Chapter 180

Cheyenne Mountain, SGC

Minutes earlier, a common place event had taken place in the subterranean nexus of interstellar gate travel. This event was an incoming wormhole. Where this event differed from the norm was not known until after the event horizon had stabilized. Transmitting through the gate was an IDC code. Each code was unique to the SG team or race it had been assigned to. To everyone's surprise, this code belonged to the Tok'ra.

A staunch ally in the war against the Goa'uld and the later war with the Ori little had been heard from the Tok'ra as of late. After the fall of the last of the System Lords, they had withdrawn from the galactic stage to focus on building a true home for their race. Despite this, the Tok'ra intelligence network still kept watch over the Milky Way. The fall of their long time foe freed up agents for uses far and wide. Long suspected but seldom voiced was the opinion that the Tok'ra had maintained watch over happenings on Earth.

Exiting the gate and walking down the ramp was a Tok'ra who in the past had been involved in many heated debates with SGC personnel. Thoran was fiercely protective of his race, and its interests. With this as his admitted top priority, it was widely known how he would view things even if it meant ignoring the alliance with Earth. Despite this often inconvenient fact, Thoran was a known quantity and always welcome at the SGC. Under escort, he was quickly brought to the upstairs conference room that overlooked the gate room.

"General Landry, thank you for seeing me." Thoran began.

"What kind of leader would I be if I didn't have time for our off world allies? What can I do for you today Thoran?" Landry asked.

"I believe we can help one another. Certain pieces of intelligence have come into my possession that is pertinent to ongoing operations of your world. My hope is that we can arrange a trade of sorts." Thoran stated.

"That's possible, depending on what it is you're asking for in relation to the value of the intelligence." Landry responded.

"Trust when I say this information is of the utmost importance to your planets safety." Thoran replied.

"Ok, we'll do this the easy way. How about you tell me what it is you want first?" Landry asked.

"As you are aware, we as a race find ourselves subject to the law of diminishing returns. During the war with the System Lords many of our operatives were lost. This greatly depleted our numbers. Having no queen means we lack the ability to replenish our ranks." Thoran explained.

"I'm aware of this. If only Egeria had been discovered sooner on Pangar this might not be the case. Still, I fail to see just what it is we can do to help." Landry said.

"We are aware of the Asgard use of an ancient DNA manipulation machine to save themselves from extinction. The Tok'ra find ourselves an endangered species. I am here to request that this technology be used to create a clone of Egeria from genetic samples stored on my home world. The symbiotes genetic memory ensures that this clone will have the same mental make up as she." Thoran explained.

"So you want us to give you a way to continue the existence of your species. Let me just say that I hope the information you offer in trade is of the same level of importance." Landry stated dryly.

"I assure you it is. One of our operatives has uncovered a plot to attack Earth by Jaffa forces currently amassed on the planet Cor'ak." Thoran explained.

"They recently tried that and failed. Earth is now protected by a shield their weaponry cannot hope to penetrate." Landry countered.

"We are aware of your great shield, as are the Jaffa. They do not plan on attacking the planet directly, as their attack would fail. Instead they plan to detonate a series of naquadah bombs on your moon. The resulting debris from such an event would block your sun from Earth's skies for several years to come. Life on Earth in all forms would cease to be in a matter of months." Thoran stated in a matter of fact tone.

"How certain are you of the authenticity of this information?" Landry asked pointedly.

"Absolutely certain." Thoran answered resolutely.

"I'm assuming that your agent has also provided you with specifics on troop strength and disposition of forces on Cor'ak." Landry said.

"That information can be provided easily." Thoran replied.

"This information has to be passed on quickly. Return to your world and gather the agent reports on this matter. While you are doing that I will speak with my government and get the final approval to honor your request." Landry stated.

"Understood. I will return shortly with the reports." Thoran replied while rising from his seat.

Under escort, the Tok'ra was taken to the gate room for his return trip. As this took place, Landry entered his office. Picking up the phone, he quickly dialed a number from memory.

"Jack, its Hank. We've got a problem." Landry stated into the phone.