How difficult is it to plan a full-scale attack with a technology like the Stargate? In the face of such power, the main challenge lies in transporting the required troops and setting up camps to house them. Essentially, this resembles the construction of traditional Roman military camps, equipped with everything necessary: from storage areas for equipment, water supplies, and provisions to sanitary areas with showers and field hospitals. All this routine, yet critically important work fell to the women serving in the army's technical specialties.
Recognizing the existence of gender inequality, which I find repugnant, I am forced to confront the archaic mindset of the Jaffa, gradually granting women new rights. Previously, their participation in combat was categorically excluded. However, based on the concept of "a woman defends the home," we were able to form them into a reliable garrison force, supplementing them with technical personnel. The Jaffa, driven by their own laziness, did not fully understand that setting up a camp before an attack is already a form of active participation in an offensive war. In exchange for this task, they granted women yet another round of expanded rights. Living on a planet where complete equality reigns, I strive to establish a uniform standard, considering that I rule Urvashi as a technocrat, and the Jaffa as their spiritual leader.
The technical staff set up the base. These weren't temporary tent camps like the human "Alpha Base," but truly impenetrable fortresses that would have made Dorn proud, had he lived and not considered me a xenos. On the one hand, the troops had to both advance and retreat through the gates, which required strict regulations. On the other hand, in case of pursuit, a reliable defensive point was essential. For this reason, the gates were surrounded by a low wall, with several clearly marked escape routes. Furthermore, the gates were located on an antigravity platform. In the event of actual pursuit, I had the ability to rotate the gates horizontally, parallel to the ground. Any enemy soldier pursuing my warriors would be rematerialized, as they would enter the gate from the wrong side. The command post was located in a camouflaged dugout, containing all the necessary communications equipment for receiving reports.
Warehouses were also located there, allowing a single unit to operate autonomously for several months. A shower and cameras with specialized software were installed above the gate to detect invisible enemies. If any invisible threats were detected, a shield would automatically activate, halting any transport through the gate. A unit trapped behind the shield would neutralize the threat independently. If they failed, special minefields would be deployed, and the area would be bombarded with flamethrowers.
Training grounds were also established around the gate. In essence, it constituted a fully-fledged military base on an uninhabited planet. After my first successful attacks on Vritra, I ordered the construction of more such facilities. Control of the already constructed sites was entrusted to a Jaffa, who was given control of an extensive inventory of defensive weaponry. If my base of operations was discovered, the responsible Jaffa was to detain the intruders and contact me immediately. Considering that I had relocated a significant number of bases to planets on the list provided by the Asgard, such a scenario seems unlikely. Nevertheless, vigilance remains paramount.
A few days later, when all preparations were complete, I took up my position at the command post located on one of the planets from which the attack was planned. Seeking to avoid exposing Urvashi to unnecessary risk, I co-located my headquarters with one of the combat units. From here, Egeria and I would be able to coordinate military operations. De Wiart, along with Imotekh and Krell, served in staff positions in one of the regiments. They expressed some dissatisfaction with this assignment, as it deprived them of the right to claim the Sarehan name. However, I emphasized the importance of staff work and command responsibility, pointing out that the success of the operation depended on their competence, and this would also be taken into account when determining their reward.
"Five-minute readiness," Imotekh announced over the intercom. By that time, the forward combat units had already taken up positions at the gate, and the satellites were ready for launch.
A tense atmosphere reigned in the command center. Each officer had his own staff, keeping both him and me informed of the current situation. My staff consisted of seventy highly trained Jaffa women, hooked up to terminals, patiently awaiting the influx of information. Appropriate solutions had been developed for each scenario. Should an emergency arise, the operator would connect me or Imotekh to direct command for more precise control. However, at the moment, this event represented a kind of "test" for the Jaffa, the ultimate test of trust. Their effectiveness had to be assessed. The first five minutes would be decisive, so a significant number of women were concentrated in the commanders' staffs, tasked with analyzing satellite data and assigning each world a rating from 1 to 5. A rating of 1 meant minimal (or no) enemy presence, while a rating of 5 meant the presence of Hattak-class ships on the planet. Level 5 planets were to be avoided under any circumstances, while the rest were potential targets.
Satellites revealed the presence of infrastructure, such as glider airfields, but not the numbers or precise location of the Jaffa garrison. Thus, the initial engagement was bound to be a guessing game. Naturally, the capital worlds of Nirrti, Vritra, Surya, and Agni were excluded. This time, I refrained from attacking the Kali worlds, so as not to attract undue attention from yet another System Lord. Nirrti itself was a complex case, barely worthy of a High Lord, periodically engaging in territorial disputes with Apophis. It belonged to a cohort of Hindu gods, the chief of which was once Vishnu, who, as it turns out, was killed long ago. There are suggestions that Egeria was involved. Currently, the "Hindu" pantheon is in a precarious balance: two System Lords are represented, while the rest are lesser figures. The first is Kali, the second is Nirrti.
However, Kali is more focused on her alliance and sexual ties with Bastet than on resolving the problems of the Hindu portion of the Goa'uld. Nevertheless, like any System Lord, if she detects weakness in her allies, she will quickly dispose of them. My attack will be directed only at one planet, Nirrti, with a small garrison (possibly with an Ashrak presence). Indra indicated that this will serve as a message to the System Lord, demonstrating her reluctance to engage in war. It should be noted that in Goa'uld diplomacy, attacking another planet during a large-scale operation can be perceived as an act of diplomacy. In this way, Nirrti will be able to hide the fact of the attack, while her vassals, Surya and Agni, will appear in an unfavorable light,risking ridicule. Vritra, after my invasion, lost half its forces. Of course, the space fleet played a significant role, suffering only minimal losses. Nevertheless, Vritra appeared humiliated, its reputation lost, and none of its subordinates wished to repeat its disgrace. At the same time, its ability to control its worlds and vassals was diminished. Vassals could begin to challenge Vritra, arguing that if, for example, they possessed nakvedah deposits and had loyal Jaffa at their disposal, Vritra would require a ground invasion.
The alliances of Nirrti, Agni, Surya, and Vritra were unstable. Egeria recounted how the Goa'uld lords betrayed each other five times in fourteen days, only to eventually return to their previous alliance. Five betrayals in two weeks—that speaks volumes about this race. In such a system, a reliable mercenary is a rare and highly valuable commodity. So I took on the role of such a mercenary, since, frankly, I would have become entangled in these intrigues myself. Egeria believes that Indra could exploit my attack on the worlds of Agni and Surya to forge an alliance with Vritra and devour these two lords. However, that's the last thing I care about. The main thing is to avoid being stabbed in the back, and thanks to my preparations, that will be extremely difficult. Or rather, not my preparations, but those of Egeria, who, being well-versed in all these subtleties, gave me valuable advice.
"Gate activation!" Imotekh said. On seventy planets, mechadendrites began dialing addresses. "Sending satellites."
As scheduled, five satellites from each of the seventy planets, totaling three hundred and fifty satellites, were sent through the gate. Their programming was set to instantly enter orbit upon passing through the gate. Since there were no pilots, gravity compensators and many speed restrictions could be waived. As soon as the satellites reached an altitude of four hundred kilometers, they turned and began scanning the surface. A daunting wait followed. Almost a minute later, the first reports began to arrive.
"Hattak-class ships have been detected over eighteen planets," Impotekh reported.
"Get all available information about the planets and activate the self-destruction of the satellites," I gave the order.
"Thirty-four planets are classified as levels 1 and 2. Eighteen are level 3 and 4."
"Eighteen planets have Huttaks, others have Alkeshi and gliders, and thirty-four are unguarded. A good digital balance. Block the planets with Huttaks with an incoming tunnel. Thirty-six cohorts will be our reserve in case of unforeseen circumstances. The remaining units are to carry out an immediate attack. Your commander expects significant results from you. However, he expects wisdom from you: a victory purchased at the cost of complete attrition is no victory."
"Yes, my phaeron," Impotech replied politely. He then began redirecting the analysts to expedite the flow of information to their units.
"This is starting to look more like an earthly army," Egeria said quietly, approaching me.
"A little better. But you're right, though, as you said yourself, it's important not to lose at politics. It irritates me that I have to provide information to Indra."
"With a slight delay," Egeria replied with a smile. "It's a necessary balance in politics. She is your employer, after all."
"It's still annoying."
"Such is the fate of mercenaries—to serve as tools of their employers. I see several planets here with 'nakvedah.' Indra will surely want to claim these planets for his own."
"Not until I've plundered them," I told her with a smile. "Either she's trying to set me up by leaving out the spoils clause, or she doesn't care."
"Or she might want to ally with Vritra and 'gift' her the planets you conquered, thereby drawing her into a conspiracy against her former allies. There are plenty of opportunities for Goa'uld policy to unfold here."
"I've ordered my troops to capture the Goa'uld, so the threat of any of your children dying will be minimized. I've even developed special electroshock nets to capture them. They urgently need to improve their tape technology, as their current methods are too primitive."
"I am grateful to you for this."
"It's a small thing. After all, we are all children of Ra," I tell her with a smile. She answers me with a look that seems more like a promise of death than understanding.