iGolden Dawn

Chapter 28: Calm Before the Storm

A flash was seen over Earth as a powerful Alesian fleet exited hyperspace. The fleet consisted over well over 100 battleships. They were ready to do battle with the forces of Anubis. What they saw astounded them. All they saw was wreckage of Anubis's fleet and the defending fleet standing watch over Earth. The general in command of the fleet hailed the defending fleet and sent news back to Alesia. Amann grinned as he received the news with the rest of the council. He was one of the first to speak amid the cheers in the High Command.

"The war with Anubis is over. We will go to Earth and hail the valiant defenders of Earth. Together, we will form a lasting alliance between Earth, the empire of ChiYou, and the Alesian Empire. Come Galadriel. Let us go to Earth. Janilius, you will come with us. Demos will stay here with Taelira, oversee the expansion of the Empire. We will take several worlds that belonged to Anubis now, before the other System Lords move in. Send the appropriate fleets to secure the planets."

Everyone nodded. Amann, Galadriel, and Janilius beamed to the Angelan. After a moment, the Angelan and Galadriel moved out of orbit along with the rest of its escort fleet of 20 ships. They entered hyperspace, heading to Earth.

As they moved, Janilius smiled. Everyone was smiling, but if only they knew why Janilius was smiling, they would have killed him on the spot. Everything was going as planned for Janilius, and the fateful meeting with ChiYou on Earth itself would begin a set of events that would truly change the galaxy.

--

In the SGC, a few weeks later...

The conference table was crowded with officials and military personnel. The conference table was littered with various Earth foods. Chiyou was near the center of the table, holding a bageldog. He bit into it, savoring the taste of the bread and meat. It was good and hot, but something was artificial about it. Chiyou shrugged and reached for another one of thebite sized bageldogs. O'Neill was revived with the help of the Asgard and Alesians, the disrupter technology against the replicators being developed in the process. For the first time, the tide of war against the replicators had been turned in the Asgard's favor.

The wall was lined with the various banners of the gathering officials representing the various powers of the galaxy. An important Kauri official was talking with Sel'mak in the corner, deep in discussion about the future of the Tok'ra race. General Hammond and O'Neill were in full dress unform, talking with President Hayes and Thor about the galactic situation in regards to Earth's new territory.

The System Lords were due to arrive at any moment. Camulus, Yu, and Amateratsu were coming to represent the interests of the System Lords in this diplomatic summit. The Alesians were also due to arrive in a few moments as well. ChiYou liked the Earth food as he bit into a cheese quesodilla. Daniel Jackson, neat in his Armani suit, came up next to ChiYou holding a cup of Coca-Cola with two ice cubes floating.

"Hey, drink this with that. Everybody does it on Earth..."

Chiyou took the brown drink. It was cold as he drank. It was sweet, but the carbonated beverage took him by surprise.

"Interesting drink, Dr. Jackson. What is it called?"

"Coca-Cola... or Coke... But just call it... ummm... never mind. You want some more?"

"Certainly, Dr Jackson. I like it."

ChiYou refilled his glass and sipped it.

"So, Dr. Jackson, I hear the System Lords have not given up the promised worlds or fleet."

"Ah, yes. Well, their argument is that the ships and planets were to be given against Anubis, but with Anubis defeated, the treaty is 'void'."

Then Sam Carter came up to them in the fine-looking dress uniform. Chiyou growled.

"Excuses. An agreement is an agreement. Surely the planets and ships would not be returned if Anubis was defeated after they gave up the planets and ships."

"Well, our agreement was actually not contingent on fighting Anubis, but our mediation with the Alesians."

Jackson paused as Carter sipped the champagne and picked up a bageldog.

"I am sure they will somehow try to get out of the deal."

Chiyou shook his head.

"I do not like it. They should give up the planets and ships, even after the fact. I will pressure them to give up those worlds. I will rejoin the ranks of the System Lords to represent your interests and mine. It would be good for our interests if we could be represented in full."

Jackson nodded.

"Well, I am sure having the Alesians and the Asgard will be enough to convince them. The System Lords are not really expecting them here."

Sam looked around.

"By the way, we are moving the conference to the storage room where we signed the Protected Planets Treaty. We have us, Alesians, Asgard, Tok'ra and the Goa'uld, so... this table will be too crowded."

Chiyou saw Amann, Galadriel, Janilius and a half dozen Legionnaires beam into the corner of the room.

"I do not think they will be happy. Look who just arrived."

Hayes, Hammond and O'Neill looked around as Hammond explained who they were. Hayes only knew Amann, and the others were quite new to him. Hammond introduced the Alesians to the President. Amann made a gesture of peace and spoke.

"Galadriel, Janilius, and myself represent 3 of the 5 members of the Alesian Council. These others are my bodyguards."

Hammond introduced President Hayes.

"Lady and Gentlemen, it gives me a great pleasure to introduce President Hayes of the United States of America."

Galadriel inclined her head. Her voice was like music as she spoke.

"President Hayes, it is the honor of the Alesian High Council to meet you. Amann has spoken highly of you, and how you aided us during our recent civil war. We thank you."

"You are welcome, Councilor Galadriel. It was our pleasure to aid in whatever manner we could."

Janilius smirked.

"I expected you to be taller."

He grinned to show he was joking, but Hayes felt uneasy. The smile gave him the creeps. There was something sinister about the man, despite the charm. Political instinct was telling him this was a man to not be trusted. Hayes smiled, trying his best to put on what appeared to be genuine smile.

"Ah, well we can't all have advanced medical technology when we grow up."

The handshake was very short, but no one really noticed.

Amann smiled at the President. He respected the man from what he knew about him. His handshake was genuine in its sincerity.

"Well, I suppose you will have that technology soon enough, with our help of course."

Amann frowned and sniffed.

"What is that smell?"

ChiYou walked up to them.

"Bageldogs, Amann. Care for one?"

Amann walked up and took one.

"What is it?"

"I don't know... but it's Earth food..."

Amann bit into it.

"It is very good. Some sort of meat wrapped in breading I take it? It is tasty."

Amann turned back to Hayes.

"So when will the System Lords be here? I hear they are not too pleased with our errr......incursion into Anubis's territory."

Right then, the stargate began to whirl. Amann sensed the stargate moving and looked through the window at the Stargate below.

"Ah, that must be them. Good. I look forward to the typical threats and bluster of the Goa'uld. No offense to you, Chiyou."

Chiyou shrugged.

"I don't mind. I know I am not like them."

Amann grinned.

"Alot of powers are represented here. You know, I think the eagle banner is the prettiest of the lot."

Amann pointed to the banner of his own empire smiling widely. The banter was cut off as they entered the conference room. A large circular table was present, with room for all of the representatives of each major power in the galaxy. Amann sat down in the seat with the Alesian Eagle banner hanging on the wall behind him. Other delegates took their places and waited the arrival of the System Lords. The stargate opened, and after the code was transmitted, the iris opened. Four marines came through, followed by Yu, his First Prime Oshu, Amaterasu and Camulus stepped through.

Amann's guards stood at attention, their eyes watching the Jaffa. Amann's safety was paramount to them, and they did not like the Goa'uld in close proximity. The Goa'uld were quickly led to the conference room, and they sat down on the Goa'uld side of the multi-sided table. Then Thor beamed in.

Galadriel and Janilius sat down beside Amann, the three Alesians looked curiously at the Goa'uld, their expressions hard. By popular vote, Thor was elected the chairman of the meeting, since the Asgard had no real stakes in the meeting, and he spoke gently.

"Welcome to this meeting. We have four parties attempting to negotiate a sort of arrangement as well as the reaffirmation of previous treaties."

Amann raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed. There is much to discuss."

Lord Yu glared at the Alesian.

"You violated the treaty. You took several worlds of Anubis, that was a violation of our agreement."

Amann raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Which planet you refer to? Oh yes, the planets we liberated...."

Lord Yu was angered.

"Those worlds belong to the Goa'uld! You blatantly broke the treaty with your invasion of the Scion Sector! We demand the return of those planets immediately."

ChiYou snickered.

"I wonder if you are so interested in keeping the promise of the treaty, why haven't the Ha'taks and Alkesh been delivered, and why are the promised planets not been handed over to the Tauri?"

Amann smiled.

"That is why we took the planets. You made the treaty void by not giving the ships and planets to the Tauri. Alesia will not withdraw the legions until the planets and ships are given to the Tauri."

Camulus growled.

"Those particular clauses have become void. Anubis is dead, and since he is gone, there is no war for the Tauri to join."

Amann smirked coldly, sneering at the System Lord.

"The fleet and planets for war use only was not in the treaty. The ships and planets were to be given regardless of the war. You are trying to evade the clause and not pay the price for peace."

Amaterasu spoke in response.

"That point is moot. The System Lords cannot afford to be parted with ships or planets at this time. Perhaps if you would wait."

Selmak asked.

"Why are the System Lords unable to afford them?"

Yu nodded and Amaterasu answered.

"After Anubis was defeated by the Tauri's new defense system...

Camulus continued.

"We agreed to divide up the territories of Anubis equally. But one violated the agreement."

Daniel sighed.

"Let me guess..."

Amaterasu answered quickly.

"Ba'al."

O'Neill half cringed, as he didn't like Ba'al at all.

"Well, you guys should really have expected that of him."

Amann was surprised.

"Ba'al? Interesting....."

ChiYou chuckled.

"So he had some balls after all."

O'Neill snickered.

"Nice one."

Amann smirked.

"He is an annoying pest. I suppose we should....swat him perhaps? Depends. The System Lords I am not fond of for obvious reasons. You tried an invasion of our homeworld. We do not forget easily."

Weir spoke, as a diplomat, with certain degree of diplomatic language.

"I am sure everyone here understands that the situation has not greatly changed. Either Ba'al or Anubis, it would not really matter. The System Lords still need the support of us and the Alesians."

Yu frowned lightly.

"Then what do you suggest?"

Galadriel spoke up, her voice as beautiful as music.

"I suggest a tradeoff. We can withdraw from the recently taken planets if the System Lords honor their agreement, and also give up 5 more worlds of value to the Tauri as compensation."

Yu reluctantly nodded.

" the Tauri finally attack Ba'al rather than merely defending themselves? Ba'al knows that you have formidable defenses, and he will not make the same mistake as Anubis did."

Amann smirked.

"But we can trick Ba'al in attacking the new Tauri worlds, but what Ba'al wont know is they will have an Alesian defense grid. A small one as a token of friendship."

ChiYou shook his head.

"If what my Tok'ra have told me is true, then Ba'al will not touch the worlds given to Tauri in fear of fighting the Alesians and the Asgard. He may be a coward but he is smart."

Amann raised an eyebrow.

"You might be interested to know Ba'al has approached the Alesian Empire. He wants an alliance to conquer the galaxy."

ChiYou chuckled.

"As I said, he is a coward but he is smart enough to know who not to cross. He will stay clear out of our way until he is cornered."

Amann looked toward the System Lords.

"Which leaves us wondering what to do with you? The Tauri want their worlds after all. They earned it by taking care of Anubis."

Weir nodded.

"Yes. We want the worlds you have promised and the ships as well. You should know that we have already started in the process of completing a fleet of ships to fight Anubis when he attacked us. If we are to not have a target, I guess we will have to take what is ours and leave your fates into Ba'al's hands."

Amann tapped the table with an armored glove.

"And they will be assisted by us. Do not mistake our benevolence for timidness."

ChiYou tapped the table with his fingers.

"I agree. With our aid, the Tauri can certainly take their rightful place among the stars."

The System Lords paled slightly then Yu spoke after a deep breath.

"The System Lords will keep our words of the previous treaty. However, many of those planets are that of Ba'al's domain. You will have to liberate them."

Amann grinned.

"That violates the treaty somewhat. But I somehow get the feeling you won't object to our......confiscation of those worlds?"

The System Lords nodded. Amann thought for a moment

"Very well. We will attack Ba'al's planets and liberate them then. You will move against Ba'al as well."

Camulus answered vehemently.

"We are already under considerable assault from Ba'al. We have no choice but to fight."

"Then we will have to assault Ba'al. Very well. We will fight this war. ChiYou, how are your forces currently?"

ChiYou smiled.

"I have several million well trained soldiers and I have much more to offer."

The System Lords seemed alarmed at ChiYou's words but took them as exaggeration. Amann nodded.

"I have millions of Legionnaires standing by as well. Plus several Drow divisions. They are formidable fighters. A Drow in close combat can take down a fireteam of Alesians,"

ChiYou raised an eyebrow.

"Indeed... It would be most interesting to see how Ba'al deals with this."

Amann laughed.

"Deal? He won't deal with it at all. He will lose."

ChiYou nodded.

"Yes, but do not underestimate him. He has the technologies that Anubis possessed, including the Protoss disruptor weapon he stole from me when I first woke up. I had to activate the self-destruct of my pyramid when Anubis came for me."

Amann frowned.

"You got on your flagship and ran I take it?"

"I was forced to. I fired at his ships with the single disruptor turret but my power to so depleted that I could only destroy several ships before the weapon shut down. I had barely enough power for self-destruct."

"Understandable. I would have done the same in your place. Ba'al will not like Alesian Legionnaires hunting for him, I imagine. The Legions are very efficient."

Selmak spoke suddenly.

"It may not be as easy as you think, Lord Amann. The Tok'ra spies in Ba'al's ranks have informed us that Ba'al has come up with some new technology that he completed using the already advanced technology Anubis commanded."

Amann frowned.

"What sort of technology?"

Selmak answered carefully.

"We are not sure, but Ba'al has boasted to his new Underlords that this new technology would allow his fleet to fight against the Alesian fleets on equal terms."

ChiYou asked curiously.

"Who is serving Ba'al?"

"Zipacna, Tanith and others are serving Ba'al, but Osiris has gone missing... with most of her fleet and armies."

"It could be a bluff you know. Goa'uld are prone to bluffing. Ba'al is smart enough to try a ploy."

The System Lords weren't flattered by that, but ChiYou took Tok'ra's warning rather seriously.

"Tell us more, Selmak."

"Well, we know that Ba'al has merged some shielding technology he already possessed with Anubis' shields. There are few others but we were not able to find the details."

Amann frowned.

"This could be a problem. I say attack him with everything we got and flatten him."

ChiYou was about to say something about how the Alesians were probably not ready for it, but decided not to voice it in front of the System Lords.

"I will aid you along with the Tauri, 'when' their fleet is ready."

After all, Tauri needed time and so did ChiYou.

"We can harry and raid Ba'al while you prepare. That will keep him offbalance for a while"

O'Neill nodded hesitantly.

"I don't mind attacking Ba'al, but we need more time, Amann."

ChiYou agreed.

"Yes. So do I. Perhaps my taking the place in the System Lord council will allow some pressure on Ba'al enough to halt his attacks on the System Lords. That way we can buy more time."

Amann frowned. He was very suspicious of this sudden desire to rejoin the system Lords.

"Well......maybe."

ChiYou narrowed his eyes.

"That was in the original treaty, Amann. There is no maybe."

Amann nodded, but his gaze grew cold.

"Very well. Take your place among them."

ChiYou glared at Amann.

"Is there some issue on that, Amann?"

Amann coolly looked at ChiYou.

"No. None at all."

O'Niell cleared his throat.

"Perhaps we need an adjourn? For an hour? To calm down?"

Amann breathed hard.

"Perhaps you are right...."

ChiYou nodded, and the Tauri's allies gracefully exited the conference room. Amann and Galadriel went into a room with Janilius. Amann bursted out in anger.

"Damn Chiyou. I really don't trust him now, especially with his desire to join the System Lords. Something he professes to hate."

Janilius attempted to dissuade Amann.

"I am sure that it doesn't mean anything serious, Amann. It is not like he is our enemy and trying to rally the System Lords against us."

Amann looked directly into his face.

"Janilius, I like you, but sometimes you believe in too much good. Can you say you really trust him? Why, you were even shocked when I offered an alliance with him!"

Janilius continued tp attempt some sort of peace between Amann and ChiYou, at least in appearance.

"That was before, Amann. He has been a good friend even during the 'brief' time he was with us."

Amann calmed down.

"Very well. But I will be watching him."

Janilius smiled and patted Amann on the shoulder.

"I am sure this tension is nothing more than nerves, Amann. Just pay it no mind. Just because he has weapons and technology that can possibly match ours does not automatically make him a threat. Also, I am not sure if his word of millions of soldiers is anything but bluff against the System Lords."

Amann shook his head.

"His technology is formidable. And I am not sure if he is bluffing. We have to be careful Councilor."

Janilius seemed to get worried.

"What do you mean not bluffing? He has witnessed our Legionnaires. He knows that there are no soldiers in the galaxy that can match our might. Where would he get so many soldiers?"

Amann thought a moment.

"I do not know, but I sense he was not bluffing. I can only read his expressions, not his mind. His mind is powerful."

Janilius frowned.

"Surely you can penetrate the blocks of a Goa'uld. He cannot be that powerful. Afterall, you are our most powerful individual, Amann. He cannot stand against your might or the might of our empire. If he stands against us, then he must also be destroyed... but for now, he is our friend."

Amann raised an eyebrow.

"Possible, but he would know if I tried. He is very powerful Janilius, he is almost at ascended level of mentalics."

Janilius chuckled.

"You jest too much, Amann. Surely, he poses no real threat to us? If something happens, you can fight him."

Amann smiled.

"Perhaps you are right Janilius. Let us go back in. He will ally with us or he will die. Either way, we win."

Meanwhile, ChiYou, Selmak and the Earth people gathered. O'Neill was furious.

"What was that? Were we not meant to show unified front against the System Lords?"

ChiYou bowed his head in apology.

"My apologies, O'Neill. However, the insinuations in Amann's eyes could not be let go unchallenged."

O'Neill raised an eyebrow.

"Explain?"

"He was obviously thinking that I was joining the System Lords because I wanted to. Yet, he does not understand that it is for the good of us all."

O'Neill frowned.

"Well, you have to admit, it is hard to earn their trust. The Alesians have been fighting the Goa'uld almost since your race rose to power. Perhaps you should talk with Amann?"

ChIYou nodded.

"I will admit that my joining the System Lords cannot sit well with any of us, including my children, the Tok'ra, but it must be so as to subtly control the System Lords against attacking the Tauri."

O'Neill tapped the desk.

"Go and talk with Amann. Make him see reason."

Selmak came up to them.

"There is no time. Though you have said an hour, the System Lords are not patient right now. Their armies and fleets are helpless without their command. Such is their such dependence that the Jaffa have grown over the years. Jaffa can rarely think on their own when it comes to any large scale battle."

O'Neill frowned.

"Let us deal with them, and then ChiYou can go talk with Amann afterward."

They all nodded, and headed back to the conference room. Amann had his back turned to them, Galadriel was standing close with him, in deep conversation. Janilius had sat down and stared as the desk, in deep thought. The System Lords returned also, and once Thor as back, the meeting resumed.

Galadriel sent feelings of calm toward her brother Amann, who was still deeply angered. Amann was able to hide it well however and he spoke.

"Very well, are we agreed that the ships and planets are to be given to the Tauri?"

The System Lords nodded.

"Yes, on the condition that the Tauri take a more active role in the war against Ba'al."

The Earth delegates nodded.

Galadriel spoke.

"Is there anything else in regards to the Alesian Empire. Besides our protection of those worlds and our war effort against Ba'al, we do not gain much here. We are shedding our blood for others here."

The System Lords paused for a moment and discussed among themrselves. Amaterasu spoke.

"We thought that the honor of having ChiYou welcomed back to the High Council of the System Lords, thereby providing you with a representative of the still most powerful political arena was reward enough."

Amann gritted his teeth. Galadriel soothed his mind and he replied with much less heat than he was going to.

"Very well. I can see how this would be an honor for you. But we would also like certain....concessions. No territory or anything. Just.....trading rights for raw materials.....within your domain without interference from you."

System Lords whispered among themselves then Yu answered.

"Up to three planets of each System Lord will be designated Trading Planets, as was our dealings with other advanced races that used to inhabit this galaxy."

"Very well. You will find a most useful ally in us. I suggest you do not betray us. We will not be so....easy if it happens again. We still remember the battle of Alesia, Lord Yu."

The System Lords reluctantly nodded. Then Camulus turned to face ChiYou.

"The System Lords will meet again to discuss our war against Ba'al in two weeks. The meeting will still be held in Hassara system at the Hassara Space Station."

Amann raised an eyebrow.

"Will I be able to send a representative? As an observer?"

Yu raised an interested eyebrow as he looked between ChiYou and Amann.

"We thought ChiYou will represent both the Tauri and the Alesians."

ChiYou briefly sent a glare at Amann, and Galadriel, O'Neill and Jackson also gave Amann a harsh look. Amann chose his next words carefully.

"He will....speak for us. But I would still like an observer. He does not even need to speak. Just watch."

Camulus frowned but nodded while Amaterasu shook her head. The vote fell into Lord Yu's hands. Yu reluctantly nodded.

"Very well. Instead of a Lotar, ChiYou will bring with him this 'Observer'."

Amann inclined his head.

"Good. Now, I think you should get back to your fleets. I know the command structure without you is rather.....fragile."

The System Lords glared but they nodded their heads and stood up. Amann stood up as well.

"To victory."

The System Lords left the conference room, and O'Neill and Galadriel were the first to stand up and glare at Amann. Galadriel spoke first.

"Amann, I do not understand what just happened. You and I both know that showing any sign of internal conflict is not a good tactic against the Goa'uld."

Amann looked at his sister coldly.

"I do understand that. But Alesian blood is being shed for everyone else. I would like to see our empire gain something out of it. The Tauri are getting fleets and dozens of worlds. ChiYou is rebuilding an empire of his own. And we weaken ourselves for them. For what? Sure we kill an enemy, but we do the heavy work and gain little."

Janilius stood up just as O'Neill was trying to speak, cutting off the Colonel.

"Of course, Amann. We understand your concern, but that was hardly the time. Especially with ChiYou right there with you trading suspicious glances. This was not good for us either, Amann."

Weir, ever the diplomat, diffused the situation.

"Councilor Amann, we understand your point of view, and it will be taken into consideration as we prepare ChiYou for this meeting of System Lords. May I ask who would be the observer to the meeting?"

"I am going to send Commander Cestus. He is the one who spied on your base."

O'Neill finally spoke.

"You really messed it up, and that's all you gotta say? Sure, I understand that you feel a bit neglected, but that was hardly the time for it."

Weir stopped O'Neill from going on.

"Please, Colonel, do not make this worse. Please, everyone, the meeting is over and let's not stay in this room any longer."

Amann got up and turned in anger, walking out of the room before he lost his temper. Galadriel followed him, knowing he would need her to calm him down.

ChiYou turned to O'Neill.

"You still want me to talk to him?"

"I would say so. Ease the tension somewhat, ChiYou. We don't want the Alesians to pull out of the war in fustration."

ChiYou cringed.

"That would be bad, at least until the Tauri can protect yourselves. Very well, I will talk to him."

"Amann is probably in the quarters down the hall. Check there for him"

ChiYou nodded and walked away. O'Neill sighed and turned back to Weir, Jackson and Selmak/Jacob.

"Well, that's that."

Weir nodded.

"That was close, colonel. If that had gone longer we would have lost our advantages in negotiations."

--

Amann was in the quarters pacing in a white faced fury of rage. Galadriel was sitting at the table in their quarters.

"Amann, calm down. I am sure there is no need for alarm."

"You have no idea Galadriel! No idea! Chiyou is going to rejoin the System Lords! I tell you, I don't trust him!"

Someone knocked on the door, and when Galadriel opened it, ChiYou was standing there. Amann stopped cold at the sight of the Goa'uld warrior. Galadriel smiled and greeted ChiYou.

"Welcome, Lord ChiYou."

ChiYou greeted her back.

"Thank you, Lady Galadriel."

Amann turned away, he had nothing to say with the System Lord, he was still angered and it showed. ChiYou looked at Amann.

"I feel your distrust Amann, and I am here to assure you that I will not abuse this. I am joining the System Lords' council in name only. I have no vote there."

Amann turned toward him.

"I hope you are correct. I remember well the invasion of Alesia."

ChiYou smiled, thinking that some sort of peace was back between them.

"I will not allow that to happen if I can help it. How else can I assure you of my friendship to the Alesians? Ah, I shall open a great celebration on my capital world of Kauri in three weeks time. Attend and let me proclaim our alliance in front of all my people."

Amann thought for a moment.

"Very well. I will bring some veteran Legions to parade for your people, sealing the alliance. Let us not mistrust each other again."

He held out his hand. ChiYou took the hand and shook it. Galadriel watched it with a smile, but Janilius, who was just quietly standing to the side, was smiling with a very large grin. Everything was going according to plan.