Eight
/ P3X-796 – OUTSIDE THE SECTOR POST /
Tiyanna Iymarrean frowned. She disliked it when something eluded her. She prided herself on her thoroughness and her skill in tracking. But somehow, this Human had just gone off her screens.
In his place; however, a Shield Grid had activated. A TriGrid of the old design. Fascinating. She touched the earring she wore on her left ear and transmitted the information back to Commander Tavarrell for instructions.
It was then that she noted the apparent reason for the Shield's activation. It seemed they were not the only beings in search of the Human who had used their Gate. Someone had brought a small army in search. This, too, was transmitted to Siyrena.
The command came back clear, crisp, and strong. Do not let the Sector Post fall to them. Tiyanna acknowledged and motioned for her people to move out. This had just gotten ugly . . .
/ IN ORBIT OF P3X-796 /
"My Lord," the Jaffa at the controls of the ship spoke crisply, "the other ship is moving to intercept us."
It was as much a request for orders as it was a providing of information to the Goa'uld behind him. Said Gua'uld, of course, could very well see this for himself. Therefore, he chose only to acknowledge the request for further orders in the Jaffa's report.
"Raise the shields." He commanded, his voice deepened even more than it had been before the Merging and altered slightly as were all of his kind. It gave them an air of imperious command best followed, he thought, a sense of power best not disobeyed. "Prepare the weapon."
The Jaffa at the controls acknowledged his Lord's command immediately, moving his hand into proper alignment with the command crystals to coax the ship to cooperate with his commands to raise the shield and charge the weapon. There was no hesitation, no question. There never was with this particular Jaffa. He had seen his Lord dispatch others for such, and he had no desire to share in their fate.
"The other ship also raised shields and is powering weapons." The Jaffa reported to his Lord. "They send a message."
"What is the message?"
The Jaffa touched certain crystals, and the message played on the screen which shifted into existence before them. Three people stood facing the screen, expressions calm and controlled . . . and proud, he reflected. Well, they would soon regret that. The center one spoke, a female who carried herself with power.
"Hostile vessel, you are given warning. Do not approach this planet any closer. Any approach will be considered hostile and will be met with appropriate force. End transmission." And the screen became dormant, shifting out of existence when the transmission was ended.
Wisely, the Jaffa said nothing. Nor did he turn to regard his Lord. His eyes remained forward, his hand ready on the control crystals.
Behind him, the Goa'uld was fuming. Who would dare to deny a god access to any world!? Only a fool denied him access! But he could wait for now, let them think they had been heeded. But when his army on the surface had succeeded in taking the ancient base there, the ship and its insolent triad of fools would pay for that impertinence!
"Hold." He commanded his Jaffa. "We await the signal of my First Prime."
The Jaffa acknowledged, indulging in a small smile. His Lord had never lost. And by day's end, the fools aboard that ship would wish they had never shown such arrogance before their god. Time was theirs . . .