Chapter 29

Lightning Fervor

Helltanz's Notes:

Chapter begin

-scene break-

Gotham was... exhausting. It was nearly as bad as managing the League was, but at least with the League he could depend on J'onn's support for command and control duties. He didn't have that kind of support when it came to dealing with Gotham. It was becoming especially problematic with SHIELD poking around with Bruce Wayne's life, and that was just one facet. His rogues gallery was a multiple problems under one header.

The last breakout from Arkham had been a pain, and most of the breakouts were still on the loose, and the US Marshals poking around Gotham were not helping.

On the plus side, even if it was just a temporary relief, Poison Ivy, and Bane were both out of the country. Bane apparently had skipped town after making off with a major shipment of arms, which was suspicious. In fact unless Wayne was off his mark all trails indicated that the mercenary was probably on some CIA sponsored job in south east, or central Asia. As for Pamela the temporary relief would probably turn into a headache of its own as she was deep in the heart of the African jungle.

"You know I could totally help Fox with the development, and testing part," Galatea remarked, meaning the Kryptonian mainly wanted to help with the testing of all the new bat gadgets that Wayne Enterprises was currently in testing. In truth Bruce had hoped to recruit Steel's civilian identity into Wayne Enterprises's powered armor research and development task group, but so far that hadn't panned out. "Look you need me to do this, I''m good with computers, I already know the programming language, and Fox is overworked as it is." The Kryptonian continued on, "or I can just announce I plan on interning at Wayne Industries at the next dinner."

Bruce face palmed, "I'll set something up," he didn't need this right now, not with Ra's Al Ghul in down as it was. The man had actually dropped by twice now... and that wasn't even counting the showing up at Wayne Industries, either. The truth was he really could use any available help. Gotham's cops were already talking about arming up, especially with SHIELD and the US Marshals poking around. "And Diana is taking the Wayne Jet to Paris for a shopping trip with Audrey before the diplomatic summit between the eastern central borders of her country, Latveria, and Vlatava." After a minute he went on to add that the flight left at nine,"

"Oh joy," She groaned, "That means we get to deal with Count Magic Pants," Galatea remarked, still no one in their right mind turned down shopping in Paris. "So," She looked around the batcave, and more to the point the scattered parts, "Hows the shield system coming?"

He tapped a diagnostic chart, "Defending the city from a Thanagarian style invasion at present is next to impossible, much less covering the entire metropolitan area," Which in simple terms meant any hope of shielding places like New York were out of the question if they were using the Gotham oriented system based in Wayne Tower. The League's current idea was to utilize their available technology to try and insure planetary safety. It however had become apparent that a Thanagarian style invasion simply was, for the time being, unfeasible to counter, without unacceptable dangers to major population centers across the country, and the world. Smaller, more day to day threats were being evaluated and processed.

The Justice League, however big it may have gotten needed to get larger to deal with the reality of daily international crime, and the very real threat of interplanetary invasion. Of course it wasn't just the Thanagarians people were worried about, while the Gordanians hadn't really attacked before Hro Talak's fleet had arrived, they had to be out there somewhere.

Then there were all the threats at home, super villians, and Cadmus, especially Cadmus though, along with other agencies, and rogue governments weighed heavily on the league. The attack on New York though, and the result. It was forcing the Justice League to do some in depth digging. Then there were all the other incidents cropping up across the country, on top of the usual international problems.

A laser line tripped somewhere on Wayne Manor's attendant lands sending a silent signal to the batcave. "Its the paparazzi," Galatea remarked unconcerned, "One of national gossip rags,"

"Even so," Being the Batman, and billionaire socialite Bruce Wayne, especially now with a house full of superpowered individuals, had always been exhausting. On the plus side Wayne Industries, and Applied Sciences would certain be busy, wasn't having any financial problems, even if Ra's Al Ghul was probably behind some minor stock buy ups. Not that he could prove that... yet, but it was likely with the way Dagget Industries had suddenly backed off.

-scene break-

This whole meeting fiasco was uncomfortable for SG 1. Shiva, well was one supposed to be dead, well according to the goa'uld, so obviously that had been just one issue. There was also the fact that well... Shiva was a creepy old bastard. Not necessarily mustache twirling evil, but he had zero compunctions about glassing an entire continent as an 'object lesson'.

Now on the positive side Shiva had fucking hated Ra, with like the passion of a thousand burning suns. So as soon as he'd heard Ra was back he'd formally declared his cause, and unified with Kali and Bastet. It was a potent little power bloc that alliance, even if formally Shiva hadn't been readmitted back to the Council of System Lords. Then again if the System Lords lost any more minor members there would be little excuse to avoid readmission given Shiva's political and military dispositions. Right now though the trio were sweeping over and gathering what they could.

Teal'c looked at the display, but it was Bra'tac who spoke up, "Shiva is an old goa'uld he hopes to maximize his position before the dust settles so as to have greater leeway to negotiate whomever wins in this conflict." It was going to be a long bloody, that much was clear. Neither side had the territory to do anything but raid the other as they carved through space setting up the ability to attack. Once both sides could reliably use their armies it'd just boil down to long entrenched fighting. It was clear fleets would decide the war, ground forces were playing a vital critical role in the war. Shiva ignored the Jaffa, or maybe he hadn't heard him at all Shiva was kind of cooky like that, Jack hadn't been able to tell just... well Shiva was creepy.

"Ha'tak vectoring, confirming Anubis IFF," Carter announced, Shiva could do this because officially he wasn't a system lord, all but name didn't mean anything to the 'real system lords' apparently.

Shiva gave a smile, "Good, good, let them come, ah let them come," He flexed his gnarled hands eagerly. The goa'uld's host was old and thin with a long scraggly gray beard, he was a little too eager about this, but truth be told they needed to head off Anubis he was was too close to one of their planets.

All they had had to do was tell Shiva they wanted to blow up a cluster of Anubis ships, they needed someone to claim responsibility. Shiva had brought a half dozen cloaked type 3 Ha'tak that were sitting in the outer reaches of corona of this system's primary star waiting. Shiva smiled, he wanted the prestige, he figured it'd help get him the prestige, and it was his region of space, or so he claimed. It was barren space, and for the most part worthless worlds to the goa'uld, but he'd warned Anubis repeatedly.

"Transition event, go live."

A subspace signal transmitted, and dozens of naquadah devices detonated, and Shiva cackled madly, before ordering his Ha'tak to attack while Anubis's Ha'tak were disoriented. It was a pretty successful maneuver all things considered Jack noted as some of Anubis's ships fell out of formation heavily rattled by the multi gigaton detonation that had wracked their formation. Well at least the blowhards in congress would be pleased by that, the new Homeworld Defense was talking about a ring of naquadah enhanced nuclear missiles lifted into orbit as a stop gap for planetary defense.

-scene break-

Moody was a bit more antsy than he had been, the whole community had been talking about it. He had actually been coming down before this. That a mortal had dared attacked one of Arkay's sworn, it was previously an unthinkable offense. Was this why the era was ending, Moody knew that not one of the Aedra or Daedra would stop Arkay's justice, and he'd told Dumbledore that, and still the headmaster still wanted to go over to America to investigate. Moody didn't want too, and it wasn't cowardice.

The whole continent, the whole planet, or at least the muggles were all in an uproar over what had happened. They were still picking up debris in New York from the attack, and here he was looking through ancient norse ruins.

Dumbledore was here too looking through, "I have been looking through my family's estate you see, and I may have some books from my grand grandfather that might help he was a rune man, he didn't particularly revolutionary, but cataloging and organizing he was good at that." The headmaster remarked contentedly, "It was a good work. I should have to find a copy,"

"Wasn't it published?" It was Hermione who asked, because while she wasn't completely sure she'd been to the bookstore, and picked up every book, besides the ones she already had a copy of, that even tangentially dealt with norse runes including one penned by Albus Reginald Dumbledore.
The headmaster nodded, "Ah well he published a version, but a wizard never shares all his mysteries, especially back then certainly. "the one he published was just a consolidation of the mainstream references, good enough for students, but magic is all about discovering your own way." The old wizard termed, "Indeed, though what about the city of New York, I haven't been able to get much out of the Americans, or the Japanese for that matter."

"Its the beginning of the end Albus," Moody grunted, "a new era is coming, and we'll get to see it. This thing in New York will be well in hand." He sighed, "Black's sent me as many newspaper clippings as he can, I'd wager another attack on the world in a few months." Besides the Ministry could barely keep a grip on the situation with Voldemort, and they wanted to try and dictate policy across the pond. That would have been nonsensical even if the Daedric Lord of Order wasn't on the move. Not that their minister would ever let anyone tell him, he'd raised a fuss at the Japanese, the Americans, and Dumbledore when he had found out. Confounded idiot had wanted to go in, and try oblivate the people involved.

"He wasn't serious about trying to muscle in on the UN was he?" Hermione asked, "I know a lot of the," it took her a minute to say it, "Mutants got caught up in the fighting and a number of them vanished, and then there was that explosion in Bayville."
Moody snorted, "The explosion could have been that fool Trask, though how I've got no idea on. It won't matter Trask is a dead man walking." He wrung his hands impatiently as he looked around, "we need to be looking to prepare."

Dumbledore nodded, "And I agree Alastor, in fact I should think that directly summoning Sithis would be ideal." Alastor grimaced, Albus had been busy speaking with the department of Mysteries a lot recently. "They've been researching Godric's Hollow for years," The older wizard continued on, "Its fascinating to see them so busy. They think the whole area is so saturated it may be causing new species of plants, as well as saturating the inanimate objects in the vicinity." By which he meant everything, stones, and the ruins, and others. Moody didn't like that, what if it was a gate into the void, or into oblivion or somewhere else. Not that him not liking it would fix it, if that department had been poking at it this long chances were it couldn't be helped.

-scene break-

The jaffa name for the world was well rather plain loosely it just meant ' The Tauri place of Shipbuilding'. It was rather plain, but it was accurate.

United States Air Force Col Jonathan Jack O'neill glanced at the still under construction Tauri fleet. All three of the Prometheus class vessels, as well as the Type two Independence and the type three Liberty Ha'tak were in orbit. The first of the BC-304 class, the Daedalus was already completed, and the second ship of the class, was being called United States Air Force Ship Atlas, was more than eighty percent finished. It was expected to enter service as part of the first strength of mobile earth defenses.

"So thinking about transferring?"

He snorted, "Nope."
"The next one, the Odyssey is sixty percent completed," The other colonel remarked looking at the console in front of him, "if we rushed we could launch once we reach seventy percent."

Jack looked at the ship, "And our new fighters?" He hoped this whole thing didn't blow up horribly in their collective faces.
"The F 302, all three variants are being produced by several major conglomerates, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Wayne Corporation Aerospace Group… you get the idea, we have aside from the squadrons on the ships, about three hundred on the Earth, another twenty to forty on each of earth's bases, hell Sokar is making them in all three variants, Cronus is sticking mostly to B model though."

That was true, Goa'ud though using the technology, it was disconcerting, Neutral didn't mean friendly, regardless of how friendly they were trying to be, "Well even Raiden acknowledged they were superior to the previous death gliders." Of course Raiden hated the old Death Glider design.

"That's true but those new crimson fighters Anubis has deployed, and the big green ones, they have shields, three of those them managed to stop a positron blast from one of Artemis's Albion class, that's saying something."
"So what happened?"

"Couple Kurenais went in and with what ever the techs think those blades are called and sliced the big green things to pieces, went right through the shields."

"So?"
"Well we go to look where the Kurenais came from, I'll show you," The other colonel tapped his console, activating the hologram, projecting a massive thing. "and just de cloaked, I am telling you Jack," He gestured wildly at the floating image of the ship, "this thing didn't drop out of hyperspace." He shook his head, "Its monster of a ship, huge thirty five hundred meters if scanners are right, mobile suits pouring out, Baal got the hell out of dodge quick. Shiva said its called Libra class battleship. Hell I thought it was some kind of carrier till the thing opened up. Wham wiped out twelve of Anubis's Ha'tak, the improved kind one volley from just one set of guns, on just one of the upper decks of the ship."

The Navy, and the Air Force brass too for that matter weren't going to like this news at all. Jack whistled. "Well sparky tends to arm his ships with every kind of gun that he can fit on them."

"You're telling me? No kidding." he commented, "And for the record it isn't just Raiden, we've got confirmation a dozen of them are under construction by Yu Huang Shang Ti at his primary shipyard."

O'neill groaned, "So how is the new fighter project going?" The navy, despite the objections of their own elements, which was saying something, was trying to sideline fighter development in favor of ships. It wans't like they didn't have a point either, given it would be a decade before Earth could field fighters in numbers capable of matching a purpose built Goa'uld Carrier.
"The FX-303s won't be ready for production for another five months, but they show a lot of promise."

Jack nodded, the idea was to slim down the 302 as much as possible. The FX 303 went back to a classic fighter shape, scrapped the hyperdrive, and put in a bigger engine. The engine was the main concern. Congress hadn't been happy to approve designing a whole new air frame, and that was even with the Navy chipping in for R&D. "That's good, maybe we might have a chance against Sparky and friends Mobiles Suits."

"Hopefully Jack. Hopefully." Sighed the other officer.

"Any intel about Anubis's new ships?"
"Nothing substantial," He commented, "apparently their called Tuat, battleship class, the name is apparently snake for Underworld. Doesn't match any known Goa'uld design structure, course we have seen similar non traditional snake designs from Sparky. The Asgard also mentioned a second vessel class we have yet to encounter, about the size of a Goa'uld Ha'tak Mothership." The differentials in size was mainly reflective of improved reactor technology derived from back engineering the technology of the Ancients. It also reflected the designs favoring more purpose built ships. That Anubis was building a ship a kilometer long, well that was the size of Raiden's flagship. "Any word about Raiden's fleet?"
"Asgard said he's working on something," Jack grunted, "that it is under heavy security, they don't know what it is, and that has them and probably should have us worried."
"You think its bad?"
"If Sparky is hiding it this well?" he asked rhetorically, "Hell yeah, its bad. I'll go talk to the guys in intelligence try and figure out about this Libra ship," Jack glanced at the dry dock that was holding the under construction ship. There was a lot of arguing on Earth, as it happened letting the Chinese in on this just had earned them even more of an earful. Of course there was also the fact that the F302 and FX 303 rendered the Joint Strike Program a complete waste of money.

Not that that would probably stop the program just yet. No it would probably stumble on for a while longer because of lobbying, and other political bullshit. On the plus side at least the F 35 B, was going to be suspended in light of the new option. That would hopefully save some money. Of course the Stargate Program wasn't likely to see even one cent saved, but that was just how things were.

-scene break-

After everyone was settled the headmaster tapped his wand. "Ah welcome my friends to yet another meeting of the order of the Phoenix." Greeted Dumbledore stoking his beard over all he thought it had been a good week..

"Albus what is it now," They'd been booking around those damned ruins for more than a week, even after Dumbledore had found the notes he'd been looking for, "Voldermort is becoming active, and Sithis has been far to quiet." Growled Moody.

There was a nod, the increased activity was why he felt they needed to move. Tom was feeling threatened because of events in Derby. "That is exactly why, apparently from my contact with in the muggle government there is a war going on, apparently the Chinese ministry wishes to reveal the existence of the Gods to the general public."

"Yeah that, Sithis doesn't care either," which was the exactly opposite of the Ministry's stance on the issue, "He was the one calling down that tornado in the middle of a major city. Cheh, throwing around that amount of energy he was trying to lure us into a trap."
"Now really Alastor I highly doubt that was the reason. Apparently the Automaton was quiet large, I am sure Harry didn't not want any innocents harmed."

"What part of god of death don't you get Albus?"

"Well Mad eye most of the major Gods of death are generally pretty fair, I mean Hades, Anubis, Sithis doesn't seem much of an exception, his order has a law enforcement sub group."
The grizzled ex Auror glared. "He sent Tepes to Earth, Sithis is plotting." Muttered Moody harshly his eye rolling around. Alastor had not taken the exchange with Tepes well, and he made sure to stay clear of Derby, and the United States, and Canada as well just in case.

"Black is still missing." Grumbled a member. "Do we know when he is going to be able to make it back to a meeting?"

Snape uttered something disparaging, and another member spoke up, "He said something about Nemesis, last time. He might have a lead for us, She is the Goddess of Divine Retribution. Black wasn't given a trial."

Ron looked around, his mother hadn't been keen on him, or his brothers Fred and George joining the Order, but they needed to do do something. He nudged Bill in the side, "Well as things go," Bill began, "I can't say one way or another about Sirius, or Tepes, or even Raiden, or any of that. I can however say that with the heightened security measures we have managed to capture a few Death Eaters attempting to get into the temple complex that we were researching."

"The dark lord is also now aware of the conflict. It would appear he to has spies amongst the government." Stated Snape.

"Is that so Severus? Do you have any idea as to his plans my boy?"

Snape grimaced, between the vampire in England, and the French... well the man was actually German but he was living in France wizard the Dark Lord was furious, "On top of dispatching some wizards to England, he does hope to get some answers from the American side of things. I know that he was also has been examining the Chateau which was destroyed." Looking into that had been a bust, but the Dark Lord was confident enough to keep looking around France now.

"So anything Mad eye about that Château in France?"
"It was destroyed in eighteen eighty three along with a large number of dead. It screams someone found something Sithis didn't want found, so he destroyed them to prevent people from finding whatever it was that was there." 'Why do I doubt that?' Bill mused with a roll of his eyes, but remained silent and let Moody continue. "I don't imagine there is much to find, except that it might be related to vampires." There were a couple of groans at this, "I have managed to get Gabriel to consider looking into the sight," Albus nodded, and seemed pleased at this.

-scene break-

In his kingdom of Meridian Phobos was aggravated. Well that was an understatement of his current mood. His sister still had not been located and with out here Meridian would remain un prosperous, seeing as she was the heart of Meridian. The prince punched one of the castle walls.

"Prince Phobos perhaps if you asked Lord Sithis?"
He glared at his seneschal angrily. "He is more than occupied at the moment," and besides asking for help made him look weak, it had been so easy for the Dark Father to knock them about the dungeon, and then he'd sent them on their way, "now stop making excuses for your failures Cedric." Snarled the Prince and Cedric wilted a little. "Besides do you really want to be the one to admit to the lord of death you were beaten by a group of rank amateurs again?"
"Not particularly." He conceded, Cedric watched as the prince continued pacing. He hoped that Phobos would calm down soon, it wasn't helping. Still as far as he could see swallowing ones pride seemed the best solution at the moment.

"Then get back find Ellyon, and bring her back." The prince swept an arm out, "Then go and find a portal, at least thats easy now." He snapped irritably.

That was true with the heart active amongst a group of guardians he knew precisely where to go and look. "Yes prince Phobos." He answered sweeping away to the nearest portal he knew of, and into the town of Heatherfield. Cedric scowled of course Sithis had called them amateurs he was a god, but did Phobos understand that, no. Cedric moved over to the new arrivals.

The book store he had opened was not necessarily a bad cover, Cedric enjoyed the pursuit of knowledge going so far as visiting the Rashomon class Izanami's massive libraries whenever he got a chance. It was unfortunate he did not get the chance often, because Raiden did not appreciate visitors. The vessel held numerous tomes from ancient earth libraries long thought lost, among them Alexandria, and several far eastern libraries. Cedric placed another book on the shelf. The hairs on the back of Cedric's neck stood up. Sithis was walking out of the Golden Dragon; it was one of Cedric's preferred restaurants. He liked the food, and he liked that it let him keep an eye on the guardians as well. However the problem he had was because Sithis was coming out of it, right in the path of the Guardians.

"Isn't that the guy who kicked our ass when we tried to rescue that rebel leader?"

"I think so, its hard to tell with him dressed so… normal." Indeed Sithis was dressed in a business suit. It was new, or it certainly looked new. In truth though the cut and styling of the suit was older. He liked this cut as he brushed a hand along his coat, Constantinos preferred some of the 40s era Boss stylings which the god did admit were nice. It was such a pity his charge didn't appreciate such refinements. He stopped, speaking of small things.

"Uh hello."It was the keeper of the heart that spoke up.
The lord of the void smiled tilting his head, "Good afternoon little one." His fingers gingerly reached out to ruffle her hair softly, and she glared at him. He could feel the heart of Kandrakhar, feel the pulse of the energies, and how it reverberated with her own magic, and his magic, and the other guardians, and all of what was around them. He would have laughed at how they all spread out in front of him, it was cute.

"What are we chopped liver?" The blonde guardian, snapped angrily.

The earth one, he recognized, pleased, "Literally no however if you mean that in a metaphorical sense basically yes," This was received with glares from the guardian which the System lord ignored. "You would think Yan Lin would recognize my divine personage, being a former guardian, but ah how weakened mortals are by times unrelenting ravages." And of course the betrayals that had lead to the fall of the last guardians as well.

"You'll leave my grand mother alone." Hissed Hay Lin.
He spared the new guardian of the wind a look, "Have I struck a nerve mortal?" He knew that he had, it was the entire point. All of this was a test, the Guardians could struggle but the truth of the test was that it was of character.

"Watch it buddy I know what you are my dad's a cop." Growled Irma. She knew she could handle this. It didn't matter if he had magic, they did too. It wasn't going to come to that, she told herself, they were in the middle of the street.

"And I am a god." He commented, and what could she possible know of him. That his brother complained of his actions, that his allies were laying the foundation. That this very era was coming to an end.
She gritted her teeth and stepped up beside will. "Sithis serpent god of death, the Dread Father lord of The Void, divine patron of the Guild of Shadows, did you know the FBI has a file on your organization?" When he smirked, she wondered maybe if she had made a mistake.

"Of course, and you water child used your fathers connections with the police to find out about said file. Did you also know despite numerous indictments they have never sentenced a member of the brotherhood?" Nor would they ever, too many politicians or members of Law Enforcement gladly swore to him. To many soldiers had come back for the wars of this century with blood on their hands, more than any of the Children of Terra's past. "For lack of evidence usually though the deaths of witnesses, some of those, yes even those in protective custody. The governments of man appreciate this discretion my followers offer, even if they cannot acknowledge it in public due to silly human morals." Of course even his brother complained of his order's necessary service to keep society somewhat ordered.

The five guardians plus the system lord vanished reappearing in an abandoned industrial park complex across town. He looked around the complex, graciously offering them his back as he turned. "Much better. Though it would appear I might have over estimated you coordination."
"Warn us next time." Growled Cornelia waving his hand away. Her magic had swirled she didn't like this place, true it had stone, but there was no soft earth or plants here, not for hundreds of feet in any direction. It was barren.

He paid her complaint little mind, to her ire, "So I trust you have not caused any further trouble in Meridian?" He knew they had of course, but all of this was of course at test to see how they responded.

"You should know." Snapped Will.
"I am currently otherwise occupied dealing with other matters. I cannot be bothered to such trivial things, even one world ruled by my dear ward." He many responsibilities laid out before him, and watching Stendarr, and of course the other Daedra as well were only part of that.

"So you don't care?"

He leered. "Hardly little one, I am simply otherwise occupied, though beneath my notice for the time, lest you would have it different," Sithis let the offer float a second, "the war that stirs across the stars nearest comes dangerously close to this world."
"Tell Phobos to stop sending people to Earth to snoop around Heatherfield then." She demanded. "Thats what I would have." She growled the heart pulsed so intune with her soul.

Of course they didn't understand, such a pity. This generation would be the strongest in generations. To see them grow would be splendid. "Have you asked why he's snooping, as you put it, around this little town?" He swept an arm out,

"NO!" snapped the Guardian of wind angrily.

A gust spread from her, magic flaring at her anger "My calm your self, I am capable of hearing," He commented, "Then perhaps," he paused for effect, "you should consider asking, instead of simply attacking rashly." The guardian of air glared.

"Uh Hay Lin fighting him probably won't go so well." Warned Taranee, and with good reason. She knew he could reasonably negate

"For all the oddity in her choice as the guardian of fire, she is wisely speaking." He stated softly, there was no need to tell. Poking and prodding softly would for today be just enough to get what he was after.

"What is that supposed to mean?"
He swept a hand gesturing to each of the four elements, "Typically the guardian of fire is not afraid of their element, and usually they are impulsive, rash, hotheaded. They are also generally not very studious."
"Hey!"
"I am merely stating what has been the traditional choice for some many thousands of years. Were you mine? I'd gifted you water, and granted Irma fire," There was some surprise when they discovered that yes he did actually know their names, "Of course I know them." He responded in a bored tone. "I assure you Phobos has a very valid reason for snooping around as you put it." At least as far as he was concerned, and as far as things went from an objective point of view the other gods would agree, this was still beyond the concerns to warrant them meddling though... from a strictly legal perspective at least.

"And why is that?"

"That is his concern, and will only concern me when he decides to ask," Phobos's pride would get him in trouble, it always had. He wouldn't be asked until things were too far outside of Phobos's grasp for him to ignore any further, "little one."
"So why are you here?"

"That is my reason little one."
Will's eye twitched. "Stop calling me that." She jerked roughly at the sudden ruffling of the shadows, another man approached. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the guardians, but he still dropped to one knew. She saw Sithis's teeth bare in annoyance as he turned, green eyes narrowed.

-scene break-

A klaxon began to shriek inside the Ark Research Facility on Mars. Once upon a time this had been an Alteran facility. Not that there had been much left when he had found it even if the structures had been reasonably intact. 'This is a nuisance I am here barely an hour and already trouble.' A Jaffa rushed forward, forgoing propriety

"Lord Raiden, we believe the Tauri orbital facility Watchtower computer network is being hacked into," He announced as they headed into the command center

It took a minute to confirm from sensors, but it was confirmed that the binary fusion canon was being prepared to be fired. Raiden turned to the Jaffa, grimacing. "Requiem status?"
"Cannons three and seven are ready, and aligned," The Jaffa read over the data stream and confirmed those findings, "Substation fourteen is operational."
"Raiden we have never tested this before."

There was a concern in her voice that he didn't often hear. He liked it, he found, "That is why we supplemented the Station's Artificial Intelligence." Stated the system lord activating a console. "Arming Requiem cannon three, Requiem cannon seven, fire position established, substation fourteen moved into position." He announced, this would be magnificent. A triumph of science, to quote Ptah.
"Lord Raiden Tauri cannon firing in three two one." Another Jaffa spoke up proclaiming the Requiem to be firing. "Tauri cannon firing." The warrant officer, as the Tauri would have ranked him, manning the console announced. The screens in front of them displayed three columns of energy from various angles streaking through space.

"Positron emission reaction detected, critical mass, energy path alteration confirmed."

The two Requiem blasts veered away from one another, while the fusion canon was redirected.

"Substation fourteen has successfully redirected fusion cannon. Your orders lord Raiden."

The system lord turned. Delightful, success was always so sweet, "Deploy mirage colloid mobile dolls from the facility on the dark side of the Tauri moon." A jaffa immediately relayed the orders as the System Lord reached a hand softly out, "I would say that qualifies a success you agree Artemis?"
The Watchtower was in a panic, "Your system's got hacked." Commented Galatea as she looked over everyone scurrying around. She couldn't imagine being here day after day, lording over all the technicians and workers. No wonder Cadmus was scarred of the Batman, and the Justice League. These people were absolutely loyal to Wayne enough that they were working on a space station full of superheroes.

"I am more worried about the other two energy discharges." Commented the Martian Manhunter, still the other two discharges had avoided a major disaster.

Batman scowled, "there are not many people who could hack the Watchtower like that, and I'm reasonably sure we can speculate Luthor is behind this."

"Luthor." Galetea echoed, "Isn't he working with Cadmus now?"

Wayne nodded from behind his mask, "Yes," Luthor had somehow managed to convince the NID to not simply back him getting LexCorp back, and a pardon, in exchange for certain programs no doubt. "I've counter hacked into several key databases, trying to find what he was trying to hit."

"You can't go around doing that." Protested Green Arrow. He sighed, "What am I saying never mind, what did you find?" Ollie groaned, hoping that it wasn't yet another alien invasion.

It was a Cadmus facility, funded by the NID main budget, which meant it couldnt be that important to them, "It is an underground base." The NID's 'Cadmus division' base had another problem... "Captain Atom is there." Bruce added after a minute,

"Well thats going to be a problem," Kara remarked, her clone snorted, "Did they capture him, I mean why would Luthor hit the base unless maybe captain Atom found something we have to go rescue him."

Galatea raised an eyebrow, and then looked at the two members of the League council, "I guess that means we're not waiting for Green Lantern and Superman to get back?"

"I will attempt to raise Flash, and will have Aquaman take over here until we get back he has the appropriate skill to handle command of the Watchtower."

-scene break-

Within Raiden's Dominion this was the twelfth fleet staging point, according to the current naval register. The Shinku Rai Tatsu was buzzing for information. Raiden glanced at one of the stationary, or rather it appeared stationary, Type Three Ha'tak, one of his type three. Raiden chuckled. 'How lost the Tauri would be if they managed to board one of my Ha'tak flight three.' He heard that they were busy drilling aboard one of Heru'ur's type three for practice. That would have made sense on older Ha'tak hulls, but though visually similar to their counterparts on the outside superstructure type three were internally very different depending on system lords.

The larger shapes of the type four, larger in comparison to the type Threes, loomed near the Shinku Rai Tatsu, in front of the Fleet were long sleek Dreadnoughts. Below the Shinku Rai Tatsu were Libra, four of them, above were the collection of Peacemillion, and aside were Granshiro and Gondwana and outskirts were other ships of varying classes, and behind stood the fleet node a large group of space stations with its own defense fleet.

"Lord Raiden were are prepared to initiate hyperspace jump."
He scowled, he had hoped to enjoy his time on Mars, but this opportunity had spoiled that, though it was too valuable of one to pass up. "Spin up the FTL drives, Rei, its time to begin. Begin operation Shinso." In this case Shinso meant Divine spear, do not get confused with Shinso, "Commence firing as soon as we exit hyperspace."

The huge hyperspace window appeared and the ships accelerated faster than light. They were charging deep into contested Goa'uld Space. The region was roughly in the middle of what was Goa'uld space. Specifically it was one of Anubis's temporary fleet staging grounds

Or as the Tauri called it P3X-666 If Raiden was west from Earth's perspective of Goa'uld space then Anubis was East.

Anubis's fleet was in a flurry of activity as the hyper space window opened the sheer mass of the fleet had an affect on the mostly ocean covered planet, which for whatever reason happened to be contested. Anubis's Fleet commander stared at the looming force of warships, a brief nanosecond passed and Raiden's fleet fired in a lethal storm of energy and projectiles, Mobile Suits launched. In an instant the targeted vessels, Anubis's Tuat battleships mostly, were destroyed. That was fortunate, because had they not been the heavily armed capital ships would have raised shields and inflicted severe casualties to Raiden's own cruisers and dreadnoughts.

"Burn his ships to dust." Roared one of the senior Fleet commanders to one of the weapons officers, as Raiden watched the battle. The system lord mouth slightly turned upwards at such a display of fervor.

"Hai Sotaicho." Responded one of the weapons officer

Anubis's ships were desperately attempting to counter, desperately trying to fire their weapons and release their mobile armors or death gliders, assuming there hangars were even still intact. This was a critical, this raid needed to do as much damage as possible before they jumped back.

A large number of the Ha'tak that Anubis had had gathered at this location had been destroyed in the initial salvo, not surprising given the vast size of the fleet.

Missiles and other solid munitions flew from the varying ships, no Ha'tak type one or two being present amongst Raiden's fleet.

The System Lord looked on as the Shinku Rai Tatsu's multiple triple 42cm naval gun emplacements fired. Hyokiri and Hyohoshi missiles streaked from their emplacements on the forward portions of the 'arms' and 'wings'.

The Shinku Rai Tatsu and the upper tier warships had yet to even go to full weapons release, and already victory was nearing. That was what the Jaffa could sense, "Prepare ground troops the forces of Anubis have only just started to set up this planet for use as a base they have not even fortified the Stargate." The jaffa ordered,

One of the fleet commanders glared as Rei directed the Shinku Rai Tatsu to change direction, so that the linear cannons could destroy a Mothership Ha'tak. Whatever the officer was going to say died in his throat when Raiden's voice spoke up addressing one of his fellows, "Muto make sure that you deploy the mobile suits to support the drop ships, several Ha'tak are in the atmosphere."

"Of course my lord." The man grunted, "I will insure not a single one leaves the skies of this world." He declared.

On the Planet's Surface things were not going well. It was supposed to be a routine mission explore a planet, how the hell was SG-13 supposed to know Anubis was going to build a base on the damn rock, and then Raiden decided to show up with a huge freaking fleet of ships, which as soon as they had arrived proceeded to open fire on the fleet Anubis had stationed above.

Col Dixon fired his Kull disruptor as the black clad warrior advanced on the Stargate team. More of the pain in the ass artificial life forms were ripped apart by … oh fuck Mobile Suits. The team leader swore. In between the squadrons were Raiden's own version of the Drop ship Anubis employed There wasn't a whole lot of difference between the two.

A forest camouflage 6-Gat X106 landed about a hundred or so meters away, raising its eighty millimeter high energy beam sniper rifle towards Anubis's still under construction base, targeting one of Anubis's own dropships. The Drop ship exploded sending hundred of Anubis's jaffa if not more to their deaths.

The radio on his vest crackled as he watched the explosion with a grimace. Col. Dixon Damn it SG-13 niner what is your status, was the original message, except that pretty much every other was nearly indecipherable due to interference, "SG-1 niner you're breaking up, SG-13 has men injured. We are pinned down behind the fighting." SG1's response was an Acknowledged Dixon we are coming to get you. Given that the trees were being uprooted by the descending Mobile Suits he grabbed his radio and squeezed the transmit. "Negative SG-1 niner too dangerous."

An Albion class descended into the atmosphere. Dixon swore again as the Assault Carrier's hangars opened and more mobile suits entered the battle.

"Negative Dixon we don't leave our people behind." Stated O'neill arriving through the tree line. The ground shook.

"How did you?" He asked looking at the reinforcements, it was Teal'c that spoke up explaining the advantageous turn of events.
"Raiden's mechanized corp. has eliminated much of the resistance to and from the stargate." Stated Teal'c.

"We need to get you guys out. Raiden has started to deploy heavily armed ground troops. We have to cover forty meters lets go before it gets mucked up again." O'neill grimaced for a minute, "That and Carter expects debris to start impacting the planet in like under an hour"

Back in Space a Jaffa double checked the flat table as a report was delivered, "Lord Raiden most of Anubis's fleet has been destroyed, the majority of his forces are now stranded on the planets surface." Stated Rei "Additionally the stargate was just connected to the Tauri gate. According to radio transmissions they have injured personnel, we estimate at minimum two SG combat Teams in addition to SG-13 and SG-1."

"Ignore the Tauri, eliminate Anubis's forces first and foremost." The Tauri's presence was too convenient to be coincidental, but he couldn't spare the moment to find out why they were here. The System lord retook his seat. Most of the Ha'tak had been reduced to free floating spatial debris now and only a few of the ships had been able to escape. He surveyed his assault group, and frowned.

The fight had gone well, none could doubt that, but even destroying the handful of Tuat class battleships here would only slow Anubis down's massing of the ships. Still though both factions were continuing massing their fleets.

-scene break-

The entire brotherhood was laying low on Earth for the most part, that 'unfortunate thing' that had happened in New York had put everyone on edge. Lucien was here because he could afford to be, there were few leads at the moment.

Tepes and Lucien were sparring, though it was probably more accurate to call it fighting, again, seeing as both of them had several cuts and gashes. The Crimson Scar smirked bringing his long sword down only for Lucien to vanish.

"Damn it you bastard." Tepes swung around and managed to avoid being hamstrung by the other killer. Lucien's weapon grew bright, and blazed with black energy. "You bastard." Tepes growled jumping aside to avoid the blast, while firing one of his own.

Lucien had already gotten clear, hurtling upwards magic pulsing through his legs to propel high above them. "Enough," a cold voice ordered. "I have something for the both of you," Sithis sliced open one of his fingertips..

The Nosferatu actually yelped, eyeing the component that made the Rose of Sithis arrows so deadly. It wouldn't kill the vampire since Sithis had reanimated Tepes but it would take sometime for even him to heal from. "There is a storm brewing, of course," Sithis commented, Jyggalag was risen so at least some upheaval was unavoidable, "One that will be unfortunate," Lucien nodded at this comment in agreement, "both of you are to continue you present tasks. There will be things happening in America, across it both by many factions," Arkay would be busy, Stendarr like would find some opening to have a hand in things to come. What was coming was a critical juncture to see just how things would play out after Trask's little foolishness.

"And what of the Guardians?" Lucien asked cautiously, watching the blood as it dripped into the mold, "They grow more active," He stated unnecessarily, "and there is also the matter of things in the mid west of the country."

That was a local matter, and Sithis said as much, it was Elijah, and the Black Hand of the continent responsible for dealing with Dakota, and he saw no reason to intervene at present, though the Guardians were another matter entirely. "They can be left be for the time being."
Tepes grinned, "of course the Crimson Scar has everything well in hand," he nodded resting his sword on his shoulder. Not that he'd ever get involved in the operation, nope that wasn't happening it looked so boring somebody else could handle that. That whole thing with Khandrakhar sounded like a droll affair. "So about the Knights of the Temple we should do something."

"Not yet," It hadn't been an issue in seven hundred years, why should it become a focus now, Arkay's response would be the key, and in truth he longed to take the time to watch from up close. At the same time though there were countless other things he needed to focus on, so he would only have so much time to give the matter the focus it truly deserved.

"So the guardians and the child," America would be busy, especially given what Elijah had thus far reported, Lucien mused. "and then Arkay's chosen, how long Dread Father do you expect?"

As it stood Wolverine was safe, which was as far as the coming storm meant a good thing however there were still a group of mutants missing as a result of the fight. Or at least whatever had lead up to it. "This burning storm? Days weeks perhaps, it will be the brush fires after to be concerned with," He commented as he settled into the high backed chair at head of the table. "Still these are a symptoms of a larger things,"

"Mephala" Another voice, softly coldly added, neither member of the Black Hand drew weapons, even Tepes lacked the rashness to do that.

Sithis's green eyes lifted at the other, "Amongst others of course, all these great plots intertwine I was thinking more keenly on Azura, of course." Naturally though just as there were Daedra meddling, even the Aedra would their obsessions be interfering as well, but that was just the way things were. "but then you've been busy too as well I suppose."

-scene break-

Meanwhile Raiden was busy looking at the projected image of one of the massive shipyards. It'd been a miserable week. "Status?" questioned the system lord.

"The City is entering the final stages of refit," Which was about time in her opinion, "in a season it will be completely ready." Confirmed a female voice.

Raiden snorted, about time. "And the battleship?" Anubis had lashed out effectively with his counter attack. Yu's fleet had retaliated maximizing their superior numbers to minimize damage, but you could only prevent so much damage. Anubis, and Baal's fleet were consolidating new technology. It was becoming a problem as even Flight II Ha'taks that had been built little more than a decade ago were little more than cannon fodder to the new improved gun designs. The longer this went on the more time the other System Lords, the ones who chose to sit out would have time to update and prepare. The longer this dragged on the more problematic establishing a new regime would be.
"Using the initial schematics and the appropriate plans to alter the design to accommodate the new technology, three seasons, a year possibly, perhaps even a month longer than that, not including tests so perhaps a year and three months. Depending on the core, we do need to make appropriate adjustments," There was a pause, "A Rashomon core should work but those do take time to build. It will take less time to construct the second once we have properly field tested the first of the class, and know how to build them, once we have completed design we can begin building them at the Bairn… which will substantially lessen construction time."

The frowned deepened, a year, damn it, "And the new Phase sevens?" He hoped that at least on the fighter side of things it played out a bit better. Still the issue with shipbuilding always took time, there wasn't anything that could be done.
"Almost done a few days and the first squadron will be combat ready, I do believe Artemis will be significantly impressed. The Fervor upgrade has been completed as well. Do you intend to use the new battleship as your flagship?"

"It is possible, but at the moment the Shinku Rai Tatsu is more than sufficient, no need to tip my hand with my strongest enemy slowly loosing."

"So you don't intend to deploy the ship against Anubis."
"Will it even be ready by then?" He asked her, by all evidence the other system lords could not stay out of this fight much longer. "Anubis's is slowly losing the war, the Tuat while more powerful than even his upgraded Ha'tak or my assault carriers," Or any of his smaller ships, the Tuat could stand against and kill his dreadnoughts. The other system lords could hardly afford such ships running around, he thought, "unless they have three to one in numbers or greater, pose no significant threat given their numbers in comparison to my larger vessels and their quantity, he has introduced them to little to late... Though I concede the Euclid are proving a nuisance against the older mobile suits."
There was a placating nod, "And those crabs like mobile armors?"
"Troublesome they are," He agreed, "a bother against the lesser ships, even assault carriers to a degree, but with the introduction of the Phase Seven Kurenai and the upcoming launch of others like it, the damage is reduced but the Zam-Zah is still a nuisance, at least in space and fortification battles, well a small thorn it is nothing to be terribly concerned over."

"And the other?"
"A variation or side developed project of the Zam-Zah," He commented dismissively of Anubis's other mobile armor, "Gells-Ghe is aggravating as well to an extent while its shield cannot be extended as far it does possess better long range anti mobile suit equipment, or anti fighter, though at close range the BuCUE and Tsumes are typically more than a match."

"I understand the varying Okashira are meeting with you."

"Yes. I doubt it will become necessary but it is best to prepare for the necessity of deploying in mass the shinobi." He commented settling back, this war had to be ending he needed the breathing space to actually start to counterbalance Heru'ur and Cronus. As it was they were getting far to comfortable with the humans of the Tauri, it annoyed him immensely.

-Chapter Conclusion-

Helltanz's Notes: