"Your information proved correct," I said, piercing Perseus's ashrak with my gaze. "My part of the bargain will be fulfilled on time. The operation begins tomorrow."
"There are two thirds of the debt remaining, what should I do?" he asked.
"Don't want to be in debt when Zeus is free? Well, find me three Hattaks, and we'll be even. Just to clarify: I'm not asking you to capture them personally, just find the Goa'uld from whom you can easily take them, and we'll be even."
Perseus nodded. "That can be arranged," the ashrak agreed.
"In that case, your master will be released. In two days."
"I also hope that everything goes well," the ashrak said, turning the usual polite phrase into a threat.
"I strive to uphold the same code as you, Ashraq. A contract made means it will be fulfilled."
We parted ways, and I passed through several gates, finding myself on my planet. Teleporting to my office using the rings, I learned that Imotekh and Krel were waiting for me.
"Sir," the old Jaffa greeted me.
"How's recruit training going?" Isara oversaw the evacuation of the populations from the planets I'd captured—people who were former slaves to the Goa'uld I'd killed. She was responsible for resettling them in new agricultural regions, appointing curators and governors, and generally administering the process while I kept the Jaffa in line, ensuring they didn't even utter a word.
"My lord, it pains me to say it, but you've been toiling for these unworthy ones. They're complete slackers. It's 'withdrawal week,' when the Jaffa must train for a full week without a break. They started whining after two days, the women on the first. It will take longer to make them true Immortals. They don't understand our exercises and consider most of them impossible magic. It's not for me to discuss the affairs of the gods, but their former masters were poor at monitoring the strength of their troops."
"Ramius didn't even guard the gates, and within ten kilometers of them to his pyramid I didn't encounter any patrols, secrets, or hidden paths for observation," I grumbled.
"Maybe we should extend their withdrawal to two weeks? One might not be enough. They need to fully realize how worthless they are and that they need to become stronger."
Withdrawal week is a period of 24/7 training, with breaks for Kelnorim and food. Otherwise, the Jaffa are allowed to be "grandfathers," but only during training sessions. Compared to what goes on under Imotekh's command, the sergeant from Full Metal Jacket seems kind and gentle. He's the one telling them they're worthless, and what he's yelling at them on the parade ground, I don't even know. I'm guessing his yelling makes the Jaffa cry, and damn, they're supersoldiers! Of course, he yells at the slightest thing—missed a full-length target from a hundred meters, and now you're assigned extra running duties.
Meanwhile, the sergeants prove they can do anything. It's especially impressive when a Jaffa woman is asked to demonstrate her skills: she hits ten targets out of ten at a distance of eighty meters on a galloping horse, and then goes about her business. After such a demonstration, the sergeants call everyone standing before them worthless, unworthy even of the name "woman," and continue "breaking them." This is necessary to engage the veterans, showing them how good they've become and helping to make others the same. They engage the newcomers, tearing them away from their usual way of life, where they accompany a master, guard slaves, and so on. Over the course of a week or two, the idea is instilled that they serve a powerful military overlord who tolerates no weakness. And to approach the ideal (whatever it may be), one must give oneself completely. The main part is that Szarekh—that is, I—instilled such loyalty in his slaves that they don't even need guarding. At the same time, the increase in personnel allows for promotions for distinguished officers. I currently have 255,000 Jaffa, 110,000 of whom are combat-ready (meaning men ready for battle).
The rest are women and children. While the women are experienced warriors, for political reasons tied to the Jaffa mentality, I can't use them in battle. And I don't want to: women carry the Tok'ra in their pouches, and their death would be a bad scenario. So my forces consist of 10 legions, and another 10,000 are glider pilots and fleet crews. Ten legions of Jaffa, fully equipped and trained, worthy of the Immortals, can wage war against forces three times their size. So, in principle, they are capable of planetary warfare, but I won't waste them like that. Firstly, it's a shame; secondly, I have a different way of waging war. Let them practice some more.
"Do they know that the best of the best are honored to fight in the toughest battles?" I asked.
"Sir, I'm not sure that's the case. They think they know everything already."
"What arrogance! Extend the withdrawal period to three weeks if necessary. To show such disrespect to a Jaffa master!"
"Of course, phaeron," Imotekh was overjoyed. He'd only torment the young if he didn't need to rest—he'd torture them for eternity. Perhaps he's a good candidate to become a demon of Hell.
"The newbies need to learn a thing or two from my operations. If necessary, we'll extinguish the stars, and they need to be strong enough to do it."
"Yes, sir," I said. "In honor of their loyalty, I've made them corps commanders—three legions. That leaves another vacancy. The 10th Legion can be made a reserve. Anyway, a bunch of Jaffa know there's a vacancy, and ten legates will be tearing themselves and others apart to fill the high post. I'll base my decision on strategic talent, so there'll be plenty of action in mock battles and strategy games. And even newcomers will be thrown into these grindstones, where they'll quickly be told how fast they need to run. It's worth clarifying that there are twenty legions, after all, and the female legions will also be involved in the exercises, but the diplomatic skills of the legion commanders are also crucial here. Essentially, the female legions are free reinforcements, and they need to be won over. The Jaffa will keep me occupied for a while. And at the same time, they'll give me a corps commander. All is well.
"During my operation on Tartarus, I give everyone a day off."
"Sir!!!"
"You'll make up for it later. Let them know that while they're weak, someone strong accompanies the phaeron in battles against the galaxy's most secure prison. Let them know their names can be celebrated, and that only their own laziness and weakness stand between them and glory."
"Yes, lord," the two of them left, leaving behind crystals containing data on the details of personnel training, their assessments, improvement schedules, and details of various exercises. Controlling the army, navy, and fighter corps requires overseeing a massive data flow. And then there's the integration of new technologies into the legions, and leading some of the technological projects myself. It's a bit draining. Who wants absolute power when I, having only held a couple of ministerial portfolios, already feel exhausted? Perhaps I should give her a couple of days off after the relocation of the former Goa'uld slaves I killed.