Golden Dawn
Chapter 8: Alesian Summit
"Some people view violence as reprehensible, that it never solves anything. Yet, force has solved more conflicts than anything else in history. To deny that fact is wishful thinking, and it can destroy you in the end. The issue is of course how to apply force. To order destruction on a large scale is no easy task. It is a terrible responsibility. Even for myself, who has ordered the destruction of whole armies in the service of the Empire, it weighs heavily on me. Peace is always paid for in blood. Either yours or the enemy."
-High Councilor Amann Adar
"Is everything in place?" Hammond asked as he entered the control room.
"Yes. We've contacted the Asgard. They will be monitoring the conference." Metrinos stated.
"Good. They should be here soon." Hammond waited a few moments, Metrinos and SG-1 hovering nearby. The alarm blared as the chevrons lit up.
"Incoming traveler. All defense teams to the gateroom."
The defense teams scrambled and pointed weapons as the iris closed.
"What have you got, Walter?"
"Incoming wormhole. Receiving a message. It's the Alesians." Hammond hesitated, unsure if he should let them through. After a moment, he nodded.
"Open the iris." The metal disk parted as the portal rippled slightly. Hammond and SG-1 made their way down to the gate room as three figures entered through the portal. One of them was dressed in simple white robes, a plain looking man with brown hair. Jack knew this was most likely the Alesian ambassador.
The other two were dressed up in Alesian armor, their faces were covered by the helmets that seemed standard among their soldiers. The first legionnaire was one of the largest people Jack had ever seen. The large Alesian stood over seven feet tall, and had the build to match his height.
The second legionnaire seemed more average, standing around six feet tall. O'Neill would be willing to bet that they were within an inch of each other's height.
"Greetings, General. That is your rank, yes?" The Alesian ambassador asked, inclining his head in respect.
"Yes. I am General Hammond, commander of the SGC."
"I am Ambassador Delan Aule, a representative of the Alesian Empire. These two are my assigned bodyguards. I come with peaceful intent." Aule said smoothly, gesturing toward the two men behind him.
"I see. If you'll come with us, we have a room set aside for the negotiations." Hammond said, gesturing to the door.
"Lead on then." Hammond led the three Alesians to the briefing room. As they entered the gate room, the two Alesians took up flanking positions by the entrance to the stairwell as Aule sat down at the end of the table. It was the Alesian that spoke first.
"I bring you greetings from Alesia, General. I feel confident we can be good friends and allies." The Alesian said smoothly.
"I am glad to hear that." Hammond said. He had a feeling of unease, despite the Alesian's seemingly good intentions.
"I have come to your world to bring a proposal for your leaders to hear. This would merely be the first step should you accept. Obviously, our leaders would have to meet to finalize the deal." Aule gestured as the tall Alesian Legionnaire handed over a pad that looked to be made of glass.
"The Alesian Empire would like for your world to join as a protectorate. As a member of our great Empire, our technology will be available to your planet. I know this world is also an enemy of the Goa'uld species and that they threaten your world with destruction. We are in a position to prevent this." Aule said, sipping a glass of water as he concluded.
"How?" Hammond asked.
"We would station several Legions on this world to ensure protection. A world of this size and population demands nothing less. Your armed forces would be integrated with the Imperial Militia, and your military technology will be upgraded to supplement our garrison forces. The Goa'uld are no match for the might of the Alesian Fleet. They might outnumber us vastly, but our technology is superior by far. Our military experts are confident in their ability to defeat any local attack." Aule smiled, gesturing toward the pad.
"You would get representation in our Lower Council, which is the body of our government that represents all member worlds. You would hold a worldwide election and send your chosen representative to our world. Our leaders have heard of your reputation and they feel you would be valuable to us."
"An interesting proposition. Though I question your sincerity." Metrinos said as he entered the room. He pulled out a chair and sat in it, his eyes focused on Aule.
"Battlemaster Metrinos. I have heard you were among the Terrans." Aule said.
"Yes." Metrinos stated simply.
"A man of few words." Aule noted.
"Only to unknown quantities." Aule frowned at that, but brushed it aside.
"I have laid out the basic offer. The details are all listed on this pad." Aule laid the glass sheet down.
"We'll consider your offer." Hammond said, standing up as Aule did the same.
"In the meantime, we have set aside some quarters for you while we deliberate." Hammond gestured as two guards came in the room.
"Very well." Aule inclined his head as he followed, the two legionnaires following him. Hammond frowned as he picked up the pad the Alesian left behind.
"Keep an eye on them. I do not trust them." Hammond said to Metrinos.
"I can do that, General." Metrinos said as he walked out of the room.
Several hours later…
Metrinos crept against the wall just outside the quarters set aside for the Alesians, hidden from view by bending light around him. It was the same technique that General Hiel had used when he was making his escape. The Alesians had found the surveillance cameras and disabled them. Hence why he was trying to sneak up on the Alesians.
'Makes my job a lot harder. We can't call them out on it since that would mean admitting that we were spying on them. And the Alesians know it as well. Plus they would never admit to disabling them if we question them. They would just claim that it must have malfunctioned. Clever.' Metrinos thought as he positioned himself outside the door and listened. The Alesians were conversing in their language, which seemed slightly corrupted by another language. It was a strange dialect, but he could make out the words. It sounded like Aule was speaking.
"I think these humans will accept our proposal."
"You can afford to be optimistic. I cannot." The new voice was cold.
"We cannot know for certain, my Lord."
"I thought I told you to not refer to my rank." Metrinos froze in sudden fear. He recognized that voice.
'No, it can't be him. He's here!' He thought as he took a step back.
"My apologies." Aule said.
"Magnus, in case we are discovered and they decide to try to take us prisoner, you will protect Aule with your life and escort him home. Kill whoever gets in your way." The cold voice said. A deep baritone spoke.
"But what about you?" A short bark that sounded like laughter answered.
"I will not need it. You might be my weapon master and bodyguard, but Metrinos is the only one here capable of matching me in a fight. Maybe. The rest would be slaughtered if they tried to stop me." The Alesian seemed confident in his statement.
'I must warn the humans.' Metrinos thought as he crept away. He ran quickly as soon as he was out of earshot, decloaking himself as he bolted to the briefing room. Hammond looked up as Metrinos burst into the office.
"General. There is something you must know." Metrinos panted out. Hammond listened. Within sixty seconds, he picked up the phone and gave a few orders.
"You have a plan." Metrinos said.
"I do."
Several hours later, Hammond sat at the table, meditating on the information given to him. This plan was risky, but it would tip the Alesian's hand. SG-1 sat next to him, and Metrinos stood slightly behind him as the three Alesians entered the room. Aule took his seat and folded his hands in front of him.
"Has your government come to a decision?" He asked politely. Hammond shook his head.
"Not yet, they are still deliberating on the proposal." Hammond said.
"I see. I might have to consult with my government for further instructions." The Alesian said.
"Do you?" Metrinos suggested.
"I am not quite sure what you mean, Metrinos." Aule said, somewhat confused.
"I think you do." Metrinos said, walking forward and facing the Alesian sitting at the table, but his eyes were focused on the shorter legionnaire standing at attention behind him.
"Very clever of you. You were always that, but you didn't fool me. So, why don't you end this charade...Councilor?"
Aule started visibly as Magnus tensed up. Behind the clear visor of the shorter legionnaire, brown eyes locked with green as a sharp intake of breath was heard.
"Metrinos." The voice came out cold and harsh.
"Amann." Metrinos stood, his hands spread out from his body, preparing for a confrontation.
The legionnaire stepped forward and raised his hands to his face, pulling off his helmet with a hiss of air. Amann was tall and broad shouldered, with dark hair falling midway down his cheek. He would have been handsome if it wasn't for the cold and calculating expression present on his face.
"It seems reports of your demise were greatly exaggerated. When General Hiel told me of being alive and the extent of your involvement, I knew you could be either a great ally or a troublesome enemy to be removed. I haven't decided which." Amann said, tucking the helmet in the crook of his arm as he faced Metrinos and SG-1.
"I've always been a survivor." Metrinos said. Amann's eyes darted around for a moment, his body tensing up visibly. O'Neill got the sense that the Alesian leader was preparing for a possible fight and was calculating who to kill first. It made him uneasy, like being trapped in a cage with a wolf.
"I was shocked when I heard you were among the Terrans. I thought someone like you would have come to Alesia rather than this backwater." Amann gestured around to indicate his point.
"I decided this was my place, to guide humanity. I have been assisting them in their effort to claim the mantle."
"The Mantle? As in the Fifth Race like the Asgard prattle on about? You believe these apes are capable of rivaling us?" Amann barked.
"They are the second evolution of our species." Metrinos stated simply.
"That's ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous! The mantle of the Lanteans belongs to us!" Amann's eyes flashed dangerously, placing his helmet on the table in front of him.
"Yet you despised the Lanteans as weak." Metrinos pointed out.
"I was once Lantean. We were weak as a race, and I tried to make us strong again. But the Council found out my plans and had me exiled after I tried my plan. But I was vindicated." Amann said, a tinge of pride in his voice.
"The Lanteans were wiped out by the Wraith of all species. Pathetic." Amann sneered at the last word.
"And we endure and are stronger. Our fleet today is as strong as the Lantean fleet ever was. We are a long way from the old Ancient Empire being reforged, but that entity was a multi galactic Empire, and we haven't even come close to having this galaxy under the Alesian banner. But that will change."
Amann looked around the room, cold eyes appraising his audience as he began to speak.
"I did deceive you by coming here covertly, but it was necessary. Ambassador Aule was genuine in his offer. It has been ratified and authorized by both Lower and High Councils. Earth can become a member of the Alesian Empire, a protectorate under our flag. You will find that we allow our member worlds considerable self rule." Amann gestured toward the datapad in front of Aule, his voice taking on a passive tone.
"If you accept my offer, I will deploy several Alesian scientists to work with your own to advance your world as well as deploy three..." Amann paused for a moment.
"No, five Imperial legions to establish a defense for Earth. Your world is influential, heavily populated, and can have quite a voice in the Empire. In exchange for this, you will have an Alesian governor selected to advise your governments. Your internal cultures will remain intact mostly, but Alesian law will be implemented. That means we will not tolerate slavery or oppression of basic rights. Any that do will be severely punished and executed."
"Also, you will hold a worldwide election to select a native representative to have a seat and a voice on the Alesian Lower Council, which is our lawmaking body."
"But in accepting this offer, you would deny them their destiny. Their right to take the place set for them. You would make them into your vassals, and any that violate Alesian law will suffer." The statement from Metrinos came as a surprise to Amann, who always thought his mentor held much of the same ideals he himself did.
"Alesian law is very basic, easy to comprehend, and it is enforced." Amann said coldly. "The list of laws isn't all that long, Metrinos. We expect it to be obeyed."
"All you offer, they can achieve when they uptake the mantle." Metrinos argued. Amann was about to open his mouth to argue when Hammond cut him off.
"You attempted to deceive us by coming here covertly, gathering information to use against us by your own admission. Your general killed eight of my people and wounded two others. I find it difficult to believe that you came here to deal in good faith." He said angrily.
"It was necessary to come here in secret, not knowing if you would attempt to assassinate me at Metrinos' suggestion." Amann said, his voice as cold as the arctic wind.
"As for Hiel killing your people, you held him prisoner against his will. YOUR actions MADE him hostile." Amann growled, pointing a finger at Hammond. Amann was incensed.
"I'll remind you this is neutral territory. We do not harm each other in a formal truce, and it was dishonorable of you to hold one of Alesia's greatest generals and my oldest friend. I do not blame him in the slightest!"
"Had it been me you held, I would have not shown restraint. I would have labeled you as enemies and killed you all! Because of your foolishness! I am sure your officers would do the same if our roles were reversed!" Amann shouted, slamming his fist down on the table. The table splintered and cracked from the impact, but he was past caring. 'How dare these humans put the blame of their dead people on someone merely carrying out their duty. Ridiculous!' Amann fumed internally.
"That is in fact, incorrect." Metrinos stated. Amann locked eyes with Metrinos, anger burning within them. "The Terrans excel at negotiation and have talked their way out of similar situations countless times."
"Unfortunately, Hiel is not a negotiator. He is a warrior first and foremost. He is also the second highest ranked General in the entire Alesian Empire, and he was performing the duties of his office. His first duty after being thawed out would have been to return to Alesia when he saw we were free from the time dilation and report. Which he did. Where was the vaunted Terran negotiation then? You even advocated assassinating him to prevent that, Metrinos!" Amann said angrily.
"That is not the act of a neutral or a potential ally. That is the act of a desperate enemy. That's been a cause for war even among your world. I've read much of your history, thanks to listening posts and some selective downloading of your historical documents. So I ask you, who was acting in good faith?" Amann snarled, turning away to face the Stargate outside the window.
"And despite all of that, I come in peace to offer my hand. It is up to you to decide to take it." Amann stated, his hands clasped behind his back as he turned around to face Metrinos. A flash of light appeared as an Asgard appeared in a command chair. Shock appeared on Amann's face as his mouth fell open.
"You invited an Asgard here? An enemy of the Alesian people?" The Alesian hissed as Hammond spoke.
"Commander Thor was monitoring the situation from his ship in orbit." Amann's face went sheet white with rage at the mention of Thor.
"Thor? You…you bastard! You killed millions of our soldiers and citizens in our war, and froze our entire Empire into time stasis!" He roared, seemingly berserk with anger as he took an aggressive step forward.
"What I did was necessary." Thor said, looking at Amann. Suddenly, four flashes of light deposited hovering spherical machines, easily the size of a human head.
"Assault drones will not protect you from retribution!" Amann barked. The room shuddered slightly as Amann drew in his mentalic power. The air went cold as ice formed on the walls and floor. Frost covered the briefing room window as a glowing white ball of energy appeared in Amann's hand, the other drawn back as flames flickered to life. Thor looked on impassively.
"True, it will not. You will cease your attempt to draw in all of the energy to attack me, or I will have no choice but to beam you into space and scatter your atoms to where even your people couldn't revive you. " Thor stated matter of factly, his black orb-like eyes blinking.
Amann seethed with barely suppressed rage. This was the Asgard that had killed so many of his people, and the Asgard even bombed civilian targets just because they were armed in case of an invasion. Thor had never exposed himself enough for a fair fight, and now here he stood. A perfect opportunity to kill one of the greatest enemies of his people. He almost didn't see Metrinos as the former battlemaster walked in front of Thor with his hand upraised.
"Peace. This is neutral ground. You said it yourself Amann. Myself and Supreme Commander Thor cannot be harmed by you on an independent world. Rules of conduct are still prevalent among your people." Metrinos reminded him.
Amann's hand crackled with energy as he held the whitish-blue ball that glowed with the luminosity of a sun, looking murderous. His dark eyes snapped to Metrinos as he took a deep breath and calmed down.
"You are right of course. Our disagreements do not involve them. I forgot my manners and must extend my apologies to our hosts." Amann bowed his head slightly, closing his eyes and shaking his head to clear his mind.
"But there will be a reckoning for this, Metrinos. And you and I have unfinished business to settle, Thor." Amann lowered his hand as the energy dissipated.
"I imagine there will always be unsettled business somewhere." Thor said calmly.
Silence reigned for a moment as the two adversaries looked at each other.
"Why are you here?" Amann asked, crossing his arms as if to prove a point.
"It is time we talked. For the last decade, we have avoided each other. The Asgard felt that you should be given a second chance." Thor said, blinking his large black eyes. "Unfortunately, it seems that you are still bent on conquering the galaxy."
Try as he might, Amann could not tell what Thor was thinking. The Asgard barely expressed emotion, only the tone of their voice and small gestures gave away any feeling they had. They were a highly logical race with few emotions. 'Are the Asgard always this calm? Do they retain this calm during battle? Have the Asgard ever been rattled?' Amann thought to himself, feeling he was at a disadvantage. He was uncomfortable, too used to being in control of the situation and able to read his enemies.
Amann shook himself out of his reprieve, noticing that Thor had let the silence hang. Slowly, it dawned on him that the Asgard was expecting an answer. 'Damn him for putting me off balance.' He had to reply.
"What would you like me to say, commander?" Amann replied sarcastically. "I give up all my evil ways. I'm sorry for ever dreaming of opposing the Asgard. I just feel terrible. Please forgive me." Amann knew it was a weak defense, but he hoped that the Asgard wouldn't be able to read him. Unfortunately, Thor saw right through it.
"Your sarcasm is not appreciated." Thor said in a monotone. Amann felt a rush of triumph, finally sensing annoyance.
"And neither are your attempts to interfere with my plans." Amann said, glaring at Thor.
"The Asgard will not allow Alesian aggression to dominate the galaxy." Thor said in a threatening tone.
"Oh yes, because you did such a great job already." Amann said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Instead of a unified Alesian civilization, you allowed a species of egotistical slavers that have no qualms of performing genocide on someone just because they can." Amann gave a mocking salute.
"Good to know you prefer slavery and genocide to order and prosperity." Amann jabbed, knowing it would annoy Thor. But Thor chose to remain silent, instead content to look at the Alesian leader.
'He's passive. Still! I didn't even rattle him at all, and I usually rattle people that hide their emotions. I hate the Asgard. No damn passion or emotions. Everything is merely a fact to them. Triple damn them to the darkest pits of hell.' Amann thought furiously as he continued his tirade, pointing his finger in anger at the Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet.
"Oh it makes sense now. The Lanteans hated us, and you were their allies. You claim you were protecting this galaxy, yet you didn't against the Goa'uld for thousands of years." Amann yelled, advancing toward Thor threateningly. His dark eyes burned like coals.
"You let them enslave and punish the people under their jackboot. No matter how much you claim that you were protecting their freedom, you couldn't stand letting an Alesian rule this galaxy!" He snarled in hatred, his voice bitter with pain and anger.
"You could not be allowed to impose your rule on this galaxy. Our allies asked us to keep you in check and we did so." Thor replied.
"You are at least as old as I am now." Amann said coldly. "A pity it hasn't made you wiser."
"Is that all you know how to do? To conquer all that would stand in your way?" Thor said, his tone blank. "To crush all sentient species underneath the Alesian war machine?"
"Fool!" Amann snarled, pointing a finger at the diminutive Asgard. "You don't understand our purpose at all! We would guide and unite the races under one banner. Our banner." Amann gritted his teeth, grinding them against each other.
"All species should have a choice in the matter. The Ancients lived in harmony with the species they created." Metrinos stated, which attracted Amann's attention to him.
"They were fools!" Amann roared in anger. "They were masters of science and technology, yet they lacked the wisdom to use it!" Amann spun and walked away from Metrinos, pacing furiously.
"They focused on science and ignored everything else." Amann's voice said with contempt. "They sat in their labs while others prepared for war! The Ancients sought answers to irrelevant questions while their enemies sought their destruction!" Amann turned to face Thor, his face contorted in rage.
"And I was right. Their enemies destroyed them while we survived." Amann's brown eyes blazed with fury. "We have enemies that seek our destruction. I will not stand by and let it happen again." His voice echoed with resolve. Thor merely stared as Amann stopped pacing and stared around. The silence echoed in the briefing room for a moment, everyone unsure of what to say after the outburst. Hammond stood up and faced the Alesian, thinking for a moment as he formulated his words.
"I believe I speak for my government and my people when I say that the United States will find your terms not feasible, Councilor. We cannot ally ourselves with an imperialistic power bent on conquest."
Amann blinked at that, surprise flickering across his face. He thought that they would accept his terms, despite their choice in allies. Alesians were not so different from what he found out about Americans. They were less authoritarian and harsh than the Alesians were, but seemed to be militaristic and shared a fierce pride in their homeland. Both peoples also rebelled against a much more powerful entity to create their government. It puzzled him that they would reject him even though their own history was rife with wars and conquering natives in their quest for expansion. 'Even we never outright exterminated anyone. Though I might make an exception to the Wraith when we get to their galaxy.' Amann thought as confusion and anger echoed in his head. He swallowed tightly as he bit the inside of his cheek in an effort to remain calm.
"I see." His tone was neutral, but Metrinos knew that he was trying to suppress his anger at being turned down. He had glimpsed into a little of Amann's character during the argument. His student had not changed in many respects since his promotion to Fleet Captain. He was more powerful, and perhaps a bit wiser, but there was still a terrible pride present, and Metrinos knew that the rejection had wounded him.
Metrinos suspected the Alesian's pride started with Amann Adar's recruitment into the Lantean Sentinels, the elite special forces of the fleet. Pride was a defining trait in any elite group, always cultivated for the morale of the unit. It formed the esprit de corps. As his advancement to a flag officer continued, he had fought in many actions against pirates, slavers, and what would eventually become the Wraith. The trait would only magnify as one attained power, until it became a fault. His thoughts were cut off as Amann spoke once more.
"Well. As enlightening as this conversation was, if you'll excuse me." Amann gestured toward the gate as he grabbed his helmet. "I have other appointments. Perhaps one day, you'll be wiser to understand." Amann turned around and gestured sharply as Aule and Magnus followed him. The gate began to dial of it's own accord as they strode into the gateroom. The gate opened with a kawoosh, and Amann stepped through it with his entourage.
"Arrogant little guy, isn't he?" Jack remarked as the gate shut down. Metrinos shook his head.
"It's more pride than arrogance. He thinks he made more than a generous offer to you, and your rejection was a slap in his face. Amann is not used to being outright dismissed or rejected, not as a leader of a powerful Empire. A fatal flaw for those with power." The Ancient said as he turned toward O'Neill.
"Do not underestimate him. He might be prideful, but he is very intelligent. Amann has outwitted greater and more powerful adversaries than what we could present to him, all because they underestimated his resolve or capabilities. And that was before he had the resources of an Empire behind him." Metrinos advised, his tone serious.
"Don't worry. I won't."
"I also suspect your invitation to Thor was another slap in the face. Their war must have been more terrible than I suspected." Metrinos mused, lost in thought.
"It was. The war cost the Asgard hundreds of ships, and the Alesians lost millions of civilians as well as a significant portion of their capital fleet. We were not equipped to compete in a ground war with them, and they had superior technology. We had to bomb even civilian targets, since their soldiers were intermixed in with armed civilians." Thor stated as Metrinos nodded.
"I suspect he was even afraid. Afraid when he was unmasked, and being blindsided by Thor beaming in. It upset his balance. Amann isn't usually prone to passionate outbursts. At least, not the one I remember. He was rather introverted and quiet when I knew him." Metrinos tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"I'll have to think on it some more."
"I'm sure that is fascinating, but I hear the mess hall calling. Blue jello awaits." O'Neill said dramatically.
"I prefer the orange myself." Metrinos commented in sotto voice.
"Your kidding? Orange is the worst." Jack said with shock.
"Oddly enough, that is my feelings on blue jello." The Ancient smirked.
"They have both usually." Both men sized each other up, before turning as one and walking off to the mess hall.
