Chapter Twenty Three

Mitchell was fully reclined in his briefing room chair, donning a traveler's outfit of leather and cloth, his legs propped up on the table and his hands folded behind his head.

General Landry came out of his office, looking up from his brief to see the very relaxed colonel, who was sporting a look of satisfaction across his face. "Can I help you Colonel Mitchell?" he asked with a pointed look to his outfit.

"Oh, yes sir!" Cam kicked his legs off the table. "You see, I was hoping for a little off-world R and R time." He leaned forward with a wink. "You see, Teal'c and I have just heard about this big party that's being held on another planet. Some kind of religious celebration, if you catch my drift."

"I see," the general nodded. "And you feel this religious celebration will give you better insight into these people?"

"Yes sir," he added with mock enthusiasm. "I feel very strongly that we could win them over as allies. I think they might even have ships."

"Ships?"

"Oh yes, big ones." He gave a shrug. "Least that's what the guy at the tavern said after we generously bought him a drink. Or two."

"Well," Landry smiled. "We could definitely use more ships if there really is about to be a wraith attack on Earth."

"And by attending this festival, I'm sure we could gain their trust." He stood up. "And seeing as it's just a simple meet and greet, there's probably no need for back up."

"Very well, Colonel. You have a go." He laughed as Mitchell threw a victorious fist in the air.

On P2X319, the people were packed into the tight circle of the town square. It was surrounded by a circular fortress of a medieval style, wrapping its way around the market with a sizeable tower at the northern point. The people were shoulder to shoulder, hardly leaving room for any movement.

"Yup," Cam asked as he tried to squeeze out from between two rather large locals. "You were right, Teal'c. This is quite the party."

Teal'c opened his mouth to speak, but was shushed by someone in the crowd next to him.

"She's going to be here any moment!" He clapped excitedly.

"To whom are you speaking of?" He asked the annoying townsperson. "We are travelers from a distant land," he amended at the man's confused look.

"Then you must have traveled very far to have not heard the news! The Mother of the Orici has returned to us!"

"Yea," Cam muttered. "We already heard she was back."

"Yes, but now she is whole once more," he stood on his tiptoes, trying to get a better view of the balcony. "Her words of wisdom now spread through the lands far and wide."

"Don't you mean Lord Ba'al's words of wisdom?" Mitchell shrugged nonchalantly. "We heard the Great Mother has been speaking her words of wisdom through him since her return."

The man's eyes lit up as he let out a happy sigh and gestured before them. "Not anymore."

"Children of the Ori," Vala called from her place on the balcony, her golden dress sending reflections of light into the crowd. "Hear me. Your prayers have been answered."

Cameron shot Teal'c a look of concern as he listened to her continue.

"The Ori have come to me in a vision. They have shown me the light of the path. But they have also shown forgiveness." She held out her arms to them, lovingly gazing down upon them. "They have told me that all of our prayers shall soon be answered. They have deemed us worthy. They will send us the Orici once more so that together, with the guidance and wisdom of the Orici to lead us, we will smite the evil that threatens to shadow this galaxy in darkness and keep those who would follow Origin from the path."

"Oh this is not good," Mitchell whispered to Teal'c, who nodded his agreement.