Goa'uld Empire
While Szarekh indulged his thirst for new inventions, the Goa'uld lords found respite to prepare for the coming trials. They tested combat vehicles and perfected their weaponry, striving to reach the level once possessed by the galaxy's most renowned warrior. Baal, driven by personal ambition, relentlessly pushed his scientists, demanding they create something worthwhile.
After receiving a modicum of advice from Szarekh, he turned to the Jaffa to master the new technology. The transition from traditional staffs to plasma rifles, forty to fifty centimeters long, was slow. However, the convenience of the new weaponry, as well as the effectiveness of dispersion shields for protection, were becoming evident. The Goa'uld, with significant resources at their disposal, embarked on a large-scale rearmament, for the first time in centuries gaining the opportunity to freely experiment with technology rather than simply improve individual components.
The Goa'uld paid enormous sums for Szarekh's military services, and he faithfully carried out their orders. However, his flexibility in targeting, allowing him to capture the same planet multiple times while being paid by different parties, irritated them. Payment became paramount, and many were unwilling to appear ridiculous in comparison to such a skilled mercenary. As a result, they invested colossal resources in attempts to replicate all of Szarekh's inventions. This is how it became clear that his Jaffa armor was far superior, though only the most astute realized the high technology embedded in its helmets. Naturally, they were reluctant to share their findings with their colleagues. Baal, for example, hoped to surprise his enemies by invading their territories. He, like many, had a rough understanding of how Szarekh operated, recognizing the value of advanced technology and equipping every soldier to the highest standards as the key to victory.
The problem lay in the sheer size of their armies and the impossibility of quickly rearming, much less training, everyone. Therefore, the System Lords formed rapid-response teams of elite troops to counter any threats. The Goa'uld, Szarekh's natural prey, couldn't afford to spend so many resources on their own armies, not to mention that their most gifted scientists were already in the employ of the System Lords. This limited their options. Sentient Lords like Yu, Bastet, and Baal began selling their own weaponry to their vassals, reaping additional profits. In addition to taxes, they were forced to purchase equipment and weapons at inflated prices, while the need to purchase larvae continued. The slaves groaned because their masters groaned. Most of them didn't feel like masters of the galaxy, but rather like beggars.
The House of Apophis felt the most humiliated, having suffered repeated defeats. All its holdings were seized as if it were a farce. The vassals grumbled, sensing their System Lord's weakness in protecting their interests. Apophis gritted his teeth, unable to accept that some upstart had humiliated him so completely. Therefore, he thirsted for revenge, and that revenge loomed on the horizon.
"Does Ra guarantee this?" asked one of the High Lords of Apophis. "Yes," replied the System Lord. "Our holdings will be immune to attack for a year if we dispatch our fleet to destroy Szarekh." Apophis spoke the last word with such disgust, as if it physically pained him, which, to a certain extent, it did. "This smug pile of filth has long defied my house, and even dared to mock me. Ra wants to destroy him for the same reasons I do. The vassals are growing in power and could begin to rebel. This is unacceptable, as is the existence of such a variable in a galaxy where roles are already assigned. Another decade, and he will become the Lord of Systems. He is quite enraged at House Apophis, so he will wage war against us; he has already killed one of our own.
We must nip the threat in the bud." "It will require great force," countered another High Lord. "After all, he has orbital defenses and a mighty fleet. We can gather more if we unite, but that risks a bloody battle. A year of recovery is too little, my lord. Ra must give us at least five years." "No one can guarantee that." "Our enemies are vicious and willing to spend resources on hiring Szarekh. They are already hiring him to ravage our planets," one of the High Lords intervened. "They are already planning it, taking advantage of their impunity. He must be wiped from the face of the galaxy and his planet blown up. We cannot hesitate. His planet is remote, and Ra will not send an investigative committee there." "But how many ships will we need? No less than two hundred, and at least three hundred. We all have our own vassals, scheming and laying claim to our domains. We cannot allow them even to doubt our strength." "Two hundred will be enough," Apophis agreed. "A year before the treaty expires, we will send our forces to destroy his fleet and planet.
The next day, after the truce expires, we will destroy Szarekh and return." The Senior Lords exchanged glances. They were reluctant to dedicate their ships to this expedition, though they could shift some of the responsibility to their vassals. However, if losses were incurred, this would still weaken them, which no one wanted. Especially during a respite. But one of those present had already died at Szarekh's hands, and what if he came for Apophis's head to gain the title of System Lord? He could kill them too. Szarekh's forces were not yet numerous, but he was already becoming a significant force. Therefore, caution was necessary. "There's no point in stockpiling supplies for too many people. The ship crews will have to destroy Szarekh and his planet, just like his forces." "Yes, but the Alkesh and fighters should still be sent."
The Goa'uld planned to destroy one of their enemies, thereby violating one of the Codes of War between their brethren. However, such incidents were not uncommon, as the System Lords sometimes chose to ignore their own rules, especially when someone so powerful aspired to the highest rank in the Empire arose. Many other parts of the galaxy were engaged in their own intrigues. Zeus plotted to overthrow Kronos and become the System Lord. Somewhere in the galaxy, Sokar and Anubis lurked, watching closely and preparing to strike. Each of them desired to return to become the Goa'uld Emperor and overthrow Ra.
Szarekh's forces served as an example of how an army should be built, and this understanding only drove them to the necessity of his destruction in the name of maintaining their own power. Szarekh was a young and power-hungry Goa'uld, rapidly ascending, desiring everything, and unwilling to endure millennia. He used his intellect to achieve power, choosing technology as a stepping stone. Therefore, he became a threat to the others. The Tok'ra, hiding in the shadows, planned their coup, unaware that one of the most brutal Goa'uld was their ally, striving for the same goal—the downfall of the System Lords.
Meanwhile, the wisest System Lords strengthened their holdings, including economically, by developing connections between planets to finance their enterprises. The intelligent Goa'uld generally had a keen understanding of economics. Yu excelled at this; his holdings were stable and produced many useful goods. He traded with Szarekh, respecting him as a warrior and a prudent merchant who had not rushed to accumulate planets, but rather steadily developed his region year after year. The increasing trade surplus was proof of this.
He also supplied various technological wonders, such as watches. Eventually, Yu realized that mechanical watches weren't such a great technology and decided to install similar devices on some planets, as well as sell wristwatches to distinguished servants. No one could accuse Yu of being an unwise leader who rewarded his subordinates. Bastet, an old cat lover, spent time with her pets, which brought her aesthetic pleasure. Only when no one was looking, along with the cats, could she shed the "god" persona. After twenty thousand years, this gets pretty tiresome, and every System Lord tries to find their own unique way to spend their leisure time; hers wasn't unusual.
Rearming the Empire, especially in such a vast galaxy, is no quick task, especially with a limited number of industrial facilities. Furthermore, the Jaffa needed training in the use of new weaponry, tactics, vehicle-infantry interactions (to prevent combat vehicle mechanics from overpowering infantry), and general military plans had to be adjusted to accommodate the new systems. Given the large number of planets and the Jaffa's role as police officers, there was little time for retraining. Meanwhile, the Immortals trained rapidly to become even better. New generations of Jaffa grew up, already more capable than their fathers, having been immersed from childhood in the warrior culture and principles demanded by Szarekh.
It was said that a Jaffa who, at five years old, couldn't hit a full-length target from a hundred meters away, was clearly born to the wrong master. Szarekh also used nanites to accelerate maturation; one year of age was considered the equivalent of two. As a result, within nine years, he had fully combat-ready warriors filling the legions, regardless of gender. All of them were inducted into the legion and trained using new methods. The children became increasingly skilled warriors, ready to carry out their master's commands. They feared virtually nothing, as everything the galaxy could throw at them paled in comparison to what Szarekh unleashed against them in simulations. Each of them knew the litany against fear by heart:
"I must not be afraid. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the lesser death that brings total annihilation. I will face my fear. I will let it pass over me and through me. And when it passes, I will turn my inner gaze to its path. Where fear was, there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
Young Jaffa were forged in the crucible of unimaginable horrors born of the human imagination, mastering the art of overcoming fear and acquiring an unwavering will to win—always. Even in hopeless situations, they pursued success, even at the cost of their own lives, but only when it served the greater good. A senseless death, devoid of purpose and benefit to Phaeron, was condemned. A feat for the common good, on the contrary, was worthy of the highest praise.
On Urvashi, a galactic-scale forge forged an army without parallel. This process continued even when the commanders had exhausted their training, for the warriors themselves found ways to improve. The strength of this army was built on advanced technology, a wealth of combat experience, including that gleaned from Earth's military leaders, and relentless, grueling training that pushed the Jaffa's psyche and body to the limit.
They didn't simply adapt—they pinned their hopes on these conditions, for the cherished dream of every warrior is to be recognized as the strongest in the galaxy. The Goa'uld, recognizing the supreme combat skill and the swiftness with which the "Immortals" achieved victory, contributed to the realization of this dream. These warriors relentlessly carried out their assigned tasks, no matter how difficult the situation. Even in the rare cases of defeat, the enemy was denied the opportunity to savor their triumph.
A single "Immortal" was a killing machine, and a cohesive squad was a multiplier of death. Technically, any Goa'uld could create such a force with sufficient effort. However, only a few devoted their attention to developing their armies. Those who did, for example, built forces superior in skill, such as Chernobog. Although this warlord rarely appeared on the galactic stage and was largely forgotten, his power was undeniable.
Many Goa'uld were forced to reassess their military, recognizing it as insufficient to contain Szarekh or other adversaries. Thus began an extravagant and unorthodox military buildup, the true results of which would only be assessed over time, depending on the Goa'uld's demonstrated understanding of combat. The ensuing arms race was a consequence of the effective use of military resources.