Chapter 10
Lightning Fervor
Helltanz's notes:
-chapter begin-
Stargate Command, despite its closeness to Colorado springs, and being a major military installation, or perhaps because of it, had largely been ignored. It'd given the SGC plenty of time to lock down the facility, and secure it from potential assault. The Thanagarians had thought little of moving on facilities given their neutralization of the coventional ballistic missiles, which was precisely why they hoped that the goa'uld busters, with their stealth coating might have a chance.
The new versions of the missiles had a number of improvements to the original ones employed a few years previous against Apophis's ha'tak, including a refined detonating mechanism. The NID hoped vocally even that the radiation from enhanced nuclear detonation from the naquadah would be effective at eliminating the Thanagarian fighters.
Walter looked up from the radio station he was sitting. "General Hammond," He announced as the forces on the other end continued to update him on the situation. "Thanagarian ground troops are advancing on the complex."
Hammond nodded, it'd be the infantry to worry about, and with the tight confines of the corridors they could tie the birdmen down for hours on individual levels, once they got to below the surface. The only real concern were the shafts. "What about in Space, son?" asked the Texan
"Raiden's troops are inflicting massive casualites, Space Command expect him orbital dominace in the hour, but he seems to prioritizing putting his ships over Thanagarian ground positions. He may attempt orbital bombardment" Another air force officer relayed the inquiry, "sir, there are multiple craft are descending into the Atmosphere- sir the craft are breaking open."
"Missles?" Hammond asked wondering if they were MIRVs, or whatever the Goa'uld might call such weapons if they chose to employ. Given the goa'uld firepower advantage in space it seemed overkill.
"No sir, Radar, and optics say they look like troop carriers. Raiden's-" the officer paused unsure of what precisely he was supposed to call them considering they were freaking giant robots.
"Mobile suits, Lt." Suggested Carter peering at the video screen, "Its a recent development for ground territorial supressions," Which was the fancy way of saying blowing shit up on the ground.
"Thank you major, have just made land fall," He paused receiving another brief update, "We've confirmed multiple squadrons have landed in and around Colorado springs and are contesting Thanagarian prescence in the city."
Outside the base another four pods were dropped from orbit when they opened each pod was contained eight mobile suits. The total disposition of forces were a single 3-ZGMF-x88s, plus six 3-ZGMF-1000's ZAKUs, four 3-ZGMF-1001's ZAKU Reitatsus, seven were 3-Gat-04 Aozora, all of which were equiped with A4E1 Jet Strikers, while the remaining fourteen are 2-GAT-02L2 Tachi L. Half of those tachi were equipped with E-X03 Launcher equipment and the other half with standard equipment. Individual breakdown of the Zakus came two outfitted in A1 Gunner equipment, two outfitted with M Blaze equipment, the remaining two outfitted with K Slash equipment. While with the Reitatsus amongst the group one was outfited with A1 Gunner, another with M Blaze and the last two with K Slash equipment.
Such a breakdown had been specifically intended so that the reinforcements could better hold the line until additional forces could be freed up to join the defense. As it was even with the overhead Daitenchi class assault ship that was all the while launching 3-AMA-953 BABI and 3-MVF-M11C Murasames from its forward hangars they'd be significantly out numbered.
A column of approaching Thanagarian hover tanks exploded before they could get within the range of their weapons. Jack whistled appreciatory for the assistance since he wasn't quite sure how effective Earth anti armor weapons were going to be against those tanks. Though strictly speaking they'd find out soon enough. Cheyenne mountain's perimeter had been thoroughly reinforced, especially as troops had filtered in.
"If understand the meaning of the action correctly I aggree O'Neill." Teal'c stated retaining his composure in face of the situation. "We should however prepare for an assault by the Thanagarian soldiers, Raiden's forces are not likely to prioritize infantry."
As planned similar landings take place across the planet where there is a significant Thanagarian presence. The new forces were making quick work of the Thanagarians, much to the cheering of the people of earth. Of course they weren't aware of who these newcomers were either. At this point though few peopled cared.
Raiden had spent the last millennium developing technology and was finally getting the opportunity to test out these new weapons in depth in a planet wide battle against a hostile opponent. He was quite pleased about this, though it would have been pleasing if this had been a rival goa'uld he was crushing.
Earth was a much to important planet to allow to be damage in any significant way, and this was an opportunity he was loath to waste. As it stood it also gave him the chance to show up the Asgard, which was always a plus.
Missiles and kinetic projectiles weapons were very effective but the goa'uld by and large had ignored them for so long because it required 'ammunition'. Additionally shields tended to be better suited to resisting such munitions. Raiden didn't mind the issue even if it did complicate logistics, because as far as things went the weapons tended to be effective.
The majority of Goa'uld weapons technology on the starship level were large scale plasma weapons, or the extremely rare particle cannon or laser. In short most Goa'uld simply chose to rely on large scale plasma weapons and that was good enough, Raiden, having access to what he did, preferred efficiency.
Some of his newer ships were small because they had a much more narrow purpose. Because of this they required less resources to build than the megastructure of Ha'tak, which were over a kilometer in length and width, with the newest ships even larger. Of course Raiden still retained some part of ego and had every intention of building a fleet of megastructure sized ships.
Each system lord commanded a large fleet of Ha'tak class vessels, and as did he as he was apart of that body. The Thanagarians were greatly outmatched with regards to technology and couldn't, with their level of forces, hope to stand against the System Lord's might.
Still they would try to oppose the Shinto Kami's will, and their deaths would serve as a reminder to those who would seek to defy the treaty with the Asgard, and of course set the stage for future relations with Earth. After this there would be no denying to the people of the first world that yes there were alien empires out there, but the Stargate getting disclosed just yet that was unlikely. Of course strictly speaking the Earth knew there were Alien Empires out there.
No it was much more likely that since the 'Justice League', who greatly interested both Raiden and his other half by the way, had faster than light travel the government would likewise claim that they had made contact with other civilizations. No doubt the human governments would have some trouble in maintaining control due to certain complaints, but it was unlikely to be anything serious.
-scene break-
It was hardly uncommon for the briefing rooms in the SGC to be used like this. Some weeks had passed since the Thanagarian invasion and occupation had ended, and the world was starting to pick up the pieces. There were a lot of questions regarding things, and the powers in Washington had decided it was time to let the cat out of the bag.
Right now there were a few major protests going on about talks to establish an orbital defense grid notably complaints about putting nuclear weapons into orbit, but these matters didn't concern the system lord.
Earth was starting to pick up the pieces, and defense contracts and defense spending was going up. All the politicians wanted to be seen as being proactive. The people of the Tauri did not want to be invaded again, and their preparing technology served the system lord's agenda nicely.
Seizing control of the Earth directly would be far, far too much trouble, especially considering the number of other much more pressing matters which existed. Due to these other issues Raiden was content to let Earth fight its own battles against the other system lords. Sokar might have been willing to spend the men to hold earth, but he certainly wasn't.
After all if Earth weakened the other system lords it would only leave him in a stronger position and the time was coming when he would put his plans into action.
Delegates from several major world nations, China, Russia, France, England sat around the table. Unknown to those gathered Raiden was observing from Orbit via the immensely power sensors of his flagship. Truthfully the summit didn't concern him, it was the pressure to fold the SGC into, or with other organizations that concerned his attention.
"The Americans are hiding something and have been for years now." the Chinese ambassador stated irritably.
"Yes my government believes the same." Colonel Chekov agreed nodding his head, then again the Americans were always hiding things. It came with the territory, but generally it didn't involve aliens... well not ussually.
"Gentlemen, we couldn't help but over here." the English ambassador ambled on over and agreed.
"Yes, the American's are up to something." Agreed the Frenchman. "Of course they usually are, but this is something a bit above their usual secrets,"
"They did summon us here for a reason."
Major Davis stepped forward, "Please be seated gentlemen." Everyone took their appropriate seats, though some were more sullen about it than others.
"Thank you all for coming as you know we are all troubled by the recent invasion and subsequent intervention of another alien race to repulse the invasion, given said invasion our government has decided the other major nations of the world need to be apprised of a project out of this facility for the last several years."
Stargate Command's commanding officer spoke up, "The Project is known as the Stargate Program." Hammond stated.
Major Davis gestured to the Stargate. "This is the Stargate, the device we have set up here was originally discovered in nineteen twenty eight where it had laid buried for several thousand years. In nineteen forty-five a team of scientists hoping to find military applications for the successfully established a stable wormhole by the process of random dialing. It was for all intents and purposes a lucky accident, which they were unable to repeat. Up until several years ago the Stargate remained inactive, when this man, Dr. Daniel Jackson, joined the Program." It was probably a bad idea to be telling potential rivals about how critical Jackson had been to the program but given the risks it had been deemed acceptable. "Dr. Jackson successfully deciphered the symbols on the gate allowing us to begin routine exploration of alien worlds. Since that time we have explored hundreds of worlds. Thousands more remain to be explored."
"What?"
"This is absurd." Remarked another. "Ok you've had your laugh what were really called here to discuss that you think is so important considering the recent alien invasion."
Raiden chuckled, and would have except that he considered it prudent to proceed to intervene... Sokar volunteering to speak with the leaders of the Tauri might have had something to do with that. "I apologize for my tardiness I had something to attend to." The God failed to elaborate though, which notably worried General Hammond, though the aging Texan didn't care comment in front of the politician.
"Yes and who are you and how did you get here exactly?"
Raiden did not appreciate the sudden question, "I am the system lord Raiden," The tone he used was brusque, and dissmissive of the ambassador, answering the who, but not bothering to answer the other question. "I am here to insure everyone understands and follows the treaty."
The Pentagon liason officer sighed, interjecting before things got out of hand "It was his fleet which repulsed the Thanagarians." Major Davis elaborated, in truth it'd been fortunate they had detected Sokar's fleet massing in hyperspace before Raiden had delivered the coup de grace against the hyperspace bypass. "You see Earth is part of a treaty known as the Asgard-System Lord Protected Planets Agreement. This Galaxy is inhabited by numerous sentient species. Approximately a little more than half the galaxy is under the control of the System Lord Collective roughly sixty five percent the remaining lesser thirty percent is mostly in turmoil, among the races who inhabit that region are the Thanagarians and the Gordanians amongst a few others, most of these races who have control more than one solar system are outside what is known as the stargate network."
"So there are several different alien races." The Frenchman commented. "We kind of already knew this what with the Justice League traipsing about the globe." The ambassador did have a point the last several years had been rather
"Yes well more then several."
Another ambassador interjected into the explanation that the Major was glad he was the one explaining things, as opposed to the system lord. "So these Asgard then are part of this lesser forty percent of space."
"No the Asgard are-" Kinsey arrived with all of the usual bluster and hullabaloo he made whenever he decided to show up anywhere.
"Sorry I'm late gentleman I had a meeting on the hill." He announced loudly his tone indicating his own inflated sense of self worth.
"Senator Kinsey sit down you will abide by the appropriate decorum." Raiden snapped more than a little irritated at the blatant tauri breach of protocol. "To explain for the major who seems unable to maintain order," and Raiden dared for any of these ingrates to interupt him "The Asgard inhabit the Ida Galaxy, where they are the dominant power. Only the most powerful of the High Council of system lords have the technology to compete with them. The Asgard are an ancient and law abiding race, to whom you owe your miserable continued current existence to, for taking you under their protection. I'm finished," He added to Kinsey.
"Yes well, what have I missed?"
"Your officers and this young man have informed us your men have repeatedly traveled to alien worlds repeatedly." The British representative stated, his tone indicating he wasn't totally convinced, though he obviously wasn't completely ruling it out since the Justice League did have space ships after all.
"Yes well what they said is all true. The air force goes through the damn thing on a daily basis so do Mr. Raiden's forces." The system lord wrinkled his nose in at the method of addressing him.
"Does everyone in your government know about this?"
"As Chairman of the Senate appropriations committee Senator Kinsey was given a full briefing." Explained the pentagon liaison officer. "on specifically what we were doing here at this base."
"The truth of the matter is I demanded to know where all that money was going, and believe you me, we're talking about a lot of money. We are choosing to release this information because of the recent invasion. Earth is not only threatened by those raises but is in imminent threat due to the Stargate Program's flagship team SG-1."
Raiden frowned, this really was going to be one of those couldn't he have convinced Yu to come to this, but no Yu had to busy today, Sokar had been all too eager to come speak with the Tauri, something about esteemed place in ordered domains.
"So these aliens-" The English ambassador stated,
Major Davis nodded, "The Goa'uld." He supplied helpfully to the ambassador.
"Mm-hmm. They built the Stargate, did they?"
Raiden shook his head, "No the original gate system was built "No the original gate system was built by the ancients in the centuries preceeding the war in Heaven. Today the Alteran, and Ayelied as well most likely, " He stated, "some of whom remained on earth while many others left millennia ago left descendants, amongst these like Colonel O'neill. We merely utilize the gate network because it is convenient, just as the asgard do to link our worlds with out relying on space ships."
Kinsey scowled at the mention of O'neill, but didn't say anything, mainly because Hammond had mentioned that protocol for these meetings required people to speak one at a time and the goa'uld considered it a major taboo to break this rule. Not that he was all that concerned he was US senator.
"The Goa'uld may frequently use the gate system however their main tool is their use of powerful warships capable of interstellar travel." Added in major Davis. "Fleet wise these ships serve as their principle means of defense."
One of the Ambassadors nodded, "Such as the ones used against the Thanagarians a few weeks ago." The Frenchman stated, "These are the Goa'uld's forces."
"Yes though most Goa'uld fleets still consist of Ha'tak as opposed to Raiden's fleet, which is composed of newer diverging specialized role vessels." He remarked, "Each individual system lord has hundreds of these Ha'tak vessels."
The Shinto Kami nodded, "The average system lords personal escort fleet contains somewhere between thirty and sixty Ha'tak class vessels, depending on the System lords individual power, and position within the hierarchy. For a member of the High Council an escort might consist upwards of ninety ha'tak if one is feeling paranoid, or feels the need to show off," He stated, rarely did a member of the High Council bring such a number publicly into view. It was overkill. Apophis could have brought such a number, but it would have made him a laughingstock amongst the system lords. To take such a massive number of Ha'tak... against a human world without starships it would have been ludicrous. "Though generally if meeting another system lord or rather one you're on good terms with you bring half of that as gesture of trust." Generally of course it your best most powerful and heavily armed ships, but he wasn't going to tell the Tauri that.
"You stated different contingents of System lords." Colonel Chekov raised an eyebrow from what had been explained the Goa'uld were effectively sovereign heads of state though with a very feudal set up. This seemed far more organized than that, which was possible that the Americans didn't know what they were talking about. "I'm assuming you mean there are alliances, and political factions thus."
Raiden nodded acknowledging the question "There are several separate contingents each expunges different values and represent different opinions these contingents are made up of several system lords who are allied and as members vote similarly on matters before the council." He stated, "Beside these contingents there are those who have fleets rivaling those of system lords, typically those who were expelled from the council for one reason or another."
Major Davis attempted to steer things away from issues of goa'uld politics and back to the more pressing military matters, "This is a single Ha'tak class type two." He announced displaying a projection of the startship. It is approximately a kilometer across," It was one of Anubis's Ha'tak that approached the earth. It had only been allowed past because it had not deemed to be a threat to the planet. "It in particularly is currently being manned to defend one of our off world bases, it another type two Ha'tak along with X303 Prometheus were returning to Earth at the time of the Thanagarian invasion, but Raiden's fleet arrived first using their more power hyperdrive. Typically the average system lord flagship is several times this size. The average system lord has midrange light speed capable mid range bombers called Alkesh and small space capable fighters called Death Gliders." He took a minute to bring up another vessel, "This is the Updated Cheops, its an goa'uld carrier employed by the forces of the Goa'uld System lord Heru-ur." The tauri had paid careful attention to development trends amongst the Goa'uld fleet once it became apparent rapid developments were under way. "This is a goa'uld command vessel." Raiden narrowed his eyes, Cronus's flagship. The ship was only about eighty years old now but was still a powerful ship. The ship itself was slightly over three kilometers across, with long heavy stretching arms mounting waves of guns. Against more recent System Lord flagships it would be in danger, but against ha'tak? It would be like pitting a lion against a cheetah.
"These are not the units that were attacking the Thanagarian force." Announced the Frenchman as if he had uncovered some vast plot of deception
"No Mr. Ambassador," Major Davis acknowledged, "Raiden uses Mobile suits which are the large humanoid machines you saw during the invasions, they are significantly superior to the older Death glider and Alkesh as well as a single squadron is significant threat to older Ha'tak-class ships or most ground targets. The Goa'uld as a whole are very much superior in regard to technology, but the mobile suits are a very recent development designed primarily for planetary assault." Major Davis remarked
Raiden would have enjoyed praising the tauri's invovation, how lesser goa'uld were undeserving of such credits, and that even with superior technology Tauri fighters would massacre Death Glider just because of accuracy along. It was true that everyone had made impressive growths in technology. It was also true the Death Glider was meant for hit and run attacks not true dog fighting. "The system lords are presently diversifying. Heru-ur and his allies favor a superior aerofoil target designed to establish air superiority, before his close assault bombers to insure ground supremacy." Those same close assault bombers could also pull anti air rolls, and wolf pack against lone Ha'tak if need be. Heru'ur had been quite busy.
"Uh," The pentagon liason nodded, "well average Goa'uld Strategy is to bombard a hostile planet from orbit and once they've completed the orbital strike to move in for tactical strikes against any remaining ground positions. After that they put they're troops on the ground, each Ha'tak is capable of carrying hundreds if not thousands of troops."
"It was high time you were all briefed on the situation that we're up against." Kinsey injected into the conversation, for which he got glared at by Hammond and Raiden.
"If what your saying is true then the United States has unilaterally placed the entire planet in grave danger."
"Believe me, Mr. Ambassador, I know how you feel. When this was first brought to my attention, I insisted the stargate was two dangerous to remain in operation. Unfortunately, I was overruled." Kinsey again inserted his two cents into the matter.
"With due respect, Senator, the president took your recommendation and it nearly resulted in disaster. It was only because SG-1, who violated your order to shut down the gate, that we managed to survive." Hammond remarked
"Oh, and they have done a great job under your tenure, haven't they general? They have managed to defeat such Goa'uld known as Apophis only to be replaced by another, more dangerous one. Isn't that a fair assessment?"
"Admittedly Anubis does seem to posses technology superior to the," Major Davis paused, "the lesser system lords, but the same can be said of Raiden and several other system lords, but we could possibly seen his return to power among the system lords."
"The point is he has tried to destroy earth twice." Kinsey snarled.
"Enough." Raiden growled, "I do not particularly what the fool here would have you believe. It should be known to you that Earth is under the protection of the System lords, and no attack against this world has gone unavenged." Raiden remarked, "This will be the only warning I give break protocol again and I will bar you from the rest of these discussions." He stated with a glare, and a flare of magical energy from his eyes, causing them to glow. "The High Council rotates responsibility between between several members, at any one time, Sokar, Yu, Cronus, or myself have fleets readily available to defense your world, should the need present itself." Cronus had been the one to move the naquadah asteroid, and Sokar had let the Tauri have Anubis's type two.
"I'm sure you were getting to that." the French Ambassador stated looking pointedly at the US citizens. "Isn't that right Major?"
Major Davis nodded, "About a year ago an asteroid was detected on a collision course with Earth."
"By an asteroid I assume you mean another spaceship." Remarked the Chinese ambassador snidely
"Not this time."
"The asteroid was successfully stopped." Raiden commented, "there was no point in my intervening nor should there have been given your subspace sensors. Cronus dealt with the issue, and Anubis was appropriately chastised for the idiocy of his attempt." Handing the Tauri a naquadah rich rock in the guise of an attack, there were suspicions that Anubis hadn't been trying to endanger the Tauri at all, but who could say.
"Are we expecting another attack? So soon after the Thanagarians?" asked the Frenchman intrigued but trying to stay on the more import matter and trying to ignore the fact the system lord had just had lightning jumping between two of his fingers.
"Not from Anubis, Yu is currently keeping him busy and Yu has made quite great strives in technology since Anubis has been gone," This was of course in no small part due to the fact Yu was old even for a goa'uld and he was allied with Raiden, both being members of the same coalition. "it would be impossible for Anubis to launch any concerted attack against a protected world, without endangering one of his worlds to an attack by Yu, and any attacking fleet would face interception and subsequent destruction." Raiden stated smugly, it was a fact that no doubt Anubis knew well, and the other powerful being didn't have the resources to waste. It was also a fact Anubis didn't have the resources to waste. The way the balance of power was set up pitted three power alliances against one another vying for influence. Cronus and Heru-ur dominated one alliance supported by a few of the lesser system lords. While Anubis's primary ally was Baal, though there were numerous minor independents throwing their lot in hoping to gain more territory. The final alliance was dominated by Yu and Raiden, with Sokar affiliated on the periphery. Truthfully though ultimately allied Sokar had his own goals to accomplish. In this Sokar could be said to be more of amiable neutral than a true ally in most situations.
"The nations represented in this room make up the bulk of this planet's military capacity in the event for the successful defense of the planet would be greatly improved if we worked together. This would require an unprecedented level of military cooperation, as well as a commitment from all of you to maintain absolute secrecy."
"I'm afraid that may be impossible. If there is even a chance of another invasion then we must warn our people so they can prepare." Remarked the Chinese representative glancing at Raiden nervously to which the system lord pointedly ignored. It wasn't as if the man didn't have a point, Earth had been invaded repeatedly so it wasn't like he was underestimating the chance of it happening.
"I don't believe that would be a problem you populous took the revelation of aliens fairly well." Raiden commented unconcerned, it was hardly as if he had any reason to be. Not from the Earth no with Anubis back there were more pressing concerns. Anubis always had had terrible timing. Of course from objective standpoint he was probably reappearing now in attempt to gain as much ground before the system lords could fully reconstitute their fleets. " They will already be suspicious of my forces, which dispatched the Thanagarians." The system lord stated. "Disclosure of the existence of other 'alien' civilizations should not be that problematic."
"With all due respect," The pentagon liason began holding up his hand in a stop gesture,
Mr. Ambassador, Raiden, we feel that coming forward now so soon after the invasion will result in widespread panic." Major Davis commented. "We feel that as it is, people are just now getting used to the idea that there is an intergalactic war going on between the Thanagarians, and Gordanians, we don't want them to panic knowing there is a war going on right next door."
Personally Raiden thought it was a bit overly dramatic to call the scuffling over a few minor border words full blow war between the system lords, "As opposed to widespread panic when alien troops are marching in the streets?" remarks the French ambassador. "again?" He added forcefully, "Will we see a repeat of the Thanagarian invasion, where our initial response is completely disarmed, and have to wait for another alien fleet to show up to save the day?"
"The government of China does not believe in keeping secrets from its people." The ambassador stated loudly. Chekov rolled his eyes at the man's antics. "We may have no choice but to release this information."
Of course it didn't particularly matter as Earth was going to most likely continue traipsing about the galaxy and be a nuisance to certain other system lords, which would of course be useful. "Do you what you will I hardly care, if I don't show up someone else would," At present the goa'uld were currently busy with their own affairs, and in Idun the Asgard were likewise occupied with their own war with the replicators. Sithis like all the Daedra and Aedra were however uninvolved in any violent conflict, or at least not involved directly. Raiden like his other half could act discreetly, but he couldn't spare his forces for any in strength deployments not at present. Sithis couldn't deploy his higher level forces without a direct request from a mortal. It was all politics.
Chapter Conclusion
Helltanz's notes: