Harry Potter: Rise of an Empire
Disclaimer: If you recognize anything in this story, I don't own it.
"Text." - Speech.
'Text.' - Thoughts.
'Text.' - Salem.
"Text." - Goa'uld voice.
"Text." - God voice.
A/N: Thumbs up to anyone that realized that Srotpar is just Raptors backwards.
A/N2: To all reviewers, I prefer to answer reviews with pms rather than writing long at the start/end of my chapters. If you ask a question and would like an answer, don't review as a guest.
Final A/N: Images of all weapons and vehicles mentioned in the last chapter are on my Deviant Art page, either google it or use this link with no spaces: lord drakos . deviantart . com
Chapter 9: Asgard.
"Loki." I repeat the name with a raised brow. "The disgraced one?"
"Ah, so you know me child?" He asks, tilting his head to the side in curiosity, although there's a hint of anger in his tone.
"I know of you, Fujin had your file on his mainframe, the Goa'uld like to keep an eye on their enemies, especially the Asgard." I reply blandly. "They were quite interested when a member the Asgard High Council was stripped of his title, for experimenting on innocents no less, for shame."
Loki's eyes flash with anger, looks like I hit a soft spot.
"Those fools on the council don't understand what is required for our survival, my work would have seen us all recover from this pathetic affliction." He seems to calm down slightly but the anger is clear in his eyes. "So what if a few humans are sacrificed for the cause, it is for the greater good of the Asgard."
The greater good? Oh joy, a freaky alien Dumbledore, just perfect. At least I know how to deal with him, the Asgard tend to have one track minds and little creativity, all their genius gets in the way of creativity.
"Indeed, I agree with you." I reply, nodding as well as I can within the stasis field. "You and I are quite similar you know, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals."
He stares back for several moments before snorting in disgust.
"Do you think me a fool child? That I can't see what you're attempting?" He asks with a sneer. "Please don't belittle my intelligence, I am a scientist after all."
Right, Asgard's are too smart to manipulate, should have remembered that.
Let's go with plan B then, interrogation.
"Very well then, tell me Loki, how do you know of me?" I ask, sounding disappointed at my failed manipulation. "I've kept my subject close to home and only my most trusted soldier leave my territory to sell resources and purchase supplies, I know that they haven't spoken of my presence."
He snorts once more.
"The Goa'uld aren't the only ones that spy on their enemies, we Asgard have our own ways of doing so." He replies, looking to a computer console off to the side "Imagine our surprise when a boy, a weak little child, manages to single-handedly overthrow a Goa'uld and take his empire."
I stare back silently, the little shits have been spying on me?
Well, that's just not cool.
"Of course, the boy is also a Goa'uld but that wasn't enough to explain it, no Goa'uld could so easily do such a thing." Loki continues, pacing before me. "The boy also happens to have abilities far surpassing those of a human, it wasn't hard for us to realize just what he was, a descendant of the Alteran."
"The Alteran?" I ask, not knowing the word or the race.
Loki sighs in exasperation.
"The Goa'uld refer to them as the Ancients, the gate-builders of a bygone era, but long ago they were our greatest allies, our teachers and friends." he explains in a snide tone. "We knew them as the Alteran."
Ah, this is a surprise, if Loki is actually correct about this... well, the possibilities are endless. The Goa'uld know of many technologies that require the genes of an Ancient to activate, if I can get my hands on a few of those...
"I see, why have you kidnapped me then?" I ask, straining against the stasis field. "If you are correct, then we are meant to be allies."
"Do not bother trying to escape, I have removed your symbiote and the Naquadah in your blood, you are just a simple human child now." He comments, ignoring my question. "I have studied you for quite some time, I know that you require your hands to use your abilities, that is why the stasis field renders you immobile."
With that, he turns to a nearby computer and begins scrolling through information that I cant see from my position, I decide to use the opportunity to check myself over fully, making sure that he hasn't done anything else to me. I'm unsurprised to find that my magic is still with me and waiting to be called upon, I'm pretty sure that the Asgard have no way of sensing or measuring the power of my soul so he's unable to cut me off from it.
As Loki mentioned however, all of the Naquadah is gone from my blood, removed so cleanly that not a single flake remains. I also didn't have my wand as it had been resting on a table when he snatched, luckily, he's left me with my necklace.
The fool.
His first mistake is thinking that I need my hands to use my power, it's a habit that helps me focus but it's not a requirement, I will keep it up though as it seems to have come in handy in this instance.
His second mistake is leaving even a sliver of Naquadah on me, assuming it to be a mere accessory rather than the useful tool that it is, not that taking the necklace would have helped all that much. Unlike my wand which I can only use when I'm holding it, the necklace is intimately tied to my magic so I'll still be able to use it if it's in the general area.
"Interesting." Loki says, turning back to me. "You definitely contain the Alteran gene but there is nothing here that explains the powers you wield, your mental capabilities are far below the required threshold."
He examines me for a few moments and I stare back blankly, seconds pass before he turns back to the computer and scrolls down, reading the data at inhuman speeds.
"This is quite strange indeed, I'll admit that you do appear to have higher than normal brain functions but your brain is still that of a regular human." He continues, staring back at me. "You are definitely an Alteran but like I said, you are well below the required threshold to utilize the increased capabilities of an Alteran, where does your power come from?"
I remain silent, knowing that he's just rambling to himself now, I do find all of this highly educational nonetheless. The Goa'uld know little about the Ancients except for what they have pieced together through the technology they've found, the Asgard seem to know quite a bit about the Ancients and their capabilities, I'm quite interested in what they may have to share.
"Perhaps the power lies with the symbiote then, a reaction from a mix of Alteran and Goa'uld, I'll have to examine it as well." Loki continues, mumbling to himself. "Or maybe it truly is just another trick of technology, perhaps hidden in the strange clothes you wear."
He looks to the side and I notice my trench coat laying across a surface, tossed aside with casual ease.
The Bastard! He's wrinkling it.
"That coat is made of a material I have never encountered." Loki continues, still talking to himself. "It's organic yes, but it also has strange qualities, it shall have to be closely examined as well."
His dialog is cut off as I chuckle, interrupting his long ramble, I'm quite amused at the stupidity of the Asgard, their lack of creativity really does hinder them at times. The Asgard believe in only what they can see and explain, Loki looked at my blood and seeing no proof of my magic, decided it just wasn't there. He was willing to believe that my power stemmed from a piece of clothing, fantastic clothing yes but clothing nonetheless, just because there's no proof in my blood.
It's this lack of creativity that leads him to believe my magic is tied to my body and blood, he just can't comprehend the existence of something deeper. Magic is a spiritual force, it is tied far deeper than my mortal shell, is tied to my very soul, something the Asgard sensors will never find. So, while he believes I have no power whatsoever, that very same power rages around us, an invisible storm waiting to be commanded.
"What is funny child?" Loki asks, glaring at me.
"This."
He yells out in shock as he's blasted backwards and sent crashing into the computer console, he remains conscious but his frail form is weakened by the blow. I grin to myself and flicker, leaving the stasis field behind as I appear next to the stunned Asgard.
Despite a lack of initial information, Plan B seems to be working well so far.
Now, for stage two.
"You really shouldn't have kidnapped me Loki, it was a horrible idea on your part." I say, magic visibly swirling around me now. "Now tell me, where is my symbiote?"
He snarls and glares up at me in anger, his advanced mind trying to make a plan, he decides to go the route of defiance.
"I have disposed of it." He replies, lying right through his teeth.
"We both know that's a lie." I say with an annoyed huff. "I don't like being lied to Loki."
He continues to glare back, daring me to do something about it.
"Perhaps I'll just have to persuade you to tell the truth then." I say, my voice lacking emotion.
His eyes widen as a crimson glow surrounds my hands, crackling with carefully restrained power, my face is blank of emotion as I kneel and place a hand on his chest, ignoring the struggles of his feeble body.
His screams resound around the ship, his body thrashing as pure pain overwhelms his system, when it come to causing pain, the Cruciatus Curse really has no equal. Asgard aren't used to feeling pain, especially scientists like Loki, they do battle from within their ships, keeping their weak, pathetic bodies away from the true fight.
As such, it is quite understandable why Loki begins pleading for me to stop after just twenty seconds under the Cruciatus.
"Now, let's try this again." I begin once he's regained his bearings, his form twitching with phantom pain. "Where is my symbiote?"
He's quick to reply this time and for his sake I hope it's the truth, I already know where my symbiote is as I can sense it, I jut want to know how he'll reply in the future interrogation.
Having received a truthful answer from Loki, it takes me just a matter of seconds to track down my symbiote, it's kept in a separate lab room and stored within a stasis field as well. I deactivate the field and quickly put the symbiote back into my body, having nowhere else to store it, it's just as painful as the first time but the surge of power as Naquadah flows through my veins is well worth the pain.
With that finished, I make my way back to Loki's unconscious form, having stunned him before I left. I can't help but be impressed with the advanced technology around me as I wander the vessel, this is all far more advanced than anything the Goa'uld have ever built, it's a pity this is nothing more than a small scout ship.
Loki is doing all of this behind the back of the council, as he knows they would disapprove and punish him, so he's hiding all of his work until it bares fruit. With my territory being under close examination from the council, he'd felt that an Asgard mothership or science vessel would have been far too noticeable, so he'd only taken a scout ship and snuck in behind their backs. That's a pity, while I could learn much from tearing this ship apart, there will be far too little information stored on the computer.
A pity indeed.
Standing next to Loki, I surround him in a cocoon of my magic, holding him immobile midair like he did me, only then do I revive him.
"Welcome back Loki." I greet as he regains consciousness.
He groans as he wakes, his form still twitching with pain from the Cruciatus Curse, after all the tests he's probably done on my unconscious form, I find this to be justified vengeance.
"Release me!" Loki snarls, his eyes ablaze with anger despite the pain.
I don't much expect another Cruciatus Curse to be quite so effective this time or ever again for that matter, Loki is an extremely intelligent creature, by now he would have worked out many techniques to block the pain from his mind, it's what I would have done in his position. Not that it matters, I have dozens of different methods that I can use on him should I have the need, pain isn't the only way to torture someone.
"Oh, I will." I reply, smirking deviously. "Once I have everything I need that is."
"Your tricks won't work again, I refuse to tell you anything else." Loki replies, proving my suspicion correct.
No matter, time for a new tactic. My eyes glow with power as magic pools behind them, waiting to be used.
"This might hurt." I reply in a tone that assures him that I don't rightly care if it hurts or not.
I enter his mind with relative ease, finding no barriers to bar my path but rather than the sneak attack method I used with Surei during our first meeting, I go for the overwhelming brute force method that I used on Fujin. Loki's screams of pain are matched by my own as I go flying back, crashing against the vessels walls, incredible pain fills my mind and I grab my head as I stand.
'Alright, that was definitely a failure.' I groan, rubbing my head as I try to suppress the pain.
Loki's groan follows mine and I look up to see him standing, my magic having failed from my distraction.
"What have you done boy?" He snarls, grabbing his head. "You entered my mind!"
"Yes and I'm really regretting it right now." I snarl back, reinforcing my shields to suppress the pain.
It turns out that using Legilimency on a Asgard is a bad idea, a very bad idea, despite having no mental shields whatsoever, the Asgard have an unintentional defense of their own. There's a reason the Asgard have such large heads, they have a lot of information to store and need the room, an I mean a lot. When I entered Loki's mind, I ran smack dab into a wall of knowledge, far to much knowledge for my mind to sort and comprehend.
My probe simply struck that wall and bounced off, finding too much information to grasp onto, I can't even use the few bits of information I was able to gleam, it was all in the Asgard language.
"How dare you?" Loki continues, his face twisted in rage.
He makes a lunge for an item on a nearby surface, raising it and turning to me, I simply snort and flick my finger, holding him midair once more and summoning the item from his hand. I'm glad that I reacted so fast, things could have gone very badly if I hadn't. The item I've summoned is a shock spear, an Asgard weapon designed to specifically target and inflict pain on those with Naquadah in their systems.
This is a truly dangerous weapon against someone like me, which is why I crush it, much to Loki's anger.
"You kidnapped me, I think I'm entitled to do as I please in retaliation." I reply, ignoring the fact that I've just disarmed him and destroyed his weapon with relative ease, it's his fault for thinking he could actually strike faster than I can react, Asgard may be small and boney but they're not very fast.
He glares again and struggles but his body is far too weak to physically fight off the charm, finally he sighs and turns to me.
"What do you want with me?" He asks after a moment, at least he's intelligent enough to realize where this is going, I don't think I have the patience to deal with an annoying and defiant prisoner.
I tilt my head to the side, thinking on his request, Legilimency is completely out and even if I torture him, I wouldn't be able to invade his mind like I did Fujin. He's also far too intelligent to succumb to the Imperius or other weaker compulsions, although I could still give them a try, I'll put those on the bottom of my list. I could try and invade his mind with my symbiote but that's a terrible idea, the last Goa'uld to try and control an Asgard met with horrible results.
'Hmm, maybe I can make a deal with him.' I consider, going over my options.
It's a viable option, better than anything else I can think of, if I manage to strike a deal with him and through him the council, then I might be able to get my hands on some Asgard technology without going to war for them. This way, there's no risk to my empire and I can get the technology years before I'd planned.
Now, what can I offer them?
'Hmm, he was here to perform tests on me.' I muse, running through everything I can offer the Asgard. 'Oh! That just might work, I can kill two birds with one stone this way.'
"How about a deal?" I propose, much to his shock.
"A deal?" He asks, eyes narrowing. "What sort of deal?"
"The kind that's beneficial to both parties." I reply, grinning cheekily at the half answer. "First off, we'll start with a small agreement, you know, to build trust and all that nonsense. So, I'll ask you some questions and if you answer them, I'll release you. Nothing too big or important, just some things I'm curious about."
He considers it for a moment before nodding.
"Very well."
"Good, now then, where are we?"
"We are orbiting the moon of your planet." He replies easily enough, a check on the computer proves this to be true.
"How did you kidnap me and what was your plan?"
He remains silent for a moment, thinking before answering.
"I was able to lock onto your position my sensors, it was a simple matter to transport you onto the ship." He explains, his tone measured and composed. "As for my plans, I planned to study your DNA in search of a cure for our own problems, it is my belief that Alteran DNA holds the key to our survival."
Ah, that makes sense in a weirdly twisted sort of way, stupid scientists.
"How did you plan to explain my disappearance, if your council is keeping track of me then they surely would have noticed?" I ask, curious to his plans. "Especially if they checked the area and found proof of Asgard beaming technology."
He smirks smugly at this, seemingly reveling in his brilliance.
"I replaced you with a clone, no one will notice the difference."
I don't know whether to feel violated and angry that he made a clone of me or laugh that he actually thinks that will work, I go with both, angry laughter.
"Did you actually think that would work?" I ask once I stop laughing.
He snarls and glares at me.
"My clones are perfect, both in body and mind, no one would have noticed."
"Oh? I'm sure they would have noticed when the clone has no higher brain functions." I reply with a frown. "I'm sure the Jaffa would have noticed when their god turned into a catatonic human child."
That stops him short and he stares at me.
"What? That makes no sense!" Loki growls, sounding puzzled. "The clone has all your memories, it is a perfect copy!"
"Fool, be silent for a moment while I check the damage you've done."
He grinds his teeth but remains silent as I close my eyes, focusing on my familiars link.
'Salem?'
'Brat? What's going on, are you okay?'
'I've been kidnapped Salem.'
'Kidnapped? You're sitting right next to me.'
'That's not me, it's a clone sent to impersonate me or it would be if this scientist had any idea just what I am.'
'Ah, that explains it, I think. The clone hasn't done anything, it just sits there, staring at nothing.'
'Where is the clone now?'
'We're in the manor, the guards are here trying to wake it.'
'Right, budge over.'
With a feeling reminiscent of apparition, I feel my consciousness being sucked through a straw and spat out the other end. My eyes open, my vision lower to the ground and everything seems larger than it should be, I'm successfully possessing my cat. We're inside my library, the clone laying unresponsive before my computer, the files from the Furling base still on display. Surei, Asha'ka and Fal'nor are standing beside the clone, worriedly watching as a Medic scans it with a healing device, it's good to see that they care.
"Surei!" My voice echoes from Salem's mouth, magic compensating for the lack of proper vocal cords.
All four Jaffa jump in shock and turn to stare at me, wondering what the hell is going on.
"My lord?" My first prime asks, staring down at me in surprise.
I wish I knew how to use Salem's abilities, being this small is a pain, I need to practice this possession ability more often, it's similar to splitting my mind between my Goa'uld and my body but it's also very different.
"That is not me Surei, it is an impostor!" I say as way of response.
Instantly pistols and rifles are raised, my guards reacting as they should to this news.
The clone continues to sit there, unresponsive.
"What shall we do with it my lord." Fal'nor asks, already composed despite the strangeness of the situation, the poor medic looks completely lost, with no idea of what to do
"Keep it alive, I shall deal with it when I return." I reply, making plans of what to do with a clone of myself, it should be interesting.
"It shall be done, do you require assistance my lord?" Surei asks, bowing to the cat I'm inhabiting.
"No, my kidnappers have already learned the error of their ways." I reply, already pulling away from the cats mind. "I shall return soon enough, continue as normal."
"Yes, my lord."
As my consciousness settles, my eyes open to the familiar sight of the Asgard ship, Loki floating midair and glancing at me with curiosity.
I set him down, as per our agreement, but I keep my magic ready just in case.
"The clone was a failure." I comment, turning away and grabbing my tench coat, the little bastard is lucky it didn't wrinkle.
"Impossible, I have made hundreds of such clones, it was perfect in every way." He replies angrily.
"Yes it was or it would have been if it had any brain functions whatsoever." I counter, stopping him short.
"Explain."
"You assumed that my mind would be that of a normal human, you were wrong." I reply by way of explanation. "My power surrounds my mind, keeping it from being invaded, not even your cloning technology will pierce through. Essentially, you created a clone with no memories or thoughts whatsoever."
Of course, that's a minor lie, my Occlumency has nothing to do with his failure, it's just more believable than the truth. As a magical being, my mind and magic are both connected to my soul, my body simply serves to hold my soul onto the physical plane and to focus my magic. Without my soul, I'd be a mindless husk just like that clone, this is the main reason only magicals can become ghosts and why certain purebloods don't consider muggles to be human. Of course, this information isn't widely spread, I only learned it while studying soul magic
"That is very... interesting." Loki replies, a curious glint in his eyes.
Now would be a good time to make that deal before he goes back into 'mad scientist' mode.
"Now, are you willing to hear my deal?" I ask. "I assure you, it is beneficial for both sides."
He doesn't seem very excited to strike a deal, I'm sure he would like nothing more than to study me more closely now that he's seen my abilities first hand.
"Very well, what do you propose?" He asks after a moment, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"It just so happens that the Goa'uld have heard of a device, a device that contains the entire knowledge of the Asgard race." I begin, wording my request in a proper way. "I am, of course, speaking of the Computer Core."
His eyes narrow, he's already put two and two together and made four.
The Computer Core is the Asgard's greatest creation, not only does it have every single one of their technologies stored in its data banks but it can also absorb raw materials and materialize finished products and it comes with a simple, easy to use, voice controlled interface. It's just that damn good, it literally cost the Goa'uld hundreds of spies to find out about it, the Asgard guarded it with their highest security.
"What of it?" Loki grounds out, his entire form shaking with anger.
"I want it of course." I reply with a smirk. "Oh, I'll let you edit the information pertaining to your peoples history and your great secrets but I want the technological knowledge stored in the core."
He stares at me for a few seconds and snorts in disgust.
Have I mentioned how much I dislike this guy? I'm one more eye roll away from blowing his huge head apart, it's just big enough to make a decent mess on the walls.
"You must be a fool child, do you really think I will hand over such a thing in exchange for my life?"
"Nope." I say cheerily. "You'll hand it over in exchange for the lives of all your people."
His eyes narrow into slits as he glares at me.
"Explain."
"You seek a cure for your people." I begin, shifting to a bored tone. "I happen to know of one."
"You are lying." Loki snarls angrily. "The Goa'uld are not capable enough to create such a device."
"That's because the Goa'uld didn't create it." I reply evenly. "The Ancients did."
That stops him short once more, I must say I enjoy doing that, it's quite fun to see an Asgard struck dumb.
"There is a machine, a machine that was used by the Goa'uld to create the Jaffa." I continue. "The DNA Resequencer."
"Surely you jest, the machine is flawed." Loki counters, although he seems to be considering it. "It only works on humans and many of them became deformed or died horrible deaths, the Jaffa were a lucky fluke."
"True, it is flawed, but only in the hands of a Goa'uld." I reply in a low tone, allowing him to think. "In the hands of an Alteran however..."
"It could work to it's full capabilities." Loki finishes, his eyes wide.
"Indeed."
Loki falls silent, wrapping his mind around the fact that there could really be a cure for his people.
"Where is the machine?" He asks after a few moments of silence.
"It is held by the Goa'uld System Lord Nirrti, she is a scientist however so her forces are small, small but effective nonetheless." I reply after a moments thought. "Assist me in claiming the machine and I will use it to repair your DNA, give me the Computer Core and I will cure all of your people."
He's silent for a few more seconds, emotions passing over his face as he thinks. Finally he sighs and rubs his temples, clearly annoyed with something.
"The council will never agree to this, they would never put the core in the hands of a Goa'uld." Loki says after a few seconds.
"But I'm not a Goa'uld am I? I, am an Alteran." I counter with a smirk. "They have seen how I rule, I'm helping the people rather than oppressing them, that is not the way of the Goa'uld."
"Perhaps." Loki replies, thinking once more.
"They may consider it if it is explained logically," I continue, pressing the issue. "You yourself have run tests on me, you have spoken with me, you can convince them that I am not like the Goa'uld."
He stares back with a raised brow and despite not having any eyebrows, he's able to pull it off.
"Fine," I sigh, rolling my eyes. "But I'm not as bad as the Goa'uld at least."
"Very well." Loki says after another moment of thought. "I shall present them with the idea, they will not be pleased but I will make them see reason."
"Good." I reply, trying to wrack my mind for more ideas, what else can I offer to sweeten the deal? I really want that machine.
I'm struck with a sudden idea as I recall something, a file I only had a chance to glimpse at, the very same file that was on the computer when I was possessing Salem. I focus my heart-mind on that one memory, recalling everything that I saw from that one glance at the computer screen.
"As added incentive, tell them this," I begin, drawing his attention. "Should they accept, I will offer an alliance, their assistance against the Goa'uld and mine against the Replicators."
I only have a general idea of what replicators are, the one paragraph I remember seeing had them listed as self-replicating machines and enemies of the Asgard. They sound similar to the Srotpar, what with their self-cloning ability, except they're machines instead of organic beings.
"That will not sway them, the replicators are formidable opponents." Loki replies after a moments thought. "Your forces are too few to lend us any assistance."
"True," I counter, considering another way to rob them blind. "But you hold an Alteran repository on the creatures do you not? I'm willing to bet that you have yet to fully decipher its secrets, as an Alteran, I would be able to use the machine and find a way to defeat the Replicators."
Loki's eyes widen once more and I smirk in victory, I'm actually glad this kidnapping took place, finding out that I have Alteran DNA is one of the best things that could have happened. This DNA will allow me access to technology more advanced than anything else in this galaxy, it is a great victory for me, even if the Asgard turn me down.
The Goa'uld know the location of a couple more repositories as well, it's just a simple matter of finding that information on Fujin's mainframe and stealing it from the Goa'uld that owns it. With those repositories, I can completely skip the Asgard technology and move on to the more powerful Ancient technology. I still want the computer core however, I have no idea what is stored in these few repositories and the Asgard technology will be a viable fallback option, better safe than sorry.
"Very well child, I shall present your offer to the council. " Loki replies. "You will receive some form of confirmation within a matter of days."
"Should they refuse?" I ask, raising a brow in question.
"There is too much at risk for them to refuse." He replies, staring back at me.
"Should they refuse?" I repeat, stressing the words.
Loki sighs and looks off to the side.
"I will do what I must to see my people cured, no matter the consequences." he growls out. "Sacrifices must sometimes be made, for the greater good."
I smirk at his meaning, the core will be mine regardless of the councils decision.
"For the greater good indeed."
With that I'm gone, flickering down to the planet.
Two days pass before I receive word from the Asgard, delivered personally by Loki himself, they are a bit peeved at him for his actions and he will receive some form of punishment but they are still willing to take his opinions into consideration when they hear my offer. According to Loki, he worked extra hard to convince them to accept, even going so far as to argue with the whole council. The Asgard scientist was more than willing to share the content of those arguments with me, disgusted that his brethren would put anything before the survival of their race.
It all came down to one main issue with the council, whether the deal would violate the Protected Planets Treaty, the pact between the Asgard and the Goa'uld.
Their first issue is that the treaty states that they are not allowed to help or allow human worlds to advance to a level that could threaten the Goa'uld, meaning they wouldn't be allowed to hand the core over to me. Loki however, argued that technically my planets are still classified as Goa'uld worlds, regardless of whether I'm an actual Goa'uld or not.
The council was also wary of launching an attack on a Goa'uld System Lord just to reclaim a faulty device, they didn't have the manpower or ships to start a war with the Goa'uld at this point in time. Again, Loki had an answer for them, despite its long list of rules and stipulations, the treaty doesn't actually stop the Asgard and Goa'uld from attacking each other. Essentially, the Goa'uld are prevented from attacking planets under Asgard protection and the Asgard would keep those planets from advancing to a level that threatens the Goa'uld, a direct attack on the Goa'uld would not violate the treaty, neither would handing the Core over to my empire.
The arguments were long and spirited but in the end, the council agreed to hand over the Computer Core, complete with its highly advanced power core and nearly all the technology of the Asgard people. Of course, they'll remove anything important that they don't want to hand over such as their races history, greatest secrets, outpost locations and hidden labs, they also refuse to hand over such technologies like the Time-dilation Device and most of their more advanced technology, like their Ion Guns, Invisibility Devices and the Shock Spear technology. These are all items they deemed too dangerous or useful to hand over, especially when it could be used against them.
Frankly I don't really care, what they've agreed to hand over is a literal treasure trove of technology, technology that will put me above the Goa'uld and many of the known races in this galaxy. The Time-dilation Device is not much of a loss, all Goa'uld experiments that have gone into time manipulation did not end well, even the Asgard know not to mess with it, otherwise they would have used it to buy themselves the time to build up their vessels and overwhelm the replicators and Goa'uld.
As for the Ion Guns, they may be superior to the Galaxy-class Lasers that have been handed over but those Lasers are far superior to current Goa'uld weapons and shields, a single one of my vessels would be able to take on two Goa'uld Ha'tak on its own and come out on top. The Invisibility Device one that I definitely would have liked to get my hands on however, being able to cloak themselves would have served my forces well, it's an unfortunate loss but I can deal with it. Lastly is the Shock Spear technology, another one that I would have liked to get my hand on, a single shot of this could put down any Goa'uld or Jaffa no matter where they're hit.
All in all, I come out on top while the Asgard get to keep a few of their cards hidden, some secrets that could give them an advantage should they ever find themselves under attack from my empire. While this means that Asgard ships will be better than any ships I can build, I'm not too worried, the Asgard are very strict on keeping their word. This means that baring a direct attack from my forces, they will remain my allies for the foreseeable future, the Asgard are no longer a threat to my empire, in fact, they were now my greatest allies.
They make no mention of the Ancient repository however, nor do they mention the Replicators, which I've had a chance to read up on. I do hope that they accept that part of the deal, the only known Goa'uld with repositories are Ra and Yu, two very powerful System Lords that I have no plans of fighting for some time as they outnumber me in both ships and soldiers.
All too soon, the Computer Core is delivered and I realize that I have absolutely nowhere to put it. None of my Ha'tak can handle that level of advanced technology, yet, and I don't have a palace to store it in, my tent can barely handle the Goa'uld computer I already have setup in there.
In the end, I decide to place it inside my factory on Raini, it's a safe enough place being the farthest from the nearest Goa'uld world and it has no Chappa'ai of its own, it is an acceptable location until another can be found. I really do need to find a location to store both the Core and the Quantum Mirror, neither are safe enough at their current locations, a permanent and defensible base of operations will come in handy.
Storing the Core in one of my refineries works out well enough for now, all of the machines have been reprogrammed to feed the raw materials into the Core itself, with the Core I might no longer need my refineries or factories. Once I get this Core situated properly, all of my factories will become obsolete as the Core will be able to fully materialize finished products within seconds, the only factories I'll need are the ones for my vehicle and the space docks, the Core only being able to materialize parts for them rather than entire machines.
It truly was a great trade.
With the Core now in my possession, the Asgard, led by Supreme Commander Thor, insist that we immediately launch an attack and retrieve the Resequencer. I would have liked more time to prepare both my men and my ships but a deal is a deal, they've delivered the core, now we're going after the Resequencer.
I spend another day drawing up battle plans with Thor while Surei prepares my forces, this will be our first attack on another Goa'uld world, I can hardly wait.
I take a moment to stop and smell the fresh air as I exit the Chappa'ai, this is a nice tropical planet, surprising for a Goa'uld world. Turning my attention to the area around me, I'm proud to see that my two guard squads, lead by Asha'ka and Mina, have dealt with the enemy guards already. Despite belonging to a System Lord, the gate was only defended by a measly twenty Jaffa guards, all of which were easily stunned and tied up by my forces.
High above us, four of my Ha'tak, an Asgard mothership and twenty Asgard cruisers are easily laying waste to the defending force, a mere ten Ha'tak and numerous Al'kesh and Death Gliders. Nirrti may be a System Lord but she has the lowest number of starships, her power lies with her ground forces, which is why I'm gleeful when three Plasma Tanks exit the Chappa'ai, followed by two fully loaded Carriers.
We're quite a distance from Nirrti's palace but my vehicles will be able to cover that distance with relative ease, bypassing the anti-air staff cannons around the palace. Nirrti is a System Lord for a reason, even with her lack of starships she's kept her position with relative ease thanks to her modified staff cannons, they're more than capable of shooting down a Goa'uld Ha'tak with concentrated fire.
I can't wait to see how she deals with this ground assault.
A third Carrier floats through the gate and my honor squads are soon loaded on board, the ten extra men remaining to defend the gate. A Shield Generator is deployed around the Chappa'ai as we drive off, keeping any of the enemy from escaping through it and we begin making our way to the palace. I stay well behind the small convoy, satisfied to follow and watch, assessing the capabilities of my units and the vehicles.
While I'll be assessing their abilities in this battle, I'm still prepared to step in should things go wrong and I expect them to, Nirrti may be a Goa'uld but she's also a scientist, Goa'uld scientists don't become System Lords without having some sort of advantage. Keeping her position may be easy but she still must have some advantage that allowed her to gain it in the first place, I'm willing to bet the Resequencer helped in that regard.
This is proven correct when a group of fifty severely deformed humans rush us from the direction of the palace, moving at speeds beyond any Jaffa and each carrying a staff cannon with ease, this looks interesting. Despite the sight of what are clearly enhanced humans attacking my vehicles with large cannon blasts, I'm satisfied to just stay back and watch how my men deal with this, this is the first real mission for these two honor squads and it's also the first test of my pilot division, I'm interested in how they react.
Asha'ka, the team leader, decides to follow her headstrong nature and responds with sheer, overwhelming force.
Explosions rock the area as all three tanks fire their staff cannons on the attackers, completely obliterating them in a blast of gore and debris, I'd ordered them to take as many prisoners as they can but there's not much they can do against fifty staff cannon toting warriors. The convoy continues forward without pause, crushing corpses beneath it's treads as it closes in on the palace.
There are several staff cannons mounted on the palace roof, all of which turn away from skies and begin firing on my vehicles once they're in range, a hail of plasma bolts raining from above. The tanks easily absorb the plasma bolts with their powerful shields and plow forward, not stopping as they return fire and blow apart the mounted cannons. While this is going on, the Carriers drive right up to the palace steps and begin unloading their passengers, the soldiers streaming out in a fast but orderly manner.
Asha'ka shouts out some commands and the tanks form a perimeter while the soldiers run up the palace stairs, all one hundred Jaffa prepared to breach the building, I'm a bit upset that I haven't gotten around to designing some grenades or C4 for my forces but my Jaffa are able to make do. Nirrti, like most Goa'uld, has built her palace out of rare materials, mostly gold, marble and precious stones. This is all well and good in presentation but to defend from an invading force? Not so much. This is proven when a tank mounted staff cannon blasts the golden doors apart, two more blasts forming large holes in the marble walls, I'll give her credit for building the frame out of titanium but that still doesn't stand up to power of the staff cannons.
With the entrances made, my Jaffa pour into the palace, their weapons held high and steady. The sounds of fighting stream out the doors, my Jaffa facing off against Nirrti's mutated humans, I can also hear the sound of standard staff weapons firing meaning she has normal Jaffa guards of her own.
"Lord Heka." A voice calls through my communication device.
"Yes, Supreme Commander?" I ask in reply, recognizing Thor's voice after our hours of planning.
"We have determined the location the machine through our sensors, what is your suggestion?" He asks in an even tone, being far less emotional than Loki.
"Beam it onto Surei's Ha'tak, he knows what to do." I reply immediately. "Is there any sign of Nirrti?"
"She is within the throne room of her palace, surrounded by her guards." Thor replies after a moment. "Your forces will be reaching her momentarily, you are outnumbered however."
"That's fine, my soldiers are better trained." I comment, entering the palace. "They can handle a few Jaffa and deformed humans."
"Very well." Thor replies, sounding distracted. "You should also note that the sensors have picked up an active Stargate within the throne room, the other gate has gone temporarily offline."
"She probably moved it there for a quick escape should the need arise, I'll try and prevent her escape but the Resequencer is what truly matters." I sigh as I speed up, ignoring the bodies strewn around me, with a second gate active my forces can no longer dial into or out of this world from the first gate.
My soldiers have cleared a path through the halls, killing and stunning any opposition they encounter and from the looks of things, they've encountered a lot of opposition. Sadly, despite their skills I've lost quite a few of my own soldiers, their bodies left behind as the others press forward. I count roughly fifteen of my own dead as I pass by, their corpses cold and their weapons turned to dust but I'm glad to see that for everyone of my soldiers killed, two of Nirrti's have also fallen.
I soon catch up with a group of my own forces, roughly twenty strong, the sounds of weapons fire from other parts of the palace serving as notice to where the rest are, they must have split up at some point. These twenty men and women, lead by one of the Junior Officers denoted by the black line down the center of his chest armor, snap to attention when they see me, saluting respectfully.
"Report." I command, addressing the Junior Officer in charge.
He straightens under my gaze and begins giving his report.
"We were cut off from the main unit my lord, one of the deformed humans was able to collapse a hallway with his abilities." He explains in one quick breath.
I've already given my men an overview of what Nirrti has done to her men, turning them into deformed humans with powerful abilities in an attempt to create a Hok'tar. They understand that it's a trick of technology, a machine that the Goa'uld use to further oppress their subjects. I would have preferred to keep it all a secret but that would have been a bad idea, I don't want them associating any of my powers with those of Nirrti's subjects, that would cause problems I just don't need.
"Afterwards, I took control of the squad and we secured the doors to the throne room, we are just awaiting orders from Commander Asha'ka." He continues, bringing my attention to the large golden doors behind him.
"Well done, you have all proven yourselves a credit to your unit." I reply, addressing them all. "Contact Commander Asha'ka and tell her to secure the palace, I will personally lead the assault on the throne room."
They all perk up at my praise, bolstered by my compliments. The Junior officer bows and turns to a technician, who is already contacting Asha'ka and her squad.
Or Commander Asha'ka, I should say.
Having finished the bulk of their advanced training, every one of my personal guard was granted a high rank when they received their honor guard squads. Surei was given the rank of First Prime of Heka and High Commander of the Legion, he is essentially my second in command and personally commands two squads of his own. The others were given the rank of Commander, with one squad of their own and near infinite control over the general forces.
Becoming a Commander is the highest rank any soldier can reach, with only myself and Surei outranking them. After the Commanders are the general forces, which are all split into the most basic of army ranks. Their ranks go from Private to Corporal to Sergeant to Lieutenant to Captain, the Captains commanding most of the army, with the soldiers falling into the ranks below based on their skill and proficiency.
"My Lord, Commander Hina reports that they have found Nirrti's prisoners in the dungeons, what are your commands?" The Junior Officer, a Lieutenant based on the four black bars on his shoulders, asks after speaking with the technician.
"My orders still stand, secure the palace, we'll deal with everything else when we're finished." I reply, turning to the golden doors of Nirrti's throne room as he rushes to relay my orders.
"Thor," I begin, speaking into my communication device. "Is Nirrti still within the throne room?"
There's a few seconds of silence before he responds.
"Yes, she is within the room but the Stargate remains active, she is prepared to leave at a moments notice." He responds.
"Can you track her destination?"
"No, the location is out of our sensor range." Thor answers after a moments pause.
"Damn, I'll just have to try and prevent her from fleeing." I reply with a smirk, I plan on letting Nirrti go free no matter what happens today, I have further use for her and I don't need the Asgard interfering with my plans.
Thor doesn't reply, so I set aside the device.
"Lieutenant!" I bark, turning to my men. "I will enter first and draw their fire, once they focus on me, you and your squad are to enter and provide covering fire."
"It shall be done my lord." He replies, saluting.
I wait a few seconds as he orders his squad around, they're soon hugging the walls, out of sight of the doorway. With a nod I turn to the golden doors and wave my hand, rather than the explosive result they're expecting, my soldiers are caught off guard when the doors simply slide open by themselves.
Without a care in the world, I enter the throne room, my eyes moving quickly to take in as much detail as I can.
There are two other exits but those have been closed up, spaced around the room are close to one hundred Jaffa, their staff weapons aimed at me but not charged. On a platform behind the Jaffa warriors, dressed in robes of black silk and wearing Onyx black jewelry, Nirrti sits upon her throne, her face a mask of amused superiority. Surrounding her are ten men and women, each slightly deformed and likely sporting a powerful ability. Lastly, is the Chappa'ai, which is placed roughly ten meters behind her throne and already dialed to her escape.
"So, this is the one who dares to attack me, a mere child? Or so you would have me believe. " Nirrti begins, her eyes flashing as she stares at me in amusement. "My men have seen the mark on your warriors, you cannot be who you impersonate, who are you really worm?"
"I am who I am." I reply with a chuckle, smirking at the displeased frown that crosses her face. "I am your end and the death of all Goa'uld."
Her face twists with rage at my words, the Goa'uld don't like being challenged.
"Watch your tongue filth, you will pay for this attack on me and this charade that you wish to portray." She growls back, her men shifting at the sound of their angry goddess. "It is bad enough that you would use the mark of the Shol'va Heka but you also conspire with the Asgard, how low can you fall? When the others hear of this, they will tear you apart, assuming I leave enough of you for them to resurrect."
"If the rest of your ilk hear of this, they will do nothing of the sort, I have been growing in strength these past few months yet you didn't know of my existence before this day, I am prepared for anything they can throw at me." I reply, bluffing out my ass. My empire can survive an invasion by any minor Goa'uld but not by a System lord or a group of Goa'uld, not yet at least but my new Computer Core will help in fixing that problem. "Besides, do you really think I will allow you to leave here alive? None of your men will survive to speak of this, your guard will die with you and all survivors shall join my empire."
"You are truly a fool if you think you can stand against me!" She sneers in disgust, standing from her throne "I have a hundred warriors while you stand here alone, what chance do you have?"
I laugh at that, as arrogantly as I can.
"I assaulted your palace with only one hundred soldiers, those one hundred have defeated the hundreds you have within this building." I reply, taking a step forward. "If my Jaffa can do that against your forces, what do you think I can do? A true God against your mortal warriors."
She snarls and jabs a finger in my direction.
"Kill him!"
The Jaffa immediately open fire, a hundred bolts of plasma energy descending on my position but a simple flick of my hand raises a magical shield, deflecting all of the attacks. Three Jaffa fall from the deflected blasts, the rest managing to dodge the few bolts that fly in their direction, they have no time to be shocked as the Lieutenant and his squad rush through the doors, unloading their rifles into the mob of warriors.
The Jaffa stand no chance against my soldiers and their rifles, over half of them are mowed down under the continuous fire of the upgraded staff weapons, the rest hiding behind pillars and returning fire when the can. Nirrti, her face a mix of shock and rage turns to the Chappa'ai, the mutated humans covering her back as she flees.
As if they're going to stop me. With a flicker, I appear before her, blocking her advance just a few feet short from the gate. Her eyes go wide with shock but with great speed, she raises her hand device to strike, I'm faster. A flick of my hand magically crushes the hand device, breaking the bones in her hand and cutting it up. She screams out in pain, her eyes still wide with shock at my abilities and I take that chance to draw my wand and jab it into her throat, easily piercing through the flesh of her host and stopping at the symbiote within her.
"Imperio." I hiss, my face void of emotion as I channel my need to dominate into the spell.
My magic spikes and the unforgivable curse flies from my wand, striking the symbiote directly. I can feel as my spell plows through its meager mental barriers and into its mind, connecting it to mine and bending it to my will, a quick second passes before the Imperius takes hold, turning Nirrti into nothing more than a slave to my will. My goal accomplished, I withdraw my wand, the wound to her throat already healing, and allow her to fall past me and into the wormhole.
I now have a loyal spy among the System Lords.
With their goddess safely out of the way, the ten mutated humans are free to attack me, half of them raise their hands to their heads and immediately I feel an assault against my barriers, these are telepaths. It becomes quickly apparent that while they may have the ability, they lack the skill which isn't much of a surprise, the only reason Nirrti would keep them around is if they're of no threat to herself.
With barely any effort, I strike back with my mind, boiling hot quicksilver pouring from my mind and washing over their probes. The effect is instantaneous as the five telepaths scream in pain, blood dripping from their eyes and ears as they drop to their knees, dead before they hit the ground. The other five, their faces a mix of shock and anger, raise their hands in my direction and push, for lack of a better term.
I'm sent flying back, passing through the deactivated Chappa'ai, and slamming into the walls of the throne room.
Telekinetics as well, joy.
Two of them keep me pressed against the wall while the other three levitate nearby staff weapons and send them flying at me, hoping to skewer me with the fast moving weapons. They're quire surprised when the staff weapons turn into a trio of lions and leap at them, claws outstretched to rip and tear. Two manage to throw the lions away, looking strained at the effort, but the last one falls under the beasts might, his throat ripped out by its mighty jaws. The lions soon turn back into staff weapons, the rushed transfigurations quickly losing power in this reality.
While the four mutants are shocked by their comrades death, I flicker away from the wall and land amidst them, the air around me crackling with golden electricity as I draw on my power. With a flex of my will, golden lightning arcs out in every direction, bearing down on all four mutants. Two of them are struck before they can react, the powerful lighting stunning and then frying them until only their smoking corpses are left. The other two manage to raise their hands in time, the lightning striking against invisible barriers and driving them to their knees but the barrage of lightning is fast, fading away before their barriers have fallen but I'm already moving by that time.
My hand plows through one of the barriers, glowing with a murky brown light, and I grab the mutant by the throat. He gasps as for air as his throat shrivels, the effect rapidly spreading to the rest of his body as my curse vanishes all of the water inside his body. By the time I toss him aside and turn to the last mutant, his entire form is nothing but a shriveled up husk, one good hit might just turn him into dust.
The last mutant stares in fear, his hands up in surrender and his eyes pleading for mercy, it's too bad that I can't have any witnesses, these ten saw me cast a spell on Nirrti and then allow her to leave, I cant have that information getting out. Spears of fire, ten in all, pierce through his torso, cauterizing the wounds as they pass but still killing him instantly.
I turn my back on the decimated mutants and take in the rest of the room, I'm proud to note that my squad of twenty soldiers has managed to wipe out all one hundred Jaffa, taking zero casualties at the same time.
All in all this has been a successful mission.
My soldiers and vehicles have proven superior against the forces of a System Lord, I've managed to capture not only the DNA Resequencer but also the Chappa'ai that Nirrti was kind enough to uproot for me and lastly, I've made Nirrti herself my slave and taken control of her entire territory.
A successful mission indeed.
"The boy has acquired the Genetic Manipulation Device, surely he must be stopped."
"No, the device is of no consequence."
"I agree, we put blocks on it long ago, he will not ascend through the device."
"I disagree, he is becoming a threat, more so now that the Asgard have joined with him, they have given him access to greater power."
"There is nothing we can do, he remains a mortal, interference would make us no better than the Ori."
"Very well, for the sake of the covenant we shall stay our hand but the time is soon approaching when he will tread upon our domain, we must decide what to do at that time."
"What is to decide? He will become one of the Ori should he ascend, we must destroy him!"
"Perhaps, perhaps not, he has won the allegiance of the Asgard and they have always been good judges of character, if they are willing to ally with him then perhaps he could become one of us."
"Don't be a fool, the boy is not one of us. Should he ascend, he will not leave his empire behind, he will interfere in the mortal realm!"
"There is nothing we can do now but wait and see, we will see whether he is one of us or one of the Ori."
"Very well, we shall watch and we shall wait, agreed?"
"Agreed."