On one of the worlds that served as Apofizu's vassal, defenses were raised to an unassailable level. Khasar orbital stations, a complex of ground-based anti-aircraft systems, countless hordes of troops, and a fleet vigilantly guarding the god himself and the gates—all this was intended for defense. And now, thanks to Szarekh's cunning tactics, the gates were guarded with the utmost caution. Scanners tirelessly combed space, trying to detect any ship capable of carrying a second pair of gates. It seemed they had done everything to secure their domain. Numerous weapons lined the gates, and the entire zone was protected by an impenetrable shield. They were confident in their preparations, and in a sense, their confidence was justified.
Suddenly, the gate came to life, and the shield rose again. The weapons immediately activated, ready to unleash a barrage of fire. But from the swirling portal burst a squad of Jaffa, clad in the symbols of their god. According to the rotation schedule, the gate commander should have been calm, but something made him double-check. The squad consisted of a hundred Jaffa; they had already sent replacements to guard one of the minor planets.
After a thorough verification of all codes, clearances, and the garrison commander's identity, the shield was lowered and the travelers were allowed through. It's worth noting that Szarekh had elevated his opponents' paranoia to unprecedented heights. Everyone was terrified for their own safety, and rightfully so, as Szarekh was one of those rare Goa'uld who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. So, when the Jaffa, who had been allies just a moment before, aimed their guns at the garrison and opened fire, it was a complete shock. A shot from the man posing as a squad officer instantly killed the garrison commander. Accurate, lightning-fast bursts eliminated everyone manning the guns. The gate was located a considerable distance from the city, and the firefight didn't attract any unnecessary attention, and the entire gate area was enveloped in a broadband suppression field. A jammer, discreetly hidden in the backpack of one of the Jaffa, did its job. When everyone was dead and not a single one had managed to escape, the fake Jaffa contacted the other gates, reporting their success. Then they began planting explosives, preparing for what was to come.
Unmanned threaders burst from the gate, racing toward the High Lord's palace. The sabotage squad, preparing to retreat, gave the command to launch the gate. The threaders, gaining tremendous speed, raced toward their target. The Jaffa, noticing the unauthorized takeoff too late, had no time to react. At full speed, the threaders crashed into the palace, detonating every one of the five hundred tons of explosives. Not a stone remained of the palace. The target was the High Lord's throne room, where he held receptions and conducted politics. His body instantly vaporized. Thus, Szarekh struck his first, but far from last, blow.
Szarekh released a video of his battle with the forces invading his system. If Apophis had previously believed Szarekh was merely mocking him, it was now clear that everything that had come before was just the beginning. The propaganda video showcased a battle in which two hundred ships were destroyed, along with the might of Urvashi's defenses and the competence of the crews under the command of Ahmontekh Crimson Scythe. It also showed the Kern-class flagship, which managed to destroy numerous enemy vessels before disappearing in a blinding flash of light. The Kern had proven its worth, and only foolish fools could rejoice in the belief that Szarekh would be unable to restore it or that it would take decades. Apophis could only hope for this or strengthen the defenses of his planets, for few knew the wrath of Szarekh, and most of those who could have spoken of it were already dead. So his anger, directed at those who tried to kill him, was understandable. But even the wisest Goa'uld couldn't imagine what he was capable of or the depth of his rage.
Two High Lords died in the same pattern: a gate was captured during rotation, followed by an attack on their residences. This quickly sobered the remaining Lords, who acquired shield generators above their palaces, keeping them constantly active. Small openings were created in the shield for logistical operations. This modification became extremely popular, as no one knew who Szarekh or another Goa'uld might target next. One High Lord was killed by his own bodyguard, who was guarding his master's bedchamber. During a party, the bodyguard entered the chamber and melted his master's head with a plasma blast. He then committed suicide, leaving no chance for resurrection. Such events only fueled the paranoia of the remaining seven High Lords, who dispatched their forces, as well as Apophis, who feared retribution, though he tried not to show it. Moreover, a civil war was raging within his territory over the territories of the deceased High Lords. But that was far from the end.
Even Ra couldn't stop Szarekh from his vengeance, and he politely refused, declaring that he didn't understand why he should enter Ra's house when Ra had never protected him, or why he should pay taxes at all. This could have been considered rebellion, but a victorious warrior, having defeated an opponent three to one and declared an enemy of an entire House, clearly demonstrated his considerable reputation. And the deaths of the High Lords within a week spoke volumes about the rage of the Mercenary Lord, who technically had no charges against him, as the flight was too far. The defeat of the House's combined fleet raised numerous questions among every vassal, eager to profit from the failures of their superiors, as was customary among the Goa'uld.
Fear of other Goa'uld was so great that some moved their palaces directly onto their ships, seeking greater security. This proved the right decision, especially with so many similar ships around. But Szarekh had anticipated this and launched several assassination attempts using modified long-range bombers built on Teltak technology. While they failed to kill, they made it clear that assassination attempts were underway. The High Lords did not yet have the strength to dispatch a punitive fleet, dealing with other, more pressing matters, such as wars. The constant attempts to assassinate them did not add to their peace of mind, especially when they were being hunted by a man who had already destroyed four High Lords. Among the Ashraks, there was not a single one who could boast such a feat.
It became apparent that Szarekh had numerous agents reporting to him on the situation in enemy territory, which made his attacks methodical. Raiding attacks by fighter-bombers made from repurposed Teltaks targeted escorts and older Cheops-class ships. Szarekh's ships maintained numerous bases in asteroid belts within enemy territory, and he actively employed hit-and-run tactics, waging war against an entire House. And he waged it with extreme brutality. Usually, Szarekh simply fulfilled contracts, but here... it was pure fury, unleashed upon House Apophis and its forces.
Attacks on small ships like Teltaks and Alkesh became commonplace. Large convoys were attacked with heavy missiles. Losses were constant, and little could be done about it. Surely they couldn't rush after small ships with Hattaks? Moreover, when Teltaks formed into squadrons, they retreated to their own coordinates, to autonomous bases to resupply, and perhaps even to replace pilots, thus maintaining a constant cycle of attacks. Even a blind missile launch caused alarm and exhausted the patience of House Apophis.
Meanwhile, Szarekh's forces began fulfilling contracts across the galaxy, attacking planets with even greater ferocity and force. Their fury was palpable as they swept aside any enemy fortifications, especially when confronted with the latest Goa'uld innovations, such as infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, and defensive turrets. The usual response to any such device was a small nuclear explosion or a portable missile launcher that simply destroyed any vehicle. Despite their best efforts, no countermeasure to the second gate tactic was ever found on the planet. If a planet was insufficiently defended by a fleet, a second gate attack was always possible. Some Goa'uld even considered integrating such tactics into their own combat doctrines. But while they were pondering, Szarekh acted. Cities burned again, and the Jaffa began to suffer losses—Szarekh had returned. He was actively demonstrating the latest developments of his scientists, aimed at optimizing the destruction of enemy forces. Now, every repulsorlift IFV had its own missile pods, capable of destroying any enemy vehicle or blowing up a defensive position with a single shot. Walkers appeared, though they were only used in urban areas.
The Goa'uld also began to actively use flamethrowers, but missiles were once again used as a countermeasure. Land mines were even invented, but for every new invention, Szarekh's forces found a countermeasure. The smartest ones, like Baal and Yu, realized that Szarekh's helmets were multispectral sensors, communication stations, and protective gear. They began experimenting with such equipment, but they were clearly lagging behind, which meant their scientists were always battered, as they were required to work, not just eat up the budget. The Goa'uld forces also acquired a large number of air defense systems, too numerous to allow for instances where a ballistic missile would destroy large numbers of troops. The Goa'uld were rapidly learning to fight in a new way.
Meanwhile, Bratac and Teal'c watched Apophis' fury at the destruction of his fleet and the growing pretensions of the High Lords. He had drawn them into a risky gamble that had already claimed three lives. The Jaffa, fearing for their lives, watched their gods tremble, while simultaneously observing a very different commander: Szarekh. He personally led his troops into battle, was considered a worthy fighter, and was present aboard his flagship during the battle. For the sake of a tactical advantage, Szarekh had no hesitation in sacrificing a unique ship. Szarekh, like Apophis, was a false god, but how different they were! Few in the galaxy had ever seen Szarekh without his armor, and his combat skills, including his ability to single-handedly slay Goa'uld, became the subject of popular videos. Many Goa'uld envied the Staff of Light, the Mercenary Lord's personal weapon. This staff quickly became a thorn in Apophis's side, which secretly pleased Bratac. Apophis' pain brought him satisfaction.
Bratac was busy reforming the armies of Apophis, introducing new standards and weaponry, with the Immortals setting the trends. They fought so professionally that the old Jaffa doubted his own abilities. Szarekh was widely known to have remarked on the laziness of most Goa'uld Jaffa, who didn't train eighteen hours a day. While this warmed the sadistic side of Bratac, even he couldn't distract the Jaffa from their duties for long. Szarekh had only one planet, while other Goa'uld had hundreds, if not thousands, and he had to constantly guard slaves. With one planet, he could devote twenty-four hours to training.
Apophis and Szarekh's armies had never clashed in direct combat, but Bratac was certain it would have ended in defeat, and Apophis, without regard for justification, would have killed Bratac. However, the Jaffa master was lucky: Szarekh did not direct his legions against his forces. This did not save Apophis's vassals, who, as they had five years earlier, were exterminated in massive numbers. Word even surfaced of a Golden Legion led by Szarekh himself, which inspired widespread fear, including in Bratac. Resistance against them was futile. Bratac could usually filter propaganda about any military unit, but Szarekh did not spread propaganda about his personal guard. That was done by the survivors, and Apophis even ordered the bombing of any area of the planet where these soldiers appeared.
Moreover, the Goa'uld became extremely suspicious after one of their "gods" was killed by a Jaffa. They couldn't announce this openly, as it would undermine the Jaffa's belief that only another "god" could kill a deity. But Bratac learned of this, confirming his suspicions: the gods weren't omniscient or omnipotent, and they could be killed by an ordinary Jaffa, provided they were not resurrected in their sarcophagus. This incident made all the Goa'uld suspicious of their servants, especially those Szarekh was hunting. He believed Apophis to be among them, so he ordered no one to carry weapons of war in his presence. Bratac didn't inquire about their defenses in the event of an attack, but assumed they were probably Intars.
Meanwhile, the galaxy closely monitored the fighting in Apophis's domain and the deaths of its vassals. Other rulers began to fortify their own planets, eliminating any vulnerabilities they had identified. The reason for the Jaffa's suicide remained unknown. The working theory was that Szarekh had recruited him with the promise of paradise. Brainwashing was out of the question, as it required specialized technology difficult to smuggle through the gate. Szarekh's agents simply replaced the Jaffa's memories, imbuing him with the idea of being Szarekh's loyal warrior, and infiltrated him into the enemy leader's ranks to strike at his master's will. It was one of Hydra's most impressive operations, after which the agents were forced to lie low.
Meanwhile, a Hydra agent named Motoko Kusanagi, in the body of a girl of about ten—or rather, a clone—slunk through the huttak's vents. Motoko Kusanagi, whose love of Japanese culture was well known to the Tok'ra, demonstrated remarkable abilities in sabotage and assassination. Although she had not yet reached the level of an Ashrak, her intelligence was remarkable. The Goa'uld, on the other hand, had shown little forethought. They had tried to protect the interior from Szarekh's Space Marines, and Elder Lord Apophis had barricaded himself in his chambers, eating only through several super-powered force fields. He had secured the bridge and engine room, but had neglected the vents. Despite their cramped quarters, this was of little consequence. The ventilation was located in the superstructure surrounding the pyramid, and Motoko used a maintenance hatch to connect her computer to the weapon control system, capable of traversing and firing at the pyramid housing the bridge and the High Lord's chambers.
This was one of the downsides of the Huttak automation; Motoko had devised a similar diversion on Szarekh's fleet, so it was likely a common problem. Motoko specialized in unexpected and unconventional attacks. She had once infiltrated a ship by disguising herself as cargo, tricking the ship's scanners with special substances. Now, using the computer, she was fooling the ship's targeting system, which was forbidden from targeting itself. She simply had to force the system to change the firing arc it considered friendly, using the starboard targeting program for the port. Of course, shooting at a ship you're on yourself isn't the smartest idea, but everything was calculated: it was technically possible to destroy the bridge without detonating the reactor or cooling system.
Some time was spent programming and implanting viruses to distract the central computer. After that, Motoko chose to retreat. She had the option of manually controlling the weapon, but she decided to trust the automation, unwilling to remain on a ship that would fire on itself. This was scheduled to happen in ten minutes. The Elder Lord was asleep at that moment and would not have time to understand what had killed him. Kusanagi herself stealthily made her way through the ventilation system to the nearby teleportation rings. It was an extremely effective diversion, one that would strike terror into the hearts of the Goa'uld.
Szarekh had shown them that they were not safe in their palaces, among their Jaffa, or even on their ships. He was hunting them and would kill them until he got what he wanted: surrender and recognition that House Apophis was surrendering to him. Apophis had attacked him first, and now he must apologize and pay satisfaction. Of course, he wouldn't do this, since that would mean accepting Szarekh as an equal, which would be extremely difficult, practically impossible, for Apophis. Motoko urged him to do so.
After reconfiguring and disabling the bridge's automatic matter transport notification, she entered the necessary codes for her personal teleportation rings, assembled for her by Hydra agents she hadn't even seen. Seconds later, the girl vanished. Seven minutes later, the cannon turned directly toward the bridge and fired multiple shots. On the third shot, the entire bridge vanished, and the High Lord perished in his sleep, unaware that a Golden Legion weapon had been used against him. The Golden Legion were not only excellent assault units but also security specialists. They understood how assassins operated and regularly held so-called "Blood Games," in which a group of operatives attempted to "kill" Egeria, Szarekh, or Isara. They were successful; Motoko won these games three times.
When the stunned Hattak captains saw the flagship's cannon vaporize the bridge, Motoko Kusanagi was already heading for her hideout. Beforehand, she'd shed all her gear, changed into rags, and assumed the guise of a street girl. She had to reach the shelter, where she would remain for a month. Fortunately, she'd have food, water, and a computer to program it. What more could she want?