Jump Chain Gothic 5 - Merlin

Part 9

Cosmic Warehouse. Outside of Reality.

Cortana, who was in control of the probe that was currently hovering before me, used the high tech device to project a hologram. The quality of the image wasn't that great, but it was more than detailed enough for me to realise what I was looking at.

"I think this would make a good base" the AI was saying to me "It's in a remote location, its hard to reach, that combined with the cold weather and lack of food in the area makes assaulting the fortress with an army problematic to say the least. I scanned the base and found no life signs".

This time I didn't need an Asgard memory stone to help me recall this place. Not that I used that device so much these days as I had a much powerful mind than that of most humans. I was able to recall important details and to figure out ways to use information to my advantage very quickly.

"It's call the Fortress of Ismere" I told Cortana.

At least two years after her second downfall, which was many years from now, assuming that it would still happen, Morgana Pendragon used the Fortress of Ismere as a hideout for herself, the young dragon Aithusa, her men and a Druid ally of hers. She also occupied the fortress as part of her search for the Diamair.

In the show Morgana was looking for the Diamair, the key to all knowledge, so that she could find out what Arthur's Bane was. With this information, she would have been able to find out how or who by, Arthur would die. With that knowledge she'd able to kill her half-brother and take his place as ruler of Camelot.

What Morgana didn't know was that the Diamair was in fact the Euchdag, a living creature, and because she thought that she was looking for some sort of object that was hidden somewhere in or around the fortress, she ordered the prisoners that her minions captured, to dig around in order to find it.

The Euchdag was humanoid in appearance, but rather alien looking despite that, which meant I shouldn't have trouble recognising it if I saw the creature. Not that I had any desire to interact with the strange lifeform as I had no desire to know everything. If the Euchdag was under the fortress then I could seal off the lower levels and leave it in peace.

Cortana was now showing me images on the inside of the fortress. The throne room was virtually empty, except for an old throne, some unlit torches and a few statues, all of which were covered in cobwebs. The castle's insides included many passages, a few large bed chambers and what looked be a dining room, all of which were also covered in cobwebs.

"We can transport some equipment and bots to the fortress, and they clean the place up" I said.

Because I had a role to play in Camelot I couldn't just go off to the fortress and renovate the place. However I didn't need to as Cortana could remain linked to the bots stationed in the castle via the satellite we kept in orbit over the kingdon, and she could oversee the work. All that would be required of me would be to take stuff out of the Cosmic Warehouse so that the materials could be beamed to the fortress.

Once it was habitable and secured with many layers of defences, I'd have a better place to retreat to that a boat in the middle of the ocean, which I had always intended to be a short term solution. As a bonus this fortress could be used to store things I wanted to keep out of the hands of people, but not place in my warehouse. And I could use it a permanent base should I ever be driven out of Camelot. I didn't think I'd need a whole fortress just for a place to hide out, but it was best to prepared for the worst.

Much later when my decade was up I could destroy the fortress, or leave it and come back to reclaim once I had Planeswalker spark, if I failed to achieve the spark then that would be okay as I could place the large building out of phase with a power source that could last for thousands of years.

"I don't know if my magical tutor can track me wherever I go or if she'd just spying on Camelot, so I won't set foot in the fortress until I have some ways of defending against her scrying" I was now saying "But I think there is somewhere I can go to obtain that knowledge".

Somewhere in Albion was a city called Helva, it was a place were magic was practised openly rather than it secret because in most places was forbidden by law. I'd heard only stories about it, and I had no idea why Uther hadn't burned it to the ground years ago, but what matter was that in a city were magic was tolerated at the least I should be able to find something that would shield from scrying.

At least I wouldn't have to worry about anyone recognising me as I had little piece of Stragoth technology that would allow me to assume another's form. No one in my group had ever figured out how to control the mimicking devices so I'd be stuck looking like a member of the SGC, but that wasn't much of an issue in this reality. Miranda had acquired the tech in trade with Stargate Command and it was a testament to her skills with words that she'd been able to get such potentially dangerous technology for my group's use.

"Cameron!" I called out.

My bodyguard moved from the entrance to the Cosmic Warehouse, were she'd been keeping guard, and came over to me.

"Yes, Master?" she said, while giving me a short bow.

I didn't think I would ever get use to people talking to me that way, but if she'd asked I would have admitted to my Terminator that her calling me Master was rather sexy.

"There's an errand I need you to run for me" I told her "I want you to visit Morgana's and Merlin's rooms. Remain out of phase as much as possible, and obtain me some of their hair. Then do the same for all the highest ranking knights of Camelot".

She didn't question me, but I explained my reasoning anyway.

"I want to check out the DNA of magic users to see if its a genetic trait, if it is then I can gift it to people" I told her "As for the knights, I may need a clone army one day and they'll make suitable templates".

They were strong, loyal and decent warriors so I could do worse than clone them for an army, should I ever need to.

"I'll return soon" was all Cameron had to say on the matter.

As she left I thought about how this task while odd suited my Terminator as she was an infiltration model, so sneaking about and blending in when required in order to complete an objective was her fortee.

"Cortana open up your files on future Jumps" I instructed "Access the Clone Wars Jump".

Once she'd done that I gave her the outline of a plan I had for that possible Jump which involved starting of at Tatooine and then buying the planet from Jabba the Hutt before turning the world into a place suitable to join the Republic. Tatooine was one of the possible starting points on that Jump and it seemed a good a place as any to begin. The planet had plenty of potential in my view.

This new plan of mine involved using time dilation technology to build up all the industry and infrastructure within a period ranging from six months to a year, however since I'd be outside the field only a few hours would pass for me. No sense wasting up a tenth of the time in that setting just building up when I could outsource the work to Miranda who thrived on important projects.

Once everything on Tatooine was ready I'd buy slaves from the Hutts in bulk and assign them jobs in the factories that would build many useful devices that I would sell the galaxy, while always keeping the best stuff for myself. Slaves would be required to work until they'd paid off the cost of buying them, and then be free to leave or stay as they chose.

I could use some of the memory tech I'd gained over the years to rapidly teach people how to do their jobs, although their work wouldn't be too complex since I'd use bots for the difficult as well as dangerous stuff, and I'd buy slaves that already had useful skills. I wanted to use people because as the infrastructure grew I'd need more people, which would allow to buy some slaves and set them up with better lives. There was no sense having a productive and prosperous world if there was no one around to enjoy it.

Then once I had a world that was populated and prosperous I'd contact the planet of Naboo, and use them to sponsor my worlds entry into the Republic. This would allow me to make contact with Padme Amidala, who would either be Senator or still Queen at that point.

An experienced diplomat could be useful to me and stealing Anakin Skywalker's future wife for myself would be amusing. I was sure that I could recruit her as I had much to offer, and she cared deeply for her people. I could save her beloved Republic in exchange for her joining my harem. Plus she shouldn't be too young for me a few years after the Blockade of Naboo, but even if she was I could still recruit her later after laying the groundwork.

Once I had the attention of the senate I'd be able to introduce new tech and warn them about future dangers, such as the Yuuzhan Vong, since I'd be going to a Star Wars Legends universe not the Disney one. I knew the Legends Star Wars Universe so much better.

I'd tell the Republic the truth, from a certain point of view, letting them know that my group was from another galaxy, and that we'd come to explore their galaxy while helping out while we could. Between the political stuff I'd have time to have some fun, doing stuff like battling pirates, checking out different worlds, and living the high life. Also I wanted to bed a Twi'lek or three,

For sure I'd find a way to kill Palpatine, his Sith powers wouldn't protect him from beaming technology as it didn't exist in that universe, but I'd have to be careful as not only was he dangerous he was also the head of state and killing them tended to get you in trouble.

I'd have to track down and kill Dooku as well, again without anyone finding out that it was me behind the deaths, and if things went wrong, well there were plenty of places to hide out, I could set up a base in a totally different galaxy if needs be. Maybe I'd explore a few of those galaxies while I was there.

Plus there were other darksiders, but with Bane's line of Sith snuffed out the Jedi could handle them, and with the source of that galaxy's corruption removed I could focus my efforts on dealing with problems in the Outer Rim parts of the galaxy. Which would expand my influence.

Since I wouldn't be trying to uplift many worlds, I'd simply be able to sell suitable technology to improve lives, I wouldn't be spending so much trying to build a galactic government, as one already existed, my group could use everything we'd learned from setting up the Confederation to make Tatooine a bright center of the universe. As least as much as it was possible.

Acquiring Skywalker's mother was vitally important as I might need her as a bartering tool should Anakin ever become an issue for me. Besides from that I might as well save her from her terrible fate by ensuring her safety. Which would mean getting rid of the Sand People, or at least relocating to them to a part of the planet very far away from the settlements.

Also since my group already very advanced tech we wouldn't need to spend so much time flying about trying to acquire every gizmo ever seen. I could instead go to different worlds simply to see them, which would be very nice for me.

I foresaw that the Hutts would likely try to reclaim the planet once I had made it more advanced and productive, however if they did resort to using force they'd only be able send mercs and bounty hunters against my military might. This was not something that greatly concerned me, and if needs be I'd destroyed the Hutt cartel, and take over Hutt space.

Of course I wouldn't be able to hold onto all those worlds, and I couldn't simply let them descend into anarchy either, hence why I'd need Republic aid, as they could take over the care of those worlds. Or I could just kill some of the Hutts and let them keep their space while answering to me, this would allow me improve things without straining my resources so much.

I finished outlining my plan before too long, as fun as it was to do that sort of thing I really should get some sleep sometime soon.

"So Star Wars for the next Jump?" Cortana asked me.

It could very well be so.

"I have many years before I have to make that choice" I said to the AI "And I want a Jump that the whole group can get behind, but there's no harm in planning ahead".

At some point I might even wake everyone up from stasis and run the idea by them, but there was no rush. I had plenty to do in this world in the meantime.

(Line Break)

Camelot. Albion.

The marketplace was crowded and dirty, the ground had turned to mud thanks to the early morning rainfall and the passage of some many people, and while this city was cleaner than it should be, that didn't mean that my boots weren't going to need a good clean. Lucky for me Cameron didn't seem to mind hard work, in fact if she seemed to enjoy doing chores for me, not that I could be sure that she ever actually enjoyed anything.

While it was tempting to return to the Citadel and do some more reading I couldn't spend all my time locked up in my room, only leaving for official events and practice sessions, if nothing else people would start to wonder what I was doing in there all the time, and the less attention I attracted the better. So I was out and about.

I'd gone to large outdoor markets like this before on planets in the Stargate verse, and aside from the lack of weapons the market here in Camelot really wasn't that different, at least in the sense that it was filled with people trying to sell me stuff that I didn't need.

Because I had access to replicators I had no need of fine linens and cloths, or even silks from far off lands. Nor did I require the fleeces of sheep, or hides from cattle. I did not desire any wine, which was expensive here as if nothing else glass wasn't cheap to make, and I had no desire to buy barrels of ale or mead.

I'd not gotten drunk in a good long while and I wasn't even sure that I could as I'd altered my body so much over the years that I couldn't even be sure that booze would affect me like it did a human. I should test how my body chemistry would react to alcohol. I'd sipped some wine recently, but even somewhat dangerous stuff could be harmless in moderation.

A lot of the stalls sold the necessities of life, a surprisingly wide of foodstuffs, include fresh fruit, such as pears, apples, or plums, and many types of vegetables, eggs, butter, and a few kinds of meat. Goose meat was a common sight at this market, but in my time it wasn't often seen nor was pheasant. At least not be me. I avoided eating pigeon as I knew them to be flying rats.

Of course they lacked food preservatives other than salt and they didn't have refrigeration so I only ate local food that was served at royal feasts or that Cameron brought me. She protected me from more than physical threats, and I had feeling that at meal times she watched the kitchen staff with great interest.

I walked past a stall that had seemed to cater towards those who had a bit more money than the average peasant, the merchant sold rugs, jugs, wooden carvings of moderate quality, and other items my eyes on only skimmed over.

My attention was soon diverted to a jewelry stand. Which were not like the jewelry stores of my time, which tended to be filled with overpriced mass produced shiny stuff, instead every piece for sale was handmade my a craftsmen who'd spent years mastering his craft.

In addition to basic forms of personal jewellery such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches, that were common enough in what I thought of as modern times, medieval jewellery often included a range of other forms less often found in modern jewellery stores, such as fittings and fasteners for clothes including, buckles, and buttons, as well as what I mentally labelled as hat badges, decorations for belts, weapons, purses and other accessories, and decorated pins, mostly for holding hairstyles and head-dresses in place.

My attention was drawn to neck chains carried a variety of pendants, from crosses, which I was certain would become more common in the years to come to symbols totally unknown to me. I was pretty sure that none of them would be symbols of mystical importance given where this market was located.

I was thinking of buying Morgana a present, as a sign of my affection towards her, and I'd come to this stall because jewellery was a very important marker of social status, and most prosperous women had to have the best stuff.

However I had not seeked a goldsmith for the best stuff as I didn't want it to seem as if I was courting Morgana, at least not yet. Sending her a small gift of jewelry, something made of amber, jet, or freshwater pearls would be more suitable and not earn me the king ire.

"How about this?" I asked Cameron

She examined the bracelet that was made out of amber and silver, I thought it was pretty, as much as I could admire something that way. Since I could easily replicate stuff like this it no worth to me, and I valued knowledge far more than anything material.

"It's shiny" was all she had to say on the matter.

That was good enough for me.

"You should buy something for the others" Cameron advised.

By 'others' she meant the women I had in stasis, and of course she was right, a nice gift would show them that I'd been thinking about them while off on my own. However since I could replicate them as much jewelry as they could ever want without ever spending a penny, it seemed silly to pay for the stuff.

The only reason I was buying Morgana a gift rather than designing and making something with virtual construction, was because I needed to be seen out and about. Also if she liked an item I got her she might seek out more like it and that would be hard if it was replicated.

Perhaps I could buy something now and then use the stuff to practice enhancement on, something they could wear that offered a form of mystical protection. But stuff like that must take years to learn how to enchant such things. Still I had plenty of time, so for now I'd just pick up something for Morgana.

I ended up selecting something that was made out of very colourful opals, which seemed nice enough to me. Hopefully her ladyship would also approve of it.

(Line Break)

Helva. Albion.

While the Stragoth mimicry device attached to my chest was all the disguise I needed, this hadn't stopped me from having a little fun with the way I appeared. I'd decided to go for the whole dark knight look, with black armour made from a metal called trinium, which existed naturally in the Stargate verse and even there it was a rare mineral.

Trinium was one of those materials that couldn't be replicated even when you could combine Federation, Asgard and Ancient technology, however the material could be created in small amounts by the Matter Furnace, and then sculpted into the right shape using virtual construction technology.

Plus it helped that I could replicate dense materials such as lead and then feed the metal directly into the Matter Furnace, which was much easier than scooping up space matter, such as rocks and ice. Thus making enough trinium for one suit of armour was simple enough.

This had involved me having to learn how all the different parts of a suit medieval body armour were forged and how it all fit together, but for me that hadn't been much work, not when I had medieval blacksmiths to question and books on the subject to consult. The royal library back at the Citadel was very impressive given the time period. Books were very expensive before the printing press was invented, and yet Camelot's library had an extensive collection.

Cameron was of course with me, but she'd decided to stay out of phase so that no would notice her presence unless she came back into phase in order to deal with some threat to me. Not that she needed to worry as I was currently protected my many layers of defence, some were more physical the others.

So far I wasn't impressed by this city, compared to Camelot it was dirty, but not as filthy as a real medieval city would be, and it did smell too bad, but it had too many poor people, and there were no magical wonders around. A place were magic was practiced openly should have hovering buildings, or something remarkable. The sheer mudanness of the settlement was very disappointing.

Camelot had no people openly practicing magic, but it was a nicer, cleaner place to live, that contained people who had a better standard of living. That much became clear to me very quickly, even the clothing was of lower quality here.

Despite the poverty there were some trinkets for sale, stuff that was noticeable Celtic to my eyes. This included Celtic knots, which were called Icovellavna, which were a variety of knots and stylized graphical representations of knots used for decoration. Some of them were mystical symbols so I wouldn't wear them openly in Camelot. Not that I intended to buy any as my gold needed to be sace for more valuable purchases.

"Excuse me" I said to an elderly woman, who didn't shy away from me, possibly because she was too short sighted to notice what I looked like "Can you direct me to someone who deals in magical items or book?".

She held out her hand and I placed a large gold coin within her wrinkled grasp. With surprising quickness the money vanished and I was directed to a building that was again disappointing in its normalness. I stepped inside the poorly lit interior and looked around.

There was more disappointment within, there were no skulls with dribbly candles, and not much in the way of books either. I did see some curtains that could be hiding something, however I didn't bother them in case it upset the owner of this business. However since he had an armoured knight in his store he was already on edge, and his nervousness was understandable.

Since it didn't look as the if the store owner was going to be very helpful, I decided to help myself by taking all the books I could find. I planned to pay for them before I placed them in my expanded bag. I didn't even know if any of the books would be useful to me, but since I could just replicate more gold coins it hardly mattered how much money I spent.

As for the other stuff here, well some of it could be handy, but since I knew nothing about any of it, and the business owner was not looking talkative, I decided to leave it for now. I could always come back once I understood more about magic, and could filter out the good stuff from the crap.

Besides I had to get back soon as there soon would be some peace talks and if memory served there was suppose to be an outbreak of disease before that happened, only it had not. Which made sense as my magical tutor wouldn't want to risk killing her only ally within Camelot by employing biological warfare.

I gathered up the books, placed them in my expanded pouch and then dropped a bag of gold coins on the counter. While the owner of this place was distracted I had outside to find a quiet place to beam out from.