AN: Just to clarify for the last chapter; an Ori appearance is not set in stone and the Kobol reference is to the BSG 2003 series. I have yet to decide how I will resolve both. Now on with Ares.

Rebirth of Ares

Lucia Falling

September 2005

Areya

It had been a long few months since the peace negotiations had failed. In that time Gerak had unfortunately gone on to form a large traditionalist and militant block which had massive influence over the fledgling Free Jaffa Nation. Earth and the SGC was getting annoyed with them since they weren't dealing with the much needed law enforcement around the galaxy and were instead seizing various neighbouring worlds to expand their control. In fact some report had rather rudely compared them to the Goa'uld. Unfortunately, most of these had human populations that had barely adjusted to being free of the Goa'uld. They had thus exchanged one master for their servants and were now still slightly enslaved by the Jaffa as most Jaffa looked down on humans as weak.

This of course caused problems with Earth which advocated on behalf of humans as the most powerful and influential human faction other than perhaps those of Hebridan or formerly the Tollan. Not that Gerak or many of his supporters cared since they had secured their important worlds and bulked up their military might and thus increased their standing since Gerak made votes represent military force. It also made them feel great at having big armies and proving their superiority.

As for himself, James had had a number of reports from both his ship commanders and his spy probe network that indicated a number of raids and probing along his borders had been conducted by the Free Jafa. None had escalated thankfully and the FJN ships or soldiers retreated once his vessels or troops arrived but the border crossings were increasing as the FJN tested response times by his border patrols. James had of course increased his ship count in the areas effected using newly built ships and by taking some from core world defence. He was worried though about lowering defences there since it would take only a significant force to breach the borders and then have free reign unless they were stopped.

It was because of this he had therefore begun the careful construction of orbital defences around his core worlds, such as Areya. The defences were a mixture of satellites and larger constructs. The satellites were armed with Plasma Repeaters and Goa'uld shields while the larger constructs, measuring about the size of an average bus, had plasma lances and Ancient Pulse Weapons while also being equipped with Ancient shields. He hoped it would be enough to deter all but the most determined of invasions when fully deployed.

Of course all of that didn't stop Gerak and his ilk from proclaiming that Ares was militarising the borders and his worlds to prevent their liberation as well as claiming that it was Ares who was making incursions into their space. James would, of course, refute it and show across the galaxy his sensor readings by hacking into various transmitters and communication displays and showing up Gerak. Which of course would result in Gerak blaming Goa'uld falsehoods and trickery. In short it all led to one inescapable conclusion. Gerak was gearing up for and laying the groundwork for an all out war on the galaxy's last System Lord.

In other news, he had read an interesting report passed on from Earth in regards to Atlantis. Apparently, when crossing the void between galaxies, the Daedalus had detected an Aurora-class warship heading for the Milky Way at its maximum sublight speed. Before intercepting it they sent a message to the Aurora over in Pegasus calling for Captain Dimus to appear in order to help aid the damaged ship. Once the Aurora had arrived the two ships jumped ahead of the Lantean vessel and attempted to signal it. Once contact was established, said ship slowed down and was aided in repairs by the crew of the Aurora. When they were done the Daedalus and the Aurora escorted the Lantean ship, now known to be called the Tria, back to Atlantis where they debriefed the captain, a woman called Helia. According to the report he'd been forwarded, she'd apparently blown up at Dimus for aiding primitives raid the city. He'd defended that by saying his crew and hers would be dead without the Atlantis team, plus Earth had their own ships and knew how to use Ancient technology so they were hardly aiding primitives. She'd relented and apologised for the outburst before going to a room on the Tria to meditate and read up on the humans of Earth.

Some time later, the crew, and captain (much to some people's surprise), of the Tria decided to remain and aid the humans in preparing for the Wraith by sharing their own knowledge of the Wraith war as well as tactics used by both sides along with use of their ship. The human military contingent would then go over a few battles with the two Lantean captains to explain some new strategies that could help in similar situations. With the Tria joining them they now had three Aurora-class ships at their disposal with two fully crewed while the third was mostly used for research on Ancient systems. James found it interesting, and relieving since he didn't have to help them as much, that the Lanteans had decided to stay considering they had been fleeing Pegasus previously.

Meanwhile, within his own borders there had been a number of criminals gangs and smugglers and other low-life's that had been preying on some of his outer worlds. They usually wore dark leathers and brandished firearms of various calibres. His Jaffa had been placed on alert and, through the training of some humans, had also added them to the various garrisons. One raid had thankfully resulted in a few being captured when they came through a gate straight into a gate facility. The pirates had looked totally confused and been caught in a barrage of plasma and Zat fire which had brought down three stunned and another seven dead. The three, under much...encouragement, had revealed they belonged to a group called the Lucian Alliance. The smuggler group was back.

Lucia had been independent since the fall of the System Lords and James had given up the world due to it taking resources away from more important and closer worlds. Plus it had always been a free world and was thus more difficult to control so it had been easier to relinquish it to self government. Unfortunately, it seemed that in fact some pirates had returned to take power and had claimed the world, setting it up as a base for their crime syndicate during the chaos after Dakara. Knowing this James summoned Honeric and the other military leaders.

"You know why you're here" he started firmly. They were in the audience chamber and before him stood his First Prime and a handful of ship commanders. "Lucia has fallen into chaos once again and pirates, thieves and smugglers now use it as a crime haven of scum and villainy. We will return and reimpose law and order and reinstate true governance. That is not all. My shipyards have finished the first of a new breed of warship built for our people. Seven ships have been built and are fully operational. You will, along with my flagship and frigates take our army and reclaim Lucia and bring about peace and stability to that world. We go in, hit hard and overwhelm them so completely they can not fight.

According to intelligence there will only be one or two Ha'taks in orbit which the criminals stole from elsewhere. We should have minimal resistance in space. Deploy Gliders and Al'kesh to destroy any defences planet side and escort troop transports. Then we'll ring down any additional troops. Questions?"
"Prisoners my lord?" asked one Jaffa.

"If they surrender then yes. We'll move them to a secured position where we can watch them and then interrogate them for any intel. Remember there will be civilians and you'll likely be fighting in people's homes. Check your weapons fire and make each shot count. Today we free a people from chaos and crime. Tomorrow, maybe the galaxy. Dismissed." The group of Jaffa and one human bowed and marched out to ready the ships which had gathered in orbit. Jaffa troops and some humans congregated in open areas near the gate complex to await transport to the ships if they hadn't come with them.

Lucia, High Orbit

Jarus looked down on the world he'd been told to guard by the Second Anateo. He was glad to be off the former slave world of Ba'al and doing something to improve his standing. The Alliance offered this. He had gained wealth for himself and had command of two Ha'taks that had been used to enslave the galaxy. Well now it was time for payback and to gain power. Now he was a commander in the Alliance and had respect and power, unlike when he was a child and practically a slave for those accursed false gods. He had been told to watch the scanners to keep an eye on the domain of Ares since the Alliance had seized Lucia from him and was therefore likely to strike back. Jarus felt it was unlikely since Ares was almost certainly dealing with uprisings of his own and the Free Jaffa on his borders along with the Tau'ri, so why would he come here?

His quiet period on the bridge ended when alarms beeped signalling ships arriving out of hyperspace. "What's going on?" he yelled from his chair at one of the men manning the main control console.

"Sir we have picked up a number of ships entering the system from hyperspace. Seven ships of unknown origin along with a dozen frigates of a class only used by Ares. They are approaching quickly" the man reported.

"You, man the weapons console and raise shields" Jarus said to another who went to the weapons console which rose from the floor. "Show me the ships." On the viewer the seven large ships were displayed. Triangular in shape with greyish silvery hull they headed straight for the planet with the frigates surging forward going for the two Ha'taks. "How soon to their arrival?" he asked warily.

"They'll be on us within two minutes sir!" came the main operator worriedly.

"Send a signal to the planet informing them of the attack. Then set course to our base on Rolan, we can then reform with the other ships we have acquired."

"We aren't going to fight?" asked the incredulous weapons officer.

"We have two Ha'tak against seven unknowns plus a dozen frigates designed by Ares. Do you really think we stand a chance? Do as I say or I'll kick you out an air lock!" Jarus said gruffly. The two men manning the consoles got to work and one began piloting the ship away from the world readying it to jump to hyperspace. It's companion vessel followed shortly after it. The frigates then changed course heading directly for them to cut off their escape, closing ground quickly like blood hounds after a fox. Like a pack of wolves they descended on the two fleeing Ha'taks using their superior speed to reach weapons range to try to prevent their escape.

"Divert non-essential power to shields, keep us moving and return fire, all cannons!" Jarus yelled as the ship shook under the barrage of fire from the frigates. The frigates moved about spitting plasma fire at the ships while the Ha'taks sent volleys of staff weapon fire back at them.

"Getting reports of hull breaches on the outer sections sir!" reported the main operator worriedly.

"Weapons firing but the ships are too fast" complained the weapons officer. The two Ha'taks fought valiantly but pointlessly. They were out matched and out gunned from the start as the Plasma Lances ripped into the hull when gaps in the shields appeared. Their plasma repeaters were pinpricks against the Ha'taks as it was death by a thousand cuts until eventually the ships lost their shields and became vulnerable to the dozen frigates which dived in and around them.

"Get us out of here" Jarus yelled and the ship repeatedly shook, this time harder than before as the hull was directly hit.

"I can't! They keep heading me off as I try to break away. There's too many of them!" the main operator complained.

"Plenty of targets for me then" the weapons officer said with a smirk.

"Then hit some you idiot. You destroyed any yet?" Jarus rebuked.

"Er no sir. I damaged a few though."

"Not good enough, intensify all-" whatever he was going to say was suddenly cut off by a large explosion which rocked the ship. Jarus was luckily sat in his chair and so wasn't harmed as badly but the two men standing by the consoles were thrown to one side while the two guarding the doors fell forward as the ship lurched from the explosion.

"Report!" yelled Jarus. Before a reply could be sent the viewscreen showed a frigate firing up on the top section of the pyramid shaking them violently before a bright orange beam spat forth and he knew no more.

Out in space the frigates continued peppering the battered ship with plasma fire before it eventually exploded after its power core couldn't take the strain anymore. The other vessel followed its compatriot minutes later leaving the fleet of Ares to secure orbital control. A minute later, Ares' flagship dropped out of hyperspace and moved to take position directly above the capital of the world having been loading up with troops and equipment on Areya. The Star Destroyers formed up around the ship to escort it into position. From his throne on his flagship James took everything in. "Hmm, it seems we won't have to demonstrate and test our new ships. A pity" he commented disappointedly. "Deploy the fleet to ensure nothing gets off the planet" he then ordered. "Then have the Gliders and Al'kesh target military bases and any defences the below planet has. Have some squadrons deployed to monitor for atmospheric disturbances that may indicate cloaked ships."

"By your command my lord" Honeric said with a bow and turned to issue commands.

"Send a signal to the homeworld, tell them dial Lucia. We shall entrap them and end this smugglers alliance once and for all. Issue orders that any of the leadership are to be captured for interrogation" James said to the communication officer.

In a bunker on the planet's surface Netan was growling angrily at the failures of his people. When they had seized the world from Ares' limited Jaffa during the galaxy wide uprising he'd been sure the Alliance was on the verge of greatness once again. They had the homeworld under their control once more and they had expanded to secure seven other nearby worlds allowing them to begin farming a new bean his scientists had said would be addictive, thus giving them a stable income to buy the loyalty of more men and ships with which to expand his forces and become a true power in the galaxy. They will have respect from those pompous Jaffa and the arrogant Tau'ri. The humans of the galaxy, and other minor aliens, will rise and take what the Goa'uld took from them and become the new supreme power. Emperor Netan, he liked the sound of that. But no, one of his Seconds had sent troops into Ares' territory, which normally he wouldn't have minded, but just like last time it had brought the wrath of a powerful enemy down upon the Alliance before they had barely got going. Unlike last time there would be no escape for the leadership. Last time they had managed to sneak around the city keeping ahead of patrols and some had managed to use the Chappa'ai to escape to two of their off world holdings. This time they couldn't even do that.

"Suggestions?" he asked angrily to his Council of Seconds and remaining Commanders.

"We have some cargo ships remaining that are able to cloak, we could use them to escape?" came one suggestion. A derisive snort came from one end of the table where the sole woman in the room sat.

"Commander Kiva, something to say?" Netan said mockingly, he got a glare from one of his Seconds at the tone but he ignored it.

"If you'd looked around you would know that wouldn't work" she replied condescendingly. A few angry mutters were heard around the table.

"And why not?" replied the man who'd initially suggested using the ships.

"Because there are two of those new large ships hanging directly above us you idiot!" she snapped. "There are also Gliders flying about in large numbers and not to mention however many ships in orbit. It won't work. We also know Ares, assuming it's him, has methods of detecting cloaked ships. It's a suicide run but feel free to try it Gavos."

"Why you stuck up little bi-"

"Enough!" Netan shouted before the meeting got too out of control. "We need a way off this world, not to be killing each other. Have you got anything useful to suggest Kiva, or will you just complain at everything we do? Your father can't protect you from everything woman."

"In the interests of our people's safety we could disperse into the background, appear to have surrendered and then when their backs are turned we make a break for the stargate" she suggested. Most then laughed at her though a couple looked at her speculatively. Her father just frowned at her.

"Surrender?! Are you mad? You know, I wonder why I made you a commander sometimes Kiva despite your father, Masim, being loyal to me" Netan rebuked. "Any more sensible suggestions?" Any reply was interrupted by the ground shaking and dust falling from the ceiling, while dull thuds could be heard distantly. A moment later a man came in.

"Sirs, they've found the base! Jaffa are descending on the facility. We can't hold them off. They've already taken much of the city."
"Are the people fighting back?" Netan asked with concern. If the people had given up already there'd be no distraction for him to escape.

"No sir, most are staying in their homes. Ares has issued a curfew and ordered all to remain in side. He has used that to get his troops around the city quickly and secure much of it. The outlying villages have already fallen." Muttering was heard from around the table before, over their radios, they then heard some really unfortunate news.

"Jaffa have entered the base! I repeat, Jaffa have enter the – arrgh!" the sound of plasma fire and staff weapons rang out over the comm. Panic then gripped the room as a scuffle broke out as men tried to head for the doors. Netan pulled out his pistol and shot one randomly. Huh, it seems I got Rameris, oh well. The crack of the gunshot along with the sudden yell and collapse of the man in question halted much of the panic as the remaining Seconds and Commanders looked at Netan warily.

"Now that you've come to your senses, remember who is in charge here" Netan said viciously. "Good, so we will leave via the rear escape routes while the Jaffa deal with whoever is left guarding the base. We will leave with no one noticing. Now lets move" he said commandingly.

They slowly shuffled out after him warily glancing at him and each other as if expecting to be shot in the back as well. So busy were they escaping the horror above and eyeing each other warily that they did not notice Kiva or her father break away to another section of the base. The group of men went down the endless concrete corridors that were dimly lit all while the sound of fighting got quieter and quieter. "You see men, trust me, we shall leave here to regroup and then reclaim this world and the rest. The Lucian Alliance will make them all pay for ignoring us and stopping our rise to power" Netan monologued as they approached the exit. He got two of his Seconds to open the door. It was a heavy duty steel door with a manual lock and was designed to only be unlocked from this side. With a loud groan the door opened as the two men pushed against it. Netan hoped the way was clear as he sent them through. Once clear of the base he'd head for the nearest shuttle with cloaking ability and get the hell off this world. He'd then come back with enough ships and troops to repay Ares for what he'd done. Stepping outside into the sun he blinked at the brightness which unfortunately cost him as he could barely react to the sound of Zat discharges as the flashes of blue shot out and filled his eyes. He got caught by two separate hits rendering him unconscious instantly. His subordinates were similarly caught out though two did managed to pull out their pistols but were shot by plasma rifles as they barely got a single shot off.

Inside the base, and not knowing of the trouble Netan had found himself in, Kiva was heading to where some of her closest troops were based. As she and her father walked, they eventually found a lab which had a young but intelligent girl called Ginn in. As they went in they saw she was hiding behind an overturned table with a pistol pointed at the door. "Oh thank the gods its you. Kiva what's happening?" the red-headed girl asked shakily and with relief. She hadn't wanted to be here but had been conscripted by Alliance troops on the world she had lived on. While alright with a gun it was as a scientist she proved her use, by studying the left over Goa'uld technology, so Kiva and her father took her under their care and protection thus preventing anything worse than the occasional comment from occurring. Women never fared well within the Alliance unless they were tough as nails or had protection.

"It's alright Ginn, we should make our way out of here. Did you see Dannic or Varro?" she asked calmly, slowly relaxing the scared girl. Above them the dull intermittent thuds of bombardment were heard faintly.

"I think I saw Varro heading by the ops room, he said something about a last line against the Jaffa."

"And Dannic?" asked Masim, Kiva's father.

"No sir, I haven't seen him. I did hear he was suppose to be on duty near the main door. Given the fighting within the base I would guess by now that, that he's...he's likely dead sir" she said shakily and after a pause. Masim gave a curt nod and Kiva looked over at him.

Before he could say anything, gunfire could be heard from the corridor outside as two men came running past firing their rifles. "Last men standing! Anyone left get out by the rear escape route! Anyone?! Ah darn it, come on Simeon lets take these Jaffa bastards with us" came an agitated and resigned voice.

"Sure thing Varro" replied an eager but cruel voice. Kiva stuck her head out the room and spotted the two men looking to make a barricade which they could use as cover.

"Varro!" Kiva called out and one of the men looked up and saw her, he grinned when he did.

"Boss you're alive. You should head for the escape tunnels, I think you're the last free or alive."

"There's no one else?" He shook his head sadly. It was then that shouts came from one end of the corridor and they knew then there was no escape with the Jaffa so close. "It seems I'm with you for this. For our freedom from slavery?" she said realising her situation.

"For freedom" both men echoed. Even Ginn gave her a shaky nod while her father looked grim before giving her a long look and then picking up a rifle left on the floor of the lab.

Suddenly a dozen Jaffa appeared at one end of the corridor wearing the improved dark/black armour, most holding rifles but a few still used staffs. They approached slowly, ducking into doorways and leapfrogging each other to approach the surviving Alliance personnel, firing their plasma weapons down the corridor at them. The five humans ducked and returned fire with their weapons. Kiva saw the bullets bounce off or spark on the armour as the Jaffa approached steadily. Simeon was the first to be killed, taking a dozen blast to his chest and shoulders, followed by her father. Varro took a shot to his left shoulder making Ginn pull him back into the lab while she picked up Simeon's and her father's rifles as she retreated into the lab as well. Ginn placed Varro on the ground behind her self-made barricade and put pressure on the shoulder while attempting to wrap it. Kiva handed him a rifle so he could point it at the doorway. He grunted a thanks through the pain while Ginn picked up one of the recovered guns and aim like Kiva at the door once done with Varro. Silence fell apart from the heavy breathing of the three humans until slowly a man appeared in the doorway wearing a black cloak and chest plate and traditional but ancient clothes under neat. He wasn't Jaffa, he seemed human with short dark hair and brown eyes with white, but slightly tanned, skin. It wasn't until she saw the gold bands on his right hand that signalled a hand device that she realised he was a Goa'uld. She raised her gun to fire as the others followed her but the man held his arms up to show he was unarmed, if still possessing a hand device was unarmed.

"I wish only to talk. With whom do I speak?" he asked softly with no noticeable god voice. Kiva glanced at the other two and she saw Varro weakening slowly from the wound and Ginn still scared but trying to hide it. She sighed. She might be ruthless but she always tried to do what's right for her people.

"My name is Commander Kiva of the Lucian Alliance. Ares I presume?" the man nodded his head. "Bold of you yourself to come down here then."

"These are my men. They follow my commands. The least I can do is see what they see and command from the front. Secure and not on the front line but near enough" Ares explained. She could admit, barely, that it impressed her that he'd do that. Most Goa'uld, most leaders in fact, would be light years away or in orbit at best. "I have come to ask for your surrender in the hopes you choose life rather than death."

"I'd rather die free than be a slave to false gods again" Kiva shouted back angrily. Ares nodded sympathetically.

"No one said anything of slavery or false gods deary" he replied softly, surprising them somewhat.

"What terms then?" she asked buying time. He grinned at her answer.

"Surrender your weapons and follow my Jaffa to the camp where we are holding the captured prisoners. From there you will questioned on what your role and position in the Alliance was and for intelligence and the like. I will be making sure the punishment fits the crime and that law and order is restored to this world" Ares explained. "You will be well treated. No harm will come to you unless required in the interrogations or you force us to do so in the camp and that is becoming less than necessary as I have my own methods for extracting information that is less painful. Please surrender and your lives will be spared. We even have one called Netan I believe his name was. You are the last alive inside here. There is no escaped and no way out. Surrender and live. You may go home to your families if you are lucky after."
"My father is dead because of your troops, he was one of the men outside the door. As for the other two, they may have family left but it's unlikely" retorted Kiva angrily though she glanced at the other two to see how they were.

"Ma'am would it not be best to try? If it's only us left and we have a chance to live…" Ginn trailed off nervously as she spoke quietly. Kiva sighed and glanced at Varro for his view. He nodded slowly due to the pain but agreed to stand down. They had no choice really.

"We accept your terms Ares, though do not expect us to worship you" she said stiffly. He chuckled slightly.

"I would not expect you to Commander. Nor do I ask it. The time of the System Lords and false gods is over. I am merely Ares, a being of great knowledge and power who is trying to guide and lead his people into a better world. Perhaps one day you will see it come to be" he replied before walking back out into the corridor and signalling the Jaffa. A group of ten soldiers came in with rifles and led them out into the corridor and eventually outside to the prisoner camp while three of them carried Varro on a stretcher to the medical section of the camp. She was led with Ginn into a fenced off area of parkland near the base where dozens of Alliance personnel milled about; some were slumped, depressed on the ground while others looked more hopeful but few, if any, were happy. Once there she and Ginn were left to their own devices but she headed over to the side of the camp for women to sleep, of which there were only four others, six including her and Ginn, and found a spot to slump slowly, tiredly against the wall as she, at last, closed her eyes and slept for the first time in hours.

Around the city, and in the outlying towns and villages, the remnants of the Lucian Alliance were rounded up or killed in combat. Within the space of a day the Alliance was crushed on its home world once again and Ares' troops soon learned the location of its seven off world bases or claimed worlds. By the end of the week the Lucian Alliance would be ground into dust and forgotten in the annals of history.

AN: Hope you like this chapter with its resolution of the Alliance. As of now they are a spent and totally beaten force. I do not expect them to reappear. Hope you're all enjoying the story but please review and thanks for following it.