The Pharaoh's Petitioner

Posted on Tue Sep 23rd, 2025 @ 6:03am by Lord Akhenaten & Mars & First Prime Kanahkt & Atenophis

1,973 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave [3-4]
Location: Akhenaten's Pyramid - Akhet-Aten, Dreizhen III
Timeline: MD01 - 1400

Kanahkt was aware of his movements as soon as Mars left the home assigned to him. Though he had no men in the streets other than the three squads on patrol, enough locals were in touch with one another and the Pyramid to ensure that someone as interesting as Hera's former Commander didn't go unnoticed.

As he approached the Pyramid, Kanahkt emerged to greet him, his golden serpent helmet raised, red eyes glistening. The two men with him also wore their enclosed helmets. They carried staves, but did not do anything but rest on them. "I must ask you to remain where you are and tell me your business in the Pharaoh's pyramid, my lord." He told the approaching Mars. The crowd around them parted and gave a wide berth to ensure they did not get in the Jaffa's way.

It was a pleasant change from his constant vigil about his behaviour and what he can say under Hera to living in a basic house the Federation supplied. Mars saw the appeal of simple life as he left his dwelling. It was time to request an audience with anyone in authority, for he wasn't sure this arrangement would last much longer.

He made his way casually to Akhenaten's pyramid and was met outside it by First Prime Kanahkt who demanded his agenda there. Mars gave a short bow and let his arms rest by his sides after he straightened. "Please First Prime, I am simply Mars. I lost all my seniority the moment I betrayed Hera."

Kanahkt did not say what he was thinking, choosing to remain stone-faced even behind his helmet, and give the visitor a chance to answer his question.

"As for my purpose here, may I meet with anyone in administrational authority? I wish to discuss how I may contribute to the growth of the Pharaoh's city and future plans." Mars explained, he lowered to one knee as he began speaking to show respect for the Pharaoh and his First Prime.

"I should warn you before you entreat us, that my master already has all the men he needs to give orders to his faithful. Unless your skillset extends beyond that, you may wish to reconsider your request." Kanahkt said, remaining as still as possible.

He looked down as he reflected on his marketable skills and experiences for a moment before making eye contact again. "I am an experienced soldier with long range surveillance and weapons training, I did do many covert operations. I do wish to know if exploring this planet will be left to us or is that something we have to leave to the Federation," Mars explained, he stood up. "Or if it will be a joint venture, after all we are living here now, I believe I can help make sure this planet is safe for your master and his faithful."

Kanahkt considered his request silently for a long moment. "Follow me." He said eventually, turning on his heel and moving back into the pyramid, accompanied by his flanking serpent guards.

Within the pyramid there was a large entrance chamber, hallways led off in all directions to other parts of the fortress, and a set of stairs led to a transport ring platform. A handful of Lionguard soldiers monitored the space from an upper level that there was no obvious way to from that room, though hallways led elsewhere behind them.

Kanahkt ascended the stairs, accompanied by his fellow guards. He moved onto the ring platform, and turned back to Mars once he stood in the centre. "I will speak with the Pharaoh's Vizier. Remain here."

On one of the walls, Jaffa artisans had almost finished chiselling a large frieze, an image of the victorious Pharaoh in his battle-garb, preparing to strike down the defeated Hera with some sort of club.

After a few minutes, Kanahkt had not returned.

Mars approached the artisan, not too close, but closer so he could observe them do their work. He grinned when he realised that Hera was the one about to be punished. "Very nice," he murmured, he had put his hands behind his back while he waited. The feeling of anticipation grew about the idea of exploring a world new to them, Mars actually wanted to brush up on a few planetary science subjects since he had no leadership responsibilities.

It felt liberating to want to try new things. Mars began to wonder if he should try again another time as he waited.

Not long after, the hum of the rings signaled a return, and Kanahkt appeared once more within the rings, behind the Pharaoh’s vizier Atenophis. “Mars.” Atenophis said in a tone that did not seem approving. “Kanahkt tells me you seek to enter the Pharaoh’s service. You are bold to assume the Lord of the Horizon has use for one of Hera’s servants.” His deep, flanged Goa’uld voice reverberated throughout the room.

Mars turned and slowly approached where Kanahkt and Atenophis stood, he dropped to one knee again. "With every fibre of my being I hope the Tau'ri string that piece of rubbish up for all to whip and stone for the rest of her life. I was defeated by her and drafted to serve her or she would have ordered her forces to kill all my people back home." Mars said with all the disgust and hatred he felt while he stared at the First Prime and Vizier while speaking.

He smiled. "I do my lord, like I did for my people allow my actions to prove my worth if my word insufficient. What do you have to loose by allowing me to show the Pharaoh and you why I can be of use." Mars countered.

Atenophis looked unimpressed, and like he might turn the man away with his expression alone, until as he went to speak, his expression suddenly changed. "Hera sent you to insert one of her courtiers into a host, ignoring all the starfleet officers with great knowledge and ability. What was this host that she so desired? Why did it justify sending her greatest Lieutenants?"

"Ah, the behemoth man that Starfleet has imprisoned. He is from another universe. A source of greater knowledge and abilities and would have made quite the henchman she'd have if the implanting were successful." Mars began and slowly rose to his feet.

He laughed. "Greatest lieutenants! Huh. Like always, none of them listened to my warnings that he most likely not easily be taken over, and he killed poor Hekate, the symbiote and would have killed Polyphron if she hadn't run. I stood to the side and killed those Jaffa loyal to Hera before thanking the behemoth man for his actions and went after Polyphron. I couldn't kill her in time before she informed that piece of refuse of my betrayal."

Mars gestured with a shrug. "I do not know the behemoth man's current status, perhaps you could inquire of Starfleet about him."

"So you believe the lives of Jaffa are disposable?" The Vizier asked, Kanahkt tightened his gaze behind him.

After a long pause, Mars arched an eyebrow as he stared at the Vizier. "The lives of my enemies at the time of their death are disposable, no matter what they are, my lord. If you were in my place, they'd kill you for betraying their master. I know this because they were Hera's hounds, constantly observing me."

He stepped forward once. "My lord, I am not asking for your trust and friendship, as that is earned. I am asking for the opportunities to prove my worth. I am asking to know what I can do to prove that I am trustworthy one day." Mars adjusted his stance to one of a soldier and snapped to attention with a Jaffa salute. "Put me to work, I will do whatever it takes."

Atenophis was silent for a long moment after Mars finished. Atenophis said something sharp and attention-getting to the room in a single Goa'uld syllable, and moments later they had the large chamber to themselves. "I have a task for you Mars. In New Ischia, the domain of Typhoeus, the First Prime of Hera has retreated. We wish her brought before his majesty. I understand she is already ingratiated in the service of the Regent. Can you do this?"

“Thalistra…” Mars grounded her name, his voice echoing deeper than before, the natural Goa'uld resonance filling the chamber. His eyes flared with a little more colour, before he tilted his head forward in a predator’s glare. A grin spread slowly across his face, anticipatory and cruel, as he folded his hands behind his back. "So long as she can talk?" He asked, the question laced with dark amusement. "Considerable force will be required."

"The Pharaoh wishes her as unspoiled as is possible. To him, the lives of Jaffa are not disposable. It is the way of the Aten." The Vizier said coldly. He knew Jaffa ears listened to raised voices down long corridors. "If you lack the subtlety required go against the son of Typhon, say so. Perhaps a lesser task can be appointed to you."

Mars rolled his eyes. "My lord, one question, I may have missed it somewhere, but what does the way of the Aten specifically label the value of Goa'uld lives, who follow the ways of Aten? Not in comparison of Jaffa lives but on their own." He kept his hands behind his back and waited.

“We exist so that we might create Harcesis, and transcend the parasitism of our biology. We are expendable in the eyes of the Aten, but our purpose is clear. We exist to end the dominion of our kind over others. Only the light of the Aten’s truth will remain of us.” Atenophis explained, believing every word.

He couldn't help himself. "Are all Goa'uld who follow the ways of Aten permitted to create Harcesis or is that an earned privilege, my lord?" Mars inquired with a slightly left side tilt of his head.

"It is our only duty, beyond those the Pharaoh may task us with. We evolve, or we die." Atenophis told Mars.

"Well said," Mars agreed with a nod. "Will I be permitted to use equipment to assist in the capture of Thalistra or shall I seek it elsewhere, my lord?" He inquired, he had a few more questions so he waited.

"How you achieve the task set for you is of no concern, only that you do. If you are asking for equipment, we do not have any to provide you." Atenophis explained.

Mars half bowed. "As the Pharaoh wills it. One last question. Does the Pharaoh have any other objectives to do with New Ischia and more importantly, certain individuals that he is interested in learning more about while I," he stressed the next word, "escort, Thalistra back to the Pharaoh? For while I am there..." He let the implications speak for themselves. He smiled, he might be able to get extra help from that Jaffa who helped with the attack on Polyphron.

"You speak of the former First Prime, Pindar, I presume. We have also considered bringing him into our service for this task. You may wish to speak with him. Let him know that the Lord of the Horizon does not forget those who do him honour. I understand he drinks often at the only tavern in the colony." Atenophis revealed.

He watched the vizier for a long moment and nodded. "I will let him know, my lord." Mars replied. "I take my leave with your permission?" He asked before he added, "and return with Thalistra plus or minus Pindar."

"Go. Tell none of your task." Atenophis said before stepping back into the rings and activating them, disappearing in a beam of light between them.

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