Rebirth of Ares
All Out War
January 2005
Goa'uld Space
They had come out of nowhere. He had been fighting the forces of Ba'al one moment and then he had reports of invasions of spider like vessels and cylindrical ships that tapered off at the rear. He then had further reports of spider like mechanical creatures on a few worlds and reports from his allied System Lords that matched his own. It was chaos now as Goa'uld fought Goa'uld all while fighting this plague of machines. Of course he knew what they were after getting a visual of one and reading the reports. Replicators. They had finally come.
He had known they would after his briefing with Earth on the duplicate Carter but they were here now and eating through the Jaffa and their ships rapidly. It was fortunate that he had begun issuing primitive, by Goa'uld standards, firearms to a number of core worlds and ships nearby. This allowed him to put up some resistance to their incursions and buy time to retreat successfully. His orders to fall back were not taken too well by all though. "We can attack them Ares, we can win!" Athena claimed, angry at being told to retreat.
"We would not win and we would only loose more than we'd gain. We need numerical superiority to be sure of victory. These Replicators are slow going and do not attack unless provoked. We will engage in number and wipe them from existence but we need to fall back and regroup to allow this. Let Ba'al and the others expend and waste their resources. We, however, will survive" James explained carefully having read up all that was noted in the SGC files on the bugs. Athena slowly acknowledged and ordered her ships to regroup in a new defensive line deeper within the territory she administered. James issued similar orders to fall back and form up new defensive positions to his other Jaffa and Goa'uld commanders. Most were reluctant and not understanding of retreat when all they knew was attack. He had lost a handful of ships to capture but had managed to order a successful self destruct to all but two. He had sent a fleet of twenty ships to each to ensure its destruction and any escorting it. He had to keep what advanced technologies he had out of Replicator control.
The war dragged on for over three days as he waged a series of attacks and withdrawals while being unable to fully reclaim worlds he'd lost. They were successful only in destroying Replicators ships and reducing their numbers. It got interesting when he got a message from Ba'al. "Lord Ba'al, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"You have by now engaged this pestilence?" Ba'al asked worriedly.
"Indeed they are most resistant to energy weapons on the ground and when being boarded. Their ships are not too much trouble however" James returned smugly. Ba'al grimaced at the tone.
"We should work together Lord Ares, we are the last of the System Lords, we need to survive and rule together once this is over."
"The last? I though Yu and those were still fighting both you and this plague?"
"I received intelligence only an hour ago, these machines destroyed Hasara station. I know a meeting was to take place as I sent a representative to meet with them about our own war."
"You mean you wanted them to join you instead" James spat.
"Indeed" Ba'al agreed with a smirk before turning serious. "However they have not returned any of my transmissions. I sent a ship to investigate and they found only wreckage of both the station and a few ships. No one survived. Yu, Amaterasu, Kali and Camulus were all there for the meeting. This leaves just us and our under-lords left. There may be a couple of minor System Lords independent of us but none of consequence and it is doubtful they'll survive. We need to marshal our forces and fight this threat to our domains together."
"I regrettably agree with you on this Ba'al" James said bitterly, knowing Ba'al was right and that it likely was the only way. "I suggest you regroup your forces. Form new lines and engage en mass rather than your current strategy" he suggested helpful. Ba'al shook his head.
"No I cannot, I have engaged them and I will hold the line. Anything else?" he sneered.
"Use firearms like the Tau'ri, they are effective for ground combat or boarding actions." Ba'al looked thoughtful and appeared to look around before nodding slightly.
"I will consider it. Until this is over. Ares."
"Ba'al." With that the signal cut leaving James alone in his room to think on what had been discussed.
The war continued and James and his flagship even took part in a few engagements though he kept the ship distant due to its technological capabilities and the Eyes. "Concentrate fire on that captured Ha'tak, I want nothing left" James ordered as the fleet engaged half a dozen replicator ships. His ship shook under the assault from the replicator weapons. One of their Ha'taks had been boarded and the crew killed leaving it drifting with an infestation. The Achilles had focused its heavy staff cannons on the ship destroying it with four shots while its plasma beams lashed out at the Replicators. "We're taking too many loses and not dealing enough damage. All ships withdraw to the Kalon sector. We will form a new line there with reinforcements" he ordered bitterly.
"By your command my lord" Honeric replied before issuing orders to retreat and regroup.
Earth
"Jacob! Welcome back, how's things out there?" Jack asked cheerfully.
"Not good Jack, we have a problem."
"Hey how you doing, long time no see, hows life?"
"Sorry Jack. Congrats with the promotion, you deserve it" Jacob says with a sigh.
"Why thanks" he replies smugly. "So what's up?"
"Replicators, they're here and beating the Goa'uld. If they don't hold. The Goa'uld and much of the galaxy will fall in a matter of weeks."
"Crap" he said before following Jacob who had wandered off. "You didn't say it was a galactic emergency!" They headed up to a lab room where Jacob plugged in a Goa'uld ship tracker. They then discussed the various ships, the combat strategy or lack thereof and how whole territories were now in replicator hands. When SG1 and Bra'tac arrived with more bad news they headed up to the briefing room. "The Tok'ra have operatives in Ba'al's inner circle, including one of his high ranking lieutenants. We have tried to get into Ares' in the past but without much success. Anyway, according to the latest intelligence, the ranks of the Jaffa rebellion are re-pledging their loyalty to the Goa'uld, by the thousands. Ares is getting the bulk as the Supreme System Lord" Jacob began, explaining the situation out in the wider galaxy.
"But the Goa'uld are losing the war" Sam said in confusion.
"Yeah, you'd think that'd make them look weaker" Jack said snippily.
"To be fair, Ares has handled it relatively well, and him and Ba'al have now agreed to a cease fire to focus on the bigger threat. Ba'al is still dealing with it poorly though so its a mixed bag out there" Jacob explained.
"The Jaffa have never seen the likes of such creatures. Many could see these Replicators as a plague, an evil punishment brought upon all for daring to stray in their beliefs and betray their Gods" Bra'tac offered.
"This situation has dealt the Jaffa rebellion a serious blow. Even if we were to somehow defeat the Replicators the Goa'uld would undoubtedly take credit, thereby solidifying Jaffa loyalty, as well as their belief in the Goa'uld as Gods" Teal'c added in explanation.
"I think the key phrase in there was, 'somehow defeat the Replicators'?" Jack said pointedly.
"We haven't had much luck, sir." Sam said sadly. "The inert Replicator cells left behind by my duplicate haven't given us any clues as to how to fight the immunity she's developed. As far as I know, Thor hasn't made much progress in modifying the disruptor technology, either."
"Well, let him know what's going on, and don't be afraid to remind him that we've saved his cute, little grey bum, several times" Jack commented. "What's Ares doing then?"
"He's holding firm. He's fallen back on most fronts, giving up territory to regroup and expand his forces. With the influx of former rebels and his own forces he's launched a number of small but successful offensives. Most have been to destroy captured vessels however but he has taken on a number of replicator forces with some success. The System Lords Yu, Camulus, Kali and Amaterasu are all dead however. From what we can tell, Ba'al had arranged a meeting to gain their allegiance against Ares but the meeting was attacked by Replicators. They're all dead and their domains have either pledged to Ares, Ba'al or the rebellion. As of now, the only System Lords alive are Ares and Ba'al. Both still have a number of governors and underlings at their disposal along with sizeable fleets and armies, more Ares than Ba'al though" Jacob explained.
"Alright get to work people. Carter, double time it on your project, we need to beat the bugs."
It was a day later when James received intelligence that would change the future of this war. The rebels, led by Bra'tac and Teal'c, had captured Dakara. Ba'al had then decided to fall back. 'Oh of course when an important world is threatened only then he decides to withdraw. Idiot' James thought derisively. A fleet of twenty Ha'tak were on course to eliminate the rebellion which he believed had only half a dozen ships. Meanwhile James' forces continued their long and drawn out combat with some success. They held the line in most cases across the galactic south and west, having abandoned the north to Ba'al and the east to the Replicators. He himself had withdrawn to his homeworld for a few hours break from the combat when the gate activated and a signal from Earth was received. "General O'Neill. How goes your offensive against the Replicators?"
"Oh you know, so so. Look, we need your help. Ba'al is going to crush Teal'c and Bra'tac and we need to you to stop him. Buy time or something."
"Jack I can not. I am a System Lord, I can not help the rebellion how you described. If anything I would go to join Ba'al against them. Nor can I stop my fight against the bugs."
"Damn, had a feeling you'd say that. Fine, how about we have a method to destroy the bugs but we need Dakara."
"How do you know this?" he asked curiously. Even he with the Repository hadn't known of Dakara. To be fair he hadn't gotten that far and had barely scratched the surface of it.
"Ba'al called. Said we had to destroy it actually, quiet confusing. Apparently it can do other things too, like kill all life in the galaxy. Also Anubis is seemingly alive. Ba'al is serving him, not that he said it outright. According to Ba'al, Anubis wants the Dakara weapon so he can destroy all life and rule over what he recreates. But we need a weapon against the bugs. Colonel Carter and Jacob Carter are on site to either destroy it or modify it to destroy those critters. Think you can help? You know Ancient better than anyone but an Ancient and we can't afford to send Lyrena as she's headed off to Atlantis to speak with the sleeping Lanteans from the Aurora. So?"
"I'll have my ship and a few escorts proceed there. We will secure the planet from the Replicators and Anubis." Jack smiled in relief and nodded his thanks before the video feed cut. An hour later James, the Achilles and a fleet of ten Ha'tak were en route to Dakara.
Dakara
His fleet came out of hyperspace from rips of purple and slowed their approach. In orbit was five Ha'tak and eight Al'Kesh, "Open a channel to the rebel." he said firmly, brokering no argument. A moment later and on the viewscreen an elderly Jaffa with the golden sigil of Apophis on his forehead appeared. "Master Bra'tac I presume? O'Neill explained my presence to you did he not?"
"Indeed he did. It is a dark day when we have to work with false gods to fight something greater" Bra'tac replied grimly.
"It is for the greater good, Jaffa. All are doomed if the Replicators or Anubis gain the weapon below. We must move quickly to use and then destroy it. Until then my fleet will remain in orbit." The man sighed but nodded.
"Agreed, Colonel Carter and her father are in the temple. That is where we believe it is based." James nodded and then ended the signal.
"Assume a defensive formation above the temple and cloak. Do not fire on any of the rebels unless fired upon first. Understood?" he ordered his Jaffa.
"Yes my lord" Honeric said with a bow.
It was midday when James arrived on the surface through use of the Asgard transporter on board the Achilles. He soon spotted Colonel Carter and Jacob Carter standing by a wall almost entirely composed of Ancient script. The wall containing the Ancient text was littered with stuck-on paper with translations and the like written upon them. A number of circles appeared to be inlaid in the wall. Jacob was reading one of many notebooks lain scattered about as Carter stood next to the wall. "'Midday, the darkness is high in the sky'? You sure about that?" she asked uncertainly.
"That is what it says" Selmak replied, apparently the symbiote was more active.
"But that doesn't make much sense" she complained. Jacob bowed his head slightly.
"Yeah, well neither does, 'the wind blows on the pillow' or 'three days to the chicken.' But that's what these phrases apparently translate into" he said tiredly.
"Are you saying this whole wall of writing is nonsense?"
"I don't know what I'm saying."
"Is it possible you made a mistake?" seeing their problem James took that moment to speak up.
"More likely it is a puzzle to be solved. Look closely at the wall, particularly on the places where you believe it to be wrong, there are fragments of the wall that can be swivelled around almost like a series of locks." The two Carters look at him and then at the wall looking stunned before quickly spotting the sections he means.
"It was a test, can you believe that and we just ran blindly at it. God I'm an idiot!" Sam exclaimed in frustration. She looks carefully at the wall and turns one around.
"Right side up, it's darkness. You turn it around and… it translates into sun" Jacobs says.
"'Midday the sun is high in the sky.' That makes a lot more sense" Sam replied.
"So just repeat that for the whole wall?" he said puzzled. "It can't be that simple."
"No, more likely it is just certain sections to be changed. Likely the ones that currently read incorrectly and which need to be made right" James explained just as Sam was about to.
"I agree. It has to be some sort of combination lock. We just need to figure out which circles to turn." After turning a few sections the ground began to rumble, throwing up dust as the wall then rose up and an inner door split into two revealing a dark chamber with a stone platform with a series of stone controls, similar to the time device SG1 found a few years back. "Nice going Sam" Jacob congratulated.
"Indeed, Colonel, one step closer to defeating those robo bugs" James commented. They spent the next ten/fifteen minutes plugging in computers and taking readings of how it worked before coming to a stunning realization.
"If I'm reading this right, this weapon sends out an energy wave that reduces all matter to its basic molecular components" Jacob was saying in surprise.
"Sounds similar to your energy weapon you made for the replicators" James said as he worked another laptop taking readings on the weapon's settings.
"They're both Ancient in design, it would make sense they have a similar background" Sam answered. "Wait you think we could modify it to attack Replicators?"
"I'd hate to destroy it if we aren't 100% we can" Jacob replied. A beeping sound came from James' pocket. He picked up a small device and spoke to it.
"Yes?"
"My lord, Ba'al and his fleet have entered the system. He has taken an attack posture. Orders?" came the voice of Honeric.
"The fleet is cloaked correct? Hold position above the planet, let the rebels engage first and then assault Ba'al from the side. Fight only to delay, we do not need to win just delay him long enough so we can fire the weapon."
"As you command my lord."
"You risk killing the rebel Jaffa along with Teal'c and Bra'tac!" Sam exclaimed angrily.
"No offence Colonel but I care more about the galaxy as a whole and us having time to use the weapon than a bunch of ragtag rebels who may or may not get the freedom they rightfully deserve. The needs of the many out way the needs of the few. Or consider it for the greater good. Both are applicable in this case."
"A Goa'uld quoting Star Trek? You are quite the enigma" Jacob said thoughtfully. "In this case Sam he is right, his fleet can buy us the time we need. Now focus." Sam grumbled but carried on.
Over the next twenty minutes, as the fleets above grew closer and began to clash, James, using Ares' knowledge and what he'd learnt from the Repository, aided Jacob and Sam in modifying the weapon to fire at the correct frequency to disintegrate the Replicators. Much swearing and cursing occurred during this time as they got closer then further away from the correct frequency. "Push down that one"James said pointing at one of the stone panels as he looked between the laptop and Ancient device. Sam and Jacob shared a glance before Jacob pushed the one indicated. The bar graph adjusted itself to more closely match the target frequency.
"Good call, just another dozen to go" Sam said before sighing. "You know, even if we can make this work, the Replicators were quickly able to adapt themselves to the frequency modulation Thor made to the original disruptor wave."
"What are you saying?" Jacob asked and James looked at her quizzically.
"We realised the only way to eliminate the Replicators and not allow them time to develop immunity, was to somehow hit them all at the same time."
"Everywhere in the galaxy? How are we supposed to do that?" Jacob asked incredulously.
"The weapon translates through the Stargate. Do you think Anubis was planning to use the weapon to attack one planet at a time?" Sam replied.
"The Ancients could dial multiple gates at once according to the Repository. There should be a way to expand that to include every gate" James explained.
Jacob gaped. "Every Stargate in the galaxy, at one time? Do you know how many gates there are in the whole galaxy?"
"A lot" Sam answered before James could.
"I have no idea how to alter a Stargate to perform such a function. I don't know of anyone who can" Selmak said grimly taking over briefly from Jacob. They both looked at James who also shook his head sadly. He hadn't thought to look up an all gate dialling procedure, he hadn't even got round to it as part of his cursory reading. Sam then grimaces.
"I think I know someone" she says and James turns to her and raises an eyebrow.
"Who?"
A few minutes later James had his communicator activated and a channel opened. "Ares, called to surrender to my superior force?"
"No Ba'al, my fleet is holding and your ships are being destroyed but let us not talk on such trivial matters. The weapon, we found it."
"Then you will destroy it?"
"We plan to use it to defeat the Replicators. We are already on course to have it modified within the hour, we just have a small problem."
"How did you develop this Replicator disruptor technology in the first place?
"General O'Neill built it, using Ancient knowledge and an Asgard computer" Sam interrupted.
"O'Neill. The mere thought of that makes me sick." You could practically hear the grimace.
"Look, if we can do this and somehow hit the Replicators all at the same time, we think it will work. But we need your help" Sam argued.
"You want me to re-program the Stargate to dial every gate in the galaxy simultaneously?"
"I know you used the gate's automatic update program to disseminate a dialling program virus to the entire gate network."
"With a virus you initially planted in my Stargate."
"No-one's trying to deny that we're mortal enemies here. Can you do it or not?" Ba'al pauses and you can almost see his smirk.
"I cannot believe I'm even considering co-operating with a female of the Tau'ri, and a Tok'ra" Ba'al complained but sounded accepting.
"This was not my idea, believe me" Selmak said grumpily.
"At least you have a fellow god here Ba'al working alongside you to save our galaxy" James pointed out.
"Perhaps. Well then, I'll instruct my troops to land."
"No way. You send one Jaffa down here and the deal's off" Sam said vehemently.
"I cannot do what you ask by means of a simple transmission" Ba'al tried.
"Sure you can. Just tell us what to do" Sam replied smugly.
Over the next few minutes Ba'al led them through the process of modifying the gate. With that done Sam rushed out to the DHD to modify it once she had the programme ready. James and Jacob continued to push down panels to modify the frequency of the weapon. The difference between the two waves, the current setting and the target, is 38 but as a panel is pressed it lowers to 8. At that point Carter then hurried in from the DHD. "It should be done, lets hope it works."
"Of course it will work. I'm a god" Ba'al said smugly from the communicator. Sam just rolls her eyes.
"There's Goa'uld arrogance for ya" James said snidely. Another beeping occurred soon after. "Sorry Ba'al I have another call coming in."
"It does not matter, I have other things to atten- o" the signal cut off before James could do anything else.
"What was that?" Sam asked.
"Focus on the weapon I'll worry about what is going on up there. Honeric, report!" James called into his communicator.
"My lord, additional ships have arrived to the rear of Ba'al's fleet. They appear to be Replicator controlled ships along with some Replicator spiders." James cursed.
"Move our fleet into Dakara's orbit, move to the rear and form a last line of defence between the planet and our enemies."
"Yes my lord." They pressed on without the aid of Ba'al as they carried on trying to get the frequencies to match. Jacob pushes another panel down and the differential changes to 0.98.
"Variable off by point 98" Sam comments. Jacob nods. They then hear gunfire from outside the temple. The Jaffa inside the temple rush outside to reinforce the guards.
"What's that?" Jacobs asks distractedly
"Hurry."
"Dammit, Replicators" James says angrily
"I've almost got it, just a little more time" Jacob complains
"I don't think we have it" Sam returned. She then moved to the doorway, preparing her P-90 rifle to fire, as the Jaffa guards retreated to the doorway. James stood by Jacob helping to push down the panels since he had no suitable weapon other than his hand device and that was useful only as a shield under current circumstances. They could hear the Replicators crawling towards them getting nearer as the weapons fire became more frantic until suddenly the crawling noise stopped, followed by the firing. James turned to see the Replicators frozen on the ground. "Huh, don't see that every day" he said as he looked out. Carter just shrugged at him in confusion. He turned back in time to hear Sam explain that they were frozen down here as well so he presumed it was Teal'c informing them they'd frozen in orbit too. A few moments later and they had it. "Point 76" Jacob said loudly just as the bugs started to move again.
"Yes!" James shouted in glee.
"Do it" Sam yelled back at them as she began to fire her gun on the now unfrozen and approaching Replicators. Jacob slammed his fist down on a button built into a raised section of the altar and the temple began to shake, sending dust down on them.
High above them, the mountain began to shake as well as it slowly split apart into four sections and a pale blue ball of energy gathered in its midsts. The sound of a stargate activating was just barely heard over the din of the mountain shaking and the growing hum of power. Then at its climax a wave of energy burst forth and washed across the planet passing through them and they saw it disintegrate the approaching Replicators. Up in space the Achilles, which had been successfully destroying approaching Replicators ships before they could board, observed as the pulse wave entered orbit and washed over all the ships there destroying the Replicators onboard the various Ha'taks and their own spider ships. Soon only Ha'taks and James' flagship remained in orbit. A few moments silence fell among those in the temple. Jacob seemed to slump against the altar and Sam came over to check her father. "Dad?" she asked worriedly.
"I'm alright" he replied, shrugging it off.
"What happened?"
"I don't know" he replied slowly, shaking his head as if to get rid of something.
"You did it" Sam said after a moment with a smile.
"Well, Selmak deserves a little credit. Okay, most of it" he replied humbly.
"Well done to both of you" James said with a smile as he slumped against the table in relief. He fished out his communicator and spoke to Honeric. "Report."
"All Replicator vessels are gone and all ships formerly controlled by them have stilled. Orders my lord?"
"Seize any that were ours and then prepare to return to our domain. We have much still to do."
"As you wish my lord" came the reply and James smiled softly to himself.
"Colonel Carter, a pleasure working with you once more" he said approaching and shaking her hand. "Now though I must return to my ship and leave you to go our own ways for now." As he spoke the Jaffa who had previously guarded the temple approached and raised their guns at him.
"Surrender false god" one said.
"Hey knock that out, he was critical in getting the weapon to work. He's on our side" Sam shouted at them.
"We will have his and Ba'al's surrender" the Jaffa said firmly.
"Not very honourable to come after me after fighting along side me and my forces is it?" James said mockingly.
"What Bra'tac and Teal'c are unaware of will not hurt them. We do this for all Jaffa false god. Surrender or die."
"Ah I see we've hit this little snag" James said as he quickly walked around the room to place the stone altar between him and the Jaffa. "You seem to be labouring under the delusion that I'm going to...what was the phrase?...come quietly. Well, I can tell you this: I have no intention of going to prison or dying."
"Seize him!" the Jaffa yelled as two men surged forth to grab him and James merely flicked a switch on his hand device and was gone in a beam of white light, leaving the Jaffa, Sam and Jacob stunned. In space his fleet quickly broke orbit and jumped to hyperspace taking with them half a dozen former Replicator controlled ships. The battle of Dakara was over. Now the galaxy had to deal with its fallout.
AN: Hope you have enjoyed the chapter and the story so far. Now we have to deal with the fall of the System Lords, or do we?