Any further questions? Ayodhya asked after an hour of conversation that had basically retrod the ground established already: that the Confederacy was overall rather badly outnumbered but in the short term probably had local superiority and that while the initial retaliation by the Goauld would likely fall on Angrezi, reinforcements were on their way. No? Excellent. In that case, I suggest we all get some rest and then start putting the defenses on the Stargate in order. Colonel ONeill, if you and your team could remain behind for a moment. It was not a question.
Jack slouched deeper into his chair as the rooms other occupants filed out.
Im having a complete list of our casualties compiled, Ayodhya told them coldly. When the Stargate is secured sufficiently to be reactivated, you can take it with you. In the spirit of interstellar amnity I request that you give it to the Tokra. Tell them that they are indicted for conspiracy to murder those people and have a choice: step up and offer a defense or gamble that the System Lords win. Because if the Confederacy wins and if they dont face up to their crimes then Ill hound them to the ends of the universe, to bring them to justice.
Well tell them that, Jack agreed. Ive got a few questions for them about that themselves.
Good. Ayodhya turned away from them and towards the windows but then paused as he saw a book resting on one of the side tables. The same book that hed been reading to the children a week ago when SG-1 had first come aboard the Leonidas. Walking over to the table he picked it up and started flipping through the pages, his eyes lighting up as the Goauld took over. Colonel ONeill, are you at all familiar with the Battle of Thermopylae?
Yeah, Jack admitted. Its covered at the Academy.
I know that this isnt a very accurate depiction of the historical battle, Nekhrun said, showing him the cover. It was from Earth, Jack realised. Hed seen it on bookshop shelves a few times, the title 300 and a bronze helmet dominating the cover. But its probably the definitive version of the legend. And now I find myself at the Hot Gates myself and I wonder if there is a Ephialtes at my back, or Ephors waiting on Heinessen.
I do not know this battle, Tealc observed. However, I know the fear in your eyes.
Nekhrun choked and then burst into racking laughter. Perhaps you are right, he admitted. Here. He closed the book and offered it to Tealc. Take it as a gift. From one warrior to another. Still laughing, he walked out of the observation room, leaving Tealc holding the book and Sam and Daniel staring after him.
What was that about? Daniel asked in concern.
I dont think its anything bad, Jack said slowly. You should read the book, Tealc. I think youll enjoy it.
Then he walked over to the window and stared at the space around them, the five other ships positioned around the Leonidas. Star destroyers against Hatak and X-Wings against Death Gliders, Goauld on both sides this is going to be one wild fight.
Tealc frowned at him and then opened the book at the beginning, smiling slightly as he saw the artwork inside it.
.oOo.
Almost an hour later the door opened and Jack, Daniel and Sam looked up from the game of poker they were playing with cards that Jack had brought with him to see Shakuntala in the doorway, still wearing the crimson and black uniform of an Angrezi colonel and a turban.
I hate to interrupt your victory celebration, she told them with somewhat less that total sincerity. But my father would like to meet you.
The Padishah? Jack asked in surprise.
Well you did suggest that you wanted to open diplomatic channels, she pointed out. Going into a war, I believe that we might find having another friendly power quite helpful. I think he has some sort of treaty in mind, perhaps the exchange of ambassadors the usual. Or are you no longer interested?
I didnt say that, Jack said, throwing down his cards. It was a lousy hand anyway.
You understand that anything we agree to cant be retified until our government has looked it over? Daniel asked, rising to his feet. Which is going to have to wait until we can go through the Stargate.
Of course, Shakuntala said indignantly as they walked out the door towards the ring transporters. Im not a child, Doctor Jackson. My father made a point of making sure that I was well aware of the constraints of interstellar diplomacy.
Do you have any idea what the Padishah will be looking for in the treaty? Sam asked.
Probably some sort of trade arrangement, advised Shakuntala. We will have to rebuild almost every part of our military industries in the immediate future, not to mention expand our planetary defences exponentially. Anything we can do to offset that cost by bringing in revenue will be something of a priority Lady Nekhrun recommended that we look for something we can trade on to the rest of the Confederacy to bring in currency from them.
.oOo.
Colonel ONeill, Hammonds voice crackled over the radio. Is there a problem? Youre rather overdue.
You could say that, sir, Jack said, looking in the direction of the Stargate, which was currently surrounded by thousands of Angrezi military engineers working on the foundations of the fortress that was being established to control access to and, more importantly, access through the Stargate. The Angrezi came under attack by Heru-ur right in the middle of the reception. According to Heru-ur he was working from information provided to him by the Tokra so either they have a huge security breach, or theyre a serious threat to our own security.
Whats the situation, Hammond asked, his voice concerned.
The Angrezi were able to repel the attack, sir, Jack replied. With help from the Confederacy. Theyre royally pissed though, mostly at the Tokra, but since they found out about the Angrezi from us
Thats not good, Colonel. Are your team alright?
Were good, sir, confirmed Jack. There is some good news though. We have a draft treaty with the Angrezi Padishah to purchase the designs for some of their military hardware and exchange ambassadors. And we, uh, acquired a Teltac from Heru-ur and as far as the Angrezi are concerned its a matter of finders keepers.
Thats good news, Hammond affirmed. So will you be returning to Earth aboard it?
Thats the plan, sir, Jack agreed. As a gesture of his good will, we were able to persuade the Padishah to release Maybournes team to us while he was still happy over beating the stuffing out of the Jaffa invasion force. However, hes going to keep the Stargate sealed for a while until hes sure that its secure against another invasion.
Excellent! the General said in a congratulatory tone. That will leave Maybourne as the only remaining loose end and with the Goauld fighting the other System Lords hes not likely to be a problem.
Ah, Jack said warningly. Actually theres one more thing, sir.
Hammond paused. Why do I suspect that this isnt going to be good news, Colonel?
Well it could be good news, Jack said honestly. You see, Nekhrun heard we might be sending an ambassador so hes pulled together the diplomatic staff that were here for the reception and hammered out another treaty package to offer in parallel.
Well? Hammond asked when Jack seemed reluctant to continue.
Well, if we sign this treaty I can see about three likely outcomes, General. Either we get sucked into the war brewing against the System Lords, we wind up a Protectorate World with the Confederacy guarenteeing our independence until we can do so ourselves or we wind up part of the Confederacy. And with what hes offering it might just be worth it.
I dont think that Congress is about to sign off on trading our independence for protection, Jack, Hammond said.
Full access to their military technology including teams of technical advisors to help us build orbital defense platforms and spaceships. Wed probably have to redesign the ships a bit to avoid lawsuits -
Lawsuits? interupted Hammond.
Did I mention that the ships weve seen come straight out of Star Wars? Jack asked. Apparently he saw the film during a covert visit to Earth and liked it so much that he described the ships to his engineers when they started designing capital ships and they liked the ideas. Im surprised he doesnt walk around in a Darth Vader costume.
Im not sure that I want to follow that line of thought to its natural conclusion, Hammond decided. So what do the Angrezi want for their more modest treaty proposals?
They want us to buy some of their military surplus when they upgrade to the Confederacys standards over the next few years, how much is negotiable although I suspect we can pick up some of the manufacturing gear for it as well. And as part of the trade they want to buy books and other cultural goods that they can sell on to the Confederacy.
Cultural goods? Hammond snorted. That sounds like the rugs and whatnot that my in-laws brought back from their holiday in Mexico.
That might not be far off, sir. Were a long way from the Confederacy and if their claims are true then their standard of living is at least as good as ours.
.oOo.
Are you sure that this is okay? Daniel asked Jack, watching the Teltac lift off and skim a few hundred metres along the runway of an Angrezi airbase.
Jack shrugged. Well we need to make sure that its working okay after we dropped all those rocks on top of it, he pointed out, So wed have to make a few test flights anyway.
Somehow I dont think that the Air Force usually uses test flights to coach members of friendly but not formally allied nations to fly captured spacecraft.
Only because we dont have enough captured spacecraft, Jack insisted. Besides, the Padishahs piloting corps took a bit of a beating in the battle. This gives them a bit of a boost.
Are you sure that it isnt because they agreed to let you have one of their slots for retraining on an X-Wing? asked Daniel sceptically. While none of the Confederacys heavy warships had arrived yet, a freighter had stopped to unload the first shipment of the fighter-bombers for the Angrezis ground-based wings.
They arent letting me have one of the slots, Jack replied. I got two, one for me and one for Carter.
Daniel muttered something that sounded like boys and their toys but surely Jack must have misheard him. You do realise that if one of them crashes the Teltac then well be off everyones Christmas list this year?
The Teltac lurched rather alarmingly as he spoke and Jack hissed, gesturing towards Daniel as if to ward off evil. Daniel, stop tempting fate. Besides, its an X-Wing. General Hammond would understand. The Teltac lurched again before steadying out. Itll be okay, Jack said in relief.
I hope youre right, Daniel told him. Because unless the Padishah decides that the Stargate is safe to use for something other than radio messages its going to be a long walk back to Earth.
.oOo.
The room that they were gathered in was almost, but not quite as splendid as their usual surroundings. They all took pains to ostensibly ignoring any lacks while discreetly enough to be noticed sneering at them, pretending that they could do better than their host under the same circumstances.
It was the host who spoke first. It becomes clear that Heru-ur has failed, he decreed. It is entirely probable that he is dead, or if not has been captured.
Surely if he survived he would have escaped to advise us of the circumstances, one of his carefully primed mouthpieces added.
It was rash of him to lead the attack himself, the host concluded, setting aside the memory of the careful prodding that had provoked Heru-urs decision. However, this proves that Nekhrun is even more of a threat than we believed. Nor can there be any doubt of why he has chosen this moment. He believes that we are divided, that we are weak.
It is time to remind him that he ran like a dog before our wrath, another declared.
Not one of the hostss agents. Good, he decided. Indeed, it is time. But this glory should not belong to one of us. It must belong to all of us, so that all can see the fate of those who turn against us. Apophis smile was that of a serpent about to strike. Let Nekhrun gather his strength only to find how short it falls when compared to the combined might of the System Lords!
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
Jack slouched deeper into his chair as the rooms other occupants filed out.
Im having a complete list of our casualties compiled, Ayodhya told them coldly. When the Stargate is secured sufficiently to be reactivated, you can take it with you. In the spirit of interstellar amnity I request that you give it to the Tokra. Tell them that they are indicted for conspiracy to murder those people and have a choice: step up and offer a defense or gamble that the System Lords win. Because if the Confederacy wins and if they dont face up to their crimes then Ill hound them to the ends of the universe, to bring them to justice.
Well tell them that, Jack agreed. Ive got a few questions for them about that themselves.
Good. Ayodhya turned away from them and towards the windows but then paused as he saw a book resting on one of the side tables. The same book that hed been reading to the children a week ago when SG-1 had first come aboard the Leonidas. Walking over to the table he picked it up and started flipping through the pages, his eyes lighting up as the Goauld took over. Colonel ONeill, are you at all familiar with the Battle of Thermopylae?
Yeah, Jack admitted. Its covered at the Academy.
I know that this isnt a very accurate depiction of the historical battle, Nekhrun said, showing him the cover. It was from Earth, Jack realised. Hed seen it on bookshop shelves a few times, the title 300 and a bronze helmet dominating the cover. But its probably the definitive version of the legend. And now I find myself at the Hot Gates myself and I wonder if there is a Ephialtes at my back, or Ephors waiting on Heinessen.
I do not know this battle, Tealc observed. However, I know the fear in your eyes.
Nekhrun choked and then burst into racking laughter. Perhaps you are right, he admitted. Here. He closed the book and offered it to Tealc. Take it as a gift. From one warrior to another. Still laughing, he walked out of the observation room, leaving Tealc holding the book and Sam and Daniel staring after him.
What was that about? Daniel asked in concern.
I dont think its anything bad, Jack said slowly. You should read the book, Tealc. I think youll enjoy it.
Then he walked over to the window and stared at the space around them, the five other ships positioned around the Leonidas. Star destroyers against Hatak and X-Wings against Death Gliders, Goauld on both sides this is going to be one wild fight.
Tealc frowned at him and then opened the book at the beginning, smiling slightly as he saw the artwork inside it.
.oOo.
Almost an hour later the door opened and Jack, Daniel and Sam looked up from the game of poker they were playing with cards that Jack had brought with him to see Shakuntala in the doorway, still wearing the crimson and black uniform of an Angrezi colonel and a turban.
I hate to interrupt your victory celebration, she told them with somewhat less that total sincerity. But my father would like to meet you.
The Padishah? Jack asked in surprise.
Well you did suggest that you wanted to open diplomatic channels, she pointed out. Going into a war, I believe that we might find having another friendly power quite helpful. I think he has some sort of treaty in mind, perhaps the exchange of ambassadors the usual. Or are you no longer interested?
I didnt say that, Jack said, throwing down his cards. It was a lousy hand anyway.
You understand that anything we agree to cant be retified until our government has looked it over? Daniel asked, rising to his feet. Which is going to have to wait until we can go through the Stargate.
Of course, Shakuntala said indignantly as they walked out the door towards the ring transporters. Im not a child, Doctor Jackson. My father made a point of making sure that I was well aware of the constraints of interstellar diplomacy.
Do you have any idea what the Padishah will be looking for in the treaty? Sam asked.
Probably some sort of trade arrangement, advised Shakuntala. We will have to rebuild almost every part of our military industries in the immediate future, not to mention expand our planetary defences exponentially. Anything we can do to offset that cost by bringing in revenue will be something of a priority Lady Nekhrun recommended that we look for something we can trade on to the rest of the Confederacy to bring in currency from them.
.oOo.
Colonel ONeill, Hammonds voice crackled over the radio. Is there a problem? Youre rather overdue.
You could say that, sir, Jack said, looking in the direction of the Stargate, which was currently surrounded by thousands of Angrezi military engineers working on the foundations of the fortress that was being established to control access to and, more importantly, access through the Stargate. The Angrezi came under attack by Heru-ur right in the middle of the reception. According to Heru-ur he was working from information provided to him by the Tokra so either they have a huge security breach, or theyre a serious threat to our own security.
Whats the situation, Hammond asked, his voice concerned.
The Angrezi were able to repel the attack, sir, Jack replied. With help from the Confederacy. Theyre royally pissed though, mostly at the Tokra, but since they found out about the Angrezi from us
Thats not good, Colonel. Are your team alright?
Were good, sir, confirmed Jack. There is some good news though. We have a draft treaty with the Angrezi Padishah to purchase the designs for some of their military hardware and exchange ambassadors. And we, uh, acquired a Teltac from Heru-ur and as far as the Angrezi are concerned its a matter of finders keepers.
Thats good news, Hammond affirmed. So will you be returning to Earth aboard it?
Thats the plan, sir, Jack agreed. As a gesture of his good will, we were able to persuade the Padishah to release Maybournes team to us while he was still happy over beating the stuffing out of the Jaffa invasion force. However, hes going to keep the Stargate sealed for a while until hes sure that its secure against another invasion.
Excellent! the General said in a congratulatory tone. That will leave Maybourne as the only remaining loose end and with the Goauld fighting the other System Lords hes not likely to be a problem.
Ah, Jack said warningly. Actually theres one more thing, sir.
Hammond paused. Why do I suspect that this isnt going to be good news, Colonel?
Well it could be good news, Jack said honestly. You see, Nekhrun heard we might be sending an ambassador so hes pulled together the diplomatic staff that were here for the reception and hammered out another treaty package to offer in parallel.
Well? Hammond asked when Jack seemed reluctant to continue.
Well, if we sign this treaty I can see about three likely outcomes, General. Either we get sucked into the war brewing against the System Lords, we wind up a Protectorate World with the Confederacy guarenteeing our independence until we can do so ourselves or we wind up part of the Confederacy. And with what hes offering it might just be worth it.
I dont think that Congress is about to sign off on trading our independence for protection, Jack, Hammond said.
Full access to their military technology including teams of technical advisors to help us build orbital defense platforms and spaceships. Wed probably have to redesign the ships a bit to avoid lawsuits -
Lawsuits? interupted Hammond.
Did I mention that the ships weve seen come straight out of Star Wars? Jack asked. Apparently he saw the film during a covert visit to Earth and liked it so much that he described the ships to his engineers when they started designing capital ships and they liked the ideas. Im surprised he doesnt walk around in a Darth Vader costume.
Im not sure that I want to follow that line of thought to its natural conclusion, Hammond decided. So what do the Angrezi want for their more modest treaty proposals?
They want us to buy some of their military surplus when they upgrade to the Confederacys standards over the next few years, how much is negotiable although I suspect we can pick up some of the manufacturing gear for it as well. And as part of the trade they want to buy books and other cultural goods that they can sell on to the Confederacy.
Cultural goods? Hammond snorted. That sounds like the rugs and whatnot that my in-laws brought back from their holiday in Mexico.
That might not be far off, sir. Were a long way from the Confederacy and if their claims are true then their standard of living is at least as good as ours.
.oOo.
Are you sure that this is okay? Daniel asked Jack, watching the Teltac lift off and skim a few hundred metres along the runway of an Angrezi airbase.
Jack shrugged. Well we need to make sure that its working okay after we dropped all those rocks on top of it, he pointed out, So wed have to make a few test flights anyway.
Somehow I dont think that the Air Force usually uses test flights to coach members of friendly but not formally allied nations to fly captured spacecraft.
Only because we dont have enough captured spacecraft, Jack insisted. Besides, the Padishahs piloting corps took a bit of a beating in the battle. This gives them a bit of a boost.
Are you sure that it isnt because they agreed to let you have one of their slots for retraining on an X-Wing? asked Daniel sceptically. While none of the Confederacys heavy warships had arrived yet, a freighter had stopped to unload the first shipment of the fighter-bombers for the Angrezis ground-based wings.
They arent letting me have one of the slots, Jack replied. I got two, one for me and one for Carter.
Daniel muttered something that sounded like boys and their toys but surely Jack must have misheard him. You do realise that if one of them crashes the Teltac then well be off everyones Christmas list this year?
The Teltac lurched rather alarmingly as he spoke and Jack hissed, gesturing towards Daniel as if to ward off evil. Daniel, stop tempting fate. Besides, its an X-Wing. General Hammond would understand. The Teltac lurched again before steadying out. Itll be okay, Jack said in relief.
I hope youre right, Daniel told him. Because unless the Padishah decides that the Stargate is safe to use for something other than radio messages its going to be a long walk back to Earth.
.oOo.
The room that they were gathered in was almost, but not quite as splendid as their usual surroundings. They all took pains to ostensibly ignoring any lacks while discreetly enough to be noticed sneering at them, pretending that they could do better than their host under the same circumstances.
It was the host who spoke first. It becomes clear that Heru-ur has failed, he decreed. It is entirely probable that he is dead, or if not has been captured.
Surely if he survived he would have escaped to advise us of the circumstances, one of his carefully primed mouthpieces added.
It was rash of him to lead the attack himself, the host concluded, setting aside the memory of the careful prodding that had provoked Heru-urs decision. However, this proves that Nekhrun is even more of a threat than we believed. Nor can there be any doubt of why he has chosen this moment. He believes that we are divided, that we are weak.
It is time to remind him that he ran like a dog before our wrath, another declared.
Not one of the hostss agents. Good, he decided. Indeed, it is time. But this glory should not belong to one of us. It must belong to all of us, so that all can see the fate of those who turn against us. Apophis smile was that of a serpent about to strike. Let Nekhrun gather his strength only to find how short it falls when compared to the combined might of the System Lords!
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.