Erebus, hero of the Third Platoon of the First Company of the Space Marines, strode steadily along the ship's hull. This was the second enemy starship he'd captured that day. The first had been far more difficult: the enemy had teleportation rings at their disposal. Nevertheless, Phaeron Szarekh had managed to sow fear among the enemy command, and the commander, cowardly abandoning his troops, fled. Such a puny enemy was unworthy of competing with Urvasha.
Another door exploded, and a hail of fire erupted from the resulting breach as Apophis's surviving Jaffa rushed into battle. The energy shield completely absorbed most of the damage. Four drones raced ahead of the squad, maintaining the force field and protecting the fighters from surprise attacks. Erebus opened fire with his heavy cannon, causing the enemy to cry out in pain. His comrades immediately threw a grenade into the breach, stunning Apophis's Jaffa.
In normal assaults, prisoners were of no interest, but they were taken when possible. Entering the next corridor, the squad prepared for another fight. One of Erebus's subordinates activated the control panel, replacing several crystals with his own. The lighting changed, the reactor was put into low-power mode, and all systems except life support were shut down.
"For Apophis!" several young Jaffa ran out of the unlocked compartment, shouting.
Erebus Sarehan, named for his assault on Tartarus, instantly aimed his weapon at the fools and fired. A plasma blast bisected one of the attackers. They were near the barracks, and the enemy unleashed a redoubled barrage. One Jaffa was followed by another, a third, a fourth… The hacker retreated behind his comrades, who, as if reality itself depended on their survival, opened fire. Realizing they couldn't advance any further, they, without waiting for the shields to fall, retreated to the nearest room and planted explosives on the wall.
BAM!!!
Magnetic grips on the soles of their boots helped keep the Space Marines in place, preventing them from being blown into outer space. The vacuum became their ally. If cornered, they simply blew up the nearest wall leading outside, allowing them to escape the deadly trap. The remaining groups were given free rein.
Meanwhile, other Space Marine squads had cornered the Jaffa, methodically eliminating them in the narrow corridors of the enemy ship. Erebus had practiced bypassing far more complex security systems than those they had encountered on the enemy Huttak, which seemed too easy despite the unexpected encounters. Only by reaching the bridge of the first Huttak first, slaughtering the crew, and leading the ship into a full-scale Space Marine attack from multiple directions, his platoon was redeployed to assault the flagship. The bridge was captured, and the final cleanup began.
The Jaffa lacked the ability to activate self-destruct or otherwise destroy a ship, so they preferred to take their time, conducting a methodical purge. The Immortals, however, eliminated even those who weren't members of the Serpent Guard. It was somewhat amusing, but too easy. Space had become their element; they had to become one with it to fight in it. Landing in any environment, instantly pinpointing their location, and planning attacks. Five years of rigorous training, and they cut through enemy forces like a knife through butter. So it will be: the Ankh of the Tetrarchy will shine over the galaxy, they will vanquish all gods in their name. They were outnumbered, but Szarekh still granted them the blessing of victory.
Erebus's loyalty to Szarekh is unwavering.
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Today we honor the warriors who achieved victory and those who gave their lives in the battle for Urvashi. Their names will forever be etched in history, and their memory will forever remain in our hearts. But you, warriors of the Tetrarchic Fleet, have proven your valor. Now, when you look in the mirror, you can be proud of what you have accomplished.
You are an integral part of the Tetrarchy's Armed Forces, and henceforth the fleet uniform commands respect, for you have shown the world a power equal to that of the ground forces. Eleven ships have been captured, nine destroyed, four hundred fighters reduced to dust, and ten thousand enemies who dared to attack Urvashi are buried in the ground. Today is a naval celebration, today is your day, now and forever. This date will be celebrated as Fleet Day, the day when the Tetrarchic Fleet demonstrated its full might at the Battle of Urvashi.
My speech was clear, deliberate, and, I admit, quite powerful. I myself hadn't expected such impressive results. With all due respect to the fleet, my primary command is ground forces, and when they demonstrated all this to me, I was astounded. In a fit of joy, I promoted McVay to admiral, especially since a compelling reason had emerged: the fleet had been replenished with eleven ships. This represents 68.75% of my initial complement of heavy ships. Four more squadrons must be formed, bringing the total to nine. Commanding such a large number of ships is certainly a task for an admiral. When the next shipyard replenishment arrives in three years, the fleet should be divided into two independent units, with two commanders promoted to rear admirals.
Currently, all members of the fleet and their families are being celebrated as heroes in a massive stadium. Officers, soldiers, and their loved ones, dressed in full dress uniform, celebrate their ascension to legendary status. The memories of the crews of the twelve Alkeshes and thirty-four fighters shot down in combat also live on in our hearts.
I've had a full year to devise a response that Apophis won't like. Technically, the House of Ra and the House of Apophis have a truce, and I have no right to attack him, as my overlord has forbidden such action. However, at the same time, he hasn't provided me with reinforcements, which leaves me open to maneuver. Apophis has taken advantage of this impunity to destroy me, just as Baal used it to destroy two planets. But I will destroy Apophis's reputation by attacking not him personally, but his vassals, to balance the damage.
I will demonstrate this to the entire galaxy by declaring myself Lord Mercenary and making it known how I can be hired. It was a risk, but Ra will begin to question me about how I managed to achieve all this. However, there is something in what the Goa'uld call the right of might: if a liege cannot compel a vassal to submit, the latter formally becomes independent. Not to mention that with twenty-seven Hattaks, I can demand to be declared Lord of the Empire, the youngest in history. If hiding is impossible, we must go on the offensive. At the same time, our status is determined by our enemies; my enemy is Apophis. This is both dangerous and honorable. If he acknowledges me as his enemy, it means he considers me an equal. So many humiliations for Apophis.
Our attack is coming soon; every fiber of my being, the Goa'uld, yearns to humiliate and crush Apophis for the sake of my pride. I'm earning my right to my own symbol, my own Jaffa sect, becoming someone important.
"Szarekh! Szarekh! Szarekh! Szarekh!" my troops praise me, and I look at them with a calm gaze. It is with their help that I will conquer the galaxy and exterminate all the Goa'uld.