Cleaning Up After The Ancients - Chapter 152

Chapter 152 - Ancient Confrontations

Statistically speaking Eventus had known it was only a matter of time before he encountered one of the Ori’s servants. But he had rather hoped that time would be at the helm of the Enterprise during one of the Ori's attempts to invade their galaxy.

“I want it on the record that he just acknowledged me as being an Ancient.” Eventus said, dragging his hands away from his sidearm to point at the placidly staring Prior.

“Those who follow the will of the Ori have no need to turn away from truth.” The Prior stated, stepping forward with this staff held ready to stand fully opposite of Eventus.

Eyes briefly flicking over the staff shaped device, he was very glad for the amplification pendant hidden under the collar of his vest. As it was likely the only thing that would allow him to match the Prior if circumstances turned to an actual fight.

“Ironic words given the Ori's general disdain for anyone but themselves knowing the actual truth.” He offered in a somewhat flippant tone, taking the chance to glance across the gathered Jaffa leaders to see how they were taking the Prior’s sudden arrival.

Teal'c and Bra'tac were frowning, which was pretty much expected given both had strong enough ties to the humans of Earth that their word alone would have likely been enough to convince the pair of the Ori's threat. Ishta was pursing her lips, eyes flicking between Gerak and the Prior before she noticed Eventus's attention and schooled her features.

Of the rest, only the younger dark skinned Jaffa with an ugly scar on his forehead in place of the others tattoos and brands seemed willing to show any opinion about Gerak’s surprise guest other than the placid acceptance. And he looked very much like he would enjoy setting the Prior on fire with this mind if that were actually an option.

“The truth of the Ori is the only truth.” The Prior countered. 

“It's really not.” Eventus offered in an aside to the listening Jaffa. “While I have no idea what method the Ori used to ascend, I can assure you theirs is far from the only way.”

The prior shook his head pityingly. “And once more the demons of eld attempt to lead others astray from the true path.”

Eventus grinned at the Prior. “Oh really?” He pointed towards the Jaffa. “Teal'c over there has encountered multiple Ascended beings, and even watched at least two actual Ascensions.”

“Indeed.” Teal'c agreed curtly.

“And how could he have done that if the Ori's truth was the only one?” Eventus finished smugly.

“The appearance of a path does not mean its destination is the same.” The Prior chided. “Like Dominic on his journey to Celestis there are many roads in front of you, but only a single one leads to the city of the gods.”

“Ah.” Eventus murmured in understanding. “So your argument is that path’s other than the Ori’s are dead end’s or worse.”

An annoying claim on several levels given the impossibility in directly refuting it, but he could at least point out a few of the flaws.

“Truthfully I can’t really say that’s false.” He went on, ignoring the smug look that appeared on the Prior’s face at the admittance. “Because Ascension is just the first step in a longer journey that the Ascended’s rules prevent them from telling us about.”

“Ignorance is one of the greatest weapons those clinging to their own power can wield.” The Prior interjected, glancing over the gathered Jaffa with a knowing look in his eyes. “As those here are aware.”

“With one of the other great weapons being expectations of blind faith.” Eventus shot back, more than a little relieved at being handed this particular opening. 

“Sounds a bit familiar doesn’t it?” He said, taking a moment to focus judgingly on each of the Jaffa’s forehead brands. “I wouldn’t even be surprised if they tried to offer you some minor bits of personal power, just like the Goa’uld probably did to your ancestors when they first made them into Jaffa.”

“The gifts granted by the Ori are nothing like the tricks of their false gods.” The Prior barked.

“Oh really?” Eventus raised a single eyebrow at the man. “When the Goa’uld turned humans into Jaffa they granted them longevity, enhanced physical capabilities, enhanced natural healing, and the ability to pass all three of those things on to their children.”

“And yes,” He gave a nod of acknowledgement. “Those things came with the qualifier of a compromised immune system so they could better control their new servants. But what qualifiers might be connected to the Ori’s gifts?”

His eyes focused on the Prior’s face for several seconds before a smirk graced the corner of his lips. “Other than the brands and skin issues.”

“Our appearance is the physical manifestation of our great devotion to the Ori.” The Prior stated with firm conviction. 

Eventus grinned, moderately sure the Jaffa would see the dodge for what it was. “So blind faith again.” He shook his head mockingly. “Can’t argue with that, so let's switch the subject to something I’m sure you can give a firm answer on. How many women are there who have received the gifts of the Ori like you?”

Not unsurprisingly that question seemed to grab the attention of the two women on the high council, and they both focused on the Prior in wait for his answer.

“Be they man or woman all who follow the path of righteousness shall be raised up high by the Ori’s grace.” 

“So what?” Eventus mocked. “Half? Less than half?” He once more glanced over the members of the high council. “How about it? They’ve been sending Prior’s to your worlds for a couple of weeks now, were any of those women?”

Several of the high councilors exchanged looks, yet tellingly none spoke up in answer.

It was clear from the flash of annoyance on the Prior’s face that he knew he was teetering on the edge of losing several members of the council. Though Eventus knew that even if the man was able to worm his way out of that particular trap, the Jaffa were sure to investigate the question on their own. And the Lantean doubted many of the female Jaffa would be particularly fond of the answer they found.

“I see it is of little use as ever to entertain the words of deceivers." The Prior said, raising his staff up before bringing it down with an echoing bang that started the large milky crystal in its head glowing with an ethereal bluish white light. 

“Those who have not yet come to accept the teaching of Origin can be tolerated.” He intoned, focusing on each member of the high council in turn before fixating on Eventus with a heavy lidded stare. “For they inevitably come to accept its truth in time. But those who have been already cast out of paradise for their deception and trickery have no place where the light of Origin may touch.”

With those words the light coming off the Prior's staff flared to blinding, and mental alarms began to blare in Eventus's head as a force slammed into him with such strength that one of his shield's power cells dropped to a third of its maximum charge.

The Lanteans side arm was up and firing before the light fully cleared, and he saw a brief glimpse of shock flicker across the Priors features before the trio of blue bolts froze in space mere inches away from this face.

“The demon bares its fangs, but they fail to–”

He fell to the ground before he could finish as an inch wide beam of glowing blue energy drilled a hole through his skull, and Eventus was left to blink owlishly as both body and staff were consumed in orange flames that left nothing more than a scorch mark on the stone floor where seconds ago both had previously lain.

“I honestly did not expect that setting to work.” Eventus confessed as chaos broke out in the room.

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Author's Notes: That moment when you massively overestimate your foes ground forces.

Though to be fair, the Prior didn't know that Eventus's weapon could fire a beam. And while telekinesis can stop projectiles/energy bolts easy enough, it's a lot harder to do that with a sustained beam. That said, he didn't think that would matter because really, why wouldn't you give your high powered servants at least a low level personal shield to protect themselves.