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Percy White was a difficult man, most of his coworkers in short thought he was an asshole. This reputation was not unjustified, but Percy was good at his job. 'Mr. Management' was not the nickname men whispered behind his back for no reason. Percy did a good job of organizing things, which was why when SHIELD had warned of the attack against Earth he'd stepped up efforts here in Dakota, and was why he was here himself.
"So what is it you do?"
He laughed, "Well I do a lot of things son, but these days its mostly away from the frontlines." Once upon a time Percy had been the trigger man, but those days were long and one, and been a lifetime ago. Percy wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty, or shoot someone, and would die before betraying his beliefs, but the days of dealing with KGB illegals was a long time gone. "What you do if I told you to prepare for an alien invasion?"
"I'd go see Gear, definitely," Static paused to think, "Alva too, and maybe even Elijiah?" He didn't seem so sure about the last one, "Is that whats up?"
The NID spook nodded, "It is whats up," He'd yet to have been introduced to the 'infamous' Elijiah he'd heard so much about, but he gotten a description... though the original 'big black batman with a sword' hadn't been much help, nor was big black preacher man (with a sword) either for that matter but it gave him something to work with. The emphasis on the sword alone was good intel, swords were distinctive, because any man could pick up a knife and learn how to use it. Elijiah had skill, skill enough to kill Jaffa with swords during the invasion, and that made the NID keep an eye out for him. "I suppose that would be a good plan."
"I guess I'd talk to Long Shadow." Static remarked.
That was good, "Gear and Alva for tech," Percy remarked, and at Static's confirmation he continued, "I suppose given Elijiah's skill set you could go for him for training." tech too, Static chimed in, "well I suppose, Long Shadow for training you could reach out for help."
"Yeah I could do that," Virgil wasn't stupid. The government man wanted something, that'd been clear when weeks ago he'd asked him 'What do you know about the Nazis, son?' Percy knew plenty of interesting things though, "So whats the threat?"
Percy didn't even like his answer, "Well we don't know, and yes thats the truth. All we know is that an attack is coming, and thats all I can tell you."
"So the whole question of what would you do was what?"
The NID man sipped his lemonade, "To see if you had any good ideas, and make sure you had time to prepare. Basically you need to prepare whatever you think is necessary, and thats all I've got at this point." Which very much annoyed the intelligence officer, how was he supposed to help defend the planet, when they didn't even know what they were supposed to be defending it from. "We're pretty certain its not the Thanagarians."
"Well thats a relief." Static grunted sarcastically. "So what stockpile anti giant robot missiles," The other man nodded, and responded with it 'it certainly couldn't hurt'.
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The matter of supplies had become a major concern for the Jaffa rebellion, so much so that it frequently became a point of contention when the council met. It didn't help that the Tauri had used their ships to transfer thousands and thousands of tons of material to their shipbuilding world the central piece of which was ancient technology.
The Tauri colonel in charge of their 'army engineers', which was something the Jaffa did not quite get, was notably tight lipped about the acquisition. The concept of an engineer wasn't lost on them, but O'neill was of the 'air force', which assumed he would have been a skilled glider pilot or perhaps an alkesh pilot, but the air force were the main ones through the gate, followed by the marines of SG 4, who should have been stationed aboard Tauri starships to keep the men in line from a Jaffa understanding. That however was a matter for another time.
"The Tauri system is massive, they have taken a part two of the dry dock assemblies meant for Ha'tak construction, and are intent to butcher a third."
Teal'c nodded, "This is true, but the Tauri are convinced-"
"Of course the Tauri are convinced they are always convinced their way is best." Gerak snapped, "it is not the point why dissassemble three to make just one shipyard it is a waste. Better to make three ships than just one this is a simple fact."
Master Bra'tac, thankfully, took the moment to step in, "Enough Gerak the Tauri have been good hosts, and while it does seem strange they're efforts may yet pay off." He had been on the planet when the Tauri had carefully lowed the, damaged, Ancient facility down to the surface of the planet into its berth. The berth itself had drawn great attention from the Jaffa as it had been excavated with a mix of crystal technology, and conventional Tauri digging machines.
The berth as it existed now was still under, its final stages of, construction. It was here that the Atlas would be built. One day, human (Earth) built, orbital shipyards might be built around earth but for the time being the only option was to use appropriated alien systems in conjunction with human systems.
The Atlas in a way a rehashing of the prometheus, not in hull design, but in general idea. It incorporated numerous alien technologies. Unlike the Prometheus though the Atlas was significantly larger because that was the only it could challenge a Ha'tak short of throwing dozens of naquadah enhanced nuclear missiles at it. Unfortunately nuclear weapons were only effective at close range, so the US was looking for other options.
"The Tok'ra have already arrived," IF the Jaffa had had issues with the ship building thing, the Tok'ra were raising cane over the whole issue... there was the ill defined 'ready for such responsibility', which was steadily grating on the command, and regular soldiers. "We should put off this matter for the time being."
The Tauri ship building facility had been really expanded. The issue though, for the humans, was staffing the place. People had to be vetted for clearance, and had to be up for a prolonged deployment with little to no communication with their families given the realities of distance between the world and Earth. It'd been that particular problem that had slowed down base expansions, and justifying to congress expanding the roster of the armed forces to train thousands of new personnel. Of course the resultant panic from the yearly alien invasion got congress to pass an expedited improved defense budget, which was nice. It was however one of the reasons command didn't particularly care for aliens being allowed on post, more the Tok'ra than the jaffa but the issues were still present. It turned out people who could successfully deal with Afghani National Police, and the like, tended to be able to put up with the Tokra's bs a hell of a lot better than fresh from basic and AIT troops.
"Well good you're all here," The engineering expert remarked, as a civilian/ex military/contractor he didn't have to stomach quite as much bullshit, as the line guys, "the general is on his way up so we're about to start." He'd already read his briefing packet, as evidenced by the open jacket and flipped through pages. Even so he went back to rereading it.
The general in charge of the Engineers didn't know how the Air Force put up with the paternalistic bullshit the Tok'ra spewed, because he'd gotten about sick of it a few weeks in. "We've all been over the issue with the dry docks. The thing is we don't need to produce Ha'tak, and barring a major knock down drag out fight won't need to repair our existing ones. What we do need are those systems for ship construction." Earth wasn't going to build Ha'tak, the hull design could be useful there was no denying that, but it wasn't nearly as effecient as a dedicated warship. God knew that the Admiralty would have killed for Sigfridr or Varyag class ships from the Asgard in place of the Ha'tak they had, and that was even accounting for the fact that neither ship really did the whole 'carrier' thing. "What I do need is for you," and much as he wanted to call them idiots didnt', "to stop antagonizing my tech personnel. I get the Tok'ra have some special relationship with the air force, and thats fine, but we're not the Air Force."
"I do not believe I'm aware of any particular issues between the Tok'ra and Tauri personnel." Perseus's lap dog remarked.
"Well that might just be the problem since you just got here," The contractor chimed in, "General if I may," The brigadier waved him on, "whats going to end up happening is bluntly one of your guys is going to get shot." One of the Jaffa chortled, "If this was Khandar he'd just end up with a grenade in his tent, but its not you can't go around pissing off an entire platoon, there are already morale consequences." He pushed a folder over highlighting a myriad of reported incidents, and naturally the Tokra High Council appointed investigate blamed the Tauri people... big surprise there.
There was very little surprise, amongst the base personel, when Corporal Mathew Cole, and Sargeant Tomas Grant shot and killed a Tok'ra eight days later. It was however still kind of a big deal even though everyone knew it was coming.
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The alliance between Heru'ur and Cronus had been very useful to both parties. Heru'ur was able to prioritize mobile armor development while Cronus focused on refining anti ship guns, and together the two were able to unleash their armies on their enemies. The end of the war with Anubis, and the resulting sharing of his technology (or at least part of it) also proved very useful to their combined interests. In short Heru'ur had a very sweet gig at the moment, which almost made up for the fact he had no idea where to look for his father. He also had one other issue that being Ptah's return, which wouldn't normally have bothered him.
"The arrangement of our forces is advantageous," Heru'ur growled, "however the enemy has benefitted from the diffusion of new technology, and" He slammed his fist onto the console, "I strongly suspect Baal is divering forces through Ptah's territory to assist our enemy." His uncle was also unlikely to stop Baal so long as Baal didn't attack his holdings, which Baal was unlikely to do.
In short there was very little they could do, and Cronus admitted as much. "What of our reserve forces in the area?" He asked gesturing around a cluster of stars, "If we could prove Baal's interference it could be advantageous." On the other hand if this conflict was dragged out it would force the intercession of the more meddlesom members of the council
"I would much prefer to smash Baal's raiders in battle," Heru'ur grunted, impatiently eying the strategic map, "but you are correct that solution would be more expedient."
Cronus nodded, he too would have preferred a more decisive outcome, but it could not be helped. As it was Baal had inheiritted Anubis's fleet, and unless Sokar went to war against him there would be little opportunity for a conflict that was strategically friendly to their fleet's movement. No any war against Baal would have to wait until after a decisive victory, and after their fleet numbers were sufficent. The ships Baal had inheiritted from Anubis were well armed, and the most prudent solution would be to construct similiar vessels. As it was the Ha'tak while still relevant in combat was showing its age. Cronus did admit the reintroduction of old siege ships and the Cheops class ships was innovative for those who were stretched thin of resources otherwise. However as truly worthy of the title system lord more potent solutions were required of him, and Heru'ur as well. The success of Heru'ur's mobile armors over vast numbers of death gliders proved this, even if the modernized Cheops remained a viable ship for screening them. It was an unfortunate fact that grated on his young ally's nerves. There could be no helping it.
Their shared war room painted a bleak picture of the galaxy. What should have been a swift easily won expansion had bogged down, and the galaxy itself wasn't any better. For all the claims of peace between the ranks of the system lords there wasn't any it was just a lie that the system lords spoke of to maintain the illusion of a polite fiction. By Earth's standards Cronus, and Heru'ur would have been considered war mongerers, and even by Goa'uld standards were considered aggressive expansionists. They did inspite of this have moments of pragmatism.
Their alliance gave them time to build up. These skirmishes gave them time to blood their troops, and work out the kinks in designs. Most importantly though it gave them a corridor to expand their empire's to attack more wealthy territories. It was likely that why Baal was sending ships to help their enemies.
A map of the galaxy was in many ways a lot like looking at a map of Earth; a political map that was. Geography did play its part, but politics shaped 'national' borders. It was a very simplistic way of looking at a complex situation, but simplifying the situation made things easier to work with. The divisions within goa'uld space, i.e. The bulk of the Milky Way, owed much to Ra's time as supreme system lord. So the map Cronus was looking at hadn't change much from the map he'd looked at two decades ago... the single glaring exception was the lack of Ra... and the new Earth exclusionary zone.
Cronus contemplated maneuvering his forces into position, but more importantly had to consider how Baal was manuerving the Tuat-class ships through the fringes of Ptah's territory. This sole fact complicated the whole war significantly. "We will have to do something swiftly." He didn't particularly care to admit it, but Anubis had made a potent battleship... no doubt all of the back engineered ancient technology present in the design. For all their reinforced heavy guns Cronus's class was a much purer tech design.
"A battle in Ptah's space would be unwise," Heru'ur admitted, crossing his arms over his armor, "my uncle won't care how this plays out. Still if we did get into a fight it might be worth it..." Just to see how Ptah's understanding of ancient technology, and how his ships stacked up to Anubis's designs. It might be worth a fight. "Are the first Lambada class ships ready?
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Just as Heru'ur and Cronus were unknowing of the threat against Earth so to were the wizards who comprised the order of the Pheonix, and so to were Voldemort and his inner circle. Voldemort didn't care about of a lot of things. A lot of wizarding traditions had meant very little during his first rise, and well into his second. Religous matters had been a very minor issue, not worth the Dark Lord's time as it were.
Now there had been exceptions rumours of magical artificats of power, that would have been something different... would have been something worth his attention. These days Voldemort had two primary focuses, and they had become so important they'd greatly affected Death Eater operations.
Voldemort was furious over two things. The first had been the incident in France, the beating had been a major blow to his ego. In hindsight it made perfect sense, but a loss was a loss. Even if said loss had been against one of Grindelwald's allies ... who seemed to not have aged at all since the end of the second world war. The second was the massive magical disturbance, which had left him bedridden for its duration.
So in short Rossier, and Snape, and various others were getting run ragged along side their lord thumbing through books, and ancient records and other such looking for answers about the second issue. Snape for once would have prefferred to have been stuck digging old world war II records, but that was 'peon work' apparently. Voldemort needed his competent people working on the more pressing issue. The more pressing issue was a lot more headache inducing.
... maybe when he got back Fletcher would have been passed out in a door or hallway again and he could spend a few minutes kicking him to relieve the pent up frustration. As it was it seemed like every question they managed to answer lead to ten or more fucking extra questions they'd have to answer, and it was driving him up the wall. It seemed like Rossier, and the others were having the same problem.
The owl squawked angrily at him.
Severus looked up... oh joy what did the dark lord want now he wondered, and grudgingly took the letter. The sole redeeming trait about Voldemort was his script was legible... maybe a little too fancy, but not nearly as bad as Dumbledore's loop filled writing. The letter, more of a memo really, was short, and thankfully to the point... and unfortunately confirmed that Voldemort did in fact read Severus's reports. In particular one segment read thusly:
'Recognizing that Dumbledore may have an avenue that may lead us to further answers that might be of some use we want you to review Dumbledore's research into summoning...' it went on from there... well on the plus side at least Moody was out of the country for the time being. God knew that Mad Eye would be positively unsufferable when he found this out.
Then there was the fact that Malfoy, Lucius not Draco, was heading heading the Issue number 1 department and they were busy looking for any possible weapons that Grindelwald's allies might have tucked away. Relaying that news was going to be an issue, but it was also possible it might jog Dumbledore's memory from back then, which could be useful.
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Colonel Fury examined the inventory of stored weapons, Will we be ready, and would all of this be enough was the question on everyone's minds. Fury wasn't sure whether they'd be ready the Phase two iniative, even expedited, would take years so chances were that particular program wouldn't be ready in time for this latest alien invasion. Still chances were there would be others. There were always others... there were always going to be others.
SHIELD's mandate was homeland security before homeland security had ever existed. Of SHIELD's focus had always been on less mundane threats, which why Homeland Security had been founded in the first place. DHS didn't care for international elbow rubbing either, which gave SHIELD a chance to grow on its own, and SHIELD had always been on good terms with its British counterparts ever since the days of the Strategic Science Reserve. For the time being SHIELD was just going to have to work with the NID, and Fury could deal with that for the moment.
Fury glanced at the screens around him, the missile grid, FreedomStar, the Daedalus, Promtheus, various Ha'tak, and now Atlas. Billions of dollars expended for planetary defense supplemented by the billions for national defense. There were dozens of other programs running. Initiatives to back engineer Thanagarian shields to create theater scale defenses, or defend cities was just one example of where the money was going. All of this better be worth it, and not just because the bastards in congress would rather spend the money on pork projects in their home states. Still hopefully in the long run the price would be well paid.
"Colonel Fury."
"General." The one eyed man saluted, "I understand you wanted me to review Wilson's reports." For years the stargate had been the domain of the Air Force so the influx of Army troops hadn't been appreciated. The other one eyed army colonel reports thus far hadn't been favorable.
The NID's combat commander nodded, Percy could have his stealthy assassins, there were something you just had to solve by driving a tank through the other guys door. "Nick I'm not gonna be able to cover you against Ross, not with the Air Force breathing down our necks like it is."
"I understand that general,"
The assurance didn't stop Jones from grounding his teeth in aggravation, "Wilson's troops need to be ready, and you're gonna have to put up with fighter jock's attitude for the time being. Ross has command of the Air Force's F 303 wing," The 3rd Spacefighter Wing wasn't even at full strength yet, and wouldn't be for a while even if Wayne delivered all of the planes tomorrow, "he wants to make this out where he can pull a quarterback run like that'll be the game. We'll settle this on the ground, and that'll ..." The world war two general stopped and started fiddling through his pockets for the cellphone Cadmus had insisted he keep with him, "God damn it. Just look over Wilson and just be ready, you know what to do Colonel. I'll send Lieutant Wallace over here later."
The was a tense salute and the hologram vanished, and Fury was left to the mass of intelligence and data that SHIELD had collected. SHIELD had no choice but to be ready, there was no other option because failure meant death. Fury glanced at one of the SSR initiatives... the Helicarrier well that might not have been practical back in the 70s, but there were other technologies Stark had developed back then for the flying monstrosity that could be applied. They'd certainly be a lot easier than letting loose air launched nukes in the atmosphere for congress to swallow.
"Where are we with the Justice League?" He asked the up until then silent lieutenant. For years since the first seven had founded the League the US had struggled to put together a public face to rival the league, "And for that matter what about reviewing the events of the invasion?" The unspoken question of do we have answers about what could have been done better, and what happened during it didn't need to be voiced.
Two separate files, both exceedingly thick, were laid out. Most of it was information he was already familiar with, but it seemed both had gotten thicker since the last time he'd looked at them. The first dealt with the League, and that was one of the things that grated on the Joint Chiefs, and the officer corp... there were plenty of former soldiers in the League. If that hadn't been an issue for some, then it was the aliens apart of the league. "Sir should I get the Avengers Initiative file from the vault?"
"No thats still shelved for time being." He responded grabbing the second stack of files, and settling behind his desk. He'd deal with the League bullshit later. There was another invasion on the way, and hopefully everyone who'd stood up to fight Anubis would show up to fight whoever these new invaders were. Hyuk and his compatriots hadn't been the only ones during the invasion with clearly ancient, or perhaps ancient derived, weapons, and that made it an interest to all the national security concerns. Then on top of that SHIELD also had to look at all the magical people (and creatures) involved during it. He'd leave the Mars Facility, and whatever other installations that weren't on Earth to Space Command, it was less work for SHIELD's already stretched manpower. "They finally finished processing through the video footage I see," It was a pity they didn't have audio to work with because it was evident that the groups were communicating in video footage. "Do we have the comparison of ballistic reports of the recovered HYDRA weapons we have in stock?" He flipped a page over the offered read out, not a match... that was a mix of good and bad for them.
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