Chapter Nine

Poc'nah - Space

By time Xander reached the first planet in his to do list he had a veritable armada of vessels floating along behind him. He was never one to waste a resource and the motherships now under his command were an amazing resource. He had encountered several patrols and focused attacks from the protectors of the system they were in, but they had barely even slowed him down.

A surprising number of the Jaffa had also come across to his team, as it were, and were running the limping ships for him. Rak'nah was his emissary and he was turning out to be amazing at his job. He was a leader among his people, or rather was now. The potential had always been there, Xander was sure, but it was now being given voice via Xander and he was turning out to be the most valuable asset under Xander's command. If not for Rak'nah Xander had a feeling he would have had to battle much harder to gain the Jaffa's trust.

He had of course had to show off some of his godly powers, namely a few technical tricks he had up his sleeve, but they were more than enough to convince the Jaffa that he was the real deal. In truth he felt bad about that, but in a strange sort of way he was now doing this for the Jaffa as well. They were a wonderful people, proud and strong warriors each, and they were crushed under the heel of the Goa'uld in a way that Xander intensely disliked.

He looked down at the rotating ball of earth and rock with a smile. It was Earth-like and yet not Earth. Beautiful, and yet terrifying at the same time. Mostly because it was a planet that he had to in some way take over and he was still a little uncertain as to how to go about that. He could pound it into submission from space but that would likely kill most of the people he had gone there to protect. This would obviously not be a smart move.

He targeted the planets' defences and unleashed his various weapons on them; the lower powered the better the way Xander saw it. In approximately two minutes he had left the planets defenceless from attack. Which was something he didn't like the idea of either, and yet he had no choice, otherwise they would turn those weapons upon him.

"Rak'nah," Xander turned to his first prime, who had Transmat'd across when they had reached the planet. "Inform them of why we are here and ask for their peaceful surrender."

"If my Lord allows, we should attack this," Rak'nah said pointing towards what appeared to be some sort of bunker on the viewscreen. "I think that will get them to listen more than my voice alone."

Xander looked at his First Prime seriously for a long moment, "More can be done with a kind word and a gun than a kind word alone?"

The Jaffa's brow creased but he nodded anyway.

With no outward appearance of what he was about to do Xander targeted the building and fired upon it with a mental command from his neural wet works. "I suggest you strike while the iron is hot" Xander said with a heavy voice. Was it truly worth it? To protect his planet and the people now under his command he was committing large scale murder and that didn't sit well with him. He was pragmatic enough to see the reason for doing it, but he didn't like it a single bit.

As the Jaffa made the various demands and laid out the terms of their surrender Xander sat back and flashed his eyes occasionally. So far he was avoiding speaking as much as possible. It was expected of him to use the dual tone voice and frankly it hurt to make the Nanites in his system work his voice box like that, so he remained the silent god.

It was actually having quite an effect on the various Jaffa he had dealt with so far, and they were fairly used to being ordered around by a Jaffa anyway.

Rak'nah earned Xander's gratitude and respect once again. He was actually from the planet the Krakken was orbiting and he knew the leader of the Jaffa there. There were words like 'Shol'va' bandied around, but somehow Rak'nah managed to turn it around on the elderly Master Jaffa and browbeat him, talk him round and whatever else worked, until finally the Jaffa Master stepped down from his hard-nosed stand point. It was obvious they were beaten from the force Xander had at his command, but the call to Apophis had already gone out.

This was actually a good thing in Xander's opinion. It would be better to face the bastard and get something done than play around in the background. It was in Xander's mind to annex the entire system of space. It wasn't huge, but it was easily defensible. To that end Xander sent a tachyon message to his fleet and sat back and waited.

They had not been moving at FTL for a while now with all the fighting that had been involved. It was all with the aim of getting to the main planet in the system.

A few minutes later, as Rak'nah talked with the Jaffa Master, and they were suddenly surrounded with flashes as some of his fleet arrived. Everything from cruisers to mining barges swarmed around them in a cascade of lights.

The elderly Jaffa looked off to the side, obviously at some sort of sensor array and his eyes widened.

Xander was fairly sure one of his cruisers could go one to one with a Goa'uld Mothership, but that wasn't his plan. He was going to use the replication plants on each vessel for his master game plan instead. He scanned the area for a good source of materials and sent the barges off with a fighter escort. "This system belongs to me now," he said with the eerie harmonic in full effect in his voice.

Apophis' Mothership - Space

"My lord Apophis," a Jaffa called out from the communications array in Apophis' Mothership.

"Jaffa Kree," the false god said, his eyes flashing with annoyance at being disturbed from his plotting.

"We have received message from Poc'nah."

"What of it?"

"It is under attack My Lord."

Apophis' eyes glowed again, "Who dares?"

"Unknown my Lord, but they have a mighty vessel leading a fleet of motherships and have made the planet surrender, my Lord."

"Cowards, all of them. I shall deal with this immediately. Set course."

Poc'nah Orbit - Space

Several hours later Xander sat with one leg lazily thrown over his command chair looking through a report from one of the many Pyramid ships now under his control. Things were going to plan and everything was just in time. Even now he could see Apophis' fleet approaching him from only a few minutes out. It was much larger than Xander had hoped, along the lines of 'holy crap it's big', in fact. Xander was worried, but he wasn't showing any of it to the Jaffa at his side. No, instead he merely said, "They come," in his dual tone voice adding an eye flash to show some annoyance.

"Jaffa Kree," Rak'nah commanded, pulling himself up short when Xander raised a hand.

"Calm yourself Rak'nah. Stand down from battlestations."

"My Lord?" The big Jaffa said in confusion.

"Are the Satellites in place?"

"They are, my Lord, but what can a satellite do that we cannot?" The Jaffa around Rak'nah shifted at the big First Prime's audacity.

Xander smiled slightly, "You still doubt me Rak'nah?"

"Of course not, my Lord! I apologise."

"No need; all will become clear shortly. They arrive now."

Dozens of flashes appeared across the space in front of Xander's Krakken as Apophis' fleet arrived and began to hammer his ship with fire.

Xander glanced at the shield readings then settled himself back in his chair. He could do this all day; he knew they couldn't. He mentally opened a channel and smiled, "I wish to converse with the false god Apophis."

There was a slight gasp from some of the weaker-willed Jaffa on the command deck, but Xander ignored it. This would be an interesting lesson for them if it worked. If it didn't they'd all be dead soon anyway.

The fire intensified if anything, but there was no direct response from Apophis.

The viewscreen turned to a tactical display. Xander was using his wet works almost exclusively during that battle. He wanted to make it appear as if he was using magic to interact with his ship. He targeted a random ship and fired Expulsor Canons three to five in it. There was barely a pause as the massive fire-power tore through the ship.

Rather than hold off as he had been doing he let the energy weapon rip the ship to shreds, causing it to explode into tiny chunks after a few moments firing.

Then he repeated the process a few times, trying not to think of the loss of life he was causing. The big Mothership in the middle of the pack suddenly backed off a little, though it was already obvious to Xander where Apophis was hiding. The other motherships were filling in the gap and causing a solid shield with their hulls.

"I repeat. I wish to talk to Apophis."

The view screen wavered for a moment and then Apophis appeared in his entire Egyptian god-looking glory.

"Who dares?"

"I do. My name is Yokonamy, but that is of little import. What is important is that you are invading my property!"

"This space belongs to me, the one true god."

"Not anymore," Xander told him, "And while you're about it stay away from Earth or I will summarily destroy you and your worthless fleet."

Apophis laughed mockingly "You think you are more powerful than I?"

"I know it, false god."

Apophis' eyes glowed with anger, "I will destroy you this day." he said, attempting to cut off his communication to no avail. As they had been talking Xander had been directing his massive computers AI intellect into Apophis' systems and was slowly shutting him out of his own systems.

"The next time we talk will be to deliver my terms," Xander said shutting off both ends of the communication and smirking. Suddenly Apophis was beset by massive energy fire as every one of the satellites Xander had managed to build were all firing on his position from around the planet, the planet he had backed towards to get away from Xander.

Xander smirked as he watched the large Mothership light up with the plasma fire and then timed it, just as the big ship was hulled in places, turning off the satellites and reopening the comms as he cut off the artificial gravity across Apophis' ship. He was greeted with the sight of the false god floating upside down holding onto the arm of his throne.

"Leave this space or I will destroy you." Xander said, "Come back and I will obliterate you."

"I will have my revenge" Apophis vowed even as Xander triggered the big ship's drives and sent the annoying god away without a thought.

"He will return" Rak'nah told him seriously.

"I know, and he will be given a great gift upon his return." Xander replied as he watched the remainder of the fleet that Apophis had brought with him jump after their god.

"A great victory has happened here today," Rak'nah followed on to say.

"Merely a beginning in a larger war Rak'nah; merely a beginning," Xander said with a sad smile.

Xander concentrated his neural interface towards the ships he had hiding behind the planet.

"Let us begin to prepare for his eventual arrival."

Rak'nah nodded his agreement and bowed in respect. "It shall be done as you ordered, Lord Yokonamy."

The SGC, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado – Day

"Incoming wormhole," Walter called out as was his normal task, even as he slapped his hand down on the button to close the Iris over the ancient device.

"Report," Hammond demanded walking into the command centre of the gate room.

"Incoming Wormhole," Walter repeated, "Origin unknown. We're receiving the Tok'ra IDC now sir."

"Open the Iris," Hammond ordered as his Second in Command rushed into the control centre.

"Oh joy, the Tok'ra" he snarled before he had even stopped moving. Behind him the rest of his team arrived in time to hear his statement, and their responses were no more enthusiastic.

There was a short pause and then their least favourite Tok'ra walked out of the event horizon of the wormhole, looking like a thousand bucks and trouble combined into one female headache.

"Yikes," Jack said under his breath, not at her attire but because it had to be Anise who came to them again. She was really ragging on his last nerve, which was already frayed in regards to the Tok'ra.

"General Hammond. Colonel O'Neill. I have come with urgent news that the Council sends with its regards" the beautiful Tok'ra informed them, looking up at the control room expectantly.

"We'll meet in the briefing room," Hammond decided aloud, and walked off to do just that. He had found in his career it was usually best to arrive first to attain dominance over the room and, with the tricky Tok'ra involved, he would need every trick at his disposal.

-xXx-

"So, Anise. What can the SGC do for you today?" Hammond asked pleasantly.

"It is more what the Tok'ra can do for you, General." Anise replied equally pleasantly.

"Oh, do tell," O'Neill said sarcastically.

"This is rather important news which has only just come to our attention today, so we suggest you action it as soon as possible."

"Go on," Hammond pressed her.

Anise nodded, "Earlier today Apophis was defeated in battle while trying to take back the Poc'nah planet. It was one of his training worlds for Jaffa and of little strategic importance. What is interesting is that the self-proclaimed god named Yokonamy not only defeated him and warned him away from Poc'nah, but also Earth itself."

"Yokonamy, that's not a Goa'uld I'm familiar with," Daniel Jackson offered to the conversation with a half frown.

"Nor are we, Doctor Jackson," Anise agreed.

"It is not a name I recognise either," Teal'c said almost expressionlessly, "though I know of Poc'nah. It is of little value other than it is home to several million Jaffa and associated training facilities."

"Our analysis is the same," Anise nodded her agreement again.

"What then of this Yokonamy?" Daniel asked again. "Do we have any idea what mythology he is from because he doesn't sound familiar at all? Is he even a Goa'uld?"

"Our agent on Apophis' Mothership reported that he appeared to be Goa'uld but was dressed unlike any other Goa'uld seen before, wearing a dark uniform with gold piping. He now leads several million Jaffa as his own, as he took the entire system for his own."

"Why would he want to protect Earth?" Carter asked leaning forward in her seat, blue eyes alight.

"That is the question the Council would like to ask you."

"Ohhh, I get it," O'Neill said with a nasty smile. "Now I see where this is going."

Anise creased a pretty frown at him. "I am not sure I follow, Colonel. We only wish to ascertain information on this new threat."

"Yeah, but you didn't come here to give us any information, just to – ascertain it."

"I really do not understand."

"Stand down, Colonel. Anise, we are an alliance are we not? Should we not work together to find out information on this new System Lord?"

"He is not a System Lord." Anise corrected. "Though he and his unusual ship are powerful, none of our contacts know anything about him. The System Lords are a special group of Goa'uld rather than a generic term for the whole."

Hammond smiled to show he understood. "That said, the question remains the same."

"We had hoped you would know as it is your planet he appears to want to protect, as well as Poc'nah."

"Why does he want that planet in particular? Both you and Teal'c have said there is no strategic value there. It has a fair few Jaffa on it," Carter put forth. "So why would a System Lord want to protect Jaffa? I've always been under the impression they are used as little more than slaves."

"That is correct," Teal'c said with a nod of his head.

"Then why?" Sam said, sitting back and looking thoughtful.

"Something to do with the Jaffa, then?" Jackson surmised, tapping his chin in thought.

"And why Earth? What's up with that?" Jack asked the room as a whole. "I mean we're not really of any real value strategically, are we."

"Other than for hosts." Jackson said, causing a chill in the room.

"We need to find out what he wants with us, and we need to find out now." Hammond decided after Jackson's comment.

Just then the klaxon that signalled an incoming wormhole suddenly blared out. They looked at each other and left the briefing room in a rush, straight down the stairs and into the control room that overlooked the gate room itself.

"It's Master Bra'tac's IDC General." Walter said as they arrived.

"Open the Iris" the General commanded, and the camera lens design of the Iris slid back from the gate with a heavy metal sound.

The elderly Jaffa Master stepped through shortly afterwards and raised an arm in greeting. "Hammond of Texas, Teal'c," he said by way of greeting. "I bring strange news to my human friends."

"Yokonamy," O'Neill hazarded as they all walked into the gate room to greet the Jaffa.

The Jaffa Master looked mildly impressed until he spotted the Tok'ra Anise following them. "I see your other Allies have already informed you of the new Goa'uld then."

"Yes, but we'd like to hear your perspective." Hammond smiled. If truth were told, he greatly admired the elderly Jaffa and much preferred to hear a fellow warrior's perspective than a Goa'uld in a short skirt. This was something he would never utter aloud.

They re-adjourned in the briefing room, and once they were seated the Jaffa Master began to talk. "It is strange. The reports I have been getting are from my Jaffa on not only Apophis' mother ship but also on Yokonamy's."

"You have operatives on this new Goa'ulds vessel itself?" Anise demanded to know.

The ancient Jaffa merely smiled before continuing. "One on his strange ship he calls the Krakken."

"From ancient mythology, a sea monster that sank many ships, it is said," Daniel filled in, happy to finally have something he recognised to talk about.

"Fitting" the Master said with a nod, "It is indeed a mighty vessel. At the final battle one of my Jaffa was fortunate enough to be invited by Yokonamy's First Prime Rak'nah" he said with a glance at Teal'c.

Teal'c showed a slight widening of his eyes and that was about it, but Jack picked up on it. "Friend T?"

"I know of him," Teal'c said tersely.

"Among the Jaffa there is a completion, a match of strength if you will," Bra'tac said with a half-smile. "While active in Apophis' ranks Teal'c was only beaten once."

"By this Rak'nah," Daniel asked curiously.

"Indeed"

"So, we know the First Prime. Can we use that?" Carter asked.

"Perhaps" Teal'c said slowly.

"So during the final battle…" Jack said leadingly.

Master Bra'tac took up the story. "It was a wondrous battle. Yokonamy destroyed several of Apophis' motherships before calling for his surrender, which of course was refused. Then he tricked Apophis into backing away from his ship and into some sort of net of weapons that obliterated Apophis' defences. Then, using his godly powers, and this is from of my Jaffa, controlled Apophis' mothership and sent it running away."

"Controlled his ship?" Sam asked, interest alight in her eyes.

"Remotely" Bra'tac assured her, "My Jaffa said that it was all done using his powers, but was uncertain as to how exactly he did it. It truly looked to him to be magic."

"There is no such thing as magic" Sam assured him.

"Perhaps, but this Yokonamy is certainly powerful." Bra'tac told her seriously. "Apophis did not have his entire fleet, but he had enough there to cause much damage and all Yokonamy used was his own strange vessel. I was unable to gain any information on this vessel other than to say it is very large and unlike anything a Goa'uld has used before."

"Why was this Yokonamy there?" Hammond asked guiding the conversation back to the important topics.

"To protect his Jaffa's families," Bra'tac said, surprising them all. "It is said he pledged to protect them all if they joined him, and thus far he has done exactly that."

"That is interesting," Hammond said slowly. This Yokonamy was acting quite differently than any Goa'uld he had heard of before.

"Is he a Goa'uld?" Sam asked suddenly with a slight shake of her head.

"He shows all the normal signs of being thus, yes," Master Bra'tac said with a nod of his head. "Other than his actions of course."

"We need more information," Anise put forth, her eyes showing her true intelligence.

"Indeed we do," Hammond agreed.