Chapter 52

Daniel found himself standing in the gateroom at the SGC.

But it wasn't the SGC - or at least it didn't seem like it.

Looking around, he realized that he was definately in Cheyenne Mountain, but things seemed different. Cleaner. And new. The room had been rebuilt into a plethora of steel and white. Everything seemed almost sterile in a way. Even the Stargate itself had changed, resembling more the gate on Atlantis than the one he had come to know. If it weren't for the outline of the room, which had change very little from his memories, he could have sworn he was somewhere completely different.

Curious he stepped out of the gateroom and into a nearby hallway. It was here that the changes became even more evident. Gone were the militaristic stylings and pipings of his SGC. Gone were the color coded lines that mapped the floor and led you to a particular destination. In its place were pristine white walls and marble flooring. Taking a moment to contimplate what he saw, he stepped back into the gateroom. Then he stepped back into the hallway.

It was like stepping into a different world.

He wasn't sure where he was or what was happening, but curiousity caused him to make his way down the hall. The sterility he felt in the gateroom was only amplified as he walked down the long, narrow white corridors. As he peered at his surroundings, he was struck by the occasional piece of artwork or sculpture. It reminded Daniel alot of the museums. The further he walked down the halls, the more frequent the artwork became and it became very clear to Daniel that it was far from ordinary. He noticed several pieces not only from foreign countries, but from different cultures on other worlds. He counted at least a dozen, many of which were from his private stores of artifacts from Abydos, Chulak and Kheb. When he finally reached the end of the hallway, it opened up into a grand foyer.

He stood in rapture. Marveled by the absolute simplistic beauty of the structure. There were several levels, all domained within consentric circles at least ten feet high and a football field in length. Connecting each circle to one another was a spiraled staircase that all lead to an ornate glass and marble double staircase at the center of the foyer. It was a artitectual dream. Cautiously he walked into the empty foyer. About halfway thru he stopped dead. A great burst of light, from the stained glass skylight above him barreled down upon him revealing a curious sight. There, etched into the marble floors was a large carving of a Stargate. Along with the symbols found on the gate there were three letters I.S.A. and a phrase, definately Ancient in origin, running along its inner ring.

Lux e tenebris est et in ipsa scientia.

"Out of darkness comes the light and with it knowledge." Daniel said underbreath as he bent down to further exam the etchings.

It took him a moment to figure out what he was looking at. It was more than an etching. It was an insignia. Not unlike the ones that could be found on the uniforms of the personnel at the SGC.

"What the hell is this place?"

"A different place in time," said a gentle but familliar voice from behind.

Daniel turned, and his face light up. A smile burst on that stretched from ear to ear.

"Shifu. Its good to see you," Daniel replied as he crossed the short distance between them to embrace the boy.

"And I you. I only wished that our reunion was under better circumstances."

"You know about what's been happening," Daniel said in a serious matter-of-fact tone.

"Yes," Shifu said pointedly. "And I have come here to stop you from doing it."

"What?" Daniel asked astonished. "Why?"

"Genetic memory does not just give one a glimpse into the past, but into the possible future as well."

"Is that where we are?"

"Yes. This time. This place. This is where humanity is destined. Like the Ancients before them they will pioneer an intergalactic aliiance who thru exchange of culture and knowledge will propel them into their next step of evolution."

"But what does any of this have to do with stopping the Ori and saving Vala and my daughter?"

"You cannot achieve it all. And deep down you know that to be true. Out of the three goals you have set for yourself only one is possible. And what you choose will determine whether or not humanity will reach this destination."

"But why me? Why does all of this fall on me?"

"Great men do not ask for greatness they are blessed by it. You may not want this responsiblity but by paths chosen by you and those before you, the decision has fallen to you. Instead of contemplating what was, you must focus on what is and what will be. The Ori will come. They were always meant to. Any attempts at thwarting them will only delay the inevitable and no amount of time will ever make you ready for them. And your daughter? She is no more your daughter than she is a child. Her body may be human in construct but there is no soul. No life beyond what the Ori has given to her."

A horrible thought crossed thru Daniel's mind at Shifu's words, "What are you saying?"

Shifu stood in momentary silence. Trying to put together his words carefully. He knew this would be hard for Daniel to hear and given his current state, he was unsure of how he would handle it. He put a comforting hand on Daniel's shoulder.

"The human child that was concieved between you and Vala that night died long ago, Daniel. What resides inside of Vala's body is nothing more than a shell. A host. And the Orici is the parasite that killed her. Human souls are special, Daniel. Unique. Present from the moment of conception. But the moment that her body was invaded by the Orici, she was a goner. The power and evil energy of the Ori ripped at and rotted her soul until it was gone. Taking away everything that she was or could have been."

"No!" Daniel shouted as he broke away from Shifu's grasp. "You're lying to me. Why are you lying!"

Daniel grimaced as a pain shot up thru his arms and into his chest, causing him to stumble.

"I am not lying to you, Daniel. It is the truth."

"No, its not," Daniel replied defeatedly, gasping in pain. A firm hand pressed against his heart.

Shifu placed his hand against the side of Daniel's face.

"I wish it were not true. You are the closest thing to a father that I have ever had. The last thing I want to see is you suffering. But knowing the truth will only make your decision that much easier."

Daniel's breath turned ragged. This is what Kebechet warned him about.

"Which would be what, exactly?"

"Love, Daniel. That was the whole point of this quest. Before The Ori, before the child, it was about saving the woman you love. Its all its ever been. This future. This place. It built on love. Built by the two of you. Forget about destiny. Forget about fate. Embrace love, and it will lead you to where you need to be."

"That's all well and good but considering that both Vala and I are currently in the throws of a massive heart attack, I don't see how that can be possible."

"Have faith Daniel Jackson. Like the Earth saying goes, 'Love conquers all."

Daniel smiled softly before the darkness enveloped him.