Ba'al's personal ship was in the orbit where Kraco was to meet him with an exchange of cargo. His Prime had reported directly to Ba'al after several attempts to contact the famous known Slaver went unanswered. The commander of his Ha'tak vessel had noticed some slight debree in space and thought perhaps; Kraco's ship had been destroyed. He knew his Lord and Prime would not be happy.
"I hope you have better news from the last time Prime Gatus. I do tire of such incompetence." Stated Ba'al with disappointment in his voice.
"Our contact Lord Ba'al for the cargo has also disappeared. Kraco is never late for exchange of goods or profit. Our Commander believes his ship may have been destroyed. My last transmission from our informant sent a message that the Ori were in the area."
Ba'al began stroking his beard. He always had a habit of doing so, when thinking.
"Now why would an Ori ship be in this part of the galaxy? I wonder if Kraco did a double cross with the Ori and blown out of the stars?"
"My Lord if I may speak boldly."
"You may."
"Kraco was no fool my lord. He would have found a way to contact us if he was still alive. He had prime cargo and he would not dare cross you."
"That is true, but if he is dead, then what of his precious cargo? I'm most curious to wonder if that cargo had not been taken."
Just then Prime Graco received new information on a ship in the area of Ori design from his communication device from his Commander of the ship.
"My Lord, our vessel has scanned an Ori pod in the vicinity. Shall I have ready a tracker beam to capture the ship into our hold?"
"Most interesting. Yes, do so Prime. Let me know when you have this ship on board. I want to know what happened in this area."
"Yes my Lord."
"Ba'al sat back down to contemplate his lost cargo. The Ori were a formidable foe, but it never stopped him from being the last he thought of his kind to gain precious information, if it meant defeating the Taur'i. Ba'al believed himself the last of the Gou'ald System Lords and his shaky ally's with the Lucian Alliance was for his own gain than theirs.
ORI POD
Sam had heard the alarms go off on the pod that they were being scanned. Teal'c and Mitchell were resting, while Daniel and Vala were taking some time to rest also.
"What's wrong Sam?" Asked Mitchell.
"We are being scanned. It shows there is another large ship in the area."
"Indeed. Could it be another Ori ship, looking for Adria, Col Carter?"
"I don't know Teal'c. If it is, then we need to outrun it, or hide. We don't have that much in weapons on the ship, only side arms." Stated Sam.
"Damn; just when you think the woods are clear of the big bad Wolf. Sam, take evasive maneuvers. I'll tell Jackson to brace himself." Stated Mitchell.
"Ok, Teal'c. I need you to monitor that ships location. I have a feeling it's going to be bumpy ride."
"As you wish Col Carter." Teal'c monitored the ship and knew it was bigger than their pod. What worried him, if slightly noticeable to Sam that Teal'c kept looking back to Daniel and Vala.
"Jackson, Jackson, wake up."
"Huh, wha………what's wrong, Vala?"
"No, Sam said there is another ship in the area. She's going to try and outrun it. It may be another Ori ship, but at this point be prepared for anything. How's Vala doing anyway?"
"Still sleep. She needs the rest. I just hope this is not another mess we're ending up in. The Ori would be pissed if they found out Adria is gone."
"Well, buckle yourselves in. It's going to be a bumpy ride. If I know Sam, she's going to put the metal to the peddle."
Daniel looked down into Vala's face. She was a little stronger after eating, but she still looked pale. She seemed to being in REM sleep, but Daniel could tell she may have been having nightmares. He reached down to kiss her forehead and braced to wait, what would happen next.
Sam knew they couldn't hyper jump. The pod was meant for close proximity in lieu of a planet landing, not continuous space travel. The sensors were showing the ship was moving fast towards them, while she tried to out maneuver it. When the ship finally came in to view, they all knew that out running the ship would be impossible.
"A Ha'tak." Teal'c sneered at who may be on that ship."
"Ba'al." The all announced at once.
"That nut case on the planet mentioned something about Ba'al wanting us."
They all felt the pod shake. They were being pulled into the much larger ship. Teal'c had already prepared to fight his way thru what he knew where lots of guards. Mitchell had done the same thing. But he was worried about his team too.
"Sam, put out a distress call again. If the Deadilus or our allies catch this message. Let them know we are in danger of being captured by Ba'al in this quadrant. Maybe they can track his ship."
"What about us Col. Ba'al is not going to let us go easily, if he has us for a prize. He knows SGC will try and retrieve us. And………I'm worried about Vala. If he finds her here too…………..
"I know Sam, I know. We'll have to play it by ear. We know how sadistic Ba'al is, but we have no other choice but to surrender."
"Col Mitchell. I do not believe surrender to be our best option." Said Teal'c disappointed in being captured without a fight.
"Look, we have limited options here. We can surrender and stay alive until we can escape or be rescued or die trying to protect Vala. Which she has already been thru enough. I don't like this anymore than you do, but we must survive either way."
"Know this Col Mitchell. My blood Oath still stands. I will carry it out without mercy. I will obey your command Col Mitchell. When the time comes, I will be ready."
"Thanks Teal'c. I know I can count on you and Sam. Jackson has enough to worry about. He's not going to like this, but this is the only way right now."
"Let me speak to him Col Mitchell." Stated Teal'c.
"Ok big guy. I know he'll listen, coming from you."
Daniel could see Teal'c heading back to see him. His face expressionless. It worried Daniel. He was pretty good at reading Teal'c, but he could tell this was going to be bad news.
"Daniel Jackson, how is Vala?"
"She's still sleep. Something of what we all need. But that's not why you're here, is it?"
"You are correct. We are being taken in by a Ha'tak ship. We believe it to be Ba'als primary ship."
"No, no we can't let them find Vala. It's too risky. We have to fight them off." Daniel knew Vala had a history with Ba'al, and he remembered Vala's torturer stated something about Ba'al wanting them for slaves.
"Calm down Daniel Jackson. Col Mitchell has surmised that we must survive, not for just us, but for Vala's sake. Col Carter has sent a message to our allies of our location and believes we will be rescued or escape. I have taken a Blood Oath Daniel Jackson. I will kill anyone that will harm Vala or anyone I care about. That is my Oath and I will carry it out swiftly. But you must think of Vala. If we fight then we will not all survive. Do you wish to leave Vala a widow?"
Daniel didn't like the ideal of someone hurting Vala is he was not there to protect her. At least if it's Ba'al they knew their chances and Ba'al was mostly after information or at least he hoped he was.
"No, no I don't. I don't like it Teal'c, but……..but if they hurt Vala, you're not the only one to protect her."
"Understood. We must make ready to be boarded. Remember Daniel Jackson. Vala's survival must be our responsibility now. She has already done hers."
Teal'c put his hand on Daniel's shoulder to reassure him; then he placed his hand on Vala's forehead. He left to join his teammates and prepared for Ba'al.
TBC