Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Star Wars, or Stargate movies, TV shows, games, books, or comics. This story features elements inspired by Warhammer 40K. They all belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not for sale or rent.
Chapter 22: Disclosure
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Interlude: A hint of things to come
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The New Order is here! Resist brothers and sisters! Resist!
A poster from printed and distributed by sympathizers of the Humanity First, terrorist organization
"She was an alien! I saw her eyes glow!"
from the confession of Jonathan Smith, who was arrested for the murder of his wife
Gendarmere and riot police forces are clashing with rioters through Paris, following the news of France's participation in the disastrous Abydos Expedition. Opposition leaders call for the immediate resignation of President Aubert, and emergency elections.
Euronews
Anti-war protests throughout Germany transformed into violent riots after encountering far-right rallies condemning "selling" Germany to alien interests. In Berlin, opposition leaders are condemning the government for taking part in what some see as an attempted imperialistic power grab.
Associated Press
Cultist leader Set, and Russian oligarch Yuri Gerasimov confirmed to be aliens! In a joint statement, representatives of the United States and Russian governments made it clear that the connection between the two of them was their alien nature. The incredible news rocking the globe give further credence on Kremilin's narrative about the death of the Russian President.
The Russian government authorized and launched the raid against Gerasimov fearing a repeat of the Tacoma Crisis in Moscow. During the resulting engagement between Gerasimov's personal army, and Russian Spetsnaz, Gerasimov deployed alien weaponry and armor, resulting in significant casualties among the government forces before the survivors managed to neutralize him.
This information puts the Russian Civil War in a new light. The Russian government suspects that some among Gerasimov's acquintances who formed the League of Oligarchs might be compromised by alien influence.
BBC World News
Controversial archaeologist Dr. Daniel Jackson vindicated! Dr. Jackson who became infamous in archaelogy circles due to persisting with his then fringe theories. He suggested that the Egyotian pyramids were built as landing sites for alien spacecraft. Dr. Jackson also postulated that there was a cultural cross-polienation between ancient civilizations, that current theories and discoveries can not explain.
Contact with the alien monarch Lord Perun, and the recent catastrophic Abydos Expedition, confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dr. Jackson's theories are true.
Nevertheless, detractors of Dr. Jacksor persist in their claims that his theories were not based on sound science, and that he failed to produce any evidence at the time to support his 'wild' claims. Further, that he turned out to be true, makes his theories no less of an example of a bad science.
The Scientific American
Storm Industries in Colorado Springs is an alien corporation! The mysterious Lady Lyda, who is the foreign investor behind the revitalization of Colorado Springs is an alien, a personal representative of Lord Perun no less!
Times Magazine
Breaking news! Chicago is under siege!
Violence erupted in Chicago between National Guard units and local gangs. Shots were fired early today at National Guard patrols, which led to an ongoing engagement. Governor Newman, and the Commanding General of the Illinois National Guard declared martial law in the city until order could be restored!
CNN
Detained Russian oligarchs suspected of being alien infiltrators!
Associated Press
The United States Air Force is in the possession of and flying alien aircraft bought from Lord Perun! Military sources claim that its performance is literally out of this world.
We regret to inform our readers that reality is officially weirder than fiction, so we might have to become a regular news agency….
The Onion
The Pope announced that the Catholic Church is ready to welcome our extraterrestrial brothers and sisters with open arms!
Associated Press
Billions, perhaps hundreds of billions humans are currently enslaved across the galaxy! This is the truth our government is attempting to downplay! Their good friend Perun? He is an alien parasite infesting some poor bastard! Right now, as we speak, he is lording it over millions of human slaves! This is not the time for submission, but for action! This is the time for a crusade against the Antichrist! We shall know him by his actions and he is coming to tempt us all into damnation!
Reverent Elijah Thompson, religious leader with ties to the Humanity First terrorist organization
Alien representative Lady Lyda will speak in front of the United Nations Security Council.
USA Today
More survivors of the Abydos Expedition to speak in front of the UN's General Assembly!
New York Times
Captain Jonathan Price, Commander of A Squadron of the 22nd SAS Regiment, was confirmed to be the leader of the British portion of the Abydos Expedition. We regret to inform you that the SAS security detail for our scientists suffered near-total casualties. Captain Price is the only survivor and is currently recovering in a US military hospital. He is expected to appear in front of the UN later this month.
BBC
Delta Force suffered catastrophic casualties! A platoon of the Delta Force was tasked with providing additional security for the Abydos Expedition. The unit was under the command of Major Paul Grayson, who died buying time for civilians to evacuate. A single reported survivor of the Delta Force contingent is currently in critical condition.
All US military personnel who died on Abydos will be buried with the highest honors at the Arlington.
USA Today
The Egyptian military put Giza under lockdown after detaining two British tourists attempting to vandalize one of the pyramids. The overall situation in Egypt is tense after the revelation about the nature of the Goa'uld and ancient Egyptian culture. After three days of riots, local security forces and military units regained control. Most of Egypt remains under martial law.
Associated Press
Movements to preserve and bring awareness to ancient Slavic culture in Eastern Europe are elated and torn over speculations about Perun's origin and its implications.
Euronews
Despite the earthshaking news lighting the globe on fire, the Russian Civil War shows no signs of ending. The League of Oligarchs flatly refused to surrender themselves and their armies in government custody so they could be examined for alien infiltration.
The Russian Government released a statement declaring that anyone who surrenders until the 14th of January will be treated well and conditionally released after being confirmed free of alien influence. Past that date, anyone who surrenders would be treated as a captured terrorist and punished to the full extent of the law.
Many Russians applauded the government's hardline stance towards the oligarchs.
BBC World News
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Part 1
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The Dalai Lama proclaimed that people should be mindful of their surroundings. "We should not let fear of the different and unknown cloud our judgment," he said. "Nothing in Buddhism contradicts the existence of other sentient beings or life in general, across the universe."
Associated Press
The revelation of alien life has had little to no religious impact on India. In contrast, the news of the disastrous Abydos Expedition and the potential galactic war we might be entangled with. Recent revelations that Lord Perun serves a being claiming to be the Goddess Kali have caused religious strife and hot debates in various parts of the country. Despite that, after the initial protests and riots died down, the situation across the country remains relatively stable.
BBC World News
Moderate Muslim leaders worldwide call for people to remain calm. Nothing in the Koran contradicts the existence of aliens or claims that if they do exist, they wouldn't be created by God. Indeed, some passages say Allah created many people across various realms, which can also mean other worlds.
Radical Mullahs appear to be divided into two main camps. One group calls for holy war against the infidels aligned with the Great Satan. The other is praying that the aliens would smite the Great Satan for all its transgressions against the Muslim world…
Associated Press
Colorado Springs resembles a military camp more so than any other city in America right now! The reason for this is simple. Storm Industries is a corporation confirmed to be owned by aliens and working on joint projects with the US government. The security in the city is exceptionally high due to the deployment of National Guard units and US special forces to protect assets vital to national security.
Since the disclosure, only martial law has prevented the formation of overwhelming crowds of protesters and UFO enthusiasts. Riot police and MPs have been deployed in force, and we can see tanks in the streets in the center of barricades blocking access to whole districts of Colorado Springs!
CBS
The number of murders and violent assaults against alleged aliens and alien infiltrators skyrockets worldwide. As of this morning, we have confirmed 459 dead and thousands of injured people rushed to local hospitals. Hundreds have been arrested, with many people voluntarily surrendering, expecting to be rewarded for their diligence in safeguarding their communities against the alien threat.
So far, no dead or injured victim has been confirmed as an alien infiltrator.
BBC World News
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11 January 1997
The United Nations building, New York
The United States, Earth
Milky Way Galaxy
A perverse part of Jack's mind was glad that others had to share his misery. He was still in a bad mood after his first questioning session in front of the General Assembly. So far, he had to do a repeat performance every damn day since then. Some of the questions were the same but were asked differently as if people hoped he would give them the answers they wanted instead of the truth.
Today was going to be a special show reserved for the Security Council. Jack was in front of the building, flanked by a security detail formed as an honor guard. Only a red carpet was missing, though that was reserved for when Perun arrived and stirred the pot further.
This was literally letting a snake in the chicken coop. Under different circumstances, Jack might have found the situation highly entertaining. Even with Hammond giving Jack a heads up on what to expect, O'Neill wasn't sure what Perun had cooked up. All he knew for sure was that Lyda went back for consultations after she was requested to speak in front of the UN. Then, she had returned with honor guard and apparently dressed to impress.
A Black Hawk escorted by a pair of Apaches approached over the river before circling in front of the building. Despite much of New York remaining under lockdown, no one was taking any chances. It didn't help that Jack heard rumors of some crazy militia and conspiracy nut types trying to bring weapons into the city.
The chopper landed, and its side door slid open, revealing Jaffa in familiar, unwelcome armor. Those weren't quite the designs Ra's soldiers used, which was a relief. Despite that, Jack felt his guts clench at the sight of those soldiers walking on Earth as if they owned the place. There were just two of them, clad in armor polished until it shone. It appeared gold-plated and had stylized eagles engraved on the chest plate. Those symbols complimented enclosed helmets shaped like eagle heads with glowing emerald eyes.
The Jaffa disembarked first, carrying painfully familiar weapons as if they were toys. One offered a hand for Lady Lyda, who took it with a smile and gracefully stepped out of the chopper. She wore a silk robe in some Indian style, if Jack wasn't mistaken. It was woven with strands of gold and silver, which complimented all the jewels weighing her down.
This wasn't Lyda, as Jack had seen her before. She was every inch the Noble she was supposed to be, and now, both looked and acted like it.
"Colonel O'Neill, it is good to see you hale," Lyda smiled demurely at him. Her eyes sparkled with mischief when she offered him her hand.
Jack looked at the hand, focusing on the gold bands weaving around it like snakes converging on a gem in her palm. What was one more alien weapon or device when she brought a pair of bodyguards that would need anti-tank weapons to take out?
Jack bowed, gently took the offered hand, and kissed it.
"Good boy," Lyda purred at him. "Would you be so kind to escort me in, Colonel?"
"As my Lady wishes," Jack was able to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. She was laying it down thick. He could only imagine what kind of show Perun was about to make when he arrived if this was the appetizer.
Jack bit the bullet and offered his hand, and after Lyda took it, he led her inside, followed by the Jaffa. The security detail fell in place, forming a ring around them. A few carefully chosen reporters took pictures of their approach under the supervision of more security.
The building's lobby was packed – soldiers, security, and diplomats who had found a reason to be there to see their first real alien in person. Lyda paid them no attention and merely strutted beside Jack with her head raised high and a haughty expression on her face.
Was this how old European royalty used to behave a century or two ago?
Fortunately, there were no incidents on the way to the elevators, just quiet murmurs and fascinated looks. Jack did his best not to visibly cringe when the two Jaffa packed themselves in the back, crowding much of the elevator. They were enormous, and their bulky armor made them even larger. Comparing them to Terminators wasn't strictly off the mark.
They finally reached the Security Council Chamber, yet Jack wasn't fortunate enough to escape scrutiny or another performance in front of the UN. He guided Lyda to an elaborate wooden table placed at the horseshoe-shaped table's opening. It held only a crystal carafe with water, surrounded by ornate glasses. A comfortable leather chair waited for the alien representative.
Jack was glad that someone had thought about how to make their guest feel somewhat comfortable. He didn't want to imagine Lyda's reaction if they made her stand in front of the Security Council as if she were a subordinate or an unruly child in front of their teachers. Could he dare hope people paid attention to what he had been telling them for days?
It was a nice touch that everyone was on their feet to greet their guest, so there was hope yet, Jack decided. He guided Lyda to her seat and stepped away. The two Jaffa took flanking positions behind the chair. Their metal helmets lightly moved right and left, hinting they were scanning for threats.
"Lady Lyda, welcome to the United Nations," The General Secretary greeted with a bow. He didn't usually participate in most Security Council meetings. When he did, it was in a ceremonial role enforcing protocol.
"Thank you," Lyda offered a hint of a nod before she sat down and looked at the gathered diplomats like a queen surveying her court. "You have questions about your world's place in the galaxy. I am here to answer some of them. Ask," Lyda ordered.
Uneasy murmurs spread throughout the chamber. This was a diplomatic and UN protocol breach, just like Jack warned them. Neither Lyda nor Perun was going to care.
People shuffled in place before taking their seats. Some consulted notes and questions they were ordered to ask.
"Lady Lyda, first let me offer my government's official thanks for your Lord's timely intervention on Abydos," the US representative began.
Lyda raised a hand. The jewel within her palm caught the light from the ceiling and glimmered with ruby-red light.
"My Lord should not have had to intervene on your behalf, human," Lyda's eyes glowed. She spoke in a deep, resonating voice that had no right coming from a human throat, much less from a slip of a woman like she appeared to be. "Through your foolish actions, the galaxy will burn. If your world survives the coming storm, it will be only by the grace of my Lord Perun."
Yep, that was diplomacy at its finest, the kind no one on Earth had practiced for a long time. The stir and palpable shock Lyda's words produced was telling. People might have listened to Jack's warnings; however, it was plain to see that many hadn't comprehended the full implications yet.
At least this torture session was going to be entertaining, Jack decided.
