Atlantis
Researching the Atlantis database was never easy. At times it was a painfully slow process. Daniel Jackson was the rare fan of extensive searches in the ancient archives. His current assignment was to locate any remaining undiscovered ancient outpost's within the Milky Way. Six weeks in and the project was beginning to bear fruit. What new discoveries would the research lead to? This was the type of thing Daniel lived for. Shipping his coffee while reading the ancient text he leaned closer to the data terminal screen while setting his coffee down. Could it be, he wondered?
On the screen was a list of what appeared to be outposts within the galaxy. No stargate addresses, but highly defined locations. One of them was located within our own solar system. "Pluto? That's not even a planet." he muttered.
Homeworld Command
"And why do you think you need to jaunt across the solar system with the Hammond? What has that ever accomplished Daniel?" asked General Jack O'Neill.
"Well let's see, the discovery and recovery of Atlantis, liberation of mankind in two galaxies, untold scientific advancement, the combined knowledge of two advanced races..." trailed out Daniel.
Good point thought Jack. "Any idea what these locations are?" asked the General.
"Based on the ancient database the locations seem to be anchorage points for the ancient fleet. Resupply outposts, repair facilities, shipyards, and the like. Think of what might still be there Jack. The opportunity is too great to pass up. Or we could always wait for the Lucian Alliance to find it I suppose." chided Daniel.
Home World Command saw the value in discovery. Even the IOA would jump at this chance. The Tauri Fleet while incredibly powerful was also incredibly small. Anything that could even the playing field as far as numbers were concerned was a top priority. Leaning back in his chair Jack day dreamed for a moment about an Aurora Class named Enterprise that should be his. "Ok, you've got a green light. Make sure you bring the Hammond back with a full tank of gas when you're done."
The George Hammond
Colonel Samantha Carter never tired of looking at her new command. The Hammond was the newest ship in the fleet, with a proud name. Currently she was on the dark side of the moon after taking on supplies, personnel, and a new assignment.
"Give me full sublight to our destination." ordered the blond haired Colonel.
On her Ipad was the information Daniel had carried aboard. A location and signaling instructions. Those two pieces of information were all that was to be had. Heading to the briefing room Sam wondered what they might find. If this was as big as she suspected this find could be a major game changer for Earth.
"Thanks for the lift" someone said as Sam entered the briefing room.
"Anytime Colonel Sheppard" replied Sam.
The command group of the Hammond, in addition to Colonel Sheppard and Daniel Jackson plotted out an action plan for their arrival around Pluto.
"We scoured two galaxies for ancient outposts and you're telling me we might have had one in our backyard all this time?" asked John Sheppard.
"As we all know the ancients were great at keeping things hidden when they wanted to. These locations were buried in nondescript sections of the database. It could be that they compartmentalized the information or took it for granted that everyone with a need to know already knew." answered the linguist.
"Upon arrival we'll stand off five hundred thousand kilometers and you can proceed in the Jumper. If this site has any automated defenses the presence of an ancient jumper should be much more acceptable than the Hammond. We've uploaded the signaling instructions for you and they are already aboard the shuttle." stated Sam.
"I'm telling you right now, it's never this easy with ancient sites. I really don't want to have to get shot at, save the day, and fly back here to say I told you so." joked Sheppard.
Accelerating to full sublight the Hammond sliced thru the icy vacuum of space like a great white shark. It would be a short trip, but then they always were. In hours, the ship crossed a distance that just twenty years ago would have taken mankind decades to cross. Humanity had come so far in a few short years. From those first tentative steps threw the stargate to having intergalactic capable spacecraft and Atlantis sitting outside of San Francisco was breathtaking. Sam and Daniel both had the privilege of being there every step of the way. What would the next twenty years hold wondered the Hammonds commander.
Andromeda Galaxy
"The question is do we tell the Tauri? Do they not have the right to know? It is my opinion that to continue to deceive them is a mistake we will come to regret." stated Thor.
As the Asgard High Council debated the subject amongst themselves Thor thought of the Tauri he had come to value as friends. They were a strong people, and had fought for the Asgard against the Replicators when it was needed most.
"Supreme Commander Thor, we have gifted the Tauri with our entire base of knowledge. We have no need to explain our actions to them." replied Odin, Chief Delegate of the High Council.
Rising from his seat, Thor took several steps towards the High Councils podium.
"They are the fifth race. Yes, we did entrust them with our knowledge and legacy, but we also laid upon them the burden of maintaining our treaties. They are a strong race, but a young race. It is not our right to hinder their development so that our treaty obligations are fulfilled. We solved our genetic degeneration with an Ancient DNA manipulation device, and they are the second iteration of the ancients. We saved ourselves with technology that is rightfully theirs. If we abandon a friend and ally of the Asgard, we are no better than the Vanir." stated Thor in rebuttal.
Quickly changing subjects Odin inquired about the status of rebuilding the Asgard Fleet. The entire fleet minus the O'Neill Class ship Iskr had been decimated when Othalla had been destroyed. The Iskr under cloak had slipped away carrying the consciousness of every living Asgard in its memory banks. The plan was to rebuild the race anew; free of the curse they had lived under for so many thousands of years.
"Supreme Commander Thor, once the fleet is rebuilt, reestablish contact with the Tauri. Explain to them what was done and why it was done." directed Odin.
Knowing a victory had just been handed to him Thor returned to the shipyards to oversee his task. The Asgard would soon reappear on the universal stage.
Pluto
On the very edge of the solar system was Pluto. Once classified as a plant, then reclassified as a micro planet Pluto was nothing more then a lifeless ball of ice and rock. The Hammond maintained station five hundred thousand kilometers out while conducting scans. No energy signatures, no life signs, nothing but ice and rock. The Ancients were very good at making things disappear, even themselves, so looks could be deceiving.
"Scans show nothing Colonel" stated Captain Fisher.
"I expected as much. Jumper One, you are clear to depart." sighed Samantha Carter.
Inside the jumper bay the outer force field was dropped and the ancient spacecraft sped away. Not knowing what to expect only John Sheppard and Daniel Jackson were aboard.
"Once I am within fifty thousand kilometers start transmitting Doc." said Sheppard.
Speeding towards the micro planet the jumper's sensors detected nothing. Once within range Daniel began transmitting the signal, not knowing what to expect. Suddenly the sensors came alive with massive energy readings, and the micro planet seemed to change in the view screen. It wasn't a planet at all, but a man made celestial body.
"Uh doc, I'm not doing the flying anymore." moaned Sheppard.
Altering course the jumper sped towards an opening in the massive object. Approaching a gigantic opening a force field visibly dropped. Gliding in on autopilot the jumper passed numerous ancient vessels, sitting at anchor like sentinels of old. Some ships appeared complete while others were in various states of construction.
"This is amazing! It must be a giant shipyard! Good thing I finally agreed to the ATA gene therapy." exclaimed Daniel.
Heading towards the upper portion of the massive hollow sphere the jumper gently docked and opened its rear hatch.
"Greetings citizens, I am Arkos. Your arrival has been much anticipated." said the man standing at the jumper hatch. With a slight flicker, Daniel and Sheppard saw Arkos was clearly a hologram.
"Arkos, I am Dr. Daniel Jackson and this is Colonel John Sheppard. Are you a graphic representation of this facilities creator?" asked Daniel.
"No Dr. Jackson, I am the station automated control system. An unknown warship is within weapons range of this facility. Will you authorize defense procedures?" asked Arkos innocently.
"No, no, no Arkos! That won't be necessary. That ship brought us here." stammered Jackson.
Arkos processed that answer for a moment before displaying a photographic representation of all of earth's vessels with the label friendly in ancient beneath.
"Very well doctor. I was instructed to stand down from construction of all vessels and materials before Atlantis removed itself from Terra. Do you authorize resumption of my duties?" asked Arkos.
"I think we'd like to take a look at what you've got on the lot first Arkos" laughed Sheppard.