CHAPTER 109

THE ARK OF TRUTH

For the last several months, Rally and Ford had been working on a couple of projects of their own together. It was an idea he had one day and she found more than interested in developing. If Ford wasn't helping Sam or cooking, most of his time was working with Rally. And because of the long time it took to do all the work on the projects, some people began to think something was going on, which Carter quickly dismissed when she heard the rumor and assured people nothing but work was happening. Despite this, some people thought otherwise and made secret bets.

They had finally gotten the projects finished and because of what the projects were, but because of the sound, they were off to the Beta Site and was out on the large cemented runway for the F-302 and if need be, the landing of the Odyssey or her sister ship. Today was a good day, no rain, sun shining brightly and the weather having just enough breeze to keep a person from getting to hot. Out a ways from the base, a large metal table had been placed with several closed cases on top along with several big crates next to it that a forklift had to bring out. All of SG-1 was there along with a few other SG teams and several other base personal consisting of guards and other normally armed personal, plus some of the security detail from the base.

Rally was wearing a white blouse and white jeans with her black leather coat. Ford had a aqua colored suit on, his heavy coat setting on one of the crates nearby. Everyone else had their standard issue BDU's on and were all standing in a line several feet away from the two near the table. SG-1 was standing off to side near the crates still wondering about what was going on. Other than being told they were going to be shown a demonstration of some new ideas the two had made, they had little idea of what it was. Almost everyone was rather sure that it had something to do with weapons, mostly because of the many targets that were set up a good dozen feet a ways from the table.

"Good…." Ford began and then look at his watch. "Well, on Earth it is getting near noon, so...good afternoon everyone. You should all know who I am, but for those who don't know her, this lovely and talented lady is Rally Vincent. Our weapons specialist and master at arms on the base. I almost hate to admit it, but she known more about firearms than I do."

This got several chuckles and surprised looks. She only smiled sweetly and very proudly with a wave.

"On the plus side, that means he's still learning about them. So, for the last several months we have worked together on making a new rifle. Well, more than one actually, but…." she said trailing off. "I personally cannot fire this rifle, for which most of you will realize soon why. I highly doubt many of you will be able to fire it straight to begin with."

"Then why was it created?" Mitchell asked.

"Thought it was a good idea Mitchell. For the ideas…." Ford said turning back to everyone else. "We both watched Aliens, just part two, and Starship Troopers. I also made a few phone calls and luckily enough, we got the props of the weapons used in those movies along with some ideas behind how they worked and such."

"We came up with these…" Rally said as Ford opened one of the cases and lifted out the large rifle. She pointed out areas as she talked about it. "They are called the 'Heavy Arms'. This switch here will allow you to switch modes of fire. Burst, three shot or single. Variable scopes can be placed on it, strap is optional. You can even remove the stock and change it with a few varieties. A light can be attached to either side plus a laser sight, as pointless as that part is. His idea, not mine. A tripod can be attached as well, if the grenade launcher isn't present. The counter on the left side here was built into it like the Pulsar Rifles off Aliens. It will tell you the amount of ammo left. This area underneath the barrel is where the grenade launcher is. I had to have my friend May, who is the biggest explosive expert I know, come in to help us with these. They were designed after the grenades on Aliens as well. Which is why this smaller barrel is so small. However, the explosive factor is much higher."

The rifle was much longer than a M-16 and almost as big as a P-90. Currently, it had a stock similar to the P-90. The body of the gun itself was about three inches wide. The right side had the ejection port for the spent shells and the cocking mechanism. The left side had the switch, safety button near the trigger and the name of the weapon, plus both their signatures written underneath the other relevant information and the digital ammo counter. Current, there was no scope on top. The area for the clip was right under the ammo counter. The trigger guard was two inches from the place where the clip was put in. The handle held the electronics and power for the ammo counter. The clip itself was bigger than everyone expected, but not as long as a P-90's. It wasn't see through either like a P-90s clip as he slammed it in and cocked the gun. The barrel was over a foot long and had an octagonal built shell around it with diagonal slits on either side. Just under the sides was places to hook the flashlight or laser sight. The rest of the large barrel came out three inches. On the bottom of the octagon shell was a another barrel and cocking mechanism like that on the Pulsar Rifle that was attached to a metal square near the clip area. A small red button on the square was the trigger for firing the grenades, but it had to be held down for the grenade to fire, so hitting it by accident wouldn't make it just go off.

"This is heavy gun, but that is not why it was named Heavy Arms. It's the torque." Ford said setting it down and grabbing a P-90 nearby. "Most if not all of you have used or trained on this."

Pretty much everyone nodded.

(A.U. If I am wrong about this, let me know, but I was told a P-90 has an 80 round clip. I forget the caliber of bullets though.)

"Good. Nice weapon and besides Teal'c and I, very few other people have mastered firing them dually. Works best in close combat situations then. Anyway, we have here a 80 round clip. And a good scope to zoom in rather well, though not needed at present. I'm just to lazy to remove it right now. Rally, start the stop watch when I start." he said aiming.

Everyone watched as he started firing taking the head off the target and moving down tearing chunks out of the wooden target until he ran out of ammo.

"Same as usual." Rally said after calling out the time.

"That's 80 rounds." Ford said setting the P-90 down and grabbing the Heavy Arms. "Now there is a reason there is seven of those targets all near each other."

She reset the watch as he aimed and then fired. The head and body of the first one went quickly and the second was following when she told him to stop.

"Hmm, not bad." he said looking at the ammo counter. "85 rounds used in the same time limit it took with the P-90. But with better results."

He kept firing again as she kept the clock going. Four targets were wasted by the time he ran out of ammo.

"200 rounds people." he said putting the empty clip down and grabbing a couple of the small grenades that did look a lot like the same things used in Aliens. "Now these, don't have that push button self destruct feature like in the movie. You have to twist it a full 360 degrees and then you have seven seconds before it blows. Otherwise you do this…."

He loaded it, took aim and then yelled fire in the hole. The remaining targets and part of the concrete went up with a nice bang making many people rub or hold their ears.

"What the hell was in that?!" Carter practically yelled.

"A small bit of weapons grade naquada. A couple dozen feet over the reach of a normal grenade launcher round, but with better results. May was rather ecstatic about it too. " he said setting the gun down and turning back to everyone. "We all know how strong I am. More than most if anyone didn't already know. I can take Teal'c for example…"

Teal'c rose an eyebrow and grunted lightly.

"The Heavy Arms has a variety of ammo's, same caliber, different head, but the recoil is about the same. Like an elephant gun. I am incapable of firing two of these at once. I ended up on my back the first try and standing against a wall, I shot everything including the target. Everyone is going to be expected to at least try to fire this at least once, on all settings. You aren't getting out of it Daniel and even Jack will have to try it too, so drop your hand. For those of you who are able to handle the torque and wish to use one of these in the field, guard duty or whatever your orders state, you will have to talk with Rally here. She is in charge of who will have them, how to clean them and everything else dealing with the Heavy Arms rifle. Now, the ammo I just fired was depleted uranium rounds, but the rest of the ammo is all titanium. Oh, there is no lead rounds because that metal can't handle the pressure without shredding in the barrel."

"Normal gun powder or some other special propellant?" Carter asked.

"My mix if you wish it, though not as powerful as what I use in my personal cannons, or you can use gun powder versions. We have both sets of clips here and a dozen guns, including the one I just used. The grenade launcher is optional and even though I know many of you would love to fire it off, not today. Sorry, grenades are still in production." he said seeing several disappointed faces. "Teal'c, you will be the next in line, if you wish to try it?"

"I do." he said with a small bow.

"One moment before you do." he said as Teal'c picked the weapon up and examined it. "You can pick the ammo and other attachments for it while I show the other weapon."

He nodded as he grabbed a clip.

"Who here likes the Halo game series?" he asked rather loudly.

A lot of hands shot up, but a lot of people also shouted different words of excitement.

"Yes! Now there is an energetic bunch!" Ford said proudly. "God I love this job!"

Teal'c and Mitchell were the only two people who had rose their hands for their team. Carter, Vala and Daniel weren't that into it.

"Halo is a really great game. I had to make some big calls to even get a prop replica of this and then had to have K-9 help, re-create it." he said opening a very long case.

"The Spartan Laser?" one of the men in the front asked.

"Hmm, that's a nice idea actually. But no. Write that one down though Rally. We might be able to do that one." Ford said as he removed a sniper rifle.

"We don't have laser technology like that." she stated.

"Actually we do, it just takes a lot of power to use. My General Lee has one." he said not seeing the looks he was getting from many people.

"K-9 has one." Carter stated. "However, even though he thankfully hasn't had to use it much, he will drain his energy completely at around fifty shots."

The rifle he pulled out looked exactly like the one from the game, but silver in color instead of black, and just a bit longer. More than one person yelled a cheer as he placed it on his shoulder, having it stick straight in the air.

"This baby was built with my personal cannons in mind. There is other versions of this, but with less power and more like the game version, for those of you and anyone else who wants to use a sniper rifle like this. Mine's just is a custom version."

"How customized?" Carter asked.

"I have a five or more mile reach on this thing. The zoom feature will allow me to check out someone close enough to count their eyelashes at four miles. K-9 helped upgrade that. Four rounds a clip still though. I suggest that everyone place their ear plugs in that were given. This is very loud." he said putting his in. "Much louder than my personal cannons."

Rally placed hers in and then looked at the clip he picked up from inside the case, which had several. The look on her face was enough to get Teal'c to stop Ford from pulling the trigger.

"What's wrong?" he asked pulling out a ear plug.

"I am uncertain."

"You put in the wrong clip." Rally said as Teal'c pointed at her.

He checked it and then removed it.

"Oops." he said changing it. "That wouldn't have been a good idea."

"What the hell is in the other one?" Carter asked.

"Experimental. One of those things you are there to observe or I do alone. Okay, everyone see that rock way out there on that mountain? Never mind. You'll know in moment."

Though they didn't hear the full sound, the shockwave was felt by anyone within twenty feet through the ground. The large boulder, three an a half miles out, didn't explode. But dust in front and behind it showed it had been hit. When it cracked in half and tumbled down the hill, it further showed the weapons penetration power.

"I would liked to have demonstrated the full power, but I'll just say that I punched a hole through four steel plated, depleted uranium armor plates normally used on M1-A Abrams tanks. And that people, was with the clip I almost used."

"Are you just a, power, gun freak, General or is there a purpose for that? Seriously?" one of the men asked.

More than one person thought he was going to explode or yell at him or something, say dressing down for instance. It shocked everyone, but Rally and Carter mostly, when he replied.

"Shoot a ship maybe, such as a cargo ship flying overhead, bomber. Maybe put a hole into one of the landed Ori ships. Get a team with a few of these and shoot out enemies from far away that are hiding behind something. But I guess…narrows down to…power gun freak. I've always liked big guns, more power and hand held, the better. If K-9 and I can get the experimental X-ray and infra-red scope to function properly, this thing will be perfect for shooting people in hiding." he said putting it back. "Anyway, go ahead Teal'c. Who's next…"

"I am." Mitchell said quickly as he grabbed one from the crate and loaded a clip quickly. "Hmm, bit heavy. Feels nice against the shoulder, good grip. Sighting it good too."

"Indeed."

Teal'c fired off a long burst for a few seconds before the barrel started to climb because he was beginning to have trouble keeping it steady. Mitchell did the same but lasted only a second when it started climbing on him. He switched to three burst shots and tried it a few times, like Teal'c was now and then fired off several more with single shot mode.

"Very nice. I'm going to have to work out a bit more often to get used to this baby." Mitchell said rubbing his sore shoulder.

"I am impressed. This weapon has much potential."

"Great! Everyone else get in line. Rally, I leave you to it. Let me know the results later okay."

"Sure." she said giving a thumbs up.

Very many years ago, millions of years, on another planet in another galaxy, on a snowy mountain that was surrounded by many more snowy mountain tops and a large ocean nearby, was a community of people living in the side of the large flat topped peak above them. Bells were tolling in the community as people went about their business. Buildings were made from man made bricks and other man fashioned rocks, which all showed signs of much age. The people had been there for many generations, despite the cold and the fact they were really high up on the mountain. The clothes were simple, as was the life. No fancy technology, in the open at least. People bartered on the streets, had live stock and small farms. There was a money system of sorts if you knew where to look.

While all of the normal daily activities were going on above ground, deep below the city was a group of people who had been working with technology for sometime. Inside the cave was artificial lights and a variety of different Ancient technology around on tables or the floor. The dozen or so people were all standing around talking.

"We cannot hide our ways any longer." a man said.

"Nor should we." Amelius said. "The Ori have amassed armies and move to destroy us. Everything we believe, all we are, is an affront to them. They will stop at nothing to destroy every last shred of evidence that opposes their fanaticism."

"We have no choice. We've tried to argue reason." a woman said.

"We can fight. Use what we know to oppose them." Amelius said.

"We are so few compared to them." another woman said.

"The Ark can change everything." Amelius said.

"Is forced indoctrination really the answer?" the first woman asked. "You would deny the Ori the very essence of self. It is no different than the murder they propose."

"The only moral way to change someone's mind, make them see the truth, as you put it, is to present evidence." Amelius said.

"We believe in the systematic understanding of the physical world through observation and experimentation, through argument and debate, but, most of all, freedom of will. I will not compromise the fundamental tenets of my devotion in order to preserve it." a strong spoken women stated.

"We acknowledge the incredible potential of the technology of the Ark." another man said.

"And the danger, such power represents." the strong spoken woman said.

"It will not be used as a weapon against the Ori." the same man from before said as he shook his head. "The debate on the issue, is closed."

Amelius turned around and gave the Ark another look before closing the empty looking box.

It had been a good month since they had left the Asguard to a hopefully new future. Unfortunately, because the Ori could detect the Odyssey when she activated the Asguard core, they weren't able to use it as much as they wished. However, Daniel was enjoying the fact he could look over the info inside the T.A.R.D.I.S. since it was not detectable. With the Asguard info, other information they had gathered and some other things Daniel learned, he found out about some artifact called the Ark Of Truth, which was suppose to be able to help stop the Ori. Some evidence said it was possibly in the ruins of Dakara, so, SG-1 was currently there looking around. And had been for the last several days. Mitchell was carrying one of the Heavy Arms rifles with the grenade launcher, as was Teal'c and the General. Carter, Vala and Daniel had their normal P-90's, seeing as they didn't pass well enough. Vala felt more comfortable with a P-90 and Daniel opted for the P-90 because it was easier. Carter passed, but didn't want to carry something so heavy around. The gun on her hip was heavy enough, then add a backpack and her P-90. Though the rest of SG-1, besides Ford, looked about the same as usual, Carter had been letting her hair grow out for awhile and it was in a pony that went about to just above the middle of her back. Vala's hair had gotten a bit longer too, but she was also doing the pony tail thing, seeing as Ford told her to get rid of the pig tail look, which, other than looking ridicules, was not attractive.

Even with K-9 helping scan around, they had not found anything that resembled what they were looking for. What little they found that still had power sources, were mostly some weapons, some naquada and a few other Jaffa things and some items brought to Dakara that came from Earth. Though they had all went back home, seeing as they came in the T.A.R.D.I.S. every time and kept coming back the next day or so, everyone was getting tired of looking for something they couldn't find. Even the General, who was jumping at the opportunity to end this war without having any more bloodshed, was getting tired of looking through the ruins. Teal'c was starting to look frustrated as well and Vala had basically given up trying to look. Mitchell and Carter were walking around nearby looking and keeping watch since the Ori were nearby according to the sensors in the T.A.R.D.I.S, but their ships were not around the planet at the moment. Daniel was sure that the device was on Dakara or at least there was info leading to where it was and didn't want to quit even though the rest of them were getting tired.

At the moment, Daniel was looking at some stone box that was unburied, but still in the sand pit where they found it, hoping it was what they were looking for. Above him was a ruined building that once stood proud along with many other structures in the area.

"Someone give me a hand here please."

Teal'c turned from where he had been standing in what was once a busy street of sorts and had been looking around with his hands behind his back.

"I'll get it Teal'c." Ford said as he walked away from a spot he was looking at.

Teal'c nodded and turned to watch as Ford stuck his cane into the ground nearby and reached in with Daniel, pulling the large crate like object out of the ground with ease.

"Careful Daniel, otherwise you might fall in the hole." Ford said as Daniel almost lost his footing.

"You yanked it out to fast. We're not as strong as you are."

"Sorry. I forgot that for a moment." he said setting it on the ground in the open.

"You really think that is it?" Vala asked from a pillar she was laying on.

"One hopes." Ford said as he grabbed his cane back.

"It is covered in Ancient writings." Daniel said as he blew some sand off and then brushed more away with his small brush. "These symbols here are also part of the oldest dialect I am aware of."

"What does it say Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked.

"Um…" he said brushing more sand away. "Can you read this Ford?"

"Not really." he said looking.

"What I can make out, looks to say, safely kept is the something of old." Daniel said while touching the symbols.

"That could mean anything." Ford said.

"Any idea what that something could be Daniel?" Vala asked as she sat up.

"Well, if I knew that, I wouldn't have used the word something in its place. I would have used the right word, but I can't translate that at the moment until I look at some of my notes."

"That could take forever." she muttered as she crossed her arms. "Just open it already."

"We can't just open it."

"Why not?" she more demanded to know then asked.

"Could be rigged to explode for all we know." Ford said as he ran his Sonic Screwdriver over the box. "I'm not getting anything except for the fact it is mostly hollow."

"So it is worthless then?" Vala asked.

"Maybe, maybe not. If it is the incredibly powerful Ancient piece of technology we are looking for, which is capable of making anyone who looks into it believe the Ori are not gods…"

"Are not gods." Vala said with him as she got up. "We know this. You've told us that a few times already."

"It could do the opposite as well." Ford said as he tapped the lid with his cane lightly.

"I doubt it. The Ancients built it to fight the Ori, not help them." Daniel said. "At least that's what I understand from what we both read on it."

"True." Ford said with a shrug.

"Why not just open it and look? Obviously it can't harm him, so we can all stand back and just watch to see what happens. And if it only makes people see the Ori are not gods, then it won't do anything to any of us since we already know they aren't gods anyway." she said waving her arms around.

"It is possible it could also make you believe other things." Daniel said.

"Maybe those are important things to believe in too."

"That's…."

"Don't, make me give you two a time out." Ford said as he was running the Sonic Device around the lid again.

"And how are you going to do…" Daniel began and then shut up as Ford looked at him through his eyelashes. "I must be getting tired if I'm snapping at you."

"We all are." Ford said. "But, Daniel has a point, even though I would like to see it open myself."

"And the point is?"

"At the moment, it is sealed shut and quite literally won't open." Daniel said as he gave the lid a few tugs for her benefit. "And I don't know how to open it. Which is why I had it pulled out of the ground to get a better look at it, otherwise, I would have opened it earlier like I had tried several times, before I thought…hmm, maybe I can get a better clue once it get it out of the ground."

"Why didn't you say so?" she asked as Teal'c started glancing around slowly.

"Because you kept yammering and bothering me…"

"What is it T?" Ford asked as he stood up slowly.

Vala picked up a pick and stated forward when Daniel stopped her.

"Hey you two." Ford said snapping his fingers as they started bickering.

"What?" they both asked.

"I don't think we're alone…" Ford began as their coms came on.

"Hey kids, guess what?" Mitchell said over the line.

"We're not alone." Ford answered back as a few ships, Ori scout vessels, flew overhead.

"That and we're taking fire."

"Fall back to here." Ford said as he grabbed his gun of the ground near the T.A.R.D.I.S. and set the cane in front of it.

Carter and Mitchell began exchanging fire as the Ori ships above began dropping bombs in nearby areas close to them. Ori troops started getting near them, but fell fast to Mitchell's Heavy Arms and Carter firing as well.

"I do not remember sending out invitations to this party." Mitchell said as she was replacing a clip.

"I don't even call this a party on any level." she said as she finished and returned fire. "I should have stayed in the T.A.R.D.I.S. and did scans."

"I said get your asses back here!" Ford said over the line.

They quickly firing while running for a passage that lead around and over to the rest of the team.

"Let's grab this thing and get out of here." Vala said as she saw Mitchell and Carter take positions behind some rocky cover near them. "The T.A.R.D.I.S. is right there."

A couple of blast came from the only doorway to where they were and made everyone get down. Everyone began returning fire quickly.

"Daniel, get that into the T.A.R.D.I.S, we'll cover you." Ford said as he used the Sonic Device to quickly order the door open and then began returning fire.

"You know how heavy this thing is?" he said as he had to drag it slowly.

"T…"

"I will help you Daniel Jackson." he said coming over, only to have to duck and get behind cover again as he was nearly shot.

"Reloading!" Mitchell shouted.

More troops kept firing and then they suddenly stopped after Mitchell began firing more burst back again. It then got eerily quiet.

"What's going on?" Mitchell asked slowly.

"I don't know." Ford said as he glanced around with his rifle pointed.

"Maybe we made them run away." Vala said. "Those Heavy Arms rifles are punching some big holes through the walls. With this place, they have no cover."

"I doubt it is that." Daniel said.

"Would you keep dragging that please?" Ford said giving it a light kick.

Many troops were on the other side of the few walls standing between them and the enemy. Tomin came in seeing his troops all expecting the order to rush forward or just open fire. Tomin now had a full, but trimmed close to the face beard as he took the helmet off and turned to the lower rank officer.

"Commander, we have the enemy trapped. However, there is an unknown blue box with them, which we believe to be a ship of unknown origin. Snipers are standing by."

"Good." he said tossing his helmet aside. "Vala, it is Tomin!"

"Tomin?" Ford muttered as everyone looked at Vala.

"Throw down your weapons and surrender. I promise that you will all be spared. We have snipers on your location and I would hate to have to order them to shoot."

"Is that true K-9?" Carter asked.

"There is three snipers Mistress. They would unfortunately kill us before we could kill them. The Master's personal cannons can reach them, but there is insufficient cover or time for everyone else to find any."

"They must be far off behind us." Teal'c stated.

"How about you surrender and we will….just leave, leaving you all alive." Mitchell said.

"Nice." Daniel said dryly.

"Vala, you have to trust me. Your position has been made, not only by snipers, but from space. Comply now, or you will be destroyed."

"K-9 can, you link up and have the T.A.R.D.I.S. extend the shield around us?" Carter asked.

"No Mistress."

"Why not?" she asked.

"She's can't in this situation. Too much obstacles and other rubble in the way." Ford said as he lowered his gun. "If we were in her beforehand, yes, otherwise…"

"We'd be pushed or hit by the debris. Nice." Carter muttered.

"We're all to far away to get into her quickly without getting shot at the same time?"

"Correct Colonel Mitchell." K-9 stated.

"Damn." Ford muttered.

"Do you surrender or not?!"

"Everyone, drop your weapons and raise your hands, K-9, get into the T.A.R.D.I.S. If he is fired upon, don't anyone move." Ford said as he set his gun down.

They complied and only were startled when a few shots did hit K-9, but they didn't do anything other than get absorbed by his shield.

"We surrender!" Ford yelled as K-9 entered the ship and then closed the door.

"What about the box?" Mitchell asked.

"We didn't get it to open, so maybe we can get them to do it for us. It is to be used against them anyway." Vala said.

"That's a good idea." Daniel said as they stayed away from the T.A.R.D.I.S., but stayed behind, but still near the box.

Tomin came in first followed by several armed troops who took station in different areas with their weapons ready.

"Hi." she said with a little wave even as Tomin gave her an indignant look. "How are you? What's new?"

"Not helping Vala." Ford muttered as he rubbed his nose.

Tomin gave him a look, stepped forward and then looked him over some more and raised an eyebrow.

"You're, different somehow."

"I get that a lot. Thought the last person who said that was Adria and she still didn't understand, even with….help."

He looked at the rest of them and then down at the box and then back at the blue box, giving it a look before trying to open the doors.

"Hmm." he said turning to look at Vala with a smile. "What are you all doing here?"

"Wow, we really are on the same page." Mitchell said. "Took the words right out of my mouth."

"How did you know we were even here?" Vala asked.

"The power of the Ori need not be questioned." a Prior said as he came up from behind the men.

"Wonderful." Ford muttered as he scratched his head. "And we were all starting to chat it up so well."

The Prior looked at them as the others were bowing and then got back up. He cocked his head at Ford and then looked at the box on the ground and then at the blue box near the wall. He pointed his staff at it, but nothing happened and he shook his head like he decided not to do that.

"His powers are being blocked. Wouldn't have gotten in anyway." Ford said in Japanese. "Just…praying for good fortune."

"The Ori do not bestow fortune upon their enemies." the Prior stated and then pointed his staff at the box. "Tell me, what is this artifact you have found?"

"Wait, being what you are…a Prior of the all magnificent Ori, shouldn't you already know what this is, or what is inside? Like X-ray vision or the ability to see into the future or something?" Mitchell said as he waving his hands lightly.

Tomin gave him a strong glare.

"Your logic." Mitchell said.

"Wait, wait, wait. We have no need to be difficult here." Daniel said quickly. "No reason to fight to get an answer. We'll tell you what it is. Inside this Ark, is the secret to destroying the armies of the Ori. And I'm pretty sure that the last thing you want to do is open it."

"You think I fear the contents?" the Prior asked as Ford did everything in his power, including biting his lip till it bled, so he wouldn't laugh.

The other of the team noticed it and knew right away what his problem was, and really hoped he didn't loose control.

"Um, yeah. I really think you shouldn't open it." Daniel said as he glanced between Ford and the Prior.

"Open it." the Prior demanded.

"Wait, didn't you hear what I just said?" Daniel asked a bit loudly as Ford stifled a few laughs by fake coughing.

"Open it!"

A couple men walked up and kept trying, pulling, pushing and even hitting it a few times with their lance weapons.

"It is sealed shut Prior." one of the men said as they both backed away.

The Prior looked at Tomin who nodded and raised his lance.

"Wait!..." Daniel began as Mitchell and Ford pulled him back and out of the way.

The lid blew up into pieces as it was shot, leaving smoke it its wake. Tomin slowly walked up and looked in, only to pull out a very old scroll, which crumbled in his hands quickly.

"Well, if that was the map that would have helped us, it's gone now." Ford muttered.

"That's not what I was expecting to find." Daniel said.

"Foolhardy are those that do not follow the path." the Prior said.

"Anyone want to bet on what he is going to say next?" Mitchell asked.

"Kill…."

"I'm suppose to be the son of the evil ones, right?" Ford asked as he took a step forward and got all the lances pointed at him. "That answers that. Wouldn't that make me important? I can't die, so capturing me would be the best option. I have no powers compared to you Priors, so I obviously ain't no threat on that level."

"You, who are the son of the evil ones, yet a messenger for them, a opposite for the Orici, but having no power other than everlasting life. You die, but eventually return." the Prior stated.

"This guy knows a lot more than he should." Ford muttered.

"You shall be buried in the ruins of this dead planet, to live the rest of your life, suffering beneath the ground, as you should. Shoot him first."

"Wait, why don't you do it?" he asked taking another step forward, ignoring the lances. "If the Ori are so powerful, and you as a Prior have the power of the Ori, wouldn't you be able to take away my…unholy gift as you would call it? And then kill me for certain, knowing I couldn't come back. Or is it that you are afraid of retribution from the Ancients for even trying?"

The troops looked at the Prior and then at him, going back and forth.

"Kill him!"

"Obviously you can't harm me or do anything. You fear retribution from the Ancients, which means you think they are more powerful than the Ori, and the power you were given. If you have to have your troops attack me, they may be slaughtered quickly, painfully. Even Adria couldn't touch me."

"It's true Tomin. If you believe nothing from me, believe that." Vala said as honestly as possible.

"What do we do Prior?" Tomin asked. "The Orici stated he is protected."

"We're stuck in a stalemate." Daniel said. "They kill us, he'll attack them without mercy. If any of them attack you, they die, in which case, we get away because there is no one stopping us anymore."

"There is no stalemate." Ford said as he pulled his pistol and aimed it at the Prior.

Everyone's lances fired, but they all hit a yellow field around him. After a few more shots, they stopped and backed off.

"To any Ancients above listening and watching, I forfeit my protective rights. But only if this Prior is the one to try and kill me." Ford shouted as he looked up and then back at the Prior as he lowered his gun and then spread out his arms. "Kill me if you can."

He waved his stick in anger, but nothing happened. He then grabbed Tomin's lance, almost knocking him down in the process and shot Ford dead in the chest, which hit him. He fell back hitting the ground, leaving a smoking trail from his coat.

"What did he just prove?" Mitchell asked.

"I have no idea." Daniel said as he saw Sam's shocked face, which turned to confusion and then like she realized something.

"The Ori are with us always…" the Prior began as the troops started to shout.

A very loud bang followed by the Prior's head blowing back got everyone's attention.

"Idiot. If the Ori really was with him, that wouldn't have worked." Ford said as he sat up, then brushed at the burn on his coat. "That actually hurt. More importantly, he ruined a good suit."

The men started to aim their weapons warily and then pointed them at Carter who was holding her smoking pistol. Ford looked over to see his pistol a couple feet away and left it alone as he slowly stood.

"No! Lower your weapons!" Tomin shouted.

They gave him looks but did so as he looked at the dead Prior.

"I was wondering if you saw that Sam." Ford muttered as he shook sand off his coat.

"Barely."

"You did not kill him and yet, you were not protected as the Orici said. She killed him, how?" Tomin asked as he turned around and pointed at Carter.

"I winked and waved my gun slightly before letting it go as I fell backwards. Other than getting badly burned, I didn't die." Ford said. "She shot him as I wanted her to. She's normal, has no powers and is not protected."

"Gee thanks." she muttered.

"But how did she kill him if she has no powers? The Orici has already stated none but you of this team have power."

"It was done by this, here." Carter said after dropping her gun and then slowly walking over to the T.A.R.D.I.S.

She opened a sack and picked up the anti-Prior device from inside.

"We use this device. It temporarily neutralizes the abilities of a Prior. Used to give him headaches."

"He's been without his powers since he walked in here." Daniel said. "When he waved his staff at…the blue box there and nothing happened, it was because he couldn't do anything."

"I thought he seemed disturbed then." Tomin said as he looked away from the body.

"Can we talk civilized? I give my word, we won't try anything funny or mislead you into an attack." Ford said.

He nodded and sent most of the men away and even signaled the snipers to leave. Ford and Carter put their guns away while the others left them against the T.A.R.D.I.S.

"Hmm, you have a sword. Interesting choice of weapon to carry as a back up." Ford said as they sat down on different things to talk.

"I hear you once did the same, or still do." Tomin said.

"Touché."

Back at the base, where the T.A.R.D.I.S. was in their room, the team had long since left the planet, with Tomin after gaining some information.

"According to Tomin, the Ori crusade is planning to send a new wave of ships through the Supergate sometime soon." Mitchell said. "A coordinated attack on Earth may be imminent."

Landry was leading as Mitchell followed him into the Gate Control Room and up to the briefing room.

"That's a little non specific."

"Yes sir. I suspect that the Priors release details on a need to know basis. It's a wonder that they are doing so well with so little intel being released. The fact Adria told, as we understand it, the troops to be wary of the General, is interesting though."

"I agree. If it wasn't for that info, there is a good chance he would have came home with you all in body bags, or nothing at all. Then again, having a time machine, you never know. Sad to hear after all that time on Dakara, you still didn't find the Ark." Landry said as they walked up the stairs.

"We did try sir. Really tried."

"I read the reports. So, any other useful information or intelligence?"

"From what we can tell, Tomin and many of the troops we did see are coming to grips with the fact they devoted their lives to serving false gods. Sounds familiar doesn't it sir?"

"Very familiar. New enemy, same story." he said as he walked into the briefing room and saw someone in his office. "Oh great. What the hell does he want?"

"Who's that?"

"Come on in. You might as well meet him now than sometime later, probably at a bad time."

"That bad sir?" Mitchell asked as he followed.

"General, Colonel Mitchell." the brown, but receding fore headed man in a suit said as he waved a few files.

He had a slightly roundish and just a bit pudgy face, but though you couldn't see underneath the suit, he looked in shape.

"Mitchell, this is James Marrick. I.O.A. oversight."

"I'm a real huge fan Colonel. It is a incredible pleasure to meet you." he said smiling brightly as he shook Mitchell's hand.

"I thought Woolsey was in charge of that." Mitchell said.

"He was." Landry said.

"Where is he now then?" Mitchell asked.

"His time is being taken up by the Atlantis Expedition, which, quite frankly, I'm grateful for." James said. "It is a real thrill to be here. You all have been doing such an incredible job under difficult and nearly impossible circumstances. I don't think there is going to be much for me to do here other than stay out of your way and let you do what you normally do."

"Hmm." Mitchell muttered while thinking something was up.

"What is it you want James?" Landry asked.

"I believe that protocol requires me to notify you that I will be interrogating the prisoner personally."

"Prisoner?" Mitchell muttered. "What prisoner?"

"I believe that your report refers to him as, Tomin, I think. No last name."

"Oh right. I'm sorry, I get confused. See, I thought we were thinking of him as a guest." Mitchell said. "We did bring him back personally."

"And without using the Stargate from what I hear. Care to explain that?"

"I, don't know what you mean."

"I see." he said nodding. "Okay, I understand that SG-1 is a very tight knit family. Even having a huge home in the mountains to gather and relax at. Haven't seen it personally. It's no surprise that you'd all have secrets here too. I won't bother asking anymore, since I probably won't get answers anyway. I'm not here to ruffle any feathers, at least not intentionally. Whatever the case, I do need to question, our guest, anyway. Is the, enemy commander, hell bent on our complete and total destruction, been giving comfortable quarters?"

"The, former…" Mitchell stated sternly. "Commander has had a big change of heart and, if you wish to call it this, seen the light. Here's here to help us, not harm us. Even the General, the other General has a measure of trust and respect for him."

"He does now? Interesting. But does his change of heart have to do with the fact he was captured?"

"Actually, he captured us. Could have destroyed us from orbit and we wouldn't have even known it until it was too late. But instead, he surrender, after seeing the truth."

"My people have already questioned the man." Landry said as he took his leather jacket off and put it in the back of the chair. "He was more forthcoming with Vala than anyone else."

"I see." he said nodding. "I'm sorry, truly I am. I don't want to ruffle feathers, step on toes or any of the other phrases out there, but my superiors have asked me to prepare a report on this matter personally, and I don't want to disappoint them, being new to the job and all. I hope you understand."

"Of course." Landry said as he sat down.

"Thank you General. I can't tell you how exciting it is to be here working with you. Actually, I used to do what you do, Colonel, so I know how it feels. I'm sure you know I am just trying to do my job."

"Thank you Mr. Marrick." Landry said closing a folder.

"General, Colonel." he said and then left.

Mitchell walked over and closed the door before turning around and began pacing.

"He used to do what I do? Sorry sir, but what the hell does that really mean? Does he mean his background or something else entirely?"

"He's former C.I.A., black ops."

"Oh great. So, the I.O.A. is having one of their own spies spy on us?"

"I have no doubt that the I.O.A. chose him carefully."

"Why do I get the feeling we are going to miss Woolsey?" he muttered rubbing his eyes. "At least he actually saw what we deal with….to a point."

Daniel and Ford, plus Tomin, were in a guest room that had a desk, some fancy lights near the wall in metal stands, a couple of sofa like chairs and a coffee table on a large blue rug, a few large plants, plus some painting hanging around the room. Daniel was in his green SGC BDU'S, Ford in a deep blue suit, his leather coat in the T.A.R.D.I.S., and Tomin was wearing a light grey wool shirt and pants, plus a green wool vest with a few pockets. Vala was sitting on the coffee table next to him in the same outfit like Daniel.

"The Ori are dead and gone?" Tomin asked with mixed feelings from where he was sitting in the sofa chair.

"Yes. At least from what we understand anyway." Ford said as he was sitting back in the chair by the desk, while slowly twirling his cane on the floor with both hands on top. "Really, had they just been content with staying in their own galaxy and left us alone, or had came to this galaxy and gave the choice to people of choosing to serve of their own free will, we wouldn't have bothered you guys. All the Ori have been planning to do since they ascended, was to sit back, gain power through the people worshipping them, and then come to this galaxy for….let's face it, petty revenge. Personally, I can't blame them. There is quite a few things the Ancients have done that they really should be held accountable for, and can fix. But their asinine attitude about non interference, even though it is their fault for a lot of our troubles, is what keeps them from being…held accountable."

"For someone who is part of those people, I find it surprising that you haven't any faith or respect in them." Tomin said with some shock.

"A select few of them have my respect, and two my love, but that's only because they are my parents. Otherwise, the rest of them deserve a good beating, or bitch slapped."

Tomin looked confused as Ford looked up thinking.

"Actually, a better punishment would be to make them all descend and live mortal lives until they eventually die. And don't re-ascend."

"And who would then get all that power?" Daniel asked.

"No one. It would just disperse or cease to exist, I guess. They refuse to use it to fix their mistakes, so I believe they shouldn't have it."

"I do have to agree on many levels. Unfortunately, it is all a mute point since we can't do anything about it." Daniel said.

"I've been thinking of re-making the weapon and using it. I got it half way completed and then mom came and told me she didn't raise me to be like that. I'm thinking they sent her to tell me to stop because she was the only one I'd listen to."

"Are you being serious?" Daniel asked.

"Yes. Anyway, I hadn't thought about it in the last few months. Maybe one of these days I'll complete it anyway." he said trialing off. "So Tomin, this weapon, which I can show a completed picture of, if you wish to see, was built and sent to your galaxy. We're pretty sure it worked and killed the Ori, as it was intended to do."

"It did not work on the ones that worshipped them, did it?"

"No, not humans. Or the Priors. Just the ascended beings. From what we understand about the Ori, everyone who was promised ascension and eventually died, leaving everyone thinking they had, more than likely didn't at all. The less people that actually ascended, the more power the group that were ascended gained." Daniel said.

"I know everything sounds complicated Tomin, but the point is, unless we stop this, this holy crusade they have you all on in the name of the Ori, could all end in a bloody mess for all humans. You told me yourself, back when you helped me get off that ship, that the Prior twisted the meaning of the Book of Origin for his own purposes. That right there should be proof of the fact they don't even follow their own preaching." Vala stated.

Tomin nodded in remembrance of that occasion as he paced by the sofa like chair.

"Your hope is that this Ark you speak of, will convince those that still believe in the Ori, to stop believing as they do?"

"Yes." Daniel said. "In Ancient, it's called, Armeria Verimas. Loosely translated, it means, 'the Ark of Truth'."

"I have no right to say this, it just seems wrong."

"It's the way you were brought up to believe. I've read the book of Origin, and it has many things about it that are right, true and just. But the Ori have…twisted many of the meanings in order to make you and every other believer, do what you have been doing for many generations. Worship them to give them more power and kill all non believers." Ford said. "I'm surprised it wasn't used when it was created."

"I'm not." Daniel said. "Look at them even now. The Alterans don't think it is right to use their powers to help lesser life forms and have refused to help us in any way with this war, even with the Goa'uld when that was going on. Even when the Ark was created, there must have been a large group of them that felt it was morally wrong, which is why we are currently in the state we are in. Hell, just getting that damned Sangraal was a pain in the ass and they refused to help in there too. I expect even less to no help finding the Ark either."

"I asked mom and dad about that a few weeks ago when I saw them. They said yes they know about it, where it is and then told me I was crazy to even think I was going to get them to tell me the location, even though they wished they could. I think they are thinking of descending."

"You know what happens if they do."

"I don't think it will apply to them. They won't have any powers or memories of anything we'd be able to hopefully get better knowledge of. Just everything about who they are, what they used to do and everything about me. Including all the conversations we've had since then. Everything else would be gone though. We really haven't talked all that much about it. As for the Ark, they did confirm it exist and still is around after all these years, and still functions."

"We just have to find it ourselves." Daniel said as Ford nodded.

"What does this Ark really do?" Tomin asked.

"From what we understand, it is capable of brainwashing people to believe whatever it is programmed to make them believe." Daniel said.

"But how did you know where to look?"

"We didn't." Vala said.

"That chest we found was obviously not the Ark." Daniel said.

"Whatever that scroll is….we've got people working on trying to put it back together. It could have been a map, it could have been a recipe for some really great Ancient food dish. We really don't know." Ford said.

"You must have had some idea." Tomin said. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have been there. We found many other holes where you had been digging."

"I've had a vision of seeing the Ark and Myrddin several times." Daniel said. "Something to do with a exploding mountain and several other strange things."

"Myrddin?"

"Daniel once shared his mind with a former Alteran named Merlin, also knows as Myrddin, for some time. When Adria turned him into a Prior, actually, it was when she captured Daniel that he was sharing his mind with Merlin at the time. Merlin's mind and knowledge left his shortly before we sent that Ori vessel through the gate with the weapon."

"He was the one who helped me build the device that we sent to eliminate the Ori. He was the original person behind the idea who tried to build it once before and was stopped by the Ancients. The only reason why I think we were able to build and use the weapon was because we were using it to take out the Ori and not using it on the Ancients, which I think they feared Merlin might do." Daniel said as Tomin sat in the sofa chair.

"We think that these visions might be memories, left by Merlin to intentionally help steer us in the direction of the Ark." Vala said.

Tomin laughed.

"And you all think me crazy for believing in the Ori?"

"Yeah, I thought Daniel was…talking a bit of nonsense at first too, but other than I know that Daniel doesn't make things up, we did find some info about the Ark in an Ancient database we have. There wasn't a lot of info, but enough to help say it existed. And then my parents confirmed it, but did little else to help as I said." Ford said as he shrugged. "I know you can't take our word for it either, just as we can't take your word for thinking the Ori are really good beings. Different backgrounds and different beliefs."

He nodded and then sat up.

"Have you all read the Book of Origin?"

"Actually, many people here have. We wanted to see what it was about and why you were all on this crusade. Why?" Ford asked.

"Do you remember the part about Ortus Mallum?"

All three of them had very obvious signs that they were thinking about it.

"Sorry, I don't know it that well, though it sounds familiar." Daniel said.

"Big book, lots of words and not many pictures." Vala said. "Sorry."

"I recall it having to do with something…um…evil I think was the reference."

"Yes. The book states it is the birthplace of all evil."

"And yet, I am quite sure I was never born there. I was born in an Ancient city called Atlantis. While we were traveling in space too, I think. Not important, go on though please." Ford said.

"The passage speaks of a mountain that erupts and buries the place where all evil once sprang forth. I only ask because you mentioned a mountain that explodes in your vision."

Millions of years ago, on that planet, the creator of the Ark was looking at it once again, working on the top of it, pushing the different color panels on the dome top on the lid inside the same cave from before.

"Amelius, what are you doing? It is time to go." a woman said as she entered the room.

"I know." he said after pushing another small panel.

She walked up as he pushed another one.

"They have to know the truth."

"They will find nothing. All will be destroyed." she said.

She gently grabbed his arm and they started to leave as the lit panels shut off.

"Oh, my notebook." he said going back. After grabbing it and then giving the Ark one last look. "I had the most amazing idea last night."

Shortly after, the room started to shake, a lot. The large, flat topped and snow covered mountain started shaking shortly afterwards. The community on the side was slowly buried and destroyed as the mountain crumbled away and a large ship took off, leaving a heavy burning smoke trail in its wake as it flew into space.

In the future or present time, SG-1 was in the briefing room as Sam was talking next to the pull down screen. It had on the left side, information and other readings, while on the right side, which took of most of the screen, was a picture of the Supergate and more information about it in the middle of the ring. Landry was seated at the head of the table while the rest of SG-1, minus Daniel and Teal'c, were seated and watching her. Ford was leaning against the middle window that looked at the gate room while also leaning on his cane with his right hand.

"Okay, while we think we could use the ZPM on board the Odyssey, unfortunately, it's nowhere near enough power to sustain an outgoing wormhole indefinitely." Carter said.

"I take it doing the whole Pegasus thing is out of the question?" Mitchell asked.

"We were lucky to barely avoid the attack from the Wraith the first time. So, no. However, using the Odyssey, we believe we can beam four Mark IX nuclear devices strategically between the Supergates individual segments." she said as she pointed a remote at the screen.

It changed to zoom in on a segment and showed a simulation of a Mark IX being beamed in.

"Now hopefully, and undetected, they'll be triggered by any inbound gate activation. The resulting explosions…" she said as she pushed the remote button again which changed the picture to show the gate and it being destroyed. "Theoretically should create a chain reaction that will essentially utilize the massive amounts of energy being channeled into the gate from the dialing galaxy to destroy it."

"Sounds like a plan." Mitchell said as Daniel entered. "Hey Doc, looks like we'll be blowing another Supergate."

"That would normally be a good thing, be we shouldn't destroy it just yet."

"Why?" Ford asked. "No wait…there is only one reason that you would be stopping us."

"The Ark is in their galaxy."

"In their galaxy…" Ford said at the same time. "What a shock, not."

"Doctor Jackson?" Landry asked.

"The Ancients built the Ark, but left it behind in the Ori galaxy."

"And you know this how?" Mitchell asked.

"Well, for one thing, why bring it here if it was built to be used against the Ori, who have never left their galaxy until now."

Tomin was in one of the observation rooms, where James was also at currently. Tomin sat on the other side as James was, immaculately placing a hand held recorder, a pencil and pen, a single piece of paper beside a few pieces of paper, which was the report of what Tomin had already said, and a folder. He placed the recorder near Tomin and then sat back down after unbuttoning his coat. Whether for effect or what not, all the other lights other than the one just above the table was on.

"Okay then." he said leaning on the table and speaking gently with a small smile. "I just need to get a few things straight for the record. Okay? It shouldn't be that hard."

Tomin didn't say anything or even move.

"Okay, so, you're a commander in the Ori army?"

"I was."

"Yes, was. Of course." he said with a small chuckle. "So, you're…former duties as a commander involved?"

"Following the orders of the Priors. Supervising the warriors under my command."

"Right. Good. See? No big deal." he said with a small shrug. "Moving on. In the time you've been here in our galaxy, how many innocent human beings would you say you have slaughtered?"

Tomin gave him a glare, but sorrow was in his eyes.

"I'm talking personally here. Not giving orders for it to be done. I'm sure you didn't keep a running tally, but a good estimate would be helpful. Hundreds? Thousands? More?"
"What do you want from me?"

"I just want you to answer my questions." he said as he stood quickly and then started to walk around him. "And I have quite a few. They cover things like your plans, your tactics, your numbers, training, anything that might help us in defending against an attack that you say is coming."

"I've already told the others all I know."

He slammed his hands down in front of Tomin and got in his face.

"How many innocent human beings did you choose to slaughter because they refused to bow down and worship the Ori?!"

Teal'c watched from the darkness of the upper room as James backed off slowly. He only looked briefly at the door as Mitchell came in.

"Where's Vala?"

"She could not bear to watch. She plans on asking the General for help."

"Hmm. That should go over well. So, did you hear the plan?"

"Tomin wishes to accompany us. He believes he can help us establish contact with the anti-Ori underground. It may be, in fact, the best way to figure out what Ortus Mallum actually is."

"We can definitely use all the help we can get, assuming of course the Ori are actually dead. Otherwise, this will be a very short mission."

"The General will undoubtedly be bringing his T.A.R.D.I.S. along."

"True, but if you're stuck inside because going outside means being killed…"

"I see what you mean."

Mitchell came into the General's office later to find Daniel and James there.

"General."

"Colonel, I was just giving Doctor Jackson the good news."

"The mission has been approved!" Daniel stated with excitement.

"Strange, I thought it was already approved."

"Actually, no mission is approved till the I.O.A. officially signs off on it." James stated as he closed the folder he was looking at.

"You Colonel, have been given temporary command of the Odyssey for the duration of this mission."

"The General didn't step up and ask for it?"

"Do you really need to ask that?" Landry asked with a certain look.

"Oh right. He did give me command back with the Asguard thing. Wasn't as fun as a F-302."

"Well, the so called fun doesn't end there."

"Oh man." Mitchell said as he heard the tone of Landry's tired voice. "What else is there sir?"

"Mr. Marrick will be overseeing the mission."

Mitchell barely held in the laugh.

"I'm surprised you find that funny. Care to clarify why Colonel?" James asked suspiciously.

"Sir….um, you do know what the General is going to bring with, right?"

"Oh yes. He doesn't seem to care anymore what the I.O.A. thinks of his, particular item. But he also isn't going to show it to Mr. Marrick until you're all away from Earth."

"Oh brother." Mitchell said while rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I haven't been able to learn what this item is, nor have I ever actually seen or been on one of our battle cruisers, so I am looking forward to this opportunity. Whatever it is the General is keeping from the I.O.A. from knowing about, must be something very important that has helped us in the war with the Ori. We're still here. Can't wait to see what it is." he said with a bright smile. "Well, I'll see you all on board. General, Colonel, Doctor Jackson."

"Please tell me I can confine him to quarters sir?" Mitchell asked after James left.

Landry laughed.

"It's your call Colonel. One of the decisions those of us in command have to make."

"Thank you sir." he said as he started to leave.

"I recall reading a report about a certain young man who was a big fan and practically worshipped SG-1. In some ways, he's no different." Landry said as Mitchell was walking out.

"I will admit to the fan part, but I did not worship…."

"Oh please. You were practically begging every one of us to get back together." Daniel said. "You even wanted to serve under Jack, but was extremely glad to just get us. I'm betting you even did a victory dance at home once the team was back together for real."

"I did not dance." he said raising a finger. "I will admit to pumping my fist though. Besides, I deserved to serve with the best of the best. I earned it and General O'Neill promised it to me."

"Can't argue with that." Daniel said. "Plus, it has been a lot more fun being the team again all this time. Ford once mentioned that if I had been on Atlantis, I'd sit down, drink coffee all day as I read through text after Ancient text until I passed out, only to wake and do it again. He went as far as to bet that I'd become a couch potato, as it were."

"If it wasn't for the missions off world, you'd probably do it here." Mitchell said.

"At least you stopped falling asleep at your desk Doctor Jackson. Well, I have a massive work load of paperwork, and as much as chatting with you two is much more exciting, you also have work to do. Dismissed."

On board the Odyssey, which after learning of the mission, ordered up more food for one reason, seeing as the General wasn't going to be in command, they got ready for take off from orbit. Everyone was getting ready at different stations throughout the ship, SG-1, minus two, were on board, along with James Marrick. Ford and Carter both came up, but in the room where they had Adria and Daniel at one time. Great place to park the T.A.R.D.I.S. since she would be out of the way at the moment and Marrick wouldn't see her just yet and the cameras were turned off. K-9 stayed behind with Sally and Sam's parents at home, who they went and saw for a few hours before using the incredible ability to time travel and show up on the ship as she was getting ready to leave. It was technically crossing over their own time line, since they were down on the planet with family at the same time as being on the Odyssey. The Doctor would condone them for such an act, but he wasn't there, fortunately and unfortunately.

"Pre-flight." Mitchell said as he entered the bridge.

"We are ready to go sir." Marks said as Mitchell sat down.

"All right. Okay, weapons to maximum." he said leaning forward with one arm on his knee.

"I'm, sorry sir?" Marks asked confused.

"Joke Marks. Something I've always wanted to say. Just make it go." he said with a wave.

Marks nodded with a small smile and then shortly after the ship jumped into hyperdrive.

The mess hall had a few people in there, eating food that the General had made. SG-1 was currently elsewhere in the ship, doing something. Ford wasn't sure, though he figured that Mitchell was on the bridge still. And he figured Carter was looking at the Asguard core or maybe just helping in that part of the ship. Currently, he was sitting and watching the blueness of outside pass by while they were in hyperspace. Tomin was sitting across from him, also looking out the window, wearing green SGC BDU'S. James Marrick was sitting a couple tables away, eating something, while watching the two converse.

"You are very different from what the Orici told us about."

"I'd go into details, but it would be way over your head. You wouldn't even understand half the story. Most people I've told still don't get it and I'm kinda baffled about it as well. You remember that planet where we cloaked a small hut and you saw, that blue box and me come out…"

"Yes, I remember it very well. I lost a lot of men that day." he said as Ford slowly rocked the cane back and forth on the floor.

"I'm sorry for that. I do know how it feels to loose people under my command." he said solemnly. "We managed to save that village. Cloaked the entire village in time before that Ori ship shot it. Because that cloaking device I was wearing was damaged and kept fazing me in and out, making it so I couldn't cloak with the village, I had no choice but to run."

"And you survived?!" he said shocked. "How is that….the ascended being in this…"

"No. They didn't help." he said shaking his head slowly as he kept watch on the space outside. "I have a personal shield device.."

He pulled out a Atlantian personal shield device and put it on his coat which lit up a moment later. He then tried to hit himself in the head with the cane but a yellow field made it bounce off. After another second, it shut off and he put it back in his pocket.

"That barely saved me that day. They brought severely injured body back home, and I regenerated."

"Regenerated?"

"Part of that story you wouldn't understand. The regeneration not only changed my appearance, though mildly, it also changed my personality as well. Which is why, as a lot of people have been calling it, I've gained a better respect for life, even if they are my enemy. However, the Goa'uld have no respect at all from me. I still want to kill each and every Ba'al personally with my bare hands. You and the people who believe in the Ori, I just want to show them the truth."

"I can see in your eyes that you are telling the truth. It is unfortunate that the Orici did not see it as well."

"I tried. Not surprised that Daniel showed you that tape footage. We suspect she is with the Ori or has all their powers. I'm betting she has their powers."

"Will you have to build and use that weapon again?"

"I don't think so. Even if Adria does have all that power, she's still one person and is limited, even being ascended. She can't see and do everything all at the same time. If that was the case, assuming that it is just her with all that power, then you'd have to look at it from the point of view of before we sent that weapon. All the ascended beings….the Ori, that group, before the weapon…"

"I understand." he said as he noticed Ford having trouble saying the right words.

"Right, those Ori….say it was a hundred people ascended sharing all that power, since we don't have exact figures. Even with all those people, and all that power, they still didn't know everything, or saw everything. There is an underground movement against the Ori, which Vala said she found out about in that village you two lived in."

"Those people were dealt with."

"True, but not until much later and there is even more people against the Ori on our planets, and yet, they didn't even know where those people were or are. If the Ori had that many people and those powers, why would they need troops to go and do what they had you do? They could have done it themselves. But in this galaxy, they can't make a move without the chance of being completely destroyed. And if it is just Adria with all that power, she isn't moving to come do anything here because she can't. They'd stop her. I don't know how many people are ascended in this galaxy, but I know for a fact that they do allow it to happen here. Daniel was ascended once, but came back because of the rules. There is probably Priors that did ascend and became one with the Ori while others just died for nothing. Whatever the case, it's all a power struggle where innocent people, whether troops or not, are used in the power play."

"I admit I can see your logic, but I am still having difficulty believing everything I have been taught is all a lie."

"It's not all a lie. You can ascend to a higher plane." Ford said as he turned fully to look at Tomin. "People have been doing it for thousands of years, much longer actually, on many planets in this galaxy. There is people up there that watch to see for mortal people down here that get it right, in their minds. They reach that point where they can't do any more in their mortal bodies and one or more of the ascended beings here in this galaxy comes along and takes them with them, to join them on a higher plane. In this galaxy…..they do something with all that power that they say is helpful, but I really haven't seen any results. The Ori, use it as you've seen it. To force servitude or die."

"You've given me much to think about." he said and then lightly chuckled, but not happily. "All this from telling you that you had changed."

"The Jaffa used to be Earths greatest enemies, and now they are one of our greatest allies. Teal'c is a walking example of how one man can make a difference. Speaking of which, hey T."

"General, Tomin. May I sit here?" he asked while holding a tray of food.

"Sure go ahead." Ford said as he sat back and looked out the window again. "So much different than the T.A.R.D.I.S., and yet almost the same."

Teal'c sat and then looked out the window as he realized what Ford meant.

"Indeed. General…"

"Yes?"

"You do know we are all being watched?"

"Yeah, that Marrick guy has been watching SG-1 and Tomin all this time." he said shrugging.

Teal'c only nodded and then took a couple bites before speaking.

"On what subject where you two conversing about?"

"My change." Ford said.

"You still feel that penance is outside your grasp, even with your change of attitude for life?"

"You got that from me saying, my change?" Ford asked as he turned fully in his chair.

"Yes. Your mannerism may show you at ease, but your voice betrays your emotions. Though all three of us are very different, even as species, we have very much in common."

"How so?" Tomin asked very curiously.

"Well before I was working for the SGC…" Ford said slowly and quietly enough only the other two could hear. "I had a job that involved killing people, and doing that no matter the risk or cost. I have killed many innocents. Unarmed women, children, crippled, young, old. Didn't matter at the time, it was do the job or be killed for not doing it. There were many times I wanted to kill myself, but I couldn't do it. I'd like to say I was a coward and wanted to live, but the true was, I didn't want someone else to have to take my place and have to do what I was being ordered to do. I managed to get out of that job finally and now do what I currently do."

Tomin was surprised to hear that as he realized the General and him had that in common.

"I too have done orders I knew and felt to be wrong, and yet I did them anyway. Killing innocent people by orders of a false god. Nothing I have done since turning against the Goa'uld will make up for the atrocities I once committed in their name." Teal'c stated.

"I know that all to well. The only thing we can do it try to keep it from happening to others and stopping others who are put into those positions." Ford said.

"Indeed. I believe that somewhere deep inside you, that you also knew what you were doing was wrong. A voice you did not recognize screamed for you to stop. However, you saw no way out." Teal'c said.

"I wanted to stop, so many times. The Priors kept changing the meaning of the stories. But I couldn't do anything expect continue to follow those orders." Tomin said.

"Indeed. You chose to ignore the voice, as did I and the General. You even tried to convince yourself that the people deserved it, as I once did."

"I could have stopped it. I should have stopped it." Tomin said.

"As the voice inside me finally told me to choose between continuing with following orders I knew to be wrong, or do something about it, just as the General and I listened, so did you finally."

"Which is why we are where we are today." Ford said as he looked into the empty coffee cup he had. "We've all done…unspeakable things. And hate ourselves for it."

"I can't imagine a day where I will ever be able to forgive myself." Tomin said as he shook his head and continued to look out the window.

"You can't." Ford said.

"The day will never come, even if you were to live until the end of time." Teal'c stated.

"Thanks for the reminder." Ford muttered.

"No matter how much your friends and family tell you otherwise, deep down, you know that forgiveness will never come."

"T?"

"Yes?"

"No offense, as important as your point is, which I'm pretty sure you've gotten across to him, unless he wants you to go on, that pit of despair that I didn't think could get any deeper just dropped another hundred or so feet on me. You catch my meaning?"

He nodded as Tomin looked at the two of them.

"How do you go on, living with what you've done?"

"It is simple. You will never forgive yourself. You just accept it." Teal'c stated. "You, like us, have hurt others. Many others. That cannot be undone. You will never find personal retribution. But your life does not have to end. That, which is right, just and true can still prevail. If you do not fight for what you believe in, all may be lost for everyone else. But do not fight for yourself. Do as we do, fight for others, others that may be saved through your efforts like we have. That is the least any of us can do."

"Right." Ford said nodding. "And all true despite how much it hurts. I believe though, when I die, I will be held accountable for everything I did. By a God I believe in…."

"But you said…"

"I do not believe the Ori or the Ancients to be gods, in no way or form. But I do believe in one all powerful…entity of you wish to call him that. And that one day, I will go before him and then be judged accordingly. Remind me later and I can give you a book called the Bible. What you do with it is up to you."

"I, will at least give it a look."

A couple of hours later, the ship dropped out of hyperspace, very near the Supergate, which was currently not active. Mitchell was still in the command chair as SG-1 came unto the bridge. The General wasn't among them at first, and then they heard the grinding noise and the T.A.R.D.I.S. appearing behind the command chair.

He stepped out seeing the rest of SG-1 and then looked at the floor as he noticed something different.

"What is this line here?" he asked slowly going around his ship.

"It was put there, basically to state where you may end up landing from time to time." Mitchell said. "I had it put there a couple hours ago."

"You must have had help…"

"K-9 instructed the people where to put it exactly, as a sort of LZ spot for the T.A.R.D.I.S." he said turning the chair around. "Looks like you landed it in the exact spot as K-9 said to."

"Hmm. My own parking spot on a ship. Interesting." he said as he tapped his chin with his cane. "So, we are finally here then?"

"Yep, big ring at twelve o'clock." Mitchell said turning back around. "Sam?"

"As far as I can tell, we're completely ready to go."

"Take a seat and dial her up then."

Sam sat down at the console to Mitchell's right and started right away. Daniel leaned on the console while Teal'c and Vala stood watching out the window. The large gate began building energy between two of the large connectors and then it slowly spread going all the way around before the gate finally activated.

"That is so cool." Ford said.

"Never fails to amaze me." Mitchell said with a smile. "Sam?"

"All read outs say we have a stable connection." she reported.

"Hmm."

"You doubted me?"

"No." he said quickly. "You said Daniel gave you all the information you needed and between you, K-9 and the General here, you'd make that baby light up. And it is."

"Then what was that look?"

"I just find it really cool we got their own technology to work for us without a lot of hassle."

"When you put it that way…" she said smiling as well. "It was a hell of a lot easier than trying to pilot a Ori ship with just a laptop."

"Marks, take her in."

"Hey wait, we need to cloak first. There could be a Ori vessel right on the other side." Ford said as Mark's finger was over the button.

"Good idea. Do that first then take us in."

"Yes sir."

The ship disappeared and then she flew through the event horizon. Everyone felt it as they went through. Once they appeared on the other side, Ford coughed a few times.

"That felt different." he muttered as he and everyone else on the bridge heard a strangle rumble and gurgling like noise that only lasted a couple of seconds.

"What the hell was that?" Mitchell asked.

"All readouts state the ship is functioning normally sir." Mark said confused as he checked them again.

"She did not like that." Ford said as he rubbed the side of his ship. "Gave her…what would be best described as indigestion. We when get this all over with, we'll hook this ship and her together, temporarily and go back her way."

"We can do that?" Carter asked.

"Yes. I'd rather not tax her systems like that though, very often I mean."

"Why didn't we just come here that way to begin with?" Mitchell asked.

"She's never been here before. None of us have. Well, save Vala and Tomin."

"Right. I forgot." Mitchell said as he spun the chair back around and then looked at Sam a moment. "Indigestion?"

Carter shrugged in confusion as well.

At a town, very similar to the one that Vala ended up in where she met Tomin, people were going about their daily lives. Inside a tavern in that town, Vala and Daniel were sitting at a table. She was drinking something from hand made wooden goblets as he was basically glancing around. Vala had a blue dress on, which she really didn't like, but had no choice but to wear to blend in. It had a leather section that covered her bust, but with laces of leather that weren't closing it completely, leaving a good portion showing along with the top of her belly.

Daniel had a green shirt with open collar and a hand stitched brownish black leather jacket and pants to match. He looked up as a waitress walked by and noticed a very old man, who seemed to be shining like light came from him, sitting off in a far corner against the wall.

"You see that?" he said still staring.

"See what?"

He nodded and she looked to see an old man, that had the appearance of a sailor, like his buddy next to him, both drunk.

"A couple old drunk men? What about them?"

"Nothing." he said shaking his head. "Thought I saw something."

"Well, I'm glad we had this chat." she said dryly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." he said still looking in the direction of the old man, who he could have sworn looked like Merlin moments ago. "In fact, I get the feeling we are on the right track."

"Do tell?"

Tomin, in his outfit he had on before they got on the ship, came up with a overweight man. They both sat at the table with the other two as Tomin introduced him. He had long, unkempt black hair, a yellow shirt, black pants and a long vest that was never going to close over his large body.

"This is Hertis. Hertis, this is Daniel. Vala, my wife."

She coughed and set her drink down.

"We are still married."

"We…um, we'll talk about that later."

"So, Tomin tells me that you've not heard the rumor that the fires of Celestis have gone out."

"Really?" she asked.

"I assume that Tomin also explained we are not from around here."

"Oh, that he did." Hertis said as he sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "Still, I am surprised. Such news would have spread far and wide."

"You would think." she said. "But perhaps Tomin didn't explain exactly how far away we live."

"The Priors have seen this as a sign that the Ori are not pleased." Tomin said.

"They say our efforts against the crusade of evil are not enough." Hertis said. "That we must do more."

"As I told you, many more ships have been built. They are ready to embark." Tomin said.

Hertis slowly leaned onto the table with his elbows.

"Tomin also tells me you seek the true location of the Ortus Mallum."

"Oh, we do." she said smiling, which Daniel did as well, but gave her a look.

"I'm curious, what makes you think such a place actually exist in this real world?" Hertis asked.

"You don't believe that everything that is written in the Book of Origin is based on some true historical event?" Daniel asked.

"What I believe is not the issue."

"You want me to tell you what I believe?"

"No." Hertis said. "I want you to prove it."

"Well, that we can do." she said.

Moments later, after finding a secure spot from everyone's eyes, they four were beamed up to the ship in orbit. Hertis was looking out the window on one of the conference and observation decks, down at his world.

"Incredible." he said then turned back to the group in the room.

SG-1 was there, including Tomin. Daniel, Vala, Teal'c and Tomin were standing, while Carter, Mitchell and Ford were seated as they listened.

"There are ruins of a village high in the mountains that border the plains of Celestis." he said. "That is believed to be the location the Book of Origin references as the birth place of evil."

"Makes perfect sense." Daniel said. "The Ori followers built their holy city on the planet where they believed their Gods once triumphed over the Alterans."

"Celestis is not on this planet though." Tomin said.

"You got us here." Carter said. "If we were to show you a star map, could you direct us to that planet?"

Tomin nodded.

"We are talking about the Vatican of the Ori followers right?" Mitchell asked.

"Yes." Ford said. "Why do you ask?"

"We are going straight to their HG then. That could be extremely dangerous, even with the T.A.R.D.I.S."

"They said the fires of Celestis have went out. Which means that Merlin's device worked and the Ori are dead." Daniel said.

"But the Priors are not." Teal'c stated.

"Which either means Adria took their powers and that is why they have them, or, they still have those powers because they were given them and will have them until they either run out of energy or something like that, or die of old age still having them. Or they get killed by a failsafe if they use them wrongly. We really don't know." Ford said as he got up and tapped his cane a couple of times in thought. "But we have no choice but to continue."

"Many times throughout history, the ruins at Ortus Mallum have been searched by both the Priors of the Ori and those that believe as we do." Hertis stated. "We have long searched for the artifacts that would prove the truth about our past, our ancestors, and the falsehood of the Book of Origin. Nothing has ever been found there though."

"That's good. Let's just hope that what we are looking for is still there then." Daniel said.

Shortly after showing Tomin the map, Mitchell notified the bridge to proceed on course to the coordinates specified. The rest of the group broke up, going elsewhere while the two Carter's and Mitchell exited the elevator and started down the hallway. There, in one of the doorways they needed to get through, stood James.

"Why was I not notified that you had someone with new intel on board with Ori army activity?" he asked with his arms crossed. "And how about the fact you have a ship General, that shouldn't exist, but does by some strange….miracle, and that the I.O.A. was never informed of this incredibly powerful time machine. The, T.A.R.D.I.S. is the name, right?"

"I can answer the first one." Mitchell said. "I did call you, but no one answered. I did my part. Oh wait, I may have not pressed the com button down all the way. Wow, I must have looked stupid standing there talking to myself."

Ford chuckled as did Sam.

"Funny Colonel's, General."

"As for my ship, watch the Doctor Who show. It's going to take you a few months or longer, but you'll understand why very few people know about her and why it would have been pointless for the I.O.A. to know about her. She belongs to me, works only for me, and nothing you say or do will take her away from me. So report whatever you want about it."

"I intend to." he said with a lace of anger.

"So much for the hero worshipping." Mitchell muttered. "Anyway, we need through, so…"

"Colonel, you're in charge of this ship, but I am in charge of this mission. I don't think I need to remind you about protocol. Which includes the rest of SG-1, which will be hearing from the I.O.A. when we get back to Earth. I'm betting there is many things other than that blue box you haven't told us about."

"Probably, maybe, doubtful. Take a choice." Ford said as he pushed past the man.

"Colonel, General…" he started with a louder voice as the other two followed.

"Look Mr. Marrick." Mitchell said as he turned around, talked a few moments and then walked backwards as he was finishing. "Back at the base, you were honored by SG-1's accomplishment. We get the job done, even if it isn't by the book always. Like SG-1 does best, we're going to find that Ark with everyone else here helping along. You just missed the boat to join us on the endeavor."

"Colonel, you were granted the use of this ship." he said following them quickly and then passing them to stand in the way again. "Besides that glorified blue box of yours, this ship is the most valuable asset that Earth currently has at its disposal, to prevent the Ori from getting any more ship through that Supergate."

"And we are hear doing that Mr. Marrick. Have you looked out he window lately? We're in enemy territory, trying to stop them in their own backyard." Mitchell said.

"Do you or do you not have reliable intelligence that more Ori ships are about to leave?" he demanded.

"Mr. Marrick, I suggest you stay out of my way and let us do our jobs." he said pushing past and going towards the bridge with the others.

"Your instructions were clear Colonel!" he stated as he followed them on the bridge.

"We're not there yet. Major Marks, have we left yet…oh, never mind." Mitchell said looking out the window. "For a moment, I forgot I relayed the order already."

"You have no idea how much time we have." Mr. Marrick said.

Mitchell turned from the window and looked at the General.

"What?" Ford asked.

"Are you going to do anything?"

"Like what? He's your problem, Captain." Ford said with a small smile and two finger salute.

Mitchell muttered something under his breath as he rolled his eyes which caused Carter to giggle.

"Sorry Cam."

"You all think this is a big joke! I refuse to sacrifice this mission, Earth, or our galaxy for some fool's quest!" James exclaimed.

"Then why haven't you replaced me?!" he said waving a hand at the chair. "You keep saying you are in charge of the mission and that we keep breaking protocol, so replace me."

"The only people next in line to replace him in the rank system, is me or Colonel Carter. Unless you want someone of lesser rank in charge." Ford said. "But I doubt they'd listen to you and keep looking at us for either help or to take back over. Like Mitchell said, our methods may not be by the book or liked by the I.O.A., but we get the job done. So unless you want to sit in that chair and actually hope the people listen to your orders, I suggest you go somewhere else and quit bothering us."

He looked at the people looking at him that went back to working quickly, besides the three SG-1 members. Spinning on his heel, he walked out quickly.

"Now you speak up?!"

"Mitchell, if I came to the aid of ever officer who was being chewed out or bothered by a higher ranked official…when a situation where the lower rank is right about what they are doing despite what the higher ranked person wants, then…"

"I wouldn't learn anything. I get it." he said turning away.

"He must have finally got on your nerves." Carter said.

"Yes."

"Do either of you want the chair instead? I really prefer ordering from the ground than up here."

Ford shook his head and leaned against his ship.

"And get yelled at by him later for something I knew was right and he felt wrong. Sorry Cam, you're stuck with the job." she said leaning on the console that had a woman at it. "We've got your back, but otherwise, commanding this boat is your job."

"I feel so much better." he said rolling his eyes as he sat down. "Maybe I should confine him to quarters and deal with the repercussions later. Would you already have if you were in command of this ship General?"

"No. Not unless he kept hounding me about the T.A.R.D.I.S. Which thankfully he has asked little about, other than talking to the crew. But trust me, he tries anything to her, I will tie him up and toss him into the brig until we get back to Earth."

A few hours later, they dropped out of hyperspace again, heading straight for a planet that had a massively large land mass that covered a good portion of the planet, making it difficult to see where the oceans and seas were. The planet was very hospitable, and clouds covered various areas as they entered into a high orbit. They did find the mountain in question, yet not knowing that it was once snow covered many years ago, it was now a mass of forest covering the top and sides, plus where the community once stood. Out on the hillside of where that community once was, SG-1 beamed down to the planet with Tomin. They all wore the black off world outfit, with Teal'c and Mitchell holding the new rifles. Tomin had only a zat they gave him and nothing else. Ford was in a brown with red pin stripped suit and his cane. He pulled his Sonic Screwdriver out like Sam did and after taking some scans, started looking around, though she used a palm scanner of hers as well.

"I'm betting no one has any idea where to start." Mitchell said as he watched the two go in different directions.

"Not really." Daniel said as he glanced around. "I'm hoping one or the other finds something."

The broke up and started looking around, but it was a very hilly area with old ruined columns and traces of where buildings once stood. A lot of dirt, tall trees and brush growing out of dead trees or the columns made it difficult to even wonder how or where to really begin. Yes, they had a lot of paths around where it looked like some sort of animals came through or perhaps where other adventurers, plus the Priors, had been through the area looking around before. Teal'c tossed his bag aside and started following Daniel while Mitchell followed Carter, and the other two followed the General.

Up on the ship, the T.A.R.D.I.S. door was closed and Mr. Marrick did at least try pushing it open, but failed. Only a couple of people shook their heads and said only SG-1 had the keys. Seeing as he couldn't get any further there, he left the bridge quickly and was walking down a hallway, ignoring the other people working around on different areas of the ship, normal maintenance and such. Going around a corner, he went up to a highly secure door, looked around carefully and then slid his card. He walked in with a smile as the door closed behind him. A short walk down the hall put him at another room which opened as he slid his card. Inside was the Asguard Core room, which was currently inactive and no one was inside manning it or otherwise. Standing before the console, he pushed on a tray that came out with sets of glowing Asguard crystal computer ships. Selecting the fourth one in front of the six there, he pulled it out and replaced it with a similar chip in his pocket. This crystal, unlike the others which were see through with lines, had a metal computer chip added to the middle, anyone could see. He closed the tray and then activated the Asguard Core system, lighting up many of the ships other systems in the process. He looked at his watch and then at the screen as he waited for the chip he inserted to activate.

Tomin was near a cliff like edge overlooking the large expanse into the mountain way out there, all covered with great forest land untouched for the most part by humans and covered in snow in most places. Way many miles away was more majestic mountains that were covered heavily by snowy peaks. SG-1 had already taken a few pictures with their cameras before going back to working on finding the Ark. Sam and Ford did get a few energy readings, but was having some trouble pin pointing the location. As the others kept looking, Vala walked over slowly and looked out with a smile.

"Very beautiful." she said.

"Yes."

"Are you okay?"

"I was thinking about what this place really was."

She nodded with a smile.

"Colonel Mitchell, this is Major Marks." came over their com lines.

"We hear you Marks, what's going on?"

"Sir, someone has turned on the Asguard Core?"

"Ah dammit." Mitchell muttered. "I should have confined him to quarters. Is it Mr. Marrick in there like I think?"

"According to the security access card used, it was him sir." Marks said. "We are going to need the General or Colonel Carter back here right away for those shields. He has sealed the room and is not responding on the com."

"That can't be shut down remotely. What the hell is he thinking he is doing?" Carter exclaimed.

"You're asking me? Don't answer that. We need to go back." he said as he contacted the rest of the group. "Jackson, Teal'c, Vala. The General, Sam and I are returning to the ship to deal with Mr. Marrick. You guys keep looking around here. Hope you have better luck than we will."

"Alright." Daniel said as he waved from somewhere up the hill with Teal'c.

"That idiot. Be as bad as entering a fanatical village of Ori worshipers during that prostration thing and shout, I hate the Ori." Ford said as he walked up and put his Sonic Screwdriver away.

"We're really going to need those shields." Mitchell said as he opened his com. "Odyssey, three to beam up, around my signal."

The two shook their heads with a chuckle.

"I've always wanted to do that, but never had the opportunity." he said as they were beamed away.

Back on Earth, the gate activated and Landry came down.

"It's SG-3 sir, transmitting from P6X-437." Walter stated as the alarms continued in the background.

"Put them on screen."

Reynolds face came on a few screens moments later.

"General, a Prior arrived through the gate fifteen minutes ago and immediately made contact. Not sure how, but he seemed to know we were here. He said he has no intention of harming us, just that he has a message to deliver to the leaders of our planet."

"Interesting. So, what it is?"

"He wouldn't get into it sir. Says he'll only deliver it in person."

"He wants us to let him through the gate?" Landry asked in amazement and surprise.

"Yes sir. I know it shocks me to, but that's what he said."

"Does he know that this didn't exactly work out well the last time?"

"More for the Prior than a question of us sir." Reynolds said with a small smile.

"That's true."

Reynolds nodded and then moved the camera to show the one eyed Prior standing nearby.

"He's pretty adamant. Says the message is key to the human survival on Earth. Says that he knows we have the technology that can temporarily neutralize his powers."

"He does, does he?"

"Yes sir. Apparently word that SG-1 actually killed a Prior is getting around fast."

"Now there's news that isn't a surprise to hear. Give us an hour to make the necessary preparations."

"Yes sir. See you in one hour. Reynolds out."

SG-1 and a few armed men walked down the corridors to the door that was locked. Carter tried her card, which failed instantly. The General tried his and then tried it again and was actually shocked it failed.

"Wow, and this is suppose to grant me access to anywhere." he said looking at the card.

"Air Force One too?" Mitchell asked with a laugh as he hit the com button. "Open the door Mr. Marrick."

"Yes actually."

Mitchell's smile fell as he realized that the General was serious.

"That is so unfair. Mr. Marrick!"

"Hang on." she said as she opened the panel.

"Sam.."

"Yes Ford?" she asked as she started working with the wires.

"You are forgetting a tool."

She stopped and slapped herself in the head, then quickly pulled her Sonic Screwdriver, which opened the door seconds later.

They all quickly moved in as he stepped away from the Asguard console.

"You idiot! This thing was off on purpose because it alerts the Ori to our presence!" Mitchell yelled as he grabbed James by the lapels and pushed him hard into the wall.

Sam waved her Sonic device over the system as the General was pushing buttons.

"It's not shutting down. Interesting ability for someone in the I.O.A." the General said.

"What's it doing?" Mitchell asked as he kept hold and didn't tell off the three men with guns pointed.

"Creating something virtually." she said as she waved her device over it and then looked at the screen. "Oh my god! Are you mad?!"

"You are creating a Replicator?! What the fuck are you thinking?!" the General yelled.

"You people are not doing the job you were sent to do." Marrick stated. "So I had no choice but to do it for you. Stop the Ori at any and all cost."

"By creating those out of control robots?!" the General yelled as he pushed Mitchell away and used the side of his cane against his throat to hold the Marrick against the wall.

"How does getting this ship and us killed enter into that plan?!" Carter exclaimed in anger. "The Ori will have destroyed this ship before the Replicator even has time to make enough of themselves to even save themselves! And if they had the time and managed to get hold of the T.A.R.D.I.S…"

"That's the point. They'll spread across this galaxy and destroy the Ori. Something you people refuse to do."

"If they get hold of my ship, they would figure out how to rewrite history so they would conquer all of the universe you ass! And I refuse to let that happen!"

On a pedestal nearby, which was part of the matter replicator system, a Replicator appeared suddenly, but behind a shield that went up before hand.

Marrick smiled, but it only lasted a second as Mitchell punched the guy out quickly before the General could.

"Now, how do we get rid of that thing before it gets free while also shutting the Asguard core down before the entire fleet is on out ass too?" Mitchell asked as they watched the Replicator twitch behind shield.

Tomin was digging around some old ruins with a shovel as Vala was nearby using a scanning device that looked a lot like a PSP.

"I hate to be the downer at this party, but this is utterly and completely hopeless. We have a better chance if Ford would come down with his T.A.R.D.I.S. and we went back in time until we found it." Vala said. "I'm not getting any energy readings at all. And neither did Sam or Ford, though they didn't stay all that long. So, short of literally looking under every rock and stone on this mountain, I don't think we're going to get anywhere, just like that….fat man said all the others did."

"Hmm." Teal'c said as he walked up and looked past her.

"What?" she asked and then turned around when Teal'c didn't say or do anything.

Daniel was standing and looking off in a direction, just staring. They saw nothing beyond him, but he saw, and swore later, it was Merlin standing there in a sunbeam that came through a section of trees. The image faded, going underground.

"Or we could just wait for Daniel to have another one of his visions. Which I am betting he just had." she said.

"Indeed. Tomin."

He looked up and then followed the two as they started after Daniel. Daniel stopped and then looked at a large stone ruin that seemed more like a cover on the ground. He turned to call them and noticed them on the way. Turning back, he used his shovel to tap the top.

"What do you know. It's hollow sounding."

Between the four of them, they all got down and pushed it aside to find there was an underground path.

"I think we are suppose to go down there." Daniel said as he and Teal'c shined their lights.

"Let me guess, another vision?" Vala asked.

"Yes."

"Then we are on the right track." she said. "You first muscles."

Teal'c gave her a look and then slowly entered.

"This is Colonel Carter, we need a A.R.G. in the Asguard core room, now!" she said over the com.

"What are you doing General? Those things spit acid." Mitchell said as he walked up and pulled his Sonic device.

"Trying something."

The Replicator shook violently and then stopped as he stopped using his device.

"That should have made it fall apart. Guess whoever made the program that made this Replicator changed a few things." he said and then looked over his shoulder. "I'm willing to bet that the A.R.G. isn't going to work."

Carter walked over and, after using her Sonic device, she opened the top tray and looked in, finding the wrong computer chip.

"Here's something that doesn't belong. And I doubt he was behind the programming either." she said looking it over. "Very sophisticated."

"Get that man out of here. Confine his ass to quarters and post two people to keep watch." Mitchell ordered as two men came in with A.R.G.'s.

"Okay, so if this doesn't work, what do we do?" Mitchell asked as he took the A.R.G. and aimed it.

"That isn't going to shoot through the shield." Ford said.

"Sam, you drop the shield and then I'm going to fire."

"But if that won't work, then it will get away."

"It's going to figure how to break out soon anyway, right?"

"Eventually." she said as he started making circle movements and tapping the field. "Probably a lot sooner."

"Give me that." the General said as he took the gun and then waved his Sonic device over the gun a few times.

"Whatever you are doing, make it quick. It's now spitting that acid at the shield." Mitchell said urgently.

"This should do it." he said handing it back.

"Wait, you're not…."

"Sam.." Ford said as he pocketed his Sonic Screwdriver and then pulled his gun.

"Shutting it down, now!"

The field dropped and the Replicator stopped moving. Mitchell fired, and was surprised there was a slight kick. The bright blue bolt and wave went through the bug which shuddered for a few moments.

"Dammit! It didn't work, shoot General!"

Ford slowly lowered his gun and walked up as the others started telling him to shoot and asking what he was doing. He raised his cane up and brought it down hard, shattering the Replicator, along with the glass on the stand. Pieces went everywhere, like a powerful firework going off inside a sealed glass bottle.

"That was not what I expected." Ford said as he brushed his coat off and then put away his gun.

"What the hell did you do?" Carter asked.

"Changed the power, made it have a very quick modulation frequency, wider range and cause what should have been a scrambler effect in their processors."

Mitchell looked at the A.R.G. and saw it was completely depleted of power, not to mention the fact the emitter was fried along with a few other components.

"A.R.G. is toast." he said hanging it back to the guard near him. "Okay, one problem solved, miraculously. Can you shut that down now Sam?"

"I don't know." she said as she began working on it again. "The Asguard core was designed to be very user friendly. Even inside the T.A.R.D.I.S., you can look at and use that core without restrictions, but you can't do that with the T.A.R.D.I.S. computer."

"Actually, you can only do so much with that core. Anything that might result in harm to anyone inside the T.A.R.D.I.S. or to her herself, she won't allow."

"We're not dealing with her since she isn't the one infected." Mitchell said coldly. "It would have been easier if we were because Mr. Marrick would have failed."

"Someone must have done something in this program to make it so the Asguard core keeps running. Even though I removed this chip, nothing has changed. The core is still on and was probably programmed to be that way in order to lure the Ori fleet to us."

"Find a way to shut it off. Get K-9…" Mitchell began.

"He's back on Earth with Sally and keeping watch for any Ori ships that get to close to the Solar System." the General said.

"Great. Okay, the Ori fleet has to be already on there way here. We have no choice but to jump into hyperspace and lead them away from Daniel and the others. We'll stop somewhere, disable their ships and then come back when it seems safe. General, to the bridge." Mitchell said and then touched the com. "Marks, get us ready for a hyperspace jump. I don't care what direction, as long as it is away from this planet. Put me in touch with the others on the planet while you are at it. And go to battle stations."

Teal'c went first and then Daniel, followed by Vala and Tomin. It was little surprise they were walking down a stone staircase that was intact. Shining their lights around, they found old tunnels deep underground that had caved in a few times here and there, but for the most part, there was enough to look around.

"Hey guys, this is Mitchell. We're going to have to beam you aboard immediately."

"Wait, you can't! Not yet!" Daniel reported back. "We just found and underground passage that I believe has what we came to get."

"That's nice to hear Daniel, but that ass Marrick activated the Asguard core, we can't shut it down at the moment and a whole horde of Ori vessels should be arriving very soon now." Mitchell stated from the com in the core room. "So, we need to get you out and jump to hyperspace. Once we deal with the ships somewhere else, we'll come back when it looks safe. The General can only protect this ship, not an entire planet that is owned by the enemy as well."

"Well, go on without us and then come back. We'll be just fine."

"Daniel…"

"Seriously, we'll be fine. If need be, we can wait here underground for awhile till you return and call back."

"Marks, get them out of there."

"I am unable to get a lock on them sir. Something in the ground is making it difficult to get an exact lock. They're going to have to come back up unto the open ground."

"You catch that Daniel?"

"Yeah, but it would take us a couple of minutes to get out of here."

"Ori ship on longer range sensors General." Marks said as Ford was looking out the window.

"You all be careful and don't do anything that will alert your presence. We're going to hyperdrive and will be back soon. Marks, get us out of here, now." the General ordered.

"Yes General." he said as the ship left orbit and took off quickly.

"Looks like we can keep looking." Daniel said as he waved his light around. "Let's be careful though and not cause a cave in if at all possible, hmm?"

They walked through a couple of archways and ended up at a caved in spot.

"What do you think muscles?" she asked as they were all looking at the area with flashlights.

Teal'c reached into a vest pocket and pulled a C-4 block that had a pull tag on it.

"Wait! Whoa T! You can't do that! We have no idea how stable this tunnel is!"

"Shall be turn back then Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked.

"Ah…" he said shining his light around and seeing no other direction to go. "Bombs away."

Several dozen light years out from the planet, they dropped out of hyperspace in the middle of nowhere. Ford quickly raised the shields of the T.A.R.D.I.S. around the ship quickly.

"Marks?" Mitchell asked.

"Several Ori ships are on the long range scanners. They haven't noticed where we came out of hyperspace yet." he said a bit confused.

"Must be the T.A.R.D.I.S. shield." Ford said as he tapped his chin with the cane. "Could be a damping side effect from the Asguard core that integrated with her."

"Then we should go back to the planet if they can't find us." Mitchell said.

"No. Even if they can't find us, they'd still be able to shoot the planet if they noticed any of our people down there. They could use them as hostages to make us surrender."

"Good point. We stay away from the planet, it may look like we left and took everyone with us, after finding whatever it was we were there for." Mitchell said.

"Right. Or so we hope that ends up being the case." Ford said.

Teal'c placed the C-4 and pulled the tab. A circular device on top with little lights began spinning around, signaling it was ready. They all got back near the entrance, just in case as Teal'c pulled the detonator out. There a loud explosion and a lot of dust, but no further cave ins thankfully. As the dust began to settle, they quickly went moved through the opening into another chamber. It was just like the area outside, vines of roots growing from the walls and other different parts along with parts of the ceiling scattered on the floor and parts of the walls. They were all looking around with their lights, but Teal'c found a large box like object with a small dome on top, partially covered by a cave in near a far wall.

"Daniel Jackson."

"You find something?" he asked walking up quickly.

"Indeed."

Daniel looked as did everyone else at where all their lights eventually pointed.

"This is it." he stated as he and Teal'c began removing the stones.

"Oh really. Are you absolutely sure this time?" Vala asked. "You weren't back on Dakara."

"Because on Dakara, I did get any visions." he said. "Trust me, this is it."

Landry looked down at the gate as SG-3 and the Prior came through. Reynolds was carrying the staff with him as he exited last and then the gate shut down. Not even bothering with the infirmary check, mostly because he figured the Prior would refuse, Landry had him placed in a room. The room had a D-4 on the door, which opened to show two guards standing outside. Landry had waited a good ten minutes before deciding to come talk to the man. The Prior was standing and looking at the wall when he entered.

"You demonstrate great courage in facing me in person, General."

"Courage is only required when facing that which you fear." Landry stated.

The Prior smiled, but Landry didn't see it.

"The flames of ignorance burn without pain. Beware the power, or it will consume you before you know."

"You can skip the fire and brimstone story." he said walking up to the man's side and then walking in front of him. "If you are here to tell me that you're finally coming after Earth, I already know."

"It is not too late. Allow me to deliver the message to your world, that Origin is the way to salvation, and you will all be spared."

Landry chuckled lightly.

"I have to tell you, even if I did let you have your say, I don't think my world is going to listen. We have many different religions on this planet and most of them conflict with each other. So, even if you gave your message to everyone, most of them wouldn't listen and many others would either kill or try to kill you."

"Then you are all doomed for not heeding my warning."

"That may be so, but I doubt it. However, if we fail to protect this planet, it won't be from you that it happens."

"I would not be so sure." the Prior said as Landry walked past him.

"Oh really? What took you so long? Earth has to be the most densely populated planet in the galaxy. What are you guys waiting for?" he asked with a wave of his hand as he walked back in front of him. "Oh sure, you've tried to warn us…a couple, maybe several times now. But come on, you can do better than that can't you? We've been a tremendous pain in your proverbial backside. You really don't expect me to believe that you've been saving the best for last, do you? That would be so cliché, as a good friend of mine you say if he was here. You don't seem like the cliché type however."

Seeing the Prior not saying anything, he was surprised.

"What's wrong? You guys are never speechless."

The Prior only looked at him with the only eye he had.

"I'll tell you want I think." he said raising a finger. "I say this move, reeks of desperation. You're all not that sure that it's a slam dunk."

"You're defenses are no match for the might of the Ori, which shall rain down apocalypse upon…"

"Right." he said as he walked around the man. "Newsflash buddy. The Ori are dead. Got a call from some friends who say that the flames of Celestis have gone out. I don't understand what that really means, but from a former Ori worshipper of yours, he says that isn't a good thing. We managed to kill them. Send a weapon through that Supergate of yours, along with a injured Adria from what I heard. It was created by an ex-Ancient to destroy the Ori. And it worked. These beings you called Gods, the ones who lied to you, manipulated you, for their own power hungry selfish reasons, are gone. And everything you think you're doing in their name is entirely without meaning, as it has been since it started."

"I was wrong." the Prior said as he looked at Landry, who was inches from him on his right. "You are not courageous General. You, are without reason. Your planet will burn in all the depths of darkness."

"Right. We'll see about that. There is one thing I know for sure though. If we end up all going to hell, you're coming right along with us."

The Prior held his head up high as he believed otherwise.

"You can burst into flames like the last Prior here if you like." he said and then headed for the door. "Oh, one other thing you should think about. We killed one of you guys. And from what I understand, a few more as well when we managed to blow up several of your ships. Where was all that Ori might and power then, hmm?"

The door closed as he walked out quickly, not giving the Prior a chance to say anything.

"That shield is something else General." Marks said. "They still haven't noticed us. And one of the ships was just a light year away moments ago."

"We're not cloaked are we?" Mitchell asked.

"No sir."

"Do it then."

"But that might get their attention."

"That's the point. We don't want them going back to the planet to see if we are there. And if they don't find us, then obviously we are hiding really, really good."

"Wait, can we cloak and have the shield at the same time General?" Marks asked.

"Give it a try. I don't think the shield will drop."

The cloak was engaged and Ford reported the shields were still around them.

"They notice anything?" Mitchell asked.

"Looks like they might have sir. Two ships are headed this way, but it could be also part of their search pattern. They were headed this way to begin with, by my calculations, five minutes ago."

"Could be either or. Alright, we'll wait and see. If they start flying by, we'll drop the cloak and fire. If not and they attack, we drop it and fire."

"And if they are about to run into us?" Marks asked.

"We move out of the way, and then see what happens like I just said."

"Yes sir."

"Sam, any luck on your end?"

"Not yet. I'm still trying to find out what was all on this chip that is making it so we can't turn the core off. If it wasn't for the fact Rodney couldn't be behind this and K-9 is still at home, I'd say either of them would be behind it. Forcibly doing it I mean."

"What about Rodney's sister?"

"It's possible, but we wouldn't know until we got back to find out." she said. "However, I doubt it. This was done very quickly by someone who had a very complex understanding of Asguard technology and the Replicators. It took us about a day to finally decide and get ready to leave on this mission. This was cooked up very quickly."

"I see. Let me know if anything changes."

"I could work faster if I had help."

"He's staying here to watch the T.A.R.D.I.S. Sam, sorry. We could be attacked any moment."

"Alright, Carter out."

Daniel brushed the dust off the box as it was now fully extracted.

"Daniel, for goodness sake, stop fussing over the damned thing and just open it!" she stated as she pushed the lid open before he could stop her.

"Wait, wait, wait!" he said as he tried and failed to stop her.

The lid opened, but nothing came out or happened and the inside was relatively empty, save for what looked like complex circuitry on the bottom.

"What was suppose to happen?" Tomin asked.

"Nothing. I'm pretty sure it had to be turned on first." Daniel said with relief.

"Maybe it could also be broken." Vala suggested.

"That would be wonderful then wouldn't it? We came all this way to find what we needed, with the visions I had, and it doesn't work." he said sarcastically. "Somehow, I don't think that is the case."

"It is also possible the power source has been depleted." Teal'c stated.

"Now see, that is more likely. That we can fix. Or Sam and Ford anyway." Daniel said. "However…."

"It is millions of years old. But then, so is Atlantis and she survived on three ZPM's all that time underwater." Vala said.

"I think it just needs to be turned on."

"Then turn it on then."

He closed the lid and looked at the top.

"I think, it has something to do with these symbols." he said brushing the dome off. "They look like buttons."

He pushed one and the room around them rumbled.

"Perhaps we should examine it more closely on the surface." Teal'c stated.

"Good idea!" Vala said as the four of them grabbed the corners and got out quickly.

Once outside, they could see the device better and heard more cave-ins happening in the tunnel.

"Sir, they are powering up weapons and headed for us. Others ships are on the way." Marks said.

"Drop the cloak and prepare to fire."

"Wait!" Ford said as he went back in to the T.A.R.D.I.S.

"What do you mean wait? Is there a problem with the shield?" he asked and then looked at Marks. "Is the Asguard beam weapons ready?"

"Yes sir."

"Okay…" Ford said as he came out and linked a laptop to Mark's console. "Here is a schematic I was able to get from scanning their ships. Fire at these places. It will disable their weapons and hyperdrive systems."

"You wanting prisoners?" Mitchell asked.

"No, I want to avoid killing people who don't know they are being deceived. They obviously can't harm us, so we have no reason to blow them away. We disable, get back to Daniel, who I hope has found the Ark, use it in whatever way it takes, and then the Ori will see we are not the enemy."

"Okay." Mitchell said with a shrug. "I'm all for saving lives, as long as it doesn't involve us loosing ours for no reason."

"They can't get through the shield. What's to worry about?"

The shield outside the ship flared lightly, but they felt no impact. Marks dropped the cloak as two more ships arrived and started to fire at them as well. Four ships now pounded away at them, doing nothing. Three beams later, one ship was drifting. Another three, another drifter. The next one didn't maneuver out of the way in time and also became a drifter. The last one avoid two of the blast and one more the next time Marks fired, but it had been enough and the ship was tilting as she floated away damaged.

Daniel was looking at the symbols on top while the other three were resting from having to run and carry the heavy object up the stairs before it caved in with them inside. He blew off more dust and brushed more away as he tried to read it. Teal'c was trying to get hold of the Odyssey, just in case they were already back.

"I guess we are still alone." Vala said.

"Indeed. We will have to make camp where…"

A energy blast slammed into his back dropping him to his knees and then to the ground unconscious.

"Teal'c!" Daniel yelled and then got down quickly with the other two as more blast from Ori lance weapons came at them.

Vala quickly turned her gun firing back as did Daniel. Tomin, having lost his weapon, picked up a rock as he hid behind a fallen log. Between firing back at the approaching enemy, the two looked at Teal'c in hopes he would get up soon. Unfortunately, he wasn't. Seeing as they had more troops coming at them than ammo, and Teal'c was still in the open, along with the box, they tossed their weapons aside and surrendered.

More ships came and were doing a bit better job of avoiding taking hits. Marks barely managed to avoid one ship that tried to ram into them. After disabling those three ships and not finding any more on the radar at the moment, they started back towards the planet. That didn't work out though as they picked up more ships headed their way moments later.

Teal'c awoke some hours later and felt pain in his back. It wasn't extremely great and thankfully not disabling, but he was able to grab one of the Ori lance weapons left behind to use as a walking stick. He tried calling for the three, but didn't hear anyone respond. He tried calling the Odyssey as well, but still got nothing. There was several bodies of dead Ori troops around but not of the rest of their group. Figuring they were captured, he decided to go towards the city they knew was on the planet, after taking a Tretonin shot. Thankful that he ended up wearing the special vest with the Adamantium inserts, he set off.

Five Ori scout ships came back to the city, with three prisoners. They flew over the very thin water line that surrounded the City of Celetis and landed inside a hanger. With two men to each person, after removing their items and other belongings, plus Daniel's glasses, all three of them were taken to a dungeon area with metal bar doors and brick walls. Vala and Tomin were next to each other, but could not see each other because of the walls. Daniel was taken to a cell in a different location. After being literally tossed into the cell, the men left to stand against the wall outside, but the doors weren't closed yet. Daniel rolled over slowly in pain as the Prior he met back when he was showed the wall of fire, came into the cell.

"Oh god, not you." he muttered.

"Your Gods cannot save you now, Daniel Jackson."

"Actually, that's just a statement of general dissatisfaction." he said rolling away. "I wasn't praying."

Teal'c had already left the forest sometime ago, and was eating a power bar he had in his pocket as he walked through snow on top of a mountain he had to crossover. As he crested a ridge, he looked out, still walking, seeing he had a long way to go. And the Odyssey still hadn't responded to his calls. Despite being fatigued, and the incredible view, even with the temptation to take pictures, he continued on. Finally, some hours later, he got to the top of a cliff and saw his destination on the horizon.

In a cell nearby, Tomin was on a crude bed, whither in pain as a young bald Prior was standing by the closed door, inside, and holding his glowing staff as he stared at Tomin. Even when he begged for mercy, it was not granted and the pain was increased. Vala was in the cell near his, sitting against the wall holding onto the bars as a Prior was holding a glowing staff in her cell. She kept hearing the same words over and over and over again.

"Enim lupin purnum pravus intus."

Daniel also heard the words and was curdled up into a ball on the floor of his cell, in pain as well, but not crying out as the words were chanted over and over again. He refused to give in and scream unless it got really bad.

"Dammit!" Mitchell yelled as another ship went drifting off. "How many of these damned ships did they make?!"

"They've been plotting revenge for a very long time Mitchell. And they have managed to subdue this galaxy, and possibly more. Though I'm thinking not." the General said.

They watched the shield get skimmed by a ship as it tried to ram into them. The ship took a lot of damage, but they didn't even though their ship rumbled from the impact.

"Is there any way to find out how many of these ships they have? This is getting redundant and the rest of our team could be in trouble."

"I scanned and there is another seven or eight on the way, excluding the five we are dealing with." he said as Mark's disabled another one. "Sorry, four we are dealing with."

"I can count. This is impossible. We've disabled like 30 ships in the last several hours!" he said waving a hand. "And we haven't even gotten close to getting back to the planet!"

"Mitchell, they are alive." he said gently grabbing his shoulder.

"Yeah. Doesn't help me stop worrying. Look, obviously the T.A.R.D.I.S. is more than capable of handling things herself, so go help Sam shut that core off."

"Okay." he said tossing his cane into the T.A.R.D.I.S. before walking off.

"Have someone check on Mr. Marrick. If he becomes difficult, have him zatted and then put back in the brig."

Vala was taken from the cell and brought by two Priors to a open room. It wasn't huge, but not overly small either. There was a table, with one leg holding it up, and the Ark on it. A few feet away from the table was a couple of stone slanted square pillars with fires on them, to either side and in the corners at the back, where a large wall of fire was present with the Ori symbol inside. Letting go of her, right near the round table, they bowed and then backed off. She glanced at them as they left, then looked to see the windows on the wall near the fire showed the outside of the city. When the fire started changing, it got her attention quickly. Especially after a particular person stepped out.

"Hmm, so this is where you are." Vala muttered.

Adria only smiled. She had a reddish dress, that was close to her body, along with a open length coat that was blood red. Her hair was tied up in a bun and she looked like she was on fire, but wasn't burning.

Three more ships were sent coasting away disabled as they tried once again to enter hyperspace. Only they were stopped as another ship dropped out and fired at them instantly. It did nothing, as figured, but stopped them from jumping.

"Good to see you, Mother. Or should I call you Vala?" Adria asked as she walked around Vala. Her voice had a deep echo to it as she spoke. "I believe you renounced our blood the last time I saw you."

"Well, seems you have no blood left to speak of." Vala said with a small smile. "Aren't you at all hot like that, or did you go straight to hell and then get send back here for being too evil?"

"I see you still have your sense of humor. I can take that and your Immortality away." she said with a smirk as she kept walking. "As you probably have expected, the weapon that Merlin created did work as intended. The Ori are gone, completely destroyed."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. Somehow, you and your simple human friends…"

"One of them isn't human anymore…"

"Ah yes, the General, as I believe he likes being called. He's some alien called a Time Lord now. Very powerful mind and ship he has. No match for me however."

"You haven't seen his ship."

"A ship is a ship, no matter how powerful. Even I will admit that your ship is currently wrecking havoc on my fleet. But it is no matter. They will eventually fail and be destroyed, even if it means when they return here for you."

Vala grunted as she looked at her hands as Adria kept pacing around her and the table.

"All those ascended beings were totally wiped out."

"You don't seem to care that they are gone."

"Why should I? With them gone, I have all that power they left behind. All that power from worshiping goes straight to me. It's really sad though that this device can't be used to help me in your galaxy and the many others to make them believe in the Ori, or I should say, me." she said lightly tapping the box. "It would be much more….humane. So much better than having to kill people. The dead can't give me more power. But then again, it is not as much fun though as making people believe or die, don't you think so?"

"I'm not wanting to give you any ideas, nor do I have any myself. But why can't you use the Ark?"

"It's just not the same. People need to be convinced to see me for what I really am."

"Oh, a spoiled brat with a god complex?"

"Now Mother, that was just plain rude." she said with a small laugh.

"The Ark can only be programmed to make people believe what is true."

"Once the Ancients have been destroyed, I will be a being of unchallengeable power, worshipped by all those beneath me. That is a true God by any definition, wouldn't you say?"

"Um…no." she said as she placed both hands on top of the Ark and smiled. "Worship through slavery, threats and lies is not the makings of a God. I learned that by watching the Goa'uld you know. You're not that much different. Just got a bit more power, but for all the same wrong reasons."

Teal'c saw the city ahead and continued walking. The once watery area was now muddy as most of the water had disappeared. It hindered his walking enough to be annoying, but not enough to stop him.

"Marks, just get us the hell back to that planet! We'll fight there no matter the out come!"

He blasted another ship and flew past two more, hitting the hyperspace jump before another attack could stop them.

"We'll reach the planet in five minutes. Six ships were following us when we jumped sir."

"Sam, General, forget the core! Get up here!"

"What's going on?" Ford asked.

"New plan. You're going to go down and help Daniel and the others get that device, unless they have found it already and then you'll help them get it working. We'll hold off the ships while you do so."

"How many ships we talking?" Carter asked.

"Six."

"This ship can't survive six ships, even if all the power was diverted from everything to the shields." she said.

"We're going to have to make do after taking a few out. Now get up here! That's the orders!"

"I don't like this plan." he muttered as they walked away quickly.

"Once the six ships are dealt with, you get down there and then get back here as quickly as possible." she said as she pulled her T.A.R.D.I.S. cell phone. "If you're not back, I'll call her to come to us. With or without you."

"Works for me."

Teal'c entered the city, finding no people walking around and no resistance of any sort. His problem now was finding out where to go from there. Glancing around, he figured the biggest building, near the center of the city, was probably his best bet.

"Why do you even need to take on the Ancients? You can just stay here and keep deceiving these people for the rest of their lives. You have plenty of them to keep at this for the rest of eternity." Vala said as she leaned on the box. "Seriously, can't you be happy with what you have? My own mother used to tell me, 'Vala, happiness is not something you can buy', or in my case, steal. But the point is…"

"But they are a threat to me!" Adria stated forcefully enough that Vala backed away.

"They don't care about you. They saw the Ori as a threat and did nothing about that. We lowly humans had to do it ourselves."

"That is what you are expected to believe. They gave you the means to destroy the Ori and you succeeded. They will stop at nothing to destroy me as well. I will not rest until they are all wiped from existence! And that includes anyone that stands in my way!"

"I really wish you hadn't inherited my determination." she muttered.

Adria looked away a moment and then walked back up to the wall. She disappeared as the wall became inflamed again. And then it went away leaving the still glowing Ori symbol. Vala raised a eyebrow in confusion and then turned hearing a low rumbling noise. The domed panel on the Ark glowed where the symbols were for a moment and then shut off.

"Strange."

Landry came down as the alarms were going off and the Iris was covering the un-active Stargate.

"Sir, long range sensors report that seven Ori ships have exited hyperspace in our solar system." Walter stated. "I have Colonel Ellis for you."

He looked up at a screen above him as Walter switched the Colonel on. Ellis was on the Apollo in high orbit above the Earth.

"General, we have visual confirmation of the enemy contacts. They appear to be holding position sir."

"For the moment?"

"Yes sir. Do you have any idea why that might be sir? The weapons platform in Antarctica is incapable of defending the planet against seven Ori ships."

"So, why are they waiting still then you mean?" he asked.

"Yes sir. You think SG-1 has something to do with it?"

"I don't know. Could be the Ancients up there fighting against them and we don't see it. Could be they aren't willing to sacrifice another Prior, or they are checking our defenses. Whatever they are doing, just be glad they are giving us a little more time."

"Sir, given how seriously outgunned we are, I don't see how a little more time helps. Besides suddenly seeing the Ancients come save our asses or the Asguard, though highly unlikely, what else could save us?"

"SG-1 has come through in the past many times Colonel. They'll show up soon and pull us out of the fire before we get burned."

"I sure hope that is the case sir."

They dropped out in high orbit of the planet, and so did those six ships. Six beams slammed into the rear of the ship, but did nothing as expected other than rumble the ship slightly. Marks spun the ship around as they kept being targeted and fired back, not even bothering to move the ship out of the way. Carter and Ford entered the bridge seeing the battle happening. He quickly entered to check on the T.A.R.D.I.S. as Carter took the position to Mitchell's right.

"We've got two, count that three ships out of action." Mitchell said. "Someone start scanning for our people please."

"Teal'c, Daniel and Vala are in the city." Carter said. "There's to much interference to beam them out, even if we weren't fighting. And there is a massive power reading down there. It could be a super weapon or…."

"The Ori?" Mitchell asked. "If our weapon…"

"It didn't fail. Adria took over the power, she had to have. After ascending, where else could she go but back to this galaxy. All that worshipping energy is going straight into her." Ford said as he came out of the T.A.R.D.I.S. "The energy readings I get from her scanners show it to be the same as other ascended beings."

"And how did you get a scan of a ascended being?" Carter asked.

"Mom. She came by one day and I just pushed the right buttons. I was surprised I wasn't stopped. But then again, she probably wasn't able to as well." he said thinking. "Whatever the case, there is one person down there with a lot of power."

"Too much for us to withstand?" Mitchell asked as the last ship was hit and started drifting.

"We're still here. Obviously, Adria is limited." Ford said with a small smile. "Hurray for us."

"There is two more ships coming sir. It's now or never." Marks said.

"I need one minute." Ford said as he went back in.

"You've got just over General." Marks said.

Daniel was practically asleep, mostly from fatigue of the torture, which wasn't physical for once, but sure felt like it. He was trying to enjoy the fact he wasn't being bothered or tortured again when he barely heard a voice.

"It's not over yet." Merlin's voice said. "Don't give up."

"You're not Merlin." he muttered.

"I'm here to help you."

"Then help me." he said in a small voice.

"You must find the strength."

It took much more effort than he wanted, but he managed to slowly turn over from on the floor and sit up.

"No. No. Not happening. I've had it. To tired, to old, to tortured at this moment." he said holding his sides. "I'm not in the mood for your games either. You're also not a figment of my imagination nor are you Merlin. You'd have to be Morgan Le Fay."

"You're delirious."

"Merlin died. He didn't ascend. Now either stop this idiocy or I'm going back to sleep. I can see through your disguise anyway, I don't see why the rest of the Ancients haven't."

The glowing figure of Merlin changed to show her instead, sitting on the floor against the wall, glowing brightly.

"You were once ascended. You know how complicated things can be. Interfering with the lower planes is not allowed."

"And yet, Ford sees his parents every so often." he muttered. "And yes, I know your stupid rules. I broke them by helping lower planes many times. Helping me is forbidden and letting me know you're helping me is even worse."

"I did it once and they stopped me. I was exiled for it."

"And yet, here you are." he said lying on his back.

"Merlin saw the Ori for what they were. He knew they had to be stopped. I was the one who prevented him from doing it the first time."

"And yet, you kept him alive. Helped us find him." he said tiredly.

"I realized he was right."

"The Ori were going to destroy the Ancients. Now, whether they want to admit it or not, we saved their asses. That right there means that they should do something for us in return." he said looking at her.

"I believe that as well."

"Then why am I still here? Sitting in a moldy old cell in pain?"

"I've done all I can."

"I'm going back to sleep then." he said rolling over slowly. "Unless you actually are going to do something, or are you going to go over the rules?"

"I'm alone. She's too powerful for me."

"That figures." he muttered as he rubbed his eyes. "Adria did take the power as we suspected."

"Yes, she took their mantle very quickly. All their collective power is hers. She has no equal and no one to stop her."

"You can't take it away from her?"

"I have been able to distract her, that is all. I've helped you when you needed me. And I promise you Daniel, I've done all I can."

He grunted and tried to go back to the blissful peace of sleep.

"Daniel, you need only to use the Ark on one Prior. The crystals in their staffs are linked to one another. It's how the Doci communicates with all at once. If you can turn just one Prior, Adria's power will be greatly diminished."

"And how am I suppose to do that in here?" he asked rolling over slowly. "Are you going to…"

She smiled and slowly vanished away.

"Open the door for me?" he said with a grunt. "I guess not."

He looked up seeing a Prior in a silver robe walk up to his door.

"You know what, just kill me and get it over with." he muttered as he turned away.

What he didn't notice, mostly because he didn't have his glasses, was that this Prior was black, but also was carrying a troop lance weapon and not a staff.

"I cannot kill you Daniel Jackson. You are my friend and brother."

"Teal'c?" he asked surprised.

Vala left the room, seeing as Adira didn't come back and managed to knock out a couple of guards before they could sound any alarms or even fight back. Quickly finding the keys, she went to get Tomin. It took going through three keys to find the right one however.

"Tomin, Tomin, it's Vala." she said lightly smacking his arm. "No, come on."

She lifted him slowly to a sitting position as he kept shivering in pain.

"Listen Tomin. Everything is going to be okay. I promise." she said holding his face with one hand.

He blinked through pain as she hid tears.

"Can you pull yourself together?"

He nodded slowly.

"Good, now I need you to help me find Daniel." she said as she barely held back tears.

"I'm right here."

They both jumped and she sat back quickly as they noticed Daniel and Teal'c both standing there outside the doorway.

"Are you guys okay?" he asked.

"I don't feel very good." Tomin said.

"Neither do I." Daniel said as he wiped his eyes. "Let's find the Ark and get this over with."

Between Daniel and Vala, they both helped Tomin to his feet and then walked out with him leaning on their shoulders. Vala took them to the room as quickly as possible as she explained all that happened before Adria left.

"Something really important must have came up because she just left and then I decided to find you two." Vala said as they entered the room. "But, after she left, there was seven symbols on the Ark glowing."

"It was Morgan." Daniel said as he looked at the Ark.

"Is she here helping? If she is, I don't understand why…"

"Which seven?" he asked as Teal'c stood off to one side and watched the way into the room.

"Um…you don't expect me to remember?"

Daniel looked at her appallingly while Tomin rolled his eyes behind her.

"Of course I expect you to remember! Our lives depend on it! The fate of the galaxy, no, the universe depends on it! She practically handed you the code to activate this thing!"

"They weren't glowing that long! There was just a bright light and when I turned around…"

"Which ones?!"

"Um…one over here, two here, two there and two over there."

"Right. Any order to them?"

"No, all at once."

"Of course. It couldn't be something easy for us."

"Someone is coming." Teal'c stated.

"Great." Daniel muttered as he got behind the Ark. "Only seven symbols?"

"Yes. Can't you just guess?"

"No." he said thinking. "Um, maybe it's a particular word. The symbols look like letters, but without my glasses…"

"Daniel!"

"Okay, verimas is truth in Ancient." he said as he pushed the symbols.

"Guess that's not it." she said after the lit up symbols turned off.

Tomin turned to look as the Prior that was torturing Daniel slowly walked down the hallway. Teal'c fired the lance as the man entered, only for it to do nothing and then he was tossed into the wall near the entrance. Tomin tried rushing the man, only to be tossed back by the wave of his other hand.

"I still can't get the shields up sir." Marks said as people were rushing all over the ship to try and figure out the different glitches that were going on. "Weapons are barely functioning."

"What the hell is going on?" Mitchell asked as the lights dimmed and then came back up. "General?!"

"Nothing is happening in the T.A.R.D.I.S. She's functioning normally." he shouted.

"We've got systems all over the ship failing and coming back online." Carter reported. "Hyperdrive is completely offline. It will take a couple of hours to reinitialize the system."

"What about the core?" Mitchell asked.

"It's offline as well. The ZPM is slowly running out of power along with the rest of the ship." she stated.

"Is this some sort of new weapon?" Mitchell asked.

"No weapon I know of." Carter stated. "It would effect the T.A.R.D.I.S…"

"Sam?"

"It's not a weapon." she said.

"Then what the hell is going on?"

"She can't effect the T.A.R.D.I.S. It's a living entity of its own with much more power than she has. Adria can't do anything to her, but she can effect this ship."

"But we're not being crushed like a tin can."

"No, but we can't do anything either now that she's slowly killing the ship."

"The T.A.R.D.I.S. is putting out more energy than she should be." Ford shouted. "She must be trying to stop Adria's influence, but can only do so much."

"We should have stayed away from the planet." Mitchell muttered. "This is my fault."

"Blaming yourself from something you…"

"Couldn't foresee? I know the drill Sam. Marks, get this ship moving away from the planet. Whatever speed you can give me."

"The enemy ship is in the way sir."

"Right now, I don't care."

The Prior quickly got down on his knees as the wall lit up suddenly behind the two. They turned to look as Adria stepped out and Tomin slowly sat up rubbing his head.

"It's over. You can't win. Your friends on the ship will soon die. As powerful as your precious General's ship is, it can't keep me from destroying the ship and everyone on it for long. There is only one path. The power and glory of Origin. Choose now." she said lifting her hands. "Me, or death?"

Daniel looked at Vala and she saw in his eyes, he figured it out, or something out, which she hoped was the way to activate the Ark. Teal'c slowly sat up as he noticed the two silently communicating with simple facial movements. Vala slowly turned and walked away from the table.

"Adria, I'm sorry. I really wish things could have been different."

"Me too."

"You inherited my good looks." Vala said as she lightly heard Daniel pushing symbols. "We could have had so much fun terrorizing the men together. But that isn't going to happen now. We obviously are never going to agree."

"I see."

"Are you going to kill me now? Or kill them first and make me watch in hopes that I change my mind?"

Teal'c lifted the staff and aimed it as Daniel finished hitting all the symbols. The Ark made a noise and Adria turned to look at him. With a jerk, he was tossed to the corner of the room opposite of Teal'c. Vala looked as Daniel was tossed hard into the wall and rushed over to check on him. Teal'c quickly fired, blowing the one leg off before he or the weapons was affected. The table tiled forward slowly as Daniel sat up with Vala's help. The box hit the ground as everyone watched and then opened in the Prior's face. Light exploded from the Ark, engulfing him as the others looked away. The light was so bright it shined out of the city and into space. Priors on other planets lowered their books as they looked at their shining staffs as the head Prior was influenced by the Ark.

"Power levels are returning to normal!" Carter shouted. "And the power levels on the planet are dropping!"

"All systems are returning to normal sir!" Marks said. "The enemy ships have stopped firing!"

"Raise shields! General…"

Everyone on the bridge turned as they heard the doors close and the winding and grinding noise next.

The box closed seconds later as the light went away.

"No!" Adria yelled. "You can't take away my power!"

"I think we just did." Vala said as she noticed the Prior crying.

"You will all burn in the fires of eternal damnation!" she shouted.

Her words were drowned out as the wind picked up, making everyone back away as a grinding and winding noise filled the air. Even the Prior moved to the right, near Teal'c as the noise crested and then slowly faded away. Adria cried out in anger as she looked at the bright blue box sitting there in the doorway. Her scream were met with silence as they listened and waited for the door to open. A curse was heard as they heard someone fall inside.

"Not what I expected." Daniel muttered as the door finally opened.

"Damn, I broke my nose again!" Ford said as he walked out slowly and held a hanky to his face. "I can't believe I slipped on my own cane. Oh hey guys. You four look well. Why is the Prior crying?"

"You will be the first victim I shall kill with my bare hands!"

He looked up finally seeing Adria in the room with them. She slowly walked around the fallen table, still with fire on her body.

"Hello Adria. I must say, you were doing a good job of keeping me from coming." he said leaning on his cane as the other four slowly got to their feet. "Why'd you stop? Did you just want to kill me in person?"

"She lost her powers." Daniel said. "We used the Ark on a Prior and…"

She lifted her hand only to get it smacked very harshly by his cane, breaking bones that she fixed with her powers as he spoke.

"Give it up Adria, we win. I had my people spare your fleet because life is precious. And I'm willing to let you go if you just accept that you've lost. Use your power for something good. You'd be surprised at how much it changes a person. Your mother is a perfect example of that."

She quickly reached out to kill him, only to start screaming loudly as a bright light came from inside the T.A.R.D.I.S. Everyone had to look away as it got so bright it engulfed the room. Her screams died away slowly moments later and then there was a bang noise from inside the T.A.R.D.I.S as the light went away.

"What happened?" Daniel asked as he saw Adria on her knees before Ford, crying and without flames on her.

"She tried to attack me Daniel, and paid for it. She's normal, mortal. Like everyone else, time will eventually take her life from her." he said slowly.

"The T.A.R.D.I.S. took her ascension away?"

"Yep." he said looking at her kneeling form. "That the Ark?"

"Indeed."

Ford picked it up and then waved for them to go ahead. After he went back inside and set the Ark down, he went back out.

"You have killed many people, for all the wrong reasons. And even after realizing the truth behind what the Ori were, you took their power to use for your own purposes and kept the whole worship thing going. Now that everyone knows the truth, you'll likely be killed. Probably burned alive like you have many others. You have a choice though. Stay here, or come with us." he said holding out his hand.

"Ford, what are you doing?" Daniel asked from his side.

"She's a lot like me. Was used and then even after learning the truth, kept using that power."

"You two are very different. She kept using that power."

"Power corrupts Daniel. She'll never be able to atoned for what she's done." he said looking back at her with his hand still out. "But like Tomin, me and Teal'c, she can change and try to help others out instead of causing more harm. Vala changed and Adria technically has part of Vala in her, besides genetics."

"I refuse your charity!" she shouted as she stood and smacked his hand away. "I may have lost my armies and my power, but I can ascend again. It may take me many years to regain my powers, but once I do, I will come after you, your friends, and your family! You will pay for this! Even if it takes me…."

Daniel, Vala, Teal'c and Tomin weren't surprised at her anger and the venom in her words. However, Daniel saw Ford's eyes change when she mentioned family. She stopped speaking when cold metal was pressed hard against her forehead. Backing away only made her fall over the broken table onto her back, and the metal was still against her forehead hard enough she was grimacing in pain.

"If you're not going to change, then you are better off dead!"

Daniel quickly grabbed the barrel as Ford pulled back the hammer.

"Ford, don't do this. You aren't that person anymore. Her threats are useless. There is no where for her to go. The people here will deal with her. You'll regret this later.."

"No, I won't." he said with more venom in his voice than Adria had towards him. "I was wrong. She doesn't deserve a second chance."

"Ford?"

He slowly looked to his right.

"Let her go. For me."

"She is not worth it General." Teal'c said as he placed a hand on Ford's shoulder.

"Let's go home, hey?" Daniel said as he slowly pulled the barrel away.

Seeing his eyes change and his stance go back to being relaxed, Daniel let go. He quickly gave the gun a twirl, smacking her in the forehead with the bottom of the handle. She was unconscious instantly with a small amount of blood coming from where he hit her. Putting his gun away, they all started into the T.A.R.D.I.S.

"Mia clementai denar esto." the Prior cried on his knees.

"What did he say?" Vala asked.

"He said, have mercy. I was blind, but now I see." Tomin said.

"Forgive me…" the Prior said.

"Now that you know the truth, change things with the people for the better. Help them and yourself to atone for your sins. That is all I can tell you." Ford said.

The T.A.R.D.I.S. took off a few seconds later, leaving him alone crying on his knees still.

"What was the word you put in Daniel?" Vala asked as Ford was working on the console.

"It was Origin."

"Is your arm broken Daniel?" Ford asked, not looking away from what he was doing.

"No, but it hurts a lot."

"Vala…" he said pointing at a now open circle.

She pulled a hand device out and started using it on Daniel's arm.

"How'd you figure it out?" she asked.

"It was something Adria said. The Ancient version of the word also means truth in older dialects. I guess the Alteran that built it thought it was ironic."

"Must have." Ford said as they landed. "We're back on the Odyssey."

"I believe the correct response is, thank god."

"Very appropriate Teal'c." Ford said as he opened the door. "Tomin, I think you'll be back to your old position before you know it. But for the right reasons. Used properly, the Book of Origin can lead to enlightenment. Just remember to tell people what really happened and what the Ori were really doing."

"I will." he said as they left the ship last.

Daniel quickly told them what transpired, as did Teal'c and Vala while Sam and Ford hooked cables from the T.A.R.D.I.S., to the ship inside the engine room. The whole process took about an hour, but they got it working right. Power flickered across the entire ship as it slowly dematerialized and then ended up above the Earth near the other Daedalus class ship, shortly after the Colonel had talked to Landry. Landry called Janet and she called Sam right after that conversation. Knowing the time difference, Ford made sure they ended up back in their galaxy a few minutes after that conversation, just in case an attack was about to take place, in order to be there to help prevent it. With the Ori ships not moving, nor responding to hails, the T.A.R.D.I.S. was quickly disconnected and they dropped in inside the gate room. SG-1, with the Priors staff and the Ark, came into the room where the Prior was being held.

"Ah, it is you."

"Yes, it is me." Ford said taking the staff from Teal'c and giving it to the man. "Before you decide to kill me and then everyone here, I want you to see something. After that, you may do what you wish."

"Very well."

Daniel pushed the necessary symbols and then opened the lid as he tilted the box. Light shown forth from it yet again as the Prior's staff lit up. After a few moments, the light went away and Daniel closed the box. The Prior spoke the same words that the other Prior had as he cried in shame on his knees. Tomin took him and they were both transported from the Odyssey to one of the Ori ships. From there, they went home.

Mr. Marrick got into serious trouble for undermining the mission, as did a few other members of the I.O.A. Ford wasn't the only person that yelled at them for pulling that stunt without telling them about it. Jack and the President went at them as well. Only Marrick was fired, as they put all the blame on him. The rest of the I.O.A. apologized.

Before he left, Tomin was Vala's room with his armor from before on, minus the helmet.

"You're going to make a great leader." Vala said.

"Before, when I was being tortured by the Prior, the teachings of Origin gave me the strength I needed." he said while still looking in the mirror with a depressed look. He set his sword down and then sat besides her. "There are still so many things about it that mean a great deal to me."

"I don't doubt that there is great morality and wisdom in it. I heard Ford telling you something about the book when we were on the ship."

"He is not as evil as we were told. Instead of destroying all those ships and everyone onboard, he made his people spare them. There is a story in the Book of Origin similar to that. Except it was a town instead of ships."

"That's the makings of a great leader. Or so I hear. Oh, I suggest you get rid of the burning people alive bit. And throw in some colored pictures."

Tomin chuckled lightly.

"You know, there is a question I have wanted to ask you for awhile now, but I haven't." he said slowly. "Because I fear I know the answer. But now that I am leaving and not coming back…"

"I don't exactly know where my place is…" she said with tears in her eyes. "But I hope it is here. I'm sorry Tomin."

He gently grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"I know I can never make up for the things I have done. But I promise you, I will spend the rest of my life trying."

"I know." she said moving closer to him as she gave him a hug. "So am I."

"I know I was the one who found it." Daniel said as he and Landry walked through the halls. "I'm not entirely happy about the fact that we were forced to use it either. Though Ford thinks it should have been used the day it was made."

"That figures."

"But with everything that was happening, it was better than the alternative."

"True. The war is over, at least with the Ori. Now we just have to Wraith to deal with."

"This is a very dangerous piece of technology though sir. We can't just lock it up here or in Area 51. Anyone could get it and reprogram it, assuming they figured out how, and then make use of it for the wrong purposes."

"It's out of my hands Doctor Jackson. As far as I know, it is in Area 51 to be studied. I can't do anything about that."

Landry got unto the elevator as Ford stepped off.

"Sir."

"General. Doctor." he said as the door closed.

"What's wrong with you? The Ori have been defeated, we are without war at the moment." Ford asked.

"True, but that Ark was taken to Area 51 and is being studied. I saw it get shipped off. Anyone gets hold of that thing and reprograms it, it could be used…"

"For all the wrong reasons. I heard."

"You did?"

"I just got off the elevator Daniel as you two were talking."

"Oh." he said as they kept walking. "Can you do anything? That Ark is too dangerous to be left in anyone's hands. It should be destroyed."

"It's useless Daniel."

"No it is not." he said adamantly. "That thing could be taken by the Trust, or Ba'al…"

"The Ark, is useless." he said stopping in the middle of the hallway.

"But if someone manages to…"

"Daniel." he said grabbing his shoulder. "I'll put it another way. I, removed, the extremely complex, circuit board, from the bottom, of that box. It is useless."

"But I saw the inside…" he began. "You put in a fake one?"

"Daniel, I have the best interest of my family and friends at heart. Plus this planet. That's why they are studying a very real looking circuit board that does nothing. Trust me, we are very safe."

"I got to stop worrying." he said as they started walking again.

"Yes, you're going to only make yourself older if you don't. You've already got worry lines around your eyes…"

"I do?" he said touching his face.

"No." Ford said laughing. "But it made you think…"

A couple days later, they were all kitted up and heading for the gate room.

"It's kinda weird not having some very big bad guy to deal with anymore." Mitchell said as they walked.

"I find it refreshing that we don't have anything to fight. More free time." Ford said.

"Yes, I can get more projects done…" Carter said.

"And I can complete other translations quicker now." Daniel said.

"And I can help the Jaffa begin to come together once again." Teal'c said.

"All good things." Mitchell said. "But you guys don't seem as enthusiastic as I do about winning."

"We felt it before when we defeated the Goa'uld and the Replicators for the first time." Carter said.

"It's nice, but nothing new." Daniel said.

"New for me." Mitchell said. "Guess it is back to business as usual."

"Indeed. There are still many planets in the gate system to be explored." Teal'c stated.

"Well, let's see what sort of mysteries P3K-546 will hold for us team." Mitchell said as they entered the gate room. "Walter dial it up!"

"After all this time, and even with my change, I still can't remember the names of planets with those designations. Hell, I can only remember you just saying P3…something." Ford said as he tried to think.

"All that knowledge up there…" Carter said with a shake of her head. "Sometime you are hopeless."

"Ouch."

"But I still love you anyway." she said bumping his arm.

Mitchell smiled as he turned to watch the gate finish dialing. He made a wave and they started forward. A clang noise followed by the ramp shaking slightly got them to turn around. Several people laughed, including the team, as Ford got off the ramp and held his cane instead of using it like he did without thinking.

"You were so much more coordinated before the change…" Mitchell said as they went to go through.

"Now you're just as much a klutz as I once was." Daniel said.

"I make one slip…"

"You tripped over the cane in the T.A.R.D.I.S." Daniel said as they walked through.

The laughs continued as Daniel, Teal'c and Vala told them about what they heard and saw after he landed in that room to get them.