3.
"Come on Carter! You have got to be kidding me! This footage can't be real!"
"That was my first reaction too sir," Carter replied. "But we've had experts check it out, Hollywood couldn't put out a fake as convincing as this."
"Star Wars vs. Star Trek?" O'Neill, the new Secretary of Defence, shook his head. "This sounds like one of those bad fanfics."
"Nevertheless it's real," Carter replied.
"And there's no way we can safely close this tear?" O'Neill replied.
"Sir, we don't understand what the tear is or how it occurred, much less how to close it," Carter replied.
"And ships would be able to safely travel through it?" O'Neill asked.
"Ships with a minimal amount of shielding far less than that we need to travel anywhere," Sam replied.
"Oh for crying out loud," her old CO cursed then nodded. "Okay, I'll alert the relevant ambassadors. The president is going to love this."
"That's why you get paid the big bucks, sir," Sam replied.
"That's right!" O'Neill's face crinkled in sour amusement. "Poke the bear. I'll get Daniel to gate in for this."
"Sir?" Sam was pleased at the prospect of seeing her old team-mate, but couldn't see his use.
"If we're going to send an expedition we'll need ambassadors," O'Neill replied. "And given his experience with first contact, he'll be my recommendation. Plus he'll never forgive me if he misses out on this." O'Neill paused. "Have you read the file on Rupert Giles and his group?"
Carter nodded. Her head spun at the idea of Time Lords, Jedi, DC & Marvel heroes come to life. "They sound formidable, sir."
"That they do," O'Neill agreed.
"Will you be joining the conference sir?" Carter queried.
"Once I've briefed the president and gotten my instructions, I'll be flying down to chair the meeting," O'Neill confirmed with a nod.
Giles blinked as the stargate wooshed into life. "Are you ready dear?"
Giles looked over his shoulder to his wife of several years. "As ready as one can be, Jenny." He winked. "Take care of the old city for us." He looked towards the waiting youths. "Come on lads, we can't keep our hosts waiting."
O'Neill stiffened as the Stargate wooshed into life. He couldn't get used to it no matter how many times he'd seen it over the years. After a couple of minutes a learned-looking man who looked to be in his mid-forties followed by four powerfully-built youths, three white and one black, each brandishing, his eyes widened, a quartet of ZPMs. The man smiled as he noted O'Neill's gaze. "A present from us to you, a goodwill gesture if you will."
"Mr. Giles," O'Neill nodded as he took the other man's hand and shook it. "Several sizeable crates were delivered here in your name."
"Ah yes," Giles smiled apologetically. "In lieu of actual information as regards the two verses, I went online and bought two thousand copies of the most detailed reference books into both franchises – the cultures, the ships, the histories."
O'Neill nodded. "Good idea."
"Excellent, then we're already in agreement." Giles paused. "And the ambassadors?"
"They're here," O'Neill nodded. "If you'll follow me?"
Giles looked towards his companions. "Is there somewhere my companions can take their ZPMs?"
O'Neill looked towards his security detail. "Lt., please take these gentlemen to Dr. Lee's lab. I'm sure he'll go ga ga looking over the ZPMs."
Over the past few years, Earth's explorations had discovered that many advanced races had masqueraded as gods and taken humans from the planet in an effort to both guide and protect them. Some of these races like the Nox, the Omeyocan, and the Native American gods had evolved past a need for technology, the Middle Eastern ones had been largely hijacked by the Goa'uld, and still others, the Japanese and the Greeks had largely disappeared. Those who remained sat around the table, together with representatives of the less advanced races that also made up the Universal Planetary Alliance – the Free Jaffa Nation, Tollan Colonies, Ohnes Assembly, the Tok'Ra High Council, the Hebridians, Reetou Central Authority, and the Galaran Cabinet.
After introductions were completed, O'Neill called the meeting to order.
"I've given this a great deal of consideration," Giles replied. "Either we take a fleet of thousands of ships through and risk stripping this reality of protection from pirates and the like. Or we gamble and take a few dozen of extremely-powerful capital ships through and hope our advanced technologies and the Trek verse's numbers are enough to sway the fight."
"We have four City Ships positioned here or on the moon, however Homeworld Command might be reluctant to release them all to your expedition," O'Neill declared.
"Come now Secretary," the Englishman's eyes bore into him. "You're not telling me Earth doesn't have orbital defence arrays, lunar-based missile silos, and other fleets in orbit with which to defend it?"
O'Neill decided right there and then he would never ever want to play cards with this seemingly genial Englishman. He was way too sharp, way too well-informed for that. "I'll have to okay that with the Homeworld Command, but given the severity of the situation I doubt they'll be much in the way of protest. I might even be able to get another three city ships to escort you." O'Neill paused. "However we might struggle to find enough pilots with the required Ancient genes."
"We have a solution to that," Giles declared. "It appears that the Jedi amongst us have many of the same gifts as pre-ascended Ancients – telepathy, telekinesis, and the like. Those who have the gifts seemed to have developed along the same genetic lines, meaning they in affect have the Ancient gene. We can supply several on loan if you need them, including four who have military or policing experience – Bobby Lee Swagger formerly of Marine Recon, Cameron Poe formerly of US. Rangers, Frank Martin formerly of the SAS, and Benton Frazer formerly of the Canadian Mounties."
"That will help thank you," O'Neill nodded. "We'll also have to move some of our civilian support staff – scientists and the like off the stations, that'll take a few hours."
"Since we re-integrated the Vanir a number of them have repeatedly requested we supply them with more advanced technology," Thor rumbled. "I have offered them sixteen O'Neills if they agree to use them in this force. They have agreed."
"And there I thought I was unique," O'Neill grumbled in a mutter before looking towards the Furling ambassador.
"I spoke to my government before coming here, they agreed to send eight Ziggurats," replied the ambassador. "We assumed you would agree to a mission and as a result they're already on their way."
"Thank you," O'Neill looked towards the Celtic Ambassador, the Celtic Circle representative looked uncannily like a Serrakin only both bigger and meaner, more assertive looking.
The Celtic Circle Ambassador nodded. "Like the Furlings, we took advice before attending this meeting. Eleven Vanguards are on their way here."
The Incan Alliance Ambassador was next to speak. "We can also send eight Zigguarats."
Next to speak was the Afar Assembly's spokeswoman, an imperious black woman dressed in traditional tribal clothing. "We can spare ten Archons for this grand endeavour."
Finally it was left to the Xian Alliance ambassador to speak. "We can spare fourteen Jians."
"Seventy-five ships in total," Giles nodded approvingly. "If nothing else, it should give us and them a chance. However there are several other matters I feel we should consider."
O'Neill looked towards the Englishman. "You have the floor."
"Thank you," the Englishman nodded towards him before looking towards the packed room in general. "I assume we're going to send some ground troops? I have a number of uniquely talented people and combat droids in my organisation, the details of which I've sent you. However, I assume you'll wish to send forces of your own?"
O'Neill looked towards the crew-cut, lined-featured man sat beside him. "This is Brigadier-General Tom Ryan of the United Earth Elite. Ever since the formation of the International Stargate League, the member nations have taken volunteers recruited from the member nations' Special Forces to form the UEE, a five thousand strong brigade with a remit to act only either against enemy aliens or in space. A thousand of them are currently stationed here. Brigadier-General Ryan will lead them."
Teal'c spoke up. "There is a growing dissatisfaction amongst the youngest of the new Jaffa, they have not fought in the battles of the past, and seek to prove themselves. Hunting down the last of the Goa'uld does not satisfy them. My very son, Ry'ac is one of these Unblooded. I fear that this dissatisfaction could lead them to hire themselves as mercenaries and into unwise decisions. And so I offer five thousand of them to act as ground troops."
"It seems you've given this a great deal of thought," the Englishman approved. "I assume we're going to take an ambassadorial staff?
"That matter's already under consideration," O'Neill hedged. "I'm going into a meeting directly after this one to discuss it."
"Forethought indeed," Giles nodded. "Thirdly what about a force to wait at this side of the tear, just in case the Empire attempts an invasion?"
"We feel we have some time before that occurs, at least until the Trek verse has been thoroughly conquered, however we do intend to have a force guarding the force tear," O'Neill replied. "However we feel it's perhaps unwise to share the details of our plans with anybody who is at risk at falling into enemy hands."
"That is perhaps wise," Giles conceded with a nod. "I assume you'll continue attempting to close the spatial tear?"
"Of course," O'Neill nodded. "You realise of course if we do manage to close the tear, you'll be trapped in this other dimension?"
"I think we're all in agreement that better we're stuck in this alternate reality, than the whole universe is forced under the Empire's jackboot." The Englishman smiled. "Moreover, while I'm more than aware of Major-General Carter and Dr. McKay's quite laudable intellects, I'm willing to bet you won't be able to solve a problem that stumped several time lords." The Englishman paused. "I assume we'll have to discuss just who is in overall charge of this force?"
"Neither yourself or Major-General Carter will be joining our forces, O'Neill?" asked Thor.
"I only wish I could," sighed O'Neill. Paperwork sucked the big one.
"Then I recommend Mr. Giles," Thor looked towards the Englishman. "He made a very creditable defence of Earth when the Goa'uld attempted an invasion."
"Mr. Giles isn't a professional soldier," O'Neill protested.
"Aren't I?" Giles raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you've read my file, the battles I've fought both before and after my possession, the memories of wars I have."
O'Neill nodded reluctantly. The earth soldiers he was sending would doubtless protest, but one couldn't argue with results, and Giles did have memories of battling the likes of Cybermen, Daleks, Judoons, Sontarans, and Orgons. "Very well. If there's no other issues?"
"Just one," Giles replied. "I've received further intelligence from sensor beacons I sent into the tear of a staging area of several thousand ships in a remote area of space. I've got a few ideas on a battle plan?"
"This room's free for you to discuss your battle plan if you wish," O'Neill replied. "But I have another meeting to attend if you don't mind?"
"I will accompany you O'Neill." His best friend rose and fell in alongside him.
"Thanks for the loan of the Unblooded, Teal'c."
Teal'c half-bowed to him as the pair of them made their way through the SGC's lower levels. "You are welcome O'Neill, it serves a very important need for my people. The Free Jaffa Nation has also agreed to loan you twenty motherships for the blockade of the spatial tear. I trust our allies have already committed their forces?"
"The Ohnes have promised half a dozen warships, the Tok'Ra the same, the Serrakin have agreed to send ten heavy cruisers, and earth itself will be sending two fleets on rotation," O'Neill replied. The problem would be keeping up a guard for months against a potential threat.
"A formidable number of ships, but as we both know the Empire could send a fleet numbering in thousands," Teal'c commented.
"I'll be honest the thought had occurred to me," O'Neill replied. The footage of the war had sent shockwaves through the Pentagon and given Homeworld Command all the ammunition it needed to start an accelerated expansion of the fleets. However given the supposed size of the Star Wars universe, every earth citizen could be enlisted in the Stargate fleets, and they would still be little more than a speed bump to the Imperials.
"In that case do you think the few dozen ships can make that much of a difference?"
"Thought had occurred, our ships will be better than theirs but vastly out-numbered," O'Neill replied. "'Course we do have intel on the verse that could be advantage. But as Mr. Giles pointed out, we could send every ship of the lesser-powered races through and it wouldn't do much to help the Federation and its allies, while also leaving us vulnerable to an attack to our rear."
"Indeed."
The rest of their walk was spent in a grim silence that only ended when they arrived at the briefing room where Carter & Jackson were waiting. "Did the meeting go well, sir?"
O'Neill waved Carter back to her seat. "Better than expected. Our fleet should be leaving soon."
"What's Mr. Giles really like?" queried Carter.
"He's formidable, looks younger than me, but you get the idea he's got experiences far beyond his years," O'Neill paused. "Which makes sense given his file."
"And he really knows his ancient history?" Jackson excitedly asked.
"You know Danny," O'Neill shot the archaeologist a scathing look, "the subject didn't come up." Chastened, Daniel sat back in his seat. "Danny, are you interested in being this mission's ambassador?"
O'Neill entertained himself a few seconds with Daniel's agape look. Finally though his friend nodded. "I'm surprised you didn't want an official diplomat on this?"
O'Neill shrugged. "You're the one who came up with the original UPA treaty and have more first contact experience than an embassyful of diplomats. Plus, hey I trust you."
"Oh shucks, next thing you know I'll be blushing," Danny grinned.
"We're also going to send Ronon Dex, Aris Boch, it seems he wants to work for us in payment for helping his planet, and Vala Mal Doran to be your bodyguards."
"Vala," Daniel paled. "Oh please…"
Jack smirked. "But Daniel, I'm just thinking of your safety."
"I'm safer in a different galaxy from Vala," Daniel protested.
"I've been instructed to send Dr. Molly Caffery, a high-level governmental crisis manager as your deputy. In addition I've selected Colonel Davis as your military attaché," O'Neill continued. "And Malcom Barrett to act as your intelligence liaison."
"Colonel Davis will be pleased to finally get in space," Carter commented. "Ever since that Noah Wyle show, Falling Skies started, he's been obsessed with that Pope character and becoming more 'bad-ass'."
"The question remains who to send as the team's science representative given that you can't go," O'Neill shook his head. "No, don't protest Carter, you're too valuable to leave here."
"Puts me in my place," Daniel muttered.
"And we can't send Drs McKay or Rush because they both could start arguments in an empty room," O'Neill mused. "That leaves Zelenka or Lee, neither choice that fills me with joy."
"Or how about," Carter clicked her fingers, inspiration clearly hitting, "Dr. Henry Deacon? He's brilliant, and thanks to his work with Global Dynamics he's already got the necessary clearances and signed the necessary paperwork."
"Yeah, I'm aware of some of his work." O'Neill flushed when everybody stared incredulously at him. "Alright, alright, I've seen his name in reports about several inventions. I'll put him on the team."
"Given the amount of technology out there, we need to send more than one scientist." Carter said.
"Got any names, you're the expert?" Jack O'Neill queried.
"Another Global Dynamics employee, Zane Donovan is an expert in a number of sciences, and has signed the relevant secrecy papers. Then there's Jennifer Hailey-."
"Your pint-sized protégé?" Jack O'Neill queried with a snort.
"She has the relevant paperwork and is bright enough," Sam fired back. "There's two others too. Claudia Donovan works for the Secret Service, and is a computer expert that would be more than capable of learning from their artificial intelligence. There's also an Alec Hardison, he's a computer expert and hacker. He doesn't have the paperwork though, and does have a criminal record-."
"No way," O'Neill shook his head. "No how. I'll look at the rest given they all have signed the relevant paperwork, but no way am I letting a crook into the biggest remaining secret we have, this reality rip."
"What other team positions are requiring filling?" Carter asked.
"Medical. We could send Keller-." Once the room had finished laughing, O'Neill smiled. "Yeah I can't say that with a straight face either. I see it coming down as a direct choice between Beckett or Lam, any thoughts?"
Carter shook her head. "Beckett's off world, part of that refugee expedition to Ilempiri attempting to cure their addiction to Roshna."
O'Neill nodded at the reminder. "Oh yeah, forgot that. Lam it is then."
"And when will we leave?" Daniel queried.
"Within forty-eight hours."
