A Different Kind of Door Ficbit – Paranoia

“Magic, indeed. I would have expected better even of such a young race… there’s a central unit which allows the transport,” DiZ stated. “Nirrti may or may not know that it’s missing; the Nobodies left a very convincing mock-up in its place, and so long as her Heartless can still travel from world to world, she has no reason to check. It’s the symbiote, you see, which actually reaches out to form the portal. I believe you’ve found that the Ancients left a genetic legacy in certain human lineages, one that allows activating their devices?”

Jacob fought down his own and Selmac’s panic. “Nirrti engineered Ancient DNA into these things?”

“Certainly not,” DiZ sniffed. “Why create creatures that could turn against her? No, she was simply trying to duplicate the effect. An engineered gene, to access specific technology; an edge no other System Lord’s forces could match.” His smile held rueful surprise. “It appears to have worked, if only for this limited application.”

Resting his hands on the conference room table, George regarded both Tok’ra with a sober look. “Given all of this is true, gentlemen – why haven’t we seen any sign of these Heartless on Goa’uld worlds?”

“Because Nirrti’s smart enough to play a long game,” Jacob said bluntly. “You saw what happened with just her little invisibility gadget. If any of the System Lords got wind of the stuff she’s put together, even part of it – they’d shred her. So she’s waiting. Building up her forces, until she can get all of the bastards in one swoop.”

“Which is why you haven’t called us in before,” Daniel said thoughtfully. “You’re hoping she pulls it off.”

“Excuse me?” Jacob bristled. “Maybe you weren’t paying attention, but she’s overrun a good two dozen worlds. Killed or mutated millions of people-”

“And if she can take out the ruling Goa’uld in one mighty blow, then all you have to do is take her out,” O’Neill said dryly. “And gee, looks like you already have something that’ll flatten her nifty new troops. And if millions of them have to be cleaned up afterward – can’t make a System Lord omelet without breaking a lot of minion eggs.” He cocked his head, eyeing DiZ coldly. “So how does Riku rescuing his buddy mess with your plans?”

“And I thought Sokar was paranoid.” DiZ shook his head. “My intent is only to help. And to observe; there are many unanswered questions about these Nobodies, even now. Our studies indicated that it would be impossible for a host to wield a Keyblade. Yet somehow, Roxas did.” DiZ raised a blond brow. “Where is he?”