uld. Their sarcophagi can bring back the dead, but they also take away one's soul."

"I can testify to that," Jackson said.

"You were dead?" the man asked.

"No, but I did use the sarcophagus a couple of times and I became a real... bastard."

"Oh."

"Anyway," Jacob continued, "the Goa'uld and the Tok'Ra are like the South and the North in the Civil War."

"So the Goa'uld hosts are basically their slaves?" the man asked.

"Yes."

The man thought.

"So, the Tok'Ra fight the Goa'uld and since we will become Tok'Ra hosts, we will have to fight as well?"

"Well, the Tok'Ra don't fight directly, they sabotage, spy, subvert. They're resistance, the guerilla."

"I see."

"I myself carry one of the Tok'Ra," Jacob continued and unbuttoned his shirt. "As you see, there is no hole in my stomach."

"Then where do you carry it?"

"It is attached to my spine," Jacob explained and ran his hand down his neck, "but you can't even feel it."

"And how does it gets there?"

"Through the mouth."

"Ugh," the woman said and Jacob smiled.

"It's not as gross as you think. The symbiont jumps from his old host to the new one and then you feel weird for a few moments as it moves into position. It then heals you and then you don't even feel its presence, only its thoughts."

"Thoughts?"

"Yes. My Tok'Ra's name is Selmak. Do you want to talk to him?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Jacob said and bowed his head. When he lifted it, his eyes glowed. "Hello, I am Selmak," he said in the deep voice and the people jerked, surprised. "Don't be afraid."

"You are a Tok'Ra?" the woman asked.

"Yes."

"And you look like that worm that he carries?" she asked and pointed at Teal'c.

Selmak smiled.

"Yes, only I am an adult." He turned to his escort. "My escort is also a Tok'Ra," he said.

"His eyes aren't glowing," the man observed.

"That's because his host is in control now."

"Oh."

"Can you guess how old he is?"

"Thirty?" the man guessed.

"Kassim?"

"I am sixty-eight."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Wow."

"I will let Jacob speak now," Selmak said and bowed his head. "I'm back," Jacob said a moment later.

"Do you know what Selmak was saying?" the man asked.

"Of course, and he knows what I am saying."

"Were you also sick?" another man asked.

"Yes," Jacob said. "I was dying of cancer. I was on my deathbed when my daughter, Captain Carter," he pointed at Carter, "told me about the Tok'Ra. And now I am probably in a better shape than all the soldiers at this base put together. Oh, with the symbiont you also gain its knowledge. Believe me, it's quite overwhelming."

"Excuse me," another woman said.

"Yes?"

"You speak of a civil war between the Goa'uld and the Tok'Ra. Where is it fought? Where are you from?"

Jacob smiled.

"I can't tell you exactly where, but I can tell you that it's not on Earth."

"What?" the first woman asked. "You mean we're gonna go into space?"

"No, we have other means of travel."

"What?"

Jacob smiled again.

"You'll see."

"What is that?" the woman asked when the alarm sounded.

"It's an alarm," Hammond said. "It tells us when someone is coming or going." He turned to Jacob. "You go on, I'll be back."

Jacob nodded.

"So the Goa'uld and the Tok'Ra are aliens?" the man asked.

"Yes. In fact, Teal'c is not from Earth."

"He's an alien?" the first woman asked.

"No, he's human. But long ago, when the Goa'uld still ruled the Earth, they kidnapped many people and sent them to other planets so they could be their hosts."

"They ruled the Earth?" the second woman asked.

"Yes. Has anyone ever heard of Ra and Oziris and Hathor and Apophis?"

"I did," another man said.

"They were all Ancient Egyptian gods and they were also Goa'uld. And they weren't the only ones."

"You mean the Ancient Egyptian gods were all Goa'uld?"

"Yes."

"Wow."

"How come they left?" the second woman asked.

"It's quite a long journey with a spaceship to Earth and when the... their other means of travel was sabotaged, they didn't bother to come back."

"Because they had people on other planets?"

"Yes."

A soldier came running.

"Colonel O'Neill, General Hammond wants you all in the conference room immediately. You too, General Carter."

"Sounds like an emergency," O'Neill said.

"We will be back," Jacob said.

"General... Garshaw?"

"O'Neill."

"So what's the emergency?"

"Garshaw?" Hammond said.

"Goa'uld Nirrti is planning to attack your planet."

"What?"

"Just after Selmak and Lantash had left, we have received word from our spies that Nirrti is planning to attack your planet." She paused. "The Tok'Ra Council has decided that you are worthy enough to send our ships to help you."

"That's a good news," Hammond said.

"Unfortunately," Garshaw continued, "none of our ships is close enough to reach your planet before Nirrti. She will reach your planet in two days."

"Oh."

"Then I guess we'll have to use ours," O'Neill said. "How many ships did Nirrti send?"

"Four."

"Looks like she learned from Apophis' mistake."

"That was luck, Jack," Jackson said.

"Hey, I was just being optimistic," O'Neill said and turned to Hammond. "General, how many ships do we have ready?"

"According to the last report only three have enough crew for a battle."

"Not good."

"The Council has also agreed," Garshaw said, "to put our people at your disposal as crews for your ships."

"Really?" Hammond said, excited.

"Yes."

"I suggest we send at least eight ships," O'Neill said. "Better safe than sorry."

Hammond nodded.

"Can you provide enough people for five ships?" he asked Garshaw.

Garshaw thought.

"Yes."

"Great."

"Then we better move," O'Neill said.

"Yes," Hammond agreed. "SG-1, get ready. Jacob, you take care of the hosts and bring those who agree to go with you to the gate room. I need to make some phone calls."

"Okay, people, I'm back," Jacob said.

"These are the new hosts?" Garshaw asked.

"Yes," Jacob said. "Let Yousuf speak, they are not quite used to your voices."

"Oh." Garshaw bowed her head and Yousuf took over. "Hello," she said, "I am Yousuf."

"Are you a Tok'Ra?" the man asked.

"No, I am the host. But my symbiont is a Tok'Ra and his name is Garshaw."

"Oh."

"Well, people," Jacob said, "I hate to pressure you, but we're in a hurry, so you need to decide."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Why? What's going on?"

Jacob hesitated.

"In two days, Earth will be under attack and we need to get our own ships to stop them."

The people started to talk among themselves. After all, it's not every day that you hear a top secret news that Earth will be attacked by aliens.

"I wanna come," the first woman said and got up. "I wanna kick some Goa'uld ass."

Jacob smiled.

"That's the spirit," he said.

"I wanna come too," another woman said.

"Me too," a man said.

The people started to volunteer and at the end only a few remained sitting.

"Oh, hell," one of them said and got up. "If I have to die, at least it can be in a battle. I'm with you."

The rest slowly followed him.

"Then let's go," Jacob said. "Come."

SG-1 was already waiting when the hosts arrived.

"What is that," someone asked, noticing the stargate.

"That is a stargate."

"A what?"

"A stargate. It will take us to another planet."

"You're kidding, right?"

"No. We will pass several until we get to our destination." He looked up at Hammond. "George."

Hammond nodded and the gate started moving.

"What's going on?" someone asked.

"They are dialing our destination," Jacob explained. "They have a different system here than on other planets."

"What do you mean?"

"Every gate has a dial, this one doesn't. They use computers instead."

"Oh."

The gate opened and the hosts took a step back, surprised.

"Don't be afraid," Jacob said.

"Now what?"

"Just walk through. Kassim."

Kassim went to the gate and stepped through.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Is that water?" a woman asked.

"No."

"Daniel, Teal'c, go ahead," O'Neill ordered.

Jackson and Teal'c walked to the gate and stepped through.

"Okay, people, move it," O'Neill said. "We don't have all day."

Martouf, Yousuf and their escorts stepped through. The people slowly followed them.

"Wow," the first person, a man, said when he came out on the other side. "Where are we?" he asked and looked around.

"On another planet," Martouf said.

"Really?"

"Yes. Look, there are two moons, your planet has only one."

The man looked up and saw that there were indeed two moons.

"Wow."

"Look, there are two moons," a woman observed when she came through the gate.

"Is this another planet?" another woman asked.

"Yes," Teal'c said.

"Wow."

"That's everyone!" O'Neill called when he and Carter came through. "Okay, everyone, back off a bit!"

The people stepped back and Garshaw dialed a new destination.

"That's it?" a man asked.

"Yes," Jacob said. "It's like a phone."

The gate opened.

"Okay people, you know the drill!" O'Neill called.

"This is our destination!" Jacob called when they reached it.

"It's a desert," a woman observed.

Jacob smiled.

"Yes. But don't worry, we don't live in the desert. Come, follow me."

Jacob led the way and the people followed him.

"Captain Carter!" Garshaw said.

"Garshaw?"

"I need to speak to you about the message."

"Oh. Colonel?"

"Don't get lost," O'Neill said and followed the people.

Carter smiled and slowed down.

"You know who it is from?" she asked.

"Imhotep," Garshaw said.

"Yes," Carter confirmed and Garshaw took a deep breath.

"He is alive?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Can you take me to him?"

"Yes."

"Good. We leave as soon as things are taken care of here."

"Okay," Carter agreed.

"Okay, this is it!" Jacob said after the short march had come to an end.

The people looked around, confused.

"There's nothing here," someone observed.

"There is."

"Martouf," Garshaw said and Martouf and the escorts stepped closer.

A moment later, transporter rings appeared from the ground and took them below. The people gasped, astonished.

"Whoa," someone said.

"Cool."

"What was that?"

"Transporter rings," Jacob said. "They will take you below the ground where we live."

"You live underground?"

"Yes. It makes it harder for the Goa'uld to discover us."

"Oh."

"Make groups of... twelve," he instructed them and the people did so. "The first group, come forward."

Ten people stepped forward and a moment later they were gone.

"Next group."

The next group and the next two were transported underground and then the Tok'Ra started to come up.

"They will be taken care of," Garshaw said.

"Good," O'Neill said. "Then let's take care of the urgent business. Captain, you and Garshaw want to pay a visit to you-know-who?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Then you better go. Meet us back here."

"Yes, Sir."

"Colonel O'Neill," Garshaw said, "I have sent message to three other Tok'Ra groups. More Tok'Ra will arrive soon."

"Good, we'll wait for them."

Garshaw nodded.

"Good luck."

"Thanks. We'll need it." He turned to Jackson. "Daniel, do you want to stay here and take care of the hosts, make sure they're not too afraid?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Good. General?"

"Oh, call me Jacob, I'm not a general anymore."

"Well, right now you are."

Jacob smiled.

"I guess so."

"Transport Daniel down and then let's go to the gate."

Jacob nodded.

The room was empty as the last time she was there, Carter noticed.

"Stop," she told Garshaw when they came to the end of the steps. "Now we wait."

She looked around for an opening to put her weapons into, but none appeared.

"Welcome," Imhotep greeted them instead.

"Hello, Imhotep. I believe you know Garshaw."

"Yes."

Garshaw stepped forward and the two Tok'Ra started to talk in a language Carter decided was Ancient Egyptian. Finally they hugged.

"It is good to see you again, Garshaw," Imhotep said.

"You too, Imhotep. It has been a long time."

"Indeed," Imhotep agreed.

"We thought you had died."

"I nearly did. But come, I will tell you all about it."

Back on the Tok'Ra planet, they were still waiting for the last group to arrive.

In the Tok'Ra hideout, Martouf came to the hosts.

"There will be a blending," he announced. "You can come and watch so you can see what awaits you."

The people followed him to a chamber, where two people lay next to each other.

"On the left is Rebecca. She is dying and Mohamed will become the new host for her symbiont. Watch their mouths."

Nothing happened for a while and then the Tok'Ra suddenly jumped from one host to the other. The new host seemed uncomfortable for a few moments and then sat up.

"That's it?" someone asked.

"Yes. Only with you it will last a bit longer because the symbiont needs time to heal you."

"And when will we receive one?"

"Tomorrow."

Back on the surface, the last group had finally arrived and O'Neill had dialed out. After they had passed several stargates, they arrived to their destination.

"Colonel O'Neill?" the General in charge asked, confused, as he watched the strange people come through the gate.

"We have a problem, Sir. In two days, Earth will be under attack by four Goa'uld ships. The Tok'Ra ships are too far away to help, but they sent crews for five of our ships. They are ready?"

"Yes."

"And you do have crews for another three?"

"Yes."

"Excellent. Then let's move. General Carter will lead the ships."

The General nodded in agreement and turned to his aide.

"Mobilize the crews."

"Yes, Sir," the woman said and ran away.

"Come!" Hammond said when someone knocked on his door.

"General Hammond," the newcomer said.

"Colonel Maybourne?" Hammond said, surprised. "You are fast."

"Earth is under attack, General."

"Yes."

"I was told that the Tok'Ra have agreed to help."

"Yes. They will send eight ships. I have sent SG-1 with them."

Maybourne thought for a moment.

"I have brought some new weapons we've developed at Nulles. Just in case."

Hammond nodded.

"Good."

Imhotep told Garshaw what had happened on Earth and how he left and then listened to Garshaw as she told him about the Tok'Ra.

"I am proud of you, Garshaw," he finally declared.

Garshaw nodded.

"Will you return?" she asked.

Imhotep thought for a while and Carter noticed that he was having an internal discussion with his host.

"Fatima and I have agreed that we will stay here until she grows up and then join the Tok'Ra. As for her people, I will ask them if they are willing to become hosts."

Garshaw nodded.

"That would be good. As a matter of fact, the Tau'ri have already sent us a group of hosts."

"Really?" Imhotep asked, pleasantly surprised, and looked at Carter.

"Yes," Carter said, nodding.

"That is good news."

"Yes."

"Imhotep," Garshaw said, "can I ask you about your host? Isn't she too young?"

Imhotep nodded.

"Yes. I could have healed her with my devices, but I wanted to experience how the Tau'ri grew up, so I would understand them better. She, her parents and my previous host agreed."

"I see," Garshaw said and thought. "Perhaps we should send Charlie here."

"If he will agree," Carter said.

"Who is Charlie?" Imhotep asked, curious.

"He was genetically engineered by the Reetou," Carter explained.

"The Reetou?"

"Yes. He was sent to warn us that the Reetou rebels want to wipe out all potential Goa'uld hosts."

"I see."

"But, unfortunately, he was very ill and the Tok'Ra took him with them and gave him a symbiont."

Imhotep nodded and then smiled.

"Fatima has decided to ask her parents if they would adopt Charlie," he explained and got up.

"That is a good idea," Garshaw agreed.

"Yes," Carter agreed as well.

"I will be right back."

Imhotep left.

"You know," Carter said after a moment of thinking, "it would be good to keep quiet about the fact that Imhotep is still alive."

Garshaw nodded in agreement.

"Yes. Especially if people from this world agree to become our hosts."

"Yes."

Imhotep returned.

"Her parents have agreed."

"Good," Garshaw said. "I will bring Charlie here tomorrow."

Imhotep nodded.

"I have told Fatima's parents to call a meeting. I will ask the people if they wish to become hosts. Come."

Garshaw and Carter got up and followed Imhotep.

The hosts were all a bit nervous when the symbionts arrived the next day. Carter and Garshaw had returned to the Tok'Ra world and Garshaw had sent for Charlie. When the time came, the hosts were called to a large cave and Garshaw spoke to them.

"We thank you for deciding to become hosts for us. If anyone decides to change his mind, you are free to do so." She pointed at a small pool next to her. "In here are the symbionts. I want each of you to introduce yourself to the symbionts and tell them about who you are, what you like, what you hate. Martouf will translate their questions to you. When a symbiont has chosen you, you will blend. Are there any questions?"

"Yes," a man said. "You said a symbiont will choose his host?"

"Yes. You will spend a long time together and you have to like each other. In turn, of course, you will also be able to ask symbionts questions."

"So if the symbiont likes me, but I don't like him, I can say no?"

"Of course."

"Okay."

"Any more questions?"

"Yes. How will we blend?" a woman asked.

Garshaw pointed at a crossing between a bed and a board.

"You will lie on that bed head down and the symbiont will enter through your mouth. Then you will remain lying until the symbiont heals you."

"Oh."

"Any more questions?" There were none. "Who wants to be first?"

No one got up for a few moments and then an older woman got up.

"I'm not getting any younger," she said and went to the pool. "You want me to talk to them?"

"Yes," Martouf said.

"Okay."

"It's a good thing we chose a planet so close to Earth," O'Neill said when the small fleet entered the Sol System.

"Yes," Teal'c agreed.

"General?" O'Neill asked Jacob.

"We hide behind the Sun and wait. And when they come, we destroy them."

"Sounds like a good plan," O'Neill agreed.

"Yes, but first we have to make sure that the Earth telescopes won't detect us."

"Good point. It was hard enough covering up the explosion of the first two ships and now there will be an actual space battle. Can you say Star Wars?"

Jacob smiled.

The first host finally got up and looked around.

"Wow," she said, "I haven't felt that good in years."

"How do you feel?" a man asked.

"Healthy like a baby."

"Can you feel the symbiont?" another man asked.

"I can hear his thoughts and I have access to his memory." She paused. "Wow, this is awesome," she declared enthusiastically.

"Did it hurt?" a woman asked.

"No. I felt like choking at first and then it itched when he moved into position. Now I don't even feel him anymore. Except his thoughts."

"Hello, Charlie," Carter greeted the boy when he arrived.

"Hello. Where is Jack?"

"He went with my father to stop the Goa'uld who is planning to attack Earth."

"Oh."

"Were you told why you were called?"

"Yes. Someone wants to adopt me."

"Would you like a family?"

Charlie thought for a moment.

"Yes," he then declared.

"Good," Carter said, smiling. "You'll get two sisters and a brother and there will also be other children."

"I never saw another human child," he said.

"Then it's about time. I hope you'll be able to catch up on all the things you've missed." She looked at Garshaw. "Will you two go alone or do you want me to come along?"

Garshaw looked at Charlie.

"Charlie?"

"She can come along."

The gate room on Imhotep's planet was empty as usually when Carter, Garshaw and Charlie arrived. A few moments passed and then Imhotep and Fatima's family came.

"Welcome," he said and then let Fatima take over. "Hello," she said, looking at Charlie, "my name is Fatima."

"My name is Charlie," Charlie said.

"I know. My family has agreed to adopt you. Would you like that?"

Charlie looked at the people behind her.

"Yes," he said.

Fatima turned to her father.

"Father, would you take him home? Imhotep has to see the volunteers off."

The father nodded and offered Charlie his hand. Charlie took it and they left. Fatima bowed her head and Imhotep took over.

"Fifty-eight people have volunteered," he informed Garshaw. "There would be more, but they have families here. But there will be more in the future."

Garshaw nodded and looked at the people who were entering the gate room.

"I thank you for being willing to become our hosts," she said and turned back to Imhotep. "The location of your planet will remain a secret." She took out a small device from her pocket, identical, Carter noticed, to the one Martouf gave to her in the SGC. "If you are in trouble, you can reach us with this device."

Imhotep nodded and took the device.

"I hope I see you soon, Garshaw," he said and turned to Carter. "And this is for you," he said and gave her a bag.

"What is it?"

"Medicines I have developed. Your people might find them helpful."

"Yes! Thank you."

Imhotep smiled.

"You are welcome."

Garshaw nodded, went to the DHD and dialed out.

"Sam? Where have you been?" Jackson asked when she came back.

"Garshaw and I took Charlie to Imhotep."

"Oh."

"We also brought back hosts."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"How many?"

"Fifty-eight."

"That's more than we sent."

"For now. That was just the first group."

"Yes."

"Any news from Colonel O'Neill?"

"No."

"Then I guess we wait."

Waiting was also what they did on the fleet hiding behind the Sun, when they were not running drills. The Tok'Ra members of the crews had no problems, but the human crew still had a bit of a problem reading Goa'uld writing. It wasn't critical, O'Neill noticed, because as soon as someone didn't know how to read something, he or she immediately asked and was immediately answered.

"Colonel!" Jacob finally called O'Neill.

"General?"

"They are coming. Four ships."

"It was about time."

"General Hammond!" a soldier came into the General's office. "The Goa'uld have arrived."

Hammond immediately got up and went to Maybourne.

"Colonel?"

"Four ships, Sir, heading straight to Earth."

"And the Tok'Ra ships?"

"No sign of them, Sir."

"I hope they're already here," Hammond murmured to himself. "And our own defenses?" he asked aloud.

"Ready, Sir."

"Let's hope we don't have to find out whether they work."

"Yes, Sir."

On the ships, Jacob waited until the Goa'uld ships came closer to the Sun. Then he sent four ships around the Sun to sneak behind the Goa'uld backs.

"Here we go," O'Neill said when Jacob gave the order to attack.

"Sir, they're there!" a Major reported.

Hammond and Maybourne looked at the screen.

"Four ships," Maybourne observed.

"I was hoping there would be more."

"Can you zoom in any closer?" Maybourne asked.

"I'll try, Sir."

The picture became blurred for a few moments and then started to become sharp again.

"That's the best I can do, Sir."

"Looks like the battle is already in progress," Hammond observed.

"Yes."

"Is it my sight or are there more ships in the background?" Hammond asked and looked closer.

Maybourne did as well.

"I think there are more ships."

"I hope they belong to the Tok'Ra."

In the space around the Sun, the battle raged and the Goa'uld were loosing. After two ships were destroyed and the remaining two saw that there was no way out, they tried to ram the defense ships, but Jacob had anticipated that and avoided collision. The Goa'uld ships tried to make a run for it, but they were greeted by the gauntlet of four ships, which immediately surrounded them.

"One more ship to go," Hammond observed.

"If they're the good guys," Maybourne said.

Hammond looked at him, surprised.

"You think that Goa'uld have set a trap for the Tok'Ra?"

"It's possible, Sir."

Hammond thought about it.

"In any case we'll find out soon enough," he said when the last ship blew up.

"What are they doing?" Maybourne asked when he saw that the Tok'Ra ships were circling around the Sun in a strange pattern.

"I don't know."

"Sir, I think we're getting a message," a Lieutenant reported.

"You think?" Maybourne asked.

"Yes, Sir. It's only light signals and I think it's Morse code... It's being repeated."

The Lieutenant rewrote the message.

"Well?" Hammond asked when the Lieutenant was done.

"It says: 'Jack was here'."

"O'Neill," Maybourne said.

"Looks like we get to live another day after all," Hammond said.

"Sir, five ships have left."

"And the other three?"

"They're still circling the Sun."

"They might be clearing up the debris," Hammond said.

"Why would they do that?" Maybourne asked, confused.

"Perhaps they don't want us to get it."

"Not that we could," Maybourne said, annoyed.

Hammond shrugged.

"Let me know when they leave. I have to make a few phone calls."

"Yes, Sir."

Hammond left.

"What is that?" Hammond asked when SG-1 returned home two days later with several large crates.

"TERs, Sir, with compliments from the Tok'Ra," O'Neill said. "General Carter said that most are personal weapons, but that they also added some of the big guns."

"We can station them here, in the gate room," Carter said. "That way we'll know if the Reetou come and we can destroy them at once."

"Good idea, Captain," Hammond agreed.

"Report," Hammond said when SG-1 came to the conference room.

"Thirty-one dead, nineteen of them Tok'Ra. We managed to save fourteen symbionts. One ship is quite severely damaged and three have sustained minor damage. The rest only have some surface scratches," O'Neill reported. "We also picked up the debris for study."

"Good. And the hosts?"

"They're fine," Carter reported. "They've all received their symbionts and have been included into various Tok'Ra groups. Imhotep gave me this bag with the medicines he's developed."

"Really?"

"Yes, Sir. Oh, and Charlie is now with Imhotep."

"Good. I will have that bag sent to Nulles."

"Yes, Sir."

"Oh, Sir," O'Neill remembered, "General Vaughn says that they have developed some interesting ground weapons for use against the Goa'uld ships. They're still testing them at the moment, but he says they should be ready next month."

"Excellent. I'm looking forward to your reports. The unofficial ones that is."

"Yes, Sir."

"Dismissed."

The End