Silver Creek, Minnesota, three miles away from General O'Neill's cabin, 1330 hours.
As Willow slowly walking towards the edge of the cliff, she stopped a few feet from the edge and looked at the view from where she was standing. She could see the General's cabin in the distance; it appeared as a tiny spot among the trees. Speaking of the trees, she looked around and saw trees as far as the eyes could see. Then she walked over the edge of the cliff and looked down at the crystal blue water of the lake at the bottom of the cliff. She arrived here wanting some time alone a day ago, and she found this place after General O'Neill had texted her about it. So yesterday morning she woke up early and hiked up to the edge of the lake where she eventually found herself meditating the way she used to when she had first joined the SGC. She remembered the techniques that Teal'c and then later on the Nox had showed her and she wanted to do those techniques again. After a few hours of silent meditation, Willow saw teenagers jumping of the cliff and into the waters below. She thought they were enjoying it and told herself that the next day, she'd be the one to try it out.
And today's the day. Willow took a few steps towards the edge after she had backed away initially after discovering how high up she really was.
"What's wrong with me?" said Willow to herself, "I've flown fighters that go higher than this, hell I've flown the new F-302 prototype in space. I can do this."
Willow closed her eyes and took in a deep breath before she jumped off the cliff. She enjoyed the rush of falling through the air as the wind went through her hair and over her bikini covered body as she fell feet first. What it seemed minutes to her, it took only a few seconds for the redhead to slice through the calm of the water before she swam back up to the surface. All she could do was scream in happiness that she actually did a cliff jump before she swam back to the shore of the lake.
After drying off, she wrapped the towel around herself and packed the blanket she had brought along with her before she started heading back to the cabin. While heading back to the General's Cabin, Willow couldn't help but think about the incident at P8X-412 which was the primary reason she had asked General Landry for a three day leave. What happened had left an impression on her, and Willow and the others knew that the Priors would be difficult to fight… but '412 showed that the redhead was still relatively inexperienced in using her own Ancient powers. She remembered how depressed she was in having had such a massive failure occur in front of the very people that SG1 was there to protect, she couldn't even concentrate during the briefing where she kept on biting her own nails.
It was then that Dr. Lam had ordered her to take this break, away from the SGC… away from everybody so that the redhead could center herself and come back prepared with a new resolve to beat the Priors somehow.
Another thing that had concerned Willow was that she was easily affected by what Dr. Lam and Daniel had dubbed the Prior Plague. She recalled Dr. Lam telling her that she had probably overextended the use of her healing abilities like what happened to Ayiana back in Antarctica, when SG1 was infected with a similar plague.
"The difference is" Dr. Lam had told her, "Ayiana already had the virus in her, but the virus infected you since your own healing ability was weakened after you restored the health of some of the infected."
"Right" Willow had said softly.
"Look at it this way" said Dr. Lam as she leaned forward, "your healing ability is like a ships energy shield. It's been protecting you from the virus, injuries, illness and what not. Basically that's the reason why you haven't been sick at all since getting this new body, I mean other than the plague; the Ancients were in perfect health. And that fact is in the Atlantis database, I saw the medical records of most of the Ancients which attest to that fact. But, at least it's my view, when you use your healing power it transfers energy from helping your own body, to helping another body. That makes your own body susceptible to illnesses, except this time the illness that you just happened to get is similar to the one that the Ancients seemed to have suffered from."
As Willow walked along the trail leading back to the cabin, she stopped when she came to a large rock that lay on the side of the trail. Closing her eyes, she mentally made sure that there was no one else in her immediate vicinity. Once she made sure that she was alone, Willow picked up the rock using her telekinesis.
'Not that heavy' thought Willow to herself as she spun the rock around before she closed her eyes again and concentrated. A few seconds later, she had heard a 'pop' sound which led her to open her eyes again only to see that the rock was broken into several pieces.
"Good" said Willow to herself as she dropped the broken pieces onto the sides of the trail and started walking again after making sure one more time that she was alone, 'no more bleeding.'
As she got closer to the cabin, Willow noticed smoke coming out of the chimneys. Instead of being concerned or cautious, Willow smiled as she felt a familiar warmth go through her body. The same warmth that indicated Faith was close by.
"Hey" smiled Willow as she opened the door and walked in, "what are you doing here?"
"I know you wanted to be alone" said Faith as she got off the couch and walked up to Willow and kissed the redhead, "I decided that one day should be enough for you and so, I came today."
"You couldn't stay away could you?" grinned Willow as Faith removed her towel and let it fall to the wooden floor.
"I could never stay away for too long" said Faith as she looked down at Willow's bikini, "you do realize that I love blue?"
"Down girl" said Willow laughing.
"I'm glad you're laughing" said Faith as she kissed the redhead again before she led Willow to the shower where the brunette stood outside in the hallway with the bathroom door open and Willow took a hot shower, "I talked to the General before I came up here. He wanted to come but apparently he has a meeting with Big-G. Daniel has been spending time with Anya before she has to leave, and… oh… it looks like the connection with Vala is lessening."
"Really?" asked Willow as she popped her head out.
"Yeah" said Faith, "they can be separated for more than a few hours now, although Daniel still gets dizzy."
"That's some good news" said Willow.
"Dawn, Major Hailey and SG3 will be sent to the Sunnydale desert next month to check up on the Ancient outpost" said Faith as Willow turned off the shower head, "and SG22 and SG25 will be sent to Death Valley National Park to check out the other outpost."
"That's cool" said Willow, "can't wait to get first crack on any new tech they find."
"You and Sam" said Faith, "nerds."
"Hey" said Willow as she threw her wet towel at the brunette, "speak for yourself…. Geek."
All Faith could do was grin as she handed Willow a red tank top and shorts.
"What about Teal'c?" asked Willow, "and Colonel Mitchell?"
"The big guy said that he has to go back to Dakara" replied Faith, "while Cam said he's got more mission reports to read."
"Yeah" said Willow as she put her clothes on, after which she put her arm around Faith's waist as the both of them walked over to the couch, "that man really did read all of SG1's mission reports."
"That's what he said" said Faith, "I didn't believe him at first, and then he told me about many obscure missions that you and the others went on before I joined. He even memorized the obscure ones after I joined the SGC."
"He's good like that" said Willow as she put both her feet under her after she sat on the couch, and placed her head on Faith's shoulders, "General O'Neill hand-picked him to lead SG1."
"How are you?" asked Faith as she kissed the top of Willow's head.
"I'm fine… I mean I will be fine… I… we have to be fine" said Willow, "we need to be better than fine."
"You need to improve on that Counter Measure device" said Faith, "it still gives me nightmares, but you and Dr. Lee have to get it to work. At least work longer."
"We will" said Willow as she yawned.
"Sleepy?" asked Faith.
"Yea" squeaked Willow, "do you mind if I sleep here? Just for a little while?"
"Sleep" said Faith, "I'll be here when you wake up."
"Oh" said Willow as she quickly got up before she ran into her room.
"Red?" asked Faith as Willow walked back and sat down next to her again.
"I went for a swim" said Willow as she took slipped the engagement ring back onto her finger, "so I took it off, I didn't want to lose it."
"Go to sleep" said Faith as she held Willow's hand and laced her fingers between the redheads, "when you wake up, we'll go out or something."
"Sure" said Willow as she quickly fell asleep while Faith lay her head on the top of Willow's head and rubbed circles on her back.
Science Lab One, SGC, two weeks later, 0730 hours.
Three days at the General's cabin were more than enough for both Willow and Faith to relax, and for the redhead to come to terms that although she may not be as experienced as the Priors in the use of her abilities, she still could do more in other ways to help beat them back. That was the thought that led to Willow and Dr. Lee finishing a revamped copy of the counter measure device, which Dr. Lee and Colonel Mitchell dubbed the Anti-Prior Weapon, in record time.
"Ready Doc?" asked Colonel Mitchell as he and Faith stood waiting in the observation deck as Willow faced a table that held some weights from the gym.
"Ready" said Dr. Lee as he went to a corner of the small room and stood next to the table that held the familiar device that looked like two black Frisbees joined together.
"Major?" said the Colonel.
"Ready, Sir" said Willow as she looked back at the Colonel, who nodded his go ahead.
"Major, this would be a test of your telekinetic abilities" said Dr. Lee, "umm…. if you could please lift the weights."
"Done" said Willow as she lifted all the weights without any problems, "you do realize that Teal'c will be pissed that these weights are missing from the gym?"
"He'll be fine" said Faith as she talked into the intercom, "besides, after you're done here we have a game to go to. Remember? It's supposed to be the boys versus the girls?"
"Right" said Willow as she looked at Dr. Lee, "Activate it Doc."
"Alright" said Dr. Lee as he pressed a button on the top of the device and a blue light that went round the circumference of the Frisbee like device activated.
"Doc?" asked Colonel Mitchell as he saw the doctor pick up what looked like a remote control that lay next to the device.
"As you know" said Dr. Lee, "the device goes through a range of ultra-sonic frequencies. This remote is used to activate those pre-set frequency ranges or input manual ones in case the presets don't work."
"I knew that" said Colonel Mitchell.
"Sure" grinned Faith.
"Doc" said Willow as she fixed her concentration on the weights, "these things are getting heavier."
"Good" said Dr. Lee, "means it's working. Now let me change the frequency… and…."
"Nope" said Willow smiling, "I'm not having any trouble now."
"Right" replied Dr. Lee as he switched to a different frequency, "how about now?"
"Still nothing" replied Willow just as General Landry walked into the observation deck.
"Major" said the General as he looked through the bulletproof glass, "how's the test?"
"It's going, sir" said Willow as she looked back, "it kinda worked once before, but it didn't have the desired effect we were looking for."
"How about this?" asked Dr. Lee as he pressed another butting on the remote.
"Woah" said Willow as she raised her other arm as the weights which were floating on top on the table dipped down suddenly before she raised them up again, "ok, now they're really heavy."
"Ok, ok" said Dr. Lee excitedly and he pressed a few more buttons, "and now?"
"Woah" said Willow jumping back as the weights dropped hard onto the table, breaking it in two before it hit the concrete floor hard.
"That did it" grinned Dr. Lee as he and Willow looked at each other.
"Major?" said both the the Colonel and General Landry as they spoke into the intercom system, "you alright?"
"Yes, Sirs" said Willow as she tried to telekinetically lift the weights again, "I can't pick them up."
"Can you read our thoughts?" asked Faith, "how about through our link?"
"Nothing" said Willow as she shook her head.
"What am I thinking about?" asked General Landry.
"I… I… don't know, Sir" said Willow, "really, I can't read anything. It's like your minds are hidden from me."
"Your emphatic abilities?" asked Dr. Lee, "are those working?"
"I can sense you're excited" said Willow as she concentrated on creating the ball of energy on her palm unsuccessfully, "so yeah, I'm guessing that those are working perfectly. But my telekinesis, and my telepathy are out of order. This means that my healing abilities and my energy blast things would also be out of order."
"Which means that one of our big guns would be out of commission if we use that device against a Prior" said Colonel Mitchell as he whispered to General Landry while the both of them watched Willow shake Dr. Lee's hand, "well if it works against a Prior."
"I think she's willing to take the risk" said General Landry.
"I agree" said Faith as she watched Willow and Dr. Lee adjust some of the settings on top of the device, "besides, she's still a good fighter without her abilities."
"Didn't mean to say she wasn't" said Colonel Mitchell, "it's just that I'm worried that the device won't work against the Priors at that particular setting, but it would nullify her powers. Even if that occurs for a split second before we find the frequency that affects the Priors as well, they could use their abilities and make short work of her while she's powerless."
"I think she knows that" said Faith as she looked at Colonel Mitchell, "but the question is, how long will this upgraded device affect her, and them."
"The reports said that the previous device lasted for a little more than three hours" said Colonel Mitchell as Faith nodded her head.
"Let's hope this one lasts for a bit longer than that" said the General as he pressed the intercom button and congratulated Willow and Dr. Lee before he nodded at Faith and the Colonel, and left the room.
"Major" said the Colonel as he pressed the intercom button, "bring that device with you to the basketball court, let's give it a real world test."
"Of course, Sir" said Willow.
Basketball Court, SGC, Level Twenty One, 1145 hours.
After Willow had placed the device on the floor of the basketball court in a safe corner, she ran to where SG1 and Vala were gathered so that they could break up into teams. Not wanting it to be the boys against the girls, Colonel Mitchell separated every one into two teams with Willow, Daniel and Vala in one team and the Colonel, Faith and Teal'c in the other team.
As they started the game, Willow couldn't help but smile as she approached the Colonel as he dribbled towards her. She knew that not knowing what he would do was kind of fun, except when he made a feint which she fell for. He then dribbled around her before passing the ball to Teal'c who put it into the basket.
"Nice one, Sir" said Willow as she grabbed the ball with the Colonel moving backwards a few steps.
"Come on Major" grinned the Colonel as he ran towards her.
Willow grinned as she dribbled the ball towards the Colonel, but not before having seen that Vala was excitedly motioning that she should get the ball.
"Pass it! Pass It!" said Vala as she pointed at herself.
However, instead of passing it to Vala, Willow passed it to Daniel who was open.
"Cover him!" shouted the Colonel as he pointed at Daniel who was quickly being surrounded by Teal'c and Faith, while the Colonel was busy trying to block Willow.
"Daniel!" shouted Willow as she moved in front of the Colonel and tried to prevent him from moving in front of her and getting the ball.
Daniel could see that he would be surrounded in a few seconds and that Willow and Colonel Mitchell were playing a game of musical chairs of who would stand in front of whom, while Vala was standing open excitedly waving to Daniel to pass her the ball. Frowning, Daniel knew he had no choice but to take a risk.
"Vala!" shouted Daniel as he passed the ball. But instead of passing it towards Vala who was open, he passed it to Willow who rushed past the Colonel and dribbled the ball towards the net until she was almost immediately blocked by Faith and Teal'c.
"Gotcha Red" said Faith as she and Teal'c blocked her from taking a shot.
"Now!" shouted Daniel as Colonel Mitchell ran up to cover him, "pass it!"
"Nope" grinned Willow as she looked at Faith, "I got you."
"Vala!" continued Willow as she passed the ball to the excited alien woman who was completely open, "shoot it into the net!"
"Right" said Vala as she shot the ball towards the net. Everyone watched as it hit the rim before it went through the net.
"Nice" said Willow as Vala jumped up and down excitedly before she ran over to Willow and she swung her hip to the side as she bumped against the redhead with the others laughing.
The six of them played on, with one team scoring immediately after the other team. This went on for a few hours until General Landry walked into the court with a piece of paper. Immediately, Willow and Colonel Mitchell stopped their runs and stood at attention as the ball bounced into the General's hands.
"Sir" said Willow and Colonel Mitchell.
"At ease" replied the General as everyone approached him, "I was actually looking for Teal'c."
"General Landry?" said Teal'c confused.
"We actually received a communiqué from a Goa'uld named Nerus" said General Landry, "ring any bells?"
"You know him?" said Willow as she looked at Vala when the redhead received a flash of a memory from Vala.
"Looks like the device may have just wonked out on us" said Colonel Mitchell as Willow went over to the device and switched it off, before running back to the others with it under her arms.
"Lasted about four hours" shrugged Willow, "better than the last time."
Teal'c nodded at Willow before he turned back to General Landry.
"Yes" said Teal'c, "I have heard of him, he is a minor Goa'uld who has been under the service of Ba'al for many centuries."
"What can you tell me about him?" asked the General.
"Why do you want to know?" asked Vala.
"What do you say we go with the idea that I'm in charge, and I've asked a simple question" said the General.
"Fine" huffed Vala, "Nerus is the very definition of gluttony and avarice."
"He is a Goa'uld known for his many…appetites" nodded Teal'c in agreement.
"He's also known as an inventor responsible for a host of Goa'uld technologies" said Daniel as he leaned down on his knees.
"Really?" asked Faith.
"That's what I said" replied the General, "but as strange as it sounds, he's offering to work for us."
"Nerus is not to be trusted" said Teal'c.
"He had nice things to say about you" aid the General as he turned and walked out of the court, but not before shooting the ball from the three point line, into the net.
"Nice" said Faith once the General had walked away.
"Major" said the Colonel as he looked at Willow, "get that thing to Dr. Lee, and then freshen up and meet in the briefing room."
"Yes, sir" said Willow as she squeezed Faith's arm before she ran off.
"Alright guys" said Colonel Mitchell as he turned around to face everyone else, "briefing room in two hours."
Gateroom, SGC, 1430 hours.
Faith stood alongside Daniel and the others as they faced the open wormhole, waiting for Nerus to come through the event horizon. As they continued waiting for the Goa'uld to walk through, she recalled the conversation the team had in the briefing room with Vala insisting that Nerus should not be trusted at any cost.
The General agreed with Vala, but reminded everyone that in the communiqué that was sent to the SGC, Nerus claimed to have some military intelligence of the utmost urgency.
"Sorry, I'm late" said Willow as she ran into the Gateroom and took her place next to Faith, "I had to make some last minute adjustments to the device."
"Its fine, Major" said the General as he looked at Willow before he noticed the ripples from the event horizon, "just ensure that everything he tells us is the truth."
"Read his mind, Sir?" asked Willow.
"Yes" said the General before he saw Nerus step through the Stargate, flanked by Marines from SG3.
Willow looked on as the General introduced himself to the Goa'uld, Nerus, who waved him away and walked past him down the ramp. He then stopped in front of everyone and looked at Teal'c excitedly. As he was praising Teal'c on being the one to start the Jaffa rebellion, Willow tried to access his mind.. only to find that she was being blocked. If felt as if she was looking into a black nothingness, and the deeper she went into his mind, the more confused she got about why she couldn't read his mind.
After Nerus had met everyone on the team, he was escorted to the VIP room that was assigned to him, complete with a huge feast.
"Sir" said Willow as she followed Colonel Mitchell on their way to the VIP room, "we have a problem."
"Which is?" asked the Colonel.
"I couldn't read his mind" said Willow.
"How's that possible?" asked Faith, "you've read the mind of Goa'uld's before right?"
"Not really" said Willow, "I can only feel their hatred for us, which makes me know that they are Goa'uld. I never tried to read their minds. But even so, I should be able to at least read the host's mind…. But still nothing. I only got blackness."
"So" said Vala, "still sense anything from him?"
"Hate for us" said Willow, "but all Goa'uld hate us I guess."
General Landry's office, SGC, 2030 hours
"General?" said Faith as she knocked on the door.
"Come" replied the General as the door opened and Faith entered the room, "Miss Lehane, how can I help you?"
"I've been thinking" said Faith as she walked around to the other side of the table and sat down, "this seems too easy."
"I take it you're referring to the intelligence Nerus provided us?" asked the General.
"Yea" replied Faith, "I mean yeah, he showed us that there is a massive shield that's surrounding the Stargate and that there's one Prior inside, but asking us to use our most powerful weapons sounds a bit…. Un-Goa'uldish to me."
"I understand your feelings" said the General, "but in a way, he's right as well. This is a galaxy of our own making, and the Ori and their Priors are invading it. We need to show them that we won't back away from them, and that we have the weapons to take them out."
"I get that" said Faith as she sat uneasily on the chair, "but… I don't know… I have this feeling that he's hiding something. Red says that she can't read him, and all she feels are his continued hatred towards us."
"He's a Goa'uld" said the General, "all of them hate us."
"True" sighed Faith, "but I can't help…."
"How about this?" asked the General as he leaned forward, "you can stay here and question Nerus, but the Pentagon wants us to continue with the mission. The Mark Nine should be here in another thirty minutes, and then SG1 will go off to P4C-452 where the Prometheus will rendezvous with them before heading to Kallana."
"They'll still be able to communicate with us through sub-space?" asked Faith as she stood up.
"Yes" said the General, "hop to it, Miss Lehane."
"Thanks" said Faith as she ran towards the VIP room.
VIP Room, SGC, 2240 hours.
It's been a little over two hours since SG1 and Vala had left for Kellana. Before they left, Faith was called to the control room where she got a huge surprise as she noticed Colonel Carter standing together with Willow and the others in her tactical vest.
"Sam" said Faith as she hugged the Colonel, "what are you doing back? Are you back?"
"I'm here to make sure the Mark Nine works without a hitch" said Colonel Carter, "as for if I'm back… well, I don't know yet."
"Oh you should come back" said Faith as she noticed Vala stepping back and looking around the room nervously.
"I've been trying to convince her ever since I joined the SGC" said the Colonel.
"Ummmm…. what's a Mark Nine?" asked Vala from the back.
"It's what we call a Gatebuster" said Colonel Mitchell as he looked back at her.
"Sounds big" said Vala.
"Huge explosion" said Willow.
"You are not coming with us, Faith Lehane?" asked Teal'c.
"Not this time big guy" said Faith, "I have a bad feeling about Nerus that I just can't shake off, if I get anything from him, I'll make sure you guys get the message."
"Good luck, Faith" said Colonel Carter as she and Colonel Mitchell led the team down to the Gateroom.
"Be safe, Red" said Faith as she squeezed Willow's arm.
"I will" said Willow as she squeezed Faith's arm before she ran down the stairs.
"Vala" said Faith as she grabbed the alien woman's arm, "I know what it's like to be an outsider. That's exactly what I was years ago, an outsider watching as everyone had their own friends and…. well, you know what I mean."
Vala could only nod in agreement as Daniel shouted for her to come down to the Gateroom.
"Everything will get better" said Faith, "joining the SGC's made me feel as if I'm part of a family, I don't feel like I'm an outsider here. Maybe it'll be the same for you, just takes some time."
"Thanks, but I'm planning on leaving once I'm free of this bond between me and Daniel" said Vala as she ran down the stairs to meet the rest of SG1 before they walked through the Stargate. Faith waved as Willow looked back at her before she walked backwards into the event horizon.
Back in the present, Faith was seated across from Nerus at the other end of the table eyeing him as the man ripped apart a piece of prime steak with his hands, and then lifted a piece of the meat in one hand and a chicken drumstick in another hand. Trying to keep her food down as she watched the Goa'uld take a bite out of each piece meat, Faith leaned forward onto the table.
"Come now, Faith…. may I call you Faith?" said Nerus as he swallowed his food, "please, join me."
"No thanks" said Faith as she looked at the mess that Nerus made on the table, "I gotta tell you again, you have the worst table manners of anyone I know."
"This food is so delicious" said Nerus as he took a bite of a donut, "there's no time for table manners."
Faith looked on as Nerus smiled and took another bite before stuffing another donut into his mouth. She had tried everything to get him to tell her the truth, even requested that the General order a Earth speciality food….. a very rare delicacy known as Pepperoni Pizza. But even after he finished the whole pie, Faith still felt as if he was still hiding something even though he had already given them information on the shield covering the Stargate expanding in stages. Sighing, Faith wanted to try one more desperate gamble to confirm her fears. She quietly took out her SGC secure cell phone when Nerus wasn't looking and sent a message from under the table.
"Excuse me" said Faith as she picked up her cell phone when it rang, and walked to one corner of the room, "Yes, Walter… what's up? Have you heard from…. WHAT?!"
Nerus was biting into a muffin when he heard Faith shout into her phone, and couldn't help but have a small smile form on his face.
"When?" said Faith as she paced the room, "how? Are you sure the subspace transponder is gone?"
"Everything all right, Faith?" asked Nerus calmly, "you look positively worried."
"The… the Prometheus" said Faith as she put the phone back down in her pocket, "they.. they…"
"Please" said Nerus as he saw Faith wrap her arms around herself and tremble, "please, take a seat… you look positively distraught."
"They… they…. They're gone" said Faith as tears started to stream down her eyes, "some… something went wrong…. The Mark Nine exploded but…. I mean…. Oh God… they're all gone."
"Do not worry" said Nerus.
"What?" said Faith incredulously as she looked up at Nerus with tears welling up in her eyes, "they're all gone… one hundred and thirty souls all lost… what do you mean don't worry! Don't you get it? SG1 is gone, they're all dead."
"Do not worry" said Nerus again, "they may be gone, but there is still time to repent."
"What?" said Faith genuinely confused.
"The Ori are forgiving, Faith" said Nerus, "SG1 and your friends may have incurred the wrath of the gods, but you and the others here could still be saved. The Ori can help you, all they require is your obedience."
"The Ori?" asked Faith.
"Yes" said Nerus excitedly, "they are coming, Kellana was their beachhead. They told me they will come, they will spread Origin and we will ascend!."
"You… you… tricked us?" said Faith as she brought her hands to her face and trembled.
"Do not be sad" said Nerus as he bit into another piece of steak, "the Ori will ascend everyone at the SGC, after all… it was your weapons combined with the weapons of those defending Kellana that helped the Ori come to free us. The Ori will ascend everyone."
"I…. I…. see" said Faith as she rubbed the tears from her eyes as she looked down on the floor.
"Come" said Nerus as he held on to her shoulder, "have a drink with me to celebrate the sacrifices your friends made so that the Ori could grace this galaxy with their presence."
"No" said Faith as she grabbed Nerus' hand that was on her shoulder and squeezed.
"Wait" said Nerus as he saw Faith look up at him with rage in her eyes, "wait…. You don't want to…"
"Shut up!" said Faith as she stood up and took a step towards Nerus, before grabbing onto his collar and picking him up.
"What are you….?" said Nerus as he felt himself being slammed against a wall.
"GUARDS!" shouted Faith from inside the room as two SF's rushed in, only to see the petite brunette holding the larger Goa'uld man against the wall by his collar.
"Ma'am?" said one of the SF's.
"One of you get General Landry here on the double" said Faith as she looked at one of the SF's, "tell him that the Prometheus has been sent into a trap, this bastard is working for the Ori."
"Yes, ma'am" said the SF as he ran to get the General.
"Sergeant" said Faith as she looked at the other SF while she slammed Nerus back onto his chair, "restraints."
"Here you go, ma'am" said the SF as he handed her a pair of hand-cuffs.
"Stay here with him until backup arrives" said Faith, "I need to go to the control room and send a subspace message to the Prometheus."
"But… but…" said Nerus, "you told me that it was destroyed, that everyone died. You cried in front of me."
"I should get an academy award for that performance you ass" said Faith before she nodded at the SF after she put on the restraints around his wrists.
"Miss Lehane" said the General as he came into the VIP room.
"General" said Faith, "I'd like to explain but…."
"Go" said General Landry as Faith bolted down the hallways and ran up the stairs to the control room.
"Walter" said Faith as she sat next to him, "I need to send a Priority One subspace message to Prometheus."
"Alright" said Walter as he pressed a button, before he nodded at Faith.
"Prometheus" said Faith as she spoke into the microphone, "Nerus working for Ori. Do not arm or detonate Mark Nine. Hold all weapons fire as well. From what I understand, they need the power of our weapons for something….. I thought you needed to know this. Repeat, stop any weapons fire on the shield and disarm Mark Nine. It's a trap."
"Message sent" said Walter as he looked at Faith worriedly, "do you think that they'll get the message on time?"
"I hope so" said Faith as she sat down next to Walter waiting for any news, "I really hope so."
It was forty minutes later that the SGC received a subspace message from the Prometheus. Walter and Faith were there in the control room to read the bitter sweet message.
"I'll go tell the General" said Faith quietly as she rubbed the tears from her eyes, "just let them know we got the message, Walter."
"Will do" said Walter as he watched Faith walk down the stairs and turn to the right.
Meanwhile, the General was scowling at Nerus as four SF's aimed their weapons at the Goa'uld. He was trying to convince Nerus that the Ori weren't gods and that it would be in his best interest to keep his part of the bargain; helping them develop technology to fight the Ori.
"General" said Faith as she opened the door and walked in.
"Miss Lehane?" asked the General as he saw Faith's red and puffy eyes, "Prometheus?"
"They received the message just as the Mark Nine was detonated… however, they did destroy the enemy beachhead" said Faith, "but Vala had to sacrifice herself to destroy it."
"I see" said the General who looked back at Nerus with anger written on his face.
"You lie" said Nerus as he looked at Faith, "you lied before, and this is another lie."
"Not this time" said Faith as she glared at Nerus.
"I've witnessed their power" said Nerus as he looked at the General and then Faith, "power that will one day be mine. And if what you say is true, you've merely forestalled the inevitable."
Nerus then stood up and smiled with his head held high.
"And…when you…put me to death…for what I have done…I shall ascend" said Nerus as the General walked up to Nerus and stopped just inches away from his face, with Faith standing right next to him in case the Goa'uld tried something funny.
"You will descend, to a small, dark room, in the basement of Area 51, and you'll stay there until you come up with a defence against the Ori. That was our deal" said the General.
"And if I refuse?" said Nerus.
The General looked at Faith before the both of them looked at Nerus again.
"You'll go hungry for the rest of your miserable life" said Faith.
"Oh" said Nerus as he gulped while looking at the General and the Brunette.
TBC.