Under Harry's stewardship, one of the floors of the Unspeakables' research facility had been transformed into a cutting-edge bio-research facility where secrets of the Goa'uld symbiotes—and their renegade cousins, the Tok'ra—were finally being unravelled. A separate study on Jaffa was also being conducted to see whether the Goa'uld larvae could be safely extracted without compromising the Jaffa's immune system.
So far, the study of the Goa'uld was limited owing to the fact that they only had one fully grown Goa'uld under their grip. But Isa was no longer the sole Goa'uld under their study.
The chamber hummed with arcane energy as silver glyphs danced across the domed ceiling. At its centre lay a circular containment field—smooth, humming, and laced with silver-and-blue pulsations. Suspended inside were two subjects: one Goa'uld symbiote, still dormant after extraction, and one Tok'ra host—alive, awake, and watching.
Harry stood beside a translucent projection of a humanoid body, one rendered in light, muscle, and nerve through a combination of bio-scanners and magical sight-augmenting runes.
"Update," Harry said curtly, brushing his palm across a hovering runestone. The projection zoomed in to show the spinal integration points of the symbiote within the host.
"Preliminary scans confirm it," said Amanda Vale, chief of the Unspeakable Biogenesis Division.
Her voice was steady, but her eyes sparkled with excitement of discovery and gathering of new data.
"The Goa'uld symbiote secretes a neuroconductive enzyme that overclocks the host's frontal lobe. That's likely what enables their memory retention, control of the host and the illusion of increased intelligence." Amanda explained.
Harry frowned, gaze flickering toward the glass cell.
"Is it a permanent bond? Is anything of the Goa'uld left in the host once we remove the symbiote?" Harry asked curiously as they were studying ways to safely remove the Goa'uld from hosts without damaging them.
"Not entirely." Amanda shook her head. "If we forcibly remove the symbiote, the brain chemistry begins to decay in older hosts. Memories remain, but the enhanced function collapses within a week—unless preserved with the binding charms we developed."
"Any safer methods?" Harry asked.
"On that, we have more progress. We have developed an enzyme capable of suspending the Goa'uld's bioelectric activity. With this, we can use magic scapels to surgically remove the Goa'uld without any damage to the host." Amanda reported happily.
"You have tested this?" Harry asked to make sure this was practical.
"Yes. We have already extracted the Goa'uld Isa from the host. We can do the same for other Goa'uld hosts," said Amanda, showing the suspended Goa'uld in the containment field.
Harry's eyes narrowed.
"And the Tok'ra?"
Amanda hesitated.
The Tok'ra in question—Amshak—watched them through the transparent containment field, calm but defiant. Her host, a woman named Elsha, stood tall despite confinement.
"She's agreed to cooperate… conditionally," said Amanda, taking a datapad into her hands. "Only if we agree to release them and restore the others we've captured from suspended animation."
"Have you looked into the bond between the host and the alleged Tok'ra?" Harry inquired, not agreeing to anything yet.
Whether the Tok'ra agreed or not, he held all the cards. He did not need their willing cooperation to learn what he wanted to know. The Tok'ra might've been spies hostile to the Goa'uld Empire, but they were still enemy combatants that waged war against Elysium.
"We have, and thanks to your girlfriend, we have managed to notice a stark difference in Goa'uld and Tok'ra hosts." Amanda said with a grin.
"Daphne." Harry's eyebrows climbed to his hairline. "How did she help?"
"Her work on the rune matrix that allows better information flow into the brain has several applications. She was quite happy to share her research, and we have already made stunning leaps in neurology." Amanda said eagerly. "Here, let me show you."
Amanda flicked her fingers through the datapad's screen, and the lab lit up with new projected screens, showing images of a full-body scan. The DNA and neural scheme of the Tok'ra and the host were seen in the display.
"The rune matrix Miss Greengrass provided has allowed us to build a new matrix that allows us to track neural activity. Once we added the modified runes to the crystal synthesisers, we developed a foolproof device capable of precisely monitoring all neural transmitters in the human body." Amanda said excitedly.
"Is that so? Show me." Harry said.
The next couple of minutes were spent on testing their new technology on the Tok'ra Amshak and her host, Elsa. Once it was established that there was a marked difference in bioelectric impulses when Amshak was in control, it was conclusive that their new method could distinguish the symbiote and the host.
But still, that didn't mean Harry was willing to believe Amshak and her host, Elsa. He ordered the memory extraction to collect intelligence from all three captured Tok'ra. They protested when they realised what was happening, as the memory extraction crystals easily breached their minds.
Within an hour, all three Tok'ra's memories were extracted. The memories confirmed they were part of the Tok'ra resistance, and Harry was informed of several of the Tok'ra bases spanning the galaxy as his people ran a program to weed out all the goodies from the memories. It was not just Tok'ra intel they gleaned from the prisoners.
Since the mission of the Tok'ra was to spy on Heru'ur, they held a treasure trove of information on Heru'ur's realm. Harry immediately contacted the intel officers available in Elysium to filter through the memories gathered to get critical intel on Heru'ur's rare industrialised planets. The planets with shipyards, data crystal synthesis labs, Naquadah mines and other rare mineral supply chains were his greatest interest. The Tok'ra intel he extracted was teeming with information critical to Heru'ur's possessions.
While the Tok'ra gathered this intel to destabilise the Goa'uld Empire from within, Harry had another goal in mind. He wanted to subsume the resource-rich planets under Heru'ur into the colonies of the Elysium Federation. Also, denying the rest of the Goa'uld the resources from Heru'ur's domains became a critical need in the war against the Goa'uld Empire.
With these reasons in mind, he called for another High Council meeting to discuss the way forward.
******
"The intel you've presented is an invaluable asset, Marshal Potter. We now have a System Lord under our custody and his vast territory ripe for the taking." Councillor Bryce said with a nod.
Harry was pleased to hear that. But the former French Minister of Magic was far from done.
"But I believe we are not ready to take such a drastic step at this juncture."
That brought Harry's dreams to consolidating enough industrial capacity to amass a massive fleet and challenge Goa'uld supremacy in space to an abrupt halt.
"I thought we agreed that we should act against the Goa'uld and weaken them." Harry said.
"We are, but you informed this council that the fleet remains severely understaffed. That was the reason you requested an expanded budget to attract more recruits. Or are you saying you have sufficient personnel?" Councillor Bryce asked with a pointed look.
"The fleet has a shortage of officers, but that is hardly a matter when we have Heru'ur in our custody. We'll be unopposed when we take Heru'ur's planets under our control." Harry argued.
"But what happens when the other System Lords learn of Heru'ur's defeat and launch their ships to claim the territory?" Nicholas asked with a knowing look. "Are our forces capable of taking on the entire Goa'uld Empire on our own and coming out unscathed?"
"No." Harry answered truthfully. "But we need the expanded industrial capacity if we are to challenge the Goa'uld fleets."
"True." said Councilwoman Josephine. "However, we can all agree we are not capable of withstanding a concentrated Goa'uld attack. We must maintain our cover until we develop enough ships to project our strength."
"There is an alternate way we can take over Heru'ur's territory without attracting scrutiny from the other System Lords." Councillor Oscar said.
"How?" Harry asked.
"We do what we have done to our Muggle counterparts on Earth to the Goa'uld. We control Heru'ur." Councillor Oscar suggested.
"You suggest we use the Imperious curse on Heru'ur?" Nicholas asked with a frown.
"Yes. It's the safest course of action, and we can get what we want without risking ourselves." Councillor Oscar said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"It sounds like a cogent plan." Councillor Bryce nodded thoughtfully before looking at Harry. "What are your thoughts, Marshal Potter?"
"I agree with the idea in principle, but the Imperius curse won't cut it. The Goa'uld are not weak in mind like the muggles. The curse won't last long without continuous reapplication. We'll need something else." Harry said after a moment of thought.
"We can have a small team of wizards shadowing Heru'ur and keep the curse on him at all times." Councillor Rodion suggested.
"We're ready to pull back our aurors from the Muggle governments now that we have successfully transferred most of the industry and skill we needed to Elysium. They will have the experience to keep the Goa'uld under their heel at all times." Councillor Oscar said, agreeing with the idea.
"We'll need to make sure Heru'ur cannot switch hosts, and we need to ensure he works under us all he time. Using the Imperius curse alone, even with the surveillance of aurors, is a risk. We'll need something more… permanent." Harry said.
"Having more than one way of control will be good." said Councillor Onfroi.
"With Heru'ur under our control, we can take over any of his worlds without a conflict." said Nicholas, making Harry nod at the older man. "Also, he'll be a good stooge to keep the System Lords in the dark while we quietly build up our military strength."
There was broad agreement on the idea, but no one had a cogent way of ensuring Heru'ur would cooperate.
"As for an additional leash on Heru'ur, I think there is something I need to run by Marshal Potter," Nicholas said. "That is if you have the time."
"I have the time." Harry said with a nod.
The Council was dismissed after discussing some of the administrative decisions regarding the dispersal of the population in Elysium outside the confines of Elysia City.
Harry and Nicholas walked out of the council chamber and strolled along the banks of the Emrys River.
"I couldn't help but notice the Council is quite suddenly intent on pulling back our control over the G7 nations and Russia." Harry started the conversation, but he was mindful to keep it low.
A couple of families were enjoying a picnic on the side of the river. Even a herd of unicorns was on the other side of the river, where a preserve had been organised for housing the magical creatures.
"You suspect Perenelle's involvement." Nicholas said with a shake of his head. "Not everything happens by her will, you know."
"Maybe. But she has been one to stand firmly against using muggles to augment our power." Harry pointed out.
"True. But this has nothing to do with her. She is otherwise engaged these days." said Nicholas.
"Somehow I doubt that," Harry said, looking away from Flamel and watching a couple of children run among the trees nearby.
"The longer we hold the Muggle governments under our control, the risk increases. Bryce, Oscar and Rodion understand this better than anyone else. They understand their Muggle counterparts better than you give them credit for, Harry." Nicholas said calmly.
"I'm not questioning their wisdom. I just think we need to grow at a faster pace, and we need more Muggles with experience in STEM fields in our work pool."
"I don't strictly disagree, but the risks outweigh the benefits in this case, Harry." Nicholas said with a sigh. "I don't think the majority in the Council will budge on this issue."
"Fine." Harry said reluctantly. "It was bound to happen someday."
Harry was disappointed he couldn't hold on to the program, but he could understand where the Council was coming from. With the industrial capacity of Svoriin in their hands and the Alteran jumper platform, the Council was cutting off the Muggle inflow. They were now more interested in letting the muggles of other planets into Elysium and the colonies.
The people of Isaalridr were so grateful that their children no longer had to work tirelessly in the Naquadariah mines. The loyalty and devotion in those people's eyes were sort of an eye-opener for many in the Council and the Senate. In their minds, recruiting children from Goa'uld-ruled planets posed less risk as they would be far more loyal to Elysium. Taking in children and families in some cases, and providing them with a better education, earned eternal loyalty from people who had only known suffering for most of their lives.
"There is a motion in the Senate allowing Cimmerians to migrate into Federation planets." Nicholas said suddenly.
Harry raised an eyebrow at that because this was news to him.
"Really?"
"Yes." Nicholas said. "By focusing on the grand things, don't take your eyes off the little things, Harry."
"You sound like Dumbledore." Harry made a face, but Nicholas only laughed.
"Or maybe he sounded like me. After all, Dumbledore was my student." Nicholas chuckled.
"I never expected the Cimmerians to be so popular in the senate." Harry commented as they strolled past a row of cherry blossom trees.
"Oh, but they're more popular than the Tau'ri. Many are suspicious of them and their families. Many in the senate fear they might be spies and pass on valuable intel back to Earth." said Nicholas.
Harry scoffed at the idiotic fears of people.
"Yes, I know. We have thoroughly screened the individuals we have taken in. But you and I both know this has nothing to do with any security concern." Nicholas said with a pointed look.
"The Alteran gene therapy." Harry guessed.
Nicholas nodded.
"It has been the age-old fear of old pureblood families that the Muggles would learn to steal magic. Now, you've made it possible for muggles to undergo a treatment that allows them to awaken magic."
"But it's not something new. Merlin used this process to create us." Harry argued.
"Haven't you yet realised, Harry, that fear is irrational? People make up stupid reasons to fear something." Nicholas said with a shrug.
Harry stopped walking and stared at the flowing fresh water, free of any contamination, so unlike most rivers on Earth. The air was nourishing and lacked centuries of poison burned into the atmosphere. The earth was not seeped in chemicals and harmful substances from the overexploitation of natural resources.
"I thought we'd have a fresh start in this place away from the shadow of centuries of humiliation that has affected the wizarding psyche." Harry whispered, watching dolphins play in the clear waters of the Emrys River. "It seems I was wrong."
"Your intentions are quite good, young man. But trust me, no number of good intentions will take away centuries of fear and distrust from our people." Nicholas said, patting him on his back. "But fear can be good if properly channelled to more productive things."
"Like what?" Harry asked.
"There are many in Elysium and back on Earth who scoff at the knowledge you freely provide to take our people to the stars and beyond. Use their fear of muggles from Earth to remove the obstacles to embracing new knowledge." Nicholas advised.
"Hmm." Harry acknowledged that with a grunt.
"There is one other matter. I think I have something that could help hold Heru'ur. Meet me tomorrow in my residence." Nicholas left after extending the invite.
Harry remained standing by the river banks for some more time, watching the dolphins play. He switched on his wrist device and searched for the current population figure in Elysium. The official number stood at 1.2 million, including the sentient magical creatures brought from Earth.
'Perhaps, it's time to cut off the flow of immigrants from muggles of Earth and concentrate on the people here.' Harry mused.
******
"Your rune matrix was fine work. Even though it's not complete, it served other uses." Harry said as he leisurely walked with Daphne hand in hand by the beach.
"Really! What did you use it for?" Daphne asked, perking up at the mention of her recent discovery.
"The Unspeakables found your rune matrix useful to study bioelectric impulses in our neural network. With it, they're hoping to devise a new method to hold a grip over the Goa'uld prisoners I told you about." Harry explained.
"Ah, this Heru'ur fellow, right? You told me he is a System Lord."
"Mm-hm." Harry hummed softly. "Heru'ur is a son of Ra. After the death of Ra, Heru'ur was able to hold on to some significant portion of his father's possessions even though Apophis emerged as the strongest Goa'uld among the System Lords."
"I can understand why you dislike the High Council's decision. All that territory was ripe for the taking." Daphne said with a nod of understanding while leaning on his shoulder and hugging his hand.
They stopped before his house and watched the moon shine brilliantly down on the sea. The stars glittered in the night sky. The constellations, entirely different from Earth's night sky, like Merlin's Staff and Antlers, could be seen shining bright in the night sky.
"There is some truth in their caution. We do not have the fleet to withstand a combined assault of several System Lords. If we're not careful, the Goa'uld will band together and attack us, seeing us as a threat to nip in the bud," said Harry.
"I see." Daphne hummed but otherwise did not comment.
Instead, she gripped his arm tightly and pressed herself against his body.
Then he looked strangely at his fiancée, whose blonde head now rested on his shoulder.
"Shouldn't this be the time where you tell me about my Gryffindor tendencies?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No. You've made some marked improvement thanks to the company you keep." Daphne said with a playful glint in her blue eyes while pointing at herself.
Harry chuckled and pressed a kiss on the side of her head.
"So, now that you've seen it, what do you think of our new house?" Harry asked, eager to know Daphne's opinion.
Daphne turned her head without breaking away from his side and looked at the sprawling white marble building, built on a cliff overlooking the beach.
"It'll need more colour and I think more furniture needs to be added." said Daphne before turning away. "You needn't bother. I'll take care of it."
"In that case, as a thank you, I'll take you to a super-secret research facility the next weekend." Harry said happily, knowing she was better at rearranging his home.
"Only you would think a girl would be excited with the offer of a date in some research facility." Daphne said with a scoff.
"It's not some research facility. It's the research facility entirely dedicated to unlimited power." Harry said with a smug smile.
"Unlimited power…" Daphne's eyes widened a fraction as she stared at Harry with interest. "Don't tell me you've cracked the secrets of Potentia!"
"You'll find out next weekend." Harry said with a mysterious air.
"Harry!" Daphne whined petulantly, but he just smiled and refused to divulge more details.
AN:
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