BA'AL'S SHIP
Ba'al sat watching out the command center as if he was a master Maestro conducting a symphony. The pieces were falling into place and the players were center stage. He smiled to himself knowing he had left Vala in constant pain without any relief or visits from himself. He wanted to intensify her hate and pain, so all he need do is make her suffer until his touch would relieve her from her abyss. To him it was essentially perfect to have such a weapon at his disposal. He had bided his time, while the Tau'ri fought the Ori. He had traded to the Lucian Alliance to gain more slaves and amass an army. But more important was his goal to control the galaxy once again as the Ultimate System Lord. All that had become possible, due to a single discovery of an ominous power that now he could only control. Everything was within his grasp, he thought, and all he had to do was unleash it. Unleash Vala Mol Doran to the universe.
The last visage of Vala was slowly seeping away. Her mind swayed with constant images of her savior touching, speaking and caressing her. She had not felt his touch in a long time, and her physical and mental pain had somehow increased. Vala had no knowledge that Ba'al had increased the dosage of the drug induced pain enhancer and it was slowly driving her mad. This was Ba'al's intent and he wanted to savior using her dark power at the appropriate time. Ba'al wanted Vala at her most dangerous and to do that he kept himself away from her until his meeting with SG1 and the Lucian Alliance was at hand. Her mind was swirling with other images also. Ones that invoked desperate images of others suffering at her hand because of their torture of her. Dark demons were at play and in Vala's mind, and she had drawn up more horrors that were side effects of the drug. Something that Ba'al was proficiently aware of. He had known that with the induced pain enhancer, Vala would have psychotic illusions, loss of appetite, sweats, throbbing joints, blurred vision as the drug continued to be administered. The longer the drug was introduced into the blood stream, the more addictive it would become. Vala had become addicted, not only to the drug, but also to Ba'al.
Ba'al had rung down with his Prime and four other Jaffa guards. Vala was strapped to a mobile bed that sat upright. He wanted to see SG1's first reaction to seeing one of their own, incapacitated, and helpless to rescue. As he waited for SG1, the Lucian Alliance Commander and his few men arrived early as Ba'al had instructed.
Aneteo arrived, hesitant and cautious to Ba'al apparent meeting to destroy SG1. He immediately noticed Vala's unconscious form and moved past Ba'al. Aneteo wanted to see the traitor to the Alliance. Aneteo was about to lift Vala's face, when Ba'al stopped him immediately. Aneteo's men raised their weapons towards Ba'al, whose own men raised theirs.
"I'm sorry Commander, but no one is allowed to touch my prize just yet. There will be enough time to examine our transaction. Please be patient. SG1 will arrive soon enough. Please hide yourself and watch from a distance. You will be rewarded soon enough and our trouble with elite SG1 will be removed." Stated Ba'al.
"I hope you can deliver Lord Ba'al. The Lucian Alliance has waited a long time to eliminate this enemy and capture Vala Mol Doran. Both have been, rather unpleasant to deal with." Aneteo took one last look at Vala, salivating what he would do with her, once he had her on board his ship. "Lower your weapons, we have a show to watch." Aneteo turned and his men followed to wait out Ba'al's little show.
Ba'al walked up close to Vala, breathing and touching her hair. He would not touch her until it was time for her to perform. He knew he was within reach to a common goal. His motto now would be; use them before they use you. Ba'al looked out towards the mountain regime. In the distance Ba'al was aware of the other occupants who had yet to reveal themselves. But Ba'al always made it a point to know who and what he was dealing with. Through his own spy network, he knew that there were a few Priors left that waited on this desolate planet for their Orici. He had information that Adria was destroyed and he wanted to wipe out any enemy, regardless if they were leaderless. He could almost smell his victory, but he was patient. If one thing he knew is that SG1 would only comply with his request if they only had a backup plan. He had fought this enemy all to well and he knew, SG1 always had a way of escaping him as much as he did them. He had his own plans in place, just incase something went wrong.
ON BOARD THE DEADULUS
Eshera watched her father and his team gear up, while preoccupied with what would transpire if her father did not return with her mother. Daniel had reassured her, that he would return with or without Vala and he would make sure she is well taken care of. Eshera could not understand what was happening to her mother, but she felt uneasy about their meeting.
"Daddy, please be careful. All of you please be very careful. Remember daddy, mother is in pain. I feel more of it now."
Daniel looked at Eshera and back at his friends while standing on the ring platform. "Don't worry Eshera, we will be careful." Daniel smiled and a bright light flashed to ring them down to the planet. Eshera ran back to the command center to keep watch.
PLANET PX491
SG1 appeared on the planet and took up a combative stance, looking around the perimeter before walking towards the coordinates that Ba'al had given. Teal'c and Sam took point, while Daniel and Mitchell brought up the rear. They all moved with stealth, knowing Ba'al was not trustworthy and expected any surprises in store. Daniel's heart was racing, anticipating in seeing Vala and what condition she may be in. He knew as well as the rest of his teammates that Ba'al relished in torturing his victims and Vala would be no different. But he also realized as well as the rest that this could be a trap for them also, with Vala being used as bait. Whatever they would find at the meeting place, they would have to be on their toes and be ready to take Vala at all cost. They were not leaving one of their own behind, especially remembering what Vala had been thru over the last few years. It still made him shake with fear, knowing the suffering she endured and Vala had saved them too many times in the past to let her down.
As they moved closer to the area, they could see Ba'al and his guards waiting in place. They also could see Vala strapped to some sort of upright bed. Daniel moved a little more quickly at seeing her obvious unconscious form. Daniel couldn't see Vala's face, which was a major concern. Her face was downcast and her hair covered her face entirely. The fact that she was strapped to a bed with Ba'al looking smug increased his fear and anger. Daniel's emotions were running high. He was angry at Ba'al, but his concern and fright were on Vala. Ba'al's men raised their weapons to stop Daniel and SG1 raised their in defense.
"STOP DR. JACKSON." Ba'al's voice raised in Gou'ald manor, and eyes flashing his warning.
Sam stopped him, before he did something he would regret and endanger their mission to save Vala and escape in tack.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?" Shouted Daniel. He knew Sam was right in stopping him, but it didn't help matters.
"Why Dr. Jackson, this is an exchange. I have no wish to harm Vala Mol Doran. I couldn't very well get what she doesn't have. But I wanted to give you a present to say, leave me alone for awhile. You help me and I help you."
"Why don't you just give us Vala first and then we can see if it in our best interest to let you alone for awhile." Stated Mitchell, who also was looking at the state of Vala. Teal'c had moved closer to Daniel, watching closely the guards next to Vala. He was ready to take out all of Ba'al's men and grab Vala at Mitchell's signal. Sam also was well aware that Vala could easily be hit in the fray of firing, but she also noticed that Ba'al stayed close to the ring platform. She knew Ba'al could disappear in seconds with Vala and they would never find her.
"Let me demonstrate an action of trust. Let me send my men back to my ship and I will stay near Vala. I certainly would not want my guards to anticipate any misgiving from the elite SG1."
Daniel kept his eyes on Vala, while Mitchell and Ba'al discussed his proposal. In the distance Aenteo and his men watched as Ba'al continued speaking to SG1. He could care less about hearing Ba'al's conversation. All he wanted was SG1 dead and Vala Mol Doran in his bed.
In the distance from the Lucian Alliance, the Priors stayed hidden to witness the non believers. With their powers diminished, they knew they were no match for any confrontation and without their Orici, they had even less power. They would watch and wait for events to unfold. But watching for their Orici would be their test.
Ba'al spoke to his Prime and only he and the guards disappeared, while Vala and Ba'al were left behind. Daniel wanted to move towards Vala, but Sam and Teal'c stayed close to him, holding their position and looking for any trace of treachery from Ba'al.
"Col Mitchell, you misunderstand me. I only want to be left alone. But I have information on where the current Commander Aneteo is located, plus a very large shipment of Naquadah in his possession. It seems he wants Vala here and since he's a pain in my side more than yours, I'm willing to be generous with such information. I'm sure if SG1 was to capture his ship and Aneteo; then I would be in your debt and Vala Mol Doran would be safe from his clutches. I'm sure you can understand what Aneteo would do to Vala if he captured her. I certainly don't need that kind of trouble."
"Why are you being so generous Ba'al? Asked Sam. "It's not in your usual nature to give up such a bargaining chip. Why not keep Vala and betray the Lucian Alliance anyway?"
Sam was stalling and distracting Ba'al so Teal'c could get into place. "Let's just say there were some former negotiations that went sour with the Alliance and they are trying to force my hand. They have more ships, since I lost one recently with valuable cargo. I want to even the odds and keeping Vala would serve no purpose for me, other than you constantly chasing me around the galaxy. Plus Adria is no more and I hold no grudge, except that a few Priors are on this planet and I want to add that as a bonus."
At the same time Vala moaned in pain. Daniel was increasingly becoming agitated. "You never answered my question Ba'al." Daniel stated angrily. "What have you done to Vala?"
"Nothing that you could not cure. She is only slightly unconscious. Let me show you." Ba'al could hear movement behind him. The Alliance came running and firing at SG1 after hearing Ba'al's betrayal. SG1 had to fall back for cover, while Daniel tried to go for Vala. Ba'al had raised his own shield around him and Vala, while watching the interaction of firing between SG1 and Aneteo's men. Now it was time to implement his plan.
Ba'al touched Vala and her mind registered his touch and the searing pain stopped. "Vala…….Vala it is time. Your enemies are here. All those who are firing, you must destroy. They are all the ones who caused you this pain. They have come to capture you again and take you away from me. If they hurt me, then I can no longer take your pain away. I am the only one to protect you from this pain. You must stop them, you must stop them now."
Vala looked up to see firing from both directions. Anger was evident in her eyes that her savior would not stop her pain if they harmed him. Her eyes grew black and Ba'al released his touch. Vala's pent up anger and fear was about to be released. Her body started emitting a Black Flame. She looked towards Aneteo and his men and her head snapped back. The Black Flames reached out first to Aneteo's guards without warning. The screams were terrifying. Aneteo backed up on seeing his men litterly roasted alive. What he saw terrified him to the core. He was confused at where it was coming from, until he looked in the direction of Ba'al. Then he saw Vala; the Black Flame was surrounding her as if in a cocoon. The flames were like tentacles, striking each of his men and consuming them alive without mercy. Daniel and SG1 could not believe their eyes. The firing stopped immediately and they could see Vala almost stiff, as if in a trance and the Black Flames coming from her body, going after the Lucian Alliance with a vengeance. They could see the same thing happening to these men as on board Ba'al clone Ha'tak. But what really confused them, was that the Flame emitting from Vala was Black.
THE DEDAULUS COMMAND CENTER
Eshera moved closer to the view screen, showing the planet. Something was bothering her about her feelings of her mother. She could feel a residual of her pain, but something more. Something strange and terrifying.
"Nooooooo, mother, noooooooo. PLEASE STOP." The Captain and the crew saw Eshera double over, as if she was in pain. One of the crew tried to go near her, and a Blue Flame started emitting from her body. He stepped back and she disappeared from the commander center. The Captain and his crew could only stare at open space where Eshera was lying.
THE PLANET
Aneteo is furious and frightened. He starts firing at Vala, while his men are being consumed. He turns toward Ba'al and starts firing at him for his treachery. As he's firing Daniel runs towards Vala. He's not concerned for his safety and hopes he can release her from her straps.
"DANIEL?" Sam shouts at him trying to get his attention as Aneteo fires wildly. Teal'c, Mitchell and Sam start firing at Aneteo to cover Daniel as he runs towards Vala. Sam can feel something is wrong. She notices that Vala is screaming as the Flames emit their deadly tentacles. Ba'al is evilly smiling as Vala's furry pours out thru the Black Flames. He is still protected by his force field, but sees Daniel rushing towards Vala. He gets her attention.
"VALA………the man coming towards you is also trying to harm me. He did this to you. All of them did this to you. Destroy them also before they get to me. They are your enemy."
Vala quickly jerks her head, meeting Daniels gaze. Daniel stops momentarily trying to get thru to Vala.
"Vala……it's me Daniel; your husband. We're here to help you. You can stop protecting us now. Stop this Vala; it's going to be alright." Daniel moved cautiously, trying the same attempt to get thru to Vala as on the ship with the clone Ba'al.
Vala's eyes were cold and black. It took Daniel aback as he realized something was terribly wrong with Vala. Her screams stopped and now she was focused on Daniel and SG1. She could only hear the plea of her savior to protect him. The Black Flames stopped their direction towards Aneteo. Now they were turned full force towards Daniel and SG1. As the Black Flames started towards Daniel and SG1, but Blue Flames surge towards the Black Flame like a wall, stopping the Flames from touching Daniel and SG1.
"Wha…………… Ba'al turned to see a child of 12 emitting a Blue Flame, which literally saved Daniel and SG1. He was furious.
"No, this can't be. Stop them Vala. Save me from them. Save me." Ba'al was trying to urge Vala on to destroy SG1.
Vala's Black Flame intensified to gain hold of Daniel and the rest. Eshera stepped in front of her father and formed a wall of Blue Flame that protected them.
"Mother…………mother stop. It's daddy. Stop or you're going to hurt them. This is wrong, I love you. Don't make me hurt you. Please momma, stop."
"ESHERA?" Daniel shouted. "Eshera; you're going to get hurt. Your mother doesn't know what she's doing. Ba'al must have done something to her."
"No daddy. She's trying to hurt you. I can't let her hurt you or anybody. She's not well. She's in pain daddy. She's in pain." Eshera put out her hand to continue her Blue Flame. She didn't truly understand how she was doing this, but her instincts took over and she realized her mother was going to harm her family.
"MOTHER; NOOOOOOO, STOP. I LOVE YOU, PLEASE." Eshera's pleas must have struck something in Vala. The Black Flames swirled and stopped in mid action. With just that hesitation, Eshera screamed and Vala went limp. So did the Black Flames. SG1, Daniel, Eshera and Vala all disappeared.
"No……..noooooooo." Ba'al was furious. Aneteo was running towards Ba'al, while his weapon fire bounced off Ba'al's shield. Ba'al beamed himself back aboard his ship by remote, while Aneteo threw his weapon at nothing.
"I swear you will pay for your treachery with the Alliance Ba'al; you'll pay with your life." Aneteo beamed back to his ship, cursing Ba'al. His ships immediately started firing upon Ba'al Ha'tak ship. With Ba'al's plans being turned into a disaster without Vala. Ba'al commanded his ship to jump to hyper space. Aneteo and his ships followed in chase. He vowed to send every ship available to him from the Alliance after Ba'al.
ONBOARD THE DEADULUS
"Wha……..what the devil? Medical team to the Command center." The Captain shouted as SG1, and an unconscious Vala and Eshera appeared out of nowhere, engulfed in a now faint Blue Flame.
SG1 looked around and realized they were back on the Deadulus. Daniel realizing his surroundings, as well as Mitchell, Sam and Teal'c, rushed towards Eshera and Vala.
"Eshera?...Eshera?" Daniel tried to wake his daughter awake. Sam moved in to help as well as Mitchell. "Oh God, Vala." Daniel moved swiftly to unstrap Vala. Daniel finally had a better look at Vala's face. It was gaunt and pale and she looked as if she was near death.
"No please God; I can't lose them." Daniel was frantically trying to unstrap Vala to hold her. Teal'c was silently helping him. Daniel wanted to hold and caress her to let her know that she was safe with her family. Suddenly Vala's eyes opened in panic and soon the pain hit her like a burning torch to the skin. She started screaming in pain and Daniel was confused by her outburst.
"Shhhh, shhhhh. Vala it's alright, you're safe. Please, please stop screaming; Vala?"
Vala continued to scream uncontrollably and tried to get away from Daniel's touch. She had no ideal where her savior was and could not focus on anything but the searing pain. A medic moves forward with a syringe and Vala passed out.
Dr. White, the head of the Deadulus medical unit on board, examines Vala and Eshera and orders them taken to the infirmary.
"Dr. Jackson, we'll take care of them until we find out what's wrong with them. Please, I need you to let go of your wife."
Daniel didn't want to let go of Vala, and yet he was torn that Eshera was also unconscious. Sam finally moved over and placed her hand on Daniel's shoulders. "Daniel, let the Doctor see to them. They're in good hands; we can head back to earth, please, let go of her Daniel."
Daniel's eyes were watering, desperate to hold onto his emotions right now and see how much Vala needed help. He finally shook his head in recognition of Sam's worried plea. The medical assistants gently lifted Vala from Daniel's arms and place her on a gurney and head to the infirmary with Eshera already headed there, still unconscious. Sam and Daniel followed suit, while Teal'c and Mitchell followed behind. Without hesitation, the Captain Hyper drives the Deadulus to the Milky Way, heading towards earth. He said a silent prayer for SG1 and hoped that their rescue mission was not in vain.
TBC