"Who is it?" Landry demanded. Walter shrugged.
"We've received no identification, sir."
Filing in the room were Daniel, Cameron, Jack, Sam, Danielle, Teal'c, and Vala, all curious to see who had activated the Stargate. Suddenly the iris opened. All shot a glance at Walter. He raised his hands defensively.
"I didn't do that, sir."
Everyone looked to the 'gate to see a wise looking woman step through. Daniel gaped at her for a few seconds, recognizing her instantly. Then he ran out the room to greet her, the others, confused, close behind him.
"Oma!" he cried as soon as he walked through the door. She turned and smiled gently at him.
"Daniel."
He approached her, a look of pure, pleased confusion on his face. "What are you doing here?"
Oma glanced at the people coming in behind Daniel and looked back to him before speaking. "Believe me, I do not wish to be here, especially under these circumstances."
"Nice to meet you too," Jack snapped as he came up beside Daniel. Oma only looked at him coolly. Daniel ignored the exchange and continued.
"They let you come here?"
"They are too involved to pay attention. I needed to tell you, we are now at war with the Ori," Oma explained. Daniel nodded.
"We know. The Ori have come into this galaxy. Without using a Supergate…"
"The Ori used their power to activate the Stargate," Oma explained, "and to keep it open."
"Hey," Cameron interrupted. "This is nice and all, but could you explain something else to us?"
Oma gave him a cold look but softened slightly soon enough. "Depends on what it is."
Cameron shifted. "Why's Daniel black all of a sudden?"
At this, Oma actually smiled, however Daniel didn't notice for he was glaring too hard at Cameron.
"You know how trifle that is?" he hissed.
"It is all right, Daniel," Oma assured him. Daniel turned back to Oma, confused. She smiled.
"You need to know. You are no longer a Prior of the Ori."
"So why's he still all…Prior-y?" Vala asked immediately. Daniel gave her his patronizing glare.
"Because he's now a Prior of the Others," Oma replied. Daniel's head whipped around to stare at Oma. Everyone was unmoving and silent until Sam finally asked,
"Why black? Doesn't black symbolize death and evil?"
Oma shrugged. "The Ori are already using white. Any other color would look strange."
Jack grinned. "I like that."
Daniel shot him a quick glare before questioning Oma.
"What kind of a reason is that?" he demanded.
"Well, think about it," Oma started. "Take green. Symbolizes nature and new life. Green eyes wouldn't be bad, same with staff and robes. But hair? Skin? It'd look like you were sick!"
Jack's grin grew. "I can imagine that."
"Grey," Daniel suggested, ignoring Jack.
"Too close to white," Oma answered promptly.
"Brown," Daniel said, growing desperate. Oma smiled almost jestingly.
"Your hair is naturally brown, Daniel. That wouldn't do!"
Jack's face was practically splitting with his grin. "I really like that! No deep meaning or anything, just 'it's this way because we said so.'"
Oma smiled at him and shrugged. "We didn't have much time to put any deep thought into it. At any rate, Daniel, we must be going."
Daniel turned back from giving Jack his glare to give Oma another confused look.
"Where?"
"To the scene of the ongoing battle. The Oracle and the Doci need to be taken care of."
"And by taken care of, you mean," Daniel said slowly, "killed?"
Oma nodded. "Yes."
Daniel heard a sharp gasp behind him and turned to see Vala looking absolutely mortified. Oma noticed also and spoke gently.
"She is evil, Vala."
"She's still my daughter," Vala snapped back. Oma kept Vala's hard gaze calmly for a moment before continuing.
"You will be blessed for your sacrifice," she told Vala quietly. Vala's hard, hurt gaze switched to confused and Oma turned her attention back to Daniel.
"There is a battle waiting for us, Daniel."
Daniel nodded slowly in agreement, not quite sure he wanted to go with her, and the Stargate suddenly activated. Oma walked through and Daniel moved to follow her but Vala grabbed his arm.
"You're coming back, aren't you?" she asked quietly, almost in a begging tone. In the back of his mind, Daniel thought this was very out of character for Vala, but he could only contemplate her question. He looked at her sadly and moved his gaze to each of his friends in the room and replied quietly,
"I'll try."
Not looking comforted in the slightest, Vala let go of his arm and shot her gaze to something behind him. Daniel turned around and walked through the Stargate.
A/N: I love reviewers and live for constructive criticism!