Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Star Wars, or Stargate movies, TV shows, games, books, or comics. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not for sale or rent.

Chapter 5: Consequences

=SBS=

Part 5

=SBS=

Slavna Zemq
Perun's Throne World
Milky Way Galaxy

One of the first things I did after throwing Nerus to his new minders, was to track down Lyda. After devoting months to mind-fucking her, she was one of the few minions I could trust not to betray me in a typical Goa'uld fashion.

"My Lord! You're back!" The Goa'uld exclaimed. I could feel her faithful devotion. It glowed brighter than her eyes at this point.

"I have a new job for you. Ra has taken an interest in our discoveries, which means we'll be under an increased amount of scrutiny. You'll be continuing the negotiations with Earth in my stead. Ensure that any deliveries go to Prolet. Turn that place into a proper agricultural world. Expand the local population, build infrastructure, the works. Your cover is increasing food production to meet increased demand now that we have an increased number of guests squaring on my Throne World. Keep the deal with Earth, and its very existence is hidden. The last thing we need is for Ra to ask questions about our covert actions." I issued a rapid string of orders.

"Your Will will be done, My Lord!" Lyda gleefully exclaimed. She was more than happy to have new orders to fulfill.

"You're getting a Custodi escort to ensure your safety," I added as if it was an afterthought. They would have very specific orders, just in case.

Lyda gushed happily at the honor, making me wonder if I overdid it a bit with the brainwashing. When all was said and done, that wasn't exactly my specialty. Then again, I would have a lot of practice in the future. For starters, Nerus was going to be my new target. From what I knew, he was one of the best scientists the Goa'uld had, and I wanted him loyal.

I also needed him in better shape. That way, one day, Nerus wouldn't just fall dead. As it was, sticking him into a sarcophagus looked like a complicated engineering challenge. If Nerus got any thicker, he would need to jump hosts, because no one built sarcophagi that big.

My next stop was the armory, where I got myself my standard equipment, for when minding my own business.

Only then, I did spend the next few hours ensuring that all ongoing projects were proceeding more or less as expected. I also issued orders reinforcing that there was a plausible explanation to everything unusual a Goa'uld might see visiting my Throneworld. I also went over the reports from my Chappa'ai Command, not to be mistaken with Stargate Command. Sorting out loot, and then testing it for trackers or other unpleasant surprises went apace. So far, there have been no unforeseen issues with the troops I ordered to go under quarantine. Frankly, that might have been a paranoid overkill. However, considering how things already went off the rails with Ra, I wasn't about to start taking fewer precautions, even if it would simplify things greatly.

Speaking about Ra, he didn't waste any time. I was still going over reports when one of my Custodi informed me that a delegation from the Supreme Pain in the Ass had just arrived. They were a handful of Goa'uld escorted by ten of Ra's guards each.

I dispatched one of the Al'kesh from the QRF meant to defend my palace, with orders to bring them in. That would ensure that they wouldn't run into Lyda, and there won't even be a chance for any questions about her or her duties. At this time, anyway. Then I secured any sensitive reports laying around, then checked again if I missed something. It wouldn't do to have to arrange an accident, and then try to explain to Ra how a bunch of his scientists and guards managed to kill themselves.

Soon enough, a group of my Custodi escorted in my new set of headaches. At first glance, there was nothing to write home about Ra's soldiers, though I would assume that they had orders to keep their eyes open and report everything of note.

The Goa'uld, on the other hand, couldn't be more different from each other. Two had female hosts, and the third was male. The last one had a perpetual sneer on his face. I didn't need the Force's emphatic abilities to know, for a fact, that he would rather be anywhere but in this backwater shithole.

One of the females was tall, almost regal, wearing a long silk dress in a simple cut. Unsurprisingly, it was embroidered with enough gold to bash in someone's head if it was melted in a single solid clump.

The other one had a short, bubbly host. Surprisingly, both of them radiated excitement. Notably, that one was the only host that didn't have their personality and emotions crushed through decades, if not centuries of possession.

The logical conclusion there was that I just got saddled with another Tok'ra, which would be less than ideal. I already had Nerus to focus on as far as brainwashing went.

"Introductions are in order." I began after no one of my guests deigned to speak. "I'm Perun. Ra sent you to assist me. I care not what preconceptions of delusions of grandeur you have. You will do so to the best of your abilities or will suffer."

"We're Ra's scientists, worm!" The arrogant bastard spat. "It's an insult that we're here in the first place! You should be in awe!"

Even before the Goa'uld ended his tirade I was on my feet and vaulted over my desk. Interestingly enough, Ra's guards didn't react when I stalked in front of Big Mouth, then sent him choking for air with two quick punches. Before he could begin to recover, I had my Kara Kesh active and slammed him to the floor.

"I am in awe at your idiocy," I growled, ensuring my voice deepened and my eyes glowed by pocking my brain-dead symbiote the right way. "I trust you two ladies are smarter than this… thing?" I asked, enjoying the agony of the dumb Goa'uld as the hand device established a neural link with what, passed for his brain and stimulated its pain centers.

In response, I got back two nods. One was wary, the other mildly satisfied.

"Now introduce yourselves and your specialty," I ordered, still torturing Arrogant Ass Number One.

"I'm Erin. I focus on improving and designing new Al'kesh variants." The young, possibly Tok'ra, introduced herself in a wary tone.

"I'm Maat'iss. I improve Supreme Lord Ra's Ha'taks."

"That's going to be useful," I noted. "What about big mouth down here?"

"He's Che'Nub. He is responsible for the equipment of Lord Ra's guards."

I looked critically at said guards, who were mostly indifferent to the spectacle.

"They don't look particularly pleased with what he has produced to outfit them with," I noted with amusement. "Now, my new minions, will you behave yourself, or do you need another lesson in manners?" I cut off the neural link.

Two bloodshot eyes stared at me with hatred. The loathing bubbling beyond the agony he experienced was something to behold.

"That's a no then." I nodded to myself and lit him up with the Kara Kesh. "Our first order of business is to design and produce several ground combat vehicle prototypes for testing. Once those are ready and being manufactured for the Jaffa to test, we'll focus on improving our space combat capabilities and figuring out how to ruin the Tolan's day. Any objections or comments?"

The two Goa'uld stared at Che'Nub's writhing form and shook their heads in the negative.

=SBS=

Part 6

=SBS=

Slavna Zemq
Perun's Throne World
Milky Way Galaxy

Days after returning from battle, Jek'il found himself marching with his squad into a nearly unrecognizable temple. Humans and a few older Jaffa had refurbished the interior of the building, just like groups of them were still doing with much of the city around them.

The place was well-lit by glowing stripes on the ceiling, making it as bright as a sunny day outside. The altar was much further away than before. It sat at the end of a room that, until recently, had been hidden by a wall. Said wall was missing now, making for a much larger open space. Instead of the odd bench for older people to sit on during sermons, now the enlarged temple housed a few dozen sturdy-looking desks. They were much more massive and hardily built than the ones Jek'il was familiar with. Jek'il used to sit on those during his training when he had to learn both the theory of the new ways to fight, as well as, how to read and write well enough to meet the new standards put down by Perun himself.

A priest and two acolytes of a different stripe huddled near the distant altar, obviously praying or something. Jek'il commander pointed at the desks.

"Custodi, sit down and pay attention! Today we'll receive more of Perun's wisdom!" The veteran warrior gleefully announced. For a moment, Jek'il was sure that his commander's eyes might light up with zeal!

Even as they took seats as ordered, another Custodi unit walked in. Their armors gleamed with the symbol of the Balmora campaign. That marked them as veterans of the same fighting where Jek'il proved to himself that he might be worthy of the high honor of being a Custody.

The priest and his acolytes turned around and walked closer to the seated Custodi. That allowed Jek'il to see them properly for the first time. While they did wear priestly robes, it was obvious they were all Jaffa, who moved with the predatory grace of veterans.

"Brothers rejoice!" The priest happily announced. "In his infinite grace and wisdom, Lord Perun has deemed you worthy to learn more of our new ways!"

Jek'il perked up at that. His grandfather was still alive and comfortable only thanks to the massive changes that their God implemented recently. Without Lord Perun's efforts to improve their lives, Jek'il was sure his grand-sire wouldn't have survived the end of the last winter. If his father was still alive, it might have been different. Sadly, he died in a skirmish years ago, leaving their family in a bad spot. The tough times should have lasted until Jek'il was old enough to become a proper warrior in the service of their God. The young Jaffa knew that the same was true about many of his people and even some Humans!

Even more stunning, as of late, there were rumors of Perun's servants visiting such ancient people, usually Jaffa. They did it to record their old ones' words of wisdom and war stories. As far as Jek'il knew, such things were unheard of, even among those of his brethren who were fortunate enough to serve a particularly benevolent god.

"If you are studious, smart, and of course, faithful enough, we might call upon you to further spread the words of Lord Perun among our brothers and sisters!" The priest continued. "You are here to learn wisdom and skills! So has Lord Perun decreed, and so it shall be!" He waved at the acolytes. "Break out the weapons and make sure everyone has one in front of them."

The two younger Jaffa hurried up to the far corners of the temple, which weren't as well lit up as the rest of it. Jek'il looked in that direction. He saw large crates, with presumable weapons.

"Brothers, you're blessed! You earned this reward in glorious battle!" The priest kept going. "You're among the first to learn about Lord Perun's new sacred ways and laws, which will exalt us!" The priest's voice rose in pure rapture.

Meanwhile, the acolytes grabbed a few of the now standard staff rifles and came around, placing one at each desk, starting from the front.

"Behold, the Resol'nare!" The priest exclaimed. His face spotted a bright, devoted smile, while his eyes were wide and shining with pure faith.

Magic came to life behind the priest. Fiery symbols created an unfamiliar script in the air.

"Those are the Six Sacred Actions, which will be certain to our exaltation as a people! We, Jaffa, are warrior people." The priest continued in a more normal tone. "We have the great privilege of serving the one true God of War! Thus our first new sacred rule and action we should all observe is to wear our armor all the time it is practical!"

Many Jaffa in the audience nodded in understanding. This only made sense and wasn't going to create any additional hardship to speak of.

"Second, we will all learn to speak and read the sacred language that Perun gave us!" The priest waved grandly at the unfamiliar script burning behind
There were a few subdued murmurs at that. Not everyone was particularly happy at the current high standards of literacy that Perun required of his warriors. Now, they would have to learn another language. Sacred or not, that wasn't going to be a pleasant affair.

"The Third action is a sacred duty we are all familiar with. We, Jaffa, are to defend our Lord Perun, his realm, ourselves, and our families." The priest announced in a solemn tone.

Naturally, no one would object to this. That Perun put down the protection of their families as one of the Jaffa's sacred duties, made Jek'il feel warm inside. He knew the gods who would even think about it were few and far between. In fact, he only heard about them in old stories.

"Our Fourth sacred duty is to raise our children, natural, or adopted, as Lord Perun is now raising us all! We're to raise them to live and breathe the Sacred Actions, the Resol'nare, just as we will embody them!"

Jek'il noticed the older Custodi nodded sagely at this. It only made sense to raise their children, current, and future, in Lord Perun's sacred ways!

"Fifth, we're to contribute to our people's welfare. We Jaffa warriors can do it as warriors fighting to defend or expand Lord Perun's domain. Humans can do it by mining, raising, and harvesting crops. Others will build and maintain our cities. The ways to contribute are endless, and they all will bring us all honor and grace!"

Newfound energy raced through Jek'il's veins. He could sense that right here, now, this moment, it was something special, even if he couldn't precisely tell why. That was all different and good, better than he had any right to expect.

"Finally, when Lord Perun calls us all to contribute to his cause, we all will answer with all we have!" The priest declared. "Think about the Six Sacred Ways. Brand them, in your minds! Understand their meaning. We will discuss every single one of them in-depth, and I will answer any and all questions you might have in the future!" The priest paused to calm down.

By now the acolytes had done their job. Everyone had a staff rifle on the desk in front of them.

"Today, we will focus on the first Sacred Action and everything it means. We are warriors! We are Jaffa!" The priest declared grandly. "Our weapons and armor, they come hand in hand. For us to fulfill the first Sacred Action as Perun laid it down to us, we need to know how to expertly maintain our weapons, and armor. We need to know how they work, how to repair and if necessary rebuild them with the tools we have at hand. That is why, one of our first tasks here will be to teach you how the staff rifles work, and why they work. When you know this, you will know how and why something goes wrong and thus, how to best repair the problem."

At that Jek'il was all eyes and ears! That was the kind of knowledge about the gods' magic no other god, but Perun would allow them to ever glimpse at! That was indeed a Sacred duty, one their God deemed them worthy of!