Myth

Briar Elwood

A/N: Okay, while I have the next couple chapters written and waiting (therefore updates shall be quicker), afterwards they will slow. You see, I have...many things I need to be memorizing. I'm the lead female role in our fall play, I'm in an accapella Christmas singing group (28 elite singers from my high school...I'm so excited), and then there's the regular concert songs I have to memorize...(runs around like a chicken with her head cut off). Yeah...

Chapter XXIV

Owned

Still shaken at the revelation that James was actually a machine, Jack rushed back to Sam's side to see Teal'c, Cameron, Daniel, Vala and Ettan running up the stairs to help. Daniel pulled them all over to the window (letting the Jaffa continue the battle) where Sam and Jack saw Sirius waiting for them.

"What's goin' on?" Jack bellowed.

"They're with us now," Daniel explained. "Look, I'm not sure if this is gonna work but we gotta try to combine all of our powers. I'll guide us through after that, 'kay?"

"What do we do?" Sam shouted trustingly. "Hold hands or something?"

That would be impossible for me, Oci pointed out. Daniel shrugged.

"Imagine it, I guess. That's how it's been working."

So the group formed a circle, closing their eyes and leaving the deadly chaos surrounding them behind. They found themselves floating among vast galaxies, still in formation.

Oh…wacky, Cam muttered.

It's beautiful! Sam exclaimed.

I wonder where we are, Vala mused, looking around.

Right there, Ettan said, pointing at a cluster above them. That's the Milky Way.

Even I feel small, Oci commented.

Do we not have a mission, Dr. Jackson? Teal'c pointed out. Daniel looked startled, jolted out of his awed reverie.

Oh. Right. Okay, we're looking for the Ori themselves, he told them, giving his surroundings a peering look. The others did the same and soon found themselves splitting up, shooting to different areas of the Universe. Daniel found he, Ettan, Oci and Vala were speeding the same direction and realized they must be going to the Ori galaxy.

Celestis, Ettan murmured reverently as they slowed to a strange turquoise planet.

Now what, Daniel? Sam's voice startled the four of them.

We're still connected, Daniel realized. Just…imagine them gone, I guess. I don't think they notice we're here, he added as a pair of obvious spirit-like people walked right in front of them.

Here goes nuthin' came Cam's hiss. Daniel glanced to his companions: his wife, his son, and his most loyal servant. Vala grinned at him, his heart warming at the light the smile shone. Daniel grabbed her hand tightly, returning the smile, and the four of them turned back to the Ori.

A blinding white light flashed through the area, its origin being the four companions. Unbeknownst to them, the power of this light was so strong that it traveled throughout the entire galaxy, the Ori blinking out of existence like light bulbs. When the light was gone from their view, they opened their eyes, knees immediately buckling.

Whoa, Cam's voice breathed. Really takes the steam outta ya.

Did it work? came Jack's terse inquiry. Daniel looked up wearily, unsteadily getting to his feet again. He looked around the area to find it completely deserted, save for the four of them.

Looks like it.

They're gone? Vala asked. Just like that?

It does seem a bit easy, Daniel, Sam said.

I beg to differ! Cam exclaimed. Daniel was about to reply but found he, as well as Ettan, Oci and Vala, were flying back to their original spot among the stars, the others joining them.

He's right, Daniel pointed out. That wasn't really as easy as you're making it sound. We had to combine our powers, which required trust and faith in each other. If one of us hadn't been on the level, he or she could've easily swiped all the power for themselves and gotten rid of us. And not just on a physical level…mental and time-wise. And for us to have had faith in each other, especially Ettan and Oci…well, that took a lot.

Ow! Cam yelled suddenly, taking a step back, clutching his elbow and vanishing from view as if he stepped backwards through a veil. The rest of them followed suit.

"Cameron Mitchell!" Nori yelled. The group blinked rapidly, adjusting to the change of surroundings. They were back in the briefing room, yet they were now alone save Nori, her eyes wide. Cam rubbed his arm, annoyed.

"What?" he demanded. Nori blushed.

"Sorry. I didn't know if something was wrong."

"How'd you do that?" Cam asked. "It hurt!"

Nori shrugged. "Ghosts have power too."

"How's it goin' on your front?" Daniel asked, stepping forward. Nori grinned.

"That's why I'm here, actually. They're retreating. We've won!"

"Sweet," Cam whistled. "That's a few million for the scorpion and a big fat zero for the hunter. Owned."

"Casualties?" Sam asked, trying hard not to smile at her fellow colonel.

"Aw, spoil it, will ya?" Cam muttered but he looked at Nori expectantly. She shrugged mildly.

"No ghosts were killed," she said with a smile. "And I don't believe too many Jaffa were lost."

"Henwies?" Vala asked quickly. Nori's smile widened.

"He's great. Never would've guessed he had that much vigor in him."

"Ya see?" Cam said happily, turning to Sam. "Owned!"

"James."

Everyone turned to look at Jack who, up until this point, had been uncharacteristically silent. A jolt of panic went through Sam's system at the tone of her husband's voice.

"What about him?" Daniel asked, confused.

"It wasn't him you rescued," Jack said hoarsely.

"Daddy!" Rose squealed, hurtling out of Jack's office and over to her father, Jared not too far behind her. Jack picked Rose up, a little too protectively, and Vala grabbed Jared. He gave Jack an imploring look from his perch.

"Uncle Jack?"

"James was hit," Jack said tersely, walking over to the desk and grabbing the car seat and turning it so everyone could see.

"Is he…dead?" Rose whispered, voice quivering.

"It's a machine!" Nori observed. Jack nodded.

"A tracking device. It's how they found the base."

"So where's James?" Vala asked, frowning.

"My guess?" Jack said, eyes fixed on his wife's horrified stare. "The Ori's warriors still have him."

A/N: And you thought it was wrapping up, didn't you? Well, YOU WERE WRONG!! Hehe.

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