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 11: Storm Front

=SBS=

Part 5

=SBS=

21 September 1996

Stargate Command

United States

Milky Way galaxy

No good deed remains unpunished, Jack decided. The smug smile of Harry Maybourne was proof enough of that.

"Where did they dig you up from, Leavenworth?"

"You hurt me, Jack, my old buddy! It's good to see you!" Harry's smile reminded Jack of a snake ready to strike. "Until the brass remembered my brilliance, I was stuck as a Military Attache in Moscow. I am now the Air Force's liaison with the NID. This is going to be as exciting as the Cold War!" Maybourne rubbed his hands like a cartoon villain.

"Children behave!" General Hammond chided them after he entered the briefing room, followed by his new unpleasant shadow, Captain Davis. "Colonel Maybourne is here to bring the NID up to speed with our current and planned operations."

"All kinds of people in Washington are very interested in figuring out the exact worth of this program. They want an independent assessment of the dangers involved and how to make the program even more useful to the United States." Harry lied blithely.

Washington meant politicians. Politicians meant people who wanted what was best for them first, and if everyone were lucky, the nation would come second.

The General looked at the assembled people.

"Dr. Jackson, let's start with you. What can you tell us?"

"Uh, yes." Jackson shuffled through the stack of notes and notebooks in front of him until he found what he was looking for. "First, the graffiti on the corridor walls. Those are all in older Goa'uld dialect, though still readable. They proclaim a great victory won by Ra in taking or retaking Heliopolis. There's some language drift. I can translate the symbols either way, depending on the context we lack. If Perun is telling the truth as he knows it, that lines up with those writings. Once upon a time, Ra held Heliopolis, only to be defeated and kicked out by an alliance of Four Races. This further lines up with what Dr. Littlefield summarized and managed to translate over the years. At least his notes point that way. I would love to discuss the situation in depth with him, but well…" Jackson trailed off.

Old Earnest was right now in Captain Fraiser's clutches, and if he was lucky, he might get away eventually. That evil woman appeared all too happy to have someone with decades worth of issues to work on.

"Dr. Littlefield will be available for proper debriefing when the Chief Medical Officer clears him and not a moment earlier. The last thing anyone wants or needs is to have him die from shock or stress now that he's back home." Hammond stressed.

Jack couldn't disagree. The man's mind wasn't quite there the last time O'Neill saw Ernest. Contact with Earth and the aliens proved too much for someone who had been alone for over fifty years.

Jackson nodded and continued his presentation. "Two of the languages on the meeting room walls are entirely alien. Even with Dr. Littlefield's notes and attempts to begin translating them, I'm not sure where to start yet. The other two are more interesting. One has a vague resemblance to ancient Latin in symbols and apparent sentence structure. The implications are both staggering and a potential starting point. The last set of writings might be connected with old Norse runic script. We'll need to bring in a specialist to look at that. In both cases, language drifting over centuries and even millennia will be an issue like with Ancient Egyptians and Goa'uld.

"Further, we will have issues figuring out technical terms that the ancient languages here on Earth had no concept of. As you know, that's a long-term issue with the Goa'uld language. Even with roughly translated manuals for the Death Gliders and the staff weapons, there are scientific terms that English lacks. Or the Goa'uld who did the translation was unaware of said terms. It's almost certainly both."

"We'll keep that in mind, Dr. Jackson. And before you ask again, we won't be having the Goa'uld speak with our scientists to figure out technical terms at this time." Hammond stressed. "Colonel Ferretti, you have a background as a combat engineer. Please give it to us straight. Can we reinforce the castle on Heliopolis so it wouldn't fall into the sea?"

Louis straightened up and looked away from his AAR.

"Sir, there are practical issues that we have to acknowledge. Time and erosion have destroyed the cliffs below the castle. I'm frankly surprised it hadn't collapsed yet. Due to Stargate's location and the partially collapsed state of the castle, I don't believe it's feasible to bring in any heavy equipment. The stress might prove too much for the structure and cause its collapse. Even attempting to reinforce the structure without heavy equipment and tons of building materials is a no-go. We're talking about building columns hundreds of feet tall, with foundations in the sea. It would be different if we could bring in an engineering battalion with its equipment and supply them with what they need. The location and condition of the structure make such an exercise a no go." Ferretti explained.

"Our Warlord pal isn't constrained like we are." Jack pointed out.

"Elaborate, Colonel." The General gave Jack the green light to speak.

"He mentioned modifying tunneling crystals and stabilizing the building, sir. The last I saw him, Perun gave orders to this effect to his minion Lyda to do so after fixing the DHD, then left through the Stargate. I like to note, that my observation and my team can confirm that the Goa'uld have small portable devices that can dial and power up a Stargate." Jack shrugged. "Perun raised his right hand, and some device on his palm lit up, then the magic happened."

"Dr. Carter, you seem eager to say something." General Hammond noted.

"General, we need a supercomputer or a server bank of computers working together to interface with the Stargate and dial it properly. Regarding the power source, you've seen the setup in the mountain and the mess we're currently using at the nearby base. Compare all that to a device that a single person can use! The sheer computing power in such a small package, not to mention the density of the power source needed to power up a Stargate, are both staggering! We need that kind of technology, it will be a game changer in countless fields! Knowing how to build those two things at scale can change the world overnight!" Carter looked like she could barely keep herself from bouncing around the room in excitement.

"As a matter of fact, many people in Washington agree with your sentiment, Dr. Carter. One of the NID's functions is to advise on how to better acquire and utilize technologies from the Stargate Program. I would appreciate it if you make a report on what other technologies you believe we should pursue to acquire as a priority." Maybourne finally spoke.

Harry was still the poisonous snake that Jack remembered.

"What about the holographic device in the meeting room?" The General wisely cut off Maybourne before he could try and hijack the meeting.

"Dr. Littlefield's initial observations do pan out, at least partially. According to his notes, he believes that the atom structures were a means to establish communication between the four species that met there. While the idea has merit, I don't believe that's the purpose of the hologram we could access. If we consider all we know so far, I believe that what we're seeing is the first block of shared knowledge that the allies provided to each other. With the right technology, we might be able to access more data. At any rate, going by the recordings of the hologram, we can already significantly expand the periodic table. Knowing that those elements exist will be of great utility." Carter got giddier by the minute. "Both in practical terms and as far as theoretical physics go!"

=SBS=

After analyzing the data gathered on Heliopolis, the United States government began exploring the possibility of establishing a permanent research station there. In late September 1996, the President of the United States gave provisional approval to the project, dubbed Heliopolis Station. The project's implementation would begin if Perun's specialists could stabilize the Stargate structure.

Heliopolis Station would become Earth's first off-world outpost and the first joint project with a friendly alien power.

History of Heliopolis Station, Heliopolis University Publishing House

=SBS=

Part 6

=SBS=

Pobeda

Perun's domain

Milky Way galaxy

I was at the airfield, discussing ideas for stand-off weapons with Vahlen when Lyda returned.

"My Lord!" My brainwashed Tok'ra bowed giddily. "Lady Vahlen. Am I free to speak?"

Yeah, the technique worked a little bit too well on both of them.

"It's not like I would let someone as competent as you, Lady Vahlen, slip through my clutches," I noted. She was my next target for brainwashing after finishing my work on Nerus. With Lyda, Nerus, and Vahlen, I would have a core of loyal scientists with a broad knowledge base and capabilities.

"Your issues with Kali, I presume?" Vahlen pipped up from the open missile she was tinkering with.

"I'm not letting another Goa'uld find out about the missiles until I have enough of them to deploy in large numbers in battles that matter. So ideally, not anytime soon." I noted.

Vahlen didn't need to know now that we had about a year or two before the galaxy burned. Just a few weeks, or months at worst.

"That's prudent, my Lord Perun. Wouldn't Lord Ra reward you for such a development?"

"Perhaps. I would first give Ra the time needed to purge his court and domain from Tok'ra infiltrators effectively. I wouldn't put it past those fools to spread the knowledge to maintain a balance of power that keeps us divided and from concentrating on hunting them down."

Vahlen paused and looked at me with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Now, that's an unusual take on the situation." She nodded. "I could see this as something the Tok'ra might do. They aren't against Ra just for who he is, but because he's the most powerful Goa'uld, aren't they?"

"That narrative makes them look more benevolent than I think they are. I'm reasonably sure that all the change the Tok'ra are after is to replace the System Lords with themselves. Anything else would be incidental. Without their Queen, they can't increase their numbers, so they need an angle of attack that doesn't require a direct military confrontation."

"Better treatment of the human slaves to gain their loyalty…." Vahlen trailed off. "That's where you got the idea, isn't it, my Lord?"

"My position wasn't so different than theirs. I lack the numbers to contend with a System Lord, even the weakest of them. I need all my subjects to be useful and do more to advance my agenda. Improving their lot in life earns both their loyalty and makes them more useful. As a bonus, there isn't much the Tok'ra could offer them that I'm not doing myself or inclined to allow to keep them loyal."

Vahlen began looking at me as if I were a fascinating science problem.

My Tok'ra finally stopped feeling rapture over my divine wisdom and got to work, heading for one of the fabricators.

"What do you think you're doing?" Vahlen narrowed her eyes at Lyda.

The sense of possessiveness over the equipment that spiked from her was unexpected, to say the least.

"I follow my god's orders!" Lyda shot back as if it was obvious. "I have a dialing device to repair and a foundation to rebuild."

"An acquaintance of ours might have stumbled upon a legend that turned out to be true," I added vaguely. "If you are as good as I believe you are, my Lady Vahlen, then after you succeed in your current project, I might have something fascinating for you to study."

"I hope you'll be able to keep this promise, my Lord."

=SBS=

Perun's palace
Slavna Zemq
Perun's domain
Milky Way galaxy

I didn't see this coming, at least not this soon. Further, it was interesting that I felt nothing through the Force. Usually, anyone with enough training and sensitivity in the Force would hear the dying screams of a whole world.

Not this time, as it turned out. Ra's summons demanding to speak with me over long-range comms came out of nowhere. Seeing him happy and without his pharaoh mask was also unexpected. Doubly so because after establishing a connection, the holographic faces of most System Lords invaded my office.

"Supreme Lord Ra! My Lords and Ladies!" I hurriedly bowed as appropriate.

"Rise, Lord Perun!" Ra jovially told me. "You haven't heard, I see?"

I didn't bother hiding my surprise at the people attending this conference call.

"You have me at a disadvantage, Supreme Lord." I humbly answered.

"Sarita, the second inhabited world in the Tollan system, is gone. All projections tell us that its destruction will make the Tollan homeworld uninhabitable within a year."

"That's great news, Supreme Lord!" I didn't need to fake my joy. It meant I likely would avoid failing Ra's tall task. If I was fortunate, this might be enough to consider it complete and buy me some breathing space! "Do I dare presume the Ashrak did it?"

"Yes, that's what happened!" The smile plastered all over Ra's face looked simply wrong.

At this moment, he wouldn't have been out of place among some Sith I knew back in the day.

"Soon, the Tollan will be crippled. What are your thoughts on the subject, Lord Perun?" Ra's smile became a bit more normal, and he focused on me.

"We wait until the destruction of Sarita appropriately weakens them before we strike. The first option I can immediately think of is straightforward. We hit the Tollan as hard as we can while they are weakest. Another option is to use their weakness and distraction to raid their homeworld for advanced technology. We will have to insert agents with the best protective gear we can design once the Tollan world becomes too hostile to maintain life. I doubt they could properly destroy all their technology and scientific knowledge while evacuating as many people as possible. A success might allow us to create counters to their Ion Cannons and perhaps even adopt the weapons for our use. In the long term, it might be a cheaper way to get ourselves rid of the Tollan issue for good. On the other hand, a direct strike while they're weak might be able to remove them now, yet the price would likely be much higher. If we strike them openly, even when they're weakest, we would still need to contend with parts of their Ion Cannon network and whatever ships they have in the system."

"That's why I hold you in such high esteem, Lord Perun!" It was apparent to all that Ra liked my suggestion. "Continue to serve me faithfully, and the rewards will keep coming." Ra looked away, presumably at the other System Lords. "Now, will any of the esteemed System Lords present volunteer your fleets for a direct strike at the Tollan? What about you, brother?"

Apophis' face tightened.

"I must deny the honor, brother. Too much of my fleet is tied up holding parts of Moloc's domain and hunting down his remaining Ha'tak."

"The same is true for my fleet." Lord Yu quickly added.

"What about you, Lord Ba'al? Weren't you most eager to call for an all-out strike at the Tollan? Will you lead it personally? Shall I grant you this honor?" Ra cheerfully asked.

"That's an honor I must decline." Ba'al shrugged. "Thanks to your generous gift, my fleets are stretched as well."

"Because of the losses you suffered trying to take our realm, you mean?" Kali sneered. "How many Ha'tak did you lose? Forty?"

"Such behavior is unbecoming someone of your station, Lady Kali." Ra was happy to take a cheap shot at her. "I see no one is volunteering for the honor of ridding me of the Tollan," He shook his head in mock sadness. "Then we'll go with Lord Perun's idea. After all, it was due to his wise advice I dispatched an Ashrak to investigate and strike at the Tollan. We'll decide the details later." Ra looked at the assembled System Lords. "Lord Perun, in light of your exemplary service, and Lady Kali's petty jealousy, I graciously accept you as my sworn vassal. May you serve me and my dynasty well, Lord Perun."

I bowed, speaking about how I was humbled by this great honor while trying to keep myself from laughing aloud. I could also feel Kali trying to kill me with her murderous glare.

The implications would be evident to anyone with a lick of political sense and knowledge of Goa'uld politics. There was no hiding it now. I was officially Ra's dagger aimed at Kali's throat. Unless I catastrophically lost favor with him, it was only a matter until I could consolidate enough power to challenge Kali and remove her for Ra openly. The reward was evident, too – a place among the System Lords, if a minor one, where I would still be wholly reliant on Ra's protection.

In practice, I was much closer to having the status and reputation I would soon need.

I couldn't overstate the benefits of my raised status. Soon after the meeting ended, agents from multiple System Lords approached me, seeking favors, and offering promises and alliances.

=SBS=

"You should have said you're Perun's pals, Tau'ri."

"Do we get a discount now?"

"You're a joker, Colonel Simmons. It's Simmons, right?"

"It's Simmons, yes. If you know Perun well, we're ready to buy information on him. You know we're good for the payment."

"Perun. He is one of our best clients, you know. I can tell you about him, but it will cost you. And I won't give you anything you can directly use against him. Let's call it professional courtesy. Your buddy is not someone to cross lightly. Do you even know how Perun got as far as he did, as fast as he did?"

"Please, enlighten us."

"...By raising Perun as one of his vassals, Ra changed things. While not stating it openly, Ra believed that Perun completed the impossible task he gave him. More importantly, with this single act, Ra told the whole galaxy that Perun now had his trust and backing in no uncertain terms. Ra's earlier warning in the aftermath of Heru'ur's Assassination left the option open for Perun to fail catastrophically.

Perun could have failed to continue being useful to Ra due to his shortcomings or clever enough sabotage. Further, he was still likely to fail to deal a significant blow to the Tollan.

The news of Sarita's destruction and its apparent consequences changed

everything. Perun was no longer a minor lucky upstart who found himself in the right time and place while having the right skills. He was no longer someone merely favored by circumstances and expected to fail. Ra now openly acknowledged Perun as his weapon aimed to destroy and replace Kali as one of the System Lords. The System Lords had to recognize and begin dealing with a potential new member."

from a conversation between Masim of the Lucian Alliance and NID operatives buying information and goods for Earth

=SBB=

If you want to support my writing or discuss this story, google the following places:

Pat re on: Delkatar's writing corner

the space battles forums - this is where most discussion over my stories takes place

the sufficient velocity forums

archive of our own

the alternative history forums