Yog-Sothsoth: Let's just say that only one Ancient is known to violate the non-intervention rule of the Ascended Beings and give this kind of information... and it's also someone who hates Anubis.
There are three reasons not to evacuate the population through a Stargate. The first is that the Culling use the Stargate as well as ships in orbit and that the Wraiths could dial addresses faster... The second is that the Stargates' control crystals memorize dialed addresses. Using a Stargate would reveal the destination address. Evacuating using spacecraft may also deceive the Wraiths into believing that people have been evacuated to planets that are not part of the Stargate network.
Also, destroying twenty enemy ships is always good to take.
Boyzilla: As I said in my previous answer, Hakuno understands very well the importance of information in any war. How about the reactions to Hakuno on Earth... you think one can die because one has been exposed to an excess of cuteness?
brayanamaya963: Indeed, Apophis will soon regret having made so many people angry with him...
Author note: As usual, I would like to thank all my readers and their kind comments.
The Lost God
Pegasus Galaxy, Asuras
To the last detail, the piece was a replica of the Atlantis' Gateroom. Like the Stargate room on the Ancient City-ship, it was on two levels, the Gate below and computer consoles on a balcony. Nevertheless, the technicians were dressed in white jumpsuits and the guards had on the belt a Pulse Pistol.
In a very usual scene, the chevrons of the Stargate lock one after the other.
Liem, a Replicator resembling a handsome young blond man, stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the balcony. He briefly averted his eyes as the vortex formed, creating a sort of liquid-like geyser that fell back into the naqadah ring.
Three silhouettes emerged from the aqueous disc... Hakuno Kishinami escorted by two Asuran guards dressed in a two-tone jumpsuit.
"Welcome back, Supreme Councilor. How was the evacuation of P2X 1138?"
Hakuno nodded briefly.
"Well."
There had been a great battle. Several ships had been damaged, but she had avoided greater losses thanks to the firepower of the Delphi, the Atlantis-class City ship she had commanded. Of course, the Last Master could have boasted about it, but she was a woman of very few words.
"What about here?"
A glimmer of humor appeared in Liem's eyes. He was now used to the way Kishinami communicated.
"We received reports of fleets who participated in the evacuations of P2X938 and P3X202n, the losses were lower than expected. The orbital yards have finished inspecting the Salamis, the Cruiser will need to spend five weeks in repairs because of the damage received during the Battle of Salo."
Hakuno remained a few seconds to think.
"Is that all?"
"Oh yes... well almost. I discovered a strange anomaly. It may not be very important but it intrigues me. Do you have some time for me?"
Kishinami blinked.
"Yes."
"Please, follow me."
Liem began to climb the stairs while talking.
"Do you remember how I managed to model the order in which the Wraiths visited the planets to cull the population?"
She nodded.
"Hyperspace displacement database. Extrapolation."
"Exactly, which requires comparing the archives to the current movements of the Wraiths to establish a correspondence between behaviors."
Zigzagging between the consoles, Liem stopped in front of a remote station. Taking the technician's place, the counselor manipulated the luminous keyboard and made appear a holographic window.
"I found this."
With his finger, he showed a red dot that blinked, appearing at a place on the map of Pegasus, disappearing, and reappearing further.
"Five years ago a starship crossed the galaxy. This ship happened to be in orbit around the planet Heruun as the Wraiths came for a Culling and...
He showed a green and flashing symbol next to Heruun's planetary system.
"... the Wraiths didn't leave."
On the box showing the dates, the numbers were moving very quickly. The green symbol reappeared several times.
"The Wraiths returned two weeks later... then five weeks later... then two years later... each time no ship left the planetary system. The unknown ship is still in orbit with Heruun as for the Wraiths... they must also turn around the planet but in the form of shredded wrecks."
Hakuno tilted her head.
"Ally?"
"Yes, it is possible, especially since they are probably not strangers."
"Sorry?"
"The vessel uses the same hyperspace propulsion system as the Tau'ri vessels."
Normally, the Asurans were calm, logical, and not very emotional beings.
But the Council meeting was stormy.
Oberoth straightened up, his beard was ruffled and his eyes were almost invisible under his pleated eyelids. He spoke slowly, but his anger was obvious.
"How long will we continue to fight with our arms tied behind our backs? I honestly admit that the first weeks of the fight were much more in our favor than I would have dared to hope. I also recognize that this is entirely due to the tactics of the Supreme Councilor." He nodded to Hakuno who was listening in silence. "Nevertheless, I am still waiting for our sister's strategies to change the balance of power in our favor and offer us victory. Please understand that I am merely pointing out a proven fact. Ships used to evacuate humans did not take part in combat and were missing in our order of battle. Factories that produce consumer goods for refugees do not produce weapons or ammunition. And we are already clearly outnumbered, even without these constant punctures."
As Oberoth sat down, Hakuno remained for a moment to ponder her answer. Nonetheless, before she could speak, a message from the Central Server radiated into the Subspace Link, addressed to all members of the Council.
The Stargate had just opened and they were receiving a radio call from Atlantis.
"I hang the message," Hakuno replied.
Immediately a holographic window appeared in front of the members of the Council. A young red-haired and smiling woman nodded.
"Supreme Councilor Hakuno Kishinami.
"Dr. Elizabeth Weir."
"We have finally received a response from our government to your proposal for an alliance against the Wraiths."
"Positive?"
"A piori, yes... except, the international coalition request that an inspection team is sent to verify that the evacuated populations are treated properly."
Oberoth looked to heaven, visibly stunned by the Tau'ri's boldness. But Hakuno simply nodded.
"When?"
"Whenever you want, Supreme Councilor."
"Now?"
"Just the time to prepare and I spend the Gate with the AR-1 team."
The screen went out and Hakuno turned to Oberoth.
"Answer to your question: helping humans will allow us to have allies. Together: stronger."
Perga,
John Sheppard forced himself to smile at Liem sitting on Jumper's bench in front of his. It was not the first time he crossed a Stargate on board an Ancients shuttle but... usually he was in charge and most importantly, he did not share space with two Asuran guards.
Teyla and McKay did not seem particularly affected by the situation but Ronon was beaming with hostility.
The only human in the cabin that seemed perfectly comfortable was Elizabeth... although the keyword was probably 'seemed'. The diplomat had a certain talent for hiding her emotions behind a smile.
"Tell me, Liem how many communities are installed on Perga?"
There was a slight shock followed by a fantastic acceleration sensation as the Puddle Jumper and its passengers were broken down into their primordial elements. This 'race' ended with the shock of the exit from another Stargate.
"18 communities are fully settled, Dr. Weir" replied the blond humanoid, completely unaffected by the passage through a wormhole. "A community is currently being set up and three fleets are in transit to bring more evacuees."
"I see."
"Want to visit one of the communities in particular?"
Teyla Emmagan intervened.
"We believe you evacuated the inhabitants of P3Y345, is that correct?"
"Indeed."
Teyla smiled and turned to Sheppard.
"John, this is a planet I visited before you arrived in Pegasus. They are friends of the Athosians, we often trade with them."
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"Let's start there."
John Sheppard got up as soon as the Puddle Jumper had landed. Following the two Asurans Gards he descended the ramp and walked into the grass. Perga was an Earth-like planet, by the way...
"I feel like I'm on a backcountry trip," says MacKay. "It looks like Canada... why do two-thirds of the planets we visited look like Canada?"
Sheppard shrugged.
"Maybe the Ancients loved Canada?"
The arrival of the two Jumpers had attracted the attention of the inhabitants of the nearby small town. Hundreds of people had left their homes and crowded ten meters away. Sheppard saw that they were intrigued but not particularly worried.
Liem passed in front of them and the back door of the second Jumper opened. Hakuno went out, accompanied by several members of the Council and two Guards.
The attitude of the inhabitants changed immediately. Several children came out of the crowd and ran to join Hakuno.
Elizabeth Weir and the members of AR-1 were able to witness a very cute scene... the Supreme Councilor of Asuras surrounded by children from five to twelve years old. As Kishnami leaned over (just a little bit because she wasn't much bigger than them) to talk to them, Ronon Dex turned to Liem.
"Why do children appreciate her so much?"
"It's a mystery... she did this..." The Replicator clumsily imitated a Head Tilt. "And since then, children have followed her everywhere."
The little town looked like one of those pioneer villages from the West in the 19th century. The houses were made of wooden planks. The roofs were made of terracotta tiles. There were pastures for farm animals after the last buildings as well as fields... that had just been sown. It would take months for the inhabitants to get the first harvest. Liem had explained that the food comes exclusively from the factories of Asuras, for the moment.
John, MacKay, and Ronon had suddenly decided to continue their inspection of the city through... the tavern. Probably because of the blonde waitresses in light dresses... or the beer bocks they were carrying in their hands. Either...
Elizabeth, Teyla, and Liem were therefore alone with Mayor Shanshan to discuss the real problems. The old man had welcomed Teyla Emmagan whom he had recognized. In his company, they had visited the city and the main buildings. Apart from a sort of police station occupied by two Guards, there was no trace of the Asurans.
"Our main problem is that we have not received medical supplies since we were evacuated to Perga."
Elizabeth turned to Liem who immediately understood the implicit question.
"The inhabitants heal themselves by using medical plants that were imported from other worlds by itinerant merchants like the Athosians." He briefly glanced at Ronon. "We have forbidden any contact with the outside for fear of the Runners (1) and the Wraiths Believers (2). Unfortunately, we don't have medical industries that can meet their needs... we're never sick."
"I see. Since we are now allies, I suppose you will not mind if I send a medical mission to look after them. "
"Well..." Liem seemed to hesitate. "I see no problem. However, it is not for me to authorize or prohibit your presence on Perga."
He looked towards Hakuno... completely monopolized by twenty children and Dr. Weir smiled, amused.
"This problem can wait until we return to Asuras."
Asuras,
Elizabeth Weir had signed the document by applying her thumb to a frame. The fingerprint, attached to a scan of her signature, was now on the last page, alongside that of Hakuno Kishinami. As was the tradition, the two women shook hands.
There were no flashes of photographers to immortalize this historic moment. And only the members of AR-1 applauded. Nevertheless, it was now official. Tau'ri and Asuras were now allies in their war against the Wraiths.
Liem approached McKay.
"I don't know how to speak to you about that, so I'll keep it simple. We are very intrigued by the presence of one of your ships in orbit of Heruun. Since we are now allies, perhaps you could explain to us what is so precious about this planet?'
Rodney opened his eyes wide under the effect of surprise.
"We only have one ship in the Pegasus Galaxy... and not even right now. The Daedalus has left for Earth and should not be back for a couple of weeks."
"Yet one of your ships is in orbit of Heruun."
With a gesture, Liem displayed a virtual screen showing the recordings of the hyperluminic sensors. The annoying Canadian looked at the graphics, then hiccups.
"This is the energy signature of an Asgard hyperdrive!"
"Asgard?"
"The Tau'ri is allied to several peoples of nearby galaxies. The Asgard, a very scientifically advanced people, offered us equipment like shields, sensors, and... the hyperdrive used by our ships."
McKay shook his head.
"What does an Asgard ship do in Pegasus?!"
Orbit of Heruun,
The Aegis, a Bilskinir-class cruiser, drifted slowly in orbit from the blue planet. Even with the naked eye, it was visible that the Asgard vessel had been severely damaged. Several molten impacts marbled the outer hull.
The interior of the ship was empty, plunged into darkness.
In a room with walls covered with the usual symbolic tablets operated by Asgards Stones, there was a kind of oval box of silver metal and blue crystal. In this 'coffin' there was a body in cryogenic hibernation.
Fenrir had been asleep for years, but his mind was alert. His intelligence filled his ship, and commanded the computer... he had to repair and resume his journey.
A journey of 5 centuries that one day would bring him back to Hala... at the end of his sentence.
A cryogenics sentence that Fenrir - one of the greatest criminals in Asgard history- was serving for destroying several inhabited planetary systems.
Asdad, Milky Way Galaxy
Have you ever walked into your own house and looked stupidly at your key, then the door, wondering if you had not entered the neighbor's house?
No, it never happened to me.
But that's exactly the impression Ba'al had at the time.
A few days earlier, The SystemLord had taken advantage of Apophis' recent troubles to take over the Asdad system (3).
The battle was brief. Ba'al had attacked by surprise with six Combat Ha'tak... and the defense squadron included only one Transport Hat'tak and three Al'kesh.
Twenty minutes after the beginning of the fight, Apophis' Ha'tak had fallen to just a mini-sun in the process of cooling and the armies of Ba'als landed from the Motherhsips to secure the Stargate and the ruins of his fortress.
The SystemLord had briefly verified that the powersource of the weapon that had formerly served to transform Kinahhi into a black hole was still hidden under the citadel of Asdad, and then he returned aboard his flagship.
It was necessary to prepare for a possible counter-attack and the passivity of Anubis worried Ba'al. The evil Goa'uld was not the type to forgive a 'betrayal' (which was quite ironic because, in the eyes of the other Lords, Anubis was the paragon of the traitor... as Ba'al himself).
Five days after the battle, looking for Gilgamesh to discuss with him his new battle plan, he had learned from one of his guards that the Golden King had used the Transport Rings to descend on Asdad. The small planetary garrison had seen him settle in some intact rooms under the rubble.
Intrigued and also wanting to know the state of his laboratories, Ba'al had followed his... 'friend' in Asdad.
Appalled, he was now watching the Sumerian king drawing magic circles on the ground with the help of some uneasy Jaffa.
Various objects were placed on the ground: incense cassolettes from which came heady vapors, swords, mirrors, amulets...
Normally, Ba'al would sneer at this kind of 'superstition'. But it was better to avoid this with Gilgamesh... first because only a person tired of living would openly criticize the Golden King. Moreover, Ba'al had often seen his ally do things he thought were strictly impossible.
Also, the Systemlord calmly crossed his arms over his chest and looked around him with that half-smile that was so characteristic of him. The Goa'uld seemed to be enjoying himself as if he was perfectly in control.
"King of Uruk, may I ask what you're doing?"
Gilgamesh turned around, smiling mockingly. He always seemed to know when Ba'al was feigning calm... and it annoyed the Goa'uld a lot.
"For some time now, someone has been giving me good advice, or reassuring me as far as Hakuno Kishinami is concerned. Nevertheless, that person does not behave in a very respectful manner towards the One and Only King. Not only does she not let me have a real conversation, but she withdraws without my permission."
Ba'al raised an eyebrow before responding mockingly.
"Oh? And what mortal dares to behave like this in front of the King of Heroes?"
"Precisely it is not a mortal, but a spirit."
"A spirit?"
Ba'al was unable to completely mask his disbelief.
"Yes, a spirit... a flower-like energy creature that talks telepathically, unless you give it another name here?"
It was a simple provocation from Gilgamesh. But Ba'al calmly nodded... hiding the shock of this revelation.
"Yes, we called them Ascended Beings."
The Goa'uld may have been evil, power-hungry parasites, but they had plundered the ruins of the Ancients and gained some of their knowledge. They had of course heard of the Ascension.
Gilgamesh had listened carefully to Ba'al's explanations about the Ascension.
It was a process that allowed beings to be able to separate from their physical bodies and to live eternally as pure energy in a superior plane with a greater amount of knowledge and power. It can be a mental, spiritual, or evolutionary process—a direct result of obtaining a certain level of wisdom and knowledge as a civilization.
An Ascended Being was probably the equivalent of a Hero in this universe. But the King of Uruk doubted that they were - individually- as powerful as the Servants he had fought in the Seraph. Nevertheless, if Ba'al was right, entire civilizations had reached the Ascension.
Even Gilgamesh couldn't face billions of Ascended Beings...
"I see," he simply replied.
Then he turned to the Jaffa, ordering them to place a large mirror he had just taken out of Gate of Babylon along a partition. For no matter what danger he might face, the One and Only King was not one to tolerate strangers offering him 'advice'. He shaped his destiny with his own true hands. He had not tolerated that the gods of Mesopotamia dictated his behavior. He wasn't going to start now.
Ba'al looked at him for a few moments then...
"King Gilgamesh, what are you trying to do?"
"I told you that."
"Yes, I understand... you want to force the Ascended Being to stay and answer your questions. And you will use... magic?"
He could not hide the taunt in his voice and the king of Uruk turned to look at him as a snake would look at a bird resting on a branch.
"It is very unwise to mock what one does not know, Lord Ba'al. Magic, True Magic, exists but it is very rare. This, however, is Magecraft... exactly Formalcraft."
"Magecraft?"
"Let's say an inferior form of magic that does not violate the laws of physics. Magecraft uses the same laws of physics that your machines use but with incantations. It's a way to achieve the same effects with different means. '
If anyone else had said something so absurd, the Goa'uld would have laughed... but it was impossible to call Gilgamesh a liar. At first, he was speaking with as little passion as if describing the rain from the window. And then the Servant had already done so many things that were a challenge to reason...
"I would like to stay and attend your meeting with the Ascended Being..."
"I doubt she'll show up if you stay," Gilgamesh said. "She only showed up when I was alone, so far."
Ba'al had an angry smile.
"All right, then I'll leave you!"
Without another word he turned around, walking briskly toward the door. Gilgamesh did not answer. The Golden King had already forgotten his presence, entirely focused on the Formalcraft's circle.
The Goa'uld looked back one last time to watch the Sumerian King work and he felt violent jealousy. For the Ascended Beings - beings that could be compared to real gods- he was just a primitive parasite who claimed to be a god, a being too insignificant for them to care about him... but the Ascended Beings spoke to Gilgamesh.
For the first time in his life, Ba'al felt the emptiness of his existence. No matter how many planets he dominated, how many worshipped him by calling him 'My Lord'... he was a being of flesh and blood destined for death.
Sitting cross-legged in the center of the magic circle, Gilgamesh was waiting.
Patience was not the strong point of the King of Uruk. All of his legends highlighted his haste, greed, and arrogance. Having to wait for someone's good pleasure irritated him to the utmost.
For several hours he was alone in this part of the fortress having forbidden the Jaffa (and even Ba'al) to come and disturb him. But the Epic of Gilgamesh also highlighted the qualities of Gilgamesh: his courage, his martial skills... and his obstinacy. When the Golden King had a goal, it didn't matter how far it was. Or what trials he would have to overcome.
And he wanted to find Hakuno Kishinami. The Ascended Being had told about his Master several times, in general terms... certainly... but she was his only serious lead.
Finally, a luminous form appeared in the room.
It looked like a human figure floating above the ground. But the body radiated light and seemed surrounded by luminous draperies that followed in its wake.
When the creature crossed the circle... there was a kind of explosion.
Surprise, the Ascended Being stopped and looked around.
Gilgamesh opened his eyes.
"Good evening, I'm glad you're staying with me for a while."
In the luminous form, the face ceased to radiate allowing recognizing the features of a woman of about forty years.
"I see that. I've never crossed a trap like that. I guess I can't get out without your consent, King Gilgamesh."
"Don't be so melodramatic, the King agrees to give you an interview and He has some questions for you to ask."
"What questions?"
"Your name for starters, I hardly like strangers to bother me when it suits them and leave without even showing a minimum of politeness."
"I am sorry to have offended Your Majesty. My name is Oma Desala."
Gilgamesh smiled mockingly. He was about to get to the heart of the matter but...
The room suddenly distorted and the king of Uruk collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness! His body disappeared into mana butterflies. He was forcibly Astralized!
Gilgamesh jumped and stood up, becoming aware... of sitting in a tavern in Uruk. He recognized the raw brick walls, wooden tables, tankards, and terracotta jugs. The establishment consisted of only one room open to the outside. Through the awning draped with worn draperies, the Golden King could see the beaten earth streets, the women carrying jars on their heads. He could hear the merchants who boasted about their goods.
He was back in Uruk!
He even recognized this tavern. He had fought with Enkidu inside - before they became friends- they had completely ravaged it. But Enkidu had later rebuilt it. It had become a place they often went to.
Except that...
—the play, the stage, even the clients...
Everything was a spiritual construct. He was on the Astral Plane and someone had shaped the environment based on his memories. Even for a Servant, it was a feat.
The waitress put a bock of beer in front of him.
"Here, I guarantee you that the beer will be to your taste... like all the rest we have reconstituted it based on your memory."
Gilgamesh turned to the woman who had just spoken... she was dressed as a young Sumerian. But her face was not unknown to the Hero.
"Oma Desala... the King admits He didn't expect a show of force of this magnitude."
"I had nothing to do with it, just like you, I was invited here."
"Invited? The One and Only King don't remember being invited."
"King Gilgamesh, we invited you to speak. We thought a familiar environment would be less disconcerting..."
One of the clients had just spoken and everyone else was looking at him. The Wedge of Heaven understood that unlike the people on the street -who were just a part of the set- each of the eight clients was a real person.
"Oh? And what important reason of state should you discuss with the King?"
But before the Ascended Being could speak, a man dressed as a rich merchant entered the tavern. it was in stark contrast to the Ancients who had taken the appearance of fishermen, bricklayers, or peasants.
"I see you weren't going to wait for me to start. I'm also interested in what's going to happen."
All those present turned to the newcomer and... briefly... Gilgamesh saw unhelpful emotions on their faces... hatred, anger, contempt. But they turned again to the king of Uruk without answering. The only reaction of the unknown man was a small laugh. He sat down at a free table and made a gesture towards Oma Desala.
"Waitress... what is this tavern where customers are left to die of thirst?"
Showing a brief expression of fury, Oma violently slammed a mug on the client's table.
"Choke on it!"
The 'rich merchant' burst out with an evil laugh, seeming visibly amused by the hostility of the other people present.
"Don't pay attention to him," said the Ascended One who served as a spokesperson. "He's not one of us."
"I understood that. What did you want to tell to the King?"
The spokesman turned to the waitress and gave her a cold look.
"We Ascended Beings have a very strict moral code. We do not interfere with the destiny of mortals. We consider that our wisdom and power do not give us the right to decide the lives of others. Nevertheless, Oma Desala took some liberties with those rules...and the consequences were serious. It forced us to watch her actions. That's how we found out she contacted you, King of Uruk. Please note that she has not violated any of our laws, as you are not a mortal. However, she is trying to push you to fight Anubis..."
At his table, the 'rich merchant' suddenly burst out laughing, once again attracting several disapproving glances.
"The existence of Anubis is the result of Oma's mistakes. It should be up to her to make amends."
"I see... speak clearly, do you forbid the King to fight Anubis?"
Gilgamesh had spoken in a soft voice, while his eyes were half-closed and his intonations were threatening. The spokesman did not seem to notice it and shook his head calmly.
"No, I won't. I'm just saying you shouldn't get involved in this conflict."
"In my interest, Oma Desala's... or yours?"
"In the interest of the universe."
Without answering, Gilgamesh got up, crossing the tavern he stopped in front of the 'rich merchant'.
"To be honest... I don't care about any of this. I just want to get my Master back. I hear you have a computer with the largest Ancient database in this galaxy. If you'll allow me to dig into this data, the One and Only King promise to leave you alone... A simple way to avoid confrontation, isn't it, Anubis?"
The silhouette of the 'rich merchant' was deformed, melted, and reformed.
Now a being wrapped up in a long monk dress was sitting on the chair. The fabric of his garment was black but dotted with silver metallic threads. The hands were gloved in black leather and the face... invisible behind a mask made of black glass.
Anubis - for it was him- spoke in a flat voice, without intonation.
"This is indeed something to consider... nevertheless, the problem is that your Master could one day curb my ambitions. Alone, she is already a great danger. If you are together..."
The rest of the sentence remained unspoken. As if rising from the depths of a dark sea, a spectral glow shone on the mask, seeming to approach its surface... before taking the shape of a ghostly skull head that looked right into Gilgamesh's eyes!
"I believe I will destroy you both, you threaten the rise of the greatest of gods!"
The King of Uruk reacts to this threat with an icy smile.
"You lowlife... what a pathetic creature! Unable to make the Ascension, is not it? You are a ghost blocked between two levels of existence! Have no fear. Your King will put an end to your torments! You should thank the One and Only King for His great magnanimity.
It was a declaration of war between two powerful beings.
Author's note: wow... lastly... for a while I made the story progress with small steps towards the central fight of this Fanfiction.
Nothing less than Gilgamesh VS. Anubis (the match of the century).
Do not underestimate this ghostly Goa'uld... those who knew Stargate may remember the properties of his mask. If so... imagine what a Servant would suffer from the inverted effects of the mask...
Never forget that Ancient technology can destroy purely spiritual beings.
(1) Runner: A human released by the Wraiths with a squeaker implanted under the skin. The Wraiths are tracking his movements to find human communities. When the Atlantis expedition met Ronon Dex he was a Runner.
(2) A cult that worships the Wraiths as gods. The believers receive the 'gift of long life' from the Wraiths (a Wraith gave them some of his vital energy, rejuvenating them). The pleasure that accompanies the 'gift of life' and the fact that the 'gift of life' is a promise of immortality is enough to convince human beings to betray their people. The Wraiths Believers serve as spies, saboteurs, and even militias for the demi-human space Goths vampires.
(3) The planet was invaded by Apophis in chapter 6.