Chapter 141

Cheyenne Mountain, SGC

Lacking gate access after the Tauri replacement of the worlds of the Free Jaffa Nation's terrestrial gates with orbital models, Rak'nor's journey to Earth had taken more time than he had liked. Secreting away with a lone Al'kesh, Rak'nor had made the trip to the Tauri home world alone. Upon entry of the solar system of Earth, the Al'kesh was escorted to a safe orbit around one of the moons of Saturn while its occupant was beamed aboard a vessel of the Tauri fleet for transport to his end destination.

After many years of association with forces of the Tauri, Rak'nor had come to respect their abilities and power. They were a people he esteemed, much to the dislike of many of the more traditionalist valued Jaffa. Time and time again, these people had risked much so that his people could claim their freedom. With their assistance, he hoped that once more that freedom could be brought home for good.

Seated in the conference room above the gate room were Rak'nor and General Landry. After many hours of consultation with the White House and Home World Command it was decided to let General Landry proceed with negotiations between the Tauri and Jaffa. With his marching orders and talking points committed to memory, the General jumped right into the thick of it.

"I had assumed the negotiations were finalized with Ry'ac's visit to this world" stated Rak'nor.

"You assumed wrong. While we have agreed to assist you in bringing stability back to your people, we have a few demands in return" replied Landry.

"The people of the Jaffa are not as advanced as those of the Tauri. What could we have that your people do not already posses" inquired Rak'nor.

"While our two peoples battled the forces of the System Lords, we found one trend was constant from world to world. The System Lords employed vast numbers of human's to toil away laboring in mines, and other tasks of menial labor. Once the System Lords were defeated, nothing was ever said again about that human slave labor force. Knowing full well the raw materials the planets of the Free Jaffa Nation produce, we can only assume that those humans remain in their previous role. Yes or no" demanded Landry.

"The human populations of our worlds do conduct mining operations for us, yes" replied Rak'nor.

"Do they have their freedom? Are they accorded equal rights with Jaffa in the eyes of the government of the Free Jaffa Nation" asked Landry pointedly.

"No, they are not. As they are not Jaffa, they merit no such liberties" responded Rak'nor.

"And therein lays our problem. We have already pledged our assistance, but it will not be given to maintain a status quo we find to be unacceptable" countered Landry.

"What is it the Tauri seek in return then General" asked Rak'nor.

"I won't sit here and preach to you about our desire for freedom for these people. As you already know, those humans are descendants of those taken from this world long ago. We demand they live life without being property of any race. We ask that they be turned over into our care, along with the worlds they reside upon. Instead of demanding every planet inhabited by human life under your control, we are willing to accept relocation of multiple populations to a single world on a three to one ratio" replied Landry coolly.

"You ask that we give you planets and workers in return for your assistance in this matter? That is absurd" rebuked Rak'nor.

"Let me be very clear son; you need our help more than we need to give it. Without our help the Jaffa will spend the next fifty years tearing themselves apart, and in the end we will get what it is we seek. You demand sh.i.p.s, and we can provide those with ease. For every two Ha'tak's we provide, you in return will hand over a planet along with three worlds human populations" stated Landry.

"That demand is absurd" replied Rak'nor.

"No son, absurd is the Jaffa belief that you took down the System Lords on your own. Let me give you a little history lesson. Ra died at our hand. The one that replaced him was Apophis, and we brought him to his end also. After that Anubis came to power, and we defeated him and his entire fleet in orbit of our planet. Then came Ba'al, and we are all aware of how he came to his end again at our hands. These are just the major players; many of the lesser Goa'uld also fell at our hand. The last time I checked, the Jaffa hadn't managed to rid themselves of a single one. Would you agree or disagree with that" asked Landry.

"You make your point General" grudgingly admitted Rak'nor.

"The days of humanity toiling away while the Jaffa sit back and profit are at an end. One constant in the history of this galaxy seems to be humanity getting its hands dirty doing all the heavy lifting while the Jaffa reap the benefits. The arrogance of that! Many of your people seem to be of the mindset that they defeated the Goa'uld and ushered in freedom, and the Tauri were there also. That ends here" stated Landry with defiance.

"For every ten Ha'tak we are given, we will provide one world" countered Rak'nor.

"I don't think so. Let me be clear about something. You came to us, we didn't go to you. You need our assistance far more than we need to give it. In this circ.u.mstance, we set the tune to dance to. It's that simple. One planet, along with the total human populations of three worlds in exchange for every two Ha'tak we provide. That is the only offer we will accept. It's high time the Jaffa learned that an alliance is not one where only they benefit" replied Landry sternly.

"Then it seems that I have no choice but to agree to your demands. You will have your planets and humans as you wish in exchange for the vessels" replied Rak'nor.

"Very good, I thought you would come to see the light in that logic. The first five Ha'tak will be ready within seven days. I suggest you have our planets and people ready at that time" replied Landry.

"What of military assistance in the battle we find ourselves in" asked Rak'nor.

"Now you want military assistance as well. Imagine that. For that we will need much more than what we ask for the vessels we are providing" hinted Landry.

"You ask too much of us" complained Rak'nor.

"We ask what is fair and just. Before it was just sh.i.p.s, now you want us to help fight your battles for you. Might I remind you that our Ambassador was tortured and killed by your High Council? Commitment of military forces to this cause would require that all humans within the collected planets of the Free Jaffa Nation be placed in our care, along with their home worlds. On that point I'm afraid I have no room to bargain" said Landry.

"What you ask of us will severely diminish the size and standing of the Free Jaffa Nation. This is not acceptable" raged Rak'nor.

"Without our help I highly doubt a Free Jaffa Nation will ever again exist on its own" replied Landry.

"Then on behalf of my people I agree to your demands under protest" stated Rak'nor.

"Your protest is noted. Have a safe trip home" replied Landry.

Moments later Rak'nor vanished in a flash of light as he was transported to the orbiting 304. With a smile on his face Landry strolled down the stairs and into stargate operations. At a data terminal in the room a young Sergeant followed a track on his screen. Seeing the General enter, he looked towards him hoping to catch his attention.

"What is it Sergeant" asked Landry.

"Sir, we've got an unknown track in our sector. He arrived shortly after our guest did in the solar system. Currently the vessel is cloaked, but I think he may have seen activity around Arkos" stated the Sergeant.

"Arkos is heavily armed. Send word to the station. I'm sure they are tracking the target also, but lets play it safe" replied Landry.

"Target is jumping to hyperspace Sir" exclaimed the Sergeant