Warrior Peoples

[drakensis]

ôAre you sure that this was a good idea?ö Jack shouted to Sam from the tree he was sheltering behind. Apparently the Jaffa had agreed to the ring transporter operatorÆs opinion that they couldnÆt reach the battle around the Stargate before the Angrezi caught them, so theyÆd turned around to bloody the nose of the offensive hammering down on themà and SG-1 was caught in the middle of them.

ôI just need another minute or two,ö she called back. ôIÆve almost got the readings I need.ö

Behind Sam, TealÆc rose up and fired his staff weapon, catching a Jaffa in the upper chest. His target stopped abruptly, legs flying out from under him before he fell back, a crater burnt into his chest. Then TealÆc had to drop behind cover again as an Angrezi minitank fired off a rapid-fire zat barrage at the source of the staff weapon fire.

ôSonuvabitch!ö Jack cursed. ôSomeone want to tell those clowns that weÆre all on the same side here?ö

ôThey probably just saw the staff weapon, Jack,ö Daniel pointed out. ôHow are they supposed to know TealÆcÆs with us?ö

ôItÆs the principle of the thing,ö insisted Jack. He turned around to see a pair of Jaffa trying to use the same cluster of trees that he and Daniel were sheltering in as cover to close on the Angrezi. ôYou donÆt just spray and pray with an automatic weapon. You pick your target and -ö with two short bursts he dropped the Jaffa before they even realised that their cover was already occupied. ô- use just enough force to put that target out of the fight.ö

Daniel shrugged and went back to cowering behind his tree. There was too much lead, well, too much high energy physic flying around for his liking. If this was how Jack felt when there were ruins around and he had to sit around waiting for Daniel to study them û well without the occasional gut-wrenching terror that theyÆd become collateral damage, because that really wasnÆt much of an issue in archeology û then he supposed that he ought to be more sympathetic next time. Maybe bring a rubber ball for Jack to play with. No, that would be bad, the ball would bounce off something ancient and delicateà

ôGot it!ö Sam called. ôWeÆre on the right track.ö

ôSo we can go?ö Jack asked.

ôEh, oh. Yes!ö

Jack nodded and produced his radio. ôOÆNeill to Leonidas. Four to beam up.ö

The rings descended around Sam and TealÆc and then a second set appeared around Jack and Daniel.

ôIÆve always wanted to say th-ö Jack was cut off as the rings vanished with SG-1. A moment later, a line of Angrezi medium tanks pushed forwards through the forest, driving the Jaffa back in disorder, disorder that the tanks were quick to exploit. The jump infantry might have claimed the title of cavalry from them a few decades ago, but the ethos remained strong within the Angrezi armoured corps.

.oOo.

ôItÆs been six thousand years since you fled Earth,ö Heru-ur observed. ôHas the invincible Nekhrun finally stopped running?ö

ôI warned your father that the TauÆri would be the death of him,ö Nekhrun observed coldly. ôHowÆs his health doing now? Rather warm?ö

The two men were of a similar size and build. Heru-ur moved well, Nekhrun observed. He had clearly not forgotten how to fight and had decades, if not centuries of practise in his body. He himself could not claim to equal it, he had only been inside Ayodhya for a few weeks and for much of the time had left Aydohya in control of his body. No, this would be a test of his own age and experience against Heru-urÆs strength and power.

They circled each other, both holding their daggers in their right hands, the other hand ready to defend with. Heru-ur lunged in suddenly, and Nekhrun barely caught hold of his knife handÆs wrist with his own free hand. Bringing around his own dagger, he slashed at the other GoaÆuldÆs shoulder but HeruÆur brought his hand up and forced the dagger up, fingers locked around NekhrunÆs wrist, putting them into a classic test of strength, each trying to bear down on each other.

Nekhrun grunted under the pressure. This was definitely not the terms that heÆd prefer to settle the contest on. He slammed his forehead forward into Heru-urÆs nose, feeling bone break under the impact. The other GoaÆuldÆs grip slackened just enough for Nekhrun to drag his knife hand free and slash at the younger manÆs arm, drawing blood, before bringing up one of his heavy û steel-toe capped û boots to kick at Heru-urÆs groin.

The kick didnÆt connect û he had been slowed perhaps a fraction by the pain of the headbutt and Heru-ur was hardly a tyro in the arts of personal combat. In fact, he managed to get his own blade free and slashed at the incoming kick. The knife blade glanced off the boot itself but slashed through the tough fabric of AyodhyaÆs pants, inflicting an inconsequential cut as the older GoaÆuld leapt back.

ôYou used to be faster than that,ö Heru-ur taunted.

ôSo did you û I told you to cut back on those heavy desserts,ö Nekhrun retorted. ôDo you have any muscle under that fat?ö

ôYouÆre one to talk,ö accused Heru-ur and he closed in again.

.oOo.

ôWell that was bracing,ö Jack said as he and Daniel arrived from the LeonidasÆ Number Five Ring Transporter, which had picked them up while Number Four was busy collecting Sam and TealÆc. ôDo we have to do it again or have you found Heru-urÆs ship?ö

ôIÆve got an approximate location,ö Sam said. ôJudging by the wind patterns, the particles would have come out of this valley here,ö she indicated on her map. ôI should be able to narrow it down with a few more tests.ö

ôAre any more of them going to be into a battlefield?ö asked Jack. ôBecause if so, maybe we should wait until we can borrow a tank to hide in while you do the tests?ö

ôYou should be alright, Colonel,ö the ring transporter operator advised. ôThat valleyÆs not had any troops sighted when it was overflown so none of the Angrezi troops have been sent that way. Of course if there is an Alkesh lurking in there then that would make sense, they wouldnÆt want to draw any attention, I guess.ö

ôOh good,ö Jack said drily. ôShall we go then?ö

ôPut us down about halfway along the valley, please,ö Sam told the operator.

ôI think IÆm getting ring transporter sick,ö Daniel noted as the rings appeared around them for roughly the seventieth time in the last twenty-four hours.

ôAre we there yet?ö Jack asked. And then they were.

.oOo.

ôDoes this hurt?ö Heru-ur asked as he twisted his knife between the bones of NekhrunÆs forearm.

NekhrunÆs own knife was out of reach at the moment so he replied by pushing his thumb closer to the younger GoaÆuldÆs eye. He wasnÆt making very good ground on that but he had better leverage than HeruÆur for that particular move and he only needed another inch or soà

ôGah!ö Heru-ur declared, finally giving up as the thumb came within a half-inch, yanking the knife out with a vicious twist that pretty much put the arm out of action.

His opponent took a deep breath, held it and then exhaled strongly. If this went on much longer, Ayodhya was probably going to sue him for damage done to his body. ôSince we seem to be at something of a breathing spot,ö he gasped, stepping forward slowly. ôThereÆs something you should know about us.ö

Heru-ur shook his head, also breathing hard. ôWhat?ö

ôI am your fatherÆs brotherÆs nephewÆs cousinÆs former roommate,ö he said, stepping closer.

For a moment the System Lord looked utterly gobsmacked by the revelation. Then: ôWhat the devil are you babbling about? You are my fatherÆs brother! So are half the other System Lords!ö

ôAndàö Nekhrun smirked, ôThis is what youÆd call a distraction. Take a look at your troops!ö

Heru-ur half-turned his head and Nekhrun took advantage of the distraction to leap upon him like a panther, knocking him to the floor. The two GoaÆuld rolled over and over on the ground, wrestling over the control of Heru-urÆs knife.

ôYouÆre at the end of the road,ö Heru-ur snarled, butting Nekhrun viciously in the face and then pinning him against the floor. Then he shrieked in pain as NekhrunÆs teeth closed around his ear and ground down. Spitting out what was left of Heru-urÆs ear, Nekhrun managed to get his hand free and jabbed him under the ribs.

ôAre you sure it isnÆt you thatÆs losing touch with your divinity?ö the older of the two GoaÆuld grunted, pulling himself free. Heru-ur moved for the knife but Nekhrun kicked it further away. ôFighting in the mud like an animal? Real god-like.ö

The other GoaÆuld tackled him to the ground. ôJust die!ö he roared.

.oOo.

ôThere it is?ö Sam whispered, holding her sensor up in illustration. ôThe strongest trace of the ionised elements is coming from inside that ravine to the right. ThereÆs just barely enough room for an Alkesh to have settled down in there.ö

ôJust out of interest,ö Daniel asked. ôNow that weÆve found the ship, what are we going to do about it. WouldnÆt we have to get inside it to do any good.ö

ôAh,ö Jack nodded. ôYes, good point.ö Everyone looked at him expectantly. ôWhat?ö

ôDo you have any ideas?ö

He frowned. ôHmà no. Fresh out of ideas.ö

ôI am sure that the Confederacy would be more than happy to destroy the Alkesh with an air strike,ö TealÆc suggested. ôHowever, that would not reveal the required information.ö

ôAnd while itÆs clocked we wonÆt even be able to find the hatch,ö Sam added.

Jack eyed the ravine thoughtfully. ôHow stable do you think those rocks are? We could probably trigger a rockslide if we had a couple of grenades.ö

ôYou brought grenades to a diplomatic reception?ö Daniel asked in disbelief.

ôNo, hence the æif we had a couple of grenadesÆ.ö

TealÆc opened his rucksackÆs side pocket and pulled out two fragmentation grenades.

ôOkay, TealÆc. You brought grenades to a diplomatic reception?ö

ôA fortuitous preparation, OÆNeill.ö

ôàyeah, youÆre right. Okay, kids. LetÆs go rock-climbing. First one to the top gets to drop the rocks on Mister Alkesh.ö

.oOo.

AinÆur spilled the cup of water he was drinking all over himself as there was a sound like thunder and the AlkeshÆs hull boomed like a bell. ôWhat in the name of the Gods was that!?ö

His companion Stross stared at the controls. ôI donÆt know, but the cloak has failed.ö He manipulated the controls. ôThereÆs been a rockslide û half the left side of the Alkesh is buried.ö

ôIs the ring transporter functional?ö AinÆur asked quickly. If their god needed to be brought aboard it would not do to fail him.

ôI believe so,ö Stross concluded, checking the damage. ôThe cloak only failed because it wasy physically penetrated to such an extent. Our hull remains intact.ö

AinÆur nodded. ôGood. We should move and reactivate the cloak. Prepare for take off. I will select a new landing site.ö Leaving Stross to carry out the work, he brought up a map on his own terminal. ôThe nearest site is too exposed to their aircraft. There is another valley further north that will suffice.ö He looked up and saw Stross staring at the door into the cargo bay of the Alkesh. ôStross?ö

ôI think heÆs looking at me,ö Jack told him, stepping through the doorway covering the pair with his P90. Carter followed, her own rifle raised. ôNow why donÆt you put your hands on top of your heads and play nice or this conversation will get a lot less pleasant.ö

AinÆur gulped and obeyed, followed a moment later by Stross. ôWho are you?ö

ôColonel Jack OÆNeill, US Air Force,ö Jack introduced himself and saw their eyes go very satisfying wide.

ôThe TauÆri?ö

ôUh-huh.ö

Stross and AinÆur were very meek as Jack marched them one at a time back to the cargo hold for TealÆc to tie up.

ôWhat the GoaÆuld tell their Jaffa about us?ö he asked Daniel quietly. ôThese two looked just about ready to wet themselves when they recognised me.ö

ôUh, do you remember that British TV show that I introduced you too.ö

ôThe one with the red space ship?ö

ôNo, the one in Elizabethan England. Blackadder.ö

ôOhà yeah, that was pretty good. But whatÆs that got to do with us?ö

ôYou remember the Baby-Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells?ö

Jack nodded. ôSureà hey!ö

 

[drakensis]

Heru-ur wasnÆt looking quite as dapper as he glared at Nekhrun. His ear had been thoroughly mangled by NekhrunÆs teeth and his cloth of gold pants were torn and stained with dirt and blood. The rest of him wasnÆt significantly cleaner.

Of course, Nekhrun looked, if anything, even worse. His pants were more or less intact but where the cut on Heru-urÆs left arm had more or less closed by now, his own arm still hung limp at his side and his nose had been broken in the last tussle. He was also grinning triumphantly.

ôI donÆt know what youÆre smiling about,ö Heru-ur growled. ôYouÆre losing.ö

ôIÆm smiling because I know something.that you donÆt know,ö Nekhrun replied.

Heru-ur spat on the ground, the gobbet of spittle noticeably red with blood. ôThen enlighten me, o once and fallen teacher. What wisdom do you have to impart.ö

NekhrunÆs smirk grew truly vicious. ôIÆve got two shields now,ö he said and held up the projection unit for Heru-urÆs personal shield device.

Heru-urÆs eyes bulged and he grabbed at his belt where the projector had been attached. Then he grabbed a second item from his belt and activated it immediately.

ôLeaving already?ö Nekhrun asked, recognising the item as a GoaÆuld emergency beacon. They hadnÆt changed the design in over six thousand years which even Nekhrun, constitutionally attached to taking a long view of things and not fixing what wasnÆt broken, thought was a bit on the unimaginative side. ôBut parting is such sweet sorrow.ö

ôI will return,ö Heru-ur declared dramatically. ôAnd I will have my revenge.ö

ôWell youÆre half-right anyway,ö Nekhrun told the empty air as the ring transporter carried HeruÆur away. Then he turned and started walking towards the Jaffa. Time to negotiate a surrender.

ôYour god has abandoned you,ö he said in a flat, clear voice that Ayodhya had spent hours practising to ensure that he could be heard from one end of a parade ground to the other without mechanical assistance. ôYou are completely surrounded by my allies.ö He paused. ôBy my word and my bond, you shall be allowed to leave through the Stargate. Now lay down your weapons.ö

There was a long pause as if ten thousand men were holding their breath against the decisions being made.

And then a single staff weapon fell onto the ground.

It was followed by another, and then another as the Jaffa admitted defeat.

It was also followed by their tears as they admitted the truth.

Their God had abandoned them.

.oOo.

ôPrepare to depart,ö Heru-ur ordered the moment he appeared in the Alkesh. ôWe must join the fleet immediately.ö

ôFleet?ö Jack said. ôWhat fleet is that?ö

Heru-ur stared around. The only Jaffa visible was not Stross or Ainur, but a towering black man with the mark of Apophsis tattooed in gold on his brow. The man addressing him wasà recognition sank in. ôTauÆri!ö

ôI know what youÆre thinking,ö Jack said, gesturing with the muzzle of his P90. ôYouÆre thinking that youÆre behind that forcefield gizmabob of yours and that our bullets canÆt hurt you. But if we can find your cloaked ship then we can make bullets that can penetrate your forcefield. So the question isà do you feel lucky, punk?ö

The GoaÆuld stared at him in disbelief and then slowly his shoulders slumped. ôI hate Nekhrun,ö he hissed. ôI hate the TokÆra. I hate this forsaken planet. And most of all, you TauÆrià I truly hate you TauÆri more than anything in the entire universe.ö

ôYou make me feel all warm and fuzzy,ö Jack said. ôNow why donÆt you just step towards the rear hatch so that we can take you into custody. And while youÆre at it, I wouldnÆt want you to be using any nasty little devices that might be hidden away, so why donÆt you keep your hands on top of your head where they wonÆt get up to any mischief.ö

ôIÆll just call the Leonidas,ö Sam said from the cockpit. ôIÆm sure they have the facilities to keep him in secure confinement.ö

ôYou do that,ö Jack agreed, not looking away from Heru-ur as he walked towards the hatch. Outside, Stross and AinÆur were kneeling on the ground, hands tied behind their backs and ankles tied together and then to the nearest tree. ôIÆll be sure to pass your compliments on to Nekhrun,ö he added. ôAre there any particular messages that I should take to the TokÆra?ö

ôTell that bastard Delek that his mother Egeria will suffer for his crimes against me,ö Heru-ur snarled vengefully. ôEven if you animals slay me, know that the vengeance of Heru-ur is inescapable. EgeriaÆs fate is sealed forever.ö

Daniel frowned and Jack half-turned his head. ôMean anything to you, Da-ö

He broke off as Heru-ur took advantage of the perceived lack of attention, running for cover behind the Alkesh. Reflexively Jack fired and was surprised to see that rather being halted by a forcefield, the rounds cut Heru-urÆs legs out from under him, leaving him screaming in agony.

ôSonuvabitch,ö he said in surprise. ôHe wasnÆt even wearing a forcefield. Wonder how that happened.ö

Heru-ur managed to focus his eyes on Jack. ôYou û you didnÆt have shield-breaking weapons? I suppose that we are both liars then, Colonel Jack OÆNeill. But your trap has not just caught me û it has caught you. Did you think I would not share my knowledge of NekhrunÆs whereabouts with the other System Lords?ö

Jack frowned and looked at Daniel. ôHave the Leonidas hurry up bringing Heru-ur aboard,ö he said. ôI think their intelligence people will want a word with him.ö

.oOo.

Hours later, with the mopping up still taking place on the ground, SG-1 were ushered into the observation deck of the Leonidas. The room was more crowded than they remembered it, with a grand U of tables taking up the bulk of the room. Around it sat a dozen officers in Confederate uniforms, including von Pinn, Fumizuki and, with his arm in a sling, Ayodhya. There were almost as many Angrezi at the table, along with perhaps half as many civilians that Jack recognised from the reception as being members of the Confederate diplomatic corps.

ôWelcome aboard again,ö Ayodhya said and gestured towards four empty chairs. ôPlease seat yourselves. I would value your input on the current situation.ö

He tapped a small control panel sitting on the table and a holographic display appeared in the middle of the U, displaying the familiar map of AngreziÆs Stargate Island. ôAs you are all aware, the situation on Angrezi has been contained. While some Jaffa continue to fight, organised resistance has ceased. The sealing of the Stargate and the capture of Heru-ur have essentially settled the matter. With that dealt with, it is time to look at the bigger picture.ö

Another tap of the controls caused the map to shrink suddenly, reducing the scale until all Angrezi was visible, and then shrinking down until the entire star system was only a glowing dot among dozens of others. ôOn the interstellar scale, this shows the immediate area of the Confederacy. Obviously it would not be practical to patrol all of it, but the key issue is these locations.ö Fourteen points of light went crimson, two of them quite close to Angrezi.

ôMay I ask their significance?ö General Soor asked from where he was sitting on the opposite side of the U from SG-1.

ôThese worlds,ö Ayodhya said grimly, ôAre all under the control of the System Lords. And while a Stargate may not care how far away a destination does, a fleet would. Any of these worlds would be a viable staging ground for the System Lords to mount an attack upon the Confederacy and the only world that they know the location of is Angrezi.ö

ôYou expect us to come under attack then?ö asked a young woman wearing an Angrezi uniform. Sam blinked and then smiled as she saw that it was Princess Shakuntala.

Ayodhya nodded. ôWhen our TauÆri friends captured Heru-ur he was talking about making a rendevous with a fleet. That suggests that his fleet, at the least, is on its way here.ö He tapped his fingers together for a moment, the tension rising. ôWhich, with things as they stand, is about as good as we could hope for.ö

ôYou want Angrezi to be attacked?ö Soor asked in surprise.

ôIf it means that we know where and approximately when the blow will fall, then yes,ö the Admiral said unflinchingly. ôShortly after the first reports of the Jaffa attack through the Stargate, I ordered a courier to make for Heinessen recommending immediate execution of Operation Mount Niitaka, the ConfederacyÆs primary scenario for war with the System Lords. Given that we are currently significantly outnumbered by the System Lords, the plan calls for the use of every advantage that we have to even the odds as far as is possible. And a defensive victory over Angrezi will bleed them severely.ö

He indicated the display. ôOperation Mount Niitaka has the primary goal of eliminating likely staging grounds for the GoaÆuld in this sector of the Galaxy. If approved, each of these worlds will come under attack in the next forty-eight hours by an CFSF Battle Group. A sweep of the sector will also remove every Stargate that we have been able to locate from a broad swathe of space around the Confederacy. The only gates that remain will be those that are under tight control. In the short term, this commits the bulk of the Fleet to offensive operations, on the assumption, a hazardous one, I admit, that the GoaÆuld have only a limited knowledge of where the Confederacy is located.ö

ôBut they do know where Angrezi lies,ö Soor snapped.

ôAnd Angrezi is part of the Confederacy now,ö Ayodhya advised confidently. ôThe Confederacy does not abandon its own. I admit that the forces available are not as large as I would likeà but has anyone ever known a military commander to admit he has too many troops at his disposal?ö

There were chuckles from several places around the table.

ôIn the short term, my own battle group will remain here, along with whatever forces can be sent from the reserve,ö Ayodhya continued. ôPart of the forces employed for the offensive arm of the Operation will also return here rather than to their usual bases, as this is the most likely place for the System Lords to attack.ö

Jack considered. ôWhat will your Fleet do if a large fleet is already at one of those worlds when they arrive?ö he asked.

ôEstablish a picket and report in,ö Ayodhya admitted. ôIf they stay there then a fleet will be massed to deal with them, if not then there should be at least some warning from the pickets before they arrive û our hyperdrives are a little faster than theirs. And raid the planet once theyÆre gone of course.ö

Daniel paled, envisaging Confederate Star Destroyers descending upon populations as helpless as those of Abydos or a thousand other worlds. ôWhat will happen to the people on those planets?ö

ôTheyÆll become involuntary colonists, Doctor,ö Captain Fumizuki told him. ôSeveral of the worlds that Lord Nekhrun settled refugees from the System Lords on have unexplored continents. The local populations will be removed to them and given the basic tools to rebuild their lives away from the System Lords. From then on, their lives will be in their own hands.ö

ôItÆs not exactly fair,ö Ayodhya admitted. ôWeÆll be forcing thousands of people away from their homes. But coldbloodedly, if we leave them where they are then they can be used to rebuild the facilities that we are about to destroy. This way they will have new homes, and their freedom.ö

Daniel relaxed slightly. ôI was more concerned that they might be left there,ö he admitted. ôSome of the System Lords would likely make reprisals for them not stopping you from destroying their property.ö

ôCan your battle group hold of Heru-ur if his fleet arrives before reinforcements?ö The question came from Soor, who seemed only somewhat relieved by the information thus far made available.

ôOur best estimates of Heru-urÆs fleet place him as having perhaps as many as thirty HaÆtak class vessels in various states of repair. Some of those would be needed to protect his own territory, others would not be fully operational. If he is attacking alone û which is likely if he was personally leading the attack since otherwise he would be exposed to the treachery of his allies û then it is unlikely that he could deploy more than twenty-three or twenty-four warships. That pushes the extreme limit of what my battle group, even with the assistance of your current orbital defences, can handle without reinforcements.ö

ôAnd if he wasnÆt acting alone?ö enquired Shakuntala. ôIf this fleet is made up of the forces of many System Lords?ö

ôThen the size of the enemy fleet is impossible to predict,ö Ayodhya told her. ôIndividually, the System Lords would send smaller proportions of their fleets, but in total the number of HaÆtaks in service among all of them number at least a thousand.ö

ôAnd the Confederate fleet numbers less than a hundred warships,ö Soor groaned.

ôJust over that,ö Ayodhya nodded. ôThe latest production run of HaÆtak Destroyers was commissioned just before we left Heinessen.ö

ôæHaÆtak DestroyersÆ?ö Jack asked.

ôSame general class as the Leonidas,ö Nekhrun said, taking over from Ayodhya. ôDesigned to do exactly what the description says: destroy HaÆtak-type ships. And those thousand or so HaÆtaks are spread across most of the galaxy, General. ItÆll take months, perhaps years, to get them all into the same place. If we can deal with whatever Heru-ur had gathered then weÆll have time to reinforce our defenses. This is going to be a long war though.ö

 

[drakensis]

ôAny further questions?ö Ayodhya asked after an hour of conversation that had basically retrod the ground established already: that the Confederacy was overall rather badly outnumbered but in the short term probably had local superiority and that while the initial retaliation by the GoaÆuld would likely fall on Angrezi, reinforcements were on their way. ôNo? Excellent. In that case, I suggest we all get some rest and then start putting the defenses on the Stargate in order. Colonel OÆNeill, if you and your team could remain behind for a moment.ö It was not a question.

Jack slouched deeper into his chair as the roomÆs other occupants filed out.

ôIÆm having a complete list of our casualties compiled,ö Ayodhya told them coldly. ôWhen the Stargate is secured sufficiently to be reactivated, you can take it with you. In the spirit of interstellar amnity I request that you give it to the TokÆra. Tell them that they are indicted for conspiracy to murder those people and have a choice: step up and offer a defense or gamble that the System Lords win. Because if the Confederacy wins and if they donÆt face up to their crimesà then IÆll hound them to the ends of the universe, to bring them to justice.ö

ôWeÆll tell them that,ö Jack agreed. ôIÆve got a few questions for them about that themselves.ö

ôGood.ö Ayodhya turned away from them and towards the windows but then paused as he saw a book resting on one of the side tables. The same book that heÆd been reading to the children a week ago when SG-1 had first come aboard the Leonidas. Walking over to the table he picked it up and started flipping through the pages, his eyes lighting up as the GoaÆuld took over. ôColonel OÆNeill, are you at all familiar with the Battle of Thermopylae?ö

ôYeah,ö Jack admitted. ôItÆs covered at the Academy.ö

ôI know that this isnÆt a very accurate depiction of the historical battle,ö Nekhrun said, showing him the cover. It was from Earth, Jack realised. HeÆd seen it on bookshop shelves a few times, the title 300 and a bronze helmet dominating the cover. ôBut itÆs probably the definitive version of the legend. And now I find myself at the Hot Gates myself and I wonder if there is a Ephialtes at my back, or Ephors waiting on Heinessen.ö

ôI do not know this battle,ö TealÆc observed. ôHowever, I know the fear in your eyes.ö

Nekhrun choked û and then burst into racking laughter. ôPerhaps you are right,ö he admitted. ôHere.ö He closed the book and offered it to TealÆc. ôTake it as a gift. From one warrior to another.ö Still laughing, he walked out of the observation room, leaving TealÆc holding the book and Sam and Daniel staring after him.

ôWhat was that about?ö Daniel asked in concern.

ôI donÆt think itÆs anything bad,ö Jack said slowly. ôYou should read the book, TealÆc. I think youÆll enjoy it.ö

Then he walked over to the window and stared at the space around them, the five other ships positioned around the Leonidas. ôStar destroyers against HaÆtak and X-Wings against Death Gliders, GoaÆuld on both sidesà this is going to be one wild fight.ö

TealÆc frowned at him and then opened the book at the beginning, smiling slightly as he saw the artwork inside it.

.oOo.

Almost an hour later the door opened and Jack, Daniel and Sam looked up from the game of poker they were playing with cards that Jack had brought with him to see Shakuntala in the doorway, still wearing the crimson and black uniform of an Angrezi colonel and a turban.

ôI hate to interrupt your victory celebration,ö she told them with somewhat less that total sincerity. ôBut my father would like to meet you.ö

ôThe Padishah?ö Jack asked in surprise.

ôWell you did suggest that you wanted to open diplomatic channels,ö she pointed out. ôGoing into a war, I believe that we might find having another friendly power quite helpful. I think he has some sort of treaty in mind, perhaps the exchange of ambassadors û the usual. Or are you no longer interested?ö

ôI didnÆt say that,ö Jack said, throwing down his cards. ôIt was a lousy hand anyway.ö

ôYou understand that anything we agree to canÆt be retified until our government has looked it over?ö Daniel asked, rising to his feet. ôWhich is going to have to wait until we can go through the Stargate.ö

ôOf course,ö Shakuntala said indignantly as they walked out the door towards the ring transporters. ôIÆm not a child, Doctor Jackson. My father made a point of making sure that I was well aware of the constraints of interstellar diplomacy.ö

ôDo you have any idea what the Padishah will be looking for in the treaty?ö Sam asked.

ôProbably some sort of trade arrangement,ö advised Shakuntala. ôWe will have to rebuild almost every part of our military industries in the immediate future, not to mention expand our planetary defences exponentially. Anything we can do to offset that cost by bringing in revenue will be something of a priority û Lady Nekhrun recommended that we look for something we can trade on to the rest of the Confederacy to bring in currency from them.ö

.oOo.

ôColonel OÆNeill,ö HammondÆs voice crackled over the radio. ôIs there a problem? YouÆre rather overdue.ö

ôYou could say that, sir,ö Jack said, looking in the direction of the Stargate, which was currently surrounded by thousands of Angrezi military engineers working on the foundations of the fortress that was being established to control access to and, more importantly, access through the Stargate. ôThe Angrezi came under attack by Heru-ur right in the middle of the reception. According to Heru-ur he was working from information provided to him by the TokÆra so either they have a huge security breach, or theyÆre a serious threat to our own security.ö

ôWhatÆs the situation,ö Hammond asked, his voice concerned.

ôThe Angrezi were able to repel the attack, sir,ö Jack replied. ôWith help from the Confederacy. TheyÆre royally pissed though, mostly at the TokÆra, but since they found out about the Angrezi from usàö

ôThatÆs not good, Colonel. Are your team alright?ö

ôWeÆre good, sir,ö confirmed Jack. ôThere is some good news though. We have a draft treaty with the Angrezi Padishah to purchase the designs for some of their military hardware and exchange ambassadors. And we, uh, acquired a TelÆtac from Heru-ur and as far as the Angrezi are concerned itÆs a matter of finders keepers.ö

ôThatÆs good news,ö Hammond affirmed. ôSo will you be returning to Earth aboard it?ö

ôThatÆs the plan, sir,ö Jack agreed. ôAs a gesture of his good will, we were able to persuade the Padishah to release MaybourneÆs team to us while he was still happy over beating the stuffing out of the Jaffa invasion force. However, heÆs going to keep the Stargate sealed for a while until heÆs sure that itÆs secure against another invasion.ö

ôExcellent!ö the General said in a congratulatory tone. ôThat will leave Maybourne as the only remaining loose end and with the GoaÆuld fighting the other System Lords heÆs not likely to be a problem.ö

ôAh,ö Jack said warningly. ôActually thereÆs one more thing, sir.ö

Hammond paused. ôWhy do I suspect that this isnÆt going to be good news, Colonel?ö

ôWell it could be good news,ö Jack said honestly. ôYou see, Nekhrun heard we might be sending an ambassador so heÆs pulled together the diplomatic staff that were here for the reception and hammered out another treaty package to offer in parallel.ö

ôWell?ö Hammond asked when Jack seemed reluctant to continue.

ôWell, if we sign this treaty I can see about three likely outcomes, General. Either we get sucked into the war brewing against the System Lords, we wind up a Protectorate World with the Confederacy guarenteeing our independence until we can do so ourselvesà or we wind up part of the Confederacy. And with what heÆs offering it might just be worth it.ö

ôI donÆt think that Congress is about to sign off on trading our independence for protection, Jack,ö Hammond said.

ôFull access to their military technology including teams of technical advisors to help us build orbital defense platforms and spaceships. WeÆd probably have to redesign the ships a bit to avoid lawsuits -ö

ôLawsuits?ö interupted Hammond.

ôDid I mention that the ships weÆve seen come straight out of Star Wars?ö Jack asked. ôApparently he saw the film during a covert visit to Earth and liked it so much that he described the ships to his engineers when they started designing capital ships and they liked the ideas. IÆm surprised he doesnÆt walk around in a Darth Vader costume.ö

ôIÆm not sure that I want to follow that line of thought to its natural conclusion,ö Hammond decided. ôSo what do the Angrezi want for their more modest treaty proposals?ö

ôThey want us to buy some of their military surplus when they upgrade to the ConfederacyÆs standards over the next few years, how much is negotiable although I suspect we can pick up some of the manufacturing gear for it as well. And as part of the trade they want to buy books and other cultural goods that they can sell on to the Confederacy.ö

ôCultural goods?ö Hammond snorted. ôThat sounds like the rugs and whatnot that my in-laws brought back from their holiday in Mexico.ö

ôThat might not be far off, sir. WeÆre a long way from the Confederacy and if their claims are true then their standard of living is at least as good as ours.ö

.oOo.

ôAre you sure that this is okay?ö Daniel asked Jack, watching the TelÆtac lift off and skim a few hundred metres along the runway of an Angrezi airbase.

Jack shrugged. ôWell we need to make sure that itÆs working okay after we dropped all those rocks on top of it,ö he pointed out, ôSo weÆd have to make a few test flights anyway.ö

ôSomehow I donÆt think that the Air Force usually uses ætest flightsÆ to coach members of friendly but not formally allied nations to fly captured spacecraft.ö

ôOnly because we donÆt have enough captured spacecraft,ö Jack insisted. ôBesides, the PadishahÆs piloting corps took a bit of a beating in the battle. This gives them a bit of a boost.ö

ôAre you sure that it isnÆt because they agreed to let you have one of their slots for retraining on an X-Wing?ö asked Daniel sceptically. While none of the ConfederacyÆs heavy warships had arrived yet, a freighter had stopped to unload the first shipment of the fighter-bombers for the AngreziÆs ground-based wings.

ôThey arenÆt letting me have one of the slots,ö Jack replied. ôI got two, one for me and one for Carter.ö

Daniel muttered something that sounded like æboys and their toysÆ but surely Jack must have misheard him. ôYou do realise that if one of them crashes the TelÆtac then weÆll be off everyoneÆs Christmas list this year?ö

The TelÆtac lurched rather alarmingly as he spoke and Jack hissed, gesturing towards Daniel as if to ward off evil. ôDaniel, stop tempting fate. Besides, itÆs an X-Wing. General Hammond would understand.ö The TelÆtac lurched again before steadying out. ôItÆll be okay,ö Jack said in relief.

ôI hope youÆre right,ö Daniel told him. ôBecause unless the Padishah decides that the Stargate is safe to use for something other than radio messages itÆs going to be a long walk back to Earth.ö

.oOo.

The room that they were gathered in was almost, but not quite as splendid as their usual surroundings. They all took pains to ostensibly ignoring any lacks while discreetly enough to be noticed sneering at them, pretending that they could do better than their host under the same circumstances.

It was the host who spoke first. ôIt becomes clear that Heru-ur has failed,ö he decreed. ôIt is entirely probable that he is dead, or if not has been captured.ö

ôSurely if he survived he would have escaped to advise us of the circumstances,ö one of his carefully primed mouthpieces added.

ôIt was rash of him to lead the attack himself,ö the host concluded, setting aside the memory of the careful prodding that had provoked Heru-urÆs decision. ôHowever, this proves that Nekhrun is even more of a threat than we believed. Nor can there be any doubt of why he has chosen this moment. He believes that we are divided, that we are weak.ö

ôIt is time to remind him that he ran like a dog before our wrath,ö another declared.

Not one of the hostsÆs agents. Good, he decided. ôIndeed, it is time. But this glory should not belong to one of us. It must belong to all of us, so that all can see the fate of those who turn against us.ö ApophisÆ smile was that of a serpent about to strike. ôLet Nekhrun gather his strength only to find how short it falls when compared to the combined might of the System Lords!ö

 

[DeathGod666]

I don't know if I missed it but it seems you glossed over the fact that the Tokra may have or may not have given his position to the system lords

 

[Moshulel]

Going well. The backstabbing in the back from the Tok'Ra isn't something difficult to believe and makes things very interesting in the galaxy.

As a question, when is this exactly placed in the SG-1 continuity? I see Apophis is still alive and kicking, do we get to see the Asgard? They might be interested in a power that can balance out the Snakes with a bit of help from them.

 

[drakensis]

I don't know if I missed it but it seems you glossed over the fact that the Tokra may have or may not have given his position to the system lords

Given standard Goa'uld politics, the fact that Heru-ur shared the information on Nekhrun with other System Lords doesn't mean that they are directly supporting him. In the long and even medium term, Nekhrun knows that he's going to have to fight pretty much all of them. In the short run he hopes that Heru-ur is they only one likely to attack before he can get defenses up. It's not ideal but he's having to run far in advance of his timescale.

As a question, when is this exactly placed in the SG-1 continuity? I see Apophis is still alive and kicking, do we get to see the Asgard? They might be interested in a power that can balance out the Snakes with a bit of help from them.

Warrior Peoples takes place after SG-1 meet the Tok'ra in season 2 and before Earth is placed under the Asgard's protection in season 3, although the latter may not happen at all as this diverges fairly significantly from the canon events.

 

[drakensis]

It would be nice to say that the X-wing û technically the Confederated Free Systems Fleet designated them as SF-3(H) Jaegers but only pencil pushers called them that û handled like a dream. Actually, Jack noted, it was a balky brute of a fighter that needed all the spacing of the four engines to turn as sharply as it needed to.

ôNo offense,ö he mentioned as the training squadron of twelve X-Wings came out of the steep vertical climb that had lifted them out of the atmosphere of Angrezi, ôBut IÆve flown Death Gliders and in a dogfight those crates will be all over the six of an X-Wing in nothing flat.ö

ôSix?ö asked the instructor pilot, who was flying as Green One.

ôBehind, outside the gun arcs,ö Sam clarified.

ôAh,ö Green One nodded. ôYes, thatÆs pretty much what happened the one time that Death Gliders and X-Wings did mix it up for real. DidnÆt do them very much good though.ö

ôDidnÆt do much good?ö Jack asked in surprise.

ôX-Wings arenÆt supposed to mix it up with Death Gliders, Colonel,ö Green One explained. ôThink about it, youÆre piloting a craft equipped with four energy cannon at least three times as large as those of a Death Glider as well as an internal munitions bay. Does that description sound like an interceptor?ö

ôNo,ö Jack agreed. ôI understand that the main role of the X-Wings is targeting warships that wonÆt be able to out manuever them, but theyÆll still need to get past Death Gliders to do so. And someone has to keep the GoaÆuld from using their Alkesh to swarm over your own captial ships.ö

ôI believe that that is my cue,ö another voice said, breaking onto the squadron channel. It took Jack a moment to recognise the voice as belonging to Captain Knaak, the commander of one of the Confederacy warships û presumably the nearest of the six ships since it was angling towards them.

ôI believe that it is,ö Green One agreed. ôLadies and gentlemen, for todayÆs training weÆll be running a simulated attack on the carrier Sparta. In order to keep things somewhat fair, she will only be protected by her interceptor wing, who should be launching right about now.ö

The moment that he said ænowÆ, the side of the Sparta seemed to explode like a broadside from one of the old sailing warships that Jack had seen in old swashbuckler movies û line after line of fire blazing away from the flank and it took Jack a moment to realise that what had been launched werenÆt missiles, they were more fighters û smaller than the X-Wings although with a similar long nose and three engines behind the cockpit and three short stubby wings, one rising as a dorsal fin, the other two angled downwards û and were launching on full afterburners. No, not afterburners, he realised as he recognised the design. Turbo boost.

ôVipers?ö Jack exclaimed. ôFrom a Star Destroyer?ö

ôAh, I have a message from Lord Nekhrun for Colonel OÆNeill,ö Captain Knaak advised. ôHe said to tell you, æDonÆt be a canon-nazi, ColonelÆ. I hope that that means something to you?ö

ôThat heÆs got a smart mouth,ö Jack groused.

ôYou hadnÆt already noticed that, sir?ö Sam asked innocently.

ôMore properly,ö Green One said in a lecturing tone, ôWhat are approaching us are referred to as I-2(E) Sternhunds, the ConfederacyÆs current model of interceptor. But as Colonel OÆNeill has pointed out, anyone who doesnÆt have ink running through their bloodstream knows to call them Vipers. The standard practise is for the Vipers to clear the sky of Death Gliders and Alkesh while X-Wings deal with larger targets. For today, however, theyÆll be working to keep us from attacking the Sparta. Are there any questions?ö

ôRules of engagement?ö Jack asked.

ôNo close passes,ö Green One advised. ôYour systems are set to simulate weapons fire as in the previous runs, but a collision would seriously damage an X-Wing and more than likely kill the pilot of a Viper. All your proximity sensors are set to fire retros automatically if you pass within ten metres of someone but that wonÆt do more than moderate a collision if youÆre moving too fast so stay aware. If the simulation programme logs you as disabled or destroyed then it wonÆt register any shots you take, but it will unlock any restrictions caused by simulated damage and you should immediately withdraw and form up more or less where we are now. Alright, check in in descending order.ö

ôGreen Twelve, weapons safe, all systems green,ö the first pilot confirmed.

Jack listened to the repetition of the phrases, checking his own boards. All the LEDs on his primary status panel were green but he had the damage control computer run a separate check before snapping the weapons controls to active and back to safe, seeing the reports confirm that the locks had functioned smoothly. ôGreen Seven, weapons are safe and all systems are in the green.ö

Sam, who was flying as Green Six, repeated the words again and the ritual confirmation went on down the line until the instructor reported that Green One had his own weapons safed and all systems were green.

ôRight then,ö the man said with a smile. ôSince our valiant opponents confirm that they are also ready, letÆs go score ourselves a Carrier.ö

The X-Wings peeled off, Jack holding his position on SamÆs wing. ôAny idea on how to get past that crowd?ö Jack asked, refering to the Vipers, which had split into three squadrons but otherwise seemed content to just stay between the X-Wings and their target.

ôLetÆs try a straight run through them,ö she proposed.

ôSounds good,ö agreed Jack. ôThe major turrets are either side of the command tower. You go along the starboard side and IÆll take port.ö

ôUnderstood.ö Sam brought her X-Wing into line for the proposed run, Jack moving out a little to leave enough space. ôOn three?ö

ôThree,ö Jack said promptly, shifting his thumb from the trigger on his control stick to the turbo and accelerating rapidly ahead of Sam, engines blazing.

ôJack!ö she shouted in annoyance and followed suit, blazing after him towards the Vipers and the mass of the Sparta behind them.

The Vipers, it would appear, had a plan in place for this exact contingency and at least six brought their noses around and opened fire with the cannon that were mounted at their wingroots. The damn things fired a lot faster than the heavier models on the wingtips of JackÆs ride and he had to throw a little weave into his course just to evade them. Unfortunately, this slowed him down just a bit more than he really wanted tooà

And the next minute the X-Wing was at the centre of a shooting gallery as the Vipers adjusted for the his reduced speed and hammered his shields viciously low by bombarding them from what felt like every angle and try as he could he couldnÆt get loose from more than one or two at a time.

ôAnd that, my fellow pilots,ö Green One noted idly from where his own X-Wing was casually staying a good distance back, ôIs classic mistake number one for a green X-Wing pilot.ö

JackÆs sensor board went red as his shields failed and the computer advised him that the cocpkit had been struck by three simulated plasma bolts that would, if real, have reduced his body to its component atoms in roughly a microsecond. With a humph, he pulled up and headed back to the rendevous point.

ôNever,ö Green One commented, ônever, try to break another fighterÆs lock by manuever in an X-Wing. Would anyone care to guess what the real solution here is?ö

The Vipers scattered as Sam blazed forwards, hammering one of them with her own cannon when it didnÆt get far enough out of the way for her liking. The dart-like little craft died in a (simulated) explosion as she bored in on the Star Destroyer and the return fire from the Vipers failed to break down her shields before she was clear of them. Rather than try for a sternchase they backed off to watch the rest of the X-Wings, leaving her to the tender mercies of the Viper squadron closest to the Sparta, which were moving to intercept.

ôThe Vipers can generate one hell of a lot of flack,ö Green One commented to anyone who was listening. ôHowever, unless they are right on your tail they will have a lot of trouble keeping that flack on you when youÆre moving fast and if they canÆt keep you under constant pressure then the shields on an X-Wing can take the beating for quite a while. A minute, at least. And when youÆre on turbo you can cross a lot of ground in a minute.ö

SamÆs X-Wing all but lit up on the scopes as almost every single component on the damage board went red. As as she could tell, something had just simulated punching straight from the nose of the fighter to the rear end with a diameter of effect large enough to have taken out all four engines.

ôWhich wonÆt help you if the ship youÆre heading for has a golden BB loaded in itÆs main turrets,ö Green One said after a moment, his voice slightly betraying his surprise. ôTry not to get into the main arc, Green Six. You just took a square hit from a gun that outmasses your entire fighter.

.oOo.

ôDid you have fun?ö Daniel asked the two Air Force officers as they emerged from the air base locker rooms, freshly showered and back in comfortable BDUs.

ôApart from the number of times we got blasted out of the sky,ö Jack said, ôyes, tons of fun. You should have come along, Daniel.ö

ôIÆm not a pilot, Jack. I think I can live without flying an X-Wing.ö

ôYour loss,ö Jack said with a shrug. ôHey, TealÆc, buddy. How are you doing.ö

ôI am well, OÆNeill,ö the Jaffa said, frowning down at the book he was reading, the same book that Nekhrun had presented him with two days before. ôThis book is from Earth?ö

ôYeah, I think the guy who did it wrote some of the Batman comics,ö Jack told him. ôWhy, you like it?ö

TealÆcÆs eyes were lit with something almost like religious fervor. ôI must obtain more of these books, OÆNeill.ö

ôMore?ö asked Jack. ôI guess the guyÆs written some more books.ö

ôNo, more of this book,ö TealÆc insisted. ôMany copies.ö

ôHow many copies of the same book will you read, TealÆc?ö Sam asked.

ôFor the other Jaffa?ö Daniel asked, a step or two ahead of the others. Then again, he had spent a fair bit of the afternoon clarifying the historical background to the Battle of the Hot Gates to TealÆc so he had a little more in the way of an idea where the big Jaffa was going.

ôIndeed, DanielJackson,ö TealÆc agreed. ôThis is a most inspirational story. I shall read it it RyaÆc soon. Master BraÆtac will also wish to hear it.ö

ôItÆs that good?ö Jack asked dubiously.

ôIt is the story of a King who fancied himself a God and possessed a large and powerful army,ö TealÆc explained. ôAnd of how a few brave men defied him and inspired an army to rise up and defeat him.ö

ôI guess I can see how that would be relevant,ö Sam agreed. ôInteresting that Nekhrun would give it to you.ö

TealÆc frowned. ôHe is GoaÆuld,ö he said almost uncertainly. ôBut he does not behave as a GoaÆuldà he.ö Then he broke off and leafed through the book. ôDoes this mean what I believe that it means, DanielJackson.ö

ôæImagine what horrible fate awaits my enemies when I would gladly kill any of my own men for victoryÆ,ö Daniel read the words of Xerxes. ôI could almost hear Apophis saying something like that.ö

ôAnd LeonidasÆ response?ö TealÆc asked.

ôæAnd I would die for any of mineÆ,ö Daniel read. ôYou thinkà?ö

ôWhat, you think Nekhrun, a GoaÆuld who admits himself that the Confederacy is a powerplay on his part, is making some sort of heroic sacrifice here?ö Jack asked.

TealÆc didnÆt reply but Daniel did. ôDonÆt underestimate the power of a myth, Jack. This story obviously carries a lot of weight with the Confederacy û for that matter, see what an impact itÆs having on TealÆc - and Nekhrun seems to think about it a lot. Look at the names of his ships: Leonidas, Spartaà and the parallels here. A narrow place, the one planet where the System Lords can strike at him. HeÆs outnumbered, his enemies consider themselves Gods and encourage superstition. ItÆs not impossible that he really does buy into this.ö

ôThat would be insane,ö Jack disagreed. ôHeÆs a GoaÆuld, you know how powerful that ancestral memory of theirs is.ö

ôPowerful enough to override eight thousand years of life, Jack? Most of the GoaÆuld have spent eons pretty much doing the same things, NekhrunÆs been doing things that they probably canÆt even imagine. IÆm no psychologist but I donÆt think anyone could predict how complicated that must make the insides of his head.ö

ôOh great, you think heÆs insane?ö Jack asked.

ôMaybe not insane,ö Daniel temporised, ôBut certainly more than a little obsessive, and believe me as an archeologist IÆve seen that happen more than once. If heÆs latching onto this then who knows where it could lead him to?ö

ôOkay, so thereÆs a serious unbalanced GoaÆuld with a fleet right out of Star Wars,ö Jack said and shook his head. ôGreat, and I thought I was joking about the Darth Vader costume. I think that would be an improvement over the possibility that heÆll try to face off against the GoaÆuld wearing a loincloth and a cape.ö

 

[Moshulel]

Warrior Peoples takes place after SG-1 meet the Tok'ra in season 2 and before Earth is placed under the Asgard's protection in season 3, although the latter may not happen at all as this diverges fairly significantly from the canon events.

Probably so given the fact that Earth might find itself locked in the galactic struggle by the time the Asgard get around to see just what is happening around those parts in which case it's hard to believe that the System Lords are going to accept the treaty like they did in canon.

I'm a bit curios about how this will effect the internal politics of the snakes since they're more likely to stab each other in the back than they are to work together for long periods of times in large groups. Although the case of Nekhrun is early familiar to others presented in the series where the system lords banded together.

 

[drakensis]

The TokÆra High Council was not without a history of acrimony as its members discussed the various options available to them in their eons long struggle against the tyranny of Ra and the other System Lords.

There was however absolutely no precedent for Selmak, returning to the chamber after having received a communication from his current hostÆs homeworld, hauling Delek up from his chair and slamming the other Councillor up against the wall. A moment later, the former Air Force general brought his knee up sharply, striking the younger host slightly above the pelvis, eliciting a whoop of pain from the other man.

ôOut of a slight concern for your host,ö Jacob Carter hissed to the other TokÆra, ôI didnÆt just end his future chances of siring children. You fucking imbecile. How long have you been in Heru-urÆs pocket?ö

ôSelmak!ö Aldwin protested. ôWhat are you talking about! Release Delek immediately.ö

ôNot a fucking chance,ö Jacob snarled. ôI just got a message from George Hammond. You may remember that Anise and I met him recently, regarding the long missing Nekhrun.ö

ôIt would be hard to forget,ö Anise growled. ôBut what has this got to do with Delek?ö

ôEverything,ö he growled. ôSG-1 went back for a follow up meeting a few days. While they were there, the planet came under attack by Heru-ur and thousands of Jaffa.ö

Aldwin sighed. ôAnother human civilisation snuffed out by the System Lords,ö he said bitterly. ôI hope at least that SG-1 were able to escape?ö

ôEscape?ö Jacob snorted. ôThey kicked Heru-urÆs ass, captured him and the Confederated Free Systems kicked the Jaffa off Angrezi, which looks likely to be only the first battle in whatÆs going to be a very savage war between them and the System Lords.ö

ôTheyà won?ö Anise gasped. ôThat bitch defeated one of the System Lords in open battle?ö

ôThey won,ö confirmed Jacob, ôAnd apparently Heru-ur let slip a few details about how he came to find Angrezi, a civilisation that none of the System Lords knew anything about but that we had learned of less that a week before the attack.ö

ôWhat are you saying?ö Aldwin asked. ôThat Delek shared the information with Heru-ur? The Council never authorised such a disclosure.ö

ôHeru-ur named Delek specifically,ö Jacob told them, releasing the still gasping Delek to fall the floor. ôApparently some sort of deal involving Egeria. I also have several messages to relay,ö he added looking down at the fallen Councillor. ôHeru-ur said to tell you that Egeria will suffer for your crimes against him, Delek. Now I was rather under the impression that she was long dead. Do you have anything that you want to tell us? Or should I move right on to persuading you to tell us the dirty little secrets that youÆve been hiding?ö

The tears in DelekÆs eyes were not a result of the injury. ôNoàö he whispered. ôDamn himà damn them bothàö

ôDelek,ö Aldwin said firmly. ôTell us what you have done.ö

Delek sighed. ôEgeria is alive,ö he confessed. ôRa didnÆt kill her, he sealed her away in a remote tomb. Heru-ur was the only one that Ra entrusted with the location. He offered to share the information with me and not reveal my allegiances to Ra in return for information on the other System Lords.ö

ôYou fool,ö Selmak said coldly. ôEven if he wasnÆt lying, Egeria would never have wished to become one of the System LordÆs servants.ö

ôDammit, Selmak! DonÆt get self-righteous with me!ö Delek snapped. ôWeÆre losing, canÆt you see that? Every time one of the System Lords is brought down, another GoaÆuld simply replaces them. But where are the new TokÆra? Without Egeria we canÆt replace our number and year after year, century after century, our own casualties are sapping our strength.ö

ôHow do you even know Heru-ur was telling the truth?ö Aldwin challenged him. ôYou know that he would not hesitate to betray you.ö

ôHe showed me her,ö revealed Delek stubbornly. ôHe took me through a Stargate and showed me the very jar. In return for NekhrunÆs location he swore to reveal the gate codes to me.ö

ôAnd you believed him?ö

ôHe gave me the first two codes,ö Delec protested. ôWhat does it matter what happens to Nekhrun? Is this anything that we havenÆt done before, revealing one GoaÆuldÆs weakness to another in order to thin their ranks?ö

ôNever without the full knowledge and consent of the High Council,ö Aldwin reminded him.

ôAnd never when it would bring the wrath of both System Lords down upon us!ö Jacob snapped. ôYou utter fool. Do you have any idea how dangerous Nekhrun is? She squashed Heru-ur like a fly and she knows perfectly well that we are the ones who revealed his location. She sent a message through StarGate Command for the High Council as well.ö

Anise sneered. ôDo you really think that anyone cares what that malignant cow has to say for herself?ö she spat.

ôI think we damn well should care,ö Jacob answered. ôShe says that as far as she is concerned we are responsible for every death among the soldiers who fought the Jaffa and she demands that we explain ourselves. If we donÆtà well if the Confederacy wins, which I admit I donÆt think is very likely, then theyÆll hunt us down like dogs.ö

ôAs if thatÆs any different from how the GoaÆuld treat us?ö Garshaw snorted.

Jacob shook his head. ôHow long would the TokÆra have lasted without the support of human communities?ö he asked rhetorically. ôNot long. And if the Confederacy wins then they wonÆt oppress the System Lords slaves. TheyÆll liberate them, and tell them of all the times weÆve had to abandoned humans to face the wrath of System Lords that are hunting us. It would seem that thatÆs where those communities that Nekhrun swept off wound up, indoctrinated until there are entire societies that see us as nothing but those who used them and then threw them aside.ö

.oOo.

The Angrezi star system was relatively small, with only two terrestrial planets besides Angrezi and a single huge gas giant further out from the sun. It was not large enough to have hidden the sudden arrival of even one starship from the watchful eyes of the Confederated Free Systems Fleet now that they had been alerted. Not that the System Lords were particularly trying.

ôMultiple hyperspace windows opening,ö reported a sensor operator on the bridge of the Leonidas. ôLocation is twenty million miles insystem of Angrezi, one point three million miles above the ecliptic plane.ö

ôHow many?ö Fumizuki asked.

ôMore than twenty,ö the young woman reported. ôAnd theyÆre still coming.ö

Fumizuki nodded. ôSound general quarters.ö

A deep booming sound filled the compartment as the General Quarters alarm, modelled on a very large gong, sounded. Everywhere aboard the powerful ship and her smaller cohorts, bulkheads slammed closed crew scrambled for their battle stations.

ôSituation?ö Ayodhya asked, bursting into the bridge, fingers still working to close up the flies of his trousers.

Fumizuki tactfully didnÆt look back. Basantapurian culture, even muted by several generations on Heinessen, was considerably less body-shy than that of the CaptainÆs native Fukuoka. ôA large force is exiting Hyperspace at a range of roughly twenty-six million miles. In excess of twenty vessels.ö

ôPast forty, sir,ö the sensor operator advised.

ôDamn,ö the Admiral noted. ôThat son of a bitch Heru-ur managed to drag along an alliance. WhatÆs the status of the Onyx Ghost?ö he added, in reference to the freighter that had delivered the AngreziÆs new fighters.

ôDeparted on schedule three hours ago,ö Fumizuki reported. ôThe Dilios flew back and forth across the point of departure, which should muddle any hyperspace traces they might be able to get after all this time.ö

ôI realise that it was never very likely,ö Ayodhya agreed. ôBut then again, I hadnÆt thought that Heru-ur would have a new twist on a ring transporter either and cold as it is, IÆd rather that the System Lords donÆt have anywhere else that they know of to attack us for the moment.ö

ôThe Angrezi are tough people,ö Fumizuki said.

Ayodhya shook his head. ôThey havenÆt had a war in a hundred years. That skirmish over the Stargate wasnÆt enough to blood them seriously. This will be the real test.ö He shrugged. ôWell, the dice are thrown and all that.ö

A tactical display lit up. ôTheyÆve stopped coming, sir. Final count is sixty-two ships, power signatures all flag them as HaÆtak-class ships. I donÆt recognise the formation but theyÆre heading this way, estimated time of arrival is in twenty-eight minutes.ö

ôShow me the formation,ö Ayodhya ordered. A holographic image, each ship nothing more than a pin-prick, appeared in front of him and he gave a short laugh. ôThatÆs no formation û thatÆs every blasted one of those damn fools bunching their own ships together and trying not to get too far into their æallyÆsÆ firing arcs.ö

ôThe TauÆriÆs captured TelÆtac is approaching, sir,ö the flight officer observed. Without any fighters out at the moment, he had been relegated to local traffic control.

ôWhat do they want?ö

ôTo come aboard, apparently.ö

ôIt would seem to be your day for meeting people,ö Fumizuki observed.

ôYouÆve got a smart mouth, captain,ö Nekhrun observed, taking over from the Admiral. ôSario was wise to choose you as his flag captain. Since the TelÆtac has a ring transporter, let the TauÆre come aboard.ö

The operations officer saluted and then touched his headset, murmuring commands. ôTheyÆre aboard, sir.ö

ôInteresting,ö Nekhrun mused, watching as the TelÆtac wheeled and suddenly headed out of the system. In a flash of light it disappeared, entering Hyperspace in what, off hand, he would have thought to be the direction of Earth. ôLooks like their ride deserted them.ö

ôNot quite,ö Jack said, walking onto the bridge, followed by the rest of SG-1. ôI told the guys on MaybourneÆs team to take it back to Earth and make contact with StarGate Command.ö

ôAnd youÆre sure that they wonÆt say, take off and start plundering other helpless planets?ö Nekhrun asked sceptically.

ôIÆm reasonably sure that they wonÆt be able to navigate to any helpless planets,ö Jack explained. ôCarter had to set up the hyperspace route for them to get back to Earth.ö

The GoaÆuld shrugged his shoulders as if to emphasise that those hapless individuals were no longer his problem. ôAnd so you decided to come here and keep me company? I knew I had a winning personality but donÆt you think that you might be taking matters to extremes?ö

ôVery funny,ö Jack told him and looked at the display of ships. ôThatÆs a lot of ships. Friends of yours?ö

Nekhrun snorted. ôNo, Colonel OÆNeill. Like any of you, I can choose my friends but I am given no choice when it comes to my family. Those are the combined forces of... my goodness, I hadnÆt realised IÆd upset quite so many of the System Lords. I do believe that thatÆs some of Heru-urÆs ships there, trailing behind ApophisÆ little fleetà Moloc, Aresà Morrigan and Cronusà Hathor? What did I ever do to her? And what damp rock did she crawl out from under? I havenÆt heard a whisper of her for twenty centuriesàö

Jack raised his hand somewhat sheepishly. Hathor wasnÆt one of his proudest memories.

ôI should have known,ö Nekhrun sighed. ôIn any event, it would appear that the Heru-ur shared his discovery of my survival with quite a number of my old adversaries and now they have come to destroy me.ö

ôCan you stop them?ö Daniel asked.

ôWith six ships?ö the renegade GoaÆuld asked incredulously. ôNot unless they do something truly stupidà of course, we are talking about my idiot siblings for the most part so thatÆs entirely possible.ö

ôIs there any likelihood of reinforcements arriving?ö Jack asked.

ôNot in the immediate future,ö Nekhrun admitted. ôIf everything went completely to plan then the first of the strike forces from Operation Mount Niitaka will be just finishing up their strikes, which means that they canÆt get here for at least another day.ö

ôDo you think you can drag out the battle that long?ö Sam asked, eyeing the advancing mob of ships. Death Gliders and Alkesh were beginning to spill from their hangers. There were a great many of them.

ôThere are a lot of variables,ö the GoaÆuld shrugged. ôIf I can sting them badly enough then possibly. But I donÆt want to bloody them enough to make them run? ItÆll be a tough balance to manage.ö

ôYou donÆt want them to run?ö Daniel asked.

ôNo,ö Nekhrun said, eyeing the little diagram that floated in front of his command chair. ôI want them here. I want all of them here. I want to pin them against Angrezi and when the reinforcements arrive I want to grind them to dust and leave the System Lords short several of their most bloodthirsty fellows and the cream of a dozen fleets. And that wonÆt happen if they run away from me.ö

 

[drakensis]

The HaÆtak were straggling as they closed towards Angrezi, the individual flotillas of each System Lords moving with little co-ordination between each other. They all seemed to have the same general plan however, which meant that they were all moving directly towards Angrezi and the little battle group of ships that protected the planet.

ôThatÆs interesting,ö Nekhrun noted as he saw the ships hold to the same course. ôNormally IÆd expect them to spread out to prevent me from leaving, which would of course give me the chance to pick them off a few at a time. Instead theyÆre threatening the planet. ThatÆs cleverer than normal û if I abandon Angrezi after swearing to defend it then at best theyÆd give the Confederacy short shrift in the future.ö

ôYou think that thereÆs one person in charge of that mess?ö Sam asked.

Nekhrun nodded. ôTheyÆre moving in the same direction, Captain, which at least means that someone is herding them. Expecting them to form an effective formation would be like wishing for the moon on a piece of string. Still, if they want to close in with Angrezi then IÆll let them. ItÆll bring the orbital defenses into play which will help a little.ö

ôSir,ö the operations officer advised. ôWeÆre receiving a transmission from the incoming fleet.ö

ôOh?ö asked Nekhrun. ôWhat do they have to say for themselves?ö

The operator paused and frowned. ôWeÆve been invited to æsurrender and dieÆ, Admiral.ö

ôIsnÆt that supposed to be surrender or die?ö Daniel enquired.

Nekhrun, TealÆc and most of the bridge crew gave the archeologist amused looks. ôNoàö Nekhrun said slowly. ôKnowing my kind, IÆm reasonably sure that they said what they meant to.ö

Sam rolled her eyes. ôHow very Klingon.ö Now it was JackÆs turn to direct an amused look at Sam. ôWhat? IÆm just trying to get into the spirit of things.ö

ôI suppose it would only be polite to say hello,ö Nekhrun sighed. ôPut the no doubt infantile ranting onto the speakers Ensign.ö

ôàthe wrath of the gods! Grovel before us and beg for our mercy! Surrender the vile Nekhrun or suffer the consequencesàö demanded a familiar voice. ôOur Jaffa are without numberàö

ôHe only thinks that because he canÆt count past ten without taking his shoes off,ö Nekhrun commented to Jack, who smirked.

ôOur ships shall blot out the very light of this star,ö declared Apophis.

ôHonestly, he couldnÆt have set up a better straight line if heÆd been reading from a script.ö

TealÆc nodded his agreement and then raised an eyebrow.

ôBy my guest,ö the GoaÆuld agreed and stepped back, gesturing for the operations officer to transmit TealÆcÆs words.

ôThen we shall fight in the shade,ö TealÆc declared.

ôHUA!ö shouted the crew on the bridge, Nekhrun as loudly as anyone.

There was an astonished silence from the GoaÆuld and then: ôSholÆva!ö Apophis screamed in fury. ôYou dare to defy me! You dare to stand with even the treacherous Nekhrun!? I will see you suffer for an eternity for this temerity!ö

ôGoodness, do you think he recognises you?ö Nekhrun asked. ôWhy hello, Apophis, were you saying something?ö he added.

The GoaÆuld was all but incoherent with rage. ôEnough!ö he managed to shout. ôThere will be no mercy, no quarter. Burn those pathetic excuses for warships from the sky and this filthy planet to the ground.ö

ôWell that should put paid to any thoughts of surrender,ö concluded Nekhrun, ordering the communciations channel cut off with a slashing gesture across his throat. ôNow, let me seeà how stupid can Apophis beàö

A sizeable force of HaÆtak began to pull ahead of the formation. Twelve, thirteenà fourteen ships almost a quarter of the assembled force.

ôPretty stupid,ö Jack agreed. ôHeÆs got to be pushing his engines pretty fast to move that fast.ö

ôAnd heÆs going to be facing us with only a two to one numerical advantage for at least five minutes,ö Fumizuki noted. ôThatÆs extremely promising.ö

ôIsnÆt itàö Nekhrun mused. ôI suppose IÆd better do something about Mayburn,ö he added, using ShakuntalaÆs mispronunciation of the name. ôGet him up here

ôAh, itÆs Maybourne actually,ö Daniel pointed out.

ôBut May-Burn suits him so well,ö Nekhrun protested. ôAnd it keeps his mind on his prospects, such as they are.ö

ôWhat are you going to do with him?ö

Nekhrun shrugged. ôIs he actually good for anything?ö

Jack hesitated. ôWell, he is a trained Air Force Officer with a background in special ops. He could probably fly a fighter if you were inclined to trust him.ö

ôNot on his own,ö Nekhrun said after what seemed to be honest consideration.

A moment or two later, Harry Maybourne, somewhat flustered almost scurried onto the bridge under the guard of a pair of von PinnÆs soldiers. Shakuntala sauntered in after him, a mischivious look on her face and a moment later Harjit joined her.

ôI knew that IÆd have cause to regret the two of you putting your heads together,ö Nekhrun complained to the two women. Do I want to know what you were doing to him?ö

ôHmm, probably not,ö Harjit said, smiling sweetly.

ôJack!ö Maybourne said hopefully. ôI donÆt suppose that youÆve got a handy escape route do you? Or failing that, a suicide capsule.ö

ôSorry Harry,ö Jack said insincerely. ôWeÆre just finalising selling you to Nekhrun as a harem guard. Of course, thereÆs some mandatory surgery, but youÆre adaptable. IÆm sure that youÆll make a wonderful eunuch.ö

MaybourneÆs eyes went wide for a moment and then he shook his head. ôYou really had me going for a minute there, Jack. We both know that the US government wouldnÆt go along with that.ö

ôThe US government doesnÆt have any say in this,ö Nekhrun observed. ôHowever, with some reluctance, IÆve decided that you will have a little bit of say.ö He held up two fingers quite close together. ôJust a little.ö He gestured towards the holographic display. ôOut there, there is a sizeable GoaÆuld fleet. In the next ten minutes or so, theyÆre going to start shooting at me. Now, you have a choice to make. Choice number one is that I send you back to Angrezi and you can go home to Earth under SG-1Æs guard. After that little bit of surgery that Jack mentioned.ö

Say what you will about Harry Maybourne, he was a good judge of character. He paled. ôAnd choice number two?ö

Nekhrun shrugged. ôJack tells me you can probably fly one of our fighters in a pinch. I donÆt think IÆd trust you with one though. But if you man the helm, under supervision, then I will consider you to have redeemed yourself û and more importantly, the reputation of your homeworld. The latter, I might add, stands quite tarnished by your misdemeanors.ö

ôYou say that as if I have a choice,ö Maybourne muttered. ôIÆll fly your damn ship. But can you at least protect me from your women? TheyÆre worse than Afghan widows!ö

ôI think something can be arranged,ö Nekhrun promised with a slight smile and gestured towards the helm.

ôWhat do you think they did to him?ö Jack asked as Maybourne went towards the helm and took over the controls, listening to the instructions that the helmsman he was replacing provided as if his life depended upon it. As has been mentioned, he was a good judge of character.

ôColonel,ö Nekhrun admitted. ôIÆm eight thousand years old. IÆve founded civilisations that have reached the stars and IÆve burnt civilisations to the ground. But I must confess that I would rather lead an army of newborn ducklings in an all out offensive against Ra at the height of his power than I would try to predict the workings of those twoÆs minds when they are bouncing ideas off each other.ö Turning, he glanced at the display again. The Death Gliders were beginning to get close. ôLaunch all fighters. Final warning to all hands.ö

A chime rang out in every compartment of every ship in the battle group, alerting them to the message of their commander.

ôA new age has begun. An age of freedom from the GoaÆuld. Many of us will die to give it birth. Perhaps all of us will die. But we are not men, not ships, not a battle group. Today, we are a dream given form. And dreamsàö he paused to emphasize his words. ôDreams never die.ö

There was a great silence that filled the ship. Doubt filled NekhrunÆs eyes.

ôhua.ö

It began as a whisper.

ôHua.ö

Then louder.

ôHua!ö

TealÆc added his voice to the roar.

ôHua!ö

Every voice on every ship raised until everyone, even Harry Maybourne, had joined the chant.

ôHUA!ö

The shout almost rocking the ship as Viper after Viper rocketed from the sides of the ships and the forward decks of the carriers opened to reveal rank after rank of X-Wings and Skipray torpedo boats.

ôHUA! HUA! HUA!ö

And the first shots of the battle were firedà

By the GoaÆuld.

 

[Moshulel]

I have to wonder if constant use of the sarcophagus doesn't make the snakes idiots in addition to evil. It would explain some of the things they did.

 

[drakensis]

ApophisÆs advance force had divided more or less accidentally into two groups, one of his own seven ships and one of the six ships that still professed loyalty to Heru-ur even if they were actually following the orders of his rival. It was the latter group that was out in the lead and they concentrated their fire at long range on the nearest ship of AyodhyaÆs battle-group, the cruiser Astinos.

ôAstinos is taking heavy fire,ö reported the fleet operations officer from the flag deck at the back of the bridge. As he did so, the cruiser rolled slightly to bring its starboard turrets into play and the double turrets hammered at one of the HaÆtak.

ôTake us in,ö Nekhrun ordered immediately. ôAstinos is to pull back in on us. If we get pulled apart weÆll get swarmed one at a time. Direct the fighters at the second wave, weÆll take AstinosÆ dance partners out ship to ship.ö

Maybourne brought the Leonidas around and raised the nose before bringing the engines up to full power. The range began to fall quickly as the ships charged towards each other, the two carriers falling in slightly behind the big destroyer while the cruisers ranged ahead to succor their sistership. The Death Gliders around Heru-urÆs ships pulled away to chase after the formations of X-Wings and Skiprays that were arcing around their formation towards ApophisÆ fleet while their Alkesh harried the Astinos, whose shields were under increasing pressure.

There was an explosion aboard the AstinosÆ target as the heavy fire it was taking punched through its shields and started to tear through the hull. Another, taking fire from the port turrets seemed to stagger as its shields collapsed for a moment but they flickered back to life almost immediately. One of the AstinosÆ turrets disintegrated under the fire of another of the HaÆtak before the ships had to break off to deal with the approaching Dilios and Stelios as the other two cruisers opened fire, each ship now only faced by two HaÆtak.

Almost a dozen Alkesh dived towards the Dilios, intending to make the apparently unguarded cruiser pay for its exposure. They hadnÆt reckoned upon the smaller turrets that dotted the cruiserÆs hull and flew into a wall of fire that gutted the attack. Only two managed to get close enough to fire and their shots failed to penetrate the DiliosÆ shields. A moment later, a flight of Vipers that had been lurking below the Dilios slashed out and came down behind the pair of survivors, blotting them out of the sky.

ôThe Cruiser Group is hold their own,ö the fleet operations officer advised. ôAstelios has only moderate damage. But their shields are still being broken down.ö

ôShow them what a Destroyer can do,ö Nekhrun ordered Fumizuki quietly.

The captain nodded and leant forwards on the rail that seperated the command dais from the rest of the bridge. ôTarget the one of the two that are beating up on Astelios. Full alpha strike, all batteries.ö

ôI wish I was out there,ö Jack muttered as the gunners in the tactical sections that ran along the sides of the command deck confirmed their readiness.

ôFeel free,ö Nekhrun offered. ôYou know where the ring transporters are and IÆm sure that Sparta or Thermoplyae has a spare X-Wing or two.ö

ôReally?ö asked Jack in surprise.

ôThey donÆt do me any good sitting in the hanger, Colonel.ö He turned to his own staff. ôSomeone find Colonel OÆNeill and û Captain?ö

ôCount on it,ö Sam agreed with an annoyed look in JackÆs direction.

ôTwo fighters,ö Nekhrun confirmed.

TealÆc shook his head when Jack gave him a quesitoning look. ôI will remain with DanielJackson,ö he said.

ôTarget locked,ö the tactical officer reported and all eyes went to the display screens that showed the battle unfolding.

Fumizuki nodded. ôFire,ö he ordered.

Jack had seen that the Leonidas mounted its primary weapons in turrets to either side of the command tower. There were four turrets on each side and each mounted energy cannon that, like those of a HaÆtak, were essentially scaled up from a staff weapon. However, the turrets of the Leonidas mounted eight such cannon each, firing sequentially such that by the time the last of the eight had fired the first would be fully charged for the next shot. There were secondary weapons as well but they didnÆt do much more than light up the shields of the two targeted ships, fractionally reducing the power necessary for the main guns to pierce them.

Eight glowing lines of continuous fire linked each flank of the Leonidas to its target for one second, two seconds, threeà

Then the unlucky HaÆtak exploded in a fireball that smashed at least half a squadron of Death Gliders that were flying too close.

ôFuck me!ö Maybourne exclaimed in shock.

ôThat can be arranged, Colonel,ö Harjit told him from where she had been standing quietly behind him. ôBut this isnÆt the time.ö Under other circumstances, Jack would have been laughing at the expression on MaybourneÆs face.

ôHow many HaÆtak would it take to do that to you?ö Carter asked Nekhrun.

ôIn theory, at least five. In practise, multi-ship strikes are hard to co-ordinate like that so closer to eight.ö

ôAh,ö she said. The math wasnÆt hard to work out.

ôComing, Carter?ö Jack asked from the door.

ôOn my way, sir,ö she said, but paused by Daniel. ôI really suggest that you go down to Angrezi, Daniel.ö

ôIÆll take care of him, Captain,ö Shakuntala offered before Daniel could say anything. ôMuch as IÆd like to stand and fight with the Fleet, father would be mortified if I died heroically before my brothers had a chance to.ö

ôàright,ö Sam agreed uncertainly and followed Jack towards the ring transporter.

ôI can take care of myself, you know,ö Daniel protested.

ôOf course you can,ö Shakuntala said brightly. ôWould you like a sandwich? IÆm sure Harjit could make one for youàö

.oOo.

The Thermoplyae was a lot like the Leonidas on the inside, Jack noticed. However, he rather doubted that the larger ship had a flight deck to match that of the carrier. It was almost half a kilometer long and as he had seen earlier, the entire ceiling could be opened for a mass launch. At the moment the deck was depressurised since it would be rather unfortunate to have such a large space venting atmosphere in a battle and he and Sam had to board their fighters in one of the many bays that lined the deck.

ôColonel OÆNeill, Captain Carter,ö the ThermolyaeÆs flight operations officer advised over the X-WingÆs radio channel. ôFor identification purposes youÆve been flagged as Mongoose Flight. Admiral Ayodhya has given you discretion to act on your own initiative so there wonÆt be a controller assigned to you, just keep your ears open on the general channel û you really wouldnÆt want to be between the Leonidas and her targets when she opens fire.ö

ôUnderstood,ö Jack confirmed as his X-Wing glided forwards onto the lefthand track of the two parallel launch lines painted on the deck. Not quite five hundred metres away at the far end of the flight deck, the angled panel that made up the nose of the Thermoplyae lowered to open up a space just wide enough for two fighters to launch side-by side. ôMongoose One is ready to launch.ö

ôMongoose Two, ready to launch,ö SamÆs voice came over the communications channel and he looked to his right to see her X-Wing sitting in position next to his. Unlike those that had been delivered to the Angrezi, that had been painted with light blue undersides and green and grey upper hulls, these two were flat grey with navy blue stripes along their fuselages.

ôDonÆt hit your thrusters until youÆre out of the ship,ö the flight-ops man reminded them. ôMongoose One, you launch on One, Mongoose Two on Zero. Countdown to launch is five, four, three, two, one -ö A hammer hit Jack in the back and the X-Wing bolted forwards under the influence of the repellor (ædoes the reverse of a tractor beamÆ was the only explanation that heÆd been given) mounted at the back of the flight deck. ôZero!ö

ôYahoo!ö Jack shouted as he launched out of the nose of the Thermoplyae, Sam only a second behind him.

In the time that it had taken for the two of them to don flightsuits and board their X-Wings, Apophis had entered the fight, pitting his own seven ships and the only two survivors of Heru-urÆs against the Confederate ships. That wasnÆt enough firepower to seriously threaten the Leonidas and itÆs own heavy point defense combined with that of the two Carriers flanking it was enough to keep them relatively safe but the cruisers were taking a real beating as the HaÆtaks tried to keep the smaller ships between them and the LeonidasÆ firepower.

As Jack led Sam towards the fight, he saw a squadron of X-Wings plunge through a formation of Death Gliders down upon one of ApophisÆ HaÆtak. One of fighter-bombers broke off, one wing missing and an engine blazing briefly after the fire from several Death Gliders punched through the shields. Another, by sheer mischance, hit a Death Glider head on, destroying both fighters. The others fired off their torpedos into the unlucky shipÆs shields, which failed under the force of the missilesÆ detonations.

The X-Wings broke and scattered, chased by the Death Gliders and Jack smirked as he saw Vipers closing in to rescue their larger cousins from vengeance. The HaÆtak, for its part, was caught in an immediate crossfire by two of the cruisers, Jack wasnÆt sure which ones, that smashed its left flank to splinters.

ôI think weÆve got ourselves a target, Carter,ö he said, ôSee if we can put the HaÆtak out of our misery.ö

ôIÆve got your wing,ö she replied and followed him in a razor-straight attack run that would intercept the HaÆtak where it was trying to evade the fire from the cruisers.

Ahead of them, a squadron of Torpedo Boats had had the same idea and as they darted closer to the damaged ship, the Jaffa gunners fired desperately at them with the main cannon, smashing one of them apart. A volley of torpedos hammered into the engines of the ship, leaving it drifting out of control.

ôTarget the cannon,ö Sam advised.

ôGot it,ö Jack agreed. ôHere we go.ö

Just making a straight run at the HaÆtak should have left them as easy prety, but the two of them fired their turbos as they entered range, the sudden increase in speed throwing off the defenders, who also had to suddenly worry about the shots from the X-Wings cannon that punched holes into the outer hull of the HaÆtak. Jack fired his missiles first at the nearer of the two remaining weapons and then Sam hit the last one with two torpedoes before they blew past the crippled and helpless ship.

No one else bothered to do anything about the wreck. As and when the battle ended, it would be a problem for the winner to deal with. Right now they all had more immediately matters at hand.

.oOo.

ôDiliosÆ shields are failing,ö Fumizuki observed on the command deck of the Leonidas. The cruiser had already lost its shields once but managed to restore them, although not before one side had lost all but one turret. Seeing the weakness, two HaÆtak were concentrating their fire on that side and only taking return fire from the two cannon on the last turret. ôCaptain Venator is evacuating everyone he can spare to the Sparta by ring transporter, but there are still at least three hundred personnel aboard.ö

ôI know,ö Nekhrun said bleakly. ôTake us through the line, Colonel Maybourne,ö he ordered. ôWeÆll try rushing the bastard vultures while theyÆre trying to claw at the carcass.ö

ôLook!ö Daniel exclaimed and pointed at the image of the Dilios on one of the monitors. An explosion had ripped through the lower command tower, taking out half the turrets on her remaining broadside. In its wake fires were raging through the superstructure.

Nekhrun paled. ôThatÆs not good.ö

ôVenatorÆs evactuating the engine rooms, sir.ö FumizukiÆs words fell across the bridge like a brutal hammer. ôHe saysà Admiral, Captain Venator reports that he will see the honorguard is in order in the next life.ö

ôWhat does he mean, honorguard?ö asked Daniel.

ôJust watch,ö was all Nekhrun said as the engines of the Dilios came to life, firing with all the power that the stricken ship could gather.

The guns of the Dilios were still firing when the proud shipÆs pointed prow smashed through the shields of the hindmost of the HaÆtak and drove into the central pyramid of the ship despite its best efforts to evade.

For a moment the two ships clung together.

And then, briefly, Angrezi was lit by the funeral pyre of a thousand Jaffa, two hundred forty-seven Confederacy naval personelà and the System Lord Apophis.

 

[drakensis]

ôThe rest of the System Lords are increasing their pace,ö the sensor operator reported urgently. ôTheyÆll be in range within three minutes!ö

ôApophis must have been on that ship,ö Nekhrun noted. ôThe damned harpies were hanging back until IÆd killed him for them. ThatÆs rather insulting of them.ö At that moment the Leonidas opened fire on the two HaÆtak that had been harrying the Dilios. Without the Confederate cruiser to shelter behind, the pair were swiftly speared by the twin broadsides of the destroyer, battering viciously at their shields. The result wasnÆt as swift as the initial alph strike that Fumizuki had carried out, but even so the two ships shields collapsed under the brutal impact, the weapons fire digging deep into their hulls.

ôInsulting?ö Shakuntala asked.

ôThey thought that he was more dangerous to them than I am,ö Nekhrun pointed out. ôThat may be tactically advantageous but my ego is bleeding out here. The TokÆra may claim that they turned against the other GoaÆuld for ethical reasons, I just did it because theyÆre so stupid.ö

He turned to the fleet operations. ôHave Stelios and Astinos pull back to supporting positions. I donÆt want them getting seperated when the main force arrives.ö He paused and glanced at the four HaÆtak still in the immediate area. ôAnd please feel free to get rid of those four, any time now.ö

A firestorm of firepower swept across four HaÆtak as the cannon of all five surviving Confederacy ships were brought into play. One of the ships exploded as the Leonidas focused upon it, a second started to drift, fires raping its engines after both of the two carriers and the Stelios focused their firepower upon it. The other two scurried back out of range, their surviving Death Gliders joining the swarms approaching from the rest of the fleet.

ôThey lost eleven ships taking down the Dilios,ö Daniel asked quietly. ôAt this point they have to be wondering if theyÆd rather go home and start picking off Heru-ur and ApophisÆ territory.ö

Shakuntala sighed. ôThat would be truly good. But my home is a rich prize, richer than any ten of the worlds they could scoop up. And Apophis damaged the Stelios and Astinos as well. They still have more than fifty ships, enough to pin the carriers and cruisers with half a dozen ships each and leave more than twenty to take down the Leonidas. Even these ships canÆt survive against those sort of numbers.ö

ôThe false gods are sending their Death Gliders forwards,ö TealÆc observed.

ôProbably want to clear a path for their ships,ö theorised Nekhrun. ôI donÆt know about you, Princess, but I donÆt believe that we should accommodate their wishes on this matter.ö

Shakuntala smiled, ôSpeaking on behalf of my father, I believe a warm welcome is in order. May I have your permission to extend such a welcome?ö

ôGet our fighters clear!ö Nekhrun snapped to the fighter control officer and then bowed to Shakuntala. By all means take the lead, my dear.ö

The princess picked up a headset. ôPut me through to the Planetary Defense Centre,ö she ordered and paused. ôMajor, this is Lieutenant Colonel the Princess Shakuntala. You should have received notification placing the orbital platforms under the command of Admiral Ayodhya. He now wishes to employ them.ö She waited a moment more for authorisation and then nodded. ôThank you major.ö

ôAngrezi Planetary Defense are removing the final firing locks from their orbital platforms, sir,ö one of the gunnery officers reported. ôWe have fire control and the targetting solutions are locked.ö

ôPrincess Shakuntala,ö the GoaÆuld said pleasently. ôI do believe that it would be most fitting for you to give the word.ö

ôSend them to hell,ö she snapped.

.oOo.

ôWhatÆs Nekhrun up to?ö Jack muttered as Mongoose Flight joined the other fighters scambling away from the incoming mass of Death Gliders. He wasnÆt unhappy to be out of the scrum û the X-Wings werenÆt the death traps against Death Gliders that they might have been against Vipers but the numbers involved were daunting. ôHeÆs got to be up to something.ö

Sam looked at her instruments. ôSir, IÆm picking up movement in AngreziÆs lower orbit.ö

ôHeÆs sending up reinforcements?ö asked Jack.

ôNo sir, it looks like.ö She paused. ôSir, a number of satellites are manuvering.ö

ôSatellites? What, are we screwing with their TV reception or something?ö

ôI donÆt think these are communication satellites, sir,ö Sam warned him. ôI really wish IÆd had more time to look at these sensor syste-ö She broke off suddenly.

ôCarter?ö

ôSir, IÆm getting a radiological readout from the satellites.ö

ôRadio-logical? Signals from Vulcan?ö Jack asked, but he was bringing his X-Wing around to get a closer look at the satellites.

ôNuclear, sir,ö she said exasperatedly. ôThose satellites are packed with nuclear weapons. And if theyÆre manuveringàö

ôThen theyÆre about to launch,ö Jack agreed. ôI wonder how big they are.ö

ôNot very big,ö Sam told him. ôNot even as big as the ones used on Hiroshima. But there are an awful lot of them and ûTheyÆre launching!ö

Despite being the best that the Angrezi had been able to manage without obtaining access to Confederate technology, the missiles being launched didnÆt have a lot of reach, not being able to reach far past the high orbit of the current battlefield and maintain acceptable accuracy. They had just enough but, as Sam had noted, there were a very great number of them. In fact, each satellite had been built around four tubes, each containing twelve five-kiloton missiles and once the light propellant charges had boosted one missile free, a second would be only a few seconds behind them. The entire firing process lasted for almost a minute and virtually guarenteed that the firing platform would fall out of orbit over the following weeks.

But in the space of that minute, very nearly one hundred platforms, more than a third of the entire network, fired off over four and a half thousand nuclear-tipped missiles towards the oncoming Death Gliders. The next stage of the battle took more than six minutes to play out but to the Jaffa pilots it felt more like six seconds.

To Jack OÆNeil it felt like six hours.

The flock HaÆtak had halted their advance, their commanders wanting to see what the missiles were supposed to accomplish before deciding on a response. If the missiles were a threat then it would be relatively simple to slip into hyperspace before they arrived and return to the system on another attack vector. If they werenÆt, then what would a few minutes matter? The Death Gliders, for their part, moved to target the oncoming missiles. They didnÆt have much mobility so it was merely a matter of hitting them. Initially the range was enough that shots were hitting only chance and the number of missiles was reduced by only a miniscule percentage. But the range was dropping rapidly and their accuracy was improving.

And then, still thousands of miles short of the Death Gliders, the missiles seemed to reach an invisible line in space and rank after rank of them began to detonate.

JackÆs cockpit darkened and half-forgotten training had him roll the X-Wing so that the bulk of the fighter was between him and that awesome light. A mass of static crashed across the communications net and he hoped that those nukes hadnÆt been set up to deliver an electromagnetic pulse or something of that nature, because he was pretty sure that the X-Wing wasnÆt going to fly without computers.

ô-ible,ö he heard Sam shouting as the static faded. ôHow in the world did they do that?ö

ôDo what?ö he asked, rolling again to get a look. ôHolyà what the hell happened to the Death Gliders?ö

ôThose missiles must have been carrying bomb-pumped X-ray lasers, sir,ö she explained quickly. ôLike the ones that were supposed to form the backbone of the Star Wars project back in the eighties.ö

ôThere was a Star Wars project in the eighties?ö

He could almost see her roll her eyes. ôThe Strategic Defense Initiative, sir. It was going to use nuclear warheads to power orbital lasers that would be able to target incoming nuclear missiles. They never got it anything close to working, I guess the Angrezi must have. Look what it did to the Death Gliders!ö

Where thousands of Death Gliders had been swarming towards the blue and green orb of Angrezi, only a few dozen survivors, perhaps a hundred, were trying to claw their away from the graveyard of obliterated fighters that their fellows had become. Already Viper squadrons were diving towards them, intent on finishing the job.

Jack felt very old all of a sudden. ôYeah,ö he said. ôI see it.ö

.oOo.

ôWould that do anything to the HaÆtak?ö Daniel asked.

ôNot really,ö Nekhrun told him. ôWarship shields can take that sort of beating and the individual laser beams generated really arenÆt all that powerful. A single HaÆtak might be in trouble against that sort of strike but the Angrezi just used about a third of their missiles for that one attack and the others are out of arc to fire on them anyway. Still, getting rid of the Death Gliders definitely improves our chances û itÆll be a lot easier for our X-Wings and Skiprays to operate now.ö

ôSo what happens now?ö

ôNow itÆs time for the main event,ö explained Nekhrun. ôCaptain Fumizuki, I want all ships to combine their fire. Target flagships if you can. We need to drop them fast so hold nothing back.ö

ôGunnery nets are interlinked and ready,ö the Captain told him. ôTheir countermeasures are keeping us from picking out the command vessels however.ö

ôThen I suppose we take our chances,ö the Admiral decided and seated himself in the command chair. ôI suggest you all strap yourselves in,ö he added to the observers. ôThis will be one wild ride.ö

Daniel and Shakuntala both secured seats for themselves and buckled up. TealÆc simply gripped a stanchion in what could have been machisimo but was more probably simply well justified confidence in his ability to avoid being thrown about by the shocks of combat. Down in the front of the command deck, Harjit also remained standing.

Nekhrun shook his head when Daniel pointed this out to him. ôSheÆs over two hundred years old, Doctor. If she wants to put her life at risk I guess I donÆt have the right to force her.ö

The first HaÆtak came into range and the five ships, arranged so that all their turrets could bear, opened fire in the same instant. One moment the ship was a flying example of the might of the System LordsÆ might and the next it was an expanding cloud of debris. In the same moment, three more HaÆtak cruised past the wreck with their own weapons firing. Clearly the GoaÆuld had drawn up some sort of plan as they were all firing at the Leonidas, their shots exploding against her shields.

Another volley dropped one of the ships, then another but now there were six ships, all firing on the Leonidas and the ship was shaking under the barrage.

ôDrop us out of the net,ö Nekhrun observed. ôThis isnÆt working. LetÆs hope that the other ships can take their target down as fast as the our guns can.ö

A HaÆtak near the back of the GoaÆuld formation exploded as it was savaged by torpedo boats and X-Wings but that was a sideshow as the Leonidas didnÆt even bother to stop firing as the turrets tracked from one target to another. One HaÆtak, its shields collapsing under the barest second of shots limped out of formation û presumably someone had skimped on the shield generators when they were building it in order to bolster their apparent fleet numbers. But that was only a fluke and within moments the first shot penetrated the LeonidasÆs shields to blacken itÆs previously pristine white hull.

ôTheyÆre spreading out to englobe us,ö Fumizuki muttered. ôNot very well co-ordinated but itÆll work.ö

ôThe only thing better than a little brute force is a lot of brute force,ö Nekhrun reminded him. ôThatÆs elementary tactics. The bulk of them are still up front.ö

ôSparta is moving!ö a sensor operator called.

NekhrunÆs head snapped around. ôI didnÆt order that!ö he growled.

ôMessage from Captain Knaak,ö an operations officer reported. ôHe says -ö Leonidas shook again as a shot punched a divot out of its clean lines ô- that heÆll shield us from the front while we clear out the flankers.ö

Fumizuki nodded. ôColonel Maybourne, roll the ship! Main batteries, fire as you bear!ö

Nekhrun half-opened his mouth to speak and then closed it, an unhappy look on his face.

ôStelios, Astinos and Thermoplyae are also moving forwards,ö reported the operations officer.

 

[drakensis]

Smoke filled the command deck of the Leonidas. Half the controls were deadà the same could be said of most of the crew. ôIs anyone else alive?ö Maybourne called as he scrambled out from where heÆd fallen when an explosion somewhere above the bridge in the ship had caved in one side of the compartment. He grimaced as he saw Harjit, a serene expression on her aged face and long shards of metal buried in her unmoving chest.

ôI am well,ö TealÆc rumbled, pulling himself from underneath another compartment. He looked around and then crossed to DanielÆs chair, checking for a pulse.

The ship rocked again and Maybourne grimaced as he looked at the monitor. ôItÆs just us and the Stelios left,ö he said. ôThat was the Thermoplyae I guess.ö

The Leonidas was a mess. Five of her turrets had been pounded to scrap and this was far from the only compartment that had been battered. Most of her command tower (fortunately it was mostly unoccupied during combat operations) had been ablaze before FumizukiÆs damage control teams had managed to cut off the flow of air to the broken compartments. She was better off than the Stelios however. As far as anyone could tell, the cruiser had lost everthing but a tiny handful of point defense mounts and hadnÆt been able to do more than move clumsily to block GoaÆuld shots û deliberately imposing itself to keep the Leonidas alive long enough to exact more vengeance on those who were killing her.

Shakuntala groaned, blood silling down her forehead as she stood up from her own chair û though the seat itself was intact, it had come loose from the floor at some point and spilled her across the deck. ôI donÆt believe that there is much more we can do here,ö she said.

ôA few things yet,ö came a pained voice from a fallen ceiling panel. TealÆc left the side of the unconcious Daniel to drag it away, revealing the tangled mess that was Ayodhya. Captain Fumizuki lay half across his commander but it was clear that he had breathed his last. ôNo, donÆt try to move me,ö he warned. ôI think my backÆs broken.ö

Maybourne looked around. No one else was moving. ôWeÆre down to just us and one cruiser,ö he reported. ôThree of the main turrets are firing under local control.ö He paused and then shook his head. ôSorry, just us. The cruiserÆs breaking up.ö

Reaching out with one hand, Ayodhya couldnÆt quite reach the headset he sought. TealÆc picked it up and carefully set it on him. ôIs this thing working?ö the GoaÆuld asked huskily and the corner of his lips twitched as he heard his voice from the sole loudspeaker still working on the bridge. ôI hope so. This has been a brave run, but itÆs almost over. And now I must lay a stern burden on you û to survive. To carry the word home to our loved ones. This is an order. All officers are to evacuate every non-essential member of the crew. Use the ring transporters, use the escape pods û our fighters will guard you as best they can. I repeat, this is an order. Our comrades already have a funeral pyre of enough GoaÆuld and their Jaffa to climb to heaven upon. They wonÆt thank you for adding your bodies to it.ö

ôThat means you too,ö he added to TealÆc and Shakuntala. ôI think you can find the Ring Transporters. If that fails, you know how to find the escape pods Princess. ItÆs likely that you can hold out on Angrezi for a while û the System Lords are stupid enough that theyÆll be more interested in squabbling over the æspoilsÆ than in breaking your resistance.ö

ôSurely there must be some way to get you to the tranporters?ö Shakuntala begged, clutching at his hand.

ôNo,ö he said with grim certainty. ôItÆs not just my spine thatÆs gone. Besides, this ship is my home. I will not be driven from it by the False Gods. Besides, a last stand like this will be sung of for a thousand years. If the cowardly little worms are this afraid of me now, letÆs see how they feel about me when theyÆve made me a legend. Maybourne,ö he added, louder. ôSee if you can put me on widebeam broadcast before you go, IÆve got a few things to get off my chest before I go.ö

ôIf itÆs all the same to you,ö Maybourne said, ôIÆll stay a little longer. Now, if I was a communications panel, where would I beà?ö

Ayodhya started to laugh and then spat up a gobbet of blood that dribbled down his chin. ôTry the flag deck,ö he said, jerking his head towards the stations behind the dais. ôI think it didnÆt catch as much of the damage.ö

ôGot it,ö Maybourne said and reached one of the panel. ôAha. Okay, itÆs ready when you are.ö

ôIn a moment,ö Ayodhya said and looked up at the others. ôWell? Are you waiting for something? Get out of here!ö

TealÆc lifted Daniel easily in his arms and carried him off the bridge. Shakuntala paused and then knelt by AyodhyaÆs side, whispering to him. Maybourne had to turn away as he headed for what was left of the helm but he was cagy enough to notice blood on her lips when she rose and followed TealÆc.

ôYouÆre a strange man, Colonel,ö Ayodhya observed, his voice weakening. ôAccording to von Pinn, ever since you were brought aboard the Leonidas, youÆve been trying to escape from her. And now when you can leave with my blessing, I canÆt get rid of you.ö

ôIÆm contrary like that,ö Maybourne said and the two men watched one of the last screens display a HaÆtak drifting away from the fight, engines on fire.ö

ôHow many does that make?ö the Admiral asked. ôI lost count there.ö

ôNot counting the ones that are just trying to get out of here, I think they have about thirty left,ö Maybourne told him. ôDidnÆt you have something to say to them?ö

ôAh yes,ö he muttered. ôNow how did that goà?ö He activated the microphone. ôStrike me down and I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagineàö

.oOo.

ôWhat the hell is he quoting Obi-Wan for?ö Jack asked as he raked at the shields of one of the HaÆtak with his cannon. They were both long since out of torpedos and there wasnÆt anywhere in orbit to obtain reloads since the Thermoplye had exploded.

ôDonÆt you remember what happens next in the film?ö Sam asked. ôJudging by the escape pods, the Leonidas isnÆt going to last much longer.ö

ôChrist!ö exclaimed Jack. ôDanny and TealÆc are still aboard!ö

ôAll fighters,ö one of the few remaining squadron leaders signalled. ôChange of orders. Form up around the escape pods, if any of those damned GoaÆuld want at them, weÆll make them pay the price of threatening our comrades.ö

ôWeÆd better hope that they made it aboard one of those pods,ö Sam said and broke away from Jack towards the refugees from the Leonidas. After a moment he pulled around and took up position on her wing.

Only one of the HaÆtak tried to go after the escape pods and it backed off when the rear left turret of the Leonidas û one of only two still firing û swung around and started battering at itÆs shields. The Leonidas itself was still moving forwards and the HaÆtaks started to scatter out of itÆs path, wary that whoever was at the helm would try to repeat the feat of the Dilios. Not all of them were fast enough however and the battered destroyer didnÆt even slow down as it sheared away one of the projections of a crippled HaÆtak, the only evidence of the impact being a few new scars along its already blackened prow.

ôIt isnÆt going to make it,ö Sam observed.

Explosions ran down the flank of the destroyer as it fought to bring itÆs nose down. And then one HaÆtak halted sharply right in front of the Leonidas. ItÆs engines were straining, the power levels spiking sharply, but it was held in place as the Leonidas lumbered down upon it.

ôMust have got caught in a tractor beam,ö Jack noted. ôOr maybe something funky with the deflector dish.ö

ôSir, the Leonidas is a Star Destroyer. It doesnÆt have a deflector dish.ö

ôIt isnÆt going to have much of anything in a minute,ö pointed out Jack. ôWhoa, whatÆs thatàö

æThatÆ was another HaÆtak closing in on the Leonidas, quite fast. To be more precise, heading for the gap between the Leonidas and itÆs target. Whatever force had been drawing in the intended target was interrupted by the second HaÆtak and the first ship sprang away suddenly, almost hitting a third HaÆtak. The second ship didnÆt quite make it out of the way however and the Leonidas speared into the outer structure immediately behind the central pyramid, smashing through with its forward quarter a shattered wreck. The HaÆtak tumbled and its blunt nose came down on the LeonidasÆ last turret, silencing it.

In the end it was the third HaÆtak, the one that had almost been struck by the LeonidasÆ original target, that was the most unfortunateà because in evading that collision the helmsman had not registered how the LeonidasÆ course had been altered by its own collision until it was almost too late.

The two ships didnÆt hit each other. But the HaÆtak was less than half a mile away when the hyperdrive of the Leonidas exploded.

The only identifiable part of the Leonidas to survive was the command tower, that promptly destroyed itself by slamming into the still tumbling HaÆtak that the destroyer had hit only seconds before. The third HaÆtak had taken the direct force of the explosion however and what was left of it smashed into yet another HaÆtak.

.oOo.

ôYou donÆt think you were cutting it a little fine do you?ö von Pinn asked as TealÆc half-carried the still groggy Daniel into the PadishahÆs command centre. Then he paused. ôWhereÆs the Admiral?ö

ôAdmiralAyodhya remained aboard,ö TealÆc told him, letting Shakuntala move past him towards her father.

Von Pinn grimaced. ôThen heÆs dead,ö he said and pointed to the tactical display. There was a distinct lack of icons to represent Confederate capital ships although a cluster of fighter icons were heading for the safety of AngreziÆs surface. There were still almost forty HaÆtak in evidence although at least a quarter had the amber markings around them that signified significant battle damage.

ôThatÆs doesnÆt look good,ö Daniel observed. ôAre Jack and Sam okay out there?ö

ôAs far as I can tell, theyÆre with the other fighters,ö von Pinn told them. ôLetÆs just hope that the GoaÆuld donÆt keep their heads though because if they rush us now -ö

ôHyperspace windows opening!ö called an officer and von Pinn whirled.

ôIn or out?ö he asked urgently.

Rather than replying, the officer began updating the display. White spots opened above the GoaÆuld fleet and unidentified vessels appeared.

ôReinforcements,ö von Pinn muttered. ôBut for who?ö

Then the icons flickered and were replaced with Confederate icons and identifiers as their IFF systems contacted the AngreziÆs computers.

ôWho are they?ö Daniel asked. ôTheyÆre friendly, right?ö

ôGods of my ancestors!ö von Pinn said. ôItÆs an entire fleet! Six carriers, four cruisersà Six Destroyers! Unrepentant, Damned, Olympicà Admiral von LohengrammÆs battle-group and Lieutenant-Admiral KiercheisÆs destroyer group. Those look like M³llerÆs carriers as well. Oh, the System Lords are fucked now!ö

ôWeÆre receiving a video transmission,ö one of the console operators reported.

ôPut it on the main screen,ö the Padishah ordered and a moment later, the display revealed a young man with golden hair wearing the uniform of a Confederate Admiral.

ôPadishah,ö the man said, bowing. ôI have the honour of being Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm. My forces were striking at one of the GoaÆuld staging areas when I discovered that their forces had already departed for Angrezi. I regret that my best speed has not brought me here in time to join forces with Admiral Ayodhya. With your permission, I shall now clear these rabble from your skies.ö

ôAdmiral, you have not only my permission but my wholehearted support,ö the Padishah replied. ôI only regret that Admiral Ayodhya and Lord Nekhrun are not alive to receive you.ö

ôLook at those GoaÆuld run!ö someone called and everyoneÆs eyes went to the display where the System Lord flotillas were scattering, leaving their crippled behind.

Von LohengrammÆs grey eyes were very cold as he ordered his ships to close in on the fleeing vessels.

 

[drakensis]

Our fleet has lost its champion; to ash he has returned,
To stand before the next life, in the state his deeds have earned.
Our hero needs an honor guard, an escort, and a crew,
And if youÆre the best available, I guess youÆll have to do.

No Quarter, NO QUARTER! You damn well earned your fate.
Give Lord Nekhrun our compliments; weÆre sorry you are late.

Ancient legends say the rank a fallen warrior held
Depended on an Honor Guard of foes that one had felled.
And so in tardy tribute to the one we couldnÆt save,
WeÆll lay your fiery deaths like crimson flowers on his grave.

No Quarter, NO QUARTER! You damn well earned your fate.
Give Lord Nekhrun our compliments; weÆre sorry you are late.

We know what NekhrunÆs ending was, by all the songs we heard.
And now we reach the battle; we are in no gentle mood.
Hear that thunder rolling till it seems to split the sky?
ThatÆs each manjack in the Navy taking up the cry -

No Quarter! HUA!
No Quarter! HUA!
No Quarter! HUA!

The Angrezi certainly knew how to throw a party, Jack noted. Currently there was a veritable carnival sweeping across the the capital city and anyone wearing a Confederate uniform was unable to pay for their drinks, or allegedly any of the other services that were apparently available in the less exclusive quarters of the capital.

In the palace, the PadishahÆs senior officers, representatives of von LohengrammÆs fleet and virtually every single survivor of AyodhyaÆs battle group were roaring a song in tribute to their fallen hero. Jack suspected that it had been hastily patched together from an existing song rather than being a new composition but that didnÆt seem to dampen anyoneÆs enthusiasm.

ôArenÆt you drinking, Colonel?ö Shakuntala asked and he turned, his back to the balcony rail heÆd been leaning on, to see her watching him from the doorway, a sizeable bottle of coloured glass braced against one hip and a goblet half-full of some colourless liquid in the other.

ôJust wondering what happens now,ö he told her. ôDo you have another glass of that?ö

She laughed and offered him hers, which he took gingerly. ôDonÆt worry, thereÆs no symbolism or anything to sharing a glass,ö Shakuntala assured him. ôWell, other than being fellow warriors.ö

ôThanks. I almost got married one timeà if Danny hadnÆt warned me at the last minuteàö Jack shook his head and sipped on the contents of the glass. A moment later and he was glad that all heÆd done was sip û the stuff was strong, something like 80-proof heÆd guess and after a moment he realised it was plum brandy.

She laughed again at the accusing look that he shot at him. ôI didnÆt come out here to tease you, Colonel. Well, not just to tease you. Father agreed to reopen the Stargate to notify your people of your well-being and the TokÆra manaaged to connect first. It would seem that they want to send a delegation to explain themselves, and presumably to get a good look at us for themselves.ö

Jack nodded. ôWhoÆs coming? Selmak?ö

ôThatÆs one of the names,ö the Princess agreed. ôSomeone you know?ö

ôHis host is SamÆs father,ö he explained. ôDo you want me to meet them first? Warn them not to do anything stupid like badmouthing Nekhrun.ö

ôThat wouldnÆt win them any points,ö she agreed. ôIÆm sure it can be arranged for you.ö

They stood in silence for a moment, thinking their own private thoughts and then Jack drained the glass. ôItÆs too bad he died,ö he said. ôMight have actually made me reconsider my opinion of the sna- uh, worms.ö

ôWell we couldnÆt have that,ö Shakuntala observed. ôFortunately the one known exception to the speciesÆ general repulsiveness wonÆt be around to challenge your prejudices any more.ö

ôJack!ö Daniel called, walking out onto the balcony. ôI just heard that the Stargate will -ö he broke off as he saw Shakuntala standing beside Jack. ôOh, uhà am I interrupting anything?ö

The two looked at each other. ôNo,ö they confirmed quickly.

ôWe were just talking about Nekhrun,ö Jack explained.

ôThereÆs no chance that he and Maybourne managed to make it to an escape pod?ö Daniel asked. ôI mean, theyÆre both survivorsàö

Shakuntala turned to look out over the city. ôIt would be nice to think that, Doctor.ö Against the bright lights of the city neither man could see the golden glow that lit her eyes for the moment. ôHowever, all the escape pods were accounted for.ö

.oOo.

The TokÆra were in a subdued mood as they explained DelekÆs treason, first to SG-1 and then to Admiral von Lohengramm and the Confederate diplomats. Anise, although part of the delegation, said nothing to either group after the revelation that Nekhrun was dead, but had died apparently heroically. However, her expression when the Padishah proposed that the first Destroyer to be built at the shipyards just beginning constructed would be named the æWrath of NekhrunÆ said a great deal, as did her evident relief when Admiral von Lohengramm smoothly suggested that perhaps it would be more appropriate to resurrect the name æLeonidasÆ.

The prospect of war between the TokÆra and the Confederacy had been averted however, and once the TokÆra arrived the time had come for SG-1 to depart.

ôIÆve been asked to make a few presentations,ö the blond admiral announced from beside the PadishahÆs throne as the four of them took their leave. The throne room was far less crowded than it had been on their previous visits although there was still an interested crowd of officers. ôFirstly, it is with great pleasure that I award the first Angrezi in the Confederated Free Systems Fleet her commission.ö He took out a roll of parchement and unrolled it. ôBy the declaration of the People and the Senate of the Confederacy, the rank of Captain is hereby conferred upon Princess Shakuntala of Angrezi.ö

The princess stepped forwards, clad for once in the crimson tunic and black pants of her battlionÆs dress uniform, and the Admiral handed her the parchment. ôThe rank goes with official appointment as the liason officer between the Padishah and Fleet Headquarters,ö he added, ôSo I suppose that IÆll be seeing a great deal of you in the future.ö

Then he turned an aide, who presented him with a crimson sash. ôTealÆc of Chulak. By the declaration of the People and the Senate of the Confederacy, for your valor in battle against the enemies of the Confederacy, you are hereby presented with the Silver Cat.ö He hung the sash across TealÆcÆs chest, proudly displaying the single medal fastened to it, a stylised silver panther.

Daniel received a Crimson Cat, of red-enamelled bronze, on his own red sash. Sam and JackÆs sashes were blue and while Sam received the same Silver Cat as TealÆc, JackÆs was surrounded by bronze laurels.

ôAnd finally,ö von Lohengramm advised. ôLord Nekhrun left a personal gift to Colonel OÆNeill and it falls to me to make the presentation.ö He gestured towards the windows. ôItÆs a little large for the throne room, I fear, but IÆve had it set up in the courtyard.

Jack frowned at him and then hastened to the window. He halted abruptly as he saw the courtyard below and Sam, close behind him, almost ran into him.

The X-Wing that sat in the courtyard, obviously fully prepared for launch. It was also a brilliant scarlet red, with black go faster stripes. The smile on JackÆs face looked as if it would have to be surgically removed.

ôSir,ö Sam said as Jack started whistling happily.

ôDonÆt spoilt the moment, Carter.ö

ôI donÆt think it will fit through the gate, sir.ö

Jack stopped whisting. ôDammit, I knew I should have asked for a Viper!ö

.oOo.

Fin.

 

[DeathGod666]

Sad to see it end, but it was very good ^_^

 

[windfalcon]

Only just found this... and I must say that this is a great piece Drak ^^ And all of it written in a very short amount of time too

You must have been VERY inspired to write this... though one question remains..

What inspired you to write this? A marathon of SG-1, Star Wars and 300? A random thought? I'm curious as to what your muse is for this... as well as what inspired you to write so much in so little time.

 

[drakensis]

I don't actually remember what the initial inspiration was but I've had a handful of disjointed snippets lying around for a while. Sometime in October, or possibly September, I happened to mention it to Griever and he came up with a few ideas. Since I was looking for an idea to write for NaNoWriMo, I decided to use this one and it all stemmed from there (the pace of writing was dictated by NaNoWriMo since the target 50,000 words in 30 days I pushed myself to write 2000 words most days - usually a lazy thousand words in the mornings before work while I was catching up on my emails and a faster thousand words after work based on whatever I'd dreamed up during the daily grind. If I managed more, great. Some of the original material made it in, some of it didn't. I don't have copies of it all because to maintain focus I deleted snippets that became obsolete either because the plot changed or the snippet had been retrimmed to fit elsewhere.

 

[Solarman]

This was exceptionally good, Drak, especially considering how fast you put it up. It's too bad I only now found it. My only misgivings involved how quickly SG1 and Nekhrun came to trust each other--given all their past experiences with the Goa'uld (especially Apophis and Hathor, but let's not forget that they did come into contact with Heru-ur before Earth became part of the PPT, and killed Ra long before,) SG1 should have taken longer than they did to stop seeing the worm when they talked to Nekhrun/Ayodhya. Then again, I had misgivings about the same thing when they met the Tok'ra in canon, as well. Even if Jolinar had convinced Sam, it still could have been a trap.

 

[B.B. Rain]

So, uh...will there be more? Or some other SG-1 based fic? Very very good too. I wonder what George Lucas and Nekhrun's eventual(possible) meeting will be like...