* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sam sighed as she looked down at herself. The guards had led her to a room where some women had given her new clothes. She wore baggy red trousers, with a suggestively low waistline. Her maroon top had short sleeves and made a cross shape across the front that left her stomach and neck bare. She wore a long necklace with a symbol that hung just above her low cleavage.
�So this is feminine clothing to him,� she muttered. She looked around, taking in her surroundings. She had been left in a large open room with a group of other women and a few children. What puzzled her was they all seemed happy to be there. There was no atmosphere of being held against their will, there was even several large openings that led elsewhere. In fact she got the overall impression that these people were local residents rather than prisoners. If this was true, it hopefully meant she had a chance of escaping.
While she was considering her options, a little girl approached her. She couldn�t be more than five or six years old, her clothes looked like they were straight out of a Disney movie and her light brown hair was in pigtails.
�Hello, you�re new?� she asked, looking up at Sam. Sam smiled. The kid was very cute.
�Yes, I am. Have you been here long?� The kid nodded.
�Yes. My mummy brought me here.�
�Oh, can I meet her?�
�No. She�s not here now.�
�Where is she?�
�I don�t know. I never met her but she left me a letter and she said she�s coming back.�
�Oh,� Sam said, not knowing what else to say.
�Are you sad?� the little girl asked.
�No. I�m not sad. I just don�t like it here.�
�Why not?�
�Well, because my friends aren�t here. They�re somewhere else,� Sam explained. The kid smiled brightly.
�I�ll be your friend!�
�I�d like that.�
�Me too! I haven�t got any friends. Except my dolly. Look!� she said, thrusting a doll towards Sam. Sam smiled and took it from her.
�It�s a very pretty dolly. Has she got a name?�
�Dolly. Have you got a name?� she asked. Sam smiled.
�My name is Sam.�
�Sam. That�s nice. My name is Kayla.�
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�On this occasion the President and I believe a diplomatic solution would be preferable.� General Hammond said from the head of the briefing table. Jack sighed, and slumped further into his chair.
�Therefore, I�m sending in SG-9 on a diplomatic recall mission. You are to gain the trust of the inhabitants and then try to negotiate for Major Carter. Daniel Jackson, I would like you to work more closley on the translation you found on the pillar and in the room, it may give use some useful information. Colonel O�Neill and Teal�c, you will accompany SG-9 to the planet.�
�Are you sure that�s such a good idea?� Daniel interrupted.
�Dr Jackson?�
�I�m sorry I don�t mean to tell you your job, but Jack�s diplomatic skills� or lack there-of may be a problem.�
�Daniel I have great diplomatic skills. Didn�t I represent Earth in a treaty with Nirrti, Yu and Chronos?�
�Where you insulted them all and I had to write an apology. And just refresh my memory, Jack- last time we negotiated with the Asgard, what was it you said to Freyr about his mother?�
Jack glared at him.
�Ok, people. Dr Jackson you�ve made your point. Colonel O�Neill if you could have your report on my desk by tomorrow. In the meantime SG-9 will go with Teal�c to the planet��
�General, I know the basis of the culture and society. I could help in the negotiations.�
�I have no doubt in you abilities Dr. Jackson; however you�re expertise will be required in translating that text on the pillar. It may give us some useful information if negotiations fail. SG-9 leaves tomorrow. For now, you�re all dismissed.�
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Kayla?� Sam asked the girl, shocked.
�Yes. It�s my mummy�s name too,� Kayla said, as she plaited her doll�s hair. Sam watched as Kayla gave a running commentary on what she was doing. Kayla. The name echoed round in her head. Jolinar�s host had been called Kayla. She understood now. She remembered.
////////////////////////////////////////////////
Jolinar still in Rosha, had lived on a peaceful but primitive planet called Lemado. She had been there barely a month and had already been almost �adopted� by one of the local families. Liftan and Maya ran the small family farm with the help of their daughter Kayla and her fianc� Josh. Kayla and Rosha had quickly become firm friends. They treated Rosha as part of the family, but Jolinar was never revealed to them.
The whole point of escaping to this planet was to keep the Tok�ra safe. Bounty hunters and Ashraks were hunting the galaxy for her, and they would destroy innocents and the people she loved if she had stayed too long in one place. The only way to keep Martouf and the others safe, was not to be with them.
Rosha and Jolinar both knew that it would be better if Jolinar took a new host. Staying in Rosha gave away her identity to all who knew her. But leaving Martouf was already a great loss to them, at the moment it was just too hard to leave each other.
One day Kayla had announced to the family that she was nearly two months pregnant. They had all taken the day off to celebrate when an Ashrak had arrived in the village. He had made his way through the village, demanding to know where Jolinar was. Of course none of the locals knew and he killed each person who did not give him a satisfactory answer.
Jolinar / Rosha had come out of her room to see the Ashrak standing above the dead bodies of Kayla�s fianc� and mother. She had realised instantly who he was, even as the grief for the people she had known as family swept over her.
�No! This isn�t happening! How has he found us?� Rosha thought as she looked down at them.
�Rosha!� Jolinar said �We have to concentrate. Focus on the Ashrak.�
Just then Kayla rushed into the room, sobbing as she saw the bodies. The Ashrak scowled as he turned to Kayla.
�NO!� Jolinar yelled, determinedly steeping towards him, getting his attention. �I am Jolinar.�
Quickly he was beside her, holding the device above her head and producing excruciating pain.
�By order of the System Lords�� he began, but was suddenly knocked to the ground.
With the connection broken but the damage done, Rosha collapsed to the floor. The last thing she saw was the foggy image of Kayla�s father with a pitchfork.
When she had regained consciousness, Kayla was hovering above her, tears flowing freely down her cheeks as she wiped Rosha�s forehead with a wet cloth.
�Kayla?� she croaked.
�Rosha, lie still,� Kayla said, chocking back a sob.
�What happened to the Ashrak?�
�The man, he� Father knocked him to the ground but he turned on him, took the pitchfork and�� she broke off and swallowed hard. �He killed him. He killed them all, mother, father and Lemado.�
�Kayla, I am truly sorry.�
�It�s not your fault.�
�It is. And I would not die without you knowing the truth.� She said and paused.
�I am Tok�ra,� she said finally, looking Kayla in the eye. �I have a symbiote inside me, who shares my body.�
�I don�t understand. Another person?� Kayla asked, confused.
Rosha coughed violently, each cough racking her body. When they ceased there was brief pause then her eyes glowed.
�In a way. We share thoughts, feelings and emotions.�
�So you're her symbiote, Jolinar?�
�Yes, Rosha and I have been together for over 100 years.�
�I�that man was sent to kill you?�
�Yes. He was an Ashrak. An assassin.�
�What did you do?
�We are part of the Tok�ra. As a symbiote I blend with host who volunteer. There are other such symbiotes that take involuntary hosts and force others to treat them as Gods. They are not gods. They are called Goa�uld. The Tok�ra fight against them. For this they wish to exterminate us.�
There was silence for a moment after this when Rosha�s body convulsed fiercely. Kayla had to use all her strength to keep her down. When it had passed, Rosha turned her head to look at Kayla.
�Again, we are truly sorry.�
�Are you going to die?�
�I am very weak, and the damage to Rosha�s body is too extensive.�
�Take me,� Kayla said eventually.
�What?�
�Take me as a host. It will save you.�
�No. I cannot.�
�Why?�
Jolinar released control to Rosha.
�Jolinar does not believe you want this.�
�I do. Tell her I do. I know you and so I must know her. It wasn�t your fault for what happened here. But I have no reason to stay. My family is dead.�
�There is a risk it may harm your pregnancy.�
Kayla placed and hand on her stomach and looked down at it before looking back up at Jolinar.
�What are the risks?�
�You cannot give birth unless Jolinar is dormant.�
�I�m only two months along.�
�Even so, we are not entirely sure the blending will be successful.�
�I�ll take that risk. I want to help. I want to fight the ones who would do this to my family.�
�If you wish, I shall blend with you. It may be unsuccessful as I am very weak. But if successful I promise you will continue to fight them.�
�Okay. Let�s do it,� Kayla said. She reached out a hand and gently touched Rosha�s face.
�Goodbye, I�ll miss you.�
�As will I,� said Jolinar from Rosha�s body.
Kayla had then escaped to this planet and lived happily for six months. Her midwife and �carer� was called Nina but again Jolinar was never mentioned. For the last month and a half of the pregnancy, Jolinar had become dormant. Kayla had delivered the baby and Jolinar resurfaced.
Ten days later, Mesnah had attacked. Mesnah was a bounty hunter and had a lot of history with Jolinar. They had fought several battles but now Mesnah had learnt of the Ashrak�s failing, she had decided to finish it. It had been a very personal battle between the two. That�s when the cliff fight had happened. Except then, Jolinar/Kayla had fallen from the cliff. Kayla had died but Jolinar survived by blending with Nina with had rushed to her side. Nina was not pleased with this but allowed herself to be taken to Nasya where Jolinar left her, as promised.
/////////////////////////////
�And that�s where I found her,� thought Sam. �But what about the date in my dream? Was that when Jolinar had intended to come back?�
�What are you?� Kayla asked, interrupting Sam�s line of thought.
�I�m human. Like you.�
Kayla laughed. �No, I meant what are you here. What Lobar are you?�
�Lobar? I don�t know what you mean.�
�You�re new and when someone is new they are put into a Lobar. Which is ours?�
�I don�t know. I haven�t been put in one yet. Are you in a Lobar?�
�Children are a Lobar. They only do stuff when the village has visitors.�
�Is that often?�
�Only sometimes.�
�Oh. How do I find out what Lobar I�m in then?�
�I�ll find out for you,� she said jumping to her feet and running out of the room.
�Kayla, wait!� Sam called jogging after her
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The door to Jack�s office was open so Daniel just walked in. Jack didn�t look up or acknowledge his presence but Daniel knew Jack knew he was there. He stood there with his hands in his pockets for a moment.
�Jack, you ok?� he asked eventually.
�Fine. Why wouldn�t I be?� Jack said shortly, not looking up from his paperwork.
�Jack I�m sorry I said that I didn�t think you should go.�
�You were right.�
Daniel watched him for a second wondering if he was going to lift his head at all through this conversation.
�Do you wanna talk about it?� he asked.
�What�s there to talk about Daniel? I left her behind.�
�Jack��
�There�s nothing to discuss Daniel,� Jack said, finally looking at him. �I�d rather you just leave.�
�Yes, you would,� Daniel said, taking a seat. �But I�m not going to. And I�m not gonna let you blame yourself for this. You wanted to go back after that vision. If we had she would be safe. And you didn�t leave her behind. We all did.�
�I was the ranking officer Daniel. It was my decision.�
�You know, it�s highly likely SG-9 will get her back.�
�Maybe. But I could�ve tried to get her out.�
�Imagine how you�d feel if it didn�t work,� Daniel stated. He sighed and stood up.
�Get some sleep Jack. It�s late and it�s gonna be a long week.�
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sam stood feeling pretty useless behind Kayla as she was looking at some kind of lists.
�A dancer,� Kayla said triumphantly. �You�re a dancer� see,� she said, holding up a list to Sam.
�Are you sure?� Sam asked, looking sceptically at the list she couldn�t understand.
�Yep.�
�How do you know which I am? They don�t know my name.�
Kayla smiled.
�This is your symbol,� she said touching the necklace they had given Sam to wear.
�Great. So I don�t have a name and I�m a dancer.�
�You will have a name. When the King sees you he will call you something.�
�He�s already seen me.�
�No, when he sees you *dance*.�
�Yeah see, that�s another problem. I don�t really dance.�
�Well, you do now,� Kayla said with a shrug.
In the distance a gong sounded and Sam looked up, surprised, the feeling of adrenaline flowing in her veins, ready for action.
�It�s time to sleep now,� Kayla explained, leading the way.
The room Kayla led her to was more enclosed but still open topped. Night had fallen and the room was bordered with candles and a campfire was situated in the centre. There was a pile of material in one corner. Kayla promptly went over to the pile of cloth, kneeling down and digging through material with both hands.
�Here,� Kayla said, quickly handing her three pieces. Sam held them patiently as Kayla got hers. Maybe she was just being paranoid but Sam was sure many of the women were watching her as she made her �bed� next to Kayla.
Dismissing it to the fact she was new, Sam lay on one piece, wrapped another round her, and used the final piece as a pillow. Lying on her back Sam sighed and looked up at the strange night sky. She fell asleep trying to make constellations out of the unfamiliar jumble of stars in the night sky.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day General Hammond stood in the control room talking through the microphone.
�Ok SG-9, Teal�c. I wish you the best of luck. You are due to report back one week. You have a go,� General Hammond said from the control room. He watched them disappear through the gate, mentally adding, �Bring her home.�
He could sense Jack behind him and turned round to face his 2IC. Jack stood, watching them go with an expressionless face hiding a tornado of thoughts and emotions. A few seconds later he heard the gate shut down and Jack, realising he was being watched, turned on his heel and left the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sam woke early the next morning when the sun rose across her face. Getting up she realised that most of the women were already up, so was Kayla.
�Ready for breakfast?� Kayla asked cheerfully. Sam nodded sleepily and shook off her covers.
There should be a rule about being that happy this early in the morning, she thought. Her and Jack�Colonel O�Neill would get on swell
Kayla led her to an area that had a floor strewn with cushions. Sam took a seat on a cushion and looked around. There were many other women in the room; more than had been in the sleeping area. Kayla had run off a few minutes ago saying something about different areas for different Lobars.
Suddenly the gong sounded again, this time much closer. This seemed to be the cue for several women to enter carrying large trays with various foods on them. As Sam watched, trays were placed in seemingly random order around the room. A tray was placed a short distance from her and nearby women gathered around it taking what they liked.
Shrugging, Sam stood up and made her way over to the small group around it, waiting for a gap to get something herself. While she stood waiting she saw Kayla waving at her from a doorway in another area, that one more like a tent. She smiled and gave a small wave back when someone touched her lightly on the arm. Kayla disappeared into the tent area and Sam turned to see a woman offering her a bowl.
�Thanks,� she said gratefully.
�You�re welcome. I�m Rana.�
�Sam.�
�You�re a dancer right?� she asked
�Apparently,� Sam answered. Rana laughed
�Don�t worry, all newcomers are confused at first, but they all settle down in time.�
I don�t plan staying that long Sam thought silently but smiled back.
�Come and sit with us,� Rana said beginning to walk and Sam fell into step besides her. They soon quickly joined a group of four other women, sitting and chatting while they ate.
�Everybody, this is our new dancer. Sam, this is Anya, Lila, Hala and Tia.�
�Hey, I�m Sam.�
�Hi,� they all greeted. Sam smiled and sat down
�New today?�
�Last night.�
�You�re pretty lucky. King Talus requests to see us dance about once a week. So we�ve got about two days,� Tia said.
�Two days,� echoed Sam. �I hate to tell you this but I really can�t dance.�
�Everybody can dance,� Anya laughed
�Not me.�
�We will teach you,� Lila smiled.
�In a week?�
�Easy,� Rana laughed.
�With the dances of our culture, it does not matter on the level of skill. It is the sparkle in the eye, the proud carriage, and the execution of technique that matters,� Tia explained.
�The dance is about getting in touch with your inner energy and then letting your pelvis and movements be an expression of that energy,� Hala added
�If you say so. It seems to me that we dance just so King Talus can stare at us all he likes while we dance in small costumes,� Sam said objectively.
�When we perform, what we are there to do is enchant and mesmerize a varied audience. It aims to be sensual, not sexual. While some light hearted flirtation with the audience may be part of some dancers preferences.�
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Teal�c lead the way to the town and they stopped just out of eyesight of the patrolling guards.
�Previously the guards paid little attention to their duties. It was not difficult to pass unnoticed.�
�Ok, well this time we�ll deliberately try and get their attention,� Major Thornberg stated. Teal�c tipped his head to indicate he understood. They began a steady walk towards the town. Night was falling and the guards leaned causally on their posts.
�This is the town of Ferula, governed by King Talus. What is your purpose here?�
�We come to offer alliance and trade with King Talus.�
�King Talus is currently in the Lunas. He will know of your arrival and may grant you an audience.�
Two guards immediately appeared in front of them.
�You will be guided the way.�
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�Kayla seems to have taken quite a liking to you,� Hala said.
An uneasy silence fell over the group as the five of them shot each other looks.
�Yeah,� Sam answered cautiously, wary of the subject. She saw Rana glare at Hala meaningfully, but Hala seemed to pay no notice.
�A piece of advice for you. Don�t spend time with her.�
�Why?�
�Hala leave it,� Rana warned.
�No. I think she should know what she�s getting into if she associates herself with Kayla.�
�She�s only a kid.�
�A child without a mother. The *only* child here without a mother.�
�Where�s her mother?�
�Her mother disgraced herself.�
�She saved our people, Hala.�
�That does not change what she did. She disgraced herself and her daughter with her name.�
�I don�t understand.�
�A little under six years ago, a woman joined us called Kayla. She was with child.�
�She was unlike any before her, kept to herself as much as possible.�
�After she gave birth one of the gods arrived.�
�She fought for our people, disgracing herself and bringing shame upon us.�
�I don�t understand. How is fighting for your people a disgrace?�
�She was a woman! Women do not fight!�
�But you would�ve died if she hadn�t.�
�Better to die with honour than to live in disgrace,� spat Hala, jumping up and walking off. Sam watched her leave slightly amazed at her point of view. She turned back to the others.
�So you�re saying if I�m friends with Kayla I won�t be liked by anyone else. Because of her mother!�
�Hala does not speak for everybody,� Rana said with sigh.
�Unfortunately, she speaks for most,� added Tia.
�Including you four?�
�Rana, Anya, Lila, and I believe Kayla did a great thing for our people. However, change does not come easy.�
�Hala finds it especially hard. One of her close friends died in the battle.�
�A dancer?�
�No she was the carer who looked after Kayla during her pregnancy.�
�Nina,� Sam breathed,
�Yes, how did you know?�
�Oh, err. Kayla mentioned it to me.� She said. It wasn�t entirely a lie.
�Come on. Its time for practice anyway,� Anya said standing up and offering her a hand.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Janet found Jack in the canteen.
�Hey Colonel, mind if I join you?� she asked with a smile. He looked at her suspiciously.
�You�ve not got any impending medical tests planned, have you?�
�Nope.�
�Ok, well then sure,� he said, gesturing the seat across from him. She put her clipboard down and sat opposite him. Looking at his weary face and the way his exhausted body was slumped forward, she forgot for a moment why she had come.
�So Doc, what can I do for you?�
�Well, General Hammond sent these for you to sign,� she said passing a folder over to him.
�Carter normally does these,� he commented, signing the first document. Janet watched him as he signed the next one.
�You miss her,� she commented quietly. He looked up at her and stopped writing.
�Yeah,� he sighed.
�Is this a problem?� she asked. His face was a perfect imitation of Sam�s when she had been asked the same question while he was stuck on Edora.
�No, of course not. It�s just�she�s the only one who laughed at my jokes!�
Janet nodded thoughtfully. �She can look after herself. She�ll be ok.�
Jack picked up the pen and began writing again. �I know.�
'But she wouldn�t have to if I hadn�t left her behind' he added silently.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CONTINUE....