Stargate Hastings
Chapter Epilogue: The cost of failure, the prize for defiance
In orbit above the world of Heliopolis.
For once in their very long lives, the sons of Thor found their roles reversed and when their father arrived, it would be Magni and not Modi, that he would be disappointed by. Modi had been fascinated by the weapons, that the humans carried with them and had used the Mjolnir's computers, to create holographic representations of the different firearms.
Their were three distinct models. A smaller single handed weapon, with a revolving barrel that had six chambers. When one round was fired the barrel would turn, readying the next round of ammunition to be fired. This one fascinated him most of all. Such an elegant design, for a weapon of death.
The next one while being far more impressive, in its destructive power. Modi felt it lacked the elegance of the first weapon. When he saw the demonstration of how this weapon operated, he felt it lacked the subtle beauty of the first. It held fifteen of the bullets, that when fired propelled a lead shot by creating an explosion inside a metallic casing. That shot then travelled through a circular tube and although the recoil of the weapon would make it less accurate. Modi was certain, that could be accounted for and adjustments made for greater accuracy.
The final weapon, seemed to be for use at close range only. It worked on the same principle as the others, only it fired multiple smaller shots. At close range the combined impact, of those smaller pieces of shrapnel, would cause extensive damage to the target but at range, they would spread out and have a minimal effect. It was Modi's fascination with the humans weapons, that had blinded him to his brothers growing obsession.
Magni had been observing the human that reminded Modi of the Knox, constantly since they had been here. He would only stop for nourishment, when the human would go to sleep. Asgard did not need to sleep like humans but they still required food to sustain their bodies. Modi would be proud of his brother for his actions. Only his brother did not have Modi's knack for only bending the rules and had just broken one of the big ones.
Heliopolis, pedestal chamber.
Bishop had an eidetic memory, which meant he could remember anything that he saw. He had been treading over the same ground for days and as he knew he had, all he confirmed was that he had slammed, straight into a wall. He knew why he was stuck but he could not pull himself away. He needed a way to determine, which element was which. As if he had just had an epiphany, the names of the elements that were known to man kind, suddenly appeared next to some of the symbols, in English. It was only just long enough for Bishop to take it in but it was definitely long enough.
In orbit above the world of Heliopolis.
As soon as Modi realised what his brother had done, he knew it would not be long before his father showed up. When he transported on to the bridge of his former ship, the look he gave Modi, told him that he believed that he was responsible. Modi should let his brother suffer his father's wrath, as he had done countless times through the eons but Modi and Magni were not those kind of siblings. Magni had stood beside Modi and defended him to their father on many occasions and was probably the only reason he still had a command.
So instead he drew his father's anger onto himself. "You believe it was me? it is no wonder my uncle Loki, believes you lack imagination father". While he had just told his father, that it was not him and with the only other Asgard aboard the vessel, with the authorisation to do what had been done being his brother Magni. It would seem that he had just dropped his brother in it but it was the mention of his uncle Loki and the fact that he had called him father while on duty, that would save his brother.
The expressions on the faces of the Asgard race, were very subtle. Accept when they were angry, the difference could be clearly seen then. Thor had the utmost respect for his son Modi but before the Asgard had found a form of immortality through cloning. His children had been young like any other species. Modi had been very close to Thor's brother Loki and although Thor was himself close to his brother. Loki had rubbed off on his eldest son, far too much for his liking.
"You will address me as Supreme Commander, Commander Modi". He then turned to Magni and said, "I will deal with you, when I have finished with your superior". The look he gave Magni was one of disappointment. He expected this from his brother and even welcomed it at times. Modi was an exceptional tactician and it was his knack for doing the unexpected, that had saved many Asgardian lives but his brother was the only reason Modi had not gone too far with his schemes. If he could no longer rely on Magni to keep Modi in check, he may have to remove him from command. "You are in command here not him, everything that happens on this ship is your responsibility".
Modi knew that his father was correct, in his assertion. This was his command and because he was distracted, one of their peoples highest laws had been broken. "I take full responsibility Supreme Commander. I was distracted and although I believe that I may have found a weapon, that may be effective against the Replicators. There is no excuse for not keeping control of my crew". Modi mentioned the weapons, to distract his father from the reason he was supposed to be here.
Usually his son would argue with him, this put Thor a little off guard for a second and almost made him miss the mention of weapons. When it did register, it had the effect Modi had wanted. "Weapons? You have my attention, Commander Modi".
Modi then ran the simulation he had requested of the Mjolnir's computer and when the projectiles that the weapons fired, connected with the simulated Replicator. The individual blocks separated, as if shattered into pieces. He then ran a different simulation, this time with several Replicators. When they all shattered in to individual pieces, those pieces then reformed but in lesser numbers. The simulation then continued, until zero Replicators reformed. "These are only computer models Supreme Commander but the results are promising and if these weapons can help our people push back the Replicators, then I believe the small amount of assistance that my science officer gave these humans, was only fair".
His son's assumption, that it was fair to help these people, advance their understanding of the repository of knowledge, on the planets surface. Ignored the very reason for which the law was made in the first place. The Gau'auld were a prime example of the damage that could be caused, by a species gaining technology, that they did not earn for themselves. With great power comes great responsibility and that responsibility was gained, along with the understanding of that power.
The Asgard claimed to be gods, not for the same reasons as the Gau'auld. No they claimed this to prevent what happened on the peoples world, who now inhabited the meeting place of the four great races. The Asgard have watched that world for millennia and watched them fight amongst themselves, over which deity they worshipped. That was why they had taken on the personas of gods and used them to guide the people of the worlds they protected, down a path of righteousness. In truth that was a violation of the same law his son had just broken but the decision was taken, because the alternative was far worse.
"These weapons are very interesting Commander Modi but I do not believe our people are capable of wielding weapons, such as these". He was not trying to dismiss his sons assertions, the point was a valid one. The Asgard were sturdier than their appearance made them seem but the recoil from a weapon such as this, would cause serious trauma to their bodies.
"Yes Supreme Commander but my Berserker suits would be more than adequate, for the purpose of handling these weapons and our technology would also solve this weaponries greatest weakness, the need to reload. With our ability to fabricate matter from energy, we could simply add that technology to our own version of the weapons". Modi knew that his father would not like the fact, that he wanted to combine these weapons with his failed experiment, that was the berserker suits.
It had been at the beginning of the infestation, of the Replicators. That Thor's brother and Odin's favourite son, Baldur had been killed, never to rise again. Many had blamed his uncle Loki for his death but Modi knew that his father blamed the berserker suit and by extension, him. Baldur and Loki had been among the volunteers to test their combat readiness against the Replicators. The suits had done everything that they were supposed to do but the weapons on them were as useless against the machines has all of the Asgard weapons were. They had even had some success but it was because of those successful uses of the suits, that had gotten Baldur killed. Loki had been blamed because it was he who had first used the suits, to simply crush and rip apart the mechanical creatures.
Loki had realised that the replicators were overriding his suits systems and informed his brother but Baldur was loved most by Odin, for his bravery and ignored his brothers warnings. Loki had been close enough to their vessel, for his conscience to be uploaded and then placed into a new body. Baldur had not. His uncle Loki had never been the same since that incident and had withdrew from Asgardian society as a result. He would show up often enough but refused to ever go into combat again and concentrated only on scientific matters now.
To Modi's surprise, it seemed is uncle had misjudged his father and he did have an imagination. "This is very interesting Commander Modi. Have your research transmitted to the Bilskirnir, I will personally prepare a presentation to put before the high council".
He turned again to Magni, who was unaccustomed to being the one that had disappointed their father. "Fortunately for you Science officer Magni. The all father himself, as been watching these Humans and because they are from Midgard. He believes as you do, that this place is indeed as much their legacy at is it ours and the assistance you have rendered them, should not harm them but I expected better of you. Your brother would destroy stars, without a thought for the life that could develope in the future. If that act meant destroying our Nemesis. That is why you are here Magni, to consider the consequences that your brother will not".
"My apologies Supreme Commander, it as been a long time since I have been mentally stimulated. I found myself grateful for a break from the endless conflict and because of this I forgot myself". Magni had always been the dutiful son and would never go against his fathers wishes.
"We have all been fighting for far too long, we will know a time of peace again but until then we must stay strong". Thor declared to his son. Thor missed exploring simply for the sake of it, there was still a huge universe out there, that was almost completely unexplored and he longed for the time to return, when his people would once again resume their former peaceful ways.
Modi was certain that his father was finished, so asked, "What are our orders here, Supreme Commander". Modi was hoping that he would be ordered back to their home galaxy but he was pleasantly surprised, for a second time by his father.
"If the people of Midgard are going to be using the Stargate system, they will in time encounter the Gau'auld. Your orders are to remain in this galaxy and observe them. You are not to interact with them and I will not tolerate you assisting them again, is that understood?". For the first time in a countless number of years. Thor looked to both of his sons, as he spoke in the tone that he only ever reserved for Modi or his own brother, Loki.
"So we are not required to stay in orbit of this world?". Modi asked.
"You do not need to be present, in order to keep an eye on these Humans. So sweep the entire galaxy and get an idea of what other worlds they have travelled to".
"Yes Supreme Commander, it will be done but for what purpose we will be gathering this information?".
"To ascertain their intentions. These people may one day become a greater threat, than even the Gau'auld and by helping them, we may unintentionally become the reason for their ascendancy". Thor replied, adding the last part for Magni's benefit. Thor then left, leaving the brothers alone on the bridge of the vessel.
Earth. Beneath the Stamford estate.
Because they were expecting a shipment from Abydos. Richard Hastings or Joseph Hammond, were always on the command level of the gate room. It was Richard's shift when the Stargate activated, as they had expected it to at some point. They were not expecting the transmission they received, to inform them that they needed the shield door opened immediately and the base to be ready for possible hostiles, that may be following them.
He gave the order for the shield door to be opened and then waited. The first person to rematerialize was his nephew Thomas, followed by a man at least as big as Jacob and another young boy. Thomas was shouting that they were friendly but the soldiers down in the gate room, still surrounded them with their weapons raised.
Strange objects then started flying out of the Stargate, followed by Donald McCain. There were still three left to go and when they did not appear immediately after Donald, Richard feared the worse. When his uncle Robert appeared with his daughter over his shoulder unconscious. He did not need the Stargate shutting down, to tell him that his friend would not be joining them.
Abydos, Ra's vessel.
The light that surrounded James Elden did not hurt his eyes and he noticed that the pain in his shoulder had completely gone. It was an old injury that did not cause him any great discomfort but it had never healed properly and he had become used to the dull ache. That pain was no longer there and Jim thought to himself, that he must be in heaven. That was until the light above his head started to separate and he realised where he was.
The two sets of hands that dragged him out of whatever he was in, only confirmed his suspicions. He saw that there was a young man dressed in regal attire, with a man bowed down before him. The man Jim recognised, as the one who Nebu had killed but how could he be alive, no one could survive their neck being snapped like that. Then he remembered what Larry had told them about Ra's technology and how it could heal almost any injury, even fatal ones.
Jim had gone through training to withstand torture but those methods had never taken into account alien technology. He would never give up information freely but who knew what torture methods these people had. Because he had learned the language well enough to understand others, even if he could barely speak the tongue in reply. As the two guards held him down to await the young man, who must be this Ra, because of the strange deep bass tone to his voice. Jim listened in on what they were saying.
"As I have said, you have failed your god San'kha but the others who were with you, are with Sokar now. You I have returned to this realm, because unlike those fools you had the intelligence to retract your helm. None of my children have tried this since Sokar became so bold, that I was forced to banish him to the underworld. I know who did this but do you San'kha son of Tu'rok?". Ra had no clue who was responsible for the deaths of his Jaffa and Jim had to stop himself from laughing at the blatant lie.
"The phantoms wore the helms of your eternal enemy, the serpent Apophis but I do not believe that is where the attack came from my Lord". San'kha answered Ra.
"You are correct, the attack did not come from Apophis. Your father was the greatest of all of my Jaffa, he expected you to follow him. I knew that you would not and I want to hear from your own lips why that was?". Jim again heard the lie but it was the mans grip tightening, that got his attention.
When Ra had mentioned the Jaffa's father and that he was the greatest of all of his kind. The mans grip had tightened considerably at that moment, so Jim filed that little bit of information away in his brain. Angry men were more likely to make a mistake, than calm ones he thought to himself.
"I am a Jaffa my Lord, a loyal servant of the gods". The mans eyes then moved in Jim's direction but he was not their target. "A Jaffa is not worthy of a gods name, he may forget himself and believe himself divine my Lord". This one was a true believer, a fanatic. Jim filed that little bit of info away as well, fanatics were very easy to anger. All he would have to do is curse Ra or his kind and the man would boil over with rage.
Ra let out a deep throaty laugh, then said, "Your father believed the same as you, he could never understand that I had raised him to the status of the gods. Even though I ordered my children, to show him the same respect that they would each other. He would still show reverence to them and in return they treated him with contempt. Do you know why that was San'kha?".
"I would not presume to know such things my lord".
"No you would not. They treated him with contempt. Because all should know their place and that place is where I decide". To Jim it sounded like Ra was angry with San'kha. "Do not believe for one second, that it was your own doing Jaffa. If it was your destiny to become my first prime and take the mantle of Anubis. That is what you would have been but I foresaw your true destiny and it was him". Without looking at him, Ra pointed at Jim.
"The Primta that you have been given to replace the one that was lost, is almost ready to grant godhood. You have until then to get the information I need from this one or you will not receive another Primta. He was sent by demons that have the power to hide his thoughts from me. Demons that are from the time before time". Ra turned to Jim and his eyes flashed, as if a light was trying to break free.
They were going to torture him anyway. So he decided to work on his torturer by disrespecting his god and facing the consequences with a mocking grin. So he said in the best Gau'auld that he could manage "These demons you fear, that is what the one who sent me, called you and I fear his wrath, more than I will ever fear yours. My GOD! Is the only one there is and the only one there ever will be". He stared first at his target and then at that mans god. He put on as close to the face of a fanatic as he could and then he cranked it up, by laughing maniacally.
He was far from crazy but he wanted them to believe he was. Because he was not having that thing put inside of him. Ra simply laughed as the three Jaffa that were present, beat him to death. The whole time he knew that they were going to just revive him again, so he laughed and screamed out loud enough, so that the God who did not exist could hear him, "I have delivered your message great one but their answer was only war. Bring them war my lord!". Repeatedly until the beating had finished its job. Knowing the whole time, that for now this was his new normal.
To be continued...
