Under the cover of night, as the world sank into a deep, enchanting slumber, an invisible warrior slipped past the cultists patrolling the area, like a ghost gliding through the shadows. His path led up a rusty drainpipe that led to the very edge of the roof. A moment later, he stood there, stepping carefully, as if treading thin ice, approaching the heart of the night guard.
Three o'clock in the morning. In these latitudes, the night was velvety black, shrouded in silence, broken only by the occasional voices of the guards. Seth, known for his sumptuous feasts, had granted his followers peace this time, keeping only those on guard duty awake. On the third floor, under the watchful eye of a machine gunner, whose barrel—a tireless guard—traced closed circles in the air, a warrior approached the window opening. The two gunners, separated by the attic walls, were unaware of the creeping threat.
A weapon materialized in his hand—cold metal, ready to awaken the night. A cautious glance, confirming the absence of patrols, and a lightning-fast movement: the Intar plunged into the doorway, pulling the trigger. A red flash, swallowed by the streetlights, and the dull thud of a fallen body were the only witnesses to the fleeting battle. The former SAS officer slipped inside and quickly immobilized the machine gunner. The door swung open, revealing a long, dark corridor. Finding the right room, he used force again, but this time with exceptional precision. Alas, the precaution proved in vain. Feeling a slight shift in the airflow, the machine gunner turned, and two shots found his chest.
"The machine gunners have been neutralized," a quiet voice sounded, like an echo from nothingness.
Figures began to creep from the forest thicket like ghostly shadows, heading toward the central structure. Patrols, like tireless guards, surrounded the building complex, protecting the outbuildings, vegetable gardens, and all the infrastructure that supported the colony's autonomous existence. Not far from Seattle, far from the bustle of the city, Seth had built his kingdom, and his most fatal mistake was his decision not to clear the surrounding forests. Even bright lighting couldn't completely dispel the gloom, allowing one to hide within its embrace.
One of the groups, armed with Thompson submachine guns, was patrolling the barn. Suddenly, two red beams pierced the silence, and bloody bodies fell to the ground, instantly bound.
"The first group has been neutralized."
"The second group has been neutralized."
"The third group has been neutralized."
"The fourth group has been neutralized."
"The last group remains in the North-East, near the attic," Sareh reported into the earpiece.
The two guards, engrossed in conversation, seemed oblivious to the approaching threat. Two shots from the roof interrupted their conversation, and their bodies fell soundlessly, only a faint rustling sound breaking the silence. The assault team held its breath, hoping no one would wake up.
"Let's begin breaking into the house."
Five SAS soldiers donned specially designed gas masks. Their purpose wasn't to purify the air, but to saturate it for twenty minutes, acting as a kind of antidote to the "nishta." Thanks to aerial and space reconnaissance, they had a precise idea of the layout of the buildings and their inhabitants. The cloaked soldier headed for the weapons rooms. There, among the Goa'uld and human weapons, bombs were planted. Soon, he and the others approached the doors, preparing to pump in the sleeping gas.
The men lived in the basement, the women on the first floor, next to the residence. The second floor was reserved for the "god's" private quarters, where only servants or women for nighttime pleasures were allowed. Time was on their side, so they advanced slowly and deliberately. The real threat came from those going to the toilet, so two fighters kept a constant watch on the corridors.
The women's quarters were cleared in fifteen minutes. A gesture announced: three guards were outside Seth's chambers. Their bodies falling by the door would undoubtedly attract attention. This was the most dangerous moment of the operation. Even a step up the stairs to the attic was risky—the entire staircase was within the guards' line of sight.
In the event of a surprise attack, the falling bodies could awaken Seth. There were three other women inside, along with him. The enormous oak door to his chambers could become an insurmountable obstacle, giving him time to don the tape device and worsen the situation.
"Sarekh, I need your toys," a voice said.
"I got you."
Pulse pistols could penetrate the barrier of the belt device, but the risk was too great. Szarekh, however, had the Staff of Light and an anti-gravity backpack, allowing him to quickly reach his target and make a spectacular entry through the window. Unlike the SAS soldiers, he had armor that could withstand such impacts, as well as regeneration and reckless courage. A pulse pistol could also be useful, but breaching a door or window would still take precious time. A window wasn't the best option for a quick entry, especially under fire.
Szarekh accelerated toward the window. Before firing a telekinetic pulse from his staff, he adjusted his gravity pack to literally fly inside. At the same moment he heard the sound of breaking glass, SAS soldiers climbed the stairs and gunned down Seth's guards.
In the room, as Szarekh flew through the window and aimed his staff at the bed, the man lying there threw one of the women toward him with superhuman strength and rushed toward the secret passage. Turning, he aimed a ribbon device at Szarekh. Seeing the woman flying toward him, he immediately threw his spear and used the intar on the ribbon device to stun her. Two golden crystals flared, and their shield, penetrating Seth's defenses, sent him flying into the wall. Szarekh's shield, adjusted to absorb any impact, held.
The fight lasted seconds. The stunned women barely had time to scream before they were overwhelmed. The SAS soldiers burst in, disarmed the naked Seth, and bound him tightly.
"Excellent treatment of the ladies."
"In any unclear situation, use intar."
"That's why your wife hates you."
"She loves me, she just doesn't like my diplomacy."
"Be naive. Further orders."
"We use the Zetas to remove the Nishta, take away everything alien and give the cultists money so they leave."
"Good plan."
"It was a successful combat operation, congratulations to everyone," Sareh praised. "No one was killed, and that's the highest sign of skill."