The briefing room hummed with quiet tension, the air thick with the weight of recent events. General Hammond stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed and his expression stern. The members of SG-1 sat before him, their faces reflecting a mix of exhaustion and determination.

  “We need to expand the Stargate Program,” Hammond stated, his voice cutting through the silence. “Recent encounters have proven we’re dangerously underprepared. We need more teams, more personnel, and more experience on the ground.”

  Jack O’Neill sighed, rubbing his temples as if the weight of the galaxy had settled squarely on his shoulders. “Sir, we barely have enough people who understand what they’re walking into, let alone can handle it. Throwing more bodies at the problem isn’t going to fix it.”

  Daniel Jackson leaned forward, his glasses catching the light as he adjusted them. “We should consider Abydos. The people there fought against Ra; they understand what’s at stake. If we ask for volunteers, I believe some would be willing to join us.”

  Hammond nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “We’ll discuss it, Dr. Jackson. Captain Carter?”

  Samantha Carter shifted in her seat, her mind clearly racing. “Sir, I’ve been analyzing Goa’uld technology, but we’ve barely scratched the surface. If Ra had that kind of power, there could be others just as strong, maybe stronger. We need to assume the worst about what’s out there.”

  O’Neill exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. “All the more reason to be careful who we send through. We can’t afford to lose anyone else.”

  Before Hammond could respond, the room was suddenly filled with the blaring sound of alarms. The Gate was activating—without an IDC code.

  The control room erupted into chaos. Technicians scrambled to their stations, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of urgency.

  “Unauthorized off-world activation!” one of them shouted, his voice barely audible over the alarms.

  Hammond barked, “Close the iris—now!”

  The thick titanium shield began to slide into place, but before it could fully seal, an explosion tore through the Gate room. An energy blast from the other side detonated just inside the room, shorting out defenses and sending personnel flying. The iris was left flickering, half-closed, and useless.

  A golden light pulsed through the unstable vortex as Jaffa warriors stormed through the Gate. Their armor gleamed under the harsh lights, their movements precise and disciplined. Staff weapons fired, striking down SGC guards with brutal efficiency. At their head strode Teal’c, his expression unreadable as he cut down anyone who stood in his way.

  O’Neill grabbed his rifle, his instincts kicking in. “Son of a—! Move, move!”

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  The corridors of the SGC were soon filled with the sound of gunfire and the clash of combat. SG teams scrambled to push the Jaffa back, but the enemy was more experienced, their armor and discipline giving them the edge. The Jaffa moved in perfect formation, their staff weapons firing in controlled bursts, each shot finding its mark.

  Teal’c advanced through the chaos, his staff weapon a blur of motion. He struck down another Marine with a single, devastating blow, his movements almost mechanical in their precision. He turned a corner—and came face to face with O’Neill.

  The two locked eyes, a moment of recognition passing between them. O’Neill barely had time to dodge as Teal’c swung his weapon like a club. The force sent him sprawling, but he rolled to his feet, bringing his rifle up. Teal’c was faster, knocking the weapon aside with a swift, calculated strike.

  A sharp blow to O’Neill’s ribs sent him staggering, but he managed a counterattack, slamming his fist into Teal’c’s jaw. The Jaffa barely reacted, his expression unchanged. With a brutal punch, he sent O’Neill crashing into a console. The Colonel coughed, tasting blood as he struggled to rise.

  Then, a wave of gunfire forced Teal’c to step back. SG-3 arrived, their Marines pressing forward with controlled fire. The Jaffa retreated toward the Gate, dragging prisoners with them. Teal’c gave O’Neill one last glance before disappearing into the vortex.

  From the command throne aboard his mothership, Apophis observed the battle through a shimmering holographic display. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the Tau’ri struggle against his forces. They fought with unexpected ferocity, but they were still children playing at war.

  A Jaffa communicator crackled to life. “My Lord, we have secured prisoners.”

  Apophis leaned forward, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “Good. Take them through the Chappa’ai.”

  Teal’c’s voice came through next, his tone steady but with a hint of something unspoken. “Several of our warriors are wounded. Shall we retrieve them?”

  Apophis sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “No. Leave them to their fate. We have no time for the weak.”

  Teal’c hesitated—but only for a breath. “As you command, my Lord.”

  The connection cut. Apophis leaned back, satisfied. He had tested the Tau’ri and found them resilient, but they would learn the price of defying the gods.

  The SGC was in shambles. Smoke filled the halls, and the acrid smell of burnt metal and blood hung heavy in the air. Medical teams rushed between wounded soldiers, their faces grim as they worked to save lives. The dead were being counted, their names a somber reminder of the cost of war.

  Daniel sat on the steps of the Gate, his face pale and his hands trembling. “They took people,” he muttered, his voice hollow. “They took them.”

  Carter knelt beside the Goa’uld beacon left behind, her fingers moving quickly as she examined the device. “They left a message. It’s broadcasting something…” She frowned as she translated the alien script. “It says… ‘The gods watch. The gods judge.’”

  O’Neill wiped blood from his brow, his expression a mix of anger and exhaustion. “Great. I feel real judged.”

  Hammond strode into the room, his face grim. “This is just the beginning.”

  O’Neill exhaled, his shoulders sagging under the weight of the day’s events. “Sir, we need more people, more weapons, more everything. We need allies.”

  Hammond nodded, his gaze steady. “Then let’s start by reaching out to Abydos.”

  Daniel straightened, a flicker of hope in his eyes. “We’re going back?”

  Hammond met his gaze. “We’re going back.”

  As SG-1 prepared for their mission, O’Neill muttered, “If we’re gonna fight these guys, we’re gonna need all the help we can get.”