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Chapter 10:Rising storm

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Part 1

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Ra's flagship

Milky Way galaxy

The Pel'tac was deadly silent. Ra sat on his command throne, wearing his full regalia. Instead of his human attendants, he was surrounded by Horus' guard clad in the finest example of the new armor, handling blast lances. In all consideration, Perun's name for the new weapons had been too mundane. That simply wouldn't do for the Horus guard.

Speaking of Perun, he finally dared show his face. Ra narrowed his eyes at the image of his newest servant.

"Report." The single word he uttered held dark promises.

"There is no change with Lord Heru'ur's status. He is in the sarcophagus, and the device is working. However, the damage is severe. I am not sure the sarcophagus will be able to revive him." Perun paused. "As far as the assassination is concerned, my Jaffa captured a Tok'ra assassin. I currently presume she was a spare in case the one who infiltrated Lord Heru'ur's court failed." Perun raised his head and looked at Ra. "Supreme Lord, the identity of the second assassin is Erin, one of the scientists you sent into my court."

Perun delivered that news in a calm, stoic voice. However, the question in his eyes was unmistakable.

Ra shifted within his host, trembling with rising fury. If what Perun spoke of was true, then the Horus guard missed not one but two Tok'ra infiltrators.

"My Jaffa brought both the assassin Erin and the madman Moloc to my Throne World to hopefully avoid any other infiltrators spiriting them out or silencing them." Perun continued. "As I report, my Jaffa and Horus guard are capturing all Goa'uld in service of Moloc they can find. I intend to bring them to your court for interrogation, Supreme Lord. The possibility of at least one of them being a Tok'ra infiltrator is high."

A vicious smile graced Ra's lips. No matter how remote, the possibility of tracking down the Tok'ra, at last, warmed his heart. Moloc, on the other hand, he would serve as an example. First, Ba'al's impudence, now Heru'ur's death? Ra had to make an appropriate example so that the other System Lords wouldn't get any foolish ideas about their place in the universe.

"The crews of Heru'ur's ships are busy searching for additional infiltrators or traces of sabotage. I am pleased to report that Moloc's capital is now secure. We're preparing to fight against the remaining Jaffa garrisons on his Throne World. Engaging them would allow us to test new equipment and tactics further." Perun finished. "What are your orders, Supreme Lord?"

Ra stared at his servant. He had to fight the raging need to lash out in anger. It would be so simple to blame Perun for what happened to Byblos.

Ra's eyes glowed furiously. Doing so would be shortsighted in the extreme, especially if Perun didn't lie. If it was confirmed that one of the scientists in Ra's court was a Tok'ra and she was ready to assassinate Heru'ur and Perun if the first attempt failed…. Ra didn't like the implications at all. The Tok'ra were a nuisance, more an insult and a slight than a real danger in their own right. Their continued existence and defiance were more dangerous to Ra's power than any direct action they were able to take. At least, that had been the case for no less than a thousand years now.

"My servant…" Ra's words came out as a sibilant hiss, further distorted by his heavy pharaoh mask. "You're to bring Moloc and the traitor Erin to me yourself. After interrogating them and either confirming your claims or dismissing them as idle boasting, I will give you the reward you've earned. Have my son's First Prime report in person as well. I will have words with him." Ra cut off the connection. He twitched his shoulders, and his heavy mask made of smart metal retracted.

"Anubis, contact my torturers and interrogators. They will be busy. I want the truth! If the scientist Erin is a Tok'ra…." Ra bared his teeth. "Then her suffering will be legendary. We'll make an example of Moloc for daring consort with the Tok'ra. His madness is no excuse for such a betrayal. Ensure that all Goa'uld Perun and the Horus guard bring are properly interrogated. I want the truth! I want any Tok'ra hiding among them brought in front of my throne, begging for mercy!"

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25 August 1996
The Pentagon
Washington DC
The United States
Milky Way galaxy

Senator Robert Kinsey didn't regret it for the first time since ending up on the Senate's Committee on Intelligence. He knew the real power was in the hands of the Appropriations Committee, especially after the end of the Cold War. His term on his current committee was coming to an end soon, and he had been maneuvering to be among those holding the US government's purse strings. Such a position brought significant power and influence. Holding it would take him one step closer to the Oval Office.

Recent developments made Kinsey doubt that particular plan. This Stargate was an immense opportunity, and the reports he had access to ensured he was among the first people in government to know of new developments.

The list was long and lucrative; weapons, power generation, new materials, and endless sources of resources, among other things. Soon, even the sky won't be a limit if they handled the Stargate right. Whoever controlled this project and its boons would be in a position of unprecedented power and influence. They could see industries collapse or their revitalization, and the same went for the economy of entire states.

Information was power, and Kinsey was determined to hold its reins. That was why they met today in the Pentagon, instead of a more comfortable room on Capitol Hill – it was all to try and control the flow of information.

"Recent developments have me gravely concerned," Kinsey spoke in a dark tone. His colleagues, a handful of generals, and representatives from the intelligence circles all looked at him warily. They knew who was the biggest and meanest shark in the room. "The way our government handled the deal with this Perun character, I'm lost for words. If it wasn't for pure luck, we could have just come clean and announced what we're dealing with to the whole world! We were that close to an unprecedented intelligence failure!" Kinsey raised his voice until he was almost shouting. "Recent moths made it clear to me that we were institutionally unprepared to deal with threats and opportunities the likes of which the Stargate represents. We were too slow to react. The way we reacted was an uncoordinated, dangerous mess we're still paying for!"

To the Senator's satisfaction, he could see many of his colleagues and other people nod in agreement.

"This is why I have a proposal to make. We can't afford another such disaster. It is not feasible to brief enough people in our intelligence agencies and the FBI to look for alien infiltrators. It would be even more complicated to have them ready to start working on alien words one day. The less said about state law enforcement, the better." Kinsey carefully prepared the ground for his proposal. "This is why I suggest we create a new intelligence agency. Its sole purpose will be dealing with alien entities here on Earth and across the galaxy. Let's call it something innocent, like the National Intelligence Department or division."

Kinsey waited for the coming storm. Naturally, the intelligence agencies' representatives looked mutinous. The military men had their faces carefully blank. If handled properly, they would back the initiative. More critical were the opinions of Kinsey's colleagues, who appeared to be interested in hearing more. Of course, they were. He had spent the past few weeks preparing them to back his idea by constantly pointing out all failures surrounding the secrecy of the Stargate.

Soon the questions came like an avalanche, and Kinsey was more than eager to answer them all.

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On September 11th, 1996, the President of the United States signed a memorandum authorizing the creation of the National Intelligence Division. The primary goals and responsibilities of the organization are to protect the nation against alien threats and gather the intelligence needed for the US government to make informed decisions when dealing with foreign entities.

A second memorandum, signed on September 14th, 1996, recommended the creation of a Senate Oversight Committee, using the Green Commission as its official cover. In reality, this was a subdivision of the Senate Committee on Intelligence, focused solely on the NID and alien affairs.

The first Chairman of the Senates Alien Affairs Oversight Committee, officially known as the Green Commission Oversight Committee, was Senator Robert Kinsey.

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Part 2

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Ra's flagship

in orbit of Nimrud

Milky Way galaxy

Ra watched orbital scans of the fortress world below. Broken pieces from destroyed Ha'tak streaked through the atmosphere creating a fiery rain. Wings of Al'kesh bombed one of Moloc's larger field armies, keeping it from recapturing the Chappa'ai. One of Ra's own armies poured through the device, while Tel'tak delivered more and more Jaffa from his ships to bolster the beachhead. Hundreds of Death Gliders fought in the sky, fighting to eradicate the last of Moloc's small craft planet side.

The Supreme System Lord waved a hand, and the hologram in front of him changed. First, it showed Perun, who stoically waited outside, surrounded by four of his own Jaffa. They all had only Zat'nik'tels and odd, toothy swords and axes hanging from their belts. Those were the same Jaffa who practically carried Moloc and the suspected Tok'ra assassin when Perun arrived before Ra brought his personal squadron to reinforce the ongoing battle.

Another gesture made the hologram flicker again. Now, it displayed what was happening in the ship's dungeons. Ra smiled as seeing Moloc chained to a wall, with one of his torturers generously applying a pain-stick. The madman howled in pain, yet he kept spouting empty threats as soon as he could recover enough to speak. Ra watched the ongoing torture, finding it brought him less satisfaction than he expected. Moloc was too insane to be of any use except for an object lesson. He changed the sensor feeds to show what was happening to the Tok'ra.

In another cell, one of Ra's principal interrogators toyed with a thin sharp blade. At the same time, a guard applied a pain stick to the prisoner.

"You'll break. It doesn't matter if it will be the pain, repeated deaths, or exposure to the sarcophagus. I warned you before you screamed yourself hoarse." The Interrogator spoke in a dispassionate, matter-of-fact tone.

In contrast to Ra's torturers, his Interrogators didn't enjoy their work beyond the satisfaction of a well-done job. They were meant to get answers by any means necessary, not to enjoy torturing prisoners.

The treacherous Goa'uld spat at the Interrogator.

"All I have to do is hold long enough to make my information useless." The Tok'ra rasped.

"The hard way it is." The Interrogator carefully retrieved a glass bottle, removed its lid, and slowly submerged his blade into the liquid inside. In a quick flick, he threw the thin knife at the Tok'ra, piercing her shoulder. "This is one of my best creations. It makes the nerves more sensitive, ensuring you'll feel everything we do to you at least a hundred times more acute than it is. It saves my staff a lot of effort, and it's often quite effective in making people talk."

"Do your worst."

"If you continue being stubborn, we'll get there." The Interrogator promised.

Ra's agent went to the Tok'ra and pulled out his blade, making her hiss in pain. Then he healed the wound with a hand device before returning to the table, holding his tools.

"It will take effect any moment now." The Interrogator nodded at the guard with the pain stick.

The Tok'ra's agonized howls were music to Ra's ears. He eventually shut down the holoprojector.

"Bring Karrok in." He ordered the Horus guard guarding the Pel'tac.

Ra stared at his son's First Prime, who fell on one knee in front of the command throne."

"My agents at Byblos confirmed your words." Ra eventually stated. The reason why he recalled Perun and Karrok was twofold. First, keep the useful Goa'uld away from other Tok'ra assassins. Second, to prevent Perun and Karrok from meddling in Ra's agents' investigation.

Anubis went to Byblos with a large entourage of Horus guard and spent the past few days confirming what happened in that wretched world. Surprisingly enough, neither Perun nor Karrok lied to cover their incompetence. By all accounts, the upstart and First Prime had done precisely what they reported and told the truth about Heru'ur's fate. Ra's son was still in the sarcophagus, but after days of treatment, the odds of emerging alive were not good. More importantly, now Ra had independent confirmation that one of Heru'ur's attendants assassinated him by blowing himself up.

"Karrok, you failed not only my son but the dynasty itself," Ra pronounced his judgment. "A Tok'ra spy went past any precautions in place and managed to murder your god, Heru'ur. As a result, I strip you of your rank as a First Prime. You're now a regular Jaffa soldier," Ra paused to let his words sink. "However, I offer you a boon because of your otherwise faithful service. Instead of dying as a failure, you can regain your honor by hunting down Moloc's fanatics. Your penance will continue until my forces purge them from the face of the galaxy, or you suffer a warrior's death pursuing that goal. Only then you'll be able to restore your honor. Mad Jaffa are serving Moloc on the world below us. Go and kill as many of them as you can."

"Your benevolence has no end, Supreme Lord! I listen and obey!" Karrok stood up, bowed deeply, and left.

Ra's face remained impassive under his mask. Further punishing Karrok would serve no purpose, especially after a Tok'ra infiltrated his own court. If he punished Karrok more, Ra would have to punish Anubis, even though it wasn't his job to search for infiltrators in the court at large. He was an army commander and in charge of Ra's security, which appeared to be intact.

Anubis was both loyal and competent.

Now, the Prime in charge of the Horus guard, whose job was to oversee the court at large? Ra was going to punish him as an example that he didn't suffer such failures. But first, he had to deal with Perun.

"Bring Perun in," Ra ordered. One of his human attendants hurriedly left the Pel'tac.

Perun walked in, wearing a blank expression on his face. The minor Goa'uld fell on one knee in front of the command throne.

"Supreme Lord, I am at your service."

If nothing else, whatever ambitious underling had taken Perun's mantle had learned how to grovel properly. From everything Ra's agents could gather, the innovations and the buildup of Perun's military and domain were a relatively recent development. That was more in line with a fool getting usurped by a smart underling because he failed to take proper precautions than Perun suddenly becoming competent.

Practically speaking, it didn't matter. Ra's suspicions could serve as a further excuse to have Perun sanctioned if his new servant failed spectacularly enough. Ra was more than happy to use Perun for all he was worth.

"My agents confirmed your story. The treacherous scientist Erin confirmed her Tok'ra affiliation. My Interrogators will break her sooner or later, and then we'll see how much harm she has caused." Ra forced himself to speak in a light tone. There were better targets to suffer his ire, targets that weren't currently so useful. "You've done well, my servant. Name your reward." Ra smiled to himself.

Whatever Perun chose would tell him more about the Goa'uld he was dealing with.

"I have a request, Supreme Lord. One that might further your plans to undermine the position of Kali."

Ra raised his estimate of how dangerous and valuable Perun could be up. Again. "Elaborate." That was all he said.

"At this point, I'm a minor thorn in Kali's side, one she could crush with her fleets and armies without meaningfully weakening her power. You can offer her some of Moloc's more unruly worlds to take and keep if she can. Let her Jaffa suffer the casualties needed to eradicate Moloc's fanatics. In exchange, I request a small addition to my domain, carved out from Kali's holdings. A handful of industrial and Jaffa worlds is all I ask for. They would allow me better to develop weapons and gear for you, Supreme Lord, while weakening Kali. Such a bargain would ensure that if Kali ever moves against me, it would be a bloody affair that will significantly weaken her. Just like you intended from the start."

Ra, let out a chuckle. What he did to set up Kali against her perhaps most valuable underling was quite obvious and heavy-handed, which made it no less effective. What Perun requested was both bold and potentially very useful. It was true that if Kali moved against him right now, she would win easily due to her vastly larger armies and fleets. Strengthening Perun's hand would ensure that even if the bold upstart fell from grace, he would still prove useful as he went down fighting Kali.

"I'll consider your request, my servant." Ra allowed. "Further, I deem your task in creating the combat and assault transports a success. The new weapons and armor proved themselves on the battlefield. For that alone, you deserve a reward." Ra's smile grew. He would see Perun rewarded as long as the younger Goa'uld continued delivering results and kept his ambition in check. "And yet another task, before you could focus on the Tollan issue. At any rate, we will wait for new intelligence before returning to them. Any ideas you have on improving our capabilities in space combat, implement and test them."

"Supreme Lord, if you require proper combat testing, in addition, to prototypes for demonstration of concepts, I will need more assets to see it done properly. At the very least, a handful of Ha'tak to modify, along with some Death Gliders and Al'kesh." Perun pointed out.

"Don't get greedy, my servant." Ra shot back, then thought about Perun's words. The ground vehicle prototypes were helpful, yet their real value shone only once they deployed in sufficient numbers to have an impact in large-scale combat. "I'll consider granting you a part of Heru'ur's surviving fleet at Byblos." The Jaffa over there already held Perun in high esteem for what they saw as the first steps towards avenging their fallen god. Such divided allegiances could be dangerous. That was why Ra was content to allow some of them to serve Perun. He might ensure that the others ended up

serving one of Perun's rivals, perhaps even Kali. That way, they could cause her headaches. At the same time, officially, they would be a boon to help her swallow, losing a few valuable systems.

Ra activated the holoprojector and called up a map of Kali's domain. It lit up in green while Perun's few worlds glowed soft blue on the far edge of explored space. Ra focused on the Jaffa and industrial worlds Kali had closest to Perun's domain, thus making them somewhat marginally defensive in a conflict between them. He wondered how much would be prudent to cut off from Kali's domain at this time. One of the primary limiting factors was the tiny size of Perun's military. He had less than a hundred thousand Jaffa loyal to him. They weren't enough to deal with dissent in multiple well-established worlds, especially if the subjects retained loyalty to Kali. Yet, this was a priceless opportunity to put Kali in her place.

Ra pondered his options while Perun remained on one knee, in the position of a proper supplicant.

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