A thousand years ago, an irreparable thing happened in the galaxy.
The mighty Genii Confederation, uniting thousands and thousands of human worlds in the Pegasus galaxy, was destroyed by the Wraith during another feeding process. The insatiable monsters did everything so that the once great civilization vegetated in poverty, oblivion, and hid its true essence from everyone, even other people.
On the surface of their home world, they are just a bunch of harmless farmers and tillers unfamiliar even with electricity.
But underground, dozens of meters below the surface, in vast underground bunkers built thousands of years ago for completely different wars, the loyal soldiers and brave scientists hid, waiting for their time. The only ones capable of opposing the Wraith.
The only ones capable of leading humanity in the fight against them.
Underground Genii bunker.
Only a handful of the numerous Genii people managed to survive in the underground bunkers. Hiding their survival and preservation of technological progress from the Wraith, the Genii slowly but surely prepared for retaliatory measures. The blood of millions who died as a result of Wraith attacks will soon be avenged.
After all, the Genii didn't scatter their agents across worlds throughout the Pegasus galaxy for a thousand years just like that? They continued developing their technical craft, improving technologies and weapons not out of boredom.
All this is necessary for the time when it will be necessary to deliver the final blow to the Wraith. Strike and win.
Under hundreds of meters of soil, concrete, and metal, in a small windowless office, under the light of a desk lamp sat an outwardly unremarkable man. Short curly hair, stocky dense figure clad in a uniform of earthy color with brown lapels, broad, slightly fat face...
The Genii commander made the impression of a well-to-do farmer when he changed his true guise for the "signboard" needed for communication with visiting people in their world.
But few knew that under this unassuming appearance hid the heart of a true patriot and the brains of an excellent strategist. It was thanks to this man that the Genii survived more than one Wraith scout attack. And thanks to his mind, as well as the mind of his predecessors and blood relatives in addition, the Wraith still hadn't discovered the underground Genii city.
And if this man continues to remain in power, no one will discover the true might and greatness of the Genii.
At least, Ladon Radim was sure that the Genii leader sitting opposite him thought exactly that about himself. Finally, several minutes after one of the smartest Genii scientists entered his office, Commander Cowen deigned to tear himself away from his urgent business, set aside the report from his guard on moods within society, and looked at the visitor with a penetrating and at the same time heavy gaze.
By the way, the Genii leader simply had no other.
Commander Cowen, Genii.
"I was expecting your report twenty minutes ago, Radim."
Commander Cowen's voice rarely changed tone. For the most part, this man always spoke calmly, without unnecessary expression or aggression. The one occupying the post of commander of all Genii simply didn't need to lose his temper. After all, the Genii are one big well-oiled mechanism, diligently working for the benefit of the entire nation, reverently meeting every victory, united front mourning losses and knowing they can rely on no one but themselves.
At least Dadon knew Cowen thought that way.
"I'm sorry for the delay, commander," the middle-aged man dressed like the Genii leader showed sincere regret on his face. "My team and I lost track of time."
"Studying the Ermenian archives?" Cowen clarified. Although Ladon could bet the commander knew the answer anyway. Cowen's spies, informants, and snoops had long and firmly penetrated every corner of Genii life. No wonder he knows everything.
And everyone.
"Yes, commander. The second part that our people obtained, it's... quite enlightening."
"Medicine," Cowen demonstrated his awareness.
"Yes, commander. The knowledge of our brothers can..."
"They are not our brothers," Cowen objected. And now hardness appeared in his voice.
Usually Cowen spoke like that only to enemies. Well, or at least to those he didn't trust. And getting into purely such Genii became easier and easier every year.
Ladon Radim, Genii.
"Yes, commander," Ladon said submissively. "I misspoke..."
"For decades, Ermen developed using the knowledge left to them after the previous Wraith raid," Cowen continued as if not hearing him. "They had excellent knowledge that could help us. But Ermen didn't want to share. They came to us, looked down on us, bought our grain, and left. Not once did they mention anything that linked our peoples in the past. Although we know for sure—the Ermenians who were here knew perfectly well that our ancestors stood shoulder to shoulder against the Wraith. We were first among equals, and they held only second place. But they always envied our ancestors. Our steadfast character, our determination, our technical genius..."
"And our persistent desire to be leaders in the Confederation without having the resources for it, they obviously envied too," the scientist thought.
"We've all read their historical chronicles," Cowen reminded. "They saw us digging in the dirt and breathed a sigh of relief. Understood they had a chance to finally overtake us, succeed... So they didn't extend a helping hand, though they saw we needed it. So think next time, Ladon, before calling these traitors our brothers."
"Certainly, commander."
"And now to business," the Genii leader changed the conversation topic. "Managed to contact Tyrus and his people?"
"No," Radim admitted. "No matter how hard we try, we simply can't establish contact with Ermen. Probably their gate is destroyed. Possibly the Wraith returned..."
"The Wraith have nothing to do on that planet," Cowen cut him off. "They completed their mission—found and destroyed our non-brothers. You know no worse than me, Ladon, that the Wraith don't return to cleared worlds. Especially when nuclear warheads are brought to their ships from those worlds."
"But the warheads were ours," Radim pronounced to himself. "And there was a little less than nothing Ermenian there.
So far, scouts under Tyrus and his daughter's command managed to transmit to the Genii homeland only three comparatively undamaged databases from Ermen. Before the gate became inaccessible, Radim, like other high-ranking Genii, familiarized himself with them. "History," "Medicine," and "Atomic Energy."
Three information carriers amazing in their content. But only the highest commanders studied "History," and the scientists who tried to focus on comprehending information from "Medicine." The Genii technological progress was high enough to understand something in atomic fission technologies. But how to build the newest protection or bring the developing atomic warhead to mind, they still didn't learn.
But with the help of some discovered trophies and studying the "Atomic Energy" database, the Genii advanced in the directions interesting them.
Not much, but still.
Ladon, like his like-minded people, believed that the failed strike on the Wraith was enough to discover the problem. And to do this, it was necessary to rework their main destructive weapon according to Ermenian blueprints.
But Radim already perfectly understood: protection was needed for scientists who would work with new data without fearing deadly radiation. About which the late Ermenian scientists warned.
The Genii's own worker protection system left much to be desired—almost all connected in any way to the nuclear bomb project felt far from their best. Many were already dying, the rest would soon join their ancestors.
"Finish studying 'Medicine,'" Cowen ordered. "Continue deciphering the atomic energy database. I want our new bombs ready in the shortest time. Clear?"
"Yes, commander. I'll get on it immediately," Radim replied.
And he himself wondered who would become the target as soon as the new warheads were manufactured and ready for use. He really wanted to believe that the Genii wouldn't destroy the remnants of peoples once part of the Confederation. But with each such meeting with the commander, Radim felt that Cowen's thoughts were less and less turned inward to Genii society.
Something had to be done about this. And the sooner, the better. Because instead of using Ermenian knowledge to improve the lives of ordinary Genii, Cowen dreamed of manufacturing superweapons.
If it goes on like this, a revolution will happen in society. And whoever wins it, they won't be up to victory and studying Stargates.
"No, Ladon," the Genii leader said. "Let others handle the nuclear bomb. I need you as an expert on the Ancestors' Ring. Find a way to establish contact with Ermen. Understood?"
"Yes, commander. Everything done is for the benefit of our entire people."
"That's right, Radi, that's right..."
For the first time in thousands of pronouncements of the ancient Genii motto, the man thought that it had long become no more than a legend of glorious troubled times.
***
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