Chapter Ten - Gone

Akahoshi wandered through the corridors her mind heavy with thoughts. After awhile she felt a certain presence close to her. At first she did not stop, but then she decided to turn around:

Now her eyes were looking up into those belonging to the Jaffa she had attacked earlier.

"I have done you wrong", she said lowering her gaze.

"You did not know better", he replied not seeming to be irritated at all.

"But I could've listened to what your friends have told me", the princess sighed.

"By the time you attacked me you did not know a thing."

She shook her head confusedly. "True", she responded after a sort moment of pondering, "but this does not excuse what I've done. I'm so sorry."

"I accept your apologies", he stated.

Akahoshi nodded thankfully and turned away to walk on.

"I don't even know your name. Mine is Teal'C, what is yours?"

Surprised, she turned back around and took the hand he was holding out to her, "I am Princess Akahoshi."

"A pleasure to meet you, Princess", he bowed slightly.

"Likewise, Teal'C", she eased a little eyeing him closer herself.

xxxxx

Through several indications on the planet his scouts had found out that the alien had been taken to Tauri.

Inwardly a shudder of deep disgust crossed him. Why did these impertinent, childish humans always get their unworthy fingers on things that were destined to belong to him?

At least they seemed to have found a way to wake his pearl from her sleep, so he hoped.

Soon he would know for sure. If the technology he had stolen from Anubis worked, it was merely a question of minutes, now.

xxxxx

Screaming Hotaru awoke. "Setsuna?" she brought out weakly.

Her friend was by her side momentarily, "I'm here, Hotaru-chan. What's wrong?"

"You... you must protect the Princess. I just had a vision. She's in immediate danger."

"What have you seen?" her friend wanted to know full of worry.

"I'm not sure. You have to find her, quickly", Hotaru told her excitedly.

"On my way", Setsuna rushed out of the room at once.

xxxxx

"Unscheduled off-world activation."

As the Stargate alarm went off a shiver crossed Akahoshi's body. Something was wrong here, that was what her feelings were telling her.

"Are you all right?" Teal'C asked.

"I...", she was like paralyzed and did not know what to say.

Suddenly Setsuna came running around the corner. Now the princess knew that her feeling was absolutely right and she also realized that the guardian had come too late to help her.

Only seconds later Akahoshi felt how a tickle grabbed her body and tore her away, it came so quickly, she was not even able to move.

xxxxx

Setsuna could not believe her eyes. Princess Akahoshi had just vanished in front of her eyes. A moment later the Stargate shut off again.

Confusedly she looked at Teal'C.

"What happened here?" she asked.

"Seemingly an Asgard transportation device has been used", he stated.

"A what?"

"Some Goa'uld have learnt to use it as well."

She bit her lip, "So, what you're saying is that a Goa'uld has just abducted Princess Akahoshi?"

He nodded slowly, "Likely."

"We have to alert the others."

"Indeed", quickly Teal'C and Setsuna went to alert Colonel O'Neill.

xxxxx

As soon as she could feel her body again Akahoshi staggered forward falling to the ground. Suddenly somebody gripped her arms and lifted her up vigorously; from the corner of her eye she could she that it were two Jaffa who had taken tight grip of her arms and now they were pulling her forward.

Akahoshi slowly raised her head and saw that they were dragging her toward somebody whose strong, dark aura left no doubt: he was Goa'uld. His mere aspect was making her shiver.

Desperately she tried to tear away from the Jaffa, but they were stronger. Her tries to break free seemed to please the Goa'uld.

As she was close enough he looked at her closely, a pervert kind of satisfaction in his eyes. Then he even touched her face forcing her to look right at him.

"No", Akahoshi blocked his hands away by throwing her head backwards, "Keep your hands off me", she hissed.

"Why should I?" he smirked at her. Obviously her defiance gave him even more drive to go on.

"Who are you and what the hell do you want?" she returned evading his gaze.

"I am Baal. Welcome to my domain."

His sarcasm was giving Akahoshi the rest, by now she was more fuming than feared.

"How dare you abducting me?", she snapped.

"Well, my dear", he grinned deviously, "you should no that you're making a perfect object to study."

Akahoshi shuddered. Why was this happening to her? Wrath evolved from deep inside of her, but she could not canalize it, her powers were no longer operative.

She was trapped, helpless and alone.

xxxxx

"Who do you think could've taken our princess away?", Michiru inquired worriedly.

"Judging form how she was abducted...", Sam began biting her lip.

"... it is most possible that Anubis is responsible for it", Teal'C finished for her.

"And that's really bad for her", Janet stated.

"Actually the worst that could happen to her", Jack added quietly.

"We have never heard of him", Setsuna pondered, "What's so evil about him?"

"In case he really has her", Sam replied, "your existence would be in grave danger. He would use his mind probe on the princess, then he'd know all about you."

"But it isn't him", Hotaru, who had just sat up in bed, intervened softly.

"Not?" Jack let out a relieved sigh.

Haruka turned toward her friend "Did you have another vision?"

Hotaru nodded weakly.

"So, who is it, then?" Sam asked.

"His name is Baal."

"Dang, not much better", Jack moaned grabbing his forehead with a hand, then he rose. "It's best we contact the Tok'ra, ask them if they know something", he said to Samantha.

"Best we can do", she replied turning to leave with her CO.

"Speed up", Hotaru pleaded quietly, "She can't defend herself any more.'

xxxxx

Aw-key, some Baal fun for a little change. He's so yuck when he enjoys himself... Who wants him to get his butt kicked by the senshi? raises hand eagerly, calling, "Me, me!"

Hopefully you still like it, though...