Chapter 69

Aja stood on the balcony, looking down at the inn below. Tomin was fast asleep, the child in a basket near the bed. The man was simple and kind, and she could see now how Vala could trust him so. But that was also a problem. He was too trusting. Too easily manipulated – but just what she needed. Aja embraced the sobering reality that Netan was of no use to her. And she had Samantha Carter to blame. She would deal with that issue in time. For now, she had herself to worry over. Netan was crucial to her plans and without him she had to fall back to her contingency. A last resort. Which pained her more that she wanted to let on.

Aside from that hard blow she became aware that after her murder of Morgan and her Ascension that it was only a matter of time before another problem would emerge. The Ascended. They watched her even now, waiting for a moment to strike. Waiting for any excuse any breach of their rules. An excuse to do to her what they did to Anubis. Aja had more power, that was a given, but the Ascended were more in number. Meaning that despite her bravado, they were something to fear.

So she took a page from Anubis' book. She was going to go about it by human means. Crafting a plan to ensure that the Ascended could never touch her and for that she needed the child. However because of their ever watchful eye, Aja couldn't just sweep down and snatch her away. So she weaved a plot of seduction. Gain Tomin's trust in order to get her hands on the babe. The one they called The Orici. She knew that whomever controlled The Orici had dominion over all Ascended beings. And she was going to make certain that person was her.

oooooo

"You're not my mother," Daniel said with assurance as he backed away from the figure before him.

The figure smiled at him and motioned for him to follow her. "I will explain everything, son. Please come and sit with me."

Daniel watched as the figure walked over to the bar and sat down at a nearby stool. Although initially hesitant, he soon followed.

"You're not my mother."

"It's me Danny," she smiled cupping the side of his face.

Ever instinct in Daniel told him that this was real. However, it couldn't be. His mother died long ago.

"What is this?" he asked, his voice shaking.

"A place for your memories."

"So I am dreaming?"

"No," the figure stated shaking her head. "This place is very real. It is a place of your memories. You created it as a way for you to deal with what happened. What you've done."

"What did I do?"

"You tapped into a part of yourself. A dark part. The part that Oma feared. It is why she hid so much from you while you during your Ascension. She felt she could protect you."

"From what?"

"Not what. Whom."

Perplexity overwhelmed Daniel until the obvious realization finally dawned upon him.

"The Ascended. She was trying to protect me from the other Ascended."

"One in particular."

"Anubis."

"Anubis knew who and what you were and wanted to use it to his advantage. That is why Oma prevented you from fighting him while in your Ascended form. You were playing right into his hands. Something I am afraid you are doing right now."

"What? How?"

"It was Anubis and his influence over you that caused you to destroy your genetic memories. The secrets that they held are now forever lost to you. All that exists there now is darkness where those memories used to be. A void he can now fill with whatever he chooses. New memories to shape you into who he needs you to be."

Daniel sat in silent horror. "So you're telling me that Anubis is controlling me now?"

"It can be stopped but there is not much time."

"What do I need to do?"

His mother smiled as she leaned close and whispered into his ear.

With a sudden burst of air and flash of light, Daniel awoke in the Atlantis infirmary, wide-eyed and gasping for air.