Stargate: Unity, 4th Series

Episode 4: Shock n' Awe

Chapter 1:

Inside Access News channel, Videos of rioting and protests in major cities all over the world playing on the monitors.

"...And that was the scene in New York yesterday, same as it has been for the last week all over the world." Stated Julia, "The latest statistics show rioting and looting is slowly going down, but protesting reached an all time high in Washington yesterday. However after the presidential inauguration for President Bridges, he stated in his speech that things will get better, and the planet is safe, safer than it has been in the past without access to this level of technology. He also hinted on the possibility of more displays of this technology in the weeks to come, however that has yet to be confirmed."

Brand new under water Mediterranean SGC, Briefing Room:

"Alright whats this about?" Asked Landry, walking into the briefing room from his office inside the structure that, for the most part, was identical to the Cheyenne mountain complex, although much larger, the main rooms were built virtually exactly the same.

Sam stood up in attention to the general entering the room and spoke, "I just thought I'd update you on my investigation, sir, So far I have confirmed it was the Lucian alliance responsible for the past events, as for the virus that shut down all of our 304's systems, I have no idea how they got it onto the ships without us knowing, we know they've had spies amongst most establishments to do with the Stargate but we should have at least picked it up. Luckily however, only 3 304's were in orbit at the time and because the Arcturus' systems are different, it was not affected and was able to beam us out."

"Thank you colonel, but unless you can prevent this from happening in the future or provide intelligence on Lucian Alliance bases, none of that is going to help us. Right now our only operational ship is the Arcturus and she's just supposed to be a support ship, not the earth's last line of defence."

"Actually I have an idea about that too Sir, we need to contact Baal."

"Baal?" Cam said, breaking his uncharacteristic silence. "We couldn't trust anything he says even if we could find him!"

"We'll have to take that chance, but we don't actually need to find him, now that the secrets out we can use the media to get in contact with him, chances are he will see it and contact us through a secure line."

"Alright, do it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to." Replied the general.

General Landry stood in the gate room, awaiting his guest, "Welcome back to earth, Mr Banks, how was your trip?"

"Rather eventful, thank you general." Replied Mike, handing a rather large box to a nearby SF, "These are your newest ZPM's courtesy of Dr. McKay and I."

The SF opened it, briefly took a look inside at the three ZPM's, closed it again and started off down the hall.

"Why thank you, they have been rather useful."

"Apparently not useful enough to stop the destruction of three ships though, Speaking of, Sam said she would like some help with the computer virus?"

"Yes, this way." Landry said, gesturing down the hallway.

"Good afternoon Mr President," Said Jack, entering the president's temporary office in the pentagon.

"Jack, Welcome, take a seat."

Jack sat down at the other side of the president's desk and nodded greetings to General Ryan, chief of staff, sitting next to him.

"So I understand you have some suggestions about the Lucian alliance?" The president continued.

"Yes sir, now that the secret's out, I recommend we wage full scale war against the alliance. We can now commit much more resources and man-power to the cause."

"The people won't like that," Said Ryan, "we just told them that they've been lied to for 15 years, and now we tell them that we're going to war against an enemy they've only just heard of?"

"General, They just killed the president, the American public will back us on this for that you have my word." Said Bridges, taking Jacks side, "the hard part will be convincing the rest of the world that we need to do it. Ill present it to Tau'ri Command, it's their decision."

Although they hadn't done anything to attract the sense, jack had a feeling they were just going to be a new IOA.

Tau'ri command world centre, outside the large auditorium/conference room for all international leaders.

"So?" Asked Carter, waiting anxiously as Cam walked out of the room.

"Their gonna' hold a worldwide public referendum. First one of its kind." Whispered Mitchell, shutting the door quietly behind him.

"Wow, wasn't expecting that."

"Yeah well, they didn't want to piss of the world any more than it already is, anyways what about Baal? He contacted you yet?"

"Yes, and he has provided Intel on a Lucian Alliance base... for a price. Can't be sure how reliable it is, but General O'neill has authorised a recon mission, have fun."

"You're not coming?"

"I'm still working on deciphering that virus and installing ample protection against something like that in the future, also General Landry wants to know when the backup for the Asgard core can be installed on the Arcturus."

"Wow that's weird..." Said Mike, thinking out load. "Here Sam, take a look at this."

"That can't be right, this suggests AI on a level far past anything we previously thought the Lucian Alliance scientists were capable of, most of them aren't even very educated – all that is required of them is a understanding of how to operate and how to make basic repairs to Goa'uld technology." Replied Sam, loosing herself in the monitor as she leant closer and closer reading the data.

"Well it only takes one genius. Plus they would have access to technology able to do this wouldn't they? From various civilisations over the galaxy?"

"I suppose, but this is the first indication of it, apart from Icarus but they had spies stealing knowledge from us in that case."

"Well now that we know how adaptive it can be, it should just be a matter of writing a program with enough variability to counter anything the virus can come up with."

"Easier said than done."