With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Mr Zoat · Oct 31, 2024

BoML said:
I liked the chapter, and am eagerly waiting the fallout for that last cliffhanger.

On another note, noticed another minor problem in the Story Only thread, specifically here.

Interestingly, the picture works in the reply if you quote the relevant section, but not on the post itself in the Story Only thread. It does briefly appear if you refresh the page, but then it shows a broken image with the name of the picture in question.

EDIT: Yeah, the pic doesn't show properly once I posted this.

Works fine for me. Anyone else?

Ryumancer · Oct 31, 2024

Mr Zoat said:
Works fine for me. Anyone else?

The picture is broken for me as well, both in the quoted portion and in the actual chapter the quote links to.

Mr Zoat · Oct 31, 2024

Ryumancer said:
The picture is broken for me as well, both in the quoted portion and in the actual chapter the quote links to.

Better now?

Ryumancer · Oct 31, 2024

Mr Zoat said:
Better now?

seems to be fixed now, yes.

Mr Zoat · Nov 1, 2024

22nd November 1999
10:28 GMT

"Goa'uld civilisation is… What, eighty percent human and nineteen percent Jaffa? I have accepted that if my methods are more widely used, our subjects will inevitably gain a more precise understanding of our nature. If it costs us little or nothing, a human-friendly solution seems like something that-."

"Stop. Stop."

I stop, and she… Giggles? Huy is still glaring, but Tey decides with one glance at her goddess that her current level of restrain is unnecessary.

"Humans have attempted to pass themselves off as gods before. Other humans sometimes believe them. I could count on the fingers of one hand the number who have managed to fool goa'uld and still have two fingers left over. None have lasted as long as you under the circumstances that you have."

"I'm sorry, System Lord, but I fear that you have misunderstood-."

Her eyes flare slightly. "We do not glow orange."

"Would you mind if I sit down?"

She shrugs, then gestures to a richly upholstered chair under a desk off to the side of the room. I pull it over and sit down, then… Then implant the modified Mammon clone into myself without connecting myself to it. Then I flop back, using a ring connection to make him wiggle out of my mouth for a moment before pulling him back inside.

Then I straighten up. "I admit, the orange coloured form was a… An act of mummery. We're not much given to leaving our hosts when we don't need to, and I wanted to make a point."

And now Tey's uncertain, but Bastet looks… Impressed?

"A most excellent facsimile. But I can tell the difference between a living god and a dead one, even if you have some way to animate it." Oh. "Ah, I see that you did not know that."

No. I didn't. I knew they could sense the presence of trace amounts of naquada, but I hadn't realised-. The drawback of getting a lot of your information from a delusional paranoid. And it's not like Mammon put it in his records. To a goa'uld it would be such a basic thing that they wouldn't think about it.

"I do wear a personal force field. It may be interfering with your ability to detect me."

"Oh? In that case it should be simple for you to transfer yourself into a new host."

"If you wish. I will return to Syrania and request-."

"I think-" She frowns thoughtfully. "-that I will provide you with one. A volunteer. A male priest might be a novelty."

Ah…

I could… Sneak my brain out of my body-. But then I couldn't animate the goa'uld corpse.

…

No, that's completely impractical. What else..? Scans show… I should be able to get out of here safely.

I tilt my head slightly to the right. "I thought that you'd be angrier."

There's a very quiet hiss of air through Tey's lips as she hears my confession. Was she unsure? Or now that I'm acknowledging my own humanity, is she taking offence at my irreverence?

Bastet looks more satisfied. "I considered it, but the situation is too ridiculous. How many gods have you fooled now?"

"I'm not sure. Eighty-seven haven't made mention of it. It may also amuse you to know-."

Her smile broadens. "You fooled the Tau'ri as well!"

"As far as I can tell, they have no idea. What..? Gave me away? There must be ways for gods to avoid each others notice."

"I knew Lord Mammon of old. He collected my own tithes for Ra, and I remember his arrogance well. Your story that your fall and entombment had changed you was… Plausible, but to change as completely as you had? Unlikely. Then there was your relaxed attitude to the Tau'ri explorers, and your willingness to swear yourself to me. Mammon would have preferred independence, if he had the means to preserve it as you do."

I nod. "I didn't have a good model of his behaviour to work with. I hoped that if I gave a plausible explanation, no one would look too closely at it." I hold my hands out, palms upwards. "So what happens now?"

"What do you think I will do?"

I don't know. I expected more ranting, even if she was intelligent enough to know that there isn't much she could do to stop me leaving. It's actually a pleasant surprise that she's taking it this well. But… She is a legalist, not an altruist. She maintains a 'fair' society because it works better than a chaotic arbitrary mess. All recorded instances of a human pretending to be a goa'uld have resulted in the human's death, but that's not so much a law as a way that goa'uld always respond to an insult that big. The closest actual law would be the one against falsely claiming a goa'uld's authority. But that doesn't exactly apply because Mammon is dead. The authority I've been acting under is either my own or what Bastet has given to me.

"I suspect that I'm too useful to discard. I suspect that you'll keep knowledge of my nature to a small circle of people, and release it if I ever act against you to undermine any support base I've built up."

"Ah, so confident."

"If you were going to do something more extreme then I wouldn't be here, in a small room, with your two closest confidents. Unless it turns out that you liked Mammon, in-."

"No." She shakes her head. "No one liked Mammon. Even Ra only used him to irritate people."

"Oh." I frown. "That's a bit of a shame. His personal records suggest that he genuinely respected Ra. Anyway, if no one else has spotted me then me being here doesn't hurt your reputation significantly. Or… Am I wrong?"

"No, you are correct." Huy's jaw tenses slightly. Ah yes, she is not happy about this. "But I am perfectly aware that your abilities are a good deal more advanced that you have openly admitted."

I cautiously nod.

"So given what I have gained from you, it would behoove me to see that you are bound to me more closely."

"Do you wish to receive more regular reports on-?"

"I wish for you to sire a child on me." She considers for a moment. "And a brood of prim'ta, afterwards, while I am still feeling maternal. I will appoint you as my regent while I convalesce. That will accustom my other Underlords to your authority."

Um. What?

"Um. What?"

"You need not worry. Since you are not a goa'uld yourself there will be no risk of me birthing a harcesis."

"I… Modified my blood with Mammon's genetic material in case-. You.. checked. Also… I…"

"You are too useful to discard, and too dangerous to let out of my sight for long. So I will bind you to me as powerful rulers have bound retainers since time immemorial. You would be far more hesitant to flee and abandon your child, and I am not an unpleasant bedmate."

"I.. would, and… You're not. Ah-. Won't be. Would.. you be willing to hear my suggestions for the genetic programming of the new goa'uld, and for their upbringing?"

"Of course. You will be their father. It is only right that you be involved."

"And… Your host is..?"

"She is delighted at being given the opportunity to bear a child on behalf of her goddess. As she should be." She weighs me up for a moment. "We cannot keep perfect control of our vessels while pregnant. If she were resistant to the idea then it would not be worth the risk."

"Ah." Well, I was preparing for… And this does have the advantage of us being able to have an open and honest relationship. "That… Makes sense. How.. do you want to-?"

Bastet undulates to her feet and walks towards the inner doors. "My bedroom is through here."

"That-." I get up and start to walk after her. "I had thought… A courtship?"

She glances back. "We can do that as well."

"I-."

I become aware of the two sets of footsteps behind us. I stop, looking back at Tey and Huy.

"Ah, why are they-?"

"Witnesses."

"… Oh."

Marvellous.

Darko · Nov 1, 2024

Mr Zoat said:
amounts to naquada, but I

"of naquadah"

Mr Zoat said:
powerful rules have bound

"rulers"

RichardWhereat · Nov 1, 2024

IN! PRAISE! OF! EROS!

Mr Zoat · Nov 1, 2024

Darko said:
"of naquadah"
"rulers"

Thank you, corrected.

Chojin Patriarch · Nov 1, 2024

Mr Zoat said:
22nd November 1999
10:28 GMT

"Goa'uld civilisation is… What, eighty percent human and nineteen percent Jaffa? I have accepted that if my methods are more widely used, our subjects will inevitably gain a more precise understanding of our nature. If it costs us little or nothing, a human-friendly solution seems like something that-."

He makes good points. Sooner or later, the SGC's actions will start to lessen the belief the System Lords' people have in their divinity. Better to manage it now and control the adaption in a way they desire. And they're outnumbered enough that a sufficiently large uprising would be troublesome.

"Stop. Stop."

I stop, and she… Giggles? Huy is still glaring, but Tey decides with one glance at her goddess that her current level of restraint is unnecessary.

Well, good to see Bastet is in a good mood.

"Humans have attempted to pass themselves off as gods before. Other humans sometimes believe them. I could count on the fingers of one hand the number who have managed to fool goa'uld and still have two fingers left over. None have lasted as long as you under the circumstances that you have."

...Shit, she knows. At least that count increases by one, unless she's already counting him.

"I'm sorry, System Lord, but I fear that you have misunderstood-."

Her eyes flare slightly. "We do not glow orange."

Not even when affected by unconventional technology?

"Would you mind if I sit down?"

She shrugs, then gestures to a richly upholstered chair under a desk off to the side of the room. I pull it over and sit down, then… Then implant the modified Mammon clone into myself without connecting myself to it. Then I flop back, using a ring connection to make him wiggle out of my mouth for a moment before pulling him back inside.

Oh, that can't feel pleasant. Good thing he can override his gag reflex.

Then I straighten up. "I admit, the orange coloured form was a… An act of mummery. We're not much given to leaving our hosts when we don't need to, and I wanted to make a point."

And now Tey's uncertain, but Bastet looks… Impressed?

Heh. The priestess getting confused is just golden.

"A most excellent facsimile. But I can tell the difference between a living god and a dead one, even if you have some way to animate it." Oh. "Ah, I see that you did not know that."

No. I didn't. I knew they could sense the presence of trace amounts to naquada, but I hadn't realised-. The drawback of getting a lot of your information from a delusional paranoid. And it's not like Mammon put it in his records. To a goa'uld it would be such a basic thing that they wouldn't think about it.

No doubt because of her status as a Queen. Still, good to see she's still amused by his attempts to cover his ass.

"I do wear a personal force field. It may be interfering with your ability to detect me."

"Oh? In that case it should be simple for you to transfer yourself into a new host."

...Ah, that could be a bit trickier.

"If you wish. I will return to Syrania and request-."

"I think-" She frowns thoughtfully. "-that I will provide you with one. A volunteer. A male priest might be a novelty."

It's a trap! She's really not leaving him any wiggle room here...

Ah…

I could… Sneak my brain out of my body-. But then I couldn't animate the goa'uld corpse.

And your Ring would probably correct the physical faults of the altered body worryingly quickly.

…

No, that's completely impractical. What else..? Scans show… I should be able to get out of here safely.

Though having to blast your way out would fuck over everything you've built up...

I tilt my head slightly to the right. "I thought that you'd be angrier."

There's a very quiet hiss of air through Tey's lips as she hears my confession. Was she unsure? Or now that I'm acknowledging my own humanity, is she taking offence at my irreverence?

Probably a bit of both, along with a little annoyance that Bastet hasn't simply killed you and looted your stuff.

Bastet looks more satisfied. "I considered it, but the situation is too ridiculous. How many gods have you fooled now?"

"I'm not sure. Eighty-seven haven't made mention of it. It may also amuse you to know-."

And on the upside, he's shown his loyalty by not taking action against her.

Her smile broadens. "You fooled the Tau'ri as well!"

"As far as I can tell, they have no idea. What..? Gave me away? There must be ways for gods to avoid each others notice."

No doubt she's enjoying the grand joke he's been playing on everyone.

"I knew Lord Mammon of old. He collected my own tithes for Ra, and I remember his arrogance well. Your story that your fall and entombment had changed you was… Plausible, but to change as completely as you had? Unlikely. Then there was your relaxed attitude to the Tau'ri explorers, and your willingness to swear yourself to me. Mammon would have preferred independence, if he had the means to preserve it as you do."

Ideally, no-one else knew him as well. Or are arrogant enough themselves to believe him.

I nod. "I didn't have a good model of his behaviour to work with. I hoped that if I gave a plausible explanation, no one would look too closely at it." I hold my hands out, palms upwards. "So what happens now?"

"What do you think I will do?"

Carry on as normal, with a juicy tidbit of blackmail material?

I don't know. I expected more ranting, even if she was intelligent enough to know that there isn't much she could do to stop me leaving. It's actually a pleasant surprise that she's taking it this well. But… She is a legalist, not an altruist. She maintains a 'fair' society because it works better than a chaotic arbitrary mess. All recorded instances of a human pretending to be a goa'uld have resulted in the human's death, but that's not so much a law as a way that goa'uld always respond to an insult that big. The closest actual law would be the one against falsely claiming a goa'uld's authority. But that doesn't exactly apply because Mammon is dead. The authority I've been acting under is either my own or what Bastet has given to me.

So legally, he's in the clear. As logn as you take a really fuzzy look at the unspoken rules.

"I suspect that I'm too useful to discard. I suspect that you'll keep knowledge of my nature to a small circle of people, and release it if I ever act against you to undermine any support base I've built up."

"Ah, so confident."

But you like that sort of thing, right? Right?

"If you were going to do something more extreme then I wouldn't be here, in a small room, with your two closest confidents. Unless it turns out that you liked Mammon, in-."

"No." She shakes her head. "No one liked Mammon. Even Ra only used him to irritate people."

I suppose that lends his 'turnaround' more credence.

"Oh." I frown. "That's a bit of a shame. His personal records suggest that he genuinely respected Ra. Anyway, if no one else has spotted me then me being here doesn't hurt your reputation significantly. Or… Am I wrong?"

"No, you are correct." Huy's jaw tenses slightly. Ah yes, she is not happy about this. "But I am perfectly aware that your abilities are a good deal more advanced that you have openly admitted."

He is a bit casual with his Orange Light use. A smart observer probably can realise he's sandbagging.

I cautiously nod.

"So given what I have gained from you, it would behoove me to see that you are bound to me more closely."

Ah... Well, at least he's getting to live.

"Do you wish to receive more regular reports on-?"

"I wish for you to sire a child on me." She considers for a moment. "And a brood of prim'ta, afterwards, while I am still feeling maternal. I will appoint you as my regent while I convalesce. That will accustom my other Underlords to your authority."

...Cha-ching!

Um. What?

"Um. What?"

Yeah, I think most of us all had that reaction when we saw that.

"You need not worry. Since you are not a goa'uld yourself there will be no risk of me birthing a harcesis."

"I… Modified my blood with Mammon's genetic material in case-. You.. checked. Also… I…"

Not too late to fix that, you know. It's not like it's part of your self-image yet.

"You are too useful to discard, and too dangerous to let out of my sight for long. So I will bind you to me as powerful rulers have bound retainers since time immemorial. You would be far more hesitant to flee and abandon your child, and I am not an unpleasant bedmate."

"I.. would, and… You're not. Ah-. Won't be. Would.. you be willing to hear my suggestions for the genetic programming of the new goa'uld, and for their upbringing?"

And she's well aware he's compassionate enough not to abandon his blood-kin, so...

"Of course. You will be their father. It is only right that you be involved."

"And… Your host is..?"

Man, she is just handing him the keys to the kingdom here. I think the Queen is on to a good plan here...

"She is delighted at being given the opportunity to bear a child on behalf of her goddess. As she should be." She weighs me up for a moment. "We cannot keep perfect control of our vessels while pregnant. If she were resistant to the idea then it would not be worth the risk."

Interesting detail. Logical enough, given that the Goa'uld probably uses hormones in conjunction with nerve interfacing.

"Ah." Well, I was preparing for… And this does have the advantage of us being able to have an open and honest relationship. "That… Makes sense. How.. do you want to-?"

Bastet undulates to her feet and walks towards the inner doors. "My bedroom is through here."

Wasting no time, I see. Well, time for a fade to black...

"That-." I get up and start to walk after her. "I had thought… A courtship?"

She glances back. "We can do that as well."

She just wants the fun part first.

"I-."

I become aware of the two sets of footsteps behind us. I stop, looking back at Tey and Huy.

...Kinky.

"Ah, why are they-?"

"Witnesses."

...Super-kinky.

"… Oh."

Marvellous.

Well, time to put on a show, Mammon...

Now, where's that 'Everything went better than expected' Meme at... Goddamn, Mammon!Paul lucked out. Either Bastet is real curious to see what happens, or she's just riding high on the excitement of the whole 'successfully fooling the idiot Underlords' thing he's pulled off. Either way, it looks like he's getting to let off some stress...

NightmareWarden · Nov 1, 2024

Maybe Mammon was born rotten because his mum decided NOT to snip out the Unas/Sekhmet parasite-sex from his genetic memory. Here's hoping Bastet isn't huffing perfume, and spares Paul Jr this set of memories.

Interesting setting, Stargate. Seems miserable and cynical though.

Neruz · Nov 1, 2024

NightmareWarden said:
Interesting setting, Stargate. Seems miserable and cynical though.

It should be, but the Tau'ri always Big Damn Heroes themselves through any catastrophe using increasingly more absurd technobabble and sheer blind luck, so it doesn't actually stay that way.

By the end of the story the USA is an intergalactic superpower that has defeated both the Goa'uld and the evil gods that even the Ancients ran away from rather than fight, along with myriad other threats.

Stsword · Nov 1, 2024

NightmareWarden said:
Interesting setting, Stargate. Seems miserable and cynical though.

Pretty much.

SG-1 had to deal with a secret society of greedy shitheads who want to exploit the stargate program for personal gain and play shadow government, the snakeheads are basically evil and insane (Baal is an exception, he's sane and evil), the Tokra are useless, the Asgard are busy dying, the Jaffa rebellion I remember thinking included people I wouldn't trust to not be just as bad as the snakeheads, the Ascended are mostly busy contemplating their own navels with the biggest exceptions being the Ori who created a fake religion to snort human faith up their metaphorical noses, and the Nox are busy playing self righteous hypocritical space elf assholes to make themselves useful in any way, shape, or form.

Bigking321 · Nov 1, 2024

NightmareWarden said:
Interesting setting, Stargate. Seems miserable and cynical though.

Heh. It was a interesting show. Well worth watching in my opinion.

Crazy lore though.

FeepingCreature · Nov 1, 2024

Paul got that corpse parasite rizz.

Ladies love it when he carries a dead member of their species around as crypsis.

Something something the perfect mate for a system lord is a dead goa'uld because they never disagree.

edit: Among Us turned sexual??! In this playthrough we explore necrophilia

Mr Zoat · Nov 1, 2024

Stsword said:
with the biggest exceptions being the Ori who created a fake religion to snort human faith up their metaphorical noses

I don't think it's fake if you can back it up.

Chaoswind · Nov 1, 2024

Mr Zoat said:
"I wish for you to sire a child on me." She considers for a moment. "And a brood of prim'ta, afterwards, while I am still feeling maternal. I will appoint you as my regent while I convalesce. That will accustom my other Underlords to your authority."

And this is going to be the trigger for Sokar to make his move on the rest of the system lords and the high council.

Paulmon is going to have to herd cats to make an adequate response to Sokar and probably will have to inevitably take the field himself at some point when dealing with Sokar or if not him, then Anubis.

I believe only Ra has been killed among the systems lords at this point in the timeline, so their goa'uld ivilization isn't quite in danger yet.

Edit:

@Mr Zoat any chance you can give us some hard numbers on the system lords Paulmon is aware off?

He has mentioned off hand to having some knowledge of the territories of Yu, El, Kali, Aphopis, Her'u and Baal. So any chance you can give us an idea of the differences between system Lords? Does Kali use a similar system of justice to Bastet? What about El?

Dur'id the Druid · Nov 1, 2024

Mr Zoat said:
I don't think it's fake if you can back it up.

Meh, real from the POV of most worshippers. From the POV of the Ori, it is more about their drug supply and logistics of it.

Mr Zoat · Nov 1, 2024

Chaoswind said:
@Mr Zoat any chance you can give us some hard numbers on the system lords Paulmon is aware off?

Not really.

He has mentioned off hand to having some knowledge of the territories of Yu, El, Kali, Aphopis, Her'u and Baal. So any chance you can give us an idea of the differences between system Lords? Does Kali use a similar system of justice to Bastet? What about El?

Kali uses a similar system, but only applies it to humans. She's perfectly happy for her Underlords to fight each other, because it builds skill and resilience, but targetting humans as a group is a big no-no because it damages their domain's productivity. Agni is the guy who oversees her personal warfleet, rather than being a martial Underlord like Mahes. El is a big fan of collective punishment, which by Darwinistic selection has led rise to human communities who grant broad powers to their judges to make sure that nothing needs to come to his attention. For Yu, see Ancient China. Haven't really thought about the others, though I imagine that Baal is a bit more relaxed about humans using technology.

WereDragon · Nov 1, 2024

Mr Zoat said:
22nd November 1999
10:28 GMT

Normal bad girl: I shall act friendly and flirty for however many months it takes for him to a) notice my interest and b) make the first move.
Proper girlboss: I am summoning him to my bedroom, stating how it is going to be and taking him today.

BartlettMagic · Nov 1, 2024

what a pleasant turn of events. i always find that my favorite parts of any of this fic are when the main character is given the freedom to vent practicality at a receptive target. i very much look forward to seeing this relationship blossom into the power couple i know it can be.

also i hope that, just once, there comes a time soon where Poa'uld has to do a brief flex to show that he is not to be fucked with (metaphorically). just because Bastet knows a thing or two about humans does not mean she knows anything about the potential of a power ring, and holding on to that mystique can only benefit Poa'uld.

Radix · Nov 1, 2024

Chaoswind said:
And this is going to be the trigger for Sokar to make his move on the rest of the system lords and the high council.

Paulmon is going to have to herd cats to make an adequate response to Sokar and probably will have to inevitably take the field himself at some point when dealing with Sokar or if not him, then Anubis.

I believe only Ra has been killed among the systems lords at this point in the timeline, so their goa'uld ivilization isn't quite in danger yet.

Edit:

@Mr Zoat any chance you can give us some hard numbers on the system lords Paulmon is aware off?

He has mentioned off hand to having some knowledge of the territories of Yu, El, Kali, Aphopis, Her'u and Baal. So any chance you can give us an idea of the differences between system Lords? Does Kali use a similar system of justice to Bastet? What about El?

In the unalatered timeline, Sokar should actually be dead by this point and usurped by Apophis.

Chaoswind · Nov 1, 2024

Radix said:
In the unalatered timeline, Sokar should actually be dead by this point and usurped by Apophis.

And yet that hasn't happened yet.

Like I said earlier many factions are being more careful as a result of Paulmon interference as a result of that other factions are also being more careful in turn.

The Tauri influence is fairly obvious, he has become a very expensive supplier of things they need (even a Sarcophagus?) and in some ways has humbled them, his influence Bastet is less obvious, but because of his own recommendations both Bastet and Kali have yet to launch any attacks on the other system lords, this probably has made other systems lords wary to commit to any massive offensive, is possible even Sokar is delaying his own offensive to produce more warships because his enemies are losing their warships more slowly than OTL.

Radix · Nov 1, 2024

Chaoswind said:
And yet that hasn't happened yet.

Like I said earlier many factions are being more careful as a result of Paulmon interference as a result of that other factions are also being more careful in turn.

The Tauri influence is fairly obvious, he has become a very expensive supplier of things they need (even a Sarcophagus?) and in some ways has humbled them, his influence Bastet is less obvious, but because of his own recommendations both Bastet and Kali have yet to launch any attacks on the other system lords, this probably has made other systems lords wary to commit to any massive offensive, is possible even Sokar is delaying his own offensive to produce more warships because his enemies are losing their warships more slowly than OTL.

It can't have changed too much. Sha're still died at the same time, which would only be possible if Apophis was captured.

And it has only been about 8ish months since he first encountered an SG team. Unless there was a time jump between Starring pt 15 and pt 16. But they seem relatively close.

Even so, his interference shouldn't have affected Apophis who would have attempted his invasion and had his ships blown up. That reduced his standing and allowed Sokar to overpower him. Apophis requesting sanctuary would have been relatively close to when Mammon first meets the SG team actually. They would still surrender him.

So Apophis would still be a prisoner. And it would have gotten to the point where Sha're dies. And their trip to Netu was shortly after that. Selmak would still be captured, and the Tokra would approach SGC to rescue him. They would go ahead with the mission because Jacob was one of their most important allies being someone with a true interest in preserving Earth, not to mention the personal connections. That would mean Apophis still breaks out and kills Sokar.

The affects are still primarily with Bastet. And it might affect the Asgard treaty, but I can't see it doing too much. Most of the early war was one-off conflicts and Apophis directly. And then the treaty would constrain the rest.

The big changes in the Goa'uld political situation would be in a couple years after Apophis' true death. And even then, Anubis would probably be a big shift anyways.

Chaoswind · Nov 1, 2024

Radix said:
It can't have changed too much. Sha're still died at the same time, which would only be possible if Apophis was captured.

And it has only been about 8ish months since he first encountered an SG team. Unless there was a time jump between Starring pt 15 and pt 16. But they seem relatively close.

Even so, his interference shouldn't have affected Apophis who would have attempted his invasion and had his ships blown up. That reduced his standing and allowed Sokar to overpower him. Apophis requesting sanctuary would have been relatively close to when Mammon first meets the SG team actually. They would still surrender him.

So Apophis would still be a prisoner. And it would have gotten to the point where Sha're dies. And their trip to Netu was shortly after that. Selmak would still be captured, and the Tokra would approach SGC to rescue him. They would go ahead with the mission because Jacob was one of their most important allies being someone with a true interest in preserving Earth, not to mention the personal connections. That would mean Apophis still breaks out and kills Sokar.

The affects are still primarily with Bastet. And it might affect the Asgard treaty, but I can't see it doing too much. Most of the early war was one-off conflicts and Apophis directly. And then the treaty would constrain the rest.

The big changes in the Goa'uld political situation would be in a couple years after Apophis' true death. And even then, Anubis would probably be a big shift anyways.

You could be correct, but Sokar's fleet and subsequent death should have made a fairly sizeable splash on the galaxy and should have come up... But now that you mention it there is enough time for Sokar to come and go and for Apophis to take his place, however if that had been the case the war room update that had Paulmon debate that other Underlords should have mentioned the forces of Baal, Heru'ur and Apophis as being the dominant forces the buildup Paulmon proposed would have to contest against.

BoML · Nov 1, 2024

Not gonna lie, I did not expect Bastet to go this route. Then again, I don't remember Bastet ever having any *real* screentime in the show.

Well done, Zoat.

Old Knife · Nov 1, 2024

RichardWhereat said:
IN! PRAISE! OF! EROS!

I eagerly await the chapter!

Stsword · Nov 1, 2024

Dur'id the Druid said:
Meh, real from the POV of most worshippers. From the POV of the Ori, it is more about their drug supply and logistics of it.

Yeah, that was the point I was going for.

Mr Zoat · Nov 2, 2024

April 27th, 2013
10:29 EST

"Recognized, Match, B Two Five."

I don't even really know why I'm here. I know Conner really likes the mountain for a whole bunch of reasons, but it's never really… When they fixed my brain, I didn't… Want to be a weapon, because… Because to me, 'being a weapon' means smashing everything in a berserk rage and I never want to be like that again. For Conner, it has-. Positive associations. It was one of the few things he knew, and he started… Building his identity by fighting things. It was something that was natural for him.

I've.. done stuff with the Team before, but I don't really… I don't think I want to make a career out of it. Which is kinda funny, because I got Ka-. Mist-. Clark's brain, and knowing Lex Luthor I'm sure that Conner got as much of his brain as he could manage. He should be the smart one.

I look around the Mountain's hangar.

Ten thirty on a Saturday. Of course no one's here.

"Are you back already?"

I look up at the hangar's camera, frowning as I try and recognize the voice.

"Uh, yeah. It was kind of a-."

"Oh, the other one. I am in the T.V. room."

Right, I'm wearing dark glasses. Since Conner doesn't, just about everyone realises that the kryptonian wearing dark glasses is me. Mentally shrugging, I head up the stairs towards the kitchen.

"Are you allowed to be here?"

"No one stopped me. So, are you skiving off too, or are you here for a reason?"

I shrug to myself as I walk through the kitchen. "I was kind of looking for Conner, but I guess he's not here."

"Lotto!"

I look through to the living room, and there's a blonde head hanging over the back of the settee to the side so that she can look this way. Looks a bit uncomfortable, but…

Ah.

I know we've got a lot of blonde women around now but I don't think that's one of the Supergirls. Her hair's too short.

She smirks. "And you have no idea who I am, do you?"

"It's not that. I'm not as involved in the Team as Conner is. I'm just trying to work out if I should hit the alarm or not."

"No! No." She pulls her head back, and I hear… Material rubbing, and I stop in the middle of the dining area just in case this turns into a fight. "My father gave me an identification card."

"Your father?"

"Jay Garrick."

I frown. "I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any-"

She's standing in the living room, and then she's closer and closer, fast enough that my eyes can barely keep up and I feel everything else slow, a drip from the sink faucet stopping in the air and a tiny cloud of dust the cleaning robots missed freezing like a solid cloud and I reach out to stop her or grab her and she arrives, stopping with my hand on her chest as time starts moving at normal speed again.

"Oh?" She looks down at my hand. "Very forward."

"Last time I hesitated to punch Aunty Philippus in the-. Chest, she broke my nose. Do you have that I.D. card?"

"You really can't work it out? You are speaking German."

"I am-?"

Oh. Yes. I am. That's the problem with learning languages telepathically; you sometimes… Switch tracks without meaning to.

"Anyway, here-" She pulls out a laminated card. "-is my papers."

Johanna Garrick. Lightning-. Blitzen. Justice League affiliate.

I remove my hand.

She looks at me reproachfully. "You can leave it there if you like."

"I-. I don't."

"Is it because I'm Nazi?"

"I think its because I'm three years old. Do you know where Conner is?"

"Ahhh… No. Kid Flash said something about helping Big Barda move Apokoliptian technology from where it is being stored to a more permanent home? But I do not know where they are doing that, and I don't know if Overboy is with him. You could.. telephone him."

"No, that sounds important." I mean, I could help, but… Joining in when it's him and Megan always makes me feel like a third wheel. They're nice about it, but…

"You want to watch some T.V.?" Johanna walks normal-speed back into the lounge. "When I want to stop thinking I put the stupid cartoons with the bad drawings on."

I follow her, watching her as she flops back onto the settee she'd been lying on. "Why do you want to stop thinking?"

"Oh! Subtle!"

She pulls her legs up next to her, and I… I just sit in the air in front of her. Close enough for a conversation, but far enough away that I'm not crowding her. I think. She gives me a fairly blank look.

"So what were you doing today, anyway?"

"Doing my induction for a summer internship. Except it's at an evil company and they faked a robot attack on me and one of their managers to try and get me to show my powers."

"That sounds fun. I assume you didn't do the sensible thing and level the whole place."

"No, I'm still going for the internship. Some girl called Janet is showing me around the office tomorrow. Ah. So how about you?"

"My problems-" She looks away. "-are… The Orange Lantern and.. the other members of the team, asked me to join the Alliance of the Just to try to find out if there was anything sinister happening."

"Did you.. find anything?"

"I found some groovy-looking helmets. I even tried one on."

Oh. "So…"

"Yes. Mind controlled, for the whole thing. It… Um. It wasn't very nice. And… Then there was the white light. It is… Making me think about things."

"And so you want to stop thinking."

"For now."

"Shouldn't you be talking this over with your-. Ah, with Mister Garrick?"

"I have, a bit. Ah, but what does he know about it." She thinks to herself for a moment, then looks back up at me. "I was… It was all selfish, you know? I worked with the New Statesmen because it made me so powerful that no one would try and tell me what to do. Apart from Overman, but he didn't micromanage. I never really cared about making other people's lives better outside of the job, never about People and State. And even coming here, it was just… Personal interest. And because I want to be somewhere else when Overman's war starts, and a little because I want Angelika to stop moping. But, the white light... It felt good, and now I am starting to feel bad. I think things about myself…"

"You want to become an actual superhero?"

"'Actual', yes." She snorts. "I want to believe in something more than myself. You understand my problem."

With the examples she had? "Ah… Yeah."

"So? What wisdom does Overboy Two have?"

"If you want guidance, don't talk to a three year old."

She smiles weakly. "Yes, that is fair. Perhaps we can consult Mister Ren and Mister Stimpy instead?"

Prince Charon · Nov 2, 2024

Yeah, I think Blitzen would get more and better advice from Diana or one of the other Amazons, for IIRC more than one reason.

RichardWhereat · Nov 2, 2024

Eh, three years old is relative.

There aren't many ways to sound that without sounding like...

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Dedicated ragequitter

Dragons Are Romance

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Dragons Are Romance

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Connoisseur.

Aia airëa Fëanáro.

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Veteran Lurker

Versed in the lewd.

HISSSSSS!

Versed in the lewd.

Not too sore, are you?

Not too sore, are you?

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Lord of nonsense

Know what you're doing yet?

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Bookwyrm

peekaboo, you fucks you!

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Lord of nonsense

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Lord of nonsense

I trust you know where the happy button is?

Not too sore, are you?

Versed in the lewd.

Dedicated ragequitter

Just zis guy, you know?

Aia airëa Fëanáro.

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