My thousand Jaffa are undoubtedly a match for any comparable number of idiots serving Ra, Apophyse, or any other System Lord. Such improvements are surprisingly simple to achieve—just issue the soldiers proper helmets. I didn't dare redesign the staff and the Z, being no fool. Yes, I could have created a classic plasma rifle, but any operation would have given me away. If every Goa'uld had adopted my invention, I personally would have been in dire straits. As it is, to an outside observer, my Jaffa are merely excellent marksmen. The trick is that their helmets are equipped with systems that integrate the sighting system with the devices on their mothership. They serve as lasers of sorts, but they're not quite the same. Essentially, my Jaffa are, to some extent, participating in a computer game. Each of them is somewhat similar to Iron Man, but only in helmet form.
Given the existence of the Stargate universe, perhaps there's a Marvel universe somewhere, and then Iron Man's helmet would be hitting me. Some kind of scientific magic. My helmet, however, is a perfectly functional device for everyday use, one that won't make you sweat after a couple of minutes. It should be worn by this chthonic horror itself. Overall, the targeting systems, night vision devices, infrared flashlight, cameras and audio recording equipment, communications, motion sensors (if someone could explain how the Ancients' sensors work, I'd be grateful)—all of it is extremely primitive. But if a soldier is on patrol, his radar can detect any activity within range. That is, if an intruder gets within the helmet's "visibility" zone. I also had binoculars with a zoom lens, not as powerful as I'd like, but if the need for long-range sniping arose, it was possible. This way, I could also survey the surrounding area.
These helmets allowed for the introduction of a loose formation, which successfully competes with the linear tactics used by the Jaffa. They can lie low and use cover, and their aim is accurate enough to be dangerous even when deployed alone. My next invention was grenades. The Goa'uld have grenades too, but they're expensive compared to the classic systems used by humans. Furthermore, the Jaffa now have C4 for assault operations. Of course, plasma bolts can destroy a stone wall in a few hits, but there are many situations where fast explosives are needed. All the accompanying products, which are also useful—mines and smoke grenades, for example—were created by me.
I don't claim credit for this invention, but rather to the Goa'uld engineering programs, clearly "honestly borrowed" from the Ancients when they found their old ships. The Goa'uld that I am, of course, doesn't know this, but I, a human, am already aware. It's astonishing how little even a small Goa'uld knows. Just think: I BOUGHT the address to Abydos, and for a considerable sum. However, there is Karush of Abydos there, as well as Earth, and not far from it, the planet Icarus, with its vast deposits of naquadria. I don't yet know how to use it (and frankly, I'm afraid), but according to the rules, there should be veins of naquadah there. It's doubtful the Ancients conducted an experiment here—for them, with their MNT, it shouldn't have been of interest. And with three MNTs, even Atlantis could have found its Destiny.
Having obtained the Karush of Abydos, I'll be able to retrace the Stargate's steps, taking some very valuable resources along the way. Not to mention Earth itself, which could give me Set, Sekhmet, Isis, Osiris, and Hathor. Of course, I'll have to put in some effort: for example, finding Set and retrieving the ships of Osiris and Isis. Hathor is easiest: just fly over Mexico with active naquadah scanners. A sarcophagus, which I don't have, by the way (have you seen its price?), invisibility, and a tool for creating new Jaffa. Of course, we can't forget the "fountain of youth." After that, we'll methodically comb the galaxy for accessible addresses. Harlan, for example: the SGC had a damn alien bunker there. They gave up on it when androids developed technologies for digitalizing consciousness (for humans, this is comparable to digital immortality or the equivalent of Soulkiller from Cyberpunk), prosthetic technologies, and wireless energy transmission.
And after all, each of the technologies demonstrated, by basic logic, should have motivated the US to invest endless resources in Harlan. But no, they decided to blow it up because the androids had learned the iris code (as if changing it wasn't a matter of a few clicks). And yet, there clearly was high-level prosthetics and robotics technology there. Their android bodies mimicked every human movement, which in itself is a significant technological achievement. The Altairians were clearly humanoid, and if the human brain was suitable for copying, then their consciousness worked similarly. This suggests the presence of ready-made high-level prosthetics technology, possibly with the preservation of tactile sensation. If the SGC had entered into an alliance with Harlan and helped him renovate the bunker, it would have brought in considerable profits. They could have started some form of "Cyberpunk." At least a good portion of it. And let's not forget about a computer capable of housing the consciousness of humanity and its thought processes. Sure, Harlan's androids are more like necrons from AliExpress, but he still had to have all the technical documentation. So what? They ruined it all. The SGC was guilty of that, of course, but I'm not going to do that.
Dressed in my best clothes, I left the apartment. My "divine" wardrobe was quite modest: just black pants, high leather boots, and a long black cloak. On my hand was a black glove with a ribbon device. Originally, it was silver, to indicate my place in the Goa'uld hierarchy (somewhere at the very bottom), but I had modified its appearance. And now, on my hip, rested a proper plasma pistol, crafted by me and for me. This was what all the System Lords lacked against the SG-1 squads—the ability to fire back from behind a shield. A telekinetic wave is certainly a powerful weapon, but it's a personal one. And if a dozen machine gunners are shooting at you, it won't do any good.
My host was quite tall, six feet tall, allowing me to tower over everyone else. I walked quickly to my throne room. My throne isn't just a chair, but a device that maintains a high-speed connection to the ship's systems. This allows me to infiltrate programs with my mind. It's not the Throne of the Ancients, of course, more like a very poor imitation, but it does allow for communication with the computer. The tape device also contained a computer with data storage. Therefore, it's necessary to obtain all the tape devices of Marduk, Osiris, Isis, Set, and Hathor. Their tape devices contain a vast amount of information, including planetary addresses and possibly even technological data. After all, Osiris somehow managed to accumulate resources in just a couple of years that attracted the attention of Anubis, despite their being enemies. Osiris was one of Ra's closest allies during the war with Anubis. Even with the obsolescence of technology, there will always be planets the Lords "forgot" to inform the High Lord about. Ra is no foolish Goa'uld; his entire database is a legacy of past overlords. After all, before the Serpents mastered space travel, their Empire expanded through gates. For example, Ra discovered Earth by accident, meaning he didn't know the address of the gate to the human homeland.
The Karush of Abydos is something Ra accumulated over millennia of espionage, but no one has ruled out the possibility that some System Lords could move gates to other planets. However, nishta isn't a common method of controlling people, and Set had ample reserves. Hathor had stealth systems, Marduk had the Eye of the Goa'uld, or some kind of reactor multiplier, perhaps an energy source. Osiris's tape device likely contained valuable data.
As soon as I took my seat, I contacted the Jaffa, sending him a message on his helmet display with just a thought. He, in turn, contacted Queen Isara, asking her to find time to meet with me. Of course, I could have ordered it, but it would have made no sense. Unlike me, she was responsible for a country of thirty million, not to mention a city of two hundred thousand, which had been thrown into a state of extreme agitation by the fact that another pyramid had landed on their ruler's residence overnight, and all reinforcements had been stopped by the Cheops force field. And unlike me, who immediately went to sleep, she spent the entire night and day trying to calm everyone around her, and most importantly, herself. And while she was gone, I had numerous projects that needed to be completed. In my past life, before I became a parasitic snake, I was an engineer working in electric transportation. So I understand how many Holy Grails there are in this universe, beyond the one the Ori were originally meant to destroy. I may not be the smartest person, but I can connect the dots.
To begin, I carefully surveyed the planet's terrain using orbital scanning. I noted ten cities founded near naquadah mines. The locals remained, adapting them for habitation and adding splendor to the cities. These settlements were originally intended to serve as bases for the miners, where they could repair their equipment and tools and receive supplies. The previous Goa'uld had brought water here via aqueducts, as the cities were often located far from rivers. At the very least, he cared for the basic needs of his people, so he could exploit them mercilessly. The continent lay in temperate latitudes. A mountain range lay in its center, and the gateways and naquadah reserves were on the western coast. Therefore, the inhabitants, following the transportation system established by the previous lord, developed, moving south. These were generally excellent "Roman" roads, which were apparently used to deliver naquadah and various supplies. The locals abandoned naquadah mining, but developed the production of iron tools. The previous Goa'uld passed on the knowledge of iron toolmaking to them, as it increased productivity without violating the prohibitions on technology transfer to humans.
Unlike the fragile bronze tools, these could be repaired quickly. Ten cities remained trading centers, at least judging by their population. However, new settlements also emerged, chosen in locations with convenient logistical advantages. For example, north of the capital lay two lakes, from which flowed a river that emptied into the ocean. Its total length, measured in kilometers, exceeded 600 kilometers. I noticed that this was precisely where the main agricultural regions from which the city drew its water were concentrated. Two hundred kilometers below, another river flowed. This was a significant stream, 512 kilometers long, providing both navigation and water for agricultural needs.
On the eastern coast lay a vast lake, 700 kilometers long, connected to the ocean by a river, which in turn was fed by another 600-kilometer-long river. Overall, these were vast tracts of land, capable of supporting even miners. One wonders how the loyalty of the eastern provinces is ensured, as they are essentially self-sufficient. Between the two rivers stretched steppe, although I saw no trace of roads. However, there was an impressive fleet of wooden ships here. Trade flourished.
The island between the two continents, though comparable in size to any US state, was not densely populated, despite possessing abundant timber reserves. The other continent remained completely undeveloped, without a single settlement. At the moment, thirty million inhabitants were sufficient. They were fortunate to be a representative of a spacefaring civilization: information about any resource could be obtained simply by orbital scanning.
Speaking of orbital scanning, I always found the Ancients' "Game" concept a bit magical. Their resources made it possible to create a real-time strategy game, and McKay brought a medieval civilization up to 19th-century standards in just a couple of years. That's quite a remarkable achievement. Developing my own satellite wasn't that difficult, but it differed from the Ancients'… in that it was a zillion versions less sophisticated. My orbital satellites served as signal transmitters, equipped with scanning systems that transmitted real-time information and also displayed weather data.
I couldn't make a desk like the Ancients'. It obviously involves sensor technology, and I'm unfamiliar with it, especially tactile sensor technology. My knowledge was limited to a standard Goa'uld computer and printer—or rather, a printer and document scanner. This would greatly increase people's awareness of current events. Incidentally, I have a large supply of radios on the ship. An orbital constellation in high orbit would allow us to do a great deal with these resources. Yes, distributing satellite phones to everyone turned out to be easier. Fortunately, the bandwidth of Goa'uld computers wouldn't even detect the simultaneous conversations of all thirty million people.
I'd prepared well from a progressor perspective, but when I found myself facing this situation, I was confused. I had to find a starting point. I had anticipated the need for cooperation with local authorities, but the situation was becoming extremely chaotic. I didn't expect there to be 30 million residents here, so I'll have to adjust my plans.