Four years had passed since the assault on the ancient city of Avalon with 96% of her technology returned to the city, the remainder of the technology had to be rebuilt from scratch by the teams within the city. Although something still puzzled those in command was happened to the remainder of that technology, seemingly useless equipment anywhere but in the city itself although four of the city's Puddle-Jumpers where still unaccounted for, one of similar design too those of Atlantis, one of native design to the city and one created by the city's inhabitants themselves. However, it was not the three missing that had disturbed them so much it was the fourth, a unique design of Puddle-Jumper with advanced technology that was to be incorporated into their growing fleet of ships which had been since designed and built in response to the Tau'ri's growing armada of vessels in light of the building 'Cold-War' between them.
Fearing that their technology had been adapted by the Tau'ri, the Avalon Alliance instituted a program of updating all of their surviving vessels with Sentinel Technology along with building newer vessels whilst under the watchful eye of the Tau'ri and their Jaffa Nation Allies. Although their fragile Alliance with the Atlantis Expedition and USS Hammond was still young, it was an Alliance of necessity in order to keep an eye on the expansion of the Tau'ri Sphere of influence throughout the galaxy and beyond.
As a part of the secret alliance with Atlantis, Richard Woolsey, Colonel Shepard and his team along with Colonel Carter had briefly returned to Avalon City to sign the treaty and join in the celebrations as guests at the marriage ceremony of Jennifer Tate and Jack Bourne after which the happily married couple spent a two week honeymoon on Atlantis itself as a gift from the Atlantis team. Before leaving for Atlantis as her final promise, Jennifer finally cured her brother-in-law of his illness which had been cause by the Serum she created in response to the Tau'ri threat, a cure which came from her own D.N.A. Spending a total of four weeks in the twin city, Jennifer and Jack returned home with the news that Jennifer was now expecting their first child and celebrations echoed around the city for the third time since their first encounter with the Earth vessel, an encounter which had cost them greatly in the past.
After the acceptance of an alliance with the Athosians and Satedans, their numbers grew by hundreds as they took in as many as wanted to join their ranks as either civilians or join in their growing military forces. Accepting a promotion back in the City, Jack Bourne left the coveted position as Commander of their Flagship and took up his new position as Second in Command of the City as nine months later, Jennifer gave birth to a girl they named Molly M. Bourne.
Stargate Trilogy
Part Three:
Chapter One:
A New Threat
Observational Medical Journal, Doctor Jennifer Tate-Bourne recording.
It has been almost three weeks since I recorded the last entry on Subject Three and the situation has not improved. With each passing day I grow more concerned for the health of my Daughter. As previously stated in this Journal, Molly has displayed unusual abilities which I have now confirmed are apart of the Serum that I once took in order to cure William of his illness… Perhaps I should once again start at the beginning as Requested by Doctor Andrews.
Nine months ago Jack was playing with our daughter who by that time had progressed at an astounding rate. Her physical and mental status is that of a five year old girl. However, it was not her rapid development that had shocked him so. While playing with her toys which had been given to her by Doctor McKay of Atlantis, my husband believed that he heard Molly call out to him, not vocally but with her mind something she instantly denied and he shook off as him being exhausted. Several days later I had a similar experience with my daughter as I felt her mind reach out to mine causing her great distress. Instantly we took her to the infirmary for medical treatment, nevertheless nothing was discovered but at the same time and while on the opposite side of the city, William heard the same thing in his mind.
It seemed to have been a random occurrence and eventually we got back to our daily lives, finally I returned to work on a part time basis and continued with my work alongside my former assistant Charlie, who took over once I left.
With the private celebrations for Molly's third birthday in full swing with family and close friends, Molly's god-father appeared in the city, a man she knew well and was eager to see once again, Rodney McKay. Delivering yet another gift for her growing collection of stuffed animals, she tore off the paper and was overjoyed by what he had brought her. And that is when it happened for the first time, as she was playing with her gift the stuffed animal appeared to levitate before her causing her much grief as she could not understand what was happening before her.
She spent several days in the Infirmary as myself and Doctor Andrews investigated what was happening to my daughter, and that is when I discovered the truth. The Serum I had taken years ago to find a cure had left a marker in my own D.N.A, it had activated dormant genes within me before I administered the cure itself which stabilised the illness, however my worst fears had come to light as they where passed on to my infant child during my pregnancy. Both myself and Jack had always suspected that those abilities would one day surface within her but, we had hoped that they would appear during maturity not someone so young.
Well, enough background on this once more… her last incident was three weeks ago nothing more then entering my mind. I had learned since to help her control her abilities and continued to teach her to do so as I had learned from Billy. This morning, I entered her bedroom to wake her and I was shocked at what I saw as everything in her room with the acceptation of her bed was levitating by 12 inches off of every surface as she sat with a strange and calm smile upon her face. Her I.Q had leapt seemingly overnight to equal that of a child of around twelve years of age and now as I write this, my three year old child is reading technical information on this city and its abilities. How much more can her mind take? I have no idea how to stop this from happening again and even the City Council on which I sit, is growing fearful of my child myself included… I need help.
Four days had past since Jennifer had submitted a report to the Council and the Command Staff of the City as a strange calm had filled the city while people attempted too continue with their daily lives while the possibility of a war with the Tau'ri grew ever closer. Acting under the orders of the Military council and the City Commanding Officer, a Tau'ri Starship had docked on one of the piers of the ship for a classified meeting with the Military Council of the City itself, only one of two Tau'ri ships allowed enter Avalon territory, the HMS Churchill under the command of Captain Jennifer Connors had been chosen specifically for this secret assignment of delivering one man to the city, General Jack O'Neill himself.
Heavily guarded by the City Security, the General and Captain entered the briefing room while a squadron of Avalonian fighters circled the city as four heavily armed Starships orbited their homeworld.
"General Tate, Colonel Bourne. General O'Neill and Captain Connors as requested" A security officer said with respect.
"Thank you Officer. Please have your men wait outside, this will not take long" Juliana said with a polite smile. "Please take a seat. We have much to discuss"
"You know, I'm starting to feel less like a friend and more like an enemy General Tate" O'Neill moaned as he sat down slowly.
"A sign of the times I am afraid sir" Juliana said with respect. "Captain, good to see you again"
"And you Ma'am" Connors nodded.
"Now that we are alone. We can not hide what has happened in the past between our peoples. The Tau'ri are arrogant, angry and have progressed beyond your abilities, technologically of course"
"The same could be said for you General" O'Neill said abruptly.
"Agreed! But we have been nothing if not patient with your people. On no less then two occasions your people have invaded this city and killed our own. We have been teetering on the edge of war for years now, on several occasions your vessels and teams have been spotted in our territories they have been challenged and returned as stated…"
"It is now the decision of the council that Earth MUST be dealt with…" Bourne said politely.
"Are you threatening us?" O'Neill growled.
"No, but Jack is correct. Earth is a major problem, a problem that has to be dealt with promptly or this galaxy will be plunged into a war the likes of which no one will come out on top. General, Jack… the Council has decided that we will open formal negotiations with Earth and your respective Allies"
"Negotiations for what?" Connors said slowly.
"A treaty between us, the alternative it not pleasant" Bourne replied.
"Taking notes from your people, we have decided that an area of space become neutral, in which none of our vessels or teams will enter" Juliana said firmly.
"You want to carve up the galaxy into segments?" O'Neill laughed.
"We have all that we need where we are. The Alliance Council has drafted a list of worlds uninhabited that divides our two peoples… we hope that we can find an amicable arrangement with you and your allies. Make no mistakes General, we have also turned away many Jaffa vessels from our space. Some have not left on friendly terms. Please, take this back to your leaders and give it some serious thought. My patience is growing thin with you and your people…" Jennifer said softly.
"… As is that of the Alliance General, Captain. We will no longer tolerate the constant threats from your people believe us when we say that you do not want us as an enemy… we are slow to anger but swift in retaliation, the Goa'uld learned that harsh lesson"
Sitting before them, O'Neill remembered the preliminary reports from Captain Connors and SG-1 on their first encounter and how they had revealed that many of their people had descended from not only Earth but many other species throughout the galaxy including the now extinct Tollana. Nodding slightly he picked up a paper folder and opened the cover as he looked over the proposed zone between them as he spoke gently.
"This doesn't leave you with much space General. As a matter of fact, it gives us fully two-thirds of the galaxy"
"As I said, we have everything we need Jack, we have even created a so called 'Buffer-Zone' where our people are safe from your interference. I strongly recommend you take this offer"
Silence fell over the four of them for a brief moment until the lights dimmed in the briefing room as Juliana and Jack leapt to their feet and looked around as a young officer entered the room and walked towards Julia before whispering in her ear. Instantly her muscles tightened as she clenched her fists before she looked down upon the two Tau'ri with anger as the three looked at her with a million questions in their eyes.
"This meeting is over. Bourne, you are with me. General, Captain… you will both remain here until you can be removed to secure quarters for your own safety" She said darkly.
"Wait! What is happening" Connors yelled.
"Captain Connors, do not resist. I would rather not have you both restrained after all, you Captain share a family line with my first officer here"
"What?!" Bourne yelled.
"I will tell you later Jack" Juliana said with darkness in her eyes.
"What is happening?" O'Neill growled.
"I have just been informed that one of our ships is under attack from a Tau'ri cruiser. That is an act of war General O'Neill. For your own safety, I would recommend that you remain here…"
"That's not possible!" Connors yelled.
Before anyone could reply, Juliana Tate and Jack Bourne had left the briefing room at almost full speed as the security guards entered the room and drew their sidearm's, aiming them directly at the two Tau'ri. Stepping to the nearest console, Juliana accessed the computer system as the face of one of her own appeared on the screen before her with a report on the situation.
"Repeat, Any allied vessels, this is the Civilian Liner Nelson, we are under attack by a ship with Tau'ri markings. Our shields are failing and our weapons are depleted, requesting assistance… can anyone hear me?"
"Nelson, this is Avalon… we can barely hear you. What is your status?" Juliana yelled.
"General? Thank god! Our shields are at 10% and failing our weapons are not even making a dent in their shields… Ohh no! shields are gone, for God Sake! Halt your attack! We're a civilian ship, we have women and children onboard, repeat we are none-combatant… HALT YOUR ATTACK!…"
Instantly, the screen turned to static as Juliana's anger begun to boil over while Jack looked down at the screen in shock and fear as she yelled.
"What is the closest ship?" She said harshly to anyone listening.
"The Valiant is the closest vessel, she's on shakedown cruise in the area. Dispatching them right away" Called out a frightened young officer.
"Did he say the Nelson?" Jack said with fear.
"Yes, why Jack… what don't I know?"
"Jenn and Molly are on that ship…" He said quickly.
"What? Why the hell wasn't I told?" Juliana yelled.
"They where heading to the Lab on Igor Prime, they think they can help us" He said as his anger built up within him.
"Ohh hell! Contact EVERY SHIP in that sector NOW!" Juliana yelled. "Find the Nelson, they have clearance to fire on any ship attacking the Nelson. Bring me O'Neill and Connors…"
Moved into a secured area away from the population and stripped of anything that resembles a communications device or weapon, General O'Neill and Captain Connors had been placed in empty quarters on the furthest reaches of the city while a heavy security presence had been placed at all exits and escape routes close by. The Tau'ri cruiser had been locked down onto the Pier with docking clamps as two Avalon light cruisers maintained hovered above the ship while the number of fighter craft had doubled.
"What the hell is going on?"
"I wish that you would stop asking that General, I know as much as you do" Connors sighed deeply.
"I was just thinking out loud. You have family here, can't you use that somehow? Find out what is going on out there?" He moaned.
"I tried sir. All I got was, well nothing"
The sound of a force field deactivating on the opposite side of the door caught their attention as they both looked towards the opening door as General Tate entered while wearing a weapon on her hip and four men entered with their weapons drawn, aimed directly at them.
"General, what the hell is going on?" O'Neill yelled.
"One of our… Civilian ships was attacked by your people, that much you know. Ten minutes ago, I heard from one of our ships that the passengers and crew are alive. A few minor injuries, but two are missing… taken by your people" She grunted.
"What? That is not possible, we value…"
"Ohh spare me that shit Connors. Your people have been invading our space for years and now you have attacked, invaded and taken two of our citizens. Along with the attacks on this city, we are now at a state of war…"
"WHAT?" O'Neill yelled.
"The Alliance will no longer sit back and watch as your people destroy this galaxy"
"General, Juliana… let us help you" O'Neill said calmly.
"The time of negotiating with your people has passed. You will both be escorted to you vessel and away from our city. Do NOT Challenge me no longer. Effective of now, the relationship between the Tau'ri and my people has ended, including the Alliance with Atlantis…"
"What alliance?" O'Neill said with shock.
"WE thought we could trust you. Atlantis was our hope for a first step between our people, I see that we where wrong. All Tau'ri from Atlantis have been expelled from this Alliance, those of the other species we have brought into our alliance have requested that they remain with us, something we have granted… for now. Send this message too your people General O'Neill… we will no longer sit back and watch as your people invade our space, challenge our Sovereignty, attack our ships and take our people as hostage. The time for diplomacy is over… as I speak, every… one of our ships is being armed and activated…"
"How many ships?" Connors said, fearing the answer.
"Two hundred and Forty heavily armed vessels. Prepare yourselves Connors, O'Neill. I, no we had high hopes that the Tau'ri had opened their minds too us. But I now see that you are as vicious and dark as when we left Earth a century ago. Security, get them and their ship off of my city before they become the first casualties of this war they created!"
"Yes, General" Said the lead security officer.
As they where led out of the room, Captain Connors shook her arms loose from the guards holding her before she raised her hands in peace and slowly turned towards Juliana as she spoke.
"Wait! You said two where taken, who are they? You owe us that much"
"You are right Captain Connors, I owe you that much. They are my Sister Jennifer and her three year old daughter Molly. I can guarantee you this much Captain, General. If they are harmed in anyway, if even a single strand of hair is taken from their heads… I will not be able to control the repercussions from my First Officer or the Alliance itself… and more importantly, ME!. You should leave while you still can… I have declared you as none-combatants under a flag of truce, that can very quickly change. Prey that they are not harmed…"
"Jack is the father?" Connors said slowly.
"Yes, I guess you could say that she is family. You see Miss Connors, we took a sample of your blood the first time you came onboard this city. Your grandfather's brother was a member of the original team who was stranded here a nearly century ago, I would rather not hurt you Jennifer Connors but I will order your quaint little vessel destroyed if you do not comply with our demands, you have safe passage into Tau'ri space… make the most of it people we will not show the same military quarter again" She said darkly.