ORI SHIP

Adria once again sat motionless in her command chair, seeing herself once again confront herself and her mother. The images were becoming more vivid as time passed. Only she could see this vision, but seemed to the others controlling her ship in a deep trance. Now she could see facing herself, confused even more by her mother in between them, looking as if she was choosing. She could see Vala holding one off and condemning her other self. Her actions in the dream seem to be a deciding factor on her destiny, she thought.

Why is my mother protecting me and not? I cannot be swayed by this vision. I am both of these two? I can only see my destiny in this. I must have double the power to confront my mother and conquer the universe. Nothing can stop me from spreading Origin. My being here proves that.

Adria sensed that a Prior had entered the command center. "What have you to report Prior?"

"Our ships are now in orbit in the Tauri's galaxy. We have begun our assault on the planet earth. We have many that have converted and those who have tried to fight us. They will fall my Orici."

"Then continue without mercy. Those who do not convert to Origin will be dealt with swiftly at my return. I want to make them an example to our victory when I return. Those who give resistance in a hostile manner will be destroyed the same way."

"Yes Orici, we are soon to find the Hata'k and the Tauri. We anticipate to gain on their position within a few hours."

"Very well, continue on course. Make no mistake Prior; my mother is to be dealt with, along with her friends by me personally."

"Yes Orici; Hollow are the Ori." The Prior swiftly left. Adria was smiling to herself. "Soon mother, very soon."

BA'AL'S ROOM

Ba'al had killed Vala in various ways, several times and again, and again, he used the Sarcophagus to resuscitate her to endure a more and more tortures death. Vala had experienced the pain of his first torture by knives that he taunted her with; saying he had killed O'Neill in the same manner. Then he cut her open from her stomach to cutting her throat to make her bleed out. He was relentless and killed her in anger every time to appease his embarrassment of losing a prisoner among his ship. His last torture was to have Vala chained to his bed post and whipped until her back was nothing but torn flesh and blood. He continued to whip her like a mad man, until he realized she was already dead and nothing more could hurt her. His humiliation among his men was driving him mad with hate. Once again Vala was placed into the Sarcophagus until Ba'al could device another way to torture Vala even more heinous than the other.

Vala couldn't remember almost where she was. She had died so many times, she lost count, but what stayed a constant in her mind, was to protect her daughter at all cost. She never had the chance to hold Adria and know what it felt like to protect a child. But Eshera was different, she was special. She first rejected Eshera when she was days old, withholding a mothers bond for shear fear that she could be just like Adria. But her motherly instincts gave in to her bond to love a child, her child. Eshera was not Adria; she was sweet, innocent and needed her and Daniel to love. She loved Eshera more than her own life, and she gladly gave up her life so that she was safe. But her mind was becoming a blur. The pain and torture of Ba'al having his way with her, the fine line between insanity was taking its toll. Yet her mind kept telling her that she's safe, she's safe, that she couldn't give up or Eshera could end up like this. She had to hope that Daniel would save them, that he would come and find them. It was her one last lucid thought before she felt incredible pain once again.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…………………….uggggggg, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. No…………more…………please…………nnnnnnnnn……….nooooooooooo……..mo………more.

Ba'al approached Vala and grabbed her face harshly. Vala winced, blurry eyed to Ba'al's hot breath in her face. "Oh, you don't get off so easy Vala. I want you to beg for your life and I want you to give me what's inside you. You have the power of the dark flame and I want you to once again be my slave. I'm just saving the best for last though. I haven't tortured anyone for decades like I'm going to torture you. I don't like looking like a fool and you were taken the first time; but not this time. I want the entire ship to hear you scream for mercy. I want them to know who their God is, and I will show them that no one escapes me or my wrath."

Ba'al viciously released Vala's face and turned to the corner where hot coals were heating up a long steel rod. He grabbed the cool end and turned towards Vala with the emanating hot end. "Now Vala, let see why the Romans loved to use this. I hated such barbaric needs, but now I see why it's so entertaining. Searing flesh is so unnecessary, but in your case, I'm going to make an exception." He moved towards Vala and began.

Eshera could hear her mother's screams thru the vents. She didn't want to shut them out, and tried hard to concentrate on bringing back her blue flame, but nothing happened. She banged her hand against the wall, but the screams continued until she heard them stop. She flung herself on the bed again trying to think of way to stop them from killing her mother. Her crying was the only thing she could do for her mother and she was getting desperate. Even her connection with her father was gone. She was all alone and she had to come up with a plan. Suddenly the ship shook as if being hit by something.

Ba'al had tortured Vala once again, and threw her into the Sarcophagus, when he too felt the ship being hit. "I'll be back for you again Vala. This isn't over my dear." Ba'al rushed from the room leaving his guards in charge outside his chambers.

Once at his command center, Ba'al sat in his seat. "What's going on Prime?"

"My Lord Ba'al, several Hata'k ship emerged out of nowhere. They are not yours my Lord. I have returned fire, but we are holding our own."

"Then jump into hyperspace or destroy them. I have more important matter to attend to." Just as Ba'al was about to leave, Eshera showed up.

"My Lord Ba'al; is something wrong?" Eshera was trying to remain impassive to those surrounding Ba'al.

"I'm sorry that you were disturbed Orici. We have things well in hand." Stated Ba'al.

"As I can tell from the bombardment of your ship. I am most curious Lord Ba'al. Who are aboard those ships?"

"They are not my concern Orici or yours. We need to be elsewhere and they are simple an annoyance. I have other matters to contend with."

Eshera knew she had to stall for time to stop Ba'al from torturing her mother. "Would that matter be in torturing my mother? I have a keen interest in her Lord Ba'al and if she's dead, she won't be much use to me or you."

Before Ba'al could answer, he was being hailed by the other Hata'k ships. "Lord Ba'al a Dr. Jackson is hailing you."

"What?" Ba'al interest was now peaked.

Daddy.

Eshera was trying not to show how happy she was to know her father was near.

"It's the Lucian Alliance Lord Ba'al. Dr. Jackson wants to see his wife."

Ba'al was already thinking how he could use this to his advantage. What is Jackson doing with the Lucian Alliance? Hmmm, if Jackson see's what is happening to his wife, maybe I can make her cooperate a little more. I can use this to manipulate her and destroy the Alliance once and for all. This could work out better than I've planned.

"Tell them to back off their attack or she's dead. Only Dr. Jackson is allowed to ring over, no one else."

"I believe Lord Ba'al we are going to have a little fun with Dr. Jackson. I have a personal score to settle with him and my mother." Eshera chimed in.

Ba'al moved in close to Eshera. "Understand this Orici. Dr. Jackson and your mother are my concern and until you can show me your absolute support with and army and ships, you have very little to say here."

"Be careful Lord Ba'al. When my ships do arrive, they won't take to kindly at their Orici being treated as such." Eshera knew she was bluffing, but she had to warn her father and rescue her mother first.

"I will be in my chambers Lord Ba'al. When Dr. Jackson arrives, I 'm sure he will be more than interested to see me after I inform him of mother being aboard with me."

TBC