We Love as One – Chapter 8

Disclaimer in index

“Daniel, don’t touch anything.” Were the first words out of Sam’s mouth when they reached the grassy plain of the planet Delina. The group stood on top of a small hill overlooking the field that had tons of scraped and foreign technologies littered about it. Sam could feel the thrill of excitement as she surveyed the dozens of machines and what-nots just waiting for her to get her hands on them. But she reined in her enthusiasm and did a cautious sweep of the land, looking for any sign of movement or danger; this was one of the rare times she was in charge, she wasn’t going to mess it up.

A side of Daniel’s mouth quirked up. “Picking up habits from Jack, Sam?” He hefted his back-pack.

“Just trying to make it through this day without getting hurt or experiencing something I really don’t want to. You know your track record for causing trouble.” Sam bantered back.

Daniel laughed as he thought how true that statement was.

“Well, I guess this is where we spread out and find out if anything down there could be pf use.” Jacob said, standing next to Sam. He motioned the Tok’ra to move down the hill and begin surveying. As he turned to look at Elias, Jacob noticed that while he was almost jumping for joy at the sight of new technology, he was also still sneaking glances at Sam. Jacob sighed. Elias had been doing that since he first saw Sam; no doubt, it was because of Lantash’s influence. He just hoped they could get this over with without any trouble.

“Teal’c, why don’t you keep an eye on Daniel, just in case.” Sam whispered softly to her team-mate as they watched Daniel stumble down the hill, barely missing smashing head-first into a large piece of machinery, which undoubtedly would’ve knocked him unconscious.

“Indeed, Major Carter.” Teal’c said from behind her, his voice holding a tinge of amusement.

Sam took one more look around before joining her group walking amongst the maze of abandoned machines.

The mechanical clicking too far away to be heard by the Tok’ra and the unsuspecting Major.

~~~~~

Elias crouched, watching Samantha as she fiddled with…something. He watched entranced at the joy and excitement mixed with concentration as she studied the device in front of her.

(She is radiant.) Elias said softly.

It was late evening on the first day of the joint mission between the Tok’ra and SG-1. The Tok’ra, Teal’c, and Daniel were busy setting up the tents and sleeping arrangements on the hill that overlooked the field. Daniel had gotten a fire going and was making coffee and dinner…mmm chicken.

Sam was still studying the numerous devices and machines that the group had deemed of interest, hauling them together to better study them altogether. Elias was doing the same, but alternated between the object in his hands and watching Samantha dissect the metal pieces in front of her, tapping away on what she called a laptop.

<Elias, you are not getting much progress done.> Lantash teased, but also had his full attention on the woman who meant so much to him. Both he and Elias wanted so badly to make Lantash’s presence known and have her not be so sad anymore. Elias and Lantash knew that Samantha, as well as the rest of the SGC, were unaware of both Martouf and Lantash’s fate and they wished to correct it.

Elias sighed and abandoned his work, knowing he could never fully concentrate. He stood and walked over to Samantha. “Have you determined the use of that, S-Major Carter?” He asked softly.

Samantha jumped slightly and spun around startled. “Elias! Wow, how about making some noise while approaching, huh?” She smiled jokingly.

Elias returned her smile and bowed his head. “I am sorry; I will remember that next time.” He stood next to her and eyed the object in front of her. “How is your research faring?”

“There are still a few tests that I need to run on this object, but it’s going fairly well. I can’t wait to take it back to my lab.” Joy was apparent in Sam’s eyes, but Elias and Lantash detected something else.

<Ask her what is wrong, Elias.> Lantash ordered, worry and concern lightly tinged his tone.

(I am afraid to; we have just met a few hours ago, she will not confess anything to me.) Elias said, lowering his head, but keeping his eyes on Sam.

<Elias! Just do it…please? I cannot reveal myself remember?> Lantash pleaded.

Elias sighed, knowing he couldn’t withstand the barrage of worried and concerned feelings of his frantic symbiote. As well, he was also worried about Samantha. He clasped his hands behind his back and braved out the question, “Samantha? I sense there is something bothering you, not about your research, but something else. Is there?”

Sam quickly looked up and into Elias’s grey eyes, saw kindness, and concern present there. A question formed in her mind, but she shoved it to the back of her mind for now as her shoulders slumped and she exhaled heavily.

Elias saw her immediate reaction and became more anxious. He touched her arm gently and asked softly, “Samantha? What is the matter? Have I said something…?”

Sam shook her head slowly, still looking into Elias’s eyes and thinking. “No…I’m fine. Really,” Sam said as Elias opened his mouth to disagree. “It’s just…when I see Malek and Korra and you, whenever I see a Tok’ra, I’m just reminded of…of someone, that’s all.” She finished quietly, looking down at her laptop screen.

A single name simultaneously popped up in both Elias and Lantash’s mind. Martouf. Lantash felt a huge weight of guilt and regret weigh down on him and he cursed both himself and Martouf for not acting on their feelings when they had had the time. Elias felt conflicted. He knew that most of his feelings for Samantha were being influenced by Lantash, but he didn’t protest. He knew that given some time, he too, would be able to feel a bond with Samantha. A prompt from Lantash caused Elias to scowl at Lantash’s forwardness, but he asked nonetheless.

“I understand. Although I am a relatively new host, I have heard about you and your relationship with another Tok’ra who has…passed. I will not speak his name if you do not wish to hear it. I do not wish to cause you further pain.”

Sam abandoned her research as she stared at the object in front of her, but didn’t really see it. She was back to picturing Martouf’s face and right now; she tried to contain the tears she knew were threatening to form.

“It’s okay, it doesn’t matter. His name is…was Martouf and he’s been gone for a little over seven months now, but…I still miss him…very much. When he was alive, we were very good friends and I regret how he had to leave me…I mean the Tok’ra. He…” Sam swallowed hard. “He is still very special to me.”

If Lantash had a body of his own, he would’ve felt his heart break at his beloved’s words and if he had not been Tok’ra, he would’ve revealed himself immediately and tried to spare Samantha some pain. He would’ve also told her his feelings; they were long over-due.

Elias let his symbiote wallow in misery while he prodded further. “You are in love with him, yes?”

Sam stopped breathing for a moment and closed her eyes. Lantash paused in his guilt-washing to listen nervously for her answer. Elias felt like an intruder on an intimate conversation and slightly anxious.

Sam suddenly gave a small sad smile and opened her eyes. “Yes, I love or loved both Martouf and his symbiote, Lantash. Very much. It took me awhile to realize it, but sadly, it was too late. Now they’re both gone and I have absolutely no idea what happened to them.” Sam laughed bitterly.

<She loved us. Still loves me.> Lantash whispered, awed and heart-broken. He was still Tok’ra and still under orders not to reveal himself.

“Sam?” Daniel’s alarmed voice raised the attention of everyone. Sam and Teal’c took one look at their team-mate’s apprehensive face and bolted to his side where he had wandered to look at the field they had spent much of the day in. The Tok’ra watched intently, Elias and Lantash still frozen in the aftermath of Samantha’s confession.

“What is it, Daniel?” Sam touched Daniel’s shoulder gently, concern on her face.

Daniel didn’t answer her, but merely pointed a finger down the hill and at the field. Sam and Teal’c turned their attention to the direction that Daniel was pointing to and immediately fear and worry took over.

Replicators. Lots of them.

Where they came from, Sam didn’t care. She just hoped that the Stargate hadn’t been compromised.

“Daniel, quick, you and Teal’c gather as much as you can. Leave the tents and sleeping bags; pack up your gear, and hurry.” Sam ordered briskly, keeping one eye on the replicators and beckoning her dad over to her.

“What’s wrong, Sammy?” Jacob asked tensely.

Sam nodded her head at the replicators, readying her P-90. Cursing the situation they were in, Sam realized that out of the entire group she was the only one with a weapon that would be effective against the metal bugs.

“You remember our friends down there right?” Sam padded her vest pockets for her extra ammo; she only had four spare clips. The Stargate was an hour’s walk from their current position; by running all the way, it’d be thirty, forty minutes with the gear, they were carrying.

Jacob swore as he saw the trouble. He turned to his fellow Tok’ra. “Malek, Korra, Elias, pack everything up and start heading to the Chappa’ai now.” He ordered, moving over to Daniel. “Daniel, what type of weapon are you packing?”

Daniel paused in jamming all his papers into his backpack to answer. “Ah, a Berretta.”

Jacob held out his hand. “Give it to me, along with your extra rounds. No offense, but I think I’m a better shot than you.”

Daniel wordlessly handed Jacob his gun and ammo and closed his backpack, moving to pack Sam’s stuff since she was watching the replicator’s slow progress to their location. Daniel and Teal’c abandoned the tents and sleeping bags like Sam had ordered and soon were ready to go.

Jacob checked the progress of the Tok’ra and saw that they were also ready to go; Tok’ra didn’t carry much anyway.

“Jacob, what is wrong?” Malek questioned, his hand poised to fire with his zat gun.

“Replicators. We have to leave now and leave fast.” Jacob shook his head when he saw Korra and Elias take out their zat guns as well. “Zats and staff weapons, basically anything the Goa’uld and Tok’ra use are ineffective when it comes to these suckers; they just absorb the energy and keep coming. The only weapon that is, so far, effective, are Tau’ri projectiles. Sam’s P-90 is the only thing we’ve got and Daniel’s Berretta.” Jacob held up the handgun. “Not good odds. Our best chance is to get out of here and head for the Chappa’ai, if the replicators haven’t gotten to it yet. Now, take Daniel and Teal’c and go.” Jacob gestured.

He went to get Sam. “Sam, why don’t you lead the way. If we come up against those things, you’ll be the only one to stop them.” Gesturing to the gun he held, he continued. “I’ll watch our back. Go.”

Sam nodded and turned quickly to shrug her backpack on when Elias took it from her, saying, “If we should meet these replicators, you will need to move the fastest out of all of us. I will carry your things; it is no burden.”

 Sam signaled her gratitude and said quietly, but firmly, “Let’s go.”

****This really isn’t detrimental to the story, but in case anyone’s wondering why replicators are on the planet, let’s just say they were on a ship and detected the unknown technology that SG-1 and the Tok’ra were also looking at and decided to have a look, okay? Happy!