This host had cost him dearly and it was no mistake who he had blamed.
Kraco stood up from his command chair. Walked towards the screen and turned slowly towards his second. His second saw the coldest stare he had ever seen from his commander. It ran a cold chill down his spine. He had only seen that look one other time. Torturing Quetesh and now.
"100 thousand Crenda's for the capture of the snake Quetesh, and the girl. The other prisoners……….kill them."
Kraco watched from his command chair, any sign of the missing ship. He knew his men were a little weary of his decision making lately. They knew he kept special tabs on certain prisoners while on the planet, and tortured one without mercy. They had known him to usually rid himself of any cargo that didn't fetch a fair price and torture was done by outsiders. But word had spread among his men that a certain woman amongst the well guarded prisoners, was tortured than any other in his hold. They came to the conclusion that there was some personal vendetta involved with this woman.
The crew had been thinking of the 100 thousand Crenda's Kraco offered for the escaped prisoners, something that had never happed to their Commander. But they had also heard he shot one of their own. Something that Kraco never had happen in the past. His Second in Command had noticed the angry mood shift of the crew recently in trusting Kraco. But Kraco had not noticed such insignificant matters amongst his men. He had one thought and one path to carry out. He wanted to capture Quetesh's host and the girl; nothing else mattered. He would follow their ship to hell and back if he had to, and damn the consequences.
"Commander; we have detected one of our ships, that has changed transmission codes. We tried to hail it and there was no answer." Said his Second.
Kraco's hands tightened around his chair. "How close are we to pursuing them?"
"Not far Sir. We can intercept them, and place a tracking beam on them. It was not one of our faster ships."
I know it's you; you whore. I know you're all on that ship.
"Proceed Second. Do not lose them. Your life may depend on it."
The second understood Kraco's warning. He intended to make good capturing the stolen ship.
Kraco ignored his surroundings. He didn't notice that his men caught his threat.
You can't escape me host. You will never escape me. You made me lose everything, now nothing matters, except your deaths. At least the price for the girl is one consolation to regain my reputation.
STOLEN SLAVER SHIP
"Sam, what's wrong?" Asked Mitchell. Mitchell had noticed Sam started messing with the controls furiously. Sam had noticed the sensors going off that another ship was in the area. It was three times the size of their small ship.
"There's another ship pursuing us, and its gaining ground. This ship doesn't move very fast. I have a bad feeling about this Cam."
"Can you out maneuver them Sam?'
"I'll try. The Hyper drive is off line. I didn't think we would need it this soon."
"Do what you can Sam. We can't afford to be captured." Both Sam and Teal'c understood his concern more for Vala, than themselves.
"Teal'c? Do we have enough weapons to fight our way out?"
"I assure you Col Mitchell it would not matter. If we are to die; I will take as many with me before I would allow them to hurt any of you"
Sam and Mitchell had the same thought. They would take out whoever was following them if they boarded. They all read Sam's mind. She would make sure there would be a self destruct plan if they were backed into a corner.
"Sam, you and Teal'c do whatever you have to and evade that ship. I'm going to talk to Jackson and the girl."
Sam worked on rigging the ship, while Teal'c kept a close eye on the gaining ship. He was tense only in regards to them being captured again and tortured for information. He knew maybe he and his teammates might survive; but not Vala. She had gone thru too much. She would not make it.
"Jackson, Jackson, wake up. We have a problem." Stated Mitchell.
"Wha……what's going on?"
"We got a ship on our tail. We don't know who it is. Taika, wake up. We may need your help."
"I am awake. Have we arrived somewhere safe?"
"Sorry Taika. Our trip has been interrupted by another ship pursuing us. I need to know if you can help in any way?"
"My abilities are still regenerating. It takes a lot out of me. I could be of no help right now, but I will once I've regained by strength."
Daniel looked at Vala, still unconscious. But his anxiety about Vala being tortured again, made him fear for her life.
"We can't let them take this ship Cam. I won't let anyone hurt Vala. She won't survive any more torture."
Mitchell put his hand on Daniels shoulder. "We won't. I promise you that. Sam will make sure nothing will happen to any of us in that way."
Daniel could see in Mitchell's eyes, he meant business. What ever Sam was planning, it meant no one was being taken prisoner.
"Keep our princess well hidden." Cam put his hand on Vala's forehead. "Taika stick with Daniel and Vala. If it comes down to it. We have a final plan."
Taika also understood Mitchell's words. She also contemplated a long hidden plan with the Alterans. Mitchell returned to the Command center, while Daniel held onto Vala a little tighter.
"I won't let them hurt you Vala. I love you, I love you. Nothing else matters than keeping you safe; nothing."
Daniel kissed Vala on the lips. Vala was still so pale and thin. It scared him to think she may never know how much he loved her and how much Sam, Mitchell and Teal'c, loved her also. She was more now than just his wife, a comrade, even more than a friend. She was everything he had always wanted. Someone strong, intelligent, funny and weird. He hated to admit it, but he loved her quirkiness and her ability to make him smile, no matter what the circumstances. He often had to hold back his smile, just to let her know he didn't find her funny, but he did. But what made him respect her more than anything, was her ability to survive against unspeakable odds. She had survived being a host to Quetesh. Survived being tortured by her own people. Survived on her own by stealing, lying, cheating, anything that allowed her one more day of life. Anything but the torture, the beatings, the rapes. He realized from the visions from the machine, that Vala was the most remarkable women he had ever met.
Taika watched with concerned eyes for the lost one. She had lived a very long time to see the lost one found and now she would need every ounce of her gift to make sure she stayed alive. It was her fate to protect that which could not protect themselves. That was her fate.
COMMAND CENTER
"Teal'c, Sam, what's the situation?" Asked Mitchell, not wanting to hear the worst.
"There still gaining. We've had no hail from them, so I can assume they are hostile."
"Indeed Col Mitchell. We have tried to out maneuver them, but they seemed determined to pursue us." Stated Teal'c.
"CRAP."
"What's wrong Sam?" Mitchell knew Sam didn't curse, unless more problems were stacking up.
"Damn; there's another ship approaching from the opposite direction."
"What?"
"She is correct Col Mitchell. There is a vessel of equal size, approaching, fast."
"Sam, maybe we can play chicken. Head towards the first ship. Let's see who will chicken out first and maybe we can introduce them to each other."
"What is chicken?" Asked Teal'c being curious of earthism.
"It means we are going to head straight for the first ship and move close enough to maneuver out of the way just in time for them to collide and we escape free and clear."
"I do not understand where the chicken comes in Col Mitchell?"
"Trust me, I'll tell you later, but right now, we need to move or be captured. Sam let me in there. I need to do this manually. Give me all the power boost you can Sam."
"Right; I'm on it."
KRACO'S SHIP
"Commander. There is another ship approaching fast. They are about to intercept on these same coordinates."
"Do not let them take that ship." Kraco was furious. Nothing would dare stop him from taking what was his. "Fire on them and blow them out of the sky. I want that Snake back and child at all cost; FIRE."
Kraco's ship started firing across the bow of the stolen slaver ship, at the unknown ship. The alternate ship never returned fire. It continued on it's course to intercept the smaller slaver ship.
"SIR, THE STOLEN SHIP IS HEADING TOWARDS US. AT THAT SPEED IT WILL HIT US HEAD ON." Shouted the second.
"OUT MENEUVER THEM. I WANT THEM ALIVE. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU MISERABLE BASTARD'S DO. CAPTURE THAT SHIP."
Kraco's second saw the men grumble at being treated like slaves. He was beginning to tire of Kraco's reckless actions, since loosing his entire base. What disturbed him the most, was Kraco didn't care if his men lived or died, knowing that a ship was more interested in committing suicide than be captured.
STOLEN SLAVE SHIP
"Cam, you're cutting this pretty close." Stated Sam. She knew Mitchell's flying prowess was as good as hers and O'Neill. She trusted his actions, just not sure about whether the slave ship could handle any quick maneuvers in a crunch.
"Indeed."
"I know, I know. But, if this is going to work. I've got to get as close as humanly possible. I don't want to even give them a small chance to catch us."
Sam had boosted the engines about 30 percent to give Mitchell enough power to dodge out of the way of both ships pursuing them. Daniel had confidence in his friends that they would do, what they had to do, to save them. Being chased by one ship that probably was their kidnappers, and then another for some unknown reason, didn't put the odds in their favor. Taika realizing Daniel was worried smiled back at him. Daniel smiled a half smile, knowing Taika was trying to reassure him that things will be alright.
"There is a plan Daniel Jackson. There is always a plan. The Alterans always had a plan." Said Taika.
"I hope so Taika." Daniel let out a small breathe. "For all our sakes."
Without warning, Kraco was beamed from his ship, while his second in command and men were left feeling angry and betrayed.
On the stolen slaver ship, Mitchell, Sam, Daniel, Teal'c, Vala and Taika were all beamed from their ship. Minutes later, the stolen ship and Kraco's personal ship, collided and exploded in space. There were no survivors on Kraco's ship.
UNKNOWN SHIP
Kraco was disoriented. He looked around to see he was in some sort of cell. He was furious. The last think he remembered seeing was the stolen ship fast approaching his. He started shouting to no one, or anyone that could tell him where he was. There was no response. Even his weapons were gone from his side. Kraco realized who ever beamed him out, had plans for him later. He decided to conserve his energy, until he met his enemy. He breathed to calm himself and then walked over to a corner and sat down. He would wait and then make his move. If given the chance; he would escape or kill those who would deny him his revenge.
ANOTHER PART OF THE UNKNOWN SHIP
Mitchell was the first to stir. He looked around and saw that all of them were in a cell, except Vala. Sam, Teal'c, Taika, and finally Daniel stirred. Daniel immediately noticed Vala was missing.
"Oh God, No. VALA?...VALA?" WHERE IS SHE? GOD NO; PLEASE DON'T LET THEM HURT HER………. VALA?"
"Daniel calm down. We don't know if it's the same people. We don't even know where we are? Said Sam. She too was worried about Vala. Thinking about what could be happening to Vala was unnerving her.
"I………I'm scared for her Sam." Daniel had a huge lump in his throat, not knowing where Vala was. He could only think about her being safe and prayed they were not torturing her again as before on the planet.
Mitchell interjected. "First is everyone ok? Taika; are you alright?"
"Yes……..I think so. Do you know where we are Col Mitchell?"
"No, but I bet they're watching us, who ever they are. Teal'c you and Sam ok."
"I am unharmed Col Mitchell. But I am concerned for Vala's well being."
"Me to big guy, me too. Jackson we're going to get her back. At least were not restrained. Who ever beamed us out, knew what was going to happen."
"Col, I think we were ringed out. There was a flash before we ended up here. Who ever did this, made sure we stayed together. But Daniel's right Col. We need to find out what's happened to Vala."
"She's got to be alright Sam. She……………
Daniel couldn't help it. He slid down the wall, almost overcome with anxiety. He held his head in his hands, trying to stay calm, thinking the worst, but trying not to. Sam sat beside him with her arms around Daniel. She knew he was more frightened now, than back on the planet. Taika, got up and walked over and sat with Daniel also. She pulled his head out of his hands and looked at him with confident eyes.
"The lost one will survive. She has always survived. She has all of you. There is no greater power than the power of love. We will find her, she is only lost for a short while. You will see…….you will see." Taika smiled, knowing that it was a single moment of hope, but she would give this to him freely. Daniel understood the wisdom in the small child's eyes and only could shake his head.
Before anyone could say anything the outer doors opened and 4 guards entered. All of SG1 and Taika stood up. Their eyes went wide with anger and Daniel was held back by Mitchell and Teal'c. He knew, they all knew who was coming.
"Which one of you should I kill first? What happened to my mother?"
TBC
A/N: I finally put my muse to rest. I have those twist coming. Feedback and reviews are welcomed. I dedicate this chapter to Acer Sigma .