Chapter 21

Across the vast emptiness of space, across bilions of stars and a half dozen galaxies, Vala Mal Doran stood watching. However, with just one look into the eerie and putrid orange glow of her eyes, you knew instantaneously that Vala was no where to be found. Turning to around she came face to face with the Doci, who was in a half-standing, half-squatting position of reverence.

I know that Tomin plans to kill Daniel Jackson.

"Yes. Orici."

I cannot permit that to happen.

"What has changed Orici?"

Daniel Jackson may be of some use to us after all.

"But Orici, you have said yourself that he is the Agent of Evil. That he has come here to destroy you."

That is exactly true.

"Then, if I may be so bold to ask, why is he not to be killed?"

Daniel Jackson is dangerous. That has not changed. However, things are occuring that I did not originally anticipate. The Ori have shown me something that I could not see before.

"What would that be Orici?"

In order to bring Origin to the unbelievers we need Daniel Jackson.

"What difference would Daniel Jackson make?"

The Ori believe he is The Prophet.

The Doci stood up from his position of reverence, a look of disbelief crossing his face.

"The Prophet is one of the most highly regarded beings of Origin, above even yourself, Orici. And you believe that this Agent of Evil, this Unbeliever, is The Prophet."

The Ori believe it to be true, Doci! Who are you to question their will?

The Doci sprang back into his position of reverence, his eyes too ashamed to look the Orici in the eye.

"I apologize, Orici. I did not mean to question the will of the Ori. It is just that I have met Daniel Jackson, and I did not feel the same way that I do when I am standing in your divine prescence."

He is well gaurded by Beings of Evil who wish to keep him from us.

"What shall we do then, Orici?"

Leave that to me. For now I want you to go down to the men working on the ships. Lead them in prostration for the coming battle. Make my feelings known and make it known that no harm is to come to Daniel Jackson. That he is to be held in the same regard as Vala.

"Yes, Orici."

And with a small nod the Doci stood up and walked outside of her quarters, staring back into space, the Orici looked down at Vala's stomach. Knowing the time would soon come when she would be free and would bring the will of the Ori to all those who were unaware of their splendor.

Fear not little vessel. We will soon be free. And when we are, the Beings of Evil will be destroyed, once and for all.

The Orici once again turned to peer out into the vastness of space.

And Daniel Jackson shall lead the way.

oooooooo

Ba'al stood in front of the console as Netan watched impatiently.

"You've been fiddling with that stupid machine for nearly half an hour."

"If we're going to awaken the sleeping giant we need to first determine the condition of her body. We wouldn't want to bring her out of stasis and then have her die on us before we can do anytihing to save her, do we?"

"No."

"Then keep your mouth shut and let me do what I came here to do."

"I'm going to take a look around, let me know when you've got something useful," Netan said as he walked out of the chamber and back into the corridors of the outpost.

The outpost was beautiful. Everywhere he looked there were large paines of jagged colored glass, and the remains of an enormous ice palace that was once home to a remarkable but now extinct civilization. Despite everything that had changed over the last decade, there was a part of him that still lingered back to the life that he once had. The simple life of a historian, brother, and husband. That Netan would have been fascinated by this place. By the tales of the Ancients and the traigc downfall of their society. That Netan would stand for hours studying his planet's Stargate, lost in awe of the possibilities of new civilzations and peaceful explorations that it held. A promise or adventure that he would have gladly undertaken. An adventure forever lost by the coming of the Goa'uld and the destruction of everything and everyone he held dear.

He often wondered how his life would have turned out if the Tau'ri, not the Tok'ra had been the ones to orchestrate their freedoms. He had heard stories of the Tau'ri and how they helped to rid the Goa'uld from many planets under Goa'uld control. How they had worked to rebuild those socities to how they once were and protect them from upheavel with the guidance of the Asgard. If it had been the Tau'ri who freed them from Qetesh, would he have gotten back to that life of exploration or curisoity that he once held so dear? Would they have been able to free Aja from the grips of Qetesh before she had damaged her mind beyond repair? His mind trailed back to the woman lying asleep in the other room. What would she think if she knew what had become of him? Would she still recognize him or would she wonder what became of the gawkish scientist she married? Unable to allow his mind to wander back into what could never be, he began walking back toward the main chamber. He was about half way there when a whizzing sound, followed by a small cry echoed back towards him. Running as fast as he could he made it as far as the entrance before stopping dead in his tracks.

Down besides his feet was the charred body of Ba'al. Looking to the distance in front of him he saw her. His mind turning in a million differnent directions, he missed when her eyes flashed and her voice spoke in a deep and inhuman tone.

"I am Kebechet."