Hey everyone. So...I'm back. I've been busy, a lot going on but I know to you that's all just excuses so I'll just say that I returned to check if a few of my favorite stories have updated and read your reviews. These reviews and your love for this story brought me back and gave me the kick in the pants to really get back to work. A very special thanks to qwertyuiop12321485 and Jsmine Lucas for your reviews.
Before we begin I saw a few reviews that I want to address since they all follow the same general theme. No, the isotope of Naquadah is not Naquadria. Metals come with several variants and this is like a middle ground between Naquadah and Naquadria but Nabu did not discover the super nuke element yet.
All of that aside I do hope you enjoy this chapter and please review. It's really one of the few things that keep me going through these turbulent times and your reviews keep me coming back to write more.
When I went out to find myself suitable Lo'taur candidates for the future, I didn't expect to be bogged down in a religious debate with my three heads of state.
Jahred, a thin, scholarly gentleman that was, by far, the most educated of the humans under my charge. He facilitated what would eventually become a school for the humans. A university of sorts that would allow me to selectively teach the humans how to complete progressively more complex tasks and give them greater understanding of the world. While inexperienced he was the closest thing to an intellectual advisor I had and he was outspoken with his ideals; one of the many reasons for my current predicament.
The next was my head of human security, Anwar. The burly and rugged brute was the most experienced, both in the mines and in combat. Apparently Setesh was selectively training some of his slaves to turn into Jaffa and Anwar was one of the only that passed to the final trials. While Setesh never finished Anwar's transformation he still served in an adjacent capacity for me and was charged with managing the public and was the face of the human civil force I had developed. Him being able to speak his mind was a must as he was the voice of the people when it came to more mundane and less religious concerns. Something I needed due to my lack of presence among the people.
The final presence at the table and my third advisor was my religious leader and the current spokesman of the cult that had slowly formed after my arrival on the world. Minura. I had originally desired her for a Lo'taur as her beauty would easily make assassins hesitate before they killed her. She also had a way with words that inspired the people. If not for her, my hold on the world would be shaky at best. As it stood, I was extremely popular with the people and public opinion of a Goa'uld had never been higher. At least from what I had seen on Tau'ri.
"If we introduce more in depth history to the mythos of our God's then the people would scrutinize it more. We should just leave it as is and if they want to know more then they just have to deal with what they have." The words flowed from his mouth as naturally as a discussion about the weather might have.
"You forget that having an in-depth history will allow us to weave stories and lessons into his past and allow us to more easily introduce ideas into your lectures. Having reference material never hurt anyone." The chair flew from under Minura as she practically threw herself over the table at Jahred.
"Both of you calm down, you forget yourselves in front of our lord. You shout like insolent children when we have yet to ask our lord his thoughts on us adding to a history he's lived." I could only nod sagely in response to Anwar. At last, someone said it.
I couldn't help but notice the blood flowing to either advisor's cheeks as they straightened themselves out and took their seats once more.
I had to take a moment to really take in their expressions. The sweat that was beading at their brow. I couldn't help but smirk internally as I took my time before responding to their quarrel.
'You really take after Marduk, don't you my Lord?' The subtle teasing from Abdul was not helping me hold back my chuckle as I nodded internally.
'Oh please allow me to indulge myself. It's not often that I am the one being dramatic after all.' Abdul's scoff did not go unnoticed but that was something that I would have to deal with later. For now, I had a far more interesting matter to attend to.
"My children. You worry about all the fine details when there is only one thing that matters. That my people are educated. However you do that is up to you. I trust your judgement and council. Use my name if you must but also ensure that humans are important to my mythos. I want to ensure the people know they are as important to this empire as the Gods are for what kingdom would I rule if not for the people in it?"
Forgoing the usual metallic tinge that my physiology has on Abdul's body, I share my thoughts with my advisors. Already seeing the gleam of respect and adoration in their eyes as they absorb my words.
Satisfied with my work and contribution to the group I stand as do my advisors.
"I believe there is much to work on so I will leave it in your capable hands and Minura; please ensure that what you three come up with is in line with our current scripture. We need to make sure it all makes sense." Turning on my heel, I left the chambers as there was another matter I needed to attend to.
Upon my return to my private chambers my Lo'taur was waiting for me. I knew it wasn't smart to go without him following me but it was also to show my lack of fear of the people. I didn't need my people to see me as paranoid and begin to wonder why that might be. No, Kashif needed to be here to perform at the temple as another of my Avatar's. He was seen now as a form of Demigod to the people of Avaris. A second me so to speak and acted as me whenever I was off world. It was my way of acclimating the people to seeing him as in charge.
"Lord Nabu, we welcome you back to your sanctum." Kashif knelt at the foot of the stairs as I made my way up to him, Lishtir, my Prime, stood beside the throne, stoic as is expected of the leader of my warrior force.
"Rise Kashif. Thank you for your diligent efforts guarding my throne." I turn to Lishtir. "Kel Shak?/What's going on?"
I remain out of character as I take my throne. The metallic timbre of most of my species was a rarity within the hallowed walls of my temple. I saw it beneath me to speak in such a way in front of the people that worshipped me willingly. There simply was no need for it.
Lishtir knelt before me as he gave his report.
"My Lord. During our recent sweep of all facilities on the map you found there we found another laboratory belonging to the dead god Setesh. From our initial investigation it seemed to be filled with a large amount of the same magical equipment you work with."
I simply couldn't hold back the grin that spread across my lips as I crossed my legs, pondering the possibilities of what might await me in this treasury.
"Very good, you will lead me to this laboratory Lishtir. Kashif, you're in charge while I am away, know that I will be gone for some time so ensure that Minura, Jahred, and Anwar are notified of my absence." A stirring in the back of my mind told me of Abdul's displeasure but I didn't care for it this time. He would have to suffer this time as the secrets of Setesh required my immediate attention.
It didn't take long for Lishtir to lead me to an unremarkable building. While the outside was ragged and seemed to even be falling apart, the inside was a different story. And what a story it told.
Venturing into the bowels of the new building it had a set of stairs that led to a hatch of Goa'uld design. I had elected to allow Lishtir to return to his duties as I invaded the sanctum of Setesh. It was unlike any of the other labs that I had found across the planet and seemed to be the primary lab of Setesh. There were several tables laid out with staff weapons and dismantled Kara Kesh lay strewn throughout the room. To the far side was a stair case which I went down to find an elaborate door.
The door is ornately decorated with twin depictions of the animal of Setesh. As I examined the door it appeared it was of a far more advanced design than found in the rest of the labs around Avaris. Only a Goa'uld would know it for what it was and that is what led me to believe in my theory.
As I scanned the door I found that it registered a biological signature. Goa'uld most likely but if Setesh had it trapped I didn't want to risk it opening first but then a thought struck me. I had found a Kara kesh in another lab that was different from the others. It wasn't a shield or anything special, it only emitted a signal that gave a 30kHz pulse at intermittent intervals.
It was a common way that our species hid or trapped areas from opposing Goa'uld. You'd only give the 'code' to those within your inner circle. The problem with Setesh was that he didn't anticipate his own exile and that meant he got sloppy and complacent. His complacency will be my boon.
Quickly retrieving the Kara Kesh, I return with it to the door and activate it before activating the door. With a hiss it opened up to reveal a simple cylindrical room. I had to shake my head with how simple this was. For all his genius, his technique was sloppy in terms of hiding. He probably continued to use his name when he hid amongst the stars. That arrogance would lead to his downfall and the downfall of the rest of our species. At least if I didn't have something to say about it.
Standing in the center of the room, I activated the Kara Kesh once more as the floor opened up and several rings rose from the ground to surround me, beaming me down further into the depths of his facility. Now we were getting somewhere.
When the light eventually faded from my eyes and I could see more clearly what was around me. It was by far the most advanced sanctum that was discovered. The room itself was vast in both scale and elegance. Doors, scattered around, led off in various directions. It would seem the God of Disorder and schemer amongst the Goa'uld was quite the busy bee down here.
I took several days to look around, searching each room for anything of note. After finding several lavish bedrooms and baths I eventually found a stash of notebooks in a room I could only describe as my dream destination. Even Abdul was left reeling at the sheer amount of new technology and research lying about the room. Notes on different chemicals from Nish'ta, an airborne substance with powerful mind control effects on those that inhale it, to a method of mass producing the toxin released by symbiotes when they die.
'You didn't tell me about that?' I felt bad for sure but I would never kill Abdul. He was a worthy host and more than worth keeping around.
'You've been nothing but helpful and understanding. I had no need to tell you about something that would never be a threat to you.' For some reason that I couldn't fathom, Abdul didn't take kindly to my assurance.
'Then why did you lock those memories from me?' I was hoping he wouldn't ask that.
I couldn't answer and thus left him to his brooding. I didn't have time to deal with him when I had a stash of valuable notes to pour over. And pour over them I did. Hours and days spent within that single room of Setesh's sanctum spent reading through various notes on his personal advancements of Goa'uld technology. Advancements that I was going to utilize to the fullest on my Flagship, if you could even call it that.
What really captured my attention however was a list of notes. More of a diary really and the details it had to offer revealed exactly why Setesh didn't go to Ra to curry favor after finding out about the coup between Osiris and Isis. According to this diary, it was Setesh who actually did goad Osiris and Isis into trying to depose Ra and he was going to go behind their backs in order to curry favor with the Supreme System Lord.
While, the fact this text proved my original thought process on how the situation was intended to unfold. The text also proved to be a boon in another fashion. One of the last entries in the diary was of Setesh finding out through his spy network that Isis and Osiris were not killed. In fact they were sealed and Setesh had found out exactly where they were sealed. The Tau'ri.
Another short chapter I know but I was on a time crunch and this wrapped up nicely with a little teaser as to what might be coming up in future installments of this story. Please review and let me know how you think this story is going to go. Let me know what you liked and disliked and above all y'all have a great rest of your day/night/ect. See you all in the next installment of Eclipse.