AN: Sorry of the delay, got distracted with other things, like you do :)

Rebirth of Ares

Dogs of War

February 2006

During the initial days after the declaration by Gerak there had been only silence. In fact it was much like the phoney war period of World War Two in that nothing really occurred apart from the movement of ships and troops to border worlds while also ramping up the production of orbital defences for the core worlds. James and Honeric were busy drawing up various war plans for different scenarios while Ginn and Carol continued their studies of Ancient technologies based on reports from Atlantis and the Repository.

Intelligence from Ares' spy satellites did indicate that the Jaffa were moving large numbers of ships into position so as to invade his territory. James currently had around 900 or so Ha'taks, with more being produced, and just over 200 frigates. He had by now also constructed 8 Star Destroyers and 3 Battlestars. That was against the 2,000 or so Ha'taks that the Free Jaffa Nation no doubt had, if not more thanks to them producing some and seizing them from their dead false gods. The only positives were that not all of them would invade due to the large territory the Free Jaffa held and that Ares' ships could fight two at a time comfortably. All that could be done now was wait and see.

The peace ended after almost a week of nothingness. "My lord, we have detected ships approaching our northern borders and the former territory of Nirrti" Honeric said after urgently barging into his offices where he was discussing Ancient technology with both Carol and Ginn.

"Excuse me ladies, it appears some trouble has appeared that requires my presence." Carol snorted at the understatement while Ginn just smiled nervously.

James followed Honeric to the military command room within his palace which received sensor data from his satellites as well as co-ordinated his fleet. On a large table display in the centre of the room was a galaxy map indicating the various territories in the galaxy. His area, covering much of the galactic south west and west, was highlighted in green. A small section, almost due south of the core, south east of his domain and towards the edge of the galaxy, was highlighted blue to indicate Earth and its claimed space. The vast majority of the galaxy however, was highlighted in red. It swooped across the north and around through the east and into the south east as well as a small part of the south. This was the vast expanse of territory claimed by the Free Jaffa Nation.

"What do we have?" James said commandingly upon entering the room and approaching the table. Around it stood a handful of ship commanders and Jaffa troop leaders. They glanced at each other uncertainly before Honeric spoke.

"As I said my lord, we have ships approaching our northern borders originating at Dakara. Sensors indicate a fleet of about 800 ships, possibly more. It is a true invasion it seems, they're using much of their fleet to do so" he said nervously. Even James was a bit surprised by the scale, expecting only a few hundred.

"Anything approaching through Ra's former territory?"

"Your satellites indicate no movement. It seems they assembled at Dakara, in Ba'al's former territory, and have come south. They likely can't spare any more ships considering their territorial size so this should be all we face with little chance of them getting reinforcements" opined Honeric. James nodded in agreement.

"Mobilise the fleet then. Send messages to all ground bases, space stations and shipyards to put them on alert. Have our border ships engage in hit and run attacks, get them to slow down and harass the enemy. In the meantime we will pull ships from everywhere; Lucia, our southern borders, the core worlds, everywhere. Have them assemble in this system" he indicated a star system in Cronus' former territory which was near Nirrti's. "From there we will meet them en mass. Hopefully they'll be tired and somewhat damaged from our skirmishing with them so that we can crush them effectively. I will bring the Destroyers and Battlestars with us as well. Let us show them our true might. We can win this, we just have to be careful with how we deploy. Get to it." The men nodded and left to put his orders into action.

"My lord?" Honeric said nervously. "Are you sure this will work?"

"It has to Honeric. It has to" he replied simply and left for his quarters, his black cloak billowing behind him.

Gerak sat comfortably upon his throne-like chair on his flagship as it entered the territory of the soon-to-be-dead false god. Ares was a god of war and had proved that in his rise to dominance in the last five plus years. In that, Gerak could respect him, but Ares was a Goa'uld who needed to die for the sake of all Jaffa so they can be free. He grimaced knowing he could have had more ships but those wimps, those ha'shak, those peace loving idiots Teal'c and Bra'tac had convinced enough of the council that only 865 ships was enough and that they couldn't leave too much of their own territory undefended; aliens or humans might get ideas above their station, or at least that was how it was phrased in the council chambers and enough members bought it even if neither Bra'tac or Teal'c actually thought that way. He grudgingly admitted it was a good reason and they were right to maintain order in their nation but he needed those ships. Ares was not going to go quietly. He needed overwhelming force to beat Ares. Force he did not have.

Still their initial incursions had gone well, mostly. They had been largely unchallenged in much of this space over the first few days and had liberated a number of worlds, mostly human worlds regrettably and they had held no love for the Jaffa coming into their villages, but his fleet had recently begun to suffer quick attacks that had left them scattered about this northern section of territory and left some of his ships with minor damage. In fact the enemy had managed to destroy a small number of his ships already while he had barely taken out one or two of theirs. These hit and run attacks were not honourable nor were they typical Goa'uld tactics. It was almost like the Tau'ri were advising them since it was similar to their own attacks against the Goa'uld. If those stupid humans were aiding Ares then he would go to Earth and raise it to the ground and damn the consequences. They should know to mind their own business and keep to their own world and territory. But first Ares, he thought, trying to calm his raging anger.

His fleet came out of hyperspace in the next system, doing a quick check on their sensors. He had already broken his large fleet down into smaller flotillas, with him were over 200 ships with equal amounts in the three other segments which were moving through Ares' northern territories. All were suffering from the attacks carried out by Ares' fleet. "Scans indicate nothing here sir" called the Jaffa from the main console.

"Weapons are ready" called out the weapons officer from the blue weapons console beside the main console.

"Good, secure the system and check the planet, we will liberate it from the accursed being Ares" Gerak called out proudly. The fleet dispersed throughout the system as he and ten ships entered orbit of the world below.

"Any sign of habitation Tarbuk? Is it a military base?" Gerak asked impatiently.

"No my lord, we see no evidence it is inhabited nor do I detect a Chappa'ai on the surface" replied Tarbuck who manned the main console. Gerak internally cursed his luck at yet another barren world.

"Sir vessels appearing on sensors!" yelled the weapons Jaffa.

"Raise the shields Ry'nak! Now lets destroy these betrayers of the true Jaffa way!" Gerak commanded. Finally some action he thought viciously. He saw on the screen five Ha'tak vessels and ten of those blasted frigates appear and begin firing upon his ship and the ten others in orbit. Golden plasma bolts filled the emptiness around them as the two sides exchanged fire. The frigates fired their redish plasma lances causing massive damage to the shields of the various ships while the Ha'taks of Ares fired more rapidly and with more power than his ships at Gerak and his fleet.

They'd sent a call out to the others in the system and soon almost 200 ships would descend upon the ships of Ares. "Hold on my brothers, hold on a few more minutes and we shall overwhelm these shol'va!" Gerak called to his crew and fellow ships in order to rally them. Then one ship blew up shortly followed by another. "Curse those traitors, fire everything at them!" he yelled out while the ship rocked from the blasts of plasma lances.

"We are trying sir but they move too quickly and their shields are stronger than ours" complained Ry'nak.

"Reinforcements approaching" called out Tarbuck. No sooner than he had, the ships of Ares broke off their attacks and began jumping to hyperspace. By the time the reinforcements got into position their enemies were long gone leaving the wrecks of three Ha'tak vessels burning in space. Gerak was fuming. "AREEEES!"

It was three days later after yet more raids and more ship losses that Gerak finally had a target. A golden opportunity. Ares has assembled an armada of about 700 ships, possibly more, and was heading his way. Gerak knew this was his moment to shine, his moment to end the rule of the Goa'uld once and for all, his moment to do better than Bra'tac and Teal'c. He recalled all of the ships in his fleet, he had around 836 ships left after the countless attacks, as it was going to be difficult but he thought he could manage it if he had every ship he had. They had righteousness on their side and were true Jaffa, not the rabble which opposed them. He was concerned though, the frigates had proven capable against his Ha'taks and Ares had a large number in the fleet. In fact almost 200 ships of that approaching fleet were those accursed frigates so while he might outnumber Ares, he did not entirely outgun him as much as he would like. Still today was his moment of triumph. He would destroy Ares once and for all and then Earth would feel his wrath for interfering in Jaffa affairs once more. Yes it could only be them who taught Ares these damned tactics, only they would be so cowardly and dishonourable. Earth would pay in blood, as he had with his losses.

His fleet of over 830 ships waited in a system inside Nirrti's former domain. He was smirking but pacing impatiently as they waited for the accursed Ares to finally show himself. Then there was a beep at one of the consoles and Tarbuk brought up the report on the viewer. "Sir, ships approaching" he called out after a moment.

"Show me" Gerak huffed and turned to face the screen. On the viewer purple and black portals began to form and soon dozens, hundreds, of ships began pouring out of them some distance away from his fleet. When the count reach over 500 he began to sweat nervously and he could sense the discomfort of the crew when it went over 700. The ship finally stopped at 752. Gerak looked over the fleet and spotted two designs that stood out as markedly different. "Tarbuk, scan those two ship designs now!" he ordered urgently. He didn't like not knowing.

"Scans seem to indicate that one is 1,000 meters long and the other 1,400 meters long. Both possess shields stronger than ours given their energy signatures and the triangular ships are covered in weapon arrays my lord" he said nervously. "The other vessel appears to be more of a carrier type ship with large hangers; unknown fighter or bomber count sir." Gerak was worried now, Ares had new ships of unknown power or ability, this really would throw his battle plans out the airlock.

"How many of each?" Gerak eventual uttered.

"Eight of the triangular vessels and three of the carrier type" Tarbuck responded promptly. Gerak quietly sighed, thankful that there were hardly any of them.

"Get the fleet into formation, we will charge this traitorous shol'va and destroy Ares once and for all. For Freedom!" Gerak called out and the ship and his fleet echoed with the calls of freedom.

"Sir we are receiving a transmission from Ares' flagship for you" Tarbuck said after a moments silence had fallen on the pel'tac.

"Show it, lets see this varuul talk his way out of this" Gerak said snidely. On the viewer appeared the from of Ares sitting upon his command chair on the bridge of his flagship. A ship that Gerak was, only barely admitting it to himself, slightly afraid of fighting. "Ares, come to surrender yourself and your fleet?" Gerak bit out.

"Hardly you poor deluded fool. I call merely to ask your surrender before I wipe you from existence" Ares returned with a smirk. "Surrender and live, or die and see your dreams come to an end in fire and blood."

"Ha, if you think you can intimidate us you are mistaken, we are free Jaffa and we stand tall against the oppression of the Goa'uld and we shall end you like we have the rest."

"So by getting Earth to come kill me then" Ares said innocently which caused Gerak to fume.

"Those humans got lucky, when I'm finished with you I shall deal with them myself. No one shall challenge my supremacy and the Jaffa shall lead this galaxy as is our right." Ares' faced hardened at the mention of a threat to Earth, which Gerak missed being too busy threatening everyone.

"You will regret making an enemy of myself and the Tau'ri" James said coldly. "Say any prays you like. Today you end." With that Ares ended the transmission and Ares' fleet began approaching.

Large power spikes were detected from the new ships as they fully powered up, raising shields and charging weapons, and an even larger surge was recorded from the Achilles, the flagship of Ares, as the six Eyes were engaged and interacted with its power core to boost its output. In space the two sides approached one another, no tactics to speak of just numbers against each other as the two fleets closed down on the other.

Sparks flew from the consoles and lighting as Gerak was rocked in his chair from the weapon impacts on the ships shields. "Shields are down to 54%! We can't take that much more from those improved staff weapons their Ha'taks have, the power and fire rate are too much for us!" called out Ryn'ak, he too was shaken from the impacts like most were onboard the Ha'tak.

"Divert auxiliary power to shields and weapons, we must regroup and charge Ares' flagship in numbers" Gerak commanded. The battle had been mostly even at the beginning. The Ha'taks on both sides had engaged each other in endless duels while the frigates of Ares dove amongst them firing their plasma lances and repeaters at his fleet. Gliders and Al'kesh fought in numerous dogfights all around them while being cut down from some of the weapons fire from the frigates. The eternal stream of fighters launching from the new vessels, that sat in space behind Ares' battlelines acting as an honour guard for his flagship, created more problems as his own forces were slowly being outnumbered. Gerak turned to see the ships hanging there in space idly, just sitting there watching the battle for supremacy of the galaxy.

"Only the fighters and Ha'taks are attacking, I wonder what Ares and those new ships are waiting for?" No sooner had he finished his observation than the ship rocked from more plasma impacts from other Ha'taks. "Report on fleet status!" he called out, desperate for answers and hoping it was good news.

"We've lost dozens of ships by now sir. Our right flank is collapsing under increasing pressure from bombers and fighters while the left side are being pressed hard by Ares' frigates. Our numbers just can't hold against them."

"We need to turn their flanks or hit the centre" Gerak decide after looking at read outs of Ares' formations.

"With what sir? Our entire lines are close to collapse" complained Tarbuck.

"We must or we die with nothing to show. We must make a run at Ares or we shall surely die here with nothing gained."

"I might be able to wrangle us a handful of ships" Tarbuck replied slowly, uncertain if he could or if it would work.

"Do it" Gerak said sharply sitting back in his throne-like chair. His vessel quickly gathered 14 ships around itself and as one they headed for the flagship of Ares.

The 15 ships broke from the fighting and charged towards the still formation of Ares' ship and its escort vessels. When they were barely within weapons range, the Achilles lashed out with its powerful orange plasma beam weapons that impacted three Ha'tak vessels and critically damage their shields, dropping them to just 10%. Gerak's ship managed to avoid such a fate but it was then hit by the yellow pulse weapons of one of the triangular ships which fired rapidly and were making quick work of his shields. After only five bursts from the weapons his own Ha'tak had taken heavy damage to their own shields.

"Gerak, we must withdraw, our fleet is being slaughtered out there!" Tarbuck yelled as he turned to Gerak. The ship shook some more and a small explosion could be heard of the din of the engines and shakes of the vessel.

"We must destroy Ares, we MUST!" Gerak yelled back. "Tell all ships to focus fire on that ship, pull them from the main fleet if you have to but get every Ha'tak to target-" the ship shook violently interrupting Gerak's orders as the shields collapsed and an orange beam cut straight into where the hanger bays were, destroying what few gliders were left and causing the fuel to erupt in a fiery explosion that was then quickly extinguished by the vacuum of space. "Report!"

"Shields have collapsed! We have explosions in the hangers and the fuel has ignited. We need to withdraw while our hyperdrive is still functional" Tarbuck advised. Gerak stood there having risen from his throne to be more commanding and take in the damage. He sighed having realised the folly of this assault.

"Get us out-" his order was cut off again as more orange beams cut into the hull, carving off pieces of the frame that surrounded the pyramid like a carving knife on a joint of beef causing the ship to shake and more sparks to fly from the bridge consoles and other fixtures as power surges caused problems throughout the ship. Gerak stumbled across to the weapons console and clung to it in order to support himself as he looked across the Pel'tac and onto the viewscreen where he saw numerous orange beams shoot out from the flagship of Ares which then smashed into the dozen or so ships that he had brought with him. Meanwhile the triangular ships attacked from other angles allowing their heavy weapons to broadside his Ha'taks. The carrier ships had hung back somewhat but provided a little support from their forward mounted beam weapons that spat out from under their alligator-like noses. He looked around in growing horror as ships exploded and other shook under violent barrages. Time seemed to slow as he realized his folly and he saw the large explosions while he followed the numerous orange and golden beams as they slowly left the various enemy ships to attack his ships before things then sped up and time continued until the beams hit the hulls of numerous vessels and vaporised large portions of his fleet. He knew then what he had to do, however bitter it might be.

"Tell all ships to withdraw. We are done here" Gerak spat out bitterly.

"My lord?" Tarbuck asked in surprise and with some caution.

"Get us out of here! Order a full retreat to any surviving ships" Gerak answered angrily. Tarbuck nodded and began issuing orders to the fleet. Well over two thirds of the fleet had been lost with more likely to follow as they withdrew. The next ten minutes or so were painful to watch as Gerak's Ha'tak began withdrawing and other ships began to follow suit. He had almost let out a sigh of relief as they began preparing the hyperdrive to escape when the worse thing that could happen happened. A beam of bright orange slammed into the barely restored shields and pierced the hull again like a hot knife through butter. It went straight through the hull deep into the ship causing explosions and decompression as more areas of the ship were vented into space killing hundred of Jaffa.

When Gerak finally got back to his feet after being thrown from his throne, he looked up in time to see the monstrosity of a ship that was Ares' flagship bare down upon him. The viewscreen flickered and changed to show the visage of a man, Ares, smirking down upon him. Gerak growled furiously at the being he hated to all eternity. "I warned you that this would happened and yet you still tried. You have condemned all these Jaffa to death Gerak. Know this; there shall be no quarter, no prisoners, no escape. Those that flee shall live only due to my mercy. Every ship will be hunted down and destroyed. I will allow nothing left. For an example needs to be made and you are it; no one invades my territory and lives to regret it. I will allow you one thing since your ship is disabled and useless, my gliders are patrolling so you cannot escape. I will allow you one...mercy. From here you will witness the end of you insignificant invasion. Your fleet has lost, any friends (if you had them) will die and your Jaffa nation will feel my wrath. It is only now, at your very end, that you will understand my true might and why I became the Supreme System Lord" Ares said victoriously. He then nodded off screen and the transmission cut out.

Gerak staggered over to a console spotting the badly burnt and bloody face of Tarbuck on the floor as he approached the console in question. He checked his body over as he went and he could feel great pain in his left leg and chest. He used the console to check the scanners and saw what was occurring out in space. A slaughter was happening. What few remaining ships he had left were fleeing into hyperspace per his last orders but it was not enough for most. Staff weapon fire and orange and yellow beams cut through space lashing out at the remaining Ha'tak vessels of Gerak fleet. His once mighty Armada, having numbered over 800 ships, had collapsed and he knew barely 200 would escape while another hundred fought bitterly to the end to buy time for the others to escape. He saw from the sensors that it had all been for nothing too. Ares had started this battle with over 700 ships, he still had well over 500 left. It seemed his fleet had mostly destroyed Ares' frigates and a few Ha'taks rather than anything of note or in significant numbers. The eleven new ships were unscathed and inflicting large amounts of damage to the surviving Free Jaffa vessels. And Ares' flagship? It was blasting apart Ha'taks left, right and centre with only a few shots of its heavy staff cannons or plasma beams. This was a disaster and he could not warn Teal'c or Bra'tac that Ares was coming, indeed he did not know what Ares would do. A typical Goa'uld would simply invade and take countless star systems next. Ares was unusual in that he would target numerous locations such as shipyards and infrastructure as well as seizing worlds. All he knew was that this was the end for him; for the Free Jaffa as well? He did not know. But it was his end, that he did know and he'd be damned if we didn't die on his feet as a Free Jaffa. He tried activating weapons systems and re-routing power but it only caused a load of sparks from his console that he backed away from and stumbled over the body of Ryn'ak, who lay nearby and was splayed on the floor at odd angles, and fell to the ground. He scrambled away on the floor before pulling himself up into his chair and he looked across the Pel'tak. What have I done? He thought morosely. Did my ambition cause all this? May haps I should have listened to Teal'c and Bra'tac more, they were Blood Kin after all. "What have I done" he stuttered out as he slumped in the chair defeatedly and gawped at the viewscreen still showing the endless views of Ha'taks exploding or being cut to pieces. Ares was right, it was only at the end, when it all fell down around him, that he understood, he really shouldn't have been as antagonistic t Ares and his pride had led him here to his death. It had led countless Jaffa to their death.

His breathing slowly became more laboured as time passed and when an hour had passed from when Ares had last spoke the viewscreen showed him again. "Ares."

"Gerak, still alive I see. Do you understand now what you have caused?" Ares asked softly. "I bore no ill will to the Jaffa, I would have supported them if only you had done better. If you hadn't been so volatile, so hostile. But we play with the cards we're dealt. And now your time has ended. Will you stand one last time? You may have been an idiot but you are still a warrior who fought the wrong battle. Stand and die on your feet." Gerak coughed heavily and some blood trickled from the corner of his lip. He heaved himself slowly to his feet, standing shakily and using the armrests to support himself.

"I...die...free" he managed to say slowly, stubbornly and proudly. Ares nodded once, a small smirk barely visible, and seconds later Gerak only saw bright orange light.

"Was it right to let him go that way my lord?" Honeric asked curiously. James turned to face him.

"He was a warrior and a politician, but a warrior first. He fought, he lost and now he rests. He died how he wanted and it cost me nothing to let him do so. He had his punishment as I showed him each and every ship being destroyed or obliterated." James let them moment hang and Honeric ponder it before changing the subject. "Report, how ships many escaped?"

"We believe 190 or so, possibly over 200, ships managed to break free, the rest are destroyed per your orders."

"Good, begin clean up and salvage. The resources may prove useful to us in the future. Give my commendations to the fleet for their superb fighting and congratulations in our victory. We shall lick our wounds for now, as shall the Free Jaffa Nation no doubt. When the time is right, when we are recovered, we shall launch retaliatory strikes against them." Honeric looked surprised at the wait having expected almost immediate attacks.

"There is no point now as we lack the numbers to do sufficiently large enough assaults while keeping our territory secure" James replied sensing the unspoken question. "We will wait and then we will strike hard and fast; we shall destroy shipyards, cargo ships, command bases and ships, thus eliminating their capacity to wage war or rebuild from one. When we are through with them they shall know not to fight us ever again."

"Yes my lord, I shall see to it that we begin repairs and construction of new ships immediately" Honeric said with a small bow. James nodded and smiled at the screen. His fleet was ascendant now and he would soon punish those who had invaded his domain. They would find out why he was better and worse than a System Lord. After all, Earth had thousands of years of history in regards to war. It was time to put it to good use.

AN: Hope you enjoyed the chapter and sorry for the delay. I foresee things likely coming to an end soon. I will resolve the FJN issue over the next two chapters I guess and then begin bringing things to a close. Or will I? I haven't decided yet. Future ideas are welcome if you have any suggestions. Thanks for reading and stay safe out there. J signing off.