Constructive criticisms always welcomed. Flames cheerfully ignored.
Chel Nak! = Very cool (in Jaffa)
It's all going to go a bit Tolkien soon…
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Hail to the King
Part 4: When two tribes go to war…
The ride back the castle was conducted in silence, the four members of SG-1 knowing that the one-way off planet was in the hands of one of their deadliest enemies.
The guards at the castle gate where a bit surprised to see them, and one ran a strangle crystal device over them to make sure that they where not under the control of the Goa'uld. Stable hands lead the horses away while they made their way to the keep.
O'Neill looked up at the fortifications: the wooden tops to the turrets and towers had been removed, revelling devises reminiscent of giant crossbows. He watched as one was rotated from side to side, then up and down, the soldiers manning it seeming happy with its condition.
The doors to the main hall opened, revealing a large number of men, some no more than teenagers, standing in line as soldiers handed out uniforms and weapons. Teal'c picked up what appeared to be a small crossbow, and pointed it at the far wall, ready to fire.
"[I would not do that if I where you.]" Arthur strode from a side room, a suit of armour half covering his body, a soldier carrying the rest of it, "[That weapon is based on the same technology that powers your staff weapon: although not as powerful, and with a much shorter range, you would likely put a hole in the wall and probably start a fire.]"
Teal'c re-examined the weapon, "Most impressive."
O'Neill turned to the former Tok'ra, "We have some bad news: Osiris has the Stargate. We can't get back to the SGC for reinforcements."
Arthur nodded, pulling the last of his armour over his head, "[I understand. We do have a small ship hidden not for from here: you may be able to use it to reach another Stargate if you wish.]" He pressed a gem on the wrist of his gauntlet, and the back of his armour curled up and over his head like that of a Jaffa. The faceplate was a lot closer to the head, and gave the impression of improved visibility for the occupant.
Teal'c looked at it, "Chel Nak!"
O'Neill nodded, "Right there with you Teal'c. What's that thing made of anyway?"
Arthur deactivated the armour, "[A Trinium alloy. We have less than 100 suits of armour such as this, so we are having to a lot them on basis of need: those why will most likely face the Jaffa at close range will be given them.]"
Daniel looked a little worried, "How many troop's do you have?"
Arthur's face fell, "[Just under 3,000. Our best estimates put our enemy at almost twice that number. I must recommend that you take the ship and make your escape: It is small, only really designed for two, but it should carry the four of you.]"
O'Neill nodded, "Carter, Daniel: take the ship and head for another Stargate. Teal'c ad I will stay behind." He looked at the former Jaffa, "If that's ok with you."
Teal'c nodded, "I will indeed stay and fight."
Carter and Daniel started protesting, but O'Neill stopped them, "Look, the ship will only take two: Carter, you should be able to fly it, and face it Daniel, you're no warrior. Get back to base and see if you can get us some help, even if it's a rescue-ship."
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O'Neill and Teal'c watched as the small shuttlecraft took off from the woodland to the north of the Castle. It disappeared through the clouds, and O'Neill shook his head, "Hammond will never get clearance to mount a rescue mission in time to help us. You know that, don't you?"
Teal'c nodded, "Indeed I do O'Neill, but still I decide to stay. Something's are more important: If Osiris captures this world, then Anubis will gain access to even more advanced technology." He turned to the Air Force officer, "Why do you stay?"
O'Neill's gaze looked distant, like he was still trying to fallow the path of the shuttlecraft, "Because: 1) it's the right thing to do, and 2) it improves their chances for survival. I don't want to stay, but I don't want to see them hurt. Going with them would lower their chances of survival."
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O'Neill looked out from atop the battlements with his field glasses: the last squad of soldiers from the outlaying defences had already passed through he main gate, and all the entrances had been barricaded. Teal'c had helped supervise the marshalling of the civilian population of the town into caves deep below the castle, where it was hoped that they'd be safe.
Arthur paces backwards and forwards restlessly, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign the Jaffa army approaching. He stopped when he reached O'Neill's position, "[What can you tell me of this Osiris?]"
O'Neill shrugged, "Got put in a canopic jar by Seth for a few thousand years. Broke out, took over a host by the name of Sarah Gardner, an old friend of Daniel's, and took off. Hooked up with Anubis about a year later, and has been making a nuisance of her self ever since. But if she's here, it means Anubis himself see' this world as important." He looked at the former Tok'ra, "Any idea why?"
Arthur nodded, "[I am afraid I do.]" He pulled his sword from its scarab, "[This is the sword you know as Excalibur: it was crated by Oma Desala, and any Goa'uld or Jaffa who's skin it pierces will die instantly. It will respond to my DNA and my DNA alone: no one else could ever draw t from its scarab.]"
Teal'c joined them, "The towns people are all accounted for in the lower chambers, and Merlin has erected a forcefield to protect them."
The sound of marching feet from the direction of the nearby forest heralded the arrival of Anubis' army.
Arthur leaned on the parapet, "[Then it begins.]"
To Be Continued…
