Stargate Hastings

Chapter Twelve: We will not interfere but...

Aboard the Mjolnir, in orbit above unnamed Tok'ra safe world.

Magni had informed the System Lords and a delegation would arrive at the stated time. The Asgard would never allow the Gau'auld aboard one of their vessels, unless they were beamed directly into a cell. So a Ha'tak class vessel would be sent for the purpose. Ra would be one of the four delegates along with Cronus, Apophis and Heru'ur. All powerful System Lords and a show of strength. The nine Mjolnir class vessels that greet them, will soon make them see how futile a gesture that is. Modi had been sent twelve vessels but three of them were completing the task of placing surveillance devices around the galaxy and Balthar was searching for a certain. Donul McCain of Midgard.

He was also the chosen leader of the Abydonian people and the one who would have to deal with the Gau'auld. Balthar had been sent to Midgard to find their Stargate and hopefully in turn find the man. It could take days of listening in on conversations, in order to find him but if he is on Midgard, he should be close to the facility that housed the Stargate. It was Balthar's first mission as the Commander of his own vessel, he had taken command of the Mjolnir before but never to fulfil a mission.

It was a shame that it was a mission he was doomed to fail, Modi thought to himself. Magni reported that he had found a Donald McCain. He was on a world that was held by the Tok'ra and he was indeed from Midgard, so it must be him. The fact he had three Abydonians present with him, only confirmed this. So he left Astrid, one of the three female Commanders that had been sent to the Milkyway galaxy, in temporary Command of the fleet. She was a veteran of the Ancients war with the Wraith, when the Asgard had covered the Ancients retreat from the Pegasus galaxy and also the conflict with the Replicators.

They had sent some of the most talented Commanders in the Asgard fleet, with a mixture of Sub Commanders that had been promoted to commands of their own. They were all those that would have normally been used on the frontlines, in the war against the Replicators but would be rendered useless in a containment operation. Modi was very pleased with the personnel that he had been sent and even the very specific orders, he had received from Supreme Commander Thor.

His father still out ranked him but Modi had officially been made second only to him, in the entire Asgard fleet. They were losing ships at a rapid rate and more importantly their crews, before the berserker suits held back the tide. Some of them never to rise again but even if they did rise, they were one step closer to extinction. His berserker suits were a little larger but looked like the Asgard as they had been, before the cloning process had reduced their stature. Their design was actually inspired by the Replicators themselves, with the suits being made up of thousands of interlocking pieces. Those pieces were all made of the strongest compound metal, that they had been able to create.

When worn they moved as if a living being and not a suit of armour and Modi planned on revealing the Asgard's new form to both the Gau'auld and this Abydonian King. From what he had been told about this Donald McCain, the Abydonians had freely chosen him as their King and saw his father has the one who even a God could not defeat. That was another story and one that Modi believed was not an entirely accurate one. Even an Asgard mind, would have trouble defeating a mind as powerful as the Gau'auld's. What was described must have been hear say. Modi thought to himself.

When they arrived, he ordered Magni to find Donald McCain and transport him to the holographic chamber, where both of the brothers holographic human representations, would be waiting. Before he did he informed Modi that he had also found the human from Midgard, that had been joined with a Gau'auld Symbiote. So Modi ordered his brother to transport him also.

Tok'ra high council chamber, unnamed Tok'ra safe world.

Kraytos had just finished his explanation of where Egeria had been imprisoned. The Tok'ra present were all visibly shaken by the revelation of their queen's, possible survival. Garshaw looked to where Selmak/Saroosh and Anise/Freya were standing and said. "Selmak, Anise you are both to go to this world and ascertain if what Kraytos as just revealed to us, is truth or fiction". He then looked to Jim/Kraytos and said. "Until we have found the truth of your claims, you will remain restrained as you are now but you may stay here with your friends until then. Under guard of course".

Jim did not mind, the cuffs were not heavy just a little annoying and where they were going was a relatively short distance away and would have a ring platform, if it had not been looted. So if they were going to find her, it should not take them long. It would give him time to catch up with everyone, he had not even really spoken to his best friend yet and then there was his son. He must have felt some guilt about the way they had both dealt with their relationship, acting as if it was nothing.

He should not have, when he had told him about his friend and mentor being the only father he would ever know. It had vindicated what he had done all those years ago, he had always felt like he had betrayed his friend somehow. Learning that and that his friend truly had a son, even if not by blood, he had one that honoured him. Had eased his conscience. He would create some legacy for his friend as well. King Donald McCain. Jim was glad his son did not carry his name but his old mentor would have found that hilarious. Jim could not wait to hear what his mother thought about it as well, she and her husband had the same twisted sense of humour.

He expected her reaction would be the same as her husband's would have been and he looked forward to bringing up the subject when they return to earth, if they allowed him to return to earth. So he decided to start the piss taking early. He walked towards his son and as he got close enough so that he could be heard by all those gathered around him. Jim said. "How am I to address you now then Corporal McCain. Will your highness do or would you prefer...". Just then a beam of light swept both Jim and Donald away, leaving only the shackles behind and a stunned council chamber.

Garshaw looked over to the Tau'ri and the Abydonians. Then with shock on his face and in the sound of his voice, he simply said. "Asgard!".

Holographic chamber, aboard the Mjolnir.

When the humans appeared in the holographic chamber, that the Asgard used to talk to the humans of the protected worlds or a newly protected world. The one who was joined with a Symbiote completed his statement. "...King Donul McCain... the... first". Whilst simultaneously realising he was now not in the high council chamber any longer and was also not wearing the manacles either. The other human was even more shocked and was amazed by the landscape he was now seeing. If clouds could be called a landscape that is and stood in front of them, were two very strangely dressed individuals.

They seemed to be frozen in the same way Larry would always seem when not talking. Donald looked to his father and said. "Well, this is new".

"My friend says that they are Asgard and I am pretty sure that means, that these two are probably Thor and Loki or some of the others of their kind". He pointed to the two statue like images.

The one on the right had blonde hair and a beard, while the one on the left had red fiery hair and a beard. The two Asgardians that should be now talking to the humans and the Gau'auld, were too busy laughing at Magni's unintentional timing of their transport, up to the Mjolnir. They were not rolling on the floor laughing but they both found the humans sudden appearance humorous. Especially the joined one and his slow realisation of where he was.

When they did regain their composure, it was Magni who spoke through the blonde haired avatar. "Humans of Midgard I am Magni son of Thor the God of thunder, this is my brother Modi the God of war. We have bought you before us because of a matter of great importance but before we speak of this, we must first offer our assistance. There is one among you that has been taken by an Etin, it is within our power to remove the Gau'auld within but we could only do this by killing the creature. The joining that has occurred between the two of you, is unlike any the Asgard have seen before".

Modi then spoke through the fiery red haired human avatar, who added. "The decision is yours and yours alone, we can not make that choice for you".

Inside Jim's head, the Gau'auld thought for a moment that Jim would do it but their Symbiotic connection, soon reassured him that was not the case. His Host had actually been defensive at the suggestion somehow, protective even. Almost like a parent. In his internal voice Jim told Kraytos. "You are as much my son as Ra's now Kraytos, I would never let them harm you". He was not just trying to reassure Kraytos and he could not lie to him now anyway. In the short time since they had made their deal, they had spent considerably longer in the dreamscape, where the passage of time was irrelevant. To a certain extent.

To the two men that seemed ready to star in an opera. Jim said. "No thank you, me and Kraytos are getting along just fine. If you would have asked me that when I first met him. I would have gladly taken you up on your offer but let us just say, that he is not the Etin he once was". The images, because both humans knew that was what they were, had returned to their frozen status.

Larry's picture shows were not as advanced as the ones they were seeing now but once you had seen one demonstration of that technology. It was easier to spot another version of it. Jim knew, because Kraytos knew and Kraytos knew, because Ra knew, that the Asgard were definitely not human and looked completely different to these two individuals.

The red haired image then spoke. "Very well but this is very unusual. If we did not have the power to see through lies, then we would remove the Etin anyway but the words you speak are those of the Host and are truthful. The reason we have sort you out, is because of the destruction you left in your wake on Abydos. When we arrived in that star system, Ra's Jaffa were executing anyone who tried to help the sixty three rebels, that rose up in rebellion against Ra".

Modi let the knowledge of their actions sink in, before telling them that the people were not only alive but also now free from Gau'auld oppression. "We arrived in time and were able to revive the dead and heal the men that were left to a slow and agonising death. To stop any further rebellion, Ra used those men as a test. Any who disobeyed their God and tried to aid their love ones, were executed for that love. He did this to determine who would stir more rebellion, when in truth it only revealed those who would rather die, than witness such cruelty".

Again Modi let his words sink in, before continuing. "Because of this, the Asgard have declared that world under our protection and will defend it with our lives, if that is what it would take to ensure their safety. There is however one problem, the leader of that worlds people must be present at the summit, in order to make that status official. We are informed that you are now the King of the Abydonian people. You may bring up to four others with you and they may be from any world of your choosing".

Magni then spoke through his avatar. "We know of your plans to challenge the Gau'auld System Lords and we will not interfere but know this. Your actions have consequences for those you wish to set free, your cause is a noble one but it will be those people that suffer. Because of the threat of the Asgard, the Gau'auld place limits on their level of cruelty. If you become a genuine threat to them. For their spite, many will suffer more than they already do".

Donald then asked. "If you are so powerful a race, why don't you destroy the Gau'auld".

Magni answered him. "When your nation enslaved and stole the people of Africa from their lands, among other atrocities. Should the Asgard have destroyed your people?". He asked in return.

Donald was surprised by the Asgard knowing about earth and its recent history but Jim wasn't. So he said. "We would have probably deserved it but then we would never have learned. The thing is, the Gau'auld have had far longer to change and they still have not and while they continue to use those Sarcophagi of theirs, they probably never will. Believe me I have experienced the effects of that device and the man I became because of it, not even the Gau'auld themselves could compare to.

It is not the Symbiote that is effected by it, it is the human Host but the Symbiote itself takes on the traits of each Host it takes. It is those humans that are effected by the negative effects and are twisted by them but their Symbiotic relationship transfers it onto the Gau'auld. The Tok'ra do not use the device and that is why they are different to them but if they were to use it, they would become no better than their brethren". Jim explained.

Magni was intrigued by what the Host was telling him. Much of it was what the Asgard believed themselves but the Host spoke with certainty. "The Asgard have come to that same conclusion but that transference is purely a mental one. We have never been able to prove those theories. What makes you so certain?". His avatar asked Jim.

Jim's head dropped and Kraytos arose, with the familiar light show. "Because we know more about my race, than even those who created us". He said in a voice as booming as the two Norse gods.

Modi was a member of the warrior class of his species and knew more than his brother on matters concerning the military but his brother and his class had access to information deemed, unnecessary for the warrior class to know. So he replied. "Your race evolved on a primordial world alongside the Unas, this is common knowledge among the Asgard".

However his brother knew different, he said. "That is not entirely true brother". He turned his attention back to the humans, then continued. "I am not authorised to discuss this further, until I have spoken to the All father himself but when the true purpose that you have been summoned here is completed. We will wish to speak of this again. You are before us now, to decide the future of Abydos and her people. In less than six of Midgard's days, a Gau'auld Ha'tak vessel will arrive in the Abydos System. Your delegation is expected on Abydos by the dawn of the fifth of your days. We advise that you arrive sooner, there is much to prepare for". Magni's avatar told them.

The five days given to the System Lords, were five Abydos day cycles. They were around three and a half hours longer than earth, so over a half day longer if measured by the earths day cycle. Which meant Donald had that much time to prepare, for this summit. He said to the two Norse gods. "Now I accepted the position of their King, only because I believed that I could convince one of them to take the job. Long before I would actually be, their King. Do not misunderstand me now, I fully intend to honour my pledge to those people. I just have no idea what being a King even means yet, could ya no get an extension on that timetable like?". When he was nervous his Scottish accent became more pronounced and nothing made him more nervous, than thinking about being a bloody King.

The two brothers had to check their translation matrix again and run it through the files pertaining to the country of his birth, Scotland. They spoke the same language as the country to their south but would use different grammar or at least a large portion of the population did. Once the translation had been cleaned up. Magni said. "The Asgard have a saying. True leaders do not seek out leadership, they have it thrust upon them. I am certain you will be a good King Donul McCain, first of your name".

Modi then added. "However, the time for the summit has been set and can not be altered now. When you arrive on Abydos, you and your delegation will be transported here. You will then learn the rules you will be expected to follow. We will meet again then". The two humans and the Gau'auld were then transported back to their former locations.

Back on the bridge of the Mjolnir. Modi turned to his brother and asked. "What is it that I do not know about the Gau'auld, then brother and why would the council keep it from the general population?". Modi was not naive, he knew that there was much he was not privy to but he was technically on a war footing against both the Gau'auld and the people of Midgard. Neither of them knew that for certain yet but the fleet now in this galaxy, would soon enlighten them. He should have all knowledge available at his disposal.

They were not to take an active role in that conflict but they were to be an imposing presence. A presence that loomed over both sides and the summit they had called. Would be when both parties were left in no uncertain terms, that the Asgard were here and ready to act. It was more posturing from his race, than it was an actual threat of action. The war Modi waged would be a psychological one and it had been a long time since he had that kind of challenge. Modi did not crave war. Modi only craved a challenge.

Magni replied. "Until I have consulted with the All father, I can not tell you brother but I can tell you this. Our father told you that many of the Ancients, did not deserve that title. This is one of the numerous times, that their race made that perfectly clear for all to see, brother". Magni then left the bridge, so that he could go to his personal quarters and speak in private to the All father.

What the human Host and the Gau'auld within had told them. Changes everything and another secret that was not known to the Asgard race as a whole, would need to be utilised. The four great races would once again convene a council. Something not done since those who ascended returned to this plane of existence, to inform the Asgard that they would not interfere with the lower planes. They did leave them a means to summon them under certain conditions, those conditions concerned the past mistakes of both those races.

The Ancients may have created the Gau'auld but it was the Furling's short sightedness, that gave them the opportunity to become a galactic power. The Ancients had long introduced a security measure into their technology, with only those who possessed a gene that only appeared in their own kind, being able to operate the vast majority of their technology.

The Furling's believed that anyone who could decipher their technology, would be advanced enough to wield it responsibly but they had not taken into account the Symbiote's and their incredible minds. They also needed Naquadah in their blood to operate some of the Furling technology but the Gau'auld soon figured that out for themselves and altered themselves accordingly. Even the Stargates that were now in this galaxy, were designed by them and were much more advanced versions of the ones seeded by the Ancients, when they had first arrived in the Milkyway galaxy.

The Stargates seeded in the Pegasus galaxy, had actually taken inspiration from the Furling's improved design. They were an improvement still on the Milkyway Stargates but not enough of one to warrant replacing those already there. Although the Ancients were the race with the longest history and were considered the most powerful of the great races. It was the Furling's who gained ascension first of the two races. Magni believed that it was because their race had less to feel guilty for, before their ascension but after the fact, they had much to regret.

Tok'ra high council chamber, unnamed Tok'ra safe world.

When Jim and Donald reappeared in the same manner in which they had disappeared, the Tok'ra guards all raised their weapons and pointed them at Jim. Garshaw raised his hand to stop them, then said. "If the Asgard have returned him here, then they must believe his explanation and I am sure they had good reason to take them. Is that not correct?". He asked the two humans and the Gau'auld within.

Donald had a awkward smile on his face, as he said. "You could say that, they told us that we are invited to a summit. One to declare that Abydos is now free from Gau'auld oppression. They just need their bloody King there to make it official". When the three Abydonians and San'kha realised what they had just been told. San'kha screamed in Gau'auld. "We live free!". Instead of the rebellions unofficial motto. 'We will die free!'. That were inspired by Darrik's final words to Nebu Jr. There was another part to that motto but they never spoke those words. Those words were not for them, they were for the ones that they died for. Those words were. 'So that we can live free!'.

As the slaves would not work hard in the mines for Ra, it was the same for the rebellion. The slaves had worked hard to protect their families from Ra's wrath, the rebels fight to free their brethren. Not themselves, they were already free. They would free them all, not just on Abydos but across the entire Gau'auld empire and they would not stop until all knew freedom. Both Jaffa and human alike, even if they would being doing battle, with those they wished to liberate.