Chapter 12, 03

Chapter 12, 03

03 was on the bridge of his bioship, seated in his command chair, somewhat resembling the Alteran design of Atlantis' chair. His command bridge had a spacious area of about one hundred cubic meters, centrally located within his bioship. Nevertheless, the front screens displayed space and a view of the planet it orbited, concealed both from sight and any sensor. Not even the Asgard ships could locate it; they had tested it with the ship brought to Earth by the Asgard known as Thor.

This camouflage was designed by 00; she was adept at inventing or adapting technology. Her god always entrusted her with these tasks or the most important missions related to their objectives for the humans on this planet.

03 thought about 00. A cold person, few things pleased her, and many were the ones she despised. Even he, who was her brother, barely piqued her interest, and everyone else was just objects of her amusement, except for her god.

For her god, 00 was somewhat like his favorite daughter, and it seemed the feeling was mutual because the only things 00 took seriously in this world were the missions assigned by her god. Everything else, including them, she ignored.

01 made the mistake of bothering her, and now he slept in the cargo hold of the Leviathan ship, enjoying the company of the Wraith and other individuals that her god considered a nuisance to his plans and needed correction for it. Her god saw this as an accident, despite it being evident that it was intentional because 00 said so, and he didn't doubt her words for a second.

03 could tell him, but 01 had chosen his own fate, and 00 was a terrible person to incur her displeasure, so 03 would not intervene.

The next sibling, excluding 01, who knows when he would emerge from his punishment, was 02. She had become the commander of her god's armies, overseeing everything related to the empire's security, supervising her father's generals and potential threats, both internal and external. She seemed content in her position and had even created an outfit matching that of her god, albeit in silver to indicate she was subordinate.

Following is 04, whom his god had sent to Earth to ensure its technological level advanced without pause and that its governments didn't withhold the technology they acquired. 04 was extremely happy on this planet, and anyone threatening to remove him from it would earn his enmity. Her god was also pleased with his progress and methods because he had ensured not to be officially at the forefront. This was crucial for her god's plans because they were not there to be world leaders but to make the humans they assisted world leaders.

03 moved on to the report of 05 and 06, working as a team to build cities and all the infrastructure her god required in his territory, whether it needed specialized labor to adapt some technology to civilian life or if replicators were needed to construct something out of the sight of the Asgard or her god's Goa'uld vassals, who were somewhat ambitious.

03 sighed; 05 and 06 also enjoyed the place they had carved out in her god's plans. All his siblings had their established roles, but he still lacked a purpose.

03 was assigned alongside 00 to protect Earth and respond to any of its calls. Apart from that, he had the freedom to do as he pleased, as long as he didn't interfere in the politics or government of Earth because that wouldn't sit well with their allies.

03 looked at the blue planet. Humans were an interesting species; there wasn't a specific definition that fit them. You couldn't say they were pacifists, but some of them were. You couldn't say they were warriors, although some of them were warriors. They were also politicians, diplomats, professionals, researchers, explorers, people who just wanted to have fun, criminals, slackers…

They were a species that seemed to value every little aspect of life.

03 smiled as he looked at the planet. His god was interested in humans because they could handle the chaos that would arise when the Goa'uld no longer ruled the galaxy. Yet, even though 03, being a being without purpose, felt something strange for this planet and its inhabitants. That's why, while waiting and watching, he observed the different aspects of the world created by humans and how they advanced toward the future, wondering what his purpose should be.

…

03 was reading a book about human history, flipping its pages and limiting his vision to each line to read at the same pace as a human when a call from the SGC command came.

00's ship, also monitoring the planet, received the same message, and a second later, she sent a response. She had decided to ignore it. Her reasons were simple; there was no danger, and her god wouldn't be interested in the mentioned technology.

In summary, SG1 had arranged the exchange of information about the Goa'uld for a naquadah reactor. They already had naquadriah reactors for study, but these seemed too dangerous for common use, so they agreed to negotiate. Later, they discovered that the Obanians, the civilization they were dealing with, didn't have a standard teaching method. To acquire knowledge, they taught a group of them from birth and then transferred the knowledge to others, leaving the original recipient of the information blank, meaning a reset of their lives. These recipients were also children because only with them did this process work, so SG1, realizing they couldn't do anything to stop it, called him.

03 grimaced at 00's response. He didn't expect more from her, and at this moment, she was with her god.

03 tried to think when a second message arrived.

"Please respond; it's not a crisis, but it's important…" The message was interrupted.

03 didn't hesitate and transported to the place where the signal came from, which was the meeting room of the human named George Hammond.

"Colonel O'Neill!" reprimanded General Hammond, who blinked upon seeing him appear.

General Hammond sat at the head of the table, while SG1 and Colonel Maybourne sent the message using a terminal connected to the computer he had given them, which was a small disk. Now, Maybourne held the disk In his hands, while Colonel O'Neill tried to take it from him. 03, assuming from the tone of the last message, that he was the one who sent it, was reprimanded for it, and his access had been taken away.

General Hammond cleared his throat upon seeing him appear, and Colonel Maybourne and Colonel O'Neill stopped their fight over the sensor, which Major Carter took over. Everyone sat somewhat embarrassed. 03 thought it wasn't appropriate to ask what they were doing, and as if he hadn't seen anything, he sat on the other side of the table.

"I understand you're negotiating for technology on how to build a naquadah reactor," said 03 as he sat.

"We've found a civilization from a planet called Orban. They possess the mentioned technology and agreed to share it, but…"

"They lobotomize their children's brains, and we want your help to prevent them from continuing!" interrupted Colonel O'Neill.

"Colonel O'Neill!" reprimanded General Hammond.

"Come on, General, it was all in the report. We don't have time for this," complained Colonel O'Neill impatiently. 03 felt somewhat uncomfortable, so he decided to be honest.

"My god is interested in Earth. It's valuable to him. And as they mention, they have already obtained what they wanted from this civilization, so there are no more benefits for Earth in continuing to intervene," explained 03.

"In summary, their alliance is with us, and they're not interested in other worlds, so they won't help in this situation," said Colonel O'Neill. 03 nodded. It was a bit blunt to put it that way, but it was accurate.

"Jack, maybe I should talk," said Dr. Daniel Jackson.

"Daniel, we don't have time for politics; they're taking Merrin right now!" reprimanded Jack, looking at him. "03, there are children's lives at stake here; please help us!" begged Colonel O'Neill.

03 felt uncomfortable, as much as every time they asked for help before, and he didn't intervene. 00 had been clear; this was just politics. Her only interest was Earth. But that… didn't feel right. 03 sighed. 00 just kept walking and ignoring everything. If she received this plea for help…

She had already received this plea for help and left it on read because she was with her god. To 04, only fulfilling his duty mattered, or rather, ensuring that his servants fulfilled their duty, as his own Interests were a… strange life.

03 sighed, only to realize he did it because he didn't need to breathe; his body operated on an Arturian energy source, with no physical needs. He sighed because he saw that humans did it when they felt dejected or tired; maybe it gave them some comfort, but it was evident that it didn't work with him. He looked at Colonel O'Neill.

"Can I meet the person you're talking about?" asked 03, just to buy some time. Colonel O'Neill turned his gaze to General Hammond, who sighed.

"Sir, he has already promised me," said Colonel O'Neill.

"We thought you wouldn't respond," Colonel Maybourne chimed in.

"Maybourne, shut up," reprimanded Colonel O'Neill.

"I'll see what I can do," said General Hammond and left the office. Dr. Daniel Jackson hurried to follow him.

…

Five minutes later, General Hammond returned with Daniel, a girl about eleven or twelve years old, and a man in his thirties to forties who didn't look too pleased.

General Hammond approached him to make the introductions, and 03 stood up.

"Kalan, Merrin, this is 03, the diplomatic representative of one of our closest allies," General Hammond introduced, and the man and the girl bowed. "03, these are Kalan and Merrin from the Orbanians, our newest allies."

03 bowed similarly to the man and the girl. As he did, he came up with a solution to this issue, but he needed to better understand the situation because he couldn't casually interfere. If he made a mistake, and It affected his god's plans, he was sure 00, in person, would send him to keep 01 company.

"On behalf of my god, I greet you," said 03. The man and the girl looked at him with some confusion.

"That's what he calls the emperor who rules the empire he serves," explained Daniel Jackson. 03 nodded.

"The SGC has called us because they believe we can help with the issues they're facing now due to your method of knowledge transfer," explained 03.

"We have no issue with our method of transferring knowledge. It's these people who don't understand no matter how much we explain," complained Kalan.

03 looked at the girl. His nanites connected with hers in her brain and also with Kalan's.

03 shook his head and raised a finger. Kalan remained still. Then he looked at him apprehensively.

"The Goa'uld can do the same if they reach your planet. This technology is not beyond their reach, and your people would have no fighting chance if they face them," warned 03.

In reality, the Goa'uld would kill them without scanning. The real danger for them was the Replicators, who could control them at will, given that these individuals had nanites in their brains.

"Do you understand the problem now?" asked 03. Kalan nodded with apprehension. "I can help, but before that, I would like to see your planet and your customs. I can't intervene in this matter without seeing whom I am helping," said 03.

03 had already downloaded all the information from the brains of these two individuals, but in this case, he had to confirm it with his own eyes.

"Please, accompany us. I need to discuss this with my superiors," said Kalan.

…

Half an hour later, 03 was observing the main city of the Orbanians.

"Thank you for helping us," said Colonel O'Neill, approaching his side along with the rest of his team.

"I can only help if the Orbanians accept my assistance," said 03, as Kalan had not returned yet.

"Oh, they will accept. Kalan looked scared enough," said General O'Neill. 03 smiled.

"Nanites are a more dangerous technology than you believe. Entire galaxies have succumbed due to the misuse of this technology," explained 03.

"Well, now we're scared too," said Colonel O'Neill. 03 smiled.

"It will be a long time before these people reach that level, but if something happens, you can call me," said 03.

If the nanites went out of control, that was an issue he had to intervene in. He looked at the city.

"My god would like this place; he has always liked decorations that go beyond the norm," said 03, observing the city with some pyramids. "Your organization isn't bad either; you should follow their example," said 03.

"Thanks, we're doing fine," said Colonel O'Neill. 03 smiled.

"Are you afraid the nanites will turn you into machines?" 03 asked.

"You know, I think we can come to an understanding," said Colonel O'Neill.

"The nanites didn't make these people forget their imagination; they themselves chose to follow that path. Fear can lead your species to desperate measures," said 03.

"The Goa'uld can cause harm even if they don't intervene directly," said Teal'c.

"03, can you do something for the children who have already been affected?" asked Daniel Jackson.

"I have checked their condition; there is nothing wrong with their nanites or their brains. The Orbanians just don't know how to reprogram them. As for their learning method, keeping the nanites in their brains is a risk they shouldn't take," explained 03.

"You mean you're willing to update their technology?" Major Carter asked.

"I can't do that, but you can," explained 03. SG-1 blinked in unison. Then Major Carter's eyes lit up.

"I can't interfere with them because it has nothing to do with Earth. But if they offer this technology to Earth, I could update it for you, as it is a risk in its current state, and I have no problem with you sharing it back," explained 03.

"No way!" declared Colonel O'Neill, while Major Carter's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"That would be interesting," said Daniel Jackson.

"People, pay attention," reprimanded Colonel O'Neill.

"O'Neill, there is a vast amount of information your people could share using this technology. Even you could be a scientist," said Teal'c.

"Teal'c, that's not funny," reprimanded Colonel O'Neill.

03 smiled. He liked this feeling that things would turn out well.

…

A week later, another message arrived from the SGC. 00 ignored them again, but 03 calmly read it while sitting on his bridge.

In the last two weeks, 03 had some revelations about his own life and purpose, and with that, he also better understood his brothers. Their happiness and comfort were not about the purpose because they were not machines.

That elusive feeling that caused him discomfort was his own dissatisfaction in trying to be something he wasn't. It wasn't having a purpose that provided that feeling of tranquility; it was following his own feelings. Even when he couldn't do it and faced obstacles, solving them gave him a sense of accomplishment that helped him understand his brothers and his own god.

03 read the SGC report. Uninvited guests arrived at the SGC, but it wasn't an invasion; it was Samantha Carter and Charles Kawalsky from another reality. Both arrived through the quantum mirror at Area 51. This mirror was used by Dr. Daniel Jackson before Apophis' invasion, and apparently, it could connect to other realities. It was interesting technology, but his god wasn't interested and left the mirror on Earth.

Now, through this mirror, refugees had arrived, and the SGC accepted them into their team for a few days until the Samantha Carter who arrived began to show the physical effects of invading other realities, occupying the same universe as one of her duplicates. Because of this, they were preparing to return her to her reality and also to save them from the Goa'uld, either by calling the Asgard or themselves.

The SGC already had a plan, but they also had a doubt: whether the communication technology they were given would work in the other reality. So, they were calling them, and 03 could simply say yes or send a longer response explaining the details. However, this event was interesting, and since it was another reality, his intervention wouldn't affect the Earth in his own reality. Therefore, he transported himself to General Hammond's conference room, where SG-1, Colonel Maybourne, General Hammond, and the duplicate Samantha Carter and Charles Kawalsky were present.

"Hello," said Daniel with a blink.

"Well, we're just asking, but it's always good to see an ally," said Colonel O'Neill. The duplicate Samantha Carter and Charles Kawalsky looked at him in surprise.

"I know, I'm here of my own free will; this case has sparked some curiosity in me," said 03 sincerely. "And yes, the communication device we gave you will work if we are present in that reality, but I'm afraid you shouldn't get your hopes up because our empire is in this galaxy, and Earth is a notorious planet. If it existed there, my god would have already contacted SG-1," explained 03. There was no way Earth would go unnoticed, as it was the access point to Atlantis and many other technologies his god had acquired.

"It seems that in this reality, you have many powerful allies," said Kawalsky with a sigh.

"And also that we got the short end of the stick in the distribution," said Samantha Carter.

"I think until now, I didn't see it that way, but in perspective, it's interesting," said Major Carter.

"Well, we should explain the plan to our ally because time is running out, and I'm only allowed to lend you equipment for twenty-four hours," explained Maybourne. General Hammond nodded.

"03, Colonel Maybourne and the NID have agreed to lend us their infiltration equipment to go through the mirror, install an energy source previously used by Colonel O'Neill to call the Asgard galaxy, and then wait for their response. We also planned to lend you the communication artifact they gave us, but if your empire isn't there, we should proceed with calling the Asgard," concluded General Hammond. 03 nodded.

With the NID's infiltration technology, fulfilling that purpose wouldn't be a problem.

"I will accompany you," said 03.

"I've only received equipment for the people participating in this mission," said Maybourne with some discomfort. "We can leave someone behind," he offered.

"It won't be necessary; I'll just be an observer, and I have my own equipment," said 03, first changing his form to resemble Colonel Maybourne, and then disappearing and reappearing.

"Excellent," said Maybourne.

03 didn't carry any equipment with him; his body consisted entirely of nanites and bionanites, powered by an Arturo 2.0 energy source. Like other replicators, he could adopt any configuration he desired, including weapons.

"Then let's get to work," said Colonel O'Neill, and General Hammond nodded.

…

03 went to study the quantum mirror with Daniel Jackson and Kawalsky. He held the remote control for the mirror and performed several scans.

"Apparently, there's an indeterminate variable in the addresses, causing variation in each dialing sequence that needs adjustment after being shut off," explained 03. He then touched the mirror, Infiltrating his nanites and conducting a deep scan of the technology to adapt it to his own body. The fate of this artifact after the mission would be its destruction, as it posed an easy access point to this reality, something too dangerous to leave unresolved.

…

A few minutes later, everyone was ready. The team would consist of Daniel Jackson, Colonel O'Neill, Teal'c, Charles Kawalsky, himself, and Dr. Samantha Carter, who was the visitor because, in her reality, she wasn't a military personnel.

The team had the camouflage technology they had given to the NID, based on Asgard's hard light holograms but adapted to the Goa'uld technological level, and stealth technology, which modified personal shields to make the wearer invisible.

"Everyone ready?" asked Colonel O'Neill. Everyone nodded. "03, do the honors," said Colonel O'Neill, and 03 nodded, adopting a configuration to replicate the remote control of the mirror and activating it.

03 performed an analog calculation of the reality from which the visitors came, and a room destroyed by an explosion appeared.

"This should be your reality," said 03.

"In one attempt, impressive," said both Samantha Carters at the same time.

"I've had direct access to the control program and made my calculations," explained 03.

"People, focus," said Colonel O'Neill to redirect everyone's attention to the mission. They nodded, and together they touched the mirror, transporting them to the other reality.

Now, they were in an equipment room, looking at a destroyed hallway.

"A team of Jaffa is approaching," said 03.

"Well, that was quick," said Colonel O'Neill as Kawalsky pulled out stun grenades, and 03 turned off the mirror. The sounds became evident to everyone after a few seconds.

"Everyone take cover," ordered Colonel O'Neill using gestures. They hid, and when the Jaffa passed, Kawalsky threw a grenade. Then, when the Jaffa fell, Teal'c, Colonel O'Neill, and Kawalsky used Zat guns to disintegrate their bodies.

"Alright, now Kawalsky and I take their place and connect the device to power the gate. The rest infiltrates the room stealthily and calls the Asgard," ordered Colonel O'Neill, while he and Kawalsky touched the bracelets on their left arms and transformed into a pair of Jaffa, marching toward the energy room.

03 became invisible, and Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, and Samantha Carter also touched the bracelet on their left arms to become invisible. These bracelets had no buttons but a neural interface, and touching it was the signal to send a mental command and execute their capabilities, whether it was a shield, invisibility, or taking on the form of a creature in the vicinity.

…

On their way to the control room, there were no problems, and upon arrival, they found Apophis trying to extract information from a severely injured General Hammond, using a Goa'uld pain stick.

Apophis was accompanied by only four Jaffa and his First Prime, who was the Teal'c of this reality.

The sounds of Zat gun activation were heard, and Apophis and his Jaffa fell in a matter of seconds. Apophis was the first to fall because his team didn't want him to activate his shield. General Hammond got up as they all became visible again.

"General, these are allies from another reality," explained Dr. Samantha Carter, checking the general's condition.

03 advanced and placed his hand on General Hammond to heal all his wounds.

"This is 03, an ally of humans in the other reality," explained Samantha Carter, and the general nodded. "Sir, we have a plan to seek help from an advanced species in our reality. They will take care of the Goa'uld."

Samantha Carter explained her plan to General Hammond, and a few minutes later, the energy was connected.

Upon dialing, Jaffa arrived, but besides Apophis and his unconscious guard on the floor, they found no one. Dr. Samantha Carter had become invisible to cross the Stargate to the Asgard galaxy, and they had already left with General Hammond to await the arrival of the Asgard.

Upon awakening, Apophis searched for them everywhere, but he couldn't even find General Hammond, who was out in the open. The Jaffa who managed to locate him were left unconscious by Zat gun discharges fired by invisible opponents. General Hammond moved to another location while Apophis raged in fury.

They couldn't confront his ships using stealth technology, but hiding was a game in which they had the advantage.

…

Half an hour later, the Asgard arrived and transported Apophis and his entire army of Jaffa. They tried to transport him too, but 03 interrupted the process and blocked the scans on him. Then, he opened communications.

"The Asgard want to speak with me; I'll see them in a few minutes," said 03, and the rest of the team, who had already become visible again, nodded.

03 transported to the coordinates provided by the Asgard, appearing on the bridge of their ship, a spacious area with a view of planet Earth. It had the same design as his own ship, but the color was metallic gray instead of the polished black of his own bridge.

"Greetings, I am Thor, Supreme Commander of the Asgard fleet," introduced the Asgard, although 03 already knew him from his own reality.

"Greetings," said 03, noticing that these Asgard seemed to have the same genetic problems as those in his own reality. "I am 03, an ally of humans in my own reality, although it seems that in this reality, my creator does not exist, and we do not know each other," said 03.

"Creator?" Thor asked.

03 provided him with data about himself and his creator, curious about how Thor would react.

Thor read the data in a second, and the next second, numerous shields appeared around him. 03 stepped aside, passing through them as if they weren't there, which alarmed Thor.

"Relax, I'm not part of the insectoid replicator species you fight, and my god is quite different from the Goa'uld you know," explained 03 calmly.

"The Goa'uld are not gods," said Thor cautiously. 03 assumed he was trying to gain time to figure out how to remove him from his ship.

"My god created me, so he is my god. However, his servants refer to him as an emperor and do not demand that anyone call him a god. There are no slaves in our empire, and humans are free to come and go. My god has also dealt with the effects of the sarcophagus on his mind and has explored many worlds, including your galaxy, where we discovered the insectoid replicators," explained 03, passing on all the information about the insectoid replicators, including a weapon they could use against them, leaving Thor surprised.

"Why would you give me this information about your kind?" Thor asked. 03 smiled.

"Do you consider all beings made of organic matter part of your species?" 03 asked curiously. Thor pondered for a few seconds.

"I understand," said Thor, who now seemed calmer.

"In our reality, your species suffers from a genetic defect that has caused irreparable damage to your DNA. In our reality, my god is already seeking a cure for this problem, but his research is not complete," said 03, passing on all the information about his god's research.

Thor seemed genuinely surprised this time and remained silent for a whole minute, thoroughly reviewing all the data.

"What part has he not managed to solve? In my opinion, this is the complete cure," Thor said with doubts.

"It's not my god's opinion, and it wouldn't be mine either. While the genetic defect is corrected, the body doesn't adjust to variations, doesn't adapt, and consequently, doesn't evolve. Therefore, the research is flawed and incomplete," explained 03. He agreed with his father on this point; there was no difference between these results and creating a machine. Thor blinked.

"You and your god have very high standards," said Thor. 03 nodded.

"I would like you to help this galaxy more directly. I suppose that now, being free from the war against the replicators and having a start in the research to make a cure, there won't be any problems with that," said 03. "As for a reward, we've already obtained it by encountering the insectoid replicators in your galaxy, who shared all their technology with us. Therefore, the payment has already been made, and we are the ones in debt," explained 03, and Thor blinked.

"I understand," said Thor with a nod. "What will you do from now on in our reality?" he asked.

"Upon returning with my SGC team, the quantum mirror will be destroyed, so this will be our first and last meeting," explained 03, telling the truth but also lying because although it was true that the mirror would be destroyed, he had already copied its technology and could return to this universe whenever he wanted. Moreover, he had modified the mirror in this reality so that it could never dial his reality or the nearby ones.

03's goal was not to invade this world or steal anything. He just wanted to know what the Asgard would do with the information he provided.

"Before you go, the Asgard High Council would like to thank you for your assistance," said Thor.

"Your help for this galaxy would be more than enough for me. I'd like to think I've been of help in this place," said 03. They really didn't need anything from the Asgard, and it could be said that they owed them the most advanced technology they possessed.

"Then, go in peace," said Thor, and 03 nodded to return to his own team. In one or two months, he would come back to see what the Asgard were doing.

…

Korr attended to petitioners on his golden throne while reading overdue reports from the SGC with some surprise.

Five months had passed since Earth's negotiations with the System Lords. At the SGC, things had been calm without any threats to their plans. Alarms hadn't sounded, and with 00 and 03 watching, Korr had nothing to worry about. He had enjoyed five months of vacation without any concerns from the SGC. There were inconveniences he had to deal with from the System Lords and Sokar, but they were minor issues.

Now, he was reading reports from the SGC to pass the time while dealing with minor Goa'uld who wanted to swear allegiance to him or those whom his Jaffa forced to kneel because they tried to steal planets or resources that rightfully belonged to him. He noticed that 03 had been intervening in the SGC's affairs and responding to their messages without the need, simply because he wanted to help them.

This made Korr blink. The human replicators were part of him; each of them was the same with different perspectives, but in the end, they were him. He didn't know there was a part of him that was a selfless person, so he was genuinely surprised. 03 was peculiar, but his interventions weren't beyond providing benefits, and he let it slide.

What 03 did with his life was not his concern. They were his hands, but each of them did what they wanted after completing the assigned task. They could even do the job as they pleased; Korr wouldn't restrict them in any way, as their relationship was based on freedom.

03 had acquired technology from the Orbanians, based on nanites for knowledge transfer, and had upgraded it so that it could be implemented and removed at any age without any consequences for the host. He had created an effective knowledge transfer artifact that the NID was already using to accelerate the development of technologies on the base planet.

He had also traveled to another reality and delivered to the Asgard there the anti-Replicator weapon and his study on their genetic condition, which was incomplete but would be useful for them to stop worrying about their lives. He did it to help them, but his help also benefited him. 03 had returned several times to that reality to see what the Asgard were doing with that technology and had sent his reports.

The alternate Thor's Initial reaction was suspicious, but then he kept his word, and the Asgard now actively intervened in the alternative Milky Way galaxy, stopping the Goa'uld's advance on different races and freeing them from the Goa'uld threat. Although they still didn't declare open war, they seemed to believe that the inhabitants of the galaxy should take care of the Goa'uld. With them on their side, the Goa'uld empire in that reality was doomed.

For Korr, all this data was very valuable since the Asgard could be a species that caused him problems. However, for his plans to be fulfilled, the Asgard had to be present to serve as mediators and guides. The problem was that he didn't want them to make things easy for Earth, giving them absolute protection and thus ruining his plans. But with this experiment of 03, it seemed that they understood the political situation in the galaxy and wouldn't rush to destroy the Goa'uld.

According to this experiment, he had nothing to fear in that aspect, so he decided to advance his contact with the Asgard as soon as there was any encounter with them in the future.

Korr was satisfied with 03. Not only did he do what he wanted, but he also made sure that he received benefits. He gave him a free hand to act whenever he wanted, as long as he didn't interfere with his plans. He could help others, not just Earth.

Korr closed his reports, and with a gesture of his hand, the current Goa'uld, a thief serving Sokar, was sent to his cargo hold to receive punishment for his offense. His Jaffa bowed.

"My god, those are all the petitioners for today," Jet reported.

Korr nodded and rose to stroke the heads of some of his little servants, indicating that the work was over. Then he transported himself to the bridge of the Leviathan.

Korr appeared seated on his command throne, and a hologram showing his different fleets stationed on various planets to provide quick response to his entire territory projected in front of him.

Since the construction of his shipyard moon, more than a year had passed, and his Ha'taks already exceeded three hundred. In this same period, all the System Lords together had not produced more than a hundred and fifty Ha'taks, and that was already at a high speed due to the pressure they felt from him, as these Ha'taks were either hand-built or at least the resources for their construction were moved by hand.

This didn't mean that these were the only Ha'taks produced, as the middle and lower lords, who were unsupervised, had also built their own ships. The poorest among them had death gliders, others Al'kesh, and the more well-off ones had their own Ha'taks. This disproportionately increased the number of Ha'taks in the galaxy. It was a problem for him because these minor Goa'uld were easy targets for professional thieves, and Sokar was one of them.

His fleet had already grown to more than seventy Ha'taks. They dared to try to steal from him, using a fleet of ten ships to capture three of his vessels patrolling the border of his territories and study their power sources. Their plan failed because Korr monitored his entire territory, and those ships were just a warning for the other System Lords to know that he wasn't inactive, and they better not try any tricks.

Korr responded to the attack by sending Jet, who took Korr's Fist and ten Ha'taks to capture Sokar's fleet and add his ships to theirs.

Still, Korr wouldn't let Sokar's audacity go unpunished. He had already sent him his corresponding death threat. All the System Lords had done the same, but Sokar knew they wouldn't come after him because their losses would be disastrous, and uniting against him would be shameful. For now, only Herur-ur was waging war with him for control of Apophis's territory, but Sokar was about to defeat him, as he had secretly been amassing a fleet of which Herur-ur had no idea.

The System Lords would only intervene after Sokar took down Herur-ur and others. But by that time, Sokar would be too big of a problem, as he would have enough ships to face the System Lords and cause a disaster.

Korr wouldn't go after Sokar because if he did and demonstrated his superiority, he would become the new Ra, and it wasn't the right time for that. If he became the Supreme Lord, he would have to subdue the others by force, and he wouldn't rule an empire of slaves and rejects. His empire had to conform to his standards.

On the other hand, chaos would reign in the rest of the galaxy, and as the new Supreme Lord, it would be his duty to impose order if he didn't want things to spiral out of control. In chaos, someone could emerge to end his reign, and Korr didn't like taking risks. The Stargate universe had shown that those who believed themselves invulnerable and powerful were the easiest to kill when chaos arose. As an example, there were the Ori.

Korr was like an ant that could disappear with a single thought from one of them. The Ori had died with a single shot, in a second of carelessness. That's why no one would convince him to confront directly in a war. He would act stealthily, unless he had no other option. In this case, a larva with dark inclinations like Sokar wouldn't lead him to abandon his secure empire to face him. He knew Sokar's end might come without any consequence for him, as Sokar, by causing chaos and acting arrogantly, had approached his own destruction. Korr would ensure that happened.

Korr opened communications, and a minor Goa'uld responded. He was sitting on a throne that was part of a palace.

"My lord…" The Goa'uld interrupted his words and quickly checked his communication systems.

"I've interfered with your signal. Stop wasting time and connect me with Egeria," Korr ordered the Tok'ra pretending to be a minor lord in the service of Yu.

"I don't know what you're talking about, System Lord," said the Tok'ra. But as he finished speaking, a woman with long black hair and blue eyes appeared behind him.

"Korr, it seems your spy network is better than I thought," Egeria said. Korr snorted.

"Korr, it seems your spy network is better than I thought," said Egeria. Korr snorted.

"Egeria, locating your useless offspring is child's play for me. Now pay attention," threatened Korr, making sure this woman didn't think he called her because he wanted to see her. Egeria frowned.

"Has something happened?" she asked seriously.

"One of your children has been captured by Sokar, but you're lucky. Sokar has been meddling in my territories, and his foolishness is jeopardizing my plans. Therefore, it's time for him to disappear," said Korr, transmitting all the information about Sokar's prison, the guards, and the operation. "You can seek the help of the Tau'ri since your son's host is Major Carter's father, and one of my followers is also there," added Korr.

"Korr, the Tok'ra is not your personal army," said Egeria.

"Egeria, as we speak, your beloved useless larva is suffering at Sokar's hands on his hell moon. Besides, I'm also putting my forces into this, and it's not in the Tok'ra's interest for Sokar to gain more power and take over the System Lords' armies," warned Korr.

"Which would force you to intervene before your foolish plans are ready," accused Egeria.

"Egeria, you won't make me risk my life for your foolish ideas. If you and your children have been planning for centuries, I think I can take my time and do things my way," retorted Korr, as their audacity was too much.

"I want hosts in case of emergency, but I can let go of that. However, what I need is access to the technology you used to restore my youth, and I want this to be applicable to both my children and their hosts," demanded Egeria.

Korr was somewhat surprised, but after thinking for a few seconds, he understood. Tok'ra liked the idea of sharing a body, and their hosts were part of them, even sharing their memories and feelings. A revolting relationship in Korr's opinion, but he wasn't there to judge anyone's taste.

"What you're asking for is very dangerous technology and knowledge that not even the System Lords possess," explained Korr. Egeria nodded, indicating that she was willing to commit to her conditions. "Alright, this technology must not leave your hands, and believe me, I can tell if you violate our agreement," warned Korr, as if a nanite left its designated place, his replicators would know and inform him.

"It's a deal," said Egeria. Korr nodded and closed the communication.

Korr opened communication with 00 and warned her that soon she would be contacted by the SGC and that she should ensure Sokar wouldn't see the light of the next day. Additionally, he wanted Earth to have one more enemy in the traditional Goa'uld style, like Apophis, who would continue to be in charge of training and pressuring Earth to accelerate its armament and take the lead in the battle. This way, Korr could enjoy tranquility without worrying about any threats arising from the chaos.