AN: All rights to MGM and hope you like the next chapter. Enjoy!

Rebirth of Ares

Negotiations

January 2006

Areya

James had returned a fortnight after the invasion of Lucia, leaving it to his First Prime to secure and establish control of the planet. He had also sent ships and troops to removed any Lucian Alliance presence from the seven other worlds that they had found to be bases of, or under the control of, the Alliance. Barely a week after the invasion of Lucia they had all been conquered with differing levels of resistance, though it was mostly weak and unorganised. Given the location of most of the worlds he later pulled back his forces, though after helping to establish good governance or liberating the previous authority after taking into consideration the planets' distance from his own domain. Three of the worlds were however added to his territory since they bordered Lucia or his domain.

The Free Jaffa Nation's reaction was predictable. They declared their outrage at the invasion and said it showed his true nature as a Goa'uld. When James retaliated through the use of hacking into Jaffa communications once again, he showed off the Lucian Alliance and the confessions of its members like Netan and displayed the hacked documents from captured ships and ground computers to prove their existence and their possible, although now removed, threat. Gerak still touted it as proof of the hostility of the Aresian Empire, not the name he'd have chosen but the FJN had applied it to his territory as he led and personified it, and that Ares needed to be brought to heel.

Admittedly the group that Bra'tac and Teal'c led had calmed down somewhat since the documents and confessions had been released, in part because the Tau'ri had sent one of their ships and some ground teams to the worlds in question to confirm the situation as an outside observer and for humanitarian reasons. This in turn led to them being called traitors or cowards and that Gerak led the only true Jaffa. Gerak called upon them to invade and deal with the scourge that was Ares as soon as possible. Bra'tac and his group were barely able to vote it down in the council meeting. It was becoming increasing clear to many that the FJN were close to diving either into civil war or outright breaking apart into two or three nations.

This of course worried Stargate Command since it would destabilise the galaxy just as it was getting out from under Goa'uld control and impact their own trade and peacekeeping efforts. Needless to say Ares was rather happy at the prospect of a Jaffa civil war since it would destroy their forces and give him time to rebuild. Rebuilding was what he was already doing.

During his many surveys of his territory both earlier that decade and in recent months he had found a star system that was uninhabited and relatively out of the way which he could use for additional shipbuilding. A shipyard which he could dedicate to construction of Star Destroyers and Battlestars which would then free up capacity at his other yards for the frigates and Ha'taks which still had some use. It would be as automated as possible using construction robots and carefully controlled basic nanites as described in the Ancient Repository. They themselves had used this method for ship construction and it only needed resources and a few people to oversee construction. Thankfully the world in question had a stargate on, so he had a gate facility built first before organising the build of the massive shipyard in orbit. In theory the yard would build six Star Destroyers at the same time in four months while also building three Battlestars in six months. Providing resources were provided of course.

These resources would come from the system itself and neighbouring systems via automated mining platforms on the planet and other worlds nearby, both within the system and in the neighbouring systems. The cargo ships collecting the resources would be manned and also act as patrols, keeping an eye out for pirates or spies. The system with the shipyard in would in turn have three Ha'tak vessels and a few frigates in at all times to guard the yard as well as some orbital defences. It was to be a long term investment which he had started back in October after the Lucian Alliance war. It wouldn't however be ready until later this year. Time he wasn't sure he'd have given the rantings and posturing of Gerak. Time he needed to buy.

He was sat one afternoon in late January in his room with Carol beside him as his soon-to-be-wife and his First Prime looking at the answers a young redhead girl called Ginn had given. She been forcibly conscripted by the Alliance after threatening her family and world after she'd shown some capability to understand Goa'uld technology. A trait that was rare on most worlds outside of Earth, Tollan and Hebridan. In fact a question had been posed by Carol, which was the point of their meeting. Should they try to recruit the girl? Currently she was in a cell, along with Varro and her commander, Kiva, serving time for being in the Alliance though she had a reduced sentence due to the circumstances. Varro had slightly longer as he had been the muscle, a soldier for the Alliance though he had not been as brutal as many. Kiva though had one of the longest sentences of all the remaining personnel as while cruel she had never been excessive or without fair reason while also looking after her troops. She was also one of the only remaining senior members left. Most of the Seconds plus Netan had simply been publicly shot after their interrogation.

So what to do with the girl. She only had a few months left of her sentence before being released and she might simply want to go home. Equally she had a talent that was rare to find and they simply couldn't waste it. The question was, would she serve? If she did it would be a boost to their understanding of technology, both for his people as they'd have another scientist who could train others but also another to work on projects for him that would help his people and his military. There was a knock at the door and in came two Jaffa and the girl in question. She looked nervous and wore prison rags that were dull greys and browns and a bit dirty. She had however been cleaned up a bit before being brought before him. "You're here to listen to a proposal I have Ginn. In return for this service you will be well fed and looked after and after a set time you will be free to do as you please. Consider it parole, work for your freedom. Interested?" The girl looked surprised at the offer and glanced at both Carol and Honeric to gauge their opinions.

"Wh-what would it entail?" she asked nervously. "I don't want to help you enslave the galaxy again. My world and others have just got free of you" she added hastily, glancing between the three before her.

"I have no intention of enslaving the galaxy. Soon, within the year I hope, I plan to end slavery for good within my domain. We are currently working towards it with education for the masses, improved working conditions such as shifts and introducing the idea of payment or working for a greater good. It is hoped that this will improve the economy of both the worlds under my control and of the domain itself, making it wealthier and prosperous. After all, we need something to buy or barter goods with don't we?" James replied steadily. Ginn nodded slowly but also in surprise at the end of slavery. She didn't think a Goa'uld knew how to live without yet here one seemed not only able to live without it but encouraging its abandonment. "In regards to what you'll be doing, I want you to study technology."

"Study technology?" she echoed uncertainly.

"Yes, I want you to study both Goa'uld and Ancient technology to help me improve my people. Improve their lives and our ships" James explained.

"I see, how long would this be for?" she asked.

"We were thinking you could do this for a year and then you'd be free" Carol said softly. Ginn looked contemplative as she sat before the three people who'd decide her fate.

"If I choose not to?" she asked after a moment.

"Then we'd be sad but you'd be set free as agreed at your sentencing hearing" James replied kindly. Ginn thought over the offer. Sure she'd remain here longer but the thought of all that technology, both Goa'uld and gate builder, it almost made her drool. Almost. That she'd be treated well and could leave later, plus that he was ending slavery, well, it made her think if she could chance it. Another point in favour of staying was the lack of prospects if she went home. She didn't really know what she'd do once back in her home village. She sighed before coming to her decision.

"Alright. I'll do it" she said nervously. James and Carol smiled happily at her while Honeric nodded curtly.

"That's great news. You'll be under my supervision when working as I oversee most of our sciences. Now lets go take you to your new room shall we?" Carol said happily as she stood, gave James a quick peck on the cheek and began leading Ginn out of the room, leaving the two men behind.

"My lord?" Honeric asked questioningly.

"Leave it to Carol, assign a guard to keep an eye on her though for the next few weeks. We shouldn't have a problem but why risk it."

"As you wish" he answered. He gave a quick bow before leaving himself.

February

Earth, Stargate Command

In a bid to buy time and to give one last chance to trying to defuse the situation, James asked for another peace conference. It was once again held on Earth, as neutral territory, during the middle of February and Carol and Honeric also joined him again in walking down the ramp into the SGC. "Welcome back to Earth Ares" said Landry in his gravelly voice from the bottom of the steel ramp. He was dressed in his standard pale blue uniform shirt with a navy tie and navy trousers with his stars on his shoulders. "The Jaffa arrived about ten minutes ago. They're waiting in the meeting room."

"General Landry, a pleasure. You know Carol and Honeric. Well then, lets hope these talks are more conclusive."

Unfortunately they would prove to be less than productive. No sooner than the talks began, mediated by Landry and Dr Daniel Jackson, than insults were spouted by Gerak and reasonable agreements proved elusive. Sticking points included Ares being in charge, Ares existing, the size of Ares' fleet, the exact borders and the rights of the Jaffa (here Gerak wanted humans to be second class citizens and the Jaffa to have all the power). In short, while there were a few compromises Ares and his two aids ended up making with Bra'tac and Teal'c, Gerak would then shoot them down for some reason or other. Eventually it got to the point that James simply had enough.

"Gerak, I am tired of your whining. If you will not make any useful points why come? Do you want a war so desperately because if you do I will declare it now and be done with it. So do you want a war?" James enjoyed the look of terror on Gerak's face just then. So he does want a war but doesn't want to be the cause eh? James then realised. Gerak's face seemed to go through a number of emotions before he finally settle on one, viciousness.

"You are nothing but a dictator and a false god enslaving the Jaffa and likely trying to brainwash them with Nish'ta. No, this ends here. I Gerak, leader of the high council of the Free Jaffa, hereby declare war on the last System Lord. Let us driving them from existence and end this charade of peace. I want to gut you like the evil serpent and foul beast you are" Gerak spat before literally spitting at James' place at the table.

"Don't do this brother. Ares has not done anything to warrant such an act. He is reforming his empire, did you not hear of the end of slavery within a year that he announce not two days ago?" Bra'tac tried, desperate to keep the peace and not have more of his brothers and sisters dying for some pointless war.

"He is correct Gerak, and the Tau'ri will not aid us in this war" Teal'c added in his deep voice.

"We do not need the interference of the Tau'ri. They will bow to our might soon enough. We are Jaffa; we are stronger and better than humans and the Tau'ri are no different. They seek to bind us to them in servitude so we will remind them who has the largest fleet and has the power in this galaxy. WE, the Jaffa, are this galaxy's true power and we will take it by any means. If the Tau'ri are not with us and don't end their interference in our affairs then they our are enemies and will be crushed accordingly." Here General Landry stepped in not able to take a threat like that lying down.

"You would risk attacking Earth and revealing alien life to the people of this world?!" he asked incredulously.

"So what? They should already know like any other world. We all know other worlds exist why do yours not?" Gerak said dismissively.

"We are acting without their knowledge, they don't know of what goes on out there and we operate with few resources" Landry explained. "Now what do you think will happen if you attack Earth and reveal all this? Assuming that you loose, Earth will unite and place every resource and man and woman it can behind this command with orders to eradicate the alien invaders at their origin, meaning Dakara, Chulak and any other major Jaffa world. If you think we are an annoyance now, then think what we'll be able to with a whole world building and manning ships like ours and sending out soldiers to raid and attack your worlds. Ships that can take on two of yours thanks to a little Asgard technology and human ingenuity. Soldiers that have consistently beaten Jaffa with superior tactics and weapons. You will find that Earth is a sleeping giant that you do not want to wake" Landry replied seriously. Daniel sighed quietly knowing that war was inevitable and Earth might get dragged into it.

"Bah you are like an old cat hissing and frothing but you are toothless and without claws. Your ships are few, two if memory serves, and your Ancient defences are depleted from Anubis. If I wanted to, Earth would fall in hours, do NOT threaten me human, or I will come here first" Gerak said dangerously. With that said he stood, spat again at James, while Carol looked disgusted and Honeric looked angry, and stormed out of the room. Teal'c and Bra'tac just felt shame as they remained seated a few moments longer.

"I am sorry for what he said General Landry" Bra'tac said sadly. "He does not speak for all Jaffa, though he does speak for most of its military might regrettably."

"He must know that Earth won't take threats like that lying down, we will defend ourselves" Landry commented.

"Yes but he thinks your defences too few to worry about. Even with the power of the Ancients, your outpost only has so many of the drones left. Much like a Goa'uld he would likely keep sending ships until it is depleted before sending a larger fleet to pacify this world. As for your ships, you have hardly any correct?"

"We have more than a few" Daniel answered while thinking of the Ha'tak and Anubis' mothership but also the Prometheus, the Daedalus, the Odyssey (just barely ready) and all three Aurora class warships they could ask for. Not to mention the possibility of requesting aid from the Asgard.

"Then let us hope that they are not needed. As for you Lord Ares, Gerak will likely return to Dakara to organise our people's military in a crusade against your domain. The majority, while yes still hating the Goa'uld, know you are," he paused as he tried to decide on the right word, "freer with your people and are ending slavery, nor do you pretend to be a god still."

"Indeed, while I too hate the Goa'uld like many Jaffa, I see the stability you are bringing and the preparation for a new nation you are doing. I do not wish to see more Jaffa slaughter each other when peace can bring us much more" Teal'c added in his deep voice. "In the meantime General Landry, Doctor Jackson, I and Master Bra'tac must return with Gerak to Dakara. Hopefully we can mitigate this before war is truly realised." With that Bra'tac and Teal'c stood, nodded to Landry and Ares, before leaving to find their angry colleague.

"Unless Gerak attacks Earth we will not interferer in this war, if one starts which does look likely." Daniel grimaced at Landry's tone.

"General please we have to try -" Daniel tried before Landry interrupted him.

"I'm sorry Doctor Jackson but the leader of the Jaffa wants us gone and to stop trying to advocate democracy with them. Plus we have no treaty with Ares. I don't want a war out there either Doctor but thankfully those who were aiming to fill the void left by the Goa'uld, like the Lucain Alliance, have had their asses kicked, both by us and Ares here. Ares' own nation is helping as a third galactic power so it balances things out. Hopefully Earth won't be too baldy affected. I understand there is a sort of territory assigned to Earth unofficially?" Landry asked looking at Ares. Daniel looked on, intrigued by the galactic politics.

"Hmm, yes, kinda" James eventually said. "What is more accurate is that I, as Supreme System Lord, assigned an area of space of around ten light years around Earth as Tau'ri territory. While you may not have claimed it per se it was easier to assign it to you so other System Lords and their Jaffa knew to stay out of your way. I only implemented it during the war with Ba'al, perhaps just before. How did you know?"

"Teal'c came across a galaxy map the Jaffa were using and asked about the marked space around Earth. They said it was considered Tau'ri territory by many Jaffa on your orders. Apparently the Free Jaffa still acknowledge the claim."

"It was likely easier to do that since there are few, if any, Jaffa claimed worlds out this way. Abydos and Heliopolis were the closest in the gate network to Earth and only one of them had a Goa'uld presence until recently. They likely thought it easier to acknowledge the claim rather than argue over what they'd consider worthless systems around Earth" James explained.

"Yes, well, thank you. We've already sent our Ha'tak to begin surveying those worlds and the Odyssey, once we launch it in a week or two, will conduct further surveys." Daniel looked up from his notes then with interest and raised his hand as if he were at school. "Yes Doctor Jackson you can go with them to these new worlds" Landry said in fond exasperation. "Better take Mitchell, Miss Mal Doran and Carter with you. Might as well make it an SG1 mission despite not using the gate."

"Well then General, we best be off. We have to prepare for war it seems" James said, standing up and stretching slightly.

"Good luck, you're gonna need it if Gerak sends the full might of the FJN on you" Landry replied.

"My thanks though I have a few surprises for him should he try it" James said with a rather evil smirk. It made Landry and Daniel both wonder if maybe he had a chance after all as they watched him and his two aids leave.

"Looks like things are kicking off out there again" Daniel commented when the gate shut off and all their guests had left.

"Indeed, at least Jack isn't out there to make it worse" Landry said with a chuckle. "Ah good old Jack, he still wishes he could go through the gate when he's stuck doing paperwork and dealing with those like Woolsey and that Chinese representative Shen."

"Yeah Mitchell and Carter don't like them much either. Vala said something similar about Woolsey" Daniel grumbled which caused Landry to grin at him.

"Ha well I'm sure that'll please Jack to know SG-1 hates them too." He then sighed before looking back down at the gate. "If war is going to break out we'll need to prepare here and alert the Tok'ra though they'll no doubt already know but we might as well give them the heads up."

"What about our teams out there sir?" Mitchell asked as he came into the room just Landry finished speaking.

"Ah Colonel, good you're here. Yes I'll warn all outgoing teams that a war could be breaking out and all currently off world teams will be given a heads up too. Guessing you heard about Gerak and Ares?"

"Yeah, heard they almost punched each other according to the SFs. Guess it got kinda hot in here eh?" Landry snorted.

"Understatement of the year Colonel. Gerak was causing trouble again and Ares called him out on it. Gerak then went and declared war and spat at Ares before implying he might invade Earth too. I told him off for that threat and he ignored us. Gerak then stormed off to the gate and left with Teal'c and Bra'tac to ready for war."

"Damn, he really wants to take a crack at us?"

"I know, it's almost like he wants us to beat him like we did the Goa'uld" Landry replied snarkily.

"We have the ships right?" Mitchell asked nervously.

"We can pull everything back to Earth plus ask the Lanteans to help. They have that defence satellite up and working above Atlantis now and are making some more defences so the three Aurora-class ships plus the Daedalus can be recalled. That puts us at around eight ships I think, not counting the Ancient Defence Outpost and the Potentia factory, though that doesn't really offer us anything so we'll keep it cloaked. We should be able to handle most things they might throw at us." Mitchell and Daniel both seemed to relax on hearing the General's words.

"Thank God for small mercies then" Mitchell mutter and Daniel silently nodded along. Yes, it wouldn't be good if the Free Jaffa, or Gerak really, decided to take a shot at Earth too.