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 26: This is the Way
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Part 1
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Proving Grounds, Varanasi
Lord Perun's Domain
Milky Way Galaxy
Jack didn't enjoy being out of the loop. There were no news outlets through which to glean precisely what was happening. While it was clear that a lot of Perun's Jaffa deployed on a mission somewhere, O'Neill only knew it due to noticing barracks emptying and the lack of cadre who were present during his previous visits to various training sites.
Perun's Jaffa kept quiet as well. The town-criers, which was how news apparently spread here, kept talking about the same points they were on about for days now. That part of the report for the powers that be back on Earth would better fit Weir or the bloody Russian woman. Jack was pretty sure that she was a spook, even if her scientific credentials were real. She was also old enough to have been part of the KGB instead of someone trained by the FSB goons after Russia had gone to hell. As a consequence, Jack had to keep an eye on Markova and whatever crazy shenanigans she might be up to instead of only worrying about all the fanatical aliens around.
Jack was half-convinced that the Russian did something stupid when a bunch of Jaffa marched him to a vehicle and brought him to another world. As it turned out, traveling through a Stargate in an APC felt the same as when you walked through. That was nice to know, and Jack could share his newfound knowledge. After all, it didn't make sense for Perun to cart him off to another world just to vanish him. If it came to that, the man had a whole planet and enough people with shovels. There was no need to move him to another world to bury him there.
Right?
The Jaffa with him were tense and not particularly happy, though they kept their mouths shut despite Jack's best efforts to lighten the mood. Perhaps if he got Perun to introduce them all to Star Wars and then the Simpsons, they might loosen up and even share a secret or two? Now, there was an idea…
The APC came to a stop so smoothly that Jack only noticed it after the driver turned around. "We are here. There are many of the treacherous bastards outside, brothers. Keep safe!"
"Traitors?" Jack asked casually.
"Traitors," One of the Jaffa confirmed. "Lord Perun is about to make an example," He added, finally sharing something.
Jack looked critically at the combat load everyone but him had and suddenly felt entirely naked in his field uniform. The rear ramp opened, and the Jaffa disembarked. Jack sighed and followed them.
There were indeed a great deal of people all around. Most were dressed as if this was some kind of medieval fare, though there were solid blocks of Jaffa in combat armor. There was no trace of that parade plate – Perun's people were bringing their A-game, which was most concerning.
"Colonel," Weir greeted in a tone that was carefully void of emotion.
Jack's head snapped to the right and saw her disembark from another APC, escorted by her own Jaffa bodyguards.
"Doctor, I don't think we will enjoy what we are about to witness."
Weir's mouth formed a brief, grim smile before her expression returned to a mask of professional interest.
Jack let the Jaffa guide them and looked around, taking in their surroundings. They were in a vast valley surrounded by lush green hills. It was clear that once upon a time, this whole place had been a tropical forest, though not quite a jungle. Now, it was cleared up, with many stone stairways leading towards the valley's floor. The fate of the trees was clear – the hills below them were carved, creating a massive stadium with tree trunks shaped into benches. Jack could see platforms down below and wondered if this was some kind of amphitheater or something in that vein. Or perhaps it was precisely what it looked like – a stadium. The ideas of those were ancient, at least as old as the original Olympics in Ancient Greece.
The Jaffa kept leading them down one of the paths while many locals moved to take still free seats. Some gave them curious looks, though more than a few were hostile. The place was packed with people – tens of thousands on the nearby hills, with many more spread all around. Conservatively, perhaps two hundred thousand souls were gathered for what was about to happen, and more people kept coming from all directions.
Jack did note that the APCs remained on the hills, giving them better fields of fire. After looking for them, he noticed more vehicles in strategic positions, surrounded by groups of Perun's Jaffa. That and air power could turn the whole area into a slaughterhouse. Jack sorely hoped that it wouldn't come to that, not just because he would be caught in the middle. He doubted Perun would use a light hand if there was a disturbance if he was about to make an example of traitors anyway. It wasn't like public opinion mattered out here. There was no media to spread the news and, more importantly, show piles of torn-apart and burned corpses.
The Jaffa brought them to what had to be a VIP stand, complete with a tarp of some expensive-looking blue fabric. Jack and Weir sat at the places their escort pointed out and focused on the other people with them. O'Neill could see a lot of old men and a handful of women wearing very old-fashioned clothes made of high-quality cloth, a far cry from what most people outside wore. No one seemed particularly happy at being here. Frustratingly enough, they weren't discussing what was about to happen or why they were gathered. That was no surprise – the whole area crawled with Perun's Jaffa, so no one dared utter a sentiment that could be considered less than loyal. While understandable, the oppressive silence was highly aggravating.
Jack ignored the people in the VIP stand and looked down at the platforms. There were apparent groups of prisoners, including a large crowd of women and children. The implication was clear, and the potential for something extremely ugly rose exponentially. Those had to be the families of the traitors. There were thousands in that crowd. Nearby was a group of hundred-odd old men, separated by a company worth of Jaffa in the heaviest armor Jack had seen to date. Their clothes distinguished them as quite wealthy compared to everyone around them. Despite the distance, it was clear that the men had been wearing the same outfits for days, if not longer. Perhaps a week and change if Jack was right about when Perun's people left for this world.
Interestingly enough, a group of Jaffa was in combat armor under heavy guard. They all had some kind of melee weapons – odd swords and axes with teeth? Jack looked between them and the group of distinguished prisoners. Their number was about equal. A quick count confirmed it – there were one hundred and thirty-three, or close enough, in both groups. What was this about? Were those loyalists who might plead their families' case before Perun?
There were many women and children among the prisoners and many teenagers as well, though very few men. Jack didn't like the implication of that. At best, they were kept nearby out of his sight. At worst, they were already dead.
The skies rumbled, and a Goa'uld bomber with fighter escort tore through the low cloud cover. The familiar thunder of aircraft breaking the sound barrier echoed throughout the valley. The bomber made a sharp turn that would have torn any Earth aircraft in two if attempted, then decelerated in a way that should have knocked out everyone on board, if not outright killed. A side door opened while the bomber was a few hundred feet above them, and a figure in golden armor jumped out.
Jack had a moment to stare at the crazy stunt. His heart clenched at the potential suicide attempt or unexpected execution. Instead, the man landed lightly on his feet as if what just happened was the most natural thing in the world. The bomber and Death Gliders rose and began circling above the valley like hungry birds of prey. As soon as they were out of the way, the air above ripped, forming a massive hologram, allowing everyone to see what was happening on the platform below in great detail.
"I am your Lord Perun!" A cold voice thundered, demonstrating that this place had been chosen for its incredible acoustics. The Goa'uld's words echoed as if there were many of him speaking.
"We are gathered here to address the complete and utter stupidity of many of your honored Elders," Perun sneered. "These men right here," He pointed at the small group of prisoners, "brought ruin and dishonor to their Clans, putting every man, woman, and child they were responsible for under the threat of annihilation. I am a benevolent ruler, yet treason is not something I can forget and forgive," Perun made a sharp gesture, and dozens of holographic windows formed in the air.
Everyone watched with bated breath what had to be drone footage. Groups of Jaffa in plain clothes assaulted men and women and set houses, barns, and even temples on fire. The images changed, showing those same people coming and going from clusters of buildings straight out of the Middle Ages, if not earlier.
Jack had to give it to Perun. He had those poor stupid bastards dead to rights. He was sure he was looking at the ringleaders and their families. Regarding show trials, this one at least had a basis in reality as far as the charges were concerned. It would make what was about to happen no less unjust as far as any civilized country on Earth was concerned.
"However, not every member of those disgraced Clans had a choice or even knew of the treason. I am a reasonable ruler. I will give these disgraced Clans a chance to regain a shred of honor and prove that not all of them have to be condemned," Now everyone was looking at Perun's face. His expression was cold and unyielding. "We will do it the old way. I am the God of War. You, my Jaffa, are warrior people. Many of your Elders wanted to make a point. Let it be decided in the court of battle," Perun pointed at the company's strong group of Jaffa prisoners.
"Each disgraced Clan has a Champion ready to face me in combat. Those are their best warriors, outfitted with the finest weapons and armor," Perun declared and pointed at the prisoners. "Come and regain a shred of honor. The fate of your Clans hangs in the balance!"
Jack couldn't believe his ears. Did Perun lose it, or what? If he got himself killed here, Earth was fucked!
Perun's Jaffa around the armed prisoners marched back, leaving a clear path to the large platform Perun stood in the center of. The Goa'uld raised a hand, and a familiar cylinder jumped into his hand. An angry crimson blade came to life with a snap-hiss sound that carried throughout the deadly silent valley.
Perun smiled and flourished his weapon in a salute as the champions warily approached him. He took a combat stance, raising his burning blade overhead. Something shifted around his neck. The metal moved, almost flowing like a liquid around Perun's head, turning into a helmet shaped like an Eagle's head.
Somehow, the most surreal thing about all this madness was that the first thing Jack could hear from the people around him wasn't surprise or outrage but quiet murmurs of approval.
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Part 2
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Proving Grounds, Varanasi
Lord Perun's Domain
Milky Way Galaxy
One of the champions walked in front of the others and raised a wicked-looking ax. A distinct whine carried over from the arena, and what had to be metal teeth spun until they were moving too fast to see. Perun was insane enough to give his opponents working chain weapons! Jack saw Jaffa demonstrate what a few of these war crimes could do, thankfully on dummies with old-style ceremonial armor. The sound of it was nothing he could put into words, and the less said about what such a thing would do to a human after grinding its way through armor, the better.
"I am Rohan, proud son of Ahsoka!" The Jaffa proclaimed. A ragged cheer came from the prisoners and a few daring souls across the valley.
"Boy, none of you traitors have earned the right to speak yet," Perun scoffed. His free hand snapped in a pulling motion, and the Jaffa flew forward, screaming in shock. In a single smooth movement, Perun sidestepped the incoming projectile. He caught Rohan as if he wasn't a huge man wearing an obscene weight in armor and slammed his lightsaber under the armpit, a prominent weak spot on any armor.
For a moment, the champion struggled. The giant hologram displaying the bloody spectacle for all to see zoomed in, showing how molten metal splashed on the stones, hissing angrily. Rohan suddenly went still. Perun let the corpse go, and it fell on the ground with a loud clang that echoed throughout the valley.
"This is not a duel but a battle, traitors. Come at me!" Perun demanded.
Jack narrowed his eyes at the madman. There was hunger in his tone, anticipation even. Perun was looking forward to this. Jack was sure of it!
The champions milled around for a few seconds before a handful of them nodded at each other and charged the Goa'uld. The rest activated their weapons and followed warily.
The whine of chain swords and axes drowned all other sounds. Despite sitting in a VIP stand close to the arena, Jack could barely hear the metal boots of the charging Jaffa as they went for Perun. Instead of waiting for the five warriors to reach him, Perun shot at them, moving so fast he was a blur. The Warlord went for the Jaffa at the left flank, who was closest to the stand. Perun vaulted over a slash, and the warrior, too, as if he was an Olympic athlete wearing only a shirt and shorts, not at least a hundred pounds of armor!
While in the air, the Goa'uld whirled his lightsaber so he could immediately slam it into the back of the champion's knee when he landed in a kneeling position. Before the Jaffa could figure out what just happened, the weak point in the armor gave out, and he collapsed with a pained cry.
Perun grabbed the crippled alien and threw him as if he weighed nothing at the closest champion, sending them crashing into a heap of armor and whirling blades. That display gave most of the Jaffa pause. However, the three already committed simply changed their direction and sprinted at Perun. Their warcries carried far and wide, turning into a bloodthirsty chorus.
"DIE!" Perun bellowed when they were almost upon him. The air before his helmet rippled. Heavy armor buckled, cracking. The charging Jaffa recoiled as if bouncing off a wall. Blood splashed in a semi-circle behind the three champions before they collapsed, with blood seeping through their damaged armor.
That was some spooky Sith shit right there, Jack decided. The more he saw of Perun, the more he doubted that everything had a technological explanation. Hell, O'Neill was convinced there was more to it after experiencing that nightmare upon Perun's ship, even if he did his best to deny it daily.
A heartbeat later, Perun reinforced that notion by waving a hand. The crippled Jaffa rose in the air, then slammed into the one he collided with moments earlier with such momentum that the stone below the chattered. The sound of metal hitting metal rang like a bell, doing its best to deafen people.
Six champions were down. The other hundred and twenty Jaffa looked at the corpses of their fellows, then at Perun. Slowly, the echoing cry the Goa'uld released died out, replaced by the whine of the chain weapons. Countless people watched the spectacle in stunned silence.
"Come at me, boys! Show me what the Jaffa of Varanasi are made of!" Perun taunted.
The Jaffa glanced at each other. Despite their helmets, Jack could practically feel their uneasy looks.
"For Clan and honor!" One of them screamed and waved a hissing ax. He pointed at Perun. "With me brothers! Even Gods can bleed!" The champion charged Perun. His example opened the floodgates, and the first ranks of the champions followed suit. The rest charged moments later, finding their balls or due to simple peer pressure.
"This is it! Come!" Perun laughed.
Now, Perun moved. Jack blinked, then blinked again, not trusting his eyes. Perun was a blur, moving faster than any man should be able to. It didn't matter if he was an alien snake in some poor bastard's head. Muscles would rupture, tendons would snap, and bones would break if anyone could move as fast as this!
Perun didn't care. He was among the Jaffa coming at him faster than they could react. The air rippled, and armored men flew away as if hit by a speeding truck. Perun grabbed the arms of a Jaffa clutching an ax, picked the champion up as if he were a toy, and slammed him into the ground with enough force to crack the stone. The Goa'uld followed up with his lightsaber, pressing it at the thick armor covering the throat of the stunned man. At the same time, Perun made a dismissive gesture, and the first rank of Jaffa converging on him froze mid-charge. Those behind them slammed into the champions before them and bounced off as if hitting solid stone columns instead of people standing in place.
Perun tilted his head to the right and shouted again.
"DIE!"
The closest Jaffa crumpled in bleeding heaps while those farther away staggered, the sonic attack apparently breaking their charge. Many in the next rank of champions couldn't maneuver fast enough to avoid the unfortunate bastards on their path and collided. No one bounced off this time, and over two dozen people fell over each other.
Perun stood up, leaving a corpse with a melted hole in his chest at his feet. He grabbed a fallen chain ax and charged the Jaffa still coming at him. Perun not only moved fast, but the Warlord positioned himself so the champions were getting in each other's way. He parried a slash, slipped by a stab, and slammed the chain ax in the crotch of a particularly unlucky Jaffa with enough strength to pick the poor bastard off his feet.
Metal ground against metal with a piercing screech, followed by an agonized howl.
More Jaffa got around those on the ground or around the frozen ones. For a brief moment, it looked like they could pile up on Perun and tear him to pieces with their cruel weapons.
Instead, a group of Jaffa fell on their knees screaming like damned souls, let go of their weapons, and clawed at their helmets. Perun slipped through that group, slid around a hissing chain sword, and riposted, striking his attacker's wrist, leaving a glowing rent in the armor.
There were dozens of dead or incapacitated champions already, and by the looks of it, Perun was just getting started. Everyone else reached similar conclusions. Here and there, people among the prisoners wailed for dead or dying loved ones. Others fell on their knees in prayer.
Yet, the most common reaction was a chant that slowly grew in strength.
"Perun!" "Perun!" "PERUN!"
Its origin was clear – it was Perun's loyalist Jaffa who started it, yet within moments, more and more people among the spectators picked it up.
It finally began to dawn upon Jack that Perun might not be as mad as he thought him just now. He was still a crazy snake, but one who knew precisely what he was doing. Perun was also far more dangerous than even Jack's deepest, darkest nightmares dared to suggest. He was afraid that Perun was about to give him even more nightmare fuel, too.