A Hydra agent was operating on Tagria, a planet lost three hundred light-years from Earth. It was one of Heruur's forgotten domains, though the Tagrians themselves, having erased all evidence of their enslaved past, no longer remembered it. Their written history spanned only three centuries—a highly sophisticated method of concealing the truth. The planet, possessing a sufficient level of development, attracted the attention of Szarekh and the Tetrarchy, but this also raised many questions regarding the methods of influence.
The Hydra agent methodically gathered information, analyzing the situation and compiling a detailed report. Using scanners, he managed to locate the gate. He established a base, stocking himself with the necessary supplies, and now faced the task of initiating excavation of the gate. Formally, this could be presented as a geological survey, but several issues remained unresolved. The key was securing a sufficient number of agents. Since Tagria was a unified entity, contact between the Tetrarchy and the planet was entirely possible. Unlike Earth, where open contact could lead to the immediate destruction of the planet in the flames of endless wars, here, it was likely that fewer unforeseen difficulties would arise.
Integrating into the new society proved a fascinating process, especially when it required mastering yet another variation of the Egyptian language. The procedure involved temporarily disabling the local's consciousness, scanning their mind to download general information about the planet, and then erasing their memories of the abduction. Everything was rigged to create the impression that the man had overindulged in alcohol—a scenario that worked almost every time, making it the most versatile and frequently used.
Next came the forgery of documents. If a computer database was available, it was hacked to add new identities with carefully crafted biographies. The most successful cover story was that of a simple villager who had achieved success in the big city. Thus, any non-compliance with the agent's unwritten rules of conduct was attributed to his "village" origins and his stay in the city, for example, for the purpose of obtaining an education. This was a standard and proven tactic. Enrollment in a university as a student was also recommended, since students constituted the most active segment of the population, willing to share ideas even when no one asked them to.
Having fully integrated into society, the agent could begin full-fledged intelligence operations, forming an intelligence network. The goal was to obtain information about technology, the political system, and, most importantly, to determine the true motives of politicians. If necessary, the agents were to gather compromising information on them.
On Earth, special archives existed for this incriminating evidence, causing anyone who encountered that planet to doubt humanity's sincerity. The Goa'uld, at least, openly displayed their sins, without calling them such, but also without presenting themselves as righteous. On Earth, however, a person who discussed moral values could commit immoral acts. However, many planets were guilty of this, and Earth was no exception. It seems that constant lying, including to oneself, is an inherent human trait.
On the other hand, the Hydra agent obeyed Szarekh, a Goa'uld whose actions undeniably demonstrated his sincerity and desire for power over the entire universe. Considering Urvashi's transformation, this didn't seem so negative. If every world became as advanced as the agent's homeworld, then this activity would make sense. All in the name of human progress.
"Hey, Kulir, let's go have a drink!" his classmates called out to the Hydra agent. Luckily, he had nanites, otherwise he would have become a drunkard long ago.
"Your liver will be destroyed," the Urvashi answered amiably.
— She's going to die anyway, so it's going to be an epic fight.
"Yes, but my liver doesn't think so," the agent grumbled, but stood up nonetheless. Bars were indeed a place where one could learn a lot of interesting things. Besides, Lenore, the son of a high-ranking official, was a potentially useful contact in Tagria's political life, so communicating with him was part of his job. It was also important that Tagria produced very high-quality alcohol. In a sense, his mission wasn't the most difficult—just drinking on a very comfortable planet. Other agents carried out far more dangerous missions. Still, there was no point in relaxing, as Tagria had its own security service. In the absence of obvious enemies, it concentrated on fighting crime and terrorism, but its presence required caution.
Once the gate is discovered and the Tetrarchy takes control of it, additional forces can be deployed to Tagria, ensuring the success of any peace negotiations. Gone are the days when Szarekh would arrive on the planet knowing nothing about it. Now, reconnaissance precedes him. And Phaetarkh Isara's request to prevent him from firing the intar became a method for Hydra agents—they used the intar to stun, rather than to cause irreparable harm, as was typical of individual Goa'uld.