FACE OF THE ENEMY
Ba'al looked at the forces arrayed on his situation display. A large cross section of his space forces encircled his mothership. Other System Lords had arrived in the region, instead of engaging the forces of the strange usurper, they held back, intent on attempting to blockade his forces, whoever he was. The unknown foe had taken command of some of his battle groups via unknown methods. And he was working on taking more. Ring transporters had been disabled on his ships, and per the information sent by the Tok'ra, he had had as many Stargates as he could manage under his command activated to prevent the unknown from using his. Why this was such a concern was still a mystery. And frankly, he didn't care for mysteries. Mysteries were out of the purveau of his power base. And one mystery had hijacked a large section of his forces.
Ba'al glowered as his ship shuddered from another salvo launched by one of the usurper's ships. "This must end," he growled in concerned annoyance. Not expecting anything, he had his First Prime attempt another communication. There was a pause as the Jaffa worked his console. No luck. The Jaffa turned to Ba'al, seemingly fearing his master's wrath at this failure. Ba'al sneered at the main viewscreen, grimacing at the flashing lights of the battle outside. He then had an idea. Activating the communications system himself, he said, "Speak, intruder! Reveal yourself! Who are you and why do you attack?"
The screen went silver and a familiar face with angular features appeared. Ba'al's eyes flashed white in anger and wondermen. "Tanith! What is the meaning of this attack? How? Why?"
As if to mock him, Tanith's eyes flashed black, and he smiled, "For the same reason you do, Ba'al. For the power, glory, but mostly because I can. Besides, I'm working for someone. A new order is coming, Ba'al. The System Lords are old, corrupt, as is the Universe. The slate needs to be wiped bare. I am the Avatar of the coming cleansing, Ba'al. Very clever, btw, denying me use of the Rings and the Stargate. But I WILL find my way onto your ships, then your worlds. You can't stop me."
Then, Ba'al saw on his situational display boarding vessels leaving Tanith's ships, heading for his. And several of Tanith's starships warped out of there, with ships of the other System Lords pursuing.
"It's inevitable, Ba'al. This is the new way. Embrace it. Your voice could be an important one in the new Realm. You would be like unto a God," Tanith said smoothly.
"I AM A GOD!", Ba'al snarled.
Tanith tsked and said, "Both you and I know the truth of that, Ba'al. You are just a chief in the universe's biggest hoax ever. And it's time for Truth…"
On the screen, the ship with Tanith on board began accelerating towards Ba'al's ship.
Ba'al's eyes widened, "Retreat from that vessel, all ships! Open fire! Destroy him!
Meanwhile, in hyperspace, a desperate chase was underway. Several of Tanith's vessels sped to several distant destinations known to base Stargates. Ships of the System Lords sped after, determined to destroy them…