Welcome back! Chapters will be coming a little slower but at this rate I should have 1-2 chapters out a week. Considering the chapters are relatively small in length, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise but this story is really driving me crazy and I hope you like it because I won't stop till I have at least the 30~ chapters of content I have written out made available for you folks.
Hope you enjoy and as always, read, review and follow/favorite if you enjoy it and would like to see more.
On with Chapter 3!
It had to have been weeks that I had spent within the confining walls of the laboratory that Marduk provided me.
It was a wonderful place, any broken equipment made it to me and anything new was mine to study first. Marduk being an Underlord of Enki, a System Lord, had much within his reach and due to me being his sole underling meant that I got all of it in turn. Our species had been conquering the stars of this galaxy for millennia now and with that time came plenty of boons from other cultures that we conquered.
I was peering over one such piece of technology. It was a piece of metal that was salvaged by Enki during a recent battle against the Asgard. Our side barely managed to get away after surrendering. The Asgard themselves were far superior to us in technology and thus Marduk thought that maybe I could make something of it but I was at a loss.
Even the composite was something far beyond anything I could comprehend. It seemed to defy all the Goa'uld knowledge that I managed to dig through. Perhaps its secrets would be revealed to me in time but now seemed to not be that time. Setting the metal aside I shifted over to my latest pet project.
On a cleared desk sat a pile of liquid Naquadah cores from Ma'tok staff. With a word, my research could get me pretty much anything within the reach of Marduk or Sarpanitum and that was enough for me to lose myself in this new pursuit.
One major thing I noticed when venturing through the Chaapa'ai was that it had 9 chevrons but we only used 7 to get to where we needed within this galaxy. It may be a far cry from the truth but it was my theory that the Chaapa'ai could go to other galaxies. If the gate builders were as adept in the ways of space travel as we knew them to be then it wasn't difficult to imagine them venturing beyond our galaxy but that required massive amounts of power that we could not supply through normal means and thus I was working on a more advanced source of power.
Liquid Naquadah seemed to be the key along with the volatile isotope of Naquadah that I had used to upgrade Marduk's flagship. Something about these two chemicals and their ability to conduct electrical power were the key that I needed to expand the reach of the Goa'uld far beyond the reach of simply this galaxy.
I had a ways to go before it would be possible but if I set the foundation now, early then maybe in a few centuries I will have cracked the code. I should've stopped my research right then and there but I underestimated two things. My thirst for knowledge and my own arrogance, that was steadily growing.
I cast a quick look around the chaotic mess of my workshop. Marduk had offered to give me loyal slaves to aid me in my research, at least in the form of test subjects or simple manual labor but I denied him. I had no need for slaves that could end up being spies, no, that would have to wait till I had my own world and could vet my assistance for myself.
Other than the lack of slaves or any form of coherent organization, the mess also revealed one of my ever growing fears. I was running out of resources. It was bound to happen but I dreaded it happening at a time like this.
Marduk was away. Why did I fear this? Abdul had inquired much the same when I spoke of my fears with him as we usually did during our now ritual of nightly meditation. It was for one simple reason. Sarpanitum. Now to fear my Queen was natural, I was of her brood and thus, she had a massive influence on who I was and my personality. In fact, she was probably the very reason for my being what I was today. That aside I dreaded ever having to deal with her incessant doting that she tended to do, more so when Marduk was away and she could appear more weak. What could I have done, I had no worlds with which to run away to and if Marduk caught word of me even daring to speak ill of his beloved, I would be a shadow in less than an instant.
So I was left to simply accept her affections. Through my research the Lady Hathor had a similar demeanor, treating her spawn as family and bestowing them with much the same affections. It was almost repulsive that one of our kin would hold themselves in such a way but as a Queen they were the few that could act with such liberty. None could touch them as they were coveted by even the System Lords. Even Ra himself couldn't stand long against the desires of his mistress. It was quite a sight to behold according to Lord Enki who had regaled Marduk with tales that my Lord eventually told unto me.
That and the Queens spoke amongst themselves like gossiping humans. They would spread rumors and share information freely according to ancient legend. Marduk informed me while on a trip to one of his many worlds, that Sarpanitum would leave for days on end only to reappear via Al'kesh with naught but a word and this is what cause he and I to come to the same conclusion as the tales as, after a few bribes, we found the other Queens did much the same at regular interval.
I couldn't help but shiver at the thought of the scheming done by them behind the scenes. From my perspective it would seem they were the ones truly in charge as a whisper here or there could spell the end for any one of us on their word alone.
No, I resolved to never go to her if she was alone, that would certainly spell my doom by her embrace. The thought of a knife slipping into my back while in her arms was a dream I've endured too many times to not take a hint.
It was meant to be, however, as I found myself without any resources with which to work and I was so close to perfecting the crystals that I would end up using to reconfigure the pel'tak of Marduk's Ha'tak. It was a rather fascinating piece of equipment that I stole the design for from some long forgotten ruins of the gate builders.
Within the ruin stood a chair surrounded by the writings of the gate builders. The chair itself seemed unimpressive till I decided to take a closer look. The inside proved insightful as it was of their design. The arms housed many crystals that fed power across the ruin. What purpose it served is beyond me but the design would suit my purposes as I repurposed the idea.
I made the command chair of the pel'tak act as the chair in the ruin did. It would serve as a command console for the Goa'uld pilot, allowing them to sit and observe while proactively reacting with but a shift of a finger. Instead of the traditional intensive concentration that was required before.
I kept the ruin on my charts for further research later but I couldn't focus on that if I didn't have the resources to finish my current project. However, as luck would have it, I had run out of the crystals I needed and the only way to procure more resources was by requesting it from either Marduk or Sarpanitum.
With Marduk away on a survey of his further worlds and not due back for months, that left our Queen, Sarpanitum. One whom I dreaded visiting.
'You got this, quick in and out Nabu.' I didn't respond to Abdul as I steeled my resolve.
Stepping out of my lab for what felt like the first time, the sun beat down on me. The dust, dry air of the desert drying out my throat in an instant as I gazed over the balcony over the sweeping city before me. It was massive as it spread throughout the desert of what would come to be known as Iran. The city that Marduk was given sat a distance away from a massive river and acted as a sort of trading city among the humans.
My lab from the outside stood towards the center and resembled a temple to me. Since Marduk and Sarpanitum sat in the seat of their power in the city, a palace seated in the center of the town, I was provided a, modest in terms of Goa'uld architecture, a substantial temple befitting my status as a Lord of Knowledge. It was a title that the humans had given me when I began to teach them of better ways to farm or draw water. Simple things to improve their quality of life that neither Marduk or anyone else cared about.
I became a teacher in their eyes and as a child of Marduk was seen as a Demigod of sorts to them. Only demigod because while I was out and about I sometimes allowed Abdul to converse with his older friends as my Avatar. The combination of our interactions led them to believe me to be a God in human flesh, thus the Demigod moniker.
It frustrated me but I guess at least they liked me, unlike their thinking of Marduk. Our time spent outside the lab had taught us of the contempt that the humans held for Marduk and the rest of his kind. The random slaughter and mass punishment only serves to build a wall of hatred between our races. One that would someday grow into a spiteful feeling that would cause us to lose Tau'ri. It was small now but I could see the roots slowly settling down even as I learned of their customs and ways of life.
I made my way down the steps, passing and greeting people as Nabu. The humans rushed to me with smiles on their faces. It was so innocent of them to do so, such behavior would have been their death had it been any other Goa'uld but to them, I was a friend. The closest thing to a human living among the gods. It was funny how they saw me, even if Abdul and I knew that I only did it to have more pieces in play on the board. When they revolted, I doubt they would target me, allowing me to remain and maintain a vestige of my empire upon these lands. Just another part of my long term plans.
It didn't take me long to make it through the mass of priests and peasants, slaves that all tried to reach forth and behold my form. The reverence they showed to me did stroke my arrogance a bit but I let it pass as I made my way to the palace of Marduk and Sarpanitum.
Entering the waiting chamber I have to take a deep breath to prepare myself for the meeting with Sarpanitum. Abdul is trying his best to soothe my nerves but even his best efforts does little to placate my concerns.
The slave at the door, having already recognized me and informed Sarpanitum of my presence, announces my arrival.
"Lord Nabu, son of Marduk has arrived." Stepping aside, they allow me to enter the vaulted halls of Sarpanitum's throne room. Each time Abdul marvels at the majesty of the structure. The room itself has a presence of reverence and almost demands you worship the centerpiece, a set of thrones. The right most which is occupied by none other than my Queen, Lady Sarpanitum.
"You would honor us with your company, my child." It took me a moment to reach the feet of the steps leading up to my Queens throne before kneeling down.
"The honor is all mine. To be in your radiant presence my Queen, I can think of no other joy." I could hear the corners of her mouth turn upward.
"You praise us; however you do not come to our temple simply to regale us with words of worship. No, you seek something of us. Do you seek to join us as our Consort and remove Lord Marduk from your path?" Amusement dripped from her words as I could only respond with a shiver and a grimace.
"I would not do such a thing my Queen. Marduk is a powerful Lord indeed. It would be foolish of me to think myself capable of besting him through schemes alone."
"And yet you speak of Lord Marduk in such a casual manner. That is unbecoming of such a faithful servant of our Lord." I had to grit my teeth at such a blunder on my part. This was a sign of my complacency and I just had to be grateful that Sarpanitum was having fun toying with me.
"It will not happen again my Queen. However I do kneel before you with a request." Sarpanitum had all the cards and with just her and I present, she could easily dispose of me but I had to stand my ground. Goa'uld ruled through strength and to appear weak would be suicide.
"Ah yes, we know of your need for resources. Minerals and materials are trivial matters for us to have obtained for you. That is no matter too us. I would, however, make a request of you in return. Join us at our next Gala. You have done well to make us proud and we would present you before our allies."
I couldn't help the slight stumble as I practically fell over myself at her request. The Gala? That must be what Marduk had been talking about earlier. Where all the Queens went to discuss and share secrets. Going would garner me allies and possibly intel on the System Lords. It would also serve Sarpanitum and strengthen her influence among the other Lords and Queens. It would both benefit me and put me right into the spotlight.
Knowing that refusal would likely mean my death anyways, it wasn't like I had much of a choice.
"I would be honored to accompany you to your next Gala my Queen." I failed to notice Sarpanitum rise and step down the altar to slowly move past me, lost as I was in my own thoughts.
"Good, then come with me, we leave at once."
There was only one thought that I could form within my mind as I scrambled to my feet to chase after my Queen.
'Whhhhhhaaaaaaaat?!'
Nabu was really taken aback there wasn't he. Things are starting to get even more complicated next chapter when he goes to the Gala. Can anyone guess which Goa'uld Queens will be there? Let me know your guesses in the reviews. Also let me know any theories as to how Nabu till change the timeline. Will he change it at all. It's not SI so he has no context for the future events so I wanna hear your thoughts.
Next: Chapter 5: Gala