Disclaimer: The characters of Star Trek belong to Paramount. The characters of the Four Orders are entirely my own. The characters of Stargate belong to MGM but the words are mine.
AU/DS9/TNG/SGC: The war with the Dominion takes a turn for the worse. The sudden cry for help from the Q Continuum diverts the Federation's attention to investigate a mystery buried deep into Earth's past: a secret so dangerous that it divides the Earth in two and reshapes the galaxy.
Chapter 2
Unexpected Turn
Captain Sisko paced inside the Enterprise's briefing room restlessly. Despite the power of the ship's computer core, they were unable to get access to the main computer core of the human base they discovered on the planet below. A powerful encryption protected the main computer giving them much trouble.
Captain Sisko never thought they would meet such a problem. The technology down there was three century behind the times and yet despite their obvious advantage they were unable to get access to it. Captain Picard shared his frustration. Even with the best xenolinguists their advance was slow.
The door to the briefing room slid open and Commander Riker and Captain Picard walked in, and sat down gesturing Captain Sisko to follow them. He joined them at the table. The three stood silent for some time. Commanders Laforge and Data soon joined them. Laforge seemed even more frustrated than his superior officers.
"Commander," Captain Picard said looking questioningly at him.
"I've hooked Data to the computer and even his positronic neural network was unable to decipher the encryption."
"It is quite fascinating though, Captain." Data shared. "The data encryption does not match anything we have on record. Its structure is very complex. It is highly unlikely twenty-first century humans could have designed it."
"Then who, the question beckons, Commander Data?" Captain Sisko asked.
"Unknown as I said!" Data replied.
"Alright, what have we learnt so far?" Captain Picard asked hoping they have found at least something of value.
Commander Laforge stood next to the screen in the room and activated it. "We know this base was working for twelve years between 2010 and 2022. Its was the Alpha Site. From what we could learn, it seemed like it was the twentieth base to carry this name."
"WHAT?" Commander Riker exclaimed. "How many times was it destroyed? We did not find evidence of continuous bombardment on the planet."
"Um, I think those bases were not on this planet but on others."
"Did it say where?"
"Well, we've uncovered several locations. The closest one is two hundred light years from here."
"I'm sorry, Geordie, did you say the closest one?" Riker looked at him disbelieving.
"Yes," Geordie Laforge nodded. "The other locations revealed bases on three other planets. We've calculated their positions – first one was six hundred light years, second one twelve hundred lights years, and the last about two thousand light years away from Earth."
"But that's impossible!" Riker exclaimed. None of this was making any sense. "How?"
"We don't know yet. Without access to the main computer core, I can't answer that question."
"That is if the answer is there."
"That is true, Captain Sisko." Geordie nodded in agreement.
"This is the most interesting puzzle we've ever come across." Captain Picard said standing up. "Humans of Earth of the twenty-first century reaching almost further than anyone could have thought possible. And all this buried. Gentlemen, such information is extremely hard to hide for such a long period."
"I think we all agree on that, Captain Picard." Captain Sisko said. "Commander Laforge, do we know what the ring-shaped thing is yet?"
"Well, it is puzzling to say the least. Our investigation reveals this device is able to store power greater than the one produced by the Enterprise herself. It is also a super conductor.
Commander Data believes that the symbols on the inner circle and I agree with him represent star constellations. However beyond that we do not know the purpose of this device."
"Given its ring shape, could it be a transport device?" Captain Sisko asked. "A gateway?"
"It is possible!" Data said.
"Data, I think we could manually move the inner circle."
"To what end, Geordie?"
"Well, if it is a gateway then we could activate it. Our readings show it needs power."
"True, Geordie," Data replied pensively. "But we need a lot of power. The power convertors we have are insufficient to that end."
"We could tie in the impulse engines of a shuttle craft. It could suffice starting it."
"It is worth a try, Commander." Captain Picard concluded. "Get on with it!"
"How are they going to do that?" Riker asked. "This ring is in the heart of a mountain."
"Ah, it is no problem, Commander." Geordie replied. "We discovered a shaft above the ring going straight up to the surface. We believe it used to lower the ring down."
"Lower it?"
"Yes, this device weighs six four thousand pounds."
"Thirty two tons?" Riker looked stunned.
"Commander Laforge, do we have a detailed analysis of the ring's materials?" Captain Sisko asked.
"Yes, we do!" Geordie replied. "Now some of these elements are unknown to us but our analysis indicates…" Geordie paused and put on a display. "This element here can if detonated produce a yield greater than several dozen cobalt devices, with the quantities present within the device that is. This element produces a lot of energy, which I believe is the core power element of this device. Still it is my belief the impulse engine will do fine in powering it up.
Now the other elements are on many planets other than Earth that is. The power element however I was unable to find on any of the planets we know. It is definitely not indigenous to Earth.
This is the detailed analysis of the present elements within the device."
The analysis sadly was not telling them who constructed it or what the exact purpose of the device was.
"Power the device and let's find out what it does." Captain Picard said.
"Yes, Captain,"
Commanders Laforge and Data left the briefing room. It was maddening to lose from twenty-first century mystery. The three men felt this frustration.
On the edge of the galaxy, the massive flying city continued its cleaving through the vacuüm though it was now joined by more than sixty vessels of different designs. Some kept with Earth's old submarines; others resembled fish, third definitely were of organic design and looked menacing, and the rest, enormous ships, like pointing blades or arrows.
Colonel Teyla Sheppard stood on a bridge overlooking the main control room where another ring-shaped device stood. What the Starfleet captains orbiting the Alpha Site did not know was that its name is a Stargate.
A very powerful race called the Ancients built the Stargates over ten thousand years ago. They were the ancestors of the people of Earth. Three centuries ago, the people of Earth discovered it and began exploring the galaxy. They faced many dangerous and perils, and then by the end of 2035, they left Earth for good.
They went into seclusion into the Pegasus Galaxy, which was a feat Starfleet and the Federation could not repeat. It was beyond their ability going beyond the boundaries of the Milky Way Galaxy, but all that was about to change when the children of the Stargate return home.
"Colonel," A major approached her.
"Major McKay," Teyla greeted and smiled though more to herself. Major Connor McKay came more and more often when she was alone, and flirted a great deal. She and he were very much compatible despite their different fields.
"It is a beautiful day." Major McKay said.
This made Teyla smile even more. He was the only one to see day and night in darkness of space, not to mention stating the obvious on many occasions.
"Indeed," Teyla replied completely playing along McKay's thoughts.
"The stars of the Stargate are particularly joyful today. It is a good omen."
"The stars haven't been touched by the humans or their allies for a very long time, Major hence the reason they're happy." Teyla said.
"Very true," Major McKay mumbled then added clearly. "But soon their peace we will disturb it. Do you still think it wise for us to unveil a secret so old? Do you think they are ready?"
"They have conquered the stars, expanded beyond the Earth. Yes, I think they are ready for a few more surprises." Teyla replied.
"But will they accept Stargate Command as an equal?"
"I truly do not know, Connor. If we were in their place, the answer would probably be NO. But hopefully, they are more evolved today and they can see the wisdom in this. They have never dealt with this type of …well everything. We are the experts here. They will share."
"Yes, but they are in a middle of war that they are not winning."
"No, indeed not," Teyla said becoming more serious. It was true the Federation and its allies were not winning the war. "We will help. I have already sent word to Commander Tolvin of the Enlightened Ones. He will send ships and we deal with this Dominion."
"Many things will…" Major McKay did not finish his sentence as everyone onboard knew it. Many things were going to change. All warp civilizations within range were going to fall and the races of hyperspace will rise once more.
"I know." Teyla said. "It is time we get back. The music will begin soon and we need ready."
"In honor of our ancestors,"
"Yes, in their honor," Teyla agreed.
Back on the planet, Commanders Data and Laforge managed to tie in the impulse engines to the ring-shaped device. Its lights came on but other than nothing happened. This puzzled Commander Data.
"Maybe we should move the inner ring." Geordie suggested. It was their original thought.
They started doing so. The lights had at first come up and then they had extinguished. Now, moving the inner circle, like a tumbler, they started lighting up one by one and then nothing again as the lights went off again.
"Hum," Geordie exclaimed. This was puzzling.
"Geordie," Data said. "If this device is a gateway, it is conceivable that it requires a code."
Geordie slapped himself on the forehead. "Brilliant data. So the symbols represent constellations…so…."
"So?"
"What if they used as map coördinates?"
"It is a possible assessment, Geordie."
"Ok, let's see what happens." They tried again but again nothing. "Alright, let's think this through. We are definitely missing something here."
"Geordie, if it was a course, it would need six points in space to decide the direction and…"
"And," Geordie exclaimed excitedly. "It would need a point of departure. Brilliant, Data. Let's try combining seven symbols."
At one point of course, Geordie realized that the number of computations was in the billions. There were thirty-nine symbols on the device.
"Ok, stop!" Geordie said. "We still do not know how they are calculating distance between two points while using this coördinate system."
"Hum, this is a fair point, Geordie." Data agreed.
"We need to figure this out first."
Geordie and Data had the computer of the Enterprise compile the symbols and name the constellations they represent. With this they were able to find the measure unit. The computer took about two hours to give the necessary information. The determination itself however took most of the day.
Confident of their findings they plotted the course for one of the abandoned bases that was two thousand light years away. Having the symbols representing the distance, they returned to the device and put them. Again the lights of the device lit up and then went off again.
"Ok, this is interesting." Geordie shared. "We did something wrong."
"I believe it is the point of departure."
"Well we have many tries left."
"Thirty eight," Data stated.
They started working again and finally they managed to get it right though Geordie certainly wished they hadn't. There were four Enterprise crewmen present before the device when they finally managed lighting all seven symbols in the correct order, what transpired next, they were not ready for.
The inner part of the ring ignited in bluish matter filling in the void and an unstable vortex on both sides of the device erupted consuming the ill-fated four crewmen with a whoosh. Only their boots remained.
"Wow! What happened?" Geordie exclaimed horrified.
Data got his tricorder and studied the data. "Geordie, they vaporized."
"Oh, dear,"
Geordie looked at the device and despite the horrific event fell in love with the stilled and shiny puddle that occupied the middle of the device.
"This is fascinating." Data exclaimed while examining the shiny puddle with his tricorder.
"What?"
"Geordie," Data exclaimed excitedly. "We are looking at the event horizon of a wormhole, artificial wormhole, perfectly stable."
"What?" Geordie exclaimed and joined him to look at the data. "We should get this information to the Enterprise."
"Geordie, what do you think is on the other side?"
"That is a very good question. But we can't risk sending someone through."
"But we can send a class four probe."
"Yes," Geordie agreed. "Let's do that."
The two returned to the ship to take a probe with them. It took some time and when they returned they saw the puddle disappear and along with the lights on the device.
"Ha, I suppose we have to do it again." Geordie said then turned to the rest of the Starfleet staff around. "Clear the area around the device. We do not want another accident."
Data and he moved the inner circle again until the lights on the gate lit up. The unstable vortex formed with a whoosh and then stilled shortly after.
"Sending the probe,"
The probe went through and the two concentrated on the data it sent back.
"Fascinating," Data exclaimed. The data they were collecting was such. The probe was on another world and there was another device much like the one they were standing in front of.
"It is a gateway, Data, but it seems to set up the wormhole it requires a counterpart."
"I agree." Data said then noticed something and pointed to it. "Geordie, what do you think this is?"
Geordie took a look at the image. There was another device just a few feet away from the gateway. Driving the probe around, they noticed it covered in all the symbols while there was a large red button in the middle.
"I don't know but it seems connected with the gateway device, somehow."
"Geordie, the symbols there are different."
"Indeed," Geordie agreed then remembering something turned to one of the closest Starfleet crewman. "How long was the device active?"
"I think it is about thirty-eight minutes."
"Thank you, crewman Shultz." Geordie was pensive. "We should report our findings to the captain."
"I agree."
Data and Geordie left the site of the device and returned to the Enterprise. They found the captain in his ready room. He convened the others so Data and Geordie could make their report.
"We made a fascinating discovery." Geordie began. "Now we know how the humans of Earth were able to set up a base without the use of starships."
"How?" Commander Riker asked intrigued.
"With this device," Geordie said pointing to the screen where a diagram of the Stargate had appeared.
"It is a fascinating piece of technology." Data continued. "It creates a stable artificial wormhole."
"WHAT?" Captain Sisko exclaimed. "Artificial but stable?"
"Yes," Geordie confirmed. "Although we should have taken some precaution while activating,"
"Why?" Captain Picard asked.
"We lost four crewmen when it activated." Geordie said lowering his gaze. "The forming vortex took us by surprise. It vaporized them on the spot."
"Who did we lose?"
"Crewmen Braxter, Shen, Levi and Menson,"
"We shall hold a memorial later. Go on, Commander," Captain Picard said.
"Ah, yes, captain," Geordie said and continued. "We supposed the device is a gate hence we needed a course and as six points in space and a point of departure find the course."
"Thus seven symbols," Data added.
"Yes," Geordie nodded. "Of course, we first needed to find the way this device measures the distance. Once the Enterprise computers computed the most likely combination we gave it a try. The first one was bust as it turned out because we did not get right the last symbol but with trial and error we got it right."
"So where did it lead?" Riker asked.
"Well, if I'm not mistaken it leads to a base two thousand light years away from our current position."
"We also found another device on the other end of the gate. We believe it connected to the gate." Data added.
"Yes, indeed, but we do not know exactly how." Geordie said. "Now, the gate on the other side…"
"Wait a minute, Commander Laforge." Commander Riker interrupted. "There is another gate?"
"Yes, we figured in order for the gate to set up contact we need another gate."
"Go on!"
"The symbols on the other gate however are different from those on this end."
"This is very interesting." Captain Picard shared. "But if we were to send a team through, do you think, Commander, we would be able to return them?"
"Yes, sir, I'm positive. I believe all we need is to find the departure point for the other gate."
"But Commander you said that symbols are different?" Captain Sisko reminded.
"Actually, they are slightly different." Data replied.
"But you are confident nonetheless that you can return?" Captain Picard asked.
"Yes, Captain," Geordie confirmed.
"Because, Commander, if you are wrong, it would take the Enterprise a lot of time to reach you."
"I understand the risk, Captain."
"Very well, you have a go! Take a team with you and find some more answers about the human activity on that planet."
"Captain, I would also suggest Commander Laforge takes a few xenolinguists with him." Commander Riker pointed out.
"Agreed," Captain Picard said and stood up. Straightening his uniform he added. "Dismissed!"
Geordie Laforge gathered his team and proceeded to the gate. The address dialed and the shiny puddle formed. Commander Data stayed behind if anything goes wrong on the other side while maintaining communication for the next thirty-eight minutes.
"Good luck, Geordie!" He wished. Geordie nodded and stepped through the event horizon momentarily disappearing. His team followed and then the gate shut down much to Data's surprise. "Ensign Sito, redial the gate."
The gate reopened and Data activated his com badge. "Geordie, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Data, loud and clear. What happened?"
"I do not know. The gate shut down right after you crossed."
"It is possible when matter enters it shuts down immediately after the reintegration process."
"It is a distinct possibility." Data agreed. "What can you see?"
"Exactly what the probe saw. The other device is nearby. It is of the same symbols as the ones on the gate." Geordie replied. "I have to study it further to decide if it has any connection to the gate itself, which…." Geordie paused.
"Which?" Data insisted.
"There is a power signature emanating from it. Let me just lift the cover of the middle red button and wow…"
"What is it?"
"There is a crystal inside it. It seems it provides power to the gate itself. I think once the symbols pressed it probably sends a signal straight to the gate."
"Instead of manual dialing…"
"Yes," Geordie said. "Go ahead and explore, ensign."
"Geordie?"
"Um, we are inside some building. There are pictograms on the wall I think they are letters and wow…Data, they are Ancient Egyptian."
"This is curious!"
There was a brief pause. "Data, um, I have to leave now the gate area. It seems Lieutenant Mars has found something interesting outside."
"Maintain contact."
"I will." Geordie replied and then silence.
Data waited patiently.
"Data, this is amazing."
"What is it?"
"There is a pyramid as big the Great Pyramid in Egypt atop the building or more to the point we landed in its lower bowels."
"Fascinating,"
"Other than that there is a lot of desert in every direction."
"Can you pick up any power signatures or life forms?"
"No, the tricorder isn't picking any signs of life."
"Did you discover the return sequence?"
"No, not yet," Geordie said. "But it is somewhere close. We are going to explore a bit."
"Any signs of the base?"
"No, that's why we are going."
"Alright, we'll dial back in an hour."
"Understood, away team out!"
The gate shut down. Geordie and his team left the immediate area around the pyramid and proceeded out into the desert.
Planet Earth, Headquarters of the United Federation of Planets
Admiral Spencer straightened his uniform and entered into the chambers of the presiding council of the Federation. Many have come and not only councilors or representatives of the Federation worlds but there were also many Starfleet officers and home world security.
The admiral noticed the increased presence of Vulcans, Andorians, even Romulans and Klingons. He reached for the podium where the President of the Federation presided and bowed as a sign of respect.
"Mr. President," Admiral Spencer said.
"Ah, Admiral, good of you to join us,"
"May I ask the occasion?"
"Planetary issues, please be seated next to Admiral Seekriff,"
Admiral Spencer was not particularly thrilled of the offer but abided by the president's wishes and sat next to the Andorian.
The president stood up attracting the attention.
"Delegates and honorable representatives of the worlds of the Federation, and distinguished guests," He began. "We have gathered here at this late hour to discuss a disturbing matter."
Silence befell the council's chambers. Many have come but knew not why.
"The war with the Dominion is not going well but this is old news." The president said keeping eye contact with all before him. "For many weeks now, some of you and most of Starfleet's deep range vessels observed strange rifts and unknown ships appearing in certain restricted areas. And until now we did not know their identity."
"But you do now?" The Vulcan representative asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," The president said and lowered his gaze. Sighing deeply and taking a deep breath, he continued though he knew what their reaction would be. "These vessels belong to the human race of the planet Earth."
Uproar filled the council's chambers as the president feared. May representatives were up and gesticulating, shouting and expressing their outrage. Most of those were the ones that have directly observed the vessels appearance.
"Silence, please," The President tried to restore order. After a few attempts he succeeded.
"How did you know that for certain?" The Andorian representative asked.
The next part to follow made the President wish he could be anywhere else now. He did not answer but rather activated the screen. A woman in black leathered outfit with strange coat of arms behind her appeared. She was tall with brown eyes and straight hair falling freely on her shoulders, and beautiful as many noted.
'Who are you? You're human that much is clear.' The voice of Admiral Benson, head of Starfleet replied.
'I am Jeanie Keller, commander of the USS Elizabeth Weir.'
'Never heard of it!'
The said commander moved aside and another woman dressed again in leather attire much similar in figure came next to her but with vivid green eyes.
'Who are you?' Admiral Benson asked.
'I am US Air Force Colonel Teyla Sheppard of Stargate Command and governor of Atlantis.'
'Atlantis?' the Admiral's voice had taken a note of surprise. 'United States of America Air Force?'
'That is correct!' Teyla Sheppard replied.
'The USA do not exist anymore, Colonel. Planet Earth is part of the United Federation of Planets and the ships you dared fire upon are part of Starfleet Command, Earth's finest…'
'Audacity, you are the one to speak!' Teyla Sheppard interrupted. 'Your ships opened fire without any provocation whatsoever and we defended ourselves.'
'Nevertheless, you are not welcome in this sector. This is a restricted area, leave immediately.'
Teyla Sheppard laughed. 'This place has been in the service of the SGC long before you've laid eyes on the stars outside of Earth's orbit, Admiral. This planet belongs to us and no one else as it would soon our home, Planet Earth."
'You're kidding right?' Admiral Benson promptly asked. 'Earth is part of something greater.'
'Earth had been part of something greater long before you and the rest of the planet reached for the stars. The human race is the fifth race of a greater alliance the likes of which you cannot even begin to fathom. But all that is soon going to change. The children of the Stargate are coming home and neither you nor your Federation can prevent that.
We could all be amicable in our meeting and rediscover together our roots and how to coexist or should it come to this we will take it by force. Earth is our home, Admiral Benson. And no one will stand in our path. We can either coexist or one of us is going straight to hell.'
The main view screen went off. The president waited for the inevitable questions and explosion of outrage. But the room before him was silent.
The Vulcan ambassador stood up first and walked to the podium standing before everyone.
"It is clear the human race will be busy in the days to come. These mysterious vessels and their outlandish claim must be examined thoroughly before any information is presented before the council."
"We are in agreement." The Andorian ambassador acknowledged.
"Agreed." The Klingon ambassador said too as did the Romulan.
The other councilors and representatives of the member worlds had no choice but to accept the decision. They had many questions about this but they would have to wait. Nevertheless it seemed the human race had a secret, so secretive even they did not know existed. But the mystery of all remained vivid in everyone's minds.
Once the meeting ended, the Vulcan, Andorian, Klingon and Romulan representatives followed the president to a more secluded area.
"Mr. President,"
"I know what you are going to say," The president interrupted. "But we do not have much information on the subject. Our teams are investigating the situation…"
"That fills us with so much confidence," Romulan Ambassador Reek'na said.
"I have the Enterprise and the Defiant working on it, Ambassador." The president pointed out.
"Picard and Sisko?" Vulcan Ambassador Tha'ru asked.
"Yes,"
"We did not see them here." Andorian Ambassador Shrin observed.
"They are on a planet sixty light years from here where we discovered the remains of a human base possibly placed there three centuries ago."
"Hardly possible," The Andorian pointed out. "You, Pinkskins, did not have such ability that long ago."
"We are aware of that, Ambassador but there it is. Once the Enterprise and Defiant send their findings we shall have more answers."
"And what of this Stargate Command?" Ambassador Tha'ru asked.
"We have never heard of it. We cannot find anything on it in our database. If they had existed it has been three centuries ago and we do not have much data of that period. Much was lost during the Third World War."
"And Atlantis?"
The president sighed. "Atlantis, Ambassador, is a myth, a legend."
"This legend as you called it has somehow come to life so perhaps you'd indulge us."
"According to legend, the great city of Atlantis, home of the Atlanteans – a highly advanced race, was lost when the raging fires of volcanoes on the continent of Atlantis engulfed the city and it sank to the bottom of the ocean. But no one knows when this occurred let alone where as there is no historical evidence to support that."
"And yet, it has come to knock on your door, as you humans so eloquently put it."
"Mr. Ambassador, I can assure you we are as much in the dark as you are. We have no idea what this Stargate Command is or where this city of Atlantis is coming from."
"Alright, let's suppose you are telling the truth." Shrin said. "How can we help?"
"Anything the Enterprise and the Defiant discover we will share but there might be as Captain Sisko shared a possibility the humans being on other worlds so if that is the case then we will need to confirm it. We will need your help at least in your respective territories."
"Why do you think they may have had bases in our areas?"
"I do not know, Ambassador but this is the preliminary report sent by the Enterprise." And he showed them. Awe replaced their words. "As you can see, we have something that doesn't add so you understand now why. I have assigned the here present Admiral Spencer to coördinate the search in your territories."
"Ambassadors, Mr. President," Admiral Spencer who had remained silent during these deliberations said.
"Meanwhile, we have a war on our hands too." The president said.
"A convenient timing," Tha'ru shared.
"Yes, we find it frustrating too." The President acknowledged.
"Very well, Mr. President, we shall help as much as we can, and divide necessary resources for this venture." Reek'na said in conclusion.
"Thank you,"
The ambassadors left leaving the president alone with Spencer who had the distinct feeling there was more the president wanted to share.
"Admiral," The president said standing up. "This situation, this development, is unexpected to say the least. Its timing is even worse. We fear this might be a Dominion trick hence the reason we are assigning you to lead this investigation."
"You do not believe it could be genuine?"
"We don't know what to believe. The request leading us to this discovery originated from the Q Continuum but we still have reservations. Either this is a trick or we are in a world of trouble for either way the end outcome of this will have serious consequences for Earth and the Federation. But we have to get to the bottom of this nevertheless."
"I understand sir"
"Good," The president said and handed him a pad. "This has your orders. You will report only to me and Admiral Benson and no one else. Is this understood, Admiral?"
"Yes, Mr. President,"
"And Admiral, anything you find is classified above top-secret."
"What of the other ambassadors? I'd imagine they would want us to share."
"We will decide what we will share with them. We are in a very precarious position, Admiral as this situation call blow up in our faces and this is not something we want."
"Sometimes, Mr. President, we cannot control what will happen."
"Very true, but we can try."
"Yes, sir,"
Admiral Spencer left and took a look at his orders. He did not like them at all and no one in his place would for they demanded of him to disobey at least several dozen Federation laws.
Whatever was taking place it was big and it has rattled Starfleet and the ruling council of the Federation a great deal. He also felt the President knew more than this preliminary report and frowned of the mission's high classification. It was something that very rarely occurred anymore.
Somewhere in Colorado Springs a group of people had gathered on a hill-top overlooking a nice gorge. They were all of different professional background and different levels but they were here nevertheless. They waited patiently.
An elderly man in blue uniform with such a hat and lots of medals approached the group. His hair was turning grey but preserved well for his age. He carried a square box that he promptly put on the ground before the group of people. The lid opened and revealed inside a brownish colored ball that filled in the space inside. The ball rose up and its fullness shifted from browning color to a crystal clear image.
"Major McKay," The elderly man in the uniform greeted.
"General Hammond," Connor McKay replied. "It is good to see you."
"Likewise," General David Hammond said nodding. "Where is Colonel Sheppard?"
"She's occupied at the moment." Connor said. "We are nearly ready. How is it on your side?"
"Well, you impressed the Federation Council. We've got them very rattled."
"That was the general idea."
"Yes, sadly not in the direction we wanted. Colonel Sheppard was very brazen with them and they did not take it well."
"She hardly had the choice, General. The Federation ships opened fire immediately after she dropped out of hyperspace. We think it might have been a misunderstanding but you know her. She doesn't enjoy such…um…well welcoming."
"I see." General Hammond said thoughtfully. "Starfleet assigned Admiral Spencer to oversee the general search of our bases in the major forces in the quadrant. Be careful with him."
"We will keep an eye on him."
"Excellent," General Hammond exclaimed. "Now, here, we are almost ready too. When it hits the fan…"
"We will send the Orion, the Triple Star, the Dauntless and the San Tzu."
"Do not forget who you're dealing with, Major."
"Our ships are more than a match for the Federation vessels, General. We can handle them."
"Let's hope so. But we do not want a civil war."
"No, we don't want that either in light of the current circumstances. Our forces will arrive in two weeks. Be ready, General Hammond. We will be writing history again."
"Hopefully the right way this time around,"
"Yeah, hopefully," Connor agreed nodding. "Atlantis out,"
The crystal ball retook its full brownish color. General Hammond stood still for some moments then turned to the group of people before him.
"Alert all of your positions. It begins in three weeks."
The group of people dispersed only General Hammond remained. His gaze turned towards the nearby mountain. It once contained the most guarded base on the planet and the greatest secret of all times. If the Federation really knew how it began all these years ago they would be surprised of the ingenuity, bravery, courage and that feeling of never giving up that defines the human race.
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