Urvashi. Laboratory Complex "C"
Scientists worked tirelessly on the Jaffa, constantly scanning their instruments. After battles, wounded soldiers inevitably emerged whose injuries could not be repaired by standard methods. The only solution was cybernetic replacement of lost body parts, which also opened the door to recruiting outcasts. The standard kit typically included cybernetic arms, legs, and eyes. These modified warriors served as excellent testbeds for the latest developments from Cybernetics Labs, such as:
Nasal filters: Devices capable of detecting toxic substances by smell. They block the intake of contaminated air through the nose, switching to a supply of cybernetic air that lasts for ten minutes. Although all warriors wear helmets, these filters provide additional protection against chemical attacks.
Subdermal pockets: Plastic containers integrated under the skin. They are indispensable for reconnaissance couriers and in the event of agents being captured, but can also be useful for the military in certain situations.
Voice Synthesizer: A device that can imitate the voice and timbre of any individual after receiving a sample. This is an invaluable aid for saboteurs, who can disrupt the command structure of an enemy army by issuing contradictory orders, as well as for missions requiring covert infiltration.
Radiolink: An implant that enables communication with other users on the same frequency. It's extremely useful for agents embedded on alien planets. They can transmit short, encrypted messages, frequently changing frequencies. With amplifiers, the connection covers the entire planet. The recommended duration of radio communication between agents is up to 30 seconds, and it should be conducted in crowded areas.
Vocal analyzer: A system that detects lies based on a combination of parameters: facial microexpressions, voice modulations, sweating, and other physiological indicators. Used by intelligence agents, and implantable integration is also available.
Audio Recorder Implant: A device that allows the wearer to record sounds heard by the wearer. Also used for Agents, but currently undergoing testing on Jaffa.
Enhanced Cybernetic Limbs: Designed exclusively for the Jaffa. Agents are not expected to stand out, and a missing limb would be an obvious sign, especially on primitive worlds. Therefore, the most advanced combat prosthetics are reserved for the Jaffa. Some variations of these prosthetics can deliver up to six times the force of a normal strike, providing an overwhelming advantage in hand-to-hand combat.
Reflex Enhancer: Designed for mass military equipment, it enhances Jaffa reflexes and information processing speed. This enhancer is activated exclusively in combat; in normal operation, it consumes no energy and does not interfere with everyday life.
The following are in the stage of promising development:
Decentralized Heart: An implant that duplicates the heart's functions through modules distributed throughout the body. This eliminates the risk of death in the event of damage to the primary organ.
Bioengineering: A highly promising military technology of interest to Hydra. This method uses nanites to reconfigure facial muscles and musculature, altering a person's appearance within their basic biological capabilities. Transforming a man into a woman is a complex and unpromising task; it's easier to use agents of the corresponding gender.
Skin Weave: An evolution of the Muscle and Bone Lace project. Nanites embed microscopic fibers into muscle and bone tissue, increasing strength. Skin weave creates a virtually impenetrable layer, similar to Kevlar, which, while not resistant to plasma blasts, provides a significant advantage in close combat and against small arms fire. Nanites accelerate wound healing, restoring full bodily functions within hours. This allows wounded Jaffa to quickly return to combat unless the injury is critical.
Enhanced Antibodies: Fully organic cybernetics designed to be an alternative to nanites. Szareh preferred to diversify risks.
Carbon-Glass Nails: A weapon for situations where traditional weaponry is unsuitable. For example, for female agents infiltrating a Goa'uld palace, these nails provide the ability to quickly neutralize an enemy.
Monomolecular Wire: A weapon for stealth and rapid elimination. Used as a chokehold, it allows for quick decapitation of an opponent, but requires a certain amount of dexterity and cybernetic prosthetics.
Cybermodem: An implant for direct neural control of any type of technology. This technology is a generalization of previously existing developments.
Internal computers: Implants that allow information to be stored directly within the cranium. These experiments are highly controversial.
All of these implants were developed by various divisions of the laboratory and served simultaneously the military, intelligence, and civilian populations. The results of their work were invaluable, but shrouded in secrecy. The scientists, highly qualified specialists, conducted numerous developments, but not all were approved. The human body, even with the genetic modifications of the Jaffa, was incapable of achieving the status of a cybernetic deity.
Cybernetics and genetics were among the priority research areas, along with nanotechnology, which had given humanity health and longevity. These three departments employed at least five thousand symbionts and over fifty thousand humans. Thus, these three key scientific development sectors employed approximately 55,000 living beings on Urvashi alone, not counting other planets. Fleet research, which focused on developing weapons capable of wiping out cities and continents, employed 10,000 symbionts and 80,000 humans.
Cybernetics and genetic modifications are intended to provide answers to questions about long-term human enhancement, including through genetic manipulation and advanced cybernetics. The latter was used sparingly, as people were reluctant to part with limbs for mythical enhancements, forced to make do with their existing capabilities. Genetic manipulation, on the other hand, held significant promise, especially given the examples of the Ancients, who possessed superpowers thanks to their genetic makeup: millennia-long lifespans, remarkable intellect, and the ability to use their minds to perform feats perceived by most as magic. The cultivation of cybernetic or biological augmentations affecting the entire body was also considered. Genetic manipulation combined with minor cybernetic enhancements was ideal for Hydra agents who needed to remain undetected and, if possible, avoid contact with high-tech adversaries.
Scientists worked daily, striving to perfect their cybernetic devices, building on the developments of the world of Altair and with the passive mentorship of Harlan. The latter, though a valuable source of knowledge, irritated most researchers, with the exception of a few too impressionable for their own good. At such moments, the cry of "Comtrai!" was often heard. The archival materials of Altair, continually uncovered by archaeologists, enabled rapid progress in cybernetics and a number of logical innovations building on the achievements of their predecessors.
However, the idea of completely transforming humans into artificial intelligence was not supported, being deemed excessive. The power of their technology allowed for immortality, but this was only an illusion. Transformation into AI, which is then transferred to a cloned body, is the trap into which the Asgard fell. They are digital copies of deceased Asgardians, constantly transferred to new organic hosts, and have lost the ability to reproduce naturally. Urvashi could have repeated this disastrous path, but it would not. Only certain aspects of the technology would be utilized, with the primary focus being on practices similar to Ascension. Only a select few knew about this, but the very existence of such knowledge imposed certain restrictions on developments, preventing unnecessarily dangerous experiments. All of this was done for the future safety of humanity.
Although the fleet's research encountered no significant obstacles, being relatively safe compared to the cutting-edge fields of genetics and cybernetics, the sheer power of the ships was awe-inspiring. These giants were capable of wiping cities and continents from the face of the planet, their capabilities and limitations undeniably clear. The result of their evolution was a new generation of bombers.
The Alkesh, however, was deemed ineffective: it was expensive to produce and impractical. Moreover, its vulnerability to atmospheric missiles threatened the loss of valuable materials, which boded ill. Sareh, however, needed a completely different weapon—something reminiscent of the legendary B-29 Superfortress, something that could be produced in the thousands without significantly straining resources.
Szarekh's vision was embodied in a bomber resembling a flat disk 30 meters in diameter, capable of carrying hundreds of tons of bomb load. A key difference was the absence of naquadah in its design, although it could conceivably have been integrated, like a hyperdrive. Szarekh's fleet concept was based on modularity: the same platform could transform from a short-range ship-borne bomber into a long-range one. This old Szarekh design underwent significant improvements: a unique control system and bomb targeting system were developed.
The bomber was equipped with multiple anti-fighter artillery points. A squadron of these vehicles could deliver over 1,200 tons of bombs to a planet, each compliant with the "Treaty for the Limitation of Armament on Goa'uld Planets." However, despite formal adherence to the treaty, the outcome of using such an arsenal would have been catastrophic: a 50-kilogram bomb, detonating with a nuclear explosion equivalent to 100 tons of TNT, could legally unleash 2.4 megatons on an enemy. Of course, using such destructive force was considered excessive; Szarekh typically preferred more targeted methods. However, these bombers were also capable of carrying specialized missiles to destroy the Huttaks—a spectacle that would befall the Goa'uld when Szarekh returned after a five-year absence. And the galaxy would once again be engulfed in flames.
Escort vessels larger than the Alkesh were developed in parallel. Their purpose was to create a solid wall of railgun and plasma fire to destroy missiles, fighters, and other high-speed targets. These 120-meter-long, scythe-like ships featured a small pyramidal superstructure housing the crew. The remaining space was given over to automated systems: plasma cannons, railguns, and anti-aircraft missile launchers.
There were also light and heavy cruisers, and development of Szarekh's flagship was underway. His penchant for a scythe-shaped design, paradoxically, did not hinder effective frontal fire with all weapons, allowing for 360-degree firing from both the top and bottom of the crescent. Unlike the pyramidal design, the frontal salvo was significantly enhanced, as were the broadsides. Despite his differences from most Goa'uld, Szarekh shared one characteristic: the command center of all ships was pyramid-shaped. Furthermore, he was relentlessly striving to create a superpowerful flagship, capable of outperforming even the Huttaks and instilling fear in opponents with its mere appearance.
This colossus was to be at least one and a half kilometers wide and nearly a kilometer long. The number of its weapons would be anomalous, as would the anti-aircraft systems capable of protecting such a massive ship. The flagship was intended to be the embodiment of Szarekh's might, though its design and construction would undoubtedly require considerable time. All ships were built and modernized based on accumulated experience. Creating a ship with 300 plasma cannons instantly was impossible; extensive preparatory work and development of generator systems to power such large-scale complexes were required.
Research was conducted in numerous areas, designed to ensure the planet's prosperity and a better standard of living for its inhabitants. Technology had enabled the population of Urvashi to rise from the Dark Ages, and now they sought further progress, unlocking new possibilities for humanity. Many technologies had not only military but also civilian applications, although the latter sometimes required considerable effort to discover. However, the ability to build ships was essential, especially considering that the people hired by Szarekh could be devoted to their construction, increasing the labor force across all industries.
More labor meant more goods for intergalactic trade. If Ra desired peace, then peace would reign, and Szarekh would turn to other means of making money. He was completely indifferent to whether he sold swords or technological samples. He used the resources acquired from the System Lords to achieve his own goals. Even if his opponents began training their forces, they would be unable to comprehend Szarekh's ways and were unlikely to succeed. The Jaffa's competence would undoubtedly improve, but it was always a race in which they inevitably lagged. They would have to buy samples of his technology as soon as he introduced it to the wider galactic market, usually accompanied by a demonstration of its destructive power. This spectacle began to evoke universal admiration.
A separate, specialized project of the engineers is a system of exosuits designed to enhance the physical strength of soldiers, increase their load-bearing capacity, and enable them to carry a wider variety of weapons, and, most importantly, provide reliable armor. Szarekh was extremely interested in such a system, both to further demonstrate his power and because of his particular interest in exosuits. He had many such "points" tied to his personal views on the usefulness of technology.
New weapons and even new fighter models are being developed, which the galaxy will soon see. It will shudder in horror, because Szarekh and his weapons are a sore subject for all living things. Honestly, for at least two galaxies; even the Asgardians are shocked by his ideas.
Soon, very soon, all this power will be directed and will fight for Szareh.