Chapter 2: The Gathering of Power
"Col. O'Neill wasn't joking about feeling like a meat Popsicle was he?" President Hayes asked while being held up by General Hammond. The general chuckled knowing full well Jack would describe gate travel in simplest terms, even to the president. George lead Henry Hayes to a chair then motioned for a warm blanket. "Here you go sir, this will help get rid of the chill faster." He replied accepting the blanket from Sgt Rogers. Base security was stationed nearby as a precaution until the president's secret service recovered in a similar manner. "...and to answer your question sir, Col. O'Neill wasn't joking. He was the second person to go through the Star Gate after Mr. Littlefield." George replied watching the gate shut down. President Hayes nodded remembering reading about Ernest Littlefield. He suggested naming the moon base after him for the man's bravery. "I think I'll take the transporter back after the meeting and cross gate travel of my bucket list." Hayes said feeling warmer already. "I think your secret service agents would prefer that as well sir." George answered chuckling at Hayes response.
Lt. Col. Carter walked back into the embarkation room giving Gen. Hammond thumbs up. He nodded understanding an honor guard ready to great President Hayes. "Mr. President, General Polsky has welcome reception waiting for whenever you're ready." Henry Hayes stood up feeling the after effects of gate travel dissipate. "Let's not keep the man waiting then." He said taking the lead followed by everyone else. This meeting is going to set earth on a path only science fiction writer's dream of he thought.
-"You've got to ask yourself a question: 'do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?" Harry Callahan-
President Hayes entered seeing the meeting hall for the first time since its completion. The meeting hall itself was huge complete with a vaulted ceiling. Hayes noticed the ceiling was adorned with a mural of an active star gate complete with back lighted chevrons. Flags of all the CLB members surrounded the circular table standing against the walls. The solid oak table had room for future members with a golden chevron for earth in the middle. Hayes felt as if he was living out some high end SyFy movie. The fact others along with himself were on a moon base made him chuckle. When he became president his biggest concern was messing up the economy not aliens. Now here he was heading an international group tasked with universal events that included earth/alien politics, God sure had a sense of humor.
"Why didn't you tell me how beautifully the place is designed?" He asked Gen. Hammond who entered right behind along with SSgt. Nantz and Sgt. Rogers. "We wanted it to be a surprise for you and the others sir." George answered the president. "Let the architects know they did a great job. The star gate on the ceiling tops it off perfectly." Hayes said noticing the prime minister of Great Britain walking over. "The meeting doesn't start for another 10 minutes sir, we'll be over there sir if you need us." General Hammond replied noticing the prime minister as well. "I'll wave you over if I need anything George." Hayes said getting a curt nod from the general.
-"There must be some higher power or how else does all this stuff work?" John Wayne-
"Henry my boy, you finally decided to grace us with your presence." Prime Minister Churchill of Great Britain said with a smile. "Hello to you too Rufus, I'm glad you made it this time." Hayes responded in jest shaking his counterpart's hand. "Doesn't my daughter giving birth to a grandson count as an excuse old boy?" Rufus asked continuing to smile. He really enjoyed the American president's wit and honesty. Other world leaders were overly pleasant for his taste. "I let it slide because she named him Henry." Hayes said as they walked toward a refreshment table. "Henry after my great grandfathers not you!" Rufus replied pouring some English tea. "How is your grandson doing by the way?" Hayes asked selecting sweet tea. "He's walking now so my daughter and son in-law are constantly on running after him." Rufus said with a chuckle then continued. "Did you cross star gate travel of your bucket list old boy?" he asked knowing that Hayes expressed a desire to walk among the stars. "I did and it's an experience I'll never forget. Next one on my list is visit another planet." Hayes answered back looking around the room. The Israeli PM and French president were talking in one corner while other world leaders gathered around the finger food table. "It's almost time to start Rufus, you ready to play politics." Hayes asked his friend. "Politics is mental chess board for world leaders." ...answered the British Prime Minister. "It's more of a headache to me sometimes but at any rate let's start the party!" Hayes replied heading for the table.
-"An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, the power to destroy." Daniel Webster-
President Hayes banged the solid oak gavel on it pad getting everyone's attention. "If everyone will take stand by their seats Sheppard Book will say a prayer to open our meeting." Hayes said then watched board members and aides take their places. Sheppard Book stood at the front of the table with President Hayes on one side and P.M Churchill on the other. "Everyone please bow your heads. Father, Thank You for every seat that has been filled here, today. For each mind and heart that fills the presence of this room, we thank You. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. We have an idea, a vision, hints, and daily instructions. We have talents, abilities, and time to work. However, only You can see in perfect detail the end of every beginning. Every project, every season, every life. Nothing is ever in vain, for even mistakes and missteps are used for good. Your righteousness transcends all our efforts and understanding. Forgive us our pride. The pride that puffs us up and the pride that threatens to unqualify us. Strengthen our confidence in who You have made us to be. Set us free from comparison in order to work together efficiently. Bless this meeting today, all those present, as well as the lives of those we will encounter afterward. Ready us to make every moment count. In Jesus' Name, Amen." Sheppard Book raised his head place the bible back on the table. The people gathered either replied back 'Amen' or chose to stay silent. "Good luck gentlemen, I'll be heading back to the SGC." Sheppard Book left the room then everyone took their seats waiting for Hayes to start the meeting.
"I want to thank all of you for clearing your schedules for this meeting. Everybody should've already received the meeting outline and cliff notes. I'll run through them quick then start with the first one." Hayes informed the other CLB members and aides. "Number 1 is the Fleet Shakedown cruise, 2: the completion of our Prometheus Fleet and dedicated Carrier, 3: The vote on admitting Poland and India to the CLB, 4: The vote on building a dedicated military/fleet yard on Mars, 5: Transfer of Moon Base Littlefield to NASA or new civilian space agency, 6: Integrated Military Force, 7: Disclosure time table." He looked around the table while speaking watching everyone's reactions. Hayes noticed a few wrinkled noses at disclosure and a joint military. That told him enough to know where most disagreements would come from. "...since there are no questions or objections we'll just jump right in." Hayes said turning to the first page of the meeting outline. "The Prometheus class ships are starting their shakedown cruise near P3X-367, also known as planet Hanka. The USS Milky Way has completed its shakedown cruise and will join them." He said looking around the table once more. "President Hayes is there a particular reason Hanka was chosen over an allied planet such as Langara?" asked French President Lucas Martin. Hayes knew this question would come up as a minority of the CLB pushed for the location. Their reason was simple, politics and photo ops. "I believe General Hammond can answer this question better Lucas." He replied giving Gen. Hammond the opportunity to assert the MLBs authority.
"Thank you President Hayes, President Martin. The Military Leadership Board considered the proposal of having the shakedowns near Langara. We decided the best course of action was to deploy the ships over a non-inhabited world for 1: Security reasons related to our enemies finding out our fleet size. 2: We didn't want to put a civilian population at risk if something went wrong."" He said informing the council getting nods of approval from most members. "General Hammond, your reasons are understandable yet military leaders don't always understand us politicians. We wanted to make a statement to the wider universe. The statement being we, the Tau'ri, have arrived." Prime Minister Hans Gruber spoke with arrogance. "If you want a statement sir would it not be best if our ships don't show weakness through malfunction. You'll get your photo opportunity once the fleet is ready. We'll have a majority of the fleets do a tour much like The Great White Fleet did in 1907 (A/N 1). The MLB will make sure our allies and enemies alike see our power." George replied not mincing words with the pompous arse. He dealt with aliens that made people like him look like tumble weeds just blowing around Texas. Hans didn't like the response but didn't reply. They would get their fleet and a big photo op securing his next bid for Prime Minister once the program was disclosed.
"Will that be satisfactory Hans?" Hayes asked the German and French knowing what they were pushing for. "That will be satisfactory Henry. The completed fleet will be a powerful symbol of our power." Hans said not wanting to show his cards just yet. "Good, our next order of business is a vote on admitting Poland and India to the MLB. They both have exceeded requirements for admission. The table is open for debate gentlemen and ladies." Henry Hayes said waiting for the discussion to begin.
-"Today is Victory over yourself; tomorrow is your Victory over lesser men." Ranger Up-
Planet Hanka orbit; Shakedown Fleet: Lt. Col. Carter and Major Hills walked onto the bridge of USS Milky Way noticing the bridge was laid out similar to Enterprise 1701-A only with a holographic war table. Consoles lined each side giving the colonel or general good visuals to everything. General Lionel Pendergast noticed the two officers waving them over to the flight control board aka Ouija board. "Welcome aboard Lt. Col. Carter and Major Hills." Pendergast said returning their salutes. "Thank you sir, your ship is beautiful." Major Hills responded wondering how much the ship cost. The Milky Way is easily the most powerful earth ship built to date she thought. "Thank you major, she's going to be the envy of enemies and allies alike." He replied as holographic F-302's flew a Combat Air Patrol (CAP) around the ship. "Congratulations on the promotion too sir, I'm sure your wife is really proud." Sam said taking everything in at once. She worked on parts of the design but actually seeing it made it real. "My wife is very proud. I'm just grateful I was allowed to fill her in, it's a lot easier with her knowing the truth." Pendergast answered then continued. "The fleet is almost in position; if you'll take your places at the secondary engineering consoles I'll start the fun." He said leading the two women to their stations.
"The USS Tel Aviv is most impressive Daniel Jackson, I believe the goa'uld will be fearful once they encounter the ship." Teal'C said with pride. He knew once the ships completed their shakedown the Tau'ri would honor promises made. "I believe they'll be more fearful of Colonel Gadot, she's fearless when it comes to combat." Daniel replied as he waited for the turbo lift to open. They couldn't use the rings because of a malfunction not that he minded. Having your body's molecules separated and put back together bothered him at times.
"Indeed the Goa'uld is fearful of strong women Daniel Jackson. That is why women are not permitted to be combatants." Teal'C informed his friend. They exited the turbo lift into a swarm of crewmen rushing to their stations. One poor individual actually ran into Teal'C quickly apologizing then moving on. "Sorry sirs, there are a lot of new recruits aboard. Transitioning from a wet navy to space one can be a challenge." ...said Sgt. Walker dodging a crew member himself. "Indeed!" Teal'C replied as they followed their escort.
They entered the bridge to a surprisingly calm scene as opposed to seconds ago. Daniel knew immediately why Col. Gadot chosen for command. The bridge crew didn't acknowledge their arrival instead tended to their duties. "Your 5 minutes late Dr. Jackson, Col Murray...this isn't a cruise ship!" she said turning to face them with folded hands and stern look. "Ma'am, the rings malfunctioned so we had to use the turbo lift. I'll make sure to hold the lift next time." Sgt. Walker replied and crisply saluted his CO. "See that you do sergeant, dismissed." Gadot ordered watching him disappear into the chaos outside the bridge.
"You run a tight ship Col. Gadot but it was my fault as I wanted to read your ships dedication plaque." Daniel explained trying to help the sergeant. "That may be Dr. Jackson but like I explained this isn't a cruise ship. The Tel Aviv is a warship and should run as such, don't you agree Col. Murray?" she asked sizing Teal'C up. "Indeed Col. Gadot, discipline leads to victory over our enemies." He replied receiving a subtle wink in return. "You're my kind of soldier Col. Murray." Gadot answered him then looked at Daniel. "Dr. Jackson if you'll take a seat by the communication station and inform Gen. Pendergast you're aboard." She ordered. Teal'C stood to the side of Gadots command chair waiting for instructions. This is her command so he would follow Jacks advice 'DON'T PISS OFF THE Crazy ISREALI NINJA LADY!'
"Col. Murray, I can have a magnetic chair brought over or you can stand behind me and observe. I believe you have more space combat experience than all of us combined." She said offering him a choice. "Indeed Col. Gadot, I will accept the chair but stand until it is needed." Teal'C replied getting a nod of approval. "Col. Gadot, General Pendergast wants to address the fleet before starting." The communication officer reported. "Don't keep the general waiting airman, put the man on." She replied sternly.
SGC General Hammond's office: 'This chair is really comfortable, hell I could kick back and take a nap.' Jack thought to himself getting settled. His nap would have to wait as someone knocked on the office door. "Sir, here's some reports that the General left for you to go through. Then there's a geological debriefing at 1730hrs." Walter informed Col. O'Neill with a straight face. Everyone knew how he hated paperwork so this amounted to torture for him. "I knew General Hammond had it out for me ever since I requested a golf outing via the star gate!" Jack said with a groan. Walter kept a straight face as he placed the stack of papers down. "For the record sir I liked the idea. I have a mean back swing." He replied standing there waiting to be dismissed. "I'm glad someone agreed with me besides Teal'C. Next time we go golfing I'll let you know. Well, so much for testing out the generals chair for napping." Jack said with a wave dismissing him. "...permission to speak freely sir?" Walter asked from the door. Jack looked up wondering what was on the gate technicians mind. He leaned back giving Walter a nod. "Col. O'Neill, I just want to say that you'll make a great general." He said making Jack look at him odd. "What makes you think I could be 'THE MAN' Walter?" he asked wondering if it was even possible given his chicken scratched file. "The main reason sir is that everyone on base would follow you to hell and back without question..." Walter said then paused gauging O'Neill's expression then continued. "...and I have a good hunch that'll you'll be sitting in that chair taking naps, sir!" he said with a smirk turning to leave once again. "...is that hunch coming from a magic 8 ball by chance?" Jack asked returning the smirk. "No sir, just my gut and everyone on the base believes in you." Walter said then made his exit. "Me a general, when pigs fly!" he said to himself with a chuckle going back to the evil paperwork.
Moments Later: Walter opens his desk drawer pulling out and shaking the 'Non-existent' Magic '8' Ball. "Will Col. O'Neill make general?" he asked getting a 'YES' in response. "That's ten for ten now." Walter said marking the results down in his wager book.
A/N 1: The 'Great White fleet' toured the world from 1907-09 displaying Americas modern fleet of the time.
A/N 2: My niece got a puppy recently and guess who gets take to care of Damien? I never realized how much energy or time consuming they are. He's calmed down now so I'll have more time to write.