Chapter 32

Dakara

In emergency session the interim council governing the Free Jaffa Nation met to discuss the recent attack on their people and culture. Tempers had flared at the notion anyone would dare attack the people of the Jaffa. The council unilaterally demanded war against their attackers. Teal'c had made it known the Tauri would stand beside their ally in this fight. Against his suggestion the council made it known they wished to fight this war without the assistance of the Tauri. To depend on them in all things gave them a level of power over the Jaffa that they sought to avoid.

Ha'taks and Al'kesh of the Jaffa fleet began gathering in orbit of the capital planet of the Jaffa Nation. On the surface a steady stream of gate activations saw the number of ground troops rise daily. The Jaffa now prepared for war. It had been decided that this battle would be led by a great warrior all Jaffa respected. Bra'tac was named sole commander for this conflict. The wise former first prime of Apophis knew he must deliver justice and victory to his people. Perhaps this victory would finally unify all Jaffa across the galaxy. It was that thought alone that forced him to accept his new role.

Earth

Sitting in the Oval Office were President Hayes, General Jack O'Neill, and Lt. Col. Davis. The weekly presidential briefing had progressed smoothly. Technology transfer to Earth, the return of Destiny shortly, and expansion plans for off world sites were all discussed. At the end of these matters new developments with allies became the topic at hand.

"The ruling council of the Free Jaffa Nation has voted unanimously for war with the Lucian Alliance. Even now ground forces and sh.i.p.s are being assembled above Dakara. Our old friend Bra'tac has been named expeditionary forces commander" said Lt. Col Davis.

"We offered a few of our sh.i.p.s is assist in this one and were given a polite no thank you" quipped General O'Neill.

"The Jaffa are rightfully upset, I can see that. The concern here is can they do it by themselves" asked President Hayes.

"Mr. President, as you know the Jaffa are a warrior culture. Under Goa'uld control they were the fighting power of the System Lords. A few causes for concern do exist though. The Jaffa were employed against technologically inferior worlds and this gave them a large advantage. The Jaffa have also demonstrated a weakness when combating irregular forces, as evidenced in their battles against SG teams. In ground combat they have large numbers of troops at their disposal, but they face small and highly mobile pockets of enemy resistance around the galaxy. In ship to ship combat they will face off with an enemy having technological parity to their defensive and offensive systems" stated Davis.

"So essentially this could end up being a high tech replay of world war one" said O'Neill dryly.

"You two are the experts here. If you're telling me they are walking into a meat grinder then we need to think ahead. Should the Jaffa be defeated this could lead to large scale instability in the status quo of our galaxy. We cannot allow that to happen gentlemen. So they don't trust us, sometimes I don't trust us so I get it. What do you two suggest is the best course of action here" asked Hayes.

"I feel that General O'Neill is better qualified to answer that Mr. President" said Davis deferring to the General beside him.

"Our ship numbers are much larger than they were when we fought the Ori and that gives us some flexibility here. The Dreadnaught and Le'Triumphant are now out of their shakedown cruises. The Russians are simply not ready yet due to crew constraints on their end. We'll send in our two vessels cloaked as a just in case measure. It's good training for the crews, and if the Jaffa get in trouble, we're right there to help" suggested Jack.

"If the Jaffa already don't want our help they won't like of our sh.i.p.s conveniently showing up to assist" countered the President.

"Bra'tac and I go way back. He likes us, it's the Jaffa we don't know that aren't fond of us. My position is we should have a ship in range should it be needed" responded the General.

"Mr. President, I'm in agreement with General O'Neill's position on this matter" said Davis.

"Sometimes being a good ally means having to show your friends it's ok to ask for help. We won't watch over their shoulder in this fight. If they ask for our assistance then we'll provide it, but not until they ask" finished the President.

Rondash

The Tauri knew this world as PX9-757. Formerly under the control of Apophis this world now fell under the control of the Lucian Alliance. In recent history this planet had been the battleground where SG-1 under the influence of Tok'ra bracelets had destroyed Apophis's soon to be mother ship. The technology base which was used in the construction of the first was once again being put to use.

On the surface of the planet a replica of this mother ship was nearing completion. The ship easily dwarfed the Ha'Tak class it was mean to replace. With weapons power, hyper drive speed, and shields all easily more powerful than the standard Lucian Alliance Ha'Tak this new mother ship would serve as a greatly needed addition to the already large fleet.

"When will my ship be completed" demanded Mallic.

"All systems are now online, we will need another four days before the ship is ready for your use" said the Alliance engineer in an overly respectful manner.

"Good, then you will not need to be replaced" said Mallic coolly.