Welcome back everybody. This chapter is where the story begins to get spicy. Nabu has a planet and there will only be more to come. Please let me know your favorite Goa'uld you want fleshed out and I'll see what I can do. I want to focus on Goa'uld either briefly mentioned or only mentioned in supplementary material. I have both Stargate RPG books along with their lore that I am using to base my story off of but since the history of many Goa'uld is spotty at best I'm going to try to flesh it out in this story. Mind you all this is AU so things will differ and change more as the story progresses.
Also thank you all for waiting all this time especially if you saw this when it first came out. I appreciate each and every one of you!
9002 BCE - Avaris
I chose to keep the location of Isis and Osiris to myself for the time being. If I needed their influence then I would obtain it on my own time. If the Supreme One had seen fit to only exile them then there was no rush to obtain them just yet. What I did need was a shipyard. Now with a planet that was capable of producing vast amounts of the resources I needed in order to fuel my research I needed to start putting it into practice.
In my several decades alive I had developed several advancements for the Ha'tak vessel, only a few of which were actually put into practice due to only having worked on completed Ha'tak and being able to simply modify their components. No, I needed to build one from the ground up.
Making a wholly new Ha'tak would allow me to fully implement my ideas. Ideas which almost doubled the component cost of it but tripled its capabilities. With a focus on improvements to the shields, weapons and hyperdrive I could face two Ha'tak easily and three with difficulty with but a single of my own. The increased cost was of minor concern at this point. What I needed was a battlefield advantage that would allow me to both defend and attack anyone who opposed my rise to System Lord.
Now the question was, who was an easy mark that I could assail with my meager fleet?
"My Lord, Advisor Anwar has selected suitable candidates for your project. Do you wish to see them?"
I was dragged from my thoughts by the voice of my Prime. Lishtir was always such a savior in times like these. My Khalsa Project was now able to be initiated.
"Indeed. Have him meet me outside his compound." Lishtir was still kneeling but he knew his command and vanished back through the throne room doors. Propping my head against my hand I watched the doors slowly swing shut behind the hurried Prime.
'I'm not sure if I really like this idea my Lord.'
'Abdul, I value your input but you're sorely mistaken in this. Watch and you will see the fruits of my labor.' Abdul scoffed mentally.
'Our labor my Lord.' I couldn't help but wince. Even if it wasn't often I still acted like the rest of my kind and it was Abdul who usually pointed it out. One of the only reasons I hate it when he does decide to come to the forefront of my…our mind.
The journey to Anwar's compound was brief, yet each step carried the weight of anticipation. The late-afternoon sun cast long shadows over the dirt pathways, and the air hummed with the subdued murmur of the city's laborers. As I approached the gathered crowd, my gaze swept over them: a sea of somber faces, aged and weathered, yet sharp with determination. These would be my Sicari, silent blades among the stars. Human assassins that would be trained alongside several of my Jaffa that would act as my eyes and ears amongst the many Goa'uld enemies that Marduk and, by proxy, I had.
"Anwar, you've served me well!" I approached the group as all knelt down in acknowledgement of my presence. Anwar stood at the forefront of the collected hundred humans.
"Yes my Lord. I have chosen them based on the criteria you set. We just need your word to continue." I motion him to rise as the rest follow suit. Walking through the rank and file I inspect the various personnel but one sticks out.
'That's my father!'
'Indeed, I had him moved over here from Tau'ri. Do you object to him being among those honored with this duty?' I smiled inwardly but Abdul seemed less than pleased.
'Why would you send my father, an older man, into a situation that could risk his life?!' Less than pleased indeed. Well, I guess I had to explain it.
'Your father is wise, Abdul. The oldest of those selected, yes, but that is precisely his advantage. Who would suspect an elder—one who has seen the rise and fall of many masters—of subterfuge? His age is a shield, his wisdom a weapon. His experience will allow him to move through the enemy's ranks unnoticed, while others might falter. Can you not see that the rest of those selected are older. It's to allow them to do their job with as little oversight from their Lords as possible. It's the perfect trap!' While a bit overzealous about the whole situation I had hoped that Abdul, a quick study in his own right, would see the reason behind my decision and why it made the most sense.
'You forget that the other Goa'uld are not like you! They will kill him when they see what he is up to. You're putting my fathers life in danger!' I had to actively fight for control of our body at this point as Abdul rushed to the forefront of my mind in order to take control.
'Abdul, enough!' My mental voice cracked like a whip, sharp and defensive. 'You speak as though you know my kind, as though you could fathom the dangers I navigate. If I were any other God, you wouldn't have survived a single night as my host. I have spared you—protected you.' But even as I lashed out, I felt a flicker of doubt, an unease twisting in the recesses of my mind. His words lingered, cutting deeper than I cared to admit.
'BUT YOU'RE NOT A GOD!' I froze. The humans around me left to wonder just what had happened as I turned fully inward to Abdul.
My mental voice softened as I gently reached out to an agitated Abdul. Reaching out in a placating gesture.
'You're right,' I admitted, the words bitter on my tongue. 'I'm not a God. I know. You've reminded me of that more times than I can count. But that doesn't make me powerless. Trust me, not as your God, but as your... partner. I will not let harm come to your father. This, I swear.' Abdul mentally reached back out but the connection was shaky at best. My host had used a lot of his energy in his rant.
'Fine, but something happens to him and I swear, you will never have a peaceful night of rest for as long as I am your Avatar.' I nod and slowly relax my grip on his consciousness. Allowing him to slip into a deep rest.
'I will not let anything happen to your father. I promise.' That last thought was to myself but I could feel the jagged edges of Abdul's mind begin to relax with my words before I returned to reality.
The Sicari would allow me to take what I needed without having to rely on Marduk or Sarpanitum any more. While I could have simply partitioned them for a shipyard, the Sicari would allow me to take from others and solidify my independence and free me from the hazardous reliance on my Lord.
"Anwar, they will do perfectly. They are yours to train." With that, I quickly turned on my heel, a move that almost brought me to my knees.
"My Lord! Are you alright!" I have to wave off Anwar but he doesn't heed my warning. Instead lifting me up and stabilizing my body against his. Trying to shrug the burly man off of me, I instead fall into a coughing fit.
It took me a second to recollect myself before standing upright once more.
"I'll be fine Anwar, you focus on the trainees. I'll make my way back to the temple and attend this new development in private." My eyes drifted back to the collection of people, their eyes tinged with worry I almost failed to notice.
"My Lord, you are in no state to do that on your own. I will send for Kashif at once." Anwar's voice was firm, his presence steady beside me as the crowd murmured uneasily.
I waved him off, but the movement sent a jolt of pain through my chest. A strangled cough erupted from me, sharp and unrelenting, as the world tilted slightly on its axis. The murmurs grew louder, and Anwar's strong hands gripped my shoulders, holding me upright.
"I'm... fine," I managed to rasp, though the words tasted like ash.
"My Lord!" Anwar's shout pierced the ringing in my ears, his concern unmistakable as he steadied me. But the darkness was already creeping in, tugging at the edges of my vision. The worried faces around me blurred into indistinct shapes as my knees buckled.
The last thing I heard before succumbing to the void was Anwar's voice barking urgent orders, and the dull roar of footsteps rushing to my aid.
Timeskip - 8997 BCE - 5 Years Later
I stood on my balcony, overlooking the bustling masses of people as they went about their day to day lives. My people.
'Our people, Lord.' A gentle reminder of what I almost lost striking a cold rod through my insides.
'Indeed, they are ours, thank you.' I could feel Abdul's light amusement.
'We should wish the Sicari happy hunting.' I could only nod as I pushed off the balcony ledge. Venturing out of my room I depart for our throne. The expanded palace was now fitted with full tapestries of Abdul and I as well as Marduk and Sarpanitum. Our lineage on display for all who enter my domain.
Entering the throne room from a passage behind, I took my seat on the gilded chair. Lishtir subtly eyeing me. I paid it little mind. While the bond between Abdul and I was healing, it wasn't unfair to assume that those close to me would be keeping an eye out in case of another collapse.
Over the course of the last five years, I had gotten the hang of it and while the physical weakness had been dealt with, the mental lethargy was still ever present. It significantly slowed my progress but right now I do not need to be researching. I needed to focus on getting my people out there and begin setting my plans into motion.
"Lishtir, can you summon my advisors to me?" My voice was calm and steady even if my mind was racing.
"At once my Lord!" I watched as Lishtir departed the throne room but not before he called a familiar face in to stand post for him. Mor'ak, one of the few Jaffa that had enjoyed an easy transition from Setesh to me. He even seemed to enjoy it. However that was not what I needed to focus on for the time being while waiting for my advisors to arrive.
The primary problem being who was I going to send the slaves to infiltrate. Min controlled multiple systems nearby, Balor had holdings too. Marduk had plenty of skirmishes with Balor though, which might complicate things if I were to trade with minor lords in his court. What to do.
It took a couple hours for all three to show up but now I had Anwar, Jahred, and Minura kneeling before my throne.
"Rise my loyal advisors. I apologize for the inconvenient calling…" They tried to object but I held a hand up so that they would hold their tongues. "Now is not the time my friends. What I need of you now is your support. It is time to deploy the Sicari. What I need from you is to gather 1000 more of my subjects, preferably strong willed and willing to be sent out to other minor lords to disguise our Sicari. Is that within your power?"
Anwar nodded but Minura and Jahred shared a look that spoke volumes to the otherwise. The tension in the air almost caused me to choke before I realized I was simply holding my breath as if it would be possible to take a sixth of my people who would willingly serve under another master for my sake.
I cast my eyes downward as I began to try to think of other solutions.
"If we used half the people and twice the buffer then it would work…Lord." The formal addendum barely made me raise an eyebrow.
"What would you suggest then?" They had to have some idea as to how to make this work? A sharp pain in the back of my skull caused my actual body within Abdul to twitch with its intensity.
"My Lord~ What if we only send a handful of spies to your enemies and when we pick a target then we fully integrate?" Minura's chuckle failed to disguise the scheming nature of her comment, further cementing her position in my court. However the underhanded it was perfect for my own schemes. Reconnaissance wasn't unfamiliar to the Goa'uld and would serve perfectly. A smaller group would allow us to send less of my people out as well and lessen the drop in morale.
"That's an idea I am more than willing to support. Get me the 20 finest out of the lot you've trained Anwar, and Minura, you are to collect the first 200 volunteers from the surrounding population. If they have a family, have the family make the call on whether they go as a group or only the volunteers. If they are in disagreement then disqualify them from this particular mission. I need people willing to go and possibly die in order to make this work. Now go, except Jahred, please stay, I seek your counsel." With my command, Anwar and Minura departed, leaving me with Lishtir, Mor'ak, and Jahred.
"Jahred, how far do you think I can spread 20 Sicari?" Leaning back into my chair I took a deep breath, the levity of having a stable plan eased my mind.
"5 Minor Lords maximum." Those weren't great numbers but it was a start. At least with that I could handle all of the minor Goa'uld surrounding me.
"Then 4 it shall be. I will maximize the operatives in weaker lords as those will be the easiest to probe and least likely to discover our deception. Min, Imsety, Happy, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef being our targets. I will open lines of communication with each of them and secure a transfer. Lishtir and Mor'ak, can you rally and ensure that within the week those selected are ready for transfer and locate me a nearby neutral world to conduct the transfer."
Both Jaffa nodded before departing the room. This left me with Jahred as I lifted my head to eye the ceiling of my temple. I often found myself wondering how all this might play out.
'You know, if you didn't keep daydreaming you'd've noticed Jahred sneaking out.' I opened my eyes and true to his words, Abdul was correct. Jahred had vanished.
'I hate you.'
'Now you know that isn't true my Lord.'
Timeskip - 8995 BCE - 2 Years Later
It didn't take long for the reports to start coming in. I had the Sicari reporting to Anwar every 3 months. Within a year I had detailed reports in a digestible format and now close to two years later I had my first major lead.
"Interesting…well aren't you a nugget of progress?" I shifted to direct my gaze at Anwar who sat across from me. Myself, Lishtir and my advisors were currently sitting together within a secluded meeting room. The room was dimly lit utilizing a naquadah core that I used to power the temple itself and an auxiliary generator located nearby. Golden walls inscribed with text from the scripture Minura had concocted flowed around the room like a ribbon with windows high above to allow some natural light into the room. I had fashioned it after some pestering from Minura. She wanted to have a secret hideout because it was important information and she wanted it to feel more important.
Was it inconvenient at times, yes, yes it was, but would I do it again if asked…I might.
'Honestly Nabu, you should just admit you have a soft spot for your would-be Lo'taur.'
'Keep quiet before I make you.'
I couldn't help but notice the smug feeling that Abdul was radiating as if he'd won their little battle of words. Admittedly, I did have a soft spot for the humans close to me and it was really a shame to watch them all grow older as I failed to age a day, physically speaking.
Jahred was the first to speak up. His tone was sharp and direct, as always. "Min's forces are stretched thin. His resources are concentrated on Ahkmim, and his Jaffa are too few to maintain order. The slaves are being pushed to their limits, and it's only a matter of time before they collapse under the strain. If we strike now, we can shatter his defenses before he has a chance to regroup."
I nodded thoughtfully, taking in the information. "And the shipyard?"
Jahred's lips tightened. "It's well-defended but vulnerable. The asteroid field provides natural cover for our forces. With a coordinated assault, we can neutralize its turrets and seize control."
Anwar came next, his calm and measured tone bringing some balance to Jahred's directness, though there was a hint of hesitation in his voice. "Min's situation is undeniably precarious, my Lord, but desperation makes even the weak dangerous. His erratic behavior—the brutal discipline, the consolidation of resources—suggests he's preparing for a last stand. If we're not careful, he could lash out unpredictably, potentially damaging the shipyard or targeting our forces."
I leaned forward slightly, taking into consideration Anwar's words. "You suggest caution, then?"
The elder warrior nodded. "Precisely. A direct assault might yield results, but infiltration first would give us the upper hand. If we can sow discord among his ranks or sabotage his defenses, the battle would be over before it begins."
Minura was last to provide her input, her warm and persuasive voice like a gentle breeze, laced with a subtle edge. "My Lord, Min is weak, and everyone knows it. His slaves are desperate, his Jaffa divided, and his allies... nonexistent. If we act decisively, we won't just conquer Ahkmim. We'll send a message to the other Underlords: that you are not to be trifled with."
She paused, her eyes gleaming as she studied my reaction. As if waiting for me to allow her the chance to continue. "The slaves already despise him. With the right touch, they could be turned to our cause, creating chaos from within while we strike from without. It would be a bloodless conquest, or nearly so. And once the shipyard is yours, the resources it provides would make you untouchable."
I nod, all of the pieces falling into place. With Min gone I would take his assets which, according to recent intel, was a total of 3 worlds. Quadrupling my holdings. Yes, all of this was going to work out.
Rising from my seat at the table I clasped my hands behind my back.
'I wonder where you learned to be so dramatic?' The snarky comment from Abdul aside, this plan might just work.
"Jahred," I spoke after a brief moment of thought, keeping my voice sharp and level, "your plan is sound, but brute force alone is not enough. Minura is right—we must show the galaxy that our strength lies not just in might, but in strategy."
I turn to Anwar, my eyes peering into him. "Your caution is well-founded. Infiltration will be our first step. We'll sow discord among Min's ranks, weaken his defenses, and make him doubt his own control. Only then will we strike."
Finally, I faced Minura. "You will oversee the infiltration. Use the slaves to spread rumors, incite rebellion, and sabotage key infrastructure. Have a contingent of 40 more Sicari take a Tel'tak and infiltrate his workforce and take as many of the Jaffa trained in the Sicari arts as you can fit to do the same. Jahred, prepare our forces for the assault. Anwar, you will devise contingency plans for every possible counterattack."
The three bowed in unison. "It will be done, my Lord," they said.
Hey, so while I have you here. I've been thinking of annotating what Nabu has under his belt down here. Like a stat sheet but for world and who they once belonged to. Primary NPC's among other details that might get forgotten about by y'all as you get deeper and deeper into the story. What do y'all think. Let me know and I'll implement it in the next chapter!
Again, thank you all for coming and I appreciate each of you readers! Till next time!