Suddenly Daniel felt something reach into his mind. He looked around to see if anyone was in the room. It felt as if there whisper of voices in the air, surrounding him.

Daddy…………….daddy, we need you.

"Eshera?"

I know you're looking for us. We need you. Momma's ok. We……..

Then Eshera's voice stopped.

"Eshera?................Eshera?"

"My dear Adria, where you speaking to someone?"

Eshera was caught off guard. She had not even heard Ba'al enter her room.

"No Lord Ba'al. I was meditating, but a guest's privacy, seems to be neglected."

"I'm sorry, I thought this was my ship." Ba'al smirked. "We still have not located your mother. I was wondering if you would put some of your perceptive Orici powers to good use."

"I have better things to do with my time than locate my mother. It seems everyone has this impression that I'm close to that woman." Eshera was hoping Ba'al was falling for her act.

"My apologies Orici; but are you still able to locate Vala? As my guest I wouldn't ask, but I do have plans as your ally. And Vala is a central part of defeating our enemies."

"I'm sorry, but my connection with that insufferable woman has diminished thru time. I cannot be responsible for her actions, and certainly when you do find her, I want a little talk with her myself."

Ba'al watched Eshera discreetly. He wanted to see if the Orici was hiding something. He thought he heard Adria mention something out of the ordinary, but decided to keep it to himself and keep a watchful eye on her.

"I'm sure you do Orici. Again, I'll leave you to your meditation."

As soon as Ba'al walked out, Eshera made a note to be more careful when she tried to contact her father again. She wanted so much to check on her mother. But she had to be careful. If they knew where she was hidden, both their lives could be well in danger again.

Eshera waited for a long time before she removed the vent again. She crawled in and her mother was sweating and delirious. "Mother………. father is coming for us. I know he's close. Hold on for us, please mother."

"Sa………sa….save………..yo……your…..yourself." Vala was shaking from the fever.

"No mother, I'm not leaving you." Eshera pulled what covers she could find off her bed and returned to bundle her mother. She knew she could not do much, but take away some of her pain. But it didn't seem to be enough. Eshera placed her hands on her mother's forehead.

Peace mother; be at peace. I'm here with you. I will not let anyone harm you. Father is near, I can feel him. You must hang on, you must. I love you very much. Sleep mother………let yourself sleep.

Without really noticing, Eshera's flame encompassed Vala's body. Her tentacles of Blue flames enveloped Vala and stopped her from shivering. Vala fell into a deep restful sleep. Eshera didn't really understand how this flame worked, but she could use it to calm her mother and hopefully learn to harness this power. Eshera kissed her mother's forehead and climbed out of the vent. She was careful to be quite and slip into bed, tired from exuding so much energy. Soon Eshera was asleep and dreamed.

She saw a women from a distance. She seemed to be sitting and staring at the stars. The woman was searching for something and it was disturbing what Eshera felt from this unknown woman. In the distance she saw the woman again, standing next to a man in white. He held a staff and it glowed towards her mother. Eshera tried to reach her mother, not sure of what this man in white was doing, but she knew it was dangerous. Eshera's tentacles of flames reached out to stop the man and then her mother screamed in pain. The other woman appeared out of nowhere and began hurting her mother. Eshera tried to stop her also, but this time, the woman's face looked back. It was her; Eshera saw herself looking back with an evil smile. Eshera bolted upright in bed. She was sweating and breathing heavily. She shook her head, not believing what she dreamed.

I would never hurt my mother; never. Why am I hurting my mother?

ON A DISTANT PLANET

The Prior approached Adria with news of several ships ready for take off. The people of various planets had been working non stop on building the Orici's ships. Two were operable, along with servants and an army to her will.

"Orici, all is in place for your journey. We await your orders."

"Make ready my ship. I need to find my mother. She and her friends will pay for their betrayal."

"Yes Orici; What is our destination?"

"The Flames of Origin will guide me. Now Go."

"Halo are the Ori."

"Halo are the Ori Prior."

As the Prior left, Adria felt something that made her aware that something was moving towards an inevitable end to the cosmos. It felt like raw power that was untapped, unspeakable to mention. As if someone or something had been hidden and now the dirty little secret was out. But she also couldn't help feel curious still about seeing herself, face to face.

I must solve this mystery. Why do I see myself beside my mother? Is she the key to more power? Do I have a destiny to rule the universe with her by my side? She betrayed me, tried to stop me from my destiny. There must be an answer to this question. I am the Orici and I will find the answer.

BA'AL'S SHIP

Ba'al was in his personal throne room, when his First Prime entered. "I'm getting tired of hearing no answer to my question Prime. Where is Vala Mol Doran?" Ba'al's face was contorted in anger.

"My Lord, she will not escape. All the pods have been secured and all halls guarded. She is aboard and will be captured soon."

"For your sake Prime and your Jaffa. I do not give second chances, and her escape shows badly for you."

"I have never failed you my Lord Ba'al. I will not fail now." The Prime knew Ba'al's continued anger would mean his death if this woman was not found. The Prime had already killed the guards for their negligence.

"See that you don't Prime. Others would do well to serve me better than you. Continue your search and I don't want to hear from you until she is found or you will pay with your life for failing me."

The Prime bowed knowing his Lord made good on his threats. "By your leave My Lord."

Ba'al watched the Prime leave and contemplated making him an example to his power. Ba'al couldn't stop reminiscing about having Vala's body to himself. He even thought about Vala and the Orici bowing to his control.

How ironic that I could easily have Vala and the Orici to myself, begging for my touch to stop the pain. How delicious for both women to serve me.

Ba'al continued to smile to himself, yet he was still bothered by Vala's disappearance and the Orici speaking to herself.

Or was she?

LUCIAN ALLIANCE SHIP

Daniel again was sitting on the command center of the Lucian Alliance. Aneteo was having reports of two Hata'k ships fleeing when asked for their security codes. Aneteo believed one of those ships had to have Ba'al and Jackson's wife on board.

Aneteo turned to Daniel and was met with cold eyes. "We have a choice to be made Dr. Jackson. We have a lead on two ships that are not of our Alliance. One has to be Ba'al, and the other possibly a decoy. I'm going after the nearest ship thru hyperspace. We have one chance at this. I want to remind you of our bargain."

"And I remind you of yours. We find my wife, and that's all I care about." Daniel was not in the mood and tired. He had heard from Eshera, and was worried something might have happened to her, when she stopped contacting him.

"Then we understand one another Dr. Jackson." Aneteo turned to his men. "Pursue the nearest ship. Prepare for Hyperspace." Ordered Aneteo.

SG1

"You know Col Carter, that was wise to have this captured Hata'k ship around. The Prometheus was a good backup if things go wrong." Stated Jack.

"I kinda figured that we may need it. The Prometheus could easily beam us aboard if we meet up with the Lucian Alliance or Ba'al."

"Indeed Col Carter. Daniel Jackson is only protecting those he loves. I will not hesitate to join him to save my adopted family."

"I hear you T. Mitchell, didn't you say there was something odd about the two Hata'k ships splitting up all of a sudden?" Asked Jack.

"We had some old Alliance codes, but Sam and I figured to leave the scene of the crime before they got a little too close. Ba'al would have fired on us, knowing we were not one of his ships."

"So you suspect Carter, that maybe Daniel was on one of those ships?"

"I can't be sure, but I have an instinct Daniel is holding all the cards. Aneteo would have killed him and kept the Naquadah. But Daniel is special Ops now. I been thinking he can rig something to force the Alliance to search for Vala and Eshera. He's no fool and he would need leverage to push Aneteo to find his family."

"That's my space monkey. Always over the top. Well what are our options gang? Pressed Jack.

"Pursue the path of last known Intel on the Lucian Alliance last location. Either way we find Daniel or Ba'al." Stated Sam.

"I'm in, the rest of you?" Asked Jack.

"We don't leave anyone behind General. Sam's plan is good as any." Stated Mitchell.

""Colonel Carter's instincts have always lead us to a victorious outcome."

"Well Carter." Putting his hands on her shoulder. "Lets's go get our people."

TBC