DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, Stargate SG1 or any of the real or imagined characters, plots, or stories from those series, but I do own my own characters, plot, and story.
Harry Potter and The Tau'ri Resistance
CHAPTER 2
Back in their shared cell, after Harry surreptiously put up a muffliato spell, they discussed their new predicament.
"Damn, I don't know why we didn't see that coming..." said O'Neill.
Harry replied, "I know, we should have anticipated a move like that to counter our move, but I think I can turn this around to our advantage."
"How?" Daniel worried.
"I'm willing to bet I can beat any symbiote they place into me, and take control of it instead of the other way around." Harry answered.
"Willing to bet?" replied O'Neill. "It doesn't sound like you're absolutely sure to me. Besides, what about us? We definitely can't fight them off."
"Well, if you come up with a better plan between now and then, let me know. As for me I can't be totally sure because I've never experienced a Goa'uld blending. But, even before I became the magical Master of Death, (Carter rolled her eyes and Jackson shivered) I was strong enough to sluff off attempts at mind control while just learning about such things for the first time in school. Even then, my feat was unique and considered well beyond my years and beyond even all but the most powerful adult wizards; and it was a powerful dark wizard who had cast it on me too." Harry offered.
"As for you all. There is a chance that the spell I have on your minds will protect you from being controlled. I'm sure it won't stop them from being able to blend with you, but all they should find is blank memory and might not be able to control your bodies at all." He added.
"What if they can though? Control our bodies?" Captain Carter asked for clarification.
"If you give me permission I will use that same mind control spell that I explained doesn't work on me, to control each of you after they blend with you...essentially I would be controlling them, if it's possible."
"What if it's not possible?" asked Carter.
"Then, I will stun all of you with an omni-directional stunner along with any of the enemy in the room—and we'll make our escape."
The members of SG-1 shared glances at each other and shrugged in turn, with Daniel saying "It sounds like a good plan to start with unless we come up with something better."
"Okay Harry, we'll have to try it your way—I have nothing else right now. You do know that these things hurt going in right?" O'Neill said and Carter added, "and it's downright disgusting too."
Then it was Harry's turn to shrug and said, "It is what it is. I'll keep some pain suppression on our upper torso's so we're ready for it when it happens."
"How long do you think it will take them to get those symbiotes here?" Harry asked.
"If they use the stargate, maybe an hour if they're rushing it. If they are flying them here, then days." Carter answered.
Teal'c finally had something to add and asked, "If Harry's plan works, might this not be an opportune time to steal a Ha'tak for our side? Sokar's command mothership at that."
Everyone's eyebrows perked up in thought, but O'Neill shot it down saying, "It's too risky. Even with the reduced numbers of Jaffa aboard we would have to not only defeat all of them in a variety of locations all over the ship, but both Sokar and Apophis. Then we'll have to escape from the other nine Ha'tak we know he has in orbit and on the planet as well as all the death glider patrols and then what? It's still just one Ha'tak against his full force and it would be just the five of us to crew this one."
"Not if we escaped and made it to the Tok'ra headquarters." Daniel suggested.
"Do any of you actually know where the Tok'ra headquarters is?" O'Neill countered.
"No." admitted Daniel as everyone else also shook their heads in the negative. "No sir." added Carter.
"I agree it would be nice but, let's just try to get out of this one alive. Hell, then we still got to get help from the Tok'ra to get the damned snakes out of our heads. We accomplished the original mission of getting Martouf and Carter's satellite launched and clearing out Area 51." O'Neill said.
"Plus, we might still fulfill our secondary mission objectives. We'll be back on the loose and he'll know we somehow beat his symbiotes. That might give him pause. But, he'll be back on the hunt for us as leaders of the resistance. If Martouf is successful at getting through to Harlan and they can persuade him and our android doubles to get out into the galaxy and make a scene on our behalf as planned. Hopefully he will pull some forces and attention away from Earth to look for us out there." He concluded.
"Yeah, those are all good points." agreed Daniel.
"Okay, sticking to the original plan then to deal with this little symbiote hiccup?" Harry asked.
"Looks like it." said Carter. "You betcha." concluded O'Neill.
…
One week later, Harry and SG-1 were back safely in London, while android SG-1 was out in the galaxy doing just enough to be seen doing it and ensure reports got back to Sokar.
They were decidedly not to risk pulling off real missions, getting caught, or damaged…because that would give away the game. They were a decoy to make Sokar keep one eye and hopefully some resources off Earth.
For that purpose, they were working directly for a Tok'ra agent who was "arranging" all events and transportation so that they would be seen out and about.
Meanwhile, General Jacob Carter/Selmak had returned to Tok'ra headquarters and was busy making contact with the Nox and through them he hoped the Tollan and also the Asgard. To let them know what happened as well as ask for their help in joining an off-world resistance support for Earth that the Tok'ra would volunteer to be the face and logistical arm for so that those powers weren't seen getting their hands dirty, especially the Asgard who had their protected planets treaty to maintain for the other human worlds in the galaxy they had already taken formal treaty responsibility for.
At the same time, The Tok'ra Council was sending a cloaked Al'kesh to Earth, to rendezvous at another safe landing zone the Order protected by an unplottable charm around the small unpopulated Chilean Island, Isla Salas y Gómez to be used only for the purpose of any friendly landings and take-offs from off-world help. There they would take SG-1 back to their world to safely remove their Goa'uld symbiotes which would then be destroyed.
Remarkably, Harry decided to keep his symbiote, having thoroughly beaten it in the blending. It now was his quiescent servant. It's presence not only seemed to strengthen his connection to magic, as if he needed it. However, he now possessed access to over twenty thousand years of Goa'uld racial memory and most notably, scientific and technological advances. That would be useful as he wanted to begin experimenting mixing magic with technology to gain some kind of edge against the Goa'uld, since they had easily licked the problem of getting science and technology to work around magic just fine.
Back in London, as SG-1 finished recovering from their ordeal as Sokar's prisoners and prepped for their trip to the Tok'ra; Harry and Hermione were spending time alternatively between London and Hogsmeade, in the lab with Doctor Lee as well as back and forth to the Hogwarts Library courtesy of a wink and a nod from Hogwarts Headmistress and Order of the Phoenix perpetual ex officio founding member.
The rest of the combined Order and Military resistance organization just continued to build, grow, and consolidate their positions. While they got started fast, they were not fully operational in their respective theatres yet, at least not efficiently so even where they were. And communications facilitated by their sparse number of wizard helpers was still clunky and needed more experience. They were only approaching the third month since the invasion began after all.
What they needed was to assemble and ready a ground based force to prepare for ground counter-attack to match up with an off-world force that would be capable of beating ten fully armed and staffed Ha'tak. The latter was Jacob's focus, and Harry's as well. People were still making contacts and conducting research and brainstorming. Much depended on at least one of the major off-world friendly powers being willing to offer some industrial capacity and resources to them, if not ships and officers as well.
Two weeks later, SG-1 returned free of symbiotes, each now with the ability to use Goa'uld technology for good or ill. The price wasn't worth it O'Neill thought, but the rest of the mission's success was. Additionally, Jacob had managed to broker a meeting that would be held off-world on Gaia, hosted and protected by the Nox, who would otherwise not participate, with representatives from Earth, the Tok'ra, the Tollan who indicated some interest in helping in some way, and the Asgard.
…
"General O'Neill" Martouf began, "I have just received word from Selmak that he successfully got the Nox to broker a meeting between a delegation from Earth, the Tollan and the Asgard to discuss ways they might assist you."
"That's great news. When and where?" O'Neill replied.
"It is tentatively planned for two weeks from today on Gaia." Martouf answered.
"Did he give any indication how they would be willing to help? I mean normally no one is willing to share technology with us." O'Neill asked.
"Not in any detail but, he said that Mr. Potter's current control and full access to the genetic memory and knowledge of a Goa'uld opens up some doors that the others have briefly discussed among themselves." Martouf answered.
With that Harry nodded and Hermione observed, "Of course Harry, don't you see? The Asgard in particular could help us build ships or weapons based on Goa'uld technology because it is not their own technology."
"That's partially true, but their protected planets treaty still prevents them from directly assisting us in any way." Harry countered.
Carter added, "Yes, but I bet they have found a loophole around the rules thanks to you. This could be interesting. And I bet it's also what has the Tollan taking another look at helping us."
"Right… They can each help us now because they don't have to violate any treaties or their own laws on the sharing of technology, as long as they stick to the level of technology we now possess, which essentially is equal to the rest of the Goa'uld." agreed Daniel.
"Well kids, that sounds great—I hope you're right. Let's get Greenbrier on the horn and brainstorm how to approach this. It might not be a bad idea to get them to send us a real Ambassador to help us with this part too." said O'Neill.
…
Two weeks later on Gaia…
The meeting to discuss the liberation of Earth was convened by Lya of the Nox, their host. Attending from Tollana was Omoc and Narim, Thor and Heimdall from the Asgard, Ren'al, Anise, and Selmak/Jacob from the Tok'ra as well as Martouf/Lantash. From the Tau'ri, attending was Ambassador Dr. Weir, Major General O'Neill, Major Carter, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger, leaders of the Tau'ri Order of the Phoenix.
After introductions and greetings were made, Lya excused herself from the proceedings saying that their role was simply to provide a safe and neutral place for all parties to meet, but that they would not get directly involved. What they did next would be up to whatever the Asgard, Tollan, Tok'ra, and Tau'ri decided among themselves.
Since it was really Selmak/Jacob who put the meeting together with the parties, he introduced the leader of his delegation, Tok'ra Councilor Ren'al, whom had prepared a basic framework for how the powers might help the Tau'ri.
"Greetings friends, thank you for coming. Ambassador Weir, General O'Neill—I have exchanged a few communiques with our Tollan and Asgard friends prior to the meeting and we've developed a framework with all of us working together in a way that we believe would best serve your predicament." began Ren'al.
"To begin with let me express our deepest sympathies for the large loss of life you've experienced at the hands of Sokar. We have all agreed that it is in all of our best interests to find a way to help you liberate your world." she continued.
"However, it will come at a cost and there are stipulations and limitations." she added to the solemn nods of affirmation in understanding from all the Tau'ri in attendance. They understood that going in.
"As I believe you are already aware, the Asgard are restricted from directly helping the Tau'ri because of the terms of their ten millennia old Protected Planets Treaty with the Goa'uld. The Tollan have a long-standing policy of not sharing technology with any other world for reasons I'm told you are already aware. As for the Tok'ra, Mr. Potter's control and full access to Goa'uld racial memory is a game changer, in two ways."
The "in two ways" part caused some looks of confusion to cross the faces of most of the Tau'ri delegation.
"We have agreed with the Tollan to assist the Tau'ri since technically, the level of science and technology you now possess even if it is in only the blended mind of one human at the moment, is an equalizer to Goa'uld technology and by that same technicality does not constitute any of us actually sharing that technology with you." Ren'al continued.
"However, our agreement and assistance comes with the stipulation that once the Tau'ri is liberated from Sokar and the Earth is once again free of the Goa'uld control, that Mr. Potter willingly give up control of the Goa'uld symbiote to the Tok'ra, so that we can destroy it." she concluded.
The Tau'ri delegation had not anticipated that but Harry just looked over to Dr. Weir and nodded his head yes, indicating his agreement to that stipulation.
"Councilor, the Tau'ri accept the Tok'ra stipulation and the conditions of the Tollan and Asgard. Thank you." Dr. Weir formally replied.
"Very well then, good." Ren'al continued. "Let me explain the framework we have in mind that Omoc of Tollan and Thor of Asgard have helped me formulate."
"The general premise is for a commercial contract between us to help you build formidable ships and weapons based only on Goa'uld and Tau'ri technology, that you can then use to liberate your world. Once your fleet of ships is commissioned and ready for service, the contract terms are met and the relationship terminated. I'll explain the proposed details of all this." she added.
"Tollana will not share their own technology with you, but will offer space, industrial capacity, and qualified labor on their new Homeworld of Tollana to build ships for you of your own design. The Tok'ra will help you perfect your designs on paper and assist in supervising their construction, as we are experienced with this technology and not restricted by any treaties or laws preventing us from doing so."
"For recompense, the Tollan who are still rebuilding a new sustainable infrastructure on Tollana, will receive in trade their retention of the new manufacturing and shipyard facilities that the Tau'ri will pay for and help facilitate building on Tollana. This helps them expedite the influx of material resources and industrial capacity they are in need of for their own rebuilding as well. For the Tau'ri and Tollan we think this is a win-win scenario for each of you."
Not being able to foresee how Earth would actually pay for all of that nor actually facilitate the large resources needed in their current condition, O'Neill and Major Davis started sharing nervous glances with Dr. Weir, but kept silent as per her preparatory instructions for the meeting.
Ren'al continued explaining "Asgard cannot provide technology that would be destined for use on Tau'ri ships either, but has no restrictions on trade and assistance with the Tollan. Therefore, this entire project will on paper and from any visible scrutiny, appear to be commercial work between Asgard and Tollana on one hand, and Tollana and the Tok'ra on the other. Whatever separate business that Tollana has with the Tau'ri is none of our business." she said with a wink.
"So, the Asgard will send an industrial ship to Tollana, and assist the Tollan in their work, using their advanced and very fast matter re-sequencing construction technology. Commander Heimdall will be assigned to supervise the efforts and role of the Asgard and would go so far as to look over the Tollan's shipyard and manufacturing facility design plans and give them a sign off and bless their blueprints if they are sound. He might even give them some advice to better their designs. But, I wouldn't know about any other agreements the Asgard and Tollan might have in regard to the project." she said with a smirk.
"As sub-contractors to Tollana, we will leave one of our top scientists on site, Anise here," gesturing to her friend on her right, "to supervise the overall Goa'uld and Tok'ra technology that would be going into the new ships and supervise the training of Tau'ri crews."
"Without knowing the details of what your ship designs will ultimately look like, we estimate that the Tau'ri need to be prepared to send a minimum of one hundred crew per ship with backgrounds and skills that Anise will specify for you, or more depending on what you might decide to build." Ren'al paused.
"There is more, but I want to pause here for questions. What do you think of this idea so far?" asked Ren'al.
The Tau'ri delegation shared meaningful glances to each other, then Dr. Weir spoke:
"So far your proposal sounds very good. I think we correctly anticipated the legal conditions of the framework that is allowing you all to come together to help us in this way and we appreciate it more than words can convey right now. However, our concern is how we would pay for all of this; and moreover considering our present condition, how we would be able to facilitate the influx of massive amounts of material resources Tollana will need to perform all the construction?"
"If I may Councilor, I can explain this part." Omoc suggested. Ren'al indicated he should take the floor.
"Dr. Weir, with a suggestion from your General Carter and Selmak and in consultation with Thor, we believe we have a solution to that." he started.
"Since in its legality, this entire arrangement is essentially a set of different bilateral commercial relationships, we suggest that you offer to simply pay in gold bullion, which General Carter says is one thing you ought to have enough of to facilitate payment. You see, all of our societies still also use gold for industrial use even though we do not use it as a basis for currency itself, it is still a very valuable trade commodity."
The members of the Tau'ri delegation could all be seen nodding their heads in agreement, so he continued.
"Then for the Asgard's part, we will pay them in kind from a portion of that gold, and all of their work is strictly a commercial exchange between Tollana and Asgard. As for the material resources, what we would essentially be paying Asgard for would be their gathering of all the necessary resources, refining them, and delivering them to warehouses on Tollana, in addition to the construction assistance of their industrial ship as Ren'al explained. So, you see, really all you have to do is arrange for a shipment of the necessary amount of gold to us and we and the Asgard will take care of the rest, once we have final designs and blueprints from you and the Tok'ra for what we should build for you." Omoc concluded.
O'Neill couldn't help himself any longer and let out a long whistle.
All heads turned to look at him. Apparently O'Neill now had the floor.
"Ahem… sorry about that. But that must be a lot of gold we're talking about. How much is this going to cost us?" he asked bluntly.