Stargate Hastings

Chapter Eleven: The treacherous Kinsey's

Donald finished his full debrief of the past eighteen months and looked to the four people that were sat in the home, he had made with his wife. They all seemed to be processing his long explanation of his time here, so he decided to break the silence. He looked to his new commanding officer and said "I guess it's time to pass over command of this operation, do you have any orders sir?".

"No". Jim replied.

"You'll want to get some sleep first then?" Donald asked.

"No, I do not have any orders and no it is not time to hand over command". The others looked at Jim like they didn't understand but not Robert Parker.

He gave a knowing smile, as he explained for them "The only person qualified to command this mission, is the man who has been here the longest and knows the land". He looked at Donald then stated "We will of course offer you advice but if either myself or Mr Elden were to take command, we would be led by the blind".

Donald could understand their logic, he knew the land, the language, the people and their customs. He even walked through the city on the odd occasion now and with the men he had worked with in the mines, greeting him as they would any of their other workmates, he was not seen as a stranger. He was the most qualified and in the best position to effectively lead the mission. He had already completed a good part of the job on his own. It was the fact these two very experienced old war dogs. Would yield command, to a man who had only served for three years, before being transferred back to England and told to report to his former Captain, Richard Hastings. He was only fourteen when he had signed up and wasn't even twenty years old yet. They were showing him a lot of respect. Respect he had earned, he thought to himself.

He thought about what his first order would be and simply said "Everybody get some sleep, we've got a busy day tomorrow". Rachael and Tom looked like they desperately needed some sleep. Rachael had not said much since they had arrived, which was not like her. Donald could sense there was some tension between her and his biological father or maybe she really was just tired. If he was going to command this mission, then he would need to know if it would become a problem. He took the advice he had given his new team and went to sleep.

The next day while Robert, Jim and Tom were carefully following Donald's maps and further exploring the cave system. Donald explained all he knew about the pictures depicting the story of Ra and the rebellion on earth to Rachael. It turned out unsurprisingly, that she knew more about it than he did and that the Hastings families collection, had the same story, only depicted in a different style. After studying it for a short while, she asked "Do you know where the rest of it is?".

"The rest of it? What more could there be?". He hadn't been bothered with the story, he had heard the same one back on earth. So had believed it told the whole story, as far as the people on Abydos understood it.

"I know your job was not to find this but to find a way home". She laughed as she shook her head, then she asked "Did you ever ask yourself, why Abydos?".

"Yes and the answer was. Those were the symbols on the cover stone, that they buried the Stargate under". Then he understood what she had meant by, why Abydos.

Before he could add anything further, she said "Because Abydos was where they found out the truth of the false gods, where the rebellion began and if not for a fearful people. Where the liberation of the rest of our race would have begun".

"Why was I not told all of this?" He had been told the story of the rebellion but not all of this about Abydos.

"It was all in the archives and in truth you didn't really need to know". She kept looking at the wall then asked "You said there are carvings of animals, in some of the caves. Did you see one with a scarab beetle?".

He could not remember seeing a scarab beetle, all sorts of other animals but not that. "No, is it important?". He asked.

"It could be or after the Stargate was buried. They may have just decided that their plan would never be enacted and forgot about it". As she was saying this, she kept inspecting the wall that the story was depicted on. Then she started looking at the cave walls across from it. These are not natural".

He had thought much the same, it would have just been a little too fortunate, for them to find something naturally formed and as perfect as this to hide their secret in. "I was thinking that myself but that would mean they carved these caves out of solid bedrock and then made them look like they were naturally formed".

"I'm sure some of the caves already were here but they would have crafted them, into what they are now. It could have been one or two big caves and they built the rest of them up to split them into many. What I do know, is that this wall, is not like any of the others". She pointed at the wall she had been studying.

"The only thing I can see that's different about it, is that it's flat and the others look like natural rock". Donald said to her.

This was the reason she was here, these men were soldiers and under fire, she was certain that they would be more than up to the task. When it came to anything like this, they were clueless. "Did you ever wonder how they built an underground facility, underneath the Stamford estate?".

Donald had just figured, that they had that much money, they could pretty much build whatever they wanted to. He was told about his mission and everything he would need to know to survive here but nothing about the estate. "Money". He replied.

"You could have all the money in the world but without the proper knowledge, you could never build such an architectural wonder". When he did not respond, she said "My family, in the distant past. Became the custodians of that knowledge and it was that knowledge that was used to build the estate and all of the other underground facilities, scattered around it".

"And the people who built this place, they had the same knowledge of building, as your family had?". He was starting to get where she was coming from. If the same knowledge built this place, then it probably as secret rooms, just like the mansion.

"My family has" She corrected him "The knowledge has been passed down to others but they are of a different branch, of the Hastings family tree. Our branch of the family, are the custodians of the knowledge pertaining to the Stargate and our forgotten past".

"How big is your family?". He asked her.

"The branches of our family spread across the entire world. Many of them no longer carry the Hastings name but all are considered to be a part of the Hastings family". When Donald didn't speak, she continued "Well except for the Americas, there are many Hastings family members in that country and if not for one of those branches. The world would be a much more equal and fairer place right now".

"Why what did this family do?".

"It was not what they did do, it was what they did not do. The American colonies and their revolution, were supposed to end the barbaric practice of slavery. My family placed people into positions of power in that country and when the time came to enact our families plan, after the revolutionary war was won. The most powerful slave owners in that land, would be members of the Hastings clan and using the call for freedom that the revolution was built upon. They would free the slaves and give them land to build their own country". There was disgust in her voice, as she told him the history of her family.

"What happened, why did they not free the slaves?". He asked her.

"The Kinsey clan, that is what happened. They were the most powerful family in the Americas and they liked the power that slavery gave them. They manipulated and joined forces with the land and slave owners who were not affiliated with our family and through propaganda and scheming. They marginalised the influence, that the rest of the family had in those lands. It took my family years to place new families there and it was those people who instigated the American civil war. The Kinsey's were themselves reduced in influence, after that war but they were too powerful to completely stamp them out".

She stopped for a moment to think how best to explain, what should have actually happened. "When the Revolution had been won. Our families plan, was to continue that call for freedom across the entire planet. With America becoming the capital of a single world government, one that cared for all of it's people and not just the wealthy few. The members of the Kinsey branch of our family, decided to become that which they had schemed to destroy, for millennia".

Donald listened to her talk about the treason her family had committed against the British crown but did not see them as traitors. Donald had seen for himself the way some lived in the empire, compared to others and knew all to well. That the monarchy were the head of a system, that grossly favoured those of wealth and gave little hope for those considered beneath them. Even before the Revolution, America was considered a land of opportunity, for the people who went there to make a new life, away from the rudderless ladder that was British society.

"When Hassif makes the introduction, to the other people that know the truth of this place. They may know about the scarab beetle". He decided now was a good time to ask about the tension he felt between her and Jim. "Is it just me or is there something going on between you and the Sargent major?". The way her cheeks flushed red, told him all he needed to know.

The words that she spoke next, were an attempt to paint a very different picture. "Don't be stupid, we have developed a friendship but nothing more. The man his competent with a sword and I'm sure he is a skilled soldier. Even my dad respects him and usually it takes a very long time, before that stubborn old bastard, will give a man his approval but as I told you when you were on the prowl. I am a married woman!". But her words only confirmed his suspicions.

"So I've got nothing to worry about then?" He asked with a smile on his face.

She misunderstood what he had meant by that comment, so said "You are a married man, she's only been gone a few days!" With a look that told him, that if he tried anything on. She would give him the beating of his life.

"Calme down woman. I meant as far as the mission is concerned. I don't want you two at each other's throats and getting us all killed because of some lovers tiff?". Donald knew that there was a real danger, that what he was saying could happen. "All I am saying is this, talk it over with him and get whatever is happening between you two sorted. If I'm going to command this mission, it's my job to spot these things, before they happen". He could see from her face, that what he had just said had made sense to her. She didn't say anything else about it but she did nod her head in agreement.

Buckingham palace, Earth.

Something that rarely happened to an Hastings man, was being summoned by the crown. Every reigning monarch, since the English civil war. Had known that they were only in power, because of his families influence. So when a Hastings was summoned by the crown, it was usually for something very important. Enjoyable, would be the way Richard Hastings, described this particular summons. There was a stain on his family, that had far to much influence for his liking. Today would be the day that stain, would learn that the leverage they once had held over him and his family, was no more.

Victoria was there of course, along with a man who looked similar in appearance to himself. He was a little taller than he was, before the chair that was. You would be able to tell them apart but the family resemblance was clear to see. Jacob was with him, as he always was when he left the estate. He wheeled him into the position next to the chair, that the stain would be sitting on. Victoria introduced the man. "Mr Hastings, I am sure you already know our guest from the American colonies?". He took his seat once the Queen had finished speaking.

Richard insisted that she call him Mr Hastings and not by his official title of Lord Hastings, whenever they would be in private. He detested the title and all that it stood for. His family did hold titles but they were merely another piece of the fiction. When the gods left this world, they left a scar on its people, a need to worship. when you had been beaten and forced to worship gods, for generations. It was easy for intelligent people to twist that need, for their own wicked purposes.

Many of the religions that rose up in the centuries and millennia that followed their departure, began with the best intentions. But in all cases, they would be twisted and used to control the people. It was those people that had created a world, where there would always be those with nothing and it was those people his family had sworn to take down. That is why the stain stood before him, was so repulsive to him. The Kinsey's were everything his family hated and they shared the same blood.

"Yes, indeed I do your highness. I believe we are related, although I am sorry but my family as a rule about mentioning the name. Well it is less of a rule and more because of the taste it leaves in ones mouth". The reaction on the face that was similar to his own, was exactly the one he had wanted.

"Do you know where we are sir, who we are with?" He said in his American accent, he was definitely from the south of the country. The Kinsey clan had holdings all over the United states of America but their main family, were spread across the southern states.

He knew that he was not talking about etiquette but about what he could tell the Queen about his family. Which would have been a death sentence, even with the influence they had over the crown. Except it no longer was. "Yes and I also know that the reason you are here, is to tell her everything". He sniggered before continuing "She already knows".

The mans name was Richard Kinsey. Richard was a name common in his family, with first born sons. The Kinsey's while betraying the family, still continued their customs, their goals were just different. Their goal, now that the Stargate had been found. Was to use the gateway to gain powerful technologies with which to conquer the world and rule over it. Even other worlds once this one was theirs. So when he heard the revelation, that the Queen already knew about the Hastings families treason. He thought that she could not know the whole truth. "Yes, I am sure you have told her highness about the gateway but have you told her about your families more earthly ventures?".

Richard didn't answer him, himself. Instead he let the Queen take him down, he would just sit back and enjoy. "You mean his families involvement in that war for independence, your people are so proud of?". She rarely smiled, at least not with her eyes but he was certain that Queen Victoria had a twinkle in her eye.

Richard Kinsey's face was a picture. The only reason the Hastings family had not dealt with the stain on their family honour, was because of the Kinsey's knowledge of their treason and while it would not have completely destroyed the family, it would have meant they would have had to start from scratch. Kinsey stood up and said "What is the meaning of this. Why is that mans head not a spike?". He was pointing at him, making demands of a Queen.

That was not a clever thing to do in her own home. Both men seen the two guards that were in the room change their stance from attention, to one of protection and the Queen's personal guards were the best the empire had. "At ease gentlemen, one is sure Mr Kinsey merely forgot himself". She looked at Richard Kinsey and asked "is that not right Mr Kinsey?".

The men had not stood at ease as ordered. Something Richard knew they would not do, until the man made it clear he was not a threat and for the rest of his time here, they would be alert to his every move. What did the man expect, she was the Queen of an empire. Richard Kinsey must have known the mistake he had made and quickly took a none threatening posture as he sat back down, saying "Yes your highness, I forgot myself and I apologise for my outburst".

The men relaxed to an at ease stance, not stood to attention as they would have been for the rest of the meeting, if not for Kinsey's outburst. To his credit the man regained his composure "With all due respect your majesty but the United states of America, will not stand this insult. To one of it's ambassadors, to your nation".

Richard Hastings decided now was the time, for him to make his entrance. He could let Victoria have all of the fun but he could not resist. "What insult would that be? If you wish my head on a spike for our families shared involvement in treason. Would your head not have to be sat beside it?".

Queen Victoria actually laughed, even he was shocked at that. The woman was loving it as much as he was. "Mr Kinsey I have already sent word to your government, that I am told you are not an elected member of. One has assured them, that we will receive their ambassador, only that ambassador will not be you. We believe it will be a former senator named Joseph Hammond".

Kinsey almost forgot himself again, the man was not completely stupid. Instead he slowly rose from his seat and asked "I will be returning to America on the next ship, your majesty. It has been an honour your highness, if I may I take my leave?".

"You may". She replied.

Richard Kinsey left the room, without saying another word to his distant relative. That relative had known the moment he had been summoned, for what reason the summons concerned. When Queen Victoria had made an alliance with him concerning the Stargate, he had told her everything. His reasoning being that she would be far more likely to agree with him going forward, if he was straight with her from the beginning. The way she took the part about his families ultimate goal, had genuinely surprised him. She had agreed that it needed to be done and would have done it herself if she could but she had inherited an empire and with all empires, it was either expand or die. Europe had many empires and if any of those empires showed weakness, especially one with a woman at its helm. It would be bad but the Stargate could change all of that.

With Kinsey gone, Richard said "I must thank you for that your majesty, they have been a thorn in my families side, for a very long time. My families people are discrediting their family and those connected to them as we speak. One is certain he will not be a happy man when he returns home. His family will rebuild under a different name but it will take them some time to do so".

"This Hammond, is he one of yours?" She asked him.

"No actually he is not but he is an honourable man, served in the military and only received one black mark against his name".

"Why was he disciplined?".

"He refused an order to engage the enemy".

"And they made him a senator for this?" she asked seeming not sure about agreeing to the mans appointment.

Richard smiled as he said "The men he had been ordered to open fire on, turned out to be their own troops. He refused to let them take it off of his record and told them he was proud of it. It even stopped him advancing through the ranks. I would say he is a man of honour your majesty".

"So you believe he can be trusted?".

"Yes your highness". He hoped he could be trusted. If everything was going to go to plan, they would need the United states to be cooperative and if they were bought into the programme in its infancy. Before any of the other nations, that would be an easier task to accomplish. He just hoped Joseph Hammond was everything he had heard the Texan would be.