Chapter 25
Lightning Fervor
Helltanz's notes: you actually see the other Daedric lords
Chapter begin
–
This world had been one that Anubis had contested just long enough to steal the minor lords few measley Ha'tak. He had sent his Kull warriors to attack, and board the Ha'tak, and kill the jaffa on board, and then sent Jaffa to crew them. It had been quick, and well coordinated. Anubis had been refining the technique, as at the time of the operation elements of his fleet had also been nagging a small group of Raiden's forces. That force had been the very furthest of Raiden's deployed troops.
Tsubasa held the honor of being his noble god's most benevolent and kind vassal. He was the general of dreams, and sweet as a peach it was said amongst Jaffa. Boyish in figure, and blessed with gentle heart he was a living saint.
To be a Jaffa in Tsubasa's service was a great honor. The hok'tar was kind, patient, and generous. He inspired great loyalty in his men simply through force of personality. Thus in Raiden's name, and in the name of his liege lord Aoyama Keito gladly hurled himself in front of the beam of oncoming death.
The plasma smashed into chest, blossoming across his armor singing his face, and burning his well trimmed beard. Aoyama stumbled, a second bolt fired into his chest, and his armor buckled, heating and melting in places. Still the samurai was close enough to still manage a lunge tackling the former minor goa'uld, cornerned spy and would be assassin to the ground. He could feel the burns across his stomach, and the crushing pain in his gut.
Aoyama paid it no mind, and drew with singular purpose his blade in a reverse grip and plunged downward. It met flesh, and silk, and chain and punched deep spraying blood. He was dead, he knew it, but as Jaffa, as a samurai he had dedicated his ninety seven years in faithful service to his god, and to his noble liege lord to die like this was no so bad. His family would remember his sacrifice against the evil, and honor his memory as how he had honored his father's memory.
Tsubasa shouted orders, and Jaffa rushed to seccure the entirety of the room. They rushed to sweep it for explosives, or other cowardly booby traps that the would be assassin might have set in an attempt to insure the success of this honorless attack. Tsubasa was moving forward, magic swirling.
It had been foolish not to be alert about the potential for an attack, that had been his mistake. Still Aoyama Keito was not dead yet. He could yet save the Jaffa's life, and Raiden would be pleased that he could report that at least one Tok'ra was dead. The System Lord would want to see the body, might even both to use the sarcophagus, but most likely he would just take the time to memorize the face, and have the corpse burned on a pyre. Still they needed to know what the Tok'ra had been doing here, even if officially the Tok'ra-Tauri-Shol'va alliance had been disolved they might yet be able to find important evidence.
-scene break-
Sithis smiled gently, as he settled on the stones. Nothing could disturb his serenity it seemed. Not even the fact that Arkay's sworn pact bearer was sixty nine meters from him in the mansion here, not even that. The dread father had it been anyone else might have expected them to actually perhaps challenge his right to be here, but Arkay was not likely to stay anything. Right now the Aedra was too busy settled into the Manse, no doubt occupied with his pact obligations.
Sithis considered the mortal news with some irritation. He took a minute to sip the fizzy beverage offered to him. They were crowded around a couch watching the ongoing cleanup in London after Tepes's actions. A dozen reporters had been swarming the scene more than hour before the police had got to the scene. They'd mistook for an alien incident, which was all the rage amongst the Tauri news enterprises.
"So what happened over there?" She had good reason to ask the question, the street was a mess, a smattering of streets full of shattered glass, and street with a single massive tear down the center, and splattered blood and strewn bodies.
He lifted the glass again, "A stupid boy taking his time on things," He took an easy sip on the soda drink, and sighed, "You shouldn't worry," Sithis rubbed her head lightly, "he's a stupid boy, but he'll do his duty. I should expect this will turn into a repeat of Talvera's bloodshed but the upstarts will die, and when the killing is done Tepes will go back to his keep, and stay there," he would if he knew what was good for him, or Loiusa of Mouromorto would stomp Tepes's chest in till it was blood and snapped bones. He knew the listener would take little patience with Tepes's prodding. Long as both were ready the next time he needed them, Earth was a busy theater. The channel flipped, he ignored the chatter about the new news story, and sipped at his soda.
"Do you think they're mutants?" Kitty asked, "I mean they say Dakota has such a massive upsurge in them, after this Big Bang,"
He let the glass clink on the table, "You've answered your own question," The death god commented, "They're not mutants this thing Edwin took from Norman, this mutagenic gas is just a precursor. He wants a revolution, a new strain for man, a bright future," It was also so ruddy foolish engineering this, but then it was still advantageous that he simply couldnt afford to let it pass by, that was why he had Elijah there. "A light in the dark, a legacy to bring man the strength to defend itself. Thats why that boy always wanted, a legacy." Sithis lifted the glass and drained the rest of the drink
"So do we go there?"
Sithis snorted, "of course not. My oath stands before my kin, your well being my responsibility, understand this. My oath is my bond, for I am death, immutable god of the void am I, and father of all." The daedra hissed rising, and turning from the couch, "Is that not correct Arkay?" he demanded facing the Aedra.
There was a silence that held for a moment, even as the mutants who were standing started to back away, as god stared at god. The silence held, and held, and then it ended as Sithis's lips twitched upward.
Then he laughed, and clasped his hand on the Aedra's shoulder, "So what is my saint hearted brother doing on this miserable little rock so frightfully busy?"
-scene break-
For Sirius he'd settled nicely into England, opened up a little office, and gotten himself a nice little house. It'd been quiet, truth be told he liked the American definition of quiet, all the rock and roll was fun. This whole superhero lifestyle shit on the west coast was a blast, to use some of the muggle phrasing he'd picked up. True he'd been talking with England, finally, the nagging had gotten to him after a bit. It was partially why he was back here. He didn't plan on making it a habit, he had a life to live.
Moody was praying when Sirius found him. He was praying for guidance, praying for strength, praying for vigilance in the coming storm, and praying for countless other things when Sirius found him in the chapel. Sirius had never quite caught Moody praying to the Aedra before.
The Abbot of the Monastery had hastily chided Moody for something as they left, and that was when Sirius saw it, there was a long bloody stain on the bandages of Moody's hand, that Sirius hadn't seen at first. There was a smudge of blood on the altar, where Moody had been busy in prayer. "You should watch it Black," Moody growled, "You don't know anything. The Daedra are ancient, just as old as the Aedra. They are the old gods after all, and they would break these new gods easily. Let the Dark Lord talk all he likes about how I'm slipping,"
"Oh," That was his dignified response. It was true there were rumors circulating about how Voldemort had joked that perhaps Mad Eye Moody was loosing his edge. Of course it could just be Death Eater started rumors.
Moody snorted, "Oh?" He gave another gruff snort, "hah bugger can fuck himself, Vladislav Tepes is a Listener of the Crimson Scar, he is Sithis's mad dog. Stendarr's faithful once drove him from England, and good gods willing it will be so this time, but I do not fear the Dark Lord's mocking." Mad eye growled low, "You understand this Sirius Black," He pulled the bandages from his arm, "That bastard, Vladislav Tepes has been killing since he was a mortal warlord. He was a fighter first." The arm was bruised and swollen, "and that big black sword of his is not just for show. You should know that first of all,"
"You think he's up to somethings." It was more of a statement rather than a question for Sirius, he knew that Mad Eye thought something was up that was just Mad Eye being Mad Eye.
"Vampires don't save Vampire Hunters, especially from other vampires." Moody snapped, "I know you've gone into this muggle magical detective thing, so maybe just maybe Black you and I can track this lead down. What do you say to that?"
Sirius smirked, "I say you better be able to keep up old man, Sirius Black is going to take this case,"
-scene break-
For Lucien this whole affair was hilarious to watch, getting on site had been easy enough these mortals were so used to the technological solution, but ill prepared for the arcane solution. He'd slipped through their underground fortifications easily, and with nary a notice by their guards, and here he was.
It was quite the interesting site at the Tauri Alpha site. Jonathan 'Jack' O'neill had his side arm leveled against a Tok'ra, with quite the crowd of spectators drawn all around him as he barked orders at the woman. "Anise get the hell out of the way, now damn it." O'neill yelled pointing his Berretta side arm at the Goa'uld rebel.
The Tok'ra were worried O'neill was by no means the resistance group's biggest fan, no not even close to be. The jaffa on the other hand, well the more hot headed Jaffa were waiting for the oncoming bloodshed with a great deal anticipation, O'neill was respected would be the word to describe him among the jaffa, him shooting a Tok'ra would be all the Jaffa needed to follow his example, considering they really didn't like the Tok'ra. It was a feeling that was quite mutual amongst the tok'ra..
The Tauri personnel were rather disturbed, and were unsure what exactly to do given the present situation. "Jack what is going on here?" Daniel slid to a halt and reached for his own pistol. Daniel was a lot steadier now in pulling it out. He too leveled his side arm but unlike his team leader pointed it at the very familiar looking adolescent, likely O'neill's original target, behind the Tok'ra.
Well that pretty much settled it for the Jaffa assembled if as the humans would have described Danny as the Nancy boy of the vaunted SG 1 team was pointing his weapon at the Tok'ra whore and the other host there had to be a reason. The Jaffa warriors all leveled their weapons.
Anise didn't like this at all, especially considering both her and her symbiote liked both of the Earth natives, "What is wrong with the two of you. He's just a boy." She snapped angrily.
"He's a Goa'uld." Jack growled angrily in response, yeah the Jaffa clicked their staff weapons into action creating a near simultaneous snap as almost a hundred staff weapons opened and were charged to fire. Some of them were legitimate staff weapons others were the bastardized rifle staffs that the Tauri had shown them how to cut down.
"He is just a boy! He and his symbiote have done nothing wrong." The Tok'ra protested keeping a wary eye on the army of Jaffa who were flanking Jack and Daniel.
"He's Ra!" the ancient gene carrier shouted again
"That's absurd." She retorted hotly in response.
Lucien leChance toyed easily on the knife handle resting on the back of his belt. It was a pity the Dread Father had sent him to gather information rather than to kill. It would have been so easy to make it look like one of the Jaffa had gotten trigger happy.
-scene break-
Elijah took a bit of the cornbread that was on his table. 'Every, every Listener, and Speaker on the whole damn world' That was just how it was, by now even the lowliest of the Brotherhood had surely heard Sithis sweet, and glorious proclamation. They had even heard talk that his declaration had been witnessed by no less than three of the Aedra upon the mountains up in the North. The proclamation about the Guadians had been another thing, personally Elijah wasn't much bothered by the declaration. He had his task, and if it was Sithis's will that they not mess with the Guardians, well yes it was an odd thing, but not their place to question. Still he smacked his hand on the table, it was nice polished walnut table. "Shut it all of you," He drawled on long. There was silence in the room after that, and he took a bite of the cornbread, "Dread Father done told you all ain't nothing to be done against the Guardians, means you lot will stay in line. Now tell me what Alva's up to, before I wring your neck something fierce." He snapped at the assembled lot, "Now I also want to hear all about this cyber warfare infiltration we've go ongoing, but that can indeed wait a minute."
A beady eyed man stepped forward, he would have looked more scientist than anything save for the long scar stretching nearly across his entire neck, then there was the way he dressed. "Edwin Alva's ongoing program is primarily focused on expanding research into the quantum expansion properties of the mutagenic gas that he relieved from Norman Osborne." The man took the time to bring up the report, "He gathered the sample from one of Connor's former assistants, who had made his own modifications, and hoped to win some small bit of fame." Elijah took a minute to finger through the collection of photographs, and gestured for the lanky man to continue, "All things considered the process is rather concerning, the aerisolization of the gas allows its to spread, and thus far we're not quite certain how problematic development of this could be. Testing has revealed exposure of the specimen does not appear to add new powers, though it may strengthen the original ability. At this time we are still reviewing data from Alva Industries, as well as the original research from OsCorp's production labs." This was were things became problematic for all involved agencies. If Norman Osborne were to discover the success of Connor's assistant's formula, he'd likely redouble his funding of Connor's program in hopes of recreating the serum for OsCorp. As it was given Alva's suspected motivations that could lead to a second 'Big Bang' in New York City.
"Estimation of the time it would take for such an initiative?" Elijah's Silencer questioned their expert, "Do we expect to need to move quickly?"
The beady eyed man shifted, "At present, a year perhaps though it would ultimately depend on when precisely Norman Osborne catches wind of all of this."
-scene break-
Sithis glanced upon the blue celestial sphere that occupied his field of vision. This was the world of Nirn. It was a world held many a fond memory of simpler more peaceful times. It was at times a much more endurable world than the Tauri homeworld of Earth, thought most of that was all Nostalgia. They'd burned the Cityship years ago... that had been so long ago.
The only other world which was nearly as blessed by a naturally born and abundant population of magic users outside of the arm which the Daedra and Aedra had confined themselves to.
Earth's magical population was boring, to say the least, not a shred of ingenuity and they had severed themselves from the non magical populous which had led to less of a magical populous because magic was a normally dominant trait.
Nirn was the exact opposite the two 'worlds' had never separated, and it showed Nirn's entire population could use magic, while Earth only about two percent of the six point seven billion populous were magical, of course earth now had Hok'tar increasing the world's value to both the goa'uld and the Daedric and Aedric gods.
The Daedric lord glanced back the sphere remembering the beginning. Long ago a large numbers of the first members of the Brotherhood were recruited from Nirn, or the other Ayeleid empire worlds, so very long ago so much had changed from then, and then transferred to other assignments on other worlds to establish his power base.
"Well, well." Came a positively insane sounding voice. "If it isn't the king of death, himself." The new voice cackled long, and loud.
The Dark God smiled at his fellow daedric lord, "Hello Sheogorath." He greeted the lord of madness in a polite, if amused tone.
"So what brings you deathy here." The god of mischief twirled around comically like a ballerina at inhuman speeds creating a small whirlwind of dirt cackling madly. "Sooo Sithy what brings you to this region of Oblivion?"
"I need to speak to Jyggalag."
It was enough to draw all humor from the other Daedra. "Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, and no, not happening." Sheogorath all but shrieked suddenly all serious at the situation, "Sithis that is not even remotely funny, back," He protested, "no stay away from me. No I don't want him to come out." Sheogorath continued to back up hastily.
Sithis smiled baring the lengthened canines in a cold smirk, "I wasn't exactly givining you a choice in the matter." The lord of the void lashed out and caught the daedric lord of Chaos in the nose with void encased punch. The lord of chaos dropped to the ground like a heap of rocks and began glowing gold.
"Hail Sithis." Greeted the Daedric lord who had taken Sheogorath's place.
Sithis's smile deepened, "Jyggalag." He greeted the Daedric lord of Order. "Your task of orders has not changed." The dread father stated to the other immensely powerful Daedric lord.
"Order will prevail." He proclaimed, "So then what has occurred in my absence since the end of the twelfth era of this world?"
"From what I have gleamed, worship of us has become widedspread through out all of Nirn, including the provinces of the Empire of Tamriel, save Dagon of course," He smiled at this, "the mortals fail to realize though Akatosh died with Dagon."
"Death is the final portion of life. The end of a cycle. This is the natural order of things, a predator must survive by killing, this is how things survive. All must be in the natural order."
Sithis nodded, Jyggalag was and had always been amongst his most trusted lieutenants even before they had ascended to godhood and that had been a long time ago. Besides he was just speeding things up a new era was to begin soon so Jyggalag would have been freed from the geass of the Daedric Lords.
Of course some of his compatriots would not like this at all given with Jyggalag free Sithis did have one of his most powerful lieutenants at his command once again, and Jyggalag was amongst the most powerful of the Daedra to still live.
-scene break-
Jack was toying with a pen as they looked over the latest reports to filter in to Stargate Command. "So we know Raiden's been on earth, I mean we knew that, so I say we go to Japan and look for him now." O'neill commented, never mind he had absolutely no idea how precisely they were going to stop him. "Or at the very least go try and figure out what he's been doing."
Teal'c perked up, "Were you not just concerned with Ra's apparent continued survival," The jaffa stated, "O'neill."
"Forget Ra for the moment," O'neill remarked in response, regretted that Thor wasn't the one telling them this. "Raiden is the much bigger fish for the time being we need to focus on him," He paused turning towards the Asgard, and posed the question that had been bothering him. "so uh, is there any chance Anubis has been on Earth."
The gray alien faced the colonel, "No Anubis still lacks the necessary stealth technology to evade the Asgard sensors," The asgard commented, "Raiden's own development is very recent, and not completely effective either, though technically Raiden has not actually broken the treaty." Kvasir reminded the assembled members of the SGC, to some annoyance amongst the officers. "Raiden has only previously operated where he has followers though his latest visits were to other states on earth."
"Where exactly on Earth has Raiden been operating?" General Hammond inquired, like Jack he really didn't like this, but at least Anubis hadn't also been traipsing around the planet as he pleased.
A hologram of Earth appears with several highlighted regions which were had further projections manifesting from them. "Raiden has made visits to the states of Greece the northern eastern regions of the United States of America, France and Japan most commonly."
"Shit, we have to ring them up and check their entire government staff now," The colonel all but shouted jumping up from his chair, they'd need to start now since that was a lot of government officials, "General."
"I must agree Colonel, this is a serious security breach," General Hammond concured reaching for his official phone.
Daniel perked up, "Uhm Jack," The archeologist began, "I've been thinking,"
"What's new with that Danny boy?" he quipped "You are always thinking."
"According to legend the Japanese royal family are descendants of Amaterasu, more than likely they may not have to have been implanted by symbiotes to side with Raiden but none the less getting them tested not going to be easy."
Jack frowned "Wait, Aren't Goa'uld having kids illegal or something?" he groaned
The former first prime of Apophis spoke up, "Only between two Goa'uld though it seems unlikely a system lord would bear a child." Stated Teal'c.
"Right I can kind of guess why Raiden would go to Egypt, it being where the Goa'uld originally influenced humanity, but Greece? I mean he's Japanese."
Carter shrugged, "There has been an obvious Greek naming trend in some of his warships," She commented, "and according to information acquired he does have Artemis as an underlord."
Jack nodded grudgingly, admittedly Carter did have a point he had forgotten about that little fact, and it did he admitted make sense, but that did still put Raiden traipsing about the north eastern continental US which was far too close to DC and other major areas for his taste.
That was when the Asgard broke the worse news, while yes they were aware of the facilities on Mars, and told the Tauri not to concern themselves with them the Asgard had other news to share. News about old evils, and ancient powers stirring that were all posed far worse than Anubis's current threat.
-scene break-
The Shinku Rai Tatsu was currently 'parked' in a cloaked lunar orbit, Saki's transmission that he had been successful had been a welcome bit of good news indeed. He doubted the Asgard would do anything but had left orders that if it becamme necessary keep the Asgard distracted, for under no circumstances are they to be allowed to interfere, and if the need arose they were to crush theml If they, the Asgard summoned additional ships his forces were to do the same, but they were not unless absolutely necessary to activate the Lunar and Mars Facilities.
He didn't imagine it would be necessary. In point of fact he doubted that the Asgard would consider it needed to intervene, and the Tauri, whatever indignity they might think they were being subjected too just did not have the power projection capacity. As it was he more expected that Saki's plans were more likely to be intruded on by the Tauri Justice league.
The top floor of the large skyscraper was the usual meeting place for convening with Oroku Saki to check in on the leader of the Foot Clan's progress. "So indeed it would seem you have made progress Saki are you prepared to launch the attack?" He questioned, it was primarily intended to be rhetorical. If Saki had not managed to prepare his troops ahead of the assault on the Umtrom stronghold Raiden would have been positively furious.
"Yes, my lord." Stated the shredder with a nod. "The Foot Clan in this city are prepared to breach, I have taken all possible steps to insure that even if this were to spill outwards that we would yet be able to successfully contain this."
He nodded, though strictly speaking he doubted that if this did spill out such would be the case, as it was it was likely the Justice League would interfere if it came to fighting on the streets of New York. "Good." Raiden praised before he withdrew a long wooden box from seemingly out of nowhere. In truth it was a minor trick, useful only for making small children laugh, and as a means of storing gifts without having to suffer the indignity of visibly carrying them personally. "Seeing as you lost your previous sword," The leader of the foot had the decency to look at least a little embarrassed at being called out over such a great shame. "I have had Masamune produce for you a new one, it is different from your previous Tengu series as you will note." Raiden drawled on, "This new one is quite a bit of an improvement over you lost weapon, though it retains your previous Tengu series sword's screaming capabilities. Finish making the arrangements you feel necessary we will attack once everything is prepared. Go now."
The Shredder opened the box withdrawing the finely crafted blade that his master had presented to him while the system lord focused on other matters for a moment. Once the Umtrom were dealt with things would be much easier to deal with though there were risks of launching a direct assault. The Justice League, and the Tauri's many intelligence agencies amongst them. He also knew it was critical to avoid the attention of the likes of Sokar.
Chapter Conclusion
Helltanz's Notes: