"I just do daddy. I……..I can help find her. It they don't let me help you, I'll take us away. I can do that daddy. I can."
Woosley thought Daniel had enough time with his daughter. He moved in to take Eshera.
"Times up Dr. Jackson. Your daughter may be a child, but that was a threat. Some child you have there."
Daniel stood up, pushing Woosley away from grabbing his daughter. A scuffle ensued and the guards and SG1 became embroiled in a fight. Weapons were drawn by the guards and amongst the confusion Eshera screamed. No one noticed the blue flame and glow that emitted from Eshera.
"Wha……….what the? Daniel looked around confused.
Mitchell, Teal'c, Sam and Eshera were all transported back to the cabin at Antonito.
BA'AL'S SHIP
Vala's world was filled with constant pain and misery. She couldn't remember where or who she was at the moment and could not focus her memories. Her face was pale, her skin clammy, sweaty and her eyes felt sore from constant shaking and crying. Her mind continued to swirl, trying to focus on anything that would give her hope of stopping the pain, the agony of it all, the screams and cries of no relief. The tall dark man was the only one who understood. He was the only one that stopped her pain, who cared enough to punish those who would cause her such hurt. She looked forward to his visits, his soothing voice, and his gentle hands. Vala was told that she had to remain strapped to the pallet or she would hurt herself. She believed him, trusted him, and had no doubt of his intentions. He would keep her safe, always keep her safe.
Ba'al had made sure that Vala was continuously drugged. Each injection would intensify her pain to unbearable levels. He knew Vala had a strong spirit. He knew this was why Quetesh chose her for a host and sometimes when he visited Quetesh, their lovemaking was intense and spirited. He would come to Vala, reassuring her that the pain was SG1's fault. That he would guide her to her destiny to destroy those that would do the same to others, if she didn't use her power. He kept her in the dark, even in his chambers. This would induce confusion, frustration and estrangement; but would allow him to comfort her, keeping her dependent on him only. He wanted to control her, mold her to his will, until her power of the Blue Flames would be his to command.
Ba'al walked into his private chambers. He commanded his lights at a low illumination. He could see the upright prone body of Vala and her head slumped over in unconsciousness. He strode slowly up to her, touching her face and lifted it.
"You must wake up now, dear one. I am here to soothe your anguish and pain for just a little while."
Vala could feel the pain leave her body. She knew he was there, but her vision was cloudy from her tears of pain. His smooth hands washed over her, and the feel released her from her internal hell.
"Pl…….please stay." Pleaded Vala.
"I can only stay for a little while. My hope is to find your tormentors. It takes time and as soon as I find them, I will bring them to justice, just for you my dear; unless………
"Un…….unless?" Vala weakly responded.
"You have a power my dear. I can help you, guide you to destroy those who would harm you; harm me. Only I can stop your pain, and if those cause pain to me, then your pain will never cease. Only I can protect you, only I can stop your pain dear lady, only I."
Vala was too weak to understand Ba'al's manipulation. His dominance for wanting power, her power. She could feel the pain surge, everytime his hands left her body. She was addicted to his touch and barely coherent.
"Ye……..yes. Anything; please………what……what ever you want. I…….I will not let……..let them harm………harm you." Vala was shaking, not wanting to lose his touch, to only please him.
Ba'al smiled to himself. He had at least completed his first stage of controlling Vala. Now he could only think of how he was going to release her power to stomp out his enemies. First he would need to destroy SG1 and he knew he could bait SG1 if they knew where Vala was.
"I must leave my dear lady. You must endure and be patient. I will not let them make you suffer to long. We must destroy them and release you from such pain. I must leave you, but concentrate. Concentrate on destroying them. It is your only release."
"Ye……yes release; release." Vala fell into unconsciousness once again, as soon as Ba'al released his touch from Vala. She could no longer bear the intensity of the searing white heat, penetrating her body.
Ba'al darkened his chambers and gave strict instructions to his slaves to administer the drug once he left. He wanted Vala practically begging for his touch, in more ways than one.
As Vala fell deeper into unconsciousness, her subconscious could see images of someone and girl and child. Something was pulling at her or someone. She could feel the child wanting something, calling out as if it was her very soul she wanted. The child was calling out, screaming until she was no longer in danger. Vala felt the need to reach out to the child, but the flames were reaching out in another direction. But what made her shake in her unconsciousness and pain, was the man in glasses. Somehow, she knew the child had a connection to this man in glasses. The image faded, when the pain started again, everything faded.
SGC HEADQUARTERS
Woosley was in General Landry's office. He had accused him of transporting them off the base, under strict orders not to interfere.
"Look General, tell me where SG1 and the girl is, or my next call will be to the President."
"Go ahead Woosley. I had nothing to do with them disappearing. I'm as baffled and worried as to where they are, unlike you; I want to find them safe and sound."
"You have no right…………
General Landry's red phone rang, which was a direct line to the President.
"Yes, yes he's here. It would be my pleasure General."
Woosley's face contorted in confusion as he grabbed the phone.
"Woosley here, Mr. President. I was just…….
"Save the introductions Woosley. This is General O'Neill. The President and I were having a little, chat. He's seems to think that you losing an entire SG1 team and a small child; kinda loses one's confidence in you." Stated Jack, smiling on the other end in the Oval office.
"I…I don't need to explain myself to you. The President has author……
"Now, see there's the thing Woosley. I'm now the authority in charge. You see the President remembers how many times my former team has saved this planet and others and if I'm right Vala has saved earth twice from an Ori invasion. How many times have you saved the world Woosley?"
There was a long pause on Woosley's end of the phone, while Gen Landry sat back in his chair, looking quite comfortable that Jack was now in charge.
"Hello…..Woosley? I didn't quite hear a response to that question." Jack was smiling a gleeful smirk on the other end of the phone.
Woosley knew the General had him right where he wanted him. No defense. "None General; I didn't know this was a contest."
"Now did that hurt so bad to admit that? Plus Woosley, were you or anyone hurt from this disappearance?"
"No, but……..
"Well there ya go. So anyway; you will be reporting back to Washington and General Landry has the task of finding what you lost. I know you will serve the President in supporting his decision to turn current events into finding his elite team, Vala Mol Doran and her daughter over to SGC."
"I will be returning at once I presume?" Woosley responded sarcastically.
"Why yes Mr. Woosley. As soon as you can get your Ass…ets back here. Oh, by the way; the President would like a word with you when you return. He wants to know how a small girl was supposedly a threat to National Security."
Woosley knew Jack was rubbing his failure in his face. He figured now, the situation was in O'Neill lap and now he would be held responsible if anything happened that involved Vala's daughter or the SGC.
"Is there anything else General O'Neill?"
"Nope, that's pretty much it. The President and I will be waiting for your return. Now if you please, I would like to speak to General Landry."
Woosley handed Gen Landry the phone and left his office, not even excusing himself.
"Thanks Jack. We'll find them, all of them. We still have feelers out there from our allies that have some leads on Ba'al's whereabouts. As far as what happened to SG1 and Vala's daughter still remains a mystery."
"If I know my old team Hank, they will try and contact you as soon as possible. Vala and Eshera are the one's I'm really worried about. Especially Vala. If I know Ba'al; he's going to bait them to find her and I just hope this is not all a trap or Omen for things to come." Said Jack.
"I'll keep you posted Jack. Just keep Woosley off our backs as much as you can."
"That I can do Hank. That I can do. Talk to ya later."
As General Landry hung up the phone; his worries were back on SG1 and Vala Mol Doran. Woosley he thought was right about one thing. He had no idea how Eshera and his elite team disappeared from a high security area, without a trace.
TBC