Chapter 24
Lightning Fervor
Helltanz's notes: As stated in prequel, and earlier, there is a small percentage of the goa'uld who can use magic, just as there is a small percentage of humanity that can use magic on earth.
-Chapter begin-
Raiden smirked the rest of the meeting had progressed much better. Moloch had kept his head bowed in shame the whole time. Heru'ur had spent the rest of the meeting gobsmacked into silence, that as well had been nifty. If however this news was indeed true then it was not good news at all.
In any event there were more pressing matters. Raiden over looked the fleetyard's progress on construction of the new vessels. Now that war was brewing Raiden was concentrating on building larger more dedicated warships in addition to smaller vessels. Anubis's mobile armors proved that a new frigate was a wise investment. Anubis could attempt to attack the Libras were nearing completion, they would be amongst the largest ships to be employed by the System Lords.
Of course soon enough Anubis would soon find all those ha'tak he had captured would be reduced to scrap, even if Anubis did manage to do as Ra did an penetrate his middle rim he would suffer the same fate as Ra's attack group. Of course such would be years from now. Neither side had the ability to directly attack each other right now, being on effectively opposite sides of the galaxy tended to have that effect.
The Shinku Kumo Tatsu flew by flanked by a fleet Pegasus Assault Carriers of the Albion subclass, and four Dark Heaven Harbringer Dreadnoughts. The wing jumped to hyper space off to face another battle. For now he was supporting Yu's advance, though strictly speaking even Yu would start hitting logistical problems soon. A few months though most likely, though maybe a year. It would all depend on how things progressed, certainly it would also depend on Baal and Anubis.
Raiden glanced at one of the reports, Dakara. The world was a bother and was utterly unnecessary in Raiden's opinion. It could also become a problemespecially if the rebel jaffa seized it for even a moment. no if not for the ancient ruins Raiden would have gladly ordered its destruction. Baal was moving to claim the planet as his own, it would be a useful rallying point. It had actually been surprising no one had claimed the world after Ra had fallen, especially that Heru'ur had not taken it.
Such hardly mattered, what matters was that Baal was contributing valuable resources to conquer the world, and thus occupying his fleets' attention. For now Raiden would focus on consolidating his own forces. His focus now was solely on re purposing and expanding his factories. He'd need them to be able to continue to support Yu's continued press.
Neither side was stupid enough to mass an assault against either sides homeworld, or even their core territories. Such attacks were suicidal. You didn't attack a System Lords core domain, save with overwhelming power. Neither side had such power available to them. Even with all their advanced technology, even with all the numbers they didn't have the ability to deliver an effective strike. It was just the way things were.
Raiden knew he needed to complete standarization, he need to phase out unnecessary units from his battle line, and mass produce the remaining ones. He needed to complete upgrade programs for his infantry, and other ground forces before things got any further out of hand.
-scene break-
Something had gone very very wrong. The Dark God turned, he had know another power had been involved "Lucien."
"Dread Father?" questioned the nearly arrived Speaker. Sithis had long considered promoting the dead man to Listener, but in truth there really was no need.
Sithis nodded, "There is a mark I want you to find."
"I live to serve." Responded the member of the Dark Brotherhood, awaiting the task that he was to be assigned by the patron god of the ancient guild of assassins. "Tell me, my lord who must die?" Lucien leChance asked softly kneeling down.
In truth this was not a mission to kill. "Death is only secondary. Find the goa'uld system lord Ra, find who he serves, who watches over him. I seek the information, Ra need not die," He ordered to the Speaker, "go and find out all of this." Sithis stated. Whatever vendetta might have existed between Raiden and Ra did not concern him in the slightest there were higher affairs in play.
"Yes Dread Father." The speaker bowed, "I shall go personally to see to this," He proclaimed, "Your will be done." Sithis nodded in acknowledgment, and the man departed.
There was so much to yet be done. Things were getting increasingly out of hand, Sithis overlooked the massed fleet sitting silently in the void. The pacts Stendarr, and Arkay held on Earth occupied but a fraction of his attention, but they did remind him of his own obligations. He'd still dispatched members of the brotherhood to watch over the girl, to teach, and safeguard. He'd gone himself, when he could spare the time. It was his obligation.
Then there was the Detective. There was so much potential there, and Sithis would gladly put it to use. Still it was a battle for him, Tiberius vyied for influence on the mortal yet, but for now Sithis merely sought to teach the man the responsibility of fatherhood.
Another Speaker bowed, "What of the Guardians my lord?" That was indeed amongst the core issues even as he prepared to end the Age, and wake the Daedric Lord of Order, the Guardians were another matter. This era was ending, and no doubt the death screams would rattle the galaxy, but the Guardians of Kandrakhar were still an issue. They could yet become the critically piece in a puzzle. A key in the lock, as it were.
They hadn't heeded, and nor had he expected them to, him. They had yet continued to meddle in Meridian's affairs, and all Phobos's whining showed was that he'd gotten used to being without real threats to his rule. Such was not a good trait to develop. The Guardians were learning how to use their power, and truthfully that was precisely what he wanted.
One of them had legitimately attempted to kill him. It had been instinct, but that was precisely the issue. Sithis would gladly exploit such. The Guadians were learning, and Phobos would loose people, men would die, and he'd watch the Guardians come to terms with being killers. He'd see how they handled it.
-scene break-
Heru'ur was estatic. He knew it, his father was alive. This must have all been a test, perhaps even engineered by manipulating the Tauri. It would not have been the first time that Ra had vanished only to reappear again he assured himself. Ra would gather his forces and together he would command his father's army in battle to crush these upstarts who were vying for power.
The Avenger overlooked his fleet, and the massive span of shipyards. Yes he would find Ra, and he would show his father the massive war machine he had built. He and Cronus, and well that worm Olokun too, would come to the battle and all together they would restore the peace to this galaxy.
For now though he was content to let Cronus continue to fawn over the Tauri. Once his father was back they'd see what Ra thought of that. The earth was Ra's world, and if he had no problem with such mewlings then Heru'ur wouldn't either. Now that Ra was alive there were other focuses as well.
The likes of Sokar was once again a possible concern. In his father's name Heru'ur had once opposed Sokar. Sokar bore no grudge, and had proclaimed himself to be neutral in the bickering that divided the system lords. It meant he was sitting out, but Heru'ur was no fool he knew that Sokar too was also building up.
Heru'ur personally thought Sokar's taste in aesthetics was atrocious but he did not fault the other goa'uld for still managing a formidable mobile armor design. He had once seen a devil ray on Earth one of his priests had presented it to him. He could not remember the now long dead human's name, only his face. It had been a strong face, the man had been a formidable warrior during the time that Ra had ruled directly over Earth. Heru'ur had respected that.
That Devil Ray had been a massive creature of the sea. That was the shape of Sokar's mobile armor, all painted in dark red. They were fearsome craft. Monstrous in battle especially against the little lords of the goa'uld.
Even now Anubis smashed Little Lords seizing up their resources and consolidating them into his war effort. Ussually Anubis's method seemed to be strip a planet of anything valuable, slaves, already mined resources, ships, and surrendering jaffa and ship them off elsewhere to be consolidated. Heru'ur personally considered it a pathetic undignified tactic, just as Raiden's dawdling was unbecoming of a warlord. No both of them were pathetic tinkerers unworthy of the title of system lords, neither truly rushed into battle to win glorious honor.
It was why he liked Cronus, both he and Heru'ur were alike in that regard. They both thrust themselves directly into the battle leading their jaffa from the front, and crushing the enemy's fleet under their flagships guns.
Heru'ur stroked his beard, perhaps that if things did not go so well and Cronus chose to be foolish and oppose Ra he would take Cronus's daughter Atlanta as his consort.
-scene break-
London was still nice he supposed. Tepes sat in the hotel suite watching the sun set. It was just now nearing the time to go. A mere two hours later the Listener of the Crimson Scar was exasperated at the situation at hand, "How do I get myself in these situations?" groaned the vampire as he shifted about irritably.
Here he was the impaler prince. Here he was on a mission by divine authority, set down as it was by the god of death, rescuing some wanna be vampire hunter. It was a van Hellsing no less, oh sure Gabriel was tolerable but he was a fellow immortal, the blessing by Stendarr aside.
"Let go of me Vampire."
The vampire gritted his teeth, "Would you be quiet." Tepes snapped. Bang, there was a burning heat, and then just burning sensation. Another bang. 'She shot me that little ungrateful bitch.' Two silver bullets were pushed out of the vampires face by the vampire's regenerative abilities. "Now you see the futility of that don't do it again."
The blonde's eyes widened in shock at the complete non effect the bullets had had on the high ranking Dark Brotherhood officer. "What kind of vampire are you?" She steadied the small handgun still training it on his face.
"I am Vladislav Dracul Tepes the third," He announced, "Listener of the Crimson scar, General of Blood, Impaler Prince, and Knight of the God of Death." The vampire gave an over exaggerated bow all the while rattling off more titles with little care about his surroundings after all he was the General of Blood.
It was then that there was a series of pops indicating wizards; master had veritably forbidden learning it, or at least using it, in favor of the more efficient and much quieter more conventional teleportation. He despised the pathetic short ranged magical boom tubing like travel.
Of course the wizards had no such restrictions placed upon them by the divine powers that be, "Vampire." one of the wizards hissed recoiling in fear and shock.
"Mortal wizard, how are you this fine night?" The listener greeted in a bored tone barely paying the pathetic human, who had nearly soiled himself in fear, any heed.
"Die!" A voice shrieked furiously jumping down from an office building.
Oh that was nice it seemed that that little irritating fledgling was back, he mused before he flicked a finger in the lesser being's direction summoning a large spike out of the ground impaling the other vampire. Truth be told it saved him the trouble of having to hunt the vermin down, "Another night another soul for the dread father." Tepes muttered more out of habit than conscious thought.
Not all the wizards were quite as frightened of him as the first to speak up, "Crimson Scar." Hissed one of those wizards recognizing the vampire's affiliation, or more correctly the colors, and pin the vampire wore. "Everyone get out of here." Ordered the scarred wizard.
"Hmm." He looked up intrigued, "Are you familiar with the brotherhood little human?" He asked, he did not know this human. "What do you know of our noble service to our Dread Father, our glorious god of death." A glowing white sword answered that question, and his face set into a scowl. "I see." Tepes hissed, and summoned an ebony arming sword. "A pity, but it would seem your just another mongrel." The vampire rushed forward with all his supernatural speed and struck sending Moody flying. "Time to die Templar filth!" He roared, "Your soul for Sithis. You will die this night!" The vampire called angrily swing downward. The wizard's emergency portkey activated. "Oh if that doesn't take the cake, blasted wizards." Tepes grumbled in annoyance walking back to where he had dropped the young vampire hunter in his haste to strike against the Knight of the Nine.
The other wizards stared, and few vanished in portkeys.
Tepes looked around, "I don't suppose any of you are Templar Filth?" Seeing that he received no response from any of the shellshocked wizards he picked up the Van Helsing and tossed her easily over his shoulder, "No, oh good then." He commented and started walking off.
-scene break-
Here they were again in Hogwarts. In the makeshift Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix the assembled party which had been in London, along with other members of the order had assembled around a large table.
Moody had luckily been wearing his enchanted armor, which had thankfully prevented any serious consequences from the enchanted blade. His ribs were sore, but none were broken, and by and large he was in fact pretty much fine. "Alastor if I may ask exactly what happened?" Dumbledore inquired. "What exactly was all that about?"
"Sithis happened," The scarred wizard snapped angrily at the Headmaster, "He sent Tepes," He growled, "Tepes Listener of the Crimson Scar," The Knight of the Nine continued, growing increasingly frustrated. "he is one the highest ranking members known to belong to the Crimson Scar or the Brotherhood in general, he reports directly to Sithis." Ranted Moody.
Dumbledore stared at his old friend, "Now Alastor could you repeat that slowly so we don't miss anything, what precisely is that matter here."
"Tepes is here, In England once again, Albus." "Tepes, Sithis is not toying about any more, he sent a thrice damned listener, and a member of the Crimson Scar, no less."
The headmaster and leader of the order of the Pheonix sighed, "Alastor let us perhaps start with what is Crimson Scar?" He inquired, he really hated being out of the loop on things especially when this was clearly very important.
"It's a sect within the Brotherhood, all its members are vampires," Moody announced, which actually wasn't what made them a real problem, "they are fundamentally Sithis's largest and most powerful group of shock troops." The scarred wizard stated, "We're talking vampires imbued and strengthened by the god of Death. To elaborate the Crimson Scar are an all vampire sect of the Brotherhood, within the Brotherhood they serve two purposes full on assault as well as assassination missions which require more effort than the average member of the Brotherhood." Explained moody.
"Mad eye what's so bad about this particular listener?" Asked Bill. "I mean from the way he was acting he didn't seem that bad until you know called him out, and pulled that sword on him"
Moody glowered at the red head, and rubbed his sore wrist, which was kind of scary given the magic eye, "His name is Vladislav Dracula, better known as Vlad Tepes or simply Dracula born fourteen thirty-one died fourteen seventy-six." He announced, "Tepes became a vampire upon his death, and through the will and power of Sithis was enlisted into the Dark Brotherhood, were he quickly rose through its ranks. He is perhaps one of the strongest vampires in Sithis's ranks, and if not he is at least the most well known. We officially have him classified as an S class Nosferatu type Vampire, a true member of the undead, rather than a vampire whose heart still beats." Moody clarified for the assembled wizards, "Tepes is cruel, sadistic, disrespectful, and loves war, but at the same time he is also efficient, once he starts a task he will not stop unless he is forced to. I really don't think Sithis appreciated you attempting to interfere, Tepes and Sithis both despise it when some one interferes in their plans."
"I'm sure you are exaggerating, there was no evidence he was even interested in us at all." Albus responded, besides from what he had heard this 'Tepes' fellow had been more interested in rescuing the young lady than fighting the Order, so obviously, "if Harry was truly angry surely he would of acted by now." In truth he was somewhat correct, Tepes was not here for them.
The scarred wizard groaned, "You're taking this far to lightly, Sithis is currently in the middle of a war according to intelligence, against Anubis, ring a bell Egyptian god of death, he probably sent Tepes to eliminate us while he deals with Anubis." Moody growled. The information was completely wrong, Sithis didn't care at all about Anubis, or in fact any of the struggles amongst the goa'uld enough to mobilize his fleet.
"Um Moody is it possible your just jumping on the nearest plausible explanation," Bill spoke up, he had as of late been serving as the Order's chief researcher on the gods, "I mean Sithis could have sent him to look anything, right? Lets face it he was focused on saving the girl."
He frowned, "Even before becoming a vampire he was known as the Impaler Prince, but I suppose you are right Sithis might have sent him for a different reason," Moody remarked crossing his arms over his chest. "but it is unlikely. Now that being said we should figure out who the girl is."
-scene break-
All four System lords had sent units to this portion of the disputed Central region of goa'uld space. Once again it was Yu's forces that focused the bulk of the numbers, but Raiden had been able to supply a sizable capital ship and screening force. With good reason given the situation. Anubis had been dipping south, no doubt intending to reinforce Baal's efforts to take Dakarra. A fortified position their could truly be a useful staging ground, and major fleet hub.
Most of the allied fire had been concentrated on Anubis, and with expected results. The central portion of Anubis's line began to splinter under sustained barrages from the combined force. Each of the Peacemillion class battleships were supported by Dark Heaven Harbringer subclass Dreadnoughts who were further supported by dozens of latest Generation Ha'taks bearing the markings of Yu Huang Shang Ti's chief vassal, and prime minister Guan Yu.
Minerva class and Nana Buluku class fast battleships were providing additional support along the larger vessels flanks and keeping the mobile armors who were attacking the capital ships.
All the while Albion subclass and Daitenchi class Assault Carriers and their Mobile Suits were pressing forward in a strike against Anubis's flank coming up on an ascending relative to both main forces. "My lord the Yamato and Nihon have dropped from hyperspace. Both warships have arrived with their respective escorts."
Two more Peacemillions, the Yamato and Nihon, and their escorts, six Granshiro, appeared above the world high above both main fleet formations. The sleek black battleships attacked first releasing a flurry of deadly Directed energy and physical munitions at Anubis's remaining withdrawing fleet.
Raiden nodded, watching as the newly arrived ships pressed down on Anubis's Ha'tak who had been attempting to focus their guns on the ascending assault force. "Order Kegai no Tama and Hoshi no Tama to reinforce the Garrison."
"Yes my lord."
It didn't make sense. Anubis had struck out at them suddenly, and now was withdrawing from the battle while it was still largely deadlocked. 'Anubis you aren't putting enough effort for this to be a genuine attempt at conquest of this system,' He mused over the situation at hand, 'this is the fifth sector in this region you have attacked, and the twelfth that you have attempted to withdraw from after meeting with initial incursions from Yu or my own forces, all you are doing is snatching up Ha'tak faster than I can destroy them at the moment.'
The formerly exiled system lord was up to something but even if he was aiming to just steal as many Ha'tak as he could they would do little good, as the longer this went on the more Raiden and his allies superior industry would tip things against Anubis.
No doubt Anubis also knew this and had his own plans to act, but what those plans were remained to be seen, ultimately while Ha'tak were a large investment of resources so to were Raiden's newer larger capital ships.
Earth was another matter Sokar and Cronus were now working much more closely with the blue world and this was leading to advancements on both sides, it was something that would but them all in stronger positions in the new regime.
Chapter Conclusion
Helltanz's Notes: To summarize the Order knows Tepes has arrived in England, which will be a minor annoyance to Raiden and Sithis both, also Anubis thinks he's being clever by only invading a system long enough for him to collect the Ha'tak.