Martial Deployment

Posted on Wed Jan 14th, 2026 @ 10:36am by Tejet of Ges & Mars

924 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave [3-4]
Location: New Ischia Landing Zone
Timeline: Late Shoreleave

It wasn't long after Mars had stepped off the transport that brought him to New Ischia that a somewhat hunched-over older man moving more swiftly than his hobbled gait would suggest was wise had caught up with the Goa'uld outlaw. Whether the old man recognised him or had approached him because of his proximity wasn't clear. One of his eyes didn't look like it worked, and he didn't smell very good. "Friend, welcome to Typhon's city. I have not seen you here before. You will need a guide, I'm sure. I am cheapest and best. Only twenty shesh'ta a day."

He eyed the man in front of him for several moments, Mars' eyebrow raised slowly. "That is a bold claim. I will thank you for the welcome." He put his hands behind his back and shifted to the side a little to let others pass.

"What do you seek, friend?" The old man asked, hands wide in offering. "Wine, women and song are all available to those with the coin here in New Ischia. I know all the best places. You look like a man who likes the best." The hunched Jaffa said suggestively to Mars.

A smile on Mars' lips appeared. "Let's start with the cheapest and best lodging, friend," his tone a neutral one, but it had an edge to it. "Have you been a guide for long?"

"Oh yes. First in the old city on Ischia, then the city we built aboard the Lord Typhon's Ha'tak. Now, here in our New Ischia. I have many friends. Friends everywhere, yes. My friend Tago, he runs a boarding lodge on the east of Lord Typhoeus' pyramid. It is not luxurious, but it does not get the heat of the afternoon sun." The old man gestured at him, beginning immediately to lead the way. "Come, come. It is across there."

"That does sound welcome, this world's heat is brutal." Mars followed behind the old man as he spoke with annoyance. "If only there was some barrier or shield we could put up to manage the environment." He commented, mostly out of spite for the sun.

They were just outside the outer path of what currently encompassed New Ischia. The structures were in a circular pattern around the central pyramid. Though roads had been built rapidly thanks to the Federation technology, there wasn't much except the odd beast of burden to use them other than pedestrians.

"Do you come for business or pleasure?" The guide asked Mars.

Inspecting the surrounding buildings and the way they'd come, Mars stood beside the old man. "I'll give the Federation one thing, they are efficient but lack flare." He pulled out some already pre-counted amount of shesh'ta and handed it to the old man. "Fifty for you to let me worry about business or pleasure, but it would be nice to know where I might find you, should I require your assistance again?"

The hunched over man weighed the shesh'ta in his hands and bit a couple carefully to test. Once he'd dropped them in one of the bags around his shoulders, he lifted his sleeve revealing an aged Jaffa military communication bracelet. "Take my keycode. I will be nearby in minutes if you call. I have business about the city, I am never in one place for long."

He lifted his wrist with his Goa'uld Commander communication bracelet, and the two chimed as each other's frequencies were exchanged. "Excellent and thank you," Mars replied.

They walked through the relatively quiet streets of New Ischia, past improvised and prefabricated buildings. Finally they reached the eastern side, and the lodge house. As the guide had promised, it was in the shadow of the afternoon sun.

"Does it please you?" The guide asked, gesturing to the lodging, a boxy multistory prefabricated starfleet production. There was a sign written in the Jaffa language reading 'TAGO'S LODGE' on a piece of wood above the entryway.

"Tago," Mars read the name on the sign. "Yes, this will do, we should teach the Federation some majesty and decorum for their replicator systems, would you agree, apologies my good man." The Goa'uld mercenary included his head at the old man. "Forgive my lack of manners, what is your name?"

"I am Tejet of Ges. And you, my friend?" Tejet asked.

His eyes flashed brightly with pride, not to intimidate, as he formally introduced himself. "Ah yes apologies, I am Mars, General King of the Aresian Reach, Conqueror of the Aurelian system, Guardian of the Enyo system." He leaned forward to Tejet. "Neighbouring systems, we warred for a bit before Hera."

"I do hope to return one day, the Alliance shouldn't trouble them as peace rules in both systems," Mars added wistfully, he prayed they'd built new ships, or maybe they joined the Alliance since he did give offer his seal to the Alliance commander that did chase the Atenists into this universe.

"Would you return to our universe if you could, Tejet?" Mars inquired with one eyebrow raised.

"No, my friend. My family is here. They are where I go. And they are happy here. No system Lords to hunt us. The light of the Aten to guide us." Tejet said honestly. "I will leave you now my friend, but if you call me I will be here."

Mars gave a head bob. "Would you pass on my well-wishes to your family?" He requested with a grin.

"Of course my friend. Until your need of me arises." Tejet said, before disappearing back into the street traffic.

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