Stargate Golden Dawn
Chapter 20: Reunion
"He is a fascinating figure."
"You should have met him in person. He was my father. I learned from his mistakes as well as his accomplishments."
-High Councilor Pretas Adar, excerpt from The Alesian Imperial Age.
"Welcome, High Councilor. Let me show you the new improvements to the Phoenix Augmentation Armor." General Galen said to his visitor, who nodded in reply.
"I am very interested in your progress, General." Amann Adar said, his eyes falling over the displays in the control center.
"Begin the test." Galen ordered. Amann watched as the eight foot tall soldiers launched themselves into the air, spacing themselves out in a gap of several hundred feet as they landed. Holographic representations of armored vehicles and infantry appeared, firing as they advanced on the Phoenix Legionnaires positions. With another burst of fire, they launched again in the air and began strafing the positions of the enemy. Simulated explosions marked the map as drones and heavy plasma fire swept the positions clear. Amann watched as three of the armored vehicles fired to no avail as one of the Phoenix Legionnaires blew them apart with laser cannons.
"We have them equipped with a dozen drones, twin heavy plasma blasters, a smaller version of the Predator walker's laser cannon. They also have an option on the plasma blasters for anti vehicle or anti personnel, which alters rate of fire in favor of more powerful bursts. In addition, we have equipped them with a plasma flamer for clearing out rooms and bunkers."
"And the ability for sustained flight. Impressive." Amann said.
"It will enhance our fast attack doctrine for the Legions, eventually we will have every legionnaire in the augmentation armors. For now, we are looking to equip one cohort in each legion for the foreseeable future until we have enough units built and everyone trained. The interface is complex and will require six months of training simulation."
"Interesting. I will require a set for myself. As well as an instructor to get myself checked out in." Amann said as he turned away to look directly at Galen.
"I can see to that." Galen grinned.
"Excellent. I must be going to make preparations for your Triumph, as well as the diplomatic conference." Amann gave a small smile as he beamed away.
SG-1 made their way to the gateroom as the ambassador arrived. He was an older man, with graying hair and in his fifties. His name was David Smith. He had been briefed on the Stargate program when it was reactivated again and he was one of the ambassadors to work out the treaty with the Tok'ra. He walked along in a formal grey suit, the rest of the team in combat gear as the gate spun and locked on it's fourth chevron. O'Neill glanced at Metrinos, who seemed unusually withdrawn and silent. He was about to ask him what was wrong when the ambassador spoke to him.
"It has been a long time since we last met, Colonel." Smith said.
"Ah, indeed it has. Nervous?"
"Sort of. Dealing with any major power is never easy."
"well, you know me. Diplomacy was never my forte."
"SG-1, you are cleared for departure. The go ahead signal has been given." Hammond's voice echoed over the speaker.
"Here we go." O'Neill muttered as they walked toward the gate, the ambassador in tow. They emerged on the other side. The first thing O'Neill noticed was that it was cold. The second thing he noticed was that he felt much heavier in the high gravity and it hurt. The third thing he noticed was the company of Alesian Legionnaires standing in formation in front of the gate, their banners flapping in the arctic wind. They appeared to be in the middle of nowhere however, not even a path going to the gate. As they stepped through, the Legionnaires saluted with a fist to the breastplate, extending their fists in front of them as officers drew their ceremonial blades and held them high. A woman greeted them at the gate, dressed in a white dress uniform with several medals adorning the breast.
"Welcome to Alesia. I am Commander Alyen Ado. I have been instructed to bring you to Alessiar City, the capital of our great Empire." She noticed that the team seemed to be having difficulty moving.
"Oh how silly of me. I forgot." She said sweetly as she gestured toward them. A legionnaire walked over and handed them round disks.
"Anti-grav generators. Designed to help people not used to our heavy gravity to move around. It also acts as a locator beacon. You can also use it to summon security if you are in need. They respond within seconds to your location no matter where you may be on the planet. I do not advise taking it off during your stay. Our homeworld is secure, but you can never be too careful about security these days." She said with a wry expression, a faint note of sarcasm present in her tone.
"We appreciate the gesture, Commander. There will be no trouble." Smith said quickly.
"For your sake, I hope not." She said as she touched a key on her wristpad. With a flash, they were teleported to a vast square. Metrinos looked around and whistled. It was simply huge. A whole fleet of starships could have landed on the massive white coverstones. Tall buildings were in the distance as small pinpricks.
"The Great Square. We use it primarily for our military parades and the crowds that gather for Imperial Holidays." Alyen said as she walked past them. SG-1 turned around and saw they were near the edge of the square, a massive tower rising in front of them, over a mile high. Banners draped from it, the gold Alesian eagle emblazoned upon a blue standard.
"This is Alesian High Command. The home of the High Council. Councilor Adar left instructions for you to be brought to him immediately, before the talks start." She talked briefly in Alesian before pressing another button to beam them directly into a waiting room. Two guards near the entrance pointed their wrist blasters at SG-1 before a curt gesture and a heated command made them lower their weapons.
"You'll have to leave your own weapons." Alyen said as she gestured to the guards. There was a clatter as weapons were handed over.
"I'd like that back when I leave." Jack said to the nearest guard, who glared at him with intense dislike. Alyen walked past them with SG-1 in tow down the hallway.
"You'll have to forgive the Consul Custodes. They seem to dislike you personally, you having killed Amann Adar. They protect all our government officials, but he was the most important of their charges." She stopped in front of two guards flanking a door.
"Commander Alyen Ado reporting to Councilor Adar as ordered." She declared. A voice echoed over the intercom.
"Send them in. Councilor Adar awaits them."
Alyen nodded as they walked into the outer office where three aides were working over holoscreens and datapads. The aide in the middle spoke first.
"Commander. The Councilor will see you now."
"Thank you." She said, walking past him and pressing the door release. SG-1 walked into the office and stopped in their tracks. Amann Adar sat behind the desk, smirking a bit at their surprise.
"You seem surprised to see me. I suppose you were expecting to meet my wife since you killed me. She is a High Councilor as well, and she shares my family name by marriage, after all." Metrinos could tell he was highly amused. It disappeared quickly however as his voice turned colder.
"To business. We have invited the Asgard and the Tok'ra to Alesia as well. My wife will be the one you will be primarily dealing with in formulating a treaty with Alesia. I do wish for you to attend an event which will occur tomorrow. It is a Triumph, a national celebration across the Empire that will honor one of our greatest generals in their victory against the System Lord Aries and the inclusion of seven billion new Imperial citizens. It will be quite a show."
"It will be an honor, Councilor." Smith said.
"What of Lord Chi You?" Metrinos asked.
"You refer to the Goa'uld whose ships attacked mine? What of him?" Amann said with a dismissing tone.
"Will he be attending the peace conference?" The Lantean battlemaster looked at Amann.
"No, Metrinos. We are still in a state of war with the Goa'uld. My wife is going to give them peace terms in their own council chamber. And they will accept them or perish." Amann growled.
"You seem bent still on conquering them. You will end their tyranny and replace it with your own." Daniel observed.
"Our Empire is built on order and law. We are far superior to megalomaniacal tyrants who fancy themselves gods, such as the Goa'uld. The thousand worlds of the Empire are governed and protected by the might of the Imperial fleet. The strength of our Legions have kept the peace. A thousand worlds are free of the taint of slavery, lawlessness, hunger, piracy, and poverty. The worlds that we have conquered are better off than they were. I know, I have seen them before and after." Amann paused as he took a deep breath.
"You condemn my methods, but can you at least respect my goals? Is what I am trying to achieve so repugnant to you? And you know I believe in what I do. I died for those beliefs after all." The Alesian said heavily, his eyes on Metrinos.
"I do not think you are evil, Amann. But I think you have lost your way in going down this dark path." Metrinos replied. Dark brown met green eyes as they stared at each other.
"Perhaps. It is of no matter for now. We agree to disagree then?"
"Agreed."
"Excellent." Amann clapped his hands together before pressing another button.
"One of my aides will show you to your quarters, Ambassador. Metrinos will stay behind for now. We have to get reacquainted as friends. In the meantime, welcome to Alesia." He said to SG-1 and Smith.
Metrinos waited until they were alone, watching his former student as he got up.
"When we last met, we were enemies. It has been a long time since we met as friends." Amann said heavily, placing his hands on the table.
"Indeed it has." They stared at each other in silence.
"Your powers have grown since your exile. Only a handful of the old battlemasters could have matched your powers or mine." Metrinos said.
"Yes. It was hard living on Alesia until we tamed it. Even now, it is a harsh world. " As Amann spoke, Metrinos sensed something else that astonished him.
"Your abilities are still growing." Metrinos said in wonder.
"Slowly, but yes. I am at my physical peak, but not my mental one. Every year I feel a bit stronger. When I was exiled, you could have wiped the floor with me in a mentalic battle. Now we are evenly matched."
"It was not your strength that I was worried about. You walk the knife edge. Your good intentions can lead down a path of evil."
"I know. It is why I have tried to follow a code, a lawful path." Amann paused a moment before continuing.
"I wish you had followed us into exile. I could have used your help. I never wished to raise my hand against you. Moros was one thing. He was corrupt, self serving, and an incompetent to boot. You on the other hand…." Amann trailed off as Metrinos came around the desk and clasped his arm.
"My path was not yours, Amann. My path was to serve, never to rule. I am sorry that I failed you in so many ways. I failed to temper your rage, your need for conflict against a perceived injustice. These can be strengths, but they can also be your greatest weaknesses." Amann's face twisted in a grimace as he stared at Metrinos.
"My wife has said much the same thing about me. She has tried to make me a better person. She has made me want to be that better man." The Alesian's voice was quiet.
"Then be that man. Despite all you have done, you have made me proud." Metrinos gave a small smile.
"I fear that will make me weaker."
"It won't. Trust me."
"I counted strength as my way to win. Winning is surviving at the end of the day."
"There are other strengths. I could help you if you wish."
"Will you stay on Alesia? You would be honored among us." Amann's request was tentative. He seemed almost afraid of the answer.
"My place is on Terra. But I can visit."
"Renate would like that very much. You should go visit her before tomorrow. There is a surprise for her during the Triumph. You would be proud of her." Metrinos smiled at that.
"I am already proud of her. She has grown up to be a fine young woman. She and I may have our disagreements, but she has done well."
"Then go and see her. I can send one of my guards to escort you."
"I will do so. Until tomorrow then." Metrinos nodded as Amann summoned a guard and gave him orders. The guard gestured for Metrinos to follow him out, where they beamed to another location. It wasn't long before he was in front of another door. The guard saluted before walking off. Metrinos hesitated, unsure of what to say or what to do. He hardened his resolve and rang the bell. The door opened a moment later, his daughter Renate stood in the doorway dressed in a white robe.
"Daughter." Metrinos said, trying to keep a level tone.
"Father." Renate said neutrally.
"May I come in?" His voice wavered a bit. Something indecipherable crossed Renate's features as she stared at him.
"Yes." She breathed out. Metrinos gave a small, happy smile.
"What?" She said, bewildered by his expression. She swore she could see tears forming in her father's eyes.
"You look like your mother." He croaked out. Renate felt her cool demeanor melting as she came forward and hugged him.
"Oh father…." She cried out as his arms came around her. Tears were in her eyes as they stood there in an embrace.
"I've missed you." His voice was a mere whisper.
"Me too." She whispered back. They broke apart. Renate smiled as she gestured.
"Will you come on in?" Metrinos laughed at that and came inside, the door shutting behind them.