Chapter 7 – The Wamphyri Goa'uld
A small delegation of Tokra had just walked through the Stargate a few hours ago, and we were currently sitting through a briefing of and I quote "Important information regarding the Goa'uld". The two Tokra present were Anice, and Pretona.
The former is female and a slightly leggy who is both very toned and quite attractive Tokra, with short blonde coloured hair and a apparent age of about 35 years old. While the latter had very very red hair, almost orange, and pale complexion, again reasonably slim female of about 40 ish years old. Both wore very dark brown dresses and lighter colour tops.
I'd not even interviewed the airman who had supposedly drawn the circles of power, and here we were up to assess in alligators. "Now if you can all look at your screen for a minute this is a Goa'uld being shot with a zat". Like I've not seen this before. Maybe it would be something new.
What we could see was a tall, almost lanky Goa'uld standing on the bridge of a ship, looked like a one of their main pyramid type ships; I forget the names sometimes. This Goa'uld looked emaciated, with highly pronounced cheek bones, and sunken eye sockets. The shot didn't effect him, only to be shot a second and third time with no effect, "Now you shall serve me, your Wamphyri god", and with that his jaws distended like a Lycan, teeth elongating, limbs and body lengthening and becoming bigger. In short it became an almost 9 foot tall bat like creature that could quite happily bite the head off a tiger. Now this was new, I've never seen them able to do that. This Goa'uld then advanced on the person firing the zat. The shooter had obviously just grabbed a staff weapon and started firing.
It was blasting the Goa'uld, wounds opening and creating lots of blood but not slowing it down at all. The wounds already beginning to heal, Immortal fast. All of a sudden it jumped in the air and flew, flesh lengthening to reveal wings straight at the shooter. The transmission ended abruptly.
"What the hell was that" asked Jack
"We don't know, and are unfamiliar with the word 'wamphyri', only that our operative did not survive, and we fear that the Goa'uld may have found a new kind of host. One that to all intents and purposes is almost unkillable" At that point SG-1 looked in my direction.
"No it's not one of us" I replied. I've never seen an Immortal heal like that, so was fairly confident it wasn't. Most Immortals bleed when cut, it is possible for us to will our body not to should we desire it. Usually the Immortal must be at least 500 years old. "I don't want to sound alarmist, but several things concern me though. The word 'wamphyri' is too alike to vampire to be a coincidence and that it turned into a bloody huge bat with almost preternatural healing"
"What is vampire" asked Pretona
"It's a creature that is immortal and drinks the blood of other beings to stay alive" replied Daniel.
"That is not possible. No being can survive on blood alone not even if they have some rare medical condition." I could see Anice was trying to be intelligent, as well as attractive. She was succeeding in the latter very well.
"I have come across several species of vampire, maybe there are more. I even know of one that's' heart does not beat and nor do they breathe"
"How is this possible?" that from Anice again.
"That's a complicated story we don't really have time for, you'll just have to trust that it's true", sometimes Daniel can be quite the diplomat.
"We need to research and cross reference the word 'wamphyri' and quickly. I would suggest that me and Daniel pool our resources and see what we come up with"
"Sounds like a good plan. Any ideas for the rest of us, sit around and play scrabble perhaps"
"I don't know Jack. I think we should contact whatever teams we have and get intelligence real fast. Maybe your intel can help backup whatever else me and Danny find out" I've known for a few years now that Jack likes to play dumb, and be a prankster. He then waits for an answer & uses it to assess the surrounding personnel. Quite a clever way of doing things, but then Jack has always been covertly intelligent.
"Sounds like a plan, let's do it".
So our meeting dissolved and I was busy looking at my laptop for information. "I've absolutely nothing yet what about you Daniel?"
No not really. Just a few old Greek and Sumerian legends about blood drinkers, almost 5000 years ago. I did come across one article from the ruins of PX34-734 though"
"I don't remember that in a report. What does it say"
"Just that they had tales of stealers of liquid lifeforce, presumably blood; this was written over ten thousand years ago"
"Lemme see that. Never knew vamps were that old". You when you watch a horror movie or something scares you and all the hairs on your arms or neck stand to attention. Well, that was me at the minute. "That implies that vampirism is of alien origin"
"Possibly, or that it existed here before there was written record of it. Maybe even went through the Stargate before man learnt to fear it. Or like you say it is entirely of alien origin"
"I thought I was paranoid", which I am by the way. "I'm going to tap a few other resources I know of, see if they can find anything"
"You cannot tell them about the Stargate".
"I was going to speak to the new Watcher Council, we have a couple of their Slayers on loan, and my team"
"Okay, but if it's anyone else"
"I know Danny. I've been doing the secret agent stuff a long time". I dialled Giles first, "Giles it's Mark. Are you okay to talk?"
"Yes why"
"I don't want to sound rude, but I need to tap your resources at Watcher HQ. Have a bit of a situation. Have you ever heard of the word Wamphyri. I know it sounds like vampire. But they can transform into a huge nine foot plus bat monstrosity capable of flight. It's immune to zat and staff blasts ". For some reason I could imagine Giles taking off his glasses to polish them at this point. "Giles are you still there"
"Dear Lord, if what you say is true, we have a new player on the field"
"Not just that, but it had taken over a Goa'uld host somehow"
"At least it's not on this planet then"
"I hope not. But whatever intel you give me would be appreciated. Can you get hold of Joe Dawson, and Adam and recruit there aid too"
"Of course. We'll be in touch, where can I get hold of you"
"Yeh, here with Daniel at the SGC hitting the books"
"I will call you within the next couple of hours"
"Thanks Giles. I owe you another. Bye"
"They're not being forgotten either", there was just a tad of laughter to his voice, tinged with weariness and sadness. "Giles are you okay"
"Yeh fine"
"Why are so defensive. What up?"
"Well it appears that Buffy is dating a friend of yours". Oh god. I didn't like the sound of this.
"Who is it"
"The Highlander"
"Why did she get involved with him for? He so judgemental and a total boyscout. Don't get me wrong Giles, I have a lot of time for him but we clash in so many ways as Joe will tell you"
"He did tell me. They also spar together a lot and she never wins. I think it gets her down" What the hell was I supposed to say to that. Buffy wouldn't ever beat Duncan, he's fighting in wars for four hundred plus years.
"Just say hello to everyone will you? Is Faith there?"
"Her and Robin are out and busy looking for a house at the minute in Surrey somewhere with the money you gave them". Angel had been subject to prophecy a few years back with Darla, and two vampires had conceived in a human fashion through sex. I had been subject to a prophecy some twenty plus years ago, a one night stand with a woman; the result was Faith. I did not know till years later, I had visited the Oracles and was told outright that I had a daughter who was a Slayer. I was also told to protect her. I had used my credentials to have her DNA and mine tested for match. Unsurprisingly it was true.
Faith was in jail for murder and other assorted charges. I went to visit her a couple of times with Angel having explained the situation to him. On the third visit I told her. I had expected the worse, but she had been orphaned at a young age, and seemed strangely accepting with Angel being present. I had arranged for her release to Sunnydale, and driven her. I also gave her a present to keep her safe. There is a potent mystical artefact called the 'Witchblade', and another weapon almost identical called the 'Mageblade'. When she and Robin moved to England with the other Watchers and Slayers, I give her a few million dollars to find a nice place and ensure she was financially secure.
"Okay Giles. Let me know if you need me back there at any point. Take care and speak to you soon"
"You too. Bye"
Well that was unexpected, Buffy dating Duncan Macleod of the Clan Macleod. I'd have to contact Adam ( Aka Methos) in a couple of weeks and see how they're getting on. Must concentrate on matters at hand, so I dialled the number of the BRPD "Myers is that you?"
"It is, who is that?" Sometimes I forget that not everyone has preternatural hearing.
"It's Mark, are you free to talk for five minutes?"
"Yeh sure"
"Cos I need you to check whatever resources you have there. Specifically a word Wamphyri, I know it sounds like vampire but I think they are different"
"Okay, how soon do you need an answer?"
"As soon as really. I contacted the new Watchers to get them going"
"I'll contact you within 24 hours and let you know"
"Thanks Myers. Say hi to Abe, HB & Liz would you"
"Okay, bye" Well that was a second resource, the best ones really.
"That sounded a bit tense"
"No problem Daniel, I hope. I need to see this thing in action, let's find out where it was headed and arrange a meeting. Do you have any vampires on missions at the moment?"
"Yeh, PSG-2 are due back shortly." What PSG stands for I'll leave you bright sparks to figure out. "Let's get them back. We're going hunting" and I walked towards the Jack's office. Ten minutes later, and a determined Daniel kept up, albeit slightly out of breath. I knocked on his door even though I knew he was alone, preternatural hearing is a wonderful thing.
"Come"
"Hi Jack, can you recall PSG-2?"
"Why would I want to do that?"
"I think Mark wants to go hunting" said Daniel. Jack gave me one his quizzical looks, raising an eyebrow "You're joking right?"
"No. I want to take a preternatural SG team and see what this Goa'uld is really capable of and report back"
"Absolutely not. It's too dangerous."
"I know it's dangerous Jack. But we need to get info, and taking a team that is hard to kill seems the most sensible way. I even happy to backed by a normal SG team, but they observe and record only. No help. I won't have their lives on my conscience"
"I'm starting to agree with Mark, it might be a good plan. But we get to safety at the earliest opportunity"
"I agree. No heroics"
"Come one both of you, we have to see what it is really capable of"
"Okay, if you get close enough, but no unnecessary risks, and that's an order" said Jack.
"When do I take risks" I said putting on my best innocent face. I thought about pouting, but decided that might be taking it too far.
"That's what I'm afraid of" Jack retorted. "Okay, I'll get them back, you leave in one hour, with SG-1 as backup. If you don't agree then the mission is off"
"Fine. I'll get prepped"
"I'll speak to the Tokra and find out which planet they were headed towards" I walked off to get some equipment. I took the usual clothing, light blue t-shirt; see I can do different colours. Dark blue swat trousers, with usual footwear, a BP vest. I had my two usual pistols with combined anti-vampire and Lycan rounds. A shoto on either hip, and a Katana slung over my back; like Blade usually does. In a backpack I also had spare ammo, lots of it, and a radio.
PSG-2, the team consisted of, a Coven type vampire, a Lycan, a Slayer and a mutant. Elemental type capable of throwing fireballs. Despite individual abilities, all teams are required to dress in SG standard uniforms. This is mainly to help identify them to 'allies', and to ensure the enemy are not able to distinguish between the two types of team. There are four other PSG teams, although PSG-1 technically consists of the League.
We were all standing in gate room, near the disembarking ramp waiting for all the chevrons to engage. "Okay everyone, let's get ready to rock and roll. You all know the drill. No heroics, we just need to get as much info on this Goa'uld" and the familiar ripple of the Stargate as it activated. I led the way with PSG-2, and SG-1 followed ten seconds behind. Never guess where we were, on a planet whose nearest star system was Tulac. Fantastic, not!
I was really concentrating at this point not to be sick, and arrived to a nice green planet, and no enemy in sight. As both teams came through. "Right we're going due north towards the nearest settlement. SG-1 follow twenty minutes behind. Everyone okay with that. If anything goes drastically wrong SG-1 pull our collective arses out of the fire"
"Yeh fine with that" said Sam.
"Quite", good old stoic Teal'c.
"Good , let's move out" and off PSG-2 marched with me at point. "Stay alert".
I had been around a few Hellmouths before and fought Turok Han previously, knowing full well what to expect. When Buffy fought the First Evil I provided guns for the Slayers with anti-vamp rounds. Why waste energy fighting a numerically superior opponent when you can shoot him and his friends at ten meters with your little friends that move a damn sight faster. If you catch my drift.
The Slayer, Kathy, was quite attractive. She reminded me of Kennedy a little bit who by the way had wanted a transfer to the SGC. I had vehemently blocked the application. She was too arrogant and couldn't be trusted to obey orders. Although Kathy had none of those issues. Each PSG member had been ordered to serve a month with a normal SG unit to learn 'the ropes', and find out how good some of the humans really were.
I firmly believe many came away quite surprised at what they handle on a day to day basis. After the First had been beaten back, I had organised some of the more senior and surviving Slayers through military training. I had to clear it through the Joint Chiefs, but they were okay with it. First was Seal training, I wanted them to experience 'Hell Week' and weapons training combined with modern techniques. After that the ones that showed promise were placed through SAS training, very few made that. Only four or five, including Buffy and Faith passed with flying colours. This training was then 'passed down the line' to other Slayers. I wanted to ensure that should Slayers ever need to enter the Lycan / Coven vampire conflict they would be prepared and not slaughtered. Wouldn't do to take a sword to a gunfight.
I could hear voices approximately 300 meters up ahead, definitely Jaffa. I signalled my tea, and we approached cautiously closing the distance slowly. My mystic senses were starting to go haywire. It felt like a million insects were crawling all over my skin and taking it away with them. I looked at my team who seemed to experiencing the same thing, and they seemed equally unnerved by it. "No one push back against it. I want to make sure that whatever is causing thinks we're human. Just concentrate as much as possible", I looked back at my team who all gave the 'thumbs up sign' and proceeded.
The closer we got, the worse it became. At two hundred meters you could almost see the insects making off with your skin "I don't like this boss" said the Lycan called Frankie. He appeared average in every sense of the word. "I agree" replied Peter. He was the vampire.
"I concur" said Mary, she was the mutant if you hadn't guessed.
"So do I" said Kathy.
"Are you all okay to go on", I whispered. It got me nods from all four heads. "Sam, its Mark. Do you have our position? If so do not follow our path inwards. We hit a wall of power that feels quite unpleasant even for us. Try another way around. Do not respond to this transmission"
Me and my team carried on. At one hundred meters you could see the damn insects, even though we all knew they weren't real. At this range we could see through the underbrush and got a glimpse of an encampment of about twenty Jaffa and ten big tents. I could also see a Witchgate against a nearby hillock, right next to the tents. This was bad. Since my first encounter with SG-1, both me and the PSG teams had learnt to distinguish between a Jaffa and a Goa'uld. "Okay team, don't hold back, push back now. See what you can sense"
There were four Goa'ulds that seemed to set off my mystic senses more than usual, they were not visible and must be in the tents. Although they seemed vaguely different somehow, they screamed of power and it sent a chill down my spine. All the wards around the Witchgate glowed and a portal started to shimmer in the doorway. The Witchgate activated, and ten more people walked through. Have you ever been in a dark room, and someone shines a torch directly at you. All of a sudden you go blind. Being mystically blind is a terrible thing, talk about losing an appendage!
These Goa'uld that walked through the Witchgate looked no different to usual. They were dressed in the normal smart Egyptian manner; and had the usual swagger of arrogance that Goa'uld have. The other four Goa'uld walked out of the nearest tent. "We have visitors" and his eyes glowed.
"I know. Bring them before me" said the leader? He was normal build and height, except his black head was completely bald. Nothing exceptional. "Yes my lord" and this Goa'uld advanced. He was also slight of build, and then I realised the four Goa'uld that came from the tent all had the similar appearance, sunken eye sockets with that emaciated look.
"Prepare to move out and report back to SG-1" I said drawing both pistols. My team aimed their P90's. He was clearly walking towards me. "Screw this" I said and strode out of the underbrush and shot the first Goa'uld clean through the brain with mixed anti vamp / Lycan rounds. He just smiled at me, then his legs buckled. He collapsed to the floor as the silver started to flow through his veins like it would on a Lycan. I looked the head snake head directly in the eye, and shot the one next to him. At this point my team opened up and started firing full bursts. Things went completely tits up at this point!
Several things happened all at once. Most of the Jaffa were shot by my teams preternatural aim & reflexes. The two other emaciated Goa'uld caught in the crossfire stood there like the bullets meant nothing. Those that had just come through the gate got shot, and fell to the floor apparently dead, except one. Go team. PSG-2 started to advance from their cover. Then power from the only standing Goa'uld from the Witchgate flooded over me. It was icy cold like death, and my breath caught in my throat for a second. Suddenly this power became a solid thing and a telekinetic force knocked me over and the guns flew from my hands, followed by my teams and their guns.
"Put any other of your weapons down little humans, we are truly gods. Not the false gods that the other Goa'uld believe themselves to be". I did a double take at this point, they actually admitted to Goa'uld being false gods. Wow! Turn up for the books or what.
"When did you realise that you were false gods" asked Frankie
"Since we all became Wamphyri. I see you have two of our creations with you" said the telekinetic Goa'uld.
"I don't understand", I said opening a channel on my radio, one way only.
"The vampire and changeling"
"Since when did you create Lycans and Vampires?"
"I do not know what your two female friends are, but they will be our servants and birth Wamphyri children"
"Not on your life bat face" replied Kathy.
"She has spirit. Easy to control though" and he looked her directly in the eye. Kathy started to become more open minded to suggestion. I've seen vampires do it many a time. I stepped in front of Kathy blocking his view of her, preventing the psychic attack.
"Let's see how you fare against this" said Mary and flame started to appear in her hand. Things went wrong again, as Jack would say "oh crap".
Frankie started to get annoyed and began his change into a Lycan, ripping his clothes as he did so. Peter's eyes went more vampire like and his fangs began to show. The one I had been talking to began to change into a twelve foot bat thing, teeth easily a foot long. Frankie charged him only to be knocked away and discarded like a child. It was obviously very strong. Peter was dealt with the same way, hitting the hill leaving an imprint where he bounced. Mary let go with a massive jet of flame straight at him. He screamed and caught fire. I was about to draw my katana and make my way towards them, only to feel another chill of the grave solidify. I reached out with my right hand, feeling my power extend along it and towards the oncoming force, solidifying it as they did, preventing the telekinetic attack. It was only one of them pushing with Tk. He was powerful.
"Hit them again Mary" I shouted, while Kathy pulled a large two handed axe off her back. I could feel another one of them reaching out with their power towards Kathy, and Mary. I could attack and let them be hurled away, hoping they didn't die from impact damage or hold off their attack. I stretched out my left hand, feeling my magic flow along it as I did so, holding another telekinetic attack at bay.
A strange mist started to flow around us, blocking our view of each other. I've seen Hugo do this many times, and have never been able to emulate or disperse it, no matter how hard I try. Only my sight had been blocked previously. Somehow this was blocking my sense of hearing and smell, let alone sight. I heard a cry of pain, not sure if Lycan or Vampire. Followed by two others, and then a head rolled past my feet, Lycan. Just because I couldn't see, hear or smell them I could sense their killing intention towards me. Something I picked up from my martial art training, feeling killing intention can save your life if you can't see the enemy.
I gathered my magic together into a tight ball, pushing it into the centre of my being, and felt my Quickening flow into it. I picked the nearest murderous intention, and let the magic flow up my arms and out my fingers of my left hand. Purple lightening laced with Quickening flew out of my hands towards my enemy. As the bolts hit, I pushed him back and physically lifted him through the air throwing him some twenty feet away. At this point Peter flew past my face, and landed in an unmoving heap three feet away. I drew my Katana "Let's dance!" Doing flashy magic lightening is one thing, I prefer a pointy sword, always have. Usually has more permanent effects.
I emptied my mind and felt the waves of intention roll towards me. I then did the usual when I fight, get really really angry. None of this calmness mental stillness malarkey. The more angry you get, the stronger you become and the harder to stop. I'd learnt this early on during my ninja training. Use your emotions to make you stronger. Anger and hate being very powerful. As I walked through the mist I saw Kathy lying in a bleeding heap, able to barely move, her intestines hanging out of her abdomen. The large bat thing held Mary by the throat, both her arms broken. It had obviously seen me, but I approached any way "Put her down" I said and moved at the monster really fast slicing at its elbow. I caught it slicing through meat, bone and tendons and nerves. Mary fell to the floor squealing as she landed on her broken arms. The things arm below the elbow hit the ground with her. No scream of pain or anything, almost no blood too.
"You're full of surprises" he said. It was at this point that I realised they were trying to form a triangle and surround me. All my team were down. I picked the nearest one and went flat out, a horizontal cut for the abdomen, followed by a diagonal cut from his right hip to left shoulder. I then had to turn quickly to avoid being cut from behind. These things were fast. I did a low roll executing a lower leg cut as I did so. I felt my blade bite into flesh and bone. As I came up to standing I punched the one just cut into his kidneys with all the force I could muster. I've knocked Lycans up to ten feet away with a good punch. He barely grunted and was knocked a couple of feet away. He nearly elbowed me in the head had I not moved. Although the one I was fighting one was a forearm down, with a bad leg wound. I doubted serious kidney damage would prevent him from fighting.
I looked to my right and a claw strike was aimed at my head. I counter cut the incoming arm. The attacker screamed in pain. Mmmm…. Interesting. I didn't get time to continue that line of thought though. Having to dodge another claw strike aimed for my midsection. This was going badly, for not only were they strong, but fast to boot. I charged my sword with Quickening; the more powerful the Immortal the sharper their blade becomes. I cut a swath of sword strokes towards my nearest opponent, it dodged deftly each one narrowly missing. But I was attacking with a plan, to impose a mistake allowing a fatal sword cut. Aha there it was. As I executed an upper cut with the sword towards its face, the bat thing merely turned its body sideways. I stopped the cut abruptly and stepping with the left leg and cutting straight across and into the body. I cut the damn thing in half, body and legs falling to the floor. A claw raked across my back straight through my bullet proof vest, teeth narrowly missing my left shoulder. I screamed in pain. The claw strike was a deep wound, partially severing my spinal column. I willed my Quickening to heal it, and reached out with my magic, hitting one in the chest and throwing it backward ten feet into its accomplice. As the preternatural mist started to fade away, I saw the so called dead Goa'uld out the Witchgate were starting to get up. The one that was cut in half was crawling towards its legs.
"You've got be kidding!" I said and cut the head of the bat thing crawling towards its legs. As the head rolled on the floor I kicked it ten feet away. All of a sudden I felt a vibration of movement behind me, and a bat creature was coming towards me flying through the air. Another ran at me very fast. They timed it perfectly. I could either attack the one flying or the runner, but not both. One would get me. Their strategy was good although flawed, option three was best. I jumped out of the way, unfortunately the runner moved just in time and barely nudged me. It was enough to send me tumbling, and drop my sword. I came up from a low combat roll to look at the two Goa'ulds that had transformed moments ago into twelve foot bat monstrosities, both intent on hurting or killing me. I had to end this quick, my team were dying on the ground. I stepped to my left and attacked the nearest, which took a swipe at me with a claw.
I blocked the attack, and kicked its right kneecap into non-existence, as it started to fall, I hit it as hard as possible in the throat holding onto the attacking arm for balance and to keep sensitivity of its movements. I hit it again in the head feeling bone give way under my strike. I stepped in and straightened its right arm, with the elbow pointing skyward. I finally stepped in with my right leg and hit the elbow with the knife edge of my right hand. The elbow bent the opposite way that it was supposed to. I let go of the arm and grabbed its' head with both hands, I rotated sharply to my right, or the creatures left. I heard vertebrae snap quite audibly satisfactorily. The other one remained, it's leg had almost healed, but it still had no right arm below the elbow.
It was at this point SG-1 came charging in. Thank crap for the cavalry. "Use my guns, the silver is harmful to them" I went to pick up my katana and put it away, slowly trying not to aggravate what would have been a fatal spinal wound in a human. SG-1 started firing their guns anyway. Teal'c picked up Kathy, and Daniel lifted up Mary, "Watch it, both her arms are broken" I said to Daniel. I didn't have time to wait for them to get up and attack again. I ran to retrieve my pistols, and switched them to full automatic so they fired like a submachine gun. I couldn't shoot as many rounds as a P90, but my rounds seemed to be relatively fatal.
I directed my magic at the monsters, and concentrated on it enveloping them. I felt them push back, so the best I could do was create a ring of fire around for containment "Incendia infernum". This spell literally means the fires of hell, no way I could have done that during the fight, I'd have got creamed, whether it be temporary or final death. I picked up Peter, it was too late for Frankie. But damned if I would leave his body there. I picked up both of my guns, and emptied the entire magazine into his chest. Why didn't I shoot through the wall of fire? This fire will melt titanium, and can slightly tarnish adamantium. I kid you not. The bullets wouldn't even penetrate. I'd tried it before on a target range outdoors.
The next thing I saw didn't surprise me one bit, both of the bat things trapped in the circle of flame vanished sidestepping into what ignorant people called the spirit realm. I though about following. But I was hurt, my team almost dead. If we didn't run now, they could pop up right behind one of SG-1, or someone else who wouldn't sense anything. "Sam can you take Pete on second", handing him over. I emptied a few rounds into one of the Goa'uld that had just got up, and picked it up bodily.
"Lets get out of here, now run"
"They just vanished didn't they" inquired Daniel.
"Yes, and that's the problem. Run as fast to the Stargate as possible, move"